diff --git a/hermes_cli/kanban_db.py b/hermes_cli/kanban_db.py
index 9930a6aa51a..633b952ab45 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/kanban_db.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/kanban_db.py
@@ -4383,21 +4383,20 @@ def reap_worker_zombies() -> "list[int]":
     Returns the list of reaped PIDs. Safe to call when there are no
     children (returns []). No-op on Windows.
     """
-    if os.name == "nt":
-        return []
     reaped: "list[int]" = []
-    try:
-        while True:
-            try:
-                pid, status = os.waitpid(-1, os.WNOHANG)
-            except ChildProcessError:
-                break
-            if pid == 0:
-                break
-            _record_worker_exit(pid, status)
-            reaped.append(pid)
-    except Exception:
-        pass
+    if os.name != "nt":
+        try:
+            while True:
+                try:
+                    pid, status = os.waitpid(-1, os.WNOHANG)
+                except ChildProcessError:
+                    break
+                if pid == 0:
+                    break
+                _record_worker_exit(pid, status)
+                reaped.append(pid)
+        except Exception:
+            pass
     return reaped
 
 
diff --git a/tests/cli/test_cli_provider_resolution.py b/tests/cli/test_cli_provider_resolution.py
index e71226da53f..a25d903f687 100644
--- a/tests/cli/test_cli_provider_resolution.py
+++ b/tests/cli/test_cli_provider_resolution.py
@@ -271,7 +271,10 @@ def test_codex_provider_replaces_incompatible_default_model(monkeypatch):
 
 
 def test_model_flow_nous_prints_subscription_guidance_without_mutating_explicit_tts(monkeypatch, capsys):
-    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.nous_subscription.managed_nous_tools_enabled", lambda: True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "hermes_cli.nous_subscription.managed_nous_tools_enabled",
+        lambda *args, **kwargs: True,
+    )
     config = {
         "model": {"provider": "nous", "default": "claude-opus-4-6"},
         "tts": {"provider": "elevenlabs"},
@@ -306,7 +309,10 @@ def test_model_flow_nous_prints_subscription_guidance_without_mutating_explicit_
 
 
 def test_model_flow_nous_offers_tool_gateway_prompt_when_unconfigured(monkeypatch, capsys):
-    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.nous_subscription.managed_nous_tools_enabled", lambda: True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "hermes_cli.nous_subscription.managed_nous_tools_enabled",
+        lambda *args, **kwargs: True,
+    )
     config = {
         "model": {"provider": "nous", "default": "claude-opus-4-6"},
         "tts": {"provider": "edge"},
diff --git a/tests/tools/test_kanban_tools.py b/tests/tools/test_kanban_tools.py
index 3fc709d38de..24fa09d8ba2 100644
--- a/tests/tools/test_kanban_tools.py
+++ b/tests/tools/test_kanban_tools.py
@@ -1338,6 +1338,7 @@ def test_worker_complete_rejects_stale_run_id(worker_env, monkeypatch):
     try:
         run1 = kb.latest_run(conn, worker_env)
         kb._set_worker_pid(conn, worker_env, 98765)
+        monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_KANBAN_CRASH_GRACE_SECONDS", "0")
         monkeypatch.setattr(_kb, "_pid_alive", lambda pid: False)
         assert kb.detect_crashed_workers(conn) == [worker_env]
 
diff --git a/tests/tools/test_terminal_requirements.py b/tests/tools/test_terminal_requirements.py
index a557dcd9f20..f06593015ce 100644
--- a/tests/tools/test_terminal_requirements.py
+++ b/tests/tools/test_terminal_requirements.py
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ def test_modal_backend_managed_mode_does_not_fall_back_to_direct(monkeypatch, ca
 
     assert ok is False
     assert any(
-        "paid Nous subscription is required" in record.getMessage()
+        "Nous Tool Gateway access is not currently available" in record.getMessage()
         for record in caplog.records
     )
 
@@ -183,6 +183,6 @@ def test_modal_backend_managed_mode_without_feature_flag_logs_clear_error(monkey
 
     assert ok is False
     assert any(
-        "paid Nous subscription is required" in record.getMessage()
+        "Nous Tool Gateway access is not currently available" in record.getMessage()
         for record in caplog.records
     )