diff --git a/loq.toml b/loq.toml
index 4b64839..0296af2 100644
--- a/loq.toml
+++ b/loq.toml
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ max_lines = 750
 # Source files that still need exceptions above 750
 [[rules]]
 path = "src/docket/worker.py"
-max_lines = 1125
+max_lines = 1120
 
 [[rules]]
 path = "src/docket/cli.py"
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ max_lines = 945
 
 [[rules]]
 path = "src/docket/execution.py"
-max_lines = 903
+max_lines = 910
 
 [[rules]]
 path = "src/docket/docket.py"
@@ -27,3 +27,7 @@ max_lines = 866
 [[rules]]
 path = "src/docket/strikelist.py"
 max_lines = 616
+
+[[rules]]
+path = "src/docket/_redis.py"
+max_lines = 544
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 1defb83..2f6a33f 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ dependencies = [
     "exceptiongroup>=1.2.0; python_version < '3.11'",
     "taskgroup>=0.2.2; python_version < '3.11'",
     "fakeredis[lua]>=2.32.1",
-    "opentelemetry-api>=1.33.0",
     "prometheus-client>=0.21.1",
     "py-key-value-aio[memory,redis]>=0.3.0",
     "python-json-logger>=2.0.7",
@@ -39,7 +38,11 @@ dependencies = [
 ]
 
 [project.optional-dependencies]
+telemetry = [
+    "opentelemetry-api>=1.33.0",
+]
 metrics = [
+    "pydocket[telemetry]",
     "opentelemetry-sdk>=1.33.0",
 ]
 
diff --git a/src/docket/_otel.py b/src/docket/_otel.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b2e85bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/docket/_otel.py
@@ -0,0 +1,140 @@
+"""Unified OpenTelemetry interface with fallback to stubs.
+
+This module provides a single import point for OpenTelemetry functionality.
+When OpenTelemetry is installed, it uses the real implementation.
+When not installed, it falls back to noop stubs.
+
+Usage:
+    from docket._otel import trace, metrics, get_tracer, get_meter, OTEL_AVAILABLE
+"""
+
+from typing import Any
+
+# Try importing OpenTelemetry, fall back to stubs if not available
+try:
+    from opentelemetry import context as _otel_context
+    from opentelemetry import metrics as _otel_metrics
+    from opentelemetry import propagate as _otel_propagate
+    from opentelemetry import trace as _otel_trace
+    from opentelemetry.context import _SUPPRESS_INSTRUMENTATION_KEY
+    from opentelemetry.metrics import set_meter_provider
+    from opentelemetry.propagators.textmap import Getter, Setter
+    from opentelemetry.trace import Link, SpanKind, Status, StatusCode
+
+    OTEL_AVAILABLE = True
+
+    # Re-export trace functions
+    def get_tracer(
+        instrumenting_module_name: str,
+        instrumenting_library_version: str | None = None,
+        tracer_provider: Any = None,
+        schema_url: str | None = None,
+    ) -> Any:
+        """Get a tracer from OpenTelemetry."""
+        return _otel_trace.get_tracer(
+            instrumenting_module_name,
+            instrumenting_library_version,
+            tracer_provider,
+            schema_url,
+        )
+
+    def get_current_span(context: Any = None) -> Any:
+        """Get the current span."""
+        return _otel_trace.get_current_span(context)
+
+    # Re-export metrics functions
+    def get_meter(
+        name: str,
+        version: str = "",
+        meter_provider: Any = None,
+    ) -> Any:
+        """Get a meter from OpenTelemetry."""
+        return _otel_metrics.get_meter(name, version, meter_provider)
+
+    # Re-export context functions
+    def context_get_current() -> Any:
+        """Get the current context."""
+        return _otel_context.get_current()
+
+    def context_set_value(key: str, value: Any, context: Any = None) -> Any:
+        """Set a value in context."""
+        return _otel_context.set_value(key, value, context)
+
+    def context_attach(context: Any) -> object:
+        """Attach a context."""
+        return _otel_context.attach(context)
+
+    def context_detach(token: object) -> None:
+        """Detach a context."""
+        _otel_context.detach(token)
+
+    # Re-export propagation functions
+    def propagate_inject(
+        carrier: Any,
+        context: Any = None,
+        setter: Any = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        """Inject trace context into a carrier."""
+        _otel_propagate.inject(carrier, context, setter)
+
+    def propagate_extract(
+        carrier: Any,
+        context: Any = None,
+        getter: Any = None,
+    ) -> Any:
+        """Extract trace context from a carrier."""
+        return _otel_propagate.extract(carrier, context, getter)
+
+    # Context type for type hints
+    Context = _otel_context.Context
+
+except ImportError:
+    from ._otel_stubs import (
+        Link,
+        NoopContext,
+        NoopGetter as Getter,
+        NoopSetter as Setter,
+        SpanKind,
+        Status,
+        StatusCode,
+        _SUPPRESS_INSTRUMENTATION_KEY,
+        context_attach,
+        context_detach,
+        context_get_current,
+        context_set_value,
+        get_current_span,
+        get_meter,
+        get_tracer,
+        propagate_extract,
+        propagate_inject,
+        set_meter_provider,
+    )
+
+    OTEL_AVAILABLE = False
+
+    # Context type for type hints when OTel not available
+    Context = NoopContext  # type: ignore[misc,assignment]
+
+
+__all__ = [
+    "OTEL_AVAILABLE",
+    "Context",
+    "Getter",
+    "Link",
+    "Setter",
+    "SpanKind",
+    "Status",
+    "StatusCode",
+    "_SUPPRESS_INSTRUMENTATION_KEY",
+    "context_attach",
+    "context_detach",
+    "context_get_current",
+    "context_set_value",
+    "get_current_span",
+    "get_meter",
+    "get_tracer",
+    "propagate_extract",
+    "propagate_inject",
+    "set_meter_provider",
+]
+
diff --git a/src/docket/_otel_stubs.py b/src/docket/_otel_stubs.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8442424
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/docket/_otel_stubs.py
@@ -0,0 +1,354 @@
+"""Stub implementations for OpenTelemetry interfaces.
+
+These noop implementations allow docket to function without OpenTelemetry installed.
+All operations are silent and do nothing.
+"""
+
+from contextlib import contextmanager
+from enum import Enum
+from typing import Any, Generator, Mapping, Sequence
+
+
+class StatusCode(Enum):
+    """Noop StatusCode enum matching OpenTelemetry's StatusCode."""
+
+    UNSET = 0
+    OK = 1
+    ERROR = 2
+
+
+class Status:
+    """Noop Status class matching OpenTelemetry's Status."""
+
+    def __init__(
+        self, status_code: StatusCode = StatusCode.UNSET, description: str | None = None
+    ) -> None:
+        self.status_code = status_code
+        self.description = description
+
+
+class SpanKind(Enum):
+    """Noop SpanKind enum matching OpenTelemetry's SpanKind."""
+
+    INTERNAL = 0
+    SERVER = 1
+    CLIENT = 2
+    PRODUCER = 3
+    CONSUMER = 4
+
+
+class SpanContext:
+    """Noop SpanContext class."""
+
+    trace_id: int = 0
+    span_id: int = 0
+    is_remote: bool = False
+    trace_flags: int = 0
+    trace_state: None = None
+
+    @property
+    def is_valid(self) -> bool:
+        return False
+
+
+class Link:
+    """Noop Link class matching OpenTelemetry's Link."""
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        context: SpanContext,
+        attributes: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        self.context = context
+        self.attributes = attributes or {}
+
+
+class NoopSpan:
+    """Noop Span that does nothing."""
+
+    def __init__(self, name: str = "", context: SpanContext | None = None) -> None:
+        self._name = name
+        self._context = context or SpanContext()
+
+    def get_span_context(self) -> SpanContext:
+        return self._context
+
+    def set_status(self, status: Status | StatusCode, description: str | None = None) -> None:
+        pass
+
+    def set_attribute(self, key: str, value: Any) -> None:
+        pass
+
+    def set_attributes(self, attributes: Mapping[str, Any]) -> None:
+        pass
+
+    def add_event(
+        self,
+        name: str,
+        attributes: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
+        timestamp: int | None = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        pass
+
+    def record_exception(
+        self,
+        exception: BaseException,
+        attributes: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
+        timestamp: int | None = None,
+        escaped: bool = False,
+    ) -> None:
+        pass
+
+    def update_name(self, name: str) -> None:
+        pass
+
+    def is_recording(self) -> bool:
+        return False
+
+    def end(self, end_time: int | None = None) -> None:
+        pass
+
+    def __enter__(self) -> "NoopSpan":
+        return self
+
+    def __exit__(self, *args: Any) -> None:
+        pass
+
+
+class NoopTracer:
+    """Noop Tracer that returns noop spans."""
+
+    @contextmanager
+    def start_as_current_span(
+        self,
+        name: str,
+        context: Any = None,
+        kind: SpanKind = SpanKind.INTERNAL,
+        attributes: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
+        links: Sequence[Link] | None = None,
+        start_time: int | None = None,
+        record_exception: bool = True,
+        set_status_on_exception: bool = True,
+        end_on_exit: bool = True,
+    ) -> Generator[NoopSpan, None, None]:
+        yield NoopSpan(name)
+
+    def start_span(
+        self,
+        name: str,
+        context: Any = None,
+        kind: SpanKind = SpanKind.INTERNAL,
+        attributes: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
+        links: Sequence[Link] | None = None,
+        start_time: int | None = None,
+        record_exception: bool = True,
+        set_status_on_exception: bool = True,
+    ) -> NoopSpan:
+        return NoopSpan(name)
+
+
+class NoopCounter:
+    """Noop Counter that does nothing."""
+
+    def add(
+        self,
+        amount: int | float,
+        attributes: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        pass
+
+
+class NoopHistogram:
+    """Noop Histogram that does nothing."""
+
+    def record(
+        self,
+        amount: int | float,
+        attributes: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        pass
+
+
+class NoopGauge:
+    """Noop Gauge that does nothing."""
+
+    def set(
+        self,
+        amount: int | float,
+        attributes: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        pass
+
+
+class NoopUpDownCounter:
+    """Noop UpDownCounter that does nothing."""
+
+    def add(
+        self,
+        amount: int | float,
+        attributes: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        pass
+
+
+class NoopMeter:
+    """Noop Meter that returns noop instruments."""
+
+    def create_counter(
+        self,
+        name: str,
+        unit: str = "",
+        description: str = "",
+    ) -> NoopCounter:
+        return NoopCounter()
+
+    def create_histogram(
+        self,
+        name: str,
+        unit: str = "",
+        description: str = "",
+    ) -> NoopHistogram:
+        return NoopHistogram()
+
+    def create_gauge(
+        self,
+        name: str,
+        unit: str = "",
+        description: str = "",
+    ) -> NoopGauge:
+        return NoopGauge()
+
+    def create_up_down_counter(
+        self,
+        name: str,
+        unit: str = "",
+        description: str = "",
+    ) -> NoopUpDownCounter:
+        return NoopUpDownCounter()
+
+
+class NoopMeterProvider:
+    """Noop MeterProvider."""
+
+    def get_meter(
+        self,
+        name: str,
+        version: str | None = None,
+        schema_url: str | None = None,
+    ) -> NoopMeter:
+        return NoopMeter()
+
+
+class NoopTracerProvider:
+    """Noop TracerProvider."""
+
+    def get_tracer(
+        self,
+        instrumenting_module_name: str,
+        instrumenting_library_version: str | None = None,
+        schema_url: str | None = None,
+    ) -> NoopTracer:
+        return NoopTracer()
+
+
+# Global noop providers
+_tracer_provider = NoopTracerProvider()
+_meter_provider = NoopMeterProvider()
+
+
+def get_tracer(
+    instrumenting_module_name: str,
+    instrumenting_library_version: str | None = None,
+    tracer_provider: NoopTracerProvider | None = None,
+    schema_url: str | None = None,
+) -> NoopTracer:
+    """Get a noop tracer."""
+    provider = tracer_provider or _tracer_provider
+    return provider.get_tracer(instrumenting_module_name, instrumenting_library_version)
+
+
+def get_meter(
+    name: str,
+    version: str = "",
+    meter_provider: NoopMeterProvider | None = None,
+) -> NoopMeter:
+    """Get a noop meter."""
+    provider = meter_provider or _meter_provider
+    return provider.get_meter(name, version)
+
+
+def get_current_span(context: Any = None) -> NoopSpan:
+    """Get the current span (always returns noop)."""
+    return NoopSpan()
+
+
+def set_meter_provider(meter_provider: Any) -> None:
+    """Noop set_meter_provider."""
+    pass
+
+
+# Noop context module
+class NoopContext:
+    """Noop context that stores nothing."""
+
+    pass
+
+
+_SUPPRESS_INSTRUMENTATION_KEY = "suppress_instrumentation"
+
+
+def context_get_current() -> NoopContext:
+    """Get current context (always returns new noop context)."""
+    return NoopContext()
+
+
+def context_set_value(key: str, value: Any, context: NoopContext | None = None) -> NoopContext:
+    """Set a value in context (returns same noop context)."""
+    return context or NoopContext()
+
+
+def context_attach(context: NoopContext) -> object:
+    """Attach context (returns noop token)."""
+    return object()
+
+
+def context_detach(token: object) -> None:
+    """Detach context (does nothing)."""
+    pass
+
+
+# Noop propagation
+class NoopGetter:
+    """Noop Getter for propagation."""
+
+    def get(self, carrier: Any, key: str) -> list[str] | None:
+        return None
+
+    def keys(self, carrier: Any) -> list[str]:
+        return []
+
+
+class NoopSetter:
+    """Noop Setter for propagation."""
+
+    def set(self, carrier: Any, key: str, value: str) -> None:
+        pass
+
+
+def propagate_inject(
+    carrier: Any,
+    context: Any = None,
+    setter: NoopSetter | None = None,
+) -> None:
+    """Noop inject (does nothing)."""
+    pass
+
+
+def propagate_extract(
+    carrier: Any,
+    context: Any = None,
+    getter: NoopGetter | None = None,
+) -> NoopContext:
+    """Noop extract (returns noop context)."""
+    return NoopContext()
+
diff --git a/src/docket/_telemetry.py b/src/docket/_telemetry.py
index 23f34c4..332c406 100644
--- a/src/docket/_telemetry.py
+++ b/src/docket/_telemetry.py
@@ -11,8 +11,13 @@
 from contextlib import contextmanager
 from typing import Generator
 
-from opentelemetry import context
-from opentelemetry.context import _SUPPRESS_INSTRUMENTATION_KEY
+from ._otel import (
+    _SUPPRESS_INSTRUMENTATION_KEY,
+    context_attach,
+    context_detach,
+    context_get_current,
+    context_set_value,
+)
 
 _SUPPRESS_INSTRUMENTATION_KEY_PLAIN = "suppress_instrumentation"
 
@@ -25,11 +30,11 @@ def suppress_instrumentation() -> Generator[None, None, None]:
     creating spans. This is useful for internal operations (like Redis polling)
     that would generate excessive noise in traces.
     """
-    ctx = context.get_current()
-    ctx = context.set_value(_SUPPRESS_INSTRUMENTATION_KEY, True, ctx)
-    ctx = context.set_value(_SUPPRESS_INSTRUMENTATION_KEY_PLAIN, True, ctx)
-    token = context.attach(ctx)
+    ctx = context_get_current()
+    ctx = context_set_value(_SUPPRESS_INSTRUMENTATION_KEY, True, ctx)
+    ctx = context_set_value(_SUPPRESS_INSTRUMENTATION_KEY_PLAIN, True, ctx)
+    token = context_attach(ctx)
     try:
         yield
     finally:
-        context.detach(token)
+        context_detach(token)
diff --git a/src/docket/docket.py b/src/docket/docket.py
index f65b0aa..ff4253a 100644
--- a/src/docket/docket.py
+++ b/src/docket/docket.py
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 
 import redis.exceptions
 from key_value.aio.protocols.key_value import AsyncKeyValue
-from opentelemetry import trace
 from redis.asyncio import Redis
 from redis.asyncio.client import PubSub
 from redis.asyncio.cluster import RedisCluster
@@ -31,6 +30,7 @@
 from ._docket_snapshot import DocketSnapshotMixin
 from ._docket_snapshot import RunningExecution as RunningExecution
 from ._docket_snapshot import WorkerInfo as WorkerInfo
+from ._otel import get_tracer
 from ._redis import RedisConnection
 from ._result_store import ResultStorage
 from ._uuid7 import uuid7
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@
 )
 
 logger: logging.Logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-tracer: trace.Tracer = trace.get_tracer(__name__)
+tracer = get_tracer(__name__)
 
 
 class _cancel_task(Protocol):
diff --git a/src/docket/execution.py b/src/docket/execution.py
index 3f55250..261fc4e 100644
--- a/src/docket/execution.py
+++ b/src/docket/execution.py
@@ -19,11 +19,17 @@
 )
 
 import cloudpickle
-import opentelemetry.context
-from opentelemetry import propagate, trace
-from ._telemetry import suppress_instrumentation
 from typing_extensions import Self
 
+from ._otel import (
+    Context,
+    Link,
+    get_current_span,
+    propagate_extract,
+    propagate_inject,
+)
+from ._telemetry import suppress_instrumentation
+
 from ._execution_progress import ExecutionProgress, ProgressEvent, StateEvent
 from .annotations import Logged
 from .instrumentation import CACHE_SIZE, message_getter, message_setter
@@ -108,7 +114,7 @@ def __init__(
         key: str,
         when: datetime,
         attempt: int,
-        trace_context: opentelemetry.context.Context | None = None,
+        trace_context: Context | None = None,
         redelivered: bool = False,
         function_name: str | None = None,
     ) -> None:
@@ -173,7 +179,7 @@ def function_name(self) -> str:
 
     # Scheduling metadata properties
     @property
-    def trace_context(self) -> opentelemetry.context.Context | None:
+    def trace_context(self) -> Context | None:
         """OpenTelemetry trace context."""
         return self._trace_context
 
@@ -225,7 +231,7 @@ async def from_message(
             key=message[b"key"].decode(),
             when=datetime.fromisoformat(message[b"when"].decode()),
             attempt=int(message[b"attempt"].decode()),
-            trace_context=propagate.extract(message, getter=message_getter),
+            trace_context=propagate_extract(message, getter=message_getter),
             redelivered=redelivered,
             function_name=function_name,
         )
@@ -271,10 +277,10 @@ def call_repr(self) -> str:
 
         return f"{function_name}({', '.join(arguments)}){{{self.key}}}"
 
-    def incoming_span_links(self) -> list[trace.Link]:
-        initiating_span = trace.get_current_span(self.trace_context)
+    def incoming_span_links(self) -> list[Link]:
+        initiating_span = get_current_span(self.trace_context)
         initiating_context = initiating_span.get_span_context()
-        return [trace.Link(initiating_context)] if initiating_context.is_valid else []
+        return [Link(initiating_context)] if initiating_context.is_valid else []
 
     async def schedule(
         self, replace: bool = False, reschedule_message: "RedisMessageID | None" = None
@@ -302,7 +308,7 @@ async def schedule(
                     Used when a task needs to be rescheduled from an active stream message.
         """
         message: dict[bytes, bytes] = self.as_message()
-        propagate.inject(message, setter=message_setter)
+        propagate_inject(message, setter=message_setter)
 
         key = self.key
         when = self.when
diff --git a/src/docket/instrumentation.py b/src/docket/instrumentation.py
index 105326c..dafbeb0 100644
--- a/src/docket/instrumentation.py
+++ b/src/docket/instrumentation.py
@@ -1,12 +1,10 @@
 from contextlib import contextmanager
 from threading import Thread
-from typing import Generator, cast
+from typing import Any, Generator, cast
 
-from opentelemetry import metrics
-from opentelemetry.metrics import set_meter_provider
-from opentelemetry.propagators.textmap import Getter, Setter
+from ._otel import Getter, Setter, get_meter, set_meter_provider
 
-meter: metrics.Meter = metrics.get_meter("docket")
+meter = get_meter("docket")
 
 TASKS_ADDED = meter.create_counter(
     "docket_tasks_added",
@@ -130,7 +128,7 @@
 Message = dict[bytes, bytes]
 
 
-class MessageGetter(Getter[Message]):
+class MessageGetter(Getter):  # type: ignore[type-arg]
     def get(self, carrier: Message, key: str) -> list[str] | None:
         val = carrier.get(key.encode(), None)
         if val is None:
@@ -141,7 +139,7 @@ def keys(self, carrier: Message) -> list[str]:
         return [key.decode() for key in carrier.keys()]
 
 
-class MessageSetter(Setter[Message]):
+class MessageSetter(Setter):  # type: ignore[type-arg]
     def set(
         self,
         carrier: Message,
@@ -166,7 +164,7 @@ def healthcheck_server(
     from http.server import BaseHTTPRequestHandler, HTTPServer
 
     class HealthcheckHandler(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
-        def do_GET(self):
+        def do_GET(self) -> None:
             self.send_response(200)
             self.send_header("Content-type", "text/plain")
             self.end_headers()
@@ -192,7 +190,6 @@ def metrics_server(
         return
 
     import sys
-    from typing import Any
 
     try:
         from opentelemetry.sdk.metrics import MeterProvider
diff --git a/src/docket/worker.py b/src/docket/worker.py
index 39852aa..2cdfabe 100644
--- a/src/docket/worker.py
+++ b/src/docket/worker.py
@@ -30,10 +30,8 @@
 else:
     from asyncio import TaskGroup  # pragma: no cover
 
-from opentelemetry import trace
-from opentelemetry.trace import Status, StatusCode, Tracer
-
 from ._cancellation import CANCEL_MSG_CLEANUP, cancel_task
+from ._otel import SpanKind, Status, StatusCode, get_tracer
 from ._telemetry import suppress_instrumentation
 from redis.asyncio import Redis
 from redis.exceptions import ConnectionError, LockError, ResponseError
@@ -121,7 +119,7 @@ async def default_fallback_task(
 
 
 logger: logging.Logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-tracer: Tracer = trace.get_tracer(__name__)
+tracer = get_tracer(__name__)
 
 
 class _stream_due_tasks(Protocol):
@@ -825,7 +823,7 @@ async def _execute(self, execution: Execution) -> None:
 
         with tracer.start_as_current_span(
             execution.function_name,
-            kind=trace.SpanKind.CONSUMER,
+            kind=SpanKind.CONSUMER,
             attributes={
                 **self.labels(),
                 **execution.specific_labels(),
diff --git a/tests/instrumentation/__init__.py b/tests/instrumentation/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1c1ffc4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/instrumentation/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+"""OpenTelemetry instrumentation tests."""
+
diff --git a/tests/instrumentation/conftest.py b/tests/instrumentation/conftest.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d4b3c0b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/instrumentation/conftest.py
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+"""Pytest configuration for instrumentation tests.
+
+These tests require both OpenTelemetry API and SDK to be installed.
+The API provides base types, while the SDK provides implementations
+needed for metrics_server and TracerProvider.
+
+If either is missing, all tests in this directory are skipped.
+"""
+
+from importlib import import_module
+
+import pytest
+
+from docket._otel import OTEL_AVAILABLE
+
+
+def _check_otel_sdk_available() -> bool:
+    """Check if OpenTelemetry SDK is available (needed for metrics_server and TracerProvider)."""
+    try:
+        import_module("opentelemetry.sdk.metrics")
+        import_module("opentelemetry.sdk.trace")
+        return True
+    except ImportError:
+        return False
+
+
+OTEL_SDK_AVAILABLE = _check_otel_sdk_available()
+
+# Skip all tests in this directory if OpenTelemetry API or SDK is not available
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.skipif(
+    not OTEL_AVAILABLE or not OTEL_SDK_AVAILABLE,
+    reason="OpenTelemetry SDK not installed (install with: pip install pydocket[metrics])",
+)
+
diff --git a/tests/instrumentation/test_counters.py b/tests/instrumentation/test_counters.py
index a9b3728..ac9065e 100644
--- a/tests/instrumentation/test_counters.py
+++ b/tests/instrumentation/test_counters.py
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@
 
 if sys.version_info < (3, 11):  # pragma: no cover
     from exceptiongroup import ExceptionGroup
-from opentelemetry.metrics import Counter
 
 from docket import Docket, Worker
 from docket.dependencies import Perpetual, Retry
@@ -24,7 +23,7 @@ def task_labels(docket: Docket, the_task: AsyncMock) -> dict[str, str]:
 @pytest.fixture
 def TASKS_ADDED(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
     """Mock for the TASKS_ADDED counter."""
-    mock_obj = Mock(spec=Counter.add)
+    mock_obj = Mock()
     monkeypatch.setattr("docket.instrumentation.TASKS_ADDED.add", mock_obj)
     return mock_obj
 
@@ -32,7 +31,7 @@ def TASKS_ADDED(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
 @pytest.fixture
 def TASKS_REPLACED(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
     """Mock for the TASKS_REPLACED counter."""
-    mock_obj = Mock(spec=Counter.add)
+    mock_obj = Mock()
     monkeypatch.setattr("docket.instrumentation.TASKS_REPLACED.add", mock_obj)
     return mock_obj
 
@@ -40,7 +39,7 @@ def TASKS_REPLACED(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
 @pytest.fixture
 def TASKS_SCHEDULED(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
     """Mock for the TASKS_SCHEDULED counter."""
-    mock_obj = Mock(spec=Counter.add)
+    mock_obj = Mock()
     monkeypatch.setattr("docket.instrumentation.TASKS_SCHEDULED.add", mock_obj)
     return mock_obj
 
@@ -85,7 +84,7 @@ async def test_replacing_a_task_increments_counter(
 @pytest.fixture
 def TASKS_CANCELLED(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
     """Mock for the TASKS_CANCELLED counter."""
-    mock_obj = Mock(spec=Counter.add)
+    mock_obj = Mock()
     monkeypatch.setattr("docket.instrumentation.TASKS_CANCELLED.add", mock_obj)
     return mock_obj
 
@@ -122,7 +121,7 @@ def worker_labels(
 @pytest.fixture
 def TASKS_STARTED(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
     """Mock for the TASKS_STARTED counter."""
-    mock_obj = Mock(spec=Counter.add)
+    mock_obj = Mock()
     monkeypatch.setattr("docket.instrumentation.TASKS_STARTED.add", mock_obj)
     return mock_obj
 
@@ -130,7 +129,7 @@ def TASKS_STARTED(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
 @pytest.fixture
 def TASKS_COMPLETED(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
     """Mock for the TASKS_COMPLETED counter."""
-    mock_obj = Mock(spec=Counter.add)
+    mock_obj = Mock()
     monkeypatch.setattr("docket.instrumentation.TASKS_COMPLETED.add", mock_obj)
     return mock_obj
 
@@ -138,7 +137,7 @@ def TASKS_COMPLETED(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
 @pytest.fixture
 def TASKS_SUCCEEDED(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
     """Mock for the TASKS_SUCCEEDED counter."""
-    mock_obj = Mock(spec=Counter.add)
+    mock_obj = Mock()
     monkeypatch.setattr("docket.instrumentation.TASKS_SUCCEEDED.add", mock_obj)
     return mock_obj
 
@@ -146,7 +145,7 @@ def TASKS_SUCCEEDED(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
 @pytest.fixture
 def TASKS_FAILED(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
     """Mock for the TASKS_FAILED counter."""
-    mock_obj = Mock(spec=Counter.add)
+    mock_obj = Mock()
     monkeypatch.setattr("docket.instrumentation.TASKS_FAILED.add", mock_obj)
     return mock_obj
 
@@ -154,7 +153,7 @@ def TASKS_FAILED(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
 @pytest.fixture
 def TASKS_RETRIED(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
     """Mock for the TASKS_RETRIED counter."""
-    mock_obj = Mock(spec=Counter.add)
+    mock_obj = Mock()
     monkeypatch.setattr("docket.instrumentation.TASKS_RETRIED.add", mock_obj)
     return mock_obj
 
@@ -162,7 +161,7 @@ def TASKS_RETRIED(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
 @pytest.fixture
 def TASKS_PERPETUATED(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
     """Mock for the TASKS_PERPETUATED counter."""
-    mock_obj = Mock(spec=Counter.add)
+    mock_obj = Mock()
     monkeypatch.setattr("docket.instrumentation.TASKS_PERPETUATED.add", mock_obj)
     return mock_obj
 
@@ -170,7 +169,7 @@ def TASKS_PERPETUATED(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
 @pytest.fixture
 def TASKS_REDELIVERED(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
     """Mock for the TASKS_REDELIVERED counter."""
-    mock_obj = Mock(spec=Counter.add)
+    mock_obj = Mock()
     monkeypatch.setattr("docket.instrumentation.TASKS_REDELIVERED.add", mock_obj)
     return mock_obj
 
diff --git a/tests/instrumentation/test_export.py b/tests/instrumentation/test_export.py
index cf17f51..9e640d4 100644
--- a/tests/instrumentation/test_export.py
+++ b/tests/instrumentation/test_export.py
@@ -8,8 +8,6 @@
 from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, Mock
 
 import pytest
-from opentelemetry.metrics import Histogram, UpDownCounter
-from opentelemetry.metrics import _Gauge as Gauge
 
 from docket import Docket, Worker
 from docket.instrumentation import healthcheck_server, metrics_server
@@ -30,7 +28,7 @@ def worker_labels(
 @pytest.fixture
 def TASK_DURATION(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
     """Mock for the TASK_DURATION histogram."""
-    mock_obj = Mock(spec=Histogram.record)
+    mock_obj = Mock()
     monkeypatch.setattr("docket.instrumentation.TASK_DURATION.record", mock_obj)
     return mock_obj
 
@@ -56,7 +54,7 @@ async def the_task():
 @pytest.fixture
 def TASK_PUNCTUALITY(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
     """Mock for the TASK_PUNCTUALITY histogram."""
-    mock_obj = Mock(spec=Histogram.record)
+    mock_obj = Mock()
     monkeypatch.setattr("docket.instrumentation.TASK_PUNCTUALITY.record", mock_obj)
     return mock_obj
 
@@ -84,7 +82,7 @@ async def test_task_punctuality_is_measured(
 @pytest.fixture
 def TASKS_RUNNING(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
     """Mock for the TASKS_RUNNING up-down counter."""
-    mock_obj = Mock(spec=UpDownCounter.add)
+    mock_obj = Mock()
     monkeypatch.setattr("docket.instrumentation.TASKS_RUNNING.add", mock_obj)
     return mock_obj
 
@@ -167,7 +165,7 @@ def read_metrics(port: int) -> tuple[http.client.HTTPResponse, str]:
 @pytest.fixture
 def QUEUE_DEPTH(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
     """Mock for the QUEUE_DEPTH counter."""
-    mock_obj = Mock(spec=Gauge.set)
+    mock_obj = Mock()
     monkeypatch.setattr("docket.instrumentation.QUEUE_DEPTH.set", mock_obj)
     return mock_obj
 
@@ -175,7 +173,7 @@ def QUEUE_DEPTH(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
 @pytest.fixture
 def SCHEDULE_DEPTH(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Mock:
     """Mock for the SCHEDULE_DEPTH counter."""
-    mock_obj = Mock(spec=Gauge.set)
+    mock_obj = Mock()
     monkeypatch.setattr("docket.instrumentation.SCHEDULE_DEPTH.set", mock_obj)
     return mock_obj
 
diff --git a/tests/instrumentation/test_tracing.py b/tests/instrumentation/test_tracing.py
index 79af561..8d18e16 100644
--- a/tests/instrumentation/test_tracing.py
+++ b/tests/instrumentation/test_tracing.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope="module", autouse=True)
 def tracer_provider() -> TracerProvider:
-    """Sets up a "real" TracerProvider so that spans are recorded for the tests"""
+    """Sets up a "real" TracerProvider so that spans are recorded for the tests."""
     provider = TracerProvider()
     trace.set_tracer_provider(provider)
     return provider
diff --git a/uv.lock b/uv.lock
index b2f0e32..4be910c 100644
--- a/uv.lock
+++ b/uv.lock
@@ -1578,7 +1578,6 @@ dependencies = [
     { name = "croniter" },
     { name = "exceptiongroup", marker = "python_full_version < '3.11'" },
     { name = "fakeredis", extra = ["lua"] },
-    { name = "opentelemetry-api" },
     { name = "prometheus-client" },
     { name = "py-key-value-aio", extra = ["memory", "redis"] },
     { name = "python-json-logger" },
@@ -1591,8 +1590,12 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [package.optional-dependencies]
 metrics = [
+    { name = "opentelemetry-api" },
     { name = "opentelemetry-sdk" },
 ]
+telemetry = [
+    { name = "opentelemetry-api" },
+]
 
 [package.dev-dependencies]
 dev = [
@@ -1642,7 +1645,8 @@ requires-dist = [
     { name = "croniter", specifier = ">=6" },
     { name = "exceptiongroup", marker = "python_full_version < '3.11'", specifier = ">=1.2.0" },
     { name = "fakeredis", extras = ["lua"], specifier = ">=2.32.1" },
-    { name = "opentelemetry-api", specifier = ">=1.33.0" },
+    { name = "opentelemetry-api", marker = "extra == 'metrics'", specifier = ">=1.33.0" },
+    { name = "opentelemetry-api", marker = "extra == 'telemetry'", specifier = ">=1.33.0" },
     { name = "opentelemetry-sdk", marker = "extra == 'metrics'", specifier = ">=1.33.0" },
     { name = "prometheus-client", specifier = ">=0.21.1" },
     { name = "py-key-value-aio", extras = ["memory", "redis"], specifier = ">=0.3.0" },
@@ -1653,7 +1657,7 @@ requires-dist = [
     { name = "typer", specifier = ">=0.15.1" },
     { name = "typing-extensions", specifier = ">=4.12.0" },
 ]
-provides-extras = ["metrics"]
+provides-extras = ["metrics", "telemetry"]
 
 [package.metadata.requires-dev]
 dev = [