diff --git a/tests/_character_test_helpers.py b/tests/_character_test_helpers.py
index e89802de..abb128d0 100644
--- a/tests/_character_test_helpers.py
+++ b/tests/_character_test_helpers.py
@@ -18,6 +18,11 @@ corresponding *real* production method can parse:
 
 import json
 
+from talemate.agents.creator.character import (
+    CHARACTER_GENERATION_ASPECTS,
+    CONSOLIDATE_TEMPLATES_FLAG,
+)
+
 # prompt kinds per real request path, for routing assertions against
 # MockClient.prompt_history (see the corresponding Prompt.request calls)
 KIND_NAME = "analyze_freeform_24"  # creator.determine-character-name
@@ -27,17 +32,8 @@ KIND_SHEET = "create"  # world_state.extract-character-sheet
 KIND_FOCAL = "analyze_1024"  # focal.request default response_length
 KIND_UNIFIED = "create_4096"  # creator.generate-character @ default budget
 
-# the character_creation "Consolidate" config default (for restoring after
-# tests that widen or narrow the selection): every aspect, plus the
-# 'Attribute templates' fold flag
-DEFAULT_CONSOLIDATE = [
-    "name",
-    "description",
-    "attributes",
-    "dialogue_instructions",
-    "example_dialogue",
-    "attribute_templates",
-]
+# the character_creation "Consolidate" config default
+DEFAULT_CONSOLIDATE = list(CHARACTER_GENERATION_ASPECTS) + [CONSOLIDATE_TEMPLATES_FLAG]
 
 
 def prompt_kinds(client) -> list[str]:
diff --git a/tests/test_creator_character.py b/tests/test_creator_character.py
index 09a21f94..56297d92 100644
--- a/tests/test_creator_character.py
+++ b/tests/test_creator_character.py
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ from conftest import (
     client_responses,
 )
 from _character_test_helpers import (
+    DEFAULT_CONSOLIDATE,
     KIND_DESCRIPTION,
     KIND_DIALOGUE_INSTRUCTIONS,
     KIND_NAME,
@@ -466,6 +467,12 @@ async def test_generate_character_unified_example_dialogue_guidance_rendered(cre
     assert result.example_dialogue == ['Elena: "Oh dear!"']
 
 
+def test_consolidate_default(creator):
+    # the shipped setting must stay the derived "everything" composition -
+    # a hardcoded, narrowed or reordered value= fails here
+    assert creator.cc_consolidate == DEFAULT_CONSOLIDATE
+
+
 def test_consolidate_templates_default(creator):
     assert creator.cc_consolidate_templates is True