diff --git a/bzl/bundle_rules.bzl b/bzl/bundle_rules.bzl
index 5fff287b3..44c548838 100644
--- a/bzl/bundle_rules.bzl
+++ b/bzl/bundle_rules.bzl
@@ -54,6 +54,10 @@
 
 
 load("@score_docs_as_code//:bzl/basics.bzl", "join_path")
+load(
+    "@sphinxdocs//sphinxdocs/private:sphinx_docs_library_info.bzl",
+    "SphinxDocsLibraryInfo",
+)
 
 # Internal data passed between bundle targets and eventually consumed by an
 # adapter such as the Sphinx mounts manifest. Users configure bundles through
@@ -63,6 +67,8 @@ DocsBundleInfo = provider(
     fields = {
         "entries": "Ordered entries, one per source directory, including its final documentation-tree location.",
         "own_source_files": "This bundle's direct source files, excluding nested bundles.",
+        "own_source_root": "Runtime path of this bundle's direct source root.",
+        "own_source_is_explicit": "Whether the direct sources came from explicit source targets.",
         "sourcelinks": "Source-code-link JSON files together with their owning repository.",
         "external_runfiles": "Documentation source files not read from the workspace at runtime.",
         # Bundle-owned supporting/runtime files. Unlike host-owned docs data,
@@ -300,6 +306,8 @@ def _docs_bundle_impl(ctx):
     """Compose source files and nested bundles into a reusable bundle."""
     entries = []
     own_source_files = []
+    own_source_root = ""
+    own_source_is_explicit = False
     own_external_runfiles = []
     own_data = depset(direct = ctx.files.data)
 
@@ -311,6 +319,7 @@ def _docs_bundle_impl(ctx):
 
     if ctx.files.source_dir_globbed:
         runtime_path = _bundle_runtime_path(ctx)
+        own_source_root = runtime_path
         external = runtime_path.startswith("../")
         entries.append(struct(
             runtime_path = runtime_path,
@@ -339,6 +348,8 @@ def _docs_bundle_impl(ctx):
         # the declared relative file list so runtime discovery cannot include
         # undeclared siblings from the shared parent directory.
         runtime_path = _source_targets_runtime_path(ctx.files.source_targets)
+        own_source_root = runtime_path
+        own_source_is_explicit = True
         source_files = _source_targets_relative_paths(
             ctx.files.source_targets,
             runtime_path,
@@ -423,6 +434,8 @@ def _docs_bundle_impl(ctx):
         DocsBundleInfo(
             entries = entries,
             own_source_files = depset(direct = own_source_files),
+            own_source_root = own_source_root,
+            own_source_is_explicit = own_source_is_explicit,
             sourcelinks = sourcelinks,
             external_runfiles = external_runfiles,
             data = all_data,
@@ -490,12 +503,68 @@ _bundle_source_files = rule(
     doc = "Exposes direct bundle sources without nested bundle sources.",
 )
 
-def bundle_source_files(name, bundle, visibility = None):
+def bundle_source_files(name, bundle, visibility = None, tags = None):
     """Create a target containing only the direct sources of a bundle."""
     _bundle_source_files(
         name = name,
         bundle = bundle,
         visibility = visibility,
+        tags = tags,
+    )
+    return ":" + name
+
+def _bundle_sphinx_source_files_impl(ctx):
+    """Expose direct bundle sources with a Sphinx-specific path mapping."""
+    bundle = ctx.attr.bundle[DocsBundleInfo]
+    source_files = tuple(bundle.own_source_files.to_list())
+    if not source_files:
+        fail("bundle %s has no direct documentation sources" % ctx.attr.bundle)
+
+    # Directory-discovered sources already carry a stable bundle-relative root
+    # in the provider. Explicit source targets instead use the output path
+    # Bazel gives to Sphinx. Deriving that parent from ``short_path`` handles
+    # both workspace files and generated outputs (whose paths include
+    # ``bazel-out``) without making the macro guess a configuration-dependent
+    # output directory.
+    if bundle.own_source_is_explicit:
+        source_path = source_files[0].short_path
+        separator = source_path.rfind("/")
+        strip_prefix = source_path[:separator + 1] if separator >= 0 else ""
+    else:
+        strip_prefix = bundle.own_source_root
+        if strip_prefix and not strip_prefix.endswith("/"):
+            strip_prefix += "/"
+
+    entry = struct(
+        strip_prefix = strip_prefix,
+        prefix = "",
+        files = source_files,
+    )
+    return [
+        DefaultInfo(files = depset(source_files)),
+        SphinxDocsLibraryInfo(
+            strip_prefix = strip_prefix,
+            prefix = "",
+            files = source_files,
+            transitive = depset(direct = [entry]),
+        ),
+    ]
+
+_bundle_sphinx_source_files = rule(
+    implementation = _bundle_sphinx_source_files_impl,
+    attrs = {
+        "bundle": attr.label(providers = [DocsBundleInfo]),
+    },
+    doc = "Exposes direct bundle sources with paths rooted for a Sphinx build.",
+)
+
+def bundle_sphinx_source_files(name, bundle, visibility = None, tags = None):
+    """Create a Sphinx library containing only a bundle's direct sources."""
+    _bundle_sphinx_source_files(
+        name = name,
+        bundle = bundle,
+        visibility = visibility,
+        tags = tags,
     )
     return ":" + name
 
diff --git a/default_conf.py.tpl b/default_conf.py.tpl
index d7455cbb2..96c5a6935 100644
--- a/default_conf.py.tpl
+++ b/default_conf.py.tpl
@@ -10,9 +10,10 @@
 #
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 # *******************************************************************************
-# Default Sphinx configuration emitted by the ``docs()`` macro.
-# SCORE Docs-as-Code owns these baseline settings.  Projects needing further
-# Sphinx configuration can provide their own conf.py instead.
+# Default Sphinx configuration emitted by the ``docs()`` macro and by
+# standalone bundle-local Needs exports. SCORE Docs-as-Code owns these
+# baseline settings. Project builds and the root bundle may provide their own
+# conf.py; standalone bundle-local exports use this baseline.
 
 project = {PROJECT}
 project_url = {PROJECT_URL}
@@ -20,7 +21,8 @@ version = "0.0.0"
 
 # Allow feature IDs that use the Bazel module name without its first
 # underscore-separated prefix (for example, ``score_docs_as_code`` becomes
-# ``docs_as_code``).  A user-provided conf.py remains authoritative.
+# ``docs_as_code``). A user-provided conf.py remains authoritative for the
+# normal project build.
 required_in_id = {REQUIRED_IN_ID}
 
 extensions = ["score_sphinx_bundle"]
diff --git a/docs.bzl b/docs.bzl
index 5c1d34d5c..10bda2280 100644
--- a/docs.bzl
+++ b/docs.bzl
@@ -11,8 +11,16 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 # *******************************************************************************
 
-"""
-Easy streamlined way for S-CORE docs-as-code.
+"""Public Bazel macros for building and composing S-CORE documentation.
+
+The ``docs_bundle`` macro describes which documentation files belong to a
+reusable bundle and how nested bundles are composed. Source-bearing bundles
+also create a ``<name>.__internal__.needs_local`` export containing Needs from
+their own sources. The root bundle created by ``docs()`` follows the same rule;
+its existing project-wide ``needs_json`` export remains available as well.
+This first version only supports self-contained bundles; references to Needs
+defined outside the bundle remain unresolved until cross-bundle imports are
+added.
 """
 
 # Multiple approaches are available to build the same documentation output:
@@ -51,6 +59,7 @@ load(
 load(
     "@score_docs_as_code//:bzl/bundle_rules.bzl",
     "bundle_source_files",
+    "bundle_sphinx_source_files",
     "create_bundle",
     "external_docs_runfiles",
     "generate_code_target_sourcelinks",
@@ -67,6 +76,78 @@ load(
 )
 load("@sphinxdocs//sphinxdocs:sphinx_docs_library.bzl", "sphinx_docs_library")
 
+def _sphinx_define(name, value):
+    """Return a Sphinx ``--define`` option when ``value`` is configured."""
+    if value == None:
+        return []
+    return ["--define=" + name + "=" + value]
+
+def _needs_sphinx_docs(
+        name,
+        config,
+        sphinx_build_deps,
+        srcs = [],
+        deps = [],
+        strip_prefix = "",
+        master_doc = None,
+        external_needs_source = None,
+        score_bundle_needs_export = None,
+        score_sourcelinks_json = None,
+        score_source_code_linker_plain_links = None,
+        mounts_manifest = None,
+        score_metamodel_yaml = None,
+        tools = [],
+        sphinx_build_data = [],
+        visibility = None):
+    """Declare a bundle Needs export with the repository-wide Sphinx policy."""
+    sphinx_build_name = _bundle_internal_target(name, "sphinx_build")
+    sphinx_build_binary(
+        name = sphinx_build_name,
+        data = sphinx_build_data,
+        deps = sphinx_build_deps,
+        # The Sphinx executable is an implementation detail of the Needs
+        # target; only the generated Needs target itself needs the requested
+        # visibility.
+        visibility = ["//visibility:private"],
+        tags = ["manual"],
+    )
+    sphinx_docs(
+        name = name,
+        srcs = srcs,
+        deps = deps,
+        config = config,
+        formats = ["needs"],
+        strip_prefix = strip_prefix,
+        extra_opts = (
+            # Keep the baseline diagnostic policy in the Needs wrapper. The
+            # underlying sphinxdocs rule already supplies common Bazel-safe
+            # options such as ``--jobs auto``, ``--fresh-env``, and
+            # ``--write-all``.
+            [
+                "-W",
+                "--keep-going",
+                "-T",
+            ] +
+            _sphinx_define("master_doc", master_doc) +
+            _sphinx_define("external_needs_source", external_needs_source) +
+            _sphinx_define("score_bundle_needs_export", score_bundle_needs_export) +
+            _sphinx_define("score_sourcelinks_json", score_sourcelinks_json) +
+            _sphinx_define(
+                "score_source_code_linker_plain_links",
+                score_source_code_linker_plain_links,
+            ) +
+            _sphinx_define("mounts_manifest", mounts_manifest) +
+            _sphinx_define("score_metamodel_yaml", score_metamodel_yaml)
+        ),
+        sphinx = ":" + sphinx_build_name,
+        tools = tools,
+        visibility = visibility,
+        # Persistent workers can retain stale symlinks after dependency
+        # version changes, corrupting the Bazel cache for Needs exports.
+        allow_persistent_workers = False,
+        tags = ["manual"],
+    )
+
 def _module_name_without_prefix():
     """Return the current Bazel module name without its first prefix."""
     module_name = native.module_name()
@@ -79,6 +160,7 @@ def _bundle_internal_target(name, target):
     return name + ".__internal__." + target
 
 def _generated_conf_impl(ctx):
+    """Generate a Sphinx config at the source-root path expected by sphinxdocs."""
     output = ctx.actions.declare_file(ctx.attr.output_path)
     ctx.actions.expand_template(
         template = ctx.file.template,
@@ -118,6 +200,19 @@ def _is_needs_json_target(label):
     """
     return str(label).rsplit(":", 1)[-1] == "needs_json"
 
+def _bundle_short_path_prefix(path):
+    """Return the short-path prefix for a file below ``path``."""
+    if path == ".":
+        path = ""
+    prefix = join_path(native.package_name(), path)
+    repository = native.repo_name()
+    if repository:
+        # External repository files use ``../<repository>/`` in short_path.
+        prefix = join_path("../" + repository, prefix)
+    if prefix:
+        prefix += "/"
+    return prefix
+
 def _declare_docs_bundle(
     name,
     source_dir = None,
@@ -131,10 +226,8 @@ def _declare_docs_bundle(
     """Declare the shared bundle target implementation.
 
     This helper performs the bundle declaration used by both public entry
-    points. It deliberately contains no targets for consuming a bundle on its
-    own; those can be added to the public ``docs_bundle`` wrapper without
-    making ``docs()`` create them for the project root.
-
+    points. It returns the source and sourcelink inputs used by the standalone
+    Needs export created for source-bearing bundles.
     Args:
       name: target name.
       source_dir: optional directory holding this bundle's own doc sources. It is
@@ -181,9 +274,16 @@ def _declare_docs_bundle(
         )
 
     # Store the source directory relative to the workspace so bundle consumers
-    # can locate the original files without copying them.
+    # can locate the original files without copying them. The internal rule
+    # keeps this path in its provider; the Needs build below uses the same
+    # source root so docnames and link targets remain stable.
     pkg = native.package_name()
-    strip_prefix = join_path(pkg, source_dir) if source_dir != None else ""
+    # ``source_dir = "."`` denotes the package root. Keep its provider path
+    # normalized so Sphinx can remove the same prefix from ordinary short_paths
+    # (which never contain the literal ``/.`` segment).
+    strip_prefix = (
+        pkg if source_dir == "." else join_path(pkg, source_dir)
+    ) if source_dir != None else ""
 
     # ``needs_json`` is an inventory consumed by score_metamodel, not content
     # owned by this bundle. It must remain in the caller's build/runfile inputs
@@ -211,6 +311,93 @@ def _declare_docs_bundle(
         **kwargs
     )
 
+    return struct(
+        source_dir_globbed = source_dir_globbed,
+        sourcelinks_json = sourcelinks_json,
+    )
+
+def _declare_bundle_local_needs(
+        name,
+        source_dir_globbed,
+        srcs,
+        entry_doc,
+        sourcelinks_json,
+        visibility = None,
+        config = None,
+        config_strip_prefix = "",
+        deps = []):
+    """Create a standalone Needs export for a bundle's direct sources.
+
+    Standalone ``docs_bundle`` exports use a generated baseline configuration.
+    The root bundle created by ``docs()`` may provide the project's own
+    configuration because it is also the project's normal documentation root.
+    """
+    if not source_dir_globbed and not srcs:
+        return
+
+    # ``bundle_sphinx_source_files`` is important here: using the complete bundle
+    # would also feed nested child sources into this Sphinx invocation and
+    # export their Needs under the parent's local target. Ownership stays
+    # one-way: every source-bearing bundle exports only its own sources.
+    own_sources = bundle_sphinx_source_files(
+        name = _bundle_internal_target(name, "needs_sources"),
+        bundle = ":" + name,
+        visibility = visibility,
+        tags = ["manual"],
+    )
+
+    if config == None:
+        # Sphinx expects conf.py below the source root. Generate a private
+        # config for each standalone export so a source-only bundle remains
+        # independent of the project that composes it.
+        needs_conf = _bundle_internal_target(name, "needs_conf")
+        config_output_path = join_path(needs_conf, "conf.py")
+        _generated_conf(
+            name = needs_conf,
+            project = name,
+            project_url = "",
+            required_in_id = "",
+            output_path = config_output_path,
+            tags = ["manual"],
+        )
+        needs_config = ":" + needs_conf
+        config_strip_prefix = _bundle_short_path_prefix(needs_conf)
+    else:
+        # The root bundle belongs to docs(), so its local export must retain
+        # the same project configuration as the normal project-wide export.
+        needs_config = config
+
+    # The source files are declared with their workspace-relative paths,
+    # while sphinxdocs expects the prefix to remove from those paths before
+    # placing them below the temporary Sphinx source root.
+    #
+    # Build the own export from this bundle's sources only. References to
+    # Needs owned by another bundle are intentionally unsupported until
+    # cross-bundle imports are added.
+    sphinx_build_deps = deps + _missing_requirements(deps)
+    for fixed_dep in [
+        Label("//src:plantuml_for_python"),
+        Label("//src/extensions/score_sphinx_bundle:score_sphinx_bundle"),
+    ]:
+        if fixed_dep not in sphinx_build_deps:
+            sphinx_build_deps.append(fixed_dep)
+
+    needs_local = _bundle_internal_target(name, "needs_local")
+    _needs_sphinx_docs(
+        name = needs_local,
+        deps = [own_sources],
+        config = needs_config,
+        sphinx_build_deps = sphinx_build_deps,
+        master_doc = entry_doc,
+        external_needs_source = "[]",
+        score_bundle_needs_export = "1",
+        score_sourcelinks_json = "$(location " + str(sourcelinks_json) + ")" if sourcelinks_json else None,
+        score_source_code_linker_plain_links = "1",
+        strip_prefix = config_strip_prefix,
+        tools = [sourcelinks_json] if sourcelinks_json else [],
+        visibility = visibility,
+    )
+
 def docs_bundle(
     name,
     source_dir = None,
@@ -228,7 +415,7 @@ def docs_bundle(
     distinct home while allowing ``docs()`` to use the shared declaration for
     the project root.
     """
-    _declare_docs_bundle(
+    bundle = _declare_docs_bundle(
         name = name,
         source_dir = source_dir,
         srcs = srcs,
@@ -239,6 +426,14 @@ def docs_bundle(
         visibility = visibility,
         **kwargs
     )
+    _declare_bundle_local_needs(
+        name = name,
+        source_dir_globbed = bundle.source_dir_globbed,
+        srcs = srcs,
+        entry_doc = entry_doc,
+        sourcelinks_json = bundle.sourcelinks_json,
+        visibility = visibility,
+    )
 
 def _missing_requirements(deps):
     """Add Python hub dependencies if they are missing."""
@@ -394,19 +589,11 @@ def docs(
 
     incremental_src = Label("//src:incremental.py")
 
-    sphinx_build_binary(
-        name = "sphinx_build",
-        visibility = ["//visibility:private"],
-        data = data + external_needs + metamodel_label + [":docs_bundle"],
-        deps = deps,
-        tags = ["manual"]
-    )
-
     known_good_label = [known_good] if known_good else []
 
     # The public bundle carries both the complete source tree and the
     # transitive source-code links of every nested bundle.
-    _declare_docs_bundle(
+    root_bundle = _declare_docs_bundle(
         name = "docs_bundle",
         source_dir = source_dir,
         data = data,
@@ -416,6 +603,17 @@ def docs(
         visibility = ["//visibility:public"],
         tags = ["manual"]
     )
+    _declare_bundle_local_needs(
+        name = "docs_bundle",
+        source_dir_globbed = root_bundle.source_dir_globbed,
+        srcs = [],
+        entry_doc = "index",
+        sourcelinks_json = root_bundle.sourcelinks_json,
+        visibility = ["//visibility:public"],
+        config = sphinx_config,
+        config_strip_prefix = _bundle_short_path_prefix(source_dir),
+        deps = deps,
+    )
     sphinx_sources = bundle_source_files(
         name = "_docs_sphinx_sources",
         bundle = ":docs_bundle",
@@ -529,7 +727,7 @@ def docs(
         package_collisions = "warning",
     )
 
-    sphinx_docs(
+    _needs_sphinx_docs(
         name = "needs_json",
         # Nested bundle sources are mounted by score_mounts. Passing the
         # complete bundle as srcs would also expose those files as raw Sphinx
@@ -537,28 +735,17 @@ def docs(
         srcs = [sphinx_sources],
         deps = root_bundle_data_for_sphinx,
         config = sphinx_config,
-        extra_opts = [
-            "-W",
-            "--keep-going",
-            "-T",  # show more details in case of errors
-            "--jobs",
-            "auto",
-            "--define=external_needs_source=" + str(data + external_needs),
-            "--define=score_sourcelinks_json=$(location :sourcelinks_json)",
-            "--define=score_source_code_linker_plain_links=1",
-        ] + (
-            # ``sphinx_docs`` is a sandboxed build action, so it needs the
-            # action-input path rather than the runfiles-relative spelling.
-            ["--define=mounts_manifest=$(location :_mounts_manifest)"] if bundles else []
-        ) + (["--define=score_metamodel_yaml=$(location " + str(metamodel) + ")"] if metamodel else []),
-        formats = ["needs"],
-        sphinx = ":sphinx_build",
+        sphinx_build_deps = deps,
+        sphinx_build_data = data + external_needs + metamodel_label + [":docs_bundle"],
+        external_needs_source = str(data + external_needs),
+        score_sourcelinks_json = "$(location :sourcelinks_json)",
+        score_source_code_linker_plain_links = "1",
+        # ``sphinx_docs`` is a sandboxed build action, so it needs the
+        # action-input path rather than the runfiles-relative spelling.
+        mounts_manifest = "$(location :_mounts_manifest)" if bundles else None,
+        score_metamodel_yaml = "$(location " + str(metamodel) + ")" if metamodel else None,
         tools = external_needs + metamodel_label + [":sourcelinks_json", ":docs_bundle"] + mounts_manifest_label,
         visibility = ["//visibility:public"],
-        # Persistent workers cause stale symlinks after dependency version
-        # changes, corrupting the Bazel cache.
-        allow_persistent_workers = False,
-        tags = ["manual"],
     )
 
     native.genrule(
diff --git a/docs/reference/bazel_macros.rst b/docs/reference/bazel_macros.rst
index 0ae1c0e18..013db9a76 100644
--- a/docs/reference/bazel_macros.rst
+++ b/docs/reference/bazel_macros.rst
@@ -172,6 +172,9 @@ Signature: ``docs_bundle(name, source_dir = None, srcs = [], data = [], entry_do
   ``docs()`` (RST, Markdown, images, and the other doc file kinds). The
   ``source_dir`` itself is the mount root, so the files mount relative to it (so
   ``concept/index.rst`` with ``source_dir = "concept"`` becomes ``index.rst``).
+  Standalone bundle-local Needs exports always use a self-contained, generated
+  Sphinx configuration. A root bundle created by ``docs()`` instead uses the
+  project's ``conf.py`` so its local export matches the normal project build.
   The bundle exposes those files as a Bazel depset (via the ``DocsBundleInfo``
   provider) and records the ``source_dir`` path; sphinx-mounts walks that original
   directory directly — no copy is made. Leave it unset for a bundle whose
@@ -212,6 +215,14 @@ Signature: ``docs_bundle(name, source_dir = None, srcs = [], data = [], entry_do
   error. See :ref:`howto_mount_external_sources` for a worked example and
   :ref:`docs_concept_mounts` for the composition and transitivity semantics.
 
+- ``needs_local`` (internal target)
+  A source-bearing bundle creates ``<name>.__internal__.needs_local`` with the
+  Needs declared by its own sources. The standalone build is intentionally
+  self-contained in this version: references to Needs defined outside the
+  bundle remain unresolved and fail strict builds. Cross-bundle imports and
+  merged exports are planned for a later change. Data-only bundles do not
+  create a Needs target.
+
 .. note::
 
    A bundle is **placement-free**: its ``mount_at`` and ``attach_to`` are assigned
@@ -225,9 +236,3 @@ Signature: ``docs_bundle(name, source_dir = None, srcs = [], data = [], entry_do
    recursively from their ``deps``; filegroups expand to their files. The bundle
    owns one cached scan result; Bazel only regenerates it when its collected source
    inputs change.
-
-Edge cases
-----------
-
-- If your Sphinx ``conf.py`` expects files generated by other Bazel targets, make sure those
-  targets are included in the ``data`` list so they are available to the build driver.
diff --git a/src/extensions/score_metamodel/__init__.py b/src/extensions/score_metamodel/__init__.py
index 01c788293..98c8d19fd 100644
--- a/src/extensions/score_metamodel/__init__.py
+++ b/src/extensions/score_metamodel/__init__.py
@@ -245,6 +245,7 @@ def setup(app: Sphinx) -> dict[str, str | bool]:
     app.add_config_value("external_needs_source", "", rebuild="env")
     app.add_config_value("score_metamodel_yaml", "", rebuild="env")
     app.add_config_value("required_in_id", [], rebuild="env")
+    app.add_config_value("score_bundle_needs_export", False, rebuild="env")
     config_setdefault(app.config, "needs_id_required", True)
     config_setdefault(app.config, "needs_id_regex", "^[A-Za-z0-9_-]{6,}")
 
diff --git a/src/extensions/score_metamodel/external_needs.py b/src/extensions/score_metamodel/external_needs.py
index 51f927a21..cd89a6566 100644
--- a/src/extensions/score_metamodel/external_needs.py
+++ b/src/extensions/score_metamodel/external_needs.py
@@ -130,7 +130,13 @@ def parse_external_needs_sources_from_bazel_query() -> list[ExternalNeedsSource]
     return res
 
 
-def extend_needs_json_exporter(config: Config, params: list[str]) -> None:
+def extend_needs_json_exporter(
+    config: Config,
+    params: list[str],
+    *,
+    log_missing: bool = True,
+    export_values: dict[str, str] | None = None,
+) -> None:
     """
     This will add each param to app.config as a config value.
     Then it will overwrite the needs.json exporter to include these values.
@@ -141,7 +147,7 @@ def extend_needs_json_exporter(config: Config, params: list[str]) -> None:
         # This is wrong. But good enough.
         config.add(p, default="", rebuild="env", types=(), description="")
 
-        if not getattr(config, p):
+        if log_missing and not getattr(config, p):
             logger.error(
                 f"Config value '{p}' is not set. "
                 + "Please set it in your Sphinx config."
@@ -153,7 +159,10 @@ def extend_needs_json_exporter(config: Config, params: list[str]) -> None:
 
     def temp(self: NeedsList):
         for p in params:
-            self.needs_list[p] = getattr(config, p)  # pyright: ignore[reportUnknownMemberType]
+            if export_values is not None and p in export_values:
+                self.needs_list[p] = export_values[p]
+            else:
+                self.needs_list[p] = getattr(config, p)  # pyright: ignore[reportUnknownMemberType]
 
         orig_function(self)
 
@@ -228,7 +237,17 @@ def add_external_docs_sources(e: ExternalNeedsSource, config: Config):
 
 
 def connect_external_needs(app: Sphinx, config: Config):
-    extend_needs_json_exporter(config, ["project_url"])
+    # Local bundle exports intentionally omit the host URL from their JSON so
+    # the inventory remains reusable by whichever documentation site consumes
+    # it. Keep the configuration value available to Sphinx itself, and retain
+    # the existing missing-value diagnostic for normal host builds.
+    bundle_export = bool(config.score_bundle_needs_export)
+    extend_needs_json_exporter(
+        config,
+        ["project_url"],
+        log_missing=not bundle_export,
+        export_values={"project_url": ""} if bundle_export else None,
+    )
 
     # Local external needs from DATA (e.g. :needs_json or :docs_sources)
     external_needs = get_external_needs_source(app.config.external_needs_source)
diff --git a/src/extensions/score_metamodel/tests/test_external_needs.py b/src/extensions/score_metamodel/tests/test_external_needs.py
index 5c8929b41..4e301e160 100644
--- a/src/extensions/score_metamodel/tests/test_external_needs.py
+++ b/src/extensions/score_metamodel/tests/test_external_needs.py
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@
 
 import json
 from pathlib import Path
+from types import SimpleNamespace
+from typing import cast
 
 import pytest
 import score_metamodel.external_needs as ext_needs
@@ -31,6 +33,46 @@
     parse_external_needs_sources_from_DATA,
 )
 from sphinx.config import Config
+from sphinx_needs.needsfile import NeedsList
+
+
+def test_extend_needs_json_exporter_uses_configured_value(
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+) -> None:
+    """The exporter reads the current project URL from Sphinx configuration."""
+    config = Config()
+    config.project_url = "https://example.test/before"
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(NeedsList, "_finalise", lambda _needs_list: None)
+    ext_needs.extend_needs_json_exporter(config, ["project_url"])
+    config.project_url = "https://example.test/after"
+
+    needs_list = cast(NeedsList, SimpleNamespace(needs_list={}))
+    NeedsList._finalise(needs_list)  # pyright: ignore[reportPrivateUsage] - white-box test
+
+    assert needs_list.needs_list["project_url"] == "https://example.test/after"
+
+
+def test_extend_needs_json_exporter_can_override_bundle_export_metadata(
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+) -> None:
+    """Bundle exports omit the host URL while Sphinx keeps the config value."""
+    config = Config()
+    config.project_url = "https://example.test/host"
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(NeedsList, "_finalise", lambda _needs_list: None)
+    ext_needs.extend_needs_json_exporter(
+        config,
+        ["project_url"],
+        log_missing=False,
+        export_values={"project_url": ""},
+    )
+
+    needs_list = cast(NeedsList, SimpleNamespace(needs_list={}))
+    NeedsList._finalise(needs_list)  # pyright: ignore[reportPrivateUsage] - white-box test
+
+    assert config.project_url == "https://example.test/host"
+    assert needs_list.needs_list["project_url"] == ""
 
 
 def test_empty_list():
diff --git a/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/legacy_module/docs/components/component/BUILD b/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/legacy_module/docs/components/component/BUILD
index 860a114ad..e26a1dfdf 100644
--- a/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/legacy_module/docs/components/component/BUILD
+++ b/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/legacy_module/docs/components/component/BUILD
@@ -11,25 +11,20 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 # *******************************************************************************
 
-load("//:docs.bzl", "docs")
+load("//:docs.bzl", "docs_bundle")
 
 filegroup(
     name = "component_sources",
     srcs = ["implementation.py"],
 )
 
-# Keep the component as a complete documentation producer while placing its
-# Bazel package below the module's source directory. This mirrors the feature
-# package layout used by the S-CORE integration and exercises package-aware
-# source ownership at runtime. The implementation file is deliberately
-# supplied through ``code_targets`` so its traceability annotation exercises
-# the source-link generation path used by real component targets.
-docs(
-    project = "S-CORE Legacy Component",
-    project_url = "https://example.invalid/score-legacy-component",
+# This component is a nested documentation package below the module's source
+# directory. The implementation file is deliberately supplied through
+# ``code_targets`` so its traceability annotation exercises the source-link
+# generation path used by real component bundles.
+docs_bundle(
+    name = "docs_bundle",
     source_dir = ".",
-    data = [
-        "//src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/score_platform:needs_json",
-    ],
     code_targets = [":component_sources"],
+    visibility = ["//visibility:public"],
 )
diff --git a/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/legacy_module/docs/components/component/index.rst b/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/legacy_module/docs/components/component/index.rst
index 6b1e7f37e..2b08d8c3b 100644
--- a/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/legacy_module/docs/components/component/index.rst
+++ b/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/legacy_module/docs/components/component/index.rst
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@
 S-CORE Legacy Component
 =======================
 
-This component consumes platform feature requirements through the legacy
-``data`` API and is mounted by the legacy module.
+This component is mounted by the legacy module, which consumes the platform
+feature requirements through the legacy ``data`` API.
 
 .. tool_req:: Legacy component implementation is traceable
    :id: tool_req__legacy_component
@@ -24,4 +24,4 @@ This component consumes platform feature requirements through the legacy
 
    The legacy component implementation is covered by the component source
    code-link scan. The integration test checks that this link is preserved
-   when the component is built alone, by its module, and by the full site.
+   when the component is built through its module and by the full site.
diff --git a/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/BUILD b/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/BUILD
index 630119989..43da4e4b9 100644
--- a/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/BUILD
+++ b/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/BUILD
@@ -14,9 +14,11 @@
 load("//:docs.bzl", "docs")
 
 # This module uses the current ``external_needs`` API to import platform
-# feature requirements and mounts its component documentation. The component
-# package is nested below this module's ``docs`` source tree, so both the
-# module's primary walk and its parent bundle mount must exclude that child.
+# feature requirements and mounts two component bundles. One component has a
+# requirement linked to the imported platform feature; the other is
+# self-contained. Keeping both under the module's ``docs`` source tree
+# exercises the distinction between a component that needs its parent bundle's
+# external Needs and one that can be built independently.
 docs(
     project = "S-CORE Modern Module",
     project_url = "https://example.invalid/score-modern-module",
@@ -30,5 +32,9 @@ docs(
         "bundle": "//src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/docs/components/component:docs_bundle",
         "mount_at": "components/component",
         "attach_to": "components",
+    }, {
+        "bundle": "//src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/docs/components/unlinked_component:docs_bundle",
+        "mount_at": "components/unlinked_component",
+        "attach_to": "components",
     }],
 )
diff --git a/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/docs/components/component/BUILD b/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/docs/components/component/BUILD
index 6d61dade9..e3d2d92cd 100644
--- a/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/docs/components/component/BUILD
+++ b/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/docs/components/component/BUILD
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 # *******************************************************************************
 
-load("//:docs.bzl", "docs")
+load("//:docs.bzl", "docs_bundle")
 
 filegroup(
     name = "component_sources",
@@ -23,12 +23,13 @@ filegroup(
 # tree and mounts this bundle at the component placement. The implementation
 # file is supplied through ``code_targets`` to exercise source-link generation
 # for a component that is propagated through the module bundle.
-docs(
-    project = "S-CORE Modern Component",
-    project_url = "https://example.invalid/score-modern-component",
+#
+# The component intentionally does not import the platform Needs itself. Its
+# requirement links to the platform feature, so the component Needs target is
+# valid only when the parent module supplies that external Needs.
+docs_bundle(
+    name = "docs_bundle",
     source_dir = ".",
-    external_needs = [
-        "//src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/score_platform:needs_json",
-    ],
     code_targets = [":component_sources"],
+    visibility = ["//visibility:public"],
 )
diff --git a/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/docs/components/component/index.rst b/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/docs/components/component/index.rst
index eea58d5ba..51c0e500e 100644
--- a/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/docs/components/component/index.rst
+++ b/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/docs/components/component/index.rst
@@ -15,13 +15,44 @@
 S-CORE Modern Component
 =======================
 
-This component consumes platform feature requirements through the current
-``external_needs`` API and is mounted by the modern module.
+This component is mounted by the modern module and derives one of its
+component requirements from the platform feature requirement. The platform
+requirement is imported by the module, not by this standalone component.
+
+.. feat:: Modern component feature
+   :id: feat__modern_component
+   :security: NO
+   :safety: QM
+   :status: valid
+   :version: 1
+
+.. comp:: Modern linked component
+   :id: comp__modern_component
+   :security: NO
+   :safety: QM
+   :status: valid
+   :version: 1
+   :belongs_to: feat__modern_component
+
+.. comp_req:: Modern component platform requirement
+   :id: comp_req__modern_component__platform_feature
+   :reqtype: Functional
+   :security: NO
+   :safety: QM
+   :status: valid
+   :version: 1
+   :derived_from: feat_req__platform__feature
+   :satisfied_by: comp__modern_component
+
+   The modern component requires the platform feature made available by its
+   parent module.
 
 .. tool_req:: Modern component implementation is traceable
    :id: tool_req__modern_component
    :version: 1
 
    The modern component implementation is covered by the component source
-   code-link scan. The integration test checks that this link is preserved
-   when the component is built alone, by its module, and by the full site.
+   code-link scan. The linked component requirement above depends on the
+   platform feature requirement. The integration test checks that the
+   component can be built through its module, where that requirement is
+   available, but not as a standalone bundle.
diff --git a/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/docs/components/unlinked_component/BUILD b/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/docs/components/unlinked_component/BUILD
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3e3cbf317
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/docs/components/unlinked_component/BUILD
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# *******************************************************************************
+# Copyright (c) 2026 Contributors to the Eclipse Foundation
+#
+# See the NOTICE file(s) distributed with this work for additional
+# information regarding copyright ownership.
+#
+# This program and the accompanying materials are made available under the
+# terms of the Apache License 2.0 which is available at
+# https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+# *******************************************************************************
+
+load("//:docs.bzl", "docs_bundle")
+
+# This component deliberately contains no links to Needs outside its own
+# source tree. It is the control case for the linked component next to it: the
+# same module can mount both bundles, while this one can also produce a local
+# Needs inventory without the module's external Needs.
+docs_bundle(
+    name = "docs_bundle",
+    source_dir = ".",
+    visibility = ["//visibility:public"],
+)
diff --git a/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/docs/components/unlinked_component/index.rst b/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/docs/components/unlinked_component/index.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6936d3b4f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/docs/components/unlinked_component/index.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+..
+   # *******************************************************************************
+   # Copyright (c) 2026 Contributors to the Eclipse Foundation
+   #
+   # See the NOTICE file(s) distributed with this work for additional
+   # information regarding copyright ownership.
+   #
+   # This program and the accompanying materials are made available under the
+   # terms of the Apache License 2.0 which is available at
+   # https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+   #
+   # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+   # *******************************************************************************
+
+S-CORE Modern Unlinked Component
+================================
+
+This component has no dependency on a requirement owned by another bundle.
+It should therefore be buildable both independently and through the modern
+module.
+
+.. tool_req:: Modern unlinked component is self-contained
+   :id: tool_req__modern_unlinked_component
+   :version: 1
+
+   This requirement is intentionally not linked to the platform feature
+   requirement. It verifies the independent-component control case.
diff --git a/src/tests/docs_bzl/test_data_files_runfiles.py b/src/tests/docs_bzl/test_data_files_runfiles.py
index e770535aa..2240248b8 100644
--- a/src/tests/docs_bzl/test_data_files_runfiles.py
+++ b/src/tests/docs_bzl/test_data_files_runfiles.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 ``<ws_root>/bazel-bin`` and mounts it. This end-to-end test fails if either half
 of that chain regresses."""
 
-from src.tests.docs_bzl.helpers import run_scenario
+from src.tests.docs_bzl.helpers import built_output, run_bazel, run_scenario
 
 
 def test_generated_source_files_reachable_at_runtime():
@@ -50,3 +50,21 @@ def test_explicit_source_bundle_excludes_undeclared_siblings():
 
     assert "Isolated Declared Page" in declared_html.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
     assert not undeclared_html.exists()
+
+
+def test_explicit_source_bundles_export_local_needs_from_their_source_root():
+    """Explicit source targets are staged with their bundle entry as the root."""
+    run_bazel(
+        [
+            "build",
+            "//src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/data_files_runfiles:data_bundle.__internal__.needs_local",
+            "//src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/data_files_runfiles:isolated_source_bundle.__internal__.needs_local",
+        ]
+    )
+
+    for target in ("data_bundle", "isolated_source_bundle"):
+        needs_output = built_output(
+            "scenarios/data_files_runfiles",
+            f"{target}.__internal__.needs_local/_build/needs/needs.json",
+        )
+        assert needs_output.is_file()
diff --git a/src/tests/docs_bzl/test_reference_integration.py b/src/tests/docs_bzl/test_reference_integration.py
index dcdea4fc1..0df5eb22e 100644
--- a/src/tests/docs_bzl/test_reference_integration.py
+++ b/src/tests/docs_bzl/test_reference_integration.py
@@ -15,10 +15,13 @@
 
 from typing import cast
 
+import pytest
+
 from src.tests.docs_bzl.helpers import built_output, load_needs, run_bazel, run_scenario
 
 
 def test_score_platform_publishes_feature_requirement():
+    """The platform fixture provides the external requirement used by modules."""
     result = run_scenario(
         "build", "reference_integration/score_platform", ":needs_json"
     )
@@ -29,12 +32,12 @@ def test_score_platform_publishes_feature_requirement():
 
 
 def test_module_and_component_needs_targets_build_with_source_links():
-    """Preserve component source links in standalone and composed needs builds.
+    """Preserve component source links in composed Needs builds.
 
-    The component targets prove that ``code_targets`` creates the expected
-    links directly. The module targets prove that the links propagate through
-    a nested module bundle. All four targets are built in one Bazel invocation
-    because this suite deliberately drives coarse-grained integration cases.
+    The module targets prove that ``code_targets`` creates links for nested
+    component bundles and propagates them through the module bundle. Both
+    targets are built in one Bazel invocation because this suite deliberately
+    drives coarse-grained integration cases.
     """
     expected_links = [
         (
@@ -47,17 +50,9 @@ def test_module_and_component_needs_targets_build_with_source_links():
             "tool_req__modern_component",
             "modern_module/docs/components/component/implementation.py#L17",
         ),
-        (
-            "reference_integration/legacy_module/docs/components/component",
-            "tool_req__legacy_component",
-            "legacy_module/docs/components/component/implementation.py#L14",
-        ),
-        (
-            "reference_integration/modern_module/docs/components/component",
-            "tool_req__modern_component",
-            "modern_module/docs/components/component/implementation.py#L17",
-        ),
     ]
+    # Build the module and nested component bundles together so the assertions
+    # below verify source-link propagation at each relevant bundle boundary.
     run_bazel(
         [
             "build",
@@ -65,10 +60,13 @@ def test_module_and_component_needs_targets_build_with_source_links():
                 f"//src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/{scenario}:needs_json"
                 for scenario, _, _ in expected_links
             ],
+            "//src/tests/docs_bzl/scenarios/reference_integration/legacy_module/docs/components/component:docs_bundle.__internal__.needs_local",
         ]
     )
 
     for scenario, need_id, source_link_fragment in expected_links:
+        # Each Needs export must retain the source path belonging to the
+        # package where the annotated implementation is defined.
         needs = load_needs(
             built_output(
                 f"scenarios/{scenario}",
@@ -82,18 +80,102 @@ def test_module_and_component_needs_targets_build_with_source_links():
         assert isinstance(source_code_link, str)
         assert source_link_fragment in source_code_link
 
+    # The component's own export uses the same source-link input as the
+    # composed module build. Keep this assertion separate from the module
+    # outputs so the local target is verified as an actual standalone export.
+    local_needs = load_needs(
+        built_output(
+            "scenarios/reference_integration/legacy_module/docs/components/component",
+            "docs_bundle.__internal__.needs_local/_build/needs/needs.json",
+        )
+    )
+    local_need = local_needs.get("tool_req__legacy_component")
+    assert isinstance(local_need, dict), sorted(local_needs)
+    typed_local_need = cast(dict[str, object], local_need)
+    local_source_code_link = typed_local_need.get("source_code_link")
+    assert isinstance(local_source_code_link, str)
+    assert "legacy_module/docs/components/component/implementation.py#L14" in (
+        local_source_code_link
+    )
+
 
 def test_nested_component_package_is_mounted_by_its_module():
-    """A module run excludes its nested component from primary discovery."""
-    result = run_scenario("run", "reference_integration/legacy_module", ":docs")
+    """Nested component bundles are rendered at both module mount points."""
+    result = run_scenario("run", "reference_integration/modern_module", ":docs")
 
+    # The parent module owns the surrounding ``components`` tree, while each
+    # child bundle supplies its own page below the corresponding mount point.
     assert (result.build_dir / "components" / "component" / "index.html").is_file()
+    assert (
+        result.build_dir / "components" / "unlinked_component" / "index.html"
+    ).is_file()
+
+
+def test_modern_module_linked_and_unlinked_components():
+    """Parent context is required only for the component with an external link.
+
+    The modern module imports the platform Needs. Its linked component relies
+    on that imported feature requirement, whereas the unlinked component has
+    no dependency outside its own bundle and is the independent-build control.
+    """
+    module_result = run_scenario(
+        "build", "reference_integration/modern_module", ":needs_json"
+    )
+    assert module_result.artifacts
+    module_needs = load_needs(module_result.artifacts["needs.json"])
+    # Building through the module provides the platform requirement and must
+    # export both the linked and unlinked component requirements.
+    assert {
+        "comp_req__modern_component__platform_feature",
+        "tool_req__modern_component",
+        "tool_req__modern_unlinked_component",
+    } <= module_needs.keys()
+
+    # The unlinked component has no external references, so its local Needs
+    # export is valid without the modern module's external_needs declaration.
+    run_scenario(
+        "build",
+        "reference_integration/modern_module/docs/components/unlinked_component",
+        ":docs_bundle.__internal__.needs_local",
+    )
+    unlinked_needs = load_needs(
+        built_output(
+            "scenarios/reference_integration/modern_module/docs/components/unlinked_component",
+            "docs_bundle.__internal__.needs_local/_build/needs/needs.json",
+        )
+    )
+    assert "tool_req__modern_unlinked_component" in unlinked_needs
+
+    # The linked component intentionally omits that external Needs input. The
+    # standalone build must therefore fail while resolving its derived_from
+    # link to the platform feature requirement.
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError) as exc_info:
+        run_scenario(
+            "build",
+            "reference_integration/modern_module/docs/components/component",
+            ":docs_bundle.__internal__.needs_local",
+        )
+    assert "feat_req__platform__feature" in str(exc_info.value)
+
+
+def test_reference_integration_root_bundle_exports_its_own_needs():
+    """The root docs() bundle exposes a local Needs export for its own sources."""
+    run_scenario(
+        "build", "reference_integration", ":docs_bundle.__internal__.needs_local"
+    )
+
+    assert built_output(
+        "scenarios/reference_integration",
+        "docs_bundle.__internal__.needs_local/_build/needs/needs.json",
+    ).is_file()
 
 
 def test_reference_integration_builds_with_platform_requirements():
-    """Mount modules and render their nested component source-code links."""
+    """Mount modules and render nested component source-code links."""
     result = run_scenario("run", "reference_integration", ":docs")
 
+    # The top-level site imports the platform bundle, so its feature link is
+    # rendered on the main page before the module mounts are traversed.
     html = (result.build_dir / "index.html").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
     assert (
         "score-platform/main/platform/feature.html#feat_req__platform__feature" in html
@@ -122,6 +204,8 @@ def test_reference_integration_builds_with_platform_requirements():
     assert "modern_module/docs/components/component/implementation.py#L17" in (
         modern_component_html
     )
+    # Both module pages and their nested component pages must be present after
+    # composition; source links are checked above on the component pages.
     assert (result.build_dir / "modules" / "legacy_module" / "index.html").is_file()
     assert (
         result.build_dir