diff --git a/hive-c0re/src/loose_ends.rs b/hive-c0re/src/loose_ends.rs
index 94f9be99..24eb34c2 100644
--- a/hive-c0re/src/loose_ends.rs
+++ b/hive-c0re/src/loose_ends.rs
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ use hive_sh4re::{LooseEnd, MANAGER_AGENT};
 use crate::coordinator::Coordinator;
 
 /// Open threads pending against `agent`:
+/// - undelivered inbox messages this agent still owes itself a `recv`
+///   for (only when the count is non-zero);
 /// - pending approvals where this agent is the submitter (a parent
 ///   agent with the `approvals` group submits for its children; the
 ///   root submits for top-level agents). Legacy rows with no recorded
@@ -29,9 +31,15 @@ use crate::coordinator::Coordinator;
 ///   someone) OR the target (owes a reply);
 /// - pending reminders this agent scheduled (`owner == self`).
 ///
-/// Ordered approvals → questions → reminders within the returned
-/// vector. Within each kind, source-of-truth ordering (sqlite's
-/// `pending()` queries return newest-first within their indexes).
+/// Ordered `pending_messages` (when non-zero) → approvals → questions →
+/// reminders within the returned vector. Within each kind,
+/// source-of-truth ordering (sqlite's `pending()` queries return
+/// newest-first within their indexes).
+///
+/// # Errors
+///
+/// Propagates errors from `count_pending` and the pending-approval /
+/// question / reminder sqlite queries.
 pub fn for_agent(coord: &Coordinator, agent: &str) -> Result<Vec<LooseEnd>> {
     let now = now_unix();
     let mut out = Vec::new();