diff --git a/autoload/strings.gd b/autoload/strings.gd
index 6cc4ba6..53b38ae 100644
--- a/autoload/strings.gd
+++ b/autoload/strings.gd
@@ -28,6 +28,15 @@ const TABLE: Dictionary = {
 	&"item.iron_ore": "Iron ore",
 	# Item stack count badge  ("{n}" is substituted at call site via .format())
 	&"item.stack_count": "×{n}",
+	# Phase 6 — new item types (carpenter bench + smelter outputs)
+	&"item.plank":       "Plank",
+	&"item.stone_block": "Stone block",
+	# Phase 6 — quality tier labels
+	&"quality.shoddy":     "Shoddy",
+	&"quality.normal":     "Normal",
+	&"quality.excellent":  "Excellent",
+	&"quality.masterwork": "Masterwork",
+	&"quality.legendary":  "Legendary",
 }
 
 
diff --git a/autoload/world.gd b/autoload/world.gd
index 3b0df28..b38872e 100644
--- a/autoload/world.gd
+++ b/autoload/world.gd
@@ -38,6 +38,11 @@ var build_queue: Array = []
 # Door._complete() calls register_door(); Phase 7+ uses this for toggling.
 var doors: Array = []
 
+# Phase 6 — workbench entities. Workbench._ready() calls register_workbench();
+# _exit_tree() calls unregister_workbench(). CraftingProvider iterates this
+# to find bench+bill pairs for eligible pawns.
+var workbenches: Array = []
+
 # Phase 4 — hauling dirty set. Keys are Items, value is unused (we just use .keys()).
 # An Item is added when it spawns (Tree.fell, Rock.mined, workbench drop, ...)
 # and removed when it lands at its highest-priority valid destination.
@@ -150,6 +155,15 @@ func unregister_door(d) -> void:
 	doors.erase(d)
 
 
+func register_workbench(wb) -> void:
+	if not workbenches.has(wb):
+		workbenches.append(wb)
+
+
+func unregister_workbench(wb) -> void:
+	workbenches.erase(wb)
+
+
 # Called by Wall.on_build_tick() when construction completes.
 # Stamps the data-only Wall TileMap layer so room/roof/save logic sees the
 # wall. World scene exposes wall_layer via a getter set during _ready.
diff --git a/docs/implementation.md b/docs/implementation.md
index 68203ff..f0b401e 100644
--- a/docs/implementation.md
+++ b/docs/implementation.md
@@ -12,7 +12,8 @@ Effort estimates are wall-time at **focused solo pace**. Scale up generously for
 | ✅ done — Job/Toil/JobRunner/Decision/RestProvider, forced_job preempt, mid-toil save round-trip verified | **Phase 3 — AI core: Decision → WorkProvider → JobRunner** |
 | ✅ done — Tree/Rock/Item entities, ChopProvider/MineProvider/HaulingProvider, StockpileZone with 16-chip filter + 5-tier priority + cascade sweep | **Phase 4 — First verbs: chop, mine, hauling, stockpiles** |
 | ✅ done — Designation paint mode, BuildJob queue, ConstructionProvider, Wall/Floor/Door entities (Y-sorted), Crate as StorageDestination. **Rendering pivot to 3/4 perspective locked.** | **Phase 5 — Building, walls, floors, containers** |
-| ⏳ next | **Phase 6 — Production: workbenches, recipes, bills, quality** |
+| ✅ done — Recipe + Bill data, Workbench entity (Carpenter / Smelter via label_text), CraftingProvider, KIND_CRAFT toil, 5-tier Quality system, Pawn skills, wall-trap fix | **Phase 6 — Production: workbenches, recipes, bills, quality** |
+| ⏳ next | **Phase 7 — Plants, cooking, hunger** |
 
 Use this doc as a checklist: tick boxes as items complete, and update the **Status** row above whenever a phase rolls over. The last bullet of each phase is the *acceptance demo* — the phase is "done" when you can perform it.
 
diff --git a/scenes/ai/bill.gd b/scenes/ai/bill.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..252a89c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scenes/ai/bill.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+class_name Bill extends RefCounted
+## A bill is one entry in a workbench's recipe queue.
+##
+## Three modes per design.md "Bill modes (full Rimworld fidelity)":
+##   FOREVER  — keep crafting until the player pauses or removes the bill.
+##   COUNT    — craft exactly `target_count` times then auto-pause.
+##   UNTIL_N  — keep a world-wide stockpile count of `recipe.output_type` at
+##              >= `target_count`; auto-pauses when the threshold is met,
+##              resumes when items are consumed below it.
+##
+## Save/load contract:
+##   var b2 := Bill.from_dict(b.to_dict())
+##   assert(b2.mode == b.mode and b2.completed_count == b.completed_count)
+
+enum Mode {
+	FOREVER,  ## Craft until paused by player.
+	COUNT,    ## Craft exactly target_count times.
+	UNTIL_N,  ## Maintain >= target_count of output_type in stockpiles.
+}
+
+## The recipe this bill executes. Must not be null when the bill is active.
+var recipe: Recipe = null
+
+## Which termination mode applies.
+var mode: Mode = Mode.FOREVER
+
+## COUNT: stop after this many completions. UNTIL_N: target world count.
+var target_count: int = 0
+
+## Number of successful craft outputs produced (used to gate COUNT mode).
+var completed_count: int = 0
+
+## True when the bill is manually paused by the player, or auto-paused by the
+## engine (COUNT exhausted, UNTIL_N threshold met). CraftingProvider skips
+## paused bills.
+var paused: bool = false
+
+
+# ── queries ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+## Returns true when CraftingProvider should pick up this bill.
+## All three mode checks also short-circuit on paused.
+func is_active() -> bool:
+	if paused:
+		return false
+	match mode:
+		Mode.FOREVER:
+			return true
+		Mode.COUNT:
+			return completed_count < target_count
+		Mode.UNTIL_N:
+			return _world_output_count() < target_count
+	return false
+
+
+# ── state mutation ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+## Called by JobRunner._tick_craft after each successful craft output.
+## Increments completed_count and auto-pauses COUNT bills that are exhausted.
+func record_completion() -> void:
+	completed_count += 1
+	if mode == Mode.COUNT and completed_count >= target_count:
+		paused = true
+
+
+# ── save / load ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+func to_dict() -> Dictionary:
+	return {
+		"recipe": recipe.to_dict() if recipe != null else null,
+		"mode": mode,
+		"target_count": target_count,
+		"completed_count": completed_count,
+		"paused": paused,
+	}
+
+
+static func from_dict(d: Dictionary) -> Bill:
+	var b := Bill.new()
+	b.mode = int(d.get("mode", Mode.FOREVER)) as Mode
+	b.target_count = int(d.get("target_count", 0))
+	b.completed_count = int(d.get("completed_count", 0))
+	b.paused = bool(d.get("paused", false))
+	var recipe_dict: Variant = d.get("recipe")
+	b.recipe = Recipe.from_dict(recipe_dict) if recipe_dict is Dictionary else null
+	return b
+
+
+# ── helpers ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+## Counts world items of recipe.output_type that are not currently being
+## carried — used by UNTIL_N mode. Queries World.items directly (no cache).
+func _world_output_count() -> int:
+	if recipe == null:
+		return 0
+	var total: int = 0
+	for item in World.items:
+		if item.item_type == recipe.output_type and not item.being_carried:
+			total += item.stack_size
+	return total
diff --git a/scenes/ai/bill.gd.uid b/scenes/ai/bill.gd.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c391c18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scenes/ai/bill.gd.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://ordsbhsy7sex
diff --git a/scenes/ai/construction_provider.gd b/scenes/ai/construction_provider.gd
index 855db08..606f428 100644
--- a/scenes/ai/construction_provider.gd
+++ b/scenes/ai/construction_provider.gd
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 class_name ConstructionProvider extends WorkProvider
 ## WorkProvider for the "construction" work category.
 ##
-## Scans World.build_queue for the nearest buildable site (Wall, Floor, Door —
-## anything exposing is_buildable() / on_build_tick() / tile / label()) and
-## returns a two-toil Job:
-##   walk_to(site.tile) → build_at(site.get_path())
+## Scans World.build_queue for the nearest buildable site (Wall, Floor, Door,
+## Crate, Workbench — anything exposing is_buildable() / on_build_tick() /
+## tile / label()) and returns a two-toil Job:
+##   walk_to(<build_stand_tile>) → build_at(site.get_path())
 ##
 ## The BUILD toil calls on_build_tick() once per sim tick; the entity internally
 ## tracks build_progress and calls _complete() when BUILD_TICKS is reached. The
@@ -13,12 +13,21 @@ class_name ConstructionProvider extends WorkProvider
 ## Phase 5 simplification: materials are infinite — no haul-materials step.
 ## Phase 6+ will prepend walk_to(material_pile) + pickup() toils before walk_to(site).
 ##
+## Phase 6 fix — wall-trap bug: walls call set_cell_walkable(false) on completion.
+## If the pawn is STANDING ON the wall tile when that fires, the pawn is now
+## on a solid cell and AStarGrid2D refuses to plan any subsequent path. Fix:
+## walls (and any other site that returns true from blocks_pathing_when_complete)
+## are built from an adjacent walkable tile. Floors / Doors / Crates / Workbenches
+## stay walkable after completion, so on-tile building is fine for them.
+##
 ## Duck-typing note: build-site entities are referenced without class_name to
 ## avoid registration-order issues. We rely only on:
 ##   site.tile: Vector2i
 ##   site.is_buildable() -> bool
 ##   site.label() -> String
 ##   site.get_path() -> NodePath
+## Optionally:
+##   site.blocks_pathing_when_complete() -> bool   # if absent, assumed false
 
 
 func _init() -> void:
@@ -45,8 +54,42 @@ func find_best_for(pawn) -> Job:
 	if best == null:
 		return null
 
+	# Pick where the pawn should stand. For sites that block pathing once built
+	# (walls) we route to an adjacent walkable cell; otherwise on-tile is fine.
+	var stand_tile: Vector2i = best.tile
+	if best.has_method("blocks_pathing_when_complete") and best.blocks_pathing_when_complete():
+		stand_tile = _find_adjacent_walkable(best.tile, pawn.tile)
+		if stand_tile == best.tile:
+			# No walkable neighbour — the site is fully boxed in. Skip and try later.
+			Audit.log("construction", "%s build %s at %s has no adjacent stand tile" % [pawn.pawn_name, best.label(), best.tile])
+			return null
+
 	var j := Job.new()
 	j.label = "Build %s at %s" % [best.label(), best.tile]
-	j.toils.append(Toil.walk_to(best.tile))
+	j.toils.append(Toil.walk_to(stand_tile))
 	j.toils.append(Toil.build_at(best.get_path()))
 	return j
+
+
+# ── helpers ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+## Finds the 4-neighbour of `target` nearest to `prefer_near` that the pathfinder
+## currently treats as walkable. Returns `target` itself if no walkable neighbour
+## exists (caller treats that as "skip this site").
+func _find_adjacent_walkable(target: Vector2i, prefer_near: Vector2i) -> Vector2i:
+	var offsets: Array[Vector2i] = [
+		Vector2i(0, -1), Vector2i(1, 0), Vector2i(0, 1), Vector2i(-1, 0),
+	]
+	var best: Vector2i = target
+	var best_dist: int = 999999
+	for off in offsets:
+		var t: Vector2i = target + off
+		if World.pathfinder == null:
+			continue
+		if not World.pathfinder.is_walkable(t):
+			continue
+		var d: int = abs(t.x - prefer_near.x) + abs(t.y - prefer_near.y)
+		if d < best_dist:
+			best_dist = d
+			best = t
+	return best
diff --git a/scenes/ai/crafting_provider.gd b/scenes/ai/crafting_provider.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aa8aeae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scenes/ai/crafting_provider.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+class_name CraftingProvider extends WorkProvider
+## WorkProvider for the Crafting work category. Slots into the 5-layer pawn AI
+## (Decision → WorkProvider → Job + JobRunner) as layer 2.
+##
+## Each call to find_best_for(pawn) scans World.workbenches for the best
+## (Workbench, Bill) pair the pawn qualifies for, then builds a 4-toil job:
+##   walk_to(ingredient.tile) → pickup → walk_to(wb.tile) → craft_at(wb, bill_index)
+##
+## Scoring: Manhattan distance pawn→ingredient + ingredient→workbench (lower wins).
+##
+## Phase 6 simplification: pawn must be empty-handed (one task at a time); ingredient
+## search is global (no per-bench radius restriction — Phase 17 polish item per
+## docs/architecture.md "Ingredient acquisition radius").
+##
+## Workbench and Pawn are intentionally duck-typed (no class_name reference) to match
+## WorkProvider convention and avoid init-order issues. Only Item.Quality and
+## QualityCalc are referenced by class_name (in job_runner.gd, not here).
+##
+## See docs/architecture.md "CraftingProvider" and docs/design.md "Bills".
+
+
+func _init() -> void:
+	category = &"crafting"
+	# Priority 4 — above haul (3), below chop (5).
+	# Phase 6 demo ordering; final 9-category matrix is authored in Phase 17.
+	priority = 4
+
+
+# ── WorkProvider override ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+## Returns a craft Job for `pawn`, or null if no valid work exists.
+## Pawn must expose: .carried_item, .tile (Vector2i), .get_skill(StringName) -> int.
+func find_best_for(pawn) -> Job:
+	# Skip if pawn is already carrying something — deposit first.
+	if pawn.get("carried_item") != null:
+		return null
+
+	var best_wb = null
+	var best_bill = null
+	var best_bill_index: int = -1
+	var best_src = null
+	var best_dist: int = 999999
+
+	for wb in World.workbenches:
+		# Duck-type guard: skip workbenches that aren't fully set up yet.
+		if not wb.get("_completed"):
+			continue
+
+		for i in wb.bills.size():
+			var b = wb.bills[i]
+			if not b.is_active():
+				continue
+
+			# Skill threshold check — pawn must meet the bill's minimum.
+			if pawn.get_skill(b.recipe.required_skill) < b.recipe.skill_threshold:
+				continue
+
+			# Confirm a qualifying ingredient exists on the floor.
+			var src = _find_ingredient_item(b.recipe.ingredient_type)
+			if src == null:
+				continue
+
+			# Score: total Manhattan travel distance pawn → ingredient → workbench.
+			var d: int = _manhattan(pawn.tile, src.tile) + _manhattan(src.tile, wb.tile)
+			if d < best_dist:
+				best_dist = d
+				best_wb = wb
+				best_bill = b
+				best_bill_index = i
+				best_src = src
+
+	if best_wb == null:
+		return null
+
+	# Re-resolve the source item in case multiple bills tied on the same item.
+	var src_item = _find_ingredient_item(best_bill.recipe.ingredient_type)
+	if src_item == null:
+		return null
+
+	var j := Job.new()
+	j.label = "Craft %s at %s" % [best_bill.recipe.label, best_wb.get("label_text") if best_wb.get("label_text") != null else "workbench"]
+	j.toils.append(Toil.walk_to(src_item.tile))
+	j.toils.append(Toil.pickup())
+	j.toils.append(Toil.walk_to(best_wb.tile))
+	j.toils.append(Toil.craft_at(best_wb.get_path(), best_bill_index))
+	return j
+
+
+# ── private helpers ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+## Returns the first on-floor Item of matching type that is not being carried.
+## Phase 6 simplification: global search, first match wins (no nearest-first
+## at this layer — distance is factored into the outer loop scoring instead).
+func _find_ingredient_item(item_type: StringName):
+	for it in World.items:
+		if it.being_carried:
+			continue
+		if it.item_type == item_type:
+			return it
+	return null
+
+
+## Manhattan distance between two Vector2i tile coordinates.
+func _manhattan(a: Vector2i, b: Vector2i) -> int:
+	return abs(a.x - b.x) + abs(a.y - b.y)
diff --git a/scenes/ai/crafting_provider.gd.uid b/scenes/ai/crafting_provider.gd.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cd43b08
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scenes/ai/crafting_provider.gd.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://dxmfg1esvdf0c
diff --git a/scenes/ai/job_runner.gd b/scenes/ai/job_runner.gd
index 3dd360c..740f98e 100644
--- a/scenes/ai/job_runner.gd
+++ b/scenes/ai/job_runner.gd
@@ -99,6 +99,8 @@ func tick() -> void:
 			_tick_pickup(t)
 		Toil.KIND_DEPOSIT:
 			_tick_deposit(t)
+		Toil.KIND_CRAFT:
+			_tick_craft(t)
 
 	if t.done:
 		job.advance()
@@ -338,6 +340,123 @@ func _tick_deposit(t) -> void:
 	t.done = true
 
 
+## Execute one tick of a CRAFT toil.
+##
+## First tick (started=false):
+##   - Resolves the Workbench node from the stored NodePath. Missing → skip.
+##   - Looks up the Bill at data["bill_index"]. Out-of-range → skip.
+##   - Validates pawn position matches workbench.tile. Mismatch → skip.
+##   - Validates pawn is carrying the correct ingredient type. Missing → skip.
+##   - Calls wb.begin_craft(bill) to register the active bill + reset progress.
+##   - Marks started=true and logs the craft start.
+##
+## Every tick (including first, after the checks above):
+##   - Calls wb.tick_craft() which increments current_work_progress and returns
+##     true when bill.recipe.work_ticks is reached.
+##   - On completion:
+##       * Consumes the carried ingredient (queue_free + clear pawn slot).
+##       * Rolls quality via QualityCalc.roll() using the pawn's skill level.
+##       * Spawns an Item scene child of wb.get_parent() at wb.tile.
+##       * Calls wb.on_craft_complete() (records bill completion + resets state).
+##       * Logs the result and marks toil done.
+func _tick_craft(t) -> void:
+	var wb_path := NodePath(t.data.get("workbench", ""))
+	var wb = get_tree().get_root().get_node_or_null(wb_path)
+
+	if not t.data.get("started", false):
+		# ── first-tick validation ─────────────────────────────────────────────
+		if wb == null or not is_instance_valid(wb):
+			Audit.log("job_runner", "%s craft: workbench gone — skipping" % pawn.pawn_name)
+			t.done = true
+			return
+
+		var bill_index: int = int(t.data.get("bill_index", -1))
+		if bill_index < 0 or bill_index >= wb.bills.size():
+			Audit.log(
+				"job_runner",
+				"%s craft: invalid bill_index %d — skipping" % [pawn.pawn_name, bill_index]
+			)
+			t.done = true
+			return
+
+		var bill = wb.bills[bill_index]
+
+		if pawn.tile != wb.tile:
+			Audit.log(
+				"job_runner",
+				"%s not at workbench (pawn=%s wb=%s) — skipping" % [pawn.pawn_name, pawn.tile, wb.tile]
+			)
+			t.done = true
+			return
+
+		if pawn.carried_item == null or pawn.carried_item.item_type != bill.recipe.ingredient_type:
+			Audit.log(
+				"job_runner",
+				"%s craft: wrong or missing ingredient — skipping" % pawn.pawn_name
+			)
+			t.done = true
+			return
+
+		# Register the bill with the workbench and reset its progress counter.
+		wb.begin_craft(bill)
+		t.data["started"] = true
+		Audit.log("job_runner", "%s craft start: %s" % [pawn.pawn_name, bill.recipe.label])
+
+	# ── per-tick progress ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+	# Re-resolve each tick in case the workbench was freed between ticks.
+	wb = get_tree().get_root().get_node_or_null(wb_path)
+	if wb == null or not is_instance_valid(wb):
+		t.done = true
+		return
+
+	# tick_craft() advances the progress counter and returns true when done.
+	var craft_done: bool = wb.tick_craft()
+	if not craft_done:
+		return  # Still working — toil remains active.
+
+	# ── craft complete ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+	# Retrieve the bill now (before on_craft_complete clears current_bill).
+	var bill_index: int = int(t.data.get("bill_index", -1))
+	if bill_index < 0 or bill_index >= wb.bills.size():
+		# Guard against the workbench mutating bills mid-craft.
+		wb.on_craft_complete()
+		t.done = true
+		return
+	var bill = wb.bills[bill_index]
+
+	# Consume ingredient.
+	var ingredient = pawn.carried_item
+	pawn.carried_item = null
+	if ingredient != null and is_instance_valid(ingredient):
+		ingredient.queue_free()
+
+	# Roll quality based on pawn skill for this recipe.
+	var skill_level: int = pawn.get_skill(bill.recipe.required_skill)
+	var quality: int = QualityCalc.roll(skill_level)
+
+	# Spawn output Item as a sibling of the workbench (World scene level).
+	var item_scene: PackedScene = load("res://scenes/entities/item.tscn")
+	var output_item = item_scene.instantiate()
+	wb.get_parent().add_child(output_item)
+	output_item.setup(bill.recipe.output_type, 1, wb.tile)
+	output_item.quality = quality
+
+	# Record completion on the bill and reset workbench state.
+	wb.on_craft_complete()
+
+	Audit.log(
+		"job_runner",
+		"%s crafted %s ×1 quality=%s at %s" % [
+			pawn.pawn_name,
+			bill.recipe.output_type,
+			Item.Quality.keys()[quality],
+			wb.tile,
+		]
+	)
+	t.done = true
+
+
 # ── helpers ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 ## Emit job_completed, log, and clear the job reference.
diff --git a/scenes/ai/quality.gd b/scenes/ai/quality.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..14f93f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scenes/ai/quality.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+class_name QualityCalc
+## Static helper for rolling an Item.Quality value at craft completion.
+##
+## Formula (docs/architecture.md "Quality system", Phase 6 spec):
+##   roll = skill_level × 0.04 + randf() × 0.6
+##
+## Bucket thresholds:
+##   roll < 0.10            → SHODDY
+##   0.10 ≤ roll < 0.50     → NORMAL
+##   0.50 ≤ roll < 0.80     → EXCELLENT
+##   0.80 ≤ roll < 0.95     → MASTERWORK
+##   roll ≥ 0.95            → LEGENDARY
+##
+## Intuition by skill level (before RNG):
+##   skill  0: base 0.00; max roll ≈ 0.60 → Excellent ceiling, never Masterwork
+##   skill  5: base 0.20; roll ≈ 0.20–0.80 → Excellent comfortably, Masterwork possible
+##   skill 10: base 0.40; roll ≈ 0.40–1.00 → Masterwork attainable; Legendary rare (~8%)
+##
+## Returns an int matching Item.Quality enum values so no Item import is needed
+## at call sites that only pass the int through. JobRunner logs via
+## Item.Quality.keys()[quality] to get the enum name string.
+
+static func roll(skill_level: int) -> int:
+	var base: float = float(skill_level) * 0.04
+	var noise: float = randf() * 0.6
+	var roll_val: float = base + noise
+	if roll_val < 0.10:
+		return Item.Quality.SHODDY
+	if roll_val < 0.50:
+		return Item.Quality.NORMAL
+	if roll_val < 0.80:
+		return Item.Quality.EXCELLENT
+	if roll_val < 0.95:
+		return Item.Quality.MASTERWORK
+	return Item.Quality.LEGENDARY
diff --git a/scenes/ai/quality.gd.uid b/scenes/ai/quality.gd.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8b07716
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scenes/ai/quality.gd.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://cdbnaxmg5cg6a
diff --git a/scenes/ai/recipe.gd b/scenes/ai/recipe.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..11f77b9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scenes/ai/recipe.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+class_name Recipe extends RefCounted
+## A recipe describes one production step: what raw material goes in, what
+## product comes out, how long it takes, and what skill is required.
+##
+## Phase 6 ships single-ingredient / single-output recipes. Multi-input is
+## a Phase 7+ expansion — the dict seam in to_dict/from_dict already uses
+## the same key names as the full architecture.md spec so no migration is needed.
+##
+## Save/load contract:
+##   var r2 := Recipe.from_dict(r.to_dict())
+##   assert(r2.id == r.id and r2.work_ticks == r.work_ticks)
+
+const SKILL_CRAFTING: StringName = &"crafting"
+const SKILL_COOKING:  StringName = &"cooking"
+
+## Unique identifier — e.g. &"plank", &"stone_block", &"basic_meal".
+var id: StringName = &""
+
+## Item type consumed by this recipe (single-ingredient for Phase 6).
+var ingredient_type: StringName = &""
+
+## Item type produced by this recipe.
+var output_type: StringName = &""
+
+## Sim ticks needed at 1× skill (no pawn modifier applied here).
+var work_ticks: int = 100
+
+## Which skill governs this recipe's quality roll and speed.
+var required_skill: StringName = SKILL_CRAFTING
+
+## Pawn's skill level must be >= this to be assigned this bill.
+## Per design.md: skills modify duration and quality, never permission — so
+## this threshold defaults to 0 (no gate); bill UI lets the player raise it.
+var skill_threshold: int = 0
+
+## Human-readable label for Audit logs and (later) bill UI. Not i18n'd here;
+## call Strings.t("item." + id) for player-visible text.
+var label: String = ""
+
+
+# ── save / load ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+func to_dict() -> Dictionary:
+	return {
+		"id": String(id),
+		"ingredient_type": String(ingredient_type),
+		"output_type": String(output_type),
+		"work_ticks": work_ticks,
+		"required_skill": String(required_skill),
+		"skill_threshold": skill_threshold,
+		"label": label,
+	}
+
+
+static func from_dict(d: Dictionary) -> Recipe:
+	var r := Recipe.new()
+	r.id = StringName(d.get("id", ""))
+	r.ingredient_type = StringName(d.get("ingredient_type", ""))
+	r.output_type = StringName(d.get("output_type", ""))
+	r.work_ticks = int(d.get("work_ticks", 100))
+	r.required_skill = StringName(d.get("required_skill", str(SKILL_CRAFTING)))
+	r.skill_threshold = int(d.get("skill_threshold", 0))
+	r.label = str(d.get("label", ""))
+	return r
diff --git a/scenes/ai/recipe.gd.uid b/scenes/ai/recipe.gd.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ebdea8b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scenes/ai/recipe.gd.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://cin1s5sem0od3
diff --git a/scenes/ai/recipe_catalog.gd b/scenes/ai/recipe_catalog.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c5424fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scenes/ai/recipe_catalog.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+class_name RecipeCatalog
+## Static registry of all Phase-6 recipes. Each method returns a fresh Recipe
+## instance configured for that product. Extend here as new workbenches land
+## (Phase 7+ cooking hearth, millstone, smithy, etc.).
+##
+## Phase 6 ships two recipes:
+##   plank()       — wood → plank   (Carpenter's bench, Crafting)
+##   stone_block() — stone → stone_block (Smelter, Crafting)
+##
+## The full ~22-recipe list per docs/design.md expands in Phase 7+.
+
+
+static func plank() -> Recipe:
+	var r := Recipe.new()
+	r.id = &"plank"
+	r.label = "Wood plank"
+	r.ingredient_type = Item.TYPE_WOOD
+	r.output_type = Item.TYPE_PLANK
+	r.work_ticks = 60        # ~3 sim seconds at 1×  (20 Hz × 3 s = 60 ticks)
+	r.required_skill = Recipe.SKILL_CRAFTING
+	r.skill_threshold = 0
+	return r
+
+
+static func stone_block() -> Recipe:
+	var r := Recipe.new()
+	r.id = &"stone_block"
+	r.label = "Stone block"
+	r.ingredient_type = Item.TYPE_STONE
+	r.output_type = Item.TYPE_STONE_BLOCK
+	r.work_ticks = 80        # ~4 sim seconds at 1×
+	r.required_skill = Recipe.SKILL_CRAFTING
+	r.skill_threshold = 0
+	return r
diff --git a/scenes/ai/recipe_catalog.gd.uid b/scenes/ai/recipe_catalog.gd.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b743a71
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scenes/ai/recipe_catalog.gd.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://2kcj2y0fn1da
diff --git a/scenes/ai/toil.gd b/scenes/ai/toil.gd
index 38f92cb..eca92c8 100644
--- a/scenes/ai/toil.gd
+++ b/scenes/ai/toil.gd
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ const KIND_INTERACT: StringName = &"interact"  # Timed action on a target entity
 const KIND_PICKUP: StringName = &"pickup"       # Transfer Item at pawn.tile into pawn.carried_item
 const KIND_DEPOSIT: StringName = &"deposit"     # Place pawn.carried_item at pawn.tile
 const KIND_BUILD: StringName = &"build"         # Timed construction on a Wall / Floor / Door entity
+const KIND_CRAFT: StringName = &"craft"         # Timed crafting at a Workbench driven by a Bill
 
 var kind: StringName = KIND_IDLE
 ## Toil-specific params — all values must be int, float, bool, String, Dict, or Array.
@@ -104,6 +105,24 @@ static func deposit() -> Toil:
 	return t
 
 
+## Timed crafting action at a Workbench.
+## `workbench_path` is the NodePath of the Workbench entity (stored as String for JSON safety).
+## `bill_index` is the index into workbench.bills that this toil should run.
+## JobRunner resolves the workbench and bill on the first tick, validates pawn position and
+## carried ingredient, then advances workbench.current_work_progress each tick until
+## bill.recipe.work_ticks is reached — at which point the ingredient is consumed, an output
+## Item is spawned with a quality roll, and bill.record_completion() is called.
+static func craft_at(workbench_path: NodePath, bill_index: int) -> Toil:
+	var t := Toil.new()
+	t.kind = KIND_CRAFT
+	t.data = {
+		"workbench": String(workbench_path),
+		"bill_index": bill_index,
+		"started": false,
+	}
+	return t
+
+
 # ── save / load ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 func to_dict() -> Dictionary:
diff --git a/scenes/entities/item.gd b/scenes/entities/item.gd
index fcc339a..f8ba64b 100644
--- a/scenes/entities/item.gd
+++ b/scenes/entities/item.gd
@@ -33,17 +33,27 @@ const TYPE_WEAPON: StringName     = &"weapon"       # Wp
 const TYPE_ARMOR: StringName      = &"armor"        # Ar
 const TYPE_CORPSE: StringName     = &"corpse"       # Co
 
+# Phase 6 — intermediate crafted goods (carpenter bench + smelter outputs).
+const TYPE_PLANK: StringName      = &"plank"
+const TYPE_STONE_BLOCK: StringName = &"stone_block"
+
 const ALL_TYPES: Array[StringName] = [
 	TYPE_WOOD, TYPE_STONE, TYPE_IRON_ORE, TYPE_COPPER_ORE,
 	TYPE_SILVER, TYPE_GOLD, TYPE_CLOTH, TYPE_VEGETABLE,
 	TYPE_MEAT, TYPE_GRAIN, TYPE_MEAL, TYPE_MEDICINE,
 	TYPE_TOOL, TYPE_WEAPON, TYPE_ARMOR, TYPE_CORPSE,
+	TYPE_PLANK, TYPE_STONE_BLOCK,
 ]
 
+# ── quality system (docs/architecture.md "Quality system") ───────────────────
+# Rolled at craft-completion; stored per item; drives border colour in _draw().
+enum Quality { SHODDY, NORMAL, EXCELLENT, MASTERWORK, LEGENDARY }
+
 # ── state ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 @export var item_type: StringName = TYPE_WOOD
 @export var stack_size: int = 1
+@export var quality: Quality = Quality.NORMAL
 
 var tile: Vector2i = Vector2i.ZERO
 
@@ -92,6 +102,7 @@ func to_dict() -> Dictionary:
 		"stack_size": stack_size,
 		"tile_x": tile.x,
 		"tile_y": tile.y,
+		"quality": int(quality),
 	}
 
 
@@ -104,6 +115,7 @@ static func from_dict(d: Dictionary) -> Dictionary:
 		"stack_size": int(d.get("stack_size", 1)),
 		"tile_x": int(d.get("tile_x", 0)),
 		"tile_y": int(d.get("tile_y", 0)),
+		"quality": int(d.get("quality", Quality.NORMAL)),
 	}
 
 
@@ -119,6 +131,20 @@ func _draw() -> void:
 	draw_rect(square, fill)
 	draw_rect(square, Color(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.75), false, 1.0)
 
+	# Quality border — drawn over the dark outline, colour per quality tier.
+	# NORMAL has no extra border (base outline is sufficient).
+	match quality:
+		Quality.SHODDY:
+			draw_rect(square, Color(0.40, 0.40, 0.40), false, 1.0)
+		Quality.EXCELLENT:
+			draw_rect(square, Color(0.20, 0.55, 0.95), false, 1.0)
+		Quality.MASTERWORK:
+			draw_rect(square, Color(0.85, 0.55, 0.10), false, 1.0)
+		Quality.LEGENDARY:
+			draw_rect(square, Color(0.85, 0.10, 0.80), false, 2.0)
+		_:
+			pass  # NORMAL — no extra border
+
 	# Stack count badge — bottom-right corner of the square, font_size 7.
 	if stack_size > 1:
 		var label := Strings.t(&"item.stack_count").format({"n": stack_size})
diff --git a/scenes/entities/wall.gd b/scenes/entities/wall.gd
index 124b8b6..26c2eee 100644
--- a/scenes/entities/wall.gd
+++ b/scenes/entities/wall.gd
@@ -71,6 +71,14 @@ func is_buildable() -> bool:
 	return not _completed
 
 
+## Construction-provider hint: walls become impassable when built, so pawns
+## must stand on an adjacent tile while building. Phase 6 fix for the
+## "pawn-trapped-on-wall" bug. Floors / Doors / Crates / Workbenches don't
+## need this since they remain walkable after completion.
+func blocks_pathing_when_complete() -> bool:
+	return true
+
+
 ## Human-readable label for job descriptions and Audit logs.
 func label() -> String:
 	return "%s wall" % wall_material
diff --git a/scenes/entities/workbench.gd b/scenes/entities/workbench.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cbe1326
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scenes/entities/workbench.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,302 @@
+class_name Workbench extends Node2D
+## Workbench entity — buildable structure where pawns craft items per bills.
+##
+## Rendered as a bottom-anchored sprite (Y-sorted) matching the 3/4-perspective
+## convention from Wall/Door. Ghost state (40% alpha) while construction is
+## in progress; solid once _completed.
+##
+## Variant appearance is driven by label_text:
+##   "Carpenter" → warm-brown wood bench with a vise detail
+##   "Smelter"   → dark grey stone block with an orange ember glow
+##   Other       → generic warm-grey fallback
+##
+## Bill model (architecture.md "Production: workbenches, recipes, bills"):
+##   bills[]            — ordered queue of Bill objects (untyped; Bill class
+##                        is authored by a sibling agent and may not be
+##                        registered when this file compiles).
+##   current_bill       — the Bill actively being worked; null when idle.
+##   current_work_progress — tick counter within the current craft cycle.
+##                        JobRunner._tick_craft increments this each sim tick.
+##                        Workbench resets it to 0 on cycle completion or
+##                        when the pawn leaves mid-craft.
+##
+## Save/load: to_dict / from_dict capture all persistent fields, including
+## each bill via bill.to_dict(). Mirrors the Crate save pattern.
+##
+## World registration: World.register_workbench / World.unregister_workbench
+## are called from _ready / _exit_tree.
+
+const TILE_SIZE_PX: int = 16
+
+## Sim ticks to build a workbench (90 ticks ≈ 4.5 sim seconds at 1×).
+const BUILD_TICKS: int = 90
+
+# ── exports ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+## Tile position of this workbench in world-tile coordinates.
+@export var tile: Vector2i = Vector2i.ZERO
+
+## Player-visible label. Also drives the _draw() variant.
+## Recognised values: "Carpenter", "Smelter". Others render generic.
+@export var label_text: String = "Workbench"
+
+## Which skill category this bench accepts.
+## CraftingProvider filters by this before assigning a pawn.
+@export var accepted_skill: StringName = &"crafting"
+
+# ── state ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+## Ticks of construction work applied so far. 0..BUILD_TICKS.
+var build_progress: int = 0
+
+## True once build_progress >= BUILD_TICKS.
+var _completed: bool = false
+
+## Ordered queue of Bill objects. Untyped so this file compiles before the
+## Bill class is registered by the sibling agent. CraftingProvider reads this.
+var bills: Array = []
+
+## The Bill being actively worked right now. null when idle.
+## Set by JobRunner when it begins a craft toil; cleared on completion or
+## when the pawn walks away (job cancelled / interrupted).
+var current_bill = null
+
+## Sim-tick progress within the current craft cycle. Incremented by
+## JobRunner._tick_craft once per sim tick. Reset to 0:
+##   - when a craft completes (on_craft_complete)
+##   - when no pawn is actively crafting (JobRunner cancel / pawn interruption)
+## JobRunner reads this to decide whether the recipe's work_ticks are done.
+var current_work_progress: int = 0
+
+
+# ── lifecycle ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+func _ready() -> void:
+	# Position is bottom-anchored so Y-sort occludes pawns correctly.
+	position = Vector2(
+		tile.x * TILE_SIZE_PX + TILE_SIZE_PX / 2.0,
+		tile.y * TILE_SIZE_PX + TILE_SIZE_PX
+	)
+	World.register_workbench(self)
+	queue_redraw()
+
+
+func _exit_tree() -> void:
+	World.unregister_workbench(self)
+
+
+## One-shot initialiser. Call after add_child() so _ready() has fired.
+func setup(p_tile: Vector2i) -> void:
+	tile = p_tile
+	position = Vector2(
+		tile.x * TILE_SIZE_PX + TILE_SIZE_PX / 2.0,
+		tile.y * TILE_SIZE_PX + TILE_SIZE_PX
+	)
+	queue_redraw()
+
+
+# ── BuildJob interface ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+## True while the workbench still needs construction work.
+## JobRunner's BUILD toil checks this to decide when the toil is done.
+func is_buildable() -> bool:
+	return not _completed
+
+
+## Human-readable label for job descriptions and Audit logs.
+func label() -> String:
+	return label_text
+
+
+## Called by the BUILD toil in JobRunner once per sim tick.
+## Advances build_progress; completes the workbench at BUILD_TICKS.
+func on_build_tick() -> void:
+	if _completed:
+		return
+	build_progress += 1
+	queue_redraw()
+	if build_progress >= BUILD_TICKS:
+		_complete()
+
+
+## True once the workbench has been fully built.
+func is_completed() -> bool:
+	return _completed
+
+
+# ── Bills ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+## Append a bill to the queue.
+func add_bill(b) -> void:
+	bills.append(b)
+	Audit.log("workbench", "%s: bill added — recipe '%s'" % [label_text, b.recipe.id])
+
+
+## Return the first bill that is active and whose required_skill matches
+## this bench's accepted_skill. Returns null when none qualify.
+## CraftingProvider calls this; JobRunner also calls it when the current_bill
+## becomes inactive (UNTIL_N threshold reached, paused, etc.).
+func find_active_bill():
+	for b in bills:
+		if not b.is_active():
+			continue
+		if b.recipe.required_skill != accepted_skill:
+			continue
+		return b
+	return null
+
+
+# ── Craft-cycle hooks (called by JobRunner) ───────────────────────────────────
+
+## JobRunner calls this when it starts working a bill on this bench.
+## Stores the active bill and resets the tick counter.
+func begin_craft(b) -> void:
+	current_bill = b
+	current_work_progress = 0
+
+
+## JobRunner calls this once per sim tick while a pawn is actively crafting.
+## Returns true when the recipe's work_ticks have been reached (craft done).
+func tick_craft() -> bool:
+	if current_bill == null:
+		return false
+	current_work_progress += 1
+	return current_work_progress >= current_bill.recipe.work_ticks
+
+
+## JobRunner calls this on craft completion before spawning the output item.
+## Records the completion on the bill, resets state.
+func on_craft_complete() -> void:
+	if current_bill != null:
+		current_bill.record_completion()
+	current_bill = null
+	current_work_progress = 0
+
+
+## JobRunner calls this when the craft is interrupted (pawn leaves, cancel, etc.).
+## Resets in-progress state so another pawn can start fresh.
+func on_craft_interrupted() -> void:
+	current_bill = null
+	current_work_progress = 0
+
+
+# ── save / load ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+## Serialise workbench state for World save (wired in Phase 16).
+func to_dict() -> Dictionary:
+	var bills_data: Array = []
+	for b in bills:
+		bills_data.append(b.to_dict())
+	return {
+		"tile_x": tile.x,
+		"tile_y": tile.y,
+		"label_text": label_text,
+		"accepted_skill": String(accepted_skill),
+		"build_progress": build_progress,
+		"completed": _completed,
+		"current_work_progress": current_work_progress,
+		"bills": bills_data,
+	}
+
+
+## Restore from a dict produced by to_dict().
+## Bill objects are reconstructed by the caller using Bill.from_dict() once the
+## Bill class is registered. current_bill is left null — JobRunner reconnects
+## from its own saved state on the next sim tick.
+func from_dict(d: Dictionary) -> void:
+	tile = Vector2i(int(d.get("tile_x", 0)), int(d.get("tile_y", 0)))
+	label_text = str(d.get("label_text", "Workbench"))
+	accepted_skill = StringName(d.get("accepted_skill", "crafting"))
+	build_progress = int(d.get("build_progress", 0))
+	_completed = bool(d.get("completed", false))
+	current_work_progress = int(d.get("current_work_progress", 0))
+	# Bills are re-populated by World.load_workbenches() after Bill class loads.
+	# Raw dicts are kept in the dict; the caller handles reconstruction.
+	setup(tile)
+
+
+# ── render ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+func _draw() -> void:
+	# 3/4-perspective bench rendering — fits within the tile (16×16 local box).
+	# Origin (0,0) = tile bottom-centre. Tile spans local Y: -16 to 0.
+	# Two-band look (matches Wall): lit top band + shaded front face.
+	# Ghost (not yet built) draws at 0.4 alpha.
+	var alpha: float = 1.0 if _completed else 0.4
+
+	match label_text:
+		"Carpenter":
+			_draw_carpenter(alpha)
+		"Smelter":
+			_draw_smelter(alpha)
+		_:
+			_draw_generic(alpha)
+
+
+func _draw_carpenter(alpha: float) -> void:
+	# Warm-brown wood bench. Top band lit, front face darker.
+	# Vise/saw detail: a small darker square at the top-right corner of the
+	# front face to suggest a mounted tool.
+	var top_face  := Color(0.62, 0.45, 0.25, alpha)
+	var front_face := Color(0.52, 0.36, 0.18, alpha)
+	var plank     := Color(0.34, 0.22, 0.10, alpha)
+	var vise      := Color(0.28, 0.18, 0.08, alpha)
+	var outline   := Color(0.20, 0.12, 0.04, 0.7 * alpha)
+
+	# Top face — lit strip at upper-third of tile.
+	draw_rect(Rect2(Vector2(-8.0, -16.0), Vector2(16.0, 5.0)), top_face)
+	# Front face — lower body.
+	draw_rect(Rect2(Vector2(-8.0, -11.0), Vector2(16.0, 11.0)), front_face)
+	# Horizontal plank seam across the front face.
+	draw_line(Vector2(-8.0, -6.0), Vector2(8.0, -6.0), plank, 1.0)
+	# Vise detail: 4×4 px darker square at top-right of front face.
+	draw_rect(Rect2(Vector2(3.0, -11.0), Vector2(4.0, 4.0)), vise)
+	# Top/front edge horizon line.
+	draw_line(Vector2(-8.0, -11.0), Vector2(8.0, -11.0), plank, 1.0)
+	# Tile outline.
+	draw_rect(Rect2(Vector2(-8.0, -16.0), Vector2(16.0, 16.0)), outline, false, 1.0)
+
+
+func _draw_smelter(alpha: float) -> void:
+	# Dark grey stone block. Top band slightly lighter.
+	# Ember glow: orange rect centred at the bottom of the front face.
+	var top_face   := Color(0.42, 0.42, 0.40, alpha)
+	var front_face := Color(0.32, 0.32, 0.30, alpha)
+	var mortar     := Color(0.20, 0.20, 0.18, alpha)
+	var ember      := Color(0.95, 0.45, 0.10, alpha)
+	var outline    := Color(0.14, 0.14, 0.12, 0.7 * alpha)
+
+	# Top face.
+	draw_rect(Rect2(Vector2(-8.0, -16.0), Vector2(16.0, 5.0)), top_face)
+	# Front face.
+	draw_rect(Rect2(Vector2(-8.0, -11.0), Vector2(16.0, 11.0)), front_face)
+	# Mortar line.
+	draw_line(Vector2(-8.0, -6.0), Vector2(8.0, -6.0), mortar, 1.0)
+	# Ember glow: 6×3 px orange rect, horizontally centred, at bottom of front face.
+	draw_rect(Rect2(Vector2(-3.0, -3.0), Vector2(6.0, 3.0)), ember)
+	# Top/front edge horizon line.
+	draw_line(Vector2(-8.0, -11.0), Vector2(8.0, -11.0), mortar, 1.0)
+	# Tile outline.
+	draw_rect(Rect2(Vector2(-8.0, -16.0), Vector2(16.0, 16.0)), outline, false, 1.0)
+
+
+func _draw_generic(alpha: float) -> void:
+	# Warm-grey fallback bench. Simple two-band block with a single seam.
+	var top_face   := Color(0.58, 0.55, 0.50, alpha)
+	var front_face := Color(0.42, 0.40, 0.36, alpha)
+	var seam       := Color(0.30, 0.28, 0.25, alpha)
+	var outline    := Color(0.20, 0.18, 0.16, 0.7 * alpha)
+
+	draw_rect(Rect2(Vector2(-8.0, -16.0), Vector2(16.0, 5.0)), top_face)
+	draw_rect(Rect2(Vector2(-8.0, -11.0), Vector2(16.0, 11.0)), front_face)
+	draw_line(Vector2(-8.0, -6.0), Vector2(8.0, -6.0), seam, 1.0)
+	draw_line(Vector2(-8.0, -11.0), Vector2(8.0, -11.0), seam, 1.0)
+	draw_rect(Rect2(Vector2(-8.0, -16.0), Vector2(16.0, 16.0)), outline, false, 1.0)
+
+
+# ── internal ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+func _complete() -> void:
+	_completed = true
+	queue_redraw()
+	Audit.log("workbench", "%s built at %s" % [label_text, tile])
diff --git a/scenes/entities/workbench.gd.uid b/scenes/entities/workbench.gd.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0cac5e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scenes/entities/workbench.gd.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://db1qm8sn4i55r
diff --git a/scenes/entities/workbench.tscn b/scenes/entities/workbench.tscn
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5132316
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scenes/entities/workbench.tscn
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+[gd_scene load_steps=2 format=3 uid="uid://workbench_entity"]
+
+[ext_resource type="Script" path="res://scenes/entities/workbench.gd" id="1_workbench"]
+
+[node name="Workbench" type="Node2D"]
+y_sort_enabled = true
+z_index = 0
+script = ExtResource("1_workbench")
diff --git a/scenes/pawn/pawn.gd b/scenes/pawn/pawn.gd
index 5328b23..c7aadbb 100644
--- a/scenes/pawn/pawn.gd
+++ b/scenes/pawn/pawn.gd
@@ -26,6 +26,19 @@ class_name Pawn
 const STEP_TICKS: int = 10
 const TILE_SIZE_PX: int = 16  # Mirrors World.TILE_SIZE_PX; standalone so Pawn needs no World reference.
 
+# ── skill definitions (docs/design.md "Skills") ──────────────────────────────
+# Five skills, levels 0–10. Level by use; multiplicative speed/quality bonus.
+# Skills modify duration and quality, never permission (design.md:35).
+const SKILL_MANUAL_LABOR: StringName = &"manual_labor"
+const SKILL_CRAFTING:     StringName = &"crafting"
+const SKILL_COOKING:      StringName = &"cooking"
+const SKILL_MEDICINE:     StringName = &"medicine"
+const SKILL_COMBAT:       StringName = &"combat"
+
+const ALL_SKILLS: Array[StringName] = [
+	SKILL_MANUAL_LABOR, SKILL_CRAFTING, SKILL_COOKING, SKILL_MEDICINE, SKILL_COMBAT,
+]
+
 signal walk_started
 signal walk_completed
 signal arrived_at_destination(tile: Vector2i)
@@ -47,6 +60,11 @@ var job_runner = null
 # one type at a time per design.md.
 var carried_item = null
 
+# Phase 6 — skill levels. Initialized to 0 for all five skills in _ready().
+# Use get_skill() / set_skill() to access; direct dict mutation is allowed
+# for batch operations (e.g. from_dict restoring saved data).
+var skills: Dictionary = {}
+
 var _path: Array[Vector2i] = []
 var _step_progress: float = 0.0
 var _selected: bool = false
@@ -58,6 +76,11 @@ var _selected: bool = false
 func _ready() -> void:
 	EventBus.sim_tick.connect(_on_sim_tick)
 	_state_label.text = Strings.t(&"pawn.state.idle")
+	# Initialise all five skills to 0 if not already set (from_dict sets them
+	# before _ready() fires in some load paths — only fill missing keys here).
+	for skill in ALL_SKILLS:
+		if not skills.has(skill):
+			skills[skill] = 0
 
 
 func setup(p_name: String, start_tile: Vector2i) -> void:
@@ -99,12 +122,29 @@ func is_selected() -> bool:
 	return _selected
 
 
+## Returns the pawn's current level (0–10) for the given skill.
+## Returns 0 for unknown skills so callers need no nil-guard.
+func get_skill(skill: StringName) -> int:
+	return int(skills.get(skill, 0))
+
+
+## Sets skill to level, clamped to [0, 10]. Asserts the key is a known skill.
+func set_skill(skill: StringName, level: int) -> void:
+	assert(skill in ALL_SKILLS, "set_skill: unknown skill '%s'" % skill)
+	skills[skill] = clampi(level, 0, 10)
+
+
 # ── save / load ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 func to_dict() -> Dictionary:
 	var path_data: Array = []
 	for v in _path:
 		path_data.append([v.x, v.y])
+	# Serialise skills as {"manual_labor": 0, "crafting": 3, ...} — StringName
+	# keys must be stored as plain Strings for JSON round-trip safety.
+	var skills_data: Dictionary = {}
+	for skill in ALL_SKILLS:
+		skills_data[String(skill)] = get_skill(skill)
 	return {
 		"name": pawn_name,
 		"tile_x": tile.x,
@@ -114,6 +154,7 @@ func to_dict() -> Dictionary:
 		"selected": _selected,
 		"forced_job": forced_job.to_dict() if forced_job != null else null,
 		"job_runner": job_runner.to_dict() if job_runner != null else null,
+		"skills": skills_data,
 	}
 
 
@@ -135,6 +176,15 @@ func from_dict(d: Dictionary) -> void:
 	if jr_dict is Dictionary and job_runner != null:
 		job_runner.from_dict(jr_dict)
 
+	# Restore skills — set directly on the dict to bypass the ALL_SKILLS assert
+	# (from_dict must be resilient to saves that pre-date a new skill being added).
+	var saved_skills: Variant = d.get("skills")
+	if saved_skills is Dictionary:
+		for raw_key in saved_skills.keys():
+			var skill := StringName(raw_key)
+			if skill in ALL_SKILLS:
+				skills[skill] = clampi(int(saved_skills[raw_key]), 0, 10)
+
 	_name_label.text = pawn_name
 	_state_label.text = Strings.t(&"pawn.state.walking") if is_walking() else Strings.t(&"pawn.state.idle")
 	position = _tile_to_world(tile)
diff --git a/scenes/world/world.gd b/scenes/world/world.gd
index c28ee45..2071ce6 100644
--- a/scenes/world/world.gd
+++ b/scenes/world/world.gd
@@ -25,12 +25,16 @@ const WALL_SCENE: PackedScene = preload("res://scenes/entities/wall.tscn")
 const FLOOR_SCENE: PackedScene = preload("res://scenes/entities/floor.tscn")
 const DOOR_SCENE: PackedScene = preload("res://scenes/entities/door.tscn")
 const CRATE_SCENE: PackedScene = preload("res://scenes/world/crate.tscn")
+const WORKBENCH_SCENE: PackedScene = preload("res://scenes/entities/workbench.tscn")
 
 # 3 starting pawns — Phase 2 demo. Phase 7+ replaces this with map-gen + name table.
 const SAMPLE_PAWNS: Array[Dictionary] = [
-	{"name": "Bram", "tile": Vector2i(20, 40)},
-	{"name": "Cora", "tile": Vector2i(25, 40)},
-	{"name": "Edda", "tile": Vector2i(30, 40)},
+	# Phase 6 demo — varied Crafting skill so the quality system shows visible
+	# spread. Manual labor / cooking / medicine / combat all default to 0
+	# (they kick in from Phase 7+).
+	{"name": "Bram", "tile": Vector2i(20, 40), "crafting": 8},   # high — makes mostly Excellent / Masterwork / occasional Legendary
+	{"name": "Cora", "tile": Vector2i(25, 40), "crafting": 4},   # medium — Normal / Excellent mix
+	{"name": "Edda", "tile": Vector2i(30, 40), "crafting": 0},   # low — Shoddy / Normal only
 ]
 
 # Phase 4 — sample harvestables. Trees clustered east, rocks south-east.
@@ -59,6 +63,7 @@ const HAUL_SWEEP_INTERVAL_TICKS: int = 100
 @onready var mine_provider: MineProvider = $MineProvider
 @onready var hauling_provider: HaulingProvider = $HaulingProvider
 @onready var construction_provider: ConstructionProvider = $ConstructionProvider
+@onready var crafting_provider: CraftingProvider = $CraftingProvider
 
 
 func _ready() -> void:
@@ -88,11 +93,14 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 	# Designation: bind the paint surface + the Selection guard.
 	designation_ctl.bind(designation_layer, selection)
 
-	# Register all 5 providers — Decision iterates by .priority desc.
-	# construction=6 > chop=5 > mine=4 > haul=3 > rest=0.
+	# Register all 6 providers — Decision iterates by .priority desc.
+	# construction=6 > chop=5 > mine=4 > crafting=4 > haul=3 > rest=0.
+	# (chop and crafting share priority 4 — first-found wins per Decision's sort
+	# stability. Phase 17 can finalize the priority order via playtest.)
 	World.register_work_provider(construction_provider)
 	World.register_work_provider(chop_provider)
 	World.register_work_provider(mine_provider)
+	World.register_work_provider(crafting_provider)
 	World.register_work_provider(hauling_provider)
 	World.register_work_provider(rest_provider)
 
@@ -194,6 +202,10 @@ func _spawn_sample_pawns() -> void:
 		jr.setup(p, pathfinder)
 		p.job_runner = jr
 
+		# Phase 6: seed Crafting skill so the quality demo shows variety.
+		if spawn_data.has("crafting"):
+			p.set_skill(Pawn.SKILL_CRAFTING, int(spawn_data["crafting"]))
+
 		World.register_pawn(p)
 
 
@@ -275,6 +287,36 @@ func _seed_phase5_demo_buildings() -> void:
 		wall_count, floor_count, 1 + crate_tiles.size()
 	])
 
+	# Phase 6 demo — two pre-built workbenches inside the cabin with bills.
+	# Carpenter at (46, 25) makes wood → plank, FOREVER.
+	# Smelter at (48, 25) makes stone → stone_block, UNTIL 5 in stockpiles.
+	var carpenter: Workbench = WORKBENCH_SCENE.instantiate()
+	add_child(carpenter)
+	carpenter.setup(Vector2i(46, 25))
+	carpenter.label_text = "Carpenter"
+	carpenter.accepted_skill = Pawn.SKILL_CRAFTING
+	while carpenter.is_buildable():
+		carpenter.on_build_tick()
+	var plank_bill := Bill.new()
+	plank_bill.recipe = RecipeCatalog.plank()
+	plank_bill.mode = Bill.Mode.FOREVER
+	carpenter.add_bill(plank_bill)
+
+	var smelter: Workbench = WORKBENCH_SCENE.instantiate()
+	add_child(smelter)
+	smelter.setup(Vector2i(48, 25))
+	smelter.label_text = "Smelter"
+	smelter.accepted_skill = Pawn.SKILL_CRAFTING
+	while smelter.is_buildable():
+		smelter.on_build_tick()
+	var block_bill := Bill.new()
+	block_bill.recipe = RecipeCatalog.stone_block()
+	block_bill.mode = Bill.Mode.UNTIL_N
+	block_bill.target_count = 5
+	smelter.add_bill(block_bill)
+
+	Audit.log("world", "phase 6 demo: 2 workbenches built (Carpenter→planks FOREVER, Smelter→blocks UNTIL_N=5)")
+
 
 func _spawn_sample_stockpiles() -> void:
 	# Two zones for the Phase 4 acceptance demo:
diff --git a/scenes/world/world.tscn b/scenes/world/world.tscn
index fb01bdc..d2b3974 100644
--- a/scenes/world/world.tscn
+++ b/scenes/world/world.tscn
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-[gd_scene load_steps=11 format=3 uid="uid://rimlike_world"]
+[gd_scene load_steps=12 format=3 uid="uid://rimlike_world"]
 
 [ext_resource type="Script" path="res://scenes/world/world.gd" id="1_world"]
 [ext_resource type="PackedScene" uid="uid://rimlike_camera_rig" path="res://scenes/world/camera_rig.tscn" id="2_camera"]
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 [ext_resource type="Script" path="res://scenes/ai/hauling_provider.gd" id="8_hauling_provider"]
 [ext_resource type="Script" path="res://scenes/ai/construction_provider.gd" id="9_construction_provider"]
 [ext_resource type="Script" path="res://scenes/world/designation.gd" id="10_designation"]
+[ext_resource type="Script" path="res://scenes/ai/crafting_provider.gd" id="11_crafting_provider"]
 
 [node name="World" type="Node2D"]
 y_sort_enabled = true
@@ -62,5 +63,8 @@ script = ExtResource("8_hauling_provider")
 [node name="ConstructionProvider" type="Node" parent="."]
 script = ExtResource("9_construction_provider")
 
+[node name="CraftingProvider" type="Node" parent="."]
+script = ExtResource("11_crafting_provider")
+
 [node name="CameraRig" parent="." instance=ExtResource("2_camera")]
 position = Vector2(640, 640)