diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 1c08bfd..54a6e0c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -26,7 +26,20 @@ jobs:
       - run: npm pack --dry-run
 
   variaq-integration:
-    name: VariaQ 0.6.0 integration
+    name: VariaQ ${{ matrix.variaq_version }} integration
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        include:
+          - variaq_version: "0.6.0"
+            # Commit behind the verified legacy v0.6.0 tag.
+            variaq_ref: aeac83b67a9874957458d626c81ba231030f90ab
+          - variaq_version: "0.8.0rc1"
+            # Reviewed release/0.8.0rc1 candidate; never use a moving branch.
+            variaq_ref: 551151a2c2ccfe0301dca1b22fcc8abf5d540f56
+          - variaq_version: "0.8.0"
+            # VariaQ 0.8.0 stable merge commit on main; never use a moving branch.
+            variaq_ref: 2c7ca9c488a5aea91575ec0a95e2111adeb2a0a2
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     timeout-minutes: 30
     steps:
@@ -34,8 +47,7 @@ jobs:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v6
         with:
           repository: aaronphifer/variaq
-          # Immutable release tag for the verified VariaQ 0.6.x integration.
-          ref: v0.6.0
+          ref: ${{ matrix.variaq_ref }}
           path: .variaq-source
       - uses: actions/setup-node@v7
         with:
@@ -56,4 +68,5 @@ jobs:
         env:
           VARIAQ_TEST_PROJECT: ${{ github.workspace }}/.variaq-source
           VARIAQ_TEST_PYTHON: ${{ runner.temp }}/variaq-venv/bin/python
+          VARIAQ_TEST_VERSION: ${{ matrix.variaq_version }}
         run: npm run test:integration
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 529230a..f0f7caf 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,9 +2,20 @@
 
 All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 
-## 0.5.1 - Unreleased
+## 0.6.0 - Unreleased
 
-Maintenance-only release.
+Unreleased compatibility update.
+
+- Accept stable VariaQ 0.8.x series releases and the tested 0.8.0rc1 candidate while retaining 0.6.x and schema-v1 support; paired_solvers comparisons unlock on stable VariaQ 0.8.x.
+- Prepare an immutable stable VariaQ 0.8.0 integration CI leg (pin the stable tag SHA when the VariaQ stable branch is pushed).
+- Pin the transitive development dependency `source-map-js` to 1.2.2 (GHSA-68fv-2mgg-jv7q) via a narrowly scoped npm override; runtime dependencies remain clean. The five remaining development advisories live inside `node_modules/npm` bundled dependencies that npm overrides cannot reach; they require an upstream npm/bb-app refresh and do not affect the shipped plugin.
+- Accept the tested VariaQ 0.8.0rc1 candidate while retaining stable 0.6.x support and schema-v1 validation; preserve candidate suffixes and reject unverified versions.
+- Target BB 0.46 / Plugin SDK 0.6.37, update build dependencies, and verify real local integration with both VariaQ 0.6.0 and 0.8.0rc1.
+- Forward paired_solvers through existing campaign analysis/report tools and CLI, including expanded CSV paths, without plugin-side science. Reject unsupported run-comparison requests clearly.
+- Validate canonical nested campaign solver parameters, including numeric candidate matrices, using non-recursive tool schemas.
+- Keep GPU integration explicitly opt-in with VARIAQ_TEST_GPU=1, independently of CUDA-Q CPU tests.
+- Run hosted legacy and candidate integration against immutable VariaQ commit pins.
+- Document the six development-toolchain audit findings separately from runtime dependencies.
 
 - Fix duplicated plot-format requests in `variaq_report_campaign` when both `formats: ["plots"]` and `plots: true` are supplied; `formats` is now canonical and `plots: true` only ensures "plots" appears once.
 - Update GitHub Actions to Node 24-native action versions (`actions/checkout@v6`, `actions/setup-node@v7`, `actions/setup-python@v7`) to resolve Node 20 deprecation warnings while preserving existing workflow behavior.
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 03c9bf6..5bab4a4 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -22,15 +22,20 @@ solver installation.
 
 ## Real VariaQ integration
 
-Install VariaQ 0.2.0 separately with Python 3.12 and its `quantum` extra, then
+Install VariaQ 0.6.0 or the local 0.8.0rc1 candidate separately with Python 3.12 and its `quantum` extra, then
 run:
 
 ```bash
 VARIAQ_TEST_PROJECT=/path/to/variaq \
 VARIAQ_TEST_PYTHON=/path/to/variaq/.venv/bin/python \
+VARIAQ_TEST_VERSION=0.8.0rc1 \
 npm run test:integration
 ```
 
+To validate the stable VariaQ 0.8.0 release instead, point
+`VARIAQ_TEST_VERSION=0.8.0` at the pinned stable-tag checkout (the exact commit
+SHA is pinned at release time, mirroring the CI matrix placeholder).
+
 These tests cover the CLI contract and local exact, heuristic, and Qiskit
 flows. They must not reimplement VariaQ solver-correctness tests.
 
@@ -39,10 +44,14 @@ CUDA-Q is optional. On a compatible local or self-hosted machine:
 ```bash
 VARIAQ_TEST_PROJECT=/path/to/variaq \
 VARIAQ_TEST_PYTHON=/path/to/variaq/.venv/bin/python \
+VARIAQ_TEST_VERSION=0.8.0rc1 \
 VARIAQ_TEST_CUDAQ=1 \
 npm run test:integration
 ```
 
+GPU integration additionally requires `VARIAQ_TEST_GPU=1`. Set the expected
+version to `0.6.0` when validating the legacy tagged checkout.
+
 Use `npm run smoke` for a deterministic installed-plugin workflow. GPU work is
 opt-in with `VARIAQ_SMOKE_GPU=1`; neither physical-QPU nor remote-provider tests
 belong in the plugin's required CI.
@@ -56,3 +65,8 @@ belong in the plugin's required CI.
   BB, or Plugin SDK versions.
 - Do not commit local settings, experiment databases, generated problems,
   credentials, dependency directories, coverage, logs, or build output.
+
+CI runs the legacy and candidate integration suite against the immutable VariaQ
+commit pins in `.github/workflows/ci.yml`. Keep `VARIAQ_TEST_VERSION` matched to
+each source revision. A candidate pin must come from reviewed release-branch
+code; do not substitute main, v0.7, a moving candidate branch, or an unverified build.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f8f2b56..c48e94c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -35,10 +35,10 @@ logic — VariaQ remains authoritative for all of these.
 
 ## Prerequisites
 
-- BB 0.43.x with Plugin SDK 0.4.104
+- BB 0.46.x with Plugin SDK 0.6.37
 - Node.js 22.19 or a compatible version supported by BB
 - Linux-native Python 3.12
-- a separate VariaQ 0.6.x installation; 0.6.0 is the verified version
+- a separate VariaQ 0.6.x installation or the local 0.8.0rc1 candidate
 
 Create a VariaQ environment separately from this repository:
 
@@ -179,20 +179,48 @@ prose parsing or run-ID scraping.
 
 ## Version compatibility
 
-The verified combination is:
-
-```text
-bb-plugin-variaq 0.5.0
-VariaQ           0.6.0
-Plugin SDK       0.4.104
-BB host          0.43.x
-VariaQ schema    1
+The current checkout targets BB 0.46.x / Plugin SDK 0.6.37 and schema version `1`.
+It accepts stable VariaQ 0.6.x and 0.8.x series releases plus the explicitly
+tested `0.8.0rc1` candidate. Real local integration was verified against the
+immutable `v0.6.0` tag and the reviewed v0.8 candidate checkout. Patch
+acceptance within 0.6.x and 0.8.x is a version policy; every patch was not
+independently executed. VariaQ 0.5.x, 0.7.x, 0.9.x, other release candidates
+(including rc2 and later) and future schemas remain unsupported. A suffix is
+never silently stripped from a version. Status/version report unsupported
+environments with a warning; schema parsing still rejects non-v1 output. This
+does not authorize running an unverified version.
+
+The BB engine/SDK pins have moved from BB 0.43 / SDK 0.4.104 to the actual BB
+0.46 host. Old BB 0.43 host compatibility is not claimed. Package identity is
+`0.6.0` (unreleased); this work does not publish a plugin or a VariaQ release.
+
+### Paired-solver analysis in the 0.8 series
+
+On verified VariaQ 0.8.x stable releases and the tested `0.8.0rc1` candidate,
+existing `variaq_analyze_campaign` and `variaq_report_campaign` tools accept
+`compare: "paired_solvers"`; CLI equivalents accept `--compare paired_solvers`.
+This forwards VariaQ's analysis, including instances, pairs, precision,
+repeat/seed controls, null/reason values and timing scopes. Reports forward all
+generated paths, including per-run, pair and repeat CSVs. The plugin computes
+no objectives, gaps, pairing, timings or speedups.
+
+```sh
+bb variaq analyze-campaign CAMPAIGN_ID --compare paired_solvers --json
+bb variaq report-campaign CAMPAIGN_ID --output-dir paired --formats json,csv,markdown --compare paired_solvers --json
 ```
 
-bb-plugin-variaq 0.5.x is verified against VariaQ 0.6.x and schema version `1`.
-Patch releases within the 0.5 plugin series and 0.6 VariaQ series are accepted.
-Other VariaQ series or future schema versions are reported as unsupported with a
-clear compatibility error.
+Canonical campaign overrides use `solver_config: {qaoa: {seed: 42,
+parameters: {p: 1, optimizer_trials: 2, shots: 32, warmup: false,
+candidate_parameters: [[0.5, 0.25], [0.8, 0.4]]}}}`. Scalar controls, scalar
+lists and numeric matrices are validated without recursive agent-tool schemas.
+Legacy flat scalar override shapes remain accepted; VariaQ remains authoritative
+about their interpretation. No backend math or optimizer is duplicated here.
+
+VariaQ's `analyze runs` CLI has no `--compare` contract. Use ordinary run analysis
+for explicit run selections, and a stored campaign for comparisons. Unsupported
+run-comparison requests receive a clear error. Paired campaign/report requests
+on 0.6.x also fail clearly, without fallback or solver execution. Legacy campaign
+comparison modes remain available on both supported versions.
 
 ## CUDA-Q and GPU behavior
 
@@ -271,7 +299,7 @@ Starting with bb-plugin-variaq 0.5.0 and VariaQ 0.6.0:
 
 ## Limitations
 
-- VariaQ 0.6.0 provides local execution only; there is no physical-QPU path.
+- Supported VariaQ versions provide local execution only; there is no physical-QPU path.
 - There is no IBM Runtime/provider integration and no credential handling.
 - Generic CI does not require CUDA-Q, an NVIDIA GPU, a physical QPU, or remote
   services.
@@ -312,22 +340,32 @@ npm pack --dry-run
 ```
 
 Real integration tests use `VARIAQ_TEST_PROJECT` and `VARIAQ_TEST_PYTHON` when
-set. They default to the local development checkout. Optional CUDA-Q CPU tests
-run only with `VARIAQ_TEST_CUDAQ=1`:
+set. With neither set, real tests are skipped. `VARIAQ_TEST_VERSION` is an
+explicit expected version (default `0.6.0` for tagged CI). Use `0.8.0rc1` for
+the candidate. Optional CUDA-Q CPU tests require `VARIAQ_TEST_CUDAQ=1`; GPU
+execution separately requires `VARIAQ_TEST_GPU=1`:
 
 ```bash
 VARIAQ_TEST_PROJECT=/path/to/variaq \
 VARIAQ_TEST_PYTHON=/path/to/variaq/.venv/bin/python \
+VARIAQ_TEST_VERSION=0.8.0rc1 \
 VARIAQ_TEST_CUDAQ=1 \
 npm run test:integration
 ```
 
 The normal GitHub Actions plugin job uses the deterministic fake CLI. A
-separate Linux integration job checks out the immutable VariaQ `v0.6.0` tag,
+separate Linux integration matrix checks out immutable commits for VariaQ `v0.6.0`
+and the reviewed `release/0.8.0rc1` candidate,
 installs `.[quantum]`, exercises local classical/Qiskit workflows, and runs a
 bounded campaign plan/run, analysis, and report-generation smoke. CUDA-Q, GPU,
 and matplotlib verification remain manual or suitable for a future self-hosted
-runner.
+runner. Candidate integration is pinned to VariaQ commit
+`551151a2c2ccfe0301dca1b22fcc8abf5d540f56`; CI asserts the expected version.
+Update this reviewed pin explicitly when the VariaQ candidate changes.
+The existing public-SDK scanner test remains skipped because its string scanner
+reports command strings as imports; typecheck/build and live registration remain
+active checks. Linux local integration is verified; Windows plugin execution is
+not claimed. The fake executable harness currently uses POSIX executable symlinks.
 
 See [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for contribution boundaries and
 [SECURITY.md](SECURITY.md) for the subprocess security model.
diff --git a/SECURITY.md b/SECURITY.md
index 49f67c1..7fa018f 100644
--- a/SECURITY.md
+++ b/SECURITY.md
@@ -22,3 +22,43 @@ it is enabled. Otherwise contact the repository owner privately through their
 published profile contact. Do not include active secrets or sensitive system
 data in a public issue. No project-specific private security email is currently
 published.
+
+## Candidate execution and reports
+
+Paired analysis uses stored campaigns and VariaQ-derived evidence only; it does
+not execute solvers. Reports remain beneath the configured output root with
+component-by-component directory symlink rejection and VariaQ's artifact guards.
+A subprocess timeout sends termination and escalates to a kill; completed v0.8
+attempts remain persisted, but an in-flight native result may be lost. The plugin
+never resumes or automatically retries work. Independently running CLI campaigns
+are not coordinated by VariaQ's web-worker lock. Keep one execution owner.
+
+Supported versions are a compatibility policy, not permission for physical-QPU
+execution. No new credentials, external execution, shell, or arbitrary analytics
+code is introduced by candidate compatibility.
+
+## Candidate dependency review
+
+The candidate lockfile audit reports six affected development packages (four
+high, two moderate); `npm audit --omit=dev` reports zero affected production
+packages. These are real upstream advisories, not a claim that development use
+is harmless. The plugin runtime imports Zod and Node built-ins, invokes local
+Python with argument arrays, and does not call the affected libraries directly.
+
+| Locked package | Development dependency path | Advisory exposure |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| brace-expansion 5.0.9 | bb-app → npm → minimatch | [Stack/CPU exhaustion from hostile brace patterns](https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-qhr7-859c-m2p7) |
+| http-cache-semantics 4.2.0 | bb-app → npm → make-fetch-happen | [Cross-user cached response disclosure with max-stale](https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-ch52-4w7c-c8xp) |
+| ip-address 10.5.0 | bb-app → npm → proxy/SOCKS tooling | [Incorrect address classifiers/subnet checks](https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-j6r3-76f7-8jcv), plus unbounded diagnostic input |
+| postcss-selector-parser 7.1.4 | bb-app → npm → dependency query tooling | [CPU exhaustion from hostile selectors](https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-rj75-hqrm-r3gf) |
+| source-map-js 1.2.1 | vitest → vite → postcss | [Event-loop exhaustion from hostile indexed source maps](https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-68fv-2mgg-jv7q) |
+| undici 6.28.0 | bb-app → npm → download/build tooling | [WebSocket denial of service](https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-rfgv-xxqx-mfg5), plus retry-interceptor response splitting |
+
+The reviewed plugin surfaces expose no user-controlled glob, HTTP cache/proxy,
+CSS/source-map parsing or WebSocket path into these packages. Exploitability in
+npm/build/test tooling depends on its inputs and configuration; hostile package
+metadata, network peers and development assets remain relevant risks. This review
+does not audit BB host internals or establish that these advisories are unreachable
+in every development invocation. Use isolated CI/cache environments and review
+narrow compatible dependency fixes before a broad public release. No forced audit
+fix, broad upgrade or suppression was applied.
diff --git a/lib/runner.ts b/lib/runner.ts
index 0be67f2..57a76a0 100644
--- a/lib/runner.ts
+++ b/lib/runner.ts
@@ -616,14 +616,17 @@ export interface VariaqVersionCompatibility {
 }
 
 /**
- * bb-plugin-variaq 0.5.0 is verified against VariaQ 0.6.0 / schema_version 1.
- * Patch releases in the 0.6 series are accepted. Other series are reported as
+ * Accept stable VariaQ 0.6.x and 0.8.x series releases and the explicitly
+ * tested 0.8.0rc1 candidate. Other versions and candidates are reported as
  * unsupported so users can still inspect a mismatched environment.
  */
 export function checkVariaqVersion(raw: string | null, schemaVersion?: string): VariaqVersionCompatibility {
-  const match = raw?.match(/(?:^|\s)(\d+)\.(\d+)\.(\d+)(?:\b|$)/);
-  const version = match ? `${match[1]}.${match[2]}.${match[3]}` : null;
-  const supported = match?.[1] === "0" && match?.[2] === "6";
+  const match = raw?.trim().match(/^(?:variaq\s+)?(\d+)\.(\d+)\.(\d+)(rc\d+)?$/);
+  const version = match ? `${match[1]}.${match[2]}.${match[3]}${match[4] ?? ""}` : null;
+  const supported =
+    (match?.[1] === "0" && match?.[2] === "6" && !match?.[4]) ||
+    (match?.[1] === "0" && match?.[2] === "8" && !match?.[4]) ||
+    version === "0.8.0rc1";
   const schemaVersionSupported = schemaVersion === undefined || schemaVersion === SUPPORTED_SCHEMA_VERSION;
 
   const parts: string[] = [];
diff --git a/lib/schema.ts b/lib/schema.ts
index 700e758..6eef1d9 100644
--- a/lib/schema.ts
+++ b/lib/schema.ts
@@ -80,7 +80,14 @@ export function isProblemFamily(value: string): value is ProblemFamily {
 
 export const campaignSolverOverrideSchema = z.record(
   z.string(),
-  z.record(z.string(), z.union([z.string(), z.number(), z.boolean(), z.array(z.union([z.string(), z.number()]))])),
+  z.object({
+    seed: z.number().int().min(0).optional(),
+    parameters: z.record(z.string(), z.union([
+      z.string(), z.number(), z.boolean(), z.null(),
+      z.array(z.union([z.string(), z.number(), z.boolean(), z.null()])),
+      z.array(z.array(z.number())),
+    ])).optional(),
+  }).catchall(z.union([z.string(), z.number(), z.boolean(), z.array(z.union([z.string(), z.number()]))])),
 );
 
 export const campaignDefinitionSchema = z.object({
@@ -148,6 +155,11 @@ export const campaignListItemSchema = z.object({
   created_at: z.string(),
 });
 
+export const comparisonTypeSchema = z.enum([
+  "classical_vs_quantum", "qiskit_vs_cudaq", "gpu_vs_cpu", "paired_solvers",
+]);
+export type ComparisonType = z.infer<typeof comparisonTypeSchema>;
+
 export const analyzeQuerySchema = z.object({
   run_ids: z.array(z.string()).optional(),
   campaign_id: z.string().optional(),
@@ -156,7 +168,7 @@ export const analyzeQuerySchema = z.object({
   scaling_x: z.string().optional(),
   include_failed: z.boolean().optional(),
   include_unavailable: z.boolean().optional(),
-  compare: z.enum(["classical_vs_quantum", "qiskit_vs_cudaq", "gpu_vs_cpu"]).optional(),
+  compare: comparisonTypeSchema.optional(),
 });
 
 export type AnalyzeQuery = z.infer<typeof analyzeQuerySchema>;
@@ -176,9 +188,9 @@ export interface ParsedEnvelope {
 export const SUPPORTED_SCHEMA_VERSION = "1";
 
 /** Compatibility metadata, mirrored here for the schema module. */
-export const BB_PLUGIN_VARIAQ_VERSION = "0.5.1";
-export const VERIFIED_VARIAQ_VERSION = "0.6.0";
-export const SUPPORTED_VARIAQ_SERIES = "0.6.x";
+export const BB_PLUGIN_VARIAQ_VERSION = "0.6.0";
+export const VERIFIED_VARIAQ_VERSION = "0.8.0";
+export const SUPPORTED_VARIAQ_SERIES = "0.6.x, 0.8.x and 0.8.0rc1";
 
 /**
  * Validate a VariaQ JSON envelope.
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 2af978c..bc45f46 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,21 +1,21 @@
 {
   "name": "bb-plugin-variaq",
-  "version": "0.5.1",
+  "version": "0.6.0",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "bb-plugin-variaq",
-      "version": "0.5.1",
+      "version": "0.6.0",
       "license": "Apache-2.0",
       "dependencies": {
         "zod": "^4.3.6"
       },
       "devDependencies": {
-        "@get-bb/plugin-sdk": "0.4.104",
+        "@get-bb/plugin-sdk": "0.6.37",
         "@types/better-sqlite3": "^7.6.13",
         "@types/node": "^22.0.0",
-        "bb-app": "0.43.3",
+        "bb-app": "0.46.0",
         "better-sqlite3": "^12.11.1",
         "cron-parser": "^5.10.1",
         "hono": "^4.13.8",
@@ -23,15 +23,19 @@
         "vitest": "^5.0.1"
       },
       "engines": {
-        "bb": ">=0.43.0 <0.44.0",
-        "bbPluginSdk": "0.4.104"
+        "bb": ">=0.46.0 <0.47.0",
+        "bbPluginSdk": "0.6.37"
       }
     },
     "node_modules/@get-bb/plugin-sdk": {
-      "version": "0.4.104",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@get-bb/plugin-sdk/-/plugin-sdk-0.4.104.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-h9+yfAa2qhg1aKaP7kZQ5oNpAk0qia4njXfslufArqifMoRWlx1WSJcQvXtfvQ8OJz/pO+JAiUn/HkySU6eTGA==",
+      "version": "0.6.37",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@get-bb/plugin-sdk/-/plugin-sdk-0.6.37.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-fltzoFz2DTSDo35tSMaDR/nlQeTE/WFO1BLUMD0LoJ+dbKsJBCloaK+Kl1BYXP+lABPBH7dgAAfKKKSIgCBzHA==",
       "dev": true,
+      "dependencies": {
+        "cross-spawn": "^7.0.6",
+        "zod": "^4.6.5"
+      },
       "peerDependencies": {
         "@testing-library/react": "^16.3.2",
         "@types/better-sqlite3": "^7.6.12",
@@ -40,8 +44,7 @@
         "cron-parser": "^5.5.0",
         "hono": "^4.11.9",
         "react": "^19.0.0",
-        "react-dom": "^19.0.0",
-        "zod": "^4.3.6"
+        "react-dom": "^19.0.0"
       },
       "peerDependenciesMeta": {
         "@testing-library/react": {
@@ -67,9 +70,6 @@
         },
         "react-dom": {
           "optional": true
-        },
-        "zod": {
-          "optional": true
         }
       }
     },
@@ -911,27 +911,27 @@
       "license": "MIT"
     },
     "node_modules/bb-app": {
-      "version": "0.43.3",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/bb-app/-/bb-app-0.43.3.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-MzSJTvyuU316hJOxd3aierpxoWWk1AfFHXBKXpJe2UrbT3pa7rob4biTBzisFzyt44TO+/X8YIrDNGvS8t5QXw==",
+      "version": "0.46.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/bb-app/-/bb-app-0.46.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-Pr9vZAIV5FeLvTlYVwodk8Ao2qkJ5j+7WDZbAn6SYnbq8Yv3h3W8ukJ8od6Cuw0QZBHL9sCgVYbF9BclsBF1fg==",
       "dev": true,
       "os": [
         "darwin",
-        "linux"
+        "linux",
+        "win32"
       ],
       "dependencies": {
         "@parcel/watcher": "2.5.6",
         "better-sqlite3": "13.0.3",
         "fs-native-extensions": "1.5.0",
         "hono": "^4.7.0",
-        "jiti": "^2.6.1",
         "node-pty": "1.2.0-beta.15",
         "npm": "11.16.0",
         "picocolors": "^1.1.1",
         "pino": "^9.6.0",
         "pino-pretty": "^13.0.0",
         "pino-roll": "^4.0.0",
-        "zod": "4.3.6"
+        "zod": "4.6.5"
       },
       "bin": {
         "bb": "dist/bb.js",
@@ -966,16 +966,6 @@
         "node": "^18 || ^20 || >= 21"
       }
     },
-    "node_modules/bb-app/node_modules/zod": {
-      "version": "4.3.6",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/zod/-/zod-4.3.6.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-rftlrkhHZOcjDwkGlnUtZZkvaPHCsDATp4pGpuOOMDaTdDDXF91wuVDJoWoPsKX/3YPQ5fHuF3STjcYyKr+Qhg==",
-      "dev": true,
-      "license": "MIT",
-      "funding": {
-        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/colinhacks"
-      }
-    },
     "node_modules/better-sqlite3": {
       "version": "12.11.1",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/better-sqlite3/-/better-sqlite3-12.11.1.tgz",
@@ -1075,6 +1065,21 @@
         "node": ">=18"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/cross-spawn": {
+      "version": "7.0.6",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/cross-spawn/-/cross-spawn-7.0.6.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-uV2QOWP2nWzsy2aMp8aRibhi9dlzF5Hgh5SHaB9OiTGEyDTiJJyx0uy51QXdyWbtAHNua4XJzUKca3OzKUd3vA==",
+      "dev": true,
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "path-key": "^3.1.0",
+        "shebang-command": "^2.0.0",
+        "which": "^2.0.1"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">= 8"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/date-fns": {
       "version": "4.4.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/date-fns/-/date-fns-4.4.0.tgz",
@@ -1334,15 +1339,12 @@
         "node": ">=0.10.0"
       }
     },
-    "node_modules/jiti": {
-      "version": "2.7.0",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/jiti/-/jiti-2.7.0.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-AC/7JofJvZGrrneWNaEnJeOLUx+JlGt7tNa0wZiRPT4MY1wmfKjt2+6O2p2uz2+skll8OZZmJMNqeke7kKbNgQ==",
+    "node_modules/isexe": {
+      "version": "2.0.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/isexe/-/isexe-2.0.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-RHxMLp9lnKHGHRng9QFhRCMbYAcVpn69smSGcq3f36xjgVVWThj4qqLbTLlq7Ssj8B+fIQ1EuCEGI2lKsyQeIw==",
       "dev": true,
-      "license": "MIT",
-      "bin": {
-        "jiti": "lib/jiti-cli.mjs"
-      }
+      "license": "ISC"
     },
     "node_modules/joycon": {
       "version": "3.1.1",
@@ -3688,6 +3690,16 @@
         "wrappy": "1"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/path-key": {
+      "version": "3.1.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/path-key/-/path-key-3.1.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-ojmeN0qd+y0jszEtoY48r0Peq5dwMEkIlCOu6Q5f41lfkswXuKtYrhgoTpLnyIcHm24Uhqx+5Tqm2InSwLhE6Q==",
+      "dev": true,
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=8"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/picocolors": {
       "version": "1.1.1",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/picocolors/-/picocolors-1.1.1.tgz",
@@ -4050,6 +4062,29 @@
         "node": ">=10"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/shebang-command": {
+      "version": "2.0.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/shebang-command/-/shebang-command-2.0.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-kHxr2zZpYtdmrN1qDjrrX/Z1rR1kG8Dx+gkpK1G4eXmvXswmcE1hTWBWYUzlraYw1/yZp6YuDY77YtvbN0dmDA==",
+      "dev": true,
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "shebang-regex": "^3.0.0"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=8"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/shebang-regex": {
+      "version": "3.0.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/shebang-regex/-/shebang-regex-3.0.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-7++dFhtcx3353uBaq8DDR4NuxBetBzC7ZQOhmTQInHEd6bSrXdiEyzCvG07Z44UYdLShWUyXt5M/yhz8ekcb1A==",
+      "dev": true,
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=8"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/siginfo": {
       "version": "2.0.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/siginfo/-/siginfo-2.0.0.tgz",
@@ -4115,9 +4150,9 @@
       }
     },
     "node_modules/source-map-js": {
-      "version": "1.2.1",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/source-map-js/-/source-map-js-1.2.1.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-UXWMKhLOwVKb728IUtQPXxfYU+usdybtUrK/8uGE8CQMvrhOpwvzDBwj0QhSL7MQc7vIsISBG8VQ8+IDQxpfQA==",
+      "version": "1.2.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/source-map-js/-/source-map-js-1.2.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-KGj/8Y43x35aZVDtt+J4mK1hoLGHULMYfSkODJNQjNDC3oW1PqPoxMwo0pLUsWM/UEGzON/NxeHywEfNXNP3Vw==",
       "dev": true,
       "license": "BSD-3-Clause",
       "peer": true,
@@ -4449,6 +4484,22 @@
         }
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/which": {
+      "version": "2.0.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/which/-/which-2.0.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-BLI3Tl1TW3Pvl70l3yq3Y64i+awpwXqsGBYWkkqMtnbXgrMD+yj7rhW0kuEDxzJaYXGjEW5ogapKNMEKNMjibA==",
+      "dev": true,
+      "license": "ISC",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "isexe": "^2.0.0"
+      },
+      "bin": {
+        "node-which": "bin/node-which"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">= 8"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/which-runtime": {
       "version": "1.4.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/which-runtime/-/which-runtime-1.4.0.tgz",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 0c2fafe..cfbc654 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "bb-plugin-variaq",
-  "version": "0.5.1",
+  "version": "0.6.0",
   "type": "module",
   "description": "Thin bb adapter for the standalone VariaQ hybrid-compute research platform.",
   "license": "Apache-2.0",
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@
     "LICENSE"
   ],
   "engines": {
-    "bb": ">=0.43.0 <0.44.0",
-    "bbPluginSdk": "0.4.104"
+    "bb": ">=0.46.0 <0.47.0",
+    "bbPluginSdk": "0.6.37"
   },
   "bb": {
     "name": "VariaQ",
@@ -34,16 +34,17 @@
   "overrides": {
     "bb-app": {
       "npm": "11.19.1"
-    }
+    },
+    "source-map-js": "1.2.2"
   },
   "dependencies": {
     "zod": "^4.3.6"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
-    "@get-bb/plugin-sdk": "0.4.104",
+    "@get-bb/plugin-sdk": "0.6.37",
     "@types/better-sqlite3": "^7.6.13",
     "@types/node": "^22.0.0",
-    "bb-app": "0.43.3",
+    "bb-app": "0.46.0",
     "better-sqlite3": "^12.11.1",
     "cron-parser": "^5.10.1",
     "hono": "^4.13.8",
diff --git a/server.ts b/server.ts
index 27977ce..c704dc0 100644
--- a/server.ts
+++ b/server.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { promises as fs } from "node:fs";
 import { tmpdir } from "node:os";
 import { isAbsolute, join, relative, resolve, sep } from "node:path";
 import crypto from "node:crypto";
-import { problemFamilySchema, type ProblemFamily, campaignDefinitionSchema, campaignPlanDataSchema, campaignRunDataSchema, campaignListItemSchema, analyzeQuerySchema, reportFormatsSchema, type CampaignDefinition } from "./lib/schema.js";
+import { comparisonTypeSchema, type ComparisonType, problemFamilySchema, type ProblemFamily, campaignDefinitionSchema, campaignPlanDataSchema, campaignRunDataSchema, campaignListItemSchema, analyzeQuerySchema, reportFormatsSchema, type CampaignDefinition } from "./lib/schema.js";
 import type { BbPluginApi } from "@get-bb/plugin-sdk";
 import { PluginError, checkVariaqVersion, generateProblemArgv, parseJsonOutput, parseKeyValue, parseSolvers, probeCapabilities, quantumSupportNote, requireSuccess, resolveConfig, runVariaqJson, runVariaqStrict, solverSupportsFamily, statusFromCapabilities } from "./lib/runner.js";
 import type { ResolvedConfig, VariaqSettings, CompareQuantumEnvelopeData, BenchmarkEnvelopeData, ReproduceEnvelopeData, ProblemGenerateData, SolveEnvelopeData, FamilyGenerateInput, VariaqSolver, CampaignPlanEnvelopeData, CampaignRunEnvelopeData, CampaignListEnvelopeData, CampaignShowEnvelopeData, AnalyzeEnvelopeData, ReportCampaignEnvelopeData } from "./lib/runner.js";
@@ -535,9 +535,27 @@ export default async function plugin(bb: BbPluginApi) {
     return argv;
   }
 
+  async function requireComparisonSupport(c: ResolvedConfig, comparison?: ComparisonType): Promise<void> {
+    if (comparison !== "paired_solvers") return;
+    const result = await runVariaqStrict(c, ["--version"], { timeoutMs: 15_000 });
+    const compat = checkVariaqVersion(result.stdout);
+    if (!(compat.supported && compat.version !== null && (compat.version === "0.8.0rc1" || /^0\.8\.\d+$/.test(compat.version)))) {
+      throw new PluginError(
+        "paired_solvers requires a verified VariaQ 0.8 stable release or the tested 0.8.0rc1 candidate.",
+        "Legacy comparisons remain available on VariaQ 0.6.x; no fallback or solver execution occurred.",
+      );
+    }
+  }
+
   async function opAnalyzeRuns(query: import("./lib/schema.js").AnalyzeQuery) {
     const c = await cfg();
     const validated = analyzeQuerySchema.parse(query);
+    if (validated.compare !== undefined) {
+      throw new PluginError(
+        "VariaQ analyze runs does not accept comparison selectors.",
+        "Use variaq_analyze_campaign or bb variaq analyze-campaign for comparisons, including paired_solvers on VariaQ 0.8.x.",
+      );
+    }
     const argv = buildAnalyzeArgv("runs", validated);
     const result = await runVariaqJson(c, argv, { timeoutMs: 60_000 });
     const envelope = requireSuccess(result, ["analyze", "runs"]);
@@ -548,6 +566,7 @@ export default async function plugin(bb: BbPluginApi) {
   async function opAnalyzeCampaign(campaignId: string, query: Omit<import("./lib/schema.js").AnalyzeQuery, "campaign_id">) {
     const c = await cfg();
     const fullQuery = analyzeQuerySchema.parse({ ...query, campaign_id: campaignId });
+    await requireComparisonSupport(c, fullQuery.compare);
     const argv = buildAnalyzeArgv("campaign", fullQuery);
     const result = await runVariaqJson(c, argv, { timeoutMs: 60_000 });
     const envelope = requireSuccess(result, ["analyze", "campaign"]);
@@ -580,12 +599,14 @@ export default async function plugin(bb: BbPluginApi) {
       formats: ["json" | "csv" | "markdown" | "plots", ...("json" | "csv" | "markdown" | "plots")[]];
       groupBy?: string[];
       scalingX?: string;
-      compare?: "classical_vs_quantum" | "qiskit_vs_cudaq" | "gpu_vs_cpu";
+      compare?: ComparisonType;
       plots?: boolean;
       overwrite?: boolean;
     },
   ) {
     const c = await cfg();
+    if (options.compare !== undefined) comparisonTypeSchema.parse(options.compare);
+    await requireComparisonSupport(c, options.compare);
     const root = resolveReportOutputDir(c);
     const containedDir = await resolveContainedReportDir(root, options.outputDir);
 
@@ -851,7 +872,7 @@ export default async function plugin(bb: BbPluginApi) {
               formats: formats as ["json" | "csv" | "markdown" | "plots", ...("json" | "csv" | "markdown" | "plots")[]],
               groupBy: groupBy.length > 0 ? groupBy : undefined,
               scalingX: opts.get("scaling-x"),
-              compare: opts.get("compare") as "classical_vs_quantum" | "qiskit_vs_cudaq" | "gpu_vs_cpu" | undefined,
+              compare: opts.get("compare") as ComparisonType | undefined,
               plots: args.includes("--plots"),
               overwrite: args.includes("--overwrite"),
             });
@@ -1175,7 +1196,7 @@ export default async function plugin(bb: BbPluginApi) {
   bb.agents.registerTool({
     name: "variaq_analyze_runs",
     description: "Analyze a bounded set of stored VariaQ experiment runs. Read-only; does not execute solvers or modify runs.",
-    instructions: "Use variaq_analyze_runs to compute VariaQ-derived quality, feasibility, timing, resource, and scaling summaries over run IDs. Analysis is read-only and returns VariaQ's AnalysisResult directly.",
+    instructions: "Use variaq_analyze_runs to compute VariaQ-derived quality, feasibility, timing, resource, and scaling summaries over run IDs. Analysis is read-only and returns VariaQ's AnalysisResult directly. Comparison selectors require variaq_analyze_campaign; VariaQ analyze runs has no --compare contract.",
     parameters: analyzeQuerySchema.omit({ campaign_id: true }),
     async execute(query) {
       try {
@@ -1190,7 +1211,7 @@ export default async function plugin(bb: BbPluginApi) {
   bb.agents.registerTool({
     name: "variaq_analyze_campaign",
     description: "Analyze all runs belonging to a VariaQ campaign. Read-only; does not execute solvers or modify runs.",
-    instructions: "Use variaq_analyze_campaign to compute VariaQ-derived quality, feasibility, timing, resource, and scaling summaries for a stored campaign. Analysis is read-only.",
+    instructions: "Use variaq_analyze_campaign to compute VariaQ-derived quality, feasibility, timing, resource, and scaling summaries for a stored campaign. Analysis is read-only. compare=paired_solvers requires a verified VariaQ 0.8.x stable release or the tested 0.8.0rc1 candidate and preserves its pairing, null reasons and timing scopes.",
     parameters: z.object({
       campaignId: z.string().min(1).describe("Campaign id"),
     }).merge(analyzeQuerySchema.omit({ campaign_id: true, run_ids: true })),
@@ -1207,14 +1228,14 @@ export default async function plugin(bb: BbPluginApi) {
   bb.agents.registerTool({
     name: "variaq_report_campaign",
     description: "Generate JSON/CSV/Markdown (and optional plots) report files for a VariaQ campaign. This tool writes files under the configured report output directory.",
-    instructions: "Use variaq_report_campaign to produce persistent report artifacts from a stored campaign. Reports derive from stored runs, preserve source_run_ids, and are written under the configured reportOutputDir. The outputDir argument is resolved relative to that root and cannot escape it.",
+    instructions: "Use variaq_report_campaign to produce persistent report artifacts from a stored campaign. Reports derive from stored runs, preserve source_run_ids, and are written under the configured reportOutputDir. The outputDir argument is resolved relative to that root and cannot escape it. compare=paired_solvers requires a verified VariaQ 0.8.x stable release or the tested 0.8.0rc1 candidate and includes per-run, pair and repeat CSV artifacts.",
     parameters: z.object({
       campaignId: z.string().min(1).describe("Campaign id"),
       outputDir: z.string().min(1).describe("Relative output directory beneath the configured report output root"),
       formats: reportFormatsSchema.describe("Report formats, e.g. ['json', 'csv', 'markdown']"),
       groupBy: z.array(z.string()).max(8).optional().describe("Group-by keys"),
       scalingX: z.string().optional().describe("Scaling x-axis metric, e.g. problem_size"),
-      compare: z.enum(["classical_vs_quantum", "qiskit_vs_cudaq", "gpu_vs_cpu"]).optional(),
+      compare: comparisonTypeSchema.optional(),
       plots: z.boolean().optional().describe("Request matplotlib plots if available"),
       overwrite: z.boolean().optional(),
     }),
diff --git a/skills/variaq/SKILL.md b/skills/variaq/SKILL.md
index 2775b76..5980c82 100644
--- a/skills/variaq/SKILL.md
+++ b/skills/variaq/SKILL.md
@@ -90,5 +90,8 @@ for machine-readable output.
   nonzero infeasible counts as a run failure.
 - **Graph Partition quantum support remains unadvertised** unless VariaQ
   capabilities change in a future release.
-- bb-plugin-variaq 0.5.x is verified against VariaQ 0.6.x and schema version `1`.
-  Other VariaQ series or schema versions are reported as unsupported.
\ No newline at end of file
+- This checkout supports stable VariaQ 0.6.x and 0.8.x and the explicitly verified 0.8.0rc1 candidate, schema version `1`, on BB 0.46 / SDK 0.6.37. Other versions/candidates/schemas remain unsupported.
+- On VariaQ 0.8.x (or the tested 0.8.0rc1), pass compare: "paired_solvers" to variaq_analyze_campaign or variaq_report_campaign. Forward VariaQ's pairing, precision, null reasons and timing scopes; do not compute scientific metrics or claim cold GPU state/speedup.
+- VariaQ analyze runs has no --compare contract; use stored campaign analysis for comparisons. Paired analysis/reporting on 0.6.x fails clearly.
+- Campaign solver_config uses nested seed/parameters overrides, including numeric candidate-parameter matrices. Preview resource limits before execution.
+- A plugin subprocess timeout terminates the local command; it does not resume work or guarantee an in-flight native result was saved. Do not automatically retry. CLI campaign reruns explicitly append new work; web task deduplication is a separate VariaQ web behavior.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/fake.test.ts b/tests/fake.test.ts
index 1d35371..8b21e01 100644
--- a/tests/fake.test.ts
+++ b/tests/fake.test.ts
@@ -82,6 +82,65 @@ describe("status via fake CLI", () => {
     expect(status.variaq.compatibility.warning).toBeNull();
   });
 
+  it("detects the supported 0.8.0rc1 candidate through capabilities", async () => {
+    vi.stubEnv("FAKE_VARIAQ_VERSION", "0.8.0rc1");
+    const h = await setup();
+    const status = JSON.parse(String(await tool(h, "variaq_status", {})));
+    expect(status.variaq.version).toBe("0.8.0rc1");
+    expect(status.variaq.schema_version).toBe("1");
+    expect(status.variaq.compatibility.supported).toBe(true);
+    expect(status.variaq.compatibility.warning).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it("detects stable 0.8.0 through capabilities without a warning", async () => {
+    vi.stubEnv("FAKE_VARIAQ_VERSION", "0.8.0");
+    const h = await setup();
+    const status = JSON.parse(String(await tool(h, "variaq_status", {})));
+    expect(status.variaq.version).toBe("0.8.0");
+    expect(status.variaq.compatibility.supported).toBe(true);
+    expect(status.variaq.compatibility.warning).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it("runs paired analysis and reporting on a stable 0.8.0 stub", async () => {
+    vi.stubEnv("FAKE_VARIAQ_VERSION", "0.8.0");
+    const h = await setup();
+    const definition = {
+      campaign_format_version: "1", name: "stable-paired", family: "maxcut",
+      problem_sizes: [4], problem_seeds: [1], solvers: ["exact", "heuristic"],
+      repeats: 1, base_seed: 42, solver_config: {},
+    };
+    const run = JSON.parse(String(await tool(h, "variaq_campaign_run", {
+      ...definition, maxRuns: 10, overrideMaxRuns: false,
+    })));
+    expect(run.exitCode).toBe(0);
+    const analysis = JSON.parse(String(await tool(h, "variaq_analyze_campaign", {
+      campaignId: run.campaignId, compare: "paired_solvers",
+    })));
+    expect(analysis.analysis.warnings).toEqual([{ type: "fake_warning", message: "simulated analysis warning" }]);
+    expect(analysis.warnings).toEqual([]);
+    const report = JSON.parse(String(await tool(h, "variaq_report_campaign", {
+      campaignId: run.campaignId, outputDir: "stable", formats: ["json"], compare: "paired_solvers",
+    })));
+    expect(report.reportId).toMatch(/^report-/);
+  });
+
+  it("rejects paired analysis/reporting on 0.6.x with a clear compatibility error", async () => {
+    const h = await setup();
+    for (const [name, input] of [
+      ["variaq_analyze_campaign", { campaignId: "campaign-old", compare: "paired_solvers" }],
+      ["variaq_report_campaign", { campaignId: "campaign-old", outputDir: "legacy", formats: ["json"], compare: "paired_solvers" }],
+    ] as const) {
+      const result = JSON.parse(String(await tool(h, name, input)));
+      expect(result.error).toContain("paired_solvers requires");
+      expect(result.hint).toContain("Legacy comparisons remain available");
+    }
+    const result = await cli(h, ["analyze-runs", "--run-id", "run-old", "--compare", "paired_solvers", "--json"]);
+    expect(result.exitCode).not.toBe(0);
+    expect(result.stderr).toContain("analyze runs does not accept comparison selectors");
+    const runs = JSON.parse(String(await tool(h, "variaq_analyze_runs", { run_ids: ["run-old"], compare: "classical_vs_quantum" })));
+    expect(runs.error).toContain("analyze runs does not accept comparison selectors");
+  });
+
   it("reports 0.5 series as unsupported", async () => {
     vi.stubEnv("FAKE_VARIAQ_VERSION", "0.5.2");
     const h = await setup();
diff --git a/tests/runner.test.ts b/tests/runner.test.ts
index ad242a3..95076c0 100644
--- a/tests/runner.test.ts
+++ b/tests/runner.test.ts
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ import {
   runVariaqJson,
   type VariaqSettings,
 } from "../lib/runner.js";
-import { SUPPORTED_SCHEMA_VERSION, validateEnvelope } from "../lib/schema.js";
+import { SUPPORTED_SCHEMA_VERSION, campaignDefinitionSchema, validateEnvelope } from "../lib/schema.js";
 import { join } from "node:path";
 import { mkdirSync, mkdtempSync, rmSync, writeFileSync } from "node:fs";
 import { tmpdir } from "node:os";
@@ -341,6 +341,47 @@ describe("VariaQ output contracts", () => {
     expect(checkVariaqVersion("0.6.0", "1").schemaVersionSupported).toBe(true);
   });
 
+  it("accepts the explicitly verified candidate without stripping its suffix", () => {
+    const compatibility = checkVariaqVersion("variaq 0.8.0rc1", "1");
+    expect(compatibility.version).toBe("0.8.0rc1");
+    expect(compatibility.supported).toBe(true);
+    expect(compatibility.warning).toBeNull();
+    expect(compatibility.schemaVersionSupported).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it.each(["0.8.0rc2", "0.7.0", "0.6.0rc1", "0.8.0rc1junk", "0.6.0.invalid", "noise 0.6.0"])(
+    "does not silently accept an unverified or malformed version: %s", (version) => {
+      expect(checkVariaqVersion(version, "1").supported).toBe(false);
+    },
+  );
+
+  it("accepts stable 0.8 series releases without a warning", () => {
+    const compatibility = checkVariaqVersion("0.8.0", "1");
+    expect(compatibility.supported).toBe(true);
+    expect(compatibility.warning).toBeNull();
+    expect(checkVariaqVersion("variaq 0.8.3").supported).toBe(true);
+    expect(checkVariaqVersion("0.8.0", "1").schemaVersionSupported).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it("rejects unverified 0.8 release candidates such as rc2", () => {
+    expect(checkVariaqVersion("0.8.1rc1").supported).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("accepts canonical nested campaign solver parameters without losing controls", () => {
+    const solver_config = { qaoa: { seed: 42, parameters: { p: 1, candidate_parameters: [[0.5, 0.25]], warmup: false } } };
+    const definition = campaignDefinitionSchema.parse({
+      campaign_format_version: "1", name: "controls", family: "maxcut",
+      problem_sizes: [4], problem_seeds: [1], solvers: ["qaoa"], solver_config,
+    });
+    expect(definition.solver_config).toEqual(solver_config);
+  });
+
+  it("preserves additive paired data and null measurement reasons in schema-v1", () => {
+    const data = { instances: [{ runs: [{ precision: "fp64", timing: { warmup_seconds: null }, missing_measurements: { warmup_seconds: "not recorded" } }] }], comparisons: [{ comparison_type: "paired_solvers", pairs: [] }] };
+    const parsed = validateEnvelope(JSON.stringify({ schema_version: "1", command: "analyze runs", status: "success", data }));
+    expect(parsed.data).toEqual(data);
+  });
+
   it("rejects the 0.5 series as unsupported", () => {
     const result = checkVariaqVersion("variaq 0.5.1", "1");
     expect(result.supported).toBe(false);
diff --git a/tests/server.test.ts b/tests/server.test.ts
index cead7f0..cf2c512 100644
--- a/tests/server.test.ts
+++ b/tests/server.test.ts
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ const VARIAQ_PROJECT = process.env.VARIAQ_TEST_PROJECT ?? "";
 const VARIAQ_PYTHON = process.env.VARIAQ_TEST_PYTHON ??
   (VARIAQ_PROJECT === "" ? "" : join(VARIAQ_PROJECT, ".venv", "bin", "python"));
 const HAS_REAL_VARIAQ = VARIAQ_PROJECT !== "" && VARIAQ_PYTHON !== "";
+const VARIAQ_VERSION = process.env.VARIAQ_TEST_VERSION ?? "0.6.0";
 const RUN_CUDAQ = process.env.VARIAQ_TEST_CUDAQ === "1";
 const describeReal = describe.skipIf(!HAS_REAL_VARIAQ);
 
@@ -63,7 +64,7 @@ describeReal("plugin registration", () => {
     const h = await setupHost();
     const version = await cli(h, ["version"]);
     expect(version.exitCode).toBe(0);
-    expect(version.stdout).toContain("variaq 0.6.0");
+    expect(version.stdout).toContain(`variaq ${VARIAQ_VERSION}`);
   });
 });
 
@@ -73,7 +74,7 @@ describeReal("status/version", () => {
     const result = await tool(h, "variaq_status", {});
     const s = JSON.parse(String(result));
     expect(s.variaq.installed).toBe(true);
-    expect(s.variaq.version).toBe("0.6.0");
+    expect(s.variaq.version).toBe(VARIAQ_VERSION);
     expect(s.variaq.schema_version).toBe("1");
     expect(s.variaq.python).toBe(VARIAQ_PYTHON);
     expect(s.solvers.exact).toBe("available");
@@ -388,11 +389,12 @@ describeReal("campaign, analysis, and report integration", () => {
       scaling_x: "problem_size",
       include_failed: true,
       include_unavailable: true,
+      compare: "classical_vs_quantum",
     })));
     expect(analysis.analysis.source_run_ids).toEqual(expect.arrayContaining(run.summary.run_ids));
     expect(analysis.analysis.groups.length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
     expect(analysis.analysis.scaling_points.length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
-    expect(analysis.analysis.groups[0].environment_versions.variaq).toContain("0.6.0");
+    expect(analysis.analysis.groups[0].environment_versions.variaq).toContain(VARIAQ_VERSION);
 
     const report = JSON.parse(String(await tool(h, "variaq_report_campaign", {
       campaignId: run.campaignId,
@@ -400,6 +402,7 @@ describeReal("campaign, analysis, and report integration", () => {
       formats: ["json", "csv", "markdown"],
       groupBy: ["solver"],
       scalingX: "problem_size",
+      compare: "classical_vs_quantum",
     })));
     expect(report.reportId).toMatch(/^report-/);
     expect(report.paths.csv.groups).toBeTruthy();
@@ -409,12 +412,73 @@ describeReal("campaign, analysis, and report integration", () => {
     expect(reportDocument.campaign_id).toBe(run.campaignId);
     expect(reportDocument.source_run_ids).toEqual(expect.arrayContaining(run.summary.run_ids));
     expect(reportDocument.report_format_version).toBe("1");
-    expect(reportDocument.variaq_version).toBe("0.6.0");
+    expect(reportDocument.variaq_version).toBe(VARIAQ_VERSION);
     expect(reportDocument.generated_at).toBeTruthy();
     expect(reportDocument.analysis.query.campaign_id).toBe(run.campaignId);
   });
 });
 
+describe.skipIf(!HAS_REAL_VARIAQ || !["0.8.0", "0.8.0rc1"].includes(VARIAQ_VERSION))("paired-solver candidate integration", () => {
+  it("forwards controls, paired/null/timing evidence and expanded reports through existing tools and CLI", async () => {
+    const h = await setupHost();
+    const parameters = { p: 1, optimizer_trials: 2, shots: 32, warmup: false, candidate_parameters: [[0.5, 0.25], [0.8, 0.4]] };
+    const definition = {
+      campaign_format_version: "1", name: "candidate-paired", family: "maxcut",
+      problem_sizes: [4], problem_seeds: [11], solvers: ["exact", "heuristic", "qaoa"],
+      repeats: 2, base_seed: 42, generator_parameters: { edge_probability: 0.7 },
+      solver_config: { qaoa: { parameters } },
+    };
+    const plan = JSON.parse(String(await tool(h, "variaq_campaign_plan", definition)));
+    expect(plan.plan.requested_runs).toBe(6);
+    const run = JSON.parse(String(await tool(h, "variaq_campaign_run", { ...definition, maxRuns: 6 })));
+    expect(run.exitCode).toBe(0);
+    expect(run.summary.status_summary.success).toBe(6);
+    const analysis = JSON.parse(String(await tool(h, "variaq_analyze_campaign", {
+      campaignId: run.campaignId, compare: "paired_solvers",
+    })));
+    const instance = analysis.analysis.instances[0];
+    expect(instance.reference_optimum).toBe(4);
+    expect(instance.runs).toHaveLength(6);
+    const exact = instance.runs.find((r: { solver: string }) => r.solver === "exact");
+    expect(exact.optimality_gap).toBe(0);
+    expect(exact.timing.first_backend_evaluation_seconds).toBeNull();
+    expect(exact.missing_measurements.first_backend_evaluation_seconds).toBeTruthy();
+    const qaoa = instance.runs.find((r: { solver: string }) => r.solver === "qaoa");
+    expect(qaoa.parameters.candidate_parameters).toEqual(parameters.candidate_parameters);
+    expect(qaoa.precision).toBe("fp64");
+    expect(qaoa.cold_start_verified).toBeNull();
+    expect(qaoa.timing.first_backend_evaluation_seconds).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(0);
+    expect(qaoa.timing_scopes.first_backend_evaluation_overlaps).toBeTruthy();
+    const paired = analysis.analysis.comparisons.find((c: { comparison_type: string }) => c.comparison_type === "paired_solvers");
+    expect(paired.pairs.length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(2);
+    const cliAnalysis = await cli(h, ["analyze-campaign", run.campaignId, "--compare", "paired_solvers", "--json"]);
+    expect(cliAnalysis.exitCode, cliAnalysis.stderr).toBe(0);
+    expect(JSON.parse(cliAnalysis.stdout).analysis.source_run_ids).toEqual(expect.arrayContaining(run.summary.run_ids));
+    const runsAnalysis = JSON.parse(String(await tool(h, "variaq_analyze_runs", { run_ids: run.summary.run_ids })));
+    expect(runsAnalysis.analysis.source_run_ids).toEqual(expect.arrayContaining(run.summary.run_ids));
+    const report = JSON.parse(String(await tool(h, "variaq_report_campaign", {
+      campaignId: run.campaignId, outputDir: "paired", formats: ["json", "csv", "markdown"], compare: "paired_solvers",
+    })));
+    expect(report.reportId).toMatch(/^report-/);
+    const document = JSON.parse(readFileSync(report.paths.json, "utf8"));
+    expect(document.analysis.instances).toEqual(analysis.analysis.instances);
+    expect(document.source_run_ids).toEqual(expect.arrayContaining(run.summary.run_ids));
+    for (const name of ["runs", "pairs", "repeats"]) {
+      expect(readFileSync(report.paths.csv[name], "utf8").length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+    }
+    const runCsv = readFileSync(report.paths.csv.runs, "utf8");
+    expect(runCsv).toContain("timing.first_backend_evaluation_seconds");
+    expect(runCsv).toContain("precision");
+    for (const id of run.summary.run_ids) expect(runCsv).toContain(id);
+    expect(readFileSync(report.paths.markdown, "utf8")).toContain("Paired solver observations");
+    const cliReport = await cli(h, ["report-campaign", run.campaignId, "--output-dir", "paired-cli", "--formats", "json,csv,markdown", "--compare", "paired_solvers", "--json"]);
+    expect(cliReport.exitCode, cliReport.stderr).toBe(0);
+    expect(JSON.parse(cliReport.stdout).paths.csv.pairs).toBeTruthy();
+    const stored = JSON.parse(String(await tool(h, "variaq_runs_list", { limit: 20 })));
+    expect(stored.runs).toHaveLength(6); // Read-only analysis/reporting did not execute solvers.
+  });
+});
+
 describeReal("real heuristic and Qiskit integration", () => {
   it("runs deterministic heuristic and local Qiskit QAOA solves on maxcut", async () => {
     const h = await setupHost();
@@ -524,7 +588,7 @@ describe.skipIf(!HAS_REAL_VARIAQ || !RUN_CUDAQ)("optional CUDA-Q CPU integration
   });
 });
 
-describe.skipIf(!HAS_REAL_VARIAQ || !RUN_CUDAQ)("optional CUDA-Q GPU integration", () => {
+describe.skipIf(!HAS_REAL_VARIAQ || process.env.VARIAQ_TEST_GPU !== "1")("optional CUDA-Q GPU integration", () => {
   it("runs a bounded nvidia solve when GPU is available", async () => {
     const h = await setupHost();
     const generated = JSON.parse(String(