diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 896ba3cc..fdd2a159 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ on:
   push:
     branches: ["**"]
   pull_request:
-    branches: [dev, staging, beta, main]
+    branches: [dev, beta, main]
 
 jobs:
   lint-build:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/prisma-migrate.yml b/.github/workflows/prisma-migrate.yml
index 1a3ca414..efcc0fc9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/prisma-migrate.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/prisma-migrate.yml
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ name: Prisma Migrate Deploy
 
 on:
   push:
-    branches: [dev, staging, beta, main]
+    branches: [dev, beta, main]
     paths:
       - "apps/backend/prisma/**"
       - "apps/backend/prisma.config.ts"
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ jobs:
   migrate:
     name: Apply Prisma migrations
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    environment: ${{ github.ref_name == 'main' && 'production' || github.ref_name == 'beta' && 'beta' || github.ref_name == 'staging' && 'staging' || 'development' }}
+    environment: ${{ github.ref_name == 'main' && 'production' || github.ref_name == 'beta' && 'beta' || 'development' }}
     env:
       DATABASE_URL: ${{ secrets.NEON_DATABASE_URL }}
       DIRECT_URL: ${{ secrets.NEON_DIRECT_URL }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/promotion-guard.yml b/.github/workflows/promotion-guard.yml
index 23c3b9d4..2888f593 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/promotion-guard.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/promotion-guard.yml
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ jobs:
 
           # Promotions and hotfixes to protected branches must originate from a
           # branch in this repository, never a fork — otherwise a fork branch
-          # named 'dev' could satisfy 'staging <- dev' and skip the ladder.
+          # named 'dev' could satisfy 'beta <- dev' and skip the ladder.
           if [ "$HEAD_REPO" != "$REPO" ]; then
             echo "::error::PRs into '$BASE' must come from a branch in '$REPO', not a fork ('$HEAD_REPO')."
             exit 1
diff --git a/apps/backend/.env.example b/apps/backend/.env.example
index 58f005f2..3e061d62 100644
--- a/apps/backend/.env.example
+++ b/apps/backend/.env.example
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ ONBOARDING_OTP_SECRET=
 # Production: https://app.twizrr.com,https://twizrr.com,https://admin.twizrr.com
 # The admin console runs on its own host (admin.twizrr.com) and calls this API,
 # so include it here alongside the app/marketing origins.
-# Never use * on staging or production
+# Never use * on beta or production
 CORS_ORIGINS=http://localhost:3000
 # Request IP extraction for audit/security context.
 # Keep false locally. Set true only when the backend runs behind trusted proxy
@@ -160,8 +160,8 @@ NOMBA_WEBHOOK_SECRET=
 # PAYSTACK (ACTIVE: PaymentProvider, PayoutProvider, RefundProvider)
 # Used for shopper checkout, verified payment webhooks, admin-approved payouts,
 # dispute/settlement refunds, and reconciliation.
-# Use TEST keys for local, dev, and staging
-# Use LIVE keys for beta and production ONLY
+# Use TEST keys for local, dev, and beta (beta is a disposable rehearsal on sandbox payments)
+# Use LIVE keys for production ONLY
 # Never mix test and live keys in the same environment
 PAYSTACK_SECRET_KEY=
 PAYSTACK_PUBLIC_KEY=
diff --git a/apps/web/.env.example b/apps/web/.env.example
index a56275d3..68be1736 100644
--- a/apps/web/.env.example
+++ b/apps/web/.env.example
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ NEXT_PUBLIC_MARKETING_ONLY=false
 
 # Paystack public (publishable) key - safe to expose in the browser. Read by the
 # checkout screens only.
-# Use a TEST key for local/dev/staging; LIVE key for production only.
+# Use a TEST key for local/dev/beta; LIVE key for production only.
 NEXT_PUBLIC_PAYSTACK_PUBLIC_KEY=
 
 # Google Maps/Places browser key for store pickup address search and