diff --git a/tests/test_docs.py b/tests/test_docs.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 9d2518af6..000000000
--- a/tests/test_docs.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,46 +0,0 @@
-# SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only
-# Copyright (c) 2026 sol pbc
-
-from __future__ import annotations
-
-import subprocess
-from pathlib import Path
-
-
-def test_install_md_has_no_ollama_references() -> None:
-    # Negative invariant: the ollama -> "local provider" sweep stays done.
-    # Asserting on retired terminology is a rule that must always hold, not a
-    # prose snapshot. We deliberately do NOT pin the verbatim wording of the
-    # install copy (that's a checklist concern, not a test, and breaks on every
-    # legitimate copy edit) -- we assert only the load-bearing concepts survive.
-    text = Path("INSTALL.md").read_text(encoding="utf-8").lower()
-
-    assert "ollama" not in text
-    assert "cogitate" in text
-    assert "no extra install step" in text
-    assert "local provider" in text
-
-
-def test_ollama_grep_returns_zero_lines() -> None:
-    result = subprocess.run(
-        [
-            "git",
-            "grep",
-            "-i",
-            "ollama",
-            "--",
-            # tests/ and docs/design/ legitimately retain the term: test
-            # fixtures simulate old log lines, and design records document the
-            # ollama -> local migration as history. CHANGELOG history likewise
-            # keeps the old term. Everywhere else, ollama must be fully gone.
-            ":!tests/",
-            ":!docs/design/",
-            ":!CHANGELOG.md",
-        ],
-        check=False,
-        capture_output=True,
-        text=True,
-    )
-
-    assert result.returncode == 1
-    assert result.stdout == ""
diff --git a/tests/test_local.py b/tests/test_local.py
index 049ff81a1..1f591d9b5 100644
--- a/tests/test_local.py
+++ b/tests/test_local.py
@@ -55,9 +55,7 @@ def test_local_provider_defaults_and_registry():
     assert PROVIDER_DEFAULTS["local"][TIER_PRO] == LOCAL_MODEL
     assert PROVIDER_DEFAULTS["local"][TIER_FLASH] == LOCAL_MODEL
     assert PROVIDER_DEFAULTS["local"][TIER_LITE] == LOCAL_MODEL
-    assert "ollama" not in PROVIDER_DEFAULTS
     assert PROVIDER_REGISTRY["local"] == "solstone.think.providers.local"
-    assert "ollama" not in PROVIDER_REGISTRY
     assert PROVIDER_METADATA["local"] == {
         "label": "Local (on-device)",
         "env_key": "",
diff --git a/tests/test_voice_brain.py b/tests/test_voice_brain.py
index 204805dab..697d82801 100644
--- a/tests/test_voice_brain.py
+++ b/tests/test_voice_brain.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import asyncio
+import time
 
 from flask import Flask
 
@@ -106,6 +107,16 @@ def test_schedule_refresh_updates_instruction(monkeypatch, journal_copy):
     try:
         future = brain.schedule_refresh(app, force=True)
         assert future.result(timeout=1.0) == ("session-3", "New voice")
+        # The app-state update runs in the future's done-callback. A
+        # concurrent.futures.Future notifies result() waiters *before* it
+        # invokes done-callbacks, so the callback may not have applied the
+        # instruction yet when result() returns -- poll for the side effect
+        # rather than racing it (this was an xdist-only flake under load).
+        deadline = time.monotonic() + 1.0
+        while (
+            app.voice_brain_instruction != "New voice" and time.monotonic() < deadline
+        ):
+            time.sleep(0.01)
         assert app.voice_brain_instruction == "New voice"
     finally:
         stop_voice_runtime(app)