diff --git a/cortex/static/app.js b/cortex/static/app.js
index 08b67d1..6181d12 100644
--- a/cortex/static/app.js
+++ b/cortex/static/app.js
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
         const CORTEX_USER    = (window.CORTEX_CONFIG || {}).user    || 'scott';
         const CORTEX_PERSONA = (window.CORTEX_CONFIG || {}).persona || 'inara';
         const CORTEX_EMOJI   = (window.CORTEX_CONFIG || {}).emoji   || '✨';
+        const personaLabel   = CORTEX_PERSONA.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + CORTEX_PERSONA.slice(1);
         const _fileParams    = `user=${encodeURIComponent(CORTEX_USER)}&persona=${encodeURIComponent(CORTEX_PERSONA)}`;
 
         if (headerEmoji) headerEmoji.textContent = CORTEX_EMOJI;
@@ -121,12 +122,12 @@
                     : 'Private note — only you see this…';
             } else if (agentMode) {
                 inputEl.placeholder = ctrlEnterMode
-                    ? 'Task for Inara… (Gemini tool loop — Ctrl+Enter to run)'
-                    : 'Task for Inara… (Gemini tool loop)';
+                    ? `Task for ${personaLabel}… (Gemini tool loop — Ctrl+Enter to run)`
+                    : `Task for ${personaLabel}… (Gemini tool loop)`;
             } else {
                 inputEl.placeholder = ctrlEnterMode
-                    ? 'Message Inara… (Ctrl+Enter to send)'
-                    : 'Message Inara…';
+                    ? `Message ${personaLabel}… (Ctrl+Enter to send)`
+                    : `Message ${personaLabel}…`;
             }
         }
 
diff --git a/cortex/static/index.html b/cortex/static/index.html
index 72ff01a..6c52c50 100644
--- a/cortex/static/index.html
+++ b/cortex/static/index.html
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@
     <div id="session-id"></div>
 
     <div id="input-area">
-        <textarea id="input" rows="1" placeholder="Message Inara… (Ctrl+Enter to send)" autofocus></textarea>
+        <textarea id="input" rows="1" placeholder="Message…" autofocus></textarea>
         <div id="right-col">
             <!-- Semi-hidden: appear when content > ~3 lines -->
             <div id="height-row">