Red Stapler is a streaming-native system on Databricks that merges file-based ingestion and real-time user edits into one Lakeflow Declarative Pipelines for near real-time feedback. Protobuf definitions, managed in the Buf Schema Registry (BSR), govern schema and data-quality rules, ensuring backward compatibility. All records — valid or not — are stored in an SCD Type 2 table, capturing every version for full history and immediate quarantine views of invalid data. This unified approach boosts data governance, simplifies auditing and streamlines error fixes.Running on Lakeflow Declarative Pipelines Serverless and the Kafka-compatible Bufstream keeps costs low by scaling down to zero when idle. Red Stapler’s configuration-driven Protobuf logic adapts easily to evolving survey definitions without risking production. The result is consistent validation, quick updates and a complete audit trail — all critical for trustworthy, flexible data pipelines.