diff --git a/docs/engine-re.md b/docs/engine-re.md
index f6076ab..ae90914 100644
--- a/docs/engine-re.md
+++ b/docs/engine-re.md
@@ -1272,10 +1272,15 @@ also needs the generic callback/input layer used by Hide Window, local literal-a
 menu/text-surface operations. ReadTextDB can share the point where a message completes, but it cannot serve
 as the backlog data model because it stores only read flags, not text, styling, names, or voice metadata.
 
-The dependency order was **Hide Window first** to establish reusable callback/coroutine input, then
+The original dependency order was **Hide Window first** to establish reusable callback/coroutine input, then
 Read-message Skip, then History after both the input layer and message-completion seam exist. Hide Window is
-now complete; the remaining order is Read-message Skip followed by History. The `/v2` image names/comments
-the cursor, callback dispatch, retained-history navigation/render/metadata, and history-voice opcode paths.
+now complete. Read-message Skip's semantics remain understood, but its implementation is deferred until the
+port can choose storage for numbered saves and shared profile/global data as one architecture rather than
+selecting an isolated ReadTextDB backend. History is therefore the sole remaining control-strip action under
+active consideration; it can already reuse Hide Window's input layer, while any useful sharing with the
+deferred ReadTextDB work should remain a seam rather than a storage dependency. The `/v2` image
+names/comments the cursor, callback dispatch, retained-history navigation/render/metadata, and history-voice
+opcode paths.
 
 ### ADV Hide Window implementation (2026-07-18)
 
diff --git a/docs/phase-a-slice-plan.md b/docs/phase-a-slice-plan.md
index 1316f5c..46d9829 100644
--- a/docs/phase-a-slice-plan.md
+++ b/docs/phase-a-slice-plan.md
@@ -1637,3 +1637,20 @@ Validation: engine 177/177, opcode tests/lints and vm0 RECOVER clean, zero-warni
 
 **Next:** manually recheck x=772 with the original left-click restore gesture, then continue with the
 profile-wide ReadTextDB slice if the visual lifecycle now matches.
+
+### ADV Read-message Skip deferred pending persistence architecture (2026-07-18)
+
+The native behavior and data model established above remain the implementation contract: read state is
+profile-wide, keyed by packed script resource id and per-script message index, with message completion
+queued and committed through the native `0x71` boundary. Implementation is deliberately deferred, however,
+until the port has a fuller picture of numbered saves, shared `SAVE.DAT` state, `RT.DAT`, configuration, and
+other engine-owned profile/global data.
+
+In particular, the earlier suggestion to persist ReadTextDB in a port-owned format first is not an adopted
+storage decision. The port should not choose native `RT.DAT`, a port-owned replacement, or an import/export
+split in isolation from the broader save/profile backend, lifecycle, migration, and interoperability design.
+When that work resumes, the already-reversed semantic model can sit behind whichever backend that wider
+architecture selects.
+
+With Auto, all-message Skip, and Hide Window implemented and Read-message Skip consciously deferred,
+History is the sole remaining unimplemented ADV control-strip action to investigate as a current slice.