diff --git a/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/list/table/build-inline-draft-create-input.ts b/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/list/table/build-inline-draft-create-input.ts
index 5f911bd8..c4bc18c9 100644
--- a/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/list/table/build-inline-draft-create-input.ts
+++ b/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/list/table/build-inline-draft-create-input.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import type { LocationOption, WorkOrderUser } from "@/domain/work-orders/types/w
 import type { WorkOrderTableDraft } from "@/domain/work-orders/types/work-order-table-row";
 import type { WorkOrderWizardDraft } from "@/domain/work-orders/types/work-order-wizard";
 import { resolveSiteCode } from "@/domain/work-orders/mappers/work-order-board-mapper";
+import { resolveCreationStatus } from "@/domain/work-orders/utils/wo-lifecycle-transitions";
 
 export function buildInlineDraftCreateInput(
   draft: WorkOrderTableDraft,
@@ -36,7 +37,11 @@ export function buildInlineDraftCreateInput(
     vendorNotes: "",
     apptStart: draft.apptStart,
     apptEnd: draft.apptEnd,
-    status: draft.status || "Incomplete",
+    status: resolveCreationStatus({
+      status: draft.status || "Incomplete",
+      scheduledOn: draft.scheduledOn,
+      scheduleWeekOnly,
+    }),
     pocName: draft.pocName,
     pocPhone: draft.pocPhone,
     pocNotes: draft.pocNotes,
diff --git a/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/list/table/cells/status-cell.tsx b/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/list/table/cells/status-cell.tsx
index d55176bd..b9331330 100644
--- a/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/list/table/cells/status-cell.tsx
+++ b/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/list/table/cells/status-cell.tsx
@@ -2,16 +2,19 @@ import { useState } from "react";
 import { AlertTriangle, Check } from "lucide-react";
 import { Popover } from "@mui/material";
 import { Text } from "@/components/ui/text";
-import {
-  ALL_WIZARD_STATUSES,
-  type WizardWOStatus,
-} from "@/domain/work-orders/types/work-order-wizard";
+import type { WizardWOStatus } from "@/domain/work-orders/types/work-order-wizard";
 import type { WorkOrderTableRow } from "@/domain/work-orders/types/work-order-table-row";
 import {
-  formatClosabilityMissingTitle,
   getClosabilityGaps,
   tableRowToClosabilityInput,
 } from "@/domain/work-orders/utils/wo-closability";
+import {
+  BOARD_INLINE_STATUSES,
+  PAST_DUE_BADGE_TOOLTIP,
+  PAST_DUE_POPOVER_BODY,
+  PAST_DUE_RESCHEDULE_CTA,
+  getStatusOptionState,
+} from "@/domain/work-orders/utils/wo-lifecycle-transitions";
 import { HoverChevron } from "./hover-chevron";
 import { WoTableStatusLabel } from "./wo-table-status-label";
 
@@ -24,6 +27,7 @@ type StatusCellProps = {
   onPastDueAttempt?: () => void;
   onRequestComplete?: () => void;
   readOnly?: boolean;
+  statusOptions?: readonly WizardWOStatus[];
 };
 
 function ReadOnlyStatusLabel({ status }: { status: string }) {
@@ -64,7 +68,7 @@ function PastDueStatusCell({
           onPastDueAttempt?.();
           setAnchorEl(e.currentTarget);
         }}
-        title="This WO missed its deadline. Update Schedule On to unlock status updates."
+        title={PAST_DUE_BADGE_TOOLTIP}
         className="group/cell flex w-full cursor-pointer items-center gap-1.5 whitespace-nowrap leading-none transition-opacity hover:opacity-80"
         style={{ fontSize: 12.5, fontWeight: 600, color: "var(--status-pastdue-text)" }}
       >
@@ -97,7 +101,7 @@ function PastDueStatusCell({
                 color: "var(--status-pending-text)",
               }}
             >
-              This work order is past due. Update Schedule On before the status can be updated.
+              {PAST_DUE_POPOVER_BODY}
             </Text>
             <button
               type="button"
@@ -108,7 +112,7 @@ function PastDueStatusCell({
               }}
               className="mt-2 block text-[11px] font-medium text-[var(--color-primary)]"
             >
-              Update Schedule On →
+              {PAST_DUE_RESCHEDULE_CTA}
             </button>
           </div>
         </div>
@@ -124,6 +128,7 @@ export function StatusCell({
   onPastDueAttempt,
   onRequestComplete,
   readOnly = false,
+  statusOptions = BOARD_INLINE_STATUSES,
 }: StatusCellProps) {
   const [anchorEl, setAnchorEl] = useState<HTMLElement | null>(null);
   const closabilityGaps = rowClosabilityGaps(wo);
@@ -162,22 +167,19 @@ export function StatusCell({
         onClose={() => setAnchorEl(null)}
         anchorOrigin={{ vertical: "bottom", horizontal: "left" }}
         onClick={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
-        slotProps={{ paper: { className: "min-w-[168px] rounded-lg border border-border p-1" } }}
+        slotProps={{ paper: { className: "min-w-[190px] rounded-lg border border-border p-1" } }}
       >
-        {ALL_WIZARD_STATUSES.map((status) => {
-          const isCompletedBlocked = status === "Completed" && closabilityGaps.length > 0;
-          const missingTitle = isCompletedBlocked
-            ? formatClosabilityMissingTitle(closabilityGaps)
-            : undefined;
+        {statusOptions.map((status) => {
+          const option = getStatusOptionState(wo, status, closabilityGaps);
 
           return (
             <button
               key={status}
               type="button"
-              disabled={isCompletedBlocked}
-              title={missingTitle}
+              disabled={option.disabled}
+              title={option.title}
               onClick={() => {
-                if (isCompletedBlocked) {
+                if (option.disabled) {
                   return;
                 }
                 if (status === "Completed" && wo.status !== "Completed") {
@@ -189,9 +191,9 @@ export function StatusCell({
                 setAnchorEl(null);
               }}
               className={
-                isCompletedBlocked
-                  ? "flex w-full cursor-not-allowed items-center gap-2 rounded px-2 py-1.5 opacity-50"
-                  : "flex w-full items-center gap-2 rounded px-2 py-1.5 hover:bg-[#F9FAFB]"
+                option.disabled
+                  ? "flex w-full cursor-not-allowed items-center justify-between gap-2 rounded px-2 py-1.5 opacity-50"
+                  : "flex w-full items-center justify-between gap-2 rounded px-2 py-1.5 hover:bg-[#F9FAFB]"
               }
             >
               <WoTableStatusLabel status={status} />
diff --git a/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/list/table/to-inline-draft-row.ts b/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/list/table/to-inline-draft-row.ts
index 283b4ebd..7e7a7a78 100644
--- a/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/list/table/to-inline-draft-row.ts
+++ b/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/list/table/to-inline-draft-row.ts
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ export function toInlineDraftRow(draft: WorkOrderTableDraft) {
     dispatcherId: draft.dispatcherId,
     dispatcherName: "",
     scheduledOn: draft.scheduledOn,
+    scheduleWeekOnly: draft.scheduleWeekOnly,
+    vendorId: draft.vendorId,
     completedDate: "",
     dueDate: draft.dueDate,
     pm: draft.pm,
diff --git a/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/list/table/wo-table-inline-row-cells.tsx b/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/list/table/wo-table-inline-row-cells.tsx
index 8f6482ea..cde640c8 100644
--- a/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/list/table/wo-table-inline-row-cells.tsx
+++ b/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/list/table/wo-table-inline-row-cells.tsx
@@ -13,6 +13,10 @@ import { ApptTimeCell } from "./cells/appt-time-cell";
 import { DateCell } from "./cells/date-cell";
 import { DueDateCell } from "./cells/due-date-cell";
 import { PMTypeCell } from "./cells/pm-type-cell";
+import {
+  CREATION_INLINE_STATUSES,
+  withAutoScheduleStatus,
+} from "@/domain/work-orders/utils/wo-lifecycle-transitions";
 import { StatusCell } from "./cells/status-cell";
 import { TypeCell } from "./cells/type-cell";
 import { VendorCell } from "./cells/vendor-cell";
@@ -84,30 +88,36 @@ function InlineScheduleOnCell({
         defaultMode={weekDefault ? "week" : "date"}
         highlight={!draft.scheduledOn && !draft.targetWeek}
         onSave={(date) =>
-          onPatch({
-            scheduledOn: date,
-            scheduleWeekOnly: false,
-            targetWeek: "",
-            isAddOnOverride: false,
-          })
+          onPatch(
+            withAutoScheduleStatus(draft, {
+              scheduledOn: date,
+              scheduleWeekOnly: false,
+              targetWeek: "",
+              isAddOnOverride: false,
+            }),
+          )
         }
         onSaveWeek={(week) =>
-          onPatch({
-            scheduledOn: "",
-            targetWeek: week,
-            scheduleWeekOnly: true,
-            isAddOnOverride: false,
-          })
+          onPatch(
+            withAutoScheduleStatus(draft, {
+              scheduledOn: "",
+              targetWeek: week,
+              scheduleWeekOnly: true,
+              isAddOnOverride: false,
+            }),
+          )
         }
         onClear={
           hasSchedule
             ? () =>
-                onPatch({
-                  scheduledOn: "",
-                  targetWeek: "",
-                  scheduleWeekOnly: false,
-                  isAddOnOverride: false,
-                })
+                onPatch(
+                  withAutoScheduleStatus(draft, {
+                    scheduledOn: "",
+                    targetWeek: "",
+                    scheduleWeekOnly: false,
+                    isAddOnOverride: false,
+                  }),
+                )
             : undefined
         }
       />
@@ -215,6 +225,7 @@ export function WoTableInlineRowCells({
       <td className="group/cell" style={{ padding: "0 14px" }}>
         <StatusCell
           wo={draftRow as never}
+          statusOptions={CREATION_INLINE_STATUSES}
           onChangeStatus={(status) => onPatch({ status })}
           onOpenSlideOver={() => {}}
           onRequestComplete={onRequestComplete}
diff --git a/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/wizard/wizard-step-type-schedule.tsx b/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/wizard/wizard-step-type-schedule.tsx
index 565c7de1..f4df71a3 100644
--- a/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/wizard/wizard-step-type-schedule.tsx
+++ b/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/wizard/wizard-step-type-schedule.tsx
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import {
   type WorkOrderSeverity,
 } from "@/domain/work-orders/types/work-order-severity";
 import { getDispatcherAvatarColor } from "@/domain/work-orders/utils/dispatcher-avatar-color";
+import { withAutoScheduleStatus } from "@/domain/work-orders/utils/wo-lifecycle-transitions";
 import { WizardDateField } from "@/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/wizard/wizard-date-field";
 import { WizardDueDateField } from "@/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/wizard/wizard-due-date-field";
 import { WizardFieldSelect } from "@/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/wizard/wizard-field-select";
@@ -146,7 +147,11 @@ function WizardTypeScheduleDates({ draft, onUpdate, onPatch }: WizardTypeSchedul
       <div>
         <WizLabelRow
           optional
-          onClear={hasWizardSchedule(draft) ? () => onPatch(clearSchedulePatch()) : undefined}
+          onClear={
+            hasWizardSchedule(draft)
+              ? () => onPatch(withAutoScheduleStatus(draft, clearSchedulePatch()))
+              : undefined
+          }
         >
           Schedule On
         </WizLabelRow>
@@ -158,34 +163,40 @@ function WizardTypeScheduleDates({ draft, onUpdate, onPatch }: WizardTypeSchedul
           scheduleEnd={draft.scheduleEnd}
           schedMode={draft.schedMode}
           onChange={(iso) =>
-            onPatch({
-              scheduledOn: iso,
-              scheduleWeekOnly: false,
-              scheduleEnd: "",
-              schedMode: "date",
-              targetWeek: "",
-              isAddOnOverride: false,
-            })
+            onPatch(
+              withAutoScheduleStatus(draft, {
+                scheduledOn: iso,
+                scheduleWeekOnly: false,
+                scheduleEnd: "",
+                schedMode: "date",
+                targetWeek: "",
+                isAddOnOverride: false,
+              }),
+            )
           }
           onChangeWeek={(w) =>
-            onPatch({
-              scheduledOn: w,
-              scheduleWeekOnly: Boolean(w),
-              scheduleEnd: "",
-              schedMode: "week",
-              targetWeek: w,
-              isAddOnOverride: false,
-            })
+            onPatch(
+              withAutoScheduleStatus(draft, {
+                scheduledOn: w,
+                scheduleWeekOnly: Boolean(w),
+                scheduleEnd: "",
+                schedMode: "week",
+                targetWeek: w,
+                isAddOnOverride: false,
+              }),
+            )
           }
           onChangeRange={(s, e) =>
-            onPatch({
-              scheduledOn: s,
-              scheduleEnd: e,
-              schedMode: "range",
-              scheduleWeekOnly: false,
-              targetWeek: "",
-              isAddOnOverride: false,
-            })
+            onPatch(
+              withAutoScheduleStatus(draft, {
+                scheduledOn: s,
+                scheduleEnd: e,
+                schedMode: "range",
+                scheduleWeekOnly: false,
+                targetWeek: "",
+                isAddOnOverride: false,
+              }),
+            )
           }
         />
       </div>
diff --git a/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/wizard/wizard-step-vendor-time.tsx b/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/wizard/wizard-step-vendor-time.tsx
index f009b9d7..1fbd6142 100644
--- a/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/wizard/wizard-step-vendor-time.tsx
+++ b/src/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/wizard/wizard-step-vendor-time.tsx
@@ -1,9 +1,7 @@
-import { useState } from "react";
 import { Clock, ExternalLink, Mail, User, Wrench } from "lucide-react";
 import { Text } from "@/components/ui/text";
 import type { VendorDropdownItem } from "@/domain/work-orders/types/work-order";
 import {
-  ALL_WIZARD_STATUSES,
   TIME_SLOTS,
   WIZARD_STATUS_DOTS,
   type WizardWOStatus,
@@ -15,12 +13,15 @@ import {
   formatVendorTechnicianLabel,
 } from "@/domain/work-orders/utils/vendor-dropdown-label";
 import {
-  formatClosabilityMissingTitle,
   getClosabilityGaps,
   wizardDraftToClosabilityInput,
 } from "@/domain/work-orders/utils/wo-closability";
+import {
+  CREATION_INLINE_STATUSES,
+  getStatusOptionState,
+  withAutoScheduleStatus,
+} from "@/domain/work-orders/utils/wo-lifecycle-transitions";
 import { WizardFieldSelect } from "@/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/wizard/wizard-field-select";
-import { WorkOrderCompleteDialog } from "@/app/(protected)/workorders/_components/list/work-order-complete-dialog";
 import {
   DLG_INPUT_CLS,
   DLG_INPUT_STYLE,
@@ -173,15 +174,15 @@ function WizardApptTimeFields({ draft, onUpdate, onPatch }: WizardApptTimeFields
   );
 }
 
-function buildWizardStatusOptions(closabilityGaps: string[]) {
-  return ALL_WIZARD_STATUSES.map((status) => {
-    const isCompletedBlocked = status === "Completed" && closabilityGaps.length > 0;
+function buildWizardStatusOptions(draft: WorkOrderWizardDraft, closabilityGaps: string[]) {
+  return CREATION_INLINE_STATUSES.map((status) => {
+    const option = getStatusOptionState(draft, status, closabilityGaps);
     return {
       key: status,
       label: status,
       left: <ColorDot color={WIZARD_STATUS_DOTS[status]} />,
-      disabled: isCompletedBlocked,
-      title: isCompletedBlocked ? formatClosabilityMissingTitle(closabilityGaps) : undefined,
+      disabled: option.disabled,
+      title: option.title,
     };
   });
 }
@@ -192,7 +193,6 @@ export function WizardStepVendorTime({
   onUpdate,
   onPatch,
 }: WizardStepVendorTimeProps) {
-  const [confirmComplete, setConfirmComplete] = useState(false);
   const selectedVendor = vendors.find((v) => String(v.id) === draft.vendorId);
   const statusValue = (draft.status || "Incomplete") as WizardWOStatus;
   const statusDotColor = WIZARD_STATUS_DOTS[statusValue] ?? WIZARD_STATUS_DOTS.Incomplete;
@@ -272,27 +272,16 @@ export function WizardStepVendorTime({
           placeholder="Select status…"
           search={false}
           icon={<ColorDot color={statusDotColor} />}
-          options={buildWizardStatusOptions(closabilityGaps)}
+          options={buildWizardStatusOptions(draft, closabilityGaps)}
           onPick={(status) => {
-            if (status === "Completed" && closabilityGaps.length > 0) return;
-            if (status === "Completed" && draft.status !== "Completed") {
-              setConfirmComplete(true);
+            const option = getStatusOptionState(draft, status as WizardWOStatus, closabilityGaps);
+            if (option.disabled) {
               return;
             }
-            onUpdate("status", status as WizardWOStatus);
+            onPatch(withAutoScheduleStatus(draft, { status: status as WizardWOStatus }));
           }}
         />
       </div>
-      <WorkOrderCompleteDialog
-        open={confirmComplete}
-        isPending={false}
-        onDialogClose={() => setConfirmComplete(false)}
-        onKeepOpen={() => setConfirmComplete(false)}
-        onConfirm={() => {
-          onUpdate("status", "Completed");
-          setConfirmComplete(false);
-        }}
-      />
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/src/domain/work-orders/use-cases/use-work-order-table-mutations.ts b/src/domain/work-orders/use-cases/use-work-order-table-mutations.ts
index 713ccd84..f77d44a9 100644
--- a/src/domain/work-orders/use-cases/use-work-order-table-mutations.ts
+++ b/src/domain/work-orders/use-cases/use-work-order-table-mutations.ts
@@ -19,9 +19,15 @@ import type {
 } from "@/domain/work-orders/types/work-order-table-row";
 import { deriveDayFields } from "@/domain/work-orders/utils/table-day-utils";
 import { enrichTableRow } from "@/domain/work-orders/utils/table-filter-utils";
+import {
+  maybeAutoSchedulePatch,
+  mergeAutoSchedulePatch,
+} from "@/domain/work-orders/utils/wo-lifecycle-transitions";
 import { createWorkOrderPatchQueue } from "@/domain/work-orders/utils/work-order-patch-queue";
 import { queryKeys } from "@/infra/query-key/query-key";
 
+export { maybeAutoSchedulePatch };
+
 export type { WorkOrderTablePatch };
 
 export type WorkOrderTablePatchOptions = {
@@ -124,10 +130,16 @@ export function useWorkOrderTableMutations(
 
   const patchMutation = useMutation({
     meta: { suppressErrorToast: true },
-    mutationFn: ({ id, patch }: { id: string | number; patch: WorkOrderTablePatch }) =>
-      enqueuePatch(id, () => runWorkOrderTablePatch(id, patch, getRow)),
-    onMutate: async ({ id, patch }) => {
-      onPatch(id, patch);
+    mutationFn: ({
+      id,
+      persistPatch,
+    }: {
+      id: string | number;
+      patch: WorkOrderTablePatch;
+      persistPatch: WorkOrderTablePatch;
+    }) => enqueuePatch(id, () => runWorkOrderTablePatch(id, persistPatch, getRow)),
+    onMutate: async ({ id, persistPatch }) => {
+      onPatch(id, persistPatch);
     },
     onSuccess: (result, { id }) => {
       if (result.kind === "board") {
@@ -158,15 +170,21 @@ export function useWorkOrderTableMutations(
     },
   });
 
+  const resolvePatch = (id: string | number, patch: WorkOrderTablePatch) =>
+    mergeAutoSchedulePatch(getRow?.(id), patch);
+
   const patchField: WorkOrderTablePatchFn = (id, patch, options) => {
-    void patchMutation.mutateAsync({ id, patch }).then(
+    const persistPatch = resolvePatch(id, patch);
+    void patchMutation.mutateAsync({ id, patch, persistPatch }).then(
       () => options?.onSuccess?.(),
       (error: Error) => options?.onError?.(error),
     );
   };
 
-  const patchFieldAsync = (id: string | number, patch: WorkOrderTablePatch) =>
-    patchMutation.mutateAsync({ id, patch });
+  const patchFieldAsync = (id: string | number, patch: WorkOrderTablePatch) => {
+    const persistPatch = resolvePatch(id, patch);
+    return patchMutation.mutateAsync({ id, patch, persistPatch });
+  };
 
   return {
     patchField,
@@ -189,19 +207,9 @@ export function tableRowFromDetail(detail: Awaited<ReturnType<typeof workOrdersA
   );
 }
 
-/** Optimistic UI only — persistence auto-schedule is handled by the board PATCH API. */
-export function maybeAutoSchedulePatch(row: WorkOrderTableRow): WorkOrderTablePatch {
-  const hasDate = !!row.scheduledOn;
-  const hasDispatcher = !!row.dispatcherId;
-  if (hasDate && hasDispatcher && row.status === "Incomplete") {
-    return { status: "Scheduled" };
-  }
-  return {};
-}
-
 /**
  * Build a schedule table patch. Clearing the schedule optimistically clears
- * `isAddOn`; day/week moves leave `isAddOn` for the board PATCH response (SH-184).
+ * `isAddOn`; day/week moves leave `isAddOn` for the board PATCH response.
  */
 export function applySchedulePatch(
   scheduledOn: string,
diff --git a/src/domain/work-orders/utils/board-audit-action-rules.ts b/src/domain/work-orders/utils/board-audit-action-rules.ts
index bae79b4b..c5c6a12a 100644
--- a/src/domain/work-orders/utils/board-audit-action-rules.ts
+++ b/src/domain/work-orders/utils/board-audit-action-rules.ts
@@ -26,11 +26,19 @@ export type AuditActionRuleContext = {
 
 export type AuditActionRule = (ctx: AuditActionRuleContext) => string | null;
 
-function tryStatusRule({ fieldKey, actionKey, newValue }: AuditActionRuleContext): string | null {
+function tryStatusRule({
+  fieldKey,
+  actionKey,
+  oldValue,
+  newValue,
+}: AuditActionRuleContext): string | null {
   const matches =
     fieldKey.includes("status") || fieldKey === "lifecyclestatus" || actionKey.includes("status");
   if (!matches || !newValue.text) return null;
 
+  if (oldValue.text) {
+    return `Changed status from ${wrapAuditValue(oldValue)} to ${wrapAuditValue(newValue)}`;
+  }
   return `Changed status to ${wrapAuditValue(newValue)}`;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/domain/work-orders/utils/wo-lifecycle-transitions.ts b/src/domain/work-orders/utils/wo-lifecycle-transitions.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..264344eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/domain/work-orders/utils/wo-lifecycle-transitions.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,195 @@
+import {
+  ALL_WIZARD_STATUSES,
+  type WizardWOStatus,
+} from "@/domain/work-orders/types/work-order-wizard";
+import type {
+  WorkOrderTablePatch,
+  WorkOrderTableRow,
+} from "@/domain/work-orders/types/work-order-table-row";
+import {
+  PENDING_UPLIFT_GAP,
+  UPLIFT_PENDING_COMPLETED_TITLE,
+} from "@/domain/work-orders/utils/wo-closability";
+
+/** AAP `ALL_STATUSES` — Canceled is kebab-only. */
+export const BOARD_INLINE_STATUSES: readonly WizardWOStatus[] = ALL_WIZARD_STATUSES;
+
+/** AAP `CREATION_STATUSES` — wizard Step 3 and inline create. */
+export const CREATION_INLINE_STATUSES: readonly WizardWOStatus[] = [
+  "Incomplete",
+  "Pending",
+  "Scheduled",
+];
+
+export const SCHEDULED_NEEDS_DATE_MSG =
+  "Set a Schedule On date before marking this work order as Scheduled.";
+
+export const PAST_DUE_BADGE_TOOLTIP =
+  "This WO missed its service window. Reschedule to unlock status updates.";
+
+export const PAST_DUE_POPOVER_BODY =
+  "This work order is past due. A new date must be scheduled before the status can be updated.";
+
+export const PAST_DUE_RESCHEDULE_CTA = "Reschedule →";
+
+export const COMPLETED_DOC_BLOCK_MSG =
+  "Generate or mark the completion document as not required before completing this work order";
+
+export const COMPLETED_MEDIA_BLOCK_MSG =
+  "Upload at least one completion photo before completing this work order.";
+
+const COMPLETE_ACTION = "completing this work order";
+
+const EMPTY_FIELD_TOKENS = new Set(["", "-", "—", "N/A", "n/a"]);
+
+const PRE_SCHEDULE_STATUSES = new Set<string>(["Incomplete", "Pending", ""]);
+
+const FIELD_GAP_TO_AAP_LABEL: [string, string][] = [
+  ["Dispatcher", "Assigned To"],
+  ["Company", "Vendor"],
+  ["Completed Date", "Completed Date"],
+  ["Service", "Service"],
+];
+
+export type ScheduleDateInput = {
+  scheduledOn?: string;
+  scheduleWeekOnly?: boolean;
+  schedMode?: string;
+};
+
+export type StatusOptionState = {
+  disabled: boolean;
+  title?: string;
+};
+
+export function isLifecycleFieldEmpty(value?: string): boolean {
+  if (value == null) {
+    return true;
+  }
+  const trimmed = value.trim();
+  return EMPTY_FIELD_TOKENS.has(trimmed);
+}
+
+/** AAP `hasScheduleDate`: concrete day/range only — week-only does not count. */
+export function hasConcreteScheduleDate(row: ScheduleDateInput): boolean {
+  if (row.scheduleWeekOnly === true || row.schedMode === "week") {
+    return false;
+  }
+  return !isLifecycleFieldEmpty(row.scheduledOn);
+}
+
+export function isPreScheduleStatus(status: string): boolean {
+  return PRE_SCHEDULE_STATUSES.has(status);
+}
+
+export function formatAapCompletedBlockTitle(gaps: string[]): string | undefined {
+  if (gaps.length === 0) {
+    return undefined;
+  }
+
+  const fields = FIELD_GAP_TO_AAP_LABEL.filter(([gap]) => gaps.includes(gap)).map(
+    ([, label]) => label,
+  );
+
+  if (fields.length === 1 && fields[0] === "Service") {
+    return `Select a service before ${COMPLETE_ACTION}.`;
+  }
+  if (fields.length > 0) {
+    return `Fill in ${fields.join(", ")} before ${COMPLETE_ACTION}.`;
+  }
+  if (gaps.includes("WO number")) {
+    return `Assign a real APM number (not SH) before ${COMPLETE_ACTION}.`;
+  }
+  if (gaps.includes(PENDING_UPLIFT_GAP)) {
+    return UPLIFT_PENDING_COMPLETED_TITLE;
+  }
+  if (gaps.includes("Completion document")) {
+    return COMPLETED_DOC_BLOCK_MSG;
+  }
+  if (gaps.includes("At least 1 photo")) {
+    return COMPLETED_MEDIA_BLOCK_MSG;
+  }
+  return undefined;
+}
+
+export function getStatusOptionState(
+  row: ScheduleDateInput,
+  status: WizardWOStatus,
+  closabilityGaps: string[],
+): StatusOptionState {
+  if (status === "Scheduled" && !hasConcreteScheduleDate(row)) {
+    return { disabled: true, title: SCHEDULED_NEEDS_DATE_MSG };
+  }
+  if (status === "Completed") {
+    const title = formatAapCompletedBlockTitle(closabilityGaps);
+    if (title) {
+      return { disabled: true, title };
+    }
+  }
+  return { disabled: false };
+}
+
+/** AAP `maybeAutoSchedule` — no dispatcher requirement. */
+export function maybeAutoSchedulePatch(
+  row: ScheduleDateInput & { status?: string },
+): WorkOrderTablePatch {
+  const hasDate = hasConcreteScheduleDate(row);
+  if (hasDate && isPreScheduleStatus(row.status ?? "")) {
+    return { status: "Scheduled" };
+  }
+  if (!hasDate && row.status === "Scheduled") {
+    return { status: "Pending" };
+  }
+  return {};
+}
+
+function patchTouchesScheduleOrStatus(patch: WorkOrderTablePatch): boolean {
+  return (
+    patch.status !== undefined ||
+    patch.scheduledOn !== undefined ||
+    patch.scheduleWeekOnly !== undefined ||
+    patch.targetWeek !== undefined
+  );
+}
+
+export function mergeAutoSchedulePatch(
+  row: WorkOrderTableRow | undefined,
+  patch: WorkOrderTablePatch,
+): WorkOrderTablePatch {
+  if (!row || !patchTouchesScheduleOrStatus(patch)) {
+    return patch;
+  }
+  const merged = {
+    status: patch.status ?? row.status,
+    scheduledOn: patch.scheduledOn !== undefined ? patch.scheduledOn : row.scheduledOn,
+    scheduleWeekOnly:
+      patch.scheduleWeekOnly !== undefined ? patch.scheduleWeekOnly : row.scheduleWeekOnly,
+  };
+  return { ...patch, ...maybeAutoSchedulePatch(merged) };
+}
+
+/** Apply schedule fields and the AAP auto-status for that next schedule. */
+export function withAutoScheduleStatus<T extends ScheduleDateInput & { status?: string }>(
+  current: T,
+  schedulePatch: Partial<T> & ScheduleDateInput,
+): Partial<T> {
+  const next = {
+    status: schedulePatch.status ?? current.status ?? "",
+    scheduledOn:
+      schedulePatch.scheduledOn !== undefined ? schedulePatch.scheduledOn : current.scheduledOn,
+    scheduleWeekOnly:
+      schedulePatch.scheduleWeekOnly !== undefined
+        ? schedulePatch.scheduleWeekOnly
+        : current.scheduleWeekOnly,
+  };
+  return { ...schedulePatch, ...maybeAutoSchedulePatch(next) };
+}
+
+/** AAP create: apply maybeAutoSchedule to the draft before POST. */
+export function resolveCreationStatus(row: ScheduleDateInput & { status: string }): WizardWOStatus {
+  const autoStatus = maybeAutoSchedulePatch(row).status;
+  if (autoStatus === "Scheduled" || autoStatus === "Pending") {
+    return autoStatus;
+  }
+  return (row.status || "Incomplete") as WizardWOStatus;
+}
diff --git a/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/build-inline-draft-create-input.test.ts b/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/build-inline-draft-create-input.test.ts
index 441f39e2..674a9b63 100644
--- a/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/build-inline-draft-create-input.test.ts
+++ b/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/build-inline-draft-create-input.test.ts
@@ -92,4 +92,39 @@ describe("buildInlineDraftCreateInput", () => {
     expect(input.assigneeId).toBe("");
     expect(payload).not.toHaveProperty("assignTo");
   });
+
+  it("promotes Pending to Scheduled when create has a concrete date", () => {
+    const draft = {
+      ...EMPTY_TABLE_DRAFT,
+      site: "BK5",
+      locationId: "9",
+      woNumber: "25006",
+      pocName: "Jane",
+      pocPhone: "555-0100",
+      status: "Pending" as const,
+      scheduledOn: "2026-06-01",
+      scheduleWeekOnly: false,
+    };
+
+    const input = buildInlineDraftCreateInput(draft, [], [{ id: 9, name: "BK5 · Dallas, TX" }]);
+    expect(input.status).toBe("Scheduled");
+  });
+
+  it("demotes Scheduled to Pending when create has no concrete date", () => {
+    const draft = {
+      ...EMPTY_TABLE_DRAFT,
+      site: "BK5",
+      locationId: "9",
+      woNumber: "25005",
+      pocName: "Jane",
+      pocPhone: "555-0100",
+      status: "Scheduled" as const,
+      scheduledOn: "",
+      scheduleWeekOnly: true,
+      targetWeek: "",
+    };
+
+    const input = buildInlineDraftCreateInput(draft, [], [{ id: 9, name: "BK5 · Dallas, TX" }]);
+    expect(input.status).toBe("Pending");
+  });
 });
diff --git a/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/status-cell-closability.test.tsx b/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/status-cell-closability.test.tsx
index 828d260f..31c90363 100644
--- a/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/status-cell-closability.test.tsx
+++ b/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/status-cell-closability.test.tsx
@@ -31,8 +31,47 @@ describe("StatusCell closability gate", () => {
     const completed = screen.getByRole("button", { name: /^completed$/i });
 
     expect(completed.hasAttribute("disabled")).toBe(true);
-    expect(completed.getAttribute("title") ?? "").toContain("Missing:");
+    expect(completed.getAttribute("title") ?? "").toContain("Fill in");
     fireEvent.click(completed);
     expect(onChangeStatus).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith("Completed");
   });
+
+  it("does not offer Canceled", () => {
+    render(<StatusCell wo={incompleteRow} onChangeStatus={vi.fn()} onOpenSlideOver={vi.fn()} />);
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /scheduled/i }));
+    expect(screen.queryByRole("button", { name: /^canceled$/i })).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it("disables Scheduled when the row has no concrete date", () => {
+    const onChangeStatus = vi.fn();
+    render(
+      <StatusCell
+        wo={{ ...incompleteRow, status: "Pending", scheduledOn: "" }}
+        onChangeStatus={onChangeStatus}
+        onOpenSlideOver={vi.fn()}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /pending/i }));
+    const scheduled = screen.getByRole("button", { name: /^scheduled$/i });
+    expect(scheduled).toBeDisabled();
+    fireEvent.click(scheduled);
+    expect(onChangeStatus).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("limits creation options to Incomplete, Pending, and Scheduled", () => {
+    render(
+      <StatusCell
+        wo={{ ...incompleteRow, status: "Incomplete" }}
+        statusOptions={["Incomplete", "Pending", "Scheduled"]}
+        onChangeStatus={vi.fn()}
+        onOpenSlideOver={vi.fn()}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /incomplete/i }));
+    expect(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /^pending$/i })).toBeTruthy();
+    expect(screen.queryByRole("button", { name: /^en route$/i })).toBeNull();
+  });
 });
diff --git a/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/status-cell-past-due-copy.test.tsx b/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/status-cell-past-due-copy.test.tsx
index df022f15..f55a67ea 100644
--- a/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/status-cell-past-due-copy.test.tsx
+++ b/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/status-cell-past-due-copy.test.tsx
@@ -22,18 +22,20 @@ const pastDueRow = {
   dueDate: "2026-08-01",
 } as WorkOrderTableRow;
 
-describe("StatusCell Past Due copy (SH-185)", () => {
+describe("StatusCell Past Due copy", () => {
   it("directs the dispatcher to update Schedule On, not Due Date", () => {
     render(<StatusCell wo={pastDueRow} onChangeStatus={vi.fn()} onOpenSlideOver={vi.fn()} />);
 
     const trigger = screen.getByRole("button", { name: /past due/i });
-    expect(trigger.getAttribute("title") ?? "").toContain("Schedule On");
+    expect(trigger.getAttribute("title") ?? "").toContain("Reschedule to unlock status updates");
     expect(trigger.getAttribute("title") ?? "").not.toMatch(/due date/i);
 
     fireEvent.click(trigger);
 
-    expect(screen.getByText(/update schedule on before the status can be updated/i)).toBeTruthy();
-    expect(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /update schedule on/i })).toBeTruthy();
+    expect(
+      screen.getByText(/a new date must be scheduled before the status can be updated/i),
+    ).toBeTruthy();
+    expect(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /reschedule/i })).toBeTruthy();
     expect(screen.queryByText(/due date/i)).toBeNull();
   });
 });
diff --git a/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/status-cell-pending-uplift.test.tsx b/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/status-cell-pending-uplift.test.tsx
index dd2f9d58..69b76209 100644
--- a/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/status-cell-pending-uplift.test.tsx
+++ b/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/status-cell-pending-uplift.test.tsx
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ describe("StatusCell pending uplift closability", () => {
 
     const completed = screen.getByRole("button", { name: /completed/i });
     expect(completed).toBeDisabled();
-    expect(completed).toHaveAttribute("title", "Missing: Company");
+    expect(completed).toHaveAttribute("title", "Fill in Vendor before completing this work order.");
     fireEvent.click(completed);
     expect(onChangeStatus).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
@@ -227,7 +227,10 @@ describe("StatusCell pending uplift closability", () => {
 
       const completed = screen.getByRole("button", { name: /completed/i });
       expect(completed).toBeDisabled();
-      expect(completed).toHaveAttribute("title", "Missing: Company");
+      expect(completed).toHaveAttribute(
+        "title",
+        "Fill in Vendor before completing this work order.",
+      );
       fireEvent.click(completed);
       expect(onChangeStatus).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     },
@@ -254,7 +257,7 @@ describe("StatusCell pending uplift closability", () => {
 
     const completed = screen.getByRole("button", { name: /completed/i });
     expect(completed).toBeDisabled();
-    expect(completed).toHaveAttribute("title", "Missing: Company");
+    expect(completed).toHaveAttribute("title", "Fill in Vendor before completing this work order.");
   });
 
   it("allows Completed after a vendor patch clears leftover refused status", () => {
diff --git a/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/wizard-schedule-date-range.test.tsx b/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/wizard-schedule-date-range.test.tsx
index a79ac2e6..11c2d05d 100644
--- a/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/wizard-schedule-date-range.test.tsx
+++ b/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/wizard-schedule-date-range.test.tsx
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ describe("WizardStepTypeSchedule — Schedule On range selection", () => {
       scheduleWeekOnly: false,
       targetWeek: "",
       isAddOnOverride: false,
+      status: "Scheduled",
     });
   });
 
@@ -86,6 +87,7 @@ describe("WizardStepTypeSchedule — Schedule On range selection", () => {
       scheduleWeekOnly: false,
       targetWeek: "",
       isAddOnOverride: false,
+      status: "Scheduled",
     });
   });
 
diff --git a/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/wizard-step-vendor-time-closability.test.tsx b/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/wizard-step-vendor-time-closability.test.tsx
index e2d04458..9280a735 100644
--- a/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/wizard-step-vendor-time-closability.test.tsx
+++ b/src/test/app/(protected)/workorders/wizard-step-vendor-time-closability.test.tsx
@@ -19,28 +19,25 @@ describe("WizardStepVendorTime Appt Time", () => {
   });
 });
 
-describe("WizardStepVendorTime closability gate", () => {
-  it("disables Completed when closability requirements are missing", () => {
-    const onUpdate = vi.fn();
+describe("WizardStepVendorTime creation statuses (AAP)", () => {
+  it("offers only Incomplete, Pending, and Scheduled", () => {
     render(
       <WizardStepVendorTime
-        draft={{ ...EMPTY_WIZARD_DRAFT, type: "PM", status: "Scheduled" }}
+        draft={{ ...EMPTY_WIZARD_DRAFT, type: "PM", status: "Incomplete" }}
         vendors={[]}
-        onUpdate={onUpdate}
+        onUpdate={vi.fn()}
         onPatch={vi.fn()}
       />,
     );
 
-    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /scheduled/i }));
-    const completed = screen.getByRole("button", { name: /^completed$/i });
-    expect(completed).toBeDisabled();
-    expect(completed).toHaveAttribute("title", expect.stringContaining("Missing:"));
-
-    fireEvent.click(completed);
-    expect(onUpdate).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith("status", "Completed");
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /incomplete/i }));
+    expect(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /^pending$/i })).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /^scheduled$/i })).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.queryByRole("button", { name: /^completed$/i })).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.queryByRole("button", { name: /^en route$/i })).not.toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
-  it("allows selecting a non-Completed status", () => {
+  it("disables Scheduled without a concrete date", () => {
     const onUpdate = vi.fn();
     render(
       <WizardStepVendorTime
@@ -51,10 +48,54 @@ describe("WizardStepVendorTime closability gate", () => {
       />,
     );
 
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /incomplete/i }));
+    const scheduled = screen.getByRole("button", { name: /^scheduled$/i });
+    expect(scheduled).toBeDisabled();
+    expect(scheduled).toHaveAttribute(
+      "title",
+      "Set a Schedule On date before marking this work order as Scheduled.",
+    );
+    fireEvent.click(scheduled);
+    expect(onUpdate).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith("status", "Scheduled");
+  });
+
+  it("allows selecting a non-Completed status", () => {
+    const onPatch = vi.fn();
+    render(
+      <WizardStepVendorTime
+        draft={{ ...EMPTY_WIZARD_DRAFT, type: "PM", status: "Incomplete" }}
+        vendors={[]}
+        onUpdate={vi.fn()}
+        onPatch={onPatch}
+      />,
+    );
+
     fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /incomplete/i }));
     const menu = screen.getByRole("button", { name: /^pending$/i }).closest("div");
     expect(menu).not.toBeNull();
     fireEvent.click(within(menu!.parentElement!).getByRole("button", { name: /^pending$/i }));
-    expect(onUpdate).toHaveBeenCalledWith("status", "Pending");
+    expect(onPatch).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ status: "Pending" });
+  });
+
+  it("promotes Pending to Scheduled when picked on a dated draft", () => {
+    const onPatch = vi.fn();
+    render(
+      <WizardStepVendorTime
+        draft={{
+          ...EMPTY_WIZARD_DRAFT,
+          type: "PM",
+          status: "Scheduled",
+          scheduledOn: "2026-06-01",
+          scheduleWeekOnly: false,
+        }}
+        vendors={[]}
+        onUpdate={vi.fn()}
+        onPatch={onPatch}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /scheduled/i }));
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /^pending$/i }));
+    expect(onPatch).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ status: "Scheduled" });
   });
 });
diff --git a/src/test/domain/work-orders/use-cases/use-work-order-table-mutations.test.tsx b/src/test/domain/work-orders/use-cases/use-work-order-table-mutations.test.tsx
index 4d1c374c..ed614089 100644
--- a/src/test/domain/work-orders/use-cases/use-work-order-table-mutations.test.tsx
+++ b/src/test/domain/work-orders/use-cases/use-work-order-table-mutations.test.tsx
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import {
   applySchedulePatch,
   useWorkOrderTableMutations,
 } from "@/domain/work-orders/use-cases/use-work-order-table-mutations";
+import { queryKeys } from "@/infra/query-key/query-key";
 import { toVendorTablePatch } from "@/domain/work-orders/utils/vendor-assignment-patch";
 import {
   getClosabilityGaps,
@@ -223,6 +224,43 @@ describe("useWorkOrderTableMutations completion-doc persistence", () => {
   });
 });
 
+describe("maybeAutoSchedule on board patch", () => {
+  it("optimistically promotes Incomplete to Scheduled when a date is set", async () => {
+    const rowState = { ...BASE_ROW, status: "Incomplete" as const, scheduledOn: "" };
+    patchBoardField.mockImplementation(async (_id: unknown, payload: { field: string }) => {
+      if (payload.field === "lifecycleStatus") {
+        return { ...rowState, status: "Scheduled", scheduledOn: "2026-07-15" };
+      }
+      return { ...rowState, scheduledOn: "2026-07-15" };
+    });
+
+    const onPatch = vi.fn();
+    const { result } = renderHook(
+      () =>
+        useWorkOrderTableMutations({
+          onPatch,
+          clearPatch: () => undefined,
+          getRow: () => rowState,
+        }),
+      { wrapper: makeWrapper() },
+    );
+
+    act(() => {
+      result.current.patchField(42, applySchedulePatch("2026-07-15", false));
+    });
+
+    expect(onPatch).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      42,
+      expect.objectContaining({ scheduledOn: "2026-07-15", status: "Scheduled" }),
+    );
+    await waitFor(() => expect(patchBoardField).toHaveBeenCalled());
+    expect(patchBoardField).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      42,
+      expect.objectContaining({ field: "lifecycleStatus", value: "Scheduled" }),
+    );
+  });
+});
+
 describe("applySchedulePatch isAddOn optimistic clear", () => {
   it("clears isAddOn when schedule is cleared", () => {
     expect(applySchedulePatch("", false)).toMatchObject({
@@ -642,3 +680,39 @@ describe("useWorkOrderTableMutations apptTime clear", () => {
     );
   });
 });
+
+describe("useWorkOrderTableMutations audit cache refresh", () => {
+  it("invalidates work-order queries after a successful status transition", async () => {
+    const client = new QueryClient({
+      defaultOptions: { queries: { retry: false }, mutations: { retry: false } },
+    });
+    const invalidateSpy = vi.spyOn(client, "invalidateQueries");
+    const nextRow = { ...BASE_ROW, status: "En Route" as const, rowVersion: "wo-v2" };
+    patchBoardField.mockReset();
+    patchBoardField.mockResolvedValue(nextRow);
+
+    const { result } = renderHook(
+      () =>
+        useWorkOrderTableMutations({
+          onPatch: vi.fn(),
+          clearPatch: () => undefined,
+          getRow: () => BASE_ROW,
+        }),
+      {
+        wrapper: ({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) => (
+          <QueryClientProvider client={client}>{children}</QueryClientProvider>
+        ),
+      },
+    );
+
+    act(() => {
+      result.current.patchField(42, { status: "En Route" });
+    });
+
+    await waitFor(() =>
+      expect(invalidateSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        expect.objectContaining({ queryKey: queryKeys.workOrders.all }),
+      ),
+    );
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/test/domain/work-orders/utils/format-board-audit-action.test.ts b/src/test/domain/work-orders/utils/format-board-audit-action.test.ts
index 7e8da248..3ba0ad1b 100644
--- a/src/test/domain/work-orders/utils/format-board-audit-action.test.ts
+++ b/src/test/domain/work-orders/utils/format-board-audit-action.test.ts
@@ -21,7 +21,28 @@ describe("formatBoardAuditAction", () => {
         oldValue: "Scheduled",
         newValue: "Incomplete",
       }),
-    ).toBe('Changed status to "Incomplete"');
+    ).toBe('Changed status from "Scheduled" to "Incomplete"');
+  });
+
+  it("includes the previous status in the audit sentence when present", () => {
+    const sentence = formatBoardAuditAction({
+      action: "StatusChanged",
+      fieldName: "LifecycleStatus",
+      oldValue: "Pending",
+      newValue: "En Route",
+    });
+    expect(sentence).toBe('Changed status from "Pending" to "En Route"');
+  });
+
+  it("omits from when the previous status is empty", () => {
+    expect(
+      formatBoardAuditAction({
+        action: "StatusChanged",
+        fieldName: "LifecycleStatus",
+        oldValue: "",
+        newValue: "Scheduled",
+      }),
+    ).toBe('Changed status to "Scheduled"');
   });
 
   it("formats WeekRolled / CarriedOver with increment", () => {
diff --git a/src/test/domain/work-orders/utils/wo-lifecycle-transitions.test.ts b/src/test/domain/work-orders/utils/wo-lifecycle-transitions.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5e99b7a1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/test/domain/work-orders/utils/wo-lifecycle-transitions.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,202 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { PENDING_UPLIFT_GAP } from "@/domain/work-orders/utils/wo-closability";
+import {
+  BOARD_INLINE_STATUSES,
+  COMPLETED_DOC_BLOCK_MSG,
+  COMPLETED_MEDIA_BLOCK_MSG,
+  CREATION_INLINE_STATUSES,
+  SCHEDULED_NEEDS_DATE_MSG,
+  formatAapCompletedBlockTitle,
+  getStatusOptionState,
+  hasConcreteScheduleDate,
+  maybeAutoSchedulePatch,
+  mergeAutoSchedulePatch,
+  resolveCreationStatus,
+  withAutoScheduleStatus,
+} from "@/domain/work-orders/utils/wo-lifecycle-transitions";
+import type { WorkOrderTableRow } from "@/domain/work-orders/types/work-order-table-row";
+
+describe("wo-lifecycle-transitions", () => {
+  it("lists AAP board statuses without Canceled", () => {
+    expect(BOARD_INLINE_STATUSES).toEqual([
+      "Incomplete",
+      "Pending",
+      "Scheduled",
+      "En Route",
+      "On Site",
+      "In Progress",
+      "Completed",
+      "Rescheduled",
+      "Pending Quote",
+    ]);
+    expect(BOARD_INLINE_STATUSES).not.toContain("Canceled");
+  });
+
+  it("lists AAP creation statuses only", () => {
+    expect(CREATION_INLINE_STATUSES).toEqual(["Incomplete", "Pending", "Scheduled"]);
+  });
+
+  it("treats week-only as no concrete schedule date", () => {
+    expect(hasConcreteScheduleDate({ scheduledOn: "2026-06-01", scheduleWeekOnly: true })).toBe(
+      false,
+    );
+    expect(hasConcreteScheduleDate({ scheduledOn: "2026-06-01", schedMode: "week" })).toBe(false);
+    expect(hasConcreteScheduleDate({ scheduledOn: "—" })).toBe(false);
+    expect(hasConcreteScheduleDate({ scheduledOn: "2026-06-01" })).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it("disables Scheduled without a concrete date", () => {
+    expect(getStatusOptionState({ scheduledOn: "" }, "Scheduled", [])).toEqual({
+      disabled: true,
+      title: SCHEDULED_NEEDS_DATE_MSG,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("promotes Incomplete/Pending when a concrete date exists", () => {
+    expect(
+      maybeAutoSchedulePatch({
+        status: "Incomplete",
+        scheduledOn: "2026-06-01",
+        scheduleWeekOnly: false,
+      }),
+    ).toEqual({ status: "Scheduled" });
+    expect(
+      maybeAutoSchedulePatch({
+        status: "Pending",
+        scheduledOn: "2026-06-01",
+        scheduleWeekOnly: false,
+      }),
+    ).toEqual({ status: "Scheduled" });
+  });
+
+  it("reverts Scheduled without a concrete date to Pending", () => {
+    expect(
+      maybeAutoSchedulePatch({
+        status: "Scheduled",
+        scheduledOn: "",
+        scheduleWeekOnly: false,
+      }),
+    ).toEqual({ status: "Pending" });
+  });
+
+  it("does not auto-change In Progress when a date exists", () => {
+    expect(
+      maybeAutoSchedulePatch({
+        status: "In Progress",
+        scheduledOn: "2026-06-01",
+        scheduleWeekOnly: false,
+      }),
+    ).toEqual({});
+  });
+
+  it("merges auto-schedule onto an existing-row patch", () => {
+    const row = {
+      status: "Incomplete",
+      scheduledOn: "",
+      scheduleWeekOnly: false,
+    } as WorkOrderTableRow;
+    expect(
+      mergeAutoSchedulePatch(row, { scheduledOn: "2026-06-02", scheduleWeekOnly: false }),
+    ).toEqual({
+      scheduledOn: "2026-06-02",
+      scheduleWeekOnly: false,
+      status: "Scheduled",
+    });
+    expect(mergeAutoSchedulePatch(row, { vendorId: "9" })).toEqual({ vendorId: "9" });
+    expect(
+      mergeAutoSchedulePatch({ ...row, scheduledOn: "2026-06-01" }, { vendorId: "9" }),
+    ).toEqual({ vendorId: "9" });
+  });
+
+  it("promotes a pre-schedule wizard pick to Scheduled on a dated draft", () => {
+    const draft = {
+      status: "Scheduled",
+      scheduledOn: "2026-06-01",
+      scheduleWeekOnly: false,
+    };
+    expect(withAutoScheduleStatus(draft, { status: "Pending" })).toEqual({ status: "Scheduled" });
+    expect(withAutoScheduleStatus(draft, { status: "Incomplete" })).toEqual({
+      status: "Scheduled",
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("still derives Scheduled when a concrete date is set on a draft", () => {
+    const draft = {
+      status: "Pending",
+      scheduledOn: "",
+      scheduleWeekOnly: false,
+    };
+    expect(
+      withAutoScheduleStatus(draft, { scheduledOn: "2026-06-02", scheduleWeekOnly: false }),
+    ).toEqual({
+      scheduledOn: "2026-06-02",
+      scheduleWeekOnly: false,
+      status: "Scheduled",
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("promotes pre-schedule picks on dated rows", () => {
+    const row = {
+      status: "Scheduled",
+      scheduledOn: "2026-06-01",
+      scheduleWeekOnly: false,
+    } as WorkOrderTableRow;
+    expect(mergeAutoSchedulePatch(row, { status: "Pending" })).toEqual({ status: "Scheduled" });
+    expect(mergeAutoSchedulePatch(row, { status: "Incomplete" })).toEqual({
+      status: "Scheduled",
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("still demotes Scheduled when the schedule is cleared", () => {
+    const row = {
+      status: "Scheduled",
+      scheduledOn: "2026-06-01",
+      scheduleWeekOnly: false,
+    } as WorkOrderTableRow;
+    expect(mergeAutoSchedulePatch(row, { scheduledOn: "", scheduleWeekOnly: false })).toEqual({
+      scheduledOn: "",
+      scheduleWeekOnly: false,
+      status: "Pending",
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("promotes a Pending create pick to Scheduled when the draft is dated", () => {
+    expect(
+      resolveCreationStatus({
+        status: "Pending",
+        scheduledOn: "2026-06-01",
+        scheduleWeekOnly: false,
+      }),
+    ).toBe("Scheduled");
+  });
+
+  it("demotes Scheduled without a concrete date at create", () => {
+    expect(
+      resolveCreationStatus({
+        status: "Scheduled",
+        scheduledOn: "",
+        scheduleWeekOnly: false,
+      }),
+    ).toBe("Pending");
+  });
+
+  it("uses AAP completed tooltip hierarchy", () => {
+    expect(formatAapCompletedBlockTitle(["Dispatcher", "Company"])).toBe(
+      "Fill in Assigned To, Vendor before completing this work order.",
+    );
+    expect(formatAapCompletedBlockTitle(["Service"])).toBe(
+      "Select a service before completing this work order.",
+    );
+    expect(formatAapCompletedBlockTitle(["WO number"])).toBe(
+      "Assign a real APM number (not SH) before completing this work order.",
+    );
+    expect(formatAapCompletedBlockTitle([PENDING_UPLIFT_GAP])).toBe(
+      "This work order has an uplift pending approval and cannot be completed.",
+    );
+    expect(formatAapCompletedBlockTitle(["Completion document"])).toBe(COMPLETED_DOC_BLOCK_MSG);
+    expect(formatAapCompletedBlockTitle(["At least 1 photo"])).toBe(COMPLETED_MEDIA_BLOCK_MSG);
+    expect(formatAapCompletedBlockTitle(["Company", PENDING_UPLIFT_GAP])).toBe(
+      "Fill in Vendor before completing this work order.",
+    );
+  });
+});