diff --git a/tests/test_absence_diagnosis.py b/tests/test_absence_diagnosis.py
index 55e296c..6bc3a6b 100644
--- a/tests/test_absence_diagnosis.py
+++ b/tests/test_absence_diagnosis.py
@@ -394,12 +394,20 @@ def _find_http_route_with_handlers(graph) -> str | None:
 
 
 def _find_symbol_with_edges(graph) -> NodeRef:
-    """Find a real Symbol node that has at least one edge."""
+    """Find a real, resolved project Symbol node that has at least one edge.
+
+    Restricted to ``s.resolved = true``: an unresolved/phantom symbol (external /
+    JDK / library reference) is classified ``external_dependency`` by diagnose
+    (external-wins precedence), not ``refine_query``. ``LIMIT 1`` without
+    ``ORDER BY`` is platform-nondeterministic in Kùzu, so the resolved filter
+    guarantees a genuine project symbol on every platform (was flaky on Windows).
+    """
     rows = graph._rows(  # noqa: SLF001
-        "MATCH (s:Symbol)--() RETURN s.id AS id, s.name AS name, s.fqn AS fqn, "
+        "MATCH (s:Symbol)--() WHERE s.resolved = true "
+        "RETURN s.id AS id, s.name AS name, s.fqn AS fqn, "
         "s.kind AS kind LIMIT 1"
     )
-    assert rows, "corpus has no symbol with edges"
+    assert rows, "corpus has no resolved symbol with edges"
     row = rows[0]
     return NodeRef(
         id=str(row.get("id") or ""),
diff --git a/tests/test_absence_mcp_integration.py b/tests/test_absence_mcp_integration.py
index c019da0..ac77437 100644
--- a/tests/test_absence_mcp_integration.py
+++ b/tests/test_absence_mcp_integration.py
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
 """
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import importlib.util
+
 import pytest
 
 from mcp_v2 import describe_v2, find_v2, neighbors_v2, search_v2
@@ -12,6 +14,24 @@
 from absence_types import AbsenceVerdict
 
 
+def _vector_stack_available() -> bool:
+    """True when the optional vector stack (torch/sentence-transformers/lancedb) is installed.
+
+    The ``search`` tool loads a SentenceTransformer model, so tests that monkeypatch
+    ``run_search`` still need the model importable (the patch makes ``run_search is None``
+    False, forcing the semantic path). Skip them on graph-only installs (macOS Intel,
+    where the vector trio is gated off by PEP 508 markers). Mirrors test_mcp_v2.py.
+    """
+    return all(importlib.util.find_spec(m) is not None for m in ("sentence_transformers", "lancedb"))
+
+
+needs_vectors = pytest.mark.skipif(
+    not _vector_stack_available(),
+    reason="vector stack not installed (graph-only install; macOS Intel)",
+)
+
+
+@needs_vectors
 def test_search_empty_result_has_absence_diagnosis(ladybug_graph, monkeypatch) -> None:
     """Empty search result should have absence field populated with diagnosis."""
     # Monkeypatch run_search to return empty results
@@ -29,6 +49,7 @@ def test_search_empty_result_has_absence_diagnosis(ladybug_graph, monkeypatch) -
         assert out.absence.closest_symbols is not None
 
 
+@needs_vectors
 def test_search_typo_has_absence_diagnosis(ladybug_graph, monkeypatch) -> None:
     """Search with a typo should have refine_query verdict with closest symbols."""
     monkeypatch.setattr("mcp_v2.run_search", lambda *args, **kwargs: [])
@@ -42,6 +63,7 @@ def test_search_typo_has_absence_diagnosis(ladybug_graph, monkeypatch) -> None:
     assert out.absence.closest_symbols  # should have did-you-mean suggestions
 
 
+@needs_vectors
 def test_search_external_dependency_has_absence_diagnosis(ladybug_graph, monkeypatch) -> None:
     """Search for an external dependency should have external_dependency verdict."""
     monkeypatch.setattr("mcp_v2.run_search", lambda *args, **kwargs: [])
@@ -55,6 +77,7 @@ def test_search_external_dependency_has_absence_diagnosis(ladybug_graph, monkeyp
     assert "java.util" in out.absence.external_identity.fqn or "java.util.List" in out.absence.external_identity.fqn
 
 
+@needs_vectors
 def test_search_non_empty_result_has_no_absence(ladybug_graph, monkeypatch) -> None:
     """Non-empty search result should have absence=None."""
     # Mock search to return results