diff --git a/documentation/docs/02-runes/04-$effect.md b/documentation/docs/02-runes/04-$effect.md
index da24084d4dd0..e346bceba81c 100644
--- a/documentation/docs/02-runes/04-$effect.md
+++ b/documentation/docs/02-runes/04-$effect.md
@@ -2,15 +2,11 @@
 title: $effect
 ---
 
-Effects are what make your application _do things_. When Svelte runs an effect function, it tracks which pieces of state (and derived state) are accessed (unless accessed inside [`untrack`](svelte#untrack)), and re-runs the function when that state later changes.
+Effects are functions that run when state updates, and can be used for things like calling third-party libraries, drawing on `<canvas>` elements, or making network requests. They only run in the browser, not during server-side rendering.
 
-Most of the effects in a Svelte app are created by Svelte itself — they're the bits that update the text in `<h1>hello {name}!</h1>` when `name` changes, for example.
+Generally speaking, you should _not_ update state inside effects, as it will make code more convoluted and will often lead to never-ending update cycles. If you find yourself doing so, see [when not to use `$effect`](#When-not-to-use-$effect) to learn about alternative approaches.
 
-But you can also create your own effects with the `$effect` rune, which is useful when you need to synchronize an external system (whether that's a library, or a `<canvas>` element, or something across a network) with state inside your Svelte app.
-
-> [!NOTE] Avoid overusing `$effect`! When you do too much work in effects, code often becomes difficult to understand and maintain. See [when not to use `$effect`](#When-not-to-use-$effect) to learn about alternative approaches.
-
-Your effects run after the component has been mounted to the DOM, and in a [microtask](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/HTML_DOM_API/Microtask_guide) after state changes ([demo](/playground/untitled#H4sIAAAAAAAAE31S246bMBD9lZF3pSRSAqTVvrCAVPUP2sdSKY4ZwJJjkD0hSVH-vbINuWxXfQH5zMyZc2ZmZLVUaFn6a2R06ZGlHmBrpvnBvb71fWQHVOSwPbf4GS46TajJspRlVhjZU1HqkhQSWPkHIYdXS5xw-Zas3ueI6FRn7qHFS11_xSRZhIxbFtcDtw7SJb1iXaOg5XIFeQGjzyPRaevYNOGZIJ8qogbpe8CWiy_VzEpTXiQUcvPDkSVrSNZz1UlW1N5eLcqmpdXUvaQ4BmqlhZNUCgxuzFHDqUWNAxrYeUM76AzsnOsdiJbrBp_71lKpn3RRbii-4P3f-IMsRxS-wcDV_bL4PmSdBa2wl7pKnbp8DMgVvJm8ZNskKRkEM_OzyOKQFkgqOYBQ3Nq89Ns0nbIl81vMFN-jKoLMTOr-SOBOJS-Z8f5Y6D1wdcR8dFqvEBdetK-PHwj-z-cH8oHPY54wRJ8Ys7iSQ3Bg3VA9azQbmC9k35kKzYa6PoVtfwbbKVnBixBiGn7Pq0rqJoUtHiCZwAM3jdTPWCVtr_glhVrhecIa3vuksJ_b7TqFs4DPyriSjd5IwoNNQaAmNI-ESfR2p8zimzvN1swdCkvJHPH6-_oX8o1SgcIDAAA=)):
+You can create an effect with the `$effect` rune ([demo](/playground/untitled#H4sIAAAAAAAAE31S246bMBD9lZF3pSRSAqTVvrCAVPUP2sdSKY4ZwJJjkD0hSVH-vbINuWxXfQH5zMyZc2ZmZLVUaFn6a2R06ZGlHmBrpvnBvb71fWQHVOSwPbf4GS46TajJspRlVhjZU1HqkhQSWPkHIYdXS5xw-Zas3ueI6FRn7qHFS11_xSRZhIxbFtcDtw7SJb1iXaOg5XIFeQGjzyPRaevYNOGZIJ8qogbpe8CWiy_VzEpTXiQUcvPDkSVrSNZz1UlW1N5eLcqmpdXUvaQ4BmqlhZNUCgxuzFHDqUWNAxrYeUM76AzsnOsdiJbrBp_71lKpn3RRbii-4P3f-IMsRxS-wcDV_bL4PmSdBa2wl7pKnbp8DMgVvJm8ZNskKRkEM_OzyOKQFkgqOYBQ3Nq89Ns0nbIl81vMFN-jKoLMTOr-SOBOJS-Z8f5Y6D1wdcR8dFqvEBdetK-PHwj-z-cH8oHPY54wRJ8Ys7iSQ3Bg3VA9azQbmC9k35kKzYa6PoVtfwbbKVnBixBiGn7Pq0rqJoUtHiCZwAM3jdTPWCVtr_glhVrhecIa3vuksJ_b7TqFs4DPyriSjd5IwoNNQaAmNI-ESfR2p8zimzvN1swdCkvJHPH6-_oX8o1SgcIDAAA=)):
 
 ```svelte
 <script>
@@ -32,11 +28,19 @@ Your effects run after the component has been mounted to the DOM, and in a [micr
 <canvas bind:this={canvas} width="100" height="100" />
 ```
 
-Re-runs are batched (i.e. changing `color` and `size` in the same moment won't cause two separate runs), and happen after any DOM updates have been applied.
+When Svelte runs an effect function, it tracks which pieces of state (and derived state) are accessed (unless accessed inside [`untrack`](svelte#untrack)), and re-runs the function when that state later changes.
+
+> [!NOTE] If you're having difficulty understanding why your `$effect` is rerunning or is not running see [understanding dependencies](#Understanding-dependencies). Effects are triggered differently than the `$:` blocks you may be used to if coming from Svelte 4.
+
+### Understanding lifecycle
 
-You can place `$effect` anywhere, not just at the top level of a component, as long as it is called during component initialization (or while a parent effect is active). It is then tied to the lifecycle of the component (or parent effect) and will therefore destroy itself when the component unmounts (or the parent effect is destroyed).
+Your effects run after the component has been mounted to the DOM, and in a [microtask](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/HTML_DOM_API/Microtask_guide) after state changes. Re-runs are batched (i.e. changing `color` and `size` in the same moment won't cause two separate runs), and happen after any DOM updates have been applied.
 
-You can return a function from `$effect`, which will run immediately before the effect re-runs, and before it is destroyed ([demo](/playground/untitled#H4sIAAAAAAAAE42RQY-bMBCF_8rI2kPopiXpMQtIPfbeW6m0xjyKtWaM7CFphPjvFVB2k2oPe7LmzXzyezOjaqxDVKefo5JrD3VaBLVXrLu5-tb3X-IZTmat0hHv6cazgCWqk8qiCbaXouRSHISMH1gop4coWrA7JE9bp7PO2QjjuY5vA8fDYZ3hUh7QNDCy2yWUFzTOUilpSj9aG-linaMKFGACtKCmSwvGGYGeLQvCWbtnMq3m34grajxHoa1JOUXI93_V_Sfz7Oz7Mafj0ypN-zvHm8dSAmQITP_xaUq2IU1GO1dp80I2Uh_82dao92Rl9R8GvgF0QrbrUFstcFeq0PgAkha0LoICPoeB4w1SJUvsZcj4rvcMlvmvGlGCv6J-DeSgw2vabQnJlm55p7nM0rcTctYei3HZxZSl7XHVqkHEM3k2zpqXfFyj393zU05fpyI6f0HI0hUoPoamC9roKDeo2ivBH1EnCQOmX9NfYw2GHrgCAAA=)).
+You can use `$effect` anywhere, not just at the top level of a component, as long as it is called while a parent effect is running.
+
+> [!NOTE] Svelte uses effects internally to represent logic and expressions in your template — this is how `<h1>hello {name}!</h1>` updates when `name` changes.
+
+An effect can return a _teardown function_ which will run immediately before the effect re-runs ([demo](/playground/untitled#H4sIAAAAAAAAE42SQVODMBCF_8pOxkPRKq3HCsx49K4n64xpskjGkDDJ0tph-O8uINo6HjxB3u7HvrehE07WKDbiyZEhi1osRWksRrF57gQdm6E2CKx_dd43zU3co6VB28mIf-nKO0JH_BmRRRVMQ8XWbXkAgfKtI8jhIpIkXKySu7lSG2tNRGZ1_GlYr1ZTD3ddYFmiosUigbyAbpC2lKbwWJkIB8ZhhxBQBWRSw6FCh3sM8GrYTthL-wqqku4N44TyqEgwF3lmRHr4Op0PGXoH31c5rO8mqV-eOZ49bikgtcHBL55tmhIkEMqg_cFB2TpFxjtg703we6NRL8HQFCS07oSUCZi6Rm04lz1yytIHBKoQpo1w6Gsm4gmyS8b8Y5PydeMdX8gwS2Ok4I-ov5NZtvQde95GMsccn_1wzNKfu3RZtS66cSl9lvL7qO1aIk7knbJGvefdtIOzi73M4bYvovUHDFk6AcX_0HRESxnpBOW_jfCDxIZCi_1L_wm4xGQ60wIAAA==)).
 
 ```svelte
 <script>
@@ -50,7 +54,7 @@ You can return a function from `$effect`, which will run immediately before the
 		}, milliseconds);
 
 		return () => {
-			// if a callback is provided, it will run
+			// if a teardown function is provided, it will run
 			// a) immediately before the effect re-runs
 			// b) when the component is destroyed
 			clearInterval(interval);
@@ -64,9 +68,11 @@ You can return a function from `$effect`, which will run immediately before the
 <button onclick={() => (milliseconds /= 2)}>faster</button>
 ```
 
+Teardown functions also run when the effect is destroyed, which happens when its parent is destroyed (for example, a component is unmounted) or the parent effect re-runs.
+
 ### Understanding dependencies
 
-`$effect` automatically picks up any reactive values (`$state`, `$derived`, `$props`) that are _synchronously_ read inside its function body (including indirectly, via function calls) and registers them as dependencies. When those dependencies change, the `$effect` schedules a rerun.
+`$effect` automatically picks up any reactive values (`$state`, `$derived`, `$props`) that are _synchronously_ read inside its function body (including indirectly, via function calls) and registers them as dependencies. When those dependencies change, the `$effect` schedules a re-run.
 
 Values that are read _asynchronously_ — after an `await` or inside a `setTimeout`, for example — will not be tracked. Here, the canvas will be repainted when `color` changes, but not when `size` changes ([demo](/playground/untitled#H4sIAAAAAAAAE31T246bMBD9lZF3pWSlBEirfaEQqdo_2PatVIpjBrDkGGQPJGnEv1e2IZfVal-wfHzmzJyZ4cIqqdCy9M-F0blDlnqArZjmB3f72XWRHVCRw_bc4me4aDWhJstSlllhZEfbQhekkMDKfwg5PFvihMvX5OXH_CJa1Zrb0-Kpqr5jkiwC48rieuDWQbqgZ6wqFLRcvkC-hYvnkWi1dWqa8ESQTxFRjfQWsOXiWzmr0sSLhEJu3p1YsoJkNUcdZUnN9dagrBu6FVRQHAM10sJRKgUG16bXcGxQ44AGdt7SDkTDdY02iqLHnJVU6hedlWuIp94JW6Tf8oBt_8GdTxlF0b4n0C35ZLBzXb3mmYn3ae6cOW74zj0YVzDNYXRHFt9mprNgHfZSl6mzml8CMoLvTV6wTZIUDEJv5us2iwMtiJRyAKG4tXnhl8O0yhbML0Wm-B7VNlSSSd31BG7z8oIZZ6dgIffAVY_5xdU9Qrz1Bnx8fCfwtZ7v8Qc9j3nB8PqgmMWlHIID6-bkVaPZwDySfWtKNGtquxQ23Qlsq2QJT0KIqb8dL0up6xQ2eIBkAg_c1FI_YqW0neLnFCqFpwmreedJYT7XX8FVOBfwWRhXstZrSXiwKQjUhOZeMIleb5JZfHWn2Yq5pWEpmR7Hv-N_wEqT8hEEAAA=)):
 
diff --git a/documentation/docs/07-misc/07-v5-migration-guide.md b/documentation/docs/07-misc/07-v5-migration-guide.md
index 94ade6e88796..87ff40cf472e 100644
--- a/documentation/docs/07-misc/07-v5-migration-guide.md
+++ b/documentation/docs/07-misc/07-v5-migration-guide.md
@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ A `$:` statement could also be used to create side effects. In Svelte 5, this is
 </script>
 ```
 
+Note that [when `$effect` runs is different]($effect#Understanding-dependencies) than when `$:` runs.
+
 > [!DETAILS] Why we did this
 > `$:` was a great shorthand and easy to get started with: you could slap a `$:` in front of most code and it would somehow work. This intuitiveness was also its drawback the more complicated your code became, because it wasn't as easy to reason about. Was the intent of the code to create a derivation, or a side effect? With `$derived` and `$effect`, you have a bit more up-front decision making to do (spoiler alert: 90% of the time you want `$derived`), but future-you and other developers on your team will have an easier time.
 >
diff --git a/packages/svelte/src/index-client.js b/packages/svelte/src/index-client.js
index efcf7b727b8d..fd8e999da763 100644
--- a/packages/svelte/src/index-client.js
+++ b/packages/svelte/src/index-client.js
@@ -45,13 +45,14 @@ if (DEV) {
 }
 
 /**
- * The `onMount` function schedules a callback to run as soon as the component has been mounted to the DOM.
- * It must be called during the component's initialisation (but doesn't need to live *inside* the component;
- * it can be called from an external module).
+ * `onMount`, like [`$effect`](https://svelte.dev/docs/svelte/$effect), schedules a function to run as soon as the component has been mounted to the DOM.
+ * Unlike `$effect`, the provided function only runs once.
  *
- * If a function is returned _synchronously_ from `onMount`, it will be called when the component is unmounted.
+ * It must be called during the component's initialisation (but doesn't need to live _inside_ the component;
+ * it can be called from an external module). If a function is returned _synchronously_ from `onMount`,
+ * it will be called when the component is unmounted.
  *
- * `onMount` does not run inside [server-side components](https://svelte.dev/docs/svelte/svelte-server#render).
+ * `onMount` functions do not run during [server-side rendering](https://svelte.dev/docs/svelte/svelte-server#render).
  *
  * @template T
  * @param {() => NotFunction<T> | Promise<NotFunction<T>> | (() => any)} fn
diff --git a/packages/svelte/types/index.d.ts b/packages/svelte/types/index.d.ts
index c3dbdcac791e..c6000fc4b67f 100644
--- a/packages/svelte/types/index.d.ts
+++ b/packages/svelte/types/index.d.ts
@@ -349,13 +349,14 @@ declare module 'svelte' {
 				props: Props;
 			});
 	/**
-	 * The `onMount` function schedules a callback to run as soon as the component has been mounted to the DOM.
-	 * It must be called during the component's initialisation (but doesn't need to live *inside* the component;
-	 * it can be called from an external module).
+	 * `onMount`, like [`$effect`](https://svelte.dev/docs/svelte/$effect), schedules a function to run as soon as the component has been mounted to the DOM.
+	 * Unlike `$effect`, the provided function only runs once.
 	 *
-	 * If a function is returned _synchronously_ from `onMount`, it will be called when the component is unmounted.
+	 * It must be called during the component's initialisation (but doesn't need to live _inside_ the component;
+	 * it can be called from an external module). If a function is returned _synchronously_ from `onMount`,
+	 * it will be called when the component is unmounted.
 	 *
-	 * `onMount` does not run inside [server-side components](https://svelte.dev/docs/svelte/svelte-server#render).
+	 * `onMount` functions do not run during [server-side rendering](https://svelte.dev/docs/svelte/svelte-server#render).
 	 *
 	 * */
 	export function onMount<T>(fn: () => NotFunction<T> | Promise<NotFunction<T>> | (() => any)): void;