diff --git a/.github/scripts/check_otel_wheel_dependencies.py b/.github/scripts/check_otel_wheel_dependencies.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..aaf43f2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/scripts/check_otel_wheel_dependencies.py
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import argparse
+import email
+import zipfile
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from packaging.requirements import Requirement
+from packaging.utils import canonicalize_name
+
+
+EXPECTED_STANDALONE_DEPENDENCIES = {
+    "opentelemetry-api",
+    "opentelemetry-propagator-aws-xray",
+    "opentelemetry-sdk",
+}
+
+
+def check_otel_wheel_dependencies(wheel: Path) -> None:
+    """Validate that OpenTelemetry dependencies are layer-provided by default."""
+    requirements = _read_requirements(wheel)
+    base_otel_dependencies = {
+        canonicalize_name(requirement.name)
+        for requirement in requirements
+        if canonicalize_name(requirement.name).startswith("opentelemetry-")
+        and (requirement.marker is None or requirement.marker.evaluate({"extra": ""}))
+    }
+    if base_otel_dependencies:
+        names = ", ".join(sorted(base_otel_dependencies))
+        raise ValueError(
+            f"{wheel.name} installs OpenTelemetry dependencies by default: {names}"
+        )
+
+    standalone_dependencies = {
+        canonicalize_name(requirement.name)
+        for requirement in requirements
+        if canonicalize_name(requirement.name).startswith("opentelemetry-")
+        and requirement.marker is not None
+        and requirement.marker.evaluate({"extra": "standalone"})
+    }
+    if standalone_dependencies != EXPECTED_STANDALONE_DEPENDENCIES:
+        expected = ", ".join(sorted(EXPECTED_STANDALONE_DEPENDENCIES))
+        actual = ", ".join(sorted(standalone_dependencies)) or "none"
+        raise ValueError(
+            f"{wheel.name} standalone OpenTelemetry dependencies must be "
+            f"{expected}; found {actual}"
+        )
+
+
+def _read_requirements(wheel: Path) -> list[Requirement]:
+    if not wheel.is_file():
+        raise FileNotFoundError(wheel)
+
+    with zipfile.ZipFile(wheel) as archive:
+        metadata_files = [
+            name for name in archive.namelist() if name.endswith(".dist-info/METADATA")
+        ]
+        if len(metadata_files) != 1:
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"{wheel.name} must contain exactly one dist-info/METADATA file"
+            )
+        metadata = email.message_from_bytes(archive.read(metadata_files[0]))
+
+    return [
+        Requirement(value) for value in metadata.get_all("Requires-Dist", failobj=[])
+    ]
+
+
+def main(argv: list[str] | None = None) -> int:
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
+        description="Validate the OTel plugin wheel dependency contract."
+    )
+    parser.add_argument("wheel", type=Path)
+    args = parser.parse_args(argv)
+
+    check_otel_wheel_dependencies(args.wheel)
+    print(args.wheel)
+    return 0
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    raise SystemExit(main())
diff --git a/.github/scripts/tests/test_check_otel_wheel_dependencies.py b/.github/scripts/tests/test_check_otel_wheel_dependencies.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0e45f803
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/scripts/tests/test_check_otel_wheel_dependencies.py
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import sys
+import zipfile
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import pytest
+
+
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(__file__)))
+
+from check_otel_wheel_dependencies import check_otel_wheel_dependencies
+
+
+def _write_wheel(tmp_path: Path, requirements: tuple[str, ...]) -> Path:
+    wheel = tmp_path / "aws_durable_execution_sdk_python_otel-1.0.0-py3-none-any.whl"
+    metadata = [
+        "Metadata-Version: 2.4",
+        "Name: aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel",
+        "Version: 1.0.0",
+        *(f"Requires-Dist: {requirement}" for requirement in requirements),
+        "",
+    ]
+    with zipfile.ZipFile(wheel, "w") as archive:
+        archive.writestr(
+            "aws_durable_execution_sdk_python_otel-1.0.0.dist-info/METADATA",
+            "\n".join(metadata),
+        )
+    return wheel
+
+
+def test_accepts_layer_provided_dependencies_with_standalone_extra(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+) -> None:
+    wheel = _write_wheel(
+        tmp_path,
+        (
+            "aws-durable-execution-sdk-python>=1.8.0",
+            "OpenTelemetry_API>=1.20.0; extra == 'standalone'",
+            "opentelemetry.sdk>=1.20.0; extra == 'standalone'",
+            "OpenTelemetry-Propagator_AWS-XRay; extra == 'standalone'",
+        ),
+    )
+
+    check_otel_wheel_dependencies(wheel)
+
+
+def test_rejects_default_opentelemetry_dependency(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+    wheel = _write_wheel(
+        tmp_path,
+        (
+            "aws-durable-execution-sdk-python>=1.8.0",
+            "opentelemetry-sdk>=1.20.0",
+            "opentelemetry-api>=1.20.0; extra == 'standalone'",
+            "opentelemetry-sdk>=1.20.0; extra == 'standalone'",
+            "opentelemetry-propagator-aws-xray; extra == 'standalone'",
+        ),
+    )
+
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="installs OpenTelemetry dependencies"):
+        check_otel_wheel_dependencies(wheel)
+
+
+def test_rejects_noncanonical_default_opentelemetry_dependency(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+) -> None:
+    wheel = _write_wheel(
+        tmp_path,
+        (
+            "aws-durable-execution-sdk-python>=1.8.0",
+            "OpenTelemetry_SDK>=1.20.0",
+            "opentelemetry-api>=1.20.0; extra == 'standalone'",
+            "opentelemetry-sdk>=1.20.0; extra == 'standalone'",
+            "opentelemetry-propagator-aws-xray; extra == 'standalone'",
+        ),
+    )
+
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="installs OpenTelemetry dependencies"):
+        check_otel_wheel_dependencies(wheel)
+
+
+def test_rejects_incomplete_standalone_extra(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+    wheel = _write_wheel(
+        tmp_path,
+        (
+            "aws-durable-execution-sdk-python>=1.8.0",
+            "opentelemetry-api>=1.20.0; extra == 'standalone'",
+            "opentelemetry-sdk>=1.20.0; extra == 'standalone'",
+        ),
+    )
+
+    with pytest.raises(
+        ValueError, match="standalone OpenTelemetry dependencies must be"
+    ):
+        check_otel_wheel_dependencies(wheel)
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 42b6a50a..63c4b44c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -70,6 +70,11 @@ jobs:
             cd "$GITHUB_WORKSPACE"
           fi
         done
+    - name: Verify OTel wheel dependency contract
+      run: |
+        OTEL_WHEEL=$(find packages/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel/dist \
+          -name 'aws_durable_execution_sdk_python_otel-*.whl' -print -quit)
+        python .github/scripts/check_otel_wheel_dependencies.py "$OTEL_WHEEL"
     - name: Verify legal files in published distributions
       run: |
         python .github/scripts/check_dist_legal_files.py \
diff --git a/.github/workflows/lambda-layer-publish.yml b/.github/workflows/lambda-layer-publish.yml
index b28c9792..593ff96a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/lambda-layer-publish.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/lambda-layer-publish.yml
@@ -120,6 +120,12 @@ jobs:
         working-directory: packages/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel
         run: hatch build
 
+      - name: Verify OTel wheel dependency contract
+        run: |
+          OTEL_WHEEL=$(find packages/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel/dist \
+            -name 'aws_durable_execution_sdk_python_otel-*.whl' -print -quit)
+          python .github/scripts/check_otel_wheel_dependencies.py "$OTEL_WHEEL"
+
       - name: Verify legal files
         run: |
           python .github/scripts/check_dist_legal_files.py \
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-parser.yml b/.github/workflows/test-parser.yml
index abb8101c..59364b04 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-parser.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-parser.yml
@@ -4,16 +4,20 @@ on:
   pull_request:
     paths:
       - '.github/scripts/build_lambda_layer.py'
+      - '.github/scripts/check_otel_wheel_dependencies.py'
       - '.github/scripts/parse_sdk_branch.py'
       - '.github/scripts/tests/**'
       - '.github/workflows/opentelemetry-conformance-tests.yml'
+      - 'packages/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel/pyproject.toml'
   push:
     branches: [ main ]
     paths:
       - '.github/scripts/build_lambda_layer.py'
+      - '.github/scripts/check_otel_wheel_dependencies.py'
       - '.github/scripts/parse_sdk_branch.py'
       - '.github/scripts/tests/**'
       - '.github/workflows/opentelemetry-conformance-tests.yml'
+      - 'packages/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel/pyproject.toml'
 
 permissions:
   contents: read
@@ -25,11 +29,12 @@ jobs:
     - uses: actions/checkout@3d3c42e5aac5ba805825da76410c181273ba90b1  # v7.0.1
 
     - name: Install test dependencies
-      run: python -m pip install pytest
+      run: python -m pip install packaging pytest
 
     - name: Run script tests
       run: |
         python -m pytest \
           .github/scripts/tests/test_build_lambda_layer.py \
+          .github/scripts/tests/test_check_otel_wheel_dependencies.py \
           .github/scripts/tests/test_opentelemetry_conformance_workflow.py \
           .github/scripts/tests/test_parse_sdk_branch.py
diff --git a/packages/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel/README.md b/packages/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel/README.md
index 89a58302..4adcf32b 100644
--- a/packages/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel/README.md
+++ b/packages/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel/README.md
@@ -14,10 +14,27 @@ OpenTelemetry instrumentation plugin for the [AWS Durable Execution SDK for Pyth
 
 ## Installation
 
+When using an ADOT or community OpenTelemetry Lambda layer:
+
 ```bash
 pip install aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel
 ```
 
+The base package intentionally does not install OpenTelemetry libraries. The
+Lambda layer supplies a version-aligned API, SDK, exporter, and propagators,
+preventing packages in the function artifact from shadowing parts of the layer.
+
+For an application that configures its own OpenTelemetry provider instead of
+using a Lambda layer:
+
+```bash
+pip install "aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel[standalone]"
+```
+
+The `standalone` extra installs the OpenTelemetry API, SDK, and AWS X-Ray
+propagator. The application remains responsible for configuring its provider,
+processors, and exporter.
+
 ## Quick Start using X-Ray/CloudWatch Tracing
 
 1. Add the [ADOT Lambda Layer](#1-adot-lambda-layer) to your function and set `AWS_LAMBDA_EXEC_WRAPPER=/opt/otel-instrument`
@@ -306,8 +323,7 @@ setups.
 
 - Python >= 3.11
 - `aws-durable-execution-sdk-python` >= 1.8.0
-- `opentelemetry-api` >= 1.20.0
-- `opentelemetry-sdk` >= 1.20.0
+- An ADOT/community OpenTelemetry Lambda layer, or the `standalone` extra
 
 ## License
 
diff --git a/packages/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel/pyproject.toml b/packages/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel/pyproject.toml
index 9df29594..380fc473 100644
--- a/packages/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel/pyproject.toml
+++ b/packages/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel/pyproject.toml
@@ -23,15 +23,21 @@ classifiers = [
 ]
 dependencies = [
   "aws-durable-execution-sdk-python>=1.8.0",
-  "opentelemetry-api>=1.20.0",
-  "opentelemetry-sdk>=1.20.0",
-  "opentelemetry-propagator-aws-xray",
 ]
 
 [project.entry-points."aws_durable_execution.plugins"]
 otel-invocation = "aws_durable_execution_sdk_python_otel.plugin_provider:INVOCATION_OTEL_PLUGIN_PROVIDER"
 otel-execution = "aws_durable_execution_sdk_python_otel.plugin_provider:EXECUTION_OTEL_PLUGIN_PROVIDER"
 
+[project.optional-dependencies]
+# Lambda telemetry layers provide a version-aligned OpenTelemetry distribution.
+# Use this extra only when the application configures OpenTelemetry itself.
+standalone = [
+  "opentelemetry-api>=1.20.0",
+  "opentelemetry-sdk>=1.20.0",
+  "opentelemetry-propagator-aws-xray",
+]
+
 [project.urls]
 Documentation = "https://github.com/aws/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python#readme"
 Issues = "https://github.com/aws/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python/issues"
diff --git a/packages/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel/tests/test_package_metadata.py b/packages/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel/tests/test_package_metadata.py
index b3daf746..6cb0570c 100644
--- a/packages/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel/tests/test_package_metadata.py
+++ b/packages/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel/tests/test_package_metadata.py
@@ -5,6 +5,15 @@
 PACKAGE_ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1]
 REPOSITORY_ROOT = PACKAGE_ROOT.parents[1]
 CORE_DEPENDENCY = "aws-durable-execution-sdk-python>=1.8.0"
+TEST_OTEL_DEPENDENCIES = {
+    "opentelemetry-sdk>=1.20.0",
+    "opentelemetry-propagator-aws-xray",
+}
+STANDALONE_OTEL_DEPENDENCIES = {
+    "opentelemetry-api>=1.20.0",
+    "opentelemetry-sdk>=1.20.0",
+    "opentelemetry-propagator-aws-xray",
+}
 
 
 def _load_pyproject(path: Path) -> dict:
@@ -29,6 +38,42 @@ def test_package_requires_compatible_core_sdk() -> None:
     assert CORE_DEPENDENCY in dependencies
 
 
+def test_package_relies_on_layer_for_opentelemetry_dependencies() -> None:
+    dependencies = _load_pyproject(PACKAGE_ROOT / "pyproject.toml")["project"][
+        "dependencies"
+    ]
+
+    assert not any(
+        dependency.startswith("opentelemetry-") for dependency in dependencies
+    )
+
+
+def test_standalone_extra_provides_opentelemetry_dependencies() -> None:
+    standalone_dependencies = _load_pyproject(PACKAGE_ROOT / "pyproject.toml")[
+        "project"
+    ]["optional-dependencies"]["standalone"]
+
+    assert set(standalone_dependencies) == STANDALONE_OTEL_DEPENDENCIES
+
+
+def test_test_environments_install_layer_provided_dependencies() -> None:
+    environments = _load_pyproject(REPOSITORY_ROOT / "pyproject.toml")["tool"]["hatch"][
+        "envs"
+    ]
+
+    for environment_name in (
+        "test",
+        "dev-otel",
+        "dev-examples",
+        "test-pypi-otel",
+        "test-pypi-examples",
+    ):
+        assert TEST_OTEL_DEPENDENCIES <= set(
+            environments[environment_name]["dependencies"]
+        )
+    assert TEST_OTEL_DEPENDENCIES <= set(environments["types"]["extra-dependencies"])
+
+
 def test_pypi_compatibility_environment_uses_compatible_core_sdk() -> None:
     dependencies = _load_pyproject(REPOSITORY_ROOT / "pyproject.toml")["tool"]["hatch"][
         "envs"
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 9aca6da7..0d5b48ba 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ dependencies = [
   "pytest-cov",
   "pytest-xdist",
   "opentelemetry-sdk>=1.20.0",
+  "opentelemetry-propagator-aws-xray",
   "aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-testing",
   "PyYAML==6.0.2",
 ]
@@ -49,6 +50,7 @@ extra-dependencies = [
   "pytest",
   "boto3-stubs[lambda]",
   "opentelemetry-sdk>=1.20.0",
+  "opentelemetry-propagator-aws-xray",
 ]
 
 [tool.hatch.envs.types.scripts]
@@ -80,6 +82,7 @@ dependencies = [
   "pytest-cov",
   "coverage[toml]",
   "opentelemetry-sdk>=1.20.0",
+  "opentelemetry-propagator-aws-xray",
   "mypy>=1.0.0",
 ]
 
@@ -115,6 +118,8 @@ workspace.members = [
 dependencies = [
   "pytest",
   "aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-testing",
+  "opentelemetry-sdk>=1.20.0",
+  "opentelemetry-propagator-aws-xray",
 ]
 
 [tool.hatch.envs.dev-examples.scripts]
@@ -124,6 +129,7 @@ test = "pytest packages/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-examples/test {args}"
 dependencies = [
   "aws-durable-execution-sdk-python>=1.8.0",
   "opentelemetry-sdk>=1.20.0",
+  "opentelemetry-propagator-aws-xray",
   "pytest",
   "pytest-cov",
   "coverage[toml]",
@@ -139,6 +145,8 @@ test = "pytest packages/aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-otel/tests {args}"
 dependencies = [
   "aws-durable-execution-sdk-python",
   "aws-durable-execution-sdk-python-testing",
+  "opentelemetry-sdk>=1.20.0",
+  "opentelemetry-propagator-aws-xray",
   "pytest",
 ]
 pre-install-commands = [