diff --git a/.claude-plugin/marketplace.json b/.claude-plugin/marketplace.json
index 1c85f24a..f2e0af8c 100644
--- a/.claude-plugin/marketplace.json
+++ b/.claude-plugin/marketplace.json
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
       "name": "codingbuddy",
       "source": "./packages/claude-code-plugin",
       "description": "PLAN/ACT/EVAL workflow, specialist agents, and reusable skills for systematic TDD development",
-      "version": "5.1.3",
+      "version": "5.4.0",
       "category": "development"
     }
   ]
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 008622c3..bc2ea51c 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -5,6 +5,31 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.1.0/),
 and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
 
+## [5.4.0] - 2026-04-07
+
+### Added
+
+#### Question-First Planning (Epic #1424)
+- Clarification Gate — ambiguous prompts trigger one clarifying question before planning (#1423)
+- Staged Planning — Discover→Design→Plan becomes the real default workflow (#1420)
+- Planning Agent Guidance — question-first contract survives standard verbosity (#1419)
+- Council Scene Rendering — real opening council scene in first response for PLAN/EVAL/AUTO (#1421)
+- Permission Forecast — display upcoming permission classes before execution (#1418)
+- Execution Gate — suppress dispatch-ready while planning is gated (#1422)
+
+#### Council State Pipeline (#1361, #1367, #1368)
+- Seed request-level council state from UserPromptSubmit (#1361)
+- Compact live council badges in PreToolUse statusMessage (#1367)
+- Council handoff, stage, and blocker state from PostToolUse (#1368)
+
+#### EVAL Review Integration
+- `review_pr` MCP tool for EVAL-mode PR review
+- EVAL-mode review agent prompt template in adapter docs
+- Integrated `review_pr` into parse_mode EVAL dispatch
+
+### Fixed
+- Vite 7.3.1→8.0.5 security bump (GHSA-p9ff-h696-f583)
+
 ## [5.2.0] - 2026-04-03
 
 ### Added
diff --git a/README.es.md b/README.es.md
index 5cd878ce..69091dfc 100644
--- a/README.es.md
+++ b/README.es.md
@@ -250,17 +250,21 @@ npx codingbuddy mcp --tui
 
 ---
 
-## Novedades en v5.1.2
+## Novedades en v5.4.0
 
-**StatusLine HUD** — Métricas de sesión en tiempo real en la UI de Claude Code: modo, costo, tasa de caché, uso de contexto.
+**Planificación con preguntas primero** — Codingbuddy ahora pregunta antes de planificar. Los prompts ambiguos activan una pregunta de clarificación, y los prompts claros avanzan por las etapas Discover→Design→Plan con confirmación del usuario en cada paso.
 
-```
-◕‿◕ CB v5.1.2 | PLAN 🟢 | 12m | ~$0.23 | Cache:87% | Ctx:45%
-```
+**Escena del consejo** — Los modos PLAN, EVAL y AUTO comienzan con una escena de apertura que muestra qué agentes especialistas están ensamblados y listos para colaborar.
+
+**Pronóstico de permisos** — Antes de la ejecución, se muestran las clases de permisos necesarias (repo-write, network, external) para preparar los paquetes de aprobación con anticipación.
 
-**Barra lateral tmux** — Ejecute Claude Code dentro de tmux y obtenga un panel TUI automático como barra lateral.
+**Puerta de ejecución** — Cuando la etapa de planificación no ha avanzado más allá del descubrimiento, se suprime el despacho de especialistas para evitar trabajo prematuro.
 
-**Validación de lanzamiento** — Nuevas herramientas MCP: `validate_plugin_manifest` y `pre_release_check`.
+**Pipeline de estado del consejo** — Insignias en tiempo real muestran transferencias de agentes, transiciones de etapa y bloqueadores durante la ejecución de herramientas.
+
+```
+◕‿◕ CB v5.4.0 | PLAN 🟢 | 12m | ~$0.23 | Cache:87% | Ctx:45%
+```
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/README.ja.md b/README.ja.md
index 81a4ddc0..381bf833 100644
--- a/README.ja.md
+++ b/README.ja.md
@@ -250,17 +250,21 @@ npx codingbuddy mcp --tui
 
 ---
 
-## v5.1.2の新機能
+## v5.4.0の新機能
 
-**StatusLine HUD** — Claude Code UIにリアルタイムセッション指標を表示：モード、コスト、キャッシュ率、コンテキスト使用量。
+**質問優先プランニング** — Codingbuddyが計画前に質問します。曖昧なプロンプトは明確化の質問をトリガーし、明確なプロンプトはDiscover→Design→Planの段階をユーザー確認とともに進行します。
 
-```
-◕‿◕ CB v5.1.2 | PLAN 🟢 | 12m | ~$0.23 | Cache:87% | Ctx:45%
-```
+**カウンシルシーン** — PLAN、EVAL、AUTOモードで、どの専門エージェントが構成されているかを示すオープニングシーンから始まります。
+
+**権限予測** — 実行前に必要な権限クラス（repo-write、network、external）を事前に表示します。
 
-**tmuxサイドバー** — tmux内でClaude Codeを実行すると、TUIダッシュボードサイドバーが自動設定されます。
+**実行ゲート** — プランニング段階が探索以前の場合、専門家のディスパッチを抑制して早期作業を防ぎます。
 
-**リリース検証** — `validate_plugin_manifest`と`pre_release_check` MCPツールを追加。
+**カウンシル状態パイプライン** — ツール実行中にエージェントハンドオフ、段階遷移、ブロッカーをリアルタイムバッジで表示します。
+
+```
+◕‿◕ CB v5.4.0 | PLAN 🟢 | 12m | ~$0.23 | Cache:87% | Ctx:45%
+```
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/README.ko.md b/README.ko.md
index bc33580c..61b6a400 100644
--- a/README.ko.md
+++ b/README.ko.md
@@ -250,17 +250,21 @@ npx codingbuddy mcp --tui
 
 ---
 
-## v5.1.2 새로운 기능
+## v5.4.0 새로운 기능
 
-**StatusLine HUD** — Claude Code UI에 실시간 세션 지표 표시: 현재 모드, 예상 비용, 캐시 적중률, 컨텍스트 사용량.
+**질문-우선 플래닝** — Codingbuddy가 이제 계획 전에 먼저 질문합니다. 모호한 프롬프트는 명확화 질문을 트리거하고, 명확한 프롬프트는 Discover→Design→Plan 단계를 사용자 확인과 함께 진행합니다.
 
-```
-◕‿◕ CB v5.1.2 | PLAN 🟢 | 12m | ~$0.23 | Cache:87% | Ctx:45%
-```
+**카운슬 씬** — PLAN, EVAL, AUTO 모드에서 어떤 전문 에이전트가 구성되었는지 보여주는 오프닝 씬으로 시작합니다.
+
+**권한 예측** — 실행 전에 필요한 권한 클래스(repo-write, network, external)를 미리 표시하여 승인 준비를 할 수 있습니다.
 
-**tmux 사이드바** — tmux 안에서 Claude Code를 실행하면 TUI 대시보드 사이드바가 자동으로 설정됩니다.
+**실행 게이트** — 플래닝 단계가 탐색 이전이면 전문가 디스패치를 억제하여 조기 작업을 방지합니다.
 
-**릴리즈 검증** — `validate_plugin_manifest`(plugin.json 스키마 검증)와 `pre_release_check`(에코시스템 자동 감지 릴리즈 사전 검증) MCP 도구 추가.
+**카운슬 상태 파이프라인** — 도구 실행 중 에이전트 핸드오프, 단계 전환, 블로커를 실시간 뱃지로 표시합니다.
+
+```
+◕‿◕ CB v5.4.0 | PLAN 🟢 | 12m | ~$0.23 | Cache:87% | Ctx:45%
+```
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 699d8805..2abdc147 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -100,21 +100,17 @@ Start coding with `PLAN`, `ACT`, `EVAL`, or `AUTO` keywords.
 
 ---
 
-## What's New in v5.2.0
+## What's New in v5.4.0
 
-**PR Guardian** — `pr_quality_report` MCP tool runs specialist agents on changed files, integrated with `/ship` quality gate for automated PR quality checks.
+**Question-First Planning** — Codingbuddy now asks before it plans. Ambiguous prompts trigger a clarifying question, and clear prompts walk through Discover→Design→Plan stages with explicit user confirmation at each step.
 
-**Context Rescue** — `create_briefing` and `resume_session` tools enable cross-session recovery, preserving decisions and context across conversation boundaries.
+**Council Scene** — PLAN, EVAL, and AUTO modes open with a visible council scene showing which specialist agents are assembled and ready to collaborate.
 
-**Session Intelligence** — SessionAnalyzer generates Intelligence Reports in the stop hook, providing actionable insights from every coding session.
+**Permission Forecast** — Before execution, codingbuddy surfaces what permission classes (repo-write, network, external) will be needed, so you can prepare approval bundles in advance.
 
-**Rule Impact Dashboard** — Event tracking, stats writer, and impact reporting measure which rules actually prevent issues — proving your AI coding is improving.
+**Execution Gate** — When the planning stage hasn't advanced past discovery, specialist dispatch is suppressed to avoid premature work.
 
-**Plugin Marketplace** — Full plugin lifecycle with `install`, `search`, `update`, `plugins`, and `uninstall` CLI commands, plus registry resolver for discovering community plugins.
-
-**Skill Discovery** — Filesystem-based `list_skills` with `triggers` frontmatter in SKILL.md for automatic skill activation based on context.
-
-**TUI** — Single multi-session model with manual `codingbuddy tui` launch. Auto-open removed for cleaner MCP server startup.
+**Council State Pipeline** — Real-time council badges show agent handoffs, stage transitions, and blockers as they happen during tool execution.
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/README.zh-CN.md b/README.zh-CN.md
index 207c74ad..3d952d05 100644
--- a/README.zh-CN.md
+++ b/README.zh-CN.md
@@ -250,17 +250,21 @@ npx codingbuddy mcp --tui
 
 ---
 
-## v5.1.2 新功能
+## v5.4.0 新功能
 
-**StatusLine HUD** — 在Claude Code UI中实时显示会话指标：模式、成本、缓存率、上下文使用量。
+**问题优先规划** — Codingbuddy 现在在规划之前先提问。模糊的提示会触发澄清问题，清晰的提示会通过 Discover→Design→Plan 阶段逐步推进，每步都需用户确认。
 
-```
-◕‿◕ CB v5.1.2 | PLAN 🟢 | 12m | ~$0.23 | Cache:87% | Ctx:45%
-```
+**议会场景** — PLAN、EVAL 和 AUTO 模式以展示哪些专家代理已组建的开场场景开始。
+
+**权限预测** — 执行前显示即将需要的权限类别（repo-write、network、external），便于提前准备审批。
 
-**tmux侧边栏** — 在tmux中运行Claude Code时，自动配置TUI仪表板侧边栏。
+**执行门控** — 当规划阶段尚未进入设计阶段时，抑制专家调度以避免过早执行。
 
-**发布验证** — 新增`validate_plugin_manifest`和`pre_release_check` MCP工具。
+**议会状态管道** — 在工具执行期间，实时徽章显示代理交接、阶段转换和阻塞器。
+
+```
+◕‿◕ CB v5.4.0 | PLAN 🟢 | 12m | ~$0.23 | Cache:87% | Ctx:45%
+```
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/apps/mcp-server/package.json b/apps/mcp-server/package.json
index e71c6af9..3c8d8fc5 100644
--- a/apps/mcp-server/package.json
+++ b/apps/mcp-server/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "codingbuddy",
-  "version": "5.3.0",
+  "version": "5.4.0",
   "description": "Multi-AI Rules MCP Server - One source of truth for AI coding rules across all AI assistants",
   "author": "JeremyDev87",
   "license": "MIT",
diff --git a/apps/mcp-server/src/shared/version.ts b/apps/mcp-server/src/shared/version.ts
index cc9965a2..31bef326 100644
--- a/apps/mcp-server/src/shared/version.ts
+++ b/apps/mcp-server/src/shared/version.ts
@@ -2,4 +2,4 @@
  * Single source of truth for the runtime package version.
  * Updated automatically by scripts/bump-version.sh on each release.
  */
-export const VERSION = '5.3.0';
+export const VERSION = '5.4.0';
diff --git a/packages/claude-code-plugin/.claude-plugin/plugin.json b/packages/claude-code-plugin/.claude-plugin/plugin.json
index ddcb2e9d..31610cf5 100644
--- a/packages/claude-code-plugin/.claude-plugin/plugin.json
+++ b/packages/claude-code-plugin/.claude-plugin/plugin.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "codingbuddy",
-  "version": "5.3.0",
+  "version": "5.4.0",
   "description": "PLAN/ACT/EVAL workflow with auto-detection, specialist agents, and reusable skills for systematic TDD development",
   "author": {
     "name": "JeremyDev87",
diff --git a/packages/claude-code-plugin/README.md b/packages/claude-code-plugin/README.md
index 7101b82b..84911e97 100644
--- a/packages/claude-code-plugin/README.md
+++ b/packages/claude-code-plugin/README.md
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 # CodingBuddy Claude Code Plugin
 
-> Version 5.3.0
+> Version 5.4.0
 
 Multi-AI Rules for consistent coding practices - PLAN/ACT/EVAL workflow, specialist agents, and reusable skills for systematic development.
 
diff --git a/packages/claude-code-plugin/docs/bootstrap-architecture.md b/packages/claude-code-plugin/docs/bootstrap-architecture.md
index fca21ecd..f9f15ff8 100644
--- a/packages/claude-code-plugin/docs/bootstrap-architecture.md
+++ b/packages/claude-code-plugin/docs/bootstrap-architecture.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Plugin Hook Bootstrap Architecture
 
-> **Status:** current as of `codingbuddy-claude-plugin` v5.3.0
+> **Status:** current as of `codingbuddy-claude-plugin` v5.4.0
 > **Related issues:** [#1380](https://github.com/JeremyDev87/codingbuddy/issues/1380) (this document), [#1376](https://github.com/JeremyDev87/codingbuddy/issues/1376) (parent), [#1381](https://github.com/JeremyDev87/codingbuddy/issues/1381) (stale legacy hook migration)
 
 This document explains **how** and **where** the CodingBuddy Claude Code plugin registers its hooks — and in particular, why `UserPromptSubmit` is nowhere to be found in `hooks/hooks.json`.
diff --git a/packages/claude-code-plugin/docs/council-surface-model.md b/packages/claude-code-plugin/docs/council-surface-model.md
index c2a4e526..1ce47045 100644
--- a/packages/claude-code-plugin/docs/council-surface-model.md
+++ b/packages/claude-code-plugin/docs/council-surface-model.md
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ Refreshed continuously by Claude Code.
 
 ```
 Line 1 (always):
-◕‿◕ CB v5.3.0 | PLAN 🟢 | 12m | ~$0.42 | ♻800/1.5k | Ctx:45%
+◕‿◕ CB v5.4.0 | PLAN 🟢 | 12m | ~$0.42 | ♻800/1.5k | Ctx:45%
 
 Line 2 (conditional — only when agent is active):
 [◮ secu] [auth flow] [✓]
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ Line 2 (conditional — only when agent is active):
 | Segment | Source | Example |
 |---------|--------|---------|
 | Buddy face | Constant | `◕‿◕` |
-| Version | `installed_plugins.json` / HUD state | `CB v5.3.0` |
+| Version | `installed_plugins.json` / HUD state | `CB v5.4.0` |
 | Mode | `hud-state.currentMode` | `PLAN` |
 | Health | Context usage thresholds | `🟢` (<60%), `🟡` (60-85%), `🔴` (>85%) |
 | Duration | stdin `cost.total_duration_ms` / HUD state | `12m` |
diff --git a/packages/claude-code-plugin/docs/status-bar-model.md b/packages/claude-code-plugin/docs/status-bar-model.md
index b6c77f4d..9ffaba02 100644
--- a/packages/claude-code-plugin/docs/status-bar-model.md
+++ b/packages/claude-code-plugin/docs/status-bar-model.md
@@ -20,13 +20,13 @@ Displays session metrics computed from stdin data and HUD state.
 **Format:**
 
 ```
-◕‿◕ CB v5.3.0 | PLAN 🟢 | 12m | ~$0.42 | ♻800/1.5k | Ctx:45%
+◕‿◕ CB v5.4.0 | PLAN 🟢 | 12m | ~$0.42 | ♻800/1.5k | Ctx:45%
 ```
 
 | Segment         | Source                          | Description                                |
 | --------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
 | `◕‿◕`          | Constant                        | Buddy face                                 |
-| `CB v5.3.0`    | `hud_state.version`             | Plugin version                             |
+| `CB v5.4.0`    | `hud_state.version`             | Plugin version                             |
 | `PLAN`          | `hud_state.currentMode`         | Current workflow mode (PLAN/ACT/EVAL/AUTO) |
 | `🟢`           | Computed from `ctx_pct`          | Health indicator (see below)               |
 | `12m`           | `hud_state.sessionStartTimestamp`| Session duration                           |
@@ -190,34 +190,34 @@ If any exception occurs during rendering, the script outputs a minimal fallback:
 ### PLAN Mode (No Agent)
 
 ```
-◕‿◕ CB v5.3.0 | PLAN 🟢 | 5m | ~$0.12 | ♻1.2k/3k | Ctx:22%
+◕‿◕ CB v5.4.0 | PLAN 🟢 | 5m | ~$0.12 | ♻1.2k/3k | Ctx:22%
 ```
 
 ### ACT Mode (With Agent)
 
 ```
-◕‿◕ CB v5.3.0 | ACT 🟢 | 18m | ~$1.05 | ♻8k/13k | Ctx:48%
+◕‿◕ CB v5.4.0 | ACT 🟢 | 18m | ~$1.05 | ♻8k/13k | Ctx:48%
 🤖 frontend-developer
 ```
 
 ### EVAL Mode (High Context)
 
 ```
-◕‿◕ CB v5.3.0 | EVAL 🟡 | 45m | ~$3.20 | ♻24k/34k | Ctx:73%
+◕‿◕ CB v5.4.0 | EVAL 🟡 | 45m | ~$3.20 | ♻24k/34k | Ctx:73%
 🤖 security-specialist
 ```
 
 ### AUTO Mode (Critical Context)
 
 ```
-◕‿◕ CB v5.3.0 | AUTO 🔴 | 1h12m | ~$8.50 | ♻95k/172k | Ctx:91%
+◕‿◕ CB v5.4.0 | AUTO 🔴 | 1h12m | ~$8.50 | ♻95k/172k | Ctx:91%
 🤖 code-quality-specialist
 ```
 
 ### No Mode Set (Initial State — Cache Segment Hidden)
 
 ```
-◕‿◕ CB v5.3.0 | Ready 🟢 | 0m | ~$0.00 | Ctx:0%
+◕‿◕ CB v5.4.0 | Ready 🟢 | 0m | ~$0.00 | Ctx:0%
 ```
 
 > The cache segment is **omitted** in the initial state because no API calls have been made yet — there is no `current_usage` data to render. This is the documented fallback behavior, not a bug.
diff --git a/packages/claude-code-plugin/package.json b/packages/claude-code-plugin/package.json
index 6c35f4b2..bb792b0b 100644
--- a/packages/claude-code-plugin/package.json
+++ b/packages/claude-code-plugin/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "codingbuddy-claude-plugin",
-  "version": "5.3.0",
+  "version": "5.4.0",
   "description": "Claude Code Plugin for CodingBuddy - PLAN/ACT/EVAL workflow, specialist agents, and reusable skills",
   "author": "JeremyDev87",
   "license": "MIT",
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@
     "test:coverage": "vitest run --coverage"
   },
   "peerDependencies": {
-    "codingbuddy": "^5.3.0"
+    "codingbuddy": "^5.4.0"
   },
   "peerDependenciesMeta": {
     "codingbuddy": {
diff --git a/packages/rules/package.json b/packages/rules/package.json
index 1bc50752..55922977 100644
--- a/packages/rules/package.json
+++ b/packages/rules/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "codingbuddy-rules",
-  "version": "5.3.0",
+  "version": "5.4.0",
   "description": "AI coding rules for consistent practices across AI assistants",
   "main": "index.js",
   "types": "index.d.ts",
diff --git a/yarn.lock b/yarn.lock
index cf24ec1d..88a596f0 100644
--- a/yarn.lock
+++ b/yarn.lock
@@ -5654,7 +5654,7 @@ __metadata:
     typescript: "npm:5.9.3"
     vitest: "npm:4.0.17"
   peerDependencies:
-    codingbuddy: ^5.3.0
+    codingbuddy: ^5.4.0
   peerDependenciesMeta:
     codingbuddy:
       optional: true