diff --git a/website/app/clubs/[clubId]/manage/ranks-roles/page.tsx b/website/app/clubs/[clubId]/manage/ranks-roles/page.tsx
index 6c74f0d..11fa882 100644
--- a/website/app/clubs/[clubId]/manage/ranks-roles/page.tsx
+++ b/website/app/clubs/[clubId]/manage/ranks-roles/page.tsx
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ export default function ClubFounderRanksRolesPage({ params }: PageProps) {
   const [members, setMembers] = useState<ClubMember[]>([]);
   const [permissions, setPermissions] = useState(DEFAULT_RANK_PERMISSIONS);
   const [selectedRankId, setSelectedRankId] = useState<string | null>('president');
-  const [isSavingPermissions, setIsSavingPermissions] = useState(false);
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true);
   const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [unauthenticated, setUnauthenticated] = useState(false);
@@ -104,16 +103,6 @@ export default function ClubFounderRanksRolesPage({ params }: PageProps) {
     }));
   }
 
-  function handleResetDefaults() {
-    setPermissions(DEFAULT_RANK_PERMISSIONS);
-  }
-
-  async function handleSavePermissions() {
-    setIsSavingPermissions(true);
-    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 400));
-    setIsSavingPermissions(false);
-  }
-
   if (loading) {
     return (
       <div className="min-h-screen bg-brand-bg telemetry-grid-bg p-6">
@@ -220,16 +209,23 @@ export default function ClubFounderRanksRolesPage({ params }: PageProps) {
         />
 
         {/* Interactive Permission Toggle Switches Matrix */}
+        {/*
+          Per-rank capability permissions have no server-side persistence contract yet.
+          The enforced authorization model is role-based (Owner / Admin) via
+          getPortalPermissions in lib/club-data.ts, not this rank matrix. Rendering the
+          matrix read-only (persistenceAvailable={false}) keeps it truthful: it shows the
+          standard governance conventions without claiming a save that does not occur.
+          See website/docs/backend-contracts/club-rank-permissions.md for the proposed
+          contract that would flip persistenceAvailable to true.
+        */}
         <ClubPermissionMatrix
           ranks={DEFAULT_CLUB_RANKS}
           capabilities={DEFAULT_CLUB_CAPABILITIES}
           permissions={permissions}
           selectedRankId={selectedRankId}
           onTogglePermission={handleTogglePermission}
-          onResetDefaults={handleResetDefaults}
-          onSavePermissions={handleSavePermissions}
-          isSaving={isSavingPermissions}
           canEdit={context.permissions.canManageSettings}
+          persistenceAvailable={false}
         />
       </div>
     </FounderPortalShell>
diff --git a/website/components/founder-portal/club-permission-matrix.tsx b/website/components/founder-portal/club-permission-matrix.tsx
index ebb98d5..86dcfc9 100644
--- a/website/components/founder-portal/club-permission-matrix.tsx
+++ b/website/components/founder-portal/club-permission-matrix.tsx
@@ -9,10 +9,22 @@ interface ClubPermissionMatrixProps {
   permissions: Record<string, Record<ClubCapability, boolean>>;
   selectedRankId: string | null;
   onTogglePermission: (rankId: string, capability: ClubCapability) => void;
-  onResetDefaults: () => void;
-  onSavePermissions: () => Promise<void>;
-  isSaving: boolean;
+  onResetDefaults?: () => void;
+  onSavePermissions?: () => Promise<void>;
+  isSaving?: boolean;
   canEdit: boolean;
+  /**
+   * Whether a server-side persistence contract for per-rank capability
+   * permissions actually exists. Defaults to false.
+   *
+   * The enforced club authorization model is role-based (Owner / Admin), not
+   * rank-based (see getPortalPermissions in lib/club-data.ts). No Firestore
+   * document or API persists this capability matrix today, so by default the
+   * matrix renders as a read-only reference of the standard governance model.
+   * The editable + save path is retained for when a backend contract ships
+   * (see website/docs/backend-contracts/club-rank-permissions.md).
+   */
+  persistenceAvailable?: boolean;
 }
 
 export function ClubPermissionMatrix({
@@ -23,12 +35,19 @@ export function ClubPermissionMatrix({
   onTogglePermission,
   onResetDefaults,
   onSavePermissions,
-  isSaving,
+  isSaving = false,
   canEdit,
+  persistenceAvailable = false,
 }: ClubPermissionMatrixProps) {
   const [saveSuccess, setSaveSuccess] = useState(false);
 
+  // Edit + save controls are only live when the caller both grants edit rights
+  // AND a real persistence backend is wired. Without persistence the matrix is
+  // a truthful read-only reference: it never mutates and never reports a save.
+  const editable = canEdit && persistenceAvailable && typeof onSavePermissions === 'function';
+
   async function handleSave() {
+    if (!editable || !onSavePermissions) return;
     await onSavePermissions();
     setSaveSuccess(true);
     setTimeout(() => setSaveSuccess(false), 2500);
@@ -48,19 +67,21 @@ export function ClubPermissionMatrix({
             </h2>
           </div>
           <p className="font-body text-xs sm:text-sm text-slate-400 mt-1">
-            Configure delegated operational privileges per squad rank. Administrative roles enforce backend limits.
+            Standard delegated operational privileges per squad rank. Administrative roles enforce backend limits.
           </p>
         </div>
 
-        {canEdit && (
+        {editable ? (
           <div className="flex items-center gap-2.5 self-start sm:self-center">
-            <button
-              type="button"
-              onClick={onResetDefaults}
-              className="px-3 py-1.5 rounded-xl text-xs font-mono text-slate-400 hover:text-white bg-surface-container hover:bg-surface-container-high border border-brand-border/60 transition-colors"
-            >
-              Reset Defaults
-            </button>
+            {onResetDefaults && (
+              <button
+                type="button"
+                onClick={onResetDefaults}
+                className="px-3 py-1.5 rounded-xl text-xs font-mono text-slate-400 hover:text-white bg-surface-container hover:bg-surface-container-high border border-brand-border/60 transition-colors"
+              >
+                Reset Defaults
+              </button>
+            )}
             <button
               type="button"
               disabled={isSaving}
@@ -85,9 +106,33 @@ export function ClubPermissionMatrix({
               )}
             </button>
           </div>
+        ) : (
+          <span
+            className="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 self-start sm:self-center px-3 py-1.5 rounded-xl text-[11px] font-mono text-slate-400 bg-surface-container border border-brand-border/60"
+            title="Per-rank permission customization is not yet available. Software access is enforced by Owner and Admin roles."
+          >
+            <span className="material-symbols-outlined text-[15px]">visibility</span>
+            View-only reference
+          </span>
         )}
       </div>
 
+      {/* Truthful availability notice: shown whenever persistence is not wired. */}
+      {!editable && (
+        <div className="flex items-start gap-2.5 p-3 rounded-xl bg-amber-500/10 border border-amber-500/30 text-xs font-body text-amber-200/90">
+          <span className="material-symbols-outlined text-[16px] text-amber-400 shrink-0 mt-0.5">
+            info
+          </span>
+          <span>
+            This matrix shows MotorSignal&rsquo;s standard rank conventions for reference. Custom per-rank
+            permissions are not saved yet. Who can actually manage this club is enforced by the{' '}
+            <strong className="font-semibold text-amber-100">Owner</strong> and{' '}
+            <strong className="font-semibold text-amber-100">Admin</strong> roles in the member roster — see
+            Ranks &amp; Roles above. Per-rank customization is planned.
+          </span>
+        </div>
+      )}
+
       {/* Desktop / Tablet Matrix Table */}
       <div className="overflow-x-auto rounded-xl border border-brand-border/60 bg-surface-container/60">
         <table className="w-full text-left border-collapse min-w-[720px]">
@@ -142,17 +187,22 @@ export function ClubPermissionMatrix({
                   {capabilities.map((cap) => {
                     const isGranted = rankPerms[cap.id] ?? false;
                     const isImmutableOwner = rank.id === 'president';
+                    const toggleDisabled = !editable || isImmutableOwner;
 
                     return (
                       <td key={cap.id} className="py-3.5 px-3 text-center">
                         <button
                           type="button"
-                          disabled={!canEdit || isImmutableOwner}
-                          onClick={() => onTogglePermission(rank.id, cap.id)}
-                          aria-label={`Toggle ${cap.label} for ${rank.title}`}
-                          className={`relative inline-flex h-5 w-9 shrink-0 cursor-pointer rounded-full border-2 border-transparent transition-colors duration-200 ease-in-out focus:outline-none disabled:opacity-75 disabled:cursor-not-allowed ${
-                            isGranted ? 'bg-brand-cyan' : 'bg-slate-700'
-                          }`}
+                          disabled={toggleDisabled}
+                          aria-readonly={!editable}
+                          onClick={() => {
+                            if (toggleDisabled) return;
+                            onTogglePermission(rank.id, cap.id);
+                          }}
+                          aria-label={`${editable ? 'Toggle' : 'Standard setting:'} ${cap.label} for ${rank.title}`}
+                          className={`relative inline-flex h-5 w-9 shrink-0 rounded-full border-2 border-transparent transition-colors duration-200 ease-in-out focus:outline-none disabled:opacity-75 disabled:cursor-not-allowed ${
+                            editable ? 'cursor-pointer' : 'cursor-default'
+                          } ${isGranted ? 'bg-brand-cyan' : 'bg-slate-700'}`}
                         >
                           <span
                             className={`pointer-events-none inline-block h-4 w-4 transform rounded-full bg-black shadow ring-0 transition duration-200 ease-in-out ${
diff --git a/website/docs/backend-contracts/club-rank-permissions.md b/website/docs/backend-contracts/club-rank-permissions.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..225391f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/website/docs/backend-contracts/club-rank-permissions.md
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+# Backend Contract Proposal — Club Rank Permission Matrix (WEB-W1)
+
+Status: **Proposed / not implemented.** This documents the backend work required
+before the "Operational Permission Matrix" on
+`app/clubs/[clubId]/manage/ranks-roles/page.tsx` can be made editable. Until this
+ships, the matrix is rendered read-only (`persistenceAvailable={false}`).
+
+## Problem
+
+`handleSavePermissions` previously waited ~400 ms and showed a "Saved" state
+without writing anything (confirmed in source prior to this change). There is no
+Firestore document, API route, or security rule that stores or enforces a
+per-rank capability matrix. The enforced club authorization model is **role
+based**, derived solely from the administrative role on the member document:
+
+- `lib/club-data.ts` → `getPortalPermissions(role)` maps `owner`/`admin` →
+  `canManageSettings`, `canInviteMembers`, `canApproveApplications`,
+  `canPlanRides`; `member` → all false.
+- Display rank (`President`, `Road Captain`, …) is cosmetic and explicitly does
+  **not** grant software authority.
+
+Persisting the matrix without enforcement would mislead club owners into
+believing a toggle restricts members when it does nothing. That is prohibited by
+the project rules (no unenforced permission models, no false success).
+
+## Why this was not implemented in the website task
+
+- Enforcement requires **Firestore security rule** changes (out of scope / frozen).
+- A new persistence model must not conflict with the existing Flutter club role
+  model (`owner`/`admin`/`member`). Rank → capability is a different axis and
+  needs a product decision on precedence.
+
+## Proposed contract (for a future, authorized backend change)
+
+### 1. Storage
+
+Document: `clubs/{clubId}/settings/rankPermissions`
+
+```jsonc
+{
+  "version": 1,
+  "updatedAt": "<serverTimestamp>",
+  "updatedByUid": "<uid>",
+  "ranks": {
+    "road_captain": {
+      "planRides": true,
+      "manageApplications": false,
+      "postAnnouncements": true,
+      "moderateWall": true,
+      "manageRoster": false,
+      "editProfile": false
+    }
+    // ... one entry per rank id in DEFAULT_CLUB_RANKS except `president`
+  }
+}
+```
+
+Invariants:
+- `president` is immutable (always full authority); never written or editable.
+- Unknown rank ids and unknown capability keys are rejected.
+- Capability keys are constrained to `DEFAULT_CLUB_CAPABILITIES` ids.
+
+### 2. Security rules (requires authorized change to the frozen rules)
+
+- Read: any active club member.
+- Write: only `clubs/{clubId}.ownerUid == request.auth.uid`, or an active member
+  whose `role == 'admin'`. Validate the written shape (version, allowed rank ids,
+  boolean capability values only). Reject writes that would alter `president`.
+
+### 3. Enforcement precedence (product decision required)
+
+Rank capabilities may only **narrow**, never widen, what the administrative role
+already denies. Administrative `role` remains the hard security boundary enforced
+in rules; rank capabilities are a soft, owner-configurable delegation layer that
+the Flutter and web clients honor for UI affordances. The Flutter club model must
+adopt the same precedence so web and mobile agree.
+
+### 4. Website wiring once the above exists
+
+1. Add `fetchRankPermissions(clubId)` and `saveRankPermissions(clubId, callerUid, matrix)`
+   to `lib/club-data.ts`, mirroring the authorization pattern of
+   `updateClubAccessSettings` (owner/admin check + `updateDoc`).
+2. In `ranks-roles/page.tsx`: load persisted permissions in `loadData`, and
+   implement `handleSavePermissions` to call `saveRankPermissions`, then re-read
+   to confirm the write survived before showing success.
+3. Flip `<ClubPermissionMatrix persistenceAvailable={true} />` and pass
+   `onSavePermissions` / `onResetDefaults` / `isSaving`.
+4. Add tests: persistence round-trip (save → reload → values survive), owner/admin
+   authorization success, member/unauthenticated rejection, `president`
+   immutability, and rejection of unknown rank/capability keys.
+
+## Current truthful behavior (shipped in this branch)
+
+- Matrix renders as a read-only reference of the standard governance model.
+- No Save/Reset controls; a "View-only reference" indicator and an availability
+  notice explain that access is enforced by Owner/Admin roles and that per-rank
+  customization is planned.
+- No save is attempted and no success is reported.
diff --git a/website/tests/club-ranks-roles-interactive.test.tsx b/website/tests/club-ranks-roles-interactive.test.tsx
index 186851a..e5fee8f 100644
--- a/website/tests/club-ranks-roles-interactive.test.tsx
+++ b/website/tests/club-ranks-roles-interactive.test.tsx
@@ -119,10 +119,8 @@ describe('WEB-13: ClubHierarchyBuilder & ClubPermissionMatrix', () => {
     expect(handleUpdateMemberRank).toHaveBeenCalledWith('rider-03', expect.any(String));
   });
 
-  it('renders permission matrix table with capabilities and allows toggling', () => {
+  it('renders permission matrix capabilities for reference', () => {
     const handleToggle = vi.fn();
-    const handleReset = vi.fn();
-    const handleSave = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined);
 
     render(
       <ClubPermissionMatrix
@@ -131,9 +129,6 @@ describe('WEB-13: ClubHierarchyBuilder & ClubPermissionMatrix', () => {
         permissions={DEFAULT_RANK_PERMISSIONS}
         selectedRankId="road_captain"
         onTogglePermission={handleToggle}
-        onResetDefaults={handleReset}
-        onSavePermissions={handleSave}
-        isSaving={false}
         canEdit={true}
       />
     );
@@ -143,15 +138,50 @@ describe('WEB-13: ClubHierarchyBuilder & ClubPermissionMatrix', () => {
     expect(screen.getByText('Review Applications')).toBeDefined();
     expect(screen.getByText('Post Announcements')).toBeDefined();
     expect(screen.getByText('Moderate Club Wall')).toBeDefined();
-
-    // Find toggle button for road captain and click it
-    const toggleButton = screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Toggle Plan Club Rides for Road Captain' });
-    fireEvent.click(toggleButton);
-
-    expect(handleToggle).toHaveBeenCalledWith('road_captain', 'planRides');
   });
 
-  it('triggers save matrix and reset defaults', async () => {
+  // WEB-W1 regression: without a persistence backend the matrix must be an honest
+  // read-only reference. It must not offer a Save control, must not report a save,
+  // and must not mutate permissions — even for an Owner/Admin (canEdit=true).
+  it('is read-only and never reports a false save when persistence is unavailable', () => {
+    const handleToggle = vi.fn();
+    const handleSave = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+    render(
+      <ClubPermissionMatrix
+        ranks={DEFAULT_CLUB_RANKS}
+        capabilities={DEFAULT_CLUB_CAPABILITIES}
+        permissions={DEFAULT_RANK_PERMISSIONS}
+        selectedRankId="road_captain"
+        onTogglePermission={handleToggle}
+        onSavePermissions={handleSave}
+        canEdit={true}
+        // persistenceAvailable defaults to false
+      />
+    );
+
+    // No save/reset affordances are rendered.
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: /Save Matrix/i })).toBeNull();
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: /Reset Defaults/i })).toBeNull();
+    expect(screen.queryByText(/Saved/)).toBeNull();
+
+    // A truthful view-only indicator and availability notice are present.
+    expect(screen.getByText(/View-only reference/i)).toBeDefined();
+    expect(screen.getByText(/not saved yet/i)).toBeDefined();
+
+    // Toggles are disabled and do not mutate permissions.
+    const toggleButton = screen.getByRole('button', {
+      name: /Standard setting:\s*Plan Club Rides for Road Captain/i,
+    });
+    expect((toggleButton as HTMLButtonElement).disabled).toBe(true);
+    fireEvent.click(toggleButton);
+    expect(handleToggle).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(handleSave).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  // Forward-compatible editable path: when a persistence backend is wired AND the
+  // caller may edit, the matrix exposes real Save/Reset controls and toggles.
+  it('allows editing and saving only when persistence is available and canEdit', async () => {
     const handleToggle = vi.fn();
     const handleReset = vi.fn();
     const handleSave = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined);
@@ -167,9 +197,14 @@ describe('WEB-13: ClubHierarchyBuilder & ClubPermissionMatrix', () => {
         onSavePermissions={handleSave}
         isSaving={false}
         canEdit={true}
+        persistenceAvailable={true}
       />
     );
 
+    const toggleButton = screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Toggle Plan Club Rides for Road Captain' });
+    fireEvent.click(toggleButton);
+    expect(handleToggle).toHaveBeenCalledWith('road_captain', 'planRides');
+
     const resetBtn = screen.getByRole('button', { name: /Reset Defaults/i });
     fireEvent.click(resetBtn);
     expect(handleReset).toHaveBeenCalled();