diff --git a/app/components/BoardPostCard.vue b/app/components/BoardPostCard.vue
index 97067e9..ff6e9d4 100644
--- a/app/components/BoardPostCard.vue
+++ b/app/components/BoardPostCard.vue
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ const slackLinks = computed(() => {
 <style scoped>
 .board-post {
   border: 1px dashed var(--border);
-  padding: 20px 24px;
+  padding: 18px 22px;
   background: var(--surface);
   break-inside: avoid;
   -webkit-column-break-inside: avoid;
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ const slackLinks = computed(() => {
 
 .post-title {
   font-family: "Brygada 1918", serif;
-  font-size: 18px;
+  font-size: 19px;
   font-weight: 500;
   color: var(--text-bright);
   margin: 0 0 12px;
diff --git a/app/components/BoardPostForm.vue b/app/components/BoardPostForm.vue
index 981475a..f7d955b 100644
--- a/app/components/BoardPostForm.vue
+++ b/app/components/BoardPostForm.vue
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ function handleSubmit() {
 <style scoped>
 .post-form {
   border: 1px dashed var(--border);
-  padding: 16px 16px;
+  padding: 14px 16px;
   background: transparent;
 }
 
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ function handleSubmit() {
 }
 .form-title {
   font-family: "Brygada 1918", serif;
-  font-size: 16px;
+  font-size: 15px;
   font-weight: 500;
   color: var(--text-bright);
 }
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ function handleSubmit() {
   color: var(--text-faint);
   text-transform: none;
   letter-spacing: 0;
-  font-size: 10px;
+  font-size: 9px;
   margin-left: 4px;
   opacity: 0.7;
 }
diff --git a/app/components/CirclePicker.vue b/app/components/CirclePicker.vue
index 929ce1b..fb8f298 100644
--- a/app/components/CirclePicker.vue
+++ b/app/components/CirclePicker.vue
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ defineEmits(['update:modelValue'])
 
 .circle-option {
   border: 1px dashed var(--border);
-  padding: 12px 12px;
+  padding: 14px 12px;
   background: var(--bg);
   cursor: pointer;
   transition: all 0.15s;
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ defineEmits(['update:modelValue'])
 }
 
 .circle-tag {
-  font-size: 10px;
+  font-size: 9px;
   letter-spacing: 0.06em;
   text-transform: uppercase;
   margin-top: 6px;
diff --git a/app/components/EventsMiniSidebar.vue b/app/components/EventsMiniSidebar.vue
index df953d6..de6066d 100644
--- a/app/components/EventsMiniSidebar.vue
+++ b/app/components/EventsMiniSidebar.vue
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ const formatDate = (dateStr) => {
 }
 
 .em-circle {
-  font-size: 10px;
+  font-size: 9px;
   letter-spacing: 0.06em;
   text-transform: uppercase;
   margin-top: 2px;
diff --git a/app/components/FilterBar.vue b/app/components/FilterBar.vue
index c63f40e..688de8e 100644
--- a/app/components/FilterBar.vue
+++ b/app/components/FilterBar.vue
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ defineEmits(['update:modelValue'])
 
 <style scoped>
 .filter-bar {
-  padding: 16px 28px;
+  padding: 14px 32px;
   border-bottom: 1px dashed var(--border);
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
diff --git a/app/components/ImageUpload.vue b/app/components/ImageUpload.vue
index bd8a87e..40cc0c0 100644
--- a/app/components/ImageUpload.vue
+++ b/app/components/ImageUpload.vue
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@
       >
       <button
         type="button"
-        class="absolute top-2 right-2 p-1 rounded-full transition-colors"
-        style="background: var(--ember); color: var(--parch-text)"
+        class="absolute top-2 right-2 p-1 text-white rounded-full transition-colors"
+        style="background: var(--ember)"
         @click="removeImage"
       >
         <Icon name="heroicons:x-mark" class="w-4 h-4" />
diff --git a/app/components/LoginModal.vue b/app/components/LoginModal.vue
index e3fd0b6..67bc904 100644
--- a/app/components/LoginModal.vue
+++ b/app/components/LoginModal.vue
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
                 type="email"
                 placeholder="your.email@example.com"
                 required
-              >
+              />
             </div>
 
             <div class="info-box">
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ onUnmounted(() => document.removeEventListener('keydown', handleKeydown))
 
 .modal-overline {
   font-family: 'Brygada 1918', serif;
-  font-size: 13px;
+  font-size: 14px;
   font-weight: 600;
   color: var(--candle);
   margin-bottom: 12px;
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ onUnmounted(() => document.removeEventListener('keydown', handleKeydown))
 .info-box {
   font-size: 11px;
   color: var(--text-faint);
-  padding: 12px 16px;
+  padding: 10px 14px;
   border: 1px dashed var(--border);
   margin-bottom: 16px;
   line-height: 1.6;
diff --git a/app/components/OnboardingWidget.vue b/app/components/OnboardingWidget.vue
index 3f9f11b..97c246d 100644
--- a/app/components/OnboardingWidget.vue
+++ b/app/components/OnboardingWidget.vue
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ const barEmpty = computed(() => '-'.repeat((4 - completedCount.value) * 2) + ']'
   display: inline-block;
   margin-top: 8px;
   padding: 4px 12px;
-  border: 1px dashed color-mix(in srgb, var(--parch-text) 25%, transparent);
+  border: 1px dashed rgba(237, 228, 208, 0.25);
   color: var(--parch-accent);
   font-size: 11px;
   text-decoration: none;
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ const barEmpty = computed(() => '-'.repeat((4 - completedCount.value) * 2) + ']'
 .ow-progress {
   margin-top: 10px;
   padding-top: 8px;
-  border-top: 1px dashed color-mix(in srgb, var(--parch-text) 12%, transparent);
+  border-top: 1px dashed rgba(237, 228, 208, 0.12);
   font-size: 11px;
   color: var(--parch-text-dim);
   display: flex;
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ const barEmpty = computed(() => '-'.repeat((4 - completedCount.value) * 2) + ']'
 }
 
 .ow-bar-empty {
-  color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--parch-text) 20%, transparent);
+  color: rgba(237, 228, 208, 0.2);
 }
 
 .ow-skip {
diff --git a/app/components/SignupFlowOverlay.vue b/app/components/SignupFlowOverlay.vue
index 10fe663..6ad3321 100644
--- a/app/components/SignupFlowOverlay.vue
+++ b/app/components/SignupFlowOverlay.vue
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ const stepLabel = computed(() => {
   position: fixed;
   inset: 0;
   z-index: 50;
-  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--parch) 72%, transparent);
+  background: rgba(42, 32, 21, 0.72);
   backdrop-filter: blur(4px);
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
diff --git a/app/pages/about.vue b/app/pages/about.vue
index 5920e9b..a423811 100644
--- a/app/pages/about.vue
+++ b/app/pages/about.vue
@@ -38,16 +38,16 @@
         <div class="section-label">The Circles</div>
         <div class="circles-grid">
           <div id="community" class="circle-cell">
-            <h2 style="color: var(--c-community)">Community</h2>
+            <h3 style="color: var(--c-community)">Community</h3>
 
             <p>For anyone exploring cooperative models.</p>
           </div>
           <div id="founder" class="circle-cell">
-            <h2 style="color: var(--c-founder)">Founder</h2>
+            <h3 style="color: var(--c-founder)">Founder</h3>
             <p>For people actively building cooperatives.</p>
           </div>
           <div id="practitioner" class="circle-cell">
-            <h2 style="color: var(--c-practitioner)">Practitioner</h2>
+            <h3 style="color: var(--c-practitioner)">Practitioner</h3>
             <p>For experienced practitioners sharing what they know.</p>
           </div>
         </div>
diff --git a/app/pages/admin/events/index.vue b/app/pages/admin/events/index.vue
index 0cafd01..051e4c8 100644
--- a/app/pages/admin/events/index.vue
+++ b/app/pages/admin/events/index.vue
@@ -570,7 +570,7 @@ tbody td {
   letter-spacing: 0.04em;
   text-transform: uppercase;
   color: var(--c-founder);
-  border: 1px dashed color-mix(in srgb, var(--ember) 30%, transparent);
+  border: 1px dashed rgba(138, 68, 32, 0.3);
   padding: 2px 8px;
 }
 
@@ -583,7 +583,7 @@ tbody td {
   font-size: 10px;
   font-weight: 600;
   color: var(--c-founder);
-  border: 1px dashed color-mix(in srgb, var(--ember) 40%, transparent);
+  border: 1px dashed rgba(138, 68, 32, 0.4);
   border-radius: 50%;
 }
 
@@ -632,12 +632,12 @@ tbody td {
 
 .status-upcoming {
   color: var(--candle);
-  border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--candle) 30%, transparent);
+  border-color: rgba(122, 90, 16, 0.3);
 }
 
 .status-ongoing {
   color: var(--green);
-  border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--green) 30%, transparent);
+  border-color: rgba(74, 106, 56, 0.3);
 }
 
 .status-past {
@@ -647,7 +647,7 @@ tbody td {
 
 .status-cancelled {
   color: var(--ember);
-  border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--ember) 30%, transparent);
+  border-color: rgba(138, 68, 32, 0.3);
   margin-top: 4px;
 }
 
diff --git a/app/pages/admin/index.vue b/app/pages/admin/index.vue
index 289a813..e117a8f 100644
--- a/app/pages/admin/index.vue
+++ b/app/pages/admin/index.vue
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@
                 <span class="item-sub">{{ member.email }}</span>
               </div>
               <div class="item-meta">
-                <CircleBadge :circle="member.circle" />
+                <span class="badge" :class="member.circle">{{ member.circle }}</span>
                 <span class="item-date">{{ formatDate(member.createdAt) }}</span>
               </div>
             </div>
diff --git a/app/pages/admin/members/[id].vue b/app/pages/admin/members/[id].vue
index 567caf9..824e264 100644
--- a/app/pages/admin/members/[id].vue
+++ b/app/pages/admin/members/[id].vue
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
           <p v-if="member" class="member-email">{{ member.email }}</p>
         </div>
         <div v-if="member" class="header-badges">
-          <CircleBadge :circle="member.circle" />
+          <span class="badge" :class="member.circle">{{ member.circle }}</span>
           <span :class="statusClass(member.status)" class="status-badge">{{ member.status }}</span>
         </div>
       </div>
diff --git a/app/pages/admin/members/index.vue b/app/pages/admin/members/index.vue
index bce22e1..461ab20 100644
--- a/app/pages/admin/members/index.vue
+++ b/app/pages/admin/members/index.vue
@@ -108,7 +108,9 @@
             </td>
             <td class="col-email">{{ member.email }}</td>
             <td>
-              <CircleBadge :circle="member.circle" />
+              <span class="badge" :class="member.circle">{{
+                member.circle
+              }}</span>
             </td>
             <td class="col-mono">${{ member.contributionAmount ?? 0 }}/mo</td>
             <td>
@@ -1147,7 +1149,7 @@ th.sortable:hover {
   text-transform: uppercase;
 }
 .badge.status-active {
-  color: var(--green);
+  color: var(--green, #3a6b3a);
   border-color: rgba(58, 107, 58, 0.45);
 }
 .badge.status-pending_payment {
@@ -1156,7 +1158,7 @@ th.sortable:hover {
 }
 .badge.status-suspended {
   color: var(--ember);
-  border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--ember) 45%, transparent);
+  border-color: rgba(138, 68, 32, 0.45);
 }
 .badge.status-cancelled {
   color: var(--text-faint);
@@ -1304,7 +1306,7 @@ th.sortable:hover {
 }
 
 .row-error {
-  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--ember) 4%, transparent);
+  background: rgba(138, 68, 32, 0.04);
 }
 
 /* ---- PREVIEW BOX ---- */
diff --git a/app/pages/admin/pre-registrants/index.vue b/app/pages/admin/pre-registrants/index.vue
index 79fe351..3a62be5 100644
--- a/app/pages/admin/pre-registrants/index.vue
+++ b/app/pages/admin/pre-registrants/index.vue
@@ -643,8 +643,8 @@ tbody td {
 }
 
 .status-accepted {
-  color: var(--green);
-  border-color: var(--green);
+  color: var(--green, #4a7);
+  border-color: var(--green, #4a7);
 }
 
 .status-expired {
@@ -671,7 +671,7 @@ tbody td {
 
 /* ---- STATUS INDICATORS ---- */
 .status-ok {
-  color: var(--green);
+  color: var(--green, #4a7);
   font-size: 11px;
 }
 
diff --git a/app/pages/admin/series-management.vue b/app/pages/admin/series-management.vue
index c558d3a..972c9cc 100644
--- a/app/pages/admin/series-management.vue
+++ b/app/pages/admin/series-management.vue
@@ -850,7 +850,7 @@ const exportSeriesData = () => {
   font-size: 11px;
   font-weight: 600;
   color: var(--c-founder);
-  border: 1px dashed color-mix(in srgb, var(--ember) 40%, transparent);
+  border: 1px dashed rgba(138, 68, 32, 0.4);
   border-radius: 50%;
   flex-shrink: 0;
 }
@@ -931,12 +931,12 @@ const exportSeriesData = () => {
 
 .status-active {
   color: var(--green);
-  border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--green) 30%, transparent);
+  border-color: rgba(74, 106, 56, 0.3);
 }
 
 .status-upcoming {
   color: var(--candle);
-  border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--candle) 30%, transparent);
+  border-color: rgba(122, 90, 16, 0.3);
 }
 
 .status-completed {
@@ -946,7 +946,7 @@ const exportSeriesData = () => {
 
 .status-ongoing {
   color: var(--green);
-  border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--green) 30%, transparent);
+  border-color: rgba(74, 106, 56, 0.3);
 }
 
 /* ---- LINK BUTTONS ---- */
diff --git a/app/pages/admin/wiki.vue b/app/pages/admin/wiki.vue
index f6c5cab..9650bb3 100644
--- a/app/pages/admin/wiki.vue
+++ b/app/pages/admin/wiki.vue
@@ -954,8 +954,8 @@ const applyBatchVisibility = async (hidden) => {
 }
 
 .sync-created {
-  color: var(--green);
-  border-color: var(--green);
+  color: var(--green, #4a7);
+  border-color: var(--green, #4a7);
 }
 
 .sync-updated {
diff --git a/app/pages/auth/logout-confirm.vue b/app/pages/auth/logout-confirm.vue
index 0611b11..3061387 100644
--- a/app/pages/auth/logout-confirm.vue
+++ b/app/pages/auth/logout-confirm.vue
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ if (import.meta.server && !xsrf.value) {
 .auth-title {
   font-family: var(--font-display);
   font-size: 28px;
-  font-weight: 600;
+  font-weight: 700;
   line-height: 1.1;
   letter-spacing: -0.01em;
   color: var(--candle);
diff --git a/app/pages/auth/logout-success.vue b/app/pages/auth/logout-success.vue
index ea00d18..28e6fce 100644
--- a/app/pages/auth/logout-success.vue
+++ b/app/pages/auth/logout-success.vue
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ useHead({ title: "Signed Out — Ghost Guild" });
 .auth-title {
   font-family: var(--font-display);
   font-size: 28px;
-  font-weight: 600;
+  font-weight: 700;
   line-height: 1.1;
   letter-spacing: -0.01em;
   color: var(--candle);
diff --git a/app/pages/auth/oidc-error.vue b/app/pages/auth/oidc-error.vue
index 0a86bfb..9a060c4 100644
--- a/app/pages/auth/oidc-error.vue
+++ b/app/pages/auth/oidc-error.vue
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ const hasDetail = computed(
 .auth-title {
   font-family: var(--font-display);
   font-size: 28px;
-  font-weight: 600;
+  font-weight: 700;
   line-height: 1.1;
   letter-spacing: -0.01em;
   color: var(--candle);
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ const hasDetail = computed(
 
 .auth-detail-code {
   color: var(--ember);
-  font-weight: 600;
+  font-weight: 700;
   margin: 0 0 4px;
 }
 
diff --git a/app/pages/auth/wiki-login.vue b/app/pages/auth/wiki-login.vue
index f7e0d01..2ce8dbf 100644
--- a/app/pages/auth/wiki-login.vue
+++ b/app/pages/auth/wiki-login.vue
@@ -172,8 +172,8 @@ function resetForm() {
 
 .wiki-login-title {
   font-family: var(--font-display);
-  font-size: 36px;
-  font-weight: 600;
+  font-size: 32px;
+  font-weight: 700;
   line-height: 1.1;
   letter-spacing: -0.01em;
   color: var(--candle);
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ function resetForm() {
 .wiki-login-sent-heading {
   font-family: var(--font-display);
   font-size: 20px;
-  font-weight: 600;
+  font-weight: 700;
   color: var(--text-bright);
   margin: 0;
 }
diff --git a/app/pages/board.vue b/app/pages/board.vue
index 2257533..93cdd5d 100644
--- a/app/pages/board.vue
+++ b/app/pages/board.vue
@@ -357,13 +357,13 @@ onMounted(async () => {
 
 /* ---- LOADING / EMPTY ---- */
 .loading-state {
-  padding: 64px 24px;
+  padding: 60px 24px;
   text-align: center;
   color: var(--text-faint);
   font-size: 12px;
 }
 .empty-state {
-  padding: 64px 24px;
+  padding: 60px 24px;
   text-align: center;
 }
 .empty-title {
diff --git a/app/pages/coming-soon.vue b/app/pages/coming-soon.vue
index b43c391..f7de6b2 100644
--- a/app/pages/coming-soon.vue
+++ b/app/pages/coming-soon.vue
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ const handleLogout = async () => {
 .coming-soon-title {
   font-family: var(--font-display);
   font-size: 3rem;
-  font-weight: 600;
+  font-weight: 700;
   color: var(--text-bright);
   margin-bottom: 8px;
 }
diff --git a/app/pages/community-guidelines.vue b/app/pages/community-guidelines.vue
index 13f7feb..2708198 100644
--- a/app/pages/community-guidelines.vue
+++ b/app/pages/community-guidelines.vue
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ useHead({
 }
 .guidelines-section ul li {
   position: relative;
-  padding: 2px 0 2px 16px;
+  padding: 2px 0 2px 18px;
   font-size: 13px;
   color: var(--text-dim);
   line-height: 1.7;
@@ -365,7 +365,7 @@ useHead({
   font-family: "Brygada 1918", serif;
   font-style: italic;
   color: var(--text-bright);
-  font-size: 16px;
+  font-size: 15px;
   margin-top: 12px;
 }
 
diff --git a/app/pages/events/index.vue b/app/pages/events/index.vue
index 3a64189..4894a07 100644
--- a/app/pages/events/index.vue
+++ b/app/pages/events/index.vue
@@ -430,6 +430,7 @@ const isAlmostFull = (event) => {
   border-color: var(--candle-faint);
   color: var(--text-dim);
 }
+/* WCAG 2.4.7 — keyboard focus must be visibly indicated. */
 .past-toggle:focus-visible {
   outline: 2px dashed var(--candle);
   outline-offset: 3px;
diff --git a/app/pages/join.vue b/app/pages/join.vue
index a76c316..1a88b43 100644
--- a/app/pages/join.vue
+++ b/app/pages/join.vue
@@ -747,7 +747,7 @@ onUnmounted(() => {
   padding: 0;
 }
 .tier-list li {
-  padding: 4px 0;
+  padding: 5px 0;
   font-size: 12px;
   color: var(--text-dim);
   border-bottom: 1px dashed var(--border);
diff --git a/app/pages/members/[id].vue b/app/pages/members/[id].vue
index 384a8ed..962aaca 100644
--- a/app/pages/members/[id].vue
+++ b/app/pages/members/[id].vue
@@ -37,7 +37,9 @@
               <span class="profile-pronouns">{{ member.pronouns }}</span>
             </div>
             <div class="profile-meta">
-              <CircleBadge v-if="member.circle" :circle="member.circle" :label="circleLabels[member.circle]" />
+              <span v-if="member.circle" class="badge" :class="member.circle">
+                {{ circleLabels[member.circle] }}
+              </span>
               <template v-if="member.studio">
                 <span class="meta-sep">&middot;</span>
                 <span class="profile-studio">{{ member.studio }}</span>
@@ -370,7 +372,7 @@ useHead({
 }
 .profile-name {
   font-family: "Brygada 1918", serif;
-  font-size: 36px;
+  font-size: 42px;
   font-weight: 600;
   color: var(--text-bright);
   margin: 0;
diff --git a/app/pages/series/index.vue b/app/pages/series/index.vue
index aaade84..6634190 100644
--- a/app/pages/series/index.vue
+++ b/app/pages/series/index.vue
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ const getEventStatus = (event) => {
   display: flex;
   align-items: baseline;
   gap: 12px;
-  padding: 12px 28px;
+  padding: 10px 28px;
   border-bottom: 1px dashed var(--border);
   font-size: 12px;
 }
diff --git a/docs/LAUNCH_READINESS.md b/docs/LAUNCH_READINESS.md
index 2fdacdf..bfdd9de 100644
--- a/docs/LAUNCH_READINESS.md
+++ b/docs/LAUNCH_READINESS.md
@@ -140,8 +140,7 @@ See `docs/TODO.md` for:
 - ~~`tickets/available.get.js:115` `memberSavings` block reports `$0 saved` for inactive members~~ — fixed 2026-04-29 (commit `f66455e`); `memberSavings` now gated on `hasMemberAccess(member)`.
 - Simplify-pass follow-ups (2026-04-25): SHIPPED 2026-04-27 on branch `chore/simplify-pass-follow-ups` (pending merge). See `~/.claude/projects/-Users-jennie-Sites-ghostguild-org/memory/project_simplify_pass_2026_04_25.md`.
 - ~~Reconcile `customerCode` bug~~ — fixed on `main` in commit `3c38333` ("pass customerCode (not helcimCustomerId) to Helcim transactions API"). Verified in `server/api/internal/reconcile-payments.post.js:97`.
-- ~~Drive-by from 2026-04-29 phantom-Tailwind sweep: `app/components/EventSeriesBadge.vue` has zero usages~~ — deleted 2026-04-29 (commit `f85f284`); 81 lines removed.
-- Simplify-pass follow-ups (2026-04-29): smallest wins shipped in commit `26791cc`; deferred items (rename `setPaymentBridgeCookie`, dedup admin `STATUS_LABELS`, extract `.tint-candle`/`.tint-ember` utilities, audit `member &&` truthy checks in sibling routes, restore `ImageUpload` alt-text input focus styling) tracked in `docs/TODO.md` § _Simplify-pass follow-ups — 2026-04-29_.
+- Drive-by from 2026-04-29 phantom-Tailwind sweep: `app/components/EventSeriesBadge.vue` has zero usages in `app/` or `server/`. Candidate for deletion in a future cleanup pass.
 
 ### Known gotchas worth addressing post-launch
 
diff --git a/server/api/helcim/customer.post.js b/server/api/helcim/customer.post.js
index d0fc95d..3382b7f 100644
--- a/server/api/helcim/customer.post.js
+++ b/server/api/helcim/customer.post.js
@@ -88,11 +88,12 @@ export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
       member
     })
 
-    // Signup completes (paid checkout or free activation) before the magic
-    // link is clicked, so issue a short-lived, payment-only bridge cookie
-    // that lets /api/helcim/initialize-payment and /api/helcim/subscription
-    // identify the member without a verified auth session.
-    setPaymentBridgeCookie(event, member)
+    // Paid-tier signups need to complete Helcim checkout in the same tab
+    // before the magic link can be clicked. Issue a short-lived, payment-only
+    // bridge cookie so /api/helcim/initialize-payment accepts the request.
+    if (body.contributionAmount > 0) {
+      setPaymentBridgeCookie(event, member)
+    }
 
     return {
       success: true,
diff --git a/tests/server/api/free-signup-flow.test.js b/tests/server/api/free-signup-flow.test.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 521c0b2..0000000
--- a/tests/server/api/free-signup-flow.test.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,142 +0,0 @@
-import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach } from 'vitest'
-
-import Member from '../../../server/models/member.js'
-import { createHelcimCustomer } from '../../../server/utils/helcim.js'
-import customerHandler from '../../../server/api/helcim/customer.post.js'
-import subscriptionHandler from '../../../server/api/helcim/subscription.post.js'
-import { resetRateLimit } from '../../../server/utils/rateLimit.js'
-import { sendWelcomeEmail } from '../../../server/utils/resend.js'
-import { createMockEvent } from '../helpers/createMockEvent.js'
-
-// Deliberately does NOT mock server/utils/auth.js — the bridge-cookie
-// hand-off between the two handlers is the contract under test.
-
-vi.mock('../../../server/models/member.js', () => ({
-  default: {
-    findOne: vi.fn(),
-    create: vi.fn(),
-    findByIdAndUpdate: vi.fn(),
-    findById: vi.fn(),
-    findOneAndUpdate: vi.fn()
-  }
-}))
-vi.mock('../../../server/utils/mongoose.js', () => ({ connectDB: vi.fn() }))
-vi.mock('../../../server/utils/helcim.js', () => ({
-  createHelcimCustomer: vi.fn(),
-  createHelcimSubscription: vi.fn(),
-  generateIdempotencyKey: vi.fn().mockReturnValue('idem-1'),
-  listHelcimCustomerTransactions: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([])
-}))
-vi.mock('../../../server/utils/magicLink.js', () => ({
-  sendMagicLink: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined)
-}))
-vi.mock('../../../server/utils/resend.js', () => ({
-  sendWelcomeEmail: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ success: true })
-}))
-vi.mock('../../../server/utils/slack.ts', () => ({
-  getSlackService: vi.fn().mockReturnValue(null)
-}))
-vi.mock('../../../server/utils/payments.js', () => ({
-  upsertPaymentFromHelcim: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ created: true })
-}))
-
-vi.stubGlobal('helcimCustomerSchema', {})
-vi.stubGlobal('helcimSubscriptionSchema', {})
-
-const ALLOWED_ORIGIN = 'https://ghostguild.test'
-const MEMBER_ID = '69f231152939bf109ac79d83'
-
-const SUBSCRIPTION_BODY = {
-  customerId: 999,
-  customerCode: 'CST999',
-  contributionAmount: 0,
-  cadence: 'monthly',
-  cardToken: null
-}
-
-function extractBridgeCookie(event) {
-  const setCookie = event.node.res.getHeader('set-cookie')
-  const cookies = Array.isArray(setCookie) ? setCookie : [setCookie].filter(Boolean)
-  const match = cookies.find(c => typeof c === 'string' && c.startsWith('payment-bridge='))
-  if (!match) return null
-  return match.match(/payment-bridge=([^;]+)/)[1]
-}
-
-describe('signup → subscription bridge-cookie hand-off', () => {
-  beforeEach(() => {
-    vi.clearAllMocks()
-    resetRateLimit()
-    process.env.BASE_URL = ALLOWED_ORIGIN
-
-    createHelcimCustomer.mockResolvedValue({ id: 999, customerCode: 'CST999' })
-  })
-
-  it('$0 signup: customer endpoint issues a bridge cookie that subscription endpoint accepts', async () => {
-    Member.findOne.mockResolvedValue(null)
-    Member.create.mockResolvedValue({
-      _id: MEMBER_ID,
-      email: 'free@example.com',
-      name: 'Free User',
-      circle: 'community',
-      contributionAmount: 0,
-      status: 'pending_payment'
-    })
-
-    const customerEvent = createMockEvent({
-      method: 'POST',
-      path: '/api/helcim/customer',
-      headers: { origin: ALLOWED_ORIGIN },
-      body: {
-        name: 'Free User',
-        email: 'free@example.com',
-        circle: 'community',
-        contributionAmount: 0,
-        agreedToGuidelines: true,
-        billingAddress: { country: 'CA' }
-      }
-    })
-
-    const result1 = await customerHandler(customerEvent)
-    expect(result1.success).toBe(true)
-    expect(result1.member.status).toBe('pending_payment')
-
-    const bridgeToken = extractBridgeCookie(customerEvent)
-    expect(bridgeToken, 'payment-bridge cookie missing on $0 signup').toBeTruthy()
-
-    Member.findOneAndUpdate.mockResolvedValue({ _id: MEMBER_ID, status: 'pending_payment' })
-    Member.findById.mockResolvedValue({
-      _id: MEMBER_ID,
-      email: 'free@example.com',
-      name: 'Free User',
-      circle: 'community',
-      contributionAmount: 0,
-      status: 'active'
-    })
-
-    const subscriptionEvent = createMockEvent({
-      method: 'POST',
-      path: '/api/helcim/subscription',
-      headers: { origin: ALLOWED_ORIGIN },
-      cookies: { 'payment-bridge': bridgeToken },
-      body: SUBSCRIPTION_BODY
-    })
-
-    const result2 = await subscriptionHandler(subscriptionEvent)
-    expect(result2.success).toBe(true)
-    expect(result2.member.status).toBe('active')
-    expect(sendWelcomeEmail).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
-  })
-
-  it('$0 signup with no bridge cookie carried forward → subscription returns 401', async () => {
-    const subscriptionEvent = createMockEvent({
-      method: 'POST',
-      path: '/api/helcim/subscription',
-      headers: { origin: ALLOWED_ORIGIN },
-      body: SUBSCRIPTION_BODY
-    })
-
-    await expect(subscriptionHandler(subscriptionEvent)).rejects.toMatchObject({
-      statusCode: 401
-    })
-  })
-})