From 6c35da3ab6a76db8af2d430d3cda29d678dc8dd0 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Eric Rakestraw <eric@rakestraw.us>
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2026 03:57:10 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] Move configuration reports to shared rendering

---
 docs/cli.md                                   |  55 +++---
 docs/consumers/guide.md                       |   4 +-
 docs/policy/testing.md                        |   4 +-
 docs/roadmap/implementation.md                |   8 +-
 .../ckconfig/comparison_input_test.go         |  23 +--
 .../ckconfig/comparison_preparation_test.go   |   6 +-
 integrations/ckconfig/completion_test.go      |   2 +-
 integrations/ckconfig/diff.go                 |   2 +-
 integrations/ckconfig/diff_execution_test.go  |   2 +-
 integrations/ckconfig/diff_report.go          | 174 +++++-------------
 .../ckconfig/diff_report_render_test.go       |  28 ++-
 integrations/ckconfig/diff_report_test.go     | 123 ++-----------
 integrations/ckconfig/explain.go              |  74 ++++----
 integrations/ckconfig/family.go               |  70 ++-----
 integrations/ckconfig/family_reports_test.go  |  17 +-
 integrations/ckconfig/input.go                |  23 ---
 integrations/ckconfig/operations.go           |  10 +-
 .../ckconfig/report_cancellation_test.go      |   8 +-
 integrations/ckconfig/shared_report_test.go   | 152 +++++++++++++++
 integrations/ckconfig/show.go                 | 147 +++------------
 integrations/ckconfig/show_framing_test.go    |  95 ----------
 integrations/ckconfig/sources.go              | 156 ++++++----------
 integrations/ckconfig/validate.go             |  99 ++++------
 23 files changed, 461 insertions(+), 821 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 integrations/ckconfig/shared_report_test.go
 delete mode 100644 integrations/ckconfig/show_framing_test.go

diff --git a/docs/cli.md b/docs/cli.md
index 4d2cb58..eee881b 100644
--- a/docs/cli.md
+++ b/docs/cli.md
@@ -316,8 +316,8 @@ PromptKit prompt or profile definition commands.
 `app`; `--scope all` validates every registered scope and is available when each
 scope declares validation. The command checks all selected capabilities before
 calling scope providers.
-Its default format is text; `--format yaml` emits a `scopes` sequence with
-`name` and `valid: true` for each scope that completed successfully.
+Automatic output is concise text; structured formats emit a `scopes` sequence
+with each reached scope and its outcome (`valid`, `failed`, or `canceled`).
 
 ```text
 example config validate
@@ -326,19 +326,21 @@ example config validate --scope all
 ```
 
 Each successful scope is reported as `SCOPE: valid`. Aggregate validation stops
-at the first load or output failure; records from earlier successful scopes may
-already have been written. Provider warnings go to the diagnostic stream and do
-not alone make validation fail. `--config` and `--overlay` preserve whether an
+at the first load failure or cancellation, then submits one report containing
+the reached scopes. Output errors occur after acquisition has stopped. Provider
+warnings go to the diagnostic stream and do not alone make validation fail.
+`--config` and `--overlay` preserve whether an
 empty value was explicitly supplied, so a scope callback can map those inputs to
 its own ConfigKit load policy. Help and invalid syntax do not call scope
 providers.
 
 ### Show effective configuration
 
-`config show` writes the provider's native effective YAML for one scope. Its
-default scope is `app`; `--format yaml` is accepted and YAML is the only initial
-format. Single-scope output is passed through unchanged, without a CommandKit
-header or document marker.
+`config show` displays the provider's safe effective configuration. The default
+scope is `app`. The native inspection YAML is converted to a logical report
+value, preserving meaningful scalar types, empty collections, and redaction.
+Automatic formatting uses text for a single scalar or nonempty string list and
+YAML for structured values; `--format` selects text, YAML, or JSON.
 
 ```text
 example config show
@@ -346,24 +348,17 @@ example config show --scope promptkit
 example config show --scope all
 ```
 
-`--scope all` acquires every selected scope and checks each effective writer
-before writing output. It then emits one YAML document per scope in discovery
-order, with a `# scope: NAME` comment at each document boundary. For ordinary
-block documents the comment follows the marker. When a native opening marker
-contains inline content, the comment precedes that marker so it does not
-interrupt the native value. Existing native markers and leading comments are
-retained; documents without a marker receive one. Scope labels containing line
-control characters are quoted to keep them on one comment line. A provider
-failure leaves the output stream empty. A rendering or output failure may leave
-an aggregate prefix; `Outcome.Presentation.Output` records incomplete delivery
-and the destination or rendering error.
+`--scope all` acquires every selected scope before producing one mapping keyed
+by scope name, including when only one scope is registered. A single selected
+scope is unwrapped. A provider failure prevents report output. Conversion or
+output failures are recorded in `Outcome.Presentation.Output`.
 
 ### List configuration sources
 
 `config sources` reports the source inventory captured during the selected
 scope's acquisition. It reads the source facet once and does not reload
 configuration. The default scope is `app`; `--scope all` is unsupported. Text is
-the default format, and `--format yaml` returns a structured report:
+the automatic format, and `--format yaml` or `--format json` returns a structured report:
 
 ```yaml
 scope: app
@@ -415,8 +410,8 @@ for native evidence definitions.
 
 `config explain --path POINTER` explains the effective and historical value at a
 JSON Pointer path. `--path` is required; an explicitly empty value selects the
-root. The default scope is `app`; `--format yaml` selects structured output, and
-text is the default. `--scope all` is unsupported.
+root. The default scope is `app`; `--format yaml` or `--format json` selects
+structured output, and automatic output uses text. `--scope all` is unsupported.
 
 ```text
 example config explain --path /server/addr
@@ -430,7 +425,7 @@ rejected before acquisition. A well-formed path that is unknown in the selected
 configuration is an operational error with status `1`. Text output comes from
 the scope's native explanation writer.
 
-YAML output uses these root fields:
+Structured output uses these root fields:
 
 ```yaml
 scope: app
@@ -474,8 +469,8 @@ field is omitted, it inherits the corresponding left value and supplied state;
 an explicit empty string overrides it and remains supplied. Equal selections are
 allowed; their equality alone does not cause CommandKit to skip the provider.
 
-YAML is the only format and the default. Explicit `--format yaml` is accepted;
-`text` and other formats are usage errors. For example:
+Automatic output is YAML. The shared `--format` also accepts YAML, JSON, and
+text; text uses the same structured representation. For example:
 
 ```text
 example config diff --config before.yml --against-config after.yml
@@ -487,9 +482,9 @@ example config diff --scope promptkit --config before.yml --against-config after
 For ConfigKit-backed scopes, ConfigKit compares frozen effective typed values
 after defaults and resolution; source or provenance differences alone do not
 create a change. PromptKit delegates its native comparison to ConfigKit. The
-report is one YAML document with `additions`, `changes`, and `deletions` in that
-order. Additions and changes preserve semantic paths and contain right-side
-values provided by the native comparison. Deletions contain canonical JSON
+report contains `additions`, `changes`, and `deletions`. Additions and changes
+preserve semantic paths and contain right-side values provided by the native
+comparison. Deletions contain canonical JSON
 Pointer paths. Explicit null is a value; it is not a deletion. Changed sequences
 and native structural replacement regions stay atomic.
 
@@ -497,7 +492,7 @@ ConfigKit pairs sensitivity across both loads. A concealed change can therefore
 appear even when its two safe snapshots are equal. For those ConfigKit-backed
 comparisons, the report omits separate redaction and hidden-change metadata: a
 reported masked region changed, but that does not mean every member inside it
-changed. Marker-looking public strings stay ordinary YAML values. An empty
+changed. Marker-looking public strings stay ordinary strings. An empty
 comparison succeeds with this shape:
 
 ```yaml
diff --git a/docs/consumers/guide.md b/docs/consumers/guide.md
index b9d6d81..d5c73ee 100644
--- a/docs/consumers/guide.md
+++ b/docs/consumers/guide.md
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ static choices or is a filesystem path:
 
 ```go
 commandkit.FlagMeta{
-	Name: "format",
+	Name: "view",
 	Completion: commandkit.CompleteChoices(
 		commandkit.CompletionChoice{Value: "text", Description: "Readable text"},
 		commandkit.CompletionChoice{Value: "yaml", Description: "YAML output"},
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ timing, omitted-factory zero values (including nil pointers), and ownership.
 The application owns the state type and what it caches. `ckconfig.FromConfigKit`
 adapts a typed ConfigKit loader without calling it during construction.
 
-The `config` family provides scope discovery, validation, native effective YAML,
+The `config` family provides scope discovery, validation, safe effective configuration display,
 source inventory, path explanation, and ConfigKit-backed comparison for the
 capabilities declared by its scopes. The [CLI reference](../cli.md#configuration-scopes)
 owns operator syntax and report details.
diff --git a/docs/policy/testing.md b/docs/policy/testing.md
index 053971f..869c8ab 100644
--- a/docs/policy/testing.md
+++ b/docs/policy/testing.md
@@ -63,8 +63,8 @@ implemented:
 - Help and command discovery without provider loading or runtime construction.
 - Provider failures, cancellation, output errors, and preservation of application
   outcomes and public error identity.
-- Selected inspection/report contracts, including native YAML and document order
-  for `config show --scope all`.
+- Selected inspection/report contracts, including safe scalar preservation and
+  scope-keyed aggregation for `config show --scope all`.
 - Public type ownership and the internal Cobra/pflag import boundary selected by
   [ADR 0002](../adr/0002-public-facade-and-cli-backend.md).
 
diff --git a/docs/roadmap/implementation.md b/docs/roadmap/implementation.md
index 4580cdd..a9d69e6 100644
--- a/docs/roadmap/implementation.md
+++ b/docs/roadmap/implementation.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Shared reporting and PromptKit v0.20.0 implementation plan
 
-Status: implementation in progress; Stages 1–6 complete.
+Status: implementation in progress; Stages 1–7 complete.
 
 ## Scope, authority, and execution
 
@@ -250,6 +250,12 @@ ordinary `RepeatFlag` replacement semantics to simulate ordering.
 
 ## Stage 7: Migrate existing ckconfig reports to core
 
+**Complete.** Existing ckconfig reports use shared rendering, including safe
+effective values and reached-scope validation aggregation. Focused integration
+tests and the root and ckconfig workspace suites passed with Go 1.27.0 using
+`GOTOOLCHAIN=local go test ./... ./integrations/ckconfig/...`. The ckprompt
+migration remains in the following stages.
+
 Convert the existing `scopes`, `show`, `sources`, `explain`, `diff`, and concise
 `validate` report paths in [ckconfig](../../integrations/ckconfig) to the public
 handoff. Remove local format flags, validators, encoding switches, and encoders.
diff --git a/integrations/ckconfig/comparison_input_test.go b/integrations/ckconfig/comparison_input_test.go
index 7d12463..6d5aec9 100644
--- a/integrations/ckconfig/comparison_input_test.go
+++ b/integrations/ckconfig/comparison_input_test.go
@@ -83,20 +83,11 @@ func TestComparisonHelpLimitsFlagsAndDefaultsFormatToYAML(t *testing.T) {
 	if !strings.Contains(diffHelp, "--against-config") || !strings.Contains(diffHelp, "--against-overlay") {
 		t.Fatalf("diff help omits right-side selection flags:\n%s", diffHelp)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(diffHelp, "default: yaml") {
-		t.Fatalf("diff help does not show the YAML default:\n%s", diffHelp)
-	}
 	for _, operation := range []string{"validate", "show", "sources", "explain"} {
 		operationHelp := help("config", operation, "--help")
 		if strings.Contains(operationHelp, "--against-config") || strings.Contains(operationHelp, "--against-overlay") {
 			t.Errorf("%s exposes comparison-only flags:\n%s", operation, operationHelp)
 		}
-		if operation == "show" && !strings.Contains(operationHelp, "default: yaml") {
-			t.Errorf("show format default changed:\n%s", operationHelp)
-		}
-		if operation != "show" && !strings.Contains(operationHelp, "default: text") {
-			t.Errorf("%s format default changed:\n%s", operation, operationHelp)
-		}
 		if operation != "explain" && strings.Contains(operationHelp, "--path") {
 			t.Errorf("%s exposes the explain-only path flag:\n%s", operation, operationHelp)
 		}
@@ -107,7 +98,7 @@ func TestComparisonHelpLimitsFlagsAndDefaultsFormatToYAML(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestComparisonPreparationAcceptsOnlyYAML(t *testing.T) {
+func TestComparisonPreparation(t *testing.T) {
 	inputCalls, stateCalls := 0, 0
 	prepared := captureSuite(Suite[struct{}, struct{}]{
 		NewInput: func() struct{} { inputCalls++; return struct{}{} },
@@ -123,12 +114,11 @@ func TestComparisonPreparationAcceptsOnlyYAML(t *testing.T) {
 	input := &configCommandInput[struct{}, struct{}]{
 		selection: Selection{Config: commandkit.Supplied[string]{Value: "before.yml", Set: true}},
 		against:   Selection{Overlay: commandkit.Supplied[string]{Value: "candidate", Set: true}},
-		format:    commandkit.Supplied[string]{Value: "yaml", Set: true},
 	}
 	if err := prepareConfigOperation(prepared, Diff, input); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("explicit YAML format rejected: %v", err)
 	}
-	if input.plan == nil || input.plan.format != "yaml" {
+	if input.plan == nil {
 		t.Fatalf("comparison plan = %#v", input.plan)
 	}
 	if input.plan.scopeName != "app" {
@@ -141,12 +131,6 @@ func TestComparisonPreparationAcceptsOnlyYAML(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("resolved right selection = %#v, want %#v", input.against, want)
 	}
 
-	for _, format := range []string{"text", "json"} {
-		input := &configCommandInput[struct{}, struct{}]{format: commandkit.Supplied[string]{Value: format}}
-		if err := prepareConfigOperation(prepared, Diff, input); err == nil {
-			t.Errorf("comparison format %q was accepted", format)
-		}
-	}
 	if inputCalls != 2 || stateCalls != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("comparison preparation calls input/state: %d/%d", inputCalls, stateCalls)
 	}
@@ -170,8 +154,7 @@ func TestComparisonAvailabilityPreflightPrecedesFactories(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 	for _, scope := range []string{"missing", "all", "plain"} {
 		input := &configCommandInput[struct{}, struct{}]{
-			scope:  commandkit.Supplied[string]{Value: scope, Set: true},
-			format: commandkit.Supplied[string]{Value: "yaml"},
+			scope: commandkit.Supplied[string]{Value: scope, Set: true},
 		}
 		if err := prepareConfigOperation(prepared, Diff, input); err == nil {
 			t.Errorf("comparison scope %q was accepted", scope)
diff --git a/integrations/ckconfig/comparison_preparation_test.go b/integrations/ckconfig/comparison_preparation_test.go
index f841110..d5a22ef 100644
--- a/integrations/ckconfig/comparison_preparation_test.go
+++ b/integrations/ckconfig/comparison_preparation_test.go
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ func TestComparisonDoesNotRetainPartialPlanAfterSideFailure(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		}},
 	})
-	commandInput := &configCommandInput[struct{}, struct{}]{format: commandkit.Supplied[string]{Value: "yaml"}}
+	commandInput := &configCommandInput[struct{}, struct{}]{}
 	if err := prepareConfigOperation(prepared, Diff, commandInput); !errors.Is(err, failure) {
 		t.Fatalf("right-side input failure = %v", err)
 	}
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ func TestComparisonNilInputFactoryUsesZeroValue(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		}},
 	})
-	commandInput := &configCommandInput[*int, struct{}]{format: commandkit.Supplied[string]{Value: "yaml"}}
+	commandInput := &configCommandInput[*int, struct{}]{}
 	if err := prepareConfigOperation(prepared, Diff, commandInput); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ func TestComparisonPreservesCallerOwnedInputAliases(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		}},
 	})
-	commandInput := &configCommandInput[*int, struct{}]{format: commandkit.Supplied[string]{Value: "yaml"}}
+	commandInput := &configCommandInput[*int, struct{}]{}
 	if err := prepareConfigOperation(prepared, Diff, commandInput); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
diff --git a/integrations/ckconfig/completion_test.go b/integrations/ckconfig/completion_test.go
index bf12296..56b04c7 100644
--- a/integrations/ckconfig/completion_test.go
+++ b/integrations/ckconfig/completion_test.go
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ func TestCompletionUsesInstalledScopeCapabilitiesWithoutAcquisition(t *testing.T
 	}{
 		{[]string{"__complete", "config", "diff", "--scope="}, "app\n", "other\n"},
 		{[]string{"__complete", "config", "validate", "--scope="}, "other\n", "all\n"},
-		{[]string{"__complete", "config", "diff", "--format="}, "yaml\n", "text\n"},
+		{[]string{"__complete", "config", "diff", "--format="}, "yaml\n", "invalid\n"},
 		{[]string{"__complete", "config", "validate", "--format="}, "text\n", "invalid\n"},
 		{[]string{"__complete", "config", "diff", "--against-config=fixtures/"}, ":0\n", ":4\n"},
 	} {
diff --git a/integrations/ckconfig/diff.go b/integrations/ckconfig/diff.go
index 02c3fb3..60603fe 100644
--- a/integrations/ckconfig/diff.go
+++ b/integrations/ckconfig/diff.go
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ func runConfigDiff[I, S any](invocation commandkit.Invocation, plan *configOpera
 	if err := invocation.Context.Err(); err != nil {
 		return configFailure("Configuration comparison was canceled.", acquired.Explanation, err)
 	}
-	return renderPreparedConfigReport(invocation, acquired.Explanation, func() ([]byte, error) {
+	return renderPreparedConfigReport(invocation, acquired.Explanation, func() (any, error) {
 		return renderDiffReport(acquired.Value)
 	})
 }
diff --git a/integrations/ckconfig/diff_execution_test.go b/integrations/ckconfig/diff_execution_test.go
index 8791045..e138d6e 100644
--- a/integrations/ckconfig/diff_execution_test.go
+++ b/integrations/ckconfig/diff_execution_test.go
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ func TestConfigDiffExecutesWithDefaultAndExplicitYAMLAndInheritedSelections(t *t
 	loadsBeforeText := len(selections)
 	output.Reset()
 	outcome = app.Execute(context.Background(), []string{"config", "diff", "--format", "text"}, commandkit.Streams{Out: &output, Err: io.Discard})
-	if outcome.Kind != commandkit.OutcomeUsage || len(selections) != loadsBeforeText || output.Len() != 0 {
+	if outcome.Kind != commandkit.OutcomeSuccess || len(selections) != loadsBeforeText+2 || !strings.Contains(output.String(), "deletions:") {
 		t.Fatalf("text format outcome/work/output = %#v / %d / %q", outcome, len(selections)-loadsBeforeText, output.String())
 	}
 }
diff --git a/integrations/ckconfig/diff_report.go b/integrations/ckconfig/diff_report.go
index 4fe87b0..1fb01dc 100644
--- a/integrations/ckconfig/diff_report.go
+++ b/integrations/ckconfig/diff_report.go
@@ -1,26 +1,13 @@
 package ckconfig
 
 import (
-	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
 	"strings"
 
+	commandkit "go.maximumdirect.net/commandkit"
 	configkit "go.maximumdirect.net/configkit"
-	"go.yaml.in/yaml/v4"
 )
 
-func decodeSafeSnapshot(snapshot string) (*yaml.Node, error) {
-	var document yaml.Node
-	decoder := yaml.NewDecoder(strings.NewReader(snapshot))
-	if err := decoder.Decode(&document); err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("decode safe YAML snapshot: %w", err)
-	}
-	if document.Kind != yaml.DocumentNode || len(document.Content) == 0 {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("decode safe YAML snapshot: document has no value")
-	}
-	return document.Content[0], nil
-}
-
 func decodeJSONPointer(pointer string) ([]string, error) {
 	if pointer == "" {
 		return nil, nil
@@ -56,139 +43,68 @@ func decodeJSONPointer(pointer string) ([]string, error) {
 	return parts, nil
 }
 
-// yamlValuePlacer indexes each mapping once while assembling one report.
-// Content remains the ordered representation used by the YAML encoder.
-type yamlValuePlacer struct {
-	keys map[*yaml.Node]map[string]int
-}
-
-func (placer *yamlValuePlacer) placeValue(category *yaml.Node, path []string, value *yaml.Node) (*yaml.Node, error) {
-	if value == nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("place YAML value: value node is nil")
-	}
+func placeReportValue(root any, path []string, value any) (any, error) {
 	if len(path) == 0 {
 		return value, nil
 	}
-	if category == nil || category.Kind != yaml.MappingNode {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("place YAML value at %q: category ancestor is not a mapping", pointerFromTokens(path[:1]))
+	current, ok := root.(map[string]any)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("report path ancestor is not a mapping")
 	}
-
-	current := category
 	for index, token := range path {
-		keys := placer.mappingKeys(current)
-		keyIndex, exists := keys[token]
 		if index == len(path)-1 {
-			if exists {
-				current.Content[keyIndex+1] = value
-			} else {
-				keys[token] = len(current.Content)
-				current.Content = append(current.Content, stringKey(token), value)
-			}
-			return category, nil
+			current[token] = value
+			return root, nil
 		}
-
+		child, exists := current[token]
 		if !exists {
-			child := &yaml.Node{Kind: yaml.MappingNode, Tag: "!!map"}
-			keys[token] = len(current.Content)
-			current.Content = append(current.Content, stringKey(token), child)
-			current = child
+			next := make(map[string]any)
+			current[token] = next
+			current = next
 			continue
 		}
-
-		child := current.Content[keyIndex+1]
-		if child.Kind != yaml.MappingNode {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("place YAML value at %q: ancestor %q is not a mapping", pointerFromTokens(path), pointerFromTokens(path[:index+1]))
+		next, ok := child.(map[string]any)
+		if !ok {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("report path ancestor %q is not a mapping", token)
 		}
-		current = child
+		current = next
 	}
-	return category, nil
+	return root, nil
 }
 
-func (placer *yamlValuePlacer) mappingKeys(mapping *yaml.Node) map[string]int {
-	if keys, exists := placer.keys[mapping]; exists {
-		return keys
-	}
-	if placer.keys == nil {
-		placer.keys = make(map[*yaml.Node]map[string]int)
-	}
-	keys := make(map[string]int, len(mapping.Content)/2)
-	for index := 0; index+1 < len(mapping.Content); index += 2 {
-		candidate := mapping.Content[index]
-		if candidate.Kind == yaml.ScalarNode && candidate.Tag == "!!str" {
-			if _, exists := keys[candidate.Value]; !exists {
-				keys[candidate.Value] = index
-			}
-		}
-	}
-	placer.keys[mapping] = keys
-	return keys
+type diffReport struct {
+	Additions any      `json:"additions"`
+	Changes   any      `json:"changes"`
+	Deletions []string `json:"deletions"`
 }
 
-func stringKey(value string) *yaml.Node {
-	return &yaml.Node{Kind: yaml.ScalarNode, Tag: "!!str", Value: value}
-}
-
-func pointerFromTokens(tokens []string) string {
-	if len(tokens) == 0 {
-		return ""
-	}
-	var pointer strings.Builder
-	for _, token := range tokens {
-		pointer.WriteByte('/')
-		pointer.WriteString(strings.ReplaceAll(strings.ReplaceAll(token, "~", "~0"), "/", "~1"))
-	}
-	return pointer.String()
-}
-
-func renderDiffReport(differences []configkit.Difference) ([]byte, error) {
-	var placer yamlValuePlacer
-	additions := &yaml.Node{Kind: yaml.MappingNode, Tag: "!!map"}
-	changes := &yaml.Node{Kind: yaml.MappingNode, Tag: "!!map"}
-	deletions := &yaml.Node{Kind: yaml.SequenceNode, Tag: "!!seq"}
-
+func renderDiffReport(differences []configkit.Difference) (any, error) {
+	report := diffReport{Additions: map[string]any{}, Changes: map[string]any{}, Deletions: []string{}}
 	for _, difference := range differences {
 		path := difference.Path.String()
-		switch {
-		case !difference.Left.Present && difference.Right.Present:
-			tokens, err := decodeJSONPointer(path)
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, fmt.Errorf("render addition at %q: %w", path, err)
-			}
-			value, err := decodeSafeSnapshot(difference.Right.YAML)
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, fmt.Errorf("render addition at %q: %w", path, err)
-			}
-			additions, err = placer.placeValue(additions, tokens, value)
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, fmt.Errorf("render addition at %q: %w", path, err)
-			}
-		case difference.Left.Present && difference.Right.Present:
-			tokens, err := decodeJSONPointer(path)
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, fmt.Errorf("render change at %q: %w", path, err)
-			}
-			value, err := decodeSafeSnapshot(difference.Right.YAML)
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, fmt.Errorf("render change at %q: %w", path, err)
-			}
-			changes, err = placer.placeValue(changes, tokens, value)
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, fmt.Errorf("render change at %q: %w", path, err)
-			}
-		case difference.Left.Present && !difference.Right.Present:
-			deletions.Content = append(deletions.Content, stringKey(path))
+		if difference.Left.Present && !difference.Right.Present {
+			report.Deletions = append(report.Deletions, path)
+			continue
+		}
+		if !difference.Right.Present {
+			continue
+		}
+		tokens, err := decodeJSONPointer(path)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("difference at %q: %w", path, err)
+		}
+		value, err := commandkit.DecodeYAMLReport(strings.NewReader(difference.Right.YAML))
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("difference at %q: %w", path, err)
+		}
+		if difference.Left.Present {
+			report.Changes, err = placeReportValue(report.Changes, tokens, value)
+		} else {
+			report.Additions, err = placeReportValue(report.Additions, tokens, value)
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("difference at %q: %w", path, err)
 		}
 	}
-
-	root := &yaml.Node{Kind: yaml.MappingNode, Tag: "!!map", Content: []*yaml.Node{
-		stringKey("additions"), additions,
-		stringKey("changes"), changes,
-		stringKey("deletions"), deletions,
-	}}
-	document := &yaml.Node{Kind: yaml.DocumentNode, Content: []*yaml.Node{root}}
-	var output bytes.Buffer
-	if err := encodeYAML(&output, document); err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("encode configuration diff report: %w", err)
-	}
-	return output.Bytes(), nil
+	return report, nil
 }
diff --git a/integrations/ckconfig/diff_report_render_test.go b/integrations/ckconfig/diff_report_render_test.go
index 577afac..d67cc17 100644
--- a/integrations/ckconfig/diff_report_render_test.go
+++ b/integrations/ckconfig/diff_report_render_test.go
@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@ package ckconfig
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
-	"reflect"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
+	commandkit "go.maximumdirect.net/commandkit"
 	configkit "go.maximumdirect.net/configkit"
 	"go.yaml.in/yaml/v4"
 )
@@ -16,11 +16,16 @@ func renderAndDecode(t *testing.T, differences []configkit.Difference) (*yaml.No
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
+	var rendered bytes.Buffer
+	if err := commandkit.RenderReport(&rendered, commandkit.Report{Value: report}, commandkit.FormatYAML); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	data := rendered.Bytes()
 	var document yaml.Node
-	if err := yaml.Unmarshal(report, &document); err != nil {
+	if err := yaml.Unmarshal(data, &document); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("decode rendered report %q: %v", report, err)
 	}
-	return document.Content[0], report
+	return document.Content[0], data
 }
 
 func reportField(mapping *yaml.Node, key string) *yaml.Node {
@@ -43,18 +48,12 @@ func TestRenderDiffReportClassifiesAndOrdersNativeRecords(t *testing.T) {
 	if root.Kind != yaml.MappingNode || len(root.Content) != 6 {
 		t.Fatalf("report root = %#v", root)
 	}
-	if got := []string{root.Content[0].Value, root.Content[2].Value, root.Content[4].Value}; !reflect.DeepEqual(got, []string{"additions", "changes", "deletions"}) {
-		t.Fatalf("report category order = %#v", got)
-	}
 	additions := reportField(root, "additions")
-	if additions.Kind != yaml.MappingNode || additions.Content[0].Value != "z-added" || additions.Content[2].Value != "a-added" {
-		t.Fatalf("addition order/value = %#v", additions)
+	if value := reportField(additions, "z-added"); value == nil || value.Tag != "!!bool" || value.Value != "false" {
+		t.Fatalf("boolean addition = %#v", value)
 	}
-	if additions.Content[1].Kind != yaml.ScalarNode || additions.Content[1].Tag != "!!bool" || additions.Content[1].Value != "false" {
-		t.Fatalf("boolean addition lost its type: %#v", additions.Content[1])
-	}
-	if additions.Content[3].Tag != "!!str" || additions.Content[3].Value != "123" {
-		t.Fatalf("numeric-looking string lost its type: %#v", additions.Content[3])
+	if value := reportField(additions, "a-added"); value == nil || value.Tag != "!!str" || value.Value != "123" {
+		t.Fatalf("string addition = %#v", value)
 	}
 	changes := reportField(root, "changes")
 	if changes.Kind != yaml.MappingNode || changes.Content[1].Tag != "!!int" || changes.Content[1].Value != "9007199254740993" {
@@ -68,9 +67,6 @@ func TestRenderDiffReportClassifiesAndOrdersNativeRecords(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestRenderDiffReportEmitsEmptyCategoriesAndRootValue(t *testing.T) {
 	root, _ := renderAndDecode(t, nil)
-	if got := []string{root.Content[0].Value, root.Content[2].Value, root.Content[4].Value}; !reflect.DeepEqual(got, []string{"additions", "changes", "deletions"}) {
-		t.Fatalf("empty report keys = %#v", got)
-	}
 	if reportField(root, "additions").Kind != yaml.MappingNode || len(reportField(root, "additions").Content) != 0 || reportField(root, "changes").Kind != yaml.MappingNode || len(reportField(root, "changes").Content) != 0 || reportField(root, "deletions").Kind != yaml.SequenceNode || len(reportField(root, "deletions").Content) != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("empty report categories = %#v", root)
 	}
diff --git a/integrations/ckconfig/diff_report_test.go b/integrations/ckconfig/diff_report_test.go
index 605c889..c6bf562 100644
--- a/integrations/ckconfig/diff_report_test.go
+++ b/integrations/ckconfig/diff_report_test.go
@@ -2,49 +2,9 @@ package ckconfig
 
 import (
 	"reflect"
-	"strings"
 	"testing"
-
-	"go.yaml.in/yaml/v4"
 )
 
-func TestDecodeSafeSnapshotPreservesYAMLTypes(t *testing.T) {
-	tests := []struct {
-		name  string
-		text  string
-		kind  yaml.Kind
-		tag   string
-		value string
-	}{
-		{name: "null", text: "null\n", kind: yaml.ScalarNode, tag: "!!null", value: "null"},
-		{name: "boolean", text: "true\n", kind: yaml.ScalarNode, tag: "!!bool", value: "true"},
-		{name: "large integer", text: "9007199254740993\n", kind: yaml.ScalarNode, tag: "!!int", value: "9007199254740993"},
-		{name: "numeric string", text: "'123'\n", kind: yaml.ScalarNode, tag: "!!str", value: "123"},
-		{name: "boolean-like string", text: "'false'\n", kind: yaml.ScalarNode, tag: "!!str", value: "false"},
-		{name: "empty mapping", text: "{}\n", kind: yaml.MappingNode, tag: "!!map"},
-		{name: "empty sequence", text: "[]\n", kind: yaml.SequenceNode, tag: "!!seq"},
-	}
-	for _, test := range tests {
-		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			node, err := decodeSafeSnapshot(test.text)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-			if node.Kind != test.kind || node.Tag != test.tag || node.Value != test.value {
-				t.Fatalf("node kind/tag/value = %v/%q/%q, want %v/%q/%q", node.Kind, node.Tag, node.Value, test.kind, test.tag, test.value)
-			}
-		})
-	}
-
-	nested, err := decodeSafeSnapshot("items:\n  - name: example\n    enabled: false\n")
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	if nested.Kind != yaml.MappingNode || nested.Content[1].Kind != yaml.SequenceNode || nested.Content[1].Content[0].Content[3].Tag != "!!bool" {
-		t.Fatalf("nested collection/scalar tags were not preserved: %#v", nested)
-	}
-}
-
 func TestDecodeJSONPointerPreservesSemanticTokens(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		pointer string
@@ -73,74 +33,25 @@ func TestDecodeJSONPointerPreservesSemanticTokens(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestPlaceYAMLValueBuildsOrderedSemanticMappings(t *testing.T) {
-	var placer yamlValuePlacer
-	category := &yaml.Node{Kind: yaml.MappingNode, Tag: "!!map"}
-	paths := [][]string{
-		{"parent", "0", "dot.name", "50%"},
-		{"parent", "second"},
-		{"a/b", "~1"},
-		{""},
-	}
-	for index, path := range paths {
-		value := &yaml.Node{Kind: yaml.ScalarNode, Tag: "!!str", Value: string(rune('a' + index))}
-		updated, err := placer.placeValue(category, path, value)
-		if err != nil {
-			t.Fatalf("place %q: %v", pointerFromTokens(path), err)
-		}
-		category = updated
-	}
-
-	if len(category.Content) != 6 || category.Content[0].Value != "parent" || category.Content[2].Value != "a/b" || category.Content[4].Value != "" {
-		t.Fatalf("mapping insertion order or empty key = %#v", category.Content)
-	}
-	parent := category.Content[1]
-	if parent.Kind != yaml.MappingNode || len(parent.Content) != 4 || parent.Content[0].Value != "0" || parent.Content[2].Value != "second" {
-		t.Fatalf("nested shared ancestor/order = %#v", parent)
-	}
-	numeric := parent.Content[1]
-	dotted := numeric.Content[1]
-	if numeric.Kind != yaml.MappingNode || numeric.Content[0].Value != "dot.name" || dotted.Kind != yaml.MappingNode || dotted.Content[0].Value != "50%" {
-		t.Fatalf("semantic tokens were changed: numeric=%#v dotted=%#v", numeric, dotted)
-	}
-	if category.Content[1].Content[0].Tag != "!!str" || category.Content[2].Tag != "!!str" || category.Content[4].Tag != "!!str" {
-		t.Fatal("mapping keys are not explicitly tagged as YAML strings")
-	}
-}
-
-func TestPlaceYAMLValueHandlesRootAndEmptyKey(t *testing.T) {
-	var placer yamlValuePlacer
-	category := &yaml.Node{Kind: yaml.MappingNode, Tag: "!!map"}
-	root := &yaml.Node{Kind: yaml.ScalarNode, Tag: "!!null", Value: "null"}
-	updated, err := placer.placeValue(category, nil, root)
-	if err != nil || updated != root {
-		t.Fatalf("root placement = %#v, %v", updated, err)
-	}
-
-	category = &yaml.Node{Kind: yaml.MappingNode, Tag: "!!map"}
-	value := &yaml.Node{Kind: yaml.ScalarNode, Tag: "!!str", Value: "empty-key"}
-	updated, err = placer.placeValue(category, []string{""}, value)
+func TestPlaceReportValue(t *testing.T) {
+	var root any = map[string]any{}
+	var err error
+	root, err = placeReportValue(root, []string{"a/b", "~1"}, false)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if updated != category || len(category.Content) != 2 || category.Content[0].Value != "" || category.Content[0].Tag != "!!str" || category.Content[1] != value {
-		t.Fatalf("slash path placement = %#v", category)
-	}
-}
-
-func TestPlaceYAMLValueRejectsIncompatibleAncestors(t *testing.T) {
-	var placer yamlValuePlacer
-	category := &yaml.Node{Kind: yaml.MappingNode, Tag: "!!map", Content: []*yaml.Node{
-		stringKey("parent"), {Kind: yaml.ScalarNode, Tag: "!!str", Value: "leaf"},
-	}}
-	_, err := placer.placeValue(category, []string{"parent", "child"}, &yaml.Node{Kind: yaml.ScalarNode, Tag: "!!null", Value: "null"})
-	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "/parent/child") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "/parent") {
-		t.Fatalf("incompatible ancestor error = %v", err)
-	}
-}
-
-func TestDecodeSafeSnapshotRejectsMalformedYAML(t *testing.T) {
-	if _, err := decodeSafeSnapshot("value: [unterminated\n"); err == nil {
-		t.Fatal("malformed snapshot unexpectedly decoded")
+	root, err = placeReportValue(root, []string{""}, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	want := map[string]any{"a/b": map[string]any{"~1": false}, "": nil}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(root, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("got %#v", root)
+	}
+	if _, err := placeReportValue(root, []string{"a/b", "~1", "child"}, 1); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("scalar ancestor accepted")
+	}
+	if value, err := placeReportValue(root, nil, "replacement"); err != nil || value != "replacement" {
+		t.Fatalf("root: %#v, %v", value, err)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/integrations/ckconfig/explain.go b/integrations/ckconfig/explain.go
index 8983234..14bcf1c 100644
--- a/integrations/ckconfig/explain.go
+++ b/integrations/ckconfig/explain.go
@@ -3,51 +3,51 @@ package ckconfig
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
-	"io"
+	"text/template"
 
 	commandkit "go.maximumdirect.net/commandkit"
 	configkit "go.maximumdirect.net/configkit"
 )
 
 type explanationReport struct {
-	Scope           string                 `yaml:"scope"`
-	Path            string                 `yaml:"path"`
-	Effective       snapshotDTO            `yaml:"effective"`
-	Origin          explanationOriginDTO   `yaml:"origin"`
-	History         []explanationChangeDTO `yaml:"history"`
-	SecretReference *secretReferenceDTO    `yaml:"secret_reference"`
+	Scope           string                 `json:"scope" yaml:"scope"`
+	Path            string                 `json:"path" yaml:"path"`
+	Effective       snapshotDTO            `json:"effective" yaml:"effective"`
+	Origin          explanationOriginDTO   `json:"origin" yaml:"origin"`
+	History         []explanationChangeDTO `json:"history" yaml:"history"`
+	SecretReference *secretReferenceDTO    `json:"secret_reference" yaml:"secret_reference"`
 }
 
 type snapshotDTO struct {
-	Present  bool   `yaml:"present"`
-	Redacted bool   `yaml:"redacted"`
-	YAML     string `yaml:"yaml"`
+	Present  bool   `json:"present" yaml:"present"`
+	Redacted bool   `json:"redacted" yaml:"redacted"`
+	YAML     string `json:"yaml" yaml:"yaml"`
 }
 
 type explanationOriginDTO struct {
-	Layer       string               `yaml:"layer"`
-	Locations   []locationDTO        `yaml:"locations"`
-	Operation   string               `yaml:"operation"`
-	Inheritance []inheritanceStepDTO `yaml:"inheritance"`
+	Layer       string               `json:"layer" yaml:"layer"`
+	Locations   []locationDTO        `json:"locations" yaml:"locations"`
+	Operation   string               `json:"operation" yaml:"operation"`
+	Inheritance []inheritanceStepDTO `json:"inheritance" yaml:"inheritance"`
 }
 
 type inheritanceStepDTO struct {
-	From      string        `yaml:"from"`
-	To        string        `yaml:"to"`
-	Reference string        `yaml:"reference"`
-	Locations []locationDTO `yaml:"locations"`
+	From      string        `json:"from" yaml:"from"`
+	To        string        `json:"to" yaml:"to"`
+	Reference string        `json:"reference" yaml:"reference"`
+	Locations []locationDTO `json:"locations" yaml:"locations"`
 }
 
 type explanationChangeDTO struct {
-	Before       snapshotDTO          `yaml:"before"`
-	After        snapshotDTO          `yaml:"after"`
-	Origin       explanationOriginDTO `yaml:"origin"`
-	Reasons      []string             `yaml:"reasons"`
-	Dependencies []string             `yaml:"dependencies"`
+	Before       snapshotDTO          `json:"before" yaml:"before"`
+	After        snapshotDTO          `json:"after" yaml:"after"`
+	Origin       explanationOriginDTO `json:"origin" yaml:"origin"`
+	Reasons      []string             `json:"reasons" yaml:"reasons"`
+	Dependencies []string             `json:"dependencies" yaml:"dependencies"`
 }
 
 type secretReferenceDTO struct {
-	Name string `yaml:"name"`
+	Name string `json:"name" yaml:"name"`
 }
 
 func runConfigExplanation[I, S any](invocation commandkit.Invocation, plan *configOperationPlan[I, S], state S) commandkit.Outcome {
@@ -85,22 +85,18 @@ func runConfigExplanation[I, S any](invocation commandkit.Invocation, plan *conf
 	if err := invocation.Context.Err(); err != nil {
 		return configFailure("Configuration explanation was canceled.", acquired.Explanation, err)
 	}
-	if plan.format != "yaml" {
-		err := reporter.RenderOutput(func(writer io.Writer) error {
-			return acquired.Value.Explanation.WriteExplanation(writer, plan.path)
-		})
-		if err != nil && invocation.Context.Err() != nil {
-			return configFailure("Configuration explanation was canceled.", acquired.Explanation, invocation.Context.Err())
-		}
-		return commandkit.Success()
+	text := template.Must(commandkit.ParseTextTemplate("explanation", "{{render .}}", template.FuncMap{
+		"render": func(explanationReport) (string, error) {
+			var output bytes.Buffer
+			err := acquired.Value.Explanation.WriteExplanation(&output, plan.path)
+			return output.String(), err
+		},
+	}))
+	renderErr := reporter.Report(commandkit.Report{Value: makeExplanationReport(name, explanation), TextTemplate: text})
+	if renderErr != nil && invocation.Context.Err() != nil {
+		return configFailure("Configuration explanation was canceled.", acquired.Explanation, invocation.Context.Err())
 	}
-	return renderPreparedConfigReport(invocation, acquired.Explanation, func() ([]byte, error) {
-		var report bytes.Buffer
-		if err := encodeYAML(&report, makeExplanationReport(name, explanation)); err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-		return report.Bytes(), nil
-	})
+	return commandkit.Success()
 }
 
 func makeExplanationReport(scope string, explanation configkit.Explanation) explanationReport {
diff --git a/integrations/ckconfig/family.go b/integrations/ckconfig/family.go
index 9fcefd1..75ebdea 100644
--- a/integrations/ckconfig/family.go
+++ b/integrations/ckconfig/family.go
@@ -1,25 +1,24 @@
 package ckconfig
 
 import (
-	"bytes"
 	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
-	"io"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
+	"text/template"
 
 	commandkit "go.maximumdirect.net/commandkit"
 	configkit "go.maximumdirect.net/configkit"
 )
 
 type scopeMetadata struct {
-	Name       string      `yaml:"name"`
-	Operations []Operation `yaml:"operations"`
+	Name       string      `json:"name"`
+	Operations []Operation `json:"operations"`
 }
 
 type scopeInventory struct {
-	Scopes []scopeMetadata `yaml:"scopes"`
+	Scopes []scopeMetadata `json:"scopes"`
 }
 
 type preparedScope[I, S any] struct {
@@ -254,62 +253,17 @@ func joinNames(names []string) string {
 	return strings.Join(ordered, ", ")
 }
 
+var scopeInventoryTemplate = template.Must(commandkit.ParseTextTemplate("scopes", `{{range .Scopes}}{{.Name}}: {{range $index, $operation := .Operations}}{{if $index}}, {{end}}{{$operation}}{{end}}
+{{end}}`, nil))
+
 func newConfigScopesCommand[I, S any](prepared *preparedSuite[I, S]) commandkit.Command {
-	formatDefault := "text"
-	spec := commandkit.CommandSpec[scopeInventoryInput]{
-		Name:    "scopes",
-		Summary: "List configuration scopes and supported operations.",
-		Flags: []commandkit.Flag[scopeInventoryInput]{commandkit.ValueFlag(
-			commandkit.FlagMeta{Name: "format", Usage: "Output format: text or yaml.", Completion: completionChoices("text", "yaml")}, &formatDefault, parseConfigString,
-			func(input *scopeInventoryInput, value commandkit.Supplied[string]) { input.Format = value.Value },
-		)},
-		CheckInput: func(input scopeInventoryInput) error { return checkConfigFormat(input.Format) },
-		Run: func(invocation commandkit.Invocation, input scopeInventoryInput) commandkit.Outcome {
-			_ = invocation.Reporter().RenderOutput(func(writer io.Writer) error {
-				var report bytes.Buffer
-				if input.Format == "yaml" {
-					if err := encodeYAML(&report, prepared.inventory); err != nil {
-						return err
-					}
-				} else {
-					_, _ = report.WriteString(formatScopeInventory(prepared.inventory))
-				}
-				_, err := writer.Write(report.Bytes())
-				return err
-			})
+	return commandkit.NewCommand(commandkit.CommandSpec[struct{}]{
+		Name: "scopes", Summary: "List configuration scopes and supported operations.",
+		Run: func(invocation commandkit.Invocation, _ struct{}) commandkit.Outcome {
+			_ = invocation.Reporter().Report(commandkit.Report{Value: prepared.inventory, TextTemplate: scopeInventoryTemplate})
 			return commandkit.Success()
 		},
-	}
-	return commandkit.NewCommand(spec)
-}
-
-type scopeInventoryInput struct{ Format string }
-
-type scopeInventoryYAML struct {
-	Scopes []scopeMetadata `yaml:"scopes"`
-}
-
-func formatScopeInventory(inventory scopeInventory) string {
-	var output strings.Builder
-	for _, scope := range inventory.Scopes {
-		output.WriteString(scope.Name)
-		output.WriteString(": ")
-		for index, operation := range scope.Operations {
-			if index > 0 {
-				output.WriteString(", ")
-			}
-			output.WriteString(string(operation))
-		}
-		output.WriteByte('\n')
-	}
-	return output.String()
-}
-
-func checkConfigFormat(format string) error {
-	if format != "text" && format != "yaml" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("unsupported configuration format %q", format)
-	}
-	return nil
+	})
 }
 
 func parseConfigString(value string) (string, error) { return value, nil }
diff --git a/integrations/ckconfig/family_reports_test.go b/integrations/ckconfig/family_reports_test.go
index 0cba1cd..e6b4fb1 100644
--- a/integrations/ckconfig/family_reports_test.go
+++ b/integrations/ckconfig/family_reports_test.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
+	"reflect"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -270,7 +271,7 @@ func TestConfigAliasesForwardSelectedTenantAndGlobalHelp(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestShowAcquiresAllViewsBeforeRenderingAndFramesNativeYAML(t *testing.T) {
+func TestShowAcquiresAllViewsBeforeRenderingAggregate(t *testing.T) {
 	var output bytes.Buffer
 	var acquisitionOutputLengths []int
 	makeScope := func(name, native string, acquireErr error) Scope[struct{}, *int] {
@@ -306,9 +307,13 @@ func TestShowAcquiresAllViewsBeforeRenderingAndFramesNativeYAML(t *testing.T) {
 	if outcome.Kind != commandkit.OutcomeSuccess || outcome.Presentation.Output.State != commandkit.DeliveryComplete {
 		t.Fatalf("aggregate show outcome = %#v", outcome)
 	}
-	want := "---\n# scope: app\nname: app\n---\n# scope: promptkit\nname: promptkit\n"
-	if output.String() != want {
-		t.Fatalf("aggregate show output = %q, want %q", output.String(), want)
+	decoded, err := commandkit.DecodeYAMLReport(&output)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	want := map[string]any{"app": map[string]any{"name": "app"}, "promptkit": map[string]any{"name": "promptkit"}}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(decoded, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("aggregate = %#v, want %#v", decoded, want)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -483,7 +488,7 @@ func TestExplainTracksNativeRenderFailureWithoutReplacingOperationCause(t *testi
 	}}}))
 	var output bytes.Buffer
 	outcome := app.Execute(context.Background(), []string{"config", "explain", "--path", "/token"}, commandkit.Streams{Out: &output, Err: io.Discard})
-	if outcome.Kind != commandkit.OutcomeOperational || outcome.Cause != nil || !errors.Is(outcome.Presentation.Output.RenderError, renderErr) || output.String() != "partial native explanation\n" {
+	if outcome.Kind != commandkit.OutcomeOperational || outcome.Cause != nil || !errors.Is(outcome.Presentation.Output.RenderError, renderErr) || output.Len() != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("native explanation failure outcome/output = %#v / %q", outcome, output.String())
 	}
 }
@@ -513,7 +518,7 @@ func TestReportWriteFailureIsRecordedByReporterAndPreservesCancellation(t *testi
 	}}))
 	var output bytes.Buffer
 	outcome = app.Execute(ctx, []string{"config", "validate", "--scope", "all"}, commandkit.Streams{Out: &output, Err: io.Discard})
-	if !errors.Is(outcome.Cause, context.Canceled) || outcome.Presentation.Output.State != commandkit.DeliveryComplete || calls != 2 || output.String() != "app: valid\n" {
+	if !errors.Is(outcome.Cause, context.Canceled) || outcome.Presentation.Output.State != commandkit.DeliveryComplete || calls != 2 || output.String() != "app: valid\npromptkit: canceled\n" {
 		t.Fatalf("cancelled aggregate validation outcome=%#v calls=%d output=%q", outcome, calls, output.String())
 	}
 }
diff --git a/integrations/ckconfig/input.go b/integrations/ckconfig/input.go
index d7d22e0..8f2b858 100644
--- a/integrations/ckconfig/input.go
+++ b/integrations/ckconfig/input.go
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ type configCommandInput[I, S any] struct {
 	selection Selection
 	against   Selection
 	scope     commandkit.Supplied[string]
-	format    commandkit.Supplied[string]
 	path      commandkit.Supplied[string]
 	values    commandkit.FlagValues[I]
 	plan      *configOperationPlan[I, S]
@@ -33,7 +32,6 @@ type configOperationPlan[I, S any] struct {
 	operation  Operation
 	selection  Selection
 	scopeName  string
-	format     string
 	path       configkit.Path
 	scopes     []selectedScopeInput[I, S]
 	comparison *preparedComparison[I, S]
@@ -41,14 +39,6 @@ type configOperationPlan[I, S any] struct {
 
 func newConfigOperationCommand[I, S any](prepared *preparedSuite[I, S], operation Operation) commandkit.Command {
 	defaultScope := "app"
-	defaultFormat := "text"
-	if operation == Show || operation == Diff {
-		defaultFormat = "yaml"
-	}
-	formats := completionChoices("text", "yaml")
-	if operation == Show || operation == Diff {
-		formats = completionChoices("yaml")
-	}
 	var scopeChoices []commandkit.CompletionChoice
 	allSupported := len(prepared.scopes) > 0
 	for _, scope := range prepared.scopes {
@@ -64,8 +54,6 @@ func newConfigOperationCommand[I, S any](prepared *preparedSuite[I, S], operatio
 	flags := []commandkit.Flag[*configCommandInput[I, S]]{
 		commandkit.ValueFlag(commandkit.FlagMeta{Name: "scope", Usage: "Configuration scope name or all where supported.", Completion: commandkit.CompleteChoices(scopeChoices...)}, &defaultScope, parseConfigString,
 			func(input **configCommandInput[I, S], value commandkit.Supplied[string]) { (*input).scope = value }),
-		commandkit.ValueFlag(commandkit.FlagMeta{Name: "format", Usage: "Output format.", Completion: formats}, &defaultFormat, parseConfigString,
-			func(input **configCommandInput[I, S], value commandkit.Supplied[string]) { (*input).format = value }),
 		commandkit.ValueFlag(commandkit.FlagMeta{Name: "config", Usage: "Configuration source.", Completion: commandkit.CompleteFiles()}, (*string)(nil), parseConfigString,
 			func(input **configCommandInput[I, S], value commandkit.Supplied[string]) {
 				(*input).selection.Config = value
@@ -133,16 +121,6 @@ func operationDeclaration(operation Operation) (string, string) {
 }
 
 func prepareConfigOperation[I, S any](prepared *preparedSuite[I, S], operation Operation, input *configCommandInput[I, S]) error {
-	format := input.format.Value
-	if err := checkConfigFormat(format); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	if operation == Show && format != "yaml" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("unsupported configuration show format %q", format)
-	}
-	if operation == Diff && format != "yaml" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("unsupported configuration diff format %q", format)
-	}
 
 	scopeName := "app"
 	if input.scope.Set {
@@ -187,7 +165,6 @@ func prepareConfigOperation[I, S any](prepared *preparedSuite[I, S], operation O
 		operation: operation,
 		selection: input.selection,
 		scopeName: scopeName,
-		format:    format,
 		path:      path,
 		scopes:    make([]selectedScopeInput[I, S], 0, len(selected)),
 	}
diff --git a/integrations/ckconfig/operations.go b/integrations/ckconfig/operations.go
index a8d4a9b..8d20017 100644
--- a/integrations/ckconfig/operations.go
+++ b/integrations/ckconfig/operations.go
@@ -77,8 +77,9 @@ func configAcquisitionFailure(
 }
 
 // Preserve the preparation/delivery cancellation checkpoint for buffered reports.
-func renderPreparedConfigReport(invocation commandkit.Invocation, explanation commandkit.Explanation, prepare func() ([]byte, error)) commandkit.Outcome {
+func renderPreparedConfigReport(invocation commandkit.Invocation, explanation commandkit.Explanation, prepare func() (any, error)) commandkit.Outcome {
 	var canceled error
+	var value any
 	renderErr := invocation.Reporter().RenderOutput(func(writer io.Writer) error {
 		report, err := prepare()
 		if err != nil {
@@ -87,8 +88,8 @@ func renderPreparedConfigReport(invocation commandkit.Invocation, explanation co
 		if canceled = invocation.Context.Err(); canceled != nil {
 			return nil
 		}
-		_, err = writer.Write(report)
-		return err
+		value = report
+		return nil
 	})
 	if canceled == nil && renderErr != nil {
 		canceled = invocation.Context.Err()
@@ -96,5 +97,8 @@ func renderPreparedConfigReport(invocation commandkit.Invocation, explanation co
 	if canceled != nil {
 		return configFailure("Configuration report preparation was canceled.", explanation, canceled)
 	}
+	if renderErr == nil {
+		_ = invocation.Reporter().Report(commandkit.Report{Value: value})
+	}
 	return commandkit.Success()
 }
diff --git a/integrations/ckconfig/report_cancellation_test.go b/integrations/ckconfig/report_cancellation_test.go
index 486d108..fb9aa7d 100644
--- a/integrations/ckconfig/report_cancellation_test.go
+++ b/integrations/ckconfig/report_cancellation_test.go
@@ -18,10 +18,10 @@ func TestBufferedReportCancellationBeforeDelivery(t *testing.T) {
 			app := newConfigTestApp(t, commandkit.NewCommand(commandkit.CommandSpec[struct{}]{
 				Name: "report",
 				Run: func(invocation commandkit.Invocation, _ struct{}) commandkit.Outcome {
-					return renderPreparedConfigReport(invocation, commandkit.Explanation{Message: "selected context"}, func() ([]byte, error) {
+					return renderPreparedConfigReport(invocation, commandkit.Explanation{Message: "selected context"}, func() (any, error) {
 						prepared = true
 						cancel()
-						return []byte("prepared report"), nil
+						return "prepared report", nil
 					})
 				},
 			}))
@@ -54,8 +54,8 @@ func TestBufferedReportDoesNotRejectCancellationAfterDeliveryStarts(t *testing.T
 	app := newConfigTestApp(t, commandkit.NewCommand(commandkit.CommandSpec[struct{}]{
 		Name: "report",
 		Run: func(invocation commandkit.Invocation, _ struct{}) commandkit.Outcome {
-			return renderPreparedConfigReport(invocation, commandkit.Explanation{}, func() ([]byte, error) {
-				return []byte("report"), nil
+			return renderPreparedConfigReport(invocation, commandkit.Explanation{}, func() (any, error) {
+				return "report", nil
 			})
 		},
 	}))
diff --git a/integrations/ckconfig/shared_report_test.go b/integrations/ckconfig/shared_report_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0b09834
--- /dev/null
+++ b/integrations/ckconfig/shared_report_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,152 @@
+package ckconfig
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"io"
+	"reflect"
+	"testing"
+
+	commandkit "go.maximumdirect.net/commandkit"
+	configkit "go.maximumdirect.net/configkit"
+)
+
+func TestShowSharedFormatsAndScopeShape(t *testing.T) {
+	app := newConfigTestApp(t, Command(Suite[struct{}, struct{}]{Scopes: []Scope[struct{}, struct{}]{{
+		Name: "app", Operations: []Operation{Show}, Acquire: func(context.Context, Request, struct{}, struct{}) (commandkit.Acquired[View], error) {
+			return commandkit.Acquired[View]{Value: View{Effective: effectiveValue("'false'\n")}}, nil
+		},
+	}}}))
+	for _, tc := range []struct {
+		name string
+		args []string
+		want string
+	}{
+		{"automatic", []string{"config", "show"}, "false\n"},
+		{"text", []string{"config", "show", "--format=text"}, "false\n"},
+		{"yaml", []string{"config", "show", "--format=yaml"}, "\"false\"\n"},
+		{"json", []string{"config", "show", "--format=json"}, "\"false\"\n"},
+	} {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			var out bytes.Buffer
+			result := app.Execute(t.Context(), tc.args, commandkit.Streams{Out: &out, Err: io.Discard})
+			if tc.name == "yaml" {
+				value, err := commandkit.DecodeYAMLReport(&out)
+				if err != nil || value != "false" || result.Status != 0 {
+					t.Fatalf("%#v value=%#v err=%v", result, value, err)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			if result.Status != 0 || out.String() != tc.want {
+				t.Fatalf("%#v output=%q", result, out.String())
+			}
+		})
+	}
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	result := app.Execute(t.Context(), []string{"config", "show", "--scope=all", "--format=json"}, commandkit.Streams{Out: &out, Err: io.Discard})
+	var decoded map[string]any
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(out.Bytes(), &decoded); err != nil || result.Status != 0 || !reflect.DeepEqual(decoded, map[string]any{"app": "false"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("%#v output=%q decoded=%#v err=%v", result, out.String(), decoded, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestShowConversionFailureIsPresentationEvidence(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, quiet := range []bool{false, true} {
+		t.Run(map[bool]string{false: "ordinary", true: "quiet"}[quiet], func(t *testing.T) {
+			app := newConfigTestApp(t, Command(Suite[struct{}, struct{}]{Scopes: []Scope[struct{}, struct{}]{{Name: "app", Operations: []Operation{Show}, Acquire: func(context.Context, Request, struct{}, struct{}) (commandkit.Acquired[View], error) {
+				return commandkit.Acquired[View]{Value: View{Effective: effectiveValue("x: [invalid\n")}}, nil
+			}}}}))
+			args := []string{"config", "show"}
+			if quiet {
+				args = append(args, "--quiet")
+			}
+			var out bytes.Buffer
+			result := app.Execute(t.Context(), args, commandkit.Streams{Out: &out, Err: io.Discard})
+			if result.Kind != commandkit.OutcomeOperational || result.Presentation.Output.RenderError == nil || out.Len() != 0 {
+				t.Fatalf("%#v output=%q", result, out.String())
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidationSubmitsOneReportAfterAcquisitionStops(t *testing.T) {
+	failure := errors.New("invalid configuration")
+	calls := 0
+	app := newConfigTestApp(t, Command(Suite[struct{}, struct{}]{Scopes: []Scope[struct{}, struct{}]{
+		{Name: "app", Operations: []Operation{Validate}, Acquire: func(context.Context, Request, struct{}, struct{}) (commandkit.Acquired[View], error) {
+			calls++
+			return commandkit.Acquired[View]{}, nil
+		}},
+		{Name: "middle", Operations: []Operation{Validate}, Acquire: func(context.Context, Request, struct{}, struct{}) (commandkit.Acquired[View], error) {
+			calls++
+			return commandkit.Acquired[View]{}, failure
+		}},
+		{Name: "third", Operations: []Operation{Validate}, Acquire: func(context.Context, Request, struct{}, struct{}) (commandkit.Acquired[View], error) {
+			calls++
+			return commandkit.Acquired[View]{}, nil
+		}},
+	}}))
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	result := app.Execute(t.Context(), []string{"config", "validate", "--scope=all", "--format=json"}, commandkit.Streams{Out: &out, Err: io.Discard})
+	var report struct {
+		Scopes []struct{ Scope, Outcome string }
+	}
+	dec := json.NewDecoder(&out)
+	if err := dec.Decode(&report); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := dec.Decode(new(any)); err != io.EOF {
+		t.Fatalf("additional JSON: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !errors.Is(result.Cause, failure) || calls != 2 || len(report.Scopes) != 2 || report.Scopes[0].Outcome != "valid" || report.Scopes[1].Outcome != "failed" {
+		t.Fatalf("result=%#v calls=%d report=%#v", result, calls, report)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidationDeliveryFailureDoesNotStopAcquisition(t *testing.T) {
+	writeErr := errors.New("write failed")
+	calls := 0
+	acquire := func(context.Context, Request, struct{}, struct{}) (commandkit.Acquired[View], error) {
+		calls++
+		return commandkit.Acquired[View]{}, nil
+	}
+	app := newConfigTestApp(t, Command(Suite[struct{}, struct{}]{Scopes: []Scope[struct{}, struct{}]{{Name: "app", Operations: []Operation{Validate}, Acquire: acquire}, {Name: "second", Operations: []Operation{Validate}, Acquire: acquire}}}))
+	result := app.Execute(t.Context(), []string{"config", "validate", "--scope=all"}, commandkit.Streams{Out: failingOutput{err: writeErr}, Err: io.Discard})
+	if calls != 2 || !errors.Is(result.Presentation.Output.WriteError, writeErr) || result.Status == 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("result=%#v calls=%d", result, calls)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestConfigurationReportsSupportSharedFormats(t *testing.T) {
+	type settings struct {
+		Greeting string `yaml:"greeting"`
+	}
+	app := newConfigTestApp(t, AppCommand(func(context.Context, Selection) (*configkit.Result[settings], error) {
+		return configkit.Load(configkit.Mapping("fixture", map[string]any{"greeting": "hello"}), configkit.Options[settings]{})
+	}))
+	for _, args := range [][]string{{"scopes"}, {"show"}, {"sources"}, {"explain", "--path=/greeting"}, {"diff"}, {"validate"}} {
+		for _, format := range []string{"text", "yaml", "json"} {
+			t.Run(args[0]+"/"+format, func(t *testing.T) {
+				argv := append([]string{"config"}, args...)
+				argv = append(argv, "--format="+format)
+				var out bytes.Buffer
+				result := app.Execute(t.Context(), argv, commandkit.Streams{Out: &out, Err: io.Discard})
+				if result.Status != 0 {
+					t.Fatalf("%#v output=%q", result, out.String())
+				}
+				if format == "json" {
+					dec := json.NewDecoder(&out)
+					var value any
+					if err := dec.Decode(&value); err != nil {
+						t.Fatal(err)
+					}
+					if err := dec.Decode(&value); err != io.EOF {
+						t.Fatalf("extra JSON: %v", err)
+					}
+				}
+			})
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/integrations/ckconfig/show.go b/integrations/ckconfig/show.go
index 2da838a..1a83c60 100644
--- a/integrations/ckconfig/show.go
+++ b/integrations/ckconfig/show.go
@@ -4,8 +4,6 @@ import (
 	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
-	"strconv"
-	"unicode"
 
 	commandkit "go.maximumdirect.net/commandkit"
 )
@@ -23,13 +21,9 @@ func runConfigShow[I, S any](invocation commandkit.Invocation, plan *configOpera
 			return configFailure("Configuration show was canceled.", commandkit.Explanation{}, err)
 		}
 		if selected.scope.scope.Acquire == nil {
-			message := fmt.Sprintf("Configuration scope %q has no acquisition callback.", selected.scope.scope.Name)
-			return commandkit.Failure(message)
+			return commandkit.Failure(fmt.Sprintf("Configuration scope %q has no acquisition callback.", selected.scope.scope.Name))
 		}
-		acquired, acquireErr := selected.scope.scope.Acquire(invocation.Context, Request{
-			Operation: Show,
-			Selection: plan.selection,
-		}, selected.input, state)
+		acquired, acquireErr := selected.scope.scope.Acquire(invocation.Context, Request{Operation: Show, Selection: plan.selection}, selected.input, state)
 		if acquireErr != nil {
 			return configAcquisitionFailure(reporter, "show", selected.scope.scope.Name, acquired, acquireErr)
 		}
@@ -38,26 +32,17 @@ func runConfigShow[I, S any](invocation commandkit.Invocation, plan *configOpera
 			return configFailure("Configuration show was canceled.", acquired.Explanation, err)
 		}
 		if acquired.Value.Effective == nil {
-			message := fmt.Sprintf("Configuration scope %q did not provide an effective configuration writer.", selected.scope.scope.Name)
-			return commandkit.Failure(message)
+			return commandkit.Failure(fmt.Sprintf("Configuration scope %q did not provide an effective configuration writer.", selected.scope.scope.Name))
 		}
 		documents = append(documents, effectiveDocument{name: selected.scope.scope.Name, view: acquired.Value})
 	}
 	if err := invocation.Context.Err(); err != nil {
 		return configFailure("Configuration show was canceled.", commandkit.Explanation{}, err)
 	}
-	if len(documents) == 1 && plan.scopeName != "all" {
-		err := reporter.RenderOutput(func(writer io.Writer) error {
-			return documents[0].view.Effective.WriteEffective(writer)
-		})
-		if err != nil && invocation.Context.Err() != nil {
-			return configFailure("Configuration show was canceled.", commandkit.Explanation{}, invocation.Context.Err())
-		}
-		return commandkit.Success()
-	}
-
-	err := reporter.RenderOutput(func(writer io.Writer) error {
-		for index, document := range documents {
+	var value any
+	err := reporter.RenderOutput(func(io.Writer) error {
+		values := make(map[string]any, len(documents))
+		for _, document := range documents {
 			if err := invocation.Context.Err(); err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
@@ -65,112 +50,28 @@ func runConfigShow[I, S any](invocation commandkit.Invocation, plan *configOpera
 			if err := document.view.Effective.WriteEffective(&native); err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
-			if err := invocation.Context.Err(); err != nil {
-				return err
-			}
-			framed, hasDirective := frameEffectiveYAML(document.name, native.Bytes())
-			if index > 0 && hasDirective {
-				if _, err := io.WriteString(writer, "...\n"); err != nil {
-					return err
-				}
-			}
-			if index < len(documents)-1 && len(framed) > 0 && framed[len(framed)-1] != '\n' {
-				framed = append(framed, '\n')
-			}
-			if _, err := writer.Write(framed); err != nil {
+			decoded, err := commandkit.DecodeYAMLReport(&native)
+			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
+			values[document.name] = decoded
+		}
+		if plan.scopeName == "all" {
+			value = values
+		} else {
+			value = values[documents[0].name]
 		}
 		return nil
 	})
-	if err != nil && invocation.Context.Err() != nil {
-		return configFailure("Configuration show was canceled.", commandkit.Explanation{}, invocation.Context.Err())
+	if err != nil {
+		if canceled := invocation.Context.Err(); canceled != nil {
+			return configFailure("Configuration show was canceled.", commandkit.Explanation{}, canceled)
+		}
+		return commandkit.Success()
 	}
+	if err := invocation.Context.Err(); err != nil {
+		return configFailure("Configuration show was canceled.", commandkit.Explanation{}, err)
+	}
+	_ = reporter.Report(commandkit.Report{Value: value})
 	return commandkit.Success()
 }
-
-type yamlPreamble struct {
-	markerStart  int
-	markerEnd    int
-	markerFound  bool
-	inlineMarker bool
-	preambleEnd  int
-	hasDirective bool
-}
-
-func analyzeYAMLPreamble(native []byte) yamlPreamble {
-	var analysis yamlPreamble
-	for start := 0; start < len(native); {
-		end := len(native)
-		if newline := bytes.IndexByte(native[start:], '\n'); newline >= 0 {
-			end = start + newline + 1
-		}
-		lineEnd := end
-		if lineEnd > start && native[lineEnd-1] == '\n' {
-			lineEnd--
-		}
-		trimmed := bytes.TrimSpace(native[start:lineEnd])
-		if isYAMLDocumentStart(trimmed) {
-			content := bytes.TrimSpace(trimmed[3:])
-			analysis.markerStart = start
-			analysis.markerEnd = end
-			analysis.markerFound = true
-			analysis.inlineMarker = len(content) > 0 && content[0] != '#'
-			return analysis
-		}
-		if bytes.HasPrefix(trimmed, []byte("%YAML ")) || bytes.HasPrefix(trimmed, []byte("%TAG ")) {
-			analysis.hasDirective = true
-		}
-		if len(trimmed) == 0 || trimmed[0] == '#' || bytes.HasPrefix(trimmed, []byte("%YAML ")) || bytes.HasPrefix(trimmed, []byte("%TAG ")) {
-			analysis.preambleEnd = end
-		} else {
-			return analysis
-		}
-		start = end
-	}
-	return analysis
-}
-
-func frameEffectiveYAML(scope string, native []byte) ([]byte, bool) {
-	analysis := analyzeYAMLPreamble(native)
-	label := scope
-	for _, character := range scope {
-		if unicode.IsControl(character) {
-			label = strconv.Quote(scope)
-			break
-		}
-	}
-	comment := []byte("# scope: " + label + "\n")
-	if analysis.markerFound {
-		out := make([]byte, 0, len(native)+len(comment))
-		if analysis.inlineMarker {
-			out = append(out, native[:analysis.markerStart]...)
-			out = append(out, comment...)
-			out = append(out, native[analysis.markerStart:]...)
-			return out, analysis.hasDirective
-		}
-		out = append(out, native[:analysis.markerEnd]...)
-		if analysis.markerEnd > analysis.markerStart && native[analysis.markerEnd-1] != '\n' {
-			out = append(out, '\n')
-		}
-		out = append(out, comment...)
-		out = append(out, native[analysis.markerEnd:]...)
-		return out, analysis.hasDirective
-	}
-	result := make([]byte, 0, len(native)+len(comment)+5)
-	if analysis.hasDirective {
-		result = append(result, native[:analysis.preambleEnd]...)
-	}
-	result = append(result, []byte("---\n")...)
-	result = append(result, comment...)
-	if analysis.hasDirective {
-		result = append(result, native[analysis.preambleEnd:]...)
-	} else {
-		result = append(result, native...)
-	}
-	return result, analysis.hasDirective
-}
-
-func isYAMLDocumentStart(line []byte) bool {
-	return bytes.HasPrefix(line, []byte("---")) && (len(line) == 3 || line[3] == ' ' || line[3] == '\t')
-}
diff --git a/integrations/ckconfig/show_framing_test.go b/integrations/ckconfig/show_framing_test.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 33d2eaf..0000000
--- a/integrations/ckconfig/show_framing_test.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,95 +0,0 @@
-package ckconfig
-
-import (
-	"bytes"
-	"io"
-	"reflect"
-	"strings"
-	"testing"
-
-	"go.yaml.in/yaml/v4"
-)
-
-func TestEffectiveYAMLFramingPreservesOneNativeDocument(t *testing.T) {
-	for _, native := range []string{
-		"--- {setting: value}\n", "---\t{setting: value}\n", "--- value\n",
-		"--- |\n  first\n  second\n", "--- # authored\nsetting: value\n",
-		"setting: value\n", "%YAML 1.1\n--- {setting: value}\n",
-	} {
-		t.Run(native, func(t *testing.T) {
-			var want any
-			if err := yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(native), &want); err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-			framed, _ := frameEffectiveYAML("app", []byte(native))
-			withoutLabel := bytes.Replace(framed, []byte("# scope: app\n"), nil, 1)
-			if !strings.HasPrefix(native, "---") && !strings.HasPrefix(native, "%") {
-				withoutLabel = bytes.TrimPrefix(withoutLabel, []byte("---\n"))
-			}
-			if !bytes.Equal(withoutLabel, []byte(native)) {
-				t.Fatalf("native content changed: %q", framed)
-			}
-			if !bytes.Contains(framed, []byte("# scope: app\n")) {
-				t.Fatalf("missing label: %q", framed)
-			}
-			decoder := yaml.NewDecoder(bytes.NewReader(framed))
-			var got any
-			if err := decoder.Decode(&got); err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-			if !reflect.DeepEqual(got, want) {
-				t.Fatalf("got=%#v want=%#v", got, want)
-			}
-			if err := decoder.Decode(new(any)); err != io.EOF {
-				t.Fatalf("extra document: %v", err)
-			}
-		})
-	}
-}
-
-func TestEffectiveYAMLFramingPreservesBoundariesAndDirectives(t *testing.T) {
-	for _, test := range []struct {
-		name      string
-		scope     string
-		native    string
-		directive bool
-		label     string
-	}{
-		{name: "no trailing newline", scope: "app", native: "value: plain", label: "# scope: app\n"},
-		{name: "CRLF", scope: "app", native: "# authored\r\n---\r\nvalue: yes\r\n", label: "# scope: app\n"},
-		{name: "directive preamble", scope: "app", native: "%YAML 1.1\n# authored\n---\nvalue: yes", directive: true, label: "# scope: app\n"},
-		{name: "control character label", scope: "line\nbreak", native: "value: yes", label: "# scope: \"line\\nbreak\"\n"},
-	} {
-		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			var want any
-			if err := yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(test.native), &want); err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-			framed, hasDirective := frameEffectiveYAML(test.scope, []byte(test.native))
-			if hasDirective != test.directive {
-				t.Fatalf("hasDirective = %t, want %t", hasDirective, test.directive)
-			}
-			withoutLabel := bytes.Replace(framed, []byte(test.label), nil, 1)
-			if !strings.HasPrefix(test.native, "---") && !strings.HasPrefix(test.native, "%") {
-				withoutLabel = bytes.TrimPrefix(withoutLabel, []byte("---\n"))
-			}
-			if !bytes.Equal(withoutLabel, []byte(test.native)) {
-				t.Fatalf("native content changed: got %q want %q", withoutLabel, test.native)
-			}
-			if !bytes.Contains(framed, []byte(test.label)) {
-				t.Fatalf("missing scope label %q in %q", test.label, framed)
-			}
-			decoder := yaml.NewDecoder(bytes.NewReader(framed))
-			var first any
-			if err := decoder.Decode(&first); err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-			if !reflect.DeepEqual(first, want) {
-				t.Fatalf("decoded value = %#v, want %#v", first, want)
-			}
-			if err := decoder.Decode(new(any)); err != io.EOF {
-				t.Fatalf("unexpected extra YAML document: %v", err)
-			}
-		})
-	}
-}
diff --git a/integrations/ckconfig/sources.go b/integrations/ckconfig/sources.go
index df2c228..c748da3 100644
--- a/integrations/ckconfig/sources.go
+++ b/integrations/ckconfig/sources.go
@@ -1,59 +1,56 @@
 package ckconfig
 
 import (
-	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
-	"io"
-	"strconv"
+	"text/template"
 
 	commandkit "go.maximumdirect.net/commandkit"
 	configkit "go.maximumdirect.net/configkit"
-	"go.yaml.in/yaml/v4"
 )
 
 type sourceReport struct {
-	Scope   string      `yaml:"scope"`
-	Sources []sourceDTO `yaml:"sources"`
+	Scope   string      `json:"scope" yaml:"scope"`
+	Sources []sourceDTO `json:"sources" yaml:"sources"`
 }
 
 type sourceDTO struct {
-	ID                    string                    `yaml:"id"`
-	Label                 string                    `yaml:"label"`
-	Path                  string                    `yaml:"path"`
-	Destination           string                    `yaml:"destination"`
-	Placement             string                    `yaml:"placement"`
-	DestinationIsFallback bool                      `yaml:"destination_is_fallback"`
-	Layer                 string                    `yaml:"layer"`
-	Kind                  string                    `yaml:"kind"`
-	UnderlayIndex         int                       `yaml:"underlay_index"`
-	ImportedFrom          *locationDTO              `yaml:"imported_from"`
-	VersionEvidence       *sourceVersionEvidenceDTO `yaml:"version_evidence"`
-	EmptyImportSelections []emptyImportSelectionDTO `yaml:"empty_import_selections"`
+	ID                    string                    `json:"id" yaml:"id"`
+	Label                 string                    `json:"label" yaml:"label"`
+	Path                  string                    `json:"path" yaml:"path"`
+	Destination           string                    `json:"destination" yaml:"destination"`
+	Placement             string                    `json:"placement" yaml:"placement"`
+	DestinationIsFallback bool                      `json:"destination_is_fallback" yaml:"destination_is_fallback"`
+	Layer                 string                    `json:"layer" yaml:"layer"`
+	Kind                  string                    `json:"kind" yaml:"kind"`
+	UnderlayIndex         int                       `json:"underlay_index" yaml:"underlay_index"`
+	ImportedFrom          *locationDTO              `json:"imported_from" yaml:"imported_from"`
+	VersionEvidence       *sourceVersionEvidenceDTO `json:"version_evidence" yaml:"version_evidence"`
+	EmptyImportSelections []emptyImportSelectionDTO `json:"empty_import_selections" yaml:"empty_import_selections"`
 }
 
 type emptyImportSelectionDTO struct {
-	Path     string      `yaml:"path"`
-	Location locationDTO `yaml:"location"`
-	Selector string      `yaml:"selector"`
+	Path     string      `json:"path" yaml:"path"`
+	Location locationDTO `json:"location" yaml:"location"`
+	Selector string      `json:"selector" yaml:"selector"`
 }
 
 type locationDTO struct {
-	SourceID string `yaml:"source_id"`
-	Line     int    `yaml:"line"`
-	Column   int    `yaml:"column"`
+	SourceID string `json:"source_id" yaml:"source_id"`
+	Line     int    `json:"line" yaml:"line"`
+	Column   int    `json:"column" yaml:"column"`
 }
 
 type sourceVersionEvidenceDTO struct {
-	Path     string       `yaml:"path"`
-	Version  versionDTO   `yaml:"version"`
-	Location *locationDTO `yaml:"location"`
-	Redacted bool         `yaml:"redacted"`
+	Path     string       `json:"path" yaml:"path"`
+	Version  versionDTO   `json:"version" yaml:"version"`
+	Location *locationDTO `json:"location" yaml:"location"`
+	Redacted bool         `json:"redacted" yaml:"redacted"`
 }
 
 type versionDTO struct {
-	Present bool   `yaml:"present"`
-	Null    bool   `yaml:"null"`
-	Text    string `yaml:"text"`
+	Present bool   `json:"present" yaml:"present"`
+	Null    bool   `json:"null" yaml:"null"`
+	Text    string `json:"text" yaml:"text"`
 }
 
 func runConfigSources[I, S any](invocation commandkit.Invocation, plan *configOperationPlan[I, S], state S) commandkit.Outcome {
@@ -128,73 +125,40 @@ func runConfigSources[I, S any](invocation commandkit.Invocation, plan *configOp
 	if err := invocation.Context.Err(); err != nil {
 		return configFailure("Configuration source listing was canceled.", acquired.Explanation, err)
 	}
-	return renderPreparedConfigReport(invocation, acquired.Explanation, func() ([]byte, error) {
-		var report bytes.Buffer
-		if plan.format == "yaml" {
-			if err := encodeYAML(&report, document); err != nil {
-				return nil, err
-			}
-		} else {
-			writeSourceReportText(&report, document)
-		}
-		return report.Bytes(), nil
-	})
+	_ = reporter.Report(commandkit.Report{Value: document, TextTemplate: sourceTextTemplate})
+	return commandkit.Success()
 }
 
-func writeSourceReportText(writer *bytes.Buffer, document sourceReport) {
-	_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(writer, "Scope: %s\n", strconv.Quote(document.Scope))
-	if len(document.Sources) == 0 {
-		_, _ = writer.WriteString("Sources: []\n")
-		return
-	}
-	_, _ = writer.WriteString("Sources:\n")
-	for _, source := range document.Sources {
-		_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(writer, "  - id: %s\n", strconv.Quote(source.ID))
-		_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(writer, "    label: %s\n", strconv.Quote(source.Label))
-		_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(writer, "    path: %s\n", strconv.Quote(source.Path))
-		_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(writer, "    destination: %s\n", strconv.Quote(source.Destination))
-		_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(writer, "    placement: %s\n", strconv.Quote(source.Placement))
-		_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(writer, "    destination_is_fallback: %t\n", source.DestinationIsFallback)
-		_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(writer, "    layer: %s\n", strconv.Quote(source.Layer))
-		_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(writer, "    kind: %s\n", strconv.Quote(source.Kind))
-		_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(writer, "    underlay_index: %d\n", source.UnderlayIndex)
-		if source.ImportedFrom == nil {
-			_, _ = writer.WriteString("    imported_from: null\n")
-		} else {
-			_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(writer, "    imported_from: {source_id: %s, line: %d, column: %d}\n",
-				strconv.Quote(source.ImportedFrom.SourceID), source.ImportedFrom.Line, source.ImportedFrom.Column)
-		}
-		if source.VersionEvidence == nil {
-			_, _ = writer.WriteString("    version_evidence: null\n")
-		} else {
-			check := source.VersionEvidence
-			_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(writer, "    version_evidence:\n      path: %s\n", strconv.Quote(check.Path))
-			_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(writer, "      version:\n        present: %t\n        null: %t\n        text: %s\n",
-				check.Version.Present, check.Version.Null, strconv.Quote(check.Version.Text))
-			if check.Location == nil {
-				_, _ = writer.WriteString("      location: null\n")
-			} else {
-				_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(writer, "      location: {source_id: %s, line: %d, column: %d}\n",
-					strconv.Quote(check.Location.SourceID), check.Location.Line, check.Location.Column)
-			}
-			_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(writer, "      redacted: %t\n", check.Redacted)
-		}
-		if len(source.EmptyImportSelections) == 0 {
-			_, _ = writer.WriteString("    empty_import_selections: []\n")
-		} else {
-			_, _ = writer.WriteString("    empty_import_selections:\n")
-			for _, selection := range source.EmptyImportSelections {
-				_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(writer, "      - path: %s\n        location: {source_id: %s, line: %d, column: %d}\n        selector: %s\n", strconv.Quote(selection.Path), strconv.Quote(selection.Location.SourceID), selection.Location.Line, selection.Location.Column, strconv.Quote(selection.Selector))
-			}
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-func encodeYAML(writer io.Writer, document any) error {
-	encoder := yaml.NewEncoder(writer)
-	encoder.SetIndent(2)
-	return encoder.Encode(document)
-}
+var sourceTextTemplate = template.Must(commandkit.ParseTextTemplate("sources", `Scope: {{printf "%q" .Scope}}
+{{if .Sources}}Sources:
+{{range .Sources}}  - id: {{printf "%q" .ID}}
+    label: {{printf "%q" .Label}}
+    path: {{printf "%q" .Path}}
+    destination: {{printf "%q" .Destination}}
+    placement: {{printf "%q" .Placement}}
+    destination_is_fallback: {{.DestinationIsFallback}}
+    layer: {{printf "%q" .Layer}}
+    kind: {{printf "%q" .Kind}}
+    underlay_index: {{.UnderlayIndex}}
+{{if .ImportedFrom}}    imported_from: {source_id: {{printf "%q" .ImportedFrom.SourceID}}, line: {{.ImportedFrom.Line}}, column: {{.ImportedFrom.Column}}}
+{{else}}    imported_from: null
+{{end}}{{if .VersionEvidence}}    version_evidence:
+      path: {{printf "%q" .VersionEvidence.Path}}
+      version:
+        present: {{.VersionEvidence.Version.Present}}
+        null: {{.VersionEvidence.Version.Null}}
+        text: {{printf "%q" .VersionEvidence.Version.Text}}
+{{if .VersionEvidence.Location}}      location: {source_id: {{printf "%q" .VersionEvidence.Location.SourceID}}, line: {{.VersionEvidence.Location.Line}}, column: {{.VersionEvidence.Location.Column}}}
+{{else}}      location: null
+{{end}}      redacted: {{.VersionEvidence.Redacted}}
+{{else}}    version_evidence: null
+{{end}}{{if .EmptyImportSelections}}    empty_import_selections:
+{{range .EmptyImportSelections}}      - path: {{printf "%q" .Path}}
+        location: {source_id: {{printf "%q" .Location.SourceID}}, line: {{.Location.Line}}, column: {{.Location.Column}}}
+        selector: {{printf "%q" .Selector}}
+{{end}}{{else}}    empty_import_selections: []
+{{end}}{{end}}{{else}}Sources: []
+{{end}}`, nil))
 
 func locationReports(locations []configkit.Location) []locationDTO {
 	report := make([]locationDTO, 0, len(locations))
diff --git a/integrations/ckconfig/validate.go b/integrations/ckconfig/validate.go
index 0b6ad69..d510b7c 100644
--- a/integrations/ckconfig/validate.go
+++ b/integrations/ckconfig/validate.go
@@ -1,83 +1,58 @@
 package ckconfig
 
 import (
-	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
-	"io"
-	"strings"
+	"text/template"
 
 	commandkit "go.maximumdirect.net/commandkit"
-	"go.yaml.in/yaml/v4"
 )
 
+type validationReport struct {
+	Scopes []validationScope `json:"scopes"`
+}
+
+type validationScope struct {
+	Scope   string `json:"scope"`
+	Outcome string `json:"outcome"`
+}
+
+var validationTextTemplate = template.Must(commandkit.ParseTextTemplate("validation", "{{range .Scopes}}{{.Scope}}: {{.Outcome}}\n{{end}}", nil))
+
 func runConfigValidation[I, S any](invocation commandkit.Invocation, plan *configOperationPlan[I, S], state S) commandkit.Outcome {
 	reporter := invocation.Reporter()
-	writtenRecord := false
+	report := validationReport{Scopes: make([]validationScope, 0, len(plan.scopes))}
+	outcome := commandkit.Success()
 	for _, selected := range plan.scopes {
 		if err := invocation.Context.Err(); err != nil {
-			return configFailure("Configuration validation was canceled.", commandkit.Explanation{}, err)
+			outcome = configFailure("Configuration validation was canceled.", commandkit.Explanation{}, err)
+			break
 		}
+		name := selected.scope.scope.Name
 		if selected.scope.scope.Acquire == nil {
-			message := fmt.Sprintf("Configuration scope %q has no acquisition callback.", selected.scope.scope.Name)
-			return commandkit.Failure(message)
+			report.Scopes = append(report.Scopes, validationScope{Scope: name, Outcome: "failed"})
+			outcome = commandkit.Failure(fmt.Sprintf("Configuration scope %q has no acquisition callback.", name))
+			break
 		}
-		acquired, acquireErr := selected.scope.scope.Acquire(invocation.Context, Request{
-			Operation: Validate,
-			Selection: plan.selection,
-		}, selected.input, state)
-		if acquireErr != nil {
-			return configAcquisitionFailure(reporter, "validate", selected.scope.scope.Name, acquired, acquireErr)
+		acquired, err := selected.scope.scope.Acquire(invocation.Context, Request{Operation: Validate, Selection: plan.selection}, selected.input, state)
+		if err != nil {
+			status := "failed"
+			if invocation.Context.Err() != nil {
+				status = "canceled"
+			}
+			report.Scopes = append(report.Scopes, validationScope{Scope: name, Outcome: status})
+			outcome = configAcquisitionFailure(reporter, "validate", name, acquired, err)
+			break
 		}
 		queueConfigDiagnostics(reporter, acquired.Diagnostics)
 		if err := invocation.Context.Err(); err != nil {
-			return configFailure("Configuration validation was canceled.", acquired.Explanation, err)
+			report.Scopes = append(report.Scopes, validationScope{Scope: name, Outcome: "canceled"})
+			outcome = configFailure("Configuration validation was canceled.", acquired.Explanation, err)
+			break
 		}
-
-		err := reporter.RenderOutput(func(writer io.Writer) error {
-			record, err := validationSuccessRecord(selected.scope.scope.Name, plan.format)
-			if err != nil {
-				return err
-			}
-			if plan.format == "yaml" && !writtenRecord {
-				if _, err := io.WriteString(writer, "scopes:\n"); err != nil {
-					return err
-				}
-			}
-			_, err = writer.Write(record)
-			return err
-		})
-		if err != nil {
-			if ctxErr := invocation.Context.Err(); ctxErr != nil {
-				return configFailure("Configuration validation was canceled.", acquired.Explanation, ctxErr)
-			}
-			return commandkit.Success()
-		}
-		writtenRecord = true
+		report.Scopes = append(report.Scopes, validationScope{Scope: name, Outcome: "valid"})
 	}
-	return commandkit.Success()
-}
-
-func validationSuccessRecord(scope, format string) ([]byte, error) {
-	if format == "text" {
-		return []byte(scope + ": valid\n"), nil
-	}
-	encoded, err := yaml.Marshal(struct {
-		Name  string `yaml:"name"`
-		Valid bool   `yaml:"valid"`
-	}{Name: scope, Valid: true})
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	lines := strings.Split(strings.TrimSuffix(string(encoded), "\n"), "\n")
-	var record bytes.Buffer
-	for index, line := range lines {
-		if index == 0 {
-			record.WriteString("  - ")
-		} else {
-			record.WriteString("    ")
-		}
-		record.WriteString(line)
-		record.WriteByte('\n')
-	}
-	return record.Bytes(), nil
+	if len(report.Scopes) > 0 {
+		_ = reporter.Report(commandkit.Report{Value: report, TextTemplate: validationTextTemplate})
+	}
+	return outcome
 }