diff --git a/cortex/static/app.js b/cortex/static/app.js
index 5755156..ca14976 100644
--- a/cortex/static/app.js
+++ b/cortex/static/app.js
@@ -919,8 +919,8 @@
                 if (!d.warning) return;
 
                 const msg = d.expired
-                    ? '✕ Claude CLI token has expired — run `claude` in a terminal to re-authenticate'
-                    : `⚠ Claude CLI token expires in ${d.hours_remaining}h — run \`claude\` in a terminal to re-authenticate`;
+                    ? '✕ Claude CLI token has expired'
+                    : `⚠ Claude CLI token expires in ${d.hours_remaining}h`;
                 authBannerMsg.textContent = msg;
                 authBanner.classList.toggle('expired', !!d.expired);
                 authBanner.classList.add('show');
diff --git a/cortex/static/index.html b/cortex/static/index.html
index 62d55e0..cc628af 100644
--- a/cortex/static/index.html
+++ b/cortex/static/index.html
@@ -110,7 +110,10 @@
 
     <!-- Auth warning banner — shown when Claude CLI token is near expiry -->
     <div id="auth-banner">
-        <span id="auth-banner-msg"></span>
+        <div id="auth-banner-text">
+            <span id="auth-banner-msg"></span>
+            <span id="auth-banner-hint">To fix: SSH into the Cortex host and run <code>claude</code> — follow the login prompt, then restart Cortex.</span>
+        </div>
         <button id="auth-banner-close" title="Dismiss">✕</button>
     </div>
 
diff --git a/cortex/static/style.css b/cortex/static/style.css
index 30f44a1..504810a 100644
--- a/cortex/static/style.css
+++ b/cortex/static/style.css
@@ -917,7 +917,18 @@
             color: var(--error-text);
         }
 
-        #auth-banner-msg { flex: 1; }
+        #auth-banner-text { flex: 1; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 2px; }
+        #auth-banner-msg  { font-weight: 500; }
+        #auth-banner-hint {
+            font-size: 0.76rem;
+            opacity: 0.8;
+        }
+        #auth-banner-hint code {
+            font-family: 'Courier New', monospace;
+            background: rgba(0,0,0,0.2);
+            border-radius: 3px;
+            padding: 0 4px;
+        }
 
         #auth-banner-close {
             background: none;