diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f268577d2..247fd98ef 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Flash
 
 > [!WARNING]
-> Flash is moving into the Runpod Python SDK 2.0. `runpod-flash` will be deprecated on **October 29, 2026** and will receive no fixes or updates after that date. See the [migration guide](https://docs.runpod.io/sdk/migrate-from-flash).
+> Flash has moved into the Runpod Python SDK 2.0. `runpod-flash` was deprecated on **October 29, 2026** and receives no fixes or updates. This repository is archived and read-only. See the [migration guide](https://docs.runpod.io/sdk/migrate-from-flash).
 >
 > The `flash` CLI and the SDK print this notice once per process. Set `RUNPOD_FLASH_SILENCE_DEPRECATION=1` to silence it (for example, in CI).
 
diff --git a/src/runpod_flash/sunset.py b/src/runpod_flash/sunset.py
index c27dbc761..7c7b67200 100644
--- a/src/runpod_flash/sunset.py
+++ b/src/runpod_flash/sunset.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 """Package-level deprecation notice for runpod-flash.
 
-Flash is moving into the Runpod Python SDK 2.0. This module owns the notice
-users see before and after the sunset date, shown once per process through
+Flash has moved into the Runpod Python SDK 2.0. This module owns the notice
+users see once the package is deprecated, shown once per process through
 one of two channels:
 
 - the ``flash`` CLI prints it to stderr on every invocation (stdout stays
@@ -26,9 +26,9 @@
 MIGRATION_GUIDE_URL = "https://docs.runpod.io/sdk/migrate-from-flash"
 
 SUNSET_MESSAGE = (
-    "Flash is moving into the Runpod Python SDK 2.0. runpod-flash will be "
-    f"deprecated on {SUNSET_DATE} and will receive no fixes or updates after "
-    f"that date. Migration guide: {MIGRATION_GUIDE_URL}"
+    "Flash has moved into the Runpod Python SDK 2.0. runpod-flash was "
+    f"deprecated on {SUNSET_DATE} and receives no fixes or updates. "
+    f"Migration guide: {MIGRATION_GUIDE_URL}"
 )
 
 _WORKER_ENV_VARS = ("RUNPOD_ENDPOINT_ID", "RUNPOD_POD_ID")
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_sunset.py b/tests/unit/test_sunset.py
index 661daaef0..ae9e76e4c 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_sunset.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_sunset.py
@@ -32,6 +32,12 @@ def test_message_states_date_no_updates_and_migration_guide(self):
         assert "Runpod Python SDK 2.0" in sunset.SUNSET_MESSAGE
         assert sunset.MIGRATION_GUIDE_URL in sunset.SUNSET_MESSAGE
 
+    def test_message_states_deprecation_in_past_tense(self):
+        # the final release ships at the sunset date, so the notice must not
+        # describe the deprecation as upcoming
+        assert "was deprecated on October 29, 2026" in sunset.SUNSET_MESSAGE
+        assert "will be" not in sunset.SUNSET_MESSAGE
+
 
 class TestImportWarning:
     def test_public_api_access_emits_future_warning(self):