diff --git a/app/RSpade/CodeQuality/Rules/Models/ModelFetchDateFormatting_CodeQualityRule.php b/app/RSpade/CodeQuality/Rules/Models/ModelFetchDateFormatting_CodeQualityRule.php
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..303cff9ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/RSpade/CodeQuality/Rules/Models/ModelFetchDateFormatting_CodeQualityRule.php
@@ -0,0 +1,237 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace App\RSpade\CodeQuality\Rules\Models;
+
+use App\RSpade\CodeQuality\Rules\CodeQualityRule_Abstract;
+use App\RSpade\Core\Manifest\Manifest;
+
+/**
+ * Detects server-side date/datetime formatting in model fetch() methods
+ *
+ * Dates and datetimes should be passed to the client as-is (ISO strings for datetimes,
+ * YYYY-MM-DD for dates) and formatted client-side using Rsx_Time and Rsx_Date JavaScript
+ * classes. Server-side formatting creates implicit API contracts and prevents client-side
+ * locale customization.
+ */
+class ModelFetchDateFormatting_CodeQualityRule extends CodeQualityRule_Abstract
+{
+    /**
+     * Get the unique rule identifier
+     */
+    public function get_id(): string
+    {
+        return 'MODEL-FETCH-DATE-01';
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Get the rule name
+     */
+    public function get_name(): string
+    {
+        return 'Model Fetch Date Formatting';
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Get the rule description
+     */
+    public function get_description(): string
+    {
+        return 'Detects server-side date/datetime formatting in model fetch() methods';
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Get file patterns this rule applies to
+     */
+    public function get_file_patterns(): array
+    {
+        return ['*.php'];
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Get default severity
+     */
+    public function get_default_severity(): string
+    {
+        return 'high';
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Whether this rule runs during manifest scan
+     */
+    public function is_called_during_manifest_scan(): bool
+    {
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Run the rule check
+     */
+    public function check(string $file_path, string $contents, array $metadata = []): void
+    {
+        // Only check PHP files
+        if (!str_ends_with($file_path, '.php')) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        $class_name = $metadata['class'] ?? null;
+
+        if (!$class_name) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        // Skip base abstract classes
+        if ($class_name === 'Rsx_Model_Abstract' || $class_name === 'Rsx_Site_Model_Abstract') {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        // Check if this is a model (extends Rsx_Model_Abstract in the inheritance chain)
+        if (!Manifest::php_is_subclass_of($class_name, 'Rsx_Model_Abstract')) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        // Check if fetch() method exists (can be in static_methods or public_static_methods)
+        $has_fetch = isset($metadata['static_methods']['fetch'])
+            || isset($metadata['public_static_methods']['fetch']);
+
+        if (!$has_fetch) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        $lines = explode("\n", $contents);
+
+        // Extract fetch method body
+        $fetch_body = $this->_extract_fetch_body($lines);
+        if (empty($fetch_body)) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        // Patterns that indicate server-side date formatting
+        $patterns = [
+            // Carbon format() calls - e.g., ->format('M d, Y')
+            '/->format\s*\(\s*[\'"]/' => '->format() call',
+
+            // Carbon diffForHumans() calls - e.g., ->diffForHumans()
+            '/->diffForHumans\s*\(/' => '->diffForHumans() call',
+
+            // Carbon::parse()->format() chain
+            '/Carbon::parse\s*\([^)]+\)\s*->format\s*\(/' => 'Carbon::parse()->format() chain',
+
+            // Rsx_Time formatting (which is fine on its own, but suggests formatted values in response)
+            // We still flag these because they shouldn't be in fetch() - format client-side
+            '/Rsx_Time::format_date(time)?(_with_tz)?\s*\(/' => 'Rsx_Time formatting call',
+            '/Rsx_Time::relative\s*\(/' => 'Rsx_Time::relative() call',
+
+            // Rsx_Date formatting
+            '/Rsx_Date::format\s*\(/' => 'Rsx_Date::format() call',
+        ];
+
+        foreach ($fetch_body as $relative_line => $line_content) {
+            // Check for exception comment
+            if (str_contains($line_content, '@' . $this->get_id() . '-EXCEPTION')) {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            foreach ($patterns as $pattern => $description) {
+                if (preg_match($pattern, $line_content)) {
+                    $this->add_violation(
+                        $file_path,
+                        $relative_line,
+                        $this->_get_violation_message($description),
+                        trim($line_content),
+                        $this->_get_resolution_message(),
+                        'high'
+                    );
+                    break; // Only one violation per line
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Extract the fetch() method body with line numbers
+     *
+     * @param array $lines File lines
+     * @return array [line_number => line_content]
+     */
+    private function _extract_fetch_body(array $lines): array
+    {
+        $in_fetch = false;
+        $brace_count = 0;
+        $fetch_body = [];
+        $started = false;
+
+        for ($i = 0; $i < count($lines); $i++) {
+            $line = $lines[$i];
+            $line_num = $i + 1;
+
+            // Look for fetch method declaration
+            if (!$in_fetch) {
+                if (preg_match('/\b(public\s+)?static\s+function\s+fetch\s*\(/', $line)) {
+                    $in_fetch = true;
+                    // Count opening brace if on same line
+                    if (str_contains($line, '{')) {
+                        $started = true;
+                        $brace_count = 1;
+                    }
+                }
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            // We're inside fetch method
+            if (!$started) {
+                // Looking for opening brace
+                if (str_contains($line, '{')) {
+                    $started = true;
+                    $brace_count = 1;
+                }
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            // Track braces to find method end
+            $brace_count += substr_count($line, '{') - substr_count($line, '}');
+
+            if ($brace_count <= 0) {
+                break; // End of fetch method
+            }
+
+            $fetch_body[$line_num] = $line;
+        }
+
+        return $fetch_body;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Get the violation message
+     */
+    private function _get_violation_message(string $pattern_description): string
+    {
+        return "Server-side date formatting detected in fetch() method ({$pattern_description}).\n\n" .
+            "Dates and datetimes should not be pre-formatted for Ajax responses. " .
+            "RSpade stores dates as 'YYYY-MM-DD' strings and datetimes as ISO 8601 UTC strings " .
+            "(e.g., '2024-12-24T15:30:45.123Z'). These values should be passed directly to the " .
+            "client and formatted using JavaScript.\n\n" .
+            "Problems with server-side formatting:\n" .
+            "  1. Creates implicit API contracts - frontend developers may expect these fields\n" .
+            "     to exist on all model responses, leading to confusion\n" .
+            "  2. Prevents client-side locale customization\n" .
+            "  3. Increases response payload size with redundant data\n" .
+            "  4. Violates the principle that fetch() returns model data, not presentation";
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Get the resolution message
+     */
+    private function _get_resolution_message(): string
+    {
+        return "Remove the formatted date fields from fetch(). Format dates client-side:\n\n" .
+            "  JavaScript datetime formatting:\n" .
+            "    Rsx_Time.format_datetime(iso_string)     // 'Dec 24, 2024 3:30 PM'\n" .
+            "    Rsx_Time.format_datetime_with_tz(iso)    // 'Dec 24, 2024 3:30 PM CST'\n" .
+            "    Rsx_Time.relative(iso_string)            // '2 hours ago'\n\n" .
+            "  JavaScript date formatting:\n" .
+            "    Rsx_Date.format(date_string)             // 'Dec 24, 2024'\n\n" .
+            "  Example in jqhtml template:\n" .
+            "    <span><%= Rsx_Time.relative(this.data.model.created_at) %></span>\n\n" .
+            "See: php artisan rsx:man time";
+    }
+}
diff --git a/app/RSpade/upstream_changes/datetime_strings_12_24.txt b/app/RSpade/upstream_changes/datetime_strings_12_24.txt
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..28f2590e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/RSpade/upstream_changes/datetime_strings_12_24.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,312 @@
+DATE/DATETIME STRING FORMAT - MIGRATION GUIDE
+Date: 2024-12-24
+
+SUMMARY
+    RSpade now stores and transmits dates and datetimes as strings throughout
+    the application, not as Carbon objects. This eliminates timezone bugs with
+    date columns and ensures PHP/JavaScript parity with identical formats on
+    both sides.
+
+    - Dates: "YYYY-MM-DD" strings (e.g., "2024-12-24")
+    - Datetimes: ISO 8601 UTC strings (e.g., "2024-12-24T15:30:45.123Z")
+
+    Model properties like $model->created_at now return strings, not Carbon
+    instances. Calling Carbon methods like ->format() or ->diffForHumans() on
+    these properties will cause errors. Use Rsx_Time and Rsx_Date helper classes
+    instead.
+
+    A code quality rule (MODEL-FETCH-DATE-01) now detects server-side date
+    formatting in model fetch() methods at manifest-time. Dates should be
+    formatted client-side using the JavaScript Rsx_Time and Rsx_Date classes.
+
+WHY THIS CHANGE
+
+    1. Timezone Safety
+       Carbon objects assume a timezone, but DATE columns have no timezone.
+       "2024-12-24" is just a calendar day - not midnight in any timezone.
+       Treating it as Carbon caused subtle bugs when serializing to JSON.
+
+    2. PHP/JavaScript Parity
+       With string-based dates, both PHP and JavaScript see identical values.
+       No serialization surprises, no format mismatches.
+
+    3. Client-Side Formatting
+       Formatting should happen in the browser where the user's locale and
+       timezone are known. Server-side formatting creates implicit API
+       contracts that confuse frontend developers.
+
+AFFECTED CODE PATTERNS
+
+    1. Model Property Access
+       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+       Model datetime/date properties now return strings, not Carbon.
+
+       Before (BROKEN):
+           $user->created_at->format('M d, Y');
+           $user->created_at->diffForHumans();
+           $project->due_date->format('Y-m-d');
+
+       After (CORRECT):
+           use App\RSpade\Core\Time\Rsx_Time;
+           use App\RSpade\Core\Time\Rsx_Date;
+
+           Rsx_Time::format_date($user->created_at);      // "Dec 24, 2024"
+           Rsx_Time::relative($user->created_at);         // "2 hours ago"
+           Rsx_Date::format($project->due_date);          // "Dec 24, 2024"
+
+    2. Formatted Fields in fetch() Methods
+       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+       Model fetch() methods should NOT return pre-formatted date fields.
+       The MODEL-FETCH-DATE-01 rule now blocks this at manifest-time.
+
+       Before (BLOCKED BY CODE QUALITY RULE):
+           public static function fetch($id) {
+               $data = $model->toArray();
+               $data['created_at_formatted'] = $model->created_at->format('M d, Y');
+               $data['created_at_human'] = $model->created_at->diffForHumans();
+               return $data;
+           }
+
+       After (CORRECT):
+           public static function fetch($id) {
+               $data = $model->toArray();
+               // created_at is already included as ISO string from toArray()
+               // DO NOT add formatted versions - format client-side
+               return $data;
+           }
+
+    3. Controller Ajax Responses
+       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+       Controllers returning date data should pass raw values, not formatted.
+
+       Before:
+           return [
+               'created_at_formatted' => $user->created_at->format('F j, Y'),
+               'updated_at_human' => $user->updated_at->diffForHumans(),
+           ];
+
+       After:
+           return [
+               'created_at' => $user->created_at,  // ISO string automatically
+               'updated_at' => $user->updated_at,
+           ];
+
+    4. Carbon::parse() in PHP
+       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+       If you need Carbon for calculations, use Rsx_Time::parse() instead.
+       It returns Carbon internally but validates the input format.
+
+       Before:
+           $carbon = \Carbon\Carbon::parse($project->start_date);
+           $days_until = $carbon->diffInDays(now());
+
+       After:
+           $carbon = Rsx_Time::parse($user->created_at);  // For datetimes
+           $days_until = $carbon->diffInDays(Rsx_Time::now());
+
+           // For date comparisons:
+           $days = Rsx_Date::diff_days($project->start_date, Rsx_Date::today());
+
+CLIENT-SIDE FORMATTING
+
+    JavaScript templates should format dates using Rsx_Time and Rsx_Date:
+
+    1. Datetime Formatting (Rsx_Time)
+       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+       For datetime columns (created_at, updated_at, timestamps):
+
+       Template (jqhtml):
+           <%-- Display formatted date --%>
+           <div><%= Rsx_Time.format_date(this.data.user.created_at) %></div>
+
+           <%-- Display with time --%>
+           <div><%= Rsx_Time.format_datetime(this.data.event.start_time) %></div>
+
+           <%-- Display with timezone --%>
+           <div><%= Rsx_Time.format_datetime_with_tz(this.data.event.start_time) %></div>
+
+           <%-- Relative time (e.g., "2 hours ago") --%>
+           <small><%= Rsx_Time.relative(this.data.user.created_at) %></small>
+
+    2. Date Formatting (Rsx_Date)
+       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+       For date-only columns (due_date, birth_date, start_date):
+
+       Template (jqhtml):
+           <%-- Format date --%>
+           <div><%= Rsx_Date.format(this.data.project.due_date) %></div>
+
+           <%-- Check if past due --%>
+           <% if (Rsx_Date.is_past(this.data.project.due_date)) { %>
+               <span class="text-danger">Overdue</span>
+           <% } %>
+
+    3. Handling Null Values
+       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+       Check for null before formatting:
+
+           <div><%= this.data.user.last_login_at
+               ? Rsx_Time.format_datetime(this.data.user.last_login_at)
+               : 'Never' %></div>
+
+MIGRATION STEPS
+
+    Step 1: Find Carbon method calls on model properties
+    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    Search for ->format( and ->diffForHumans( on model properties:
+
+        grep -rn "->format\s*(" rsx/ --include="*.php" | grep -v "Rsx_Time"
+        grep -rn "->diffForHumans" rsx/ --include="*.php"
+
+    Step 2: Find formatted date fields in fetch() methods
+    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    Search for _formatted and _human field assignments:
+
+        grep -rn "_formatted\s*=" rsx/models/ --include="*.php"
+        grep -rn "_human\s*=" rsx/models/ --include="*.php"
+
+    Step 3: Find Carbon::parse() calls
+    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    These may need conversion to Rsx_Time::parse() or Rsx_Date::parse():
+
+        grep -rn "Carbon::parse" rsx/ --include="*.php"
+
+    Step 4: Find template usages of _formatted fields
+    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    Templates referencing removed fields need updating:
+
+        grep -rn "_formatted\|_human" rsx/app/ --include="*.jqhtml"
+        grep -rn "_formatted\|_human" rsx/app/ --include="*.js"
+
+    Step 5: Update JavaScript defaults
+    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    JS files with this.data defaults for _formatted fields:
+
+        grep -rn "created_at_formatted\|updated_at_formatted" rsx/ --include="*.js"
+
+EXAMPLE MIGRATION
+
+    Complete example: Converting a view action
+
+    PHP Controller (before):
+        return [
+            'id' => $user->id,
+            'name' => $user->name,
+            'created_at_formatted' => $user->created_at->format('F j, Y'),
+        ];
+
+    PHP Controller (after):
+        return [
+            'id' => $user->id,
+            'name' => $user->name,
+            'created_at' => $user->created_at,  // Already ISO string
+        ];
+
+    JavaScript (before):
+        on_create() {
+            this.data.user = {
+                id: null,
+                name: '',
+                created_at_formatted: '',
+            };
+        }
+
+    JavaScript (after):
+        on_create() {
+            this.data.user = {
+                id: null,
+                name: '',
+                created_at: null,
+            };
+        }
+
+    Template (before):
+        <div><%= this.data.user.created_at_formatted %></div>
+
+    Template (after):
+        <div><%= Rsx_Time.format_date(this.data.user.created_at) %></div>
+
+CUSTOM ELOQUENT CASTS
+
+    The framework uses custom Eloquent casts to ensure string-based values:
+
+    - Rsx_DateTime_Cast: DATETIME/TIMESTAMP columns return ISO 8601 strings
+    - Rsx_Date_Cast: DATE columns return YYYY-MM-DD strings
+
+    These casts are automatically applied via Rsx_Model_Abstract::getCasts().
+    You do not need to configure anything - model properties automatically
+    return strings.
+
+    If a model needs Laravel's default Carbon behavior for a specific column,
+    override $casts in the model:
+
+        protected $casts = [
+            'special_timestamp' => 'datetime',  // Laravel default (Carbon)
+        ];
+
+AVAILABLE HELPER METHODS
+
+    Rsx_Time (for datetimes)
+    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    PHP:
+        Rsx_Time::now()                     // Current time as Carbon
+        Rsx_Time::now_iso()                 // Current time as ISO string
+        Rsx_Time::parse($input)             // Parse to Carbon (for calculations)
+        Rsx_Time::to_iso($time)             // Convert to ISO string
+        Rsx_Time::format_date($time)        // "Dec 24, 2024"
+        Rsx_Time::format_datetime($time)    // "Dec 24, 2024 3:30 PM"
+        Rsx_Time::relative($time)           // "2 hours ago"
+        Rsx_Time::add($time, $seconds)      // Add seconds, return ISO string
+        Rsx_Time::is_past($time)            // Boolean
+        Rsx_Time::is_future($time)          // Boolean
+
+    JavaScript:
+        Rsx_Time.now()                      // Current time as Date
+        Rsx_Time.now_iso()                  // Current time as ISO string
+        Rsx_Time.format_date(iso)           // "Dec 24, 2024"
+        Rsx_Time.format_datetime(iso)       // "Dec 24, 2024 3:30 PM"
+        Rsx_Time.format_datetime_with_tz(iso)  // "Dec 24, 2024 3:30 PM CST"
+        Rsx_Time.relative(iso)              // "2 hours ago"
+        Rsx_Time.countdown($el, target)     // Live countdown
+        Rsx_Time.countup($el, start)        // Live elapsed time
+
+    Rsx_Date (for dates)
+    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    PHP:
+        Rsx_Date::today()                   // Today as "YYYY-MM-DD"
+        Rsx_Date::parse($input)             // Validate and normalize
+        Rsx_Date::format($date)             // "Dec 24, 2024"
+        Rsx_Date::is_past($date)            // Boolean
+        Rsx_Date::is_future($date)          // Boolean
+        Rsx_Date::diff_days($d1, $d2)       // Days between dates
+
+    JavaScript:
+        Rsx_Date.today()                    // Today as "YYYY-MM-DD"
+        Rsx_Date.format(date)               // "Dec 24, 2024"
+        Rsx_Date.is_past(date)              // Boolean
+        Rsx_Date.is_future(date)            // Boolean
+        Rsx_Date.diff_days(d1, d2)          // Days between dates
+
+VERIFICATION
+
+    1. Run code quality check:
+       php artisan rsx:check
+
+       The MODEL-FETCH-DATE-01 rule will detect any remaining server-side
+       date formatting in fetch() methods.
+
+    2. Search for remaining Carbon method calls:
+       grep -rn "->format\s*(" rsx/ --include="*.php" | grep -v vendor
+
+    3. Test pages that display dates:
+       - Verify dates render correctly
+       - Check relative times update properly
+       - Confirm timezone handling is correct
+
+REFERENCE
+
+    php artisan rsx:man time             - Complete time/date API documentation
+    Rsx_Time.php, Rsx_Date.php           - PHP implementation
+    Rsx_Time.js, Rsx_Date.js             - JavaScript implementation
+    Rsx_DateTime_Cast.php                - Custom Eloquent cast for datetimes
+    Rsx_Date_Cast.php                    - Custom Eloquent cast for dates