diff --git a/src/config/install_remote.rs b/src/config/install_remote.rs
index deded51..3a26651 100644
--- a/src/config/install_remote.rs
+++ b/src/config/install_remote.rs
@@ -575,7 +575,7 @@ fn resolve_conflict(planned: &PlannedFile, sticky: &mut StickyMode) -> Result<Co
             *sticky = StickyMode::ReplaceAll;
             Ok(ConflictAction::Replace)
         }
-        "abort" => bail!("Aborted by user."),
+        "abort" => bail!("Install aborted by user at conflict resolution."),
         _ => unreachable!("inquire::Select returned an unexpected option"),
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index ed38323..f3a7f2f 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -92,6 +92,14 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
 
     install_builtins()?;
 
+    if let Some(category) = cli.install {
+        return config::install_assets(category);
+    }
+
+    if let Some(url) = cli.install_from.as_deref() {
+        return config::install_remote(url, cli.filter, cli.install_force);
+    }
+
     if let Some(client_arg) = &cli.authenticate {
         let cfg = Config::load_with_interpolation(true).await?;
         let app_config = AppConfig::from_config(cfg)?;
@@ -152,14 +160,6 @@ async fn run(
     text: Option<String>,
     abort_signal: AbortSignal,
 ) -> Result<()> {
-    if let Some(category) = cli.install {
-        return config::install_assets(category);
-    }
-
-    if let Some(url) = cli.install_from.as_deref() {
-        return config::install_remote(url, cli.filter, cli.install_force);
-    }
-
     if cli.sync_models {
         let url = ctx.app.config.sync_models_url();
         return sync_models(&url, abort_signal.clone()).await;
diff --git a/src/repl/mod.rs b/src/repl/mod.rs
index 2e586bb..ff0ba6b 100644
--- a/src/repl/mod.rs
+++ b/src/repl/mod.rs
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ static REPL_COMMANDS: LazyLock<[ReplCommand; 42]> = LazyLock::new(|| {
         ),
         ReplCommand::new(
             ".install",
-            "Reinstall bundled agents, macros, functions, or MCP config (overwrites local changes)",
+            "Reinstall bundled assets, or install assets from a remote git repo (.install remote <url>)",
             AssertState::pass(),
         ),
         ReplCommand::new(