diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 2405175..eea7cd3 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -29,6 +29,14 @@ adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
 
 ### Fixed
 
+- **Hosting panel targets no longer force an unverified rotation.** A
+  `ploi`, `forge` or `cpanel` target only accepts a pasted key, and `rotate`
+  either aborted or, with `--allow-unverified`, committed before the key was
+  pasted, so SSH to that server failed until it was. At a terminal, `rotate` now
+  shows the staged public key and where it goes, waits for the paste, and logs
+  in with the staged key; only a working login counts as verified. The committed
+  report says where the old key still has to be removed. Without a terminal,
+  nothing changes.
 - `knownhosts pin` reported `pinned 0 host key(s)` and exited 0 for a host that
   returned no SSH key (a closed port, or a web server on 443). It now names each
   such host with the reason, pins the rest, and exits non-zero; a missing
diff --git a/docs/features.md b/docs/features.md
index 7d9c1b1..c3ebaa7 100644
--- a/docs/features.md
+++ b/docs/features.md
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ project-local mode. See [installation.md](installation.md) for the full layout.
 | Command | What it does | Tests |
 |---|---|---|
 | `deploy <key> [target]` | Install the public key on its target via the host's provider (GitHub/GitLab CLI, cloud-VPS REST, `generic-ssh` `ssh-copy-id`, or web-panel/manual) and record it. **Exits ≠0 if a target is unreachable.** | U·E·F |
-| `rotate <key> [--yes] [--allow-unverified] [--passphrase]` | Zero-downtime staged rotation: stage → deploy → verify → archive (≤1 predecessor). Aborts cleanly (pulling the staged key back) if a target can't be verified or is unreachable. | U·E·F |
+| `rotate <key> [--yes] [--allow-unverified] [--passphrase]` | Zero-downtime staged rotation: stage → deploy → verify → archive (≤1 predecessor). Aborts cleanly (pulling the staged key back) if a target can't be verified or is unreachable. A hosting-panel target (Ploi, Forge, cPanel) waits at a terminal for the pasted key, then logs in with it before committing. | U·E·F |
 | `rotate [selectors...] [--category] [--all] [--dry-run]` | Rotate a batch: several keys, profiles or aliases, a category, or every key a host uses. One confirmation, backup and snapshot; each key rotates on its own and a failure leaves only that key untouched. | U |
 | `rollback <key> [--yes]` | Restore the single `/old/` predecessor (re-deploy is best-effort; skips unreachable hosts). | U·E·F |
 | `load <profile>` | Add the profile's keys to the agent (Keychain on macOS). | U·F |
diff --git a/docs/recipes/rotate-a-key.md b/docs/recipes/rotate-a-key.md
index 5e47583..9c41fd2 100644
--- a/docs/recipes/rotate-a-key.md
+++ b/docs/recipes/rotate-a-key.md
@@ -19,8 +19,18 @@ so there is always exactly one step back:
 sshmgr rollback work/work_gh-ed25519
 ```
 
-For a target that cannot self-verify — a web panel, a provider with no read API —
-rotation would abort every time. Say so explicitly:
+For a hosting panel target (Ploi, Forge, cPanel), run it at a terminal with the
+panel open: `rotate` shows the new public key, waits while you paste it, then
+logs in with it before replacing the old key. Remove the old key from the panel
+afterwards; the report says where.
+
+```sh
+sshmgr rotate simtabi/simtabi_oribi-web-ed25519
+```
+
+A target that cannot be proven at all (a git web panel, a provider with no read
+API) aborts every time; say so explicitly, knowing the new key is committed
+before anything proves it:
 
 ```sh
 sshmgr rotate work/work_gh-ed25519 --allow-unverified
diff --git a/docs/tools/rotate.md b/docs/tools/rotate.md
index 8fd0595..eb469d8 100644
--- a/docs/tools/rotate.md
+++ b/docs/tools/rotate.md
@@ -32,9 +32,34 @@ whole operation is reversible with `sshmgr snapshots restore` as well.
 ## Verification & manual targets
 
 Each target must verify before commit. Automated providers (generic SSH, GitHub
-with a token) verify by logging in / `ssh -T`. A **manual / web-panel** target
-(e.g. ploi) can't auto-verify, so rotation **aborts by default** - finish the
-paste in the panel and re-run with `--allow-unverified` to accept it.
+with a token) verify by logging in / `ssh -T`.
+
+A **hosting panel** target (`ploi`, `forge`, `cpanel`) takes the key by hand.
+At a terminal, `rotate` stops there, shows the staged public key and where it
+goes, and waits:
+
+```text
+oribi-web: this target takes the key by hand. paste simtabi_oribi-web-ed25519.pub at https://ploi.io/servers
+
+ssh-ed25519 AAAAC3Nza... simtabi/oribi-web 2026-10-20
+
+  Pasted it? sshmgr will now log in with the new key to prove it [y/N]
+```
+
+After `y` it logs in **with the staged key itself**; only a working login
+counts as verified, and only then does the new key replace the old one. If the
+login fails, or you answer `n`, the staged key is discarded and the old key
+stays active. Once committed, the report names where the **old** key still has
+to be removed from the panel: until you do, it still logs in.
+
+Without a terminal (a script, CI), such a target cannot verify, so rotation
+aborts. `--allow-unverified` commits anyway, before anything proves the key
+works, so SSH to that server fails until the key is pasted or you
+`sshmgr rollback`. Prefer running it at a terminal.
+
+A git host on the manual path (`gitea`, `bitbucket` and the other `vcs`
+web-panel entries) is never proven by logging in, because it refuses a shell
+even for a valid key; it still needs `--allow-unverified`.
 
 ## Rotating a batch
 
diff --git a/src/internal/cli/rotate.go b/src/internal/cli/rotate.go
index 9c66352..8488336 100644
--- a/src/internal/cli/rotate.go
+++ b/src/internal/cli/rotate.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/simtabi/ssh-manager/src/v3/internal/core/inventory"
 	"github.com/simtabi/ssh-manager/src/v3/internal/core/manifest"
+	"github.com/simtabi/ssh-manager/src/v3/internal/platform"
 	"github.com/simtabi/ssh-manager/src/v3/internal/services/keysvc"
 	"github.com/simtabi/ssh-manager/src/v3/internal/services/rotator"
 )
@@ -75,7 +76,7 @@ func rotateOne(c *cobra.Command, key string, allowUnverified, passphrase, yes, n
 		pw = secret
 	}
 	snapshotBeforeMutation(p)
-	report, err := rotator.New(p, m, inv).Rotate(key, allowUnverified, pw)
+	report, err := withManualPaste(c, rotator.New(p, m, inv)).Rotate(key, allowUnverified, pw)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -151,7 +152,7 @@ func rotateMany(c *cobra.Command, sel keysvc.Selection, allowUnverified, passphr
 		pw = secret
 	}
 	snapshotBeforeMutation(p)
-	rot := rotator.New(p, m, inv)
+	rot := withManualPaste(c, rotator.New(p, m, inv))
 	var failed []string
 	for _, n := range names {
 		report, err := rot.Rotate(n, allowUnverified, pw)
@@ -216,3 +217,18 @@ func newRollbackCmd() *cobra.Command {
 	cmd.Flags().BoolVarP(&yes, "yes", "y", false, "skip the confirmation prompt")
 	return cmd
 }
+
+// withManualPaste makes rotate wait at a web-panel target (Ploi and the like): it shows the staged
+// public key and where it goes, waits until the user says it is pasted, and the rotator then proves it
+// by logging in with the staged key before anything is committed. With no terminal to ask at, rotate
+// keeps its old behaviour: such a target cannot verify, so it aborts unless --allow-unverified.
+func withManualPaste(c *cobra.Command, r *rotator.Rotator) *rotator.Rotator {
+	if !platform.StdinIsTerminal() {
+		return r
+	}
+	return r.WithManualStep(func(alias, where, pubkey string) bool {
+		out := c.OutOrStdout()
+		_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(out, "\n%s: this target takes the key by hand. %s\n\n%s\n\n", alias, where, strings.TrimSpace(pubkey))
+		return confirm(c, "  Pasted it? sshmgr will now log in with the new key to prove it")
+	})
+}
diff --git a/src/internal/services/rotator/manual.go b/src/internal/services/rotator/manual.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a1c3bd9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/internal/services/rotator/manual.go
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+package rotator
+
+import (
+	"github.com/simtabi/ssh-manager/src/v3/internal/core/manifest"
+	"github.com/simtabi/ssh-manager/src/v3/internal/core/providers"
+)
+
+// ManualStep is asked, for each target whose provider can only take a pasted key (a web panel such
+// as Ploi), to show the staged public key and where it goes, and to report whether it is now in
+// place. The CLI sets one only when there is a terminal to ask at; without one, rotate behaves as it
+// always has.
+type ManualStep func(alias, where, pubkey string) bool
+
+// WithManualStep sets the manual step and returns the Rotator.
+func (r *Rotator) WithManualStep(step ManualStep) *Rotator {
+	r.manual = step
+	return r
+}
+
+// panelProof reports whether a provider category's hosts are servers a staged key can be proven on
+// by logging in. A git host refuses a shell even for a valid key, so an SSH login proves nothing
+// there; only panel providers (Ploi and the like, whose targets are servers) qualify.
+func panelProof(category string) bool { return category == "panel" }
+
+// proveManual turns a manual deploy into a verified one: the key is pasted while sshmgr waits, then
+// proven by logging in with the staged key itself. It returns verified unchanged when the provider
+// verified on its own, when the deploy was not manual, when no manual step is set, or when the
+// provider is not a panel.
+func (r *Rotator) proveManual(h manifest.Host, prov providers.Provider, out providers.DeployOutcome,
+	tgt providers.Target, verified bool) bool {
+	if verified || out.Method != "manual" || r.manual == nil || !panelProof(prov.Category()) {
+		return verified
+	}
+	if !r.manual(h.Alias, out.Detail, tgt.PubkeyText) {
+		return false
+	}
+	return r.sshVerify(tgt)
+}
+
+// defaultSSHVerify logs in with the target's identity and runs `true`, as the generic SSH provider
+// verifies its own deploys.
+func defaultSSHVerify(t providers.Target) bool { return providers.GenericSSH{}.Verify(t) }
diff --git a/src/internal/services/rotator/manual_test.go b/src/internal/services/rotator/manual_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6c5092a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/internal/services/rotator/manual_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+package rotator
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/simtabi/ssh-manager/src/v3/internal/core/providers"
+)
+
+// A web-panel target (Ploi) cannot take a key through an API, so rotate used to either abort or,
+// with --allow-unverified, commit before the key was pasted and lock the user out until they did.
+// With a manual step it waits for the paste, then proves the staged key logs in over SSH.
+
+type manualCall struct{ alias, where, pubkey string }
+
+func TestManualTargetIsPastedThenProvenOverSSH(t *testing.T) {
+	p, m, inv, keyName := setupRotated(t)
+	var calls []manualCall
+	var proved []providers.Target
+	r := New(p, m, inv).WithManualStep(func(alias, where, pubkey string) bool {
+		calls = append(calls, manualCall{alias, where, pubkey})
+		return true
+	})
+	r.sshVerify = func(tgt providers.Target) bool { proved = append(proved, tgt); return true }
+
+	report, err := r.Rotate(keyName, false, "") // no --allow-unverified
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !report.Committed {
+		t.Fatalf("a pasted key proven over SSH must commit: %+v", report)
+	}
+	if len(calls) != 1 || calls[0].alias != "panel" || !strings.Contains(calls[0].where, "ploi.io") ||
+		!strings.HasPrefix(calls[0].pubkey, "ssh-ed25519 ") {
+		t.Fatalf("manual step calls = %+v", calls)
+	}
+	if len(proved) != 1 || !strings.Contains(proved[0].IdentityPath, ".staging") ||
+		proved[0].SSHDest() != "x@ploi.example" {
+		t.Fatalf("the proof must log in with the STAGED key, as the host's user: %+v", proved)
+	}
+	if !report.Targets[0].Verified {
+		t.Error("the target should be reported verified")
+	}
+	// The old key is still on the panel: the report must say so, and where, or it stays a live key.
+	if f := report.Format(); !strings.Contains(f, "remove the old key ("+report.OldFingerprint+") from https://ploi.io") {
+		t.Errorf("the report should say where to remove the old key:\n%s", f)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestManualTargetThatFailsTheSSHProofDoesNotCommit(t *testing.T) {
+	p, m, inv, keyName := setupRotated(t)
+	curPriv := filepath.Join(p.SSHDir, "profiles", "vcs", keyName)
+	before, _ := os.ReadFile(curPriv)
+	r := New(p, m, inv).WithManualStep(func(string, string, string) bool { return true })
+	r.sshVerify = func(providers.Target) bool { return false }
+
+	report, err := r.Rotate(keyName, false, "")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if report.Committed {
+		t.Fatal("a key that does not log in must not replace the working one")
+	}
+	if after, _ := os.ReadFile(curPriv); string(after) != string(before) {
+		t.Error("the active key changed after a failed proof")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDecliningTheManualStepStopsBeforeAnySSH(t *testing.T) {
+	p, m, inv, keyName := setupRotated(t)
+	r := New(p, m, inv).WithManualStep(func(string, string, string) bool { return false })
+	sshTried := false
+	r.sshVerify = func(providers.Target) bool { sshTried = true; return true }
+
+	report, err := r.Rotate(keyName, false, "")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if report.Committed || sshTried {
+		t.Fatalf("declined: committed=%v sshTried=%v", report.Committed, sshTried)
+	}
+}
+
+// Only panel providers are logged into to prove a key: a git host refuses a shell even for a valid
+// key, so an SSH "true" there proves nothing.
+func TestOnlyPanelTargetsAreProvenBySSH(t *testing.T) {
+	if !panelProof("panel") || panelProof("vcs") || panelProof("server") || panelProof("") {
+		t.Error("the SSH proof applies to panel providers only")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/src/internal/services/rotator/onepassword.go b/src/internal/services/rotator/onepassword.go
index 672b99f..f428713 100644
--- a/src/internal/services/rotator/onepassword.go
+++ b/src/internal/services/rotator/onepassword.go
@@ -102,7 +102,10 @@ func (r *Rotator) rotateOnePassword(profile, keyName string, hosts []manifest.Ho
 		tgt := r.target(h, profile, stagedPub, stagedPubText, stagedPub)
 		out := prov.Deploy(tgt)
 		tr.Deployed = out.Method == "manual" || out.Verified
-		tr.Verified = prov.Verify(tgt)
+		tr.Verified = r.proveManual(h, prov, out, tgt, prov.Verify(tgt))
+		if out.Method == "manual" {
+			tr.ManageURL = prov.ManageURL(tgt)
+		}
 		results = append(results, tr)
 	}
 	report.Targets = results
diff --git a/src/internal/services/rotator/rotator.go b/src/internal/services/rotator/rotator.go
index 7b6610c..a56dcdb 100644
--- a/src/internal/services/rotator/rotator.go
+++ b/src/internal/services/rotator/rotator.go
@@ -32,6 +32,9 @@ type TargetResult struct {
 	Deployed bool
 	Verified bool
 	Revoked  bool
+	// ManageURL is where a manual (web-panel) target's keys are managed; set when the deploy was a
+	// paste, so a committed report can say where the old key still has to be removed by hand.
+	ManageURL string
 }
 
 // RotateReport summarizes a rotate/rollback run.
@@ -60,6 +63,10 @@ func (r RotateReport) Format() string {
 	for _, t := range r.Targets {
 		lines = append(lines, fmt.Sprintf("  %s (%s): deploy=%s verify=%s revoke=%s",
 			t.Alias, t.Provider, okFail(t.Deployed), yesNo(t.Verified), revokeFlag(t.Revoked)))
+		if r.Committed && !t.Revoked && t.ManageURL != "" {
+			lines = append(lines, fmt.Sprintf("    remove the old key (%s) from %s by hand: it still logs in until you do",
+				r.OldFingerprint, t.ManageURL))
+		}
 	}
 	if r.Message != "" {
 		lines = append(lines, "  "+r.Message)
@@ -93,11 +100,14 @@ type Rotator struct {
 	inv *inventory.Inventory
 	ks  *keystore.KeyStore
 	op  *opstore.Client // for profiles whose key_store is 1password
+	// manual waits for a pasted key on panel targets (nil: never asks); sshVerify proves it.
+	manual    ManualStep
+	sshVerify func(providers.Target) bool
 }
 
 // New builds a Rotator.
 func New(p paths.Paths, m *manifest.Manifest, inv *inventory.Inventory) *Rotator {
-	return &Rotator{p: p, m: m, inv: inv, ks: keystore.New(), op: opstore.New()}
+	return &Rotator{p: p, m: m, inv: inv, ks: keystore.New(), op: opstore.New(), sshVerify: defaultSSHVerify}
 }
 
 // profileAndHosts resolves a key selector to its owning profile and the hosts
@@ -206,7 +216,10 @@ func (r *Rotator) Rotate(selector string, allowUnverified bool, passphrase strin
 		tgt := r.target(h, profile, stagedPub, stagedPubText, stagedPriv)
 		out := prov.Deploy(tgt)
 		tr.Deployed = out.Method == "manual" || out.Verified
-		tr.Verified = prov.Verify(tgt)
+		tr.Verified = r.proveManual(h, prov, out, tgt, prov.Verify(tgt))
+		if out.Method == "manual" {
+			tr.ManageURL = prov.ManageURL(tgt)
+		}
 		results = append(results, tr)
 	}
 	report.Targets = results