diff --git a/crates/tui/src/commands/groups/session/compact.rs b/crates/tui/src/commands/groups/session/compact.rs
index 4ad08a7dde..7e905183b5 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/commands/groups/session/compact.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/commands/groups/session/compact.rs
@@ -41,8 +41,8 @@ pub(in crate::commands) fn compact_pure(arg: Option<&str>) -> CommandResult {
         .filter(|focus| !focus.is_empty())
         .map(str::to_string);
     let receipt = match focus.as_deref() {
-        Some(focus) => format!("Context compaction triggered (focus: {focus})..."),
-        None => "Context compaction triggered...".to_string(),
+        Some(focus) => format!("Making room (focus: {focus})…"),
+        None => "Making room…".to_string(),
     };
     CommandResult::with_message_and_action(receipt, AppAction::CompactContext { focus })
 }
@@ -55,10 +55,7 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn pure_compact_matches_baseline_receipts() {
         let none = compact_pure(None);
-        assert_eq!(
-            none.message.as_deref(),
-            Some("Context compaction triggered...")
-        );
+        assert_eq!(none.message.as_deref(), Some("Making room…"));
         assert!(matches!(
             none.action,
             Some(AppAction::CompactContext { focus: None })
@@ -74,7 +71,7 @@ mod tests {
         let focus = compact_pure(Some("  the auth refactor  "));
         assert_eq!(
             focus.message.as_deref(),
-            Some("Context compaction triggered (focus: the auth refactor)...")
+            Some("Making room (focus: the auth refactor)…")
         );
         assert!(matches!(
             focus.action,
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/commands/mod.rs b/crates/tui/src/commands/mod.rs
index d67c922e98..23f832567b 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/commands/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/commands/mod.rs
@@ -2881,7 +2881,7 @@ mod tests {
         let compact = execute("/compact the auth refactor", &mut app);
         assert_eq!(
             compact.message.as_deref(),
-            Some("Context compaction triggered (focus: the auth refactor)...")
+            Some("Making room (focus: the auth refactor)…")
         );
         assert!(matches!(
             compact.action,
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/commands/session_acceptance.rs b/crates/tui/src/commands/session_acceptance.rs
index 8877f12756..4575f94925 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/commands/session_acceptance.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/commands/session_acceptance.rs
@@ -569,10 +569,7 @@ fn codewhale_triggers_context_compaction(world: &mut SessionCommandWorld) {
         world.last_action.as_ref(),
         Some(AppAction::CompactContext { .. })
     ));
-    assert_eq!(
-        world.last_message.as_deref(),
-        Some("Context compaction triggered...")
-    );
+    assert_eq!(world.last_message.as_deref(), Some("Making room…"));
 }
 
 #[then("CodeWhale should trigger context purge")]
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/commands/session_lifecycle_regression_tests.rs b/crates/tui/src/commands/session_lifecycle_regression_tests.rs
index d515b47c17..77e9e3f480 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/commands/session_lifecycle_regression_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/commands/session_lifecycle_regression_tests.rs
@@ -802,7 +802,7 @@ fn test_compact_toggles_state() {
     let result = compact(&mut app, None);
     assert!(result.message.is_some());
     let msg = result.message.unwrap();
-    assert!(msg.contains("compaction") || msg.contains("Compact"));
+    assert!(msg.contains("Making room"), "{msg}");
     assert!(matches!(
         result.action,
         Some(AppAction::CompactContext { focus: None })
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/compaction.rs b/crates/tui/src/compaction.rs
index 0530771cc5..5af81e75af 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/compaction.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/compaction.rs
@@ -1056,7 +1056,7 @@ pub fn report_compaction_failure(
                 .to_string()
         }
         Some(crate::llm_client::LlmError::RateLimited { .. }) => {
-            "provider rate limit blocked compaction — retry after the limit resets or switch provider/model"
+            "provider rate limit blocked making room — retry after the limit resets or switch provider/model"
                 .to_string()
         }
         Some(crate::llm_client::LlmError::AuthenticationError(_)) => {
@@ -1064,12 +1064,12 @@ pub fn report_compaction_failure(
                 .to_string()
         }
         Some(crate::llm_client::LlmError::AuthorizationError(_)) => {
-            "provider authorization rejected compaction — verify account access or switch provider/model"
+            "provider authorization rejected making room — verify account access or switch provider/model"
                 .to_string()
         }
         _ => match crate::error_taxonomy::classify_error_message(&raw) {
             crate::error_taxonomy::ErrorCategory::RateLimit => {
-                "provider rate limit blocked compaction — retry after the limit resets or switch provider/model"
+                "provider rate limit blocked making room — retry after the limit resets or switch provider/model"
                     .to_string()
             }
             crate::error_taxonomy::ErrorCategory::Authentication => {
@@ -1077,7 +1077,7 @@ pub fn report_compaction_failure(
                     .to_string()
             }
             crate::error_taxonomy::ErrorCategory::Authorization => {
-                "provider authorization rejected compaction — verify account access or switch provider/model"
+                "provider authorization rejected making room — verify account access or switch provider/model"
                     .to_string()
             }
             _ => safe_raw,
@@ -1235,7 +1235,7 @@ pub async fn compact_messages_safe(
                         >= estimate_input_tokens_for_pressure(messages, system_prompt)
                 {
                     anyhow::bail!(
-                        "Compaction did not reduce context; original conversation was preserved."
+                        "Making room did not shrink the context; the original conversation was preserved."
                     );
                 }
                 let keep: CompactionKeep = inspect_compaction_keep(&kept);
@@ -1274,7 +1274,7 @@ pub async fn compact_messages_safe(
     }
 
     Err(last_error
-        .unwrap_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("Compaction failed after {MAX_RETRIES} retries")))
+        .unwrap_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("Making room failed after {MAX_RETRIES} retries")))
 }
 
 pub(crate) fn build_compaction_summary_block_text(summary: &str, anchors: &str) -> String {
@@ -1516,7 +1516,7 @@ checkpoint machinery, or return a placeholder. {COMPACTION_LANGUAGE_CONTRACT}"
 fn validate_compaction_summary(summary: &str) -> Result<()> {
     let trimmed = summary.trim();
     if trimmed.is_empty() {
-        anyhow::bail!("Compaction summary response was unusable: no text was returned.");
+        anyhow::bail!("The summary for making room was unusable: no text was returned.");
     }
 
     // Strip every non-word edge, not just ASCII punctuation. Providers can
@@ -1529,7 +1529,7 @@ fn validate_compaction_summary(summary: &str) -> Result<()> {
         .to_ascii_lowercase();
     if normalized.is_empty() {
         anyhow::bail!(
-            "Compaction summary response was unusable: only whitespace or punctuation was returned."
+            "The summary for making room was unusable: only whitespace or punctuation was returned."
         );
     }
     if matches!(
@@ -1544,7 +1544,7 @@ fn validate_compaction_summary(summary: &str) -> Result<()> {
             | "i can't provide a summary"
             | "unable to provide a summary"
     ) {
-        anyhow::bail!("Compaction summary response was unusable: a placeholder was returned.");
+        anyhow::bail!("The summary for making room was unusable: a placeholder was returned.");
     }
     Ok(())
 }
@@ -1673,7 +1673,7 @@ async fn create_summary(
         // with a fragment.
         if codewhale_models::is_incomplete_stop_reason(response.stop_reason.as_deref()) {
             anyhow::bail!(
-                "Compaction summary response incomplete: provider stop reason `{}`; the partial summary was not accepted.",
+                "The summary for making room was incomplete: provider stop reason `{}`; the partial summary was not accepted.",
                 codewhale_models::stop_reason_detail(response.stop_reason.as_deref())
             );
         }
@@ -1683,7 +1683,7 @@ async fn create_summary(
             .any(|block| matches!(block, ContentBlock::ToolUse { .. }))
         {
             anyhow::bail!(
-                "Compaction returned a tool call instead of a completed handoff; original conversation was preserved."
+                "Making room returned a tool call instead of a summary; the original conversation was preserved."
             );
         }
 
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/compaction/last_round.rs b/crates/tui/src/compaction/last_round.rs
index 32db8ad897..7a024d19ff 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/compaction/last_round.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/compaction/last_round.rs
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ pub(crate) fn validate_last_round_coverage(
     for text in last_round.iter().copied().filter_map(user_prompt_text_of) {
         if !survives(&text, replacement, user_prompt_text_of) {
             anyhow::bail!(
-                "Compaction coverage floor: a last-round user message was dropped; history was not replaced."
+                "Making room stopped: a last-round user message was dropped; history was not replaced."
             );
         }
     }
@@ -379,7 +379,7 @@ pub(crate) fn validate_last_round_coverage(
             .any(|message| has_tool_result_id(message, &id))
         {
             anyhow::bail!(
-                "Compaction coverage floor: last-round tool result {id} was dropped; history was not replaced."
+                "Making room stopped: last-round tool result {id} was dropped; history was not replaced."
             );
         }
     }
@@ -391,7 +391,7 @@ pub(crate) fn validate_last_round_coverage(
             .any(|message| has_tool_use_id(message, &id))
         {
             anyhow::bail!(
-                "Compaction coverage floor: last-round tool call {id} was dropped; history was not replaced."
+                "Making room stopped: last-round tool call {id} was dropped; history was not replaced."
             );
         }
     }
@@ -401,7 +401,7 @@ pub(crate) fn validate_last_round_coverage(
     for text in last_round.iter().copied().filter_map(assistant_text_of) {
         if !survives(&text, replacement, assistant_text_of) {
             anyhow::bail!(
-                "Compaction coverage floor: last-round assistant output was dropped; history was not replaced."
+                "Making room stopped: last-round assistant output was dropped; history was not replaced."
             );
         }
     }
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ pub(crate) fn validate_last_round_coverage(
             .any(|message| message.role.is_assistant_like())
     {
         anyhow::bail!(
-            "Compaction coverage floor: last-round assistant output was dropped; history was not replaced."
+            "Making room stopped: last-round assistant output was dropped; history was not replaced."
         );
     }
     Ok(())
@@ -436,7 +436,7 @@ pub(crate) fn require_text_survives(
         })
     });
     if !kept {
-        anyhow::bail!("Compaction coverage floor: {label} was dropped; history was not replaced.");
+        anyhow::bail!("Making room stopped: {label} was dropped; history was not replaced.");
     }
     Ok(())
 }
@@ -453,12 +453,12 @@ pub(crate) fn validate_survival_contract(
         .count();
     if checkpoints == 0 {
         anyhow::bail!(
-            "Compaction coverage floor: checkpoint receipt was dropped; history was not replaced."
+            "Making room stopped: checkpoint receipt was dropped; history was not replaced."
         );
     }
     if checkpoints > 1 {
         anyhow::bail!(
-            "Compaction coverage floor: prior summaries were duplicated; history was not replaced."
+            "Making room stopped: prior summaries were duplicated; history was not replaced."
         );
     }
     if let Some(anchors) = anchors {
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/compaction/tests.rs b/crates/tui/src/compaction/tests.rs
index a1412085de..843f83ce96 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/compaction/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/compaction/tests.rs
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ fn untyped_usage_limit_text_never_becomes_quota_exhaustion() {
         "[auth] Authorization failed: You've reached your usage limit for this billing cycle"
     );
     let message = report(&error);
-    assert!(message.contains("provider rate limit blocked compaction"));
+    assert!(message.contains("provider rate limit blocked making room"));
     assert!(!message.contains("quota exhausted"));
 }
 
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ fn typed_rate_limit_stays_transient_and_does_not_become_quota() {
         message: "Too Many Requests".into(),
         retry_after: None,
     });
-    assert!(report(&error).contains("provider rate limit blocked compaction"));
+    assert!(report(&error).contains("provider rate limit blocked making room"));
     assert!(is_transient_error(&error));
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/core/engine.rs b/crates/tui/src/core/engine.rs
index 236c8ca351..7abd0835b6 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/core/engine.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/core/engine.rs
@@ -3152,8 +3152,8 @@ impl Engine {
                             let _ = self
                                 .tx_event
                                 .send(Event::status(format!(
-                                    "Auto-compaction {}",
-                                    if enabled { "enabled" } else { "disabled" }
+                                    "Make room automatically: {}",
+                                    if enabled { "on" } else { "off" }
                                 )))
                                 .await;
                         }
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/core/engine/compaction.rs b/crates/tui/src/core/engine/compaction.rs
index 57e334b6bb..8fcfd82421 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/core/engine/compaction.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/core/engine/compaction.rs
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ impl Engine {
             input_tokens,
         )?;
         context_pressure_message(budget.usage_percent()).map(|warning| format!(
-            "{warning}. Estimated input: {input_tokens} tokens ({:.1}% of route budget). Automatic compaction is explicitly disabled for this session. A manual /compact saves the original conversation and its model-written handoff before replacing context.",
+            "{warning}. Estimated input: {input_tokens} tokens ({:.1}% of route budget). Making room automatically is off for this session. /compact saves the original conversation and its model-written handoff before replacing context.",
             budget.usage_percent(),
         ))
     }
@@ -192,14 +192,10 @@ impl Engine {
         route: ResolvedRuntimeRoute,
         compaction: CompactionConfig,
     ) {
-        self.emit_compaction_started(
-            id.clone(),
-            false,
-            "Manual context compaction started".to_string(),
-        )
-        .await;
+        self.emit_compaction_started(id.clone(), false, "Making room…".to_string())
+            .await;
         let Some(cancel_token) = self.claim_compaction(&id) else {
-            let message = "Context compaction canceled before it started".to_string();
+            let message = "Making room stopped before it started".to_string();
             self.emit_compaction_cancelled(id, false, message).await;
             let _ = self
                 .tx_event
@@ -257,7 +253,7 @@ impl Engine {
             ..Usage::default()
         };
         let Some(client) = self.codewhale_client.clone() else {
-            let message = "Manual compaction unavailable: API client not configured".to_string();
+            let message = "Can't make room: no model is connected".to_string();
             self.finish_compaction(&id);
             self.emit_compaction_failed(id, false, message.clone())
                 .await;
@@ -313,7 +309,7 @@ impl Engine {
             self.emit_compaction_cancelled(
                 id,
                 false,
-                "Context compaction canceled; conversation context was not changed".to_string(),
+                "Making room stopped; the conversation was not changed".to_string(),
             )
             .await;
             let _ = self
@@ -341,8 +337,7 @@ impl Engine {
                         self.emit_compaction_cancelled(
                             id,
                             false,
-                            "Context compaction canceled; conversation context was not changed"
-                                .to_string(),
+                            "Making room stopped; the conversation was not changed".to_string(),
                         )
                         .await;
                         let _ = self
@@ -373,11 +368,11 @@ impl Engine {
                     let tokens_after = self.estimated_input_tokens();
                     let message = if retries_used > 0 {
                         format!(
-                            "Compaction complete: {messages_before} → {messages_after} messages ({removed} removed, {retries_used} retries), ~{tokens_before} → ~{tokens_after} tokens ({coverage_clause})"
+                            "Made room: {messages_before} → {messages_after} messages ({removed} removed, {retries_used} retries), ~{tokens_before} → ~{tokens_after} tokens ({coverage_clause})"
                         )
                     } else {
                         format!(
-                            "Compaction complete: {messages_before} → {messages_after} messages ({removed} removed), ~{tokens_before} → ~{tokens_after} tokens ({coverage_clause})"
+                            "Made room: {messages_before} → {messages_after} messages ({removed} removed), ~{tokens_before} → ~{tokens_after} tokens ({coverage_clause})"
                         )
                     };
                     self.emit_compaction_completed(
@@ -396,7 +391,7 @@ impl Engine {
                     )
                     .await;
                 } else {
-                    let message = "Compaction skipped: produced empty result".to_string();
+                    let message = "Making room skipped: the summary came back empty".to_string();
                     self.emit_compaction_failed(id.clone(), false, message.clone())
                         .await;
                     turn_status = TurnOutcomeStatus::Failed;
@@ -405,7 +400,7 @@ impl Engine {
             }
             Err(err) => {
                 let message = crate::compaction::report_compaction_failure(
-                    "Manual context compaction failed",
+                    "Making room failed",
                     &id,
                     false,
                     &err,
@@ -461,14 +456,14 @@ impl Engine {
             .stop_diagnostics
             .emergency_compaction_attempts
             .saturating_add(1);
-        let start_message = format!("Emergency context compaction started ({reason})");
+        let start_message = format!("Making room now ({reason})");
         self.emit_compaction_started(id.clone(), true, start_message)
             .await;
         let Some(compaction_cancel) = self.claim_compaction(&id) else {
             self.emit_compaction_cancelled(
                 id,
                 true,
-                "Emergency context compaction canceled before it started; conversation context was not changed"
+                "Making room stopped before it started; the conversation was not changed"
                     .to_string(),
             )
             .await;
@@ -514,9 +509,9 @@ impl Engine {
         let Some(compaction_result) = compaction_result else {
             self.finish_compaction(&id);
             let message = if turn_was_canceled {
-                "Emergency context compaction canceled with the active turn; conversation context was not changed"
+                "Making room stopped with the turn; the conversation was not changed"
             } else {
-                "Emergency context compaction canceled; conversation context was not changed"
+                "Making room stopped; the conversation was not changed"
             }
             .to_string();
             self.emit_compaction_cancelled(id, true, message).await;
@@ -561,9 +556,9 @@ impl Engine {
         if turn_was_canceled || compaction_cancel.is_cancelled() {
             self.finish_compaction(&id);
             let message = if turn_was_canceled {
-                "Emergency context compaction canceled with the active turn; conversation context was not changed"
+                "Making room stopped with the turn; the conversation was not changed"
             } else {
-                "Emergency context compaction canceled; conversation context was not changed"
+                "Making room stopped; the conversation was not changed"
             }
             .to_string();
             self.emit_compaction_cancelled(id, true, message).await;
@@ -577,9 +572,9 @@ impl Engine {
             if turn_was_canceled || compaction_cancel.is_cancelled() {
                 self.finish_compaction(&id);
                 let message = if turn_was_canceled {
-                    "Emergency context compaction canceled with the active turn; conversation context was not changed"
+                    "Making room stopped with the turn; the conversation was not changed"
                 } else {
-                    "Emergency context compaction canceled; conversation context was not changed"
+                    "Making room stopped; the conversation was not changed"
                 }
                 .to_string();
                 self.emit_compaction_cancelled(id, true, message).await;
@@ -606,7 +601,7 @@ impl Engine {
             self.emit_session_updated().await;
             let removed = before_count.saturating_sub(after_count);
             let mut details = format!(
-                "Emergency compaction complete: {before_count} → {after_count} messages ({removed} removed), ~{before_tokens} → ~{after_tokens} tokens"
+                "Made room: {before_count} → {after_count} messages ({removed} removed), ~{before_tokens} → ~{after_tokens} tokens"
             );
             if retries_used > 0 {
                 details.push_str(&format!(" ({retries_used} retries)"));
@@ -639,12 +634,12 @@ impl Engine {
         // reads as self-contradictory. Name the actual outcome instead.
         let message = if after_tokens > target_budget {
             format!(
-                "Emergency context compaction failed to reduce request below model limit \
+                "Making room failed: the request is still over the model limit \
                  (estimate ~{after_tokens} tokens, budget ~{target_budget}). Original conversation was preserved."
             )
         } else {
             format!(
-                "Emergency context compaction made no progress (estimate ~{after_tokens} tokens \
+                "Making room made no progress (estimate ~{after_tokens} tokens \
                  is already within the ~{target_budget} budget; the provider may count the \
                  request differently). Original conversation was preserved."
             )
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/core/engine/preview.rs b/crates/tui/src/core/engine/preview.rs
index 31820aba9c..83c15fc13d 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/core/engine/preview.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/core/engine/preview.rs
@@ -631,7 +631,7 @@ impl Engine {
         if crate::compaction::compaction_pressure_reached(messages, system_prompt, compaction) {
             let prepared = self.prepare_compaction_envelope(compaction.clone());
             if should_compact(messages, system_prompt, &prepared) {
-                reasons.push("auto-compaction would rewrite the conversation first");
+                reasons.push("making room would summarize the conversation first");
             }
         }
 
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/core/engine/preview/tests.rs b/crates/tui/src/core/engine/preview/tests.rs
index 51cdef2eff..d2d326a43c 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/core/engine/preview/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/core/engine/preview/tests.rs
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ fn turn_metadata_uses_planned_cross_route_limits_not_installed_limits() {
         .unwrap();
     assert!(pressure.contains("Context pressure: critical"));
     assert!(pressure.contains("Estimated input:"));
-    assert!(pressure.contains("Automatic compaction is explicitly disabled"));
+    assert!(pressure.contains("Making room automatically is off"));
     let message = engine.user_text_message_from_snapshot(
         "cross-route budget".to_string(),
         &prompt_context.model,
@@ -580,7 +580,7 @@ async fn compaction_preview_uses_the_planned_routes_system_prompt() {
         .preview_runtime_transforms(&messages, Some(&planned_prompt), &compaction)
         .await;
     assert!(
-        planned_reasons.contains(&"auto-compaction would rewrite the conversation first"),
+        planned_reasons.contains(&"making room would summarize the conversation first"),
         "the planned route prompt crosses the compaction threshold: {planned_reasons:?}"
     );
 
@@ -588,7 +588,7 @@ async fn compaction_preview_uses_the_planned_routes_system_prompt() {
         .preview_runtime_transforms(&messages, Some(&installed_prompt), &compaction)
         .await;
     assert!(
-        !installed_reasons.contains(&"auto-compaction would rewrite the conversation first"),
+        !installed_reasons.contains(&"making room would summarize the conversation first"),
         "the installed route prompt is the below-threshold control: {installed_reasons:?}"
     );
 }
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/core/engine/tests.rs b/crates/tui/src/core/engine/tests.rs
index 08b8ab2107..ce472bc83e 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/core/engine/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/core/engine/tests.rs
@@ -13231,7 +13231,7 @@ async fn narrower_posture_patch_during_approval_wait_fails_the_call() {
         let err = result.expect_err("narrowed posture fails the call");
         assert!(
             err.to_string()
-                .contains("posture changed before this tool call executed"),
+                .contains("Permissions changed before this tool call executed"),
             "{change_to:?}: {err}"
         );
         assert!(!written, "{change_to:?}: the shell must not run");
@@ -16271,7 +16271,7 @@ async fn compaction_completed_reports_complete_post_input_tokens() {
         .emit_compaction_completed(
             "compact_test".to_string(),
             false,
-            "Compaction complete".to_string(),
+            "Made room".to_string(),
             Some(4),
             Some(1),
             super::compaction::CompactionPass {
@@ -16424,9 +16424,9 @@ async fn unchanged_compaction_config_is_acknowledged_silently() {
     let mut changed = current;
     changed.enabled = !changed.enabled;
     let expected = if changed.enabled {
-        "Auto-compaction enabled"
+        "Make room automatically: on"
     } else {
-        "Auto-compaction disabled"
+        "Make room automatically: off"
     };
     handle
         .send(Op::SetCompaction { config: changed })
@@ -18836,7 +18836,7 @@ fn turn_metadata_keeps_stable_fields_while_pressure_reports_live_estimates() {
         without_pressure(&second_meta)
     );
     assert!(second_meta.contains("Estimated input:"));
-    assert!(second_meta.contains("Automatic compaction is explicitly disabled"));
+    assert!(second_meta.contains("Making room automatically is off"));
 }
 
 #[tokio::test]
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/core/engine/tests/compaction.rs b/crates/tui/src/core/engine/tests/compaction.rs
index b9f95f650b..ef793254b4 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/core/engine/tests/compaction.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/core/engine/tests/compaction.rs
@@ -454,7 +454,7 @@ fn recovery_failures_from_the_provider_are_told_apart_from_budget_failures() {
         LlmError::ContextLengthError("prompt is too long".to_string())
     )));
     assert!(!is_provider_rejection(&anyhow::anyhow!(
-        "Compaction did not reduce context; original conversation was preserved."
+        "Making room did not shrink the context; the original conversation was preserved."
     )));
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/core/engine/turn_loop.rs b/crates/tui/src/core/engine/turn_loop.rs
index 0dc3367b14..17c49fc1a9 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/core/engine/turn_loop.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/core/engine/turn_loop.rs
@@ -1013,14 +1013,14 @@ impl Engine {
                             let message = match reason {
                                 crate::compaction::CompactionRefusal::TooFewMessages { count } => {
                                     format!(
-                                        "Context pressure is high but auto-compaction held: only {count} messages — nothing meaningful to summarize yet"
+                                        "Context is filling up, but there is nothing to make room from yet: only {count} messages"
                                     )
                                 }
                                 crate::compaction::CompactionRefusal::RetainedFloor {
                                     floor,
                                     threshold,
                                 } => format!(
-                                    "Context pressure is high but auto-compaction held: retained context (~{}K tokens) cannot fall below the {}K trigger — /compact to force a pass, or trim pinned context",
+                                    "Context is filling up, but making room would not help: retained context (~{}K tokens) cannot fall below the {}K trigger — /compact to force a pass, or trim pinned context",
                                     floor / 1000,
                                     threshold / 1000
                                 ),
@@ -1051,7 +1051,7 @@ impl Engine {
                 self.emit_compaction_started(
                     compaction_id.clone(),
                     true,
-                    "Auto context compaction started".to_string(),
+                    "Making room…".to_string(),
                 )
                 .await;
                 let auto_messages_before = self.session.messages.len();
@@ -1081,9 +1081,9 @@ impl Engine {
                     auto_compaction_suppressed = true;
                     self.finish_compaction(&compaction_id);
                     let message = if turn_was_canceled {
-                        "Auto-compaction canceled with the active turn; conversation context was not changed"
+                        "Making room stopped with the turn; the conversation was not changed"
                     } else {
-                        "Auto-compaction canceled; conversation context was not changed"
+                        "Making room stopped; the conversation was not changed"
                     }
                     .to_string();
                     self.emit_compaction_cancelled(compaction_id, true, message)
@@ -1105,9 +1105,9 @@ impl Engine {
                                 auto_compaction_suppressed = true;
                                 self.finish_compaction(&compaction_id);
                                 let message = if turn_was_canceled {
-                                    "Auto-compaction canceled with the active turn; conversation context was not changed"
+                                    "Making room stopped with the turn; the conversation was not changed"
                                 } else {
-                                    "Auto-compaction canceled; conversation context was not changed"
+                                    "Making room stopped; the conversation was not changed"
                                 }
                                 .to_string();
                                 self.emit_compaction_cancelled(compaction_id, true, message)
@@ -1138,11 +1138,11 @@ impl Engine {
                             let auto_tokens_after = self.estimated_input_tokens();
                             let status = if retries_used > 0 {
                                 format!(
-                                    "Auto-compaction complete: {auto_messages_before} → {auto_messages_after} messages ({removed} removed, {retries_used} retries), ~{auto_tokens_before} → ~{auto_tokens_after} tokens ({coverage_clause})"
+                                    "Made room: {auto_messages_before} → {auto_messages_after} messages ({removed} removed, {retries_used} retries), ~{auto_tokens_before} → ~{auto_tokens_after} tokens ({coverage_clause})"
                                 )
                             } else {
                                 format!(
-                                    "Auto-compaction complete: {auto_messages_before} → {auto_messages_after} messages ({removed} removed), ~{auto_tokens_before} → ~{auto_tokens_after} tokens ({coverage_clause})"
+                                    "Made room: {auto_messages_before} → {auto_messages_after} messages ({removed} removed), ~{auto_tokens_before} → ~{auto_tokens_after} tokens ({coverage_clause})"
                                 )
                             };
                             self.emit_compaction_completed(
@@ -1162,7 +1162,8 @@ impl Engine {
                             .await;
                         } else {
                             auto_compaction_suppressed = true;
-                            let message = "Auto-compaction skipped: empty result".to_string();
+                            let message =
+                                "Making room skipped: the summary came back empty".to_string();
                             self.emit_compaction_failed(
                                 compaction_id.clone(),
                                 true,
@@ -1176,7 +1177,7 @@ impl Engine {
                         auto_compaction_suppressed = true;
                         // Log error but continue with original messages (never corrupt)
                         let message = crate::compaction::report_compaction_failure(
-                            "Auto-compaction failed",
+                            "Making room failed",
                             &compaction_id,
                             true,
                             &err,
@@ -3751,7 +3752,7 @@ impl Engine {
                 );
                 for plan in plans {
                     let result = Err(ToolError::permission_denied(
-                        "Runtime permission posture changed while this tool call was being planned; retry it under the current posture."
+                        "Permissions changed while this tool call was being planned; retry it with the current permissions."
                             .to_string(),
                     ));
                     let _ = self
@@ -4366,7 +4367,7 @@ impl Engine {
                         } else {
                             result_override.or_else(|| {
                                 Some(Err(ToolError::permission_denied(
-                                    "Runtime permission posture changed before this tool call executed; retry it under the current posture."
+                                    "Permissions changed before this tool call executed; retry it with the current permissions."
                                         .to_string(),
                                 )))
                             })
@@ -4411,7 +4412,7 @@ impl Engine {
                         {
                             result_override.get_or_insert_with(|| {
                                 Err(ToolError::permission_denied(
-                                    "Runtime permission posture changed before this tool call executed; retry it under the current posture."
+                                    "Permissions changed before this tool call executed; retry it with the current permissions."
                                         .to_string(),
                                 ))
                             });
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/tui/ui/compaction_flow.rs b/crates/tui/src/tui/ui/compaction_flow.rs
index 2fbc580ec9..066379bb29 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/tui/ui/compaction_flow.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/tui/ui/compaction_flow.rs
@@ -380,7 +380,7 @@ pub(crate) fn try_cancel_compaction(app: &mut App, engine_handle: &EngineHandle)
     if !app.is_compacting && app.deferred_manual_compaction.take().is_some() {
         app.manual_compaction_queued = false;
         app.manual_compaction_id = None;
-        let message = "Context compaction canceled before it started".to_string();
+        let message = "Making room stopped before it started".to_string();
         add_compaction_receipt(app, &message);
         set_explicit_compaction_status(app, message, StatusToastLevel::Info, false);
         return true;
@@ -399,13 +399,13 @@ pub(crate) fn try_cancel_compaction(app: &mut App, engine_handle: &EngineHandle)
         Ok(()) => {
             set_explicit_compaction_status(
                 app,
-                "Canceling context compaction…".to_string(),
+                "Stopping making room…".to_string(),
                 StatusToastLevel::Info,
                 false,
             );
         }
         Err(error) => {
-            let message = format!("Could not cancel context compaction: {error}");
+            let message = format!("Could not stop making room: {error}");
             add_compaction_receipt(app, &message);
             set_explicit_compaction_status(app, message, StatusToastLevel::Error, true);
         }
@@ -476,7 +476,7 @@ pub(crate) fn maybe_warn_context_pressure_for_config(
         ", unverified window"
     };
 
-    let recommendation = "Automatic compaction is disabled. Enable auto_compact or use /compact.";
+    let recommendation = "Making room automatically is off. Turn on auto_compact or use /compact.";
 
     if percent >= CONTEXT_CRITICAL_THRESHOLD_PERCENT {
         set_context_pressure_status(
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/tui/ui/session_state.rs b/crates/tui/src/tui/ui/session_state.rs
index a9ebffe911..ae6824e983 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/tui/ui/session_state.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/tui/ui/session_state.rs
@@ -1477,7 +1477,7 @@ mod launch_resume_tests {
         assert_eq!(app.onboarding, OnboardingState::Provider);
         assert!(app.onboarding_needs_api_key);
 
-        app.status_message = Some("Auto-compaction enabled".to_string());
+        app.status_message = Some("Make room automatically: on".to_string());
         let shown = app
             .active_status_toast(crate::tui::underwater::ShellPhase::Idle)
             .expect("footer notice");