diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c4136e3..5ca62de 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -336,6 +336,20 @@ case. A timed-out wait leaves the motion queued; `stop()` cancels it. Planning
 preview retimes trajectories and reports paused queued operations as
 `UnresolvedPreview` instead of claiming completion.
 
+## Timed observations
+
+`stream_status()` supplies `session_id`, `seq` and `mono_time_ns` for recording
+observations. The session identifies the status publisher's lifetime and changes
+on restart. Sequence gaps reveal missed publications; the monotonic timestamp
+marks publication of the current controller snapshot, not simultaneous sensor
+acquisition. Status without these fields reports zero metadata and cannot support
+identified demonstration capture. The client advertises `observation.timed`.
+
+Waldo Commander's `record_demonstration` stores this metadata and its host receipt
+time with the observed joints and tool state. Its replay skill uses ordinary
+native joint moves/delays, including native retiming, completion and collision
+checks; no continuous recorded-trajectory command is added.
+
 ## Command system
 
 Jog and servo commands (JogJ, JogL, ServoJ, ServoL) automatically use the streaming fast-path — the server de-duplicates stale inputs, reduces ACK chatter, and reuses the active command. Use jog/servo for UI-driven motion or teleoperation; use planned moves (MoveJ, MoveL, etc.) for discrete motions and queued programs.
diff --git a/parol6/client/async_client.py b/parol6/client/async_client.py
index b5511df..0c66619 100644
--- a/parol6/client/async_client.py
+++ b/parol6/client/async_client.py
@@ -277,6 +277,7 @@ def skill_capabilities(self) -> frozenset[str]:
         return super().skill_capabilities | {
             "backend.parol6",
             "execution.speed",
+            "observation.timed",
             "tool.gripper",
             "io.digital",
         }
diff --git a/parol6/client/dry_run_client.py b/parol6/client/dry_run_client.py
index 577144b..5cbb659 100644
--- a/parol6/client/dry_run_client.py
+++ b/parol6/client/dry_run_client.py
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ def __init__(
         self._q_rad_buf = np.zeros(6, dtype=np.float64)
         self._rpy_buf = np.zeros(3, dtype=np.float64)
         self._max_snapshot_points = max_snapshot_points
-        self._active_tool_key: str = ""
+        self._active_tool_key: str = "NONE"
         self._active_variant_key: str = ""
         self._tool_proxy = _DryRunTool(self)
 
diff --git a/parol6/protocol/wire.py b/parol6/protocol/wire.py
index d026091..d9d3edc 100644
--- a/parol6/protocol/wire.py
+++ b/parol6/protocol/wire.py
@@ -1547,6 +1547,9 @@ def pack_status(
     p99_period_s: float = 0.0,
     overruns: int = 0,
     drive_faults: Sequence[Sequence[str]] = (),
+    session_id: int = 0,
+    seq: int = 0,
+    mono_time_ns: int = 0,
 ) -> bytes:
     """Pack a status broadcast message.
 
@@ -1598,6 +1601,9 @@ def pack_status(
             joints_homed,
             (p99_period_s, overruns),
             drive_faults,
+            session_id,
+            seq,
+            mono_time_ns,
         ),
         option=ormsgpack.OPT_SERIALIZE_NUMPY,
     )
@@ -1616,6 +1622,9 @@ class StatusBuffer:
     Use decode_status_bin_into() to fill this buffer without allocating new objects.
     """
 
+    session_id: int = 0
+    seq: int = 0
+    mono_time_ns: int = 0
     pose: np.ndarray = field(default_factory=lambda: np.zeros(16, dtype=np.float64))
     angles: np.ndarray = field(default_factory=lambda: np.zeros(6, dtype=np.float64))
     speeds: np.ndarray = field(default_factory=lambda: np.zeros(6, dtype=np.float64))
@@ -1697,6 +1706,9 @@ def copy(self) -> "StatusBuffer":
         """Return a deep copy with all arrays copied."""
         ts = self.tool_status
         return StatusBuffer(
+            session_id=self.session_id,
+            seq=self.seq,
+            mono_time_ns=self.mono_time_ns,
             pose=self.pose.copy(),
             angles=self.angles.copy(),
             speeds=self.speeds.copy(),
@@ -1784,7 +1796,7 @@ def decode_status_bin_into(data: bytes, buf: StatusBuffer) -> bool:
                      tool_status_tuple, tcp_speed, simulator_active,
                      collision_active, collision_pairs, scene_epoch,
                      accepted_index, homed, enabled, homing_step, joints_homed,
-                     loop_health, drive_faults]
+                     loop_health, drive_faults, session_id, seq, mono_time_ns]
 
     Args:
         data: Raw msgpack bytes
@@ -1807,6 +1819,19 @@ def decode_status_bin_into(data: bytes, buf: StatusBuffer) -> bool:
         if msg[1] != PROTO_VERSION:
             raise ProtocolVersionError(msg[1])
 
+        # session_id / seq / mono_time_ns ride at the end, one slot later now
+        # that the protocol version leads the message.
+        if 31 < len(msg) < 34:
+            return False
+        if len(msg) >= 34:
+            for index in range(31, 34):
+                value = msg[index]
+                if type(value) is not int or not 0 <= value <= 0xFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF:
+                    return False
+            buf.session_id, buf.seq, buf.mono_time_ns = msg[31], msg[32], msg[33]
+        else:
+            buf.session_id = buf.seq = buf.mono_time_ns = 0
+
         buf.pose[:] = msg[2]
         buf.angles[:] = msg[3]
         buf.speeds[:] = msg[4]
diff --git a/parol6/server/status_broadcast.py b/parol6/server/status_broadcast.py
index 9754ba6..fb800d5 100644
--- a/parol6/server/status_broadcast.py
+++ b/parol6/server/status_broadcast.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 import logging
 import socket
+import secrets
 import sys
 import time
 
@@ -61,6 +62,8 @@ def __init__(
         self._send_failures = 0
         self._max_send_failures = 3
         self._last_fail_log_time = 0.0
+        self._session_id = secrets.randbits(64) or 1
+        self._seq = 0
 
         self._setup_socket()
 
@@ -207,7 +210,10 @@ def tick(self) -> None:
         if cache.age_s() > self._stale_s:
             return
 
-        payload = cache.to_binary()
+        payload = cache.to_binary(
+            session_id=self._session_id, seq=self._seq, mono_time_ns=time.monotonic_ns()
+        )
+        self._seq += 1
         sock = self._sock
         if sock is None:
             self._switch_to_unicast()
diff --git a/parol6/server/status_cache.py b/parol6/server/status_cache.py
index 32f5758..0275caf 100644
--- a/parol6/server/status_cache.py
+++ b/parol6/server/status_cache.py
@@ -630,9 +630,11 @@ def update_from_state(self, state: ControllerState) -> None:
         ):
             self._binary_dirty = True
 
-    def to_binary(self) -> bytes:
+    def to_binary(
+        self, *, session_id: int = 0, seq: int = 0, mono_time_ns: int = 0
+    ) -> bytes:
         """Return the msgpack-encoded STATUS payload."""
-        if self._binary_dirty:
+        if self._binary_dirty or session_id:
             from parol6.server.transports.transport_factory import is_simulation_mode
 
             self._binary_cache = pack_status(
@@ -666,6 +668,9 @@ def to_binary(self) -> bytes:
                 p99_period_s=self._p99_period_s,
                 overruns=self._overruns,
                 drive_faults=self._drive_faults,
+                session_id=session_id,
+                seq=seq,
+                mono_time_ns=mono_time_ns,
             )
             self._binary_dirty = False
         return self._binary_cache
diff --git a/tests/integration/test_status_rate.py b/tests/integration/test_status_rate.py
index dac25f3..39abce5 100644
--- a/tests/integration/test_status_rate.py
+++ b/tests/integration/test_status_rate.py
@@ -23,7 +23,14 @@ async def _observed_hz(client: AsyncRobotClient, frames: int = 40) -> float:
     """Measure arrival rate over *frames* distinct broadcasts."""
     seen = 0
     start = 0.0
-    async for _ in client.stream_status():
+    previous = None
+    async for status in client.stream_status():
+        assert status.session_id > 0 and status.mono_time_ns > 0
+        if previous is not None:
+            assert status.session_id == previous.session_id
+            assert status.seq > previous.seq
+            assert status.mono_time_ns > previous.mono_time_ns
+        previous = status
         if seen == 0:
             start = time.perf_counter()
         seen += 1
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_status_timing.py b/tests/unit/test_status_timing.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3fccba1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unit/test_status_timing.py
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+"""Timing metadata survives snapshots and malformed packets cannot invent it."""
+
+import msgspec
+
+from parol6.protocol.wire import StatusBuffer, decode_status_bin_into
+from parol6.server.status_cache import StatusCache
+
+
+def test_status_metadata_rejects_malformed_fields_and_clears_unavailable_metadata():
+    cache = StatusCache()
+    try:
+        raw = cache.to_binary(session_id=2**64 - 1, seq=7, mono_time_ns=123456789)
+        buffer = StatusBuffer()
+        assert decode_status_bin_into(raw, buffer)
+        frozen = buffer.copy()
+        raw = cache.to_binary(session_id=9, seq=0, mono_time_ns=1)
+        assert decode_status_bin_into(raw, buffer)
+        assert (frozen.session_id, frozen.seq, frozen.mono_time_ns) == (
+            2**64 - 1,
+            7,
+            123456789,
+        )
+        assert (buffer.session_id, buffer.seq, buffer.mono_time_ns) == (9, 0, 1)
+        packet = msgspec.msgpack.decode(raw)
+        # One slot later than the fields above them: the protocol version
+        # leads the message.
+        for field in (31, 32, 33):
+            for invalid in (True, -1, 1.5, float("nan"), "1", None):
+                changed = list(packet)
+                changed[field] = invalid
+                assert not decode_status_bin_into(
+                    msgspec.msgpack.encode(changed), buffer
+                )
+        for length in (32, 33):
+            assert not decode_status_bin_into(
+                msgspec.msgpack.encode(packet[:length]), buffer
+            )
+        assert decode_status_bin_into(msgspec.msgpack.encode(packet[:31]), buffer)
+        assert (buffer.session_id, buffer.seq, buffer.mono_time_ns) == (0, 0, 0)
+    finally:
+        cache.close()