diff --git a/.github/workflows/scripts/boot-simulator.sh b/.github/workflows/scripts/boot-simulator.sh
index 4c9f8b5efd..b41c3f603b 100755
--- a/.github/workflows/scripts/boot-simulator.sh
+++ b/.github/workflows/scripts/boot-simulator.sh
@@ -155,6 +155,16 @@ wait_for_simulator_ready() {
   return 1
 }
 
+BOOT_MODE="${RNFB_SIM_BOOT_MODE:-full}"
+
+# shellcheck source=simulator-logging.sh
+source "$(dirname "$0")/simulator-logging.sh"
+
+if [[ "$BOOT_MODE" == "logs" ]]; then
+  restart_simulator_logging || true
+  exit 0
+fi
+
 # Get our simulator name from our test Detox config
 pushd "$(dirname "$0")/../../../tests" >/dev/null || exit 1
 SIM="$(grep iPhone .detoxrc.js | head -1 | cut -d"'" -f2)"
@@ -220,3 +230,7 @@ log_boot_status "install complete in $((SECONDS - install_start))s"
 popd >/dev/null || exit 1
 
 log_boot_status "phase=complete device=\"${SIM}\" ready with test app installed"
+
+if [[ "${RNFB_START_SIM_LOGS:-1}" == "1" && "$BOOT_MODE" == "full" ]]; then
+  restart_simulator_logging || true
+fi
diff --git a/.github/workflows/scripts/deploy-e2e-cloud-functions.sh b/.github/workflows/scripts/deploy-e2e-cloud-functions.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..ab82a73129
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/scripts/deploy-e2e-cloud-functions.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Deploy live-project e2e helper callables (Cloud Logging metrics, App Check, RC admin).
+set -euo pipefail
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+cd "$SCRIPT_DIR"
+
+yarn firebase -c "$(pwd)/firebase.json" --project react-native-firebase-testing deploy --only \
+  functions:e2eCloudMetricsV2,functions:e2eCloudMetricsSummaryV2,functions:fetchAppCheckTokenV2,functions:testFunctionRemoteConfigUpdateV2
diff --git a/.github/workflows/scripts/deploy-remote-config-function.sh b/.github/workflows/scripts/deploy-remote-config-function.sh
deleted file mode 100755
index 9788662bb2..0000000000
--- a/.github/workflows/scripts/deploy-remote-config-function.sh
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,2 +0,0 @@
-#!/bin/bash
-yarn firebase -c "$(pwd)/firebase.json" --project react-native-firebase-testing deploy --only functions:testFunctionRemoteConfigUpdate
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.github/workflows/scripts/flake-summary.sh b/.github/workflows/scripts/flake-summary.sh
index 7de83150cb..af857a43d4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/scripts/flake-summary.sh
+++ b/.github/workflows/scripts/flake-summary.sh
@@ -19,18 +19,34 @@ DETOX_LOG="${RNFB_DETOX_LOG:-}"
     fi
     echo "=== ${label}: ${file} ($(wc -l <"$file" | tr -d ' ') lines) ==="
     rg -n \
-      '\[jet-ws\]|\[rnfb-e2e\]|\[jet-coverage\]|\[rnfb-lifecycle\]|RETRYABLE_DISCONNECT|reconnect_recovered|FrontBoard|FBSOpenApplication|coverage-ready|retry-eligibility|install-state|terminateApp|launchApp failure|Jet attempt|FAIL e2e' \
+      '\[jet-ws\]|\[rnfb-e2e\]|\[jet-coverage\]|\[rnfb-lifecycle\]|RETRYABLE_DISCONNECT|reconnect_recovered|FrontBoard|FBSOpenApplication|coverage-ready|retry-eligibility|install-state|terminateApp|launchApp failure|Jet attempt|FAIL e2e|orchestrate-state|Child process terminated|log stream restarted|\[load-settle\]' \
       "$file" 2>/dev/null | tail -200 || true
     echo ""
   }
 
   summarize "detox-log" "${DETOX_LOG}"
-  summarize "simulator-log" "simulator.log"
-  summarize "testing-log" "testing.log"
-  summarize "springboard-log" "springboard-invertase.log"
+  summarize "sim-app-log" "sim-app.log"
   summarize "resource-monitor" "resource-monitor.log"
   summarize "resource-monitor-android" "resource-monitor-android.log"
   summarize "metro-log" "metro.log"
+
+  echo "=== disconnect_context vs resource-monitor load ==="
+  if [[ -f "${DETOX_LOG}" ]]; then
+    rg -n '\[jet-ws\] disconnect_context' "${DETOX_LOG}" 2>/dev/null | tail -20 || true
+  fi
+  if [[ -f "resource-monitor.log" ]]; then
+    echo "--- resource-monitor load around disconnect (last 80 load lines) ---"
+    rg -n 'load averages|^\[resource-monitor\] ps-empty' resource-monitor.log 2>/dev/null | tail -80 || true
+  fi
+  echo ""
+
+  echo "=== log stream death markers ==="
+  for f in sim-app.log; do
+    if [[ -f "$f" ]]; then
+      rg -n 'Child process terminated|log stream restarted' "$f" 2>/dev/null | tail -20 || true
+    fi
+  done
+  echo ""
 } >"$OUT"
 
 echo "[flake-summary] wrote ${OUT} ($(wc -l <"$OUT" | tr -d ' ') lines)"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/package.json b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/package.json
index e459ec9c0e..c09b5131f5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/package.json
+++ b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/package.json
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
   },
   "main": "lib/index.js",
   "dependencies": {
+    "@google-cloud/logging": "^11.2.1",
     "firebase-admin": "^13.8.0",
     "firebase-functions": "^7.2.5"
   },
diff --git a/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/e2eCallOptions.ts b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/e2eCallOptions.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3c04a8c245
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/e2eCallOptions.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+/** Server timeout for e2e callables that are not probing client deadline behavior. */
+export const E2E_TEST_FUNCTION_TIMEOUT_SECONDS = 120;
diff --git a/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/e2eCloudMetrics.ts b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/e2eCloudMetrics.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5542cdff8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/e2eCloudMetrics.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+import { Logging, type Entry } from '@google-cloud/logging';
+import { logger } from 'firebase-functions/v2';
+import { CallableRequest, onCall } from 'firebase-functions/v2/https';
+
+export type E2eCloudMetricPayload = {
+  source?: string;
+  category: string;
+  event: string;
+  platform?: string;
+  durationMs?: number;
+  attempt?: number;
+  error?: string;
+  metadata?: Record<string, unknown>;
+};
+
+const METRICS_LOG_MESSAGE = '[rnfb-e2e-metrics]';
+const SUMMARY_QUERY_EVENT = 'summary-query';
+
+function logE2eCloudMetric(payload: Record<string, unknown>): void {
+  logger.write({
+    severity: 'INFO',
+    message: METRICS_LOG_MESSAGE,
+    ...payload,
+  });
+}
+
+function parseJsonObject(value: unknown): Record<string, unknown> | null {
+  if (!value) {
+    return null;
+  }
+  if (typeof value === 'object' && value !== null && !Array.isArray(value)) {
+    return value as Record<string, unknown>;
+  }
+  if (typeof value === 'string') {
+    try {
+      const parsed = JSON.parse(value);
+      if (typeof parsed === 'object' && parsed !== null && !Array.isArray(parsed)) {
+        return parsed as Record<string, unknown>;
+      }
+    } catch {
+      return null;
+    }
+  }
+  return null;
+}
+
+function metricPayloadFromLogEntry(entry: Entry): Record<string, unknown> | null {
+  const metadata = entry.metadata as Record<string, unknown> | undefined;
+  const candidates = [
+    metadata?.jsonPayload,
+    entry.data,
+    metadata?.textPayload,
+  ];
+
+  for (const candidate of candidates) {
+    const parsed = parseJsonObject(candidate);
+    if (!parsed || parsed.message !== METRICS_LOG_MESSAGE) {
+      continue;
+    }
+    if (parsed.event === SUMMARY_QUERY_EVENT) {
+      return null;
+    }
+    return parsed;
+  }
+
+  return null;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Records e2e cloud-pressure events in Cloud Logging (live project only).
+ * Grep Cloud Logging for `[rnfb-e2e-metrics]` to aggregate cross-run pressure.
+ */
+export const e2eCloudMetricsV2 = onCall(
+  { timeoutSeconds: 30 },
+  async (req: CallableRequest<E2eCloudMetricPayload>) => {
+    const payload = {
+      ...req.data,
+      receivedAt: new Date().toISOString(),
+    };
+    logE2eCloudMetric(payload);
+    return { ok: true };
+  },
+);
+
+type MetricsSummary = {
+  lookbackHours: number;
+  since: string;
+  total: number;
+  byCategory: Record<string, number>;
+  byEvent: Record<string, number>;
+  byPlatform: Record<string, number>;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Summarizes recent `[rnfb-e2e-metrics]` entries from Cloud Logging.
+ * Callable for retrospective cross-run pressure analysis (not logged per Detox run).
+ */
+export const e2eCloudMetricsSummaryV2 = onCall(
+  { timeoutSeconds: 60 },
+  async (req: CallableRequest<{ lookbackHours?: number }>) => {
+    const lookbackHours = req.data?.lookbackHours ?? 24;
+    const since = new Date(Date.now() - lookbackHours * 60 * 60 * 1000);
+
+    const logging = new Logging();
+    const filter = [
+      'resource.type="cloud_run_revision"',
+      `timestamp>="${since.toISOString()}"`,
+      `jsonPayload.message="${METRICS_LOG_MESSAGE}"`,
+    ].join(' AND ');
+
+    const summary: MetricsSummary = {
+      lookbackHours,
+      since: since.toISOString(),
+      total: 0,
+      byCategory: {},
+      byEvent: {},
+      byPlatform: {},
+    };
+
+    let pageToken: string | undefined;
+    let scanned = 0;
+    const maxEntries = 5000;
+
+    do {
+      const [entries, , response] = await logging.getEntries({
+        filter,
+        pageSize: 500,
+        pageToken,
+      });
+
+      for (const entry of entries) {
+        const payload = metricPayloadFromLogEntry(entry);
+        if (!payload) {
+          continue;
+        }
+
+        summary.total++;
+        const category = String(payload.category || 'unknown');
+        const event = String(payload.event || 'unknown');
+        const platform = String(payload.platform || payload.source || 'unknown');
+        summary.byCategory[category] = (summary.byCategory[category] || 0) + 1;
+        summary.byEvent[event] = (summary.byEvent[event] || 0) + 1;
+        summary.byPlatform[platform] = (summary.byPlatform[platform] || 0) + 1;
+      }
+
+      scanned += entries.length;
+      pageToken = response?.nextPageToken || undefined;
+    } while (pageToken && scanned < maxEntries);
+
+    logE2eCloudMetric({ event: SUMMARY_QUERY_EVENT, ...summary });
+    return summary;
+  },
+);
diff --git a/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/fetchAppCheckToken.ts b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/fetchAppCheckToken.ts
index 955af46e79..3fbbf595b3 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/fetchAppCheckToken.ts
+++ b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/fetchAppCheckToken.ts
@@ -9,13 +9,17 @@
 
 import { getAppCheck } from 'firebase-admin/app-check';
 import { CallableRequest, onCall } from 'firebase-functions/v2/https';
+import { E2E_TEST_FUNCTION_TIMEOUT_SECONDS } from './e2eCallOptions';
 import { getAdminApp } from '.';
 
 // Note: this will only work in a live environment, not locally via the Firebase emulator.
-export const fetchAppCheckTokenV2 = onCall(async (req: CallableRequest<{ appId: string }>) => {
-  const { appId } = req.data;
-  const expireTimeMillis = Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000) + 60 * 60;
-  getAdminApp();
-  const result = await getAppCheck().createToken(appId);
-  return { ...result, expireTimeMillis };
-});
+export const fetchAppCheckTokenV2 = onCall(
+  { timeoutSeconds: E2E_TEST_FUNCTION_TIMEOUT_SECONDS },
+  async (req: CallableRequest<{ appId: string }>) => {
+    const { appId } = req.data;
+    const expireTimeMillis = Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000) + 60 * 60;
+    getAdminApp();
+    const result = await getAppCheck().createToken(appId);
+    return { ...result, expireTimeMillis };
+  },
+);
diff --git a/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/index.ts b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/index.ts
index 688bdfc890..fcc662dbfa 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/index.ts
+++ b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/index.ts
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@ export { sendFCM } from './sendFCM';
 
 export { testFetchStream, testFetch } from './vertexaiFunctions';
 
+export { e2eCloudMetricsV2, e2eCloudMetricsSummaryV2 } from './e2eCloudMetrics';
+
 export {
   testStreamingCallable,
   testProgressStream,
diff --git a/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/sendFCM.ts b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/sendFCM.ts
index 3a78927b5a..31652d13ed 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/sendFCM.ts
+++ b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/sendFCM.ts
@@ -10,10 +10,12 @@
 import { logger } from 'firebase-functions/v2';
 import { CallableRequest, onCall } from 'firebase-functions/v2/https';
 import { getMessaging, TokenMessage } from 'firebase-admin/messaging';
+import { E2E_TEST_FUNCTION_TIMEOUT_SECONDS } from './e2eCallOptions';
 import { getAdminApp } from '.';
 
 // Note: this will only work in a live environment, not locally via the Firebase emulator.
 export const sendFCM = onCall(
+  { timeoutSeconds: E2E_TEST_FUNCTION_TIMEOUT_SECONDS },
   async (req: CallableRequest<{ message: TokenMessage; delay?: number }>) => {
     const { message, delay } = req.data;
     return await new Promise(() => {
diff --git a/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/testFunctionCustomRegion.ts b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/testFunctionCustomRegion.ts
index 4c6e555810..f83a44f158 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/testFunctionCustomRegion.ts
+++ b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/testFunctionCustomRegion.ts
@@ -8,10 +8,12 @@
  */
 
 import { onCall } from 'firebase-functions/v2/https';
+import { E2E_TEST_FUNCTION_TIMEOUT_SECONDS } from './e2eCallOptions';
 
 export const testFunctionCustomRegion = onCall(
   {
     region: 'europe-west1',
+    timeoutSeconds: E2E_TEST_FUNCTION_TIMEOUT_SECONDS,
   },
   () => 'europe-west1',
 );
diff --git a/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/testFunctionDefaultRegion.ts b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/testFunctionDefaultRegion.ts
index 5f8c1f8f5c..089933a0b4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/testFunctionDefaultRegion.ts
+++ b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/testFunctionDefaultRegion.ts
@@ -10,9 +10,11 @@
 import { deepEqual } from 'assert';
 import { FirebaseError } from 'firebase-admin';
 import { CallableRequest, onCall, HttpsError } from 'firebase-functions/v2/https';
+import { E2E_TEST_FUNCTION_TIMEOUT_SECONDS } from './e2eCallOptions';
 import SAMPLE_DATA from './sample-data';
 
 export const testFunctionDefaultRegionV2 = onCall(
+  { timeoutSeconds: E2E_TEST_FUNCTION_TIMEOUT_SECONDS },
   (req: CallableRequest<{ type: string; asError: boolean; inputData: any }>) => {
     console.log(Date.now(), req.data);
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/testFunctionRemoteConfigUpdate.ts b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/testFunctionRemoteConfigUpdate.ts
index 1b8c7dbb17..41f6ea6391 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/testFunctionRemoteConfigUpdate.ts
+++ b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/testFunctionRemoteConfigUpdate.ts
@@ -10,12 +10,14 @@
 import { getRemoteConfig } from 'firebase-admin/remote-config';
 import { logger } from 'firebase-functions/v2';
 import { CallableRequest, onCall } from 'firebase-functions/v2/https';
+import { E2E_TEST_FUNCTION_TIMEOUT_SECONDS } from './e2eCallOptions';
 import { getAdminApp } from '.';
 
 export const testFunctionRemoteConfigUpdateV2 = onCall(
   {
     maxInstances: 1,
     concurrency: 1,
+    timeoutSeconds: E2E_TEST_FUNCTION_TIMEOUT_SECONDS,
   },
   async (
     req: CallableRequest<{
diff --git a/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/testStreamingCallable.ts b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/testStreamingCallable.ts
index 043d6a239f..8fb2a4771d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/testStreamingCallable.ts
+++ b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/src/testStreamingCallable.ts
@@ -1,12 +1,17 @@
 import { onCall, CallableRequest, CallableResponse, HttpsError } from 'firebase-functions/v2/https';
 import { logger } from 'firebase-functions/v2';
+import { E2E_TEST_FUNCTION_TIMEOUT_SECONDS } from './e2eCallOptions';
 import SAMPLE_DATA from './sample-data';
 
+const e2eOnCall = (
+  handler: (req: CallableRequest<any>, response?: CallableResponse<any>) => unknown,
+) => onCall({ timeoutSeconds: E2E_TEST_FUNCTION_TIMEOUT_SECONDS }, handler);
+
 /**
  * Test streaming callable function that sends multiple chunks of data
  * This function demonstrates Server-Sent Events (SSE) streaming
  */
-export const testStreamingCallable = onCall(
+export const testStreamingCallable = e2eOnCall(
   async (
     req: CallableRequest<{ count?: number; delay?: number }>,
     response?: CallableResponse<any>,
@@ -43,7 +48,7 @@ export const testStreamingCallable = onCall(
 /**
  * Test streaming callable that sends progressive updates
  */
-export const testProgressStream = onCall(
+export const testProgressStream = e2eOnCall(
   async (req: CallableRequest<{ task?: string }>, response?: CallableResponse<any>) => {
     const task = req.data.task || 'Processing';
 
@@ -71,7 +76,7 @@ export const testProgressStream = onCall(
 /**
  * Test streaming with complex data types
  */
-export const testComplexDataStream = onCall(
+export const testComplexDataStream = e2eOnCall(
   async (req: CallableRequest, response?: CallableResponse<any>) => {
     logger.info('testComplexDataStream called');
 
@@ -126,7 +131,7 @@ export const testComplexDataStream = onCall(
 /**
  * Test streaming with error handling
  */
-export const testStreamWithError = onCall(
+export const testStreamWithError = e2eOnCall(
   async (
     req: CallableRequest<{ shouldError?: boolean; errorAfter?: number }>,
     response?: CallableResponse<any>,
@@ -161,7 +166,7 @@ export const testStreamWithError = onCall(
  * Test streaming callable that returns the type of data sent
  * Similar to Dart's testStreamResponse - sends back the type of input data
  */
-export const testStreamResponse = onCall(
+export const testStreamResponse = e2eOnCall(
   async (req: CallableRequest<any>, response?: CallableResponse<any>) => {
     logger.info('testStreamResponse called', { data: req.data });
 
@@ -207,7 +212,7 @@ export const testStreamResponse = onCall(
  * Test streaming callable that handles null data
  * This function specifically accepts null and returns success: true
  */
-export const testStreamingCallableWithNull = onCall(
+export const testStreamingCallableWithNull = e2eOnCall(
   async (req: CallableRequest<any>, response?: CallableResponse<any>) => {
     logger.info('testStreamingCallableWithNull called', { data: req.data });
 
@@ -228,7 +233,7 @@ export const testStreamingCallableWithNull = onCall(
  * Streaming callable that throws HttpsError (for testing stream-by-name).
  * Only throws: invalid-argument (bad/missing type), or cancelled with details (when asError).
  */
-export const testStreamWithHttpsError = onCall(
+export const testStreamWithHttpsError = e2eOnCall(
   async (
     req: CallableRequest<{ type?: string; asError?: boolean; inputData?: any }>,
     response?: CallableResponse<any>,
@@ -263,7 +268,7 @@ export const testStreamWithHttpsError = onCall(
  * Streaming callable that throws HttpsError (for testing stream-from-URL).
  * Same behaviour as testStreamWithHttpsError; separate export for httpsCallableFromUrl.stream() e2e.
  */
-export const testStreamWithHttpsErrorFromUrl = onCall(
+export const testStreamWithHttpsErrorFromUrl = e2eOnCall(
   async (
     req: CallableRequest<{ type?: string; asError?: boolean; inputData?: any }>,
     response?: CallableResponse<any>,
diff --git a/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/yarn.lock b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/yarn.lock
index 2b492d10f3..0aeb647b78 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/yarn.lock
+++ b/.github/workflows/scripts/functions/yarn.lock
@@ -204,6 +204,23 @@ __metadata:
   languageName: node
   linkType: hard
 
+"@google-cloud/common@npm:^5.0.0":
+  version: 5.0.2
+  resolution: "@google-cloud/common@npm:5.0.2"
+  dependencies:
+    "@google-cloud/projectify": "npm:^4.0.0"
+    "@google-cloud/promisify": "npm:^4.0.0"
+    arrify: "npm:^2.0.1"
+    duplexify: "npm:^4.1.1"
+    extend: "npm:^3.0.2"
+    google-auth-library: "npm:^9.0.0"
+    html-entities: "npm:^2.5.2"
+    retry-request: "npm:^7.0.0"
+    teeny-request: "npm:^9.0.0"
+  checksum: 10/a21a07d5cb3ab7bbe8c2756dd5b853210eacdd11b7866610003c1c87b93d4ae176373b163fe80bd5dbdb6e8fae3e0a3f999f546ed5d1c177eeae2af9a4e7b701
+  languageName: node
+  linkType: hard
+
 "@google-cloud/firestore@npm:^7.11.0":
   version: 7.11.3
   resolution: "@google-cloud/firestore@npm:7.11.3"
@@ -217,6 +234,31 @@ __metadata:
   languageName: node
   linkType: hard
 
+"@google-cloud/logging@npm:^11.2.1":
+  version: 11.2.3
+  resolution: "@google-cloud/logging@npm:11.2.3"
+  dependencies:
+    "@google-cloud/common": "npm:^5.0.0"
+    "@google-cloud/paginator": "npm:^5.0.0"
+    "@google-cloud/projectify": "npm:^4.0.0"
+    "@google-cloud/promisify": "npm:4.0.0"
+    "@grpc/grpc-js": "npm:^1.14.3"
+    "@opentelemetry/api": "npm:^1.7.0"
+    arrify: "npm:^2.0.1"
+    dot-prop: "npm:^6.0.0"
+    eventid: "npm:^2.0.0"
+    extend: "npm:^3.0.2"
+    gcp-metadata: "npm:^6.0.0"
+    google-auth-library: "npm:^9.0.0"
+    google-gax: "npm:^4.0.3"
+    long: "npm:^5.3.2"
+    on-finished: "npm:^2.3.0"
+    pumpify: "npm:^2.0.1"
+    stream-events: "npm:^1.0.5"
+  checksum: 10/2be25e5a8c5311e7fc66d7a0c4ad7c3f94ed27ed6161e103c0dbef7ef340035616578010e031e8f17509f6712a60dec0236ef835a7560c58cb6fa21f656adf39
+  languageName: node
+  linkType: hard
+
 "@google-cloud/paginator@npm:^5.0.0":
   version: 5.0.2
   resolution: "@google-cloud/paginator@npm:5.0.2"
@@ -257,13 +299,20 @@ __metadata:
   languageName: node
   linkType: hard
 
-"@google-cloud/promisify@npm:<4.1.0":
+"@google-cloud/promisify@npm:4.0.0, @google-cloud/promisify@npm:<4.1.0":
   version: 4.0.0
   resolution: "@google-cloud/promisify@npm:4.0.0"
   checksum: 10/c5de81321b3a5c567edcbe0b941fb32644611147f3ba22f20575918c225a979988a99bc2ebda05ac914fa8714b0a54c69be72c3f46c7a64c3b19db7d7fba8d04
   languageName: node
   linkType: hard
 
+"@google-cloud/promisify@npm:^4.0.0":
+  version: 4.1.0
+  resolution: "@google-cloud/promisify@npm:4.1.0"
+  checksum: 10/b933047c197e248c50428b17b5ac7ca8f711eb112a2e7a10af231ac00d1ff1d20325788556b07bc270a2406d165a198fd9ad1d114d7f11214e861b02077aaa0c
+  languageName: node
+  linkType: hard
+
 "@google-cloud/promisify@npm:^5.0.0":
   version: 5.0.0
   resolution: "@google-cloud/promisify@npm:5.0.0"
@@ -346,6 +395,16 @@ __metadata:
   languageName: node
   linkType: hard
 
+"@grpc/grpc-js@npm:^1.14.3":
+  version: 1.14.4
+  resolution: "@grpc/grpc-js@npm:1.14.4"
+  dependencies:
+    "@grpc/proto-loader": "npm:^0.8.0"
+    "@js-sdsl/ordered-map": "npm:^4.4.2"
+  checksum: 10/f9cdbd81e7388dc784c57274fcf6f4f4484da8968dd0975b97a14708d3fb117ae4a7bc2848e1bd1cc8b8ed9ee7a80ff131bfe728c85260da90a4e0b170e31ca9
+  languageName: node
+  linkType: hard
+
 "@grpc/proto-loader@npm:^0.7.13":
   version: 0.7.15
   resolution: "@grpc/proto-loader@npm:0.7.15"
@@ -769,6 +828,13 @@ __metadata:
   languageName: node
   linkType: hard
 
+"@opentelemetry/api@npm:^1.7.0":
+  version: 1.9.1
+  resolution: "@opentelemetry/api@npm:1.9.1"
+  checksum: 10/b26032739d3c54ca99b5a2920844a1fbd4c3ee383cacbb0915e8c706a2626fe91e96feaa6e893397abe0545dc8d0a765b220aa18a31b1773176eeaf3a225e10e
+  languageName: node
+  linkType: hard
+
 "@opentelemetry/core@npm:^1.30.1":
   version: 1.30.1
   resolution: "@opentelemetry/core@npm:1.30.1"
@@ -1366,7 +1432,7 @@ __metadata:
   languageName: node
   linkType: hard
 
-"arrify@npm:^2.0.0":
+"arrify@npm:^2.0.0, arrify@npm:^2.0.1":
   version: 2.0.1
   resolution: "arrify@npm:2.0.1"
   checksum: 10/067c4c1afd182806a82e4c1cb8acee16ab8b5284fbca1ce29408e6e91281c36bb5b612f6ddfbd40a0f7a7e0c75bf2696eb94c027f6e328d6e9c52465c98e4209
@@ -2307,6 +2373,15 @@ __metadata:
   languageName: node
   linkType: hard
 
+"dot-prop@npm:^6.0.0":
+  version: 6.0.1
+  resolution: "dot-prop@npm:6.0.1"
+  dependencies:
+    is-obj: "npm:^2.0.0"
+  checksum: 10/1200a4f6f81151161b8526c37966d60738cf12619b0ed1f55be01bdb55790bf0a5cd1398b8f2c296dcc07d0a7c2dd0e650baf0b069c367e74bb5df2f6603aba0
+  languageName: node
+  linkType: hard
+
 "dunder-proto@npm:^1.0.1":
   version: 1.0.1
   resolution: "dunder-proto@npm:1.0.1"
@@ -2318,7 +2393,7 @@ __metadata:
   languageName: node
   linkType: hard
 
-"duplexify@npm:^4.0.0, duplexify@npm:^4.1.3":
+"duplexify@npm:^4.0.0, duplexify@npm:^4.1.1, duplexify@npm:^4.1.3":
   version: 4.1.3
   resolution: "duplexify@npm:4.1.3"
   dependencies:
@@ -2404,7 +2479,7 @@ __metadata:
   languageName: node
   linkType: hard
 
-"end-of-stream@npm:^1.4.1":
+"end-of-stream@npm:^1.1.0, end-of-stream@npm:^1.4.1":
   version: 1.4.5
   resolution: "end-of-stream@npm:1.4.5"
   dependencies:
@@ -2546,6 +2621,15 @@ __metadata:
   languageName: node
   linkType: hard
 
+"eventid@npm:^2.0.0":
+  version: 2.0.1
+  resolution: "eventid@npm:2.0.1"
+  dependencies:
+    uuid: "npm:^8.0.0"
+  checksum: 10/951957a9b23653fe4e6f2318e1469b35fcb46eef55ba18a0e40762c7d0ee9a2759efab4359055e36230bc6be22e4dac97a9fbff1c3dd211d2cd9b0210ea3594c
+  languageName: node
+  linkType: hard
+
 "events-listener@npm:^1.1.0":
   version: 1.1.0
   resolution: "events-listener@npm:1.1.0"
@@ -3142,6 +3226,7 @@ __metadata:
   version: 0.0.0-use.local
   resolution: "functions@workspace:."
   dependencies:
+    "@google-cloud/logging": "npm:^11.2.1"
     firebase-admin: "npm:^13.8.0"
     firebase-functions: "npm:^7.2.5"
     firebase-functions-test: "npm:^3.4.1"
@@ -3210,7 +3295,7 @@ __metadata:
   languageName: node
   linkType: hard
 
-"gcp-metadata@npm:^6.1.0":
+"gcp-metadata@npm:^6.0.0, gcp-metadata@npm:^6.1.0":
   version: 6.1.1
   resolution: "gcp-metadata@npm:6.1.1"
   dependencies:
@@ -3390,7 +3475,7 @@ __metadata:
   languageName: node
   linkType: hard
 
-"google-auth-library@npm:^9.11.0, google-auth-library@npm:^9.3.0, google-auth-library@npm:^9.6.3":
+"google-auth-library@npm:^9.0.0, google-auth-library@npm:^9.11.0, google-auth-library@npm:^9.3.0, google-auth-library@npm:^9.6.3":
   version: 9.15.1
   resolution: "google-auth-library@npm:9.15.1"
   dependencies:
@@ -3404,7 +3489,7 @@ __metadata:
   languageName: node
   linkType: hard
 
-"google-gax@npm:^4.3.3":
+"google-gax@npm:^4.0.3, google-gax@npm:^4.3.3":
   version: 4.6.1
   resolution: "google-gax@npm:4.6.1"
   dependencies:
@@ -4402,7 +4487,7 @@ __metadata:
   languageName: node
   linkType: hard
 
-"long@npm:^5.0.0":
+"long@npm:^5.0.0, long@npm:^5.3.2":
   version: 5.3.2
   resolution: "long@npm:5.3.2"
   checksum: 10/b6b55ddae56fcce2864d37119d6b02fe28f6dd6d9e44fd22705f86a9254b9321bd69e9ffe35263b4846d54aba197c64882adcb8c543f2383c1e41284b321ea64
@@ -5018,7 +5103,7 @@ __metadata:
   languageName: node
   linkType: hard
 
-"on-finished@npm:2.4.1, on-finished@npm:^2.2.0, on-finished@npm:^2.4.1":
+"on-finished@npm:2.4.1, on-finished@npm:^2.2.0, on-finished@npm:^2.3.0, on-finished@npm:^2.4.1":
   version: 2.4.1
   resolution: "on-finished@npm:2.4.1"
   dependencies:
@@ -5043,7 +5128,7 @@ __metadata:
   languageName: node
   linkType: hard
 
-"once@npm:^1.4.0":
+"once@npm:^1.3.1, once@npm:^1.4.0":
   version: 1.4.0
   resolution: "once@npm:1.4.0"
   dependencies:
@@ -5531,6 +5616,27 @@ __metadata:
   languageName: node
   linkType: hard
 
+"pump@npm:^3.0.0":
+  version: 3.0.4
+  resolution: "pump@npm:3.0.4"
+  dependencies:
+    end-of-stream: "npm:^1.1.0"
+    once: "npm:^1.3.1"
+  checksum: 10/d043c3e710c56ffd280711e98a94e863ab334f79ea43cee0fb70e1349b2355ffd2ff287c7522e4c960a247699d5b7825f00fa090b85d6179c973be13f78a6c49
+  languageName: node
+  linkType: hard
+
+"pumpify@npm:^2.0.1":
+  version: 2.0.1
+  resolution: "pumpify@npm:2.0.1"
+  dependencies:
+    duplexify: "npm:^4.1.1"
+    inherits: "npm:^2.0.3"
+    pump: "npm:^3.0.0"
+  checksum: 10/54bfdd04a30f459de5f1d1d022dc729e7257748900adf567a3b009f5aefe4a862ca91f3fb272f86c621eae631c4cc41f0efe5ee270752e2f9a90e7e63a9f8570
+  languageName: node
+  linkType: hard
+
 "pupa@npm:^2.1.1":
   version: 2.1.1
   resolution: "pupa@npm:2.1.1"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/scripts/resource-monitor.sh b/.github/workflows/scripts/resource-monitor.sh
index 6e2881bb04..efb2b7d733 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/scripts/resource-monitor.sh
+++ b/.github/workflows/scripts/resource-monitor.sh
@@ -13,11 +13,27 @@ while true; do
     echo "--- load ---"
     uptime
     echo "--- top (pid pcpu pmem rss command) ---"
-    ps -arc www -o pid,pcpu,pmem,rss,etime,command 2>/dev/null | head -30 || true
+    top_ps="$(ps -arc www -o pid,pcpu,pmem,rss,etime,command 2>/dev/null | head -30 || true)"
+    if [[ -z "$(echo "$top_ps" | sed -n '2,$p' | grep -v '^[[:space:]]*$' | head -1)" ]]; then
+      echo "[resource-monitor] ps-empty falling back to ps aux + top -l 1"
+      ps aux 2>/dev/null | head -30 || true
+      top -l 1 -n 10 -stats pid,cpu,mem,command 2>/dev/null | head -25 || true
+    else
+      echo "$top_ps"
+    fi
     echo "--- e2e-related ---"
-    ps -arc www -o pid,pcpu,pmem,rss,etime,command 2>/dev/null \
+    e2e_ps="$(ps -arc www -o pid,pcpu,pmem,rss,etime,command 2>/dev/null \
       | grep -E 'testing|node |java |Simulator|Metro|simctl|log stream|screencapture' \
-      | grep -v grep || true
+      | grep -v grep || true)"
+    if [[ -z "$e2e_ps" ]]; then
+      echo "[resource-monitor] ps-empty falling back to ps aux grep"
+      ps aux 2>/dev/null \
+        | grep -E 'testing|node |java |Simulator|Metro|simctl|log stream|screencapture' \
+        | grep -v grep \
+        | head -20 || true
+    else
+      echo "$e2e_ps"
+    fi
     echo ""
   } >>"$LOG_FILE" 2>&1
   sleep "$INTERVAL_SEC"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/scripts/simulator-logging.sh b/.github/workflows/scripts/simulator-logging.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..4c5d3e217a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/scripts/simulator-logging.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Start or restart iOS simulator focused log stream and resource monitor (sourced by boot-simulator.sh).
+set -uo pipefail
+
+restart_simulator_logging() {
+  local with_stdout="${RNFB_SIM_LOG_STDOUT:-0}"
+  local record_screens="${RNFB_RECORD_SCREENS:-0}"
+  local log_dir="${RNFB_SIM_LOG_DIR:-.}"
+  local sim_app_log="${log_dir}/sim-app.log"
+  local resource_log="${log_dir}/resource-monitor.log"
+  local repo_root="${RNFB_REPO_ROOT:-$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")/../../.." && pwd)}"
+  local log_predicate='process == "testing" OR (process == "SpringBoard" AND eventMessage CONTAINS "invertase")'
+
+  if ! xcrun simctl list devices booted 2>/dev/null | grep -q Booted; then
+    echo "[boot-status] phase=log_streams skipped=no_booted_simulator"
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  echo "[boot-status] phase=log_streams_restart ts=$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ) stdout=${with_stdout} record_screens=${record_screens} dir=${log_dir}"
+
+  pkill -f 'simctl spawn booted log stream' 2>/dev/null || true
+  pkill -f 'simctl io booted recordVideo' 2>/dev/null || true
+  pkill -f resource-monitor.sh 2>/dev/null || true
+  sleep 1
+
+  {
+    echo ""
+    echo "=== log stream restarted $(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ) predicate=${log_predicate} ==="
+  } >>"$sim_app_log" 2>/dev/null || : >"$sim_app_log"
+
+  if [[ "$record_screens" == "1" ]]; then
+    if [[ "$with_stdout" == "1" ]]; then
+      xcrun simctl io booted recordVideo --codec=h264 -f "${log_dir}/simulator.mp4" 2>&1 &
+    else
+      nohup sh -c "xcrun simctl io booted recordVideo --codec=h264 -f '${log_dir}/simulator.mp4' 2>&1 &" >/dev/null 2>&1 &
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  if [[ "$with_stdout" == "1" ]]; then
+    xcrun simctl spawn booted log stream --level debug --style compact \
+      --predicate "$log_predicate" 2>&1 | tee -a "$sim_app_log" &
+  else
+    nohup sh -c "xcrun simctl spawn booted log stream --level debug --style compact --predicate '${log_predicate}' >>'${sim_app_log}' 2>&1 &" >/dev/null 2>&1 &
+  fi
+
+  chmod +x "${repo_root}/.github/workflows/scripts/resource-monitor.sh"
+  RNFB_RESOURCE_MONITOR_LOG="$resource_log" nohup "${repo_root}/.github/workflows/scripts/resource-monitor.sh" >/dev/null 2>&1 &
+
+  echo "[boot-status] phase=log_streams_started sim_app_log=${sim_app_log} video=$([[ "$record_screens" == "1" ]] && echo "${log_dir}/simulator.mp4" || echo disabled) monitor=${resource_log}"
+}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/scripts/wait-for-load-settle.sh b/.github/workflows/scripts/wait-for-load-settle.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..d70f39802a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/scripts/wait-for-load-settle.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Wait for macOS host load average to drop before starting Detox (experimental CI settle step).
+set -euo pipefail
+
+MAX_WAIT_SEC="${RNFB_LOAD_SETTLE_MAX_WAIT_SEC:-1200}"
+POLL_SEC="${RNFB_LOAD_SETTLE_POLL_SEC:-5}"
+MAX_LOAD="${RNFB_LOAD_SETTLE_MAX_LOAD:-20}"
+
+parse_load1() {
+  # uptime: ... load averages: 1.23 4.56 7.89
+  uptime 2>/dev/null | sed -n 's/.*load averages: \([0-9.]*\).*/\1/p' | head -1
+}
+
+elapsed=0
+echo "[load-settle] max_wait=${MAX_WAIT_SEC}s poll=${POLL_SEC}s threshold=${MAX_LOAD}"
+
+while (( elapsed <= MAX_WAIT_SEC )); do
+  load1="$(parse_load1)"
+  if [[ -z "$load1" ]]; then
+    echo "[load-settle] ts=$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ) elapsed=${elapsed}s load1=unknown (could not parse uptime)"
+  else
+    echo "[load-settle] ts=$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ) elapsed=${elapsed}s load1=${load1} threshold=${MAX_LOAD}"
+    if awk -v load="$load1" -v max="$MAX_LOAD" 'BEGIN { exit (load < max) ? 0 : 1 }'; then
+      echo "[load-settle] host load ${load1} < ${MAX_LOAD} after ${elapsed}s — proceeding"
+      exit 0
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  if (( elapsed >= MAX_WAIT_SEC )); then
+    break
+  fi
+
+  sleep "$POLL_SEC"
+  elapsed=$((elapsed + POLL_SEC))
+done
+
+echo "[load-settle] WARN: timed out after ${MAX_WAIT_SEC}s with load1=${load1:-unknown} (threshold=${MAX_LOAD}) — proceeding anyway"
+exit 0
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests_e2e_ios.yml b/.github/workflows/tests_e2e_ios.yml
index e3b568aa2f..b416f50275 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests_e2e_ios.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests_e2e_ios.yml
@@ -1,6 +1,12 @@
 name: Testing E2E iOS
 
 on:
+  workflow_call:
+    inputs:
+      record_screens:
+        description: 'Record host screencapture and simulator video artifacts'
+        type: boolean
+        default: false
   workflow_dispatch:
     inputs:
       iterations:
@@ -8,6 +14,10 @@ on:
         required: true
         default: 1
         type: number
+      record_screens:
+        description: 'Record host screencapture and simulator video artifacts'
+        type: boolean
+        default: false
   pull_request:
     branches:
       - '**'
@@ -94,9 +104,10 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: macos-26
     needs: matrix_prep
     # TODO matrix across APIs, at least 11 and 15 (lowest to highest)
-    timeout-minutes: 87
+    timeout-minutes: 107
     env:
       CODECOV_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.CODECOV_TOKEN }}
+      RNFB_RECORD_SCREENS: ${{ (github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' || github.event_name == 'workflow_call') && inputs.record_screens && '1' || '0' }}
       CCACHE_SLOPPINESS: clang_index_store,file_stat_matches,include_file_ctime,include_file_mtime,ivfsoverlay,pch_defines,modules,system_headers,time_macros
       CCACHE_FILECLONE: true
       CCACHE_DEPEND: true
@@ -112,6 +123,7 @@ jobs:
         # https://github.com/guidepup/setup-action/releases
         uses: guidepup/setup-action@5ab89fbb6641406f6f6c91057225f3fb397c2eea # v0.20.0
         continue-on-error: true
+        if: env.RNFB_RECORD_SCREENS == '1'
         with:
           record: true
 
@@ -119,7 +131,7 @@ jobs:
         # https://github.com/actions/upload-artifact/releases
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
         continue-on-error: true
-        if: always()
+        if: always() && env.RNFB_RECORD_SCREENS == '1'
         with:
           name: screenrecording-setup-${{ matrix.buildmode }}-${{ matrix.iteration }}.mov
           path: ./recordings/
@@ -327,11 +339,11 @@ jobs:
           curl --output /dev/null --silent --head --fail "http://localhost:8081/index.bundle?platform=ios&dev=true&minify=false&inlineSourceMap=true"
           echo "...javascript bundle ready"
 
-      - name: Start Screen and System Logging
+      - name: Start host screen recording
+        if: env.RNFB_RECORD_SCREENS == '1'
         continue-on-error: true
         run: |
           nohup sh -c "sleep 314159265 | screencapture -v -C -k -T0 -g screenrecording.mov > screenrecording.log 2>&1 &"
-          nohup sh -c "log stream --backtrace --color none --style syslog > syslog.log 2>&1 &"
 
       - name: Pre-Boot Simulator
         # Separate Simulator boot from Detox run. boot-simulator.sh polls bootstatus and logs
@@ -342,22 +354,24 @@ jobs:
           timeout_minutes: 12
           retry_wait_seconds: 60
           max_attempts: 3
-          command: ./.github/workflows/scripts/boot-simulator.sh
+          command: RNFB_START_SIM_LOGS=0 ./.github/workflows/scripts/boot-simulator.sh
+
+      - name: Start Simulator App Log
+        # One filtered sim log stream (testing + SpringBoard/invertase); optional sim video when record_screens.
+        continue-on-error: true
+        run: |
+          chmod +x ./.github/workflows/scripts/boot-simulator.sh
+          RNFB_RECORD_SCREENS="${RNFB_RECORD_SCREENS}" RNFB_SIM_BOOT_MODE=logs ./.github/workflows/scripts/boot-simulator.sh
 
-      - name: Start Simulator Recordings and Log
-        # Start after Pre-Boot so booted exists and logging covers the Detox run (not a fixed delay).
+      - name: Wait for host load to settle
         continue-on-error: true
         run: |
-          nohup sh -c "xcrun simctl io booted recordVideo --codec=h264 -f simulator.mp4 2>&1 &"
-          nohup sh -c "xcrun simctl spawn booted log stream --level debug --style compact > simulator.log 2>&1 &"
-          nohup sh -c "xcrun simctl spawn booted log stream --level debug --style compact --predicate 'process == \"testing\"' > testing.log 2>&1 &"
-          nohup sh -c "xcrun simctl spawn booted log stream --level debug --style compact --predicate 'process == \"SpringBoard\" AND eventMessage CONTAINS \"invertase\"' > springboard-invertase.log 2>&1 &"
-          chmod +x ./.github/workflows/scripts/resource-monitor.sh
-          nohup ./.github/workflows/scripts/resource-monitor.sh &
+          chmod +x ./.github/workflows/scripts/wait-for-load-settle.sh
+          ./.github/workflows/scripts/wait-for-load-settle.sh
 
       - name: Detox Test Debug
         if: contains(matrix.buildmode, 'debug')
-        timeout-minutes: 62
+        timeout-minutes: 82
         run: |
           yarn tests:ios:test-cover 2>&1 | tee detox-step.log
           exit ${PIPESTATUS[0]}
@@ -369,7 +383,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Detox Test Release
         if: contains(matrix.buildmode, 'release')
-        timeout-minutes: 62
+        timeout-minutes: 82
         run: |
           yarn tests:ios:test:release 2>&1 | tee detox-step.log
           exit ${PIPESTATUS[0]}
@@ -386,43 +400,27 @@ jobs:
         continue-on-error: true
         run: |
           killall -int simctl
-          killall -int screencapture
-          killall -int log
+          if [[ "${RNFB_RECORD_SCREENS}" == "1" ]]; then
+            killall -int screencapture
+          fi
           pkill -f resource-monitor.sh || true
 
       - name: Upload App Video
         # https://github.com/actions/upload-artifact/releases
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
         continue-on-error: true
-        if: always()
+        if: always() && env.RNFB_RECORD_SCREENS == '1'
         with:
           name: simulator-${{ matrix.buildmode }}-${{ matrix.iteration }}_video
           path: simulator.mp4
 
-      - name: Upload Simulator Log
-        # https://github.com/actions/upload-artifact/releases
+      - name: Upload Simulator App Log
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
         continue-on-error: true
         if: always()
         with:
-          name: simulator-${{ matrix.buildmode }}-${{ matrix.iteration }}_log
-          path: simulator.log
-
-      - name: Upload testing process log
-        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
-        continue-on-error: true
-        if: always()
-        with:
-          name: testing-${{ matrix.buildmode }}-${{ matrix.iteration }}_log
-          path: testing.log
-
-      - name: Upload SpringBoard invertase log
-        uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
-        continue-on-error: true
-        if: always()
-        with:
-          name: springboard-${{ matrix.buildmode }}-${{ matrix.iteration }}_log
-          path: springboard-invertase.log
+          name: sim-app-${{ matrix.buildmode }}-${{ matrix.iteration }}_log
+          path: sim-app.log
 
       - name: Upload resource monitor log
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
@@ -461,7 +459,7 @@ jobs:
         # https://github.com/actions/upload-artifact/releases
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
         continue-on-error: true
-        if: always()
+        if: always() && env.RNFB_RECORD_SCREENS == '1'
         with:
           name: screenrecording-${{ matrix.buildmode }}-${{ matrix.iteration }}
           path: screenrecording.*
diff --git a/.yarn/patches/jet-npm-0.9.0-dev.13-3321aeea6e.patch b/.yarn/patches/jet-npm-0.9.0-dev.13-3321aeea6e.patch
index 051c258298..2b049813c0 100644
--- a/.yarn/patches/jet-npm-0.9.0-dev.13-3321aeea6e.patch
+++ b/.yarn/patches/jet-npm-0.9.0-dev.13-3321aeea6e.patch
@@ -1,17 +1,29 @@
 diff --git a/lib/commonjs/cli.js b/lib/commonjs/cli.js
-index 35c04da87c63a79bc26707aaffe3156fb98eca79..cc9243fabdc014bc945dd6e85cbe55d85692ad56 100644
+index 35c04da87c63a79bc26707aaffe3156fb98eca79..3ad2cea4c214e8c3c4f4698acacfff2610902863 100644
 --- a/lib/commonjs/cli.js
 +++ b/lib/commonjs/cli.js
-@@ -72,22 +72,64 @@ function cleanup() {
+@@ -71,23 +71,77 @@ function cleanup() {
+     console.log(`[🟥] Failed to run a cleanup task: ${err.message}`);
    });
  }
- async function startServer(server, config, after) {
+-async function startServer(server, config, after) {
++async function startServer(server, config, after, runControl) {
 +  let reconnectGraceTimer = null;
 +  let pendingDisconnectCode = null;
 +  let disconnectStartedAt = 0;
++  let orchestratePhase = 'jet-starting';
++  let lastTestTitle = '';
++  let lastSuiteTitle = '';
++  let coverageUploadInProgress = false;
    server.on('started', s => {
      const url = s.url;
      console.log(`[🟩] Jet remote server listening at "${url}".`);
++    startControlHttpServer(config, {
++      setOrchestratePhase: phase => {
++        orchestratePhase = phase || orchestratePhase;
++      },
++      onLaunchReady: () => runControl?.beginRun?.(),
++    });
    });
    server.on('connection', (_, req) => {
      console.log(`[🟩] Jet client connected from "${req.socket.remoteAddress + ':' + req.socket.remotePort}".`);
@@ -34,12 +46,14 @@ index 35c04da87c63a79bc26707aaffe3156fb98eca79..cc9243fabdc014bc945dd6e85cbe55d8
 -      cleanup();
 +    try {
 +      const os = require('os');
++      const suite = lastSuiteTitle.replace(/"/g, "'");
++      const test = lastTestTitle.replace(/"/g, "'");
 +      console.warn(
-+        `[jet-ws] disconnect_context code=${code} loadavg=${os.loadavg().join(',')} mem=${JSON.stringify(process.memoryUsage())}`,
++        `[jet-ws] disconnect_context code=${code} loadavg=${os.loadavg().join(',')} orchestratePhase=${orchestratePhase} currentTest="${test}" currentSuite="${suite}" coverageUpload=${coverageUploadInProgress} mem=${JSON.stringify(process.memoryUsage())}`,
 +      );
 +    } catch (_) {
 +      // Best-effort diagnostics only.
-     }
++    }
 +    if (code === 1000 || !config.exitOnError) {
 +      return;
 +    }
@@ -63,7 +77,7 @@ index 35c04da87c63a79bc26707aaffe3156fb98eca79..cc9243fabdc014bc945dd6e85cbe55d8
 +        cleanup();
 +      }, graceMs);
 +      return;
-+    }
+     }
 +    console.error(`[jet-ws] fatal_disconnect code=${code} reason="${reason || ''}" immediate=true`);
 +    print(`[🟥] Exiting after an abnormal disconnect.`);
 +    process.exitCode = 1;
@@ -71,22 +85,33 @@ index 35c04da87c63a79bc26707aaffe3156fb98eca79..cc9243fabdc014bc945dd6e85cbe55d8
    });
    server.on('error', error => {
      if (error instanceof _mochaRemoteServer.ClientError) {
-@@ -100,6 +142,14 @@ async function startServer(server, config, after) {
+@@ -100,6 +154,25 @@ async function startServer(server, config, after) {
        cleanup();
      }
    });
++  server.on('coverage-upload-start', () => {
++    coverageUploadInProgress = true;
++  });
 +  server.on('coverage-data', coverage => {
++    coverageUploadInProgress = false;
 +    const incomingKeys = Object.keys(coverage).length;
 +    console.log(`[jet-coverage] WS received ${incomingKeys} file(s)`);
 +    coverageMap.merge(coverage);
 +    global.__coverage__ = coverageMap.toJSON();
 +    const totalKeys = Object.keys(global.__coverage__).length;
 +    console.log(`[jet-coverage] WS merged total ${totalKeys} file(s)`);
++  });
++  server.on('running', runner => {
++    const constants = require('mocha').Runner.constants;
++    runner.on(constants.EVENT_TEST_BEGIN, test => {
++      lastTestTitle = test?.title || '';
++      lastSuiteTitle = test?.parent?.fullTitle?.() || test?.parent?.title || '';
++    });
 +  });
    cleanupTasks.add(async () => {
      if (server.listening) {
        await server.stop();
-@@ -115,41 +165,6 @@ async function startServer(server, config, after) {
+@@ -115,39 +188,48 @@ async function startServer(server, config, after) {
    process.on('SIGINT', cleanup);
    process.on('exit', cleanup);
  }
@@ -98,12 +123,25 @@ index 35c04da87c63a79bc26707aaffe3156fb98eca79..cc9243fabdc014bc945dd6e85cbe55d8
 -  }
 -  server.on('request', (req, res) => {
 -    if (req.url === '/coverage' && req.method === 'POST') {
--      let body = '';
--      req.on('data', chunk => {
--        body += chunk.toString();
--      });
--      req.on('end', () => {
--        try {
++function startControlHttpServer(config, handlers) {
++  const http = require('http');
++  const controlPort = parseInt(process.env.RNFB_JET_CONTROL_PORT || String(config.port + 1), 10);
++  const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
++    const url = req.url?.split('?')[0];
++    if (url === '/launch-ready' && req.method === 'POST') {
++      console.log('[jet-control] launch-ready received');
++      handlers.onLaunchReady?.();
++      res.writeHead(200, { 'Content-Type': 'text/plain' });
++      res.end('ok');
++      return;
++    }
++    if (url === '/orchestrate-state' && req.method === 'POST') {
+       let body = '';
+       req.on('data', chunk => {
+         body += chunk.toString();
+       });
+       req.on('end', () => {
+         try {
 -          coverageMap.merge(JSON.parse(body));
 -          global.__coverage__ = coverageMap.toJSON();
 -          res.end(JSON.stringify({
@@ -113,8 +151,17 @@ index 35c04da87c63a79bc26707aaffe3156fb98eca79..cc9243fabdc014bc945dd6e85cbe55d8
 -          res.end(JSON.stringify({
 -            error: 'Invalid JSON'
 -          }));
--        }
--      });
++          const parsed = JSON.parse(body || '{}');
++          if (parsed.phase) {
++            handlers.setOrchestratePhase?.(parsed.phase);
++            console.log(`[jet-control] orchestrate-state=${parsed.phase}`);
++          }
++        } catch (_) {
++          // Best-effort only.
+         }
++        res.writeHead(200, { 'Content-Type': 'text/plain' });
++        res.end('ok');
+       });
 -    } else {
 -      res.writeHead(404, {
 -        'Content-Type': 'application/json'
@@ -122,27 +169,67 @@ index 35c04da87c63a79bc26707aaffe3156fb98eca79..cc9243fabdc014bc945dd6e85cbe55d8
 -      res.end(JSON.stringify({
 -        error: 'Not Found'
 -      }));
--    }
--  });
--}
++      return;
+     }
++    res.writeHead(404, { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' });
++    res.end(JSON.stringify({ error: 'Not Found' }));
++  });
++  server.listen(controlPort, config.hostname, () => {
++    console.log(`[jet-control] listening on http://${config.hostname}:${controlPort}`);
++  });
++  cleanupTasks.add(async () => {
++    await new Promise(resolve => {
++      server.close(() => resolve());
++    });
+   });
+ }
  (0, _yargs.default)((0, _helpers.hideBin)(process.argv)).scriptName('jet').version('version', 'Show version number & exit', jetPackageJson.version).alias('v', 'version').option('target', {
-   description: 'The name of the test target to run as defined in your "jet" package.json config.',
-   type: 'string',
-@@ -302,12 +317,11 @@ function attachHttpServer(wss) {
+@@ -301,17 +383,34 @@ function attachHttpServer(wss) {
+     timeout: finalConfig.timeout,
      slow: finalConfig.slow
    });
-   return startServer(server, finalConfig, target.after).then(() => {
+-  return startServer(server, finalConfig, target.after).then(() => {
 -    if (finalConfig.coverage) {
 -      attachHttpServer(server.wss);
 -    }
-     if (!finalConfig.watch) {
-       server.run(async failures => {
-         global.__coverage__ = coverageMap.toJSON();
-+        const mergedKeys = Object.keys(global.__coverage__).length;
-+        console.log(`[jet-coverage] merged ${mergedKeys} file(s) before NYC shutdown`);
-         await cleanup();
-         process.exit(failures > 0 ? 1 : 0);
-       });
+-    if (!finalConfig.watch) {
+-      server.run(async failures => {
+-        global.__coverage__ = coverageMap.toJSON();
+-        await cleanup();
+-        process.exit(failures > 0 ? 1 : 0);
+-      });
++  const deferRun =
++    process.env.RNFB_JET_DEFER_RUN === '1' || process.env.RNFB_JET_DEFER_RUN === 'true';
++  const runControl = {
++    beginRun: null,
++  };
++  return startServer(server, finalConfig, target.after, runControl).then(() => {
++    let runStarted = false;
++    const beginRun = () => {
++      if (runStarted) {
++        return;
++      }
++      runStarted = true;
++      if (!finalConfig.watch) {
++        server.run(async failures => {
++          global.__coverage__ = coverageMap.toJSON();
++          const mergedKeys = Object.keys(global.__coverage__).length;
++          console.log(`[jet-coverage] merged ${mergedKeys} file(s) before NYC shutdown`);
++          await cleanup();
++          process.exit(failures > 0 ? 1 : 0);
++        });
++      }
++    };
++    runControl.beginRun = beginRun;
++    if (deferRun) {
++      console.log('[jet-control] deferring server.run until POST /launch-ready');
++      return;
+     }
++    beginRun();
+   });
+ }).help(true).alias('h', 'help').argv;
+ //# sourceMappingURL=cli.js.map
+\ No newline at end of file
 diff --git a/lib/commonjs/index.js b/lib/commonjs/index.js
 index a72380ed2ace01b19b028bb8e6f9d29dc3affbcd..030475cff75349b2b7f820cf8a3556fb1d7bea45 100644
 --- a/lib/commonjs/index.js
diff --git a/.yarn/patches/mocha-remote-server-npm-1.13.2-619a29d2e3.patch b/.yarn/patches/mocha-remote-server-npm-1.13.2-619a29d2e3.patch
index fd88710dd3..f688492301 100644
--- a/.yarn/patches/mocha-remote-server-npm-1.13.2-619a29d2e3.patch
+++ b/.yarn/patches/mocha-remote-server-npm-1.13.2-619a29d2e3.patch
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 diff --git a/dist/Server.js b/dist/Server.js
-index ad9debe2086ab9b96e97a69aec966da8114ad102..51cc18658e11d5aec5d5a76c4eb5f965b32a587d 100644
+index ad9debe2086ab9b96e97a69aec966da8114ad102..93c3f65524d4fa86ecef7045840ed5fc333f66e5 100644
 --- a/dist/Server.js
 +++ b/dist/Server.js
 @@ -73,38 +73,59 @@ class Server extends ServerEventEmitter_1.ServerEventEmitter {
@@ -108,12 +108,13 @@ index ad9debe2086ab9b96e97a69aec966da8114ad102..51cc18658e11d5aec5d5a76c4eb5f965
                  if (typeof msg.action !== "string") {
                      throw new Error("Expected message to have an action property");
                  }
-@@ -130,6 +172,18 @@ class Server extends ServerEventEmitter_1.ServerEventEmitter {
+@@ -130,6 +172,19 @@ class Server extends ServerEventEmitter_1.ServerEventEmitter {
                          throw new Error("Received a message from the client, but server wasn't running");
                      }
                  }
 +                else if (msg.action === "coverage-ready") {
 +                    console.warn(`[jet-coverage] server recv coverage-ready`);
++                    this.emit("coverage-upload-start");
 +                    this.send({ action: "pull-coverage" });
 +                }
 +                else if (msg.action === "coverage-data") {
@@ -127,7 +128,7 @@ index ad9debe2086ab9b96e97a69aec966da8114ad102..51cc18658e11d5aec5d5a76c4eb5f965
                  else if (msg.action === "error") {
                      if (typeof msg.message !== "string") {
                          throw new Error("Expected 'error' action to have an error argument with a message");
-@@ -152,10 +206,45 @@ class Server extends ServerEventEmitter_1.ServerEventEmitter {
+@@ -152,10 +207,45 @@ class Server extends ServerEventEmitter_1.ServerEventEmitter {
                  }
              }
          };
@@ -173,7 +174,7 @@ index ad9debe2086ab9b96e97a69aec966da8114ad102..51cc18658e11d5aec5d5a76c4eb5f965
              // Forget everything about the runner and the client
              const { runner, client } = this;
              delete this.runner;
-@@ -263,6 +352,7 @@ class Server extends ServerEventEmitter_1.ServerEventEmitter {
+@@ -263,6 +353,7 @@ class Server extends ServerEventEmitter_1.ServerEventEmitter {
          // this.runner = new Mocha.Runner(this.suite, this.options.delay || false);
          // TODO: Stub this to match the Runner's interface even better
          this.runner = new FakeRunner_1.FakeRunner();
@@ -181,7 +182,7 @@ index ad9debe2086ab9b96e97a69aec966da8114ad102..51cc18658e11d5aec5d5a76c4eb5f965
          // Attach event listeners to update stats
          (0, stats_collector_1.createStatsCollector)(this.runner);
          // Set the client options, to be passed to the next running client
-@@ -370,7 +460,8 @@ class Server extends ServerEventEmitter_1.ServerEventEmitter {
+@@ -370,7 +461,8 @@ class Server extends ServerEventEmitter_1.ServerEventEmitter {
              this.client.send(data);
          }
          else {
diff --git a/okf-bundle/ci-workflows/android.md b/okf-bundle/ci-workflows/android.md
index 728b898e16..e38f038b67 100644
--- a/okf-bundle/ci-workflows/android.md
+++ b/okf-bundle/ci-workflows/android.md
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ Under load, Jet may run only a small prefix before mocha-remote desync, often af
 
 | Change | Location |
 |--------|----------|
+| Defer `server.run()` until host `POST /launch-ready` on control port **8091** (`RNFB_JET_DEFER_RUN=1`) | Jet patch + `firebase.test.js` — [Jet host orchestration](../testing/running-e2e.md#jet-host-orchestration-ports-and-launch-gate) |
 | Inbound parse buffer + `tryDeserialize` in `serialization.js` / `parse_skip` logging | mocha-remote-server patch |
 | Outbound queue flushed on reconnect | mocha-remote-client patch |
 | `JET_PROTOCOL_ERROR_RE` → retryable Jet session (attempt 2) | `tests/e2e/firebase.test.js` |
@@ -74,3 +75,4 @@ Under load, Jet may run only a small prefix before mocha-remote desync, often af
 | `adb reverse --remove` in Detox logs | Expected on 1006; should be warn-only after Detox patch |
 | Detox red, tests green in log | Pre-patch: teardown adb error; re-run or check patch applied |
 | `codecov/project/android-native` fail | Jacoco XML not uploaded — check post-e2e logs and Codecov Uploads tab for `android-native` flag |
+| FIS 503 / `Too many server requests` / RC cascade | Live cloud quota (shared project) — not Android-specific; see [cloud API quota triage](../testing/firebase-testing-project.md#ci-triage-cloud-api-quota-pressure) |
diff --git a/okf-bundle/ci-workflows/detox-patches.md b/okf-bundle/ci-workflows/detox-patches.md
index 72d3d27b0d..09ea994e95 100644
--- a/okf-bundle/ci-workflows/detox-patches.md
+++ b/okf-bundle/ci-workflows/detox-patches.md
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ Patches are in-repo. Prefer direct patch-file edits or headless workflow; `yarn
 | Ignore missing adb reverse on teardown | `ADB.js` | Android | Jet WS 1006 triggers mid-run `reverse --remove` → adb exit 1 |
 | **2× device-registry lock stale** | `ExclusiveLockfile.js` | iOS, macOS, Android | `proper-lockfile` `ECOMPROMISED` before tests start |
 
-Related patches: `jet`, `mocha-remote-client`, `mocha-remote-server` — WS reconnect grace, coverage handshake, client keepalive, parse buffering, reconnect assignment order; HTTP POST `/coverage` removed. See [coverage design](../testing/coverage-design.md), [iOS issues 6–8](ios.md#6-jet-websocket-disconnect-1006--1001).
+Related patches: `jet`, `mocha-remote-client`, `mocha-remote-server` — WS reconnect grace, coverage handshake, client keepalive, parse buffering, reconnect assignment order; **host control HTTP on `JET_REMOTE_PORT + 1` (default 8091)** for launch defer + orchestrate phase (`RNFB_JET_DEFER_RUN`); HTTP POST `/coverage` on 8090 removed. See [Jet host orchestration](../testing/running-e2e.md#jet-host-orchestration-ports-and-launch-gate), [coverage design](../testing/coverage-design.md), [iOS issues 6–8](ios.md#6-jet-websocket-disconnect-1006--1001).
 
 ## Updating the jet patch (headless)
 
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ yarn patch-commit -s "$PATCH_DIR"
 
 3. `yarn install` from repo root — confirm updated `yarn.lock` patch hash and applied files in `tests/node_modules/jet/`.
 
-**Touch list:** `lib/commonjs/cli.js` (server: WS `coverage-data`, reconnect grace; **no** `attachHttpServer`), `lib/commonjs/index.js` + `src/index.tsx` (client: `client.uploadCoverage()`). Metro resolves Jet via `"react-native": "src/index"` — patching `lib/` alone does not fix macOS bundles.
+**Touch list:** `lib/commonjs/cli.js` (server: WS `coverage-data`, reconnect grace, **`startControlHttpServer` on port `JET_REMOTE_PORT + 1`**, defer `server.run()` until `POST /launch-ready` when `RNFB_JET_DEFER_RUN=1`; **no** control HTTP on the 8090 WebSocket stack), `lib/commonjs/index.js` + `src/index.tsx` (client: `client.uploadCoverage()`). Metro resolves Jet via `"react-native": "src/index"` — patching `lib/` alone does not fix macOS bundles.
 
 ## Device registry lock (`ECOMPROMISED`)
 
diff --git a/okf-bundle/ci-workflows/index.md b/okf-bundle/ci-workflows/index.md
index c5287e512e..338fbef17e 100644
--- a/okf-bundle/ci-workflows/index.md
+++ b/okf-bundle/ci-workflows/index.md
@@ -4,14 +4,16 @@ GitHub Actions job shape, platform reliability, and artifact triage.
 
 ## Platforms
 
-* [iOS](ios.md) — simulator boot, logging, troubleshooting
+* [iOS](ios.md) — simulator boot, logging, troubleshooting, [CI baseload policy](ios.md#ci-baseload-policy-instrumentation)
 * [Android](android.md) — idling, adb teardown, native coverage
 * [Other](other.md) — macOS Jet/Metro, Windows/shared
 
 ## Shared E2E dependencies
 
+* [Jet host orchestration](../testing/running-e2e.md#jet-host-orchestration-ports-and-launch-gate) — ports 8090/8091, defer-run launch gate (canonical)
 * [Detox patches](detox-patches.md) — inventory, `ECOMPROMISED`, patch workflow
-* [iOS diagnostics](ios.md#operational-notes) — `resource-monitor.sh`, `flake-summary.sh`
+* [Cloud API quota triage](../testing/firebase-testing-project.md#ci-triage-cloud-api-quota-pressure) — live FIS/RC pressure (all platforms)
+* [iOS diagnostics](ios.md#operational-notes) — `resource-monitor.sh`, `flake-summary.sh`, [CI baseload / load settle](ios.md#ci-baseload-policy-instrumentation)
 
 ## Related
 
diff --git a/okf-bundle/ci-workflows/ios.md b/okf-bundle/ci-workflows/ios.md
index 50a992df4a..5272ab0a34 100644
--- a/okf-bundle/ci-workflows/ios.md
+++ b/okf-bundle/ci-workflows/ios.md
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ On GHA macOS runners, `simctl list` can show `Booted` before the simulator is te
 
 **Pre-boot step** (`.github/workflows/scripts/boot-simulator.sh`), run via `nick-fields/retry` before Detox:
 
-> **Not for local operators.** `boot-simulator.sh` is **CI-only** (this workflow) or invoked **internally** by `tests/e2e/firebase.test.js` on iOS Jet-level retry. Local e2e uses only [running-e2e.md](../testing/running-e2e.md) — Detox boots the simulator via `yarn tests:ios:test-cover`; do not run `boot-simulator.sh` as operator prep.
+> **Not for local operators.** `boot-simulator.sh` is **CI-only** (this workflow) or invoked **internally** by `tests/e2e/firebase.test.js` on iOS Jet-level retry. Local e2e uses only [running-e2e.md](../testing/running-e2e.md) — [host-clear probes](../testing/running-e2e.md#host-clear-probes) require zero booted simulators; Detox boots `iPhone 17` via `yarn tests:ios:test-cover`. Do not run `boot-simulator.sh` as operator prep.
 
 | Phase | What happens |
 |--------|----------------|
@@ -51,42 +51,97 @@ Artifacts upload on every run (`if: always()`).
 
 | Artifact | Source | Use when |
 |----------|--------|----------|
-| `simulator-<buildmode>-<iteration>_log` | `xcrun simctl spawn booted log stream` → `simulator.log` | In-simulator system/app logs during Detox |
-| `testing-<buildmode>-<iteration>_log` | `log stream --predicate 'process == "testing"'` → `testing.log` | **Filtered** app-process log — much smaller than `simulator.log`; use for `[rnfb-lifecycle]`, Detox WS, Metro probes |
-| `springboard-<buildmode>-<iteration>_log` | `log stream` with SpringBoard + `invertase` predicate → `springboard-invertase.log` | FrontBoard / LaunchServices launch failures (`unknown to FrontBoard`, install races) |
+| `sim-app-<buildmode>-<iteration>_log` | One filtered `log stream` → `sim-app.log` (`testing` + SpringBoard/invertase) | `[rnfb-lifecycle]`, Detox WS, Metro probes, FrontBoard launch failures |
 | `detox-step-<buildmode>-<iteration>_log` | Detox/Jet step stdout/stderr (`tee detox-step.log`) | `[jet-ws]`, `[rnfb-e2e]`, `[jet-coverage]`, Jest output — primary orchestration log |
-| `flake-summary-<buildmode>-<iteration>` | `.github/workflows/scripts/flake-summary.sh` → `flake-summary.txt` | Pre-digested `rg` hits across detox/simulator/testing/springboard/metro/resource-monitor logs |
+| `flake-summary-<buildmode>-<iteration>` | `.github/workflows/scripts/flake-summary.sh` → `flake-summary.txt` | Pre-digested `rg` hits across detox/sim-app/metro/resource-monitor logs |
 | `resource-monitor-<buildmode>-<iteration>_log` | `.github/workflows/scripts/resource-monitor.sh` → `resource-monitor.log` | Periodic `uptime` + `ps` snapshots (10s default) to correlate WS drops with CPU/memory pressure |
 | `metro-<buildmode>-<iteration>_log` | Metro stdout/stderr from `yarn tests:packager:jet-ci` → `metro.log` (debug only) | Metro hung, slow bundle, or unresponsive `/status` during app launch |
-| `simulator-<buildmode>-<iteration>_video` | `xcrun simctl io booted recordVideo` → `simulator.mp4` | Visual confirmation of UI state |
-| `screenrecording-<buildmode>-<iteration>` | `screencapture` of the Mac desktop | Includes Simulator.app window |
-| `screenrecording-setup-<buildmode>-<iteration>.mov` | Guidepup setup recording | Very early environment setup |
+| `simulator-<buildmode>-<iteration>_video` | `simctl recordVideo` → `simulator.mp4` | Visual confirmation (**`workflow_dispatch` / `workflow_call` `record_screens: true` only**) |
+| `screenrecording-<buildmode>-<iteration>` | `screencapture` of the Mac desktop | Includes Simulator.app window (**`record_screens: true` only**) |
+| `screenrecording-setup-<buildmode>-<iteration>.mov` | Guidepup setup recording | Very early environment setup (**`record_screens: true` only**) |
 | `emulator-scripts-logs-<buildmode>-<iteration>` | `.github/workflows/scripts/*.log` | Script output if redirected |
 
+Video artifacts upload only when **`record_screens: true`** (see [CI baseload policy](#ci-baseload-policy-instrumentation) below).
+
+### CI baseload policy (instrumentation)
+
+**Why** — macOS GHA runners showed `loadavg` in the hundreds during iOS e2e. Unfiltered simulator debug log streams (~1M+ lines/run before Detox), host syslog with `--backtrace`, dual video capture (host + sim), and three separate log streams kept baseline CPU/disk load high. A pre-Detox gate at load **10** never cleared within the wait budget.
+
+**What changed** — shrink always-on instrumentation; gate load immediately before Jet/Detox orchestration at a realistic threshold (**20**).
+
+**Workflow order** (`.github/workflows/tests_e2e_ios.yml`, before Detox):
+
+| Step | Script / action | Notes |
+|------|-----------------|-------|
+| Pre-Boot Simulator | `RNFB_START_SIM_LOGS=0 ./boot-simulator.sh` | Boot + install only; no log streams |
+| Start Simulator App Log | `RNFB_SIM_BOOT_MODE=logs ./boot-simulator.sh` | One filtered stream + `resource-monitor.sh`; sim video only if `RNFB_RECORD_SCREENS=1` |
+| Wait for host load to settle | `wait-for-load-settle.sh` | Poll until `load1 < 20` or 1200s timeout; `continue-on-error: true` |
+| Detox Test Debug / Release | `yarn tests:ios:test-cover` / `:release` | Jet orchestration begins here |
+
+**Removed (high I/O / never triaged from artifacts)**
+
+| Was | Why removed |
+|-----|-------------|
+| Host `log stream --backtrace` → `syslog.log` | Whole-machine syslog; heavy under Spotlight/indexing |
+| Unfiltered `simctl log stream` → `simulator.log` | Millions of debug lines; triage uses filtered app/SpringBoard lines only |
+| Separate `testing.log` + `springboard-invertase.log` | Merged into one stream (below) |
+
+**Single sim log** — `simulator-logging.sh` writes **`sim-app.log`** via one predicate:
+
+```text
+process == "testing" OR (process == "SpringBoard" AND eventMessage CONTAINS "invertase")
+```
+
+Covers `[rnfb-lifecycle]`, Detox/Metro app lines, and FrontBoard/LaunchServices invertase failures.
+
+**Optional video — `record_screens` input** — on `workflow_dispatch` and `workflow_call` only; default **`false`**. PR/push runs leave it off.
+
+| When `record_screens: true` | When false (default) |
+|-----------------------------|-------------------------|
+| Guidepup setup recording | Skipped |
+| Host `screencapture` → `screenrecording.*` | Skipped |
+| `simctl recordVideo` → `simulator.mp4` | Skipped |
+
+Set explicitly for UI regressions: `gh workflow run tests_e2e_ios.yml -f record_screens=true`.
+
+**Load settle env** (`wait-for-load-settle.sh`):
+
+| Variable | Default | Role |
+|----------|---------|------|
+| `RNFB_LOAD_SETTLE_MAX_LOAD` | **20** | Proceed when 1-min loadavg drops below this |
+| `RNFB_LOAD_SETTLE_MAX_WAIT_SEC` | 1200 | Stop waiting and proceed anyway |
+| `RNFB_LOAD_SETTLE_POLL_SEC` | 5 | Poll interval |
+
+Log markers: `[load-settle] ts=… elapsed=… load1=… threshold=20` in the workflow step; copied into `flake-summary.txt` when present.
+
+**Triage** — Debug legs often plateau higher than release (Metro still running). Saturated runners may never reach 20; treat `[load-settle] WARN: timed out` as informational — Detox still runs. Correlate flakes with `resource-monitor-*_log` and `[jet-ws] disconnect_context loadavg=…` rather than expecting idle hosts.
+
 **When to use which log**
 
-- **Boot / migration / “simulator won’t start”** — read the **Pre-Boot Simulator** step log in GitHub Actions first. Look for `[boot-status]` lines and `bootstatus -d` migration output. That captures first-boot migration even though `simulator.log` starts only after pre-boot succeeds.
-- **Detox / app / test failures** — start with **`detox-step-*_log`** or **`flake-summary-*`** (fast triage). For native app instrumentation, download **`testing-*_log`** instead of searching all of `simulator.log`. Jet WS drops (1006/1001) appear in the Detox step (`[jet-ws]`, `[rnfb-e2e]`). For debug Metro issues, also download `metro-*_log`.
-- **FrontBoard / relaunch after terminate** — `springboard-*_log` plus `[rnfb-e2e] install-state` / `launchApp failure` lines in `detox-step-*_log`.
+- **Boot / migration / “simulator won’t start”** — read the **Pre-Boot Simulator** step log in GitHub Actions first. Look for `[boot-status]` lines and `bootstatus -d` migration output.
+- **Detox / app / test failures** — start with **`detox-step-*_log`** or **`flake-summary-*`** (fast triage). For native app instrumentation, download **`sim-app-*_log`**. Jet WS drops (1006/1001) appear in the Detox step (`[jet-ws]`, `[rnfb-e2e]`). For debug Metro issues, also download `metro-*_log`.
+- **FrontBoard / relaunch after terminate** — `sim-app-*_log` plus `[rnfb-e2e] install-state` / `launchApp failure` lines in `detox-step-*_log`.
 - **Runner load during flake** — `resource-monitor-*_log` (correlate timestamps with `[jet-ws] disconnect_context` loadavg/mem lines).
-- **UI regressions** — `simulator-*_video` or `screenrecording-*`.
+- **UI regressions** — re-run with `record_screens: true` → `simulator-*_video` or `screenrecording-*`.
 
 **Downloading artifacts**
 
 Workflow page **Artifacts**, or:
 
 ```bash
-gh run download <run-id> -n simulator-debug-0_log
+gh run download <run-id> -n sim-app-debug-0_log
 ```
 
-**Analyzing `simulator.log`**
+**Analyzing `sim-app.log`**
 
 Useful patterns:
 
 ```bash
-rg -i "datamigrator|Telemetry: duration|systemShellWillBootstrap" simulator.log
-rg -i "com\.invertase\.testing|installcoordination" simulator.log
-rg -i "test daemon not ready|xctest" simulator.log
+rg 'testing\[' sim-app.log | rg -i 'waitForActive|waitForActiveDone|com\.wix\.Detox|ready action too early'
+rg '\[rnfb-lifecycle\]' sim-app.log
+rg '\[rnfb-lifecycle\].*RCTJavaScriptDidFailToLoad|packager-probe|packager-status-fetch' sim-app.log
+rg 'No script URL provided|com\.facebook\.react\.log' sim-app.log
+rg -i 'invertase|FrontBoard|unknown' sim-app.log
 ```
 
 Long `datamigrator` activity with no `com.invertase.testing` means migration/pre-boot install not done.
@@ -140,6 +195,8 @@ Error: Unable to update lock within the stale threshold
 | Change | Location |
 |--------|----------|
 | Wait for Jet (port 8090) before `launchApp` | `tests/e2e/firebase.test.js` |
+| Defer `server.run()` until host `POST /launch-ready` on control port **8091** (`RNFB_JET_DEFER_RUN=1`) | Jet patch + `firebase.test.js` — [Jet host orchestration](../testing/running-e2e.md#jet-host-orchestration-ports-and-launch-gate) |
+| `POST /orchestrate-state` + `[rnfb-e2e] orchestrate-state=` for launch/retry triage | `firebase.test.js` + Jet patch |
 | Wait for Metro (`/status`) before `launchApp` | `tests/e2e/firebase.test.js` (debug Detox configs only; release skips Metro wait) |
 | Bounded `launchApp` timeout (debug default 180s; release default 120s via `RNFB_LAUNCH_APP_RELEASE_TIMEOUT_MS`) | `tests/e2e/firebase.test.js` |
 | `detoxEnableSynchronization: 'NO'` at launch | `tests/e2e/firebase.test.js` |
@@ -188,33 +245,33 @@ Metro can look healthy on the **host** during pre-fetch minutes earlier while be
 
 **Known intermittent pattern (community)** — RN iOS debug builds commonly hit `No script URL provided` when Metro is down, slow, or reachable from the host but not from the simulator process. Reported causes include: Metro event loop blocked under load (TCP connect succeeds, HTTP hangs — matches our `-1001` on `/status`), macOS network proxy intercepting `localhost:8081`, port 8081 contention, and `RCTBundleURLProvider` returning a nil bundle URL despite `isPackagerRunning=YES` ([react-native#49173](https://github.com/facebook/react-native/issues/49173)). On **iOS 26+ simulators**, hostname resolution for `localhost` vs `127.0.0.1` can be unreliable; hardcoding `127.0.0.1` in bundle URL resolution has been reported to fix intermittent Metro disconnects ([react-native#56447](https://github.com/facebook/react-native/issues/56447)). Our test app now pins the debug bundle URL to `127.0.0.1:8081` and the e2e harness retries `launchApp` on retryable launch failures (Metro/bundle timeout, FrontBoard errors) before failing the Jet attempt. Release uses an embedded bundle, shorter launch timeout, and no Metro wait. These are typically **environment/timing** flakes rather than app logic bugs.
 
-#### Diagnosing from `simulator.log`
+#### Diagnosing from `sim-app.log`
 
-Download the artifact (`gh run download <run-id> -n simulator-debug-0_log`), unzip if needed, then search `simulator.log`.
+Download the artifact (`gh run download <run-id> -n sim-app-debug-0_log`), unzip if needed, then search `sim-app.log`.
 
 **Quick triage** — map Detox step timestamps to simulator log (`testing[<pid>]`):
 
 ```bash
 # Detox orchestration inside the app process
-rg 'testing\[' simulator.log | rg -i 'waitForActive|waitForActiveDone|com\.wix\.Detox|ready action too early'
+rg 'testing\[' sim-app.log | rg -i 'waitForActive|waitForActiveDone|com\.wix\.Detox|ready action too early'
 
 # App lifecycle confirmation (AppDelegate instrumentation)
-rg '\[rnfb-lifecycle\]' simulator.log
+rg '\[rnfb-lifecycle\]' sim-app.log
 
 # Metro / JS bundle load failure (issue 5)
-rg '\[rnfb-lifecycle\].*RCTJavaScriptDidFailToLoad|packager-probe|packager-status-fetch' simulator.log
-rg 'No script URL provided|com\.facebook\.react\.log' simulator.log
-rg 'testing\[' simulator.log | rg '8081/status|index\.bundle'
+rg '\[rnfb-lifecycle\].*RCTJavaScriptDidFailToLoad|packager-probe|packager-status-fetch' sim-app.log
+rg 'No script URL provided|com\.facebook\.react\.log' sim-app.log
+rg 'testing\[' sim-app.log | rg '8081/status|index\.bundle'
 
 # SpringBoard launch intent vs app scene state
-rg 'com\.invertase\.testing' simulator.log | rg -i 'foreground-interactive|visibility.*Foreground|running-active'
-rg 'testing\[' simulator.log | rg -i 'Deactivation reason|activationState|UISceneActivationState'
+rg 'com\.invertase\.testing' sim-app.log | rg -i 'foreground-interactive|visibility.*Foreground|running-active'
+rg 'testing\[' sim-app.log | rg -i 'Deactivation reason|activationState|UISceneActivationState'
 
 # WebSocket timing (main-thread block before handshake)
-rg 'testing\[' simulator.log | rg 'Connection 1: ready|handshake successful'
+rg 'testing\[' sim-app.log | rg 'Connection 1: ready|handshake successful'
 
 # Heavy startup on main thread (often precedes WS delay)
-rg 'testing\[' simulator.log | rg -i 'FIRApp|RNFB|RCTBridge|configure'
+rg 'testing\[' sim-app.log | rg -i 'FIRApp|RNFB|RCTBridge|configure'
 ```
 
 **Sentinel patterns**
@@ -250,8 +307,10 @@ rg -i 'BUNDLE|index\.bundle|8081|error|ECONN|transform' metro.log
 | Buffer early `ready`, replay after app `login` | `.yarn/patches/detox-npm-20.51.0-*.patch` → `AnonymousConnectionHandler.js` |
 | 2× device-registry lock stale (20s) | `.yarn/patches/detox-npm-20.51.0-*.patch` → `ExclusiveLockfile.js` |
 | Jet + Metro wait, bounded `launchApp` with retry, Detox launch args, install-state + retry-eligibility logging | `tests/e2e/firebase.test.js` |
+| Cloud quota Jet retry + cooldown + metrics/summary hooks | `tests/e2e/firebase.test.js`, `packages/app/e2e/cloud-metrics.js` — see [cloud API quota triage](../testing/firebase-testing-project.md#ci-triage-cloud-api-quota-pressure) |
 | Lifecycle + JS load / packager probe logging; bundle URL `127.0.0.1` | `tests/ios/testing/AppDelegate.mm` |
 | Pre-boot + `bootstatus` + shutdown wait before install | `boot-simulator.sh` |
+| Baseload shrink: one `sim-app.log` stream, load settle before Detox, optional video | `simulator-logging.sh`, `wait-for-load-settle.sh`, `tests_e2e_ios.yml` — [CI baseload policy](#ci-baseload-policy-instrumentation) |
 | Filtered logs, resource monitor, flake summary, Detox `tee` | `.github/workflows/tests_e2e_ios.yml`, `resource-monitor.sh`, `flake-summary.sh` |
 | Metro stdout/stderr artifact | `.github/workflows/tests_e2e_ios.yml` |
 
@@ -264,7 +323,7 @@ rg -i 'BUNDLE|index\.bundle|8081|error|ECONN|transform' metro.log
 [jet-ws] transient_disconnect code=1006 grace_ms=30000 waiting_for_reconnect
 ```
 
-The app process (`testing[<pid>]`) often stays alive in `testing.log` / `simulator.log` — the break is the **simulator → host** mocha-remote WebSocket on port **8090**, not a native crash.
+The app process (`testing[<pid>]`) often stays alive in `sim-app.log` — the break is the **simulator → host** mocha-remote WebSocket on port **8090**, not a native crash.
 
 **Cause** — Transient abnormal WebSocket closure (1006 = no close frame; 1001 = going away). Common in long debug+coverage runs (live Metro + Istanbul `__coverage__` growth + port 8090 forwarding). mocha-remote-client auto-reconnects in ~1s; Jet and mocha-remote-server now preserve the runner during a grace window instead of exiting immediately.
 
@@ -277,7 +336,7 @@ The app process (`testing[<pid>]`) often stays alive in `testing.log` / `simulat
 | mocha-remote-server preserves runner + sends `pull-coverage` on reconnect | `.yarn/patches/mocha-remote-server-npm-1.13.2-*.patch` |
 | Assign `this.client` **before** `emit('connection')`; `Server.send()` warns instead of throwing | mocha-remote-server patch → `Server.js` |
 | Client WS keepalive (`ping` when supported) + `readyState` logging on send failure | `.yarn/patches/mocha-remote-client-npm-1.13.2-*.patch` |
-| `disconnect_context` logs `loadavg` + `process.memoryUsage()` on disconnect | Jet patch → `cli.js` |
+| `disconnect_context` logs `loadavg`, `process.memoryUsage()`, orchestrate phase, current test/suite, coverage-upload flag | Jet patch → `cli.js` |
 | One Jet e2e retry when grace expires (`RETRYABLE_DISCONNECT`) or session/coverage retryable | `tests/e2e/firebase.test.js` |
 | Structured WS / orchestration logging | `[jet-ws]`, `[rnfb-e2e]`, `[mocha-remote-ws]` prefixes |
 
@@ -287,8 +346,8 @@ The app process (`testing[<pid>]`) often stays alive in `testing.log` / `simulat
 # Jet WS lifecycle
 rg '\[jet-ws\]|\[rnfb-e2e\]|\[mocha-remote-ws\]|Jet client disconnected|RETRYABLE_DISCONNECT' detox-step.log
 
-# Disconnect resource context
-rg '\[jet-ws\] disconnect_context' detox-step.log
+# Disconnect resource context (+ orchestrate phase when defer-run enabled)
+rg '\[jet-ws\] disconnect_context|\[rnfb-e2e\] orchestrate-state' detox-step.log
 
 # Grace window recovered (no e2e retry needed)
 rg '\[jet-ws\] reconnect_recovered|\[mocha-remote-ws\] reconnect_recovered' detox-step.log
@@ -378,14 +437,14 @@ Often preceded by `[rnfb-e2e] terminateApp ... elapsed=60000ms` (or similar) in
 | Slow terminate (≥ `RNFB_SLOW_TERMINATE_MS`) → full `boot-simulator.sh` reboot before relaunch | `tests/e2e/firebase.test.js` |
 | Exhausted inner launch retries escalate to **Jet attempt 2** (`retryableAtJetLevel`) | `tests/e2e/firebase.test.js` |
 | `simctl get_app_container` + `listapps` logging (`[rnfb-e2e] install-state`) | `tests/e2e/firebase.test.js` |
-| Filtered SpringBoard log artifact | `springboard-invertase.log` |
+| Filtered sim app log artifact | `sim-app.log` |
 | `wait_shutdown` before `simctl install` on reboot | `boot-simulator.sh` |
 
 **Diagnosing**
 
 ```bash
 rg 'install-state|launchApp failure|FrontBoard|FBSOpenApplication|terminateApp' detox-step.log
-rg -i 'invertase|FrontBoard|unknown' springboard-invertase.log
+rg -i 'invertase|FrontBoard|unknown' sim-app.log
 ```
 
 #### 8. Coverage teardown handshake failure (tests pass, NYC 0/0)
@@ -427,16 +486,20 @@ rg '\[rnfb-e2e\] retry-eligibility' detox-step.log
 
 See also [coverage design — e2e TypeScript coverage](../testing/coverage-design.md#e2e-typescript-coverage-jet--nyc).
 
+**Cloud API quota (Installations / Remote Config)** — platform-agnostic; see [firebase testing project — CI triage](../testing/firebase-testing-project.md#ci-triage-cloud-api-quota-pressure).
+
 ### Operational notes
 
-- **macOS runner load / Spotlight** — GHA macOS hosts may run Spotlight indexing (or other disk-heavy work) at any time and saturate disk I/O. Disabling Spotlight is **not** an option for Xcode CI. Design for tolerance: longer grace windows, non-throwing `Server.send()`, Jet e2e retry on orchestration crashes, `resource-monitor` + `disconnect_context` for triage. Do not treat high `loadavg` alone as a misconfiguration.
+- **macOS runner load / Spotlight** — GHA macOS hosts may run Spotlight indexing (or other disk-heavy work) at any time and saturate disk I/O. Disabling Spotlight is **not** an option for Xcode CI. Design for tolerance: longer grace windows, non-throwing `Server.send()`, Jet e2e retry on orchestration crashes, trimmed CI instrumentation ([CI baseload policy](#ci-baseload-policy-instrumentation)), `resource-monitor` + `disconnect_context` for triage. Do not treat high `loadavg` alone as a misconfiguration.
 - **Release vs debug** — matrix runs both; each has separate artifacts (`debug` / `release` in the artifact name).
-- **Retry** — Pre-Boot retries up to 3 times with 60s between attempts (clean shutdown + boot each time). Jet e2e retries once on retryable WS / launch / coverage teardown failures (simulator reboot via `boot-simulator.sh` on iOS).
+- **Retry** — Pre-Boot retries up to 3 times with 60s between attempts (clean shutdown + boot each time). Jet e2e retries once on retryable WS / launch / coverage teardown / **cloud quota** failures (simulator reboot via `boot-simulator.sh` on iOS; cloud quota adds cooldown — [cloud API quota triage](../testing/firebase-testing-project.md#ci-triage-cloud-api-quota-pressure)).
 - **Do not boot the simulator only inside Detox** — historical races where the testee never sent “ready” to the Detox proxy; pre-boot remains mandatory.
 - **CI helper scripts** (repo root relative):
 
 | Script | Env vars | Role |
 |--------|----------|------|
+| `.github/workflows/scripts/simulator-logging.sh` | `RNFB_RECORD_SCREENS` (0/1), `RNFB_SIM_LOG_DIR`, `RNFB_SIM_LOG_STDOUT` | One filtered `sim-app.log` stream; optional sim video — sourced by `boot-simulator.sh` |
+| `.github/workflows/scripts/wait-for-load-settle.sh` | `RNFB_LOAD_SETTLE_MAX_LOAD` (default **20**), `RNFB_LOAD_SETTLE_MAX_WAIT_SEC`, `RNFB_LOAD_SETTLE_POLL_SEC` | Poll host load immediately before Detox |
 | `.github/workflows/scripts/resource-monitor.sh` | `RNFB_RESOURCE_MONITOR_INTERVAL_SEC` (default 10), `RNFB_RESOURCE_MONITOR_LOG` | Background `uptime` + `ps` snapshots during Detox |
 | `.github/workflows/scripts/flake-summary.sh` | `RNFB_DETOX_LOG`, `RNFB_FLAKE_SUMMARY_OUT` | Post-run `rg` digest → `flake-summary.txt` |
 
@@ -446,7 +509,7 @@ Detox steps use `tee detox-step.log` and `exit ${PIPESTATUS[0]}` so the artifact
 
 > **CI/manual mirror only.** The steps below reproduce CI deflake semantics on a developer machine. Local e2e runs must use [running-e2e.md](../testing/running-e2e.md) only — do not substitute `boot-simulator.sh`, `resource-monitor.sh`, or `flake-summary.sh` for the canonical `:build && :test-cover` loop.
 
-To deflake without pushing every change, run the same steps as CI on a macOS machine or VM (SSH is fine). Mirror: emulators → build → `boot-simulator.sh` → filtered log streams → `resource-monitor.sh` → `yarn tests:ios:test-cover` (or `:release`) → `flake-summary.sh`. Wrap in a loop over `iterations` and collect `local-e2e-artifacts/iter-N-*` directories. A self-hosted GHA runner on the same VM is optional when you need exact workflow YAML semantics; direct script iteration is faster for day-to-day patch work.
+To deflake without pushing every change, run the same steps as CI on a macOS machine or VM (SSH is fine). Mirror: emulators → build → `boot-simulator.sh` (pre-boot, `RNFB_START_SIM_LOGS=0`) → `RNFB_SIM_BOOT_MODE=logs` + `RNFB_RECORD_SCREENS=0` → `wait-for-load-settle.sh` → `resource-monitor.sh` → `yarn tests:ios:test-cover` (or `:release`) → `flake-summary.sh`. Wrap in a loop over `iterations` and collect `local-e2e-artifacts/iter-N-*` directories. A self-hosted GHA runner on the same VM is optional when you need exact workflow YAML semantics; direct script iteration is faster for day-to-day patch work.
 
 ### Pinned Homebrew utilities
 
diff --git a/okf-bundle/ci-workflows/other.md b/okf-bundle/ci-workflows/other.md
index 61c92e3207..e7619a8325 100644
--- a/okf-bundle/ci-workflows/other.md
+++ b/okf-bundle/ci-workflows/other.md
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ TypeError: (0 , serialization_1.tryDeserialize) is not a function
 
 - [iOS CI](ios.md) — simulator + Detox; shared Jet / mocha-remote patches
 - [Coverage design](../testing/coverage-design.md) — macOS uploads `e2e-ts-macos` only (no native gate)
+- [Cloud API quota triage](../testing/firebase-testing-project.md#ci-triage-cloud-api-quota-pressure) — live FIS/RC pressure (macOS loads RC; shared project with all matrix legs)
 
 ## Windows / shared
 
diff --git a/okf-bundle/index.md b/okf-bundle/index.md
index a11d4053c1..80ff776fe1 100644
--- a/okf-bundle/index.md
+++ b/okf-bundle/index.md
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ okf_version: "0.1"
 * [Running e2e tests](/testing/running-e2e.md) — canonical e2e commands, narrowing, environment, diagnosis
 * [Validation checklist](/testing/validation-checklist.md) — compile, Jest, lint, `compare:types`, e2e, coverage
 * [Coverage design](/testing/coverage-design.md) — unit/e2e coverage policy, native gates, Codecov
-* [Firebase testing project](/testing/firebase-testing-project.md) — cloud vs emulator, rules/indexes, deploy
+* [Firebase testing project](/testing/firebase-testing-project.md) — cloud vs emulator, live FIS/RC, helper callables, rules/indexes, deploy
 
 # Packages
 
diff --git a/okf-bundle/packages/firestore/pipeline-coverage-work-queue.md b/okf-bundle/packages/firestore/pipeline-coverage-work-queue.md
index 64eb62cb8d..3034722034 100644
--- a/okf-bundle/packages/firestore/pipeline-coverage-work-queue.md
+++ b/okf-bundle/packages/firestore/pipeline-coverage-work-queue.md
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ Ephemeral tracker; see [OKF policy](../../documentation-policy.md).
 
 Gate prerequisites before any `:test-cover` ([host rule](../../testing/iteration-vocabulary.md#host-rule)):
 
-1. [Pre-flight](../../testing/running-e2e.md#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start): host clear, [services ready](../../testing/running-e2e.md#2-services-ready), [harness matches validation tier](../../testing/running-e2e.md#3-harness-matches-validation-tier) ([narrowing gate](../../testing/running-e2e.md#harness-narrowing-gate-blocking) — required for **focused** and **area**; not [push harness](#harness)); [serial `:test-cover](../../testing/running-e2e.md#serialized-e2e-dispatch)`; [frozen tree](../../testing/iteration-vocabulary.md#frozen-tree) for `independent-review`.
+1. [Pre-flight](../../testing/running-e2e.md#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start): [host-clear probes](../../testing/running-e2e.md#host-clear-probes), [services ready](../../testing/running-e2e.md#2-services-ready), [harness matches validation tier](../../testing/running-e2e.md#3-harness-matches-validation-tier) ([narrowing gate](../../testing/running-e2e.md#harness-narrowing-gate-blocking) — required for **focused** and **area**; not [push harness](#harness)); [serial `:test-cover](../../testing/running-e2e.md#serialized-e2e-dispatch)`; [frozen tree](../../testing/iteration-vocabulary.md#frozen-tree) for `independent-review`.
 2. Guard probes: [SDK runtime verification](pipeline-sdk-support-audit.md#6-runtime-verification-authoritative) + [Phase J protocol](#phase-j-iteration-protocol-strict) below.
 3. Coverage deltas: full clean cycle; never trust stale `.ec`/profraw ([coverage stale data](../../testing/coverage-design.md#stale-coverage-data)).
 
diff --git a/okf-bundle/packages/firestore/pipeline-implementation-workflow.md b/okf-bundle/packages/firestore/pipeline-implementation-workflow.md
index 4f027d3633..a4cfcf6e40 100644
--- a/okf-bundle/packages/firestore/pipeline-implementation-workflow.md
+++ b/okf-bundle/packages/firestore/pipeline-implementation-workflow.md
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ If review fails, return to `implementation`, then repeat `independent-review`.
 
 iOS guard probes/bridge fixes use the same split; stricter serial gate: [work queue runtime guard protocol](pipeline-coverage-work-queue.md#phase-j-iteration-protocol-strict) + [running-e2e serial policy](../../testing/running-e2e.md#serialized-e2e-dispatch).
 
-Guard probes: one function per commit; no batching. [Pre-flight](../../testing/running-e2e.md#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start) includes services ready + harness tier. Commands: [running-e2e.md](../../testing/running-e2e.md).
+Guard probes: one function per commit; no batching. [Pre-flight](../../testing/running-e2e.md#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start) (by reference). Commands: [running-e2e.md](../../testing/running-e2e.md).
 
 **Live gate status:** [pipeline-coverage-work-queue](pipeline-coverage-work-queue.md) (ephemeral tracker — see [documentation policy](../../documentation-policy.md)).
 
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ Skip only when continuing immediately after same-worktree `after-<export>` snaps
 **Retroactive baseline:** If implementation was already committed without baseline numbers, check out the parent commit, apply harness only if needed for e2e load, run full baseline, snapshot `before-<export>`, return to HEAD.
 
 1. Revert leftover `.only`; area narrowing allowed for pipeline baseline.
-2. Start [running e2e pre-flight](../../testing/running-e2e.md#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start) (services + harness tier) and prerequisites: emulators, packager, rebuild native if needed.
+2. [Pre-flight](../../testing/running-e2e.md#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start) and prerequisites ([Rules §1–2](../../testing/running-e2e.md#rules)); rebuild native if needed.
 3. Full pipeline e2e + coverage on **macOS, iOS, Android**; no reuse variants.
 4. `bash scripts/snapshot-pipeline-coverage.sh before-<export-name>` — paste full stdout into the iteration report.
 
diff --git a/okf-bundle/testing/coverage-design.md b/okf-bundle/testing/coverage-design.md
index caa0ca8062..c1131588c6 100644
--- a/okf-bundle/testing/coverage-design.md
+++ b/okf-bundle/testing/coverage-design.md
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ Jet self-wraps under NYC with `--coverage`.
 - Metro bundles `packages/*/dist/module/**` with inline source maps (`tests/.babelrc`: `useInlineSourceMaps: true`).
 - NYC (`tests/nyc.config.js`) remaps to `packages/*/lib/**` → **`coverage/lcov.info`** (`cwd: '..'`).
 - Jet re-invokes under `tests/node_modules/.bin/nyc` (checks `NYC_CONFIG`). Detox/macOS need no extra `nyc` prefix; Jet must run from `tests/`.
-- **Transfer:** patched Jet/mocha-remote WS only (`coverage-ready` → `pull-coverage` → `coverage-data` → `coverage-ack`); HTTP POST `/coverage` deleted (`attachHttpServer` removed). Patches: `.yarn/patches/` (`jet`, `mocha-remote-client`, `mocha-remote-server`). See [iOS issues 6–6b](../ci-workflows/ios.md#6-jet-websocket-disconnect-1006--1001), [issue 8](../ci-workflows/ios.md#8-coverage-teardown-handshake-failure-tests-pass-nyc-00), [jet patch workflow](../ci-workflows/detox-patches.md#updating-the-jet-patch-headless).
+- **Transfer:** patched Jet/mocha-remote WS only (`coverage-ready` → `pull-coverage` → `coverage-data` → `coverage-ack`); HTTP POST `/coverage` deleted (`attachHttpServer` removed). Host launch/orchestrate control uses a **separate** HTTP server on **8091** (not the 8090 WS stack) — see [Jet host orchestration](running-e2e.md#jet-host-orchestration-ports-and-launch-gate). Patches: `.yarn/patches/` (`jet`, `mocha-remote-client`, `mocha-remote-server`). See [iOS issues 6–6b](../ci-workflows/ios.md#6-jet-websocket-disconnect-1006--1001), [issue 8](../ci-workflows/ios.md#8-coverage-teardown-handshake-failure-tests-pass-nyc-00), [jet patch workflow](../ci-workflows/detox-patches.md#updating-the-jet-patch-headless).
 
 **NYC settings:**
 
diff --git a/okf-bundle/testing/firebase-testing-project.md b/okf-bundle/testing/firebase-testing-project.md
index 84b6847e07..4a3e83f884 100644
--- a/okf-bundle/testing/firebase-testing-project.md
+++ b/okf-bundle/testing/firebase-testing-project.md
@@ -3,12 +3,12 @@ type: Reference
 title: Firebase testing project and emulator setup
 description: How RNFB e2e tests use the react-native-firebase-testing Firebase project, local emulators, cloud databases, and where rules/indexes are configured and deployed.
 tags: [testing, e2e, firebase, emulator, firestore, pipelines]
-timestamp: 2026-06-23T00:00:00Z
+timestamp: 2026-06-26T00:00:00Z
 ---
 
 # Overview
 
-RNFB Detox/Jet e2e uses Firebase project **`react-native-firebase-testing`**. Most modules use local emulators; **Firestore Pipelines** uses a cloud Enterprise DB.
+RNFB Detox/Jet e2e uses Firebase project **`react-native-firebase-testing`**. Most modules use local emulators; **Firestore Pipelines**, **Installations**, and **Remote Config fetch/activate** hit live Google APIs on the shared project.
 
 ```mermaid
 flowchart TB
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@ flowchart TB
     C1["(default) Firestore"]
     C2["second-rnfb database"]
     C3["pipelines-e2e Enterprise eur3"]
+    C4["Installations FIS tokens"]
+    C5["Remote Config + RC admin helpers"]
+    C6["Deployed e2e helper callables"]
   end
 
   F1 --> FS
@@ -41,6 +44,10 @@ flowchart TB
   S --> AU
 
   PE["Pipeline.e2e.js getFirestore('pipelines-e2e')"] --> C3
+  INS["installations() e2e"] --> C4
+  RC["remoteConfig() fetch/activate"] --> C4
+  RC --> C5
+  HELP["FirebaseHelpers.callCloudHelperFunction"] --> C6
 ```
 
 # Where configuration lives
@@ -59,6 +66,7 @@ Config root: [`.github/workflows/scripts/`](../../.github/workflows/scripts/) (`
 | [`storage.rules`](../../.github/workflows/scripts/storage.rules) | Storage rules (emulator) |
 | [`functions/`](../../.github/workflows/scripts/functions/) | Cloud Functions used by some e2e (e.g. Vertex AI mock) |
 | [`deploy-firestore.sh`](../../.github/workflows/scripts/deploy-firestore.sh) | Deploy Firestore rules + indexes to cloud |
+| [`deploy-e2e-cloud-functions.sh`](../../.github/workflows/scripts/deploy-e2e-cloud-functions.sh) | Deploy live e2e helper callables (metrics, App Check, RC admin) |
 | [`sync-firestore-indexes.sh`](../../.github/workflows/scripts/sync-firestore-indexes.sh) | Pull indexes from cloud into repo (non-interactive) |
 | [`README-firestore.md`](../../.github/workflows/scripts/README-firestore.md) | Short operator cheat sheet |
 
@@ -117,6 +125,94 @@ Pipelines require Enterprise. RNFB does not enable Enterprise emulator mode toda
 
 See also [Firestore Pipelines design](/packages/firestore/pipelines.md) for bridge/coercion and coverage notes.
 
+## Live cloud APIs (Installations, Remote Config)
+
+| Product | Emulator in Jet? | Runtime in e2e |
+|---------|------------------|----------------|
+| **Installations** (`getId`, `getToken`) | **No** | Live `firebaseinstallations.googleapis.com` on shared project |
+| **Remote Config** (`fetch`, `activate`, `getValue`) | **No** | Live RC; depends on FIS token from Installations |
+| **App Check debug token** | **No** | Live callable `fetchAppCheckTokenV2` via `FirebaseHelpers` |
+| **RC template admin** | **No** | Live callable `testFunctionRemoteConfigUpdateV2` |
+
+**Parallel CI load** — All e2e matrix legs (iOS debug/release, Android, macOS Other when RC/App Check modules load) share one FIS project and the same live helper callables. Duplicate namespaced + modular suites doubled token traffic; prefer **modular-only** coverage while namespaced APIs are removed (`xdescribe` v8 blocks per package).
+
+**Do not** route cloud-pressure telemetry through the Functions emulator (`connectFunctionsEmulator` in `tests/app.js`); observability for live API pressure uses **deployed** callables (below).
+
+### CI triage: cloud API quota pressure
+
+Platform-agnostic — can surface on **any** e2e workflow leg that hits live Installations, Remote Config, or cloud helpers while other jobs run concurrently.
+
+**Symptom** — mid/late Jet run (installations / remoteConfig / App Check suites), often with other matrix legs active:
+
+```
+installations/token-error … HTTP 503 UNAVAILABLE … firebaseinstallations.googleapis.com
+Too many server requests
+remoteConfig/failure … Failed to get installations token
+```
+
+RC cases cascade when FIS token fetch fails. Functions emulator tests may still pass in the same run — this is **not** an emulator failure.
+
+**Cause** — Live Google APIs on shared project `react-native-firebase-testing` (table above). Parallel GHA jobs multiply FIS and helper-callable traffic.
+
+**Mitigations in this repo**
+
+| Change | Location |
+|--------|----------|
+| Modular-only installations / RC e2e while namespaced APIs are removed | `packages/installations/e2e/`, `packages/remote-config/e2e/` (`xdescribe` v8 blocks) |
+| `RETRYABLE_CLOUD_QUOTA_RE` → one Jet e2e retry; cooldown `RNFB_CLOUD_QUOTA_RETRY_COOLDOWN_MS` (default 90s) before attempt 2 | `tests/e2e/firebase.test.js` (all Detox platforms) |
+| Record quota-class Jet failure to Cloud Logging via live `e2eCloudMetricsV2` | `packages/app/e2e/cloud-metrics.js`, `tests/globals.js` |
+| On FIS/quota Jet failure, log `cloud-pressure-analysis` pointer (Cloud Logging filter + summary callable URL) — no per-run summary dump | `tests/e2e/firebase.test.js` |
+
+Attempt 2 uses the same platform-specific drain/reboot as other Jet retries (iOS simulator reboot, Android emulator reboot, etc.) — see [iOS operational notes](../ci-workflows/ios.md#operational-notes).
+
+**Diagnosing** (any platform Detox step log):
+
+```bash
+rg 'installations/token-error|Too many server requests|remoteConfig/failure|cloudQuota|cloud-pressure-analysis' detox-step.log
+rg '\[rnfb-e2e\] retry-eligibility' detox-step.log
+```
+
+| Pattern | Meaning |
+|---------|---------|
+| `cloudQuota: true` + `retryable=true` on attempt 1 | Second Jet attempt should run after cooldown + platform reboot |
+| `cloud-pressure-analysis` | Pointer to Cloud Logging / `e2eCloudMetricsSummaryV2` for retrospective cross-run pressure — metrics are not dumped inline |
+| Installations fail, `functions()` green | Live API quota, not Functions emulator |
+
+Deploy metrics helpers before expecting summary/metrics in CI: [E2e cloud helper callables](#e2e-cloud-helper-callables).
+
+## E2e cloud helper callables
+
+Live helpers use `FirebaseHelpers.callCloudHelperFunction` → `https://us-central1-react-native-firebase-testing.cloudfunctions.net/<name>` (same pattern as App Check / RC admin). Emulator functions under `:5001` are a separate surface.
+
+| Callable | Role |
+|----------|------|
+| `e2eCloudMetricsV2` | Append `[rnfb-e2e-metrics]` structured events to **Cloud Logging** (cross-run pressure notes) |
+| `e2eCloudMetricsSummaryV2` | Query recent metrics for retrospective analysis (callable; not logged per Detox run) |
+| `fetchAppCheckTokenV2` | App Check e2e helper (live only) |
+| `testFunctionRemoteConfigUpdateV2` | RC template mutations (live only) |
+
+**Deploy** (after adding/changing helpers):
+
+```bash
+cd .github/workflows/scripts
+./deploy-e2e-cloud-functions.sh
+```
+
+Summary query needs Cloud Logging read on the functions runtime SA (`roles/logging.viewer`).
+
+**Triage** — Cloud Console → Logging, filter `jsonPayload.message="[rnfb-e2e-metrics]"`. CI Detox log on quota failure: `rg 'cloud-pressure-analysis' detox-step.log`. Retrospective aggregate: POST `e2eCloudMetricsSummaryV2` with `{"data":{"lookbackHours":24}}`.
+
+## Functions emulator timeouts
+
+Functions **e2e** callables run on the **emulator** (`:5001`). Under CI load, client default ~70s and server default 60s can surface `deadline-exceeded` on slow streaming/emulator-config tests.
+
+| Layer | Non-timeout-probe tests | Timeout-probe tests (`sleeperV2`) |
+|-------|-------------------------|-----------------------------------|
+| **Client** (`functions.e2e.js`) | `e2eCallableTimeoutOptions()` → 120s | `{ timeout: 1000 }` only |
+| **Server** (`functions/src/*.ts`) | `E2E_TEST_FUNCTION_TIMEOUT_SECONDS` (120) via `e2eCallOptions.ts` | `sleeperV2` unchanged (intentional hang) |
+
+Restart emulator after rebuilding `functions/` (`yarn tests:emulator:start`).
+
 # Cloud project: deploy rules and indexes
 
 Firebase CLI must be authenticated for `react-native-firebase-testing`. Scripts use repo `firebase-tools`; global install optional.
@@ -206,6 +302,10 @@ Pipeline-only debugging may temporarily scope `tests/app.js` to `Pipeline.e2e.js
 | Vector search | Index in `firestore.pipelines-e2e.indexes.json`; deploy to cloud; not emulator rules |
 | Firestore cache | `clearIndexedDbPersistence` in `tests/app.js` for non-macOS platforms between runs |
 | Native coverage | iOS profraw pulled in `finally` even when Jet fails — see [Coverage design](/testing/coverage-design.md) |
+| Installations / RC | Live FIS + RC on shared project; not emulated — parallel matrix can 503 / “Too many server requests” |
+| Cloud metrics | `e2eCloudMetricsV2` + summary callable; deploy via `deploy-e2e-cloud-functions.sh` |
+| Functions `deadline-exceeded` | Extend client + server timeouts for non-`sleeperV2` callables; see [Functions emulator timeouts](#functions-emulator-timeouts) |
+| Storage seed flake | `packages/storage/e2e/helpers.js` `seed()` retries with exponential backoff (emulator) |
 
 # Related
 
diff --git a/okf-bundle/testing/index.md b/okf-bundle/testing/index.md
index 31460026ff..9b963324c3 100644
--- a/okf-bundle/testing/index.md
+++ b/okf-bundle/testing/index.md
@@ -5,4 +5,4 @@
 * [Running e2e tests](running-e2e.md) — canonical e2e commands; start here
 * [Validation checklist](validation-checklist.md) — handoff command sequence
 * [Coverage design](coverage-design.md) — coverage policy, Codecov/native gates
-* [Firebase testing project](firebase-testing-project.md) — cloud vs emulator, rules/indexes, deploy
+* [Firebase testing project](firebase-testing-project.md) — cloud vs emulator, live FIS/RC, helper callables, rules/indexes, deploy
diff --git a/okf-bundle/testing/iteration-vocabulary.md b/okf-bundle/testing/iteration-vocabulary.md
index dce1223d2b..8df7e1e605 100644
--- a/okf-bundle/testing/iteration-vocabulary.md
+++ b/okf-bundle/testing/iteration-vocabulary.md
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ See also: [running e2e rule 7](running-e2e.md#rules) and [host rule](running-e2e
 On a shared dev host:
 
 - One `:test-cover` at a time — never overlap focused-tier and area-tier runs.
-- [Pre-flight](running-e2e.md#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start) before every run: host clear, [services ready](running-e2e.md#2-services-ready), [harness matches `validation_tier`](running-e2e.md#3-harness-matches-validation-tier) ([narrowing gate](running-e2e.md#harness-narrowing-gate-blocking) for `focused` and `area`).
+- [Pre-flight](running-e2e.md#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start) before every run: [host-clear probes](running-e2e.md#host-clear-probes), [services ready](running-e2e.md#2-services-ready), [harness matches `validation_tier`](running-e2e.md#3-harness-matches-validation-tier) ([narrowing gate](running-e2e.md#harness-narrowing-gate-blocking) for `focused` and `area`).
 - Canonical commands only — [running e2e](running-e2e.md). Stalled runs → [stalled run detection](running-e2e.md#stalled-run-detection).
 
 ## Work-queue fields
diff --git a/okf-bundle/testing/running-e2e.md b/okf-bundle/testing/running-e2e.md
index 0e075da1ab..bcdb105698 100644
--- a/okf-bundle/testing/running-e2e.md
+++ b/okf-bundle/testing/running-e2e.md
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ yarn tests:macos:test-cover
 
 5. **Report locations** — [Coverage design](coverage-design.md).
 
-6. **One e2e at a time** — never overlap `:test-cover`/Detox/Jet on one host. Jet uses `:8090`; all platforms share Jet + Metro `:8081`; parallel runs race on coverage/device/emulator state. Every run starts after [clean pre-flight](#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start).
+6. **One e2e at a time** — never overlap `:test-cover`/Detox/Jet on one host. Jet uses **8090** (WebSocket) plus **8091** (host control HTTP when defer-run is enabled); all platforms share Jet + Metro `:8081`; parallel runs race on coverage/device/emulator state. Every run starts after [clean pre-flight](#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start). See [Jet host orchestration](#jet-host-orchestration-ports-and-launch-gate).
 
 7. **No source edits during e2e** — wait/cancel cleanly before editing `packages/**`, `tests/**`, or bundle-affecting OKF docs. Saves can hot reload/rebundle and invalidate tests/coverage.
 
@@ -70,13 +70,43 @@ yarn tests:android:test-cover
             └─ app on emulator/simulator
 ```
 
-macOS: `yarn tests:macos:test-cover` → `jet --target=macos` (same `:8090`).
+macOS: `yarn tests:macos:test-cover` → `jet --target=macos` (same `:8090` WS).
 
 **Do not poll `pgrep`, `detox`, `jet.js`, or `:8090` for completion.** They match stale wrappers, orphans, zombies, and contention.
 
+#### Jet host orchestration (ports and launch gate)
+
+**Canonical owner** for Detox↔Jet↔app sequencing in `tests/e2e/firebase.test.js` and the patched Jet CLI. CI platform pages link here; do not duplicate the full port/protocol story elsewhere.
+
+| Port | Protocol | Role |
+|------|----------|------|
+| **8090** (default `JET_REMOTE_PORT`) | WebSocket (`mocha-remote-*`) | App ↔ Jet test transport; `server.run()` drives Mocha in the app |
+| **8091** (default `JET_REMOTE_PORT + 1`, override `RNFB_JET_CONTROL_PORT`) | HTTP POST only | Host ↔ Jet **control plane** — not used by the app |
+
+**Why two ports** — Port 8090 is a WebSocket server (`ws` library). Plain HTTP `POST` to that socket (e.g. `/launch-ready`) gets **426 Upgrade Required** and can crash Jet with `ERR_HTTP_HEADERS_SENT` if a control handler shares the same HTTP stack. Control endpoints therefore live on a **separate** small HTTP server (`startControlHttpServer` in the Jet patch).
+
+**Launch gate (orchestration race fix)** — `firebase.test.js` spawns Jet with `RNFB_JET_DEFER_RUN=1`. Jet listens on 8090 and **defers** `server.run()` until the host signals launch success:
+
+1. Host waits for TCP **8090**, then Metro (debug) if needed, then `launchAppWithRetry`.
+2. Host `POST`s **`/orchestrate-state`** (`{ "phase": "launch-pending" | "launch-ok" | … }`) to the control port (best-effort diagnostics).
+3. After `launchApp` succeeds, host `POST`s **`/launch-ready`** → Jet calls `server.run()` and the app may receive the mocha-remote `run` action.
+4. Mocha tests must not start during a stuck or retried `launchApp`; on inner launch retry the host may kill and respawn Jet before `terminateApp`/simulator reboot.
+
+**Log markers** — `[rnfb-e2e] orchestrate-state=…`, `[jet-control] deferring server.run until POST /launch-ready`, `[jet-control] launch-ready received`, `[jet-control] listening on http://…:8091`.
+
+**Pre-flight** — [Host-clear probes](#host-clear-probes) check **8090 only** (stray Jet WS listener). **8091** may be open while Jet is running; do not treat it as a stale-process signal.
+
+**Patches / code** — Jet patch (`cli.js`: defer run, control HTTP, enriched `disconnect_context`); `tests/e2e/firebase.test.js` (`postJetControl`, `createJetSession`). Patch workflow: [detox-patches.md](../ci-workflows/detox-patches.md#updating-the-jet-patch-headless). CI triage: [iOS orchestration](../ci-workflows/ios.md#e2e-test-app-orchestration-detox--jet).
+
+#### CI iOS instrumentation (not local)
+
+GitHub Actions **Testing E2E iOS** adds CI-only steps local `:test-cover` does not run: pre-boot (`boot-simulator.sh`), one filtered **`sim-app.log`** stream, **`wait-for-load-settle.sh`** (threshold **20**) immediately before Detox, and optional video when `record_screens: true`. Host syslog and unfiltered simulator logs are **disabled** to reduce runner baseload.
+
+**Canonical owner:** [iOS CI baseload policy](../ci-workflows/ios.md#ci-baseload-policy-instrumentation). Artifact names and triage: [simulator logging and video](../ci-workflows/ios.md#simulator-logging-and-video-troubleshooting).
+
 ### Running one iteration
 
-1. [Pre-flight](#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start); if busy/recovering, wait or clean.
+1. [Pre-flight](#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start); if [host-clear probes](#host-clear-probes) fail, [pre-flight recovery](#pre-flight-recovery) first.
 2. One foreground Shell command; set `block_until_ms` large enough (~15m macOS, ~45–60m iOS/Android). Do **not** background/poll.
 3. From repo root, tee canonical command:
 
@@ -97,26 +127,62 @@ rg '^\s+\d+\)' /tmp/rnfb-e2e-<platform>.log          # failure blocks, if any
 rg 'Tests Complete|jet-coverage.*merged' /tmp/rnfb-e2e-<platform>.log | tail -3
 ```
 
-Markers: `✨ Tests Complete ✨`, Jest `N passing` / `N failing`, `[jet-coverage] merged … before NYC shutdown`.
+Markers: `✨ Tests Complete ✨`, Jest `N passing` / `N failing`, `[jet-coverage] merged … before NYC shutdown`, `[rnfb-e2e] orchestrate-state=`, `[jet-control] launch-ready received`.
 
 6. Return only platform, exit code, pass/fail line, failing tests, log path, optional coverage-gap line. No full log upstream.
 
 ### Pre-flight: is the host clear to start?
 
-Run **all three** checks before every `:test-cover`.
+**Canonical owner** for host-clear probes, recovery after abort, and service checks. Other OKF docs link here by reference — do not duplicate commands or probes elsewhere.
+
+Run **all three** steps before every `:test-cover`. After an [interrupted run](#interrupted-run-abort-killed-terminal-eaddrinuse-on-8090), run [pre-flight recovery](#pre-flight-recovery) and re-run the probes.
 
 #### 1. Host clear
 
 No in-flight test run on the target platform:
 
-| Platform | Active e2e signal | Clear to start |
-|----------|-------------------|----------------|
-| **Android** | `adb -s emulator-5554 shell pidof com.invertase.testing.test` returns a PID | command prints nothing / empty |
-| **iOS** | `xcrun simctl spawn booted pgrep -x testing` returns a PID | no output |
-| **macOS** | `pgrep -x io.invertase.testing` returns a PID | no output |
+| Platform | Clear when |
+|----------|------------|
+| **Android** | [Host-clear probes](#host-clear-probes) pass (no instrumentation PID) |
+| **iOS** | [Host-clear probes](#host-clear-probes) pass — **zero booted simulators** and no stray Jet on `:8090`. Detox boots `iPhone 17` from `tests/.detoxrc.js`; do not pre-boot or leave simulators running. |
+| **macOS** | [Host-clear probes](#host-clear-probes) pass (no `io.invertase.testing` process) |
 
 Also wait for any visible unfinished `yarn tests:*:test-cover`.
 
+<a id="host-clear-probes"></a>
+
+**Host-clear probes** — run the block for your platform; **exit 0 = clear** (chain with `&&`):
+
+```bash
+# iOS — booted-device count must be 0
+test "$(xcrun simctl list devices booted | grep -c '(Booted)' || true)" -eq 0
+test -z "$(lsof -nP -iTCP:8090 -sTCP:LISTEN -t 2>/dev/null || true)"
+
+# Android
+! adb -s emulator-5554 shell pidof com.invertase.testing.test >/dev/null 2>&1
+
+# macOS
+! pgrep -x io.invertase.testing >/dev/null 2>&1
+```
+
+<a id="pre-flight-recovery"></a>
+
+**Pre-flight recovery** — when probes fail after abort, kill, or `EADDRINUSE` on `:8090`. Then re-run [host-clear probes](#host-clear-probes).
+
+```bash
+# Android
+adb -s emulator-5554 shell am force-stop com.invertase.testing
+adb -s emulator-5554 shell am force-stop com.invertase.testing.test
+
+# iOS — Detox re-boots iPhone 17 after shutdown booted
+lsof -nP -iTCP:8090 -sTCP:LISTEN -t | xargs kill 2>/dev/null || true
+pkill -f 'detox test --configuration ios' 2>/dev/null || true
+pkill -f 'jet.js --target=ios' 2>/dev/null || true
+xcrun simctl shutdown booted
+```
+
+Do **not** use `boot-simulator.sh` or `simctl shutdown all` as routine prep ([what not to do](#what-not-to-do)).
+
 #### 2. Services ready
 
 Metro and emulators must be **running and responsive** — do not assume from a prior session or background start.
@@ -153,7 +219,7 @@ Completion = shell exit code + log markers — not open-ended log tailing.
 | **macOS** | `Jet client connected` | `✨ Tests Complete ✨`, Jest `N passing` |
 | **iOS/Android** | Detox launch done, Jet connected | Same |
 
-**If stalled** — no new markers for **5 minutes**, or past tier budget (~15m macOS, ~45–60m iOS/Android) without `Tests Complete`: treat as [interrupted run](#interrupted-run-abort-killed-terminal-eaddrinuse-on-8090). Re-check [services ready](#2-services-ready), diagnose (`curl` Metro `/status`, platform active-signal commands above, `lsof -nP -iTCP:8090`), retry. Do not keep watching flat tee output.
+**If stalled** — no new markers for **5 minutes**, or past tier budget (~15m macOS, ~45–60m iOS/Android) without `Tests Complete`: treat as [interrupted run](#interrupted-run-abort-killed-terminal-eaddrinuse-on-8090). Run [pre-flight recovery](#pre-flight-recovery), confirm [host-clear probes](#host-clear-probes) and [services ready](#2-services-ready), retry. Do not keep watching flat tee output.
 
 - macOS bundle/Metro hangs → [ci-workflows/other.md § bundle load hang](../ci-workflows/other.md#ci-failure-bundle-load-hang--could-not-connect-to-development-server)
 - iOS Metro at launch → [ci-workflows/ios.md § Metro unresponsive](../ci-workflows/ios.md)
@@ -184,7 +250,7 @@ Do not poll `pgrep` / `jet.js` / `:8090` for *completion* ([above](#how-a-platfo
 
 For `implementation` work type ([focused tier](#e2e-validation-tiers-focused-area-full)):
 
-1. [Pre-flight](#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start) — host clear, services ready, **harness narrowed** (step 3); if not, wait or clean per [interrupted run](#interrupted-run-abort-killed-terminal-eaddrinuse-on-8090).
+1. [Pre-flight](#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start) — [host-clear probes](#host-clear-probes), services ready, **harness narrowed** (step 3); if probes fail, [pre-flight recovery](#pre-flight-recovery) first.
 2. Edit e2e/spec; add `.only` if needed; never commit narrowing.
 3. macOS first when TS-only: `yarn tests:macos:test-cover 2>&1 | tee /tmp/rnfb-e2e-macos.log` — wait for exit code ([stalled run](#stalled-run-detection) if markers stop).
 4. If macOS green and native touched: `yarn tests:<platform>:build && yarn tests:<platform>:test-cover 2>&1 | tee /tmp/rnfb-e2e-<platform>.log`; one platform at a time.
@@ -199,7 +265,7 @@ Never overlap runs that use `:test-cover`. See [host rule](iteration-vocabulary.
 |------|-------------|
 | **One e2e run at a time** | Wait for prior shell exit code + short log summary |
 | **No overlapping tiers** | Never run focused-tier and area-tier `:test-cover` concurrently on one host |
-| **Clean pre-flight every run** | [Pre-flight](#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start) — host, services, harness tier |
+| **Clean pre-flight every run** | [Pre-flight](#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start) — [host-clear probes](#host-clear-probes), services, harness tier |
 | **iOS guard probe loop** | `implementation` (Jest + **focused**) → `independent-review` (**area**, frozen tree) → `commit` — [work queue protocol](../packages/firestore/pipeline-coverage-work-queue.md#phase-j-iteration-protocol-strict) |
 
 | Validation tier | E2e scope | Narrowing allowed | Typical work type |
@@ -212,21 +278,7 @@ Each run owns its blocking `:test-cover` and returns summaries only.
 
 ### Interrupted run (abort, killed terminal, EADDRINUSE on :8090)
 
-Before next canonical command:
-
-```bash
-# Android — stop app + instrumentation
-adb -s emulator-5554 shell am force-stop com.invertase.testing
-adb -s emulator-5554 shell am force-stop com.invertase.testing.test
-
-# Stray Jet from an aborted run (note PID, kill only jet.js for this repo)
-lsof -nP -iTCP:8090 -sTCP:LISTEN
-
-# Confirm clear
-adb -s emulator-5554 shell pidof com.invertase.testing.test || echo "instrumentation clear"
-```
-
-Then rerun from repo root: `yarn tests:<platform>:build && yarn tests:<platform>:test-cover` (foreground; tee if logging).
+Run [pre-flight recovery](#pre-flight-recovery), confirm [host-clear probes](#host-clear-probes) pass, then rerun from repo root: `yarn tests:<platform>:build && yarn tests:<platform>:test-cover` (foreground; tee if logging).
 
 ### What not to do
 
@@ -284,7 +336,7 @@ All tiers use [canonical commands](#rules), [host rule](iteration-vocabulary.md#
 **Universal rules:**
 
 - E2e is **always serial** — one `:test-cover` at a time on the host.
-- Every run starts from **verified pre-flight** (host clear + services ready + harness matches tier); if not, wait or follow [interrupted-run cleanup](#interrupted-run-abort-killed-terminal-eaddrinuse-on-8090) — do not start another run.
+- Every run starts from **verified [pre-flight](#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start)**; if probes fail, [pre-flight recovery](#pre-flight-recovery) before another run.
 - Use **only** canonical commands from this doc.
 - Never overlap focused-tier and area-tier `:test-cover` on one host.
 
@@ -292,9 +344,9 @@ See also: [focused-tier loop](#focused-tier-iteration-loop), [dispatch](#seriali
 
 ## Environment
 
-- **Devices** — Detox boots simulator/emulator (`TestingAVD`); macOS auto-starts app.
+- **Devices** — Detox boots simulator/emulator (`iPhone 17` on iOS, `TestingAVD` on Android); [host-clear probes](#host-clear-probes) require zero booted iOS simulators before `:test-cover`. macOS auto-starts app.
 - **adb empty** — `adb kill-server && adb start-server && adb devices`
-- **Stale processes** — one Metro (`:8081`), one emulator set (`:8080`, `:9099`, `:9000`, `:4400`, …). Jet `:8090` is per-`:test-cover`, not background; listener after run usually means stray Jet. Check: `lsof -nP -iTCP -sTCP:LISTEN | rg ':8081|:8080|:9099|:4400'`. Kill Metro/emulators: `pkill -f "react-native start"`, `pkill -f "firebase emulators"`.
+- **Stale processes** — one Metro (`:8081`), one emulator set (`:8080`, `:9099`, `:9000`, `:4400`, …). Stray Jet on `:8090` after a run → [pre-flight recovery](#pre-flight-recovery). Restart Metro/emulators: `pkill -f "react-native start"`, `pkill -f "firebase emulators"`, then [Rules §1–2](#rules).
 
 ## Diagnosing hangs
 
@@ -308,12 +360,14 @@ See also: [focused-tier loop](#focused-tier-iteration-loop), [dispatch](#seriali
 
 **Benign noise:** iOS Detox `EXEC_FAIL "xcrun simctl terminate … com.invertase.testing" … found nothing to terminate` — app wasn't running; ignore.
 
+**Cloud API pressure** — Installations / Remote Config failures with FIS 503 or “Too many server requests” are live-project quota on **any** platform, not emulator issues. See [Firebase testing project — CI triage](firebase-testing-project.md#ci-triage-cloud-api-quota-pressure).
+
 ## Before merge (PR handoff)
 
 Pre-merge applies once to the branch commit stream before merge/push intended for merge, not after every commit.
 
 1. Revert all narrowing ([full tier](#e2e-validation-tiers-focused-area-full)): restore `tests/app.js` (`platformSupportedModules` + `require.context`), default `RNFBDebug` in `tests/globals.js`, remove all `.only`, remove native instrumentation.
-2. [Pre-flight](#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start) — verified clean host before each platform run.
+2. [Pre-flight](#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start) — [host-clear probes](#host-clear-probes) pass before each platform run.
 3. Rebuild if needed (`tests:<platform>:build`; `yarn lerna:prepare` for `lib/**`).
 4. Full unfocused suite with coverage on **iOS, Android, macOS** — one platform at a time, all green.
 
diff --git a/okf-bundle/testing/validation-checklist.md b/okf-bundle/testing/validation-checklist.md
index e329c216a2..42f26ca355 100644
--- a/okf-bundle/testing/validation-checklist.md
+++ b/okf-bundle/testing/validation-checklist.md
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ Native: `yarn lint:android`, `yarn lint:ios:check`. `lint:android` can flake; re
 
 ## E2e with coverage
 
-[Pre-flight](running-e2e.md#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start) (host + services + harness tier) before every run. Match harness to work type — **focused**/**area** never use full app load ([running e2e § harness](running-e2e.md#3-harness-matches-validation-tier)).
+[Pre-flight](running-e2e.md#pre-flight-is-the-host-clear-to-start) (host-clear probes + services + harness tier) before every run. Match harness to work type — **focused**/**area** never use full app load ([running e2e § harness](running-e2e.md#3-harness-matches-validation-tier)).
 
 Commands: [Running e2e tests](running-e2e.md). Post-process: [Coverage design](coverage-design.md) (iOS `tests:ios:test:process-coverage`, Android `tests:android:post-e2e-coverage`).
 
diff --git a/packages/app/e2e/cloud-metrics.js b/packages/app/e2e/cloud-metrics.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5a71c45dee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/app/e2e/cloud-metrics.js
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+const { getE2eTestProject } = require('./helpers');
+
+const DEFAULT_LOOKBACK_HOURS = 24;
+
+function getCloudHelperUrl(functionName) {
+  return `https://us-central1-${getE2eTestProject()}.cloudfunctions.net/${functionName}`;
+}
+
+async function postCloudHelperFunction(functionName, data) {
+  const response = await fetch(getCloudHelperUrl(functionName), {
+    method: 'POST',
+    body: JSON.stringify({ data }),
+    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+  });
+
+  if (!response.ok) {
+    throw new Error(`cloud helper ${functionName} status=${response.status}`);
+  }
+
+  const body = await response.json();
+  return body?.result ?? body;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Live-project metric sink (not the Functions emulator).
+ * Fire-and-forget; non-fatal when the helper is unavailable.
+ */
+exports.recordE2eCloudMetricFromHost = async function recordE2eCloudMetricFromHost(payload) {
+  if (!payload || typeof payload !== 'object') {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  const metric = {
+    source: 'detox-host',
+    ...payload,
+  };
+
+  try {
+    await postCloudHelperFunction('e2eCloudMetricsV2', metric);
+  } catch (error) {
+    // eslint-disable-next-line no-console
+    console.warn(
+      '[rnfb-e2e-metrics] record-host-fallback',
+      JSON.stringify({ ...metric, error: String(error) }),
+    );
+  }
+};
+
+/**
+ * Pull recent cross-run pressure summary from Cloud Logging via deployed helper.
+ * For retrospective analysis only — not emitted inline during Detox runs.
+ */
+exports.fetchE2eCloudMetricsSummaryFromHost = async function fetchE2eCloudMetricsSummaryFromHost({
+  lookbackHours = DEFAULT_LOOKBACK_HOURS,
+} = {}) {
+  return postCloudHelperFunction('e2eCloudMetricsSummaryV2', { lookbackHours });
+};
diff --git a/packages/functions/e2e/functions.e2e.js b/packages/functions/e2e/functions.e2e.js
index 85e892eeeb..f8c1d2874c 100644
--- a/packages/functions/e2e/functions.e2e.js
+++ b/packages/functions/e2e/functions.e2e.js
@@ -88,6 +88,12 @@ const SAMPLE_DATA = {
   ],
 };
 
+const E2E_CALLABLE_TIMEOUT_MS = 120000;
+
+function e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(extra = {}) {
+  return { timeout: E2E_CALLABLE_TIMEOUT_MS, ...extra };
+}
+
 describe('functions() modular', function () {
   describe('firebase v8 compatibility', function () {
     beforeEach(async function beforeEachTest() {
@@ -128,7 +134,10 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
 
         firebase.app().functions(region)._customUrlOrRegion.should.equal(region);
 
-        const functionRunner = functionsForRegion.httpsCallable('testFunctionCustomRegion');
+        const functionRunner = functionsForRegion.httpsCallable(
+          'testFunctionCustomRegion',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
 
         const response = await functionRunner();
         response.data.should.equal(region);
@@ -146,7 +155,10 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
 
         functionsForCustomUrl._customUrlOrRegion.should.equal(customUrl);
 
-        const functionRunner = functionsForCustomUrl.httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = functionsForCustomUrl.httpsCallable(
+          'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
 
         const response = await functionRunner();
         response.data.should.equal('null');
@@ -159,7 +171,7 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
         const fnName = 'helloWorldV2';
         const functions = firebase.app().functions(region);
         functions.useFunctionsEmulator('http://localhost');
-        const response = await functions.httpsCallable(fnName)();
+        const response = await functions.httpsCallable(fnName, e2eCallableTimeoutOptions())();
         response.data.should.equal('Hello from Firebase!');
       });
 
@@ -168,7 +180,7 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
         const fnName = 'helloWorldV2';
         const functions = firebase.app().functions(region);
         functions.useFunctionsEmulator('http://localhost:5001');
-        const response = await functions.httpsCallable(fnName)();
+        const response = await functions.httpsCallable(fnName, e2eCallableTimeoutOptions())();
         response.data.should.equal('Hello from Firebase!');
       });
 
@@ -177,7 +189,7 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
         const fnName = 'helloWorldV2';
         const functions = firebase.app().functions(region);
         functions.useEmulator('localhost', 5001);
-        const response = await functions.httpsCallable(fnName)();
+        const response = await functions.httpsCallable(fnName, e2eCallableTimeoutOptions())();
         response.data.should.equal('Hello from Firebase!');
       });
     });
@@ -192,6 +204,7 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
           .functions()
           .httpsCallableFromUrl(
             `http://${hostname}:5001/react-native-firebase-testing/us-central1/helloWorldV2`,
+            e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
           );
         const response = await functionRunner();
         response.data.should.equal('Hello from Firebase!');
@@ -200,37 +213,49 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
 
     describe('httpsCallable(fnName)(args)', function () {
       it('accepts primitive args: undefined', async function () {
-        const functionRunner = firebase.functions().httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = firebase
+          .functions()
+          .httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2', e2eCallableTimeoutOptions());
         const response = await functionRunner();
         response.data.should.equal('null');
       });
 
       it('accepts primitive args: string', async function () {
-        const functionRunner = firebase.functions().httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = firebase
+          .functions()
+          .httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2', e2eCallableTimeoutOptions());
         const response = await functionRunner('hello');
         response.data.should.equal('string');
       });
 
       it('accepts primitive args: number', async function () {
-        const functionRunner = firebase.functions().httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = firebase
+          .functions()
+          .httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2', e2eCallableTimeoutOptions());
         const response = await functionRunner(123);
         response.data.should.equal('number');
       });
 
       it('accepts primitive args: boolean', async function () {
-        const functionRunner = firebase.functions().httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = firebase
+          .functions()
+          .httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2', e2eCallableTimeoutOptions());
         const response = await functionRunner(true);
         response.data.should.equal('boolean');
       });
 
       it('accepts primitive args: null', async function () {
-        const functionRunner = firebase.functions().httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = firebase
+          .functions()
+          .httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2', e2eCallableTimeoutOptions());
         const response = await functionRunner(null);
         response.data.should.equal('null');
       });
 
       it('accepts array args', async function () {
-        const functionRunner = firebase.functions().httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = firebase
+          .functions()
+          .httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2', e2eCallableTimeoutOptions());
         const response = await functionRunner([1, 2, 3, 4]);
         response.data.should.equal('array');
       });
@@ -238,7 +263,9 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
       it('accepts object args', async function () {
         const type = 'object';
         const inputData = SAMPLE_DATA[type];
-        const functionRunner = firebase.functions().httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = firebase
+          .functions()
+          .httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2', e2eCallableTimeoutOptions());
         const { data: outputData } = await functionRunner({
           type,
           inputData,
@@ -249,7 +276,9 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
       it('accepts complex nested objects', async function () {
         const type = 'deepObject';
         const inputData = SAMPLE_DATA[type];
-        const functionRunner = firebase.functions().httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = firebase
+          .functions()
+          .httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2', e2eCallableTimeoutOptions());
         const { data: outputData } = await functionRunner({
           type,
           inputData,
@@ -260,7 +289,9 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
       it('accepts complex nested arrays', async function () {
         const type = 'deepArray';
         const inputData = SAMPLE_DATA[type];
-        const functionRunner = firebase.functions().httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = firebase
+          .functions()
+          .httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2', e2eCallableTimeoutOptions());
         const { data: outputData } = await functionRunner({
           type,
           inputData,
@@ -271,7 +302,9 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
 
     describe('HttpsError', function () {
       it('errors return instance of HttpsError', async function () {
-        const functionRunner = firebase.functions().httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = firebase
+          .functions()
+          .httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2', e2eCallableTimeoutOptions());
 
         try {
           await functionRunner({});
@@ -288,7 +321,9 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
       it('HttpsError.details -> allows returning complex data', async function () {
         let type = 'deepObject';
         let inputData = SAMPLE_DATA[type];
-        const functionRunner = firebase.functions().httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = firebase
+          .functions()
+          .httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2', e2eCallableTimeoutOptions());
         try {
           await functionRunner({
             type,
@@ -327,7 +362,9 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
       it('HttpsError.details -> allows returning primitives', async function () {
         let type = 'number';
         let inputData = SAMPLE_DATA[type];
-        const functionRunner = firebase.functions().httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = firebase
+          .functions()
+          .httpsCallable('testFunctionDefaultRegionV2', e2eCallableTimeoutOptions());
         try {
           await functionRunner({
             type,
@@ -461,7 +498,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
 
       getApp().functions(region)._customUrlOrRegion.should.equal(region);
 
-      const functionRunner = httpsCallable(functionsForRegion, 'testFunctionCustomRegion');
+      const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+        functionsForRegion,
+        'testFunctionCustomRegion',
+        e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+      );
 
       const response = await functionRunner();
       response.data.should.equal(region);
@@ -482,7 +523,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
 
       functionsForCustomUrl._customUrlOrRegion.should.equal(customUrl);
 
-      const functionRunner = httpsCallable(functionsForCustomUrl, 'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+      const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+        functionsForCustomUrl,
+        'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2',
+        e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+      );
 
       const response = await functionRunner();
       response.data.should.equal('null');
@@ -497,7 +542,7 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
         // const functions = firebase.app().functions(region);
         const functions = getFunctions(getApp(), region);
         connectFunctionsEmulator(functions, 'localhost', 5001);
-        const response = await httpsCallable(functions, fnName)();
+        const response = await httpsCallable(functions, fnName, e2eCallableTimeoutOptions())();
         response.data.should.equal('Hello from Firebase!');
       });
 
@@ -508,7 +553,7 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
         const fnName = 'helloWorldV2';
         const functions = getFunctions(getApp(), region);
         connectFunctionsEmulator(functions, 'localhost', 5001);
-        const response = await httpsCallable(functions, fnName)();
+        const response = await httpsCallable(functions, fnName, e2eCallableTimeoutOptions())();
         response.data.should.equal('Hello from Firebase!');
       });
 
@@ -538,6 +583,7 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
         const functionRunner = httpsCallableFromUrl(
           functions,
           `http://${hostname}:5001/react-native-firebase-testing/us-central1/helloWorldV2`,
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
         );
         const response = await functionRunner();
         response.data.should.equal('Hello from Firebase!');
@@ -548,7 +594,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
       it('accepts primitive args: undefined', async function () {
         const { getApp } = modular;
         const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
-        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(getFunctions(getApp()), 'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+          getFunctions(getApp()),
+          'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
         const response = await functionRunner();
         response.data.should.equal('null');
       });
@@ -556,7 +606,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
       it('accepts primitive args: string', async function () {
         const { getApp } = modular;
         const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
-        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(getFunctions(getApp()), 'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+          getFunctions(getApp()),
+          'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
         const response = await functionRunner('hello');
         response.data.should.equal('string');
       });
@@ -564,7 +618,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
       it('accepts primitive args: number', async function () {
         const { getApp } = modular;
         const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
-        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(getFunctions(getApp()), 'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+          getFunctions(getApp()),
+          'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
         const response = await functionRunner(123);
         response.data.should.equal('number');
       });
@@ -572,7 +630,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
       it('accepts primitive args: boolean', async function () {
         const { getApp } = modular;
         const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
-        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(getFunctions(getApp()), 'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+          getFunctions(getApp()),
+          'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
         const response = await functionRunner(true);
         response.data.should.equal('boolean');
       });
@@ -580,7 +642,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
       it('accepts primitive args: null', async function () {
         const { getApp } = modular;
         const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
-        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(getFunctions(getApp()), 'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+          getFunctions(getApp()),
+          'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
         const response = await functionRunner(null);
         response.data.should.equal('null');
       });
@@ -588,7 +654,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
       it('accepts array args', async function () {
         const { getApp } = modular;
         const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
-        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(getFunctions(getApp()), 'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+          getFunctions(getApp()),
+          'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
         const response = await functionRunner([1, 2, 3, 4]);
         response.data.should.equal('array');
       });
@@ -598,7 +668,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
         const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
         const type = 'object';
         const inputData = SAMPLE_DATA[type];
-        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(getFunctions(getApp()), 'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+          getFunctions(getApp()),
+          'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
         const { data: outputData } = await functionRunner({
           type,
           inputData,
@@ -611,7 +685,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
         const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
         const type = 'deepObject';
         const inputData = SAMPLE_DATA[type];
-        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(getFunctions(getApp()), 'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+          getFunctions(getApp()),
+          'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
         const { data: outputData } = await functionRunner({
           type,
           inputData,
@@ -624,7 +702,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
         const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
         const type = 'deepArray';
         const inputData = SAMPLE_DATA[type];
-        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(getFunctions(getApp()), 'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+          getFunctions(getApp()),
+          'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
         const { data: outputData } = await functionRunner({
           type,
           inputData,
@@ -637,7 +719,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
       it('errors return instance of HttpsError', async function () {
         const { getApp } = modular;
         const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
-        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(getFunctions(getApp()), 'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+          getFunctions(getApp()),
+          'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
 
         try {
           await functionRunner({});
@@ -656,7 +742,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
         let inputData = SAMPLE_DATA[type];
         const { getApp } = modular;
         const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
-        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(getFunctions(getApp()), 'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+          getFunctions(getApp()),
+          'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
         try {
           await functionRunner({
             type,
@@ -697,7 +787,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
         const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
         let type = 'number';
         let inputData = SAMPLE_DATA[type];
-        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(getFunctions(getApp()), 'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2');
+        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+          getFunctions(getApp()),
+          'testFunctionDefaultRegionV2',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
         try {
           await functionRunner({
             type,
@@ -791,7 +885,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
       it('should stream data chunks from a basic streaming function', async function () {
         const { getApp } = modular;
         const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
-        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(getFunctions(getApp()), 'testStreamingCallable');
+        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+          getFunctions(getApp()),
+          'testStreamingCallable',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
         const { stream, data } = await functionRunner.stream({ count: 5, delay: 500 });
 
         const chunks = [];
@@ -819,7 +917,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
       it('should stream progress updates', async function () {
         const { getApp } = modular;
         const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
-        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(getFunctions(getApp()), 'testProgressStream');
+        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+          getFunctions(getApp()),
+          'testProgressStream',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
         const { stream, data } = await functionRunner.stream({ task: 'TestTask' });
 
         const chunks = [];
@@ -843,7 +945,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
       it('should handle complex data structures in stream', async function () {
         const { getApp } = modular;
         const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
-        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(getFunctions(getApp()), 'testComplexDataStream');
+        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+          getFunctions(getApp()),
+          'testComplexDataStream',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
         const { stream, data } = await functionRunner.stream({});
 
         const complexChunks = [];
@@ -872,9 +978,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
       it('should work with HttpsCallableOptions.timeout', async function () {
         const { getApp } = modular;
         const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
-        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(getFunctions(getApp()), 'testStreamingCallable', {
-          timeout: 10000,
-        });
+        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+          getFunctions(getApp()),
+          'testStreamingCallable',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
         const { stream, data } = await functionRunner.stream({ count: 3, delay: 300 });
 
         const chunks = [];
@@ -896,7 +1004,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
       it('should accept stream options as second parameter', async function () {
         const { getApp } = modular;
         const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
-        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(getFunctions(getApp()), 'testStreamingCallable');
+        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+          getFunctions(getApp()),
+          'testStreamingCallable',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
         const { stream, data } = await functionRunner.stream(
           { count: 3, delay: 300 },
           { limitedUseAppCheckTokens: false },
@@ -921,7 +1033,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
       it('should handle empty data parameter', async function () {
         const { getApp } = modular;
         const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
-        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(getFunctions(getApp()), 'testComplexDataStream');
+        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+          getFunctions(getApp()),
+          'testComplexDataStream',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
         const { stream, data } = await functionRunner.stream();
 
         const chunks = [];
@@ -946,6 +1062,7 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
         const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
           getFunctions(getApp()),
           'testStreamingCallableWithNull',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
         );
         const { stream, data } = await functionRunner.stream(null);
 
@@ -968,7 +1085,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
       it('should return both stream and data promise', async function () {
         const { getApp } = modular;
         const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
-        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(getFunctions(getApp()), 'testStreamingCallable');
+        const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+          getFunctions(getApp()),
+          'testStreamingCallable',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
         const result = await functionRunner.stream({ count: 2, delay: 200 });
 
         result.should.have.property('stream');
@@ -994,8 +1115,16 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
         const { getApp } = modular;
         const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
         const functions = getFunctions(getApp());
-        const functionRunner1 = httpsCallable(functions, 'testStreamingCallable');
-        const functionRunner2 = httpsCallable(functions, 'testStreamingCallable');
+        const functionRunner1 = httpsCallable(
+          functions,
+          'testStreamingCallable',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
+        const functionRunner2 = httpsCallable(
+          functions,
+          'testStreamingCallable',
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+        );
 
         const [result1, result2] = await Promise.all([
           functionRunner1.stream({ count: 2, delay: 200 }),
@@ -1036,7 +1165,11 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
         it('HttpsError when calling stream by name', async function () {
           const { getApp } = modular;
           const { getFunctions, httpsCallable } = functionsModular;
-          const functionRunner = httpsCallable(getFunctions(getApp()), 'testStreamWithHttpsError');
+          const functionRunner = httpsCallable(
+            getFunctions(getApp()),
+            'testStreamWithHttpsError',
+            e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
+          );
 
           try {
             const { stream } = await functionRunner.stream(null);
@@ -1115,6 +1248,7 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
           const functionRunner = httpsCallableFromUrl(
             getFunctions(getApp()),
             `http://${hostname}:5001/react-native-firebase-testing/us-central1/testStreamWithHttpsErrorFromUrl`,
+            e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
           );
 
           try {
@@ -1197,6 +1331,7 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
         const functionRunner = httpsCallableFromUrl(
           getFunctions(getApp()),
           `http://${hostname}:5001/react-native-firebase-testing/us-central1/testStreamingCallable`,
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
         );
         const { stream, data } = await functionRunner.stream({ count: 3, delay: 400 });
 
@@ -1226,7 +1361,7 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
         const functionRunner = httpsCallableFromUrl(
           getFunctions(getApp()),
           `http://${hostname}:5001/react-native-firebase-testing/us-central1/testStreamingCallable`,
-          { timeout: 10000 },
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
         );
         const { stream, data } = await functionRunner.stream({ count: 2, delay: 300 });
 
@@ -1256,6 +1391,7 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
         const functionRunner = httpsCallableFromUrl(
           getFunctions(getApp()),
           `http://${hostname}:5001/react-native-firebase-testing/us-central1/testStreamingCallable`,
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
         );
         const { stream, data } = await functionRunner.stream(
           { count: 2, delay: 300 },
@@ -1288,6 +1424,7 @@ describe('functions() modular', function () {
         const functionRunner = httpsCallableFromUrl(
           getFunctions(getApp()),
           `http://${hostname}:5001/react-native-firebase-testing/us-central1/testStreamingCallable`,
+          e2eCallableTimeoutOptions(),
         );
         const result = await functionRunner.stream({ count: 2, delay: 200 });
 
diff --git a/packages/installations/e2e/installations.e2e.js b/packages/installations/e2e/installations.e2e.js
index dcd076faea..017c0ef016 100644
--- a/packages/installations/e2e/installations.e2e.js
+++ b/packages/installations/e2e/installations.e2e.js
@@ -61,7 +61,8 @@ const ID_LENGTH = 22;
 const PROJECT_ID = 448618578101; // this is "magic", it's the react-native-firebase-testing project ID
 
 describe('installations() modular', function () {
-  describe('firebase v8 compatibility', function () {
+  // Namespaced API is being removed; modular coverage is sufficient and halves FIS load.
+  xdescribe('firebase v8 compatibility', function () {
     beforeEach(async function beforeEachTest() {
       // @ts-ignore
       globalThis.RNFB_SILENCE_MODULAR_DEPRECATION_WARNINGS = true;
diff --git a/packages/remote-config/e2e/config.e2e.js b/packages/remote-config/e2e/config.e2e.js
index 4102e6b9d1..4621848b7f 100644
--- a/packages/remote-config/e2e/config.e2e.js
+++ b/packages/remote-config/e2e/config.e2e.js
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@
  */
 
 describe('remoteConfig()', function () {
-  describe('firebase v8 compatibility', function () {
+  // Namespaced API is being removed; modular coverage is sufficient and halves FRC/FIS load.
+  xdescribe('firebase v8 compatibility', function () {
     beforeEach(async function beforeEachTest() {
       // @ts-ignore
       globalThis.RNFB_SILENCE_MODULAR_DEPRECATION_WARNINGS = true;
diff --git a/packages/storage/e2e/helpers.js b/packages/storage/e2e/helpers.js
index 96871b8ee5..f4d41d3ebf 100644
--- a/packages/storage/e2e/helpers.js
+++ b/packages/storage/e2e/helpers.js
@@ -5,27 +5,49 @@ const PATH_ROOT = 'playground';
 const PATH = `${PATH_ROOT}/${ID}`;
 const WRITE_ONLY_NAME = 'writeOnly.jpeg';
 
+const SEED_MAX_ATTEMPTS = 4;
+const SEED_INITIAL_BACKOFF_MS = 250;
+
+const sleep = ms => new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
+
+async function uploadSeedFixtures(path) {
+  const { getStorage, ref, uploadString, StringFormat } = storageModular;
+
+  await uploadString(ref(getStorage(), WRITE_ONLY_NAME), 'Write Only');
+
+  await uploadString(ref(getStorage(), `${path}/list/file1.txt`), 'File 1', StringFormat.RAW, {
+    contentType: 'text/plain',
+  });
+
+  await uploadString(ref(getStorage(), `${path}/list/file2.txt`), 'File 2');
+  await uploadString(ref(getStorage(), `${path}/list/file3.txt`), 'File 3');
+  await uploadString(ref(getStorage(), `${path}/list/file4.txt`), 'File 4');
+  await uploadString(ref(getStorage(), `${path}/list/nested/file5.txt`), 'File 5');
+}
+
 exports.seed = async function seed(path) {
   let leakDetectCurrent = globalThis.RNFBDebugInTestLeakDetection;
   globalThis.RNFBDebugInTestLeakDetection = false;
-  const { getStorage, ref, uploadString, StringFormat } = storageModular;
+  let lastError;
 
   try {
-    // Add a write only file
-    await uploadString(ref(getStorage(), WRITE_ONLY_NAME), 'Write Only');
-
-    await uploadString(ref(getStorage(), `${path}/list/file1.txt`), 'File 1', StringFormat.RAW, {
-      contentType: 'text/plain',
-    });
-
-    await uploadString(ref(getStorage(), `${path}/list/file2.txt`), 'File 2');
-    await uploadString(ref(getStorage(), `${path}/list/file3.txt`), 'File 3');
-    await uploadString(ref(getStorage(), `${path}/list/file4.txt`), 'File 4');
-    await uploadString(ref(getStorage(), `${path}/list/nested/file5.txt`), 'File 5');
-  } catch (e) {
+    for (let attempt = 1; attempt <= SEED_MAX_ATTEMPTS; attempt++) {
+      try {
+        await uploadSeedFixtures(path);
+        return;
+      } catch (error) {
+        lastError = error;
+        if (attempt >= SEED_MAX_ATTEMPTS) {
+          break;
+        }
+        const backoffMs = SEED_INITIAL_BACKOFF_MS * 2 ** (attempt - 1);
+        await sleep(backoffMs);
+      }
+    }
+
     // eslint-disable-next-line no-console
     console.error('unable to seed storage service with test fixtures');
-    throw e;
+    throw lastError;
   } finally {
     globalThis.RNFBDebugInTestLeakDetection = leakDetectCurrent;
   }
diff --git a/scripts/tart/lib/boot-simulator.sh b/scripts/tart/lib/boot-simulator.sh
index 96947e965f..a7fc8a4e4a 100755
--- a/scripts/tart/lib/boot-simulator.sh
+++ b/scripts/tart/lib/boot-simulator.sh
@@ -187,6 +187,15 @@ pushd "${REPO_ROOT}/tests" >/dev/null || exit 1
 SIM="$(grep iPhone .detoxrc.js | head -1 | cut -d"'" -f2)"
 popd >/dev/null || exit 1
 
+BOOT_MODE="${RNFB_SIM_BOOT_MODE:-full}"
+# shellcheck source=../../../../.github/workflows/scripts/simulator-logging.sh
+source "${REPO_ROOT}/.github/workflows/scripts/simulator-logging.sh"
+
+if [[ "$BOOT_MODE" == "logs" ]]; then
+  restart_simulator_logging || true
+  exit 0
+fi
+
 log_boot_status "phase=resolve_device name=\"${SIM}\" (from tests/.detoxrc.js)"
 
 kill_resolved_simulator "$SIM"
@@ -245,3 +254,7 @@ log_boot_status "install complete in $((SECONDS - install_start))s"
 popd >/dev/null || exit 1
 
 log_boot_status "phase=complete device=\"${SIM}\" ready with test app installed"
+
+if [[ "${RNFB_START_SIM_LOGS:-1}" == "1" && "$BOOT_MODE" == "full" ]]; then
+  restart_simulator_logging || true
+fi
diff --git a/tests/e2e/firebase.test.js b/tests/e2e/firebase.test.js
index b5149dbbb8..4005ea5069 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/firebase.test.js
+++ b/tests/e2e/firebase.test.js
@@ -20,8 +20,29 @@ const net = require('net');
 const path = require('path');
 
 const { pullIosCoverage } = require('../scripts/pull-native-coverage');
+const { recordE2eCloudMetricFromHost } = require('../../packages/app/e2e/cloud-metrics');
+
+const E2E_TEST_PROJECT = 'react-native-firebase-testing';
+const E2E_CLOUD_PRESSURE_LOG_FILTER = 'jsonPayload.message="[rnfb-e2e-metrics]"';
+const E2E_CLOUD_PRESSURE_LOG_CONSOLE_URL = `https://console.cloud.google.com/logs/query;query=${encodeURIComponent(
+  E2E_CLOUD_PRESSURE_LOG_FILTER,
+)};storageScope=project;project=${E2E_TEST_PROJECT}`;
+const E2E_CLOUD_PRESSURE_SUMMARY_CALLABLE = `https://us-central1-${E2E_TEST_PROJECT}.cloudfunctions.net/e2eCloudMetricsSummaryV2`;
+
+function logCloudPressureAnalysisPointer(context) {
+  console.warn(
+    `[rnfb-e2e] cloud-pressure-analysis (${context}): retrospective pressure data is in Cloud Logging ` +
+      `(project=${E2E_TEST_PROJECT}, filter ${E2E_CLOUD_PRESSURE_LOG_FILTER}) or via POST ` +
+      `${E2E_CLOUD_PRESSURE_SUMMARY_CALLABLE} with {"data":{"lookbackHours":24}} — ` +
+      `console: ${E2E_CLOUD_PRESSURE_LOG_CONSOLE_URL}`,
+  );
+}
 
 const JET_REMOTE_PORT = parseInt(process.env.JET_REMOTE_PORT || '8090', 10);
+const JET_CONTROL_PORT = parseInt(
+  process.env.RNFB_JET_CONTROL_PORT || String(JET_REMOTE_PORT + 1),
+  10,
+);
 const METRO_PORT = parseInt(process.env.JET_METRO_PORT || process.env.RCT_METRO_PORT || '8081', 10);
 const LAUNCH_APP_TIMEOUT_MS = parseInt(process.env.RNFB_LAUNCH_APP_TIMEOUT_MS || '180000', 10);
 const LAUNCH_APP_RELEASE_TIMEOUT_MS = parseInt(
@@ -50,6 +71,10 @@ const DRAIN_ORCHESTRATE_TIMEOUT_MS = parseInt(
   process.env.RNFB_DRAIN_ORCHESTRATE_TIMEOUT_MS || '30000',
   10,
 );
+const KILL_JET_FOR_LAUNCH_RETRY_TIMEOUT_MS = parseInt(
+  process.env.RNFB_KILL_JET_LAUNCH_RETRY_TIMEOUT_MS || '30000',
+  10,
+);
 const JET_RETRYABLE_WS_RE = /\[jet-ws\] RETRYABLE_DISCONNECT code=(1006|1001)\b/;
 const JET_RECONNECT_RECOVERED_RE = /\[jet-ws\] reconnect_recovered code=(1006|1001)\b/;
 const JET_SERVER_NOT_RUNNING_RE = /server wasn't running/i;
@@ -58,6 +83,12 @@ const JET_COVERAGE_TEARDOWN_RE =
   /Failed to send 'coverage-ready' message: WebSocket is closed|coverage upload timed out waiting for coverage-ack/i;
 const JET_PROTOCOL_ERROR_RE = /\[🟥\] Unexpected end of JSON input/i;
 const JET_NO_CLIENT_CONNECTED_RE = /Error: No client connected/i;
+const RETRYABLE_CLOUD_QUOTA_RE =
+  /installations\/token-error|Too many server requests|firebaseinstallations\.googleapis\.com|remoteConfig\/failure.*fetch\(\)|Failed to get installations token|\[remoteConfig\/unknown\].*installations/i;
+const CLOUD_QUOTA_RETRY_COOLDOWN_MS = parseInt(
+  process.env.RNFB_CLOUD_QUOTA_RETRY_COOLDOWN_MS || '90000',
+  10,
+);
 const RETRYABLE_LAUNCH_RE =
   /launchApp timed out|RCTJavaScriptDidFailToLoad|packager-probe|Metro not responding|Unknown application display identifier|Simulator device failed to launch|unknown to FrontBoard|FBSOpenApplicationServiceErrorDomain/i;
 const PORT_CLOSED_ERROR_CODES = new Set(['ECONNREFUSED', 'ECONNRESET', 'EPIPE']);
@@ -80,13 +111,28 @@ function resolveDetoxConfigurationName() {
 }
 
 function resolveAppBinaryPath() {
-  if (typeof detox === 'undefined' || !detox?.config?.apps) {
-    return '';
+  if (typeof detox !== 'undefined' && detox?.config?.apps) {
+    const apps = detox.config.apps;
+    const appConfig = apps.default || apps[Object.keys(apps)[0]];
+    if (appConfig?.binaryPath) {
+      return appConfig.binaryPath;
+    }
+  }
+
+  const fs = require('node:fs');
+  const debugIosApp = path.resolve(__dirname, '../ios/build/Build/Products/Debug-iphonesimulator/testing.app');
+  if (fs.existsSync(debugIosApp)) {
+    return debugIosApp;
+  }
+  const releaseIosApp = path.resolve(
+    __dirname,
+    '../ios/build/Build/Products/Release-iphonesimulator/testing.app',
+  );
+  if (fs.existsSync(releaseIosApp)) {
+    return releaseIosApp;
   }
 
-  const apps = detox.config.apps;
-  const appConfig = apps.default || apps[Object.keys(apps)[0]];
-  return appConfig?.binaryPath || '';
+  return '';
 }
 
 function usesLiveMetro() {
@@ -499,6 +545,10 @@ function isRetryableJetSessionFailure(output) {
   return JET_COVERAGE_LOST_RE.test(output) || /\[🟥\] Stopped the server/i.test(output);
 }
 
+function isRetryableCloudQuotaFailure(jetOutput) {
+  return RETRYABLE_CLOUD_QUOTA_RE.test(jetOutput);
+}
+
 function isRetryableLaunchFailure(err) {
   const message = err?.message || '';
   if (err?.retryableAtJetLevel) {
@@ -519,6 +569,7 @@ function isRetryableE2eFailure(err) {
   return (
     isRetryableJetDisconnect(jetOutput) ||
     isRetryableJetSessionFailure(jetOutput) ||
+    isRetryableCloudQuotaFailure(jetOutput) ||
     isRetryableLaunchFailure(err)
   );
 }
@@ -531,6 +582,7 @@ function logRetryEligibility(err, attempt) {
     jetProtocol: JET_PROTOCOL_ERROR_RE.test(jetOutput),
     jetNoClient: JET_NO_CLIENT_CONNECTED_RE.test(jetOutput),
     coverageTeardown: JET_COVERAGE_TEARDOWN_RE.test(jetOutput),
+    cloudQuota: isRetryableCloudQuotaFailure(jetOutput),
     launchFailure: isRetryableLaunchFailure(err),
     launchJetLevel: Boolean(err?.retryableAtJetLevel),
   };
@@ -598,7 +650,7 @@ async function launchAppWithTimeout(launchArgs, { deleteApp = true, timeoutMs }
       new Promise((_, reject) => {
         timer = setTimeout(() => {
           const err = new Error(
-            `[rnfb-e2e] launchApp timed out after ${effectiveTimeout}ms — check simulator.log for ` +
+            `[rnfb-e2e] launchApp timed out after ${effectiveTimeout}ms — check sim-app.log for ` +
               `[rnfb-lifecycle] packager-probe / RCTJavaScriptDidFailToLoad and Detox waitForActive`,
           );
           err.retryableLaunchFailure = true;
@@ -613,7 +665,53 @@ async function launchAppWithTimeout(launchArgs, { deleteApp = true, timeoutMs }
   }
 }
 
-async function launchAppWithRetry(launchArgs, { testsDir } = {}) {
+async function postJetControl(path, body) {
+  const url = `http://127.0.0.1:${JET_CONTROL_PORT}${path}`;
+  try {
+    const response = await fetch(url, {
+      method: 'POST',
+      headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+      body: body ? JSON.stringify(body) : undefined,
+    });
+    if (!response.ok) {
+      console.warn(`[rnfb-e2e] jet-control POST ${path} status=${response.status}`);
+    }
+  } catch (err) {
+    console.warn(`[rnfb-e2e] jet-control POST ${path} failed: ${err?.message || err}`);
+  }
+}
+
+function logOrchestrateState(state) {
+  console.log(`[rnfb-e2e] orchestrate-state=${state} ts=${new Date().toISOString()}`);
+  postJetControl('/orchestrate-state', { phase: state });
+}
+
+async function signalJetLaunchReady() {
+  console.log('[rnfb-e2e] signaling Jet launch-ready (permit test run)');
+  await postJetControl('/launch-ready', {});
+}
+
+async function killJetForLaunchRetry(jetProcess) {
+  if (!jetProcess || jetProcess.killed) {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  logOrchestrateState('launch-retry-kill-jet');
+  console.warn('[rnfb-e2e] launch-retry: killing Jet before terminateApp/reboot');
+  jetProcess.kill('SIGTERM');
+  await sleep(500);
+  if (!jetProcess.killed) {
+    jetProcess.kill('SIGKILL');
+  }
+
+  try {
+    await waitForTcpPortClosed(JET_REMOTE_PORT, '127.0.0.1', KILL_JET_FOR_LAUNCH_RETRY_TIMEOUT_MS);
+  } catch (err) {
+    console.warn(`[rnfb-e2e] launch-retry: Jet port still open after kill: ${err?.message || err}`);
+  }
+}
+
+async function launchAppWithRetry(launchArgs, { testsDir, onBeforeRelaunch } = {}) {
   const liveMetro = usesLiveMetro();
 
   for (let launchAttempt = 1; launchAttempt <= LAUNCH_APP_MAX_ATTEMPTS; launchAttempt++) {
@@ -622,6 +720,9 @@ async function launchAppWithRetry(launchArgs, { testsDir } = {}) {
         console.warn(
           `[rnfb-e2e] Retrying launchApp after launch failure (attempt ${launchAttempt}/${LAUNCH_APP_MAX_ATTEMPTS}) liveMetro=${liveMetro}`,
         );
+        if (onBeforeRelaunch) {
+          await onBeforeRelaunch();
+        }
         const terminateMs = await terminateAppWithTiming(`retry-${launchAttempt}`);
         if (terminateMs >= SLOW_TERMINATE_MS && testsDir && process.platform === 'darwin') {
           console.warn(
@@ -652,51 +753,110 @@ async function launchAppWithRetry(launchArgs, { testsDir } = {}) {
   }
 }
 
-function runJetE2eAttempt(attempt) {
-  const platform = detox.device.getPlatform();
-  const testsDir = path.resolve(__dirname, '..');
-  const jetArgs =
-    process.platform === 'win32'
-      ? ['jet', `--target=${platform}`]
-      : ['jet', `--target=${platform}`, '--coverage'];
-
+function createJetSession(jetArgs, testsDir) {
   let output = '';
-  const jetProcess = spawn('yarn', jetArgs, {
-    stdio: ['ignore', 'pipe', 'pipe'],
-    shell: true,
-    cwd: testsDir,
-  });
+  let jetProcess;
+  let ignoreExit = false;
+  let resolveExit;
+  let rejectExit;
 
-  jetProcess.stdout.on('data', chunk => {
-    const text = chunk.toString();
-    output += text;
-    process.stdout.write(text);
-  });
-  jetProcess.stderr.on('data', chunk => {
-    const text = chunk.toString();
-    output += text;
-    process.stderr.write(text);
+  const exitPromise = new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
+    resolveExit = resolve;
+    rejectExit = reject;
   });
 
-  const exitPromise = new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
-    jetProcess.on('error', err => {
+  const bindProcess = proc => {
+    jetProcess = proc;
+    proc.stdout.on('data', chunk => {
+      const text = chunk.toString();
+      output += text;
+      process.stdout.write(text);
+    });
+    proc.stderr.on('data', chunk => {
+      const text = chunk.toString();
+      output += text;
+      process.stderr.write(text);
+    });
+    proc.on('error', err => {
+      if (ignoreExit) {
+        console.warn(`[rnfb-e2e] ignoring Jet error during launch-retry: ${err?.message || err}`);
+        return;
+      }
       err.jetOutput = output;
-      reject(err);
+      rejectExit(err);
     });
-    jetProcess.on('close', code => {
+    proc.on('close', code => {
+      if (ignoreExit) {
+        console.warn(`[rnfb-e2e] ignoring Jet exit code=${code} during launch-retry`);
+        return;
+      }
       if (code !== 0) {
         const err = new Error('Jet tests failed!');
         err.jetOutput = output;
         err.jetExitCode = code;
-        reject(err);
+        rejectExit(err);
         return;
       }
-      resolve({ output });
+      resolveExit({ output });
     });
-  });
+  };
+
+  const spawnJet = () => {
+    const proc = spawn('yarn', jetArgs, {
+      stdio: ['ignore', 'pipe', 'pipe'],
+      shell: true,
+      cwd: testsDir,
+      env: {
+        ...process.env,
+        RNFB_JET_DEFER_RUN: '1',
+      },
+    });
+    bindProcess(proc);
+    return proc;
+  };
+
+  spawnJet();
+
+  return {
+    get process() {
+      return jetProcess;
+    },
+    get output() {
+      return output;
+    },
+    exitPromise,
+    async respawnAfterLaunchRetry() {
+      ignoreExit = true;
+      try {
+        await killJetForLaunchRetry(jetProcess);
+        output += '\n[rnfb-e2e] --- jet respawn after launch retry ---\n';
+        spawnJet();
+        await waitForTcpPort(JET_REMOTE_PORT);
+        logOrchestrateState('launch-retry-jet-respawned');
+      } finally {
+        ignoreExit = false;
+      }
+    },
+  };
+}
+
+function runJetE2eAttempt(attempt) {
+  cachedUsesLiveMetro = undefined;
+  cacheUsesLiveMetro();
+
+  const platform = detox.device.getPlatform();
+  const testsDir = path.resolve(__dirname, '..');
+  const jetArgs =
+    process.platform === 'win32'
+      ? ['jet', `--target=${platform}`]
+      : ['jet', `--target=${platform}`, '--coverage'];
+
+  const jetSession = createJetSession(jetArgs, testsDir);
 
   const orchestrate = async () => {
+    logOrchestrateState('jet-spawned');
     console.log(`[rnfb-e2e] Jet attempt ${attempt}: waiting for port ${JET_REMOTE_PORT}`);
+    logOrchestrateState('port-wait');
     await waitForTcpPort(JET_REMOTE_PORT);
     if (usesLiveMetro()) {
       console.log(`[rnfb-e2e] Jet attempt ${attempt}: waiting for Metro on port ${METRO_PORT}`);
@@ -707,31 +867,45 @@ function runJetE2eAttempt(attempt) {
       );
     }
     console.log(`[rnfb-e2e] Jet attempt ${attempt}: launching app`);
+    logOrchestrateState('launch-pending');
     await launchAppWithRetry(
       {
         detoxURLBlacklistRegex: `.*`,
         // Avoid sync/idling blocking the main queue while Detox WS login is pending.
         detoxEnableSynchronization: 'NO',
       },
-      { testsDir },
+      {
+        testsDir,
+        onBeforeRelaunch: async () => {
+          await jetSession.respawnAfterLaunchRetry();
+        },
+      },
     );
+    logOrchestrateState('launch-ok');
+    await signalJetLaunchReady();
+    logOrchestrateState('tests-run-permitted');
   };
 
   const orchestratePromise = orchestrate();
-  lastJetAttemptContext = { jetProcess, orchestratePromise };
+  lastJetAttemptContext = { jetProcess: jetSession.process, orchestratePromise };
 
   return Promise.race([
     orchestratePromise
-      .then(() => exitPromise)
+      .then(() => {
+        logOrchestrateState('awaiting-jet-exit');
+        return jetSession.exitPromise;
+      })
       .catch(err => {
-        if (!jetProcess.killed) {
-          jetProcess.kill();
+        logOrchestrateState('orchestrate-failed');
+        if (!jetSession.process.killed) {
+          jetSession.process.kill();
         }
-        err.jetOutput = output;
+        err.jetOutput = jetSession.output;
         throw err;
       }),
-    exitPromise.catch(err => {
-      err.jetOutput = output;
+    jetSession.exitPromise.catch(err => {
+      logOrchestrateState('jet-exited');
+      err.jetOutput = jetSession.output;
       throw err;
     }),
   ]);
@@ -772,6 +946,12 @@ describe('Jet Tests', function () {
             }
           } else if (isRetryableLaunchFailure(lastFailure)) {
             console.warn('[rnfb-e2e] Retrying after launch failure (Metro/bundle/FrontBoard)');
+          } else if (isRetryableCloudQuotaFailure(lastOutput)) {
+            console.warn(
+              `[rnfb-e2e] Retrying after cloud quota pressure; cooling down ${CLOUD_QUOTA_RETRY_COOLDOWN_MS}ms`,
+            );
+            logCloudPressureAnalysisPointer('jet-retry');
+            await sleep(CLOUD_QUOTA_RETRY_COOLDOWN_MS);
           }
           await drainJetAttempt(platform);
           if (platform === 'ios' && process.platform === 'darwin') {
@@ -793,6 +973,18 @@ describe('Jet Tests', function () {
       } catch (err) {
         lastFailure = err;
         logRetryEligibility(err, attempt);
+        if (isRetryableCloudQuotaFailure(err?.jetOutput || '')) {
+          await recordE2eCloudMetricFromHost({
+            category: 'cloud-quota',
+            event: 'jet-failure',
+            attempt,
+            error: String(err?.message || err),
+            metadata: {
+              jetExitCode: err?.jetExitCode ?? null,
+            },
+          });
+          logCloudPressureAnalysisPointer('jet-failure-recorded');
+        }
         const retryable = attempt === 1 && isRetryableE2eFailure(err);
         console.warn(
           `[rnfb-e2e] Jet attempt ${attempt} failed (retryable=${retryable}, exit=${err.jetExitCode ?? 'n/a'})`,
diff --git a/tests/globals.js b/tests/globals.js
index d3994d1dcf..8003dfb2f8 100644
--- a/tests/globals.js
+++ b/tests/globals.js
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ import shouldMatchers from 'should';
 //            [RNFB<--Event][📣] storage_event <- {...}
 //            [RNFB<-Native][🟢] RNFBStorageModule.putString <- {...}
 //            [TEST->Finish][✅] uploads a base64url string
-globalThis.RNFBDebug = true;
+globalThis.RNFBDebug = false;
 
 // this may be used to locate modular API errors quickly
 globalThis.RNFB_MODULAR_DEPRECATION_STRICT_MODE = true;
@@ -226,6 +226,29 @@ global.FirebaseHelpers = {
   async updateRemoteConfigTemplate(operations) {
     return await this.callCloudHelperFunction('testFunctionRemoteConfigUpdateV2', operations);
   },
+  async recordE2eCloudMetric(payload) {
+    if (!payload || typeof payload !== 'object') {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const metric = {
+      ...payload,
+      platform: global.Platform?.ios ? 'ios' : global.Platform?.android ? 'android' : 'other',
+    };
+
+    try {
+      await this.callCloudHelperFunction('e2eCloudMetricsV2', metric);
+    } catch (error) {
+      // eslint-disable-next-line no-console
+      console.warn('[rnfb-e2e-metrics] record failed', String(error?.message || error));
+    }
+  },
+  async fetchE2eCloudMetricsSummary(lookbackHours = 24) {
+    const response = await this.callCloudHelperFunction('e2eCloudMetricsSummaryV2', {
+      lookbackHours,
+    });
+    return response?.result ?? response;
+  },
 };
 
 global.android = {
@@ -492,7 +515,8 @@ global.jet = {
   },
 };
 
-// some tests flake in CI but we still run them locally
-global.isCI = process.env.CI === 'true' || process.env.CI === true;
 // Used to tell our internals that we are running tests.
 globalThis.RNFBTest = true;
+globalThis.recordE2eCloudMetric = payload => global.FirebaseHelpers.recordE2eCloudMetric(payload);
+// some tests flake in CI but we still run them locally
+global.isCI = process.env.CI === 'true' || process.env.CI === true;
diff --git a/yarn.lock b/yarn.lock
index 0a896764ca..c90e2f87d7 100644
--- a/yarn.lock
+++ b/yarn.lock
@@ -16348,7 +16348,7 @@ __metadata:
 
 "jet@patch:jet@npm%3A0.9.0-dev.13#~/.yarn/patches/jet-npm-0.9.0-dev.13-3321aeea6e.patch":
   version: 0.9.0-dev.13
-  resolution: "jet@patch:jet@npm%3A0.9.0-dev.13#~/.yarn/patches/jet-npm-0.9.0-dev.13-3321aeea6e.patch::version=0.9.0-dev.13&hash=7deef5"
+  resolution: "jet@patch:jet@npm%3A0.9.0-dev.13#~/.yarn/patches/jet-npm-0.9.0-dev.13-3321aeea6e.patch::version=0.9.0-dev.13&hash=da22b8"
   dependencies:
     "@types/mocha": "npm:^10.0.10"
     babel-plugin-istanbul: "npm:^7.0.0"
@@ -16365,7 +16365,7 @@ __metadata:
     react-native: "*"
   bin:
     jet: jet.js
-  checksum: 10/0af938d9a3a409e90a97c0c6e3fe9296a3701fd0e1a973af9bc9ccc564ce5da8e83dead4d2a6019da2914846c85edf0b8cbff8bc5292d0831514dc4a5a947a31
+  checksum: 10/aa8a2bf53d96324b584f97d8c33bf4c655c8bd9b8191ca0067c8a42fd0bc2627b35894d927c6fbd477cdd5a51ceec46bdb9cf1735af4242a372c86b101b80680
   languageName: node
   linkType: hard
 
@@ -19562,13 +19562,13 @@ __metadata:
 
 "mocha-remote-server@patch:mocha-remote-server@npm%3A1.13.2#~/.yarn/patches/mocha-remote-server-npm-1.13.2-619a29d2e3.patch":
   version: 1.13.2
-  resolution: "mocha-remote-server@patch:mocha-remote-server@npm%3A1.13.2#~/.yarn/patches/mocha-remote-server-npm-1.13.2-619a29d2e3.patch::version=1.13.2&hash=04ee13"
+  resolution: "mocha-remote-server@patch:mocha-remote-server@npm%3A1.13.2#~/.yarn/patches/mocha-remote-server-npm-1.13.2-619a29d2e3.patch::version=1.13.2&hash=1e0a15"
   dependencies:
     debug: "npm:^4.3.4"
     flatted: "npm:^3.3.1"
     mocha-remote-common: "npm:1.13.2"
     ws: "npm:^8.17.1"
-  checksum: 10/cd9f2a1d15889e1fb7f3c63ae196ef8eea08ad9f0d3abc8ee7ff58f80edbddb7379c5fb322e710d5e6ebbce943157d683d806f1e207a7d7a2326852aa8666bfd
+  checksum: 10/c73f1cf7ea3c64be68f55ca42c79c26ccdbbc3d34d76b25ce355c822493e4f6f9069c905bd9f736e031c59610b8ff9fb2d621f312fb9f72059c995fb4a3f6e45
   languageName: node
   linkType: hard