diff --git a/nix/host-modules/hive-c0re/environment.nix b/nix/host-modules/hive-c0re/environment.nix
index dfdaceb1..ea5c7756 100644
--- a/nix/host-modules/hive-c0re/environment.nix
+++ b/nix/host-modules/hive-c0re/environment.nix
@@ -41,9 +41,6 @@ in
   # agent daemon. nginx runs on the host, which is where this
   # store path already is, so it is reachable as written.
   HIVE_AGENT_FRONTEND_DIR = "${cfg.servedFrontend}/agent";
-  # Path to the static runtime asset tree (branding + claude
-  # prompts). `hive_sh4re::assets::*` reads paths underneath.
-  HIVE_ASSETS_DIR = "${cfg.assets}/share/hyperhive";
 }
 // {
   # Identity env vars threaded into c0re's own service env and
diff --git a/nix/host-modules/hive-c0re/options.nix b/nix/host-modules/hive-c0re/options.nix
index 64edd2ad..19acdce0 100644
--- a/nix/host-modules/hive-c0re/options.nix
+++ b/nix/host-modules/hive-c0re/options.nix
@@ -53,11 +53,12 @@
       description = ''
         Bundled static runtime assets (see `nix/packages/assets.nix`): the
         project's branding family + the claude system-prompt template +
-        claude-settings JSON. Output has `share/hyperhive/{branding,prompts}/`;
-        passed to hive-c0re's systemd unit via `HIVE_ASSETS_DIR`
-        (`hive_sh4re::assets::*` resolve paths underneath). Override to
-        ship customised branding or prompts without rebuilding the
-        rust derivation.
+        claude-settings JSON. Output has `share/hyperhive/{branding,prompts}/`.
+        hive-c0re's unit does not read it; swarm-controller takes its default
+        org avatar from here (see
+        {option}`services.hyperhive.deploy.swarm-controller.configOrgAvatarPng`).
+        Override to ship customised branding without rebuilding the rust
+        derivation.
       '';
     };
     xdgIcons = lib.mkOption {