diff --git a/.bumpversion.toml b/.bumpversion.toml
index 6be211f..6874d76 100644
--- a/.bumpversion.toml
+++ b/.bumpversion.toml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 
 [tool.bumpversion]
-current_version = "0.26.3"
+current_version = "0.26.4"
 parse = "(?P<major>\\d+)\\.(?P<minor>\\d+)\\.(?P<patch>\\d+)"
 serialize = ["{major}.{minor}.{patch}"]
 commit = true
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 01bbb76..60aee41 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [0.26.4] - 2026-07-29
+
+### Fixed
+- **Core Baseline Alignment**: Realigned pinned Zenzic Core baseline to `0.26.4`. This ensures the editor LSP client benefits from the eradication of ghost diagnostics on file deletion and correct inline suppression placement.
 ## [0.26.3] - 2026-07-28
 
 ### Added
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index d13c4dd..50c5ff9 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ Zenzic is structured across three independent, dedicated repositories:
 
 - **Thin Client Sovereignty**: `zenzic-vscode` contains **zero** AST parsing, regex checks, or link validation rules. All analysis logic resides in Zenzic Core (`zenzic lsp`).
 - **Protocol Parity**: The extension communicates via standard Language Server Protocol (LSP) over stdio.
-- **Minimum Core Baseline**: Currently pinned to **Zenzic Core `v0.26.3`** (`MIN_CORE_VERSION = '0.26.3'` in `src/extension.ts`).
+- **Minimum Core Baseline**: Currently pinned to **Zenzic Core `v0.26.4`** (`MIN_CORE_VERSION = '0.26.4'` in `src/extension.ts`).
 
 ---
 
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ To maintain security, architectural integrity, and legal compliance, all contrib
 | **npm** | required | Package manager |
 | **just** | required | Task runner — `cargo install just` or via OS package manager |
 | **reuse** | required | SPDX license auditor (`uv tool install reuse`) |
-| **Zenzic Core** | ≥ 0.26.3 | Core engine (`uv tool install zenzic`) |
+| **Zenzic Core** | ≥ 0.26.4 | Core engine (`uv tool install zenzic`) |
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 46ccca2..0b28e3f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ To guarantee sub-50ms performance, Zenzic operates with a strict separation of c
 
 ## Requirements
 
-This extension requires **Zenzic Core v0.26.3 or higher**.
+This extension requires **Zenzic Core v0.26.4 or higher**.
 
 We recommend installing or updating the global binary via `uv`:
 
@@ -101,12 +101,12 @@ The extension contributes the following commands to the Command Palette:
 
 ### Zenzic: Outdated Core
 
-- **Cause**: The executable resolved by the extension is older than the minimum required Core version (`v0.26.3`).
+- **Cause**: The executable resolved by the extension is older than the minimum required Core version (`v0.26.4`).
 - **Remediation**: Upgrade your global binary:
   ```bash
   uv tool install --force zenzic
   ```
-  Or point `zenzic.executablePath` in `settings.json` to a virtual environment containing Core `v0.26.3` or higher.
+  Or point `zenzic.executablePath` in `settings.json` to a virtual environment containing Core `v0.26.4` or higher.
 
 
 ### Zenzic: Not Found (ENOENT)
diff --git a/RELEASE.md b/RELEASE.md
index 58b5d16..07e67e4 100644
--- a/RELEASE.md
+++ b/RELEASE.md
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@
 
 | Field | Value |
 | :--- | :--- |
-| **Extension Version** | 0.26.3 |
-| **Pinned Core** | `zenzic>=0.26.3` |
+| **Extension Version** | 0.26.4 |
+| **Pinned Core** | `zenzic>=0.26.4` |
 | **Date** | 2026-07-11 |
 
 ## 1. Pre-Flight Checklist
@@ -49,8 +49,8 @@ git checkout main
 git pull origin main
 
 # 3. Create the immutable signed tag pointing to the HEAD of origin/main
-git tag -s -m "Release v0.26.3" v0.26.3
-git push origin v0.26.3
+git tag -s -m "Release v0.26.4" v0.26.4
+git push origin v0.26.4
 ```
 
 ## 4. Distribute (Automated)
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 7af6d38..9e2e0a2 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "zenzic-vscode",
-  "version": "0.26.3",
+  "version": "0.26.4",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "zenzic-vscode",
-      "version": "0.26.3",
+      "version": "0.26.4",
       "dependencies": {
         "vscode-languageclient": "^10.1.0"
       },
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 18a72d8..de574ed 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "name": "zenzic-vscode",
   "displayName": "Zenzic",
   "description": "Deterministic Document Integrity Engine and SAST for Markdown/MDX graphs.",
-  "version": "0.26.3",
+  "version": "0.26.4",
   "publisher": "pythonwoods",
   "engines": {
     "vscode": "^1.125.0"
diff --git a/src/extension.ts b/src/extension.ts
index 1e3b910..22fdd79 100644
--- a/src/extension.ts
+++ b/src/extension.ts
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ let dqsStatusBarItem: vscode.StatusBarItem | undefined;
 // A2 fix: guard flag prevents concurrent restart calls.
 let restarting = false;
 
-const MIN_CORE_VERSION = '0.26.3';
+const MIN_CORE_VERSION = '0.26.4';
 
 /**
  * Expand supported user-facing path variables in zenzic.executablePath.