diff --git a/MQTT_IMPLEMENTATION.md b/MQTT_IMPLEMENTATION.md
index 72fdbfc0..7922f93f 100644
--- a/MQTT_IMPLEMENTATION.md
+++ b/MQTT_IMPLEMENTATION.md
@@ -529,7 +529,8 @@ These settings apply across all MQTT slots:
 - `get mqtt.neighbors` - Get periodic neighbors publishing setting (on/off; neighbors-enabled builds)
 - `get mqtt.neighbors.interval` - Get neighbors publish interval in hours (neighbors-enabled builds)
 - `get mqtt.ntp` - Get effective NTP server hostname
-- `get mqtt.ntp.diag` - Probe every configured NTP server for connectivity (does not change the clock; serial console shows each server's reported time, or why a probe was rejected — `DNS failed`, `unsolicited reply`, `server unsynced`, ... — and LoRa shows a compact `<server> ok|fail` list)
+- `get mqtt.runtime` - Read worker sample age, configuration revisions, and SDK event overflow count.
+- `get mqtt.ntp.diag` - Queue a probe and return immediately; repeat for its ID/age/result (cached for 30 seconds). Probe every configured NTP server for connectivity (does not change the clock; serial console shows each server's reported time, or why a probe was rejected — `DNS failed`, `unsolicited reply`, `server unsynced`, ... — and LoRa shows a compact `<server> ok|fail` list)
 - `get mqtt.owner` - Get owner public key (serial console only)
 - `get mqtt.email` - Get owner email address (serial console only)
 
diff --git a/docs/cli_commands.md b/docs/cli_commands.md
index 5001f699..b2873ed3 100644
--- a/docs/cli_commands.md
+++ b/docs/cli_commands.md
@@ -1279,12 +1279,14 @@ region save
 **Usage:**
 - `get mqtt.ntp.diag`
 
-**Description:** Probes every configured NTP server (the custom primary, if set, plus the built-in fallbacks) and reports whether each responds. This is a pure connectivity diagnostic — it does **not** change the system clock.
+**Description:** Queues a probe of every configured NTP server and returns immediately. Repeat the command to poll. Completed results include the request ID and age and are cached for 30 seconds; a later call queues a new probe. This diagnostic does **not** change the system clock.
 
 - **Serial console:** prints a detailed table with each server's reported UTC time (or `FAIL`).
 - **Over LoRa:** returns a compact `<server> ok|fail` list, one per line.
 
-Requires WiFi connected and the MQTT bridge running.
+Requires a connected network and the MQTT bridge running.
+
+`get mqtt.runtime` reports the worker sample sequence and age, desired/applied configuration revisions, and lost SDK event count. Applied configuration does not imply a successful broker connection.
 
 ---
 
@@ -1374,3 +1376,7 @@ Ethernet support is available on RAK4631 boards with a RAK13800 (W5100S) Etherne
 - Connect with any TCP client (e.g. `nc`, PuTTY) to access the same CLI available over serial.
 
 ---
+
+### Observer OTA checks
+
+`ota check` queues a manifest check and returns immediately. Repeat it for the result, which is cached for 60 seconds and includes an ID and age. If `ota update` returns a queued/running check, repeat `ota update` after the check finishes to request flashing. A pending check never starts an update. Actual updates retain the deferred bridge-stop barrier and revalidate the manifest before flashing.
diff --git a/webui/index.html b/webui/index.html
index daac4f52..a1d608bf 100644
--- a/webui/index.html
+++ b/webui/index.html
@@ -1506,7 +1506,7 @@ var CLI_VERBS=[
   ["powersaving off","Disable power saving"],
   ["password ","Change the admin password {new-password}"],
   ["alert test","Send a test alert on the configured channel"],
-  ["ota check","Check for a newer build (does not flash)"],
+  ["ota check","Queue update check; repeat for result (does not flash)"],
   ["ota update","Download and flash the newer build, then reboot"],
   // `start ota` is absent: it binds port 80, which this portal is already using.
   ["start webconfig","Start this portal on the LAN"],
@@ -1577,7 +1577,7 @@ var CLI_KEYS=[
   ["mqtt.owner","Owner public key {64-hex-char-key}",0],
   ["mqtt.email","Owner email address",0],
   ["mqtt.ntp","NTP server (none clears it)",0],
-  ["mqtt.ntp.diag","Last NTP sync result",1],
+  ["mqtt.ntp.diag","Queue NTP probe; repeat for result and age",1],
   ["timezone","POSIX timezone string",0],
   ["timezone.offset","UTC offset in hours {-12 to 14}",0],
   ["snmp","SNMP agent (restart required)",0,"on|off"],