diff --git a/conductor/code_styleguides/python.md b/conductor/code_styleguides/python.md
index 64426732..34d04674 100644
--- a/conductor/code_styleguides/python.md
+++ b/conductor/code_styleguides/python.md
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ The ONLY place these patterns are allowed is at the literal wire boundary — th
 ### 17.8 Enforcement
 
 - `scripts/audit_weak_types.py --strict` — flags `dict[str, Any]`, `Any`, anonymous tuple returns
-- `scripts/audit_optional_returns.py --strict` — flags `Optional[T]` return types in ALL `src/*.py` (post-2026-06-27; was `audit_optional_in_3_files.py` covering 4 baseline files only — old script retained for code_path_audit_20260607 cross-reference contract)
+- `scripts/audit_optional_in_3_files.py --strict` — flags `Optional[T]` return types in the baseline 4 files (`src/mcp_client.py`, `src/ai_client.py`, `src/rag_engine.py`, plus one more). An all-`src/*.py` successor (`audit_optional_returns.py`) is referenced in older planning docs but is NOT yet built — the live script today is `audit_optional_in_3_files.py`.
 - `scripts/audit_imports.py --strict` — flags local imports (§17.9a) + `_PREFIX` aliasing (§17.9b) in all `src/*.py`; reads `scripts/audit_imports_whitelist.toml` for warmed-imports/hot-reload exceptions (use `--no-whitelist` to audit all files; `--show-whitelist` to inspect current whitelist)
 - The new `boundary_layer` audit (planned in `conductor/tracks/cruft_elimination_20260627/spec.md`) — documents every `Metadata` usage with justification
 - Pre-commit: every commit MUST pass all four audits above
@@ -449,7 +449,7 @@ The CORRECT pattern (preferred): promote the type at the boundary. After `cruft_
 | Banned pattern | Audit script | Status |
 |---|---|---|
 | `dict[str, Any]`, `Any`, anonymous tuple returns | `scripts/audit_weak_types.py --strict` | ✅ implemented |
-| `Optional[T]` return types in `src/*.py` | `scripts/audit_optional_returns.py --strict` (successor to `audit_optional_in_3_files.py` 2026-06-27; now scans all `src/*.py`) | ✅ implemented |
+| `Optional[T]` return types in `src/*.py` | `scripts/audit_optional_in_3_files.py --strict` (live; covers the 4 baseline refactored files only — an all-src successor `audit_optional_returns.py` is referenced in older planning docs but is NOT yet built) | ✅ implemented (baseline files only) |
 | Silent swallow (`try/except: pass` or log-only) | `scripts/audit_exception_handling.py --strict` | ✅ implemented |
 | `Metadata` used as `dict[str, Any]` escape hatch | (planned per `conductor/tracks/cruft_elimination_20260627/spec.md` boundary-layer audit) | ⚠️ not yet built |
 | Local imports inside function bodies (outside `try/except ImportError`) | `scripts/audit_imports.py` | ⚠️ not yet built (planned per §17.9a) |
@@ -461,12 +461,12 @@ The CORRECT pattern (preferred): promote the type at the boundary. After `cruft_
 ```bash
 # Run before claiming "done"
 uv run python scripts/audit_weak_types.py
-uv run python scripts/audit_optional_returns.py
+uv run python scripts/audit_optional_in_3_files.py
 uv run python scripts/audit_exception_handling.py
 
 # In CI / pre-commit hook (exit 1 on any violation)
 uv run python scripts/audit_weak_types.py --strict
-uv run python scripts/audit_optional_returns.py --strict
+uv run python scripts/audit_optional_in_3_files.py --strict
 uv run python scripts/audit_exception_handling.py --strict
 ```