diff --git a/signalwire/signalwire/core/function_result.py b/signalwire/signalwire/core/function_result.py
index 23f3d286..60607b05 100644
--- a/signalwire/signalwire/core/function_result.py
+++ b/signalwire/signalwire/core/function_result.py
@@ -480,7 +480,7 @@ def execute_swml(
         """
         # Detect input type and normalize to appropriate format
         if isinstance(swml_content, str):
-            # Raw SWML string - parse to dict so we can add transfer key if needed
+            # Raw SWML string - parse to dict so the action carries a document
             try:
                 import json
 
@@ -496,11 +496,15 @@ def execute_swml(
         else:
             raise TypeError("swml_content must be string, dict, or SWML object")
 
-        action = swml_data
+        # transfer rides BESIDE the SWML document, not inside it — the same
+        # shape connect() and swml_transfer() emit. Inside the document it is
+        # not a SWML key and the call never exits the agent.
+        action: dict[str, Any] = {"SWML": swml_data}
         if transfer:
             action["transfer"] = "true"
 
-        return self.add_action("SWML", action)
+        self.action.append(action)
+        return self
 
     def hangup(self) -> "FunctionResult":
         """
diff --git a/tests/unit/core/test_function_result.py b/tests/unit/core/test_function_result.py
index 0803de39..842fd4d8 100644
--- a/tests/unit/core/test_function_result.py
+++ b/tests/unit/core/test_function_result.py
@@ -542,8 +542,8 @@ def test_execute_swml_dict_does_not_mutate_original(self) -> None:
 
         # The original dict should NOT have 'transfer' key added
         assert "transfer" not in original
-        # But the action's SWML should have it
-        assert result.action[0]["SWML"]["transfer"] == "true"
+        # The action carries it beside the document
+        assert result.action[0]["transfer"] == "true"
 
     def test_execute_swml_sdk_object_with_to_dict(self) -> None:
         """Test execute_swml with an SDK object that has to_dict()"""
@@ -568,12 +568,18 @@ def test_execute_swml_invalid_type_list(self) -> None:
             FunctionResult().execute_swml([1, 2, 3])
 
     def test_execute_swml_with_transfer_true(self) -> None:
-        """Test execute_swml with transfer=True adds transfer key"""
+        """transfer is a SIBLING of the SWML key — the platform's documented
+        action shape, and the one connect()/swml_transfer() emit. Inside the
+        document it is not a SWML key and the call never exits the agent."""
         swml_dict = {"version": "1.0.0", "sections": {"main": []}}
         result = FunctionResult().execute_swml(swml_dict, transfer=True)
 
         action = result.action[0]
-        assert action["SWML"]["transfer"] == "true"
+        assert action["transfer"] == "true"
+        assert "transfer" not in action["SWML"]
+        # Same action shape as the live-proven connect() helper
+        connect_action = FunctionResult().connect("+15551234567").action[0]
+        assert set(action.keys()) == set(connect_action.keys())
 
     def test_execute_swml_with_transfer_false(self) -> None:
         """Test execute_swml with transfer=False does not add transfer key"""
@@ -581,6 +587,7 @@ def test_execute_swml_with_transfer_false(self) -> None:
         result = FunctionResult().execute_swml(swml_dict, transfer=False)
 
         action = result.action[0]
+        assert "transfer" not in action
         assert "transfer" not in action["SWML"]
 
     def test_execute_swml_chaining(self) -> None: