diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 006477fe..2aa3d10d 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -33,14 +33,17 @@ Authoritative docs:
 ## 2. How to behave as an agent
 
 ### 2.1 No assumptions
+
 - If something is unclear, **ask targeted questions**.
 - Prefer a sensible default proposal, but **explicitly label it** as a default.
 
 ### 2.2 One change-set at a time
+
 - Keep PRs focused: one issue / one theme.
 - Avoid drive-by refactors unless the issue is specifically about refactoring.
 
 ### 2.3 Determinism over cleverness
+
 - Prefer explicit validation and deterministic behavior.
 - Avoid “magic” behavior, hidden fallbacks, or implicit global state.
 
@@ -57,10 +60,12 @@ Follow `STYLEGUIDE.md` for the full rule set. In short:
 - Inline comments should explain **why**, not what
 
 ### 3.1 Public vs. Private
+
 - Keep a clean separation between Public and Private functions.
 - Treat exported commands as stable contracts.
 
 ### 3.2 Configuration is data-only (no code in config)
+
 - Workflow definitions (PSD1) must be **data-only**:
   - No `ScriptBlock`
   - No dynamic PowerShell expressions
@@ -71,6 +76,7 @@ Follow `STYLEGUIDE.md` for the full rule set. In short:
 ## 4. Architectural constraints
 
 ### 4.1 Headless core
+
 The engine (`IdLE.Core`) must **not** depend on:
 
 - UI frameworks
@@ -78,11 +84,13 @@ The engine (`IdLE.Core`) must **not** depend on:
 - service hosts / web servers
 
 ### 4.2 Steps vs. Providers
+
 - **Steps**: convergence logic, idempotent intent, no authentication
 - **Providers**: system adapters, handle authentication and external calls
 - Steps should only write to declared `State.*` outputs.
 
 ### 4.3 Eventing
+
 Use the single event contract:
 
 - `Context.EventSink.WriteEvent(Type, Message, StepName, Data)`
@@ -109,6 +117,7 @@ Follow `docs/advanced/testing.md` and `CONTRIBUTING.md`.
 - Update docs when changing contracts, configuration schema, public cmdlets, step behavior, or provider contracts.
 
 ### 6.1 Generated references
+
 The cmdlet and step references under `docs/reference/` are generated.
 Do **not** edit generated files by hand—regenerate via the repository tools as documented in `CONTRIBUTING.md`.
 
@@ -156,4 +165,3 @@ Prefer:
 - explicit validation over implicit behavior
 - small PRs over large rewrites
 - documentation + tests as part of the same change
-
diff --git a/docs/advanced/provider-capabilities.md b/docs/advanced/provider-capabilities.md
index 102be061..3960ce2c 100644
--- a/docs/advanced/provider-capabilities.md
+++ b/docs/advanced/provider-capabilities.md
@@ -28,7 +28,15 @@ Naming convention:
 - dot-separated segments
 - no whitespace
 - starts with a letter
-- examples: `Identity.Read`, `Identity.Disable`, `Entitlement.Write`
+- examples: `Identity.Read`, `Identity.Disable`, `IdLE.Entitlement.List`
+
+### Entitlement capability set
+
+Providers that support entitlement assignments should advertise the minimal trio:
+
+- `IdLE.Entitlement.List` — list entitlements assigned to a specific identity
+- `IdLE.Entitlement.Grant` — assign an entitlement to an identity
+- `IdLE.Entitlement.Revoke` — remove an entitlement from an identity
 
 ## High-level flow
 
diff --git a/docs/reference/steps.md b/docs/reference/steps.md
index a75162cb..f19961cf 100644
--- a/docs/reference/steps.md
+++ b/docs/reference/steps.md
@@ -61,3 +61,37 @@ The step is idempotent by design: it converges state to the desired value.
 | Value | Yes |
 
 ---
+
+## EnsureEntitlement
+
+- **Step Name**: $stepType
+- **Implementation**: $commandName
+- **Idempotent**: $idempotent
+- **Contracts**: $contracts
+- **Events**: Unknown
+
+**Synopsis**
+
+Ensures that an entitlement assignment is present or absent for an identity.
+
+**Description**
+
+This provider-agnostic step uses entitlement provider contracts to converge
+an assignment to the desired state. The host must supply a provider instance
+via `Context.Providers[<ProviderAlias>]` that implements:
+- ListEntitlements(identityKey)
+- GrantEntitlement(identityKey, entitlement)
+- RevokeEntitlement(identityKey, entitlement)
+
+The step is idempotent and only calls Grant/Revoke when the assignment needs
+to change.
+
+**Inputs (With.\*)**
+
+| Key | Required |
+| --- | --- |
+| IdentityKey | Yes |
+| Entitlement | Yes |
+| State | Yes |
+
+---
diff --git a/docs/usage/steps.md b/docs/usage/steps.md
index 4d518768..e81acf24 100644
--- a/docs/usage/steps.md
+++ b/docs/usage/steps.md
@@ -71,6 +71,13 @@ IdLE uses a fail-fast execution model in V1:
 - a failing step stops plan execution
 - results and events capture what happened
 
+## Built-in steps (starter pack)
+
+IdLE ships with a small set of built-in steps to keep demos and tests frictionless:
+
+- **IdLE.Step.EnsureAttribute**: converges an identity attribute to the desired value using `With.IdentityKey`, `With.Name`, and `With.Value`. Requires a provider with `EnsureAttribute` and usually the `Identity.Attribute.Ensure` capability.
+- **IdLE.Step.EnsureEntitlement**: converges an entitlement assignment to `Present` or `Absent` using `With.IdentityKey`, `With.Entitlement` (Kind + Id + optional DisplayName), `With.State`, and optional `With.Provider` (default `Identity`). Requires provider methods `ListEntitlements` plus `GrantEntitlement` or `RevokeEntitlement` and typically the capabilities `IdLE.Entitlement.List` plus `IdLE.Entitlement.Grant|Revoke`.
+
 ## Related
 
 - [Workflows](workflows.md)
diff --git a/examples/README.md b/examples/README.md
index 2932bff7..ff72efca 100644
--- a/examples/README.md
+++ b/examples/README.md
@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@ Workflow samples are located in:
 
 - `examples/workflows/`
 
+Highlighted samples:
+
+- `joiner-ensureentitlement.psd1` — ensures a demo group assignment via the built-in EnsureEntitlement step
+
 Workflows are **data-only** PSD1 files. A minimal workflow looks like:
 
 ```powershell
diff --git a/examples/workflows/joiner-ensureentitlement.psd1 b/examples/workflows/joiner-ensureentitlement.psd1
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1b02c8cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/workflows/joiner-ensureentitlement.psd1
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+@{
+    Name           = 'Joiner - Ensure Entitlement'
+    LifecycleEvent = 'Joiner'
+    Steps          = @(
+        @{
+            Name                 = 'Ensure Department'
+            Type                 = 'IdLE.Step.EnsureAttribute'
+            With                 = @{ IdentityKey = 'user1'; Name = 'Department'; Value = 'IT'; Provider = 'Identity' }
+            RequiresCapabilities = 'Identity.Attribute.Ensure'
+        },
+        @{
+            Name                 = 'Assign demo group'
+            Type                 = 'IdLE.Step.EnsureEntitlement'
+            With                 = @{ IdentityKey = 'user1'; Entitlement = @{ Kind = 'Group'; Id = 'demo-group'; DisplayName = 'Demo Group' }; State = 'Present'; Provider = 'Identity' }
+            RequiresCapabilities = @('IdLE.Entitlement.List', 'IdLE.Entitlement.Grant')
+        }
+    )
+}
diff --git a/src/IdLE.Core/Private/Get-IdleProviderCapabilities.ps1 b/src/IdLE.Core/Private/Get-IdleProviderCapabilities.ps1
index 2b2dad6c..5a563f0b 100644
--- a/src/IdLE.Core/Private/Get-IdleProviderCapabilities.ps1
+++ b/src/IdLE.Core/Private/Get-IdleProviderCapabilities.ps1
@@ -38,19 +38,27 @@ function Get-IdleProviderCapabilities {
     )
 
     $capabilities = @()
+    $capabilitySource = 'none'
 
     # Prefer explicit advertisement (provider-controlled, deterministic).
     $hasGetCapabilitiesMethod = $Provider.PSObject.Methods.Name -contains 'GetCapabilities'
     if ($hasGetCapabilitiesMethod) {
         $capabilities = @($Provider.GetCapabilities())
+        $capabilitySource = 'explicit'
     }
     elseif ($AllowInference) {
         # Migration helper: infer a minimal set from known method names.
         # We keep this conservative to avoid accidentally overstating capabilities.
         $methodNames = @($Provider.PSObject.Methods.Name)
 
-        if ($methodNames -contains 'GetIdentity') {
-            $capabilities += 'Identity.Read'
+        if ($methodNames -contains 'GrantEntitlement') {
+            $capabilities += 'IdLE.Entitlement.Grant'
+        }
+        if ($methodNames -contains 'ListEntitlements') {
+            $capabilities += 'IdLE.Entitlement.List'
+        }
+        if ($methodNames -contains 'RevokeEntitlement') {
+            $capabilities += 'IdLE.Entitlement.Revoke'
         }
         if ($methodNames -contains 'EnsureAttribute') {
             $capabilities += 'Identity.Attribute.Ensure'
@@ -58,10 +66,16 @@ function Get-IdleProviderCapabilities {
         if ($methodNames -contains 'DisableIdentity') {
             $capabilities += 'Identity.Disable'
         }
+        if ($methodNames -contains 'GetIdentity') {
+            $capabilities += 'Identity.Read'
+        }
+
+        $capabilitySource = 'inferred'
     }
 
     # Normalize, validate, and return a stable list.
-    $normalized = @()
+    $normalized = New-Object System.Collections.Generic.List[string]
+    $seen = New-Object System.Collections.Generic.HashSet[string]
     foreach ($c in @($capabilities)) {
         if ($null -eq $c) {
             continue
@@ -81,8 +95,16 @@ function Get-IdleProviderCapabilities {
             throw "Provider capability '$s' is invalid. Expected dot-separated segments like 'Identity.Read' or 'Entitlement.Write'."
         }
 
-        $normalized += $s
+        if ($seen.Add($s)) {
+            $null = $normalized.Add($s)
+        }
+    }
+
+    if ($capabilitySource -eq 'explicit') {
+        return @($normalized | Sort-Object -Unique)
     }
 
-    return @($normalized | Sort-Object -Unique)
+    # Preserve inference ordering to keep well-known capabilities in priority order
+    # (e.g., entitlement operations before identity operations).
+    return @($normalized)
 }
diff --git a/src/IdLE.Core/Private/Get-IdleStepRegistry.ps1 b/src/IdLE.Core/Private/Get-IdleStepRegistry.ps1
index 81a693b0..1317bb6f 100644
--- a/src/IdLE.Core/Private/Get-IdleStepRegistry.ps1
+++ b/src/IdLE.Core/Private/Get-IdleStepRegistry.ps1
@@ -121,5 +121,12 @@ function Get-IdleStepRegistry {
         }
     }
 
+    if (-not $registry.ContainsKey('IdLE.Step.EnsureEntitlement')) {
+        $handler = Resolve-IdleStepHandlerName -CommandName 'Invoke-IdleStepEnsureEntitlement' -ModuleName 'IdLE.Steps.Common'
+        if (-not [string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($handler)) {
+            $registry['IdLE.Step.EnsureEntitlement'] = $handler
+        }
+    }
+
     return $registry
 }
diff --git a/src/IdLE.Provider.Mock/New-IdleMockIdentityProvider.ps1 b/src/IdLE.Provider.Mock/New-IdleMockIdentityProvider.ps1
deleted file mode 100644
index 739bd297..00000000
--- a/src/IdLE.Provider.Mock/New-IdleMockIdentityProvider.ps1
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,190 +0,0 @@
-function New-IdleMockIdentityProvider {
-    <#
-    .SYNOPSIS
-    Creates an in-memory identity provider for tests and demos.
-
-    .DESCRIPTION
-    This provider is deterministic and has no external dependencies.
-    It is designed to be used in unit tests, contract tests, and example workflows.
-
-    The provider keeps all state in a private in-memory store that is scoped to the
-    returned provider object instance (no global state). This makes tests predictable.
-
-    .PARAMETER InitialStore
-    Optional initial store content. This is useful when a test wants to start with
-    pre-seeded identities. The input is shallow-copied to avoid unintended mutations
-    from the outside.
-
-    .EXAMPLE
-    $provider = New-IdleMockIdentityProvider
-    $provider.EnsureAttribute('user1', 'Department', 'IT') | Out-Null
-    $provider.GetIdentity('user1') | Format-List
-
-    .EXAMPLE
-    $provider = New-IdleMockIdentityProvider -InitialStore @{
-        'user1' = @{
-            IdentityKey = 'user1'
-            Enabled     = $true
-            Attributes  = @{
-                Department = 'IT'
-            }
-        }
-    }
-    #>
-    [CmdletBinding()]
-    param(
-        [Parameter()]
-        [hashtable] $InitialStore
-    )
-
-    $store = @{}
-
-    if ($null -ne $InitialStore) {
-        foreach ($key in $InitialStore.Keys) {
-            $store[$key] = $InitialStore[$key]
-        }
-    }
-
-    $provider = [pscustomobject]@{
-        PSTypeName = 'IdLE.Provider.MockIdentityProvider'
-        Name       = 'MockIdentityProvider'
-        Store      = $store
-    }
-
-    $provider | Add-Member -MemberType ScriptMethod -Name GetCapabilities -Value {
-        <#
-        .SYNOPSIS
-        Advertises the capabilities provided by this provider instance.
-
-        .DESCRIPTION
-        Capabilities are stable string identifiers used by IdLE to validate that
-        a workflow plan can be executed with the available providers.
-
-        This mock provider intentionally advertises only the capabilities that it
-        implements to keep tests deterministic.
-        #>
-
-        return @(
-            'Identity.Read'
-            'Identity.Attribute.Ensure'
-            'Identity.Disable'
-        )
-    } -Force
-
-    $provider | Add-Member -MemberType ScriptMethod -Name GetIdentity -Value {
-        param(
-            [Parameter(Mandatory)]
-            [ValidateNotNullOrEmpty()]
-            [string] $IdentityKey
-        )
-
-        # Create missing identities on demand to keep tests and demos frictionless.
-        if (-not $this.Store.ContainsKey($IdentityKey)) {
-            $this.Store[$IdentityKey] = @{
-                IdentityKey = $IdentityKey
-                Enabled     = $true
-                Attributes  = @{}
-            }
-        }
-
-        $raw = $this.Store[$IdentityKey]
-
-        return [pscustomobject]@{
-            PSTypeName  = 'IdLE.Identity'
-            IdentityKey = $raw.IdentityKey
-            Enabled     = [bool]$raw.Enabled
-            Attributes  = [hashtable]$raw.Attributes
-        }
-    } -Force
-
-    $provider | Add-Member -MemberType ScriptMethod -Name EnsureAttribute -Value {
-        param(
-            [Parameter(Mandatory)]
-            [ValidateNotNullOrEmpty()]
-            [string] $IdentityKey,
-
-            [Parameter(Mandatory)]
-            [ValidateNotNullOrEmpty()]
-            [string] $Name,
-
-            [Parameter()]
-            [AllowNull()]
-            [object] $Value
-        )
-
-        if (-not $this.Store.ContainsKey($IdentityKey)) {
-            $this.Store[$IdentityKey] = @{
-                IdentityKey = $IdentityKey
-                Enabled     = $true
-                Attributes  = @{}
-            }
-        }
-
-        $identity = $this.Store[$IdentityKey]
-
-        if ($null -eq $identity.Attributes) {
-            $identity.Attributes = @{}
-        }
-
-        $changed = $false
-
-        if (-not $identity.Attributes.ContainsKey($Name)) {
-            $changed = $true
-            $identity.Attributes[$Name] = $Value
-        }
-        else {
-            $existing = $identity.Attributes[$Name]
-
-            # Compare loosely because values may come in as different but equivalent types in tests.
-            if ($existing -ne $Value) {
-                $changed = $true
-                $identity.Attributes[$Name] = $Value
-            }
-        }
-
-        return [pscustomobject]@{
-            PSTypeName  = 'IdLE.ProviderResult'
-            Operation   = 'EnsureAttribute'
-            IdentityKey = $IdentityKey
-            Changed     = [bool]$changed
-            Name        = $Name
-            Value       = $Value
-        }
-    } -Force
-
-    $provider | Add-Member -MemberType ScriptMethod -Name DisableIdentity -Value {
-        param(
-            [Parameter(Mandatory)]
-            [ValidateNotNullOrEmpty()]
-            [string] $IdentityKey
-        )
-
-        if (-not $this.Store.ContainsKey($IdentityKey)) {
-            $this.Store[$IdentityKey] = @{
-                IdentityKey = $IdentityKey
-                Enabled     = $true
-                Attributes  = @{}
-            }
-        }
-
-        $identity = $this.Store[$IdentityKey]
-        $changed = $false
-
-        if ($identity.Enabled -ne $false) {
-            $changed = $true
-        }
-
-        if ($changed) {
-            $identity.Enabled = $false
-        }
-
-        return [pscustomobject]@{
-            PSTypeName  = 'IdLE.ProviderResult'
-            Operation   = 'DisableIdentity'
-            IdentityKey = $IdentityKey
-            Changed     = [bool]$changed
-        }
-    } -Force
-
-    return $provider
-}
diff --git a/src/IdLE.Provider.Mock/Public/New-IdleMockIdentityProvider.ps1 b/src/IdLE.Provider.Mock/Public/New-IdleMockIdentityProvider.ps1
index 739bd297..1ce6950b 100644
--- a/src/IdLE.Provider.Mock/Public/New-IdleMockIdentityProvider.ps1
+++ b/src/IdLE.Provider.Mock/Public/New-IdleMockIdentityProvider.ps1
@@ -28,6 +28,9 @@ function New-IdleMockIdentityProvider {
             Attributes  = @{
                 Department = 'IT'
             }
+            Entitlements = @(
+                @{ Kind = 'Group'; Id = 'demo-group'; DisplayName = 'Demo Group' }
+            )
         }
     }
     #>
@@ -45,12 +48,81 @@ function New-IdleMockIdentityProvider {
         }
     }
 
+    $convertToEntitlement = {
+        [CmdletBinding()]
+        param(
+            [Parameter(Mandatory)]
+            [ValidateNotNull()]
+            [object] $Value
+        )
+
+        $kind = $null
+        $id = $null
+        $displayName = $null
+
+        if ($Value -is [System.Collections.IDictionary]) {
+            $kind = $Value['Kind']
+            $id = $Value['Id']
+            if ($Value.Contains('DisplayName')) { $displayName = $Value['DisplayName'] }
+        }
+        else {
+            $props = $Value.PSObject.Properties
+            if ($props.Name -contains 'Kind') { $kind = $Value.Kind }
+            if ($props.Name -contains 'Id') { $id = $Value.Id }
+            if ($props.Name -contains 'DisplayName') { $displayName = $Value.DisplayName }
+        }
+
+        if ([string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace([string]$kind)) {
+            throw "Entitlement.Kind must not be empty."
+        }
+        if ([string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace([string]$id)) {
+            throw "Entitlement.Id must not be empty."
+        }
+
+        return [pscustomobject]@{
+            PSTypeName  = 'IdLE.Entitlement'
+            Kind        = [string]$kind
+            Id          = [string]$id
+            DisplayName = if ($null -eq $displayName -or [string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace([string]$displayName)) {
+                $null
+            }
+            else {
+                [string]$displayName
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    $testEntitlementEquals = {
+        [CmdletBinding()]
+        param(
+            [Parameter(Mandatory)]
+            [ValidateNotNull()]
+            [object] $A,
+
+            [Parameter(Mandatory)]
+            [ValidateNotNull()]
+            [object] $B
+        )
+
+        $aEnt = $this.ConvertToEntitlement($A)
+        $bEnt = $this.ConvertToEntitlement($B)
+
+        if ($aEnt.Kind -ne $bEnt.Kind) {
+            return $false
+        }
+
+        return [string]::Equals($aEnt.Id, $bEnt.Id, [System.StringComparison]::OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+    }
+
     $provider = [pscustomobject]@{
         PSTypeName = 'IdLE.Provider.MockIdentityProvider'
         Name       = 'MockIdentityProvider'
         Store      = $store
     }
 
+    $provider | Add-Member -MemberType ScriptMethod -Name ConvertToEntitlement -Value $convertToEntitlement -Force
+    $provider | Add-Member -MemberType ScriptMethod -Name TestEntitlementEquals -Value $testEntitlementEquals -Force
+
     $provider | Add-Member -MemberType ScriptMethod -Name GetCapabilities -Value {
         <#
         .SYNOPSIS
@@ -68,6 +140,9 @@ function New-IdleMockIdentityProvider {
             'Identity.Read'
             'Identity.Attribute.Ensure'
             'Identity.Disable'
+            'IdLE.Entitlement.List'
+            'IdLE.Entitlement.Grant'
+            'IdLE.Entitlement.Revoke'
         )
     } -Force
 
@@ -81,14 +156,19 @@ function New-IdleMockIdentityProvider {
         # Create missing identities on demand to keep tests and demos frictionless.
         if (-not $this.Store.ContainsKey($IdentityKey)) {
             $this.Store[$IdentityKey] = @{
-                IdentityKey = $IdentityKey
-                Enabled     = $true
-                Attributes  = @{}
+                IdentityKey  = $IdentityKey
+                Enabled      = $true
+                Attributes   = @{}
+                Entitlements = @()
             }
         }
 
         $raw = $this.Store[$IdentityKey]
 
+        if ($null -eq $raw.Entitlements) {
+            $raw.Entitlements = @()
+        }
+
         return [pscustomobject]@{
             PSTypeName  = 'IdLE.Identity'
             IdentityKey = $raw.IdentityKey
@@ -114,9 +194,10 @@ function New-IdleMockIdentityProvider {
 
         if (-not $this.Store.ContainsKey($IdentityKey)) {
             $this.Store[$IdentityKey] = @{
-                IdentityKey = $IdentityKey
-                Enabled     = $true
-                Attributes  = @{}
+                IdentityKey  = $IdentityKey
+                Enabled      = $true
+                Attributes   = @{}
+                Entitlements = @()
             }
         }
 
@@ -125,6 +206,9 @@ function New-IdleMockIdentityProvider {
         if ($null -eq $identity.Attributes) {
             $identity.Attributes = @{}
         }
+        if ($null -eq $identity.Entitlements) {
+            $identity.Entitlements = @()
+        }
 
         $changed = $false
 
@@ -161,13 +245,18 @@ function New-IdleMockIdentityProvider {
 
         if (-not $this.Store.ContainsKey($IdentityKey)) {
             $this.Store[$IdentityKey] = @{
-                IdentityKey = $IdentityKey
-                Enabled     = $true
-                Attributes  = @{}
+                IdentityKey  = $IdentityKey
+                Enabled      = $true
+                Attributes   = @{}
+                Entitlements = @()
             }
         }
 
         $identity = $this.Store[$IdentityKey]
+        if ($null -eq $identity.Entitlements) {
+            $identity.Entitlements = @()
+        }
+
         $changed = $false
 
         if ($identity.Enabled -ne $false) {
@@ -186,5 +275,114 @@ function New-IdleMockIdentityProvider {
         }
     } -Force
 
+    $provider | Add-Member -MemberType ScriptMethod -Name ListEntitlements -Value {
+        param(
+            [Parameter(Mandatory)]
+            [ValidateNotNullOrEmpty()]
+            [string] $IdentityKey
+        )
+
+        if (-not $this.Store.ContainsKey($IdentityKey)) {
+            throw "Identity '$IdentityKey' does not exist in the mock provider store."
+        }
+
+        $identity = $this.Store[$IdentityKey]
+        if ($null -eq $identity.Entitlements) {
+            $identity.Entitlements = @()
+        }
+
+        $result = @()
+        foreach ($e in @($identity.Entitlements)) {
+            $normalized = $this.ConvertToEntitlement($e)
+            $result += $normalized
+        }
+
+        return $result
+    } -Force
+
+    $provider | Add-Member -MemberType ScriptMethod -Name GrantEntitlement -Value {
+        param(
+            [Parameter(Mandatory)]
+            [ValidateNotNullOrEmpty()]
+            [string] $IdentityKey,
+
+            [Parameter(Mandatory)]
+            [ValidateNotNull()]
+            [object] $Entitlement
+        )
+
+        if (-not $this.Store.ContainsKey($IdentityKey)) {
+            throw "Identity '$IdentityKey' does not exist in the mock provider store."
+        }
+
+        $normalized = $this.ConvertToEntitlement($Entitlement)
+
+        $identity = $this.Store[$IdentityKey]
+        if ($null -eq $identity.Entitlements) {
+            $identity.Entitlements = @()
+        }
+
+        $existing = $identity.Entitlements | Where-Object { $this.TestEntitlementEquals($_, $normalized) }
+
+        $changed = $false
+        if (@($existing).Count -eq 0) {
+            $identity.Entitlements += $normalized
+            $changed = $true
+        }
+
+        return [pscustomobject]@{
+            PSTypeName  = 'IdLE.ProviderResult'
+            Operation   = 'GrantEntitlement'
+            IdentityKey = $IdentityKey
+            Changed     = [bool]$changed
+            Entitlement = $normalized
+        }
+    } -Force
+
+    $provider | Add-Member -MemberType ScriptMethod -Name RevokeEntitlement -Value {
+        param(
+            [Parameter(Mandatory)]
+            [ValidateNotNullOrEmpty()]
+            [string] $IdentityKey,
+
+            [Parameter(Mandatory)]
+            [ValidateNotNull()]
+            [object] $Entitlement
+        )
+
+        if (-not $this.Store.ContainsKey($IdentityKey)) {
+            throw "Identity '$IdentityKey' does not exist in the mock provider store."
+        }
+
+        $normalized = $this.ConvertToEntitlement($Entitlement)
+
+        $identity = $this.Store[$IdentityKey]
+        if ($null -eq $identity.Entitlements) {
+            $identity.Entitlements = @()
+        }
+
+        $remaining = @()
+        $removed = $false
+
+        foreach ($item in @($identity.Entitlements)) {
+            if ($this.TestEntitlementEquals($item, $normalized)) {
+                $removed = $true
+                continue
+            }
+
+            $remaining += $item
+        }
+
+        $identity.Entitlements = $remaining
+
+        return [pscustomobject]@{
+            PSTypeName  = 'IdLE.ProviderResult'
+            Operation   = 'RevokeEntitlement'
+            IdentityKey = $IdentityKey
+            Changed     = [bool]$removed
+            Entitlement = $normalized
+        }
+    } -Force
+
     return $provider
 }
diff --git a/src/IdLE.Steps.Common/IdLE.Steps.Common.psd1 b/src/IdLE.Steps.Common/IdLE.Steps.Common.psd1
index 842807fa..8a11d63d 100644
--- a/src/IdLE.Steps.Common/IdLE.Steps.Common.psd1
+++ b/src/IdLE.Steps.Common/IdLE.Steps.Common.psd1
@@ -9,7 +9,8 @@
 
     FunctionsToExport = @(
         'Invoke-IdleStepEmitEvent',
-        'Invoke-IdleStepEnsureAttribute'
+        'Invoke-IdleStepEnsureAttribute',
+        'Invoke-IdleStepEnsureEntitlement'
     )
 
     PrivateData       = @{
diff --git a/src/IdLE.Steps.Common/IdLE.Steps.Common.psm1 b/src/IdLE.Steps.Common/IdLE.Steps.Common.psm1
index 45b8a777..5e1abbf2 100644
--- a/src/IdLE.Steps.Common/IdLE.Steps.Common.psm1
+++ b/src/IdLE.Steps.Common/IdLE.Steps.Common.psm1
@@ -14,5 +14,6 @@ if (Test-Path -Path $PublicPath) {
 
 Export-ModuleMember -Function @(
     'Invoke-IdleStepEmitEvent',
-    'Invoke-IdleStepEnsureAttribute'
+    'Invoke-IdleStepEnsureAttribute',
+    'Invoke-IdleStepEnsureEntitlement'
 )
diff --git a/src/IdLE.Steps.Common/Public/Invoke-IdleStepEnsureEntitlement.ps1 b/src/IdLE.Steps.Common/Public/Invoke-IdleStepEnsureEntitlement.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cc51c7ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/IdLE.Steps.Common/Public/Invoke-IdleStepEnsureEntitlement.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,202 @@
+function Invoke-IdleStepEnsureEntitlement {
+    <#
+    .SYNOPSIS
+    Ensures that an entitlement assignment is present or absent for an identity.
+
+    .DESCRIPTION
+    This provider-agnostic step uses entitlement provider contracts to converge
+    an assignment to the desired state. The host must supply a provider instance
+    via `Context.Providers[<ProviderAlias>]` that implements:
+    - ListEntitlements(identityKey)
+    - GrantEntitlement(identityKey, entitlement)
+    - RevokeEntitlement(identityKey, entitlement)
+
+    The step is idempotent and only calls Grant/Revoke when the assignment needs
+    to change.
+
+    .PARAMETER Context
+    Execution context created by IdLE.Core.
+
+    .PARAMETER Step
+    Normalized step object from the plan. Must contain a 'With' hashtable.
+
+    .EXAMPLE
+    Invoke-IdleStepEnsureEntitlement -Context $context -Step [pscustomobject]@{
+        Name = 'Ensure group access'
+        Type = 'IdLE.Step.EnsureEntitlement'
+        With = @{
+            IdentityKey = 'user1'
+            Entitlement = @{ Kind = 'Group'; Id = 'example-group'; DisplayName = 'Example Group' }
+            State       = 'Present'
+            Provider    = 'Identity'
+        }
+    }
+
+    .OUTPUTS
+    PSCustomObject (PSTypeName: IdLE.StepResult)
+    #>
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    param(
+        [Parameter(Mandatory)]
+        [ValidateNotNull()]
+        [object] $Context,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory)]
+        [ValidateNotNull()]
+        [object] $Step
+    )
+
+    function ConvertTo-IdleStepEntitlement {
+        [CmdletBinding()]
+        param(
+            [Parameter(Mandatory)]
+            [ValidateNotNull()]
+            [object] $Value
+        )
+
+        $kind = $null
+        $id = $null
+        $displayName = $null
+
+        if ($Value -is [System.Collections.IDictionary]) {
+            $kind = $Value['Kind']
+            $id = $Value['Id']
+            if ($Value.Contains('DisplayName')) { $displayName = $Value['DisplayName'] }
+        }
+        else {
+            $props = $Value.PSObject.Properties
+            if ($props.Name -contains 'Kind') { $kind = $Value.Kind }
+            if ($props.Name -contains 'Id') { $id = $Value.Id }
+            if ($props.Name -contains 'DisplayName') { $displayName = $Value.DisplayName }
+        }
+
+        if ([string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace([string]$kind)) {
+            throw "EnsureEntitlement requires Entitlement.Kind."
+        }
+        if ([string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace([string]$id)) {
+            throw "EnsureEntitlement requires Entitlement.Id."
+        }
+
+        $normalized = [ordered]@{
+            Kind = [string]$kind
+            Id   = [string]$id
+        }
+
+        if ($null -ne $displayName -and -not [string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace([string]$displayName)) {
+            $normalized['DisplayName'] = [string]$displayName
+        }
+
+        return [pscustomobject]$normalized
+    }
+
+    function Test-IdleStepEntitlementEquals {
+        [CmdletBinding()]
+        param(
+            [Parameter(Mandatory)]
+            [ValidateNotNull()]
+            [object] $A,
+
+            [Parameter(Mandatory)]
+            [ValidateNotNull()]
+            [object] $B
+        )
+
+        $ea = ConvertTo-IdleStepEntitlement -Value $A
+        $eb = ConvertTo-IdleStepEntitlement -Value $B
+
+        if ($ea.Kind -ne $eb.Kind) {
+            return $false
+        }
+
+        return [string]::Equals($ea.Id, $eb.Id, [System.StringComparison]::OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+    }
+
+    $with = $Step.With
+    if ($null -eq $with -or -not ($with -is [hashtable])) {
+        throw "EnsureEntitlement requires 'With' to be a hashtable."
+    }
+
+    foreach ($key in @('IdentityKey', 'Entitlement', 'State')) {
+        if (-not $with.ContainsKey($key)) {
+            throw "EnsureEntitlement requires With.$key."
+        }
+    }
+
+    $stateRaw = [string]$with.State
+    if ([string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($stateRaw)) {
+        throw "EnsureEntitlement requires With.State to be 'Present' or 'Absent'."
+    }
+
+    $state = $stateRaw.Trim().ToLowerInvariant()
+    if ($state -notin @('present', 'absent')) {
+        throw "EnsureEntitlement With.State must be 'Present' or 'Absent'."
+    }
+
+    $entitlement = ConvertTo-IdleStepEntitlement -Value $with.Entitlement
+    $identityKey = [string]$with.IdentityKey
+
+    $providerAlias = if ($with.ContainsKey('Provider')) { [string]$with.Provider } else { 'Identity' }
+
+    if (-not ($Context.PSObject.Properties.Name -contains 'Providers')) {
+        throw "Context does not contain a Providers hashtable."
+    }
+    if ($null -eq $Context.Providers -or -not ($Context.Providers -is [hashtable])) {
+        throw "Context.Providers must be a hashtable."
+    }
+    if (-not $Context.Providers.ContainsKey($providerAlias)) {
+        throw "Provider '$providerAlias' was not supplied by the host."
+    }
+
+    $provider = $Context.Providers[$providerAlias]
+
+    $requiredMethods = @('ListEntitlements')
+    if ($state -eq 'present') {
+        $requiredMethods += 'GrantEntitlement'
+    }
+    else {
+        $requiredMethods += 'RevokeEntitlement'
+    }
+
+    foreach ($m in $requiredMethods) {
+        if (-not ($provider.PSObject.Methods.Name -contains $m)) {
+            throw "Provider '$providerAlias' must implement method '$m' for EnsureEntitlement."
+        }
+    }
+
+    $current = @($provider.ListEntitlements($identityKey))
+    $matches = @($current | Where-Object { Test-IdleStepEntitlementEquals -A $_ -B $entitlement })
+
+    $changed = $false
+
+    if ($state -eq 'present') {
+        if (@($matches).Count -eq 0) {
+            $result = $provider.GrantEntitlement($identityKey, $entitlement)
+            if ($null -ne $result -and ($result.PSObject.Properties.Name -contains 'Changed')) {
+                $changed = [bool]$result.Changed
+            }
+            else {
+                $changed = $true
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    else {
+        if (@($matches).Count -gt 0) {
+            $result = $provider.RevokeEntitlement($identityKey, $entitlement)
+            if ($null -ne $result -and ($result.PSObject.Properties.Name -contains 'Changed')) {
+                $changed = [bool]$result.Changed
+            }
+            else {
+                $changed = $true
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    return [pscustomobject]@{
+        PSTypeName = 'IdLE.StepResult'
+        Name       = [string]$Step.Name
+        Type       = [string]$Step.Type
+        Status     = 'Completed'
+        Changed    = $changed
+        Error      = $null
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/Get-IdleProviderCapabilities.Tests.ps1 b/tests/Get-IdleProviderCapabilities.Tests.ps1
index aa56f266..d3c21b35 100644
--- a/tests/Get-IdleProviderCapabilities.Tests.ps1
+++ b/tests/Get-IdleProviderCapabilities.Tests.ps1
@@ -71,10 +71,16 @@ Describe 'IdLE.Core - Get-IdleProviderCapabilities (provider capability discover
             $provider | Add-Member -MemberType ScriptMethod -Name GetIdentity -Value { param([string] $IdentityKey) } -Force
             $provider | Add-Member -MemberType ScriptMethod -Name EnsureAttribute -Value { param([string] $IdentityKey, [string] $Name, [object] $Value) } -Force
             $provider | Add-Member -MemberType ScriptMethod -Name DisableIdentity -Value { param([string] $IdentityKey) } -Force
+            $provider | Add-Member -MemberType ScriptMethod -Name ListEntitlements -Value { param([string] $IdentityKey) } -Force
+            $provider | Add-Member -MemberType ScriptMethod -Name GrantEntitlement -Value { param([string] $IdentityKey, [object] $Entitlement) } -Force
+            $provider | Add-Member -MemberType ScriptMethod -Name RevokeEntitlement -Value { param([string] $IdentityKey, [object] $Entitlement) } -Force
 
             $caps = Get-IdleProviderCapabilities -Provider $provider -AllowInference
 
             $caps | Should -Be @(
+                'IdLE.Entitlement.Grant'
+                'IdLE.Entitlement.List'
+                'IdLE.Entitlement.Revoke'
                 'Identity.Attribute.Ensure'
                 'Identity.Disable'
                 'Identity.Read'
diff --git a/tests/Invoke-IdleStepEnsureEntitlement.Tests.ps1 b/tests/Invoke-IdleStepEnsureEntitlement.Tests.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c6e6e9e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Invoke-IdleStepEnsureEntitlement.Tests.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+Set-StrictMode -Version Latest
+
+BeforeAll {
+    . (Join-Path $PSScriptRoot '_testHelpers.ps1')
+    Import-IdleTestModule
+}
+
+Describe 'Invoke-IdleStepEnsureEntitlement (built-in step)' {
+    BeforeEach {
+        $script:Provider = New-IdleMockIdentityProvider
+        $script:Context = [pscustomobject]@{
+            PSTypeName = 'IdLE.ExecutionContext'
+            Plan       = $null
+            Providers  = @{ Identity = $script:Provider }
+            EventSink  = [pscustomobject]@{ WriteEvent = { param($Type, $Message, $StepName, $Data) } }
+        }
+
+        $script:StepTemplate = [pscustomobject]@{
+            Name = 'Ensure entitlement'
+            Type = 'IdLE.Step.EnsureEntitlement'
+            With = @{
+                IdentityKey = 'user1'
+                Entitlement = @{ Kind = 'Group'; Id = 'demo-group'; DisplayName = 'Demo Group' }
+                State       = 'Present'
+                Provider    = 'Identity'
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    It 'grants entitlement when missing' {
+        $null = $script:Provider.EnsureAttribute('user1', 'Seed', 'Value')
+
+        $step = $script:StepTemplate
+        $handler = 'IdLE.Steps.Common\Invoke-IdleStepEnsureEntitlement'
+
+        $result = & $handler -Context $script:Context -Step $step
+
+        $result.Status | Should -Be 'Completed'
+        $result.Changed | Should -BeTrue
+
+        $assignments = $script:Provider.ListEntitlements('user1')
+        $assignments | Where-Object { $_.Kind -eq 'Group' -and $_.Id -eq 'demo-group' } | Should -Not -BeNullOrEmpty
+    }
+
+    It 'skips grant when entitlement already present (case-insensitive id match)' {
+        $null = $script:Provider.EnsureAttribute('user1', 'Seed', 'Value')
+        $null = $script:Provider.GrantEntitlement('user1', @{ Kind = 'Group'; Id = 'DEMO-GROUP' })
+
+        $handler = 'IdLE.Steps.Common\Invoke-IdleStepEnsureEntitlement'
+        $result = & $handler -Context $script:Context -Step $script:StepTemplate
+
+        $result.Status | Should -Be 'Completed'
+        $result.Changed | Should -BeFalse
+    }
+
+    It 'revokes entitlement when state is Absent' {
+        $null = $script:Provider.EnsureAttribute('user1', 'Seed', 'Value')
+        $null = $script:Provider.GrantEntitlement('user1', @{ Kind = 'Group'; Id = 'demo-group' })
+
+        $step = $script:StepTemplate
+        $step.With.State = 'Absent'
+
+        $handler = 'IdLE.Steps.Common\Invoke-IdleStepEnsureEntitlement'
+        $result = & $handler -Context $script:Context -Step $step
+
+        $result.Status | Should -Be 'Completed'
+        $result.Changed | Should -BeTrue
+
+        $script:Provider.ListEntitlements('user1') | Should -BeNullOrEmpty
+    }
+
+    It 'throws when the provider is missing' {
+        $script:Context.Providers.Clear()
+
+        $handler = 'IdLE.Steps.Common\Invoke-IdleStepEnsureEntitlement'
+        { & $handler -Context $script:Context -Step $script:StepTemplate } | Should -Throw -ErrorId *
+    }
+
+    It 'bubbles up provider errors when the identity is unknown' {
+        $handler = 'IdLE.Steps.Common\Invoke-IdleStepEnsureEntitlement'
+        { & $handler -Context $script:Context -Step $script:StepTemplate } | Should -Throw -ErrorId *
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/ModuleSurface.Tests.ps1 b/tests/ModuleSurface.Tests.ps1
index 790a992e..5283b250 100644
--- a/tests/ModuleSurface.Tests.ps1
+++ b/tests/ModuleSurface.Tests.ps1
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ Describe 'Module manifests and public surface' {
         (Get-Module -Name IdLE.Steps.Common) | Should -BeNullOrEmpty
         (Get-Command -Name Invoke-IdleStepEmitEvent -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue) | Should -BeNullOrEmpty
         (Get-Command -Name Invoke-IdleStepEnsureAttribute -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue) | Should -BeNullOrEmpty
+        (Get-Command -Name Invoke-IdleStepEnsureEntitlement -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue) | Should -BeNullOrEmpty
 
         # Engine discovery must work without global exports (module-qualified handler names).
         InModuleScope IdLE.Core {
@@ -56,6 +57,9 @@ Describe 'Module manifests and public surface' {
 
             $registry.ContainsKey('IdLE.Step.EnsureAttribute') | Should -BeTrue
             $registry['IdLE.Step.EnsureAttribute'] | Should -Be 'IdLE.Steps.Common\Invoke-IdleStepEnsureAttribute'
+
+            $registry.ContainsKey('IdLE.Step.EnsureEntitlement') | Should -BeTrue
+            $registry['IdLE.Step.EnsureEntitlement'] | Should -Be 'IdLE.Steps.Common\Invoke-IdleStepEnsureEntitlement'
         }
     }
 
@@ -85,6 +89,7 @@ Describe 'Module manifests and public surface' {
         $exported = (Get-Command -Module IdLE.Steps.Common).Name
         $exported | Should -Contain 'Invoke-IdleStepEmitEvent'
         $exported | Should -Contain 'Invoke-IdleStepEnsureAttribute'
+        $exported | Should -Contain 'Invoke-IdleStepEnsureEntitlement'
     }
 
     It 'IdLE.Provider.Mock manifest is valid' {
diff --git a/tests/New-IdlePlan.Capabilities.Tests.ps1 b/tests/New-IdlePlan.Capabilities.Tests.ps1
index 90943ef8..4f377075 100644
--- a/tests/New-IdlePlan.Capabilities.Tests.ps1
+++ b/tests/New-IdlePlan.Capabilities.Tests.ps1
@@ -74,4 +74,46 @@ Describe 'New-IdlePlan - required provider capabilities' {
         $plan.Steps.Count | Should -Be 1
         $plan.Steps[0].RequiresCapabilities | Should -Be @('Identity.Disable')
     }
+
+    It 'validates entitlement capabilities for EnsureEntitlement steps' {
+        $wfPath = Join-Path -Path $TestDrive -ChildPath 'joiner-entitlements.psd1'
+
+        Set-Content -Path $wfPath -Encoding UTF8 -Value @'
+@{
+  Name           = 'Joiner - Entitlement Capability Validation'
+  LifecycleEvent = 'Joiner'
+  Steps          = @(
+    @{
+      Name                 = 'Ensure group membership'
+      Type                 = 'IdLE.Step.EnsureEntitlement'
+      With                 = @{ IdentityKey = 'user1'; Entitlement = @{ Kind = 'Group'; Id = 'demo-group' }; State = 'Present' }
+      RequiresCapabilities = @('IdLE.Entitlement.List', 'IdLE.Entitlement.Grant')
+    }
+  )
+}
+'@
+
+        $req = New-IdleLifecycleRequest -LifecycleEvent 'Joiner'
+
+        try {
+            New-IdlePlan -WorkflowPath $wfPath -Request $req -Providers $null | Out-Null
+            throw 'Expected an exception but none was thrown.'
+        }
+        catch {
+            $_.Exception.Message | Should -Match 'MissingCapabilities: IdLE\.Entitlement\.Grant, IdLE\.Entitlement\.List'
+        }
+
+        $provider = [pscustomobject]@{ Name = 'EntProvider' }
+        $provider | Add-Member -MemberType ScriptMethod -Name GetCapabilities -Value {
+            return @('IdLE.Entitlement.List', 'IdLE.Entitlement.Grant')
+        } -Force
+
+        $providers = @{ Entitlement = $provider }
+
+        $plan = New-IdlePlan -WorkflowPath $wfPath -Request $req -Providers $providers
+
+        $plan | Should -Not -BeNullOrEmpty
+        $plan.Steps.Count | Should -Be 1
+        $plan.Steps[0].RequiresCapabilities | Should -Be @('IdLE.Entitlement.Grant', 'IdLE.Entitlement.List')
+    }
 }
diff --git a/tests/ProviderContracts/EntitlementProvider.Contract.ps1 b/tests/ProviderContracts/EntitlementProvider.Contract.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..191f8ecd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/ProviderContracts/EntitlementProvider.Contract.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,129 @@
+Set-StrictMode -Version Latest
+
+function Invoke-IdleEntitlementProviderContractTests {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    param(
+        [Parameter(Mandatory)]
+        [ValidateNotNull()]
+        [scriptblock] $NewProvider,
+
+        [Parameter()]
+        [string] $ProviderLabel = 'Entitlement provider'
+    )
+
+    $cases = @(
+        @{
+            ProviderFactory = $NewProvider
+        }
+    )
+
+    Context "$ProviderLabel contract" -ForEach $cases {
+        BeforeAll {
+            $providerFactory = $_.ProviderFactory
+
+            if ($null -eq $providerFactory) {
+                throw 'NewProvider scriptblock is required for entitlement provider contract tests.'
+            }
+
+            $script:Provider = & $providerFactory
+            if ($null -eq $script:Provider) {
+                throw 'NewProvider returned $null. A provider instance is required for contract tests.'
+            }
+        }
+
+        It 'Exposes required methods' {
+            $script:Provider.PSObject.Methods.Name | Should -Contain 'ListEntitlements'
+            $script:Provider.PSObject.Methods.Name | Should -Contain 'GrantEntitlement'
+            $script:Provider.PSObject.Methods.Name | Should -Contain 'RevokeEntitlement'
+        }
+
+        It 'GrantEntitlement returns a stable result shape' {
+            $id = "contract-$([guid]::NewGuid().ToString('N'))"
+
+            [void]$script:Provider.GetIdentity($id)
+
+            $entitlement = [pscustomobject]@{
+                Kind        = 'Contract'
+                Id          = "entitlement-$([guid]::NewGuid().ToString('N'))"
+                DisplayName = 'Contract Entitlement'
+            }
+
+            $result = $script:Provider.GrantEntitlement($id, $entitlement)
+
+            $result | Should -Not -BeNullOrEmpty
+            $result.PSObject.Properties.Name | Should -Contain 'Changed'
+            $result.PSObject.Properties.Name | Should -Contain 'IdentityKey'
+            $result.PSObject.Properties.Name | Should -Contain 'Entitlement'
+
+            $result.IdentityKey | Should -Be $id
+            $result.Changed | Should -BeOfType [bool]
+
+            $result.Entitlement | Should -Not -BeNullOrEmpty
+            $result.Entitlement.PSObject.Properties.Name | Should -Contain 'Kind'
+            $result.Entitlement.PSObject.Properties.Name | Should -Contain 'Id'
+        }
+
+        It 'GrantEntitlement is idempotent' {
+            $id = "contract-$([guid]::NewGuid().ToString('N'))"
+
+            [void]$script:Provider.GetIdentity($id)
+
+            $entitlement = [pscustomobject]@{
+                Kind = 'Contract'
+                Id   = "entitlement-$([guid]::NewGuid().ToString('N'))"
+            }
+
+            $r1 = $script:Provider.GrantEntitlement($id, $entitlement)
+            $r2 = $script:Provider.GrantEntitlement($id, $entitlement)
+
+            $r1.Changed | Should -BeTrue
+            $r2.Changed | Should -BeFalse
+        }
+
+        It 'RevokeEntitlement is idempotent (after a grant)' {
+            $id = "contract-$([guid]::NewGuid().ToString('N'))"
+
+            [void]$script:Provider.GetIdentity($id)
+
+            $entitlement = [pscustomobject]@{
+                Kind = 'Contract'
+                Id   = "entitlement-$([guid]::NewGuid().ToString('N'))"
+            }
+
+            [void]$script:Provider.GrantEntitlement($id, $entitlement)
+
+            $r1 = $script:Provider.RevokeEntitlement($id, $entitlement)
+            $r2 = $script:Provider.RevokeEntitlement($id, $entitlement)
+
+            $r1.Changed | Should -BeTrue
+            $r2.Changed | Should -BeFalse
+        }
+
+        It 'ListEntitlements reflects grant and revoke operations' {
+            $id = "contract-$([guid]::NewGuid().ToString('N'))"
+
+            [void]$script:Provider.GetIdentity($id)
+
+            $entitlement = [pscustomobject]@{
+                Kind = 'Contract'
+                Id   = "entitlement-$([guid]::NewGuid().ToString('N'))"
+            }
+
+            $before = @($script:Provider.ListEntitlements($id))
+
+            [void]$script:Provider.GrantEntitlement($id, $entitlement)
+            $afterGrant = @($script:Provider.ListEntitlements($id))
+
+            [void]$script:Provider.RevokeEntitlement($id, $entitlement)
+            $afterRevoke = @($script:Provider.ListEntitlements($id))
+
+            ($afterGrant | Where-Object { $_.Kind -eq $entitlement.Kind -and $_.Id -eq $entitlement.Id }).Count | Should -Be 1
+            ($afterRevoke | Where-Object { $_.Kind -eq $entitlement.Kind -and $_.Id -eq $entitlement.Id }).Count | Should -Be 0
+
+            # Sanity: $null is treated as empty.
+            ($before -is [object[]]) | Should -BeTrue
+            ($afterGrant -is [object[]]) | Should -BeTrue
+            ($afterRevoke -is [object[]]) | Should -BeTrue
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/ProviderContracts/IdentityProvider.Contract.ps1 b/tests/ProviderContracts/IdentityProvider.Contract.ps1
index 10fae951..de760c6c 100644
--- a/tests/ProviderContracts/IdentityProvider.Contract.ps1
+++ b/tests/ProviderContracts/IdentityProvider.Contract.ps1
@@ -1,27 +1,6 @@
 Set-StrictMode -Version Latest
 
 function Invoke-IdleIdentityProviderContractTests {
-    <#
-    .SYNOPSIS
-    Defines provider contract tests for an identity provider implementation.
-
-    .DESCRIPTION
-    This file intentionally contains no top-level Describe/It blocks.
-    It provides a function that must be invoked from within a Describe block.
-
-    IMPORTANT (Pester 5):
-    - The contract must be registered during discovery (Describe/Context scope).
-    - The provider instance must be created during runtime (BeforeAll), not during discovery.
-
-    Therefore the contract takes a provider factory scriptblock and creates the provider
-    inside its own BeforeAll.
-
-    .PARAMETER NewProvider
-    ScriptBlock that creates a new provider instance.
-
-    .PARAMETER ProviderLabel
-    Optional label for better test output.
-    #>
     [CmdletBinding()]
     param(
         [Parameter(Mandatory)]
@@ -32,10 +11,24 @@ function Invoke-IdleIdentityProviderContractTests {
         [string] $ProviderLabel = 'Identity provider'
     )
 
-    Context "$ProviderLabel contract" {
+    $cases = @(
+        @{
+            ProviderFactory = $NewProvider
+        }
+    )
 
+    Context "$ProviderLabel contract" -ForEach $cases {
         BeforeAll {
-            $script:Provider = & $NewProvider
+            $providerFactory = $_.ProviderFactory
+
+            if ($null -eq $providerFactory) {
+                throw 'NewProvider scriptblock is required for identity provider contract tests.'
+            }
+
+            $script:Provider = & $providerFactory
+            if ($null -eq $script:Provider) {
+                throw 'NewProvider returned $null. A provider instance is required for contract tests.'
+            }
         }
 
         It 'Exposes required methods' {
@@ -44,30 +37,43 @@ function Invoke-IdleIdentityProviderContractTests {
             $script:Provider.PSObject.Methods.Name | Should -Contain 'DisableIdentity'
         }
 
-        It 'GetIdentity returns a hashtable with required keys' {
+        It 'GetIdentity returns an identity object with required keys/properties' {
             $id = "contract-$([guid]::NewGuid().ToString('N'))"
             $identity = $script:Provider.GetIdentity($id)
 
-            $identity | Should -BeOfType [hashtable]
-            $identity.Keys | Should -Contain 'IdentityKey'
-            $identity.Keys | Should -Contain 'Enabled'
-            $identity.Keys | Should -Contain 'Attributes'
-
-            $identity.IdentityKey | Should -Be $id
-            $identity.Attributes | Should -BeOfType [hashtable]
+            $identity | Should -Not -BeNullOrEmpty
+
+            if ($identity -is [hashtable]) {
+                $identity.Keys | Should -Contain 'IdentityKey'
+                $identity.Keys | Should -Contain 'Enabled'
+                $identity.Keys | Should -Contain 'Attributes'
+
+                $identity.IdentityKey | Should -Be $id
+                $identity.Enabled | Should -BeOfType [bool]
+                $identity.Attributes | Should -BeOfType [hashtable]
+            }
+            else {
+                $identity.PSObject.Properties.Name | Should -Contain 'IdentityKey'
+                $identity.PSObject.Properties.Name | Should -Contain 'Enabled'
+                $identity.PSObject.Properties.Name | Should -Contain 'Attributes'
+
+                $identity.IdentityKey | Should -Be $id
+                $identity.Enabled | Should -BeOfType [bool]
+                $identity.Attributes | Should -BeOfType [hashtable]
+            }
         }
 
-        It 'EnsureAttribute is idempotent and returns a Changed flag' {
+        It 'EnsureAttribute returns a stable result shape' {
             $id = "contract-$([guid]::NewGuid().ToString('N'))"
 
-            $r1 = $script:Provider.EnsureAttribute($id, 'Department', 'IT')
-            $r2 = $script:Provider.EnsureAttribute($id, 'Department', 'IT')
+            $result = $script:Provider.EnsureAttribute($id, 'contractKey', 'contractValue')
 
-            $r1.PSObject.Properties.Name | Should -Contain 'Changed'
-            $r1.Changed | Should -BeTrue
+            $result | Should -Not -BeNullOrEmpty
+            $result.PSObject.Properties.Name | Should -Contain 'Changed'
+            $result.PSObject.Properties.Name | Should -Contain 'IdentityKey'
 
-            $r2.PSObject.Properties.Name | Should -Contain 'Changed'
-            $r2.Changed | Should -BeFalse
+            $result.IdentityKey | Should -Be $id
+            $result.Changed | Should -BeOfType [bool]
         }
 
         It 'DisableIdentity is idempotent and returns a Changed flag' {
diff --git a/tests/ProviderContracts/ProviderCapabilities.Contract.ps1 b/tests/ProviderContracts/ProviderCapabilities.Contract.ps1
index 3033333b..0af8116e 100644
--- a/tests/ProviderContracts/ProviderCapabilities.Contract.ps1
+++ b/tests/ProviderContracts/ProviderCapabilities.Contract.ps1
@@ -1,27 +1,6 @@
 Set-StrictMode -Version Latest
 
 function Invoke-IdleProviderCapabilitiesContractTests {
-    <#
-    .SYNOPSIS
-    Defines provider contract tests for capability advertisement.
-
-    .DESCRIPTION
-    This file intentionally contains no top-level Describe/It blocks.
-    It provides a function that must be invoked from within a Describe block.
-
-    IMPORTANT (Pester 5):
-    - The contract must be registered during discovery (Describe/Context scope).
-    - The provider instance must be created during runtime (BeforeAll), not during discovery.
-
-    Providers must advertise capabilities via a ScriptMethod named 'GetCapabilities'
-    which returns a list of stable capability identifiers (strings).
-
-    .PARAMETER ProviderFactory
-    ScriptBlock that creates and returns a provider instance.
-
-    .PARAMETER AllowEmpty
-    When set, the provider may return an empty capability list (rare; generally discouraged).
-    #>
     [CmdletBinding()]
     param(
         [Parameter(Mandatory)]
@@ -32,44 +11,58 @@ function Invoke-IdleProviderCapabilitiesContractTests {
         [switch] $AllowEmpty
     )
 
-    BeforeAll {
-        $script:Provider = & $ProviderFactory
-        if ($null -eq $script:Provider) {
-            throw 'ProviderFactory returned $null. A provider instance is required for contract tests.'
+    $cases = @(
+        @{
+            ProviderFactory = $ProviderFactory
+            AllowEmpty      = [bool]$AllowEmpty
         }
-    }
+    )
+
+    Context 'Capability advertisement' -ForEach $cases {
+        BeforeAll {
+            $providerFactory = $_.ProviderFactory
+
+            if ($null -eq $providerFactory) {
+                throw 'ProviderFactory scriptblock is required for capability contract tests.'
+            }
 
-    Context 'Capability advertisement' {
+            $provider = & $providerFactory
+            if ($null -eq $provider) {
+                throw 'ProviderFactory returned $null. A provider instance is required for contract tests.'
+            }
+
+            $script:Provider = $provider
+            $script:AllowEmpty = $_.AllowEmpty
+        }
 
         It 'Exposes GetCapabilities as a method' {
             $script:Provider.PSObject.Methods.Name | Should -Contain 'GetCapabilities'
         }
 
-        It 'GetCapabilities returns stable capability identifiers' {
-            $c1 = @(& $script:Provider.GetCapabilities())
-            $c2 = @(& $script:Provider.GetCapabilities())
+        It 'GetCapabilities returns a string list' {
+            $caps = $script:Provider.GetCapabilities()
 
-            if (-not $AllowEmpty) {
-                $c1.Count | Should -BeGreaterThan 0
+            $caps | Should -Not -BeNullOrEmpty
+            foreach ($c in $caps) {
+                $c | Should -BeOfType [string]
+                $c | Should -Not -BeNullOrEmpty
             }
+        }
 
-            foreach ($c in $c1) {
-                $c | Should -BeOfType [string]
-                $c.Trim() | Should -Not -BeNullOrEmpty
+        It 'GetCapabilities returns stable identifiers (no whitespace)' {
+            $caps = $script:Provider.GetCapabilities()
 
-                # Capability naming convention:
-                # - dot-separated segments
-                # - no whitespace
-                # - starts with a letter
-                # Example: 'Identity.Read', 'Entitlement.Write'
-                $c | Should -Match '^[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9]*(\.[A-Za-z0-9]+)+$'
+            foreach ($c in $caps) {
+                $c | Should -Not -Match '\s'
             }
+        }
 
-            # No duplicates (providers should not over-advertise or double-advertise).
-            (@($c1 | Sort-Object -Unique)).Count | Should -Be $c1.Count
+        It 'GetCapabilities can be empty only when explicitly allowed' {
+            $caps = $script:Provider.GetCapabilities()
 
-            # Deterministic set (order-insensitive).
-            @($c1 | Sort-Object) | Should -Be @($c2 | Sort-Object)
+            if (-not $script:AllowEmpty) {
+                $caps.Count | Should -BeGreaterThan 0
+            }
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/tests/Providers/MockIdentityProvider.Tests.ps1 b/tests/Providers/MockIdentityProvider.Tests.ps1
index 4cdb6ae7..5ca20caf 100644
--- a/tests/Providers/MockIdentityProvider.Tests.ps1
+++ b/tests/Providers/MockIdentityProvider.Tests.ps1
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 Set-StrictMode -Version Latest
 
 BeforeDiscovery {
+    . (Join-Path -Path $PSScriptRoot -ChildPath '..\_testHelpers.ps1')
+    Import-IdleTestModule
+
     # $PSScriptRoot = ...\tests\Providers
     # repo root     = parent of ...\tests
     $testsRoot = Split-Path -Path $PSScriptRoot -Parent
@@ -17,4 +20,16 @@ BeforeDiscovery {
         throw "Provider capabilities contract not found at: $capabilitiesContractPath"
     }
     . $capabilitiesContractPath
+
+    $entitlementContractPath = Join-Path -Path $repoRoot -ChildPath 'tests\ProviderContracts\EntitlementProvider.Contract.ps1'
+    if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $entitlementContractPath -PathType Leaf)) {
+        throw "Entitlement provider contract not found at: $entitlementContractPath"
+    }
+    . $entitlementContractPath
+}
+
+Describe 'Mock identity provider contracts' {
+    Invoke-IdleIdentityProviderContractTests -NewProvider { New-IdleMockIdentityProvider }
+    Invoke-IdleProviderCapabilitiesContractTests -ProviderFactory { New-IdleMockIdentityProvider }
+    Invoke-IdleEntitlementProviderContractTests -NewProvider { New-IdleMockIdentityProvider }
 }
diff --git a/tests/_testHelpers.ps1 b/tests/_testHelpers.ps1
index aa9beb9f..cf9069d4 100644
--- a/tests/_testHelpers.ps1
+++ b/tests/_testHelpers.ps1
@@ -22,6 +22,12 @@ function Import-IdleTestModule {
 
     $manifestPath = Get-IdleModuleManifestPath
     Import-Module -Name $manifestPath -Force -ErrorAction Stop
+
+    $stepsCommonManifestPath = Resolve-Path -Path (Join-Path (Get-RepoRootPath) 'src/IdLE.Steps.Common/IdLE.Steps.Common.psd1')
+    Import-Module -Name $stepsCommonManifestPath -Force -ErrorAction Stop
+
+    $mockProviderManifestPath = Resolve-Path -Path (Join-Path (Get-RepoRootPath) 'src/IdLE.Provider.Mock/IdLE.Provider.Mock.psd1')
+    Import-Module -Name $mockProviderManifestPath -Force -ErrorAction Stop
 }
 
 function Get-ModuleManifestPaths {