diff --git a/caption_naturalizer.py b/caption_naturalizer.py
index fd11b1e..235a2cf 100644
--- a/caption_naturalizer.py
+++ b/caption_naturalizer.py
@@ -5,15 +5,15 @@ from typing import Any
 
 try:
     from . import caption_policy
-    from . import category_template_metadata as template_metadata_policy
     from . import formatter_input as input_policy
     from . import krea_cast as cast_policy
+    from . import route_metadata as route_metadata_policy
     from .prompt_hygiene import sanitize_prose_text
 except ImportError:  # Allows local smoke tests with `python -c`.
     import caption_policy
-    import category_template_metadata as template_metadata_policy
     import formatter_input as input_policy
     import krea_cast as cast_policy
+    import route_metadata as route_metadata_policy
     from prompt_hygiene import sanitize_prose_text
 
 
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ def _formatter_hint_parts(row: dict[str, Any]) -> list[str]:
     hints: list[str] = []
     if not isinstance(row, dict):
         return hints
-    for hint in template_metadata_policy.formatter_hints_for_route(row, "caption"):
+    for hint in route_metadata_policy.row_formatter_hints(row, "caption"):
         hint = _clean_text(hint).strip(" .")
         if hint and hint not in hints:
             hints.append(hint)
diff --git a/caption_policy.py b/caption_policy.py
index 6ef65c3..b80d1c7 100644
--- a/caption_policy.py
+++ b/caption_policy.py
@@ -5,10 +5,10 @@ from typing import Any
 
 try:
     from . import formatter_input as input_policy
-    from .hardcore_action_metadata import normalize_hardcore_action_family
+    from . import route_metadata as route_metadata_policy
 except ImportError:  # Allows local smoke tests with `python tools/prompt_smoke.py`.
     import formatter_input as input_policy
-    from hardcore_action_metadata import normalize_hardcore_action_family
+    import route_metadata as route_metadata_policy
 
 
 OLD_TRIGGER = "sxcpinup_coloredpencil"
@@ -122,10 +122,10 @@ def strip_style_tail(text: str) -> str:
 
 
 def metadata_action_label(row: dict[str, Any], default: str = "sexual pose") -> str:
-    position_family = input_policy.clean_text(row.get("position_family")).lower()
+    position_family = route_metadata_policy.row_position_family(row)
     if position_family in POSITION_FAMILY_CAPTION_LABELS:
         return POSITION_FAMILY_CAPTION_LABELS[position_family]
-    action_family = normalize_hardcore_action_family(row.get("action_family"))
+    action_family = route_metadata_policy.row_action_family(row)
     if action_family in ACTION_FAMILY_CAPTION_LABELS:
         return ACTION_FAMILY_CAPTION_LABELS[action_family]
     return default
diff --git a/docs/prompt-architecture-improvement-plan.md b/docs/prompt-architecture-improvement-plan.md
index d004ef0..e067e21 100644
--- a/docs/prompt-architecture-improvement-plan.md
+++ b/docs/prompt-architecture-improvement-plan.md
@@ -188,6 +188,10 @@ Already isolated:
   rows now emit `action_family`, `position_family`, `position_key`, and
   `position_keys` so formatter routing and debugging do less keyword guessing.
   Krea, SDXL, and training-caption routes consume these fields when present.
+- shared row route metadata readers live in `route_metadata.py`, covering
+  normalized action family, position family/keys, and route-specific formatter
+  hints for Krea, SDXL, and training-caption routes. Position keys are strict
+  by default, while SDXL can opt into legacy unknown key tags for compatibility.
 - final row and pair text normalization lives in `row_normalization.py`,
   covering trigger prepending, extra-positive append, negative merge/dedupe,
   caption-part joining, and embedded soft/hard row sanitation before metadata
@@ -270,12 +274,14 @@ Already isolated:
   stripping, the shared prompt field-label inventory, prompt-field extraction,
   `Avoid:` splitting, and row-value fallback for Krea, SDXL, and caption
   routes.
+- `route_metadata.py` owns shared row-level action-family, position-family,
+  position-key, and formatter-hint reads so formatter routes do not normalize
+  these fields independently.
 
 Improve later:
 
-- extend SDXL and caption routes to optionally consume `action_family` /
-  `position_family` when ordering tags or caption clauses;
-- add route-level smoke fixtures for representative metadata rows;
+- keep adding route-level smoke fixtures when new metadata fields start
+  influencing formatter output;
 
 ### SDXL Formatter Path
 
@@ -290,6 +296,7 @@ Keep here:
 - negative-prompt assembly.
 - metadata-family tag hints from `action_family`, `position_family`, and
   `position_keys`.
+- shared row route metadata reads from `route_metadata.py`.
 - shared formatter input parsing from `formatter_input.py`.
 - style presets, quality presets, default negative prompt, and action/position
   family tag hints from `sdxl_presets.py`.
@@ -313,6 +320,7 @@ Keep here:
 - style-tail policy from `caption_policy.py`.
 - metadata-family action labels from `action_family` and `position_family` via
   `caption_policy.py`.
+- shared row route metadata reads from `route_metadata.py`.
 - shared formatter input parsing from `formatter_input.py`.
 - shared cast descriptor parsing and label replacement from `krea_cast.py`.
 - caption detail-level/style-policy normalization, clothing cleanup, and
diff --git a/docs/prompt-pool-routing-map.md b/docs/prompt-pool-routing-map.md
index 8884de5..dec13a1 100644
--- a/docs/prompt-pool-routing-map.md
+++ b/docs/prompt-pool-routing-map.md
@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ Core helper ownership:
 | `hardcore_role_anal.py` | Anal and double-contact role graph wording for rear-entry, raised-edge, kneeling, side-lying, and front/back double-position geometry. |
 | `hardcore_role_climax.py` | Climax and ejaculation aftermath role graph wording for face/body/ass, lap, open-thigh, side-lying, and group front/back placement. |
 | `hardcore_action_metadata.py` | Source action-family and position-family metadata used by Krea2, SDXL, and caption routes. |
+| `route_metadata.py` | Shared row-level route metadata readers for normalized action family, position family/keys, and formatter hints used by Krea2, SDXL, and caption routes. |
 | `scene_camera_adapters.py` | Location-aware camera/scene prose such as coworking lounge camera layout. |
 | `krea_cast.py` | Shared formatter cast descriptor parsing, cast labels, cast prose, natural cast descriptor text, and label replacement used by Krea2 and caption routes. |
 | `prompt_hygiene.py` | Generic prompt, caption, and negative-prompt cleanup. |
diff --git a/krea_formatter.py b/krea_formatter.py
index db0a7e6..0c57293 100644
--- a/krea_formatter.py
+++ b/krea_formatter.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from typing import Any
 
 try:
     from . import formatter_input as input_policy
-    from . import category_template_metadata as template_metadata_policy
+    from . import route_metadata as route_metadata_policy
     from .krea_action_context import (
         is_close_foreplay_text as _is_close_foreplay_text,
         is_outercourse_text as _is_outercourse_text,
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ try:
     from .prompt_hygiene import sanitize_negative_text, sanitize_prose_text
 except ImportError:  # Allows local smoke tests with `python -c`.
     import formatter_input as input_policy
-    import category_template_metadata as template_metadata_policy
+    import route_metadata as route_metadata_policy
     from krea_action_context import (
         is_close_foreplay_text as _is_close_foreplay_text,
         is_outercourse_text as _is_outercourse_text,
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ def _formatter_hint_parts(*rows: dict[str, Any]) -> list[str]:
     for row in rows:
         if not isinstance(row, dict):
             continue
-        for hint in template_metadata_policy.formatter_hints_for_route(row, "krea"):
+        for hint in route_metadata_policy.row_formatter_hints(row, "krea"):
             hint = _clean(hint).strip(" .")
             if hint and hint not in hints:
                 hints.append(hint)
@@ -465,7 +465,7 @@ def _normal_row_to_krea(row: dict[str, Any], detail_level: str, style_mode: str)
             source_composition,
             axis_values,
             detail_density,
-            row.get("action_family"),
+            route_metadata_policy.row_action_family(row),
         )
         action = _pov_action_phrase(action, pov_labels, role_graph, item, source_composition, axis_values, detail_density)
         output_composition = _pov_composition_text(composition, pov_labels)
@@ -597,7 +597,7 @@ def _insta_pair_to_krea(row: dict[str, Any], detail_level: str, style_mode: str)
         hard_source_composition,
         hard_axis_values,
         hard_detail_density,
-        hard.get("action_family") or row.get("action_family"),
+        route_metadata_policy.row_action_family(hard) or route_metadata_policy.row_action_family(row),
     )
     hard_action = _pov_action_phrase(
         hard_action,
diff --git a/route_metadata.py b/route_metadata.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..787130d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/route_metadata.py
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import re
+from typing import Any
+
+try:
+    from . import category_template_metadata as template_metadata_policy
+    from .hardcore_action_metadata import normalize_hardcore_action_family
+    from .hardcore_position_config import normalize_hardcore_position_family, normalize_hardcore_position_values
+except ImportError:  # Allows local smoke tests from the repository root.
+    import category_template_metadata as template_metadata_policy
+    from hardcore_action_metadata import normalize_hardcore_action_family
+    from hardcore_position_config import normalize_hardcore_position_family, normalize_hardcore_position_values
+
+
+def row_action_family(row: Any, default: str = "") -> str:
+    if not isinstance(row, dict):
+        return default
+    return normalize_hardcore_action_family(row.get("action_family"), default)
+
+
+def row_position_family(row: Any, default: str = "") -> str:
+    if not isinstance(row, dict):
+        return default
+    return normalize_hardcore_position_family(str(row.get("position_family") or "").strip().lower(), default)
+
+
+def _raw_position_key_values(row: dict[str, Any]) -> list[Any]:
+    values: list[Any] = []
+    position_keys = row.get("position_keys")
+    if isinstance(position_keys, list):
+        values.extend(position_keys)
+    elif position_keys is not None:
+        values.append(position_keys)
+    if row.get("position_key") is not None:
+        values.append(row.get("position_key"))
+    return values
+
+
+def _position_key_slug(value: Any) -> str:
+    text = str(value or "").strip()
+    if not text or text == "any":
+        return ""
+    return re.sub(r"[^a-z0-9]+", "_", text.lower()).strip("_")
+
+
+def row_position_keys(row: Any, *, include_unknown: bool = False) -> list[str]:
+    if not isinstance(row, dict):
+        return []
+    values = _raw_position_key_values(row)
+    selected = normalize_hardcore_position_values(values)
+    if not include_unknown:
+        return selected
+    for value in values:
+        normalized = _position_key_slug(value)
+        if normalized and normalized not in selected:
+            selected.append(normalized)
+    return selected
+
+
+def row_formatter_hints(row: Any, route: str) -> list[str]:
+    return template_metadata_policy.formatter_hints_for_route(row, route)
diff --git a/sdxl_formatter.py b/sdxl_formatter.py
index 112228d..fe3bc76 100644
--- a/sdxl_formatter.py
+++ b/sdxl_formatter.py
@@ -5,15 +5,13 @@ from typing import Any
 
 try:
     from . import formatter_input as input_policy
-    from . import category_template_metadata as template_metadata_policy
+    from . import route_metadata as route_metadata_policy
     from . import sdxl_presets as sdxl_policy
-    from .hardcore_action_metadata import normalize_hardcore_action_family
     from .prompt_hygiene import sanitize_negative_text, sanitize_tag_prompt
 except ImportError:  # Allows local smoke tests with `python -c`.
     import formatter_input as input_policy
-    import category_template_metadata as template_metadata_policy
+    import route_metadata as route_metadata_policy
     import sdxl_presets as sdxl_policy
-    from hardcore_action_metadata import normalize_hardcore_action_family
     from prompt_hygiene import sanitize_negative_text, sanitize_tag_prompt
 
 
@@ -121,18 +119,13 @@ def _add_one(tags: list[str], seen: set[str], tag: str) -> None:
 
 def _metadata_family_tags(row: dict[str, Any]) -> list[str]:
     tags: list[str] = []
-    action_family = normalize_hardcore_action_family(row.get("action_family"))
+    action_family = route_metadata_policy.row_action_family(row)
     tags.extend(SDXL_ACTION_FAMILY_TAGS.get(action_family, ()))
 
-    position_family = _clean(row.get("position_family")).lower()
+    position_family = route_metadata_policy.row_position_family(row)
     tags.extend(SDXL_POSITION_FAMILY_TAGS.get(position_family, ()))
 
-    position_keys = row.get("position_keys")
-    if isinstance(position_keys, list):
-        keys = position_keys
-    else:
-        keys = [row.get("position_key")]
-    for key in keys:
+    for key in route_metadata_policy.row_position_keys(row, include_unknown=True):
         key_text = _clean(key)
         if key_text:
             tags.append(key_text.replace("_", " "))
@@ -144,7 +137,7 @@ def _formatter_hint_tags(*rows: dict[str, Any]) -> list[str]:
     for row in rows:
         if not isinstance(row, dict):
             continue
-        for hint in template_metadata_policy.formatter_hints_for_route(row, "sdxl"):
+        for hint in route_metadata_policy.row_formatter_hints(row, "sdxl"):
             hint = _clean(hint).strip(" ,.")
             if hint and hint not in tags:
                 tags.append(hint)
diff --git a/tools/prompt_smoke.py b/tools/prompt_smoke.py
index 53b73ef..2f99f99 100644
--- a/tools/prompt_smoke.py
+++ b/tools/prompt_smoke.py
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ import krea_formatter  # noqa: E402
 import location_config  # noqa: E402
 import prompt_builder as pb  # noqa: E402
 import row_normalization  # noqa: E402
+import route_metadata  # noqa: E402
 import sdxl_formatter  # noqa: E402
 import sdxl_presets  # noqa: E402
 import seed_config  # noqa: E402
@@ -1041,7 +1042,7 @@ def smoke_caption_policy() -> None:
     )
     row = {"action_family": "oral", "position_family": ""}
     _expect(caption_policy.metadata_action_label(row) == "oral action", "Caption action-family label changed")
-    row = {"action_family": "oral", "position_family": "anal"}
+    row = {"action_family": "oral", "position_family": "Anal"}
     _expect(caption_naturalizer._metadata_action_label(row) == "anal action", "Caption position-family label priority changed")
     browsing_caption, browsing_method = caption_naturalizer.naturalize_caption(
         "woman, red dress, studio",
@@ -1225,6 +1226,27 @@ def smoke_hardcore_position_config_policy() -> None:
     _expect(formatter_hints.get("krea") == ["keep mouth contact readable"], "Template metadata route lost Krea formatter hint")
     _expect(formatter_hints.get("sdxl") == ["oral contact", "kneeling oral"], "Template metadata route lost SDXL formatter hints")
     _expect(formatter_hints.get("caption") == ["oral contact caption detail"], "Template metadata route lost caption formatter hint")
+    route_row = {
+        "action_family": "penetrative",
+        "position_family": "Oral",
+        "position_keys": ["spread leg oral", "bad key"],
+        "position_key": "open thighs",
+        "formatter_hints": {"all": ["shared formatter cue"], "training_caption": ["caption formatter cue"]},
+    }
+    _expect(route_metadata.row_action_family(route_row) == "penetration", "Route metadata action normalization changed")
+    _expect(route_metadata.row_position_family(route_row) == "oral", "Route metadata position-family normalization changed")
+    _expect(
+        route_metadata.row_position_keys(route_row) == ["spread_leg_oral", "open_thighs"],
+        "Route metadata position-key normalization changed",
+    )
+    _expect(
+        route_metadata.row_position_keys({"position_keys": ["kneeling_oral"]}, include_unknown=True) == ["kneeling_oral"],
+        "Route metadata legacy position-key passthrough changed",
+    )
+    _expect(
+        route_metadata.row_formatter_hints(route_row, "caption") == ["shared formatter cue", "caption formatter cue"],
+        "Route metadata formatter hint routing changed",
+    )
     route_hints = category_template_metadata.formatter_hints_for_route(
         {"formatter_hints": {"all": ["shared formatter cue"], "krea2": ["krea formatter cue"]}},
         "krea2",