diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 87df12e..5c9a416 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -106,6 +106,49 @@ Modes: `database` (default) · `schema` · `table` · `script`
 
 Template functions: string utils (`toCamelCase`, `toSnakeCase`, `pluralize`, …), type converters (`sqlToGo`, `sqlToTypeScript`, …), filters, loop helpers, safe access.
 
+### `job` — Declarative job files
+
+Run named jobs from a `relspec.yml` manifest instead of repeating long command lines.
+
+```bash
+# List jobs discovered in ./relspec.yml and ./relspec.<name>.yml (deterministic)
+relspec job list
+
+# Validate and print the plan without running anything
+relspec job run build-schema --plan
+
+# Run a job (and its declared dependencies)
+relspec job run build-schema
+```
+
+```yaml
+# relspec.yml
+version: 1
+jobs:
+  build-schema:
+    command: convert            # closed allow-list: convert | merge | scripts-list
+    description: Merge the DBML sources and emit PostgreSQL DDL
+    inputs:
+      - path: schema/core.dbml
+        format: dbml
+      - path: schema/tenant.dbml
+        format: dbml
+    output:
+      format: pgsql
+      path: build/schema.sql
+      overwrite: true
+    options:
+      flatten_schema: false
+    logfile: .relspec/log/build-schema.log
+```
+
+The job system is **not** a shell: `command` is a fixed enum, every path is
+resolved relative to the job file and may not escape it, and remote database
+credentials are referenced by environment-variable name (`conn_env:`) and
+redacted from logs. The whole plan — unknown commands/formats, duplicate job
+names, missing inputs, path traversal, dependency cycles — is validated before
+any job runs. See [docs/JOB_FILES.md](docs/JOB_FILES.md).
+
 ### `edit` — Interactive TUI editor
 
 ```bash
diff --git a/cmd/relspec/job.go b/cmd/relspec/job.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2e1af8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/relspec/job.go
@@ -0,0 +1,567 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+
+	"git.warky.dev/wdevs/relspecgo/pkg/jobs"
+	"git.warky.dev/wdevs/relspecgo/pkg/merge"
+	"git.warky.dev/wdevs/relspecgo/pkg/models"
+	"git.warky.dev/wdevs/relspecgo/pkg/readers"
+	"git.warky.dev/wdevs/relspecgo/pkg/readers/sqldir"
+	wpgsql "git.warky.dev/wdevs/relspecgo/pkg/writers/pgsql"
+)
+
+var (
+	jobDir    string
+	jobFiles  []string
+	jobDryRun bool
+	jobNoDeps bool
+)
+
+var jobCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:   "job",
+	Short: "Run declarative RelSpec jobs from job files",
+	Long: `Run named jobs declared in job files instead of repeating command-line arguments.
+
+A job file is a YAML manifest (relspec.yml, or relspec.<name>.yml for extra
+files) describing one or more jobs. Each job names a RelSpec command plus its
+inputs, output and options:
+
+  version: 1
+  jobs:
+    build-schema:
+      command: convert
+      description: Merge the DBML sources and emit PostgreSQL DDL
+      inputs:
+        - path: schema/core.dbml
+          format: dbml
+        - path: schema/tenant.dbml
+          format: dbml
+      output:
+        format: pgsql
+        path: build/schema.sql
+        overwrite: true
+      options:
+        flatten_schema: false
+      logfile: .relspec/log/build-schema.log
+
+Rules and guarantees:
+  - command is a closed allow-list (convert, merge, scripts-list). Arbitrary
+    shell strings are never executed.
+  - Every path is relative to the directory holding the job file and may not
+    escape it. Absolute and home-relative paths are rejected.
+  - Remote database credentials are referenced by environment-variable name
+    via conn_env; connection strings are never stored in the manifest and are
+    redacted from logs and diagnostics.
+  - Discovery and listing are deterministic.
+  - The whole plan is validated - unknown commands/formats, duplicate job
+    names, missing inputs, path traversal, dependency cycles - before any job
+    runs. Nothing is read, written or executed when validation fails.
+  - A failed job propagates the underlying non-zero exit status and writes no
+    success marker.`,
+}
+
+var jobListCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:   "list",
+	Short: "List jobs discovered in job files (deterministic order)",
+	RunE:  runJobList,
+}
+
+var jobRunCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:   "run <job-name>",
+	Short: "Run a named job (and its dependencies) from a job file",
+	Args:  cobra.ExactArgs(1),
+	RunE:  runJobRun,
+}
+
+func init() {
+	for _, c := range []*cobra.Command{jobListCmd, jobRunCmd} {
+		c.Flags().StringVar(&jobDir, "dir", ".", "Directory to discover job files in")
+		c.Flags().StringSliceVar(&jobFiles, "file", nil, "Explicit job file(s) to load (repeatable); disables discovery")
+	}
+	jobRunCmd.Flags().BoolVar(&jobDryRun, "dry-run", false, "Validate and print the execution plan without running anything")
+	jobRunCmd.Flags().BoolVar(&jobDryRun, "plan", false, "Alias for --dry-run")
+	jobRunCmd.Flags().BoolVar(&jobNoDeps, "no-deps", false, "Run only the named job, skipping its declared dependencies")
+
+	jobCmd.AddCommand(jobListCmd)
+	jobCmd.AddCommand(jobRunCmd)
+}
+
+// loadJobSet discovers or loads the requested job files and runs full
+// validation. The returned Set is safe to plan and execute.
+func loadJobSet() (*jobs.Set, error) {
+	paths := jobFiles
+	if len(paths) == 0 {
+		discovered, err := jobs.Discover(jobDir)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		paths = discovered
+	} else {
+		for i, p := range paths {
+			if _, err := os.Stat(p); err != nil {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("job file %q: %w", p, err)
+			}
+			paths[i] = p
+		}
+	}
+	set, err := jobs.Load(paths)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err := set.Validate(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return set, nil
+}
+
+func runJobList(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+	set, err := loadJobSet()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	out := cmd.OutOrStdout()
+
+	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "\n=== RelSpec Jobs ===\n")
+	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Job files:\n")
+	for _, f := range set.Files {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "  - %s\n", f)
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr)
+
+	names := set.Names()
+	if len(names) == 0 {
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, "(no jobs defined)")
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	nameW, cmdW, srcW := len("NAME"), len("COMMAND"), len("SOURCE")
+	for _, n := range names {
+		j := set.Jobs[n]
+		nameW = maxInt(nameW, len(n))
+		cmdW = maxInt(cmdW, len(j.Command))
+		srcW = maxInt(srcW, len(j.SourceFile))
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintf(out, "%-*s  %-*s  %-*s  %s\n", nameW, "NAME", cmdW, "COMMAND", srcW, "SOURCE", "DESCRIPTION")
+	for _, n := range names {
+		j := set.Jobs[n]
+		fmt.Fprintf(out, "%-*s  %-*s  %-*s  %s\n", nameW, n, cmdW, j.Command, srcW, j.SourceFile, j.Description)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func runJobRun(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+	set, err := loadJobSet()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return executeJobPlan(set, args[0], jobDryRun, jobNoDeps, cmd.OutOrStdout())
+}
+
+// executeJobPlan resolves the plan for name, runs pre-flight checks over
+// EVERY job in the plan, and only then executes. When dryRun is set it prints
+// the plan and returns without touching any input, output or database.
+func executeJobPlan(set *jobs.Set, name string, dryRun, noDeps bool, out io.Writer) error {
+	plan, err := set.Plan(name, !noDeps)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// Pre-flight: resolve and check paths, output policy and env vars for the
+	// whole plan before anything runs. A failure here means no job executes.
+	resolved := make([]*resolvedJob, len(plan))
+	for i, j := range plan {
+		rj, perr := preflightJob(j)
+		if perr != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("job %q: %w", j.Name, perr)
+		}
+		resolved[i] = rj
+	}
+
+	if dryRun {
+		fmt.Fprintf(out, "RelSpec job plan for %q (dry run - nothing executed):\n\n", name)
+		for i, rj := range resolved {
+			printResolvedJob(out, i+1, len(resolved), rj)
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	for _, rj := range resolved {
+		if err := executeResolvedJob(rj); err != nil {
+			// Propagate the underlying failure; no success marker is written.
+			return fmt.Errorf("job %q failed: %w", rj.job.Name, err)
+		}
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "\n=== Job %q complete ===\n", name)
+	return nil
+}
+
+// resolvedJob is a job with every manifest path turned into a checked
+// absolute filesystem path and every conn_env resolved to its value.
+type resolvedJob struct {
+	job           *jobs.Job
+	root          string
+	inputs        []resolvedInput
+	scriptDirs    []string
+	outputPath    string // "" when the output is a database
+	outputConn    string // resolved connection string (secret)
+	outputConnEnv string
+	logPath       string
+	secrets       []string // resolved secret values to redact from logs
+}
+
+type resolvedInput struct {
+	format  string
+	path    string // "" when the input is a database
+	conn    string // resolved connection string (secret)
+	connEnv string
+}
+
+func preflightJob(j *jobs.Job) (*resolvedJob, error) {
+	root := j.Dir()
+	rj := &resolvedJob{job: j, root: root}
+
+	if j.Logfile != "" {
+		p, err := jobs.SafeJoin(root, j.Logfile)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("logfile: %w", err)
+		}
+		rj.logPath = p
+	}
+
+	for i, in := range j.Inputs {
+		ri := resolvedInput{format: strings.ToLower(in.Format)}
+		if in.ConnEnv != "" {
+			v, ok := os.LookupEnv(in.ConnEnv)
+			if !ok || v == "" {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("input[%d]: environment variable %q (conn_env) is not set", i, in.ConnEnv)
+			}
+			ri.conn = v
+			ri.connEnv = in.ConnEnv
+			rj.secrets = append(rj.secrets, v)
+		} else {
+			p, err := jobs.SafeJoin(root, in.Path)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("input[%d]: %w", i, err)
+			}
+			info, err := os.Stat(p)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("input[%d]: %s: file not found", i, in.Path)
+			}
+			if info.IsDir() {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("input[%d]: %s: is a directory, not a file", i, in.Path)
+			}
+			ri.path = p
+		}
+		rj.inputs = append(rj.inputs, ri)
+	}
+
+	for _, d := range j.ScriptDirs {
+		p, err := jobs.SafeJoin(root, d)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("script_dir %q: %w", d, err)
+		}
+		info, err := os.Stat(p)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("script_dir %q: not found", d)
+		}
+		if !info.IsDir() {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("script_dir %q: not a directory", d)
+		}
+		rj.scriptDirs = append(rj.scriptDirs, p)
+	}
+
+	if j.Output != nil {
+		if j.Output.ConnEnv != "" {
+			v, ok := os.LookupEnv(j.Output.ConnEnv)
+			if !ok || v == "" {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("output: environment variable %q (conn_env) is not set", j.Output.ConnEnv)
+			}
+			rj.outputConn = v
+			rj.outputConnEnv = j.Output.ConnEnv
+			rj.secrets = append(rj.secrets, v)
+		} else {
+			p, err := jobs.SafeJoin(root, j.Output.Path)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("output: %w", err)
+			}
+			if _, err := os.Stat(p); err == nil && !j.Output.Overwrite {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("output %s already exists (set output.overwrite: true to replace it)", j.Output.Path)
+			}
+			rj.outputPath = p
+		}
+	}
+	return rj, nil
+}
+
+func printResolvedJob(out io.Writer, n, total int, rj *resolvedJob) {
+	j := rj.job
+	fmt.Fprintf(out, "[%d/%d] %s\n", n, total, j.Name)
+	fmt.Fprintf(out, "      command: %s\n", j.Command)
+	if j.Description != "" {
+		fmt.Fprintf(out, "      description: %s\n", j.Description)
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintf(out, "      job file: %s\n", j.SourceFile)
+	for _, ri := range rj.inputs {
+		if ri.path != "" {
+			fmt.Fprintf(out, "      input: %s (%s)\n", ri.path, ri.format)
+		} else {
+			fmt.Fprintf(out, "      input: env:%s (%s)\n", ri.connEnv, ri.format)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, d := range rj.scriptDirs {
+		fmt.Fprintf(out, "      script dir: %s\n", d)
+	}
+	if rj.outputPath != "" {
+		fmt.Fprintf(out, "      output: %s (%s)\n", rj.outputPath, j.Output.Format)
+	} else if rj.outputConnEnv != "" {
+		fmt.Fprintf(out, "      output: env:%s (%s)\n", rj.outputConnEnv, j.Output.Format)
+	}
+	if rj.logPath != "" {
+		fmt.Fprintf(out, "      logfile: %s\n", rj.logPath)
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintln(out)
+}
+
+// executeResolvedJob runs a single already-validated job.
+func executeResolvedJob(rj *resolvedJob) (err error) {
+	lg, closeLog, lerr := newJobLogger(rj.logPath, rj.secrets)
+	if lerr != nil {
+		return lerr
+	}
+	defer func() { closeLog(err) }()
+
+	lg.logf("=== job %q (%s) started at %s ===", rj.job.Name, rj.job.Command, time.Now().Format(time.RFC3339))
+
+	switch rj.job.Command {
+	case jobs.CommandConvert:
+		err = runConvertJob(rj, lg)
+	case jobs.CommandMerge:
+		err = runMergeJob(rj, lg)
+	case jobs.CommandScriptsList:
+		err = runScriptsListJob(rj, lg)
+	default:
+		err = fmt.Errorf("unsupported command %q", rj.job.Command)
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		lg.logf("FAILED: %v", err)
+	} else {
+		lg.logf("OK")
+	}
+	return err
+}
+
+func runConvertJob(rj *resolvedJob, lg *jobLogger) error {
+	db, err := readJobInputs(rj, lg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return writeJobOutput(rj, db, lg)
+}
+
+func runMergeJob(rj *resolvedJob, lg *jobLogger) error {
+	opts := &merge.MergeOptions{
+		SkipDomains:   rj.job.Options.SkipDomains,
+		SkipRelations: rj.job.Options.SkipRelations,
+		SkipEnums:     rj.job.Options.SkipEnums,
+		SkipViews:     rj.job.Options.SkipViews,
+		SkipSequences: rj.job.Options.SkipSequences,
+	}
+	var base *models.Database
+	for i, ri := range rj.inputs {
+		db, err := readOneJobInput(ri)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("input[%d]: %w", i, err)
+		}
+		if base == nil {
+			base = db
+			lg.logf("merge target: %s", inputLabel(ri))
+			continue
+		}
+		lg.logf("merging: %s", inputLabel(ri))
+		merge.MergeDatabases(base, db, opts)
+	}
+	base.UpdateDate()
+	return writeJobOutput(rj, base, lg)
+}
+
+func runScriptsListJob(rj *resolvedJob, lg *jobLogger) error {
+	type row struct {
+		priority int
+		sequence uint
+		name     string
+		dir      string
+		lines    int
+	}
+	var rows []row
+	for _, dir := range rj.scriptDirs {
+		reader := sqldir.NewReader(&readers.ReaderOptions{
+			FilePath: dir,
+			Metadata: map[string]any{
+				"schema_name":   valueOr(rj.job.Options.Schema, "public"),
+				"database_name": "database",
+			},
+		})
+		db, err := reader.ReadDatabase()
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s: %w", dir, err)
+		}
+		if len(db.Schemas) == 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, s := range db.Schemas[0].Scripts {
+			lines := strings.Count(s.SQL, "\n")
+			if len(s.SQL) > 0 && !strings.HasSuffix(s.SQL, "\n") {
+				lines++
+			}
+			rows = append(rows, row{s.Priority, s.Sequence, s.Name, dir, lines})
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Slice(rows, func(i, j int) bool {
+		if rows[i].priority != rows[j].priority {
+			return rows[i].priority < rows[j].priority
+		}
+		if rows[i].sequence != rows[j].sequence {
+			return rows[i].sequence < rows[j].sequence
+		}
+		if rows[i].name != rows[j].name {
+			return rows[i].name < rows[j].name
+		}
+		return rows[i].dir < rows[j].dir
+	})
+	lg.logf("found %d script(s) across %d director(y/ies):", len(rows), len(rj.scriptDirs))
+	lg.logf("%-4s %-9s %-9s %-30s %-6s %s", "No.", "Priority", "Sequence", "Name", "Lines", "Directory")
+	for i, r := range rows {
+		lg.logf("%-4d %-9d %-9d %-30s %-6d %s", i+1, r.priority, r.sequence, r.name, r.lines, r.dir)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// readJobInputs reads every input and additively merges them into one model.
+func readJobInputs(rj *resolvedJob, lg *jobLogger) (*models.Database, error) {
+	var base *models.Database
+	for i, ri := range rj.inputs {
+		db, err := readOneJobInput(ri)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("input[%d]: %w", i, err)
+		}
+		lg.logf("read input: %s", inputLabel(ri))
+		if base == nil {
+			base = db
+		} else {
+			merge.MergeDatabases(base, db, &merge.MergeOptions{})
+		}
+	}
+	if base == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("no inputs produced a database")
+	}
+	return base, nil
+}
+
+func readOneJobInput(ri resolvedInput) (*models.Database, error) {
+	if ri.conn != "" {
+		return readDatabaseForConvert(ri.format, "", ri.conn)
+	}
+	return readDatabaseForConvert(ri.format, ri.path, "")
+}
+
+func inputLabel(ri resolvedInput) string {
+	if ri.path != "" {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%s (%s)", ri.path, ri.format)
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("env:%s (%s)", ri.connEnv, ri.format)
+}
+
+// writeJobOutput writes db to the job's output target (file or database).
+func writeJobOutput(rj *resolvedJob, db *models.Database, lg *jobLogger) error {
+	o := rj.job.Options
+	format := strings.ToLower(rj.job.Output.Format)
+
+	if rj.outputConn != "" {
+		if format != "pgsql" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("database output is only supported for pgsql (got %q)", rj.job.Output.Format)
+		}
+		lg.logf("writing output to database env:%s", rj.outputConnEnv)
+		writerOpts := newWriterOptions("", o.Package, o.FlattenSchema, "", "", o.ContinueOnError)
+		writerOpts.Metadata = map[string]interface{}{"connection_string": rj.outputConn}
+		return wpgsql.NewWriter(writerOpts).WriteDatabase(db)
+	}
+
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(rj.outputPath), 0o755); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create output directory: %w", err)
+	}
+	lg.logf("writing output: %s (%s)", rj.outputPath, format)
+	return writeDatabase(db, format, rj.outputPath, o.Package, o.Schema, o.FlattenSchema, "", "", o.ContinueOnError, "")
+}
+
+// --- logging + redaction ---------------------------------------------------
+
+type jobLogger struct {
+	file    io.Writer
+	secrets []string
+}
+
+// newJobLogger returns a logger that mirrors to stderr and, when path is set,
+// to a job logfile. Connection strings and known secret values are redacted
+// from everything it writes.
+func newJobLogger(path string, secrets []string) (*jobLogger, func(err error), error) {
+	lg := &jobLogger{secrets: secrets}
+	if path == "" {
+		return lg, func(error) {}, nil
+	}
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(path), 0o755); err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create log directory: %w", err)
+	}
+	f, err := os.OpenFile(path, os.O_CREATE|os.O_WRONLY|os.O_APPEND, 0o644)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to open logfile %q: %w", path, err)
+	}
+	lg.file = f
+	return lg, func(runErr error) {
+		if runErr != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(f, "%s job ended with error\n", time.Now().Format(time.RFC3339))
+		}
+		_ = f.Close()
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func (l *jobLogger) logf(format string, args ...interface{}) {
+	line := l.redact(fmt.Sprintf(format, args...))
+	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "      %s\n", line)
+	if l.file != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(l.file, "%s %s\n", time.Now().Format(time.RFC3339), line)
+	}
+}
+
+func (l *jobLogger) redact(s string) string {
+	for _, sec := range l.secrets {
+		if sec != "" {
+			s = strings.ReplaceAll(s, sec, "***")
+		}
+	}
+	return maskPassword(s)
+}
+
+// --- small helpers -------------------------------------------------------
+
+func maxInt(a, b int) int {
+	if a > b {
+		return a
+	}
+	return b
+}
+
+func valueOr(v, def string) string {
+	if v == "" {
+		return def
+	}
+	return v
+}
diff --git a/cmd/relspec/job_test.go b/cmd/relspec/job_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2743847
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/relspec/job_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,377 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+
+	"git.warky.dev/wdevs/relspecgo/pkg/jobs"
+)
+
+func writeFile(t *testing.T, path, content string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(path), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(path, []byte(content), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+}
+
+// jobFixture creates a job-file project with two DBML sources and returns the
+// project directory.
+func jobFixture(t *testing.T, manifest string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	writeFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "schema", "core.dbml"), "Table users {\n  id int [pk]\n  name varchar\n}\n")
+	writeFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "schema", "tenant.dbml"), "Table posts {\n  id int [pk]\n  title varchar\n}\n")
+	writeFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "relspec.yml"), manifest)
+	return dir
+}
+
+func mustLoadSet(t *testing.T, files ...string) *jobs.Set {
+	t.Helper()
+	set, err := jobs.Load(files)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("load: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := set.Validate(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("validate: %v", err)
+	}
+	return set
+}
+
+const convertMergeManifest = `version: 1
+jobs:
+  build-schema:
+    command: convert
+    description: Merge DBML sources to PostgreSQL DDL
+    inputs:
+      - path: schema/core.dbml
+        format: dbml
+      - path: schema/tenant.dbml
+        format: dbml
+    output:
+      format: pgsql
+      path: build/schema.sql
+      overwrite: true
+    logfile: .relspec/log/build.log
+`
+
+func TestJobRun_ConvertMultiFileMerge(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := jobFixture(t, convertMergeManifest)
+	set := mustLoadSet(t, filepath.Join(dir, "relspec.yml"))
+
+	if err := executeJobPlan(set, "build-schema", false, false, &bytes.Buffer{}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("executeJobPlan: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	out, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "build", "schema.sql"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected output file: %v", err)
+	}
+	sql := string(out)
+	if !strings.Contains(sql, "users") || !strings.Contains(sql, "posts") {
+		t.Fatalf("merged output missing tables:\n%s", sql)
+	}
+
+	logData, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, ".relspec", "log", "build.log"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected logfile: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(string(logData), "OK") {
+		t.Fatalf("logfile missing success marker:\n%s", logData)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestJobRun_DryRunDoesNotExecute(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := jobFixture(t, convertMergeManifest)
+	set := mustLoadSet(t, filepath.Join(dir, "relspec.yml"))
+
+	var buf bytes.Buffer
+	if err := executeJobPlan(set, "build-schema", true, false, &buf); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("dry run error: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(buf.String(), "dry run") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected dry-run banner, got: %s", buf.String())
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(dir, "build", "schema.sql")); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Fatal("dry run must not create the output file")
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(dir, ".relspec", "log", "build.log")); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Fatal("dry run must not create the logfile")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestJobRun_ValidationFailureNoExecution(t *testing.T) {
+	badManifest := `version: 1
+jobs:
+  evil:
+    command: convert
+    inputs:
+      - path: ../../../etc/passwd
+        format: dbml
+    output:
+      format: json
+      path: build/out.json
+    logfile: .relspec/evil.log
+`
+	dir := jobFixture(t, badManifest)
+	if _, err := jobs.Load([]string{filepath.Join(dir, "relspec.yml")}); err != nil {
+		// structural load ok; validation should reject
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected load error: %v", err)
+	}
+	set, _ := jobs.Load([]string{filepath.Join(dir, "relspec.yml")})
+	if err := set.Validate(); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected validation failure for path traversal")
+	}
+	// Nothing should have been produced.
+	if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(dir, "build")); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Fatal("validation failure must not create output dir")
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(dir, ".relspec")); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Fatal("validation failure must not create logfile dir")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestJobRun_MissingInputNoExecution(t *testing.T) {
+	manifest := `version: 1
+jobs:
+  x:
+    command: convert
+    inputs:
+      - path: schema/does-not-exist.dbml
+        format: dbml
+    output:
+      format: json
+      path: build/out.json
+    logfile: .relspec/x.log
+`
+	dir := jobFixture(t, manifest)
+	set := mustLoadSet(t, filepath.Join(dir, "relspec.yml"))
+
+	err := executeJobPlan(set, "x", false, false, &bytes.Buffer{})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "not found") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected missing-input error, got %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(dir, "build")); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Fatal("missing input must not create output dir")
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(dir, ".relspec")); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Fatal("missing input must not create logfile")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestJobRun_MissingConnEnvNoExecution(t *testing.T) {
+	manifest := `version: 1
+jobs:
+  remote:
+    command: convert
+    inputs:
+      - format: pgsql
+        conn_env: RELSPEC_TEST_MISSING_CONN
+    output:
+      format: json
+      path: build/out.json
+    logfile: .relspec/remote.log
+`
+	dir := jobFixture(t, manifest)
+	os.Unsetenv("RELSPEC_TEST_MISSING_CONN")
+	set := mustLoadSet(t, filepath.Join(dir, "relspec.yml"))
+
+	err := executeJobPlan(set, "remote", false, false, &bytes.Buffer{})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "conn_env") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected missing conn_env error, got %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(dir, ".relspec")); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Fatal("missing conn_env must not create logfile")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestJobRun_ExitCodePropagation(t *testing.T) {
+	// gorm output without options.package makes the underlying writer fail.
+	manifest := `version: 1
+jobs:
+  fail:
+    command: convert
+    inputs:
+      - path: schema/core.dbml
+        format: dbml
+    output:
+      format: gorm
+      path: build/models
+      overwrite: true
+    logfile: .relspec/fail.log
+`
+	dir := jobFixture(t, manifest)
+	set := mustLoadSet(t, filepath.Join(dir, "relspec.yml"))
+
+	err := executeJobPlan(set, "fail", false, false, &bytes.Buffer{})
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected underlying failure to propagate")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "job \"fail\" failed") {
+		t.Fatalf("error should identify the failing job: %v", err)
+	}
+	// Logfile records the failure and no misleading success marker.
+	logData, _ := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, ".relspec", "fail.log"))
+	if strings.Contains(string(logData), "\nOK\n") || strings.HasSuffix(strings.TrimSpace(string(logData)), "OK") {
+		t.Fatalf("failed job must not log OK:\n%s", logData)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(string(logData), "FAILED") {
+		t.Fatalf("failed job should log FAILED:\n%s", logData)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestJobRun_DependencyChainExecutes(t *testing.T) {
+	manifest := `version: 1
+jobs:
+  a:
+    command: convert
+    inputs:
+      - path: schema/core.dbml
+        format: dbml
+    output:
+      format: json
+      path: build/a.json
+      overwrite: true
+  b:
+    command: convert
+    depends_on: [a]
+    inputs:
+      - path: schema/tenant.dbml
+        format: dbml
+    output:
+      format: json
+      path: build/b.json
+      overwrite: true
+`
+	dir := jobFixture(t, manifest)
+	set := mustLoadSet(t, filepath.Join(dir, "relspec.yml"))
+
+	if err := executeJobPlan(set, "b", false, false, &bytes.Buffer{}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("executeJobPlan: %v", err)
+	}
+	for _, f := range []string{"a.json", "b.json"} {
+		if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(dir, "build", f)); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("expected %s to be produced: %v", f, err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestJobRun_ScriptsListMultipleDirs(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	writeFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "migrations", "core", "1_001_create_users.sql"), "CREATE TABLE users();\n")
+	writeFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "migrations", "tenant", "1_002_create_posts.sql"), "CREATE TABLE posts();\n")
+	writeFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "migrations", "tenant", "2_001_add_index.sql"), "CREATE INDEX x ON posts(id);\n")
+	manifest := `version: 1
+jobs:
+  list-all:
+    command: scripts-list
+    script_dirs:
+      - migrations/core
+      - migrations/tenant
+    logfile: .relspec/scripts.log
+`
+	writeFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "relspec.yml"), manifest)
+	set := mustLoadSet(t, filepath.Join(dir, "relspec.yml"))
+
+	if err := executeJobPlan(set, "list-all", false, false, &bytes.Buffer{}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("executeJobPlan: %v", err)
+	}
+	logData, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, ".relspec", "scripts.log"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	s := string(logData)
+	iUsers := strings.Index(s, "create_users")
+	iPosts := strings.Index(s, "create_posts")
+	iIndex := strings.Index(s, "add_index")
+	if iUsers < 0 || iPosts < 0 || iIndex < 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected all scripts listed:\n%s", s)
+	}
+	if !(iUsers < iPosts && iPosts < iIndex) {
+		t.Fatalf("scripts not in priority/sequence order:\n%s", s)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(s, "found 3 script(s) across 2") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected multi-directory summary:\n%s", s)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestJobRun_ConnEnvRedactedInPlan(t *testing.T) {
+	manifest := `version: 1
+jobs:
+  remote:
+    command: convert
+    inputs:
+      - format: pgsql
+        conn_env: RELSPEC_TEST_PLAN_CONN
+    output:
+      format: json
+      path: build/out.json
+`
+	dir := jobFixture(t, manifest)
+	secret := "postgres://user:supersecret@db.example/app"
+	t.Setenv("RELSPEC_TEST_PLAN_CONN", secret)
+	set := mustLoadSet(t, filepath.Join(dir, "relspec.yml"))
+
+	var buf bytes.Buffer
+	if err := executeJobPlan(set, "remote", true, false, &buf); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("dry run: %v", err)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(buf.String(), "supersecret") || strings.Contains(buf.String(), secret) {
+		t.Fatalf("plan leaked secret:\n%s", buf.String())
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(buf.String(), "env:RELSPEC_TEST_PLAN_CONN") {
+		t.Fatalf("plan should reference the env var name:\n%s", buf.String())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestJobLogger_Redaction(t *testing.T) {
+	lg := &jobLogger{secrets: []string{"topsecret"}}
+	got := lg.redact("connecting with password topsecret and postgres://u:p@h/db")
+	if strings.Contains(got, "topsecret") {
+		t.Fatalf("secret not redacted: %q", got)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(got, "***") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected redaction marker: %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestJobList_DeterministicOutput(t *testing.T) {
+	manifest := `version: 1
+jobs:
+  zebra:
+    command: convert
+    inputs: [{path: schema/core.dbml, format: dbml}]
+    output: {format: json, path: build/z.json}
+  alpha:
+    command: convert
+    inputs: [{path: schema/core.dbml, format: dbml}]
+    output: {format: json, path: build/a.json}
+`
+	dir := jobFixture(t, manifest)
+
+	run := func() string {
+		jobDir = dir
+		jobFiles = nil
+		cmd := &cobra.Command{}
+		var buf bytes.Buffer
+		cmd.SetOut(&buf)
+		if err := runJobList(cmd, nil); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("runJobList: %v", err)
+		}
+		return buf.String()
+	}
+	first := run()
+	if strings.Index(first, "alpha") > strings.Index(first, "zebra") {
+		t.Fatalf("jobs not sorted:\n%s", first)
+	}
+	if first != run() {
+		t.Fatal("job list output not deterministic")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/cmd/relspec/root.go b/cmd/relspec/root.go
index df46d41..1e4980c 100644
--- a/cmd/relspec/root.go
+++ b/cmd/relspec/root.go
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ func init() {
 	rootCmd.AddCommand(diffCmd)
 	rootCmd.AddCommand(inspectCmd)
 	rootCmd.AddCommand(scriptsCmd)
+	rootCmd.AddCommand(jobCmd)
 	rootCmd.AddCommand(assetsCmd)
 	rootCmd.AddCommand(templCmd)
 	rootCmd.AddCommand(editCmd)
diff --git a/docs/JOB_FILES.md b/docs/JOB_FILES.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8aca67
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/JOB_FILES.md
@@ -0,0 +1,223 @@
+# RelSpec Job Files
+
+Job files let you declare named, repeatable RelSpec workflows in YAML and run
+them with `relspec job run <name>` instead of retyping long command lines.
+
+```bash
+relspec job list                     # deterministic list of discovered jobs
+relspec job run build-schema --plan  # validate + print plan, execute nothing
+relspec job run build-schema         # run the job (and its dependencies)
+```
+
+## Design contract (first release)
+
+This is the smallest coherent contract that is safe and useful end to end.
+Anything not listed under "Supported" is intentionally deferred.
+
+### Not a shell
+
+`command` is a **closed allow-list**. There is no field anywhere that accepts a
+shell string, an executable path, or arbitrary arguments. Adding a new command
+means adding a vetted adapter in the RelSpec source.
+
+| command        | what it does                                                        |
+|----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
+| `convert`      | read one or more input schemas, additively merge them, write one output |
+| `merge`        | like `convert` but requires ≥2 inputs and exposes `skip_*` merge options |
+| `scripts-list` | deterministically list SQL scripts across one or more directories   |
+
+Deferred (documented, not implemented here): `scripts` execution against a live
+database, `split`, `inspect`, `diff`, `templ`, job-to-job output wiring,
+log rotation/retention. Live SQL execution already exists as
+`relspec scripts execute`; wiring it into the job runner is a follow-up because
+it needs live database credentials and cannot be covered by offline tests.
+
+### Discovery and precedence
+
+`relspec job` (no `--file`) scans `--dir` (default `.`) for:
+
+1. `relspec.yml` / `relspec.yaml` (the default file), then
+2. `relspec.<name>.yml` / `relspec.<name>.yaml` (extra files),
+
+each group sorted lexically. Order is stable across runs. Use `--file <path>`
+(repeatable) to load explicit files and skip discovery.
+
+All discovered/selected files are merged into one job namespace. A job name
+defined by **more than one file is a hard error** naming both files. YAML maps
+already forbid duplicate keys within a single file.
+
+### Paths
+
+* Every path (`inputs[].path`, `output.path`, `script_dirs[]`, `logfile`) is
+  **relative to the directory containing the job file that declared the job**,
+  not the process working directory.
+* Absolute paths, `~`-relative paths and any path that resolves outside the job
+  file directory (`../`, `a/../../b`, …) are **rejected during validation** —
+  before anything runs.
+
+### Credentials
+
+* Database inputs (`format: pgsql` / `mssql`) and database execution outputs
+  (`format: pgsql` with `conn_env`) reference an **environment variable name**
+  via `conn_env:`. The connection string itself is never stored in the
+  manifest.
+* A `conn_env` value that looks like a connection string (contains `:`, `/`,
+  `@`, `=`, spaces) is rejected.
+* Missing/empty environment variables are reported during pre-flight, before
+  execution.
+* Job logs and `--plan` output show `env:<NAME>`, never the value. Resolved
+  secret values and anything matching a connection-string password are
+  redacted (`***`) from the logfile and diagnostics.
+
+### Validation happens before execution
+
+`relspec job list` and `relspec job run` both fully validate the selected set
+first. Nothing is read, written, connected to, or executed if validation fails.
+Checks include:
+
+* schema `version` (must be `1`), unknown YAML fields rejected
+* duplicate job names across files
+* unknown / missing `command`
+* per-command input/output shape (`convert`/`merge` need inputs + output;
+  `scripts-list` needs `script_dirs` and forbids inputs/output)
+* unknown input/output `format`
+* path traversal / absolute / home-relative paths
+* `depends_on` targets exist
+* dependency cycles (reported as `a -> b -> c -> a`)
+
+Then, immediately before running, per-job pre-flight resolves paths and checks:
+
+* every input file exists and is a file
+* every `script_dir` exists and is a directory
+* every `conn_env` variable is set
+* `output.path` does not already exist unless `output.overwrite: true`
+
+If any pre-flight check fails for **any** job in the plan, **no** job runs.
+
+### Execution and exit codes
+
+* `relspec job run <name>` runs the job's `depends_on` closure first, in
+  topological order (deterministic), then the job. `--no-deps` runs only the
+  named job.
+* `--dry-run` (alias `--plan`) prints the resolved plan and exits 0 without
+  touching inputs, outputs or databases.
+* A failing job returns the underlying non-zero status (the process exits 1)
+  and the error names the job. The logfile records `FAILED: <error>`; a
+  successful job records `OK`. No separate success-marker file is written, so a
+  failure can never leave a stale "success".
+
+## Schema reference
+
+```yaml
+version: 1                       # required, must be 1
+jobs:
+  <job-name>:
+    command: convert | merge | scripts-list   # required
+    description: "free text"                   # optional, shown by `job list`
+    depends_on: [other-job, ...]               # optional
+    inputs:                                    # convert (≥1) / merge (≥2)
+      - path: relative/file.dbml               # file inputs
+        format: dbml
+      - format: pgsql                          # live-connection inputs
+        conn_env: SOURCE_DB_URL                # env var NAME
+    script_dirs:                               # scripts-list (≥1)
+      - migrations/core
+      - migrations/tenant
+    output:                                    # convert / merge (required)
+      format: pgsql
+      path: build/schema.sql                   # file output, OR:
+      conn_env: TARGET_DB_URL                  # execute against DB (pgsql only)
+      overwrite: false                         # default false
+    options:
+      flatten_schema: false
+      schema: public
+      package: models                          # for gorm/bun output
+      continue_on_error: false                 # pgsql output
+      skip_relations: false                    # merge only
+      skip_enums: false
+      skip_views: false
+      skip_domains: false
+      skip_sequences: false
+    logfile: .relspec/log/<job-name>.log       # optional; appended to
+```
+
+### Supported input formats
+
+`dbml`, `dctx`, `drawdb`, `graphql`, `json`, `yaml`, `gorm`, `bun`, `drizzle`,
+`prisma`, `typeorm`, `sqlite` (file, via `path`); `pgsql`, `mssql`
+(live, via `conn_env`).
+
+### Supported output formats
+
+`dbml`, `dctx`, `drawdb`, `graphql`, `json`, `yaml`, `gorm`, `bun`, `drizzle`,
+`prisma`, `typeorm`, `pgsql`, `mssql`, `sqlite` (file, via `path`); `pgsql` also
+supports `conn_env` to execute the generated DDL against a live database.
+
+## Examples
+
+### Merge many schema files, emit PostgreSQL DDL
+
+```yaml
+version: 1
+jobs:
+  build-schema:
+    command: convert
+    inputs:
+      - { path: schema/core.dbml, format: dbml }
+      - { path: schema/billing.dbml, format: dbml }
+      - { path: schema/tenant.dbml, format: dbml }
+    output:
+      format: pgsql
+      path: build/schema.sql
+      overwrite: true
+    logfile: .relspec/log/build-schema.log
+```
+
+### Multiple script directories
+
+```yaml
+version: 1
+jobs:
+  migration-order:
+    command: scripts-list
+    script_dirs:
+      - migrations/core
+      - migrations/tenant
+      - migrations/reporting
+    logfile: .relspec/log/migration-order.log
+```
+
+### Job depending on another job
+
+```yaml
+version: 1
+jobs:
+  build-schema:
+    command: convert
+    inputs:
+      - { path: schema/core.dbml, format: dbml }
+      - { path: schema/tenant.dbml, format: dbml }
+    output: { format: json, path: build/schema.json, overwrite: true }
+  build-docs:
+    command: convert
+    depends_on: [build-schema]
+    inputs:
+      - { path: schema/core.dbml, format: dbml }
+    output: { format: yaml, path: build/schema.yaml, overwrite: true }
+```
+
+### Reading from a remote database
+
+```yaml
+version: 1
+jobs:
+  snapshot-prod:
+    command: convert
+    inputs:
+      - format: pgsql
+        conn_env: PROD_DB_URL      # export PROD_DB_URL=postgres://...
+    output:
+      format: dbml
+      path: snapshots/prod.dbml
+      overwrite: true
+```
diff --git a/examples/jobs/.gitignore b/examples/jobs/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9c9128a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/jobs/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# Generated by `relspec job run` in this example project.
+/build/
+/.relspec/
diff --git a/examples/jobs/migrations/core/1_001_create_users.sql b/examples/jobs/migrations/core/1_001_create_users.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5d57733
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/jobs/migrations/core/1_001_create_users.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+CREATE TABLE users (
+    id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY,
+    email VARCHAR NOT NULL UNIQUE
+);
diff --git a/examples/jobs/migrations/tenant/1_002_create_posts.sql b/examples/jobs/migrations/tenant/1_002_create_posts.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f4f6686
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/jobs/migrations/tenant/1_002_create_posts.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+CREATE TABLE posts (
+    id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY,
+    user_id INT NOT NULL REFERENCES users(id),
+    title VARCHAR NOT NULL
+);
diff --git a/examples/jobs/migrations/tenant/2_001_add_posts_user_idx.sql b/examples/jobs/migrations/tenant/2_001_add_posts_user_idx.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9a070b7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/jobs/migrations/tenant/2_001_add_posts_user_idx.sql
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+CREATE INDEX posts_user_id_idx ON posts(user_id);
diff --git a/examples/jobs/relspec.yml b/examples/jobs/relspec.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..64c6452
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/jobs/relspec.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+# Example RelSpec job file. See docs/JOB_FILES.md for the full reference.
+#
+#   cd examples/jobs
+#   relspec job list
+#   relspec job run build-schema --plan
+#   relspec job run build-schema
+version: 1
+jobs:
+  build-schema:
+    command: convert
+    description: Merge the DBML sources and emit PostgreSQL DDL
+    inputs:
+      - path: schema/core.dbml
+        format: dbml
+      - path: schema/tenant.dbml
+        format: dbml
+    output:
+      format: pgsql
+      path: build/schema.sql
+      overwrite: true
+    options:
+      flatten_schema: false
+    logfile: .relspec/log/build-schema.log
+
+  build-json:
+    command: convert
+    description: Also emit a JSON schema once build-schema succeeds
+    depends_on: [build-schema]
+    inputs:
+      - path: schema/core.dbml
+        format: dbml
+      - path: schema/tenant.dbml
+        format: dbml
+    output:
+      format: json
+      path: build/schema.json
+      overwrite: true
+
+  migration-order:
+    command: scripts-list
+    description: Show the combined execution order across script directories
+    script_dirs:
+      - migrations/core
+      - migrations/tenant
+    logfile: .relspec/log/migration-order.log
diff --git a/examples/jobs/schema/core.dbml b/examples/jobs/schema/core.dbml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5744c6b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/jobs/schema/core.dbml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+Table users {
+  id int [pk, increment]
+  email varchar [not null, unique]
+  created_at timestamp
+}
diff --git a/examples/jobs/schema/tenant.dbml b/examples/jobs/schema/tenant.dbml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7fd78de
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/jobs/schema/tenant.dbml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+Table posts {
+  id int [pk, increment]
+  user_id int [not null, ref: > users.id]
+  title varchar [not null]
+  body text
+}
diff --git a/pkg/jobs/jobs.go b/pkg/jobs/jobs.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6e29dab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/jobs/jobs.go
@@ -0,0 +1,517 @@
+// Package jobs implements RelSpec declarative job files.
+//
+// A job file is a small YAML manifest that names one or more jobs and,
+// for each job, the RelSpec command to run plus its inputs, output and
+// options. It lets users run "relspec job run build-schema" instead of
+// repeating long command lines.
+//
+// The job-file system is deliberately NOT a shell: "command" is a closed
+// enum of vetted RelSpec workflows, every path is resolved relative to the
+// directory holding the job file and may not escape it, and remote database
+// credentials are referenced by environment-variable name only - never
+// embedded in the manifest. All discovery, parsing and validation in this
+// package is side-effect free; nothing here reads input schemas, opens
+// database connections or writes output. Execution lives in the CLI layer
+// and only runs after Validate and the caller's pre-flight checks pass.
+package jobs
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+
+	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
+)
+
+// SchemaVersion is the only job-file schema version this build understands.
+const SchemaVersion = 1
+
+// Command names are a closed allow-list. Arbitrary strings are rejected.
+const (
+	CommandConvert     = "convert"      // read one or more schema files, optionally merge, write one output
+	CommandMerge       = "merge"        // additive merge of two or more schema files into one output
+	CommandScriptsList = "scripts-list" // deterministically list SQL scripts across one or more directories
+)
+
+// SupportedCommands lists every accepted command, in help order.
+var SupportedCommands = []string{CommandConvert, CommandMerge, CommandScriptsList}
+
+// readerFormats are the file-based input formats a job may declare (path).
+var readerFormats = map[string]bool{
+	"dbml": true, "dctx": true, "drawdb": true, "graphql": true, "json": true,
+	"yaml": true, "gorm": true, "bun": true, "drizzle": true, "prisma": true,
+	"typeorm": true, "sqlite": true,
+}
+
+// inputDBFormats are input formats that can only come from a live connection,
+// referenced by conn_env.
+var inputDBFormats = map[string]bool{"pgsql": true, "mssql": true}
+
+// writerFormats are the output formats a job may declare.
+var writerFormats = map[string]bool{
+	"dbml": true, "dctx": true, "drawdb": true, "graphql": true, "json": true,
+	"yaml": true, "gorm": true, "bun": true, "drizzle": true, "prisma": true,
+	"typeorm": true, "pgsql": true, "mssql": true, "sqlite": true,
+}
+
+// execOutputFormats are output formats for which conn_env (execute against a
+// live database) is supported instead of writing a file.
+var execOutputFormats = map[string]bool{"pgsql": true}
+
+// File is the on-disk shape of a single job file.
+type File struct {
+	Version int             `yaml:"version"`
+	Jobs    map[string]*Job `yaml:"jobs"`
+}
+
+// Job is one named job within a job file.
+type Job struct {
+	// Name and SourceFile are populated by Load, not parsed from YAML.
+	Name       string `yaml:"-"`
+	SourceFile string `yaml:"-"`
+
+	Command     string   `yaml:"command"`
+	Description string   `yaml:"description"`
+	DependsOn   []string `yaml:"depends_on"`
+	Inputs      []Input  `yaml:"inputs"`
+	ScriptDirs  []string `yaml:"script_dirs"`
+	Output      *Output  `yaml:"output"`
+	Options     Options  `yaml:"options"`
+	Logfile     string   `yaml:"logfile"`
+}
+
+// Input is one declared input schema.
+type Input struct {
+	Path string `yaml:"path"`
+	// Format is the RelSpec reader format (dbml, json, yaml, pgsql, ...).
+	Format string `yaml:"format"`
+	// ConnEnv is the NAME of an environment variable holding a connection
+	// string, used with database formats. The value is never stored here.
+	ConnEnv string `yaml:"conn_env"`
+}
+
+// Output is the declared output target.
+type Output struct {
+	Format    string `yaml:"format"`
+	Path      string `yaml:"path"`
+	ConnEnv   string `yaml:"conn_env"`
+	Overwrite bool   `yaml:"overwrite"`
+}
+
+// Options carries the subset of command flags a job file may set.
+type Options struct {
+	FlattenSchema   bool   `yaml:"flatten_schema"`
+	Schema          string `yaml:"schema"`
+	Package         string `yaml:"package"`
+	ContinueOnError bool   `yaml:"continue_on_error"`
+	SkipRelations   bool   `yaml:"skip_relations"`
+	SkipEnums       bool   `yaml:"skip_enums"`
+	SkipViews       bool   `yaml:"skip_views"`
+	SkipDomains     bool   `yaml:"skip_domains"`
+	SkipSequences   bool   `yaml:"skip_sequences"`
+}
+
+// Dir returns the directory that a job's relative paths resolve against:
+// the directory containing the job file that declared it.
+func (j *Job) Dir() string { return filepath.Dir(j.SourceFile) }
+
+// Set is the merged view of all discovered/selected job files.
+type Set struct {
+	// Files is the sorted list of job files that contributed jobs.
+	Files []string
+	// Jobs is keyed by job name.
+	Jobs map[string]*Job
+}
+
+// Names returns all job names in deterministic (sorted) order.
+func (s *Set) Names() []string {
+	names := make([]string, 0, len(s.Jobs))
+	for n := range s.Jobs {
+		names = append(names, n)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(names)
+	return names
+}
+
+// Discover returns the job files in dir in deterministic order. The default
+// file "relspec.yml"/"relspec.yaml" sorts first, followed by named files
+// "relspec.<name>.yml"/"relspec.<name>.yaml" in lexical order.
+func Discover(dir string) ([]string, error) {
+	if dir == "" {
+		dir = "."
+	}
+	entries, err := os.ReadDir(dir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to read directory %q: %w", dir, err)
+	}
+	var defaults, named []string
+	for _, e := range entries {
+		if e.IsDir() {
+			continue
+		}
+		name := e.Name()
+		if !isJobFileName(name) {
+			continue
+		}
+		full := filepath.Join(dir, name)
+		if name == "relspec.yml" || name == "relspec.yaml" {
+			defaults = append(defaults, full)
+		} else {
+			named = append(named, full)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Strings(defaults)
+	sort.Strings(named)
+	return append(defaults, named...), nil
+}
+
+func isJobFileName(name string) bool {
+	for _, ext := range []string{".yml", ".yaml"} {
+		if name == "relspec"+ext {
+			return true
+		}
+		if strings.HasPrefix(name, "relspec.") && strings.HasSuffix(name, ext) {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// Load parses every path, rejects unknown fields and unsupported versions,
+// and merges all jobs into one Set. A job name defined by more than one file
+// is a hard error. Load performs structural checks only; call Validate for
+// full semantic validation.
+func Load(paths []string) (*Set, error) {
+	if len(paths) == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("no job files found (looked for relspec.yml / relspec.<name>.yml)")
+	}
+	set := &Set{Jobs: map[string]*Job{}}
+	origin := map[string]string{} // job name -> first file that defined it
+
+	for _, path := range paths {
+		data, err := os.ReadFile(path)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to read job file %q: %w", path, err)
+		}
+		dec := yaml.NewDecoder(strings.NewReader(string(data)))
+		dec.KnownFields(true)
+		var f File
+		if err := dec.Decode(&f); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid job file %q: %w", path, err)
+		}
+		if f.Version != SchemaVersion {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("job file %q: unsupported version %d (expected %d)", path, f.Version, SchemaVersion)
+		}
+		if len(f.Jobs) == 0 {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("job file %q: no jobs defined", path)
+		}
+		for name, job := range f.Jobs {
+			if job == nil {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("job file %q: job %q is empty", path, name)
+			}
+			if prev, dup := origin[name]; dup {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("duplicate job %q defined in both %q and %q", name, prev, path)
+			}
+			job.Name = name
+			job.SourceFile = path
+			origin[name] = path
+			set.Jobs[name] = job
+		}
+		set.Files = append(set.Files, path)
+	}
+	return set, nil
+}
+
+// Validate runs full semantic validation over the whole set and returns a
+// single error describing every problem found. It never touches the
+// filesystem beyond what Load already read; existence of input files and
+// environment variables is checked by the caller immediately before
+// execution.
+func (s *Set) Validate() error {
+	var errs []string
+	for _, name := range s.Names() {
+		for _, msg := range s.Jobs[name].validate() {
+			errs = append(errs, fmt.Sprintf("job %q: %s", name, msg))
+		}
+	}
+	// Dependency references + cycles.
+	for _, name := range s.Names() {
+		for _, dep := range s.Jobs[name].DependsOn {
+			if _, ok := s.Jobs[dep]; !ok {
+				errs = append(errs, fmt.Sprintf("job %q: depends_on unknown job %q", name, dep))
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if cycle := s.findCycle(); cycle != "" {
+		errs = append(errs, fmt.Sprintf("dependency cycle detected: %s", cycle))
+	}
+	if len(errs) > 0 {
+		sort.Strings(errs)
+		return fmt.Errorf("job file validation failed:\n  - %s", strings.Join(errs, "\n  - "))
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (j *Job) validate() []string {
+	var e []string
+
+	switch j.Command {
+	case CommandConvert, CommandMerge, CommandScriptsList:
+	case "":
+		e = append(e, "missing command")
+		return e
+	default:
+		e = append(e, fmt.Sprintf("unsupported command %q (supported: %s)", j.Command, strings.Join(SupportedCommands, ", ")))
+		return e
+	}
+
+	// Path safety for every declared path.
+	checkPath := func(label, p string) {
+		if p == "" {
+			return
+		}
+		if err := checkRelPath(p); err != nil {
+			e = append(e, fmt.Sprintf("%s %q: %v", label, p, err))
+		}
+	}
+	checkPath("logfile", j.Logfile)
+	for _, in := range j.Inputs {
+		checkPath("input path", in.Path)
+	}
+	for _, d := range j.ScriptDirs {
+		checkPath("script_dir", d)
+	}
+	if j.Output != nil {
+		checkPath("output path", j.Output.Path)
+	}
+
+	switch j.Command {
+	case CommandConvert, CommandMerge:
+		minInputs := 1
+		if j.Command == CommandMerge {
+			minInputs = 2
+		}
+		if len(j.Inputs) < minInputs {
+			e = append(e, fmt.Sprintf("command %q requires at least %d input(s)", j.Command, minInputs))
+		}
+		for i, in := range j.Inputs {
+			e = append(e, validateInput(i, in)...)
+		}
+		if len(j.ScriptDirs) > 0 {
+			e = append(e, fmt.Sprintf("script_dirs is not valid for command %q", j.Command))
+		}
+		if j.Output == nil {
+			e = append(e, "missing output")
+		} else {
+			e = append(e, validateOutput(*j.Output)...)
+		}
+	case CommandScriptsList:
+		if len(j.ScriptDirs) == 0 {
+			e = append(e, "command \"scripts-list\" requires at least one script_dir")
+		}
+		if len(j.Inputs) > 0 {
+			e = append(e, "inputs is not valid for command \"scripts-list\"")
+		}
+		if j.Output != nil {
+			e = append(e, "output is not valid for command \"scripts-list\"")
+		}
+	}
+	return e
+}
+
+func validateInput(i int, in Input) []string {
+	var e []string
+	if in.Format == "" {
+		e = append(e, fmt.Sprintf("input[%d]: missing format", i))
+		return e
+	}
+	f := strings.ToLower(in.Format)
+	switch {
+	case inputDBFormats[f]:
+		if in.ConnEnv == "" {
+			e = append(e, fmt.Sprintf("input[%d]: format %q requires conn_env (an environment variable name)", i, in.Format))
+		}
+		if in.Path != "" {
+			e = append(e, fmt.Sprintf("input[%d]: format %q takes conn_env, not path", i, in.Format))
+		}
+	case readerFormats[f]:
+		if in.Path == "" {
+			e = append(e, fmt.Sprintf("input[%d]: missing path", i))
+		}
+		if in.ConnEnv != "" {
+			e = append(e, fmt.Sprintf("input[%d]: format %q does not use conn_env", i, in.Format))
+		}
+	default:
+		e = append(e, fmt.Sprintf("input[%d]: unsupported input format %q", i, in.Format))
+	}
+	if looksLikeSecret(in.ConnEnv) {
+		e = append(e, fmt.Sprintf("input[%d]: conn_env must be an environment variable name, not a connection string", i))
+	}
+	return e
+}
+
+func validateOutput(o Output) []string {
+	var e []string
+	if o.Format == "" {
+		e = append(e, "output: missing format")
+		return e
+	}
+	f := strings.ToLower(o.Format)
+	if !writerFormats[f] {
+		e = append(e, fmt.Sprintf("output: unsupported output format %q", o.Format))
+		return e
+	}
+	if o.ConnEnv != "" {
+		if !execOutputFormats[f] {
+			e = append(e, fmt.Sprintf("output: conn_env (live database execution) is not supported for format %q", o.Format))
+		}
+		if o.Path != "" {
+			e = append(e, "output: set either path or conn_env, not both")
+		}
+	} else if o.Path == "" {
+		e = append(e, "output: missing path")
+	}
+	if looksLikeSecret(o.ConnEnv) {
+		e = append(e, "output: conn_env must be an environment variable name, not a connection string")
+	}
+	return e
+}
+
+// looksLikeSecret reports whether s looks like a connection string rather
+// than a bare environment-variable name.
+func looksLikeSecret(s string) bool {
+	if s == "" {
+		return false
+	}
+	return strings.ContainsAny(s, ":/@ =") || strings.Contains(s, "//")
+}
+
+// checkRelPath rejects absolute paths and any path that escapes its root.
+func checkRelPath(p string) error {
+	if p == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("empty path")
+	}
+	if filepath.IsAbs(p) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("absolute paths are not allowed; use a path relative to the job file")
+	}
+	if strings.HasPrefix(p, "~") {
+		return fmt.Errorf("home-relative paths are not allowed")
+	}
+	clean := filepath.ToSlash(filepath.Clean(p))
+	if clean == ".." || strings.HasPrefix(clean, "../") {
+		return fmt.Errorf("path escapes the job file directory")
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// SafeJoin resolves rel against root and guarantees the result stays inside
+// root. It is the single choke point for turning a manifest path into a
+// filesystem path.
+func SafeJoin(root, rel string) (string, error) {
+	if err := checkRelPath(rel); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	absRoot, err := filepath.Abs(root)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	joined := filepath.Join(absRoot, rel)
+	rp, err := filepath.Rel(absRoot, joined)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	if rp == ".." || strings.HasPrefix(rp, ".."+string(filepath.Separator)) {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("path %q escapes the job file directory", rel)
+	}
+	return joined, nil
+}
+
+// Plan returns the jobs to execute for name in dependency order. When
+// includeDeps is false only the named job is returned (its declared
+// dependencies are still validated to exist and be acyclic by Validate).
+func (s *Set) Plan(name string, includeDeps bool) ([]*Job, error) {
+	root, ok := s.Jobs[name]
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unknown job %q (known: %s)", name, strings.Join(s.Names(), ", "))
+	}
+	if !includeDeps {
+		return []*Job{root}, nil
+	}
+	var order []*Job
+	visited := map[string]bool{}
+	inProgress := map[string]bool{}
+	var visit func(n string) error
+	visit = func(n string) error {
+		if visited[n] {
+			return nil
+		}
+		if inProgress[n] {
+			return fmt.Errorf("dependency cycle at job %q", n)
+		}
+		inProgress[n] = true
+		j := s.Jobs[n]
+		deps := append([]string(nil), j.DependsOn...)
+		sort.Strings(deps)
+		for _, d := range deps {
+			if _, ok := s.Jobs[d]; !ok {
+				return fmt.Errorf("job %q depends on unknown job %q", n, d)
+			}
+			if err := visit(d); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+		inProgress[n] = false
+		visited[n] = true
+		order = append(order, j)
+		return nil
+	}
+	if err := visit(name); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return order, nil
+}
+
+// findCycle returns a human-readable cycle path, or "" if the graph is acyclic.
+func (s *Set) findCycle() string {
+	color := map[string]int{} // 0 unvisited, 1 in progress, 2 done
+	var stack []string
+	var dfs func(n string) []string
+	dfs = func(n string) []string {
+		color[n] = 1
+		stack = append(stack, n)
+		deps := append([]string(nil), s.Jobs[n].DependsOn...)
+		sort.Strings(deps)
+		for _, d := range deps {
+			if _, ok := s.Jobs[d]; !ok {
+				continue
+			}
+			switch color[d] {
+			case 0:
+				if c := dfs(d); c != nil {
+					return c
+				}
+			case 1:
+				// Found a back edge; build the cycle slice.
+				for i, x := range stack {
+					if x == d {
+						return append(append([]string(nil), stack[i:]...), d)
+					}
+				}
+				return []string{d, d}
+			}
+		}
+		stack = stack[:len(stack)-1]
+		color[n] = 2
+		return nil
+	}
+	for _, n := range s.Names() {
+		if color[n] == 0 {
+			if c := dfs(n); c != nil {
+				return strings.Join(c, " -> ")
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
diff --git a/pkg/jobs/jobs_test.go b/pkg/jobs/jobs_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6f50dfe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/jobs/jobs_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,251 @@
+package jobs
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func write(t *testing.T, path, content string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(path), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(path, []byte(content), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDiscoverDeterministicOrder(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	for _, n := range []string{
+		"relspec.yml", "relspec.zeta.yml", "relspec.alpha.yaml",
+		"relspec.beta.yml", "notes.yml", "relspec.txt",
+	} {
+		write(t, filepath.Join(dir, n), "version: 1\njobs: {}\n")
+	}
+	got, err := Discover(dir)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var bases []string
+	for _, p := range got {
+		bases = append(bases, filepath.Base(p))
+	}
+	want := []string{"relspec.yml", "relspec.alpha.yaml", "relspec.beta.yml", "relspec.zeta.yml"}
+	if strings.Join(bases, ",") != strings.Join(want, ",") {
+		t.Fatalf("discover order = %v, want %v", bases, want)
+	}
+
+	// Second call must return the identical order.
+	got2, _ := Discover(dir)
+	for i := range got {
+		if got[i] != got2[i] {
+			t.Fatalf("discover not deterministic: %v vs %v", got, got2)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadRejectsUnknownFields(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	p := filepath.Join(dir, "relspec.yml")
+	write(t, p, "version: 1\njobs:\n  a:\n    command: convert\n    bogus: true\n")
+	if _, err := Load([]string{p}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error for unknown field")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadRejectsBadVersion(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	p := filepath.Join(dir, "relspec.yml")
+	write(t, p, "version: 2\njobs:\n  a:\n    command: convert\n")
+	_, err := Load([]string{p})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "unsupported version") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected unsupported version error, got %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadRejectsDuplicateJobAcrossFiles(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	a := filepath.Join(dir, "relspec.yml")
+	b := filepath.Join(dir, "relspec.extra.yml")
+	write(t, a, jobFileConvert("build"))
+	write(t, b, jobFileConvert("build"))
+	_, err := Load([]string{a, b})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "duplicate job") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected duplicate job error, got %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func jobFileConvert(name string) string {
+	return "version: 1\njobs:\n  " + name + ":\n    command: convert\n" +
+		"    inputs:\n      - path: a.dbml\n        format: dbml\n" +
+		"    output:\n      format: json\n      path: out.json\n"
+}
+
+func loadOne(t *testing.T, content string) *Set {
+	t.Helper()
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	p := filepath.Join(dir, "relspec.yml")
+	write(t, p, content)
+	set, err := Load([]string{p})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("load: %v", err)
+	}
+	return set
+}
+
+func TestValidateUnknownCommand(t *testing.T) {
+	set := loadOne(t, "version: 1\njobs:\n  x:\n    command: rm-rf\n")
+	err := set.Validate()
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "unsupported command") {
+		t.Fatalf("want unsupported command, got %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidateShellStringCommandRejected(t *testing.T) {
+	set := loadOne(t, "version: 1\njobs:\n  x:\n    command: \"bash -c 'echo hi'\"\n")
+	if err := set.Validate(); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected arbitrary shell command to be rejected")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidateMissingInputs(t *testing.T) {
+	set := loadOne(t, "version: 1\njobs:\n  x:\n    command: convert\n    output:\n      format: json\n      path: o.json\n")
+	if err := set.Validate(); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "at least 1 input") {
+		t.Fatalf("want missing input error, got %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidateUnknownFormat(t *testing.T) {
+	set := loadOne(t, "version: 1\njobs:\n  x:\n    command: convert\n"+
+		"    inputs:\n      - path: a.xyz\n        format: xyz\n"+
+		"    output:\n      format: json\n      path: o.json\n")
+	if err := set.Validate(); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "unsupported input format") {
+		t.Fatalf("want unsupported input format, got %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidatePathTraversalRejected(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []string{"../secret.dbml", "/etc/passwd", "~/x.dbml", "a/../../b.dbml"}
+	for _, bad := range cases {
+		set := loadOne(t, "version: 1\njobs:\n  x:\n    command: convert\n"+
+			"    inputs:\n      - path: \""+bad+"\"\n        format: dbml\n"+
+			"    output:\n      format: json\n      path: o.json\n")
+		if err := set.Validate(); err == nil {
+			t.Fatalf("path %q: expected rejection", bad)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidateOutputTraversalRejected(t *testing.T) {
+	set := loadOne(t, "version: 1\njobs:\n  x:\n    command: convert\n"+
+		"    inputs:\n      - path: a.dbml\n        format: dbml\n"+
+		"    output:\n      format: json\n      path: ../../evil.json\n")
+	if err := set.Validate(); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected output path traversal rejection")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidateConnEnvMustBeName(t *testing.T) {
+	set := loadOne(t, "version: 1\njobs:\n  x:\n    command: convert\n"+
+		"    inputs:\n      - format: pgsql\n        conn_env: \"postgres://u:p@h/db\"\n"+
+		"    output:\n      format: json\n      path: o.json\n")
+	if err := set.Validate(); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "environment variable name") {
+		t.Fatalf("want conn_env name error, got %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidateDependsOnUnknown(t *testing.T) {
+	set := loadOne(t, "version: 1\njobs:\n  x:\n    command: convert\n    depends_on: [nope]\n"+
+		"    inputs:\n      - path: a.dbml\n        format: dbml\n"+
+		"    output:\n      format: json\n      path: o.json\n")
+	if err := set.Validate(); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "unknown job") {
+		t.Fatalf("want unknown dependency error, got %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidateDependencyCycle(t *testing.T) {
+	content := "version: 1\njobs:\n" +
+		jobBlock("a", "b") + jobBlock("b", "c") + jobBlock("c", "a")
+	set := loadOne(t, content)
+	err := set.Validate()
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "cycle") {
+		t.Fatalf("want cycle error, got %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func jobBlock(name, dep string) string {
+	return "  " + name + ":\n    command: convert\n    depends_on: [" + dep + "]\n" +
+		"    inputs:\n      - path: a.dbml\n        format: dbml\n" +
+		"    output:\n      format: json\n      path: " + name + ".json\n"
+}
+
+func TestPlanTopologicalOrder(t *testing.T) {
+	content := "version: 1\njobs:\n" +
+		"  base:\n    command: convert\n    inputs:\n      - path: a.dbml\n        format: dbml\n    output:\n      format: json\n      path: base.json\n" +
+		"  mid:\n    command: convert\n    depends_on: [base]\n    inputs:\n      - path: a.dbml\n        format: dbml\n    output:\n      format: json\n      path: mid.json\n" +
+		"  top:\n    command: convert\n    depends_on: [mid]\n    inputs:\n      - path: a.dbml\n        format: dbml\n    output:\n      format: json\n      path: top.json\n"
+	set := loadOne(t, content)
+	if err := set.Validate(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("validate: %v", err)
+	}
+	plan, err := set.Plan("top", true)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var order []string
+	for _, j := range plan {
+		order = append(order, j.Name)
+	}
+	if strings.Join(order, ",") != "base,mid,top" {
+		t.Fatalf("plan order = %v, want [base mid top]", order)
+	}
+
+	solo, err := set.Plan("top", false)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(solo) != 1 || solo[0].Name != "top" {
+		t.Fatalf("no-deps plan = %v, want [top]", solo)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSafeJoinStaysInsideRoot(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	if _, err := SafeJoin(root, "sub/dir/file.sql"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected ok, got %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := SafeJoin(root, "../escape"); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected escape rejection")
+	}
+	if _, err := SafeJoin(root, "/abs"); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected absolute rejection")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestShippedExampleIsValid(t *testing.T) {
+	path := filepath.Join("..", "..", "examples", "jobs", "relspec.yml")
+	set, err := Load([]string{path})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("load example: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := set.Validate(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("example manifest failed validation: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := set.Plan("build-json", true); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("plan example: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestScriptsListValidation(t *testing.T) {
+	set := loadOne(t, "version: 1\njobs:\n  s:\n    command: scripts-list\n")
+	if err := set.Validate(); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "script_dir") {
+		t.Fatalf("want script_dir required error, got %v", err)
+	}
+	set = loadOne(t, "version: 1\njobs:\n  s:\n    command: scripts-list\n    script_dirs: [migrations, extra]\n")
+	if err := set.Validate(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected valid scripts-list job, got %v", err)
+	}
+}