diff --git a/envd/internal/api/init.go b/envd/internal/api/init.go
index a489459..bd2456e 100644
--- a/envd/internal/api/init.go
+++ b/envd/internal/api/init.go
@@ -17,8 +17,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/awnumar/memguard"
 	"github.com/rs/zerolog"
 	"github.com/txn2/txeh"
-	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
-
 	"git.omukk.dev/wrenn/sandbox/envd/internal/host"
 	"git.omukk.dev/wrenn/sandbox/envd/internal/logs"
 	"git.omukk.dev/wrenn/sandbox/envd/internal/shared/keys"
@@ -29,11 +27,6 @@ var (
 	ErrAccessTokenResetNotAuthorized = errors.New("access token reset not authorized")
 )
 
-const (
-	maxTimeInPast   = 50 * time.Millisecond
-	maxTimeInFuture = 5 * time.Second
-)
-
 // validateInitAccessToken validates the access token for /init requests.
 // Token is valid if it matches the existing token OR the MMDS hash.
 // If neither exists, first-time setup is allowed.
@@ -172,20 +165,6 @@ func (a *API) SetData(ctx context.Context, logger zerolog.Logger, data PostInitJ
 		return err
 	}
 
-	if data.Timestamp != nil {
-		// Check if current time differs significantly from the received timestamp
-		if shouldSetSystemTime(time.Now(), *data.Timestamp) {
-			logger.Debug().Msgf("Setting sandbox start time to: %v", *data.Timestamp)
-			ts := unix.NsecToTimespec(data.Timestamp.UnixNano())
-			err := unix.ClockSettime(unix.CLOCK_REALTIME, &ts)
-			if err != nil {
-				logger.Error().Msgf("Failed to set system time: %v", err)
-			}
-		} else {
-			logger.Debug().Msgf("Current time is within acceptable range of timestamp %v, not setting system time", *data.Timestamp)
-		}
-	}
-
 	if data.EnvVars != nil {
 		logger.Debug().Msg(fmt.Sprintf("Setting %d env vars", len(*data.EnvVars)))
 
@@ -309,9 +288,3 @@ func getIPFamily(address string) (txeh.IPFamily, error) {
 	}
 }
 
-// shouldSetSystemTime returns true if the current time differs significantly from the received timestamp,
-// indicating the system clock should be adjusted. Returns true when the sandboxTime is more than
-// maxTimeInPast before the hostTime or more than maxTimeInFuture after the hostTime.
-func shouldSetSystemTime(sandboxTime, hostTime time.Time) bool {
-	return sandboxTime.Before(hostTime.Add(-maxTimeInPast)) || sandboxTime.After(hostTime.Add(maxTimeInFuture))
-}
diff --git a/envd/internal/api/init_test.go b/envd/internal/api/init_test.go
index c4b6f4b..f3db361 100644
--- a/envd/internal/api/init_test.go
+++ b/envd/internal/api/init_test.go
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
-	"time"
 
 	"github.com/rs/zerolog"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
@@ -59,71 +58,6 @@ func TestSimpleCases(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestShouldSetSystemTime(t *testing.T) {
-	t.Parallel()
-	sandboxTime := time.Now()
-
-	tests := []struct {
-		name     string
-		hostTime time.Time
-		want     bool
-	}{
-		{
-			name:     "sandbox time far ahead of host time (should set)",
-			hostTime: sandboxTime.Add(-10 * time.Second),
-			want:     true,
-		},
-		{
-			name:     "sandbox time at maxTimeInPast boundary ahead of host time (should not set)",
-			hostTime: sandboxTime.Add(-50 * time.Millisecond),
-			want:     false,
-		},
-		{
-			name:     "sandbox time just within maxTimeInPast ahead of host time (should not set)",
-			hostTime: sandboxTime.Add(-40 * time.Millisecond),
-			want:     false,
-		},
-		{
-			name:     "sandbox time slightly ahead of host time (should not set)",
-			hostTime: sandboxTime.Add(-10 * time.Millisecond),
-			want:     false,
-		},
-		{
-			name:     "sandbox time equals host time (should not set)",
-			hostTime: sandboxTime,
-			want:     false,
-		},
-		{
-			name:     "sandbox time slightly behind host time (should not set)",
-			hostTime: sandboxTime.Add(1 * time.Second),
-			want:     false,
-		},
-		{
-			name:     "sandbox time just within maxTimeInFuture behind host time (should not set)",
-			hostTime: sandboxTime.Add(4 * time.Second),
-			want:     false,
-		},
-		{
-			name:     "sandbox time at maxTimeInFuture boundary behind host time (should not set)",
-			hostTime: sandboxTime.Add(5 * time.Second),
-			want:     false,
-		},
-		{
-			name:     "sandbox time far behind host time (should set)",
-			hostTime: sandboxTime.Add(1 * time.Minute),
-			want:     true,
-		},
-	}
-
-	for _, tt := range tests {
-		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			t.Parallel()
-			got := shouldSetSystemTime(tt.hostTime, sandboxTime)
-			assert.Equal(t, tt.want, got)
-		})
-	}
-}
-
 func secureTokenPtr(s string) *SecureToken {
 	token := &SecureToken{}
 	_ = token.Set([]byte(s))
diff --git a/images/wrenn-init.sh b/images/wrenn-init.sh
index 32285ea..4c39371 100644
--- a/images/wrenn-init.sh
+++ b/images/wrenn-init.sh
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #!/bin/sh
 # wrenn-init: minimal PID 1 init for Firecracker microVMs.
-# Mounts virtual filesystems then execs envd.
+# Mounts virtual filesystems, starts chronyd for time sync, then execs tini + envd.
 
 set -e
 
@@ -27,5 +27,17 @@ echo "nameserver 8.8.4.4" >> /etc/resolv.conf
 # Set a standard PATH so envd and all child processes can find common binaries.
 export PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin
 
+# Write chrony config to sync time from the KVM PTP hardware clock.
+# /dev/ptp0 is a paravirtual clock exposed by KVM — no network required.
+mkdir -p /etc/chrony /run/chrony
+cat > /etc/chrony/chrony.conf <<EOF
+refclock PHC /dev/ptp0 poll 2 dpoll 2
+driftfile /run/chrony/chrony.drift
+makestep 1.0 -1
+EOF
+
+# Start chronyd in the background before handing off to tini.
+chronyd -f /etc/chrony/chrony.conf 2>/dev/null || true
+
 # Exec tini as PID 1 — it reaps zombie processes and forwards signals to envd.
 exec /sbin/tini -- /usr/local/bin/envd
diff --git a/internal/envdclient/client.go b/internal/envdclient/client.go
index 04a1dc2..4976569 100644
--- a/internal/envdclient/client.go
+++ b/internal/envdclient/client.go
@@ -3,14 +3,12 @@ package envdclient
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"context"
-	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"log/slog"
 	"mime/multipart"
 	"net/http"
 	"net/url"
-	"time"
 
 	"connectrpc.com/connect"
 
@@ -49,35 +47,6 @@ func (c *Client) BaseURL() string {
 	return c.base
 }
 
-// Init calls POST /init on envd to sync the guest clock with the host.
-// This is important after snapshot resume where the guest clock is frozen.
-func (c *Client) Init(ctx context.Context) error {
-	now := time.Now().UTC()
-	body, err := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"timestamp": now})
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("marshal init body: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	req, err := http.NewRequestWithContext(ctx, http.MethodPost, c.base+"/init", bytes.NewReader(body))
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("create init request: %w", err)
-	}
-	req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
-
-	resp, err := c.httpClient.Do(req)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("init request: %w", err)
-	}
-	defer resp.Body.Close()
-
-	if resp.StatusCode != http.StatusNoContent {
-		respBody, _ := io.ReadAll(resp.Body)
-		return fmt.Errorf("init: status %d: %s", resp.StatusCode, string(respBody))
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}
-
 // ExecResult holds the output of a command execution.
 type ExecResult struct {
 	Stdout   []byte
diff --git a/internal/sandbox/manager.go b/internal/sandbox/manager.go
index 9a795b5..9464263 100644
--- a/internal/sandbox/manager.go
+++ b/internal/sandbox/manager.go
@@ -203,16 +203,6 @@ func (m *Manager) Create(ctx context.Context, sandboxID, template string, vcpus,
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("wait for envd: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	// Sync guest clock in background. Non-fatal — sandbox is usable before this completes.
-	// Run in a goroutine so Init latency doesn't block the RPC response back to the control plane.
-	go func() {
-		initCtx, initCancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 10*time.Second)
-		defer initCancel()
-		if err := client.Init(initCtx); err != nil {
-			slog.Warn("envd init (clock sync) failed", "sandbox", sandboxID, "error", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
 	now := time.Now()
 	sb := &sandboxState{
 		Sandbox: models.Sandbox{
@@ -636,16 +626,6 @@ func (m *Manager) Resume(ctx context.Context, sandboxID string, timeoutSec int)
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("wait for envd: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	// Sync guest clock in background. Non-fatal — sandbox is usable before this completes.
-	// Run in a goroutine so Init latency doesn't block the RPC response back to the control plane.
-	go func() {
-		initCtx, initCancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 10*time.Second)
-		defer initCancel()
-		if err := client.Init(initCtx); err != nil {
-			slog.Warn("envd init (clock sync) failed", "sandbox", sandboxID, "error", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
 	now := time.Now()
 	sb := &sandboxState{
 		Sandbox: models.Sandbox{
@@ -957,16 +937,6 @@ func (m *Manager) createFromSnapshot(ctx context.Context, sandboxID, snapshotNam
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("wait for envd: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	// Sync guest clock in background. Non-fatal — sandbox is usable before this completes.
-	// Run in a goroutine so Init latency doesn't block the RPC response back to the control plane.
-	go func() {
-		initCtx, initCancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 10*time.Second)
-		defer initCancel()
-		if err := client.Init(initCtx); err != nil {
-			slog.Warn("envd init (clock sync) failed", "sandbox", sandboxID, "error", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
 	now := time.Now()
 	sb := &sandboxState{
 		Sandbox: models.Sandbox{
diff --git a/internal/vm/config.go b/internal/vm/config.go
index 35bc293..b99480e 100644
--- a/internal/vm/config.go
+++ b/internal/vm/config.go
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ func (c *VMConfig) kernelArgs() string {
 	)
 
 	return fmt.Sprintf(
-		"console=ttyS0 reboot=k panic=1 pci=off quiet loglevel=1 init=%s %s",
+		"console=ttyS0 reboot=k panic=1 pci=off quiet loglevel=1 clocksource=kvm-clock init=%s %s",
 		c.InitPath, ipArg,
 	)
 }
diff --git a/scripts/rootfs-from-container.sh b/scripts/rootfs-from-container.sh
index c5756d7..2159ac7 100755
--- a/scripts/rootfs-from-container.sh
+++ b/scripts/rootfs-from-container.sh
@@ -3,7 +3,10 @@
 # rootfs-from-container.sh — Create a bootable Wrenn rootfs from a Docker container.
 #
 # Exports a container's filesystem, writes it into an ext4 image, injects
-# envd + wrenn-init, and shrinks the image to minimum size.
+# envd + wrenn-init + tini, and shrinks the image to minimum size.
+#
+# The container image must already include: socat, chrony, curl, ca-certificates, git.
+# These are installed via apt in the container before export, not injected here.
 #
 # Usage:
 #   bash scripts/rootfs-from-container.sh <container> <image_name>
@@ -15,8 +18,7 @@
 # Output:
 #   ${AGENT_FILES_ROOTDIR}/images/<image_name>/rootfs.ext4
 #
-# Requires: docker, mkfs.ext4, resize2fs, e2fsck, make (for building envd), curl (for tini/socat download),
-#           gcc, make (for building socat from source)
+# Requires: docker, mkfs.ext4, resize2fs, e2fsck, make (for building envd), curl (for tini download)
 # Sudo is used only for mount/umount/copy-into-image operations.
 
 set -euo pipefail
@@ -131,45 +133,23 @@ sudo mkdir -p "${MOUNT_DIR}/sbin"
 sudo cp "${TINI_BIN}" "${MOUNT_DIR}/sbin/tini"
 sudo chmod 755 "${MOUNT_DIR}/sbin/tini"
 
-echo "==> Installing socat..."
-SOCAT_BIN=""
-# 1. Already in the exported container image?
-for p in "${MOUNT_DIR}/usr/bin/socat" "${MOUNT_DIR}/usr/local/bin/socat"; do
-    if [ -f "$p" ]; then SOCAT_BIN="$p"; break; fi
-done
-# 2. Available on the host?
-if [ -z "${SOCAT_BIN}" ]; then
-    for p in /usr/bin/socat /usr/local/bin/socat; do
-        if [ -f "$p" ]; then SOCAT_BIN="$p"; break; fi
-    done
-fi
-# 3. Build from source.
-if [ -z "${SOCAT_BIN}" ]; then
-    SOCAT_VERSION="1.8.1.1"
-    SOCAT_URL="http://www.dest-unreach.org/socat/download/socat-${SOCAT_VERSION}.tar.gz"
-    SOCAT_BUILD_DIR="/tmp/socat-build"
-    echo "    Building socat ${SOCAT_VERSION} from source..."
-    rm -rf "${SOCAT_BUILD_DIR}"
-    mkdir -p "${SOCAT_BUILD_DIR}"
-    curl -fsSL "${SOCAT_URL}" | tar xz -C "${SOCAT_BUILD_DIR}" --strip-components=1
-    (cd "${SOCAT_BUILD_DIR}" && LDFLAGS="-static" ./configure --quiet && make -j"$(nproc)" -s)
-    SOCAT_BIN="${SOCAT_BUILD_DIR}/socat"
-    if [ ! -f "${SOCAT_BIN}" ]; then
-        echo "ERROR: socat build failed"
-        exit 1
-    fi
-    if ! file "${SOCAT_BIN}" | grep -q "statically linked"; then
-        echo "ERROR: socat is not statically linked!"
-        exit 1
-    fi
-fi
-sudo cp "${SOCAT_BIN}" "${MOUNT_DIR}/usr/local/bin/socat"
-sudo chmod 755 "${MOUNT_DIR}/usr/local/bin/socat"
-
-# Step 7: Verify.
+# Step 6: Verify injected binaries and required container packages.
 echo ""
 echo "==> Installed guest binaries:"
-ls -la "${MOUNT_DIR}/usr/local/bin/envd" "${MOUNT_DIR}/usr/local/bin/wrenn-init" "${MOUNT_DIR}/sbin/tini" "${MOUNT_DIR}/usr/local/bin/socat"
+ls -la "${MOUNT_DIR}/usr/local/bin/envd" "${MOUNT_DIR}/usr/local/bin/wrenn-init" "${MOUNT_DIR}/sbin/tini"
+
+echo ""
+echo "==> Checking required container packages..."
+MISSING_PKGS=""
+for bin in socat chronyd curl git; do
+    if ! find "${MOUNT_DIR}" -name "${bin}" -type f 2>/dev/null | head -1 | grep -q .; then
+        MISSING_PKGS="${MISSING_PKGS} ${bin}"
+    fi
+done
+if [ -n "${MISSING_PKGS}" ]; then
+    echo "WARNING: The following binaries were not found in the container image:${MISSING_PKGS}"
+    echo "         Install them in the container (via apt) before exporting."
+fi
 
 # Unmount before shrinking.
 sudo umount "${MOUNT_DIR}"
diff --git a/scripts/update-debug-rootfs.sh b/scripts/update-debug-rootfs.sh
index 76d3ed4..bdedded 100755
--- a/scripts/update-debug-rootfs.sh
+++ b/scripts/update-debug-rootfs.sh
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 #
-# update-debug-rootfs.sh — Build envd and inject it (plus wrenn-init) into the debug rootfs.
+# update-debug-rootfs.sh — Build envd and inject it (plus wrenn-init + tini) into the debug rootfs.
 #
 # This script:
 #   1. Builds a fresh envd static binary via make
 #   2. Mounts the rootfs image
-#   3. Copies envd and wrenn-init into the image
+#   3. Copies envd, wrenn-init, and tini into the image
 #   4. Unmounts cleanly
 #
 # Usage:
@@ -96,45 +96,10 @@ sudo mkdir -p "${MOUNT_DIR}/sbin"
 sudo cp "${TINI_BIN}" "${MOUNT_DIR}/sbin/tini"
 sudo chmod 755 "${MOUNT_DIR}/sbin/tini"
 
-echo "==> Installing socat..."
-SOCAT_BIN=""
-# 1. Already in the rootfs?
-for p in "${MOUNT_DIR}/usr/bin/socat" "${MOUNT_DIR}/usr/local/bin/socat"; do
-    if [ -f "$p" ]; then SOCAT_BIN="$p"; break; fi
-done
-# 2. Available on the host?
-if [ -z "${SOCAT_BIN}" ]; then
-    for p in /usr/bin/socat /usr/local/bin/socat; do
-        if [ -f "$p" ]; then SOCAT_BIN="$p"; break; fi
-    done
-fi
-# 3. Build from source.
-if [ -z "${SOCAT_BIN}" ]; then
-    SOCAT_VERSION="1.8.1.1"
-    SOCAT_URL="http://www.dest-unreach.org/socat/download/socat-${SOCAT_VERSION}.tar.gz"
-    SOCAT_BUILD_DIR="/tmp/socat-build"
-    echo "    Building socat ${SOCAT_VERSION} from source..."
-    rm -rf "${SOCAT_BUILD_DIR}"
-    mkdir -p "${SOCAT_BUILD_DIR}"
-    curl -fsSL "${SOCAT_URL}" | tar xz -C "${SOCAT_BUILD_DIR}" --strip-components=1
-    (cd "${SOCAT_BUILD_DIR}" && LDFLAGS="-static" ./configure --quiet && make -j"$(nproc)" -s)
-    SOCAT_BIN="${SOCAT_BUILD_DIR}/socat"
-    if [ ! -f "${SOCAT_BIN}" ]; then
-        echo "ERROR: socat build failed"
-        exit 1
-    fi
-    if ! file "${SOCAT_BIN}" | grep -q "statically linked"; then
-        echo "ERROR: socat is not statically linked!"
-        exit 1
-    fi
-fi
-sudo cp "${SOCAT_BIN}" "${MOUNT_DIR}/usr/local/bin/socat"
-sudo chmod 755 "${MOUNT_DIR}/usr/local/bin/socat"
-
 # Step 4: Verify.
 echo ""
 echo "==> Installed files:"
-ls -la "${MOUNT_DIR}/usr/local/bin/envd" "${MOUNT_DIR}/usr/local/bin/wrenn-init" "${MOUNT_DIR}/sbin/tini" "${MOUNT_DIR}/usr/local/bin/socat"
+ls -la "${MOUNT_DIR}/usr/local/bin/envd" "${MOUNT_DIR}/usr/local/bin/wrenn-init" "${MOUNT_DIR}/sbin/tini"
 
 echo ""
 echo "==> Done. Rootfs updated: ${ROOTFS}"