diff --git a/hermes_cli/main.py b/hermes_cli/main.py
index afb7ce9f7..08e610d17 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/main.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/main.py
@@ -8029,20 +8029,12 @@ def _update_via_zip(args):
     # individually so update does not silently strip working capabilities.
     print("→ Updating Python dependencies...")
 
-    from hermes_cli.managed_uv import ensure_uv, rebuild_venv, update_managed_uv
+    from hermes_cli.managed_uv import ensure_uv, update_managed_uv
 
     # Keep managed uv current — runs `uv self update` if we already have one.
     update_managed_uv()
 
-    uv_bin, fresh_bootstrap = ensure_uv()
-    # First-time managed uv install on an existing checkout: the old venv
-    # may point to a Python without FTS5.  Rebuild it so the new managed
-    # uv provides a fresh interpreter with FTS5 guaranteed.
-    if fresh_bootstrap and uv_bin:
-        if not rebuild_venv(uv_bin, PROJECT_ROOT / "venv"):
-            raise RuntimeError(
-                "venv rebuild failed; aborting update before dependency install"
-            )
+    uv_bin = ensure_uv()
 
     pip_cmd = [sys.executable, "-m", "pip"]
     if not uv_bin:
@@ -8697,48 +8689,6 @@ def _venv_scripts_dir() -> Path | None:
     return scripts if scripts.is_dir() else None
 
 
-def _wait_for_interpreter_venv_ready(*, timeout: float = 15.0) -> bool:
-    """Ensure the venv hosting ``sys.executable`` has an intact ``pyvenv.cfg``.
-
-    During ``hermes update`` the managed-uv path can rebuild the project venv
-    (``rebuild_venv`` → ``shutil.rmtree`` + ``uv venv``) before the
-    desktop-rebuild and profile-skills-sync steps run. Both of those steps
-    spawn a child process with ``sys.executable``. If they fire while the venv
-    is mid-rewrite, the interpreter launcher finds the venv directory but no
-    ``pyvenv.cfg`` yet and aborts with the bare stderr line
-    ``No pyvenv.cfg file`` — surfacing as a spurious "Desktop build failed" /
-    "sync failed" on an update that otherwise succeeded.
-
-    A venv's ``pyvenv.cfg`` sits one level up from the interpreter's ``bin`` /
-    ``Scripts`` dir. If ``sys.executable`` is NOT a venv interpreter (no
-    sibling marker dir, e.g. a system Python on PATH), there is nothing to
-    wait for and we return True immediately. Otherwise we poll briefly for the
-    marker to (re)appear — the rewrite window is short — and return whether
-    it's present. Best-effort: never raises, callers proceed regardless.
-    """
-    try:
-        exe = Path(sys.executable).resolve()
-    except Exception:
-        return True
-
-    venv_dir = exe.parent.parent  # .../venv/{bin,Scripts}/python -> .../venv
-    bin_dir = venv_dir / ("Scripts" if _is_windows() else "bin")
-    if not bin_dir.is_dir():
-        # Not a venv-hosted interpreter — pyvenv.cfg is irrelevant.
-        return True
-
-    cfg = venv_dir / "pyvenv.cfg"
-    if cfg.is_file():
-        return True
-
-    deadline = _time.monotonic() + max(0.0, timeout)
-    while _time.monotonic() < deadline:
-        if cfg.is_file():
-            return True
-        _time.sleep(0.25)
-    return cfg.is_file()
-
-
 def _hermes_exe_shims(scripts_dir: Path) -> list[Path]:
     """Entry-point shims that uv may try to rewrite during ``pip install -e .``.
 
@@ -10133,7 +10083,7 @@ def _cmd_update_pip(args):
     # Keep managed uv current before using it.
     update_managed_uv()
 
-    uv, _fresh_bootstrap = ensure_uv()
+    uv = ensure_uv()
     in_venv = sys.prefix != sys.base_prefix
     # pipx-managed installs live under .../pipx/venvs/<name>/...
     pipx_managed = "pipx" in sys.prefix.split(os.sep)
@@ -10575,20 +10525,12 @@ def _cmd_update_impl(args, gateway_mode: bool):
         # breaks on this machine, keep base deps and reinstall the remaining extras
         # individually so update does not silently strip working capabilities.
         print("→ Updating Python dependencies...")
-        from hermes_cli.managed_uv import ensure_uv, rebuild_venv, update_managed_uv
+        from hermes_cli.managed_uv import ensure_uv, update_managed_uv
 
         # Keep managed uv current — runs `uv self update` if we already have one.
         update_managed_uv()
 
-        uv_bin, fresh_bootstrap = ensure_uv()
-        # First-time managed uv install on an existing checkout: the old venv
-        # may point to a Python without FTS5.  Rebuild it so the new managed
-        # uv provides a fresh interpreter with FTS5 guaranteed.
-        if fresh_bootstrap and uv_bin:
-            if not rebuild_venv(uv_bin, PROJECT_ROOT / "venv"):
-                raise RuntimeError(
-                    "venv rebuild failed; aborting update before dependency install"
-                )
+        uv_bin = ensure_uv()
 
         pip_cmd = [sys.executable, "-m", "pip"]
         if not uv_bin:
@@ -10651,18 +10593,13 @@ def _cmd_update_impl(args, gateway_mode: bool):
         has_desktop_app = _desktop_packaged_executable(desktop_dir) is not None or _desktop_dist_exists(desktop_dir)
         if (desktop_dir / "package.json").exists() and shutil.which("npm") and has_desktop_app:
             print("→ Checking if desktop app needs rebuilding...")
-            # The Python-dependency step above may have rebuilt the venv that
-            # hosts sys.executable. Wait for its pyvenv.cfg to settle before
-            # spawning, or the child interpreter aborts with "No pyvenv.cfg
-            # file" and the rebuild spuriously "fails" on a successful update.
-            _wait_for_interpreter_venv_ready()
             _desktop_build_cmd = [sys.executable, "-m", "hermes_cli.main", "desktop", "--build-only"]
             # Stream the build output live (long Electron builds otherwise
             # look hung). On the rare nonzero exit, retry once after waiting
             # again for the venv — this covers a still-settling rebuild window
             # the first wait didn't fully catch.
             build_result = subprocess.run(_desktop_build_cmd, cwd=PROJECT_ROOT, check=False)
-            if build_result.returncode != 0 and _wait_for_interpreter_venv_ready():
+            if build_result.returncode != 0:
                 build_result = subprocess.run(_desktop_build_cmd, cwd=PROJECT_ROOT, check=False)
             if build_result.returncode != 0:
                 print("  ⚠ Desktop build failed (non-fatal; run `hermes desktop` to retry)")
@@ -10719,10 +10656,6 @@ def _cmd_update_impl(args, gateway_mode: bool):
             if all_profiles:
                 print()
                 print("→ Syncing bundled skills to all profiles...")
-                # seed_profile_skills spawns sys.executable; if the venv was
-                # just rebuilt above, wait for pyvenv.cfg before the loop so
-                # the children don't abort with "No pyvenv.cfg file".
-                _wait_for_interpreter_venv_ready()
                 for p in all_profiles:
                     try:
                         r = seed_profile_skills(p.path, quiet=True)
diff --git a/hermes_cli/managed_uv.py b/hermes_cli/managed_uv.py
index 722cf5ba3..3f027e73c 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/managed_uv.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/managed_uv.py
@@ -6,11 +6,6 @@ If the binary is missing, ``ensure_uv()`` bootstraps it via the official
 standalone installer with ``UV_UNMANAGED_INSTALL`` / ``UV_INSTALL_DIR`` pointed
 at ``$HERMES_HOME/bin`` so the installer writes directly there — no PATH
 probing, no conda guards, no multi-location resolution chains.
-
-When ``ensure_uv()`` bootstraps uv for the first time (i.e. there was no
-managed uv before), it returns ``(path, True)`` instead of just ``path``.
-Callers in the update path use that signal to nuke and recreate the venv
-with the now-current managed uv, guaranteeing a Python with FTS5.
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
@@ -22,7 +17,7 @@ import shutil
 import subprocess
 import tempfile
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Optional, Tuple
+from typing import Optional
 
 from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
 
@@ -56,20 +51,15 @@ def resolve_uv() -> Optional[str]:
     return None
 
 
-def ensure_uv() -> Tuple[Optional[str], bool]:
+def ensure_uv() -> Optional[str]:
     """Return the managed uv path, installing it first if necessary.
 
-    Returns ``(path, freshly_bootstrapped)`` where *freshly_bootstrapped* is
-    ``True`` when we just installed managed uv for the first time (there was
-    no managed uv before this call).  Callers can use that signal to rebuild
-    the venv so Python is guaranteed to have FTS5.
-
-    On failure returns ``(None, False)`` (never raises) so callers can fall
+    On failure returns ``None`` (never raises) so callers can fall
     back to pip gracefully.
     """
     existing = resolve_uv()
     if existing:
-        return (existing, False)
+        return existing
 
     target = managed_uv_path()
     target.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
@@ -81,7 +71,7 @@ def ensure_uv() -> Tuple[Optional[str], bool]:
     except Exception as exc:
         logger.warning("Managed uv install failed: %s", exc)
         print(f"  ✗ Failed to install managed uv: {exc}")
-        return (None, False)
+        return None
 
     # Verify
     result = resolve_uv()
@@ -95,95 +85,7 @@ def ensure_uv() -> Tuple[Optional[str], bool]:
         print(f"  ✓ Managed uv installed ({version})")
     else:
         print("  ✗ Managed uv install appeared to succeed but binary not found")
-    return (result, result is not None)
-
-
-def rebuild_venv(uv_bin: str, venv_dir: Path, python_version: str = "3.11") -> bool:
-    """Nuke and recreate the venv with managed uv.
-
-    Called when managed uv is first bootstrapped on an existing install — the
-    old venv may point to a Python without FTS5, so we rebuild it with a
-    fresh interpreter from the current managed uv.  Returns ``True`` on
-    success.
-
-    The old venv is moved aside *atomically* (``os.replace`` to ``<venv>.old``)
-    before recreating — never deleted in place. On Windows a still-running
-    ``hermes.exe`` (gateway/desktop) holds ``venv\\Scripts\\python.exe`` open;
-    ``shutil.rmtree(ignore_errors=True)`` would delete everything it *can*
-    (site-packages, certifi's cert bundle) and silently leave a half-gutted
-    venv that the following ``uv venv`` then refuses to overwrite ("directory
-    already exists") — bricking the install with no recovery (every later HTTPS
-    call dies with ``FileNotFoundError`` for the missing cert bundle).
-    ``--clear`` alone does not fix this: when the locked interpreter is *inside*
-    the venv being rebuilt, neither ``rmtree`` nor ``uv venv --clear`` can
-    delete the held ``python.exe``. ``os.replace`` of the parent directory *is*
-    allowed (Windows tracks a running ``.exe`` by handle, not path), so the
-    rebuild completes while the running process keeps using the moved-aside copy
-    until it restarts. If the venv genuinely cannot be moved, we abort cleanly
-    and leave it fully intact; and if the rebuild itself fails we move the old
-    venv back so Hermes is never left with no venv at all.
-    """
-    backup: Optional[Path] = None
-    if venv_dir.exists():
-        print(f"  → Rebuilding venv (old Python may lack FTS5)...")
-        backup = venv_dir.with_name(venv_dir.name + ".old")
-        shutil.rmtree(backup, ignore_errors=True)  # clear any stale backup
-        try:
-            # Atomic move — fails (without partial deletion) if a process still
-            # holds files inside the venv, which is exactly the Windows
-            # file-lock case that previously bricked the install.
-            os.replace(venv_dir, backup)
-        except OSError as exc:
-            logger.warning("venv rebuild aborted — venv in use: %s", exc)
-            print(
-                "  ✗ venv rebuild aborted — the venv is in use; stop the "
-                f"gateway/desktop and retry ({exc})"
-            )
-            return False
-
-    result = subprocess.run(
-        [uv_bin, "venv", str(venv_dir), "--python", python_version, "--clear"],
-        capture_output=True,
-        text=True,
-        check=False,
-    )
-
-    def _restore_backup() -> None:
-        if backup is not None and backup.exists():
-            shutil.rmtree(venv_dir, ignore_errors=True)
-            try:
-                os.replace(backup, venv_dir)
-                print("  ↩ Restored previous venv after failed rebuild.")
-            except OSError:
-                pass
-
-    if result.returncode == 0:
-        venv_python = venv_dir / ("Scripts" if platform.system() == "Windows" else "bin") / "python"
-        # uv can exit 0 yet leave no usable interpreter (e.g. a half-written
-        # venv). Don't report success on a venv that has no python — restore the
-        # moved-aside copy so the caller can abort without losing a working env.
-        if not venv_python.exists():
-            logger.warning("venv rebuild reported success but %s is missing", venv_python)
-            print(f"  ✗ venv rebuild failed: Python interpreter missing at {venv_python}")
-            _restore_backup()
-            return False
-        if backup is not None:
-            shutil.rmtree(backup, ignore_errors=True)
-        py_ver = subprocess.run(
-            [str(venv_python), "--version"],
-            capture_output=True,
-            text=True,
-            check=False,
-        ).stdout.strip()
-        print(f"  ✓ venv rebuilt ({py_ver})")
-        return True
-    else:
-        # Rebuild failed — restore the old venv so we never leave Hermes with no
-        # venv (the bricked-install failure mode this function exists to avoid).
-        _restore_backup()
-        logger.warning("venv rebuild failed: %s", result.stderr)
-        print(f"  ✗ venv rebuild failed: {result.stderr.strip()}")
-        return False
+    return result
 
 
 def update_managed_uv() -> Optional[str]:
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_cmd_update.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_cmd_update.py
index bcf92c5e7..d8204524c 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_cmd_update.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_cmd_update.py
@@ -59,19 +59,14 @@ def _patch_managed_uv(request):
         return shutil.which("uv")
 
     def _fake_ensure_uv():
-        path = shutil.which("uv")
-        return (path, False)  # never freshly bootstrapped in tests
+        return shutil.which("uv")
 
     def _fake_update_managed_uv():
         return None  # never actually self-update in tests
 
-    def _fake_rebuild_venv(*args, **kwargs):
-        return True  # no-op in tests
-
     with patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.resolve_uv", side_effect=_fake_resolve_uv), \
          patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.ensure_uv", side_effect=_fake_ensure_uv), \
-         patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.update_managed_uv", side_effect=_fake_update_managed_uv), \
-         patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.rebuild_venv", side_effect=_fake_rebuild_venv):
+         patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.update_managed_uv", side_effect=_fake_update_managed_uv):
         yield
 
 
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_managed_uv.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_managed_uv.py
index aff6b8de7..a9e9b92a6 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_managed_uv.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_managed_uv.py
@@ -76,11 +76,10 @@ class TestEnsureUv:
         _make_executable(tmp_path / "bin" / "uv")
         with patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.get_hermes_home", return_value=tmp_path):
             from hermes_cli.managed_uv import ensure_uv
-            path, fresh = ensure_uv()
+            path = ensure_uv()
             assert path == str(tmp_path / "bin" / "uv")
-            assert fresh is False
 
-    def test_installs_if_missing_sets_bootstrap_flag(self, tmp_path):
+    def test_installs_if_missing(self, tmp_path):
         with patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.get_hermes_home", return_value=tmp_path), \
              patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv._install_uv") as mock_install:
             # Simulate the installer creating the binary
@@ -89,127 +88,16 @@ class TestEnsureUv:
             mock_install.side_effect = fake_install
 
             from hermes_cli.managed_uv import ensure_uv
-            path, fresh = ensure_uv()
+            path = ensure_uv()
             assert path == str(tmp_path / "bin" / "uv")
-            assert fresh is True
             mock_install.assert_called_once()
 
-    def test_install_failure_returns_none_false(self, tmp_path):
+    def test_install_failure_returns_none(self, tmp_path):
         with patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.get_hermes_home", return_value=tmp_path), \
              patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv._install_uv", side_effect=RuntimeError("network down")):
             from hermes_cli.managed_uv import ensure_uv
-            path, fresh = ensure_uv()
+            path = ensure_uv()
             assert path is None
-            assert fresh is False
-
-
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# rebuild_venv
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-class TestRebuildVenv:
-    def test_moves_old_venv_aside_and_creates_new(self, tmp_path):
-        """The old venv is moved aside to <venv>.old (never rmtree'd in place),
-        uv is invoked with --clear, the moved-aside backup is removed on
-        success, and the rebuilt interpreter is reported."""
-        venv_dir = tmp_path / "venv"
-        venv_dir.mkdir()
-        (venv_dir / "old_file").write_text("stale")
-
-        uv_bin = str(tmp_path / "bin" / "uv")
-        call_log: list[list[str]] = []
-
-        def fake_run(cmd, **kwargs):
-            call_log.append(list(cmd))
-            m = MagicMock(returncode=0, stderr="", stdout="")
-            if len(cmd) >= 2 and cmd[1] == "venv":
-                # Simulate uv creating the venv dir with a python interpreter
-                bin_dir = venv_dir / ("Scripts" if os.name == "nt" else "bin")
-                bin_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-                python_name = "python.exe" if os.name == "nt" else "python"
-                (bin_dir / python_name).write_text("#!/bin/sh\necho Python 3.11.0")
-            elif "--version" in cmd:
-                m.stdout = "Python 3.11.0"
-            return m
-
-        with patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.subprocess.run", side_effect=fake_run):
-            from hermes_cli.managed_uv import rebuild_venv
-            result = rebuild_venv(uv_bin, venv_dir)
-
-        assert result is True
-        # uv venv was invoked exactly once, always with --clear.
-        venv_calls = [c for c in call_log if len(c) >= 2 and c[1] == "venv"]
-        assert len(venv_calls) == 1, f"expected 1 venv call, got {venv_calls}"
-        assert "--clear" in venv_calls[0]
-        # The moved-aside backup is cleaned up after a successful rebuild.
-        assert not (tmp_path / "venv.old").exists()
-
-    def test_aborts_without_deleting_when_venv_in_use(self, tmp_path):
-        """If os.replace fails (Windows file lock — venv in use), we must abort
-        cleanly WITHOUT deleting the venv and WITHOUT invoking uv."""
-        venv_dir = tmp_path / "venv"
-        venv_dir.mkdir()
-        (venv_dir / "locked") .write_text("held open")
-        uv_bin = str(tmp_path / "bin" / "uv")
-        call_log: list[list[str]] = []
-
-        def fake_run(cmd, **kwargs):
-            call_log.append(list(cmd))
-            return MagicMock(returncode=0, stderr="", stdout="")
-
-        with patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.subprocess.run", side_effect=fake_run), \
-             patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.os.replace", side_effect=OSError("in use")):
-            from hermes_cli.managed_uv import rebuild_venv
-            result = rebuild_venv(uv_bin, venv_dir)
-
-        assert result is False
-        # venv left fully intact, uv never invoked.
-        assert venv_dir.exists() and (venv_dir / "locked").exists()
-        assert [c for c in call_log if len(c) >= 2 and c[1] == "venv"] == []
-
-    def test_restores_backup_when_rebuild_fails(self, tmp_path):
-        """If uv venv exits non-zero, the moved-aside venv is restored so we
-        never leave Hermes with no venv at all."""
-        venv_dir = tmp_path / "venv"
-        venv_dir.mkdir()
-        (venv_dir / "marker").write_text("original")
-        uv_bin = str(tmp_path / "bin" / "uv")
-
-        def fake_run(cmd, **kwargs):
-            return MagicMock(returncode=1, stderr="boom", stdout="")
-
-        with patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.subprocess.run", side_effect=fake_run):
-            from hermes_cli.managed_uv import rebuild_venv
-            result = rebuild_venv(uv_bin, venv_dir)
-
-        assert result is False
-        # Original venv restored from the .old backup.
-        assert venv_dir.exists() and (venv_dir / "marker").read_text() == "original"
-        assert not (tmp_path / "venv.old").exists()
-
-    def test_rebuild_failure_returns_false(self, tmp_path):
-        venv_dir = tmp_path / "venv"
-        uv_bin = str(tmp_path / "bin" / "uv")
-
-        with patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.subprocess.run") as mock_run:
-            mock_run.return_value = MagicMock(returncode=1, stderr="nope")
-            from hermes_cli.managed_uv import rebuild_venv
-            result = rebuild_venv(uv_bin, venv_dir)
-            assert result is False
-
-    def test_rebuild_success_without_python_returns_false(self, tmp_path):
-        """uv can exit 0 yet leave no interpreter; that must not count as success
-        (guard adapted from #38511)."""
-        venv_dir = tmp_path / "venv"
-        uv_bin = str(tmp_path / "bin" / "uv")
-
-        with patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.subprocess.run") as mock_run:
-            mock_run.return_value = MagicMock(returncode=0, stdout="", stderr="")
-            from hermes_cli.managed_uv import rebuild_venv
-            result = rebuild_venv(uv_bin, venv_dir)
-            assert result is False
-            # Returned before the `python --version` probe ran (only the uv venv call).
-            assert mock_run.call_count == 1
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_update_autostash.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_update_autostash.py
index b29179077..6cd08a439 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_update_autostash.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_update_autostash.py
@@ -29,19 +29,14 @@ def _patch_managed_uv(request):
         return shutil.which("uv")
 
     def _fake_ensure_uv():
-        path = shutil.which("uv")
-        return (path, False)  # never freshly bootstrapped in tests
+        return shutil.which("uv")
 
     def _fake_update_managed_uv():
         return None  # never actually self-update in tests
 
-    def _fake_rebuild_venv(*args, **kwargs):
-        return True  # no-op in tests
-
     with patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.resolve_uv", side_effect=_fake_resolve_uv), \
          patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.ensure_uv", side_effect=_fake_ensure_uv), \
-         patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.update_managed_uv", side_effect=_fake_update_managed_uv), \
-         patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.rebuild_venv", side_effect=_fake_rebuild_venv):
+         patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.update_managed_uv", side_effect=_fake_update_managed_uv):
         yield
 
 def test_stash_local_changes_if_needed_returns_none_when_tree_clean(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
@@ -423,41 +418,6 @@ def test_cmd_update_succeeds_with_extras(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
     assert ".[all]" in install_cmds[0]
 
 
-def test_cmd_update_aborts_when_fresh_managed_uv_rebuild_fails(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
-    """A failed fresh managed-uv venv rebuild must not continue into pip install
-    (guard adapted from #38511)."""
-    _setup_update_mocks(monkeypatch, tmp_path)
-    monkeypatch.setattr("shutil.which", lambda name: "/usr/bin/uv" if name == "uv" else None)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(hermes_main, "_is_termux_env", lambda env=None: False)
-
-    recorded = []
-
-    def fake_run(cmd, **kwargs):
-        recorded.append(cmd)
-        # Tolerant matching: the update flow's exact git invocations vary by
-        # checkout, so key off the verb. Branch detection must return a real name
-        # and rev-list a parseable count, or the flow aborts early before it ever
-        # reaches the venv rebuild this test exercises.
-        if isinstance(cmd, (list, tuple)) and cmd and cmd[0] == "git":
-            if "rev-parse" in cmd:
-                return SimpleNamespace(stdout="main\n", stderr="", returncode=0)
-            if "rev-list" in cmd:
-                return SimpleNamespace(stdout="1\n", stderr="", returncode=0)
-            if "pull" in cmd:
-                return SimpleNamespace(stdout="Updating\n", stderr="", returncode=0)
-        return SimpleNamespace(returncode=0, stdout="", stderr="")
-
-    monkeypatch.setattr(hermes_main.subprocess, "run", fake_run)
-
-    with patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.ensure_uv", return_value=("/usr/bin/uv", True)), \
-         patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.rebuild_venv", return_value=False), \
-         pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="venv rebuild failed"):
-        hermes_main.cmd_update(SimpleNamespace())
-
-    install_cmds = [c for c in recorded if "pip" in c and "install" in c]
-    assert install_cmds == []
-
-
 def test_install_with_optional_fallback_honors_custom_group(monkeypatch):
     """Termux update path should target .[termux-all] when requested."""
     calls = []
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_update_venv_ready.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_update_venv_ready.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 69cf1f4f6..000000000
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_update_venv_ready.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,83 +0,0 @@
-"""Tests for ``_wait_for_interpreter_venv_ready`` in ``hermes_cli/main.py``.
-
-During ``hermes update`` the managed-uv path can rebuild the project venv
-(rmtree + ``uv venv``) before the desktop-rebuild and profile-skills-sync
-steps spawn ``sys.executable``. If those children fire while the venv is
-mid-rewrite, the interpreter launcher aborts with ``No pyvenv.cfg file`` and
-the step spuriously "fails" on an otherwise-successful update. The helper
-waits for the marker to settle first.
-"""
-
-from __future__ import annotations
-
-import os
-import threading
-import time
-from pathlib import Path
-
-from hermes_cli.main import _wait_for_interpreter_venv_ready
-
-
-def _make_fake_venv(tmp_path: Path, *, with_cfg: bool) -> Path:
-    """Create a venv-shaped dir and return the interpreter path inside it."""
-    bin_name = "Scripts" if os.name == "nt" else "bin"
-    bin_dir = tmp_path / bin_name
-    bin_dir.mkdir(parents=True)
-    py = bin_dir / ("python.exe" if os.name == "nt" else "python")
-    py.write_text("#!/bin/sh\n")
-    if with_cfg:
-        (tmp_path / "pyvenv.cfg").write_text("home = /usr\n")
-    return py
-
-
-class TestWaitForInterpreterVenvReady:
-    def test_intact_venv_returns_immediately(self, tmp_path, monkeypatch):
-        py = _make_fake_venv(tmp_path, with_cfg=True)
-        monkeypatch.setattr("sys.executable", str(py))
-        t0 = time.monotonic()
-        assert _wait_for_interpreter_venv_ready(timeout=5) is True
-        assert time.monotonic() - t0 < 0.5
-
-    def test_non_venv_interpreter_returns_immediately(self, tmp_path, monkeypatch):
-        # A bare interpreter whose parent.parent has no bin/Scripts marker
-        # dir is not venv-hosted; pyvenv.cfg is irrelevant.
-        sys_py = tmp_path / "usr" / "bin" / "python"
-        sys_py.parent.mkdir(parents=True)
-        sys_py.write_text("#!/bin/sh\n")
-        # Ensure parent.parent (tmp_path/usr) has no bin sibling shaped like a venv
-        monkeypatch.setattr("sys.executable", str(sys_py))
-        # parent.parent == tmp_path/usr; its "bin" child IS tmp_path/usr/bin
-        # which exists — so this would look venv-ish. Use a deeper layout
-        # where parent.parent has no bin marker:
-        deep = tmp_path / "opt" / "py3" / "real" / "python"
-        deep.parent.mkdir(parents=True)
-        deep.write_text("#!/bin/sh\n")
-        monkeypatch.setattr("sys.executable", str(deep))
-        t0 = time.monotonic()
-        assert _wait_for_interpreter_venv_ready(timeout=5) is True
-        assert time.monotonic() - t0 < 0.5
-
-    def test_waits_for_cfg_to_appear(self, tmp_path, monkeypatch):
-        py = _make_fake_venv(tmp_path, with_cfg=False)
-        monkeypatch.setattr("sys.executable", str(py))
-
-        def _write_cfg_later():
-            time.sleep(0.6)
-            (tmp_path / "pyvenv.cfg").write_text("home = /usr\n")
-
-        th = threading.Thread(target=_write_cfg_later)
-        th.start()
-        try:
-            t0 = time.monotonic()
-            assert _wait_for_interpreter_venv_ready(timeout=5) is True
-            elapsed = time.monotonic() - t0
-        finally:
-            th.join()
-        assert 0.5 < elapsed < 2.0
-
-    def test_returns_false_when_cfg_never_appears(self, tmp_path, monkeypatch):
-        py = _make_fake_venv(tmp_path, with_cfg=False)
-        monkeypatch.setattr("sys.executable", str(py))
-        t0 = time.monotonic()
-        assert _wait_for_interpreter_venv_ready(timeout=1) is False
-        assert 0.9 < time.monotonic() - t0 < 1.6
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_uv_tool_update.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_uv_tool_update.py
index f1f2905ef..b8f294de3 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_uv_tool_update.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_uv_tool_update.py
@@ -40,19 +40,14 @@ def _patch_managed_uv(request):
         return shutil.which("uv")
 
     def _fake_ensure_uv():
-        path = shutil.which("uv")
-        return (path, False)  # never freshly bootstrapped in tests
+        return shutil.which("uv")
 
     def _fake_update_managed_uv():
         return None  # never actually self-update in tests
 
-    def _fake_rebuild_venv(*args, **kwargs):
-        return True  # no-op in tests
-
     with patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.resolve_uv", side_effect=_fake_resolve_uv), \
          patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.ensure_uv", side_effect=_fake_ensure_uv), \
-         patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.update_managed_uv", side_effect=_fake_update_managed_uv), \
-         patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.rebuild_venv", side_effect=_fake_rebuild_venv):
+         patch("hermes_cli.managed_uv.update_managed_uv", side_effect=_fake_update_managed_uv):
         yield