diff --git a/hermes_cli/main.py b/hermes_cli/main.py
index 38331e02bf5..9439f16dedb 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/main.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/main.py
@@ -5806,6 +5806,16 @@ def _update_via_zip(args):
     except Exception:
         pass
 
+    # Seed the model-catalog disk cache from the freshly-unpacked checkout
+    # (same rationale as the git-pull path in _cmd_update_impl). Non-fatal.
+    try:
+        from hermes_cli.model_catalog import seed_cache_from_checkout
+
+        if seed_cache_from_checkout(PROJECT_ROOT):
+            print("  ✓ Model catalog cache refreshed from checkout")
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.debug("Model catalog seed during zip update failed: %s", e)
+
     print()
     print("✓ Update complete!")
     try:
@@ -8365,6 +8375,22 @@ def _cmd_update_impl(args, gateway_mode: bool):
         print()
         print("✓ Code updated!")
 
+        # Seed the model-catalog disk cache from the freshly-pulled checkout.
+        # The repo ships the canonical catalog at
+        # website/static/api/model-catalog.json, and `git pull` just made it
+        # current — so copy it straight over ~/.hermes/cache/model_catalog.json
+        # instead of waiting on a network fetch (which can be bot-gated or hit a
+        # Portal hiccup). Keeps the model picker's curated/free lists in sync
+        # with the version the user just installed. Non-fatal on failure: the
+        # normal network refresh still applies on the next picker open.
+        try:
+            from hermes_cli.model_catalog import seed_cache_from_checkout
+
+            if seed_cache_from_checkout(PROJECT_ROOT):
+                print("  ✓ Model catalog cache refreshed from checkout")
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.debug("Model catalog seed during update failed: %s", e)
+
         # After git pull, source files on disk are newer than cached Python
         # modules in this process.  Reload hermes_constants so that any lazy
         # import executed below (skills sync, gateway restart) sees new
diff --git a/hermes_cli/model_catalog.py b/hermes_cli/model_catalog.py
index f69791340dc..40a3a5c00bd 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/model_catalog.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/model_catalog.py
@@ -356,6 +356,37 @@ def get_curated_nous_models() -> list[str] | None:
     return out or None
 
 
+def seed_cache_from_checkout(project_root: "Path | str") -> bool:
+    """Overwrite the disk cache with the catalog shipped in a local checkout.
+
+    ``hermes update`` pulls the latest repo, so the freshly-pulled
+    ``website/static/api/model-catalog.json`` IS the newest catalog — no
+    network round-trip needed. Copying it straight over the disk cache keeps
+    the model picker current even when the remote manifest fetch is bot-gated
+    or the Portal hiccups.
+
+    Reads the shipped manifest, validates it against the schema, and writes it
+    to ``~/.hermes/cache/model_catalog.json`` via the same atomic writer the
+    network path uses. Returns ``True`` on success, ``False`` if the file is
+    missing, malformed, or fails validation (caller should treat a ``False``
+    as non-fatal — the network fetch path still applies on the next picker
+    open).
+    """
+    src = Path(project_root) / "website" / "static" / "api" / "model-catalog.json"
+    try:
+        with open(src, encoding="utf-8") as fh:
+            data = json.load(fh)
+    except (OSError, json.JSONDecodeError) as exc:
+        logger.debug("model catalog seed from checkout skipped (%s): %s", src, exc)
+        return False
+    if not _validate_manifest(data):
+        logger.debug("model catalog seed from checkout skipped: invalid manifest at %s", src)
+        return False
+    _write_disk_cache(data)
+    reset_cache()  # drop the in-process copy so the next read picks up the seed
+    return True
+
+
 def reset_cache() -> None:
     """Clear the in-process cache. Used by tests and ``hermes model --refresh``."""
     global _catalog_cache, _catalog_cache_source_mtime