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+# Bead bf-2hjaa: Assertion Location for Error Validation
+
+## Summary
+
+This analysis identifies where in the stream decoder fixture test the error assertion should be added to validate that `STREAM_DECODE_ERROR` diagnostics are emitted for the `flate_truncated` fixture.
+
+## Problem Statement
+
+The `flate_truncated.meta` file specifies that decoding this fixture should:
+1. Return partial bytes (what was decoded before the truncation point)
+2. Emit a `STREAM_DECODE_ERROR` diagnostic
+
+However, the current test scaffold does not validate diagnostics at all.
+
+## Current State
+
+### 1. Fixture Configuration
+Location: `crates/pdftract-core/tests/stream_decoder_fixtures.rs:60-64`
+
+```rust
+FixtureInfo {
+    name: "flate_truncated",
+    filter: FixtureFilter::Single("FlateDecode", None),
+    expected_diags: vec![],  // <-- Should be vec![DiagCode::StreamDecodeError]
+    bomb_limit: None,
+},
+```
+
+### 2. Decode Function Signature Issue
+Location: `crates/pdftract-core/src/parser/stream.rs:89-95`
+
+The `StreamDecoder::decode()` trait:
+```rust
+fn decode(
+    &self,
+    input: &[u8],
+    params: Option<&PdfObject>,
+    doc_counter: &mut u64,
+    max_bytes: u64,
+) -> Result<Vec<u8>, FilterError>;
+```
+
+**Problem:** The trait returns only `Result<Vec<u8>, FilterError>` - no diagnostics!
+- When `UnexpectedEof` occurs, it returns `Ok(partial_bytes)` but cannot emit diagnostics
+- See line 542-544 in `FlateDecoder::decode_impl()`: truncated streams just return partial bytes with no diagnostic
+
+### 3. Test Loop Missing Diagnostic Validation
+Location: `crates/pdftract-core/tests/stream_decoder_fixtures.rs:254-360`
+
+The test loop:
+1. ✓ Reads fixture and expected files
+2. ✓ Decodes the fixture
+3. ✓ Compares output bytes
+4. ✗ **Does NOT validate diagnostics**
+
+## Where the Assertion Should Be Added
+
+**Location:** In `test_all_stream_decoder_fixtures()`, after the byte comparison check (after line 326)
+
+**What to validate:**
+- If `fixture.expected_diags` is non-empty, verify that matching diagnostics were emitted
+- For `flate_truncated`: assert that exactly one `STREAM_DECODE_ERROR` diagnostic was emitted
+
+## How to Fix
+
+### Option 1: Use higher-level `decode_stream()` function
+The `decode_stream()` function returns `DecodeResult` which includes diagnostics:
+```rust
+pub struct DecodeResult {
+    pub bytes: Vec<u8>,
+    pub diagnostics: Vec<Diagnostic>,  // <-- We need this!
+    pub meta: StreamMeta,
+}
+```
+
+### Option 2: Add diagnostic support to `StreamDecoder::decode()` trait
+Modify the trait to return diagnostics alongside the decoded bytes.
+
+## Recommended Assertion Implementation
+
+After line 326 (byte comparison), add:
+
+```rust
+// Validate expected diagnostics
+if !fixture.expected_diags.is_empty() {
+    // Check if each expected diagnostic code is present in the actual diagnostics
+    for expected_code in &fixture.expected_diags {
+        let found = result.diagnostics.iter().any(|d| d.code() == *expected_code);
+        assert!(
+            found,
+            "{}: expected diagnostic {} not found. Got: {:?}",
+            fixture.name,
+            expected_code,
+            result.diagnostics
+        );
+    }
+}
+```
+
+## Edge Cases and Considerations
+
+1. **Partial bytes vs error**: Truncated streams should return partial bytes AND emit a diagnostic (not `Err()`)
+2. **Multiple diagnostics**: Some fixtures may emit multiple diagnostics - check all expected ones
+3. **Bomb limit tests**: `flate_bomb_3gb` should emit `StreamBomb` diagnostic
+4. **Unknown filter**: `unknown_filter` fixture should emit `StreamUnknownFilter` diagnostic
+
+## Files to Modify
+
+1. **Test scaffold** (`crates/pdftract-core/tests/stream_decoder_fixtures.rs`):
+   - Fix `flate_truncated.expected_diags` to `vec![DiagCode::StreamDecodeError]`
+   - Add diagnostic validation loop after byte comparison
+   - Change `decode_fixture()` to return `DecodeResult` instead of `Vec<u8>`
+
+2. **Stream decoder trait** (`crates/pdftract-core/src/parser/stream.rs`):
+   - Either: use `decode_stream()` which already returns `DecodeResult` with diagnostics
+   - Or: modify `StreamDecoder::decode()` trait to support diagnostics
+
+## Acceptance Criteria Status
+
+- [x] Assertion purpose and scope defined
+- [x] Optimal assertion location identified (after line 326 in test loop)
+- [x] Assertion requirements documented (validate `STREAM_DECODE_ERROR` for `flate_truncated`)