diff --git a/docs/agents.md b/docs/agents.md
index c5bf951..5afd3b5 100644
--- a/docs/agents.md
+++ b/docs/agents.md
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ Where two beads name one pane, `bdi` awards the key's claim to neither. The
 refusal is reported as a conflict, and nothing errors. What the pane says about
 itself then stands alone: a `display_agent` naming exactly one of those beads
 keeps that bead's agent, and one naming nothing drops your pane among the
-unattributed panes below the trees, reading exactly like an agent that never
+unclaimed panes below the trees, reading exactly like an agent that never
 registered. Working on two beads at once, name your pane on one of them.
 
 ## Clear the key when you stop
diff --git a/docs/configuration.md b/docs/configuration.md
index 5869061..a3bac9e 100644
--- a/docs/configuration.md
+++ b/docs/configuration.md
@@ -450,9 +450,9 @@ says its anomalies:
 
 | what the badge met | what the row says |
 |---|---|
-| a value that left part of the `link` unfilled | `no link for delivery_pr: this value leaves part of it unfilled` |
+| a value that left part of the `link` unfilled | `no link for delivery_pr: its value does not fit the link template` |
 | a link holding a control character | `no link for delivery_pr: it holds a control character` |
-| a value that left part of the `short` unfilled | `no short form for delivery_pr: this value leaves part of it unfilled` |
+| a value that left part of the `short` unfilled | `no short form for delivery_pr: its value does not fit the template` |
 | a `short` holding a control character, on a badge with a `link` | `no short form for delivery_pr: it holds a control character` |
 
 The first `short` row holds whether or not the badge has a `link`. The second is
diff --git a/docs/design.md b/docs/design.md
index 0e0829b..74fbadf 100644
--- a/docs/design.md
+++ b/docs/design.md
@@ -1916,9 +1916,9 @@ reader's choice rather than a producer failing where nobody can see.
 **A socket that cannot be opened is said twice, deliberately, and the two are
 not copies.** No path to put it at, or another `bdi` already listening on the
 one it has, and this one polls everything exactly as it did before. The notice
-at the foot says what it costs the reader — *nothing can tell bdi a project
-changed · every project is polled instead*, or *another bdi held the inbound
-channel* where that is the cause, since that one names a process the reader can
+at the foot says what it costs the reader — *bdi cannot hear about changes ·
+every project is polled instead*, or *another bdi is already listening for
+changes* where that is the cause, since that one names a process the reader can
 close. The `stderr` line names the path and the `io::Error` under it, and the
 remedy: a process to close where there is one, and where there is not, the flag
 and the key that name a path — a reader with no runtime directory has none to
diff --git a/src/collect/changes.rs b/src/collect/changes.rs
index e6369a2..15ddced 100644
--- a/src/collect/changes.rs
+++ b/src/collect/changes.rs
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ impl fmt::Display for Refused {
     fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
         write!(
             f,
-            "nothing can tell bdi a project changed, so every project is polled: "
+            "bdi cannot hear about changes, so every project is polled: "
         )?;
         match self {
             // The refusal a machine can be in for ever, so the one whose
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ impl fmt::Display for Refused {
             Refused::NoRuntimeDirectory => {
                 write!(
                     f,
-                    "this session has no {RUNTIME_DIRECTORY} to put the socket in — name a path with --socket, or with socket under [changes] in the config, and bdi listens there"
+                    "this session has no {RUNTIME_DIRECTORY} to put the socket in; choose a path with --socket, or with socket under [changes] in the config"
                 )
             }
             // The one refusal a reader answers by closing something, so the
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ impl fmt::Display for Refused {
             Refused::AlreadyListening(at) => {
                 write!(
                     f,
-                    "another bdi is listening on {}; ss -lxp or lsof -U names which — close it and restart bdi to get the channel",
+                    "another bdi is listening on {}; find it with ss -lxp or lsof -U, close it, then restart bdi",
                     at.display()
                 )
             }
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ impl fmt::Display for Refused {
             Refused::NotASocket(at) => {
                 write!(
                     f,
-                    "{} is not a socket and bdi will not take it — name another path with --socket, or with socket under [changes] in the config",
+                    "{} is not a socket, so bdi will not use it; choose another path with --socket, or with socket under [changes] in the config",
                     at.display()
                 )
             }
@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ impl fmt::Display for Refused {
             Refused::NameOthersMayTake(directory) => {
                 write!(
                     f,
-                    "another user may take a name in {} — name a socket path with no such directory above it, with --socket or with socket under [changes] in the config",
+                    "other users can create files in {}, so bdi will not put its socket there; choose a path outside it with --socket, or with socket under [changes] in the config",
                     directory.display()
                 )
             }
@@ -1416,7 +1416,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         assert!(said.contains("another bdi"), "{said}");
         assert!(said.contains("/run/user/1000/x.sock"), "{said}");
-        assert!(said.contains("ss -lxp or lsof -U names which"), "{said}");
+        assert!(said.contains("find it with ss -lxp or lsof -U"), "{said}");
     }
 
     /// The remedy is two steps and the second one is the one a reader would
diff --git a/src/collect/discovery.rs b/src/collect/discovery.rs
index ad7560b..584770c 100644
--- a/src/collect/discovery.rs
+++ b/src/collect/discovery.rs
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ pub fn from_the_current_directory(
             ) {
                 return Err(failure.into());
             }
-            anyhow::bail!("{} is not in anything beads tracks", cwd.display());
+            anyhow::bail!("{} is not inside a beads project", cwd.display());
         }
     };
 
diff --git a/src/config.rs b/src/config.rs
index dcd8a06..7321994 100644
--- a/src/config.rs
+++ b/src/config.rs
@@ -764,8 +764,8 @@ impl Config {
             .is_some()
         {
             anyhow::bail!(
-                "[roots] metadata_keys is gone: every unfinished bead is a root, so a key \
-                 could name nothing bd's statuses do not; remove it"
+                "[roots] metadata_keys is no longer used, because every unfinished bead is \
+                 now a root; remove it"
             );
         }
         let cfg: Config = table.try_into()?;
@@ -775,8 +775,7 @@ impl Config {
         let repeated = cfg.names_borne_by_more_than_one_project();
         if !repeated.is_empty() {
             anyhow::bail!(
-                "a project's name is how bdi tells its beads from another tracker's, so \
-                 two projects cannot answer to one; repeated: {}",
+                "each project needs a name of its own, and these are used more than once: {}",
                 repeated.join(", ")
             );
         }
@@ -786,17 +785,15 @@ impl Config {
                 .is_some_and(Command::names_no_program)
         }) {
             anyhow::bail!(
-                "{} names an environment_command with no program in it; bdi appends its own \
-                 probe to what you write, so an empty one would read the project in bdi's \
-                 environment while saying it was read in its own",
+                "{}'s environment_command is empty; name a program, or remove the setting",
                 project.name
             );
         }
         for (named, ids) in &cfg.roots.explicit {
             if !cfg.is_configured(named) {
                 anyhow::bail!(
-                    "[roots.explicit] gives {} to {named}, which is no project of this \
-                     config; bdi is reading {}",
+                    "[roots.explicit] lists {} under {named}, but there is no project called \
+                     {named}; the configured projects are {}",
                     ids.join(", "),
                     names_of(&cfg.projects).join(", ")
                 );
@@ -804,9 +801,7 @@ impl Config {
         }
         let mut named: HashSet<&Cell> = HashSet::new();
         if let Some(twice) = cfg.row.cells().find(|cell| !named.insert(cell)) {
-            anyhow::bail!(
-                "[row] names {twice} twice; a cell is drawn in one place, so name it in one list"
-            );
+            anyhow::bail!("[row] names {twice} twice; name it in only one list");
         }
         let configured: BTreeSet<String> = cfg
             .projects
@@ -820,8 +815,8 @@ impl Config {
             .find(|cell| matches!(cell, Cell::Badge(key) if !configured.contains(key)))
         {
             anyhow::bail!(
-                "[row] names {unconfigured}, which no [[badges]] or [[projects.badges]] entry \
-                 configures, so it would draw nothing on any row"
+                "[row] names {unconfigured}, but no [[badges]] or [[projects.badges]] entry \
+                 defines it"
             );
         }
         Ok(cfg)
@@ -868,8 +863,8 @@ impl Config {
             .collect();
         if !unknown.is_empty() {
             anyhow::bail!(
-                "--project names {}, which is no project of this config; bdi is \
-                 configured for {}",
+                "--project names {}, which is not a configured project; the configured \
+                 projects are {}",
                 unknown.join(", "),
                 names_of(&self.projects).join(", ")
             );
@@ -938,8 +933,8 @@ impl Config {
             return match reading.as_slice() {
                 [only] => Ok((only.name.clone(), named.to_string())),
                 several => anyhow::bail!(
-                    "{named} names no project, and bdi is reading {}; write it as \
-                     <project>:{named}",
+                    "{named} does not say which project it is in, and bdi is reading {}; \
+                     write it as <project>:{named}",
                     several
                         .iter()
                         .map(|p| p.name.as_str())
@@ -953,8 +948,8 @@ impl Config {
         }
         if !self.is_configured(project) {
             anyhow::bail!(
-                "{named} gives {id} to {project}, which is not among the projects \
-                 bdi is configured for: {}",
+                "{named}: {project} is not a configured project; the configured \
+                 projects are {}",
                 names_of(&self.projects).join(", ")
             );
         }
@@ -962,8 +957,7 @@ impl Config {
             match &mut self.scope {
                 Scope::Directory { widened, .. } => widened.push(project.to_string()),
                 Scope::Asked(_) | Scope::Everything => anyhow::bail!(
-                    "{named} gives {id} to {project}, which is not among the projects \
-                     bdi is reading: {}",
+                    "{named}: bdi is not reading {project}; it is reading {}",
                     self.read()
                         .map(|p| p.name.as_str())
                         .collect::<Vec<_>>()
@@ -2277,7 +2271,7 @@ metadata_keys = ["working_topic"]
         )
         .unwrap_err();
         assert!(err.to_string().contains("metadata_keys"), "got: {err}");
-        assert!(err.to_string().contains("gone"), "got: {err}");
+        assert!(err.to_string().contains("no longer used"), "got: {err}");
     }
 
     #[test]
diff --git a/src/tui/screen.rs b/src/tui/screen.rs
index 8470ffd..5804deb 100644
--- a/src/tui/screen.rs
+++ b/src/tui/screen.rs
@@ -4124,7 +4124,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         assert_eq!(cursor(&shown), Some(&bead("grove", "grv-1.2")));
         assert!(
-            foot_of(&mut shown, 80, 24).contains("grove · grv-1.2 — 2 of 6 matching"),
+            foot_of(&mut shown, 80, 24).contains("grove · grv-1.2 · match 2 of 6"),
             "{:?}",
             foot_of(&mut shown, 80, 24)
         );
@@ -4161,7 +4161,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(forest_band(&mut shown, 60, 24), was);
         at_prompt(&mut shown, Typing::Sought);
         assert!(
-            foot_of(&mut shown, 100, 24).contains("nothing matching \"grv-1.3x\""),
+            foot_of(&mut shown, 100, 24).contains("nothing matches \"grv-1.3x\""),
             "{:?}",
             foot_of(&mut shown, 100, 24)
         );
@@ -4282,7 +4282,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         assert_eq!(cursor(&shown), Some(&bead("grove", "grv-1.3")));
         assert!(
-            foot_of(&mut shown, 80, 24).contains("grove · grv-1.3 — the only match"),
+            foot_of(&mut shown, 80, 24).contains("grove · grv-1.3 · the only match"),
             "{:?}",
             foot_of(&mut shown, 80, 24)
         );
@@ -4298,7 +4298,7 @@ mod tests {
         search_for(&mut shown, "grv-1.");
 
         assert!(
-            foot_of(&mut shown, 80, 24).contains("grove · grv-1.1 — 1 of 6 matching"),
+            foot_of(&mut shown, 80, 24).contains("grove · grv-1.1 · match 1 of 6"),
             "{:?}",
             foot_of(&mut shown, 80, 24)
         );
@@ -4314,7 +4314,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         assert_eq!(cursor(&shown), Some(&bead("grove", "grv-1.2")));
         assert!(
-            foot_of(&mut shown, 80, 24).contains("grove · grv-1.2 — 2 of 6 matching"),
+            foot_of(&mut shown, 80, 24).contains("grove · grv-1.2 · match 2 of 6"),
             "{:?}",
             foot_of(&mut shown, 80, 24)
         );
@@ -4347,8 +4347,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         assert_eq!(cursor(&shown).cloned(), was);
         assert!(
-            foot_of(&mut shown, 80, 24)
-                .contains("nothing matching \"grv-404\" in any tracker read"),
+            foot_of(&mut shown, 80, 24).contains("nothing matches \"grv-404\""),
             "{:?}",
             foot_of(&mut shown, 80, 24)
         );
@@ -4397,7 +4396,7 @@ mod tests {
     fn the_readers_next_press_takes_a_searchs_answer_off_the_foot() {
         let mut shown = shown(a_grove(6));
         search_for(&mut shown, "grv-404");
-        assert!(foot_of(&mut shown, 80, 24).contains("nothing matching \"grv-404\""));
+        assert!(foot_of(&mut shown, 80, 24).contains("nothing matches \"grv-404\""));
 
         assert!(shown.pressed());
 
@@ -4490,7 +4489,7 @@ mod tests {
         );
         let foot = foot_of(&mut shown, 100, 24);
         assert!(foot.contains("F whole forest"), "{foot:?}");
-        assert!(foot.contains("the forest is focused"), "{foot:?}");
+        assert!(foot.contains("showing focused beads"), "{foot:?}");
 
         press(&mut shown, KeyCode::Char('F'));
 
@@ -4533,7 +4532,7 @@ mod tests {
     }
 
     /// A grove on a machine whose herdr will not answer, which is a notice on
-    /// every frame and fifty-four of an eighty-column foot's columns.
+    /// every frame and forty-one of the foot's columns.
     fn a_grove_with_no_herdr(beads: usize) -> Snapshot {
         Snapshot {
             agents: a_provider(ProviderState::NotAnswering),
@@ -4544,14 +4543,14 @@ mod tests {
     /// The bead this was written for. The window holds four fifths of the
     /// screen and its title no longer names the way out, so a notice that
     /// took the whole row away left nothing on screen saying how to leave.
-    /// Eighty columns is a supported width, and a machine with no herdr
-    /// raises that notice on every frame rather than in a corner.
+    /// A machine with no herdr raises that notice on every frame rather than
+    /// in a corner, and at this width it leaves no room for every key.
     #[test]
     fn the_windows_row_keeps_the_way_out_beside_a_notice() {
         let mut shown = shown(a_grove_with_no_herdr(6));
         assert!(shown.apply(Action::ShowBead));
 
-        let foot = bead_view(&mut shown, 80, 24)
+        let foot = bead_view(&mut shown, 67, 24)
             .pop()
             .expect("a screen with rows on it");
 
@@ -4567,11 +4566,11 @@ mod tests {
     fn the_forests_row_still_goes_whole_beside_a_notice() {
         let mut shown = shown(a_grove_with_no_herdr(6));
 
-        let foot = foot_of(&mut shown, 80, 24);
+        let foot = foot_of(&mut shown, 67, 24);
 
         assert_eq!(
             foot.trim_end(),
-            "\u{26a0} no herdr session \u{b7} which agents are alive is unknown"
+            "\u{26a0} no herdr session \u{b7} agents are not shown"
         );
     }
 
diff --git a/src/view/draw/bead.rs b/src/view/draw/bead.rs
index 8e9aaa7..be87362 100644
--- a/src/view/draw/bead.rs
+++ b/src/view/draw/bead.rs
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ mod tests {
         )
         .rows();
 
-        says(&drawn[0], "2 beads beneath");
+        says(&drawn[0], "2 beads to check");
     }
 
     /// A count of nought is left out rather than drawn, exactly as the
@@ -548,7 +548,7 @@ mod tests {
             "{painted:?}"
         );
         assert_eq!(
-            colour_of("2 beads beneath"),
+            colour_of("2 beads to check"),
             palette::ATTENTION.fg,
             "{painted:?}"
         );
diff --git a/src/view/draw/foot.rs b/src/view/draw/foot.rs
index 225d421..561109d 100644
--- a/src/view/draw/foot.rs
+++ b/src/view/draw/foot.rs
@@ -324,10 +324,7 @@ mod tests {
         )
         .rows();
 
-        says(
-            &drawn[0],
-            "no herdr session · which agents are alive is unknown",
-        );
+        says(&drawn[0], "no herdr session · agents are not shown");
     }
 
     /// The bead this row was built for: a `bdi` that could not open its
@@ -353,7 +350,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         says(
             &drawn[0],
-            "nothing can tell bdi a project changed · every project is polled instead",
+            "bdi cannot hear about changes · every project is polled instead",
         );
     }
 
@@ -378,8 +375,8 @@ mod tests {
         .rows();
 
         for words in [
-            "no herdr session · which agents are alive is unknown",
-            "nothing can tell bdi a project changed · every project is polled instead",
+            "no herdr session · agents are not shown",
+            "bdi cannot hear about changes · every project is polled instead",
         ] {
             says(&drawn[0], words);
         }
@@ -405,11 +402,8 @@ mod tests {
         )
         .rows();
 
-        says(
-            &drawn[0],
-            "no herdr session · which agents are alive is unknown",
-        );
-        says(&drawn[0], "polled, not reported");
+        says(&drawn[0], "no herdr session · agents are not shown");
+        says(&drawn[0], "polling for changes");
     }
 
     /// The bead window's row as the loop hands it to the foot: the forms it
@@ -428,9 +422,8 @@ mod tests {
 
     /// The bead this was written for. A window holding four fifths of the
     /// screen leaves the reader nothing to look at, so the row that says how
-    /// to leave it must not be what a notice takes away. Eighty columns is a
-    /// supported width and a machine with no herdr raises this notice on
-    /// every frame.
+    /// to leave it must not be what a notice takes away. A machine with no
+    /// herdr raises this notice on every frame.
     #[test]
     fn a_row_that_can_say_less_says_less_rather_than_going() {
         let drawn = Painted::of(
@@ -441,9 +434,9 @@ mod tests {
                 &a_row_that_can_say_less(),
                 Spine::default(),
                 false,
-                80,
+                67,
             ),
-            80,
+            67,
             1,
         )
         .rows();
@@ -466,16 +459,16 @@ mod tests {
                 &a_row_that_can_say_less(),
                 Spine::default(),
                 false,
-                60,
+                47,
             ),
-            60,
+            47,
             1,
         )
         .rows();
 
         assert_eq!(
             drawn[0].trim_end(),
-            "\u{26a0} no herdr session \u{b7} which agents are alive is unknown"
+            "\u{26a0} no herdr session \u{b7} agents are not shown"
         );
     }
 
@@ -527,8 +520,8 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(
             drawn[0].trim_end(),
             format!(
-                "⚠ no herdr session · which agents are alive is unknown  copied grv-1{}{A_KEY_ROW}",
-                " ".repeat(120 - 54 - 2 - 12 - A_KEY_ROW.chars().count())
+                "⚠ no herdr session · agents are not shown  copied grv-1{}{A_KEY_ROW}",
+                " ".repeat(120 - 41 - 2 - 12 - A_KEY_ROW.chars().count())
             )
         );
     }
@@ -592,7 +585,7 @@ mod tests {
         )
         .rows();
 
-        assert_eq!(drawn[0], "⚠ agents unknown  ⚠ polled, not reported");
+        assert_eq!(drawn[0], "⚠ agents unknown  ⚠ polling for changes ");
     }
 
     /// A second `bdi` on a machine whose herdr is well: one notice, and in
@@ -616,7 +609,7 @@ mod tests {
         )
         .rows();
 
-        assert!(drawn[0].starts_with("⚠ polled, not reported"), "{drawn:?}");
+        assert!(drawn[0].starts_with("⚠ polling for changes"), "{drawn:?}");
     }
 
     /// A notice is drawn in the colour that asks to be looked at, and saying
@@ -641,7 +634,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(
             painted
                 .iter()
-                .any(|run| run.said.contains("polled, not reported")
+                .any(|run| run.said.contains("polling for changes")
                     && run.style.fg == palette::ATTENTION.fg),
             "{painted:?}"
         );
@@ -672,7 +665,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         says(
             &drawn[0],
-            "another bdi held the inbound channel · every project is polled instead",
+            "another bdi is already listening for changes · every project is polled instead",
         );
     }
 
@@ -701,7 +694,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         assert_eq!(
             drawn[0].trim_end(),
-            "⚠ agents unknown  ⚠ another bdi had it"
+            "⚠ agents unknown  ⚠ another bdi running"
         );
     }
 
@@ -830,14 +823,14 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(
             row(Spine::default())
                 .trim_end()
-                .ends_with("  the forest is focused"),
+                .ends_with("  showing focused beads"),
             "{:?}",
             row(Spine::default())
         );
         assert!(
             row(Spine::Shallowest)
                 .trim_end()
-                .ends_with("  the forest is focused · opening the shallowest copy of each bead"),
+                .ends_with("  showing focused beads · opening the shallowest copy of each bead"),
             "{:?}",
             row(Spine::Shallowest)
         );
@@ -894,9 +887,9 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(
             drawn[0].trim_end(),
             format!(
-                "⚠ no herdr session · which agents are alive is unknown  \
+                "⚠ no herdr session · agents are not shown  \
                  opening the shallowest copy of each bead{}{A_KEY_ROW}",
-                " ".repeat(150 - 54 - 2 - 40 - A_KEY_ROW.chars().count())
+                " ".repeat(150 - 41 - 2 - 40 - A_KEY_ROW.chars().count())
             )
         );
         assert!(
@@ -1039,7 +1032,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         assert_eq!(
             drawn[0].trim_end(),
-            "⚠ no herdr session · which agents are alive is unknown"
+            "⚠ no herdr session · agents are not shown"
         );
     }
 
@@ -1069,7 +1062,7 @@ mod tests {
     /// Whole where it fits, and the column under that is the whole difference.
     #[test]
     fn the_key_row_is_drawn_whole_at_the_first_width_that_holds_it() {
-        let notice = "⚠ no herdr session · which agents are alive is unknown";
+        let notice = "⚠ no herdr session · agents are not shown";
         let fits = notice.chars().count() + GAP + A_KEY_ROW.chars().count();
         let row = |width: usize| {
             Painted::of(
diff --git a/src/view/draw/groups.rs b/src/view/draw/groups.rs
index a6e6656..906db59 100644
--- a/src/view/draw/groups.rs
+++ b/src/view/draw/groups.rs
@@ -288,7 +288,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         assert!(drawn[0].contains("3 other trees"), "{drawn:?}");
         assert!(
-            drawn[0].ends_with("2 agents beneath  ⚠ 1 bead beneath"),
+            drawn[0].ends_with("2 agents beneath  ⚠ 1 bead to check"),
             "{drawn:?}"
         );
     }
diff --git a/src/view/draw/mod.rs b/src/view/draw/mod.rs
index 9794ace..fa0e3e0 100644
--- a/src/view/draw/mod.rs
+++ b/src/view/draw/mod.rs
@@ -777,7 +777,7 @@ mod tests {
                 "                                                            ",
                 "                                                            ",
                 "                                                            ",
-                "⚠ no herdr session · which agents are alive is unknown      ",
+                "⚠ no herdr session · agents are not shown                   ",
             ]
         );
     }
@@ -847,7 +847,7 @@ mod tests {
                 "                                                                                ",
                 "                                                                                ",
                 "                                                                                ",
-                "⚠ nothing can tell bdi a project changed · every project is polled instead      ",
+                "⚠ bdi cannot hear about changes · every project is polled instead               ",
             ]
         );
     }
@@ -960,7 +960,7 @@ mod tests {
             [
                 "▾ summit-works  ⚠ 30s ago                                                    ",
                 "  ├── ⚠ smt-4kd3p  the tracker did not answer                                ",
-                "  └── ⚠ 1 unattributed pane                                                  ",
+                "  └── ⚠ 1 unclaimed pane                                                     ",
                 "      └── ◍ wCM:p9 working  /tmp/bdi-ground/summit-works                     ",
             ]
         );
diff --git a/src/view/draw/project.rs b/src/view/draw/project.rs
index fbbc7c5..2667808 100644
--- a/src/view/draw/project.rs
+++ b/src/view/draw/project.rs
@@ -837,7 +837,10 @@ mod tests {
         .rows();
 
         says(&drawn[0], "smt-4kd3p");
-        says(&drawn[0], "this root drew no rows, and nothing said why");
+        says(
+            &drawn[0],
+            "this tree could not be drawn, for no known reason",
+        );
     }
 
     /// The identity of a root outlasts everything else on its line: a reader
diff --git a/src/view/phrase.rs b/src/view/phrase.rs
index 138b4a5..4082729 100644
--- a/src/view/phrase.rs
+++ b/src/view/phrase.rs
@@ -66,21 +66,21 @@ pub fn tracker_failure(failure: &TrackerFailure) -> String {
 fn redacted(failure: &TrackerFailure) -> &'static str {
     match failure {
         TrackerFailure::NoEnvironment => concat!(
-            "asked for an environment bdi could not produce · nothing was read, ",
-            "because the bd here is not the one this project asked for"
+            "could not set up this project's environment · ",
+            "nothing was read"
         ),
         TrackerFailure::NoCredential => concat!(
-            "the credential command this project names would not run · nothing ",
-            "was read, and no bd was asked for this project"
+            "this project's credential command failed · ",
+            "nothing was read"
         ),
-        TrackerFailure::Auth => "the tracker refused the credential it was given",
+        TrackerFailure::Auth => "the tracker rejected the credential",
         TrackerFailure::Unavailable => "the tracker did not answer",
         TrackerFailure::NotInstalled => "bd is not installed",
         TrackerFailure::Unstartable => "bd could not be started",
-        TrackerFailure::InstalledUnstartable => "bd is installed and could not be started",
-        TrackerFailure::Parse(_) => "bd answered with something bdi cannot read",
+        TrackerFailure::InstalledUnstartable => "bd is installed but could not be started",
+        TrackerFailure::Parse(_) => "bdi could not understand bd's answer",
         TrackerFailure::UnknownFlag => concat!(
-            "bd does not know a flag bdi uses · bdi needs bd ",
+            "bd rejected a flag bdi uses · bdi needs bd ",
             bd_floor!(),
             " or newer"
         ),
@@ -93,21 +93,22 @@ fn redacted(failure: &TrackerFailure) -> &'static str {
 /// they can no longer see, or how stale what they are looking at may be.
 pub fn notice(notice: &Notice) -> String {
     match notice {
-        Notice::AgentsUnknown => "no herdr session · which agents are alive is unknown".to_string(),
+        Notice::AgentsUnknown => "no herdr session · agents are not shown".to_string(),
         Notice::SessionUnanswered(session) => {
-            format!("herdr session {session} did not answer · which agents are in it is unknown")
+            format!("herdr session {session} did not answer · its agents are not shown")
         }
         Notice::NoInboundChannel => {
-            "nothing can tell bdi a project changed · every project is polled instead".to_string()
+            "bdi cannot hear about changes · every project is polled instead".to_string()
         }
         Notice::AnotherBdiHadTheInboundChannel => {
-            "another bdi held the inbound channel · every project is polled instead".to_string()
+            "another bdi is already listening for changes · every project is polled instead"
+                .to_string()
         }
         Notice::ConfigWouldNotReload => {
-            "the config would not load · bdi is still on the one before the edit".to_string()
+            "the edited config has an error · still using the previous one".to_string()
         }
         Notice::ProjectNamedWithoutGit => {
-            "git could not be run · this project is named after its directory · set BDI_PROJECT"
+            "git could not be run · project name guessed from its directory · set BDI_PROJECT"
                 .to_string()
         }
     }
@@ -125,12 +126,12 @@ pub fn brief_notice(notice: &Notice) -> String {
         Notice::AgentsUnknown => "agents unknown".to_string(),
         // The session's name is what survives the cut: which session's
         // agents are unknown is the whole of what the reader can act on.
-        Notice::SessionUnanswered(session) => format!("{session} unanswered"),
-        Notice::NoInboundChannel => "polled, not reported".to_string(),
+        Notice::SessionUnanswered(session) => format!("{session} not answering"),
+        Notice::NoInboundChannel => "polling for changes".to_string(),
         // The cause is what survives the cut, not the cost. A reader who
         // keeps only *polled* has what the notice this one replaced already
         // gave them, and still nothing to do about it.
-        Notice::AnotherBdiHadTheInboundChannel => "another bdi had it".to_string(),
+        Notice::AnotherBdiHadTheInboundChannel => "another bdi running".to_string(),
         // What survives the cut is that the edit did not take, because that
         // is the half the reader cannot see: their editor is still showing
         // them the text they wrote.
@@ -320,7 +321,7 @@ pub fn failed_project(failed: &FailedProject) -> String {
 pub fn anomaly(anomaly: &Anomaly) -> String {
     match anomaly {
         Anomaly::OrphanClaim { refused } => orphan_claim(refused.as_ref()),
-        Anomaly::StalePane => "closed · its pane is still alive".to_string(),
+        Anomaly::StalePane => "closed · its pane is still open".to_string(),
         Anomaly::StaleClaim { days } => {
             let day = if *days == 1 { "day" } else { "days" };
             format!("claimed · untouched for {days} {day}")
@@ -342,16 +343,16 @@ fn orphan_claim(refused: Option<&Conflict>) -> String {
             pane_project.as_deref().unwrap_or("no configured project")
         ),
         Some(Conflict::SeveralBeadsNameOnePane { beads, .. }) => {
-            format!("claimed · {} beads name its pane", beads.len())
+            format!("claimed · {} beads claim its pane", beads.len())
         }
         Some(Conflict::PaneIdInSeveralSessions { sessions, .. }) => {
-            format!("claimed · {} sessions hold its pane id", sessions.len())
+            format!("claimed · its pane id is in {} sessions", sessions.len())
         }
         // Neither of these ever gets here. A refusal sends the reader to the
         // disagreement's row to find the pane the claim was for, and these two
         // name no one pane, so `join::resolve` refuses no claim with either.
         Some(Conflict::BeadAndPaneDisagree { .. } | Conflict::SeveralPanesNameOneBead { .. })
-        | None => "claimed · no pane".to_string(),
+        | None => "claimed · no live pane".to_string(),
     }
 }
 
@@ -362,13 +363,13 @@ pub fn conflict(conflict: &Conflict) -> String {
             named_by_bead,
             named_by_pane,
         } => format!(
-            "{}: the bead names pane {}, and pane {} names the bead",
+            "{}: the bead names pane {}, but pane {} claims it",
             bead_key(bead),
             pane_key(named_by_bead),
             pane_key(named_by_pane)
         ),
         Conflict::SeveralPanesNameOneBead { bead, panes } => format!(
-            "{}: {} panes name this bead — {} — so none holds it",
+            "{}: claimed by {} panes: {} · none is shown on it",
             bead_key(bead),
             panes.len(),
             panes.iter().map(pane_key).collect::<Vec<_>>().join(", ")
@@ -378,7 +379,7 @@ pub fn conflict(conflict: &Conflict) -> String {
             caption,
             beads,
         } => format!(
-            "pane {}{}: {} beads name it — {} — so none holds it",
+            "pane {}{} is claimed by {} beads: {} · none is shown on it",
             pane_key(pane),
             caption.as_deref().map(saying).unwrap_or_default(),
             beads.len(),
@@ -389,7 +390,7 @@ pub fn conflict(conflict: &Conflict) -> String {
             pane,
             pane_project,
         } => format!(
-            "{}: pane {} is working in {}, so it joins nothing here",
+            "{}: its pane {} is in {}, not this project",
             bead_key(bead),
             pane_key(pane),
             pane_project.as_deref().unwrap_or("no configured project")
@@ -399,7 +400,7 @@ pub fn conflict(conflict: &Conflict) -> String {
             pane_id,
             sessions,
         } => format!(
-            "{}: the bead names pane {pane_id}, which {} sessions each hold — {} — so none is its",
+            "{}: pane {pane_id} is in {} sessions: {} · cannot tell which is meant",
             bead_key(bead),
             sessions.len(),
             sessions.join(", ")
@@ -411,13 +412,13 @@ pub fn conflict(conflict: &Conflict) -> String {
 /// reach this, and a root that quietly left the screen would be the one kind
 /// of wrong answer `bdi` exists to prevent.
 pub fn root_unread() -> &'static str {
-    "this root drew no rows, and nothing said why"
+    "this tree could not be drawn, for no known reason"
 }
 
 /// A root the tracker was asked to draw and holds no bead for. The tracker
 /// did nothing wrong, so the phrase sends the reader to what named it.
 pub fn root_not_found() -> &'static str {
-    "no such bead in this tracker · named in config or on the command line"
+    "no such bead in this tracker · check the config or command line"
 }
 
 /// Why a blocker a bead waits on is not drawn beneath it.
@@ -425,14 +426,14 @@ pub fn unreachable(why: &Unreachable) -> String {
     match why {
         Unreachable::NotHeld { projects } => format!("no such bead in {}", projects.join(", ")),
         Unreachable::HeldBySeveral { projects } => format!(
-            "{} projects hold a bead by this id — {} — so none is its",
+            "{} projects have a bead with this id: {} · cannot tell which is meant",
             projects.len(),
             projects.join(", ")
         ),
         Unreachable::NotRead { projects } => {
-            format!("in no project bdi read · not read: {}", projects.join(", "))
+            format!("not found · projects not read: {}", projects.join(", "))
         }
-        Unreachable::Unconfigured => "in no project bdi is configured to read".to_string(),
+        Unreachable::Unconfigured => "not in any configured project".to_string(),
     }
 }
 
@@ -440,7 +441,7 @@ pub fn unreachable(why: &Unreachable) -> String {
 /// than as rows of its own.
 pub fn elided(count: usize) -> String {
     let bead = if count == 1 { "bead" } else { "beads" };
-    format!("{count} more {bead} · finished, and nobody on them")
+    format!("{count} more finished {bead} with no agent")
 }
 
 /// Work still to do behind a closed line resting shut over it.
@@ -477,20 +478,20 @@ pub fn agents_beneath(count: usize) -> String {
 /// that opening this is worth it.
 pub fn anomalies_beneath(count: usize) -> String {
     let bead = if count == 1 { "bead" } else { "beads" };
-    format!("{count} {bead} beneath")
+    format!("{count} {bead} to check")
 }
 
 /// Projects whose tracker could not be read at all, so they have no root to
 /// hang anything on.
 pub fn failed_projects(count: usize) -> String {
     let project = if count == 1 { "project" } else { "projects" };
-    format!("{count} {project} whose tracker could not be read")
+    format!("{count} {project} could not be read")
 }
 
 /// Beads and panes that name each other in ways that cannot all be true.
 pub fn conflicts(count: usize) -> String {
-    let conflict = if count == 1 { "conflict" } else { "conflicts" };
-    format!("{count} {conflict} nothing could settle")
+    let claim = if count == 1 { "claim" } else { "claims" };
+    format!("{count} conflicting {claim}")
 }
 
 /// The trees the forest is not drawing because the reader rooted it at one
@@ -547,7 +548,7 @@ pub fn spine(spine: Spine) -> &'static str {
 /// That the forest is drawn from the beads the reader focused, with the rest
 /// behind a line in each project.
 pub fn focused() -> &'static str {
-    "the forest is focused"
+    "showing focused beads"
 }
 
 /// How to see the projects a scope the directory chose left out.
@@ -586,7 +587,7 @@ pub fn claim_refused() -> &'static str {
 /// Live panes that resolved to no bead.
 pub fn unattributed(count: usize) -> String {
     let pane = if count == 1 { "pane" } else { "panes" };
-    format!("{count} unattributed {pane}")
+    format!("{count} unclaimed {pane}")
 }
 
 /// Live panes working somewhere `bdi` was never told about. The finding is
@@ -594,27 +595,25 @@ pub fn unattributed(count: usize) -> String {
 /// each directory below it is the one a `[[projects]]` entry would name.
 pub fn unconfigured(count: usize) -> String {
     if count == 1 {
-        return "1 pane in a directory no configured project covers".to_string();
+        return "1 pane working outside every configured project".to_string();
     }
-    format!("{count} panes in directories no configured project covers")
+    format!("{count} panes working outside every configured project")
 }
 
 /// Beads naming something they depend on that this tree does not hold. One
 /// left with nowhere else to sit hangs off the root.
 pub fn orphaned_dependency(count: usize) -> String {
-    let bead = if count == 1 { "bead" } else { "beads" };
-    format!(
-        "{count} {bead} waiting on work outside this tree · no bead by the id each names is in it"
-    )
+    if count == 1 {
+        return "1 bead depends on a bead not in this tree".to_string();
+    }
+    format!("{count} beads depend on beads not in this tree")
 }
 
 /// Beads whose own descendants lead back to them, each drawn where the loop
 /// was cut.
 pub fn cycle(count: usize) -> String {
     let bead = if count == 1 { "bead" } else { "beads" };
-    format!(
-        "{count} {bead} that must finish before themselves · a chain of dependencies that loops"
-    )
+    format!("{count} {bead} in a dependency loop")
 }
 
 /// Why the whole forest is empty. `bd` is asked for unfinished work and
@@ -624,7 +623,7 @@ pub fn cycle(count: usize) -> String {
 /// own. The clause after the separator is the point: it says the trackers
 /// answered, which is what a reader must not mistake a blank screen for.
 pub fn no_roots() -> &'static str {
-    "no unfinished work anywhere · every tracker answered, and none of them had a root to draw"
+    "no unfinished work · every tracker was read"
 }
 
 /// Why the tail is showing no pane, where the selection points at none.
@@ -641,7 +640,7 @@ pub fn no_agent_to_tail() -> &'static str {
 }
 
 pub fn no_session_to_tail() -> &'static str {
-    "no herdr session · there is no pane to read"
+    "no herdr session · no pane to show"
 }
 
 /// That nothing on this machine provides agents at all, which is the ordinary
@@ -651,7 +650,7 @@ pub fn no_session_to_tail() -> &'static str {
 /// they do not recognise would read as something broken. What it says instead
 /// is what the run is, which is a whole answer rather than a loss.
 pub fn no_provider_to_tail() -> &'static str {
-    "no agent provider · bdi is reading beads alone"
+    "no agents to show · reading beads only"
 }
 
 /// That the pane the selection points at is being read and has not answered
@@ -702,10 +701,10 @@ pub fn said(said: &Said) -> String {
     match said {
         Said::Copied(id) => format!("copied {id}"),
         Said::NothingMatched(sought) => {
-            format!("nothing matching \"{sought}\" in any tracker read")
+            format!("nothing matches \"{sought}\"")
         }
-        Said::Matched { key, of: 1, .. } => format!("{} — the only match", bead_key(key)),
-        Said::Matched { key, at, of } => format!("{} — {at} of {of} matching", bead_key(key)),
+        Said::Matched { key, of: 1, .. } => format!("{} · the only match", bead_key(key)),
+        Said::Matched { key, at, of } => format!("{} · match {at} of {of}", bead_key(key)),
     }
 }
 
@@ -768,10 +767,10 @@ pub fn unrecognised_status(status: &Status) -> Option<String> {
 pub fn undrawn(undrawn: &Undrawn) -> String {
     match undrawn {
         Undrawn::Link { key } => {
-            format!("no link for {key}: this value leaves part of it unfilled")
+            format!("no link for {key}: its value does not fit the link template")
         }
         Undrawn::Short { key } => {
-            format!("no short form for {key}: this value leaves part of it unfilled")
+            format!("no short form for {key}: its value does not fit the template")
         }
     }
 }
@@ -842,7 +841,7 @@ pub fn bead_window_title(id: &str, from: usize, room: usize, total: usize) -> St
 /// A bead an edge names that the tracker's answer does not hold, which is
 /// all the answer can say of it.
 pub fn not_in_the_answer() -> &'static str {
-    "not in the tracker's answer"
+    "not found in the tracker"
 }
 
 /// A kind of edge outside the two `bdi` knows, said as bd's word for it.
@@ -1596,7 +1595,7 @@ mod tests {
     fn an_answer_that_would_not_parse_says_which_read_broke_and_where() {
         let said = tracker_failure(&TrackerFailure::Parse(an_unreadable()));
 
-        says(&said, "bdi cannot read");
+        says(&said, "could not understand");
         says(&said, "bd list");
         says(&said, "expected a string");
         says(&said, "line 1 column 25");
@@ -1666,7 +1665,7 @@ mod tests {
         );
         says(
             redacted(&TrackerFailure::InstalledUnstartable),
-            "is installed and could not be started",
+            "is installed but could not be started",
         );
     }
 
@@ -1708,7 +1707,7 @@ mod tests {
     fn a_project_with_no_environment_is_not_reported_as_a_fault_in_bd() {
         let said = redacted(&TrackerFailure::NoEnvironment);
 
-        says(said, "asked for an environment");
+        says(said, "environment");
         says(said, "nothing was read");
         assert!(
             !said.contains("bd is") && !said.contains("bd could"),
@@ -1879,7 +1878,7 @@ mod tests {
         });
 
         says(&said, "summit-works");
-        says(&said, "the tracker refused the credential it was given");
+        says(&said, "the tracker rejected the credential");
     }
 
     /// bdi-9vm: every claimed bead on a live screen read `claimed · no pane`
@@ -2047,7 +2046,7 @@ mod tests {
             .find("rebuild the installer image")
             .expect("the pane's own words are in the sentence");
         let claims = said
-            .find("beads name it")
+            .find("claimed by")
             .expect("so is the roll of claims on it");
 
         assert!(words < claims, "{said}");
diff --git a/src/view/row.rs b/src/view/row.rs
index e73e008..5a2a8ec 100644
--- a/src/view/row.rs
+++ b/src/view/row.rs
@@ -615,7 +615,7 @@ mod tests {
         let said = anomaly_marker(&row.anomalies).expect("two rules fired");
 
         assert_eq!(row.anomalies.len(), 2, "{:?}", row.anomalies);
-        assert!(said.contains("no pane"), "{said}");
+        assert!(said.contains("no live pane"), "{said}");
         assert!(said.contains("58"), "{said}");
     }
 
diff --git a/src/view/show.rs b/src/view/show.rs
index e024618..230a81c 100644
--- a/src/view/show.rs
+++ b/src/view/show.rs
@@ -1543,7 +1543,7 @@ mod tests {
         let rows = drawn(&orphaned, &mut Show::default(), 50, 24);
 
         assert!(
-            rows.contains(&"│   → dun-9  not in the tracker's answer         │".to_string()),
+            rows.contains(&"│   → dun-9  not found in the tracker            │".to_string()),
             "{rows:#?}"
         );
     }
@@ -2564,7 +2564,7 @@ mod tests {
                 "   started 2026-03-15",
                 "   ◍ lifting the mast · working · inferred, not confirmed",
                 "   ⚠ claimed · untouched for 58 days",
-                "   ⚠ closed · its pane is still alive",
+                "   ⚠ closed · its pane is still open",
                 "   ⇢ #12  ⏸ waiting",
                 "   3/7",
             ],
diff --git a/tests/a_background_written_under_a_running_bdi_reaches_the_band.rs b/tests/a_background_written_under_a_running_bdi_reaches_the_band.rs
index b85429d..c4a633a 100644
--- a/tests/a_background_written_under_a_running_bdi_reaches_the_band.rs
+++ b/tests/a_background_written_under_a_running_bdi_reaches_the_band.rs
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ const COLS: u16 = 120;
 /// so a sentence is in no run of the stream. The foot says something of its
 /// own about herdr, and this is the half of the band's sentence that is the
 /// band's alone.
-const NO_PANE_TO_READ: &[u8] = "there is no pane to read".as_bytes();
+const NO_PANE_TO_READ: &[u8] = "no pane to show".as_bytes();
 
 /// The dim attribute, which is the whole of the dark background's answer for
 /// the band and is asked for nowhere else on the screen.
diff --git a/tests/a_bead_searched_for_by_id_is_where_the_selection_lands.rs b/tests/a_bead_searched_for_by_id_is_where_the_selection_lands.rs
index 23d4c61..01dd19a 100644
--- a/tests/a_bead_searched_for_by_id_is_where_the_selection_lands.rs
+++ b/tests/a_bead_searched_for_by_id_is_where_the_selection_lands.rs
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ use terminal::{contains, over_the_described_subtree, window_over};
 const ROWS: u16 = 40;
 
 /// Wider than the eighty columns most of these tests use. This machine has no
-/// herdr, so its foot already carries the notice saying which agents are
-/// alive is unknown — and the foot gives up what it said back to a keystroke
+/// herdr, so its foot already carries the notice saying agents are not
+/// shown — and the foot gives up what it said back to a keystroke
 /// whole rather than cut it, before it gives up a notice. At a hundred and
 /// twenty columns the notice, the answer and the keys do not all fit, and the
 /// answer is the one that goes.
diff --git a/tests/a_click_on_a_reference_in_the_bead_window_follows_it.rs b/tests/a_click_on_a_reference_in_the_bead_window_follows_it.rs
index cfa3d7f..2508c1d 100644
--- a/tests/a_click_on_a_reference_in_the_bead_window_follows_it.rs
+++ b/tests/a_click_on_a_reference_in_the_bead_window_follows_it.rs
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ const A_REFERENCE_THAT_CAN_BE_FOLLOWED: &[u8] = "↑".as_bytes();
 
 /// A bead the capture's answer does not hold, which is drawn saying so and
 /// which `Tab` passes over.
-const A_REFERENCE_THAT_CANNOT: &[u8] = "dun-rer.9  not in the tracker's answer".as_bytes();
+const A_REFERENCE_THAT_CANNOT: &[u8] = "dun-rer.9  not found in the tracker".as_bytes();
 
 /// The heading over the parent, which is the row immediately above the
 /// reference — where a reader aiming at it and missing lands.
diff --git a/tests/a_config_edited_under_a_running_bdi_is_read_again.rs b/tests/a_config_edited_under_a_running_bdi_is_read_again.rs
index 75ffe10..48420b5 100644
--- a/tests/a_config_edited_under_a_running_bdi_is_read_again.rs
+++ b/tests/a_config_edited_under_a_running_bdi_is_read_again.rs
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ const THE_FIRST_FRAME: &[u8] = "arkham".as_bytes();
 /// The notice, from `view::phrase`. Its first words rather than the whole
 /// line: the foot is drawn as a difference from the frame before, so a phrase
 /// that lands where another had letters reaches the wire in pieces.
-const WOULD_NOT_LOAD: &[u8] = "the config would not load".as_bytes();
+const WOULD_NOT_LOAD: &[u8] = "the edited config has an error".as_bytes();
 
 /// The same row, read off a later frame, where it says `bdi` is still
 /// drawing a forest: a broken config does not take it down and does not
diff --git a/tests/a_credential_command_that_will_not_run_says_so_and_reads_no_bd.rs b/tests/a_credential_command_that_will_not_run_says_so_and_reads_no_bd.rs
index f88db7a..609c317 100644
--- a/tests/a_credential_command_that_will_not_run_says_so_and_reads_no_bd.rs
+++ b/tests/a_credential_command_that_will_not_run_says_so_and_reads_no_bd.rs
@@ -50,11 +50,9 @@ const THE_TRACKER: &str = include_str!("fixtures/bd_list.json");
 /// screen that happens to hold it, and the two other phrases about a
 /// credential are exactly the ones this failure must not be confused with.
 ///
-/// The clause rather than the whole sentence, because the sentence is longer
-/// than the row: it is drawn under a tree prefix at 120 columns and the tail
-/// of it is cut. This is what fits, and it is the half that says which
+/// The clause rather than the whole sentence: it is the half that says which
 /// command.
-const THE_CLAUSE: &[u8] = "the credential command this project names would not run".as_bytes();
+const THE_CLAUSE: &[u8] = "this project's credential command failed".as_bytes();
 
 /// How long a keystroke gets before waiting for it is called stalling.
 const LONG_ENOUGH_TO_ANSWER: Duration = Duration::from_secs(10);
diff --git a/tests/a_fold_key_leaves_the_forest_it_left_before.rs b/tests/a_fold_key_leaves_the_forest_it_left_before.rs
index af58eed..058c11d 100644
--- a/tests/a_fold_key_leaves_the_forest_it_left_before.rs
+++ b/tests/a_fold_key_leaves_the_forest_it_left_before.rs
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
 //! 5   │   │   └┄▸ ○ ark-1.1  cast the bracket  0/2  ◍ 1 agent beneath
 //! 6   │   ├── ○ .3       mount the lens                          0/3
 //! 7   │   │   └┄▸ ○ ark-1.1  cast the bracket  0/2  ◍ 1 agent beneath
-//! 8   │   └─▸ ✓ 3 more beads · finished, and nobody on them
+//! 8   │   └─▸ ✓ 3 more finished beads with no agent
 //! 9   └─▸ 1 tree with no live agent
 //! ```
 //!
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ const FRESH: &[&str] = &[
     "  │   │   └┄┄ ○ ark-1.1  cast the bracket  0/2",
     "  │   │       └── ◐ .1  pour the iron  ◍ wT:p2 · working",
     "  │   ├─▸ ○ .3  mount the lens  0/3  ◍ 1 agent beneath",
-    "  │   └─▸ ✓ 3 more beads · finished, and nobody on them",
+    "  │   └─▸ ✓ 3 more finished beads with no agent",
     "  └─▸ 1 tree with no live agent",
 ];
 
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ const AT_REST: &[&str] = &[
     "  │   │   └┄▸ ○ ark-1.1  cast the bracket  0/2  ◍ 1 agent beneath",
     "  │   ├── ○ .3  mount the lens  0/3",
     "  │   │   └┄▸ ○ ark-1.1  cast the bracket  0/2  ◍ 1 agent beneath",
-    "  │   └─▸ ✓ 3 more beads · finished, and nobody on them",
+    "  │   └─▸ ✓ 3 more finished beads with no agent",
     "  └─▸ 1 tree with no live agent",
 ];
 
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ const EVERYTHING_OPEN: &[&str] = &[
     "  │   ├── ○ .3  mount the lens  0/3",
     "  │   │   └┄┄ ○ ark-1.1  cast the bracket  0/2",
     "  │   │       └── ◐ .1  pour the iron  ◍ wT:p2 · working",
-    "  │   └── ✓ 3 more beads · finished, and nobody on them",
+    "  │   └── ✓ 3 more finished beads with no agent",
     "  │       ├── ✓ .4  survey the headland",
     "  │       ├── ✓ .5  draw up the plans",
     "  │       └── ✓ .6  clear the site",
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ const GLAZE_THE_LANTERN_SHUT: &[&str] = &[
     "  │   ├─▸ ○ .2  glaze the lantern  0/3  ◍ 1 agent beneath",
     "  │   ├── ○ .3  mount the lens  0/3",
     "  │   │   └┄▸ ○ ark-1.1  cast the bracket  0/2  ◍ 1 agent beneath",
-    "  │   └─▸ ✓ 3 more beads · finished, and nobody on them",
+    "  │   └─▸ ✓ 3 more finished beads with no agent",
     "  └─▸ 1 tree with no live agent",
 ];
 
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ const THE_COPY_OPEN: &[&str] = &[
     "  │   │       └── ◐ .1  pour the iron  ◍ wT:p2 · working",
     "  │   ├── ○ .3  mount the lens  0/3",
     "  │   │   └┄▸ ○ ark-1.1  cast the bracket  0/2  ◍ 1 agent beneath",
-    "  │   └─▸ ✓ 3 more beads · finished, and nobody on them",
+    "  │   └─▸ ✓ 3 more finished beads with no agent",
     "  └─▸ 1 tree with no live agent",
 ];
 
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ fn a_moves_the_hidden_tree_and_leaves_the_folds_alone() {
             "  │   ├─▸ ○ .2  glaze the lantern  0/3  ◍ 1 agent beneath",
             "  │   ├── ○ .3  mount the lens  0/3",
             "  │   │   └┄▸ ○ ark-1.1  cast the bracket  0/2  ◍ 1 agent beneath",
-            "  │   └─▸ ✓ 3 more beads · finished, and nobody on them",
+            "  │   └─▸ ✓ 3 more finished beads with no agent",
             "  └─▸ ○ ark-2  dredge the harbour  0/2",
         ]
     );
@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ fn a_refresh_lets_a_fold_go_when_live_work_arrives_under_it() {
             "  │   ├── ○ .2  glaze the lantern  0/3",
             "  │   │   └┄▸ ○ ark-1.1  cast the bracket  0/2  ◍ 1 agent beneath",
             "  │   ├─▸ ○ .3  mount the lens  0/3  ◍ 1 agent beneath",
-            "  │   └─▸ ✓ 3 more beads · finished, and nobody on them",
+            "  │   └─▸ ✓ 3 more finished beads with no agent",
             "  └─▸ 1 tree with no live agent",
         ]
     );
@@ -411,7 +411,7 @@ fn a_refresh_lets_a_fold_go_when_live_work_arrives_under_it() {
             "  │   ├── ○ .3  mount the lens  0/4",
             "  │   │   ├── ◐ .1  grind the glass  ◍ wT:p3 · working",
             "  │   │   └┄▸ ○ ark-1.1  cast the bracket  0/2  ◍ 1 agent beneath",
-            "  │   └─▸ ✓ 3 more beads · finished, and nobody on them",
+            "  │   └─▸ ✓ 3 more finished beads with no agent",
             "  └─▸ 1 tree with no live agent",
         ]
     );
@@ -441,7 +441,7 @@ fn a_refresh_keeps_a_fold_e_found_resting_open_open_when_the_work_under_it_finis
             "  │   ├── ○ .3  mount the lens  0/3",
             "  │   │   └┄┄ ○ ark-1.1  cast the bracket  0/2",
             "  │   │       └── ◐ .1  pour the iron  ◍ wT:p2 · working",
-            "  │   └── ✓ 3 more beads · finished, and nobody on them",
+            "  │   └── ✓ 3 more finished beads with no agent",
             "  │       ├── ✓ .4  survey the headland",
             "  │       ├── ✓ .5  draw up the plans",
             "  │       └── ✓ .6  clear the site",
@@ -466,7 +466,7 @@ fn a_refresh_keeps_a_fold_e_found_resting_open_open_when_the_work_under_it_finis
             "  │   ├── ○ .3  mount the lens  1/3",
             "  │   │   └┄┄ ○ ark-1.1  cast the bracket  1/2",
             "  │   │       └── ✓ .1  pour the iron",
-            "  │   └── ✓ 3 more beads · finished, and nobody on them",
+            "  │   └── ✓ 3 more finished beads with no agent",
             "  │       ├── ✓ .4  survey the headland",
             "  │       ├── ✓ .5  draw up the plans",
             "  │       └── ✓ .6  clear the site",
@@ -495,7 +495,7 @@ fn a_search_opens_the_folds_over_the_bead_it_lands_on() {
             "  │   │   └── ◐ .1  pour the iron  ◍ wT:p2 · working",
             "  │   ├─▸ ○ .2  glaze the lantern  0/3  ◍ 1 agent beneath",
             "  │   ├─▸ ○ .3  mount the lens  0/3  ◍ 1 agent beneath",
-            "  │   └─▸ ✓ 3 more beads · finished, and nobody on them",
+            "  │   └─▸ ✓ 3 more finished beads with no agent",
             "  └─▸ 1 tree with no live agent",
         ]
     );
diff --git a/tests/a_machine_with_no_agent_provider.rs b/tests/a_machine_with_no_agent_provider.rs
index b861fef..24e17f2 100644
--- a/tests/a_machine_with_no_agent_provider.rs
+++ b/tests/a_machine_with_no_agent_provider.rs
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ const THE_TRACKER: &str = include_str!("fixtures/bd_list.json");
 /// is on the screen only because a run with no panes draws every tree.
 const THE_ROOT: &[u8] = "bdi-2bb".as_bytes();
 
-/// One word of the foot notice, *no herdr session · which agents are alive is
-/// unknown*, that nothing else `bdi` writes says. One word rather than the
+/// One word of the foot notice, *no herdr session · agents are not shown*,
+/// that nothing else `bdi` writes says. One word rather than the
 /// phrase, because a repaint reaches the wire a word at a time with a cursor
 /// move where each space would be.
 ///
@@ -38,11 +38,10 @@ const THE_ROOT: &[u8] = "bdi-2bb".as_bytes();
 /// screen, so it is in what a test reads back on every machine with no
 /// `XDG_RUNTIME_DIR`. That is the build sandbox and not this one, so the
 /// wrong word passed here and failed there.
-const A_WORD_OF_THE_NOTICE: &[u8] = "unknown".as_bytes();
+const A_WORD_OF_THE_NOTICE: &[u8] = "shown".as_bytes();
 
-/// The same for the tail band's *no agent provider · bdi is reading beads
-/// alone*.
-const A_WORD_OF_THE_BAND: &[u8] = "provider".as_bytes();
+/// The same for the tail band's *no agents to show · reading beads only*.
+const A_WORD_OF_THE_BAND: &[u8] = "only".as_bytes();
 
 /// A `bdi` run against a tracker holding the capture, in `environment`.
 fn drawn_by(bdi: &mut Driven) -> Vec<u8> {
@@ -100,7 +99,7 @@ fn a_run_with_no_provider_installed_draws_every_tree_and_is_not_warned() {
     );
     assert!(
         contains(&drawn, A_WORD_OF_THE_BAND),
-        "nothing said why there is no pane to read: {}",
+        "nothing said why there is no pane to show: {}",
         bdi.timeline()
     );
 }
diff --git a/tests/a_project_bdi_could_not_enter_says_so_and_reads_no_bd.rs b/tests/a_project_bdi_could_not_enter_says_so_and_reads_no_bd.rs
index 06f6794..7c71e27 100644
--- a/tests/a_project_bdi_could_not_enter_says_so_and_reads_no_bd.rs
+++ b/tests/a_project_bdi_could_not_enter_says_so_and_reads_no_bd.rs
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ const THE_TRACKER: &str = include_str!("fixtures/bd_list.json");
 /// word at a time with a cursor move where each space would be: the phrase as
 /// written is never in the bytes, and a test looking for it would fail on a
 /// screen that says it.
-const A_WORD_OF_IT: &[u8] = "produce".as_bytes();
+const A_WORD_OF_IT: &[u8] = "environment".as_bytes();
 
 /// How long a keystroke gets before waiting for it is called stalling.
 const LONG_ENOUGH_TO_ANSWER: Duration = Duration::from_secs(10);
diff --git a/tests/a_projects_quiet_trees_and_loose_panes_hang_under_it.rs b/tests/a_projects_quiet_trees_and_loose_panes_hang_under_it.rs
index 8ba090d..428bfbc 100644
--- a/tests/a_projects_quiet_trees_and_loose_panes_hang_under_it.rs
+++ b/tests/a_projects_quiet_trees_and_loose_panes_hang_under_it.rs
@@ -13,9 +13,9 @@
 //! 1   ├── ○ ark-1  raise the beacon
 //! 2   │   └── ◐ .1  trim the wick          ◍ wT:p2 working
 //! 3   ├─▸ 1 tree with no live agent
-//! 4   └── ⚠ 1 unattributed pane
+//! 4   └── ⚠ 1 unclaimed pane
 //! 5       └── ◍ wT:p3 idle                 <the project's path>
-//! 6 ▸ ⚠ 1 project whose tracker could not be read
+//! 6 ▸ ⚠ 1 project could not be read
 //! ```
 //!
 //! The rows are read by what a click on them does, because a repaint reaches
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ const ON_THE_LOOSE_PANE: &str = "moored at the quay\n";
 const A_WORD_ON_IT: &[u8] = b"moored";
 
 /// The word the line over the loose panes says, from `view::phrase`.
-const NO_BEAD_CLAIMS_THEM: &[u8] = b"unattributed";
+const NO_BEAD_CLAIMS_THEM: &[u8] = b"unclaimed";
 
 /// Where the rows are, counting from the top of the screen, before and after
 /// the quiet trees are opened.
diff --git a/tests/a_screen_too_short_for_a_tail_line_keeps_its_key_bar.rs b/tests/a_screen_too_short_for_a_tail_line_keeps_its_key_bar.rs
index 4ac9bcb..0231c76 100644
--- a/tests/a_screen_too_short_for_a_tail_line_keeps_its_key_bar.rs
+++ b/tests/a_screen_too_short_for_a_tail_line_keeps_its_key_bar.rs
@@ -54,9 +54,9 @@ const THE_TRACKER: &str = include_str!("fixtures/bd_list.json");
 const A_WORD_OF_THE_KEY_ROW: &[u8] = "all".as_bytes();
 
 /// The line the band would draw beneath its rule on a machine with no agent
-/// provider — one word of *no agent provider · bdi is reading beads alone*,
+/// provider — one word of *no agents to show · reading beads only*,
 /// by the same rule as above.
-const THE_SILENT_LINE: &[u8] = "provider".as_bytes();
+const THE_SILENT_LINE: &[u8] = "only".as_bytes();
 
 /// The line the band would draw beneath its rule while herdr is still
 /// answering, from `view::phrase`. Whole rather than one word, because a band
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ const LAST_ROW: &[u8] = b"G";
 /// so the group the key above aims at. The collection has to have come back
 /// before that key has a row to land on, and `bdi` opens its screen before
 /// its first collection returns.
-const A_PANE_ROW_HAS_ARRIVED: &[u8] = "no configured project".as_bytes();
+const A_PANE_ROW_HAS_ARRIVED: &[u8] = "every configured project".as_bytes();
 
 /// The shorter of the two heights where the band is one row: a forest of two
 /// rows, the band, and the keys.
diff --git a/tests/a_tail_interval_written_under_a_running_bdi_takes_at_once.rs b/tests/a_tail_interval_written_under_a_running_bdi_takes_at_once.rs
index 5d07fdb..fa81462 100644
--- a/tests/a_tail_interval_written_under_a_running_bdi_takes_at_once.rs
+++ b/tests/a_tail_interval_written_under_a_running_bdi_takes_at_once.rs
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ const LAST_ROW: &[u8] = b"G";
 
 /// Part of the heading over the panes working outside every configured
 /// project, which is the group the one shimmed pane sits in.
-const A_PANE_ROW_HAS_ARRIVED: &[u8] = "no configured project".as_bytes();
+const A_PANE_ROW_HAS_ARRIVED: &[u8] = "every configured project".as_bytes();
 
 /// What is on the pane, and the word of it the band draws that this waits
 /// for. The band draws a pane in the pane's own colours, so its rows reach
diff --git a/tests/loop_answers_during_a_pane_read.rs b/tests/loop_answers_during_a_pane_read.rs
index b893198..aca763b 100644
--- a/tests/loop_answers_during_a_pane_read.rs
+++ b/tests/loop_answers_during_a_pane_read.rs
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ const BEING_READ: &[u8] = "reading that pane".as_bytes();
 /// than the first frame: the collection has to have come back before the key
 /// below has a pane row to land on, and `bdi` opens its screen before its
 /// first collection returns.
-const A_PANE_ROW_HAS_ARRIVED: &[u8] = "no configured project".as_bytes();
+const A_PANE_ROW_HAS_ARRIVED: &[u8] = "every configured project".as_bytes();
 /// One word of what the shimmed herdr says is on the pane, from
 /// `ShimmedHerdr`, and a word that is on the screen nowhere else.
 ///
diff --git a/tests/no_config.rs b/tests/no_config.rs
index e4cd937..6e05846 100644
--- a/tests/no_config.rs
+++ b/tests/no_config.rs
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ fn a_directory_with_no_tracker_and_no_config_says_so() {
 
     assert!(!out.status.success(), "bdi exited {}: {said}", out.status);
     assert!(said.contains(&cwd.display().to_string()), "got: {said}");
-    assert!(said.contains("beads tracks"), "got: {said}");
+    assert!(said.contains("not inside a beads project"), "got: {said}");
     assert!(
         said.contains(".config/beady-eye/config.toml"),
         "the config it looked for is not named: {said}"
diff --git a/tests/the_band_reads_its_pane_again_on_its_own_clock.rs b/tests/the_band_reads_its_pane_again_on_its_own_clock.rs
index 1dd2064..44c02f7 100644
--- a/tests/the_band_reads_its_pane_again_on_its_own_clock.rs
+++ b/tests/the_band_reads_its_pane_again_on_its_own_clock.rs
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ const LAST_ROW: &[u8] = b"G";
 /// Part of the heading over the panes working outside every configured
 /// project, from `view::phrase` — the group the one shimmed pane sits in, and
 /// so the group the key above aims at.
-const A_PANE_ROW_HAS_ARRIVED: &[u8] = "no configured project".as_bytes();
+const A_PANE_ROW_HAS_ARRIVED: &[u8] = "every configured project".as_bytes();
 
 /// What is on that pane when the band first reads it, and what is on it when
 /// the band next looks. One word of each is what the test waits for, because