diff --git a/PROGRESS.md b/PROGRESS.md
index 812b2f8..6041269 100644
--- a/PROGRESS.md
+++ b/PROGRESS.md
@@ -45,6 +45,9 @@ Step 7: Remaining Commands (remove, verify, list, diff).
   replication is deferred to a future phase.
 - **gRPC remote mode**: Phase 2. Package structure is designed to accommodate
   it (garden core separates logic from CLI wiring).
+- **Clock abstraction**: Inject a clock interface (e.g. `jonboulle/clockwork`)
+  into Garden instead of calling `time.Now()` directly. Improves timestamp
+  test determinism. Deferred to Step 8 (Polish).
 
 ## Change Log
 
diff --git a/PROJECT_PLAN.md b/PROJECT_PLAN.md
index 505ebd3..40db031 100644
--- a/PROJECT_PLAN.md
+++ b/PROJECT_PLAN.md
@@ -87,6 +87,7 @@ Depends on Step 5.
 ## Step 8: Polish
 
 - [ ] Lint setup (golangci-lint config)
+- [ ] Clock abstraction: inject `jonboulle/clockwork` into Garden for deterministic timestamp tests
 - [ ] End-to-end test: init → add → checkpoint → modify file → status → restore → verify
 - [ ] Ensure `go vet ./...` and `go test ./...` pass clean
 - [ ] Update CLAUDE.md, ARCHITECTURE.md, PROGRESS.md