diff --git a/docs/prompt-architecture-improvement-plan.md b/docs/prompt-architecture-improvement-plan.md
index 3766fb6..baf13aa 100644
--- a/docs/prompt-architecture-improvement-plan.md
+++ b/docs/prompt-architecture-improvement-plan.md
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ Already isolated:
   caption-part joining, embedded soft/hard row output synchronization, and row
   sanitation before metadata leaves generation. It also copies side-specific
   pair metadata, such as soft partner styling and hardcore clothing/detail
-  state, onto the embedded soft/hard rows.
+  state, plus shared cast descriptors, onto the embedded soft/hard rows.
 - final custom-row assembly now lives in `row_assembly.py` behind
   `CustomRowAssemblyRequest`, covering render context population,
   prompt/caption rendering delegation, row-base indexing, row metadata copying,
@@ -326,8 +326,9 @@ Already isolated:
   Embedded soft/hard rows are synchronized to the final pair prompt, caption,
   and negative outputs during normalization so serialized pair metadata does
   not carry stale standalone row text. Side-specific structured fields are
-  synchronized there too, including soft partner styling and hardcore clothing
-  continuity metadata.
+  synchronized there too, including soft partner styling, hardcore clothing
+  continuity metadata, and shared cast descriptors for same-cast caption and
+  formatter routes.
 
 ### Krea2 Formatter Path
 
diff --git a/docs/prompt-pool-routing-map.md b/docs/prompt-pool-routing-map.md
index 2a6790c..28dde4a 100644
--- a/docs/prompt-pool-routing-map.md
+++ b/docs/prompt-pool-routing-map.md
@@ -536,7 +536,7 @@ plain prompt text. When debugging, inspect these fields before editing pools.
 | `options` | `SxCP Insta/OF Options` | Formatters/debug | Soft/hard level, cast mode, continuity, camera modes, expression settings. |
 | `shared_descriptor` | `pair_cast.py` | Pair formatters | Primary creator descriptor. |
 | `shared_cast_descriptors` | `pair_cast.py` | Pair formatters | Full cast descriptor list. |
-| `softcore_row`, `hardcore_row` | Pair route | Pair formatters | Full normal metadata rows for each side; their prompt, caption, negative, and side-specific metadata fields are synchronized to the final pair outputs/root fields during pair normalization. |
+| `softcore_row`, `hardcore_row` | Pair route | Pair formatters | Full normal metadata rows for each side; their prompt, caption, negative, shared cast descriptors, and side-specific metadata fields are synchronized to the final pair outputs/root fields during pair normalization. |
 | `softcore_prompt`, `hardcore_prompt` | `pair_output.py` | Direct output/fallback | Raw pair prompts before formatter rewrite. |
 | `softcore_negative_prompt`, `hardcore_negative_prompt` | `pair_output.py` | Formatter negatives | Separate negatives for each side. |
 | `softcore_partner_styling` | `pair_cast.py` | Krea/SDXL pair branch | Partner softcore clothing and pose when same-cast softcore is enabled. |
diff --git a/row_normalization.py b/row_normalization.py
index 18bd6b3..48caba4 100644
--- a/row_normalization.py
+++ b/row_normalization.py
@@ -142,11 +142,36 @@ def synchronize_pair_side_metadata(pair: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
     return pair
 
 
+def synchronize_pair_cast_metadata(pair: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    descriptors = pair.get("shared_cast_descriptors")
+    if isinstance(descriptors, list):
+        descriptor_list = [str(item).strip() for item in descriptors if str(item or "").strip()]
+        descriptor_text = "; ".join(descriptor_list)
+    else:
+        descriptor_text = str(descriptors or "").strip()
+        descriptor_list = [descriptor_text] if descriptor_text else []
+    if not descriptor_text:
+        return pair
+
+    options = pair.get("options") if isinstance(pair.get("options"), dict) else {}
+    row_keys = ["hardcore_row"]
+    if options.get("softcore_cast") == "same_as_hardcore":
+        row_keys.append("softcore_row")
+    for row_key in row_keys:
+        row = pair.get(row_key)
+        if not isinstance(row, dict):
+            continue
+        row["cast_descriptor_text"] = descriptor_text
+        row["cast_descriptors"] = list(descriptor_list)
+    return pair
+
+
 def normalize_pair_metadata(pair: dict[str, Any], *, active_trigger: str = "") -> dict[str, Any]:
     trigger = str(active_trigger or "").strip()
     triggers = _trigger_tuple(trigger)
     synchronize_pair_row_outputs(pair)
     synchronize_pair_side_metadata(pair)
+    synchronize_pair_cast_metadata(pair)
     for key in ("softcore_prompt", "hardcore_prompt"):
         if key in pair:
             pair[key] = sanitize_prompt_text(pair.get(key, ""), triggers=triggers)
diff --git a/tools/prompt_smoke.py b/tools/prompt_smoke.py
index b3c38ec..638b509 100644
--- a/tools/prompt_smoke.py
+++ b/tools/prompt_smoke.py
@@ -3976,6 +3976,16 @@ def _expect_pair(pair: dict[str, Any], name: str) -> None:
     _expect_custom_row(pair.get("hardcore_row") or {}, f"{name}.hardcore_row")
     _expect_text(f"{name}.shared_descriptor", pair.get("shared_descriptor"), 12)
     _expect(pair.get("shared_cast_descriptors"), f"{name}.shared_cast_descriptors should not be empty")
+    shared_cast_text = "; ".join(str(item).strip() for item in pair.get("shared_cast_descriptors") or [] if str(item).strip())
+    _expect(
+        pair["hardcore_row"].get("cast_descriptor_text") == shared_cast_text,
+        f"{name}.hardcore_row cast descriptors drifted from pair root",
+    )
+    if pair.get("options", {}).get("softcore_cast") == "same_as_hardcore":
+        _expect(
+            pair["softcore_row"].get("cast_descriptor_text") == shared_cast_text,
+            f"{name}.softcore_row cast descriptors drifted from same-cast pair root",
+        )
     _expect_text(f"{name}.softcore_prompt", pair.get("softcore_prompt"), 20)
     _expect_text(f"{name}.hardcore_prompt", pair.get("hardcore_prompt"), 20)
     _expect_trigger_once(f"{name}.softcore_prompt", pair.get("softcore_prompt"), Trigger)