diff --git a/docs/reference/platform-support.md b/docs/reference/platform-support.md
index be8950f..343e16f 100644
--- a/docs/reference/platform-support.md
+++ b/docs/reference/platform-support.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ StellarForge CLI treats supported-platform failures as release blockers unless a
 | macOS (GitHub-hosted macOS) | Node.js 22.13+ LTS | Tests and build |
 | Windows (GitHub-hosted Windows) | Node.js 22.13+ LTS | Tests and build |
 
-The package engine range remains `Node.js >=22.13.0 <25`. Node.js 22 and Node.js 24 are the supported LTS majors for the current MVP. Intermediate non-LTS Node releases are not release-validation targets.
+The package engine range remains `Node.js >=22.13.0 <25` and `npm >=10.9.0`, matching `package.json`. Node.js 22 and Node.js 24 are the supported LTS majors for the current MVP. Intermediate non-LTS Node releases are not release-validation targets. These documented ranges mirror the CI matrix and must not be expanded or contracted without a policy review.
 
 ## What the platform matrix exercises
 
diff --git a/templates/api-service/README.md b/templates/api-service/README.md
index d9b9505..c5b5736 100644
--- a/templates/api-service/README.md
+++ b/templates/api-service/README.md
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Minimal StellarForge API service starter for backend services that need clear St
 
 - Node.js 22.13 or newer
 
-The starter has no runtime dependencies. It uses Node's built-in HTTP server and test runner.
+The starter has no runtime dependencies. It uses Node's built-in HTTP server and test runner, so there is no separate install step; `npm start`, `npm run check`, and `npm test` run directly. On Windows, copy the example file with `copy .env.example .env`.
 
 ## Start
 
diff --git a/templates/basic-app/README.md b/templates/basic-app/README.md
index 3a5c65a..7eab3eb 100644
--- a/templates/basic-app/README.md
+++ b/templates/basic-app/README.md
@@ -21,6 +21,10 @@ npm run check
 npm test
 ```
 
+## Notes
+
+This template is intended as a minimal starting point for Stellar dApps. For production deployments, configure your own RPC and Horizon endpoints and secure any signing keys appropriately.
+
 ## Network configuration
 
 The starter defaults to Stellar Testnet:
diff --git a/templates/smart-contract/README.md b/templates/smart-contract/README.md
index 0ded9a2..365796b 100644
--- a/templates/smart-contract/README.md
+++ b/templates/smart-contract/README.md
@@ -55,3 +55,5 @@ stellar contract invoke \
 ```
 
 Do not commit private keys, secret seeds, signing credentials, or production deployment material. Use locally managed Stellar identities or your approved secret-management workflow.
+
+This starter targets Stellar Testnet only; it does not configure or claim Mainnet or hosted deployment support.