diff --git a/frontend/src/shell/PiManagement.test.tsx b/frontend/src/shell/PiManagement.test.tsx
index 683ff4b3..8d053348 100644
--- a/frontend/src/shell/PiManagement.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/shell/PiManagement.test.tsx
@@ -299,6 +299,23 @@ test("shows a seven-step host-terminal workflow in scrollable platform tabs", as
   expect(windows).toHaveTextContent('& (Resolve-Path "~\\bin\\thothctl-windows-amd64.exe") --installation (Resolve-Path "~\\thothii-installation.yaml") pi maintenance recover --yes');
 });
 
+test("keeps the required PI_AUTH_FILE guidance in one static text node", async () => {
+  const user = userEvent.setup();
+  renderManagement();
+
+  const tablist = await screen.findByRole("tablist", { name: "Pi host platform" });
+  await user.click(within(tablist).getByRole("tab", { name: "Linux" }));
+  const credentialStep = screen.getByRole("heading", { name: "Set the provider credential" }).closest("li");
+  const guidance = credentialStep?.querySelector("p");
+
+  expect(
+    Array.from(guidance?.childNodes ?? []).some(
+      (node) => node.nodeType === Node.TEXT_NODE
+        && node.textContent?.includes("PI_AUTH_FILE is a setting in the installation environment file"),
+    ),
+  ).toBe(true);
+});
+
 test("reloads installation defaults when the panel is reopened", async () => {
   let statusCalls = 0;
   server.use(http.get("/api/pi-management/status", () => {
diff --git a/frontend/src/shell/PiManagement.tsx b/frontend/src/shell/PiManagement.tsx
index 1d925439..ebe0e713 100644
--- a/frontend/src/shell/PiManagement.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/shell/PiManagement.tsx
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ function PiInstructionSteps({ details }: { details: PiPlatformDetails }) {
     </li>
     <li>
       <h4 className="font-semibold text-foreground">Set the provider credential</h4>
-      <p className="mt-1 text-muted-foreground"><code>PI_AUTH_FILE</code> is a setting in the installation environment file. It selects {details.credentialProtection}; Docker mounts the selected host credential file read-only for Pi.</p>
+      <p className="mt-1 text-muted-foreground">PI_AUTH_FILE is a setting in the installation environment file. It selects {details.credentialProtection}; Docker mounts the selected host credential file read-only for Pi.</p>
     </li>
     <li>
       <h4 className="font-semibold text-foreground">Reload Pi configuration</h4>