diff --git a/docs/swarm/ui.md b/docs/swarm/ui.md
index ec14c56e..bce82c8d 100644
--- a/docs/swarm/ui.md
+++ b/docs/swarm/ui.md
@@ -394,8 +394,9 @@ whitespace, it sends nothing and the agent starts without the file. Otherwise
 the text goes as typed in the optional `agents_md` field of `POST /api/agents`.
 The agent writes it on its first start, and only when it has no `AGENTS.md`
 yet, so creating an agent again under a name that has one never replaces it.
-The controller refuses a text over 64 KiB; its reason shows under the box and
-the swarm creates no agent. After a successful create the box empties. The
+The controller refuses a text over 64 KiB. Its reason shows under the
+section, open or not, and the swarm creates no agent. After a successful
+create the box empties. The
 [instructions editor](#editing-an-agents-instructions) changes the file later.
 The [swarm README](README.md#an-agents-agentsmd) has the wire details.
 
diff --git a/frontend/packages/swarm-ui/src/pages/CreateAgentForm.css b/frontend/packages/swarm-ui/src/pages/CreateAgentForm.css
index 5e131ef1..a1960f15 100644
--- a/frontend/packages/swarm-ui/src/pages/CreateAgentForm.css
+++ b/frontend/packages/swarm-ui/src/pages/CreateAgentForm.css
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@
 .create-agent-result-ok {
   color: var(--green);
 }
-/* The controller's refusal of the AGENTS.md text, under its box. */
+/* The controller's refusal of the AGENTS.md text, under its section. */
 .create-agent-field-error {
   margin: 0;
   color: var(--red);
diff --git a/frontend/packages/swarm-ui/src/pages/CreateAgentForm.tsx b/frontend/packages/swarm-ui/src/pages/CreateAgentForm.tsx
index d27bbd8d..cb3c1f18 100644
--- a/frontend/packages/swarm-ui/src/pages/CreateAgentForm.tsx
+++ b/frontend/packages/swarm-ui/src/pages/CreateAgentForm.tsx
@@ -215,7 +215,8 @@ export function CreateAgentForm({
     label: h.name,
   }));
   const hivesReady = hives !== null && hives.length > 0;
-  // The controller's size refusal of the AGENTS.md text, shown by its box.
+  // The controller's size refusal of the AGENTS.md text, shown under its
+  // section so a collapsed section still shows it.
   const refusal =
     result.status === "error" ? agentsMdRefusal(result.problem) : null;
 
@@ -385,11 +386,11 @@ export function CreateAgentForm({
                   placeholder="the text the agent's AGENTS.md starts with; leave empty for none"
                   onInput={setAgentsMd}
                 />
-                {refusal !== null && (
-                  <p class="create-agent-field-error">{refusal}</p>
-                )}
               </div>
             </details>
+            {refusal !== null && (
+              <p class="create-agent-field-error">{refusal}</p>
+            )}
             <Button
               variant="primary"
               type="submit"