diff --git a/repeater/companion/bridge.py b/repeater/companion/bridge.py
index 0b1751d..8e32440 100644
--- a/repeater/companion/bridge.py
+++ b/repeater/companion/bridge.py
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ from typing import Any, Callable, Optional
 
 from openhop_core.companion import CompanionBridge
 
+from repeater import __version__ as repeater_version
+
 logger = logging.getLogger("RepeaterCompanionBridge")
 
 
@@ -93,6 +95,11 @@ class RepeaterCompanionBridge(CompanionBridge):
             radio_settings_getter=radio_settings_getter,
             max_tx_power_getter=max_tx_power_getter,
         )
+        # The companion CLI's `ver` names the openHop software; add the repeater
+        # ahead of the core. An older core has no companion CLI to tell.
+        add_version = getattr(getattr(self, "cli", None), "add_software_version", None)
+        if callable(add_version):
+            add_version("repeater", repeater_version)
 
     def _save_prefs(self) -> None:
         """Persist full NodePrefs as JSON to SQLite."""
diff --git a/repeater/handler_helpers/mesh_cli.py b/repeater/handler_helpers/mesh_cli.py
index 2eaa5f8..ab878f1 100644
--- a/repeater/handler_helpers/mesh_cli.py
+++ b/repeater/handler_helpers/mesh_cli.py
@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@ import re
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any, Callable, Dict, Optional
 
+from openhop_core import __version__ as core_version
+
+from repeater import __version__ as repeater_version
+
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
@@ -493,10 +497,13 @@ class MeshCLI:
         return "Error: Not yet implemented"
 
     def _cmd_version(self) -> str:
-        """Get version information."""
+        """Report the installed openHop repeater and core versions.
+
+        Nothing sets ``config["version"]``, so reading it answered the stale
+        fallback "v13" in every real deployment.
+        """
         role = "room_server" if self.identity_type == "room_server" else "repeater"
-        version = self.config.get("version", "13")
-        return f"openHop_{role} v{version}"
+        return f"openHop_{role} v{repeater_version} (core v{core_version})"
 
     # ==================== Get Commands ====================
 
diff --git a/tests/test_companion_bridge_prefs.py b/tests/test_companion_bridge_prefs.py
index aad2d8a..bd95fa0 100644
--- a/tests/test_companion_bridge_prefs.py
+++ b/tests/test_companion_bridge_prefs.py
@@ -84,3 +84,23 @@ def test_bridge_accepts_host_radio_callbacks(identity):
         "airtime_factor": 1.0,
     }
     assert bridge.get_max_tx_power_dbm() == 20
+
+
+def test_companion_ver_names_the_repeater_and_core_versions():
+    """The virtual companion's CLI `ver` (CMD_RUN_CLI_COMMAND / remote CLI)
+    reports the openHop software running it, repeater first."""
+    import openhop_core
+    from openhop_core.protocol import LocalIdentity
+
+    import repeater
+    from repeater.companion.bridge import RepeaterCompanionBridge
+
+    async def _inject(pkt, wait_for_ack=False, expected_crc=None):
+        return True
+
+    bridge = RepeaterCompanionBridge(LocalIdentity(), _inject, node_name="Comp")
+    if not hasattr(bridge, "cli"):
+        pytest.skip("installed openhop_core predates the companion CLI")
+    assert bridge.cli.handle("ver") == (
+        f"openHop repeater v{repeater.__version__}, core v{openhop_core.__version__}"
+    )
diff --git a/tests/test_handler_helpers_mesh_cli.py b/tests/test_handler_helpers_mesh_cli.py
index 4beb338..99be37f 100644
--- a/tests/test_handler_helpers_mesh_cli.py
+++ b/tests/test_handler_helpers_mesh_cli.py
@@ -885,3 +885,17 @@ def test_neighbor_remove_takes_the_cached_scopes_with_it(tmp_path):
 
     assert cli.handle_command(b"\x00" * 32, "neighbor.remove all", True) == "OK"
     assert set(handler.get_neighbor_scopes()) == {companion}
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    ("identity_type", "role"), [("repeater", "repeater"), ("room_server", "room_server")]
+)
+def test_ver_reports_the_installed_repeater_and_core_versions(identity_type, role):
+    """Nothing sets config["version"], so it must not be the source: it answered
+    the stale fallback "v13" on every real node."""
+    import openhop_core
+
+    import repeater
+
+    cli = MeshCLI("/tmp/cfg.yaml", _base_config(), _cfg_mgr(), identity_type=identity_type)
+    assert cli.handle_command(b"\x00" * 32, "ver", True) == (
+        f"openHop_{role} v{repeater.__version__} (core v{openhop_core.__version__})"
+    )