diff --git a/.github/DEVOPS.md b/.github/DEVOPS.md
index c2de66e5..defb5ed5 100644
--- a/.github/DEVOPS.md
+++ b/.github/DEVOPS.md
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ run at least once on the default branch**. Easiest order:
    the job names).
 4. Configure branch protection (section 1a) in one pass, including required
    checks.
-5. Tag `v0.1.0-preview.1` to dry-run `release.yml` (section 5).
+5. Open **Actions → Release → Run workflow** and make the first coordinated
+   preview release (section 5).
 
 ## 1a. Branch protection on `main`
 
@@ -62,7 +63,7 @@ the repo, nothing to rotate.
    | Repository           | `ColorPicker.Maui`                                   |
    | Workflow File        | `release.yml`                                        |
    | Environment          | `nuget-prod`                                         |
-   | Package Glob / IDs   | `ColorPicker.Maui`                                   |
+   | Package Glob / IDs   | `ColorPicker.Maui*`                                  |
 
 3. Save. First push from `release.yml` (after the package exists) will
    bind the policy to the package owner — that's normal.
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ the repo, nothing to rotate.
 If the package doesn't exist on nuget.org yet, the **very first** publish
 still needs a one-shot API key:
 - Generate at https://www.nuget.org/account/apikeys
-  scope **Push new packages and package versions**, Glob `ColorPicker.Maui`,
+  scope **Push new packages and package versions**, Glob `ColorPicker.Maui*`,
   expires in **1 day**.
 - Add as repo secret `NUGET_API_KEY` temporarily.
 - Temporarily change `release.yml` to use `${{ secrets.NUGET_API_KEY }}`
@@ -87,7 +88,7 @@ still needs a one-shot API key:
 
 - ✅ Required reviewers: **vpapenko**
   → Manual approval gate before any push to nuget.org.
-- ✅ Deployment branches and tags: only allow tags matching `v*`.
+- ✅ Deployment branches: only allow `main`.
 
 The environment name **must** match the `Environment` field in the
 Trusted Publishing policy above, otherwise OIDC exchange will be rejected.
@@ -96,15 +97,22 @@ Trusted Publishing policy above, otherwise OIDC exchange will be rejected.
 
 ## 4. GitHub Packages (preview feed)
 
-No setup needed — `ci.yml` pushes to `https://nuget.pkg.github.com/vpapenko/index.json`
-using the built-in `GITHUB_TOKEN`. To consume previews locally:
+No setup needed — `ci.yml` pushes a coherent Picker/Core preview pair to
+`https://nuget.pkg.github.com/vpapenko/index.json` using the built-in
+`GITHUB_TOKEN`. Both packages receive the same
+`0.0.0-preview.<run>` version, and Picker depends on that exact Core preview.
+Core is uploaded and restored from the feed before Picker is uploaded; rerunning
+the workflow keeps the same package version.
+
+The exact version is shown in the workflow summary. To consume it locally:
 
 ```sh
 dotnet nuget add source https://nuget.pkg.github.com/vpapenko/index.json \
   --name github-vpapenko \
   --username <your-github-username> \
   --password <a-github-pat-with-read:packages>
-dotnet add package ColorPicker.Maui --prerelease
+dotnet add package ColorPicker.Maui --version <version-from-workflow>
+dotnet add package ColorPicker.Maui.Core --version <version-from-workflow>
 ```
 
 ### 4a. Consumer-smoke validation of the packed nupkg
@@ -119,59 +127,52 @@ jobs close that gap:
 | `build-and-test.yml → consumer-smoke` | every PR (when `pack: true`) | local feed = the just-packed `nupkgs/` artifact | catch packaging bugs **before merge** |
 | `ci.yml → consumer-e2e-github-packages` | every push to `main` | GitHub Packages (just-published preview) | catch upload/index/auth issues that only show up via the real feed |
 
-Both build the [`samples/ConsumerSmoke/`](../samples/ConsumerSmoke/README.md)
-class library against the version under test, on Android **and** Windows
-TFMs. If either job fails on a PR, the underlying package is broken and
-must not be promoted to a release tag.
+Both jobs build [`samples/ConsumerSmoke/`](../samples/ConsumerSmoke/README.md)
+against `ColorPicker.Maui` on Android and Windows,
+[`samples/CoreConsumerSmoke/`](../samples/CoreConsumerSmoke/README.md) against
+`ColorPicker.Maui.Core` on `netstandard2.0` and `net8.0`, and run
+`samples/PackageCompatibilitySmoke/` to verify the Core assembly identity and
+every type forwarder in `ColorPicker.dll`. The MAUI package also consumes Core
+transitively, so the smoke pass verifies the dependency between the two
+packages. If either job fails on a PR, the packages must not be
+promoted to a stable release.
 
 ---
 
-## 5. First release dry-run
-
-After this PR merges:
-
-```sh
-git checkout main && git pull
-git tag v0.1.0-preview.1
-git push origin v0.1.0-preview.1
-```
+## 5. Stable releases from the GitHub UI
 
-Watch `release.yml` run; approve the `nuget-prod` deployment when prompted.
-After it succeeds you should see `0.1.0-preview.1` on
-https://www.nuget.org/packages/ColorPicker.Maui.
+Open **Actions → Release → Run workflow**, keep the branch set to `main`, and
+choose a target:
 
-When you're confident in the API, cut a stable release:
+| Target | Required fields | Result |
+|---|---|---|
+| `picker` | Picker version; Core version may be blank | Publishes only `ColorPicker.Maui`. Blank Core selects the latest `core-v*` release. |
+| `core` | Core version | Publishes only `ColorPicker.Maui.Core`. |
+| `both` | Picker version and Core version | Packs and tests both, publishes Core first, waits for NuGet indexing, then publishes Picker. |
 
-```sh
-git tag v0.1.0
-git push origin v0.1.0
-```
+The `nuget-prod` environment asks for approval immediately before publication.
+The workflow validates semantic versions, package contents, consumers, and safe
+retries. It creates package-specific tags and GitHub releases automatically:
 
----
+- `picker-v2.0.0`
+- `core-v1.0.0`
 
-## 6. Versioning rules (enforced by MinVer)
+No local tag or `dotnet nuget push` command is required.
 
-- No tag yet → `0.0.0-preview.0.<height>` on every push to main.
-- Tag `v1.0.0-preview.5` → that commit packs as `1.0.0-preview.5`.
-  Subsequent commits pack as `1.0.0-preview.5.<height>`.
-- Tag `v1.0.0` → packs as exactly `1.0.0`. Subsequent commits pack as
-  `1.0.1-preview.0.<height>` (next-patch preview).
-- Bumping major/minor: just push a tag. No file edits, no PRs.
+For the first coordinated release, choose `both`, Picker `2.0.0-preview.1`, and
+Core `1.0.0-preview.1`. When ready for stable packages, run `both` again with
+Picker `2.0.0` and Core `1.0.0`.
 
 ---
 
-## 7. Useful labels (apply to PRs for release-drafter categorization)
-
-Create these labels in **Issues → Labels**:
-
-| Label | Color | Effect on changelog | Effect on next version |
-|---|---|---|---|
-| `feature` / `enhancement` | `#84b6eb` | "🚀 Features" | minor bump |
-| `fix` / `bug` | `#d73a4a` | "🐛 Bug fixes" | patch bump |
-| `breaking` / `major` | `#b60205` | implicit | **major bump** |
-| `test` | `#fbca04` | "🧪 Tests" | patch |
-| `docs` | `#0075ca` | "📚 Documentation" | patch |
-| `ci` / `devops` | `#5319e7` | "🏗️ CI / DevOps" | patch |
-| `dependencies` | `#0366d6` | "⬆️ Dependencies" | patch |
-| `refactor` / `chore` | `#cfd3d7` | "♻️ Refactor / chores" | patch |
-| `skip-changelog` | `#cccccc` | excluded | n/a |
+## 6. Independent stable versioning
+
+- Picker-only UI, renderer, or MAUI changes bump only `ColorPicker.Maui`.
+- Core-only compatible changes bump only `ColorPicker.Maui.Core`.
+- When Picker needs a new Core API, release `both`; Picker is packaged against
+  the new Core nupkg before either package is published.
+- Picker declares a compatible Core major range. For example, a minimum Core
+  version of `1.1.0` produces `[1.1.0,2.0.0)`.
+- A breaking Core major normally requires a Picker major because Picker exposes
+  Core types and maintains type forwarders.
+- Package-specific tags record exactly which commit produced each stable package.
diff --git a/.github/release-drafter.yml b/.github/release-drafter.yml
deleted file mode 100644
index 69f132ee..00000000
--- a/.github/release-drafter.yml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,38 +0,0 @@
-name-template: 'v$RESOLVED_VERSION'
-tag-template: 'v$RESOLVED_VERSION'
-template: |
-  ## What's changed
-  $CHANGES
-
-  **Full changelog**: https://github.com/$OWNER/$REPOSITORY/compare/$PREVIOUS_TAG...v$RESOLVED_VERSION
-
-categories:
-  - title: '🚀 Features'
-    labels: [feature, enhancement]
-  - title: '🐛 Bug fixes'
-    labels: [fix, bug]
-  - title: '🧪 Tests'
-    labels: [test]
-  - title: '📚 Documentation'
-    labels: [docs, documentation]
-  - title: '🏗️ CI / DevOps'
-    labels: [ci, devops]
-  - title: '⬆️ Dependencies'
-    labels: [dependencies]
-  - title: '♻️ Refactor / chores'
-    labels: [refactor, chore]
-
-change-template: '- $TITLE (#$NUMBER) @$AUTHOR'
-no-changes-template: '- No user-facing changes'
-
-version-resolver:
-  major:
-    labels: [major, breaking]
-  minor:
-    labels: [feature, enhancement, minor]
-  patch:
-    labels: [fix, bug, patch, chore, docs, ci, dependencies, refactor]
-  default: patch
-
-exclude-labels:
-  - skip-changelog
diff --git a/.github/workflows/build-and-test.yml b/.github/workflows/build-and-test.yml
index 6315c576..520b60f9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build-and-test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-and-test.yml
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 name: Build and test (reusable)
 
 # Reusable workflow: builds the library + sample app for Android/Windows and
-# runs the Appium UI tests on Windows. Optionally produces NuGet packages.
-# Called by pr.yml (gate), ci.yml (gate + preview publish), release.yml (gate
-# + stable publish).
+# runs the Appium UI tests on Windows. Optionally produces either package or
+# a coherent pair. Normal builds use ProjectReference; package builds consume
+# Core through the generated nupkg to validate the real distribution boundary.
 
 on:
   workflow_call:
@@ -13,10 +13,33 @@ on:
         required: false
         default: false
         type: boolean
+      package_selection:
+        description: "Packages to create: picker, core, or both."
+        required: false
+        default: both
+        type: string
+      picker_version:
+        description: "ColorPicker.Maui package version. Blank creates a CI preview version."
+        required: false
+        default: ""
+        type: string
+      core_version:
+        description: "ColorPicker.Maui.Core package version. Blank creates a CI preview version."
+        required: false
+        default: ""
+        type: string
+      core_dependency_version:
+        description: "NuGet range used by ColorPicker.Maui. Blank pins the generated Core preview exactly."
+        required: false
+        default: ""
+        type: string
     outputs:
-      package-version:
-        description: "Version assigned by MinVer to the packed nupkg."
-        value: ${{ jobs.pack.outputs.version }}
+      picker-version:
+        description: "Version assigned to ColorPicker.Maui, if packed."
+        value: ${{ jobs.pack.outputs.picker-version }}
+      core-version:
+        description: "Version assigned to ColorPicker.Maui.Core, if packed or consumed by Picker."
+        value: ${{ jobs.pack.outputs.core-version }}
 
 permissions:
   contents: read
@@ -45,7 +68,7 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v7
         with:
-          fetch-depth: 0   # MinVer needs full history + tags
+          fetch-depth: 0
       - uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v6
         with:
           dotnet-version: |
@@ -80,6 +103,7 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           dotnet restore ColorPicker.Maui.sln
           dotnet restore ColorPickerTestApp/ColorPickerTestApp.csproj -r win-x64 -p:TargetFramework=net10.0-windows10.0.19041.0
+          dotnet restore ColorPicker.Core/ColorPicker.Core.csproj
       - name: Build library (Windows)
         run: dotnet build ColorPicker/ColorPicker.csproj --configuration Release --no-restore -f net10.0-windows10.0.19041.0
       - name: Build sample (Windows)
@@ -107,6 +131,7 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           dotnet restore ColorPicker.Maui.sln
           dotnet restore ColorPickerTestApp/ColorPickerTestApp.csproj -r win-x64 -p:TargetFramework=net10.0-windows10.0.19041.0
+          dotnet restore ColorPicker.Core/ColorPicker.Core.csproj
       - name: Build sample (Windows)
         run: dotnet build ColorPickerTestApp/ColorPickerTestApp.csproj --configuration Release --no-restore -f net10.0-windows10.0.19041.0 -r win-x64
       - name: Enable Windows Developer Mode
@@ -188,37 +213,118 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: windows-latest
     needs: [ build-android, build-windows, ui-tests-windows ]
     outputs:
-      version: ${{ steps.minver.outputs.version }}
+      picker-version: ${{ steps.versions.outputs.picker-version }}
+      core-version: ${{ steps.versions.outputs.core-version }}
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v7
         with:
-          fetch-depth: 0   # MinVer needs full history + tags
+          fetch-depth: 0
       - uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v6
         with:
           dotnet-version: |
             8.0.x
             10.0.302
       - name: Install MAUI workloads
+        if: ${{ inputs.package_selection != 'core' }}
         run: dotnet workload install maui-android maui-windows
-      - name: Restore
-        run: dotnet restore ColorPicker/ColorPicker.csproj
-      - name: Install Android SDK platform (API 36)
-        run: dotnet build ColorPicker/ColorPicker.csproj -t:InstallAndroidDependencies -f net10.0-android -p:AcceptAndroidSDKLicenses=True
+      - name: Resolve package versions
+        id: versions
+        shell: pwsh
+        env:
+          PACKAGE_SELECTION: ${{ inputs.package_selection }}
+          REQUESTED_PICKER_VERSION: ${{ inputs.picker_version }}
+          REQUESTED_CORE_VERSION: ${{ inputs.core_version }}
+          REQUESTED_CORE_DEPENDENCY: ${{ inputs.core_dependency_version }}
+        run: |
+          if ($env:PACKAGE_SELECTION -notin @("picker", "core", "both")) {
+            throw "Unknown package selection '$env:PACKAGE_SELECTION'."
+          }
+
+          $previewVersion = "0.0.0-preview.$env:GITHUB_RUN_NUMBER"
+          $pickerVersion = if ($env:PACKAGE_SELECTION -eq "core") {
+            ""
+          } elseif ($env:REQUESTED_PICKER_VERSION) {
+            $env:REQUESTED_PICKER_VERSION
+          } else {
+            $previewVersion
+          }
+          $coreVersion = if ($env:REQUESTED_CORE_VERSION) { $env:REQUESTED_CORE_VERSION } else { $previewVersion }
+          $coreDependency = if ($env:REQUESTED_CORE_DEPENDENCY) {
+            $env:REQUESTED_CORE_DEPENDENCY
+          } else {
+            "[$coreVersion]"
+          }
+
+          if ($env:PACKAGE_SELECTION -eq "picker" -and -not $env:REQUESTED_CORE_VERSION) {
+            throw "core_version is required when packing Picker without Core."
+          }
+
+          "picker-version=$pickerVersion" >> $env:GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          "core-version=$coreVersion" >> $env:GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          "core-dependency=$coreDependency" >> $env:GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          Write-Host "Selection: $env:PACKAGE_SELECTION"
+          Write-Host "Picker version: $pickerVersion"
+          Write-Host "Core version: $coreVersion"
+          Write-Host "Picker Core dependency: $coreDependency"
       - name: Pack
-        id: minver
         shell: pwsh
+        env:
+          PACKAGE_SELECTION: ${{ inputs.package_selection }}
+          PICKER_VERSION: ${{ steps.versions.outputs.picker-version }}
+          CORE_VERSION: ${{ steps.versions.outputs.core-version }}
+          CORE_DEPENDENCY: ${{ steps.versions.outputs.core-dependency }}
         run: |
-          dotnet pack ColorPicker/ColorPicker.csproj `
-            --configuration Release `
-            --no-restore `
-            --output ${{ github.workspace }}/nupkgs `
-            -p:ContinuousIntegrationBuild=true
-          $pkg = Get-ChildItem ${{ github.workspace }}/nupkgs -Filter "*.nupkg" | Select-Object -First 1
-          if (-not $pkg) { throw "No .nupkg produced." }
-          # Filename: ColorPicker.Maui.<version>.nupkg
-          $version = $pkg.BaseName -replace '^ColorPicker\.Maui\.', ''
-          echo "version=$version" >> $env:GITHUB_OUTPUT
-          Write-Host "Packed version: $version"
+          $output = Join-Path $env:GITHUB_WORKSPACE "nupkgs"
+          New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $output -Force | Out-Null
+
+          if ($env:PACKAGE_SELECTION -in @("core", "both")) {
+            $env:ColorPickerCoreVersion = $env:CORE_VERSION
+            dotnet restore ColorPicker.Core/ColorPicker.Core.csproj
+            if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) { throw "Core restore failed." }
+            dotnet pack ColorPicker.Core/ColorPicker.Core.csproj `
+              --configuration Release `
+              --no-restore `
+              --output $output `
+              -p:ContinuousIntegrationBuild=true
+            if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) { throw "Core pack failed." }
+          }
+
+          if ($env:PACKAGE_SELECTION -in @("picker", "both")) {
+            $env:UseCorePackageReference = "true"
+            $env:ColorPickerCoreDependencyVersion = $env:CORE_DEPENDENCY
+            $env:ColorPickerMauiVersion = $env:PICKER_VERSION
+            $config = Join-Path $env:RUNNER_TEMP "ColorPicker-pack.NuGet.config"
+            Copy-Item samples/ConsumerSmoke/NuGet.config $config
+            dotnet nuget add source $output `
+              --name local-colorpicker `
+              --configfile $config
+            if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) { throw "Local package source registration failed." }
+
+            dotnet restore ColorPicker/ColorPicker.csproj `
+              --configfile $config
+            if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) { throw "Picker package-mode restore failed." }
+            dotnet build ColorPicker/ColorPicker.csproj `
+              -t:InstallAndroidDependencies `
+              --no-restore `
+              -f net10.0-android `
+              -p:AcceptAndroidSDKLicenses=True
+            if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) { throw "Android SDK installation failed." }
+            dotnet pack ColorPicker/ColorPicker.csproj `
+              --configuration Release `
+              --no-restore `
+              --output $output `
+              -p:ContinuousIntegrationBuild=true
+            if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) { throw "Picker pack failed." }
+          }
+
+          $packages = @(Get-ChildItem $output -Filter "*.nupkg")
+          $mauiPackages = @($packages | Where-Object Name -NotLike "ColorPicker.Maui.Core.*")
+          $corePackages = @($packages | Where-Object Name -Like "ColorPicker.Maui.Core.*")
+          $expectedMaui = if ($env:PACKAGE_SELECTION -in @("picker", "both")) { 1 } else { 0 }
+          $expectedCore = if ($env:PACKAGE_SELECTION -in @("core", "both")) { 1 } else { 0 }
+          if ($mauiPackages.Count -ne $expectedMaui -or $corePackages.Count -ne $expectedCore) {
+            throw "Unexpected package count: Maui=$($mauiPackages.Count)/$expectedMaui Core=$($corePackages.Count)/$expectedCore."
+          }
       - name: Upload nupkgs
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v7
         with:
@@ -240,6 +346,7 @@ jobs:
             8.0.x
             10.0.302
       - name: Install MAUI workloads
+        if: ${{ inputs.package_selection != 'core' }}
         run: dotnet workload install maui-android maui-windows
       - uses: actions/download-artifact@v8
         with:
@@ -251,22 +358,49 @@ jobs:
           dotnet nuget add source "${{ github.workspace }}\nupkgs" `
             --name local-colorpicker `
             --configfile samples/ConsumerSmoke/NuGet.config
-      - name: Restore consumer against packed version
+      - name: Restore Picker consumers
+        if: ${{ inputs.package_selection != 'core' }}
         shell: pwsh
         env:
-          VERSION: ${{ needs.pack.outputs.version }}
+          PICKER_VERSION: ${{ needs.pack.outputs.picker-version }}
         run: |
-          Write-Host "Restoring ConsumerSmoke against ColorPicker.Maui = $env:VERSION"
+          Write-Host "Restoring ConsumerSmoke against ColorPicker.Maui = $env:PICKER_VERSION"
           dotnet restore samples/ConsumerSmoke/ConsumerSmoke.csproj `
-            -p:ColorPickerVersion=$env:VERSION
+            --configfile samples/ConsumerSmoke/NuGet.config `
+            -p:ColorPickerVersion=$env:PICKER_VERSION
+          Write-Host "Restoring PackageCompatibilitySmoke against ColorPicker.Maui = $env:PICKER_VERSION"
+          dotnet restore samples/PackageCompatibilitySmoke/PackageCompatibilitySmoke.csproj `
+            --configfile samples/ConsumerSmoke/NuGet.config `
+            -p:ColorPickerVersion=$env:PICKER_VERSION
+      - name: Restore Core consumer
+        if: ${{ inputs.package_selection != 'picker' }}
+        shell: pwsh
+        env:
+          CORE_VERSION: ${{ needs.pack.outputs.core-version }}
+        run: |
+          Write-Host "Restoring CoreConsumerSmoke against ColorPicker.Maui.Core = $env:CORE_VERSION"
+          dotnet restore samples/CoreConsumerSmoke/CoreConsumerSmoke.csproj `
+            --configfile samples/ConsumerSmoke/NuGet.config `
+            -p:ColorPickerVersion=$env:CORE_VERSION
       - name: Install Android SDK platform (API 36)
+        if: ${{ inputs.package_selection != 'core' }}
         run: dotnet build ColorPicker/ColorPicker.csproj -t:InstallAndroidDependencies -f net10.0-android -p:AcceptAndroidSDKLicenses=True
       - name: Build consumer (Android)
-        run: dotnet build samples/ConsumerSmoke/ConsumerSmoke.csproj --configuration Release --no-restore -f net10.0-android -p:ColorPickerVersion=${{ needs.pack.outputs.version }}
+        if: ${{ inputs.package_selection != 'core' }}
+        run: dotnet build samples/ConsumerSmoke/ConsumerSmoke.csproj --configuration Release --no-restore -f net10.0-android -p:ColorPickerVersion=${{ needs.pack.outputs.picker-version }}
       - name: Build consumer (Windows)
-        run: dotnet build samples/ConsumerSmoke/ConsumerSmoke.csproj --configuration Release --no-restore -f net10.0-windows10.0.19041.0 -p:ColorPickerVersion=${{ needs.pack.outputs.version }}
+        if: ${{ inputs.package_selection != 'core' }}
+        run: dotnet build samples/ConsumerSmoke/ConsumerSmoke.csproj --configuration Release --no-restore -f net10.0-windows10.0.19041.0 -p:ColorPickerVersion=${{ needs.pack.outputs.picker-version }}
+      - name: Build Core consumer
+        if: ${{ inputs.package_selection != 'picker' }}
+        run: dotnet build samples/CoreConsumerSmoke/CoreConsumerSmoke.csproj --configuration Release --no-restore -p:ColorPickerVersion=${{ needs.pack.outputs.core-version }}
+      - name: Verify package assembly compatibility
+        if: ${{ inputs.package_selection != 'core' }}
+        run: dotnet run --project samples/PackageCompatibilitySmoke/PackageCompatibilitySmoke.csproj --configuration Release --no-restore -p:ColorPickerVersion=${{ needs.pack.outputs.picker-version }}
       - name: Job summary
         shell: pwsh
         run: |
           "## Consumer smoke passed" | Out-File -FilePath $env:GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY -Append
-          "Consumed `ColorPicker.Maui` **${{ needs.pack.outputs.version }}** from local feed." | Out-File -FilePath $env:GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY -Append
+          "Selection: **${{ inputs.package_selection }}**" | Out-File -FilePath $env:GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY -Append
+          "Picker version: **${{ needs.pack.outputs.picker-version }}**" | Out-File -FilePath $env:GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY -Append
+          "Core version: **${{ needs.pack.outputs.core-version }}**" | Out-File -FilePath $env:GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY -Append
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index cf56a296..d15e3336 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 name: CI
 
-# Runs on every push to main: full build + UI tests + pack, then publishes
-# the resulting nupkg as a PREVIEW package to GitHub Packages. Stable
-# releases are produced by release.yml (tag-driven). MinVer assigns
-# preview versions like "1.1.0-preview.0.42" between tags.
+# Runs on every push to main: full build + UI tests, packs a coherent preview
+# pair, publishes both packages to GitHub Packages, then consumes that exact
+# pair through the real feed. Stable package versions remain independent and
+# are published through the manual Release workflow.
 
 on:
   push:
@@ -30,27 +30,76 @@ jobs:
     if: github.repository == 'vpapenko/ColorPicker.Maui'
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v7
       - uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v6
         with:
-          dotnet-version: '8.0.x'
+          dotnet-version: |
+            8.0.x
+            10.0.302
       - uses: actions/download-artifact@v8
         with:
           name: nupkgs
           path: nupkgs
       - name: Push to GitHub Packages
+        env:
+          CORE_VERSION: ${{ needs.build-and-test.outputs.core-version }}
+          PICKER_VERSION: ${{ needs.build-and-test.outputs.picker-version }}
+          GH_PACKAGES_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
         run: |
-          dotnet nuget push "nupkgs/*.nupkg" \
+          set -euo pipefail
+
+          dotnet nuget push "nupkgs/ColorPicker.Maui.Core.${CORE_VERSION}.nupkg" \
+            --source "https://nuget.pkg.github.com/${{ github.repository_owner }}/index.json" \
+            --api-key "$GH_PACKAGES_TOKEN" \
+            --no-symbols \
+            --skip-duplicate
+          dotnet nuget push "nupkgs/ColorPicker.Maui.Core.${CORE_VERSION}.snupkg" \
+            --source "https://nuget.pkg.github.com/${{ github.repository_owner }}/index.json" \
+            --api-key "$GH_PACKAGES_TOKEN" \
+            --skip-duplicate || true
+
+          config="$RUNNER_TEMP/NuGet.config"
+          cp samples/ConsumerSmoke/NuGet.config "$config"
+          dotnet nuget add source "https://nuget.pkg.github.com/${{ github.repository_owner }}/index.json" \
+            --name github-packages \
+            --username "${{ github.repository_owner }}" \
+            --password "$GH_PACKAGES_TOKEN" \
+            --store-password-in-clear-text \
+            --configfile "$config"
+
+          ready=false
+          for attempt in $(seq 1 60); do
+            if dotnet restore samples/CoreConsumerSmoke/CoreConsumerSmoke.csproj \
+              --configfile "$config" \
+              -p:ColorPickerVersion="$CORE_VERSION" \
+              --force \
+              --no-cache \
+              --verbosity quiet > "$RUNNER_TEMP/core-restore.log" 2>&1; then
+              ready=true
+              break
+            fi
+            sleep 10
+          done
+          if [ "$ready" != "true" ]; then
+            cat "$RUNNER_TEMP/core-restore.log"
+            echo "::error::Timed out waiting for ColorPicker.Maui.Core ${CORE_VERSION} in GitHub Packages."
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
+          dotnet nuget push "nupkgs/ColorPicker.Maui.${PICKER_VERSION}.nupkg" \
             --source "https://nuget.pkg.github.com/${{ github.repository_owner }}/index.json" \
-            --api-key ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }} \
+            --api-key "$GH_PACKAGES_TOKEN" \
+            --no-symbols \
             --skip-duplicate
-          dotnet nuget push "nupkgs/*.snupkg" \
+          dotnet nuget push "nupkgs/ColorPicker.Maui.${PICKER_VERSION}.snupkg" \
             --source "https://nuget.pkg.github.com/${{ github.repository_owner }}/index.json" \
-            --api-key ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }} \
+            --api-key "$GH_PACKAGES_TOKEN" \
             --skip-duplicate || true
       - name: Job summary
         run: |
           echo "## Preview published" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
-          echo "Version: \`${{ needs.build-and-test.outputs.package-version }}\`" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
+          echo "Picker: \`${{ needs.build-and-test.outputs.picker-version }}\`" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
+          echo "Core: \`${{ needs.build-and-test.outputs.core-version }}\`" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
           echo "Source: \`https://nuget.pkg.github.com/${{ github.repository_owner }}/index.json\`" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
 
   consumer-e2e-github-packages:
@@ -89,33 +138,33 @@ jobs:
       - name: Restore consumer against just-published version
         shell: pwsh
         env:
-          VERSION: ${{ needs.build-and-test.outputs.package-version }}
+          PICKER_VERSION: ${{ needs.build-and-test.outputs.picker-version }}
+          CORE_VERSION: ${{ needs.build-and-test.outputs.core-version }}
         run: |
-          Write-Host "Restoring ConsumerSmoke against ColorPicker.Maui = $env:VERSION from GitHub Packages"
+          Write-Host "Restoring ConsumerSmoke against ColorPicker.Maui = $env:PICKER_VERSION from GitHub Packages"
           dotnet restore samples/ConsumerSmoke/ConsumerSmoke.csproj `
-            -p:ColorPickerVersion=$env:VERSION
+            --configfile samples/ConsumerSmoke/NuGet.config `
+            -p:ColorPickerVersion=$env:PICKER_VERSION
+          Write-Host "Restoring CoreConsumerSmoke against ColorPicker.Maui.Core = $env:CORE_VERSION from GitHub Packages"
+          dotnet restore samples/CoreConsumerSmoke/CoreConsumerSmoke.csproj `
+            --configfile samples/ConsumerSmoke/NuGet.config `
+            -p:ColorPickerVersion=$env:CORE_VERSION
+          Write-Host "Restoring PackageCompatibilitySmoke against ColorPicker.Maui = $env:PICKER_VERSION from GitHub Packages"
+          dotnet restore samples/PackageCompatibilitySmoke/PackageCompatibilitySmoke.csproj `
+            --configfile samples/ConsumerSmoke/NuGet.config `
+            -p:ColorPickerVersion=$env:PICKER_VERSION
       - name: Install Android SDK platform (API 36)
         run: dotnet build ColorPicker/ColorPicker.csproj -t:InstallAndroidDependencies -f net10.0-android -p:AcceptAndroidSDKLicenses=True
       - name: Build consumer (Android)
-        run: dotnet build samples/ConsumerSmoke/ConsumerSmoke.csproj --configuration Release --no-restore -f net10.0-android -p:ColorPickerVersion=${{ needs.build-and-test.outputs.package-version }}
+        run: dotnet build samples/ConsumerSmoke/ConsumerSmoke.csproj --configuration Release --no-restore -f net10.0-android -p:ColorPickerVersion=${{ needs.build-and-test.outputs.picker-version }}
       - name: Build consumer (Windows)
-        run: dotnet build samples/ConsumerSmoke/ConsumerSmoke.csproj --configuration Release --no-restore -f net10.0-windows10.0.19041.0 -p:ColorPickerVersion=${{ needs.build-and-test.outputs.package-version }}
+        run: dotnet build samples/ConsumerSmoke/ConsumerSmoke.csproj --configuration Release --no-restore -f net10.0-windows10.0.19041.0 -p:ColorPickerVersion=${{ needs.build-and-test.outputs.picker-version }}
+      - name: Build Core consumer
+        run: dotnet build samples/CoreConsumerSmoke/CoreConsumerSmoke.csproj --configuration Release --no-restore -p:ColorPickerVersion=${{ needs.build-and-test.outputs.core-version }}
+      - name: Verify package assembly compatibility
+        run: dotnet run --project samples/PackageCompatibilitySmoke/PackageCompatibilitySmoke.csproj --configuration Release --no-restore -p:ColorPickerVersion=${{ needs.build-and-test.outputs.picker-version }}
       - name: Job summary
         shell: pwsh
         run: |
           "## Consumer E2E passed" | Out-File -FilePath $env:GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY -Append
-          "Consumed `ColorPicker.Maui` **${{ needs.build-and-test.outputs.package-version }}** from GitHub Packages." | Out-File -FilePath $env:GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY -Append
-
-  draft-release-notes:
-    name: Update release draft
-    needs: [ build-and-test ]
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    permissions:
-      contents: write
-      pull-requests: read
-    steps:
-      - uses: release-drafter/release-drafter@v7
-        with:
-          config-name: release-drafter.yml
-        env:
-          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          "Consumed Picker **${{ needs.build-and-test.outputs.picker-version }}** and Core **${{ needs.build-and-test.outputs.core-version }}** from GitHub Packages and verified the Core type-forwarding contract." | Out-File -FilePath $env:GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY -Append
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 3a4acae9..6b649e81 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -1,97 +1,436 @@
 name: Release
 
-# Triggered by a `vX.Y.Z` (or `vX.Y.Z-preview.N`) tag pushed to the
-# repository. Re-runs the full gate (build + UI tests) against the tagged
-# commit, then publishes the nupkg + snupkg to nuget.org and creates a
-# GitHub Release with auto-drafted notes.
-#
-# Cutting a release:
-#   git tag v1.0.0 && git push origin v1.0.0
-#   git tag v1.1.0-preview.1 && git push origin v1.1.0-preview.1
+run-name: Release ${{ inputs.target }} (Picker ${{ inputs.picker_version || 'unchanged' }}, Core ${{ inputs.core_version || 'auto' }})
 
 on:
-  push:
-    tags: [ 'v*' ]
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      target:
+        description: Package release target
+        required: true
+        default: both
+        type: choice
+        options:
+          - picker
+          - core
+          - both
+      picker_version:
+        description: ColorPicker.Maui version, without a leading v (required for Picker or Both)
+        required: false
+        type: string
+      core_version:
+        description: ColorPicker.Maui.Core version (required for Core or Both; blank uses latest Core for Picker-only)
+        required: false
+        type: string
 
 permissions:
   contents: read
 
+concurrency:
+  group: stable-nuget-release
+  cancel-in-progress: false
+
 jobs:
+  prepare:
+    name: Prepare release
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      target: ${{ steps.release.outputs.target }}
+      picker-version: ${{ steps.release.outputs.picker-version }}
+      core-version: ${{ steps.release.outputs.core-version }}
+      core-dependency-version: ${{ steps.release.outputs.core-dependency-version }}
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v7
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+      - name: Validate release request
+        id: release
+        shell: bash
+        env:
+          RELEASE_TARGET: ${{ inputs.target }}
+          REQUESTED_PICKER_VERSION: ${{ inputs.picker_version }}
+          REQUESTED_CORE_VERSION: ${{ inputs.core_version }}
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+
+          if [ "$GITHUB_REF" != "refs/heads/main" ]; then
+            echo "::error::Stable releases must be run from the main branch."
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
+          validate_version() {
+            local name="$1"
+            local version="$2"
+            local identifier='(0|[1-9][0-9]*|[0-9]*[A-Za-z-][0-9A-Za-z-]*)'
+            local pattern="^(0|[1-9][0-9]*)\\.(0|[1-9][0-9]*)\\.(0|[1-9][0-9]*)(-${identifier}(\\.${identifier})*)?$"
+            if [[ ! "$version" =~ $pattern ]]; then
+              echo "::error::${name} '${version}' is not a canonical NuGet semantic version."
+              exit 1
+            fi
+          }
+
+          picker_version="$REQUESTED_PICKER_VERSION"
+          core_version="$REQUESTED_CORE_VERSION"
+
+          case "$RELEASE_TARGET" in
+            picker)
+              if [ -z "$picker_version" ]; then
+                echo "::error::picker_version is required for a Picker release."
+                exit 1
+              fi
+              validate_version "Picker version" "$picker_version"
+
+              if [ -z "$core_version" ]; then
+                core_tag="$(git tag --list 'core-v*' |
+                  grep -E '^core-v[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+$' |
+                  sort -V |
+                  tail -n 1 || true)"
+                if [ -z "$core_tag" ]; then
+                  core_tag="$(git tag --list 'core-v*' --sort=-version:refname | head -n 1)"
+                fi
+                if [ -z "$core_tag" ]; then
+                  echo "::error::No Core release tag exists. Use target 'both' for the first release."
+                  exit 1
+                fi
+                core_version="${core_tag#core-v}"
+              fi
+              validate_version "Core version" "$core_version"
+
+              if ! git rev-parse --verify "refs/tags/core-v${core_version}" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+                echo "::error::Core tag 'core-v${core_version}' does not exist. Release Core first or select target 'both'."
+                exit 1
+              fi
+
+              core_status="$(curl --silent --show-error --location \
+                --output /dev/null \
+                --write-out "%{http_code}" \
+                "https://api.nuget.org/v3-flatcontainer/colorpicker.maui.core/${core_version,,}/colorpicker.maui.core.${core_version,,}.nupkg")"
+              if [ "$core_status" != "200" ]; then
+                echo "::error::ColorPicker.Maui.Core ${core_version} is not available on nuget.org (HTTP ${core_status})."
+                exit 1
+              fi
+              ;;
+            core)
+              if [ -z "$core_version" ]; then
+                echo "::error::core_version is required for a Core release."
+                exit 1
+              fi
+              validate_version "Core version" "$core_version"
+              ;;
+            both)
+              if [ -z "$picker_version" ] || [ -z "$core_version" ]; then
+                echo "::error::picker_version and core_version are both required when target is 'both'."
+                exit 1
+              fi
+              validate_version "Picker version" "$picker_version"
+              validate_version "Core version" "$core_version"
+              ;;
+            *)
+              echo "::error::Unknown release target '$RELEASE_TARGET'."
+              exit 1
+              ;;
+          esac
+
+          core_major="${core_version%%.*}"
+          next_core_major="$((core_major + 1))"
+          core_dependency="[${core_version},${next_core_major}.0.0)"
+
+          echo "target=$RELEASE_TARGET" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          echo "picker-version=$picker_version" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          echo "core-version=$core_version" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          echo "core-dependency-version=$core_dependency" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
+          {
+            echo "## Release request"
+            echo "- Target: \`$RELEASE_TARGET\`"
+            echo "- Picker: \`${picker_version:-not published}\`"
+            echo "- Core: \`$core_version\`"
+            if [ "$RELEASE_TARGET" != "core" ]; then
+              echo "- Picker dependency: \`ColorPicker.Maui.Core $core_dependency\`"
+            fi
+          } >> "$GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY"
+
   build-and-test:
+    name: Build, test, and pack
+    needs: [ prepare ]
     uses: ./.github/workflows/build-and-test.yml
     with:
       pack: true
+      package_selection: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.target }}
+      picker_version: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.picker-version }}
+      core_version: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.core-version }}
+      core_dependency_version: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.core-dependency-version }}
 
   publish-nuget:
     name: Publish to nuget.org
-    needs: [ build-and-test ]
+    needs: [ prepare, build-and-test ]
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     permissions:
-      id-token: write   # required for NuGet Trusted Publishing (OIDC)
+      id-token: write
       contents: read
     environment:
       name: nuget-prod
       url: https://www.nuget.org/packages/ColorPicker.Maui
     steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v7
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
       - uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v6
         with:
-          dotnet-version: '8.0.x'
+          dotnet-version: |
+            8.0.x
+            10.0.302
       - uses: actions/download-artifact@v8
         with:
           name: nupkgs
           path: nupkgs
-      - name: Verify version matches tag
-        shell: bash
-        run: |
-          tag="${GITHUB_REF#refs/tags/v}"
-          ver="${{ needs.build-and-test.outputs.package-version }}"
-          ver="${ver%.nupkg}"
-          if [ "$tag" != "$ver" ]; then
-            echo "::error::Tag '$tag' does not match packed version '$ver'."
-            exit 1
-          fi
-          echo "Tag and package version match: $ver"
       - name: NuGet login (OIDC -> short-lived API key)
         id: nuget-login
         uses: NuGet/login@v1
         with:
           user: VictorPapenko
-      - name: Push to nuget.org
+      - name: Publish selected packages
+        shell: bash
+        env:
+          RELEASE_TARGET: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.target }}
+          PICKER_VERSION: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.picker-version }}
+          CORE_VERSION: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.core-version }}
+          NUGET_API_KEY: ${{ steps.nuget-login.outputs.NUGET_API_KEY }}
         run: |
-          dotnet nuget push "nupkgs/*.nupkg" \
-            --source https://api.nuget.org/v3/index.json \
-            --api-key "${{ steps.nuget-login.outputs.NUGET_API_KEY }}" \
-            --skip-duplicate
-          dotnet nuget push "nupkgs/*.snupkg" \
-            --source https://api.nuget.org/v3/index.json \
-            --api-key "${{ steps.nuget-login.outputs.NUGET_API_KEY }}" \
-            --skip-duplicate
-
-  github-release:
-    name: Create GitHub Release
-    needs: [ publish-nuget ]
+          set -euo pipefail
+
+          package_status() {
+            local package_id="$1"
+            local version="$2"
+            local lowercase_id="${package_id,,}"
+            local lowercase_version="${version,,}"
+            curl --silent --show-error --location \
+              --output "$3" \
+              --write-out "%{http_code}" \
+              "https://api.nuget.org/v3-flatcontainer/${lowercase_id}/${lowercase_version}/${lowercase_id}.${lowercase_version}.nupkg"
+          }
+
+          package_content_hash() {
+            local package="$1"
+            local unpacked
+            unpacked="$(mktemp -d)"
+            unzip -qq "$package" -d "$unpacked"
+            find "$unpacked" -name '.signature.p7s' -delete
+
+            local content_hash
+            content_hash="$(
+              cd "$unpacked"
+              while IFS= read -r -d '' file; do
+                case "$file" in
+                  './.signature.p7s'|'./[Content_Types].xml'|'./_rels/'*|'./package/services/metadata/'*)
+                    continue
+                    ;;
+                esac
+                printf '%s\0' "$file"
+                sha256sum "$file" | cut -d ' ' -f 1
+              done < <(find . -type f -print0 | sort -z) |
+                sha256sum |
+                cut -d ' ' -f 1
+            )"
+            rm -rf "$unpacked"
+            printf '%s' "$content_hash"
+          }
+
+          preflight_package() {
+            local package_id="$1"
+            local version="$2"
+            local package="$3"
+            local existing_package
+            existing_package="$(mktemp)"
+            local status
+            status="$(package_status "$package_id" "$version" "$existing_package")"
+
+            if [ "$status" = "200" ]; then
+              local local_hash
+              local existing_hash
+              local_hash="$(package_content_hash "$package")"
+              existing_hash="$(package_content_hash "$existing_package")"
+              if [ "$local_hash" != "$existing_hash" ]; then
+                echo "::error::${package_id} ${version} already exists with different package contents."
+                rm -f "$existing_package"
+                exit 1
+              fi
+              echo "${package_id} ${version} already exists with identical contents; continuing a safe retry."
+            elif [ "$status" != "404" ]; then
+              echo "::error::NuGet lookup for ${package_id} ${version} returned HTTP ${status}."
+              rm -f "$existing_package"
+              exit 1
+            fi
+            rm -f "$existing_package"
+          }
+
+          preflight_tag() {
+            local tag="$1"
+            if git rev-parse --verify "refs/tags/${tag}" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+              local existing_commit
+              existing_commit="$(git rev-list -n 1 "$tag")"
+              if [ "$existing_commit" != "$GITHUB_SHA" ]; then
+                echo "::error::Tag ${tag} already points to ${existing_commit}, not ${GITHUB_SHA}."
+                exit 1
+              fi
+            fi
+          }
+
+          publish_package() {
+            local package_id="$1"
+            local version="$2"
+            local package="nupkgs/${package_id}.${version}.nupkg"
+            local symbols="nupkgs/${package_id}.${version}.snupkg"
+
+            if [ ! -f "$package" ] || [ ! -f "$symbols" ]; then
+              echo "::error::Expected package pair not found for ${package_id} ${version}."
+              exit 1
+            fi
+
+            dotnet nuget push "$package" \
+              --source https://api.nuget.org/v3/index.json \
+              --api-key "$NUGET_API_KEY" \
+              --no-symbols \
+              --skip-duplicate
+            dotnet nuget push "$symbols" \
+              --source https://api.nuget.org/v3/index.json \
+              --api-key "$NUGET_API_KEY" \
+              --skip-duplicate
+          }
+
+          require_package_pair() {
+            local package_id="$1"
+            local version="$2"
+            if [ ! -f "nupkgs/${package_id}.${version}.nupkg" ] ||
+               [ ! -f "nupkgs/${package_id}.${version}.snupkg" ]; then
+              echo "::error::Expected package pair not found for ${package_id} ${version}."
+              exit 1
+            fi
+          }
+
+          wait_for_package() {
+            local package_id="$1"
+            local version="$2"
+            local config="$RUNNER_TEMP/NuGet.config"
+            cp samples/ConsumerSmoke/NuGet.config "$config"
+            for attempt in $(seq 1 60); do
+              if dotnet restore samples/CoreConsumerSmoke/CoreConsumerSmoke.csproj \
+                --configfile "$config" \
+                -p:ColorPickerVersion="$version" \
+                --force \
+                --no-cache \
+                --verbosity quiet > "$RUNNER_TEMP/core-restore.log" 2>&1; then
+                echo "${package_id} ${version} is available from nuget.org."
+                return
+              fi
+              sleep 10
+            done
+            cat "$RUNNER_TEMP/core-restore.log"
+            echo "::error::Timed out waiting for ${package_id} ${version} to become available."
+            exit 1
+          }
+
+          if [ "$RELEASE_TARGET" = "core" ] || [ "$RELEASE_TARGET" = "both" ]; then
+            require_package_pair "ColorPicker.Maui.Core" "$CORE_VERSION"
+            preflight_package \
+              "ColorPicker.Maui.Core" \
+              "$CORE_VERSION" \
+              "nupkgs/ColorPicker.Maui.Core.${CORE_VERSION}.nupkg"
+            preflight_tag "core-v${CORE_VERSION}"
+          fi
+          if [ "$RELEASE_TARGET" = "picker" ] || [ "$RELEASE_TARGET" = "both" ]; then
+            require_package_pair "ColorPicker.Maui" "$PICKER_VERSION"
+            preflight_package \
+              "ColorPicker.Maui" \
+              "$PICKER_VERSION" \
+              "nupkgs/ColorPicker.Maui.${PICKER_VERSION}.nupkg"
+            preflight_tag "picker-v${PICKER_VERSION}"
+          fi
+
+          if [ "$RELEASE_TARGET" = "core" ] || [ "$RELEASE_TARGET" = "both" ]; then
+            publish_package "ColorPicker.Maui.Core" "$CORE_VERSION"
+          fi
+          if [ "$RELEASE_TARGET" = "both" ]; then
+            wait_for_package "ColorPicker.Maui.Core" "$CORE_VERSION"
+          fi
+          if [ "$RELEASE_TARGET" = "picker" ] || [ "$RELEASE_TARGET" = "both" ]; then
+            publish_package "ColorPicker.Maui" "$PICKER_VERSION"
+          fi
+
+  github-releases:
+    name: Create GitHub releases
+    needs: [ prepare, publish-nuget ]
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     permissions:
       contents: write
-      pull-requests: read
     steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v7
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
       - uses: actions/download-artifact@v8
         with:
           name: nupkgs
           path: nupkgs
-      - name: Publish release-drafter draft for this tag
-        uses: release-drafter/release-drafter@v7
-        with:
-          config-name: release-drafter.yml
-          publish: true
-          tag: ${{ github.ref_name }}
-          name: ${{ github.ref_name }}
+      - name: Create package-specific releases
+        shell: bash
         env:
-          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
-      - name: Attach nupkgs to release
-        uses: softprops/action-gh-release@v3
-        with:
-          tag_name: ${{ github.ref_name }}
-          files: |
-            nupkgs/*.nupkg
-            nupkgs/*.snupkg
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          RELEASE_TARGET: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.target }}
+          PICKER_VERSION: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.picker-version }}
+          CORE_VERSION: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.core-version }}
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+
+          create_release() {
+            local package_id="$1"
+            local version="$2"
+            local tag_prefix="$3"
+            local latest="$4"
+            local tag="${tag_prefix}-v${version}"
+            local previous_tag
+            previous_tag="$(git tag --merged "$GITHUB_SHA" --list "${tag_prefix}-v*" --sort=-creatordate |
+              grep -Fvx "$tag" |
+              head -n 1 || true)"
+            local package="nupkgs/${package_id}.${version}.nupkg"
+            local symbols="nupkgs/${package_id}.${version}.snupkg"
+
+            if git rev-parse --verify "refs/tags/${tag}" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+              existing_commit="$(git rev-list -n 1 "$tag")"
+              if [ "$existing_commit" != "$GITHUB_SHA" ]; then
+                echo "::error::Tag ${tag} already points to ${existing_commit}, not ${GITHUB_SHA}."
+                exit 1
+              fi
+            fi
+
+            if gh release view "$tag" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+              gh release upload "$tag" "$package" "$symbols" --clobber
+              echo "Release ${tag} already exists; refreshed its assets."
+              return
+            fi
+
+            release_flags=(
+              "$tag"
+              "$package"
+              "$symbols"
+              --target "$GITHUB_SHA"
+              --title "${package_id} ${version}"
+              --generate-notes
+            )
+            if [ -n "$previous_tag" ]; then
+              release_flags+=(--notes-start-tag "$previous_tag")
+            fi
+            if [[ "$version" == *-* ]]; then
+              release_flags+=(--prerelease)
+            fi
+            if [ "$latest" = "false" ]; then
+              release_flags+=(--latest=false)
+            fi
+            gh release create "${release_flags[@]}"
+          }
+
+          if [ "$RELEASE_TARGET" = "core" ] || [ "$RELEASE_TARGET" = "both" ]; then
+            create_release "ColorPicker.Maui.Core" "$CORE_VERSION" "core" "false"
+          fi
+          if [ "$RELEASE_TARGET" = "picker" ] || [ "$RELEASE_TARGET" = "both" ]; then
+            create_release "ColorPicker.Maui" "$PICKER_VERSION" "picker" "true"
+          fi
diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 6e199c76..819db569 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -7,17 +7,24 @@ Practical notes accumulated from prior coding sessions. Read before working in t
 | Path | Purpose |
 |---|---|
 | `ColorPicker/` | The library — the published NuGet package (`ColorPicker.Maui`) |
-| `ColorPicker.Core/` | Pure platform-agnostic math (HSL/RGB, polar, unit-square primitives). No MAUI / Skia deps. Multi-targets `netstandard2.0` + `net8.0`. |
+| `ColorPicker.Core/` | Published `ColorPicker.Maui.Core` package: pure platform-agnostic math (HSL/RGB, polar, unit-square primitives). No MAUI / Skia deps. Multi-targets `netstandard2.0` + `net8.0`. |
 | `ColorPicker.Core.Tests/` | xUnit tests for `ColorPicker.Core` (runs on every PR, ubuntu, sub-second) |
 | `ColorPickerTestApp/` | MAUI app for manual visual testing |
 | `ColorPicker.UITests/` | Appium-driven xUnit UI test suite (~213 tests) |
-| `samples/ConsumerSmoke/` | Smoke project that consumes the **packed nupkg**, *not* a ProjectReference |
+| `samples/ConsumerSmoke/` | Smoke project that consumes the packed `ColorPicker.Maui` package |
+| `samples/CoreConsumerSmoke/` | Smoke project that consumes the packed `ColorPicker.Maui.Core` package for both Core TFMs |
+| `samples/PackageCompatibilitySmoke/` | Executable smoke that verifies the Core assembly identity and all type forwarders in the packed MAUI package |
+
+The Core namespaces remain `ColorPicker.Core`; the assembly and NuGet package are
+`ColorPicker.Maui.Core` because `ColorPicker.Core` is already owned on nuget.org.
+`ColorPicker.dll` contains type forwarders for Core types that were embedded before
+the package split.
 
 ## Target frameworks
 
 - Library: `net10.0-android`, `net10.0-windows10.0.19041.0` (+ `net10.0-ios`, `net10.0-maccatalyst` on macOS)
 - Test app: same TFMs
-- The package is **net10-only** (net8 was dropped in the .NET 10 migration; the package has no external consumers so back-compat wasn't required).
+- `ColorPicker.Maui` is **net10-only**; `ColorPicker.Maui.Core` targets `netstandard2.0` and `net8.0`.
 - Test/tooling projects (`ColorPicker.Core`, `*.Tests`, `ColorPicker.UITests`, `tools/IconGen`) stay `net8.0`/`netstandard2.0` and run on the net8 runtime that CI also installs.
 
 ## Dependencies & prerequisites
@@ -35,20 +42,28 @@ Everything needed to build/test/pack from a clean machine:
 | Node.js | **20+** | For Appium (UI tests only) |
 | Appium | **2** + `appium-windows-driver` + WinAppDriver 1.2.1 + Windows Developer Mode | UI tests — full setup in [`ColorPicker.UITests/README.md`](ColorPicker.UITests/README.md) |
 
-Key NuGet: `SkiaSharp` 4.151.0 + `SkiaSharp.Views.Maui.Controls` 4.151.0, `Microsoft.Maui.Controls` 10.0.20, `Appium.WebDriver` (UITests), `MinVer` 5.0.0.
-**MinVer needs full git history + tags** to compute the pack version — clone with full depth (`fetch-depth: 0` in CI).
+Key NuGet: `SkiaSharp` 4.151.1 + `SkiaSharp.Views.Maui.Controls` 4.151.1, `Microsoft.Maui.Controls` 10.0.20, `Appium.WebDriver` (UITests).
+Package versions are supplied by CI. Stable `ColorPicker.Maui` and
+`ColorPicker.Maui.Core` versions are independent; main-branch previews use a
+coherent same-run version pair.
 
 ### .NET 10 / MAUI 10 gotchas (hard-won — don't rediscover)
 
 - **`Microsoft.Maui.Controls` is pinned to the SDK band** (10.0.20 ↔ SDK 10.0.302). Bumping MAUI out of lockstep (even a patch, e.g. 10.0.90) makes restore pull an unpublished runtime pack → `NU1102`. Dependabot ignores `Microsoft.Maui.*` for this reason; bump MAUI **and** the SDK together.
 - **`Directory.Build.props` sets `UseMonoRuntime=false` for Windows.** The .NET 10 MAUI Windows head otherwise tries to restore the deprecated `Microsoft.NETCore.App.Runtime.Mono.win-x64` pack (dotnet/maui#27215) → `NU1102`.
 - **Restore the Windows app scoped to its TFM.** `dotnet restore ColorPickerTestApp.csproj -r win-x64` on the multi-TFM project applies win-x64 across all TFMs and re-triggers the Mono-win-x64 bug; add `-p:TargetFramework=net10.0-windows10.0.19041.0`.
+- **Restore `ColorPicker.Core` again after that scoped Windows app restore.**
+  The scoped restore propagates through project references and replaces Core's
+  assets file with a single-target graph; without the final Core restore,
+  `--no-restore` builds fail with `NETSDK1005` for `net8.0`.
 - **net8 and net10 Android can't be multi-targeted in one build** — the .NET 10 Android workload only recognizes `net10.0-android`; the net8 SDK can't parse `net10.0-*`. (This is why the package went net10-only.)
 
 Environment variables:
 - `JAVA_HOME` — JDK 17 path (Android builds)
 - `UITEST_APP_PATH` — CI-only; path to the built sample `.exe` the UI tests launch
-- `ColorPickerVersion` — nupkg version consumed by `samples/ConsumerSmoke`
+- `ColorPickerVersion` — package version consumed by an individual smoke project
+- `ColorPickerMauiVersion` / `ColorPickerCoreVersion` — package versions supplied during pack
+- `ColorPickerCoreDependencyVersion` — exact version or compatible range used when packaging Picker
 - `PROBE_OUT` — dev-only; enables `VisualProbe` scenario dumper (off in CI)
 
 ## Build
@@ -66,7 +81,12 @@ dotnet build ColorPicker\ColorPicker.csproj -c Release -f net10.0-android
 
 ### ConsumerSmoke pitfall
 
-`samples/ConsumerSmoke/ConsumerSmoke.csproj` references the library via **PackageReference** to the locally packed nupkg, not a ProjectReference. Building it from the solution will fail locally with bogus `CS0234: 'Classes'/'Controls' does not exist in namespace 'ColorPicker'` errors — **ignore those**. Only the CI "Consumer Smoke" job builds it correctly (after Pack NuGet produces the nupkg).
+All three smoke projects reference packages from the local `nupkgs/` feed, not project references, and are intentionally excluded from the solution. Build or run them only after packing both packages and registering that local feed.
+
+Normal development always uses the `ColorPicker` → `ColorPicker.Core`
+`ProjectReference`. Package jobs set `UseCorePackageReference=true` so Picker is
+compiled against the actual Core nupkg. This prevents a Picker-only release from
+silently depending on unreleased Core source.
 
 ## Tests
 
@@ -93,6 +113,13 @@ Every PR runs 6 checks (workflow `.github/workflows/build-and-test.yml`):
 only starts after `Pack NuGet` and re-installs the MAUI workloads, so it finishes
 several minutes *after* the ~12-min UI Tests. Size any CI-watch/poll loop to **~25 min**.
 
+Every merge to `main` publishes both packages to GitHub Packages with the same
+`0.0.0-preview.<run>` version and an exact Picker → Core dependency. Workflow
+retries reuse the same version.
+Stable nuget.org releases are started from **Actions → Release → Run workflow**,
+where the target is `picker`, `core`, or `both` and stable versions are entered
+independently.
+
 ## Branch protection / merging
 
 `main` is protected:
diff --git a/ColorPicker.Core/ColorPicker.Core.csproj b/ColorPicker.Core/ColorPicker.Core.csproj
index 61cc1428..036ec1f7 100644
--- a/ColorPicker.Core/ColorPicker.Core.csproj
+++ b/ColorPicker.Core/ColorPicker.Core.csproj
@@ -9,17 +9,47 @@
     <GenerateDocumentationFile>true</GenerateDocumentationFile>
     <NoWarn>$(NoWarn);CS1591</NoWarn>
     <RootNamespace>ColorPicker.Core</RootNamespace>
-    <AssemblyName>ColorPicker.Core</AssemblyName>
+    <AssemblyName>ColorPicker.Maui.Core</AssemblyName>
+    <Version Condition="'$(ColorPickerCoreVersion)' != ''">$(ColorPickerCoreVersion)</Version>
+    <Version Condition="'$(ColorPickerCoreVersion)' == ''">0.0.0-local</Version>
+    <PackageVersion>$(Version)</PackageVersion>
+
+    <IsPackable>true</IsPackable>
+    <PackageId>ColorPicker.Maui.Core</PackageId>
+    <Authors>Victor Papenko</Authors>
+    <Company>Victor Papenko</Company>
+    <Copyright>Copyright (c) $([System.DateTime]::Now.Year) Victor Papenko</Copyright>
     <Description>Platform-agnostic math for the ColorPicker.Maui library: HSL/RGB conversions, polar geometry, unit-square color-picker primitives.</Description>
-    <PackageTags>colorpicker;hsl;hsv;rgb;color;math</PackageTags>
+    <PackageTags>colorpicker;color-picker;hsl;hsv;rgb;color;math;geometry</PackageTags>
+    <PackageLicenseExpression>MIT</PackageLicenseExpression>
+    <PackageProjectUrl>https://github.com/vpapenko/ColorPicker.Maui</PackageProjectUrl>
+    <RepositoryUrl>https://github.com/vpapenko/ColorPicker.Maui</RepositoryUrl>
+    <RepositoryType>git</RepositoryType>
+    <PackageReadmeFile>README.md</PackageReadmeFile>
+    <PackageIcon>icon.png</PackageIcon>
+    <IncludeSymbols>true</IncludeSymbols>
+    <SymbolPackageFormat>snupkg</SymbolPackageFormat>
+
+    <PublishRepositoryUrl>true</PublishRepositoryUrl>
+    <EmbedUntrackedSources>true</EmbedUntrackedSources>
+    <ContinuousIntegrationBuild Condition="'$(GITHUB_ACTIONS)' == 'true'">true</ContinuousIntegrationBuild>
+    <Deterministic>true</Deterministic>
   </PropertyGroup>
 
   <ItemGroup>
     <InternalsVisibleTo Include="ColorPicker.Core.Tests" />
   </ItemGroup>
 
-  <ItemGroup Condition="'$(TargetFramework)' == 'netstandard2.0'">
-    <PackageReference Include="Microsoft.Bcl.HashCode" Version="6.0.0" />
+  <ItemGroup>
+    <PackageReference Include="Microsoft.SourceLink.GitHub" Version="10.0.400" PrivateAssets="all" />
+    <PackageReference Include="Microsoft.Bcl.HashCode"
+                      Version="6.0.0"
+                      Condition="'$(TargetFramework)' == 'netstandard2.0'" />
+  </ItemGroup>
+
+  <ItemGroup>
+    <None Include="README.md" Pack="true" PackagePath="\" />
+    <None Include="..\ColorPicker\icon.png" Pack="true" PackagePath="\" Link="icon.png" />
   </ItemGroup>
 
 </Project>
diff --git a/ColorPicker.Core/README.md b/ColorPicker.Core/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..74ba243d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ColorPicker.Core/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+# ColorPicker.Maui.Core
+
+Platform-independent color math and picker geometry used by
+[ColorPicker.Maui](https://github.com/vpapenko/ColorPicker.Maui).
+
+The package has no MAUI or SkiaSharp dependency and targets `netstandard2.0`
+and `net8.0`.
+
+## Install
+
+```bash
+dotnet add package ColorPicker.Maui.Core
+```
+
+`ColorPicker.Maui` already references this package, so MAUI applications do not
+need to install it separately. Add it directly when color conversion, normalized
+
+Core and the MAUI controls are developed together in the same repository through
+a direct project reference. Their stable NuGet versions are independent, so a
+Picker-only release does not republish unchanged Core binaries. Add it directly when color conversion, normalized
+picker geometry, or interaction logic is needed in a platform-independent
+project.
+
+## Example
+
+```csharp
+using ColorPicker.Core;
+
+var hsla = new HslaColor(h: 0.58, s: 0.75, l: 0.5);
+RgbaColor rgba = hsla.ToRgba();
+
+var disc = new HueSaturationDisc();
+UnitPoint indicator = disc.ColorToPoint(hsla);
+
+var updated = disc.UpdateColor(
+    new UnitPoint(x: 0.8f, y: 0.25f),
+    hsla);
+```
+
+## Included APIs
+
+- `HslaColor`, `HsvaColor`, and `RgbaColor` value types and conversions
+- normalized `UnitPoint` and `PolarPoint` geometry
+- hue/saturation discs, hue and luminosity rings, and saturation/value triangles
+- HSL, RGB, and alpha channel slider models
+- stateful disc and triangle interaction controllers
+- cycle-safe connection graphs
+- DPI-aware indicator-radius calculations
+
+All color channels and normalized coordinates use the range `0..1`.
diff --git a/ColorPicker/ColorPicker.csproj b/ColorPicker/ColorPicker.csproj
index 68c2d225..0443715b 100644
--- a/ColorPicker/ColorPicker.csproj
+++ b/ColorPicker/ColorPicker.csproj
@@ -24,8 +24,11 @@
 		<TargetPlatformMinVersion Condition="$(TargetFramework.Contains('-windows'))">10.0.17763.0</TargetPlatformMinVersion>
 		<Platforms>AnyCPU;x64</Platforms>
 
-		<!-- NuGet package metadata. Version is supplied by MinVer from the latest
-		     git tag (prefix 'v'); no manual <Version> here. -->
+		<!-- CI supplies package versions independently for stable releases and
+		     as a coherent pair for preview builds. Assembly versions stay stable. -->
+		<Version Condition="'$(ColorPickerMauiVersion)' != ''">$(ColorPickerMauiVersion)</Version>
+		<Version Condition="'$(ColorPickerMauiVersion)' == ''">0.0.0-local</Version>
+		<PackageVersion>$(Version)</PackageVersion>
 		<IsPackable>true</IsPackable>
 		<PackageId>ColorPicker.Maui</PackageId>
 		<Authors>Victor Papenko</Authors>
@@ -59,8 +62,7 @@
 	</ItemGroup>
 
 	<ItemGroup>
-	  <!-- Build-time only: derive Version from latest git tag, embed source links. -->
-	  <PackageReference Include="MinVer" Version="7.0.0" PrivateAssets="all" />
+	  <!-- Build-time only: embed source links. -->
 	  <PackageReference Include="Microsoft.SourceLink.GitHub" Version="10.0.400" PrivateAssets="all" />
 	</ItemGroup>
 
@@ -69,22 +71,18 @@
 	  <None Include="icon.png" Pack="true" PackagePath="\" />
 	</ItemGroup>
 
-	<!--
-	  Embed the platform-agnostic ColorPicker.Core math sources directly so the
-	  MAUI package ships as a single nupkg with no extra runtime dependency.
-	  Core remains an independently-buildable project for cross-platform unit
-	  tests; promoting it to a separate NuGet later is a one-line swap.
-	-->
 	<ItemGroup>
-	  <Compile Include="..\ColorPicker.Core\**\*.cs"
-	           Exclude="..\ColorPicker.Core\bin\**;..\ColorPicker.Core\obj\**"
-	           LinkBase="Core" />
+	  <ProjectReference Include="..\ColorPicker.Core\ColorPicker.Core.csproj"
+	                    Condition="'$(UseCorePackageReference)' != 'true'" />
+	  <PackageReference Include="ColorPicker.Maui.Core"
+	                    Version="$(ColorPickerCoreDependencyVersion)"
+	                    Condition="'$(UseCorePackageReference)' == 'true'" />
 	</ItemGroup>
 
-	<PropertyGroup Label="MinVer">
-		<MinVerTagPrefix>v</MinVerTagPrefix>
-		<MinVerDefaultPreReleaseIdentifiers>preview.0</MinVerDefaultPreReleaseIdentifiers>
-	</PropertyGroup>
+	<Target Name="ValidateCorePackageReferenceVersion"
+	        BeforeTargets="CollectPackageReferences"
+	        Condition="'$(UseCorePackageReference)' == 'true' and '$(ColorPickerCoreDependencyVersion)' == ''">
+		<Error Text="ColorPickerCoreDependencyVersion is required when UseCorePackageReference=true." />
+	</Target>
 
 </Project>
-
diff --git a/ColorPicker/CoreTypeForwarders.cs b/ColorPicker/CoreTypeForwarders.cs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..870c9b6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ColorPicker/CoreTypeForwarders.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+using System.Runtime.CompilerServices;
+
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.AlphaSlider))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.BlueSlider))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.ColorConversions))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.Connection.ConnectionGraph<>))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.GreenSlider))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.HslaColor))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.HslChannelSlider))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.HsvaColor))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.HueRing))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.HueSaturationDisc))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.HueSlider))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.IColorPickerArea))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.IndicatorRadius))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.Interaction.ColorDiscInteraction))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.Interaction.TriangleAreaInteraction))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.LinearTrack))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.LuminosityRing))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.LuminositySlider))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.PolarPoint))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.RedSlider))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.RgbaColor))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.RgbChannelSlider))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.SaturationSlider))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.SaturationValueTriangle))]
+[assembly: TypeForwardedTo(typeof(global::ColorPicker.Core.UnitPoint))]
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 667a2018..90c15fdf 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -36,8 +36,20 @@ data-bindable — and any number of pickers can be linked so they stay in sync.
 dotnet add package ColorPicker.Maui
 ```
 
-> Preview builds are published to **GitHub Packages** on every push to `main`; stable
-> releases go to **nuget.org**.
+For platform-independent color conversion and picker geometry without MAUI or
+SkiaSharp, install the companion package:
+
+```bash
+dotnet add package ColorPicker.Maui.Core
+```
+
+`ColorPicker.Maui.Core` targets `netstandard2.0` and `net8.0`. It is installed
+transitively by `ColorPicker.Maui`; reference it directly only when using the
+core APIs from a non-MAUI project.
+
+> A matching preview pair is published to **GitHub Packages** on every push to
+> `main`. Stable `ColorPicker.Maui` and `ColorPicker.Maui.Core` releases go to
+> **nuget.org** and are versioned independently.
 
 ## Quick start
 
diff --git a/samples/ConsumerSmoke/README.md b/samples/ConsumerSmoke/README.md
index 6f82e8e1..263cf67a 100644
--- a/samples/ConsumerSmoke/README.md
+++ b/samples/ConsumerSmoke/README.md
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ Tiny MAUI class library that consumes **ColorPicker.Maui** as a
 `PackageReference` (not a `ProjectReference`). Its sole purpose is to be
 built by CI against the freshly-packed `.nupkg` so packaging regressions
 (missing `.targets`, broken MAUI resource glob, dropped public type, TFM
-mismatch, transitive-dep hole) fail loudly before consumers ever see them.
+mismatch, or a missing `ColorPicker.Maui.Core` dependency) fail loudly before
+consumers ever see them.
 
 ## How it's used
 
@@ -23,8 +24,8 @@ dotnet restore samples/ConsumerSmoke/ConsumerSmoke.csproj \
 ## Run locally
 
 ```powershell
-# After running `dotnet pack ColorPicker/ColorPicker.csproj -o nupkgs`:
+# After packing the selected package set into nupkgs/:
 dotnet nuget add source (Resolve-Path ./nupkgs) -n local-colorpicker --configfile samples/ConsumerSmoke/NuGet.config
-dotnet restore samples/ConsumerSmoke/ConsumerSmoke.csproj -p:ColorPickerVersion=<version>
-dotnet build samples/ConsumerSmoke/ConsumerSmoke.csproj -f net8.0-windows10.0.19041.0
+dotnet restore samples/ConsumerSmoke/ConsumerSmoke.csproj -p:ColorPickerVersion=<picker-version>
+dotnet build samples/ConsumerSmoke/ConsumerSmoke.csproj -f net10.0-windows10.0.19041.0
 ```
diff --git a/samples/ConsumerSmoke/SmokePage.xaml.cs b/samples/ConsumerSmoke/SmokePage.xaml.cs
index 2404febb..7ef050ef 100644
--- a/samples/ConsumerSmoke/SmokePage.xaml.cs
+++ b/samples/ConsumerSmoke/SmokePage.xaml.cs
@@ -18,5 +18,9 @@ public SmokePage()
         _ = typeof(AlphaSlider);
         _ = typeof(LuminositySlider);
         _ = typeof(ColorDisc);
+
+        // ColorPicker.Core is a transitive dependency of ColorPicker.Maui.
+        // Referencing it here catches a missing or mismatched package dependency.
+        _ = new ColorPicker.Core.HslaColor(0.5, 0.75, 0.5).ToRgba();
     }
 }
diff --git a/samples/CoreConsumerSmoke/CoreApiSmoke.cs b/samples/CoreConsumerSmoke/CoreApiSmoke.cs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c2f6d96d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/samples/CoreConsumerSmoke/CoreApiSmoke.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+using ColorPicker.Core;
+using ColorPicker.Core.Connection;
+using ColorPicker.Core.Interaction;
+
+namespace CoreConsumerSmoke;
+
+public static class CoreApiSmoke
+{
+    public static RgbaColor ExercisePublicApi(HslaColor color)
+    {
+        var disc = new HueSaturationDisc();
+        var triangle = new SaturationValueTriangle();
+        var discInteraction = new ColorDiscInteraction();
+        var triangleInteraction = new TriangleAreaInteraction();
+        var graph = new ConnectionGraph<string>();
+
+        discInteraction.SyncFromColor(color);
+        triangleInteraction.SyncFromColor(color);
+        graph.AddEdge("disc", "triangle");
+
+        var discPoint = disc.ColorToPoint(color);
+        var trianglePoint = triangle.ColorToPoint(color);
+        var updated = disc.UpdateColor(discPoint, color);
+        updated = triangle.UpdateColor(trianglePoint, updated);
+
+        return graph.AreConnected("disc", "triangle")
+            ? updated.ToRgba()
+            : color.ToRgba();
+    }
+}
diff --git a/samples/CoreConsumerSmoke/CoreConsumerSmoke.csproj b/samples/CoreConsumerSmoke/CoreConsumerSmoke.csproj
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..462a1dee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/samples/CoreConsumerSmoke/CoreConsumerSmoke.csproj
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
+
+  <PropertyGroup>
+    <TargetFrameworks>netstandard2.0;net8.0</TargetFrameworks>
+    <LangVersion>latest</LangVersion>
+    <Nullable>enable</Nullable>
+    <ImplicitUsings>enable</ImplicitUsings>
+    <IsPackable>false</IsPackable>
+    <ColorPickerVersion Condition="'$(ColorPickerVersion)' == ''">*</ColorPickerVersion>
+  </PropertyGroup>
+
+  <ItemGroup>
+    <PackageReference Include="ColorPicker.Maui.Core" Version="$(ColorPickerVersion)" />
+  </ItemGroup>
+
+</Project>
diff --git a/samples/CoreConsumerSmoke/README.md b/samples/CoreConsumerSmoke/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d41dcb08
--- /dev/null
+++ b/samples/CoreConsumerSmoke/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+# CoreConsumerSmoke
+
+Compile-only project that consumes the packed `ColorPicker.Maui.Core` NuGet
+package for both `netstandard2.0` and `net8.0`. CI uses it to catch missing
+assets, dependency errors, and accidental public API removals.
diff --git a/samples/PackageCompatibilitySmoke/PackageCompatibilitySmoke.csproj b/samples/PackageCompatibilitySmoke/PackageCompatibilitySmoke.csproj
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f1fdaa73
--- /dev/null
+++ b/samples/PackageCompatibilitySmoke/PackageCompatibilitySmoke.csproj
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
+
+  <PropertyGroup>
+    <OutputType>Exe</OutputType>
+    <TargetFramework>net10.0-windows10.0.19041.0</TargetFramework>
+    <ImplicitUsings>enable</ImplicitUsings>
+    <Nullable>enable</Nullable>
+    <IsPackable>false</IsPackable>
+    <ColorPickerVersion Condition="'$(ColorPickerVersion)' == ''">*</ColorPickerVersion>
+  </PropertyGroup>
+
+  <ItemGroup>
+    <PackageReference Include="ColorPicker.Maui" Version="$(ColorPickerVersion)" />
+  </ItemGroup>
+
+</Project>
diff --git a/samples/PackageCompatibilitySmoke/Program.cs b/samples/PackageCompatibilitySmoke/Program.cs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..57129869
--- /dev/null
+++ b/samples/PackageCompatibilitySmoke/Program.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+using ColorPicker.Controls;
+using ColorPicker.Core;
+
+var mauiAssembly = typeof(ColorWheel).Assembly;
+var coreAssembly = typeof(HslaColor).Assembly;
+
+const string expectedCoreAssemblyName = "ColorPicker.Maui.Core";
+if (coreAssembly.GetName().Name != expectedCoreAssemblyName)
+{
+    throw new InvalidOperationException(
+        $"Expected Core assembly '{expectedCoreAssemblyName}', got '{coreAssembly.GetName().Name}'.");
+}
+
+var publicCoreTypes = coreAssembly.ExportedTypes
+    .Select(type => type.FullName!)
+    .OrderBy(name => name, StringComparer.Ordinal)
+    .ToArray();
+var forwardedCoreTypes = mauiAssembly.GetForwardedTypes()
+    .Select(type => type.FullName!)
+    .OrderBy(name => name, StringComparer.Ordinal)
+    .ToArray();
+
+var missingForwarders = publicCoreTypes.Except(forwardedCoreTypes, StringComparer.Ordinal).ToArray();
+var unexpectedForwarders = forwardedCoreTypes.Except(publicCoreTypes, StringComparer.Ordinal).ToArray();
+if (missingForwarders.Length != 0 || unexpectedForwarders.Length != 0)
+{
+    throw new InvalidOperationException(
+        $"Core type forwarders differ. Missing: [{string.Join(", ", missingForwarders)}]. " +
+        $"Unexpected: [{string.Join(", ", unexpectedForwarders)}].");
+}
+
+var legacyType = Type.GetType($"{typeof(HslaColor).FullName}, ColorPicker", throwOnError: true)!;
+if (legacyType.Assembly != coreAssembly)
+{
+    throw new InvalidOperationException(
+        $"Legacy ColorPicker type lookup resolved to '{legacyType.Assembly.GetName().Name}'.");
+}
+
+Console.WriteLine(
+    $"Verified {forwardedCoreTypes.Length} Core type forwarders to {expectedCoreAssemblyName}.");