diff --git a/agent/prompt_builder.py b/agent/prompt_builder.py
index a42474bf7c..f065999b6f 100644
--- a/agent/prompt_builder.py
+++ b/agent/prompt_builder.py
@@ -642,8 +642,9 @@ def computer_use_guidance(platform_name: Optional[str] = None) -> str:
         "`computer_use.grant_existing_profile: true` (if unset, report the "
         "refusal and name that key — you can never grant it yourself); "
         "bounded mode authorizes via the user's reviewed capability manifest; "
-        "explicit Hermes YOLO uses a private unrestricted daemon after the "
-        "user's launch/session risk acceptance.\n\n"
+        "explicit Hermes YOLO uses an unrestricted runtime after the user's "
+        "launch/session risk acceptance. Permission mode and grants are fixed "
+        "when Hermes launches that runtime.\n\n"
         "## Background mode rules\n"
         "- Do NOT use `raise_window=true` on `focus_app` unless the user "
         "explicitly asked you to bring a window to front. Input routing to "
@@ -653,9 +654,11 @@ def computer_use_guidance(platform_name: Optional[str] = None) -> str:
         "won't leak other windows the user has open.\n"
         + offscreen_line +
         "## The agent cursor you'll see on screen\n"
-        "Each computer-use run declares a session with cua-driver; that "
-        "session owns a tinted overlay cursor that glides to where you "
-        "act. It's a visual cue for the user — the REAL OS cursor never "
+        "Each computer-use run gives cua-driver a public session name. The "
+        "name labels its tinted overlay cursor and related state, while the "
+        "MCP transport owns a private lifecycle session inside the runtime. "
+        "The cursor glides "
+        "to where you act. It's a visual cue for the user; the REAL OS cursor never "
         "moves. Don't try to read it or click on it; it's UI feedback, "
         "not input.\n\n"
         "## Safety\n"
diff --git a/hermes_cli/config_defaults.py b/hermes_cli/config_defaults.py
index 37be35baee..64c6a8958a 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/config_defaults.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/config_defaults.py
@@ -3312,21 +3312,23 @@ DEFAULT_CONFIG = {
         #   True  = always disable the overlay
         #   False = always enable the overlay
         "no_overlay": None,
-        # cua-driver permission mode for this Hermes install.
+        # cua-driver permission mode for each Hermes computer-use runtime.
         #   standard (default) — cua-driver's own approval boundary. Protected
         #     operations (e.g. attaching to an existing signed-in browser
         #     profile) fail closed unless grant_existing_profile is enabled
         #     below.
         #   bounded — repeatable automation under a user-reviewed session
-        #     policy manifest (set capability_manifest below). No runtime
+        #     capability manifest (set capability_manifest below). No runtime
         #     prompts; anything outside the manifest fails closed inside
         #     cua-driver.
         # `unrestricted` is intentionally NOT accepted here: it stays bound to
         # the explicit per-session YOLO toggle so a config line can never
         # silently bypass approvals.
         "permission_mode": "standard",
-        # Absolute or ~ path to the reviewed cua-driver session-policy
-        # manifest YAML used when permission_mode is "bounded". See
+        # Absolute or ~ path to the reviewed cua-driver capability
+        # manifest used when permission_mode is "bounded". Hermes passes the
+        # canonical --capability-manifest and --approve-capability-manifest
+        # flags when it launches the runtime. See
         # https://cua.ai/docs/reference/cua-driver/permission-modes
         "capability_manifest": "",
         # Pre-authorize existing-profile browser attachment in standard mode
diff --git a/hermes_cli/main.py b/hermes_cli/main.py
index bfd79dea4e..12f79b2208 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/main.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/main.py
@@ -12586,7 +12586,7 @@ def main():
     build_tools_parser(subparsers, cmd_tools=cmd_tools)
 
     # =========================================================================
-    # computer-use command — manage Computer Use (cua-driver) on macOS
+    # computer-use command — manage Computer Use (cua-driver)
     # =========================================================================
     computer_use_parser = subparsers.add_parser(
         "computer-use",
@@ -12689,39 +12689,6 @@ def main():
         "grant",
         help="Request the grants (opens the dialog attributed to CuaDriver)",
     )
-    computer_use_browser_approve = computer_use_sub.add_parser(
-        "browser-approve",
-        help="Mint a single-use token authorizing browser attachment for one exact window",
-        description=(
-            "Runs `cua-driver browser-approve` to mint a five-minute,\n"
-            "single-use token that authorizes ONE browser preparation for the\n"
-            "exact process (and window) you name. Give the printed token to\n"
-            "the agent; it passes it as approval_token on the\n"
-            "cua_browser_prepare action.\n\n"
-            "This is the explicit human boundary for attaching to a browser —\n"
-            "especially an existing signed-in profile, where the DevTools\n"
-            "protocol can see that profile's live pages, cookies, and storage.\n"
-            "Ordinary tool approval never substitutes for this grant, so a\n"
-            "model can never mint or guess the token itself.\n\n"
-            "Find the pid/window_id via the agent (list_windows) or ask it to\n"
-            "read them from a native capture."
-        ),
-    )
-    computer_use_browser_approve.add_argument(
-        "--pid", type=int, required=True,
-        help="Exact browser process id to authorize",
-    )
-    computer_use_browser_approve.add_argument(
-        "--window-id", type=int, default=None,
-        help="Exact native window id (required for existing-profile attachment)",
-    )
-    computer_use_browser_approve.add_argument(
-        "--profile-mode",
-        choices=["isolated_new", "isolated_named", "existing_profile"],
-        default="isolated_new",
-        help="Preparation the token authorizes (default: isolated_new)",
-    )
-
     def cmd_computer_use(args):
         action = getattr(args, "computer_use_action", None)
         if action == "install":
@@ -12777,36 +12744,6 @@ def main():
                 json_output=bool(getattr(args, "json", False)),
             )
             sys.exit(code)
-        if action == "browser-approve":
-            import subprocess
-            from tools.computer_use.cua_backend import (
-                cua_driver_child_env,
-                cua_driver_install_hint,
-                resolve_cua_driver_cmd,
-            )
-            binary = resolve_cua_driver_cmd()
-            if not binary:
-                print(cua_driver_install_hint())
-                sys.exit(2)
-            cmd = [binary, "browser-approve", "--pid", str(args.pid)]
-            window_id = getattr(args, "window_id", None)
-            if window_id is not None:
-                cmd += ["--window-id", str(window_id)]
-            cmd += ["--profile-mode", getattr(args, "profile_mode", "isolated_new")]
-            try:
-                # Interactive passthrough: cua-driver requires a TTY to mint
-                # the grant, prints the token itself, and owns the expiry.
-                proc = subprocess.run(cmd, env=cua_driver_child_env())
-            except OSError as exc:
-                print(f"cua-driver browser-approve failed to launch: {exc}", file=sys.stderr)
-                sys.exit(2)
-            if proc.returncode == 0:
-                print(
-                    "\nGive the token above to the agent — it passes it as "
-                    "approval_token on cua_browser_prepare. Single use, "
-                    "expires in ~5 minutes."
-                )
-            sys.exit(proc.returncode)
         if action == "permissions":
             perms_action = getattr(args, "computer_use_perms_action", None)
             if perms_action == "grant":
diff --git a/skills/autonomous-ai-agents/computer-use/SKILL.md b/skills/autonomous-ai-agents/computer-use/SKILL.md
index 8e6b001650..ed280672cb 100644
--- a/skills/autonomous-ai-agents/computer-use/SKILL.md
+++ b/skills/autonomous-ai-agents/computer-use/SKILL.md
@@ -24,11 +24,12 @@ Everything here works with any tool-capable model — Claude, GPT, Gemini,
 or an open model on a local OpenAI-compatible endpoint. There is no
 Anthropic-native schema to learn.
 
-Hermes drives [cua-driver](https://github.com/trycua/cua) under the hood
-for the platform plumbing. The Hermes-side `computer_use` tool exposed
-in this skill is a higher-level Hermes vocabulary; the raw cua-driver
-MCP tools (which a different agent harness would see) are NOT what you
-call — call the `computer_use` actions documented below.
+Hermes drives [cua-driver](https://github.com/trycua/cua) under the hood.
+This wrapper skill teaches the Hermes `computer_use` workflow and action
+vocabulary. Call the actions documented below instead of raw cua-driver MCP
+tools. For driver internals and platform-specific behavior, follow the Cua
+skill installed by `cua-driver skills install`; that command detects Hermes
+and links the skill pack automatically.
 
 ## The canonical workflow
 
@@ -207,15 +208,17 @@ Authorization paths for `existing_profile`, in preference order:
    configured with a reviewed `capability_manifest`, prepares inside the
    manifest's scope succeed without prompts and everything else fails closed.
 3. **Explicit Hermes YOLO** (`--yolo`, `/yolo`, or `approvals.mode: off`)
-   launches a private embedded cua-driver in `unrestricted` after that risk
+   launches a private cua-driver runtime in `unrestricted` after that risk
    acceptance, so there are no runtime Cua approval prompts.
 
-A user may also paste a token from `hermes computer-use browser-approve`
-(pass it as `approval_token`); current cua-driver builds treat that as a
-disabled legacy path, so expect the config grant to be the working route.
-Without any of these, `existing_profile` fails closed — report the refusal
-and name the config key; do not retry, downgrade trust, or work around it.
-Never invent, store, log, or reuse a grant token.
+These settings belong to runtime launch. The agent cannot add or change them
+after the runtime starts. Without one of these paths, `existing_profile` fails
+closed. Report the refusal and name the config key; do not retry, downgrade
+trust, or work around it.
+
+Every MCP transport owns a private lifecycle session inside the runtime. The
+public session name only labels cursor identity and session-scoped state. It
+does not select, share, or keep a runtime alive.
 
 Use the native capture/AX/pixel/foreground ladder for browser chrome, browser
 permission UI, OS prompts, native dialogs, extension surfaces, unsupported
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_computer_use_cli.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_computer_use_cli.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..452128ec73
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_computer_use_cli.py
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+"""CLI coverage for the public Computer Use command surface."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import subprocess
+import sys
+
+
+def _run(*args: str) -> subprocess.CompletedProcess[str]:
+    return subprocess.run(
+        [sys.executable, "-m", "hermes_cli.main", "computer-use", *args],
+        capture_output=True,
+        text=True,
+        timeout=30,
+    )
+
+
+def test_computer_use_help_omits_browser_approve() -> None:
+    result = _run("--help")
+
+    assert result.returncode == 0
+    assert "browser-approve" not in result.stdout
+    assert "doctor" in result.stdout
+    assert "permissions" in result.stdout
+
+
+def test_computer_use_rejects_removed_browser_approve_command() -> None:
+    result = _run("browser-approve", "--pid", "123")
+
+    assert result.returncode == 2
+    assert "invalid choice: 'browser-approve'" in result.stderr
diff --git a/tests/tools/test_computer_use.py b/tests/tools/test_computer_use.py
index 7dc07239f9..6a61c1d25b 100644
--- a/tests/tools/test_computer_use.py
+++ b/tests/tools/test_computer_use.py
@@ -1089,6 +1089,77 @@ class TestCuaDriverSessionReconnect:
         assert bridge.calls[1][0] == ("call", "list_apps", {})
         assert len(bridge.calls) == 2
 
+    def test_mutation_is_not_replayed_after_closed_transport(self):
+        """A lost response cannot prove whether a click already happened."""
+        from anyio import ClosedResourceError
+
+        class FakeBridge:
+            def __init__(self):
+                self.calls = []
+
+            def run(self, value, timeout=None):
+                self.calls.append((value, timeout))
+                raise ClosedResourceError()
+
+        bridge = FakeBridge()
+        session = self._make_session(bridge)
+
+        result = session.call_tool("click", {"x": 20, "y": 30})
+
+        assert result["isError"] is True
+        assert result["structuredContent"]["code"] == "transport_outcome_unknown"
+        assert result["structuredContent"]["next_step"] == "fresh_state"
+        assert session._reconnect_log == ["stop", "start"]
+        assert len(bridge.calls) == 1
+
+    def test_mutation_does_not_cross_to_cli_on_transient_proxy_error(self):
+        class FakeBridge:
+            def run(self, value, timeout=None):
+                raise RuntimeError("daemon proxy: Resource temporarily unavailable")
+
+        session = self._make_session(FakeBridge())
+        session._call_tool_via_cli = MagicMock()
+        reset = MagicMock()
+        session._transport_reset_callback = reset
+
+        result = session.call_tool("type_text", {"text": "hello"})
+
+        assert result["structuredContent"]["code"] == "transport_outcome_unknown"
+        session._call_tool_via_cli.assert_not_called()
+        reset.assert_called_once_with()
+
+    def test_reconnect_restores_public_label_before_replaying_read(self):
+        from anyio import ClosedResourceError
+
+        class FakeBridge:
+            def __init__(self):
+                self.calls = []
+                self.effects = [
+                    ClosedResourceError(),
+                    {"isError": False},
+                    {"isError": False, "structuredContent": {"apps": []}},
+                ]
+
+            def run(self, value, timeout=None):
+                self.calls.append(value)
+                effect = self.effects.pop(0)
+                if isinstance(effect, Exception):
+                    raise effect
+                return effect
+
+        bridge = FakeBridge()
+        session = self._make_session(bridge)
+        session._declared_session_id = "hermes-label"
+
+        result = session.call_tool("list_apps", {})
+
+        assert result["isError"] is False
+        assert bridge.calls == [
+            ("call", "list_apps", {}),
+            ("call", "start_session", {"session": "hermes-label"}),
+            ("call", "list_apps", {}),
+        ]
+
 
     def test_cli_fallback_reads_screenshot_from_file(self, tmp_path, monkeypatch):
         """_call_tool_via_cli must base64-read a screenshot written to disk
diff --git a/tests/tools/test_computer_use_browser_authorization.py b/tests/tools/test_computer_use_browser_authorization.py
index ff8176a066..1d8cc5fd18 100644
--- a/tests/tools/test_computer_use_browser_authorization.py
+++ b/tests/tools/test_computer_use_browser_authorization.py
@@ -1,11 +1,8 @@
 """Authorization plumbing for the cua-driver typed browser route.
 
-Covers the three rungs that let ``existing_profile`` attachment (and bounded
-automation generally) actually work from Hermes:
+Covers the authorization modes that let ``existing_profile`` attachment (and
+bounded automation generally) work from Hermes:
 
-* ``approval_token`` passthrough — the user-minted single-use token from
-  ``hermes computer-use browser-approve`` reaches ``browser_prepare`` and is
-  never fabricated by the wrapper.
 * ``bounded`` permission mode — a private embedded daemon launched with a
   user-reviewed capability manifest (``--capability-manifest`` +
   ``--approve-capability-manifest``), failing loudly when the manifest is
@@ -47,16 +44,15 @@ def _route(driver: _PrepareDriver) -> CuaTypedBrowserRoute:
     )
 
 
-# ── approval_token passthrough ──────────────────────────────────────────
+# ── existing-profile authorization ownership ───────────────────────────
 
 
-def test_existing_profile_prepare_forwards_user_minted_approval_token():
+def test_existing_profile_prepare_delegates_authorization_to_driver():
     driver = _PrepareDriver()
     result = _route(driver).prepare(
         pid=101,
         window_id=202,
         profile_mode="existing_profile",
-        approval_token="tok-from-user-terminal",
     )
 
     assert result["status"] == "ok"
@@ -67,51 +63,13 @@ def test_existing_profile_prepare_forwards_user_minted_approval_token():
                 "pid": 101,
                 "window_id": 202,
                 "strategy": {"kind": "existing_profile"},
-                "approval_token": "tok-from-user-terminal",
                 "session": "hermes-a",
             },
         )
     ]
 
 
-def test_existing_profile_prepare_without_token_sends_none():
-    """No token → the field is absent; the driver's own gate decides."""
-    driver = _PrepareDriver()
-    _route(driver).prepare(pid=101, window_id=202, profile_mode="existing_profile")
-
-    (_, args), = driver.calls
-    assert "approval_token" not in args
-
-
-@pytest.mark.parametrize("bogus", ["", None, 7, True])
-def test_non_string_or_empty_token_is_never_forwarded(bogus):
-    driver = _PrepareDriver()
-    _route(driver).prepare(
-        pid=101,
-        window_id=202,
-        profile_mode="existing_profile",
-        approval_token=bogus,
-    )
-
-    (_, args), = driver.calls
-    assert "approval_token" not in args
-
-
-def test_isolated_prepare_ignores_approval_token():
-    """The token authorizes existing-profile attachment only."""
-    driver = _PrepareDriver()
-    _route(driver).prepare(
-        pid=101,
-        profile_mode="isolated_new",
-        allow_launch=True,
-        approval_token="tok",
-    )
-
-    (_, args), = driver.calls
-    assert "approval_token" not in args
-
-
-def test_dispatch_forwards_approval_token_to_backend():
+def test_dispatch_does_not_forward_removed_approval_token():
     from unittest.mock import Mock
 
     from tools.computer_use.tool import _dispatch
@@ -126,22 +84,18 @@ def test_dispatch_forwards_approval_token_to_backend():
             "pid": 101,
             "window_id": 202,
             "profile_mode": "existing_profile",
-            "approval_token": "tok-abc",
         },
     )
 
     kwargs = backend.typed_browser_prepare.call_args.kwargs
-    assert kwargs["approval_token"] == "tok-abc"
+    assert "approval_token" not in kwargs
     assert kwargs["profile_mode"] == "existing_profile"
 
 
-def test_schema_documents_approval_token_as_user_minted():
+def test_schema_does_not_expose_approval_token():
     from tools.computer_use.schema import COMPUTER_USE_SCHEMA
 
-    prop = COMPUTER_USE_SCHEMA["parameters"]["properties"]["approval_token"]
-    desc = prop["description"]
-    assert "browser-approve" in desc
-    assert "never invent" in desc.lower()
+    assert "approval_token" not in COMPUTER_USE_SCHEMA["parameters"]["properties"]
 
 
 # ── bounded embedded daemon ─────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -215,13 +169,12 @@ def test_bounded_daemon_serves_with_approved_manifest(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     command = captured["command"]
     assert "--permission-mode" in command
     assert command[command.index("--permission-mode") + 1] == "bounded"
-    # Flag names live-verified against cua-driver 0.19.3.
-    assert "--session-policy" in command
+    assert "--capability-manifest" in command
     assert (
-        command[command.index("--session-policy") + 1]
+        command[command.index("--capability-manifest") + 1]
         == str(manifest)
     )
-    assert "--approve-session-policy" in command
+    assert "--approve-capability-manifest" in command
     assert "--dangerously-bypass-approvals" not in command
 
 
@@ -255,7 +208,7 @@ def test_unrestricted_daemon_serve_command_unchanged(monkeypatch):
 
     command = captured["command"]
     assert "--dangerously-bypass-approvals" in command
-    assert "--session-policy" not in command
+    assert "--capability-manifest" not in command
 
 
 # ── standard-mode --grant existing-profile ──────────────────────────────
diff --git a/tests/tools/test_computer_use_browser_contract_020.py b/tests/tools/test_computer_use_browser_contract_020.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..56e07b693f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/tools/test_computer_use_browser_contract_020.py
@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+"""Behavior coverage for the cua-driver 0.20 public browser contract."""
+
+import json
+from typing import Any, Dict
+from unittest.mock import Mock
+
+from tools.computer_use.browser_route import CuaTypedBrowserRoute
+from tools.computer_use.schema import COMPUTER_USE_SCHEMA
+from tools.computer_use.tool import _dispatch
+
+
+class _Driver:
+    def __init__(self, responses: list[Dict[str, Any]]) -> None:
+        self.responses = list(responses)
+        self.calls: list[tuple[str, Dict[str, Any]]] = []
+
+    def has_tool(self, _name: str) -> bool:
+        return True
+
+    def call(self, name: str, args: Dict[str, Any]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        self.calls.append((name, dict(args)))
+        return self.responses.pop(0)
+
+
+def _route(driver: _Driver) -> CuaTypedBrowserRoute:
+    return CuaTypedBrowserRoute(
+        session_id="hermes-browser-contract",
+        call_tool=driver.call,
+        has_tool=driver.has_tool,
+    )
+
+
+def test_public_schema_exposes_020_state_and_type_options():
+    properties = COMPUTER_USE_SCHEMA["parameters"]["properties"]
+
+    assert properties["include_screenshot"]["type"] == "boolean"
+    assert properties["replace"]["type"] == "boolean"
+    assert properties["browser_type_mode"]["enum"] == ["insert_text", "keystrokes"]
+    assert "approval_token" not in properties
+
+
+def test_browser_state_forwards_screenshot_request_and_preserves_mcp_image():
+    driver = _Driver([
+        {
+            "structuredContent": {
+                "status": "ok",
+                "target_id": "target-a",
+                "binding_quality": "exact",
+                "mutation_allowed": True,
+                "tabs": [{"tab_id": "tab-a"}],
+            },
+            "images": ["/9j/browser-shot"],
+            "image_mime_types": ["image/jpeg"],
+        }
+    ])
+
+    result = _route(driver).observe(
+        pid=101,
+        window_id=202,
+        include_screenshot=True,
+    )
+
+    assert driver.calls == [
+        (
+            "get_browser_state",
+            {
+                "pid": 101,
+                "window_id": 202,
+                "include_screenshot": True,
+                "session": "hermes-browser-contract",
+            },
+        )
+    ]
+    assert result["_mcp_images"] == [
+        {"data": "/9j/browser-shot", "mime_type": "image/jpeg"}
+    ]
+
+
+def test_browser_state_dispatch_returns_mcp_image_as_multimodal_content():
+    backend = Mock()
+    backend.typed_browser_state.return_value = {
+        "status": "ok",
+        "url": "https://example.test/",
+        "_mcp_images": [
+            {"data": "iVBORbrowser-shot", "mime_type": "image/png"}
+        ],
+    }
+
+    result = _dispatch(
+        backend,
+        "cua_browser_state",
+        {"tab_id": "tab-a", "include_screenshot": True},
+    )
+
+    backend.typed_browser_state.assert_called_once_with(
+        tab_id="tab-a", include_screenshot=True
+    )
+    assert result["_multimodal"] is True
+    assert json.loads(result["content"][0]["text"])["url"] == "https://example.test/"
+    assert result["content"][1] == {
+        "type": "image_url",
+        "image_url": {"url": "data:image/png;base64,iVBORbrowser-shot"},
+    }
+    assert "iVBORbrowser-shot" not in result["text_summary"]
+
+
+def test_browser_type_replace_reaches_typed_browser_backend():
+    backend = Mock()
+    backend.typed_browser_action.return_value = {"status": "ok"}
+
+    result = _dispatch(
+        backend,
+        "cua_browser_type",
+        {
+            "tab_id": "tab-a",
+            "ref": "field-a",
+            "text": "replacement",
+            "browser_type_mode": "keystrokes",
+            "replace": True,
+        },
+    )
+
+    assert json.loads(result)["status"] == "ok"
+    backend.typed_browser_action.assert_called_once_with(
+        "browser_type",
+        tab_id="tab-a",
+        args={
+            "ref": "field-a",
+            "text": "replacement",
+            "replace": True,
+            "mode": "keystrokes",
+        },
+    )
diff --git a/tests/tools/test_computer_use_cua_0_10_permissions.py b/tests/tools/test_computer_use_cua_0_10_permissions.py
index edcd388d75..6913487e25 100644
--- a/tests/tools/test_computer_use_cua_0_10_permissions.py
+++ b/tests/tools/test_computer_use_cua_0_10_permissions.py
@@ -205,3 +205,55 @@ def test_standard_backend_does_not_spawn_an_embedded_daemon():
 
     assert standard._embedded_daemon is None
     assert unrestricted._embedded_daemon is not None
+
+
+def test_standard_existing_profile_grant_owns_private_macos_runtime():
+    from tools.computer_use.cua_backend import _standard_runtime_launch_args
+
+    args, socket_path = _standard_runtime_launch_args(
+        ["mcp"],
+        grant_existing_profile=True,
+        platform="darwin",
+        socket_path="/tmp/hermes-cua-test.sock",
+    )
+
+    assert args == [
+        "mcp",
+        "--grant",
+        "existing-profile",
+        "--socket",
+        "/tmp/hermes-cua-test.sock",
+    ]
+    assert socket_path == "/tmp/hermes-cua-test.sock"
+
+
+def test_standard_existing_profile_grant_stays_in_process_off_macos():
+    from tools.computer_use.cua_backend import _standard_runtime_launch_args
+
+    args, socket_path = _standard_runtime_launch_args(
+        ["mcp"], grant_existing_profile=True, platform="linux"
+    )
+
+    assert args == ["mcp", "--grant", "existing-profile"]
+    assert socket_path is None
+
+
+def test_transport_reset_invalidates_native_and_browser_capabilities():
+    from tools.computer_use.cua_backend import CuaDriverBackend
+
+    backend = CuaDriverBackend(permission_mode="standard")
+    backend._active_pid = 10
+    backend._active_window_id = 20
+    backend._snapshot_tokens = {1: "old-token"}
+    backend._typed_browser.state.pid = 10
+    backend._typed_browser.state.window_id = 20
+    backend._typed_browser.state.target_id = "old-target"
+    backend._typed_browser.state.refs = {"old-ref": {"click"}}
+
+    backend._handle_transport_reset()
+
+    assert backend._active_pid is None
+    assert backend._active_window_id is None
+    assert backend._snapshot_tokens == {}
+    assert backend._typed_browser.state.target_id is None
+    assert backend._typed_browser.state.refs == {}
diff --git a/tests/tools/test_computer_use_cua_0_9.py b/tests/tools/test_computer_use_cua_0_9.py
index 940a2c7e23..7e8191480b 100644
--- a/tests/tools/test_computer_use_cua_0_9.py
+++ b/tests/tools/test_computer_use_cua_0_9.py
@@ -788,7 +788,6 @@ def test_namespaced_state_and_prepare_actions_use_typed_backend_wrappers():
         profile_mode="isolated_new",
         profile_name=None,
         allow_launch=True,
-        approval_token=None,
     )
 
 
diff --git a/tools/computer_use/browser_route.py b/tools/computer_use/browser_route.py
index c6bbd77b07..7d72409556 100644
--- a/tools/computer_use/browser_route.py
+++ b/tools/computer_use/browser_route.py
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ def _positive_int(value: Any) -> Optional[int]:
 
 
 def _tool_payload(out: Dict[str, Any]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
-    """Return the structured driver payload without discarding refusals."""
+    """Return structured data without discarding refusals or MCP images."""
     structured = out.get("structuredContent")
     data = out.get("data")
     payload: Dict[str, Any] = {}
@@ -49,6 +49,23 @@ def _tool_payload(out: Dict[str, Any]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
         payload["message"] = data
     if isinstance(structured, dict):
         payload.update(structured)
+    images = out.get("images")
+    mime_types = out.get("image_mime_types")
+    if isinstance(images, list):
+        preserved_images = []
+        for index, image in enumerate(images):
+            if not isinstance(image, str) or not image:
+                continue
+            mime_type = ""
+            if (
+                isinstance(mime_types, list)
+                and index < len(mime_types)
+                and isinstance(mime_types[index], str)
+            ):
+                mime_type = mime_types[index]
+            preserved_images.append({"data": image, "mime_type": mime_type})
+        if preserved_images:
+            payload["_mcp_images"] = preserved_images
     if out.get("isError") is True:
         payload.setdefault("isError", True)
     return payload
@@ -225,6 +242,7 @@ class CuaTypedBrowserRoute:
         query: Optional[str] = None,
         scope_ref: Optional[str] = None,
         continuation: Optional[str] = None,
+        include_screenshot: bool = False,
     ) -> Dict[str, Any]:
         """Bind an exact native window or snapshot a bound tab."""
         missing = self._require_tool("get_browser_state")
@@ -242,10 +260,13 @@ class CuaTypedBrowserRoute:
                     "Typed browser binding requires an exact positive pid and window_id pair.",
                     native_fallback=True,
                 )
-            payload = self._call(
-                "get_browser_state",
-                {"pid": exact_pid, "window_id": exact_window},
-            )
+            bind_args: Dict[str, Any] = {
+                "pid": exact_pid,
+                "window_id": exact_window,
+            }
+            if include_screenshot:
+                bind_args["include_screenshot"] = True
+            payload = self._call("get_browser_state", bind_args)
             if payload.get("status") != "ok":
                 code = _refusal_code(payload)
                 payload.setdefault("ok", False)
@@ -318,6 +339,8 @@ class CuaTypedBrowserRoute:
             args["scope_ref"] = scope_ref
         if continuation:
             args["continuation"] = continuation
+        if include_screenshot:
+            args["include_screenshot"] = True
 
         continuing = continuation is not None
         if not continuing:
@@ -351,7 +374,6 @@ class CuaTypedBrowserRoute:
         profile_mode: str,
         profile_name: Optional[str] = None,
         allow_launch: bool = False,
-        approval_token: Optional[str] = None,
     ) -> Dict[str, Any]:
         """Run explicit setup through the driver's authoritative mode gate."""
         missing = self._require_tool("browser_prepare")
@@ -370,21 +392,15 @@ class CuaTypedBrowserRoute:
                     "Existing-profile attachment requires an exact positive pid and window_id pair.",
                 )
             # The driver owns the immutable standard/bounded/unrestricted
-            # decision. Standard fails closed without a certified host,
-            # a user-minted single-use approval token, or an approved
-            # bounded manifest; explicit Hermes YOLO owns a private
-            # unrestricted daemon.
+            # decision. Standard fails closed without a certified host;
+            # bounded mode uses its approved capability manifest and explicit
+            # Hermes YOLO owns a private unrestricted daemon.
             self.state.clear()
             args: Dict[str, Any] = {
                 "pid": exact_pid,
                 "window_id": exact_window,
                 "strategy": {"kind": "existing_profile"},
             }
-            if isinstance(approval_token, str) and approval_token:
-                # Minted out-of-band by `hermes computer-use browser-approve`
-                # (cua-driver browser-approve): five-minute, single-use. The
-                # user, never the model, is the source of this value.
-                args["approval_token"] = approval_token
             return self._call("browser_prepare", args)
         if profile_mode not in {"isolated_new", "isolated_named"}:
             return _refusal(
diff --git a/tools/computer_use/cua_backend.py b/tools/computer_use/cua_backend.py
index 2067684cfa..c0a899c3c2 100644
--- a/tools/computer_use/cua_backend.py
+++ b/tools/computer_use/cua_backend.py
@@ -270,19 +270,46 @@ def _cua_grant_existing_profile() -> bool:
     """True when the user pre-authorized existing-profile browser attachment.
 
     Reads ``computer_use.grant_existing_profile`` (default False). This is
-    cua-driver's trusted-launcher grant: Hermes appends
-    ``--grant existing-profile`` when spawning the standard-mode runtime, so
-    ``browser_prepare`` with ``strategy: existing_profile`` succeeds without
-    a per-use token (live-verified against cua-driver 0.19.3, where the
-    interactive ``browser-approve`` token is a legacy compatibility path
-    that is disabled by default). The user flips this in config.yaml — a
-    deliberate, durable statement that agents on this machine may attach to
-    their signed-in browser. It never applies to bounded (the manifest owns
-    that decision) or unrestricted (already bypassed) daemons.
+    cua-driver's trusted-launcher grant. Hermes passes
+    ``--grant existing-profile`` when it launches the standard-mode runtime.
+    On macOS it also selects a private socket so the newly configured
+    CuaDriver.app runtime cannot collide with an already-running default
+    daemon. The setting never applies to bounded mode, where the manifest owns
+    authorization, or unrestricted mode, which already bypasses approvals.
     """
     return bool(_computer_use_cfg().get("grant_existing_profile", False))
 
 
+def _standard_runtime_launch_args(
+    args: List[str],
+    *,
+    grant_existing_profile: bool,
+    platform: str,
+    socket_path: Optional[str] = None,
+) -> Tuple[List[str], Optional[str]]:
+    """Return MCP args and any private runtime socket owned by this transport.
+
+    Windows and Linux run the standard runtime in the MCP process, so the
+    launch grant can be passed directly. macOS proxies through CuaDriver.app;
+    a grant must therefore launch a fresh app daemon on a private socket
+    instead of trying to reconfigure the default daemon.
+
+    ``platform`` is explicit so this policy can be tested as a pure function
+    on every CI host.
+    """
+    result = list(args)
+    if not grant_existing_profile:
+        return result, None
+    result.extend(["--grant", "existing-profile"])
+    if platform != "darwin":
+        return result, None
+    private_socket = socket_path or os.path.join(
+        tempfile.gettempdir(), f"hermes-cua-standard-{uuid.uuid4().hex[:12]}.sock"
+    )
+    result.extend(["--socket", private_socket])
+    return result, private_socket
+
+
 def _computer_use_max_image_dimension() -> Optional[int]:
     """Longest-edge cap for cua-driver screenshots, or None to leave unset.
 
@@ -586,14 +613,11 @@ class _EmbeddedCuaDaemon:
         if self.permission_mode == "unrestricted":
             command.append("--dangerously-bypass-approvals")
         else:  # bounded — manifest validated in __init__
-            # Live-verified against cua-driver 0.19.3: the serve flags are
-            # --session-policy/--approve-session-policy (the docs' older
-            # --capability-manifest names are not accepted).
             command.extend(
                 [
-                    "--session-policy",
+                    "--capability-manifest",
                     str(self.capability_manifest),
-                    "--approve-session-policy",
+                    "--approve-capability-manifest",
                 ]
             )
         self._process = subprocess.Popen(
@@ -1271,6 +1295,12 @@ class _CuaDriverSession:
         # Used to revive a logical ended-session rejection without
         # recursive call_tool re-entry or backend-owned state (#71166).
         self._declared_session_id: Optional[str] = None
+        # A macOS standard-mode launch grant belongs to the app daemon that
+        # receives it. Select and own a private endpoint so an existing
+        # default daemon cannot reject or silently miss the requested grant.
+        self._owned_standard_runtime_socket: Optional[str] = None
+        self._transport_generation = 0
+        self._transport_reset_callback: Optional[Any] = None
 
     def _require_started(self) -> None:
         if not self._started:
@@ -1312,15 +1342,13 @@ class _CuaDriverSession:
                 child_env = self._embedded_daemon.child_env()
             else:
                 command, args = _resolve_mcp_invocation(driver_cmd)
-                # Standard-mode trusted-launcher grant: the user opted in via
-                # config.yaml (computer_use.grant_existing_profile), so the
-                # runtime is launched pre-authorized for existing-profile
-                # browser attachment (`cua-driver mcp --grant
-                # existing-profile`, live-verified on 0.19.3). Never applied
-                # to embedded daemons: bounded's manifest and unrestricted's
-                # bypass own that decision.
-                if _cua_grant_existing_profile():
-                    args = [*args, "--grant", "existing-profile"]
+                args, owned_socket = _standard_runtime_launch_args(
+                    args,
+                    grant_existing_profile=_cua_grant_existing_profile(),
+                    platform=sys.platform,
+                    socket_path=self._owned_standard_runtime_socket,
+                )
+                self._owned_standard_runtime_socket = owned_socket
                 child_env = cua_driver_child_env()
             _t_manifest = _time.monotonic()
             params = StdioServerParameters(
@@ -1429,8 +1457,17 @@ class _CuaDriverSession:
         with self._lock:
             if self._started:
                 return
+            # A previous transport may have died without taking down its
+            # private app daemon. Stop that exact endpoint before relaunching
+            # with --grant; grants cannot modify an already-running runtime.
+            if self._owned_standard_runtime_socket is not None:
+                self._stop_owned_standard_runtime_locked()
             self._bridge.start()
-            self._start_lifecycle_locked()
+            try:
+                self._start_lifecycle_locked()
+            except Exception:
+                self._stop_owned_standard_runtime_locked()
+                raise
             self._started = True
 
     def _start_lifecycle_locked(self) -> None:
@@ -1469,13 +1506,59 @@ class _CuaDriverSession:
             raise RuntimeError(
                 f"cua-driver session setup failed: {self._setup_error}"
             ) from self._setup_error
+        self._transport_generation += 1
+        if self._transport_generation > 1:
+            self._notify_transport_reset()
 
     def stop(self) -> None:
         with self._lock:
             if not self._started:
+                self._stop_owned_standard_runtime_locked()
                 return
             self._started = False
             self._stop_lifecycle_locked()
+            self._stop_owned_standard_runtime_locked()
+
+    def set_transport_reset_callback(self, callback: Any) -> None:
+        """Register a synchronous cache invalidation hook for transport swaps."""
+        self._transport_reset_callback = callback
+
+    def _notify_transport_reset(self) -> None:
+        callback = getattr(self, "_transport_reset_callback", None)
+        if callback is None:
+            return
+        try:
+            callback()
+        except Exception as exc:
+            logger.debug("cua-driver transport reset callback failed: %s", exc)
+
+    def _stop_owned_standard_runtime_locked(self) -> None:
+        """Stop the exact private macOS app daemon launched for a grant."""
+        socket_path = getattr(self, "_owned_standard_runtime_socket", None)
+        if not socket_path:
+            return
+        self._owned_standard_runtime_socket = None
+        driver_command = resolve_cua_driver_cmd()
+        if driver_command:
+            from tools.environments.local import _sanitize_subprocess_env
+
+            try:
+                subprocess.run(
+                    [driver_command, "stop", "--socket", socket_path],
+                    stdin=subprocess.DEVNULL,
+                    stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL,
+                    stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL,
+                    timeout=3.0,
+                    creationflags=windows_hide_flags(),
+                    env=_sanitize_subprocess_env(cua_driver_child_env()),
+                )
+            except (OSError, subprocess.SubprocessError):
+                pass
+        if os.path.exists(socket_path):
+            try:
+                os.remove(socket_path)
+            except OSError:
+                pass
 
     def _stop_lifecycle_locked(self) -> None:
         """Signal shutdown + wait for the lifecycle coroutine to unwind.
@@ -1628,6 +1711,22 @@ class _CuaDriverSession:
             timeout=timeout,
         )
 
+    def _restore_declared_session_after_transport_reset(self, timeout: float) -> None:
+        """Re-attach the public label inside a replacement private lifecycle."""
+        session_id = getattr(self, "_declared_session_id", None)
+        if not session_id:
+            return
+        result = self._bridge.run(
+            self._call_tool_async("start_session", {"session": session_id}),
+            timeout=timeout,
+        )
+        if result.get("isError") is True:
+            logger.warning(
+                "cua-driver public session label %s could not be restored: %s",
+                session_id,
+                self._logical_error_text(result),
+            )
+
     @staticmethod
     def _is_closed_session_error(exc: Exception) -> bool:
         """Return True for MCP/stdio failures that are recoverable by reconnecting."""
@@ -1673,8 +1772,10 @@ class _CuaDriverSession:
             except Exception as e:
                 logger.debug("cua-driver session cleanup before reconnect failed: %s", e)
         self._started = False
+        self._stop_owned_standard_runtime_locked()
         # Clear stale capability state; the next start populates from scratch.
         self._capabilities = {}
+        self._tool_schemas = {}
         self._capability_version = ""
         self._start_lifecycle_locked()
         self._started = True
@@ -1831,6 +1932,44 @@ class _CuaDriverSession:
     # into start() when the session-start hasn't flipped _started yet.
     _LIFECYCLE_CALLS = frozenset({"start_session", "end_session"})
 
+    # Retrying these calls after a broken transport is safe. The first call
+    # either had no side effect or is explicitly idempotent. Mutations stay
+    # out of this set because a lost response does not prove they failed.
+    _TRANSPORT_REPLAY_SAFE_TOOLS = frozenset({
+        "get_cursor_position",
+        "get_displays",
+        "get_screen_size",
+        "get_window_state",
+        "list_apps",
+        "list_windows",
+    })
+
+    @classmethod
+    def _transport_replay_is_safe(cls, name: str) -> bool:
+        return name in cls._TRANSPORT_REPLAY_SAFE_TOOLS
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _unknown_transport_outcome(name: str, exc: Exception) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        message = (
+            f"cua-driver transport failed during {name}; the action outcome is "
+            "unknown, so Hermes did not replay it. Take fresh state before "
+            "deciding whether to act again."
+        )
+        return {
+            "data": message,
+            "images": [],
+            "image_mime_types": [],
+            "structuredContent": {
+                "ok": False,
+                "code": "transport_outcome_unknown",
+                "message": message,
+                "operation": name,
+                "next_step": "fresh_state",
+                "detail": str(exc),
+            },
+            "isError": True,
+        }
+
     def call_tool(self, name: str, args: Dict[str, Any], timeout: float = 30.0) -> Dict[str, Any]:
         # A prior session may have died (MCP drop / driver crash): its
         # lifecycle coro reset _started to False in its finally (#55048).
@@ -1839,6 +1978,7 @@ class _CuaDriverSession:
                 "cua-driver session not active on %s; (re)starting before call", name
             )
             self.start()
+            self._restore_declared_session_after_transport_reset(timeout)
         self._require_started()
 
         try:
@@ -1848,6 +1988,9 @@ class _CuaDriverSession:
             )
         except Exception as e:
             if self._is_transient_daemon_error(e):
+                if not self._transport_replay_is_safe(name):
+                    self._notify_transport_reset()
+                    return self._unknown_transport_outcome(name, e)
                 logger.warning(
                     "cua-driver MCP transport failed on %s (%s); "
                     "falling back to CLI transport", name, e,
@@ -1858,6 +2001,9 @@ class _CuaDriverSession:
             logger.warning("cua-driver MCP session closed during %s; reconnecting once", name)
             with self._lock:
                 self._restart_session_locked()
+            self._restore_declared_session_after_transport_reset(timeout)
+            if not self._transport_replay_is_safe(name):
+                return self._unknown_transport_outcome(name, e)
             result = self._bridge.run(
                 self._call_tool_async(name, args),
                 timeout=timeout,
@@ -2137,19 +2283,18 @@ class CuaDriverBackend(ComputerUseBackend):
         # element. Cleared whenever a fresh capture overwrites the
         # snapshot context.
         self._snapshot_tokens: Dict[int, str] = {}
-        # Per-instance cua-driver session id. cua-driver's MCP server
-        # instructions ask every consumer to declare a stable session
-        # at the start of a run (start_session) and tear it down at
-        # the end (end_session). Doing so:
+        # Per-instance public cua-driver session label. The MCP transport owns
+        # the private lifecycle and releases it when the connection closes.
+        # start_session/end_session attach this stable label to cursor,
+        # recording, and config state within that lifecycle. Doing so:
         #   - Gets a distinct agent-cursor color per Hermes run, with
         #     overlay rendering visualising where actions land
         #     (without moving the real OS cursor).
-        #   - Isolates per-session config + recording ownership so
-        #     concurrent Hermes runs / subagents don't step on each
-        #     other.
+        #   - Gives config and recording state a stable owner label inside the
+        #     transport-private lifecycle.
         # We mint a UUID4-based id once per CuaDriverBackend instance —
-        # one Hermes run = one backend = one session — and pass it as
-        # `session` on every cua-driver tool call. Sessions are an
+        # one Hermes run = one backend = one label — and pass it as
+        # `session` on every cua-driver tool call. Labels are an
         # additive feature on the cua-driver side: when our id is
         # unknown to the driver (older builds), the tool calls
         # degrade to the anonymous / unsynced path documented in the
@@ -2160,6 +2305,14 @@ class CuaDriverBackend(ComputerUseBackend):
             call_tool=self._session.call_tool,
             has_tool=self._session._has_tool,
         )
+        self._session.set_transport_reset_callback(self._handle_transport_reset)
+
+    def _handle_transport_reset(self) -> None:
+        """Invalidate every capability minted by the replaced transport."""
+        self._clear_active_target()
+        route = getattr(self, "_typed_browser", None)
+        if route is not None:
+            route.state.clear()
 
     def _browser_route(self) -> CuaTypedBrowserRoute:
         """Return the per-backend typed route, including test-constructed instances."""
diff --git a/tools/computer_use/schema.py b/tools/computer_use/schema.py
index 049940316c..72651f6bc3 100644
--- a/tools/computer_use/schema.py
+++ b/tools/computer_use/schema.py
@@ -283,6 +283,13 @@ COMPUTER_USE_SCHEMA: Dict[str, Any] = {
                 "enum": ["semantic_v2", "dom_refs_v1"],
                 "description": "Typed-browser snapshot format; semantic_v2 is the default.",
             },
+            "include_screenshot": {
+                "type": "boolean",
+                "description": (
+                    "For cua_browser_state, include the current browser screenshot "
+                    "as image content in the tool result. Defaults to false."
+                ),
+            },
             "query": {"type": "string", "description": "Optional browser-state query."},
             "scope_ref": {"type": "string", "description": "Optional current ref to scope a snapshot."},
             "continuation": {"type": "string", "description": "Continuation minted by the current snapshot."},
@@ -301,16 +308,6 @@ COMPUTER_USE_SCHEMA: Dict[str, Any] = {
                 ),
             },
             "profile_name": {"type": "string", "description": "Name for isolated_named setup."},
-            "approval_token": {
-                "type": "string",
-                "description": (
-                    "Optional single-use setup token the USER minted with "
-                    "`hermes computer-use browser-approve` and pasted to you; "
-                    "never invent one. Legacy path on current cua-driver "
-                    "builds — the supported existing-profile route is the "
-                    "computer_use.grant_existing_profile config opt-in."
-                ),
-            },
             "allow_launch": {
                 "type": "boolean",
                 "description": "Explicitly allow launch of a driver-owned isolated browser.",
@@ -330,6 +327,14 @@ COMPUTER_USE_SCHEMA: Dict[str, Any] = {
                 "enum": ["insert_text", "keystrokes"],
                 "description": "Delivery form for cua_browser_type; defaults to insert_text.",
             },
+            "replace": {
+                "type": "boolean",
+                "description": (
+                    "For cua_browser_type, select the target's complete value "
+                    "before typing so the supplied text replaces it. Defaults "
+                    "to false; true with empty text clears the field."
+                ),
+            },
             "dialog_id": {"type": "string", "description": "Opaque page-dialog capability."},
             "prompt_text": {"type": "string", "description": "Optional text for a page prompt dialog."},
             "files": {
diff --git a/tools/computer_use/tool.py b/tools/computer_use/tool.py
index 93dc89dfaf..c6f89c66b3 100644
--- a/tools/computer_use/tool.py
+++ b/tools/computer_use/tool.py
@@ -673,10 +673,11 @@ def _dispatch(backend: ComputerUseBackend, action: str, args: Dict[str, Any]) ->
             ("query", "query"),
             ("scope_ref", "scope_ref"),
             ("continuation", "continuation"),
+            ("include_screenshot", "include_screenshot"),
         ):
             if args.get(public) is not None:
                 state_args[internal] = args[public]
-        return json.dumps(backend.typed_browser_state(**state_args))
+        return _browser_state_response(backend.typed_browser_state(**state_args))
 
     if action == "cua_browser_prepare":
         return json.dumps(backend.typed_browser_prepare(
@@ -685,7 +686,6 @@ def _dispatch(backend: ComputerUseBackend, action: str, args: Dict[str, Any]) ->
             profile_mode=args.get("profile_mode", "isolated_new"),
             profile_name=args.get("profile_name"),
             allow_launch=bool(args.get("allow_launch")),
-            approval_token=args.get("approval_token"),
         ))
 
     browser_tools = {
@@ -703,7 +703,7 @@ def _dispatch(backend: ComputerUseBackend, action: str, args: Dict[str, Any]) ->
         allowed_fields = {
             "browser_navigate": ("url",),
             "browser_click": ("ref", "input_route", "x", "y"),
-            "browser_type": ("ref", "text"),
+            "browser_type": ("ref", "text", "replace"),
             "browser_pointer": (
                 "ref", "destination_ref", "input_route", "x", "y",
                 "to_x", "to_y", "delta_x", "delta_y",
@@ -872,6 +872,41 @@ def _dispatch(backend: ComputerUseBackend, action: str, args: Dict[str, Any]) ->
 # Response shaping
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+def _browser_state_response(payload: Dict[str, Any]) -> Any:
+    """Return browser state as JSON, preserving requested MCP image parts."""
+    state = dict(payload)
+    raw_images = state.pop("_mcp_images", None)
+    if not isinstance(raw_images, list) or not raw_images:
+        return json.dumps(state)
+
+    text_summary = json.dumps(state)
+    content: List[Dict[str, Any]] = [
+        {"type": "text", "text": text_summary},
+    ]
+    image_count = 0
+    for image in raw_images:
+        if not isinstance(image, dict):
+            continue
+        data = image.get("data")
+        if not isinstance(data, str) or not data:
+            continue
+        mime_type = image.get("mime_type")
+        if not isinstance(mime_type, str) or not mime_type.startswith("image/"):
+            mime_type = "image/jpeg" if data.startswith("/9j/") else "image/png"
+        content.append({
+            "type": "image_url",
+            "image_url": {"url": f"data:{mime_type};base64,{data}"},
+        })
+        image_count += 1
+    if image_count == 0:
+        return text_summary
+    return {
+        "_multimodal": True,
+        "content": content,
+        "text_summary": text_summary,
+        "meta": {"action": "cua_browser_state", "images": image_count},
+    }
+
 def _classify_action_result(res: ActionResult) -> Dict[str, Any]:
     """Choose the next ladder step from semantic evidence, in precedence order.
 
diff --git a/website/docs/reference/cli-commands.md b/website/docs/reference/cli-commands.md
index 18acbc934a..5a388fa62f 100644
--- a/website/docs/reference/cli-commands.md
+++ b/website/docs/reference/cli-commands.md
@@ -1422,6 +1422,9 @@ Subcommands:
 | `install` | Run the upstream cua-driver installer (macOS, Windows, and Linux). |
 | `install --upgrade` | Re-run the installer even if cua-driver is already on PATH. The upstream script always pulls the latest release, so this performs an in-place upgrade. |
 | `status` | Print whether `cua-driver` is on `$PATH` and which version is installed. |
+| `doctor [--include CHECK] [--skip CHECK] [--json]` | Run cua-driver's health report and show its platform checks. |
+| `permissions status [--json]` | Report macOS Accessibility and Screen Recording grants. |
+| `permissions grant` | Ask macOS to grant Accessibility and Screen Recording to Cua Driver. |
 
 `hermes computer-use install` is the stable entry point for installing the
 [cua-driver](https://github.com/trycua/cua) binary used by the
@@ -1430,6 +1433,17 @@ Subcommands:
 to use for re-running the install if the toolset toggle didn't trigger
 it (for example, on returning-user setups).
 
+The built-in `computer_use` toolset is the recommended Hermes integration.
+Registering raw Cua MCP tools is an alternative when you need Cua's low-level
+tool vocabulary. `cua-driver skills install` detects Hermes and links Cua's
+skill pack into the Hermes skills directory automatically.
+
+Permission mode, capability-manifest approval, and the existing-profile grant
+belong to runtime launch. In bounded mode Hermes passes Cua's canonical
+`--capability-manifest` and `--approve-capability-manifest` flags. Every MCP
+transport owns a private lifecycle session inside its runtime. Public session
+names label cursor and session state; they do not own or share the runtime.
+
 `hermes update` automatically re-runs the upstream installer at the end
 of the update if cua-driver is on PATH, so most users will not need to
 call `--upgrade` manually. Use it when upstream ships a fix you want
diff --git a/website/docs/user-guide/features/computer-use.md b/website/docs/user-guide/features/computer-use.md
index f14fc93bfc..11bacd6fc2 100644
--- a/website/docs/user-guide/features/computer-use.md
+++ b/website/docs/user-guide/features/computer-use.md
@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@ about.
 
 ## How it works
 
-The `computer_use` toolset speaks MCP over stdio to
+The built-in `computer_use` toolset is the recommended Hermes integration. It
+speaks MCP over stdio to
 [`cua-driver`](https://github.com/trycua/cua), an open-source background
 computer-use driver. Each platform uses the appropriate accessibility +
 input stack under the hood:
@@ -61,12 +62,18 @@ This fetches and runs the upstream cua-driver installer — `install.sh`
 on macOS/Linux, `install.ps1` on Windows. Use `hermes computer-use
 status` to verify the install.
 
+If you install Cua Driver first, `cua-driver skills install` detects Hermes
+and links Cua's skill pack into the Hermes skills directory automatically.
+You can also register raw Cua MCP tools as a custom MCP server, but that is an
+alternative for users who need the low-level interface. The built-in toolset
+provides Hermes actions, configuration, approvals, and diagnostics.
+
 After installing, regardless of which path you took, grant the
 platform-appropriate prereqs:
 
 | Platform | Prereqs |
 |---|---|
-| **macOS** | System Settings → Privacy & Security → **Accessibility** + **Screen Recording** → allow your terminal (or Hermes app). `hermes computer-use doctor` will tell you which permission is missing. |
+| **macOS** | System Settings → Privacy & Security → **Accessibility** + **Screen Recording**. Grant the identity named by `hermes computer-use doctor`. Standard mode uses CuaDriver.app; bounded and unrestricted modes use the Hermes host identity. |
 | **Windows** | None at install time. If you're driving over SSH (not RDP / console), you need the autostart pattern — see [cua.ai/docs/how-to-guides/driver/windows-ssh](https://cua.ai/docs/how-to-guides/driver/windows-ssh) for the Session 0 ↔ Session 1+ proxy. |
 | **Linux** | A reachable display server: `DISPLAY` set for X11, or `XDG_SESSION_TYPE=wayland`. Wayland sessions need an XWayland bridge for capture. AT-SPI must be on (default on GNOME/KDE/Xfce). |
 
@@ -80,8 +87,9 @@ or add `computer_use` to your enabled toolsets in `~/.hermes/config.yaml`.
 
 ## Permission modes and logged-in browser profiles
 
-Hermes maps its existing approval UX onto cua-driver's immutable daemon
-modes. There is no second permission toggle to keep in sync:
+Hermes maps its existing approval UX onto cua-driver's immutable runtime
+modes. Permission mode, capability manifest approval, and the existing-profile
+grant are launch settings. They cannot change after the runtime starts:
 
 | Hermes session | cua-driver mode | Human intervention | `existing_profile` |
 |---|---|---|---|
@@ -103,23 +111,16 @@ computer_use:
 ```
 
 Hermes then launches the cua-driver runtime with the trusted-launcher grant
-(`--grant existing-profile`, live-verified against cua-driver 0.19.3), and
+(`--grant existing-profile`), and
 `cua_browser_prepare` with an existing profile succeeds against the exact
 `(pid, window_id)` the agent proves. Leave it `false` (the default) and
 existing-profile attachment fails closed; driver-owned isolated profiles work
 either way and are what the agent prefers.
 
-Older cua-driver builds also shipped an interactive `browser-approve` token
-verb; current drivers treat that token as a disabled legacy compatibility
-path. Hermes still exposes `hermes computer-use browser-approve` as a
-passthrough and forwards a pasted token as `approval_token`, but the config
-grant above is the supported route.
-
 ### Bounded mode for repeatable automation
 
 For recurring browser automation (cron jobs, scheduled research against an
-authenticated app), per-run tokens are impractical. `bounded` mode replaces
-prompts with a capability manifest you review once:
+authenticated app), `bounded` mode uses a capability manifest you review once:
 
 ```yaml
 # config.yaml
@@ -131,21 +132,25 @@ computer_use:
 The manifest names the apps, browser profile kinds, allowed origins, and
 typed tools the session may use (see the
 [cua-driver permission modes reference](https://cua.ai/docs/reference/cua-driver/permission-modes)
-for the format). Hermes launches a private per-session daemon with
+for the format). Hermes launches a private runtime with
 `--capability-manifest ... --approve-capability-manifest`; anything outside
 the manifest fails closed inside cua-driver. A missing or unreadable manifest
 fails loudly at session start rather than silently downgrading. Session YOLO
 still overrides bounded for that one session.
 
-The bounded and unrestricted daemons are private to that Hermes session.
-Turning `/yolo` off, resetting/closing the session, cancellation cleanup, or
-process exit ends the Cua session and stops that daemon. It never changes the
-machine-wide daemon's mode or grants another Hermes conversation the same
-authority.
+Each MCP transport owns a private lifecycle session inside its runtime. A
+public session name is only a label for cursor identity and session-scoped
+state. It does not select, share, or keep a runtime alive. Turning `/yolo` off,
+resetting or closing the Hermes session, cancellation cleanup, or process exit
+closes that transport session. Hermes also stops private runtimes that it
+launched for bounded, unrestricted, or existing-profile access. One Hermes
+conversation cannot change another runtime's mode or grants. On macOS, a
+standard runtime with an existing-profile grant uses a fresh CuaDriver.app
+daemon on a private socket. Bounded and unrestricted modes use a private
+embedded service under the Hermes host identity.
 
-`smart` approval remains `standard`: an LLM classification is not protected
-human consent, and it cannot mint a `browser-approve` token or stand in for a
-reviewed manifest.
+`smart` approval remains `standard`: an LLM classification cannot stand in for
+a reviewed manifest or a launch-time grant.
 
 <div class="alert alert--warning">
 
@@ -163,8 +168,8 @@ fastest way to find out *why* an action isn't working.
 
 ```
 $ hermes computer-use doctor
-⚠️  cua-driver 0.5.8 on darwin — degraded
-  ✅ binary_version: cua-driver 0.5.8
+⚠️  cua-driver VERSION on darwin: degraded
+  ✅ binary_version: cua-driver VERSION
   ✅ platform_supported: macOS 26.4.1 (arm64)
   ✅ session_active: MCP session is active.
   ❌ bundle_identity: Process has no CFBundleIdentifier.
@@ -195,11 +200,11 @@ each with the right diagnostic hint when it can't reach.
 
 When the agent acts, you'll see a **tinted overlay cursor** glide
 across the screen to where each click / type / scroll lands. The real
-OS cursor never moves — the overlay is a visual cue that says "the
-agent is acting here." Each Hermes run declares its own cua-driver
-**session id** (something like `hermes-3a7b9c14d2e8`); the cursor's
-identity is keyed to that session, so concurrent runs / subagents each
-get their own cursor without stepping on each other.
+OS cursor never moves. The overlay shows where the agent is acting. Each
+Hermes run declares a public cua-driver **session name** (something like
+`hermes-3a7b9c14d2e8`). The name labels cursor identity and related state, so
+concurrent runs and subagents get distinct cursors. The MCP transport owns the
+private lifecycle session inside the runtime; the public name does not.
 
 Tune the cursor with `cua-driver`'s CLI flags or the runtime
 `set_agent_cursor_style` MCP tool — see
@@ -210,19 +215,19 @@ halo).
 
 ## Going deeper — the cua-driver skill pack
 
-Hermes intentionally keeps its skill (`skills/autonomous-ai-agents/computer-use/SKILL.md`)
-focused on the Hermes-side `computer_use` action vocabulary — the
-single source of truth the agent loads. For the deeper material —
-platform-specific deep dives, recording semantics, browser page
-interaction — point your agent harness at the cua-driver skill pack
-the cua-driver team ships and maintains directly:
+Hermes keeps its wrapper skill (`skills/autonomous-ai-agents/computer-use/SKILL.md`)
+focused on the Hermes-side `computer_use` workflow and action vocabulary. For
+platform details, recording semantics, browser page interaction, and other
+deep Cua behavior, install the skill pack that the cua-driver team ships and
+maintains directly:
 
 ```
 cua-driver skills install
 ```
 
-This symlinks the pack into your agent harness' skill directory. After
-running it, an agent gets access to:
+This command detects Hermes and links the pack into its skill directory
+automatically. The wrapper remains the workflow layer and points to Cua's
+installed skill for driver behavior. After running it, an agent gets access to:
 
 | File | Topic |
 |---|---|
@@ -375,7 +380,7 @@ Permission mode and manifest (see
 ```yaml
 computer_use:
   permission_mode: standard        # standard (default) | bounded
-  capability_manifest: ""          # session-policy path, required for bounded
+  capability_manifest: ""          # capability manifest path, required for bounded
   grant_existing_profile: false    # opt-in: attach to signed-in browser in standard mode
 ```
 
diff --git a/website/docs/user-guide/skills/bundled/autonomous-ai-agents/autonomous-ai-agents-computer-use.md b/website/docs/user-guide/skills/bundled/autonomous-ai-agents/autonomous-ai-agents-computer-use.md
index 5996c313d1..5ae22756ce 100644
--- a/website/docs/user-guide/skills/bundled/autonomous-ai-agents/autonomous-ai-agents-computer-use.md
+++ b/website/docs/user-guide/skills/bundled/autonomous-ai-agents/autonomous-ai-agents-computer-use.md
@@ -40,11 +40,12 @@ Everything here works with any tool-capable model — Claude, GPT, Gemini,
 or an open model on a local OpenAI-compatible endpoint. There is no
 Anthropic-native schema to learn.
 
-Hermes drives [cua-driver](https://github.com/trycua/cua) under the hood
-for the platform plumbing. The Hermes-side `computer_use` tool exposed
-in this skill is a higher-level Hermes vocabulary; the raw cua-driver
-MCP tools (which a different agent harness would see) are NOT what you
-call — call the `computer_use` actions documented below.
+Hermes drives [cua-driver](https://github.com/trycua/cua) under the hood.
+This wrapper skill teaches the Hermes `computer_use` workflow and action
+vocabulary. Call the actions documented below instead of raw cua-driver MCP
+tools. For driver internals and platform-specific behavior, follow the Cua
+skill installed by `cua-driver skills install`; that command detects Hermes
+and links the skill pack automatically.
 
 ## The canonical workflow
 
@@ -196,11 +197,33 @@ browser tools. The contract is capability-based:
 `cua_browser_prepare` is a separate approved setup action. Driver-owned
 `isolated_new`/`isolated_named` profiles require explicit `allow_launch=true`.
 An `existing_profile` is decided by cua-driver's immutable permission mode.
-Normal Hermes sessions use `standard`, which requires a certified protected
-host and fails closed when Hermes has none. Explicit Hermes YOLO (`--yolo`,
-`/yolo`, or `approvals.mode: off`) launches a private embedded cua-driver in
-`unrestricted` after that risk acceptance, so there are no runtime Cua
-approval prompts. Never invent, store, log, or reuse a grant token.
+Prefer `isolated_new` unless the task genuinely needs the user's signed-in
+session. Attaching to an existing profile exposes its live pages, cookies,
+and storage over the browser protocol.
+
+Authorization paths for `existing_profile`, in preference order:
+
+1. **Config grant (standard mode).** When
+   `computer_use.grant_existing_profile: true` is set, the runtime is
+   launched pre-authorized (`--grant existing-profile`) and the prepare
+   succeeds against the exact proven `(pid, window_id)`. If it is unset,
+   the prepare fails closed. Tell the user to set that config key and restart
+   the session if they want this. Do not retry or work around it.
+2. **Bounded manifest.** When `computer_use.permission_mode: bounded` is
+   configured with a reviewed `capability_manifest`, prepares inside the
+   manifest's scope succeed without prompts and everything else fails closed.
+3. **Explicit Hermes YOLO** (`--yolo`, `/yolo`, or `approvals.mode: off`)
+   launches a private cua-driver runtime in `unrestricted` after that risk
+   acceptance, so there are no runtime Cua approval prompts.
+
+These settings belong to runtime launch. The agent cannot add or change them
+after the runtime starts. Without one of these paths, `existing_profile` fails
+closed. Report the refusal and name the config key; do not retry, downgrade
+trust, or work around it.
+
+Every MCP transport owns a private lifecycle session inside the runtime. The
+public session name only labels cursor identity and session-scoped state. It
+does not select, share, or keep a runtime alive.
 
 Use the native capture/AX/pixel/foreground ladder for browser chrome, browser
 permission UI, OS prompts, native dialogs, extension surfaces, unsupported