diff --git a/src/mcp/resources/guides/init_backend.ts b/src/mcp/resources/guides/init_backend.ts
index 1278473b68f..f7272160fea 100644
--- a/src/mcp/resources/guides/init_backend.ts
+++ b/src/mcp/resources/guides/init_backend.ts
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ export const init_backend = resource(
 1. Determine based on what you already know about the user's project or by asking them which of the following services is appropriate.
 2. Use the Firebase \`read_resources\` tool to load the guide to setup the product you choose.
 
-The user will likely need to setup Firestore, Authentication, and Hosting. Read the following guides in order. Do not run the app until you have completed all 3 guides.
+The user will likely need to setup Firestore, Authentication, and Hosting. Read the following guides in order:
  1. [Firestore](firebase://guides/init/firestore): read this to setup Firestore database
  2. [Authentication](firebase://guides/init/auth): read this to setup Firebase Authentication to support multi-user apps
  3. [Firestore Rules](firebase://guides/init/firestore_rules): read this to setup the \`firestore.rules\` file for securing your database
diff --git a/src/mcp/resources/guides/init_firestore.ts b/src/mcp/resources/guides/init_firestore.ts
index 393326e60aa..c4477f91cfa 100644
--- a/src/mcp/resources/guides/init_firestore.ts
+++ b/src/mcp/resources/guides/init_firestore.ts
@@ -35,7 +35,11 @@ export const init_firestore = resource(
 **Verification & Testing:**
 - Only proceed with verification after successfully running \`firebase deploy --only firestore\`
 - Guide the user to visit \`https://console.firebase.google.com/u/0/project/{PROJECT_ID}/firestore\` where \`{PROJECT_ID}\` is the project they're currently using (or use \`_\` if project id is unknown).
-- Have developers test their application functionality and verify test data appears in the console
+- Have developers test their application functionality and verify test data appears in the console. Using the shell, run a local version of their app for them so they can test it. To figure out how to run their app, investigate their environment.
+  - For web apps you can check their \`package.json\` for a "start" or "dev" script
+  - For Flutter apps, they can use \`flutter run\`
+  - For Android apps, ask the user to run the app from Android Studio
+  - For iOS / Apple apps, you can check their Package.swift, or read their Xcode project for the right target and use xcrun
 - Only proceed to the next step after confirming successful database setup and data visibility
 
 **Security Configuration:**