diff --git a/.github/package-impact-map.md b/.github/package-impact-map.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..303c8f330b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/package-impact-map.md
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+# Package impact map
+
+Source of truth for which repo paths should trigger CI and release workflows for each published surface.
+
+## Principle
+
+**Test broad, release narrow.**
+
+- **CI gates compatibility.** A change to SuperDoc core should run the CI of every dependent package — that's how breakage in `@superdoc-dev/react` or `@superdoc-dev/sdk` gets caught before it ships. CI paths follow *compatibility* impact.
+- **Release gates artifact changes.** A package should only publish a new version when its own published artifact actually changes. Release paths follow *artifact* impact.
+
+These two are not the same. `template-builder` and `esign` externalize `superdoc` in their builds and declare it as a `peerDependency`, so a core change doesn't change their tarballs → CI broad, release narrow. CLI bundles core into platform binaries, so a core change does change the CLI tarball → both broad.
+
+## Surfaces
+
+| Surface | Purpose | Release impact | CI impact |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| `superdoc` | Main browser DOCX editor/runtime | core | core |
+| `@superdoc-dev/react` | React wrapper around superdoc | react + core (see note below) | react + core |
+| `@superdoc-dev/template-builder` | React SDT/template authoring UI | `packages/template-builder/**` only | template-builder + core |
+| `@superdoc-dev/esign` | React signing workflow | `packages/esign/**` only | esign + core |
+| `@superdoc-dev/cli` | Native Document API CLI | cli + doc-api + core | same |
+| `@superdoc-dev/sdk` | JS/Python SDK packaging CLI binaries | sdk + cli + doc-api + core | same |
+| `@superdoc-dev/mcp` | MCP server over SDK/document engine | mcp + sdk + cli + doc-api + core | same |
+| `superdoc-vscode-ext` | VS Code DOCX editor | vscode-ext + core | same |
+| `@superdoc-dev/create` | Project scaffolder | `apps/create/**` only | own changes only |
+| `@superdoc-dev/superdoc-yjs-collaboration` | Standalone Yjs server (no SuperDoc dep) | `packages/collaboration-yjs/**` only | own changes + collaboration examples |
+| `@superdoc/docs` (private) | Documentation site | N/A (not published) | docs + public API / doc generation |
+| demos, examples (private) | Compatibility samples | N/A (not published) | own paths + relevant upstream runtime |
+
+## Path expansions
+
+**core** expands to:
+- `packages/superdoc/**`
+- `packages/super-editor/**`
+- `packages/layout-engine/**`
+- `packages/word-layout/**`
+- `packages/preset-geometry/**`
+- `shared/**`
+- `pnpm-workspace.yaml`
+
+**doc-api** is `packages/document-api/**`.
+
+**cli** is `apps/cli/**`.
+
+**sdk** is `packages/sdk/**`.
+
+**mcp**, **vscode-ext**, **create** are their respective `apps/*/**` or `packages/*/**` paths.
+
+## Why each classification
+
+- **`template-builder` and `esign`** externalize `superdoc` in their Vite build (`rollupOptions.external`) and declare it as a `peerDependency`. A SuperDoc core change does not change the wrapper's published bundle — consumers receive the new core through their own `npm install`. Release-on-core is pure version noise; CI-on-core remains necessary to catch breaking API changes.
+- **`react`** externalizes `superdoc` in its Vite build the same way, and declares `superdoc` in **both** `dependencies` and `peerDependencies`. The `dependencies` entry preserves auto-install for every consumer (zero-break regardless of package manager); the `peerDependencies` entry signals the singleton contract and aligns the manifest with template-builder/esign. Because the `dependencies` entry still pins via lockfiles, existing consumers only pick up a new core version when react republishes, so release-on-core stays correct *today*. The unlock for release-narrow is to remove `superdoc` from `dependencies` entirely — that is a breaking change and tracked as a separate decision.
+- **CLI / SDK** bundle engine behavior into platform-specific native binaries (see `apps/cli/.releaserc.cjs` and `packages/sdk/.releaserc.cjs` — both use `patch-commit-filter.cjs` to expand release analysis into core paths). The published artifact genuinely changes when core changes.
+- **MCP** depends on SDK via `workspace:*` and imports engine/session code directly. Its current release trigger (`apps/mcp/**` only) causes it to lag SDK releases. Expand to match SDK's release paths.
+- **VS Code extension** packages SuperDoc into the extension VSIX. Treated like CLI/SDK.
+- **collaboration-yjs** has no SuperDoc dependency. It's a standalone Yjs server. Release and CI both narrow.
+- **create** is a scaffolder with no dependencies on SuperDoc runtime. Release and CI both narrow.
+- **docs, demos, examples** are not published. They get CI on changes to anything they render to catch visual or behavior regressions.
+
+## Notes
+
+- `packages/ai/**` has been removed from all release and CI triggers. `@superdoc-dev/ai` is being deprecated; npm-side deprecation is a separate operational step.
+- When SuperDoc core ships a breaking API change, `template-builder` and `esign` must be manually updated and released. Their `peerDependencies` version bump is the signal; semantic-release won't auto-trigger on upstream changes for them.
+- `@superdoc-dev/react` declares `superdoc` in both `dependencies` and `peerDependencies` to preserve zero-break install semantics while still signaling the singleton contract. Removing `superdoc` from `dependencies` is the unlock for release-narrow and is tracked as a separate decision.
+- When editing a release or CI workflow, its `paths:` filter must match the corresponding row in this map. Workflow-lint rules should enforce this.
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci-behavior.yml b/.github/workflows/ci-behavior.yml
index 612d45956b..b8d15c5499 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci-behavior.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci-behavior.yml
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ on:
       - 'packages/superdoc/**'
       - 'packages/layout-engine/**'
       - 'packages/super-editor/**'
-      - 'packages/ai/**'
       - 'packages/word-layout/**'
       - 'packages/preset-geometry/**'
       - 'tests/behavior/**'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci-superdoc.yml b/.github/workflows/ci-superdoc.yml
index f33149ea68..f7015852c0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci-superdoc.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci-superdoc.yml
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ on:
       - 'packages/sdk/**'
       - 'packages/template-builder/**'
       - 'packages/esign/**'
+      - 'packages/ai/**'
       - 'evals/**'
       - '**/*.md'
   merge_group:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-cli.yml b/.github/workflows/release-cli.yml
index 7e59bd1144..c8a6afd527 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release-cli.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-cli.yml
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ on:
       - 'packages/superdoc/**'
       - 'packages/super-editor/**'
       - 'packages/layout-engine/**'
-      - 'packages/ai/**'
       - 'packages/word-layout/**'
       - 'packages/preset-geometry/**'
       - 'shared/**'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-esign.yml b/.github/workflows/release-esign.yml
index 8431abc0ae..62ab1dceed 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release-esign.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-esign.yml
@@ -8,13 +8,6 @@ on:
       - main
     paths:
       - 'packages/esign/**'
-      - 'packages/superdoc/**'
-      - 'packages/layout-engine/**'
-      - 'packages/super-editor/**'
-      - 'packages/ai/**'
-      - 'packages/word-layout/**'
-      - 'packages/preset-geometry/**'
-      - 'shared/**'
       - 'pnpm-workspace.yaml'
       - '!**/*.md'
   workflow_dispatch:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-mcp.yml b/.github/workflows/release-mcp.yml
index a8f5f281e7..e6b1c79459 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release-mcp.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-mcp.yml
@@ -7,7 +7,19 @@ on:
     branches:
       - main
     paths:
+      # MCP depends on SDK (workspace:*) and imports engine/session code directly.
+      # Keep in sync with apps/mcp/.releaserc.cjs include list and
+      # .github/package-impact-map.md.
       - 'apps/mcp/**'
+      - 'packages/sdk/**'
+      - 'apps/cli/**'
+      - 'packages/document-api/**'
+      - 'packages/superdoc/**'
+      - 'packages/super-editor/**'
+      - 'packages/layout-engine/**'
+      - 'packages/word-layout/**'
+      - 'packages/preset-geometry/**'
+      - 'shared/**'
       - 'pnpm-workspace.yaml'
       - '!**/*.md'
   workflow_dispatch:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-react.yml b/.github/workflows/release-react.yml
index 30bedd8fdf..6f541c507e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release-react.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-react.yml
@@ -7,11 +7,14 @@ on:
     branches:
       - main
     paths:
+      # React declares `superdoc` in dependencies (not peerDependencies), so
+      # existing consumers with lockfiles won't pick up a new core version
+      # until react republishes. Keep release broad until the peer-dep
+      # migration lands (tracked separately). See .github/package-impact-map.md.
       - 'packages/react/**'
       - 'packages/superdoc/**'
       - 'packages/layout-engine/**'
       - 'packages/super-editor/**'
-      - 'packages/ai/**'
       - 'packages/word-layout/**'
       - 'packages/preset-geometry/**'
       - 'shared/**'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-sdk.yml b/.github/workflows/release-sdk.yml
index 103bf688de..119b7fda5f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release-sdk.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-sdk.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ on:
       - 'packages/superdoc/**'
       - 'packages/super-editor/**'
       - 'packages/layout-engine/**'
-      - 'packages/ai/**'
       - 'packages/word-layout/**'
       - 'packages/preset-geometry/**'
       - 'shared/**'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-superdoc.yml b/.github/workflows/release-superdoc.yml
index c3f781da39..9ba85fbaa9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release-superdoc.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-superdoc.yml
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ on:
       - 'packages/superdoc/**'
       - 'packages/layout-engine/**'
       - 'packages/super-editor/**'
-      - 'packages/ai/**'
       - 'packages/word-layout/**'
       - 'packages/preset-geometry/**'
       - 'shared/**'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-template-builder.yml b/.github/workflows/release-template-builder.yml
index a4d4561ca7..0f95aa59ee 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release-template-builder.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-template-builder.yml
@@ -8,13 +8,6 @@ on:
       - main
     paths:
       - 'packages/template-builder/**'
-      - 'packages/superdoc/**'
-      - 'packages/layout-engine/**'
-      - 'packages/super-editor/**'
-      - 'packages/ai/**'
-      - 'packages/word-layout/**'
-      - 'packages/preset-geometry/**'
-      - 'shared/**'
       - 'pnpm-workspace.yaml'
       - '!**/*.md'
   workflow_dispatch:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-vscode-ext.yml b/.github/workflows/release-vscode-ext.yml
index 6e8baecaaa..8a149188ab 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release-vscode-ext.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-vscode-ext.yml
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ on:
       - 'packages/superdoc/**'
       - 'packages/layout-engine/**'
       - 'packages/super-editor/**'
-      - 'packages/ai/**'
       - 'packages/word-layout/**'
       - 'packages/preset-geometry/**'
       - 'shared/**'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/visual-test.yml b/.github/workflows/visual-test.yml
index c47c121713..4c86af2b48 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/visual-test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/visual-test.yml
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ on:
       - 'packages/superdoc/**'
       - 'packages/layout-engine/**'
       - 'packages/super-editor/**'
-      - 'packages/ai/**'
       - 'packages/word-layout/**'
       - 'packages/preset-geometry/**'
       - 'tests/visual/**'
diff --git a/apps/cli/.releaserc.cjs b/apps/cli/.releaserc.cjs
index 950fe38849..ca0b8e3cd2 100644
--- a/apps/cli/.releaserc.cjs
+++ b/apps/cli/.releaserc.cjs
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ require('../../scripts/semantic-release/patch-commit-filter.cjs')([
   'packages/superdoc',
   'packages/super-editor',
   'packages/layout-engine',
-  'packages/ai',
   'packages/word-layout',
   'packages/preset-geometry',
   'shared',
diff --git a/apps/mcp/.releaserc.cjs b/apps/mcp/.releaserc.cjs
index 5fd7f91913..a7d22596d6 100644
--- a/apps/mcp/.releaserc.cjs
+++ b/apps/mcp/.releaserc.cjs
@@ -1,4 +1,28 @@
 /* eslint-env node */
+/*
+ * Commit filter: MCP depends on SDK (workspace:*) and imports engine/session
+ * code directly. Git log must include commits touching those paths so MCP
+ * picks up SDK/core fixes. This shared helper patches git-log-parser to
+ * expand path coverage. It REPLACES semantic-release-commit-filter — do not
+ * use both (the filter restricts to CWD, which undoes the expansion).
+ *
+ * Keep in sync with .github/workflows/release-mcp.yml paths and
+ * .github/package-impact-map.md.
+ */
+require('../../scripts/semantic-release/patch-commit-filter.cjs')([
+  'apps/mcp',
+  'packages/sdk',
+  'apps/cli',
+  'packages/document-api',
+  'packages/superdoc',
+  'packages/super-editor',
+  'packages/layout-engine',
+  'packages/word-layout',
+  'packages/preset-geometry',
+  'shared',
+  'pnpm-workspace.yaml',
+]);
+
 const branch = process.env.GITHUB_REF_NAME || process.env.CI_COMMIT_BRANCH;
 
 const branches = [
@@ -17,7 +41,6 @@ const config = {
   branches,
   tagFormat: 'mcp-v${version}',
   plugins: [
-    'semantic-release-commit-filter',
     '@semantic-release/commit-analyzer',
     notesPlugin,
     ['@semantic-release/npm'],
diff --git a/apps/vscode-ext/.releaserc.cjs b/apps/vscode-ext/.releaserc.cjs
index 214a88ceae..971762aea1 100644
--- a/apps/vscode-ext/.releaserc.cjs
+++ b/apps/vscode-ext/.releaserc.cjs
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ require('../../scripts/semantic-release/patch-commit-filter.cjs')([
   'packages/superdoc',
   'packages/super-editor',
   'packages/layout-engine',
-  'packages/ai',
   'packages/word-layout',
   'packages/preset-geometry',
   'shared',
diff --git a/packages/esign/.releaserc.cjs b/packages/esign/.releaserc.cjs
index f4a177a602..0f314e7cd9 100644
--- a/packages/esign/.releaserc.cjs
+++ b/packages/esign/.releaserc.cjs
@@ -1,24 +1,11 @@
 /* eslint-env node */
 /*
- * Commit filter: esign depends on superdoc, so git log must include
- * commits touching superdoc's sub-packages. This shared helper patches
- * git-log-parser to expand path coverage. It REPLACES
- * semantic-release-commit-filter — do not use both (the filter restricts
- * to CWD, which undoes the expansion).
- *
- * Keep in sync with .github/workflows/release-esign.yml paths: trigger.
+ * Release narrow: esign externalizes `superdoc` in its build, so a core
+ * change does not alter the published esign tarball (consumers get the new
+ * core via their own peerDependencies install). Only commits touching
+ * packages/esign/** should trigger a release. See
+ * .github/package-impact-map.md.
  */
-require('../../scripts/semantic-release/patch-commit-filter.cjs')([
-  'packages/esign',
-  'packages/superdoc',
-  'packages/super-editor',
-  'packages/layout-engine',
-  'packages/ai',
-  'packages/word-layout',
-  'packages/preset-geometry',
-  'shared',
-  'pnpm-workspace.yaml',
-]);
 
 const branch = process.env.GITHUB_REF_NAME || process.env.CI_COMMIT_BRANCH;
 
@@ -40,21 +27,8 @@ const config = {
   branches,
   tagFormat: 'esign-v${version}',
   plugins: [
-    [
-      '@semantic-release/commit-analyzer',
-      {
-        // Cap at minor — esign depends on superdoc, so upstream breaking
-        // changes don't break esign's own public API.
-        // Prevents accidental major bumps from superdoc feat!/BREAKING CHANGE commits.
-        releaseRules: [
-          { breaking: true, release: 'minor' },
-          { type: 'feat', release: 'minor' },
-          { type: 'fix', release: 'patch' },
-          { type: 'perf', release: 'patch' },
-          { type: 'revert', release: 'patch' },
-        ],
-      },
-    ],
+    'semantic-release-commit-filter',
+    '@semantic-release/commit-analyzer',
     notesPlugin,
     ['@semantic-release/npm', { npmPublish: true }],
   ],
diff --git a/packages/react/.releaserc.cjs b/packages/react/.releaserc.cjs
index 2a427aab25..3571721b49 100644
--- a/packages/react/.releaserc.cjs
+++ b/packages/react/.releaserc.cjs
@@ -1,19 +1,18 @@
 /* eslint-env node */
 /*
- * Commit filter: react wraps superdoc, so git log must include
- * commits touching superdoc's sub-packages. This shared helper patches
- * git-log-parser to expand path coverage. It REPLACES
- * semantic-release-commit-filter — do not use both (the filter restricts
- * to CWD, which undoes the expansion).
+ * Commit filter: react declares `superdoc` in dependencies (not
+ * peerDependencies), so existing consumers with lockfiles won't pick up a
+ * new core version until react republishes. Expand commit analysis into
+ * core paths so semantic-release triggers a react release on core changes.
  *
- * Keep in sync with .github/workflows/release-react.yml paths: trigger.
+ * When react migrates `superdoc` to peerDependencies, narrow this to
+ * packages/react only. See .github/package-impact-map.md.
  */
 require('../../scripts/semantic-release/patch-commit-filter.cjs')([
   'packages/react',
   'packages/superdoc',
   'packages/super-editor',
   'packages/layout-engine',
-  'packages/ai',
   'packages/word-layout',
   'packages/preset-geometry',
   'shared',
@@ -43,8 +42,8 @@ const config = {
     [
       '@semantic-release/commit-analyzer',
       {
-        // Cap at minor — react wraps superdoc, so upstream breaking
-        // changes don't break react's own public API.
+        // Cap at minor — react declares superdoc in dependencies, so
+        // upstream breaking changes don't break react's own public API.
         // Prevents accidental major bumps from superdoc feat!/BREAKING CHANGE commits.
         releaseRules: [
           { breaking: true, release: 'minor' },
diff --git a/packages/react/package.json b/packages/react/package.json
index b1263315ef..0c141cc074 100644
--- a/packages/react/package.json
+++ b/packages/react/package.json
@@ -40,7 +40,8 @@
   },
   "peerDependencies": {
     "react": ">=16.8.0",
-    "react-dom": ">=16.8.0"
+    "react-dom": ">=16.8.0",
+    "superdoc": ">=1.0.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "@testing-library/react": "catalog:",
diff --git a/packages/sdk/.releaserc.cjs b/packages/sdk/.releaserc.cjs
index bf9c50fca5..ea2f22e2f1 100644
--- a/packages/sdk/.releaserc.cjs
+++ b/packages/sdk/.releaserc.cjs
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ require('../../scripts/semantic-release/patch-commit-filter.cjs')([
   'packages/superdoc',
   'packages/super-editor',
   'packages/layout-engine',
-  'packages/ai',
   'packages/word-layout',
   'packages/preset-geometry',
   'shared',
diff --git a/packages/superdoc/.releaserc.cjs b/packages/superdoc/.releaserc.cjs
index 3d2f9de69b..e0d55b3570 100644
--- a/packages/superdoc/.releaserc.cjs
+++ b/packages/superdoc/.releaserc.cjs
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ const SUPERDOC_PACKAGES = [
   'packages/superdoc',
   'packages/super-editor',
   'packages/layout-engine',
-  'packages/ai',
   'packages/word-layout',
   'packages/preset-geometry',
   'shared',
diff --git a/packages/template-builder/.releaserc.cjs b/packages/template-builder/.releaserc.cjs
index 1b624a4de0..8104a5a966 100644
--- a/packages/template-builder/.releaserc.cjs
+++ b/packages/template-builder/.releaserc.cjs
@@ -1,24 +1,11 @@
 /* eslint-env node */
 /*
- * Commit filter: template-builder depends on superdoc, so git log must include
- * commits touching superdoc's sub-packages. This shared helper patches
- * git-log-parser to expand path coverage. It REPLACES
- * semantic-release-commit-filter — do not use both (the filter restricts
- * to CWD, which undoes the expansion).
- *
- * Keep in sync with .github/workflows/release-template-builder.yml paths: trigger.
+ * Release narrow: template-builder externalizes `superdoc` in its build, so a
+ * core change does not alter the published template-builder tarball
+ * (consumers get the new core via their own peerDependencies install). Only
+ * commits touching packages/template-builder/** should trigger a release.
+ * See .github/package-impact-map.md.
  */
-require('../../scripts/semantic-release/patch-commit-filter.cjs')([
-  'packages/template-builder',
-  'packages/superdoc',
-  'packages/super-editor',
-  'packages/layout-engine',
-  'packages/ai',
-  'packages/word-layout',
-  'packages/preset-geometry',
-  'shared',
-  'pnpm-workspace.yaml',
-]);
 
 const branch = process.env.GITHUB_REF_NAME || process.env.CI_COMMIT_BRANCH;
 
@@ -40,21 +27,8 @@ const config = {
   branches,
   tagFormat: 'template-builder-v${version}',
   plugins: [
-    [
-      '@semantic-release/commit-analyzer',
-      {
-        // Cap at minor — template-builder depends on superdoc, so upstream breaking
-        // changes don't break template-builder's own public API.
-        // Prevents accidental major bumps from superdoc feat!/BREAKING CHANGE commits.
-        releaseRules: [
-          { breaking: true, release: 'minor' },
-          { type: 'feat', release: 'minor' },
-          { type: 'fix', release: 'patch' },
-          { type: 'perf', release: 'patch' },
-          { type: 'revert', release: 'patch' },
-        ],
-      },
-    ],
+    'semantic-release-commit-filter',
+    '@semantic-release/commit-analyzer',
     notesPlugin,
     ['@semantic-release/npm', { npmPublish: true }],
   ],