diff --git a/docs/specification.md b/docs/specification.md
index e16c06ad1..e537f6d48 100644
--- a/docs/specification.md
+++ b/docs/specification.md
@@ -31715,6 +31715,24 @@ The following annotated YAML provides an easier-to-read overview of the same sch
 | `end` | A terminal node that ends graph execution. |
 | `message_router` | Routes messages to different nodes based on message content or metadata. |
 
+**`RetryPolicyConfig` — Canonical Field Names**
+
+The `retry_policy` object accepted by graph-route nodes (and any other context that takes a retry configuration) is governed by `RetryPolicyConfig`. The table below lists the **canonical** field names that all new implementations and API contracts must use.
+
+> **Note (Issue #9396 — naming alignment):** A historical mismatch exists between the spec and some older implementation code. The canonical names defined here are authoritative. Implementations may additionally expose the aliases listed in the *Backward-compatible alias* column to avoid breaking existing callers, but those aliases are deprecated and must not be used in new integrations.
+
+| Canonical field | Type | Default | Backward-compatible alias | Description |
+|-----------------|------|---------|--------------------------|-------------|
+| `max_retries` | integer | `3` | `max_attempts` | Maximum number of retry attempts before the node is considered failed. Range: 0–100. |
+| `backoff_factor` | float | `1.0` | `base_delay` | Base multiplier (in seconds) applied to each successive retry interval. With exponential backoff the delay after attempt *n* is `backoff_factor × 2ⁿ⁻¹`. |
+| `max_backoff` | float | `60.0` | `max_delay` | Upper bound (in seconds) on the computed retry delay. Prevents unbounded wait times regardless of the backoff calculation. |
+
+**Usage rules:**
+
+1. **Canonical names are authoritative.** All spec definitions, schema validation, and new API contracts must reference `max_retries`, `backoff_factor`, and `max_backoff`.
+2. **Aliases are for backward compatibility only.** Implementations that already expose `max_attempts`, `base_delay`, or `max_delay` may keep those aliases, but must treat them as read-through synonyms for the canonical fields. Aliases must not appear in new public API surfaces or documentation.
+3. **Conflict resolution.** If both a canonical name and its alias are supplied in the same configuration object, the canonical name takes precedence and the alias value is ignored.
+
 #### Examples
 
 **Example 1: Minimal Chat Actor (Simple)**