diff --git a/deployer/crates/deployer-types/src/lib.rs b/deployer/crates/deployer-types/src/lib.rs
index 3fafaa8..20cbdcf 100644
--- a/deployer/crates/deployer-types/src/lib.rs
+++ b/deployer/crates/deployer-types/src/lib.rs
@@ -319,6 +319,14 @@ fn default_dns_ttl() -> u32 {
     30
 }
 
+fn default_service_dependency_condition() -> ServiceDependencyCondition {
+    ServiceDependencyCondition::Healthy
+}
+
+fn default_service_dependency_min_ready() -> u32 {
+    1
+}
+
 /// Process specification executed by node-agent for a scheduled instance.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq, Default)]
 pub struct ProcessSpec {
@@ -542,6 +550,37 @@ pub struct ServicePublicationSpec {
     pub load_balancer: Option<LoadBalancerPublicationSpec>,
 }
 
+/// Readiness condition required from another service before this service can reconcile.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq, Default)]
+#[serde(rename_all = "snake_case")]
+pub enum ServiceDependencyCondition {
+    /// Require a minimum number of healthy dependency instances.
+    #[default]
+    Healthy,
+    /// Require the dependency to publish at least one DNS or load-balancer artifact.
+    Published,
+}
+
+/// Dependency edge between scheduler-managed services.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub struct ServiceDependencySpec {
+    pub service: String,
+    #[serde(default = "default_service_dependency_condition")]
+    pub condition: ServiceDependencyCondition,
+    #[serde(default = "default_service_dependency_min_ready")]
+    pub min_ready: u32,
+}
+
+impl Default for ServiceDependencySpec {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self {
+            service: String::new(),
+            condition: default_service_dependency_condition(),
+            min_ready: default_service_dependency_min_ready(),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// Cluster node record stored under photoncloud/clusters/{cluster_id}/nodes/{node_id}.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub struct ClusterNodeRecord {
@@ -849,6 +888,8 @@ pub struct ServiceSpec {
     #[serde(default)]
     pub mesh_mode: Option<String>,
     #[serde(default)]
+    pub depends_on: Vec<ServiceDependencySpec>,
+    #[serde(default)]
     pub schedule: Option<ServiceScheduleSpec>,
     #[serde(default)]
     pub publish: Option<ServicePublicationSpec>,
@@ -915,6 +956,30 @@ pub struct ServicePublicationState {
     pub observed_at: Option<DateTime<Utc>>,
 }
 
+/// Scheduler-observed readiness and dependency state for a logical service.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq, Default)]
+pub struct ServiceStatusRecord {
+    pub service: String,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub phase: String,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub desired_instances: u32,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub scheduled_instances: u32,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub healthy_instances: u32,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub publish_ready: bool,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub dependencies_ready: bool,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub blockers: Vec<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub message: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub observed_at: Option<DateTime<Utc>>,
+}
+
 /// mTLS policy definition.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub struct MtlsPolicySpec {
diff --git a/deployer/crates/fleet-scheduler/src/main.rs b/deployer/crates/fleet-scheduler/src/main.rs
index c7d9b74..10e920b 100644
--- a/deployer/crates/fleet-scheduler/src/main.rs
+++ b/deployer/crates/fleet-scheduler/src/main.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,8 @@ use chainfire_client::Client;
 use chrono::Utc;
 use clap::Parser;
 use deployer_types::{
-    ClusterNodeRecord, PlacementPolicy, ServiceInstanceSpec, ServiceScheduleMode, ServiceSpec,
+    ClusterNodeRecord, PlacementPolicy, ServiceDependencyCondition, ServiceInstanceSpec,
+    ServicePublicationState, ServiceScheduleMode, ServiceSpec, ServiceStatusRecord,
 };
 use publish::{PublicationConfig, PublicationReconciler};
 use serde_json::Value;
@@ -90,6 +91,12 @@ struct ReconcilePlan {
     deferred_deletes: usize,
 }
 
+#[derive(Debug, Default)]
+struct DependencySummary {
+    dependencies_ready: bool,
+    blockers: Vec<String>,
+}
+
 impl Scheduler {
     fn new(cli: Cli) -> Self {
         let cluster_namespace = cli.cluster_namespace;
@@ -135,6 +142,18 @@ impl Scheduler {
         let mut client = Client::connect(self.endpoint.clone()).await?;
         let nodes = self.load_cluster_nodes(&mut client).await?;
         let services = self.load_services(&mut client).await?;
+        let instances_before = self.load_instances_by_service(&mut client).await?;
+        let publications_before = publish::load_publication_states(
+            &mut client,
+            &self.cluster_namespace,
+            &self.cluster_id,
+        )
+        .await?;
+        let dependency_cycles = dependency_cycle_services(&services);
+        let services_by_name = services
+            .iter()
+            .map(|service| (service.name.as_str(), service))
+            .collect::<HashMap<_, _>>();
 
         debug!(
             nodes = nodes.len(),
@@ -146,6 +165,22 @@ impl Scheduler {
             if service.schedule.is_none() {
                 continue;
             }
+            let dependencies = dependency_summary(
+                service,
+                &services_by_name,
+                &instances_before,
+                &publications_before,
+                &dependency_cycles,
+                self.heartbeat_timeout_secs,
+            );
+            if !dependencies.dependencies_ready {
+                warn!(
+                    service = %service.name,
+                    blockers = ?dependencies.blockers,
+                    "skipping service reconciliation until dependencies are ready"
+                );
+                continue;
+            }
             self.reconcile_service(&mut client, &nodes, service).await?;
         }
 
@@ -159,6 +194,25 @@ impl Scheduler {
             )
             .await?;
 
+        let instances_after = self.load_instances_by_service(&mut client).await?;
+        let publications_after = publish::load_publication_states(
+            &mut client,
+            &self.cluster_namespace,
+            &self.cluster_id,
+        )
+        .await?;
+        self.persist_service_statuses(
+            &mut client,
+            &nodes,
+            &services,
+            &instances_after,
+            &publications_after,
+            &dependency_cycles,
+        )
+        .await?;
+        self.cleanup_stale_service_statuses(&mut client, &services)
+            .await?;
+
         Ok(())
     }
 
@@ -200,6 +254,112 @@ impl Scheduler {
         Ok(services)
     }
 
+    async fn load_instances_by_service(
+        &self,
+        client: &mut Client,
+    ) -> Result<HashMap<String, Vec<ServiceInstanceSpec>>> {
+        let prefix = format!(
+            "{}/clusters/{}/instances/",
+            self.cluster_namespace, self.cluster_id
+        );
+        let kvs = client.get_prefix(prefix.as_bytes()).await?;
+        let mut instances = HashMap::<String, Vec<ServiceInstanceSpec>>::new();
+
+        for (_key, value) in kvs {
+            match serde_json::from_slice::<ServiceInstanceSpec>(&value) {
+                Ok(instance) => {
+                    instances
+                        .entry(instance.service.clone())
+                        .or_default()
+                        .push(instance);
+                }
+                Err(error) => warn!(error = %error, "failed to decode service instance"),
+            }
+        }
+
+        for service_instances in instances.values_mut() {
+            service_instances.sort_by(|lhs, rhs| lhs.instance_id.cmp(&rhs.instance_id));
+        }
+
+        Ok(instances)
+    }
+
+    async fn persist_service_statuses(
+        &self,
+        client: &mut Client,
+        nodes: &[ClusterNodeRecord],
+        services: &[ServiceSpec],
+        instances_by_service: &HashMap<String, Vec<ServiceInstanceSpec>>,
+        publications: &HashMap<String, ServicePublicationState>,
+        dependency_cycles: &HashSet<String>,
+    ) -> Result<()> {
+        let services_by_name = services
+            .iter()
+            .map(|service| (service.name.as_str(), service))
+            .collect::<HashMap<_, _>>();
+
+        for service in services {
+            let status = build_service_status(
+                service,
+                nodes,
+                &services_by_name,
+                instances_by_service,
+                publications,
+                dependency_cycles,
+                self.heartbeat_timeout_secs,
+            );
+            let key = service_status_key(&self.cluster_namespace, &self.cluster_id, &service.name);
+
+            if self.dry_run {
+                info!(
+                    service = %service.name,
+                    phase = %status.phase,
+                    healthy_instances = status.healthy_instances,
+                    desired_instances = status.desired_instances,
+                    blockers = ?status.blockers,
+                    "would update service status"
+                );
+            } else {
+                client.put(&key, serde_json::to_vec(&status)?).await?;
+            }
+        }
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    async fn cleanup_stale_service_statuses(
+        &self,
+        client: &mut Client,
+        services: &[ServiceSpec],
+    ) -> Result<()> {
+        let desired = services
+            .iter()
+            .map(|service| service.name.as_str())
+            .collect::<HashSet<_>>();
+        let prefix = service_status_prefix(&self.cluster_namespace, &self.cluster_id);
+        let existing = client.get_prefix(prefix.as_bytes()).await?;
+
+        for (key, _) in existing {
+            let key_str = String::from_utf8_lossy(&key);
+            let Some(service_name) = key_str.strip_prefix(&prefix) else {
+                continue;
+            };
+            if service_name.is_empty()
+                || service_name.contains('/')
+                || desired.contains(service_name)
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+            if self.dry_run {
+                info!(service = %service_name, "would delete stale service status");
+            } else if client.delete(&key).await? {
+                info!(service = %service_name, "deleted stale service status");
+            }
+        }
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
     async fn reconcile_service(
         &self,
         client: &mut Client,
@@ -222,7 +382,8 @@ impl Scheduler {
         let existing_instances = decode_managed_instances(&existing);
         let desired_instances =
             build_desired_instances(service, &eligible_nodes, &existing_instances)?;
-        let target_instances = schedule_target_count(schedule.mode, eligible_nodes.len(), schedule.replicas);
+        let target_instances =
+            schedule_target_count(schedule.mode, eligible_nodes.len(), schedule.replicas);
         if desired_instances.len() < target_instances {
             warn!(
                 service = %service.name,
@@ -341,6 +502,284 @@ impl Scheduler {
     }
 }
 
+fn service_status_prefix(cluster_namespace: &str, cluster_id: &str) -> String {
+    format!(
+        "{}/clusters/{}/service-statuses/",
+        cluster_namespace, cluster_id
+    )
+}
+
+fn service_status_key(cluster_namespace: &str, cluster_id: &str, service: &str) -> Vec<u8> {
+    format!(
+        "{}{}",
+        service_status_prefix(cluster_namespace, cluster_id),
+        service
+    )
+    .into_bytes()
+}
+
+fn dependency_cycle_services(services: &[ServiceSpec]) -> HashSet<String> {
+    let service_names = services
+        .iter()
+        .map(|service| service.name.clone())
+        .collect::<HashSet<_>>();
+    let dependencies = services
+        .iter()
+        .map(|service| {
+            let deps = service
+                .depends_on
+                .iter()
+                .filter(|dependency| service_names.contains(&dependency.service))
+                .map(|dependency| dependency.service.clone())
+                .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+            (service.name.clone(), deps)
+        })
+        .collect::<HashMap<_, _>>();
+
+    let mut permanent = HashSet::new();
+    let mut visiting = Vec::<String>::new();
+    let mut cycles = HashSet::new();
+
+    for service in services {
+        visit_dependency_cycles(
+            &service.name,
+            &dependencies,
+            &mut permanent,
+            &mut visiting,
+            &mut cycles,
+        );
+    }
+
+    cycles
+}
+
+fn visit_dependency_cycles(
+    service: &str,
+    dependencies: &HashMap<String, Vec<String>>,
+    permanent: &mut HashSet<String>,
+    visiting: &mut Vec<String>,
+    cycles: &mut HashSet<String>,
+) {
+    if permanent.contains(service) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if let Some(position) = visiting.iter().position(|current| current == service) {
+        cycles.extend(visiting[position..].iter().cloned());
+        return;
+    }
+
+    visiting.push(service.to_string());
+    if let Some(depends_on) = dependencies.get(service) {
+        for dependency in depends_on {
+            visit_dependency_cycles(dependency, dependencies, permanent, visiting, cycles);
+        }
+    }
+    visiting.pop();
+    permanent.insert(service.to_string());
+}
+
+fn dependency_summary(
+    service: &ServiceSpec,
+    services_by_name: &HashMap<&str, &ServiceSpec>,
+    instances_by_service: &HashMap<String, Vec<ServiceInstanceSpec>>,
+    publications: &HashMap<String, ServicePublicationState>,
+    dependency_cycles: &HashSet<String>,
+    heartbeat_timeout_secs: u64,
+) -> DependencySummary {
+    let mut blockers = Vec::new();
+
+    if dependency_cycles.contains(&service.name) {
+        blockers.push("cyclic dependency graph".to_string());
+    }
+
+    for dependency in &service.depends_on {
+        if dependency.service == service.name {
+            blockers.push(format!(
+                "dependency {} points to itself",
+                dependency.service
+            ));
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        if !services_by_name.contains_key(dependency.service.as_str()) {
+            blockers.push(format!("dependency {} is not defined", dependency.service));
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        if dependency_cycles.contains(&dependency.service) {
+            blockers.push(format!(
+                "dependency {} is part of a dependency cycle",
+                dependency.service
+            ));
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        match dependency.condition {
+            ServiceDependencyCondition::Healthy => {
+                let ready = instances_by_service
+                    .get(&dependency.service)
+                    .map(|instances| {
+                        instances
+                            .iter()
+                            .filter(|instance| {
+                                instance_is_available(instance, heartbeat_timeout_secs)
+                            })
+                            .count() as u32
+                    })
+                    .unwrap_or(0);
+                let min_ready = dependency.min_ready.max(1);
+                if ready < min_ready {
+                    blockers.push(format!(
+                        "dependency {} has {ready}/{min_ready} healthy instance(s)",
+                        dependency.service
+                    ));
+                }
+            }
+            ServiceDependencyCondition::Published => {
+                let ready = publications
+                    .get(&dependency.service)
+                    .map(publication_ready)
+                    .unwrap_or(false);
+                if !ready {
+                    blockers.push(format!(
+                        "dependency {} is not published",
+                        dependency.service
+                    ));
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    DependencySummary {
+        dependencies_ready: blockers.is_empty(),
+        blockers,
+    }
+}
+
+fn publication_ready(state: &ServicePublicationState) -> bool {
+    state
+        .dns
+        .as_ref()
+        .map(|dns| !dns.values.is_empty())
+        .unwrap_or(false)
+        || state
+            .load_balancer
+            .as_ref()
+            .and_then(|load_balancer| load_balancer.vip_address.as_ref())
+            .is_some()
+}
+
+fn desired_instance_count(
+    service: &ServiceSpec,
+    nodes: &[ClusterNodeRecord],
+    heartbeat_timeout_secs: u64,
+) -> u32 {
+    let Some(schedule) = service.schedule.as_ref() else {
+        return 0;
+    };
+    match schedule.mode {
+        ServiceScheduleMode::Replicated => schedule.replicas,
+        ServiceScheduleMode::Daemon => {
+            eligible_nodes(nodes, &schedule.placement, heartbeat_timeout_secs).len() as u32
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn build_service_status(
+    service: &ServiceSpec,
+    nodes: &[ClusterNodeRecord],
+    services_by_name: &HashMap<&str, &ServiceSpec>,
+    instances_by_service: &HashMap<String, Vec<ServiceInstanceSpec>>,
+    publications: &HashMap<String, ServicePublicationState>,
+    dependency_cycles: &HashSet<String>,
+    heartbeat_timeout_secs: u64,
+) -> ServiceStatusRecord {
+    let instances = instances_by_service
+        .get(&service.name)
+        .map(Vec::as_slice)
+        .unwrap_or(&[]);
+    let healthy_instances = instances
+        .iter()
+        .filter(|instance| instance_is_available(instance, heartbeat_timeout_secs))
+        .count() as u32;
+    let scheduled_instances = instances.len() as u32;
+    let desired_instances = desired_instance_count(service, nodes, heartbeat_timeout_secs);
+    let publish_ready = publications
+        .get(&service.name)
+        .map(publication_ready)
+        .unwrap_or(false);
+    let dependencies = dependency_summary(
+        service,
+        services_by_name,
+        instances_by_service,
+        publications,
+        dependency_cycles,
+        heartbeat_timeout_secs,
+    );
+    let eligible_node_count = service
+        .schedule
+        .as_ref()
+        .map(|schedule| eligible_nodes(nodes, &schedule.placement, heartbeat_timeout_secs).len())
+        .unwrap_or(0);
+
+    let (phase, message) = if service.schedule.is_none() {
+        (
+            "unmanaged".to_string(),
+            Some("service is not managed by fleet-scheduler".to_string()),
+        )
+    } else if !dependencies.dependencies_ready {
+        (
+            "blocked".to_string(),
+            Some(dependencies.blockers.join("; ")),
+        )
+    } else if eligible_node_count == 0 {
+        (
+            "unschedulable".to_string(),
+            Some("no eligible nodes match the service placement policy".to_string()),
+        )
+    } else if desired_instances == 0 && scheduled_instances == 0 {
+        (
+            "idle".to_string(),
+            Some("service has no desired instances".to_string()),
+        )
+    } else if desired_instances > 0 && healthy_instances >= desired_instances {
+        (
+            "healthy".to_string(),
+            Some(format!(
+                "healthy instances satisfy desired count ({healthy_instances}/{desired_instances})"
+            )),
+        )
+    } else if scheduled_instances > 0 || healthy_instances > 0 {
+        (
+            "degraded".to_string(),
+            Some(format!(
+                "healthy={healthy_instances} scheduled={scheduled_instances} desired={desired_instances}"
+            )),
+        )
+    } else {
+        (
+            "pending".to_string(),
+            Some(format!(
+                "waiting for instances to reach desired count ({healthy_instances}/{desired_instances})"
+            )),
+        )
+    };
+
+    ServiceStatusRecord {
+        service: service.name.clone(),
+        phase,
+        desired_instances,
+        scheduled_instances,
+        healthy_instances,
+        publish_ready,
+        dependencies_ready: dependencies.dependencies_ready,
+        blockers: dependencies.blockers,
+        message,
+        observed_at: Some(Utc::now()),
+    }
+}
+
 fn eligible_nodes<'a>(
     nodes: &'a [ClusterNodeRecord],
     placement: &PlacementPolicy,
@@ -853,7 +1292,10 @@ fn instance_is_available(instance: &ServiceInstanceSpec, heartbeat_timeout_secs:
         && instance_has_fresh_heartbeat(instance, heartbeat_timeout_secs)
 }
 
-fn instance_has_fresh_heartbeat(instance: &ServiceInstanceSpec, heartbeat_timeout_secs: u64) -> bool {
+fn instance_has_fresh_heartbeat(
+    instance: &ServiceInstanceSpec,
+    heartbeat_timeout_secs: u64,
+) -> bool {
     if heartbeat_timeout_secs == 0 {
         return true;
     }
@@ -961,8 +1403,9 @@ mod tests {
     use super::*;
     use chrono::Duration as ChronoDuration;
     use deployer_types::{
-        ClusterNodeRecord, HealthCheckSpec, PlacementPolicy, ProcessSpec, RolloutStrategySpec,
-        ServicePorts, ServiceScheduleMode, ServiceScheduleSpec,
+        ClusterNodeRecord, HealthCheckSpec, PlacementPolicy, ProcessSpec,
+        PublishedLoadBalancerState, RolloutStrategySpec, ServiceDependencyCondition,
+        ServiceDependencySpec, ServicePorts, ServiceScheduleMode, ServiceScheduleSpec,
     };
 
     fn active_node(node_id: &str, roles: &[&str], labels: &[(&str, &str)]) -> ClusterNodeRecord {
@@ -1003,6 +1446,7 @@ mod tests {
             protocol: Some("http".to_string()),
             mtls_required: None,
             mesh_mode: None,
+            depends_on: Vec::new(),
             schedule: Some(ServiceScheduleSpec {
                 mode: ServiceScheduleMode::Replicated,
                 replicas: 2,
@@ -1036,6 +1480,31 @@ mod tests {
         }
     }
 
+    fn service_named(name: &str) -> ServiceSpec {
+        let mut service = scheduled_service();
+        service.name = name.to_string();
+        service
+    }
+
+    fn healthy_instance(service: &str, node_id: &str) -> ServiceInstanceSpec {
+        ServiceInstanceSpec {
+            instance_id: format!("{service}-{node_id}"),
+            service: service.to_string(),
+            node_id: node_id.to_string(),
+            ip: "10.0.0.10".to_string(),
+            port: 8080,
+            mesh_port: Some(18080),
+            version: None,
+            health_check: None,
+            process: None,
+            container: None,
+            managed_by: Some(MANAGED_BY.to_string()),
+            state: Some("healthy".to_string()),
+            last_heartbeat: Some(Utc::now()),
+            observed_at: None,
+        }
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn test_node_eligibility_matches_roles_and_labels() {
         let node = active_node("node01", &["worker"], &[("tier", "general")]);
@@ -1083,6 +1552,126 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(desired[0].process.as_ref().unwrap().command, "/usr/bin/api");
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn test_dependency_cycles_detect_all_services_in_cycle() {
+        let mut api = service_named("api");
+        api.depends_on = vec![ServiceDependencySpec {
+            service: "worker".to_string(),
+            condition: ServiceDependencyCondition::Healthy,
+            min_ready: 1,
+        }];
+
+        let mut worker = service_named("worker");
+        worker.depends_on = vec![ServiceDependencySpec {
+            service: "edge".to_string(),
+            condition: ServiceDependencyCondition::Healthy,
+            min_ready: 1,
+        }];
+
+        let mut edge = service_named("edge");
+        edge.depends_on = vec![ServiceDependencySpec {
+            service: "api".to_string(),
+            condition: ServiceDependencyCondition::Healthy,
+            min_ready: 1,
+        }];
+
+        let cycles = dependency_cycle_services(&[api, worker, edge]);
+        assert_eq!(
+            cycles,
+            HashSet::from(["api".to_string(), "worker".to_string(), "edge".to_string(),])
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_dependency_summary_blocks_until_dependency_is_healthy() {
+        let api = service_named("api");
+        let mut worker = service_named("worker");
+        worker.depends_on = vec![ServiceDependencySpec {
+            service: "api".to_string(),
+            condition: ServiceDependencyCondition::Healthy,
+            min_ready: 2,
+        }];
+
+        let services = vec![api.clone(), worker.clone()];
+        let services_by_name = services
+            .iter()
+            .map(|service| (service.name.as_str(), service))
+            .collect::<HashMap<_, _>>();
+        let instances_by_service = HashMap::from([(
+            "api".to_string(),
+            vec![
+                healthy_instance("api", "node01"),
+                ServiceInstanceSpec {
+                    state: Some("starting".to_string()),
+                    ..healthy_instance("api", "node02")
+                },
+            ],
+        )]);
+
+        let summary = dependency_summary(
+            &worker,
+            &services_by_name,
+            &instances_by_service,
+            &HashMap::new(),
+            &HashSet::new(),
+            300,
+        );
+
+        assert!(!summary.dependencies_ready);
+        assert_eq!(
+            summary.blockers,
+            vec!["dependency api has 1/2 healthy instance(s)".to_string()]
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_build_service_status_recognizes_published_dependency() {
+        let api = service_named("api");
+        let mut worker = service_named("worker");
+        worker.depends_on = vec![ServiceDependencySpec {
+            service: "api".to_string(),
+            condition: ServiceDependencyCondition::Published,
+            min_ready: 1,
+        }];
+
+        let services = vec![api.clone(), worker.clone()];
+        let services_by_name = services
+            .iter()
+            .map(|service| (service.name.as_str(), service))
+            .collect::<HashMap<_, _>>();
+        let publications = HashMap::from([(
+            "api".to_string(),
+            ServicePublicationState {
+                service: "api".to_string(),
+                org_id: "default-org".to_string(),
+                project_id: "default-project".to_string(),
+                load_balancer: Some(PublishedLoadBalancerState {
+                    id: "lb-1".to_string(),
+                    pool_id: "pool-1".to_string(),
+                    listener_id: "listener-1".to_string(),
+                    vip_address: Some("203.0.113.10".to_string()),
+                }),
+                dns: None,
+                observed_at: Some(Utc::now()),
+            },
+        )]);
+        let nodes = vec![active_node("node01", &["worker"], &[("tier", "general")])];
+
+        let status = build_service_status(
+            &worker,
+            &nodes,
+            &services_by_name,
+            &HashMap::new(),
+            &publications,
+            &HashSet::new(),
+            300,
+        );
+
+        assert_eq!(status.phase, "pending");
+        assert!(status.dependencies_ready);
+        assert!(status.blockers.is_empty());
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn test_build_desired_instances_honors_max_instances_per_node() {
         let nodes = vec![active_node("node01", &["worker"], &[("tier", "general")])];
diff --git a/deployer/crates/fleet-scheduler/src/publish.rs b/deployer/crates/fleet-scheduler/src/publish.rs
index bdec3e5..58c461f 100644
--- a/deployer/crates/fleet-scheduler/src/publish.rs
+++ b/deployer/crates/fleet-scheduler/src/publish.rs
@@ -1129,7 +1129,7 @@ fn publication_key(cluster_namespace: &str, cluster_id: &str, service: &str) ->
     .into_bytes()
 }
 
-async fn load_publication_states(
+pub(crate) async fn load_publication_states(
     client: &mut Client,
     cluster_namespace: &str,
     cluster_id: &str,
@@ -1194,6 +1194,7 @@ mod tests {
             protocol: Some("http".to_string()),
             mtls_required: None,
             mesh_mode: None,
+            depends_on: Vec::new(),
             schedule: Some(ServiceScheduleSpec::default()),
             publish: Some(ServicePublicationSpec {
                 org_id: Some("default-org".to_string()),
diff --git a/deployer/scripts/verify-fleet-scheduler-e2e.sh b/deployer/scripts/verify-fleet-scheduler-e2e.sh
index aa57301..ac7ebf8 100755
--- a/deployer/scripts/verify-fleet-scheduler-e2e.sh
+++ b/deployer/scripts/verify-fleet-scheduler-e2e.sh
@@ -212,6 +212,41 @@ services:
         path: /
         interval_secs: 1
         timeout_secs: 2
+  - name: worker
+    ports:
+      http: 18081
+    protocol: http
+    depends_on:
+      - service: api
+        condition: healthy
+        min_ready: 2
+    schedule:
+      replicas: 2
+      placement:
+        roles:
+          - worker
+        pools:
+          - general
+        node_classes:
+          - worker-linux
+        match_labels:
+          tier: general
+        spread_by_label: failure_domain
+        max_instances_per_node: 1
+      instance_port: 18081
+      process:
+        command: python3
+        args:
+          - -m
+          - http.server
+          - ${INSTANCE_PORT}
+          - --bind
+          - ${INSTANCE_IP}
+      health_check:
+        type: http
+        path: /
+        interval_secs: 1
+        timeout_secs: 2
 EOF
 
 cat >"$tmp_dir/cluster-scaled.yaml" <<'EOF'
@@ -283,6 +318,41 @@ services:
         path: /
         interval_secs: 1
         timeout_secs: 2
+  - name: worker
+    ports:
+      http: 18081
+    protocol: http
+    depends_on:
+      - service: api
+        condition: healthy
+        min_ready: 1
+    schedule:
+      replicas: 1
+      placement:
+        roles:
+          - worker
+        pools:
+          - general
+        node_classes:
+          - worker-linux
+        match_labels:
+          tier: general
+        spread_by_label: failure_domain
+        max_instances_per_node: 1
+      instance_port: 18081
+      process:
+        command: python3
+        args:
+          - -m
+          - http.server
+          - ${INSTANCE_PORT}
+          - --bind
+          - ${INSTANCE_IP}
+      health_check:
+        type: http
+        path: /
+        interval_secs: 1
+        timeout_secs: 2
 EOF
 
 endpoint="http://127.0.0.1:${api_port}"
@@ -326,7 +396,59 @@ run_node_agent_once node02
 echo "Scheduling managed instances"
 run_scheduler_once
 
-echo "Reconciling processes and health"
+echo "Validating dependency block before api is healthy"
+run_deployer_ctl dump --prefix "photoncloud/clusters/test-cluster/instances/worker/" >"$tmp_dir/worker-blocked.dump"
+python3 - "$tmp_dir/worker-blocked.dump" <<'PY'
+import sys
+
+path = sys.argv[1]
+lines = [line.strip() for line in open(path, "r", encoding="utf-8") if line.strip()]
+if lines:
+    raise SystemExit(f"expected no worker instances before api is healthy, found {len(lines)}")
+print("worker instances correctly blocked before dependency becomes healthy")
+PY
+
+run_deployer_ctl dump --prefix "photoncloud/clusters/test-cluster/service-statuses/worker" >"$tmp_dir/worker-status-blocked.dump"
+python3 - "$tmp_dir/worker-status-blocked.dump" <<'PY'
+import json
+import sys
+
+path = sys.argv[1]
+statuses = []
+with open(path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as handle:
+    for line in handle:
+        line = line.strip()
+        if not line:
+            continue
+        marker = " value="
+        if marker not in line:
+            continue
+        statuses.append(json.loads(line.split(marker, 1)[1]))
+
+if len(statuses) != 1:
+    raise SystemExit(f"expected exactly one worker service status, found {len(statuses)}")
+
+status = statuses[0]
+if status.get("phase") != "blocked":
+    raise SystemExit(f"expected worker phase=blocked, found {status.get('phase')}")
+blockers = status.get("blockers") or []
+if not blockers or "dependency api has 0/2 healthy instance(s)" not in blockers[0]:
+    raise SystemExit(f"unexpected blockers: {blockers}")
+
+print("worker service status reports dependency block")
+PY
+
+echo "Reconciling processes and health for api"
+for _ in 1 2 3; do
+  run_node_agent_once node01
+  run_node_agent_once node02
+  sleep 1
+done
+
+echo "Re-running scheduler after api became healthy"
+run_scheduler_once
+
+echo "Reconciling processes and health for dependent worker service"
 for _ in 1 2 3; do
   run_node_agent_once node01
   run_node_agent_once node02
@@ -337,7 +459,12 @@ echo "Validating HTTP endpoints"
 python3 - <<'PY'
 import urllib.request
 
-for address in ("http://127.0.0.2:18080/", "http://127.0.0.3:18080/"):
+for address in (
+    "http://127.0.0.2:18080/",
+    "http://127.0.0.3:18080/",
+    "http://127.0.0.2:18081/",
+    "http://127.0.0.3:18081/",
+):
     with urllib.request.urlopen(address, timeout=5) as response:
         body = response.read().decode("utf-8")
         if response.status != 200:
@@ -381,13 +508,56 @@ if states != ["healthy", "healthy"]:
 print("Observed two healthy scheduled instances across node01 and node02")
 PY
 
+run_deployer_ctl dump --prefix "photoncloud/clusters/test-cluster/instances/worker/" >"$tmp_dir/worker-instances.dump"
+python3 - "$tmp_dir/worker-instances.dump" <<'PY'
+import json
+import sys
+
+path = sys.argv[1]
+instances = []
+
+with open(path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as handle:
+    for line in handle:
+        line = line.strip()
+        if not line:
+            continue
+        marker = " value="
+        if marker not in line:
+            continue
+        value = line.split(marker, 1)[1]
+        instances.append(json.loads(value))
+
+if len(instances) != 2:
+    raise SystemExit(f"expected 2 worker instances, found {len(instances)}")
+
+node_ids = sorted(instance["node_id"] for instance in instances)
+states = sorted(instance.get("state") for instance in instances)
+
+if node_ids != ["node01", "node02"]:
+    raise SystemExit(f"unexpected worker placement: {node_ids}")
+if states != ["healthy", "healthy"]:
+    raise SystemExit(f"unexpected worker states: {states}")
+
+print("Observed two healthy dependent worker instances across node01 and node02")
+PY
+
 echo "Applying scaled declaration"
 run_deployer_ctl apply --config "$tmp_dir/cluster-scaled.yaml" --prune
 
 echo "Re-running scheduler after scale-down"
 run_scheduler_once
 
-echo "Reconciling processes and health after scale-down"
+echo "Reconciling api after scale-down"
+for _ in 1 2 3; do
+  run_node_agent_once node01
+  run_node_agent_once node02
+  sleep 1
+done
+
+echo "Re-running scheduler after scaled api became healthy"
+run_scheduler_once
+
+echo "Reconciling dependent worker service after scale-down"
 for _ in 1 2 3; do
   run_node_agent_once node01
   run_node_agent_once node02
@@ -426,6 +596,37 @@ if instance.get("state") != "healthy":
 print("Observed one healthy scheduled instance on node01 after scale-down")
 PY
 
+run_deployer_ctl dump --prefix "photoncloud/clusters/test-cluster/instances/worker/" >"$tmp_dir/worker-instances-scaled.dump"
+python3 - "$tmp_dir/worker-instances-scaled.dump" <<'PY'
+import json
+import sys
+
+path = sys.argv[1]
+instances = []
+
+with open(path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as handle:
+    for line in handle:
+        line = line.strip()
+        if not line:
+            continue
+        marker = " value="
+        if marker not in line:
+            continue
+        value = line.split(marker, 1)[1]
+        instances.append(json.loads(value))
+
+if len(instances) != 1:
+    raise SystemExit(f"expected 1 worker instance after scale-down, found {len(instances)}")
+
+instance = instances[0]
+if instance["node_id"] != "node01":
+    raise SystemExit(f"expected remaining worker instance on node01, found {instance['node_id']}")
+if instance.get("state") != "healthy":
+    raise SystemExit(f"expected remaining worker instance to be healthy, found {instance.get('state')}")
+
+print("Observed one healthy dependent worker instance on node01 after scale-down")
+PY
+
 echo "Validating endpoint convergence after scale-down"
 python3 - <<'PY'
 import socket
@@ -434,17 +635,21 @@ import urllib.request
 with urllib.request.urlopen("http://127.0.0.2:18080/", timeout=5) as response:
     if response.status != 200:
         raise SystemExit(f"node01 endpoint returned {response.status}")
+with urllib.request.urlopen("http://127.0.0.2:18081/", timeout=5) as response:
+    if response.status != 200:
+        raise SystemExit(f"node01 worker endpoint returned {response.status}")
 
-sock = socket.socket()
-sock.settimeout(1.5)
-try:
-    sock.connect(("127.0.0.3", 18080))
-except OSError:
-    pass
-else:
-    raise SystemExit("node02 endpoint still accepts connections after scale-down")
-finally:
-    sock.close()
+for port, label in ((18080, "api"), (18081, "worker")):
+    sock = socket.socket()
+    sock.settimeout(1.5)
+    try:
+        sock.connect(("127.0.0.3", port))
+    except OSError:
+        pass
+    else:
+        raise SystemExit(f"node02 {label} endpoint still accepts connections after scale-down")
+    finally:
+        sock.close()
 
 print("Endpoint convergence validated")
 PY