diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 88ee72e..eac407b 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ and versions are tracked in the repo-root `VERSION` file.
 
 - Bound the core Click and PyYAML dependency windows, publish the tested
   compatibility matrix, and document the dependency update policy.
+- Move PyYAML behind the optional `base-cli[yaml]` extra and provide an
+  actionable installation hint when YAML configuration or output is selected.
 
 ### Added
 
diff --git a/docs/adopter-readiness.md b/docs/adopter-readiness.md
index 6da2b4d..59f6dbd 100644
--- a/docs/adopter-readiness.md
+++ b/docs/adopter-readiness.md
@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@ Before the first production pilot, the adopter should be able to check every
 box below:
 
 - [ ] Pin a supported `base-cli` minor release (for example, `~=0.4.0`) and
-  record Click, PyYAML, and any optional integration versions in a lock file.
+  record Click, the optional YAML extra (when used), and any other integration
+  versions in a lock file.
 - [ ] Run the adopter's command suite on CPython 3.10--3.14 on every platform
   the product supports; retain at least one installed-wheel smoke job.
 - [ ] Use only the documented `base_cli` facade and module `__all__` exports;
diff --git a/docs/api-stability.md b/docs/api-stability.md
index 14bb6ab..367ebae 100644
--- a/docs/api-stability.md
+++ b/docs/api-stability.md
@@ -48,9 +48,10 @@ warning where practical, a migration path, and a changelog entry. Consumers
 that need a frozen API should pin a minor release (for example, `~=0.4.0`).
 
 The core package requires Python `>=3.10` and currently tests CPython 3.10
-through 3.14 on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Core runtime dependencies are
-Click `>=8.1,<9` and PyYAML `>=6.0,<7`. Optional integrations are
-independently versioned and constrained in `pyproject.toml`: Typer
+through 3.14 on Linux, macOS, and Windows. The core runtime dependency is
+Click `>=8.1,<9`; YAML configuration and YAML output are provided by the
+optional `base-cli[yaml]` extra, which supplies PyYAML `>=6.0,<7`. Other
+optional integrations are independently versioned and constrained in `pyproject.toml`: Typer
 `>=0.12,<0.28`, Rich `>=13.7,<15`, and OpenTelemetry API `>=1.24,<2`. The
 lower bounds are the minimum supported versions; a dependency major release
 is supported only after it passes the compatibility suite. The tested core
diff --git a/docs/dependency-support.md b/docs/dependency-support.md
index 7e1caef..321e4d2 100644
--- a/docs/dependency-support.md
+++ b/docs/dependency-support.md
@@ -10,11 +10,10 @@ documents the versions covered by CI and the process for widening a window.
 | --- | --- | --- | --- |
 | Python | `>=3.10,<4` (CPython 3.10--3.14) | Every OS test job | Drop an end-of-life line only in a documented compatibility release |
 | Click | `>=8.1,<9` | 8.1 and 8.2 lines on Python 3.10 and 3.14 | Review the next major before widening the upper bound |
-| PyYAML | `>=6.0,<7` | 6.0 line on Python 3.10 and 3.14 | Keep YAML optionality and parser behavior covered by profile tests |
+| YAML extra | `PyYAML>=6.0,<7` | 6.0 line on Python 3.10 and 3.14 | Install `base-cli[yaml]`; keep parser behavior covered by profile tests |
 
-The `base-cli[yaml]` extra is planned as the minimal installation for YAML
-profiles. Until that extra is released, PyYAML remains part of the core
-runtime metadata.
+The `base-cli[yaml]` extra is the minimal installation for YAML profiles.
+Generic consumers can install the core package without PyYAML.
 
 ## Optional integrations
 
diff --git a/docs/local-config.md b/docs/local-config.md
index 207b919..af852ab 100644
--- a/docs/local-config.md
+++ b/docs/local-config.md
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ The consumer owns the configuration schema, merge semantics, and operational
 choice of whether to back up or synchronize its machine-local files.
 
 Applications that prefer conventional policy can opt into
-`CliProfile.batteries_included("tool")`. It loads optional platform-aware user,
+`CliProfile.batteries_included("tool")` after installing the `base-cli[yaml]`
+extra. It loads optional platform-aware user,
 project, environment, and explicit YAML layers with documented precedence and
 records the winning source for each key in `Context.config_provenance`. Its
 reserved lifecycle keys are validated separately as `Context.framework_config`;
diff --git a/docs/output-contracts.md b/docs/output-contracts.md
index 6949406..880e0ae 100644
--- a/docs/output-contracts.md
+++ b/docs/output-contracts.md
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 # Output contracts
 
 `base_cli.output.render_records()` supports `text`, `csv`, `tsv`, `yaml`, and
-`json` formats. The requested `text` format is presentation-aware: it renders
+`json` formats. Install `base-cli[yaml]` before selecting `yaml`; the other
+formats are available from the core package. The requested `text` format is presentation-aware: it renders
 a table on a TTY and tab-delimited rows when stdout is redirected or piped.
 
 Delimited output is intentionally automation-friendly:
diff --git a/docs/platform-support.md b/docs/platform-support.md
index 74a3833..a3ceebe 100644
--- a/docs/platform-support.md
+++ b/docs/platform-support.md
@@ -36,7 +36,8 @@ filesystem.
 
 ## Dependency support
 
-The core runtime dependency contract is Click `>=8.1,<9` and PyYAML
+The core runtime dependency contract is Click `>=8.1,<9`. YAML configuration
+and YAML output use the optional `base-cli[yaml]` extra, which supplies PyYAML
 `>=6.0,<7`. The lower bound is the oldest supported line; the upper bound
 prevents an unreviewed major release from entering a production install. The
 CI [dependency matrix](https://github.com/basefoundry/base-cli/actions/workflows/dependency-matrix.yml)
diff --git a/examples/nested_click_app/README.md b/examples/nested_click_app/README.md
index c06e63c..227e205 100644
--- a/examples/nested_click_app/README.md
+++ b/examples/nested_click_app/README.md
@@ -22,7 +22,8 @@ silently read global files or environment variables.
 ## Output and errors
 
 `base-nested status --format json` emits stable records suitable for automation;
-`text`, `csv`, `tsv`, and `yaml` are also supported. Click retains its normal
+`text`, `csv`, and `tsv` are available from the core package. Install
+`base-cli[yaml]` to enable `yaml` output. Click retains its normal
 usage errors and exit codes. Plugin import failures are reported per plugin so
 a broken optional extension cannot hide healthy ones.
 
diff --git a/lib/python/base_cli/_dependencies.py b/lib/python/base_cli/_dependencies.py
index ea970a8..32346e0 100644
--- a/lib/python/base_cli/_dependencies.py
+++ b/lib/python/base_cli/_dependencies.py
@@ -6,10 +6,12 @@
 
 
 def require_yaml(error_message: str) -> Any:
-    """Import PyYAML or raise the caller's feature-specific error."""
+    """Import PyYAML or explain how to enable the optional YAML feature."""
 
     try:
         import yaml
     except ImportError as exc:
-        raise RuntimeError(error_message) from exc
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"{error_message} Install the optional dependency with `python -m pip install 'base-cli[yaml]'`."
+        ) from exc
     return yaml
diff --git a/lib/python/base_cli/config.py b/lib/python/base_cli/config.py
index 87a9f92..3de0f29 100644
--- a/lib/python/base_cli/config.py
+++ b/lib/python/base_cli/config.py
@@ -232,7 +232,10 @@ def load_yaml_file(path: Path, *, required: bool = False) -> dict[str, Any]:
     elif not path.is_file():
         return {}
 
-    yaml = require_yaml("PyYAML is required to load the explicit CLI configuration file.")
+    try:
+        yaml = require_yaml("PyYAML is required to load the explicit CLI configuration file.")
+    except RuntimeError as exc:
+        raise ConfigurationError(str(exc)) from exc
 
     try:
         contents = path.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
diff --git a/lib/python/base_cli/output.py b/lib/python/base_cli/output.py
index eeea218..3962d3c 100644
--- a/lib/python/base_cli/output.py
+++ b/lib/python/base_cli/output.py
@@ -106,7 +106,10 @@ def render_records(
         return resolved
 
     if resolved == "yaml":
-        yaml = require_yaml("PyYAML is required for YAML output.")
+        try:
+            yaml = require_yaml("PyYAML is required for YAML output.")
+        except RuntimeError as exc:
+            raise OutputFormatError(str(exc)) from exc
         target.write(yaml.safe_dump(record_list, sort_keys=False, allow_unicode=True))
         return resolved
 
@@ -148,7 +151,10 @@ def render_document(
         target.write("\n")
         return resolved
     if resolved == "yaml":
-        yaml = require_yaml("PyYAML is required for YAML output.")
+        try:
+            yaml = require_yaml("PyYAML is required for YAML output.")
+        except RuntimeError as exc:
+            raise OutputFormatError(str(exc)) from exc
         target.write(yaml.safe_dump(dict(document), sort_keys=False, allow_unicode=True))
         return resolved
 
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index d5ace10..7a0d782 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -42,14 +42,17 @@ classifiers = [
 ]
 dependencies = [
   "click>=8.1,<9",
-  "PyYAML>=6.0,<7",
 ]
 
 [project.optional-dependencies]
+yaml = [
+  "PyYAML>=6.0,<7",
+]
 dev = [
   "build>=1.2",
   "hypothesis>=6.100,<7",
   "mypy>=1.17,<2",
+  "PyYAML>=6.0,<7",
   "pytest>=8.0",
   "types-PyYAML>=6.0,<7",
 ]
diff --git a/scripts/validate_package_artifact.py b/scripts/validate_package_artifact.py
index 6965ae2..6e2020c 100644
--- a/scripts/validate_package_artifact.py
+++ b/scripts/validate_package_artifact.py
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@
 PACKAGE_NAME = "base-cli"
 IMPORT_NAME = "base_cli"
 MINIMUM_PYTHON = ">=3.10"
-REQUIRED_DEPENDENCIES = ("click<9,>=8.1", "PyYAML<7,>=6.0")
+REQUIRED_DEPENDENCIES = ("click<9,>=8.1",)
+YAML_DEPENDENCY_PREFIX = "PyYAML<7,>=6.0"
 DOCUMENTATION_URL = "Documentation, https://basefoundry.github.io/base-cli/"
 ALLOWED_WHEEL_DIST_INFO_FILES = frozenset({"METADATA", "RECORD", "WHEEL", "top_level.txt", "entry_points.txt"})
 ALLOWED_SDIST_FILES = frozenset(
@@ -88,6 +89,19 @@ def validate_wheel(path: Path, expected_version: str, package_files: set[str]) -
         for dependency in REQUIRED_DEPENDENCIES:
             if dependency not in dependencies:
                 fail(f"{path.name} is missing runtime dependency {dependency!r}")
+        if metadata.get("Provides-Extra") != "yaml":
+            extras = metadata.get_all("Provides-Extra", [])
+            if "yaml" not in extras:
+                fail(f"{path.name} does not advertise the yaml optional extra")
+        yaml_dependencies = {
+            dependency
+            for dependency in dependencies
+            if dependency.startswith(YAML_DEPENDENCY_PREFIX) and 'extra == "yaml"' in dependency
+        }
+        if not yaml_dependencies:
+            fail(f"{path.name} does not bind PyYAML to the yaml optional extra")
+        if any(dependency == YAML_DEPENDENCY_PREFIX for dependency in dependencies):
+            fail(f"{path.name} makes PyYAML a core dependency instead of an optional extra")
         if DOCUMENTATION_URL not in metadata.get_all("Project-URL", []):
             fail(f"{path.name} is missing the canonical Documentation project URL")
 
diff --git a/tests/test_optional_yaml_dependency.py b/tests/test_optional_yaml_dependency.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9e5b1d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_optional_yaml_dependency.py
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import io
+import sys
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+from unittest import mock
+
+import base_cli
+from base_cli.config import load_yaml_file
+from base_cli.errors import ConfigurationError
+from base_cli.output import OutputFormatError, render_records
+
+
+class OptionalYamlDependencyTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_yaml_output_explains_optional_install_when_yaml_is_missing(self) -> None:
+        stream = io.StringIO()
+        with mock.patch.dict(sys.modules, {"yaml": None}):
+            with self.assertRaisesRegex(OutputFormatError, r"base-cli\[yaml\]"):
+                render_records(
+                    ({"name": "value"},),
+                    requested_format="yaml",
+                    columns=(("NAME", "name"),),
+                    stream=stream,
+                )
+
+    def test_yaml_config_explains_optional_install_when_yaml_is_missing(self) -> None:
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tmpdir:
+            path = Path(tmpdir) / "config.yaml"
+            path.write_text("answer: 42\n", encoding="utf-8")
+            with mock.patch.dict(sys.modules, {"yaml": None}):
+                with self.assertRaisesRegex(ConfigurationError, r"base-cli\[yaml\]"):
+                    load_yaml_file(path, required=True)
+
+    def test_core_facade_import_does_not_import_yaml(self) -> None:
+        self.assertIn("base_cli", sys.modules)
+        self.assertTrue(hasattr(base_cli, "App"))
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()
diff --git a/tests/validate.sh b/tests/validate.sh
index 483d3d3..96fcbf7 100755
--- a/tests/validate.sh
+++ b/tests/validate.sh
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ required_files=(
   docs/releasing.md
   docs/index.md
   docs/api-stability.md
+  docs/dependency-support.md
   docs/user-config-typing.md
   docs/migrations.md
   docs/security-threat-model.md