diff --git a/web/src/components/synthetics/ExtensionSetupChecklist.spec.ts b/web/src/components/synthetics/ExtensionSetupChecklist.spec.ts
index 90ff5d300a..d60eb7daef 100644
--- a/web/src/components/synthetics/ExtensionSetupChecklist.spec.ts
+++ b/web/src/components/synthetics/ExtensionSetupChecklist.spec.ts
@@ -24,21 +24,34 @@ import { CHROME_WEB_STORE_URL } from "@/constants/synthetics";
 import store from "@/test/unit/helpers/store";
 import ExtensionSetupChecklist from "./ExtensionSetupChecklist.vue";
 
-// Stubs emit native-component click so parent @click handlers fire.
+// Forwards disabled and re-emits click so parent @click handlers fire.
 const OButtonStub = {
-  template: '<button v-bind="$attrs" @click="$emit(\'click\')"><slot /></button>',
+  props: ["disabled"],
+  emits: ["click"],
+  template:
+    '<button v-bind="$attrs" :disabled="disabled" @click="$emit(\'click\')"><slot /></button>',
 };
-// Surfaces the bound model as a checkbox so the v-model round-trip is testable.
-const OSwitchStub = {
-  props: ["modelValue", "label"],
+
+// Surfaces the bound model as a native checkbox so the ack round-trips are testable.
+const OCheckboxStub = {
+  props: ["modelValue"],
   emits: ["update:modelValue"],
   template:
-    '<input type="checkbox" v-bind="$attrs" :checked="modelValue" @change="$emit(\'update:modelValue\', $event.target.checked)" />',
+    '<input type="checkbox" v-bind="$attrs" :checked="modelValue === true" @change="$emit(\'update:modelValue\', $event.target.checked)" />',
+};
+
+// i18n-t interpolates Chrome UI labels into its slots; the raw keypath is
+// enough for text assertions here.
+const I18nTStub = {
+  props: ["keypath"],
+  template: "<span>{{ keypath }}</span>",
 };
 
 const STUBS = {
   OButton: OButtonStub,
-  OSwitch: OSwitchStub,
+  OCheckbox: OCheckboxStub,
+  OIcon: true,
+  "i18n-t": I18nTStub,
 };
 
 function mountChecklist(props: Record<string, unknown> = {}) {
@@ -51,74 +64,200 @@ function mountChecklist(props: Record<string, unknown> = {}) {
 describe("ExtensionSetupChecklist", () => {
   let wrapper: VueWrapper;
   let openSpy: ReturnType<typeof vi.spyOn>;
+  let replaceMock: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>;
+  const originalLocation = window.location;
 
   beforeEach(() => {
     openSpy = vi.spyOn(window, "open").mockImplementation(() => null);
+    // jsdom's navigation methods throw "Not implemented"; replaced wholesale,
+    // as in http.spec.ts, because the property itself is read-only. href is
+    // spelled out — location's accessors don't survive the object spread.
+    replaceMock = vi.fn();
+    Object.defineProperty(window, "location", {
+      value: {
+        ...originalLocation,
+        href: "http://localhost:3000/synthetics/browser/new?url=https%3A%2F%2Fexample.com&name=My+Check&setup=1",
+        replace: replaceMock,
+      },
+      writable: true,
+      configurable: true,
+    });
   });
 
   afterEach(() => {
     wrapper?.unmount();
     vi.restoreAllMocks();
-  });
-
-  it("should open the Chrome Web Store in a new tab from the install button", async () => {
-    wrapper = mountChecklist();
-
-    await wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-install-btn"]').trigger("click");
-
-    expect(openSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(CHROME_WEB_STORE_URL, "_blank", "noopener");
-  });
-
-  it("should prefer the /config extension URL over the built-in fallback", async () => {
-    const configUrl = "https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/custom-build";
-    store.state.zoConfig.synthetics_recorder_extension_url = configUrl;
-    wrapper = mountChecklist();
-
-    await wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-install-btn"]').trigger("click");
-
-    expect(openSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(configUrl, "_blank", "noopener");
+    Object.defineProperty(window, "location", {
+      value: originalLocation,
+      writable: true,
+      configurable: true,
+    });
+    // Cleaned up here (not inline in the test) so a failing assertion cannot
+    // leak the config URL into later tests.
     delete store.state.zoConfig.synthetics_recorder_extension_url;
   });
 
-  it("should emit update:incognitoDone when the incognito switch is toggled on", async () => {
-    wrapper = mountChecklist();
+  describe("task 1 — install", () => {
+    it("should open the Chrome Web Store in a new tab from the install button", async () => {
+      wrapper = mountChecklist();
 
-    await wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-incognito-switch"]').setValue(true);
+      await wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-install-btn"]').trigger("click");
 
-    expect(wrapper.emitted("update:incognitoDone")).toEqual([[true]]);
+      expect(openSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(CHROME_WEB_STORE_URL, "_blank", "noopener");
+    });
+
+    it("should prefer the /config extension URL over the built-in fallback", async () => {
+      const configUrl = "https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/custom-build";
+      store.state.zoConfig.synthetics_recorder_extension_url = configUrl;
+      wrapper = mountChecklist();
+
+      await wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-install-btn"]').trigger("click");
+
+      expect(openSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(configUrl, "_blank", "noopener");
+    });
+
+    it("should emit update:installAck true when the install attestation is checked", async () => {
+      wrapper = mountChecklist();
+
+      await wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-install-ack"]').setValue(true);
+
+      expect(wrapper.emitted("update:installAck")).toEqual([[true]]);
+    });
+
+    it("should not emit true for a truthy non-boolean install ack value", async () => {
+      wrapper = mountChecklist();
+
+      // Task 2 is locked here, so the install ack is the only checkbox rendered.
+      await wrapper.findComponent(OCheckboxStub).vm.$emit("update:modelValue", "indeterminate");
+
+      const emitted = wrapper.emitted("update:installAck") ?? [];
+      expect(emitted.flat()).not.toContain(true);
+      // Still pending, so the attestation checkbox stays on screen.
+      expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-install-ack"]').exists()).toBe(true);
+    });
+
+    it("should collapse to an auto-detected done row (no undo) once connected", () => {
+      wrapper = mountChecklist({ connected: true });
+
+      expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-install-btn"]').exists()).toBe(false);
+      expect(wrapper.text()).toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupInstallDone");
+      expect(wrapper.text()).toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupDetectedAuto");
+      expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-install-undo"]').exists()).toBe(false);
+    });
+
+    it("should collapse to a done row with Undo when done via attestation alone", () => {
+      wrapper = mountChecklist({ installAck: true });
+
+      expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-install-btn"]').exists()).toBe(false);
+      expect(wrapper.text()).toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupInstallDone");
+      // The auto-detected marker is the probe's word, not the author's.
+      expect(wrapper.text()).not.toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupDetectedAuto");
+      expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-install-undo"]').exists()).toBe(true);
+    });
+
+    it("should emit update:installAck false when the install Undo is clicked", async () => {
+      wrapper = mountChecklist({ installAck: true });
+
+      await wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-install-undo"]').trigger("click");
+
+      expect(wrapper.emitted("update:installAck")).toEqual([[false]]);
+    });
   });
 
-  it("should emit update:incognitoDone false when the switch is toggled back off", async () => {
-    wrapper = mountChecklist({ incognitoDone: true });
+  describe("task 2 — incognito attestation", () => {
+    it("should render locked without a checkbox until the install task is done", () => {
+      wrapper = mountChecklist();
 
-    await wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-incognito-switch"]').setValue(false);
+      expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-incognito-ack"]').exists()).toBe(false);
+      expect(wrapper.text()).toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupIncognitoTitle");
+    });
 
-    expect(wrapper.emitted("update:incognitoDone")).toEqual([[false]]);
+    it("should unlock via the install attestation alone, without a connection", () => {
+      wrapper = mountChecklist({ installAck: true });
+
+      expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-incognito-ack"]').exists()).toBe(true);
+    });
+
+    it("should emit update:incognitoDone true when the ack checkbox is checked", async () => {
+      wrapper = mountChecklist({ connected: true });
+
+      await wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-incognito-ack"]').setValue(true);
+
+      expect(wrapper.emitted("update:incognitoDone")).toEqual([[true]]);
+    });
+
+    it("should not emit true for a truthy non-boolean incognito ack value", async () => {
+      wrapper = mountChecklist({ connected: true });
+
+      // Task 1 is collapsed here, so the incognito ack is the only checkbox rendered.
+      await wrapper.findComponent(OCheckboxStub).vm.$emit("update:modelValue", "indeterminate");
+
+      const emitted = wrapper.emitted("update:incognitoDone") ?? [];
+      expect(emitted.flat()).not.toContain(true);
+      expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-incognito-ack"]').exists()).toBe(true);
+    });
+
+    it("should collapse to a done row with an Undo action once acknowledged", () => {
+      wrapper = mountChecklist({ connected: true, incognitoDone: true });
+
+      expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-incognito-ack"]').exists()).toBe(false);
+      expect(wrapper.text()).toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupIncognitoDoneTitle");
+      expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-incognito-undo"]').exists()).toBe(true);
+    });
+
+    it("should emit update:incognitoDone false when Undo is clicked", async () => {
+      wrapper = mountChecklist({ connected: true, incognitoDone: true });
+
+      await wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-incognito-undo"]').trigger("click");
+
+      expect(wrapper.emitted("update:incognitoDone")).toEqual([[false]]);
+    });
   });
 
-  it("should reflect the incognitoDone model on the switch", () => {
-    wrapper = mountChecklist({ incognitoDone: true });
+  describe("task 3 — connect", () => {
+    it("should show connect as done only on the real probe signal", () => {
+      wrapper = mountChecklist({ connected: true, incognitoDone: true });
 
-    const el = wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-incognito-switch"]')
-      .element as HTMLInputElement;
-    expect(el.checked).toBe(true);
-  });
+      expect(wrapper.text()).toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnectDone");
+      expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-refresh-btn"]').exists()).toBe(false);
+    });
 
-  it("should show the connected line when the extension is connected", () => {
-    wrapper = mountChecklist({ connected: true });
+    it("should become active when both attestations are done but the probe is silent", () => {
+      wrapper = mountChecklist({ installAck: true, incognitoDone: true });
 
-    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnected");
-  });
+      expect(wrapper.text()).toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnectTitle");
+      expect(wrapper.text()).toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnectAlt");
+      expect(wrapper.text()).toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnectWaiting");
+      expect(wrapper.text()).not.toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnectDone");
+      expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-refresh-btn"]').exists()).toBe(true);
+    });
 
-  it("should not show the connected line when the extension is not connected", () => {
-    wrapper = mountChecklist({ connected: false });
+    it("should reload without the setup flag, keeping the other query params", async () => {
+      wrapper = mountChecklist({ installAck: true, incognitoDone: true });
 
-    expect(wrapper.text()).not.toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnected");
-  });
+      await wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-refresh-btn"]').trigger("click");
 
-  it("should not show the connected line when connected is omitted", () => {
-    wrapper = mountChecklist();
+      expect(replaceMock).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+      const target = new URL(replaceMock.mock.calls[0][0] as string);
+      expect(target.searchParams.get("setup")).toBeNull();
+      expect(target.searchParams.get("url")).toBe("https://example.com");
+      expect(target.searchParams.get("name")).toBe("My Check");
+    });
 
-    expect(wrapper.text()).not.toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnected");
+    it("should stay locked while the incognito ack is pending", () => {
+      wrapper = mountChecklist({ connected: true, incognitoDone: false });
+
+      expect(wrapper.text()).toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnectTitle");
+      expect(wrapper.text()).not.toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnectDone");
+      expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-refresh-btn"]').exists()).toBe(false);
+    });
+
+    it("should stay locked while nothing is done", () => {
+      wrapper = mountChecklist();
+
+      expect(wrapper.text()).toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnectTitle");
+      expect(wrapper.text()).not.toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnectDone");
+      expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-refresh-btn"]').exists()).toBe(false);
+    });
   });
 });
diff --git a/web/src/components/synthetics/ExtensionSetupChecklist.vue b/web/src/components/synthetics/ExtensionSetupChecklist.vue
index 9669a3a73b..b43e4c290e 100644
--- a/web/src/components/synthetics/ExtensionSetupChecklist.vue
+++ b/web/src/components/synthetics/ExtensionSetupChecklist.vue
@@ -15,94 +15,175 @@ along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 -->
 
 <script setup lang="ts">
+import { computed } from "vue";
 import { useStore } from "vuex";
 import { useI18nTyped } from "@/types/i18n";
 import OButton from "@/lib/core/Button/OButton.vue";
 import OIcon from "@/lib/core/Icon/OIcon.vue";
-import OSwitch from "@/lib/forms/Switch/OSwitch.vue";
-import { CHROME_WEB_STORE_URL } from "@/constants/synthetics";
+import OCheckbox from "@/lib/forms/Checkbox/OCheckbox.vue";
+import { CHROME_UI_LABELS, CHROME_WEB_STORE_URL, SETUP_QUERY_PARAM } from "@/constants/synthetics";
 
-defineProps<{
+const props = defineProps<{
   /** Extension detected and connectable (the parent's live probe state). */
   connected?: boolean;
 }>();
 
-/** Whether the author confirmed the incognito toggle — the one step we cannot probe. */
+/**
+ * Whether the author confirmed the install. The Web Store install happens in
+ * another tab where this page cannot observe it, so the author attests to it —
+ * a live bridge connection proves it and supersedes the checkbox.
+ */
+const installAck = defineModel<boolean>("installAck", { default: false });
+/** Whether the author confirmed the incognito toggle — the one step we can never probe. */
 const incognitoDone = defineModel<boolean>("incognitoDone", { default: false });
 
 const { t } = useI18nTyped();
 const store = useStore();
 
-// Chrome UI element names — must stay in English across all locales
-// because they reference the actual Chrome browser interface.
-const CHROME_UI_LABELS = {
-  allowIncognito: "Allow in Incognito",
-  extensionsMenu: "Extensions",
-  manageExtension: "Manage extension",
-  recorderName: "OpenObserve Recorder",
-} as const;
+// Sequential gating: each task unlocks the next; done tasks collapse to a
+// check row, later tasks render locked. The connect task completes only on the
+// real probe signal, so the attestations can't skip into a broken recording.
+const installDone = computed(() => Boolean(props.connected) || installAck.value);
+const connectUnlocked = computed(() => installDone.value && incognitoDone.value);
+const connectDone = computed(() => Boolean(props.connected) && incognitoDone.value);
 
 function openWebStore() {
   const url = store.state.zoConfig?.synthetics_recorder_extension_url || CHROME_WEB_STORE_URL;
   window.open(url, "_blank", "noopener");
 }
+
+function refreshPage() {
+  // Reload without the setup-phase flag: the wizard restores url/name from the
+  // query and lands on the gate — with the recorder connected after the reload,
+  // Record goes straight to recording instead of re-entering this checklist.
+  const url = new URL(window.location.href);
+  url.searchParams.delete(SETUP_QUERY_PARAM);
+  window.location.replace(url.toString());
+}
 </script>
 
 <template>
   <div class="rounded-default border-border-default divide-border-default divide-y border">
-    <!-- Step 1: Install the OpenObserve Recorder -->
-    <div class="flex items-start gap-4 p-4">
+    <!-- Task 1: install — verified automatically by the bridge probe -->
+    <div v-if="installDone" class="flex items-center gap-4 p-4">
+      <span
+        class="bg-status-success-text! text-text-inverse flex h-7 w-7 flex-shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full"
+      >
+        <OIcon name="check" size="sm" aria-hidden="true" />
+      </span>
+      <h4 class="text-text-heading m-0 flex-1 text-sm font-semibold">
+        {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupInstallDone") }}
+      </h4>
+      <span v-if="connected" class="text-status-success-text! text-xs font-medium">
+        {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupDetectedAuto") }}
+      </span>
+      <OButton
+        v-else
+        variant="ghost"
+        size="sm"
+        class="text-text-link underline"
+        data-test="synthetics-setup-install-undo"
+        @click="installAck = false"
+      >
+        {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupUndo") }}
+      </OButton>
+    </div>
+    <div v-else class="flex items-start gap-4 p-4">
       <span
         class="bg-accent text-text-inverse flex h-7 w-7 flex-shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full text-sm font-semibold"
         >{{ "1" }}</span
       >
-      <div class="flex min-w-0 flex-1 items-start justify-between gap-4">
-        <div class="flex flex-col items-start">
-          <h4 class="text-text-heading m-0 mb-1 text-sm font-semibold">
-            {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupStep1Title") }}
-          </h4>
-          <p class="text-text-secondary m-0 text-xs">
-            {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupStep1Description") }}
-          </p>
-        </div>
+      <div class="flex min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col items-start">
+        <h4 class="text-text-heading m-0 mb-1 text-sm font-semibold">
+          {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupInstallTitle") }}
+        </h4>
+        <p class="text-text-secondary m-0 mb-3 text-xs">
+          {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupInstallDescription") }}
+        </p>
         <OButton
-          variant="outline"
+          variant="primary"
           size="sm"
-          class="shrink-0"
           icon-left="open-in-new"
           data-test="synthetics-setup-install-btn"
           @click="openWebStore"
         >
           {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupInstallCta") }}
         </OButton>
+        <label
+          class="border-border-default rounded-default mt-3 flex w-full cursor-pointer items-start gap-2 border p-3"
+        >
+          <OCheckbox
+            :model-value="installAck"
+            size="sm"
+            data-test="synthetics-setup-install-ack"
+            class="mt-1"
+            @update:model-value="installAck = $event === true"
+          />
+          <span class="flex min-w-0 flex-col">
+            <span class="text-text-heading text-sm font-semibold">
+              {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupInstallAckLabel") }}
+            </span>
+            <span class="text-text-secondary text-xs">
+              {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupInstallAckNote") }}
+            </span>
+          </span>
+        </label>
       </div>
     </div>
 
-    <!-- Step 2: Enable incognito mode -->
-    <div class="flex items-start gap-4 p-4">
+    <!-- Task 2: allow in Incognito — Chrome hides this setting from the page,
+         so the author attests to it; locked until the recorder is detected -->
+    <div v-if="!installDone" class="flex items-center gap-4 p-4 opacity-60">
       <span
-        class="flex h-7 w-7 flex-shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full text-sm font-semibold"
-        :class="
-          incognitoDone
-            ? 'text-text-inverse bg-status-success-text!'
-            : 'bg-accent text-text-inverse'
-        "
+        class="bg-surface-subtle text-text-muted flex h-7 w-7 flex-shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full text-sm font-semibold"
         >{{ "2" }}</span
       >
-      <div class="flex min-w-0 flex-1 justify-between">
-        <div class="flex flex-col items-start">
-          <h4 class="text-text-heading m-0 mb-1 text-sm font-semibold">
-            {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupStep3Title") }}
-          </h4>
-          <p class="text-text-secondary m-0 mb-1 text-xs">
-            {{
-              t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupStep3Description", {
-                setting: CHROME_UI_LABELS.allowIncognito,
-              })
-            }}
+      <h4 class="text-text-muted m-0 flex-1 text-sm font-semibold">
+        {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupIncognitoTitle") }}
+      </h4>
+      <OIcon name="lock" size="sm" class="text-text-muted" aria-hidden="true" />
+    </div>
+    <div v-else-if="incognitoDone" class="flex items-center gap-4 p-4">
+      <span
+        class="bg-status-success-text! text-text-inverse flex h-7 w-7 flex-shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full"
+      >
+        <OIcon name="check" size="sm" aria-hidden="true" />
+      </span>
+      <h4 class="text-text-heading m-0 flex-1 text-sm font-semibold">
+        {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupIncognitoDoneTitle") }}
+      </h4>
+      <OButton
+        variant="ghost"
+        size="sm"
+        class="text-text-link underline"
+        data-test="synthetics-setup-incognito-undo"
+        @click="incognitoDone = false"
+      >
+        {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupUndo") }}
+      </OButton>
+    </div>
+    <div v-else class="flex items-start gap-4 p-4">
+      <span
+        class="bg-accent text-text-inverse flex h-7 w-7 flex-shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full text-sm font-semibold"
+        >{{ "2" }}</span
+      >
+      <div class="flex min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col items-stretch">
+        <h4 class="text-text-heading m-0 mb-1 text-sm font-semibold">
+          {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupIncognitoTitle") }}
+        </h4>
+        <p class="text-text-secondary m-0 mb-3 text-xs">
+          {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupIncognitoDescription") }}
+        </p>
+        <div class="bg-surface-subtle rounded-default mb-3 p-3">
+          <p class="text-text-secondary m-0 mb-2 text-sm font-semibold tracking-wide capitalize">
+            {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupIncognitoCalloutTitle") }}
           </p>
-          <ul class="text-text-secondary m-0 flex list-disc flex-col gap-1 pl-4 text-xs">
-            <i18n-t keypath="synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupStep3Point1" tag="li" scope="global">
+          <ol class="text-text-secondary m-0 flex list-decimal flex-col gap-1 pl-4 text-sm">
+            <i18n-t
+              keypath="synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupIncognitoCalloutStep1"
+              tag="li"
+              scope="global"
+            >
               <template #icon>
                 <OIcon name="extension" size="sm" aria-hidden="true" />
               </template>
@@ -110,66 +191,126 @@ function openWebStore() {
               <template #more>
                 <OIcon name="more-vert" size="sm" aria-hidden="true" />
               </template>
-              <template #name>{{ CHROME_UI_LABELS.recorderName }}</template>
-              <template #manage>{{ CHROME_UI_LABELS.manageExtension }}</template>
+              <template #name>
+                <strong>{{ CHROME_UI_LABELS.recorderName }}</strong>
+              </template>
+              <template #manage>
+                <strong>{{ CHROME_UI_LABELS.manageExtension }}</strong>
+              </template>
             </i18n-t>
-            <li>
+            <i18n-t
+              keypath="synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupIncognitoCalloutStep2"
+              tag="li"
+              scope="global"
+            >
+              <template #setting>
+                <strong>{{ CHROME_UI_LABELS.allowIncognito }}</strong>
+              </template>
+            </i18n-t>
+          </ol>
+        </div>
+        <label
+          class="border-border-default rounded-default flex cursor-pointer items-start gap-2 border p-3"
+        >
+          <OCheckbox
+            :model-value="incognitoDone"
+            size="sm"
+            data-test="synthetics-setup-incognito-ack"
+            class="mt-1"
+            @update:model-value="incognitoDone = $event === true"
+          />
+          <span class="flex min-w-0 flex-col">
+            <span class="text-text-heading text-sm font-semibold">
               {{
-                t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupStep3Point2", {
+                t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupIncognitoAckLabel", {
                   setting: CHROME_UI_LABELS.allowIncognito,
                 })
               }}
-            </li>
-          </ul>
-        </div>
-        <OSwitch
-          v-model="incognitoDone"
-          :label="t('synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupIncognitoDone')"
-          data-test="synthetics-setup-incognito-switch"
-        />
+            </span>
+            <span class="text-text-secondary text-xs">
+              {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupIncognitoAckNote") }}
+            </span>
+          </span>
+        </label>
       </div>
     </div>
 
-    <!-- Step 3: Click the extension icon to activate -->
-    <div class="flex items-start gap-4 p-4" :class="{ 'opacity-60': !incognitoDone }">
+    <!-- Task 3: connect — only the real probe signal completes it, so the
+         attestations above can't skip into a broken recording -->
+    <div v-if="connectDone" class="flex items-center gap-4 p-4">
       <span
-        class="flex h-7 w-7 flex-shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full text-sm font-semibold"
-        :class="
-          connected
-            ? 'text-text-inverse bg-status-success-text!'
-            : incognitoDone
-              ? 'bg-accent text-text-inverse'
-              : 'bg-surface-subtle text-text-muted'
-        "
+        class="bg-status-success-text! text-text-inverse flex h-7 w-7 flex-shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full"
+      >
+        <OIcon name="check" size="sm" aria-hidden="true" />
+      </span>
+      <h4 class="text-text-heading m-0 flex-1 text-sm font-semibold">
+        {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnectDone") }}
+      </h4>
+      <span class="text-status-success-text! text-xs font-medium">
+        {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupDetectedAuto") }}
+      </span>
+    </div>
+    <div v-else-if="connectUnlocked" class="flex items-start gap-4 p-4">
+      <span
+        class="bg-accent text-text-inverse flex h-7 w-7 flex-shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full text-sm font-semibold"
         >{{ "3" }}</span
       >
-      <div class="min-w-0 flex-1">
+      <div class="flex min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col items-start">
         <h4 class="text-text-heading m-0 mb-1 text-sm font-semibold">
-          {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupStep2Title") }}
+          {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnectTitle") }}
         </h4>
-        <ul class="text-text-secondary m-0 flex list-disc flex-col gap-1 pl-4 text-xs">
-          <!-- i18n-t so the puzzle-piece icon renders inside the sentence while the
-               copy stays one translatable key with correct word order. -->
-          <i18n-t keypath="synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupStep2Point1" tag="li" scope="global">
+        <p class="text-text-secondary m-0 mb-3 text-xs">
+          {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnectDescription") }}
+        </p>
+        <div class="mb-3 flex flex-wrap items-center gap-2">
+          <i18n-t
+            keypath="synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnectAlt"
+            tag="span"
+            scope="global"
+            class="text-text-secondary text-sm"
+          >
+            <template #name>
+              <strong>{{ CHROME_UI_LABELS.recorderName }}</strong>
+            </template>
             <template #icon>
               <OIcon name="extension" size="sm" aria-hidden="true" />
             </template>
             <template #menu>{{ CHROME_UI_LABELS.extensionsMenu }}</template>
-            <template #name>{{ CHROME_UI_LABELS.recorderName }}</template>
           </i18n-t>
-          <li>{{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupStep2Point2") }}</li>
-          <li>
-            {{
-              t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupStep2Point3", {
-                connected: t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnected"),
-              })
-            }}
-          </li>
-        </ul>
-        <p v-if="connected" class="text-status-success-text! mt-2 text-xs font-medium">
-          {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnected") }}
+          <OButton
+            variant="outline"
+            size="sm"
+            icon-left="refresh"
+            data-test="synthetics-setup-refresh-btn"
+            @click="refreshPage"
+          >
+            {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnectRefreshCta") }}
+          </OButton>
+        </div>
+        <p class="text-text-secondary m-0 flex items-center gap-2 text-xs">
+          <OIcon
+            name="progress-activity"
+            size="sm"
+            class="flex-shrink-0 animate-spin"
+            aria-hidden="true"
+          />
+          {{
+            t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnectWaiting", {
+              connected: t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnectDone"),
+            })
+          }}
         </p>
       </div>
     </div>
+    <div v-else class="flex items-center gap-4 p-4 opacity-60">
+      <span
+        class="bg-surface-subtle text-text-muted flex h-7 w-7 flex-shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full text-sm font-semibold"
+        >{{ "3" }}</span
+      >
+      <h4 class="text-text-muted m-0 flex-1 text-sm font-semibold">
+        {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupConnectTitle") }}
+      </h4>
+      <OIcon name="lock" size="sm" class="text-text-muted" aria-hidden="true" />
+    </div>
   </div>
 </template>
diff --git a/web/src/components/synthetics/journey/BrowserJourney.spec.ts b/web/src/components/synthetics/journey/BrowserJourney.spec.ts
index 6f981ca7b8..e0ef13e14d 100644
--- a/web/src/components/synthetics/journey/BrowserJourney.spec.ts
+++ b/web/src/components/synthetics/journey/BrowserJourney.spec.ts
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ const ConfirmDialogStub = {
 // without pulling in the real ODialog.
 const ExtensionSetupDialogStub = {
   props: ["open", "connected", "action"],
-  emits: ["update:open", "continue"],
+  emits: ["update:open", "continue", "verify"],
   template: '<div v-if="open" class="extension-setup-dialog-stub" :data-action="action" />',
 };
 
@@ -217,6 +217,16 @@ describe("BrowserJourney recording", () => {
     expect(wrapper.emitted("replay")).toBeTruthy();
   });
 
+  // The parent owns the connection state, so the dialog's re-verify request
+  // (incognito toggle reloads the extension → stale bridge) is forwarded up.
+  it("should forward the setup dialog's verify as verify-extension", async () => {
+    wrapper = mountJourney({ extensionReady: false });
+
+    await wrapper.findComponent(ExtensionSetupDialogStub).vm.$emit("verify");
+
+    expect(wrapper.emitted("verify-extension")).toHaveLength(1);
+  });
+
   it("should start recording and render streamed live steps", async () => {
     wrapper = mountJourney({ extensionReady: true, startUrl: "https://app.test/login" });
 
@@ -1101,3 +1111,171 @@ describe("BrowserJourney — stopping a replay", () => {
     expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-journey-add-step-btn"]').exists()).toBe(false);
   });
 });
+
+// An incognito-classified failure — replay preflight (blocked-reason prop) or a
+// recording-start refusal (recorder.error) — means "Allow in Incognito" is off.
+// The setup dialog's incognito task IS the walkthrough, so the view reopens it
+// (revoking the attestation the failure just disproved) instead of a wall of text.
+describe("BrowserJourney — incognito preflight failure", () => {
+  let wrapper: VueWrapper;
+  let revokeSpy: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>;
+
+  // The extension's actual refusal message — classification keys on "incognito".
+  const INCOGNITO_RECORD_ERROR =
+    'Recording needs incognito access. Open chrome://extensions, find "OpenObserve Synthetics Recorder", and turn on "Allow in incognito" — recordings always run in a separate incognito window.';
+
+  // The template ref resolves to this stub, so revokeIncognitoAck must exist on
+  // its instance for the watcher's call to be observable (options-API methods
+  // are exposed on the vm).
+  const RevokableSetupDialogStub = {
+    props: ["open", "connected", "action"],
+    emits: ["update:open", "continue"],
+    methods: {
+      revokeIncognitoAck() {
+        revokeSpy();
+      },
+    },
+    template: '<div v-if="open" class="extension-setup-dialog-stub" :data-action="action" />',
+  };
+
+  // The shared OButtonStub leaves `onClick` in $attrs (no declared emits), so a
+  // click fires the handler twice — declaring the emit keeps it to one, which
+  // the exactly-once assertions below depend on.
+  const SingleEmitButtonStub = {
+    emits: ["click"],
+    template: '<button v-bind="$attrs" @click="$emit(\'click\')"><slot /></button>',
+  };
+
+  function mountBlockable(props: Record<string, unknown> = {}) {
+    return mount(BrowserJourney, {
+      props: { modelValue: [], ...props },
+      global: {
+        stubs: {
+          ...STUBS,
+          OButton: SingleEmitButtonStub,
+          ExtensionSetupDialog: RevokableSetupDialogStub,
+        },
+      },
+    }) as VueWrapper;
+  }
+
+  /** Drive a recording-start refusal through the real bridge transport. */
+  async function failRecordingWith(w: VueWrapper, message: string) {
+    await w.find('[data-test="synthetics-journey-record-btn"]').trigger("click");
+    await settleProbeDelay();
+    respondToLastCommand({ success: false, error: message });
+    await flushPromises();
+  }
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    revokeSpy = vi.fn();
+    postMessageSpy = vi.fn();
+    vi.spyOn(window, "postMessage").mockImplementation(postMessageSpy);
+    vi.useFakeTimers();
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    wrapper?.unmount();
+    vi.restoreAllMocks();
+    vi.useRealTimers();
+  });
+
+  it("should revoke the attestation and open the setup dialog on replay when blocked", async () => {
+    wrapper = mountBlockable({ blockedReason: null });
+    expect(wrapper.find(".extension-setup-dialog-stub").exists()).toBe(false);
+
+    await wrapper.setProps({ blockedReason: "incognito" });
+
+    expect(revokeSpy).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    const dialog = wrapper.find(".extension-setup-dialog-stub");
+    expect(dialog.exists()).toBe(true);
+    expect(dialog.attributes("data-action")).toBe("replay");
+  });
+
+  it("should not touch the dialog for other blocked reasons", async () => {
+    wrapper = mountBlockable({ blockedReason: null });
+
+    await wrapper.setProps({ blockedReason: "in-progress" });
+
+    expect(revokeSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(wrapper.find(".extension-setup-dialog-stub").exists()).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("should reopen the setup dialog from the warning card's setup button", async () => {
+    wrapper = mountBlockable({ blockedReason: "incognito" });
+
+    await wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-journey-incognito-setup-btn"]').trigger("click");
+
+    const dialog = wrapper.find(".extension-setup-dialog-stub");
+    expect(dialog.exists()).toBe(true);
+    expect(dialog.attributes("data-action")).toBe("replay");
+  });
+
+  it("should emit replay from the warning card's Retry", async () => {
+    wrapper = mountBlockable({ blockedReason: "incognito" });
+
+    await wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-journey-incognito-retry-btn"]').trigger("click");
+
+    expect(wrapper.emitted("replay")).toHaveLength(1);
+  });
+
+  it("should emit clear-results from the warning card's Dismiss", async () => {
+    wrapper = mountBlockable({ blockedReason: "incognito" });
+
+    await wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-journey-incognito-dismiss-btn"]').trigger("click");
+
+    expect(wrapper.emitted("clear-results")).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(wrapper.emitted("replay")).toBeFalsy();
+  });
+
+  it("should treat an incognito recording refusal like the replay preflight", async () => {
+    wrapper = mountBlockable({ extensionReady: true });
+
+    await failRecordingWith(wrapper, INCOGNITO_RECORD_ERROR);
+
+    expect(revokeSpy).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    const dialog = wrapper.find(".extension-setup-dialog-stub");
+    expect(dialog.exists()).toBe(true);
+    expect(dialog.attributes("data-action")).toBe("record");
+    expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-journey-incognito-warning"]').exists()).toBe(true);
+    // The card and dialog replace the raw banner for the one cause with a fix.
+    expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-journey-record-error"]').exists()).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("should keep the raw banner for recording errors that are not incognito", async () => {
+    wrapper = mountBlockable({ extensionReady: true });
+
+    await failRecordingWith(wrapper, "Failed to start recording.");
+
+    expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-journey-record-error"]').exists()).toBe(true);
+    expect(revokeSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(wrapper.find(".extension-setup-dialog-stub").exists()).toBe(false);
+    expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-journey-incognito-warning"]').exists()).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("should restart the recording (not replay) from Retry when recording was refused", async () => {
+    wrapper = mountBlockable({ extensionReady: true });
+    await failRecordingWith(wrapper, INCOGNITO_RECORD_ERROR);
+    postMessageSpy.mockClear();
+
+    await wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-journey-incognito-retry-btn"]').trigger("click");
+
+    // startRecording opens with a synchronous bridge probe — its signature.
+    expect(
+      postMessageSpy.mock.calls.some((c) => (c[0] as { ch?: string })?.ch === "oo-bridge-probe"),
+    ).toBe(true);
+    expect(wrapper.emitted("replay")).toBeFalsy();
+  });
+
+  it("should clear the recorder error (not results) from Dismiss when recording was refused", async () => {
+    wrapper = mountBlockable({ extensionReady: true });
+    await failRecordingWith(wrapper, INCOGNITO_RECORD_ERROR);
+
+    await wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-journey-incognito-dismiss-btn"]').trigger("click");
+
+    expect(wrapper.emitted("clear-results")).toBeFalsy();
+    // Error gone: the card collapses and the raw banner does not take its place.
+    expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-journey-incognito-warning"]').exists()).toBe(false);
+    expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-journey-record-error"]').exists()).toBe(false);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/web/src/components/synthetics/journey/BrowserJourney.vue b/web/src/components/synthetics/journey/BrowserJourney.vue
index 3dd6285147..884a04d4f9 100644
--- a/web/src/components/synthetics/journey/BrowserJourney.vue
+++ b/web/src/components/synthetics/journey/BrowserJourney.vue
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ import BrowserJourneyStepEditor from "./BrowserJourneyStepEditor.vue";
 import BrowserJourneyStepError from "./BrowserJourneyStepError.vue";
 import ExtensionSetupDialog from "./ExtensionSetupDialog.vue";
 import { stepIsMissingTarget } from "@/utils/synthetics/stepTarget";
+import { classifyPreflightFailure } from "@/utils/synthetics/replayFailure";
 
 const props = defineProps<{
   modelValue: BrowserStep[];
@@ -91,6 +92,11 @@ const emit = defineEmits<{
   "stop-replay": [];
   "auto-record-consumed": [];
   "selection-changed": [{ count: number; isRecording: boolean }];
+  /**
+   * The setup dialog's incognito ack was just given — the toggle reloads the
+   * extension, so the owner of `extensionReady` must invalidate and re-probe.
+   */
+  "verify-extension": [];
 }>();
 
 // ── Filter / expand / select state ──────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -272,14 +278,6 @@ const multiSelectEnabled = computed(
 // reflects its reactive state and merges the result into the journey on stop.
 const { t } = useI18nTyped();
 
-// Chrome UI element names — must stay in English across all locales
-// because they reference the actual Chrome browser interface.
-const CHROME_UI = {
-  details: "Details",
-  allowIncognito: "Allow in Incognito",
-  recorderName: "OpenObserve Recorder",
-} as const;
-
 const recorder = useSyntheticsRecorder();
 const isRecording = recorder.isRecording;
 const capturedSteps = recorder.liveSteps;
@@ -507,6 +505,35 @@ function onExtensionSetupContinue() {
   else emit("replay");
 }
 
+const extensionSetupDialog = ref<InstanceType<typeof ExtensionSetupDialog> | null>(null);
+
+// Recording-start refusals arrive as a raw extension message, not a
+// BlockedReason — classify them the same way the replay preflight is.
+const recordingBlockedIncognito = computed(
+  () => !!recordingError.value && classifyPreflightFailure(recordingError.value) === "incognito",
+);
+
+// An incognito-classified failure — replay preflight or recording start —
+// means "Allow in Incognito" is off: reopen the setup dialog on its incognito
+// task, revoking the attestation the failure just disproved, instead of
+// leaving the author with a wall of text.
+watch([() => props.blockedReason, recordingBlockedIncognito], ([reason, recordBlocked]) => {
+  if (reason === "incognito" || recordBlocked) {
+    extensionSetupDialog.value?.revokeIncognitoAck();
+    extensionSetup.value = { open: true, action: recordBlocked ? "record" : "replay" };
+  }
+});
+
+function onIncognitoRetry() {
+  if (recordingBlockedIncognito.value) startRecording();
+  else emit("replay");
+}
+
+function onIncognitoDismiss() {
+  if (recordingBlockedIncognito.value) recorder.error.value = "";
+  else emit("clear-results");
+}
+
 /** Sync stop — called by parent's route guard before navigating away.
  *  Commits captured recording steps so they aren't lost. Returns true if
  *  anything was stopped. */
@@ -748,16 +775,6 @@ function handleStepReplace(row: BrowserStep, next: BrowserStep) {
   }
   emit("update:modelValue", steps);
 }
-
-function openChromeExtensions() {
-  const url = "chrome://extensions";
-  try {
-    window.open(url, "_blank")?.focus();
-  } catch {
-    /* ignore */
-  }
-  navigator.clipboard.writeText(url).catch(() => {});
-}
 </script>
 
 <template>
@@ -901,10 +918,10 @@ function openChromeExtensions() {
       class="mx-2!"
     />
 
-    <!-- Incognito blocked warning card (pre-flight failure) -->
+    <!-- Incognito blocked warning card (replay pre-flight or recording start) -->
     <div
-      v-if="blockedReason === 'incognito'"
-      class="rounded-default bg-badge-warning-soft-bg border-badge-warning-ol-border/50 mx-2! mb-3 flex flex-col gap-3 border py-3"
+      v-if="blockedReason === 'incognito' || recordingBlockedIncognito"
+      class="rounded-default bg-badge-warning-soft-bg border-badge-warning-ol-border/50 mx-2! mb-3 flex flex-col gap-3 border p-3"
       role="alert"
       data-test="synthetics-journey-incognito-warning"
     >
@@ -922,25 +939,12 @@ function openChromeExtensions() {
       <p class="text-text-secondary m-0 text-xs">
         {{ t("synthetics.journey.incognitoDescription") }}
       </p>
-      <ol class="text-text-body m-0 flex list-decimal flex-col gap-1 pl-4 text-xs">
-        <li>{{ t("synthetics.journey.incognitoStep1Full") }}</li>
-        <li>{{ t("synthetics.journey.incognitoStep2Full", { name: CHROME_UI.recorderName }) }}</li>
-        <li>{{ t("synthetics.journey.incognitoStep3Full", { button: CHROME_UI.details }) }}</li>
-        <li>
-          {{ t("synthetics.journey.incognitoStep4Full", { setting: CHROME_UI.allowIncognito }) }}
-        </li>
-        <li>
-          {{
-            t("synthetics.journey.incognitoStep5Full", { button: t("synthetics.journey.retry") })
-          }}
-        </li>
-      </ol>
       <div class="flex items-center gap-2">
         <OButton
           variant="primary"
           size="sm"
           data-test="synthetics-journey-incognito-retry-btn"
-          @click="emit('replay')"
+          @click="onIncognitoRetry"
         >
           {{ t("synthetics.journey.retry") }}
         </OButton>
@@ -948,18 +952,25 @@ function openChromeExtensions() {
           variant="ghost"
           size="sm"
           data-test="synthetics-journey-incognito-dismiss-btn"
-          @click="emit('clear-results')"
+          @click="onIncognitoDismiss"
         >
           {{ t("synthetics.journey.dismiss") }}
         </OButton>
         <span class="flex-1" />
+        <!-- The setup dialog's incognito task IS the walkthrough — reopen it
+             if the author dismissed the auto-opened one. -->
         <OButton
           variant="outline"
           size="sm"
-          data-test="synthetics-journey-incognito-extensions-btn"
-          @click="openChromeExtensions"
+          data-test="synthetics-journey-incognito-setup-btn"
+          @click="
+            extensionSetup = {
+              open: true,
+              action: recordingBlockedIncognito ? 'record' : 'replay',
+            }
+          "
         >
-          {{ t("synthetics.journey.openExtensions") }}
+          {{ t("synthetics.journey.showSetupSteps") }}
         </OButton>
       </div>
     </div>
@@ -1148,9 +1159,10 @@ function openChromeExtensions() {
       </OButton>
     </div>
 
-    <!-- Recorder error (extension missing / failed to start) -->
+    <!-- Recorder error (extension missing / failed to start). The incognito
+         case is excluded — it renders as the warning card + setup dialog. -->
     <div
-      v-if="recordingError && !isRecording"
+      v-if="recordingError && !isRecording && !recordingBlockedIncognito"
       class="rounded-default bg-status-error-bg text-status-error-text mx-2 mb-3 flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 text-sm"
       role="alert"
       data-test="synthetics-journey-record-error"
@@ -1339,10 +1351,12 @@ function openChromeExtensions() {
     <!-- Extension install/setup dialog — opened by Record/Replay when the
          extension is not detected; `connected` flips live via the parent's probe. -->
     <ExtensionSetupDialog
+      ref="extensionSetupDialog"
       v-model:open="extensionSetup.open"
       :connected="extensionReady"
       :action="extensionSetup.action"
       @continue="onExtensionSetupContinue"
+      @verify="emit('verify-extension')"
     />
   </div>
 </template>
diff --git a/web/src/components/synthetics/journey/ExtensionSetupDialog.spec.ts b/web/src/components/synthetics/journey/ExtensionSetupDialog.spec.ts
index fd9c2671c9..76ac2148e2 100644
--- a/web/src/components/synthetics/journey/ExtensionSetupDialog.spec.ts
+++ b/web/src/components/synthetics/journey/ExtensionSetupDialog.spec.ts
@@ -20,57 +20,74 @@ vi.mock("vue-i18n", () => ({
   useI18n: () => ({ t: (key: string) => key }),
 }));
 
+import store from "@/test/unit/helpers/store";
 import ExtensionSetupDialog from "./ExtensionSetupDialog.vue";
 
 // ODialog teleports its content to document.body, which would put every
-// assertion below outside the wrapper's tree. Stubbed to render inline and
-// surface the primary button contract (label, disabled) in the DOM.
+// assertion below outside the wrapper's tree. Stubbed to render its
+// header-right, default, and footer slots inline — and only while open.
 const ODialogStub = {
   name: "ODialog",
-  props: [
-    "open",
-    "title",
-    "size",
-    "primaryButtonLabel",
-    "primaryButtonDisabled",
-    "secondaryButtonLabel",
-  ],
-  emits: ["update:open", "click:primary", "click:secondary"],
+  props: ["open", "title", "subTitle", "size"],
+  emits: ["update:open"],
   template: `
-    <div v-if="open" class="dialog-stub" :data-primary-label="primaryButtonLabel">
+    <div v-if="open" class="dialog-stub">
+      <slot name="header-right" />
       <slot />
-      <button data-test="stub-primary" :disabled="primaryButtonDisabled" @click="$emit('click:primary')" />
-      <button data-test="stub-secondary" @click="$emit('click:secondary')" />
+      <slot name="footer" />
     </div>`,
 };
 
-// Surfaces the connected pass-through and lets tests flip the incognito model
-// through the checklist's own event contract.
+// Surfaces the connected pass-through and lets tests flip both attestations
+// through the checklist's own model contracts.
 const ChecklistStub = {
   name: "ExtensionSetupChecklist",
-  props: ["connected", "incognitoDone"],
-  emits: ["update:incognitoDone"],
+  props: ["connected", "installAck", "incognitoDone"],
+  emits: ["update:installAck", "update:incognitoDone"],
   template: '<div class="checklist-stub" :data-connected="String(connected)" />',
 };
 
+// Forwards disabled and re-emits click so CTA assertions and handlers work.
+const OButtonStub = {
+  props: ["disabled"],
+  emits: ["click"],
+  template:
+    '<button v-bind="$attrs" :disabled="disabled" @click="$emit(\'click\')"><slot /></button>',
+};
+
+const OBadgeStub = {
+  template: '<span v-bind="$attrs"><slot /></span>',
+};
+
 const STUBS = {
   ODialog: ODialogStub,
   ExtensionSetupChecklist: ChecklistStub,
+  OButton: OButtonStub,
+  OBadge: OBadgeStub,
 };
 
 function mountDialog(props: Record<string, unknown> = {}) {
   return mount(ExtensionSetupDialog, {
     props: { open: true, action: "record", ...props },
-    global: { stubs: STUBS },
+    global: { plugins: [store], stubs: STUBS },
   }) as VueWrapper;
 }
 
-async function confirmIncognito(wrapper: VueWrapper) {
-  await wrapper.findComponent(ChecklistStub).vm.$emit("update:incognitoDone", true);
+// Flips an attestation via the checklist's v-models.
+async function setInstallAck(wrapper: VueWrapper, value: boolean) {
+  wrapper.findComponent(ChecklistStub).vm.$emit("update:installAck", value);
+  await wrapper.vm.$nextTick();
 }
 
-function primaryDisabled(wrapper: VueWrapper): boolean {
-  return wrapper.find('[data-test="stub-primary"]').attributes("disabled") !== undefined;
+async function setIncognito(wrapper: VueWrapper, value: boolean) {
+  wrapper.findComponent(ChecklistStub).vm.$emit("update:incognitoDone", value);
+  await wrapper.vm.$nextTick();
+}
+
+function ctaDisabled(wrapper: VueWrapper): boolean {
+  return (
+    wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-continue-btn"]').attributes("disabled") !== undefined
+  );
 }
 
 describe("ExtensionSetupDialog", () => {
@@ -81,67 +98,183 @@ describe("ExtensionSetupDialog", () => {
     vi.restoreAllMocks();
   });
 
-  it("should label the primary button Record for the record action", () => {
-    wrapper = mountDialog({ action: "record" });
+  it("should render nothing while closed", () => {
+    wrapper = mountDialog({ open: false });
 
-    expect(wrapper.find(".dialog-stub").attributes("data-primary-label")).toBe(
-      "synthetics.journey.record",
+    expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-continue-btn"]').exists()).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("should show the progress badge in the dialog header", () => {
+    wrapper = mountDialog();
+
+    expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-progress"]').text()).toContain(
+      "synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupProgress",
     );
   });
 
-  it("should label the primary button Replay for the replay action", () => {
-    wrapper = mountDialog({ action: "replay" });
-
-    expect(wrapper.find(".dialog-stub").attributes("data-primary-label")).toBe(
-      "synthetics.journey.replay",
-    );
-  });
-
-  it("should disable the primary button when neither step is done", () => {
-    wrapper = mountDialog({ connected: false });
-
-    expect(primaryDisabled(wrapper)).toBe(true);
-  });
-
-  it("should keep the primary button disabled when connected but incognito is unconfirmed", () => {
+  it("should pass the connected state through to the checklist", () => {
     wrapper = mountDialog({ connected: true });
 
-    expect(primaryDisabled(wrapper)).toBe(true);
+    expect(wrapper.find(".checklist-stub").attributes("data-connected")).toBe("true");
   });
 
-  it("should keep the primary button disabled when incognito is confirmed but not connected", async () => {
-    wrapper = mountDialog({ connected: false });
+  describe("primary CTA gating", () => {
+    it("should disable the CTA and point at install while nothing is done", () => {
+      wrapper = mountDialog({ connected: false });
 
-    await confirmIncognito(wrapper);
+      expect(ctaDisabled(wrapper)).toBe(true);
+      expect(wrapper.text()).toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupHintInstall");
+    });
 
-    expect(primaryDisabled(wrapper)).toBe(true);
+    it("should point at incognito once installed via attestation alone", async () => {
+      wrapper = mountDialog({ connected: false });
+
+      await setInstallAck(wrapper, true);
+
+      expect(ctaDisabled(wrapper)).toBe(true);
+      expect(wrapper.text()).toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupHintIncognito");
+    });
+
+    it("should point at incognito once connected", () => {
+      wrapper = mountDialog({ connected: true });
+
+      expect(ctaDisabled(wrapper)).toBe(true);
+      expect(wrapper.text()).toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupHintIncognito");
+    });
+
+    // The attestations alone must never enable the CTA — only the live probe
+    // proves the recorder can actually drive this tab.
+    it("should keep the CTA disabled on both acks without a connection", async () => {
+      wrapper = mountDialog({ connected: false });
+
+      await setInstallAck(wrapper, true);
+      await setIncognito(wrapper, true);
+
+      expect(ctaDisabled(wrapper)).toBe(true);
+      expect(wrapper.text()).toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupHintConnect");
+    });
+
+    it("should show the locked label while any task is pending", () => {
+      wrapper = mountDialog({ connected: false });
+
+      expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-continue-btn"]').text()).toContain(
+        "synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupCtaLocked",
+      );
+    });
+
+    it("should enable the CTA with the action label once connected and acknowledged", async () => {
+      wrapper = mountDialog({ connected: true });
+
+      await setIncognito(wrapper, true);
+
+      expect(ctaDisabled(wrapper)).toBe(false);
+      expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-continue-btn"]').text()).toContain(
+        "synthetics.journey.record",
+      );
+      expect(wrapper.text()).not.toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupHintInstall");
+      expect(wrapper.text()).not.toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupHintIncognito");
+      expect(wrapper.text()).not.toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupHintConnect");
+    });
+
+    it("should emit continue and then close on CTA click", async () => {
+      wrapper = mountDialog({ connected: true });
+      await setIncognito(wrapper, true);
+
+      await wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-continue-btn"]').trigger("click");
+
+      expect(wrapper.emitted("continue")).toHaveLength(1);
+      expect(wrapper.emitted("update:open")).toEqual([[false]]);
+    });
   });
 
-  it("should enable the primary button once connected and incognito is confirmed", async () => {
+  describe("skip link", () => {
+    it("should close without continuing when skipped from the record flow", async () => {
+      wrapper = mountDialog({ action: "record" });
+
+      await wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-dialog-skip"]').trigger("click");
+
+      expect(wrapper.emitted("update:open")).toEqual([[false]]);
+      expect(wrapper.emitted("continue")).toBeFalsy();
+    });
+
+    it("should not offer a skip link for the replay flow", () => {
+      wrapper = mountDialog({ action: "replay" });
+
+      expect(wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-dialog-skip"]').exists()).toBe(false);
+    });
+  });
+
+  // Toggling "Allow in Incognito" reloads the extension and orphans the tab's
+  // bridge — a pre-toggle connection is stale. Giving the ack must hand the
+  // invalidation upstream (verify) while latching the install fact, which is
+  // not in doubt, so task 1 does not regress when `connected` drops.
+  describe("incognito ack — connection re-verify", () => {
+    it("should emit verify when the incognito attestation is given", async () => {
+      wrapper = mountDialog({ connected: true });
+
+      await setIncognito(wrapper, true);
+
+      expect(wrapper.emitted("verify")).toHaveLength(1);
+    });
+
+    it("should latch the install ack on the incognito ack while connected", async () => {
+      wrapper = mountDialog({ connected: true });
+      expect(wrapper.findComponent(ChecklistStub).props("installAck")).toBe(false);
+
+      await setIncognito(wrapper, true);
+
+      expect(wrapper.findComponent(ChecklistStub).props("installAck")).toBe(true);
+    });
+
+    it("should still emit verify without latching when not connected", async () => {
+      wrapper = mountDialog({ connected: false });
+
+      await setIncognito(wrapper, true);
+
+      expect(wrapper.emitted("verify")).toHaveLength(1);
+      // No connection means no proven install — nothing to latch.
+      expect(wrapper.findComponent(ChecklistStub).props("installAck")).toBe(false);
+    });
+
+    it("should not emit verify when the ack is revoked or repeated", async () => {
+      wrapper = mountDialog({ connected: true });
+      await setIncognito(wrapper, true);
+
+      await setIncognito(wrapper, false);
+      await setIncognito(wrapper, true);
+
+      // Only the two false→true transitions verify — the revoke does not.
+      expect(wrapper.emitted("verify")).toHaveLength(2);
+    });
+  });
+
+  // A preflight failure proves "Allow in Incognito" is actually off — the
+  // exposed revoke clears the attestation so the checklist re-asks instead of
+  // showing all done.
+  it("should re-ask for the incognito attestation when revokeIncognitoAck is called", async () => {
     wrapper = mountDialog({ connected: true });
+    await setIncognito(wrapper, true);
+    expect(ctaDisabled(wrapper)).toBe(false);
 
-    await confirmIncognito(wrapper);
+    (wrapper.vm as unknown as { revokeIncognitoAck: () => void }).revokeIncognitoAck();
+    await wrapper.vm.$nextTick();
 
-    expect(primaryDisabled(wrapper)).toBe(false);
+    expect(ctaDisabled(wrapper)).toBe(true);
+    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupHintIncognito");
   });
 
-  it("should emit continue and close on primary click", async () => {
+  // The acks live in component-lifetime refs — session-only on purpose, but a
+  // dismissed dialog must not ask the author to attest twice.
+  it("should keep both attestations across a close and re-open", async () => {
     wrapper = mountDialog({ connected: true });
-    await confirmIncognito(wrapper);
+    await setInstallAck(wrapper, true);
+    await setIncognito(wrapper, true);
 
-    await wrapper.find('[data-test="stub-primary"]').trigger("click");
+    await wrapper.setProps({ open: false });
+    await wrapper.setProps({ open: true });
 
-    expect(wrapper.emitted("continue")).toHaveLength(1);
-    expect(wrapper.emitted("update:open")).toEqual([[false]]);
-  });
-
-  it("should close without continuing on secondary click", async () => {
-    wrapper = mountDialog({ connected: true });
-
-    await wrapper.find('[data-test="stub-secondary"]').trigger("click");
-
-    expect(wrapper.emitted("update:open")).toEqual([[false]]);
-    expect(wrapper.emitted("continue")).toBeFalsy();
+    expect(ctaDisabled(wrapper)).toBe(false);
+    expect(wrapper.text()).not.toContain("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupHintIncognito");
   });
 
   it("should forward the dialog's own update:open", async () => {
@@ -151,22 +284,4 @@ describe("ExtensionSetupDialog", () => {
 
     expect(wrapper.emitted("update:open")).toEqual([[false]]);
   });
-
-  it("should pass the connected state through to the checklist", () => {
-    wrapper = mountDialog({ connected: true });
-
-    expect(wrapper.find(".checklist-stub").attributes("data-connected")).toBe("true");
-  });
-
-  // The incognito confirmation is the one step that cannot be probed, so a
-  // dismissed dialog must not ask the author to confirm it twice.
-  it("should keep the incognito confirmation across a close and re-open", async () => {
-    wrapper = mountDialog({ connected: true });
-    await confirmIncognito(wrapper);
-
-    await wrapper.setProps({ open: false });
-    await wrapper.setProps({ open: true });
-
-    expect(primaryDisabled(wrapper)).toBe(false);
-  });
 });
diff --git a/web/src/components/synthetics/journey/ExtensionSetupDialog.vue b/web/src/components/synthetics/journey/ExtensionSetupDialog.vue
index 75744e5ebc..bdf8e7e2bc 100644
--- a/web/src/components/synthetics/journey/ExtensionSetupDialog.vue
+++ b/web/src/components/synthetics/journey/ExtensionSetupDialog.vue
@@ -15,10 +15,13 @@ along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 -->
 
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { computed, ref } from "vue";
+import { computed, ref, watch } from "vue";
 import { useI18nTyped } from "@/types/i18n";
 import ODialog from "@/lib/overlay/Dialog/ODialog.vue";
+import OButton from "@/lib/core/Button/OButton.vue";
+import OBadge from "@/lib/core/Badge/OBadge.vue";
 import ExtensionSetupChecklist from "@/components/synthetics/ExtensionSetupChecklist.vue";
+import { CHROME_UI_LABELS } from "@/constants/synthetics";
 
 const props = defineProps<{
   open: boolean;
@@ -32,22 +35,75 @@ const emit = defineEmits<{
   "update:open": [value: boolean];
   /** The extension is connected and the author chose to proceed with `action`. */
   continue: [];
+  /**
+   * The incognito attestation was just given. Toggling "Allow in Incognito"
+   * reloads the extension and orphans this tab's bridge, so the owner of the
+   * connection state must invalidate it and re-probe — the connect task stays
+   * open until a fresh probe passes.
+   */
+  verify: [];
 }>();
 
 const { t } = useI18nTyped();
 
-// Persists across opens on purpose: the incognito toggle survives a dismissed
-// dialog, so re-opening does not ask the author to confirm the same step twice.
+// Session-only on purpose: persisting the attestations would keep tasks
+// pre-completed after the extension is removed. They survive dialog re-opens
+// (component-lifetime refs) but reset with the page — after a reload, the
+// install task re-completes itself through live detection anyway.
+const installAck = ref(false);
 const incognitoDone = ref(false);
 
-const primaryLabel = computed(() =>
+const installDone = computed(() => Boolean(props.connected) || installAck.value);
+
+// Giving the incognito ack invalidates the connection upstream (the toggle
+// reloads the extension). The install fact is not in doubt — latch it before
+// `connected` drops so task 1 does not regress while task 3 re-verifies.
+watch(incognitoDone, (val, old) => {
+  if (val && !old) {
+    if (props.connected) installAck.value = true;
+    emit("verify");
+  }
+});
+const allDone = computed(() => Boolean(props.connected) && incognitoDone.value);
+const doneCount = computed(
+  () =>
+    [installDone.value, installDone.value && incognitoDone.value, allDone.value].filter(Boolean)
+      .length,
+);
+
+const actionLabel = computed(() =>
   props.action === "record" ? t("synthetics.journey.record") : t("synthetics.journey.replay"),
 );
+const primaryLabel = computed(() =>
+  allDone.value
+    ? actionLabel.value
+    : t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupCtaLocked", { action: actionLabel.value }),
+);
+const blockingHint = computed(() => {
+  if (!installDone.value) return t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupHintInstall");
+  if (!incognitoDone.value)
+    return t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupHintIncognito", {
+      setting: CHROME_UI_LABELS.allowIncognito,
+    });
+  if (!allDone.value)
+    return t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupHintConnect", { action: actionLabel.value });
+  return null;
+});
 
 function onContinue() {
   emit("continue");
   emit("update:open", false);
 }
+
+/**
+ * A preflight failure proved "Allow in Incognito" is actually off — clear the
+ * author's attestation so the checklist re-asks instead of showing all done.
+ */
+function revokeIncognitoAck() {
+  incognitoDone.value = false;
+}
+
+defineExpose({ revokeIncognitoAck });
 </script>
 
 <template>
@@ -55,17 +111,54 @@ function onContinue() {
     :open="open"
     size="md"
     :title="t('synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupRecorder')"
-    :primary-button-label="primaryLabel"
-    :primary-button-disabled="!connected || !incognitoDone"
-    :secondary-button-label="t('common.cancel')"
+    :sub-title="
+      action === 'record'
+        ? t('synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupSubtitleRecord')
+        : t('synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupSubtitleReplay')
+    "
     data-test="synthetics-journey-extension-setup-dialog"
     @update:open="emit('update:open', $event)"
-    @click:primary="onContinue"
-    @click:secondary="emit('update:open', false)"
   >
-    <p class="text-text-secondary m-0 mb-4 text-sm">
-      {{ t("synthetics.journey.extensionDialogDescription") }}
-    </p>
-    <ExtensionSetupChecklist v-model:incognito-done="incognitoDone" :connected="connected" />
+    <template #header-right>
+      <OBadge variant="default-soft" data-test="synthetics-setup-progress">
+        {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupProgress", { done: doneCount, total: 3 }) }}
+      </OBadge>
+    </template>
+
+    <ExtensionSetupChecklist
+      v-model:install-ack="installAck"
+      v-model:incognito-done="incognitoDone"
+      :connected="connected"
+    />
+
+    <template #footer>
+      <div class="flex w-full flex-col items-stretch gap-3">
+        <OButton
+          variant="primary"
+          size="lg"
+          class="w-full"
+          :disabled="!allDone"
+          :icon-left="action === 'record' ? 'smart-display' : 'replay'"
+          data-test="synthetics-setup-continue-btn"
+          @click="onContinue"
+        >
+          {{ primaryLabel }}
+        </OButton>
+        <p v-if="blockingHint" class="text-text-secondary m-0 text-center text-xs">
+          {{ blockingHint }}
+        </p>
+        <div v-if="action === 'record'" class="text-center">
+          <OButton
+            variant="ghost"
+            size="sm"
+            class="text-text-link underline"
+            data-test="synthetics-setup-dialog-skip"
+            @click="emit('update:open', false)"
+          >
+            {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupSkip") }}
+          </OButton>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </template>
   </ODialog>
 </template>
diff --git a/web/src/constants/synthetics.ts b/web/src/constants/synthetics.ts
index 94a20628a3..b84e1b9bb6 100644
--- a/web/src/constants/synthetics.ts
+++ b/web/src/constants/synthetics.ts
@@ -257,6 +257,27 @@ export const VALUE_TOOLTIP_KEYS: Record<string, I18nKey> = {
 export const CHROME_WEB_STORE_URL =
   "https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/afhgiecgbpohkbobialnajlphbpcgomo";
 
+/**
+ * Query flag CreateBrowserTest writes when entering the extension-setup phase
+ * so a mid-setup reload (F5) returns there with the gate fields restored. The
+ * checklist's own "refresh this page" action strips it on purpose — after that
+ * reload the recorder is connected, so the gate's Record goes straight to
+ * recording instead of re-entering setup.
+ */
+export const SETUP_QUERY_PARAM = "setup";
+
+/**
+ * Chrome UI element names referenced by the recorder setup flow — interpolated
+ * into i18n strings as params so they stay in English across all locales,
+ * matching the actual Chrome browser interface.
+ */
+export const CHROME_UI_LABELS = {
+  allowIncognito: "Allow in Incognito",
+  extensionsMenu: "Extensions",
+  manageExtension: "Manage extension",
+  recorderName: "OpenObserve Recorder",
+} as const;
+
 // ── Recorder locator configuration ───────────────────────────────────────────
 
 /**
diff --git a/web/src/locales/languages/en-US.json b/web/src/locales/languages/en-US.json
index b6a9c8dbef..1e47c0dab8 100644
--- a/web/src/locales/languages/en-US.json
+++ b/web/src/locales/languages/en-US.json
@@ -10561,28 +10561,44 @@
       "loading": "Loading check…",
       "nameHint": "Auto-filled from the page -- edit if you like.",
       "newBrowserCheck": "New browser check",
+      "setupConnectAlt": "click {name} in the {icon} {menu} menu or",
+      "setupConnectDescription": "One quick refresh lets the recorder attach to this page.",
+      "setupConnectDone": "Connected",
+      "setupConnectRefreshCta": "Refresh this page",
+      "setupConnectTitle": "Connect the recorder to this tab",
+      "setupConnectWaiting": "Waiting for the recorder — this flips to {connected} by itself.",
+      "setupCtaLocked": "{action} — finish the tasks above first",
       "setupDescription": "We'll open {url} in a fresh incognito tab and capture your clicks and inputs -- no code.",
-      "setupIncognitoDone": "Done",
+      "setupDetectedAuto": "Detected automatically",
+      "setupHintConnect": "{action} unlocks once the recorder connects to this tab.",
+      "setupHintIncognito": "Confirm {setting} (task 2) to keep going.",
+      "setupHintInstall": "Install the recorder to unlock the next task.",
+      "setupIncognitoAckLabel": "I've turned on {setting}",
+      "setupIncognitoAckNote": "Chrome doesn't let us check this setting, so confirm it yourself once it's on.",
+      "setupIncognitoCalloutStep1": "Click the {icon} {menu} menu in the toolbar → {more} next to {name} → {manage}.",
+      "setupIncognitoCalloutStep2": "Turn on {setting}.",
+      "setupIncognitoCalloutTitle": "Do this in Chrome",
+      "setupIncognitoDescription": "Recordings run in a clean Incognito window, and Chrome blocks extensions there unless you allow it. This is a Chrome setting — you flip it, not us.",
+      "setupIncognitoDoneTitle": "Allowed in Incognito",
+      "setupIncognitoTitle": "Allow the recorder in Incognito",
+      "setupInstallAckLabel": "I've added it to Chrome",
+      "setupInstallAckNote": "The install happens in another tab where this page can't see it, so confirm it here once Chrome finishes.",
+      "setupInstallCta": "Install from Chrome Web Store",
+      "setupInstallDescription": "A lightweight Chrome extension that captures your clicks and inputs.",
+      "setupInstallDone": "Recorder installed",
+      "setupInstallTitle": "Install the OpenObserve Recorder",
       "setupOpenRecord": "Open & Record",
+      "setupProgress": "{done} of {total} done",
       "setupRecorder": "Set up the recorder",
       "setupSkip": "Skip -- I'll build the steps manually",
-      "setupInstallCta": "Install from Chrome Web Store",
-      "setupStep1Description": "A lightweight Chrome extension that captures your actions.",
-      "setupStep1Title": "Install the OpenObserve Recorder",
+      "setupSubtitleRecord": "3 things to do before your first recording — takes about a minute.",
+      "setupSubtitleReplay": "3 things to do before your first replay — takes about a minute.",
+      "setupUndo": "Undo",
       "startingUrl": "Starting URL",
       "stepConfigure": "Configure",
       "stepJourney": "Journey",
       "untitledCheck": "Untitled check",
-      "variablesHint": "Supports {variables} like {baseUrl}.",
-      "setupStep2Title": "Connect the recorder to this tab",
-      "setupStep2Point1": "Click on the {icon} {menu} menu in Chrome's toolbar (top right) and select {name}.",
-      "setupStep2Point2": "Or simply refresh this page.",
-      "setupStep2Point3": "The status below flips to {connected} automatically.",
-      "setupStep3Title": "Enable incognito mode",
-      "setupStep3Description": "Journeys record and replay in an Incognito window, so Chrome needs {setting} enabled for the recorder.",
-      "setupStep3Point1": "Click on the {icon} {menu} menu in Chrome's toolbar, then click {more} next to {name} and select {manage}.",
-      "setupStep3Point2": "Toggle {setting} on — the recorder can't interact with pages opened without it.",
-      "setupConnected": "Connected ✓"
+      "variablesHint": "Supports {variables} like {baseUrl}."
     },
     "dialog": {
       "bulkDeleteBody": "Are you sure you want to delete {count} check? This action cannot be undone. | Are you sure you want to delete {count} checks? This action cannot be undone.",
@@ -10774,7 +10790,6 @@
       "noSteps": "No steps yet",
       "filterClearedForErrors": "Filter cleared so the steps that need fixing are visible.",
       "filterClearedForNewStep": "Filter cleared so the new step is visible.",
-      "openExtensions": "Open chrome://extensions",
       "preflightDescription": "The recorder extension stopped before running the first step. Its report is below.",
       "preflightTitle": "Replay couldn't start",
       "replayInProgressDescription": "Another replay is still running in the recorder extension. Wait for it to finish, or reload the extension, then try again.",
@@ -10782,7 +10797,6 @@
       "reRun": "Re-run",
       "reRunToHere": "Re-run steps 1–{step}",
       "fidelityLabel": "The preview could not reproduce",
-      "extensionDialogDescription": "Recording and replaying journeys uses the OpenObserve Recorder Chrome extension. Complete the steps below to continue.",
       "record": "Record",
       "recordJourney": "Record journey",
       "recording": "Recording",
@@ -10816,12 +10830,8 @@
       "timeoutLabel": "Timeout (ms)",
       "timeoutPlaceholder": "30000",
       "valueFallback": "Value",
-      "waitingForActions": "Waiting for actions in the browser…",
-      "incognitoStep1Full": "Open chrome://extensions",
-      "incognitoStep2Full": "Find the {name} extension",
-      "incognitoStep3Full": "Click {button}",
-      "incognitoStep4Full": "Enable {setting}",
-      "incognitoStep5Full": "Return here and click {button}"
+      "showSetupSteps": "Show setup steps",
+      "waitingForActions": "Waiting for actions in the browser…"
     },
     "labels": {
       "copyOf": "Copy of {name}",
diff --git a/web/src/views/synthetics/CreateBrowserTest.spec.ts b/web/src/views/synthetics/CreateBrowserTest.spec.ts
index cce26737bc..5642d98d72 100644
--- a/web/src/views/synthetics/CreateBrowserTest.spec.ts
+++ b/web/src/views/synthetics/CreateBrowserTest.spec.ts
@@ -29,9 +29,11 @@ const {
   mockServiceUpdate,
   mockServiceGet,
   mockRouterPush,
+  mockRouterReplace,
   mockToast,
   mockRecorderStopReplay,
   mockRecorderReplayPhase,
+  mockDetectExtension,
   mockGetFoldersListByType,
   mockRoute,
 } = vi.hoisted(() => ({
@@ -42,11 +44,15 @@ const {
   mockServiceUpdate: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({}),
   mockServiceGet: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ data: {} }),
   mockRouterPush: vi.fn(),
+  mockRouterReplace: vi.fn(),
   mockToast: vi.fn(() => vi.fn()),
   // Shared so a test can assert the view delegates the stop instead of driving
   // the phase itself. The composable owns stopping → stopped.
   mockRecorderStopReplay: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
   mockRecorderReplayPhase: { value: "idle" },
+  // Shared so tests can flip the warm extension probe (mount) and the Record
+  // click probe — both go through recorder.detectExtension.
+  mockDetectExtension: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(false),
   mockGetFoldersListByType: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]),
   // Mutable so a test can drive `?folder=` — the preselected folder is read
   // from the route on mount.
@@ -57,14 +63,14 @@ vi.mock("vue-router", () => ({
   useRoute: () => mockRoute,
   useRouter: () => ({
     push: mockRouterPush,
-    replace: vi.fn(),
+    replace: mockRouterReplace,
   }),
   onBeforeRouteLeave: vi.fn(),
 }));
 
 vi.mock("@/composables/useSyntheticsRecorder", () => ({
   default: () => ({
-    detectExtension: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(false),
+    detectExtension: mockDetectExtension,
     replayPhase: mockRecorderReplayPhase,
     stepResults: new Map(),
     activeStepId: { value: null },
@@ -115,7 +121,9 @@ vi.mock("@/components/synthetics/CreateBrowserTest.schema", () => {
   return {
     makeBrowserCheckGateSchema: (_t: any) =>
       z.object({
-        url: z.string().min(1, "URL is required"),
+        // `.url()` so the query-restore tests can distinguish an invalid URL
+        // from a merely empty one, like the real schema does.
+        url: z.string().min(1, "URL is required").url("Invalid URL"),
         name: z.string().optional(),
       }),
     makeBrowserCheckSaveSchema: (_t: any) =>
@@ -319,6 +327,9 @@ describe("CreateBrowserTest", () => {
     mockServiceUpdate.mockResolvedValue({});
     mockServiceGet.mockResolvedValue({ data: {} });
     mockGetFoldersListByType.mockResolvedValue([]);
+    // Re-primed here because clearAllMocks keeps implementations — a test that
+    // resolves the probe true must not leak into the next one.
+    mockDetectExtension.mockResolvedValue(false);
     mockRoute.query = {};
   });
 
@@ -835,4 +846,218 @@ describe("CreateBrowserTest", () => {
       expect(configuredCheck(wrapper).folder).toBe("folder-1");
     });
   });
+
+  // The extension setup flow's own guidance leads the author through a page
+  // refresh, which remounts this view. The gate fields are mirrored into the
+  // query on entering setup so the refresh restores them and returns to the
+  // setup phase instead of restarting the wizard. The attestation checkboxes
+  // deliberately do NOT survive — install re-verifies through live detection.
+  describe("create mode — gate restore via query params", () => {
+    const gateUrlInput = (w: VueWrapper) => w.find('[data-test="synthetics-create-url-input"]');
+    const gateNameInput = (w: VueWrapper) => w.find('[data-test="synthetics-create-name-input"]');
+    const onSetupPhase = (w: VueWrapper) =>
+      w.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-open-record-btn"]').exists();
+
+    it("should mirror the trimmed gate fields into the query when Record enters setup", async () => {
+      mockRoute.query = { folder: "folder-1" };
+      wrapper = mountPage();
+      await flushPromises();
+
+      await gateUrlInput(wrapper).setValue("  https://example.com  ");
+      await gateNameInput(wrapper).setValue("  My Check  ");
+      await wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-create-record-btn"]').trigger("click");
+      await flushPromises();
+
+      expect(onSetupPhase(wrapper)).toBe(true);
+      // Existing params (like ?folder=) survive the merge.
+      expect(mockRouterReplace).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+        query: { folder: "folder-1", url: "https://example.com", name: "My Check", setup: "1" },
+      });
+    });
+
+    it("should omit the name param when the name is blank", async () => {
+      wrapper = mountPage();
+      await flushPromises();
+
+      await gateUrlInput(wrapper).setValue("https://example.com");
+      await wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-create-record-btn"]').trigger("click");
+      await flushPromises();
+
+      expect(mockRouterReplace).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+        query: { url: "https://example.com", setup: "1" },
+      });
+    });
+
+    it("should restore the gate and land in the setup phase on mount with a valid url and setup=1", async () => {
+      mockRoute.query = { url: "https://example.com", name: "Restored Check", setup: "1" };
+
+      wrapper = mountPage();
+      await flushPromises();
+
+      expect(onSetupPhase(wrapper)).toBe(true);
+      // The gate was committed with the restored fields, not skipped over.
+      expect((wrapper.vm as any).check.url).toBe("https://example.com");
+      expect((wrapper.vm as any).check.name).toBe("Restored Check");
+    });
+
+    it("should stay on the gate when setup=1 but the url is invalid", async () => {
+      mockRoute.query = { url: "not-a-url", setup: "1" };
+
+      wrapper = mountPage();
+      await flushPromises();
+
+      expect(onSetupPhase(wrapper)).toBe(false);
+      // The bad value is still prefilled for the author to correct.
+      expect((gateUrlInput(wrapper).element as HTMLInputElement).value).toBe("not-a-url");
+    });
+
+    it("should prefill the gate without advancing when the setup flag is absent", async () => {
+      mockRoute.query = { url: "https://example.com", name: "Restored Check" };
+
+      wrapper = mountPage();
+      await flushPromises();
+
+      expect(onSetupPhase(wrapper)).toBe(false);
+      expect((gateUrlInput(wrapper).element as HTMLInputElement).value).toBe("https://example.com");
+      expect((gateNameInput(wrapper).element as HTMLInputElement).value).toBe("Restored Check");
+    });
+  });
+
+  // A deep link carrying BOTH gate fields has nothing left to ask once the
+  // warm probe confirms the extension — the gate commits itself and the wizard
+  // jumps straight to the editor. The probe is the gatekeeper: attestations or
+  // a lone url must never trigger the jump.
+  describe("create mode — gate bypass on prefilled deep link", () => {
+    const onGate = (w: VueWrapper) => w.find('[data-test="synthetics-create-url-input"]').exists();
+    const onSetupPhase = (w: VueWrapper) =>
+      w.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-open-record-btn"]').exists();
+    const journey = (w: VueWrapper) => w.find('[data-test="synthetics-browser-journey"]');
+
+    it("should commit the gate and land in the editor when the probe confirms the extension", async () => {
+      mockRoute.query = { url: "https://example.com", name: "Deep Link Check" };
+      mockDetectExtension.mockResolvedValue(true);
+
+      wrapper = mountPage();
+      await flushPromises();
+
+      expect(onGate(wrapper)).toBe(false);
+      expect(onSetupPhase(wrapper)).toBe(false);
+      expect(journey(wrapper).exists()).toBe(true);
+      expect((wrapper.vm as any).check.url).toBe("https://example.com");
+      expect((wrapper.vm as any).check.name).toBe("Deep Link Check");
+      // The bypass opens the editor idle — recording stays a deliberate click.
+      expect(
+        wrapper.findComponent('[data-test="synthetics-browser-journey"]').props("autoRecord"),
+      ).toBe(false);
+    });
+
+    it("should stay on the gate with prefilled fields when the probe finds no extension", async () => {
+      mockRoute.query = { url: "https://example.com", name: "Deep Link Check" };
+      mockDetectExtension.mockResolvedValue(false);
+
+      wrapper = mountPage();
+      await flushPromises();
+
+      expect(onGate(wrapper)).toBe(true);
+      expect(journey(wrapper).exists()).toBe(false);
+      expect(
+        (wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-create-url-input"]').element as HTMLInputElement)
+          .value,
+      ).toBe("https://example.com");
+      expect(
+        (wrapper.find('[data-test="synthetics-create-name-input"]').element as HTMLInputElement)
+          .value,
+      ).toBe("Deep Link Check");
+    });
+
+    it("should stay on the gate when only the url param is present", async () => {
+      mockRoute.query = { url: "https://example.com" };
+      mockDetectExtension.mockResolvedValue(true);
+
+      wrapper = mountPage();
+      await flushPromises();
+
+      expect(onGate(wrapper)).toBe(true);
+      expect(journey(wrapper).exists()).toBe(false);
+    });
+
+    it("should let setup=1 take precedence over the bypass", async () => {
+      mockRoute.query = { url: "https://example.com", name: "Deep Link Check", setup: "1" };
+      mockDetectExtension.mockResolvedValue(true);
+
+      wrapper = mountPage();
+      await flushPromises();
+
+      expect(onSetupPhase(wrapper)).toBe(true);
+      expect(journey(wrapper).exists()).toBe(false);
+    });
+  });
+
+  // Toggling "Allow in Incognito" reloads the extension and orphans the tab's
+  // bridge, so a connection proven before the toggle proves nothing after it.
+  // Giving the incognito ack must trigger a FRESH probe, and the setup CTA must
+  // follow that probe's result — never the stale connection state.
+  describe("extension setup phase — re-verify on incognito ack", () => {
+    /** Gate → Record with no extension lands on the full-page setup phase. */
+    async function mountAtSetupPhase() {
+      const w = mountPage();
+      await flushPromises();
+      await w.find('[data-test="synthetics-create-url-input"]').setValue("https://example.com");
+      await w.find('[data-test="synthetics-create-record-btn"]').trigger("click");
+      await flushPromises();
+      return w;
+    }
+
+    // The real checklist renders here; the real OCheckbox's root is a <label>
+    // (where data-test lands) wrapping a button that owns the toggle.
+    async function ackChecklistTask(w: VueWrapper, task: "install" | "incognito") {
+      await w.find(`[data-test="synthetics-setup-${task}-ack"] button`).trigger("click");
+    }
+
+    const ctaDisabled = (w: VueWrapper) =>
+      w.find('[data-test="synthetics-setup-open-record-btn"]').attributes("disabled") !== undefined;
+
+    it("should re-probe on the ack and enable the CTA only once the fresh probe passes", async () => {
+      wrapper = await mountAtSetupPhase();
+      const callsBefore = mockDetectExtension.mock.calls.length;
+      let resolveProbe!: (installed: boolean) => void;
+      mockDetectExtension.mockImplementation(
+        () =>
+          new Promise<boolean>((resolve) => {
+            resolveProbe = resolve;
+          }),
+      );
+
+      await ackChecklistTask(wrapper, "install");
+      await ackChecklistTask(wrapper, "incognito");
+
+      // The ack itself fired a fresh detection…
+      expect(mockDetectExtension.mock.calls.length).toBe(callsBefore + 1);
+      // …and the CTA waits for its verdict rather than trusting stale state.
+      expect(ctaDisabled(wrapper)).toBe(true);
+
+      resolveProbe(true);
+      await flushPromises();
+
+      expect(ctaDisabled(wrapper)).toBe(false);
+    });
+
+    it("should keep the CTA disabled when the fresh probe finds no bridge", async () => {
+      wrapper = await mountAtSetupPhase();
+      let resolveProbe!: (installed: boolean) => void;
+      mockDetectExtension.mockImplementation(
+        () =>
+          new Promise<boolean>((resolve) => {
+            resolveProbe = resolve;
+          }),
+      );
+
+      await ackChecklistTask(wrapper, "install");
+      await ackChecklistTask(wrapper, "incognito");
+      resolveProbe(false);
+      await flushPromises();
+
+      expect(ctaDisabled(wrapper)).toBe(true);
+    });
+  });
 });
diff --git a/web/src/views/synthetics/CreateBrowserTest.vue b/web/src/views/synthetics/CreateBrowserTest.vue
index 2476a30f61..703ad9129c 100644
--- a/web/src/views/synthetics/CreateBrowserTest.vue
+++ b/web/src/views/synthetics/CreateBrowserTest.vue
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ import {
   makeBrowserCheckGateSchema,
   makeBrowserCheckSaveSchema,
 } from "@/components/synthetics/CreateBrowserTest.schema";
+import { CHROME_UI_LABELS, SETUP_QUERY_PARAM } from "@/constants/synthetics";
 import { getFoldersListByType } from "@/utils/commons";
 import { syntheticsListRoute } from "@/utils/synthetics/routes";
 import syntheticsService from "@/services/synthetics";
@@ -133,7 +134,33 @@ const saveSchema = computed(() => makeBrowserCheckSaveSchema(t));
 // `extensionInstalled` is now driven by a real runtime probe (not a manual click).
 const recorder = useSyntheticsRecorder();
 const extensionInstalled = ref(false);
+// Session-only on purpose: persisting the attestations would keep tasks
+// pre-completed after the extension is removed. After the connect step's
+// page refresh, the install task re-completes itself through live detection.
+const installAck = ref(false);
 const incognitoAllowed = ref(false);
+
+const setupInstallDone = computed(() => extensionReady.value || installAck.value);
+const setupAllDone = computed(() => extensionReady.value && incognitoAllowed.value);
+const setupCtaLabel = computed(() =>
+  setupAllDone.value
+    ? t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupOpenRecord")
+    : t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupCtaLocked", {
+        action: t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupOpenRecord"),
+      }),
+);
+const setupBlockingHint = computed(() => {
+  if (!setupInstallDone.value) return t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupHintInstall");
+  if (!incognitoAllowed.value)
+    return t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupHintIncognito", {
+      setting: CHROME_UI_LABELS.allowIncognito,
+    });
+  if (!setupAllDone.value)
+    return t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupHintConnect", {
+      action: t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupOpenRecord"),
+    });
+  return null;
+});
 const extensionReady = ref(false);
 const checkingExtension = ref(false);
 
@@ -147,6 +174,32 @@ async function probeExtension() {
   return extensionInstalled.value;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Toggling "Allow in Incognito" RELOADS the extension, orphaning this tab's
+ * bridge — the old content script's chrome.* APIs die and it answers nothing
+ * (see the takeover handshake in the extension's content script). So a
+ * connection proven before the toggle proves nothing after it: invalidate and
+ * re-probe, keeping the checklist's connect task open until a fresh probe
+ * passes. Only the connection is in doubt — the install fact is latched first
+ * so task 1 does not regress. Recovery paths if the probe finds the bridge
+ * dead: the toolbar-icon click or page refresh the connect task suggests.
+ */
+function reverifyExtension() {
+  if (extensionReady.value) installAck.value = true;
+  extensionReady.value = false;
+  probeExtension()
+    .then((ok) => {
+      if (ok) extensionReady.value = true;
+    })
+    .catch(() => {
+      /* bridge orphaned — the connect task guides recovery */
+    });
+}
+
+watch(incognitoAllowed, (val, old) => {
+  if (val && !old) reverifyExtension();
+});
+
 // Server-driven lists fetched once here and threaded down to CheckConfigure.
 const locations = ref<SyntheticsLocation[]>([]);
 const locationsLoading = ref(false);
@@ -300,16 +353,15 @@ function onLoadRetry(actionId?: string) {
 
 onMounted(() => {
   // Warm detection so an already-installed extension lets Record skip setup.
-  probeExtension()
+  const warmProbe = probeExtension()
     .then((installed) => {
       if (installed) {
         extensionInstalled.value = true;
         extensionReady.value = true;
       }
+      return installed;
     })
-    .catch(() => {
-      /* extension messaging unavailable — handled in setup screen */
-    });
+    .catch(() => false /* extension messaging unavailable — handled in setup screen */);
 
   // Auto-detect when the content script is injected on demand (toolbar icon click
   // after mid-session install). The content script sends 'oo-bridge-ready' when
@@ -331,6 +383,36 @@ onMounted(() => {
     if (typeof folderQuery === "string" && folderQuery) {
       check.value = { ...check.value, folder: folderQuery };
     }
+
+    // Restore the gate fields written to the query on entering the setup
+    // phase, so its "refresh this page" step doesn't restart the wizard.
+    // The attestation checkboxes deliberately reset — install re-verifies
+    // through live detection, incognito is re-confirmed with one click.
+    const urlQuery = route.query.url;
+    const nameQuery = route.query.name;
+    if (typeof urlQuery === "string" && urlQuery) startUrl.value = urlQuery;
+    if (typeof nameQuery === "string" && nameQuery) checkName.value = nameQuery;
+    if (route.query[SETUP_QUERY_PARAM] === "1" && isGateUrlValid.value) {
+      commitGate();
+      phase.value = "extension-setup";
+    } else if (
+      typeof urlQuery === "string" &&
+      urlQuery &&
+      typeof nameQuery === "string" &&
+      nameQuery &&
+      isGateUrlValid.value
+    ) {
+      // Both gate fields arrived via the query (the setup flow's refresh, or a
+      // prefilled deep link): once the warm probe confirms the extension, the
+      // gate has nothing left to ask — skip it. The phase guard keeps a slow
+      // probe from yanking the author out of a gate they started editing past.
+      warmProbe.then((installed) => {
+        if (installed && phase.value === "gate") {
+          commitGate();
+          phase.value = "editor";
+        }
+      });
+    }
   }
 });
 
@@ -422,6 +504,16 @@ async function onRecordClick() {
     autoRecord.value = true;
     phase.value = "editor";
   } else {
+    // Mirror the gate fields into the query so the setup flow's own
+    // "refresh this page" step restores them and returns to this phase.
+    router.replace({
+      query: {
+        ...route.query,
+        url: startUrl.value.trim(),
+        name: checkName.value.trim() || undefined,
+        [SETUP_QUERY_PARAM]: "1",
+      },
+    });
     phase.value = "extension-setup";
   }
 }
@@ -890,6 +982,7 @@ function onClearResults() {
         </p>
 
         <ExtensionSetupChecklist
+          v-model:install-ack="installAck"
           v-model:incognito-done="incognitoAllowed"
           :connected="extensionReady"
           class="mb-6"
@@ -898,15 +991,19 @@ function onClearResults() {
         <OButton
           variant="primary"
           size="lg"
-          class="mb-4 w-full"
-          :disabled="!extensionReady || !incognitoAllowed"
+          class="mb-3 w-full"
+          :disabled="!setupAllDone"
           data-test="synthetics-setup-open-record-btn"
           icon-left="smart-display"
           @click="onExtensionSetupRecord"
         >
-          {{ t("synthetics.createBrowserTest.setupOpenRecord") }}
+          {{ setupCtaLabel }}
         </OButton>
 
+        <p v-if="setupBlockingHint" class="text-text-secondary m-0 mb-3 text-center text-xs">
+          {{ setupBlockingHint }}
+        </p>
+
         <div class="text-center">
           <OButton
             variant="ghost"
@@ -959,6 +1056,7 @@ function onClearResults() {
               :field-issues="journeyFieldIssues"
               class="h-full!"
               @replay="onReplay"
+              @verify-extension="reverifyExtension"
               @replay-up-to="onReplayUpTo"
               @stop-replay="onStopReplay"
               @clear-results="onClearResults"