diff --git a/src/tui-opentui/gate-wire.test.ts b/src/tui-opentui/gate-wire.test.ts
index dd588556d..8261b3d85 100644
--- a/src/tui-opentui/gate-wire.test.ts
+++ b/src/tui-opentui/gate-wire.test.ts
@@ -424,6 +424,183 @@ describe("wireGates", () => {
   })
 })
 
+describe("each gate decision appends exactly one transcript row", () => {
+  test("permission accept", async () => {
+    await withTestRenderer(async (h) => {
+      const shell = createAppShell(h.renderer, {
+        terminal: { columns: 80, rows: 24 },
+        run: "idle",
+      })
+      const emitter = new EventEmitter()
+      try {
+        wireGates(emitter, shell)
+        emitter.emit("permission.gate", { request: baseRequest(), resolve: () => {} })
+
+        const before = shell.streamLog.length
+        acceptOverlaySelection(shell)
+        expect(shell.streamLog.length - before).toBe(1)
+      } finally {
+        shell.dispose()
+      }
+    })
+  })
+
+  test("permission Esc/deny", async () => {
+    await withTestRenderer(async (h) => {
+      const shell = createAppShell(h.renderer, {
+        terminal: { columns: 80, rows: 24 },
+        run: "idle",
+      })
+      const emitter = new EventEmitter()
+      try {
+        wireGates(emitter, shell)
+        emitter.emit("permission.gate", { request: baseRequest(), resolve: () => {} })
+
+        const before = shell.streamLog.length
+        closeInsetOverlay(shell)
+        expect(shell.streamLog.length - before).toBe(1)
+      } finally {
+        shell.dispose()
+      }
+    })
+  })
+
+  test("operator accept", async () => {
+    await withTestRenderer(async (h) => {
+      const shell = createAppShell(h.renderer, {
+        terminal: { columns: 80, rows: 24 },
+        run: "idle",
+      })
+      const emitter = new EventEmitter()
+      try {
+        wireGates(emitter, shell)
+        emitter.emit("operator.gate", {
+          question: "Proceed?",
+          options: ["Cancel", "Continue"],
+          resolve: () => {},
+        })
+
+        const before = shell.streamLog.length
+        acceptOverlaySelection(shell)
+        expect(shell.streamLog.length - before).toBe(1)
+      } finally {
+        shell.dispose()
+      }
+    })
+  })
+
+  test("operator Esc/cancel", async () => {
+    await withTestRenderer(async (h) => {
+      const shell = createAppShell(h.renderer, {
+        terminal: { columns: 80, rows: 24 },
+        run: "idle",
+      })
+      const emitter = new EventEmitter()
+      try {
+        wireGates(emitter, shell)
+        emitter.emit("operator.gate", {
+          question: "Proceed?",
+          options: ["Cancel", "Continue"],
+          resolve: () => {},
+        })
+
+        const before = shell.streamLog.length
+        closeInsetOverlay(shell)
+        expect(shell.streamLog.length - before).toBe(1)
+      } finally {
+        shell.dispose()
+      }
+    })
+  })
+
+  test("operator typed answer", async () => {
+    await withTestRenderer(async (h) => {
+      const shell = createAppShell(h.renderer, {
+        terminal: { columns: 80, rows: 24 },
+        run: "idle",
+      })
+      const emitter = new EventEmitter()
+      try {
+        wireGates(emitter, shell)
+        emitter.emit("operator.gate", {
+          question: "Proceed?",
+          options: ["Cancel", "Continue"],
+          resolve: () => {},
+        })
+
+        setOverlayAnswerActive(shell, true)
+        const before = shell.streamLog.length
+        for (const ch of "yes") {
+          handleOverlayAnswerKey(shell, {
+            name: ch,
+            sequence: ch,
+            ctrl: false,
+            meta: false,
+            option: false,
+          } as unknown as KeyEvent)
+        }
+        handleOverlayAnswerKey(shell, {
+          name: "return",
+          sequence: "",
+          ctrl: false,
+          meta: false,
+          option: false,
+        } as unknown as KeyEvent)
+        expect(shell.streamLog.length - before).toBe(1)
+      } finally {
+        shell.dispose()
+      }
+    })
+  })
+
+  test("permission auto-deny on timeout", async () => {
+    await withTestRenderer(async (h) => {
+      const shell = createAppShell(h.renderer, {
+        terminal: { columns: 80, rows: 24 },
+        run: "idle",
+      })
+      const emitter = new EventEmitter()
+      try {
+        wireGates(emitter, shell)
+        const before = shell.streamLog.length
+        emitter.emit("permission.gate", {
+          request: baseRequest(),
+          resolve: () => {},
+          timeoutMs: 5,
+        })
+        await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 20))
+        expect(shell.streamLog.length - before).toBe(1)
+      } finally {
+        shell.dispose()
+      }
+    })
+  })
+
+  test("permission auto-deny on abort", async () => {
+    await withTestRenderer(async (h) => {
+      const shell = createAppShell(h.renderer, {
+        terminal: { columns: 80, rows: 24 },
+        run: "idle",
+      })
+      const emitter = new EventEmitter()
+      const controller = new AbortController()
+      try {
+        wireGates(emitter, shell)
+        const before = shell.streamLog.length
+        emitter.emit("permission.gate", {
+          request: baseRequest(),
+          resolve: () => {},
+          signal: controller.signal,
+        })
+        controller.abort()
+        expect(shell.streamLog.length - before).toBe(1)
+      } finally {
+        shell.dispose()
+      }
+    })
+  })
+})
+
 describe("permission.gate auto-deny", () => {
   test("timeoutMs elapsing auto-denies with the timeout message and closes the overlay", async () => {
     await withTestRenderer(async (h) => {
diff --git a/src/tui-opentui/gate-wire.ts b/src/tui-opentui/gate-wire.ts
index c19053d79..ef8945f92 100644
--- a/src/tui-opentui/gate-wire.ts
+++ b/src/tui-opentui/gate-wire.ts
@@ -227,6 +227,21 @@ function recordDecision(
   appendStreamRow(shell, { role: "system", text, meta: "permission" })
 }
 
+/**
+ * Write the operator's question and answer to the transcript, once decided.
+ * Mirrors recordDecision: the overlay already shows this text while it is
+ * open, so an immediate echo would print every operator question twice.
+ */
+function recordOperatorDecision(
+  shell: AppShell,
+  question: string,
+  label: string,
+): void {
+  const body = middleEllipsis(question, 500)
+  const text = `${body}\n→ ${label}`
+  appendStreamRow(shell, { role: "system", text, meta: "operator" })
+}
+
 /**
  * Subscribe the permission/operator gate events to the shell's overlays.
  * Returns a dispose function that removes exactly the listeners this call added.
@@ -289,6 +304,10 @@ export function wireGates(
         items: choices.items,
         itemIds: choices.itemIds,
         body: collapsedBody,
+        // recordDecision below is the authoritative transcript row for every
+        // terminal path — the overlay's own accept/answer echo would
+        // duplicate it.
+        echoChoice: false,
         ...(collapsedAnything ? { onToggleExpand } : {}),
         onAccept: (sel: OverlaySelection) => {
           if (settled) return
@@ -307,12 +326,9 @@ export function wireGates(
           if (settled) return
           settled = true
           clearTimers()
-          ev.resolve(
-            approvalOutcomeFromSelection(choices, {
-              index: 0,
-              id: PERMISSION_DENY_ID,
-            }),
-          )
+          const gateSelection = { index: 0, id: PERMISSION_DENY_ID }
+          recordDecision(shell, ev.request, choices, gateSelection)
+          ev.resolve(approvalOutcomeFromSelection(choices, gateSelection))
         },
       })
     }
@@ -332,6 +348,10 @@ export function wireGates(
       if (settled) return
       settled = true
       clearTimers()
+      recordDecision(shell, ev.request, choices, {
+        index: 0,
+        id: PERMISSION_DENY_ID,
+      })
       if (isOpen) {
         closeInsetOverlay(shell)
       } else {
@@ -368,9 +388,14 @@ export function wireGates(
       body: ev.question,
       choices: choices.items,
       itemIds: choices.itemIds,
+      // recordOperatorDecision below is the authoritative transcript row for
+      // every terminal path — the overlay's own accept/answer echo would
+      // duplicate it.
+      echoChoice: false,
       onAccept: (sel: OverlaySelection) => {
         if (settled) return
         settled = true
+        recordOperatorDecision(shell, ev.question, sel.label)
         ev.resolve(
           operatorResultFromSelection(ev.options, {
             index: sel.index,
@@ -383,6 +408,7 @@ export function wireGates(
       onTextAnswer: (text: string) => {
         if (settled) return
         settled = true
+        recordOperatorDecision(shell, ev.question, text)
         ev.resolve(operatorCustomResult(text))
       },
       // Esc must settle the awaited promise (as a cancel), not abandon it —
@@ -390,6 +416,7 @@ export function wireGates(
       onCancel: () => {
         if (settled) return
         settled = true
+        recordOperatorDecision(shell, ev.question, "Cancelled")
         ev.resolve(operatorCancelResult())
       },
     }))
diff --git a/src/tui-opentui/overlays.test.ts b/src/tui-opentui/overlays.test.ts
index 4f486a801..6a3ceaf56 100644
--- a/src/tui-opentui/overlays.test.ts
+++ b/src/tui-opentui/overlays.test.ts
@@ -478,3 +478,68 @@ describe("accept echo reads the chosen value structurally", () => {
     )
   })
 })
+
+describe("echoChoice defaults to on for callers with no recorder of their own", () => {
+  test("openPermissionsOverlay with no echoChoice opt still echoes on accept", async () => {
+    await withTestRenderer(
+      async (h) => {
+        const shell = createAppShell(h.renderer, {
+          terminal: { columns: 80, rows: 24 },
+          wireKeys: false,
+        })
+        try {
+          openPermissionsOverlay(shell, { items: makePermissionItems(3) })
+          const before = shell.streamLog.length
+          acceptOverlaySelection(shell)
+          expect(shell.streamLog.length - before).toBe(1)
+        } finally {
+          shell.dispose()
+        }
+      },
+      { width: 80, height: 24 },
+    )
+  })
+
+  test("openPermissionsOverlay with echoChoice: false suppresses it", async () => {
+    await withTestRenderer(
+      async (h) => {
+        const shell = createAppShell(h.renderer, {
+          terminal: { columns: 80, rows: 24 },
+          wireKeys: false,
+        })
+        try {
+          openPermissionsOverlay(shell, {
+            items: makePermissionItems(3),
+            echoChoice: false,
+          })
+          const before = shell.streamLog.length
+          acceptOverlaySelection(shell)
+          expect(shell.streamLog.length - before).toBe(0)
+        } finally {
+          shell.dispose()
+        }
+      },
+      { width: 80, height: 24 },
+    )
+  })
+
+  test("openOperatorOverlay with no echoChoice opt still echoes on accept", async () => {
+    await withTestRenderer(
+      async (h) => {
+        const shell = createAppShell(h.renderer, {
+          terminal: { columns: 80, rows: 24 },
+          wireKeys: false,
+        })
+        try {
+          openOperatorOverlay(shell, { choices: ["A", "B"] })
+          const before = shell.streamLog.length
+          acceptOverlaySelection(shell)
+          expect(shell.streamLog.length - before).toBe(1)
+        } finally {
+          shell.dispose()
+        }
+      },
+      { width: 80, height: 24 },
+    )
+  })
+})
diff --git a/src/tui-opentui/overlays.ts b/src/tui-opentui/overlays.ts
index b8e20c83e..2f62ad670 100644
--- a/src/tui-opentui/overlays.ts
+++ b/src/tui-opentui/overlays.ts
@@ -91,6 +91,14 @@ export type OpenPermissionsOpts = {
   readonly onToggleExpand?: () => void
   /** Per-open Esc/dismiss; host binds resolve(ApprovalOutcome) so Esc denies instead of hanging. */
   readonly onCancel?: () => void
+  /**
+   * Suppress the generic accept/answer echo for this open. Callers that
+   * record their own authoritative decision row (e.g. gate-wire's
+   * recordDecision) pass `false` so the generic echo does not duplicate it;
+   * callers with no such recorder (e.g. the standalone demo) get the default
+   * echo so their choice still leaves a trace.
+   */
+  readonly echoChoice?: boolean
 }
 
 export function openPermissionsOverlay(
@@ -111,6 +119,7 @@ export function openPermissionsOverlay(
       : {}),
     ...(opts?.onAccept !== undefined ? { onAccept: opts.onAccept } : {}),
     ...(opts?.onCancel !== undefined ? { onCancel: opts.onCancel } : {}),
+    ...(opts?.echoChoice !== undefined ? { echoChoice: opts.echoChoice } : {}),
   })
 }
 
@@ -125,6 +134,14 @@ export type OpenOperatorOpts = {
   readonly onTextAnswer?: (text: string) => void
   /** Per-open Esc/dismiss; host binds resolve(cancel) so Esc cancels instead of hanging. */
   readonly onCancel?: () => void
+  /**
+   * Suppress the generic accept/answer echo for this open. Callers that
+   * record their own authoritative decision row (e.g. gate-wire's
+   * recordOperatorDecision) pass `false` so the generic echo does not
+   * duplicate it; callers with no such recorder (e.g. the standalone demo)
+   * get the default echo so their choice still leaves a trace.
+   */
+  readonly echoChoice?: boolean
 }
 
 /**
@@ -156,6 +173,7 @@ export function openOperatorOverlay(
       ? { onTextAnswer: opts.onTextAnswer }
       : {}),
     ...(opts?.onCancel !== undefined ? { onCancel: opts.onCancel } : {}),
+    ...(opts?.echoChoice !== undefined ? { echoChoice: opts.echoChoice } : {}),
   })
 }
 
diff --git a/src/tui-opentui/shell.ts b/src/tui-opentui/shell.ts
index 7889ffe1e..fc45ca5b7 100644
--- a/src/tui-opentui/shell.ts
+++ b/src/tui-opentui/shell.ts
@@ -3434,14 +3434,16 @@ export function handleOverlayAnswerKey(
     if (answer.text.length === 0) return true
     const text = answer.text
     const submit = answer.onSubmit
-    appendStreamRow(shell, {
-      role: "system",
-      text: `answered: ${text}`,
-      meta: overlayKindWord(shell.overlayKind ?? "operator"),
-    })
+    const bag = internals.get(shell)
+    if (bag?.overlayEchoChoice !== false) {
+      appendStreamRow(shell, {
+        role: "system",
+        text: `answered: ${text}`,
+        meta: overlayKindWord(shell.overlayKind ?? "operator"),
+      })
+    }
     // Deliberate submit, not a dismiss — closeInsetOverlay must not also fire
     // the Esc/cancel path.
-    const bag = internals.get(shell)
     if (bag) bag.overlayOnCancel = null
     closeInsetOverlay(shell)
     submit(text)