diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 9f66230..706140f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        platform: [esp8266, esp32, esp32_3_3_11]
+        platform: [esp8266, esp32]
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
       - uses: actions/setup-python@v5
@@ -33,6 +33,4 @@ jobs:
           python-version: '3.11'
       - run: python -m pip install --upgrade platformio==6.1.19
       - run: ./scripts/test.sh compile --platform ${{ matrix.platform }}
-      - if: matrix.platform == 'esp32_3_3_11'
-        run: ./scripts/test.sh packages --platform esp32_3_3_11
       - run: ./scripts/test.sh examples --platform ${{ matrix.platform }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 619edb9..2d860bb 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -21,9 +21,6 @@ jobs:
       - run: ./scripts/test.sh examples --platform esp8266
       - run: ./scripts/test.sh compile --platform esp32
       - run: ./scripts/test.sh examples --platform esp32
-      - run: ./scripts/test.sh compile --platform esp32_3_3_11
-      - run: ./scripts/test.sh packages --platform esp32_3_3_11
-      - run: ./scripts/test.sh examples --platform esp32_3_3_11
       - run: ./scripts/check-docs.sh
       - run: ./scripts/prepare-release.sh "$GITHUB_REF_NAME"
       - run: ./scripts/release-notes.sh "$GITHUB_REF_NAME" > "$RUNNER_TEMP/release-notes.md"
diff --git a/docs/DEVELOPMENT.md b/docs/DEVELOPMENT.md
index fdd4efc..88b0eed 100644
--- a/docs/DEVELOPMENT.md
+++ b/docs/DEVELOPMENT.md
@@ -4,20 +4,16 @@ Released applications should use a public Git tag. While changing DFTE with a si
 
 ## Target pins
 
-DFTE keeps two explicit ESP32 fixture lanes while consumers move to the current
-framework baseline:
+DFTE uses one maintained ESP32 fixture baseline:
 
 | Test selector | pioarduino platform | Framework stack | Purpose |
 | --- | --- | --- | --- |
-| `esp32` | `51.03.05` | Arduino-ESP32 3.0.5 / ESP-IDF 5.1.4+ | Deliberate legacy compatibility coverage |
-| `esp32_3_3_11` | `55.03.311` | Arduino-ESP32 3.3.11 / ESP-IDF 5.5.5 | Current validation baseline |
+| `esp32` | `55.03.311` | Arduino-ESP32 3.3.11 / ESP-IDF 5.5.5 | Maintained baseline |
 
-These are fixture contracts, not DFTE package dependencies: a consuming
+These are test-harness fixture lanes, not DFTE package dependencies: a consuming
 application owns its `platform` pin and tests the complete framework/toolchain
 stack. Do not copy a compiler or toolchain package between lanes; each pinned
 pioarduino platform resolves its matched framework, uploader, and toolchain.
-The legacy lane is retained deliberately until the supported ESP32 floor is
-changed in a reviewed compatibility decision.
 
 All DFTE ESP8266 test and example environments pin framework commit `521ae60`
 for the upstream Postmortem large-jump linker fix. The exact rationale and
@@ -27,14 +23,13 @@ note](https://github.com/alexhopeoconnor/arduino-home-assistant/blob/main/docs/E
 For the pioarduino release-to-Core mapping and cache-collision diagnosis, see
 [DeviceFramework's toolchain guide](https://github.com/alexhopeoconnor/DeviceFramework/blob/main/docs/TOOLCHAINS.md).
 
-`./scripts/test.sh` keeps the `esp32_3_3_11` lane in a dedicated PlatformIO
+`./scripts/test.sh` keeps the ESP32 lane in a dedicated persistent PlatformIO
 Core/cache directory by default:
 `${XDG_CACHE_HOME:-$HOME/.cache}/dfte-platformio/core-3.3.11`. That prevents a
-legacy 3.0.5 `tool-esptoolpy` installation from shadowing the current
-pioarduino uploader. Override it with `DFTE_PLATFORMIO_CORE_DIR`,
+stale global `tool-esptoolpy` installation from shadowing the current pioarduino
+uploader. Override it with `DFTE_PLATFORMIO_CORE_DIR`,
 `DFTE_PLATFORMIO_PACKAGES_DIR`, and `DFTE_PLATFORMIO_CACHE_DIR` for another
-disk or a disposable clean-room investigation; do not delete an unrelated
-global toolchain or pin one compiler separately.
+disk; the script never clears that cache or pins one compiler separately.
 
 Start a release with `bump-version.sh`. It updates package metadata and canonical installation snippets, then creates the changelog section. Replace its generated TODO with the release summary and update any behavioural documentation before running:
 
@@ -46,9 +41,6 @@ Start a release with `bump-version.sh`. It updates package metadata and canonica
 ./scripts/test.sh compile --platform esp32
 ./scripts/test.sh examples --platform esp8266
 ./scripts/test.sh examples --platform esp32
-./scripts/test.sh compile --platform esp32_3_3_11
-./scripts/test.sh packages --platform esp32_3_3_11
-./scripts/test.sh examples --platform esp32_3_3_11
 ./scripts/prepare-release.sh vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH --tag
 ```
 
diff --git a/docs/TESTING.md b/docs/TESTING.md
index 469a5b9..ef94b8d 100644
--- a/docs/TESTING.md
+++ b/docs/TESTING.md
@@ -1,29 +1,23 @@
 # Testing
 
-The three PlatformIO Unity commands compile the complete DFTE test suites without uploading or executing them, so they require no attached board.
+The PlatformIO Unity commands compile the complete DFTE test suites without uploading or executing them, so they require no attached board.
 
 ```bash
 ./scripts/test.sh compile --platform esp8266
 ./scripts/test.sh compile --platform esp32
 ./scripts/test.sh examples --platform esp8266
 ./scripts/test.sh examples --platform esp32
-./scripts/test.sh compile --platform esp32_3_3_11
-./scripts/test.sh packages --platform esp32_3_3_11
-./scripts/test.sh examples --platform esp32_3_3_11
 ```
 
-`esp32` is the explicit Arduino-ESP32 3.0.5 compatibility lane.
-`esp32_3_3_11` uses pioarduino `55.03.311` (Arduino-ESP32 3.3.11 / ESP-IDF
-5.5.5) as the current validation baseline. The three `compile` commands
-compile the complete suites with `test_build_src = yes`; the example commands
+`esp32` uses pioarduino `55.03.311` (Arduino-ESP32 3.3.11 / ESP-IDF 5.5.5).
+The `compile` commands compile the complete suites with `test_build_src = yes`; the example commands
 compile every standalone project on each target, protecting the code that the
 documentation links users to. CI runs every listed target lane on the
 maintained branch and pull requests.
 
-The current lane is isolated by the script in a dedicated Core/cache directory
-so the package-form Arduino-ESP32 Core 3.3.11 uploader cannot inherit legacy 3.0.5 Python
-metadata. `packages` prints the resolved package graph after the current build;
-it is a verification step, not a request to change a compiler pin.
+The ESP32 lane uses a persistent dedicated Core/cache directory so the
+package-form Arduino-ESP32 uploader cannot inherit stale global Python
+metadata. The test script never clears that cache.
 
 The standalone examples are buildable PlatformIO projects; see [examples](../examples/README.md).
 
diff --git a/examples/AsyncDashboardDemo/platformio.ini b/examples/AsyncDashboardDemo/platformio.ini
index 1ff57d0..665c666 100644
--- a/examples/AsyncDashboardDemo/platformio.ini
+++ b/examples/AsyncDashboardDemo/platformio.ini
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ build_flags =
   -I$PROJECT_LIBDEPS_DIR/$PIOENV/ESPAsyncTCP/src
 
 [env:dashboard_esp32]
-platform = https://github.com/pioarduino/platform-espressif32/releases/download/51.03.05/platform-espressif32.zip
+platform = https://github.com/pioarduino/platform-espressif32/releases/download/55.03.311/platform-espressif32.zip
 board = esp32dev
 lib_deps =
   ${env.lib_deps}
@@ -34,7 +34,3 @@ build_flags =
   -DSOC_WIFI_SUPPORTED=1
   -I${platformio.packages_dir}/framework-arduinoespressif32/libraries/Network/src
   -I$PROJECT_LIBDEPS_DIR/$PIOENV/AsyncTCP/src
-
-[env:dashboard_esp32_3_3_11]
-extends = env:dashboard_esp32
-platform = https://github.com/pioarduino/platform-espressif32/releases/download/55.03.311/platform-espressif32.zip
diff --git a/examples/HelloPlaceholder/platformio.ini b/examples/HelloPlaceholder/platformio.ini
index 46b1edd..fc85622 100644
--- a/examples/HelloPlaceholder/platformio.ini
+++ b/examples/HelloPlaceholder/platformio.ini
@@ -15,9 +15,5 @@ platform_packages =
   platformio/framework-arduinoespressif8266 @ https://github.com/esp8266/Arduino.git#521ae60a89e64bb0d1eb7a0b7addf620ced5cad3
 
 [env:example_esp32]
-platform = https://github.com/pioarduino/platform-espressif32/releases/download/51.03.05/platform-espressif32.zip
-board = esp32dev
-
-[env:example_esp32_3_3_11]
-extends = env:example_esp32
 platform = https://github.com/pioarduino/platform-espressif32/releases/download/55.03.311/platform-espressif32.zip
+board = esp32dev
diff --git a/examples/NestedLayouts/platformio.ini b/examples/NestedLayouts/platformio.ini
index 46b1edd..fc85622 100644
--- a/examples/NestedLayouts/platformio.ini
+++ b/examples/NestedLayouts/platformio.ini
@@ -15,9 +15,5 @@ platform_packages =
   platformio/framework-arduinoespressif8266 @ https://github.com/esp8266/Arduino.git#521ae60a89e64bb0d1eb7a0b7addf620ced5cad3
 
 [env:example_esp32]
-platform = https://github.com/pioarduino/platform-espressif32/releases/download/51.03.05/platform-espressif32.zip
-board = esp32dev
-
-[env:example_esp32_3_3_11]
-extends = env:example_esp32
 platform = https://github.com/pioarduino/platform-espressif32/releases/download/55.03.311/platform-espressif32.zip
+board = esp32dev
diff --git a/examples/README.md b/examples/README.md
index 6ff6a07..b023cda 100644
--- a/examples/README.md
+++ b/examples/README.md
@@ -10,11 +10,9 @@ pio device monitor -d examples/HelloPlaceholder -e example_esp8266
 
 Choose the corresponding ESP32 environment where provided. The examples use the checked-out DFTE source, so they double as practical integration checks for this repository.
 
-The normal `example_esp32` / `dashboard_esp32` environments retain the
-Arduino-ESP32 3.0.5 compatibility lane. Repository CI also builds the matching
-`*_esp32_3_3_11` environments against the current Arduino-ESP32 3.3.11
-validation baseline. A consuming application should select and pin its own
-complete PlatformIO platform stack.
+The `example_esp32` / `dashboard_esp32` environments use Arduino-ESP32 3.3.11.
+A consuming application should select and pin its own complete PlatformIO
+platform stack.
 
 | Example | Start here when you want to… |
 | --- | --- |
diff --git a/examples/StreamingAsync/platformio.ini b/examples/StreamingAsync/platformio.ini
index 9bacc76..31ddbc3 100644
--- a/examples/StreamingAsync/platformio.ini
+++ b/examples/StreamingAsync/platformio.ini
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ build_flags =
   -I$PROJECT_LIBDEPS_DIR/$PIOENV/ESPAsyncTCP/src
 
 [env:example_esp32]
-platform = https://github.com/pioarduino/platform-espressif32/releases/download/51.03.05/platform-espressif32.zip
+platform = https://github.com/pioarduino/platform-espressif32/releases/download/55.03.311/platform-espressif32.zip
 board = esp32dev
 lib_deps =
   ${env.lib_deps}
@@ -34,7 +34,3 @@ build_flags =
   -DSOC_WIFI_SUPPORTED=1
   -I${platformio.packages_dir}/framework-arduinoespressif32/libraries/Network/src
   -I$PROJECT_LIBDEPS_DIR/$PIOENV/AsyncTCP/src
-
-[env:example_esp32_3_3_11]
-extends = env:example_esp32
-platform = https://github.com/pioarduino/platform-espressif32/releases/download/55.03.311/platform-espressif32.zip
diff --git a/platformio.ini b/platformio.ini
index abc472c..8e62a6b 100644
--- a/platformio.ini
+++ b/platformio.ini
@@ -9,16 +9,11 @@ test_framework = unity
 test_build_src = yes
 
 [env:test_template_engine_esp32]
-; Legacy Arduino-ESP32 3.0.5 compatibility lane. Keep this explicit while
-; consumers complete their migration to the current validation baseline below.
-platform = https://github.com/pioarduino/platform-espressif32/releases/download/51.03.05/platform-espressif32.zip
+; Arduino-ESP32 3.3.11 / ESP-IDF 5.5.5 is the maintained ESP32 baseline.
+; Pin the complete pioarduino platform so its framework and toolchain stay
+; matched; PlatformIO must not select one from an unrelated package cache.
+platform = https://github.com/pioarduino/platform-espressif32/releases/download/55.03.311/platform-espressif32.zip
 board = nodemcu-32s
 framework = arduino
 test_framework = unity
 test_build_src = yes
-
-; Arduino-ESP32 3.3.11 / ESP-IDF 5.5.5 validation lane. Pin the complete
-; pioarduino platform so its framework and toolchain stay matched.
-[env:test_template_engine_esp32_3_3_11]
-extends = env:test_template_engine_esp32
-platform = https://github.com/pioarduino/platform-espressif32/releases/download/55.03.311/platform-espressif32.zip
diff --git a/scripts/test.sh b/scripts/test.sh
index 2ab2508..510b5df 100755
--- a/scripts/test.sh
+++ b/scripts/test.sh
@@ -2,25 +2,26 @@
 set -euo pipefail
 
 usage() {
-    echo "Usage: $0 compile|examples|packages --platform esp8266|esp32|esp32_3_3_11" >&2
+    echo "Usage: $0 compile|examples --platform esp8266|esp32" >&2
     exit 2
 }
 
-[[ $# -eq 3 && ( "${1:-}" == "compile" || "${1:-}" == "examples" || "${1:-}" == "packages" ) && "${2:-}" == "--platform" ]] || usage
+[[ $# -eq 3 && ( "${1:-}" == "compile" || "${1:-}" == "examples" ) && "${2:-}" == "--platform" ]] || usage
 case "${3:-}" in
-    esp8266|esp32|esp32_3_3_11) platform="$3" ;;
+    esp8266|esp32) platform="$3" ;;
     *) usage ;;
 esac
 
 root="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")/.." && pwd)"
 pio_for_platform() {
-    if [[ "$platform" != "esp32_3_3_11" ]]; then
+    if [[ "$platform" != "esp32" ]]; then
         pio "$@"
         return
     fi
 
-    # Arduino-ESP32 Core 3.3.11 uses a package-form uploader. Isolate its Core-managed
-    # Python environment from the legacy 3.0.5 tool-esptoolpy graph.
+    # Keep the maintained Core 3.3.11 package-form uploader in one persistent,
+    # repository-owned cache. This avoids unrelated global package metadata;
+    # it is never cleared by this script.
     local core_dir packages_dir cache_dir
     core_dir="${DFTE_PLATFORMIO_CORE_DIR:-${XDG_CACHE_HOME:-$HOME/.cache}/dfte-platformio/core-3.3.11}"
     packages_dir="${DFTE_PLATFORMIO_PACKAGES_DIR:-$core_dir/packages}"
@@ -31,16 +32,11 @@ pio_for_platform() {
 }
 
 case "$1" in
-compile|packages)
+compile)
     case "$platform" in
         esp8266) test_environment="test_template_engine_8266" ;;
         esp32) test_environment="test_template_engine_esp32" ;;
-        esp32_3_3_11) test_environment="test_template_engine_esp32_3_3_11" ;;
     esac
-    if [[ "$1" == "packages" ]]; then
-        pio_for_platform pkg list -d "$root" -e "$test_environment"
-        exit 0
-    fi
     pio_for_platform test -d "$root" -e "$test_environment" --without-uploading --without-testing
     echo "DFTE compile check passed for $platform"
     exit 0