diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 346d985b..dbf9feed 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -46,11 +46,8 @@ DB_BACKUP_KEEP=7
 # Minutes between repeat health-fail alerts from jobs-worker (default 15).
 HEALTH_ALERT_COOLDOWN_MIN=15
 
-# --- RCON (Low Latency Loop) ---
-RCON_HOST=127.0.0.1
-RCON_PORT=3003
-EMU_PORT=3004
-RCON_TIMEOUT_MS=2000
+# --- EMULATOR API ---
+EMULATOR_API_URL=http://127.0.0.1:3001
 
 # --- EMAIL & NOTIFICATIONS ---
 SMTP_HOST=
diff --git a/src/env.ts b/src/env.ts
index 9d30081b..5dd1b81a 100644
--- a/src/env.ts
+++ b/src/env.ts
@@ -40,17 +40,11 @@ const schema = z
 		SMTP_USER: z.string().optional(),
 		SMTP_PASSWORD: z.string().optional(),
 		SMTP_FROM: z.string().optional(),
-		// RCON link to the Arcturus emulator (raw-JSON TCP protocol).
-		RCON_HOST: z.string().default("127.0.0.1"),
-		RCON_PORT: z.coerce.number().int().positive().default(3001),
-		RCON_TIMEOUT_MS: z.coerce.number().int().positive().default(10_000),
-		RCON_MAX_RETRIES: z.coerce.number().int().positive().default(3),
-		// Emulator transport selection. "rcon" uses the raw-JSON TCP protocol
-		// above; "api" uses an HTTP endpoint that accepts the same
+		// Emulator transport selection. "api" uses an HTTP endpoint that accepts the same
 		// `{"key":...,"data":...}` payload (for emulators without RCON).
-		EMULATOR_MODE: z.enum(["rcon", "api"]).default("rcon"),
+		EMULATOR_MODE: z.enum(["rcon", "api"]).default("api"),
 		// HTTP endpoint used when EMULATOR_MODE=api. Required in that mode.
-		EMULATOR_API_URL: z.string().url().optional(),
+		EMULATOR_API_URL: z.string().url(),
 		// Optional bearer/key auth for the API transport. When set, it is sent
 		// as `${EMULATOR_API_KEY_HEADER}: ${EMULATOR_API_KEY}` (default header
 		// "Authorization").
diff --git a/src/lib/services/alert.ts b/src/lib/services/alert.ts
index 38319bd4..5aa16340 100644
--- a/src/lib/services/alert.ts
+++ b/src/lib/services/alert.ts
@@ -223,10 +223,8 @@ export function emulatorOffline(detail?: string): Promise<SendAlertResult> {
 		severity: "critical",
 		message: detail
 			? `Emulator appears offline: ${detail}`
-			: "Emulator appears offline — RCON connection could not be established.",
+			: "Emulator appears offline — emulator API connection could not be established.",
 		context: {
-			rconHost: env.RCON_HOST,
-			rconPort: env.RCON_PORT,
 			...(detail ? { detail } : {}),
 		},
 	});
diff --git a/src/lib/services/rcon.ts b/src/lib/services/rcon.ts
index db15302d..6844d982 100644
--- a/src/lib/services/rcon.ts
+++ b/src/lib/services/rcon.ts
@@ -225,24 +225,20 @@ export function httpTransport(opts: {
  * misconfiguration surfaces immediately instead of on first command.
  */
 export function createEmulatorTransport(): RconTransport {
-	if (env.EMULATOR_MODE === "api") {
-		if (!env.EMULATOR_API_URL) {
-			throw new Error("EMULATOR_MODE=api requires EMULATOR_API_URL to be set");
-		}
+	const mode = env.EMULATOR_MODE ?? "api";
+	if (mode === "api") {
 		return httpTransport({
-			url: env.EMULATOR_API_URL,
-			timeoutMs: env.RCON_TIMEOUT_MS,
+			url: env.EMULATOR_API_URL ?? "http://127.0.0.1:3001",
+			timeoutMs: 10_000,
 			apiKey: env.EMULATOR_API_KEY,
 			apiKeyHeader: env.EMULATOR_API_KEY_HEADER,
-			maxRetries: env.RCON_MAX_RETRIES,
+			maxRetries: 3,
 		});
 	}
-	return tcpTransport({
-		host: env.RCON_HOST,
-		port: env.RCON_PORT,
-		timeoutMs: env.RCON_TIMEOUT_MS,
-		maxRetries: env.RCON_MAX_RETRIES,
-	});
+	// API mode only; RCON transport removed.
+	throw new Error(
+		"EMULATOR_MODE=rcon is no longer supported; use EMULATOR_MODE=api",
+	);
 }
 
 const globalForRcon = globalThis as unknown as { rcon?: RconClient };