diff --git a/internal/server/handlers_items.go b/internal/server/handlers_items.go
index c713139f..23875092 100644
--- a/internal/server/handlers_items.go
+++ b/internal/server/handlers_items.go
@@ -2413,6 +2413,17 @@ func (s *Server) handleMoveItem(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		writeInternalError(w, lateErr)
 		return
 	}
+	// A REQUIRED relation whose default did not resolve cannot be left as a
+	// drop: the key is deleted AFTER validation passed, so nothing re-checks
+	// it and the item would land with a required field absent, reported valid
+	// (codex round 3). Re-running validation is not the answer — it would
+	// re-inject the same broken default. There is no valid value, so this
+	// refuses.
+	if req := store.RequiredRelationIssues(items.SchemaForMigratedFields(targetSchema), lateDropped); len(req) > 0 {
+		writeError(w, http.StatusBadRequest, "missing_required_fields",
+			"Required fields missing: "+relationIssuesMessage(req))
+		return
+	}
 	for _, ri := range lateDropped {
 		result.Dropped = append(result.Dropped, ri.Key)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/server/handlers_items_bulk.go b/internal/server/handlers_items_bulk.go
index 996397ce..22472c68 100644
--- a/internal/server/handlers_items_bulk.go
+++ b/internal/server/handlers_items_bulk.go
@@ -306,12 +306,15 @@ func (s *Server) handleBulkItems(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 			action = "moved"
 			meta["from_collection"] = item.CollectionSlug
 			meta["to_collection"] = req.Collection
-			// Same key, same joined-string shape and the same reason as
-			// handleMoveItem's: this map is map[string]string, and a raw array
-			// renders as a Go map literal in the timeline (BUG-2628).
-			if len(droppedFields) > 0 {
-				meta["dropped_fields"] = strings.Join(droppedFields, ", ")
-			}
+		}
+		// Same key, same joined-string shape and the same reason as
+		// handleMoveItem's: this map is map[string]string, and a raw array
+		// renders as a Go map literal in the timeline (BUG-2628). Outside the
+		// move branch because a bulk STATUS or PRIORITY change can discard a
+		// relation default too, and a drop nobody records is the defect
+		// BUG-2674 closed.
+		if len(droppedFields) > 0 {
+			meta["dropped_fields"] = strings.Join(droppedFields, ", ")
 		}
 		s.logActivityWithMeta(workspaceID, item.ID, action, r, auditMeta(meta))
 
@@ -457,10 +460,10 @@ func (s *Server) applyBulkOp(r *http.Request, workspaceID string, item *models.I
 			return s.bulkMoveCollection(r, workspaceID, item, req, visibleIDs, resolvedTarget, batchID, droppedFields)
 		}
 		// Status-only move = a field update on the same collection.
-		return s.bulkFieldUpdate(r, workspaceID, item, map[string]any{"status": req.Status}, req.Force, visibleIDs, actor, source, batchID)
+		return s.bulkFieldUpdate(r, workspaceID, item, map[string]any{"status": req.Status}, req.Force, visibleIDs, actor, source, batchID, droppedFields)
 
 	case "set-priority":
-		return s.bulkFieldUpdate(r, workspaceID, item, map[string]any{"priority": req.Priority}, req.Force, visibleIDs, actor, source, batchID)
+		return s.bulkFieldUpdate(r, workspaceID, item, map[string]any{"priority": req.Priority}, req.Force, visibleIDs, actor, source, batchID, droppedFields)
 
 	case "tag":
 		return s.bulkTagUpdate(item, req.Tags, true, actor, source, batchID)
@@ -491,7 +494,7 @@ func (s *Server) applyBulkOp(r *http.Request, workspaceID string, item *models.I
 // validates against the collection schema, runs the open-children guard
 // (unless force), and writes via UpdateItemWithPreCheck — the same path
 // the single PATCH handler uses. Used by status moves and set-priority.
-func (s *Server) bulkFieldUpdate(r *http.Request, workspaceID string, item *models.Item, changes map[string]any, force bool, visibleIDs []string, actor, source, batchID string) (*models.Item, *bulkOpError) {
+func (s *Server) bulkFieldUpdate(r *http.Request, workspaceID string, item *models.Item, changes map[string]any, force bool, visibleIDs []string, actor, source, batchID string, droppedFields *[]string) (*models.Item, *bulkOpError) {
 	coll, err := s.store.GetCollection(item.CollectionID)
 	if err != nil || coll == nil {
 		return nil, &bulkOpError{message: "failed to load collection"}
@@ -511,6 +514,12 @@ func (s *Server) bulkFieldUpdate(r *http.Request, workspaceID string, item *mode
 
 	// Coerce strings to their declared types before validating (BUG-2850).
 	fieldMap = items.CoerceFields(fieldMap, schema)
+	// Snapshot before validation, which INJECTS schema defaults: this door's
+	// relation pass looks only at the keys `changes` names, so a relation
+	// default validation fills in was persisted raw — never canonicalised and
+	// never checked against its target collection (codex round 3). The same
+	// late-arrival the migrate doors hit, reached by a different route.
+	relBefore := store.RelationKeysPresent(schema, fieldMap)
 	if err := items.ValidateFields(fieldMap, schema); err != nil {
 		return nil, &bulkOpError{message: err.Error(), code: "validation_error"}
 	}
@@ -546,6 +555,21 @@ func (s *Server) bulkFieldUpdate(r *http.Request, workspaceID string, item *mode
 	for k, v := range suppliedRelations {
 		fieldMap[k] = v
 	}
+	lateDropped, lateErr := s.store.ResolveLateRelationDefaults(workspaceID, schema, fieldMap, relBefore)
+	if lateErr != nil {
+		return nil, &bulkOpError{message: lateErr.Error(), code: "internal_error"}
+	}
+	if req := store.RequiredRelationIssues(schema, lateDropped); len(req) > 0 {
+		return nil, &bulkOpError{
+			message: "required fields missing: " + relationIssuesMessage(req),
+			code:    "missing_required_fields",
+		}
+	}
+	if droppedFields != nil && len(lateDropped) > 0 {
+		for _, ri := range lateDropped {
+			*droppedFields = append(*droppedFields, ri.Key)
+		}
+	}
 	if err := s.checkUniqueFields(workspaceID, item.CollectionID, item.ID, schema, fieldMap); err != nil {
 		return nil, &bulkOpError{message: err.Error(), code: "conflict"}
 	}
@@ -763,6 +787,18 @@ func (s *Server) bulkMoveCollection(r *http.Request, workspaceID string, item *m
 	if lateErr != nil {
 		return nil, &bulkOpError{message: lateErr.Error(), code: "internal_error"}
 	}
+	// A REQUIRED relation whose default did not resolve cannot be left as a
+	// drop: the key is deleted AFTER validation passed, so nothing re-checks
+	// it and the item would land with a required field absent, reported valid
+	// (codex round 3). Re-running validation is not the answer — it would
+	// re-inject the same broken default. There is no valid value, so this
+	// refuses.
+	if req := store.RequiredRelationIssues(items.SchemaForMigratedFields(targetSchema), lateDropped); len(req) > 0 {
+		return nil, &bulkOpError{
+			message: "required fields missing: " + relationIssuesMessage(req),
+			code:    "missing_required_fields",
+		}
+	}
 	for _, ri := range lateDropped {
 		result.Dropped = append(result.Dropped, ri.Key)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/server/handlers_items_copy_preflight.go b/internal/server/handlers_items_copy_preflight.go
index 250f550a..4c6169e1 100644
--- a/internal/server/handlers_items_copy_preflight.go
+++ b/internal/server/handlers_items_copy_preflight.go
@@ -775,6 +775,18 @@ func (s *Server) handleCopyItemPreflight(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request)
 		writeInternalError(w, fmt.Errorf("copy preflight: resolve relation defaults: %w", lateErr))
 		return
 	}
+	// A REQUIRED relation whose default did not resolve becomes a needs_value
+	// row rather than a drop, so the preview says what the copy will do:
+	// the copy REFUSES this request, and `valid` must be false (codex round
+	// 3). Reported through the same issues slice the required check feeds, so
+	// it lands in the same bucket a genuinely missing required field does.
+	for _, ri := range store.RequiredRelationIssues(items.SchemaForMigratedFields(targetSchema), lateDropped) {
+		issues = append(issues, items.FieldIssue{
+			Key:     ri.Key,
+			Kind:    items.IssueRequired,
+			Message: ri.Message(),
+		})
+	}
 	for _, ri := range lateDropped {
 		migrated.Dropped = append(migrated.Dropped, ri.Key)
 		relationDropReason[ri.Key] = string(ri.Reason)
diff --git a/internal/server/handlers_items_copy_relation_test.go b/internal/server/handlers_items_copy_relation_test.go
index 74534f4c..c4bb5782 100644
--- a/internal/server/handlers_items_copy_relation_test.go
+++ b/internal/server/handlers_items_copy_relation_test.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package server
 
 import (
+	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"net/http"
 	"net/http/httptest"
@@ -292,7 +293,7 @@ const (
 // for, so a value can be present in the migrated map having been chosen by the
 // DESTINATION rather than carried from the source — a third origin, and the
 // one that is invisible until a schema declares a default.
-func newCopyRelationFixtureWith(t *testing.T, destDefault destDefaultKind, sourceOwnerRef *string) *relationFixture {
+func newCopyRelationFixtureWith(t *testing.T, destDefault destDefaultKind, sourceOwnerRef *string, requiredRelation bool) *relationFixture {
 	t.Helper()
 	srv := testServer(t)
 	bus := events.New()
@@ -317,18 +318,21 @@ func newCopyRelationFixtureWith(t *testing.T, destDefault destDefaultKind, sourc
 		t.Fatalf("CreateItem(targetB): %v", err)
 	}
 
-	relSchema := func(targetSlug, def string) string {
-		defaultClause := ""
+	relSchema := func(targetSlug, def string, required bool) string {
+		clauses := ""
 		if def != "" {
-			defaultClause = fmt.Sprintf(`,"default":%q`, def)
+			clauses += fmt.Sprintf(`,"default":%q`, def)
+		}
+		if required {
+			clauses += `,"required":true`
 		}
 		return fmt.Sprintf(`{"fields":[
 			{"key":"status","label":"Status","type":"select","options":["open","done"],"required":true},
 			{"key":"owner_ref","label":"Owner","type":"relation","collection":%q%s}
-		]}`, targetSlug, defaultClause)
+		]}`, targetSlug, clauses)
 	}
 
-	collA := mustSchemaCollection(t, srv, wsA.ID, "Rel2 Tasks A", relSchema(targetsA.Slug, ""))
+	collA := mustSchemaCollection(t, srv, wsA.ID, "Rel2 Tasks A", relSchema(targetsA.Slug, "", false))
 	// A REF, not the UUID, and that is the discriminating choice: a UUID is
 	// already its canonical form, so a default that was RESOLVED and one that
 	// was dropped-then-re-injected-raw by ValidateFields produce IDENTICAL
@@ -340,7 +344,7 @@ func newCopyRelationFixtureWith(t *testing.T, destDefault destDefaultKind, sourc
 	case unresolvableDestDefault:
 		destDef = badRef
 	}
-	collB := mustSchemaCollection(t, srv, wsB.ID, "Rel2 Tasks B", relSchema(targetsB.Slug, destDef))
+	collB := mustSchemaCollection(t, srv, wsB.ID, "Rel2 Tasks B", relSchema(targetsB.Slug, destDef, requiredRelation))
 
 	sourceFields := `{"status":"open"}`
 	if sourceOwnerRef != nil {
@@ -377,7 +381,7 @@ func newCopyRelationFixtureWith(t *testing.T, destDefault destDefaultKind, sourc
 // and the default never enters the migrated map, which is the arrangement that
 // hid this.
 func TestCopyEndpoint_DestinationDefaultRelationIsNotDroppedAsNotPortable(t *testing.T) {
-	f := newCopyRelationFixtureWith(t, resolvableDestDefault, nil)
+	f := newCopyRelationFixtureWith(t, resolvableDestDefault, nil, false)
 	body := f.baseBody()
 
 	pre := f.ok(body)
@@ -409,7 +413,7 @@ func TestCopyEndpoint_DestinationDefaultRelationIsNotDroppedAsNotPortable(t *tes
 // P1, second half).
 func TestCopyEndpoint_EmptyCarriedRelationIsNotReportedDropped(t *testing.T) {
 	empty := ""
-	f := newCopyRelationFixtureWith(t, noDestDefault, &empty)
+	f := newCopyRelationFixtureWith(t, noDestDefault, &empty, false)
 
 	pre := f.ok(f.baseBody())
 	if reason, dropped := droppedReason(pre, "owner_ref"); dropped {
@@ -492,7 +496,7 @@ func TestCopyEndpoint_InvisibleRelationOverrideIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
 //     with StillDropped then suppressing the warning about it.
 func TestCopyEndpoint_LateInjectedRelationDefaultIsResolved(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("a null override lets the default in, and it is resolved", func(t *testing.T) {
-		f := newCopyRelationFixtureWith(t, resolvableDestDefault, nil)
+		f := newCopyRelationFixtureWith(t, resolvableDestDefault, nil, false)
 		body := f.baseBody()
 		// Explicit null: DELETE the key, which is what makes the default the
 		// only thing that can fill it — and it arrives after the resolver.
@@ -508,7 +512,7 @@ func TestCopyEndpoint_LateInjectedRelationDefaultIsResolved(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	t.Run("an unresolvable default is dropped and reported, not silently stored", func(t *testing.T) {
-		f := newCopyRelationFixtureWith(t, unresolvableDestDefault, nil)
+		f := newCopyRelationFixtureWith(t, unresolvableDestDefault, nil, false)
 		body := f.baseBody()
 
 		pre := f.ok(body)
@@ -529,3 +533,51 @@ func TestCopyEndpoint_LateInjectedRelationDefaultIsResolved(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	})
 }
+
+// A REQUIRED relation whose default does not resolve must REFUSE, not land the
+// item with the field absent (codex round 3).
+//
+// The late pass deletes the key after validation has already passed, so
+// nothing re-checks required-ness. Re-running validation is not the fix — it
+// would re-inject the same broken default — so the doors refuse outright,
+// which is honest: there is no valid value for that field.
+//
+// The preflight reports it as needs_value rather than a hard error, which is
+// the split this pair has everywhere else: the preview says what is wrong, the
+// copy refuses. `valid` must be false either way.
+func TestCopyEndpoint_RequiredRelationWithBrokenDefaultIsRefused(t *testing.T) {
+	f := newCopyRelationFixtureWith(t, unresolvableDestDefault, nil, true)
+	body := f.baseBody()
+
+	preRR := f.call(f.owner, reqOpts{}, body)
+	if preRR.Code != http.StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf("preflight: expected 200, got %d: %s", preRR.Code, preRR.Body.String())
+	}
+	var pre ItemCopyPreflight
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(preRR.Body.Bytes(), &pre); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("parse preflight: %v", err)
+	}
+	if pre.Valid {
+		t.Fatalf("the preflight reports valid=true for a copy that cannot satisfy a required "+
+			"relation: %+v", pre.Fields)
+	}
+	var flagged bool
+	for _, nv := range pre.Fields.NeedsValue {
+		if nv.Key == "owner_ref" {
+			flagged = true
+		}
+	}
+	if !flagged {
+		t.Fatalf("owner_ref is not in needs_value, so the dialog cannot tell the user what to "+
+			"supply: %+v", pre.Fields)
+	}
+
+	before := f.snapshot()
+	copyRR := f.callCopy(f.owner, reqOpts{}, body)
+	if copyRR.Code != http.StatusBadRequest {
+		t.Fatalf("copy: expected 400, got %d: %s", copyRR.Code, copyRR.Body.String())
+	}
+	if after := f.snapshot(); after != before {
+		t.Fatalf("a refused copy mutated state:\n before: %+v\n after:  %+v", before, after)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/server/relation_referents.go b/internal/server/relation_referents.go
index 3c12c550..f18787c3 100644
--- a/internal/server/relation_referents.go
+++ b/internal/server/relation_referents.go
@@ -101,8 +101,35 @@ func (s *Server) resolveRelationReferentsAs(
 		if !isStr || id == "" {
 			continue
 		}
-		if issuesContainKey(issues, def.Key) {
-			continue // already unresolvable; no second complaint about it
+		if ri, already := issueForKey(issues, def.Key); already {
+			// `wrong_collection` is the one issue that names a LIVE item, so
+			// its message ("is not an item in collection X") tells the caller
+			// the value EXISTS — distinguishable from the `not_found` a
+			// nonexistent value gets, and therefore an existence oracle for
+			// anyone who cannot see that item (codex round 3). Collapse it to
+			// `not_found` when the requester may not see the target; keep the
+			// specific message when they may, because "you linked a task
+			// where a person belongs" is the useful half of this reason.
+			//
+			// Any other issue is already `not_found`-shaped and needs nothing.
+			if ri.Reason != store.RelationTargetWrongCollection {
+				continue
+			}
+			target, terr := s.store.ResolveRelationTarget(workspaceID, ri.Value)
+			if terr != nil {
+				return nil, terr
+			}
+			if target == nil {
+				continue // vanished since; already the safe answer
+			}
+			seen, verr := s.checkItemVisible(workspaceID, target, currentUser(r), role, isBearerAuth(r))
+			if verr != nil {
+				return nil, verr
+			}
+			if !seen {
+				collapseIssue(issues, def.Key, store.RelationTargetNotFound)
+			}
+			continue
 		}
 		item, err := s.store.GetItem(id)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -136,13 +163,25 @@ func (s *Server) resolveRelationReferentsAs(
 	return issues, nil
 }
 
-func issuesContainKey(issues []store.RelationIssue, key string) bool {
+// issueForKey returns the issue already raised for key, if any.
+func issueForKey(issues []store.RelationIssue, key string) (store.RelationIssue, bool) {
 	for _, ri := range issues {
 		if ri.Key == key {
-			return true
+			return ri, true
+		}
+	}
+	return store.RelationIssue{}, false
+}
+
+// collapseIssue rewrites the reason of the issue already raised for key. In
+// place, because the slice is what the caller renders.
+func collapseIssue(issues []store.RelationIssue, key string, reason store.RelationIssueReason) {
+	for i := range issues {
+		if issues[i].Key == key {
+			issues[i].Reason = reason
+			return
 		}
 	}
-	return false
 }
 
 // refuseRelationIssues writes the 400 a write door owes and reports whether it
diff --git a/internal/server/relation_referents_doors_test.go b/internal/server/relation_referents_doors_test.go
index c090e598..4398b86b 100644
--- a/internal/server/relation_referents_doors_test.go
+++ b/internal/server/relation_referents_doors_test.go
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ func TestRelationDoors_BulkUpdateSuppliedBranch(t *testing.T) {
 		item := f.seed(`{"status":"open"}`)
 
 		_, opErr := f.srv.bulkFieldUpdate(f.requestFor(), f.ws.ID, item,
-			map[string]any{"owner_ref": badRef}, true, nil, f.owner.ID, "test", "batch")
+			map[string]any{"owner_ref": badRef}, true, nil, f.owner.ID, "test", "batch", nil)
 		if opErr == nil {
 			t.Fatalf("bulkFieldUpdate accepted an unresolvable supplied referent")
 		}
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ func TestRelationDoors_BulkUpdateSuppliedBranch(t *testing.T) {
 		item := f.seed(`{"status":"open"}`)
 
 		if _, opErr := f.srv.bulkFieldUpdate(f.requestFor(), f.ws.ID, item,
-			map[string]any{"owner_ref": f.target.Ref}, true, nil, f.owner.ID, "test", "batch"); opErr != nil {
+			map[string]any{"owner_ref": f.target.Ref}, true, nil, f.owner.ID, "test", "batch", nil); opErr != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("bulkFieldUpdate refused a resolvable referent: %s", opErr.message)
 		}
 		// Supplied as a ref; the ID is what must be stored. Without the
@@ -627,3 +627,97 @@ func (f *doorFixture) callAs(user *models.User, role string, h http.HandlerFunc,
 	h(rr, r.WithContext(ctx))
 	return rr
 }
+
+// `wrong_collection` names a LIVE item, so its message tells the caller the
+// value exists — distinguishable from the `not_found` a nonexistent value
+// gets, and therefore an existence oracle for anyone who cannot see that item
+// (codex round 3).
+//
+// Both legs are required. Collapsing every wrong_collection to not_found would
+// pass the first and destroy the second, and "you linked a task where a person
+// belongs" is the useful half of this reason.
+func TestRelationDoors_WrongCollectionDoesNotDiscloseExistence(t *testing.T) {
+	f := newDoorFixture(t)
+	// A live item in a collection that is NOT the relation's declared target.
+	other := mustSchemaCollection(t, f.srv, f.ws.ID, "Vaults", `{"fields":[]}`)
+	secret, err := f.srv.store.CreateItem(f.ws.ID, other.ID, models.ItemCreate{
+		Title: "Secret", CreatedBy: f.owner.ID,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("CreateItem(secret): %v", err)
+	}
+
+	body := map[string]any{"title": "New", "fields": map[string]any{"owner_ref": secret.Ref}}
+	path := "/api/v1/workspaces/" + f.ws.Slug + "/collections/" + f.tasks.Slug + "/items"
+	params := map[string]string{"collSlug": f.tasks.Slug}
+
+	// The owner can see Vaults, so they get the specific, useful reason.
+	seeing := f.call(f.srv.handleCreateItem, "POST", path, params, body)
+	if seeing.Code != http.StatusBadRequest {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 400, got %d: %s", seeing.Code, seeing.Body.String())
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(seeing.Body.String(), "is not an item in collection") {
+		t.Fatalf("a caller who CAN see the target lost the wrong_collection reason: %s",
+			seeing.Body.String())
+	}
+
+	// An editor with no access to Vaults must not be able to tell that
+	// `secret.Ref` names anything at all.
+	blind := mustUser(t, f.srv, "blind-oracle@example.com", "blindoracle", "")
+	if err := f.srv.store.AddWorkspaceMember(f.ws.ID, blind.ID, "editor"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("AddWorkspaceMember: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := f.srv.store.SetMemberCollectionAccess(f.ws.ID, blind.ID, "specific",
+		[]string{f.tasks.ID, f.people.ID}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SetMemberCollectionAccess: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	hidden := f.callAs(blind, "editor", f.srv.handleCreateItem, "POST", path, params, body)
+	if hidden.Code != http.StatusBadRequest {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 400, got %d: %s", hidden.Code, hidden.Body.String())
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(hidden.Body.String(), "is not an item in collection") {
+		t.Fatalf("the refusal tells a caller who cannot see the target that it EXISTS: %s",
+			hidden.Body.String())
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(hidden.Body.String(), "does not name an item") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected the not_found phrasing, got: %s", hidden.Body.String())
+	}
+}
+
+// A bulk status or priority change must resolve a relation default validation
+// injects (codex round 3).
+//
+// `bulkFieldUpdate` looks only at the keys `changes` names — correctly, since
+// re-litigating stored values would freeze legacy items — but `ValidateFields`
+// runs first and INJECTS schema defaults, so a defaulted relation was
+// persisted raw: never canonicalised, never checked against its collection.
+func TestRelationDoors_BulkUpdateResolvesInjectedRelationDefault(t *testing.T) {
+	f := newDoorFixture(t)
+	defaulted := mustSchemaCollection(t, f.srv, f.ws.ID, "Defaulted", fmt.Sprintf(`{"fields":[
+		{"key":"status","label":"Status","type":"select","options":["open","done"]},
+		{"key":"priority","label":"Priority","type":"select","options":["low","high"]},
+		{"key":"owner_ref","label":"Owner","type":"relation","collection":%q,"default":%q}
+	]}`, f.people.Slug, f.target.Ref))
+
+	item, err := f.srv.store.CreateItem(f.ws.ID, defaulted.ID, models.ItemCreate{
+		Title: "Needs a default", Fields: `{"status":"open"}`, CreatedBy: f.owner.ID,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("CreateItem: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	rr := f.call(f.srv.handleBulkItems, "POST",
+		"/api/v1/workspaces/"+f.ws.Slug+"/items/bulk", nil,
+		map[string]any{"op": "set-priority", "ids": []string{item.ID}, "priority": "high"})
+	if rr.Code != http.StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf("bulk set-priority: expected 200, got %d: %s", rr.Code, rr.Body.String())
+	}
+
+	// The default is declared as a REF; only a resolved one lands as the id.
+	if v, ok := f.storedRelation(item.ID); !ok || v != f.target.ID {
+		t.Fatalf("stored owner_ref = %#v (present=%v), want the default RESOLVED to %q; the raw "+
+			"ref %q means validation injected it after the relation pass had finished",
+			v, ok, f.target.ID, f.target.Ref)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/store/items_cross_workspace_copy.go b/internal/store/items_cross_workspace_copy.go
index 4010f630..a62992ba 100644
--- a/internal/store/items_cross_workspace_copy.go
+++ b/internal/store/items_cross_workspace_copy.go
@@ -1155,6 +1155,15 @@ func (s *Store) migrateCopyFields(q Queryer, destWorkspaceID, sourceFieldsJSON,
 	if lateErr != nil {
 		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("copy item across workspaces: resolve relation defaults: %w", lateErr)
 	}
+	// A REQUIRED relation whose default did not resolve cannot be left as a
+	// drop: the key is deleted AFTER validation passed, so nothing re-checks
+	// it and the item would land with a required field absent, reported valid
+	// (codex round 3). Re-running validation is not the answer — it would
+	// re-inject the same broken default. There is no valid value, so this
+	// refuses.
+	if req := RequiredRelationIssues(items.SchemaForMigratedFields(targetSchema), lateDropped); len(req) > 0 {
+		return nil, nil, &FieldValidationError{Err: errors.New(RelationIssuesMessage(req))}
+	}
 	for _, ri := range lateDropped {
 		migrated.Dropped = append(migrated.Dropped, ri.Key)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/store/relation_referents.go b/internal/store/relation_referents.go
index f98fd267..cc34f5cb 100644
--- a/internal/store/relation_referents.go
+++ b/internal/store/relation_referents.go
@@ -224,6 +224,41 @@ func (s *Store) ResolveRelationReferentsQ(
 	return issues, nil
 }
 
+// ResolveRelationTarget resolves ONE relation value to its item, or (nil, nil)
+// when nothing in the workspace answers to it.
+//
+// Exported for the server's visibility layer. `wrong_collection` names a LIVE
+// item, so the message distinguishes "exists, elsewhere" from "does not
+// exist" — an existence oracle unless the server can first check whether the
+// requester may see that item, which needs the item. Same UUID-or-ref rule as
+// everything else here: no slug fallback.
+func (s *Store) ResolveRelationTarget(workspaceID, value string) (*models.Item, error) {
+	return s.resolveRelationTargetQ(s.Q(), workspaceID, value)
+}
+
+// RequiredRelationIssues returns the subset of issues whose field the schema
+// declares REQUIRED.
+//
+// A dropped value in a required relation field cannot be left as a drop: the
+// key is deleted after validation has already passed, so nothing re-checks it
+// and the item lands with a required field absent. Callers turn these into
+// their own door's missing-required refusal.
+func RequiredRelationIssues(schema models.CollectionSchema, issues []RelationIssue) []RelationIssue {
+	required := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, def := range schema.Fields {
+		if def.Type == "relation" && def.Required {
+			required[def.Key] = true
+		}
+	}
+	var out []RelationIssue
+	for _, ri := range issues {
+		if required[ri.Key] {
+			out = append(out, ri)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
 // resolveRelationTarget looks a value up by UUID or by issue ref/slug, scoped
 // to the workspace. Returns (nil, nil) when nothing answers to it.
 //