diff --git a/docs/HOST-MATRIX.md b/docs/HOST-MATRIX.md
index 92cf75f..4a7ef3e 100644
--- a/docs/HOST-MATRIX.md
+++ b/docs/HOST-MATRIX.md
@@ -136,6 +136,28 @@ retired). Grounded in the actual code:
   runtime path as a separate step after local Hermes validation.
 - Install source is `hermes-bsd` main at `912e697d` (includes the Python 3.12 setup baseline).
 
+**FreeBSD prereqs & first-run checklist** (verified blind spots before committing):
+
+1. **Install prereqs via pkg first.** `setup-hermes.sh` only auto-provisions on
+   Linux/Termux/macOS; on FreeBSD it falls through to manual-instruction messages. Run:
+   `pkg install -y bash uv git curl`. Prefer pkg `uv` over the script's astral
+   `curl | sh` fallback (unreliable on FreeBSD).
+2. **`bash` must be installed.** The script is bash. Its shebang is now portable
+   `#!/usr/bin/env bash` (hermes-bsd PR #3, `fix(freebsd): portable bash shebang`), so it
+   resolves FreeBSD's `/usr/local/bin/bash` — but bash itself must be present (step 1).
+   Until PR #3 is merged on the checkout, invoke as `bash setup-hermes.sh`.
+3. **Run attended.** The script prompts (optional packages, setup wizard). Do **not** run
+   it unattended/agent-driven — it will hang on the `read` prompts.
+4. **Core-only for first validation.** Decline optional extras initially. Several
+   (`matrix`→libolm, `voice`/`tts`→audio) are native builds that may not compile on
+   FreeBSD 15; the installer degrades rather than hard-failing, but a minimal install
+   gives a clean CLI proof. Add extras deliberately later.
+5. **The rc.d service step is a separate re-setup, not a flip.** `setup-hermes.sh`
+   symlinks the `hermes` binary into `~/.local/bin` for the invoking user, but
+   `hermes_daemon` expects it at `/usr/local/bin/hermes` under a dedicated `hermes` user
+   with state at `/var/db/hermes`. Validation state at `/home/clawdie/.hermes` will **not**
+   migrate — re-run setup as the service user when promoting to rc.d.
+
 ---
 
 _See [`../AGENTS.md`](../AGENTS.md) for the canonical agent matrix and operating rules._