diff --git a/src/express/schedules.ts b/src/express/schedules.ts
index fe12470..6ca24eb 100644
--- a/src/express/schedules.ts
+++ b/src/express/schedules.ts
@@ -397,9 +397,9 @@ export function planProgress(plan: ContentPlan) {
 // from the last half minute, or one still on its way, answers both. forgetReads drops them after an action.
 const PRODUCTION_FRESH = 30_000
 const productionReads = new Map<number, { at: number; read: Promise<ProductionStatus> }>()
-export function productionStatus(id: number): Promise<ProductionStatus> {
+export function productionStatus(id: number, maxAge = PRODUCTION_FRESH): Promise<ProductionStatus> {
   const kept = productionReads.get(id)
-  if (kept && Date.now() - kept.at < PRODUCTION_FRESH) return kept.read
+  if (kept && Date.now() - kept.at < maxAge) return kept.read
   const read = request<ProductionStatus>(`${AGENTS}/${id}/content`)
   productionReads.set(id, { at: Date.now(), read })
   read.catch(() => { if (productionReads.get(id)?.read === read) productionReads.delete(id) })
diff --git a/src/pages/Schedule.tsx b/src/pages/Schedule.tsx
index b4e1e23..a8384b2 100644
--- a/src/pages/Schedule.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/Schedule.tsx
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@ import { toast } from '../components/Toast'
 import { describeRule } from '../express/parse'
 import { locale, t, type Key } from '../i18n'
 import {
-  archiveSchedule, confirmProduction, isMine, isRunSchedule, knowledgeReadiness, listRuns, listSchedules, scheduleOwners, pauseSchedule, PLAN_ACTIVE, productionStatus, quoteProduction, resumeSchedule,
-  planProgress, productionError, runNow as startRun, updateTopic, type ContentPlan, type Owners, type RunSummary, type Schedule,
+  archiveSchedule, confirmProduction, forgetProductionReads, isMine, isRunSchedule, knowledgeReadiness, listRuns, listSchedules, scheduleOwners, pauseSchedule, PLAN_ACTIVE, productionStatus, quoteProduction, resumeSchedule,
+  planProgress, productionError, runNow as startRun, updateTopic, type ContentPlan, type Owners, type ProductionStatus, type RunSummary, type Schedule,
 } from '../express/schedules'
 
 const STUDIO_URL: string = import.meta.env.VITE_STUDIO_URL
@@ -152,13 +152,20 @@ function ScheduleRow({ schedule, owners }: { schedule: Schedule; owners?: Owners
 }
 
 // Content schedules report this week's progress from the engine's production period. Each row
-// asks for its own, so it is read once a minute; starting a production refreshes it at once.
-const useProduction = (agentId: number) => useQuery({
-  queryKey: ['production', agentId],
-  queryFn: () => productionStatus(agentId),
-  refetchInterval: 60_000,
-  staleTime: 60_000,
-})
+// asks for its own, so it is read once a minute; while its latest production is under way it is
+// read every few seconds, so each step shows as it happens. Starting a production refreshes it at once.
+const LIVE_POLL = 5000
+const isLive = (s: ProductionStatus | undefined) => !!s?.plans[0] && PLAN_ACTIVE.has(s.plans[0].status)
+function useProduction(agentId: number) {
+  const queryClient = useQueryClient()
+  const key = ['production', agentId]
+  return useQuery({
+    queryKey: key,
+    queryFn: () => productionStatus(agentId, isLive(queryClient.getQueryData<ProductionStatus>(key)) ? LIVE_POLL : undefined),
+    refetchInterval: q => (isLive(q.state.data) ? LIVE_POLL : 60_000),
+    staleTime: q => (isLive(q.state.data) ? LIVE_POLL : 60_000),
+  })
+}
 
 function ProductionLine({ agentId, active }: { agentId: number; active: boolean }) {
   const status = useProduction(agentId)
@@ -218,6 +225,8 @@ function ProducePanel({ schedule: { agent, rule }, onClose }: { schedule: Schedu
   const start = useMutation({
     mutationFn: (plan: ContentPlan) => confirmProduction(agent.id, plan),
     onSuccess: () => {
+      // The read kept from before the start still shows no production; it must not answer the refresh.
+      forgetProductionReads()
       queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['production', agent.id] })
       queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['results'] })
       onClose()