diff --git a/src/discussion_framework/validation.py b/src/discussion_framework/validation.py
index 6f244b7..b77bb42 100644
--- a/src/discussion_framework/validation.py
+++ b/src/discussion_framework/validation.py
@@ -89,6 +89,10 @@ def _record_id(errors: list[str], seen: set[str], identifier: str) -> None:
 def _requires_file(discussion: dict, artifact: dict, kind: str) -> bool:
     if kind == "lessons":
         return True
+    if discussion.get("status") == "done":
+        return False
+    if artifact.get("status") == "done":
+        return False
     if discussion.get("status") == "abandoned":
         return artifact.get("status") != "abandoned"
     return True
diff --git a/tests/test_cli.py b/tests/test_cli.py
index a797378..5135750 100644
--- a/tests/test_cli.py
+++ b/tests/test_cli.py
@@ -195,6 +195,48 @@ class CliTest(unittest.TestCase):
             self.assertEqual(item["lessons"][0]["id"], "LSN-0001")
             self.assertFalse((discussion / "workflow" / "agendas" / "AGD-0001-demo.md").exists())
 
+    def test_validate_allows_done_discussion_with_historical_workflow_entries(self) -> None:
+        with TempDir() as root:
+            main(["--root", str(root), "init"])
+            discussion = root / "discussion"
+            lesson = discussion / "lessons" / "DSC-0001-demo"
+            lesson.mkdir()
+            lesson_file = lesson / "LSN-0001-demo.md"
+            lesson_file.write_text("---\nid: LSN-0001\n---\n# Demo\n", encoding="utf-8")
+
+            records = [
+                {"type": "meta", "next_id": {"DSC": 2, "AGD": 2, "DEC": 2, "PLN": 2, "LSN": 2, "CLSN": 1}},
+                {
+                    "type": "discussion",
+                    "id": "DSC-0001",
+                    "status": "done",
+                    "ticket": "demo",
+                    "title": "Demo",
+                    "created_at": "2026-05-08",
+                    "updated_at": "2026-05-08",
+                    "tags": [],
+                    "agendas": [{"id": "AGD-0001", "file": "AGD-0001-demo.md", "status": "done"}],
+                    "decisions": [{"id": "DEC-0001", "file": "DEC-0001-demo.md", "status": "accepted"}],
+                    "plans": [{"id": "PLN-0001", "file": "PLN-0001-demo.md", "status": "done"}],
+                    "lessons": [
+                        {
+                            "id": "LSN-0001",
+                            "file": "discussion/lessons/DSC-0001-demo/LSN-0001-demo.md",
+                            "status": "done",
+                        }
+                    ],
+                },
+            ]
+            (discussion / "index.ndjson").write_text(
+                "\n".join(json.dumps(record, separators=(",", ":")) for record in records) + "\n",
+                encoding="utf-8",
+            )
+
+            stdout = io.StringIO()
+            with contextlib.redirect_stdout(stdout):
+                self.assertEqual(main(["--root", str(root), "validate"]), 0)
+            self.assertIn("validation passed", stdout.getvalue())
+
     def test_inspect_context_next_actions_and_backup(self) -> None:
         with TempDir() as root:
             main(["--root", str(root), "init"])