diff --git a/apps/web/e2e/new-bot-ux.spec.ts b/apps/web/e2e/new-bot-ux.spec.ts
index 35645fb..7a45c61 100644
--- a/apps/web/e2e/new-bot-ux.spec.ts
+++ b/apps/web/e2e/new-bot-ux.spec.ts
@@ -46,8 +46,8 @@ test("create opens form, then empty chat; picker lists bots; sidebar collapses",
     page.getByTestId("transcript").getByText("What do you want me on first?", { exact: true }),
   ).toHaveCount(0);
   await expect(
-    page.getByTestId("transcript").getByText("Start the conversation — New Bot is on stage above."),
-  ).toBeVisible();
+    page.getByTestId("transcript").getByText("Start the conversation", { exact: false }),
+  ).toHaveCount(0);
   await captureScreenshot(page, testInfo, "create-chat-sidepanel-closed");
 
   await page.getByTestId("toggle-bots-sidebar").click();
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/de/messages.po b/apps/web/src/locales/de/messages.po
index d42f5fa..633dbb5 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/de/messages.po
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/de/messages.po
@@ -1461,10 +1461,6 @@ msgstr "Im Hintergrund fortsetzen"
 msgid "Continue with email"
 msgstr "Mit E-Mail fortfahren"
 
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Conversation record"
-msgstr "Gesprächsverlauf"
-
 #: src/pages/ProjectSessionTimeline.tsx
 msgid "Conversations"
 msgstr "Unterhaltungen"
@@ -4821,14 +4817,6 @@ msgstr "Chat starten"
 msgid "Start recording"
 msgstr "Aufnahme starten"
 
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Start the conversation — {activeName} is on stage above."
-msgstr "Starte die Unterhaltung — {activeName} steht oben auf der Bühne."
-
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Start the conversation."
-msgstr "Starte die Unterhaltung."
-
 #: src/components/CookingMode.tsx
 msgid "Start timer"
 msgstr "Timer starten"
@@ -5134,7 +5122,6 @@ msgid "Transcribe"
 msgstr "Transkribieren"
 
 #: src/components/voice/VoiceStage.tsx
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
 msgid "Transcript"
 msgstr "Transkript"
 
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/en/messages.po b/apps/web/src/locales/en/messages.po
index 4f56b03..3ab2d2e 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/en/messages.po
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/en/messages.po
@@ -1461,10 +1461,6 @@ msgstr "Continue in Background"
 msgid "Continue with email"
 msgstr "Continue with email"
 
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Conversation record"
-msgstr "Conversation record"
-
 #: src/pages/ProjectSessionTimeline.tsx
 msgid "Conversations"
 msgstr "Conversations"
@@ -4821,14 +4817,6 @@ msgstr "Start chat"
 msgid "Start recording"
 msgstr "Start recording"
 
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Start the conversation — {activeName} is on stage above."
-msgstr "Start the conversation — {activeName} is on stage above."
-
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Start the conversation."
-msgstr "Start the conversation."
-
 #: src/components/CookingMode.tsx
 msgid "Start timer"
 msgstr "Start timer"
@@ -5134,7 +5122,6 @@ msgid "Transcribe"
 msgstr "Transcribe"
 
 #: src/components/voice/VoiceStage.tsx
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
 msgid "Transcript"
 msgstr "Transcript"
 
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/es/messages.po b/apps/web/src/locales/es/messages.po
index 42f6f72..8e029a9 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/es/messages.po
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/es/messages.po
@@ -1461,10 +1461,6 @@ msgstr ""
 msgid "Continue with email"
 msgstr "Continuar con el correo"
 
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Conversation record"
-msgstr ""
-
 #: src/pages/ProjectSessionTimeline.tsx
 msgid "Conversations"
 msgstr ""
@@ -4821,14 +4817,6 @@ msgstr ""
 msgid "Start recording"
 msgstr "Iniciar grabación"
 
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Start the conversation — {activeName} is on stage above."
-msgstr ""
-
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Start the conversation."
-msgstr ""
-
 #: src/components/CookingMode.tsx
 msgid "Start timer"
 msgstr ""
@@ -5134,7 +5122,6 @@ msgid "Transcribe"
 msgstr ""
 
 #: src/components/voice/VoiceStage.tsx
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
 msgid "Transcript"
 msgstr ""
 
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/hi/messages.po b/apps/web/src/locales/hi/messages.po
index 4a29ccb..763c50d 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/hi/messages.po
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/hi/messages.po
@@ -1461,10 +1461,6 @@ msgstr ""
 msgid "Continue with email"
 msgstr "ईमेल से जारी रखें"
 
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Conversation record"
-msgstr ""
-
 #: src/pages/ProjectSessionTimeline.tsx
 msgid "Conversations"
 msgstr ""
@@ -4821,14 +4817,6 @@ msgstr ""
 msgid "Start recording"
 msgstr "रिकॉर्डिंग शुरू करें"
 
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Start the conversation — {activeName} is on stage above."
-msgstr ""
-
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Start the conversation."
-msgstr ""
-
 #: src/components/CookingMode.tsx
 msgid "Start timer"
 msgstr ""
@@ -5134,7 +5122,6 @@ msgid "Transcribe"
 msgstr ""
 
 #: src/components/voice/VoiceStage.tsx
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
 msgid "Transcript"
 msgstr ""
 
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/ko/messages.po b/apps/web/src/locales/ko/messages.po
index 8eeedda..db2328d 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/ko/messages.po
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/ko/messages.po
@@ -1461,10 +1461,6 @@ msgstr ""
 msgid "Continue with email"
 msgstr "이메일로 계속하기"
 
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Conversation record"
-msgstr ""
-
 #: src/pages/ProjectSessionTimeline.tsx
 msgid "Conversations"
 msgstr ""
@@ -4821,14 +4817,6 @@ msgstr ""
 msgid "Start recording"
 msgstr "작업 녹화 시작"
 
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Start the conversation — {activeName} is on stage above."
-msgstr ""
-
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Start the conversation."
-msgstr ""
-
 #: src/components/CookingMode.tsx
 msgid "Start timer"
 msgstr ""
@@ -5134,7 +5122,6 @@ msgid "Transcribe"
 msgstr ""
 
 #: src/components/voice/VoiceStage.tsx
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
 msgid "Transcript"
 msgstr ""
 
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/pt-BR/messages.po b/apps/web/src/locales/pt-BR/messages.po
index 0a46646..9656166 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/pt-BR/messages.po
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/pt-BR/messages.po
@@ -1461,10 +1461,6 @@ msgstr ""
 msgid "Continue with email"
 msgstr "Continuar com e-mail"
 
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Conversation record"
-msgstr ""
-
 #: src/pages/ProjectSessionTimeline.tsx
 msgid "Conversations"
 msgstr ""
@@ -4821,14 +4817,6 @@ msgstr ""
 msgid "Start recording"
 msgstr "Começar a gravar"
 
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Start the conversation — {activeName} is on stage above."
-msgstr ""
-
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Start the conversation."
-msgstr ""
-
 #: src/components/CookingMode.tsx
 msgid "Start timer"
 msgstr ""
@@ -5134,7 +5122,6 @@ msgid "Transcribe"
 msgstr ""
 
 #: src/components/voice/VoiceStage.tsx
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
 msgid "Transcript"
 msgstr ""
 
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/ru/messages.po b/apps/web/src/locales/ru/messages.po
index 5c2559d..86a9f3e 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/ru/messages.po
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/ru/messages.po
@@ -1461,10 +1461,6 @@ msgstr "Продолжить в фоне"
 msgid "Continue with email"
 msgstr "Продолжить по электронной почте"
 
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Conversation record"
-msgstr ""
-
 #: src/pages/ProjectSessionTimeline.tsx
 msgid "Conversations"
 msgstr ""
@@ -4821,14 +4817,6 @@ msgstr ""
 msgid "Start recording"
 msgstr "Начать запись"
 
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Start the conversation — {activeName} is on stage above."
-msgstr ""
-
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Start the conversation."
-msgstr ""
-
 #: src/components/CookingMode.tsx
 msgid "Start timer"
 msgstr ""
@@ -5134,7 +5122,6 @@ msgid "Transcribe"
 msgstr ""
 
 #: src/components/voice/VoiceStage.tsx
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
 msgid "Transcript"
 msgstr ""
 
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/tr/messages.po b/apps/web/src/locales/tr/messages.po
index 8212fde..fb9b30d 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/tr/messages.po
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/tr/messages.po
@@ -1461,10 +1461,6 @@ msgstr ""
 msgid "Continue with email"
 msgstr "E-posta ile devam et"
 
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Conversation record"
-msgstr ""
-
 #: src/pages/ProjectSessionTimeline.tsx
 msgid "Conversations"
 msgstr ""
@@ -4821,14 +4817,6 @@ msgstr ""
 msgid "Start recording"
 msgstr "Kaydı başlat"
 
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Start the conversation — {activeName} is on stage above."
-msgstr ""
-
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Start the conversation."
-msgstr ""
-
 #: src/components/CookingMode.tsx
 msgid "Start timer"
 msgstr ""
@@ -5134,7 +5122,6 @@ msgid "Transcribe"
 msgstr ""
 
 #: src/components/voice/VoiceStage.tsx
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
 msgid "Transcript"
 msgstr ""
 
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/zh-CN/messages.po b/apps/web/src/locales/zh-CN/messages.po
index 31ec6e5..7c7a435 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/zh-CN/messages.po
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/zh-CN/messages.po
@@ -1461,10 +1461,6 @@ msgstr ""
 msgid "Continue with email"
 msgstr "使用邮箱继续"
 
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Conversation record"
-msgstr ""
-
 #: src/pages/ProjectSessionTimeline.tsx
 msgid "Conversations"
 msgstr ""
@@ -4821,14 +4817,6 @@ msgstr ""
 msgid "Start recording"
 msgstr "开始录制"
 
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Start the conversation — {activeName} is on stage above."
-msgstr ""
-
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
-msgid "Start the conversation."
-msgstr ""
-
 #: src/components/CookingMode.tsx
 msgid "Start timer"
 msgstr ""
@@ -5134,7 +5122,6 @@ msgid "Transcribe"
 msgstr ""
 
 #: src/components/voice/VoiceStage.tsx
-#: src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
 msgid "Transcript"
 msgstr ""
 
diff --git a/apps/web/src/pages/Shell.tsx b/apps/web/src/pages/Shell.tsx
index 765575c..3f5cbcc 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/pages/Shell.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/pages/Shell.tsx
@@ -3321,9 +3321,6 @@ export function ShellPage() {
                   key={activeSnapshot?.threadId}
                   encounterMode={encounterMode}
                   voiceEncounterActive={voiceEncounterActive}
-                  activeName={
-                    inGroup ? (activeGroup?.name ?? activeSnapshot?.groupName) : active?.name
-                  }
                   scrollRef={messageScroll}
                   artifactTarget={transcriptArtifactTarget}
                   onOpenArtifact={wideLayout ? openArtifactBeside : undefined}
diff --git a/apps/web/src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx b/apps/web/src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
index 16edd4d..61dbad9 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
@@ -86,7 +86,6 @@ export const Transcript = memo(function Transcript({
   voiceReady,
   speakingMessageId,
   onSpeak,
-  activeName,
   encounterMode = false,
   voiceEncounterActive = false,
 }: {
@@ -118,7 +117,6 @@ export const Transcript = memo(function Transcript({
   voiceReady: boolean;
   speakingMessageId: string | null;
   onSpeak: (message: ThreadMessage) => void;
-  activeName?: string;
   encounterMode?: boolean;
   voiceEncounterActive?: boolean;
 }) {
@@ -350,11 +348,6 @@ export const Transcript = memo(function Transcript({
           encounterMode ? "gap-2 px-3 py-3 md:px-6 md:py-4" : "gap-3.5 px-3.5 py-4 md:px-8 md:py-6"
         } ${transcriptSubordinate ? "opacity-75" : ""}`}
       >
-        {encounterMode ? (
-          <p className="mx-auto w-full max-w-2xl px-1 text-ui-label font-medium uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground/80">
-            {voiceEncounterActive ? <Trans>Transcript</Trans> : <Trans>Conversation record</Trans>}
-          </p>
-        ) : null}
         {olderCursor != null ? (
           <button
             type="button"
@@ -370,13 +363,6 @@ export const Transcript = memo(function Transcript({
             encounterMode ? "max-w-2xl gap-3" : "max-w-4xl gap-6 pb-8"
           }`}
         >
-          {reactionView.visibleMessages.length === 0 && encounterMode ? (
-            <p className="py-2 text-ui-body-sm text-muted-foreground">
-              {activeName
-                ? t`Start the conversation — ${activeName} is on stage above.`
-                : t`Start the conversation.`}
-            </p>
-          ) : null}
           {reactionView.visibleMessages.map((message) => {
             if (!message.blocks.some((block) => !isToolActivityBlock(block))) return null;
             const peerReceipt = isPeerReceiptBlocks(message.blocks);