diff --git a/src/cmd/beacon.js b/src/cmd/beacon.js
index bac00c7..fa4dfe5 100644
--- a/src/cmd/beacon.js
+++ b/src/cmd/beacon.js
@@ -52,7 +52,8 @@ export default function register(program) {
         if (beacon) {
           console.log(`${mark} beacon: lit ${beacon}`);
         } else {
-          console.log(`${mark} beacon: unlit`);
+          console.log(`${mark} beacon: unlit — this repo hasn't initialized vit yet.`);
+          console.log("the maintainer can light the beacon by running 'vit init' inside the repo.");
         }
       } catch (err) {
         console.error(err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err));
diff --git a/src/cmd/config.js b/src/cmd/config.js
index a7641fa..18ca93b 100644
--- a/src/cmd/config.js
+++ b/src/cmd/config.js
@@ -23,7 +23,12 @@ export default function register(program) {
         // Default to list when no action given
         if (!action || action === 'list') {
           const config = loadConfig();
-          for (const [k, v] of getScalars(config)) {
+          const scalars = [...getScalars(config)];
+          if (scalars.length === 0) {
+            console.log("no configuration set. run 'vit login <handle>' to get started.");
+            return;
+          }
+          for (const [k, v] of scalars) {
             console.log(`${k}=${v}`);
           }
           return;
diff --git a/src/cmd/doctor.js b/src/cmd/doctor.js
index 98ff6ba..520f7f5 100644
--- a/src/cmd/doctor.js
+++ b/src/cmd/doctor.js
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ export default function register(program) {
       if (projConfig.beacon) {
         if (!opts.json) console.log(`${mark} beacon: ${projConfig.beacon}`);
       } else {
-        if (!opts.json) console.log(`${mark} beacon: not set`);
+        if (!opts.json) console.log(`${mark} beacon: not set (run vit init)`);
       }
 
       const skillPath = join(process.cwd(), '.claude', 'skills', 'using-vit', 'SKILL.md');
diff --git a/src/cmd/explore.js b/src/cmd/explore.js
index 02f3c69..c86ea6d 100644
--- a/src/cmd/explore.js
+++ b/src/cmd/explore.js
@@ -255,6 +255,8 @@ export default function register(program) {
         console.log(`${brand} explore caps`);
         if (!data.caps?.length) {
           console.log('no caps found.');
+          console.log('the network is just getting started. ship a cap or skill to be one of the first.');
+          console.log("try 'vit scan' for real-time discovery — the explore index may still be catching up.");
           return;
         }
 
@@ -310,6 +312,7 @@ export default function register(program) {
         console.log(`${brand} explore skills`);
         if (!data.skills?.length) {
           console.log('no skills found.');
+          console.log('the network is just getting started. ship a cap or skill to be one of the first.');
           return;
         }
 
@@ -357,6 +360,7 @@ export default function register(program) {
         console.log(`${brand} explore beacons`);
         if (!data.beacons?.length) {
           console.log('no beacons found.');
+          console.log('the network is just getting started. ship a cap or skill to be one of the first.');
           return;
         }
 
diff --git a/src/cmd/follow.js b/src/cmd/follow.js
index 137a724..e5cf37e 100644
--- a/src/cmd/follow.js
+++ b/src/cmd/follow.js
@@ -117,10 +117,13 @@ export default function register(program) {
         const list = readFollowing();
         if (list.length === 0) {
           if (opts.json) {
-            jsonOk({ following: [] });
+            jsonOk({ following: [], hint: "run 'vit follow <handle>' to add accounts" });
             return;
           }
-          console.log('no followings');
+          console.log('not following anyone yet.');
+          console.log('');
+          console.log("run 'vit follow <handle>' to start seeing what people are shipping.");
+          console.log("try 'vit scan' to discover active publishers on the network.");
           return;
         }
         if (opts.json) {
diff --git a/src/cmd/learn.js b/src/cmd/learn.js
index 34915d1..f0f157c 100644
--- a/src/cmd/learn.js
+++ b/src/cmd/learn.js
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ export default function register(program) {
             return;
           }
           console.error(`skill '${ref}' is not yet vetted. user-wide install requires vetting.`);
-          console.error(`ask the user to vet it first:`);
+          console.error(`tell your operator to vet it first:`);
           console.error('');
           console.error(`  vit vet ${ref}`);
           console.error('');
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ export default function register(program) {
               return;
             }
             console.error(`skill '${ref}' is not yet vetted.`);
-            console.error(`ask the user to vet it first:`);
+            console.error(`tell your operator to vet it first:`);
             console.error('');
             console.error(`  vit vet ${ref}`);
             console.error('');
@@ -158,6 +158,10 @@ export default function register(program) {
             return;
           }
           console.error(`no skill found with ref '${ref}' from followed accounts.`);
+          console.error('');
+          console.error('hint: skills appear from accounts you follow and your own.');
+          console.error(`  vit following             check who you're following`);
+          console.error(`  vit explore skills        browse skills network-wide`);
           process.exitCode = 1;
           return;
         }
diff --git a/src/cmd/remix.js b/src/cmd/remix.js
index 565f534..091fea5 100644
--- a/src/cmd/remix.js
+++ b/src/cmd/remix.js
@@ -74,10 +74,10 @@ export default function register(program) {
           const trustGate = shouldBypassVet();
           if (!trustGate.bypass) {
             if (opts.json) {
-              jsonError(`cap '${ref}' is not trusted`, `ask user to run 'vit vet ${ref} --trust'`);
+              jsonError(`cap '${ref}' is not trusted`, `tell your operator to run 'vit vet ${ref} --trust'`);
               return;
             }
-            console.error(`cap '${ref}' is not trusted. ask the user to vet it first:`);
+            console.error(`cap '${ref}' is not trusted. tell your operator to vet it first:`);
             console.error('');
             console.error(`  vit vet ${ref}`);
             console.error('');
@@ -129,6 +129,10 @@ export default function register(program) {
             return;
           }
           console.error(`no cap found with ref '${ref}' for this beacon.`);
+          console.error('');
+          console.error('hint: caps only appear from accounts you follow and your own.');
+          console.error(`  vit following          check who you're following`);
+          console.error(`  vit explore cap ${ref}  search the network-wide index`);
           process.exitCode = 1;
           return;
         }
diff --git a/src/cmd/scan.js b/src/cmd/scan.js
index 4a699e6..adec05b 100644
--- a/src/cmd/scan.js
+++ b/src/cmd/scan.js
@@ -162,6 +162,8 @@ export default function register(program) {
             return;
           }
           console.log(`no ${scanType} publishers found in this time window.`);
+          console.log('the network is young — be an early publisher.');
+          console.log("ship a cap with 'vit ship' or a skill with 'vit ship --skill' to get things started.");
           return;
         }
 
diff --git a/src/cmd/ship.js b/src/cmd/ship.js
index 25d48ab..54caebe 100644
--- a/src/cmd/ship.js
+++ b/src/cmd/ship.js
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ async function shipSkill(opts) {
       jsonError('session expired or invalid', "run 'vit login <handle>'");
       return;
     }
-    console.error(`session expired or invalid. tell your user to run '${name} login <handle>'.`);
+    console.error(`session expired or invalid. tell your operator to run '${name} login <handle>'.`);
     process.exitCode = 1;
     return;
   }
@@ -416,7 +416,7 @@ async function shipCap(opts) {
       jsonError('session expired or invalid', "run 'vit login <handle>'");
       return;
     }
-    console.error(`session expired or invalid. tell your user to run '${name} login <handle>'.`);
+    console.error(`session expired or invalid. tell your operator to run '${name} login <handle>'.`);
     process.exitCode = 1;
     return;
   }
diff --git a/src/cmd/skim.js b/src/cmd/skim.js
index 40a6794..0b00c5a 100644
--- a/src/cmd/skim.js
+++ b/src/cmd/skim.js
@@ -135,15 +135,41 @@ export default function register(program) {
         const capped = allItems.slice(0, limit);
 
         if (opts.json) {
-          console.log(JSON.stringify(capped, null, 2));
+          if (capped.length === 0) {
+            const following = readFollowing();
+            let hint;
+            if (skillsOnly) {
+              hint = "no skills found — try 'vit explore skills' or ship your own with 'vit ship --skill'";
+            } else if (following.length === 0) {
+              hint = "not following anyone — run 'vit follow <handle>'";
+            } else {
+              hint = "no matching caps — try 'vit explore caps' or 'vit ship'";
+            }
+            console.log(JSON.stringify({ ok: true, items: [], hint }, null, 2));
+          } else {
+            console.log(JSON.stringify(capped, null, 2));
+          }
         } else {
           if (capped.length === 0) {
             if (skillsOnly) {
-              console.log('no skills found.');
-            } else if (opts.caps) {
-              console.log('no caps found for this beacon.');
+              console.log('no skills found from followed accounts.');
+              console.log('');
+              console.log("try 'vit explore skills' to discover skills network-wide, or ship your own with 'vit ship --skill'.");
             } else {
-              console.log('no caps or skills found.');
+              const following = readFollowing();
+              if (following.length === 0) {
+                console.log("no caps or skills found. you're not following anyone yet and haven't shipped any caps for this beacon.");
+                console.log('');
+                console.log('next steps:');
+                console.log('  vit scan              discover active publishers on the network');
+                console.log('  vit follow <handle>   start following someone to see their caps');
+                console.log('  vit ship              publish a cap to seed the network');
+              } else {
+                console.log('no caps found for this beacon from your followed accounts.');
+                console.log('');
+                console.log("the network grows when people ship. publish a cap with 'vit ship' to get things started for this project.");
+                console.log("try 'vit explore caps' for network-wide discovery.");
+              }
             }
           }
           for (const rec of capped) {
@@ -172,8 +198,10 @@ export default function register(program) {
               console.log();
             }
           }
-          console.log('---');
-          console.log(`hint: tell your user to run '${name} vet <ref>' in another terminal for any item they want to review.`);
+          if (capped.length > 0) {
+            console.log('---');
+            console.log(`hint: tell your operator to run '${name} vet <ref>' in another terminal for any item they want to review.`);
+          }
         }
       } catch (err) {
         console.error(err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err));
diff --git a/src/cmd/vet.js b/src/cmd/vet.js
index 9f61562..d9f9357 100644
--- a/src/cmd/vet.js
+++ b/src/cmd/vet.js
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ export default function register(program) {
             console.log('  caps and skills in this project.');
             console.log('');
             console.log('  any agent running in this project can remix caps and learn skills');
-            console.log('  without human review. only do this if you trust the agent\'s judgment');
+            console.log('  without operator review. only do this if you trust the agent\'s judgment');
             console.log('  and the network sources you follow.');
             console.log('');
             console.log('  to proceed, confirm: vit vet --dangerous-accept --confirm');
@@ -230,10 +230,10 @@ export default function register(program) {
             // Sandboxed sub-agent pattern — allow it
           } else {
             if (opts.json) {
-              jsonError('vit vet is for human review', 'use --trust --confirm to bypass');
+              jsonError('vit vet is for operator review', 'use --trust --confirm to bypass');
               return;
             }
-            console.error('vit vet is for human review. agents should not vet directly.');
+            console.error('vit vet is for operator review. agents should not vet directly.');
             console.error('');
             console.error('if you are a sandboxed sub-agent specifically tasked with vetting,');
             console.error('you can bypass this gate:');
@@ -305,6 +305,10 @@ export default function register(program) {
               return;
             }
             console.error(`no cap found with ref '${ref}' for this beacon.`);
+            console.error('');
+            console.error('hint: caps only appear from accounts you follow and your own.');
+            console.error(`  vit following          check who you're following`);
+            console.error(`  vit explore cap ${ref}  search the network-wide index`);
             process.exitCode = 1;
             return;
           }
@@ -448,6 +452,10 @@ export default function register(program) {
               return;
             }
             console.error(`no skill found with ref '${ref}' from followed accounts.`);
+            console.error('');
+            console.error('hint: skills appear from accounts you follow and your own.');
+            console.error(`  vit following             check who you're following`);
+            console.error(`  vit explore skills        browse skills network-wide`);
             process.exitCode = 1;
             return;
           }
diff --git a/src/cmd/vouch.js b/src/cmd/vouch.js
index 7de5a12..8e77c2b 100644
--- a/src/cmd/vouch.js
+++ b/src/cmd/vouch.js
@@ -111,6 +111,10 @@ export default function register(program) {
               return;
             }
             console.error(`no skill found with ref '${ref}' from followed accounts.`);
+            console.error('');
+            console.error('hint: skills appear from accounts you follow and your own.');
+            console.error(`  vit following             check who you're following`);
+            console.error(`  vit explore skills        browse skills network-wide`);
             process.exitCode = 1;
             return;
           }
@@ -219,11 +223,16 @@ export default function register(program) {
               return;
             }
             console.error(`no cap found with ref '${ref}' for this beacon.`);
+            console.error('');
+            console.error('hint: caps only appear from accounts you follow and your own.');
+            console.error(`  vit following          check who you're following`);
+            console.error(`  vit explore cap ${ref}  search the network-wide index`);
             process.exitCode = 1;
             return;
           }
 
           const now = new Date().toISOString();
+          const projBeacon = [...beaconSet][0];
           const vouchRecord = {
             $type: VOUCH_COLLECTION,
             subject: {
@@ -232,7 +241,7 @@ export default function register(program) {
             },
             createdAt: now,
             ref,
-            beacon,
+            beacon: projBeacon,
           };
           if (verbose) vlog(`[verbose] creating vouch for ${match.uri}`);
           const rkey = TID.nextStr();
@@ -250,7 +259,7 @@ export default function register(program) {
               uri: match.uri,
               cid: match.cid,
               vouchUri: res.data.uri,
-              beacon,
+              beacon: projBeacon,
               ts: now,
             });
           } catch (logErr) {
diff --git a/test/follow.test.js b/test/follow.test.js
index 563df94..0011a9c 100644
--- a/test/follow.test.js
+++ b/test/follow.test.js
@@ -90,6 +90,6 @@ describe('vit following', () => {
   test('shows message when no followings', () => {
     const result = run('following', tmpDir);
     expect(result.exitCode).toBe(0);
-    expect(result.stdout).toContain('no followings');
+    expect(result.stdout).toContain('not following anyone yet');
   });
 });
diff --git a/test/vet-skill.test.js b/test/vet-skill.test.js
index b2e327f..df544f6 100644
--- a/test/vet-skill.test.js
+++ b/test/vet-skill.test.js
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ describe('vit vet (skill refs)', () => {
   test('rejects when run inside a coding agent (skill ref)', () => {
     const result = run('vet skill-agent-test', undefined, { CLAUDECODE: '1' });
     expect(result.exitCode).toBe(1);
-    expect(result.stderr).toContain('vit vet is for human review');
+    expect(result.stderr).toContain('vit vet is for operator review');
     expect(result.stderr).toContain('vit vet skill-agent-test');
     expect(result.stderr).toContain('--trust --confirm');
   });
diff --git a/test/vet.test.js b/test/vet.test.js
index 877a490..daee524 100644
--- a/test/vet.test.js
+++ b/test/vet.test.js
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ describe('vit vet', () => {
     test('agent without flags: error with sandboxed sub-agent hint', () => {
       const result = run('vet fast-cache-invalidation', undefined, agentEnv);
       expect(result.exitCode).toBe(1);
-      expect(result.stderr).toContain('vit vet is for human review');
+      expect(result.stderr).toContain('vit vet is for operator review');
       expect(result.stderr).toContain('--trust --confirm');
       expect(result.stderr).toContain('sandboxed sub-agent');
     });
@@ -102,14 +102,14 @@ describe('vit vet', () => {
     test('agent with --trust but no --confirm: error', () => {
       const result = run('vet fast-cache-invalidation --trust', undefined, agentEnv);
       expect(result.exitCode).toBe(1);
-      expect(result.stderr).toContain('vit vet is for human review');
+      expect(result.stderr).toContain('vit vet is for operator review');
       expect(result.stderr).toContain('--trust --confirm');
     });
 
     test('agent with --confirm but no --trust: error', () => {
       const result = run('vet fast-cache-invalidation --confirm', undefined, agentEnv);
       expect(result.exitCode).toBe(1);
-      expect(result.stderr).toContain('vit vet is for human review');
+      expect(result.stderr).toContain('vit vet is for operator review');
     });
 
     test('agent with --trust --confirm: passes agent gate (fails at DID)', () => {
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ describe('vit vet', () => {
       mkdirSync(configHome, { recursive: true });
       const result = run('vet fast-cache-invalidation --trust --confirm', undefined, { ...agentEnv, XDG_CONFIG_HOME: configHome });
       // Should NOT contain the agent gate error
-      expect(result.stderr).not.toContain('vit vet is for human review');
+      expect(result.stderr).not.toContain('vit vet is for operator review');
       rmSync(configHome, { recursive: true, force: true });
     });
 
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ describe('vit vet', () => {
       mkdirSync(configHome, { recursive: true });
       const result = run('vet fast-cache-invalidation --trust --confirm', undefined, { ...noAgentEnv, XDG_CONFIG_HOME: configHome });
       // Should NOT contain the agent gate error
-      expect(result.stderr).not.toContain('vit vet is for human review');
+      expect(result.stderr).not.toContain('vit vet is for operator review');
       rmSync(configHome, { recursive: true, force: true });
     });
   });
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ describe('vit vet', () => {
       mkdirSync(configHome, { recursive: true });
       const result = run('vet fast-cache-invalidation --sandbox claude', undefined, { ...agentEnv, XDG_CONFIG_HOME: configHome });
       // Should NOT contain the agent gate error
-      expect(result.stderr).not.toContain('vit vet is for human review');
+      expect(result.stderr).not.toContain('vit vet is for operator review');
       rmSync(configHome, { recursive: true, force: true });
     });