diff --git a/packages/embeddedci-mcp/CHANGELOG.md b/packages/embeddedci-mcp/CHANGELOG.md
index a42aa42..2bdb355 100644
--- a/packages/embeddedci-mcp/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/packages/embeddedci-mcp/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,13 @@
 # Changelog — `embeddedci-mcp`
 
+## 2.13.15
+
+- `connect` over the cloud to a pod with firmware 3.10.4 works again: its `status` was too large
+  for the cloud channel, which failed the connect. `status` now reports the firmware fields as
+  unknown with a warning to update to firmware 3.10.5. With firmware 3.10.5's short cloud status,
+  `status` fills `firmware.lan_tls` from the `lan_tls` command.
+- Needs embeddedci 2.13.15.
+
 ## 2.13.14
 
 - Pin directions are on by default: `connect` and `set_wiring` send the wiring profile's DUT
diff --git a/packages/embeddedci-mcp/pyproject.toml b/packages/embeddedci-mcp/pyproject.toml
index 51380af..b81d9bf 100644
--- a/packages/embeddedci-mcp/pyproject.toml
+++ b/packages/embeddedci-mcp/pyproject.toml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ build-backend = "hatchling.build"
 
 [project]
 name = "embeddedci-mcp"
-version = "2.13.14"
+version = "2.13.15"
 description = "MCP server that lets AI agents drive an EmbeddedCI BenchPod hardware-in-the-loop bench"
 readme = "README.md"
 requires-python = ">=3.10"
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ classifiers = [
 dependencies = [
     # cloud: the embeddedci:<device> destination; discovery: connect("discover") over mDNS;
     # analysis: dominant frequency in capture summaries; yaml: sensor definitions an agent writes.
-    "embeddedci[cloud,discovery,analysis,yaml]>=2.13.14,<3",
+    "embeddedci[cloud,discovery,analysis,yaml]>=2.13.15,<3",
     "mcp>=1.12,<2",
     "anyio>=4",
     "pydantic>=2.7",
diff --git a/packages/embeddedci-mcp/server.json b/packages/embeddedci-mcp/server.json
index b03c849..aa0bb02 100644
--- a/packages/embeddedci-mcp/server.json
+++ b/packages/embeddedci-mcp/server.json
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
   "name": "io.github.embeddedci-com/embeddedci-mcp",
   "title": "EmbeddedCI BenchPod",
   "description": "Drive a BenchPod hardware-in-the-loop bench: power, flash, UART, I2C, CAN, analog and logic.",
-  "version": "2.13.14",
+  "version": "2.13.15",
   "websiteUrl": "https://www.embeddedci.com/docs/benchpod-mcp",
   "repository": {
     "url": "https://github.com/embeddedci-com/embeddedci-python",
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
       "registryType": "pypi",
       "registryBaseUrl": "https://pypi.org",
       "identifier": "embeddedci-mcp",
-      "version": "2.13.14",
+      "version": "2.13.15",
       "runtimeHint": "uvx",
       "transport": {
         "type": "stdio"
diff --git a/packages/embeddedci-mcp/src/embeddedci_mcp/server.py b/packages/embeddedci-mcp/src/embeddedci_mcp/server.py
index 0a2f9d7..7f4ee9f 100644
--- a/packages/embeddedci-mcp/src/embeddedci_mcp/server.py
+++ b/packages/embeddedci-mcp/src/embeddedci_mcp/server.py
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@
 from embeddedci.benchpod.cloud_auth import DEFAULT_API_BASE
 from embeddedci.benchpod.connection import CLOUD_PREFIX
 from embeddedci.benchpod import errors as _errors
+from embeddedci.benchpod.errors import STATUS_FITS_FIRMWARE, FirmwareError, status_too_large
 from embeddedci.benchpod.errors import BenchPodError
 from embeddedci.benchpod.server_api import ServerApi
 
@@ -317,8 +318,25 @@ def _status() -> m.StatusResult:
                      "else pass a host, 'usb' or 'embeddedci:<device>'")
         return m.StatusResult(connected=False, warnings=[f"not connected — {hint}"])
     pod = SESSION.require()
-    firmware = pod.status()
     warnings: List[str] = []
+    try:
+        firmware = pod.status()
+    except FirmwareError as exc:
+        # Firmware 3.10.4's status can be too large for the cloud channel. The connection works:
+        # report the status as unknown with the fix, rather than failing the connect.
+        if not status_too_large(exc.firmware_message, exc.cmd):
+            raise
+        firmware = {}
+        warnings.append(f"this pod's status is too large for the cloud channel (firmware "
+                        f"{pod.capabilities.firmware_version or 'older'}): update the pod to firmware "
+                        f"{STATUS_FITS_FIRMWARE} or later; the status fields are unknown until then")
+    if isinstance(firmware, dict) and firmware.get("short_form") and "lan_tls" not in firmware:
+        # The cloud status is the short form (firmware 3.10.5+): lan_tls is its own command there.
+        try:
+            tls = pod.lan_tls()
+            firmware["lan_tls"] = {"port": tls.port, "https_only": tls.https_only, "sha256": tls.sha256}
+        except BenchPodError:
+            pass
     # From this status, not the cached capabilities: it describes the boot running now.
     boot = Capabilities.from_status(firmware).boot_warning()
     if boot:
diff --git a/packages/embeddedci-mcp/tests/test_tools.py b/packages/embeddedci-mcp/tests/test_tools.py
index 03ace47..047bce5 100644
--- a/packages/embeddedci-mcp/tests/test_tools.py
+++ b/packages/embeddedci-mcp/tests/test_tools.py
@@ -121,6 +121,29 @@ def test_status_warns_about_safe_mode_and_crashes(fake_open, fake_transport, mon
     assert call("status")["warnings"] == []
 
 
+def test_status_too_large_for_the_cloud_keeps_the_connection(fake_open, fake_transport, monkeypatch):
+    # Firmware 3.10.4 over the cloud: its status did not fit the cloud channel and connect failed.
+    from embeddedci.benchpod.errors import FirmwareError
+
+    def too_large():
+        raise FirmwareError("reply too large for the cloud channel (1838 bytes, limit 1791)",
+                            cmd="status")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(fake_transport, "status", too_large)
+    result = call("connect", connection="192.168.1.50", la_voltage=3.3)
+    assert result["connected"] is True and result["firmware"] == {}
+    assert any("too large for the cloud channel" in w and "3.10.5" in w for w in result["warnings"])
+
+
+def test_short_form_status_gets_lan_tls_from_its_command(fake_open, fake_transport, monkeypatch):
+    # Firmware 3.10.5's cloud status is the short form: lan_tls is its own command there.
+    base = fake_transport.status
+    monkeypatch.setattr(fake_transport, "status", lambda: {**base(), "short_form": True})
+    fake_transport._cmd_lan_tls = lambda req: {"port": 8443, "https_only": True, "sessions": 0,
+                                               "sha256": "ab" * 32}
+    result = call("connect", connection="192.168.1.50", la_voltage=3.3)
+    assert result["firmware"]["lan_tls"] == {"port": 8443, "https_only": True, "sha256": "ab" * 32}
+
+
 def test_connect_without_la_voltage_warns(fake_open):
     result = call("connect", connection="usb")
     assert result["kind"] == "serial" and result["la_voltage"] is None
diff --git a/packages/embeddedci/CHANGELOG.md b/packages/embeddedci/CHANGELOG.md
index b680c24..020ddba 100644
--- a/packages/embeddedci/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/packages/embeddedci/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,14 @@
 # Changelog — `embeddedci`
 
+## 2.13.15
+
+- A pod whose `status` is too large for the cloud channel (firmware 3.10.4 with the USB network
+  adapter up and a lease held) no longer leaves the SDK guessing: the error names the fix,
+  firmware 3.10.5, and `bp.capabilities` uses the server's capability set instead of reading the
+  status again on every access. Firmware 3.10.5 sends a short `status` over the cloud
+  (`"short_form": true`); it leaves out `lan_tls` (use `bp.lan_tls()`), `lease`, the diagnostics
+  and the fixed feature flags the server already has.
+
 ## 2.13.14
 
 - Pin directions are on by default. On a pod with firmware 3.10.4+ the SDK sends the wiring
diff --git a/packages/embeddedci/pyproject.toml b/packages/embeddedci/pyproject.toml
index 03bb293..893a4a9 100644
--- a/packages/embeddedci/pyproject.toml
+++ b/packages/embeddedci/pyproject.toml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ build-backend = "hatchling.build"
 
 [project]
 name = "embeddedci"
-version = "2.13.14"
+version = "2.13.15"
 description = "BenchPod SDK and pytest plugin for EmbeddedCI hardware-in-the-loop testing"
 readme = "README.md"
 requires-python = ">=3.10"
diff --git a/packages/embeddedci/src/embeddedci/benchpod/client.py b/packages/embeddedci/src/embeddedci/benchpod/client.py
index f184c3e..48cc215 100644
--- a/packages/embeddedci/src/embeddedci/benchpod/client.py
+++ b/packages/embeddedci/src/embeddedci/benchpod/client.py
@@ -91,7 +91,8 @@
     coerce_pin,
 )
 from .connection import resolve_connection
-from .errors import BenchPodError, FirmwareError, UnsupportedFeatureError, classify_firmware_error
+from .errors import (BenchPodError, FirmwareError, UnsupportedFeatureError, classify_firmware_error,
+                     status_too_large)
 from .flash import FlashResult
 from .gpio import LA_DIRS, GpioPin, LaPinState
 from .lease import DEFAULT_LEASE_TTL, DEFAULT_LEASE_WAIT, DeviceLease
@@ -399,6 +400,11 @@ def capabilities(self) -> Capabilities:
             status_ok = True
             try:
                 status = self.status()
+            except FirmwareError as exc:
+                # Firmware 3.10.4's status can be too large for the cloud channel. Reading it again
+                # will not help: use the server's capabilities alone, and keep them.
+                _log.warning("could not read the pod's status for its capabilities: %s", exc)
+                status, status_ok = {}, status_too_large(exc.firmware_message, exc.cmd)
             except BenchPodError as exc:
                 _log.warning("could not read the pod's status for its capabilities: %s", exc)
                 status, status_ok = {}, False
diff --git a/packages/embeddedci/src/embeddedci/benchpod/errors.py b/packages/embeddedci/src/embeddedci/benchpod/errors.py
index 4e4ed26..cbbbf49 100644
--- a/packages/embeddedci/src/embeddedci/benchpod/errors.py
+++ b/packages/embeddedci/src/embeddedci/benchpod/errors.py
@@ -75,6 +75,9 @@ def __init__(self, message: str, *, cmd: Optional[str] = None) -> None:
         self.firmware_message = message
         self.cmd = cmd
         text = _sdk_refusal_text(message)
+        if status_too_large(message, cmd):
+            text += (f"; firmware {STATUS_FITS_FIRMWARE} and later send a status that fits: update "
+                     "the pod (`benchpod flash-self`, or the firmware update in the web app)")
         if cmd:
             super().__init__(f"{cmd}: {text}")
         else:
@@ -269,6 +272,17 @@ def __init__(self, message: str, *, cmd: Optional[str] = None,
 #: The firmware's "la voltage not set; set it with la_voltage (mv 1800 or 3300) first"
 #: (command_handler.c require_la_voltage). Matched on the leading words only.
 _LA_VOLTAGE_UNSET = "la voltage not set"
+
+#: Firmware 3.10.4 and older could answer ``status`` over the cloud with more than the cloud
+#: channel takes ("reply too large for the cloud channel (1838 bytes, limit 1791)"). From this
+#: version a cloud ``status`` is a short form that always fits.
+STATUS_FITS_FIRMWARE = "3.10.5"
+_STATUS_TOO_LARGE = "too large for the cloud channel"
+
+
+def status_too_large(message: str, cmd: Optional[str] = "status") -> bool:
+    """Whether a pod refusal is a ``status`` reply that did not fit the cloud channel."""
+    return cmd == "status" and _STATUS_TOO_LARGE in message
 _LA_VOLTAGE_SDK = ("la voltage not set; set the board's I/O voltage first: "
                    "BenchPod(conn, la_voltage=3.3) (1.8 for a 1.8 V target), the "
                    "benchpod_la_voltage fixture in conftest.py, or bp.set_la_voltage(3.3)")
diff --git a/packages/embeddedci/tests/test_refusal_errors.py b/packages/embeddedci/tests/test_refusal_errors.py
index c5177c4..304e232 100644
--- a/packages/embeddedci/tests/test_refusal_errors.py
+++ b/packages/embeddedci/tests/test_refusal_errors.py
@@ -52,6 +52,15 @@ def test_leased_carries_holder_and_time_left():
     assert err.firmware_message.startswith("busy:") and err.cmd == "gpio"
 
 
+def test_status_too_large_for_the_cloud_names_the_fix():
+    err = firmware_error("reply too large for the cloud channel (1838 bytes, limit 1791)", cmd="status")
+    assert isinstance(err, FirmwareError)
+    assert "too large for the cloud channel" in str(err) and "firmware 3.10.5" in str(err)
+    # Other commands' size refusals are left as they are.
+    other = firmware_error("reply too large for the cloud channel (1900 bytes, limit 1791)", cmd="la_pins")
+    assert "3.10.5" not in str(other)
+
+
 def test_busy_without_a_lease():
     err = firmware_error("busy: a capture or upload is running")
     assert type(err) is PodBusyError