diff --git a/docs/DESIGN.md b/docs/DESIGN.md
index 8e6f4b9..1aa0d02 100644
--- a/docs/DESIGN.md
+++ b/docs/DESIGN.md
@@ -235,6 +235,12 @@ above, including:
   the bag; Ctrl+click a bag name adds it to the blow mix and Ctrl+right-click to pick-up; the menu
   is one line per material because the first version was too large.
 
+- **Tool messages are toasts (t27, 2026-10-24).** Every tool's messages ("Nothing selected", "Out
+  of reach.", "Nothing to use there.") show as toasts at the top of the screen, and the red line in
+  the tool card is gone. The owner asked for it for the vacuum and chose every tool. Errors have a
+  red edge, info a patina one. A message that repeats every tick while a button is held keeps one
+  toast alive instead of stacking more.
+
 - **Pick up what you click, blow out what's in hand (t20, 2026-10-24).** Replaces t16's pick-up
   marks and the vacuum menu; the owner wanted something simpler and more intuitive. A left drag
   takes only the material it starts on (or the first loose grain it reaches); Shift takes
diff --git a/docs/agent-log.md b/docs/agent-log.md
index 0a56712..475c430 100644
--- a/docs/agent-log.md
+++ b/docs/agent-log.md
@@ -4,6 +4,15 @@ What agents have done, newest first. Add an entry for every piece of work: the d
 note or request it was for, what changed, the files touched, the tests run, and anything left
 open or not verified. Keep each entry short; the git history has the details.
 
+## 2026-10-24: t27: tool messages as toasts (Claude Code, Codex)
+
+- `setStatus` still records `GAME.status` and now also shows a toast (`err` or `info` class), unless
+  told to stay quiet (the "New drill bit/bag" F messages, which have their own card). `toast`
+  restarts the timer of a showing toast with the same text instead of adding another, so per-tick
+  messages make one toast. The card's status line and its CSS are gone; `doInteract` no longer
+  toasts twice. Files: `src/ui/{state,selection,actions}.js`, `style.css`, `test/play.py`.
+- Tests: `run_all.py --browser` all passed (play.py 237). Screenshot `shots/t27-toasts.png`.
+
 ## 2026-10-24: t20 follow-up: bag hint and Clear stay visible (Claude Code)
 
 - The hint and Clear were inside the scrolling `#baglist`, so a long Ctrl list scrolled them away.
diff --git a/src/styles/style.css b/src/styles/style.css
index 560d880..5683190 100644
--- a/src/styles/style.css
+++ b/src/styles/style.css
@@ -118,9 +118,6 @@ kbd {
 #selcard .row { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; }
 #selcard .name { font-weight: 600; font-size: 1.05em; }
 #selcard .sub { color: var(--ash); font-size: 0.88em; }
-#selcard .status { color: var(--danger); font-size: 0.88em; min-height: 0; }
-#selcard .status:empty { display: none; }
-#selcard .status.info { color: var(--patina); }
 .sw { width: 14px; height: 14px; border-radius: 2px; border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); flex: none; box-shadow: inset 0 0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08); }
 .cycle { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 6px; }
 .cycle .grow { flex: 1; min-width: 0; }
@@ -215,6 +212,8 @@ table.mt td.dip { color: var(--melt); }
 .toast { padding: 7px 12px; font-size: 0.94em; animation: toastIn 0.25s ease-out; text-align: center; }
 .toast.big { border-color: var(--melt-deep); padding: 10px 16px; }
 .toast.big b { color: var(--melt-hot); display: block; font-size: 1.1em; }
+.toast.err { border-color: var(--danger); border-left-width: 3px; }
+.toast.info { border-color: var(--patina); border-left-width: 3px; }
 .toast.out { opacity: 0; transition: opacity 0.4s; }
 @keyframes toastIn { from { transform: translateY(-6px); opacity: 0; } to { transform: none; opacity: 1; } }
 
diff --git a/src/ui/actions.js b/src/ui/actions.js
index 8724308..c368c44 100644
--- a/src/ui/actions.js
+++ b/src/ui/actions.js
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ function doInteract() {
     msg = interactAt(ax + dx, ay + dy);
     if (msg) break outer;
   }
-  if (msg) { setStatus(msg, 'info'); if (!/^New (drill bit|bag)/.test(msg)) toast(msg); }
+  if (msg) setStatus(msg, 'info', /^New (drill bit|bag)/.test(msg));
   else if ((moldAt(ax, ay) || {}).kind !== 'ingot') setStatus('Nothing to use there.', 'info'); // an ingot mold needs no F: say nothing
 }
 // Pick (middle mouse): the piece under the cursor becomes the one you build, with its
diff --git a/src/ui/selection.js b/src/ui/selection.js
index a5c07b4..9ad0a9e 100644
--- a/src/ui/selection.js
+++ b/src/ui/selection.js
@@ -154,7 +154,6 @@ function pieceCostNow(P, m = GAME.wallMat) {
 function renderSelCard() {
   const t = toolId(), c = $('selcard');
   let h = '';
-  const status = performance.now() - GAME.statusT < 3200 ? GAME.status : '';
   const sel = GAME.selDrag ? GAME.selDrag.mode : selModeHeld();
   c.hidden = false;
   const ng = ghostBlocks.size + ghostMachines.length + ghostMolds.length;
@@ -193,7 +192,6 @@ function renderSelCard() {
   } else if (t === 'ignite') {
     h = `<div class="row"><span class="name">Igniter</span><span class="chip hot">up to 640°C</span></div><div class="sub">Hold on fuel to light it. Coal catches around 420°C, wood around 300°C. Fuel needs open air next to it.</div>`;
   }
-  h += `<div class="status${GAME.statusKind === 'info' ? ' info' : ''}">${esc(status)}</div>`;
   if (c.innerHTML !== h) c.innerHTML = h;
 }
 let lastBagKey = '';
diff --git a/src/ui/state.js b/src/ui/state.js
index f4723b5..15926de 100644
--- a/src/ui/state.js
+++ b/src/ui/state.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /* Game shell (src/ui/): browser only. This file: settings, the GAME state object, DOM helpers,
-   toasts and the status line. */
+   toasts and tool status. */
 
 // ---------- Settings ----------
 const SET_DEFAULT = {
@@ -57,11 +57,19 @@ function fmtT(t) { return t >= 999.5 ? `${Math.round(t).toLocaleString('en-US')}
 // ---------- Toasts ----------
 function toast(text, opts = {}) {
   const box = $('toasts');
-  while (box.children.length > 4) box.firstChild.remove();
-  const t = el('div', { class: 'toast plate' + (opts.big ? ' big' : '') });
-  t.innerHTML = opts.title ? `<b>${esc(opts.title)}</b>${esc(text)}` : esc(text);
-  box.appendChild(t);
+  let t = [...box.children].find(e => !e.classList.contains('out') && e._text === text && e._title === (opts.title || ''));
+  if (!t) {
+    while (box.children.length > 4) {
+      clearTimeout(box.firstChild._fade); clearTimeout(box.firstChild._remove);
+      box.firstChild.remove();
+    }
+    t = el('div', { class: 'toast plate' + (opts.big ? ' big' : '') + (opts.kind ? ' ' + opts.kind : '') });
+    t._text = text; t._title = opts.title || '';
+    t.innerHTML = opts.title ? `<b>${esc(opts.title)}</b>${esc(text)}` : esc(text);
+    box.appendChild(t);
+  }
+  clearTimeout(t._fade);
   const life = opts.big ? 5200 : 2600;
-  setTimeout(() => { t.classList.add('out'); setTimeout(() => t.remove(), 450); }, life);
+  t._fade = setTimeout(() => { t.classList.add('out'); t._remove = setTimeout(() => t.remove(), 450); }, life);
 }
-function setStatus(s, kind) { if (s) { GAME.status = s; GAME.statusKind = kind || 'err'; GAME.statusT = performance.now(); hudDirty = true; } }
+function setStatus(s, kind, quiet) { if (s) { GAME.status = s; GAME.statusKind = kind || 'err'; GAME.statusT = performance.now(); hudDirty = true; if (!quiet) toast(s, { kind: kind || 'err' }); } }
diff --git a/test/play.py b/test/play.py
index c7552fd..df88649 100644
--- a/test/play.py
+++ b/test/play.py
@@ -306,9 +306,10 @@ with sync_playwright() as p:
     ore = find_ore()
     suck_at(*ore, ms=500, shift=True)
     check('Shift held standing still takes everything', ev('bag[RSTONE]') > 0 and ev('bag[CUORE]') > 0, f"ore {ev('bag[CUORE]')}, stone {ev('bag[RSTONE]')}")
-    ev("GAME.aim = { x: Math.floor(bot.x), y: 1 }")
+    ev("$('toasts').innerHTML = ''; GAME.aim = { x: Math.floor(bot.x), y: 1 }")
     pg.keyboard.press('f'); settle(100)
     check('F away from usable things says nothing to use', ev("$('m-dialog').hidden && GAME.status === 'Nothing to use there.'"))
+    check('F away from usable things shows exactly one info toast', ev("[...document.querySelectorAll('#toasts .toast.info')].filter(e => e.textContent === 'Nothing to use there.').length === 1"))
     ev("closeModal('m-dialog')")
     # zoom jumps straight to the bot
     pg.mouse.move(640, 400); settle(600)
@@ -338,6 +339,19 @@ with sync_playwright() as p:
     check('a material selected before you have any stays selected', ev("(() => { GAME.blow = new Set([COAL]); const n = bagTotal, f = flyers.length; GAME.rmb = true; secondaryPress(false); toolTick(); GAME.rmb = false; return GAME.blow.has(COAL); })()"))
     check('selected but none in bag blows nothing', ev("(() => { const n = bagTotal, f = flyers.length; GAME.rmb = true; secondaryPress(false); toolTick(); GAME.rmb = false; renderSelCard(); return bagTotal === n && flyers.length === f && GAME.status === 'None of the selected materials are in the bag.' && $('selcard').querySelector('.vacchoice').textContent === 'none in bag'; })()"))
     check('nothing selected blows nothing and explains how to choose', ev("(() => { GAME.blow.clear(); const n = bagTotal, f = flyers.length; GAME.rmb = true; secondaryPress(false); toolTick(); GAME.rmb = false; return bagTotal === n && flyers.length === f && GAME.status === 'Nothing selected: click or Q/E in the bag.'; })()"))
+    ev("$('toasts').innerHTML = ''; GAME.blow.clear(); GAME.rmb = true; secondaryPress(false); for (let i = 0; i < 30; i++) toolTick(); GAME.rmb = false; renderSelCard()")
+    check('holding blow with nothing selected shows exactly one error toast', ev("[...document.querySelectorAll('#toasts .toast.err')].filter(e => e.textContent.includes('Nothing selected')).length === 1"))
+    check('the tool card has no status line', ev("document.querySelector('#selcard .status') === null"))
+    pg.wait_for_timeout(300)
+    pg.screenshot(path=str(out / '03b-empty-selection-toast.png'))
+    ev("""(() => {
+      $('toasts').innerHTML = '';
+      const tool = GAME.tool, aim = GAME.aim;
+      GAME.tool = 3; GAME.aim = { x: bot.x + 500, y: bot.y }; GAME.lmb = true;
+      for (let i = 0; i < 30; i++) toolTick();
+      GAME.lmb = false; GAME.tool = tool; GAME.aim = aim;
+    })()""")
+    check('holding the Igniter out of reach shows exactly one error toast', ev("[...document.querySelectorAll('#toasts .toast.err')].filter(e => e.textContent === 'Out of reach.').length === 1"))
     check('a mix drops exhausted coal and continues blowing ore', ev("(() => { const b = bag.slice(), total = bagTotal, f = flyers.length; bag.fill(0); bag[COAL] = 1; bag[CUORE] = 100; bagTotal = 101; GAME.blow = new Set([COAL, CUORE]); GAME.rmb = true; secondaryPress(false); toolTick(); const ore = bag[CUORE]; toolTick(); GAME.rmb = false; const ok = !bag[COAL] && ore > 0 && bag[CUORE] < ore && GAME.blow.size === 1 && GAME.blow.has(CUORE); bag.set(b); bagTotal = total; flyers.length = f; return ok; })()"))
     # Shift + right click blows an even mix of everything loose in the bag, without changing the choice
     refill('bag[COAL] = 60; bag[CUORE] = 60')
@@ -482,8 +496,9 @@ with sync_playwright() as p:
         pg.keyboard.press(key); settle(150)
         check(f'tool {key} restores the top-left card', pg.is_visible('#selcard'))
     pg.keyboard.press('3'); settle(150)
+    ev("$('toasts').innerHTML = ''")
     pg.mouse.click(*cell_to_screen(bx, gy - 20), button='middle'); settle(120)
-    check('empty middle-click pick shows its status in the top-left card', 'Nothing built here to pick.' in pg.inner_text('#selcard'))
+    check('empty middle-click pick shows its status in one info toast', ev("GAME.status === 'Nothing built here to pick.' && [...document.querySelectorAll('#toasts .toast.info')].filter(e => e.textContent === GAME.status).length === 1"))
     c0 = ev('GAME.buildCat != null ? GAME.buildCat : catOf(piece().id)')
     pg.keyboard.press('Shift+E')
     check('Shift+E switches build tabs and selects a piece in the tab', ev('GAME.buildCat') == (c0 + 1) % ev('BUILD_CATS.length') and ev('BUILD_CATS[GAME.buildCat][1].includes(piece().id)'))
@@ -554,10 +569,12 @@ with sync_playwright() as p:
     check('F on an automatic ingot mold stays quiet without a toast', ev("$('m-dialog').hidden") and ev("$('toasts').children.length") == n_toasts)
     ev("closeModal('m-dialog')")
     check('F with vacuum still uses what is in reach', ev("""(() => {
+      $('toasts').innerHTML = '';
       const old = interactAt; interactAt = () => 'Gate opened.';
       try { doInteract(); } finally { interactAt = old; }
       return $('m-dialog').hidden && GAME.status === 'Gate opened.';
     })()"""))
+    check('a successful F interaction shows its message exactly once', ev("[...$('toasts').children].filter(e => e.textContent === 'Gate opened.').length === 1"))
     settle(1500)
     pg.screenshot(path=str(out / '06-bars.png'))
     pg.keyboard.press('2'); settle(60)