diff --git a/packages/apollo-wind/apollo-ai-context.md b/packages/apollo-wind/apollo-ai-context.md
index c5e4bdd57..5ae8f9f9c 100644
--- a/packages/apollo-wind/apollo-ai-context.md
+++ b/packages/apollo-wind/apollo-ai-context.md
@@ -315,8 +315,9 @@ Put the control inside `InputGroup`. Apollo's controls detect the group and beco
 - A custom control that also renders standalone can read `useInputGroup()` (`inGroup`, `layout`, `anchor`).
 - `FieldMenu` is the trailing menu: the field's modes, then its actions (`actions`), or an overflow menu alone (`modesDisabled`). Built-in modes are listed by id (`modes={['literal', 'expression', 'variable', 'prompt']}`; default `['literal', 'expression']`); `builtInValueModes(strings)` returns their options. `ValueModeIndicator` shows `=` in expression mode; inside MetadataForm a mode definition's `indicator` marks any other mode.
 - `InsertVariableAction` renders `variables` (`VariablePickerItem[]`) as supplied, with no root of its own; pass a function to resolve them when the picker opens. Its strings include the picker's search placeholder and empty state. `AiAssistAction`'s `onGenerate(prompt)` may return a promise (any thenable): the prompt stays busy until it settles and shows `strings.error` on rejection. `disabled` disables the trigger.
-- Host picker: `VariablePicker`, `InsertVariableAction` and `VariableValueControl` take `renderPicker: RenderVariablePicker` (`({ value?, onSelect(value, item?), close }) => ReactNode`; `onSelect` commits and closes; `variables` is then optional), keeping wind's trigger, popover, focus return and strings. `VariableValueControl` also takes `describeReference(reference) => { label, icon? }` for its chip. The slot is called only while the popover is open.
+- Host picker: `VariablePicker`, `InsertVariableAction` and `VariableValueControl` take `renderPicker: RenderVariablePicker` (`({ value?, onSelect(value), close }) => ReactNode`; `onSelect` commits and closes; `variables` is then optional), keeping wind's trigger, popover, focus return and strings. `VariableValueControl` also takes `describeReference(reference) => { label, icon? }` for its chip. The slot is called only while the popover is open.
 - Host AI panel: `AiAssistAction` takes `renderContent({ close, disabled })` in place of its prompt form, called only while the popover is open.
+- `FormFieldError severity="warning"` is a warning (`text-warning`): point the control's `aria-describedby` at it, not `aria-errormessage`, and leave the control valid.
 - Localization: every addon and action takes a `strings` prop merged over its `DEFAULT_*_STRINGS`. There is no provider.
 
 #### Tabs
diff --git a/packages/apollo-wind/docs/AI_CONSUMER_GUIDE.md b/packages/apollo-wind/docs/AI_CONSUMER_GUIDE.md
index 378984c92..b5dfdc363 100644
--- a/packages/apollo-wind/docs/AI_CONSUMER_GUIDE.md
+++ b/packages/apollo-wind/docs/AI_CONSUMER_GUIDE.md
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ Same props as Row.
 | `FormFieldHeader` | Label row with extras     | `label`, `htmlFor`, `labelId`, `required`, `tooltip`, `leading`, `badge`, `actions`, `variant`: default\|muted                                                                           |
 | `InputGroup`      | Box for control + addons  | `layout`: row\|grow\|block\|fill, `variant`: default\|ghost\|outline\|none\|agent, `error`, `errorId`. Children: `InputGroupAddon` (`align`: inline-start\|inline-end), `InputGroupRow`, `InputGroupBody` |
 | `FormFieldDescription` | Helper text               | Children. Goes below the control                                                                                                                                                         |
-| `FormFieldError`  | Validation message        | `id`. Uses the `text-error` token; renders nothing when empty                                                                                                                            |
+| `FormFieldError`  | Validation message        | `id`, `severity`: error\|warning. Uses the `text-error` token, or `text-warning` for a warning; renders nothing when empty                                                               |
 | `BooleanRadioGroup` | True / False / not set    | `value`: boolean\|null, `onValueChange`, `strings`                                                                                                                                       |
 | `FieldMenu`       | Mode and actions menu     | `mode`, `onSelect`, `modes`, `actions`, `modesDisabled`, `strings`                                                                                                                       |
 | `ValueModeIndicator` | `=` before an expression  | `mode`, `strings`                                                                                                                                                                        |
@@ -602,6 +602,9 @@ const columns: ColumnDef<Item>[] = [
 
 Field validation messages use `FormFieldError`, which applies `text-error`. Some themes resolve
 `destructive` and `error` to different colors, so never color a field error with `text-destructive`.
+For a value that is accepted but likely wrong, use `<FormFieldError severity="warning">`
+(`text-warning`), point the control's `aria-describedby` at it rather than `aria-errormessage`, and
+leave the control valid.
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/forms/README.md b/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/forms/README.md
index 70cb7ea04..256fe973d 100644
--- a/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/forms/README.md
+++ b/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/forms/README.md
@@ -715,7 +715,7 @@ message.
 | Control     | `FieldControl`, `VariableValueControl`, `PromptValueControl`, or a registered control | `type`, the active mode, `valueModes.controls` |
 | Menu        | `FieldMenu` in a trailing `InputGroupAddon`                                | `valueModes.modes`, then `menuActions`                |
 | Description | `FormFieldDescription`                                                     | `description`                                         |
-| Message     | `FormFieldError`, or the `error` prop of a control with a message slot     | `validation`                                          |
+| Message     | `FormFieldError` (`severity="warning"` for a warning), or the `error` prop of a control with a message slot | `validation`                                          |
 
 For a field outside any form, and inside a custom control, compose the same parts (see
 [Custom Components](#-custom-components) for a registered control):
@@ -779,7 +779,10 @@ writes. Rules for any field, in a form or not:
 
 - Compose a custom field or control from whichever of these parts apply. Never hand-roll label,
   description or message markup, or wrap fields in a local shell.
-- Field messages use `FormFieldError` (the `error` token), never `text-destructive`.
+- Field messages use `FormFieldError` (the `error` token), never `text-destructive`. A warning, for
+  a value that is accepted but likely wrong, is `<FormFieldError severity="warning">` (the
+  `warning` token): point the control's `aria-describedby` at it, not `aria-errormessage`, and
+  leave the control valid.
 - Actions go in the header, never inside the box.
 - Localise with each component's `strings` prop, or `FormPlugin.strings` in a form. There is no
   provider.
@@ -931,7 +934,7 @@ Register an action under the same id to replace a built-in.
   `createVariableModeControl`, whose registration goes in
   `FormPlugin.valueModes.definitions.variable.control`. The picker, a `FormVariablePicker`, is
   called only while a picker is open, with `{ field, value, onSelect, close }`: `value` is the
-  bound reference in the `variable` mode, and `onSelect(reference, item?)` commits it and closes,
+  bound reference in the `variable` mode, and `onSelect(reference)` commits it and closes,
   so Insert still writes at the caret or asks before replacing. Wind keeps the trigger, popover,
   focus return and strings.
 - `createVariableModeControl({ describeReference })` gives the `variable` mode's chip the host's
diff --git a/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/field-actions/insert-variable-action.test.tsx b/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/field-actions/insert-variable-action.test.tsx
index 8e55cd8ce..28ae07256 100644
--- a/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/field-actions/insert-variable-action.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/field-actions/insert-variable-action.test.tsx
@@ -82,12 +82,6 @@ describe('InsertVariableAction', () => {
         <button type="button" onClick={() => onSelect('$host.orderId')}>
           Host order id
         </button>
-        <button
-          type="button"
-          onClick={() => onSelect('$host.item', { id: 'item', label: 'Item', metadata: 7 })}
-        >
-          Host item
-        </button>
         <button type="button" onClick={close}>
           Host cancel
         </button>
@@ -120,13 +114,6 @@ describe('InsertVariableAction', () => {
       });
       expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: 'Host order id' })).toBeNull();
       expect(trigger).toHaveFocus();
-
-      await user.click(trigger);
-      await user.click(await screen.findByRole('button', { name: 'Host item' }));
-      expect(onInsert).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(
-        '$host.item',
-        expect.objectContaining({ id: 'item', metadata: 7 })
-      );
     });
 
     it('closes without reporting anything', async () => {
diff --git a/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/field-actions/insert-variable-action.tsx b/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/field-actions/insert-variable-action.tsx
index 4a68802e1..e838ecf8c 100644
--- a/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/field-actions/insert-variable-action.tsx
+++ b/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/field-actions/insert-variable-action.tsx
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@ export const DEFAULT_INSERT_VARIABLE_ACTION_STRINGS: InsertVariableActionStrings
 interface InsertVariableActionBaseProps {
   /**
    * Called with the picked variable's value, and the picked entry itself so a host can recover
-   * whatever it attached to it. A host picker that picks without an entry gets one made from the
-   * value. Omitted, the action is disabled.
+   * whatever it attached to it. A host picker's pick gets an entry made from the value. Omitted,
+   * the action is disabled.
    */
   onInsert?: (value: string, item: VariablePickerItem) => void;
   disabled?: boolean;
diff --git a/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/form-field.stories.tsx b/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/form-field.stories.tsx
index 3cf60405f..2eb54959e 100644
--- a/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/form-field.stories.tsx
+++ b/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/form-field.stories.tsx
@@ -31,7 +31,8 @@ in a metadata-driven form as in a hand-built panel.
 - **FormFieldHeader** is the label row for a field whose header carries more than a label: a
   leading glyph, a type badge and actions such as Insert variable. It sits outside the control's
   box, so the actions never stretch it.
-- **FormFieldDescription** and **FormFieldError** go below the control.
+- **FormFieldDescription** and **FormFieldError** go below the control. \`severity="warning"\`
+  turns the message into a warning, for a value that is accepted but likely wrong.
 `,
       },
     },
@@ -195,3 +196,25 @@ export const Header: Story = {
     </div>
   ),
 };
+
+/**
+ * A warning below the control, for a value that is accepted but likely wrong. The control stays
+ * valid and points at the warning with `aria-describedby`.
+ */
+export const Warning: Story = {
+  render: () => (
+    <FormField className="w-96">
+      <FormFieldLabel htmlFor="warning-order-id">Order id</FormFieldLabel>
+      <InputGroup>
+        <Input
+          id="warning-order-id"
+          defaultValue="$vars.legacyOrderId"
+          aria-describedby="warning-order-id-message"
+        />
+      </InputGroup>
+      <FormFieldError id="warning-order-id-message" severity="warning">
+        This variable is not set by any earlier step.
+      </FormFieldError>
+    </FormField>
+  ),
+};
diff --git a/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/form-field.test.tsx b/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/form-field.test.tsx
index 13e786ec5..8ad5ea701 100644
--- a/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/form-field.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/form-field.test.tsx
@@ -142,6 +142,22 @@ describe('FormFieldError', () => {
     expect(error).toHaveClass('mt-1.5');
     expect(error).toHaveAttribute('data-slot', 'form-field-error');
   });
+
+  it('uses the warning token for a warning, keeping the slot and polite announcement', () => {
+    render(<FormFieldError severity="warning">Variable no longer exists.</FormFieldError>);
+    const warning = screen.getByText('Variable no longer exists.');
+    expect(warning).toHaveClass('text-warning', 'mt-1.5');
+    expect(warning).not.toHaveClass('text-error');
+    expect(warning).toHaveAttribute('data-severity', 'warning');
+    expect(warning).toHaveAttribute('data-slot', 'form-field-error');
+    expect(warning).toHaveAttribute('aria-live', 'polite');
+    expect(warning).not.toHaveAttribute('role');
+  });
+
+  it('marks no severity on an error', () => {
+    render(<FormFieldError>Required.</FormFieldError>);
+    expect(screen.getByText('Required.')).not.toHaveAttribute('data-severity');
+  });
 });
 
 describe('FormFieldHeader', () => {
diff --git a/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/form-field.tsx b/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/form-field.tsx
index a4e2cd85b..8d816b913 100644
--- a/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/form-field.tsx
+++ b/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/form-field.tsx
@@ -109,21 +109,35 @@ const FormFieldDescription = React.forwardRef<HTMLParagraphElement, FormFieldDes
 );
 FormFieldDescription.displayName = 'FormFieldDescription';
 
-export type FormFieldErrorProps = React.ComponentPropsWithoutRef<'p'>;
+export interface FormFieldErrorProps extends React.ComponentPropsWithoutRef<'p'> {
+  /**
+   * `warning` is for a value that is accepted but likely wrong, such as a reference that no longer
+   * resolves. Point the control's `aria-describedby` at a warning, not `aria-errormessage`, and
+   * leave it valid. Defaults to `error`.
+   */
+  severity?: 'error' | 'warning';
+}
 
 /**
  * Validation message rendered below a field control. Uses the `error` token
- * rather than `destructive`, which some themes resolve to a different color.
+ * rather than `destructive`, which some themes resolve to a different color,
+ * and the `warning` token for a warning.
  */
 const FormFieldError = React.forwardRef<HTMLParagraphElement, FormFieldErrorProps>(
-  ({ children, className, ...props }, ref) => {
+  ({ children, className, severity = 'error', ...props }, ref) => {
     if (!children) return null;
     return (
       <p
         ref={ref}
         aria-live="polite"
         aria-atomic="true"
-        className={cn('text-xs leading-4 text-error mt-1.5', className)}
+        data-severity={severity === 'warning' ? severity : undefined}
+        className={cn(
+          'text-xs leading-4',
+          severity === 'warning' ? 'text-warning' : 'text-error',
+          'mt-1.5',
+          className
+        )}
         {...props}
         // Always the canonical marker, even if a caller's own `data-slot` slips in through
         // `...props` -- FormField's gap-cancelling rule above depends on this exact value
diff --git a/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/variable-picker/variable-picker.tsx b/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/variable-picker/variable-picker.tsx
index 5cc846c24..7fe99aaec 100644
--- a/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/variable-picker/variable-picker.tsx
+++ b/packages/apollo-wind/src/components/ui/variable-picker/variable-picker.tsx
@@ -74,8 +74,7 @@ export interface VariablePickerProps extends VariablePickerContentProps {
   triggerAriaLabel?: string;
   /**
    * The host's own picker, rendered in the popover in place of the search and tree, whose `items`
-   * it then does not use. A pick reaches `onSelect` as its entry, or one made from the value, with
-   * the picked value as its `value`.
+   * it then does not use. A pick reaches `onSelect` as an entry made from the picked value.
    */
   renderPicker?: RenderVariablePicker;
 }
@@ -85,7 +84,7 @@ export interface VariablePickerSlotProps {
   /** The reference already bound, when the pick replaces one. */
   value?: string;
   /** Commits `value` and closes the popover. */
-  onSelect(value: string, item?: VariablePickerItem): void;
+  onSelect(value: string): void;
   /** Closes the popover without committing anything. */
   close(): void;
 }
@@ -314,9 +313,7 @@ export function VariablePicker({
         {renderPicker ? (
           <VariablePickerSlot
             render={renderPicker}
-            onSelect={(value, item) =>
-              selectItem({ ...(item ?? { id: value, label: value }), value })
-            }
+            onSelect={(value) => selectItem({ id: value, label: value, value })}
             close={() => setOpen(false)}
           />
         ) : (