diff --git a/docs/architecture/data-flow-explainer.html b/docs/architecture/data-flow-explainer.html
index 7d81a4c..d096ba8 100644
--- a/docs/architecture/data-flow-explainer.html
+++ b/docs/architecture/data-flow-explainer.html
@@ -2192,7 +2192,7 @@ footer .colophon {
     <div class="tradeoff-card">
       <div class="tag">di/bind-production.ts</div>
       <h3>Production binder</h3>
-      <p class="blurb"><code>bindProduction&lt;F&gt;(ctx: BindProductionContext)</code> — unbinds the mock, rebinds the real Payload-backed impl. The <code>ctx</code> arg carries required fields (<code>tracer</code>, <code>logger</code>, <code>config</code>) and optional cross-cutting deps (<code>bus</code>, <code>queue</code>, <code>realtime</code>, <code>realtimeRegistry</code>).</p>
+      <p class="blurb"><code>bindProduction&lt;F&gt;(ctx: BindProductionContext)</code> — unbinds the mock, rebinds the real Payload-backed impl. The <code>ctx</code> arg carries required fields (<code>tracer</code>, <code>logger</code>, <code>config</code>) and optional cross-cutting deps (<code>bus</code>, <code>queue</code>). Realtime deps (<code>realtime</code>, <code>realtimeRegistry</code>) are also optional — present only when <code>@repo/core-realtime</code> is scaffolded via <code>pnpm turbo gen core-package realtime</code>.</p>
       <div class="pc-cols">
         <div class="pros"><h5>Pros</h5><ul>
           <li>Decouples Payload config from the feature package — boundary stays clean</li>
diff --git a/docs/decisions/adr-016-realtime-layer.md b/docs/decisions/adr-016-realtime-layer.md
index 0055eb0..c14a326 100644
--- a/docs/decisions/adr-016-realtime-layer.md
+++ b/docs/decisions/adr-016-realtime-layer.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # ADR-016 — Realtime layer (Socket.IO)
 
-**Status:** Accepted
+**Status:** Optional — scaffold via `pnpm turbo gen core-package realtime`. The package is not in the default template; this ADR documents the design that the generator emits.
 **Date:** 2026-05-08
 **Spec:** docs/superpowers/specs/2026-05-08-realtime-design.md
 **Plan:** docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-08-realtime-layer.md
diff --git a/docs/guides/realtime.md b/docs/guides/realtime.md
index b4b24c1..4cbe40a 100644
--- a/docs/guides/realtime.md
+++ b/docs/guides/realtime.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # Realtime
 
+> **Prerequisite:** This guide assumes `@repo/core-realtime` is present. If you started from the slim template, run `pnpm turbo gen core-package realtime` first.
+
 Walkthrough for adding Socket.IO realtime channels, broadcasts, and inbound handlers to a feature. For the architectural rationale, see [ADR-016](../decisions/adr-016-realtime-layer.md) and [the full spec](../superpowers/specs/2026-05-08-realtime-design.md).
 
 The three rules to keep in mind: