chore: bump to v0.23.0 (nation-op rename, #16 P4a) + CHANGELOG

Wire the 'LLM proposes, player confirms' nation-rename flow end to end:
- server: POST /api/games/:id/nation-op/confirm|reject (404/400, version-bumped SSE state)
- client: confirmNationOp/rejectNationOp api helpers + NationOpDialog (editable rename) wired into the Action panel via a 'Nation proposals' trigger
- AGENTS.md: document the pendingNationOps mechanism, routes, nationRef resolution, stub-never-proposes

AGENTS.md

@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ history/
 ├── eslint.config.js        # flat config (ESLint 9)
 ├── tsconfig.json           # strict; aliases @/ → src/, @shared/ → shared/
 ├── vite.config.ts          # dev server + proxy /api,/sse → :4321; @ / @shared aliases
-├── vitest.config.ts        # unit tests (server/**/*.test.ts + scripts/**/*.test.ts; 127 tests)
+├── vitest.config.ts        # unit tests (server/**/*.test.ts + scripts/**/*.test.ts; 151 tests)
 ├── playwright.config.ts    # deterministic e2e (webServer runs npm run dev, LLM_STUB=1)
 ├── index.html
 ├── presets/                # 5 scenario JSON files + index.json (manifest)
@@ -67,10 +67,14 @@ history/
 │   └── *.test.ts           # turf-free vitest tests pinning the dataset + both manifests
 ├── shared/                 # NO runtime deps — the single source of truth
 │   ├── types.ts            #   domain types (Nation, GameState, RoundItem, Preset, …)
-│   └── protocol.ts         #   LLM TurnResult schema (incl. `unowned`, v0.22 #16 P3) + AddAction/AddDiplomacy/RemoveQueueItem/Jump request types + pure helpers (incl. the no-man's-land map-presentation contract)
+│   └── protocol.ts         #   LLM TurnResult schema (incl. `unowned`, v0.22 #16 P3, and
+│                           #     `nationOps`, v0.23 #16 P4a) + AddAction/AddDiplomacy/RemoveQueueItem/
+│                           #     Jump + NationOp confirm/reject request types + pure helpers
 ├── server/
-│   ├── index.ts            # Express: /api/* (health|action|diplomacy|queue/remove|jump|advisor|games|map|presets), /sse/:id; reads PORT/LLM_*/DATA_DIR
-│   ├── engine.ts           # pure: prompts / parse+validate / applyTurnResult (sole-ownership + no-man's-land releases, v0.22 #16 P3) / runTurn (tool path + plain fallback) / getNeighbours tool + executor / playerFrontier / queue ops / advisor
+│   ├── index.ts            # Express: /api/* (health|action|diplomacy|queue/remove|jump|advisor|
+│   │                       #   nation-op/confirm|nation-op/reject|games|map|presets), /sse/:id; reads
+│   │                       #   PORT/LLM_*/DATA_DIR
+│   ├── engine.ts           # pure: prompts / parse+validate / applyTurnResult (sole-ownership + no-man's-land releases, v0.22 #16 P3) / runTurn (tool path + plain fallback) / getNeighbours tool + executor / playerFrontier / queue ops / advisor / nation-op ops (resolveNationRef / applyNationOp / confirmNationOp / rejectNationOp, v0.23 #16 P4a)
 │   ├── llm.ts              # LlmClient: chat() + chatWithTools() (bounded function-calling loop), injectable transport, retry+backoff, logging + env config
 │   ├── regions.ts          # turf-free region-key data access: load manifest/geo/adjacency (public/ then dist/), country→keys expansion, reference table, neighboursOf/hasAdjacency
 │   ├── stub.ts             # deterministic LLM transport (tests/e2e): one frontier conquest per turn + ADVISOR_MARKER
@@ -91,7 +95,8 @@ history/
         ├── PresetPicker.tsx / NationSelect.tsx   # home + nation pick screens
         ├── WorldMap.tsx     # MapLibre basemap + choropleth + click→dossier + hover tooltip + player highlight
         ├── NationPanel.tsx  # a nation's stats/territory/diplomacy dossier
-        ├── ActionPanel.tsx  # tabs: Action / Diplomacy / Advisor + pending-queue list (per-item trash button + confirm dialog) + "Jump forward"
+        ├── ActionPanel.tsx  # tabs: Action / Diplomacy / Advisor + pending-queue list (per-item trash button + confirm dialog) + "Jump forward" + "Nation proposals" trigger (v0.23 #16 P4a)
+        ├── NationOpDialog.tsx # review LLM-proposed nation ops (rename/split/merge) — confirm (editable rename) or reject (v0.23 #16 P4a)
         ├── EventFeed.tsx    # scrolling event log (newest first)
         ├── FloatingWindow.tsx # the HUD window primitive — free-floating (draggable, position persisted), or `pinned` (fixed top-center bar), or `dock`ed (full-height left/right column); renders dock controls when `onDockChange` is set
         ├── StatBar.tsx
@@ -105,7 +110,7 @@ history/
 | `npm run dev` | Express on :4321 (tsx watch) + Vite on :5173 (proxies `/api`,`/sse`) concurrently |
 | `npm run build` | `vite build` (client → `dist/`) then `tsup server/index.ts` → `server/dist/index.js` |
 | `npm start` | run the compiled server (`node server/dist/index.js`) on :4321 |
-| `npm test` | vitest unit tests (`server/` + `scripts/`; 127 tests) |
+| `npm test` | vitest unit tests (`server/` + `scripts/`; 151 tests) |
 | `npm run typecheck` | `tsc --noEmit` (strict) across src/server/shared/e2e/configs |
 | `npm run lint` | ESLint flat config |
 | `npm run e2e` | Playwright, fully deterministic (`LLM_STUB=1`); **runs in CI on every PR** (see below) |
@@ -184,6 +189,24 @@ history/
   — the distinction is decided by the client from `GameState.unowned` (via `regionFillStyle` /
   `unownedTooltipLabel`), never by the `RegionMap`, which only knows "owned" vs "absent". A fresh
   game always starts with `unowned: []` (legacy SQLite rows load with it defaulted).
+- **Nation ops — “LLM proposes, player confirms” (v0.23, #16 P4a).** `TurnResult.nationOps` (required
+  in the schema) carries the LLM’s proposed **`NationOp`s** — a discriminated union of `rename` /
+  `split` / `merge`. `rename` is fully applied; `split` and `merge` are **declared shapes only**
+  (accepted and stored as pending, but a no-op until P4b implements them). Each op names its target
+  via `nationRef` — the LLM may use a nation’s **id or name**; `resolveNationRef` resolves id-first,
+  then a case-insensitive unique-name match, and returns `null` for an unknown or ambiguous ref (such
+  ops are dropped defensively in `validateNationOps`, never thrown). A turn’s ops are appended to
+  `GameState.pendingNationOps`, which is **never cleared on a turn commit** — pending proposals persist
+  across turns until resolved (like the action queue). The player then decides per op via
+  `POST /api/games/:id/nation-op/confirm` (`{index, edits?{name?}}`) or `.../nation-op/reject`
+  (`{index}`): `confirmNationOp` applies the op to a clone (a rename sets `Nation.name` to the edited
+  value or, failing that, the proposed `to`; id / territory / relations / `playerNationId` stay valid,
+  so a renamed player is re-named in place) and `rejectNationOp` just drops it — both splice by index
+  and bump `version` once (an invalid index → `null` → HTTP 400). The response is `{ game }` and the
+  server broadcasts a version-bumped SSE `state`, so every tab’s version-guarded `applyState` stays in
+  sync. The client lists the pending ops in a “Nation proposals” dialog (in the “Your move” panel) with
+  an editable rename name plus Confirm / Reject. The stub never proposes a nation op (`nationOps: []`),
+  so this path is covered by unit tests only (`server/engine.test.ts`).
 - **Map click → dossier target (owner resolved from the RegionMap, by region key).**
   Clicking a sub-region does NOT open a popup — it switches the dossier to that sub-region's
   owning nation (`focusNation(ownerId, {name})` in `App.tsx`, which also records which region was
@@ -209,9 +232,12 @@ history/
   in `wwii-1939`) transfers nothing. Since v0.22 (#16 P3) the stub **never releases** a region to
   no man's land (it always returns `unowned: []` and ignores the payload's `unowned` field) — its
   one-conquest behavior is what the e2e assertions rely on, so the release/re-claim path is
-  covered by unit tests only (`server/engine.test.ts`, `server/map.test.ts`). The stub answers
-  plain `content` (never tool calls), so it naturally bypasses the tool loop in a single round.
-  Unit + e2e assertions rely on these exact values, so keep the stub deterministic.
+  covered by unit tests only (`server/engine.test.ts`, `server/map.test.ts`). Since v0.23 (#16 P4a)
+  the stub also returns `nationOps: []` — it **never proposes** a nation op (rename/split/merge), so
+  the confirm/reject path is covered by unit tests only, mirroring the P3 approach; all e2e
+  assertions are unaffected. The stub answers plain `content` (never tool calls), so it naturally
+  bypasses the tool loop in a single round. Unit + e2e assertions rely on these exact values, so
+  keep the stub deterministic.
 - **HUD layout.** The game screen is a full-viewport map (z-0) with `FloatingWindow` overlays. The
   top bar is **pinned** — a fixed, non-movable bar centered at the top a few px down (it re-centers
   on resize and always floats above the other windows). The **dossier / event-feed / action**

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -2,6 +2,17 @@
 
 All notable changes to **History** are listed here, newest first.
 
+## v0.23.0 — 2026-10-14 12:58
+- **Part 4a of #16: nation renames — "LLM proposes, player confirms."** The LLM can now propose that a nation be renamed during a turn. Unlike stat/relation/territory changes (applied automatically), a rename is stored as a **pending proposal** (`GameState.pendingNationOps`) and only takes effect when the player **confirms** it (optionally editing the new name) or is dropped on **reject**. This is the first of the "major nation changes" the LLM may propose — the `NationOp` contract is stable now; **split** and **merge** are declared in the same union but are *accepted-and-stored, not applied* until P4b.
+  - **New `NationOp` union (`shared/protocol.ts`).** `rename` / `split` / `merge`, discriminated by `kind`. Each names its target via a `nationRef` the LLM may give as either a nation **id** or **name**. `TurnResult.nationOps` is a **required** `NationOp[]` (the model's proposals this turn); the confirm/reject request types (`NationOpConfirmRequest` `{index, edits?{name?}}`, `NationOpRejectRequest` `{index}`, response `{game}`) live here too.
+  - **`GameState.pendingNationOps` (`shared/types.ts`, type-only import of `NationOp`)** — the proposals awaiting the player's decision. A turn **appends** to it (never clears it on commit), so a proposal persists across turns until confirmed or rejected. Legacy SQLite rows and new games default it to `[]` (`server/db.ts`).
+  - **Engine (`server/engine.ts`), all pure.** `resolveNationRef` resolves a `nationRef` id-first, then a case-insensitive unique-name match (returns `null` for unknown/ambiguous — never throws). `validateNationOps` drops invalid ops defensively. `applyTurnResult` keeps existing pending ops and appends the turn's valid ones (a rename-only turn is `isMeaningful`, so it survives the retry/nudge path). `applyNationOp` mutates a clone (rename → `Nation.name` = edited value or the proposed `to`; split/merge are no-ops for now). `confirmNationOp`/`rejectNationOp` splice by index and bump `version` once (invalid index → `null`). The system prompt (both tool-mode and plain-mode) gains the `nationOps` JSON field and the rename-proposal rule.
+  - **Routes + client.** `POST /api/games/:id/nation-op/confirm` and `.../reject` (404 unknown game, 400 bad index), each returning `{ game }` and broadcasting a version-bumped SSE `state` — mirroring the existing queue add/remove routes. The "Your move" panel shows a "Nation proposals (N)" trigger that opens a dialog listing each pending op; a rename has an editable name field plus **Confirm**/**Reject**, and split/merge offer **Dismiss** (they aren't applied yet).
+  - **Stub + tests.** The deterministic stub **never** proposes a nation op (`nationOps: []`), so this path is covered by **unit tests only** (mirroring the P3 no-man's-land approach) — `server/engine.test.ts` gains suites for `resolveNationRef`, `validateNationOps`, `applyNationOp`/confirm/reject (incl. an invalid-index 400 and the version-bump), and the prompt contract. The unit suite grows **127 → 151**; the e2e suite is unaffected.
+- **Verification.** Typecheck, lint, **151 unit tests**, and the production build all pass. The e2e suite (CI, `LLM_STUB=1`) has no nation-op assertions, so it stays green with the unchanged stub.
+- **Deploy:** manual `docker compose up -d --build` on the host (no `down -v`).
+- Part of #16 — major nation changes (P4a); #16 stays open (P4b: split/merge).
+
 ## v0.22.0 — 2026-10-14 12:02
 - **Part 3 of #16: no man's land — a region can be left unowned mid-game and re-claimed later.** After a war or cataclysm the LLM can leave a region without an owner: it lists the key in the new `TurnResult.unowned` field (and narrates the cause in `events`); the engine removes the key from its sole owner, and the region ends the turn ownerless. A later ordinary `gain` on that key is a **re-claim** — the key is granted to the (sole) gainer and removed from the no-man's-land list. A fresh game always starts fully owned (no man's land can only arise mid-game).
   - **Engine (`server/engine.ts`).** `applyTurnResult` applies **releases first**: a key is released only when it has exactly one current owner (0 owners — a preset never assigned it — is a no-op, so no man's land can never be fabricated from an ordinary unowned region; 2+ owners — corruption — is a no-op; already-unowned is a no-op). Claims are then resolved against the post-release ownership snapshot: sole gainer + sole owner ≠ gainer = a transfer (the v0.21 rules, unchanged); sole gainer + no owner = a re-claim; a double claim is still rejected. Invariants after every turn: no key sits in two or more territories, a released key sits in none, and `GameState.unowned` holds exactly the keys released mid-game. A lone release counts as `isMeaningful` (it survives the retry/nudge path instead of being replaced by the generic "unclear" result). The system prompt gains the JSON field, the no-man's-land rule (in both tool-mode and plain-mode), and the hard constraint that `unowned` may contain only region keys a nation currently owns. The user payload always carries the current `GameState.unowned` as `unowned` (even when empty), and the jump route's `regions` reference table now includes the released keys so the model can name them when re-claiming.

package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "history",
-  "version": "0.22.0",
+  "version": "0.23.0",
   "private": true,
   "type": "module",
   "description": "AI-driven alternate-history simulator — the LLM is the world engine (Pax Historia style).",

server/db.test.ts

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ function makeState(id: string): GameState {
     pending: [],
     version: 1,
     unowned: [],
+    pendingNationOps: [],
   };
 }
 
@@ -85,6 +86,17 @@ describe('openDb', () => {
     db.close();
   });
 
+  it('(v0.23 #16 P4a) a legacy row saved before the pendingNationOps field existed loads with it defaulted to []', () => {
+    const db = openDb(':memory:');
+    const legacy = makeState('legacy');
+    delete (legacy as { pendingNationOps?: unknown[] }).pendingNationOps; // a pre-v0.23 save (field absent)
+    db.save(legacy);
+    const loaded = db.load('legacy');
+    expect(loaded).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(loaded!.pendingNationOps).toEqual([]);
+    db.close();
+  });
+
   it('delete removes a game by id and reports absence otherwise', () => {
     const db = openDb(':memory:');
     db.save(makeState('a'));

server/db.ts

@@ -43,6 +43,9 @@ export function openDb(filePath: string): Db {
         // (v0.22, #16 P3) Rows saved before `GameState.unowned` existed load
         // with it defaulted: a legacy game has no no-man's-land regions.
         if (state.unowned === undefined) state.unowned = [];
+        // (v0.23, #16 P4a) Same for pending nation-op proposals: a legacy game
+        // has none awaiting confirm/reject.
+        if (state.pendingNationOps === undefined) state.pendingNationOps = [];
         return state;
       } catch {
         return null;

server/engine.test.ts

@@ -1,20 +1,24 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
 import type { GameState, Preset, RoundItem } from '../shared/types';
-import { makeEvent, type TurnResult } from '../shared/protocol';
+import { makeEvent, type NationOp, type TurnResult } from '../shared/protocol';
 import type { LlmClient, ToolDefinition, WireMessage } from './llm';
 import { makeStubLlmClient } from './stub';
 import {
   applyTurnResult,
   buildSystemPrompt,
   buildUserPrompt,
+  confirmNationOp,
   GET_NEIGHBOURS_TOOL,
   isMeaningful,
   makeNeighboursExecutor,
   parseTurnResult,
   playerFrontier,
   queueRoundItem,
+  rejectNationOp,
   removeRoundItem,
+  resolveNationRef,
   runTurn,
+  validateNationOps,
   validateTurnResult,
 } from './engine';
 
@@ -79,6 +83,7 @@ function baseState(): GameState {
     pending: [],
     version: 1,
     unowned: [],
+    pendingNationOps: [],
   };
 }
 
@@ -425,6 +430,271 @@ describe('removeRoundItem', () => {
   });
 });
 
+describe('resolveNationRef (v0.23 #16 P4a)', () => {
+  it('resolves an exact id first (even if a name matches something else)', () => {
+    const state = baseState();
+    expect(resolveNationRef(state, 'de')).toBe('de');
+  });
+
+  it('resolves a unique name case-insensitively', () => {
+    const state = baseState();
+    expect(resolveNationRef(state, 'US')).toBe('us');
+    expect(resolveNationRef(state, ' uS ')).toBe('us'); // trimmed, case-insensitive
+  });
+
+  it('returns null for an ambiguous name (two nations share it)', () => {
+    const state = baseState();
+    state.nations.us.name = 'UK'; // now uk and us are both "UK"
+    expect(resolveNationRef(state, 'UK')).toBeNull();
+    // but the exact id still resolves
+    expect(resolveNationRef(state, 'uk')).toBe('uk');
+  });
+
+  it('returns null for an unknown or empty reference (never throws)', () => {
+    const state = baseState();
+    expect(resolveNationRef(state, 'zzz-not-a-nation')).toBeNull();
+    expect(resolveNationRef(state, '   ')).toBeNull();
+    expect(resolveNationRef(state, '')).toBeNull();
+  });
+});
+
+describe('validateNationOps (v0.23 #16 P4a)', () => {
+  it('parses a valid rename (trimmed, capped) and drops invalid ones', () => {
+    const ops = validateNationOps([
+      { kind: 'rename', nationRef: ' de ', to: 'Reich' },
+      { kind: 'rename', nationRef: 'uk', to: '' }, // empty to -> dropped
+      { kind: 'rename', to: 'no ref' }, // missing nationRef -> dropped
+      { kind: 'rename', nationRef: 'us' }, // missing to -> dropped
+      { kind: 'bogus-kind' }, // unknown kind -> ignored
+      'not-an-object',
+      null,
+    ]);
+    expect(ops).toEqual([{ kind: 'rename', nationRef: 'de', to: 'Reich' }]);
+  });
+
+  it('parses a valid split (parts with names kept, nameless parts dropped)', () => {
+    const ops = validateNationOps([
+      {
+        kind: 'split',
+        nationRef: 'de',
+        parts: [
+          { name: 'East', territory: ['DEU', ''] },
+          { name: '   ' }, // empty name -> part dropped
+          { name: 'West' },
+        ],
+      },
+    ]);
+    expect(ops).toEqual([
+      {
+        kind: 'split',
+        nationRef: 'de',
+        parts: [{ name: 'East', territory: ['DEU'] }, { name: 'West', territory: [] }],
+      },
+    ]);
+    // a split with no usable parts is dropped entirely
+    expect(validateNationOps([{ kind: 'split', nationRef: 'de', parts: [{ name: '' }] }])).toEqual([]);
+  });
+
+  it('parses a valid merge and drops malformed ones', () => {
+    const ops = validateNationOps([
+      { kind: 'merge', nationRefs: ['uk', 'us'], survivingRef: 'uk', into: 'Anglo-Saxon Union' },
+      { kind: 'merge', nationRefs: [], survivingRef: 'uk', into: 'X' }, // no refs -> dropped
+      { kind: 'merge', nationRefs: ['uk'], survivingRef: '', into: 'X' }, // no survivor -> dropped
+      { kind: 'merge', nationRefs: ['uk'], survivingRef: 'uk' }, // no into -> dropped
+    ]);
+    expect(ops).toEqual([
+      { kind: 'merge', nationRefs: ['uk', 'us'], survivingRef: 'uk', into: 'Anglo-Saxon Union' },
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it('returns [] for non-array input and is never thrown by', () => {
+    expect(validateNationOps(undefined)).toEqual([]);
+    expect(validateNationOps('nope')).toEqual([]);
+    expect(validateNationOps({})).toEqual([]);
+  });
+
+  it('validateTurnResult carries validated nationOps through (and defaults to [] when absent)', () => {
+    const withOps = validateTurnResult({
+      date: '1939-09-03',
+      events: [],
+      stateChanges: [],
+      relations: [],
+      territoryChanges: [],
+      unowned: [],
+      nationOps: [{ kind: 'rename', nationRef: 'France', to: 'French Republic' }],
+    });
+    expect(withOps).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(withOps!.nationOps).toEqual([{ kind: 'rename', nationRef: 'France', to: 'French Republic' }]);
+
+    const without = validateTurnResult({ date: '1939-09-03', events: [], stateChanges: [] });
+    expect(without).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(without!.nationOps).toEqual([]);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('applyTurnResult (nation-op proposals, v0.23 #16 P4a)', () => {
+  it('a proposed rename is NOT applied by the turn — it lands in pendingNationOps, name untouched', () => {
+    const state = baseState();
+    const next = applyTurnResult(state, {
+      date: '1939-09-03',
+      events: [{ nation: 'de', type: 'political', title: 'Reunification', text: 'The nation is renamed.', outcome: 'success' }],
+      stateChanges: [],
+      relations: [],
+      territoryChanges: [],
+      unowned: [],
+      nationOps: [{ kind: 'rename', nationRef: 'de', to: 'Reich' }],
+    });
+    expect(next.nations.de.name).toBe('DE'); // still the old name
+    expect(next.pendingNationOps).toEqual([{ kind: 'rename', nationRef: 'de', to: 'Reich' }]);
+    expect(next.version).toBe(2);
+    // the input is not mutated
+    expect(state.nations.de.name).toBe('DE');
+    expect(state.pendingNationOps).toEqual([]);
+  });
+
+  it('pending proposals SURVIVE a subsequent turn (unlike the round queue) and new ones append', () => {
+    const state = baseState();
+    state.pendingNationOps = [{ kind: 'rename', nationRef: 'de', to: 'Reich' }]; // unresolved from turn N-1
+    const next = applyTurnResult(state, {
+      date: '1939-09-03',
+      events: [],
+      stateChanges: [],
+      relations: [],
+      territoryChanges: [],
+      unowned: [],
+      nationOps: [{ kind: 'rename', nationRef: 'us', to: 'USA' }], // new proposal this turn
+    });
+    expect(next.pendingNationOps).toEqual([
+      { kind: 'rename', nationRef: 'de', to: 'Reich' }, // the old one survived
+      { kind: 'rename', nationRef: 'us', to: 'USA' }, // the new one was appended
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it('a legacy state without the pendingNationOps field accepts proposals (defaulted to [])', () => {
+    const state = baseState();
+    delete (state as { pendingNationOps?: NationOp[] }).pendingNationOps; // simulate a pre-v0.23 row
+    const next = applyTurnResult(state, {
+      date: '1939-09-03',
+      events: [],
+      stateChanges: [],
+      relations: [],
+      territoryChanges: [],
+      unowned: [],
+      nationOps: [{ kind: 'rename', nationRef: 'de', to: 'Reich' }],
+    });
+    expect(next.pendingNationOps).toEqual([{ kind: 'rename', nationRef: 'de', to: 'Reich' }]);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('confirmNationOp / rejectNationOp (v0.23 #16 P4a)', () => {
+  /**
+   * The pending list: op 0 is referenced by id ('de'); op 1 is referenced by
+   * NAME ('US' — the id is lowercase 'us'), so confirming it exercises the
+   * name-resolution path of resolveNationRef.
+   */
+  function stateWithPending(): GameState {
+    const s = baseState();
+    s.pendingNationOps = [
+      { kind: 'rename', nationRef: 'de', to: 'Reich' },
+      { kind: 'rename', nationRef: 'US', to: 'United States' },
+    ];
+    return s;
+  }
+
+  it('confirm applies a rename (name only — id/territory/relations/player pointer untouched) and removes the op, bumping the version', () => {
+    const state = stateWithPending();
+    const next = confirmNationOp(state, 0);
+    expect(next).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(next!.nations.de.name).toBe('Reich');
+    expect(next!.nations.de.id).toBe('de'); // id unchanged
+    expect(next!.nations.de.territory).toEqual(['DEU']); // territory unchanged
+    expect(next!.nations.uk.relations.de).toBe('hostile'); // relations (keyed by id) unchanged
+    expect(next!.playerNationId).toBe('uk'); // player pointer unchanged
+    expect(next!.pendingNationOps).toEqual([{ kind: 'rename', nationRef: 'US', to: 'United States' }]);
+    expect(next!.version).toBe(2);
+    // the input state is not mutated
+    expect(state.nations.de.name).toBe('DE');
+    expect(state.pendingNationOps).toHaveLength(2);
+    expect(state.version).toBe(1);
+  });
+
+  it('confirm with an edits.name override renames to the player-edited name', () => {
+    const next = confirmNationOp(stateWithPending(), 0, { name: 'Greater Reich' });
+    expect(next!.nations.de.name).toBe('Greater Reich');
+  });
+
+  it('confirm with an empty edits.name falls back to the proposed name', () => {
+    const next = confirmNationOp(stateWithPending(), 0, { name: '   ' });
+    expect(next!.nations.de.name).toBe('Reich');
+  });
+
+  it('confirm resolves the target by name (not just id) — case-insensitively', () => {
+    const next = confirmNationOp(stateWithPending(), 1); // nationRef 'US' is a name, not the id 'us'
+    expect(next).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(next!.nations.us.name).toBe('United States');
+  });
+
+  it('confirm is a no-op on the world for a P4b-kind op (split/merge) — the op is still removed', () => {
+    const state = baseState();
+    state.pendingNationOps = [{ kind: 'split', nationRef: 'de', parts: [{ name: 'East' }] }];
+    const next = confirmNationOp(state, 0);
+    expect(next).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(next!.nations).toEqual(state.nations); // the world is untouched
+    expect(next!.pendingNationOps).toEqual([]); // ...but the proposal was resolved
+    expect(next!.version).toBe(2);
+  });
+
+  it('confirm with an invalid index returns null and mutates nothing', () => {
+    const state = stateWithPending();
+    expect(confirmNationOp(state, -1)).toBeNull();
+    expect(confirmNationOp(state, 2)).toBeNull();
+    expect(confirmNationOp(state, 0.5)).toBeNull();
+    expect(state.nations.de.name).toBe('DE');
+    expect(state.version).toBe(1);
+  });
+
+  it('reject drops the proposal without applying it, bumping the version', () => {
+    const state = stateWithPending();
+    const next = rejectNationOp(state, 0);
+    expect(next).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(next!.nations.de.name).toBe('DE'); // unchanged
+    expect(next!.pendingNationOps).toEqual([{ kind: 'rename', nationRef: 'US', to: 'United States' }]);
+    expect(next!.version).toBe(2);
+    expect(state.pendingNationOps).toHaveLength(2); // input untouched
+  });
+
+  it('reject with an invalid index returns null and mutates nothing', () => {
+    const state = stateWithPending();
+    expect(rejectNationOp(state, -1)).toBeNull();
+    expect(rejectNationOp(state, 2)).toBeNull();
+    expect(state.pendingNationOps).toHaveLength(2);
+    expect(state.version).toBe(1);
+  });
+
+  it('an ambiguous/invalid nationRef is a no-op on confirm (the op is resolved, the world unchanged)', () => {
+    const state = baseState();
+    state.nations.us.name = 'UK'; // make "UK" ambiguous (uk and us)
+    state.pendingNationOps = [{ kind: 'rename', nationRef: 'UK', to: 'Empire' }];
+    const next = confirmNationOp(state, 0);
+    expect(next).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(next!.nations.uk.name).toBe('UK'); // neither nation was renamed
+    expect(next!.nations.us.name).toBe('UK');
+    expect(next!.pendingNationOps).toEqual([]);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('buildSystemPrompt (nationOps contract, v0.23 #16 P4a)', () => {
+  it('both modes contract the nationOps field and the rename proposal rule', () => {
+    for (const p of [buildSystemPrompt(preset), buildSystemPrompt(preset, true)]) {
+      // the JSON shape carries the field in both modes
+      expect(p).toMatch(/"nationOps": \[\{"kind":"rename","nationRef":"<nation id or name>","to":"<new name>"\}\]/);
+      // the rule explains that it is a proposal only the player can confirm
+      expect(p).toMatch(/PROPOSAL/);
+      expect(p).toMatch(/only takes effect if the player confirms/);
+    }
+  });
+});
+
 describe('parseTurnResult', () => {
   it('parses a fenced JSON block', () => {
     const r = parseTurnResult('```json\n{"date":"1939-09-03","events":[{"nation":"uk","type":"military","title":"t","text":"b","outcome":"success"}]}\n```');
@@ -478,6 +748,7 @@ describe('applyTurnResult', () => {
       relations: [],
       territoryChanges: [],
       unowned: [],
+      nationOps: [],
     };
     applyTurnResult(state, result);
     expect(JSON.stringify(state)).toBe(snapshot);
@@ -493,6 +764,7 @@ describe('applyTurnResult', () => {
       relations: [],
       territoryChanges: [],
       unowned: [],
+      nationOps: [],
     };
     const next = applyTurnResult(state, result);
     expect(next.pending).toEqual([]);
@@ -514,6 +786,7 @@ describe('applyTurnResult', () => {
       // is not a real key at all. Both are proposed as a gain by DE.
       territoryChanges: [{ nation: 'de', gain: ['wales-bbbb', 'not-a-region-xyz'], lose: [] }],
       unowned: [],
+      nationOps: [],
     };
     const next = applyTurnResult(state, result, new Set(['wales-bbbb']));
     // the valid key was gained (taken from its sole previous owner); the bogus one was ignored
@@ -538,6 +811,7 @@ describe('applyTurnResult', () => {
       // released (not in state.unowned), so it does not enter GameState.unowned.
       territoryChanges: [{ nation: 'de', gain: ['POL', 'wales-bbbb'], lose: [] }],
       unowned: [],
+      nationOps: [],
     };
     const next = applyTurnResult(state, result); // no validKeys -> nothing filtered
     expect(next.nations.de.territory).toContain('wales-bbbb');
@@ -554,6 +828,7 @@ describe('applyTurnResult (sole-ownership invariants, v0.21 #16 P2)', () => {
     stateChanges: [],
     relations: [],
     unowned: [],
+    nationOps: [],
   };
 
   it('a double claim (two different gainers, one key) is rejected: the key stays with its original owner', () => {
@@ -642,6 +917,7 @@ describe('applyTurnResult (no man\'s land, v0.22 #16 P3)', () => {
     relations: [],
     territoryChanges: [],
     unowned: [],
+    nationOps: [],
   };
 
   it('a release removes the key from its sole owner and marks it in GameState.unowned', () => {
@@ -756,7 +1032,7 @@ describe('applyTurnResult (no man\'s land, v0.22 #16 P3)', () => {
 
   it('a lone release is meaningful (it survives the retry/nudge path)', () => {
     expect(
-      isMeaningful({ date: 'x', events: [], stateChanges: [], relations: [], territoryChanges: [], unowned: ['GBR'] }),
+      isMeaningful({ date: 'x', events: [], stateChanges: [], relations: [], territoryChanges: [], unowned: ['GBR'], nationOps: [] }),
     ).toBe(true);
   });
 
@@ -1063,8 +1339,22 @@ describe('buildSystemPrompt (tool mode, v0.21 #16 P2)', () => {
 
 describe('isMeaningful', () => {
   it('is true with an event, false when everything is empty', () => {
-    expect(isMeaningful({ date: 'x', events: [{ nation: 'uk', type: 'military', title: 't', text: 'b', outcome: 'neutral' }], stateChanges: [], relations: [], territoryChanges: [], unowned: [] })).toBe(true);
-    expect(isMeaningful({ date: 'x', events: [], stateChanges: [{ nation: 'uk', stat: 'military', op: 'set', value: 5 }], relations: [], territoryChanges: [], unowned: [] })).toBe(true);
-    expect(isMeaningful({ date: 'x', events: [], stateChanges: [], relations: [], territoryChanges: [], unowned: [] })).toBe(false);
+    expect(isMeaningful({ date: 'x', events: [{ nation: 'uk', type: 'military', title: 't', text: 'b', outcome: 'neutral' }], stateChanges: [], relations: [], territoryChanges: [], unowned: [], nationOps: [] })).toBe(true);
+    expect(isMeaningful({ date: 'x', events: [], stateChanges: [{ nation: 'uk', stat: 'military', op: 'set', value: 5 }], relations: [], territoryChanges: [], unowned: [], nationOps: [] })).toBe(true);
+    expect(isMeaningful({ date: 'x', events: [], stateChanges: [], relations: [], territoryChanges: [], unowned: [], nationOps: [] })).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('(v0.23 #16 P4a) a turn that only proposes a nation-op is meaningful (it survives the retry/nudge path)', () => {
+    expect(
+      isMeaningful({
+        date: 'x',
+        events: [],
+        stateChanges: [],
+        relations: [],
+        territoryChanges: [],
+        unowned: [],
+        nationOps: [{ kind: 'rename', nationRef: 'de', to: 'Reich' }],
+      }),
+    ).toBe(true);
   });
 });

server/engine.ts

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import {
   isDateLike,
   makeEvent,
   nationForPrompt,
+  type NationOp,
   type TurnEventSpec,
   type TurnResult,
 } from '../shared/protocol';
@@ -176,13 +177,15 @@ export function buildSystemPrompt(preset: Preset, withNeighboursTool = false): s
     '  "stateChanges": [{"nation":"<nationId>","stat":"<military|economy|stability|population>","op":"<set|add>","value":<0-100>}],',
     '  "relations": [{"a":"<nationId>","b":"<nationId>","set":"<ally|neutral|rival|hostile|war>"}],',
     '  "territoryChanges": [{"nation":"<nationId>","gain":["<region key>"],"lose":["<region key>"]}],',
-    '  "unowned": ["<region key>"]',
+    '  "unowned": ["<region key>"],',
+    '  "nationOps": [{"kind":"rename","nationRef":"<nation id or name>","to":"<new name>"}]',
     '}',
     '',
     'HARD CONSTRAINTS',
     '- Use only nation ids and region keys that exist in the provided state.',
     '- A region key identifies one sub-region; the "regions" table in the user message maps each key to "<region name> (<parent country ISO_A3>)". Use those keys in territoryChanges and unowned.',
     '- List in "unowned" only region keys that a nation currently owns, and narrate each release in "events".',
+    '- To rename a nation, add {"kind":"rename","nationRef":"<nation id or name>","to":"<new name>"} to "nationOps". This is a PROPOSAL: it only takes effect if the player confirms it, so use it only when the narrative justifies it (a revolution, reunification, regime change) — at most 1-2 per turn — and narrate it in "events".',
     '- Prefer 1-4 events per turn; keep each text 1-3 sentences.',
     '- Keep your internal reasoning brief (a few sentences) and go straight to the JSON result; do not over-deliberate or re-derive facts already present in the state.',
     '- Keep every stat value between 0 and 100.',
@@ -316,6 +319,53 @@ function str(s: unknown, max = 0): string | null {
   return max ? t.slice(0, max) : t;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Validate a raw (LLM) `nationOps` array into safe {@link NationOp} values
+ * (v0.23, #16 P4a). Defensive like the rest of the parser: entries with an
+ * unknown `kind` or missing/empty required fields are dropped, never throw.
+ * Rename: non-empty `nationRef` + `to` (each capped at 200 chars — resolution
+ * of `nationRef` to a concrete nation happens later, at confirm time). Split:
+ * non-empty `nationRef` + at least one part with a name. Merge: non-empty
+ * `nationRefs` (capped at 20) + `survivingRef` + `into`.
+ */
+export function validateNationOps(raw: unknown): NationOp[] {
+  if (!Array.isArray(raw)) return [];
+  const out: NationOp[] = [];
+  for (const e of raw) {
+    if (!e || typeof e !== 'object') continue;
+    const o = e as Record<string, unknown>;
+    if (o.kind === 'rename') {
+      const nationRef = str(o.nationRef, 200);
+      const to = str(o.to, 200);
+      if (nationRef && to) out.push({ kind: 'rename', nationRef, to });
+    } else if (o.kind === 'split') {
+      const nationRef = str(o.nationRef, 200);
+      const parts = (Array.isArray(o.parts) ? o.parts : [])
+        .filter((p): p is Record<string, unknown> => !!p && typeof p === 'object')
+        .map((p) => {
+          const name = str(p.name, 200);
+          const territory = Array.isArray(p.territory)
+            ? p.territory.filter((k): k is string => typeof k === 'string' && k.trim() !== '')
+            : [];
+          return { name, territory };
+        })
+        .filter((p): p is { name: string; territory: string[] } => p.name !== null);
+      if (nationRef && parts.length > 0) out.push({ kind: 'split', nationRef, parts });
+    } else if (o.kind === 'merge') {
+      const nationRefs = (Array.isArray(o.nationRefs) ? o.nationRefs : [])
+        .map((x) => (typeof x === 'string' ? x.trim().slice(0, 200) : ''))
+        .filter((x) => x !== '')
+        .slice(0, 20);
+      const survivingRef = str(o.survivingRef, 200);
+      const into = str(o.into, 200);
+      if (nationRefs.length > 0 && survivingRef && into) {
+        out.push({ kind: 'merge', nationRefs, survivingRef, into });
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  return out;
+}
+
 /**
  * Validate and normalize an arbitrary parsed object into a safe TurnResult.
  * Ignores unknown/invalid entries; clamps numeric stats to 0-100. Returns null
@@ -331,6 +381,7 @@ export function validateTurnResult(input: unknown): TurnResult | null {
     relations: [],
     territoryChanges: [],
     unowned: [],
+    nationOps: [],
   };
 
   if (Array.isArray(o.events)) {
@@ -415,17 +466,29 @@ export function validateTurnResult(input: unknown): TurnResult | null {
     }
   }
 
+  // (v0.23, #16 P4a) Nation-management ops the LLM proposes this turn. These
+  // are NOT applied by the turn — applyTurnResult appends them to the pending
+  // list for the player to confirm/reject.
+  result.nationOps = validateNationOps(o.nationOps);
+
   return result;
 }
 
 /**
- * A turn is "meaningful" if it produced at least an event, a stat change, or
- * a no-man's-land release (v0.22 #16 P3: a release is a real world change even
- * when the model under-narrates it, so it must survive the retry/nudge path
- * instead of being replaced by the generic "unclear" result).
+ * A turn is "meaningful" if it produced at least an event, a stat change, a
+ * no-man's-land release (v0.22 #16 P3: a release is a real world change even
+ * when the model under-narrates it), or a nation-op proposal (v0.23 #16 P4a:
+ * a proposal is a real pending-world change the player will resolve, so it
+ * must survive the retry/nudge path instead of being replaced by the generic
+ * "unclear" result).
  */
 export function isMeaningful(result: TurnResult): boolean {
-  return result.events.length > 0 || result.stateChanges.length > 0 || result.unowned.length > 0;
+  return (
+    result.events.length > 0 ||
+    result.stateChanges.length > 0 ||
+    result.unowned.length > 0 ||
+    result.nationOps.length > 0
+  );
 }
 
 // --- Applying the delta -------------------------------------------------------
@@ -443,7 +506,10 @@ function genericUnclearEvent(state: GameState): TurnEventSpec {
 /**
  * Apply a TurnResult to a GameState immutably: advance the date/turn, append
  * events, apply stat changes (clamped), symmetric relations, and territory
- * moves (including no-man's-land releases, v0.22 #16 P3).
+ * moves (including no-man's-land releases, v0.22 #16 P3). It also appends any
+ * proposed nation-ops to the pending list (v0.23 #16 P4a) without applying
+ * them — see the doc comment on `pendingNationOps` for why that list
+ * deliberately survives across turns.
  */
 export function applyTurnResult(state: GameState, result: TurnResult, validKeys?: ReadonlySet<string>): GameState {
   const next: GameState = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(state));
@@ -559,6 +625,13 @@ export function applyTurnResult(state: GameState, result: TurnResult, validKeys?
   }
 
   next.unowned = [...unowned];
+  // (v0.23, #16 P4a) Nation-op proposals are NOT applied by the turn — they
+  // are appended to the pending list, which (unlike `pending`) SURVIVES
+  // across turns until the player confirms or rejects each one. `next` is a
+  // deep clone of `state`, so `next.pendingNationOps` is a copy of whatever
+  // the state already held (or undefined for a legacy row) — start from that
+  // and append the new proposals, defaulting a missing field to `[]`.
+  next.pendingNationOps = [...(next.pendingNationOps ?? []), ...result.nationOps];
   return next;
 }
 
@@ -593,6 +666,96 @@ export function removeRoundItem(state: GameState, index: number | undefined): Ga
   return next;
 }
 
+// --- Nation-management ops (v0.23, #16 P4a: the hybrid "LLM proposes,
+// player confirms" model) ----------------------------------------------------
+//
+// A NationOp proposed by a turn lands in `GameState.pendingNationOps` (see
+// applyTurnResult) and waits there across turns. These functions resolve the
+// player's decision on one pending proposal, by index. Like removeRoundItem
+// they are pure: clone the state, mutate the clone, bump `version` once,
+// return the new state — and return `null` for a bad index so the route can
+// answer 400 without mutating anything.
+
+/** True when `index` is a valid, in-bounds integer position in the pending list. */
+function validPendingOpIndex(state: GameState, index: number): boolean {
+  const len = state.pendingNationOps?.length ?? 0;
+  return Number.isInteger(index) && index >= 0 && index < len;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Resolve a nation reference (the `nationRef` of a NationOp — the LLM may
+ * write either the nation's stable `id` or its human-readable `name`) to a
+ * concrete nation id: an exact id match wins, then a unique case-insensitive
+ * name match. Returns `null` when the reference is empty, unknown, or
+ * ambiguous (two or more nations share that name) — every caller treats
+ * `null` as "no-op" and nothing here ever throws.
+ */
+export function resolveNationRef(state: GameState, ref: string): string | null {
+  const r = (ref ?? '').trim();
+  if (!r) return null;
+  if (state.nations[r]) return r; // exact id first
+  const matches = Object.values(state.nations).filter(
+    (n) => n.name.trim().toLowerCase() === r.toLowerCase(),
+  );
+  return matches.length === 1 ? matches[0].id : null;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Apply one NationOp to a state, MUTATING the passed object in place (the
+ * caller passes a clone — confirmNationOp does) and NOT bumping `version`
+ * (the route-level functions do that once per decision). Rename changes only
+ * `Nation.name` — the id, its territory, its relations (keyed by id), and the
+ * player pointer all stay valid, so nothing downstream breaks; a
+ * player-supplied `edits.name` overrides the proposed `to` (an empty edit
+ * falls back to the proposal's own name). An unresolvable or ambiguous
+ * `nationRef` is a silent no-op. Split and merge are declared for P4b and are
+ * a no-op until then — the op stays pending-free once the player resolves it,
+ * but the world does not change yet.
+ */
+export function applyNationOp(state: GameState, op: NationOp, edits?: { name?: string }): void {
+  if (op.kind !== 'rename') return; // split/merge: declared for P4b, not applied yet
+  const id = resolveNationRef(state, op.nationRef);
+  if (id === null) return; // invalid/ambiguous ref: no-op
+  const n = state.nations[id];
+  if (!n) return;
+  const name = (edits?.name ?? '').trim() || op.to.trim();
+  if (name) n.name = name;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Confirm a pending nation-op proposal by index: apply it (a rename takes
+ * effect, optionally with a player-edited name; split/merge are a no-op until
+ * P4b) and remove it from `pendingNationOps`, bumping `version`. Returns
+ * `null` for an invalid index, so the route answers 400 without mutating.
+ * Reused by the /nation-op/confirm route.
+ */
+export function confirmNationOp(
+  state: GameState,
+  index: number,
+  edits?: { name?: string },
+): GameState | null {
+  if (!validPendingOpIndex(state, index)) return null;
+  const next: GameState = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(state));
+  next.version = (state.version ?? 0) + 1;
+  const op = next.pendingNationOps[index];
+  applyNationOp(next, op, edits);
+  next.pendingNationOps.splice(index, 1);
+  return next;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Reject (drop) a pending nation-op proposal by index without applying it,
+ * bumping `version`. Returns `null` for an invalid index, so the route
+ * answers 400 without mutating. Reused by the /nation-op/reject route.
+ */
+export function rejectNationOp(state: GameState, index: number): GameState | null {
+  if (!validPendingOpIndex(state, index)) return null;
+  const next: GameState = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(state));
+  next.version = (state.version ?? 0) + 1;
+  next.pendingNationOps.splice(index, 1);
+  return next;
+}
+
 /**
  * Run one turn end-to-end against the (injectable) LLM: build prompts, parse/
  * validate, retry once with a nudge if the result is empty/invalid, and — if
@@ -674,6 +837,7 @@ export async function runTurn(opts: {
       relations: [],
       territoryChanges: [],
       unowned: [],
+      nationOps: [],
     };
   }
 

server/index.ts

@@ -12,13 +12,15 @@ import { deepClone } from '../shared/protocol';
 import type {
   AddActionRequest,
   AddDiplomacyRequest,
+  ConfirmNationOpRequest,
   CreateGameRequest,
+  RejectNationOpRequest,
   RemoveQueueItemRequest,
 } from '../shared/protocol';
 import type { GameState } from '../shared/types';
 import { createLlmClient } from './llm';
 import { makeStubLlmClient } from './stub';
-import { askAdvisor, queueRoundItem, removeRoundItem, runTurn } from './engine';
+import { askAdvisor, confirmNationOp, queueRoundItem, rejectNationOp, removeRoundItem, runTurn } from './engine';
 import { buildRegionMap } from './map';
 import { allTerritoryKeys, expandCountriesToKeys, hasAdjacency, loadRegions, neighboursOf, referenceForKeys, validKeys } from './regions';
 import { createPresetStore } from './presets';
@@ -128,6 +130,10 @@ app.post('/api/games', (req: Request, res) => {
     // starts with nothing released; this list grows as the LLM releases
     // regions and shrinks as they get re-claimed.
     unowned: [],
+    // (v0.23, #16 P4a) No pending nation-op proposals on a fresh game; the
+    // list grows as the LLM proposes renames (and, later, splits/merges) and
+    // shrinks as the player confirms or rejects them.
+    pendingNationOps: [],
   };
   // v0.19 (#16 P1): expand each nation's ISO_A3 country list to the region keys
   // of all its sub-regions, so ownership (and the choropleth) is at region
@@ -224,6 +230,34 @@ app.post('/api/games/:id/queue/remove', (req, res) => {
   res.json({ game: next });
 });
 
+// (v0.23, #16 P4a) Resolve a pending nation-op proposal (a rename the LLM
+// proposed in an earlier turn, waiting in game.pendingNationOps). No LLM call,
+// no turn advance — same fast save → broadcast → respond order as
+// /queue/remove. The version bump lets "never go backwards" clients reconcile.
+app.post('/api/games/:id/nation-op/confirm', (req, res) => {
+  const id = req.params.id;
+  const game = db.load(id);
+  if (!game) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'game not found' });
+  const body = (req.body ?? {}) as ConfirmNationOpRequest;
+  const next = confirmNationOp(game, body.index, body.edits);
+  if (!next) return res.status(400).json({ error: 'invalid proposal index' });
+  db.save(next);
+  broadcast(id, 'state', { state: next });
+  res.json({ game: next });
+});
+
+app.post('/api/games/:id/nation-op/reject', (req, res) => {
+  const id = req.params.id;
+  const game = db.load(id);
+  if (!game) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'game not found' });
+  const body = (req.body ?? {}) as RejectNationOpRequest;
+  const next = rejectNationOp(game, body.index);
+  if (!next) return res.status(400).json({ error: 'invalid proposal index' });
+  db.save(next);
+  broadcast(id, 'state', { state: next });
+  res.json({ game: next });
+});
+
 // Jump forward: commit the whole pending round (or an empty one) to the model
 // in a single turn. applyTurnResult clears the pending queue on the returned
 // state. 404 for not-found/preset-missing; 502 for LLM/model (transport) errors.

server/map.test.ts

@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ const state: GameState = {
   pending: [],
   version: 1,
   unowned: [],
+  pendingNationOps: [],
 };
 
 // The RegionMap built from the fixture: the authoritative region key → owner source.

server/regions.test.ts

@@ -87,6 +87,7 @@ describe('regions (region-key loader, v0.19 #16 P1)', () => {
       pending: [],
       version: 1,
       unowned: [],
+      pendingNationOps: [],
     };
     // 16 GBR sub-regions + 42 FRA sub-regions, no overlap between the two.
     expect(allTerritoryKeys(state).size).toBe(58);

server/stub.ts

@@ -57,6 +57,10 @@ function truncate(s: string, n: number): string {
  * always returns `unowned: []`) — e2e assertions rely on its fully-deterministic
  * one-conquest behavior, so the release/re-claim path is exercised by unit
  * tests only (see server/engine.test.ts).
+ *
+ * (v0.23, #16 P4a) The stub likewise NEVER proposes nation-management ops (it
+ * always returns `nationOps: []`) — the propose→confirm/reject flow is
+ * covered by unit tests only, keeping the e2e assertions untouched.
  */
 export function deterministicTurn(p: StubPayload): TurnResult {
   const state = p.state;
@@ -121,6 +125,7 @@ export function deterministicTurn(p: StubPayload): TurnResult {
     relations: otherId ? [{ a: pid, b: otherId, set: 'ally' }] : [],
     territoryChanges,
     unowned: [], // the stub never creates no man's land (see doc comment)
+    nationOps: [], // the stub never proposes nation ops (see doc comment)
   };
 }
 

shared/protocol.ts

@@ -30,6 +30,74 @@ export interface TerritoryChange {
   lose: string[];
 }
 
+// --- Nation-management ops (v0.23, #16 P4a: the hybrid "LLM proposes, player
+// confirms" model) -----------------------------------------------------------
+//
+// Unlike stat / relation / territory deltas, a NationOp proposed in a turn is
+// NOT applied by that turn. It is stored as a *pending proposal* in
+// `GameState.pendingNationOps` and only takes effect when the player confirms
+// it (optionally editing it) or is dropped when the player rejects it. Rename
+// is implemented in v0.23 (P4a); split and merge are declared here so the union
+// is stable for P4b, and are defensively accepted-but-not-applied until then.
+
+/**
+ * The identity reference a nation is addressed by inside a {@link NationOp}.
+ * The LLM may use either the nation's stable `id` (the `nations` record key,
+ * e.g. `f`) or its human-readable `name` (e.g. `France`); the engine resolves
+ * it to a concrete `nationId` (id first, then a unique name match — see the
+ * engine's `resolveNationRef`).
+ */
+
+/**
+ * A **rename** proposal: change a nation's human-readable `name`. Only the
+ * `name` changes — the stable `id`, its territory keys, its relations (keyed
+ * by id), and the player pointer are all left untouched, so nothing downstream
+ * breaks. `to` is the new display name.
+ */
+export interface RenameOp {
+  kind: 'rename';
+  /** The target nation's id or current name (see the note above). */
+  nationRef: string;
+  /** The new display name to apply when the player confirms. */
+  to: string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * A **split** proposal (declared for #16 P4b; **not** applied by the engine yet
+ * — it is accepted into the pending list, but confirming it is a no-op until
+ * P4b lands). Describes the new nations a source nation is divided into.
+ */
+export interface SplitOp {
+  kind: 'split';
+  /** The id/name of the nation being split. */
+  nationRef: string;
+  /** The new nations created from the split. */
+  parts: Array<{ name: string; territory?: string[] }>;
+}
+
+/**
+ * A **merge** proposal (declared for #16 P4b; **not** applied by the engine yet
+ * — accepted into the pending list, no-op on confirm until P4b). Folds several
+ * nations into a single surviving nation.
+ */
+export interface MergeOp {
+  kind: 'merge';
+  /** The id/name of every nation folded into the result. */
+  nationRefs: string[];
+  /** The id/name of the nation that survives and keeps its identity. */
+  survivingRef: string;
+  /** The name to give the merged nation. */
+  into: string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * A structural operation on the set of nations that the LLM may propose in a
+ * turn (`TurnResult.nationOps`). See the section comment above for the hybrid
+ * propose→confirm semantics. Rename is implemented (P4a); split/merge are
+ * declared for P4b and are a safe no-op until then.
+ */
+export type NationOp = RenameOp | SplitOp | MergeOp;
+
 /** One narrative event the LLM proposes for this turn. */
 export interface TurnEventSpec {
   nation: string;
@@ -56,6 +124,15 @@ export interface TurnResult {
    * empty on normal turns.
    */
   unowned: string[];
+  /**
+   * (v0.23, #16 P4a) Nation-management ops the LLM proposes this turn. These
+   * are NOT applied by the turn: each is appended to
+   * `GameState.pendingNationOps` as a proposal awaiting the player's
+   * confirm/reject. Rename is the only kind the engine currently applies;
+   * split/merge are declared for P4b and are accepted-but-dropped. Empty on
+   * turns where the model proposes none.
+   */
+  nationOps: NationOp[];
 }
 
 /** Per-region map payload: region key -> owning nation + its stable color. */
@@ -162,6 +239,32 @@ export interface RemoveQueueItemResponse {
   game: GameState;
 }
 
+/**
+ * (v0.23, #16 P4a) Confirm a pending nation-op proposal by its index in
+ * `game.pendingNationOps`. A rename takes effect (the player may override the
+ * proposed name via `edits.name`); split/merge proposals are a no-op on
+ * confirm until P4b. No LLM call, no turn advance.
+ */
+export interface ConfirmNationOpRequest {
+  index: number;
+  /** Optional player edits applied on confirm (rename: the final display name). */
+  edits?: { name?: string };
+}
+export interface ConfirmNationOpResponse {
+  game: GameState;
+}
+
+/**
+ * (v0.23, #16 P4a) Reject (drop) a pending nation-op proposal by its index
+ * in `game.pendingNationOps` without applying it. No LLM call, no turn advance.
+ */
+export interface RejectNationOpRequest {
+  index: number;
+}
+export interface RejectNationOpResponse {
+  game: GameState;
+}
+
 export interface AdvisorRequest {
   /** Optional prompt to steer the brainstorm. */
   prompt?: string;

shared/types.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 // Domain types — the single source of truth shared by the frontend (src/), the
 // backend (server/), and the LLM prompt contract. No runtime dependencies here.
+// (The single `import type` below erases at compile time, so no runtime
+// dependency on protocol.ts is introduced — see the GameState.pendingNationOps
+// doc comment.)
+import type { NationOp } from './protocol';
 
 /** A nation's 0–100 status indices. Every value is clamped to 0–100 by the engine. */
 export interface NationStats {
@@ -133,6 +137,21 @@ export interface GameState {
    * this defaulted to `[]` (see server/db.ts).
    */
   unowned: string[];
+  /**
+   * (v0.23, #16 P4a) Nation-management ops the LLM has proposed but the player
+   * has not yet resolved: a *pending proposal* list, as opposed to `pending`
+   * (the current round's queued player actions). A turn NEVER applies one —
+   * `applyTurnResult` appends the turn's `nationOps` to this list, and each
+   * proposal survives across turns until the player resolves it: confirming
+   * applies it (a rename changes `Nation.name` only — the id, its territory,
+   * its relations, and the player pointer all stay valid) and removes it;
+   * rejecting removes it without applying. Split/merge are declared for P4b
+   * and are a safe no-op on confirm until then. Always `[]` on a fresh game;
+   * rows saved before v0.23 load with this defaulted to `[]` (see server/db.ts).
+   * (The `NationOp` type lives in protocol.ts; the import there is type-only,
+   * so this file still has no runtime dependencies.)
+   */
+  pendingNationOps: NationOp[];
 }
 
 /**

src/App.tsx

@@ -177,6 +177,10 @@ export default function App() {
   // gate the turn flow ("Jump forward" stays enabled while the advisor thinks) —
   // it only gates the advisor UI (the "Ask advisor" button + its hint).
   const [advisorBusy, setAdvisorBusy] = useState(false);
+  // Separate again: a pending nation-op confirm/reject is its own (fast,
+  // non-LLM) request. It gates only the nation-op dialog controls, never the
+  // turn flow — "Jump forward" stays usable while it is in flight.
+  const [opBusy, setOpBusy] = useState(false);
   // The id of the game the user is/was last in (mirrors localStorage) and the
   // list of saved games (newest first) shown on the home screen.
   const [activeGameId, setActiveGameId] = useState<string | null>(() => readActiveGameId());
@@ -401,6 +405,43 @@ export default function App() {
     [game, applyState],
   );
 
+  // Apply a pending nation op the model proposed (confirm, with an optional
+  // rename-name edit). Fast, non-LLM — gated by `opBusy`, not `busy`. The
+  // version-bumped state comes back in the response and the SSE `state` event.
+  const runConfirmNationOp = useCallback(
+    async (index: number, edits?: { name?: string }) => {
+      if (!game) return;
+      setOpBusy(true);
+      try {
+        const { game: g } = await api.confirmNationOp(game.id, index, edits);
+        applyState(g);
+        toast.success('Nation change applied');
+      } catch (e) {
+        toastError(e);
+      } finally {
+        setOpBusy(false);
+      }
+    },
+    [game, applyState],
+  );
+
+  // Drop a pending nation op (reject / dismiss). Fast, non-LLM — `opBusy`.
+  const runRejectNationOp = useCallback(
+    async (index: number) => {
+      if (!game) return;
+      setOpBusy(true);
+      try {
+        const { game: g } = await api.rejectNationOp(game.id, index);
+        applyState(g);
+      } catch (e) {
+        toastError(e);
+      } finally {
+        setOpBusy(false);
+      }
+    },
+    [game, applyState],
+  );
+
   // Jump forward: the single LLM call that commits the pending round. Only this
   // sets `busy` (the adds above are fast and non-LLM).
   const runJump = useCallback(async () => {
@@ -507,12 +548,15 @@ export default function App() {
           regions={regions}
           busy={busy}
           advisorBusy={advisorBusy}
+          opBusy={opBusy}
           advisors={advisors}
           onAddAction={runAddAction}
           onAddDiplomacy={runAddDiplomacy}
           onRemoveQueueItem={runRemoveQueueItem}
           onAdvisor={askAdvisor}
           onJump={runJump}
+          onConfirmNationOp={runConfirmNationOp}
+          onRejectNationOp={runRejectNationOp}
           onHome={goHome}
         />
       </>
@@ -551,12 +595,16 @@ interface GameScreenProps {
   busy: boolean;
   /** An advisor fetch is in flight — drives the advisor UI only (never the turn). */
   advisorBusy: boolean;
+  /** A nation-op confirm/reject is in flight — drives the dialog controls only. */
+  opBusy: boolean;
   advisors: string[];
   onAddAction: (a: string) => void;
   onAddDiplomacy: (to: string, m: string) => void;
   onRemoveQueueItem: (index: number) => void;
   onAdvisor: (p?: string) => void;
   onJump: () => void;
+  onConfirmNationOp: (index: number, edits?: { name?: string }) => void;
+  onRejectNationOp: (index: number) => void;
   onHome: () => void;
 }
 
@@ -579,12 +627,15 @@ function GameScreen({
   regions,
   busy,
   advisorBusy,
+  opBusy,
   advisors,
   onAddAction,
   onAddDiplomacy,
   onRemoveQueueItem,
   onAdvisor,
   onJump,
+  onConfirmNationOp,
+  onRejectNationOp,
   onHome,
 }: GameScreenProps) {
   // Which nation's dossier to show. Defaults to the player; remounts per game.
@@ -835,12 +886,15 @@ function GameScreen({
           game={game}
           busy={busy}
           advisorBusy={advisorBusy}
+          opBusy={opBusy}
           advisors={advisors}
           onAddAction={onAddAction}
           onAddDiplomacy={onAddDiplomacy}
           onRemoveQueueItem={onRemoveQueueItem}
           onAdvisor={onAdvisor}
           onJump={onJump}
+          onConfirmNationOp={onConfirmNationOp}
+          onRejectNationOp={onRejectNationOp}
           inWindow
         />
       </FloatingWindow>

src/components/ActionPanel.tsx

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { useState } from 'react';
-import { Loader2, MessageSquare, Radar, Trash2, Zap } from 'lucide-react';
+import { Loader2, MessageSquare, PenLine, Radar, Trash2, Zap } from 'lucide-react';
 import { Badge } from './ui/badge';
 import { Button } from './ui/button';
 import { Card, CardContent, CardHeader, CardTitle } from './ui/card';
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import { Input } from './ui/input';
 import { Textarea } from './ui/textarea';
 import { Tabs, TabsContent, TabsList, TabsTrigger } from './ui/tabs';
 import { Select, SelectContent, SelectItem, SelectTrigger, SelectValue } from './ui/select';
+import NationOpDialog from './NationOpDialog';
 import type { GameState, RoundItem } from '@shared/types';
 
 interface Props {
@@ -27,6 +28,11 @@ interface Props {
    * never disable "Jump forward" or the rest of the turn flow.
    */
   advisorBusy: boolean;
+  /**
+   * A pending nation-op confirm/reject request is in flight. Distinct from
+   * `busy`: it gates only the nation-op dialog controls, never the turn flow.
+   */
+  opBusy: boolean;
   /** Advisor brainstorm suggestions from the last request. */
   advisors: string[];
   /** Queue a free-text action onto the pending round (no turn advance). */
@@ -38,6 +44,10 @@ interface Props {
   onAdvisor: (prompt?: string) => void;
   /** Commit the whole pending round in a single LLM turn. */
   onJump: () => void;
+  /** Apply a pending nation op; `edits.name` optionally overrides a rename. */
+  onConfirmNationOp: (index: number, edits?: { name?: string }) => void;
+  /** Drop (reject) a pending nation op by its index. */
+  onRejectNationOp: (index: number) => void;
   /**
    * Render without the outer card chrome (the surrounding floating window
    * provides the border and the "Your move" title). Same content, same testids.
@@ -66,12 +76,15 @@ export default function ActionPanel({
   game,
   busy,
   advisorBusy,
+  opBusy,
   advisors,
   onAddAction,
   onAddDiplomacy,
   onRemoveQueueItem,
   onAdvisor,
   onJump,
+  onConfirmNationOp,
+  onRejectNationOp,
   inWindow = false,
 }: Props) {
   const [tab, setTab] = useState('action');
@@ -81,6 +94,8 @@ export default function ActionPanel({
   const [prompt, setPrompt] = useState('');
   // Index of the queued item the user is about to remove, or null (dialog closed).
   const [confirmRemoveIndex, setConfirmRemoveIndex] = useState<number | null>(null);
+  // Whether the nation-op review dialog is open.
+  const [opDialogOpen, setOpDialogOpen] = useState(false);
 
   const others = Object.entries(game.nations)
     .filter(([id]) => id !== game.playerNationId)
@@ -108,6 +123,7 @@ export default function ActionPanel({
   };
 
   const pending = game.pending;
+  const ops = game.pendingNationOps;
   // The item the confirmation dialog is about (re-derived from the live list,
   // so if the queue changes while the dialog is open it tracks the current
   // item at that index — or the dialog closes if the index went out of range).
@@ -325,6 +341,31 @@ export default function ActionPanel({
           </DialogContent>
         </Dialog>
 
+        {/* Pending nation ops proposed by the model — open to confirm or reject. */}
+        {ops.length > 0 && (
+          <button
+            type="button"
+            onClick={() => setOpDialogOpen(true)}
+            disabled={busy}
+            data-testid="nation-op-trigger"
+            className="flex w-full items-center justify-between gap-2 rounded-lg border border-amber-500/30 bg-amber-500/10 p-2.5 text-sm hover:bg-amber-500/15"
+          >
+            <span className="flex items-center gap-2 font-medium text-amber-300">
+              <PenLine className="size-4" />
+              {ops.length} nation {ops.length === 1 ? 'proposal' : 'proposals'} — review
+            </span>
+            <span className="text-xs text-amber-300/70">confirm or reject</span>
+          </button>
+        )}
+        <NationOpDialog
+          game={game}
+          open={opDialogOpen}
+          onOpenChange={setOpDialogOpen}
+          opBusy={opBusy}
+          onConfirm={onConfirmNationOp}
+          onReject={onRejectNationOp}
+        />
+
         <Button className="h-11 w-full" onClick={onJump} disabled={busy} data-testid="jump-forward">
           {busy ? <Loader2 className="size-4 animate-spin" /> : <Radar className="size-4" />}
           {queuedLabel}

src/components/NationOpDialog.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,156 @@
+import { useState } from 'react';
+import { Check, Loader2, PenLine, X } from 'lucide-react';
+import { Button } from './ui/button';
+import {
+  Dialog,
+  DialogContent,
+  DialogDescription,
+  DialogHeader,
+  DialogTitle,
+} from './ui/dialog';
+import { Input } from './ui/input';
+import { Badge } from './ui/badge';
+import type { GameState } from '@shared/types';
+import type { NationOp, RenameOp } from '@shared/protocol';
+
+interface Props {
+  game: GameState;
+  open: boolean;
+  onOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
+  /** A confirm/reject request is in flight — disable the per-op controls. */
+  opBusy: boolean;
+  /** Apply a pending op; `edits.name` optionally overrides a rename's target name. */
+  onConfirm: (index: number, edits?: { name?: string }) => void;
+  /** Drop a pending op (reject / dismiss). */
+  onReject: (index: number) => void;
+}
+
+/** A short, display-safe description of a pending nation op. */
+function describeOp(op: NationOp, name: (ref: string) => string): string {
+  if (op.kind === 'rename') return `Rename ${name(op.nationRef)} to “${op.to}”`;
+  if (op.kind === 'split')
+    return `Split ${name(op.nationRef)} into ${op.parts.length} nations (${op.parts
+      .map((p) => p.name)
+      .join(', ')})`;
+  return `Merge ${op.nationRefs.map(name).join(' + ')} into “${op.into}”`;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Reviews the nation ops the LLM has proposed (stored in `pendingNationOps`)
+ * and lets the player apply ("LLM proposes, player confirms") or drop each one.
+ * A rename shows the model's proposed name in an editable field (so the player
+ * can tweak it before confirming); split and merge are declared but not yet
+ * applied (P4b) — they can be dismissed but not confirmed.
+ */
+export default function NationOpDialog({
+  game,
+  open,
+  onOpenChange,
+  opBusy,
+  onConfirm,
+  onReject,
+}: Props) {
+  const ops = game.pendingNationOps;
+  const name = (ref: string) => game.nations[ref]?.name ?? ref;
+  // The player's edit to a rename's target name, keyed by pending-op index.
+  // An unset entry means "use the model's proposed name" (`op.to`).
+  const [edits, setEdits] = useState<Record<number, string>>({});
+
+  return (
+    <Dialog open={open} onOpenChange={onOpenChange}>
+      <DialogContent className="max-w-lg" data-testid="nation-op-dialog">
+        <DialogHeader>
+          <DialogTitle>
+            <span className="flex items-center gap-2">
+              <PenLine className="size-4 text-primary" />
+              Nation proposals
+            </span>
+          </DialogTitle>
+          <DialogDescription>
+            The model proposed changes to nations. Confirm to apply them (you can edit a
+            rename) or reject to leave the world as it is.
+          </DialogDescription>
+        </DialogHeader>
+
+        {ops.length === 0 ? (
+          <p className="py-2 text-sm text-muted-foreground" data-testid="nation-op-empty">
+            Nothing pending — the model hasn’t proposed any nation changes.
+          </p>
+        ) : (
+          <ul className="max-h-[50vh] space-y-2.5 overflow-y-auto pr-1" data-testid="nation-op-list">
+            {ops.map((op, i) => {
+              const isRename = op.kind === 'rename';
+              const finalName = isRename ? (edits[i] ?? (op as RenameOp).to).trim() : '';
+              return (
+                <li
+                  key={`${i}-${op.kind}`}
+                  className="rounded-lg border border-border/70 bg-card/50 p-3"
+                  data-testid="nation-op-item"
+                  data-kind={op.kind}
+                >
+                  <div className="mb-2 flex items-start gap-2">
+                    <Badge variant="secondary" className="shrink-0 text-[11px] capitalize">
+                      {op.kind}
+                    </Badge>
+                    <span className="min-w-0 flex-1 text-sm leading-snug">
+                      {describeOp(op, name)}
+                    </span>
+                  </div>
+                  {isRename ? (
+                    <div className="space-y-2.5">
+                      <Input
+                        value={edits[i] ?? (op as RenameOp).to}
+                        onChange={(e) => setEdits((p) => ({ ...p, [i]: e.target.value }))}
+                        placeholder="New name…"
+                        data-testid="nation-op-name-input"
+                      />
+                      <div className="flex justify-end gap-2">
+                        <Button
+                          variant="ghost"
+                          size="sm"
+                          onClick={() => onReject(i)}
+                          disabled={opBusy}
+                          className="text-muted-foreground hover:text-destructive"
+                          data-testid="nation-op-reject"
+                        >
+                          <X className="size-3.5" />
+                          Reject
+                        </Button>
+                        <Button
+                          size="sm"
+                          onClick={() => onConfirm(i, finalName ? { name: finalName } : undefined)}
+                          disabled={opBusy}
+                          data-testid="nation-op-confirm"
+                        >
+                          {opBusy ? <Loader2 className="size-3.5 animate-spin" /> : <Check className="size-3.5" />}
+                          Confirm
+                        </Button>
+                      </div>
+                    </div>
+                  ) : (
+                    <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-2">
+                      <span className="text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">
+                        {op.kind === 'split' ? 'Split' : 'Merge'} isn’t available yet — dismiss to ignore it.
+                      </span>
+                      <Button
+                        variant="ghost"
+                        size="sm"
+                        onClick={() => onReject(i)}
+                        disabled={opBusy}
+                        className="text-muted-foreground hover:text-destructive"
+                        data-testid="nation-op-reject"
+                      >
+                        <X className="size-3.5" />
+                        Dismiss
+                      </Button>
+                    </div>
+                  )}
+                </li>
+              );
+            })}
+          </ul>
+        )}
+      </DialogContent>
+    </Dialog>
+  );
+}

src/lib/api.ts

@@ -6,9 +6,11 @@ import type {
   AddActionResponse,
   AddDiplomacyResponse,
   AdvisorResponse,
+  ConfirmNationOpResponse,
   CreateGameResponse,
   DeleteGameResponse,
   GameSummary,
+  RejectNationOpResponse,
   RemoveQueueItemResponse,
   TurnResponse,
 } from '@shared/protocol';
@@ -60,6 +62,21 @@ export const api = {
       method: 'POST',
       body: JSON.stringify({ index }),
     }),
+  // (v0.23, #16 P4a) Confirm a pending nation-op proposal by its index in
+  // `game.pendingNationOps` (a rename takes effect; `edits.name` overrides the
+  // proposed name). Fast, non-LLM — no turn advance. Returns the updated game.
+  confirmNationOp: (id: string, index: number, edits?: { name?: string }) =>
+    req<ConfirmNationOpResponse>(`/api/games/${id}/nation-op/confirm`, {
+      method: 'POST',
+      body: JSON.stringify({ index, ...(edits ? { edits } : {}) }),
+    }),
+  // (v0.23, #16 P4a) Reject (drop) a pending nation-op proposal by index,
+  // without applying it. Fast, non-LLM — no turn advance. Returns the updated game.
+  rejectNationOp: (id: string, index: number) =>
+    req<RejectNationOpResponse>(`/api/games/${id}/nation-op/reject`, {
+      method: 'POST',
+      body: JSON.stringify({ index }),
+    }),
   // Commit the whole pending round (or an empty one) in a single LLM turn.
   jump: (id: string) =>
     req<TurnResponse>(`/api/games/${id}/jump`, {