- loadConfig: pure over env object, accumulates all problems, names var names only
- DATABASE_URL now required at startup; PORT/HOST/LOG_LEVEL/NODE_ENV/REDIS_URL defaulted
- flags module behind FeatureFlagProvider; unknown flags OFF; runtime setEnabled (no redeploy)
- buildApp decorates app.flags; server.ts fail-fast before app boot
- tests caught and fixed flag-store case-normalization bug before gates
- zero new dependencies; all gates approved; verify.sh green
