diff --git a/job_applier.mjs b/job_applier.mjs
index 900c9df..39b0c20 100644
--- a/job_applier.mjs
+++ b/job_applier.mjs
@@ -131,24 +131,25 @@ async function main() {
     if (timedOut) break;
     console.log(`\n--- ${platform.toUpperCase()} (${platformJobs.length} jobs) ---\n`);
     let browser;
+    let platformProfileName = null;
     try {
       // LinkedIn and Wellfound need authenticated sessions; external ATS uses plain browser
       if (platform === 'external') {
         browser = await createBrowser(settings, null); // no profile needed
       } else {
-        // Check auth status before creating browser
+        // Check auth status and get profile name dynamically
         const kernelApiKey = process.env.KERNEL_API_KEY || settings.kernel_api_key;
         const authResult = await ensureAuth(platform, kernelApiKey);
         if (!authResult.ok) {
           console.error(`  ❌ ${platform} auth failed: ${authResult.reason}`);
           await sendTelegram(settings, `⚠️ *${platform}* auth failed — ${authResult.reason}`).catch(() => {});
-          // Mark all jobs for this platform as needing retry
           for (const job of platformJobs) {
             updateJobStatus(job.id, 'new', { retry_reason: 'auth_failed' });
           }
           continue;
         }
-        browser = await createBrowser(settings, platform);
+        platformProfileName = authResult.profileName;
+        browser = await createBrowser(settings, platformProfileName);
         console.log('  ✅ Logged in\n');
       }
 
@@ -212,7 +213,7 @@ async function main() {
             try {
               const newBrowser = platform === 'external'
                 ? await createBrowser(settings, null)
-                : await createBrowser(settings, platform);
+                : await createBrowser(settings, platformProfileName);
               browser = newBrowser;
               console.log(`    ✅ New browser session created`);
             } catch (browserErr) {
diff --git a/lib/browser.mjs b/lib/browser.mjs
index 4be7218..c397cc5 100644
--- a/lib/browser.mjs
+++ b/lib/browser.mjs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ async function getChromium(playwrightPath) {
   throw new Error('Playwright not found — install with: npm install -g playwright');
 }
 
-export async function createBrowser(settings, profileKey) {
+export async function createBrowser(settings, profileNameOrKey) {
   const kernelConfig = settings.kernel || {};
   const playwrightPath = settings.browser?.playwright_path;
   const apiKey = process.env.KERNEL_API_KEY || settings.kernel_api_key;
@@ -31,8 +31,11 @@ export async function createBrowser(settings, profileKey) {
 
   const kernel = new Kernel({ apiKey });
 
-  const profileName = profileKey ? kernelConfig.profiles?.[profileKey] : null;
-  if (profileKey && !profileName) throw new Error(`No Kernel profile configured for "${profileKey}"`);
+  // Accept either a profile name directly or a platform key (legacy fallback)
+  let profileName = profileNameOrKey;
+  if (profileName && kernelConfig.profiles?.[profileName]) {
+    profileName = kernelConfig.profiles[profileName];
+  }
 
   const opts = { stealth: true };
   if (profileName) opts.profile = { name: profileName };
diff --git a/lib/session.mjs b/lib/session.mjs
index efe524c..d7e81c3 100644
--- a/lib/session.mjs
+++ b/lib/session.mjs
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ export async function ensureAuth(platform, apiKey) {
   }
 
   if (conn.status === 'AUTHENTICATED') {
-    return { ok: true };
+    return { ok: true, profileName: conn.profile_name };
   }
 
   // NEEDS_AUTH — can we auto re-auth?
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ export async function ensureAuth(platform, apiKey) {
 
     if (updated.status === 'AUTHENTICATED') {
       console.log(`  ✅ ${platform} re-authenticated`);
-      return { ok: true };
+      return { ok: true, profileName: updated.profile_name };
     }
 
     if (updated.flow_status === 'FAILED') {