diff --git a/docs/modernization/debt.md b/docs/modernization/debt.md
index edf0035a..3acda3af 100644
--- a/docs/modernization/debt.md
+++ b/docs/modernization/debt.md
@@ -397,6 +397,10 @@ agent or engineer to remove them without reconstructing context from chat.
   now routes the branch dispatch object assembly through
   `make_canvas_draw_merge_branch_dispatch(...)`; the branch body still owns the
   selection guard and dispatch wiring.
+- 2026-06-15: `DEBT-0036` was narrowed again. `execute_canvas_draw_merge_branch_body()`
+  now drops the unused `draw_checkerboard` flag from the branch helper chain,
+  shrinking the helper API mismatch while `Canvas::draw_merge_branch_orchestration()`
+  still owns the remaining branch orchestration.
 - 2026-06-14: `DEBT-0036` was narrowed again. `Canvas::draw_merge_branch_orchestration()`
   now routes the temporary erase, temporary paint, texture, and blend dispatch
   bodies through retained helpers inside `execute_canvas_draw_merge_branch_body(...)`;
diff --git a/docs/modernization/roadmap.md b/docs/modernization/roadmap.md
index ba949ff7..28bb8660 100644
--- a/docs/modernization/roadmap.md
+++ b/docs/modernization/roadmap.md
@@ -3222,6 +3222,11 @@ Results:
   shared canvas blend-gate plan to decide whether they can read destination
   color through framebuffer fetch or must copy the destination texture before
   the legacy OpenGL blend draw.
+- `execute_canvas_draw_merge_branch_body()` now drops the unused
+  `draw_checkerboard` flag from the branch helper chain, shrinking the helper
+  API mismatch while `Canvas::draw_merge_branch_orchestration()` still owns the
+  remaining branch orchestration. `STR-016` remains blocked until the helper
+  shape is simplified enough to move the per-layer composite block out cleanly.
 - Canvas main-brush, dual-brush, and stroke-pad draw paths now use the tested
   `pp_paint_renderer` stroke-feedback plan to decide whether framebuffer fetch
   supplies destination color or the legacy OpenGL path must copy the target