diff --git a/.bumpversion.toml b/.bumpversion.toml
index 18b94d3..be9d30f 100644
--- a/.bumpversion.toml
+++ b/.bumpversion.toml
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 
 [tool.bumpversion]
-current_version = "2.6.0"
+current_version = "2.6.1"
 parse = "(?P<major>\\d+)\\.(?P<minor>\\d+)\\.(?P<patch>\\d+)"
 serialize = ["{major}.{minor}.{patch}"]
 
@@ -47,4 +47,4 @@ replace = '''| `{new_version}` (current) | ✅ All security fixes |
 # bump-my-version does NOT manage these files; they are listed here for discoverability.
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 [tool.bumpversion.custom_variables.core_version]
-current = "0.20.0"
+current = "0.20.1"
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index a48535a..b998008 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -9,6 +9,13 @@ All notable changes to zenzic-action are documented in this file. The project ad
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [2.6.1] - 2026-07-04
+
+## [2.6.1] - 2026-07-04
+
+### Changed
+- **Dependencies**: Pinned Zenzic core dependency to version `0.20.1` (restores slate-based dark mode and resolves Z603 Dead Suppression paradox).
+
 ## [2.6.0] - 2026-07-04
 
 ### Added
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 4abfb06..003ae70 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ Releases are managed by the internal `just` orchestrator to ensure strict synchr
 just verify
 
 # 2. Update the Zenzic core pin to the target version
-just pin-core <core-version>  # e.g., just pin-core 0.20.0
+just pin-core <core-version>  # e.g., just pin-core 0.20.1
 
 # 3. Check alignment between core and action dependencies
 just versions
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6f75fc1..67e9aac 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ The minimal configuration — zero Python setup, SARIF to Code Scanning in one s
 - name: Run Zenzic Documentation Quality Gate
   uses: PythonWoods/zenzic-action@v2
   with:
-    version: "0.20.0"
+    version: "0.20.1"
     format: sarif
     upload-sarif: "true"
   permissions:
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ Fail-closed rule:
 
 | Input | Default | Description |
 |---|---|---|
-| `version` | `0.20.0` | Zenzic version to install. Pin to a specific release for reproducible CI. Set `latest` for continuous evaluation. |
+| `version` | `0.20.1` | Zenzic version to install. Pin to a specific release for reproducible CI. Set `latest` for continuous evaluation. |
 | `format` | `sarif` | Output format: `text`, `json`, or `sarif`. |
 | `sarif-file` | `zenzic-results.sarif` | SARIF output path (when `format: sarif`). Must be a **relative** path inside the workspace. |
 | `upload-sarif` | `true` | Upload SARIF to GitHub Code Scanning. |
diff --git a/RELEASE.md b/RELEASE.md
index adcfb1e..260f99e 100644
--- a/RELEASE.md
+++ b/RELEASE.md
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 | Field   | Value      |
 | :------ | :--------- |
-| Version | v2.6.0 |
+| Version | v2.6.1 |
 | Date    | 2026-07-04 |
 | Status  | Stable     |
 
@@ -14,9 +14,9 @@
 
 Before tagging, every item must be green:
 
-- [ ] `action.yml` — `default:` pin updated to the latest Zenzic core version (`0.20.0`)
-- [ ] `package.json` version bumped to `2.6.0`
-- [ ] `pyproject.toml` — synchronized with core pin (`zenzic>=0.20.0`)
+- [ ] `action.yml` — `default:` pin updated to the latest Zenzic core version (`0.20.1`)
+- [ ] `package.json` version bumped to `2.6.1`
+- [ ] `pyproject.toml` — synchronized with core pin (`zenzic>=0.20.1`)
 - [ ] `just versions` — returns `✅ Ecosystem alignment verified.`
 - [ ] `just verify` — exits 0
 - [ ] `zenzic check .` — zero findings (DQS 100/100)
@@ -32,15 +32,15 @@ git pull origin main
 just release <patch|minor|major>
 
 # 3. Create the release tag and push
-git tag v2.6.0
+git tag v2.6.1
 git push && git push --tags
 
 # 4. Move the floating v2 tag to the new release:
-git tag -fa v2 v2.6.0^{} -m "release: v2.6.0"
+git tag -fa v2 v2.6.1^{} -m "release: v2.6.1"
 git push origin v2 --force
 
 # Verification (Atomic Parity Check):
-git rev-parse v2^{} v2.6.0^{}
+git rev-parse v2^{} v2.6.1^{}
 # SUCCESS: Both hashes must be identical.
 ```
 
diff --git a/SECURITY.md b/SECURITY.md
index 84d1b5b..9fe7b3e 100644
--- a/SECURITY.md
+++ b/SECURITY.md
@@ -75,8 +75,8 @@ by the wrapper script — it is consumed exclusively by `github/codeql-action/up
 
 | Version | Support status |
 |---------|----------------|
-| `2.6.0` (current) | ✅ All security fixes |
-| `< 2.6.0` | ❌ End of life — no support |
+| `2.6.1` (current) | ✅ All security fixes |
+| `< 2.6.1` | ❌ End of life — no support |
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/action.yml b/action.yml
index ceb07da..c177b74 100644
--- a/action.yml
+++ b/action.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ inputs:
   version:
     description: "Zenzic version to use. Defaults to latest stable."
     required: false
-    default: "0.20.0" # x-zenzic-core-pin
+    default: "0.20.1" # x-zenzic-core-pin
   format:
     description: "Output format: 'text', 'json', or 'sarif'."
     required: false
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 2c7ab7a..9267c5c 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "zenzic-action",
-  "version": "2.6.0",
+  "version": "2.6.1",
   "private": true,
   "description": "Official GitHub Action for Zenzic — Documentation Quality Gate",
   "license": "Apache-2.0",
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 4463493..bd4fea7 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ license = {text = "Apache-2.0"}
 authors = [{name = "PythonWoods", email = "dev@pythonwoods.dev"}]
 dynamic = ["version"]
 dependencies = [
-    "zenzic>=0.20.0",
+    "zenzic>=0.20.1",
 ]
 
 [project.urls]