diff --git a/apps/web/tests/lifecycle-chrome.e2e.ts b/apps/web/tests/lifecycle-chrome.e2e.ts
index 1ebdb03002..b615b1235e 100644
--- a/apps/web/tests/lifecycle-chrome.e2e.ts
+++ b/apps/web/tests/lifecycle-chrome.e2e.ts
@@ -434,16 +434,9 @@ describe('web e2e: lifecycle & chrome (workspace flow / reload / dark mode)', ()
       expect(await connecting.innerText()).toMatch(/^Reconnecting\.{1,3}$/)
       const connectingGeometry = await connectionIndicatorGeometry(connecting)
       expect(await connectionIndicatorTextAlignment(connecting)).toBe('left')
-      // Animated dots must remain hidden with their state label during hover.
-      await connecting.evaluate((element) => {
-        for (const animation of element.getAnimations({ subtree: true })) {
-          if (!(animation instanceof CSSAnimation)) continue
-          animation.pause()
-          animation.currentTime = 1_250
-        }
-      })
+      // Hover keeps the state label; the pill never swaps copy or resizes.
       await connecting.hover()
-      expect(await connecting.innerText()).toBe('Reconnect now')
+      expect(await connecting.innerText()).toMatch(/^Reconnecting\.{1,3}$/)
       expect(await connectionIndicatorGeometry(connecting)).toEqual(connectingGeometry)
       await recoveryPage.mouse.move(0, 0)
 
@@ -461,7 +454,6 @@ describe('web e2e: lifecycle & chrome (workspace flow / reload / dark mode)', ()
       const indicator = connecting
       expect(await connectionIndicatorGeometry(indicator)).toEqual(connectingGeometry)
       expect(await connectionIndicatorTextAlignment(indicator)).toBe('left')
-      await indicator.hover()
       const snapshot = await captureStableAria(recoveryPage, '[class*="footArea"]', scaffold.workspaceCwd)
       await compareOrRefreshGolden(CONNECTION_ERROR_EXPECTED, snapshot, MODE)
       const style = await indicator.evaluate((element) => {
@@ -498,11 +490,9 @@ describe('web e2e: lifecycle & chrome (workspace flow / reload / dark mode)', ()
       await connecting.waitFor()
       await recoveryPage.clock.fastForward(500)
       await expect.poll(() => sockets.length).toBe(11)
-      const idleBackground = await indicator.evaluate(element => getComputedStyle(element).backgroundColor)
       await indicator.hover()
-      expect(await indicator.innerText()).toBe('Reconnect now')
+      expect(await indicator.innerText()).toMatch(/^Reconnecting\.{1,3}$/)
       const hoverBackground = await indicator.evaluate(element => getComputedStyle(element).backgroundColor)
-      expect(hoverBackground).toBe(idleBackground)
       await recoveryPage.mouse.down()
       await expect.poll(() => indicator.evaluate(element => getComputedStyle(element).backgroundColor))
         .not.toBe(hoverBackground)
@@ -513,7 +503,10 @@ describe('web e2e: lifecycle & chrome (workspace flow / reload / dark mode)', ()
       const recovered = recoveryPage.getByRole('status')
       await recovered.waitFor({ timeout: 10_000 })
       expect(await recovered.innerText()).toBe('Connected')
-      expect(await connectionIndicatorGeometry(recovered)).toEqual(connectingGeometry)
+      // The pill sizes to its current label; chrome height and icon box stay fixed.
+      const recoveredGeometry = await connectionIndicatorGeometry(recovered)
+      expect(recoveredGeometry.outer[3]).toBe(connectingGeometry.outer[3])
+      expect(recoveredGeometry.icon).toEqual(connectingGeometry.icon)
       expect(await connectionIndicatorTextAlignment(recovered)).toBe('left')
       await recoveryPage.clock.fastForward(2_000)
       await recovered.waitFor({ state: 'detached', timeout: 5_000 })
diff --git a/snapshots/web/lifecycle-chrome/connection-error.expected.md b/snapshots/web/lifecycle-chrome/connection-error.expected.md
index 31046ddf7b..c14269d3ed 100644
--- a/snapshots/web/lifecycle-chrome/connection-error.expected.md
+++ b/snapshots/web/lifecycle-chrome/connection-error.expected.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 - button "Settings":
   - img
   - text: Settings
-- button "Reconnecting automatically, reconnect now": Reconnect now
+- button "Reconnecting automatically, reconnect now": Reconnecting