diff --git a/LAUNCH.bat b/LAUNCH.bat
index c51c9b0..f205d24 100644
--- a/LAUNCH.bat
+++ b/LAUNCH.bat
@@ -154,6 +154,9 @@ if exist "%CF_SCRIPT%" (
 )
 echo.
 
+:: Ensure cwd matches deck root so webroot resolution finds usb\webroot
+cd /d "%ROOT%"
+
 :: Open browser after short delay
 start "" powershell -NoProfile -WindowStyle Hidden -Command "Start-Sleep -Seconds 3; Start-Process 'http://localhost:%SERVER_PORT%/'"
 
diff --git a/pack-usb.bat b/pack-usb.bat
index ea4e460..6723433 100644
--- a/pack-usb.bat
+++ b/pack-usb.bat
@@ -104,10 +104,10 @@ echo   [2/8] AetherForge.exe ready.
 :: ----------------------------------------------------------------
 echo   [3/8] Copying webroot...
 if exist "%USB%\webroot" rd /s /q "%USB%\webroot"
-if exist "%ROOT%\server\web\dist" (
-    xcopy /e /i /q "%ROOT%\server\web\dist" "%USB%\webroot" >nul
-) else if exist "%ROOT%\server\webroot" (
+if exist "%ROOT%\server\webroot" (
     xcopy /e /i /q "%ROOT%\server\webroot" "%USB%\webroot" >nul
+) else if exist "%ROOT%\server\web\dist" (
+    xcopy /e /i /q "%ROOT%\server\web\dist" "%USB%\webroot" >nul
 ) else (
     echo   ERROR: No webroot found. Run npm run build in server\web first.
     pause
diff --git a/tests/README.md b/tests/README.md
index a06815f..0db65e2 100644
--- a/tests/README.md
+++ b/tests/README.md
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ Or with PowerShell directly:
 .\scripts\test-suite.ps1 -ReconOnly
 ```
 
+**Portable USB:** `pack-usb.bat` from repo root → copy `usb\` to a drive → `LAUNCH.bat` (opens `http://localhost:8989/`; `/agents` redirects to `/crucible` in the SPA).
+
 ## Phases
 
 | Phase | What it runs | Location |
diff --git a/usb/LAUNCH.bat b/usb/LAUNCH.bat
index c51c9b0..f205d24 100644
--- a/usb/LAUNCH.bat
+++ b/usb/LAUNCH.bat
@@ -154,6 +154,9 @@ if exist "%CF_SCRIPT%" (
 )
 echo.
 
+:: Ensure cwd matches deck root so webroot resolution finds usb\webroot
+cd /d "%ROOT%"
+
 :: Open browser after short delay
 start "" powershell -NoProfile -WindowStyle Hidden -Command "Start-Sleep -Seconds 3; Start-Process 'http://localhost:%SERVER_PORT%/'"