diff --git a/web/src/routes/[username]/[workspace]/settings/+page.svelte b/web/src/routes/[username]/[workspace]/settings/+page.svelte
index d7a016ed8..f325be700 100644
--- a/web/src/routes/[username]/[workspace]/settings/+page.svelte
+++ b/web/src/routes/[username]/[workspace]/settings/+page.svelte
@@ -703,17 +703,6 @@
 		}
 	}
 
-	// TASK-3376: system collections are ordinary choices for a restricted
-	// member. Moving a member from All to Specific starts with them checked,
-	// so restricting someone does not silently stop their agents loading the
-	// workspace's rules. A member already restricted keeps their saved list.
-	function setAccessMode(next: 'all' | 'specific') {
-		if (next === 'specific' && accessMode !== 'specific' && accessCollectionIds.length === 0) {
-			accessCollectionIds = systemCollections.map((c) => c.id);
-		}
-		accessMode = next;
-	}
-
 	function toggleAccessCollection(collId: string) {
 		if (accessCollectionIds.includes(collId)) {
 			accessCollectionIds = accessCollectionIds.filter(id => id !== collId);
@@ -1053,7 +1042,7 @@
 													id="access-mode-{member.user_id}"
 													class="role-select"
 													value={accessMode}
-													onchange={(e) => { setAccessMode((e.target as HTMLSelectElement).value as 'all' | 'specific'); }}
+													onchange={(e) => { accessMode = (e.target as HTMLSelectElement).value as 'all' | 'specific'; }}
 												>
 													<option value="all">All collections</option>
 													<option value="specific">Specific collections</option>
@@ -1086,7 +1075,8 @@
 													{/each}
 													{#if systemCollections.length > 0}
 														<p class="access-coll-hint">
-															{systemCollections.map((c) => c.name).join(' and ')} hold the rules and procedures agents load. Unchecked, this member's agents won't receive them.
+															<!-- TASK-3376/3384: system collections are ordinary choices for a restricted member and start unchecked, like every other collection. -->
+															Unchecked, {systemCollections.map((c) => c.name).join(' and ')} stay hidden from this member, and their agents won't load the workspace's conventions or playbooks.
 														</p>
 													{/if}
 												</div>
diff --git a/web/src/routes/[username]/[workspace]/settings/task3376SystemCollectionPicker.svelte.test.ts b/web/src/routes/[username]/[workspace]/settings/task3376SystemCollectionPicker.svelte.test.ts
index a9e86d84b..bddc45ec9 100644
--- a/web/src/routes/[username]/[workspace]/settings/task3376SystemCollectionPicker.svelte.test.ts
+++ b/web/src/routes/[username]/[workspace]/settings/task3376SystemCollectionPicker.svelte.test.ts
@@ -6,10 +6,12 @@ import SettingsPage from './+page.svelte';
 /**
  * TASK-3376: system collections (Conventions, Playbooks) are ordinary
  * collections for a restricted member. In the member access picker they are
- * real checkboxes, not a disabled always-checked row, and they start CHECKED
- * when an owner switches a member from All to Specific, so that restricting
- * someone does not silently stop their agents loading the workspace's rules.
- * A member who is ALREADY restricted keeps their saved list as is.
+ * real checkboxes, not a disabled always-checked row. They start UNCHECKED
+ * when an owner switches a member from All to Specific (TASK-3384, Dave's
+ * ruling), like every other collection, and a hint names what leaving them
+ * unchecked means: that member's agents won't load the workspace's
+ * conventions or playbooks. A member who is ALREADY restricted keeps their
+ * saved list as is.
  */
 
 const meCalls: Array<(value: unknown) => void> = [];
@@ -112,21 +114,28 @@ describe('TASK-3376: system collections in the member access picker', () => {
 		window.location.hash = '';
 	});
 
-	it('All to Specific starts with the system collections checked, and they can be unchecked', async () => {
+	it('All to Specific starts with nothing checked, the system collections included, and the hint names the consequence', async () => {
 		await openAccessPanel();
 		setAccessMode('specific');
-		await waitFor(() => expect(checkbox('Conventions').checked).toBe(true));
-		expect(checkbox('Playbooks').checked).toBe(true);
+		await waitFor(() => expect(checkbox('Conventions')).toBeTruthy());
+		expect(checkbox('Conventions').checked).toBe(false);
+		expect(checkbox('Playbooks').checked).toBe(false);
 		expect(checkbox('Tasks').checked).toBe(false);
 		// Real choices, not the old disabled always-checked row.
 		expect(checkbox('Conventions').disabled).toBe(false);
 		expect(checkbox('Playbooks').disabled).toBe(false);
+		const hint = document.querySelector('.access-coll-hint');
+		expect(hint?.textContent).toMatch(/agents won.t load .*conventions.*playbooks/i);
 
-		checkbox('Conventions').click();
-		await waitFor(() => expect(checkbox('Conventions').checked).toBe(false));
+		// Checking one is an ordinary choice, saved like any collection.
+		checkbox('Playbooks').click();
+		await waitFor(() => expect(checkbox('Playbooks').checked).toBe(true));
+		checkbox('Tasks').click();
+		await waitFor(() => expect(checkbox('Tasks').checked).toBe(true));
 		screen.getByRole('button', { name: /^Save$/ }).click();
 		await waitFor(() => expect(saves.length).toBe(1));
-		expect(saves[0]).toEqual({ mode: 'specific', ids: ['c-pb'] });
+		expect([...saves[0].ids].sort()).toEqual(['c-pb', 'c-tasks']);
+		expect(saves[0].mode).toBe('specific');
 	});
 
 	it('an already-restricted member keeps their saved list; nothing is added for them', async () => {