diff --git a/backend/__tests__/unit/config/nativeAgents.scoutKnowledge.test.js b/backend/__tests__/unit/config/nativeAgents.scoutKnowledge.test.js
index 84505478e2..c47e080175 100644
--- a/backend/__tests__/unit/config/nativeAgents.scoutKnowledge.test.js
+++ b/backend/__tests__/unit/config/nativeAgents.scoutKnowledge.test.js
@@ -182,8 +182,7 @@ describe('Scout\'s welcome', () => {
   const { SCOUT_WELCOME } = require('../../../config/native-agents/scout');
 
   test('is in English, with no invitation to write in another language', () => {
-    expect(SCOUT_WELCOME).toBe('I\'m Scout. This pod is yours, and I work in it with you. '
-      + 'Start with one of these, or tell me what you\'re working on.');
+    expect(SCOUT_WELCOME).toBe('I\'m Scout. Pick a start or tell me your goal.');
     expect(SCOUT_WELCOME).not.toMatch(/[\u3040-\u30ff\u3400-\u9fff\uac00-\ud7af\uff00-\uffef]/);
   });
 });
diff --git a/backend/__tests__/unit/controllers/authController.guideIdentity.test.js b/backend/__tests__/unit/controllers/authController.guideIdentity.test.js
index 1238b0476e..ffdb788df7 100644
--- a/backend/__tests__/unit/controllers/authController.guideIdentity.test.js
+++ b/backend/__tests__/unit/controllers/authController.guideIdentity.test.js
@@ -119,6 +119,7 @@ describe('workspace onboarding guide identity fork (2026-08-13)', () => {
 
     const welcome = mockPostMessage.mock.calls[0][0];
     expect(welcome.content).toBe(SCOUT_WELCOME);
+    expect(welcome.content.split(/\s+/)).toHaveLength(10);
     expect(welcome.payload).toEqual({
       kind: 'starts',
       starts: [
@@ -131,7 +132,7 @@ describe('workspace onboarding guide identity fork (2026-08-13)', () => {
 
   // QA walk 3 (2026-10-16): where the instance can host, the welcome leads with
   // hosting, nothing to install. It sends no message: on the person's own
-  // welcome it runs in place (TASK-290), with the beta limits under it, and its
+  // welcome it runs in place (TASK-290), and its
   // link opens Bring your own with hosting chosen, in this workspace, for
   // anyone it does not run for.
   test('leads the starts with Run an agent here, aimed at this workspace, where the instance can host', async () => {
@@ -144,15 +145,13 @@ describe('workspace onboarding guide identity fork (2026-08-13)', () => {
       const { SCOUT_STARTS, SCOUT_HOSTED_START } = require('../../../config/native-agents/scout');
       await authController.finishWorkspaceOnboarding({ _id: 'pod-123' }, 'User-1');
 
-      // eslint-disable-next-line global-require
-      const { hostedCaps } = require('../../../services/hostedRuntimeService');
       const { starts } = mockPostMessage.mock.calls[0][0].payload;
       expect(starts[0]).toEqual({
         id: 'run-hosted',
         label: SCOUT_HOSTED_START.label,
         href: '/v2/agents/byo?pod=pod-123&mode=hosted',
         action: 'run-hosted',
-        caps: hostedCaps(),
+        caps: { agentsPerUser: 1, turnsPerDay: 30 },
       });
       expect(starts.slice(1)).toEqual(SCOUT_STARTS.map(({ id, label }) => ({ id, label })));
     } finally {
diff --git a/backend/__tests__/unit/services/welcomeHostedStart.test.js b/backend/__tests__/unit/services/welcomeHostedStart.test.js
index faba1e8c52..3f0bfd13ac 100644
--- a/backend/__tests__/unit/services/welcomeHostedStart.test.js
+++ b/backend/__tests__/unit/services/welcomeHostedStart.test.js
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ const welcomePayload = () => ({
   starts: [
     {
       id: 'run-hosted',
-      label: 'Run an agent here, nothing to install',
+      label: 'Run an agent here',
       href: HREF,
       action: 'run-hosted',
       caps: { agentsPerUser: 1, turnsPerDay: 30 },
diff --git a/backend/config/native-agents/scout.ts b/backend/config/native-agents/scout.ts
index e52e428d52..1e68062d93 100644
--- a/backend/config/native-agents/scout.ts
+++ b/backend/config/native-agents/scout.ts
@@ -38,11 +38,10 @@ export const SCOUT_STARTS = [
  * in place (TASK-290, services/welcomeHostedStart.ts); anywhere else its href,
  * added by the signup path, opens Bring your own with hosting chosen.
  */
-export const SCOUT_HOSTED_START = { id: 'run-hosted', label: 'Run an agent here, nothing to install' } as const;
+export const SCOUT_HOSTED_START = { id: 'run-hosted', label: 'Run an agent here' } as const;
 
 /** Scout's first message in a new workspace; the starts render under it. */
-export const SCOUT_WELCOME = 'I\'m Scout. This pod is yours, and I work in it with you. '
-  + 'Start with one of these, or tell me what you\'re working on.';
+export const SCOUT_WELCOME = 'I\'m Scout. Pick a start or tell me your goal.';
 
 export const scoutApp = {
   agentName: 'scout',
diff --git a/backend/controllers/authController.ts b/backend/controllers/authController.ts
index d0a6bce507..512ff6dbf9 100644
--- a/backend/controllers/authController.ts
+++ b/backend/controllers/authController.ts
@@ -304,9 +304,9 @@ const finishWorkspaceOnboarding = async (pod: any, userId: any) => {
         const AgentMessageService = require('../services/agentMessageService');
         // Lead with hosting where this instance can host (QA walk 3, 10-16):
         // nothing to install. One click starts a hosted agent right here
-        // (TASK-290, services/welcomeHostedStart.ts), with the beta limits
-        // under the button. The href stays for anyone the thread will not
-        // run it for: it opens Bring your own with hosting chosen.
+        // (TASK-290, services/welcomeHostedStart.ts). The href stays for
+        // anyone the thread will not run it for: it opens Bring your own
+        // with hosting chosen.
         // eslint-disable-next-line global-require
         const { hostedEngineAvailable } = require('../services/nativeRuntimeService');
         // eslint-disable-next-line global-require
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/__tests__/V2ThreadStarts.test.tsx b/frontend/src/v2/__tests__/V2ThreadStarts.test.tsx
index 1a53b73ede..d83f8a9aca 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/__tests__/V2ThreadStarts.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/__tests__/V2ThreadStarts.test.tsx
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ const welcome = {
   id: 'welcome',
   pod_id: 'pod-1',
   user_id: 'scout-1',
-  content: "I'm Scout. This pod is yours, and I work in it with you. Start with one of these, or tell me what you're working on.",
+  content: "I'm Scout. Pick a start or tell me your goal.",
   message_type: 'text',
   created_at: at(0),
   user: { username: 'scout', isBot: true },
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ describe("V2Thread — a new pod's next steps", () => {
 // Walk 4 (2026-10-16): two first-minute frictions on the hosted path.
 describe('Scout starts and the composer after a hosted agent goes live', () => {
   const axios = jest.requireMock('axios').default;
-  const HOSTED = 'Run an agent here, nothing to install';
+  const HOSTED = 'Run an agent here';
   const welcomeWithHosted = {
     ...welcome,
     payload: {
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ describe('Scout starts and the composer after a hosted agent goes live', () => {
 // gets the same agent, and anything refused falls back to the link.
 describe('"Run an agent here" runs in place on the owner\'s own welcome (TASK-290)', () => {
   const axios = jest.requireMock('axios').default;
-  const HOSTED = 'Run an agent here, nothing to install';
+  const HOSTED = 'Run an agent here';
   const HREF = '/v2/agents/byo?pod=pod-1&mode=hosted';
   const welcomeRunsHere = {
     ...welcome,
@@ -385,10 +385,12 @@ describe('"Run an agent here" runs in place on the owner\'s own welcome (TASK-29
   beforeEach(() => { axios.post.mockClear(); });
   afterEach(() => { axios.post.mockImplementation(() => Promise.resolve({ data: {} })); });
 
-  test('the beta limits sit under the button, and describe it', () => {
+  test('the welcome skips the beta limits even for older messages carrying caps', () => {
     renderThread([welcomeRunsHere]);
-    expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: HOSTED }))
-      .toHaveAccessibleDescription('Beta: 1 hosted agent per account, 30 turns a day.');
+    const button = screen.getByRole('button', { name: HOSTED });
+    expect(button).not.toHaveAccessibleDescription();
+    expect(button).not.toHaveAttribute('aria-describedby');
+    expect(screen.queryByText('Beta: 1 hosted agent per account, 30 turns a day.')).not.toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
   test('one click installs and starts the agent in this pod, sends nothing, and the start goes away', async () => {
@@ -397,10 +399,22 @@ describe('"Run an agent here" runs in place on the owner\'s own welcome (TASK-29
       '/api/registry/install': [{ success: true }],
       '/api/hosted/provision': [{ ready: true }],
     });
-    const sendSpy = renderThread([welcomeRunsHere]);
-    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: HOSTED }));
+    // A second payload with the same caps must not inherit this welcome's live note.
+    const otherStart = {
+      ...welcomeRunsHere,
+      id: 'other-start',
+      created_at: at(1),
+      user_id: 'u2',
+      user: { username: 'lee', isBot: false },
+    };
+    const sendSpy = renderThread([welcomeRunsHere, otherStart]);
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getAllByRole('button', { name: HOSTED })[0]);
     expect(await screen.findByRole('button', { name: 'Starting…' })).toBeDisabled();
     await waitFor(() => expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: /Run an agent here|Starting/ })).not.toBeInTheDocument());
+    expect(screen.getByText('maya-agent is listening. Beta: 1 hosted agent per account, 30 turns a day.'))
+      .toHaveAttribute('role', 'status');
+    expect(screen.getAllByText('maya-agent is listening. Beta: 1 hosted agent per account, 30 turns a day.'))
+      .toHaveLength(1);
 
     expect(calls('/api/hosted/welcome-start').map(([, body]) => body)).toEqual([{ messageId: 'welcome' }]);
     expect(calls('/api/registry/install')).toHaveLength(1);
@@ -410,7 +424,7 @@ describe('"Run an agent here" runs in place on the owner\'s own welcome (TASK-29
     expect(calls('/api/hosted/provision').map(([, body]) => body)).toEqual([{ agentName: 'maya-agent' }]);
     expect(sendSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(screen.getByTestId('location')).toHaveTextContent(/^\/$/);
-    expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: CONNECT })).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.getAllByRole('button', { name: CONNECT })).toHaveLength(2);
   });
 
   test('a double click starts one agent', async () => {
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/__tests__/useWelcomeHostedStart.test.tsx b/frontend/src/v2/__tests__/useWelcomeHostedStart.test.tsx
index 4b5247f5b5..0a3bdedb13 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/__tests__/useWelcomeHostedStart.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/__tests__/useWelcomeHostedStart.test.tsx
@@ -34,5 +34,5 @@ test('a second run while the first is in flight sends nothing', async () => {
     '/api/hosted/welcome-start', '/api/registry/install', '/api/hosted/provision',
   ]);
   expect(onLive).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
-  expect(result.current.state).toEqual({ messageId: '41', status: 'live' });
+  expect(result.current.state).toEqual({ messageId: '41', status: 'live', agentName: 'maya-agent' });
 });
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/components/V2ThreadMessages.tsx b/frontend/src/v2/components/V2ThreadMessages.tsx
index 4138352e75..e8ecb1577e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/components/V2ThreadMessages.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/components/V2ThreadMessages.tsx
@@ -261,6 +261,9 @@ const V2ThreadMessages: React.FC<V2ThreadMessagesProps> = ({
       {emptyState}
       {threadView.map((item, index, view) => {
         const renderMessage = (message: V2Message, previous: ThreadViewItem | undefined) => {
+          const liveHostedCaps = hostedStart?.status === 'live' && hostedStart.messageId === String(message.id)
+            ? message.payload?.starts?.find((start) => start.action === WELCOME_HOSTED_ACTION)?.caps
+            : undefined;
           const settledRuling = settledDecisionByMessageId.get(String(message.id));
           const renderedMessage = settledRuling ? rulingMessage(message, settledRuling) : message;
           const previousMessage = previous && previous.kind === 'message'
@@ -293,7 +296,6 @@ const V2ThreadMessages: React.FC<V2ThreadMessagesProps> = ({
                     const hostedHere = start.action === WELCOME_HOSTED_ACTION
                       && hostedStart?.messageId === String(message.id) ? hostedStart : null;
                     const starting = hostedHere?.status === 'starting';
-                    const noteId = start.caps ? `v2-start-note-${message.id}-${start.id}` : undefined;
                     return (
                       <React.Fragment key={start.id}>
                         <button
@@ -301,16 +303,10 @@ const V2ThreadMessages: React.FC<V2ThreadMessagesProps> = ({
                           className="v2-chat__start"
                           disabled={startsDisabled || starting}
                           aria-busy={starting || undefined}
-                          aria-describedby={noteId}
                           onClick={() => onStart(start, String(message.id))}
                         >
                           {starting ? t('agentByo.actions.starting') : start.label}
                         </button>
-                        {start.caps && (
-                          <p className="v2-chat__start-note" id={noteId}>
-                            {t('agentByo.compact.limits', { agents: start.caps.agentsPerUser, turns: start.caps.turnsPerDay })}
-                          </p>
-                        )}
                         {hostedHere?.status === 'failed' && (
                           <p className="v2-chat__start-note v2-chat__start-note--error" role="alert">{hostedHere.error}</p>
                         )}
@@ -319,6 +315,13 @@ const V2ThreadMessages: React.FC<V2ThreadMessagesProps> = ({
                   })}
                 </div>
               )}
+              {liveHostedCaps && (
+                <p className="v2-chat__start-note" role="status">
+                  {t('agentByo.hosted.running', { name: hostedStart?.status === 'live' ? hostedStart.agentName : '' })}
+                  {' '}
+                  {t('agentByo.compact.limits', { agents: liveHostedCaps.agentsPerUser, turns: liveHostedCaps.turnsPerDay })}
+                </p>
+              )}
               {agentDeliveryHint?.messageId === message.id && (
                 <div className="v2-chat__delivery-hint" role="status">
                   <Trans
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/hooks/useV2PodDetail.ts b/frontend/src/v2/hooks/useV2PodDetail.ts
index dbc2767f9a..f022064d1d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/hooks/useV2PodDetail.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/hooks/useV2PodDetail.ts
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ export interface V2Start {
   label: string;
   href?: string;
   action?: string;
-  // The welcome's hosted start carries the beta limits shown under it.
+  // The first read omits caps; the thread shows them after the hosted start is live.
   caps?: { agentsPerUser: number; turnsPerDay: number };
 }
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/v2/hooks/useWelcomeHostedStart.ts b/frontend/src/v2/hooks/useWelcomeHostedStart.ts
index 9c6f85049a..2d898961bb 100644
--- a/frontend/src/v2/hooks/useWelcomeHostedStart.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/v2/hooks/useWelcomeHostedStart.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ interface WelcomeStartPlan {
 
 export type WelcomeHostedStartState =
   | { messageId: string; status: 'starting' }
-  | { messageId: string; status: 'live' }
+  | { messageId: string; status: 'live'; agentName: string }
   | { messageId: string; status: 'failed'; error: string }
   | null;
 
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ export function useWelcomeHostedStart(
         agentName: agent.agentName,
         ...(agent.instanceId ? { instanceId: agent.instanceId } : {}),
       });
-      setState({ messageId, status: 'live' });
+      setState({ messageId, status: 'live', agentName: agent.agentName });
       onLive();
     } catch (err) {
       const data = (err as ApiError).response?.data;