diff --git a/elixir/Makefile b/elixir/Makefile
index 61c40270a..967bf3770 100644
--- a/elixir/Makefile
+++ b/elixir/Makefile
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
-.PHONY: help all setup deps build fmt fmt-check lint test coverage ci dialyzer e2e
+.PHONY: help all setup deps build fmt fmt-check lint test coverage ci dialyzer e2e launch-app github-pr-media
 
 MIX ?= mix
 
 help:
-	@echo "Targets: setup, deps, fmt, fmt-check, lint, test, coverage, dialyzer, e2e, ci"
+	@echo "Targets: setup, deps, fmt, fmt-check, lint, test, coverage, dialyzer, e2e, launch-app, github-pr-media, ci"
 
 setup:
 	$(MIX) setup
@@ -36,6 +36,12 @@ dialyzer:
 e2e:
 	SYMPHONY_RUN_LIVE_E2E=1 $(MIX) test test/symphony_elixir/live_e2e_test.exs
 
+launch-app:
+	./scripts/launch-app
+
+github-pr-media:
+	./scripts/github-pr-media
+
 ci:
 	$(MAKE) setup
 	$(MAKE) build
diff --git a/elixir/README.md b/elixir/README.md
index 603b4bb00..052b0fbb1 100644
--- a/elixir/README.md
+++ b/elixir/README.md
@@ -65,6 +65,19 @@ mise exec -- mix build
 mise exec -- ./bin/symphony ./WORKFLOW.md
 ```
 
+### Runtime validation helpers (for unattended app tickets)
+
+```bash
+# Boot app and verify it responds on localhost
+make launch-app
+
+# Bundle runtime artifacts + manifest for PR handoff
+make github-pr-media
+```
+
+Equivalent script entrypoints are available at `./scripts/launch-app` and
+`./scripts/github-pr-media`.
+
 ## Configuration
 
 Pass a custom workflow file path to `./bin/symphony` when starting the service:
diff --git a/elixir/WORKFLOW.md b/elixir/WORKFLOW.md
index d102b62fe..082c3f765 100644
--- a/elixir/WORKFLOW.md
+++ b/elixir/WORKFLOW.md
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ Use this only when completion is blocked by missing required tools or missing au
     - You may make temporary local proof edits to validate assumptions (for example: tweak a local build input for `make`, or hardcode a UI account / response path) when this increases confidence.
     - Revert every temporary proof edit before commit/push.
     - Document these temporary proof steps and outcomes in the workpad `Validation`/`Notes` sections so reviewers can follow the evidence.
-    - If app-touching, run `launch-app` validation and capture/upload media via `github-pr-media` before handoff.
+    - If app-touching, run runtime validation via `make -C elixir launch-app` (or `elixir/scripts/launch-app`) and collect reviewer media via `make -C elixir github-pr-media` (or `elixir/scripts/github-pr-media`) before handoff.
 6.  Re-check all acceptance criteria and close any gaps.
 7.  Before every `git push` attempt, run the required validation for your scope and confirm it passes; if it fails, address issues and rerun until green, then commit and push changes.
 8.  Attach PR URL to the issue (prefer attachment; use the workpad comment only if attachment is unavailable).
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ Use this only when completion is blocked by missing required tools or missing au
 - PR feedback sweep is complete and no actionable comments remain.
 - PR checks are green, branch is pushed, and PR is linked on the issue.
 - Required PR metadata is present (`symphony` label).
-- If app-touching, runtime validation/media requirements from `App runtime validation (required)` are complete.
+- If app-touching, runtime validation/media requirements from `App runtime validation (required)` are complete (`make -C elixir launch-app` + `make -C elixir github-pr-media`).
 
 ## Guardrails
 
@@ -289,6 +289,20 @@ Use this only when completion is blocked by missing required tools or missing au
 - Keep issue text concise, specific, and reviewer-oriented.
 - If blocked and no workpad exists yet, add one blocker comment describing blocker, impact, and next unblock action.
 
+## App runtime validation (required)
+
+Use these repo-local commands whenever the change touches app runtime behavior/UI:
+
+1. Run runtime boot validation:
+   - `make -C elixir launch-app`
+   - Equivalent script: `elixir/scripts/launch-app`
+2. Package runtime evidence for reviewer handoff:
+   - `make -C elixir github-pr-media`
+   - Equivalent script: `elixir/scripts/github-pr-media [artifact-dir]`
+3. Attach or reference the generated manifest/archive paths in the workpad + PR handoff.
+
+These commands are designed to work in unattended Codex sessions without depending on globally installed helper binaries.
+
 ## Workpad template
 
 Use this exact structure for the persistent workpad comment and keep it updated in place throughout execution:
diff --git a/elixir/scripts/github-pr-media b/elixir/scripts/github-pr-media
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..de059c766
--- /dev/null
+++ b/elixir/scripts/github-pr-media
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+SOURCE_DIR="${1:-artifacts/runtime}"
+OUTPUT_DIR="${OUTPUT_DIR:-artifacts/review}"
+mkdir -p "$OUTPUT_DIR"
+
+TIMESTAMP="$(date +%Y%m%d-%H%M%S)"
+MANIFEST="$OUTPUT_DIR/github-pr-media-${TIMESTAMP}.md"
+ARCHIVE="$OUTPUT_DIR/github-pr-media-${TIMESTAMP}.tar.gz"
+
+if [[ ! -d "$SOURCE_DIR" ]]; then
+  echo "Source directory '$SOURCE_DIR' does not exist." >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+shopt -s nullglob
+FILES=("$SOURCE_DIR"/*)
+shopt -u nullglob
+
+if [[ ${#FILES[@]} -eq 0 ]]; then
+  echo "No media/artifact files found under '$SOURCE_DIR'." >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+tar -czf "$ARCHIVE" -C "$SOURCE_DIR" .
+
+{
+  echo "## Runtime validation artifacts"
+  echo
+  echo "Generated: $(date -u '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S UTC')"
+  printf 'Source dir: `%s`\n' "$SOURCE_DIR"
+  printf 'Archive: `%s`\n' "$ARCHIVE"
+  echo
+  echo "### Files"
+  for file in "${FILES[@]}"; do
+    if [[ -f "$file" ]]; then
+      size=$(wc -c <"$file" | tr -d ' ')
+      echo "- $(basename "$file") (${size} bytes)"
+    else
+      echo "- $(basename "$file") (non-file entry)"
+    fi
+  done
+  echo
+  echo "### PR handoff"
+  echo "1. Upload the archive (or selected files) to the PR/comment workflow."
+  echo "2. Paste this manifest in the PR comment body for reviewer context."
+} >"$MANIFEST"
+
+echo "Created archive: $ARCHIVE"
+echo "Created manifest: $MANIFEST"
diff --git a/elixir/scripts/launch-app b/elixir/scripts/launch-app
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..d3fcd881b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/elixir/scripts/launch-app
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+PORT="${PORT:-4010}"
+STARTUP_TIMEOUT="${STARTUP_TIMEOUT:-45}"
+ARTIFACT_DIR="${ARTIFACT_DIR:-artifacts/runtime}"
+MIX_CMD="${MIX_CMD:-mix phx.server}"
+
+mkdir -p "$ARTIFACT_DIR"
+TIMESTAMP="$(date +%Y%m%d-%H%M%S)"
+LOG_FILE="$ARTIFACT_DIR/launch-app-${TIMESTAMP}.log"
+STATUS_FILE="$ARTIFACT_DIR/launch-app-${TIMESTAMP}.txt"
+
+cleanup() {
+  if [[ -n "${SERVER_PID:-}" ]] && kill -0 "$SERVER_PID" 2>/dev/null; then
+    kill "$SERVER_PID" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    wait "$SERVER_PID" 2>/dev/null || true
+  fi
+}
+trap cleanup EXIT
+
+echo "Starting app with: $MIX_CMD (PORT=$PORT)"
+PORT="$PORT" $MIX_CMD >"$LOG_FILE" 2>&1 &
+SERVER_PID=$!
+
+READY=0
+for ((i=1; i<=STARTUP_TIMEOUT; i++)); do
+  if curl -fsS "http://127.0.0.1:${PORT}" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    READY=1
+    break
+  fi
+  sleep 1
+done
+
+if [[ "$READY" -eq 1 ]]; then
+  {
+    echo "launch-app: PASS"
+    echo "url: http://127.0.0.1:${PORT}"
+    echo "server_pid: ${SERVER_PID}"
+    echo "log: ${LOG_FILE}"
+  } >"$STATUS_FILE"
+  echo "App responded successfully."
+  echo "Status: $STATUS_FILE"
+else
+  {
+    echo "launch-app: FAIL"
+    echo "url: http://127.0.0.1:${PORT}"
+    echo "timeout_seconds: ${STARTUP_TIMEOUT}"
+    echo "log: ${LOG_FILE}"
+  } >"$STATUS_FILE"
+  echo "App did not become ready in ${STARTUP_TIMEOUT}s." >&2
+  echo "Status: $STATUS_FILE" >&2
+  exit 1
+fi