diff --git a/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/OnboardingV3Root.tsx b/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/OnboardingV3Root.tsx
index 7024b9ef..8ac12fed 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/OnboardingV3Root.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/OnboardingV3Root.tsx
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ const OnboardingV3Root: React.FC = () => {
               style={{ width: '100%', height: '100%' }}
             >
               {beat === 'welcome' && <IntroBeat c={c} line="Welcome." onNext={() => setBeat('newos')} />}
-              {beat === 'newos' && <IntroBeat c={c} line="This is your new OS." sub="A canvas where AI agents do real work for you." onNext={() => setBeat('connect')} />}
+              {beat === 'newos' && <IntroBeat c={c} line="This is your new OS." onNext={() => setBeat('connect')} />}
               {beat === 'connect' && (
                 <BeatConnect
                   c={c}
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatApps.tsx b/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatApps.tsx
index 7024836e..079d6d7c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatApps.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatApps.tsx
@@ -28,8 +28,8 @@ const BeatApps: React.FC<{
     <BeatShell
       c={c}
       title="Choose the apps you live in."
-      body="I'll shape your starting canvas around them, and I can connect to them later so your agents work where you already do."
-      nextLabel={picks.length > 0 ? 'Continue' : 'Skip for now'}
+      body="I'll shape your starting canvas around them."
+      nextLabel={picks.length > 0 ? 'Next' : 'Skip for now'}
       onNext={onNext}
       onBack={onBack}
     >
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatCard.tsx b/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatCard.tsx
index 219547d5..df405342 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatCard.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatCard.tsx
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ const BeatCard: React.FC<{
     <BeatShell
       c={c}
       title={name ? `Welcome to OpenSwarm, ${name}.` : 'Welcome to OpenSwarm.'}
-      body="Here's your Swarm Card. And with that, your canvas is ready."
+      body="Here's your Swarm Card. Show it off or keep it to yourself."
       nextLabel="Get started"
       onNext={() => onFinish(name.trim() || null)}
       onBack={onBack}
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatConnect.tsx b/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatConnect.tsx
index d64d2489..6efa91e5 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatConnect.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatConnect.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import React, { useCallback, useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
 import { motion } from 'framer-motion';
-import { Check } from 'lucide-react';
 import { useAppDispatch, useAppSelector } from '@/shared/hooks';
 import { API_BASE } from '@/shared/config';
 import { fetchModels } from '@/shared/state/modelsSlice';
@@ -13,7 +12,7 @@ import type { ClaudeTokens } from '@/shared/styles/claudeTokens';
 import type { ProviderIdentity } from '../onboardingV3Api';
 import BeatShell from './BeatShell';
 
-// The single ask of the whole flow. Reuses the proven Settings connect flow verbatim; the scan disclosure lives here as one honest line with an opt-out, and the scan runs during the OAuth wait.
+// The single ask of the whole flow, staged as Arc's import list: radio rows, no filler copy. Reuses the proven Settings connect flow verbatim; the scan disclosure is one quiet line, and the scan runs during the OAuth wait.
 const BeatConnect: React.FC<{
   c: ClaudeTokens;
   identity: ProviderIdentity[];
@@ -82,61 +81,64 @@ const BeatConnect: React.FC<{
     <BeatShell
       c={c}
       title="Connect your AI."
-      body="Use the subscription you already pay for. OpenSwarm runs on your own Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini account, right from this Mac."
-      nextLabel={connected ? 'Continue' : 'Continue without connecting'}
+      body="Use the subscription you already pay for."
+      nextLabel="Continue"
       onNext={onNext}
       onBack={onBack}
     >
-      <div style={{ width: 'min(460px, 100%)', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', gap: 12 }}>
-        {SUBSCRIPTION_PROVIDERS.map((p, i) => (
-          <motion.button
-            key={p.id}
-            onClick={() => !connected && handleConnect(p.id)}
-            initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 14 }}
-            animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
-            transition={{ type: 'spring', stiffness: 320, damping: 26, delay: 0.1 + i * 0.08 }}
-            style={{
-              display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: 14, padding: '16px 18px', textAlign: 'left',
-              borderRadius: c.radius.md, border: `1px solid ${c.border.medium}`, background: c.bg.surface,
-              cursor: connected ? 'default' : 'pointer', fontFamily: 'inherit',
-              boxShadow: c.shadow.sm,
-            }}
-          >
-            <span style={{ width: 12, height: 12, borderRadius: 999, background: p.color, flexShrink: 0 }} />
-            <span style={{ flex: 1, minWidth: 0 }}>
-              <span style={{ display: 'block', fontSize: '1rem', fontWeight: 600, color: c.text.primary }}>{p.name}</span>
-              <span style={{ display: 'block', fontSize: '0.82rem', color: c.text.tertiary }}>{p.desc}</span>
-            </span>
-            {connecting === p.id && !connected && <span style={{ fontSize: '0.8rem', color: c.text.tertiary }}>waiting for sign-in...</span>}
-            {connected && connecting === p.id && <Check size={18} color={c.status.success} />}
-          </motion.button>
-        ))}
+      <div style={{ width: 'min(440px, 100%)', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', gap: 10 }}>
+        {SUBSCRIPTION_PROVIDERS.map((p, i) => {
+          const isThis = connecting === p.id;
+          const filled = connected && isThis;
+          return (
+            <motion.button
+              key={p.id}
+              onClick={() => !connected && handleConnect(p.id)}
+              initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 14 }}
+              animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
+              transition={{ type: 'spring', stiffness: 320, damping: 26, delay: 0.1 + i * 0.08 }}
+              style={{
+                display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: 14, padding: '13px 14px 13px 16px', textAlign: 'left',
+                borderRadius: c.radius.md, border: `1px solid ${filled ? c.accent.primary : c.border.medium}`,
+                background: c.bg.surface, cursor: connected ? 'default' : 'pointer', fontFamily: 'inherit',
+                boxShadow: c.shadow.sm,
+              }}
+            >
+              <span style={{
+                width: 18, height: 18, borderRadius: 999, flexShrink: 0, boxSizing: 'border-box',
+                border: `2px solid ${filled ? c.accent.primary : c.border.strong}`,
+                background: filled ? c.accent.primary : 'transparent',
+                boxShadow: filled ? `inset 0 0 0 3px ${c.bg.surface}` : 'none',
+              }} />
+              <span style={{ flex: 1, fontSize: '1rem', fontWeight: 600, color: c.text.primary }}>
+                {p.name}
+                {isThis && !connected && <span style={{ marginLeft: 10, fontSize: '0.8rem', fontWeight: 400, color: c.text.tertiary }}>waiting for sign-in...</span>}
+              </span>
+              <span style={{
+                width: 36, height: 36, borderRadius: 9, flexShrink: 0, background: `${p.color}26`,
+                display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'center',
+              }}>
+                <span style={{ width: 13, height: 13, borderRadius: 999, background: p.color }} />
+              </span>
+            </motion.button>
+          );
+        })}
         {userCode && !connected && (
-          <div style={{ textAlign: 'center', padding: '10px 0', fontSize: '0.9rem', color: c.text.secondary }}>
+          <div style={{ textAlign: 'center', padding: '6px 0', fontSize: '0.9rem', color: c.text.secondary }}>
             Your code: <strong style={{ fontFamily: c.font.mono, letterSpacing: '0.08em' }}>{userCode}</strong>
           </div>
         )}
         {connected && (
-          <motion.div
-            initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 8 }}
-            animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
-            style={{
-              padding: '12px 16px', borderRadius: c.radius.md, background: c.status.successBg,
-              color: c.status.success, fontSize: '0.9rem', fontWeight: 500,
-            }}
-          >
+          <motion.div initial={{ opacity: 0 }} animate={{ opacity: 1 }} style={{ padding: '4px 2px', fontSize: '0.9rem', fontWeight: 500, color: c.status.success }}>
             Connected{connectedIdentity?.email ? ` as ${connectedIdentity.email}` : ''}
             {connectedIdentity?.plan ? ` · ${connectedIdentity.label} ${connectedIdentity.plan}` : ''}
           </motion.div>
         )}
-        <label style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'flex-start', gap: 9, marginTop: 6, cursor: 'pointer', fontSize: '0.8rem', color: c.text.tertiary, lineHeight: 1.5 }}>
+        <label style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'flex-start', gap: 9, marginTop: 8, cursor: 'pointer', fontSize: '0.82rem', color: c.text.tertiary, lineHeight: 1.5 }}>
           <input type="checkbox" checked={scanConsent} onChange={(e) => setScanConsent(e.target.checked)} style={{ marginTop: 2 }} />
-          <span>
-            While you sign in, take a quick local look around (app names and folder counts only) to personalize my suggestions.
-            Nothing is stored or sent anywhere except to your own AI.
-          </span>
+          <span>Take a quick local look around to personalize my setup. Nothing leaves this Mac.</span>
         </label>
-        <div style={{ display: 'flex', gap: 18, marginTop: 4 }}>
+        <div style={{ display: 'flex', gap: 18, marginTop: 2 }}>
           <button onClick={() => setShowKeys(!showKeys)} style={{ border: 'none', background: 'transparent', padding: 0, color: c.text.ghost, fontSize: '0.82rem', cursor: 'pointer', fontFamily: 'inherit', textDecoration: 'underline' }}>
             Use an API key instead
           </button>
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatShell.tsx b/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatShell.tsx
index c1277924..1d78e611 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatShell.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatShell.tsx
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ const BeatShell: React.FC<{
           background: c.bg.inverse, color: c.text.inverse, clipPath: ZIGZAG_CLIP,
         }}
       >
-        <div style={{ position: 'absolute', inset: 0, backgroundImage: GRAIN_URL, opacity: 0.16, pointerEvents: 'none', mixBlendMode: 'overlay' }} />
+        <div style={{ position: 'absolute', inset: 0, backgroundImage: GRAIN_URL, opacity: 0.1, pointerEvents: 'none', mixBlendMode: 'overlay' }} />
         {onBack && (
           <motion.button
             {...enter(0.05)}
@@ -89,7 +89,6 @@ const BeatShell: React.FC<{
           padding: 36, boxSizing: 'border-box', overflow: 'auto',
         }}
       >
-        <div style={{ position: 'absolute', inset: 0, backgroundImage: GRAIN_URL, opacity: 0.07, pointerEvents: 'none' }} />
         <div style={{ position: 'relative', width: '100%', display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'center' }}>
           {children}
         </div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatTheme.tsx b/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatTheme.tsx
index d88f57ee..d786f17e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatTheme.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatTheme.tsx
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ const BeatTheme: React.FC<{
     <BeatShell
       c={c}
       title="Make it yours."
-      body="Pick a color, or add a second dot for a gradient. The whole app repaints as you drag; this is your home now."
-      nextLabel="Continue"
+      body="The whole app repaints as you drag. Add a second dot for a gradient."
+      nextLabel="Next"
       onNext={onNext}
       onBack={onBack}
     >
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/pages/AgentChat/WelcomeQuickReplies.tsx b/frontend/src/app/pages/AgentChat/WelcomeQuickReplies.tsx
index c7216aee..1288820b 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/pages/AgentChat/WelcomeQuickReplies.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/app/pages/AgentChat/WelcomeQuickReplies.tsx
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import React from 'react';
 import Box from '@mui/material/Box';
 import Typography from '@mui/material/Typography';
 import { motion, AnimatePresence } from 'framer-motion';
-import { ArrowLeft, CalendarClock, Check, Sparkles } from 'lucide-react';
+import { ArrowLeft, CalendarClock, Check } from 'lucide-react';
 import { useAppDispatch, useAppSelector } from '@/shared/hooks';
 import { createWorkflow } from '@/shared/state/workflowsSlice';
 import type { ClaudeTokens } from '@/shared/styles/claudeTokens';
@@ -87,7 +87,6 @@ const WelcomeQuickReplies: React.FC<{
                     cursor: 'pointer', fontFamily: 'inherit',
                   }}
                 >
-                  <Sparkles size={14} color={c.accent.primary} style={{ flexShrink: 0 }} />
                   {s.title}
                 </motion.button>
               ))}
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/pages/Dashboard/hooks/lifecycle/useOnboardingRevealSeed.ts b/frontend/src/app/pages/Dashboard/hooks/lifecycle/useOnboardingRevealSeed.ts
index 6a086085..1f3c137d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/pages/Dashboard/hooks/lifecycle/useOnboardingRevealSeed.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/app/pages/Dashboard/hooks/lifecycle/useOnboardingRevealSeed.ts
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ export function useOnboardingRevealSeed({ isActive, canvasEmpty, viewportRef, ca
         const lines: string[] = ['While you were setting up, I got some ideas ready.'];
         if (scanSummary) lines.push(`Spotted on this Mac: ${scanSummary}.`);
         if (starters.length > 0) lines.push(`Ready to run:\n${starters.map((s) => `- ${s.title}`).join('\n')}`);
-        lines.push('Pick one in the chat, or just type what you need.');
         dispatch(addNote({ x: cx + DEFAULT_CARD_W / 2 + 48, y: cy - 140, color: 'yellow', content: lines.join('\n\n') }));
       }
       createWelcomeDraft();