diff --git a/lib/auto-trade.ts b/lib/auto-trade.ts
index 6eb90df..fdb25d6 100644
--- a/lib/auto-trade.ts
+++ b/lib/auto-trade.ts
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ import {
     BIG_DAY_THRESHOLD, LEG_COMPLETION_EPSILON, MAX_LEGS_PER_DAY,
     FALLBACK_COMMISSION_PER_CONTRACT, MAX_COMMISSION_PER_CONTRACT, DLL_MIN_STOP,
     CME_EVENING_OPEN_MIN, foldReason, withinFirmCaps,
-    fundRowsKey, markFinishedCycle, unbookedPayoutDrop, machineSide, stageInputsFor, floorRoom, shortestNextLeg,
+    fundRowsKey, markFinishedCycle, unbookedPayoutDrop, machineSide, stageInputsFor, stagePayouts, floorRoom, shortestNextLeg,
     claimedCycle, withinEndedCycleWindow,
     type DayPlan, type FinishedCycleMark, type ClaimedCycle,
 } from './trading-logic';
@@ -2099,7 +2099,9 @@ function afterClaim(
             console.error(`${tag} ${firm.name} ${acc.name}: the completed cycle the claim ended wasn't saved — ${errorMessage(err)}`);
         }
     }
-    const stage = 1 + (client.sameDayClaims?.(acc.id) ?? 0);
+    // The stage the engine trades next, counted as it counts it (stagePayouts).
+    const cfg = getAccountConfig(acc.id).accountType;
+    const stage = 1 + stagePayouts(client.fundTransactions?.[acc.id] ?? [], cfg ? stageInputsFor(client, acc.id, cfg) : {});
     console.log(`${tag} ${firm.name} ${acc.name}: claimed $${claimed}${received !== null ? ` (you get $${received})` : ''}`
         + ` — trading stage ${stage} next (${tradeDate})`);
     return stage;
diff --git a/lib/vest-class.ts b/lib/vest-class.ts
index b0af2a9..83d4d8e 100644
--- a/lib/vest-class.ts
+++ b/lib/vest-class.ts
@@ -777,6 +777,13 @@ export class VestClient implements PlatformClient {
         return vestDayOf(this.numbersAt > 0 ? Math.min(now, this.numbersAt) : now);
     }
 
+    /** Past 8 PM ET with the numbers still the ended day's: a leg opened now
+     *  would be planned and counted on that day, so none opens until a sync
+     *  has read the new one. */
+    private newDayUnread(now: number): boolean {
+        return this.tradeDate(now) !== vestDayOf(now);
+    }
+
     /**
      * See PlatformClient: the gain since the day's base that is still in the
      * account — since this client's own claim today, else since the reset,
@@ -1766,6 +1773,10 @@ export class VestClient implements PlatformClient {
             console.log(`${this.tag} ${root} → nothing tradable — Vest's 8 PM ET reset in ${Math.ceil(toReset / 60_000)} min`);
             return null;
         }
+        if (root !== 'survey' && this.newDayUnread(now)) {
+            console.log(`${this.tag} ${root} → nothing tradable — Vest's day has turned and no sync has read it yet`);
+            return null;
+        }
         for (const symbol of symbols) {
             const spec = specs.get(symbol);
             if (!spec) { board.push({ symbol, score: null, note: 'unknown symbol' }); continue; }
@@ -1963,6 +1974,9 @@ export class VestClient implements PlatformClient {
             if (toReset <= RESET_ENTRY_BLOCK_MS) {
                 throw new OrderNotPlacedError(`Vest's 8 PM ET reset is ${Math.ceil(toReset / 60_000)} min away — no new position until it passes`);
             }
+            if (this.newDayUnread(Date.now())) {
+                throw new OrderNotPlacedError(`Vest's day has turned and no sync has read it yet — no new position until one has`);
+            }
             const opposite = side === 'long' ? 'short' : 'long';
             const hedged = [...this.positionsDetail.values()].flat().some((p) => p.symbol === symbol && p.side === opposite)
                 || this.openingSides.get(symbol)?.side === opposite;
diff --git a/scripts/check-vest-client.mjs b/scripts/check-vest-client.mjs
index 95b09cd..7db0e47 100644
--- a/scripts/check-vest-client.mjs
+++ b/scripts/check-vest-client.mjs
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ const {
 const { vestDayOf, vestAccountId, VestApiError, VEST_STATUS_ACTIVE } = await import('../lib/vest-helpers.ts');
 const { encodeContractName } = await import('../lib/dxtrade-helpers.ts');
 const { tradeDateFor, stageInputsFor, resolveEffectiveConfig, claimedCycle, endedCycleCompletion } = await import('../lib/trading-logic.ts');
-const { isClientReady } = await import('../lib/platform-client.ts');
+const { isClientReady, isOrderNotPlaced } = await import('../lib/platform-client.ts');
 
 const iso = (s) => Date.parse(s);
 const WALLET = '0x7ce10771819f80130e204ddb5ca1522e48a9b451';
@@ -383,6 +383,10 @@ test("the client's Vest day turns with its numbers, and a sync that stalls stops
         assert.equal(vestDayOf(Date.now()), '2026-10-28');
         assert.equal(engineDay(), '2026-10-27');
         assert.equal(isClientReady(client), true);
+        // Nothing opens on the ended day's numbers.
+        const opening = await client.sendOrder(A, encodeContractName('NDX-USD', 0.001), 500, 'Buy', 'Market', undefined, 'open').catch((err) => err);
+        assert.equal(isOrderNotPlaced(opening), true);
+        assert.match(opening.message, /no sync has read it yet/);
         await client.requestSync();
         assert.equal(engineDay(), '2026-10-28');
         // No sync after the next reset: the day holds back only while the