diff --git a/web/src/commands/commandButton.test.ts b/web/src/commands/commandButton.test.ts
index 6bce6e8..3b3c2aa 100644
--- a/web/src/commands/commandButton.test.ts
+++ b/web/src/commands/commandButton.test.ts
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ describe('<command-button>', () => {
     expect(btn).toHaveAttribute('aria-label', 'Pick it')
     expect(btn.querySelector('.cmd-lock')).toBeNull()
     await vi.waitFor(() => {
-      expect(el.querySelector('button')).toHaveAttribute('title', 'Locked by a manual pick')
+      expect(el.querySelector('button')).toHaveAttribute('aria-description', 'Locked by a manual pick')
     })
     expect(el.querySelector('.cmd-lock')).not.toBeNull()
     expect(el.querySelector('button')).toHaveAttribute('aria-disabled', 'true')
diff --git a/web/src/commands/commandButton.ts b/web/src/commands/commandButton.ts
index 19a5682..25eb09d 100644
--- a/web/src/commands/commandButton.ts
+++ b/web/src/commands/commandButton.ts
@@ -46,7 +46,8 @@ export function commandButton({ name, preset, label, tone = 'ghost' }: ButtonPro
       class: `btn btn-${tone}`,
       'aria-label': spoken,
       'aria-disabled': String(locked !== null || !spec),
-      title: locked,
+      // The lock reason is spoken (no hover tooltip: textgate R7); 🔒 paints it.
+      'aria-description': locked,
       onclick: () => {
         if (spec && !locked) runner.run(name, preset)
       },
diff --git a/web/src/commands/palette.test.ts b/web/src/commands/palette.test.ts
index 5672c2b..a1c8123 100644
--- a/web/src/commands/palette.test.ts
+++ b/web/src/commands/palette.test.ts
@@ -28,7 +28,9 @@ function open(specs = SPECS) {
 const box = () => must(document.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>('[role=combobox]'))
 const options = () => [...document.querySelectorAll<HTMLElement>('[role=option]')]
 const active = () => options().findIndex((o) => o.getAttribute('aria-selected') === 'true')
-const opt = (title: string) => must(options().find((o) => o.querySelector('.palette-title')?.firstChild?.textContent === title))
+/** The option whose spoken title (the glyph's sr-only label) is `title`. */
+const opt = (title: string) => must(options().find((o) => o.querySelector('.palette-title .glyph .sr-only')?.textContent === title))
+const hint = (o: HTMLElement) => must(o.querySelector('.palette-hint'))
 const key = (k: string) => box().dispatchEvent(new KeyboardEvent('keydown', { key: k, bubbles: true, cancelable: true }))
 const loaded = () => vi.waitFor(() => {
   expect(options().length).toBeGreaterThan(0)
@@ -51,12 +53,13 @@ describe('CommandPaletteElement', () => {
     await loaded()
     expect(el.isOpen).toBe(true)
     expect(options()).toHaveLength(TOTAL)
-    expect(opt('Scan')).toHaveTextContent('run')
-    expect(opt('Unblock')).toHaveTextContent('run · confirm')
-    expect(opt('Status')).toHaveTextContent('open /')
-    expect(opt('Pick')).toHaveTextContent('locked')
-    expect(opt('Pick')).toHaveTextContent('Locked by a pick')
+    expect(hint(opt('Scan'))).toHaveTextContent('▶️run')
+    expect(hint(opt('Unblock'))).toHaveTextContent('▶️⌨️run · confirm')
+    expect(hint(opt('Status'))).toHaveTextContent('↗️open /')
+    expect(opt('Pick').querySelector('.pill')).toHaveTextContent('🔒locked')
+    expect(opt('Pick').querySelector('.palette-detail')).toHaveTextContent('Locked by a pick')
     expect(opt('Pick')).not.toHaveTextContent('Pick next.')
+    expect(opt('Scan').querySelector('.palette-detail')).toHaveTextContent('Scan achievements.')
     expect(document.body).toHaveTextContent('Go to Dashboard')
     expect(document.activeElement).toBe(box())
   })
diff --git a/web/src/commands/palette.ts b/web/src/commands/palette.ts
index 790f5d4..8b56c4a 100644
--- a/web/src/commands/palette.ts
+++ b/web/src/commands/palette.ts
@@ -8,15 +8,19 @@ import { define, h } from '../lib/dom'
 import { uid } from '../lib/ids'
 import { pageHref, runner } from '../lib/runner'
 import { NAV } from '../shell/nav'
-import { errorNotice, loading, pill } from '../ui/build'
+import { empty, errorNotice, glyph, loading, pill } from '../ui/build'
 import { Modal } from '../ui/dialog'
-import { COMMAND_HOME, commandLabel } from './catalog'
+import { COMMAND_HOME, COMMAND_ICON, commandLabel } from './catalog'
 
 interface Entry {
   key: string
   title: string
   detail: string
   hint: string
+  /** Painted in place of the title (textgate). */
+  icon: string
+  /** Painted in place of the hint: ▶️ run, ↗️ open, 🧭 navigate. */
+  hintIcon: string
   locked: string | null
   act: () => void
 }
@@ -45,7 +49,7 @@ export class CommandPaletteElement extends HTMLElement {
       'aria-expanded': 'true',
       'aria-controls': `${this.listId}-list`,
       'aria-label': 'Search commands',
-      placeholder: 'Type a command or section…',
+      placeholder: '🔍',
       autofocus: true,
     })
     this.list = h('ul', { id: `${this.listId}-list`, role: 'listbox', class: 'palette-list', 'aria-label': 'Commands' })
@@ -56,7 +60,12 @@ export class CommandPaletteElement extends HTMLElement {
     this.input.addEventListener('keydown', (e) => {
       this.onKey(e)
     })
-    this.modal.render(this.input, this.status, this.list, h('p', { class: 'field-help' }, '↑↓ to move · Enter to run · Esc to close'))
+    this.modal.render(this.input, this.status, this.list, h(
+        'p',
+        { class: 'field-help' },
+        h('span', { 'aria-hidden': 'true' }, '↑↓ · ⏎ · ⎋'),
+        h('span', { class: 'sr-only' }, '↑↓ to move · Enter to run · Esc to close'),
+      ))
   }
 
   get isOpen(): boolean {
@@ -108,6 +117,8 @@ export class CommandPaletteElement extends HTMLElement {
         title: commandLabel(c.name),
         detail: c.description,
         hint: c.kind === 'job' ? (c.friction ? 'run · confirm' : 'run') : `open ${COMMAND_HOME[c.name]}`,
+        icon: COMMAND_ICON[c.name],
+        hintIcon: c.kind === 'job' ? (c.friction ? '▶️⌨️' : '▶️') : '↗️',
         locked: c.locked_reason,
         act: () => {
           if (c.kind === 'job') runner.run(c.name)
@@ -122,6 +133,8 @@ export class CommandPaletteElement extends HTMLElement {
         title: `Go to ${n.label}`,
         detail: n.blurb,
         hint: 'navigate',
+        icon: n.icon,
+        hintIcon: '🧭',
         locked: null,
         act: () => {
           this.close()
@@ -143,9 +156,10 @@ export class CommandPaletteElement extends HTMLElement {
         const li = h(
           'li',
           { id: `${this.listId}-${i}`, role: 'option', 'aria-selected': String(i === this.active), class: i === this.active ? 'palette-item active' : 'palette-item' },
-          h('span', { class: 'palette-title' }, e.title, e.locked ? pill('warning', 'locked') : null),
-          h('span', { class: 'palette-detail' }, e.locked ?? e.detail),
-          h('span', { class: 'palette-hint' }, e.hint),
+          // Textgate: glyphs painted; title, detail and hint spoken only.
+          h('span', { class: 'palette-title' }, glyph(e.icon, e.title), e.locked ? pill('warning', 'locked', '🔒') : null),
+          h('span', { class: 'palette-detail sr-only' }, e.locked ?? e.detail),
+          h('span', { class: 'palette-hint' }, glyph(e.hintIcon, e.hint)),
         )
         li.addEventListener('mousemove', () => {
           if (this.active !== i) this.setActive(i)
@@ -154,7 +168,7 @@ export class CommandPaletteElement extends HTMLElement {
         return li
       }),
     )
-    if (this.shown.length === 0) this.list.append(h('li', { class: 'empty' }, `No command matches “${this.input.value}”.`))
+    if (this.shown.length === 0) this.list.append(h('li', {}, empty(`No command matches “${this.input.value}”.`)))
     this.syncActive()
   }
 
diff --git a/web/src/commands/paramsForm.test.ts b/web/src/commands/paramsForm.test.ts
index b1d8bba..d5c779d 100644
--- a/web/src/commands/paramsForm.test.ts
+++ b/web/src/commands/paramsForm.test.ts
@@ -26,7 +26,9 @@ function make(over: { specs?: ParamSpec[]; values?: ParamValues; disabled?: bool
 }
 
 function labelFor(text: RegExp | string): string {
-  const label = [...document.querySelectorAll('label')].find((l) => (typeof text === 'string' ? l.textContent === text : text.test(l.textContent)))
+  // The spoken label sits in an sr-only span; the painted part is a glyph.
+  const spoken = (l: HTMLLabelElement) => l.querySelector('.sr-only')?.textContent ?? ''
+  const label = [...document.querySelectorAll('label')].find((l) => (typeof text === 'string' ? spoken(l) === text : text.test(spoken(l))))
   return label?.getAttribute('for') ?? ''
 }
 
@@ -37,7 +39,9 @@ describe('ParamsForm', () => {
     expect(input(/Game/)).toHaveAttribute('inputmode', 'numeric')
     expect(input(/Game/)).toHaveAttribute('autofocus')
     expect(input(/Game/)).toBeRequired()
-    expect(document.body).toHaveTextContent('Game *')
+    expect(document.querySelector(`label[for="${input(/Game/).id}"]`)).toHaveTextContent('Game *')
+    expect(document.querySelector(`label[for="${input(/Game/).id}"] [aria-hidden]`)).toHaveTextContent('🎮')
+    expect(document.querySelector(`label[for="${input('Days').id}"]`)).not.toHaveTextContent('*')
     expect(input('Days')).toHaveAttribute('type', 'number')
     expect(input('Days')).toHaveAttribute('min', '1')
     expect(input('Days')).toHaveAttribute('max', '9')
@@ -129,6 +133,6 @@ describe('ParamsForm', () => {
     const box: ParamSpec[] = [{ name: 'on', label: 'On', type: 'bool', required: false }]
     const { input } = make({ specs: box, values: {} })
     expect(input('On')).not.toBeChecked()
-    expect(document.querySelector('.field-help')?.textContent).toBe(' ')
+    expect(document.querySelector('.field-help')?.textContent).toBe('')
   })
 })
diff --git a/web/src/commands/paramsForm.ts b/web/src/commands/paramsForm.ts
index 7acde9c..9734ddf 100644
--- a/web/src/commands/paramsForm.ts
+++ b/web/src/commands/paramsForm.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,34 @@ import { h } from '../lib/dom'
 import { uid } from '../lib/ids'
 import { paramError, type GameOption, type ParamValues } from './params'
 
+/** Painted glyph per parameter (textgate); the catalog label is spoken only. */
+const PARAM_ICON: Record<string, string> = {
+  app_id: '🎮',
+  backup_id: '🗄️',
+  days: '📅',
+  minutes: '⏱️',
+  reason: '💬',
+  replace: '🔁',
+  demo: '🧪',
+}
+
+function paramGlyph(spec: ParamSpec): HTMLSpanElement {
+  return h(
+    'span',
+    {},
+    h('span', { 'aria-hidden': 'true' }, PARAM_ICON[spec.name] ?? '✏️'),
+    h('span', { class: 'sr-only' }, spec.label),
+  )
+}
+
+/** Field help: optional painted mark, sentence spoken only. */
+function spokenHelp(el: HTMLElement, mark: string | null, sentence: string): void {
+  el.replaceChildren(
+    mark ? h('span', { 'aria-hidden': 'true' }, mark) : '',
+    sentence ? h('span', { class: 'sr-only' }, sentence) : '',
+  )
+}
+
 interface Field {
   wrap: HTMLDivElement
   spec: ParamSpec
@@ -64,7 +92,7 @@ export class ParamsForm {
       input.addEventListener('change', () => {
         emit(input.checked ? '1' : '0')
       })
-      const wrap = h('div', { class: 'form-field' }, h('label', { class: 'check', for: id }, input, spec.label), help)
+      const wrap = h('div', { class: 'form-field' }, h('label', { class: 'check', for: id }, input, paramGlyph(spec)), help)
       return { wrap, spec, input, help, datalist: null }
     }
     const numeric = spec.type !== 'string'
@@ -89,7 +117,7 @@ export class ParamsForm {
     const wrap = h(
       'div',
       { class: 'form-field' },
-      h('label', { for: id, class: 'field-label' }, spec.label, spec.required ? h('span', { 'aria-hidden': 'true' }, ' *') : null),
+      h('label', { for: id, class: 'field-label' }, paramGlyph(spec), spec.required ? h('span', { 'aria-hidden': 'true' }, ' *') : null),
       input,
       datalist,
       help,
@@ -99,7 +127,7 @@ export class ParamsForm {
 
   private refreshField({ spec, input, help, datalist }: Field): void {
     if (spec.type === 'bool') {
-      help.textContent = spec.help ?? ' '
+      spokenHelp(help, null, spec.help ?? '')
       return
     }
     const raw = this.values[spec.name] ?? ''
@@ -109,11 +137,11 @@ export class ParamsForm {
     input.setAttribute('aria-invalid', String(bad))
     help.className = bad ? 'field-help text-danger' : 'field-help'
     const game = spec.type === 'app_id' ? this.games.find((g) => g.app_id === Number(raw)) : undefined
-    help.textContent = bad
-      ? err
-      : game
-        ? game.name
-        : (spec.help ?? (spec.type === 'app_id' ? 'Type an app id or pick a game from the list.' : ' '))
+    // Textgate: an error paints ⚠️, a matched game paints its name (content);
+    // the error sentence and the field help are spoken only.
+    if (bad) spokenHelp(help, '⚠️', err)
+    else if (game) help.replaceChildren(game.name)
+    else spokenHelp(help, null, spec.help ?? (spec.type === 'app_id' ? 'Type an app id or pick a game from the list.' : ''))
     if (datalist && datalist.childElementCount !== this.games.length) {
       datalist.replaceChildren(...this.games.map((g) => h('option', { value: g.app_id }, g.name)))
     }
diff --git a/web/src/commands/pendingCountdown.test.ts b/web/src/commands/pendingCountdown.test.ts
index 8efe9cc..91b77f5 100644
--- a/web/src/commands/pendingCountdown.test.ts
+++ b/web/src/commands/pendingCountdown.test.ts
@@ -38,7 +38,10 @@ describe('PendingCountdown', () => {
     await tick(10_000)
     expect(text()).toContain('0:21')
     expect(el.querySelector('[role=progressbar]')).toHaveAttribute('aria-valuenow', '32')
-    expect(text()).toContain('Closing this dialog')
+    expect(el.querySelector('.notice-warning')).toHaveAttribute(
+      'aria-label',
+      'Closing this dialog, navigating away or closing the tab cancels the countdown.',
+    )
     expect(button(el, 'Cancel countdown')).toHaveAttribute('autofocus')
   })
 
diff --git a/web/src/commands/pendingCountdown.ts b/web/src/commands/pendingCountdown.ts
index 552f6ab..41fdc2e 100644
--- a/web/src/commands/pendingCountdown.ts
+++ b/web/src/commands/pendingCountdown.ts
@@ -21,6 +21,13 @@ import { PhraseField } from './phraseField'
  */
 export const CLOCK_SLACK_MS = 1000
 
+/** ⚠️ 🚪: leaving cancels the countdown; the sentence is spoken only. */
+function stayNotice(): HTMLDivElement {
+  const el = notice('warning', null, h('span', { 'aria-hidden': 'true' }, '🚪✖️'))
+  el.setAttribute('aria-label', 'Closing this dialog, navigating away or closing the tab cancels the countdown.')
+  return el
+}
+
 export interface CountdownCallbacks {
   onCommitted: (job: Job) => void
   onCancel: () => void
@@ -102,7 +109,7 @@ export class PendingCountdown {
       this.el.className = 'stack'
       this.el.replaceChildren(
         errorNotice(this.beatError),
-        h('div', { class: 'actions' }, h('button', { type: 'button', class: 'btn btn-primary', autofocus: true, onclick: this.cb.onRearm }, 'Arm again')),
+        h('div', { class: 'actions' }, h('button', { type: 'button', class: 'btn btn-primary', autofocus: true, 'aria-label': 'Arm again', onclick: this.cb.onRearm }, '🔁')),
       )
       this.el.querySelector<HTMLElement>('[autofocus]')?.focus()
       return
@@ -113,11 +120,23 @@ export class PendingCountdown {
     const left = Math.max(0, (ready - now) / 1000)
     const isReady = left <= 0
     this.parts.num.textContent = clock(left)
-    this.parts.caption.textContent = isReady ? 'Ready to commit' : 'until commit unlocks'
+    // Textgate: 🔓/🔒 painted beside the clock; 💓 + seconds since the last
+    // heartbeat (red 💔 when failing). Sentences are spoken only.
+    this.parts.caption.replaceChildren(
+      h('span', { 'aria-hidden': 'true' }, isReady ? '🔓' : '🔒'),
+      h('span', { class: 'sr-only' }, isReady ? 'Ready to commit' : 'until commit unlocks'),
+    )
     this.parts.bar.replaceChildren(progressBar(Math.min(1, (now - armed) / (ready - armed)), 'Countdown', isReady ? 'success' : 'warning'))
+    const sinceBeat = Math.round((now - this.lastBeat) / 1000)
+    const failing = this.beatError !== null
     this.parts.beat.replaceChildren(
-      `Keep this window open. Heartbeat every ${Math.round(this.pending.heartbeat_interval_seconds / 2)} s · last ${Math.round((now - this.lastBeat) / 1000)} s ago`,
-      this.beatError !== null ? h('span', { class: 'text-danger' }, ' · heartbeat failing, retrying') : '',
+      h('span', { 'aria-hidden': 'true', class: failing ? 'text-danger' : '' }, `${failing ? '💔' : '💓'} ${sinceBeat}s`),
+      h(
+        'span',
+        { class: 'sr-only' },
+        `Keep this window open. Heartbeat every ${Math.round(this.pending.heartbeat_interval_seconds / 2)} s · last ${sinceBeat} s ago`,
+        failing ? ' · heartbeat failing, retrying' : '',
+      ),
     )
     this.parts.live.textContent = isReady ? 'Countdown finished. Retype the phrase to commit.' : ''
     if (isReady !== this.shownReady) this.renderBody(isReady)
@@ -128,11 +147,15 @@ export class PendingCountdown {
     this.shownReady = isReady
     if (!isReady) {
       this.parts.body.replaceChildren(
-        notice('warning', null, 'Closing this dialog, navigating away or closing the tab cancels the countdown.'),
+        stayNotice(),
         h(
           'div',
           { class: 'actions' },
-          h('button', { type: 'button', class: 'btn btn-ghost', autofocus: true, onclick: () => void this.doCancel() }, this.cancel.pending ? 'Cancelling…' : 'Cancel countdown'),
+          h(
+            'button',
+            { type: 'button', class: 'btn btn-ghost', autofocus: true, 'aria-label': this.cancel.pending ? 'Cancelling…' : 'Cancel countdown', onclick: () => void this.doCancel() },
+            this.cancel.pending ? '⏳' : '✖️',
+          ),
         ),
       )
       return
@@ -153,7 +176,7 @@ export class PendingCountdown {
         { class: 'stack' },
         this.phrase.el,
         errorSlot,
-        h('div', { class: 'actions' }, submitBtn, h('button', { type: 'button', class: 'btn btn-ghost', onclick: () => void this.doCancel() }, 'Cancel')),
+        h('div', { class: 'actions' }, submitBtn, h('button', { type: 'button', class: 'btn btn-ghost', 'aria-label': 'Cancel', onclick: () => void this.doCancel() }, '✖️')),
       )
       form.addEventListener('submit', (e) => {
         e.preventDefault()
@@ -165,7 +188,8 @@ export class PendingCountdown {
     }
     const { submit, errors } = this.commitForm as { submit: HTMLButtonElement; errors: HTMLDivElement }
     submit.disabled = !phraseMatches(this.pending.phrase, this.phrase.value) || this.commit.pending
-    submit.textContent = this.commit.pending ? 'Committing…' : 'Commit'
+    submit.textContent = this.commit.pending ? '⏳' : '✔️'
+    submit.setAttribute('aria-label', this.commit.pending ? 'Committing…' : 'Commit')
     errors.replaceChildren(...(this.commit.error ? [errorNotice(this.commit.error)] : []))
   }
 
diff --git a/web/src/commands/phraseField.test.ts b/web/src/commands/phraseField.test.ts
index 7f0dd19..53d8c14 100644
--- a/web/src/commands/phraseField.test.ts
+++ b/web/src/commands/phraseField.test.ts
@@ -57,7 +57,9 @@ describe('PhraseField', () => {
     const { field, input } = make({ autofocus: true })
     expect(field.el.querySelector('label')).toHaveTextContent('Type the phrase to confirm')
     expect(field.el.querySelector('label')).toHaveAttribute('for', input.id)
-    expect(field.el.querySelector('.sr-only')).toHaveTextContent('Phrase: reset it')
+    expect(field.el.querySelector('label .sr-only')).toHaveTextContent('Type the phrase to confirm')
+    expect(field.el.querySelector('label [aria-hidden]')).toHaveTextContent('⌨️')
+    expect(field.el.querySelector('p.sr-only')).toHaveTextContent('Phrase: reset it')
     expect(input).toHaveAttribute('autofocus')
     expect(make({ label: 'Again' }).field.el.querySelector('label')).toHaveTextContent('Again')
     expect(make().input).not.toHaveAttribute('autofocus')
diff --git a/web/src/commands/phraseField.ts b/web/src/commands/phraseField.ts
index cc20697..7409b98 100644
--- a/web/src/commands/phraseField.ts
+++ b/web/src/commands/phraseField.ts
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ export class PhraseField {
     this.el = h(
       'div',
       { class: 'phrase' },
-      h('label', { for: id, class: 'field-label' }, label),
+      h('label', { for: id, class: 'field-label' }, h('span', { 'aria-hidden': 'true' }, '⌨️'), h('span', { class: 'sr-only' }, label)),
       this.target,
       this.input,
       h('p', { class: 'sr-only' }, `Phrase: ${phrase}`),
@@ -71,10 +71,12 @@ export class PhraseField {
     this.input.className = `input mono ${ok ? 'input-ok' : prefixOk ? '' : 'input-bad'}`.trim()
     this.input.setAttribute('aria-invalid', String(!prefixOk))
     this.status.className = `field-help ${ok ? 'text-success' : prefixOk ? '' : 'text-danger'}`.trim()
-    this.status.textContent = ok
-      ? 'Matches.'
+    // Textgate: ✅ / count / ❌ painted; the sentence is spoken only.
+    const [mark, spoken] = ok
+      ? ['✅', 'Matches.']
       : prefixOk
-        ? `${typed.length} of ${this.phrase.length} characters`
-        : 'Does not match — check case and spacing.'
+        ? [`${typed.length}/${this.phrase.length}`, `${typed.length} of ${this.phrase.length} characters`]
+        : ['❌', 'Does not match — check case and spacing.']
+    this.status.replaceChildren(h('span', { 'aria-hidden': 'true' }, mark), h('span', { class: 'sr-only' }, spoken))
   }
 }
diff --git a/web/src/commands/runnerDialog.failures.test.ts b/web/src/commands/runnerDialog.failures.test.ts
index d71e573..6a99e17 100644
--- a/web/src/commands/runnerDialog.failures.test.ts
+++ b/web/src/commands/runnerDialog.failures.test.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
 import { q } from '../api/queries'
 import { makeSpec } from '../test/fixtures'
-import { submit } from '../test/events'
+import { must, submit } from '../test/events'
 import { apiError, Reply } from '../test/harness'
 import { field, found, openRunner, text } from '../test/runnerHelpers'
 
@@ -18,8 +18,11 @@ describe('<runner-dialog> locked', () => {
     })
     openRunner([spec], 'pick')
     const run = await found('Run pick')
-    expect(text()).toContain('Manual pick active')
-    expect(field('N')).toBeDisabled()
+    // The reason is spoken only; 🔒 is painted in the notice.
+    const lock = must(document.querySelector('.notice-warning'))
+    expect(lock).toHaveAttribute('aria-label', 'Locked: Manual pick active')
+    expect(lock).toHaveTextContent('🔒')
+    expect(field(/N$/)).toBeDisabled()
     expect(document.querySelector('.phrase')).toBeNull()
     expect(run).toBeDisabled()
     submit(run)
@@ -38,7 +41,10 @@ describe('<runner-dialog> start failures', () => {
   it('offers the sudo fallback when the daemon is down', async () => {
     openRunner([makeSpec('gaming-unblock')], 'gaming-unblock', { extra: { 'POST /api/jobs': apiError(502, 'daemon_unreachable') } })
     submit(await found('Run gaming-unblock'))
-    await waitText('Run it from a terminal instead:')
+    await vi.waitFor(() => {
+      expect(document.querySelector('[data-code="daemon_unreachable"] p')).toHaveAttribute('aria-label', 'Run it from a terminal instead:')
+    })
+    expect(document.querySelector('[data-code="daemon_unreachable"] p')).toHaveTextContent('💻')
     expect(text()).toContain('sudo ./run.sh gaming-unblock')
   })
 
diff --git a/web/src/commands/runnerDialog.test.ts b/web/src/commands/runnerDialog.test.ts
index 1242af6..fd0e0fe 100644
--- a/web/src/commands/runnerDialog.test.ts
+++ b/web/src/commands/runnerDialog.test.ts
@@ -24,8 +24,14 @@ describe('<runner-dialog> catalog states', () => {
 
   it('says so when the server does not offer the command', async () => {
     openRunner([makeSpec('done')], 'scan')
-    await waitText('Not in the server catalog')
-    expect(text()).toContain('does not offer "scan"')
+    // Spoken only; the command's glyph is painted beside ⛔.
+    await vi.waitFor(() => {
+      expect(document.querySelector('.notice-danger')).toHaveAttribute(
+        'aria-label',
+        'Not in the server catalog: the server does not offer "scan".',
+      )
+    })
+    expect(document.querySelector('.notice-danger')).toHaveTextContent('🔎')
   })
 
   it('titles the dialog with the command label', async () => {
@@ -136,7 +142,7 @@ describe('<runner-dialog> parameters', () => {
     await found('Close (job keeps running)')
     q.dataset.invalidate()
     await vi.waitFor(() => { expect(q.dataset.state.loading).toBe(false) })
-    expect(text()).toContain('Open in Jobs')
+    expect(document.querySelector('a[aria-label="Open in Jobs"]')).toHaveAttribute('href', '/jobs/?id=j1')
   })
 })
 
@@ -149,7 +155,10 @@ describe('<runner-dialog> friction', () => {
   it('shows the exact phrase once its fields are known, and sends it', async () => {
     const { mock } = openRunner([spec], 'uninstall', { extra: { 'POST /api/jobs': makeJob({ id: 'j1' }) } })
     const run = await found('Run uninstall')
-    expect(text()).toMatch(/Fill in the fields above to see the exact phrase \(game_name\)/)
+    expect(document.querySelector('.notice-info')).toHaveAttribute(
+      'aria-label',
+      'Fill in the fields above to see the exact phrase (game_name).',
+    )
     setValue(field(/Game/), '7')
     await vi.waitFor(() => { expect(phraseInput()).toBeInTheDocument() })
     expect(run).toBeDisabled()
diff --git a/web/src/commands/runnerDialog.ts b/web/src/commands/runnerDialog.ts
index 4d146ed..f760111 100644
--- a/web/src/commands/runnerDialog.ts
+++ b/web/src/commands/runnerDialog.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import { define, h, hx } from '../lib/dom'
 import { runner, jobHref, type RunRequest } from '../lib/runner'
 import { errorNotice, loading, notice } from '../ui/build'
 import { Modal } from '../ui/dialog'
-import { commandLabel, findCommand } from './catalog'
+import { COMMAND_ICON, commandLabel, findCommand } from './catalog'
 import type { PendingCountdown } from './pendingCountdown'
 import { Runner, type NextPhase } from './runnerForm'
 
@@ -94,7 +94,12 @@ export class RunnerDialogElement extends HTMLElement {
       return
     }
     if (error) this.modal.render(errorNotice(error))
-    else if (commands) this.modal.render(notice('danger', 'Not in the server catalog', `The server does not offer "${req.name}".`))
+    else if (commands) {
+      // ⛔ + the command's glyph; the sentence is spoken only.
+      const el = notice('danger', null, h('span', { 'aria-hidden': 'true' }, COMMAND_ICON[req.name]))
+      el.setAttribute('aria-label', `Not in the server catalog: the server does not offer "${req.name}".`)
+      this.modal.render(el)
+    }
     else this.modal.render(loading('commands'))
   }
 
@@ -111,8 +116,8 @@ export class RunnerDialogElement extends HTMLElement {
           h(
             'div',
             { class: 'actions' },
-            h('button', { type: 'button', class: 'btn btn-ghost', onclick: () => { this.close() } }, 'Close (job keeps running)'),
-            h('a', { href: jobHref(next.id), class: 'btn btn-ghost' }, 'Open in Jobs'),
+            h('button', { type: 'button', class: 'btn btn-ghost', 'aria-label': 'Close (job keeps running)', onclick: () => { this.close() } }, '✖️'),
+            h('a', { href: jobHref(next.id), class: 'btn btn-ghost', 'aria-label': 'Open in Jobs' }, '⚙️'),
           ),
         ),
       )
diff --git a/web/src/commands/runnerForm.ts b/web/src/commands/runnerForm.ts
index 3600e1b..d6ec0b7 100644
--- a/web/src/commands/runnerForm.ts
+++ b/web/src/commands/runnerForm.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import { Action } from '../lib/action'
 import { h } from '../lib/dom'
 import type { Preset } from '../lib/runner'
 import { commandLine, errorNotice, notice, pill } from '../ui/build'
-import { fillPhrase, phraseMatches } from './catalog'
+import { COMMAND_ICON, fillPhrase, phraseMatches } from './catalog'
 import { enforcePreset } from './enforcePreset'
 import { gameLookup } from './gameLookup'
 import { initialValues, paramError, toParams, type ParamValues } from './params'
@@ -23,6 +23,22 @@ const FALLBACK: Partial<Record<CommandName, string>> = {
 }
 
 
+/** ⏳ plus the minutes (a number, so painted); the word is spoken only. */
+function countdownPill(seconds: number): HTMLSpanElement {
+  const minutes = Math.round(seconds / 60)
+  const el = pill('warning', `${minutes} min countdown`, '⏳')
+  el.append(h('span', { class: 'pill-num', 'aria-hidden': 'true' }, `${minutes}′`))
+  return el
+}
+
+/** 🔒 warning notice; the server's lock reason is spoken only. */
+function lockedNotice(reason: string): HTMLDivElement {
+  const el = notice('warning', null)
+  el.querySelector('.notice-icon')?.replaceChildren('🔒')
+  el.setAttribute('aria-label', `Locked: ${reason}`)
+  return el
+}
+
 export type NextPhase = { k: 'pending'; countdown: PendingCountdown } | { k: 'job'; id: string } | { k: 'form'; runner: Runner }
 
 export interface RunnerCallbacks {
@@ -77,16 +93,18 @@ export class Runner {
     this.el = h(
       'form',
       { class: 'stack', novalidate: true },
-      h('p', { class: 'm0' }, spec.description),
+      // Textgate: the description and every tag are spoken only; each tag paints its own glyph.
+      h('p', { class: 'm0 sr-only' }, spec.description),
       h(
         'div',
         { class: 'tags' },
-        spec.privileged ? pill('neutral', 'Runs as root via the daemon') : null,
-        pill('neutral', spec.mutating ? 'Changes state' : 'Read-only'),
-        spec.cancellable ? pill('neutral', 'Cancellable') : null,
-        countdown ? pill('warning', `${Math.round(countdown / 60)} min countdown`) : null,
+        h('span', { class: 'runner-glyph', 'aria-hidden': 'true' }, COMMAND_ICON[spec.name]),
+        spec.privileged ? pill('neutral', 'Runs as root via the daemon', '🔑') : null,
+        spec.mutating ? pill('neutral', 'Changes state', '✏️') : pill('neutral', 'Read-only', '👁️'),
+        spec.cancellable ? pill('neutral', 'Cancellable', '⏹️') : null,
+        countdown ? countdownPill(countdown) : null,
       ),
-      spec.locked_reason !== null ? notice('warning', 'Locked', spec.locked_reason) : null,
+      spec.locked_reason !== null ? lockedNotice(spec.locked_reason) : null,
       this.form.nodes,
       this.phraseSlot,
       this.errorSlot,
@@ -94,7 +112,7 @@ export class Runner {
         'div',
         { class: 'actions' },
         this.submitBtn,
-        h('button', { type: 'button', class: 'btn btn-ghost', onclick: () => { cb.onClose() } }, 'Cancel'),
+        h('button', { type: 'button', class: 'btn btn-ghost', 'aria-label': 'Cancel', onclick: () => { cb.onClose() } }, '✖️'),
       ),
     )
     this.el.addEventListener('submit', (e) => {
@@ -140,7 +158,10 @@ export class Runner {
     if (key !== this.phraseKey) {
       this.phraseKey = key
       if (phrase && phrase.missing.length > 0) {
-        this.phraseSlot.replaceChildren(notice('info', null, `Fill in the fields above to see the exact phrase (${phrase.missing.join(', ')}).`))
+        // ℹ️ ⬆️: fill the fields above first; the sentence is spoken only.
+        const hint = notice('info', null, h('span', { 'aria-hidden': 'true' }, '⬆️'))
+        hint.setAttribute('aria-label', `Fill in the fields above to see the exact phrase (${phrase.missing.join(', ')}).`)
+        this.phraseSlot.replaceChildren(hint)
       } else if (phrase && !locked) {
         this.typed = ''
         const field = new PhraseField({
@@ -165,7 +186,7 @@ export class Runner {
             errorNotice(
               err,
               failure?.code === 'daemon_unreachable' && fallback
-                ? [h('p', { class: 'm0' }, 'Run it from a terminal instead:'), commandLine(fallback)]
+                ? [h('p', { class: 'm0', 'aria-label': 'Run it from a terminal instead:' }, h('span', { 'aria-hidden': 'true' }, '💻')), commandLine(fallback)]
                 : null,
             ),
           ]
@@ -174,7 +195,9 @@ export class Runner {
     const countdown = this.spec.friction?.countdown_seconds
     this.submitBtn.className = phrase ? 'btn btn-danger' : 'btn btn-primary'
     this.submitBtn.disabled = !this.canSubmit() || this.start.pending
-    this.submitBtn.textContent = this.start.pending ? 'Starting…' : countdown ? 'Arm countdown' : `Run ${this.spec.name}`
+    // Glyph painted, label spoken: ⏳ starting, ⏲️ arm countdown, ▶️ run.
+    this.submitBtn.textContent = this.start.pending ? '⏳' : countdown ? '⏲️' : '▶️'
+    this.submitBtn.setAttribute('aria-label', this.start.pending ? 'Starting…' : countdown ? 'Arm countdown' : `Run ${this.spec.name}`)
   }
 
   private async submit(): Promise<void> {