diff --git a/packages/native-linux-uinput/README.md b/packages/native-linux-uinput/README.md
index 28d9a7a..c644dde 100644
--- a/packages/native-linux-uinput/README.md
+++ b/packages/native-linux-uinput/README.md
@@ -51,6 +51,41 @@ The doctor checks Linux support, `/dev/uinput` candidates, write access, whether
 the `uinput` module appears in `/proc/modules`, and prints explicit udev rule
 templates. It does not change system permissions.
 
+When a node exists but is not writable, the report includes its mode, owner UID,
+and group GID. Compare those values with your user and groups (for example, run
+`stat -c '%A %a %U:%G %n' /dev/uinput` and `id`). A node that remains unwritable
+after it exists and its udev rules have settled points to persistent ownership
+or mode restrictions. If access becomes available shortly after the module or
+node starts, that points to a transient startup race. Retrying can help only
+with timing; it cannot correct restrictive ownership or mode.
+
+The setup output includes udev rules for access policy that should be applied
+when the node is created. For an already-existing static `/dev/uinput` node,
+`systemd-tmpfiles` is another option on systems that use it. Review your local
+policy and the group before using this example:
+
+```text
+# /etc/tmpfiles.d/opencontroller-uinput.conf
+z /dev/uinput 0660 root input -
+```
+
+Here `z` adjusts the mode and ownership of an existing path; it does not create
+a missing device node. After reviewing and creating the file with an editor,
+apply it explicitly:
+
+```bash
+sudo systemd-tmpfiles --create /etc/tmpfiles.d/opencontroller-uinput.conf
+```
+
+This grants write access to members of the `input` group, so use a group that
+exists and whose membership is appropriate on your system. Membership may
+grant broad access to input devices; it can require a new login session to take
+effect. The tmpfiles rule handles the existing node when applied; a udev rule
+is generally the better fit for access that should be applied whenever a node
+is created. Neither option is installed or run by OpenController. See the
+[systemd-tmpfiles documentation](https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/latest/tmpfiles.d.html)
+for the rule format and behavior.
+
 ## Run With OpenController JSONL
 
 ```bash
diff --git a/packages/native-linux-uinput/src/__tests__/diagnostics.test.ts b/packages/native-linux-uinput/src/__tests__/diagnostics.test.ts
index 9bbd78d..ee65eb2 100644
--- a/packages/native-linux-uinput/src/__tests__/diagnostics.test.ts
+++ b/packages/native-linux-uinput/src/__tests__/diagnostics.test.ts
@@ -60,7 +60,17 @@ describe("linux uinput diagnostics", () => {
     expect(diagnostics.ok).toBe(false);
     expect(diagnostics.moduleLoaded).toBe(false);
     expect(diagnostics.recommendations.join("\n")).toContain("modprobe");
+    expect(diagnostics.recommendations.join("\n")).toContain(
+      "persistent owner/mode denial",
+    );
+    expect(diagnostics.recommendations.join("\n")).toContain("transient race");
+    expect(diagnostics.recommendations.join("\n")).toContain(
+      "Retrying cannot fix restrictive permissions",
+    );
     expect(diagnostics.recommendations.join("\n")).toContain("Grant write");
+    expect(formatLinuxUinputDiagnostics(diagnostics)).toContain(
+      "mode=0600 uid=0 gid=0",
+    );
   });
 
   test("provides explicit udev rule templates", () => {
diff --git a/packages/native-linux-uinput/src/diagnostics.ts b/packages/native-linux-uinput/src/diagnostics.ts
index 02d6919..d43850a 100644
--- a/packages/native-linux-uinput/src/diagnostics.ts
+++ b/packages/native-linux-uinput/src/diagnostics.ts
@@ -245,7 +245,10 @@ function createRecommendations(
   }
   if (existingDevices.length > 0 && writableDevices.length === 0) {
     recommendations.push(
-      "Grant write access to /dev/uinput using a reviewed udev rule, input group, or sudo for testing.",
+      "An existing uinput device node is not writable. Compare its reported mode/uid/gid with your user and groups. If access stays denied after the node and udev rules settle, this is a persistent owner/mode denial; access that appears shortly after module or node startup indicates a transient race. Retrying cannot fix restrictive permissions.",
+    );
+    recommendations.push(
+      "Grant write access using a reviewed udev rule or suitable group; use sudo only for a temporary test.",
     );
   }
   if (existingDevices.some((device) => !device.characterDevice)) {