diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f9dea9c..b11f08d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ cd github-watch
 
 Release installs show whether the installed plugin is current or whether a newer release is available. `Update to latest release` runs in the background, writes to `GITHUBWATCH_UPDATE_LOG`, and replaces the plugin with the latest release asset. Source checkout installs show the current branch and commit for diagnostics, but hide the menu updater to avoid overwriting checkout-managed files. Development updates should use normal git commands in the checkout.
 
-The development installer uses a symlink, matching the `agent-watch` and `menutube` development workflow. The release installer copies a standalone plugin script. The menu updater is only for copied release installs; source checkout installs should be updated with `git pull`.
+The development installer uses a symlink, matching the `agent-watch` and `menutube` development workflow. The release installer copies a standalone plugin script. The menu updater is only shown for copied release installs; source checkout installs show git metadata and should be updated with normal git commands.
 
 ## Requirements
 
diff --git a/bin/github-watch.5m.sh b/bin/github-watch.5m.sh
index 2801f08..1aaec56 100755
--- a/bin/github-watch.5m.sh
+++ b/bin/github-watch.5m.sh
@@ -1088,10 +1088,14 @@ print_plugin_rows() {
   local root git_summary version_label release_status release_color latest_release
   root="$(plugin_repo_root)"
   version_label="$(plugin_version_label "$root")"
-  maybe_refresh_release_check
-  release_status="$(release_status_label "$version_label")"
-  release_color="$(release_status_color "$release_status")"
-  emit "--Version: ${version_label} (${release_status}) | font=Menlo color=$release_color"
+  if [[ -z "$root" ]]; then
+    maybe_refresh_release_check
+    release_status="$(release_status_label "$version_label")"
+    release_color="$(release_status_color "$release_status")"
+    emit "--Version: ${version_label} (${release_status}) | font=Menlo color=$release_color"
+  else
+    emit "--Version: ${version_label} | font=Menlo"
+  fi
   emit "--Config: $(shorten_path "$CONFIG_FILE") | font=Menlo"
   emit "--Script: $(shorten_path "$PLUGIN_PATH") | font=Menlo"
   print_gh_status_rows
@@ -1099,7 +1103,7 @@ print_plugin_rows() {
     git_summary="$(plugin_git_summary "$root")"
     emit "--Repo: $(shorten_path "$root") | font=Menlo"
     emit "--Git: ${git_summary:-unknown} | font=Menlo"
-    emit "----Source/dev install: update with git pull, not script replacement | color=gray"
+    emit "----Use git commands for development updates | color=gray"
   else
     latest_release="$(cached_latest_release_tag 2>/dev/null || true)"
     if [[ -n "$latest_release" && "$(release_tag_norm "$latest_release")" != "$(release_tag_norm "$version_label")" ]]; then
diff --git a/scripts/check.sh b/scripts/check.sh
index 8753c8a..68661ca 100755
--- a/scripts/check.sh
+++ b/scripts/check.sh
@@ -64,6 +64,28 @@ print -r -- "$output" | grep -q '^GH setup needed'
 print -r -- "$output" | grep -q '^GitHub Watch$'
 print -r -- "$output" | grep -q 'Open config file'
 print -r -- "$output" | grep -q 'Open project page'
+print -r -- "$output" | grep -q 'Use git commands for development updates'
+if print -r -- "$output" | grep -q 'Update to latest release'; then
+  print -u2 "source checkout installs should not show the release updater"
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+tmp_release_dir="$(mktemp -d)"
+cp "$PLUGIN" "$tmp_release_dir/github-watch.5m.sh"
+chmod +x "$tmp_release_dir/github-watch.5m.sh"
+release_output="$(
+  GITHUBWATCH_CONFIG_FILE="$tmp_release_dir/config.env" \
+  GITHUBWATCH_CACHE_FILE="$tmp_release_dir/inventory.json" \
+  GITHUBWATCH_RELEASE_CHECK_CACHE="$tmp_release_dir/release-check.tsv" \
+  GITHUBWATCH_DISABLE_GH=1 \
+  GITHUBWATCH_CHECK_RELEASE_UPDATES=0 \
+  "$tmp_release_dir/github-watch.5m.sh"
+)"
+print -r -- "$release_output" | grep -q 'Update to latest release'
+if print -r -- "$release_output" | grep -q 'Use git commands for development updates'; then
+  print -u2 "copied release installs should not show source checkout update guidance"
+  exit 1
+fi
 
 missing_gh_output="$(
   GITHUBWATCH_CONFIG_FILE="$config_file" \