diff --git a/apps/api/src/thread-target.test.ts b/apps/api/src/thread-target.test.ts
index 199eec9..72aca51 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/thread-target.test.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/thread-target.test.ts
@@ -211,7 +211,13 @@ describe("threadSnapshot", () => {
       expect.objectContaining({
         where: expect.objectContaining({
           type: {
-            in: ["thread.progress", "thread.subagent", "agent.tool.called", "agent.tool.completed"],
+            in: [
+              "thread.message.created",
+              "thread.progress",
+              "thread.subagent",
+              "agent.tool.called",
+              "agent.tool.completed",
+            ],
           },
         }),
       }),
@@ -230,6 +236,69 @@ describe("threadSnapshot", () => {
     ]);
   });
 
+  it("does not reload live narration that was already posted as a message", async () => {
+    const run = {
+      id: "run-1",
+      botId: "bot-1",
+      threadId: "thread-1",
+      taskId: "task-1",
+      status: "running",
+      trigger: "user",
+      modelProvider: null,
+      modelId: null,
+      error: null,
+      startedAt: null,
+      completedAt: null,
+      createdAt: new Date("2026-08-23T00:00:00.000Z"),
+    };
+    const at = new Date("2026-08-23T00:00:00.000Z");
+    const event = (seq: number, type: string, payload: Record<string, unknown>) => ({
+      id: `event-${seq}`,
+      threadId: "thread-1",
+      botId: "bot-1",
+      seq,
+      type,
+      runId: "run-1",
+      payload,
+      createdAt: at,
+    });
+    const tx = {
+      $queryRaw: threadQueries(),
+      message: { findMany: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]) },
+      event: {
+        findFirst: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ seq: 6 }),
+        findMany: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([
+          event(4, "thread.progress", { text: "Opening the page." }),
+          event(5, "thread.message.created", {
+            messageId: "message-1",
+            role: "bot",
+            blocks: [{ kind: "text", text: "Opening the page." }],
+          }),
+          event(6, "thread.progress", { text: "Writing the summary." }),
+        ]),
+      },
+      run: { findFirst: botRunFindFirst([run]) },
+    };
+    const prisma = {
+      $transaction: vi.fn(async (callback: (client: typeof tx) => unknown) => callback(tx)),
+    } as unknown as PrismaClient;
+    const target = {
+      kind: "bot",
+      botId: "bot-1",
+      threadId: "thread-1",
+      bot: { computer: null },
+    } as ThreadTarget;
+
+    const snapshot = await threadSnapshot({ prisma }, target);
+
+    expect(snapshot.messages).toEqual([
+      expect.objectContaining({
+        id: "progress:run-1",
+        blocks: [{ kind: "progress", text: "Writing the summary." }],
+      }),
+    ]);
+  });
+
   it("returns the latest failed run so the client can show its error", async () => {
     const run = {
       id: "run-failed",
diff --git a/apps/api/src/thread-target.ts b/apps/api/src/thread-target.ts
index 42b5b5d..3b8ce5b 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/thread-target.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/thread-target.ts
@@ -491,6 +491,7 @@ export async function threadSnapshot(
                   runId: currentRun.id,
                   type: {
                     in: [
+                      "thread.message.created",
                       "thread.progress",
                       "thread.subagent",
                       "agent.tool.called",
@@ -556,6 +557,7 @@ export async function threadSnapshot(
               runId: { in: activeRuns.map((run) => run.id) },
               type: {
                 in: [
+                  "thread.message.created",
                   "thread.progress",
                   "thread.subagent",
                   "agent.tool.called",
@@ -631,8 +633,12 @@ function messagesWithLiveEvents(
   persisted: ThreadSnapshot["messages"],
   liveEvents: Parameters<typeof projectMessages>[0],
 ) {
+  // Message events only clear the live text they promoted; the persisted rows already carry them.
   const live = projectMessages(liveEvents).filter((message) => {
-    if (message.blocks.some((block) => block.kind === "progress" || block.kind === "steps")) {
+    if (
+      message.id.startsWith("progress:") &&
+      message.blocks.some((block) => block.kind === "progress" || block.kind === "steps")
+    ) {
       return true;
     }
     if (!message.id.startsWith("subagent:")) return false;
diff --git a/apps/mobile/app/thread.tsx b/apps/mobile/app/thread.tsx
index 4153099..efc92ba 100644
--- a/apps/mobile/app/thread.tsx
+++ b/apps/mobile/app/thread.tsx
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import {
   type ComposerMention,
   cloudAgentHttpsUrl,
   deriveWorkspaceFocus,
+  foldRunNarration,
   isApprovalAskBlock,
   isRoutineEventMessage,
   isRunTerminalEvent,
@@ -77,6 +78,7 @@ import {
 } from "../components/markdown-artifact-preview";
 import { NativeSymbol } from "../components/native-symbol";
 import { RoutineEventLine } from "../components/routine-event-line";
+import { RunSteps } from "../components/run-steps";
 import { ThreadCard } from "../components/thread-card";
 import type {
   MobileBot,
@@ -343,7 +345,14 @@ function Thread() {
       ),
     [snap?.messages],
   );
-  const visibleMessages = reactionView.visibleMessages;
+  const runNarration = useMemo(
+    () => foldRunNarration(reactionView.visibleMessages),
+    [reactionView.visibleMessages],
+  );
+  const visibleMessages = useMemo(
+    () => reactionView.visibleMessages.filter((message) => !runNarration.hidden.has(message.id)),
+    [reactionView.visibleMessages, runNarration],
+  );
   const latestMessageId = visibleMessages.at(-1)?.id ?? null;
   const activePendingAttachments = attachmentsForThread(pendingAttachments, threadKey);
   const composerMentionTargets = useMemo(
@@ -1484,6 +1493,7 @@ function Thread() {
   function renderMessageRow(message: MobileMessage, options?: { enableJump?: boolean }) {
     const actionProps = messageActionProps(message);
     const messageReactions = reactionView.reactions.get(message.id);
+    const foldedSteps = runNarration.steps.get(message.id);
     const activityBotId =
       !inGroup && message.role === "bot" && message.id.startsWith("progress:")
         ? (message.botId ?? botId)
@@ -1543,6 +1553,7 @@ function Thread() {
             flexShrink: 1,
           }}
         >
+          {foldedSteps ? <RunSteps steps={foldedSteps} /> : null}
           <Pressable accessible={false} onLongPress={actionProps.onLongPress}>
             <MessageBubble
               botId={botId ?? snap?.members?.[0]?.botId ?? ""}
diff --git a/apps/mobile/components/run-steps.tsx b/apps/mobile/components/run-steps.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..33b4803
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/mobile/components/run-steps.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+import { useState } from "react";
+import { Pressable, Text, View } from "react-native";
+import type { MobileMessage } from "../lib/api";
+import { useI18n } from "../lib/i18n";
+import { useMobileTokens } from "../lib/native";
+import { NativeSymbol } from "./native-symbol";
+
+/** A run's earlier step messages, folded behind one line above its latest message. */
+export function RunSteps({ steps }: { steps: readonly MobileMessage[] }) {
+  const tokens = useMobileTokens();
+  const { t } = useI18n();
+  const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
+  const label = steps.length === 1 ? t("1 step") : t("{count} steps", { count: steps.length });
+  return (
+    <View style={{ marginBottom: 6 }}>
+      <Pressable
+        accessibilityRole="button"
+        accessibilityState={{ expanded: open }}
+        onPress={() => setOpen((current) => !current)}
+        hitSlop={8}
+        style={{ flexDirection: "row", alignItems: "center", gap: 4, alignSelf: "flex-start" }}
+      >
+        <NativeSymbol
+          ios={open ? "chevron.down" : "chevron.right"}
+          android={open ? "chevron-down" : "chevron-forward"}
+          size={12}
+          color={tokens.mutedForeground}
+        />
+        <Text style={{ color: tokens.mutedForeground, fontSize: 13.5 }}>{label}</Text>
+      </Pressable>
+      {open ? (
+        <View
+          style={{
+            marginTop: 4,
+            gap: 6,
+            borderLeftWidth: 1,
+            borderLeftColor: tokens.border,
+            paddingLeft: 10,
+          }}
+        >
+          {steps.map((step) => (
+            <Text key={step.id} style={{ color: tokens.mutedForeground, fontSize: 14 }}>
+              {step.blocks
+                .flatMap((block) => (block.kind === "text" ? [block.text] : []))
+                .join("\n")}
+            </Text>
+          ))}
+        </View>
+      ) : null}
+    </View>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/web/e2e/run-steps.spec.ts b/apps/web/e2e/run-steps.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a836ff0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/web/e2e/run-steps.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+import { expect, test } from "@playwright/test";
+import { captureScreenshot, completeOnboarding, signup, waitForChatComposer } from "./helpers";
+
+test("a long run shows its answer with the earlier steps folded", async ({ page }, testInfo) => {
+  const stamp = Date.now();
+  await signup(page, `run-steps-${stamp}@rakazo.test`, "password12", "Steps");
+  await completeOnboarding(page);
+  await waitForChatComposer(page);
+  const composer = page.getByRole("combobox", { name: /Message|Nachricht/i });
+  await composer.fill("Show your steps");
+  await composer.press("Enter");
+
+  const transcript = page.getByTestId("transcript");
+  await expect(transcript.getByText("Here is the summary.")).toBeVisible({ timeout: 60_000 });
+  const steps = transcript.getByTestId("run-steps");
+  await expect(steps).toHaveCount(1);
+  await expect(transcript.getByText("Opening the page.")).toHaveCount(0);
+  await captureScreenshot(page, testInfo, "run-steps-folded");
+
+  await steps.getByRole("button", { name: "2 steps" }).click();
+  await expect(steps.getByText("Opening the page.")).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(steps.getByText("Reading the article.")).toBeVisible();
+  await captureScreenshot(page, testInfo, "run-steps-open");
+});
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/de/messages.po b/apps/web/src/locales/de/messages.po
index 6997118..46985b7 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/de/messages.po
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/de/messages.po
@@ -42,6 +42,11 @@ msgstr "{0, plural, one {# Modell} other {# Modelle}}"
 msgid "{0, plural, one {# more waiting} other {# more waiting}}"
 msgstr "{0, plural, one {# weiteres wartet} other {# weitere warten}}"
 
+#. placeholder {0}: steps.length
+#: src/pages/shell/run-steps.tsx
+msgid "{0, plural, one {# step} other {# steps}}"
+msgstr "{0, plural, one {# Schritt} other {# Schritte}}"
+
 #. placeholder {0}: habit.streak
 #: src/components/heute/HeuteCoach.tsx
 msgid "{0, plural, one {# week} other {# weeks}}"
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/en/messages.po b/apps/web/src/locales/en/messages.po
index 634e39c..0236ddf 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/en/messages.po
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/en/messages.po
@@ -42,6 +42,11 @@ msgstr "{0, plural, one {# model} other {# models}}"
 msgid "{0, plural, one {# more waiting} other {# more waiting}}"
 msgstr "{0, plural, one {# more waiting} other {# more waiting}}"
 
+#. placeholder {0}: steps.length
+#: src/pages/shell/run-steps.tsx
+msgid "{0, plural, one {# step} other {# steps}}"
+msgstr "{0, plural, one {# step} other {# steps}}"
+
 #. placeholder {0}: habit.streak
 #: src/components/heute/HeuteCoach.tsx
 msgid "{0, plural, one {# week} other {# weeks}}"
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/es/messages.po b/apps/web/src/locales/es/messages.po
index 74b2b28..0288d11 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/es/messages.po
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/es/messages.po
@@ -42,6 +42,11 @@ msgstr "{0, plural, one {# modelo} other {# modelos}}"
 msgid "{0, plural, one {# more waiting} other {# more waiting}}"
 msgstr ""
 
+#. placeholder {0}: steps.length
+#: src/pages/shell/run-steps.tsx
+msgid "{0, plural, one {# step} other {# steps}}"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. placeholder {0}: habit.streak
 #: src/components/heute/HeuteCoach.tsx
 msgid "{0, plural, one {# week} other {# weeks}}"
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/hi/messages.po b/apps/web/src/locales/hi/messages.po
index 4e84a9c..4ab9c48 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/hi/messages.po
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/hi/messages.po
@@ -42,6 +42,11 @@ msgstr "{0, plural, one {# मॉडल} other {# मॉडल}}"
 msgid "{0, plural, one {# more waiting} other {# more waiting}}"
 msgstr ""
 
+#. placeholder {0}: steps.length
+#: src/pages/shell/run-steps.tsx
+msgid "{0, plural, one {# step} other {# steps}}"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. placeholder {0}: habit.streak
 #: src/components/heute/HeuteCoach.tsx
 msgid "{0, plural, one {# week} other {# weeks}}"
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/ko/messages.po b/apps/web/src/locales/ko/messages.po
index af3d86f..ca2b666 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/ko/messages.po
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/ko/messages.po
@@ -42,6 +42,11 @@ msgstr "{0, plural, one {모델 #개} other {모델 #개}}"
 msgid "{0, plural, one {# more waiting} other {# more waiting}}"
 msgstr ""
 
+#. placeholder {0}: steps.length
+#: src/pages/shell/run-steps.tsx
+msgid "{0, plural, one {# step} other {# steps}}"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. placeholder {0}: habit.streak
 #: src/components/heute/HeuteCoach.tsx
 msgid "{0, plural, one {# week} other {# weeks}}"
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/pt-BR/messages.po b/apps/web/src/locales/pt-BR/messages.po
index c09cadf..8350ce9 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/pt-BR/messages.po
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/pt-BR/messages.po
@@ -42,6 +42,11 @@ msgstr "{0, plural, one {# modelo} other {# modelos}}"
 msgid "{0, plural, one {# more waiting} other {# more waiting}}"
 msgstr ""
 
+#. placeholder {0}: steps.length
+#: src/pages/shell/run-steps.tsx
+msgid "{0, plural, one {# step} other {# steps}}"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. placeholder {0}: habit.streak
 #: src/components/heute/HeuteCoach.tsx
 msgid "{0, plural, one {# week} other {# weeks}}"
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/ru/messages.po b/apps/web/src/locales/ru/messages.po
index b1abe9c..695c2e0 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/ru/messages.po
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/ru/messages.po
@@ -42,6 +42,11 @@ msgstr "{0, plural, one {# модель} few {# модели} many {# модел
 msgid "{0, plural, one {# more waiting} other {# more waiting}}"
 msgstr ""
 
+#. placeholder {0}: steps.length
+#: src/pages/shell/run-steps.tsx
+msgid "{0, plural, one {# step} other {# steps}}"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. placeholder {0}: habit.streak
 #: src/components/heute/HeuteCoach.tsx
 msgid "{0, plural, one {# week} other {# weeks}}"
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/tr/messages.po b/apps/web/src/locales/tr/messages.po
index 11b2fe2..efa9ae6 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/tr/messages.po
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/tr/messages.po
@@ -42,6 +42,11 @@ msgstr "{0, plural, one {# model} other {# model}}"
 msgid "{0, plural, one {# more waiting} other {# more waiting}}"
 msgstr ""
 
+#. placeholder {0}: steps.length
+#: src/pages/shell/run-steps.tsx
+msgid "{0, plural, one {# step} other {# steps}}"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. placeholder {0}: habit.streak
 #: src/components/heute/HeuteCoach.tsx
 msgid "{0, plural, one {# week} other {# weeks}}"
diff --git a/apps/web/src/locales/zh-CN/messages.po b/apps/web/src/locales/zh-CN/messages.po
index 92e1a7e..c47f86f 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/locales/zh-CN/messages.po
+++ b/apps/web/src/locales/zh-CN/messages.po
@@ -42,6 +42,11 @@ msgstr "{0, plural, one {# 个模型} other {# 个模型}}"
 msgid "{0, plural, one {# more waiting} other {# more waiting}}"
 msgstr ""
 
+#. placeholder {0}: steps.length
+#: src/pages/shell/run-steps.tsx
+msgid "{0, plural, one {# step} other {# steps}}"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. placeholder {0}: habit.streak
 #: src/components/heute/HeuteCoach.tsx
 msgid "{0, plural, one {# week} other {# weeks}}"
diff --git a/apps/web/src/pages/shell/run-steps.tsx b/apps/web/src/pages/shell/run-steps.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..565ac04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/web/src/pages/shell/run-steps.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+import { Plural } from "@lingui/react/macro";
+import { ChatMarkdown } from "@rakazo/chat-ui/web";
+import type { ThreadMessage } from "@rakazo/contracts";
+import { ChevronRight } from "lucide-react";
+import { useState } from "react";
+
+/** A run's earlier step messages, folded behind one line above its latest message. */
+export function RunSteps({ steps }: { steps: readonly ThreadMessage[] }) {
+  const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
+  return (
+    <div data-testid="run-steps" className="mb-2">
+      <button
+        type="button"
+        aria-expanded={open}
+        onClick={() => setOpen((current) => !current)}
+        className="inline-flex items-center gap-1 rounded-md px-1 py-0.5 text-ui-body-sm text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground"
+      >
+        <ChevronRight
+          aria-hidden
+          className={`size-icon-sm transition-transform ${open ? "rotate-90" : ""}`}
+        />
+        <Plural value={steps.length} one="# step" other="# steps" />
+      </button>
+      {open ? (
+        <ol className="mt-1 space-y-1.5 border-s border-border ps-3 text-ui-body-sm text-muted-foreground">
+          {steps.map((step) => (
+            <li key={step.id} data-message-id={step.id} dir="auto">
+              {step.blocks.map((block, index) =>
+                block.kind === "text" ? (
+                  <ChatMarkdown key={index}>{block.text}</ChatMarkdown>
+                ) : null,
+              )}
+            </li>
+          ))}
+        </ol>
+      ) : null}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/web/src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx b/apps/web/src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
index a19aa1d..aa458c4 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/pages/shell/transcript.tsx
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import type { CardAct, MessageReaction, ThreadMessage } from "@rakazo/contracts"
 import { canReactToThreadMessage, MESSAGE_REACTIONS } from "@rakazo/contracts";
 import type { WorkspaceArtifact } from "@rakazo/core";
 import {
+  foldRunNarration,
   isPeerReceiptBlocks,
   isRoutineEventMessage,
   isToolActivityBlock,
@@ -56,6 +57,7 @@ import {
 } from "./message-cards";
 import { previewMessageText } from "./message-preview";
 import { RoutineEventLine } from "./routine-event-line";
+import { RunSteps } from "./run-steps";
 import { FALLBACK_BOT_COLOR } from "./shell-types";
 
 export const Transcript = memo(function Transcript({
@@ -137,6 +139,10 @@ export const Transcript = memo(function Transcript({
     // Onboarding notes are worded in the UI language.
     [messages, i18n.locale],
   );
+  const runNarration = useMemo(
+    () => foldRunNarration(reactionView.visibleMessages),
+    [reactionView.visibleMessages],
+  );
   const transcriptSubordinate = encounterMode && voiceEncounterActive;
   const workingBotName = workingBots.length === 1 ? workingBots[0]?.name : undefined;
   const primaryRunStatus = workingBots[0]?.status;
@@ -370,6 +376,8 @@ export const Transcript = memo(function Transcript({
         >
           {reactionView.visibleMessages.map((message) => {
             if (!message.blocks.some((block) => !isToolActivityBlock(block))) return null;
+            if (runNarration.hidden.has(message.id)) return null;
+            const foldedSteps = runNarration.steps.get(message.id);
             const peerReceipt = isPeerReceiptBlocks(message.blocks);
             if (isRoutineEventMessage(message.blocks)) {
               return (
@@ -394,6 +402,7 @@ export const Transcript = memo(function Transcript({
                 data-quotable={message.id.includes(":") ? undefined : ""}
                 className={peerReceipt ? "relative py-0.5" : "group/message relative hover:z-20"}
               >
+                {foldedSteps ? <RunSteps steps={foldedSteps} /> : null}
                 {!peerReceipt && !message.id.startsWith("progress:") ? (
                   <time
                     dateTime={message.createdAt}
diff --git a/packages/adapters/src/scripted-runtime.ts b/packages/adapters/src/scripted-runtime.ts
index da5d60b..f14ba0f 100644
--- a/packages/adapters/src/scripted-runtime.ts
+++ b/packages/adapters/src/scripted-runtime.ts
@@ -261,6 +261,15 @@ export function inferScript(
   const coach = inferCoachScript(prompt);
   if (coach) return coach;
   // Said in passing: the bot sets the routine up without asking first.
+  // A run that narrates two steps before its answer, as long tool runs do.
+  if (lower.includes("show your steps")) {
+    const listSchedules = { name: "schedule_list", args: {} };
+    return [
+      { assistant: "Opening the page.", toolCalls: [listSchedules] },
+      { assistant: "Reading the article.", toolCalls: [listSchedules] },
+      { assistant: "Here is the summary.", complete: true },
+    ];
+  }
   if (lower.includes("every sunday i plan the week")) {
     return [
       {
diff --git a/packages/core/src/index.ts b/packages/core/src/index.ts
index 0a0ed79..1a6fd97 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/index.ts
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ export * from "./oo-rig.js";
 export * from "./quiet-hours.js";
 export * from "./response-bytes.js";
 export * from "./routine-events.js";
+export * from "./run-narration.js";
 export * from "./run-state.js";
 export * from "./sandbox-command.js";
 export * from "./screen-lease.js";
diff --git a/packages/core/src/run-narration.test.ts b/packages/core/src/run-narration.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eb59581
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core/src/run-narration.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+import type { ThreadMessage } from "@rakazo/contracts";
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { foldRunNarration } from "./run-narration.js";
+
+function bot(
+  id: string,
+  runId: string | undefined,
+  blocks: ThreadMessage["blocks"],
+): ThreadMessage {
+  return {
+    id,
+    threadId: "thread-1",
+    seq: 0,
+    role: "bot",
+    blocks,
+    botId: "bot-1",
+    ...(runId ? { runId } : {}),
+    createdAt: "2026-10-09T00:00:00.000Z",
+  };
+}
+const text = (value: string): ThreadMessage["blocks"] => [{ kind: "text", text: value }];
+
+describe("foldRunNarration", () => {
+  it("folds a run's steps into its final message", () => {
+    const { steps, hidden } = foldRunNarration([
+      { ...bot("user-1", undefined, text("Summarize the page")), role: "user" },
+      bot("step-1", "run-1", text("Opening the page.")),
+      bot("tools", "run-1", [{ kind: "steps", steps: [{ label: "Browser", count: 2 }] }]),
+      bot("step-2", "run-1", text("Reading it.")),
+      bot("final", "run-1", text("Here is the summary.")),
+    ]);
+    expect(steps.get("final")?.map((message) => message.id)).toEqual(["step-1", "step-2"]);
+    expect([...hidden]).toEqual(["step-1", "step-2"]);
+    expect(steps.has("step-2")).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("folds finished steps into the live message while the run works", () => {
+    const { steps } = foldRunNarration([
+      bot("step-1", "run-1", text("Opening the page.")),
+      bot("progress:run-1", "run-1", [{ kind: "progress", text: "Reading" }]),
+    ]);
+    expect(steps.get("progress:run-1")?.map((message) => message.id)).toEqual(["step-1"]);
+  });
+
+  it("keeps other runs, cards and lone answers as they are", () => {
+    const { steps, hidden } = foldRunNarration([
+      bot("answer-1", "run-1", text("First answer.")),
+      bot("answer-2", "run-2", text("Second answer.")),
+      bot("step-1", "run-3", text("Checking.")),
+      bot("step-2", "run-3", text("Messaging the researcher.")),
+      bot("card", "run-3", [{ kind: "ask", text: "Which file?" }]),
+      bot("after-card", "run-3", text("Done.")),
+    ]);
+    // The step right before a card stays visible and carries the earlier one.
+    expect(hidden).toEqual(new Set(["step-1"]));
+    expect([...steps.keys()]).toEqual(["step-2"]);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/core/src/run-narration.ts b/packages/core/src/run-narration.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..112bdbe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core/src/run-narration.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+import type { MessageBlock } from "@rakazo/contracts";
+import { isToolActivityBlock } from "./tool-activity.js";
+
+type RunMessage = {
+  id: string;
+  role: string;
+  runId?: string;
+  botId?: string;
+  blocks: readonly MessageBlock[];
+};
+
+/** A bot message that only narrates a step: text, no card, ask, file or computer. */
+export function isStepNarration(message: RunMessage): boolean {
+  return (
+    message.role === "bot" &&
+    Boolean(message.runId) &&
+    !message.id.includes(":") &&
+    message.blocks.length > 0 &&
+    message.blocks.every((block) => block.kind === "text")
+  );
+}
+
+/**
+ * Folds a run's step narration into the message that follows it, so a long run reads as its
+ * latest message with the earlier steps one tap away instead of a wall of bubbles.
+ * Returns, per message id, the steps folded into it; folded messages are listed in `hidden`.
+ */
+export function foldRunNarration<Message extends RunMessage>(
+  messages: readonly Message[],
+): {
+  steps: Map<string, Message[]>;
+  hidden: Set<string>;
+} {
+  const steps = new Map<string, Message[]>();
+  const hidden = new Set<string>();
+  const fold = (carrier: Message, folded: Message[]) => {
+    if (folded.length === 0) return;
+    steps.set(carrier.id, folded);
+    for (const step of folded) hidden.add(step.id);
+  };
+  // The run's last narration carries the ones before it.
+  const flush = (pending: Message[]) => {
+    const carrier = pending.at(-1);
+    if (carrier) fold(carrier, pending.slice(0, -1));
+  };
+  let pending: Message[] = [];
+  for (const message of messages) {
+    // Tool-only rows are not shown, so they neither carry nor break a run's steps.
+    if (message.blocks.every(isToolActivityBlock)) continue;
+    const first = pending[0];
+    const sameRun =
+      first !== undefined &&
+      message.role === "bot" &&
+      message.runId === first.runId &&
+      message.botId === first.botId;
+    if (!sameRun) {
+      flush(pending);
+      pending = [];
+    }
+    if (isStepNarration(message)) {
+      pending = [...pending, message];
+    } else if (message.id.includes(":") || message.blocks.some((block) => block.kind === "text")) {
+      // The live row or a written answer carries the steps before it.
+      fold(message, pending);
+      pending = [];
+    } else {
+      // A card alone never hides the bot's words, so the last step stays visible above it.
+      flush(pending);
+      pending = [];
+    }
+  }
+  flush(pending);
+  return { steps, hidden };
+}