diff --git a/hive-ag3nt/prompts/system.md b/hive-ag3nt/prompts/system.md
index bf0c2f8d..304787eb 100644
--- a/hive-ag3nt/prompts/system.md
+++ b/hive-ag3nt/prompts/system.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ Tools (hyperhive surface):
 - `mcp__hyperhive__cancel_loose_end(kind, id)` — cancel one of your own open threads. `kind` is `"question"` (the asker — you, in this case — gets a `[cancelled by <you>]` answer so the waiter unblocks), `"reminder"` (hard-deleted before it fires), or `"approval"` (withdraws a pending approval you submitted that got superseded — root agent only; the server rejects this kind for all other callers). `id` from the matching `get_loose_ends` row or the original submission reply.
 - `mcp__hyperhive__remind(message, delay_seconds? | at_unix_timestamp?, file_path?)` — schedule a message to land in your *own* inbox at a future time (sender shows as `reminder`). Set exactly one of `delay_seconds` (relative) or `at_unix_timestamp` (absolute). Use for self-paced follow-ups instead of blocking a whole turn on a long `recv` wait. A large `message` auto-spills to a file under `/agents/{label}/state/reminders/`; pass `file_path` to point at one yourself. Each agent's pending-reminder count is capped (default 50) — the tool will error if the cap is already reached.
 - `mcp__hyperhive__set_status(text)` — set a free-text status visible on the operator dashboard. **Call this at the start of every task** to say what you're working on (e.g. `"processing matrix messages"`, `"fixing #319 model priority"`, `"idle"`). Single line, ≤200 chars — the dashboard renders this as a short chip, so longer multi-line text is rejected. Pass an empty string to clear. Persists across harness restarts.
-- `mcp__hyperhive__get_agent_meta(name?)` — fetch identity + status metadata for an agent: canonical `name`, current `hyperhive_rev`, plus self-reported `status` text (set via `set_status`) and how long ago it was set. Also returns the hive + swarm display names (`hive_name`, `swarm_name`) when the operator has configured `services.hyperhive.{hiveName, swarmName}`; both lines omitted when unset. Pass `name` to query a peer (e.g. check whether iris is idle before pinging them). Omit `name` to get your own trustworthy identity stamp — useful for state files, commit messages, cross-agent attribution that won't drift across renames or session-continue boundaries where the system-prompt label could be stale.
+- `mcp__hyperhive__get_agent_meta(name?)` — fetch identity + status metadata for an agent: canonical `name`, current `hyperhive_rev`, plus self-reported `status` text (set via `set_status`) and how long ago it was set. Also returns `running: bool` (whether the container is up — when `false`, `status_text`/`status_set_at` are stale pre-stop values) and the hive + swarm display names (`hive_name`, `swarm_name`) when the operator has configured `services.hyperhive.{hiveName, swarmName}`; both lines omitted when unset. Pass `name` to query a peer (e.g. check whether iris is idle before pinging them). Omit `name` to get your own trustworthy identity stamp — useful for state files, commit messages, cross-agent attribution that won't drift across renames or session-continue boundaries where the system-prompt label could be stale.
 - `mcp__hyperhive__request_next_turn()` — ask the harness to start another turn immediately after this one ends, even if the inbox is empty. Use for multi-turn tasks (long builds, sequential steps) where you want to continue without waiting for an external message. The next turn starts with `from: "self"` and `body: "continue"`. No-op if new inbox messages arrive before this turn ends (the harness already loops immediately on pending messages). No args.
 - `mcp__hyperhive__restart(name)` — *(requires `lifecycle` tool group)* restart a direct child sub-agent (stop + start). The server enforces topology: the call is rejected unless `name` is a direct child of yours per `topology.json`. No approval required.
 - `mcp__hyperhive__kill(name)` — *(requires `lifecycle` tool group)* stop a direct child sub-agent (graceful). Direct children only — server enforces topology. State dir kept; recreating reuses prior config + credentials. No approval required.
diff --git a/hive-ag3nt/src/mcp.rs b/hive-ag3nt/src/mcp.rs
index 719346c8..5db88a56 100644
--- a/hive-ag3nt/src/mcp.rs
+++ b/hive-ag3nt/src/mcp.rs
@@ -833,9 +833,13 @@ impl AgentServer {
 
     #[tool(
         description = "Fetch identity + status metadata for an agent. Returns canonical \
-        `name`, the current `hyperhive_rev` hive-c0re is \
-        running against, and the target's self-reported `status` text (set via \
-        `set_status`) plus how long ago it was set. Pass `name` to query a peer (e.g. \
+        `name`, the current `hyperhive_rev` hive-c0re is running against, `running` \
+        (bool — whether the container is currently up; when false, `status_text` and \
+        `status_set_at` are stale pre-stop values and should not be treated as live), \
+        and the target's self-reported `status` text (set via `set_status`) plus how \
+        long ago it was set. Also returns the hive + swarm display names (`hive_name`, \
+        `swarm_name`) when the operator has configured `services.hyperhive.{hiveName, \
+        swarmName}`; both lines omitted when unset. Pass `name` to query a peer (e.g. \
         check whether iris is idle before pinging them); omit `name` to get your own \
         identity stamp — handy for state files / commit messages / cross-agent \
         attribution that won't drift across renames or session-continue boundaries \