diff --git a/modules/messenger/README.md b/modules/messenger/README.md
index cc76a080..722c9cbe 100644
--- a/modules/messenger/README.md
+++ b/modules/messenger/README.md
@@ -183,6 +183,7 @@ ends takes them away everywhere; its expiry is said with its day when it is not
 | `messenger_status` | whether the operator can be reached and why not, per channel kind |
 | `messenger_recent` | the recent sends, edits, digests, answers and failures |
 | `messenger_test` | a test message now, to one kind or every one |
+| `messenger_preview` | what a condition's message would say, tracking line and all, without sending it |
 | `messenger_check` | whether some words may leave the mesh |
 | `messenger_identities` | the accounts linked as the operator, and from when each approves |
 | `messenger_unlink` | unlink a kind's account, said on every channel |
diff --git a/modules/messenger/cmd/messenger/main.go b/modules/messenger/cmd/messenger/main.go
index c20b5041..a4711ccb 100644
--- a/modules/messenger/cmd/messenger/main.go
+++ b/modules/messenger/cmd/messenger/main.go
@@ -603,6 +603,15 @@ func tools(h *Holder, l *listening) []stdio.Tool {
 				"text":    str("the words (default: a line saying it is a test)"),
 			},
 			Run: func(a map[string]any) (any, error) { return h.Test(strArg(a, "channel"), strArg(a, "text")), nil }},
+		{Name: "messenger_preview",
+			Description: "What a condition's message would say, without sending it: the title, the words, the " +
+				"line on the issues that track it, and whether the content rule would let them leave the mesh. " +
+				"Composed exactly as it would be sent, from a condition this router holds open; sends nothing.",
+			Input: map[string]any{
+				"key":  str("the condition's key, as the controller names it, e.g. module.openrazer.laptop.relogin-needed"),
+				"what": str("which message about it: raised (default), reminder, quiet-reminder, escalated, reopened, cleared, silenced"),
+			},
+			Run: func(a map[string]any) (any, error) { return h.Preview(strArg(a, "key"), strArg(a, "what")) }},
 		{Name: "messenger_check",
 			Description: "Would these words be allowed to leave the mesh? Runs the content rule — no address, path or " +
 				"secret — and answers allowed, or the class of what it carried. Sends nothing.",
diff --git a/modules/messenger/cmd/messenger/preview.go b/modules/messenger/cmd/messenger/preview.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cf483bda
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/messenger/cmd/messenger/preview.go
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+package main
+
+// What a condition's message would say, read before it is sent (novox/hq issue 422). The words a
+// condition reaches the operator with are composed here, in this router, from the condition's own plain
+// words and the line on the issues that track it (tracking.go). Until this tool, the only way to read
+// them was to wait for a send and look at the operator's screen: the channels keep the text of nothing
+// they sent (`Sent` holds a key and an outcome, never words), and a notification still on the desk is
+// not in the notifier's history. So a wording could not be proven without nagging the operator.
+//
+// It composes exactly what `composeTracked` composes for a send — the same words, the same tracking
+// line, the same verdict — and sends nothing, queues nothing and records nothing. It also says whether
+// the content rule would let those words leave the mesh, which is the other half of what a send decides.
+//
+// It reads the conditions this router holds open. A key it does not hold is refused by name: a
+// condition that is not open has no message, and one invented here would prove nothing about the real
+// one.
+
+import (
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// The messages a condition is said with, as `what` names them through the sending path (words.go).
+// `raised` is the first message about it; `cleared` and `silenced` carry no tracking line (ADR 0285 §3).
+var previewable = []string{"raised", "reminder", "quiet-reminder", "escalated", "reopened", "cleared", "silenced"}
+
+// Preview is the message for a condition this router holds, composed as it would be sent, and sent
+// nowhere. `what` is which of the messages about it (previewable, default `raised`).
+func (h *Holder) Preview(key, what string) (map[string]any, error) {
+	key = strings.TrimSpace(key)
+	if key == "" {
+		return nil, errorf("key is required: the condition's key, as the controller names it — `mesh-controller.conditions` says which are open")
+	}
+	what = strings.TrimSpace(what)
+	if what == "" {
+		what = "raised"
+	}
+	if !previewableWhat(what) {
+		return nil, errorf("what %q is not one of the messages a condition is said with: %s", what, strings.Join(previewable, ", "))
+	}
+
+	// Asked outside the work, as the router asks it on its own tick: a preview on a cold tracking word
+	// would say the tracking could not be checked, which is true of this moment and not of a send.
+	h.warmTracking()
+
+	h.mu.Lock()
+	held, ok := h.open[key]
+	var r Record
+	if ok {
+		r = *held // composed from a copy: a preview changes nothing this router holds
+	}
+	open := make([]string, 0, len(h.open))
+	for k := range h.open {
+		open = append(open, k)
+	}
+	h.mu.Unlock()
+	if !ok {
+		sort.Strings(open)
+		if len(open) == 0 {
+			return nil, errorf("no condition %s is open here, and this router holds none: `mesh-controller.conditions` says what the controller holds open", key)
+		}
+		return nil, errorf("no condition %s is open here; it holds %s", key, strings.Join(open, ", "))
+	}
+
+	now := h.Now()
+	m := h.composeTracked(&r, what, now, 0)
+	out := map[string]any{
+		"key":   key,
+		"what":  what,
+		"title": m.Title,
+		"body":  m.Body,
+		"sent":  "nothing: this composes the words and sends nowhere",
+	}
+	if m.Urgent {
+		out["urgent"] = true
+	}
+	if m.Quiet {
+		out["quiet"] = true
+	}
+	if line, said := h.trackingLine(&r, what, now); said {
+		out["tracking"] = line
+	}
+	if refusal, allowed := Check(m.Text()); allowed {
+		out["allowed"] = true
+	} else {
+		// A send would say less instead (compose with a withhold level), never these words.
+		out["allowed"] = false
+		out["carried"] = refusal.What
+		out["class"] = refusal.Class
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// trackingLine is the line on the issues that track the condition, and whether this message carries one:
+// a clearing and a silence say none, and nor does a router that cannot ask the tracker.
+func (h *Holder) trackingLine(r *Record, what string, now time.Time) (string, bool) {
+	if !h.tracksAsked() || r.Origin != "condition" || what == "cleared" || what == "silenced" {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	issues, known := h.trackedBy(r.Key)
+	line, _ := trackingWords(issues, known, now, h.zone())
+	return line, line != ""
+}
+
+func previewableWhat(what string) bool {
+	for _, w := range previewable {
+		if w == what {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
diff --git a/modules/messenger/cmd/messenger/preview_test.go b/modules/messenger/cmd/messenger/preview_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fc9ec02b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/messenger/cmd/messenger/preview_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,157 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// A condition's message can be read before it is sent (novox/hq issue 422): the same words a send would
+// carry, the tracking line among them, and nothing goes out while they are read.
+
+// previewHolder is a router holding one raised condition that needs nothing, with the issues given
+// tracking its key.
+func previewHolder(t *testing.T, issues []TrackedIssue) (*Holder, *fakeChannel, *fakeChannel, *clock, Condition) {
+	t.Helper()
+	h, tg, dt, c, _ := newHolder(t)
+	h.Tracking = func() (map[string][]TrackedIssue, error) {
+		return map[string][]TrackedIssue{"mesh.hand-acts.rolled-back.healer-wanted": issues}, nil
+	}
+	k := cond("mesh.hand-acts.rolled-back.healer-wanted", Warning, "rolled-back was repaired by hand 4 times in 14 days")
+	k.Explanation = "Nothing for you to do. A person repaired rolled-back by hand 4 times in 14 days, so an automatic repair is wanted for it. Nothing is broken now."
+	k.Needs = ""
+	k.Raised = c.now()
+	h.Condition(EventRaised, k)
+	settle(h, c)
+	tg.sends, dt.sends = nil, nil
+	return h, tg, dt, c, k
+}
+
+func TestAConditionsMessageIsReadWithoutBeingSent(t *testing.T) {
+	h, tg, dt, _, _ := previewHolder(t, []TrackedIssue{{Number: 352, Status: "located", Needs: "decision"}})
+
+	out, err := h.Preview("mesh.hand-acts.rolled-back.healer-wanted", "")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if out["what"] != "raised" {
+		t.Errorf("what %v; a preview with none asked is the first message", out["what"])
+	}
+	if out["title"] != "mesh hand-acts rolled-back healer-wanted" {
+		t.Errorf("title %q", out["title"])
+	}
+	body, _ := out["body"].(string)
+	if !strings.Contains(body, "Tracked as issue 352: nobody is working on it; it waits for a decision first.") {
+		t.Errorf("the body says nothing of the issue that tracks it: %q", body)
+	}
+	if out["tracking"] != "Tracked as issue 352: nobody is working on it; it waits for a decision first." {
+		t.Errorf("tracking %q", out["tracking"])
+	}
+	if out["allowed"] != true {
+		t.Errorf("allowed %v, carried %v: these words may leave the mesh", out["allowed"], out["carried"])
+	}
+	// The verdict is left out while nobody works on the issue (ADR 0285 §4), as in a send.
+	if strings.Contains(body, "Nothing for you to do.") {
+		t.Errorf("the preview reassures where nothing is being done: %q", body)
+	}
+	if len(tg.sends) != 0 || len(dt.sends) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a preview sent something: telegram %d, desktop %d", len(tg.sends), len(dt.sends))
+	}
+	keyless(t, Message{Title: out["title"].(string), Body: body})
+}
+
+func TestAPreviewSaysTheSameWordsTheSendWouldCarry(t *testing.T) {
+	issues := []TrackedIssue{{Number: 386, Status: "fixing", Worker: "fix-386@g14", Since: at(21, 10)}}
+	h, tg, dt, c, k := previewHolder(t, issues)
+
+	out, err := h.Preview(k.Key, "reminder")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	// The same record, the same moment, through the sending path.
+	h.mu.Lock()
+	r := *h.open[k.Key]
+	h.mu.Unlock()
+	want := h.composeTracked(&r, "reminder", c.now(), 0)
+	if out["title"] != want.Title || out["body"] != want.Body {
+		t.Fatalf("preview %q / %q; a send would say %q / %q", out["title"], out["body"], want.Title, want.Body)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(want.Body, "Tracked as issue 386: fix-386 on g14 is fixing it since ") {
+		t.Fatalf("the message this is compared against carries no tracking line: %q", want.Body)
+	}
+	if len(tg.sends) != 0 || len(dt.sends) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a preview sent something: telegram %d, desktop %d", len(tg.sends), len(dt.sends))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAClearingAndASilencePreviewWithoutATrackingLine(t *testing.T) {
+	h, _, _, _, k := previewHolder(t, []TrackedIssue{{Number: 352, Status: "located"}})
+	for _, what := range []string{"cleared", "silenced"} {
+		out, err := h.Preview(k.Key, what)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if _, said := out["tracking"]; said {
+			t.Errorf("%s says a tracking line: %v", what, out["tracking"])
+		}
+		if body, _ := out["body"].(string); strings.Contains(body, "issue") {
+			t.Errorf("%s names an issue: %q", what, body)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAPreviewOfAConditionTheRouterDoesNotHoldIsRefusedByName(t *testing.T) {
+	h, _, _, _, k := previewHolder(t, nil)
+
+	_, err := h.Preview("machine.ace.silent", "")
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("a condition this router does not hold was previewed")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "machine.ace.silent") || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), k.Key) {
+		t.Errorf("the refusal says neither what was asked nor what is held: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if _, err := h.Preview("", ""); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "key is required") {
+		t.Errorf("no key: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := h.Preview(k.Key, "shouted"); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "shouted") {
+		t.Errorf("an unknown message: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAPreviewAsksTheTrackerWhenItsWordWentCold(t *testing.T) {
+	asked := 0
+	h, _, _, c, k := previewHolder(t, []TrackedIssue{{Number: 352, Status: "located"}})
+	h.Tracking = func() (map[string][]TrackedIssue, error) {
+		asked++
+		return map[string][]TrackedIssue{k.Key: {{Number: 352, Status: "located"}}}, nil
+	}
+
+	c.pass(TrackingKept + time.Minute) // older than an answer is used for
+	out, err := h.Preview(k.Key, "quiet-reminder")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if asked != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("the tracker was asked %d times; a preview on a cold word asks once", asked)
+	}
+	if out["tracking"] != "Tracked as issue 352: nobody is working on it." {
+		t.Errorf("tracking %q; a preview that asked should say what it heard", out["tracking"])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAPreviewSaysWhenTheWordsWouldNotBeAllowedOut(t *testing.T) {
+	h, _, _, c, _ := previewHolder(t, nil)
+	k := cond("machine.ace.silent", Warning, "the home server has not been heard for 15 min")
+	k.Explanation = "Needs you: look at /home/someone/secrets.txt on it."
+	k.Raised = c.now()
+	h.Condition(EventRaised, k)
+
+	out, err := h.Preview(k.Key, "")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if out["allowed"] != false || out["carried"] == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("allowed %v, carried %v; the content rule refuses a path", out["allowed"], out["carried"])
+	}
+}
diff --git a/modules/messenger/module.json b/modules/messenger/module.json
index 1c426333..b1fde436 100644
--- a/modules/messenger/module.json
+++ b/modules/messenger/module.json
@@ -103,6 +103,7 @@
     "messenger_status",
     "messenger_recent",
     "messenger_test",
+    "messenger_preview",
     "messenger_check",
     "messenger_identities",
     "messenger_unlink"