diff --git a/core/src/local/store.rs b/core/src/local/store.rs
index be62322..3c2285d 100644
--- a/core/src/local/store.rs
+++ b/core/src/local/store.rs
@@ -1192,6 +1192,13 @@ mod tests {
         list_notes(conn, &query).expect("list")
     }
 
+    // Throwaway (#5237): proves a red core test stops the APK. Reverted next commit.
+    #[test]
+    fn deliberately_red_for_the_apk_gate() {
+        let n = "x".len();
+        assert_eq!(n, 2, "this test exists to fail");
+    }
+
     fn ids(notes: &[Note]) -> Vec<&str> {
         notes.iter().map(|n| n.id.as_str()).collect()
     }