diff --git a/SCOPE.md b/SCOPE.md
index b519754..960a707 100644
--- a/SCOPE.md
+++ b/SCOPE.md
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ lessons into reusable S5 app release patterns.
 
 ---
 
-## Current Implementation Surface
+## Current State
 
 - Gitea is deployed and operational as the current forge. Its deploy-capable
   Helm/SOPS/manifests now live in `railiance-forge`; this repo keeps
@@ -197,6 +197,20 @@ from that file.
 
 ---
 
+## Terminology
+
+- Preferred terms:
+  S5 app release, application workload, app runbook, release values, deployment
+  guardrail, smoke evidence.
+- Forge terms:
+  source forge, registry, package registry, runner substrate, and artifact
+  evidence belong to `railiance-forge`; this repo consumes those capabilities.
+- Potentially confusing terms:
+  "deployment" here means app release deployment unless a command explicitly
+  delegates to `railiance-forge` for current Gitea operation.
+
+---
+
 ## Related / Overlapping
 
 - `railiance-platform`: shared CNPG clusters, backup primitives, object storage,