diff --git a/cstat-agent-use.md b/cstat-agent-use.md
index 3880374..86cbe47 100644
--- a/cstat-agent-use.md
+++ b/cstat-agent-use.md
@@ -20,7 +20,8 @@ report. The JSON contains:
 
 - `line_counts`: total code lines, physical lines, and per-file counts.
 - `symbols`: total and per-file counts for functions, structs, enums, traits,
-  and impl blocks.
+  `trait_impls`, consts, statics, and parse-error state. `trait_impls` means
+  `impl Trait for Type` blocks only, not inherent `impl Type` blocks.
 - `dependencies`: module list, module interdependency matrix, edge count, and
   fan-in/fan-out degrees.
 - `dead_code`: functions not statically reachable from main, tests, or
@@ -40,7 +41,8 @@ Each accepts `--json` for structured output.
 - `cstat loc --json --path .` — project size-shape data.
 - `cstat loc --json --path src/lib.rs` — selected-file projected static line
   reachability.
-- `cstat symbols --json --path .` — symbol totals by kind and per file.
+- `cstat symbols --json --path .` — symbol totals by kind and per file; pass a
+  Rust source file to `--path` for selected-file rows and line spans.
 - `cstat deps --json --path .` — dependency edges, coupling, fan-in/fan-out,
   and cohesion.
 - `cstat dead-code --json --path .` — static cold-function candidates.
@@ -89,5 +91,10 @@ Use these only when the focused report points to a question they answer:
 - For exact `loc` `code_lines` rules and JSON fields, run
   `cstat loc --explain` or `cstat loc --explain --json`; that command is the
   canonical contract.
+- Symbol counts come from `syn` Rust AST parsing. They are not semantic name
+  resolution, rustc integration, macro expansion, or proof of public API usage.
+  Parse errors are reported instead of ignored; selected-file mode is used when
+  `--path` points at a Rust source file under a crate's source, test, or bench
+  root.
 - Prefer targeted reductions: remove dead code, split large files, move symbols
   across modules, then reduce per-function complexity.
diff --git a/src/ast_parser.rs b/src/ast_parser.rs
index 706d7ea..56d97e1 100644
--- a/src/ast_parser.rs
+++ b/src/ast_parser.rs
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ pub struct StructInfo {
     pub field_count: usize,
     pub derive_count: usize,
     pub generic_param_count: usize,
+    pub line_start: usize,
+    pub line_end: usize,
 }
 
 /// Extracted information about an enum.
@@ -44,6 +46,8 @@ pub struct EnumInfo {
     pub variant_count: usize,
     pub derive_count: usize,
     pub generic_param_count: usize,
+    pub line_start: usize,
+    pub line_end: usize,
 }
 
 /// Extracted information about a trait.
@@ -54,6 +58,8 @@ pub struct TraitInfo {
     pub file: PathBuf,
     pub method_count: usize,
     pub generic_param_count: usize,
+    pub line_start: usize,
+    pub line_end: usize,
 }
 
 /// Extracted information about a const item.
@@ -62,6 +68,8 @@ pub struct TraitInfo {
 pub struct ConstInfo {
     pub name: String,
     pub file: PathBuf,
+    pub line_start: usize,
+    pub line_end: usize,
 }
 
 /// Extracted information about a static item.
@@ -70,6 +78,8 @@ pub struct ConstInfo {
 pub struct StaticInfo {
     pub name: String,
     pub file: PathBuf,
+    pub line_start: usize,
+    pub line_end: usize,
 }
 
 /// Extracted information about an impl block.
@@ -78,6 +88,8 @@ pub struct StaticInfo {
 pub struct ImplInfo {
     pub target_type: String,
     pub file: PathBuf,
+    pub line_start: usize,
+    pub line_end: usize,
     pub method_count: usize,
     pub trait_name: Option<String>,
 }
@@ -218,6 +230,15 @@ impl SymbolExtractor {
                     syn::Fields::Unnamed(f) => f.unnamed.len(),
                     syn::Fields::Unit => 0,
                 };
+                let line_start = s.struct_token.span.start().line;
+                let line_end = match &s.fields {
+                    syn::Fields::Named(fields) => fields.brace_token.span.close().end().line,
+                    syn::Fields::Unnamed(fields) => fields.paren_token.span.close().end().line,
+                    syn::Fields::Unit => s
+                        .semi_token
+                        .as_ref()
+                        .map_or(line_start, |semi| semi.span.end().line),
+                };
                 let derive_count = count_derives(&s.attrs);
                 let generic_param_count = s.generics.params.len();
                 self.structs.push(StructInfo {
@@ -226,6 +247,8 @@ impl SymbolExtractor {
                     field_count,
                     derive_count,
                     generic_param_count,
+                    line_start,
+                    line_end,
                 });
             }
             Item::Enum(e) => {
@@ -237,6 +260,8 @@ impl SymbolExtractor {
                     variant_count: e.variants.len(),
                     derive_count,
                     generic_param_count,
+                    line_start: e.enum_token.span.start().line,
+                    line_end: e.brace_token.span.close().end().line,
                 });
             }
             Item::Trait(t) => {
@@ -251,18 +276,24 @@ impl SymbolExtractor {
                     file: self.file_path.clone(),
                     method_count,
                     generic_param_count,
+                    line_start: t.trait_token.span.start().line,
+                    line_end: t.brace_token.span.close().end().line,
                 });
             }
             Item::Const(c) => {
                 self.consts.push(ConstInfo {
                     name: self.qualify_name(&c.ident.to_string()),
                     file: self.file_path.clone(),
+                    line_start: c.const_token.span.start().line,
+                    line_end: c.semi_token.span.end().line,
                 });
             }
             Item::Static(s) => {
                 self.statics.push(StaticInfo {
                     name: self.qualify_name(&s.ident.to_string()),
                     file: self.file_path.clone(),
+                    line_start: s.static_token.span.start().line,
+                    line_end: s.semi_token.span.end().line,
                 });
             }
             Item::Impl(imp) => {
@@ -274,6 +305,8 @@ impl SymbolExtractor {
                         .collect::<Vec<_>>()
                         .join("::")
                 });
+                let line_start = imp.impl_token.span.start().line;
+                let line_end = imp.brace_token.span.close().end().line;
                 let mut method_count = 0;
                 for impl_item in &imp.items {
                     if let ImplItem::Fn(method) = impl_item {
@@ -294,6 +327,8 @@ impl SymbolExtractor {
                 self.impls.push(ImplInfo {
                     target_type,
                     file: self.file_path.clone(),
+                    line_start,
+                    line_end,
                     method_count,
                     trait_name,
                 });
diff --git a/src/file_summary.rs b/src/file_summary.rs
index bb6b1ae..228276f 100644
--- a/src/file_summary.rs
+++ b/src/file_summary.rs
@@ -280,14 +280,14 @@ fn render_symbols(report: &symbols::FileSymbolReport, file: &str, verbose: bool)
     if verbose {
         let full_section = format!("Full section: cstat symbols --path {file} -v");
         render::verbose_block(&[
-            "Counts are Rust AST items found in the selected file.",
-            "Functions includes free functions and impl methods.",
+            "Selected-file symbols use syn Rust AST item discovery.",
+            "Functions include free functions and impl methods once.",
             full_section.as_str(),
         ]);
     }
 
     println!(
-        "  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}",
+        "  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}",
         "total".cyan(),
         report.total.to_string().bold(),
         "fn".cyan(),
@@ -298,12 +298,23 @@ fn render_symbols(report: &symbols::FileSymbolReport, file: &str, verbose: bool)
         report.enums.to_string().bold(),
         "trait".cyan(),
         report.traits.to_string().bold(),
+        "trait_impl".cyan(),
+        report.trait_impls.to_string().bold(),
         "const".cyan(),
         report.consts.to_string().bold(),
         "static".cyan(),
         report.statics.to_string().bold(),
     );
 
+    if report.parse_error {
+        println!(
+            "  {}",
+            "parse error: selected file could not be parsed"
+                .yellow()
+                .bold()
+        );
+    }
+
     if !report.symbols.is_empty() {
         println!();
         println!("  {:<10} {}", "kind".bold(), "symbol".bold());
@@ -465,6 +476,7 @@ fn file_symbol_kind_label(kind: &symbols::FileSymbolKind) -> &'static str {
         symbols::FileSymbolKind::Struct => "struct",
         symbols::FileSymbolKind::Enum => "enum",
         symbols::FileSymbolKind::Trait => "trait",
+        symbols::FileSymbolKind::TraitImpl => "trait_impl",
         symbols::FileSymbolKind::Const => "const",
         symbols::FileSymbolKind::Static => "static",
     }
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 822ab98..6cd2cc1 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ Use --explain to print this usage and JSON field contract without running analys
         #[arg(long)]
         explain: bool,
     },
-    /// Symbol counts by kind and file
+    /// Rust AST symbol counts by kind, including trait impl blocks
     Symbols,
     /// Per-function and per-file complexity rankings
     Complexity,
diff --git a/src/symbols.rs b/src/symbols.rs
index 4e551ec..325729e 100644
--- a/src/symbols.rs
+++ b/src/symbols.rs
@@ -12,7 +12,9 @@ pub struct SymbolTotals {
     pub structs: usize,
     pub enums: usize,
     pub traits: usize,
-    pub impls: usize,
+    pub trait_impls: usize,
+    pub consts: usize,
+    pub statics: usize,
     pub parse_error_files: usize,
 }
 
@@ -24,7 +26,9 @@ pub struct FileSymbolCounts {
     pub structs: usize,
     pub enums: usize,
     pub traits: usize,
-    pub impls: usize,
+    pub trait_impls: usize,
+    pub consts: usize,
+    pub statics: usize,
     pub parse_error: bool,
 }
 
@@ -41,6 +45,7 @@ pub enum FileSymbolKind {
     Struct,
     Enum,
     Trait,
+    TraitImpl,
     Const,
     Static,
 }
@@ -61,8 +66,10 @@ pub struct FileSymbolReport {
     pub structs: usize,
     pub enums: usize,
     pub traits: usize,
+    pub trait_impls: usize,
     pub consts: usize,
     pub statics: usize,
+    pub parse_error: bool,
     pub symbols: Vec<FileSymbolRow>,
 }
 
@@ -75,8 +82,10 @@ pub fn analyze_symbols(symbols: &ProjectSymbols, project_path: &Path) -> SymbolR
             let structs = file.structs.len();
             let enums = file.enums.len();
             let traits = file.traits.len();
-            let impls = file.impls.len();
-            let total = functions + structs + enums + traits + impls;
+            let trait_impls = file.impls.iter().filter(|i| i.trait_name.is_some()).count();
+            let consts = file.consts.len();
+            let statics = file.statics.len();
+            let total = functions + structs + enums + traits + trait_impls + consts + statics;
 
             FileSymbolCounts {
                 path: strip_prefix(&file.path, project_path).display().to_string(),
@@ -85,7 +94,9 @@ pub fn analyze_symbols(symbols: &ProjectSymbols, project_path: &Path) -> SymbolR
                 structs,
                 enums,
                 traits,
-                impls,
+                trait_impls,
+                consts,
+                statics,
                 parse_error: file.parse_error,
             }
         })
@@ -99,7 +110,9 @@ pub fn analyze_symbols(symbols: &ProjectSymbols, project_path: &Path) -> SymbolR
         acc.structs += file.structs;
         acc.enums += file.enums;
         acc.traits += file.traits;
-        acc.impls += file.impls;
+        acc.trait_impls += file.trait_impls;
+        acc.consts += file.consts;
+        acc.statics += file.statics;
         if file.parse_error {
             acc.parse_error_files += 1;
         }
@@ -128,8 +141,10 @@ pub fn analyze_symbols_file(
             structs: 0,
             enums: 0,
             traits: 0,
+            trait_impls: 0,
             consts: 0,
             statics: 0,
+            parse_error: false,
             symbols: Vec::new(),
         };
     };
@@ -147,40 +162,50 @@ pub fn analyze_symbols_file(
         rows.push(FileSymbolRow {
             kind: FileSymbolKind::Struct,
             symbol: item.name.clone(),
-            line_start: None,
-            line_end: None,
+            line_start: Some(item.line_start),
+            line_end: Some(item.line_end),
         });
     }
     for item in &file_symbols.enums {
         rows.push(FileSymbolRow {
             kind: FileSymbolKind::Enum,
             symbol: item.name.clone(),
-            line_start: None,
-            line_end: None,
+            line_start: Some(item.line_start),
+            line_end: Some(item.line_end),
         });
     }
     for item in &file_symbols.traits {
         rows.push(FileSymbolRow {
             kind: FileSymbolKind::Trait,
             symbol: item.name.clone(),
-            line_start: None,
-            line_end: None,
+            line_start: Some(item.line_start),
+            line_end: Some(item.line_end),
         });
     }
+    for item in &file_symbols.impls {
+        if let Some(trait_name) = &item.trait_name {
+            rows.push(FileSymbolRow {
+                kind: FileSymbolKind::TraitImpl,
+                symbol: format!("<{} as {}>", item.target_type, trait_name),
+                line_start: Some(item.line_start),
+                line_end: Some(item.line_end),
+            });
+        }
+    }
     for item in &file_symbols.consts {
         rows.push(FileSymbolRow {
             kind: FileSymbolKind::Const,
             symbol: item.name.clone(),
-            line_start: None,
-            line_end: None,
+            line_start: Some(item.line_start),
+            line_end: Some(item.line_end),
         });
     }
     for item in &file_symbols.statics {
         rows.push(FileSymbolRow {
             kind: FileSymbolKind::Static,
             symbol: item.name.clone(),
-            line_start: None,
-            line_end: None,
+            line_start: Some(item.line_start),
+            line_end: Some(item.line_end),
         });
     }
 
@@ -188,9 +213,14 @@ pub fn analyze_symbols_file(
     let structs = file_symbols.structs.len();
     let enums = file_symbols.enums.len();
     let traits = file_symbols.traits.len();
+    let trait_impls = file_symbols
+        .impls
+        .iter()
+        .filter(|item| item.trait_name.is_some())
+        .count();
     let consts = file_symbols.consts.len();
     let statics = file_symbols.statics.len();
-    let total = functions + structs + enums + traits + consts + statics;
+    let total = functions + structs + enums + traits + trait_impls + consts + statics;
 
     FileSymbolReport {
         file: file_display,
@@ -199,8 +229,10 @@ pub fn analyze_symbols_file(
         structs,
         enums,
         traits,
+        trait_impls,
         consts,
         statics,
+        parse_error: file_symbols.parse_error,
         symbols: rows,
     }
 }
@@ -210,14 +242,16 @@ pub fn render_symbol_report(report: &SymbolReport, verbose: bool) {
 
     if verbose {
         render::verbose_block(&[
-            "Counts are Rust AST items found in parseable files.",
-            "Functions includes free functions and impl methods.",
-            "Parse-error files are listed with zero symbols so the report stays deterministic.",
+            "symbols uses syn Rust AST item discovery.",
+            "It does not perform semantic name resolution, rustc analysis, macro expansion, or public API usage proof.",
+            "Functions include free functions and methods in any impl block; methods are counted once as functions.",
+            "trait_impls counts only impl Trait for Type blocks; inherent impl Type containers are not counted separately.",
+            "Parse-error files are surfaced with zero counts and parse_error=true in JSON.",
         ]);
     }
 
     println!(
-        "  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}",
+        "  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}",
         "total".cyan(),
         report.totals.total.to_string().bold(),
         "fn".cyan(),
@@ -228,8 +262,12 @@ pub fn render_symbol_report(report: &SymbolReport, verbose: bool) {
         report.totals.enums.to_string().bold(),
         "trait".cyan(),
         report.totals.traits.to_string().bold(),
-        "impl".cyan(),
-        report.totals.impls.to_string().bold(),
+        "trait_impl".cyan(),
+        report.totals.trait_impls.to_string().bold(),
+        "const".cyan(),
+        report.totals.consts.to_string().bold(),
+        "static".cyan(),
+        report.totals.statics.to_string().bold(),
     );
 
     if report.totals.parse_error_files > 0 {
@@ -242,26 +280,30 @@ pub fn render_symbol_report(report: &SymbolReport, verbose: bool) {
 
     println!();
     println!(
-        "  {:<48} {:>5} {:>5} {:>6} {:>5} {:>6} {:>5}",
+        "  {:<48} {:>5} {:>5} {:>6} {:>5} {:>6} {:>11} {:>6} {:>6}",
         "file".bold(),
         "total".bold(),
         "fn".bold(),
         "struct".bold(),
         "enum".bold(),
         "trait".bold(),
-        "impl".bold()
+        "trait_impl".bold(),
+        "const".bold(),
+        "static".bold()
     );
     for file in &report.files {
         let marker = if file.parse_error { " !" } else { "" };
         println!(
-            "  {:<48} {:>5} {:>5} {:>6} {:>5} {:>6} {:>5}",
+            "  {:<48} {:>5} {:>5} {:>6} {:>5} {:>6} {:>11} {:>6} {:>6}",
             truncate(&format!("{}{}", file.path, marker), 48),
             file.total,
             file.functions,
             file.structs,
             file.enums,
             file.traits,
-            file.impls,
+            file.trait_impls,
+            file.consts,
+            file.statics,
         );
     }
 }
@@ -293,14 +335,16 @@ pub fn render_file_symbol_report(report: &FileSymbolReport, verbose: bool) {
 
     if verbose {
         render::verbose_block(&[
-            "Counts are Rust AST items found in the selected file.",
-            "Functions includes free functions and impl methods.",
-            "Line spans are available for functions; other symbol kinds show lines -.",
+            "Selected-file mode is used when --path points at a Rust source file.",
+            "symbols uses syn Rust AST item discovery; it does not perform semantic name resolution, rustc analysis, macro expansion, or public API usage proof.",
+            "Functions include free functions and methods in any impl block; methods are counted once as functions.",
+            "trait_impls counts only impl Trait for Type blocks; inherent impl Type containers are not counted separately.",
+            "Line spans come from syn/proc-macro2 token spans for Rust item rows.",
         ]);
     }
 
     println!(
-        "  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}",
+        "  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}  {} {}",
         "total".cyan(),
         report.total.to_string().bold(),
         "fn".cyan(),
@@ -311,12 +355,23 @@ pub fn render_file_symbol_report(report: &FileSymbolReport, verbose: bool) {
         report.enums.to_string().bold(),
         "trait".cyan(),
         report.traits.to_string().bold(),
+        "trait_impl".cyan(),
+        report.trait_impls.to_string().bold(),
         "const".cyan(),
         report.consts.to_string().bold(),
         "static".cyan(),
         report.statics.to_string().bold(),
     );
 
+    if report.parse_error {
+        println!(
+            "  {}",
+            "parse error: selected file could not be parsed"
+                .yellow()
+                .bold()
+        );
+    }
+
     println!();
     println!(
         "  {:<10} {:<48} {}",
@@ -344,6 +399,7 @@ fn file_symbol_kind_label(kind: &FileSymbolKind) -> &'static str {
         FileSymbolKind::Struct => "struct",
         FileSymbolKind::Enum => "enum",
         FileSymbolKind::Trait => "trait",
+        FileSymbolKind::TraitImpl => "trait_impl",
         FileSymbolKind::Const => "const",
         FileSymbolKind::Static => "static",
     }
diff --git a/tests/symbols_cli.rs b/tests/symbols_cli.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eb879aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/symbols_cli.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,296 @@
+use serde_json::Value;
+use std::fs;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+use std::process::{Command, Output};
+use std::time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
+
+const LIB_RS: &str = r#"const LIMIT: usize = 10;
+static NAME: &str = "fixture";
+
+struct Parser;
+
+enum Mode {
+    Fast,
+}
+
+trait Parse {
+    fn parse(&self);
+}
+
+impl Parser {
+    fn new() -> Self {
+        Self
+    }
+}
+
+impl Parse for Parser {
+    fn parse(&self) {}
+}
+
+fn free() {
+    let _ = LIMIT;
+}
+
+mod inline {
+    pub struct Inner;
+
+    pub const FLAG: bool = true;
+
+    pub fn nested() {}
+}
+"#;
+
+fn temp_project(name: &str) -> PathBuf {
+    let unique = SystemTime::now()
+        .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
+        .unwrap()
+        .as_nanos();
+    let root = std::env::temp_dir().join(format!("cstat-symbols-{name}-{unique}"));
+    fs::create_dir_all(root.join("src")).unwrap();
+    fs::write(
+        root.join("Cargo.toml"),
+        "[package]\nname = \"fixture\"\nversion = \"0.1.0\"\nedition = \"2021\"\n",
+    )
+    .unwrap();
+    fs::write(root.join("src/lib.rs"), LIB_RS).unwrap();
+    fs::write(root.join("src/broken.rs"), "fn broken(\n").unwrap();
+    root
+}
+
+fn run_cstat(path: &Path, args: &[&str]) -> Output {
+    let bin = env!("CARGO_BIN_EXE_cstat");
+    let mut command = Command::new(bin);
+    command.args(["--no-color", "--path"]);
+    command.arg(path);
+    command.args(args);
+    command.output().expect("invoke cstat binary")
+}
+
+fn assert_success(output: &Output) {
+    assert!(
+        output.status.success(),
+        "cstat failed: status={:?}\nstderr={}\nstdout={}",
+        output.status,
+        String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stderr),
+        String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stdout),
+    );
+}
+
+fn parse_json(output: &Output) -> Value {
+    serde_json::from_slice(&output.stdout).expect("parse symbols JSON")
+}
+
+fn find_file<'a>(value: &'a Value, path: &str) -> &'a Value {
+    value["files"]
+        .as_array()
+        .expect("files array")
+        .iter()
+        .find(|entry| entry["path"] == path)
+        .unwrap_or_else(|| panic!("missing file row {path}: {value}"))
+}
+
+fn assert_zero_symbol_counts(value: &Value) {
+    for field in [
+        "total",
+        "functions",
+        "structs",
+        "enums",
+        "traits",
+        "trait_impls",
+        "consts",
+        "statics",
+    ] {
+        assert_eq!(value[field], 0, "expected zero {field}: {value}");
+    }
+}
+
+fn find_symbol<'a>(rows: &'a [Value], kind: &str, symbol: &str) -> &'a Value {
+    rows.iter()
+        .find(|row| row["kind"] == kind && row["symbol"] == symbol)
+        .unwrap_or_else(|| panic!("missing {kind} symbol {symbol}: {rows:?}"))
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn project_json_reports_trait_impl_contract_and_parse_errors() {
+    let root = temp_project("project-json");
+    let output = run_cstat(&root, &["--json", "symbols"]);
+    assert_success(&output);
+
+    let value = parse_json(&output);
+    assert!(value.get("totals").is_some(), "json={value}");
+    assert!(value.get("files").is_some(), "json={value}");
+
+    let totals = &value["totals"];
+    assert_eq!(totals["total"], 12);
+    assert_eq!(totals["functions"], 4);
+    assert_eq!(totals["structs"], 2);
+    assert_eq!(totals["enums"], 1);
+    assert_eq!(totals["traits"], 1);
+    assert_eq!(totals["trait_impls"], 1);
+    assert_eq!(totals["consts"], 2);
+    assert_eq!(totals["statics"], 1);
+    assert_eq!(totals["parse_error_files"], 1);
+    assert!(
+        totals.get("impls").is_none(),
+        "old impls key present: {totals}"
+    );
+
+    let lib = find_file(&value, "src/lib.rs");
+    assert_eq!(lib["total"], 12);
+    assert_eq!(lib["functions"], 4);
+    assert_eq!(lib["structs"], 2);
+    assert_eq!(lib["enums"], 1);
+    assert_eq!(lib["traits"], 1);
+    assert_eq!(lib["trait_impls"], 1);
+    assert_eq!(lib["consts"], 2);
+    assert_eq!(lib["statics"], 1);
+    assert_eq!(lib["parse_error"], false);
+    assert!(lib.get("impls").is_none(), "old impls key present: {lib}");
+
+    let broken = find_file(&value, "src/broken.rs");
+    assert_eq!(broken["parse_error"], true);
+    assert_zero_symbol_counts(broken);
+
+    fs::remove_dir_all(root).unwrap();
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn selected_file_json_reports_rows_spans_and_schema() {
+    let root = temp_project("selected-json");
+    let file = root.join("src/lib.rs");
+    let output = run_cstat(&file, &["--json", "symbols"]);
+    assert_success(&output);
+
+    let value = parse_json(&output);
+    for field in [
+        "file",
+        "total",
+        "functions",
+        "structs",
+        "enums",
+        "traits",
+        "trait_impls",
+        "consts",
+        "statics",
+        "parse_error",
+        "symbols",
+    ] {
+        assert!(value.get(field).is_some(), "missing {field}: {value}");
+    }
+    assert_eq!(value["file"], "src/lib.rs");
+    assert_eq!(value["parse_error"], false);
+    assert_eq!(value["total"], 12);
+    assert_eq!(value["functions"], 4);
+    assert_eq!(value["structs"], 2);
+    assert_eq!(value["enums"], 1);
+    assert_eq!(value["traits"], 1);
+    assert_eq!(value["trait_impls"], 1);
+    assert_eq!(value["consts"], 2);
+    assert_eq!(value["statics"], 1);
+    assert!(
+        value.get("impls").is_none(),
+        "old impls key present: {value}"
+    );
+
+    let rows = value["symbols"].as_array().expect("symbols array");
+    let fn_rows = rows.iter().filter(|row| row["kind"] == "fn").count();
+    assert_eq!(fn_rows, 4, "rows={rows:?}");
+
+    let free = find_symbol(rows, "fn", "free");
+    assert_eq!(free["line_start"], 24);
+    assert_eq!(free["line_end"], 26);
+
+    let inherent_method = find_symbol(rows, "fn", "Parser::new");
+    assert_eq!(inherent_method["line_start"], 15);
+    assert_eq!(inherent_method["line_end"], 17);
+
+    find_symbol(rows, "fn", "inline::nested");
+
+    let trait_impl_rows: Vec<&Value> = rows
+        .iter()
+        .filter(|row| row["kind"] == "trait_impl")
+        .collect();
+    assert_eq!(trait_impl_rows.len(), 1, "rows={rows:?}");
+    let trait_impl = trait_impl_rows[0];
+    assert_eq!(trait_impl["symbol"], "<Parser as Parse>");
+    assert_eq!(trait_impl["line_start"], 20);
+    assert_eq!(trait_impl["line_end"], 22);
+
+    find_symbol(rows, "const", "inline::FLAG");
+    find_symbol(rows, "static", "NAME");
+
+    fs::remove_dir_all(root).unwrap();
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn selected_file_json_surfaces_parse_error() {
+    let root = temp_project("parse-error");
+    let file = root.join("src/broken.rs");
+    let output = run_cstat(&file, &["--json", "symbols"]);
+    assert_success(&output);
+
+    let value = parse_json(&output);
+    assert_eq!(value["file"], "src/broken.rs");
+    assert_eq!(value["parse_error"], true);
+    assert_zero_symbol_counts(&value);
+    assert!(
+        value["symbols"]
+            .as_array()
+            .expect("symbols array")
+            .is_empty(),
+        "json={value}"
+    );
+
+    fs::remove_dir_all(root).unwrap();
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn symbols_human_verbose_explains_contract() {
+    let root = temp_project("human-verbose");
+    let output = run_cstat(&root, &["-v", "symbols"]);
+    assert_success(&output);
+
+    let stdout = String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stdout);
+    for expected in [
+        "Rust AST",
+        "syn",
+        "semantic name resolution",
+        "public API usage",
+        "trait_impl",
+        "inherent",
+        "Parse-error",
+        "const",
+        "static",
+    ] {
+        assert!(stdout.contains(expected), "missing {expected}: {stdout}");
+    }
+
+    fs::remove_dir_all(root).unwrap();
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn symbols_help_mentions_file_path_and_trait_impls() {
+    let root = temp_project("help");
+
+    let root_help = run_cstat(&root, &["--help"]);
+    assert_success(&root_help);
+    let root_stdout = String::from_utf8_lossy(&root_help.stdout);
+    assert!(
+        root_stdout.contains("Rust project directory or Rust source file"),
+        "stdout={root_stdout}"
+    );
+
+    let symbols_help = run_cstat(&root, &["symbols", "--help"]);
+    assert_success(&symbols_help);
+    let symbols_stdout = String::from_utf8_lossy(&symbols_help.stdout);
+    assert!(
+        symbols_stdout.contains("Rust AST symbol counts"),
+        "stdout={symbols_stdout}"
+    );
+    assert!(
+        symbols_stdout.contains("trait impl"),
+        "stdout={symbols_stdout}"
+    );
+
+    fs::remove_dir_all(root).unwrap();
+}