diff --git a/labs/README.md b/labs/README.md
index 8745a80..f3c595e 100644
--- a/labs/README.md
+++ b/labs/README.md
@@ -12,14 +12,12 @@
 
 **Complete setup**: [SETUP.md](SETUP.md) — Git, development environment, access verification.
 
-**Solutions**: Complete solutions for all exercises are on the [answers branch](https://github.com/cloudadoption/nycmasterclass/tree/answers). Each exercise links to it in its Solution section.
+**Solutions**: Complete solutions for code-oriented exercises are on the [answers branch](https://github.com/cloudadoption/nycmasterclass/tree/answers). Those exercises link to it from their **Solution** section; Exercise 1 is authoring-only in DA.live (no solution block there).
 
 **Your environment**:
 - Repository: https://github.com/cloudadoption/nycmasterclass
-- Branch: `jsmith` (your first initial + last name)
-- Local: http://localhost:3000
-- Preview: https://jsmith--nycmasterclass--cloudadoption.aem.page/
-- Live: https://jsmith--nycmasterclass--cloudadoption.aem.live/
+- Branch: `jsmith` (your first initial + last name). URLs for **your** code on Preview / Live look like `https://<branch>--nycmasterclass--cloudadoption.aem.page/` and `https://<branch>--nycmasterclass--cloudadoption.aem.live/` — they work only **after** that branch is pushed to GitHub ([SETUP Step 8](SETUP.md#step-8-understand-your-branch-urls), [Exercise 2](exercise2/instructions.md)). Until then, use `localhost:3000` and `main--` preview in the exercises.
+- Local: verify [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000); if not, start with `aem up` from the repository root in a terminal ([SETUP Step 6](SETUP.md#step-6-start-development-server)).
 
 ---
 
@@ -152,7 +150,7 @@
 
 ## Resources
 
-**Solutions**: [answers branch](https://github.com/cloudadoption/nycmasterclass/tree/answers) — complete solutions for all lab exercises.
+**Solutions**: [answers branch](https://github.com/cloudadoption/nycmasterclass/tree/answers) — reference implementations for code-oriented exercises (Exercise 1 is DA.live authoring only).
 
 **Documentation**:
 - [AEM.live Docs](https://www.aem.live/)
diff --git a/labs/exercise1/instructions.md b/labs/exercise1/instructions.md
index fad1d22..2f70796 100644
--- a/labs/exercise1/instructions.md
+++ b/labs/exercise1/instructions.md
@@ -3,12 +3,13 @@
 **Duration**: 20 minutes
 
 ---
-**Quick navigation**
-- **Context**
-  - [What You'll Learn](#what-youll-learn)
-  - [DA.live: The Authoring Tool](#dalive-the-authoring-tool)
-  - [Before You Start](#before-you-start)
-- **Hands-on**
+
+<details>
+<summary><strong>Quick navigation</strong></summary>
+
+- [Prerequisites](#prerequisites)
+- **Background** (optional — expand the section below, or jump: [What you'll learn](#what-youll-learn) · [DA.live & tables → blocks](#dalive-the-authoring-tool) · [Before you start](#before-you-start))
+- **Exercise steps**
   - [Step 1: Create Your Page](#step-1-create-your-page)
   - [Step 2: Start From a Template](#step-2-start-from-a-template)
   - [Step 3: Update Your Content](#step-3-update-your-content)
@@ -20,18 +21,7 @@
 - [References](#references)
 - [Next Exercise](#next-exercise)
 
----
-
-**Quick navigation**
-- **Context**
-  - [What You'll Learn](#what-youll-learn)
-  - [DA.live: The Authoring Tool](#dalive-the-authoring-tool)
-- **Hands-on Lab**
-  - [Create Your Page](#step-1-create-your-page)
-  - [Update Metadata](#step-4-update-metadata)
-  - [Save and Preview](#step-5-save-and-preview)
-  - [Publish](#step-7-publish)
-- [Verification Checklist](#verification-checklist)
+</details>
 
 ---
 
@@ -40,7 +30,7 @@
 **Complete [SETUP.md](../SETUP.md) before starting this exercise.** Exercises can be done in sequence or independently; if independent, ensure SETUP is done and you have the items below.
 
 **Required:**
-- Dev server running at `http://localhost:3000`
+- Verify the local dev server is accessible at [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000); if not, start it with `aem up` from the project root in a terminal ([SETUP Step 6](../SETUP.md#step-6-start-development-server)).
 - DA.live access verified: [da.live/#/cloudadoption/nycmasterclass](https://da.live/#/cloudadoption/nycmasterclass)
 - Personal folder exists at `/drafts/<your-name>/` (first initial + last name, all lowercase — e.g. John Smith → `jsmith`)
 - AEM Sidekick installed and this project added — toolbar is visible when you open `localhost:3000`
@@ -51,6 +41,9 @@
 
 ---
 
+<details>
+<summary><strong>Background</strong> (optional — concepts & warm-up before the hands-on steps)</summary>
+
 ## What You'll Learn
 
 - How to author content in **DA.live** — the browser-based editor purpose-built for EDS
@@ -111,6 +104,8 @@ Spend 2 minutes reviewing an existing page before creating your own. Open these
 
 Notice how the tables you see in DA.live become the styled components on the rendered page. That transformation is what this exercise is about.
 
+</details>
+
 ---
 
 ## Step 1: Create Your Page
@@ -174,9 +169,9 @@ With the template inserted, replace each placeholder with your own content.
 
 ![Hero block in DA.live editor](images/my-session-top.png)
 
-**Content sections** — fill in the overview and objectives below the Hero block:
+**Content sections** — fill in the overview and objectives below the Hero block (in DA.live, use normal heading lines — the sample below is what you type in the document):
 
-```
+```text
 ## Session Overview
 
 [2–3 sentences describing this session or lab]
@@ -343,12 +338,6 @@ https://main--nycmasterclass--cloudadoption.aem.live/drafts/jsmith/my-session.md
 
 ---
 
-## Solution
-
-Reference content and solutions for all lab exercises are on the [answers branch](https://github.com/cloudadoption/nycmasterclass/tree/answers).
-
----
-
 ## References
 
 - [AEM Authoring](https://www.aem.live/docs/authoring)
diff --git a/labs/exercise2/instructions.md b/labs/exercise2/instructions.md
index 1561635..637fd05 100644
--- a/labs/exercise2/instructions.md
+++ b/labs/exercise2/instructions.md
@@ -4,7 +4,9 @@
 
 ---
 
-**Quick navigation**
+<details>
+<summary><strong>Quick navigation</strong></summary>
+
 - **Context**
   - [What You'll Learn](#what-youll-learn)
   - [Why This Matters](#why-this-matters)
@@ -21,6 +23,8 @@
   - [Step 9: Commit Your Changes](#step-9-commit-your-changes)
 - [Key Takeaways](#key-takeaways)
 
+</details>
+
 ---
 
 ## Prerequisites
@@ -29,7 +33,7 @@
 
 **Required:**
 - On your feature branch (`jsmith` — first initial + last name, lowercase)
-- Local dev server at `http://localhost:3000`
+- Verify the local dev server is accessible at [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000); if not, start it with `aem up` from the project root in a terminal ([SETUP Step 6](../SETUP.md#step-6-start-development-server)).
 - Code editor open with the repository
 - Exercise 1 completed (if doing in sequence)
 
diff --git a/labs/exercise3/instructions.md b/labs/exercise3/instructions.md
index a92712a..1c07a85 100644
--- a/labs/exercise3/instructions.md
+++ b/labs/exercise3/instructions.md
@@ -4,7 +4,9 @@
 
 ---
 
-**Quick navigation**
+<details>
+<summary><strong>Quick navigation</strong></summary>
+
 - **Context**
   - [What You'll Learn](#what-youll-learn)
   - [Why This Matters](#why-this-matters)
@@ -22,6 +24,8 @@
   - [Step 10: Optional - Apply to Real Speakers Page](#step-10-optional---apply-to-real-speakers-page)
 - [Key Takeaways](#key-takeaways)
 
+</details>
+
 ---
 
 ## The Speakers Page
@@ -42,7 +46,7 @@ The speaker data already exists at `/speakers.json` with 6 Adobe experts. In thi
 
 **Required:**
 - On your feature branch (`jsmith` — first initial + last name, lowercase)
-- Local dev server at `http://localhost:3000`
+- Verify the local dev server is accessible at [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000); if not, start it with `aem up` from the project root in a terminal ([SETUP Step 6](../SETUP.md#step-6-start-development-server)).
 - Code editor open with the repository
 - Exercises 1–2 completed (if doing in sequence)
 
diff --git a/labs/exercise4/instructions.md b/labs/exercise4/instructions.md
index 0942525..081cad4 100644
--- a/labs/exercise4/instructions.md
+++ b/labs/exercise4/instructions.md
@@ -4,7 +4,9 @@
 
 ---
 
-**Quick navigation**
+<details>
+<summary><strong>Quick navigation</strong></summary>
+
 - **Context**
   - [What You'll Learn](#what-youll-learn)
   - [Why This Matters](#why-this-matters)
@@ -21,6 +23,8 @@
   - [Step 9: Commit Your Changes](#step-9-commit-your-changes)
 - [Key Takeaways](#key-takeaways)
 
+</details>
+
 ---
 
 ## Prerequisites
@@ -29,7 +33,7 @@
 
 **Required:**
 - On your feature branch (`jsmith` — first initial + last name, lowercase)
-- Local dev server at `http://localhost:3000`
+- Verify the local dev server is accessible at [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000); if not, start it with `aem up` from the project root in a terminal ([SETUP Step 6](../SETUP.md#step-6-start-development-server)).
 - Code editor open with the repository
 - Exercises 1–3 completed (if doing in sequence)
 - Exercise 1 Session/Lab page published under `/labs/<your-name>/` to `.aem.live` (follow **Before You Move On** at the end of Exercise 3 — `/drafts/**` is not indexed)
diff --git a/labs/exercise5/instructions.md b/labs/exercise5/instructions.md
index 1e6a78e..2b3aa01 100644
--- a/labs/exercise5/instructions.md
+++ b/labs/exercise5/instructions.md
@@ -4,7 +4,9 @@
 
 ---
 
-**Quick navigation**
+<details>
+<summary><strong>Quick navigation</strong></summary>
+
 - **Context**
   - [What You'll Learn](#what-youll-learn)
   - [Why This Matters](#why-this-matters)
@@ -19,6 +21,8 @@
   - [Step 7: Add the Event Block to Your Branch](#step-7-add-the-event-block-to-your-branch)
 - [Key Takeaways](#key-takeaways)
 
+</details>
+
 ---
 
 ## Prerequisites
@@ -27,7 +31,7 @@
 
 **Required:**
 - On your feature branch (`jsmith` — first initial + last name, lowercase)
-- Local dev server at `http://localhost:3000`
+- Verify the local dev server is accessible at [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000); if not, start it with `aem up` from the project root in a terminal ([SETUP Step 6](../SETUP.md#step-6-start-development-server)).
 - Code editor open with the repository
 - Exercises 1–4 completed (if doing in sequence)
 - **Personal workspace**: `/drafts/jsmith/` (use your name, lowercase)
diff --git a/labs/exercise6/instructions.md b/labs/exercise6/instructions.md
index 951be57..8cfad36 100644
--- a/labs/exercise6/instructions.md
+++ b/labs/exercise6/instructions.md
@@ -4,7 +4,9 @@
 
 ---
 
-**Quick navigation**
+<details>
+<summary><strong>Quick navigation</strong></summary>
+
 - **Context**
   - [What You'll Learn](#what-youll-learn)
   - [Why This Matters](#why-this-matters)
@@ -19,6 +21,8 @@
   - [Step 5: Commit Your Changes](#step-5-commit-your-changes)
 - [Key Takeaways](#key-takeaways)
 
+</details>
+
 ---
 
 ## Prerequisites
@@ -27,7 +31,7 @@
 
 **Required:**
 - On your feature branch (`jsmith` — first initial + last name, lowercase)
-- Local dev server at `http://localhost:3000`
+- Verify the local dev server is accessible at [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000); if not, start it with `aem up` from the project root in a terminal ([SETUP Step 6](../SETUP.md#step-6-start-development-server)).
 - Code editor open with the repository
 - Exercises 1–5 completed (if doing in sequence)
 - **Personal workspace**: `/drafts/jsmith/` (use your name, lowercase)
diff --git a/labs/exercise7/instructions.md b/labs/exercise7/instructions.md
index 2e5e706..c65822c 100644
--- a/labs/exercise7/instructions.md
+++ b/labs/exercise7/instructions.md
@@ -3,7 +3,10 @@
 **Duration**: 30 minutes
 
 ---
-**Quick navigation**
+
+<details>
+<summary><strong>Quick navigation</strong></summary>
+
 - **Context**
   - [What You'll Learn](#what-youll-learn)
   - [Why This Matters](#why-this-matters)
@@ -22,6 +25,8 @@
   - [Step 7: Optional - Register Plugin in Library](#step-7-optional---register-plugin-in-library)
 - [Key Takeaways](#key-takeaways)
 
+</details>
+
 ---
 
 ## Prerequisites
@@ -30,7 +35,7 @@
 
 **Required:**
 - On your feature branch (`jsmith` — first initial + last name, lowercase)
-- Local dev server at `http://localhost:3000`
+- Verify the local dev server is accessible at [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000); if not, start it with `aem up` from the project root in a terminal ([SETUP Step 6](../SETUP.md#step-6-start-development-server)).
 - Code editor open with the repository
 - Exercises 1–6 completed (if doing in sequence)
 - DA.live access
diff --git a/labs/exercise8/instructions.md b/labs/exercise8/instructions.md
index dfed26f..c150db7 100644
--- a/labs/exercise8/instructions.md
+++ b/labs/exercise8/instructions.md
@@ -4,7 +4,9 @@
 
 ---
 
-**Quick navigation**
+<details>
+<summary><strong>Quick navigation</strong></summary>
+
 - **Context**
   - [What You'll Learn](#what-youll-learn)
   - [Why This Matters](#why-this-matters)
@@ -21,6 +23,8 @@
   - [Step 8: Explore Other Participants' Sites](#step-8-explore-other-participants-sites)
 - [Key Takeaways](#key-takeaways)
 
+</details>
+
 ---
 
 ## Prerequisites
@@ -29,7 +33,7 @@
 
 **Required:**
 - On your feature branch (`jsmith` — first initial + last name, lowercase)
-- Local dev server at `http://localhost:3000` (if testing locally)
+- Verify the local dev server is accessible at [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000); if not, start it with `aem up` from the project root in a terminal ([SETUP Step 6](../SETUP.md#step-6-start-development-server)).
 - Code editor open with the repository
 - Exercises 1–7 completed (if doing in sequence)
 - DA.live access