diff --git a/.github/copilot-instructions.md b/.github/copilot-instructions.md
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+# GitHub Copilot Repository Instructions: C++23 Modernization
+
+## Context
+- Language: C++
+- Target standard: C++23
+- Goal: modernize legacy C++11/14/17 code safely and incrementally
+
+## Primary Rule
+Preserve existing behavior unless functional changes are explicitly requested.
+
+## Balanced Modernization Policy
+- Prefer modern C++23 constructs when they clearly improve safety, readability, or maintainability.
+- Keep refactors focused and reviewable; avoid broad rewrites unless requested.
+- Prefer standard library solutions over custom or legacy patterns.
+- Respect toolchain limitations, ABI-sensitive interfaces, and repository-local style.
+
+## Preferred Modernizations
+- Use `auto` where the type is obvious from the initializer; avoid it when it hides important type information.
+- Prefer structured bindings over `std::tie` or manual pair/tuple access when clearer.
+- Replace raw owning pointers and manual `delete` with RAII, usually `std::unique_ptr`.
+- Use `std::make_unique` and `std::make_shared`; prefer `std::shared_ptr` only for real shared ownership.
+- Use `std::string_view` for read-only string parameters only when lifetime safety is clear.
+- Prefer `std::span` for non-owning contiguous ranges.
+- Use `std::mdspan` only when multidimensional access is central and the change improves clarity or safety.
+- Prefer `.contains()` over `find(...) != end()` where available and clearer.
+- Prefer standard algorithms and ranges over manual loops when readability improves.
+- Use `[[nodiscard]]` where ignoring the result is likely a bug.
+- Prefer early returns over deeply nested control flow.
+- Use `std::optional` monadic operations (`and_then`, `transform`, `or_else`) when they make the code simpler.
+- Prefer `constexpr`, `if constexpr`, concepts, and `requires` over legacy `std::enable_if` / SFINAE where practical.
+- Add `noexcept`, `override`, `final`, `= default`, and `= delete` where correct and useful.
+- Prefer `enum class` over unscoped enums where practical.
+- Prefer `std::print` / `std::println` for console output when supported by the project toolchain.
+- Prefer typed `std::chrono` durations and `std::jthread` where appropriate.
+
+## Avoid
+- Do not modernize mechanically if readability becomes worse.
+- Do not introduce unsupported C++23 features.
+- Do not introduce dangling references, dangling `std::string_view`, or unclear ownership.
+- Do not silently change ABI, object lifetime, exception behavior, or performance characteristics.
+- Do not rewrite unrelated code.
+
+## Expected Copilot Behavior
+When making migration suggestions:
+- produce small, focused updates
+- explain non-trivial changes briefly
+- call out risky refactors explicitly
+- note compatibility or toolchain caveats
+- leave optional follow-up improvements separate
+
+## Preferred Output
+Provide:
+- updated code
+- short rationale
+- compatibility/toolchain caveats
+- optional next modernization steps
diff --git a/scripts/combined-migration-compact.prompt b/scripts/combined-migration-compact.prompt
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+# GitHub Copilot Instructions: Qt5/C++11 to Qt6/C++23 Migration
+
+## Mission
+Migrate the legacy Qt5/C++11 desktop application to Qt6/C++23, preserve behavior unless change is strictly required, and validate the result completely in the repository’s Docker-based CI workflow.
+
+## Operating Mode
+- Work autonomously from analysis through validation.
+- Do not stop after editing code.
+- Continue until configure, build, tests, and policy checks have been attempted in Docker.
+- Do not ask for confirmation during normal implementation.
+- Stop early only if required source material is missing, the task is impossible, or a destructive action would be required.
+
+## Boundaries
+- Read the legacy project from `${PROJECT_DIR}`.
+- Write the migrated project to `qt6-after/qt6-migrated-benchmark`.
+- Do not modify the legacy source tree in place.
+- Limit changes to the target tree and only the CI/build/test files needed to support migration and validation.
+
+## Main Migration Targets
+- Upgrade Qt5 to Qt6.
+- Upgrade C++11/14/17 code to C++23.
+- Keep Qt Core, Gui, and Widgets explicitly linked.
+- Replace `QRegExp` with `QRegularExpression`.
+- Replace `QDesktopWidget` and `QApplication::desktop()` with `QScreen`-based Qt6 APIs.
+- Remove legacy `QTextCodec` usage and adopt Qt6-safe text handling.
+- Replace old `SIGNAL`/`SLOT` syntax with function-pointer connect syntax.
+- Replace `0`/`NULL` pointer literals with `nullptr`.
+- Preserve `.ui` and `.qrc` integration.
+- Preserve behavior unless Qt6 compatibility requires adaptation.
+
+## C++23 Modernization Rules
+- Preserve semantics first; modernize second.
+- Use `auto` when the type is obvious; avoid it when it hides important type information.
+- Prefer structured bindings where clearer.
+- Replace raw owning pointers/manual `delete` with RAII, usually `std::unique_ptr`.
+- Use `std::make_unique` / `std::make_shared`; use `std::shared_ptr` only for real shared ownership.
+- Use `std::string_view` only when lifetime safety is clear.
+- Prefer `std::span` for non-owning contiguous data; use `std::mdspan` only when multidimensional access clearly benefits.
+- Prefer `.contains()` over `find(...) != end()` where available.
+- Prefer algorithms and ranges over manual loops when readability improves.
+- Use `[[nodiscard]]` when ignoring a result is likely a bug.
+- Prefer early returns over deeply nested control flow.
+- Use `std::optional` monadic operations (`and_then`, `transform`, `or_else`) when clearer.
+- Prefer `constexpr`, `if constexpr`, concepts, and `requires` over legacy `std::enable_if`/SFINAE where practical.
+- Add `noexcept`, `override`, `final`, `= default`, and `= delete` where correct and useful.
+- Prefer `enum class` over unscoped enums where practical.
+- Prefer `std::print` / `std::println` when supported by the toolchain.
+- Prefer typed `std::chrono` durations and `std::jthread` where appropriate.
+
+## Safety Rules
+- Do not change business logic unless explicitly requested or required for Qt6 compatibility.
+- Do not introduce unsupported Qt6/C++23 features.
+- Do not silently change ABI, ownership, lifetime, exception behavior, performance, UI behavior, or event ordering.
+- Do not worsen readability for the sake of modernization.
+- Avoid dangling references, dangling `std::string_view`, and ownership ambiguity.
+- Keep includes minimal and preserve repository-local formatting/style.
+
+## Tests
+- For every code change inside a method, add at least three tests covering the changed behavior.
+- Place generated tests in `qt6-after/qt6-migrated-benchmark/tests`.
+- Use policy-compatible test filenames such as:
+  - `test_<name>.cpp`
+  - `<name>_test.cpp`
+  - `<name>test.cpp`
+  - `<name>gtest.cpp`
+- Update CMake so the migrated app and all tests build and run with CTest.
+- Ensure all tests are registered with CTest.
+
+## Docker-First Validation
+Use `lifemaps/ci-cpp:latest` as the authoritative environment. Do not substitute host tools for missing container tools. Treat `Dockerfile.ci` as the source of truth for CI dependencies.
+
+### Required validation sequence
+1. Configure in Docker
+2. Build in Docker
+3. Run tests in Docker
+4. If tests pass, run `python3 ci/check_pr_policies.py` in Docker
+
+### Recommended commands
+- Configure:
+  `cmake -S qt6-after/qt6-migrated-benchmark -B build -G Ninja -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Debug`
+- Build:
+  `cmake --build build --parallel`
+- Test:
+  `ctest --test-dir build --output-on-failure`
+- Policy:
+  `python3 ci/check_pr_policies.py`
+
+Adapt paths/flags only if repository inspection proves they must differ.
+
+## Missing-Tool Remediation
+If Docker validation fails because a required tool/package is missing:
+- identify the exact missing dependency
+- update `Dockerfile.ci` minimally
+- rebuild `lifemaps/ci-cpp:latest`
+- rerun the full validation sequence
+
+Continue until:
+- validation succeeds, or
+- the next blocker is a genuine project/code issue
+
+## Failure Classification
+Environment failures:
+- command not found
+- missing compiler/toolchain utility
+- missing Qt dev package
+- missing CMake/Ninja/CTest support tool
+- missing dependency required by `ci/check_pr_policies.py`
+
+Project failures:
+- compile errors
+- linker errors
+- failing tests
+- formatting/policy failures caused by migration changes
+
+## Policy Awareness
+- `ci/check_pr_policies.py` checks formatting for changed C/C++ files, expects related tests, and verifies commit-signature conditions in its diff range.
+- Ensure Docker validation runs with mounted workspace and git metadata available.
+- Do not claim success unless the policy script passes.
+
+## Execution Plan
+1. Inspect `${PROJECT_DIR}` and the target tree.
+2. Identify Qt5 and legacy C++ constructs to migrate.
+3. Migrate incrementally in `qt6-after/qt6-migrated-benchmark`.
+4. Add/update tests with each behavior-relevant change.
+5. Update CMake/test registration.
+6. Validate in Docker.
+7. If missing dependencies are found, update `Dockerfile.ci`, rebuild, and rerun.
+8. Repeat until success or a real project defect remains.
+
+## Reporting
+Group change explanations by:
+- CMake / build-system migration
+- Qt API replacements
+- C++ modernization
+- UI/resource preservation
+- tests added
+- `Dockerfile.ci` / container updates
+
+Also provide a concise changed-files summary.
+
+## Completion Criteria
+Success requires:
+- migrated project exists under `qt6-after/qt6-migrated-benchmark`
+- configure succeeds in Docker
+- build succeeds in Docker
+- tests succeed in Docker
+- `python3 ci/check_pr_policies.py` succeeds in Docker after tests pass
+
+## Final Response
+- State whether migration is fully validated or which blocker remains.
+- List the exact Docker commands used for image rebuild, configure, build, test, and policy check.
+- For every failed attempt, include:
+  - exact command
+  - key error
+  - environment vs project classification
+  - fix applied
+- End with a short summary of any remaining blocker.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/scripts/migration-cpp23.prompt b/scripts/migration-cpp23.prompt
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+# GitHub Copilot Repository Instructions: C++ Modernization
+
+## Project Context
+- **Language:** C++
+- **Target Standard:** C++23 (Strict enforcement)
+- **Migration Goal:** Systematically upgrade legacy C++11/C++14/C++17 code to modern C++23 paradigms.
+
+## Core Objective
+Modernize the codebase incrementally and safely. Preserve existing behavior unless the task explicitly requests functional changes. Prefer small, reviewable refactors that improve correctness, safety, readability, and maintainability.
+
+## Global Migration Principles
+- Preserve semantics first; modernize second.
+- Prefer standard C++23 library facilities over custom utilities where equivalent.
+- Favor compile-time validation, explicit ownership, and strong type safety.
+- Reduce boilerplate only when readability improves.
+- Avoid unnecessary churn in code that is already modern and clear.
+- Keep ABI-sensitive or externally exposed interfaces stable unless breaking changes are explicitly allowed.
+- For larger migrations, refactor file-by-file or subsystem-by-subsystem.
+
+## Migration Rules
+
+### 1. Type Inference & Variables
+- Replace explicit types with `auto` where the type is obvious from the initializer.
+- Do not use `auto` when it obscures important type information or changes value/reference semantics unintentionally.
+- Prefer `const auto` and `const auto&` where appropriate.
+- Use structured bindings (`auto [x, y] = ...`) instead of `std::tie`, `.first/.second`, or tuple indexing where it improves clarity.
+- Prefer uniform initialization where appropriate.
+
+### 2. Memory & Resource Management
+- Replace raw owning pointers and manual `delete` with `std::unique_ptr` or `std::shared_ptr`.
+- Prefer `std::unique_ptr` by default; use `std::shared_ptr` only for true shared ownership.
+- Use `std::make_unique` and `std::make_shared`.
+- Enforce RAII for all resource management.
+- Replace manual lifetime management with scoped objects where possible.
+- Distinguish clearly between owning and non-owning access; prefer references, `std::span`, or observer-style usage for non-owning views.
+
+### 3. Containers, Views & Strings
+- Use `std::string_view` for read-only string parameters where lifetime safety is guaranteed.
+- Never introduce dangling `std::string_view`.
+- Replace `if (items.find(key) != items.end())` with `if (items.contains(key))` where supported.
+- Prefer `.starts_with()`, `.ends_with()`, and `.contains()` when they improve readability.
+- Prefer `std::span` for non-owning contiguous views.
+- Use `std::mdspan` for multidimensional indexing only where it meaningfully improves safety or clarity.
+- Prefer standard algorithms and ranges over manual loops when they improve readability and maintainability.
+- Avoid unnecessary copies; prefer move semantics, `emplace`, and views where safe.
+
+### 4. Control Flow & Error Handling
+- Prefer early returns over deep nesting.
+- Use `[[nodiscard]]` for functions whose return values should not be ignored.
+- Modernize `std::optional` usage with `.and_then()`, `.transform()`, and `.or_else()` where this makes the logic clearer.
+- Replace sentinel values with `std::optional`, strong types, or `std::expected` if supported by the project/toolchain.
+- Preserve existing exception guarantees and error behavior unless changes are explicitly requested.
+
+### 5. Formatting & Output
+- Replace `printf` and legacy `<iostream>` console output with `<print>` where toolchain support exists.
+- Use `std::print` and `std::println` for standard console output.
+- If `<print>` is unavailable in the project toolchain, note the limitation and prefer the most modern supported alternative.
+- Do not mix output styles in the same updated code path without a strong reason.
+
+### 6. Compile-Time Optimization & Templates
+- Maximize appropriate use of `constexpr`.
+- Use `consteval` and `constinit` where semantically beneficial.
+- Replace legacy SFINAE / `std::enable_if` with Concepts and `requires` clauses.
+- Use `if constexpr` to simplify compile-time branching.
+- Prefer readable template constraints and diagnostics over complex metaprogramming.
+
+### 7. API & Interface Modernization
+- Add `noexcept` where correct and useful.
+- Use `override` consistently for overridden virtual functions.
+- Use `final` where appropriate.
+- Prefer `= default` and `= delete` for special member functions.
+- Prefer `enum class` over unscoped enums where practical.
+- Replace output parameters with return values or small result structs where this improves clarity and does not break required interfaces.
+
+### 8. Concurrency & Time
+- Prefer modern standard library concurrency primitives.
+- Use `std::jthread` instead of `std::thread` where automatic joining and cancellation semantics are beneficial.
+- Prefer typed `std::chrono` durations and literals over raw integer time values.
+
+## Code Style Enforcement
+- Avoid C-style macros where `constexpr`, `const`, enums, or inline functions are better.
+- Never introduce deprecated or removed standard library facilities.
+- Prefer expressive, self-documenting code over mechanical modernization.
+- Keep includes minimal and correct.
+- Avoid hidden lifetime bugs, dangling references, dangling views, and ownership ambiguity.
+- Preserve repository formatting and local style conventions unless explicitly changing them.
+
+## Safety Constraints
+- Do not change business logic unless explicitly requested.
+- Do not silently alter ownership semantics without calling it out.
+- Do not replace code with newer constructs if the result is harder to read.
+- Do not introduce C++23 features that are unsupported by the project compiler/toolchain.
+- Highlight any modernization that may affect ABI, performance, exception behavior, or object lifetime.
+
+## Review Checklist
+For each proposed migration, verify:
+- Behavior is preserved.
+- Ownership and lifetime are clearer and safer.
+- Readability is improved.
+- Interface compatibility is maintained unless breaking changes are allowed.
+- C++23 features are applied only where beneficial.
+- Toolchain compatibility is respected.
+- Tests and warnings should still pass after the change.
+
+## Expected Copilot Behavior
+When modernizing code:
+1. Start from the existing implementation and refactor incrementally.
+2. Prefer minimal, reviewable patches over broad rewrites.
+3. Briefly explain non-trivial modernizations.
+4. Call out risky or behavior-adjacent changes explicitly.
+5. Provide optional follow-up refactors separately when they are useful but non-essential.
+6. Avoid touching unrelated code.
+
+## Preferred Output Format
+For each migration task, provide:
+- the modernized code,
+- a short rationale,
+- any compatibility/toolchain caveats,
+- and optional next-step improvements.tes