diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 875adf9..19feef4 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ ORDER_CUTOFF=15:00
 ORDER_ASK_UNTIL=15:30
 ORDER_REMIND_MINUTES=10
 ORDER_EXPIRE_MINUTES=30
+# Seconds without a new message before the bot replies to an order being collected (max 50)
+ORDER_UPDATE_QUIET_SECONDS=3
 
 # Result PDF fetching (IST): check from START until a draw is stored, give up at END, retry every N minutes
 RESULTS_WINDOW_START=16:00
diff --git a/hermes-plugin/srs-gate/.env.example b/hermes-plugin/srs-gate/.env.example
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b9c012d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hermes-plugin/srs-gate/.env.example
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+
+SRS_URL=http://127.0.0.1:8080
+SRS_SECRET=change-me
diff --git a/hermes-plugin/srs-gate/.gitignore b/hermes-plugin/srs-gate/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c18dd8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hermes-plugin/srs-gate/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+__pycache__/
diff --git a/hermes-plugin/srs-gate/__init__.py b/hermes-plugin/srs-gate/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7b2e818
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hermes-plugin/srs-gate/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,183 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import asyncio
+import json
+import logging
+import os
+import time
+import urllib.error
+import urllib.request
+from pathlib import Path
+
+log = logging.getLogger("srs_gate")
+
+SKIP = {"action": "skip", "reason": "srs-gate"}
+CONFIG_NAME = "srs-gate.env"
+TRIES = 3  
+TRY_TIMEOUT_S = 3.0
+BACKOFF_S = 0.3
+OVERALL_TIMEOUT_S = 9.0
+
+_config_warned = False
+
+
+class ConfigError(Exception):
+    """srs-gate.env is missing or incomplete. Messages carry fixed wording only, never values."""
+
+
+class _NoRedirect(urllib.request.HTTPRedirectHandler):
+    """Never follow a redirect: it could carry the x-srs-secret header (and the text) to another host."""
+
+    def redirect_request(self, req, fp, code, msg, headers, newurl):
+        return None 
+
+_OPENER = urllib.request.build_opener(urllib.request.ProxyHandler({}), _NoRedirect)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------- config
+
+
+def _config_path() -> Path:
+    home = os.environ.get("HERMES_HOME")
+    base = Path(home) if home else Path.home() / ".hermes"
+    return base / CONFIG_NAME
+
+
+def _unquote(value: str) -> str:
+    if len(value) >= 2 and value[0] == value[-1] and value[0] in "\"'":
+        return value[1:-1]
+    return value
+
+
+def _load_config() -> dict:
+    try:
+        raw = _config_path().read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+    except FileNotFoundError:
+        raise ConfigError("config file not found") from None
+    except (OSError, UnicodeError):
+        raise ConfigError("config file unreadable") from None
+    cfg = {}
+    for line in raw.splitlines():
+        line = line.strip()
+        if line and not line.startswith("#") and "=" in line:
+            key, _, value = line.partition("=")
+            cfg[key.strip()] = _unquote(value.strip())
+    url = cfg.get("SRS_URL", "")
+    secret = cfg.get("SRS_SECRET", "")
+    if not secret:
+        raise ConfigError("config has no SRS_SECRET")
+    if not url.lower().startswith(("http://", "https://")):
+        raise ConfigError("config SRS_URL missing or not http(s)")
+    return {"SRS_URL": url, "SRS_SECRET": secret}
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------- event filter
+
+
+def _payload(event):
+    """The /ingest body for a forwardable direct text message, else None."""
+    if event is None:
+        return None
+    src = getattr(event, "source", None)
+    if src is None or getattr(event, "internal", False) or getattr(src, "is_bot", False):
+        return None
+    if getattr(src, "chat_type", None) != "dm": 
+        return None
+    if getattr(event, "edit_revision", None) not in (None, ""):
+        return None
+    mtype = getattr(event, "message_type", None)
+    if mtype is None or str(getattr(mtype, "value", mtype)) != "text":
+        return None
+    message_id = getattr(event, "message_id", None)
+    sender = getattr(src, "user_id", None) 
+    chat_id = getattr(src, "chat_id", None)
+    text = getattr(event, "text", None)
+    if not (message_id and sender and chat_id and isinstance(text, str) and text.strip()):
+        return None
+    if str(chat_id).endswith("@g.us"):
+        return None
+    return {
+        "kind": "text",
+        "message_id": str(message_id),
+        "sender_jid": str(sender),
+        "chat_id": str(chat_id),
+        "text": text,
+    }
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------- HTTP (runs in a worker thread)
+
+
+def _error_name(exc: BaseException) -> str:
+    reason = getattr(exc, "reason", None) if isinstance(exc, urllib.error.URLError) else None
+    return type(reason).__name__ if isinstance(reason, BaseException) else type(exc).__name__
+
+
+def _post(cfg: dict, payload: dict):
+    """Blocking POST with retries. Returns (http_status or None, error type name or None). Never raises.
+
+    Nothing may cross the thread boundary: on Python 3.9-3.11 asyncio.wait_for runs this in its own task, and a
+    BaseException such as SystemExit would escape through the event loop instead of the callback's except.
+    """
+    status = None
+    error = None
+    try:
+        req = urllib.request.Request(
+            cfg["SRS_URL"].rstrip("/") + "/ingest",
+            data=json.dumps(payload).encode("utf-8"),
+            method="POST",
+            headers={"content-type": "application/json", "x-srs-secret": cfg["SRS_SECRET"]},
+        )
+        for attempt in range(TRIES):
+            try:
+                with _OPENER.open(req, timeout=TRY_TIMEOUT_S) as resp:
+                    return resp.status, None
+            except urllib.error.HTTPError as err:
+                status, error = err.code, None
+                err.close()
+                if err.code < 500:
+                    return status, None  
+            except Exception as exc: 
+                status, error = None, _error_name(exc)
+            if attempt + 1 < TRIES:
+                time.sleep(BACKOFF_S)
+        return status, error
+    except BaseException as exc:
+        return status, type(exc).__name__
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------- the hook
+
+
+async def on_inbound(event=None, gateway=None, session_store=None, **kwargs):
+    global _config_warned
+    message_id = "-"
+    try:
+        payload = _payload(event)
+        if payload is not None:
+            message_id = payload["message_id"]
+            try:
+                cfg = _load_config()
+            except ConfigError as exc:
+                cfg = None
+                if not _config_warned:  
+                    _config_warned = True
+                    log.warning("srs-gate: %s; nothing is forwarded", exc)
+            if cfg is not None:
+                _config_warned = False
+                status, error = await asyncio.wait_for(
+                    asyncio.to_thread(_post, cfg, payload), OVERALL_TIMEOUT_S
+                )
+                if status is not None and 200 <= status < 300:
+                    log.info("srs-gate: id=%s status=%s", message_id, status)
+                else:
+                    log.warning("srs-gate: id=%s status=%s error=%s", message_id, status, error)
+    except asyncio.CancelledError:
+        raise
+    except (Exception, SystemExit) as exc:  
+        log.warning("srs-gate: id=%s not forwarded (%s)", message_id, type(exc).__name__)
+    return dict(SKIP)
+
+
+def register(ctx):
+    ctx.register_hook("pre_gateway_dispatch", on_inbound)
diff --git a/hermes-plugin/srs-gate/plugin.yaml b/hermes-plugin/srs-gate/plugin.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a4db96b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hermes-plugin/srs-gate/plugin.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+name: srs-gate
+version: "0.1"
+description: Forwards direct WhatsApp text messages to srs-api and drops them from Hermes
+provides_hooks:
+  - pre_gateway_dispatch
diff --git a/hermes-plugin/srs-gate/test_srs_gate.py b/hermes-plugin/srs-gate/test_srs_gate.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7c097ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hermes-plugin/srs-gate/test_srs_gate.py
@@ -0,0 +1,572 @@
+"""Tests for the srs-gate Hermes plugin. Standard library only.
+
+Run from the repo root:
+    python -m unittest discover -s hermes-plugin/srs-gate -v
+
+All phone digits, ids and the secret below are placeholders, not real values.
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import asyncio
+import enum
+import importlib.util
+import inspect
+import json
+import logging
+import os
+import socket
+import tempfile
+import threading
+import time
+import unittest
+from http.server import BaseHTTPRequestHandler, ThreadingHTTPServer
+from pathlib import Path
+from types import SimpleNamespace
+from unittest import mock
+
+HERE = Path(__file__).resolve().parent
+
+
+def _load_plugin():
+    spec = importlib.util.spec_from_file_location("srs_gate", HERE / "__init__.py")
+    module = importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec)
+    spec.loader.exec_module(module)
+    return module
+
+
+gate = _load_plugin()
+
+SKIP = {"action": "skip", "reason": "srs-gate"}
+SECRET = "test-only-secret-not-real-0123456789"
+PHONE = "910000000001"
+SENDER = PHONE + "@s.whatsapp.net"
+CHAT = "100000000000077@lid"
+MID = "3EB0TESTMSGID01"
+TEXT = "Shop Zq7\n0012-5\n4567 x 10\ncall " + PHONE
+SENSITIVE = [SECRET, PHONE, SENDER, CHAT, "100000000000077", "Zq7", "4567 x 10"]
+
+
+class MessageType(enum.Enum):
+    TEXT = "text"
+    LOCATION = "location"
+    PHOTO = "photo"
+    VIDEO = "video"
+    AUDIO = "audio"
+    VOICE = "voice"
+    DOCUMENT = "document"
+    STICKER = "sticker"
+    COMMAND = "command"
+
+
+def make_event(text=TEXT):
+    source = SimpleNamespace(
+        platform="whatsapp",
+        chat_id=CHAT,
+        chat_type="dm",
+        user_id=SENDER,
+        user_id_alt=None,
+        chat_id_alt=None,
+        is_bot=False,
+        message_id=MID,
+    )
+    return SimpleNamespace(
+        text=text,
+        message_type=MessageType.TEXT,
+        message_id=MID,
+        source=source,
+        media_urls=[],
+        media_types=[],
+        internal=False,
+        edit_revision=None,
+        metadata={},
+        user_id=None,
+    )
+
+
+class ExplodingEvent:
+    @property
+    def source(self):
+        raise RuntimeError("boom")
+
+    @property
+    def internal(self):
+        raise RuntimeError("boom")
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------- stub srs-api
+
+
+class _Server(ThreadingHTTPServer):
+    daemon_threads = True
+    block_on_close = False
+
+    def handle_error(self, request, client_address):
+        pass  
+
+
+class Stub:
+    """Stands in for srs-api. `script` is a list of actions, one per request; after it runs out, 200.
+
+    Actions: ("status", code, delay_s) or ("garbage",).
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, script=None):
+        self.requests = []
+        self.script = list(script or [])
+        self._lock = threading.Lock()
+        stub = self
+
+        class Handler(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
+            def log_message(self, *args):
+                pass
+
+            def do_POST(self):
+                length = int(self.headers.get("content-length") or 0)
+                body = self.rfile.read(length)
+                with stub._lock:
+                    stub.requests.append(
+                        {"method": "POST", "path": self.path, "headers": dict(self.headers), "body": body}
+                    )
+                    action = stub.script.pop(0) if stub.script else ("status", 200, 0)
+                if action[0] == "garbage":
+                    self.wfile.write(b"this is not http\r\n\r\n")
+                    self.close_connection = True
+                    return
+                _, code, delay = action
+                if delay:
+                    time.sleep(delay)
+                payload = b'{"handled":true,"duplicate":false}'
+                self.send_response(code)
+                if 300 <= code < 400:
+                    self.send_header("location", "/elsewhere")
+                self.send_header("content-type", "application/json")
+                self.send_header("content-length", str(len(payload)))
+                self.end_headers()
+                self.wfile.write(payload)
+
+            do_GET = do_POST
+
+        self.server = _Server(("127.0.0.1", 0), Handler)
+        self.url = "http://127.0.0.1:%d" % self.server.server_address[1]
+        self.thread = threading.Thread(target=self.server.serve_forever, daemon=True)
+        self.thread.start()
+
+    def stop(self):
+        self.server.shutdown()
+        self.server.server_close()
+
+
+def closed_port_url():
+    s = socket.socket()
+    s.bind(("127.0.0.1", 0))
+    port = s.getsockname()[1]
+    s.close()
+    return "http://127.0.0.1:%d" % port
+
+
+class ListHandler(logging.Handler):
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__(level=logging.DEBUG)
+        self.records = []
+
+    def emit(self, record):
+        self.records.append(record)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------- base
+
+
+class GateCase(unittest.IsolatedAsyncioTestCase):
+    """Fresh stub, config file, fast timings and a log capture for every test.
+
+    Every test also checks, on teardown, that no log record anywhere holds the text, the secret or a number.
+    """
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.stub = Stub()
+        self.addCleanup(self.stub.stop)
+        self.tmp = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        self.addCleanup(self.tmp.cleanup)
+        env = mock.patch.dict(os.environ, {"HERMES_HOME": self.tmp.name})
+        env.start()
+        self.addCleanup(env.stop)
+        self.write_config(url=self.stub.url)
+        for name, value in (("TRIES", 3), ("TRY_TIMEOUT_S", 1.0), ("BACKOFF_S", 0.01), ("OVERALL_TIMEOUT_S", 5.0)):
+            p = mock.patch.object(gate, name, value)
+            p.start()
+            self.addCleanup(p.stop)
+        gate._config_warned = False
+        self.logs = ListHandler()
+        root = logging.getLogger()
+        self._old_level = root.level
+        root.addHandler(self.logs)
+        root.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
+        self.addCleanup(self._restore_logging)
+
+    def _restore_logging(self):
+        root = logging.getLogger()
+        root.removeHandler(self.logs)
+        root.setLevel(self._old_level)
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        self.assert_no_sensitive_logs()
+
+    # helpers
+
+    def write_config(self, url=None, secret=SECRET, extra=""):
+        lines = ["# srs-gate test config"]
+        if url is not None:
+            lines.append("SRS_URL=" + url)
+        if secret is not None:
+            lines.append("SRS_SECRET=" + secret)
+        Path(self.tmp.name, "srs-gate.env").write_text("\n".join(lines) + "\n" + extra, encoding="utf-8")
+
+    def config_path(self):
+        return Path(self.tmp.name, "srs-gate.env")
+
+    async def call(self, event):
+        return await gate.on_inbound(event=event, gateway=object(), session_store=object())
+
+    def log_text(self):
+        out = []
+        for r in self.logs.records:
+            out.append(r.getMessage())
+            out.append(repr(r.args))
+            if r.exc_info or r.exc_text:
+                out.append(logging.Formatter().formatException(r.exc_info) if r.exc_info else r.exc_text)
+        return "\n".join(out)
+
+    def assert_no_sensitive_logs(self):
+        text = self.log_text()
+        for needle in SENSITIVE:
+            self.assertNotIn(needle, text, "sensitive value in logs")
+
+    def gate_messages(self):
+        return [r.getMessage() for r in self.logs.records if r.name == "srs_gate"]
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------- payload
+
+
+class PayloadTests(GateCase):
+    def test_exact_payload_for_direct_text(self):
+        self.assertEqual(
+            gate._payload(make_event()),
+            {"kind": "text", "message_id": MID, "sender_jid": SENDER, "chat_id": CHAT, "text": TEXT},
+        )
+
+    def test_plain_string_message_type_is_accepted(self):
+        ev = make_event()
+        ev.message_type = "text"
+        self.assertIsNotNone(gate._payload(ev))
+
+    async def test_text_arrives_byte_for_byte(self):
+        texts = {
+            "zeros_and_breaks": "0012\n0099\r\n  0001  \n\n0000 - 5\t",
+            "malayalam": "ഷോപ്പ് 0012 - 5",
+            "hundred_lines": "\n".join("%04d - %d" % (i, i % 7 + 1) for i in range(100)),
+        }
+        for name, text in texts.items():
+            with self.subTest(name):
+                before = len(self.stub.requests)
+                self.assertEqual(await self.call(make_event(text)), SKIP)
+                self.assertEqual(len(self.stub.requests), before + 1)
+                body = json.loads(self.stub.requests[-1]["body"].decode("utf-8"))
+                self.assertEqual(body["text"], text)
+                self.assertEqual(body["kind"], "text")
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------- filters
+
+
+def _set(path, value):
+    def apply(ev):
+        target = ev
+        parts = path.split(".")
+        for p in parts[:-1]:
+            target = getattr(target, p)
+        setattr(target, parts[-1], value)
+
+    return apply
+
+
+def _delete(path):
+    def apply(ev):
+        target = ev
+        parts = path.split(".")
+        for p in parts[:-1]:
+            target = getattr(target, p)
+        delattr(target, parts[-1])
+
+    return apply
+
+
+NOT_FORWARDED = [
+    ("group chat_type", _set("source.chat_type", "group")),
+    ("channel chat_type", _set("source.chat_type", "channel")),
+    ("thread chat_type", _set("source.chat_type", "thread")),
+    ("unknown chat_type", _set("source.chat_type", "something-new")),
+    ("chat_type wrong case", _set("source.chat_type", "DM")),
+    ("chat_type None", _set("source.chat_type", None)),
+    ("chat_type missing", _delete("source.chat_type")),
+    ("group chat id", _set("source.chat_id", "120363000000000000@g.us")),
+    ("internal", _set("internal", True)),
+    ("is_bot", _set("source.is_bot", True)),
+    ("edit_revision set", _set("edit_revision", "2")),
+    ("edit_revision int", _set("edit_revision", 1)),
+    ("blank text", _set("text", "")),
+    ("whitespace text", _set("text", "  \n\t ")),
+    ("text None", _set("text", None)),
+    ("text not a string", _set("text", 1234)),
+    ("missing message id", _set("message_id", None)),
+    ("empty message id", _set("message_id", "")),
+    ("missing sender", _set("source.user_id", None)),
+    ("missing chat id", _set("source.chat_id", "")),
+    ("no source", _set("source", None)),
+    ("message_type missing", _set("message_type", None)),
+] + [
+    ("message_type " + t.value, _set("message_type", t)) for t in MessageType if t is not MessageType.TEXT
+]
+
+
+class FilterTests(GateCase):
+    async def test_not_forwarded_but_still_skipped(self):
+        for name, mutate in NOT_FORWARDED:
+            with self.subTest(name):
+                ev = make_event()
+                mutate(ev)
+                self.assertIsNone(gate._payload(ev))
+                self.assertEqual(await self.call(ev), SKIP)
+        self.assertEqual(self.stub.requests, [])
+
+    async def test_photo_placeholder_text_is_not_forwarded(self):
+        ev = make_event("[image received]")
+        ev.message_type = MessageType.PHOTO
+        self.assertEqual(await self.call(ev), SKIP)
+        self.assertEqual(self.stub.requests, [])
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------- request
+
+
+class RequestTests(GateCase):
+    async def test_headers_method_and_path(self):
+        self.assertEqual(await self.call(make_event()), SKIP)
+        self.assertEqual(len(self.stub.requests), 1)
+        req = self.stub.requests[0]
+        headers = {k.lower(): v for k, v in req["headers"].items()}
+        self.assertEqual(req["method"], "POST")
+        self.assertEqual(req["path"], "/ingest")
+        self.assertEqual(headers["x-srs-secret"], SECRET)
+        self.assertEqual(headers["content-type"], "application/json")
+
+    async def test_trailing_slash_in_url(self):
+        self.write_config(url=self.stub.url + "/")
+        await self.call(make_event())
+        self.assertEqual(self.stub.requests[0]["path"], "/ingest")
+
+    async def test_quoted_config_values(self):
+        self.write_config(url='"%s"' % self.stub.url, secret="'%s'" % SECRET)
+        await self.call(make_event())
+        headers = {k.lower(): v for k, v in self.stub.requests[0]["headers"].items()}
+        self.assertEqual(headers["x-srs-secret"], SECRET)
+
+    def test_proxy_environment_is_ignored(self):
+        dead = closed_port_url()
+        with mock.patch.dict(os.environ, {"http_proxy": dead, "https_proxy": dead, "no_proxy": ""}):
+            fresh = _load_plugin()
+            status, error = fresh._post(
+                {"SRS_URL": self.stub.url, "SRS_SECRET": SECRET}, fresh._payload(make_event())
+            )
+        self.assertEqual((status, error), (200, None))
+        self.assertEqual(len(self.stub.requests), 1)
+
+    async def test_success_log_has_id_and_status(self):
+        await self.call(make_event())
+        msgs = self.gate_messages()
+        self.assertEqual(len(msgs), 1)
+        self.assertIn("id=" + MID, msgs[0])
+        self.assertIn("status=200", msgs[0])
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------- retries
+
+
+class RetryTests(GateCase):
+    async def test_500_then_200_succeeds_on_second_try(self):
+        self.stub.script = [("status", 500, 0), ("status", 200, 0)]
+        self.assertEqual(await self.call(make_event()), SKIP)
+        self.assertEqual(len(self.stub.requests), 2)
+        self.assertIn("status=200", self.gate_messages()[-1])
+
+    async def test_500_three_times_gives_up(self):
+        self.stub.script = [("status", 500, 0)] * 5
+        self.assertEqual(await self.call(make_event()), SKIP)
+        self.assertEqual(len(self.stub.requests), 3)
+        self.assertIn("status=500", self.gate_messages()[-1])
+
+    async def test_4xx_and_3xx_are_not_retried(self):
+        for code in (400, 401, 404, 302):
+            with self.subTest(code):
+                self.stub.requests.clear()
+                self.stub.script = [("status", code, 0), ("status", 200, 0)]
+                self.assertEqual(await self.call(make_event()), SKIP)
+                self.assertEqual(len(self.stub.requests), 1, "retried or followed a redirect")
+                self.assertIn("status=%d" % code, self.gate_messages()[-1])
+
+    def test_connection_refused_ends_after_three_tries(self):
+        cfg = {"SRS_URL": closed_port_url(), "SRS_SECRET": SECRET}
+        with mock.patch.object(gate, "TRY_TIMEOUT_S", 0.5), mock.patch.object(
+            gate._OPENER, "open", wraps=gate._OPENER.open
+        ) as opened:
+            status, error = gate._post(cfg, gate._payload(make_event()))
+        self.assertEqual(opened.call_count, 3)
+        self.assertIsNone(status)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(error)
+
+    async def test_slow_server_hits_per_try_timeout_then_retries(self):
+        self.stub.script = [("status", 200, 0.6), ("status", 200, 0)]
+        with mock.patch.object(gate, "TRY_TIMEOUT_S", 0.2):
+            self.assertEqual(await self.call(make_event()), SKIP)
+        self.assertEqual(len(self.stub.requests), 2)
+        self.assertIn("status=200", self.gate_messages()[-1])
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------- fail closed
+
+
+class FailClosedTests(GateCase):
+    async def test_opener_raises(self):
+        with mock.patch.object(gate._OPENER, "open", side_effect=RuntimeError("x")):
+            self.assertEqual(await self.call(make_event()), SKIP)
+
+    async def test_bad_events(self):
+        for name, ev in (("None", None), ("object", object()), ("exploding", ExplodingEvent()), ("string", "hi")):
+            with self.subTest(name):
+                self.assertEqual(await self.call(ev), SKIP)
+        self.assertEqual(await gate.on_inbound(), SKIP)  
+        self.assertEqual(self.stub.requests, [])
+
+    async def test_bad_config(self):
+        cases = {
+            "missing file": lambda: self.config_path().unlink(),
+            "no secret": lambda: self.write_config(url=self.stub.url, secret=None),
+            "empty secret": lambda: self.write_config(url=self.stub.url, secret=""),
+            "no url": lambda: self.write_config(url=None),
+            "file scheme": lambda: self.write_config(url="file:///etc/passwd"),
+            "no scheme": lambda: self.write_config(url="127.0.0.1:8080"),
+        }
+        for name, breakit in cases.items():
+            with self.subTest(name):
+                breakit()
+                self.assertEqual(await self.call(make_event()), SKIP)
+        self.assertEqual(self.stub.requests, [])
+
+    async def test_config_error_logged_once_until_fixed(self):
+        self.write_config(url=self.stub.url, secret=None)
+        await self.call(make_event())
+        await self.call(make_event())
+        self.assertEqual(len(self.gate_messages()), 1)
+        self.write_config(url=self.stub.url)
+        await self.call(make_event())  
+        self.write_config(url=self.stub.url, secret=None)
+        await self.call(make_event())
+        config_warnings = [m for m in self.gate_messages() if "config" in m]
+        self.assertEqual(len(config_warnings), 2)
+
+    async def test_garbage_reply(self):
+        self.stub.script = [("garbage",)] * 3
+        self.assertEqual(await self.call(make_event()), SKIP)
+        self.assertGreaterEqual(len(self.stub.requests), 1)
+
+    async def test_overall_timeout(self):
+        self.stub.script = [("status", 200, 0.5)]
+        with mock.patch.object(gate, "OVERALL_TIMEOUT_S", 0.15), mock.patch.object(
+            gate, "TRIES", 1
+        ), mock.patch.object(gate, "TRY_TIMEOUT_S", 1.0):
+            started = time.monotonic()
+            self.assertEqual(await self.call(make_event()), SKIP)
+            self.assertLess(time.monotonic() - started, 0.45)
+        self.assertIn("TimeoutError", self.gate_messages()[-1])
+
+    def test_post_never_raises_even_systemexit(self):
+        cfg = {"SRS_URL": self.stub.url, "SRS_SECRET": SECRET}
+        with mock.patch.object(gate._OPENER, "open", side_effect=SystemExit(3)):
+            status, error = gate._post(cfg, gate._payload(make_event()))
+        self.assertIsNone(status)
+        self.assertEqual(error, "SystemExit")
+
+    async def test_systemexit_in_http_call(self):
+        with mock.patch.object(gate._OPENER, "open", side_effect=SystemExit(3)):
+            self.assertEqual(await self.call(make_event()), SKIP)
+
+    async def test_backstop_catches_systemexit_outside_the_thread(self):
+        with mock.patch.object(gate, "_load_config", side_effect=SystemExit(3)):
+            self.assertEqual(await self.call(make_event()), SKIP)
+
+    async def test_backstop_catches_unexpected_error(self):
+        with mock.patch.object(gate, "_payload", side_effect=ValueError("x")):
+            self.assertEqual(await self.call(make_event()), SKIP)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------- loop behaviour
+
+
+class LoopTests(GateCase):
+    async def test_slow_srs_api_does_not_block_the_loop(self):
+        self.stub.script = [("status", 200, 0.8)]
+        ticks = 0
+        done = asyncio.Event()
+
+        async def ticker():
+            nonlocal ticks
+            while not done.is_set():
+                await asyncio.sleep(0.02)
+                ticks += 1
+
+        async def run():
+            try:
+                return await self.call(make_event())
+            finally:
+                done.set()
+
+        result, _ = await asyncio.gather(run(), ticker())
+        self.assertEqual(result, SKIP)
+        self.assertGreaterEqual(ticks, 15, "event loop was blocked while waiting for srs-api")
+
+    async def test_cancellation_is_re_raised(self):
+        self.stub.script = [("status", 200, 0.6)]
+        with mock.patch.object(gate, "TRIES", 1):
+            task = asyncio.ensure_future(self.call(make_event()))
+            await asyncio.sleep(0.15)
+            task.cancel()
+            with self.assertRaises(asyncio.CancelledError):
+                await task
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------- registration
+
+
+class RegistrationTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_register_hooks_once(self):
+        calls = []
+        ctx = SimpleNamespace(register_hook=lambda name, cb: calls.append((name, cb)))
+        gate.register(ctx)
+        self.assertEqual(calls, [("pre_gateway_dispatch", gate.on_inbound)])
+
+    def test_callback_is_async(self):
+        self.assertTrue(inspect.iscoroutinefunction(gate.on_inbound))
+
+    def test_manifest(self):
+        text = (HERE / "plugin.yaml").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+        self.assertIn("name: srs-gate", text)
+        self.assertIn("- pre_gateway_dispatch", text)
+
+    def test_returns_a_fresh_skip_each_time(self):
+        a = asyncio.run(gate.on_inbound(event=None))
+        a["action"] = "allow"
+        self.assertEqual(asyncio.run(gate.on_inbound(event=None)), SKIP)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()
diff --git a/src/config.test.ts b/src/config.test.ts
index 80cf628..23aa96e 100644
--- a/src/config.test.ts
+++ b/src/config.test.ts
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ describe('loadConfig', () => {
     const base = { SRS_SECRET: 'a'.repeat(20) };
 
     it('defaults to a 15:00 cutoff, asking until 15:30, remind 10, expire 30', () => {
-      expect(loadConfig(base).orders).toEqual({ cutoffMin: 900, askUntilMin: 930, remindMin: 10, expireMin: 30 });
+      expect(loadConfig(base).orders).toEqual({ cutoffMin: 900, askUntilMin: 930, remindMin: 10, expireMin: 30, updateQuietSec: 3 });
     });
 
     it('reads overrides', () => {
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ describe('loadConfig', () => {
         ORDER_REMIND_MINUTES: '5',
         ORDER_EXPIRE_MINUTES: '20',
       });
-      expect(c.orders).toEqual({ cutoffMin: 870, askUntilMin: 900, remindMin: 5, expireMin: 20 });
+      expect(c.orders).toEqual({ cutoffMin: 870, askUntilMin: 900, remindMin: 5, expireMin: 20, updateQuietSec: 3 });
     });
 
     it('rejects a bad time format', () => {
@@ -75,6 +75,9 @@ describe('loadConfig', () => {
 
     it('rejects a reminder that is not before the expiry', () => {
       expect(() => loadConfig({ ...base, ORDER_REMIND_MINUTES: '30' })).toThrow(/smaller than ORDER_EXPIRE/);
+      expect(loadConfig({ ...base, ORDER_UPDATE_QUIET_SECONDS: '8' }).orders.updateQuietSec).toBe(8);
+      expect(() => loadConfig({ ...base, ORDER_UPDATE_QUIET_SECONDS: '0' })).toThrow();
+      expect(() => loadConfig({ ...base, ORDER_UPDATE_QUIET_SECONDS: '51' })).toThrow();
     });
   });
 });
diff --git a/src/config.ts b/src/config.ts
index f4e836c..b62584c 100644
--- a/src/config.ts
+++ b/src/config.ts
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ const schema = z.object({
   ORDER_ASK_UNTIL: hhmm('15:30'),
   ORDER_REMIND_MINUTES: z.coerce.number().int().min(1).max(1440).default(10),
   ORDER_EXPIRE_MINUTES: z.coerce.number().int().min(1).max(1440).default(30),
+  ORDER_UPDATE_QUIET_SECONDS: z.coerce.number().int().min(1).max(50).default(3),
   RESULTS_WINDOW_START: hhmm('16:00'),
   RESULTS_WINDOW_END: hhmm('19:00'),
   RESULTS_RETRY_MINUTES: z.coerce.number().int().min(1).max(120).default(10),
@@ -43,6 +44,7 @@ export interface OrderSettings {
   askUntilMin: number;
   remindMin: number;
   expireMin: number;
+  updateQuietSec: number;
 }
 
 export interface ResultsSettings {
@@ -88,6 +90,7 @@ export function loadConfig(env: NodeJS.ProcessEnv = process.env): Config {
       askUntilMin: toMinutes(e.ORDER_ASK_UNTIL),
       remindMin: e.ORDER_REMIND_MINUTES,
       expireMin: e.ORDER_EXPIRE_MINUTES,
+      updateQuietSec: e.ORDER_UPDATE_QUIET_SECONDS,
     },
     results: {
       windowStartMin: toMinutes(e.RESULTS_WINDOW_START),
diff --git a/src/db/migrate.test.ts b/src/db/migrate.test.ts
index 08319ef..97b75fe 100644
--- a/src/db/migrate.test.ts
+++ b/src/db/migrate.test.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ const throwsConstraint = (fn: () => unknown) => expect(fn).toThrow(/CHECK|UNIQUE
 describe('migrations', () => {
   it('apply once and are then a no-op', () => {
     const db = openDb(':memory:');
-    expect(runMigrations(db)).toEqual(['001_init.sql', '002_conversation_flow.sql']);
+    expect(runMigrations(db)).toEqual(['001_init.sql', '002_conversation_flow.sql', '003_progress_update.sql']);
     expect(runMigrations(db)).toEqual([]);
   });
 });
diff --git a/src/db/migrations/003_progress_update.sql b/src/db/migrations/003_progress_update.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..26d7567
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/db/migrations/003_progress_update.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+-- update_pending  1 while a later message added order content and the "Added. N lines so far" reply has not gone out.
+--                 It lives here, not in a timer, so a restart does not lose it. Sending it never saves anything.
+ALTER TABLE conversations ADD COLUMN update_pending INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0 CHECK (update_pending IN (0, 1));
diff --git a/src/parser/edgeCases.test.ts b/src/parser/edgeCases.test.ts
index a72288f..4cffce9 100644
--- a/src/parser/edgeCases.test.ts
+++ b/src/parser/edgeCases.test.ts
@@ -161,6 +161,66 @@ describe('6.4 quantities', () => {
   });
 });
 
+describe('6.4b a dot as a quantity (decided 4 Nov 2026)', () => {
+  it('reads a glued dot and 1-3 digits as the quantity', () => {
+    expect(read('9001.10').lines).toEqual(['9001x10']);
+    expect(read('9001.5').lines).toEqual(['9001x5']);
+    expect(read('9001.100').lines).toEqual(['9001x100']);
+    expect(read('9001.10.').lines).toEqual(['9001x10']);
+  });
+  it('a dot and 4 digits is still two endings', () => {
+    expect(read('0888.0057').lines).toEqual(['0888x1', '0057x1']);
+  });
+  it('a dot with a space around it is not a quantity', () => {
+    expect(read('9001. 10')).toMatchObject({ lines: ['9001x1'], unreadable: ['10:stray_number'] });
+    expect(read('9001 .10').lines).toEqual(['9001x1']);
+  });
+  it('keeps refusing what it cannot be sure of', () => {
+    expect(read('0057x2.5').lines).toEqual([]);
+    expect(read('9001.10.5').lines).toEqual([]);
+    expect(read('9001.0').unreadable).toEqual(['9001.0:zero_quantity']);
+    expect(read('9001.5000').lines).toEqual(['9001x1', '5000x1']);
+    expect(read('2026.11.04').lines).toEqual([]);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('6.4c bold text (decided 4 Nov 2026)', () => {
+  it('reads WhatsApp bold around a whole line', () => {
+    expect(read('*6379*100*').lines).toEqual(['6379x100']);
+    expect(read('*0888*').lines).toEqual(['0888x1']);
+    expect(read('*6379 100*').lines).toEqual(['6379x100']);
+    expect(read('*6379x100*').lines).toEqual(['6379x100']);
+    expect(read('*9001.10*').lines).toEqual(['9001x10']);
+    expect(read('*5104-5106*').lines).toEqual(['5104x1', '5105x1', '5106x1']);
+  });
+  it('reads bold around part of a line and several on one line', () => {
+    expect(read('*6379* 100').lines).toEqual(['6379x100']);
+    expect(read('6379 *100*').lines).toEqual(['6379x100']);
+    expect(read('*6379* *100*').lines).toEqual(['6379x100']);
+    expect(read('*6379*100* *9001*10*').lines).toEqual(['6379x100', '9001x10']);
+    expect(read('*6379*\n*9001*').lines).toEqual(['6379x1', '9001x1']);
+  });
+  it('reads bold after a WhatsApp prefix, and ignores bold words', () => {
+    expect(read('[12/10, 14:35] Shop 2: *0888*').lines).toEqual(['0888x1']);
+    expect(read('*Total 50*')).toMatchObject({ lines: [], ignored: ['Total', '50'] });
+  });
+  it('leaves a star that is a quantity alone', () => {
+    expect(read('6379*100').lines).toEqual(['6379x100']);
+    expect(read('6379 *100').lines).toEqual(['6379x100']);
+    expect(read('0057 * 2').lines).toEqual(['0057x2']);
+    expect(read('0057 *2 0003 *5').lines).toEqual(['0057x2', '0003x5']);
+  });
+  it('still refuses a bold marker with no partner', () => {
+    expect(read('*6379*100').lines).toEqual([]);
+    expect(read('6379*100*').lines).toEqual([]);
+  });
+  it('reads digits styled by "fancy text" tools instead of silently ignoring them', () => {
+    expect(read('\u{1D7D4}\u{1D7D1}\u{1D7D5}\u{1D7D7}*\u{1D7CF}\u{1D7CE}\u{1D7CE}').lines).toEqual(['6379x100']); // bold
+    expect(read('\u{1D7F2}\u{1D7EF}\u{1D7F3}\u{1D7F5}').lines).toEqual(['6379x1']); // sans-bold
+    expect(read('\u{1D7FC}\u{1D7F9}\u{1D7FD}\u{1D7FF}').lines).toEqual(['6379x1']); // monospace
+  });
+});
+
 describe('6.5 ranges', () => {
   it('EC-41 single-ending range', () => {
     expect(read('5104-5104').lines).toEqual(['5104x1']);
@@ -261,7 +321,7 @@ describe('6.8 mixed, merged and noisy input', () => {
   });
 
   it('EC-87 decimals and thousands separators', () => {
-    expect(read('0888.5 0057').unreadable).toEqual(['0888.5:mixed_characters']);
+    expect(read('0888.5 0057').lines).toEqual(['0888x5', '0057x1']); // a glued dot is a quantity, decided 4 Nov
     // 1 right after an ending is its quantity (space rule); 200 is reported, never joined into 1200.
     expect(read('0057 1,200')).toMatchObject({ lines: ['0057x1'], unreadable: ['200:stray_number'] });
     expect(read('1,200')).toMatchObject({ lines: [], ignored: ['1', '200'] });
diff --git a/src/parser/normalize.ts b/src/parser/normalize.ts
index 4750d2e..ef62369 100644
--- a/src/parser/normalize.ts
+++ b/src/parser/normalize.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ const SPACES = /[\t   -   　]/g;
 const TIMES = /[×✕✖]/g; // × ✕ ✖
 const DASHES = /[‐-―−﹣－]/g; // hyphens, en/em dash, minus, full-width hyphen
 const FULLWIDTH_DIGIT = /[０-９]/g;
+// Mathematical bold, double-struck, sans, sans-bold and monospace digits, from "fancy text" tools: five runs of 0-9.
+const STYLED_DIGIT = /[\u{1D7CE}-\u{1D7FF}]/gu;
 
 export function normalize(text: string): string[] {
   return text
@@ -13,5 +15,32 @@ export function normalize(text: string): string[] {
     .replace(TIMES, 'x')
     .replace(DASHES, '-')
     .replace(FULLWIDTH_DIGIT, (d) => String.fromCharCode(d.charCodeAt(0) - 0xff10 + 48))
+    .replace(STYLED_DIGIT, (d) => String(((d.codePointAt(0) as number) - 0x1d7ce) % 10))
     .split('\n');
 }
+
+/**
+ * Removes WhatsApp bold markers from one line: *6379*100* is 6379*100, *0888* is 0888. A span opens at a star that
+ * follows a space or the line start and is followed by a non-space; it closes at the next star that follows a non-space
+ * and is followed by a space or the line end. A star with no partner (6379 *100, 0057 * 2) is a quantity and stays.
+ * One pass over the line, so the work stays linear.
+ */
+export function stripBold(line: string): string {
+  const isSpace = (k: number): boolean => k < 0 || k >= line.length || line[k] === ' ';
+  let out = '';
+  let from = 0;
+  let i = line.indexOf('*');
+  while (i !== -1) {
+    if (isSpace(i - 1) && !isSpace(i + 1)) {
+      let close = line.indexOf('*', i + 2);
+      while (close !== -1 && !(isSpace(close + 1) && !isSpace(close - 1))) close = line.indexOf('*', close + 1);
+      if (close === -1) break; // no closing star here means none for any later opening star either
+      out += line.slice(from, i) + line.slice(i + 1, close);
+      from = close + 1;
+      i = line.indexOf('*', from);
+    } else {
+      i = line.indexOf('*', i + 1);
+    }
+  }
+  return out + line.slice(from);
+}
diff --git a/src/parser/parseOrder.ts b/src/parser/parseOrder.ts
index 4cb1e57..a2db63a 100644
--- a/src/parser/parseOrder.ts
+++ b/src/parser/parseOrder.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { lex } from './lexer';
 import { MAX_INPUT_CHARS } from './limits';
-import { normalize } from './normalize';
+import { normalize, stripBold } from './normalize';
 import { stripPrefix } from './prefix';
 import { scanLine, type ScanItem } from './scan';
 import type { Ignored, OrderLine, ParseResult, RepeatedEnding, Unreadable } from './types';
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ export function scanOrder(text: string): ScanResult {
   const bodies: string[] = [];
   const items: ScanItem[] = [];
   normalize(text).forEach((raw, index) => {
-    const { body } = stripPrefix(raw);
+    const body = stripBold(stripPrefix(raw).body);
     bodies.push(body);
     items.push(...scanLine(body, lex(body), index + 1));
   });
diff --git a/src/parser/scan.ts b/src/parser/scan.ts
index c0a5ef3..d1dec23 100644
--- a/src/parser/scan.ts
+++ b/src/parser/scan.ts
@@ -107,6 +107,8 @@ export function scanLine(body: string, atoms: Atom[], line: number): ScanItem[]
       return single(i); 
     }
 
+    if (isOp(a, '.') && !isNoiseDot(k) && b !== undefined && b.kind === 'num') return withQty(i, b.text, k + 2);
+
     if (a !== undefined && a.kind === 'op' && QTY_OPS.has(a.text)) {
       if (b !== undefined && b.kind === 'num') return withQty(i, b.text, k + 2);
       if (a.glued) return { ok: false, reason: 'mixed_characters', next: k + 1 }; 
diff --git a/src/routes/ingest.test.ts b/src/routes/ingest.test.ts
index c64d7db..50cb666 100644
--- a/src/routes/ingest.test.ts
+++ b/src/routes/ingest.test.ts
@@ -183,33 +183,34 @@ describe('POST /ingest: replies', () => {
     return res;
   };
 
-  it('sends the collecting menu to the chat the message came from', async () => {
+  it('does not reply to order text at once, and answers ? in the chat the message came from', async () => {
     await say('m1', f.shopUser.phone, '8910=3');
-    expect(sent).toEqual([{ chatId: chat, message: 'Got it. Forward more, or reply  1 Done  2 Cancel' }]);
+    expect(sent).toEqual([]);
+    await say('m2', f.shopUser.phone, '?');
+    expect(sent).toEqual([{ chatId: chat, message: '✅ *Got it*\n1 line, 3 tickets so far.\n\n*When the order is finished, reply:*\n1. Done\n2. Cancel' }]);
   });
 
   it('plays the whole dialog through /ingest and saves the order', async () => {
     await say('m1', f.shopUser.phone, '8910=3');
     await say('m2', f.shopUser.phone, '7810=1');
     await say('m3', f.shopUser.phone, 'done');
-    expect(sent.at(-1)!.message).toContain('Shop A - draw of TODAY 3 Nov');
+    expect(sent.at(-1)!.message).toContain('*Shop:* Shop A\n*Draw:* TODAY 3 Nov');
     await say('m4', f.shopUser.phone, '1');
-    expect(sent.at(-1)!.message).toBe('Saved #1 - Shop A, 4 tickets, draw of 3 Nov');
+    expect(sent.at(-1)!.message).toBe('✅ *Saved #1*\n\n*Shop:* Shop A\n*Tickets:* 4\n*Draw:* 3 Nov');
     expect(sent.map((s) => s.chatId).every((c) => c === chat)).toBe(true);
     expect(db.prepare('SELECT COUNT(*) AS n FROM order_lines').get()).toEqual({ n: 2 });
   });
 
   it('sends several replies of one message in order', async () => {
-    // cancelling while a late message is held answers: cancelled, starting the next order, the menu
+    // cancelling while a late message is held answers: cancelled, then starting the next order
     await say('m1', f.shopUser.phone, '8910=3');
     db.prepare("UPDATE conversations SET reminded_at = '2026-11-03T05:05:00Z'").run();
     await say('m2', f.shopUser.phone, '0838=2');
     sent.length = 0;
     await say('m3', f.shopUser.phone, 'cancel');
     expect(sent.map((s) => s.message)).toEqual([
-      'Cancelled. Nothing was saved.',
+      '❌ *Cancelled*\nNothing was saved.',
       'Starting your next order with the message you sent.',
-      'Got it. Forward more, or reply  1 Done  2 Cancel',
     ]);
   });
 
@@ -234,8 +235,9 @@ describe('POST /ingest: replies', () => {
   });
 
   it('a failing bridge does not fail the request or lose the state', async () => {
+    await say('m1', f.shopUser.phone, '8910=3');
     sendFails = true;
-    const res = await say('m1', f.shopUser.phone, '8910=3');
+    const res = await say('m2', f.shopUser.phone, '?');
     expect(res.statusCode).toBe(200);
     expect(res.json()).toEqual({ handled: true, duplicate: false });
     expect(sent).toEqual([]);
@@ -245,11 +247,12 @@ describe('POST /ingest: replies', () => {
   });
 
   it('after a failed send, ? gives the user the last prompt again', async () => {
-    sendFails = true;
     await say('m1', f.shopUser.phone, '8910=3');
-    sendFails = false;
+    sendFails = true;
     await say('m2', f.shopUser.phone, '?');
-    expect(sent.map((s) => s.message)).toEqual(['Got it. Forward more, or reply  1 Done  2 Cancel']);
+    sendFails = false;
+    await say('m3', f.shopUser.phone, '?');
+    expect(sent.map((s) => s.message)).toEqual(['✅ *Got it*\n1 line, 3 tickets so far.\n\n*When the order is finished, reply:*\n1. Done\n2. Cancel']);
   });
 
   it('does not wait for the bridge before answering', async () => {
@@ -262,7 +265,7 @@ describe('POST /ingest: replies', () => {
       method: 'POST',
       url: '/ingest',
       headers: { 'content-type': 'application/json', 'x-srs-secret': SECRET },
-      payload: JSON.stringify(text('m1', f.shopUser.phone, '8910=3')),
+      payload: JSON.stringify(text('m1', f.shopUser.phone, 'done')),
     });
     expect(res.statusCode).toBe(200); // answered while the send is still blocked
     release();
@@ -276,7 +279,10 @@ describe('POST /ingest: replies', () => {
     expect(db.prepare('SELECT COUNT(*) AS n FROM ingest_log').get()).toEqual({ n: 0 });
     db.exec('DROP TRIGGER boom');
     await say('m1', f.shopUser.phone, '8910=3');
-    expect(sent).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(db.prepare('SELECT COUNT(*) AS n FROM ingest_log').get()).toEqual({ n: 1 });
+    expect(db.prepare('SELECT state, buffer_text, update_pending FROM conversations').all()).toEqual([
+      { state: 'COLLECTING', buffer_text: '8910=3', update_pending: 1 },
+    ]);
   });
 });
 
diff --git a/src/testing/config.ts b/src/testing/config.ts
index 4f40a3a..473deb2 100644
--- a/src/testing/config.ts
+++ b/src/testing/config.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ export function testConfig(overrides: Partial<Config> = {}): Config {
     jwtSecret: undefined,
     bridgeUrl: 'http://127.0.0.1:3000',
     defaultCountryCode: '91',
-    orders: { cutoffMin: 15 * 60, askUntilMin: 15 * 60 + 30, remindMin: 10, expireMin: 30 },
+    orders: { cutoffMin: 15 * 60, askUntilMin: 15 * 60 + 30, remindMin: 10, expireMin: 30, updateQuietSec: 3 },
     results: { windowStartMin: 16 * 60, windowEndMin: 19 * 60, retryMin: 10 },
     ...overrides,
   };
diff --git a/src/whatsapp/conversation.test.ts b/src/whatsapp/conversation.test.ts
index 5e92f49..b3d318a 100644
--- a/src/whatsapp/conversation.test.ts
+++ b/src/whatsapp/conversation.test.ts
@@ -46,40 +46,54 @@ describe('the walk-through from the plan (section 3.3)', () => {
   it('plays out word for word for a user with two shops', () => {
     const say = chatAs(f.multiUser.id);
 
-    expect(say('8910=3')).toEqual(['Got it. Forward more, or reply  1 Done  2 Cancel']);
+    expect(say('8910=3')).toEqual([]);
     expect(say('7810=1')).toEqual([]);
     expect(say('08?8=2')).toEqual([]);
     expect(say('Total 50')).toEqual([]);
-    expect(say('1')).toEqual(['Which shop?\n1) Shop A\n2) Shop B']);
+    expect(say('1')).toEqual(['*Which shop?*\n\n1. Shop A\n2. Shop B']);
 
     expect(say('2')).toEqual([
       [
-        'Shop B - draw of TODAY 3 Nov',
-        '2 lines, 4 tickets',
+        '*Order summary*',
+        '',
+        '*Shop:* Shop B',
+        '*Draw:* TODAY 3 Nov',
+        '*Total:* 2 lines, 4 tickets',
+        '',
+        '*Tickets*',
         '8910 - 3',
         '7810 - 1',
-        'Not read, not in the order:',
+        '',
+        '⚠️ *Not read, not in the order:*',
         '  08?8=2',
-        '1 Save  2 Add more  3 Cancel',
+        '',
+        '*Reply:*\n1. Save\n2. Add more\n3. Cancel',
       ].join('\n'),
     ]);
 
-    expect(say('2')).toEqual(['Send the lines to add. Send only the new or corrected lines, not the whole order.']);
+    expect(say('2')).toEqual(['*Add to the order*\nSend only the new or corrected lines, not the whole order.']);
 
     expect(say('0838=2')).toEqual([
       [
-        'Shop B - draw of TODAY 3 Nov',
-        '3 lines, 6 tickets',
+        '*Order summary*',
+        '',
+        '*Shop:* Shop B',
+        '*Draw:* TODAY 3 Nov',
+        '*Total:* 3 lines, 6 tickets',
+        '',
+        '*Tickets*',
         '8910 - 3',
         '7810 - 1',
         '0838 - 2',
-        'Left out earlier, not in the order:',
+        '',
+        '⚠️ *Left out earlier, not in the order:*',
         '  08?8=2',
-        '1 Save  2 Add more  3 Cancel',
+        '',
+        '*Reply:*\n1. Save\n2. Add more\n3. Cancel',
       ].join('\n'),
     ]);
 
-    expect(say('1')).toEqual(['Saved #1 - Shop B, 6 tickets, draw of 3 Nov']);
+    expect(say('1')).toEqual(['✅ *Saved #1*\n\n*Shop:* Shop B\n*Tickets:* 6\n*Draw:* 3 Nov']);
 
     const [order] = orders();
     expect(order).toMatchObject({
@@ -113,22 +127,22 @@ describe('who sees which shops', () => {
     const say = chatAs(f.shopUser.id);
     say('8910=3');
     const [summary] = say('done');
-    expect(summary).toContain('Shop A - draw of TODAY 3 Nov');
+    expect(summary).toContain('*Shop:* Shop A\n*Draw:* TODAY 3 Nov');
     expect(state(f.shopUser.id)).toBe('CONFIRM');
   });
 
   it('an admin sees every active shop', () => {
     const say = chatAs(f.admin.id);
     say('8910=3');
-    expect(say('1')).toEqual(['Which shop?\n1) Shop A\n2) Shop B\n3) Shop C']);
+    expect(say('1')).toEqual(['*Which shop?*\n\n1. Shop A\n2. Shop B\n3. Shop C']);
   });
 
   it('an admin can pick any shop and save', () => {
     const say = chatAs(f.admin.id);
     say('8910=3');
     say('1');
-    expect(say('3')[0]).toContain('Shop C - draw of TODAY 3 Nov');
-    expect(say('1')).toEqual(['Saved #1 - Shop C, 3 tickets, draw of 3 Nov']);
+    expect(say('3')[0]).toContain('*Shop:* Shop C\n*Draw:* TODAY 3 Nov');
+    expect(say('1')).toEqual(['✅ *Saved #1*\n\n*Shop:* Shop C\n*Tickets:* 3\n*Draw:* 3 Nov']);
     expect(orders()[0]).toMatchObject({ shop_id: f.shops.c, created_by_user_id: f.admin.id });
   });
 
@@ -145,7 +159,7 @@ describe('who sees which shops', () => {
     const say = chatAs(f.multiUser.id);
     say('8910=3');
     say('1');
-    expect(say('9')).toEqual(['Which shop?\n1) Shop A\n2) Shop B']);
+    expect(say('9')).toEqual(['*Which shop?*\n\n1. Shop A\n2. Shop B']);
     expect(state(f.multiUser.id)).toBe('AWAITING_SHOP');
   });
 
@@ -154,10 +168,10 @@ describe('who sees which shops', () => {
     say('8910=3');
     say('1');
     db.prepare('DELETE FROM user_shops WHERE user_id = ? AND shop_id = ?').run(f.multiUser.id, f.shops.b);
-    expect(say('2')).toEqual(['Which shop?\n1) Shop A']);
+    expect(say('2')).toEqual(['*Which shop?*\n\n1. Shop A']);
     expect(state(f.multiUser.id)).toBe('AWAITING_SHOP');
     const [summary] = say('1');
-    expect(summary).toContain('Shop A -');
+    expect(summary).toContain('*Shop:* Shop A');
   });
 
   it('re-checks shop access at the moment of saving', () => {
@@ -173,9 +187,10 @@ describe('who sees which shops', () => {
 });
 
 describe('collecting', () => {
-  it('sends the collecting menu once, on the first message only', () => {
+  it('never replies at once while collecting: the sweeper answers after a pause', () => {
     const say = chatAs(f.shopUser.id);
-    expect(say('8910=3')).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(say('8910=3')).toEqual([]);
+    expect(conv(f.shopUser.id)!.update_pending).toBe(1);
     expect(say('7810=1')).toEqual([]);
     expect(say('0838=2')).toEqual([]);
   });
@@ -208,13 +223,13 @@ describe('collecting', () => {
     say('8910=3');
     const [summary] = say('0888=2\n7810=1\n1');
     expect(summary).toContain('3 lines, 6 tickets');
-    expect(summary).toContain('Everything was read.');
+    expect(summary).toContain('✅ Everything was read');
     expect(state(f.shopUser.id)).toBe('CONFIRM');
   });
 
   it('a trailing 1 in the first message is order text, not Done', () => {
     const say = chatAs(f.shopUser.id);
-    expect(say('0888=2\n1')).toEqual([msg.collectingMenu()]);
+    expect(say('0888=2\n1')).toEqual([]);
     expect(state(f.shopUser.id)).toBe('COLLECTING');
     expect(conv(f.shopUser.id)!.buffer_text).toBe('0888=2\n1');
   });
@@ -256,7 +271,7 @@ describe('IDLE chatter does not start an order', () => {
     const say = chatAs(f.shopUser.id);
     say('8910=3');
     say('done');
-    expect(say('1')[0]).toContain('Saved #1');
+    expect(say('1')[0]).toContain('*Saved #1*');
     expect(say('1')).toEqual([]);
     expect(say('thanks')).toEqual([]);
     expect(orders()).toHaveLength(1);
@@ -264,7 +279,8 @@ describe('IDLE chatter does not start an order', () => {
   });
 
   it('a message with one unreadable item does start an order', () => {
-    expect(chatAs(f.shopUser.id)('08?8=2')).toEqual([msg.collectingMenu()]);
+    expect(chatAs(f.shopUser.id)('08?8=2')).toEqual([]);
+    expect(conv(f.shopUser.id)).toMatchObject({ state: 'COLLECTING', update_pending: 1 });
   });
 });
 
@@ -273,7 +289,7 @@ describe('unreadable text', () => {
     const say = chatAs(f.shopUser.id);
     say('8910=3\n08?8=2');
     const [summary] = say('done');
-    expect(summary).toContain('Not read, not in the order:\n  08?8=2');
+    expect(summary).toContain('⚠️ *Not read, not in the order:*\n  08?8=2');
     say('1');
     expect(lines(1)).toEqual([{ ending: '8910', qty: 3 }]);
   });
@@ -284,8 +300,8 @@ describe('unreadable text', () => {
     say('done');
     say('2');
     const [again] = say('0x38=1');
-    expect(again).toContain('Not read, not in the order:\n  0x38=1');
-    expect(again).toContain('Left out earlier, not in the order:\n  08?8=2');
+    expect(again).toContain('⚠️ *Not read, not in the order:*\n  0x38=1');
+    expect(again).toContain('⚠️ *Left out earlier, not in the order:*\n  08?8=2');
     // the new line is unreadable too, so nothing was added to the order
     expect(again).toContain('1 line, 3 tickets');
     expect(again).not.toContain('Everything was read');
@@ -298,7 +314,7 @@ describe('unreadable text', () => {
     say('2');
     const [again] = say('1234=1'); // a forgotten line, not a correction
     expect(again).toContain('2 lines, 4 tickets');
-    expect(again).toContain('Left out earlier, not in the order:\n  08?8=2');
+    expect(again).toContain('⚠️ *Left out earlier, not in the order:*\n  08?8=2');
     expect(again).not.toContain('Everything was read');
     say('1');
     expect(lines(1)).toEqual([
@@ -313,17 +329,23 @@ describe('unreadable text', () => {
     say('done');
     say('2');
     const [again] = say('1234=1');
-    expect(again).toContain('2 lines, 4 tickets. Everything was read.');
+    expect(again).toContain('*Total:* 2 lines, 4 tickets\n✅ Everything was read');
     expect(again).not.toContain('Left out earlier');
   });
 
-  it('an order that is only unreadable cannot be saved', () => {
-    const say = chatAs(f.shopUser.id);
+  it('an order that is only unreadable stops at Done and lists what was not read', () => {
+    const say = chatAs(f.multiUser.id); // two shops: it must not reach the shop question
     say('08?8=2');
-    say('done');
-    expect(say('1')).toEqual([msg.noTickets()]);
+    expect(say('done')).toEqual([msg.noTickets(['08?8=2'])]);
     expect(orders()).toHaveLength(0);
-    expect(state(f.shopUser.id)).toBe('IDLE');
+    expect(state(f.multiUser.id)).toBe('IDLE');
+  });
+
+  it('readable and unreadable together still go on to the shop question', () => {
+    const say = chatAs(f.multiUser.id);
+    say('08?8=2');
+    say('7810=1');
+    expect(say('done')[0]).toContain('*Which shop?*');
   });
 
   it('an order with nothing readable at all is refused at Done', () => {
@@ -385,7 +407,7 @@ describe('the menus', () => {
     say('8910=3');
     say('done');
     say('2');
-    expect(say('1')[0]).toContain('Saved #1');
+    expect(say('1')[0]).toContain('*Saved #1*');
   });
 
   it('Cancel at the summary clears everything', () => {
@@ -402,7 +424,7 @@ describe('the menus', () => {
     say('8910=3');
     const [summary] = say('done');
     const [reply] = say('7810=1');
-    expect(reply).toBe(`${msg.numberFirst()}\n${summary}`);
+    expect(reply).toBe(`${msg.numberFirst()}\n\n${summary}`);
     expect(JSON.parse(conv(f.shopUser.id)!.parsed_json!).segments).toEqual(['8910=3']);
   });
 
@@ -410,14 +432,14 @@ describe('the menus', () => {
     const say = chatAs(f.multiUser.id);
     say('8910=3');
     const [list] = say('1');
-    expect(say('7810=1')).toEqual([`${msg.numberFirst()}\n${list}`]);
+    expect(say('7810=1')).toEqual([`${msg.numberFirst()}\n\n${list}`]);
     expect(conv(f.multiUser.id)!.buffer_text).toBe('8910=3');
   });
 
   it('? repeats the last prompt in every waiting state', () => {
     const say = chatAs(f.multiUser.id);
-    const [menu] = say('8910=3');
-    expect(say('?')).toEqual([menu]);
+    say('8910=3');
+    expect(say('?')).toEqual([msg.progressUpdate(1, 3)]);
     const [list] = say('1');
     expect(say('help')).toEqual([list]);
     const [summary] = say('2');
@@ -493,14 +515,14 @@ describe('the draw date', () => {
     const say = chatAs(f.shopUser.id);
     say('8910=3', new Date('2026-11-03T09:30:00Z')); // 15:00:00 exactly
     const [summary] = say('done', new Date('2026-11-03T09:30:00Z'));
-    expect(summary).toContain('draw of TODAY 3 Nov');
+    expect(summary).toContain('*Draw:* TODAY 3 Nov');
   });
 
   it('after 15:30 is tomorrow, no question', () => {
     const say = chatAs(f.shopUser.id);
     say('8910=3', TOO_LATE);
     const [summary] = say('done', TOO_LATE);
-    expect(summary).toContain('draw of TOMORROW 4 Nov');
+    expect(summary).toContain('*Draw:* TOMORROW 4 Nov');
   });
 
   it('between 15:00 and 15:30 asks, and Today is accepted inside the window', () => {
@@ -508,7 +530,7 @@ describe('the draw date', () => {
     say('8910=3', ASK_TIME);
     expect(say('done', ASK_TIME)).toEqual([msg.drawQuestion('2026-11-03', '2026-11-04')]);
     const [summary] = say('1', STILL_ASKING);
-    expect(summary).toContain('draw of TODAY 3 Nov');
+    expect(summary).toContain('*Draw:* TODAY 3 Nov');
     say('1', STILL_ASKING);
     expect(orders()[0]!.draw_date).toBe('2026-11-03');
   });
@@ -518,7 +540,7 @@ describe('the draw date', () => {
     say('8910=3', ASK_TIME);
     say('done', ASK_TIME);
     const [summary] = say('2', STILL_ASKING);
-    expect(summary).toContain('draw of TOMORROW 4 Nov');
+    expect(summary).toContain('*Draw:* TOMORROW 4 Nov');
     say('1', STILL_ASKING);
     expect(orders()[0]!.draw_date).toBe('2026-11-04');
   });
@@ -529,7 +551,7 @@ describe('the draw date', () => {
     say('done', ASK_TIME);
     expect(say('1', TOO_LATE)).toEqual([msg.tooLateForToday('2026-11-04')]);
     const [summary] = say('1', TOO_LATE);
-    expect(summary).toContain('draw of TOMORROW 4 Nov');
+    expect(summary).toContain('*Draw:* TOMORROW 4 Nov');
   });
 
   it('after a refusal, 2 cancels', () => {
@@ -555,7 +577,7 @@ describe('the draw date', () => {
     say('done', ASK_TIME);
     say('1', STILL_ASKING);
     const [saved] = say('1', new Date('2026-11-03T11:00:00Z')); // 16:30 IST
-    expect(saved).toContain('draw of 3 Nov');
+    expect(saved).toContain('*Draw:* 3 Nov');
     expect(orders()[0]!.draw_date).toBe('2026-11-03');
   });
 
@@ -568,7 +590,7 @@ describe('the draw date', () => {
     const c = conv(f.multiUser.id)!;
     expect(c.state).toBe('ASKING');
     const [summary] = say('1', TOO_LATE);
-    expect(summary).toContain('draw of TOMORROW 4 Nov');
+    expect(summary).toContain('*Draw:* TOMORROW 4 Nov');
     say('1', TOO_LATE);
     expect(orders()[0]!.draw_date).toBe('2026-11-04');
   });
@@ -592,7 +614,7 @@ describe('the draw date', () => {
   it('the shop pick comes before the draw question', () => {
     const say = chatAs(f.multiUser.id);
     say('8910=3', ASK_TIME);
-    expect(say('done', ASK_TIME)[0]).toContain('Which shop?');
+    expect(say('done', ASK_TIME)[0]).toContain('*Which shop?*');
     expect(say('1', ASK_TIME)[0]).toContain("today's draw or tomorrow's");
   });
 });
@@ -675,9 +697,10 @@ describe('late messages after the reminder', () => {
     expect(summary).toContain('8910 - 3');
     expect(summary).not.toContain('0838');
     const replies = say('1');
-    expect(replies[0]).toContain('Saved #1');
+    expect(replies[0]).toContain('*Saved #1*');
     expect(replies[1]).toBe(msg.startingHeld());
-    expect(replies[2]).toBe(msg.collectingMenu());
+    expect(replies).toHaveLength(2);
+    expect(conv(f.shopUser.id)!.update_pending).toBe(1);
     expect(lines(1)).toEqual([{ ending: '8910', qty: 3 }]);
     expect(conv(f.shopUser.id)!.state).toBe('COLLECTING');
     expect(conv(f.shopUser.id)!.buffer_text).toBe('0838=2');
@@ -690,7 +713,7 @@ describe('late messages after the reminder', () => {
     say('0838=2');
     say('2');
     const replies = say('3');
-    expect(replies).toEqual([msg.cancelled(), msg.startingHeld(), msg.collectingMenu()]);
+    expect(replies).toEqual([msg.cancelled(), msg.startingHeld()]);
     expect(conv(f.shopUser.id)!.buffer_text).toBe('0838=2');
     expect(orders()).toHaveLength(0);
   });
@@ -700,7 +723,7 @@ describe('late messages after the reminder', () => {
     say('8910=3');
     remind(f.shopUser.id);
     say('0838=2');
-    expect(say('3')).toEqual([msg.collectingMenu()]);
+    expect(say('3')).toEqual([]);
     const c = conv(f.shopUser.id)!;
     expect(c.state).toBe('COLLECTING');
     expect(c.buffer_text).toBe('0838=2');
@@ -712,7 +735,8 @@ describe('late messages after the reminder', () => {
     say('8910=3');
     remind(f.shopUser.id);
     say('0838=2');
-    expect(say('cancel')).toEqual([msg.cancelled(), msg.startingHeld(), msg.collectingMenu()]);
+    expect(say('cancel')).toEqual([msg.cancelled(), msg.startingHeld()]);
+    expect(conv(f.shopUser.id)!.update_pending).toBe(1);
     expect(conv(f.shopUser.id)!.buffer_text).toBe('0838=2');
   });
 
@@ -742,6 +766,6 @@ describe('late messages after the reminder', () => {
     remind(f.shopUser.id);
     const [question] = say('0838=2');
     expect(say('7')).toEqual([question]);
-    expect(say('more text 0838')).toEqual([`${msg.numberFirst()}\n${question}`]);
+    expect(say('more text 0838')).toEqual([`${msg.numberFirst()}\n\n${question}`]);
   });
 });
diff --git a/src/whatsapp/conversation.ts b/src/whatsapp/conversation.ts
index 795e33a..9387c28 100644
--- a/src/whatsapp/conversation.ts
+++ b/src/whatsapp/conversation.ts
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ export interface ConversationRow {
   reminded_at: string | null;
   ask_kind: 'draw' | 'split' | null;
   held_text: string | null;
+  update_pending: number;
 }
 
 interface FlowData {
@@ -92,6 +93,7 @@ export function resetConversation(db: Db, id: number, now: Date): void {
     held_text: null,
     reminded_at: null,
     last_prompt: null,
+    update_pending: 0,
     last_activity_at: iso(now),
   });
 }
@@ -121,9 +123,9 @@ function parseSegments(segments: string[]): Parsed {
   return out;
 }
 
-export function bufferProgress(text: string): { lines: number; tickets: number } {
+export function bufferProgress(text: string): { lines: number; tickets: number; unreadable: string[] } {
   const r = parseOrder(text);
-  return { lines: r.lines.length, tickets: r.totalTickets };
+  return { lines: r.lines.length, tickets: r.totalTickets, unreadable: r.unreadable.map((u) => u.text) };
 }
 
 function afterReset(c: Ctx, held: string | null, replies: string[]): string[] {
@@ -143,7 +145,7 @@ function repeatPrompt(conv: ConversationRow): string[] {
 
 function unexpected(conv: ConversationRow, text: string): string[] {
   if (!hasOrderContent(text)) return repeatPrompt(conv);
-  return [conv.last_prompt ? `${msg.numberFirst()}\n${conv.last_prompt}` : msg.numberFirst()];
+  return [conv.last_prompt ? `${msg.numberFirst()}\n\n${conv.last_prompt}` : msg.numberFirst()];
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -187,12 +189,12 @@ function step(c: Ctx, text: string): string[] {
 function begin(c: Ctx, text: string): ConversationRow {
   c.db
     .prepare(
-      `INSERT INTO conversations (user_id, chat_id, state, buffer_text, source, last_activity_at)
-       VALUES (@user_id, @chat_id, 'COLLECTING', @text, 'whatsapp_text', @at)
+      `INSERT INTO conversations (user_id, chat_id, state, buffer_text, source, update_pending, last_activity_at)
+       VALUES (@user_id, @chat_id, 'COLLECTING', @text, 'whatsapp_text', 1, @at)
        ON CONFLICT (user_id) DO UPDATE SET
          chat_id = @chat_id, state = 'COLLECTING', buffer_text = @text, source = 'whatsapp_text',
          parsed_json = NULL, shop_options_json = NULL, selected_shop_id = NULL, ask_kind = NULL,
-         held_text = NULL, reminded_at = NULL, last_prompt = NULL, last_activity_at = @at`,
+         held_text = NULL, reminded_at = NULL, last_prompt = NULL, update_pending = 1, last_activity_at = @at`,
     )
     .run({ user_id: c.user.id, chat_id: c.chatId, text, at: iso(c.now) });
   return getConversation(c.db, c.user.id)!;
@@ -205,12 +207,17 @@ function fromIdle(c: Ctx, text: string): string[] {
     return done(c, begin(c, cmd.body));
   }
   if (cmd.kind !== 'text' || !hasOrderContent(text)) return [];
-  const conv = begin(c, text);
-  return [prompt(c.db, conv.id, msg.collectingMenu())];
+  begin(c, text);
+  return [];
 }
 
 // COLLECTING ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+function collectingReply(conv: ConversationRow): string {
+  const p = bufferProgress(conv.buffer_text);
+  return msg.progressUpdate(p.lines, p.tickets);
+}
+
 function collecting(c: Ctx, conv: ConversationRow, cmd: Command, text: string): string[] {
   const orderText = cmd.kind === 'text' ? text : cmd.kind === 'submit' ? cmd.body : '';
 
@@ -229,11 +236,15 @@ function collecting(c: Ctx, conv: ConversationRow, cmd: Command, text: string):
     case 'number':
       if (cmd.n === 1) return done(c, conv);
       if (cmd.n === 2) return endConversation(c, conv, [msg.cancelled()]);
-      return [conv.last_prompt ?? msg.collectingMenu()];
+      return [collectingReply(conv)];
     case 'help':
-      return [conv.last_prompt ?? msg.collectingMenu()];
+      return [collectingReply(conv)];
     default:
-      update(c.db, conv.id, { buffer_text: `${conv.buffer_text}\n${text}` });
+      // No reply now: the sweeper replies once after a pause, so a long forward gets one answer.
+      update(c.db, conv.id, {
+        buffer_text: `${conv.buffer_text}\n${text}`,
+        update_pending: hasOrderContent(text) ? 1 : conv.update_pending,
+      });
       return [];
   }
 }
@@ -241,15 +252,13 @@ function collecting(c: Ctx, conv: ConversationRow, cmd: Command, text: string):
 /** The user said Done: parse, then shop pick (or skip it), then the draw question or the summary. */
 function done(c: Ctx, conv: ConversationRow): string[] {
   const p = parseSegments([conv.buffer_text]);
-  if (p.lines.length === 0 && p.unreadable[0]!.length === 0) {
-    return endConversation(c, conv, [msg.noTickets()]);
-  }
+  if (p.lines.length === 0) return endConversation(c, conv, [msg.noTickets(p.unreadable.flat())]);
 
   const shops = shopsForUser(c.db, c.user);
   if (shops.length === 0) return endConversation(c, conv, [msg.noShop()]);
 
   const data: FlowData = { segments: [conv.buffer_text], acked: 0, addPending: false, doneAt: c.now.toISOString() };
-  update(c.db, conv.id, { ask_kind: null, parsed_json: JSON.stringify(data) });
+  update(c.db, conv.id, { ask_kind: null, parsed_json: JSON.stringify(data), update_pending: 0 });
 
   if (shops.length === 1) {
     update(c.db, conv.id, { selected_shop_id: shops[0]!.id });
diff --git a/src/whatsapp/messages.test.ts b/src/whatsapp/messages.test.ts
index 7c35abf..f7c4674 100644
--- a/src/whatsapp/messages.test.ts
+++ b/src/whatsapp/messages.test.ts
@@ -52,13 +52,20 @@ describe('summary', () => {
   it('matches the walk-through when something was not read', () => {
     expect(m.summary(base)).toBe(
       [
-        'Shop B - draw of TODAY 3 Nov',
-        '2 lines, 4 tickets',
+        '*Order summary*',
+        '',
+        '*Shop:* Shop B',
+        '*Draw:* TODAY 3 Nov',
+        '*Total:* 2 lines, 4 tickets',
+        '',
+        '*Tickets*',
         '8910 - 3',
         '7810 - 1',
-        'Not read, not in the order:',
+        '',
+        '⚠️ *Not read, not in the order:*',
         '  08?8=2',
-        '1 Save  2 Add more  3 Cancel',
+        '',
+        '*Reply:*\n1. Save\n2. Add more\n3. Cancel',
       ].join('\n'),
     );
   });
@@ -73,12 +80,19 @@ describe('summary', () => {
     });
     expect(t).toBe(
       [
-        'Shop B - draw of TODAY 3 Nov',
-        '3 lines, 6 tickets. Everything was read.',
+        '*Order summary*',
+        '',
+        '*Shop:* Shop B',
+        '*Draw:* TODAY 3 Nov',
+        '*Total:* 3 lines, 6 tickets',
+        '✅ Everything was read',
+        '',
+        '*Tickets*',
         '8910 - 3',
         '7810 - 1',
         '0838 - 2',
-        '1 Save  2 Add more  3 Cancel',
+        '',
+        '*Reply:*\n1. Save\n2. Add more\n3. Cancel',
       ].join('\n'),
     );
   });
@@ -87,13 +101,20 @@ describe('summary', () => {
     const t = m.summary({ ...base, unreadable: [], leftOut: ['08?8=2'], lineCount: 3, ticketCount: 6 });
     expect(t).toBe(
       [
-        'Shop B - draw of TODAY 3 Nov',
-        '3 lines, 6 tickets',
+        '*Order summary*',
+        '',
+        '*Shop:* Shop B',
+        '*Draw:* TODAY 3 Nov',
+        '*Total:* 3 lines, 6 tickets',
+        '',
+        '*Tickets*',
         '8910 - 3',
         '7810 - 1',
-        'Left out earlier, not in the order:',
+        '',
+        '⚠️ *Left out earlier, not in the order:*',
         '  08?8=2',
-        '1 Save  2 Add more  3 Cancel',
+        '',
+        '*Reply:*\n1. Save\n2. Add more\n3. Cancel',
       ].join('\n'),
     );
     expect(t).not.toContain('Everything was read');
@@ -101,8 +122,8 @@ describe('summary', () => {
 
   it('lists new and earlier unreadable text separately, new first', () => {
     const t = m.summary({ ...base, unreadable: ['0x38=1'], leftOut: ['08?8=2'] });
-    const fresh = t.indexOf('Not read, not in the order:\n  0x38=1');
-    const older = t.indexOf('Left out earlier, not in the order:\n  08?8=2');
+    const fresh = t.indexOf('⚠️ *Not read, not in the order:*\n  0x38=1');
+    const older = t.indexOf('⚠️ *Left out earlier, not in the order:*\n  08?8=2');
     expect(fresh).toBeGreaterThan(-1);
     expect(older).toBeGreaterThan(fresh);
   });
@@ -114,7 +135,7 @@ describe('summary', () => {
   });
 
   it('labels tomorrow', () => {
-    expect(m.summary({ ...base, drawDate: '2026-11-04' })).toContain('draw of TOMORROW 4 Nov');
+    expect(m.summary({ ...base, drawDate: '2026-11-04' })).toContain('*Draw:* TOMORROW 4 Nov');
   });
 
   it('uses singular forms', () => {
@@ -125,7 +146,7 @@ describe('summary', () => {
       entries: [{ ending: '0001', qty: 1, times: 1 }],
       unreadable: [],
     });
-    expect(t).toContain('1 line, 1 ticket. Everything was read.');
+    expect(t).toContain('*Total:* 1 line, 1 ticket\n✅ Everything was read');
   });
 
   it('caps a long unreadable list and counts the rest', () => {
@@ -143,42 +164,50 @@ describe('summary', () => {
 });
 
 describe('prompts', () => {
-  it('collecting menu offers Done and Cancel', () => {
-    expect(m.collectingMenu()).toBe('Got it. Forward more, or reply  1 Done  2 Cancel');
+  it('the collecting reply gives the totals and offers Done and Cancel', () => {
+    expect(m.progressUpdate(1, 3)).toBe('✅ *Got it*\n1 line, 3 tickets so far.\n\n*When the order is finished, reply:*\n1. Done\n2. Cancel');
   });
   it('shop list is numbered in the order given', () => {
-    expect(m.shopList(['Shop A', 'Shop B'])).toBe('Which shop?\n1) Shop A\n2) Shop B');
+    expect(m.shopList(['Shop A', 'Shop B'])).toBe('*Which shop?*\n\n1. Shop A\n2. Shop B');
   });
   it('draw question names both days', () => {
     expect(m.drawQuestion('2026-11-03', '2026-11-04')).toBe(
-      "Is this order for today's draw or tomorrow's?\n1 Today 3 Nov\n2 Tomorrow 4 Nov",
+      "*Is this order for today's draw or tomorrow's?*\n\n1. Today, 3 Nov\n2. Tomorrow, 4 Nov",
     );
   });
   it('too late offers tomorrow or cancel', () => {
-    expect(m.tooLateForToday('2026-11-04')).toBe("It is too late for today's draw.\n1 Tomorrow 4 Nov\n2 Cancel");
+    expect(m.tooLateForToday('2026-11-04')).toBe("*It is too late for today's draw*\n\n1. Tomorrow, 4 Nov\n2. Cancel");
   });
   it('saved names the order, shop, tickets and draw', () => {
     expect(m.saved({ orderId: 123, shopName: 'Shop B', ticketCount: 6, drawDate: '2026-11-03' })).toBe(
-      'Saved #123 - Shop B, 6 tickets, draw of 3 Nov',
+      '✅ *Saved #123*\n\n*Shop:* Shop B\n*Tickets:* 6\n*Draw:* 3 Nov',
     );
   });
   it('reminder shows progress when something was read', () => {
-    expect(m.reminder(5, 12)).toBe('You have an unfinished order (5 lines, 12 tickets). Reply 1 Done  2 Cancel.');
+    expect(m.reminder(5, 12)).toBe('⏳ *Unfinished order*\n5 lines, 12 tickets so far.\n\n*Reply:*\n1. Done\n2. Cancel');
   });
   it('reminder omits progress when nothing was read', () => {
-    expect(m.reminder(0, 0)).toBe('You have an unfinished order. Reply 1 Done  2 Cancel.');
+    expect(m.reminder(0, 0)).toBe('⏳ *Unfinished order*\n\n*Reply:*\n1. Done\n2. Cancel');
   });
   it('split question lists the three choices', () => {
     expect(m.splitQuestion(5, 12)).toBe(
       [
-        'You have an unfinished order (5 lines, 12 tickets).',
-        'Is this message:',
-        '1 Part of that order',
-        '2 A new order (finish the old one first)',
-        '3 A new order (throw the old one away)',
+        '⏳ *Unfinished order*',
+        '5 lines, 12 tickets so far.',
+        '',
+        '*Is this message:*',
+        '1. Part of that order',
+        '2. A new order (finish the old one first)',
+        '3. A new order (throw the old one away)',
       ].join('\n'),
     );
   });
+  it('no tickets lists what was not read and asks to send again', () => {
+    expect(m.noTickets(['08?8=2', 'abc123'])).toBe(
+      '⚠️ *No tickets found*\n\n*Not read:*\n  08?8=2\n  abc123\n\nNothing was saved. Please send the order again.',
+    );
+    expect(m.noTickets()).toBe('⚠️ *No tickets found*\n\nNothing was saved. Please send the order again.');
+  });
   it('fixed messages say nothing was saved where it matters', () => {
     for (const t of [m.cancelled(), m.noTickets(), m.expired()]) expect(t).toContain('Nothing was saved');
   });
diff --git a/src/whatsapp/messages.ts b/src/whatsapp/messages.ts
index 5224fbd..85a7530 100644
--- a/src/whatsapp/messages.ts
+++ b/src/whatsapp/messages.ts
@@ -37,25 +37,34 @@ export function entryTotals(lines: { ending: string; qty: number }[]): Entry[] {
   return [...by.values()];
 }
 
-export const COLLECTING_MENU = '1 Done  2 Cancel';
-export const SUMMARY_MENU = '1 Save  2 Add more  3 Cancel';
+export const COLLECTING_MENU = '1. Done\n2. Cancel';
+export const SUMMARY_MENU = '*Reply:*\n1. Save\n2. Add more\n3. Cancel';
 
-export const collectingMenu = (): string => `Got it. Forward more, or reply  ${COLLECTING_MENU}`;
+const FINISH_PROMPT = `*When the order is finished, reply:*\n${COLLECTING_MENU}`;
+
+function soFar(lineCount: number, ticketCount: number): string[] {
+  return lineCount > 0 ? [`${plural(lineCount, 'line')}, ${plural(ticketCount, 'ticket')} so far.`] : [];
+}
+
+export function progressUpdate(lineCount: number, ticketCount: number): string {
+  return ['✅ *Got it*', ...soFar(lineCount, ticketCount), '', FINISH_PROMPT].join('\n');
+}
 
 export function shopList(shopNames: string[]): string {
-  return ['Which shop?', ...shopNames.map((n, i) => `${i + 1}) ${n}`)].join('\n');
+  return ['*Which shop?*', '', ...shopNames.map((n, i) => `${i + 1}. ${n}`)].join('\n');
 }
 
 export function drawQuestion(today: string, tomorrow: string): string {
   return [
-    "Is this order for today's draw or tomorrow's?",
-    `1 Today ${formatDay(today)}`,
-    `2 Tomorrow ${formatDay(tomorrow)}`,
+    "*Is this order for today's draw or tomorrow's?*",
+    '',
+    `1. Today, ${formatDay(today)}`,
+    `2. Tomorrow, ${formatDay(tomorrow)}`,
   ].join('\n');
 }
 
 export function tooLateForToday(tomorrow: string): string {
-  return ["It is too late for today's draw.", `1 Tomorrow ${formatDay(tomorrow)}`, '2 Cancel'].join('\n');
+  return ["*It is too late for today's draw*", '', `1. Tomorrow, ${formatDay(tomorrow)}`, '2. Cancel'].join('\n');
 }
 
 export interface SummaryInput {
@@ -71,54 +80,69 @@ export interface SummaryInput {
 
 function pushList(out: string[], heading: string, items: string[]): void {
   if (items.length === 0) return;
-  out.push(heading);
+  out.push('', heading);
   for (const u of items.slice(0, MAX_UNREADABLE_SHOWN)) out.push(`  ${u}`);
   const more = items.length - MAX_UNREADABLE_SHOWN;
   if (more > 0) out.push(`  ...and ${more} more`);
 }
 
 export function summary(s: SummaryInput): string {
-  const head = `${plural(s.lineCount, 'line')}, ${plural(s.ticketCount, 'ticket')}`;
-  const out = [`${s.shopName} - draw of ${drawLabel(s.drawDate, s.today)}`];
-  out.push(s.unreadable.length === 0 && s.leftOut.length === 0 ? `${head}. Everything was read.` : head);
+  const out = [
+    '*Order summary*',
+    '',
+    `*Shop:* ${s.shopName}`,
+    `*Draw:* ${drawLabel(s.drawDate, s.today)}`,
+    `*Total:* ${plural(s.lineCount, 'line')}, ${plural(s.ticketCount, 'ticket')}`,
+  ];
+  if (s.unreadable.length === 0 && s.leftOut.length === 0) out.push('✅ Everything was read');
+  out.push('', '*Tickets*');
   for (const e of s.entries) {
     out.push(e.times > 1 ? `${e.ending} - ${e.qty} (${e.times} times)` : `${e.ending} - ${e.qty}`);
   }
-  pushList(out, 'Not read, not in the order:', s.unreadable);
-  pushList(out, 'Left out earlier, not in the order:', s.leftOut);
-  out.push(SUMMARY_MENU);
+  pushList(out, '⚠️ *Not read, not in the order:*', s.unreadable);
+  pushList(out, '⚠️ *Left out earlier, not in the order:*', s.leftOut);
+  out.push('', SUMMARY_MENU);
   return out.join('\n');
 }
 
 export const addPrompt = (): string =>
-  'Send the lines to add. Send only the new or corrected lines, not the whole order.';
+  '*Add to the order*\nSend only the new or corrected lines, not the whole order.';
 
 export function saved(o: { orderId: number; shopName: string; ticketCount: number; drawDate: string }): string {
-  return `Saved #${o.orderId} - ${o.shopName}, ${plural(o.ticketCount, 'ticket')}, draw of ${formatDay(o.drawDate)}`;
+  return [
+    `✅ *Saved #${o.orderId}*`,
+    '',
+    `*Shop:* ${o.shopName}`,
+    `*Tickets:* ${o.ticketCount}`,
+    `*Draw:* ${formatDay(o.drawDate)}`,
+  ].join('\n');
 }
 
-export const cancelled = (): string => 'Cancelled. Nothing was saved.';
+export const cancelled = (): string => '❌ *Cancelled*\nNothing was saved.';
 export const nothingToSubmit = (): string => 'Nothing to submit yet.';
-export const noTickets = (): string => 'I did not find any tickets. Nothing was saved.';
-export const noShop = (): string => 'No shop is assigned to your account, please contact the owner.';
+export function noTickets(unreadable: string[] = []): string {
+  const out = ['⚠️ *No tickets found*'];
+  pushList(out, '*Not read:*', unreadable);
+  out.push('', 'Nothing was saved. Please send the order again.');
+  return out.join('\n');
+}
+export const noShop = (): string => '⚠️ *No shop assigned*\nPlease contact the owner.';
 export const numberFirst = (): string => 'Reply with a number from the list first. Your last message was not added.';
-export const expired = (): string => 'Order cancelled because there was no reply. Nothing was saved.';
+export const expired = (): string => '❌ *Order cancelled*\nThere was no reply. Nothing was saved.';
 export const startingHeld = (): string => 'Starting your next order with the message you sent.';
 
-function progress(lineCount: number, ticketCount: number): string {
-  return lineCount > 0 ? ` (${plural(lineCount, 'line')}, ${plural(ticketCount, 'ticket')})` : '';
-}
-
 export function reminder(lineCount: number, ticketCount: number): string {
-  return `You have an unfinished order${progress(lineCount, ticketCount)}. Reply ${COLLECTING_MENU}.`;
+  return ['⏳ *Unfinished order*', ...soFar(lineCount, ticketCount), '', '*Reply:*', COLLECTING_MENU].join('\n');
 }
 
 export function splitQuestion(lineCount: number, ticketCount: number): string {
   return [
-    `You have an unfinished order${progress(lineCount, ticketCount)}.`,
-    'Is this message:',
-    '1 Part of that order',
-    '2 A new order (finish the old one first)',
-    '3 A new order (throw the old one away)',
+    '⏳ *Unfinished order*',
+    ...soFar(lineCount, ticketCount),
+    '',
+    '*Is this message:*',
+    '1. Part of that order',
+    '2. A new order (finish the old one first)',
+    '3. A new order (throw the old one away)',
   ].join('\n');
 }
diff --git a/src/whatsapp/sweep.test.ts b/src/whatsapp/sweep.test.ts
index a6b6932..3fc0f38 100644
--- a/src/whatsapp/sweep.test.ts
+++ b/src/whatsapp/sweep.test.ts
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ describe('reminder', () => {
 
     expect(await sweepAt(after(10))).toEqual({ reminded: 1, expired: 0 });
     expect(sent).toEqual([{ chatId: 'chat-1@lid', message: msg.reminder(2, 4) }]);
-    expect(sent[0]!.message).toBe('You have an unfinished order (2 lines, 4 tickets). Reply 1 Done  2 Cancel.');
+    expect(sent[0]!.message).toBe('⏳ *Unfinished order*\n2 lines, 4 tickets so far.\n\n*Reply:*\n1. Done\n2. Cancel');
 
     expect(await sweepAt(after(11))).toEqual({ reminded: 0, expired: 0 });
     expect(await sweepAt(after(20))).toEqual({ reminded: 0, expired: 0 });
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ describe('expiry', () => {
     const say = chatAs(f.shopUser.id);
     say('8910=3', T0);
     await sweepAt(after(30));
-    expect(say('7810=1', after(31))).toEqual([msg.collectingMenu()]);
+    expect(say('7810=1', after(31))).toEqual([]);
     expect(getConversation(db, f.shopUser.id)!.buffer_text).toBe('7810=1');
   });
 
@@ -270,3 +270,177 @@ describe('start / stop', () => {
     expect(logs.filter((l) => l.msg === 'conversation sweep failed').length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(2);
   });
 });
+
+describe('the reply after a pause', () => {
+  const REPLY = (lines: number, tickets: number) => msg.progressUpdate(lines, tickets);
+  const pending = (userId: number) => getConversation(db, userId)?.update_pending;
+
+  async function updatesAt(at: Date, settings = S) {
+    clock = at;
+    const n = sweeper(settings).tickUpdates();
+    await queue.idle();
+    return n;
+  }
+
+  it('words it with the running totals and the menu', () => {
+    const menu = '\n\n*When the order is finished, reply:*\n1. Done\n2. Cancel';
+    expect(msg.progressUpdate(8, 20)).toBe('✅ *Got it*\n8 lines, 20 tickets so far.' + menu);
+    expect(msg.progressUpdate(1, 1)).toBe('✅ *Got it*\n1 line, 1 ticket so far.' + menu);
+    expect(msg.progressUpdate(0, 0)).toBe('✅ *Got it*' + menu);
+  });
+
+  it('a single message gets one reply, 3 seconds after it, and only one', async () => {
+    chatAs(f.shopUser.id)('8910=3', T0);
+    expect(await updatesAt(after(0, 2))).toBe(0);
+    expect(await updatesAt(after(0, 3))).toBe(1);
+    expect(await updatesAt(after(0, 4))).toBe(0);
+    expect(sent).toEqual([{ chatId: 'chat-1@lid', message: REPLY(1, 3) }]);
+  });
+
+  it('every new message restarts the wait, so a burst gets one reply with the final totals', async () => {
+    const say = chatAs(f.shopUser.id);
+    say('8910=3', T0);
+    say('7810=1', after(0, 2));
+    expect(await updatesAt(after(0, 4))).toBe(0);
+    say('0838=2', after(0, 4));
+    say('0555=1', after(0, 6));
+    expect(await updatesAt(after(0, 8))).toBe(0);
+    expect(await updatesAt(after(0, 9))).toBe(1);
+    expect(sent.map((s) => s.message)).toEqual([REPLY(4, 7)]);
+  });
+
+  it('the wait is configurable', async () => {
+    const custom = { ...S, updateQuietSec: 8 };
+    chatAs(f.shopUser.id)('8910=3', T0);
+    expect(await updatesAt(after(0, 7), custom)).toBe(0);
+    expect(await updatesAt(after(0, 8), custom)).toBe(1);
+  });
+
+  it('text with no order content gets no reply', async () => {
+    const say = chatAs(f.shopUser.id);
+    say('hello', T0);
+    expect(await updatesAt(after(1))).toBe(0);
+    say('8910=3', after(2));
+    await updatesAt(after(2, 3));
+    sent.length = 0;
+    say('thanks', after(3));
+    expect(await updatesAt(after(4))).toBe(0);
+    expect(sent).toEqual([]);
+  });
+
+  it('a later message after the reply gets its own reply', async () => {
+    const say = chatAs(f.shopUser.id);
+    say('8910=3', T0);
+    await updatesAt(after(0, 3));
+    say('7810=1', after(1));
+    await updatesAt(after(1, 3));
+    expect(sent.map((s) => s.message)).toEqual([REPLY(1, 3), REPLY(2, 4)]);
+  });
+
+  it('nothing is sent if the user says Done or Cancel before the pause ends', async () => {
+    for (const word of ['1', '2', 'cancel', 'done']) {
+      const say = chatAs(f.shopUser.id);
+      say('8910=3', T0);
+      say(word, after(0, 1));
+      expect(pending(f.shopUser.id)).toBe(0);
+      expect(await updatesAt(after(1))).toBe(0);
+      expect(sent).toEqual([]);
+      say('cancel', after(1));
+    }
+  });
+
+  it('never saves anything and leaves the order open', async () => {
+    const say = chatAs(f.shopUser.id);
+    say('8910=3', T0);
+    say('7810=1', after(0, 1));
+    await updatesAt(after(0, 4));
+    expect(db.prepare('SELECT COUNT(*) AS n FROM orders').get()).toEqual({ n: 0 });
+    expect(state(f.shopUser.id)).toBe('COLLECTING');
+    expect(getConversation(db, f.shopUser.id)?.buffer_text).toBe('8910=3\n7810=1');
+  });
+
+  it('does not change when the reminder or the expiry happen', async () => {
+    chatAs(f.shopUser.id)('8910=3', T0);
+    await updatesAt(after(0, 3));
+    sent.length = 0;
+    await sweepAt(after(10, 1));
+    expect(sent.map((s) => s.message)).toEqual([msg.reminder(1, 3)]);
+    await sweepAt(after(30, 1));
+    expect(sent.map((s) => s.message)).toEqual([msg.reminder(1, 3), msg.expired()]);
+  });
+
+  it('survives a restart: a new sweeper sends what was pending', async () => {
+    chatAs(f.shopUser.id)('8910=3', T0);
+    expect(pending(f.shopUser.id)).toBe(1);
+    expect(await updatesAt(after(1))).toBe(1); // sweeper() builds a fresh one each call
+  });
+
+  it('after a long outage the reminder speaks instead, so the reply is dropped', async () => {
+    chatAs(f.shopUser.id)('8910=3', T0);
+    expect(await updatesAt(after(10, 1))).toBe(0);
+    expect(pending(f.shopUser.id)).toBe(0);
+    expect(sent).toEqual([]);
+  });
+
+  it('a late message confirmed as part of the order gets the reply', async () => {
+    const say = chatAs(f.shopUser.id);
+    say('8910=3', T0);
+    await updatesAt(after(0, 3));
+    await sweepAt(after(10));
+    sent.length = 0;
+    say('7810=1', after(11));
+    expect(state(f.shopUser.id)).toBe('ASKING');
+    expect(await updatesAt(after(11, 30))).toBe(0);
+    say('1', after(12));
+    expect(state(f.shopUser.id)).toBe('COLLECTING');
+    expect(await updatesAt(after(12, 3))).toBe(1);
+    expect(sent.map((s) => s.message)).toEqual([REPLY(2, 4)]);
+  });
+
+  it('a held message that starts a new order gets the reply too', async () => {
+    const say = chatAs(f.shopUser.id);
+    say('8910=3', T0);
+    await updatesAt(after(0, 3));
+    await sweepAt(after(10));
+    sent.length = 0;
+    say('7810=1', after(11));
+    expect(say('3', after(12))).toEqual([]);
+    expect(await updatesAt(after(12, 3))).toBe(1);
+    expect(sent.map((s) => s.message)).toEqual([REPLY(1, 1)]);
+  });
+
+  it('when nothing could be read it says so and closes, instead of Got it', async () => {
+    chatAs(f.shopUser.id)('08?8=2', T0);
+    expect(await updatesAt(after(0, 3))).toBe(1);
+    expect(sent.map((s) => s.message)).toEqual([msg.noTickets(['08?8=2'])]);
+    expect(state(f.shopUser.id)).toBe('IDLE');
+    expect(getConversation(db, f.shopUser.id)?.buffer_text).toBe('');
+    expect(db.prepare('SELECT COUNT(*) AS n FROM orders').get()).toEqual({ n: 0 });
+  });
+
+  it('a good line sent before the pause ends keeps the order open', async () => {
+    const say = chatAs(f.shopUser.id);
+    say('08?8=2', T0);
+    say('7810=1', after(0, 1));
+    await updatesAt(after(0, 4));
+    expect(sent.map((s) => s.message)).toEqual([REPLY(1, 1)]);
+    expect(state(f.shopUser.id)).toBe('COLLECTING');
+  });
+
+  it('after an unreadable message is closed, the next message starts a clean order', async () => {
+    const say = chatAs(f.shopUser.id);
+    say('08?8=2', T0);
+    await updatesAt(after(0, 3));
+    say('7810=1', after(1));
+    expect(getConversation(db, f.shopUser.id)?.buffer_text).toBe('7810=1');
+  });
+
+  it('keeps each user separate', async () => {
+    chatAs(f.shopUser.id, 'chat-a@lid')('8910=3', T0);
+    chatAs(f.multiUser.id, 'chat-b@lid')('0838=2', after(0, 2));
+    expect(await updatesAt(after(0, 3))).toBe(1);
+    expect(sent).toEqual([{ chatId: 'chat-a@lid', message: REPLY(1, 3) }]);
+    expect(await updatesAt(after(0, 5))).toBe(1);
+    expect(sent[1]).toEqual({ chatId: 'chat-b@lid', message: REPLY(1, 2) });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/whatsapp/sweep.ts b/src/whatsapp/sweep.ts
index f39b9fb..24f1de0 100644
--- a/src/whatsapp/sweep.ts
+++ b/src/whatsapp/sweep.ts
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ export interface SweepResult {
 }
 
 const EVERY_MS = 60_000;
+const UPDATE_EVERY_MS = 1_000;
 
 const iso = (d: Date): string => d.toISOString().replace(/\.\d{3}Z$/, 'Z');
 export function createConversationSweeper(opts: SweeperOptions) {
@@ -56,19 +57,54 @@ export function createConversationSweeper(opts: SweeperOptions) {
     return result;
   }
 
+  function tickUpdates(): number {
+    const t = now();
+    const quietMs = opts.settings.updateQuietSec * 1000;
+    const remindMs = opts.settings.remindMin * 60_000;
+    const outbox: Array<{ chatId: string; message: string }> = [];
+
+    opts.db.transaction(() => {
+      const rows = opts.db
+        .prepare("SELECT * FROM conversations WHERE state = 'COLLECTING' AND update_pending = 1")
+        .all() as ConversationRow[];
+
+      for (const c of rows) {
+        const idleMs = t.getTime() - Date.parse(c.last_activity_at);
+        if (idleMs < quietMs) continue;
+        opts.db.prepare('UPDATE conversations SET update_pending = 0 WHERE id = ?').run(c.id);
+        const p = bufferProgress(c.buffer_text);
+        if (p.lines === 0) {
+          resetConversation(opts.db, c.id, t);
+          outbox.push({ chatId: c.chat_id, message: msg.noTickets(p.unreadable) });
+        } else if (idleMs < remindMs) {
+          outbox.push({ chatId: c.chat_id, message: msg.progressUpdate(p.lines, p.tickets) });
+        }
+      }
+    })();
+
+    for (const o of outbox) opts.queue.enqueue(o.chatId, [o.message]);
+    return outbox.length;
+  }
+
   function start(): () => void {
-    const safeTick = (): void => {
+    const safely = (fn: () => unknown) => (): void => {
       try {
-        tick();
+        fn();
       } catch (err) {
         opts.log({ level: 'error', msg: 'conversation sweep failed', error: (err as Error).message });
       }
     };
+    const safeTick = safely(tick);
     const timer = setInterval(safeTick, EVERY_MS);
+    const updateTimer = setInterval(safely(tickUpdates), UPDATE_EVERY_MS);
     timer.unref();
+    updateTimer.unref();
     safeTick();
-    return () => clearInterval(timer);
+    return () => {
+      clearInterval(timer);
+      clearInterval(updateTimer);
+    };
   }
 
-  return { tick, start };
+  return { tick, tickUpdates, start };
 }
diff --git a/test/fixtures/orders/dot-and-bold-2026-11-04.expected.json b/test/fixtures/orders/dot-and-bold-2026-11-04.expected.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c2f6ef2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/fixtures/orders/dot-and-bold-2026-11-04.expected.json
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+{
+  "totalTickets": 286,
+  "lines": [
+    "6379 x100 @1",
+    "9001 x10 @2",
+    "8203 x100 @3",
+    "0888 x1 @4",
+    "7000 x75 @5"
+  ],
+  "repeated": [],
+  "unreadable": [],
+  "ignored": []
+}
diff --git a/test/fixtures/orders/dot-and-bold-2026-11-04.txt b/test/fixtures/orders/dot-and-bold-2026-11-04.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab0ec42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/fixtures/orders/dot-and-bold-2026-11-04.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+6379*100
+9001.10
+*8203*100*
+*0888*
+*7000 75*