diff --git a/tests/render_harness.py b/tests/render_harness.py
index 29c5f1ce3..c025a0a20 100644
--- a/tests/render_harness.py
+++ b/tests/render_harness.py
@@ -1198,6 +1198,18 @@ def key_line(page):
     return page.locator(".lf-keyline").inner_text()
 
 
+def key_line_route(page, command):
+    """The keycaps one key-line binding draws, in the order they are pressed.
+
+    A chord's rows keep their complete route while the reader advances through it, so
+    the text alone no longer says how far a chord has come; `data-lf-key-state` does.
+    Read the keys through this locator and assert on both.
+    """
+    return page.locator(
+        f'.lf-keyline .lf-key[data-lf-commands~="{command}"] > .lf-key-sequence > kbd'
+    )
+
+
 def open_page(
     browser,
     url,
diff --git a/tests/render_support.py b/tests/render_support.py
index be0c9c9bf..7e3028917 100644
--- a/tests/render_support.py
+++ b/tests/render_support.py
@@ -311,6 +311,7 @@
     held_stale,
     hold_selection,
     key_line,
+    key_line_route,
     leaf_page,
     margins_laid_out,
     navigate,
@@ -603,6 +604,7 @@
     "hold_selection",
     "in_threads_scrollport",
     "key_line",
+    "key_line_route",
     "leaf_page",
     "live_leaf",
     "live_url",
diff --git a/tests/test_render_margin.py b/tests/test_render_margin.py
index 748522985..10da18441 100644
--- a/tests/test_render_margin.py
+++ b/tests/test_render_margin.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
     SUGGESTION_PAGE,
     _publish,
     compare_with,
+    key_line_route,
     leaf_page,
     live_url,
     margins_laid_out,
@@ -165,13 +166,14 @@ def activation_state():
     expect(marker).not_to_be_focused()
 
     page.keyboard.press("g")
-    expect(page.locator(".lf-keyline")).to_contain_text(
-        re.compile(r"m\s*page-map items")
-    )
+    # The row keeps the whole route from the first press to the last, so how far the
+    # chord has come is the list key's face rather than which keys the line is drawing.
+    map_route = key_line_route(page, "navigation.page-map-item")
+    expect(map_route).to_have_text(["g", "m", "1–9"])
+    expect(map_route.nth(1)).to_have_attribute("data-lf-key-state", "neutral")
     page.keyboard.press("m")
-    expect(page.locator(".lf-keyline")).to_contain_text(
-        re.compile(r"1–9\s*page-map items")
-    )
+    expect(map_route).to_have_text(["g", "m", "1–9"])
+    expect(map_route.nth(1)).to_have_attribute("data-lf-key-state", "pressed")
     page.keyboard.press(str(address["number"]))
 
     preview = page.locator(".lf-margin-preview")
@@ -275,13 +277,13 @@ def test_one_margin_item_owns_a_targets_controls_information_and_more_actions(
         }"""
     )
     page.keyboard.press("g")
-    expect(page.locator(".lf-keyline")).to_contain_text(
-        re.compile(r"m\s*page-map items")
-    )
+    map_route = key_line_route(page, "navigation.page-map-item")
+    map_steps = ["g", "m", f"1–{min(draft_address['count'], 9)}"]
+    expect(map_route).to_have_text(map_steps)
+    expect(map_route.nth(1)).to_have_attribute("data-lf-key-state", "neutral")
     page.keyboard.press("m")
-    expect(page.locator(".lf-keyline")).to_contain_text(
-        re.compile(rf"1–{min(draft_address['count'], 9)}\s*page-map items")
-    )
+    expect(map_route).to_have_text(map_steps)
+    expect(map_route.nth(1)).to_have_attribute("data-lf-key-state", "pressed")
     assert draft_address["number"] <= 9
     page.keyboard.press(str(draft_address["number"]))
     expect(draft_item.locator(".lf-draft-pencil")).to_be_focused()