diff --git a/cmd/ww/main.c b/cmd/ww/main.c
index d32a2c5e..c124c349 100644
--- a/cmd/ww/main.c
+++ b/cmd/ww/main.c
@@ -211,12 +211,12 @@ exec_package_command(int argc, char **argv, const char *target,
 		if (fallback == NULL) return 1;
 		prog = fallback;
 	}
-	if (argc < 0 || argc > INT_MAX - 10) {
+	if (argc < 0 || argc > INT_MAX - 11) {
 		free(fallback);
 		sep_fail_size();
 		return 1;
 	}
-	char **xargv = calloc((size_t)argc + 10, sizeof *xargv);
+	char **xargv = calloc((size_t)argc + 11, sizeof *xargv);
 	if (xargv == NULL) {
 		fprintf(stderr,
 		    "ww %s: cannot allocate package coordinator arguments\n",
@@ -233,6 +233,8 @@ exec_package_command(int argc, char **argv, const char *target,
 	}
 	xargv[n++] = "--ww-driver";
 	xargv[n++] = (char *)self_path;
+	if (!build_only && !add_dot)
+		xargv[n++] = "--ww-explicit-test-target";
 	if (root_identity != NULL) {
 		xargv[n++] = "--ww-root-identity";
 		xargv[n++] = (char *)root_identity;
@@ -7985,6 +7987,8 @@ do_test(int argc, char **argv)
 		if (!resolve_module(target, incs, resolved, sizeof resolved,
 		    &is_dir)) {
 			fprintf(stderr, "ww test: cannot find %s\n", target);
+			if (src != NULL && !compileonly && !emit_asm)
+				fputs("FAIL\n", stdout);
 			return 1;
 		}
 		if (is_dir) {
@@ -8064,6 +8068,7 @@ do_test(int argc, char **argv)
 				fputs("ww: cannot remove temporary output\n", stderr);
 			if (owntmp && rmdir(tmpdir) != 0)
 				fputs("ww: cannot remove temporary directory\n", stderr);
+			if (!compileonly && !emit_asm) fputs("FAIL\n", stdout);
 			return 1;
 		}
 		if (compileonly || emit_asm) {
@@ -8079,6 +8084,7 @@ do_test(int argc, char **argv)
 			return cleanfail ? 1 : 0;
 		}
 		int rc = run_test_bin(outp, pattern);
+		int test_failed = rc != 0;
 		if (rc == 0 && deferred_install
 		    && sep_install_test_output(outp, outstem) != 0)
 			rc = 1;
@@ -8090,6 +8096,7 @@ do_test(int argc, char **argv)
 			fputs("ww: cannot remove temporary directory\n", stderr);
 			if (rc == 0) rc = 1;
 		}
+		if (test_failed) fputs("FAIL\n", stdout);
 		return rc;
 	}
 	if (S_ISREG(st.st_mode)) {
@@ -8139,6 +8146,7 @@ do_test(int argc, char **argv)
 				fputs("ww: cannot remove temporary output\n", stderr);
 			if (owntmp && rmdir(tmpdir) != 0)
 				fputs("ww: cannot remove temporary directory\n", stderr);
+			if (!compileonly && !emit_asm) fputs("FAIL\n", stdout);
 			return 1;
 		}
 		if (compileonly || emit_asm) {
@@ -8154,6 +8162,7 @@ do_test(int argc, char **argv)
 			return cleanfail ? 1 : 0;
 		}
 		int rc = run_test_bin(outp, pattern);
+		int test_failed = rc != 0;
 		if (rc == 0 && deferred_install
 		    && sep_install_test_output(outp, outstem) != 0)
 			rc = 1;
@@ -8165,6 +8174,7 @@ do_test(int argc, char **argv)
 			fputs("ww: cannot remove temporary directory\n", stderr);
 			if (rc == 0) rc = 1;
 		}
+		if (test_failed) fputs("FAIL\n", stdout);
 		return rc;
 	}
 	if (!S_ISDIR(st.st_mode)) {
diff --git a/docs/build-system.md b/docs/build-system.md
index 9146bec5..413362db 100644
--- a/docs/build-system.md
+++ b/docs/build-system.md
@@ -7190,6 +7190,159 @@ must match exactly. Existing package execution, timeout, interruption,
 transaction, persistence, byte-identity, and cleanup owners continue to prove
 the mechanisms this slice does not alter.
 
+### 11.34 Implemented final `FAIL` for explicit ordinary test failures
+
+An ordinary `ww test` request with an explicit target now ends its ordered
+standard output with exactly one command-owned `FAIL\n` when test setup, build,
+or execution fails. The line follows every package result, including successful
+packages ordered after an earlier failure. It applies to one or many explicit
+directory, recursive, dotted-directory, or raw-file targets; filters and list
+mode; and the private execution of a retained test. It does not apply to bare
+implicit-current-directory `ww test`, `-c`, `-S`, `ww build`, command-line
+usage/shape or output preflight rejection, publication-only failure,
+capture-only failure, cleanup-only failure, allocation/systemic coordinator
+failure, or later direct execution of a retained binary.
+
+#### Pinned Go evidence and classification
+
+The sole authority is official Go 1.26.5 at commit
+`c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba`:
+
+- `runTest` reports setup errors, writes the per-package setup-failure result,
+  and sets the command exit status
+  ([`cmd/go/internal/test/test.go`, lines 1010–1061](https://github.com/golang/go/blob/c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba/src/cmd/go/internal/test/test.go#L1010-L1061)).
+  It then creates a root `go test` action owned by `printExitStatus`, orders all
+  package print actions, and executes that root
+  ([lines 1099–1124](https://github.com/golang/go/blob/c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba/src/cmd/go/internal/test/test.go#L1099-L1124)).
+- `builderTest` constructs the ordinary build/run/clean/print chain and gives
+  the run and print boundaries the failure handling needed to reach ordered
+  output; its compile-only branch instead uses a dependency-sensitive nop
+  print action
+  ([lines 1133–1169 and 1185–1366](https://github.com/golang/go/blob/c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba/src/cmd/go/internal/test/test.go#L1133-L1366)).
+- `(*runTestActor).Act` turns a dependency build failure into a package test
+  result and sets exit status 1
+  ([lines 1436–1521](https://github.com/golang/go/blob/c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba/src/cmd/go/internal/test/test.go#L1436-L1521)).
+  Every non-nil execution error, including nonzero exit or abnormal/start
+  failure, likewise sets the exit status and emits the package failure result
+  ([lines 1644–1774](https://github.com/golang/go/blob/c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba/src/cmd/go/internal/test/test.go#L1644-L1774)).
+- `builderCleanTest` and `builderPrintTest` put cleanup and captured package
+  output before the root status action
+  ([lines 2237–2259](https://github.com/golang/go/blob/c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba/src/cmd/go/internal/test/test.go#L2237-L2259)).
+  `printExitStatus` then prints exactly `FAIL\n` when at least one package
+  argument was explicit and the global exit status is nonzero
+  ([lines 2262–2284](https://github.com/golang/go/blob/c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba/src/cmd/go/internal/test/test.go#L2262-L2284)).
+- Official `test_status.txt` requires a failing package, a later successful
+  package, and a final standalone `FAIL\n`
+  ([lines 3–6](https://github.com/golang/go/blob/c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba/src/cmd/go/testdata/script/test_status.txt#L3-L6)).
+  Official `test_syntax_error_says_fail.txt` requires `FAIL` for an explicit
+  test build/setup syntax failure
+  ([lines 1–13](https://github.com/golang/go/blob/c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba/src/cmd/go/testdata/script/test_syntax_error_says_fail.txt#L1-L13)).
+- `testFlags` records explicit file operands in `pkgArgs`
+  ([`cmd/go/internal/test/testflag.go`, lines 219–290](https://github.com/golang/go/blob/c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba/src/cmd/go/internal/test/testflag.go#L219-L290));
+  `PackagesAndErrors` turns those files into the command-line package
+  ([`cmd/go/internal/load/pkg.go`, lines 2895–2918](https://github.com/golang/go/blob/c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba/src/cmd/go/internal/load/pkg.go#L2895-L2918)),
+  which `GoFilesPackage` constructs
+  ([lines 3244–3315](https://github.com/golang/go/blob/c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba/src/cmd/go/internal/load/pkg.go#L3244-L3315)).
+
+Those source rules and official assertions are behavior directly implemented
+or asserted by pinned Go. The single-explicit-package and raw-file cases are
+derived from `len(pkgArgs) != 0` and the explicit-file loading path. The bare
+implicit exclusion is derived from empty `pkgArgs`. The compile-only and
+publication-only exclusions are derived from their uncleared dependency
+failure preventing the root actor under the pinned work executor
+([`cmd/go/internal/work/exec.go`, lines 134–205](https://github.com/golang/go/blob/c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba/src/cmd/go/internal/work/exec.go#L134-L205)).
+
+#### Fresh four-axis audit and direct pre-fix measurements
+
+The bounded audit considered all four permanent axes and selected only this
+test-command status gap:
+
+- **Go-like build:** pinned unresolved-symbol handling and its undeclared-main
+  case are owned by `(*ErrorReporter).errorUnresolved`
+  ([`cmd/link/internal/ld/errors.go`, lines 29–65](https://github.com/golang/go/blob/c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba/src/cmd/link/internal/ld/errors.go#L29-L65)),
+  with official assertions in `TestUndefinedRelocErrors`
+  ([`cmd/link/internal/ld/ld_test.go`, lines 19–45](https://github.com/golang/go/blob/c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba/src/cmd/link/internal/ld/ld_test.go#L19-L45))
+  and `issue10978/main.go`
+  ([lines 5–27](https://github.com/golang/go/blob/c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba/src/cmd/link/internal/ld/testdata/issue10978/main.go#L5-L27)).
+  Direct Cstage and WWstage no-main builds both exited 1 with identical linker
+  diagnostics and no output. This candidate was aligned.
+- **Go-like test:** an explicit failing directory made both stages exit 1 with
+  empty stderr and byte-identical 207-byte stdout (SHA-256
+  `3d0d44d5d9c4d4d95446382807ee092a611f19b43dc3013cf8df76f135cb5c46`),
+  ending at its package failure rather than a standalone marker. A failing then
+  successful `-j 2` request had byte-identical 384-byte stdout (SHA-256
+  `4623567924df78375fcca84ff797b7cb89d06d3fd5382704d8b9ebb79916b9d9`)
+  ending at the successful `ok` result. A raw-file failure had byte-identical
+  121-byte stdout (SHA-256
+  `8db356ffc5b3a6d9df3308bfba8301329c5c07ce30c5ccd5cc5ee22a6c43331c`)
+  ending at harness accounting. Explicit missing-import build failure likewise
+  lacked the final marker. These directly measured pre-fix WW facts establish
+  the selected external difference. Bare implicit and `-c` failures already
+  omitted the marker and were aligned exclusions.
+- **Go-like package:** `MultiplePackageError` and package scanning implement
+  conflicting selected declarations
+  ([`go/build/build.go`, lines 538–548 and 931–967](https://github.com/golang/go/blob/c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba/src/go/build/build.go#L538-L548));
+  `TestMultiplePackageImport` asserts the rule
+  ([`go/build/build_test.go`, lines 105–133](https://github.com/golang/go/blob/c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba/src/go/build/build_test.go#L105-L133)).
+  Both WW stages rejected an `alpha`/`beta` directory identically before tools.
+  This candidate was aligned.
+- **Go-like import:** `unusedImports` and `errorUnusedPkg` implement the unused
+  renamed-import diagnostic
+  ([`cmd/compile/internal/types2/resolver.go`, lines 706–740](https://github.com/golang/go/blob/c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/resolver.go#L706-L740));
+  official `importdecl0` asserts ordinary and renamed forms
+  ([lines 9–27](https://github.com/golang/go/blob/c19862e5f8415b4f24b189d065ed739517c548ba/src/internal/types/testdata/check/importdecl0/importdecl0a.go#L9-L27)).
+  After normalizing only PID-bearing scratch roots, both WW stages produced the
+  same unused-renamed-import diagnostic and no output. This candidate was
+  aligned.
+
+The command results in that list are directly measured WW behavior; the linked
+source and tests are behavior directly implemented or asserted by pinned Go.
+The conclusion that only test presentation changes while build, package, and
+import identity remain fixed is behavior derived from the pinned action and
+final-status placement.
+
+#### Ownership, final behavior, and preserved boundaries
+
+The directory owner is `internal/wwpackage.packagecommand`: its private
+explicit-target bit affects only final status, and `pkgemitplan`/`pkgemitgroup`
+record attributable build/run failure while preserving canonical result order.
+After all package captures, package results, install attempts, and temporary-root
+cleanup, the coordinator emits one final line. Attributable setup/load rejection
+uses the same status helper. The two public drivers own the raw-file equivalent:
+they remember the producer or process result, finish their existing cleanup,
+then emit the line. A successful run followed only by install or cleanup failure
+does not acquire test-failure status.
+
+Loading and source selection, canonical package and import identity, graph
+nodes, action construction, scheduling, compiler/assembler/linker invocation,
+generated main, child argv/environment/cwd/stdin, capture bytes, package
+diagnostics, and diagnostic precedence are unchanged. Runtime nonzero exit,
+signal, timeout, and executable-start failure keep their existing
+classification; only the command status line follows. One command-global bit
+is isolated from every product-local capture, so parallel completion order
+cannot duplicate or reorder it. If the coordinator itself is interrupted before
+final emission no post-termination output is promised; an observed child
+interruption is an ordinary run failure.
+
+Artifact construction and bytes are unchanged. A failing running-retained test
+still preserves prior public bytes and creates no new executable; successful
+products in a mixed request retain their existing independent install results.
+Producer failure, publication rejection, transaction rollback, cleanup, and
+residue ownership are unchanged, and the marker creates no file. Physical
+directories and the private explicit-target signal do not enter package,
+import, graph, action, artifact, symbol, `.wwi`, publication, or persistence
+identity. No persisted byte or key changed, so build workdir format remains
+`18`, test workdir format remains `19`, and semantic storage format remains `3`.
+
+The WW-native `explicit_test_failure_has_final_status` observer covers both
+stages for single and concurrent failing/succeeding packages, filters, list
+mode, raw files, setup/build and runtime failure, success, bare implicit and
+compile-only exclusions, running retained rollback, artifact-byte equality,
+diagnostic equality, exact cardinality/order, and `.new`/transaction cleanup.
+Existing directory execution observers cover signals, timeouts, child cleanup,
+and canonical-order behavior with the new final line, while build-mode controls
+prove that the other command axis remains silent.
+
 ## 12. Candidate architectures and hard-gate decision
 
 Five candidates were developed as coherent systems, not as feature bins.
diff --git a/docs/spec.md b/docs/spec.md
index 2c8c5fee..1a882c85 100644
--- a/docs/spec.md
+++ b/docs/spec.md
@@ -790,6 +790,19 @@ linker, and other build failures retain their diagnostic standard-error
 channel; build-action stdout and stderr remain separate. Parallel products own
 independent captures and are still emitted in canonical product order.
 
+After those ordered results, an ordinary explicit `ww test` request that records
+an attributable setup, build, or execution failure emits exactly one standalone
+`FAIL\n` on standard output. The line is command-owned: it follows even a later
+successful package result, and a single explicit directory, recursive or dotted
+directory, or raw source file is sufficient. Runtime nonzero exit, signal,
+timeout, or executable-start failure all set that status. Filters, list mode,
+and the private execution of a retained test keep the same rule. Bare implicit
+current-directory `ww test`, `-c`, `-S`, build requests, CLI usage/shape or
+output preflight, publication-only failure, capture-only failure, cleanup-only
+failure, and later direct execution of a retained binary do not emit it. The
+marker changes no capture, diagnostic, executable, package/import/action
+identity, publication decision, or persistent byte.
+
 The coordinator does not change its own cwd or environment. Parallel products
 receive independent child environments and each uses its own source directory.
 Relative ordinary files, `testdata`, and writes resolve there for every
diff --git a/docs/test-system-v2.md b/docs/test-system-v2.md
index 2efb3ecd..0748a476 100644
--- a/docs/test-system-v2.md
+++ b/docs/test-system-v2.md
@@ -322,6 +322,18 @@ has a distinct capture, while canonical group-order emission remains
 byte-stable across `-j` values. Build-plan stdout and stderr stay distinct, and
 loader/build diagnostics stay on stderr.
 
+After canonical result emission, an ordinary test command with any explicit
+directory, recursive, dotted-directory, or raw-file target emits exactly one
+final standalone `FAIL\n` when attributable setup, build, or test execution
+failed. It follows later successful package output and applies to filters, list
+mode, signals, timeouts, executable-start failures, and running retained tests.
+The bare implicit-current-directory form, `-c`, `-S`, build requests, CLI
+usage/shape or output preflight, publication-only, capture-only, cleanup-only,
+and direct retained-binary execution do not receive the command marker.
+Directory coordination and both raw-file drivers own only this final
+presentation state; test captures, result trailers, diagnostics, scheduling,
+rollback, artifact bytes, and persisted action identity remain unchanged.
+
 The physical directory remains distinct from exact dotted package identity and
 from production, internal, external, recompiled, support, and generated-main
 action identity. Only product execution uses it. Compiler, assembler, archiver,
diff --git a/internal/wwpackage/package.ww b/internal/wwpackage/package.ww
index 3d6665a7..4699bb54 100644
--- a/internal/wwpackage/package.ww
+++ b/internal/wwpackage/package.ww
@@ -372,6 +372,17 @@ fn pkgputln(fd: i32, s: str) void = {
 	pkgput(fd, "\n");
 };
 
+// Go's final test-status action is command-owned: after an explicit ordinary
+// package request records a setup, build, or run failure, it prints one final
+// FAIL after the ordered package results. Implicit current-directory testing
+// and compile-only testing deliberately do not use this action.
+fn pkgteststatusfail(explicitstatus: bool, compileonly: bool) int = {
+	if (explicitstatus && !compileonly) {
+		pkgputln(os.STDOUT_FILENO, "FAIL");
+	};
+	return 1;
+};
+
 fn pkgputhexbyte(fd: i32, value: u8) void = {
 	let digits: str = "0123456789abcdef";
 	let encoded: [2]u8;
@@ -1704,7 +1715,8 @@ fn pkgemitinstall(g: *pkggroup) bool = {
 	return true;
 };
 
-fn pkgemitgroup(g: *pkggroup, compileonly: bool) bool = {
+fn pkgemitgroup(g: *pkggroup, compileonly: bool,
+	statusfailed: *bool) bool = {
 	if (g.notests) {
 		pkgput(os.STDOUT_FILENO, "?    ");
 		pkgput(os.STDOUT_FILENO, g.dir);
@@ -1728,6 +1740,7 @@ fn pkgemitgroup(g: *pkggroup, compileonly: bool) bool = {
 		pkgput(os.STDOUT_FILENO, "\n");
 	};
 	if (!pkgrunok(g)) {
+		*statusfailed = true;
 		pkgreportcommand(os.STDOUT_FILENO, "test", g, &g.runres);
 		return false;
 	};
@@ -1740,7 +1753,7 @@ fn pkgemitgroup(g: *pkggroup, compileonly: bool) bool = {
 // A directory build capture is emitted once, followed by its independently
 // executed products in their existing byte-sorted group order.
 fn pkgemitplan(p: *pkgplan, groups: []pkggroup,
-	compileonly: bool, buildonly: bool) i32 = {
+	compileonly: bool, buildonly: bool, statusfailed: *bool) i32 = {
 	let buildcaptures: bool = pkgemitfile(p.buildout, os.STDOUT_FILENO);
 	buildcaptures = pkgemitfile(p.builderr, os.STDERR_FILENO) && buildcaptures;
 	if (!buildcaptures) {
@@ -1755,11 +1768,14 @@ fn pkgemitplan(p: *pkgplan, groups: []pkggroup,
 				pkgreportcommand(os.STDERR_FILENO, "build", &groups[i],
 					&p.buildres);
 			};
+			if (!buildonly && !compileonly) { *statusfailed = true; };
 			failed += 1;
 		} else if (buildonly) {
 			void;
 		} else {
-			if (!pkgemitgroup(&groups[i], compileonly)) { failed += 1; };
+			if (!pkgemitgroup(&groups[i], compileonly, statusfailed)) {
+				failed += 1;
+			};
 			if (!compileonly && !pkgemitinstall(&groups[i])) { failed += 1; };
 		};
 		i += 1;
@@ -1774,6 +1790,7 @@ export fn packagecommand(args: []str) int = {
 	let jobs: i32 = 1;
 	let afterdash: bool = false;
 	let buildrootseen: bool = false;
+	let explicitstatus: bool = false;
 	if (args.len == PKG_COUNT_MAX) {
 		pkgputln(os.STDERR_FILENO,
 			"wwtest package: package graph is too large");
@@ -1943,6 +1960,12 @@ export fn packagecommand(args: []str) int = {
 			i += 2;
 			continue;
 		};
+		if (strings.compare(a, "--ww-explicit-test-target") == 0) {
+			if (explicitstatus || buildonly) { pkgusage(); return 2; };
+			explicitstatus = true;
+			i += 1;
+			continue;
+		};
 		if (strings.compare(a, "--ww-operation") == 0) {
 			if (i + 1 >= args.len || strings.compare(args[i + 1], "build") != 0
 				|| buildonly) {
@@ -2052,7 +2075,10 @@ export fn packagecommand(args: []str) int = {
 		};
 		i += 1;
 	};
-	if (ds.errors != 0) { return 1; };
+	if (ds.errors != 0) {
+		if (ds.fatal) { return 1; };
+		return pkgteststatusfail(explicitstatus, compileonly);
+	};
 	pkgsortstrings(directroots.paths);
 	directroots.paths = pkgdedup(directroots.paths);
 	i = 0;
@@ -2063,7 +2089,7 @@ export fn packagecommand(args: []str) int = {
 			&canonicaloom)) {
 			if (canonicaloom) { return 1; };
 			pkgfailpath(ds.paths[i], "cannot canonicalize package directory");
-			return 1;
+			return pkgteststatusfail(explicitstatus, compileonly);
 		};
 		let canonicalsource: str;
 		if (!pkgstring(&canonicalsource, canonicaldir, "/",
@@ -2115,7 +2141,7 @@ export fn packagecommand(args: []str) int = {
 		let pn: str;
 		if (!pkgread(ds.paths[i], &body) || !pkgclause(body, &pn)) {
 			pkgfailpath(ds.paths[i], "invalid or missing package clause");
-			return 1;
+			return pkgteststatusfail(explicitstatus, compileonly);
 		};
 		if (!pkgstring(&s.pkg, pn)) { return 1; };
 		append(srcs, s);
@@ -2221,7 +2247,8 @@ export fn packagecommand(args: []str) int = {
 					} else {
 						pkgfailpath(srcs[j].path,
 							"test package must match production package or <package>_test");
-						return 1;
+						return pkgteststatusfail(explicitstatus,
+							compileonly);
 					};
 				};
 				j += 1;
@@ -2242,7 +2269,8 @@ export fn packagecommand(args: []str) int = {
 						&& strings.compare(srcs[j].pkg, secondpkg) != 0) {
 						pkgfailpath(srcs[j].path,
 							"test package must match production package or <package>_test");
-						return 1;
+						return pkgteststatusfail(explicitstatus,
+							compileonly);
 					};
 				};
 				j += 1;
@@ -2253,7 +2281,8 @@ export fn packagecommand(args: []str) int = {
 					if (family.len == 0) {
 						pkgfailpath(f.path,
 							"external test package has empty base name");
-						return 1;
+						return pkgteststatusfail(explicitstatus,
+							compileonly);
 					};
 					hasexternal = true;
 					externalpkg = firstpkg;
@@ -2284,7 +2313,7 @@ export fn packagecommand(args: []str) int = {
 				} else {
 					pkgfailpath(f.path,
 						"test package must match production package or <package>_test");
-					return 1;
+					return pkgteststatusfail(explicitstatus, compileonly);
 				};
 			};
 		};
@@ -2511,6 +2540,7 @@ export fn packagecommand(args: []str) int = {
 	let planout: str = outname;
 	if (buildnull) { planout = ""; };
 	let failed: i32 = 0;
+	let statusfailed: bool = false;
 	i = 0;
 	for (i < plans.len) {
 		if (!pkgsetplanpaths(&plans[i], groups, tmproot, i,
@@ -2675,7 +2705,8 @@ export fn packagecommand(args: []str) int = {
 
 	i = 0;
 	for (i < plans.len) {
-		failed += pkgemitplan(&plans[i], groups, compileonly, buildonly);
+		failed += pkgemitplan(&plans[i], groups, compileonly, buildonly,
+			&statusfailed);
 		i += 1;
 	};
 	if (!pkgremoveall(tmproot)) {
@@ -2683,6 +2714,9 @@ export fn packagecommand(args: []str) int = {
 		pkgputln(os.STDERR_FILENO, tmproot);
 		failed += 1;
 	};
+	if (statusfailed && explicitstatus && !compileonly) {
+		pkgputln(os.STDOUT_FILENO, "FAIL");
+	};
 	if (failed != 0) { return 1; };
 	return 0;
 };
diff --git a/selfhost/cmd/ww/main.ww b/selfhost/cmd/ww/main.ww
index aca243d4..eb352b0b 100644
--- a/selfhost/cmd/ww/main.ww
+++ b/selfhost/cmd/ww/main.ww
@@ -273,11 +273,11 @@ fn execpackagetests(selfdir: *u8, argv: **u8, argc: i32, start: i32,
 		if (prog == nil) { return 1; };
 	};
 
-	if (start < 0 || start > argc || argc - start > SEP_COUNT_MAX - 10) {
+	if (start < 0 || start > argc || argc - start > SEP_COUNT_MAX - 11) {
 		sepfailsize();
 		return 1;
 	};
-	let cap: i32 = argc - start + 10;
+	let cap: i32 = argc - start + 11;
 	let execargv: []*u8;
 	let argvallocation: ([]*u8 | nomem) = sepallocptrs(cap);
 	match (argvallocation) {
@@ -300,6 +300,9 @@ fn execpackagetests(selfdir: *u8, argv: **u8, argc: i32, start: i32,
 	};
 	execargv[n] = "--ww-driver".ptr; n += 1;
 	execargv[n] = selfpath; n += 1;
+	if (!buildonly && !adddot) {
+		execargv[n] = "--ww-explicit-test-target".ptr; n += 1;
+	};
 	if (rootidentity != nil) {
 		execargv[n] = "--ww-root-identity".ptr; n += 1;
 		execargv[n] = rootidentity; n += 1;
@@ -9243,6 +9246,9 @@ fn runsingletest(selfdir: *u8, src: *u8, incs: *u8, compileonly: i32,
 				cerr("ww: cannot remove temporary directory\n");
 			};
 		};
+		if (compileonly == 0 && emitasm == 0) {
+			os.write(1, "FAIL\n".ptr, 5u64);
+		};
 		return 1;
 	};
 	if (compileonly != 0 || emitasm != 0) {
@@ -9292,6 +9298,7 @@ fn runsingletest(selfdir: *u8, src: *u8, incs: *u8, compileonly: i32,
 	if (toolbin != nil) {
 		os.free(toolbin: *void, cstrlen(toolbin) + 1u64);
 	};
+	let testfailed: bool = rc != 0;
 	if (rc == 0 && deferredinstall
 	    && sepinstalltestoutput(outp, outstem) != 0) { rc = 1; };
 	if (owntmp) {
@@ -9305,6 +9312,7 @@ fn runsingletest(selfdir: *u8, src: *u8, incs: *u8, compileonly: i32,
 			if (rc == 0) { rc = 1; };
 		};
 	};
+	if (testfailed) { os.write(1, "FAIL\n".ptr, 5u64); };
 	return rc;
 };
 
@@ -9804,6 +9812,9 @@ fn dotest(selfdir: *u8, argv: **u8, argc: i32, start: i32) i32 = {
 		if (resolved == nil) {
 			cerr("ww test: cannot find ");
 			os.write(2, target, cstrlen(target)); cerr("\n");
+			if (targetindex >= 0 && compileonly == 0 && emitasm == 0) {
+				os.write(1, "FAIL\n".ptr, 5u64);
+			};
 			return 1;
 		};
 	};
diff --git a/test/package/package_test.ww b/test/package/package_test.ww
index 5cb226ba..03060e12 100644
--- a/test/package/package_test.ww
+++ b/test/package/package_test.ww
@@ -1159,6 +1159,7 @@ fn cwdwritedata(dir: str, label: str) void = {
 	assert(outc.stderr.len == 0);
 	assert(has(outc.stdout, strings.concat("FAIL ", p7,
 		" [p7] (test exit 1)\n")));
+	assert(strings.hassuffix(outc.stdout, "\nFAIL\n"));
 
 	let timeoutc: []str = [driver("ww"), "test", "-timeout-ms=50", "-I",
 		tree, "-I", failtree, p8];
@@ -1180,6 +1181,7 @@ fn cwdwritedata(dir: str, label: str) void = {
 	assert(outc.stderr.len == 0);
 	assert(has(outc.stdout, strings.concat("FAIL ", p8,
 		" [p8] (test exit 1)\n")));
+	assert(strings.hassuffix(outc.stdout, "\nFAIL\n"));
 
 	let signalc: []str = [driver("ww"), "test", "-I", tree, "-I",
 		failtree, p9];
@@ -1199,6 +1201,7 @@ fn cwdwritedata(dir: str, label: str) void = {
 	assert(outc.stderr.len == 0);
 	assert(has(outc.stdout, strings.concat("FAIL ", p9,
 		" [p9] (test exit 1)\n")));
+	assert(strings.hassuffix(outc.stdout, "\nFAIL\n"));
 
 	// Source-class rejection precedes every captured build or test child, so a
 	// nonempty caller input cannot create a partial persistent generation.
@@ -1216,7 +1219,7 @@ fn cwdwritedata(dir: str, label: str) void = {
 		stdinpath, (60i64 * (time.second: i64)): time.duration, &outw);
 	expectexit(&outc, 1);
 	expectexit(&outw, 1);
-	assert(outc.stdout.len == 0 && outw.stdout.len == 0);
+	assert(same(outc.stdout, "FAIL\n") && same(outw.stdout, "FAIL\n"));
 	assert(same(outc.stderr, outw.stderr));
 	assert(has(outc.stderr,
 		"test package must match production package or <package>_test\n"));
@@ -1360,6 +1363,7 @@ fn cwdwritedata(dir: str, label: str) void = {
 		(90i64 * (time.second: i64)): time.duration, &outc);
 	expectexit(&outc, 1);
 	cwdassertpackage(outc.stdout, "p7-fail", p7, "p7-data", "p7-testdata");
+	assert(strings.hassuffix(outc.stdout, "\nFAIL\n"));
 	assert(same(retainedbytes, readfile(retained)));
 	runcommandinputenvdir(root, "path-retain-fail-ww", retainfailw, wenv,
 		caller, stdinpath,
@@ -1735,6 +1739,7 @@ fn cwdwritedata(dir: str, label: str) void = {
 			(90i64 * (time.second: i64)): time.duration, &out);
 		expectexit(&out, 1);
 		assert(out.stderr.len == 0);
+		assert(strings.hassuffix(out.stdout, "\nFAIL\n"));
 		assert(has(out.stdout, "partial-success\nok   "));
 		assert(!has(out.stdout, "partial-successok   "));
 		assert(has(out.stdout, "partial-failure\nFAIL "));
@@ -1792,6 +1797,133 @@ fn cwdwritedata(dir: str, label: str) void = {
 	clean(root);
 };
 
+@test fn explicit_test_failure_has_final_status() void = {
+	let root: str = fresh();
+	let fail: str = strings.concat(root, "/fail");
+	let pass: str = strings.concat(root, "/pass");
+	let setup: str = strings.concat(root, "/setup");
+	mkdirall(fail); mkdirall(pass); mkdirall(setup);
+	let failfile: str = strings.concat(fail, "/fail_test.ww");
+	writefile(failfile, strings.concat(
+		"package final_fail;\n",
+		"@test fn fails() void = { assert(false); };\n"));
+	writefile(strings.concat(pass, "/pass_test.ww"), strings.concat(
+		"package final_pass;\n",
+		"@test fn passes() void = { assert(true); };\n"));
+	writefile(strings.concat(setup, "/bad_test.ww"), strings.concat(
+		"package final_setup;\nimport nowhere;\n",
+		"@test fn unreachable() void = { void; };\n"));
+
+	let stages: []str = ["ww", "ww_ww"];
+	let tags: []str = ["c", "ww"];
+	let multiout: []str = ["", ""];
+	let multierr: []str = ["", ""];
+	let rawout: []str = ["", ""];
+	let setuperr: []str = ["", ""];
+	let out: commandout;
+	let i: i32 = 0;
+	for (i < stages.len) {
+		let multiav: []str = [driver(stages[i]), "test", "-j", "2",
+			fail, pass];
+		runcommand(root, strings.concat("final-multi-", tags[i]), multiav,
+			(60i64 * (time.second: i64)): time.duration, &out);
+		expectexit(&out, 1);
+		assert(out.stderr.len == 0);
+		assert(strings.hassuffix(out.stdout, "\nFAIL\n"));
+		assert(occurrences(out.stdout, "\nFAIL\n") == 1);
+		assert(has(out.stdout, strings.concat("ok   ", pass,
+			" [final_pass]\nFAIL\n")));
+		multiout[i] = strings.dup(out.stdout);
+		multierr[i] = strings.dup(out.stderr);
+
+		let filterav: []str = [driver(stages[i]), "test", "-run", "fails",
+			fail];
+		runcommand(root, strings.concat("final-filter-", tags[i]), filterav,
+			(60i64 * (time.second: i64)): time.duration, &out);
+		expectexit(&out, 1);
+		assert(out.stderr.len == 0);
+		assert(strings.hassuffix(out.stdout, "\nFAIL\n"));
+
+		let listav: []str = [driver(stages[i]), "test", "-list", setup];
+		runcommand(root, strings.concat("final-list-", tags[i]), listav,
+			(60i64 * (time.second: i64)): time.duration, &out);
+		expectexit(&out, 1);
+		assert(same(out.stdout, "FAIL\n"));
+		assert(has(out.stderr, "cannot find package nowhere\n"));
+
+		let rawav: []str = [driver(stages[i]), "test", failfile];
+		runcommand(root, strings.concat("final-raw-", tags[i]), rawav,
+			(60i64 * (time.second: i64)): time.duration, &out);
+		expectexit(&out, 1);
+		assert(out.stderr.len == 0);
+		assert(strings.hassuffix(out.stdout, "\nFAIL\n"));
+		assert(!has(out.stdout, strings.concat("FAIL ", fail, " [")));
+		rawout[i] = strings.dup(out.stdout);
+
+		let setupav: []str = [driver(stages[i]), "test", setup];
+		runcommand(root, strings.concat("final-setup-", tags[i]), setupav,
+			(60i64 * (time.second: i64)): time.duration, &out);
+		expectexit(&out, 1);
+		assert(same(out.stdout, "FAIL\n"));
+		assert(has(out.stderr, "cannot find package nowhere\n"));
+		assert(has(out.stderr, strings.concat("FAIL ", setup,
+			" [final_setup] (build exit 1)\n")));
+		setuperr[i] = strings.dup(out.stderr);
+
+		let missing: str = strings.concat(root, "/missing");
+		let missingav: []str = [driver(stages[i]), "test", missing];
+		runcommand(root, strings.concat("final-missing-", tags[i]), missingav,
+			(60i64 * (time.second: i64)): time.duration, &out);
+		expectexit(&out, 1);
+		assert(same(out.stdout, "FAIL\n"));
+		assert(same(out.stderr, strings.concat("ww test: cannot find ",
+			missing, "\n")));
+
+		let implicitav: []str = [driver(stages[i]), "test"];
+		runcommanddir(root, strings.concat("final-implicit-", tags[i]), fail,
+			implicitav, (60i64 * (time.second: i64)): time.duration, &out);
+		expectexit(&out, 1);
+		assert(out.stderr.len == 0);
+		assert(!strings.hassuffix(out.stdout, "\nFAIL\n"));
+
+		let compileav: []str = [driver(stages[i]), "test", "-c", setup];
+		runcommand(root, strings.concat("final-compile-", tags[i]), compileav,
+			(60i64 * (time.second: i64)): time.duration, &out);
+		expectexit(&out, 1);
+		assert(out.stdout.len == 0);
+		assert(has(out.stderr, "cannot find package nowhere\n"));
+
+		let successav: []str = [driver(stages[i]), "test", pass];
+		runcommand(root, strings.concat("final-success-", tags[i]), successav,
+			(60i64 * (time.second: i64)): time.duration, &out);
+		expectexit(&out, 0);
+		assert(out.stderr.len == 0);
+		assert(!strings.hassuffix(out.stdout, "\nFAIL\n"));
+
+		let retained: str = strings.concat(root, "/retained-", tags[i], ".test");
+		writefile(retained, "prior-test-binary\n");
+		let retainav: []str = [driver(stages[i]), "test", "-o", retained,
+			fail];
+		runcommand(root, strings.concat("final-retained-", tags[i]), retainav,
+			(60i64 * (time.second: i64)): time.duration, &out);
+		expectexit(&out, 1);
+		assert(out.stderr.len == 0);
+		assert(strings.hassuffix(out.stdout, "\nFAIL\n"));
+		assert(same(readfile(retained), "prior-test-binary\n"));
+		assert(!os.exists(strings.concat(retained, ".new")));
+		assert(!directoryhasfragment(root, ".wwtxn."));
+		i += 1;
+	};
+	assert(same(multiout[0], multiout[1]));
+	assert(same(multierr[0], multierr[1]));
+	assert(same(rawout[0], rawout[1]));
+	assert(same(setuperr[0], setuperr[1]));
+	assert(same(readfile(strings.concat(root, "/retained-c.test")),
+		readfile(strings.concat(root, "/retained-ww.test"))));
+	assert(!directoryhasnew(root));
+	clean(root);
+};
+
 @test fn imported_dependency_tests_do_not_leak() void = {
 	let root: str = fresh();
 	let base: str = packagepath("dependency");
@@ -4967,7 +5099,7 @@ fn cwdwritedata(dir: str, label: str) void = {
 		runcommand(root, strings.concat("multidir-failure-", stages[i]), av,
 			(120i64 * (time.second: i64)): time.duration, &out);
 		expectexit(&out, 1);
-		assert(out.stdout.len == 0);
+		assert(same(out.stdout, "FAIL\n"));
 		assert(has(out.stderr, "has no exported declaration 'hidden'"));
 		assert(has(out.stderr, strings.concat("FAIL ", alpha,
 			" [alpha] (build exit 1)\n")));
@@ -5033,7 +5165,7 @@ fn cwdwritedata(dir: str, label: str) void = {
 		runcommand(root, strings.concat("isolated-external-", tags[i]),
 			externalav, (120i64 * (time.second: i64)): time.duration, &out);
 		expectexit(&out, 1);
-		assert(out.stdout.len == 0);
+		assert(same(out.stdout, "FAIL\n"));
 		assert(has(out.stderr,
 			"has no exported declaration 'hidden'"));
 		assert(has(out.stderr,
@@ -5049,7 +5181,7 @@ fn cwdwritedata(dir: str, label: str) void = {
 		runcommand(root, strings.concat("isolated-same-", tags[i]), sameav,
 			(120i64 * (time.second: i64)): time.duration, &out);
 		expectexit(&out, 1);
-		assert(out.stdout.len == 0);
+		assert(same(out.stdout, "FAIL\n"));
 		assert(has(out.stderr, "undefined: missing"));
 		assert(has(out.stderr, strings.concat("FAIL ", badsame,
 			" [badsame] (build exit 1)\n")));
@@ -8168,12 +8300,15 @@ fn cwdwritedata(dir: str, label: str) void = {
 				(120i64 * (time.second: i64)): time.duration, &out);
 			expectexit(&out, 1);
 			let foldfullwant: str = foldwants[fi];
+			let foldstdoutwant: str = "";
 			if (same(foldmodes[fi], "test")) {
 				foldfullwant = strings.concat(foldwants[fi], "FAIL ",
 					foldtargets[fi], " [", foldpackages[fi],
 					"] (build exit 1)\n");
+				foldstdoutwant = "FAIL\n";
 			};
-			assert(out.stdout.len == 0 && same(out.stderr, foldfullwant));
+			assert(same(out.stdout, foldstdoutwant)
+				&& same(out.stderr, foldfullwant));
 			assert(readfile(compilertrace).len == 0);
 			assert(readfile(assemblertrace).len == 0);
 			assert(readfile(linkertrace).len == 0);