diff --git a/src/AquaSynth.Faust/FaustCompiler.cs b/src/AquaSynth.Faust/FaustCompiler.cs
index 769f017..b2b197d 100644
--- a/src/AquaSynth.Faust/FaustCompiler.cs
+++ b/src/AquaSynth.Faust/FaustCompiler.cs
@@ -323,6 +323,11 @@ public static class FaustCompiler
         {
             ["DOTNET_CLI_HOME"] = home,
             ["DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE"] = "1",
+            // The first-run experience still appends "<home>\.dotnet\tools" to the
+            // persisted user PATH; with a fresh home per render that left one dead
+            // entry per render until the PATH blew past cmd's environment limit.
+            ["DOTNET_ADD_GLOBAL_TOOLS_TO_PATH"] = "0",
+            ["DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT"] = "1",
             ["DOTNET_NOLOGO"] = "1",
             ["NUGET_PACKAGES"] = packages,
             ["APPDATA"] = appData,
diff --git a/tools/run-ipa-trial-loop.ps1 b/tools/run-ipa-trial-loop.ps1
index fa71d42..3fc5edf 100644
--- a/tools/run-ipa-trial-loop.ps1
+++ b/tools/run-ipa-trial-loop.ps1
@@ -286,8 +286,8 @@ Previous round evaluation:
 $previousEvaluation
 
 Use the worker as your search organ. Do not ask for crude full dumps unless retrieval fails:
-`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$roundDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- search --store "$storePath" --query "<your evidence question>" --limit 20 --output "$roundDir/search-<topic>.md" --skip-index true
-`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$roundDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- show --store "$storePath" --trial-id "<trial id from search>" --output "$roundDir/detail-<candidate>.md"
+`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$roundDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_ADD_GLOBAL_TOOLS_TO_PATH="0"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- search --store "$storePath" --query "<your evidence question>" --limit 20 --output "$roundDir/search-<topic>.md" --skip-index true
+`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$roundDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_ADD_GLOBAL_TOOLS_TO_PATH="0"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- show --store "$storePath" --trial-id "<trial id from search>" --output "$roundDir/detail-<candidate>.md"
 
 Retrieval failure policy:
 - A failed search/show command is itself evidence about the worker environment, but it is low-quality evidence for speech hypotheses.
@@ -506,10 +506,10 @@ Before judging:
 4. If source edits were allowed, inspect `$roundDir/source-change-plan.md` when present and verify the source edit is a coherent owner move, not a metric hack.
 
 Use the worker as your search organ:
-`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$roundDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- search --store "$storePath" --query "$roundId external-codex-$roundId current round candidates" --limit 30 --output "$roundDir/eval-search-current-round.md" --skip-index true
-`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$roundDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- search --store "$storePath" --query "weak regression failed articulation stop plosive source tract radiation" --limit 30 --output "$roundDir/eval-search-weak.md" --skip-index true
-`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$roundDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- search --store "$storePath" --query "promising transfer generalization vowel nasal fricative articulation" --limit 30 --output "$roundDir/eval-search-promising.md" --skip-index true
-`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$roundDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- show --store "$storePath" --trial-id "<trial id from current round search>" --output "$roundDir/eval-detail-<candidate>.md"
+`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$roundDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_ADD_GLOBAL_TOOLS_TO_PATH="0"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- search --store "$storePath" --query "$roundId external-codex-$roundId current round candidates" --limit 30 --output "$roundDir/eval-search-current-round.md" --skip-index true
+`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$roundDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_ADD_GLOBAL_TOOLS_TO_PATH="0"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- search --store "$storePath" --query "weak regression failed articulation stop plosive source tract radiation" --limit 30 --output "$roundDir/eval-search-weak.md" --skip-index true
+`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$roundDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_ADD_GLOBAL_TOOLS_TO_PATH="0"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- search --store "$storePath" --query "promising transfer generalization vowel nasal fricative articulation" --limit 30 --output "$roundDir/eval-search-promising.md" --skip-index true
+`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$roundDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_ADD_GLOBAL_TOOLS_TO_PATH="0"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- show --store "$storePath" --trial-id "<trial id from current round search>" --output "$roundDir/eval-detail-<candidate>.md"
 
 Retrieval failure policy:
 - Failed search/show commands do not count as evidence receipts for family verdicts.
diff --git a/tools/run-ipa-trial-swarm.ps1 b/tools/run-ipa-trial-swarm.ps1
index c673568..f258113 100644
--- a/tools/run-ipa-trial-swarm.ps1
+++ b/tools/run-ipa-trial-swarm.ps1
@@ -328,8 +328,8 @@ Lane patch directory: $lanePatchDir
 Your job is to write exactly five parseable .aqua candidates, one for each target in this lane. Other lane agents are running at the same time; do not touch their directories, the shared .cc store, source files, or existing artifacts.
 
 Use the worker as your semantic search/show organ:
-`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$laneDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- search --store "$storePath" --query "<your evidence question>" --limit 20 --output "$laneDir/search-<topic>.md" --skip-index true
-`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$laneDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- show --store "$storePath" --trial-id "<trial id from search>" --output "$laneDir/detail-<candidate>.md"
+`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$laneDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_ADD_GLOBAL_TOOLS_TO_PATH="0"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- search --store "$storePath" --query "<your evidence question>" --limit 20 --output "$laneDir/search-<topic>.md" --skip-index true
+`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$laneDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_ADD_GLOBAL_TOOLS_TO_PATH="0"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- show --store "$storePath" --trial-id "<trial id from search>" --output "$laneDir/detail-<candidate>.md"
 
 Required receipts before writing candidates:
 1. Open $preEvidence and extract three metric-bearing facts relevant to this lane.
@@ -453,11 +453,11 @@ Read:
 - trial store: $storePath
 
 Before judging, use the worker as your search/show organ:
-`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$passDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- search --store "$storePath" --query "$passId external-codex-swarm current pass candidates" --limit 40 --output "$passDir/eval-search-current-pass.md" --skip-index true
-`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$passDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- search --store "$storePath" --query "$passId weak regression failed articulation stop fricative nasal vowel source tract radiation" --limit 40 --output "$passDir/eval-search-weak.md" --skip-index true
-`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$passDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- search --store "$storePath" --query "$passId promising transfer generalization gesture articulation primitive timeline" --limit 40 --output "$passDir/eval-search-promising.md" --skip-index true
-`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$passDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- show --store "$storePath" --trial-id "<weak current pass trial id>" --output "$passDir/eval-detail-weak.md"
-`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$passDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- show --store "$storePath" --trial-id "<promising current pass trial id>" --output "$passDir/eval-detail-promising.md"
+`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$passDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_ADD_GLOBAL_TOOLS_TO_PATH="0"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- search --store "$storePath" --query "$passId external-codex-swarm current pass candidates" --limit 40 --output "$passDir/eval-search-current-pass.md" --skip-index true
+`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$passDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_ADD_GLOBAL_TOOLS_TO_PATH="0"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- search --store "$storePath" --query "$passId weak regression failed articulation stop fricative nasal vowel source tract radiation" --limit 40 --output "$passDir/eval-search-weak.md" --skip-index true
+`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$passDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_ADD_GLOBAL_TOOLS_TO_PATH="0"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- search --store "$storePath" --query "$passId promising transfer generalization gesture articulation primitive timeline" --limit 40 --output "$passDir/eval-search-promising.md" --skip-index true
+`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$passDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_ADD_GLOBAL_TOOLS_TO_PATH="0"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- show --store "$storePath" --trial-id "<weak current pass trial id>" --output "$passDir/eval-detail-weak.md"
+`$env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME="$passDir/dotnet-home"; `$env:DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE="1"; `$env:DOTNET_ADD_GLOBAL_TOOLS_TO_PATH="0"; `$env:DOTNET_CLI_TELEMETRY_OPTOUT="1"; dotnet run --no-build --no-restore --project tools/IpaTrialWorker/IpaTrialWorker.csproj -- show --store "$storePath" --trial-id "<promising current pass trial id>" --output "$passDir/eval-detail-promising.md"
 
 Verify from disk:
 - exactly 25 .aqua files under $patchRoot;
diff --git a/tools/run-song-snippet-trial-swarm.ps1 b/tools/run-song-snippet-trial-swarm.ps1
index 791b7d8..c17abf5 100644
--- a/tools/run-song-snippet-trial-swarm.ps1
+++ b/tools/run-song-snippet-trial-swarm.ps1
@@ -101,6 +101,7 @@ function Start-CodexAgentJob {
         $agentHome = Join-Path $JobRepoRoot ".dotnet_agent_home"
         New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path $dotnetHome, $nugetHome, $appDataHome, $localAppDataHome, $agentHome | Out-Null
         $env:DOTNET_CLI_HOME = $dotnetHome
+        $env:DOTNET_ADD_GLOBAL_TOOLS_TO_PATH = "0"
         $env:NUGET_PACKAGES = $nugetHome
         $env:APPDATA = $appDataHome
         $env:LOCALAPPDATA = $localAppDataHome