diff --git a/docs/release-control/v6/internal/subsystems/agent-lifecycle.md b/docs/release-control/v6/internal/subsystems/agent-lifecycle.md
index b04474884..4bb378d52 100644
--- a/docs/release-control/v6/internal/subsystems/agent-lifecycle.md
+++ b/docs/release-control/v6/internal/subsystems/agent-lifecycle.md
@@ -1632,6 +1632,12 @@ self-hosted callback must also stay absent from lifecycle retry and backoff
 behavior. Lifecycle-adjacent setup and install surfaces must also treat
 `trial_eligible` and `trial_eligibility_reason` as retired compatibility
 fields, not as prompt state or setup transport state.
+Legacy-named hosted entitlement verifier plumbing under shared `internal/api/`
+is boundary-only commercial compatibility, not lifecycle setup state:
+agent-lifecycle surfaces may consume the resolved entitlement outcome, but
+must not treat `TrialActivation*` names or the retained
+`PULSE_TRIAL_ACTIVATION_PUBLIC_KEY` literal as permission to recreate trial
+acquisition, setup retry, or install-progress prompts.
 That same shared `internal/api/` dependency also assumes session-carried OIDC
 refresh tokens stay fail-closed at rest: `session_store.go` may only persist
 or recover those tokens through encrypted-at-rest session payloads, and any
diff --git a/docs/release-control/v6/internal/subsystems/api-contracts.md b/docs/release-control/v6/internal/subsystems/api-contracts.md
index 3bb75b4a3..dc38eea05 100644
--- a/docs/release-control/v6/internal/subsystems/api-contracts.md
+++ b/docs/release-control/v6/internal/subsystems/api-contracts.md
@@ -379,6 +379,12 @@ the canonical monitored-system blocked payload.
     target before refresh, persistence, and evaluator rewiring, so tenant-
     scoped hosted routes cannot refresh against an empty non-default org while
     the machine's real hosted lease still lives on `default`.
+    The hosted verifier bridge may keep the legacy
+    `PULSE_TRIAL_ACTIVATION_PUBLIC_KEY` environment literal for deployed tenant
+    compatibility, but API call sites that validate hosted entitlement leases
+    must route through the `HostedEntitlement*` licensing aliases rather than
+    treating the retired trial-activation callback as the active acquisition
+    model.
 33. Keep public demo bootstrap posture on the shared security-status contract.
     `internal/api/router_routes_auth_security.go`,
     `internal/api/security_status_capabilities.go`, frontend security-status
diff --git a/docs/release-control/v6/internal/subsystems/cloud-paid.md b/docs/release-control/v6/internal/subsystems/cloud-paid.md
index fc80f9750..76d2579da 100644
--- a/docs/release-control/v6/internal/subsystems/cloud-paid.md
+++ b/docs/release-control/v6/internal/subsystems/cloud-paid.md
@@ -1000,6 +1000,13 @@ The retired `/auth/trial-activate` return path must also stay out of the
 ordinary self-hosted router and Pro settings UI. Hosted/cloud entitlement lease
 refresh may still validate signed leases for already-approved hosted state, but
 ordinary self-hosted Pulse must not create a local trial acquisition callback.
+The remaining `TrialActivation*` verifier names and
+`PULSE_TRIAL_ACTIVATION_PUBLIC_KEY` environment literal are boundary-only
+compatibility for hosted entitlement lease signing and already-deployed tenant
+configuration. New entitlement runtime call sites must use the
+`HostedEntitlement*` aliases unless they are explicitly proving the retired
+callback boundary, and changing the environment literal requires a separately
+governed credential rollout.
 The matching control-plane acquisition routes are retired too:
 `/start-pro-trial`, `/trial-signup/*`, and `/api/trial-signup/*` must remain
 unregistered. `/api/entitlements/refresh` remains the only hosted entitlement
diff --git a/docs/release-control/v6/internal/subsystems/storage-recovery.md b/docs/release-control/v6/internal/subsystems/storage-recovery.md
index 7bb817dbb..7705a4b9b 100644
--- a/docs/release-control/v6/internal/subsystems/storage-recovery.md
+++ b/docs/release-control/v6/internal/subsystems/storage-recovery.md
@@ -751,6 +751,12 @@ Shared licensing routes under `internal/api/` may retain legacy
 recovery surfaces must continue to consume the presentation policy instead of
 using those route names as a cue to render paid history prompts in ordinary
 self-hosted sessions.
+Legacy-named hosted entitlement verifier wiring under shared `internal/api/`
+is the same kind of boundary-only compatibility: storage and recovery surfaces
+may consume the resolved hosted entitlement, but they must not infer trial
+acquisition, restore identity, or recovery-progress state from
+`TrialActivation*` names or the retained
+`PULSE_TRIAL_ACTIVATION_PUBLIC_KEY` literal.
 That same shared boundary now also owns the one runtime-safe exception:
 storage and recovery may inherit demo-safe `/api/license/runtime-capabilities`
 reads for capability and history-retention truth, but
diff --git a/internal/api/contract_test.go b/internal/api/contract_test.go
index 0ce9c8f89..0a2a08e95 100644
--- a/internal/api/contract_test.go
+++ b/internal/api/contract_test.go
@@ -5240,6 +5240,27 @@ func TestContract_HostedTenantEntitlementRefreshFallsBackToDefaultBillingState(t
 	}
 }
 
+func TestContract_HostedEntitlementVerifierBridgeUsesCompatibilityEnvAlias(t *testing.T) {
+	if pkglicensing.HostedEntitlementPublicKeyEnvVar != pkglicensing.TrialActivationPublicKeyEnvVar {
+		t.Fatalf("hosted entitlement verifier env=%q, want legacy env alias %q", pkglicensing.HostedEntitlementPublicKeyEnvVar, pkglicensing.TrialActivationPublicKeyEnvVar)
+	}
+
+	pub, _, err := ed25519.GenerateKey(nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("GenerateKey: %v", err)
+	}
+	t.Setenv("PULSE_HOSTED_MODE", "true")
+	t.Setenv(pkglicensing.HostedEntitlementPublicKeyEnvVar, base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString(pub))
+
+	got, err := trialActivationPublicKeyFromLicensing()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("trialActivationPublicKeyFromLicensing: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !bytes.Equal(got, pub) {
+		t.Fatal("hosted entitlement verifier bridge did not resolve the compatibility env key")
+	}
+}
+
 func TestContract_EntitlementPayloadMonitoredSystemUsageJSONSnapshot(t *testing.T) {
 	payload := buildEntitlementPayloadWithUsage(&licenseStatus{
 		Valid:               true,
diff --git a/internal/api/licensing_bridge.go b/internal/api/licensing_bridge.go
index ae34bd463..2daee5725 100644
--- a/internal/api/licensing_bridge.go
+++ b/internal/api/licensing_bridge.go
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@ func parseOptionalTimeParamFromLicensing(raw string, defaultValue time.Time) (ti
 }
 
 func trialActivationPublicKeyFromLicensing() (ed25519.PublicKey, error) {
-	return pkglicensing.TrialActivationPublicKey()
+	return pkglicensing.HostedEntitlementPublicKey()
 }
 
 func signPurchaseReturnTokenFromLicensing(signingKey []byte, claims purchaseReturnClaimsModel) (string, error) {
diff --git a/pkg/licensing/entitlement_lease.go b/pkg/licensing/entitlement_lease.go
index bac77385a..3a3451c42 100644
--- a/pkg/licensing/entitlement_lease.go
+++ b/pkg/licensing/entitlement_lease.go
@@ -11,11 +11,17 @@ import (
 )
 
 const (
-	// TrialEntitlementLeaseIssuer is the JWT issuer for hosted entitlement cache leases.
-	TrialEntitlementLeaseIssuer = "pulse-pro-entitlement-lease"
+	// HostedEntitlementLeaseIssuer is the JWT issuer for hosted entitlement cache leases.
+	HostedEntitlementLeaseIssuer = "pulse-pro-entitlement-lease"
 
-	// TrialEntitlementLeaseAudience is the JWT audience for hosted entitlement cache leases.
-	TrialEntitlementLeaseAudience = "pulse-pro-entitlement-cache"
+	// HostedEntitlementLeaseAudience is the JWT audience for hosted entitlement cache leases.
+	HostedEntitlementLeaseAudience = "pulse-pro-entitlement-cache"
+
+	// TrialEntitlementLeaseIssuer is the legacy exported name for hosted entitlement leases.
+	TrialEntitlementLeaseIssuer = HostedEntitlementLeaseIssuer
+
+	// TrialEntitlementLeaseAudience is the legacy exported name for hosted entitlement leases.
+	TrialEntitlementLeaseAudience = HostedEntitlementLeaseAudience
 )
 
 var (
@@ -88,10 +94,10 @@ func SignEntitlementLeaseToken(privateKey ed25519.PrivateKey, claims Entitlement
 		claims.ExpiresAt = jwt.NewNumericDate(expiresAt)
 	}
 	if strings.TrimSpace(claims.Issuer) == "" {
-		claims.Issuer = TrialEntitlementLeaseIssuer
+		claims.Issuer = HostedEntitlementLeaseIssuer
 	}
 	if len(claims.Audience) == 0 {
-		claims.Audience = jwt.ClaimStrings{TrialEntitlementLeaseAudience}
+		claims.Audience = jwt.ClaimStrings{HostedEntitlementLeaseAudience}
 	}
 
 	token := jwt.NewWithClaims(jwt.SigningMethodEdDSA, claims)
@@ -127,8 +133,8 @@ func parseEntitlementLeaseToken(token string, publicKey ed25519.PublicKey, expec
 	claims := &EntitlementLeaseClaims{}
 	parseOpts := []jwt.ParserOption{
 		jwt.WithValidMethods([]string{jwt.SigningMethodEdDSA.Alg()}),
-		jwt.WithIssuer(TrialEntitlementLeaseIssuer),
-		jwt.WithAudience(TrialEntitlementLeaseAudience),
+		jwt.WithIssuer(HostedEntitlementLeaseIssuer),
+		jwt.WithAudience(HostedEntitlementLeaseAudience),
 		jwt.WithTimeFunc(func() time.Time { return now }),
 	}
 	if skipTimeValidation {
@@ -162,7 +168,7 @@ func parseEntitlementLeaseToken(token string, publicKey ed25519.PublicKey, expec
 	}
 	expected := normalizeHost(expectedInstanceHost)
 	if expected != "" && !strings.EqualFold(claims.InstanceHost, expected) {
-		return nil, ErrTrialActivationHostMismatch
+		return nil, ErrHostedEntitlementHostMismatch
 	}
 	normalizeEntitlementLeaseClaims(claims)
 	return claims, nil
@@ -175,7 +181,7 @@ func ResolveEntitlementLeaseBillingState(state BillingState, expectedInstanceHos
 	if token == "" {
 		return normalizeTrialExpiry(state, now)
 	}
-	publicKey, err := TrialActivationPublicKey()
+	publicKey, err := HostedEntitlementPublicKey()
 	if err != nil {
 		return entitlementLeaseFallbackState(state, now)
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/licensing/entitlement_lease_test.go b/pkg/licensing/entitlement_lease_test.go
index 38b43e38a..1d6d887c0 100644
--- a/pkg/licensing/entitlement_lease_test.go
+++ b/pkg/licensing/entitlement_lease_test.go
@@ -120,8 +120,8 @@ func TestVerifyEntitlementLeaseTokenHostMismatch(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	_, err = VerifyEntitlementLeaseToken(token, pub, "pulse-b.example.com", time.Now())
-	if !errors.Is(err, ErrTrialActivationHostMismatch) {
-		t.Fatalf("VerifyEntitlementLeaseToken() error=%v, want %v", err, ErrTrialActivationHostMismatch)
+	if !errors.Is(err, ErrHostedEntitlementHostMismatch) {
+		t.Fatalf("VerifyEntitlementLeaseToken() error=%v, want %v", err, ErrHostedEntitlementHostMismatch)
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/licensing/service_activate_test.go b/pkg/licensing/service_activate_test.go
index 5f3b8a693..04e9484fa 100644
--- a/pkg/licensing/service_activate_test.go
+++ b/pkg/licensing/service_activate_test.go
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+//go:build !release
+
 package licensing
 
 import (
diff --git a/pkg/licensing/trial_activation.go b/pkg/licensing/trial_activation.go
index 70ee97441..912655e6b 100644
--- a/pkg/licensing/trial_activation.go
+++ b/pkg/licensing/trial_activation.go
@@ -17,10 +17,18 @@ import (
 )
 
 const (
-	// TrialActivationPublicKeyEnvVar overrides the public key used to validate
-	// hosted trial activation tokens.
+	// TrialActivationPublicKeyEnvVar is the legacy environment variable name
+	// for the hosted entitlement signing public key. The literal value stays
+	// stable for deployed-tenant compatibility; do not use it to reintroduce
+	// self-hosted trial acquisition.
 	TrialActivationPublicKeyEnvVar = "PULSE_TRIAL_ACTIVATION_PUBLIC_KEY"
 
+	// HostedEntitlementPublicKeyEnvVar is the canonical name for the hosted
+	// entitlement signing public-key source. It intentionally aliases the
+	// legacy environment variable until a separately governed credential
+	// migration exists.
+	HostedEntitlementPublicKeyEnvVar = TrialActivationPublicKeyEnvVar
+
 	// TrialActivationIssuer is the JWT issuer for hosted trial activation tokens.
 	TrialActivationIssuer = "pulse-pro-trial-signup"
 
@@ -38,10 +46,16 @@ var (
 	ErrTrialActivationReturnURLMissing  = errors.New("trial activation return_url is required")
 	ErrTrialActivationReturnURLInvalid  = errors.New("trial activation return_url is invalid")
 	ErrTrialActivationHostMismatch      = errors.New("trial activation token host mismatch")
+
+	ErrHostedEntitlementPublicKeyMissing = ErrTrialActivationPublicKeyMissing
+	ErrHostedEntitlementPublicKeyInvalid = ErrTrialActivationPublicKeyInvalid
+	ErrHostedEntitlementHostMismatch     = ErrTrialActivationHostMismatch
 )
 
-// TrialActivationClaims are signed by the hosted signup service and consumed by
-// self-hosted Pulse instances to start a Pro trial after registration/checkout.
+// TrialActivationClaims model the retired self-hosted trial-acquisition
+// callback. They remain for compatibility tests around the closed
+// /auth/trial-activate boundary; normal v6 hosted entitlement state uses
+// EntitlementLeaseClaims.
 type TrialActivationClaims struct {
 	OrgID         string `json:"org_id"`
 	Email         string `json:"email,omitempty"`
@@ -75,16 +89,29 @@ func DecodeEd25519PrivateKey(encoded string) (ed25519.PrivateKey, error) {
 	}
 }
 
-// TrialActivationPublicKey resolves the verification key for hosted trial
-// activation tokens. Environment override is only allowed in local/dev builds.
-// Release builds must use the build-time embedded verification key instead of
-// reopening that trust boundary through hosted-mode environment wiring.
+// HostedEntitlementPublicKey resolves the verification key for hosted
+// entitlement leases. It currently reads the legacy trial-activation
+// environment name for deployed-tenant compatibility. Environment override is
+// only allowed in local/dev builds. Release builds must use the build-time
+// embedded verification key instead of reopening that trust boundary through
+// hosted-mode environment wiring.
+func HostedEntitlementPublicKey() (ed25519.PublicKey, error) {
+	return trialActivationPublicKey()
+}
+
+// TrialActivationPublicKey resolves the same legacy verification source for
+// retired trial-activation compatibility. New hosted entitlement code should
+// call HostedEntitlementPublicKey instead.
 func TrialActivationPublicKey() (ed25519.PublicKey, error) {
+	return trialActivationPublicKey()
+}
+
+func trialActivationPublicKey() (ed25519.PublicKey, error) {
 	if allowTrialActivationPublicKeyEnvOverride() {
-		if env := strings.TrimSpace(os.Getenv(TrialActivationPublicKeyEnvVar)); env != "" {
+		if env := strings.TrimSpace(os.Getenv(HostedEntitlementPublicKeyEnvVar)); env != "" {
 			key, err := DecodePublicKey(env)
 			if err != nil {
-				return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %v", ErrTrialActivationPublicKeyInvalid, err)
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %v", ErrHostedEntitlementPublicKeyInvalid, err)
 			}
 			return key, nil
 		}
@@ -92,11 +119,11 @@ func TrialActivationPublicKey() (ed25519.PublicKey, error) {
 
 	embedded := strings.TrimSpace(EmbeddedPublicKey)
 	if embedded == "" {
-		return nil, ErrTrialActivationPublicKeyMissing
+		return nil, ErrHostedEntitlementPublicKeyMissing
 	}
 	key, err := DecodePublicKey(embedded)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %v", ErrTrialActivationPublicKeyInvalid, err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %v", ErrHostedEntitlementPublicKeyInvalid, err)
 	}
 	return key, nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/licensing/trial_activation_test.go b/pkg/licensing/trial_activation_test.go
index 9b6046e4f..fffb4e217 100644
--- a/pkg/licensing/trial_activation_test.go
+++ b/pkg/licensing/trial_activation_test.go
@@ -194,3 +194,36 @@ func TestTrialActivationPublicKey_SelectsAllowedVerificationSource(t *testing.T)
 		t.Fatalf("TrialActivationPublicKey mismatch")
 	}
 }
+
+func TestHostedEntitlementPublicKey_AliasesLegacyVerificationSource(t *testing.T) {
+	if HostedEntitlementPublicKeyEnvVar != TrialActivationPublicKeyEnvVar {
+		t.Fatalf("HostedEntitlementPublicKeyEnvVar=%q, want legacy env var %q", HostedEntitlementPublicKeyEnvVar, TrialActivationPublicKeyEnvVar)
+	}
+
+	envPub, _, err := ed25519.GenerateKey(nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("GenerateKey: %v", err)
+	}
+	embeddedPub, _, err := ed25519.GenerateKey(nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("GenerateKey: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	t.Setenv("PULSE_HOSTED_MODE", "true")
+	t.Setenv(HostedEntitlementPublicKeyEnvVar, base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString(envPub))
+	embeddedBefore := EmbeddedPublicKey
+	t.Cleanup(func() { EmbeddedPublicKey = embeddedBefore })
+	EmbeddedPublicKey = base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString(embeddedPub)
+
+	got, err := HostedEntitlementPublicKey()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("HostedEntitlementPublicKey: %v", err)
+	}
+	want := embeddedPub
+	if allowTrialActivationPublicKeyEnvOverride() {
+		want = envPub
+	}
+	if !bytes.Equal(got, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("HostedEntitlementPublicKey mismatch")
+	}
+}