diff --git a/hive-ag3nt/src/mcp.rs b/hive-ag3nt/src/mcp.rs
index 774fd6fd..ace175aa 100644
--- a/hive-ag3nt/src/mcp.rs
+++ b/hive-ag3nt/src/mcp.rs
@@ -129,21 +129,22 @@ pub fn format_recv(resp: Result<SocketReply, anyhow::Error>) -> String {
 }
 
 /// Format helper for `get_loose_ends`: renders a short bulleted list
-/// of pending approvals + questions. Empty list collapses to a clear
-/// marker so claude doesn't go hunting for a payload that isn't there.
+/// of pending approvals + questions + reminders. Empty list collapses
+/// to a clear marker so claude doesn't go hunting for a payload that
+/// isn't there.
 pub fn format_loose_ends(resp: Result<SocketReply, anyhow::Error>) -> String {
     use std::fmt::Write as _;
-    let threads = match resp {
+    let loose_ends = match resp {
         Ok(SocketReply::LooseEnds(t)) => t,
         Ok(SocketReply::Err(m)) => return format!("get_loose_ends failed: {m}"),
         Ok(other) => return format!("get_loose_ends unexpected response: {other:?}"),
         Err(e) => return format!("get_loose_ends transport error: {e:#}"),
     };
-    if threads.is_empty() {
-        return "(no open threads)".to_owned();
+    if loose_ends.is_empty() {
+        return "(no loose ends)".to_owned();
     }
-    let mut out = format!("{} open thread(s):\n", threads.len());
-    for t in &threads {
+    let mut out = format!("{} loose end(s):\n", loose_ends.len());
+    for t in &loose_ends {
         match t {
             hive_sh4re::LooseEnd::Approval {
                 id,
@@ -205,6 +206,17 @@ fn parse_loose_end_kind(raw: &str) -> Result<hive_sh4re::CancelLooseEndKind, Str
     }
 }
 
+/// Canonical user-facing label for a `CancelLooseEndKind` — used in
+/// the success ack so the caller always sees `"question"` /
+/// `"reminder"` instead of whatever alias they passed in (`"q"` /
+/// `"r"`).
+fn loose_end_kind_label(kind: hive_sh4re::CancelLooseEndKind) -> &'static str {
+    match kind {
+        hive_sh4re::CancelLooseEndKind::Question => "question",
+        hive_sh4re::CancelLooseEndKind::Reminder => "reminder",
+    }
+}
+
 /// Format helper for `whoami`: renders the identity block as a short
 /// human-readable string. Skips fields that are `None` so the output
 /// doesn't carry dead placeholders.
@@ -491,13 +503,13 @@ impl AgentServer {
     )]
     async fn cancel_loose_end(&self, Parameters(args): Parameters<CancelLooseEndArgs>) -> String {
         let log = format!("{args:?}");
-        let kind_label = args.kind.clone();
         let id = args.id;
         run_tool_envelope("cancel_loose_end", log, async move {
             let kind = match parse_loose_end_kind(&args.kind) {
                 Ok(k) => k,
                 Err(e) => return e,
             };
+            let kind_label = loose_end_kind_label(kind);
             let (resp, retries) = self
                 .dispatch(hive_sh4re::AgentRequest::CancelLooseEnd { kind, id })
                 .await;
@@ -1031,13 +1043,13 @@ impl ManagerServer {
     )]
     async fn cancel_loose_end(&self, Parameters(args): Parameters<CancelLooseEndArgs>) -> String {
         let log = format!("{args:?}");
-        let kind_label = args.kind.clone();
         let id = args.id;
         run_tool_envelope("cancel_loose_end", log, async move {
             let kind = match parse_loose_end_kind(&args.kind) {
                 Ok(k) => k,
                 Err(e) => return e,
             };
+            let kind_label = loose_end_kind_label(kind);
             let (resp, retries) = self
                 .dispatch(hive_sh4re::ManagerRequest::CancelLooseEnd { kind, id })
                 .await;