diff --git a/src/agent/claude-code/live-processes.ts b/src/agent/claude-code/live-processes.ts
index f5e24b3..61f036a 100644
--- a/src/agent/claude-code/live-processes.ts
+++ b/src/agent/claude-code/live-processes.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 export type LiveProcess = { toolCallIds: string[]; kill(): void };
 
-// pi runs a message's tools (each capped at 30s by tool-execute) and calls back well within this;
-// it stays under MCP_TOOL_TIMEOUT so an orphaned process is killed before the CLI gives up on its own.
+// Tools usually call back within seconds, but a question tool holds its call until the learner
+// answers. Past this, the process is killed and the answer starts a fresh one with a full replay.
+// It stays under MCP_TOOL_TIMEOUT so the process is killed before the CLI gives up on its own.
 export const LIVE_PROCESS_IDLE_TIMEOUT_MS = 10 * 60_000;
 
 /** Test seam (runner.ts's pdfModelOverride idiom). */
diff --git a/src/agent/claude-code/stream.ts b/src/agent/claude-code/stream.ts
index 919561a..0f9dd4d 100644
--- a/src/agent/claude-code/stream.ts
+++ b/src/agent/claude-code/stream.ts
@@ -36,8 +36,9 @@ type RunClaudeOptions = { cwd: string; env: NodeJS.ProcessEnv };
 
 export type RunClaude = (args: string[], options: RunClaudeOptions) => ChildProcessWithoutNullStreams | null;
 
-// A held MCP call lasts until pi has run every tool of the message (each capped at 30s by
-// tool-execute) and called back; this must outlast that so the CLI never times out first.
+// A held MCP call lasts until pi calls back with the tool result, which for a question tool is
+// whenever the learner answers; this must outlast the live-process idle timeout so the CLI never
+// times out first.
 const MCP_TOOL_TIMEOUT_MS = 30 * 60_000;
 
 const PRIVATE_FILE_MODE = 0o600;