diff --git a/src/app.rs b/src/app.rs
index 1c22853..feab97a 100644
--- a/src/app.rs
+++ b/src/app.rs
@@ -10,9 +10,10 @@ use std::sync::Arc;
 use fumi_core::address::Address;
 use fumi_core::crypto::{unb32, KEY_LEN};
 use fumi_core::store::Store;
+use iced::time::{self, Duration};
 use iced::widget::qr_code;
 use iced::widget::text_editor::{self, Action};
-use iced::{clipboard, Task};
+use iced::{clipboard, Subscription, Task};
 
 use crate::ops::{self, Folder, OpenedMsg, Row, Snapshot};
 
@@ -136,6 +137,9 @@ pub enum Message {
     MessageSelected(Folder, String),
     FetchPressed,
     FetchCancelled,
+    /// A live re-list while a fetch runs: the store commits each envelope
+    /// as it verifies, so the list can show mail arriving mid-fetch.
+    FetchTick,
     ComposePressed,
     ComposeToEdited(String),
     ComposeSubjectEdited(String),
@@ -369,6 +373,16 @@ impl Carrier {
         self.store.account().ok().flatten()
     }
 
+    /// While a fetch runs, tick a few times a second so the list shows mail
+    /// as it lands instead of freezing until the whole fetch returns.
+    pub fn subscription(&self) -> Subscription<Message> {
+        if self.busy.as_deref() == Some("fetching") {
+            time::every(Duration::from_millis(250)).map(|_| Message::FetchTick)
+        } else {
+            Subscription::none()
+        }
+    }
+
     pub fn update(&mut self, message: Message) -> Task<Message> {
         match message {
             // Text editor actions must survive the busy guard: typing in the
@@ -389,6 +403,17 @@ impl Carrier {
                 }
                 Task::none()
             }
+            Message::FetchTick => {
+                if self.busy.as_deref() != Some("fetching") {
+                    return Task::none();
+                }
+                let master = self.master();
+                let read = self.marks.snapshot();
+                if let Ok(lists) = ops::lists(&self.store, &master, &read) {
+                    self.lists = lists;
+                }
+                Task::none()
+            }
             // Results pass regardless of the busy flag: each one clears the
             // operation it belongs to, so swallowing it would deadlock.
             Message::PinOffered(result) => {
@@ -974,3 +999,39 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(app.busy.as_deref(), Some("fetching"));
     }
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tick_tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use fumi_core::message::{build_frontmatter, message_id, seal};
+
+    /// The store is committed envelope by envelope, so a tick mid-fetch
+    /// sees a message that the running fetch has already verified.
+    #[test]
+    fn fetch_tick_lists_mail_as_it_lands() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap().keep();
+        let (mut app, _task) = Carrier::boot(dir.clone());
+        let master = ops::new_master();
+        app.master = Some(master);
+
+        let me = ops::account(&app.store, &master).unwrap();
+        let addr = fumi_core::address::Address::parse("me@localhost").unwrap();
+        app.store.set_account(&addr).unwrap();
+        let body = build_frontmatter(&[("Subject", "live")], "tick");
+        let envelope = seal(me.me(), &me.me().pk(), body.as_bytes(), 1000, true).unwrap();
+        let id = message_id(&envelope);
+        app.store
+            .store_inbox(&id, &envelope, 1000, false, false)
+            .unwrap();
+
+        app.busy = Some("fetching".into());
+        let _ = app.update(Message::FetchTick);
+        assert_eq!(app.busy.as_deref(), Some("fetching"));
+        assert_eq!(app.lists[0].len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(app.lists[0][0].subject, "live");
+
+        // A tick outside a fetch is a no-op.
+        app.busy = None;
+        let _ = app.update(Message::FetchTick);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 70cb40a..2d090ef 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ fn main() -> iced::Result {
     }
     iced::application("carrier", Carrier::update, view::view)
         .theme(|_| theme::theme())
+        .subscription(Carrier::subscription)
         .window_size(iced::Size::new(1080.0, 640.0))
         .run_with(move || {
             let (state, task) = Carrier::boot(dir);
diff --git a/src/view.rs b/src/view.rs
index 31eaa54..a35b1da 100644
--- a/src/view.rs
+++ b/src/view.rs
@@ -198,9 +198,12 @@ fn status<'a>(app: &'a Carrier) -> Element<'a, Message> {
     let mut line = row![].spacing(10).align_y(Alignment::Center);
     match (&app.busy, &app.status) {
         (Some(busy), _) => {
-            line = line.push(muted(format!("{busy}…")));
             if busy == "fetching" {
+                let inbox = app.lists.first().map(|rows| rows.len()).unwrap_or(0);
+                line = line.push(muted(format!("fetching… {inbox} in inbox")));
                 line = line.push(quiet_action("Cancel", Message::FetchCancelled));
+            } else {
+                line = line.push(muted(format!("{busy}…")));
             }
         }
         (None, Some(status)) => {