diff --git a/src/main/runtime/orca-runtime-tests/repository-project-operations.spec.ts b/src/main/runtime/orca-runtime-tests/repository-project-operations.spec.ts
index 8c9f018f97a..babf21eac28 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/orca-runtime-tests/repository-project-operations.spec.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/orca-runtime-tests/repository-project-operations.spec.ts
@@ -635,7 +635,7 @@ describe('OrcaRuntimeService', () => {
         .catch((error: unknown) => error)
 
       expect(() => runtime.addSshRepo({ connectionId: 'openclaw' })).toThrow(
-        'SSH connection "openclaw" not found or not connected'
+        "This Orca server can't add projects on its SSH hosts."
       )
 
       // Why: the defect was a silent local clone/probe recorded as remote, not a bad message,
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/runtime-project-host-setup-controller.test.ts b/src/main/runtime/runtime-project-host-setup-controller.test.ts
index 3349ff52097..d2ecb757276 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/runtime-project-host-setup-controller.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/runtime-project-host-setup-controller.test.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 import { describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
-import { RuntimeProjectHostSetupController } from './runtime-project-host-setup-controller'
+import {
+  RuntimeProjectHostSetupController,
+  SERVER_SSH_PROJECT_ADD_UNAVAILABLE_MESSAGE
+} from './runtime-project-host-setup-controller'
 import { getProjectHostSetupForRepo } from '../../shared/project-host-setup-lookup'
 import { projectHostSetupProjectionFromRepos } from '../../shared/project-host-setup-projection'
 import type { Repo } from '../../shared/repo-types'
@@ -78,11 +81,11 @@ describe('RuntimeProjectHostSetupController host routing', () => {
     expect(addRepo).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
   })
 
-  it('keeps repo.addRemote failing with the not-connected text', () => {
+  it('refuses repo.addRemote by saying where the project can be added instead', () => {
     const { controller, addRepo } = makeController()
 
     expect(() => controller.addSshRepo({ connectionId: TARGET_ID })).toThrow(
-      `SSH connection "${TARGET_ID}" not found or not connected`
+      SERVER_SSH_PROJECT_ADD_UNAVAILABLE_MESSAGE
     )
     expect(addRepo).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
   })
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/runtime-project-host-setup-controller.ts b/src/main/runtime/runtime-project-host-setup-controller.ts
index 4f9c61e1367..1388c3aaef3 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/runtime-project-host-setup-controller.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/runtime-project-host-setup-controller.ts
@@ -63,6 +63,9 @@ function assertCloneHostIsSupported(hostId: ExecutionHostId | null | undefined):
   )
 }
 
+export const SERVER_SSH_PROJECT_ADD_UNAVAILABLE_MESSAGE =
+  "This Orca server can't add projects on its SSH hosts. Add the SSH host on your computer to open its projects."
+
 function sshTargetNotServedError(connectionId: string): SshHostNotServedError {
   return new SshHostNotServedError(connectionId, sshTargetNotConnectedMessage(connectionId))
 }
@@ -124,12 +127,15 @@ export class RuntimeProjectHostSetupController {
     return this.completeSetup(args, repo, !knownRepoIds.has(repo.id))
   }
 
-  /** `repo.addRemote` stays registered for older clients; this process serves no SSH target. */
+  /**
+   * `repo.addRemote` stays registered for older clients, which still offer it; this process serves
+   * no SSH target, so the refusal says where such a project can be added instead.
+   */
   addSshRepo(args: { connectionId: string }): Promise<Repo> {
     if (!this.deps.getStore()) {
       throw new Error('runtime_unavailable')
     }
-    throw sshTargetNotServedError(args.connectionId)
+    throw new SshHostNotServedError(args.connectionId, SERVER_SSH_PROJECT_ADD_UNAVAILABLE_MESSAGE)
   }
 
   async setupClone(args: ProjectHostSetupCloneArgs): Promise<ProjectHostSetupResult> {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/AddRepoDialogStepContent.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/AddRepoDialogStepContent.tsx
index fe3e6a1ca0f..fc553cbc9b4 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/AddRepoDialogStepContent.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/AddRepoDialogStepContent.tsx
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ export function AddRepoDialogStepContent({
         hostSelector={hostSelector}
         actionsDisabled={actionsDisabled}
         browseHostKind={browseHostKind}
-        serverSshProjects={serverSsh?.state}
+        offersServerSshHosts={serverSsh !== null}
         onBrowse={onBrowse}
         onOpenCloneStep={onOpenCloneStep}
         onOpenRemoteStep={onOpenRemoteStep}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/AddRepoStartSteps.test.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/AddRepoStartSteps.test.tsx
index eeec4d2ddf1..c9edb002dee 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/AddRepoStartSteps.test.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/AddRepoStartSteps.test.tsx
@@ -140,31 +140,26 @@ describe('AddRepoLocalStartStep', () => {
     expect(model.description).toBe('Existing Git repository or folder on this host')
   })
 
-  it.each([
-    ['supported', false, 'Open a project folder from an SSH host this server connects to'],
-    ['unsupported', true, 'Update this server to add projects on its SSH hosts'],
-    ['unknown', true, 'Open a project folder from an SSH host this server connects to']
-  ] as const)(
-    "offers a server's own SSH hosts only when the server supports it (%s)",
-    (serverSshProjects, disabled, description) => {
-      const { secondaryActions } = getAddRepoLocalStartActions({
-        browseHostKind: 'runtime',
-        serverSshProjects,
-        onBrowse: vi.fn(),
-        onOpenCloneStep: vi.fn(),
-        onOpenRemoteStep: vi.fn(),
-        onOpenCreateStep: vi.fn()
-      })
-      const remote = secondaryActions.find((action) => action.kind === 'remote')
+  it("explains instead of offering a project on a paired server's SSH host", () => {
+    const { secondaryActions } = getAddRepoLocalStartActions({
+      browseHostKind: 'runtime',
+      offersServerSshHosts: true,
+      onBrowse: vi.fn(),
+      onOpenCloneStep: vi.fn(),
+      onOpenRemoteStep: vi.fn(),
+      onOpenCreateStep: vi.fn()
+    })
+    const remote = secondaryActions.find((action) => action.kind === 'remote')
 
-      expect(secondaryActions.map((action) => action.kind)).toEqual(['clone', 'remote', 'create'])
-      expect(remote).toMatchObject({
-        title: "Project on this server's SSH host",
-        description,
-        disabled
-      })
-    }
-  )
+    expect(secondaryActions.map((action) => action.kind)).toEqual(['clone', 'remote', 'create'])
+    // Why: the server refuses repo.addRemote, so the row must never open the step that calls it.
+    expect(remote).toMatchObject({
+      title: "Project on this server's SSH host",
+      description:
+        'Not available from a server. Add the SSH host on this computer to open its projects.',
+      disabled: true
+    })
+  })
 
   it('focuses Browse folder when the default Add Project step opens', async () => {
     const { container, root } = await renderLocalStartStepDom()
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/AddRepoStartSteps.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/AddRepoStartSteps.tsx
index 3828b580897..c4fd9945e29 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/AddRepoStartSteps.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/AddRepoStartSteps.tsx
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ type AddRepoLocalStartStepProps = {
   hostSelector?: ReactNode
   actionsDisabled?: boolean
   browseHostKind?: 'local' | 'runtime'
-  serverSshProjects?: 'supported' | 'unsupported' | 'unknown'
+  offersServerSshHosts?: boolean
   onBrowse: () => void
   onOpenCloneStep: () => void
   onOpenRemoteStep: () => void
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ export function AddRepoLocalStartStep({
   hostSelector,
   actionsDisabled = false,
   browseHostKind = 'local',
-  serverSshProjects,
+  offersServerSshHosts,
   onBrowse,
   onOpenCloneStep,
   onOpenRemoteStep,
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ export function AddRepoLocalStartStep({
     onOpenRemoteStep,
     onOpenCreateStep,
     browseHostKind,
-    serverSshProjects
+    offersServerSshHosts
   })
 
   // The white fill + ⏎ chip is a roving selection indicator, not a fixed "primary" badge:
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/add-repo-local-start-actions.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/add-repo-local-start-actions.ts
index 96ae9f98230..a709949d8a6 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/add-repo-local-start-actions.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/add-repo-local-start-actions.ts
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ export type AddRepoLocalStartActionHandlers = {
   onOpenRemoteStep: () => void
   onOpenCreateStep: () => void
   browseHostKind?: 'local' | 'runtime'
-  /** A paired server's own SSH hosts; `unsupported` when it predates managing them. */
-  serverSshProjects?: 'supported' | 'unsupported' | 'unknown'
+  /** A paired server is selected, whose own SSH hosts the dialog explains instead of offering. */
+  offersServerSshHosts?: boolean
 }
 
 export type AddRepoLocalStartAction = {
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ export function getAddRepoLocalStartActions({
   onOpenRemoteStep,
   onOpenCreateStep,
   browseHostKind = 'local',
-  serverSshProjects
+  offersServerSshHosts = false
 }: AddRepoLocalStartActionHandlers): {
   primaryAction: AddRepoLocalStartAction
   secondaryActions: AddRepoLocalStartAction[]
@@ -52,7 +52,9 @@ export function getAddRepoLocalStartActions({
     onClick: onBrowse
   }
 
-  const remote = serverSshProjects
+  // Why disabled: a server registers no project on its SSH hosts (each runs its own managed
+  // server), so the row only says where that project can be added instead.
+  const remote = offersServerSshHosts
     ? {
         kind: 'remote' as const,
         icon: Monitor,
@@ -60,18 +62,11 @@ export function getAddRepoLocalStartActions({
           'auto.components.sidebar.add.repo.local.start.actions.serverSshTitle',
           "Project on this server's SSH host"
         ),
-        description:
-          serverSshProjects === 'unsupported'
-            ? translate(
-                'auto.components.sidebar.add.repo.local.start.actions.serverSshUpdate',
-                'Update this server to add projects on its SSH hosts'
-              )
-            : translate(
-                'auto.components.sidebar.add.repo.local.start.actions.serverSshDescription',
-                'Open a project folder from an SSH host this server connects to'
-              ),
-        // Why: an old server has no way to do this, and this client must not do it locally.
-        disabled: serverSshProjects !== 'supported',
+        description: translate(
+          'auto.components.sidebar.add.repo.local.start.actions.serverSshAddOnThisComputer',
+          'Not available from a server. Add the SSH host on this computer to open its projects.'
+        ),
+        disabled: true,
         onClick: onOpenRemoteStep
       }
     : null
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/en.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/en.json
index 9aafb85d600..a8e8f07bb66 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/en.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/en.json
@@ -6227,8 +6227,7 @@
                   "7edb8ebe24": "Clone from URL",
                   "a6c20dca96": "Open a project from an SSH target",
                   "serverSshTitle": "Project on this server's SSH host",
-                  "serverSshDescription": "Open a project folder from an SSH host this server connects to",
-                  "serverSshUpdate": "Update this server to add projects on its SSH hosts",
+                  "serverSshAddOnThisComputer": "Not available from a server. Add the SSH host on this computer to open its projects.",
                   "fb4fc5380e": "Local project, Git repo, or folder with many repos",
                   "2281fdc8c7": "Browse folder",
                   "runtimeBrowseDescription": "Existing Git repository or folder on this host"
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/es.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/es.json
index 00b16929359..7e0b5865798 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/es.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/es.json
@@ -5990,8 +5990,7 @@
                   "7edb8ebe24": "Clonar desde URL",
                   "a6c20dca96": "Abrir un proyecto desde un destino SSH",
                   "serverSshTitle": "Proyecto en un host SSH de este servidor",
-                  "serverSshDescription": "Abre una carpeta de proyecto de un host SSH al que se conecta este servidor",
-                  "serverSshUpdate": "Actualiza este servidor para añadir proyectos en sus hosts SSH",
+                  "serverSshAddOnThisComputer": "No disponible desde un servidor. Añade el host SSH en este ordenador para abrir sus proyectos.",
                   "fb4fc5380e": "Proyecto local, repositorio de Git o carpeta con muchos repositorios",
                   "2281fdc8c7": "Explorar carpeta",
                   "runtimeBrowseDescription": "Repositorio Git o carpeta existente en este host"
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/fr.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/fr.json
index 92d5c61cc08..57cc98d0558 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/fr.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/fr.json
@@ -6103,8 +6103,7 @@
                   "7edb8ebe24": "Cloner depuis une URL",
                   "a6c20dca96": "Ouvrir un projet depuis une cible SSH",
                   "serverSshTitle": "Projet sur un hôte SSH de ce serveur",
-                  "serverSshDescription": "Ouvrir un dossier de projet depuis un hôte SSH auquel ce serveur se connecte",
-                  "serverSshUpdate": "Mettez ce serveur à jour pour ajouter des projets sur ses hôtes SSH",
+                  "serverSshAddOnThisComputer": "Indisponible depuis un serveur. Ajoutez l’hôte SSH sur cet ordinateur pour ouvrir ses projets.",
                   "fb4fc5380e": "Projet local, dépôt Git ou dossier contenant plusieurs dépôts",
                   "2281fdc8c7": "Parcourir le dossier",
                   "runtimeBrowseDescription": "Dépôt Git existant ou dossier sur cette machine"
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ja.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ja.json
index 071548504fd..63acba07bf6 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ja.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ja.json
@@ -5975,8 +5975,7 @@
                   "7edb8ebe24": "URL からクローン",
                   "a6c20dca96": "SSH ターゲットからプロジェクトを開く",
                   "serverSshTitle": "このサーバーの SSH ホスト上のプロジェクト",
-                  "serverSshDescription": "このサーバーが接続する SSH ホストのプロジェクトフォルダーを開きます",
-                  "serverSshUpdate": "SSH ホストにプロジェクトを追加するには、このサーバーを更新してください",
+                  "serverSshAddOnThisComputer": "サーバーからは利用できません。プロジェクトを開くには、このコンピューターに SSH ホストを追加してください。",
                   "fb4fc5380e": "ローカルプロジェクト、Git リポジトリ、または多数のリポジトリを含むフォルダー",
                   "2281fdc8c7": "フォルダーを参照",
                   "runtimeBrowseDescription": "このホスト上の既存の Git リポジトリまたはフォルダー"
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ko.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ko.json
index cfe3e66b67c..01db6f208ab 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ko.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ko.json
@@ -5975,8 +5975,7 @@
                   "7edb8ebe24": "URL에서 복제",
                   "a6c20dca96": "SSH 대상에서 프로젝트 열기",
                   "serverSshTitle": "이 서버의 SSH 호스트에 있는 프로젝트",
-                  "serverSshDescription": "이 서버가 연결하는 SSH 호스트의 프로젝트 폴더를 엽니다",
-                  "serverSshUpdate": "SSH 호스트에 프로젝트를 추가하려면 이 서버를 업데이트하세요",
+                  "serverSshAddOnThisComputer": "서버에서는 사용할 수 없습니다. 프로젝트를 열려면 이 컴퓨터에 SSH 호스트를 추가하세요.",
                   "fb4fc5380e": "로컬 프로젝트, Git repo 또는 repos가 많은 폴더",
                   "2281fdc8c7": "폴더 찾아보기",
                   "runtimeBrowseDescription": "이 호스트의 기존 Git 리포지토리 또는 폴더"
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh.json
index 0e3e01917f4..33430f894f0 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh.json
@@ -5975,8 +5975,7 @@
                   "7edb8ebe24": "从 URL 克隆",
                   "a6c20dca96": "从 SSH 目标打开项目",
                   "serverSshTitle": "此服务器 SSH 主机上的项目",
-                  "serverSshDescription": "从此服务器连接的 SSH 主机打开项目文件夹",
-                  "serverSshUpdate": "更新此服务器后才能在其 SSH 主机上添加项目",
+                  "serverSshAddOnThisComputer": "无法从服务器使用。请在此电脑上添加该 SSH 主机以打开其项目。",
                   "fb4fc5380e": "本地项目、Git 仓库或包含多个仓库的文件夹",
                   "2281fdc8c7": "浏览文件夹",
                   "runtimeBrowseDescription": "此主机上的现有 Git 仓库或文件夹"