From 1a4305213d0899bb9a068e7182fff4812790be47 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: jochen <jschoubben@novox.be>
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2026 13:58:53 +0200
Subject: [PATCH] Open every explanation with what the operator needs to do,
 and offer the answers

The operator could not tell from a notification whether to act, and was told to
have an agent do it. Each condition now says "Nothing for you to do." or
"Needs you:" with one thing they can do themselves, and carries the actions the
operator channel performs when chosen (hq ADR 0253).
---
 cmd/mesh-controller/delivery_conditions.go |   2 +-
 cmd/mesh-controller/machine_units.go       |   6 +-
 cmd/mesh-controller/module_health.go       |   9 +-
 cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words.go         | 336 +++++++++++++--------
 cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words_test.go    | 104 +++++--
 cmd/mesh-controller/signals.go             |  18 +-
 internal/conditions/condition.go           |   6 +
 internal/conditions/plain.go               | 114 +++++--
 internal/conditions/plain_test.go          |  38 ++-
 internal/conditions/store.go               |   4 +-
 10 files changed, 430 insertions(+), 207 deletions(-)

diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/delivery_conditions.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/delivery_conditions.go
index b0352e2b..b8f4cbd0 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/delivery_conditions.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/delivery_conditions.go
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ func stalledObservations(lines []stalledLine) []conditions.Observation {
 		if l.operatorsOnly() {
 			o.Resolver = conditions.ResolverOperator
 		}
-		o.Headline, o.Explanation, o.Resolved = stalledWords(l, o)
+		o.Headline, o.Explanation, o.Resolved, o.Needs, o.Actions = stalledWords(l, o)
 		out = append(out, o)
 	}
 	return out
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/machine_units.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/machine_units.go
index 275ccab7..0060f0fb 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/machine_units.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/machine_units.go
@@ -117,8 +117,10 @@ func machineUnitsObservation(node string, u *link.UnitsHealth) (conditions.Obser
 		failed = fmt.Sprintf("%d failed services", len(u.Failed))
 	}
 	o.Headline = fmt.Sprintf("%s on %s", conditions.Capital(failed), node)
-	o.Explanation = fmt.Sprintf("On %s, %s failed. No module manages them, so the mesh does not repair them: mend or "+
-		"remove them on %s.", node, namesWords(plain, 3), node)
+	o.Needs = fmt.Sprintf("mend or remove them on %s, or silence this if they do not matter.", node)
+	o.Explanation = fmt.Sprintf("On %s, %s failed. No module manages them, so the mesh does not repair them.",
+		node, namesWords(plain, 3))
+	o.Actions = []conditions.Action{conditions.SilenceAction(o.Key())}
 	o.Resolved = "No failed services on " + node + " any more"
 	return o, true
 }
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/module_health.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/module_health.go
index d03d7138..d402c94a 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/module_health.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/module_health.go
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ func judgeModuleHealth(ctx context.Context, inv *inventory.Inventory, k *conditi
 				o.Severity = conditions.Urgent
 				o.Said += "; " + waitingWords(waiters)
 				o.Summary += fmt.Sprintf("; %d consumer(s) wait on it", len(waiters))
-				o.Explanation += fmt.Sprintf(" %d module(s) that depend on it wait for it, so this is urgent.", len(waiters))
+				o.Explanation += fmt.Sprintf(" %d module(s) that depend on it wait for it.", len(waiters))
 			}
 		}
 		seen[o.Key()] = true
@@ -243,6 +243,7 @@ func sayWaiters(ctx context.Context, k *conditions.Keeper, hold *holding, p cata
 // the machine and what is wrong with each resource; the detail — targets, streaks, since — is evidence.
 func moduleUnhealthyObservation(module, node string, rs []inventory.ResourceHealth) conditions.Observation {
 	var words, said, plain []string
+	needs, actions := moduleNeeds(node, rs)
 	for _, r := range rs {
 		plain = append(plain, resourcePlainWords(r))
 		if r.Kind == link.KindUnit {
@@ -263,8 +264,10 @@ func moduleUnhealthyObservation(module, node string, rs []inventory.ResourceHeal
 		Summary:  fmt.Sprintf("%s on %s is not healthy: %s", module, node, strings.Join(words, "; ")),
 		Said:     strings.Join(said, "; "),
 		Headline: fmt.Sprintf("%s not working on %s", module, node),
-		Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s on %s is not healthy: %s. It clears as soon as it runs again; if it stays, it "+
-			"needs a look at why it fails.", module, node, namesWords(plain, 3)),
+		Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s on %s is not healthy: %s. It clears as soon as it runs again.", module, node,
+			namesWords(plain, 3)),
+		Needs:    needs,
+		Actions:  actions,
 		Resolved: fmt.Sprintf("%s works again on %s", module, node)}
 }
 
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words.go
index c118f12f..edd6a849 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words.go
@@ -63,71 +63,80 @@ var plainWordings = map[string]func(conditions.Observation) words{
 	// Machines and their node-engine.
 	"silent": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
-		return words{Headline: m + " is not answering",
+		w := words{Headline: m + " is not answering",
 			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("The mesh has not heard from %s for several minutes. A machine asleep or away is "+
-				"normal; if %s should be on, check that it is powered and online.", m, m),
+				"normal.", m),
 			Resolved: m + " answers again"}
+		if o.Severity == conditions.Urgent {
+			w.Needs = fmt.Sprintf("check that %s is on and online.", m)
+			w.Explanation = fmt.Sprintf("The mesh has not heard from %s for half an hour, and the mesh is run from it: "+
+				"nothing changes anywhere until it is back.", m)
+		}
+		return w
 	}),
 	"sent-not-reported": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		return words{Headline: m + " has not confirmed a change",
-			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("The mesh sent %s new instructions and %s has not said it applied them. It "+
-				"usually catches up by itself; if it stays, %s may be stuck.", m, m, m),
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("The mesh sent %s new instructions and %s has not said it applied them yet. "+
+				"It usually catches up by itself.", m, m),
 			Resolved: m + " applied the change"}
 	}),
 	"tools-silent": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		return words{Headline: "Tools on " + m + " are not answering",
 			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("The tool runner on %s has not checked in, so nothing can be done on %s through "+
-				"the mesh. A machine asleep is normal.", m, m),
+				"the mesh until it does. A machine asleep is normal.", m, m),
 			Resolved: "Tools on " + m + " answer again"}
 	}),
 	kindAwaitingPush: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		return words{Headline: m + " waits for new instructions",
-			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s's instructions only work once the next push is made, and none has been made "+
-				"for a while. Nothing is broken; an agent can push to %s.", conditions.Capital(m), m),
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s's new instructions go out with the next push. Nothing is broken meanwhile.",
+				conditions.Capital(m)),
 			Resolved: m + " got its new instructions"}
 	}),
 	"declaration-refused": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		if o.Scope == conditions.ScopeMesh {
 			return words{Headline: "No machine can get new instructions",
+				Needs: "decide whether to undo the last catalogue change; the details say what fails.",
 				Explanation: "The mesh cannot work out its private network, so no machine's instructions can be " +
-					"made. Machines keep running what they have. It needs a look now.",
+					"made. Machines keep running what they have.",
 				Resolved: "Machines can get new instructions again"}
 		}
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		return words{Headline: m + " cannot get new instructions",
-			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("What the mesh would send %s is wrong and would be refused, so nothing new reaches "+
-				"%s. It keeps running what it has. It needs a fix in the catalogue.", m, m),
+			Needs: "decide whether to undo the last catalogue change; the details say what fails.",
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("What the mesh would send %s is wrong and would be refused, so nothing new "+
+				"reaches it. It keeps running what it has.", m),
 			Resolved: m + " can get new instructions again"}
 	}),
 	"own-address-banned": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		return words{Headline: m + " has banned the mesh",
+			Needs: fmt.Sprintf("lift the ban on %s, or wait for it to expire.", m),
 			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("The intrusion protection on %s banned one of the mesh's own addresses, so the "+
-				"mesh is locked out of %s. It needs the ban lifted.", m, m),
+				"mesh is locked out of it.", m),
 			Resolved: m + " no longer bans the mesh"}
 	}),
 	"core-behind": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		return words{Headline: m + " runs an old node-engine",
-			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s runs an older build of the mesh's own software than the mesh holds, and no "+
-				"delivery is bringing it up to date. It works, but misses the newest fixes.", conditions.Capital(m)),
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s runs an older build of the mesh's own software than the mesh holds. It "+
+				"works, and gets the newer one with a later delivery.", conditions.Capital(m)),
 			Resolved: m + " runs the current node-engine"}
 	}),
 	kindMachineUnits: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		return words{Headline: "Failed services on " + m,
-			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("Services on %s that no module manages have failed. They are %s's own, so the "+
-				"mesh does not repair them: mend or remove them there.", m, m),
-			Resolved: "No failed services on " + m + " any more"}
+			Needs:       fmt.Sprintf("mend or remove them on %s, or silence this if they do not matter.", m),
+			Explanation: "No module manages them, so the mesh does not repair them.",
+			Resolved:    "No failed services on " + m + " any more", Actions: []conditions.Action{conditions.SilenceAction(o.Key())}}
 	}),
 	kindMachineNetwork: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		return words{Headline: m + " has a network problem",
 			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s's own network check failed: its name lookups, tunnel, bus connection or "+
-				"route. Other machines may not reach it, or it them.", conditions.Capital(m)),
+				"route. It often passes again once a network change settles.", conditions.Capital(m)),
 			Resolved: m + "'s network is fine again"}
 	}),
 	kindNetworkRewritten: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
@@ -141,38 +150,38 @@ var plainWordings = map[string]func(conditions.Observation) words{
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		return words{Headline: m + " cannot be reached",
 			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("Other machines cannot reach %s over the mesh's network. A machine away or "+
-				"asleep is normal; otherwise its tunnel needs a look.", m),
+				"asleep is normal.", m),
 			Resolved: m + " can be reached again"}
 	}),
 	kindBindingKept: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		return words{Headline: "A module's data source is held on " + m,
+			Needs: "decide where its data lives; the details name both places.",
 			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("A module on %s should switch to another provider of its data, and the mesh "+
-				"kept the old one because switching would leave the data behind. It needs you to decide.", m),
+				"kept the old one because switching would leave the data behind.", m),
 			Resolved: "Resolved: the data source on " + m + " is decided"}
 	}),
 	kindBindingMoving: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		return words{Headline: "A module's data source moves on " + m,
-			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("At the next push a module on %s switches to another provider, and its data is "+
-				"still with the old one. Move the data first.", m),
-			Resolved: "Resolved: the data source move on " + m + " is settled"}
+			Needs:       "move its data to the new provider before the next push.",
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("At the next push a module on %s switches to another provider of its data.", m),
+			Resolved:    "Resolved: the data source move on " + m + " is settled"}
 	}),
 	kindBindingMoved: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		return words{Headline: "A module's data source moved on " + m,
-			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("A module on %s switched to another provider of its data, and its data may "+
-				"still be with the old one. Check it found its data.", m),
-			Resolved: "Resolved: the data source move on " + m + " is settled"}
+			Needs:       "check that it found its data.",
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("A module on %s switched to another provider, and its data may still be with the old one.", m),
+			Resolved:    "Resolved: the data source move on " + m + " is settled"}
 	}),
 
 	// Modules and providers.
 	kindModuleUnhealthy: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		thing := conditions.ThingWords(o)
 		return words{Headline: conditions.Capital(thing) + " is not working",
-			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s is not healthy. It clears as soon as it runs again; if it stays, "+
-				"look at why it fails.", conditions.Capital(thing)),
-			Resolved: conditions.Capital(thing) + " works again"}
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s is not healthy. It clears as soon as it runs again.", conditions.Capital(thing)),
+			Resolved:    conditions.Capital(thing) + " works again"}
 	}),
 	kindProviderFailing: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		thing, consumer := conditions.ThingWords(o), idPart(o, 2)
@@ -181,29 +190,29 @@ var plainWordings = map[string]func(conditions.Observation) words{
 		}
 		return words{Headline: conditions.Capital(thing) + " keeps failing " + consumer,
 			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s provides something %s needs, such as a database, and keeps failing to set "+
-				"it up. %s may not work until it does.", conditions.Capital(thing), consumer, conditions.Capital(consumer)),
+				"it up. It tries again by itself.", conditions.Capital(thing), consumer),
 			Resolved: conditions.Capital(thing) + " serves " + consumer + " again"}
 	}),
 	kindProviderSilent: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		thing := conditions.ThingWords(o)
 		return words{Headline: conditions.Capital(thing) + " went quiet",
 			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s said it keeps failing a module that depends on it, and then stopped "+
-				"reporting. Whether it still fails is not known.", conditions.Capital(thing)),
+				"reporting.", conditions.Capital(thing)),
 			Resolved: conditions.Capital(thing) + " reports again"}
 	}),
 	kindRetireWaiting: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		thing := conditions.ThingWords(o)
 		return words{Headline: "Retiring data on " + thing + " waits for you",
-			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s keeps data the mesh no longer asks for, too much to retire on its own. It "+
-				"needs you to approve or reject retiring it.", conditions.Capital(thing)),
+			Needs: "approve or reject retiring it; the details list what would go.",
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s keeps data the mesh no longer asks for, too much to retire on its own.",
+				conditions.Capital(thing)),
 			Resolved: "Resolved: the retirement on " + thing + " is decided"}
 	}),
 	kindRetireRejected: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		thing := conditions.ThingWords(o)
 		return words{Headline: "Unused data kept on " + thing,
-			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("You chose to keep data on %s that the mesh no longer asks for. Nothing to do; "+
-				"this is a reminder that it is still there.", thing),
-			Resolved: "Resolved: the unused data on " + thing + " is gone"}
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("You chose to keep data on %s that the mesh no longer asks for; it is still there.", thing),
+			Resolved:    "Resolved: the unused data on " + thing + " is gone"}
 	}),
 	kindCleanupWaiting: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		var where string
@@ -214,9 +223,9 @@ var plainWordings = map[string]func(conditions.Observation) words{
 			where = what + " on " + machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		}
 		return words{Headline: "Retired data waits for cleanup",
-			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("Retired data of %s has been kept for over thirty days. It needs you to delete "+
-				"it or keep it.", where),
-			Resolved: "Resolved: the retired data is dealt with"}
+			Needs:       "delete it or keep it; nothing is deleted without your word.",
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("Retired data of %s has been kept for over thirty days.", where),
+			Resolved:    "Resolved: the retired data is dealt with"}
 	}),
 
 	// Data.
@@ -224,22 +233,23 @@ var plainWordings = map[string]func(conditions.Observation) words{
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		return words{Headline: "Data on " + m + " could not be measured",
 			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("The backup holder on %s did not say what it measured, so nothing is known about "+
-				"the data there: not that it is safe either.", m),
+				"the data there. The next measurement may settle it.", m),
 			Resolved: "Data on " + m + " is measured again"}
 	}),
 	kindProtectionMissing: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		what, _ := dataWords(o)
 		return words{Headline: conditions.Capital(what) + " is unprotected",
+			Needs: "check the storage it is on.",
 			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s on %s is said to be protected by redundant storage, and it is not on any "+
-				"the mesh can see. It needs you to check its storage.", conditions.Capital(what), machineOr(o, "its machine")),
+				"the mesh can see.", conditions.Capital(what), machineOr(o, "its machine")),
 			Resolved: conditions.Capital(what) + " is protected again"}
 	}),
 	kindDataMissing: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		what, _ := dataWords(o)
 		return words{Headline: conditions.Capital(what) + " is gone",
-			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("Where %s is kept on %s, nothing exists any more. If that was not meant, it needs "+
-				"restoring from a backup.", what, machineOr(o, "its machine")),
-			Resolved: conditions.Capital(what) + " is back"}
+			Needs:       "restore it from a backup, or silence this if you removed it.",
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("Where %s is kept on %s, nothing exists any more.", what, machineOr(o, "its machine")),
+			Resolved:    conditions.Capital(what) + " is back", Actions: []conditions.Action{conditions.SilenceAction(o.Key())}}
 	}),
 	kindDataShrank: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		what, _ := dataWords(o)
@@ -248,30 +258,33 @@ var plainWordings = map[string]func(conditions.Observation) words{
 			what = "a dataset"
 		}
 		return words{Headline: conditions.Capital(what) + " shrank on " + m,
-			Explanation: "More than half of what it held is gone within a week. If you meant that, silence it; if " +
-				"not, restore the last good copy from a backup.",
-			Resolved: "Resolved: the shrinking on " + m + " is explained"}
+			Needs:       "if you meant it, silence this; if not, restore the last good copy from a backup.",
+			Explanation: "More than half of what it held is gone within a week.",
+			Resolved:    "Resolved: the shrinking on " + m + " is explained", Actions: []conditions.Action{conditions.SilenceAction(o.Key())}}
 	}),
 	kindDataQuiet: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		what, _ := dataWords(o)
 		return words{Headline: conditions.Capital(what) + " stopped changing",
+			Needs: "check that what writes it still runs.",
 			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s on %s is normally written all the time and has not been for longer than "+
-				"usual: whatever writes it has stopped.", conditions.Capital(what), machineOr(o, "its machine")),
+				"usual.", conditions.Capital(what), machineOr(o, "its machine")),
 			Resolved: conditions.Capital(what) + " is written again"}
 	}),
 	kindBackupStale: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		what, _ := dataWords(o)
+		m := machineOr(o, "its machine")
 		return words{Headline: "No recent backup of " + what,
+			Needs: fmt.Sprintf("check that backups run on %s.", m),
 			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s on %s has no good backup recent enough. If the machine failed now, what "+
-				"changed since would be lost.", conditions.Capital(what), machineOr(o, "its machine")),
+				"changed since would be lost.", conditions.Capital(what), m),
 			Resolved: conditions.Capital(what) + " is backed up again"}
 	}),
 	kindArrayDegraded: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		return words{Headline: "Storage on " + m + " is degraded",
-			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("The redundant storage on %s lost a disk or is rebuilding. The data on it is "+
-				"less protected until it is whole again.", m),
-			Resolved: "Storage on " + m + " is whole again"}
+			Needs:       fmt.Sprintf("check the disks of %s.", m),
+			Explanation: "Its redundant storage lost a disk or is rebuilding; the data on it is less protected until it is whole.",
+			Resolved:    "Storage on " + m + " is whole again"}
 	}),
 	kindEmptyReplacement: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		module := idPart(o, 1)
@@ -282,8 +295,9 @@ var plainWordings = map[string]func(conditions.Observation) words{
 			module = "a module"
 		}
 		return words{Headline: conditions.Capital(module) + " runs on empty data",
+			Needs: "decide where its data lives: move the data, or move it back.",
 			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s on %s is using an empty copy of its data while the full copy is kept "+
-				"elsewhere. It needs you: move the data, or move it back.", conditions.Capital(module), machineOr(o, "its machine")),
+				"elsewhere.", conditions.Capital(module), machineOr(o, "its machine")),
 			Resolved: conditions.Capital(module) + " has its data again"}
 	}),
 	kindDataHeldTwice: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
@@ -292,40 +306,38 @@ var plainWordings = map[string]func(conditions.Observation) words{
 			consumer = "a module"
 		}
 		return words{Headline: conditions.Capital(consumer) + "'s data is on several machines",
-			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s has live data on more than one machine and uses only one. It needs you to "+
-				"decide which to keep.", conditions.Capital(consumer)),
-			Resolved: conditions.Capital(consumer) + "'s data is in one place again"}
+			Needs:       "decide which copy to keep.",
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s has live data on more than one machine and uses only one.", conditions.Capital(consumer)),
+			Resolved:    conditions.Capital(consumer) + "'s data is in one place again"}
 	}),
 
 	// Deliveries and walks.
 	"stalled": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		if o.Scope == conditions.ScopeDelivery {
 			return words{Headline: "A delivery is held too long",
-				Explanation: "A delivery has been held past its time limit. " + conditions.ResolverWords(o),
-				Resolved:    "Resolved: the delivery moves again"}
+				Explanation: "A delivery has been held past its time limit.", Needs: conditions.ResolverNeeds(o),
+				Resolved: "Resolved: the delivery moves again"}
 		}
 		return words{Headline: "A delivery is stuck halfway",
-			Explanation: "Its walk across the machines has not moved for longer than usual. Nothing is lost; if it " +
-				"stays, an agent can look at why.",
-			Resolved: "Resolved: the delivery moves again"}
+			Explanation: "Its walk across the machines has not moved for longer than usual. Nothing is lost.",
+			Resolved:    "Resolved: the delivery moves again"}
 	}),
 	kindWalkWaiting: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "A delivery is waiting to start",
 			Explanation: "A merged change is built, and mesh-delivery (the module that decides when a delivery goes " +
-				"out) has not said it may start. Nothing to do yet; an agent can start it by hand.",
+				"out) has not let it start yet.",
 			Resolved: "Resolved: the delivery is no longer waiting"}
 	}),
 	"merge-not-acted": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "A merge was never picked up",
 			Explanation: "A pull request was merged, and the controller never heard of it, so nothing was built or " +
-				"sent. An agent can hand it over again.",
+				"sent. The mesh catches up on missed merges by itself.",
 			Resolved: "Resolved: the merge was picked up"}
 	}),
 	"ask-lost": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "A build has no result",
-			Explanation: "A build was asked for and never answered. What it was for is not delivered until it is " +
-				"built again.",
-			Resolved: "Resolved: the build has its result"}
+			Explanation: "A build was asked for and never answered. It is asked again with the next delivery.",
+			Resolved:    "Resolved: the build has its result"}
 	}),
 	kindRolledBack: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
@@ -336,68 +348,73 @@ var plainWordings = map[string]func(conditions.Observation) words{
 		if o.Scope == conditions.ScopeCore {
 			return words{Headline: "A core update was put back on " + m,
 				Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("A new build of the mesh's own %s did not become healthy on %s, so the build "+
-					"before was put back. It needs a look now.", module, m),
+					"before was put back and runs.", module, m),
 				Resolved: "Resolved: the core on " + m + " is healthy"}
 		}
 		return words{Headline: conditions.Capital(module) + " update put back on " + m,
 			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("The new build of %s did not become healthy on %s, so the mesh put back the one "+
-				"before. The change is not delivered; it needs a fix in its code.", module, m),
+				"before, which runs. The change is not delivered until it is fixed.", module, m),
 			Resolved: "Resolved: " + module + " on " + m + " is settled"}
 	}),
 	kindRollbackFailed: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		return words{Headline: "Putting back an update failed on " + m,
-			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("A build that failed on %s could not be put back to the one before. What runs "+
-				"there may be broken; it needs you now.", m),
-			Resolved: "Resolved: " + m + " runs a good build again"}
+			Needs:       fmt.Sprintf("check what runs on %s; the details say which build.", m),
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("A build that failed on %s could not be put back to the one before.", m),
+			Resolved:    "Resolved: " + m + " runs a good build again"}
 	}),
 	"release-held": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "Updates wait for your release",
-			Explanation: "Some module updates wait for a person to release them. They are not delivered until you do.",
+			Needs:       "release them, or leave them held.",
+			Explanation: "Some module updates wait for a person to release them, and are not delivered until then.",
 			Resolved:    "Resolved: the held updates are released"}
 	}),
 	"facts-stale": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "Merge checks use outdated facts",
-			Explanation: "The facts a merge check judges a change against are out of date, so a check may pass or " +
-				"fail for the wrong reason.",
+			Explanation: "The facts a merge check judges a change against are out of date; they are gathered again " +
+				"by themselves.",
 			Resolved: "Merge checks use current facts again"}
 	}),
 
 	// The controller and the core.
 	"controller-deaf": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "The controller stopped listening",
+			Needs: "restart the controller if this stays.",
 			Explanation: "The controller, which coordinates the mesh, has taken no messages for minutes while some " +
 				"wait. Changes and repairs do not happen until it recovers.",
 			Resolved: "The controller listens again"}
 	}),
 	"self-check-silent": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "The mesh's self-check stopped",
+			Needs: "restart the controller if this stays.",
 			Explanation: "The self-check, which looks over the whole mesh every few minutes, has not finished a run. " +
 				"Problems may go unnoticed until it runs again.",
 			Resolved: "The self-check runs again"}
 	}),
 	"watchdogs-silent": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "The mesh's watchdogs stopped",
-			Explanation: "The watchdogs, which notice when something expected does not happen, have not run. Missed " +
-				"signals are not being noticed.",
+			Needs: "restart the controller if this stays.",
+			Explanation: "The watchdogs, which notice when something expected does not happen, have not run, so " +
+				"missed signals are not noticed.",
 			Resolved: "The watchdogs run again"}
 	}),
 	"lease-lost": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "The controller lost its lease",
+			Needs: "make sure only one controller runs; the details say which machines claim it.",
 			Explanation: "The controller holds a lease so that only one copy of it acts at a time. It lost or could " +
-				"not renew it, so two could act at once, or none. It needs a look now.",
+				"not renew it, so two could act at once, or none.",
 			Resolved: "The controller holds its lease again"}
 	}),
 	"lease-split": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "Two controllers may be acting",
-			Explanation: "The lease that lets one controller act at a time does not agree with its record, so two " +
-				"could act at once. It needs a look now.",
-			Resolved: "One controller acts again"}
+			Needs:       "make sure only one controller runs; the details say which machines claim it.",
+			Explanation: "The lease that lets one controller act at a time does not agree with its record.",
+			Resolved:    "One controller acts again"}
 	}),
 	"stale-writer": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "Outdated instructions are being sent",
 			Explanation: "Something kept sending instructions older than what the machines already hold, and they " +
-				"were refused. It is harmless if it stops.",
+				"were refused, which is harmless.",
 			Resolved: "Resolved: no more outdated instructions"}
 	}),
 	"status-slow": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
@@ -408,32 +425,32 @@ var plainWordings = map[string]func(conditions.Observation) words{
 	kindCoreUnhealthy: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		if o.Scope == conditions.ScopeBus {
 			return words{Headline: "The bus is not healthy",
+				Needs: "check the machine the bus runs on; the details say what fails.",
 				Explanation: "The bus, which carries every message in the mesh, is not healthy. Instructions, builds " +
 					"and tool calls may fail until it recovers.",
 				Resolved: "The bus is healthy again"}
 		}
 		m := machineOr(o, "its machine")
 		return words{Headline: "The mesh's own software fails on " + m,
-			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("A part of the mesh's own software on %s is not healthy. What it does there may "+
-				"not happen until it recovers.", m),
-			Resolved: "The mesh's own software on " + m + " is healthy again"}
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("A part of the mesh's own software on %s is not healthy; it is restarted by itself.", m),
+			Resolved:    "The mesh's own software on " + m + " is healthy again"}
 	}),
 	"call-hung": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "A tool call is hanging",
-			Explanation: "A call to one of the mesh's tools has run far past its time limit. Whatever waits on it is " +
-				"stuck.",
-			Resolved: "Resolved: the tool call ended"}
+			Explanation: "A call to one of the mesh's tools has run far past its time limit; it is ended by itself.",
+			Resolved:    "Resolved: the tool call ended"}
 	}),
 	"probe-failed": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "A check of the mesh could not run",
-			Explanation: "One of the mesh's own checks could not run, so what it watches is unknown, which is not " +
-				"the same as fine.",
+			Explanation: "One of the mesh's own checks could not run, so what it watches is unknown for now. It runs " +
+				"again every few minutes.",
 			Resolved: "The check runs again"}
 	}),
 	kindHealersBraked: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "All automatic repairs stopped",
+			Needs: "read the details and decide whether the repairs may run again.",
 			Explanation: "The healers (the mesh's automatic repairs) acted more often in an hour than allowed, which " +
-				"looks like a loop, so all of them stopped. Nothing repairs itself until this is looked at.",
+				"looks like a loop, so all of them stopped.",
 			Resolved: "Automatic repairs run again"}
 	}),
 	"healer-wanted": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
@@ -442,8 +459,8 @@ var plainWordings = map[string]func(conditions.Observation) words{
 			cause = "something"
 		}
 		return words{Headline: conditions.Capital(strings.ReplaceAll(cause, ".", " ")) + " keeps being fixed by hand",
-			Explanation: "A person keeps repairing this by hand. A healer (an automatic repair) is wanted for it; " +
-				"nothing is broken now.",
+			Explanation: "A person keeps repairing this by hand, and an automatic repair is wanted for it. Nothing is " +
+				"broken now.",
 			Resolved: "Resolved: no more hand repairs of " + strings.ReplaceAll(cause, ".", " ")}
 	}),
 
@@ -451,8 +468,9 @@ var plainWordings = map[string]func(conditions.Observation) words{
 	"resolver-wrong": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		m := machineOr(o, "a machine")
 		return words{Headline: "Name lookups fail on " + m,
-			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("The mesh's name resolver on %s does not answer machine names correctly. "+
-				"Machines that rely on it may not find each other.", m),
+			Needs: fmt.Sprintf("check that %s is on and online.", m),
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("The mesh's name resolver on %s does not answer machine names correctly, so "+
+				"machines that rely on it may not find each other.", m),
 			Resolved: "Name lookups work on " + m + " again"}
 	}),
 	"holder-silent": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
@@ -468,50 +486,47 @@ var plainWordings = map[string]func(conditions.Observation) words{
 	}),
 	kindBusObjectsUnasserted: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "The bus could not be fully set up",
-			Explanation: "When instructions were sent, the bus's queues could not all be checked, so a module may " +
-				"not get its messages.",
+			Explanation: "When instructions were sent, the bus's queues could not all be checked; they are checked " +
+				"again with the next send.",
 			Resolved: "The bus is fully set up again"}
 	}),
 	kindBusMaintenance: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "The bus is being upgraded",
-			Explanation: "The mesh's message system is being upgraded; some things pause until it is done. Nothing " +
-				"to do.",
-			Resolved: "The bus upgrade is done"}
+			Explanation: "The mesh's message system is being upgraded; some things pause until it is done.",
+			Resolved:    "The bus upgrade is done"}
 	}),
 	kindBusUpgradeFailed: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "The bus upgrade failed",
-			Explanation: "The upgrade of the mesh's message system did not end healthy in time. It needs you: it can " +
-				"be put back to the version before.",
-			Resolved: "Resolved: the bus is healthy after its upgrade"}
+			Needs:       "decide whether to put the bus back to the version before; the details say how.",
+			Explanation: "The upgrade of the mesh's message system did not end healthy in time.",
+			Resolved:    "Resolved: the bus is healthy after its upgrade"}
 	}),
 	kindConsumerBehind: worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "Messages pile up for a listener",
 			Explanation: "One of the mesh's listeners on the bus is far behind, so what it handles happens late. A " +
-				"healer may restart it.",
+				"healer restarts it if it stays.",
 			Resolved: "The listener caught up"}
 	}),
 	"consumer-wrong": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "A listener on the bus is set up wrong",
-			Explanation: "One of the mesh's listeners on the bus is missing or not as the controller defines it, so " +
-				"some messages may reach nobody.",
+			Explanation: "One of the mesh's listeners on the bus is missing or not as defined; the next send sets " +
+				"it up again.",
 			Resolved: "The listener is set up right again"}
 	}),
 	"consumer-lost": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "A listener on the bus is gone",
-			Explanation: "One of the mesh's listeners is no longer on the bus, so what it should receive reaches " +
-				"nobody.",
-			Resolved: "The listener is back"}
+			Explanation: "One of the mesh's listeners is no longer on the bus; the next send sets it up again.",
+			Resolved:    "The listener is back"}
 	}),
 	"slow-consumer": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "A listener on the bus is too slow",
-			Explanation: "The bus reports a listener too slow to keep up, so messages to it are dropped or late.",
+			Explanation: "The bus reports a listener too slow to keep up, so messages to it are late.",
 			Resolved:    "The listener keeps up again"}
 	}),
 	"max-deliveries": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "A message could not be handled",
-			Explanation: "The bus gave up on a message after trying to hand it over too many times. What it carried " +
-				"did not happen.",
-			Resolved: "Resolved: messages are handled again"}
+			Explanation: "The bus gave up on a message after trying to hand it over too many times.",
+			Resolved:    "Resolved: messages are handled again"}
 	}),
 	"refused": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "The bus refuses some messages",
@@ -520,21 +535,19 @@ var plainWordings = map[string]func(conditions.Observation) words{
 	}),
 	"stream-wrong": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "Part of the bus's storage is wrong",
-			Explanation: "A store the controller keeps on the bus is missing or not as defined, so what it keeps " +
-				"there may be lost.",
-			Resolved: "The bus's storage is right again"}
+			Needs:       "check the machine the bus runs on; the details say what is missing.",
+			Explanation: "A store the controller keeps on the bus is missing or not as defined, so what it keeps there may be lost.",
+			Resolved:    "The bus's storage is right again"}
 	}),
 	"archives-unheld": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "Kept builds are about to be cleaned up",
-			Explanation: "Some kept builds are not claimed by any module, so the store's cleanup would delete them. " +
-				"Nothing to do unless one is still needed.",
-			Resolved: "Resolved: every kept build is claimed"}
+			Explanation: "Some kept builds are not claimed by any module, so the store's cleanup would delete them.",
+			Resolved:    "Resolved: every kept build is claimed"}
 	}),
 	"archives-missing": worded(func(o conditions.Observation) words {
 		return words{Headline: "Kept builds are missing",
-			Explanation: "Some builds the mesh relies on are no longer in the store. A machine that needs one cannot " +
-				"get it until it is built again.",
-			Resolved: "Resolved: the kept builds are back"}
+			Explanation: "Some builds the mesh relies on are no longer in the store; they are built again when needed.",
+			Resolved:    "Resolved: the kept builds are back"}
 	}),
 }
 
@@ -602,18 +615,68 @@ func deliveryName(modules []string, repository string) string {
 	return repoName(repository) + " delivery"
 }
 
-// waitingAct is what the operator does about a walk waiting for its delivery's word.
-func waitingAct(severity conditions.Severity) string {
+// walkWaitingWords explains a walk waiting for its delivery's word.
+func walkWaitingWords(w waitFacts, in time.Duration, severity conditions.Severity) string {
+	what := deliveryWhat(w.modules, w.repository)
 	if severity == conditions.Urgent {
-		return "Mesh-delivery may be broken. It needs you: have an agent look at mesh-delivery, or start the " +
-			"delivery by hand."
+		return fmt.Sprintf("The change to %s is merged and built, and mesh-delivery (the module that decides when a "+
+			"delivery goes out) has not let it start for %s, so mesh-delivery may be stuck.", what, humanDuration(in))
 	}
-	return fmt.Sprintf("Nothing to do yet; it becomes urgent after %s. To start it now, have an agent start it by hand.",
-		humanDuration(waitUrgentAfter))
+	return fmt.Sprintf("The change to %s is merged and built, and has waited %s for mesh-delivery (the module that "+
+		"decides when a delivery goes out) to let it start. It becomes a question for you if it still waits after %s.",
+		what, humanDuration(in), humanDuration(waitUrgentAfter))
+}
+
+// waitingNeeds is what the operator does about a walk waiting past its urgent bound: nothing before it.
+func waitingNeeds(severity conditions.Severity) string {
+	if severity == conditions.Urgent {
+		return "start it, or stop it."
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+// waitingActions are the answers to a walk waiting past its urgent bound: the controller's own verb, since
+// the module that should have said go is the one not answering.
+func waitingActions(w waitFacts, severity conditions.Severity) []conditions.Action {
+	if severity != conditions.Urgent {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return []conditions.Action{
+		{Label: "Start", Verb: "mesh-controller.plans", Arguments: map[string]string{"go": w.id, "why": ""}},
+		{Label: "Stop", Verb: "mesh-controller.plans", Arguments: map[string]string{"stop": w.id, "why": ""}},
+	}
+}
+
+// moduleNeeds is what the operator can do about a module unhealthy on a machine: log in again where its
+// account's groups wait for it (ADR 0252), restart a failed service, or nothing where the mesh restarts it.
+func moduleNeeds(node string, rs []inventory.ResourceHealth) (string, []conditions.Action) {
+	var actions []conditions.Action
+	for _, r := range rs {
+		if strings.Contains(r.Reason, "relogin needed") {
+			return fmt.Sprintf("log out of every session on %s and log in again.", node), nil
+		}
+		if r.Kind == link.KindUnit && len(actions) < 2 {
+			scope := "system"
+			if strings.Contains(r.Reason, "account's own") {
+				scope = "user"
+			}
+			label := "Restart"
+			if len(actions) > 0 {
+				label = "Restart " + unitPlainWords(r.Target)
+			}
+			actions = append(actions, conditions.Action{Label: label, Verb: "node-service-manager.restart",
+				Machine: node, Arguments: map[string]string{"unit": r.Target, "scope": scope}})
+		}
+	}
+	if len(actions) > 0 {
+		return "restart it; if it fails again, the details say why.", actions
+	}
+	return "", nil
 }
 
 // stalledWords are the plain words of a delivery held past its bound, as mesh-delivery says it.
-func stalledWords(l stalledLine, o conditions.Observation) (string, string, string) {
+func stalledWords(l stalledLine, o conditions.Observation) (headline, explanation, resolved, needs string,
+	actions []conditions.Action) {
 	repository, _, _ := strings.Cut(l.ID, "@")
 	name := repoName(repository)
 	held := l.State
@@ -624,13 +687,24 @@ func stalledWords(l stalledLine, o conditions.Observation) (string, string, stri
 	if d, err := time.ParseDuration(l.For); err == nil {
 		long = "for " + humanDuration(d)
 	}
-	act := conditions.ResolverWords(o)
 	if o.Resolver == conditions.ResolverOperator {
-		act = "It waits for you: release it, or stop it."
+		switch held {
+		case "held":
+			needs = "release it, or stop it."
+			actions = []conditions.Action{
+				{Label: "Release", Verb: "mesh-delivery.release", Arguments: map[string]string{"id": l.ID, "why": ""}},
+				{Label: "Stop", Verb: "mesh-delivery.stop", Arguments: map[string]string{"id": l.ID, "why": ""}},
+			}
+		case "ready", "checked":
+			needs = "merge its pull request, or close it."
+		default:
+			needs = "stop it, or read the details to see what it waits for."
+			actions = []conditions.Action{{Label: "Stop", Verb: "mesh-delivery.stop", Arguments: map[string]string{"id": l.ID, "why": ""}}}
+		}
 	}
 	return fmt.Sprintf("Delivery of %s %s %s", name, held, long),
-		fmt.Sprintf("A delivery of %s has been %s %s, past its limit. %s", name, held, long, act),
-		fmt.Sprintf("Delivery of %s is no longer %s", name, held)
+		fmt.Sprintf("A delivery of %s has been %s %s, past its limit.", name, held, long),
+		fmt.Sprintf("Delivery of %s is no longer %s", name, held), needs, actions
 }
 
 // causeWords is a hand-act's cause as a person says it.
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words_test.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words_test.go
index 8c73ba59..8a2c653a 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words_test.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words_test.go
@@ -14,29 +14,40 @@ import (
 // each keeps its summary for whoever looks closer, and now carries a headline, an explanation and a
 // resolved line the operator reads at a glance — no plan id, commit, key, verb or clock time in them.
 
-// plainExample checks one finding's words: plain, within their bounds, and saying what the operator needs.
-func plainExample(t *testing.T, o conditions.Observation, headline string, says ...string) {
+// plainExample checks one finding's words as the keeper will keep them: plain, within their bounds,
+// opened by the verdict, and saying what the operator needs; and its actions by label.
+func plainExample(t *testing.T, o conditions.Observation, headline, explanation string, actions ...string) {
 	t.Helper()
 	machines := append([]string{o.Machine}, o.Also...)
-	w := conditions.Words{Headline: o.Headline, Explanation: o.Explanation, Resolved: o.Resolved}
+	w := conditions.Words{Headline: o.Headline, Explanation: o.Explanation, Resolved: o.Resolved, Needs: o.Needs,
+		Actions: o.Actions}
 	if why, ok := conditions.PlainWords(w, machines...); !ok {
 		t.Errorf("%s: not plain: %s\n  %+v", o.Key(), why, w)
 	}
-	if o.Headline != headline {
-		t.Errorf("%s: headline %q, want %q", o.Key(), o.Headline, headline)
+	said := conditions.Verdict(o.Needs, o.Explanation)
+	if o.Headline != headline || said != explanation {
+		t.Errorf("%s: says\n  %q\n  %q\nwant\n  %q\n  %q", o.Key(), o.Headline, said, headline, explanation)
 	}
-	for _, s := range says {
-		if !strings.Contains(o.Explanation+" | "+o.Resolved, s) {
-			t.Errorf("%s: the words do not say %q:\n  %s | %s", o.Key(), s, o.Explanation, o.Resolved)
-		}
+	var labels []string
+	for _, a := range o.Actions {
+		labels = append(labels, a.Label)
 	}
-	t.Logf("\nBEFORE: %s\nAFTER:  %s\n        %s\nCLEARS: %s", o.Summary, o.Headline, o.Explanation, o.Resolved)
+	if strings.Join(labels, ",") != strings.Join(actions, ",") {
+		t.Errorf("%s: actions %v, want %v", o.Key(), labels, actions)
+	}
+	quiet := ""
+	if o.Needs == "" && o.Severity == conditions.Warning {
+		quiet = "   (needs nothing and is a warning: no popup; it stays in conditions and the history)"
+	}
+	t.Logf("\nBEFORE: %s\nAFTER:  %s%s\n        %s\n        actions %v\nCLEARS: %s", o.Summary, o.Headline, quiet,
+		said, labels, o.Resolved)
 }
 
 // **A delivery waiting**: the popup read "the walk of novox/mesh-catalog a6385479 has waited 56m0s for
 // mesh-delivery's word to start: `mesh-delivery.show` for the delivery that landed as a6385479 says why;
-// `plans go plan-1791454185265004861 --why …` starts it by hand".
-func TestADeliveryWaitingIsSaidByItsModulesAndWhatToDo(t *testing.T) {
+// `plans go plan-1791454185265004861 --why …` starts it by hand". Under four hours it needs nothing — no
+// popup; past them, the operator starts or stops it from the notification.
+func TestADeliveryWaitingNeedsNothingUntilItsBoundThenOffersStartAndStop(t *testing.T) {
 	now := time.Date(2026, 10, 8, 11, 36, 0, 0, time.UTC)
 	f := calm(now)
 	f.waits = []waitFacts{{id: "plan-1791454185265004861", repository: "novox/mesh-catalog", commit: "a6385479c0ffee",
@@ -45,36 +56,59 @@ func TestADeliveryWaitingIsSaidByItsModulesAndWhatToDo(t *testing.T) {
 	if len(got) != 1 {
 		t.Fatalf("%+v", got)
 	}
-	plainExample(t, got[0], "openrazer delivery waiting to start", "56 minutes", "mesh-delivery (the module that decides",
-		"Nothing to do yet", "openrazer delivery no longer waiting")
+	plainExample(t, got[0], "openrazer delivery waiting to start",
+		"Nothing for you to do. The change to openrazer is merged and built, and has waited 56 minutes for "+
+			"mesh-delivery (the module that decides when a delivery goes out) to let it start. It becomes a question "+
+			"for you if it still waits after 4 hours.")
 	if !strings.Contains(got[0].Summary, "plans go plan-1791454185265004861") {
 		t.Errorf("the summary lost the way on for whoever looks closer: %q", got[0].Summary)
 	}
 
-	// Past four hours it is urgent, and says it needs the operator.
+	// Past four hours it is urgent, and offers the controller's own answers.
 	f.waits[0].since = now.Add(-5 * time.Hour)
 	got = watchWaits(f)
-	plainExample(t, got[0], "openrazer delivery waiting to start", "It needs you")
+	plainExample(t, got[0], "openrazer delivery waiting to start",
+		"Needs you: start it, or stop it. The change to openrazer is merged and built, and mesh-delivery (the "+
+			"module that decides when a delivery goes out) has not let it start for 5 hours, so mesh-delivery may "+
+			"be stuck.", "Start", "Stop")
+	if a := got[0].Actions[0]; a.Verb != "mesh-controller.plans" || a.Arguments["go"] != "plan-1791454185265004861" {
+		t.Errorf("start: %+v", a)
+	}
+	if a := got[0].Actions[1]; a.Verb != "mesh-controller.plans" || a.Arguments["stop"] != "plan-1791454185265004861" {
+		t.Errorf("stop: %+v", a)
+	}
 
 	// Many modules are counted, not listed in the headline.
 	f.waits[0].modules = []string{"a", "b", "c", "d"}
 	got = watchWaits(f)
-	plainExample(t, got[0], "mesh-catalog delivery waiting to start", "4 modules of mesh-catalog")
+	if got[0].Headline != "mesh-catalog delivery waiting to start" || !strings.Contains(got[0].Explanation, "4 modules of mesh-catalog") {
+		t.Errorf("%+v", got[0])
+	}
 }
 
 // **A module unhealthy**: "openrazer on g14 is not healthy: its unit openrazer-daemon.service failed in the
-// account's own service manager (exit-code)".
-func TestAModuleUnhealthyNamesItsServiceInWords(t *testing.T) {
+// account's own service manager (exit-code)". The operator restarts it from the notification.
+func TestAModuleUnhealthyOffersARestartOfItsService(t *testing.T) {
 	o := moduleUnhealthyObservation("openrazer", "g14", []inventory.ResourceHealth{{Kind: link.KindUnit,
 		Resource: "openrazer-daemon", Target: "openrazer-daemon.service",
 		Reason: "failed in the account's own service manager (exit-code)", Since: time.Now()}})
-	plainExample(t, o, "openrazer not working on g14", "is not healthy: its service openrazer-daemon stopped with an error",
-		"openrazer works again on g14")
+	plainExample(t, o, "openrazer not working on g14",
+		"Needs you: restart it; if it fails again, the details say why. openrazer on g14 is not healthy: its "+
+			"service openrazer-daemon stopped with an error. It clears as soon as it runs again.", "Restart")
+	if a := o.Actions[0]; a.Verb != "node-service-manager.restart" || a.Machine != "g14" ||
+		a.Arguments["unit"] != "openrazer-daemon.service" || a.Arguments["scope"] != "user" {
+		t.Errorf("restart: %+v", a)
+	}
+	// An account waiting for a new login (ADR 0252) asks for the login, which no button can give.
+	o = moduleUnhealthyObservation("openrazer", "g14", []inventory.ResourceHealth{{Kind: "account",
+		Resource: "operator-in-group", Target: "jochen", Reason: "relogin needed: the account is in the group"}})
+	if o.Needs != "log out of every session on g14 and log in again." || len(o.Actions) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("relogin: %q %+v", o.Needs, o.Actions)
+	}
 }
 
 // **Failed units on a machine**: "shanks's service manager is degraded: 3 failed unit(s) no module places —
-// mnt-recalbox.mount, storage-media.mount, greenclip.service (the account's own manager). Each is the
-// machine's own: mend or remove it there, or have a module place it".
+// mnt-recalbox.mount, storage-media.mount, greenclip.service (the account's own manager). …"
 func TestFailedUnitsOnAMachineAreNamedWithoutTheirSuffixes(t *testing.T) {
 	o, raise := machineUnitsObservation("shanks", &link.UnitsHealth{State: "degraded", Failed: []link.FailedUnit{
 		{Unit: "mnt-recalbox.mount", Result: "exit-code"}, {Unit: "storage-media.mount", Result: "exit-code"},
@@ -83,12 +117,14 @@ func TestFailedUnitsOnAMachineAreNamedWithoutTheirSuffixes(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("not raised")
 	}
 	plainExample(t, o, "3 failed services on shanks",
-		"mnt-recalbox (a mount), storage-media (a mount) and greenclip failed", "mend or remove them on shanks")
+		"Needs you: mend or remove them on shanks, or silence this if they do not matter. On shanks, "+
+			"mnt-recalbox (a mount), storage-media (a mount) and greenclip failed. No module manages them, so the "+
+			"mesh does not repair them.", "Silence for a week")
 }
 
-// **A healer wanted**: "\"push\" was repaired by hand 35 times in 14 days, the last by g14.node-tools,
-// through the mesh-controller seat: a healer is wanted for it".
-func TestAHealerWantedSaysNothingIsBroken(t *testing.T) {
+// **A healer wanted**: "\"push\" was repaired by hand 35 times in 14 days, the last by g14.node-tools, through
+// the mesh-controller seat: a healer is wanted for it". Nothing is broken: no popup.
+func TestAHealerWantedNeedsNothingFromTheOperator(t *testing.T) {
 	now := time.Date(2026, 10, 8, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
 	f := calm(now)
 	for i := 0; i < 35; i++ {
@@ -100,15 +136,22 @@ func TestAHealerWantedSaysNothingIsBroken(t *testing.T) {
 	if len(got) != 1 {
 		t.Fatalf("%+v", got)
 	}
-	plainExample(t, got[0], "Push keeps being fixed by hand", "35 times in 14 days", "nothing is broken now")
+	plainExample(t, got[0], "Push keeps being fixed by hand",
+		"Nothing for you to do. A person repaired push by hand 35 times in 14 days, so an automatic repair is "+
+			"wanted for it. Nothing is broken now.")
 }
 
 // **A delivery held past its bound**, as mesh-delivery says it: "the delivery novox/hq@055550802096 has been
 // held for 36h2m6s, past its bound of 24h0m0s (it waits for the operator): healer H2 may none: …".
-func TestADeliveryHeldSaysItWaitsForTheOperator(t *testing.T) {
+func TestADeliveryHeldOffersReleaseAndStop(t *testing.T) {
 	got := stalledObservations([]stalledLine{{ID: "novox/hq@055550802096", State: "held", For: "36h2m6s",
 		Bound: "24h0m0s", H2: "none: the state is the operator's", Says: "it waits for the operator"}})
-	plainExample(t, got[0], "Delivery of hq held for 36 hours", "It waits for you: release it, or stop it.")
+	plainExample(t, got[0], "Delivery of hq held for 36 hours",
+		"Needs you: release it, or stop it. A delivery of hq has been held for 36 hours, past its limit.",
+		"Release", "Stop")
+	if a := got[0].Actions[0]; a.Verb != "mesh-delivery.release" || a.Arguments["id"] != "novox/hq@055550802096" {
+		t.Errorf("release: %+v", a)
+	}
 }
 
 // **Every kind the controller raises has plain words**, and its words are plain for a subject of every
@@ -134,6 +177,7 @@ func TestEveryWordingIsPlain(t *testing.T) {
 		for _, s := range subjects {
 			s.Kind = kind
 			w := fn(s)
+			w.Explanation = conditions.Verdict(w.Needs, w.Explanation)
 			if why, ok := conditions.PlainWords(w, s.Machine); !ok {
 				t.Errorf("%s about %s %s: %s\n  %+v", kind, s.Scope, s.ID, why, w)
 			}
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/signals.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/signals.go
index 64805f2d..1ea068d3 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/signals.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/signals.go
@@ -324,7 +324,7 @@ func watchPlans(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
 		out = append(out, conditions.Observation{Scope: conditions.ScopePlan, ID: p.id, Kind: "stalled",
 			Headline: "Delivery of " + repoName(p.repository) + " is stuck halfway",
 			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("Its walk across the machines has been at the same step for %s, longer than "+
-				"usual. Nothing is lost; if it stays, an agent can look at why.", humanDuration(f.now.Sub(p.entered))),
+				"usual. Nothing is lost, and the mesh keeps it where it is.", humanDuration(f.now.Sub(p.entered))),
 			Resolved: "Delivery of " + repoName(p.repository) + " moves again",
 			Severity: conditions.Warning,
 			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the plan for %s %s has been at tier %d of %d since %s (bound %s): %s",
@@ -357,12 +357,12 @@ func watchWaits(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
 			Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the walk of %s %s has waited %s for %s's word to start: `mesh-delivery.show` for the "+
 				"delivery that landed as %s says why; `plans go %s --why …` starts it by hand", w.repository,
 				short(w.commit), ago(in), w.awaits, short(w.commit), w.id),
-			Said:     fmt.Sprintf("waiting since %s for %s", w.since.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339), w.awaits),
-			Headline: deliveryName(w.modules, w.repository) + " waiting to start",
-			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("The change to %s is merged and built, and has waited %s for mesh-delivery (the "+
-				"module that decides when a delivery goes out) to let it start. %s", deliveryWhat(w.modules, w.repository),
-				humanDuration(in), waitingAct(severity)),
-			Resolved: deliveryName(w.modules, w.repository) + " no longer waiting"})
+			Said:        fmt.Sprintf("waiting since %s for %s", w.since.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339), w.awaits),
+			Headline:    deliveryName(w.modules, w.repository) + " waiting to start",
+			Explanation: walkWaitingWords(w, in, severity),
+			Needs:       waitingNeeds(severity),
+			Actions:     waitingActions(w, severity),
+			Resolved:    deliveryName(w.modules, w.repository) + " no longer waiting"})
 	}
 	return out
 }
@@ -692,8 +692,8 @@ func watchHandActs(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
 				repeated[cause], int(handActsWithin.Hours()/24), newest.By, wanted),
 			Said:     strings.Join(acts, "; "),
 			Headline: conditions.Capital(causeWords(cause)) + " keeps being fixed by hand",
-			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("A person repaired %s by hand %d times in %d days. A healer (an automatic repair) "+
-				"is wanted for it; nothing is broken now.", causeWords(cause), repeated[cause],
+			Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("A person repaired %s by hand %d times in %d days, so an automatic repair is "+
+				"wanted for it. Nothing is broken now.", causeWords(cause), repeated[cause],
 				int(handActsWithin.Hours()/24)),
 			Resolved: "Resolved: no more hand repairs of " + causeWords(cause)})
 	}
diff --git a/internal/conditions/condition.go b/internal/conditions/condition.go
index dff6e9b0..cc253a6a 100644
--- a/internal/conditions/condition.go
+++ b/internal/conditions/condition.go
@@ -134,6 +134,10 @@ type Condition struct {
 	Headline    string `json:"headline"`
 	Explanation string `json:"explanation"`
 	Resolved    string `json:"resolved"`
+	// Needs is what the operator does about it, one sentence; empty when nothing (the explanation then
+	// opens "Nothing for you to do."). Actions are the answers a notification offers (plain.go).
+	Needs   string   `json:"needs"`
+	Actions []Action `json:"actions"`
 	// Evidence is the newest observations, at most KeptEvidence, newest first.
 	Evidence []Evidence `json:"evidence"`
 	// Source is the signals-table row, probe or event that raised it: `S1`, `D3`, `provisioner.failing`.
@@ -187,6 +191,8 @@ type Observation struct {
 	Headline    string
 	Explanation string
 	Resolved    string
+	Needs       string
+	Actions     []Action
 	// Said is this observation's evidence, in the mesh's words; Summary when empty. **Detail goes
 	// here, never in Summary**: an address, a socket's error, a path or a name with its domain is
 	// kept in the condition's evidence, which stays inside the mesh. The summary leaves it — to the
diff --git a/internal/conditions/plain.go b/internal/conditions/plain.go
index fa48800a..19ce4ee0 100644
--- a/internal/conditions/plain.go
+++ b/internal/conditions/plain.go
@@ -11,7 +11,12 @@ package conditions
 //     g14"), the title of every message about it;
 //   - an **explanation**: one or two plain sentences — what happened, what it means for the operator,
 //     and whether they need to do anything;
-//   - a **resolved line**: the one short line said when it clears ("openrazer runs again on g14").
+//   - a **resolved line**: the one short line said when it clears ("openrazer runs again on g14");
+//   - a **verdict**, which every explanation opens with: "Nothing for you to do." or "Needs you:" and one
+//     concrete thing the operator can do themselves (needs). Never "have an agent …": the operator is not
+//     asked to open a session to understand or answer a notification;
+//   - **actions**: what the operator may answer from the notification itself (Release, Stop, Restart,
+//     Silence), each the seat verb the operator channel calls when it is chosen, naming the operator.
 //
 // They are made here, where the condition is made, so every channel gets them — the desktop today,
 // others later — and none has to guess what a key means. A producer may say them itself; otherwise the
@@ -29,17 +34,45 @@ import (
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/outward"
 )
 
-// Words are what the operator reads of a condition.
+// Words are what the operator reads of a condition. Explanation is said after the verdict, which
+// plainly writes from Needs: empty is "Nothing for you to do.", else "Needs you: " and Needs.
 type Words struct {
 	Headline    string
 	Explanation string
 	Resolved    string
+	Needs       string
+	Actions     []Action
+}
+
+// Action is one answer the operator may give from a notification: a label, and the seat verb the
+// operator channel calls with these arguments (and a why naming the operator and the label) when it is
+// chosen. Machine is set for a seat every machine holds. An argument "why" given empty is the operator
+// channel's to fill: it names the operator, the channel and the label chosen.
+type Action struct {
+	Label     string            `json:"label"`
+	Verb      string            `json:"verb"`
+	Machine   string            `json:"machine,omitempty"`
+	Arguments map[string]string `json:"arguments,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// The two verdicts an explanation opens with.
+const (
+	NothingToDo = "Nothing for you to do."
+	NeedsYou    = "Needs you:"
+)
+
+// SilenceAction is the action that stops a condition's messages for a week, with the operator's why: the
+// answer to a condition the operator decided to live with.
+func SilenceAction(key string) Action {
+	return Action{Label: "Silence for a week", Verb: "mesh-controller.conditions",
+		Arguments: map[string]string{"silence": key, "for": "7d", "why": ""}}
 }
 
 // Bounds of the plain words: a headline fits a notification's title line, an explanation two sentences.
 const (
 	HeadlineMax    = 60
-	ExplanationMax = 360
+	ExplanationMax = 420
+	NeedsMax       = 120
 )
 
 var (
@@ -75,6 +108,7 @@ var (
 	goDuration = regexp.MustCompile(`\b[0-9]+(h[0-9]+m|m[0-9]+s|h[0-9]+m[0-9]+s)\b|\b[0-9]+(\.[0-9]+)?(ns|ms|µs)\b`)
 	clockTime  = regexp.MustCompile(`\b[0-9]{1,2}:[0-9]{2}\b|\b[0-9]{4}-[0-9]{2}-[0-9]{2}\b|\bUTC\b`)
 	flag       = regexp.MustCompile(`(^|\s)--?[a-z]`)
+	agentWord  = regexp.MustCompile(`(?i)\bagents?\b|\bby hand\b|\bsession\b`)
 	markup     = regexp.MustCompile("[`*<>{}\\[\\]|#]|(^|\\s)_|_(\\s|$)")
 )
 
@@ -124,6 +158,27 @@ func PlainWords(w Words, machines ...string) (string, bool) {
 	if len(w.Explanation) > ExplanationMax {
 		return fmt.Sprintf("explanation: longer than %d characters", ExplanationMax), false
 	}
+	for _, m := range agentWord.FindAllString(w.Explanation, -1) {
+		if !strings.EqualFold(m, "by hand") { // "repaired by hand" is a fact; telling to act by hand is not
+			return "explanation: sends the operator elsewhere (" + m + ")", false
+		}
+	}
+	if w.Needs != "" {
+		if why, ok := Plain(w.Needs, machines...); !ok {
+			return "needs: " + why, false
+		}
+		if m := agentWord.FindString(w.Needs); m != "" {
+			return "needs: not something the operator does themselves (" + m + ")", false
+		}
+		if len(w.Needs) > NeedsMax || !strings.HasSuffix(w.Needs, ".") {
+			return fmt.Sprintf("needs: one sentence of at most %d characters, ending in a full stop", NeedsMax), false
+		}
+	}
+	for _, a := range w.Actions {
+		if a.Label == "" || len(a.Label) > 24 || a.Verb == "" {
+			return fmt.Sprintf("action %q: a short label and a verb", a.Label), false
+		}
+	}
 	if why, ok := Plain(w.Resolved, machines...); !ok {
 		return "resolved: " + why, false
 	}
@@ -136,7 +191,8 @@ func PlainWords(w Words, machines ...string) (string, bool) {
 // plainly gives an observation its plain words: its own, its kind's, or its scope's.
 func plainly(o Observation) Observation {
 	machines := append([]string{o.Machine}, o.Also...)
-	given := Words{o.Headline, o.Explanation, o.Resolved}
+	given := Words{Headline: o.Headline, Explanation: o.Explanation, Resolved: o.Resolved, Needs: o.Needs,
+		Actions: o.Actions}
 	var w Words
 	from := ""
 	switch {
@@ -154,6 +210,12 @@ func plainly(o Observation) Observation {
 			if given.Resolved != "" {
 				w.Resolved = given.Resolved
 			}
+			if given.Needs != "" {
+				w.Needs = given.Needs
+			}
+			if len(given.Actions) > 0 {
+				w.Actions = given.Actions
+			}
 		}
 	}
 	if w.Headline != "" && w.Resolved == "" {
@@ -170,17 +232,27 @@ func plainly(o Observation) Observation {
 		}
 		w = scopeWords(o)
 	}
-	o.Headline, o.Explanation, o.Resolved = w.Headline, w.Explanation, w.Resolved
+	o.Headline, o.Resolved, o.Needs, o.Actions = w.Headline, w.Resolved, w.Needs, w.Actions
+	o.Explanation = Verdict(w.Needs, w.Explanation)
 	return o
 }
 
-// Escalated is the sentence a condition's explanation ends with once a healer gave up on it.
-const Escalated = "The mesh tried to repair it and could not: it needs you now."
+// Verdict is an explanation opened by its verdict.
+func Verdict(needs, explanation string) string {
+	if needs == "" {
+		return strings.TrimSpace(NothingToDo + " " + explanation)
+	}
+	return strings.TrimSpace(NeedsYou + " " + needs + " " + explanation)
+}
 
-// escalatedWords says in the explanation that a healer gave up, whatever the words said before.
+// Escalated is what a condition needs once a healer gave up on it, where its words needed nothing.
+const Escalated = "the mesh tried to repair this and could not; read the details to decide what to do."
+
+// escalatedWords turns "Nothing for you to do." into "Needs you:" once a healer gave up.
 func escalatedWords(c *Condition) {
-	if c.Escalated() && !strings.HasSuffix(c.Explanation, Escalated) {
-		c.Explanation = strings.TrimSpace(c.Explanation + " " + Escalated)
+	if c.Escalated() && c.Needs == "" {
+		c.Needs = Escalated
+		c.Explanation = Verdict(c.Needs, strings.TrimSpace(strings.TrimPrefix(c.Explanation, NothingToDo)))
 	}
 }
 
@@ -191,13 +263,14 @@ func scopeWords(o Observation) Words {
 	what := strings.ReplaceAll(o.Kind, "-", " ")
 	w := Words{
 		Headline:    Capital(thing) + " needs a look",
-		Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("The mesh noticed a problem it calls %q with %s. %s", what, thing, ResolverWords(o)),
+		Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("The mesh noticed a problem it calls %q with %s.", what, thing),
 		Resolved:    "Resolved: " + thing + " is fine again",
+		Needs:       ResolverNeeds(o),
 	}
 	if _, ok := PlainWords(w, append([]string{o.Machine}, o.Also...)...); !ok {
 		w = Words{Headline: "Something in the mesh needs a look",
-			Explanation: "The mesh noticed a problem it has no plain words for yet. " + ResolverWords(o),
-			Resolved:    "Resolved: the mesh is fine again"}
+			Explanation: "The mesh noticed a problem it has no plain words for yet.",
+			Resolved:    "Resolved: the mesh is fine again", Needs: ResolverNeeds(o)}
 	}
 	return w
 }
@@ -244,17 +317,12 @@ func ThingWords(o Observation) string {
 	return "the mesh"
 }
 
-// ResolverWords says whether the operator needs to act, from who resolves it.
-func ResolverWords(o Observation) string {
-	switch {
-	case o.Resolver == ResolverOperator:
-		return "It needs you: the mesh does not repair this by itself."
-	case strings.HasPrefix(o.Resolver, "healer:"):
-		return "A healer is working on it; nothing to do unless it stays."
-	case o.Severity == Urgent:
-		return "It clears by itself once it is fixed, but needs a look now."
+// ResolverNeeds is what the operator needs to do, from who resolves it: nothing, unless only a person can.
+func ResolverNeeds(o Observation) string {
+	if o.Resolver == ResolverOperator {
+		return "the mesh does not repair this by itself; read the details to decide what to do."
 	}
-	return "Nothing to do yet: it clears by itself once it is fixed."
+	return ""
 }
 
 // Capital is s with its first letter upper case.
diff --git a/internal/conditions/plain_test.go b/internal/conditions/plain_test.go
index 674187e4..9a129c67 100644
--- a/internal/conditions/plain_test.go
+++ b/internal/conditions/plain_test.go
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ func TestAConditionCarriesItsPlainWords(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	said := settled(t, told, 1)
 	body, _ := json.Marshal(said[0])
-	for _, field := range []string{`"headline":"ace is not answering"`, `"explanation":"The mesh has not heard from it."`,
+	for _, field := range []string{`"headline":"ace is not answering"`, `"explanation":"Nothing for you to do. The mesh has not heard from it."`,
 		`"resolved":"ace answers again"`} {
 		if !strings.Contains(string(body), field) {
 			t.Errorf("the event does not carry %s: %s", field, body)
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ func TestAConditionCarriesItsPlainWords(t *testing.T) {
 	// Words that are not plain, and a kind with none, are said from the scope — and reported.
 	c, _ = k.Observe(t.Context(), Observation{Scope: ScopeModule, ID: "openrazer.g14", Token: "x", Kind: "test-unworded",
 		Machine: "g14", Severity: Warning, Source: "health", Summary: "openrazer on g14 is not healthy"})
-	if c.Headline != "Openrazer on g14 needs a look" || !strings.Contains(c.Explanation, "Nothing to do yet") {
+	if c.Headline != "Openrazer on g14 needs a look" || !strings.HasPrefix(c.Explanation, NothingToDo) {
 		t.Errorf("the scope's words: %+v", c)
 	}
 	c, _ = k.Observe(t.Context(), Observation{Scope: ScopePlan, ID: "plan-1791454185265004861", Kind: "test-silent",
@@ -113,13 +113,39 @@ func TestAConditionCarriesItsPlainWords(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+// **An explanation opens with its verdict, and never sends the operator to an agent.**
+func TestEveryExplanationOpensWithItsVerdict(t *testing.T) {
+	if got := Verdict("", "It may be asleep."); got != "Nothing for you to do. It may be asleep." {
+		t.Errorf("%q", got)
+	}
+	if got := Verdict("release it, or stop it.", "It is held."); got != "Needs you: release it, or stop it. It is held." {
+		t.Errorf("%q", got)
+	}
+	for _, w := range []Words{
+		{Headline: "x waits", Explanation: "Have an agent start it.", Resolved: "x started"},
+		{Headline: "x waits", Explanation: "It waits.", Needs: "start it by hand.", Resolved: "x started"},
+		{Headline: "x waits", Explanation: "It waits.", Needs: "open a session and start it.", Resolved: "x started"},
+		{Headline: "x waits", Explanation: "It waits.", Needs: "start it", Resolved: "x started"},
+		{Headline: "x waits", Explanation: "It waits.", Resolved: "x started", Actions: []Action{{Label: "Start"}}},
+	} {
+		if _, ok := PlainWords(w); ok {
+			t.Errorf("passed: %+v", w)
+		}
+	}
+	if why, ok := PlainWords(Words{Headline: "push keeps being fixed by hand", Explanation: "A person repaired " +
+		"push by hand 35 times.", Resolved: "Resolved", Needs: "release it, or stop it.",
+		Actions: []Action{{Label: "Release", Verb: "mesh-delivery.release"}}}); !ok {
+		t.Errorf("refused: %s", why)
+	}
+}
+
 // **A healer that gave up says so in the explanation**: the words of the kind said "nothing to do"; once the
 // budget is spent, the operator is needed.
 func TestAnEscalatedConditionSaysItNeedsTheOperator(t *testing.T) {
 	k, _, _, _ := keeper(t)
 	ctx := t.Context()
 	o := Observation{Scope: ScopeMachine, ID: "ace", Kind: "silent", Machine: "ace", Severity: Warning, Source: "S1",
-		Summary: "ace is silent", Headline: "ace is not answering", Explanation: "Nothing to do yet."}
+		Summary: "ace is silent", Headline: "ace is not answering", Explanation: "It may be asleep."}
 	if _, err := k.Observe(ctx, o); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -127,11 +153,11 @@ func TestAnEscalatedConditionSaysItNeedsTheOperator(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if !strings.HasSuffix(c.Explanation, Escalated) {
-		t.Fatalf("escalated: %q", c.Explanation)
+	if want := "Needs you: " + Escalated + " It may be asleep."; c.Explanation != want || c.Needs != Escalated {
+		t.Fatalf("escalated: %q, want %q", c.Explanation, want)
 	}
 	c, _ = k.Observe(ctx, o)
-	if strings.Count(c.Explanation, Escalated) != 1 {
+	if strings.Count(c.Explanation, Escalated) != 1 || strings.Contains(c.Explanation, NothingToDo) {
 		t.Errorf("seen again after escalation: %q", c.Explanation)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/internal/conditions/store.go b/internal/conditions/store.go
index 9bcedc7e..ebecde5b 100644
--- a/internal/conditions/store.go
+++ b/internal/conditions/store.go
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ func (k *Keeper) Observe(ctx context.Context, o Observation) (Condition, error)
 		if !found {
 			c := Condition{Key: key, Kind: o.Kind, Subject: Subject{Scope: o.Scope, ID: o.ID, Machine: o.Machine, Also: o.Also},
 				Severity: o.Severity, Summary: o.Summary, Headline: o.Headline, Explanation: o.Explanation,
-				Resolved: o.Resolved, Evidence: []Evidence{{At: now, Said: said}},
+				Resolved: o.Resolved, Needs: o.Needs, Actions: o.Actions, Evidence: []Evidence{{At: now, Said: said}},
 				Source: o.Source, Raised: now, LastObserved: now, Observations: 1, Count: 1,
 				Resolver: orSelf(o.Resolver)}
 			change := ChangeRaised
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ func (k *Keeper) Observe(ctx context.Context, o Observation) (Condition, error)
 		// The kind as the source says it now: a source that gave the same key a kind of its own since
 		// (a probe's finding split out for a healer) is read by that kind from its next observation.
 		c.Kind, c.Summary, c.Source, c.LastObserved = o.Kind, o.Summary, o.Source, now
-		c.Headline, c.Explanation, c.Resolved = o.Headline, o.Explanation, o.Resolved
+		c.Headline, c.Explanation, c.Resolved, c.Needs, c.Actions = o.Headline, o.Explanation, o.Resolved, o.Needs, o.Actions
 		escalatedWords(&c)
 		if o.Machine != "" {
 			c.Subject.Machine = o.Machine