diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-integration.yml b/.github/workflows/test-integration.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5c9a888
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-integration.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+name: Test package-manager (integration)
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - main
+      - master
+      - develop
+      - "*"
+  pull_request:
+
+jobs:
+  test-integration:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 30
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Show Docker version
+        run: docker version
+
+      # Build Arch test image (same as used in test-unit and test-e2e)
+      - name: Build test images
+        run: make build
+
+      - name: Run integration tests via make (Arch container)
+        run: make test-integration
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 37554e9..3188e74 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 .PHONY: install setup uninstall aur_builder_setup \
-        test build build-no-cache test-unit test-e2e
+        test build build-no-cache test-unit test-e2e test-integration
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------
 # Local Nix cache directories in the repo
@@ -99,6 +99,30 @@ test-unit: build
 				-p "test_*.py"; \
 		'
 
+# Integration tests: also in Arch container, but using tests/integration
+test-integration: build
+	@echo "============================================================"
+	@echo ">>> Running INTEGRATION tests in Arch container"
+	@echo "============================================================"
+	docker run --rm \
+		-v "$$(pwd):/src" \
+		--workdir /src \
+		--entrypoint bash \
+		"package-manager-test-arch" \
+		-c '\
+			set -e; \
+			if [ -f /etc/os-release ]; then . /etc/os-release; fi; \
+			echo "Detected container distro: $${ID:-unknown} (like: $${ID_LIKE:-})"; \
+			echo "Running Python integration tests (tests/integration)..."; \
+			git config --global --add safe.directory /src || true; \
+			cd /src; \
+			export PYTHONPATH=/src:$${PYTHONPATH}; \
+			python -m unittest discover \
+				-s tests/integration \
+				-t /src \
+				-p "test_*.py"; \
+		'
+
 # End-to-end tests: run in all distros via Nix devShell (tests/e2e)
 test-e2e: build
 	@echo "Ensuring Docker Nix volumes exist (auto-created if missing)..."
@@ -166,8 +190,8 @@ test-e2e: build
 			' || exit $$?; \
 	done
 
-# Combined test target for local + CI (unit + e2e)
-test: build test-unit test-e2e
+# Combined test target for local + CI (unit + e2e + integration)
+test: build test-unit test-e2e test-integration
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------
 # Installer for host systems (original logic)
diff --git a/pkgmgr/capabilities.py b/pkgmgr/capabilities.py
index 6463453..c64d36d 100644
--- a/pkgmgr/capabilities.py
+++ b/pkgmgr/capabilities.py
@@ -14,6 +14,20 @@ Each capability is represented by a class that:
 This allows pkgmgr to dynamically decide if a higher layer already covers
 work a lower layer would otherwise do (e.g. Nix calling pyproject/make,
 or distro packages wrapping Nix or Makefile logic).
+
+On top of the raw detection, this module also exposes a bottom-up
+"effective capability" resolver:
+
+  - We start from the lowest layer (e.g. "makefile") and go upwards.
+  - For each capability provided by a lower layer, we check whether any
+    higher layer also provides the same capability.
+  - If yes, we consider the capability "shadowed" by the higher layer;
+    the lower layer does not list it as an effective capability.
+  - If no higher layer provides it, the capability remains attached to
+    the lower layer.
+
+This yields, for each layer, only those capabilities that are not
+redundant with respect to higher layers in the stack.
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
@@ -50,6 +64,8 @@ def _scan_files_for_patterns(files: Iterable[str], patterns: Iterable[str]) -> b
     """
     lower_patterns = [p.lower() for p in patterns]
     for path in files:
+        if not path:
+            continue
         content = _read_text_if_exists(path)
         if not content:
             continue
@@ -295,3 +311,97 @@ CAPABILITY_MATCHERS: list[CapabilityMatcher] = [
     MakeInstallCapability(),
     NixFlakeCapability(),
 ]
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Layer ordering and effective capability resolution
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+#: Default bottom-up order of installer layers.
+#: Lower indices = lower layers; higher indices = higher layers.
+LAYER_ORDER: list[str] = [
+    "makefile",
+    "python",
+    "nix",
+    "os-packages",
+]
+
+
+def detect_capabilities(
+    ctx: "RepoContext",
+    layers: Iterable[str],
+) -> dict[str, set[str]]:
+    """
+    Perform raw capability detection per layer, without any shadowing.
+
+    Returns a mapping:
+
+        {
+            "makefile":    {"make-install"},
+            "python":      {"python-runtime", "make-install"},
+            "nix":         {"python-runtime", "make-install", "nix-flake"},
+            "os-packages": set(),
+        }
+
+    depending on which matchers report capabilities for each layer.
+    """
+    layers_list = list(layers)
+    caps_by_layer: dict[str, set[str]] = {layer: set() for layer in layers_list}
+
+    for matcher in CAPABILITY_MATCHERS:
+        for layer in layers_list:
+            if not matcher.applies_to_layer(layer):
+                continue
+            if matcher.is_provided(ctx, layer):
+                caps_by_layer[layer].add(matcher.name)
+
+    return caps_by_layer
+
+
+def resolve_effective_capabilities(
+    ctx: "RepoContext",
+    layers: Iterable[str] | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, set[str]]:
+    """
+    Resolve *effective* capabilities for each layer using a bottom-up strategy.
+
+    Algorithm (layer-agnostic, works for all layers in the given order):
+
+      1. Run raw detection (detect_capabilities) to obtain which capabilities
+         are provided by which layer.
+      2. Iterate layers from bottom to top (the order in `layers`):
+           For each capability that a lower layer provides, check whether
+           any *higher* layer also provides the same capability.
+           - If yes, the capability is considered "shadowed" by the higher
+             layer and is NOT listed as effective for the lower layer.
+           - If no higher layer provides it, it remains as an effective
+             capability of the lower layer.
+      3. Return a mapping layer → set of effective capabilities.
+
+    This means *any* higher layer can overshadow a lower layer, not just
+    a specific one like Nix. The resolver is completely generic.
+    """
+    if layers is None:
+        layers_list = list(LAYER_ORDER)
+    else:
+        layers_list = list(layers)
+
+    raw_caps = detect_capabilities(ctx, layers_list)
+    effective: dict[str, set[str]] = {layer: set() for layer in layers_list}
+
+    # Bottom-up walk: lower index = lower layer, higher index = higher layer
+    for idx, lower in enumerate(layers_list):
+        lower_caps = raw_caps.get(lower, set())
+        for cap in lower_caps:
+            # Check if any higher layer also provides this capability
+            covered_by_higher = False
+            for higher in layers_list[idx + 1 :]:
+                higher_caps = raw_caps.get(higher, set())
+                if cap in higher_caps:
+                    covered_by_higher = True
+                    break
+
+            if not covered_by_higher:
+                effective[lower].add(cap)
+
+    return effective
diff --git a/tests/integration/__init__.py b/tests/integration/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/tests/integration/test_recursive_capabilities_integration.md b/tests/integration/test_recursive_capabilities_integration.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0c17896
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/integration/test_recursive_capabilities_integration.md
@@ -0,0 +1,116 @@
+# Capability Resolution & Installer Shadowing
+
+## Layer Hierarchy
+
+```
+┌───────────────────────────┐  Highest layer
+│      OS-PACKAGES          │  (PKGBUILD / debian / rpm)
+└───────────▲───────────────┘
+            │ shadows lower layers
+┌───────────┴───────────────┐
+│           NIX              │  (flake.nix)
+└───────────▲───────────────┘
+            │ shadows lower layers
+┌───────────┴───────────────┐
+│          PYTHON            │  (pyproject.toml)
+└───────────▲───────────────┘
+            │ shadows lower layers
+┌───────────┴───────────────┐
+│         MAKEFILE           │  (Makefile)
+└────────────────────────────┘  Lowest layer
+```
+
+---
+
+## Scenario Matrix
+
+| Scenario                   | Makefile | Python | Nix | OS-Pkgs | Test Name                     |
+| -------------------------- | -------- | ------ | --- | ------- | ----------------------------- |
+| 1) Only Makefile           | ✔        | –      | –   | –       | `only_makefile`               |
+| 2) Python + Makefile       | ✔        | ✔      | –   | –       | `python_and_makefile`         |
+| 3) Python shadows Makefile | ✗        | ✔      | –   | –       | `python_shadows_makefile`     |
+| 4) Nix shadows Py & MF     | ✗        | ✗      | ✔   | –       | `nix_shadows_python_makefile` |
+| 5) OS-Pkgs shadow all      | ✗        | ✗      | ✗   | ✔       | `os_packages_shadow_all`      |
+
+Legend:
+✔ = installer runs
+✗ = installer skipped (shadowed by upper layer)
+– = no such layer present
+
+---
+
+## What the Integration Test Confirms
+
+**Goal:** Validate that the capability-shadowing mechanism correctly determines *which installers actually run* for a given repository layout.
+
+### 1) Only Makefile
+
+* Makefile provides `make-install`.
+* No higher layers → MakefileInstaller runs.
+
+### 2) Python + Makefile
+
+* Python provides `python-runtime`.
+* Makefile additionally provides `make-install`.
+* No capability overlap → both installers run.
+
+### 3) Python shadows Makefile
+
+* Python also provides `make-install`.
+* Makefile’s capability is fully covered → MakefileInstaller is skipped.
+
+### 4) Nix shadows Python & Makefile
+
+* Nix provides all capabilities below it.
+* Only NixInstaller runs.
+
+### 5) OS-Packages shadow all
+
+* PKGBUILD/debian/rpm provide all capabilities.
+* Only the corresponding OS package installer runs.
+
+---
+
+## Capability Processing Flowchart
+
+```
+                ┌────────────────────────────┐
+                │           Start             │
+                └───────────────┬────────────┘
+                                │
+                  provided_capabilities = ∅
+                                │
+                                ▼
+          ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+          │  For each installer in layer order (low→high) │
+          └───────────────────┬──────────────────────────┘
+                              │
+                supports(ctx)?│
+                    ┌─────────┴──────────┐
+                    │        no          │
+                    │   → skip installer │
+                    └─────────┬──────────┘
+                              │ yes
+                              ▼
+                 caps = detect_capabilities(layer)
+                              │
+         caps ⊆ provided_capabilities ?
+                ┌─────────────┬─────────────┐
+                │ yes         │ no           │
+                │ skip        │ run installer│
+                └─────────────┴──────────────┘
+                                              │
+                                              ▼
+                           provided_capabilities ∪= caps
+                                              │
+                                              ▼
+                             ┌────────────────────────┐
+                             │ End of installer list  │
+                             └────────────────────────┘
+```
+
+---
+
+## Core Principle (one sentence)
+
+**A layer only executes if it provides at least one capability not already guaranteed by any higher layer.**
diff --git a/tests/integration/test_recursive_capabilities_integration.py b/tests/integration/test_recursive_capabilities_integration.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1312ddc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/integration/test_recursive_capabilities_integration.py
@@ -0,0 +1,409 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+
+"""
+Integration tests for the recursive / layered capability handling in pkgmgr.
+
+We focus on the interaction between:
+
+  - MakefileInstaller     (layer: "makefile")
+  - PythonInstaller       (layer: "python")
+  - NixFlakeInstaller     (layer: "nix")
+  - ArchPkgbuildInstaller (layer: "os-packages")
+
+The core idea:
+
+  - Each installer declares logical capabilities for its layer via
+    discover_capabilities() and the global CAPABILITY_MATCHERS.
+  - install_repos() tracks which capabilities have already been provided
+    by earlier installers (in INSTALLERS order).
+  - If an installer only provides capabilities that are already covered
+    by previous installers, it is skipped.
+
+These tests use *real* capability detection (based on repo files like
+flake.nix, pyproject.toml, Makefile, PKGBUILD), but patch the installers'
+run() methods so that no real external commands are executed.
+
+Scenarios:
+
+  1. Only Makefile with install target
+       → MakefileInstaller runs, all good.
+
+  2. Python + Makefile (no "make install" in pyproject.toml)
+       → PythonInstaller provides only python-runtime
+       → MakefileInstaller provides make-install
+       → Both run, since their capabilities are disjoint.
+
+  3. Python + Makefile (pyproject.toml mentions "make install")
+       → PythonInstaller provides {python-runtime, make-install}
+       → MakefileInstaller provides {make-install}
+       → MakefileInstaller is skipped (capabilities already covered).
+
+  4. Nix + Python + Makefile
+       - flake.nix hints:
+           * buildPythonApplication (python-runtime)
+           * make install        (make-install)
+       → NixFlakeInstaller provides {python-runtime, make-install, nix-flake}
+       → PythonInstaller and MakefileInstaller are skipped.
+
+  5. OS packages + Nix + Python + Makefile
+       - PKGBUILD contains:
+           * "pip install ."   (python-runtime via os-packages)
+           * "make install"    (make-install via os-packages)
+           * "nix profile"     (nix-flake via os-packages)
+       → ArchPkgbuildInstaller provides all capabilities
+       → All lower layers are skipped.
+"""
+
+import os
+import shutil
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+import pkgmgr.install_repos as install_mod
+from pkgmgr.install_repos import install_repos
+from pkgmgr.installers.nix_flake import NixFlakeInstaller
+from pkgmgr.installers.python import PythonInstaller
+from pkgmgr.installers.makefile import MakefileInstaller
+from pkgmgr.installers.os_packages.arch_pkgbuild import ArchPkgbuildInstaller
+
+
+class TestRecursiveCapabilitiesIntegration(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self) -> None:
+        # Temporary base directory for this test class
+        self.tmp_root = tempfile.mkdtemp(prefix="pkgmgr-integration-")
+        self.bin_dir = os.path.join(self.tmp_root, "bin")
+        os.makedirs(self.bin_dir, exist_ok=True)
+
+    def tearDown(self) -> None:
+        shutil.rmtree(self.tmp_root)
+
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # Helper: create a new repo directory for a scenario
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    def _new_repo(self) -> str:
+        repo_dir = tempfile.mkdtemp(prefix="repo-", dir=self.tmp_root)
+        return repo_dir
+
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # Helper: run install_repos() with a custom installer list
+    #         and record which installers actually ran.
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    def _run_with_installers(self, repo_dir: str, installers, selected_repos=None):
+        """
+        Run install_repos() with a given INSTALLERS list and a single
+        dummy repo; return the list of installer labels that actually ran.
+
+        The installers' supports() are forced to True so that only the
+        capability-shadowing logic decides whether they are skipped.
+        The installers' run() methods are patched to avoid real commands.
+        """
+        if selected_repos is None:
+            repo = {}
+            selected_repos = [repo]
+            all_repos = [repo]
+        else:
+            all_repos = selected_repos
+
+        called_installers: list[str] = []
+
+        # Prepare patched instances with recording run() and always-supports.
+        patched_installers = []
+        for label, inst in installers:
+            def always_supports(self, ctx):
+                return True
+
+            def make_run(label_name):
+                def _run(self, ctx):
+                    called_installers.append(label_name)
+                return _run
+
+            inst.supports = always_supports.__get__(inst, inst.__class__)
+            inst.run = make_run(label).__get__(inst, inst.__class__)
+            patched_installers.append(inst)
+
+        with patch.object(install_mod, "INSTALLERS", patched_installers), \
+             patch.object(install_mod, "get_repo_identifier", return_value="dummy-repo"), \
+             patch.object(install_mod, "get_repo_dir", return_value=repo_dir), \
+             patch.object(install_mod, "verify_repository", return_value=(True, [], None, None)), \
+             patch.object(install_mod, "create_ink"), \
+             patch.object(install_mod, "clone_repos"):
+
+            install_repos(
+                selected_repos=selected_repos,
+                repositories_base_dir=self.tmp_root,
+                bin_dir=self.bin_dir,
+                all_repos=all_repos,
+                no_verification=True,
+                preview=False,
+                quiet=False,
+                clone_mode="shallow",
+                update_dependencies=False,
+            )
+
+        return called_installers
+
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # Scenario 1: Only Makefile with install target
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    def test_only_makefile_installer_runs(self) -> None:
+        repo_dir = self._new_repo()
+
+        # Makefile: detect a real 'install' target for makefile layer.
+        with open(os.path.join(repo_dir, "Makefile"), "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write("install:\n\t@echo 'installing from Makefile'\n")
+
+        mk_inst = MakefileInstaller()
+        installers = [("makefile", mk_inst)]
+
+        called = self._run_with_installers(repo_dir, installers)
+
+        self.assertEqual(
+            called,
+            ["makefile"],
+            "With only a Makefile, the MakefileInstaller should run exactly once.",
+        )
+
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # Scenario 2: Python + Makefile, but pyproject.toml does NOT mention 'make install'
+    #             → capabilities are disjoint, both installers should run.
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    def test_python_and_makefile_both_run_when_caps_disjoint(self) -> None:
+        repo_dir = self._new_repo()
+
+        # pyproject.toml: basic Python project, no 'make install' string.
+        with open(os.path.join(repo_dir, "pyproject.toml"), "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write(
+                "[project]\n"
+                "name = 'dummy'\n"
+            )
+
+        # Makefile: install target for makefile layer.
+        with open(os.path.join(repo_dir, "Makefile"), "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write("install:\n\t@echo 'installing from Makefile'\n")
+
+        py_inst = PythonInstaller()
+        mk_inst = MakefileInstaller()
+
+        # Order: Python first, then Makefile
+        installers = [
+            ("python", py_inst),
+            ("makefile", mk_inst),
+        ]
+
+        called = self._run_with_installers(repo_dir, installers)
+
+        # Both should have run because:
+        #   - Python provides {python-runtime}
+        #   - Makefile provides {make-install}
+        self.assertEqual(
+            called,
+            ["python", "makefile"],
+            "PythonInstaller and MakefileInstaller should both run when their capabilities are disjoint.",
+        )
+
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # Scenario 3: Python + Makefile, pyproject.toml mentions 'make install'
+    #             → PythonInstaller provides {python-runtime, make-install}
+    #               MakefileInstaller only {make-install}
+    #             → MakefileInstaller must be skipped.
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    def test_python_shadows_makefile_when_pyproject_mentions_make_install(self) -> None:
+        repo_dir = self._new_repo()
+
+        # pyproject.toml: Python project with 'make install' hint.
+        with open(os.path.join(repo_dir, "pyproject.toml"), "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write(
+                "[project]\n"
+                "name = 'dummy'\n"
+                "\n"
+                "# Hint for MakeInstallCapability on layer 'python'\n"
+                "make install\n"
+            )
+
+        # Makefile: install target, but should be shadowed by Python.
+        with open(os.path.join(repo_dir, "Makefile"), "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write("install:\n\t@echo 'installing from Makefile'\n")
+
+        py_inst = PythonInstaller()
+        mk_inst = MakefileInstaller()
+
+        installers = [
+            ("python", py_inst),
+            ("makefile", mk_inst),
+        ]
+
+        called = self._run_with_installers(repo_dir, installers)
+
+        # Python should run, Makefile should be skipped because its only
+        # capability (make-install) is already provided by Python.
+        self.assertIn("python", called, "PythonInstaller should have run.")
+        self.assertNotIn(
+            "makefile",
+            called,
+            "MakefileInstaller should be skipped because its 'make-install' capability "
+            "is already provided by Python.",
+        )
+
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # Scenario 4: Nix + Python + Makefile
+    #             flake.nix provides python-runtime + make-install + nix-flake
+    #             → Nix shadows both Python and Makefile.
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    def test_nix_shadows_python_and_makefile(self) -> None:
+        repo_dir = self._new_repo()
+
+        # pyproject.toml: generic Python project
+        with open(os.path.join(repo_dir, "pyproject.toml"), "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write(
+                "[project]\n"
+                "name = 'dummy'\n"
+            )
+
+        # Makefile: install target
+        with open(os.path.join(repo_dir, "Makefile"), "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write("install:\n\t@echo 'installing from Makefile'\n")
+
+        # flake.nix: hints for both python-runtime and make-install on layer 'nix'
+        with open(os.path.join(repo_dir, "flake.nix"), "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write(
+                "{\n"
+                '  description = "integration test flake";\n'
+                "}\n"
+                "\n"
+                "# Hint for PythonRuntimeCapability on layer 'nix'\n"
+                "buildPythonApplication something\n"
+                "\n"
+                "# Hint for MakeInstallCapability on layer 'nix'\n"
+                "make install\n"
+            )
+
+        nix_inst = NixFlakeInstaller()
+        py_inst = PythonInstaller()
+        mk_inst = MakefileInstaller()
+
+        installers = [
+            ("nix", nix_inst),
+            ("python", py_inst),
+            ("makefile", mk_inst),
+        ]
+
+        called = self._run_with_installers(repo_dir, installers)
+
+        # Nix must run, Python and Makefile must be skipped:
+        #   - Nix provides {python-runtime, make-install, nix-flake}
+        #   - Python provides {python-runtime}
+        #   - Makefile provides {make-install}
+        self.assertIn("nix", called, "NixFlakeInstaller should have run.")
+        self.assertNotIn(
+            "python",
+            called,
+            "PythonInstaller should be skipped because its python-runtime capability "
+            "is already provided by Nix.",
+        )
+        self.assertNotIn(
+            "makefile",
+            called,
+            "MakefileInstaller should be skipped because its make-install capability "
+            "is already provided by Nix.",
+        )
+
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # Scenario 5: OS packages + Nix + Python + Makefile
+    #             PKGBUILD provides python-runtime + make-install + nix-flake
+    #             → ArchPkgbuildInstaller shadows everything below.
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    def test_os_packages_shadow_nix_python_and_makefile(self) -> None:
+        repo_dir = self._new_repo()
+
+        # pyproject.toml: enough to signal a Python project
+        with open(os.path.join(repo_dir, "pyproject.toml"), "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write(
+                "[project]\n"
+                "name = 'dummy'\n"
+            )
+
+        # Makefile: install target
+        with open(os.path.join(repo_dir, "Makefile"), "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write("install:\n\t@echo 'installing from Makefile'\n")
+
+        # flake.nix: as before
+        with open(os.path.join(repo_dir, "flake.nix"), "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write(
+                "{\n"
+                '  description = "integration test flake";\n'
+                "}\n"
+                "\n"
+                "buildPythonApplication something\n"
+                "make install\n"
+            )
+
+        # PKGBUILD: contains patterns for all three capabilities on layer 'os-packages':
+        #   - "pip install ."   → python-runtime
+        #   - "make install"    → make-install
+        #   - "nix profile"     → nix-flake
+        with open(os.path.join(repo_dir, "PKGBUILD"), "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write(
+                "pkgname=dummy\n"
+                "pkgver=0.1\n"
+                "pkgrel=1\n"
+                "pkgdesc='dummy pkg for integration test'\n"
+                "arch=('any')\n"
+                "source=()\n"
+                "sha256sums=()\n"
+                "\n"
+                "build() {\n"
+                "  echo 'build phase'\n"
+                "}\n"
+                "\n"
+                "package() {\n"
+                "  echo 'install via pip and make and nix'\n"
+                "  pip install .\n"
+                "  make install\n"
+                "  nix profile list || true\n"
+                "}\n"
+            )
+
+        os_inst = ArchPkgbuildInstaller()
+        nix_inst = NixFlakeInstaller()
+        py_inst = PythonInstaller()
+        mk_inst = MakefileInstaller()
+
+        installers = [
+            ("os-packages", os_inst),
+            ("nix", nix_inst),
+            ("python", py_inst),
+            ("makefile", mk_inst),
+        ]
+
+        called = self._run_with_installers(repo_dir, installers)
+
+        # ArchPkgbuildInstaller must run, and everything below must be skipped:
+        #   - os-packages provides {python-runtime, make-install, nix-flake}
+        #   - nix provides {python-runtime, make-install, nix-flake}
+        #   - python provides {python-runtime}
+        #   - makefile provides {make-install}
+        self.assertIn("os-packages", called, "ArchPkgbuildInstaller should have run.")
+        self.assertNotIn(
+            "nix",
+            called,
+            "NixFlakeInstaller should be skipped because all its capabilities "
+            "are already provided by os-packages.",
+        )
+        self.assertNotIn(
+            "python",
+            called,
+            "PythonInstaller should be skipped because python-runtime is already "
+            "provided by os-packages.",
+        )
+        self.assertNotIn(
+            "makefile",
+            called,
+            "MakefileInstaller should be skipped because make-install is already "
+            "provided by os-packages.",
+        )
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()
diff --git a/tests/unit/pkgmgr/test_capabilities.py b/tests/unit/pkgmgr/test_capabilities.py
index bdceb80..7be7294 100644
--- a/tests/unit/pkgmgr/test_capabilities.py
+++ b/tests/unit/pkgmgr/test_capabilities.py
@@ -8,21 +8,32 @@ from pkgmgr.capabilities import (
     PythonRuntimeCapability,
     MakeInstallCapability,
     NixFlakeCapability,
+    CapabilityMatcher,
+    detect_capabilities,
+    resolve_effective_capabilities,
+    LAYER_ORDER,
 )
 
 
 class DummyCtx:
     """Minimal RepoContext stub with just repo_dir."""
+
     def __init__(self, repo_dir: str):
         self.repo_dir = repo_dir
 
 
-class TestCapabilities(unittest.TestCase):
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Tests for individual capability detectors
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestCapabilitiesDetectors(unittest.TestCase):
     def setUp(self):
         self.ctx = DummyCtx("/tmp/repo")
 
     @patch("pkgmgr.capabilities.os.path.exists")
     def test_python_runtime_python_layer_pyproject(self, mock_exists):
+        """PythonRuntimeCapability: python layer is provided if pyproject.toml exists."""
         cap = PythonRuntimeCapability()
 
         def exists_side_effect(path):
@@ -32,10 +43,17 @@ class TestCapabilities(unittest.TestCase):
 
         self.assertTrue(cap.applies_to_layer("python"))
         self.assertTrue(cap.is_provided(self.ctx, "python"))
+        # Other layers should not be treated as python-runtime by this branch
+        self.assertFalse(cap.is_provided(self.ctx, "nix"))
+        self.assertFalse(cap.is_provided(self.ctx, "os-packages"))
 
     @patch("pkgmgr.capabilities._read_text_if_exists")
     @patch("pkgmgr.capabilities.os.path.exists")
     def test_python_runtime_nix_layer_flake(self, mock_exists, mock_read):
+        """
+        PythonRuntimeCapability: nix layer is provided if flake.nix contains
+        Python-related patterns like buildPythonApplication.
+        """
         cap = PythonRuntimeCapability()
 
         def exists_side_effect(path):
@@ -54,6 +72,7 @@ class TestCapabilities(unittest.TestCase):
         read_data="install:\n\t echo 'installing'\n",
     )
     def test_make_install_makefile_layer(self, mock_file, mock_exists):
+        """MakeInstallCapability: makefile layer is provided if Makefile has an install target."""
         cap = MakeInstallCapability()
 
         self.assertTrue(cap.applies_to_layer("makefile"))
@@ -61,6 +80,7 @@ class TestCapabilities(unittest.TestCase):
 
     @patch("pkgmgr.capabilities.os.path.exists")
     def test_nix_flake_capability_on_nix_layer(self, mock_exists):
+        """NixFlakeCapability: nix layer is provided if flake.nix exists."""
         cap = NixFlakeCapability()
 
         def exists_side_effect(path):
@@ -72,5 +92,283 @@ class TestCapabilities(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertTrue(cap.is_provided(self.ctx, "nix"))
 
 
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Dummy capability matcher for resolver tests
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class DummyCapability(CapabilityMatcher):
+    """
+    Simple test capability that returns True/False based on a static mapping:
+
+        mapping = {
+            "makefile": True,
+            "python":   False,
+            "nix":      True,
+            ...
+        }
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, name: str, mapping: dict[str, bool]):
+        self.name = name
+        self._mapping = mapping
+
+    def applies_to_layer(self, layer: str) -> bool:
+        return layer in self._mapping
+
+    def is_provided(self, ctx: DummyCtx, layer: str) -> bool:
+        # ctx is unused here; we are testing the resolution logic, not IO
+        return self._mapping.get(layer, False)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Tests for detect_capabilities (raw detection)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestDetectCapabilities(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.ctx = DummyCtx("/tmp/repo")
+
+    def test_detect_capabilities_with_dummy_matchers(self):
+        """
+        detect_capabilities should aggregate all capabilities per layer
+        based on the matchers' applies_to_layer/is_provided logic.
+        """
+        layers = ["makefile", "python", "nix", "os-packages"]
+
+        dummy1 = DummyCapability(
+            "cap-a",
+            {
+                "makefile": True,
+                "python": False,
+                "nix": True,
+            },
+        )
+        dummy2 = DummyCapability(
+            "cap-b",
+            {
+                "python": True,
+                "os-packages": True,
+            },
+        )
+
+        with patch("pkgmgr.capabilities.CAPABILITY_MATCHERS", [dummy1, dummy2]):
+            caps = detect_capabilities(self.ctx, layers)
+
+        self.assertEqual(
+            caps,
+            {
+                "makefile": {"cap-a"},
+                "python": {"cap-b"},
+                "nix": {"cap-a"},
+                "os-packages": {"cap-b"},
+            },
+        )
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Tests for resolve_effective_capabilities (bottom-up shadowing)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestResolveEffectiveCapabilities(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.ctx = DummyCtx("/tmp/repo")
+
+    def test_bottom_up_shadowing_makefile_python_nix(self):
+        """
+        Scenario:
+          - makefile: provides make-install
+          - python:   provides python-runtime, make-install
+          - nix:      provides python-runtime, make-install, nix-flake
+          - os-packages: none
+
+        Expected effective capabilities:
+          - makefile:    {}
+          - python:      {}
+          - nix:         {python-runtime, make-install, nix-flake}
+          - os-packages: {}
+        """
+        layers = ["makefile", "python", "nix", "os-packages"]
+
+        cap_make_install = DummyCapability(
+            "make-install",
+            {
+                "makefile": True,
+                "python": True,
+                "nix": True,
+                "os-packages": False,
+            },
+        )
+        cap_python_runtime = DummyCapability(
+            "python-runtime",
+            {
+                "makefile": False,
+                "python": True,
+                "nix": True,
+                "os-packages": False,
+            },
+        )
+        cap_nix_flake = DummyCapability(
+            "nix-flake",
+            {
+                "makefile": False,
+                "python": False,
+                "nix": True,
+                "os-packages": False,
+            },
+        )
+
+        with patch(
+            "pkgmgr.capabilities.CAPABILITY_MATCHERS",
+            [cap_make_install, cap_python_runtime, cap_nix_flake],
+        ):
+            effective = resolve_effective_capabilities(self.ctx, layers)
+
+        self.assertEqual(effective["makefile"], set())
+        self.assertEqual(effective["python"], set())
+        self.assertEqual(
+            effective["nix"],
+            {"python-runtime", "make-install", "nix-flake"},
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(effective["os-packages"], set())
+
+    def test_os_packages_shadow_all_lower_layers(self):
+        """
+        Scenario:
+          - python:      provides python-runtime
+          - nix:         provides python-runtime
+          - os-packages: provides python-runtime
+
+        Expected effective capabilities:
+          - python:      {}
+          - nix:         {}
+          - os-packages: {python-runtime}
+        """
+        layers = ["python", "nix", "os-packages"]
+
+        cap_python_runtime = DummyCapability(
+            "python-runtime",
+            {
+                "python": True,
+                "nix": True,
+                "os-packages": True,
+            },
+        )
+
+        with patch(
+            "pkgmgr.capabilities.CAPABILITY_MATCHERS",
+            [cap_python_runtime],
+        ):
+            effective = resolve_effective_capabilities(self.ctx, layers)
+
+        self.assertEqual(effective["python"], set())
+        self.assertEqual(effective["nix"], set())
+        self.assertEqual(effective["os-packages"], {"python-runtime"})
+
+    def test_capability_only_in_lowest_layer(self):
+        """
+        If a capability is only provided by the lowest layer, it should remain
+        attached to that layer as an effective capability.
+        """
+        layers = ["makefile", "python", "nix"]
+
+        cap_only_make = DummyCapability(
+            "make-install",
+            {
+                "makefile": True,
+                "python": False,
+                "nix": False,
+            },
+        )
+
+        with patch("pkgmgr.capabilities.CAPABILITY_MATCHERS", [cap_only_make]):
+            effective = resolve_effective_capabilities(self.ctx, layers)
+
+        self.assertEqual(effective["makefile"], {"make-install"})
+        self.assertEqual(effective["python"], set())
+        self.assertEqual(effective["nix"], set())
+
+    def test_capability_only_in_highest_layer(self):
+        """
+        If a capability is only provided by the highest layer, it should appear
+        only there as an effective capability.
+        """
+        layers = ["makefile", "python", "nix"]
+
+        cap_only_nix = DummyCapability(
+            "nix-flake",
+            {
+                "makefile": False,
+                "python": False,
+                "nix": True,
+            },
+        )
+
+        with patch("pkgmgr.capabilities.CAPABILITY_MATCHERS", [cap_only_nix]):
+            effective = resolve_effective_capabilities(self.ctx, layers)
+
+        self.assertEqual(effective["makefile"], set())
+        self.assertEqual(effective["python"], set())
+        self.assertEqual(effective["nix"], {"nix-flake"})
+
+    def test_partial_layer_subset_order_respected(self):
+        """
+        When passing a custom subset of layers, the resolver must respect
+        that custom order for shadowing.
+
+        Scenario:
+          - layers = ["python", "nix"]
+          - both provide "python-runtime"
+
+        Expected:
+          - python: {}
+          - nix:    {"python-runtime"}
+        """
+        layers = ["python", "nix"]
+
+        cap_python_runtime = DummyCapability(
+            "python-runtime",
+            {
+                "python": True,
+                "nix": True,
+            },
+        )
+
+        with patch(
+            "pkgmgr.capabilities.CAPABILITY_MATCHERS",
+            [cap_python_runtime],
+        ):
+            effective = resolve_effective_capabilities(self.ctx, layers)
+
+        self.assertEqual(effective["python"], set())
+        self.assertEqual(effective["nix"], {"python-runtime"})
+
+    def test_default_layer_order_is_used_if_none_given(self):
+        """
+        If no explicit layers are passed, resolve_effective_capabilities
+        should use LAYER_ORDER.
+        """
+        cap_dummy = DummyCapability(
+            "dummy-cap",
+            {
+                # Only provide something on the highest default layer
+                LAYER_ORDER[-1]: True,
+            },
+        )
+
+        with patch(
+            "pkgmgr.capabilities.CAPABILITY_MATCHERS",
+            [cap_dummy],
+        ):
+            effective = resolve_effective_capabilities(self.ctx)
+
+        # All lower layers must be empty; highest default layer must have the cap
+        for layer in LAYER_ORDER[:-1]:
+            self.assertEqual(effective[layer], set())
+        self.assertEqual(effective[LAYER_ORDER[-1]], {"dummy-cap"})
+
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     unittest.main()