diff --git a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating/__manifest__.py b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating/__manifest__.py
index e9d774e9..0289596c 100644
--- a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating/__manifest__.py
+++ b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating/__manifest__.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 {
     'name': 'Fusion Plating',
-    'version': '19.0.7.3.0',
+    'version': '19.0.7.4.0',
     'category': 'Manufacturing/Plating',
     'summary': 'Core plating / metal finishing ERP: facilities, processes, tanks, baths, jobs, operators.',
     'description': """
diff --git a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating/models/fp_process_node.py b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating/models/fp_process_node.py
index 52a8ee7f..d3141b83 100644
--- a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating/models/fp_process_node.py
+++ b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating/models/fp_process_node.py
@@ -172,13 +172,19 @@ class FpProcessNode(models.Model):
     )
     opt_in_out = fields.Selection(
         [
-            ('disabled', 'Always Included'),
-            ('opt_out', 'Included by Default'),
-            ('opt_in', 'Excluded by Default'),
+            ('disabled', 'Required'),
+            ('opt_out', 'Opt-Out (included by default, can be removed per job)'),
+            ('opt_in', 'Opt-In (excluded by default, can be added per job)'),
         ],
-        string='Opt In/Out',
+        string='Step Usage',
         default='disabled',
-        help='Controls whether this step is optional for a given job.',
+        help='Controls whether this step can be skipped or added on a '
+             'per-job basis:\n'
+             '  * Required — every job runs this step. Cannot be removed.\n'
+             '  * Opt-Out — included by default; an estimator can remove '
+             'it per job when the customer doesn\'t need it.\n'
+             '  * Opt-In — excluded by default; an estimator can add it '
+             'per job when the customer specifically asks for it.',
         tracking=True,
     )
 
diff --git a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating/static/src/xml/recipe_tree_editor.xml b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating/static/src/xml/recipe_tree_editor.xml
index 124e2e9c..8c2e3b83 100644
--- a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating/static/src/xml/recipe_tree_editor.xml
+++ b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating/static/src/xml/recipe_tree_editor.xml
@@ -353,16 +353,21 @@
                             </div>
 
                             <div class="o_fp_re_field">
-                                <label>Opt In/Out</label>
+                                <label>Step Usage</label>
                                 <select class="form-select"
                                         t-on-change="(ev) => { state.selectedNode.opt_in_out = ev.target.value; }">
                                     <option value="disabled"
-                                            t-att-selected="state.selectedNode.opt_in_out === 'disabled'">Disabled</option>
-                                    <option value="opt_in"
-                                            t-att-selected="state.selectedNode.opt_in_out === 'opt_in'">Opt-In</option>
+                                            t-att-selected="state.selectedNode.opt_in_out === 'disabled'">Required</option>
                                     <option value="opt_out"
-                                            t-att-selected="state.selectedNode.opt_in_out === 'opt_out'">Opt-Out</option>
+                                            t-att-selected="state.selectedNode.opt_in_out === 'opt_out'">Opt-Out (included by default)</option>
+                                    <option value="opt_in"
+                                            t-att-selected="state.selectedNode.opt_in_out === 'opt_in'">Opt-In (excluded by default)</option>
                                 </select>
+                                <small class="text-muted d-block mt-1">
+                                    <strong>Required</strong> — every job runs this step.
+                                    <strong>Opt-Out</strong> — ships included, estimator can remove per job.
+                                    <strong>Opt-In</strong> — ships excluded, estimator can add per job.
+                                </small>
                             </div>
 
                             <div class="o_fp_re_tracking" t-if="state.selectedNode.create_date">