diff --git a/diet_guard/_cli_gate.py b/diet_guard/_cli_gate.py
index 4907646..0345a53 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_cli_gate.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_cli_gate.py
@@ -13,17 +13,36 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 from diet_guard._gate import gate_is_due
 from diet_guard._gatelock import MealGate, acquire_gate_lock, release_gate_lock
 from diet_guard._gatelock_support import wait_for_display
+from diet_guard._sync import pull_shared_log
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from collections.abc import Callable
 
 
+def _is_due(emit: Callable[[str], None]) -> bool:
+    """Return the gate decision, refreshing from sync only when a lock is due.
+
+    The cheap local check runs first; the network pull happens solely on the
+    rare tick a lock would otherwise fire (via :func:`pull_shared_log`, which
+    fails closed), then the decision is re-read from the freshly written log.
+    """
+    if not gate_is_due():
+        return False
+    reason = pull_shared_log()  # only pay the network cost when about to lock
+    if reason is not None:
+        emit(f"{reason}; using local log.")
+    return gate_is_due()
+
+
 def cmd_gate(emit: Callable[[str], None], *, check: bool, demo: bool) -> int:
     """Run the log-to-unlock gate.
 
     Three modes: ``--check`` is a headless decision (no window) whose exit code
     a timer reads; ``--demo`` always shows a safe demo window; bare ``gate``
-    shows the real lock only when one is due.  A flock guard stops a second
+    shows the real lock only when one is due.  Both real modes route through
+    :func:`_is_due`, which -- only when a lock is otherwise due -- pulls the
+    shared log first (see :func:`_refresh_from_sync`) so a meal just logged on
+    the phone unlocks without a manual re-entry.  A flock guard stops a second
     window from stacking on top of the first, and a window-opening mode first
     waits for the X display so a session-start launch never crashes unshown.
 
@@ -37,10 +56,10 @@ def cmd_gate(emit: Callable[[str], None], *, check: bool, demo: bool) -> int:
         For ``--check``: 0 if not due, 1 if a lock is due.  Otherwise 0.
     """
     if check:
-        due = gate_is_due()
+        due = _is_due(emit)
         emit("due (a lock is warranted)" if due else "ok (no lock needed)")
         return 1 if due else 0
-    if not demo and not gate_is_due():
+    if not demo and not _is_due(emit):
         emit("ok - no lock needed right now.")
         return 0
     handle = acquire_gate_lock()
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock.py
index 0dbe8de..eb2c741 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock.py
@@ -155,6 +155,7 @@ class MealGate(_GateMealFlow):
             on_submit=self._on_submit,
             on_close=self.close,
             on_add_item=self._on_add_item,
+            on_fetch_sync=self._on_fetch_sync,
         )
         self._widgets = build_layout(
             self.root,
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_mealflow.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_mealflow.py
index 3687acb..52916ea 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock_mealflow.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_mealflow.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from diet_guard._budget import BudgetError, daily_budget, protein_target_g
 from diet_guard._foodbank import remember_food, remember_meal
+from diet_guard._gate import due_slots
 from diet_guard._gatelock_nutrition import _GateNutrition
 from diet_guard._gatelock_ui import ERR, FG, UNIT_GRAMS
 from diet_guard._meal import MealItem, item_to_component, meal_total
@@ -27,6 +28,7 @@ from diet_guard._state import (
     today_total_kcal,
     today_total_macros,
 )
+from diet_guard._sync import pull_shared_log
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from diet_guard._estimator import Nutrition
@@ -257,6 +259,46 @@ class _GateMealFlow(_GateNutrition):
         self._set_status(f"{logged} — all meals logged, unlocking…")
         self.root.after(_UNLOCK_DELAY_MS, self.close)
 
+    # -- manual sync ------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    def _on_fetch_sync(self) -> None:
+        """Pull the shared log on demand and unlock any slots it now satisfies.
+
+        For a meal already logged on another device (typically the phone) that
+        has not yet propagated here: rather than re-entering it to unlock, the
+        user pulls it in.  The pull blocks the window briefly (bounded by the
+        sync timeout) and fails closed -- a failure leaves the lock untouched.
+        """
+        if self.demo_mode:
+            self._set_status("Fetch from sync is only available on the real lock.")
+            return
+        self._set_status("Fetching from sync…")
+        self.root.update_idletasks()
+        reason = pull_shared_log()
+        if reason is not None:
+            self._set_status(f"{reason} — still locked.", error=True)
+            return
+        self._reconcile_after_fetch()
+
+    def _reconcile_after_fetch(self) -> None:
+        """Drop pending slots a freshly pulled meal now covers; unlock if none."""
+        still_due = set(due_slots())
+        satisfied = [slot for slot in self._pending if slot not in still_due]
+        self._refresh_dashboard()
+        if not satisfied:
+            self._set_status("No new meals found in sync.")
+            return
+        self._pending = [slot for slot in self._pending if slot in still_due]
+        if not self._pending:
+            self._unlock("Synced from another device")
+            return
+        self._clear_inputs()
+        self._refresh_slot_header()
+        count = len(satisfied)
+        meal_word = "meal" if count == 1 else "meals"
+        self._set_status(f"Pulled {count} {meal_word} — next meal, please.")
+        self._widgets.desc_text.focus_set()
+
     # -- dashboard --------------------------------------------------------------
 
     def _refresh_dashboard(self) -> None:
diff --git a/diet_guard/_gatelock_ui.py b/diet_guard/_gatelock_ui.py
index ea3e5a8..96f7d22 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_gatelock_ui.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_gatelock_ui.py
@@ -93,6 +93,7 @@ class GateCallbacks:
     on_submit: Callable[[], None]
     on_close: Callable[[], None]
     on_add_item: Callable[[], None]
+    on_fetch_sync: Callable[[], None]
 
 
 def make_vars(root: tk.Misc) -> GateVars:
@@ -422,6 +423,19 @@ def build_layout(
         command=callbacks.on_submit,
     ).pack(pady=(4, 6))
 
+    # Manual pull for a meal already logged on another device (the phone) but
+    # not yet propagated to this machine -- saves re-typing it to unlock.
+    tk.Button(
+        frame,
+        text="⟳ Fetch from sync",
+        font=("Arial", 12),
+        bg="#334455",
+        fg="white",
+        activebackground="#445566",
+        cursor="hand2",
+        command=callbacks.on_fetch_sync,
+    ).pack(pady=(0, 6))
+
     status_label = tk.Label(
         frame,
         textvariable=vars_.status,
diff --git a/diet_guard/_state.py b/diet_guard/_state.py
index e87e02b..a235f90 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_state.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_state.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from datetime import datetime, timezone
 import json
 import logging
+import os
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 import uuid
 
@@ -89,10 +90,21 @@ def _read_raw_log() -> DayLog:
 
 
 def _write_log(log: DayLog) -> None:
-    """Persist the full log to disk, creating the data directory if needed."""
+    """Persist the full log to disk, creating the data directory if needed.
+
+    Written atomically -- a temp file in the same directory, then
+    :func:`os.replace` -- so a concurrent reader (the gate now syncs while the
+    15-min timer may also be writing) never sees a half-written file and
+    mistakes a torn read for an empty log.
+    """
     FOOD_LOG_FILE.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-    with FOOD_LOG_FILE.open("w") as handle:
-        json.dump(log, handle, indent=2)
+    tmp_path = FOOD_LOG_FILE.with_name(f"{FOOD_LOG_FILE.name}.{os.getpid()}.tmp")
+    try:
+        with tmp_path.open("w") as handle:
+            json.dump(log, handle, indent=2)
+        tmp_path.replace(FOOD_LOG_FILE)
+    finally:
+        tmp_path.unlink(missing_ok=True)
 
 
 def _hmac_key_available() -> bool:
diff --git a/diet_guard/_sync.py b/diet_guard/_sync.py
index 68ef075..1715372 100644
--- a/diet_guard/_sync.py
+++ b/diet_guard/_sync.py
@@ -130,3 +130,20 @@ def run_sync() -> DayLog:
         message="diet_guard sync",
     )
     return resigned
+
+
+def pull_shared_log() -> str | None:
+    """Run a sync tick, failing closed instead of raising.
+
+    A thin wrapper over :func:`run_sync` for callers that must never crash on a
+    sync error: the gate's automatic pre-lock refresh and the lock screen's
+    manual "Fetch from sync" button.  Returns ``None`` on success, or a short
+    human-readable reason when the pull could not complete (no token, network
+    down, a disk error writing the merged log back), so the caller keeps its
+    own lock decision rather than failing open.
+    """
+    try:
+        run_sync()
+    except Exception as exc:  # pylint: disable=broad-exception-caught
+        return f"sync unavailable ({exc})"
+    return None
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_cli_gate.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_cli_gate.py
index bfbec68..6f45531 100644
--- a/diet_guard/tests/test_cli_gate.py
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_cli_gate.py
@@ -4,10 +4,19 @@ alongside its source module (see _cli_gate.py's module docstring).
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
 from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
 
 from diet_guard import _cli_gate
-from diet_guard._cli_gate import cmd_gate
+from diet_guard._cli_gate import _is_due, cmd_gate
+from diet_guard._estimator import Nutrition
+from diet_guard._gate import gate_is_due
+from diet_guard._state import log_meal
+
+
+def _no_sync() -> object:
+    """Neutralize the pre-lock pull (as if it found nothing) for mode tests."""
+    return patch.object(_cli_gate, "pull_shared_log", return_value=None)
 
 
 class TestCmdGate:
@@ -16,7 +25,7 @@ class TestCmdGate:
     def test_check_due(self) -> None:
         """--check exits 1 and announces a due lock."""
         lines: list[str] = []
-        with patch.object(_cli_gate, "gate_is_due", return_value=True):
+        with patch.object(_cli_gate, "gate_is_due", return_value=True), _no_sync():
             assert cmd_gate(lines.append, check=True, demo=False) == 1
         assert "due" in lines[0]
 
@@ -46,10 +55,11 @@ class TestCmdGate:
         assert "no lock needed" in lines[0]
 
     def test_bare_gate_due_opens_window(self) -> None:
-        """A bare gate that is due opens the real window."""
+        """A bare gate that is still due after a sync opens the real window."""
         gate = MagicMock()
         with (
             patch.object(_cli_gate, "gate_is_due", return_value=True),
+            _no_sync(),
             patch.object(_cli_gate, "MealGate", return_value=gate),
             patch.object(_cli_gate, "acquire_gate_lock", return_value=MagicMock()),
             patch.object(_cli_gate, "release_gate_lock"),
@@ -58,11 +68,24 @@ class TestCmdGate:
             assert cmd_gate([].append, check=False, demo=False) == 0
         gate.run.assert_called_once()
 
+    def test_bare_gate_cleared_by_sync_opens_no_window(self) -> None:
+        """A meal pulled in by the pre-lock sync clears the lock: no window."""
+        lines: list[str] = []
+        with (
+            patch.object(_cli_gate, "gate_is_due", side_effect=[True, False]),
+            patch.object(_cli_gate, "pull_shared_log", return_value=None),
+            patch.object(_cli_gate, "MealGate") as factory,
+        ):
+            assert cmd_gate(lines.append, check=False, demo=False) == 0
+        factory.assert_not_called()
+        assert "no lock needed" in lines[0]
+
     def test_gate_already_running(self) -> None:
         """A held single-instance lock means a second window is not opened."""
         lines: list[str] = []
         with (
             patch.object(_cli_gate, "gate_is_due", return_value=True),
+            _no_sync(),
             patch.object(_cli_gate, "acquire_gate_lock", return_value=None),
             patch.object(_cli_gate, "MealGate") as factory,
         ):
@@ -75,6 +98,7 @@ class TestCmdGate:
         lines: list[str] = []
         with (
             patch.object(_cli_gate, "gate_is_due", return_value=True),
+            _no_sync(),
             patch.object(_cli_gate, "acquire_gate_lock", return_value=MagicMock()),
             patch.object(_cli_gate, "release_gate_lock"),
             patch.object(_cli_gate, "wait_for_display", return_value=False),
@@ -83,3 +107,70 @@ class TestCmdGate:
             assert cmd_gate(lines.append, check=False, demo=False) == 0
         factory.assert_not_called()
         assert "display not ready" in lines[0]
+
+
+class TestIsDue:
+    """The decision helper only pays the network cost when a lock is due."""
+
+    def test_not_due_skips_sync(self) -> None:
+        """When nothing is due locally, no pull is attempted."""
+        pull = MagicMock(return_value=None)
+        with (
+            patch.object(_cli_gate, "gate_is_due", return_value=False),
+            patch.object(_cli_gate, "pull_shared_log", pull),
+        ):
+            assert _is_due([].append) is False
+        pull.assert_not_called()
+
+    def test_due_then_cleared_by_sync(self) -> None:
+        """A due lock that the pull clears re-reads as not due."""
+        pull = MagicMock(return_value=None)
+        with (
+            patch.object(_cli_gate, "gate_is_due", side_effect=[True, False]),
+            patch.object(_cli_gate, "pull_shared_log", pull),
+        ):
+            assert _is_due([].append) is False
+        pull.assert_called_once()
+
+    def test_due_and_still_due_after_sync(self) -> None:
+        """A due lock the pull cannot satisfy stays due."""
+        pull = MagicMock(return_value=None)
+        with (
+            patch.object(_cli_gate, "gate_is_due", side_effect=[True, True]),
+            patch.object(_cli_gate, "pull_shared_log", pull),
+        ):
+            assert _is_due([].append) is True
+        pull.assert_called_once()
+
+    def test_pull_failure_is_reported(self) -> None:
+        """A failed pull emits its reason but the local decision still stands."""
+        lines: list[str] = []
+        with (
+            patch.object(_cli_gate, "gate_is_due", side_effect=[True, True]),
+            patch.object(
+                _cli_gate, "pull_shared_log", return_value="sync unavailable (x)"
+            ),
+        ):
+            assert _is_due(lines.append) is True
+        assert "sync unavailable (x)" in lines[0]
+
+
+class TestGateReadsFreshState:
+    """The fix's whole correctness rests on the re-check reading fresh disk.
+
+    Mocked ``gate_is_due`` tests would pass whether or not production re-reads
+    state, so this one exercises the real uncached read path: a slot written to
+    ``food_log.json`` (what ``run_sync`` does when it pulls a phone meal) must be
+    visible to the very next ``gate_is_due`` call.
+    """
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _nutrition() -> Nutrition:
+        return Nutrition(200.0, 10.0, 20.0, 5.0, 100.0, "test")
+
+    def test_written_slot_clears_the_gate_immediately(self) -> None:
+        """At 09:00 only the 08:00 slot is due; logging it flips the decision."""
+        now = datetime(2026, 1, 1, 9, 0, tzinfo=timezone.utc)
+        assert gate_is_due(now) is True
+        log_meal("oatmeal", self._nutrition(), slot=8)
+        assert gate_is_due(now) is False
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_mealflow.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_mealflow.py
index a89c23c..cf0cc55 100644
--- a/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_mealflow.py
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_gatelock_mealflow.py
@@ -423,3 +423,75 @@ class TestMealFlow:
         with patch.object(gate, "_unlock") as unlock:
             gate._finish_slot("done")
         unlock.assert_called_once()
+
+
+class TestFetchFromSync:
+    """The manual "Fetch from sync" button on the lock screen."""
+
+    def test_demo_mode_does_not_sync(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
+        """In demo the button is inert and never touches the network."""
+        with patch.object(_gatelock_mealflow, "pull_shared_log") as pull:
+            gate._on_fetch_sync()
+        pull.assert_not_called()
+        assert "only available on the real lock" in gate._vars.status.get()
+
+    def test_pull_failure_keeps_lock(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
+        """A failed pull shows the reason and leaves pending slots intact."""
+        gate.demo_mode = False
+        gate._pending = [8, 12]
+        with patch.object(
+            _gatelock_mealflow,
+            "pull_shared_log",
+            return_value="sync unavailable (x)",
+        ):
+            gate._on_fetch_sync()
+        assert gate._pending == [8, 12]
+        assert "still locked" in gate._vars.status.get()
+
+    def test_no_new_meals_keeps_all_slots(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
+        """A clean pull that satisfies nothing reports so and keeps the slots."""
+        gate.demo_mode = False
+        gate._pending = [8, 12]
+        with (
+            patch.object(_gatelock_mealflow, "pull_shared_log", return_value=None),
+            patch.object(_gatelock_mealflow, "due_slots", return_value=(8, 12)),
+        ):
+            gate._on_fetch_sync()
+        assert gate._pending == [8, 12]
+        assert "No new meals" in gate._vars.status.get()
+
+    def test_partial_advances_to_next_slot(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
+        """One slot pulled in leaves the rest; the window advances (singular)."""
+        gate.demo_mode = False
+        gate._pending = [8, 12]
+        with (
+            patch.object(_gatelock_mealflow, "pull_shared_log", return_value=None),
+            patch.object(_gatelock_mealflow, "due_slots", return_value=(12,)),
+        ):
+            gate._on_fetch_sync()
+        assert gate._pending == [12]
+        assert "Pulled 1 meal " in gate._vars.status.get()
+
+    def test_partial_plural_wording(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
+        """Two slots pulled in uses the plural 'meals'."""
+        gate.demo_mode = False
+        gate._pending = [8, 12, 16]
+        with (
+            patch.object(_gatelock_mealflow, "pull_shared_log", return_value=None),
+            patch.object(_gatelock_mealflow, "due_slots", return_value=(16,)),
+        ):
+            gate._on_fetch_sync()
+        assert gate._pending == [16]
+        assert "Pulled 2 meals" in gate._vars.status.get()
+
+    def test_all_satisfied_unlocks(self, gate: MealGate) -> None:
+        """When the pull satisfies every pending slot, the gate unlocks."""
+        gate.demo_mode = False
+        gate._pending = [8, 12]
+        with (
+            patch.object(_gatelock_mealflow, "pull_shared_log", return_value=None),
+            patch.object(_gatelock_mealflow, "due_slots", return_value=()),
+        ):
+            gate._on_fetch_sync()
+        assert gate._pending == []
+        assert "unlocking" in gate._vars.status.get()
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_state.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_state.py
index 7caf2df..dd953b8 100644
--- a/diet_guard/tests/test_state.py
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_state.py
@@ -357,6 +357,27 @@ class TestRawLogAccess:
         write_raw_log(log)
         assert read_raw_log() == log
 
+    def test_write_leaves_no_temp_file(self) -> None:
+        """A successful atomic write cleans up its temp file."""
+        write_raw_log({"2026-06-22": [{"id": "x"}]})
+        assert list(_state.FOOD_LOG_FILE.parent.glob("*.tmp")) == []
+
+    def test_write_failure_preserves_prior_log(self) -> None:
+        """A failed replace leaves the old log intact and no temp behind.
+
+        This is the point of the atomic write: a concurrent reader (the gate
+        now syncs while the timer may also write) never sees a torn or empty
+        log just because a write was interrupted.
+        """
+        write_raw_log({"2026-06-22": [{"id": "original"}]})
+        with (
+            patch("pathlib.Path.replace", side_effect=OSError("no space")),
+            pytest.raises(OSError, match="no space"),
+        ):
+            write_raw_log({"2026-06-22": [{"id": "clobbered"}]})
+        assert read_raw_log() == {"2026-06-22": [{"id": "original"}]}
+        assert list(_state.FOOD_LOG_FILE.parent.glob("*.tmp")) == []
+
 
 class TestResignEntry:
     """resign_entry recomputes the hmac so a merged entry validates again."""
diff --git a/diet_guard/tests/test_sync.py b/diet_guard/tests/test_sync.py
index 88c952a..df3b6d5 100644
--- a/diet_guard/tests/test_sync.py
+++ b/diet_guard/tests/test_sync.py
@@ -202,3 +202,20 @@ class TestRunSync:
         with patch.object(_sync, "GitHubSyncClient", return_value=client):
             _sync.run_sync()
         assert lookup_food("oatmeal") is not None
+
+
+class TestPullSharedLog:
+    """The fail-closed wrapper the gate and the lock-screen button share."""
+
+    def test_returns_none_on_success(self) -> None:
+        """A clean pull returns None (no reason to report)."""
+        with patch.object(_sync, "run_sync") as run_sync:
+            assert _sync.pull_shared_log() is None
+        run_sync.assert_called_once_with()
+
+    def test_returns_reason_on_any_failure(self) -> None:
+        """Any run_sync error becomes a reason string, never an exception."""
+        with patch.object(_sync, "run_sync", side_effect=RuntimeError("boom")):
+            reason = _sync.pull_shared_log()
+        assert reason is not None
+        assert "boom" in reason
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index df80097..5076468 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -42,6 +42,10 @@ unfixable = []
 [tool.ruff.lint.per-file-ignores]
 "**/tests/**/*.py" = ["ARG", "D", "PLC0415", "PLR2004", "S101", "S107", "SLF001"]
 "**/test_*.py" = ["ARG", "D", "PLC0415", "PLR2004", "S101", "S107", "SLF001"]
+# pull_shared_log must fail closed: any run_sync error (no token, network, disk
+# write-back) is returned as a reason string so the gate keeps locking rather
+# than failing open. A deliberately broad catch, so BLE001 does not apply here.
+"**/_sync.py" = ["BLE001"]
 
 [tool.ruff.lint.pydocstyle]
 convention = "google"