diff --git a/crates/manager-core/src/apply_service.rs b/crates/manager-core/src/apply_service.rs
index b86f61f..44b2812 100644
--- a/crates/manager-core/src/apply_service.rs
+++ b/crates/manager-core/src/apply_service.rs
@@ -1276,6 +1276,22 @@ impl ApplyService {
             });
         }
 
+        // §5.5 / Phase 4b: the single-node path runs `check_imports_resolve` and
+        // `check_extension_points_provided`, but the tree path cannot — a node
+        // may legitimately import a module another in-tree (uncommitted) node
+        // declares, so a pool-based provider check would false-positive. Both
+        // lean on the runtime backstop here. Log it so the gap isn't silent.
+        if prepared
+            .iter()
+            .any(|p| matches!(p.owner, ApplyOwner::App(_)))
+        {
+            tracing::debug!(
+                nodes = prepared.len(),
+                "tree apply: per-node import / extension-point provider checks \
+                 deferred to the runtime backstop (single-node-only at plan time)"
+            );
+        }
+
         // Fold in every in-scope group's structure version, so a reparent or a
         // new app under the subtree between plan and apply trips StateMoved.
         for gid in &versioned_groups {