diff --git a/docs/hq/billing.md b/docs/hq/billing.md
index 5aa35fe..b577ca6 100644
--- a/docs/hq/billing.md
+++ b/docs/hq/billing.md
@@ -27,14 +27,16 @@ The instance is created and licensed as soon as payment confirms.
 
 ### Self-hosted
 
+Install your control plane first — a licence binds to its instance ID.
+
 1. Set **Deployment** to **Self-hosted**.
-2. Choose a **Billing** cycle, monthly or annual.
-3. Choose a **Plan** and configure its features and server allowance.
+2. Choose a **Plan** and configure its features and server allowance.
+3. Under **Your install**, paste the instance ID from your install's **Licence**
+   page. An ID you already hold is upgraded in place.
 4. Enter an **Instance name** and click **Continue to payment**.
 
-Payment creates a placeholder instance with no licence yet. You then paste your
-install's instance ID to have the licence issued. See
-[Self-hosted instances](./self-hosted-instances.md).
+The licence is issued as soon as payment confirms; download it and paste it into
+your install. See [Self-hosted instances](./self-hosted-instances.md).
 
 ## Cancelling and failed payments
 
diff --git a/docs/hq/self-hosted-instances.md b/docs/hq/self-hosted-instances.md
index b3a7d98..e920d1e 100644
--- a/docs/hq/self-hosted-instances.md
+++ b/docs/hq/self-hosted-instances.md
@@ -14,39 +14,33 @@ Install first, then link and claim. Step by step in
 
 ## Paid
 
-Buying happens **before** the install has to exist, because you may well be
-buying in order to build it.
+**Install first.** A licence is issued to one instance, so your control plane
+has to exist and report an instance ID before you can buy for it — the same
+precondition Free has.
 
 ```mermaid
 flowchart LR
-    A["Buy in Vantage HQ"] --> B["Placeholder instance<br/>no licence yet"]
-    B --> C["Install Vantage<br/>find its instance ID"]
-    C --> D["Paste your install's ID"]
-    D --> E["Licence issued<br/>for that instance"]
+    A["Install Vantage<br/>find its instance ID"] --> B["Buy in Vantage HQ<br/>paste that ID"]
+    B --> C["Payment confirms"]
+    C --> D["Licence issued<br/>for that instance"]
 ```
 
-1. On **Overview**, choose **License my own install**, or **Buy a plan** if you
-   already have an instance. Pick **Self-hosted**, then your tier, billing cycle
+1. [Install Vantage](../getting-started/self-hosted-install.md) and find its
+   instance ID on the **Licence** page.
+2. On **Overview**, choose **Buy a plan**. Pick **Self-hosted**, then your tier
    and configuration.
-2. Complete checkout. Vantage HQ creates a **placeholder** instance, waiting to
-   be linked, with no licence yet.
-3. [Install Vantage](../getting-started/self-hosted-install.md) if you have not
-   already, and find its instance ID on the **Licence** page.
-4. Back in Vantage HQ, open the placeholder and paste that ID.
-5. The licence is issued. Download it and paste it into your install.
+3. Under **Your install**, paste the instance ID. Enter an **Instance name** and
+   click **Continue to payment**.
+4. The licence is issued as soon as payment confirms. Download it and paste it
+   into your install.
 
-:::info Why there is a placeholder
-A licence is issued to one instance, and at the moment you pay, that install may
-not exist yet. The placeholder holds your purchase until it does.
-:::
+## Upgrading an instance you already have
 
-## Linking an install you already have
+Paste the same instance ID you already hold — an install on Free moves to the
+paid plan in place, keeping its ID and its history. An ID belonging to another
+account is refused.
 
-If the install exists before the purchase, the flow is the same: buy, then open
-the placeholder from **Overview**, choose **Link install** and paste its instance
-ID. An ID already claimed by another account is refused.
-
-For a Free licence there is no placeholder step. See
+For a Free licence, see
 [Claim a Free licence](../getting-started/claim-free-licence.md).
 
 ## Relinking