diff --git a/lib/connector/meshcore_protocol.dart b/lib/connector/meshcore_protocol.dart
index e3e9886f..55a609f9 100644
--- a/lib/connector/meshcore_protocol.dart
+++ b/lib/connector/meshcore_protocol.dart
@@ -552,6 +552,15 @@ const int offbandCapBlock = 0x02;
 /// FEM-bearing boards report false today.
 const int offbandCapFemLna = 0x04;
 
+// POPULATION INVARIANT (#875-#877): every `offbandCaps`-anchored gate below is
+// safe against stock 1.18+ devices ONLY because the connector nulls the caps
+// bytes unless the population classifier corroborates the fork layout
+// (device_population.dart). The ver-code floors in these gates are FORK
+// contract numbers; stock reuses 14+ with different meanings, so a bare
+// `firmwareVerCode >=` comparison may only be added for codes BELOW 14
+// (pre-split, same meaning everywhere: see supportsCompanionRadioStats >= 8
+// and firmwareSupportsRegionScope >= 13) or behind a caps-anchored gate here.
+
 bool firmwareSupportsOffbandFemLna(int? offbandCaps) =>
     offbandCaps != null && (offbandCaps & offbandCapFemLna) != 0;
 
diff --git a/test/device_population_test.dart b/test/device_population_test.dart
index 4f100e87..f1c60259 100644
--- a/test/device_population_test.dart
+++ b/test/device_population_test.dart
@@ -242,5 +242,22 @@ void main() {
       );
       expect(connector.offbandCaps, isNull);
     });
+
+    test('fork gates never open on a stock device, whatever its ver code'
+        ' (#877): stock reuses the fork range 14+ with other meanings', () {
+      // A hypothetical future stock device reporting ver 22 (the fork's
+      // current contract number) must not light any Offband capability.
+      connector.handleFrameForTest(
+        deviceInfo(verCode: 22, version: 'v9.9.9'),
+      );
+      expect(connector.supportsOffbandGps, isFalse);
+      expect(connector.supportsOffbandBlock, isFalse);
+      expect(connector.supportsOffbandFemLna, isFalse);
+      expect(connector.supportsButtonMatrix, isFalse);
+      expect(connector.supportsNotifyScope, isFalse);
+      expect(connector.supportsPktHash, isFalse);
+      // Pre-split floors (same meaning on every population) stay available.
+      expect(connector.supportsCompanionRadioStats, isTrue);
+    });
   });
 }