diff --git a/.changeset/friendly-peas-sneeze.md b/.changeset/friendly-peas-sneeze.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3d48606a1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/friendly-peas-sneeze.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+"@rnx-kit/align-deps": minor
+---
+
+Added a flag, `--no-unmanaged`, to make unmanaged capabilities errors
diff --git a/.changeset/tidy-windows-relate.md b/.changeset/tidy-windows-relate.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e8fcb1009
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/tidy-windows-relate.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+"@rnx-kit/cli": patch
+---
+
+align-deps: Added a flag, `--no-unmanaged`, to make unmanaged capabilities errors
diff --git a/packages/align-deps/README.md b/packages/align-deps/README.md
index 9dea20b74..2c6397533 100644
--- a/packages/align-deps/README.md
+++ b/packages/align-deps/README.md
@@ -100,6 +100,20 @@ cumbersome to manually add all capabilities yourself. You can run this tool with
 `--init`, and it will try to add a sensible configuration based on what is
 currently defined in the specified `package.json`.
 
+### `--loose`
+
+Determines how strict the React Native version requirement should be. Useful for
+apps that depend on a newer React Native version than their dependencies declare
+support for.
+
+Default: `false`
+
+### `--no-unmanaged`
+
+Whether unmanaged capabilities should be treated as errors.
+
+Default: `false`
+
 ### `--presets`
 
 Comma-separated list of presets. This can be names to built-in presets, or paths
@@ -170,10 +184,18 @@ If the version numbers are omitted, an _interactive prompt_ will appear.
 > made. As such, this flag will fail if changes are needed before making any
 > modifications.
 
+### `--verbose`
+
+Specify to increase logging verbosity.
+
+Default: `false`
+
 ### `--write`
 
 Writes all proposed changes to the specified `package.json`.
 
+Default: `false`
+
 ## Configure
 
 While `@rnx-kit/align-deps` can ensure your dependencies are aligned without a
diff --git a/packages/align-deps/src/cli.ts b/packages/align-deps/src/cli.ts
index cc489f05e..cd8121bc3 100644
--- a/packages/align-deps/src/cli.ts
+++ b/packages/align-deps/src/cli.ts
@@ -42,6 +42,12 @@ export const cliOptions = {
       "Determines whether align-deps should try to update the config in 'package.json'.",
     type: "boolean",
   },
+  "no-unmanaged": {
+    default: false,
+    description:
+      "Determines whether align-deps should treat unmanaged capabilities as errors.",
+    type: "boolean",
+  },
   presets: {
     description:
       "Comma-separated list of presets. This can be names to built-in presets, or paths to external presets.",
@@ -157,6 +163,7 @@ async function makeCommand(args: Args): Promise<Command | undefined> {
     init,
     loose,
     "migrate-config": migrateConfig,
+    "no-unmanaged": noUnmanaged,
     presets,
     requirements,
     "set-version": setVersion,
@@ -168,6 +175,7 @@ async function makeCommand(args: Args): Promise<Command | undefined> {
     presets: presets?.toString()?.split(",") ?? defaultConfig.presets,
     loose,
     migrateConfig,
+    noUnmanaged,
     verbose,
     write,
     excludePackages: excludePackages?.toString()?.split(","),
diff --git a/packages/align-deps/src/commands/vigilant.ts b/packages/align-deps/src/commands/vigilant.ts
index cfee3e257..46aa1a8e5 100644
--- a/packages/align-deps/src/commands/vigilant.ts
+++ b/packages/align-deps/src/commands/vigilant.ts
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ export function inspect(
  */
 export function checkPackageManifestUnconfigured(
   manifestPath: string,
-  { excludePackages, write }: Options,
+  { excludePackages, noUnmanaged, write }: Options,
   config: AlignDepsConfig,
   logError = error
 ): ErrorCode {
@@ -281,17 +281,18 @@ export function checkPackageManifestUnconfigured(
     manifestProfile,
     write
   );
-
-  if (
+  const hasUnmanagedDeps =
     config.alignDeps.capabilities.length > 0 &&
-    unmanagedDependencies.length > 0
-  ) {
+    unmanagedDependencies.length > 0;
+
+  if (hasUnmanagedDeps) {
+    const log = noUnmanaged ? logError : warn;
     const dependencies = unmanagedDependencies
       .map(([name, capability]) => {
         return `\t  - ${name} can be managed by '${capability}'`;
       })
       .join("\n");
-    warn(
+    log(
       `${manifestPath}: Found dependencies that are currently missing from capabilities:\n${dependencies}`
     );
     info(
@@ -311,5 +312,9 @@ export function checkPackageManifestUnconfigured(
     }
   }
 
+  if (noUnmanaged && hasUnmanagedDeps) {
+    return "unmanaged-capabilities";
+  }
+
   return "success";
 }
diff --git a/packages/align-deps/src/types.ts b/packages/align-deps/src/types.ts
index 6d532c1ad..7de91194f 100644
--- a/packages/align-deps/src/types.ts
+++ b/packages/align-deps/src/types.ts
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ export type Options = {
   presets: string[];
   loose: boolean;
   migrateConfig: boolean;
+  noUnmanaged: boolean;
   verbose: boolean;
   write: boolean;
   excludePackages?: string[];
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ export type Options = {
 export type Args = Pick<Options, "loose" | "verbose" | "write"> & {
   "exclude-packages"?: string | number;
   "migrate-config": boolean;
+  "no-unmanaged": boolean;
   "set-version"?: string | number;
   init?: string;
   packages?: (string | number)[];
@@ -48,6 +50,7 @@ export type ErrorCode =
   | "invalid-manifest"
   | "missing-react-native"
   | "not-configured"
+  | "unmanaged-capabilities"
   | "unsatisfied";
 
 export type Command = (manifest: string) => ErrorCode;
diff --git a/packages/align-deps/test/check.app.test.ts b/packages/align-deps/test/check.app.test.ts
index 09f245648..48078fd01 100644
--- a/packages/align-deps/test/check.app.test.ts
+++ b/packages/align-deps/test/check.app.test.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ const defaultOptions = {
   presets: defaultConfig.presets,
   loose: false,
   migrateConfig: false,
+  noUnmanaged: false,
   verbose: false,
   write: true,
 };
diff --git a/packages/align-deps/test/check.test.ts b/packages/align-deps/test/check.test.ts
index 09408df4a..ca06c7426 100644
--- a/packages/align-deps/test/check.test.ts
+++ b/packages/align-deps/test/check.test.ts
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ const defaultOptions = {
   presets: defaultConfig.presets,
   loose: false,
   migrateConfig: false,
+  noUnmanaged: false,
   verbose: false,
   write: false,
 };
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ describe("checkPackageManifest({ kitType: 'library' })", () => {
 
   const consoleLogSpy = jest.spyOn(global.console, "log");
   const consoleWarnSpy = jest.spyOn(global.console, "warn");
+  const consoleErrorSpy = jest.spyOn(global.console, "error");
 
   const mockManifest = {
     name: "@rnx-kit/align-deps",
@@ -49,6 +51,7 @@ describe("checkPackageManifest({ kitType: 'library' })", () => {
     rnxKitConfig.__setMockConfig();
     consoleLogSpy.mockReset();
     consoleWarnSpy.mockReset();
+    consoleErrorSpy.mockReset();
   });
 
   afterAll(() => {
@@ -60,6 +63,7 @@ describe("checkPackageManifest({ kitType: 'library' })", () => {
     expect(result).toBe("invalid-manifest");
     expect(consoleLogSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(consoleWarnSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(consoleErrorSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
   test("returns early if 'rnx-kit' is missing from the manifest", () => {
@@ -73,6 +77,7 @@ describe("checkPackageManifest({ kitType: 'library' })", () => {
     expect(result).toBe("not-configured");
     expect(consoleLogSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(consoleWarnSpy).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(consoleErrorSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
   test("prints warnings when detecting bad packages", () => {
@@ -95,6 +100,7 @@ describe("checkPackageManifest({ kitType: 'library' })", () => {
     expect(result).toBe("success");
     expect(consoleLogSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(consoleWarnSpy).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(consoleErrorSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
   test("prints warnings when detecting bad packages (with version range)", () => {
@@ -111,6 +117,7 @@ describe("checkPackageManifest({ kitType: 'library' })", () => {
     expect(result).toBe("success");
     expect(consoleLogSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(consoleWarnSpy).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(consoleErrorSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
   test("returns early if no capabilities are defined", () => {
@@ -124,6 +131,7 @@ describe("checkPackageManifest({ kitType: 'library' })", () => {
     expect(result).toBe("success");
     expect(consoleLogSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(consoleWarnSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(consoleErrorSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
   test("returns if no changes are needed", () => {
@@ -150,6 +158,7 @@ describe("checkPackageManifest({ kitType: 'library' })", () => {
     expect(result).toBe("success");
     expect(consoleLogSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(consoleWarnSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(consoleErrorSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
   test("prints additional information with `--verbose`", () => {
@@ -179,6 +188,7 @@ describe("checkPackageManifest({ kitType: 'library' })", () => {
     expect(result).toBe("success");
     expect(consoleLogSpy).toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(consoleWarnSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(consoleErrorSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
   test("returns if no changes are needed (write: true)", () => {
@@ -209,6 +219,7 @@ describe("checkPackageManifest({ kitType: 'library' })", () => {
     expect(didWriteToPath).toBe(false);
     expect(consoleLogSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(consoleWarnSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(consoleErrorSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
   test("returns error code if changes are needed", () => {
@@ -239,6 +250,7 @@ describe("checkPackageManifest({ kitType: 'library' })", () => {
     expect(result).not.toBe("success");
     expect(consoleLogSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(consoleWarnSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(consoleErrorSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
   test("writes changes back to 'package.json'", () => {
@@ -259,6 +271,7 @@ describe("checkPackageManifest({ kitType: 'library' })", () => {
     expect(didWriteToPath).toBe("package.json");
     expect(consoleLogSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(consoleWarnSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(consoleErrorSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
   test("preserves indentation in 'package.json'", () => {
@@ -279,6 +292,7 @@ describe("checkPackageManifest({ kitType: 'library' })", () => {
     expect(output).toMatchSnapshot();
     expect(consoleLogSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(consoleWarnSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(consoleErrorSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
   test("returns appropriate error code if package is excluded", () => {
@@ -298,6 +312,7 @@ describe("checkPackageManifest({ kitType: 'library' })", () => {
     expect(result).toBe("excluded");
     expect(consoleLogSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(consoleWarnSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(consoleErrorSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
   test("uses minimum supported version as development version", () => {
@@ -324,6 +339,7 @@ describe("checkPackageManifest({ kitType: 'library' })", () => {
     expect(result).toBe("success");
     expect(consoleLogSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(consoleWarnSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(consoleErrorSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
   test("uses declared development version", () => {
@@ -353,6 +369,7 @@ describe("checkPackageManifest({ kitType: 'library' })", () => {
     expect(result).toBe("success");
     expect(consoleLogSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(consoleWarnSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(consoleErrorSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
   test("handles development version ranges", () => {
@@ -382,6 +399,7 @@ describe("checkPackageManifest({ kitType: 'library' })", () => {
     expect(result).toBe("success");
     expect(consoleLogSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(consoleWarnSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(consoleErrorSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 });
 
diff --git a/packages/align-deps/test/initialize.test.ts b/packages/align-deps/test/initialize.test.ts
index e175c4b6f..f8f0bdbab 100644
--- a/packages/align-deps/test/initialize.test.ts
+++ b/packages/align-deps/test/initialize.test.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ const defaultOptions = {
   presets: defaultConfig.presets,
   loose: false,
   migrateConfig: false,
+  noUnmanaged: false,
   verbose: false,
   write: false,
 };
@@ -190,13 +191,25 @@ describe("initializeConfig()", () => {
 describe("makeInitializeCommand()", () => {
   const options = { ...defaultOptions, presets: [] };
 
+  const consoleErrorSpy = jest.spyOn(global.console, "error");
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    consoleErrorSpy.mockReset();
+  });
+
+  afterAll(() => {
+    jest.clearAllMocks();
+  });
+
   test("returns undefined for invalid kit types", () => {
     const command = makeInitializeCommand("random", options);
     expect(command).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(consoleErrorSpy).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
   });
 
   test("returns command for kit types", () => {
     expect(makeInitializeCommand("app", options)).toBeDefined();
     expect(makeInitializeCommand("library", options)).toBeDefined();
+    expect(consoleErrorSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 });
diff --git a/packages/align-deps/test/setVersion.test.ts b/packages/align-deps/test/setVersion.test.ts
index 1a242bd0a..a2aac1f5e 100644
--- a/packages/align-deps/test/setVersion.test.ts
+++ b/packages/align-deps/test/setVersion.test.ts
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ describe("makeSetVersionCommand()", () => {
     presets: defaultConfig.presets,
     loose: false,
     migrateConfig: false,
+    noUnmanaged: false,
     verbose: false,
     write: false,
   };
diff --git a/packages/align-deps/test/vigilant.test.ts b/packages/align-deps/test/vigilant.test.ts
index efff2c584..c5a59530c 100644
--- a/packages/align-deps/test/vigilant.test.ts
+++ b/packages/align-deps/test/vigilant.test.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import type { Capability } from "@rnx-kit/config";
 import {
   buildManifestProfile,
   checkPackageManifestUnconfigured,
@@ -13,14 +14,15 @@ function makeConfig(
   manifest: AlignDepsConfig["manifest"] = {
     name: "@rnx-kit/align-deps",
     version: "1.0.0-test",
-  }
+  },
+  capabilities: Capability[] = []
 ): AlignDepsConfig {
   return {
     kitType: "library" as const,
     alignDeps: {
       presets: ["microsoft/react-native"],
       requirements,
-      capabilities: [],
+      capabilities,
     },
     manifest,
   };
@@ -296,6 +298,7 @@ describe("checkPackageManifestUnconfigured()", () => {
     presets: defaultConfig.presets,
     loose: false,
     migrateConfig: false,
+    noUnmanaged: false,
     verbose: false,
     write: false,
   };
@@ -400,6 +403,60 @@ describe("checkPackageManifestUnconfigured()", () => {
     expect(consoleErrorSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
+  test("returns non-zero exit code when there are unmanaged capabilities", () => {
+    let didWrite = false;
+    fs.__setMockFileWriter(() => {
+      didWrite = true;
+    });
+
+    const result = checkPackageManifestUnconfigured(
+      "package.json",
+      { ...defaultOptions, noUnmanaged: true },
+      makeConfig(
+        ["react-native@0.73"],
+        {
+          name: "@rnx-kit/align-deps",
+          version: "1.0.0",
+          dependencies: {
+            "react-native": "^0.73.0",
+            "react-native-test-app": "^2.5.34",
+          },
+        },
+        ["core"]
+      )
+    );
+    expect(result).toBe("unmanaged-capabilities");
+    expect(didWrite).toBe(false);
+    expect(consoleErrorSpy).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+  });
+
+  test("returns non-zero exit code when writing with unmanaged capabilities", () => {
+    let didWrite = false;
+    fs.__setMockFileWriter(() => {
+      didWrite = true;
+    });
+
+    const result = checkPackageManifestUnconfigured(
+      "package.json",
+      { ...defaultOptions, noUnmanaged: true, write: true },
+      makeConfig(
+        ["react-native@0.73"],
+        {
+          name: "@rnx-kit/align-deps",
+          version: "1.0.0",
+          dependencies: {
+            "react-native": "1000.0.0",
+            "react-native-test-app": "^2.5.34",
+          },
+        },
+        ["test-app"]
+      )
+    );
+    expect(result).toBe("unmanaged-capabilities");
+    expect(didWrite).toBe(true);
+    expect(consoleErrorSpy).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+  });
+
   test("uses package-specific custom profiles", () => {
     const fixture = `${__dirname}/__fixtures__/config-custom-profiles-only`;
     const kitConfig = {
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/align-deps.ts b/packages/cli/src/align-deps.ts
index 423a5c9c7..ce0b26838 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/align-deps.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/align-deps.ts
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ export function rnxAlignDeps(
     ...pickValues(args, Object.values(optionsMap), Object.keys(optionsMap)),
     loose: Boolean(args.loose),
     "migrate-config": Boolean(args.migrateConfig),
+    "no-unmanaged": Boolean(args.noUnmanaged),
     verbose: Boolean(args.verbose),
     write: Boolean(args.write),
     packages: argv,
@@ -49,6 +50,10 @@ export const rnxAlignDepsCommand = {
       name: "--migrate-config",
       description: cliOptions["migrate-config"].description,
     },
+    {
+      name: "--no-unmanaged",
+      description: cliOptions["no-unmanaged"].description,
+    },
     {
       name: "--presets [presets]",
       description: cliOptions.presets.description,