diff --git a/crates/ironclaw_engine/src/lib.rs b/crates/ironclaw_engine/src/lib.rs
index 22d74eb9de..fd2fc3b308 100644
--- a/crates/ironclaw_engine/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/ironclaw_engine/src/lib.rs
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ pub mod workspace;
 // ── Re-exports: types ───────────────────────────────────────
 
 pub use types::capability::{
-    ActionDef, Capability, CapabilityLease, EffectType, GrantedActions, LeaseId, PolicyCondition,
-    PolicyEffect, PolicyRule,
+    ActionDef, Capability, CapabilityLease, CapabilityStatus, EffectType, GrantedActions, LeaseId,
+    PolicyCondition, PolicyEffect, PolicyRule,
 };
 pub use types::error::{CapabilityError, EngineError, StepError, ThreadError};
 pub use types::event::{EventId, EventKind, ThreadEvent};
diff --git a/crates/ironclaw_engine/src/types/capability.rs b/crates/ironclaw_engine/src/types/capability.rs
index 6e25137f3a..28f39b1b75 100644
--- a/crates/ironclaw_engine/src/types/capability.rs
+++ b/crates/ironclaw_engine/src/types/capability.rs
@@ -135,6 +135,31 @@ pub struct ActionDef {
     pub requires_approval: bool,
 }
 
+/// Canonical model-visible status for capability background surfacing.
+///
+/// This is a normalized projection over host runtime truth. It is not itself
+/// a source of truth for auth, activation, or installation state.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Hash, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+#[serde(rename_all = "snake_case")]
+pub enum CapabilityStatus {
+    /// Capability is directly usable now.
+    Ready,
+    /// Capability is usable now, but only through a scoped or indirect route.
+    ReadyScoped,
+    /// Capability exists but needs authentication before use.
+    NeedsAuth,
+    /// Capability exists but needs setup before auth or execution can proceed.
+    NeedsSetup,
+    /// Capability is installed or known, but not currently active.
+    Inactive,
+    /// Capability is known to the runtime but not yet activated into a direct action.
+    Latent,
+    /// Capability lookup or readiness failed with a concrete runtime error.
+    Error,
+    /// Capability is known in the registry but not installed.
+    AvailableNotInstalled,
+}
+
 // ── Capability ──────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 /// A capability — bundles actions, knowledge, and policies.
@@ -257,6 +282,7 @@ impl CapabilityLease {
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
+    use serde_json::json;
 
     fn make_lease() -> CapabilityLease {
         CapabilityLease {
@@ -359,4 +385,47 @@ mod tests {
         lease.granted_actions = GrantedActions::Specific(vec!["list-prs".into()]);
         assert!(lease.covers_action("list_prs"));
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn capability_status_serializes_as_snake_case() {
+        let cases = [
+            (CapabilityStatus::Ready, json!("ready")),
+            (CapabilityStatus::ReadyScoped, json!("ready_scoped")),
+            (CapabilityStatus::NeedsAuth, json!("needs_auth")),
+            (CapabilityStatus::NeedsSetup, json!("needs_setup")),
+            (CapabilityStatus::Inactive, json!("inactive")),
+            (CapabilityStatus::Latent, json!("latent")),
+            (CapabilityStatus::Error, json!("error")),
+            (
+                CapabilityStatus::AvailableNotInstalled,
+                json!("available_not_installed"),
+            ),
+        ];
+
+        for (status, expected) in cases {
+            assert_eq!(serde_json::to_value(status).unwrap(), expected);
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn capability_status_round_trips_from_wire_values() {
+        let cases = [
+            ("ready", CapabilityStatus::Ready),
+            ("ready_scoped", CapabilityStatus::ReadyScoped),
+            ("needs_auth", CapabilityStatus::NeedsAuth),
+            ("needs_setup", CapabilityStatus::NeedsSetup),
+            ("inactive", CapabilityStatus::Inactive),
+            ("latent", CapabilityStatus::Latent),
+            ("error", CapabilityStatus::Error),
+            (
+                "available_not_installed",
+                CapabilityStatus::AvailableNotInstalled,
+            ),
+        ];
+
+        for (wire, expected) in cases {
+            let parsed: CapabilityStatus = serde_json::from_value(json!(wire)).unwrap();
+            assert_eq!(parsed, expected);
+        }
+    }
 }