diff --git a/internal/check-i18n-never-translated.mjs b/internal/check-i18n-never-translated.mjs
index c7f382204..6afaf8d83 100644
--- a/internal/check-i18n-never-translated.mjs
+++ b/internal/check-i18n-never-translated.mjs
@@ -87,6 +87,24 @@ const ALLOWED = new Map([
   // surrounding copy carries the meaning in each language (export.packetExplain is translated per
   // locale and explains what a UPG 100 list is), so a reader does not meet a bare acronym with
   // nothing to anchor it. Do not "resolve" this entry by inventing eleven names for one product.
+  // ── ENGLISH-ONLY FOR NOW, A BOOKMARK (the print progress steps, 2026-10-03) ──────────────────────
+  // The product ruled that new strings ship in ENGLISH for now (localization is parked, translations later), and the
+  // parity gate needs each key in every locale, so these carry their English text everywhere. They are NOT settled as
+  // untranslatable: REMOVE THESE LINES when the steps are translated (a human translator, not an invented term).
+  ['wall.json:hud.step.records', 'ENGLISH-ONLY FOR NOW: the print progress step; translate later, then remove this line'],
+  ['wall.json:hud.step.boundaries', 'ENGLISH-ONLY FOR NOW: the print progress step; translate later, then remove this line'],
+  ['wall.json:hud.step.generator', 'ENGLISH-ONLY FOR NOW: the print progress step; translate later, then remove this line'],
+  ['wall.json:hud.step.mapFrame', 'ENGLISH-ONLY FOR NOW: the print progress step; translate later, then remove this line'],
+  ['wall.json:hud.step.neighbours', 'ENGLISH-ONLY FOR NOW: the print progress step; translate later, then remove this line'],
+  ['wall.json:hud.step.seas', 'ENGLISH-ONLY FOR NOW: the print progress step; translate later, then remove this line'],
+  ['wall.json:hud.step.pins', 'ENGLISH-ONLY FOR NOW: the print progress step; translate later, then remove this line'],
+  ['wall.json:hud.step.sideLanes', 'ENGLISH-ONLY FOR NOW: the print progress step; translate later, then remove this line'],
+  ['wall.json:hud.step.cities', 'ENGLISH-ONLY FOR NOW: the print progress step; translate later, then remove this line'],
+  ['wall.json:hud.step.names', 'ENGLISH-ONLY FOR NOW: the print progress step; translate later, then remove this line'],
+  ['wall.json:hud.step.header', 'ENGLISH-ONLY FOR NOW: the print progress step; translate later, then remove this line'],
+  ['wall.json:hud.step.print', 'ENGLISH-ONLY FOR NOW: the print progress step; translate later, then remove this line'],
+  ['wall.json:hud.stepOf', 'ENGLISH-ONLY FOR NOW: "step {n} of {m}"; translate later, then remove this line'],
+  ['wall.json:hud.elapsed', 'ENGLISH-ONLY FOR NOW: "{s} s" (seconds); translate later, then remove this line'],
   ['legend.json:export.packet',
     'BRAND: the product name for the prayer list; export.packetExplain carries the meaning per locale'],
 ])
diff --git a/library/components/poster/PosterWall.vue b/library/components/poster/PosterWall.vue
index 7ca97cea0..af23d345b 100644
--- a/library/components/poster/PosterWall.vue
+++ b/library/components/poster/PosterWall.vue
@@ -316,7 +316,7 @@ const countOf = (key, n) => tCount(key, { n: Number(n || 0).toLocaleString() },
 // The HUD's kinds and progress messages, and the poster image's alt text (what a screen reader announces
 // for a card), in the page's language; English only where a key is absent. The same translator goes to
 // usePosterPrints (opts.t) so the messages IT sets are localized too.
-// ★ A PRINT'S REAL STEPS (the Driver: a bar that moves as the work moves, never frozen, no invented percentages).
+// ★ A PRINT'S REAL STEPS: a bar that moves as the work moves, never frozen, with no invented percentages.
 // The sheet reports each step by name (countrySheet / posterSheets / renderPoster's onStep), the bar is the share of
 // the KNOWN steps done, and the elapsed seconds tick on their own whenever the page can paint.
 const PRINT_STEPS = ['records', 'boundaries', 'generator', 'map-frame', 'neighbours', 'seas', 'pins', 'side-lanes', 'cities', 'names', 'header', 'print']