diff --git a/app/pubspec.yaml b/app/pubspec.yaml
index aaff0bb..4d194a3 100644
--- a/app/pubspec.yaml
+++ b/app/pubspec.yaml
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ name: diet_guard_app
 description: "Companion phone app for diet_guard: log meals on the go."
 publish_to: 'none'
 
-version: 1.0.146+1
+version: 1.0.147+1
 
 environment:
   sdk: ^3.12.2
diff --git a/diet_guard/_calendar_view.py b/diet_guard/_calendar_view.py
index 70f80a8..7a8a8b0 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_calendar_view.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_calendar_view.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from gatelock import LockConfig
 
-from diet_guard._averages import PeriodAverage, band_label
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._averages_report import monthly_average, weekly_average
 from diet_guard._daystatus import (
     DayStatus,
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ from diet_guard._gatelock_ui import BG, FG
 from diet_guard._state import now_local
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from diet_guard._averages import PeriodAverage
     from diet_guard._budget_history import BudgetSchedule
     from diet_guard._state import DayLog
 
@@ -128,11 +129,6 @@ def cell_style(status: DayStatus | None) -> tuple[str, str, str]:
     return color, _STATUS_TEXT_COLOR, color
 
 
-def _plural(count: int) -> str:
-    """Return "day" or "days" for ``count``."""
-    return "day" if count == 1 else "days"
-
-
 def streaks_text(
     status_map_: dict[str, DayStatus],
     *,
@@ -145,10 +141,8 @@ def streaks_text(
     """
     logging = logging_streak(status_map_, today=today)
     adherence = adherence_streak(status_map_, today=today)
-    return (
-        f"Logging streak: {logging} {_plural(logging)}  ·  "
-        f"Adherence streak: {adherence} {_plural(adherence)}"
-    )
+    # Logged-days streak under the pencil, within-budget streak under the check.
+    return f"{g.FOOD} {logging}   {g.OK} {adherence}"
 
 
 def ytd_text(status_map_: dict[str, DayStatus], *, today: date | None = None) -> str:
@@ -159,16 +153,16 @@ def ytd_text(status_map_: dict[str, DayStatus], *, today: date | None = None) ->
     """
     tally = year_to_date_tally(status_map_, today=today)
     return (
-        f"This year: logged {tally.logged_days}/{tally.elapsed_days} days  ·  "
-        f"{tally.adherent_days} within budget"
+        f"{g.YEAR_TOTAL} {g.FOOD} {tally.logged_days}/{tally.elapsed_days}   "
+        f"{g.OK} {tally.adherent_days}"
     )
 
 
 def _average_part(period: PeriodAverage) -> str:
-    """Render one period as ``"NNNN kcal (band)"``, or ``"no data"``."""
-    if period.avg_kcal is None:
-        return band_label(period.band)
-    return f"{period.avg_kcal:.0f} kcal ({band_label(period.band)})"
+    """Render one period as ``"NNNN kcal <band glyph>"``, or a dash."""
+    if period.avg_kcal is None or period.band is None:
+        return g.NO_VALUE
+    return f"{period.avg_kcal:.0f} kcal {g.BAND[period.band.value]}"
 
 
 def averages_text(
@@ -190,6 +184,6 @@ def averages_text(
     week = weekly_average(log, schedule=schedule, today=today)
     month = monthly_average(log, schedule=schedule, today=today)
     return (
-        f"Avg/day (to yesterday): week {_average_part(week)}  \u00b7  "
-        f"month {_average_part(month)}"
+        f"{g.AVERAGE} {g.SPAN['week']} {_average_part(week)}   "
+        f"{g.AVERAGE} {g.SPAN['month']} {_average_part(month)}"
     )
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock.py
index 40ae8df..1bbff0f 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock.py
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ class MealGate(_GateCalendar):
         self._state = _GateState()
         self.root = GateRoot()
         self.root.on_callback_error = self.on_callback_error
-        self.root.title("Diet Gate" + (" [DEMO]" if demo_mode else ""))
+        self.root.title("Diet Gate")  # OS-level app name: the one kept noun
         # No bg=/fg=/... overrides here: LockConfig's own defaults already
         # are the unified-design-system palette, and _gatelock_ui reads the
         # same LockConfig() rather than a separate hardcoded copy -- see
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_body.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_body.py
index 08a1de6..07bfa1f 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock_body.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_body.py
@@ -18,18 +18,9 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from gatelock import ScrollableSurface
 
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._body_fat_store import MAX_BODY_FAT, MIN_BODY_FAT, set_body_fat
 from diet_guard._body_prefs import saved_goal, set_goal
-from diet_guard._body_report import (
-    activity_lines,
-    bmi_lines,
-    bmr_lines,
-    bodyfat_lines,
-    ideal_lines,
-    plan_lines,
-    profile_lines,
-    target_lines,
-)
 from diet_guard._body_store import (
     MAX_KG,
     MIN_KG,
@@ -39,6 +30,16 @@ from diet_guard._body_store import (
 )
 from diet_guard._body_view import BodyView, budget_or_default, build_view
 from diet_guard._daystatus import day_total_kcal
+from diet_guard._gatelock_body_glyphs import (
+    activity_glyphs,
+    bmi_glyphs,
+    bmr_glyphs,
+    bodyfat_glyphs,
+    ideal_glyphs,
+    plan_glyphs,
+    profile_glyphs,
+    target_glyphs,
+)
 from diet_guard._gatelock_body_graph import GraphBox, draw_weight_graph, in_range
 from diet_guard._gatelock_body_input import (
     HEIGHT_CM,
@@ -63,7 +64,9 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
 
 __all__ = ["BodyTab"]
 
-_DAY_HINT = "Type the YYYY-MM-DD day to delete."
+# The day field's expected shape, shown when it does not parse.
+_DAY_SHAPE = "0000-00-00"
+_DAY_HINT = f"{g.ERROR} {g.DELETE} {_DAY_SHAPE}"
 
 
 class BodyTab:
@@ -119,17 +122,16 @@ class BodyTab:
         view = build_view(today, self._goal)
         target = None if view.numbers is None else view.numbers.target
         kcal = None if target is None else target.kcal
-        self.vars.goal.answer.set("" if kcal is None else f"eat {kcal} kcal")
-        lines = target_lines(view)
+        self.vars.goal.answer.set("" if kcal is None else f"→ {kcal} kcal")
         texts = {
-            "summary": profile_lines(view, today),
-            "table": lines[1:] if kcal is not None else lines,
-            "bodyfat": bodyfat_lines(view),
-            "bmi": bmi_lines(view),
-            "ideal": ideal_lines(view),
-            "bmr": bmr_lines(view),
-            "workouts": activity_lines(view),
-            "plan": plan_lines(self._plan(today)),
+            "summary": profile_glyphs(view, today),
+            "table": target_glyphs(view),
+            "bodyfat": bodyfat_glyphs(view),
+            "bmi": bmi_glyphs(view),
+            "ideal": ideal_glyphs(view),
+            "bmr": bmr_glyphs(view),
+            "workouts": activity_glyphs(view),
+            "plan": plan_glyphs(self._plan(today)),
         }
         for name, lines in texts.items():
             self.vars.blocks[name].set("\n".join(lines))
@@ -166,8 +168,9 @@ class BodyTab:
 
     def _saved(self, message: str) -> None:
         self.vars.status.set(message)
+        # Saved here, but the publish failed: the reason goes to the log only.
         publish_after_log_detached(
-            lambda why: self.vars.status.set(f"Saved; not yet synced ({why}).")
+            lambda _why: self.vars.status.set(f"{g.OK}   {g.ERROR} {g.SYNC}")
         )
         self.refresh()
 
@@ -176,7 +179,7 @@ class BodyTab:
         self._goal = goal_choice(self.vars.goal, self._goal)
         load_goal(self.vars.goal, self._goal)
         set_goal(self._goal)
-        self._saved("Goal saved.")
+        self._saved(g.OK)
 
     def save_profile(self) -> None:
         """Validate and store birth date, height and sex."""
@@ -189,20 +192,22 @@ class BodyTab:
             or not HEIGHT_CM[0] <= height <= HEIGHT_CM[1]
             or sex not in {"m", "f"}
         ):
-            self.vars.status.set("Profile needs a YYYY-MM-DD birth date, cm and sex.")
+            self.vars.status.set(f"{g.ERROR} {g.BIRTH}  cm  {g.MALE}{g.FEMALE}")
             return
         set_profile(birth=birth, height_cm=height, sex=sex)
-        self._saved("Profile saved -- it moves to the bottom next time.")
+        self._saved(g.OK)
 
     def save_weight(self) -> None:
         """Validate and store the typed weigh-in."""
         kg = parse_float(self.vars.logs.weight.get())
         day = parse_day(self.vars.logs.weight_day.get())
         if kg is None or day is None or not MIN_KG <= kg <= MAX_KG:
-            self.vars.status.set(f"Weight needs {MIN_KG:g}-{MAX_KG:g} kg and a day.")
+            self.vars.status.set(
+                f"{g.ERROR} {MIN_KG:g}{g.DASH}{MAX_KG:g} kg  {_DAY_SHAPE}"
+            )
             return
         self._store_weight(day, kg)
-        self._saved(f"Saved {kg:g} kg for {day}.")
+        self._saved(f"{g.OK} {kg:g} kg  {day}")
 
     def delete_weight(self) -> None:
         """Delete the weigh-in for the typed day."""
@@ -211,7 +216,7 @@ class BodyTab:
             self.vars.status.set(_DAY_HINT)
             return
         self._store_weight(day, None)
-        self._saved(f"Deleted the weigh-in for {day}.")
+        self._saved(f"{g.DELETE} {day}")
 
     @staticmethod
     def _store_weight(day: str, kg: float | None) -> None:
@@ -225,11 +230,11 @@ class BodyTab:
         pct = parse_float(self.vars.logs.body_fat.get())
         day = parse_day(self.vars.logs.fat_day.get())
         if pct is None or day is None or not MIN_BODY_FAT <= pct <= MAX_BODY_FAT:
-            limits = f"{MIN_BODY_FAT:g}-{MAX_BODY_FAT:g}%"
-            self.vars.status.set(f"Body fat needs {limits} and a day.")
+            limits = f"{MIN_BODY_FAT:g}{g.DASH}{MAX_BODY_FAT:g}%"
+            self.vars.status.set(f"{g.ERROR} {limits}  {_DAY_SHAPE}")
             return
         set_body_fat(day, pct)
-        self._saved(f"Saved {pct:g}% body fat for {day}.")
+        self._saved(f"{g.OK} {pct:g}%  {day}")
 
     def delete_body_fat(self) -> None:
         """Delete the body-fat reading for the typed day."""
@@ -238,4 +243,4 @@ class BodyTab:
             self.vars.status.set(_DAY_HINT)
             return
         set_body_fat(day, None)
-        self._saved(f"Deleted the body-fat reading for {day}.")
+        self._saved(f"{g.DELETE} {day}")
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_body_glyphs.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_body_glyphs.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ccc7cc3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_body_glyphs.py
@@ -0,0 +1,185 @@
+"""The Body tab's report blocks as glyphs and numbers -- the gate's half.
+
+:mod:`diet_guard._body_report` renders the same :class:`BodyView` as English
+sentences for the terminal (``diet_guard body``), and terminal output keeps
+its text. The gate is a window kuhy sees, so it gets this text-free twin:
+one glyph per concept from :mod:`._gatelock_glyphs`, numbers through the
+same ``half_up`` so both surfaces round identically. Method names that only
+explained a number (formula names, BMI Prime, Trefethen, the per-formula
+ideal weights) are dropped here; the CLI still prints them.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from datetime import date
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
+from diet_guard._activity_kcal import FORMULAS, session_kcal
+from diet_guard._body_calc import half_up
+from diet_guard._body_energy import MEASURED_PREFIX, MIN_TARGET_KCAL
+from diet_guard._body_store import age_on
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from diet_guard._body_view import BodyView
+    from diet_guard._week_plan import WeekPlan
+
+__all__ = [
+    "ACTIVITY",
+    "activity_glyphs",
+    "bmi_glyphs",
+    "bmr_glyphs",
+    "bodyfat_glyphs",
+    "ideal_glyphs",
+    "plan_glyphs",
+    "profile_glyphs",
+    "target_glyphs",
+]
+
+_SESSIONS_SHOWN = 10
+# Measured-exercise methods: MET keeps its acronym (a DOUBT row in keep.md),
+# ACSM's speed equations are a slope, Per-km is its own unit.
+METHOD: dict[str, str] = {"MET": "MET", "ACSM": "↗", "Per-km": "/km"}
+# The activity picker: a rising bar per level, then the measured methods.
+ACTIVITY: dict[str, str] = {
+    "sedentary": "▁",
+    "light": "▂",
+    "moderate": "▄",
+    "very": "▆",
+    "extra": "█",
+    **{f"{MEASURED_PREFIX}{n}": f"{g.MEASURED} {METHOD[n]}" for n in FORMULAS},
+}
+# Week-plan day sources: logged, typed, still planned, missed.
+_SOURCE = {"logged": g.OK, "typed": g.EDIT, "plan": "○", "unlogged": "?"}
+
+
+def _num(value: float, digits: int = 0) -> str:
+    """``value`` rounded half-up to ``digits`` decimals."""
+    return f"{half_up(value, digits):.{digits}f}"
+
+
+def _band(category: str) -> str:
+    """The WHO band as a shape: thin, normal, over, obese; dash under 20."""
+    for word, glyph in (
+        ("thinness", "▽"),
+        ("normal", g.OK),
+        ("overweight", "△"),
+        ("obese", "▲"),
+    ):
+        if word in category:
+            return glyph
+    return g.NO_VALUE
+
+
+def profile_glyphs(view: BodyView, today: date) -> list[str]:
+    """Birth date and age, height, sex; then the newest weight."""
+    prof = view.profile
+    birth = g.NO_VALUE
+    if prof.birth is not None:
+        age = age_on(date.fromisoformat(prof.birth), today)
+        birth = f"{prof.birth} ({age})"
+    height = f"{_num(prof.height_cm)} cm" if prof.height_cm else f"{g.NO_VALUE} cm"
+    sex = {"m": g.MALE, "f": g.FEMALE}.get(prof.sex or "", g.NO_VALUE)
+    newest = max(view.weights) if view.weights else None
+    weight = (
+        f"{_num(view.weights[newest], 1)} kg  {newest}  {g.TIMES}{len(view.weights)}"
+        if newest
+        else f"{g.NO_VALUE} kg"
+    )
+    return [f"{g.BIRTH} {birth}   {height}   {sex}", f"{g.AMOUNT} {weight}"]
+
+
+def bodyfat_glyphs(view: BodyView) -> list[str]:
+    """The newest body-fat reading, or a dash."""
+    if not view.body_fats:
+        return [f"% {g.NO_VALUE}"]
+    day = max(view.body_fats)
+    return [f"{_num(view.body_fats[day], 1)}%  {day}  {g.TIMES}{len(view.body_fats)}"]
+
+
+def bmi_glyphs(view: BodyView) -> list[str]:
+    """BMI with its band shape, and the healthy weight range."""
+    if view.numbers is None:
+        return [f"{g.TAB_BODY} ?"]
+    bmi = view.numbers.bmi
+    low, high = view.numbers.healthy
+    return [
+        f"{g.TAB_BODY} {_num(bmi.bmi, 1)} {_band(bmi.category)}",
+        f"{g.OK} {_num(low, 1)}{g.DASH}{_num(high, 1)} kg",
+    ]
+
+
+def ideal_glyphs(view: BodyView) -> list[str]:
+    """The ideal-weight average and range over every formula."""
+    summary = None if view.numbers is None else view.numbers.ideal_summary
+    if summary is None:
+        return [f"{g.IDEAL} ?"]
+    avg, low, high = summary
+    return [f"{g.IDEAL} {_num(avg, 1)} kg  ({_num(low, 1)}{g.DASH}{_num(high, 1)})"]
+
+
+def bmr_glyphs(view: BodyView) -> list[str]:
+    """Resting burn: one number per formula that has its inputs."""
+    if view.numbers is None:
+        return [f"{g.RESTING} ?"]
+    values = [_num(f.value) for f in view.numbers.bmr if f.value is not None]
+    return [f"{g.RESTING} {'  '.join(values)} kcal"]
+
+
+def target_glyphs(view: BodyView) -> list[str]:
+    """Maintenance burn, and a warning when the target is under the floor."""
+    target = None if view.numbers is None else view.numbers.target
+    if target is None or target.kcal is None or target.tdee is None:
+        return [f"{g.MEASURED} {g.EMPTY}"] if target is not None else ["?"]
+    lines = [f"= {_num(target.tdee)} kcal"]
+    if target.below_floor:
+        lines.append(f"{g.WARN} < {MIN_TARGET_KCAL} kcal")
+    return lines
+
+
+def activity_glyphs(view: BodyView) -> list[str]:
+    """Measured means per method, steps, and the newest published workouts."""
+    if view.activity_stamp is None and not view.steps:
+        return [f"{g.MEASURED} {g.EMPTY}"]
+    stamp = (view.activity_stamp or "")[:16].replace("T", " ") or g.NO_VALUE
+    lines = [f"{g.SYNC} {stamp}"]
+    exercise = view.exercise
+    if exercise is not None:
+        means = "   ".join(
+            f"{METHOD.get(name, name)} {_num(kcal)}"
+            for name, kcal in exercise.means.items()
+        )
+        lines.append(f"{g.AVERAGE} {exercise.days}   {means} kcal")
+    if exercise is not None and view.steps:
+        newest = max(view.steps)
+        extra = _num(exercise.steps_kcal)
+        lines.append(f"{g.STEPS} {view.steps[newest]}  {newest}   +{extra} kcal")
+    weight = view.weight
+    for session in view.sessions[-_SESSIONS_SHOWN:][::-1]:
+        km = f" {_num(session.km, 1)} km" if session.km else ""
+        kcal = ""
+        if weight is not None:
+            result = session_kcal(session, weight)
+            kcal = "   " + "  ".join(
+                f"{METHOD[name]} {_num(result.kcal[name])}" for name in FORMULAS
+            )
+        # session.kind is the workout's own name, published by the PC: content.
+        lines.append(
+            f"  {session.day} {session.kind:<8}{_num(session.minutes):>4} min{km}{kcal}"
+        )
+    return lines
+
+
+def plan_glyphs(plan: WeekPlan) -> list[str]:
+    """The week plan: day of month, kcal, and where the number came from."""
+    lines = [f"{g.AVERAGE} {plan.target_avg} kcal"]
+    lines.extend(
+        f"  {day.day[-2:]}  {day.kcal:>5}  {_SOURCE.get(day.source, '?')}"
+        for day in plan.days
+    )
+    if plan.per_remaining is None:
+        lines.append(f"{g.OK} {g.AVERAGE} {_num(plan.week_avg)} kcal")
+    else:
+        warn = f"  {g.WARN}" if plan.below_floor else ""
+        lines.append(f"→ {plan.per_remaining} kcal{warn}")
+    return lines
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_body_graph.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_body_graph.py
index 5cca1c4..b75b7ee 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock_body_graph.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_body_graph.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ from datetime import date, timedelta
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from diet_guard._gatelock_calendar_types import _ACCENT, _COLORS, _MUTED
+from diet_guard._gatelock_glyphs import EMPTY, INFINITE, OK
 from diet_guard._gatelock_typography import CAPTION
 from diet_guard._gatelock_ui import BG, FG
 
@@ -34,15 +35,17 @@ __all__ = [
 
 # (label, days back; None = everything).
 GRAPH_RANGES: tuple[tuple[str, int | None], ...] = (
-    ("30 days", 30),
-    ("90 days", 90),
-    ("1 year", 365),
-    ("All", None),
+    ("30", 30),
+    ("90", 90),
+    ("365", 365),
+    (INFINITE, None),
 )
 _HEALTHY_FILL = "#1f3a2a"
 _GRID = "#33363d"
 _DOT_R = 3
 _TICKS = 4
+# Size of the empty-range mark, in points.
+_EMPTY_SIZE = 48
 # Keep a flat line off the frame: pad the value range by this much (kg).
 _MIN_SPAN_KG = 2.0
 # Include a healthy-band edge on the axis only when it is this close (kg).
@@ -140,8 +143,9 @@ def _draw_band(
         box.x(0), top, box.x(1), bottom, fill=_HEALTHY_FILL, outline=""
     )
     font = (_COLORS.typography.font_family, CAPTION)
+    # The green band is the healthy-BMI weight range; a check marks it.
     canvas.create_text(
-        box.x(1) - 4, top + 2, text="healthy BMI", anchor="ne", fill=_MUTED, font=font
+        box.x(1) - 4, top + 2, text=OK, anchor="ne", fill=_MUTED, font=font
     )
 
 
@@ -151,16 +155,16 @@ def draw_weight_graph(
     box: GraphBox,
     healthy: tuple[float, float] | None,
 ) -> None:
-    """Redraw the whole graph; an empty log shows a hint instead."""
+    """Redraw the whole graph; an empty range shows a large empty-set mark."""
     canvas.delete("all")
     font = (_COLORS.typography.font_family, CAPTION)
     if not weights:
         canvas.create_text(
             box.width / 2,
             box.height / 2,
-            text="Nothing logged in this range yet.",
+            text=EMPTY,
             fill=_MUTED,
-            font=font,
+            font=(_COLORS.typography.font_family, _EMPTY_SIZE),
         )
         return
     span = value_span(list(weights.values()), healthy)
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_body_input.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_body_input.py
index 0ade485..86794a9 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock_body_input.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_body_input.py
@@ -9,8 +9,9 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from datetime import date
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
-from diet_guard._body_energy import ACTIVITY_CHOICES, activity_label
 from diet_guard._body_prefs import goal_from_json
+from diet_guard._gatelock_body_glyphs import ACTIVITY
+from diet_guard._gatelock_glyphs import DIRECTION, SPAN
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from diet_guard._body_energy import Goal
@@ -38,25 +39,29 @@ def parse_day(text: str) -> str | None:
         return None
 
 
+def _back(glyphs: dict[str, str], shown: str, fallback: str) -> str:
+    """The stored key whose glyph a picker shows, or ``fallback``."""
+    return next((key for key, glyph in glyphs.items() if glyph == shown), fallback)
+
+
 def load_goal(goal_vars: GoalVars, goal: Goal) -> None:
-    """Put ``goal`` into the sentence's pickers."""
-    goal_vars.direction.set(goal.direction)
+    """Put ``goal`` into the goal row's pickers, as glyphs (units stay)."""
+    goal_vars.direction.set(DIRECTION.get(goal.direction, goal.direction))
     goal_vars.amount.set(f"{goal.amount:g}")
     goal_vars.weight_unit.set(goal.weight_unit)
-    goal_vars.time_unit.set(goal.time_unit)
-    goal_vars.activity.set(activity_label(goal.activity))
+    goal_vars.time_unit.set(SPAN.get(goal.time_unit, goal.time_unit))
+    goal_vars.activity.set(ACTIVITY.get(goal.activity, goal.activity))
 
 
 def goal_choice(goal_vars: GoalVars, fallback: Goal) -> Goal:
     """The goal the pickers show; an unreadable amount keeps ``fallback``'s."""
-    labels = {activity_label(key): key for key in ACTIVITY_CHOICES}
     amount = parse_float(goal_vars.amount.get())
     return goal_from_json(
         {
-            "dir": goal_vars.direction.get(),
+            "dir": _back(DIRECTION, goal_vars.direction.get(), fallback.direction),
             "amt": fallback.amount if amount is None or amount < 0 else amount,
             "wu": goal_vars.weight_unit.get(),
-            "tu": goal_vars.time_unit.get(),
-            "act": labels.get(goal_vars.activity.get(), fallback.activity),
+            "tu": _back(SPAN, goal_vars.time_unit.get(), fallback.time_unit),
+            "act": _back(ACTIVITY, goal_vars.activity.get(), fallback.activity),
         }
     )
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_body_widgets.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_body_widgets.py
index 0c2fff5..1e41857 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock_body_widgets.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_body_widgets.py
@@ -23,21 +23,21 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from gatelock import ButtonStyle, make_button
 
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._body_energy import (
     ACTIVITY_CHOICES,
     DIRECTIONS,
     PRESET_AMOUNTS,
     TIME_UNITS,
     WEIGHT_UNITS,
-    activity_label,
 )
+from diet_guard._gatelock_body_glyphs import ACTIVITY
 from diet_guard._gatelock_body_graph import GRAPH_RANGES
 from diet_guard._gatelock_body_vars import BodyWidgets
 from diet_guard._gatelock_calendar_types import _ACCENT, _COLORS, _FIELD_BG, _MUTED
 from diet_guard._gatelock_spacing import MD, SM, XS
 from diet_guard._gatelock_typography import BODY, LABEL, SUBTITLE, TITLE
 from diet_guard._gatelock_ui import BG, FG
-from diet_guard._week_plan import WEEKDAYS
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from collections.abc import Callable
@@ -103,37 +103,35 @@ def _menu(
 
 
 def _build_goal(parent: tk.Misc, vars_: BodyVars, cb: BodyCallbacks) -> None:
-    """``To [lose] [0.5][v] [kg] / [week] on [Moderate]  eat 2019 kcal``."""
+    """``[↓] [0.5][v] [kg] / [◑] [▄]  → 2019 kcal``: every choice a glyph."""
     goal = vars_.goal
     row = _row(parent)
-    _label(row, "To", SUBTITLE)
-    _menu(row, goal.direction, list(DIRECTIONS), cb)
+    _menu(row, goal.direction, [g.DIRECTION[d] for d in DIRECTIONS], cb)
     _entry(row, goal.amount, 5, SUBTITLE)
     _menu(row, goal.amount, [f"{a:g}" for a in PRESET_AMOUNTS], cb)
     _menu(row, goal.weight_unit, list(WEIGHT_UNITS), cb)
     _label(row, "/", SUBTITLE)
-    _menu(row, goal.time_unit, list(TIME_UNITS), cb)
-    _label(row, "on", SUBTITLE)
-    _menu(row, goal.activity, [activity_label(k) for k in ACTIVITY_CHOICES], cb)
+    _menu(row, goal.time_unit, [g.SPAN[t] for t in TIME_UNITS], cb)
+    _menu(row, goal.activity, [ACTIVITY[k] for k in ACTIVITY_CHOICES], cb)
     tk.Label(
         row, textvariable=goal.answer, font=(*_font(TITLE), "bold"), bg=BG, fg=_ACCENT
     ).pack(side="left", padx=(MD, 0))
-    _button(row, "Apply typed amount", cb.goal_changed)
+    _button(row, g.OK, cb.goal_changed)
     _block(parent, vars_.blocks["table"])
 
 
 def _build_profile(parent: tk.Misc, vars_: BodyVars, cb: BodyCallbacks) -> None:
     row = _row(parent)
-    _label(row, "Profile -- born (YYYY-MM-DD)")
+    _label(row, g.BIRTH)
     _entry(row, vars_.profile.birth, 11)
-    _label(row, "Height cm")
+    _label(row, "cm")
     _entry(row, vars_.profile.height, 6)
     sex = vars_.profile.sex
-    for value, text in (("m", "male"), ("f", "female")):
+    for value, text in (("m", g.MALE), ("f", g.FEMALE)):
         tk.Radiobutton(row, text=text, value=value, variable=sex, **_TOGGLE).pack(
             side="left"
         )
-    _button(row, "Save profile", cb.save_profile)
+    _button(row, g.SAVE, cb.save_profile)
     _block(parent, vars_.blocks["summary"])
 
 
@@ -146,18 +144,18 @@ def _dated_row(
     row = _row(parent)
     _label(row, label)
     _entry(row, vars_pair[0], 6)
-    _label(row, "on")
+    _label(row, g.CLOCK)
     _entry(row, vars_pair[1], 11)
-    _button(row, "Save", actions[0])
-    _button(row, "Delete that day", actions[1])
+    _button(row, g.SAVE, actions[0])
+    _button(row, g.DELETE, actions[1])
 
 
 def _build_left(col: tk.Misc, vars_: BodyVars, cb: BodyCallbacks) -> tk.Canvas:
     logs = vars_.logs
     pair = (logs.weight, logs.weight_day)
-    _dated_row(col, "Weight kg", pair, (cb.save_weight, cb.delete_weight))
+    _dated_row(col, f"{g.AMOUNT} kg", pair, (cb.save_weight, cb.delete_weight))
     row = _row(col)
-    for value, text in (("weight", "Weight"), ("fat", "Body fat")):
+    for value, text in (("weight", g.AMOUNT), ("fat", "%")):
         tk.Radiobutton(
             row,
             text=text,
@@ -181,12 +179,13 @@ def _build_right(col: tk.Misc, vars_: BodyVars, cb: BodyCallbacks) -> None:
     for name in ("bmi", "ideal", "bmr"):
         _block(col, vars_.blocks[name])
     row = _row(col)
-    _label(row, "Week average target kcal")
+    _label(row, f"{g.AVERAGE} kcal")
     _entry(row, vars_.plan.target, 6)
-    for name, var in zip(WEEKDAYS, vars_.plan.days, strict=True):
-        _label(row, name)
+    # Seven day boxes under dots, the weekend pair larger (no day names).
+    for dot, var in zip(g.WEEKDAY_DOTS, vars_.plan.days, strict=True):
+        _label(row, dot)
         _entry(row, var, 5)
-    _button(row, "Plan week", cb.recalc)
+    _button(row, g.OK, cb.recalc)
     _block(col, vars_.blocks["plan"])
 
 
@@ -195,9 +194,6 @@ def build_body_frame(
 ) -> BodyWidgets:
     """Build the whole tab into ``parent``; return what the controller needs."""
     frame = tk.Frame(parent, bg=BG)
-    tk.Label(frame, text="Body", font=(*_font(TITLE), "bold"), bg=BG, fg=FG).pack(
-        pady=(MD, SM)
-    )
     inner = tk.Frame(frame, bg=BG)
     inner.pack(fill="both", expand=True, padx=MD)
     if profile_first:
@@ -215,6 +211,6 @@ def build_body_frame(
         _build_profile(inner, vars_, cb)
     logs = vars_.logs
     pair = (logs.body_fat, logs.fat_day)
-    _dated_row(inner, "Body fat %", pair, (cb.save_body_fat, cb.delete_body_fat))
+    _dated_row(inner, "%", pair, (cb.save_body_fat, cb.delete_body_fat))
     _block(inner, vars_.blocks["bodyfat"])
     return BodyWidgets(frame=frame, canvas=canvas)
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_budgetedit.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_budgetedit.py
index 2e28c86..3d98226 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock_budgetedit.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_budgetedit.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import contextlib
 import tkinter as tk
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._budget import BudgetError, write_budget
 from diet_guard._budget_derived import budget_weight
 from diet_guard._gatelock_mealflow import _GateMealFlow
@@ -79,13 +80,13 @@ class _GateBudgetEdit(_GateMealFlow):
         if not self._cal_editing_budget:
             self._cal_editing_budget = True
             self._set_budget_entry_state("normal")
-            self._set_budget_button_text("Save")
+            self._set_budget_button_text(g.SAVE)
             self._set_budget_status("", error=False)
             return
         if not self._save_budget_entry():
             return
         self._cal_editing_budget = False
-        self._set_budget_button_text("Edit")
+        self._set_budget_button_text(g.EDIT)
         self._refresh_calendar()
         self._refresh_dashboard()
         self._refresh_projection()
@@ -104,15 +105,15 @@ class _GateBudgetEdit(_GateMealFlow):
         try:
             value = int(raw)
         except ValueError:
-            self._set_budget_status("Enter a whole number of kcal.", error=True)
+            self._set_budget_status(f"{g.ERROR} kcal", error=True)
             return False
         if value <= 0:
-            self._set_budget_status("Budget must be a positive number.", error=True)
+            self._set_budget_status(f"{g.ERROR} kcal > 0", error=True)
             return False
         try:
             weight = budget_weight()
         except BudgetError:
             weight = None
         write_budget(value, weight_kg=weight)
-        self._set_budget_status("Saved.", error=False)
+        self._set_budget_status(g.OK, error=False)
         return True
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_calendar.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_calendar.py
index 5983d55..98d8e3d 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock_calendar.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_calendar.py
@@ -16,12 +16,12 @@ are unit-tested directly without a fake Tk in the loop.
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import calendar
 import contextlib
 import tkinter as tk
 from tkinter import ttk
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as glyphs
 from diet_guard._budget import (
     BudgetFileCorruptError,
     BudgetNotInitializedError,
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ class _GateCalendar(_GateScheduleEdit):
     _cal_editing_budget: bool
     _cal_editing_schedule: bool
     _notebook: ttk.Notebook
+    _body_tab: BodyTab
 
     def _build_tabs(self, parent: tk.Misc, callbacks: GateCallbacks) -> GateWidgets:
         """Build one monitor's notebook, wire both tabs, return its meal widgets.
@@ -109,7 +110,7 @@ class _GateCalendar(_GateScheduleEdit):
         widgets = build_layout(
             notebook, self._vars, callbacks, demo_mode=self.demo_mode
         )
-        notebook.add(widgets.frame, text="Log Meal")
+        notebook.add(widgets.frame, text=glyphs.TAB_LOG)
 
         cal_callbacks = CalendarCallbacks(
             on_prev_month=self._on_prev_month,
@@ -118,8 +119,9 @@ class _GateCalendar(_GateScheduleEdit):
             on_edit_or_save_schedule=self._on_edit_or_save_schedule,
         )
         cal_widgets = build_calendar_frame(notebook, self._cal_vars, cal_callbacks)
-        notebook.add(cal_widgets.frame, text="History")
-        notebook.add(BodyTab(notebook).container, text="Body")
+        notebook.add(cal_widgets.frame, text=glyphs.TAB_HISTORY)
+        self._body_tab = BodyTab(notebook)
+        notebook.add(self._body_tab.container, text=glyphs.TAB_BODY)
         # Ctrl+Tab / Ctrl+PageUp / Ctrl+PageDown and Alt+mnemonic tab switching
         # all live in toplevel bindings that ttk only installs on request. The
         # notebook is in the focus ring and Left/Right work once it holds focus,
@@ -159,7 +161,8 @@ class _GateCalendar(_GateScheduleEdit):
         schedule = current_schedule(default=budget) if budget is not None else None
         if schedule is None:
             self._render_month(None)
-            self._cal_vars.streaks.set("Budget file is corrupt -- fix it below.")
+            # Unreadable budget: warn at the budget flag, which is the fix.
+            self._cal_vars.streaks.set(f"{glyphs.WARN} {glyphs.BUDGET}")
             self._cal_vars.ytd.set("")
             self._cal_vars.averages.set("")
         else:
@@ -176,9 +179,8 @@ class _GateCalendar(_GateScheduleEdit):
     def _render_month(self, status_map_: dict[str, DayStatus] | None) -> None:
         """Redraw the day-cell grid and month label for the displayed month."""
         weeks = build_month_cells(self._cal_year, self._cal_month, status_map_)
-        self._cal_vars.month_label.set(
-            f"{calendar.month_name[self._cal_month]} {self._cal_year}",
-        )
+        # Numerals, not a month name: "11 · 2026".
+        self._cal_vars.month_label.set(f"{self._cal_month:02d} · {self._cal_year}")
         for surface in self._cal_surfaces:
             for index, cell_widget in enumerate(surface.day_cells):
                 row, col = divmod(index, 7)
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_calendar_schedule.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_calendar_schedule.py
index 03712db..a03aa0a 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock_calendar_schedule.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_calendar_schedule.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 from gatelock import make_button
 
 from diet_guard._gatelock_calendar_types import _COLORS, _FIELD_BG
+from diet_guard._gatelock_glyphs import CLOCK, DASH, EDIT, TIMES
 from diet_guard._gatelock_spacing import SM, XS
 from diet_guard._gatelock_typography import BODY, LABEL
 from diet_guard._gatelock_ui import BG, FG
@@ -168,13 +169,13 @@ def build_schedule_row(
     """
     row = tk.Frame(parent, bg=BG)
     row.pack(pady=(SM, XS))
-    _caption(row, "Meals:")
+    _caption(row, CLOCK)
     first_spin = _time_spin(row, vars_.schedule.first, FIRST_RANGE)
-    _caption(row, "to")
+    _caption(row, DASH)
     last_spin = _time_spin(row, vars_.schedule.last, LAST_RANGE)
-    _caption(row, "x")
+    _caption(row, TIMES)
     count_entry = _spin_entry(row, vars_.schedule.count)
-    edit_button = make_button(row, _COLORS, "Edit", on_edit_or_save_schedule)
+    edit_button = make_button(row, _COLORS, EDIT, on_edit_or_save_schedule)
     edit_button.pack(side="left")
 
     # The derived checkpoint times, so the effect of a change is visible
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_calendar_types.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_calendar_types.py
index 511189b..fe6c466 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock_calendar_types.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_calendar_types.py
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from gatelock import LockConfig
 
+from diet_guard._gatelock_glyphs import WEEKDAY, WEEKEND
+
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from collections.abc import Callable
     from tkinter import ttk
@@ -32,7 +34,7 @@ _ACCENT = _COLORS.palette.accent
 
 # calendar.monthcalendar never returns more than 6 weeks for any month.
 _MONTH_ROWS = 6
-_WEEKDAY_LABELS = ("Mo", "Tu", "We", "Th", "Fr", "Sa", "Su")
+_WEEKDAY_LABELS = (WEEKDAY,) * 5 + (WEEKEND,) * 2
 _JANUARY = 1
 _DECEMBER = 12
 _MONTH_AFTER_DECEMBER = 13
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_calendar_widgets.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_calendar_widgets.py
index 000952d..7737a1f 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock_calendar_widgets.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_calendar_widgets.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from gatelock import ButtonStyle, make_button
 
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as glyphs
 from diet_guard._gatelock_calendar_schedule import build_schedule_row
 from diet_guard._gatelock_calendar_types import (
     _ACCENT,
@@ -33,7 +34,7 @@ from diet_guard._gatelock_calendar_types import (
     CalendarWidgets,
 )
 from diet_guard._gatelock_spacing import SM, XS
-from diet_guard._gatelock_typography import BODY, CAPTION, LABEL, TITLE
+from diet_guard._gatelock_typography import BODY, CAPTION, LABEL
 from diet_guard._gatelock_ui import BG, FG
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -59,7 +60,7 @@ def _build_budget_row(
     row.pack(pady=(SM, XS))
     tk.Label(
         row,
-        text="Daily budget (kcal):",
+        text=f"{glyphs.BUDGET} kcal",
         font=(_COLORS.typography.font_family, LABEL),
         bg=BG,
         fg=FG,
@@ -80,7 +81,7 @@ def _build_budget_row(
     edit_button = make_button(
         row,
         _COLORS,
-        "Edit",
+        glyphs.EDIT,
         on_edit_or_save_budget,
     )
     edit_button.pack(side="left")
@@ -132,13 +133,15 @@ def _build_grid(parent: tk.Frame) -> list[tk.Label]:
     """Build the fixed 6x7 day-cell grid and return the flat cell list."""
     weekday_row = tk.Frame(parent, bg=BG)
     weekday_row.pack()
+    # Seven dots, no day names: the weekend pair is larger and accented.
     for col, label in enumerate(_WEEKDAY_LABELS):
+        weekend = label == glyphs.WEEKEND
         tk.Label(
             weekday_row,
             text=label,
             font=(_COLORS.typography.font_family, CAPTION, "bold"),
             bg=BG,
-            fg=_MUTED,
+            fg=_ACCENT if weekend else _MUTED,
             width=4,
         ).grid(row=0, column=col, padx=XS)
 
@@ -170,14 +173,6 @@ def build_calendar_frame(
 ) -> CalendarWidgets:
     """Lay out the History tab and return the widgets the controller drives."""
     frame = tk.Frame(root, bg=BG)
-    tk.Label(
-        frame,
-        text="📅  History",
-        font=(_COLORS.typography.font_family, TITLE, "bold"),
-        bg=BG,
-        fg=_ACCENT,
-    ).pack(pady=(SM, 0))
-
     budget_entry, budget_edit_button, budget_status_label = _build_budget_row(
         frame,
         vars_,
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_core.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_core.py
index fe1b7ab..9b8299c 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock_core.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_core.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import logging
 import tkinter as tk
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
+from diet_guard._gatelock_glyphs import CLOCK, OK
 from diet_guard._gatelock_ui import (
     BASIS_PREFIX_GRAMS,
     BASIS_PREFIX_ITEMS,
@@ -108,11 +109,11 @@ class _GateCore:
         """Update the header to prompt for the slot now being collected."""
         total = len(self._pending)
         if total == 0:
-            self._vars.slot_header.set("All meals logged.")
+            self._vars.slot_header.set(OK)
             return
         slot = self._pending[0]
-        position = "" if total == 1 else f"  (1 of {total} remaining)"
-        self._vars.slot_header.set(f"Log your {slot_label(slot)} meal{position}")
+        position = "" if total == 1 else f"   1/{total}"
+        self._vars.slot_header.set(f"{CLOCK} {slot_label(slot)}{position}")
 
     def _reset_per_default(self) -> None:
         """Set the "per" field to the basis default for the current unit."""
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_delivery.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_delivery.py
index f52ee7b..f5e73a7 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock_delivery.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_delivery.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import queue
 import sys
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._gate import due_slots
 from diet_guard._gatelock_fetch import FETCH_POLL_MS, start_fetch
 from diet_guard._gatelock_kuchnia import start_delivery_fetch
@@ -43,7 +44,7 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover - typing only
 _LAZY_ATTRS = ("refresh_delivery", "refresh_delivery_once")
 
 #: ``(unlock reason, nothing-new status)`` for a sync pull; "Fill all" has its own.
-_SYNC_LABELS = ("Synced from another device", "No new meals found in sync.")
+_SYNC_LABELS = (f"{g.OK} {g.SYNC}", f"{g.EMPTY} {g.SYNC}")
 
 
 def __getattr__(name: str) -> object:
@@ -104,12 +105,12 @@ class _PullFlows(_GateNutrition):
         second click while a fetch is in flight is ignored.
         """
         if self.demo_mode:
-            self._set_status("Loading a delivery is only available on the real lock.")
+            self._set_status(f"{g.DEMO_ONLY} {g.DELIVERY}")
             return
         if self._delivery_result is not None:
             return
         self._delivery_asked = True
-        self._set_status("Loading today's delivery…")
+        self._set_status(f"{g.BUSY} {g.DELIVERY}")
         # Through the module object so the lazy hook resolves it, and so a
         # test's ``patch.object`` still wins.
         self._delivery_result = start_delivery_fetch(
@@ -131,11 +132,11 @@ class _PullFlows(_GateNutrition):
         self._delivery_result = None
         if outcome.reason is not None:
             if self._delivery_asked:
-                self._set_status(f"{outcome.reason} — still locked.", error=True)
+                self._set_status(f"{g.ERROR} {g.DELIVERY}", error=True)
             return
         if not outcome.dishes:
             if self._delivery_asked:
-                self._set_status("No catering delivery today.")
+                self._set_status(f"{g.EMPTY} {g.DELIVERY}")
             return
         self._delivery_pending = dishes_in_slot_order(outcome.dishes)
         self._prefill_next_dish()
@@ -160,11 +161,9 @@ class _PullFlows(_GateNutrition):
         # dish at 3.5x its calories while the fields still read correctly.
         self._apply_reference(dish_nutrition(dish), name=dish.name)
         remaining = len(self._delivery_pending)
-        suffix = f" ({remaining} more to go)" if remaining else ""
-        prefix = f"{logged} — " if logged else ""
-        self._set_status(
-            f"{prefix}Loaded: {dish.name}{suffix} — check, then Log & Continue."
-        )
+        suffix = f"  +{remaining}" if remaining else ""
+        prefix = f"{logged}   " if logged else ""
+        self._set_status(f"{prefix}{g.DELIVERY} {dish.name}{suffix}")
 
     def _autoload_delivery(self) -> None:
         """Start a guarded catering fetch as the lock opens.
@@ -203,13 +202,13 @@ class _PullFlows(_GateNutrition):
         write-race fix in one.
         """
         if self.demo_mode:
-            self._set_status("Fetch from sync is only available on the real lock.")
+            self._set_status(f"{g.DEMO_ONLY} {g.SYNC}")
             return
         if self._fetch_result is not None:
             # Already fetching. Without this a double-click starts a second
             # worker, orphans the first result and races two log writes.
             return
-        self._set_status("Fetching from sync…")
+        self._set_status(f"{g.BUSY} {g.SYNC}")
         self._fetch_result = start_fetch(pull_peer_logs)
         self.root.after(FETCH_POLL_MS, self._poll_fetch)
 
@@ -225,7 +224,7 @@ class _PullFlows(_GateNutrition):
             return
         self._fetch_result = None
         if reason is not None:
-            self._set_status(f"{reason} — still locked.", error=True)
+            self._set_status(f"{g.ERROR} {g.SYNC}", error=True)
             return
         self._reconcile_after_fetch()
 
@@ -244,7 +243,5 @@ class _PullFlows(_GateNutrition):
             return
         self._clear_inputs()
         self._refresh_slot_header()
-        count = len(satisfied_slots)
-        meal_word = "meal" if count == 1 else "meals"
-        self._set_status(f"Pulled {count} {meal_word} — next meal, please.")
+        self._set_status(f"{g.OK} {g.SYNC} {len(satisfied_slots)}")
         self._widgets.desc_text.focus_set()
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_fields.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_fields.py
index 1586fd9..d3948ea 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock_fields.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_fields.py
@@ -22,9 +22,10 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import tkinter as tk
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as glyphs
 from diet_guard import _gatelock_ui
 from diet_guard._gatelock_spacing import SM, XS
-from diet_guard._gatelock_typography import BODY, LABEL
+from diet_guard._gatelock_typography import BODY, LABEL, SUBTITLE
 from diet_guard._gatelock_ui import (
     _ACCENT,
     _COLORS,
@@ -61,13 +62,7 @@ def build_desc(parent: tk.Frame) -> tk.Text:
     wraps onto a second line and stays fully visible, instead of scrolling off
     the right edge where the end can no longer be read.
     """
-    tk.Label(
-        parent,
-        text="What did you eat?",
-        font=(_FONT, LABEL),
-        bg=BG,
-        fg=FG,
-    ).pack()
+    tk.Label(parent, text=glyphs.FOOD, font=(_FONT, SUBTITLE), bg=BG, fg=FG).pack()
     text = tk.Text(
         parent,
         font=(_FONT, BODY),
@@ -121,13 +116,7 @@ def build_amount_row(
     on_unit_change: Callable[[str], None],
 ) -> tk.Entry:
     """Build the "how much did you eat?" amount + unit row; return the entry."""
-    tk.Label(
-        parent,
-        text="How much did you eat?",
-        font=(_FONT, LABEL),
-        bg=BG,
-        fg=FG,
-    ).pack()
+    tk.Label(parent, text=glyphs.AMOUNT, font=(_FONT, SUBTITLE), bg=BG, fg=FG).pack()
     row = tk.Frame(parent, bg=BG)
     row.pack(pady=(XS, XS))
     amount_entry = _numeric_entry(root, row, width=10, variable=vars_.entries.amount)
@@ -167,7 +156,7 @@ def _build_unit_selector(
     for unit in (UNIT_GRAMS, UNIT_ITEMS):
         tk.Radiobutton(
             row,
-            text=unit,
+            text=glyphs.ITEMS if unit == UNIT_ITEMS else glyphs.GRAMS,
             value=unit,
             variable=vars_.unit,
             command=lambda u=unit: on_unit_change(u),
@@ -203,20 +192,21 @@ def build_macro_section(
     basis_prefix.pack(side="left")
     per_entry = _numeric_entry(root, basis, width=5, variable=vars_.entries.per)
     per_entry.pack(side="left", padx=XS, ipady=XS)
-    tk.Label(
-        basis,
-        text="g  (leave calories blank to look it up):",
-        font=(_FONT, LABEL),
-        bg=BG,
-        fg=FG,
-    ).pack(side="left")
+    # Blank kcal still means "look it up"; the busy cue shows it happening.
+    tk.Label(basis, text="g", font=(_FONT, LABEL), bg=BG, fg=FG).pack(side="left")
 
     row = tk.Frame(parent, bg=BG)
     row.pack(pady=(XS, XS))
+    # Shape + colour per macro, the phone's MacroKind vocabulary.
+    colors = glyphs.MACRO_COLORS
     macros = _MacroEntries(
         kcal=_macro_cell(root, row, "kcal", vars_.entries.kcal),
-        protein=_macro_cell(root, row, "P", vars_.entries.protein),
-        carbs=_macro_cell(root, row, "C", vars_.entries.carbs),
-        fat=_macro_cell(root, row, "F", vars_.entries.fat),
+        protein=_macro_cell(
+            root, row, glyphs.PROTEIN, vars_.entries.protein, colors["protein"]
+        ),
+        carbs=_macro_cell(
+            root, row, glyphs.CARBS, vars_.entries.carbs, colors["carbs"]
+        ),
+        fat=_macro_cell(root, row, glyphs.FAT, vars_.entries.fat, colors["fat"]),
     )
     return basis_prefix, per_entry, macros
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_fillall.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_fillall.py
index bfc9c23..845012c 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock_fillall.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_fillall.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ from importlib import import_module
 import queue
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, NamedTuple
 
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._gatelock_fetch import FETCH_POLL_MS
 from diet_guard._gatelock_kuchnia import start_delivery_fetch
 from diet_guard._kuchnia_log import fill_plan, log_dishes
@@ -41,15 +42,19 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover - typing only
     from diet_guard._kuchnia_spread import SlottedDish
 
 #: The button's resting label; also what it returns to after each attempt.
-FILL_LABEL = "🍱 Fill all"
+FILL_LABEL = f"{g.FILL_ALL} {g.DELIVERY}"
 
 #: ``(unlock reason, nothing-new status)`` for the gate's post-write reconcile:
-#: a fill that covered only later slots must not report "found in sync".
+#: a fill that covered only later slots must not report "found in sync" --
+#: catering logged, and the food field is what the current slot still needs.
 RECONCILE_LABELS = (
-    "Filled from catering",
-    "Catering logged; this slot still needs a meal.",
+    f"{g.OK} {g.DELIVERY}",
+    f"{g.OK} {g.DELIVERY}  {g.FOOD}",
 )
 
+#: "Every slot already has a meal": nothing left for the fill to take.
+_NOTHING_TO_FILL = f"{g.OK} {g.CLOCK}"
+
 
 def _refresh_delivery(day: date) -> tuple[Sequence[Dish], str | None]:
     """Fetch ``day``'s dishes, importing the HTTP stack only when clicked.
@@ -103,7 +108,7 @@ class FillAllFlow:
     def click(self) -> None:
         """First click fetches and proposes; a second click confirms."""
         if self._demo_mode:
-            self._set_status("Fill all is only available on the real lock.")
+            self._set_status(f"{g.DEMO_ONLY} {g.FILL_ALL}")
             return
         if self._result is not None:
             return  # a fetch is in flight; a double-click must not start two
@@ -116,7 +121,7 @@ class FillAllFlow:
         # at midnight can never confirm yesterday's menu into today.
         self._reset()
         self._plan_day = today
-        self._set_status("Loading today's delivery…")
+        self._set_status(f"{g.BUSY} {g.DELIVERY}")
         self._result = start_delivery_fetch(_refresh_delivery, today)
         self._root.after(FETCH_POLL_MS, self._poll)
 
@@ -132,24 +137,23 @@ class FillAllFlow:
             return
         self._result = None
         if outcome.reason is not None:
-            self._set_status(f"{outcome.reason} — still locked.", error=True)
+            self._set_status(f"{g.ERROR} {g.DELIVERY}", error=True)
             return
         if not outcome.dishes:
-            self._set_status("No catering delivery today.")
+            self._set_status(f"{g.EMPTY} {g.DELIVERY}")
             return
         plan = fill_plan(assign_slots(outcome.dishes, day_slots(current_schedule())))
         if not plan:
-            self._set_status("Every slot already has a meal — nothing to fill.")
+            self._set_status(_NOTHING_TO_FILL)
             return
         self._plan = plan
-        self._label.set(f"✓ Confirm ({len(plan)})")
+        self._label.set(f"{g.OK} {len(plan)}")
         total = sum(item.dish.kcal for item in plan)
-        listing = ", ".join(
+        # The proposal: slot time and dish name (catering content) per row.
+        listing = "   ".join(
             f"{slot_label(item.slot)} {item.dish.name}" for item in plan
         )
-        self._set_status(
-            f"Will log {len(plan)} ({total:g} kcal): {listing} — click Confirm."
-        )
+        self._set_status(f"{g.DELIVERY} {len(plan)}  {total:g} kcal   {listing}")
 
     def _confirm(self) -> None:
         """Write the proposed dishes into the slots still empty right now."""
@@ -158,10 +162,10 @@ class FillAllFlow:
         plan = fill_plan(self._plan)
         self._reset()
         if not plan:
-            self._set_status("Every slot already has a meal — nothing to fill.")
+            self._set_status(_NOTHING_TO_FILL)
             return
         written = log_dishes(plan)
-        self._set_status(f"Logged {len(written)} catering dish(es).")
+        self._set_status(f"{g.OK} {g.DELIVERY} {len(written)}")
         self._on_logged()
 
     def _reset(self) -> None:
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_glyphs.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_glyphs.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..63a5e2f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_glyphs.py
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+"""The PC gate's glyph vocabulary: one shape per concept, no words.
+
+kuhy's textgate rule (2026-11-08): nothing the gate paints carries a word.
+Every Tk surface draws from this one table so a concept looks the same on the
+Log Meal, History and Body tabs. Plain geometric BMP characters only, all in
+DejaVu Sans: colour emoji can crash Tk 8.6 and the gate is the one window
+that must never fail to draw. ``test_gate_no_words`` is the guard.
+
+The macro shapes match the phone app's ``MacroKind`` (protein circle, carbs
+triangle, fat square), so one vocabulary reads the same on both devices.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from typing import Final
+
+# Status cues: the status line shows one of these instead of a sentence.
+OK: Final = "✓"
+ERROR: Final = "✗"
+BUSY: Final = "⋯"
+EMPTY: Final = "∅"
+DEMO_ONLY: Final = "⊘"
+WARN: Final = "⚠"
+
+# Fields and concepts.
+FOOD: Final = "✎"
+AMOUNT: Final = "⚖"
+PROTEIN: Final = "●"
+CARBS: Final = "▲"
+FAT: Final = "■"
+MACRO_COLORS: Final = {"protein": "#6abf69", "carbs": "#e0a33a", "fat": "#6b9bef"}
+BUDGET: Final = "⚑"
+CLOCK: Final = "◷"
+AVERAGE: Final = "⌀"
+BIRTH: Final = "✱"
+RESTING: Final = "☾"
+IDEAL: Final = "◎"
+STEPS: Final = "⇶"
+MEASURED: Final = "◉"
+TIMES: Final = "\N{MULTIPLICATION SIGN}"
+ITEMS: Final = TIMES
+GRAMS: Final = "g"
+
+# Actions.
+SUBMIT: Final = "✓"
+EDIT: Final = "✎"
+SAVE: Final = "✓"
+DELETE: Final = "⌫"
+CLOSE: Final = "✕"
+SYNC: Final = "⟳"
+DELIVERY: Final = "▣"
+FILL_ALL: Final = "⇊"
+INFINITE: Final = "∞"
+UNLOCKING: Final = "⇥"
+
+# Notebook tabs.
+TAB_LOG: Final = "✚"
+TAB_HISTORY: Final = "▦"
+TAB_BODY: Final = "♙"
+
+# Profile sex, goal direction and goal span.
+MALE: Final = "♂"
+FEMALE: Final = "♀"
+DIRECTION: Final = {"lose": "↓", "maintain": "=", "gain": "↑"}
+SPAN: Final = {"day": "◔", "week": "◑", "month": "◕", "year": "●"}
+
+# Summaries: the year's tally, an empty value, and how an average compared
+# with its budget (``AverageBand`` values; shape and fill grow with the excess).
+YEAR_TOTAL: Final = "Σ"
+DASH: Final = "\N{EN DASH}"
+NO_VALUE: Final = DASH
+BAND: Final = {"under": "✓", "slightly_over": "△", "very_over": "▲"}
+
+# Weekday header: weekdays small, the weekend larger (no day names).
+WEEKDAY: Final = "•"
+WEEKEND: Final = "●"
+WEEKDAY_DOTS: Final = (WEEKDAY,) * 5 + (WEEKEND,) * 2
+
+
+def source_glyph(source: str) -> str:
+    """Where a nutrition came from: food bank, staple, catering, typed, looked up."""
+    head = source.split(":", 1)[0].strip()
+    return {
+        "food bank": "▤",
+        "staple": "★",
+        "catering": DELIVERY,
+        "manual": FOOD,
+    }.get(head, "≈")
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_layout.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_layout.py
index f9e47f6..6a50019 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock_layout.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_layout.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import tkinter as tk
 
 from gatelock import ButtonStyle, ScrollableSurface, make_button
 
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as glyphs
 from diet_guard._gatelock_fields import (
     build_amount_row,
     build_desc,
@@ -66,14 +67,7 @@ def _build_dashboard(parent: tk.Frame, vars_: GateVars) -> None:
 
 
 def _build_header(body: tk.Frame, vars_: GateVars) -> None:
-    """Pack the title and the current-slot header."""
-    tk.Label(
-        body,
-        text="🍽  Diet Gate",
-        font=(_FONT, TITLE, "bold"),
-        bg=BG,
-        fg=_ACCENT,
-    ).pack(pady=(0, XS))
+    """Pack the current-slot header (no title: the tab glyph names the tab)."""
     tk.Label(
         body,
         textvariable=vars_.slot_header,
@@ -114,7 +108,7 @@ def _build_actions(
     make_button(
         body,
         _COLORS,
-        "Log & Continue",
+        glyphs.SUBMIT,
         callbacks.on_submit,
     ).pack(pady=(XS, XS))
 
@@ -129,7 +123,7 @@ def _build_actions(
     make_button(
         pulls,
         _COLORS,
-        "⟳ Fetch from sync",
+        glyphs.SYNC,
         callbacks.on_fetch_sync,
         ButtonStyle(variant="secondary", bold=False),
     ).pack(side="left", padx=(0, XS))
@@ -140,7 +134,7 @@ def _build_actions(
     make_button(
         pulls,
         _COLORS,
-        "🍱 Today's delivery",
+        glyphs.DELIVERY,
         callbacks.on_load_delivery,
         ButtonStyle(variant="secondary", bold=False),
     ).pack(side="left", padx=(0, XS))
@@ -222,10 +216,12 @@ def build_layout(
         make_button(
             root,
             _COLORS,
-            "✕ Close Demo",
+            glyphs.CLOSE,
             callbacks.on_close,
             ButtonStyle(variant="danger", bold=False),
-        ).place(x=10, y=10)
+            # Top-right: the glyph-only notebook tabs are narrow and sit top-left,
+            # where a button at the corner would cover them.
+        ).place(relx=1.0, x=-10, y=10, anchor="ne")
 
     return GateWidgets(
         frame=frame,
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_mealflow.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_mealflow.py
index 56dcfd6..6ab3a33 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock_mealflow.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_mealflow.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ from functools import partial
 import tkinter as tk
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._budget import BudgetError, daily_budget
 from diet_guard._budget_derived import protein_target_g
 from diet_guard._foodbank import remember_food
@@ -92,13 +93,13 @@ class _GateMealFlow(_PullFlows):
         """Validate, then look the food up, or log it."""
         description = self._get_desc()
         if not description:
-            self._set_status("Type what you ate first.", error=True)
+            self._set_status(f"{g.ERROR} {g.FOOD}", error=True)
             self._widgets.desc_text.focus_set()
             return
 
         values = self._macro_values()
         if values is None:
-            self._set_status("Macros must be numbers.", error=True)
+            self._set_status(f"{g.ERROR} {g.PROTEIN}{g.CARBS}{g.FAT}", error=True)
             self._widgets.macros.kcal.focus_set()
             return
 
@@ -107,7 +108,7 @@ class _GateMealFlow(_PullFlows):
             return
         nutrition = self._current_nutrition()
         if nutrition is None:
-            self._set_status("Enter the calories, then submit.", error=True)
+            self._set_status(f"{g.ERROR} kcal", error=True)
             self._widgets.macros.kcal.focus_set()
             return
         self._record(description, nutrition)
@@ -120,31 +121,28 @@ class _GateMealFlow(_PullFlows):
         up at its natural basis (per 100 g / serving); the amount eaten scales
         it, so the lookup never bakes in a portion.
         """
-        self._set_status("looking up…")
+        self._set_status(g.BUSY)
         self.root.update_idletasks()
         candidates = lookup_candidates(description)
         if not candidates:
-            self._set_status(
-                "Couldn't look that up. Enter the calories yourself, then submit.",
-                error=True,
-            )
+            # Not found: the kcal field takes focus, the cue names it.
+            self._set_status(f"{g.ERROR} {g.source_glyph('')} kcal", error=True)
             self._widgets.macros.kcal.focus_set()
             return
         self._show_candidates(candidates)
         self._apply_reference(candidates[0][1])
-        source = candidates[0][1].source
-        tail = (
-            "Review, or pick another below, then submit to log."
-            if len(candidates) > 1
-            else "Review the values, then submit to log."
-        )
-        self._set_status(f"Filled from {source}. {tail}")
+        # Filled, not logged: the source glyph, and the alternatives' count
+        # when the picker below offers more than one.
+        source = g.source_glyph(candidates[0][1].source)
+        more = f"  {g.TIMES}{len(candidates)}" if len(candidates) > 1 else ""
+        self._set_status(f"{g.OK} {source}{more}")
 
     def _record(self, description: str, nutrition: Nutrition) -> None:
         """Log and bank a single food for the current slot, then advance."""
         log_meal(description, nutrition, self._slot_for_log())
         remember_food(description, nutrition)
-        self._finish_slot(f"{nutrition.kcal:g} kcal ({nutrition.source})")
+        source = g.source_glyph(nutrition.source)
+        self._finish_slot(f"{nutrition.kcal:g} kcal {source}")
 
     def _slot_for_log(self) -> int | None:
         """Return the slot to tag a log with -- None in demo (satisfies no slot).
@@ -165,7 +163,7 @@ class _GateMealFlow(_PullFlows):
         slot = self._pending[0]
         self._pending.pop(0)
         self._refresh_dashboard()
-        logged = f"Logged {slot_label(slot)}: {summary}"
+        logged = f"{g.OK} {slot_label(slot)}  {summary}"
         if not self._pending:
             self._unlock(logged)
             return
@@ -179,7 +177,7 @@ class _GateMealFlow(_PullFlows):
         if self._delivery_pending:
             self._prefill_next_dish(logged)
             return
-        self._set_status(f"{logged} — next meal, please.")
+        self._set_status(logged)
         self._widgets.desc_text.focus_set()
 
     def _unlock(self, logged: str) -> None:
@@ -196,9 +194,8 @@ class _GateMealFlow(_PullFlows):
             d.name.strip().casefold() not in eaten for d in self._delivery_pending
         )
         if left:
-            noun = "dish" if left == 1 else "dishes"
-            logged = f"{logged} ({left} more {noun} delivered; log with 'ate')"
-        self._set_status(f"{logged} — all meals logged, unlocking…")
+            logged = f"{logged}  {g.DELIVERY} +{left}"
+        self._set_status(f"{logged}  {g.UNLOCKING}")
         self.root.after(_UNLOCK_DELAY_MS, self.close)
 
     def _refresh_dashboard(self) -> None:
@@ -212,14 +209,13 @@ class _GateMealFlow(_PullFlows):
         try:
             budget = daily_budget()
         except BudgetError, OSError:
-            return f"{consumed:g} kcal today"
-        return (
-            f"{consumed:g} / {budget:g} kcal   ·   {round(budget - consumed, 1):g} left"
-        )
+            return f"{consumed:g} kcal"
+        left = round(budget - consumed, 1)
+        return f"{consumed:g} / {budget:g} kcal   {g.BUDGET} {left:g}"
 
     def _dashboard_text(self) -> str:
         """Build the detail panel: recent meals, then macros and protein."""
-        lines = ["── Today ───────────────────────────────"]
+        lines = ["────────────────────────────────────────"]
         entries = today_entries()
         if entries:
             for entry in entries[-_DASHBOARD_ROWS:]:
@@ -230,20 +226,21 @@ class _GateMealFlow(_PullFlows):
                     f"{entry_kcal(entry):>5.0f} kcal",
                 )
         else:
-            lines.append("  (nothing logged yet today)")
+            lines.append(f"  {g.EMPTY}")
         protein, carbs, fat = today_total_macros()
-        lines.append(f"  macros so far:  P{protein:g}  C{carbs:g}  F{fat:g}  g")
+        lines.append(
+            f"  {g.PROTEIN} {protein:g}  {g.CARBS} {carbs:g}  {g.FAT} {fat:g}  g"
+        )
         target = protein_target_g()
         if target is not None:
             left = round(target - protein, 1)
-            lines.append(f"  protein {protein:g} / {target:g} g  ({left:g} g left)")
+            lines.append(
+                f"  {g.PROTEIN} {protein:g} / {target:g} g  {g.BUDGET} {left:g} g"
+            )
         return "\n".join(lines)
 
     def on_callback_error(self) -> None:
         """Surface an unexpected callback error without dropping the grab."""
-        self._set_status(
-            "Something went wrong. Enter the calories, then submit again.",
-            error=True,
-        )
+        self._set_status(f"{g.WARN} kcal", error=True)
         with contextlib.suppress(tk.TclError):
             self._widgets.macros.kcal.focus_set()
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_nutrition.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_nutrition.py
index e2fe2ba..48166a1 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock_nutrition.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_nutrition.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import tkinter as tk
 
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._budget import BudgetError, daily_budget
 from diet_guard._estimator import Nutrition, scale_nutrition
 from diet_guard._gatelock_core import _GateCore
@@ -32,10 +33,13 @@ from diet_guard._state_today import (
 def _format_preview(nutrition: Nutrition) -> str:
     """Render the one-line "this is what will be logged" preview."""
     portion = f" · {nutrition.grams:g}g" if nutrition.grams else ""
+    # "staple: apple" -> the staple glyph plus the food name (content).
+    named = nutrition.source.partition(":")[2].strip()
+    source = f"{g.source_glyph(nutrition.source)} {named}".rstrip()
     return (
-        f"→ {nutrition.kcal:g} kcal · "
-        f"P{nutrition.protein_g:g} C{nutrition.carbs_g:g} F{nutrition.fat_g:g}"
-        f"{portion} · {nutrition.source}"
+        f"→ {nutrition.kcal:g} kcal · {g.PROTEIN} {nutrition.protein_g:g}  "
+        f"{g.CARBS} {nutrition.carbs_g:g}  {g.FAT} {nutrition.fat_g:g}"
+        f"{portion} · {source}"
     )
 
 
@@ -98,14 +102,14 @@ class _GateNutrition(_GateCore):
         try:
             budget = daily_budget()
         except BudgetError, OSError:
-            tail = f" · this item {this_kcal:g} kcal" if this_kcal else ""
-            self._vars.projection.set(f"Consumed {consumed:g} kcal today{tail}")
+            tail = f"  + {this_kcal:g}" if this_kcal else ""
+            self._vars.projection.set(f"{consumed:g} kcal{tail}")
             return
         left = round(budget - consumed, 1)
-        base = f"Consumed {consumed:g} / {budget:g} kcal · {left:g} left"
+        base = f"{consumed:g} / {budget:g} kcal  {g.BUDGET} {left:g}"
         if this_kcal:
             after = round(budget - consumed - this_kcal, 1)
-            self._vars.projection.set(f"{base}   →   after this item: {after:g} left")
+            self._vars.projection.set(f"{base}   →   {g.BUDGET} {after:g}")
         else:
             self._vars.projection.set(base)
 
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_scheduleedit.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_scheduleedit.py
index cf60120..1f43c02 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock_scheduleedit.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_scheduleedit.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import abc
 import contextlib
 import tkinter as tk
 
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._gatelock_budgetedit import _GateBudgetEdit
 from diet_guard._gatelock_ui import ERR, FG
 from diet_guard._meal_schedule import (
@@ -57,14 +58,14 @@ def schedule_problem(schedule: MealSchedule) -> str | None:
     a checkpoint.
     """
     first, last = schedule.first_minute, schedule.last_minute
+    # Glyph cues, not sentences: the rule's numbers next to the field glyph.
     if last < first + SLOT_GRID_MINUTES:
-        return (
-            f"The last meal must be at least {SLOT_GRID_MINUTES} min after the first."
-        )
+        return f"{g.ERROR} {g.CLOCK}{g.DASH}{g.CLOCK} ≥ {SLOT_GRID_MINUTES} min"
     if not MIN_MEAL_COUNT <= schedule.count <= MAX_MEAL_COUNT:
-        return f"Meals per day must be {MIN_MEAL_COUNT}-{MAX_MEAL_COUNT}."
-    if schedule.count > (last - first) // SLOT_GRID_MINUTES + 1:
-        return "Too many meals for that window -- widen it or eat less often."
+        return f"{g.ERROR} {g.TIMES} {MIN_MEAL_COUNT}{g.DASH}{MAX_MEAL_COUNT}"
+    capacity = (last - first) // SLOT_GRID_MINUTES + 1
+    if schedule.count > capacity:
+        return f"{g.ERROR} {g.TIMES} ≤ {capacity}"
     return None
 
 
@@ -127,14 +128,14 @@ class _GateScheduleEdit(_GateBudgetEdit):
         if not self._cal_editing_schedule:
             self._cal_editing_schedule = True
             self._set_schedule_entry_state("normal")
-            self._set_schedule_button_text("Save")
+            self._set_schedule_button_text(g.SAVE)
             self._set_schedule_status("", error=False)
             return
         if not self._save_schedule_entry():
             return
         self._cal_editing_schedule = False
         self._set_schedule_entry_state("readonly")
-        self._set_schedule_button_text("Edit")
+        self._set_schedule_button_text(g.EDIT)
         self._refresh_calendar()
 
     def _read_schedule_fields(self) -> MealSchedule | None:
@@ -143,14 +144,12 @@ class _GateScheduleEdit(_GateBudgetEdit):
             first = parse_hhmm(self._cal_vars.schedule.first.get())
             last = parse_hhmm(self._cal_vars.schedule.last.get())
         except ValueError:
-            self._set_schedule_status(
-                "Enter meal times as HH:MM, e.g. 07:15.", error=True
-            )
+            self._set_schedule_status(f"{g.ERROR} {g.CLOCK}", error=True)
             return None
         try:
             count = int(self._cal_vars.schedule.count.get().strip())
         except ValueError:
-            self._set_schedule_status("Enter meals per day as a number.", error=True)
+            self._set_schedule_status(f"{g.ERROR} {g.TIMES}", error=True)
             return None
         return MealSchedule(first, last, count)
 
@@ -169,5 +168,5 @@ class _GateScheduleEdit(_GateBudgetEdit):
             return False
         record_schedule_change(schedule)
         self._show_schedule(current_schedule())
-        self._set_schedule_status("Saved.", error=False)
+        self._set_schedule_status(g.OK, error=False)
         return True
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_ui.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_ui.py
index fb33d15..5d7780a 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock_ui.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_ui.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ from gatelock import (
 )
 
 from diet_guard._gatelock_fillall import FILL_LABEL
+from diet_guard._gatelock_glyphs import TIMES
 from diet_guard._gatelock_spacing import SM, XS
 from diet_guard._gatelock_typography import (
     BODY,
@@ -60,8 +61,8 @@ DEFAULT_PER_GRAMS = 100.0
 UNIT_GRAMS = "grams"
 UNIT_ITEMS = "items"
 # Per-basis label prefixes for the two measuring modes.
-BASIS_PREFIX_GRAMS = "Nutrition as on the label — per"
-BASIS_PREFIX_ITEMS = "Nutrition per 1 item ≈"
+BASIS_PREFIX_GRAMS = "/"
+BASIS_PREFIX_ITEMS = f"{TIMES}1 ≈"
 # Wrap width for the gate's prose labels, in px. 640 is tokens.md's line-length
 # cap (rule 21, 40rem / ~65-70 characters). This was 900 at five call sites,
 # which both exceeded the cap and -- more practically -- forced a 900px-wide
@@ -137,12 +138,16 @@ def _numeric_entry(
 
 
 def _macro_cell(
-    root: tk.Misc, row: tk.Frame, label: str, variable: tk.StringVar
+    root: tk.Misc,
+    row: tk.Frame,
+    label: str,
+    variable: tk.StringVar,
+    color: str = FG,
 ) -> tk.Entry:
-    """Pack one small labelled numeric entry into the macro row."""
+    """Pack one numeric entry under its glyph (or unit) into the macro row."""
     cell = tk.Frame(row, bg=BG)
     cell.pack(side="left", padx=SM)
-    tk.Label(cell, text=label, font=(_FONT, CAPTION), bg=BG, fg=FG).pack()
+    tk.Label(cell, text=label, font=(_FONT, CAPTION), bg=BG, fg=color).pack()
     entry = _numeric_entry(root, cell, width=7, variable=variable)
     entry.pack(ipady=XS)
     return entry
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_calendar_averages.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_calendar_averages.py
index 0af6a7a..f62ebbe 100644
--- a/diet_guard/tests/test_calendar_averages.py
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_calendar_averages.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 from datetime import date
 
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._budget_history import EPOCH_DAY, BudgetEntry, BudgetSchedule
 from diet_guard._calendar_view import averages_text
 
@@ -15,40 +16,40 @@ def _flat(budget: int) -> BudgetSchedule:
     )
 
 
+_WEEK = f"{g.AVERAGE} {g.SPAN['week']} "
+_MONTH = f"{g.AVERAGE} {g.SPAN['month']} "
+
+
 class TestAveragesText:
     def test_names_both_periods(self) -> None:
         text = averages_text({}, schedule=_flat(2000), today=date(2026, 1, 14))
-        assert "week" in text
-        assert "month" in text
+        assert _WEEK in text
+        assert _MONTH in text
 
-    def test_says_it_stops_at_yesterday(self) -> None:
+    def test_empty_log_reads_no_value_not_zero(self) -> None:
         text = averages_text({}, schedule=_flat(2000), today=date(2026, 1, 14))
-        assert "to yesterday" in text
-
-    def test_empty_log_reads_no_data_not_zero(self) -> None:
-        text = averages_text({}, schedule=_flat(2000), today=date(2026, 1, 14))
-        assert "no data" in text
+        assert text == f"{_WEEK}{g.NO_VALUE}   {_MONTH}{g.NO_VALUE}"
         assert "0 kcal" not in text
 
     def test_renders_the_average_and_its_band(self) -> None:
         # Mon-Tue of the week containing Wed 2026-01-14, at 3000 kcal each
-        # against a 2000 budget: 150% of budget, comfortably "very over".
+        # against a 2000 budget: 150% of budget, comfortably very over.
         log = {
             "2026-01-12": [{"kcal": 3000.0}],
             "2026-01-13": [{"kcal": 3000.0}],
         }
         text = averages_text(log, schedule=_flat(2000), today=date(2026, 1, 14))
-        assert "week 3000 kcal (very over)" in text
+        assert f"{_WEEK}3000 kcal {g.BAND['very_over']}" in text
 
-    def test_under_budget_reads_under(self) -> None:
+    def test_under_budget_band(self) -> None:
         log = {"2026-01-12": [{"kcal": 1500.0}]}
         text = averages_text(log, schedule=_flat(2000), today=date(2026, 1, 14))
-        assert "week 1500 kcal (under)" in text
+        assert f"{_WEEK}1500 kcal {g.BAND['under']}" in text
 
-    def test_slightly_over_reads_slightly_over(self) -> None:
+    def test_slightly_over_band(self) -> None:
         log = {"2026-01-12": [{"kcal": 2200.0}]}
         text = averages_text(log, schedule=_flat(2000), today=date(2026, 1, 14))
-        assert "week 2200 kcal (slightly over)" in text
+        assert f"{_WEEK}2200 kcal {g.BAND['slightly_over']}" in text
 
     def test_today_is_not_averaged_in(self) -> None:
         log = {"2026-01-14": [{"kcal": 9000.0}]}
@@ -56,4 +57,4 @@ class TestAveragesText:
         assert "9000" not in text
 
     def test_defaults_to_the_real_today(self) -> None:
-        assert "week" in averages_text({}, schedule=_flat(2000))
+        assert _WEEK in averages_text({}, schedule=_flat(2000))
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_calendar_view.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_calendar_view.py
index b1ee906..d3d6ee6 100644
--- a/diet_guard/tests/test_calendar_view.py
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_calendar_view.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 from datetime import date
 
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._calendar_view import (
     CalendarCell,
     build_month_cells,
@@ -103,23 +104,22 @@ class TestCellStyle:
 
 
 class TestStreaksText:
-    """:func:`streaks_text` boundary cases (singular/plural, zero)."""
+    """:func:`streaks_text` boundary cases (zero, one)."""
 
-    def test_zero_streaks_render_as_zero_days(self) -> None:
+    def test_zero_streaks_render_as_zeros(self) -> None:
         text = streaks_text({}, today=date(2026, 7, 13))
-        assert "0 days" in text
+        assert text == f"{g.FOOD} 0   {g.OK} 0"
 
-    def test_a_one_day_streak_uses_the_singular(self) -> None:
+    def test_a_one_day_streak(self) -> None:
         text = streaks_text(
             {"2026-07-13": DayStatus.GREEN},
             today=date(2026, 7, 13),
         )
-        assert "Logging streak: 1 day " in text
-        assert "Adherence streak: 1 day" in text
+        assert text == f"{g.FOOD} 1   {g.OK} 1"
 
 
 class TestYtdText:
-    """:func:`ytd_text` renders the tally's three counts."""
+    """:func:`ytd_text` renders the tally's counts."""
 
     def test_reports_logged_elapsed_and_adherent_counts(self) -> None:
         status_map_ = {
@@ -127,5 +127,4 @@ class TestYtdText:
             "2026-01-02": DayStatus.RED,
         }
         text = ytd_text(status_map_, today=date(2026, 1, 10))
-        assert "logged 2/10 days" in text
-        assert "1 within budget" in text
+        assert text == f"{g.YEAR_TOTAL} {g.FOOD} 2/10   {g.OK} 1"
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_gate_no_words.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_gate_no_words.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c63eb36
--- /dev/null
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_gate_no_words.py
@@ -0,0 +1,191 @@
+"""Guard: nothing the PC gate paints carries a word (kuhy's textgate rule).
+
+Every Tk surface of the gate -- Log Meal, History and Body tabs, their status
+lines, buttons, notebook tabs and canvas captions -- must show glyphs, numbers
+and unit symbols only. Text the user wrote (typed entries, logged food names)
+is content and stays; the fake ``Entry``/``Text``/``Listbox`` widgets that hold
+it are not recorded at all.
+
+The recorder hooks the fake widgets themselves, so it sees what the gate
+*built* and what it *later set*: ``text=`` at construction, ``config(text=)``
+afterwards, every value written into a variable some widget displays, the
+values of an ``OptionMenu``, notebook tab titles and canvas ``create_text``.
+It fails closed: a run that recorded too little (a module escaped the fake tk)
+is red, and a canary proves one injected word turns the check red.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from contextlib import contextmanager
+import re
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+from diet_guard._budget import write_budget
+from diet_guard._gatelock import MealGate
+from diet_guard._state import log_meal
+from diet_guard.tests._gate_fixtures import fake_tk
+from diet_guard.tests._tk_fakes import FakeCanvas, FakeNotebook, FakeVar, FakeWidget
+from diet_guard.tests.conftest import _nutrition
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Iterator
+
+# Unit symbols next to a number, and the one method acronym kuhy kept (DOUBT
+# rows in the rework's keep.md). Anything else of 2+ letters is a word.
+UNITS = frozenset({"kcal", "kg", "lb", "st", "cm", "km", "min", "MET"})
+# Food names logged by the scenario below: user content, shown on purpose.
+CONTENT = frozenset({"apple"})
+WORD = re.compile(r"[^\W\d_]{2,}")
+
+
+def words_in(text: object) -> list[str]:
+    """Every 2+ letter word in ``text`` that is neither a unit nor content."""
+    return [w for w in WORD.findall(str(text)) if w not in UNITS | CONTENT]
+
+
+class Recorder:
+    """Collects every string the fake widgets would paint."""
+
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        self.widgets: list[FakeWidget] = []
+        self.shown_vars: list[FakeVar] = []
+        self.var_history: dict[int, list[str]] = {}
+        self.tabs: list[str] = []
+        self.canvas_text: list[str] = []
+        self.menu_values: list[str] = []
+
+    def texts(self) -> list[str]:
+        """All painted strings, history included (a status shown once counts)."""
+        out = [str(w.configured.get("text", "")) for w in self.widgets]
+        for var in self.shown_vars:
+            out.extend(self.var_history.get(id(var), [var.get()]))
+        return [*out, *self.tabs, *self.canvas_text, *self.menu_values]
+
+    def offenders(self) -> list[str]:
+        """The painted strings that hold a word."""
+        return sorted({t for t in self.texts() if words_in(t)})
+
+
+@contextmanager
+def recording() -> Iterator[Recorder]:
+    """Hook the fake widgets so every painted string lands in a recorder."""
+    rec = Recorder()
+    widget_init, var_init, var_set = (
+        FakeWidget.__init__,
+        FakeVar.__init__,
+        FakeVar.set,
+    )
+    tab_add, canvas_text = FakeNotebook.add, FakeCanvas.create_text
+
+    def init(self: FakeWidget, *args: object, **kwargs: object) -> None:
+        widget_init(self, *args, **kwargs)
+        rec.widgets.append(self)
+        shown = kwargs.get("textvariable")
+        if isinstance(shown, FakeVar):
+            rec.shown_vars.append(shown)
+        if len(args) > 1 and isinstance(args[1], FakeVar):  # tk.OptionMenu
+            rec.shown_vars.append(args[1])
+            rec.menu_values.extend(str(v) for v in args[2:])
+
+    def vinit(self: FakeVar, master: object = None, value: str = "") -> None:
+        var_init(self, master, value)
+        rec.var_history[id(self)] = [value]
+
+    def vset(self: FakeVar, value: str) -> None:
+        var_set(self, value)
+        rec.var_history.setdefault(id(self), []).append(str(value))
+
+    def add(self: FakeNotebook, child: object, *, text: str = "") -> None:
+        tab_add(self, child, text=text)
+        rec.tabs.append(text)
+
+    def ctext(self: FakeCanvas, *args: object, **kwargs: object) -> int:
+        rec.canvas_text.append(str(kwargs.get("text", "")))
+        return canvas_text(self, *args, **kwargs)
+
+    with (
+        patch.object(FakeWidget, "__init__", init),
+        patch.object(FakeVar, "__init__", vinit),
+        patch.object(FakeVar, "set", vset),
+        patch.object(FakeNotebook, "add", add),
+        patch.object(FakeCanvas, "create_text", ctext),
+    ):
+        yield rec
+
+
+def _drive(gate: MealGate) -> None:
+    """Walk every user-reachable state that writes a status or caption."""
+    gate._on_submit()  # nothing typed
+    gate._set_desc("apple")
+    gate._set_entry(gate._widgets.macros.protein, "x")
+    gate._on_submit()  # macros not numbers
+    gate._set_entry(gate._widgets.macros.protein, "")
+    gate._on_submit()  # kcal missing
+    for click in (gate._on_fill_all, gate._on_fetch_sync, gate._on_load_delivery):
+        click()  # demo refusals
+    write_budget(2000, weight_kg=80)
+    log_meal("apple", _nutrition(95, 100), 8)
+    gate._pending = [480, 720]
+    gate._refresh_slot_header()
+    gate._pending = []
+    gate._refresh_slot_header()
+    gate._refresh_dashboard()
+    gate._refresh_projection()
+    gate._refresh_calendar()
+    gate._on_prev_month()
+    gate._on_next_month()
+    for value in ("x", "0", "1900"):
+        gate._on_edit_or_save_budget()
+        gate._cal_vars.budget.set(value)
+        gate._on_edit_or_save_budget()
+    gate._on_edit_or_save_schedule()
+    gate._cal_vars.schedule.count.set("x")
+    gate._on_edit_or_save_schedule()
+    gate._cal_vars.schedule.count.set("4")
+    gate._on_edit_or_save_schedule()
+
+
+def _drive_body(gate: MealGate) -> None:
+    """The Body tab's rejects, graph ranges and a saved reading."""
+    tab = gate._body_tab
+    tab.save_profile()
+    tab.vars.logs.weight.set("5")
+    tab.save_weight()
+    tab.vars.logs.weight_day.set("nope")
+    tab.delete_weight()
+    tab.vars.logs.body_fat.set("90")
+    tab.save_body_fat()
+    tab.delete_body_fat()
+    tab.set_range(30)
+    tab.vars.profile.birth.set("2000-05-22")
+    tab.vars.profile.height.set("169")
+    tab.vars.profile.sex.set("m")
+    tab.save_profile()
+    tab.vars.logs.weight.set("72.5")
+    tab.vars.logs.weight_day.set("2026-09-10")
+    tab.save_weight()
+    tab.set_range(None)
+    tab.goal_changed()
+
+
+def test_the_gate_paints_no_words() -> None:
+    """Build and drive every tab; no painted string may hold a word."""
+    with recording() as rec, fake_tk():
+        built = MealGate(demo_mode=True)
+        _drive(built)
+        _drive_body(built)
+    assert len(rec.tabs) >= 3, "the notebook tabs were not recorded"
+    assert len(rec.widgets) > 40, "too few widgets recorded: a module escaped the fake"
+    assert rec.canvas_text, "the Body graph drew nothing"
+    offenders = rec.offenders()
+    assert not offenders, "\n" + "\n".join(map(repr, offenders))
+
+
+def test_the_guard_catches_an_injected_word() -> None:
+    """Canary: the checker is red on a single word, and quiet on units/content."""
+    with recording() as rec:
+        FakeWidget(None, text="Save")
+        FakeWidget(None, text="✓ 1900 kcal  apple")
+    assert rec.offenders() == ["Save"]
+    assert words_in("08:00 · 2/4  72.5 kg") == []
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_gate_no_words_static.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_gate_no_words_static.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1b379fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_gate_no_words_static.py
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+"""Static twin of ``test_gate_no_words``: no gate source line can paint a word.
+
+The fake-tk guard only sees strings on the paths a scenario drives. This one
+parses every ``_gatelock*.py`` module and fails on any string literal handed
+to a painted keyword (``text=``, ``notebook.add(..., text=)``) or written into
+a status variable that holds a 2+ letter word, so a new sentence on an
+unexercised branch cannot slip in. Runs in CI (no display, no installed gate).
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import ast
+from pathlib import Path
+import re
+
+from diet_guard.tests.test_gate_no_words import UNITS
+
+PACKAGE = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent
+WORD = re.compile(r"[^\W\d_]{2,}")
+# The window title is the OS-level app name: the one kept proper noun.
+APP_NAME = "Diet Gate"
+# Variable-backed text sinks: StringVar writes and status setters.
+SINKS = {"set", "_set_status", "_set_budget_status", "_set_schedule_status"}
+
+
+def _literals(node: ast.AST) -> list[str]:
+    """Every constant string inside ``node`` (f-string parts included)."""
+    return [
+        n.value
+        for n in ast.walk(node)
+        if isinstance(n, ast.Constant) and isinstance(n.value, str)
+    ]
+
+
+def _offences(path: Path) -> list[str]:
+    tree = ast.parse(path.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
+    found: list[str] = []
+    for call in (n for n in ast.walk(tree) if isinstance(n, ast.Call)):
+        painted: list[ast.AST] = [k.value for k in call.keywords if k.arg == "text"]
+        name = getattr(call.func, "attr", getattr(call.func, "id", ""))
+        if name in SINKS:
+            painted.extend(call.args[:1])
+        if name == "title":
+            continue  # the window title: APP_NAME, checked below
+        for node in painted:
+            found.extend(
+                f"{path.name}:{call.lineno} {lit!r}"
+                for lit in _literals(node)
+                if set(WORD.findall(lit)) - UNITS
+            )
+    return found
+
+
+def test_no_gate_source_paints_a_word() -> None:
+    paths = sorted(PACKAGE.glob("_gatelock*.py"))
+    assert len(paths) > 20, "the gate modules were not found"
+    offences = [o for path in paths for o in _offences(path)]
+    assert not offences, "\n" + "\n".join(offences)
+
+
+def test_the_checker_flags_a_sentence(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+    """Canary: a status sentence and a ``text=`` word are both caught."""
+    bad = tmp_path / "_gatelock_x.py"
+    bad.write_text(
+        'def f(v, w):\n    v.set("Saved.")\n    w.Label(text="Edit")\n'
+        '    v.set("OK")\n',
+        encoding="utf-8",
+    )
+    assert len(_offences(bad)) == 3  # "OK" is two letters: a word too
+
+
+def test_the_window_title_is_the_app_name() -> None:
+    source = (PACKAGE / "_gatelock.py").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+    assert f'self.root.title("{APP_NAME}")' in source
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock.py
index d447c9b..c244127 100644
--- a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock.py
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from diet_guard import (
     _gatelock,
     _gatelock_support,
 )
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._gatelock import (
     MealGate,
     _pending_slots,
@@ -162,7 +163,7 @@ class TestLockDelegation:
     def test_callback_error_status(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """An unexpected callback error surfaces a recoverable message."""
         gate.on_callback_error()
-        assert "went wrong" in gate._vars.status.get()
+        assert gate._vars.status.get() == f"{g.WARN} kcal"
 
     def test_run_delegates_to_lock(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """run() hands off to the owned LockWindow."""
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_body.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_body.py
index 5a388ce..1ecf3b4 100644
--- a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_body.py
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_body.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ from unittest.mock import patch
 import pytest
 
 from diet_guard import _gatelock_body
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._body_fat_store import body_fats
 from diet_guard._body_prefs import saved_goal
 from diet_guard._body_store import profile, set_profile, set_weight, weights
@@ -60,20 +61,20 @@ class TestProfile:
     def test_rejects_then_saves(self, tab: BodyTab) -> None:
         tab.vars.profile.height.set("9")
         tab.save_profile()
-        assert tab.vars.status.get().startswith("Profile needs")
+        assert tab.vars.status.get().startswith(g.ERROR)
         tab.vars.profile.birth.set("2000-05-22")
         tab.vars.profile.height.set("169")
         tab.vars.profile.sex.set("m")
         tab.save_profile()
         assert profile().complete
-        assert tab.vars.status.get().startswith("Profile saved")
+        assert tab.vars.status.get() == g.OK
 
     def test_complete_profile_loads_into_the_inputs(self) -> None:
         _person()
         with fake_tk():
             body = BodyTab(FakeNotebook())
         assert body.vars.profile.height.get() == "169"
-        assert body.vars.goal.answer.get().startswith("eat ")
+        assert body.vars.goal.answer.get().startswith("→ ")
 
 
 class TestWeights:
@@ -81,7 +82,7 @@ class TestWeights:
         write_budget(2000, weight_kg=90.0)
         tab.vars.logs.weight.set("5")
         tab.save_weight()
-        assert tab.vars.status.get().startswith("Weight needs")
+        assert tab.vars.status.get().startswith(g.ERROR)
         tab.vars.logs.weight.set("80")
         tab.vars.logs.weight_day.set("2026-09-10")
         tab.save_weight()
@@ -89,7 +90,7 @@ class TestWeights:
         assert (read_raw_record() or {})["w"] == 80.0
         tab.vars.logs.weight_day.set("nope")
         tab.delete_weight()
-        assert tab.vars.status.get().startswith("Type the")
+        assert tab.vars.status.get() == g.ERROR + " " + g.DELETE + " 0000-00-00"
         tab.vars.logs.weight_day.set("2026-09-10")
         tab.delete_weight()
         assert weights() == {}
@@ -97,13 +98,13 @@ class TestWeights:
     def test_body_fat_save_reject_delete(self, tab: BodyTab) -> None:
         tab.vars.logs.body_fat.set("90")
         tab.save_body_fat()
-        assert tab.vars.status.get().startswith("Body fat needs")
+        assert tab.vars.status.get().startswith(g.ERROR)
         tab.vars.logs.body_fat.set("17")
         tab.save_body_fat()
         assert body_fats() == {tab.vars.logs.fat_day.get(): 17.0}
         tab.vars.logs.fat_day.set("x")
         tab.delete_body_fat()
-        assert tab.vars.status.get().startswith("Type the")
+        assert tab.vars.status.get() == g.ERROR + " " + g.DELETE + " 0000-00-00"
         tab.vars.logs.fat_day.set(next(iter(body_fats())))
         tab.delete_body_fat()
         assert body_fats() == {}
@@ -118,7 +119,7 @@ class TestGoalAndGraph:
         assert saved_goal().weight_unit == "lb"
         assert saved_goal().amount == 0.5  # unreadable amount kept
         assert tab.vars.goal.amount.get() == "0.5"
-        assert tab.vars.goal.answer.get().startswith("eat ")
+        assert tab.vars.goal.answer.get().startswith("→ ")
 
     def test_range_and_body_fat_graph(self, tab: BodyTab) -> None:
         _person()
@@ -127,7 +128,7 @@ class TestGoalAndGraph:
         tab.set_range(None)
         tab.vars.logs.graph.set("fat")
         tab.refresh()
-        assert "Mon" in tab.vars.blocks["plan"].get()
+        assert f"2500  {g.EDIT}" in tab.vars.blocks["plan"].get()
 
 
 class TestGraph:
@@ -150,6 +151,7 @@ class TestGraph:
         box = GraphBox(700, 300)
         draw_weight_graph(canvas, {}, box, None)
         assert canvas.drawn[0][0] == "text"
+        assert canvas.drawn[0][2]["text"] == g.EMPTY
         log = {"2026-09-20": 74.0, "2026-09-27": 72.0}
         draw_weight_graph(canvas, log, box, (52.8, 71.1))
         kinds = [kind for kind, _, _ in canvas.drawn]
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_body_glyphs.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_body_glyphs.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9a3c966
--- /dev/null
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_body_glyphs.py
@@ -0,0 +1,166 @@
+"""The gate's glyph twins of the Body report blocks, and the glyph table."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from dataclasses import replace
+from datetime import date
+
+import pytest
+
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
+from diet_guard._activity_kcal import Session
+from diet_guard._body_activity_store import set_activity
+from diet_guard._body_fat_store import set_body_fat
+from diet_guard._body_prefs import goal_from_json
+from diet_guard._body_store import read_body, set_profile, set_weight, write_body
+from diet_guard._body_view import build_view
+from diet_guard._gatelock_body_glyphs import (
+    ACTIVITY,
+    _band,
+    activity_glyphs,
+    bmi_glyphs,
+    bmr_glyphs,
+    bodyfat_glyphs,
+    ideal_glyphs,
+    plan_glyphs,
+    profile_glyphs,
+    target_glyphs,
+)
+from diet_guard._week_plan import plan_week
+
+_TODAY = date(2026, 9, 28)
+
+
+def _person() -> None:
+    set_profile(birth="2000-05-22", height_cm=169.0, sex="m")
+    set_weight("2026-09-27", 72.6)
+
+
+class TestEmptyState:
+    def test_every_block_has_a_placeholder_not_a_sentence(self) -> None:
+        view = build_view(_TODAY)
+        assert profile_glyphs(view, _TODAY) == [
+            f"{g.BIRTH} {g.NO_VALUE}   {g.NO_VALUE} cm   {g.NO_VALUE}",
+            f"{g.AMOUNT} {g.NO_VALUE} kg",
+        ]
+        assert bodyfat_glyphs(view) == [f"% {g.NO_VALUE}"]
+        assert bmi_glyphs(view) == [f"{g.TAB_BODY} ?"]
+        assert ideal_glyphs(view) == [f"{g.IDEAL} ?"]
+        assert bmr_glyphs(view) == [f"{g.RESTING} ?"]
+        assert target_glyphs(view) == ["?"]
+        assert activity_glyphs(view) == [f"{g.MEASURED} {g.EMPTY}"]
+
+
+class TestWithData:
+    def test_profile_bmi_ideal_and_bmr(self) -> None:
+        _person()
+        set_body_fat("2026-09-27", 18.5)
+        view = build_view(_TODAY)
+        assert profile_glyphs(view, _TODAY)[0].startswith(f"{g.BIRTH} 2000-05-22 (26)")
+        assert profile_glyphs(view, _TODAY)[1].startswith(f"{g.AMOUNT} 72.6 kg")
+        assert bodyfat_glyphs(view)[0].startswith("18.5%")
+        assert bmi_glyphs(view)[0].startswith(f"{g.TAB_BODY} 25.4 △")
+        assert ideal_glyphs(view)[0].startswith(f"{g.IDEAL} ")
+        assert bmr_glyphs(view)[0].startswith(f"{g.RESTING} ")
+
+    def test_target_and_the_floor_warning(self) -> None:
+        _person()
+        view = build_view(_TODAY)
+        assert view.numbers is not None
+        assert target_glyphs(view)[0].startswith("= ")
+        low = replace(
+            view,
+            numbers=replace(
+                view.numbers,
+                target=replace(view.numbers.target, kcal=900),
+            ),
+        )
+        assert target_glyphs(low)[-1].startswith(g.WARN)
+
+    def test_an_unanswered_measured_goal_shows_the_empty_mark(self) -> None:
+        _person()
+        goal = goal_from_json({"act": "measured:MET"})
+        view = build_view(_TODAY, goal)
+        assert target_glyphs(view) == [f"{g.MEASURED} {g.EMPTY}"]
+
+    def test_activity_means_steps_and_sessions(self) -> None:
+        _person()
+        set_activity(
+            (
+                Session("2026-09-22", "run", 60.0, 6.0, "Run", "runnerup"),
+                Session("2026-09-25", "strength", 80.0, None, "SL", "screen-locker"),
+            )
+        )
+        doc = read_body()
+        doc["steps"] = {"2026-09-26": {"n": 9000, "t": "2026-09-26T22:00:00+02:00"}}
+        write_body(doc)
+        lines = activity_glyphs(build_view(_TODAY))
+        assert lines[0].startswith(g.SYNC)
+        assert lines[1].startswith(f"{g.AVERAGE} 6")
+        assert lines[2].startswith(f"{g.STEPS} 9000")
+        assert any(" run " in line and "6.0 km" in line for line in lines)
+        assert any("MET" in line and "↗" in line and "/km" in line for line in lines)
+
+    def test_sessions_without_a_weight_carry_no_kcal(self) -> None:
+        set_activity((Session("2026-09-22", "run", 60.0, None, "Run", "runnerup"),))
+        assert activity_glyphs(build_view(_TODAY))[1].endswith("min")
+
+    def test_steps_alone_have_a_dash_for_the_stamp(self) -> None:
+        _person()
+        doc = read_body()
+        doc["steps"] = {"2026-09-27": {"n": 3000, "t": "2026-09-27T22:00:00+02:00"}}
+        write_body(doc)
+        assert activity_glyphs(build_view(_TODAY))[0] == f"{g.SYNC} {g.NO_VALUE}"
+
+
+class TestBand:
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize(
+        ("category", "glyph"),
+        [
+            ("severe thinness", "▽"),
+            ("normal", g.OK),
+            ("overweight", "△"),
+            ("obese class II", "▲"),
+            ("adult categories do not apply under 20", g.NO_VALUE),
+        ],
+    )
+    def test_each_who_band_has_its_own_shape(self, category: str, glyph: str) -> None:
+        assert _band(category) == glyph
+
+
+class TestPlan:
+    def test_sources_and_the_remaining_line(self) -> None:
+        low = plan_week(date(2026, 10, 1), 1500, {"2026-09-28": 5000}, {})
+        lines = plan_glyphs(low)
+        assert lines[0] == f"{g.AVERAGE} 1500 kcal"
+        assert g.EDIT not in lines[1]
+        assert "?" in lines[2]
+        assert lines[-1].endswith(g.WARN)
+
+    def test_a_fully_known_week_reports_its_average(self) -> None:
+        full = plan_week(date(2026, 10, 4), 1800, {}, dict.fromkeys(range(7), 1900))
+        assert plan_glyphs(full)[-1] == f"{g.OK} {g.AVERAGE} 1900 kcal"
+
+    def test_the_remaining_line_without_a_warning(self) -> None:
+        plan = plan_week(date(2026, 10, 1), 2200, {}, {})
+        assert plan_glyphs(plan)[-1].startswith("→")
+        assert g.WARN not in plan_glyphs(plan)[-1]
+
+
+class TestGlyphTable:
+    def test_activity_picker_covers_every_choice(self) -> None:
+        assert ACTIVITY["sedentary"] == "▁"
+        assert ACTIVITY["measured:ACSM"] == f"{g.MEASURED} ↗"
+
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize(
+        ("source", "glyph"),
+        [
+            ("food bank", "▤"),
+            ("staple: apple", "★"),
+            ("catering", g.DELIVERY),
+            ("manual", g.FOOD),
+            ("openfoodfacts", "≈"),
+        ],
+    )
+    def test_every_nutrition_source_has_a_glyph(self, source: str, glyph: str) -> None:
+        assert g.source_glyph(source) == glyph
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_calendar.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_calendar.py
index 9852fa5..5af52df 100644
--- a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_calendar.py
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_calendar.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
 from diet_guard import _budget
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._budget import daily_budget, write_budget
 from diet_guard._budget_derived import budget_weight
 from diet_guard._state import log_meal
@@ -21,7 +22,7 @@ class TestNotebookWiring:
 
     def test_builds_a_notebook_with_all_three_tabs(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         labels = [text for _child, text in gate._notebook.tabs]
-        assert labels == ["Log Meal", "History", "Body"]
+        assert labels == [g.TAB_LOG, g.TAB_HISTORY, g.TAB_BODY]
 
     def test_calendar_state_starts_on_the_current_month(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         assert 1 <= gate._cal_month <= 12
@@ -64,8 +65,8 @@ class TestBudgetDefaultAndDegradation:
         gate: MealGate,
     ) -> None:
         gate._refresh_calendar()
-        assert "Logging streak" in gate._cal_vars.streaks.get()
-        assert "This year" in gate._cal_vars.ytd.get()
+        assert gate._cal_vars.streaks.get().startswith(g.FOOD)
+        assert gate._cal_vars.ytd.get().startswith(g.YEAR_TOTAL)
 
     def test_no_budget_set_shows_2200_in_the_entry(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         gate._refresh_calendar()
@@ -75,7 +76,7 @@ class TestBudgetDefaultAndDegradation:
         assert gate._cal_widgets.budget_entry.configured.get("state") == "readonly"
 
     def test_edit_button_starts_labelled_edit(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
-        assert gate._cal_widgets.budget_edit_button.configured.get("text") == "Edit"
+        assert gate._cal_widgets.budget_edit_button.configured.get("text") == g.EDIT
 
     def test_no_budget_set_still_renders_every_grid_cell(
         self,
@@ -90,7 +91,7 @@ class TestBudgetDefaultAndDegradation:
         log_meal("oatmeal", _nutrition(kcal=300), None)
         gate._refresh_calendar()
         assert gate._cal_vars.budget.get() == "1800"
-        assert "Logging streak" in gate._cal_vars.streaks.get()
+        assert gate._cal_vars.streaks.get().startswith(g.FOOD)
 
     def test_a_corrupt_budget_file_degrades_with_an_error_message(
         self,
@@ -98,7 +99,7 @@ class TestBudgetDefaultAndDegradation:
     ) -> None:
         _budget.BUDGET_FILE.write_text("not json")
         gate._refresh_calendar()
-        assert "corrupt" in gate._cal_vars.streaks.get()
+        assert gate._cal_vars.streaks.get() == f"{g.WARN} {g.BUDGET}"
         assert gate._cal_vars.ytd.get() == ""
 
 
@@ -144,7 +145,7 @@ class TestBudgetEditToggle:
     ) -> None:
         gate._on_edit_or_save_budget()
         assert gate._cal_editing_budget is True
-        assert gate._cal_widgets.budget_edit_button.configured.get("text") == "Save"
+        assert gate._cal_widgets.budget_edit_button.configured.get("text") == g.SAVE
         assert gate._cal_widgets.budget_entry.configured.get("state") == "normal"
 
     def test_second_click_with_non_numeric_input_stays_in_edit_mode(
@@ -155,8 +156,8 @@ class TestBudgetEditToggle:
         self._type(gate, "not a number")
         gate._on_edit_or_save_budget()
         assert gate._cal_editing_budget is True
-        assert "whole number" in gate._cal_vars.budget_status.get()
-        assert gate._cal_widgets.budget_edit_button.configured.get("text") == "Save"
+        assert gate._cal_vars.budget_status.get() == f"{g.ERROR} kcal"
+        assert gate._cal_widgets.budget_edit_button.configured.get("text") == g.SAVE
 
     def test_second_click_with_zero_is_rejected_and_stays_in_edit_mode(
         self,
@@ -166,13 +167,13 @@ class TestBudgetEditToggle:
         self._type(gate, "0")
         gate._on_edit_or_save_budget()
         assert gate._cal_editing_budget is True
-        assert "positive" in gate._cal_vars.budget_status.get()
+        assert gate._cal_vars.budget_status.get() == f"{g.ERROR} kcal > 0"
 
     def test_second_click_with_negative_is_rejected(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         gate._on_edit_or_save_budget()
         self._type(gate, "-500")
         gate._on_edit_or_save_budget()
-        assert "positive" in gate._cal_vars.budget_status.get()
+        assert gate._cal_vars.budget_status.get() == f"{g.ERROR} kcal > 0"
 
     def test_second_click_with_a_valid_value_saves_and_exits_edit_mode(
         self,
@@ -182,8 +183,8 @@ class TestBudgetEditToggle:
         self._type(gate, "1900")
         gate._on_edit_or_save_budget()
         assert gate._cal_editing_budget is False
-        assert gate._cal_vars.budget_status.get() == "Saved."
-        assert gate._cal_widgets.budget_edit_button.configured.get("text") == "Edit"
+        assert gate._cal_vars.budget_status.get() == g.OK
+        assert gate._cal_widgets.budget_edit_button.configured.get("text") == g.EDIT
         assert gate._cal_widgets.budget_entry.configured.get("state") == "readonly"
         assert daily_budget() == 1900
 
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_dashboard.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_dashboard.py
index cd4bf91..5888f2c 100644
--- a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_dashboard.py
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_dashboard.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, cast
 from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
 
 from diet_guard import _gatelock_delivery
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._budget import write_budget
 from diet_guard._state import log_meal
 from diet_guard.tests.conftest import _nutrition
@@ -28,12 +29,12 @@ class TestDashboard:
         """A sealed budget shows consumed/target/remaining."""
         write_budget(2000)
         gate._refresh_dashboard()
-        assert "left" in gate._vars.cal_headline.get()
+        assert gate._vars.cal_headline.get() == f"0 / 2000 kcal   {g.BUDGET} 2000"
 
     def test_headline_without_budget(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """With no budget, only today's total is shown."""
         gate._refresh_dashboard()
-        assert "kcal today" in gate._vars.cal_headline.get()
+        assert gate._vars.cal_headline.get() == "0 kcal"
 
     def test_dashboard_lists_entries(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """Logged entries appear in the detail panel."""
@@ -42,31 +43,31 @@ class TestDashboard:
         gate._refresh_dashboard()
         text = gate._vars.dashboard.get()
         assert "apple" in text
-        assert "protein" in text
+        assert f"{g.PROTEIN} 10 /" in text
 
     def test_dashboard_empty(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """With nothing logged, the panel says so."""
         gate._refresh_dashboard()
-        assert "nothing logged yet" in gate._vars.dashboard.get()
+        assert g.EMPTY in gate._vars.dashboard.get()
 
     def test_slot_header_variants(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """The header covers none / one / several pending slots."""
         gate._pending = []
         gate._refresh_slot_header()
-        assert "All meals logged" in gate._vars.slot_header.get()
+        assert gate._vars.slot_header.get() == g.OK
         gate._pending = [480]
         gate._refresh_slot_header()
-        assert "Log your" in gate._vars.slot_header.get()
+        assert gate._vars.slot_header.get() == f"{g.CLOCK} 08:00"
         gate._pending = [480, 720]
         gate._refresh_slot_header()
-        assert "remaining" in gate._vars.slot_header.get()
+        assert gate._vars.slot_header.get() == f"{g.CLOCK} 08:00   1/2"
 
     def test_projection_with_budget(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """The projection shows the after-this-item remaining when priced."""
         write_budget(2000)
         gate._widgets.macros.kcal.insert(0, "300")
         gate._refresh_projection()
-        assert "after this item" in gate._vars.projection.get()
+        assert gate._vars.projection.get().endswith(f"→   {g.BUDGET} 1700")
 
 
 class TestSlotWalk:
@@ -121,7 +122,7 @@ class TestFetchFromSync:
         with patch.object(_gatelock_delivery, "pull_peer_logs") as pull:
             gate._on_fetch_sync()
         pull.assert_not_called()
-        assert "only available on the real lock" in gate._vars.status.get()
+        assert gate._vars.status.get() == f"{g.DEMO_ONLY} {g.SYNC}"
 
     def test_pull_failure_keeps_lock(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """A failed pull shows the reason and leaves pending slots intact."""
@@ -135,7 +136,7 @@ class TestFetchFromSync:
             gate._on_fetch_sync()
             _drive_fetch(gate)
         assert gate._pending == [480, 720]
-        assert "still locked" in gate._vars.status.get()
+        assert gate._vars.status.get() == f"{g.ERROR} {g.SYNC}"
 
     def test_no_new_meals_keeps_all_slots(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """A clean pull that satisfies nothing reports so and keeps the slots."""
@@ -148,7 +149,7 @@ class TestFetchFromSync:
             gate._on_fetch_sync()
             _drive_fetch(gate)
         assert gate._pending == [480, 720]
-        assert "No new meals" in gate._vars.status.get()
+        assert gate._vars.status.get() == f"{g.EMPTY} {g.SYNC}"
 
     def test_partial_advances_to_next_slot(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """One slot pulled in leaves the rest; the window advances (singular)."""
@@ -161,10 +162,10 @@ class TestFetchFromSync:
             gate._on_fetch_sync()
             _drive_fetch(gate)
         assert gate._pending == [720]
-        assert "Pulled 1 meal " in gate._vars.status.get()
+        assert gate._vars.status.get() == f"{g.OK} {g.SYNC} 1"
 
-    def test_partial_plural_wording(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
-        """Two slots pulled in uses the plural 'meals'."""
+    def test_partial_shows_the_count(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
+        """Two slots pulled in shows the count 2."""
         gate.demo_mode = False
         gate._pending = [480, 720, 960]
         with (
@@ -174,7 +175,7 @@ class TestFetchFromSync:
             gate._on_fetch_sync()
             _drive_fetch(gate)
         assert gate._pending == [960]
-        assert "Pulled 2 meals" in gate._vars.status.get()
+        assert gate._vars.status.get() == f"{g.OK} {g.SYNC} 2"
 
     def test_all_satisfied_unlocks(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """When the pull satisfies every pending slot, the gate unlocks."""
@@ -187,7 +188,7 @@ class TestFetchFromSync:
             gate._on_fetch_sync()
             _drive_fetch(gate)
         assert gate._pending == []
-        assert "unlocking" in gate._vars.status.get()
+        assert g.UNLOCKING in gate._vars.status.get()
 
     def test_poll_without_a_fetch_is_inert(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """A stray poll after completion must stop, not block on an empty queue."""
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_fanout.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_fanout.py
index a16ab79..535dc93 100644
--- a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_fanout.py
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_fanout.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ from unittest.mock import MagicMock
 
 import pytest
 
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._gatelock import MealGate
 from diet_guard.tests._gate_fixtures import fake_tk
 from diet_guard.tests.conftest import TWO_OUTPUTS
@@ -100,7 +101,7 @@ class TestGateFansOut:
 
         for surface in dual_gate._cal_surfaces:
             assert surface.budget_entry.configured.get("state") == "normal"
-            assert surface.budget_edit_button.configured.get("text") == "Save"
+            assert surface.budget_edit_button.configured.get("text") == g.SAVE
 
     def test_frame_group_covers_every_monitor(self, dual_gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """The outer frame is exposed per surface, for tab selection."""
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_fillall.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_fillall.py
index f316e3d..ad0dc16 100644
--- a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_fillall.py
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_fillall.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, cast
 from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
 
 from diet_guard import _gatelock_fillall
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._gatelock_fetch import FETCH_POLL_MS
 from diet_guard._gatelock_fillall import FILL_LABEL, FillAllFlow, FillHooks
 from diet_guard._gatelock_kuchnia import DeliveryResult
@@ -115,7 +116,7 @@ class TestFirstClick:
         with fetching() as start:
             h.flow.click()
         start.assert_not_called()
-        assert "only available on the real lock" in h.status
+        assert h.status == f"{g.DEMO_ONLY} {g.FILL_ALL}"
         assert h.label.get() == FILL_LABEL
 
     def test_a_click_while_fetching_is_ignored(self) -> None:
@@ -127,7 +128,7 @@ class TestFirstClick:
         start.assert_called_once_with(
             _gatelock_fillall._refresh_delivery, now_local().date()
         )
-        assert h.statuses == [("Loading today's delivery…", False)]
+        assert h.statuses == [(f"{g.BUSY} {g.DELIVERY}", False)]
         h.root.after.assert_called_once_with(FETCH_POLL_MS, h.flow._poll)
 
     def test_the_poll_rearms_while_the_worker_runs(self) -> None:
@@ -149,7 +150,7 @@ class TestFirstClick:
         h = Harness()
         with fetching(DeliveryResult(dishes=(), reason="panel down")):
             propose(h)
-        assert h.statuses[-1] == ("panel down — still locked.", True)
+        assert h.statuses[-1] == (f"{g.ERROR} {g.DELIVERY}", True)
         assert h.label.get() == FILL_LABEL
         # Fetch done: the next click may fetch again rather than being ignored.
         assert h.flow._result is None
@@ -158,7 +159,7 @@ class TestFirstClick:
         h = Harness()
         with fetching(delivered()):
             propose(h)
-        assert h.status == "No catering delivery today."
+        assert h.status == f"{g.EMPTY} {g.DELIVERY}"
         assert h.label.get() == FILL_LABEL
 
     def test_every_slot_already_logged(self) -> None:
@@ -167,7 +168,7 @@ class TestFirstClick:
         h = Harness()
         with fetching(delivered(*FOUR)):
             propose(h)
-        assert h.status == "Every slot already has a meal — nothing to fill."
+        assert h.status == f"{g.OK} {g.CLOCK}"
         assert h.label.get() == FILL_LABEL
 
     def test_the_proposal_writes_nothing(self) -> None:
@@ -175,10 +176,9 @@ class TestFirstClick:
         h = Harness()
         with fetching(delivered(*FOUR)):
             propose(h)
-        assert h.label.get() == "✓ Confirm (3)"
+        assert h.label.get() == f"{g.OK} 3"
         assert h.status == (
-            "Will log 3 (1144 kcal): 08:00 Owsianka, 16:00 Obiad, "
-            "20:00 Kolacja — click Confirm."
+            f"{g.DELIVERY} 3  1144 kcal   08:00 Owsianka   16:00 Obiad   20:00 Kolacja"
         )
         assert logged() == {720: ["my sandwich"]}
         h.on_logged.assert_not_called()
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ class TestConfirm:
             960: ["Obiad"],
             1200: ["Kolacja"],
         }
-        assert h.status == "Logged 3 catering dish(es)."
+        assert h.status == f"{g.OK} {g.DELIVERY} 3"
         h.on_logged.assert_called_once_with()
         assert h.label.get() == FILL_LABEL
 
@@ -210,17 +210,17 @@ class TestConfirm:
             propose(h)
             h.flow.click()
         assert logged()[480] == ["Owsianka", "Wrap"]
-        assert h.status == "Logged 5 catering dish(es)."
+        assert h.status == f"{g.OK} {g.DELIVERY} 5"
 
     def test_a_meal_typed_between_the_clicks_keeps_its_slot(self) -> None:
         h = Harness()
         with fetching(delivered(*FOUR)):
             propose(h)
-        assert h.label.get() == "✓ Confirm (4)"
+        assert h.label.get() == f"{g.OK} 4"
         log_meal("toast", _nutrition(), 480)
         h.flow.click()
         assert logged()[480] == ["toast"]
-        assert h.status == "Logged 3 catering dish(es)."
+        assert h.status == f"{g.OK} {g.DELIVERY} 3"
 
     def test_every_slot_taken_between_the_clicks(self) -> None:
         h = Harness()
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ class TestConfirm:
         for slot in (480, 720, 960, 1200):
             log_meal(f"mine {slot}", _nutrition(), slot)
         h.flow.click()
-        assert h.status == "Every slot already has a meal — nothing to fill."
+        assert h.status == f"{g.OK} {g.CLOCK}"
         h.on_logged.assert_not_called()
         assert h.label.get() == FILL_LABEL
         assert all(descs == [f"mine {s}"] for s, descs in logged().items())
@@ -247,4 +247,4 @@ class TestConfirm:
         assert logged() == {}
         h.on_logged.assert_not_called()
         assert h.label.get() == FILL_LABEL
-        assert h.status == "Loading today's delivery…"
+        assert h.status == f"{g.BUSY} {g.DELIVERY}"
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_fillall_gate.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_fillall_gate.py
index 9976fc5..f179a41 100644
--- a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_fillall_gate.py
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_fillall_gate.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
 import pytest
 
 from diet_guard import _gatelock_delivery, _gatelock_fillall, _gatelock_layout
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._gatelock import MealGate
 from diet_guard._gatelock_fillall import FILL_LABEL, _refresh_delivery
 from diet_guard._gatelock_layout import build_layout
@@ -82,7 +83,7 @@ class TestTheGateDrivesTheFlow:
         with patch.object(_gatelock_fillall, "start_delivery_fetch") as start:
             gate._on_fill_all()
         start.assert_not_called()
-        assert "only available on the real lock" in gate._vars.status.get()
+        assert gate._vars.status.get() == f"{g.DEMO_ONLY} {g.FILL_ALL}"
 
     def test_fill_and_confirm_unlocks_from_catering(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         gate.demo_mode = False  # read once, when the flow is first built
@@ -94,7 +95,7 @@ class TestTheGateDrivesTheFlow:
         with patch.object(_gatelock_delivery, "due_slots", side_effect=due):
             _fill(gate, delivered(*FOUR))
         status = gate._vars.status.get()
-        assert status == "Filled from catering — all meals logged, unlocking…"
+        assert status == f"{g.OK} {g.DELIVERY}  {g.UNLOCKING}"
         assert gate._pending == []
         gate.root.after.assert_called_with(_UNLOCK_DELAY_MS, gate.close)
         assert sorted(logged()) == [480, 720, 960, 1200]
@@ -109,8 +110,8 @@ class TestTheGateDrivesTheFlow:
         with patch.object(_gatelock_delivery, "due_slots", side_effect=due):
             _fill(gate, delivered(*two))
         assert gate._pending == [720]
-        assert "Pulled 1 meal " in gate._vars.status.get()
-        assert "unlocking" not in gate._vars.status.get()
+        assert g.UNLOCKING not in gate._vars.status.get()
+        assert gate._vars.status.get().startswith(g.OK)
 
 
 class TestLeftoverDishesAtUnlock:
@@ -120,22 +121,21 @@ class TestLeftoverDishesAtUnlock:
         # Case and padding differ from the dish name on purpose.
         log_meal("  KOLACJA ", _nutrition(), 20)
         gate._delivery_pending = (dish("Kolacja", 4), dish("Obiad", 3))
-        gate._unlock("Logged 20:00")
+        gate._unlock(f"{g.OK} 20:00")
         assert gate._vars.status.get() == (
-            "Logged 20:00 (1 more dish delivered; log with 'ate') — "
-            "all meals logged, unlocking…"
+            f"{g.OK} 20:00  {g.DELIVERY} +1  {g.UNLOCKING}"
         )
 
     def test_unlogged_dishes_are_all_counted(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         gate._delivery_pending = (dish("Kolacja", 4), dish("Obiad", 3))
-        gate._unlock("Logged 20:00")
-        assert "(2 more dishes delivered;" in gate._vars.status.get()
+        gate._unlock(f"{g.OK} 20:00")
+        assert f"{g.DELIVERY} +2" in gate._vars.status.get()
 
     def test_every_queued_dish_logged_means_no_suffix(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         log_meal("Kolacja", _nutrition(), 20)
         gate._delivery_pending = (dish("Kolacja", 4),)
-        gate._unlock("Logged 20:00")
-        assert "more dish" not in gate._vars.status.get()
+        gate._unlock(f"{g.OK} 20:00")
+        assert g.DELIVERY not in gate._vars.status.get()
 
 
 class TestTheButton:
@@ -188,8 +188,8 @@ class TestTheButton:
             widgets = build_layout(notebook, vars_, callbacks, demo_mode=False)
             button = _find_fill_button(widgets.frame, str(vars_.fill_label))
             assert button.cget("text") == FILL_LABEL
-            vars_.fill_label.set("✓ Confirm (3)")
-            assert button.cget("text") == "✓ Confirm (3)"
+            vars_.fill_label.set(f"{g.OK} 3")
+            assert button.cget("text") == f"{g.OK} 3"
             button.invoke()
             on_fill_all.assert_called_once_with()
         finally:
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_form.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_form.py
index dbe4e7e..e6e910d 100644
--- a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_form.py
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_form.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard import (
     _gatelock_ui,
 )
@@ -107,8 +108,8 @@ class TestBasisAndAmount:
         write_budget(2000)
         gate._refresh_projection()
         text = gate._vars.projection.get()
-        assert "left" in text
-        assert "after this item" not in text
+        assert f"{g.BUDGET} 2000" in text
+        assert "→" not in text
 
     def test_keyrelease_grams_mode(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """In grams mode the per-item weight is not touched on keyrelease."""
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_mealflow.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_mealflow.py
index 76713e6..cb21fa9 100644
--- a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_mealflow.py
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_mealflow.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard import _gatelock_mealflow
 from diet_guard.tests.conftest import _nutrition
 
@@ -116,14 +117,14 @@ class TestSubmit:
     def test_empty_description(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """Submitting with no description prompts for one."""
         gate._on_submit()
-        assert "Type what you ate" in gate._vars.status.get()
+        assert gate._vars.status.get() == f"{g.ERROR} {g.FOOD}"
 
     def test_non_numeric_macros(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """Non-numeric macros are rejected before logging."""
         gate._set_desc("apple")
         gate._widgets.macros.kcal.insert(0, "abc")
         gate._on_submit()
-        assert "must be numbers" in gate._vars.status.get()
+        assert gate._vars.status.get() == f"{g.ERROR} {g.PROTEIN}{g.CARBS}{g.FAT}"
 
     def test_blank_calories_triggers_lookup(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """A blank calorie field looks the food up rather than logging."""
@@ -138,7 +139,7 @@ class TestSubmit:
         gate._widgets.macros.kcal.insert(0, "200")
         with patch.object(gate, "_current_nutrition", return_value=None):
             gate._on_submit()
-        assert "Enter the calories" in gate._vars.status.get()
+        assert gate._vars.status.get() == f"{g.ERROR} kcal"
 
     def test_valid_submit_records(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """A described, priced meal is recorded."""
@@ -163,7 +164,7 @@ class TestLookup:
         gate._set_desc("nonsense")
         with patch.object(_gatelock_mealflow, "lookup_candidates", return_value=[]):
             gate._begin_lookup("nonsense")
-        assert "Couldn't look that up" in gate._vars.status.get()
+        assert gate._vars.status.get().startswith(g.ERROR)
 
     def test_single_candidate(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """A single match fills the fields and invites review."""
@@ -173,7 +174,8 @@ class TestLookup:
             return_value=[("apple", _nutrition(95, 100))],
         ):
             gate._begin_lookup("apple")
-        assert "Review the values" in gate._vars.status.get()
+        assert gate._vars.status.get().startswith(g.OK)
+        assert g.TIMES not in gate._vars.status.get()
 
     def test_multiple_candidates(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """Several matches invite picking another."""
@@ -186,7 +188,7 @@ class TestLookup:
             ],
         ):
             gate._begin_lookup("apple")
-        assert "pick another" in gate._vars.status.get()
+        assert gate._vars.status.get().endswith(f"{g.TIMES}2")
 
 
 class TestRecord:
@@ -219,9 +221,9 @@ class TestRecord:
         ):
             gate._record("apple", _nutrition(95, 100))
         assert gate._pending == [720]
-        assert "next meal" in gate._vars.status.get()
+        assert gate._vars.status.get().startswith(g.OK)
 
     def test_unlock_schedules_close(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """Unlock sets the closing status and schedules teardown."""
         gate._unlock("logged X")
-        assert "unlocking" in gate._vars.status.get()
+        assert g.UNLOCKING in gate._vars.status.get()
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_scheduleedit.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_scheduleedit.py
index 8e8914b..710b318 100644
--- a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_scheduleedit.py
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_scheduleedit.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 import pytest
 
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._gatelock_scheduleedit import schedule_problem, schedule_summary
 from diet_guard._meal_schedule import DEFAULT_SCHEDULE, MealSchedule
 from diet_guard._meal_schedule_store import current_schedule, record_schedule_change
@@ -64,7 +65,7 @@ class TestEditToggle:
 
         assert not gate._cal_editing_schedule
         assert current_schedule() == MealSchedule(435, 1140, 5)
-        assert _status(gate) == "Saved."
+        assert _status(gate) == g.OK
         assert gate._cal_vars.schedule.times.get().startswith("07:15  10:15")
 
     def test_a_bare_hour_is_still_accepted(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
@@ -106,22 +107,22 @@ class TestValidation:
         _type(gate, first, "20:00", "4")
 
         assert not gate._save_schedule_entry()
-        assert "HH:MM" in _status(gate)
+        assert _status(gate) == f"{g.ERROR} {g.CLOCK}"
 
     def test_rejects_a_non_numeric_count(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         _type(gate, "08:00", "20:00", "five")
 
         assert not gate._save_schedule_entry()
-        assert "meals per day as a number" in _status(gate)
+        assert _status(gate) == f"{g.ERROR} {g.TIMES}"
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize(
         ("first", "last", "count", "reason"),
         [
-            ("20:00", "08:00", "4", "at least 15 min after"),
-            ("08:00", "08:14", "2", "at least 15 min after"),
-            ("08:00", "20:00", "1", "Meals per day must be 2-6."),
-            ("08:00", "20:00", "9", "Meals per day must be 2-6."),
-            ("08:00", "08:45", "5", "Too many meals"),
+            ("20:00", "08:00", "4", f"{g.ERROR} {g.CLOCK}{g.DASH}{g.CLOCK} ≥ 15 min"),
+            ("08:00", "08:14", "2", f"{g.ERROR} {g.CLOCK}{g.DASH}{g.CLOCK} ≥ 15 min"),
+            ("08:00", "20:00", "1", f"{g.ERROR} {g.TIMES} 2{g.DASH}6"),
+            ("08:00", "20:00", "9", f"{g.ERROR} {g.TIMES} 2{g.DASH}6"),
+            ("08:00", "08:45", "5", f"{g.ERROR} {g.TIMES} ≤ 4"),
         ],
     )
     def test_rejects_what_normalize_would_silently_change(
@@ -130,7 +131,7 @@ class TestValidation:
         _type(gate, first, last, count)
 
         assert not gate._save_schedule_entry()
-        assert reason in _status(gate)
+        assert reason == _status(gate)
         assert current_schedule() == DEFAULT_SCHEDULE
 
     def test_the_narrowest_legal_window_is_accepted(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_kuchnia_autoload.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_kuchnia_autoload.py
index 43301c6..8dec839 100644
--- a/diet_guard/tests/test_kuchnia_autoload.py
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_kuchnia_autoload.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import queue
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
 from diet_guard import _gatelock_delivery
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._gatelock_kuchnia import DeliveryResult
 from diet_guard.tests.test_kuchnia_gate import _deliver, _dish, _Gate
 
@@ -65,4 +66,4 @@ class TestAutoload:
     def test_the_button_still_reports_both(self) -> None:
         gate = _Gate()
         _deliver(gate, DeliveryResult(dishes=(), reason="panel down"), asked=True)
-        assert "panel down" in gate.last_status
+        assert gate.last_status == f"{g.ERROR} {g.DELIVERY}"
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_kuchnia_gate.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_kuchnia_gate.py
index 3ba2263..f0e0b84 100644
--- a/diet_guard/tests/test_kuchnia_gate.py
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_kuchnia_gate.py
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
 import pytest
 
 from diet_guard import _gatelock_delivery
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard._gatelock_delivery import _PullFlows
 from diet_guard._gatelock_kuchnia import (
     UNEXPECTED,
@@ -131,7 +132,7 @@ class TestLoadButton:
         gate = _Gate()
         gate.demo_mode = True
         gate._on_load_delivery()
-        assert "only available on the real lock" in gate.last_status
+        assert gate.last_status == f"{g.DEMO_ONLY} {g.DELIVERY}"
         assert gate._delivery_result is None
 
     def test_a_second_click_while_in_flight_is_ignored(self) -> None:
@@ -146,15 +147,14 @@ class TestLoadButton:
         gate = _Gate()
         _deliver(gate, DeliveryResult(dishes=(), reason="panel down"))
         text, error = gate.statuses[-1]
-        assert "panel down" in text
-        assert "still locked" in text
+        assert text == f"{g.ERROR} {g.DELIVERY}"
         assert error is True
         assert gate._descs == []
 
-    def test_no_delivery_today_says_so(self) -> None:
+    def test_no_delivery_today_shows_the_empty_mark(self) -> None:
         gate = _Gate()
         _deliver(gate, DeliveryResult(dishes=(), reason=None))
-        assert "No catering delivery today" in gate.last_status
+        assert gate.last_status == f"{g.EMPTY} {g.DELIVERY}"
 
     def test_a_dish_is_offered_but_never_logged(self) -> None:
         gate = _Gate()
@@ -165,21 +165,21 @@ class TestLoadButton:
         assert gate._references == [dish_nutrition(_dish())]
         assert gate._references[0].grams == 318.0
         # ...and that is all. Submitting stays the user's explicit action.
-        assert "Log & Continue" in gate.last_status
+        assert gate.last_status == f"{g.DELIVERY} Kaszotto"
 
     def test_dishes_are_offered_one_at_a_time_in_meal_order(self) -> None:
         gate = _Gate()
         dishes = (_dish("Kolacja", priority=2), _dish("Sniadanie", priority=1))
         _deliver(gate, DeliveryResult(dishes=dishes, reason=None))
         assert gate._descs == ["Sniadanie"]
-        assert "1 more to go" in gate.last_status
+        assert gate.last_status.endswith("+1")
         gate._prefill_next_dish()
         assert gate._descs == ["Sniadanie", "Kolacja"]
 
-    def test_the_last_dish_has_no_more_to_go_suffix(self) -> None:
+    def test_the_last_dish_has_no_count_suffix(self) -> None:
         gate = _Gate()
         _deliver(gate, DeliveryResult(dishes=(_dish(),), reason=None))
-        assert "more to go" not in gate.last_status
+        assert "+" not in gate.last_status
 
     def test_prefilling_past_the_end_is_a_no_op(self) -> None:
         gate = _Gate()
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_kuchnia_queue.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_kuchnia_queue.py
index 8cb69e4..7275f0c 100644
--- a/diet_guard/tests/test_kuchnia_queue.py
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_kuchnia_queue.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import queue
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
+from diet_guard import _gatelock_glyphs as g
 from diet_guard import _gatelock_mealflow
 from diet_guard._gatelock_kuchnia import DeliveryResult
 from diet_guard._kuchnia_log import dish_nutrition
@@ -60,16 +61,17 @@ class TestTheQueueSurvivesASubmit:
                 reason=None,
             ),
         )
-        gate._prefill_next_dish("Logged 08:00: 391 kcal")
-        assert "Logged 08:00: 391 kcal" in gate.last_status
-        assert "Loaded: Second" in gate.last_status
+        logged = f"{g.OK} 08:00  391 kcal"
+        gate._prefill_next_dish(logged)
+        assert logged in gate.last_status
+        assert f"{g.DELIVERY} Second" in gate.last_status
 
     def test_prefilling_without_a_log_line_stays_unprefixed(self) -> None:
         # The button and the autoload pass no ``logged``, so the status must
         # not grow a stray leading separator.
         gate = _Gate()
         _deliver(gate, DeliveryResult(dishes=(_dish("Only"),), reason=None))
-        assert gate.last_status.startswith("Loaded: Only")
+        assert gate.last_status.startswith(f"{g.DELIVERY} Only")
 
     def test_an_exhausted_queue_prefills_nothing(self) -> None:
         # The guard that lets ``_finish_slot`` call this unconditionally.
@@ -143,8 +145,8 @@ class TestTheGateAdvancesTheQueue:
         ):
             gate._record("apple", _nutrition(95, 100))
         assert not gate._delivery_pending
-        assert "Loaded: Second course" in gate._vars.status.get()
-        assert "Logged 08:00" in gate._vars.status.get()
+        assert f"{g.DELIVERY} Second course" in gate._vars.status.get()
+        assert f"{g.OK} 08:00" in gate._vars.status.get()
 
     def test_a_prefilled_dish_logs_exactly_its_own_values(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
         """What the submit logs is the dish, not the dish scaled by grams/100.
@@ -176,5 +178,5 @@ class TestTheGateAdvancesTheQueue:
         was never offered.
         """
         gate._delivery_pending = (_dish("Kolacja"),)
-        gate._unlock("Logged 20:00: 391 kcal")
-        assert "1 more dish delivered" in gate._vars.status.get()
+        gate._unlock(f"{g.OK} 20:00  391 kcal")
+        assert f"{g.DELIVERY} +1" in gate._vars.status.get()
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_textgate_scan_clean.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_textgate_scan_clean.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..398f809
--- /dev/null
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_textgate_scan_clean.py
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+"""Guard: ``textgate scan`` lists nothing that ``docs/DOCS-textgate-keep.md`` omits.
+
+The per-surface guards (fake tk, widget tree, wrapper) catch what a scenario
+drives; this one catches what the line-based scanner sees anywhere in the repo,
+so the count cannot drift back. Every hit must be documented as a kept row in
+the keep doc (proper nouns, Claude-facing MCP titles, doubts) or live under the
+exempt ``docs/explanations/`` pages. The scanner is a per-machine tool, so the
+test skips where it is absent (CI); the same rows are what kuhy reviews.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from pathlib import Path
+import re
+import shutil
+import subprocess
+
+import pytest
+
+ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[2]
+KEEP = ROOT / "docs" / "DOCS-textgate-keep.md"
+EXEMPT_PREFIX = "docs/explanations/"
+HIT = re.compile(r"^hardcoded\s+(\S+?):(\d+)\s+(.*)$")
+
+
+def parse_hits(output: str) -> list[tuple[str, str]]:
+    """``(path, quoted text)`` for each scan line."""
+    hits = []
+    for line in output.splitlines():
+        match = HIT.match(line)
+        if match:
+            hits.append((match.group(1), match.group(3)))
+    return hits
+
+
+def undocumented(hits: list[tuple[str, str]], keep: str) -> list[str]:
+    """Hits outside the exempt docs whose ``path`` and text the keep doc omits."""
+    return [
+        f"{path} {text}"
+        for path, text in hits
+        if not path.startswith(EXEMPT_PREFIX) and f"`{path}`" not in keep
+    ]
+
+
+def test_parse_and_filter_are_strict() -> None:
+    """Canary: a new file's hit is reported, a documented or exempt one is not."""
+    out = (
+        'hardcoded   app/lib/new.dart:3  "Hello"\n'
+        'hardcoded   docs/explanations/a.html:9  "Page"\n'
+        'hardcoded   app/lib/main.dart:65  "Diet Guard"\n'
+        "240 to rework\n"
+    )
+    hits = parse_hits(out)
+    assert len(hits) == 3
+    assert undocumented(hits, "`app/lib/main.dart`") == ['app/lib/new.dart "Hello"']
+
+
+@pytest.mark.skipif(shutil.which("textgate") is None, reason="textgate not installed")
+def test_scan_lists_only_documented_rows() -> None:
+    result = subprocess.run(
+        [shutil.which("textgate") or "textgate", "scan"],
+        cwd=ROOT,
+        capture_output=True,
+        text=True,
+        check=False,
+        timeout=50,
+    )
+    hits = parse_hits(result.stdout)
+    assert hits, "the scan returned nothing: the parser or the scanner broke"
+    assert not undocumented(hits, KEEP.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
diff --git a/docs/DOCS-textgate-keep.md b/docs/DOCS-textgate-keep.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a405c95
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/DOCS-textgate-keep.md
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+# Text kept on purpose (textgate keep list)
+
+kuhy's rule: nothing he sees carries text unless he asked. `textgate scan`
+still lists the rows below; each is documented here, and
+`diet_guard/tests/test_textgate_scan_clean.py` fails on any hit this file
+does not name by path. The per-surface guards are `test_gate_no_words.py`
+and `test_gate_no_words_static.py` (Tk gate), `app/test/no_words_*_test.dart`
+(phone and web screens) and `app/test/desktop/desktop_wrapper_no_text_test.dart`
+(pages served into the Chrome window).
+
+## Exempt
+
+- `docs/explanations/*.html`: documentation pages, read in a browser on
+  purpose. Not app UI. The scan lists them; the guard ignores that prefix.
+
+## Proper nouns (OS-level app name)
+
+| Where | Text | Why |
+|---|---|---|
+| `app/lib/main.dart` | `Diet Guard` | `MaterialApp.title`: task switcher and tab name |
+| `diet_guard/_gatelock.py` | `Diet Gate` | window title, an identifier under override-redirect |
+
+The launcher label and notification channel (`DietGuard`) live in
+`AndroidManifest.xml` and `notification_backend_io.dart`; a due-slot
+notification shows only the slot clock time and has no body.
+
+## Spoken only (never painted)
+
+| Where | Text | Evidence |
+|---|---|---|
+| `app/lib/screens/log_meal_fill_mixin.dart` | fill failed / cancelled sentences | handed to `StatusCue` as the semantic label; the cue paints a glyph and a count |
+| `app/lib/services/kuchnia_fill_flow.dart` | delivery and logged sentences | `FillOutcome.message`, same route; `no_words_kuchnia_test.dart` proves the snackbar paints a glyph and a number |
+
+## Read by Claude, not by kuhy
+
+MCP tool titles in `diet_guard/_mcp.py` and `diet_guard/_mcp_read.py`, and the
+commit text in `diet_guard/_prune_peers.py`: tool metadata and a CLI commit
+message.
+
+## Terminal output (settled: keeps its text)
+
+All `print`/stdout/stderr and `--help` of the Python CLI, `app/bin/` and the
+stderr lines of `app/lib/desktop/wrapper_server.dart`. Pages served into the
+Chrome window answer errors with a status code and an empty body.
+
+## DOUBT rows (kuhy to confirm or file a task)
+
+- `MET` next to kcal figures (activity rows), and unit symbols `kcal kg lb st cm km min`: bare identifiers beside a number.
+- Formula proper names painted outside the activity sheet: `app/lib/widgets/body/body_stats_cards.dart`, `goal_card.dart` (BMI Prime, Trefethen, ideal-weight and resting-burn formula names). The Tk gate dropped them.
+- Workout names (`session.label`, `session.kind`) are PC-published content.
+
+## Framework pickers (not reworked; follow-up task filed)
+
+`showDatePicker`, `showDateRangePicker`, `showTimePicker` paint Select date,
+Cancel, OK, Save: `log_meal_future_mixin.dart`, `history_filter_sheet.dart`,
+`dated_value_card.dart`, `meal_time_dropdown.dart`, `profile_card.dart`.