Automate RC8 release journeys

backend/README.md

@@ -1889,3 +1889,34 @@ python scripts/verify_python_lock.py
 
 The complete gate and vulnerability/SBOM policy are documented in
 `docs/CI_SUPPLY_CHAIN.md`.
+
+## Release golden areas
+
+The RC browser suite uses seven deterministic, bounded regression areas across
+Belgium and the Belgian North Sea. Preview the required changes without
+mutating the runtime:
+
+```bash
+python scripts/provision_release_golden_areas.py \
+  --base-url http://127.0.0.1:8000 \
+  --output artifacts/rc8-golden-areas.json
+```
+
+Create only missing Areas through the canonical project/area APIs:
+
+```bash
+python scripts/provision_release_golden_areas.py \
+  --base-url http://127.0.0.1:8000 \
+  --output artifacts/rc8-golden-areas.json \
+  --apply
+```
+
+The operator copies the governed Mol and Kempen geometries into the national
+workbench with their source project/Area identifiers and provisions bounded
+Wallonia, Brussels, language-boundary, coast and offshore multi-zone Areas.
+Every geometry receives a deterministic SHA-256 fingerprint in the evidence
+file. It never imports provider data or writes directly to database tables.
+
+Explicit demo seeding also reactivates its own archived technical project.
+This keeps the opt-in fixture workflow selectable without changing the normal
+active-project lifecycle.