diff --git a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_jobs/__manifest__.py b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_jobs/__manifest__.py
index a415b7b1..f6e6bba1 100644
--- a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_jobs/__manifest__.py
+++ b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_jobs/__manifest__.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 # License OPL-1 (Odoo Proprietary License v1.0)
 {
     'name': 'Fusion Plating — Native Jobs',
-    'version': '19.0.8.17.0',
+    'version': '19.0.8.17.1',
     'category': 'Manufacturing/Plating',
     'summary': 'Native plating job model — replaces mrp.production / mrp.workorder bridge.',
     'author': 'Nexa Systems Inc.',
diff --git a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_jobs/models/fp_job_step.py b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_jobs/models/fp_job_step.py
index 5a4ccbe1..e700757c 100644
--- a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_jobs/models/fp_job_step.py
+++ b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_jobs/models/fp_job_step.py
@@ -148,6 +148,20 @@ class FpJobStep(models.Model):
                     'so': so.name or '',
                     'status': recv or 'unknown',
                 })
+
+        # Sub 12e v4 — when an operator starts a contract_review step,
+        # immediately route to the QA-005 form. The step stays
+        # in_progress in the background; the operator signs (or
+        # dismisses) the review on QA-005, navigates back to the job,
+        # then clicks Finish & Next to advance. This removes the
+        # earlier "click Start, then click Finish & Next, then maybe
+        # click Finish & Next again" friction.
+        # Single-record only — multi-record button_start (e.g. job
+        # bulk-start) shouldn't navigate.
+        if len(self) == 1:
+            cr_action = self._fp_contract_review_redirect()
+            if cr_action:
+                return cr_action
         return result
 
     def button_pause(self):
diff --git a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_jobs/tests/test_fp_job_extensions.py b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_jobs/tests/test_fp_job_extensions.py
index 1b5831e4..99e02ce7 100644
--- a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_jobs/tests/test_fp_job_extensions.py
+++ b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_jobs/tests/test_fp_job_extensions.py
@@ -827,6 +827,47 @@ class TestContractReviewStepRouting(TransactionCase):
             % action,
         )
 
+    def test_button_start_routes_cr_step_to_qa005(self):
+        """Sub 12e v4 UX — clicking Start on a contract_review step
+        should set state=in_progress AND immediately return the QA-005
+        action so the operator lands on the form without needing to
+        click Finish & Next."""
+        # Use the setUp's CR step but reset state to 'ready' so we
+        # can call button_start. Skip the predecessor gate since
+        # there are no other steps in this minimal test job.
+        self.step.state = 'ready'
+        action = self.step.with_context(
+            fp_skip_predecessor_check=True,
+        ).button_start()
+        # State must transition
+        self.assertEqual(self.step.state, 'in_progress')
+        # And the action returned must be the QA-005 form
+        self.assertTrue(
+            self._is_contract_review_action(action),
+            'button_start on a contract_review step must return the '
+            'QA-005 action, got: %r' % action,
+        )
+
+    def test_button_start_does_not_route_when_review_complete(self):
+        """If the QA-005 review is already complete, button_start
+        on the CR step should NOT redirect — operator just starts
+        the step normally and clicks Finish & Next when ready."""
+        review = self.env['fp.contract.review'].create({
+            'part_id': self.part.id,
+            'state': 'complete',
+        })
+        self.part.x_fc_contract_review_id = review.id
+        self.step.state = 'ready'
+        action = self.step.with_context(
+            fp_skip_predecessor_check=True,
+        ).button_start()
+        self.assertEqual(self.step.state, 'in_progress')
+        self.assertFalse(
+            self._is_contract_review_action(action),
+            'When review is complete, button_start must NOT redirect '
+            '(the gate is closed). Got: %r' % action,
+        )
+
 
 class TestSequentialEnforcement(TransactionCase):
     """Sub 13 — recipe-level + per-step sequential enforcement.