diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b122973317e..38a498c9beb 100755
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -115,9 +115,9 @@ Also: `phpc doctor` (env probe), `phpc validate-manifest`, `phpc cgi`. See `./ph
 | [003-MiniWebApp](examples/003-MiniWebApp/) | ✅ `phpc serve` ([#539](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/539)) | ✅ `phpc build --project` ([#752](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/752)) | ✅ native execute ([#764](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/764); [#1044](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1044)) | ✅ deploy smoke ([#676](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/676), [#1530](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1530)) |
 | [005-SessionsWeb](examples/005-SessionsWeb/) | ✅ `phpc serve` + session smoke ([#1881](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1881), [#1887](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1887)) | ✅ `phpc build` ([#1946](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1946)) | ✅ AOT execute (`SESSIONS_WEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE=1`, [#1891](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1891)) | ✅ deploy smoke opt-in ([#1893](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1893)) |
 | [006-FileUploadWeb](examples/006-FileUploadWeb/) | ✅ `phpc serve` + multipart smoke ([#1999](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1999), [#2009](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2009)) | ✅ `phpc build` ([#2011](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2011)) | ✅ AOT execute (`FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE=1` default, [#2012](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2012)) | — |
-| [007-ThrowsWeb](examples/007-ThrowsWeb/) | ✅ `phpc serve` + caught invalid POST ([#2076](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2076); VM smoke `THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE=1` default, [#2093](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2093), [#2125](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2125)) | 📋 deferred ([#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101)) | 📋 deferred ([#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101)) | — |
+| [007-ThrowsWeb](examples/007-ThrowsWeb/) | ✅ `phpc serve` + caught invalid POST ([#2076](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2076); VM smoke `THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE=1` default, [#2093](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2093), [#2125](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2125)) | ✅ `THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE=1` ([#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101), [#2135](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2135)) | ✅ `THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE=1` ([#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101), [#2135](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2135)) | — |
 
-`make examples-aot-smoke` links and executes 000–004 when LLVM is ready (003 execute green — [#764](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/764)); **006-FileUploadWeb** multipart execute when `FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE=1` (default — [#2012](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2012), [#2013](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2013)). **007-ThrowsWeb** AOT link/execute when `THROWSWEB_AOT_*_GATE=1` (opt-in — [#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101), [#2104](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2104)). **005-SessionsWeb** VM/session curls: `make examples-web-smoke` ([#1887](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1887)). **007-ThrowsWeb** five-minute presenter curls: [docs/GETTING-STARTED.md §5b](docs/GETTING-STARTED.md) ([#2158](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2158)). Per-example commands: [examples/README.md](examples/README.md).
+`make examples-aot-smoke` links and executes 000–004 when LLVM is ready (003 execute green — [#764](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/764)); **006-FileUploadWeb** multipart execute when `FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE=1` (default — [#2012](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2012), [#2013](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2013)). **007-ThrowsWeb** AOT link/execute when `THROWSWEB_AOT_*_GATE=1` (default — [#2135](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2135), [#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101)). **005-SessionsWeb** VM/session curls: `make examples-web-smoke` ([#1887](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1887)). **007-ThrowsWeb** five-minute presenter curls: [docs/GETTING-STARTED.md §5b](docs/GETTING-STARTED.md) ([#2158](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2158)). Per-example commands: [examples/README.md](examples/README.md).
 
 ### Capabilities
 
diff --git a/docs/GETTING-STARTED.md b/docs/GETTING-STARTED.md
index 61ece65f83d..b83b9ca7d0b 100644
--- a/docs/GETTING-STARTED.md
+++ b/docs/GETTING-STARTED.md
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ curl -s -F 'doc=@examples/006-FileUploadWeb/README.md' http://127.0.0.1:8080/exa
 curl -sf -X POST -d 'email=bad' http://127.0.0.1:8080/example.php | grep -i invalid
 ```
 
-**Talking point:** Caught exceptions in a web form without Zend PHP at dev time — same `throw` / `catch` path as production CGI. Automated curls: `make examples-throws-smoke` ([#2141](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2141), [#2125](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2125), [#2093](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2093)). Gate ladder: `./phpc doctor --gates | grep -i throws` ([#2102](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2102)). Native AOT link/execute for user-defined `ValidationError` is deferred ([#2157](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2157); opt-in `THROWSWEB_AOT_*_GATE` — [#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101)) — see [examples/007-ThrowsWeb/README.md](../examples/007-ThrowsWeb/README.md) and ROADMAP [#78](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/78).
+**Talking point:** Caught exceptions in a web form without Zend PHP at dev time — same `throw` / `catch` path as production CGI. Automated curls: `make examples-throws-smoke` ([#2141](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2141), [#2125](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2125), [#2093](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2093)). Gate ladder: `./phpc doctor --gates | grep -i throws` ([#2102](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2102)). Native AOT link/execute for user-defined `ValidationError` is green ([#2157](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2157); `THROWSWEB_AOT_*_GATE=1` default — [#2135](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2135), [#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101)) — see [examples/007-ThrowsWeb/README.md](../examples/007-ThrowsWeb/README.md) and ROADMAP [#78](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/78).
 
 ### 6. (Optional) Self-host smoke
 
diff --git a/docs/capabilities-syntax.md b/docs/capabilities-syntax.md
index 4b5667fa167..85a4307166b 100644
--- a/docs/capabilities-syntax.md
+++ b/docs/capabilities-syntax.md
@@ -100,9 +100,9 @@ ROADMAP Phase 4/5: [#78](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/78), trac
 
 | Construct | VM | JIT | AOT | Issue | Notes |
 |-----------|:--:|:---:|:---:|-------|-------|
-| `007-ThrowsWeb` reference app | yes | yes | partial | [#2076](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2076) | #2076 VM serve + caught invalid POST (THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE default #2125); AOT deferred #2101/#2104 |
-| `throw` / `catch` on invalid POST (web serve) | yes | yes | partial | [#195](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/195) | #195 throw lowering; #57 catch; #2084 compliance PHPT pack |
-| AOT project link (`phpc build --project`) | n/a | n/a | partial | [#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101) | ExamplesCompileTest 007 link; opt-in THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE (#2101) |
-| AOT CGI execute (caught throw probe) | n/a | n/a | partial | [#2104](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2104) | examples-aot-smoke 007 slice; opt-in THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE (#2104) |
+| `007-ThrowsWeb` reference app | yes | yes | yes | [#2076](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2076) | #2076 VM serve + caught invalid POST (THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE default #2125); AOT link/execute default #2135 |
+| `throw` / `catch` on invalid POST (web serve) | yes | yes | yes | [#195](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/195) | #195 throw lowering; #57 catch; #2084 compliance PHPT pack; user empty class AOT #2157 |
+| AOT project link (`phpc build --project`) | n/a | n/a | yes | [#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101) | ExamplesCompileTest 007 link; THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE default-on (#2135) |
+| AOT CGI execute (caught throw probe) | n/a | n/a | yes | [#2104](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2104) | examples-aot-smoke 007 slice; THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE default-on (#2135) |
 
-_Throws rows are curated from ROADMAP issue state; `throw` [#195](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/195); `try`/`catch` [#57](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/57); overlay [#2084](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2084). Opt-in ci-local gates: `THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE` (VM serve default-on #2125), `THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE`, `THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE`._
+_Throws rows are curated from ROADMAP issue state; `throw` [#195](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/195); `try`/`catch` [#57](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/57); overlay [#2084](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2084). ci-local gates: `THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE` (VM serve default-on #2125), `THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE` / `THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE` (AOT default-on #2135; set `0` to skip)._
diff --git a/docs/local-ci-matrix.md b/docs/local-ci-matrix.md
index 62e97eab1da..9b16ebdeabf 100644
--- a/docs/local-ci-matrix.md
+++ b/docs/local-ci-matrix.md
@@ -218,15 +218,15 @@ FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_DEPLOY_SMOKE_GATE=1 ./script/deploy-smoke.sh --example 006
 
 ## 007-ThrowsWeb gates ([#2076](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2076), [#2093](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2093))
 
-Progressive ladder (VM throw/catch → AOT link → AOT execute). VM smoke default-on ([#2125](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2125), [#2093](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2093)); AOT gates opt-in until **#195** / **#57** / **#2101** land; execute default-on blocked on **#2157** (follow-up **#2135**). Copy-paste ladder: `./phpc doctor --gates` (**#2102**).
+Progressive ladder (VM throw/catch → AOT link → AOT execute). VM smoke default-on ([#2125](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2125), [#2093](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2093)); AOT gates default-on ([#2135](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2135), [#2157](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2157)). Copy-paste ladder: `./phpc doctor --gates` (**#2102**).
 
-**`ci-local.sh` llvm tail** (mirror **006** link → execute): `ci_run_aot_link_phpunit` (`@group aot-link`, honors `THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE`) runs before `ci_run_throws_web_aot_execute` (`@group throwsweb-aot-execute`, honors `THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE`) — audit **#2178**; default-on flip **#2135** after **#2157** ✅.
+**`ci-local.sh` llvm tail** (mirror **006** link → execute): `ci_run_aot_link_phpunit` (`@group aot-link`, honors `THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE`) runs before `ci_run_throws_web_aot_execute` (`@group throwsweb-aot-execute`, honors `THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE`) — audit **#2178**; default-on **#2135** after **#2157** ✅.
 
 | Stage | Variable | Default | When enabled |
 |-------|----------|---------|--------------|
 | VM throw/catch | `THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE` | `1` | `make examples-throws-smoke` · `ci-fast.sh` ([#2125](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2125), [#2093](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2093)) |
-| AOT link | `THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE` | `0` | `./script/ci-local.sh --filter test007ThrowsWebAotLink` ([#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101), [#2143](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2143)) |
-| AOT execute | `THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE` | `0` | `ThrowsWebAotExecuteTest` or `EXAMPLES_AOT_SMOKE_ONLY=007 ./script/examples-aot-smoke.sh` ([#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101), [#2104](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2104)) |
+| AOT link | `THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE` | `1` | `./script/ci-local.sh --filter test007ThrowsWebAotLink` ([#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101), [#2135](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2135)); set `0` to skip during iteration |
+| AOT execute | `THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE` | `1` | `ThrowsWebAotExecuteTest` or `EXAMPLES_AOT_SMOKE_ONLY=007 ./script/examples-aot-smoke.sh` ([#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101), [#2135](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2135)) |
 
 ```bash
 ./phpc doctor --gates | grep -E 'THROWS|007-ThrowsWeb'
diff --git a/docs/pages/development-status.md b/docs/pages/development-status.md
index 3eb99f0d2f0..9739d76afa1 100644
--- a/docs/pages/development-status.md
+++ b/docs/pages/development-status.md
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ The `examples/` tree (**000–007**) is kept for **VM + AOT regression testing**
 | [003-MiniWebApp](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/tree/master/examples/003-MiniWebApp) | Multi-file web app (router, templates, CGI superglobals) | Default-on gates: lint, VM, AOT link/execute ([#472](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/472)) |
 | [005-SessionsWeb](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/tree/master/examples/005-SessionsWeb) | Session/cookie smoke | Opt-in `SESSIONS_WEB_*` gates |
 | [006-FileUploadWeb](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/tree/master/examples/006-FileUploadWeb) | Multipart upload smoke | Opt-in `FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_*` gates |
-| [007-ThrowsWeb](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/tree/master/examples/007-ThrowsWeb) | `throw` / `catch` on invalid POST ([#2076](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2076)) | VM `THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE=1` default ([#2093](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2093), [#2125](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2125)); AOT opt-in `THROWSWEB_*` ([#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101)) |
+| [007-ThrowsWeb](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/tree/master/examples/007-ThrowsWeb) | `throw` / `catch` on invalid POST ([#2076](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2076)) | VM `THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE=1` default ([#2093](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2093), [#2125](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2125)); AOT `THROWSWEB_*_GATE=1` default ([#2135](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2135)) |
 
 **Verify (optional):** `./phpc doctor --gates`, `make miniwebapp-gates`, or `make north-star1-verify` (legacy name — example regression bundle, not a north star). Details: [miniwebapp-gates.md](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/blob/master/docs/miniwebapp-gates.md) (repo only). Historical tracker [#1044](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1044) is closed; do not open new “north star web app” issues.
 
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ GitHub issues use labels `phase-0:Foundation` … `phase-5:reference-app`. Deliv
 | 003-MiniWebApp | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ ([#764](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/764), [#676](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/676)) | Primary web integration test |
 | 005-SessionsWeb | ✅ `phpc serve` + `SESSIONS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE=1` ([#1887](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1887)) | ✅ `SESSIONS_WEB_AOT_LINK_GATE=1` ([#1946](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1946)) | ✅ opt-in `SESSIONS_WEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE=1` ([#1891](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1891), [#1923](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1923)) | Deploy smoke opt-in `SESSIONS_WEB_DEPLOY_SMOKE_GATE=1` ([#1893](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1893)); default-on tracked in [#1954](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1954) / [#1967](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1967) |
 | 006-FileUploadWeb | ✅ `phpc serve` + `FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_SMOKE_GATE=1` ([#2009](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2009)) | ✅ `FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_AOT_LINK_GATE=1` ([#2011](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2011)) | ✅ `FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE=1` ([#2012](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2012)) | Deploy smoke opt-in `FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_DEPLOY_SMOKE_GATE=1` ([#2038](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2038)); default-on tracked in [#2042](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2042) |
-| 007-ThrowsWeb | ✅ `phpc serve` + `THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE=1` ([#2076](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2076), [#2093](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2093)) | 📋 opt-in `THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE=1` ([#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101)) | 📋 opt-in `THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE=1` ([#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101), [#2104](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2104)) | `make examples-throws-smoke` ([#2141](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2141)); deploy smoke tracked in [#2124](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2124) |
+| 007-ThrowsWeb | ✅ `phpc serve` + `THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE=1` ([#2076](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2076), [#2093](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2093)) | ✅ `THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE=1` ([#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101), [#2135](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2135)) | ✅ `THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE=1` ([#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101), [#2135](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2135)) | `make examples-throws-smoke` ([#2141](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2141)); deploy smoke tracked in [#2124](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2124) |
 
 Commands: `./phpc run`, `./phpc build`, `./phpc serve`, `make examples-aot-smoke` (see [README](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/blob/master/README.md) and [examples/README.md](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/blob/master/examples/README.md)).
 
diff --git a/examples/007-ThrowsWeb/README.md b/examples/007-ThrowsWeb/README.md
index e045e9e1360..e355c7e41a4 100644
--- a/examples/007-ThrowsWeb/README.md
+++ b/examples/007-ThrowsWeb/README.md
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ curl -sf -X POST -d 'email=bad' http://127.0.0.1:8080/example.php | grep -i inva
 |-------|-------|
 | VM `phpc run` | ✅ GET — empty state |
 | VM `phpc serve` | ✅ caught invalid POST (`THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE=1` default, [#2093](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2093), [#2125](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2125)) |
-| JIT / AOT | 📋 deferred — [#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101) / [#2104](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2104) |
+| AOT `phpc build` + execute | ✅ caught invalid POST ([#2157](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2157), [#2135](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2135)) |
+| JIT | 📋 deferred — [#2167](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2167) |
 
 ## CI gates
 
@@ -30,8 +31,10 @@ Defaults from `script/ci-defaults.env`:
 | Stage | Gate | Default | Command |
 |-------|------|---------|---------|
 | VM serve | `THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE` | `1` | `make examples-throws-smoke` · `ci-fast.sh` ([#2125](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2125)) |
+| AOT link | `THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE` | `1` | `./script/ci-local.sh --filter test007ThrowsWebAotLink` ([#2135](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2135)) |
+| AOT execute | `THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE` | `1` | `ThrowsWebAotExecuteTest` · `EXAMPLES_AOT_SMOKE_ONLY=007 make examples-aot-smoke` ([#2135](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2135)) |
 
-Opt-out for doc-only iteration: `THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE=0 ./script/ci-fast.sh`
+Opt-out for doc-only iteration: `THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE=0 THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE=0 THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE=0 ./script/ci-fast.sh`
 
 ## Benchmark row
 
diff --git a/examples/README.md b/examples/README.md
index 07f06eebbc4..4f584c1438b 100644
--- a/examples/README.md
+++ b/examples/README.md
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ Legacy entrypoints still work: `php bin/vm.php`, `php bin/jit.php`, `php bin/com
 | [004-ApiJson](004-ApiJson/) | ✅ `./phpc run` | ✅ `bin/jit.php` | ✅ `phpc build` | JSON + `http_response_code` — [#270](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/270), [#61](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/61) |
 | [005-SessionsWeb](005-SessionsWeb/) | ✅ `./phpc run` / `phpc serve` | ✅ `session_start` JIT ([#1882](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1882)) | ✅ `phpc build` link ([#1946](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1946)); execute [#1891](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1891); deploy smoke opt-in ([#1893](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1893)) | `$_SESSION` flash across requests — [#1881](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1881) |
 | [006-FileUploadWeb](006-FileUploadWeb/) | ✅ `./phpc run` / `phpc serve` | ✅ nested `$_FILES` JIT ([#87](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/87)) | ✅ `phpc build` link ([#2011](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2011)); execute default-on ([#2012](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2012)) | `multipart/form-data` + `$_FILES['doc']` — [#1999](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/1999) |
-| [007-ThrowsWeb](007-ThrowsWeb/) | ✅ `./phpc run` / `phpc serve` | 📋 deferred | 📋 deferred | `throw` / `catch` on invalid POST — [#2076](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2076); VM smoke `THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE=1` default ([#2093](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2093), [#2125](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2125)) |
+| [007-ThrowsWeb](007-ThrowsWeb/) | ✅ `./phpc run` / `phpc serve` | 📋 deferred | ✅ `phpc build` + CGI execute | `throw` / `catch` on invalid POST — [#2076](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2076); VM smoke `THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE=1` default ([#2093](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2093), [#2125](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2125)); AOT `THROWSWEB_AOT_*_GATE=1` default ([#2135](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2135)) |
 | [003-MiniWebApp](003-MiniWebApp/) | ✅ `phpc serve` | partial | ✅ `phpc build --project` | PATH_INFO — [#489](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/489), runtime [#539](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/539); AOT link ✅ ([#752](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/752)); native execute ✅ ([#764](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/764) closed) |
 
 ### 000-HelloWorld
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ POST email validation with `throw` / `catch` ([#2076](https://github.com/PurHur/
 curl -sf -X POST -d 'email=bad' http://127.0.0.1:8080/example.php | grep -i invalid
 ```
 
-VM serve curls: `make examples-throws-smoke` or `make examples-web-smoke` (`THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE=1` default — [#2125](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2125), [#2093](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2093)). Presenter copy-paste: [docs/GETTING-STARTED.md](../docs/GETTING-STARTED.md) § 5b ([#2158](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2158)). JIT/AOT deferred ([#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101), [#2157](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2157)). Init scaffold: `./phpc init --profile throwsweb my-app` ([#2092](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2092)); template parity: [#2086](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2086) (`INIT_THROWSWEB_PARITY_GATE=1` default in `ci-fast`, [#2127](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2127)).
+VM serve curls: `make examples-throws-smoke` or `make examples-web-smoke` (`THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE=1` default — [#2125](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2125), [#2093](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2093)). Presenter copy-paste: [docs/GETTING-STARTED.md](../docs/GETTING-STARTED.md) § 5b ([#2158](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2158)). AOT link/execute: default `THROWSWEB_AOT_*_GATE=1` ([#2135](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2135), [#2157](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2157)); JIT deferred ([#2167](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2167)). Init scaffold: `./phpc init --profile throwsweb my-app` ([#2092](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2092)); template parity: [#2086](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2086) (`INIT_THROWSWEB_PARITY_GATE=1` default in `ci-fast`, [#2127](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2127)).
 
 ### 002-StaticWeb
 
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ For **005-SessionsWeb**, the benchmark row is omitted until `phpc lint --all exa
 
 For **006-FileUploadWeb**, the benchmark row is omitted until `phpc lint --all examples/006-FileUploadWeb` passes unless `BENCH_FILEUPLOADWEB=1` ([#2027](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2027)). VM/JIT/native columns use a multipart POST CGI overlay (same body as `FileUploadWebAotExecuteTest`). AOT columns time `phpc build --project` and a multipart upload probe on `.phpc/bin/app` when LLVM is ready ([#2011](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2011), [#2012](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2012)); use `BENCH_FILEUPLOADWEB_AOT=1 ./script/rebuild-examples.php` to force AOT columns on harness regen.
 
-For **007-ThrowsWeb**, the benchmark row is omitted until `phpc lint --all examples/007-ThrowsWeb` passes unless `BENCH_THROWSWEB=1` ([#2113](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2113)). VM/JIT/native columns use a POST `email=bad` CGI overlay (caught invalid path, same as `examples-web-smoke.sh --throws-only`). AOT columns are deferred ([#2101](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2101), [#2104](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2104)).
+For **007-ThrowsWeb**, the benchmark row is omitted until `phpc lint --all examples/007-ThrowsWeb` passes unless `BENCH_THROWSWEB=1` ([#2113](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2113)). VM/JIT/native columns use a POST `email=bad` CGI overlay (caught invalid path, same as `examples-web-smoke.sh --throws-only`). AOT columns run when `BENCH_THROWSWEB=1` and `THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE=1` (default — [#2135](https://github.com/PurHur/php-compiler/issues/2135)).
 
 <!-- benchmark table start -->
 
diff --git a/lib/Doctor.php b/lib/Doctor.php
index b0918c1cb7c..126b83463d7 100644
--- a/lib/Doctor.php
+++ b/lib/Doctor.php
@@ -571,8 +571,8 @@ private static function printThrowsWebSection(string $repoRoot): void
 
         $defaults = self::readCiDefaultsEnv($repoRoot);
         $smokeDefault = $defaults['THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE'] ?? '0';
-        $linkDefault = $defaults['THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE'] ?? '0';
-        $aotDefault = $defaults['THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE'] ?? '0';
+        $linkDefault = $defaults['THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE'] ?? '1';
+        $aotDefault = $defaults['THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE'] ?? '1';
 
         $smokeOn = self::gateEnabled('THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE', $smokeDefault);
         $linkOn = self::gateEnabled('THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE', $linkDefault);
@@ -621,12 +621,9 @@ private static function printThrowsWebSection(string $repoRoot): void
         );
         $aotStatus = $aotOn && $llvmReady ? '✅' : '📋';
         $aotExecuteNote = $llvmReady
-            ? ($aotOn ? '#2101' : '#2101 · opt-in until #2157 AOT throw/catch green; default-on follow-up #2135')
+            ? ($aotOn ? '#2101 · default-on #2135' : '#2101 · set THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE=1')
             : 'LLVM required; #2101 when gate=1';
         fwrite(STDOUT, "  [{$aotStatus}] Stage 3 AOT execute — THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE default {$aotDefault} ({$aotExecuteNote})\n");
-        if (!$aotOn && $llvmReady) {
-            fwrite(STDOUT, "      Blocker: #2157 user-class ValidationError AOT execute before #2135 default flip\n");
-        }
         fwrite(STDOUT, "      PHPUnit: ./script/ci-local.sh --filter ThrowsWebAotExecuteTest\n");
         fwrite(STDOUT, "      Shell:   THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE=1 EXAMPLES_AOT_SMOKE_ONLY=007 ./script/examples-aot-smoke.sh (#2104)\n");
 
diff --git a/script/capability-syntax-lib.php b/script/capability-syntax-lib.php
index 3c65de5f689..1de908cddc7 100644
--- a/script/capability-syntax-lib.php
+++ b/script/capability-syntax-lib.php
@@ -978,35 +978,35 @@ function throwsWebNorthStarDefinitions(): array
             'construct' => '`007-ThrowsWeb` reference app',
             'vm' => 'yes',
             'jit' => 'yes',
-            'aot' => 'partial',
+            'aot' => 'yes',
             'issue' => 2076,
             'notes' => [
-                '#2076 VM serve + caught invalid POST (THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE default #2125); AOT deferred #2101/#2104',
+                '#2076 VM serve + caught invalid POST (THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE default #2125); AOT link/execute default #2135',
             ],
         ],
         [
             'construct' => '`throw` / `catch` on invalid POST (web serve)',
             'vm' => 'yes',
             'jit' => 'yes',
-            'aot' => 'partial',
+            'aot' => 'yes',
             'issue' => 195,
-            'notes' => ['#195 throw lowering; #57 catch; #2084 compliance PHPT pack'],
+            'notes' => ['#195 throw lowering; #57 catch; #2084 compliance PHPT pack; user empty class AOT #2157'],
         ],
         [
             'construct' => 'AOT project link (`phpc build --project`)',
             'vm' => 'n/a',
             'jit' => 'n/a',
-            'aot' => 'partial',
+            'aot' => 'yes',
             'issue' => 2101,
-            'notes' => ['ExamplesCompileTest 007 link; opt-in THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE (#2101)'],
+            'notes' => ['ExamplesCompileTest 007 link; THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE default-on (#2135)'],
         ],
         [
             'construct' => 'AOT CGI execute (caught throw probe)',
             'vm' => 'n/a',
             'jit' => 'n/a',
-            'aot' => 'partial',
+            'aot' => 'yes',
             'issue' => 2104,
-            'notes' => ['examples-aot-smoke 007 slice; opt-in THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE (#2104)'],
+            'notes' => ['examples-aot-smoke 007 slice; THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE default-on (#2135)'],
         ],
     ];
 }
@@ -1044,8 +1044,8 @@ function renderThrowsWebNorthStarMarkdown(array $rows): string
     $lines[] = '';
     $lines[] = '_Throws rows are curated from ROADMAP issue state; `throw` [#195](' . CAPABILITY_ISSUE_URL_BASE
         . '195); `try`/`catch` [#57](' . CAPABILITY_ISSUE_URL_BASE . '57); overlay [#2084](' . CAPABILITY_ISSUE_URL_BASE
-        . '2084). Opt-in ci-local gates: `THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE` (VM serve default-on #2125), '
-        . '`THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE`, `THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE`._';
+        . '2084). ci-local gates: `THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE` (VM serve default-on #2125), '
+        . '`THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE` / `THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE` (AOT default-on #2135; set `0` to skip)._';
     $lines[] = '';
 
     return implode("\n", $lines);
diff --git a/script/check-capabilities-throws-sync.php b/script/check-capabilities-throws-sync.php
index fc912c4596b..b4ec959b777 100644
--- a/script/check-capabilities-throws-sync.php
+++ b/script/check-capabilities-throws-sync.php
@@ -47,17 +47,17 @@
 }
 
 if (!preg_match(
-    '/\|\s*`007-ThrowsWeb` reference app\s*\|\s*yes\s*\|\s*yes\s*\|\s*partial\s*\|/i',
+    '/\|\s*`007-ThrowsWeb` reference app\s*\|\s*yes\s*\|\s*yes\s*\|\s*yes\s*\|/i',
     $syntaxBody
 )) {
-    $errors[] = 'docs/capabilities-syntax.md: 007-ThrowsWeb reference app must show VM yes, JIT yes, AOT partial (#2103)';
+    $errors[] = 'docs/capabilities-syntax.md: 007-ThrowsWeb reference app must show VM yes, JIT yes, AOT yes (#2135)';
 }
 
 if (!preg_match(
-    '/\|\s*`throw` \/ `catch` on invalid POST \(web serve\)\s*\|\s*yes\s*\|\s*yes\s*\|\s*partial\s*\|/i',
+    '/\|\s*`throw` \/ `catch` on invalid POST \(web serve\)\s*\|\s*yes\s*\|\s*yes\s*\|\s*yes\s*\|/i',
     $syntaxBody
 )) {
-    $errors[] = 'docs/capabilities-syntax.md: missing caught throw POST row with honest AOT partial (#2103)';
+    $errors[] = 'docs/capabilities-syntax.md: missing caught throw POST row with AOT yes (#2135)';
 }
 
 if (!str_contains($syntaxBody, 'THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE')
diff --git a/script/ci-common.sh b/script/ci-common.sh
index 15952fd30f8..eea0a79eb8d 100644
--- a/script/ci-common.sh
+++ b/script/ci-common.sh
@@ -761,7 +761,7 @@ ci_run_deploy_smoke() {
 # 005 link: ExamplesCompileTest::test005SessionsWebAotLink when SESSIONS_WEB_AOT_LINK_GATE=1 (#1946).
 ci_run_aot_link_phpunit() {
   local -a aot_link_args=(--group aot-link --exclude-group serve --exclude-group miniwebapp-aot-execute --exclude-group miniwebapp-aot-serve --exclude-group sessionsweb-aot-execute --exclude-group fileuploadweb-aot-execute --exclude-group throwsweb-aot-execute)
-  echo "PHPUnit: AOT link (@group aot-link; SESSIONS_WEB_AOT_LINK_GATE=${SESSIONS_WEB_AOT_LINK_GATE:-0}, FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_AOT_LINK_GATE=${FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_AOT_LINK_GATE:-0}, THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE=${THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE:-0})..."
+  echo "PHPUnit: AOT link (@group aot-link; SESSIONS_WEB_AOT_LINK_GATE=${SESSIONS_WEB_AOT_LINK_GATE:-0}, FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_AOT_LINK_GATE=${FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_AOT_LINK_GATE:-0}, THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE=${THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE:-1})..."
   ci_run_phpunit "${aot_link_args[@]}" "$@"
 }
 
@@ -778,9 +778,9 @@ ci_run_file_upload_web_aot_execute() {
   ci_run_phpunit --group fileuploadweb-aot-execute "$@"
 }
 
-# 007-ThrowsWeb AOT binary CLI execute (issue #2101); opt-in THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE=1.
+# 007-ThrowsWeb AOT binary CLI execute (issue #2101); default THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE=1 (#2135).
 ci_run_throws_web_aot_execute() {
-  if [[ "${THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE:-0}" != "1" ]]; then
+  if [[ "${THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE:-1}" != "1" ]]; then
     return 0
   fi
   if ! ci_llvm_ready; then
diff --git a/script/ci-defaults.env b/script/ci-defaults.env
index c6e13500235..34517f31eee 100755
--- a/script/ci-defaults.env
+++ b/script/ci-defaults.env
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@ export SESSIONS_WEB_DEPLOY_SMOKE_GATE="${SESSIONS_WEB_DEPLOY_SMOKE_GATE:-0}"  #
 export FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_DEPLOY_SMOKE_GATE="${FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_DEPLOY_SMOKE_GATE:-0}"  # opt-in (#2028); 006 deploy + PHPC_DEPLOY_ROOT multipart upload
 export FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_SMOKE_GATE="${FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_SMOKE_GATE:-1}"  # default on (#2009); 006 multipart curl via examples-web-smoke
 export THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE="${THROWS_WEB_SMOKE_GATE:-1}"  # default-on (#2125); 007-ThrowsWeb caught invalid POST curls (#2076, #2093)
-export THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE="${THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE:-0}"  # opt-in (#2101); 007 native link when throw/catch AOT green
-export THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE="${THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE:-0}"  # opt-in (#2101); 007 AOT CGI invalid POST execute
+export THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE="${THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE:-1}"  # default on (#2135, #2101); set 0 to skip 007 link during iteration
+export THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE="${THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE:-1}"  # default on (#2135, #2101); 007 AOT CGI invalid POST execute
 export FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_AOT_LINK_GATE="${FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_AOT_LINK_GATE:-1}"  # default on (#2011); set 0 to skip 006 link during iteration
 export FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE="${FILE_UPLOAD_WEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE:-1}"  # default on (#2012); 006 AOT CGI multipart execute
 export BOOTSTRAP_SELFHOST_PROBE_UPDATE="${BOOTSTRAP_SELFHOST_PROBE_UPDATE:-0}"
diff --git a/script/examples-aot-smoke.sh b/script/examples-aot-smoke.sh
index 4ac06dd1b44..f98427664c4 100755
--- a/script/examples-aot-smoke.sh
+++ b/script/examples-aot-smoke.sh
@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ smoke_006_fileuploadweb() {
 
 # 007-ThrowsWeb project AOT + caught invalid POST CGI (#2101, #2104).
 smoke_007_throwsweb() {
-  if [[ "${THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE:-0}" != "1" ]]; then
+  if [[ "${THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE:-1}" != "1" ]]; then
     echo "examples-aot-smoke: 007-ThrowsWeb: skip (THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE=0)"
     return 0
   fi
diff --git a/test/unit/CiScriptsTest.php b/test/unit/CiScriptsTest.php
index ce9f0f4a89e..4762d905c9f 100644
--- a/test/unit/CiScriptsTest.php
+++ b/test/unit/CiScriptsTest.php
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ public function testCiLocalExcludesThrowsWebAotExecuteUnlessGateOn(): void
         $this->assertStringContainsString('ci_run_throws_web_aot_execute', $body);
         $this->assertStringContainsString('--exclude-group throwsweb-aot-execute', $body);
         $this->assertStringContainsString('--group throwsweb-aot-execute', $body);
-        $this->assertStringContainsString('THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE:-0}', $body);
+        $this->assertStringContainsString('THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE:-1}', $body);
     }
 
     public function testCiLocalRunsThrowsWebAotLinkBeforeExecute(): void
@@ -1439,11 +1439,11 @@ public function testLocalCiMatrixDocumentsThrowsWebGates(): void
         $this->assertStringContainsString('#2157', $doc);
     }
 
-    public function testCiDefaultsEnvDefinesThrowsWebAotGatesOff(): void
+    public function testCiDefaultsEnvDefinesThrowsWebAotGatesOn(): void
     {
         $defaults = (string) file_get_contents(dirname(__DIR__, 2).'/script/ci-defaults.env');
-        $this->assertStringContainsString('THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE="${THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE:-0}"', $defaults);
-        $this->assertStringContainsString('THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE="${THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE:-0}"', $defaults);
+        $this->assertStringContainsString('THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE="${THROWSWEB_AOT_LINK_GATE:-1}"', $defaults);
+        $this->assertStringContainsString('THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE="${THROWSWEB_AOT_SMOKE_GATE:-1}"', $defaults);
     }
 
     public function testCiFastRunsMiniWebAppVmCliGateByDefault(): void