diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e66ebbd95..6cca1391c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ Update either installation with `rea update`.
 
 - macOS 12 or newer
 - Ubuntu 24.04+, Fedora 41+, or 64-bit Arch Linux
-- Node.js 22.19+ or 24.11+ (including newer releases)
+- Node.js 22.x (>=22.19), 24.x (>=24.11), or 26+
 - npm; REA does not require or install a particular npm version
 
 Native binary analysis requires [Hopper](https://www.hopperapp.com/) or [Ghidra](#ghidra-read-only-analysis-provider). Hopper is separate software with its own license; its demo supports analysis with vendor-defined limits. REA can use Ghidra that you have already installed.
diff --git a/README_ar.md b/README_ar.md
index 43e3c43c5..9c07329f6 100644
--- a/README_ar.md
+++ b/README_ar.md
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ rea setup
 
 - macOS 12 أو أحدث
 - Ubuntu 24.04+ أو Fedora 41+ أو Arch Linux بنواة 64 بت
-- Node.js 22.19+ أو 24.11+ وnpm
+- Node.js 22.x (>=22.19) أو 24.x (>=24.11) أو 26+ وnpm
 
 يتطلب تحليل الملفات التنفيذية الأصلية Hopper أو Ghidra. Hopper برنامج منفصل، وللوضع التجريبي قيود يحددها المورّد، لكن الترخيص المدفوع ليس إلزاميًا.
 
diff --git a/README_ja.md b/README_ja.md
index 382b178f9..edc1763f0 100644
--- a/README_ja.md
+++ b/README_ja.md
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ rea setup
 
 - macOS 12 以降
 - Ubuntu 24.04+、Fedora 41+、または 64 ビット Arch Linux
-- Node.js 22.19+ または 24.11+ と npm
+- Node.js 22.x (>=22.19)、24.x (>=24.11)、または 26+ と npm
 
 ネイティブバイナリ解析には Hopper または Ghidra が必要です。Hopper は別製品です。デモにはベンダー所定の制限がありますが、有料ライセンスは必須ではありません。
 
diff --git a/README_ko.md b/README_ko.md
index ae1c1bbed..c0f7096e1 100644
--- a/README_ko.md
+++ b/README_ko.md
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ rea setup
 
 - macOS 12 이상
 - Ubuntu 24.04+, Fedora 41+ 또는 64비트 Arch Linux
-- Node.js 22.19+ 또는 24.11+와 npm
+- Node.js 22.x (>=22.19), 24.x (>=24.11) 또는 26+와 npm
 
 네이티브 바이너리 분석에는 Hopper 또는 Ghidra가 필요합니다. Hopper는 별도 소프트웨어입니다. 데모에는 공급업체의 제한이 있지만 유료 라이선스가 필수는 아닙니다.
 
diff --git a/README_zh.md b/README_zh.md
index c465662a0..671e85754 100644
--- a/README_zh.md
+++ b/README_zh.md
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ rea setup
 
 - macOS 12 或更高版本
 - Ubuntu 24.04+、Fedora 41+ 或 64 位 Arch Linux
-- Node.js 22.19+ 或 24.11+，以及 npm
+- Node.js 22.x (>=22.19)、24.x (>=24.11) 或 26+，以及 npm
 
 原生二进制分析需要 Hopper 或 Ghidra。Hopper 是独立软件；演示模式有厂商规定的限制，不要求购买许可证。
 
diff --git a/docs/installation.md b/docs/installation.md
index eadb07e00..65983bc6c 100644
--- a/docs/installation.md
+++ b/docs/installation.md
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ Setup continues to pin persistent MCP registrations to the exact version that
 performed setup. Running current setup later migrates unversioned or older
 managed registrations through the normal reviewed setup transaction.
 
-REA supports Node.js 22.19+ and 24.11+ (including newer releases). It uses the npm already paired with that runtime and never upgrades Node.js, npm, or Homebrew.
+REA supports Node.js 22.x (>=22.19), 24.x (>=24.11), and 26+. Node.js 23, 25, and prereleases are unsupported. It uses the npm already paired with that runtime and never upgrades Node.js, npm, or Homebrew.
 
 Running `npm install rea-agents` without `--global` installs the executable only
 in the current project's `node_modules/.bin`; it does not make `rea` available
diff --git a/docs/user-visible-errors.csv b/docs/user-visible-errors.csv
index 89ea16f33..b4c48f58d 100644
--- a/docs/user-visible-errors.csv
+++ b/docs/user-visible-errors.csv
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ harm_rank,location,trigger,current_copy,user_risk,proposed_replacement,implement
 45.5,src/application/Uninstall.ts:removeClient restore,Configuration update fails and restoring the original also fails,"Configuration could not be updated or restored. Restore its `.rea.backup` manually, then rerun uninstall.","High risk; persistent configuration may be damaged, but retained backup is authoritative",Keep new recovery copy,implemented,verified by injected restoration failure test
 46,src/application/Uninstall.ts:removeManagedPath symlink,Managed cache/state/skill path is a symbolic link,Refused to follow symlink {path}.,Exposes local path and does not explain manual safety check,"REA did not remove this item because its managed path is a symbolic link. Verify the link target before removing it manually.",implemented,focused assertion passed
 47,src/application/Uninstall.ts:removeManagedPath failure,Managed item removal fails,{path} could not be removed.,Exposes local path and gives no recovery,"This item could not be removed. Check file permissions, then rerun uninstall.",implemented,verified by injected managed-path removal failure test
-48,src/application/Doctor.ts:node,Runtime version is outside supported ranges,Install Node.js 22.19+ or 24.11+.,Low risk; exact dependency recovery,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by doctor unit test
+48,src/application/DoctorDiagnostics.ts:node,Runtime version is outside supported ranges,"Install Node.js 22.x (>=22.19), 24.x (>=24.11), or 26+.",Low risk; exact dependency recovery,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by doctor unit test
 49,src/application/Doctor.ts:host,Host OS/distribution is unsupported,"REA supports macOS 12+, Ubuntu 24.04+, Fedora 41+, and 64-bit Arch Linux.",Low risk; clearly states supported choices,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by doctor unit tests
 50,src/application/Doctor.ts:analysis engine,Optional deep-analysis executable cannot be found,"Run rea setup to install Hopper, or set HOPPER_LAUNCHER_PATH.",Low risk in setup-specific diagnostic; exact recovery paths,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by doctor unit tests
 51,src/application/Doctor.ts:target,Optional target path fails shared validation,Supply a readable local app or program path.,Low risk; tells caller valid target class,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by doctor unit test
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ harm_rank,location,trigger,current_copy,user_risk,proposed_replacement,implement
 55,src/application/Setup.ts:optional engine,Setup completes without optional deep-analysis engine,Hopper is optional for non-Hopper providers. Rerun with --yes --install-hopper for deep native analysis.,Exposes provider terminology but this is an explanatory setup status rather than an error; recovery command is exact,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by setup unit test
 56,src/application/Setup.ts:doctor fallback,Post-setup diagnostics remain unhealthy,Run rea doctor and apply each reported remediation.,Low risk; delegates to structured per-check recovery,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by exact setup unit test
 57,src/application/Setup.ts:unsupported platform,Platform is neither macOS nor Linux,REA supports Hopper on macOS and selected 64-bit Linux distributions.,Low risk; states support boundary,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by setup unit test
-58,src/application/Setup.ts:unsupported Node,Runtime version cannot run setup,Install Node.js 22.19+ or 24.11+ and rerun setup.,Low risk; exact dependency and retry,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by setup host tests
+58,src/application/SetupHost.ts:unsupported Node,Runtime version cannot run setup,"Install Node.js 22.x (>=22.19), 24.x (>=24.11), or 26+ and rerun setup.",Low risk; exact dependency and retry,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by setup host tests
 59,src/application/Setup.ts:unsupported macOS,macOS version is missing or older than 12,Upgrade to macOS 12 or newer.,Low risk; exact support floor,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by setup host tests
 60,src/application/Setup.ts:unsupported Linux,Linux distribution is outside supported set,"REA supports Hopper on Ubuntu 24.04+, Fedora 41+, and 64-bit Arch Linux.",Low risk; exact supported alternatives,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by setup unit test
 61,src/application/ProcessCli.ts:readJson read,Process scenario or evidence file cannot be read,Raw filesystem exception through CLI framework,Can expose local paths/codes and no recovery,"Process input file could not be read. Check that the path exists and is readable.",implemented,verified by focused CLI test
@@ -83,11 +83,11 @@ harm_rank,location,trigger,current_copy,user_risk,proposed_replacement,implement
 74,install.sh:unknown option,Installer receives an unsupported flag,unknown option with caller-provided flag,Low risk; identifies offending input,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by shell branch inspection
 75,install.sh:platform,Installer runs outside macOS or supported Linux,REA supports macOS and selected 64-bit Linux distributions.,Low risk; states support boundary,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by shell branch inspection
 76,install.sh:curl missing,curl is absent,curl is required.,No recovery instruction,"curl is required. Install curl, then rerun this installer.",implemented,verified by exact missing-curl installer test
-77,install.sh:node missing,node is absent,Node.js 22.19+ or 24.11+ is required; install it from nodejs.org and retry.,Low risk; exact versions and recovery,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by shell branch inspection
+77,install.sh:node missing,node is absent,"Node.js 22.x (>=22.19), 24.x (>=24.11), or 26+ is required; install it from nodejs.org and retry.",Low risk; exact versions and recovery,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by shell branch inspection
 78,install.sh:npm missing,npm is absent,npm is required; install it with Node.js and retry.,Low risk; exact recovery,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by shell branch inspection
 79,install.sh:node unreadable,node exists but does not report a parseable version,could not determine the active Node.js version.,No cause-local recovery,"The active Node.js version could not be read. Check that node works and is on PATH, then retry.",implemented,verified by exact unreadable-Node-version installer test
-80,install.sh:Node 22 floor,Node 22 minor version is below 19,Node.js VERSION is unsupported; use Node.js 22.19+ or 24.11+.,Low risk; exact detected version and supported alternatives,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by exact installer test using Node 20 and branch inspection
-81,install.sh:Node 24 floor,Node 24 minor version is below 11,Node.js VERSION is unsupported; use Node.js 24.11 or newer.,Low risk; exact detected version and floor,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by shell branch inspection
+80,install.sh:Node 22 floor,Node 22 minor version is below 19,"Node.js VERSION is unsupported; use Node.js 22.x (>=22.19), 24.x (>=24.11), or 26+.",Low risk; exact detected version and supported alternatives,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by exact installer test using Node 20 and branch inspection
+81,install.sh:Node 24 floor,Node 24 minor version is below 11,"Node.js VERSION is unsupported; use Node.js 22.x (>=22.19), 24.x (>=24.11), or 26+.",Low risk; exact detected version and floor,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by shell branch inspection
 82,install.sh:version syntax,Explicit version is not exact semantic version,version must be an exact semantic version.,Low risk; exact correction,Keep current copy,unchanged,verified by shell branch inspection
 83,install.sh:release lookup,Latest GitHub release request fails,could not resolve the latest GitHub release.,No fallback despite supporting pinned versions,"The latest REA release could not be resolved. Check network access or pass --version VERSION, then retry.",implemented,verified by exact release-lookup installer test
 84,install.sh:release response,Latest release response is not valid expected JSON,Node JSON parser stack followed by the safe release-response message,Leaks a parser stack and buries recovery guidance,The release response was invalid. Retry later or pass --version VERSION.,implemented,verified by exact malformed-release test with parser stderr suppressed
diff --git a/docs/windows-ghidra-p0.md b/docs/windows-ghidra-p0.md
index 25a056ba7..64ed8f5ae 100644
--- a/docs/windows-ghidra-p0.md
+++ b/docs/windows-ghidra-p0.md
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ mutable targets require separate acceptance.
 Once the required native controls are implemented, the intended P0 is limited to:
 
 - a Windows x64 host;
-- Node.js 22.19+ or 24.11+;
+- Node.js 22.x (>=22.19), 24.x (>=24.11), or 26+;
 - an operator-installed official Ghidra 12.1.4 distribution;
 - a 64-bit full JDK 21;
 - an explicit native, non-managed, non-DLL x86-64 PE application; and
diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index 34a5b280c..2df6548e2 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -55,17 +55,15 @@ fi
 platform="$(uname -s)"
 [[ "$platform" == "Darwin" || "$platform" == "Linux" ]] || fail "REA supports macOS and selected 64-bit Linux distributions."
 command -v curl >/dev/null 2>&1 || fail "curl is required. Install curl, then rerun this installer."
-command -v node >/dev/null 2>&1 || fail "Node.js 22.19+ or 24.11+ is required; install it from https://nodejs.org and retry."
+command -v node >/dev/null 2>&1 || fail "Node.js 22.x (>=22.19), 24.x (>=24.11), or 26+ is required; install it from https://nodejs.org and retry."
 command -v npm >/dev/null 2>&1 || fail "npm is required; install it with Node.js and retry."
 
 node_version="$(node -p 'process.versions.node' 2>/dev/null || true)"
 IFS=. read -r node_major node_minor _node_patch <<<"$node_version"
 [[ "$node_major" =~ ^[0-9]+$ && "$node_minor" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]] || fail "the active Node.js version could not be read. Check that node works and is on PATH, then retry."
-if ! ((node_major == 22 && node_minor >= 19 || node_major >= 24)); then
-  fail "Node.js $node_version is unsupported; use Node.js 22.19+ or 24.11+."
-fi
-if ((node_major == 24 && node_minor < 11)); then
-  fail "Node.js $node_version is unsupported; use Node.js 24.11 or newer."
+if ! [[ "$_node_patch" =~ ^[0-9]+(\+[0-9A-Za-z.-]+)?$ ]] ||
+  ! ((node_major == 22 && node_minor >= 19 || node_major == 24 && node_minor >= 11 || node_major >= 26)); then
+  fail "Node.js $node_version is unsupported; use Node.js 22.x (>=22.19), 24.x (>=24.11), or 26+."
 fi
 
 if [[ -n "$version" ]]; then
diff --git a/src/application/Doctor.test.ts b/src/application/Doctor.test.ts
index f686fd922..bd6628a75 100644
--- a/src/application/Doctor.test.ts
+++ b/src/application/Doctor.test.ts
@@ -19,13 +19,27 @@ describe("doctor", () => {
         result.checks.map(({ name, remediation }) => [name, remediation]),
       ),
     ).toEqual({
-      node: "Install Node.js 22.19+ or 24.11+.",
+      node: "Install Node.js 22.x (>=22.19), 24.x (>=24.11), or 26+.",
       host: "REA supports macOS 12+, Ubuntu 24.04+, Fedora 41+, 64-bit Arch Linux, and the experimental Windows x64 Ghidra P0 boundary.",
       hopper: "Run rea setup to install Hopper, or set HOPPER_LAUNCHER_PATH.",
       target: "Supply a readable local app or program path.",
     });
   });
 
+  it("reports Node 25 as unsupported", async () => {
+    const result = await runDoctor(undefined, host({ nodeVersion: "25.1.0" }));
+
+    expect(result.healthy).toBe(false);
+    expect(result.checks).toContainEqual(
+      expect.objectContaining({
+        name: "node",
+        ok: false,
+        detail: "25.1.0",
+        classification: "missing_dependency",
+      }),
+    );
+  });
+
   it.each(["11.7", undefined])(
     "rejects unsupported macOS version %s",
     async (version) => {
diff --git a/src/application/DoctorDiagnostics.ts b/src/application/DoctorDiagnostics.ts
index e9b4a697e..23d19fddf 100644
--- a/src/application/DoctorDiagnostics.ts
+++ b/src/application/DoctorDiagnostics.ts
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ export const doctorHealthy = (
 
 const nodeCheck = (host: DoctorHost): DoctorCheck =>
   check("node", supportsNodeVersion(host.nodeVersion), host.nodeVersion, {
-    remediation: "Install Node.js 22.19+ or 24.11+.",
+    remediation: "Install Node.js 22.x (>=22.19), 24.x (>=24.11), or 26+.",
     classification: "missing_dependency",
   });
 
diff --git a/src/application/Setup.fixture.ts b/src/application/Setup.fixture.ts
index f119ec581..61b8f1dc5 100644
--- a/src/application/Setup.fixture.ts
+++ b/src/application/Setup.fixture.ts
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import type { ClientRegistrationStatus } from "./ClientRegistrationStatus.js";
 /** Recording setup host for service-level planning and recovery tests. */
 export class FakeSetupHost implements SetupHost {
   readonly platform: NodeJS.Platform;
-  nodeVersion = "25.1.0";
+  nodeVersion = "24.18.0";
   version: string | undefined = "14.5";
   distribution: LinuxDistribution | undefined;
   hopper: string | undefined;
diff --git a/src/application/Setup.recovery.test.ts b/src/application/Setup.recovery.test.ts
index f228582af..13638a0d0 100644
--- a/src/application/Setup.recovery.test.ts
+++ b/src/application/Setup.recovery.test.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,23 @@ import { FakeSetupHost, options } from "./Setup.fixture.js";
 import { runSetup } from "./Setup.js";
 
 describe("setup workflow", () => {
+  it("rejects Node 25 before applying setup actions", async () => {
+    const host = new FakeSetupHost();
+    host.nodeVersion = "25.1.0";
+    host.clients = [{ name: "codex", configPath: "/codex.toml" }];
+
+    const result = await runSetup(
+      { ...options(true, true), installSkill: true, clientIds: ["codex"] },
+      host,
+    );
+
+    expect(result.status).toBe("needs_human");
+    expect(result.appliedActions).toEqual([]);
+    expect(host.hopperInstalls).toBe(0);
+    expect(host.configurations).toBe(0);
+    expect(host.skillInstalls).toBe(0);
+  });
+
   it("records every detected client outcome after an earlier failure", async () => {
     const host = new FakeSetupHost();
     host.hopper = "/Applications/Hopper";
@@ -105,7 +122,7 @@ describe("setup scoped readiness", () => {
     const nodeHost = new FakeSetupHost();
     nodeHost.nodeVersion = "20.0.0";
     expect((await runSetup(options(true), nodeHost)).remediation).toBe(
-      "Install Node.js 22.19+ or 24.11+ and rerun setup.",
+      "Install Node.js 22.x (>=22.19), 24.x (>=24.11), or 26+ and rerun setup.",
     );
 
     const macHost = new FakeSetupHost();
diff --git a/src/application/SetupHost.ts b/src/application/SetupHost.ts
index 471fc3f19..31075a7a7 100644
--- a/src/application/SetupHost.ts
+++ b/src/application/SetupHost.ts
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ export const hostRemediation = async (
   installHopper: boolean,
 ): Promise<string | undefined> => {
   if (!supportsNodeVersion(host.nodeVersion))
-    return "Install Node.js 22.19+ or 24.11+ and rerun setup.";
+    return "Install Node.js 22.x (>=22.19), 24.x (>=24.11), or 26+ and rerun setup.";
   if (!installHopper) return undefined;
   if (host.platform !== "darwin" && host.platform !== "linux")
     return "REA supports Hopper on macOS and selected 64-bit Linux distributions.";
diff --git a/src/domain/runtimeVersion.test.ts b/src/domain/runtimeVersion.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..307c6778d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/domain/runtimeVersion.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+
+import { supportsNodeVersion } from "./runtimeVersion.js";
+
+describe("supported Node.js versions", () => {
+  it.each([
+    ["20.0.0", false],
+    ["22.18.9", false],
+    ["22.19.0", true],
+    ["22.99.0", true],
+    ["23.0.0", false],
+    ["24.10.9", false],
+    ["24.11.0", true],
+    ["24.99.0", true],
+    ["25.1.0", false],
+    ["26.0.0", true],
+    ["27.0.0", true],
+    ["24.11.0-rc.1", false],
+    ["26.0.0-nightly.20261001", false],
+    ["24.11", false],
+    ["24.11.invalid", false],
+    ["invalid", false],
+  ])("classifies %s as supported=%s", (version, expected) => {
+    expect(supportsNodeVersion(version)).toBe(expected);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/domain/runtimeVersion.ts b/src/domain/runtimeVersion.ts
index 0ab5647d7..dc6e08b64 100644
--- a/src/domain/runtimeVersion.ts
+++ b/src/domain/runtimeVersion.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,8 @@
+import { satisfies } from "semver";
+
+/** Supported runtime range, kept in sync with the published package engines. */
+export const SUPPORTED_NODE_VERSION_RANGE = "^22.19.0 || ^24.11.0 || >=26.0.0";
+
 /** Return whether a Node.js version satisfies REA's tested runtime families. */
-export const supportsNodeVersion = (version: string): boolean => {
-  const [majorText = "", minorText = ""] = version.split(".");
-  const major = Number.parseInt(majorText, 10);
-  const minor = Number.parseInt(minorText, 10);
-  return (
-    (major === 22 && minor >= 19) ||
-    (major >= 24 && (major !== 24 || minor >= 11))
-  );
-};
+export const supportsNodeVersion = (version: string): boolean =>
+  satisfies(version, SUPPORTED_NODE_VERSION_RANGE);
diff --git a/tests/boundary/filesystem/installScript.test.ts b/tests/boundary/filesystem/installScript.test.ts
index 6891881a1..f6590e6cb 100644
--- a/tests/boundary/filesystem/installScript.test.ts
+++ b/tests/boundary/filesystem/installScript.test.ts
@@ -30,13 +30,33 @@ describe("curl installer scenarios", { timeout: 20_000 }, () => {
     expect(await readdir(fixture.temporary)).toEqual([]);
   });
 
-  it("accepts Node 25 without installing or replacing it", async () => {
-    const fixture = await createFixture();
-    const result = await runInstaller(fixture, ["--version", "0.3.0"], {
-      FAKE_NODE_VERSION: "25.1.0",
-    });
-    expect(result.stdout).toContain("Runtime: Node.js 25.1.0");
-  });
+  it.each(["22.19.0", "24.11.0", "26.0.0", "27.0.0"])(
+    "accepts supported Node %s without installing or replacing it",
+    async (version) => {
+      const fixture = await createFixture();
+      const result = await runInstaller(fixture, ["--version", "0.3.0"], {
+        FAKE_NODE_VERSION: version,
+      });
+      expect(result.stdout).toContain(`Runtime: Node.js ${version}`);
+    },
+  );
+
+  it.each(["22.18.9", "23.0.0", "24.10.9", "25.1.0", "26.0.0-rc.1"])(
+    "rejects unsupported Node %s before invoking npm",
+    async (version) => {
+      const fixture = await createFixture();
+      await expect(
+        runInstaller(fixture, ["--version", "0.3.0"], {
+          FAKE_NODE_VERSION: version,
+        }),
+      ).rejects.toMatchObject({
+        stderr: expect.stringContaining(`Node.js ${version} is unsupported`),
+      });
+      await expect(readFile(fixture.npmLog, "utf8")).rejects.toMatchObject({
+        code: "ENOENT",
+      });
+    },
+  );
 
   it("resolves and validates the latest REA release tag", async () => {
     const fixture = await createFixture();
@@ -71,7 +91,7 @@ describe("curl installer scenarios", { timeout: 20_000 }, () => {
       "unsupported Node",
       ["--version", "0.3.0"],
       { FAKE_NODE_VERSION: "20.0.0" },
-      "REA installation failed: Node.js 20.0.0 is unsupported; use Node.js 22.19+ or 24.11+.\n",
+      "REA installation failed: Node.js 20.0.0 is unsupported; use Node.js 22.x (>=22.19), 24.x (>=24.11), or 26+.\n",
     ],
     [
       "unreadable Node version",
diff --git a/tests/conformance/releaseConfiguration.test.ts b/tests/conformance/releaseConfiguration.test.ts
index f64e1569d..dc6a3ef87 100644
--- a/tests/conformance/releaseConfiguration.test.ts
+++ b/tests/conformance/releaseConfiguration.test.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ import { readFile } from "node:fs/promises";
 
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 
+import { SUPPORTED_NODE_VERSION_RANGE } from "../../src/domain/runtimeVersion.js";
+
 const readJson = async (path: string): Promise<unknown> =>
   JSON.parse(await readFile(path, "utf8")) as unknown;
 
@@ -14,6 +16,12 @@ const readmes = [
 ] as const;
 
 describe("release configuration", () => {
+  it("keeps doctor and setup runtime support aligned with package engines", async () => {
+    expect(await readJson("package.json")).toMatchObject({
+      engines: { node: SUPPORTED_NODE_VERSION_RANGE },
+    });
+  });
+
   it("updates every package-version artifact in release PRs", async () => {
     const configuration = await readJson("release-please-config.json");