diff --git a/tdkpin-rs/README.md b/tdkpin-rs/README.md
index c254c98..219e4df 100644
--- a/tdkpin-rs/README.md
+++ b/tdkpin-rs/README.md
@@ -31,6 +31,22 @@ development packages are also required (X11, OpenGL, and ALSA). Windows needs
 no extra runtime installation; macOS builds with the normal Apple developer
 command-line tools.
 
+## Deterministic mechanics validation
+
+Named scenarios can be advanced without waiting in real time. The simulator
+uses exact 120 Hz steps, prints its final state as JSON, and can write both the
+complete step trace and the original-size 640x460 framebuffer:
+
+```sh
+cargo run -- --simulate claw-6 --at 0.15 \
+  --trace /tmp/claw-6.json \
+  --screenshot /tmp/claw-6.png
+```
+
+Use `--step N` instead of `--at SECONDS` to reproduce one exact update. The
+available scenarios are `launcher`, `flippers`, `claw-1`, `claw-6`, `claw-7`,
+and `claw-18`; `--seed N` fixes random choices for later seeded scenarios.
+
 ## Original and modern controls
 
 | Action | Original key | Additional modern key |
diff --git a/tdkpin-rs/RECONSTRUCTION.md b/tdkpin-rs/RECONSTRUCTION.md
index ddc018d..12a9806 100644
--- a/tdkpin-rs/RECONSTRUCTION.md
+++ b/tdkpin-rs/RECONSTRUCTION.md
@@ -57,6 +57,10 @@ decoded, build-ready subset; it does not replace that evidence archive.
 - Runtime coverage: the Linux executable was launched through the real window
   backend, the attract screen was inspected, a game was started, a ball was
   launched, collision scoring was observed, and a rendered frame was captured.
+- Deterministic mechanics coverage: named launcher, flipper, and all four claw
+  terminal scenarios advance at exact 120 Hz steps, record JSON state/event
+  traces, and can export the logical 640x460 render target at any requested
+  step for visual inspection.
 - Semantic boundary: no claim is made that every trajectory or score tick is
   bit-identical to the 16-bit executable. Remaining numeric inference is listed
   above instead of being presented as proven parity.
diff --git a/tdkpin-rs/src/app.rs b/tdkpin-rs/src/app.rs
index 9865595..4e6ee99 100644
--- a/tdkpin-rs/src/app.rs
+++ b/tdkpin-rs/src/app.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ use crate::{
     table::BUMPERS,
 };
 use macroquad::prelude::*;
+use std::path::Path;
 
 const WIDTH: f32 = 640.0;
 const HEIGHT: f32 = 460.0;
@@ -82,6 +83,26 @@ impl App {
         self.present();
     }
 
+    pub fn set_simulation_game(&mut self, game: Game) {
+        self.game = Some(game);
+        self.screen = Screen::Playing;
+    }
+
+    pub fn render_simulation(&self) {
+        self.draw_logical();
+    }
+
+    pub fn export_simulation_png(&self, path: &Path) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let path = path
+            .to_str()
+            .ok_or_else(|| format!("screenshot path is not valid UTF-8: {}", path.display()))?;
+        self.render_target
+            .texture
+            .get_texture_data()
+            .export_png(path);
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
     fn handle_global_input(&mut self) {
         if is_key_pressed(KeyCode::F12) {
             self.saved.settings.sounds = !self.saved.settings.sounds;
diff --git a/tdkpin-rs/src/game.rs b/tdkpin-rs/src/game.rs
index 18396b5..dffa097 100644
--- a/tdkpin-rs/src/game.rs
+++ b/tdkpin-rs/src/game.rs
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ impl Default for Ball {
     }
 }
 
-#[derive(Debug)]
+#[derive(Clone, Debug)]
 pub struct Game {
     pub players: Vec<Player>,
     pub current_player: usize,
@@ -275,6 +275,15 @@ impl Game {
         true
     }
 
+    pub(crate) fn begin_claw_scenario(&mut self, terminal_frame: u8) -> Vec<Event> {
+        self.ball.in_launcher = false;
+        self.ball.position = CLAW_TRIGGER_CENTER;
+        self.ball.velocity = Vec2::ZERO;
+        let mut events = Vec::new();
+        self.begin_claw_capture(terminal_frame, &mut events);
+        events
+    }
+
     fn fire_launcher(&mut self) {
         let launch_speed = LAUNCH_SPEED_MIN + self.launcher_charge * LAUNCH_SPEED_RANGE;
         self.ball.in_launcher = false;
diff --git a/tdkpin-rs/src/main.rs b/tdkpin-rs/src/main.rs
index e7b0d21..bda8ce4 100644
--- a/tdkpin-rs/src/main.rs
+++ b/tdkpin-rs/src/main.rs
@@ -3,10 +3,12 @@ mod assets;
 mod game;
 mod geometry;
 mod persistence;
+mod simulation;
 mod table;
 
 use app::App;
 use macroquad::prelude::*;
+use simulation::{Request, Simulation, usage};
 
 const WINDOW_WIDTH: i32 = 960;
 const WINDOW_HEIGHT: i32 = 690;
@@ -24,9 +26,44 @@ fn window_conf() -> Conf {
 
 #[macroquad::main(window_conf)]
 async fn main() {
+    let request = match Request::parse(std::env::args()) {
+        Ok(request) => request,
+        Err(error) => {
+            eprintln!("{error}");
+            return;
+        }
+    };
+    if let Some(request) = request {
+        if let Err(error) = run_simulation(request).await {
+            eprintln!("{error}\n\n{}", usage());
+        }
+        return;
+    }
+
     let mut app = App::load().await;
     loop {
         app.frame();
         next_frame().await;
     }
 }
+
+async fn run_simulation(request: Request) -> Result<(), String> {
+    let mut simulation = Simulation::new(request.scenario, request.seed);
+    simulation.advance_to(request.target_step);
+
+    if let Some(path) = &request.trace {
+        simulation.write_trace(path)?;
+    }
+    if let Some(path) = &request.screenshot {
+        let mut app = App::load().await;
+        app.set_simulation_game(simulation.game().clone());
+        app.render_simulation();
+        next_frame().await;
+        app.export_simulation_png(path)?;
+    }
+
+    let final_state = serde_json::to_string_pretty(simulation.final_snapshot())
+        .map_err(|error| format!("could not encode final simulation state: {error}"))?;
+    println!("{final_state}");
+    Ok(())
+}
diff --git a/tdkpin-rs/src/simulation.rs b/tdkpin-rs/src/simulation.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c3c5970
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tdkpin-rs/src/simulation.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,393 @@
+use crate::game::{ClawSpriteBank, Controls, Event, Game};
+use serde::Serialize;
+use std::{
+    fs,
+    path::{Path, PathBuf},
+    str::FromStr,
+};
+
+pub const SIMULATION_HZ: u32 = 120;
+const SIMULATION_HZ_F64: f64 = 120.0;
+const SIMULATION_DT: f32 = 1.0 / 120.0;
+const MAX_SIMULATION_STEPS: u64 = 72_000;
+
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum Scenario {
+    Launcher,
+    Flippers,
+    Claw1,
+    Claw6,
+    Claw7,
+    Claw18,
+}
+
+impl Scenario {
+    pub const fn name(self) -> &'static str {
+        match self {
+            Self::Launcher => "launcher",
+            Self::Flippers => "flippers",
+            Self::Claw1 => "claw-1",
+            Self::Claw6 => "claw-6",
+            Self::Claw7 => "claw-7",
+            Self::Claw18 => "claw-18",
+        }
+    }
+
+    const fn claw_terminal(self) -> Option<u8> {
+        match self {
+            Self::Claw1 => Some(1),
+            Self::Claw6 => Some(6),
+            Self::Claw7 => Some(7),
+            Self::Claw18 => Some(18),
+            Self::Launcher | Self::Flippers => None,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl FromStr for Scenario {
+    type Err = String;
+
+    fn from_str(value: &str) -> Result<Self, Self::Err> {
+        match value {
+            "launcher" => Ok(Self::Launcher),
+            "flippers" => Ok(Self::Flippers),
+            "claw-1" => Ok(Self::Claw1),
+            "claw-6" => Ok(Self::Claw6),
+            "claw-7" => Ok(Self::Claw7),
+            "claw-18" => Ok(Self::Claw18),
+            _ => Err(format!(
+                "unknown scenario {value:?}; expected launcher, flippers, claw-1, claw-6, claw-7, or claw-18"
+            )),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, PartialEq)]
+pub struct Request {
+    pub scenario: Scenario,
+    pub target_step: u64,
+    pub screenshot: Option<PathBuf>,
+    pub trace: Option<PathBuf>,
+    pub seed: u32,
+}
+
+impl Request {
+    pub fn parse(args: impl IntoIterator<Item = String>) -> Result<Option<Self>, String> {
+        let mut arguments = args.into_iter();
+        let _program = arguments.next();
+        let Some(first) = arguments.next() else {
+            return Ok(None);
+        };
+        if first != "--simulate" {
+            return Err(format!("unknown argument {first:?}\n\n{}", usage()));
+        }
+        let scenario = arguments
+            .next()
+            .ok_or_else(|| format!("--simulate requires a scenario\n\n{}", usage()))?
+            .parse()?;
+        let mut request = Self {
+            scenario,
+            target_step: u64::from(SIMULATION_HZ),
+            screenshot: None,
+            trace: None,
+            seed: 0x5444_4b50,
+        };
+
+        while let Some(option) = arguments.next() {
+            let value = arguments
+                .next()
+                .ok_or_else(|| format!("{option} requires a value"))?;
+            match option.as_str() {
+                "--at" => request.target_step = seconds_to_step(&value)?,
+                "--step" => {
+                    request.target_step = value
+                        .parse()
+                        .map_err(|_| format!("invalid step {value:?}"))?;
+                }
+                "--screenshot" => request.screenshot = Some(PathBuf::from(value)),
+                "--trace" => request.trace = Some(PathBuf::from(value)),
+                "--seed" => {
+                    request.seed = value
+                        .parse()
+                        .map_err(|_| format!("invalid seed {value:?}"))?;
+                }
+                _ => return Err(format!("unknown simulation option {option:?}")),
+            }
+        }
+        if request.target_step > MAX_SIMULATION_STEPS {
+            return Err(format!(
+                "requested step {} exceeds the ten-minute validation limit {MAX_SIMULATION_STEPS}",
+                request.target_step
+            ));
+        }
+        Ok(Some(request))
+    }
+}
+
+#[allow(clippy::cast_possible_truncation, clippy::cast_sign_loss)]
+fn seconds_to_step(value: &str) -> Result<u64, String> {
+    let seconds: f64 = value
+        .parse()
+        .map_err(|_| format!("invalid simulation time {value:?}"))?;
+    if !seconds.is_finite() || seconds < 0.0 {
+        return Err("simulation time must be a finite non-negative number".to_owned());
+    }
+    if seconds > 600.0 {
+        return Err("simulation time exceeds the ten-minute validation limit".to_owned());
+    }
+    let step = (seconds * SIMULATION_HZ_F64).round();
+    Ok(step as u64)
+}
+
+pub const fn usage() -> &'static str {
+    "Usage:\n  tdkpin-rs\n  tdkpin-rs --simulate SCENARIO [--at SECONDS | --step N] [--screenshot FILE.png] [--trace FILE.json] [--seed N]\n\nScenarios: launcher, flippers, claw-1, claw-6, claw-7, claw-18"
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Serialize, PartialEq)]
+pub struct Snapshot {
+    pub scenario: &'static str,
+    pub step: u64,
+    pub seconds: f64,
+    pub ball: BallSnapshot,
+    pub claw: ClawSnapshot,
+    pub flippers: FlipperSnapshot,
+    pub launcher_charge: f32,
+    pub events: Vec<String>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Serialize, PartialEq)]
+pub struct BallSnapshot {
+    pub x: f32,
+    pub y: f32,
+    pub velocity_x: f32,
+    pub velocity_y: f32,
+    pub in_launcher: bool,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Serialize, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub struct ClawSnapshot {
+    pub active: bool,
+    pub frame: u8,
+    pub bank: &'static str,
+    pub ball_suspended: bool,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Serialize, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub struct FlipperSnapshot {
+    pub left_raised: bool,
+    pub right_raised: bool,
+}
+
+pub struct Simulation {
+    scenario: Scenario,
+    step: u64,
+    game: Game,
+    trace: Vec<Snapshot>,
+}
+
+impl Simulation {
+    pub fn new(scenario: Scenario, seed: u32) -> Self {
+        let mut game = Game::new_with_seed(1, seed);
+        let initial_events = scenario
+            .claw_terminal()
+            .map_or_else(Vec::new, |terminal| game.begin_claw_scenario(terminal));
+        let mut simulation = Self {
+            scenario,
+            step: 0,
+            game,
+            trace: Vec::new(),
+        };
+        simulation.record(initial_events);
+        simulation
+    }
+
+    pub fn advance_to(&mut self, target_step: u64) {
+        while self.step < target_step {
+            let controls = controls_for(self.scenario, self.step);
+            let events = self.game.update(SIMULATION_DT, 3, controls);
+            self.step += 1;
+            self.record(events);
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn game(&self) -> &Game {
+        &self.game
+    }
+
+    pub fn final_snapshot(&self) -> &Snapshot {
+        self.trace
+            .last()
+            .expect("a simulation always records step zero")
+    }
+
+    pub fn write_trace(&self, path: &Path) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let json = serde_json::to_vec_pretty(&self.trace)
+            .map_err(|error| format!("could not encode simulation trace: {error}"))?;
+        fs::write(path, json)
+            .map_err(|error| format!("could not write trace {}: {error}", path.display()))
+    }
+
+    fn record(&mut self, events: Vec<Event>) {
+        let step = u32::try_from(self.step).expect("simulation step is limited to 72000");
+        let claw_bank = match self.game.claw.bank {
+            ClawSpriteBank::Closing => "closing",
+            ClawSpriteBank::Opening => "opening",
+        };
+        self.trace.push(Snapshot {
+            scenario: self.scenario.name(),
+            step: self.step,
+            seconds: f64::from(step) / SIMULATION_HZ_F64,
+            ball: BallSnapshot {
+                x: self.game.ball.position.x,
+                y: self.game.ball.position.y,
+                velocity_x: self.game.ball.velocity.x,
+                velocity_y: self.game.ball.velocity.y,
+                in_launcher: self.game.ball.in_launcher,
+            },
+            claw: ClawSnapshot {
+                active: self.game.claw.active,
+                frame: self.game.claw.frame,
+                bank: claw_bank,
+                ball_suspended: self.game.claw.ball_suspended,
+            },
+            flippers: FlipperSnapshot {
+                left_raised: self.game.flippers.left_raised,
+                right_raised: self.game.flippers.right_raised,
+            },
+            launcher_charge: self.game.launcher_charge,
+            events: events
+                .into_iter()
+                .map(|event| format!("{event:?}"))
+                .collect(),
+        });
+    }
+}
+
+fn controls_for(scenario: Scenario, step: u64) -> Controls {
+    match scenario {
+        Scenario::Launcher => Controls {
+            launch_down: step < u64::from(SIMULATION_HZ),
+            ..Controls::default()
+        },
+        Scenario::Flippers => {
+            let phase = step % u64::from(SIMULATION_HZ);
+            Controls {
+                left_flipper: (15..45).contains(&phase),
+                right_flipper: (60..90).contains(&phase),
+                ..Controls::default()
+            }
+        }
+        Scenario::Claw1 | Scenario::Claw6 | Scenario::Claw7 | Scenario::Claw18 => {
+            Controls::default()
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    fn args(values: &[&str]) -> Vec<String> {
+        values.iter().map(|value| (*value).to_owned()).collect()
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn interactive_run_has_no_simulation_request() {
+        assert_eq!(Request::parse(args(&["tdkpin-rs"])), Ok(None));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn simulation_request_accepts_time_outputs_and_seed() {
+        let request = Request::parse(args(&[
+            "tdkpin-rs",
+            "--simulate",
+            "claw-7",
+            "--at",
+            "0.15",
+            "--screenshot",
+            "frame.png",
+            "--trace",
+            "trace.json",
+            "--seed",
+            "42",
+        ]))
+        .expect("request should parse")
+        .expect("simulation should be selected");
+
+        assert_eq!(request.scenario, Scenario::Claw7);
+        assert_eq!(request.target_step, 18);
+        assert_eq!(request.screenshot, Some(PathBuf::from("frame.png")));
+        assert_eq!(request.trace, Some(PathBuf::from("trace.json")));
+        assert_eq!(request.seed, 42);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn seeded_simulations_have_identical_step_traces() {
+        let mut first = Simulation::new(Scenario::Claw6, 7);
+        let mut second = Simulation::new(Scenario::Claw6, 7);
+        first.advance_to(90);
+        second.advance_to(90);
+
+        assert_eq!(first.trace, second.trace);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn launcher_scenario_holds_for_one_second_then_releases() {
+        let mut simulation = Simulation::new(Scenario::Launcher, 1);
+        simulation.advance_to(60);
+        assert!(simulation.game.ball.in_launcher);
+        assert!((0.49..=0.51).contains(&simulation.game.launcher_charge));
+
+        simulation.advance_to(121);
+        assert!(!simulation.game.ball.in_launcher);
+        assert!(simulation.trace[121].events.contains(&"Launch".to_owned()));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn flipper_scenario_records_both_movement_edges() {
+        let mut simulation = Simulation::new(Scenario::Flippers, 1);
+        simulation.advance_to(46);
+
+        assert_eq!(simulation.trace[16].events, ["FlipperMove"]);
+        assert_eq!(simulation.trace[46].events, ["FlipperMove"]);
+        assert!(!simulation.game.flippers.left_raised);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn every_claw_scenario_completes_all_captures_and_returns_idle() {
+        for scenario in [
+            Scenario::Claw1,
+            Scenario::Claw6,
+            Scenario::Claw7,
+            Scenario::Claw18,
+        ] {
+            let mut simulation = Simulation::new(scenario, 1);
+            simulation.advance_to(120);
+            let events: Vec<&str> = simulation
+                .trace
+                .iter()
+                .flat_map(|snapshot| snapshot.events.iter().map(String::as_str))
+                .collect();
+
+            let captures = events
+                .iter()
+                .filter(|event| **event == "ClawCapture")
+                .count();
+            let releases = events
+                .iter()
+                .filter(|event| **event == "ClawRelease")
+                .count();
+            assert!(captures >= 1, "{} must enter the claw", scenario.name());
+            assert_eq!(
+                captures,
+                releases,
+                "{} must release every captured ball",
+                scenario.name()
+            );
+            assert!(!simulation.game.claw.active);
+            assert!(!simulation.game.claw.ball_suspended);
+            assert!(simulation.game.ball.position.is_finite());
+            assert!(simulation.game.ball.velocity.is_finite());
+        }
+    }
+}