diff --git a/.zpkg.toml b/.zpkg.toml
index 19bd0e3..ebb4de8 100644
--- a/.zpkg.toml
+++ b/.zpkg.toml
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 # generated by zed-pkg-test/test-org-fleet; edit the fleet manifest or bootstrapper, not this file.
+# disposable DEN-2877 canary: this branch and PR must never be merged.
 [package]
 org = "zed-pkg-test"
 name = "java-lib"
-version = "0.1.0"
+version = "0.1.1"
 description = "java adapter projection; Maven packaging; frozen replay"
 license = "MIT"
 
diff --git a/canary/nightly-reconciliation-dependency.json b/canary/nightly-reconciliation-dependency.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..42ac311
--- /dev/null
+++ b/canary/nightly-reconciliation-dependency.json
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+{
+  "schema_version": "nightly-reconciliation-canary.v1",
+  "linear_issue": "DEN-2877",
+  "source_policy_pr": "ORESoftware/project-registry#44",
+  "scenario": "dependency-head-and-version-change",
+  "repository": "zed-pkg-test/java-lib",
+  "base_sha": "daa9d8f4f23b4ef1c8dd4a11f9d802c4fce83b48",
+  "expected_branch_version": "0.1.1",
+  "disposable": true,
+  "merge_forbidden": true,
+  "expected_consumer": "zed-pkg-test/java-app",
+  "purpose": "Prove that the nightly reconciler discovers a dependency PR through Zed metadata and updates, but does not merge, its dependent canary PR."
+}