diff --git a/local/docs/NETWORKING-AND-DRIVERS-CODE-ASSESSMENT-2026-07-27.md b/local/docs/NETWORKING-AND-DRIVERS-CODE-ASSESSMENT-2026-07-27.md
index 1113e4dc50..c7ac927e71 100644
--- a/local/docs/NETWORKING-AND-DRIVERS-CODE-ASSESSMENT-2026-07-27.md
+++ b/local/docs/NETWORKING-AND-DRIVERS-CODE-ASSESSMENT-2026-07-27.md
@@ -1008,6 +1008,14 @@ incrementally; this is a rolling changelog.
 | **9.2 (relibc)** | **relibc: 174 SAFETY docs across 4 files** | `1c3f5c8b` (submodule) → parent `b06c39d546` | `relibc/src/platform/redox/{socket,libredox,mod,signal}.rs` |
 | **9.2 (libredox)** | **libredox: 45 SAFETY docs** | `d787867` (submodule) → parent `c0f792b856` | `libredox/src/lib.rs` |
 | **9.2 (base)** | **base: 40 SAFETY docs across 9 files** | `a4a7d1a8` (submodule) → parent `97d5475b89` | `netstack/`, `dhcpd/`, `drivers/net/` |
+| F18 / F18b | experimental.toml include fix | `91ba8ed481` | `config/redbear-{wifi,bluetooth}-experimental.toml` → `redbear-mini.toml` |
+| F20 | 71 recipe.toml version sync (0.1.0 → 0.3.1) | `91ba8ed481` | 71 files under `local/recipes/*/recipe.toml` |
+| F22 (btintel.rs) | ECDSA firmware length check | (pending local commit) | `local/recipes/drivers/redbear-btusb/source/src/btintel.rs` |
+| **CRITICAL F001** | **BufferPool zero-fill on recycle** | `submodule/base 3a3af825` → parent `22bd63bbe2` | `local/sources/base/netstack/src/buffer_pool.rs` |
+| **CRITICAL F1.6** | **xHCI `>=` bounds check fix** | `submodule/base 3a3af825` → parent `22bd63bbe2` | `local/sources/base/drivers/usb/xhcid/src/xhci/ring.rs` |
+| **DEF-P0-7** | rtl8139d/rtl8168d panic → graceful exit | `submodule/base 3a3af825` → parent `22bd63bbe2` | `local/sources/base/drivers/net/rtl{8139,8168}d/src/main.rs` |
+| **DEF-P0-6** | e1000d MMIO register bounds check | `submodule/base 3a3af825` → parent `22bd63bbe2` | `local/sources/base/drivers/net/e1000d/src/device.rs` |
+| **F19** | Created `local/docs/networking-validation-log.md` | (pending) | new file — references the non-existent path that NETWORKING-IMPROVEMENT-PLAN.md had cited |
 
 **SAFETY documentation totals:**
 - 590 in local/recipes/* (parent 0.3.1 branch)
diff --git a/local/docs/networking-validation-log.md b/local/docs/networking-validation-log.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7980fd5874
--- /dev/null
+++ b/local/docs/networking-validation-log.md
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+# Red Bear OS Networking Validation Log
+
+**Status:** Staged (2026-07-27). See [HARDWARE-VALIDATION-MATRIX.md](./HARDWARE-VALIDATION-MATRIX.md)
+for the live cross-component matrix and [HARDWARE-NETWORKING-INVENTORY.md](./HARDWARE-NETWORKING-INVENTORY.md)
+for per-driver hardware availability.
+
+## Purpose
+
+This document is the canonical per-run log of bare-metal networking validation activities for
+Red Bear OS. Each run records:
+
+- Hardware under test (machine, NIC model, BIOS/UEFI version)
+- Software versions (kernel, relibc, netstack, drivers)
+- Test commands executed
+- Observed results
+- New regressions or fixes
+
+## Related Documents
+
+This log is one of three coordinated artifacts. Read them in this order:
+
+1. [HARDWARE-NETWORKING-INVENTORY.md](./HARDWARE-NETWORKING-INVENTORY.md) — *what* hardware
+   is available for validation. Tracks test bench inventory, per-driver hardware availability,
+   and acquisition priority list.
+2. [HARDWARE-VALIDATION-MATRIX.md](./HARDWARE-VALIDATION-MATRIX.md) — *the state* of validation
+   per component. Tracks QEMU / bare-metal / hardware columns and gates the production-readiness
+   status.
+3. This document — *the per-run record* of validation activities that update the matrix.
+
+Per the project's evidence policy (per the [NETWORKING-IMPROVEMENT-PLAN.md](./NETWORKING-IMPROVEMENT-PLAN.md)
+§Validation Evidence Requirements), every "validated" claim in any plan or doc must be backed
+by an entry in this log.
+
+## Format
+
+Each run entry should follow this structure (Markdown):
+
+```markdown
+## YYYY-MM-DD — <Test bench> — <Operator>
+
+**Hardware:** <machine> · <NIC model> · <PCI IDs>
+**Software:** Red Bear OS <branch> · kernel <hash> · relibc <hash> · netstack <hash>
+**Scope:** <what was tested, e.g. "e1000d on Threadripper — IPv4 DHCP+ping">
+**Commands:**
+\```
+<exact commands run, with exit codes>
+\```
+**Results:** <PASS/FAIL/PARTIAL per test case>
+**Regressions:** <newly discovered issues, with file:line>
+**Fixes:** <fixes applied, with commit hash>
+**Updated:** <links to entries updated in HARDWARE-VALIDATION-MATRIX.md>
+```
+
+## Runs
+
+*(none yet — first run is the open task for the operator)*
+
+## Cross-References to Other Validation Artifacts
+
+- [FIREWALL-VALIDATION-LOG.md](./FIREWALL-VALIDATION-LOG.md) — netfilter rule validation (specific
+  to the `netfilter:` scheme, six scenario design documented in §Scenario A–F).
+- [USB-VALIDATION-RUNBOOK.md](./USB-VALIDATION-RUNBOOK.md) — USB controller validation matrix and
+  QEMU scripts.
+- [HARDWARE-VALIDATION-MATRIX.md](./HARDWARE-VALIDATION-MATRIX.md) — cross-component validation
+  status (this log updates it).
+- [HARDWARE-NETWORKING-INVENTORY.md](./HARDWARE-NETWORKING-INVENTORY.md) — hardware gate for
+  this log (records what can be tested).
+
+## Open Tasks (as of 2026-07-27)
+
+- **T-N1:** Acquire USB-C Ethernet dongle (~$15) for LG Gram bare-metal networking.
+- **T-N2:** Collect Threadripper NIC inventory (`lspci -nn | grep -i ethernet`).
+- **T-N3:** Acquire USB Bluetooth adapter (~$10) for LG Gram bare-metal Bluetooth.
+- **T-N4:** First bare-metal networking run on Threadripper + onboard NIC.
+
+These are the same tasks tracked in §15.4 of the [code audit](../docs/NETWORKING-AND-DRIVERS-CODE-ASSESSMENT-2026-07-27.md).