feat: identify dynamic foreach activations

src/wf_core/runtime/foreach_state.py

@@ -11,6 +11,31 @@ from wf_core.runtime.ops.state import StatePatch
 from wf_core.runtime.scheduler import ForeachIterationMetadata
 
 _BARRIER_METADATA_KEY = "foreach_barriers"
+_ACTIVATION_METADATA_KEY = "foreach_activations"
+
+
+@dataclass(slots=True)
+class ForeachActivationState:
+    """Persisted state for one dynamic visit to a foreach controller.
+
+    A parent frame creates a fresh activation on first entry, reuses it while
+    admitting items, and closes it before emitting ``done``. The id is opaque:
+    callers compare it by name and never parse it.
+    """
+
+    id: str
+    foreach_node_id: str
+    barrier: ForeachBarrierState
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True, slots=True)
+class ForeachItemOwner:
+    """Named ownership record for one foreach item frame."""
+
+    parent_frame_id: str
+    foreach_node_id: str
+    activation_id: str
+    item_index: int
 
 
 @dataclass(slots=True)
@@ -320,14 +345,188 @@ class ForeachBarrierState:
         )
 
 
-def item_frame_owner(frame: ExecutionFrame) -> tuple[str, str, int] | None:
+def load_or_begin_foreach_activation(
-    """Return parent frame id, foreach node id, and item index for item frames."""
+    frame: ExecutionFrame,
+    foreach_node_id: str,
+    *,
+    mode: Literal["serial", "concurrent"],
+) -> ForeachActivationState:
+    """Load the active activation or begin a fresh visit.
+
+    The first entry for one visit allocates an opaque id from the parent frame
+    id, foreach node id, and a persisted per-frame sequence. Later calls reuse
+    the active activation; closing it makes the next visit allocate a new id
+    with fresh barrier state. Mode mismatches and malformed tables fail fast.
+    """
+    table = _activation_table(frame)
+    entry = table.get(foreach_node_id)
+    if entry is None:
+        entry = {"next_sequence": 0, "active": None}
+        table[foreach_node_id] = entry
+    if not isinstance(entry, dict):
+        raise WorkflowExecutionError(
+            f"malformed foreach activation entry for frame {frame.id!r}"
+        )
+    next_sequence = entry.get("next_sequence", 0)
+    if not isinstance(next_sequence, int) or next_sequence < 0:
+        raise WorkflowExecutionError(
+            f"malformed foreach activation sequence for frame {frame.id!r}"
+        )
+    active = entry.get("active")
+    if active is not None:
+        activation = _activation_from_metadata(
+            active, frame_id=frame.id, foreach_node_id=foreach_node_id
+        )
+        if activation.barrier.mode != mode:
+            raise WorkflowExecutionError(
+                f"foreach {foreach_node_id!r} activation {activation.id!r} "
+                f"has mode {activation.barrier.mode!r}, got {mode!r}"
+            )
+        return activation
+    activation_id = f"{frame.id}:{foreach_node_id}#{next_sequence}"
+    activation = ForeachActivationState(
+        id=activation_id,
+        foreach_node_id=foreach_node_id,
+        barrier=ForeachBarrierState(mode=mode),
+    )
+    entry["next_sequence"] = next_sequence + 1
+    entry["active"] = {
+        "id": activation.id,
+        "barrier": activation.barrier.to_metadata(),
+    }
+    return activation
+
+
+def save_foreach_activation(
+    frame: ExecutionFrame, activation: ForeachActivationState
+) -> None:
+    """Persist barrier progress for the named active activation."""
+    table = _activation_table(frame)
+    entry = table.get(activation.foreach_node_id)
+    if not isinstance(entry, dict):
+        raise WorkflowExecutionError(
+            f"malformed foreach activation entry for frame {frame.id!r}"
+        )
+    active = entry.get("active")
+    if not isinstance(active, dict) or active.get("id") != activation.id:
+        raise WorkflowExecutionError(
+            f"cannot save stale foreach activation {activation.id!r} "
+            f"for frame {frame.id!r}"
+        )
+    active["barrier"] = activation.barrier.to_metadata()
+
+
+def close_foreach_activation(
+    frame: ExecutionFrame, activation: ForeachActivationState
+) -> None:
+    """Close the named active activation, preserving the visit sequence.
+
+    The barrier is removed so a later visit starts fresh; the sequence keeps
+    increasing so child and lineage ids cannot collide across visits.
+    """
+    table = _activation_table(frame)
+    entry = table.get(activation.foreach_node_id)
+    if not isinstance(entry, dict):
+        raise WorkflowExecutionError(
+            f"malformed foreach activation entry for frame {frame.id!r}"
+        )
+    active = entry.get("active")
+    if not isinstance(active, dict) or active.get("id") != activation.id:
+        raise WorkflowExecutionError(
+            f"cannot close stale foreach activation {activation.id!r} "
+            f"for frame {frame.id!r}"
+        )
+    entry["active"] = None
+
+
+def load_foreach_activation(
+    frame: ExecutionFrame, foreach_node_id: str, activation_id: str
+) -> ForeachActivationState | None:
+    """Return the active activation only when its id matches the child.
+
+    A child result naming a closed or different activation must fail closed in
+    the caller rather than buffering into the wrong barrier.
+    """
+    table = _activation_table(frame)
+    entry = table.get(foreach_node_id)
+    if not isinstance(entry, dict):
+        raise WorkflowExecutionError(
+            f"malformed foreach activation entry for frame {frame.id!r}"
+        )
+    active = entry.get("active")
+    if active is None:
+        return None
+    activation = _activation_from_metadata(
+        active, frame_id=frame.id, foreach_node_id=foreach_node_id
+    )
+    if activation.id != activation_id:
+        return None
+    return activation
+
+
+def require_foreach_activation(
+    frame: ExecutionFrame, foreach_node_id: str, activation_id: str
+) -> ForeachActivationState:
+    """Load the named activation or raise when it is closed or superseded."""
+    activation = load_foreach_activation(frame, foreach_node_id, activation_id)
+    if activation is None:
+        raise WorkflowExecutionError(
+            f"foreach item activation {activation_id!r} for node "
+            f"{foreach_node_id!r} is closed or superseded"
+        )
+    return activation
+
+
+def item_frame_owner(frame: ExecutionFrame) -> ForeachItemOwner | None:
+    """Return the named foreach ownership record for item frames.
+
+    Malformed item metadata fails closed via ``ForeachIterationMetadata``;
+    only non-item frames return ``None``.
+    """
     if frame.kind != "foreach_iteration" or frame.parent_frame_id is None:
         return None
     metadata = ForeachIterationMetadata.from_frame(frame)
     if metadata is None:
         return None
-    return frame.parent_frame_id, metadata.foreach_node_id, metadata.loop_index
+    return ForeachItemOwner(
+        parent_frame_id=frame.parent_frame_id,
+        foreach_node_id=metadata.foreach_node_id,
+        activation_id=metadata.activation_id,
+        item_index=metadata.loop_index,
+    )
+
+
+def _activation_table(frame: ExecutionFrame) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    raw = frame.metadata.get(_ACTIVATION_METADATA_KEY)
+    if raw is None:
+        table: dict[str, Any] = {}
+        frame.metadata[_ACTIVATION_METADATA_KEY] = table
+        return table
+    if not isinstance(raw, dict):
+        raise WorkflowExecutionError(
+            f"malformed foreach activation table for frame {frame.id!r}"
+        )
+    return raw
+
+
+def _activation_from_metadata(
+    raw: object, *, frame_id: str, foreach_node_id: str
+) -> ForeachActivationState:
+    if not isinstance(raw, dict):
+        raise WorkflowExecutionError(
+            f"malformed foreach activation for frame {frame_id!r}"
+        )
+    activation_id = raw.get("id")
+    barrier_raw = raw.get("barrier")
+    if not isinstance(activation_id, str) or not activation_id:
+        raise WorkflowExecutionError(
+            f"malformed foreach activation id for frame {frame_id!r}"
+        )
+    return ForeachActivationState(
+        id=activation_id,
+        foreach_node_id=foreach_node_id,
+        barrier=ForeachBarrierState.from_metadata(barrier_raw),
+    )
 
 
 def _string_tuple(raw: object) -> tuple[str, ...]:

src/wf_core/runtime/lineage.py

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from typing import Any
 
 from wf_core.errors import WorkflowExecutionError
 from wf_core.run_state import ExecutionFrame, LineageState, RunState, StateWrite
-from wf_core.runtime.foreach_state import ForeachBarrierState, item_frame_owner
+from wf_core.runtime.foreach_state import item_frame_owner, load_foreach_activation
 from wf_core.runtime.ops.state import (
     StatePatch,
     commit_state_patch,
@@ -61,21 +61,24 @@ def lineage_writes_for_frame(
     # Compatibility fallback: concurrent foreach used barrier-local patches
     # before `RunState.lineages` became the primary write store. Keep reading
     # those patches so old serialized runs and direct barrier tests still work.
+    # Barrier lookup includes the activation so a stale visit cannot read a
+    # later activation's buffered writes.
     owner = item_frame_owner(frame)
     if owner is None:
         return ()
-    parent_frame_id, foreach_node_id, item_index = owner
+    parent_frame = run.frames.get(owner.parent_frame_id)
-    parent_frame = run.frames.get(parent_frame_id)
     if parent_frame is None:
         raise WorkflowExecutionError(
             "foreach lineage compatibility state references missing parent frame "
-            f"{parent_frame_id!r} for child frame {frame.id!r}"
+            f"{owner.parent_frame_id!r} for child frame {frame.id!r}"
         )
-    barrier = ForeachBarrierState.from_frame(parent_frame, foreach_node_id)
+    activation = load_foreach_activation(
-    if barrier is None or barrier.mode != "concurrent":
+        parent_frame, owner.foreach_node_id, owner.activation_id
+    )
+    if activation is None or activation.barrier.mode != "concurrent":
         return ()
 
-    pending = barrier.pending_results.get(item_index)
+    pending = activation.barrier.pending_results.get(owner.item_index)
     if pending is None:
         return ()
     return pending.patch.writes

src/wf_core/runtime/ops/foreach.py

@@ -8,9 +8,12 @@ from wf_core.models.steps import ForeachNode
 from wf_core.models.workflow import Workflow
 from wf_core.run_state import ExecutionFrame, FrameStatus, RunState, StepExecutionResult
 from wf_core.runtime.foreach_state import (
+    ForeachActivationState,
     ForeachBarrierState,
     ItemErrorRecord,
     PendingItemResult,
+    load_or_begin_foreach_activation,
+    save_foreach_activation,
 )
 from wf_core.runtime.lineage import (
     add_lineage,
@@ -63,7 +66,8 @@ def _step_foreach_serial(
         raise WorkflowExecutionError("serial foreach helper received non-serial mode")
 
     frame = run.current_frame()
-    barrier = ForeachBarrierState.from_frame(frame, step.id) or ForeachBarrierState()
+    activation = load_or_begin_foreach_activation(frame, step.id, mode="serial")
+    barrier = activation.barrier
     iterable = _resolve_foreach_iterable(run, frame, step)
 
     loop_index = barrier.next_index
@@ -89,9 +93,9 @@ def _step_foreach_serial(
     loop_start = index.next_node_id(frame.node_id, "loop")
     item = iterable[loop_index]
     barrier.next_index = loop_index + 1
-    barrier.save_to_frame(frame, step.id)
+    save_foreach_activation(frame, activation)
-    child_id = f"{frame.id}:{step.id}:{loop_index}"
+    child_id = _child_frame_id(activation, loop_index)
-    child_lineage_id = _child_lineage_id(frame, step, loop_index)
+    child_lineage_id = _child_lineage_id(activation, loop_index)
     add_frame(
         run,
         ExecutionFrame(
@@ -105,6 +109,7 @@ def _step_foreach_serial(
             parent_lineage_id=frame.lineage_id,
             metadata=ForeachIterationMetadata(
                 foreach_node_id=step.id,
+                activation_id=activation.id,
                 loop_index=loop_index,
                 loop_item=item,
                 loop_alias=step.as_,
@@ -141,11 +146,8 @@ def _step_foreach_concurrent(
     if step.concurrent is None:
         raise WorkflowExecutionError("concurrent foreach requires concurrent policy")
     frame = run.current_frame()
-    barrier = ForeachBarrierState.from_frame(frame, step.id)
+    activation = load_or_begin_foreach_activation(frame, step.id, mode="concurrent")
-    if barrier is None:
+    barrier = activation.barrier
-        barrier = ForeachBarrierState(mode="concurrent")
-    elif barrier.mode != "concurrent":
-        raise WorkflowExecutionError("malformed concurrent foreach barrier mode")
 
     _finish_completed_children(run, step, barrier)
     iterable = _resolve_foreach_iterable(run, frame, step)
@@ -154,6 +156,7 @@ def _step_foreach_concurrent(
         frame=frame,
         step=step,
         index=index,
+        activation=activation,
         barrier=barrier,
         iterable=iterable,
     )
@@ -169,7 +172,7 @@ def _step_foreach_concurrent(
             reducers=reducers,
         )
 
-    barrier.save_to_frame(frame, step.id)
+    save_foreach_activation(frame, activation)
     block_frame_on_children(run, frame.id, barrier.outstanding_frame_ids)
     run.sync_from_current_frame()
     return run
@@ -242,6 +245,7 @@ def _admit_concurrent_children(
     frame: ExecutionFrame,
     step: ForeachNode,
     index: WorkflowIndex,
+    activation: ForeachActivationState,
     barrier: ForeachBarrierState,
     iterable: list[object],
 ) -> None:
@@ -256,8 +260,8 @@ def _admit_concurrent_children(
     ):
         loop_index = barrier.next_index
         item = iterable[loop_index]
-        child_id = f"{frame.id}:{step.id}:{loop_index}"
+        child_id = _child_frame_id(activation, loop_index)
-        child_lineage_id = _child_lineage_id(frame, step, loop_index)
+        child_lineage_id = _child_lineage_id(activation, loop_index)
         add_lineage(
             run,
             scope_id=frame.scope_id,
@@ -280,6 +284,7 @@ def _admit_concurrent_children(
                 parent_lineage_id=frame.lineage_id,
                 metadata=ForeachIterationMetadata(
                     foreach_node_id=step.id,
+                    activation_id=activation.id,
                     loop_index=loop_index,
                     loop_item=item,
                     loop_alias=step.as_,
@@ -372,13 +377,22 @@ def _finish_concurrent_foreach(
     return run
 
 
-def _child_lineage_id(frame: ExecutionFrame, step: ForeachNode, loop_index: int) -> str:
+def _child_frame_id(activation: ForeachActivationState, loop_index: int) -> str:
-    """Return a deterministic opaque lineage id for one foreach child frame.
+    """Return a deterministic opaque child frame id for one activation item.
+
+    The id embeds the activation so a later visit at item zero cannot collide
+    with the first visit. Compare full ids; never parse them.
+    """
+    return f"{activation.id}:{loop_index}"
+
+
+def _child_lineage_id(activation: ForeachActivationState, loop_index: int) -> str:
+    """Return a deterministic opaque lineage id for one activation item.
 
     The readable shape is only for diagnostics. Runtime code should compare the
     full id, not parse it; future structured lineage refs can replace this.
     """
-    return f"{frame.lineage_id}/{step.id}[{loop_index}]"
+    return f"{activation.id}[{loop_index}]"
 
 
 def _patch_for_successful_item(

src/wf_core/runtime/ops/nodes.py

@@ -15,7 +15,11 @@ from wf_core.run_state import (
     RuntimeContext,
     StepExecutionResult,
 )
-from wf_core.runtime.foreach_state import ForeachBarrierState, item_frame_owner
+from wf_core.runtime.foreach_state import (
+    item_frame_owner,
+    require_foreach_activation,
+    save_foreach_activation,
+)
 from wf_core.runtime.input_bindings import resolve_step_input_bindings
 from wf_core.runtime.lineage import (
     append_lineage_writes,
@@ -116,10 +120,14 @@ def _finalize_node_execution(
     if owner is None:
         state_changes = commit_patch_for_frame(run, frame, patch)
     else:
-        parent_frame_id, foreach_node_id, item_index = owner
+        parent_frame = run.frames[owner.parent_frame_id]
-        parent_frame = run.frames[parent_frame_id]
+        # Fail closed when the child names a closed or superseded activation:
-        barrier = ForeachBarrierState.from_frame(parent_frame, foreach_node_id)
+        # its writes must not land in a later visit's barrier.
-        if barrier is not None and barrier.mode == "concurrent":
+        activation = require_foreach_activation(
+            parent_frame, owner.foreach_node_id, owner.activation_id
+        )
+        barrier = activation.barrier
+        if barrier.mode == "concurrent":
             # New concurrent foreach stores writes in the child lineage; the
             # barrier keeps only result metadata plus old patch fallback.
             append_lineage_writes(
@@ -129,12 +137,12 @@ def _finalize_node_execution(
                 writes=patch.writes,
             )
             barrier.add_success_patch(
-                index=item_index,
+                index=owner.item_index,
                 frame_id=frame.id,
                 patch=StatePatch(),
                 lineage_id=frame.lineage_id,
             )
-            barrier.save_to_frame(parent_frame, foreach_node_id)
+            save_foreach_activation(parent_frame, activation)
             state_changes = {}
         else:
             state_changes = commit_patch_for_frame(run, parent_frame, patch)

src/wf_core/runtime/scheduler.py

@@ -38,9 +38,15 @@ class BlockedOnChildren:
 
 @dataclass(slots=True, frozen=True)
 class ForeachIterationMetadata:
-    """Typed metadata for a foreach iteration frame."""
+    """Typed metadata for a foreach iteration frame.
+
+    ``activation_id`` names the dynamic foreach visit that owns this item.
+    It separates fresh barrier state from earlier visits to the same node use
+    and must survive checkpoint serialization.
+    """
 
     foreach_node_id: str
+    activation_id: str
     loop_index: int
     loop_item: Any
     loop_alias: str
@@ -51,12 +57,17 @@ class ForeachIterationMetadata:
             return None
         metadata = frame.metadata
         foreach_node_id = metadata.get("foreach_node_id")
+        activation_id = metadata.get("activation_id")
         loop_index = metadata.get("loop_index")
         loop_alias = metadata.get("loop_alias")
         if not isinstance(foreach_node_id, str) or not foreach_node_id:
             raise WorkflowExecutionError(
                 f"malformed foreach node id for frame {frame.id!r}"
             )
+        if not isinstance(activation_id, str) or not activation_id:
+            raise WorkflowExecutionError(
+                f"malformed foreach activation id for frame {frame.id!r}"
+            )
         if not isinstance(loop_index, int):
             raise WorkflowExecutionError(
                 f"malformed foreach loop index for frame {frame.id!r}"
@@ -71,6 +82,7 @@ class ForeachIterationMetadata:
             )
         return cls(
             foreach_node_id=foreach_node_id,
+            activation_id=activation_id,
             loop_index=loop_index,
             loop_item=metadata["loop_item"],
             loop_alias=loop_alias,
@@ -79,6 +91,7 @@ class ForeachIterationMetadata:
     def to_metadata(self) -> dict[str, object]:
         return {
             "foreach_node_id": self.foreach_node_id,
+            "activation_id": self.activation_id,
             "loop_index": self.loop_index,
             "loop_item": self.loop_item,
             "loop_alias": self.loop_alias,
@@ -178,7 +191,11 @@ def wake_parent_if_children_complete(run: RunState, child_frame_id: str) -> None
 
 
 def wake_parent_for_child_progress(run: RunState, child_frame_id: str) -> None:
-    """Wake a blocked parent after one child finishes so it can refill slots."""
+    """Wake a blocked parent after one child finishes so it can refill slots.
+
+    The wake-up includes the foreach activation: a child naming a closed or
+    superseded activation cannot wake a parent waiting on a later visit.
+    """
     child = _frame(run, child_frame_id)
     parent_id = child.parent_frame_id
     if parent_id is None:
@@ -189,6 +206,26 @@ def wake_parent_for_child_progress(run: RunState, child_frame_id: str) -> None:
     block = BlockedOnChildren.from_frame(parent)
     if block is None or child_frame_id not in block.child_frame_ids:
         return
+    # Lazy import avoids a cycle: foreach_state owns activation persistence on
+    # top of this scheduler's frame metadata types.
+    from wf_core.runtime.foreach_state import (
+        item_frame_owner,
+        load_foreach_activation,
+    )
+
+    try:
+        owner = item_frame_owner(child)
+    except WorkflowExecutionError:
+        raise
+    if owner is not None:
+        activation = load_foreach_activation(
+            parent, owner.foreach_node_id, owner.activation_id
+        )
+        if activation is None:
+            raise WorkflowExecutionError(
+                f"foreach item frame {child_frame_id!r} names closed activation "
+                f"{owner.activation_id!r} and cannot wake parent {parent_id!r}"
+            )
     wake_frame(run, parent_id)
 
 

src/wf_core/runtime/step.py

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ from wf_core.models.steps import (
 )
 from wf_core.models.workflow import Workflow
 from wf_core.run_state import ExecutionFrame, FrameStatus, RunState, StepExecutionResult
-from wf_core.runtime.foreach_state import ForeachBarrierState, item_frame_owner
+from wf_core.runtime.foreach_state import item_frame_owner, load_foreach_activation
 from wf_core.runtime.ops.flow import advance_frame, append_step_result_trace
 from wf_core.runtime.ops.foreach import step_foreach
 from wf_core.runtime.ops.handlers import (
@@ -361,10 +361,15 @@ def _claim_matching_async_item_frames(
     index: WorkflowIndex,
     first_frame: ExecutionFrame,
 ) -> list[ExecutionFrame]:
+    """Claim sibling item frames from the same activation for async batching.
+
+    Batching never mixes activations: only frames naming the same parent,
+    foreach, and activation id run together, preserving deterministic barrier
+    commits across revisits.
+    """
     owner = item_frame_owner(first_frame)
     if owner is None:
         return []
-    parent_frame_id, foreach_node_id, _item_index = owner
     claimed: list[ExecutionFrame] = []
     remaining_ready: list[str] = []
     for frame_id in run.ready_frame_ids:
@@ -373,7 +378,9 @@ def _claim_matching_async_item_frames(
         if (
             frame.status == FrameStatus.PENDING
             and frame_owner is not None
-            and frame_owner[:2] == (parent_frame_id, foreach_node_id)
+            and frame_owner.parent_frame_id == owner.parent_frame_id
+            and frame_owner.foreach_node_id == owner.foreach_node_id
+            and frame_owner.activation_id == owner.activation_id
             and isinstance(index.nodes_by_id.get(frame.node_id), NodeUse)
         ):
             frame.status = FrameStatus.RUNNING
@@ -392,14 +399,15 @@ def _can_batch_async_foreach_item(
     owner = item_frame_owner(frame)
     if owner is None:
         return False
-    parent_frame_id, foreach_node_id, _item_index = owner
+    parent_frame = run.frames.get(owner.parent_frame_id)
-    parent_frame = run.frames.get(parent_frame_id)
     if parent_frame is None:
         return False
-    barrier = ForeachBarrierState.from_frame(parent_frame, foreach_node_id)
+    activation = load_foreach_activation(
+        parent_frame, owner.foreach_node_id, owner.activation_id
+    )
     return (
-        barrier is not None
+        activation is not None
-        and barrier.mode == "concurrent"
+        and activation.barrier.mode == "concurrent"
         and isinstance(index.nodes_by_id.get(frame.node_id), NodeUse)
     )
 

tests/core/test_concurrent_foreach.py

@@ -19,7 +19,11 @@ from wf_core import (
     execute_workflow,
 )
 from wf_core.run_state import ExecutionFrame, RunState, RuntimeContext
-from wf_core.runtime.foreach_state import ForeachBarrierState
+from wf_core.runtime.foreach_state import (
+    ForeachItemOwner,
+    item_frame_owner,
+    load_or_begin_foreach_activation,
+)
 from wf_core.runtime.scheduler import ForeachIterationMetadata
 
 
@@ -143,7 +147,11 @@ def test_concurrent_foreach_item_frames_use_distinct_lineages() -> None:
     assert run.frames["root"].lineage_id == "root"
     assert run.frames["root"].parent_lineage_id is None
     assert len(item_frames) == 2
-    assert item_lineage_ids == {"root/each[0]", "root/each[1]"}
+    assert item_lineage_ids == {"root:each#0[0]", "root:each#0[1]"}
+    for frame in item_frames:
+        owner = item_frame_owner(frame)
+        assert isinstance(owner, ForeachItemOwner)
+        assert owner.activation_id == "root:each#0"
     assert set(context_lineage_ids) == item_lineage_ids
     assert all(frame.scope_id == "root" for frame in item_frames)
     assert all(frame.parent_lineage_id == "root" for frame in item_frames)
@@ -162,15 +170,27 @@ def test_nested_concurrent_foreach_records_parent_child_lineages() -> None:
     inner_frames = _foreach_frames(run, "inner_each")
 
     assert {frame.lineage_id for frame in outer_frames} == {
-        "root/outer_each[0]",
+        "root:outer_each#0[0]",
-        "root/outer_each[1]",
+        "root:outer_each#0[1]",
     }
     assert all(frame.parent_lineage_id == "root" for frame in outer_frames)
     assert {(frame.parent_lineage_id, frame.lineage_id) for frame in inner_frames} == {
-        ("root/outer_each[0]", "root/outer_each[0]/inner_each[0]"),
+        (
-        ("root/outer_each[0]", "root/outer_each[0]/inner_each[1]"),
+            "root:outer_each#0[0]",
-        ("root/outer_each[1]", "root/outer_each[1]/inner_each[0]"),
+            "root:outer_each#0:0:inner_each#0[0]",
-        ("root/outer_each[1]", "root/outer_each[1]/inner_each[1]"),
+        ),
+        (
+            "root:outer_each#0[0]",
+            "root:outer_each#0:0:inner_each#0[1]",
+        ),
+        (
+            "root:outer_each#0[1]",
+            "root:outer_each#0:1:inner_each#0[0]",
+        ),
+        (
+            "root:outer_each#0[1]",
+            "root:outer_each#0:1:inner_each#0[1]",
+        ),
     }
 
 
@@ -264,12 +284,14 @@ def test_sync_concurrent_foreach_barrier_replays_add_reducer_inputs() -> None:
 
     assert run.state["number"] == 6
     assert run.output["number"] == 6
-    assert run.lineages["root/each[0]"].writes[0].incoming_value == 3
+    assert run.lineages["root:each#0[0]"].writes[0].incoming_value == 3
-    assert run.lineages["root/each[1]"].writes[0].incoming_value == 1
+    assert run.lineages["root:each#0[1]"].writes[0].incoming_value == 1
-    barrier = ForeachBarrierState.from_frame(run.frames["root"], "each")
+    active = load_or_begin_foreach_activation(
-    assert barrier is not None
+        run.frames["root"], "each", mode="concurrent"
-    assert barrier.pending_results[0].lineage_id == "root/each[0]"
+    )
-    assert barrier.pending_results[0].patch.writes == []
+    assert active.id == "root:each#0"
+    assert active.barrier.pending_results[0].lineage_id == "root:each#0[0]"
+    assert active.barrier.pending_results[0].patch.writes == []
     foreach_entries = [entry for entry in run.trace if entry.step_type == "foreach"]
     assert foreach_entries[-1].state_changes["state.number"] == 6
 

tests/core/test_concurrent_foreach_errors.py

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ def test_concurrent_foreach_skip_emits_completed_with_errors() -> None:
     )
 
     assert run.state["seen"] == ["a", "c"]
-    assert run.frames["root:each:1"].status == "failed"
+    assert run.frames["root:each#0:1"].status == "failed"
     foreach_entries = [entry for entry in run.trace if entry.step_type == "foreach"]
     assert foreach_entries[-1].outcome == "completed_with_errors"
     assert foreach_entries[-1].resolved_input["failed_items"] == 1
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def test_concurrent_foreach_collect_writes_ordered_error_records() -> None:
     assert len(run.state["errors"]) == 1
     error = run.state["errors"][0]
     assert error["index"] == 1
-    assert error["frame_id"] == "root:each:1"
+    assert error["frame_id"] == "root:each#0:1"
     assert error["node_id"] == "record"
     assert error["error_type"] == "ValueError"
     assert error["message"] == "bad item"

tests/core/test_concurrent_foreach_interrupts.py

@@ -31,8 +31,8 @@ async def test_concurrent_foreach_interrupt_returns_before_refill() -> None:
     assert run.status is RunStatus.INTERRUPTED
     assert run.interrupt is not None
     assert run.interrupt.payload["item"] == "b"
-    assert run.frames["root:each:1"].status == "interrupted"
+    assert run.frames["root:each#0:1"].status == "interrupted"
-    assert "root:each:2" not in run.frames
+    assert "root:each#0:2" not in run.frames
     assert "seen" not in run.state
 
 
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ async def test_resume_prioritizes_interrupted_item_before_siblings() -> None:
 
     assert resumed.status is RunStatus.COMPLETED
     assert resumed.state["seen"] == ["a", "b", "c"]
-    assert resumed.trace[interrupted_trace_len].frame_id == "root:each:1"
+    assert resumed.trace[interrupted_trace_len].frame_id == "root:each#0:1"
     assert resumed.trace[interrupted_trace_len].step_type == "interrupt"
     assert resumed.trace[interrupted_trace_len].outcome == "submitted"
     foreach_entries = [entry for entry in resumed.trace if entry.step_type == "foreach"]

tests/core/test_foreach_activations.py

@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import pytest
+
+from wf_core.errors import WorkflowExecutionError
+from wf_core.run_state import ExecutionFrame
+from wf_core.runtime.foreach_state import (
+    close_foreach_activation,
+    item_frame_owner,
+    load_or_begin_foreach_activation,
+    save_foreach_activation,
+)
+from wf_core.runtime.scheduler import ForeachIterationMetadata
+
+
+def _frame() -> ExecutionFrame:
+    return ExecutionFrame(id="root", kind="workflow", node_id="each")
+
+
+def test_activation_lifecycle_reuses_active_then_fresh_after_close() -> None:
+    frame = _frame()
+
+    first = load_or_begin_foreach_activation(frame, "each", mode="serial")
+    save_foreach_activation(frame, first)
+    restored = load_or_begin_foreach_activation(frame, "each", mode="serial")
+
+    assert restored.id == first.id
+
+    close_foreach_activation(frame, restored)
+    second = load_or_begin_foreach_activation(frame, "each", mode="serial")
+
+    assert second.id != first.id
+    assert second.barrier.next_index == 0
+
+
+def test_activation_rejects_malformed_metadata() -> None:
+    frame = ExecutionFrame(
+        id="root",
+        kind="workflow",
+        node_id="each",
+        metadata={"foreach_activations": "corrupt"},
+    )
+
+    with pytest.raises(WorkflowExecutionError, match="activation"):
+        load_or_begin_foreach_activation(frame, "each", mode="serial")
+
+
+def test_activation_rejects_mode_mismatch() -> None:
+    frame = _frame()
+    activation = load_or_begin_foreach_activation(frame, "each", mode="serial")
+    save_foreach_activation(frame, activation)
+
+    with pytest.raises(WorkflowExecutionError, match="mode"):
+        load_or_begin_foreach_activation(frame, "each", mode="concurrent")
+
+
+def test_closing_stale_activation_fails_closed() -> None:
+    frame = _frame()
+    first = load_or_begin_foreach_activation(frame, "each", mode="serial")
+    save_foreach_activation(frame, first)
+    close_foreach_activation(frame, first)
+    second = load_or_begin_foreach_activation(frame, "each", mode="serial")
+    save_foreach_activation(frame, second)
+
+    with pytest.raises(WorkflowExecutionError, match="stale|closed|active"):
+        close_foreach_activation(frame, first)
+
+
+def test_activation_json_round_trip_through_frame_metadata() -> None:
+    frame = _frame()
+    activation = load_or_begin_foreach_activation(frame, "each", mode="serial")
+    activation.barrier.next_index = 2
+    save_foreach_activation(frame, activation)
+
+    dumped = dict(frame.metadata)
+    restored_frame = ExecutionFrame(
+        id="root", kind="workflow", node_id="each", metadata=dumped
+    )
+    restored = load_or_begin_foreach_activation(restored_frame, "each", mode="serial")
+
+    assert restored.id == activation.id
+    assert restored.barrier.next_index == 2
+
+
+def test_item_metadata_requires_activation_identity() -> None:
+    frame = ExecutionFrame(
+        id="root:each#0:0",
+        kind="foreach_iteration",
+        node_id="work",
+        parent_frame_id="root",
+        metadata={
+            "foreach_node_id": "each",
+            "loop_index": 0,
+            "loop_item": "a",
+            "loop_alias": "item",
+        },
+    )
+
+    with pytest.raises(WorkflowExecutionError, match="activation"):
+        ForeachIterationMetadata.from_frame(frame)
+    with pytest.raises(WorkflowExecutionError, match="activation"):
+        item_frame_owner(frame)

tests/core/test_foreach_barrier_state.py

@@ -8,9 +8,13 @@ from wf_core.paths import StatePath
 from wf_core.run_state import ExecutionFrame, RunState, RunStatus, StateWrite
 from wf_core.runtime.foreach_state import (
     ForeachBarrierState,
+    ForeachItemOwner,
     ItemErrorRecord,
     PendingItemResult,
     _state_write_from_metadata,
+    item_frame_owner,
+    load_or_begin_foreach_activation,
+    save_foreach_activation,
 )
 from wf_core.runtime.lineage import LineageStateView, lineage_writes_for_frame
 from wf_core.runtime.ops.state import StatePatch
@@ -134,20 +138,28 @@ def test_lineage_state_view_materializes_visible_values_without_mutating_base()
 
 def test_lineage_writes_for_frame_reads_current_foreach_pending_result() -> None:
     parent = ExecutionFrame(id="root", kind="workflow", node_id="each")
+    activation = load_or_begin_foreach_activation(parent, "each", mode="concurrent")
+    child_lineage_id = f"{activation.id}[0]"
     child = ExecutionFrame(
-        id="root:each:0",
+        id=f"{activation.id}:0",
         kind="foreach_iteration",
         node_id="work",
         parent_frame_id="root",
-        lineage_id="root/each[0]",
+        lineage_id=child_lineage_id,
         parent_lineage_id="root",
         metadata={
             "foreach_node_id": "each",
+            "activation_id": activation.id,
             "loop_index": 0,
             "loop_item": "a",
             "loop_alias": "item",
         },
     )
+    # Ownership is named, not positional.
+    owner = item_frame_owner(child)
+    assert isinstance(owner, ForeachItemOwner)
+    assert owner.activation_id == activation.id
+    assert owner.item_index == 0
     patch = StatePatch(
         writes=[
             StateWrite(
@@ -158,19 +170,14 @@ def test_lineage_writes_for_frame_reads_current_foreach_pending_result() -> None
             )
         ]
     )
-    barrier = ForeachBarrierState(
+    activation.barrier.pending_results[0] = PendingItemResult(
-        mode="concurrent",
+        index=0,
-        pending_results={
+        frame_id=child.id,
-            0: PendingItemResult(
+        status="succeeded",
-                index=0,
+        lineage_id=child.lineage_id,
-                frame_id=child.id,
+        patch=patch,
-                status="succeeded",
-                lineage_id=child.lineage_id,
-                patch=patch,
-            )
-        },
     )
-    barrier.save_to_frame(parent, "each")
+    save_foreach_activation(parent, activation)
     run = RunState(
         workflow_name="lineage",
         status=RunStatus.PENDING,
@@ -188,12 +195,13 @@ def test_lineage_writes_for_frame_reads_current_foreach_pending_result() -> None
 
 def test_lineage_writes_for_frame_rejects_missing_compatibility_parent_frame() -> None:
     child = ExecutionFrame(
-        id="missing:each:0",
+        id="missing:each#0:0",
         kind="foreach_iteration",
         node_id="work",
         parent_frame_id="missing",
         metadata={
             "foreach_node_id": "each",
+            "activation_id": "missing:each#0",
             "loop_index": 0,
             "loop_item": "a",
             "loop_alias": "item",

tests/core/test_scheduler.py

@@ -163,8 +163,19 @@ def test_child_completion_wakes_blocked_parent() -> None:
 
 
 def test_wake_parent_when_child_finishes_for_refill() -> None:
+    from wf_core.runtime.foreach_state import (
+        ForeachItemOwner,
+        item_frame_owner,
+        load_or_begin_foreach_activation,
+        save_foreach_activation,
+    )
+
     run = _run()
     add_frame(run, ExecutionFrame(id="parent", kind="root", node_id="foreach"))
+    activation = load_or_begin_foreach_activation(
+        run.frames["parent"], "foreach", mode="serial"
+    )
+    save_foreach_activation(run.frames["parent"], activation)
     add_frame(
         run,
         ExecutionFrame(
@@ -172,11 +183,22 @@ def test_wake_parent_when_child_finishes_for_refill() -> None:
             kind="foreach_iteration",
             node_id="__end__",
             parent_frame_id="parent",
+            metadata={
+                "foreach_node_id": "foreach",
+                "activation_id": activation.id,
+                "loop_index": 0,
+                "loop_item": "a",
+                "loop_alias": "item",
+            },
         ),
     )
     block_frame_on_children(run, "parent", ("child", "other"))
     run.frames["child"].status = FrameStatus.COMPLETED
 
+    owner = item_frame_owner(run.frames["child"])
+    assert isinstance(owner, ForeachItemOwner)
+    assert owner.activation_id == activation.id
+
     wake_parent_for_child_progress(run, "child")
 
     assert run.frames["parent"].status == FrameStatus.PENDING