diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8c6bd07..5ede1bc 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -114,8 +114,6 @@ From an in-depth review pass. Each item is fixed test-first (a failing test, the
 as its own commit; "verify" items are confirmed real before any change, and dropped if not.
 
 Cross-process / ABI:
-- **Tie `kProtocolVersion` to the layout** — `static_assert` `sizeof(SharedBlock)` + the full offset
-  set, and make `hook_selftest`'s `dump_layout` assert instead of only printing.
 - **`log_ring` torn-text window** — verify the MPSC overwrite race; fix or bound it.
 - **`narrow`/`widen` not inverse** — make the audio-override name round-trip lossless (or document).
 
diff --git a/common/include/coop/protocol.hpp b/common/include/coop/protocol.hpp
index cf3658b..4b64976 100644
--- a/common/include/coop/protocol.hpp
+++ b/common/include/coop/protocol.hpp
@@ -270,14 +270,27 @@ static_assert(std::atomic<std::uint32_t>::is_always_lock_free,
 static_assert(std::atomic<std::uint64_t>::is_always_lock_free,
               "status counters need a lock-free 64-bit atomic for cross-process use");
 
-// The x64 host and the x86 hook map this same block, so its layout must be
-// byte-identical across bitness. These offsets (verified equal on both arches)
-// lock the front of the block -- the seqlock + pad state the input hot path reads;
-// a future field reorder that diverges between x86 and x64 fails to compile on the
-// arch that disagrees. (Fixed-width POD + no pointers is what keeps it stable.)
+// The x64 host and the x86 hook map this same block, so its layout must be byte-identical across
+// bitness, and any change is a wire-protocol change. These pin the WHOLE block -- total size, every
+// sub-channel offset, and each sub-struct's size -- so an accidental field reorder/resize fails to
+// COMPILE (on whichever arch disagrees, since protocol.hpp is built for both) until the numbers here
+// AND kProtocolVersion (the runtime handshake in ipc_client) are both revisited. The version gate only
+// guards against a *known* change; this is the tripwire for an *unintended* one. (Fixed-width POD + no
+// pointers is what keeps it stable.) If one of these fails: confirm the layout change is intended,
+// bump kProtocolVersion, and update the number here.
+static_assert(sizeof(SharedBlock) == 3936, "SharedBlock size changed -- this is a wire-protocol change");
 static_assert(offsetof(SharedBlock, sequence) == 12, "cross-bitness: sequence offset moved");
 static_assert(offsetof(SharedBlock, pads) == 16, "cross-bitness: pad-state offset moved");
 static_assert(offsetof(SharedBlock, status) == 96, "cross-bitness: status offset moved");
+static_assert(offsetof(SharedBlock, control) == 1816, "cross-bitness: control offset moved");
+static_assert(offsetof(SharedBlock, video) == 1840, "cross-bitness: video offset moved");
+static_assert(offsetof(SharedBlock, mkb) == 1880, "cross-bitness: mkb offset moved");
+static_assert(sizeof(HookStatus) == 1720, "HookStatus size changed -- wire-protocol change");
+static_assert(sizeof(HookControl) == 24, "HookControl size changed -- wire-protocol change");
+static_assert(sizeof(VideoShare) == 40, "VideoShare size changed -- wire-protocol change");
+static_assert(sizeof(AudioStreamInfo) == 32, "AudioStreamInfo size changed -- wire-protocol change");
+static_assert(sizeof(HookEntry) == 56, "HookEntry size changed -- wire-protocol change");
+static_assert(sizeof(MkbRing) == 2056, "MkbRing size changed -- wire-protocol change");
 
 // --- Seqlock helpers -------------------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/tests/hook_selftest.cpp b/tests/hook_selftest.cpp
index f70a123..841076a 100644
--- a/tests/hook_selftest.cpp
+++ b/tests/hook_selftest.cpp
@@ -97,6 +97,19 @@ void dump_layout()
 	            offsetof(HookStatus, audio_streams), offsetof(HookStatus, hook_entries));
 	std::printf("LAYOUT VideoShare sizeof=%zu present_calls=%zu HookControl sizeof=%zu\n", sizeof(VideoShare),
 	            offsetof(VideoShare, present_calls), sizeof(HookControl));
+	std::printf("LAYOUT off mkb=%zu MkbRing sizeof=%zu AudioStreamInfo sizeof=%zu HookEntry sizeof=%zu\n",
+	            offsetof(SharedBlock, mkb), sizeof(MkbRing), sizeof(AudioStreamInfo), sizeof(HookEntry));
+	// Assert the layout, not just print it -- and this runs in the x86 build too (hook_selftest_x86),
+	// so the same numbers the static_asserts pin at compile time are confirmed at runtime on both
+	// arches. The reference values match the static_asserts in protocol.hpp.
+	check(sizeof(SharedBlock) == 3936, "layout: sizeof(SharedBlock)");
+	check(offsetof(SharedBlock, sequence) == 12 && offsetof(SharedBlock, pads) == 16, "layout: seqlock front");
+	check(offsetof(SharedBlock, status) == 96 && offsetof(SharedBlock, control) == 1816, "layout: status/control");
+	check(offsetof(SharedBlock, video) == 1840 && offsetof(SharedBlock, mkb) == 1880, "layout: video/mkb");
+	check(sizeof(HookStatus) == 1720 && sizeof(HookControl) == 24 && sizeof(VideoShare) == 40,
+	      "layout: sub-struct sizes");
+	check(sizeof(AudioStreamInfo) == 32 && sizeof(HookEntry) == 56 && sizeof(MkbRing) == 2056,
+	      "layout: more sub-struct sizes");
 }
 
 int main()