diff --git a/.github/workflows/docs-lint.yml b/.github/workflows/docs-lint.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7ea0b8c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/docs-lint.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+name: docs-lint
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [main]
+    paths:
+      - "**/*.md"
+      - ".markdownlint.yml"
+      - ".markdownlintignore"
+      - ".github/workflows/docs-lint.yml"
+      - "scripts/docs/docs_lint.sh"
+      - "docs/standards/lint_scope.txt"
+  pull_request:
+    branches: [main]
+    paths:
+      - "**/*.md"
+      - ".markdownlint.yml"
+      - ".markdownlintignore"
+      - ".github/workflows/docs-lint.yml"
+      - "scripts/docs/docs_lint.sh"
+      - "docs/standards/lint_scope.txt"
+
+jobs:
+  markdownlint:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Setup Node
+        uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        with:
+          node-version: "20"
+
+      - name: Lint markdown
+        run: bash scripts/docs/docs_lint.sh
diff --git a/.markdownlint.yml b/.markdownlint.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8c937817
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.markdownlint.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+default: true
+
+MD013:
+  line_length: 180
+  heading_line_length: 180
+  code_block_line_length: 220
+
+MD024:
+  allow_different_nesting: true
+
+MD033: false
+MD041: false
+MD022: false
+MD029: false
+MD031: false
+MD032: false
+MD060: false
diff --git a/.markdownlintignore b/.markdownlintignore
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8f523aff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.markdownlintignore
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+.worktrees/
+node_modules/
+site/
+rollback_backups/
+docs/consolidation/_node1_runtime_docs/
+**/*.bak_*
diff --git a/docs/SESSION_STARTER.md b/docs/SESSION_STARTER.md
index 61fa8f01..179fb279 100644
--- a/docs/SESSION_STARTER.md
+++ b/docs/SESSION_STARTER.md
@@ -46,6 +46,17 @@ bash scripts/docs/services_sync.sh --dry-run
 bash scripts/docs/services_sync.sh --apply
 ```
 
+5. Docs lint and standards:
+```bash
+bash scripts/docs/docs_lint.sh
+```
+
+6. Docs backup (explicit run):
+```bash
+bash scripts/docs/docs_backup.sh --dry-run
+bash scripts/docs/docs_backup.sh --apply
+```
+
 ## Runtime-First Facts (must re-check each session)
 
 1. NODE1 branch/SHA:
diff --git a/docs/backups/LATEST.txt b/docs/backups/LATEST.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c20cca16
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/backups/LATEST.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+/Users/apple/github-projects/microdao-daarion/docs/backups/docs_backup_20260216-022549.tar.gz
diff --git a/docs/consolidation/INTEGRATIONS_STATUS_LATEST.md b/docs/consolidation/INTEGRATIONS_STATUS_LATEST.md
index c0541149..feff16ab 100644
--- a/docs/consolidation/INTEGRATIONS_STATUS_LATEST.md
+++ b/docs/consolidation/INTEGRATIONS_STATUS_LATEST.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Integrations Bootstrap Status
 
-Generated: 2026-02-16 10:20:19 UTC
+Generated: 2026-02-16 10:25:49 UTC
 
 Repo: /Users/apple/github-projects/microdao-daarion
 
diff --git a/docs/consolidation/README.md b/docs/consolidation/README.md
index 02da6cbc..a5314a76 100644
--- a/docs/consolidation/README.md
+++ b/docs/consolidation/README.md
@@ -32,5 +32,8 @@ python3 /Users/apple/github-projects/microdao-daarion/scripts/docs/build_docs_hu
 
 ```bash
 bash /Users/apple/github-projects/microdao-daarion/scripts/docs/session_bootstrap.sh
+bash /Users/apple/github-projects/microdao-daarion/scripts/docs/services_sync.sh --dry-run
+bash /Users/apple/github-projects/microdao-daarion/scripts/docs/services_sync.sh --apply
+bash /Users/apple/github-projects/microdao-daarion/scripts/docs/docs_lint.sh
 bash /Users/apple/github-projects/microdao-daarion/scripts/docs/docs_sync.sh --dry-run
 ```
diff --git a/docs/consolidation/SOURCES.md b/docs/consolidation/SOURCES.md
index 20f219e0..83b63a13 100644
--- a/docs/consolidation/SOURCES.md
+++ b/docs/consolidation/SOURCES.md
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ This file tracks where documentation is collected from for consolidation.
 ## Automation Scripts
 - `scripts/docs/session_bootstrap.sh` — refreshes integration status and writes `INTEGRATIONS_STATUS_LATEST.md`.
 - `scripts/docs/docs_sync.sh` — safe docs sync automation with `--dry-run` by default and explicit `--apply`.
+- `scripts/docs/docs_lint.sh` — markdown lint for canonical documentation.
+- `scripts/docs/docs_backup.sh` — timestamped docs backup with retention rotation.
 - `scripts/docs/jupyter_sync.sh` — adapter for Jupyter server API status + notebooks index export.
 - `scripts/docs/pieces_sync.sh` — adapter for Pieces local runtime/data index + optional API probe.
 - `scripts/docs/services_sync.sh` — orchestrator for bootstrap + Jupyter + Pieces sync adapters.
diff --git a/docs/consolidation/jupyter/JUPYTER_SYNC_LATEST.md b/docs/consolidation/jupyter/JUPYTER_SYNC_LATEST.md
index 1ca51b01..0fc449e1 100644
--- a/docs/consolidation/jupyter/JUPYTER_SYNC_LATEST.md
+++ b/docs/consolidation/jupyter/JUPYTER_SYNC_LATEST.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Jupyter Sync Report
 
-Generated: 2026-02-16 10:20:20 UTC
+Generated: 2026-02-16 10:25:50 UTC
 
 - jupyter_cmd: not-found
 - server_count: 0
diff --git a/docs/consolidation/pieces/PIECES_SYNC_LATEST.md b/docs/consolidation/pieces/PIECES_SYNC_LATEST.md
index 69326b50..f4d9d0a7 100644
--- a/docs/consolidation/pieces/PIECES_SYNC_LATEST.md
+++ b/docs/consolidation/pieces/PIECES_SYNC_LATEST.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Pieces Sync Report
 
-Generated: 2026-02-16 10:20:43 UTC
+Generated: 2026-02-16 10:25:50 UTC
 
 - pieces_extensions_count: 1
 - pieces_data_dirs_count: 0
diff --git a/docs/runbooks/DOCS_SERVICES_AUTOMATION_RUNBOOK.md b/docs/runbooks/DOCS_SERVICES_AUTOMATION_RUNBOOK.md
index 4f7279dd..464d134d 100644
--- a/docs/runbooks/DOCS_SERVICES_AUTOMATION_RUNBOOK.md
+++ b/docs/runbooks/DOCS_SERVICES_AUTOMATION_RUNBOOK.md
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ Outputs:
 - `docs/consolidation/jupyter/notebooks_index_latest.csv`
 - `docs/consolidation/pieces/PIECES_SYNC_LATEST.md`
 - `docs/consolidation/pieces/pieces_index_latest.csv`
+- `docs/backups/LATEST.txt` (latest backup archive reference)
 
 ## 3) Review pending docs updates
 
@@ -64,6 +65,24 @@ bash scripts/docs/docs_sync.sh --apply --targets github,gitea
 - `docs_sync.sh` is dry-run by default.
 - `--apply` refuses to proceed if staged non-doc files are present.
 - Only curated doc paths are auto-staged by the script.
+- `services_sync.sh --apply` creates docs backup before writing integration artifacts.
+
+## Standardization and lint
+
+Local lint:
+
+```bash
+cd /Users/apple/github-projects/microdao-daarion
+bash scripts/docs/docs_lint.sh
+```
+
+CI lint:
+- `.github/workflows/docs-lint.yml`
+- config: `.markdownlint.yml`, `.markdownlintignore`
+
+Style and template:
+- `docs/standards/DOCS_STYLE_GUIDE.md`
+- `docs/standards/DOC_TEMPLATE.md`
 
 ## Jupyter and Pieces notes
 
diff --git a/docs/standards/DOCS_STYLE_GUIDE.md b/docs/standards/DOCS_STYLE_GUIDE.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7235a672
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/standards/DOCS_STYLE_GUIDE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+# Docs Style Guide
+
+Date: 2026-02-16
+Purpose: standardized writing and structure for canonical documentation in this repository.
+
+## Scope
+
+This guide applies to canonical docs in:
+- `docs/`
+- `docs/runbooks/`
+- `config/*.md`
+- root operational docs (`PROJECT-MASTER-INDEX.md`, `NODA1-SAFE-DEPLOY.md`, `NODA1-README.md`)
+
+Legacy and snapshot docs are excluded from strict linting:
+- `docs/consolidation/_node1_runtime_docs/`
+- `.worktrees/`
+- backup artifacts (`*.bak_*`)
+
+## Required Structure
+
+Every new canonical document should start with:
+1. H1 title
+2. `Date: YYYY-MM-DD`
+3. `Purpose: ...`
+
+Recommended sections:
+1. Scope
+2. Preconditions
+3. Procedure / Steps
+4. Verification
+5. Rollback / Recovery
+
+## Writing Rules
+
+- Use sentence-case headings.
+- Keep sections short and operational.
+- Prefer explicit paths and commands.
+- Mark runtime facts with concrete dates.
+- Avoid mixing strategic legacy notes into canonical runbooks.
+
+## Naming Rules
+
+- Runbooks: `docs/runbooks/<TOPIC>_RUNBOOK.md`
+- Decisions: `docs/runbooks/<TOPIC>_DECISION_YYYY-MM-DD.md`
+- One-off status snapshots: include date in filename.
+
+## Linting
+
+Local check:
+```bash
+bash scripts/docs/docs_lint.sh
+```
+
+CI check:
+- GitHub workflow: `.github/workflows/docs-lint.yml`
+
+Lint scope source:
+- `docs/standards/lint_scope.txt`
+
+Note:
+- Full historical docs migration is phased; lint is enforced on managed canonical scope first.
diff --git a/docs/standards/DOC_TEMPLATE.md b/docs/standards/DOC_TEMPLATE.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a444e6d5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/standards/DOC_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+# <Document Title>
+
+Date: YYYY-MM-DD
+Purpose: one-sentence objective of this document.
+
+## Scope
+
+- Systems, repos, services, and files covered.
+
+## Preconditions
+
+- Required access
+- Required tools
+- Required environment
+
+## Procedure
+
+1. Step one
+2. Step two
+3. Step three
+
+## Verification
+
+- Command(s):
+```bash
+# put verification commands here
+```
+- Expected result(s)
+
+## Rollback
+
+1. Recovery step one
+2. Recovery step two
+
+## References
+
+- `/absolute/or/repo/path/to/relevant/file`
diff --git a/docs/standards/lint_scope.txt b/docs/standards/lint_scope.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..abb3f505
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/standards/lint_scope.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+docs/SESSION_STARTER.md
+docs/consolidation/README.md
+docs/consolidation/SOURCES.md
+docs/runbooks/DOCS_SERVICES_AUTOMATION_RUNBOOK.md
+docs/standards/DOCS_STYLE_GUIDE.md
+docs/standards/DOC_TEMPLATE.md
+config/README.md
diff --git a/scripts/docs/docs_backup.sh b/scripts/docs/docs_backup.sh
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..9c717227
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/docs/docs_backup.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+ROOT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")/../.." && pwd)"
+OUT_DIR="$ROOT_DIR/docs/backups"
+RETENTION="${DOCS_BACKUP_RETENTION:-20}"
+DRY_RUN=1
+APPLY=0
+
+usage() {
+  cat <<'USAGE'
+Usage:
+  bash scripts/docs/docs_backup.sh [--dry-run] [--apply] [--retention N]
+
+Behavior:
+  - default mode is --dry-run
+  - --apply creates docs backup archive and rotates old backups
+USAGE
+}
+
+while [[ $# -gt 0 ]]; do
+  case "$1" in
+    --dry-run)
+      DRY_RUN=1
+      APPLY=0
+      shift
+      ;;
+    --apply)
+      APPLY=1
+      DRY_RUN=0
+      shift
+      ;;
+    --retention)
+      RETENTION="$2"
+      shift 2
+      ;;
+    -h|--help)
+      usage
+      exit 0
+      ;;
+    *)
+      echo "Unknown arg: $1" >&2
+      usage
+      exit 2
+      ;;
+  esac
+done
+
+STAMP="$(date +%Y%m%d-%H%M%S)"
+ARCHIVE="$OUT_DIR/docs_backup_${STAMP}.tar.gz"
+LATEST_REF="$OUT_DIR/LATEST.txt"
+
+backup_targets=(
+  PROJECT-MASTER-INDEX.md
+  NODA1-SAFE-DEPLOY.md
+  docs/SESSION_STARTER.md
+  docs/runbooks
+  docs/standards
+  docs/consolidation/README.md
+  docs/consolidation/SOURCES.md
+  docs/consolidation/docs_registry_curated.csv
+  docs/consolidation/INTEGRATIONS_STATUS_LATEST.md
+  docs/consolidation/jupyter/JUPYTER_SYNC_LATEST.md
+  docs/consolidation/jupyter/notebooks_index_latest.csv
+  docs/consolidation/pieces/PIECES_SYNC_LATEST.md
+  docs/consolidation/pieces/pieces_index_latest.csv
+)
+
+existing=()
+for t in "${backup_targets[@]}"; do
+  [[ -e "$ROOT_DIR/$t" ]] && existing+=("$t")
+done
+
+if [[ "$DRY_RUN" -eq 1 ]]; then
+  echo "[dry-run] backup archive: $ARCHIVE"
+  echo "[dry-run] retention: $RETENTION"
+  echo "[dry-run] targets:"
+  printf '  - %s\n' "${existing[@]}"
+  exit 0
+fi
+
+mkdir -p "$OUT_DIR"
+
+tar -czf "$ARCHIVE" -C "$ROOT_DIR" "${existing[@]}"
+printf '%s\n' "$ARCHIVE" > "$LATEST_REF"
+
+mapfile -t backups < <(ls -1t "$OUT_DIR"/docs_backup_*.tar.gz 2>/dev/null || true)
+if [[ "${#backups[@]}" -gt "$RETENTION" ]]; then
+  for old in "${backups[@]:$RETENTION}"; do
+    rm -f "$old"
+  done
+fi
+
+echo "Wrote: $ARCHIVE"
+echo "Updated: $LATEST_REF"
diff --git a/scripts/docs/docs_lint.sh b/scripts/docs/docs_lint.sh
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..120f71c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/docs/docs_lint.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+ROOT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")/../.." && pwd)"
+cd "$ROOT_DIR"
+
+if ! command -v npx >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  echo "npx not found; install Node.js to run markdown lint" >&2
+  exit 2
+fi
+
+echo "Running markdown lint on tracked markdown files"
+
+scope_file="docs/standards/lint_scope.txt"
+if [[ ! -f "$scope_file" ]]; then
+  echo "Missing lint scope file: $scope_file" >&2
+  exit 2
+fi
+
+mapfile -t scope_paths < <(sed '/^\s*$/d; /^\s*#/d' "$scope_file")
+files=()
+for p in "${scope_paths[@]}"; do
+  [[ -f "$p" ]] && files+=("$p")
+done
+
+if [[ "${#files[@]}" -eq 0 ]]; then
+  echo "No markdown files to lint"
+  exit 0
+fi
+
+npx -y markdownlint-cli2 --config .markdownlint.yml "${files[@]}"
diff --git a/scripts/docs/docs_sync.sh b/scripts/docs/docs_sync.sh
index 1dc4df24..fba63df5 100755
--- a/scripts/docs/docs_sync.sh
+++ b/scripts/docs/docs_sync.sh
@@ -105,8 +105,17 @@ doc_paths=(
   docs/consolidation/jupyter/notebooks_index_latest.csv
   docs/consolidation/pieces/PIECES_SYNC_LATEST.md
   docs/consolidation/pieces/pieces_index_latest.csv
+  docs/backups/LATEST.txt
+  docs/standards/DOCS_STYLE_GUIDE.md
+  docs/standards/DOC_TEMPLATE.md
+  docs/standards/lint_scope.txt
   PROJECT-MASTER-INDEX.md
+  .markdownlint.yml
+  .markdownlintignore
+  .github/workflows/docs-lint.yml
   scripts/docs/session_bootstrap.sh
+  scripts/docs/docs_backup.sh
+  scripts/docs/docs_lint.sh
   scripts/docs/jupyter_sync.sh
   scripts/docs/pieces_sync.sh
   scripts/docs/services_sync.sh
diff --git a/scripts/docs/services_sync.sh b/scripts/docs/services_sync.sh
index 5a3b8f96..310a2f91 100755
--- a/scripts/docs/services_sync.sh
+++ b/scripts/docs/services_sync.sh
@@ -14,9 +14,10 @@ Usage:
   bash scripts/docs/services_sync.sh [--dry-run] [--apply] [--probe-ports 39300,39301]
 
 Workflow:
-  1) integration bootstrap status
-  2) jupyter sync adapter
-  3) pieces sync adapter
+  1) docs backup
+  2) integration bootstrap status
+  3) jupyter sync adapter
+  4) pieces sync adapter
 USAGE
 }
 
@@ -49,6 +50,8 @@ while [[ $# -gt 0 ]]; do
 done
 
 if [[ "$DRY_RUN" -eq 1 ]]; then
+  echo "[dry-run] running: scripts/docs/docs_backup.sh --dry-run"
+  bash scripts/docs/docs_backup.sh --dry-run
   echo "[dry-run] running: scripts/docs/session_bootstrap.sh"
   bash scripts/docs/session_bootstrap.sh
   echo "[dry-run] running: scripts/docs/jupyter_sync.sh --dry-run"
@@ -62,6 +65,7 @@ if [[ "$DRY_RUN" -eq 1 ]]; then
   exit 0
 fi
 
+bash scripts/docs/docs_backup.sh --apply
 bash scripts/docs/session_bootstrap.sh
 bash scripts/docs/jupyter_sync.sh --apply
 if [[ -n "$PROBE_PORTS" ]]; then