diff --git a/hive-matrix-mcp/src/handlers.rs b/hive-matrix-mcp/src/handlers.rs
index e8095458..f9a9f458 100644
--- a/hive-matrix-mcp/src/handlers.rs
+++ b/hive-matrix-mcp/src/handlers.rs
@@ -134,6 +134,14 @@ fn extract_body_sync(event: &matrix_sdk::ruma::events::AnySyncTimelineEvent) ->
     }
 }
 
+/// Human-facing label for a room: its canonical alias when set,
+/// otherwise the raw room id. Used wherever a room is named in
+/// agent-facing text (wake bodies, loose-ends, the unread guard).
+pub fn room_label(room: &matrix_sdk::Room) -> String {
+    room.canonical_alias()
+        .map_or_else(|| room.room_id().to_string(), |a| a.to_string())
+}
+
 /// Refuse to post into a room the agent hasn't caught up on. Returns
 /// `Some(error)` with a helpful hint when the room still has unread
 /// notifications (the agent must `read_room` then `mark_read` the
@@ -149,9 +157,7 @@ fn unread_guard(room: &matrix_sdk::Room) -> Option<DaemonResponse> {
     if count == 0 {
         return None;
     }
-    let label = room
-        .canonical_alias()
-        .map_or_else(|| room.room_id().to_string(), |a| a.to_string());
+    let label = room_label(room);
     Some(DaemonResponse::error(format!(
         "refusing to send: {count} unread message(s) in {label}. \
          use read_room to view them, then mark_read the latest event before \
@@ -357,9 +363,7 @@ pub async fn refresh_invite_loose_ends(client: &Client) {
     let items: Vec<String> = invites
         .iter()
         .map(|room| {
-            let label = room
-                .canonical_alias()
-                .map_or_else(|| room.room_id().to_string(), |a| a.to_string());
+            let label = room_label(room);
             format!(
                 "[matrix] pending invite: {label} — use list_invites to see, resolve_invite to accept or reject"
             )
@@ -547,9 +551,7 @@ pub async fn collect_unread(client: &Client) -> Vec<crate::protocol::RoomUnread>
         if count == 0 {
             continue;
         }
-        let label = room
-            .canonical_alias()
-            .map_or_else(|| room.room_id().to_string(), |a| a.to_string());
+        let label = room_label(&room);
         let (last_body, last_sender) = if count == 1 {
             fetch_last_message(client, &room).await
         } else {
diff --git a/hive-matrix-mcp/src/timeline.rs b/hive-matrix-mcp/src/timeline.rs
index 763582c0..41553827 100644
--- a/hive-matrix-mcp/src/timeline.rs
+++ b/hive-matrix-mcp/src/timeline.rs
@@ -77,10 +77,8 @@ pub fn install_message_handler(client: &Client, hyperhive_socket: PathBuf) {
                         MessageType::Emote(e) => format!("* {}", e.body),
                         _ => format!("[{}]", event.content.msgtype()),
                     };
-                    let room_label = room
-                        .canonical_alias()
-                        .map_or_else(|| room.room_id().to_string(), |a| a.to_string());
-                    wake::format_wake_body(event.sender.as_str(), &room_label, &text)
+                    let label = handlers::room_label(&room);
+                    wake::format_wake_body(event.sender.as_str(), &label, &text)
                 } else {
                     wake::format_unread_summary(&unread)
                 };