diff --git a/BUILD.md b/BUILD.md
index 2ad8dc33..66419e2a 100644
--- a/BUILD.md
+++ b/BUILD.md
@@ -585,13 +585,32 @@ full `sudo ./build.sh` once after pulling current `main`.
 
 ## Testing
 
-Before writing to hardware, use bhyve when available:
+Default verification order for the operator USB is now:
+
+1. static artifact verification on the build host
+2. bhyve boot verification on the ML350p virtualization lane
+3. physical hardware validation for the final acceptance pass
+
+Use bhyve before writing to hardware whenever the lane is available:
 
 ```sh
 sudo ./scripts/bhyve-pf-allow.sh
 sudo ./scripts/bhyve-test.sh
 ```
 
+Current ML350p bhyve plan:
+
+- host RAM budget: ZFS ARC 6G + Poudriere tmpfs 4G + headroom 6G
+- bhyve RAM budget: FreeBSD ISO test 4G + Linux cross-compile 4G + FreeBSD builder 4G + spare 4G
+- intended VM roles:
+  - ISO boot verification after each build
+  - Linux target validation
+  - FreeBSD/Poudriere test lane
+
+Use bhyve to catch boot, SDDM/XFCE, and service-start regressions early. Keep
+real hardware as the final proof for GPU quirks, Wi-Fi, audio, touchpad, and
+display/panel behavior.
+
 See [TESTING.md](TESTING.md) for the full validation checklist.
 
 ---
diff --git a/TESTING.md b/TESTING.md
index 60abcb42..42177212 100644
--- a/TESTING.md
+++ b/TESTING.md
@@ -329,10 +329,27 @@ sudo mdconfig -d -u md0
 
 ---
 
-## Level 2: Optional bhyve Smoke Boot
+## Level 2: bhyve Verification Gate
 
-Use bhyve for a quick boot smoke test when hardware is not immediately
-available. Treat this as a convenience check, not the final authority.
+Use bhyve as the standard pre-hardware gate when the ML350p lane is available.
+This is no longer just an opportunistic smoke test; it is the default
+middle-stage verification between static artifact checks and physical hardware.
+
+Treat bhyve as authoritative for boot/runtime plumbing and still treat real
+hardware as the final authority for GPU, panel, input, Wi-Fi, and audio polish.
+
+### ML350p resource plan
+
+| Resource    | Allocation                                                                   |
+| ----------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| Host (16G)  | ZFS ARC 6G + Poudriere tmpfs 4G + headroom 6G                                |
+| bhyve (16G) | FreeBSD ISO test 4G + Linux cross-compile 4G + FreeBSD builder 4G + spare 4G |
+
+Planned bhyve roles:
+
+- ISO boot verification after each build
+- Linux target validation
+- FreeBSD/Poudriere test lane
 
 ### Host preflight
 
@@ -349,7 +366,7 @@ Optional PF helper for guest internet:
 sudo ./scripts/bhyve-pf-allow.sh
 ```
 
-### Run the smoke boot
+### Run the boot verification
 
 ```sh
 cd /home/clawdie/clawdie-iso
@@ -361,14 +378,17 @@ sudo ./scripts/bhyve-test.sh
 - image boots at all
 - SDDM/XFCE path appears instead of dropping straight to a dead console
 - no immediate package/rootfs failure
+- Clawdie/Colibri service staging does not crash the session at first boot
 
 bhyve is useful for catching:
 
 - broken bootcode
 - missing live-session payload
 - obvious SDDM/Xorg startup regressions
+- obvious service-start regressions after build-time staging changes
 
-It is **not** enough for final GPU confidence.
+It is **not** enough for final GPU confidence or laptop-specific UI/device
+behavior.
 
 ---