diff --git a/src/trinity/fugu/workflow.py b/src/trinity/fugu/workflow.py
index 6c2cd75..201edd3 100644
--- a/src/trinity/fugu/workflow.py
+++ b/src/trinity/fugu/workflow.py
@@ -192,9 +192,10 @@ def _list_candidates(text: str, names: tuple[str, ...]) -> list[tuple[int, list]
 def _normalize_access(acc: object, step_index: int) -> object | None:
     """Validate/normalize one access entry. Returns ``None`` if invalid.
 
-    Valid forms: ``"all"``, ``[]``/``None`` (query only), or a list of integer
-    indices that strictly precede ``step_index`` (a forward reference is an
-    invalid DAG and rejects the whole workflow).
+    Valid forms: ``"all"``, ``[]``/``None`` (query only), a bare integer index,
+    or a list of integer indices, each of which must strictly precede
+    ``step_index`` (a forward reference is an invalid DAG and rejects the whole
+    workflow).
     """
     if acc is None:
         return []
@@ -208,6 +209,10 @@ def _normalize_access(acc: object, step_index: int) -> object | None:
             j = int(s)
             return [j] if j < step_index else None
         return None
+    if isinstance(acc, bool):
+        return None
+    if isinstance(acc, int):
+        return [acc] if 0 <= acc < step_index else None
     if isinstance(acc, (list, tuple)):
         if len(acc) == 1 and isinstance(acc[0], str) and acc[0].strip().lower() == "all":
             return "all"
diff --git a/tests/test_fugu_workflow.py b/tests/test_fugu_workflow.py
index 2d50f21..048c2a4 100644
--- a/tests/test_fugu_workflow.py
+++ b/tests/test_fugu_workflow.py
@@ -101,6 +101,23 @@ def test_parse_normalizes_common_access_shorthands():
     assert [s.access for s in wf.steps] == [[], [0], [1]]
 
 
+def test_parse_accepts_bare_int_access_index():
+    # A bare integer access entry (0) is the natural shorthand for [0] and must
+    # be accepted just like the string "0" and the list [0] already are.
+    txt = """
+model_id = [0, 1, 2]
+subtasks = ["solve", "check", "answer"]
+access_list = ["none", 0, 1]
+"""
+    wf, ok = parse_workflow(txt, n_workers=3)
+    assert ok and wf is not None
+    assert [s.access for s in wf.steps] == [[], [0], [1]]
+
+    # A bare-int forward reference is still an invalid DAG.
+    fwd = "model_id=[0,1]\nsubtasks=['a','b']\naccess_list=[0, 1]"
+    assert parse_workflow(fwd, 3)[1] is False
+
+
 def test_parse_gate_rejects_bad_workflows():
     # missing a list
     assert parse_workflow("model_id=[0]\nsubtasks=['x']", 3)[1] is False