diff --git a/docs/modernization/tasks.md b/docs/modernization/tasks.md
index 7045ccf..b0f45d4 100644
--- a/docs/modernization/tasks.md
+++ b/docs/modernization/tasks.md
@@ -2168,6 +2168,34 @@ Validation:
 ctest --preset desktop-fast --build-config Debug -R "pp_paint_renderer_compositor|pp_paint_renderer_stroke_execution" --output-onfailure
 ```
 
+### STR-051 - Extract Draw Merge Branch Dispatch Bodies
+
+Status: Ready
+Score: no score movement
+Debt: `DEBT-0036`
+Scope: `src/canvas.cpp`, `src/legacy_canvas_draw_merge_services.h`, `tests/paint_renderer/compositor_tests.cpp`
+
+Goal:
+
+Move the remaining temporary erase, texture, and blend dispatch bodies used by
+`execute_canvas_draw_merge_branch_body()` into retained helpers so the branch
+body keeps only helper dispatch.
+
+Done Checks:
+
+- `execute_canvas_draw_merge_branch_body()` no longer owns the temporary erase,
+  texture, and blend dispatch bodies inline.
+- Regression coverage proves the extracted helpers preserve temporary erase,
+  texture, and blend execution order.
+- `docs/modernization/debt.md` records the reduced draw-merge branch-dispatch
+  surface.
+
+Validation:
+
+```powershell
+ctest --preset desktop-fast --build-config Debug -R "pp_paint_renderer_compositor|pp_paint_renderer_stroke_execution" --output-onfailure
+```
+
 ### STR-010 - Extract Remaining Draw Merge Composite Orchestration
 
 ### STR-016 - Extract Draw Merge Layer Composite Execution