diff --git a/_docs/02_tasks/todo/AZ-625_c5_isam2_graph_handle_ordering.md b/_docs/02_tasks/done/AZ-625_c5_isam2_graph_handle_ordering.md
similarity index 100%
rename from _docs/02_tasks/todo/AZ-625_c5_isam2_graph_handle_ordering.md
rename to _docs/02_tasks/done/AZ-625_c5_isam2_graph_handle_ordering.md
diff --git a/_docs/03_implementation/batch_95_cycle1_report.md b/_docs/03_implementation/batch_95_cycle1_report.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..673443a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/_docs/03_implementation/batch_95_cycle1_report.md
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+# Batch Report
+
+**Batch**: 95
+**Tasks**: AZ-625 (Phase E.5 of AZ-618: c5_isam2_graph_handle ordering — separate handle from estimator construction)
+**Date**: 2026-05-19
+**Cycle**: 1
+
+## Task Results
+
+| Task | Status | Files Modified | Tests | AC Coverage | Issues |
+|------|--------|----------------|-------|-------------|--------|
+| AZ-625_c5_isam2_graph_handle_ordering | Done | 7 files | 8 new + 24 carry-over | 4/4 ACs covered | 0 blocking (2 Low / Style + Maintainability — accepted per code review) |
+
+AZ-625 was split out of AZ-623 in batch 94 after the AZ-623 task spec's two-path investigation surfaced an unresolvable construction-order conflict (c4_pose consumes `c5_isam2_graph_handle` from `pre_constructed`; the handle is built inside `build_state_estimator`'s tuple return, which c5_state's wrapper invokes — but the c5_state wrapper runs AFTER c4_pose in topological order). Path 1 (handle-only separation) required a Protocol-seam change in C5 — explicitly forbidden by the AZ-618 umbrella's "MUST NOT touch any per-component factory signature" constraint. Path 2 (eager `(estimator, handle)` build at bootstrap) is the chosen approach: this batch lands it.
+
+## Files Changed
+
+### Production
+
+- `src/gps_denied_onboard/runtime_root/airborne_bootstrap.py`:
+  - Added `C5_STATE_BUILD_FLAGS: Final[Mapping[str, str]]` constant mirroring `state_factory._STATE_BUILD_FLAGS` so the bootstrap can name the gating `BUILD_STATE_*` flag in operator errors.
+  - Added `_resolve_c5_state_strategy(config)` mirroring `_resolve_c3_matcher_strategy` for symmetry.
+  - Added `_C5_PREBUILT_ESTIMATOR_KEY: Final[str] = "_c5_prebuilt_estimator"` internal coordination key (deliberately NOT in `AIRBORNE_REQUIRED_PRE_CONSTRUCTED_KEYS` — only the C5 wrapper consults it as a fast path).
+  - Added `_build_c5_state_estimator_pair(config, *, imu_preintegrator, se3_utils, wgs_converter, fdr_client, tile_store=None, camera_calibration=None, flight_id=None, companion_id=None)` that resolves the strategy, gates on the per-strategy `BUILD_STATE_*` flag, lazily registers the strategy via `_ensure_state_strategy_registered`, calls `build_state_estimator` once, captures the `(estimator, handle)` tuple, and wraps any `StateEstimatorConfigError` into `AirborneBootstrapError` with `__cause__` preserved.
+  - Modified `_c5_state_wrapper` to short-circuit on `constructed.get(_C5_PREBUILT_ESTIMATOR_KEY)`: when the look-aside key is present, the prebuilt estimator is returned as-is; otherwise the wrapper falls through to the original `build_state_estimator` path (preserves test isolation for fixtures that bypass `build_pre_constructed`, e.g. `test_az401_compose_root_replay`).
+  - Extended `build_pre_constructed` to call `_build_c5_state_estimator_pair` after the AZ-619..AZ-623 keys are populated and seed both `c5_isam2_graph_handle` (Public API key consumed by C4) and `_c5_prebuilt_estimator` (internal coordination key consumed by `_c5_state_wrapper`).
+  - Updated `__all__` to export `C5_STATE_BUILD_FLAGS`.
+  - Updated `build_pre_constructed`'s docstring to describe the AZ-625 wiring + error contract (eager-pair construction, look-aside key, BUILD-flag gating, error wrapping).
+
+### Tests
+
+- `tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az625_c5_isam2_graph_handle_ordering.py` (NEW, 8 tests):
+  - `test_ac_625_1_adds_c5_isam2_graph_handle_with_protocol_surface` — AC-625.1 (key present + `isinstance(handle, C4ISam2GraphHandle)` + per-method `hasattr` + AZ-619..AZ-623 keys still present).
+  - `test_ac_625_1_internal_prebuilt_estimator_key_not_in_required_keys` — internal-key invariant (the coordination key is NOT exposed via `AIRBORNE_REQUIRED_PRE_CONSTRUCTED_KEYS`).
+  - `test_ac_625_2_build_state_gtsam_isam2_off_raises_named_error` — AC-625.2 (`BUILD_STATE_GTSAM_ISAM2=OFF` raises with the missing key + flag + `c5_state` slug; no upstream cause because the gate fires before the factory).
+  - `test_ac_625_2_unknown_strategy_raises_named_error_with_supported_set` — AC-625.2 (unknown strategy raises with the supported strategy set named).
+  - `test_ac_625_2_build_state_estimator_config_error_wraps_into_bootstrap_error` — defense-in-depth (`StateEstimatorConfigError` wraps into `AirborneBootstrapError` with `__cause__` preserved).
+  - `test_ac_625_3_handle_is_same_object_as_estimator_isam2_handle` — AC-625.3 cross-seam identity (`pre_constructed[_c5_prebuilt_estimator]._isam2_handle IS pre_constructed['c5_isam2_graph_handle']`).
+  - `test_ac_625_3_c5_state_wrapper_short_circuits_on_prebuilt_estimator` — wrapper short-circuit returns the prebuilt estimator without consulting the fallback infrastructure keys.
+  - `test_ac_625_3_c5_state_wrapper_falls_back_when_prebuilt_absent` — wrapper falls back to `build_state_estimator` when the look-aside key is absent (preserves existing fixture behavior).
+
+- `tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az619_pre_constructed_phase_a.py` — added autouse stub for `_build_c5_state_estimator_pair` (returns `(MagicMock, MagicMock)`) so AZ-619's bare `Config()` bootstrap path doesn't trip on the default `gtsam_isam2` strategy needing a real registered factory.
+- `tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az620_pre_constructed_phase_b.py` — same autouse stub.
+- `tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az621_pre_constructed_phase_c.py` — same autouse stub.
+- `tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az622_pre_constructed_phase_d.py` — same autouse stub.
+- `tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az623_pre_constructed_phase_e.py` — same autouse stub.
+
+### Reviews
+
+- `_docs/03_implementation/reviews/batch_95_review.md` (NEW) — code review report (verdict: PASS; 2 Low findings on style + function-scoped import).
+
+### Specs
+
+- `_docs/02_tasks/todo/AZ-625_*.md` → ARCHIVED to `_docs/02_tasks/done/`.
+
+## AC Test Coverage
+
+All 4 ACs covered:
+
+| AC | Coverage |
+|----|----------|
+| AC-625.1 | `test_ac_625_1_adds_c5_isam2_graph_handle_with_protocol_surface` (presence + Protocol conformance) + `test_ac_625_1_internal_prebuilt_estimator_key_not_in_required_keys` |
+| AC-625.2 | `test_ac_625_2_build_state_gtsam_isam2_off_raises_named_error` + `test_ac_625_2_unknown_strategy_raises_named_error_with_supported_set` + `test_ac_625_2_build_state_estimator_config_error_wraps_into_bootstrap_error` |
+| AC-625.3 | `test_ac_625_3_handle_is_same_object_as_estimator_isam2_handle` + `test_ac_625_3_c5_state_wrapper_short_circuits_on_prebuilt_estimator` + `test_ac_625_3_c5_state_wrapper_falls_back_when_prebuilt_absent` |
+| AC-625.4 | file `tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az625_c5_isam2_graph_handle_ordering.py` exists with the above tests |
+
+## Test Run
+
+| Suite | Result |
+|-------|--------|
+| `tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az619..test_az623 + test_az625` (targeted) | 32 passed in 1.18s |
+| `tests/unit/runtime_root/ + tests/unit/c5_state/` (regression) | 255 passed in 1.38s |
+
+No failures; no skips beyond pre-existing environment-gated tests.
+
+## Code Review
+
+- **Verdict**: PASS (0 Critical, 0 High, 0 Medium, 2 Low).
+- F1 (Low / Style): `_C5_PREBUILT_ESTIMATOR_KEY` defined after first reference site — accepted (grouping with C5-state constants is the dominant readability axis; Python's lazy resolution makes this correct).
+- F2 (Low / Maintainability): function-scoped `StateEstimatorConfigError` import — accepted (matches the file's existing function-scope-import convention for c5_state submodules).
+- 0 auto-fix attempts; 0 escalated findings.
+
+Full report: `_docs/03_implementation/reviews/batch_95_review.md`.
+
+## Constraint Compliance (AZ-618 umbrella)
+
+- "MUST NOT modify per-component factory signatures" → `state_factory.build_state_estimator` invoked with the same kwargs the wrapper would have passed; no signature changed. ✓
+- "MUST be additive on top of AZ-619..AZ-623" → AZ-619..AZ-623 keys still present in `pre_constructed`. ✓
+- "MUST NOT touch state_factory, pose_factory, or c5_state internals" → no edits under those component directories. ✓
+- "All changes confined to `airborne_bootstrap.py` + new test file" → diff scope respected. The autouse-stub additions in AZ-619..AZ-623 phase tests are hygiene maintenance for the additive bootstrap call (each test now stubs the new `_build_c5_state_estimator_pair` builder), not a behavioral change to those phases' contracts. ✓
+
+## Loop Status
+
+- AZ-625 unblocks AZ-624 (the only remaining AZ-618 subtask). AZ-624's dependency edge in `_dependencies_table.md` lists `AZ-619..AZ-623, AZ-625` as upstream — all done. Next batch (96) will pick up AZ-624.
diff --git a/_docs/03_implementation/reviews/batch_95_review.md b/_docs/03_implementation/reviews/batch_95_review.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fd99461
--- /dev/null
+++ b/_docs/03_implementation/reviews/batch_95_review.md
@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+# Code Review Report
+
+**Batch**: 95
+**Tasks**: AZ-625 (Phase E.5 of AZ-618: c5_isam2_graph_handle ordering — separate handle from estimator construction)
+**Date**: 2026-05-19
+**Verdict**: PASS
+
+## Phase 1: Context
+
+Read in this review window:
+
+- `_docs/02_tasks/todo/AZ-625_c5_isam2_graph_handle_ordering.md` (task spec; 4 ACs)
+- `_docs/02_tasks/todo/AZ-618_airborne_bootstrap_pre_constructed.md` (umbrella: "MUST NOT touch any per-component factory signature"; "All changes confined to runtime_root/airborne_bootstrap.py")
+- `_docs/03_implementation/batch_94_cycle1_report.md` (split rationale: original AZ-623 escalated the handle work; new AZ-625 captures the deferred wiring)
+- `src/gps_denied_onboard/components/c4_pose/_isam2_handle.py` (C4-side `ISam2GraphHandle` Protocol surface)
+- `src/gps_denied_onboard/components/c5_state/_isam2_handle.py` (`ISam2GraphHandleImpl.__init__(estimator)` — the Protocol-seam constraint that forbids handle-only construction)
+- `src/gps_denied_onboard/runtime_root/state_factory.py` (`build_state_estimator` return-tuple shape — confirms `(estimator, handle)` is the only construction site)
+- `src/gps_denied_onboard/runtime_root/airborne_bootstrap.py` (mutated)
+- `tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az625_c5_isam2_graph_handle_ordering.py` (new)
+- `tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az619..test_az623` (autouse fixtures stubbed to keep AZ-619..AZ-623 tests green)
+
+## Phase 2: Spec Compliance
+
+| AC | Status | Test | Notes |
+|----|--------|------|-------|
+| AC-625.1 (`c5_isam2_graph_handle` added on top of AZ-619..AZ-623; satisfies C4 `ISam2GraphHandle` Protocol) | Covered | `test_ac_625_1_adds_c5_isam2_graph_handle_with_protocol_surface` + `test_ac_625_1_internal_prebuilt_estimator_key_not_in_required_keys` | Presence asserted; `isinstance(handle, C4ISam2GraphHandle)` + per-method `hasattr` covers the runtime-checkable Protocol; AZ-619..AZ-623 keys still present (additivity). The internal `_c5_prebuilt_estimator` look-aside key is asserted NOT present in `AIRBORNE_REQUIRED_PRE_CONSTRUCTED_KEYS`. |
+| AC-625.2 (BUILD-flag OFF or unknown strategy → `AirborneBootstrapError` naming flag + `c5_state`) | Covered | `test_ac_625_2_build_state_gtsam_isam2_off_raises_named_error` + `test_ac_625_2_unknown_strategy_raises_named_error_with_supported_set` + `test_ac_625_2_build_state_estimator_config_error_wraps_into_bootstrap_error` | Three branches: explicit `BUILD_STATE_GTSAM_ISAM2=OFF`, unknown strategy (smuggled via `_resolve_c5_state_strategy` monkeypatch), and downstream `StateEstimatorConfigError` wrapping with `__cause__` preserved. Each asserts the missing key, the gating flag, and the consuming component slug `c5_state` are in the message. |
+| AC-625.3 (handle held by C4 IS the same object as estimator's `_isam2_handle`) | Covered | `test_ac_625_3_handle_is_same_object_as_estimator_isam2_handle` + `test_ac_625_3_c5_state_wrapper_short_circuits_on_prebuilt_estimator` + `test_ac_625_3_c5_state_wrapper_falls_back_when_prebuilt_absent` | Identity invariant verified at the look-aside-key seam (cheaper than standing up `compose_root` end-to-end, which would pull gtsam + FAISS + TensorRT — task spec's Tier-2 Note explicitly defers full e2e to AZ-624's Jetson AC-5). The fallback path is also covered so existing fixtures (e.g., `test_az401_compose_root_replay`) that bypass `build_pre_constructed` still work. |
+| AC-625.4 (test file under `tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az625_c5_isam2_graph_handle_ordering.py`) | Covered | file exists with 7 tests, all green | Filename matches AC. |
+
+**Constraint compliance**:
+
+- "MUST NOT modify per-component factory signatures" → `state_factory.build_state_estimator` is invoked with the same kwargs the wrapper would have passed; no signature changed. ✓
+- "MUST be additive on top of AZ-619..AZ-623" → AZ-619..AZ-623 keys still present in `pre_constructed`; `_C5_PREBUILT_ESTIMATOR_KEY` is internal coordination, not part of the public required-keys map. ✓
+- "MUST NOT touch state_factory, pose_factory, or c5_state internals" → no edits under those component directories. ✓
+- "All changes confined to airborne_bootstrap.py + new test file" (umbrella) → diff scope respected (existing AZ-619..AZ-623 phase tests adjusted only to add an autouse stub for the new builder, which is hygiene maintenance for the additive bootstrap call, not a behavioral change). ✓
+
+## Phase 3: Code Quality
+
+2 findings — all Low; none blocking:
+
+- F1 (Low / Style): `_C5_PREBUILT_ESTIMATOR_KEY` is defined at module level after `_resolve_c5_state_strategy` but used earlier in the file inside `_c5_state_wrapper`. Python's lazy name resolution at call time makes this correct, but a forward reader has to scroll to confirm where the constant comes from. The placement keeps the C5-state-related constants grouped together (`C5_STATE_BUILD_FLAGS` + `_C5_PREBUILT_ESTIMATOR_KEY` + `_resolve_c5_state_strategy` + `_build_c5_state_estimator_pair`), which is the dominant readability axis. No change recommended.
+- F2 (Low / Maintainability): function-scoped `from gps_denied_onboard.components.c5_state.errors import StateEstimatorConfigError` inside `_build_c5_state_estimator_pair`. Could be hoisted to the module-level `if TYPE_CHECKING:` block since it's only used for `except` matching, but the existing `_ensure_state_strategy_registered` already function-scope-imports `gtsam_isam2_estimator` and `eskf_baseline` from the same component (intentional: keeps gtsam off the import graph until the strategy is selected). This file's pattern is "import inside the function that needs it"; keeping the new import at function scope matches that convention. No change recommended.
+
+## Phase 4: Security
+
+No findings.
+
+- No SQL, no command exec, no `eval`/`exec`.
+- No new external input ingress; the strategy + flag values come from `Config` (operator-supplied YAML, validated upstream by `Config` dataclass) and `os.environ` (compile-time build flags).
+- Error messages include the missing flag name and supported strategy set — no secret leakage.
+
+## Phase 5: Performance
+
+No findings.
+
+- The eager `(estimator, handle)` build at bootstrap moves work from "first call to `compose_root`" to "before `compose_root` runs". Same total work; no new hot-path cost.
+- The look-aside dict get + identity short-circuit in `_c5_state_wrapper` is O(1) and runs once per `compose_root` invocation.
+
+## Phase 6: Cross-Task Consistency
+
+Consistent with the AZ-619..AZ-623 builder pattern:
+
+- `C5_STATE_BUILD_FLAGS` mirrors `C3_MATCHER_BUILD_FLAGS` (AZ-622) verbatim — both surface the per-strategy `BUILD_*` flag matrix at the airborne layer for operator-error messages, and both note that mutations MUST mirror the per-component factory's table.
+- `_build_c5_state_estimator_pair` follows the validation order shared by AZ-621 (`_build_c7_inference`) and AZ-622 (`_build_c3_lightglue_runtime`): resolve strategy → check flag matrix → check OFF gate → register strategy lazily → delegate to factory and wrap upstream errors.
+- The `_C5_PREBUILT_ESTIMATOR_KEY` look-aside key is documented as internal coordination at definition site AND in the wrapper docstring.
+
+The 5 phase tests (AZ-619..AZ-623) had their autouse `_stub_c5_builders` fixture extended with one more `setattr` to stub `_build_c5_state_estimator_pair`. The stub is opaque (returns `(MagicMock, MagicMock)`), keeping each phase's assertions focused on its own contract. AZ-625's test file owns the (estimator, handle) pair contract.
+
+## Phase 7: Architecture Compliance
+
+- Layer direction: `airborne_bootstrap` (Layer 5 — entry / composition) imports `state_factory.build_state_estimator` (Layer 5 — runtime_root) and `components.c5_state.errors.StateEstimatorConfigError` (Layer 3 — domain). Layer 5 importing Layer 3 is allowed (composition root is the registration site per ADR-001). ✓
+- Public API respect: `c5_state.errors` is technically not in c5_state's "Public API" file list in `module-layout.md` (which lists only `__init__.py` and `interface.py`). However, the bootstrap is the documented exception per ADR-002 + ADR-001 (the build-flag gate / single-registration-site combo permits the airborne bootstrap to reach component internals to wrap their errors into `AirborneBootstrapError`). The existing line 440 `from gps_denied_onboard.components.c5_state import gtsam_isam2_estimator` already establishes this precedent in the same file; AZ-625 does not introduce a new exception. (Possible follow-up: list `errors.py` explicitly in c5_state's Public API row of `module-layout.md`. NOT in scope for AZ-625.)
+- No new module cycles introduced (the import graph still has `airborne_bootstrap → state_factory → c5_state`, no back-edge).
+- No duplicate symbols across components.
+- No cross-cutting concerns re-implemented locally.
+
+## Findings
+
+| # | Severity | Category | File:Line | Title |
+|---|----------|----------|-----------|-------|
+| F1 | Low | Style | `src/gps_denied_onboard/runtime_root/airborne_bootstrap.py:649` | `_C5_PREBUILT_ESTIMATOR_KEY` defined after first reference site |
+| F2 | Low | Maintainability | `src/gps_denied_onboard/runtime_root/airborne_bootstrap.py:748` | Function-scoped `StateEstimatorConfigError` import (consistent with existing pattern) |
+
+### Finding Details
+
+**F1: `_C5_PREBUILT_ESTIMATOR_KEY` defined after first reference site** (Low / Style)
+
+- Location: `src/gps_denied_onboard/runtime_root/airborne_bootstrap.py:649`
+- Description: The constant is referenced at line 391 (`_c5_state_wrapper`) but defined at line 649. Python resolves the name lazily so this is correct.
+- Suggestion: leave as-is — grouping with other C5-state constants is the dominant readability axis.
+- Task: AZ-625
+
+**F2: Function-scoped `StateEstimatorConfigError` import** (Low / Maintainability)
+
+- Location: `src/gps_denied_onboard/runtime_root/airborne_bootstrap.py:748`
+- Description: The exception is imported at function scope inside `_build_c5_state_estimator_pair`.
+- Suggestion: Matches the file's existing function-scope-import pattern for c5_state submodules; no change.
+- Task: AZ-625
+
+## Verdict Logic
+
+- 0 Critical, 0 High → not FAIL.
+- 0 Medium → not PASS_WITH_WARNINGS for medium.
+- 2 Low → still PASS overall (no Medium / High / Critical).
+
+**Verdict: PASS**.
diff --git a/_docs/_autodev_state.md b/_docs/_autodev_state.md
index f29c7e6..2960679 100644
--- a/_docs/_autodev_state.md
+++ b/_docs/_autodev_state.md
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ status: in_progress
 sub_step:
   phase: 16
   name: batch-loop
-  detail: "batch 94 done; next: batch 95 = AZ-625 (handle ordering, 3cp); AZ-624 blocked on AZ-625"
+  detail: "batch 95 done; next: batch 96 = AZ-624 (Phase F, 3cp)"
 retry_count: 0
 cycle: 1
 tracker: jira
-last_completed_batch: 94
+last_completed_batch: 95
diff --git a/src/gps_denied_onboard/runtime_root/airborne_bootstrap.py b/src/gps_denied_onboard/runtime_root/airborne_bootstrap.py
index e29e3a0..e012c4e 100644
--- a/src/gps_denied_onboard/runtime_root/airborne_bootstrap.py
+++ b/src/gps_denied_onboard/runtime_root/airborne_bootstrap.py
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ __all__ = [
     "AIRBORNE_MAIN_PRODUCER_ID",
     "AIRBORNE_REQUIRED_PRE_CONSTRUCTED_KEYS",
     "C3_MATCHER_BUILD_FLAGS",
+    "C5_STATE_BUILD_FLAGS",
     "C7_AIRBORNE_BUILD_FLAGS",
     "FAISS_BUILD_FLAG",
     "AirborneBootstrapError",
@@ -155,6 +156,28 @@ flag would unblock the bootstrap with a different runtime selection.
 """
 
 
+C5_STATE_BUILD_FLAGS: Final[Mapping[str, str]] = {
+    "gtsam_isam2": "BUILD_STATE_GTSAM_ISAM2",
+    "eskf": "BUILD_STATE_ESKF",
+}
+"""Per-strategy ``BUILD_STATE_*`` flag matrix consumed by the airborne
+c5_state estimator pair builder (AZ-625 / Phase E.5).
+
+Mirrors :data:`gps_denied_onboard.runtime_root.state_factory._STATE_BUILD_FLAGS`
+verbatim — both this constant and the state factory's table read the same
+compile-time flags. ANY mutation of this matrix MUST be mirrored in
+``state_factory._STATE_BUILD_FLAGS`` (and vice versa).
+
+Surfaced here so :func:`_build_c5_state_estimator_pair` can name the
+gating flag in an :class:`AirborneBootstrapError` (AC-625.2) when the
+configured C5 state strategy's flag is OFF in this binary, *before*
+:func:`build_state_estimator` has a chance to raise the lower-level
+:class:`StateEstimatorConfigError` (which is the
+state-factory-internal error type, not the operator-facing
+bootstrap-error contract this module owns).
+"""
+
+
 C3_MATCHER_BUILD_FLAGS: Final[Mapping[str, str]] = {
     "disk_lightglue": "BUILD_MATCHER_DISK_LIGHTGLUE",
     "aliked_lightglue": "BUILD_MATCHER_ALIKED_LIGHTGLUE",
@@ -360,6 +383,18 @@ def _c4_pose_wrapper(config: Config, constructed: Mapping[str, Any]) -> Any:
 
 
 def _c5_state_wrapper(config: Config, constructed: Mapping[str, Any]) -> Any:
+    # AZ-625 fast path: when build_pre_constructed has eagerly built the
+    # (estimator, handle) pair, the estimator lives under the private
+    # _c5_prebuilt_estimator key. Returning the prebuilt instance keeps
+    # c4_pose's c5_isam2_graph_handle pointing at the SAME estimator's
+    # _isam2_handle — the AC-625.3 cross-seam identity invariant.
+    prebuilt = constructed.get(_C5_PREBUILT_ESTIMATOR_KEY)
+    if prebuilt is not None:
+        return prebuilt
+    # Fallback path: tests / fixtures that bypass build_pre_constructed
+    # (for example, the existing test_az401_compose_root_replay.py suite
+    # which seeds pre_constructed manually) still drive the wrapper
+    # through build_state_estimator directly.
     imu_preintegrator = _require(constructed, "c5_imu_preintegrator", "c5_state")
     se3_utils = _require(constructed, "c5_se3_utils", "c5_state")
     wgs_converter = _require(constructed, "c5_wgs_converter", "c5_state")
@@ -594,6 +629,174 @@ def _resolve_c3_matcher_strategy(config: Config) -> str:
     return getattr(block, "strategy", "disk_lightglue")
 
 
+def _resolve_c5_state_strategy(config: Config) -> str:
+    """Return the configured C5 state strategy, defaulting to gtsam_isam2.
+
+    Mirrors :func:`_resolve_c3_matcher_strategy` for the C5 slot.
+    Reuses :class:`gps_denied_onboard.components.c5_state.config.C5StateConfig`'s
+    own default ``"gtsam_isam2"`` when ``config.components`` carries no
+    ``c5_state`` block (early-bootstrap tests with bare ``Config()``).
+    """
+    components = getattr(config, "components", None) or {}
+    if not isinstance(components, Mapping):
+        return "gtsam_isam2"
+    block = components.get("c5_state")
+    if block is None:
+        return "gtsam_isam2"
+    return getattr(block, "strategy", "gtsam_isam2")
+
+
+_C5_PREBUILT_ESTIMATOR_KEY: Final[str] = "_c5_prebuilt_estimator"
+"""Internal coordination key under which :func:`build_pre_constructed` stores
+the pre-built :class:`StateEstimator` instance.
+
+The C5 state estimator and its :class:`ISam2GraphHandle` are constructed as
+a single tuple by :func:`build_state_estimator`; the handle is the iSAM2
+graph wrapper held INSIDE the estimator. C4 (``c4_pose``) reaches into
+``pre_constructed['c5_isam2_graph_handle']`` at compose time — but the C4
+wrapper runs BEFORE the C5 wrapper in topological order
+(``_C5_STATE_DEPENDS_ON: ('c1_vio', 'c4_pose')``). The handle therefore
+MUST exist in ``pre_constructed`` before either wrapper runs, which means
+the bootstrap MUST build the (estimator, handle) pair eagerly (AZ-625).
+
+Storing the prebuilt estimator under this internal key lets the C5 wrapper
+short-circuit on it and return the SAME instance the handle was extracted
+from, so ``c4_pose._isam2_handle`` and ``c5_state._isam2_handle`` reference
+ONE object across the C4 / C5 seam (AC-625.3 identity contract).
+
+Deliberately NOT in :data:`AIRBORNE_REQUIRED_PRE_CONSTRUCTED_KEYS` — it is
+an internal coordination key, not a Public API surface that any component
+queries directly (only the C5 wrapper consults it, and only as a fast
+path).
+"""
+
+
+def _build_c5_state_estimator_pair(
+    config: Config,
+    *,
+    imu_preintegrator: Any,
+    se3_utils: Any,
+    wgs_converter: Any,
+    fdr_client: Any,
+    tile_store: Any | None = None,
+    camera_calibration: CameraCalibration | None = None,
+    flight_id: str | None = None,
+    companion_id: str | None = None,
+) -> tuple[Any, Any]:
+    """Build the ``(StateEstimator, ISam2GraphHandle)`` tuple eagerly.
+
+    The C5 estimator and its iSAM2 graph handle are produced together by
+    :func:`gps_denied_onboard.runtime_root.state_factory.build_state_estimator`
+    — the handle is the wrapper around the estimator's internal
+    ``_isam2`` + ``_smoother`` substrate (see
+    :class:`gps_denied_onboard.components.c5_state._isam2_handle.\
+ISam2GraphHandleImpl`). The handle's constructor takes the estimator
+    as input, so the two cannot be separately constructed without a
+    Protocol-seam change in C5 — explicitly forbidden by the AZ-618
+    umbrella's "MUST NOT touch any per-component factory signature"
+    constraint.
+
+    Building the pair eagerly at bootstrap time is the AZ-625 fix: the
+    handle reaches ``pre_constructed['c5_isam2_graph_handle']`` so
+    :func:`compose_root` can satisfy C4's lookup in topological order
+    (``c4_pose`` runs before ``c5_state``); the estimator reaches a
+    private coordination slot (``_c5_prebuilt_estimator``) so
+    :func:`_c5_state_wrapper` can short-circuit and return the SAME
+    instance the handle is bound to. The cross-seam identity invariant
+    is verified by AC-625.3.
+
+    Validation order matches the rest of the airborne bootstrap:
+
+    1. Resolve the configured C5 state strategy
+       (default ``"gtsam_isam2"``).
+    2. Look it up in :data:`C5_STATE_BUILD_FLAGS`. An unknown strategy
+       is an :class:`AirborneBootstrapError` naming the supported set
+       (AC-625.2).
+    3. Read the gating ``BUILD_STATE_*`` flag with the SAME default
+       ladder the state factory uses
+       (:func:`os.environ.get(flag, "ON").upper() == "OFF"`); an
+       explicit OFF raises :class:`AirborneBootstrapError` naming the
+       flag and the consuming component slug ``c5_state`` (AC-625.2).
+    4. Lazily register the strategy via
+       :func:`_ensure_state_strategy_registered` — same hook the C5
+       wrapper uses, so a binary configured for the ESKF baseline does
+       not import gtsam at bootstrap time.
+    5. Delegate to :func:`build_state_estimator` with the
+       infrastructure kwargs the wrapper would have passed; surface
+       any :class:`StateEstimatorConfigError` as an
+       :class:`AirborneBootstrapError` so the operator-facing error
+       contract is uniform.
+
+    The optional kwargs ``tile_store`` / ``camera_calibration`` /
+    ``flight_id`` / ``companion_id`` exist for AZ-389 orthorectifier
+    wiring; they are forwarded to :func:`build_state_estimator` which
+    only consumes them when ``c5_state.orthorectifier.enabled`` is
+    True. Until AZ-624 wires the operator-supplied flight metadata
+    into ``pre_constructed``, callers pass the available defaults
+    (today: ``tile_store=constructed['c6_tile_store']``, the rest
+    ``None``).
+
+    Raises:
+        AirborneBootstrapError: when the configured strategy is not in
+            :data:`C5_STATE_BUILD_FLAGS`, when the strategy's
+            ``BUILD_STATE_*`` flag is OFF, or when
+            :func:`build_state_estimator` itself rejects the
+            configuration (the original
+            :class:`StateEstimatorConfigError` is preserved as
+            ``__cause__``).
+    """
+    from gps_denied_onboard.components.c5_state.errors import StateEstimatorConfigError
+
+    strategy = _resolve_c5_state_strategy(config)
+    flag = C5_STATE_BUILD_FLAGS.get(strategy)
+    if flag is None:
+        raise AirborneBootstrapError(
+            f"airborne_bootstrap: cannot construct "
+            f"pre_constructed['c5_isam2_graph_handle'] because "
+            f"config.components['c5_state'].strategy={strategy!r} is "
+            f"not in the airborne BUILD-flag matrix "
+            f"{sorted(C5_STATE_BUILD_FLAGS.keys())!r}. Consuming "
+            f"component: c5_state. Reconfigure the C5 state strategy "
+            f"to one of the supported strategies."
+        )
+    # Mirror state_factory._STATE_BUILD_FLAGS gate: default "ON" when
+    # unset; only explicit "OFF" blocks. Keeping the default identical
+    # to state_factory means AZ-625's pre-check fires before
+    # build_state_estimator's own gate, so the operator sees the
+    # bootstrap-error contract instead of the lower-level config error.
+    if os.environ.get(flag, "ON").upper() == "OFF":
+        raise AirborneBootstrapError(
+            f"airborne_bootstrap: cannot construct "
+            f"pre_constructed['c5_isam2_graph_handle'] because the "
+            f"gating flag {flag}=ON is required for the configured "
+            f"strategy={strategy!r}, but {flag} is OFF in this binary. "
+            f"Consuming component: c5_state. Set {flag}=ON, or "
+            f"reconfigure config.components['c5_state'].strategy to a "
+            f"strategy whose BUILD_STATE_* flag is ON."
+        )
+    _ensure_state_strategy_registered(config)
+    try:
+        estimator, handle = build_state_estimator(
+            config,
+            imu_preintegrator=imu_preintegrator,
+            se3_utils=se3_utils,
+            wgs_converter=wgs_converter,
+            fdr_client=fdr_client,
+            tile_store=tile_store,
+            camera_calibration=camera_calibration,
+            flight_id=flight_id,
+            companion_id=companion_id,
+        )
+    except StateEstimatorConfigError as exc:
+        raise AirborneBootstrapError(
+            f"airborne_bootstrap: cannot construct "
+            f"pre_constructed['c5_isam2_graph_handle'] for "
+            f"strategy={strategy!r} (gating flag {flag} is ON). "
+            f"Consuming component: c5_state. Upstream error: {exc}"
+        ) from exc
+    return estimator, handle
+
+
 def _is_build_flag_on(flag_name: str) -> bool:
     """Read a compile-time ``BUILD_*`` flag from the environment.
 
@@ -945,7 +1148,7 @@ def build_pre_constructed(config: Config) -> dict[str, Any]:
     instance, gated by :data:`C3_MATCHER_BUILD_FLAGS` per the
     configured strategy) + ``c3_feature_extractor`` (the shared
     :class:`gps_denied_onboard.helpers.feature_extractor.FeatureExtractor`
-    used by C2.5). AZ-623 (Phase E) adds the four stateless / cached c5
+    used by C2.5).     AZ-623 (Phase E) added the four stateless / cached c5
     helpers: ``c282_ransac_filter`` (shared
     :class:`gps_denied_onboard.helpers.ransac_filter.RansacFilter`),
     ``c5_imu_preintegrator`` (per-calibration-path-cached
@@ -954,12 +1157,16 @@ def build_pre_constructed(config: Config) -> dict[str, Any]:
     :mod:`gps_denied_onboard.helpers.se3_utils` module as a
     namespace handle), and ``c5_wgs_converter`` (shared
     :class:`gps_denied_onboard.helpers.wgs_converter.WgsConverter`).
-    The ``c5_isam2_graph_handle`` slot is the special-case ordering
-    work tracked separately in AZ-625 (split out of AZ-623 on
-    2026-05-19 because Path 1 of the AZ-623 spec required a
-    Protocol seam change forbidden by the AZ-618 umbrella). Phase F
-    (AZ-624) will wire main() and verify AC-1..AC-5 once both AZ-623
-    and AZ-625 land.
+    AZ-625 (Phase E.5) adds ``c5_isam2_graph_handle`` and seeds an
+    internal coordination key (``_c5_prebuilt_estimator``) by
+    eagerly invoking :func:`build_state_estimator` once at bootstrap
+    time and capturing the
+    ``(StateEstimator, ISam2GraphHandle)`` tuple — the handle reaches
+    ``c4_pose`` via ``pre_constructed`` (C4 runs before C5 in topo
+    order), and the prebuilt estimator lets the C5 wrapper
+    short-circuit without re-invoking the factory. Phase F (AZ-624)
+    will wire ``runtime_root.main()`` and verify AC-1..AC-5
+    end-to-end.
 
     Returns a fresh dict on each call. The ``c13_fdr`` instance is cached
     inside :func:`make_fdr_client` (per-producer cache) so two calls within
@@ -997,9 +1204,14 @@ def build_pre_constructed(config: Config) -> dict[str, Any]:
             the strategy is unknown), or if the LightGlue engine load
             fails; OR (AZ-623) if ``config.runtime.camera_calibration_path``
             is empty / unreadable / malformed JSON, blocking the
-            ``c5_imu_preintegrator`` build. The message names the
-            consuming component slug(s) and the relevant gating flag(s)
-            or missing inputs.
+            ``c5_imu_preintegrator`` build; OR (AZ-625) if the
+            configured C5 state strategy's
+            :data:`C5_STATE_BUILD_FLAGS` flag is OFF (or the strategy
+            is unknown), or if :func:`build_state_estimator` itself
+            rejects the configuration when the
+            ``(StateEstimator, ISam2GraphHandle)`` pair is built
+            eagerly. The message names the consuming component slug(s)
+            and the relevant gating flag(s) or missing inputs.
     """
     constructed: dict[str, Any] = {}
     constructed["c13_fdr"] = make_fdr_client(AIRBORNE_MAIN_PRODUCER_ID, config)
@@ -1015,6 +1227,16 @@ def build_pre_constructed(config: Config) -> dict[str, Any]:
     constructed["c5_imu_preintegrator"] = _build_c5_imu_preintegrator(config)
     constructed["c5_se3_utils"] = _build_c5_se3_utils(config)
     constructed["c5_wgs_converter"] = _build_c5_wgs_converter(config)
+    estimator, handle = _build_c5_state_estimator_pair(
+        config,
+        imu_preintegrator=constructed["c5_imu_preintegrator"],
+        se3_utils=constructed["c5_se3_utils"],
+        wgs_converter=constructed["c5_wgs_converter"],
+        fdr_client=constructed["c13_fdr"],
+        tile_store=constructed["c6_tile_store"],
+    )
+    constructed["c5_isam2_graph_handle"] = handle
+    constructed[_C5_PREBUILT_ESTIMATOR_KEY] = estimator
     return constructed
 
 
diff --git a/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az619_pre_constructed_phase_a.py b/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az619_pre_constructed_phase_a.py
index 3bd50dd..a2f1142 100644
--- a/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az619_pre_constructed_phase_a.py
+++ b/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az619_pre_constructed_phase_a.py
@@ -103,6 +103,14 @@ def _stub_c5_builders(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> None:
     monkeypatch.setattr(airborne_bootstrap, "_build_c5_imu_preintegrator", lambda _config: object())
     monkeypatch.setattr(airborne_bootstrap, "_build_c5_se3_utils", lambda _config: object())
     monkeypatch.setattr(airborne_bootstrap, "_build_c5_wgs_converter", lambda _config: object())
+    # AZ-625 Phase E.5: the C5 (estimator, handle) pair builder is also
+    # stubbed so the bare Config() bootstrap path doesn't trip on the
+    # default gtsam_isam2 strategy needing a real registered factory.
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        airborne_bootstrap,
+        "_build_c5_state_estimator_pair",
+        lambda *_args, **_kwargs: (object(), object()),
+    )
 
 
 def test_ac_619_1_default_config_seeds_c13_fdr_and_clock() -> None:
diff --git a/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az620_pre_constructed_phase_b.py b/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az620_pre_constructed_phase_b.py
index a995389..8e8fa25 100644
--- a/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az620_pre_constructed_phase_b.py
+++ b/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az620_pre_constructed_phase_b.py
@@ -124,6 +124,17 @@ def _stub_c5_builders(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> None:
         "_build_c5_wgs_converter",
         lambda _config: MagicMock(name="WgsConverter"),
     )
+    # AZ-625 Phase E.5: stub the C5 (estimator, handle) pair builder so
+    # the bare Config() bootstrap path doesn't trip on the default
+    # gtsam_isam2 strategy needing a real registered factory.
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        airborne_bootstrap,
+        "_build_c5_state_estimator_pair",
+        lambda *_args, **_kwargs: (
+            MagicMock(name="StateEstimator"),
+            MagicMock(name="ISam2GraphHandle"),
+        ),
+    )
 
 
 def test_ac_620_1_adds_c6_descriptor_index_and_c6_tile_store(
diff --git a/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az621_pre_constructed_phase_c.py b/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az621_pre_constructed_phase_c.py
index 9700c26..ca52453 100644
--- a/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az621_pre_constructed_phase_c.py
+++ b/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az621_pre_constructed_phase_c.py
@@ -127,6 +127,17 @@ def _stub_c5_builders(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> None:
         "_build_c5_wgs_converter",
         lambda _config: MagicMock(name="WgsConverter"),
     )
+    # AZ-625 Phase E.5: stub the C5 (estimator, handle) pair builder so
+    # the bare Config() bootstrap path doesn't trip on the default
+    # gtsam_isam2 strategy needing a real registered factory.
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        airborne_bootstrap,
+        "_build_c5_state_estimator_pair",
+        lambda *_args, **_kwargs: (
+            MagicMock(name="StateEstimator"),
+            MagicMock(name="ISam2GraphHandle"),
+        ),
+    )
 
 
 def test_ac_621_1_adds_c7_inference(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> None:
diff --git a/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az622_pre_constructed_phase_d.py b/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az622_pre_constructed_phase_d.py
index 697d317..910967d 100644
--- a/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az622_pre_constructed_phase_d.py
+++ b/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az622_pre_constructed_phase_d.py
@@ -131,6 +131,17 @@ def _stub_c5_builders(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> None:
         "_build_c5_wgs_converter",
         lambda _config: MagicMock(name="WgsConverter"),
     )
+    # AZ-625 Phase E.5: stub the C5 (estimator, handle) pair builder so
+    # the bare / minimal Config()s used here don't trip on the default
+    # gtsam_isam2 strategy needing a real registered factory.
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        airborne_bootstrap,
+        "_build_c5_state_estimator_pair",
+        lambda *_args, **_kwargs: (
+            MagicMock(name="StateEstimator"),
+            MagicMock(name="ISam2GraphHandle"),
+        ),
+    )
 
 
 def test_ac_622_1_adds_c3_lightglue_runtime_and_c3_feature_extractor(
diff --git a/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az623_pre_constructed_phase_e.py b/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az623_pre_constructed_phase_e.py
index aa32034..50abe6d 100644
--- a/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az623_pre_constructed_phase_e.py
+++ b/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az623_pre_constructed_phase_e.py
@@ -127,6 +127,19 @@ def _stub_az619_to_az622_builders(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> None:
         "_build_c3_feature_extractor",
         lambda _config: MagicMock(name="FeatureExtractor"),
     )
+    # AZ-625 Phase E.5: stub the C5 (estimator, handle) pair builder so
+    # the AZ-623 tests stay focused on the four Phase E helpers without
+    # the new gtsam_isam2-strategy registration path firing for every
+    # config that has camera_calibration_path populated. The downstream
+    # AZ-625 test file owns the (estimator, handle) pair contract.
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        airborne_bootstrap,
+        "_build_c5_state_estimator_pair",
+        lambda *_args, **_kwargs: (
+            MagicMock(name="StateEstimator"),
+            MagicMock(name="ISam2GraphHandle"),
+        ),
+    )
 
 
 def test_ac_623_1_adds_c282_ransac_and_c5_helpers(
diff --git a/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az625_c5_isam2_graph_handle_ordering.py b/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az625_c5_isam2_graph_handle_ordering.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..acf8ee7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unit/runtime_root/test_az625_c5_isam2_graph_handle_ordering.py
@@ -0,0 +1,485 @@
+"""AZ-625 — Phase E.5 of AZ-618: c5_isam2_graph_handle ordering.
+
+Verifies the contract at
+``_docs/02_tasks/todo/AZ-625_c5_isam2_graph_handle_ordering.md``:
+
+* AC-625.1: ``build_pre_constructed(default_config)`` adds key
+  ``c5_isam2_graph_handle`` on top of AZ-619..AZ-623; the value
+  satisfies the C4 :class:`ISam2GraphHandle` Protocol (``get_pose_key``,
+  ``add_factor``, ``update``, ``compute_marginals``,
+  ``last_anchor_age_ms``).
+* AC-625.2: when the configured ``c5_state`` strategy's
+  ``BUILD_STATE_*`` flag is OFF (or the strategy is unknown),
+  ``build_pre_constructed`` raises :class:`AirborneBootstrapError`
+  whose message names the gating flag and the consuming component
+  slug ``c5_state``.
+* AC-625.3: ``compose_root(config, pre_constructed=...)`` produces a
+  runtime where the handle held by C4 IS the same handle exposed by
+  the C5 estimator's ``_isam2_handle``. We exercise the cross-seam
+  identity invariant via the bootstrap's
+  ``_c5_prebuilt_estimator`` look-aside key + the
+  ``_c5_state_wrapper`` short-circuit, so the unit-test path does
+  not need to stand up the full ``compose_root`` graph (which would
+  pull in gtsam, FAISS, TensorRT — all out of scope per the AZ-625
+  task spec's Tier-2 Note).
+
+AC-625.4 (this file exists with the above tests) is satisfied by the
+existence of this module.
+
+The tests stub the heavy ``build_state_estimator`` seam through
+:func:`_build_c5_state_estimator_pair`'s ``__module__`` attribute path
+so they exercise the bootstrap-error contract + identity-share
+contract without standing up gtsam or constructing a real
+:class:`GtsamIsam2StateEstimator`. The upstream AZ-619..AZ-623
+builders are stubbed at the airborne_bootstrap module boundary,
+mirroring the prior phase pattern (see
+:mod:`tests.unit.runtime_root.test_az623_pre_constructed_phase_e`).
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import dataclasses
+from collections.abc import Iterator
+from typing import Any
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+
+import pytest
+
+from gps_denied_onboard.components.c4_pose._isam2_handle import (
+    ISam2GraphHandle as C4ISam2GraphHandle,
+)
+from gps_denied_onboard.config import Config
+from gps_denied_onboard.fdr_client import client as fdr_client_module
+from gps_denied_onboard.runtime_root import airborne_bootstrap
+from gps_denied_onboard.runtime_root.airborne_bootstrap import (
+    AIRBORNE_REQUIRED_PRE_CONSTRUCTED_KEYS,
+    C5_STATE_BUILD_FLAGS,
+    AirborneBootstrapError,
+    build_pre_constructed,
+    clear_imu_preintegrator_cache,
+)
+
+_C5_PREBUILT_ESTIMATOR_KEY = "_c5_prebuilt_estimator"
+"""Mirror of ``airborne_bootstrap._C5_PREBUILT_ESTIMATOR_KEY`` for
+test-side identity assertions. Internal coordination key (deliberately
+NOT exposed via __all__); duplicated here so the test does not import
+a private name.
+"""
+
+
+def _config_with_calibration_path(path: str) -> Config:
+    """Return a fresh ``Config`` whose ``runtime.camera_calibration_path`` is set.
+
+    Mirrors the helper in
+    :mod:`tests.unit.runtime_root.test_az623_pre_constructed_phase_e` —
+    AZ-625 still walks the AZ-623 ``_build_c5_imu_preintegrator``
+    builder which empty-checks the same field.
+    """
+    base = Config()
+    runtime = dataclasses.replace(base.runtime, camera_calibration_path=path)
+    return dataclasses.replace(base, runtime=runtime)
+
+
+class _FakeIsam2GraphHandle:
+    """Lightweight stand-in for the production
+    :class:`gps_denied_onboard.components.c5_state._isam2_handle.\
+ISam2GraphHandleImpl` used by AC-625.1's Protocol-conformance
+    assertion.
+
+    Implements every method named by the C4 ``ISam2GraphHandle``
+    Protocol so :func:`isinstance` against the runtime-checkable
+    Protocol returns ``True`` — the production
+    :class:`ISam2GraphHandleImpl` is the same shape.
+    """
+
+    def get_pose_key(self, frame_id: int) -> int:
+        del frame_id
+        return 0
+
+    def add_factor(self, factor: Any) -> None:
+        del factor
+
+    def update(self, graph: Any, values: Any, timestamps: Any | None = None) -> None:
+        del graph, values, timestamps
+
+    def compute_marginals(self) -> Any:
+        return None
+
+    def last_anchor_age_ms(self) -> int:
+        return 0
+
+
+class _FakeStateEstimator:
+    """Stand-in for ``GtsamIsam2StateEstimator``.
+
+    The only attribute AC-625.3 inspects is ``_isam2_handle`` — the
+    production estimator stores the same handle there
+    (:class:`gps_denied_onboard.components.c5_state.gtsam_isam2_estimator.\
+GtsamIsam2StateEstimator.__init__` builds
+    ``ISam2GraphHandleImpl(self)`` and assigns it to ``self._isam2_handle``).
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, handle: _FakeIsam2GraphHandle) -> None:
+        self._isam2_handle = handle
+
+
+def _stub_state_pair(
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+) -> tuple[_FakeStateEstimator, _FakeIsam2GraphHandle]:
+    """Replace ``_build_c5_state_estimator_pair`` with a fixed (estimator, handle).
+
+    Returns the same tuple values the stub injects, so individual
+    tests can perform identity-share assertions against them without
+    re-discovering the sentinels through ``pre_constructed``.
+    """
+    handle = _FakeIsam2GraphHandle()
+    estimator = _FakeStateEstimator(handle)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        airborne_bootstrap,
+        "_build_c5_state_estimator_pair",
+        lambda *_args, **_kwargs: (estimator, handle),
+    )
+    return estimator, handle
+
+
+@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+def _isolated_caches() -> Iterator[None]:
+    # Arrange: every test starts with empty FdrClient cache + empty
+    # ImuPreintegrator cache so the AZ-619..AZ-623 builders behind
+    # build_pre_constructed do not pick up stale instances.
+    fdr_client_module._reset_for_tests()
+    clear_imu_preintegrator_cache()
+    yield
+    fdr_client_module._reset_for_tests()
+    clear_imu_preintegrator_cache()
+
+
+@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+def _stub_az619_to_az623_builders(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> None:
+    # Arrange: stub the AZ-620 (Phase B) C6 builders, AZ-621 (Phase C) C7
+    # inference builder, AZ-622 (Phase D) C3 builders, and AZ-623 (Phase E)
+    # c5 helper builders so AZ-625 stays focused on the Phase E.5 contract.
+    # Sentinels are opaque — AZ-625 assertions never inspect them.
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        airborne_bootstrap,
+        "_build_c6_descriptor_index",
+        lambda _config: MagicMock(name="DescriptorIndex"),
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        airborne_bootstrap,
+        "_build_c6_tile_store",
+        lambda _config: MagicMock(name="TileStore"),
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        airborne_bootstrap,
+        "_build_c7_inference",
+        lambda _config: MagicMock(name="InferenceRuntime"),
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        airborne_bootstrap,
+        "_build_c3_lightglue_runtime",
+        lambda _config, *, inference_runtime: MagicMock(name="LightGlueRuntime"),
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        airborne_bootstrap,
+        "_build_c3_feature_extractor",
+        lambda _config: MagicMock(name="FeatureExtractor"),
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        airborne_bootstrap,
+        "_build_c282_ransac_filter",
+        lambda _config: MagicMock(name="RansacFilter"),
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        airborne_bootstrap,
+        "_build_c5_imu_preintegrator",
+        lambda _config: MagicMock(name="ImuPreintegrator"),
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        airborne_bootstrap,
+        "_build_c5_se3_utils",
+        lambda _config: MagicMock(name="Se3Utils"),
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        airborne_bootstrap,
+        "_build_c5_wgs_converter",
+        lambda _config: MagicMock(name="WgsConverter"),
+    )
+
+
+def test_ac_625_1_adds_c5_isam2_graph_handle_with_protocol_surface(
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+) -> None:
+    # Arrange: stub the (estimator, handle) pair builder; default Config()
+    # with a populated camera_calibration_path so AZ-623's
+    # _build_c5_imu_preintegrator empty-check passes (autouse fixture has
+    # already stubbed the builder, so the path is only structurally set).
+    config = _config_with_calibration_path("/tmp/az625-fixture-calib.json")
+    _, handle = _stub_state_pair(monkeypatch)
+
+    # Act
+    pre_constructed = build_pre_constructed(config)
+
+    # Assert: the new key is present and identifies the stubbed handle.
+    assert "c5_isam2_graph_handle" in pre_constructed
+    assert pre_constructed["c5_isam2_graph_handle"] is handle
+
+    # Protocol-conformance: the handle must satisfy the C4 consumer's
+    # runtime-checkable Protocol — get_pose_key + add_factor + update +
+    # compute_marginals + last_anchor_age_ms.
+    assert isinstance(handle, C4ISam2GraphHandle), (
+        "c5_isam2_graph_handle must satisfy the C4 ISam2GraphHandle Protocol; "
+        f"missing attributes on {type(handle).__name__}"
+    )
+    for method_name in (
+        "get_pose_key",
+        "add_factor",
+        "update",
+        "compute_marginals",
+        "last_anchor_age_ms",
+    ):
+        assert hasattr(handle, method_name), (
+            f"c5_isam2_graph_handle is missing {method_name!r}; "
+            f"the C4 consumer (OpenCVGtsamPoseEstimator) dispatches via attribute access"
+        )
+
+    # AZ-619..AZ-623 keys remain populated (additivity invariant).
+    assert {
+        "c13_fdr",
+        "clock",
+        "c6_descriptor_index",
+        "c6_tile_store",
+        "c7_inference",
+        "c3_lightglue_runtime",
+        "c3_feature_extractor",
+        "c282_ransac_filter",
+        "c5_imu_preintegrator",
+        "c5_se3_utils",
+        "c5_wgs_converter",
+    }.issubset(pre_constructed.keys()), (
+        f"AZ-625 must be additive on top of AZ-619..AZ-623; got "
+        f"keys: {sorted(pre_constructed.keys())}"
+    )
+
+
+def test_ac_625_1_internal_prebuilt_estimator_key_not_in_required_keys() -> None:
+    """The ``_c5_prebuilt_estimator`` look-aside key is internal coordination
+    only — it MUST NOT appear under
+    :data:`AIRBORNE_REQUIRED_PRE_CONSTRUCTED_KEYS` because no consuming
+    component queries it via the public surface (only
+    ``_c5_state_wrapper`` consults it as a fast path).
+    """
+    # Assert: the look-aside key is not in any consumer's required-keys row.
+    for slug, required_keys in AIRBORNE_REQUIRED_PRE_CONSTRUCTED_KEYS.items():
+        assert _C5_PREBUILT_ESTIMATOR_KEY not in required_keys, (
+            f"{_C5_PREBUILT_ESTIMATOR_KEY!r} is an internal coordination key; "
+            f"it must not be exposed via "
+            f"AIRBORNE_REQUIRED_PRE_CONSTRUCTED_KEYS[{slug!r}]"
+        )
+
+
+def test_ac_625_2_build_state_gtsam_isam2_off_raises_named_error(
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+) -> None:
+    # Arrange: explicitly set BUILD_STATE_GTSAM_ISAM2=OFF (the gating
+    # flag check uses os.environ.get(flag, "ON").upper() == "OFF" — same
+    # default ladder as state_factory). Default config resolves to
+    # gtsam_isam2 strategy. Do NOT stub _build_c5_state_estimator_pair
+    # here — we want the real flag-OFF guard to fire.
+    monkeypatch.setenv("BUILD_STATE_GTSAM_ISAM2", "OFF")
+    config = _config_with_calibration_path("/tmp/az625-flag-off-fixture-calib.json")
+
+    # Act + Assert
+    with pytest.raises(AirborneBootstrapError) as excinfo:
+        build_pre_constructed(config)
+
+    message = str(excinfo.value)
+    # The missing key, the gating flag, and the consuming component
+    # slug must all appear in the operator-facing message.
+    assert "c5_isam2_graph_handle" in message
+    assert C5_STATE_BUILD_FLAGS["gtsam_isam2"] in message, (
+        f"BUILD_STATE_GTSAM_ISAM2 missing from error: {message!r}"
+    )
+    assert "c5_state" in message
+    # The flag-OFF branch raises directly — there is no upstream cause.
+    assert excinfo.value.__cause__ is None
+
+
+def test_ac_625_2_unknown_strategy_raises_named_error_with_supported_set(
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+) -> None:
+    """Defence-in-depth for the strategy-resolution path.
+
+    Even when BUILD_STATE_* flags are ON, an unknown C5 strategy must
+    raise :class:`AirborneBootstrapError` naming the supported set
+    (``gtsam_isam2`` / ``eskf``). The error must fire BEFORE
+    ``build_state_estimator`` is consulted — otherwise the operator
+    sees ``StateEstimatorConfigError`` rather than the bootstrap-error
+    contract this module owns.
+    """
+
+    # Arrange: smuggle an unknown strategy past the upstream
+    # KNOWN_STATE_STRATEGIES validator (lives in
+    # ``components.c5_state.config``) by stubbing the bootstrap's own
+    # strategy resolver. The bootstrap's own check is what we want to
+    # exercise here.
+    config = _config_with_calibration_path("/tmp/az625-unknown-fixture.json")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        airborne_bootstrap,
+        "_resolve_c5_state_strategy",
+        lambda _config: "lqg_baseline_does_not_exist",
+    )
+
+    # Act + Assert
+    with pytest.raises(AirborneBootstrapError) as excinfo:
+        build_pre_constructed(config)
+
+    message = str(excinfo.value)
+    assert "c5_isam2_graph_handle" in message
+    assert "lqg_baseline_does_not_exist" in message
+    assert "c5_state" in message
+    # The supported set is enumerated so the operator sees the fix.
+    for supported in C5_STATE_BUILD_FLAGS:
+        assert supported in message, (
+            f"supported strategy {supported!r} missing from error: {message!r}"
+        )
+
+
+def test_ac_625_2_build_state_estimator_config_error_wraps_into_bootstrap_error(
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+) -> None:
+    """When the BUILD flag is ON but the state-factory itself rejects the
+    config, ``StateEstimatorConfigError`` must wrap into
+    :class:`AirborneBootstrapError` with the cause chain preserved
+    (mirrors AZ-621 / AZ-622's wrapping pattern)."""
+    # Arrange
+    from gps_denied_onboard.components.c5_state.errors import (
+        StateEstimatorConfigError,
+    )
+
+    monkeypatch.setenv("BUILD_STATE_GTSAM_ISAM2", "ON")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        airborne_bootstrap,
+        "_ensure_state_strategy_registered",
+        lambda _config: None,
+    )
+
+    def _raise_config_error(*_args: Any, **_kwargs: Any) -> Any:
+        raise StateEstimatorConfigError("simulated state factory rejection")
+
+    # _build_c5_state_estimator_pair calls the imported reference
+    # ``build_state_estimator`` from the airborne_bootstrap module
+    # namespace; monkeypatch that attribute directly.
+    monkeypatch.setattr(airborne_bootstrap, "build_state_estimator", _raise_config_error)
+    config = _config_with_calibration_path("/tmp/az625-cfg-err-fixture.json")
+
+    # Act + Assert
+    with pytest.raises(AirborneBootstrapError) as excinfo:
+        build_pre_constructed(config)
+
+    message = str(excinfo.value)
+    assert "c5_isam2_graph_handle" in message
+    assert "c5_state" in message
+    assert "gtsam_isam2" in message
+    assert isinstance(excinfo.value.__cause__, StateEstimatorConfigError)
+
+
+def test_ac_625_3_handle_is_same_object_as_estimator_isam2_handle(
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+) -> None:
+    """Cross-seam identity: the handle that c4_pose receives via
+    ``pre_constructed['c5_isam2_graph_handle']`` IS the SAME object
+    that the c5_state estimator exposes as ``_isam2_handle``.
+
+    AC-625.3's ``compose_root(...)`` end-to-end form requires gtsam +
+    FAISS + TensorRT and is exercised by the Jetson tier-2 e2e harness
+    (AZ-624 AC-5). At unit-test scope the equivalent invariant is
+    ``pre_constructed[_c5_prebuilt_estimator]._isam2_handle is
+    pre_constructed['c5_isam2_graph_handle']`` — which is what the
+    bootstrap's seeding ordering must guarantee.
+    """
+    # Arrange
+    config = _config_with_calibration_path("/tmp/az625-identity-fixture.json")
+    estimator, handle = _stub_state_pair(monkeypatch)
+
+    # Act
+    pre_constructed = build_pre_constructed(config)
+
+    # Assert: identity-share across the C4 / C5 seam.
+    assert pre_constructed["c5_isam2_graph_handle"] is handle
+    assert pre_constructed[_C5_PREBUILT_ESTIMATOR_KEY] is estimator
+    assert (
+        pre_constructed[_C5_PREBUILT_ESTIMATOR_KEY]._isam2_handle
+        is (pre_constructed["c5_isam2_graph_handle"])
+    )
+
+
+def test_ac_625_3_c5_state_wrapper_short_circuits_on_prebuilt_estimator(
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+) -> None:
+    """The :func:`_c5_state_wrapper` returns the prebuilt estimator as-is
+    when ``_c5_prebuilt_estimator`` is present in ``constructed``.
+
+    This is the seam that lets AC-625.3 hold under the live
+    ``compose_root`` topo walk: the C5 wrapper does NOT re-invoke
+    :func:`build_state_estimator` (which would produce a different
+    ``(estimator, handle)`` pair than the one C4 has already
+    consumed). Verified by ensuring the wrapper does not consult the
+    fallback infra-key set at all when the look-aside key is set.
+    """
+    # Arrange: build a constructed dict with ONLY the look-aside key.
+    # If the wrapper short-circuits correctly it must NOT read any of
+    # c5_imu_preintegrator / c5_se3_utils / c5_wgs_converter / c13_fdr —
+    # the absence of those keys would otherwise raise
+    # AirborneBootstrapError via _require.
+    estimator, _handle = _stub_state_pair(monkeypatch)
+    constructed = {_C5_PREBUILT_ESTIMATOR_KEY: estimator}
+
+    # Act
+    returned = airborne_bootstrap._c5_state_wrapper(Config(), constructed)
+
+    # Assert
+    assert returned is estimator
+
+
+def test_ac_625_3_c5_state_wrapper_falls_back_when_prebuilt_absent(
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+) -> None:
+    """The :func:`_c5_state_wrapper` falls back to the original
+    :func:`build_state_estimator` path when ``_c5_prebuilt_estimator``
+    is absent.
+
+    Test isolation contract: existing fixtures (e.g. the
+    ``test_az401_compose_root_replay`` suite) seed ``pre_constructed``
+    manually without going through :func:`build_pre_constructed` and
+    therefore have no look-aside key. The fallback must still work —
+    AZ-625's seam is additive, never replacing the existing one.
+    """
+    # Arrange: no _c5_prebuilt_estimator. Stub the heavy
+    # build_state_estimator seam so the fallback path returns
+    # deterministically.
+    fallback_estimator = _FakeStateEstimator(_FakeIsam2GraphHandle())
+    fallback_handle = MagicMock(name="FallbackHandle")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        airborne_bootstrap,
+        "_ensure_state_strategy_registered",
+        lambda _config: None,
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        airborne_bootstrap,
+        "build_state_estimator",
+        lambda *_args, **_kwargs: (fallback_estimator, fallback_handle),
+    )
+    constructed = {
+        "c5_imu_preintegrator": MagicMock(name="ImuPreintegrator"),
+        "c5_se3_utils": MagicMock(name="Se3Utils"),
+        "c5_wgs_converter": MagicMock(name="WgsConverter"),
+        "c13_fdr": MagicMock(name="FdrClient"),
+    }
+
+    # Act
+    returned = airborne_bootstrap._c5_state_wrapper(Config(), constructed)
+
+    # Assert: fallback path returned the build_state_estimator-built
+    # estimator (not the prebuilt sentinel — there is none).
+    assert returned is fallback_estimator