diff --git a/docs/requirements.md b/docs/requirements.md
index c5c1a74..59c588f 100644
--- a/docs/requirements.md
+++ b/docs/requirements.md
@@ -42,7 +42,8 @@ commit hashes. It doesn't answer the questions users actually have:
 ### State per submodule
 
 - **F10** Each submodule shows at most **one** state word: the most severe
-  issue, plus `+n` if there are more. Submodules without issues show no word.
+  issue, plus `+n` if there are more. Submodules without issues show a
+  muted `in sync`.
   See [state-model.md](state-model.md) for the full rules.
 - **F11** Each submodule shows its pin as a ref (`origin/main`, a tag, or a
   short SHA as a fallback) and the distance to that ref (`↑n`, `↓n`, `↑n↓m`).
diff --git a/docs/ux-guide.md b/docs/ux-guide.md
index a6448b4..d0c1ade 100644
--- a/docs/ux-guide.md
+++ b/docs/ux-guide.md
@@ -47,13 +47,15 @@ indent ▸ name [n]   status          ref             delta
 | indent | 2 per depth | |
 | toggle | 3 | `▸` collapsed, `▾` expanded, blank for leaves |
 | name | fits the widest visible name | name, `[n]` = direct children (collapsed only) |
-| status | 14 | issue word, `+n`, `·k` hidden issues; spinner while loading |
+| status | 14 | issue word, `+n`, `·k` hidden issues; muted `in sync` without issues; spinner while loading |
 | ref | widest ref, max 22 | resolved ref; muted short SHA if unresolved |
 | delta | 6 | `↑n`, `↓n`, `↑n↓m` |
 
 - The name column is only as wide as needed, so states stay close to names.
 - Directory headers (`src/`, `modules/`) are muted and not selectable.
-- Rows without issues: name and ref muted (except the selected row).
+- Rows without issues: name and ref muted (except the selected row), status
+  `in sync` in muted grey. An empty status cell would look like missing
+  data; the muted word confirms the check ran without drawing attention.
 
 ### Detail pane
 
diff --git a/internal/tui/detail/detail.go b/internal/tui/detail/detail.go
index ae44621..49fd382 100644
--- a/internal/tui/detail/detail.go
+++ b/internal/tui/detail/detail.go
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ func (m Model) lines(s *submodule.Submodule) []string {
 		out = append(out, t.LevelStyle(is.Level, lipgloss.NewStyle()).Width(labelWidth).Render(theme.IssueWord(is.Kind))+text.Render(is.Detail))
 	}
 	if len(issues) == 0 {
-		out = append(out, label("in sync")+muted.Render("nothing to do"))
+		out = append(out, label(theme.InSync)+muted.Render("nothing to do"))
 	}
 	if st.PinStaged {
 		out = append(out, theme.Fg(t.Info).Width(labelWidth).Render("staged")+text.Render("pin change staged, not committed"))
diff --git a/internal/tui/theme/issues.go b/internal/tui/theme/issues.go
index 2aa0c7b..7287435 100644
--- a/internal/tui/theme/issues.go
+++ b/internal/tui/theme/issues.go
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@ import (
 	"submarine/internal/submodule"
 )
 
+// InSync is the word for a submodule without issues.
+const InSync = "in sync"
+
 // IssueWord is the short label for an issue kind shown in the tree.
 func IssueWord(k submodule.IssueKind) string {
 	switch k {
diff --git a/internal/tui/tree/tree.go b/internal/tui/tree/tree.go
index 92b2ded..7e81868 100644
--- a/internal/tui/tree/tree.go
+++ b/internal/tui/tree/tree.go
@@ -398,7 +398,8 @@ func (m Model) nodeLine(r row, nameColW, refW int) string {
 	name := ansi.Truncate(s.Name, max(nameW-len(count), 1), "…")
 	nameCell := seg(textColor, name) + seg(t.Muted, count) + pad(nameW-lipgloss.Width(name+count))
 
-	// status: the most severe issue as a word, "+n" for further issues
+	// status: the most severe issue as a word, "+n" for further issues;
+	// a muted "in sync" without issues, so an empty cell never looks broken
 	var status string
 	switch {
 	case s.Err != nil:
@@ -410,6 +411,8 @@ func (m Model) nodeLine(r row, nameColW, refW int) string {
 		if len(issues) > 1 {
 			status += seg(t.Muted, fmt.Sprintf(" +%d", len(issues)-1))
 		}
+	default:
+		status = seg(t.Muted, theme.InSync)
 	}
 	if k, worst := s.HiddenIssues(); collapsed && k > 0 {
 		if status != "" {