diff --git a/hermes_cli/nous_account.py b/hermes_cli/nous_account.py
index 1131cb17d1..c3a0b92974 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/nous_account.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/nous_account.py
@@ -523,9 +523,7 @@ def _tool_access_from_value(value: Any) -> Optional[NousToolAccessInfo]:
 
 def _coerced_dataclass(cls, value: Any):
     """Build ``cls`` from a payload dict (field names = payload keys), coercing by declared type."""
-    if not isinstance(value, dict):
-        return None
-    return cls(**{f.name: _COERCERS[f.type](value.get(f.name)) for f in fields(cls)})
+    return cls(**{f.name: _COERCERS[f.type](value.get(f.name)) for f in fields(cls)}) if isinstance(value, dict) else None
 
 
 def _subscription_from_payload(value: Any) -> Optional[NousPortalSubscriptionInfo]:
diff --git a/hermes_cli/nous_billing.py b/hermes_cli/nous_billing.py
index 354b1f1700..3e383bb3a5 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/nous_billing.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/nous_billing.py
@@ -18,8 +18,7 @@ from typing import Any, Optional
 
 DEFAULT_PORTAL_BASE_URL = "https://portal.nousresearch.com"
 
-# Tight so a hung portal doesn't freeze the TUI (charge/poll calls are quick).
-DEFAULT_TIMEOUT = 15.0
+DEFAULT_TIMEOUT = 15.0  # tight so a hung portal doesn't freeze the TUI (charge/poll calls are quick)
 
 
 # --- Typed errors ---
@@ -101,8 +100,7 @@ class BillingUpgradeCapExceeded(BillingTransient):
 def resolve_portal_base_url(state: Optional[dict[str, Any]] = None) -> str:
     """Resolve the portal base URL with login-time precedence: env, stored state, default."""
     env = os.getenv("HERMES_PORTAL_BASE_URL") or os.getenv("NOUS_PORTAL_BASE_URL")
-    stored = state.get("portal_base_url") if state else None
-    for candidate in (env, stored):
+    for candidate in (env, state.get("portal_base_url") if state else None):
         if isinstance(candidate, str) and candidate.strip():
             return candidate.strip().rstrip("/")
     return DEFAULT_PORTAL_BASE_URL
diff --git a/hermes_cli/pairing.py b/hermes_cli/pairing.py
index 5eef104cab..47b3298220 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/pairing.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/pairing.py
@@ -63,8 +63,7 @@ def _cmd_approve(store, platform: str, code: str):
     else:
         result = store.approve_code(platform, code.upper())
     if result:
-        uid = result["user_id"]
-        name = result.get("user_name") or ""
+        uid, name = result["user_id"], result.get("user_name") or ""
         display = f"{name} ({uid})" if name else uid
         print(f"\n  Approved! User {display} on {platform} can now use the bot~")
         print("  They'll be recognized automatically on their next message.\n")
diff --git a/hermes_cli/process_identity.py b/hermes_cli/process_identity.py
index a8bb8d6336..c4bdafb426 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/process_identity.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/process_identity.py
@@ -89,9 +89,7 @@ def spawn_env(purpose: str, *, project_root: Optional[Path] = None) -> dict[str,
 
 def parse_spawn_tag(raw: object) -> Optional[SpawnTag]:
     """Parse a ``HERMES_SPAWN`` value; ``None`` for anything malformed."""
-    if not isinstance(raw, str):
-        return None
-    parts = raw.split(":")
+    parts = raw.split(":") if isinstance(raw, str) else []
     if len(parts) != 5 or parts[0] != _TAG_VERSION:
         return None
     _, install, purpose, pid_s, create_s = parts