diff --git a/docs/troubleshooting.md b/docs/troubleshooting.md
index fdfaca4..5bf130e 100644
--- a/docs/troubleshooting.md
+++ b/docs/troubleshooting.md
@@ -24,14 +24,35 @@ optional, explicitly enabled fallback.
 
 ## The extension is missing
 
-Check that `metadata.json` has UUID `jarvis@qvac.local`, copy the extension into
-`~/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions/jarvis@qvac.local`, then run:
+Re-run the installer so it registers the bundle through GNOME's extension
+installer. The installer also keeps a copy at
+`~/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions/jarvis@qvac.local`:
+
+```bash
+curl -fsSL https://git.ssh.surf/snxraven/gnome-jarvis/raw/branch/main/packaging/web-installer.sh | bash -s -- --enable
+```
+
+Then confirm `metadata.json` has UUID `jarvis@qvac.local` and run:
 
 ```bash
 gnome-extensions enable jarvis@qvac.local
 journalctl --user -b | grep -i jarvis
 ```
 
+If the extension still does not appear, log out and back in once so GNOME Shell
+reloads its extension search path.
+
+## The service reports `203/EXEC` for `/usr/bin/node`
+
+Older installers wrote a fixed `/usr/bin/node` path. Re-run the current web
+installer; it records the Node executable found in the installing user's PATH
+when it writes the user service. Check the result with:
+
+```bash
+systemctl --user cat jarvisd.service | grep ExecStart
+command -v node
+```
+
 ## The daemon restarts
 
 Inspect `journalctl --user -u jarvisd.service`. Common causes are Node version,
diff --git a/packaging/first-run.sh b/packaging/first-run.sh
index c1ac0ac..e1edab4 100755
--- a/packaging/first-run.sh
+++ b/packaging/first-run.sh
@@ -5,11 +5,15 @@ cd "${ROOT_DIR}"
 echo "JARVIS-QVAC first-run setup"
 echo "The daemon is GPU-gated and keeps QVAC behind one master owner."
 echo
-echo "[1/4] GPU and QVAC preflight"
+echo "[1/5] GPU and QVAC preflight"
 npm run gpu-doctor || true
-npm run qvac:doctor || true
+if command -v timeout >/dev/null; then
+  timeout --foreground 30s npm run qvac:doctor || echo "QVAC doctor timed out or reported an unavailable host dependency; continuing with local setup."
+else
+  npm run qvac:doctor || true
+fi
 echo
-echo "[2/4] Microphone and PipeWire preflight"
+echo "[2/5] Microphone and PipeWire preflight"
 npm run voice-doctor || true
 echo
 echo "[3/5] Wake phrase and model profile"
diff --git a/packaging/install.sh b/packaging/install.sh
index 814a166..2e17639 100755
--- a/packaging/install.sh
+++ b/packaging/install.sh
@@ -1,6 +1,12 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 set -euo pipefail
 ROOT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")/.." && pwd)"
+NODE_BIN="$(command -v node || true)"
+if [[ -z "${NODE_BIN}" ]]; then
+  echo "Node.js is required" >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+command -v zip >/dev/null || { echo "zip is required to register the GNOME extension" >&2; exit 1; }
 APP_DIR="${HOME}/.local/share/jarvis-qvac"
 EXT_DIR="${HOME}/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions/jarvis@qvac.local"
 CONFIG_DIR="${HOME}/.config/jarvis"
@@ -12,8 +18,16 @@ if [[ ! -d "${APP_DIR}/node_modules" ]]; then
 fi
 rm -rf "${EXT_DIR}"
 mkdir -p "${EXT_DIR}"
-cp -a "${ROOT_DIR}/apps/gnome-extension/jarvis@qvac.local/." "${EXT_DIR}/"
-cp "${ROOT_DIR}/packaging/jarvisd.service" "${HOME}/.config/systemd/user/jarvisd.service"
+EXT_ZIP="$(mktemp "${TMPDIR:-/tmp}/jarvis-extension.XXXXXX.zip")"
+cleanup_ext() { rm -f "${EXT_ZIP}"; }
+trap cleanup_ext EXIT
+( cd "${ROOT_DIR}/apps/gnome-extension" && zip -q -r "${EXT_ZIP}" "jarvis@qvac.local" )
+if command -v gnome-extensions >/dev/null && gnome-extensions install --force "${EXT_ZIP}" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  :
+else
+  cp -a "${ROOT_DIR}/apps/gnome-extension/jarvis@qvac.local/." "${EXT_DIR}/"
+fi
+sed "s#__JARVIS_NODE__#${NODE_BIN}#" "${ROOT_DIR}/packaging/jarvisd.service" > "${HOME}/.config/systemd/user/jarvisd.service"
 if [[ ! -f "${CONFIG_DIR}/qvac.config.json" ]]; then
   sed "s#__JARVIS_CACHE__#${CACHE_DIR}#g" "${ROOT_DIR}/packaging/qvac.config.template.json" > "${CONFIG_DIR}/qvac.config.json"
 fi
diff --git a/packaging/jarvisd.service b/packaging/jarvisd.service
index d52a159..b3651ad 100644
--- a/packaging/jarvisd.service
+++ b/packaging/jarvisd.service
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Wants=pipewire.service
 [Service]
 Type=simple
 WorkingDirectory=%h/.local/share/jarvis-qvac
-ExecStart=/usr/bin/node %h/.local/share/jarvis-qvac/daemon/index.js
+ExecStart=__JARVIS_NODE__ %h/.local/share/jarvis-qvac/daemon/index.js
 Environment=QVAC_CONFIG_PATH=%h/.config/jarvis/qvac.config.json
 Environment=JARVIS_GPU_REQUIRED=1
 Environment=JARVIS_QVAC_OWNER=jarvisd