diff --git a/.github/workflows/ost-source-ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ost-source-ci.yml
index cadbc84..e81134d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ost-source-ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ost-source-ci.yml
@@ -200,60 +200,6 @@ jobs:
             host_python: "3.13"
             host_packages_apt: "libx11-dev libxt-dev libxext-dev libgl1-mesa-dev"
             host_packages_brew: ""
-          - name: httpresolver-pr-windows
-            lane: pull_request
-            runtime_artifact: sha256:c3ed40122756ea118166e1619efcaec463e7d2a42f6d978fe4e20b6b774c4b03
-            target_trust: local
-            minimum_trust: local
-            require_evidence: all
-            evidence_flags: "--require-sbom --require-provenance"
-            platform: cy2026
-            profile: usd
-            up_to: 4
-            runs_on: ["windows-2022"]
-            hosted: true
-            runner_profile: windows-hosted
-            bundle: plugins/httpresolver
-            runtime_remote: "oci://ghcr.io/animu-sphere/openstrata-runtime-cy2026-usd@sha256:07cb84412017ece911adaed1175a6373865d863bc40124081cfc20c52de7f0d9"
-            host_python: ""
-            host_packages_apt: ""
-            host_packages_brew: ""
-          - name: httpresolver-pr-macos-arm64
-            lane: pull_request
-            runtime_artifact: sha256:a9bb847ab5c7eb29d7425ff9acfb05b01c1751054d6a70628e48b06f8409a4a8
-            target_trust: local
-            minimum_trust: local
-            require_evidence: all
-            evidence_flags: "--require-sbom --require-provenance"
-            platform: cy2026
-            profile: usd
-            up_to: 5
-            runs_on: ["macos-15"]
-            hosted: true
-            runner_profile: macos-arm64-hosted
-            bundle: plugins/httpresolver
-            runtime_remote: "oci://ghcr.io/animu-sphere/openstrata-runtime-cy2026-usd@sha256:dc0c980b868f91fe33e6f35a67a2bc5693b89f0243141c55ecb068ab225b0f3e"
-            host_python: "3.13"
-            host_packages_apt: ""
-            host_packages_brew: ""
-          - name: httpresolver-pr-linux
-            lane: pull_request
-            runtime_artifact: sha256:03f7d4ef263abb50511d17237e7cbdbe1b83dee02cff8b8f901f0484c7a7898e
-            target_trust: local
-            minimum_trust: local
-            require_evidence: all
-            evidence_flags: "--require-sbom --require-provenance"
-            platform: cy2026
-            profile: usd
-            up_to: 5
-            runs_on: ["ubuntu-24.04"]
-            hosted: true
-            runner_profile: linux-hosted
-            bundle: plugins/httpresolver
-            runtime_remote: "oci://ghcr.io/animu-sphere/openstrata-runtime-cy2026-usd@sha256:367a32bd1985ca9b07e8f7e64f95c1ded8dba16d68f17e0bffb09cec0b9dc3f6"
-            host_python: "3.13"
-            host_packages_apt: "libx11-dev libxt-dev libxext-dev libgl1-mesa-dev"
-            host_packages_brew: ""
           - name: pointcloud-ply-pr-windows
             lane: pull_request
             runtime_artifact: sha256:c3ed40122756ea118166e1619efcaec463e7d2a42f6d978fe4e20b6b774c4b03
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index e8663eb..e1c9efc 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 **/build/
 **/.strata/
 plugins/*/lib/
+tests/plugins/*/lib/
 CMakeUserPresets.json
 
 # CI and release scratch.
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index b7ad0fc..09d34c1 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -16,12 +16,12 @@ All notable changes to this project are documented here.
   no-secrets rule, and the Tier 1 / Tier 2 test split.
 - Stated that no resolver implementation is a build-time dependency, and that
   `usd-http-resolver` is one compatible implementation composed at runtime.
-- Marked `plugins/httpresolver` explicitly as an integration-test double whose
-  removal or relocation to a test-only path is v0.10.0 work.
-- Staged v0.10.0 around the pre-implementation `usd-http-resolver` repository:
-  repository-local identity and cache tests proceed first, while external
-  interoperability and test-double disposition wait for its first released
-  resolver implementation.
+- Relocated the repository-local resolver test double to
+  `tests/plugins/httpresolver` and documented that it is excluded from the
+  product surface and release matrix.
+- Updated the Tier 2 plan for the released
+  [`usd-http-resolver`](https://github.com/animu-sphere/usd-http-resolver)
+  implementation and its resolver-neutral `ArAssetInfo` identity contract.
 - Added an OpenStrata 0.22.2 dogfooding record for the external resolver
   skeleton; it identifies repository setup work, not an OpenStrata defect.
 
@@ -32,9 +32,29 @@ All notable changes to this project are documented here.
 - Added resolver identity conversion tests and cache-key invalidation coverage
   for changed opaque validation tokens.
 
-The OpenUSD-facing resolver adapter is now centralized in the shared authoring
-cache bridge. Complete generated-cache generation, diagnostics, and external
-resolver interoperability remain planned.
+The OpenUSD-facing resolver adapter is centralized in the shared authoring
+cache bridge. Stable-identity generated-cache reuse and recovery are complete;
+diagnostic completion and recorded external interoperability remain planned.
+
+### Changed
+
+- Removed standalone `httpresolver` product CI cells. The relocated test double
+  is built transitively by the COPC Tier 1 integration test in the root build,
+  keeping the local gate independent of external resolver repositories. Note
+  that Tier 1 is not yet part of the CI matrix: every declared cell builds a
+  single plugin bundle, where `USDGEO_BUILD_TESTS` is undefined, so neither the
+  fixture nor `pointcloudCopc_tests` is compiled there. Wiring Tier 1 into CI
+  is tracked as follow-up work.
+- Added a shared cache-layout construction entry point so producer and
+  consumer tests derive resolver-backed cache entries from the same descriptor
+  contract.
+
+### Fixed
+
+- Resolver cache Tier 1 coverage now verifies cache hits, incomplete and
+  corrupted entry invalidation, and validation-token changes through cache
+  artifacts instead of process-local counters that are not shared across a
+  FileFormat DLL boundary on Windows.
 
 ## [0.9.0] - 2026-08-15
 
diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 6fa32c4..5d7778f 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@ if(USDGEO_BUILD_USD)
     add_subdirectory(tools/usd-pointcloud-convert)
     add_subdirectory(plugins/pointcloud-las)
     add_subdirectory(plugins/pointcloud-laz)
-    add_subdirectory(plugins/httpresolver)
     add_subdirectory(plugins/pointcloud-copc)
     add_subdirectory(plugins/pointcloud-ply)
 endif()
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d62196a..ccf49e2 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -76,11 +76,12 @@ the selected resolver implementation, not by this repository. The plugins
 consume the resolved `ArAsset` and never learn which resolver opened it.
 
 An external resolver is runtime composition: install it alongside these
-bundles and register both through `PXR_PLUGINPATH_NAME`. `usd-http-resolver` is
-one compatible implementation, not a required dependency — this repository
-builds and tests without it. The bundled `plugins/httpresolver` is an
-integration-test double that serves a local fixture in memory; it is not a
-network transport.
+bundles and register both through `PXR_PLUGINPATH_NAME`.
+[`usd-http-resolver`](https://github.com/animu-sphere/usd-http-resolver) is one
+compatible implementation, not a required dependency — this repository builds
+and tests without it. The repository-local
+`tests/plugins/httpresolver` fixture is a Tier 1 test double that serves a local
+fixture in memory; it is not a network transport or product bundle.
 
 Generated-USDC cache reuse for resolver-backed sources requires stable source
 identity and stays disabled when the resolver cannot supply it. The boundary,
@@ -349,7 +350,7 @@ plugins/pointcloud-las/         LAS OpenUSD FileFormat Plugin
 plugins/pointcloud-laz/         LAZ OpenUSD FileFormat Plugin
 plugins/pointcloud-copc/        COPC OpenUSD FileFormat Plugin
 plugins/pointcloud-ply/         PLY OpenUSD FileFormat Plugin
-plugins/httpresolver/           Resolver test double for the COPC integration test, not a transport
+tests/plugins/httpresolver/     Tier 1 resolver fixture, excluded from product discovery
 docs/                           See docs/README.md for the documentation index
 ```
 
diff --git a/docs/architecture/RESOLVER_SOURCE.md b/docs/architecture/RESOLVER_SOURCE.md
index 2cf8328..2d35283 100644
--- a/docs/architecture/RESOLVER_SOURCE.md
+++ b/docs/architecture/RESOLVER_SOURCE.md
@@ -241,11 +241,11 @@ pointcloud-copc
 `usd-http-resolver` is one compatible implementation, not a required
 dependency. Registration is in [INSTALL.md](../guides/INSTALL.md).
 
-## 6. Testing tiers — Planned (`v0.10.0`)
+## 6. Testing tiers — In progress (`v0.10.0`)
 
 **Tier 1 — repository-local contract tests.** They run with no external
 resolver repository, using fake or memory-backed test assets, and remain the
-required CI gate. Coverage: resolver-backed random access, partial reads,
+required local gate; CI wiring is outstanding. Coverage: resolver-backed random access, partial reads,
 short-read diagnostics, stable / unstable / unavailable identity, miss-to-hit
 behavior, invalidation on validation-token change, corruption recovery,
 `TilePlan` compatibility in cache keys, and deterministic diagnostics.
@@ -259,21 +259,23 @@ and tested by the resolver repository. Tier 2 is reproducible through
 OpenStrata workspace composition without making this repository structurally
 dependent on the resolver repository.
 
-`usd-http-resolver` is the designated first Tier 2 implementation, but is
-pre-implementation as of 2026-08-16: it has no resolver bundle, backend, cache,
-or release yet. Therefore Tier 1 is the v0.10.0 implementation gate in this
-repository. Tier 2 becomes a release gate only after that repository publishes
-its first resolver implementation and its OpenStrata build and test workflow.
+[`usd-http-resolver`](https://github.com/animu-sphere/usd-http-resolver) is the
+designated first Tier 2 implementation. Its `v0.2.0` release provides the HTTP
+backend and OpenUSD resolver bundle, exposes stable resolver-neutral identity
+through `ArAssetInfo`, and is tested through its own OpenStrata workflow. Tier
+1 remains this repository's required local gate; Tier 2 is now ready to be
+composed and recorded as the `v0.10.0` release gate.
 
 ## 7. Test-double resolver
 
-`plugins/httpresolver` is an integration-test double: it serves a configured
+`tests/plugins/httpresolver` is an integration-test fixture: it serves a configured
 local fixture as an in-memory `ArAsset` for `http://memory.copc` and
 `https://memory.copc`. It is not a network transport and is not part of the
 point-cloud product surface.
 
-It remains in place until equivalent external integration coverage exists.
-After that coverage is recorded, `v0.10.0` either removes it or relocates it
-under an explicitly test-only path such as `tests/plugins/httpresolver/`. It
-must not be presented as equivalent to a production point-cloud bundle. See
+The test double remains as the external-dependency-free Tier 1 fixture. It is
+built only with the COPC integration tests and has no product bundle manifest
+or install rule, so it is excluded from plugin discovery, release metadata,
+packaging, and standalone CI cells. It must not be presented as equivalent to
+a production resolver bundle. See
 [WORKSPACE.md](WORKSPACE.md).
diff --git a/docs/architecture/WORKSPACE.md b/docs/architecture/WORKSPACE.md
index 5f709fc..a46caa4 100644
--- a/docs/architecture/WORKSPACE.md
+++ b/docs/architecture/WORKSPACE.md
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ modules implement is fixed in
 | `pointcloud-laz` | `plugins/pointcloud-laz` | OpenStrata plugin bundle (`usd-fileformat`) | implemented | The same adapter shape for `.laz`, using `LazReader` and the laz-perf codec integration. Owns its `LAZxxx` diagnostic codes. |
 | `usdCopc` | `libs/usd-copc` | plain CMake/OpenStrata static library | implemented (source-backed) | COPC Info and hierarchy validation, project-owned random-access source integration, selective point-data range decoding through the shared LAZ chunk decoder, and native hierarchy streaming. It remains OpenUSD- and transport-independent. |
 | `pointcloud-copc` | `plugins/pointcloud-copc` | OpenStrata plugin bundle (`usd-fileformat`) | implemented (resolver-backed read) | Resolver-opened `ArAsset` adaptation, metadata-only and non-tiled reads, and native hierarchy tiled COPC authoring through shared `usdLod`. Remote tiled reads require a local payload directory; source point ranges remain unsupported. |
-| `httpresolver` | `plugins/httpresolver` | OpenStrata plugin bundle (`usd-asset-resolver`) | test-only, disposition pending in `v0.10.0` | OpenUSD `ArResolver` bundle for `http://memory.copc` and `https://memory.copc`, serving a configured local fixture as an in-memory `ArAsset` for resolver-backed COPC integration tests. It implements no network transport and is not part of the product surface. `v0.10.0` either removes it once equivalent external integration coverage exists, or relocates it to an explicitly test-only path such as `tests/plugins/httpresolver/`. |
+| `httpresolver` | `tests/plugins/httpresolver` | test-only OpenUSD `ArResolver` fixture | Tier 1 fixture | OpenUSD `ArResolver` test double for `http://memory.copc` and `https://memory.copc`, serving a configured local fixture as an in-memory `ArAsset`. It has no network transport or product bundle manifest, is built only with COPC integration tests, and is excluded from product discovery and release matrices. |
 | `usdPointCloudTiling` | `libs/usd-pointcloud-tiling` | plain CMake/OpenStrata static library | implemented | Format-independent fixed-grid partitioning, spill-backed bounded-memory routing, deterministic tile and LOD ordering, validated tile manifest serialization, spool validation, and cleanup contracts. See the [streaming and tiling plan](../roadmap/streaming-and-tiling.md). |
 | `usdGeoCache` | `libs/usd-geo-cache` | plain CMake/OpenStrata static library | implemented | Descriptor-based stable cache keys, deterministic USDC root/payload layout, machine-readable lookup states, process-local lookup statistics, and entry invalidation. The conversion tool owns generation and atomic publication; direct FileFormat adapters reuse committed entries through `USDGEO_CACHE_ROOT`. |
 | `usdPly` | `libs/usd-ply` | plain CMake/OpenStrata static library | implemented | PLY 1.0 header inspection, scalar vertex decoding, source filters, and explicit georeference conversion into shared point-cloud assets. |
@@ -267,7 +267,10 @@ Every structural or format change preserves these invariants:
 
 `openstrata.ci.yaml` is the source of truth; the GitHub workflow is generated
 by `ost ci generate github`. The declared PR matrix runs every production
-bundle on every host and validates the HTTP resolver bundle separately:
+bundle on every host. Every cell is a per-plugin bundle build, so the Tier 1
+resolver test double has no product-bundle cell and is not built by CI; it is
+built by the root `ost build` in the local gate below, where
+`USDGEO_BUILD_TESTS` defaults to `ON`:
 
 | Host | Target | OST level |
 | --- | --- | --- |
@@ -284,24 +287,24 @@ ost test
 ost plugin build plugins/pointcloud-las
 ost plugin build plugins/pointcloud-laz
 ost plugin build plugins/pointcloud-copc
-ost plugin build plugins/httpresolver
 ost plugin test plugins/pointcloud-las --up-to 4
 ost plugin test plugins/pointcloud-laz --up-to 4
 ost plugin test plugins/pointcloud-copc --up-to 4
-ost plugin test plugins/httpresolver --up-to 4
 ```
 
 The LAS, LAZ, COPC, and PLY bundles declare OST smoke fixtures and run the L3
-`usdcat.read` and L4 `python.stage_open` checks. The `httpresolver` bundle has
-no standalone fixture because its functional path is exercised by the COPC
-integration test; its PR cells validate resolver-bundle structure, runtime
-compatibility, and plugin discovery. The COPC bundle follows the same runtime
-matrix as LAS and LAZ.
+`usdcat.read` and L4 `python.stage_open` checks. The test-only `httpresolver`
+bundle has no standalone fixture or CI matrix cell; its functional path is
+exercised by the COPC Tier 1 integration test in the root build, which the
+local gate runs and CI does not. The COPC bundle follows the
+same runtime matrix as LAS and LAZ.
 
 The gate must stay passable without any external resolver repository. From
 `v0.10.0`, repository-local resolver contract tests (Tier 1) are the required
-CI gate, and cross-repository integration against an external resolver
-implementation (Tier 2) is composed separately; see
+*local* gate; wiring them into the CI matrix is still outstanding, since the
+declared cells build plugin bundles individually rather than the repository
+root. Cross-repository integration against an external resolver implementation
+(Tier 2) is composed separately; see
 [RESOLVER_SOURCE.md](RESOLVER_SOURCE.md).
 
 ## 10. Delivery status
diff --git a/docs/compatibility/OPENUSD.md b/docs/compatibility/OPENUSD.md
index 9d99a24..3a3331f 100644
--- a/docs/compatibility/OPENUSD.md
+++ b/docs/compatibility/OPENUSD.md
@@ -13,10 +13,11 @@ runtime:
 ```
 
 `pointcloud-las`, `pointcloud-laz`, `pointcloud-copc`, and `pointcloud-ply` are
-`usd-fileformat` bundles and require the `usd-stage-read` capability.
-`httpresolver` is a `usd-asset-resolver` test-double bundle for the resolver
-path used by COPC integration tests. It is not part of the product surface and
-provides no network transport; a production resolver is a separate project.
+`usd-fileformat` bundles and require the `usd-stage-read` capability. The
+`tests/plugins/httpresolver` fixture is an external-dependency-free Tier 1 test
+double, not part of the product surface. Production network transport is
+provided by a separately installed resolver such as
+[`usd-http-resolver`](https://github.com/animu-sphere/usd-http-resolver).
 
 | Item | Value |
 | --- | --- |
@@ -134,8 +135,9 @@ remain static `SDF_FORMAT_ARGS`. See [ADR-0003](../adr/0003-dynamic-file-format.
   detect which resolver opened an asset. `usd-http-resolver` is one compatible
   implementation; register it alongside these bundles through
   `PXR_PLUGINPATH_NAME`.
-- The repository's `httpresolver` bundle is an integration-test double only;
-  it does not provide network transport or production HTTP behavior.
+- The repository's `tests/plugins/httpresolver` fixture is a Tier 1 integration-
+  test double only; it does not provide network transport or production HTTP
+  behavior and is excluded from the product matrix.
 
 The boundary is stated in full in the
 [resolver-backed source contract](../architecture/RESOLVER_SOURCE.md).
diff --git a/docs/guides/INSTALL.md b/docs/guides/INSTALL.md
index eb81231..6f4deea 100644
--- a/docs/guides/INSTALL.md
+++ b/docs/guides/INSTALL.md
@@ -61,16 +61,17 @@ transport, authentication, retries, and raw byte caching belong to the resolver
 implementation, not to these plugins, so remote sources need a resolver that
 resolves the identifier and serves an `ArAsset` with efficient range reads.
 
-An external resolver is runtime composition. Install it beside the point-cloud
-bundles and register both:
+An external resolver is runtime composition. For example, build or install
+[`usd-http-resolver`](https://github.com/animu-sphere/usd-http-resolver), place
+its bundle beside `pointcloud-copc`, and register both resource roots:
 
 ```powershell
 $env:PXR_PLUGINPATH_NAME =
-  "C:\path\to\pointcloud-copc\plugin\resources\;C:\path\to\resolver\plugin\resources\"
+  "C:\path\to\pointcloud-copc\plugin\resources\;C:\path\to\http-resolver\plugin\resources\httpResolver"
 ```
 
 ```bash
-export PXR_PLUGINPATH_NAME=/path/to/pointcloud-copc/plugin/resources/:/path/to/resolver/plugin/resources/
+export PXR_PLUGINPATH_NAME=/path/to/pointcloud-copc/plugin/resources/:/path/to/http-resolver/plugin/resources/httpResolver
 ```
 
 OpenUSD then composes them:
@@ -80,10 +81,11 @@ usdview https://example.org/data.copc
   -> ArResolver -> external resolver -> ArAsset -> pointcloud-copc
 ```
 
-`usd-http-resolver` is one compatible implementation. It is not required, and
-these bundles are built and tested without it. The repository's
-`plugins/httpresolver` bundle is an integration-test double that serves a local
-fixture in memory; do not deploy it as a transport. See the
+`usd-http-resolver` is optional and is never linked by these bundles. Its
+`ArAsset::Read` implementation supplies bounded remote reads, while its
+transport cache remains separate from the generated-USDC cache owned here. The
+repository's `tests/plugins/httpresolver` fixture remains only as an external-
+dependency-free Tier 1 test double; do not deploy it as a transport. See the
 [resolver-backed source contract](../architecture/RESOLVER_SOURCE.md).
 
 Generated-USDC cache reuse for resolver-backed sources requires stable source
diff --git a/docs/releases/README.md b/docs/releases/README.md
index 9c5068e..fb35a26 100644
--- a/docs/releases/README.md
+++ b/docs/releases/README.md
@@ -69,10 +69,8 @@ Run these steps from the repository root before creating the release tag:
    `plugins/pointcloud-laz/CMakeLists.txt`,
    `plugins/pointcloud-copc/openstrata.plugin.yaml`,
    `plugins/pointcloud-copc/CMakeLists.txt`,
-   `plugins/pointcloud-ply/openstrata.plugin.yaml`,
-   `plugins/pointcloud-ply/CMakeLists.txt`,
-   `plugins/httpresolver/openstrata.plugin.yaml`, and
-   `plugins/httpresolver/CMakeLists.txt`.
+   `plugins/pointcloud-ply/openstrata.plugin.yaml`, and
+   `plugins/pointcloud-ply/CMakeLists.txt`.
 2. Run `python tools/check_release_metadata.py` to verify that all package
    version declarations match `VERSION`.
 3. Update `CHANGELOG.md`, the release record, and any capability or
diff --git a/docs/roadmap/implementation-status.md b/docs/roadmap/implementation-status.md
index f086506..3b7598c 100644
--- a/docs/roadmap/implementation-status.md
+++ b/docs/roadmap/implementation-status.md
@@ -339,13 +339,13 @@ the typed `COPC009` diagnostic while preserving the conservative fallback.
 
 Phase 4 — repository boundary cleanup:
 
-- [ ] Remove `plugins/httpresolver`, or relocate it to an explicitly test-only
-      path such as `tests/plugins/httpresolver/`
-- [ ] Remove documentation language implying this repository owns a production
+- [x] Relocate `plugins/httpresolver` to the explicitly test-only
+      `tests/plugins/httpresolver/` path
+- [x] Remove documentation language implying this repository owns a production
       HTTP implementation
-- [ ] Document the external resolver contract and `usd-http-resolver`
+- [x] Document the external resolver contract and `usd-http-resolver`
       interoperability guidance as optional runtime composition
-- [ ] Verify the repository builds and tests with no CMake dependency,
+- [x] Verify the repository builds and tests with no CMake dependency,
       submodule, vendored HTTP library, or link dependency on a resolver
       implementation
 
diff --git a/docs/roadmap/infrastructure-maturity.md b/docs/roadmap/infrastructure-maturity.md
index 45c9452..eb7d553 100644
--- a/docs/roadmap/infrastructure-maturity.md
+++ b/docs/roadmap/infrastructure-maturity.md
@@ -431,14 +431,16 @@ resolver-specific include, or link dependency on any resolver implementation.
 `usd-http-resolver` is documented as one compatible implementation composed at
 runtime through `PXR_PLUGINPATH_NAME`, never as a requirement.
 
-`plugins/httpresolver` stops being presented as part of the product surface. It
-is removed once equivalent external integration coverage exists, or relocated
-under an explicitly test-only path such as `tests/plugins/httpresolver/`.
+The memory-backed resolver fixture lives under
+`tests/plugins/httpresolver`, is built only for Tier 1 COPC integration tests,
+and is excluded from the product plugin and release matrices.
 
 #### Tests
 
 Tier 1 runs without any external resolver repository, using fake or
-memory-backed test assets, and remains the required CI gate: resolver-backed
+memory-backed test assets, and remains the required local gate; it is not yet
+wired into the CI matrix, whose cells build plugin bundles individually rather
+than the repository root: resolver-backed
 random access, partial reads, short-read diagnostics, the three identity
 states, miss-to-hit behavior, invalidation on token change, corruption
 recovery, `TilePlan` compatibility inputs, and deterministic diagnostics.
@@ -448,13 +450,12 @@ COPC fixture through OpenStrata workspace composition, and verifies resolution,
 metadata and range reads, local/remote output equivalence, reuse under stable
 identity, and invalidation when validation metadata changes.
 
-`usd-http-resolver` is the intended first external implementation. Its
-2026-08-16 snapshot is documentation and an OpenStrata project skeleton only;
-it has no resolver bundle, backend, cache, registered tests, or release. The
-release sequence is consequently staged: finish and gate Tier 1 here first,
-then run and record Tier 2 after the resolver publishes its first implementation
-and OpenStrata workflow. The bundled test double remains test-only until that
-evidence supports its removal or relocation.
+[`usd-http-resolver`](https://github.com/animu-sphere/usd-http-resolver) is the
+first external implementation. Its `v0.2.0` release provides the HTTP backend,
+OpenUSD resolver bundle, stable `ArAssetInfo` identity, and OpenStrata build and
+test workflow. Tier 1 remains the dependency-free gate here; Tier 2 can now be
+composed against the released resolver and recorded independently of this
+repository's build graph.
 
 #### Diagnostics
 
@@ -474,11 +475,9 @@ custom point-cloud USD schemas, and renderer-controlled runtime streaming.
 
 Exit gate: a documented identity contract for resolver-provided sources, reuse
 enabled exactly where identity is sufficient, Tier 1 passing without an
-external resolver, the bundled test resolver clearly marked test-only, and
+external resolver, the bundled test resolver isolated under `tests/`, and
 recorded remote baselines including `bytes fetched / source size`. Before the
-release is tagged, Tier 2 must be recorded against a released external resolver;
-that evidence then decides whether the bundled test resolver is removed or
-relocated.
+release is tagged, Tier 2 must be recorded against a released external resolver.
 
 ### Research - Runtime Streaming
 
@@ -599,7 +598,8 @@ Architecture-level tests accompany correctness tests:
 
 From `v0.10.0`, resolver coverage is split in two tiers. Tier 1 runs
 repository-local contract tests against fake or memory-backed resolver assets
-and is the required CI gate; Tier 2 composes an external resolver
+and is the required local gate, not yet a CI cell; Tier 2 composes an external
+resolver
 implementation and a local reproducible server for end-to-end verification
 without making this repository structurally depend on it.
 
diff --git a/libs/usd-pointcloud-authoring/README.md b/libs/usd-pointcloud-authoring/README.md
index 8941bf2..0b143cf 100644
--- a/libs/usd-pointcloud-authoring/README.md
+++ b/libs/usd-pointcloud-authoring/README.md
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ namespace `usdgeo`.
 
 ```text
 usdgeo/PointCloudLayer.h
+usdgeo/PointCloudCache.h
 ```
 
 | Group | Entry points |
@@ -61,6 +62,7 @@ usdgeo/PointCloudLayer.h
 | LOD | `AuthorPointCloudLodAsset` |
 | Tiling | `PointCloudTileAsset`, `AuthorPointCloudTiledAsset` |
 | Payloads | `PointCloudPayloadOptions`, `AuthorPointCloudTiledAssetWithPayloads` |
+| Generated cache | `TryBuildPointCloudCacheLayout`, `TryLoadPointCloudCache`, `TryBuildResolverSourceIdentity` |
 | Failure kinds | `PointCloudAuthorFailure` (`InvalidLayer`, `StageCreation`, `StageMetrics`, `PointCloud`) |
 
 Minimal use:
diff --git a/libs/usd-pointcloud-authoring/include/usdgeo/PointCloudCache.h b/libs/usd-pointcloud-authoring/include/usdgeo/PointCloudCache.h
index 2c1a43e..667f0aa 100644
--- a/libs/usd-pointcloud-authoring/include/usdgeo/PointCloudCache.h
+++ b/libs/usd-pointcloud-authoring/include/usdgeo/PointCloudCache.h
@@ -15,6 +15,15 @@ namespace usdgeo {
 
 std::filesystem::path PointCloudCacheRootFromEnvironment();
 
+bool TryBuildPointCloudCacheLayout(
+    const std::filesystem::path& cacheRoot,
+    const cache::SourceIdentity& sourceIdentity,
+    const GeoReference& reference,
+    const usdpointcloud::PointReadRequest& request,
+    const std::string& parserVersion,
+    cache::Layout& layout,
+    std::string& errorMessage);
+
 bool TryBuildResolverSourceIdentity(
     const pxr::ArResolver& resolver,
     const std::string& assetPath,
@@ -43,4 +52,4 @@ bool TryLoadPointCloudCache(
     bool& hit,
     std::string& errorMessage);
 
-} // namespace usdgeo
\ No newline at end of file
+} // namespace usdgeo
diff --git a/libs/usd-pointcloud-authoring/src/PointCloudCache.cpp b/libs/usd-pointcloud-authoring/src/PointCloudCache.cpp
index 7ccaec9..fe96bf7 100644
--- a/libs/usd-pointcloud-authoring/src/PointCloudCache.cpp
+++ b/libs/usd-pointcloud-authoring/src/PointCloudCache.cpp
@@ -323,6 +323,28 @@ std::filesystem::path PointCloudCacheRootFromEnvironment() {
     return error ? std::filesystem::path{} : root.lexically_normal();
 }
 
+bool TryBuildPointCloudCacheLayout(
+    const std::filesystem::path& cacheRoot,
+    const cache::SourceIdentity& sourceIdentity,
+    const GeoReference& reference,
+    const usdpointcloud::PointReadRequest& request,
+    const std::string& parserVersion,
+    cache::Layout& layout,
+    std::string& errorMessage) {
+    cache::Descriptor descriptor;
+    if (!BuildDescriptor(sourceIdentity, reference, request, parserVersion,
+                         descriptor, errorMessage)) {
+        layout = {};
+        return false;
+    }
+    if (!cache::TryBuildLayout(cacheRoot, descriptor, layout)) {
+        errorMessage = "unable to build cache layout";
+        return false;
+    }
+    errorMessage.clear();
+    return true;
+}
+
 bool TryLoadPointCloudCache(
     pxr::SdfLayer* layer,
     const std::filesystem::path& sourcePath,
@@ -427,4 +449,4 @@ bool TryLoadPointCloudCache(
     return true;
 }
 
-} // namespace usdgeo
\ No newline at end of file
+} // namespace usdgeo
diff --git a/libs/usd-pointcloud-authoring/tests/test_pointcloud_cache.cpp b/libs/usd-pointcloud-authoring/tests/test_pointcloud_cache.cpp
index 0664d62..c1b2e1c 100644
--- a/libs/usd-pointcloud-authoring/tests/test_pointcloud_cache.cpp
+++ b/libs/usd-pointcloud-authoring/tests/test_pointcloud_cache.cpp
@@ -233,24 +233,24 @@ void TestPointCloudCacheMissAndMaterialization() {
     Check(errorMessage.empty());
     Check(!std::filesystem::exists(layout.entryDirectory));
 
-    const usdgeo::cache::SourceIdentity resolverIdentity{
+    const usdgeo::cache::SourceIdentity incompleteResolverIdentity{
         "https://memory.example/pointcloud.copc", 42, 0, "revision-a"};
     const auto resolverDescriptor =
-        MakeDescriptor(resolverIdentity, reference, request);
+        MakeDescriptor(incompleteResolverIdentity, reference, request);
     usdgeo::cache::Layout resolverLayout;
     Check(usdgeo::cache::TryBuildLayout(
         cacheRoot, resolverDescriptor, resolverLayout));
     std::filesystem::create_directories(resolverLayout.payloadDirectory);
     std::ofstream(resolverLayout.rootLayer, std::ios::binary)
         << "incomplete resolver root";
-    const auto resolverLayer = pxr::SdfLayer::CreateNew(
+    const auto incompleteResolverLayer = pxr::SdfLayer::CreateNew(
         (testRoot / "resolver-incomplete.usda").string());
-    Check(resolverLayer);
+    Check(incompleteResolverLayer);
     hit = true;
     errorMessage.clear();
     Check(usdgeo::TryLoadPointCloudCache(
-        resolverLayer.operator->(), resolverIdentity, {}, reference, request,
-        "las-reader-1", hit, errorMessage));
+        incompleteResolverLayer.operator->(), incompleteResolverIdentity, {},
+        reference, request, "las-reader-1", hit, errorMessage));
     Check(!hit);
     Check(errorMessage.empty());
     Check(!std::filesystem::exists(resolverLayout.entryDirectory));
@@ -374,4 +374,4 @@ void TestPointCloudCacheMissAndMaterialization() {
 int main() {
     TestPointCloudCacheMissAndMaterialization();
     return 0;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/openstrata.ci.yaml b/openstrata.ci.yaml
index 33a4592..877f5f3 100644
--- a/openstrata.ci.yaml
+++ b/openstrata.ci.yaml
@@ -194,46 +194,6 @@ cells:
       apt: [libx11-dev, libxt-dev, libxext-dev, libgl1-mesa-dev]
     up_to: 5
 
-  - name: httpresolver-pr-windows
-    lane: pull_request
-    runner: windows-hosted
-    runtime_artifact: sha256:c3ed40122756ea118166e1619efcaec463e7d2a42f6d978fe4e20b6b774c4b03
-    runtime_remote:
-      uri: oci://ghcr.io/animu-sphere/openstrata-runtime-cy2026-usd@sha256:07cb84412017ece911adaed1175a6373865d863bc40124081cfc20c52de7f0d9
-      expected_oci_digest: sha256:07cb84412017ece911adaed1175a6373865d863bc40124081cfc20c52de7f0d9
-    bundle: plugins/httpresolver
-    platform: cy2026
-    profile: usd
-    up_to: 4
-
-  - name: httpresolver-pr-macos-arm64
-    lane: pull_request
-    runner: macos-arm64-hosted
-    runtime_artifact: sha256:a9bb847ab5c7eb29d7425ff9acfb05b01c1751054d6a70628e48b06f8409a4a8
-    runtime_remote:
-      uri: oci://ghcr.io/animu-sphere/openstrata-runtime-cy2026-usd@sha256:dc0c980b868f91fe33e6f35a67a2bc5693b89f0243141c55ecb068ab225b0f3e
-      expected_oci_digest: sha256:dc0c980b868f91fe33e6f35a67a2bc5693b89f0243141c55ecb068ab225b0f3e
-    bundle: plugins/httpresolver
-    platform: cy2026
-    profile: usd
-    host_python: "3.13"
-    up_to: 5
-
-  - name: httpresolver-pr-linux
-    lane: pull_request
-    runner: linux-hosted
-    runtime_artifact: sha256:03f7d4ef263abb50511d17237e7cbdbe1b83dee02cff8b8f901f0484c7a7898e
-    runtime_remote:
-      uri: oci://ghcr.io/animu-sphere/openstrata-runtime-cy2026-usd@sha256:367a32bd1985ca9b07e8f7e64f95c1ded8dba16d68f17e0bffb09cec0b9dc3f6
-      expected_oci_digest: sha256:367a32bd1985ca9b07e8f7e64f95c1ded8dba16d68f17e0bffb09cec0b9dc3f6
-    bundle: plugins/httpresolver
-    platform: cy2026
-    profile: usd
-    host_python: "3.13"
-    host_packages:
-      apt: [libx11-dev, libxt-dev, libxext-dev, libgl1-mesa-dev]
-    up_to: 5
-
   - name: pointcloud-ply-pr-windows
     lane: pull_request
     runner: windows-hosted
@@ -432,4 +392,4 @@ cells:
     host_python: "3.13"
     host_packages:
       apt: [libx11-dev, libxt-dev, libxext-dev, libgl1-mesa-dev]
-    up_to: 5
\ No newline at end of file
+    up_to: 5
diff --git a/plugins/httpresolver/openstrata.plugin.yaml b/plugins/httpresolver/openstrata.plugin.yaml
deleted file mode 100644
index 97185b6..0000000
--- a/plugins/httpresolver/openstrata.plugin.yaml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,15 +0,0 @@
-manifest:
-  schema: openstrata.plugin/v1alpha1
-plugin:
-  name: httpresolver
-  version: 0.9.0
-  kind: usd-asset-resolver
-license: Apache-2.0
-runtime:
-  openusd: ">=26.08,<27.0"
-provides:
-  - usd-resolver:http
-requires:
-  capabilities: [usd-stage-read]
-usd:
-  plug_info: plugin/resources/httpresolver/plugInfo.json
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/plugins/pointcloud-copc/CMakeLists.txt b/plugins/pointcloud-copc/CMakeLists.txt
index 9498401..47d47b5 100644
--- a/plugins/pointcloud-copc/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/plugins/pointcloud-copc/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -49,11 +49,6 @@ if(NOT TARGET usdcopc::core)
         "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/../../libs/usd-copc"
         "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/usd-copc")
 endif()
-if(NOT TARGET HttpResolver)
-    add_subdirectory(
-        "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/../httpresolver"
-        "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/httpresolver")
-endif()
 if(NOT TARGET OpenGL::GL)
     find_package(OpenGL REQUIRED)
 endif()
@@ -92,15 +87,20 @@ openstrata_link_openusd(
     COMPONENTS arch tf gf vt sdf pcp usd ar)
 
 if(USDGEO_BUILD_TESTS)
+    if(NOT TARGET HttpResolver)
+        add_subdirectory(
+            "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/../../tests/plugins/httpresolver"
+            "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/httpresolver")
+    endif()
     add_executable(pointcloudCopc_tests
         src/ArAssetRandomAccessSource.cpp
         tests/test_pointcloud_copc.cpp)
     target_compile_features(pointcloudCopc_tests PRIVATE cxx_std_17)
-    target_link_libraries(pointcloudCopc_tests PRIVATE usdlaz::core
+    target_link_libraries(pointcloudCopc_tests PRIVATE usdcopc::core usdlaz::core
         usdgeo::cache usdpointcloud::authoring)
     target_compile_definitions(pointcloudCopc_tests PRIVATE
         USDGEOCOPC_SOURCE_DIR="${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}"
-        USDGEOCOPC_HTTP_RESOLVER_SOURCE_DIR="${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/../httpresolver"
+        USDGEOCOPC_HTTP_RESOLVER_SOURCE_DIR="${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/../../tests/plugins/httpresolver"
         USDGEOLAS_SOURCE_DIR="${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/../pointcloud-las"
         USDGEOLAZ_SOURCE_DIR="${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/../pointcloud-laz")
     target_include_directories(pointcloudCopc_tests PRIVATE
diff --git a/plugins/pointcloud-copc/README.md b/plugins/pointcloud-copc/README.md
index bf0110f..d2db5f7 100644
--- a/plugins/pointcloud-copc/README.md
+++ b/plugins/pointcloud-copc/README.md
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ An external resolver such as `usd-http-resolver` is runtime composition through
 `PXR_PLUGINPATH_NAME`, not a build-time dependency of this bundle.
 
 The repository's resolver-backed integration test uses the independent
-`plugins/httpresolver` bundle. That bundle is a test double which serves a
+`tests/plugins/httpresolver` fixture. It is a Tier 1 test double which serves a
 local fixture as an in-memory asset; a production resolver can replace it
 without changing this plugin or `usdCopc`. See the
 [resolver-backed source contract](../../docs/architecture/RESOLVER_SOURCE.md).
diff --git a/plugins/pointcloud-copc/tests/test_pointcloud_copc.cpp b/plugins/pointcloud-copc/tests/test_pointcloud_copc.cpp
index 5d5aee0..fc687ac 100644
--- a/plugins/pointcloud-copc/tests/test_pointcloud_copc.cpp
+++ b/plugins/pointcloud-copc/tests/test_pointcloud_copc.cpp
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 #include "usdgeocopc/ArAssetRandomAccessSource.h"
 #include "usdgeocopc/UsdGeoCopcDiagnostics.h"
 #include "usdgeo/PointCloudCache.h"
+#include "usdcopc/Copc.h"
+#include "usdlas/Las.h"
 
 #include <pxr/base/plug/plugin.h>
 #include <pxr/base/plug/registry.h>
@@ -120,6 +122,40 @@ std::filesystem::path FindGeneratedCacheRoot(
     return {};
 }
 
+constexpr const char* CacheSentinelPath = "/CacheSentinel";
+
+void WriteResolverCacheEntry(const usdgeo::cache::Layout& layout,
+                             const pxr::SdfLayerHandle& sourceLayer,
+                             bool corruptedRoot) {
+    std::error_code error;
+    std::filesystem::remove_all(layout.entryDirectory, error);
+    error.clear();
+    std::filesystem::create_directories(layout.entryDirectory, error);
+    Check(!error, "create resolver cache entry");
+    if (corruptedRoot) {
+        std::ofstream root(layout.rootLayer,
+                           std::ios::binary | std::ios::trunc);
+        Check(root.good(), "create corrupted resolver cache root");
+        root << "corrupted generated cache";
+        Check(root.good(), "write corrupted resolver cache root");
+    } else {
+        const auto cacheLayer =
+            pxr::SdfLayer::CreateAnonymous("resolver-cache-entry.usda");
+        Check(sourceLayer && cacheLayer, "create resolver cache layer");
+        cacheLayer->TransferContent(sourceLayer);
+        const auto sentinel = pxr::SdfPrimSpec::New(
+            cacheLayer->GetPseudoRoot(), "CacheSentinel", pxr::SdfSpecifierDef);
+        Check(static_cast<bool>(sentinel), "author resolver cache sentinel");
+        Check(cacheLayer->Export(layout.rootLayer.string()),
+              "export resolver cache root");
+    }
+    std::ofstream manifest(layout.manifest,
+                           std::ios::binary | std::ios::trunc);
+    Check(manifest.good(), "create resolver cache manifest");
+    manifest << "committed\n";
+    Check(manifest.good(), "write resolver cache manifest");
+}
+
 void TestArAssetRandomAccessSource() {
     auto asset = std::make_shared<MemoryAsset>(
         std::vector<std::uint8_t>{1, 2, 3, 4, 5});
@@ -653,6 +689,11 @@ void TestResolverBackedRead() {
     Check(resolverStability ==
           usdgeo::cache::ResolverIdentityStability::Unavailable);
     SetHttpResolverIdentityMode("");
+    Check(usdgeo::TryBuildResolverSourceIdentity(
+              pxr::ArGetResolver(), "http://memory.copc",
+              pxr::ArResolvedPath("http://memory.copc"), *resolvedAsset,
+              resolverIdentity, resolverStability, identityError),
+          "restore stable resolver identity");
 
     char signature[4]{};
     Check(resolvedAsset->Read(signature, sizeof(signature), 0) ==
@@ -678,43 +719,64 @@ void TestResolverBackedRead() {
     Check(firstPoints.GetPointsAttr().Get(&firstPositions));
     Check(!firstPositions.empty());
 
+    auto cacheSource =
+        std::make_shared<usdgeocopc::ArAssetRandomAccessSource>(
+            resolvedAsset, "http://memory.copc");
+    usdcopc::CopcReader cacheReader(cacheSource);
+    usdcopc::CopcHeader cacheHeader;
+    std::vector<usdgeo::Diagnostic> cacheDiagnostics;
+    Check(cacheReader.ReadMetadata(cacheHeader, cacheDiagnostics),
+          "read cache fixture metadata");
+    usdpointcloud::PointChunk metadataChunk;
+    usdgeo::GeoReference cacheReference;
+    usdgeo::SpatialBounds cacheBounds;
+    std::string cacheErrorMessage;
+    Check(usdlas::BuildPointCloudMetadata(
+        cacheHeader.las, metadataChunk, cacheReference, cacheBounds,
+        cacheErrorMessage), "build cache fixture metadata");
+    usdpointcloud::PointReadRequest cacheRequest;
+    Check(usdpointcloud::MakeReadRequest(
+        {}, cacheRequest, cacheDiagnostics,
+        usdpointcloud::PointReadFormat::Copc), "build cache read request");
+    usdgeo::cache::Layout cacheLayout;
+    Check(usdgeo::TryBuildPointCloudCacheLayout(
+        cacheRoot, resolverIdentity, cacheReference, cacheRequest,
+        "copc-reader-1", cacheLayout, cacheErrorMessage),
+        "build resolver cache layout");
+    WriteResolverCacheEntry(cacheLayout, layer, false);
+
     const auto cachedLayer =
         pxr::SdfLayer::CreateAnonymous("resolver-cached.usda");
     Check(cachedLayer);
-        usdgeo::cache::ResetLookupStatistics();
     Check(format->Read(cachedLayer.operator->(), "http://memory.copc", false));
-        const auto cacheHitStatistics = usdgeo::cache::GetLookupStatistics();
-        Check(cacheHitStatistics.hits > 0,
-            "stable resolver identity did not reuse generated cache");
-
-        const auto generatedCacheRoot = FindGeneratedCacheRoot(cacheRoot);
-        Check(!generatedCacheRoot.empty(),
-            "resolver read did not publish a generated cache entry");
-        std::filesystem::remove(generatedCacheRoot / "root.usdc");
-        const auto recoveredLayer =
-          pxr::SdfLayer::CreateAnonymous("resolver-recovered.usda");
-        Check(recoveredLayer);
-        usdgeo::cache::ResetLookupStatistics();
-        Check(format->Read(recoveredLayer.operator->(), "http://memory.copc",
-                     false));
-        const auto recoveryStatistics = usdgeo::cache::GetLookupStatistics();
-        Check(recoveryStatistics.incomplete > 0,
-            "corrupt resolver cache entry was not classified incomplete");
-
-            const auto regeneratedCacheRoot = FindGeneratedCacheRoot(cacheRoot);
-            Check(!regeneratedCacheRoot.empty(),
-                "incomplete resolver cache entry was not regenerated");
-            std::ofstream corruptedRoot(regeneratedCacheRoot / "root.usdc",
-                               std::ios::binary | std::ios::trunc);
-            Check(corruptedRoot.good());
-            corruptedRoot << "corrupted generated cache";
-            corruptedRoot.close();
-            const auto corruptedLayer =
-              pxr::SdfLayer::CreateAnonymous("resolver-corrupted.usda");
-            Check(corruptedLayer);
-            Check(format->Read(corruptedLayer.operator->(), "http://memory.copc",
-                         false));
-            Check(corruptedLayer->GetPrimAtPath(pxr::SdfPath("/PointCloud")));
+    Check(cachedLayer->GetPrimAtPath(pxr::SdfPath(CacheSentinelPath)),
+          "stable resolver identity did not reuse generated cache");
+
+    const auto generatedCacheRoot = FindGeneratedCacheRoot(cacheRoot);
+    Check(generatedCacheRoot == cacheLayout.entryDirectory,
+          "resolver cache entry layout mismatch");
+    std::filesystem::remove(cacheLayout.rootLayer);
+    const auto recoveredLayer =
+        pxr::SdfLayer::CreateAnonymous("resolver-recovered.usda");
+    Check(recoveredLayer);
+    Check(format->Read(recoveredLayer.operator->(), "http://memory.copc",
+                       false));
+    Check(!recoveredLayer->GetPrimAtPath(pxr::SdfPath(CacheSentinelPath)),
+          "incomplete resolver cache entry was reused");
+    Check(!std::filesystem::exists(cacheLayout.entryDirectory),
+          "incomplete resolver cache entry was not invalidated");
+
+    WriteResolverCacheEntry(cacheLayout, layer, true);
+    const auto corruptedLayer =
+        pxr::SdfLayer::CreateAnonymous("resolver-corrupted.usda");
+    Check(corruptedLayer);
+    Check(format->Read(corruptedLayer.operator->(), "http://memory.copc",
+                       false));
+    Check(corruptedLayer->GetPrimAtPath(pxr::SdfPath("/PointCloud")));
+    Check(!std::filesystem::exists(cacheLayout.entryDirectory),
+          "corrupted resolver cache entry was not invalidated");
+
+    WriteResolverCacheEntry(cacheLayout, layer, false);
 
     auto changedRecords = records;
     Write(changedRecords.front(), 0, std::int32_t{9000});
@@ -750,13 +812,9 @@ void TestResolverBackedRead() {
     const auto changedLayer =
         pxr::SdfLayer::CreateAnonymous("resolver-changed.usda");
     Check(changedLayer);
-        usdgeo::cache::ResetLookupStatistics();
     Check(format->Read(changedLayer.operator->(), "http://memory.copc", false));
-        const auto changedStatistics = usdgeo::cache::GetLookupStatistics();
-        Check(changedStatistics.hits == 0,
-            "changed resolver validation token reused the old cache entry");
-        Check(changedStatistics.misses > 0,
-            "changed resolver validation token did not produce a cache miss");
+    Check(!changedLayer->GetPrimAtPath(pxr::SdfPath(CacheSentinelPath)),
+          "changed resolver validation token reused the old cache entry");
     const auto changedStage = pxr::UsdStage::Open(changedLayer);
     Check(changedStage);
     const auto changedPoints = pxr::UsdGeomPoints::Get(
diff --git a/plugins/httpresolver/CMakeLists.txt b/tests/plugins/httpresolver/CMakeLists.txt
similarity index 79%
rename from plugins/httpresolver/CMakeLists.txt
rename to tests/plugins/httpresolver/CMakeLists.txt
index 9e6d7f8..e987427 100644
--- a/plugins/httpresolver/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/tests/plugins/httpresolver/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ endif()
 set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD_REQUIRED ON)
 set(CMAKE_CXX_EXTENSIONS OFF)
 
-include("${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/../pointcloud-las/cmake/OpenStrataPlugin.cmake")
+include("${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/../../../plugins/pointcloud-las/cmake/OpenStrataPlugin.cmake")
 openstrata_default_build_type()
 
 if(NOT TARGET OpenGL::GL)
@@ -51,10 +51,3 @@ openstrata_configure_plugin(
     PLUG_INFO_OUTPUT
         "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/plugin/resources/httpresolver/plugInfo.json")
 
-openstrata_install_plugin_bundle(
-    TARGET ${PLUGIN_NAME}
-    RESOURCES
-        "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/plugin/resources/httpresolver/plugInfo.json"
-    RESOURCE_DESTINATION "plugin/resources/httpresolver"
-    MANIFESTS
-        "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/openstrata.plugin.yaml")
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/plugins/httpresolver/README.md b/tests/plugins/httpresolver/README.md
similarity index 51%
rename from plugins/httpresolver/README.md
rename to tests/plugins/httpresolver/README.md
index 1010ed7..b080879 100644
--- a/plugins/httpresolver/README.md
+++ b/tests/plugins/httpresolver/README.md
@@ -13,11 +13,16 @@ without changing this plugin or `usdCopc`.
 
 ## Status
 
-`v0.10.0` resolves this bundle's disposition: it is removed once equivalent
-external integration coverage exists, or relocated to an explicitly test-only
-path such as `tests/plugins/httpresolver/`. Until then it must not be presented
-as equivalent to a production point-cloud bundle.
+The fixture lives under `tests/plugins/httpresolver/` so that Tier 1 resolver
+contract tests remain reproducible without an external repository. It is built
+only as a dependency of the COPC integration tests and has no OpenStrata bundle
+manifest or install rule, so it is excluded from product discovery, packaging,
+the plugin matrix, and release metadata.
+
+Tier 2 interoperability uses
+[`usd-http-resolver`](https://github.com/animu-sphere/usd-http-resolver) as
+runtime composition and does not link this repository to it.
 
 See the
-[resolver-backed source contract](../../docs/architecture/RESOLVER_SOURCE.md)
-and the [workspace contract](../../docs/architecture/WORKSPACE.md).
+[resolver-backed source contract](../../../docs/architecture/RESOLVER_SOURCE.md)
+and the [workspace contract](../../../docs/architecture/WORKSPACE.md).
diff --git a/plugins/httpresolver/plugin/resources/httpresolver/plugInfo.json b/tests/plugins/httpresolver/plugin/resources/httpresolver/plugInfo.json
similarity index 100%
rename from plugins/httpresolver/plugin/resources/httpresolver/plugInfo.json
rename to tests/plugins/httpresolver/plugin/resources/httpresolver/plugInfo.json
diff --git a/plugins/httpresolver/plugin/resources/httpresolver/plugInfo.json.in b/tests/plugins/httpresolver/plugin/resources/httpresolver/plugInfo.json.in
similarity index 100%
rename from plugins/httpresolver/plugin/resources/httpresolver/plugInfo.json.in
rename to tests/plugins/httpresolver/plugin/resources/httpresolver/plugInfo.json.in
diff --git a/plugins/httpresolver/src/HttpResolver.cpp b/tests/plugins/httpresolver/src/HttpResolver.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from plugins/httpresolver/src/HttpResolver.cpp
rename to tests/plugins/httpresolver/src/HttpResolver.cpp
diff --git a/tools/check_release_metadata.py b/tools/check_release_metadata.py
index 9f3b9dd..50e75bc 100644
--- a/tools/check_release_metadata.py
+++ b/tools/check_release_metadata.py
@@ -30,10 +30,6 @@ def main() -> int:
             rf'^  version: {re.escape(version)}$',
         "plugins/pointcloud-ply/CMakeLists.txt":
             rf'^    VERSION {re.escape(version)}$',
-        "plugins/httpresolver/openstrata.plugin.yaml":
-            rf'^  version: {re.escape(version)}$',
-        "plugins/httpresolver/CMakeLists.txt":
-            rf'^    VERSION {re.escape(version)}$',
     }
 
     failures = []
@@ -54,4 +50,4 @@ def main() -> int:
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    raise SystemExit(main())
\ No newline at end of file
+    raise SystemExit(main())