diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 546fb64..25c5fb4 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
     "pb:migrate:rep-trip-legs": "npx tsx scripts/migrations/2026-09-28-create-rep-trip-legs.ts",
     "pb:migrate:quote-assistant": "npx tsx scripts/migrations/2026-10-16-add-quote-assistant-fields.ts",
     "pb:migrate:collection-ai": "npx tsx scripts/migrations/2026-10-17-add-collection-ai.ts",
+    "pb:migrate:pool-pending": "npx tsx scripts/migrations/2026-10-30-add-stock-pool-pending.ts",
     "pb:migrate:collection-auto-push": "npx tsx scripts/migrations/2026-10-28-add-collection-auto-push.ts",
     "pb:migrate:order-assistant": "npx tsx scripts/migrations/2026-10-24-add-order-assistant-fields.ts",
     "pb:migrate:po-number-unique": "npx tsx scripts/migrations/2026-10-19-po-number-unique-index.ts",
diff --git a/scripts/migrations/2026-10-30-add-stock-pool-pending.ts b/scripts/migrations/2026-10-30-add-stock-pool-pending.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..27c8157
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/migrations/2026-10-30-add-stock-pool-pending.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+/**
+ * One-shot migration: let a stock line wait in the collection pool as
+ * "pending", like a customer stop that is not ready yet.
+ *
+ *   stock_purchase_items.pool_pending   bool (false = ready, the old behaviour)
+ *
+ * Inverted on purpose: a new bool is false on every existing row, so every
+ * existing stock line stays ready and nothing changes until someone presses
+ * Back to pending.
+ *
+ * Run with:  npm run pb:migrate:pool-pending
+ *
+ * Idempotent. Manual step on the live PB, before deploying.
+ */
+import "./_env-loader";
+import PocketBase from "pocketbase";
+
+const PB_URL = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_POCKETBASE_URL || process.env.PB_URL || "http://127.0.0.1:8090";
+const ADMIN_EMAIL = process.env.PB_ADMIN_EMAIL;
+const ADMIN_PASSWORD = process.env.PB_ADMIN_PASSWORD;
+const TAG = "[pool-pending]";
+
+async function main() {
+  if (!ADMIN_EMAIL || !ADMIN_PASSWORD) {
+    throw new Error("Set PB_ADMIN_EMAIL and PB_ADMIN_PASSWORD (e.g. from .env.local).");
+  }
+  const pb = new PocketBase(PB_URL);
+  await pb.collection("_superusers").authWithPassword(ADMIN_EMAIL, ADMIN_PASSWORD);
+  console.log(`${TAG} Authenticated against ${PB_URL}`);
+  const collection = await pb.collections.getOne("stock_purchase_items");
+  if (collection.fields.some((f: { name: string }) => f.name === "pool_pending")) {
+    console.log(`${TAG} stock_purchase_items.pool_pending already exists — skipping.`);
+    return;
+  }
+  await pb.collections.update(collection.id, {
+    fields: [
+      ...collection.fields,
+      { name: "pool_pending", type: "bool", required: false, presentable: false },
+    ],
+  });
+  console.log(`${TAG} stock_purchase_items.pool_pending added.`);
+}
+
+main().catch((err) => {
+  console.error(`${TAG} Migration failed:`, err);
+  process.exit(1);
+});
diff --git a/src/app/(app)/collection-pool/components.tsx b/src/app/(app)/collection-pool/components.tsx
index edc6bf1..228d39c 100644
--- a/src/app/(app)/collection-pool/components.tsx
+++ b/src/app/(app)/collection-pool/components.tsx
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ export function PoolRow({
   // to clear. Hiding it when there is nothing to undo keeps the row's
   // actions honest instead of offering a button that silently does
   // nothing.
-  const showBackToPending = isStock ? isAssigned : Boolean(row.ready_for_collection) || isAssigned;
+  const showBackToPending = Boolean(row.ready_for_collection) || isAssigned;
   // `collection_date` on a pending stop is a FORECAST from the supplier;
   // on a ready stop it's the confirmed collection day. Either way the
   // row goes blue so a dated stop stands out in the list, but the badge
@@ -379,20 +379,17 @@ export function PoolRow({
               <span className="font-normal opacity-90">· {collectionDate.relative}</span>
             </span>
           )}
-          {/* Ready/pending badge is customer-only — stock lines
-              don't have a `ready_for_collection` concept. */}
-          {!isStock && (
-            <span
-              className={cn(
-                "inline-flex rounded-full px-2 py-0.5 text-xs font-medium",
-                row.ready_for_collection
-                  ? "bg-emerald-100 text-emerald-800 ring-1 ring-emerald-200/60 dark:bg-emerald-500/15 dark:text-emerald-300 dark:ring-emerald-400/30"
-                  : "bg-amber-100 text-amber-800 ring-1 ring-amber-200/60 dark:bg-amber-500/15 dark:text-amber-300 dark:ring-amber-400/30",
-              )}
-            >
-              {readyLabel}
-            </span>
-          )}
+          {/* Ready/pending badge: stock lines carry it too (`pool_pending`). */}
+          <span
+            className={cn(
+              "inline-flex rounded-full px-2 py-0.5 text-xs font-medium",
+              row.ready_for_collection
+                ? "bg-emerald-100 text-emerald-800 ring-1 ring-emerald-200/60 dark:bg-emerald-500/15 dark:text-emerald-300 dark:ring-emerald-400/30"
+                : "bg-amber-100 text-amber-800 ring-1 ring-amber-200/60 dark:bg-amber-500/15 dark:text-amber-300 dark:ring-amber-400/30",
+            )}
+          >
+            {readyLabel}
+          </span>
           {!isStock && noteLines.length > 0 && (
             <span className="group/notes relative inline-flex items-center rounded-md border bg-muted/30 px-1.5 py-0.5 text-[10px] font-medium uppercase tracking-wide text-muted-foreground">
               Notes
@@ -422,9 +419,9 @@ export function PoolRow({
             size="sm"
             variant={isAssigned ? "outline" : "default"}
             onClick={() => onOpenAssign(row)}
-            disabled={busy || (!isStock && !row.ready_for_collection)}
+            disabled={busy || !row.ready_for_collection}
             title={
-              !isStock && !row.ready_for_collection
+              !row.ready_for_collection
                 ? "Mark this stop as ready before assigning"
                 : undefined
             }
@@ -435,7 +432,7 @@ export function PoolRow({
               is still pending. The reverse direction ("back to pending")
               is its own action below, because it also clears a driver
               assignment and always demands a reason. */}
-          {!isStock && !row.ready_for_collection && (
+          {!row.ready_for_collection && (
             <Button
               size="sm"
               variant="default"
@@ -615,9 +612,7 @@ export function SupplierGroup({
   const targetRows = allSelected || selectedCount === 0
     ? group.rows
     : group.rows.filter((r) => selectedIds.has(r.id));
-  const unreadyTargetCount = targetRows.filter(
-    (r) => r.source !== "stock" && !r.ready_for_collection,
-  ).length;
+  const unreadyTargetCount = targetRows.filter((r) => !r.ready_for_collection).length;
   const allTargetsReady = unreadyTargetCount === 0;
 
   const eyebrowText = (() => {
diff --git a/src/app/(app)/collection-pool/page.tsx b/src/app/(app)/collection-pool/page.tsx
index 4e8eff5..2ad67c2 100644
--- a/src/app/(app)/collection-pool/page.tsx
+++ b/src/app/(app)/collection-pool/page.tsx
@@ -303,6 +303,8 @@ export default function CollectionPoolPage() {
           status?: string | null;
           assigned_at?: string | null;
           drv_id?: string;
+          /** True after "Back to pending": the line waits in the pool, not ready. */
+          pool_pending?: boolean | null;
           problem_flag?: boolean | null;
           problem_type?: string | null;
           problem_notes?: string | null;
@@ -337,6 +339,9 @@ export default function CollectionPoolPage() {
         // renders correctly when the driver has been assigned.
         assigned_at: s.assigned_at ?? null,
         drv_id: s.drv_id ?? "",
+        // Same flag customer lines use. A line without `pool_pending` (every
+        // existing one, or before the migration) is ready, as it always was.
+        ready_for_collection: !s.pool_pending,
         // Problem flags ride through on stock rows too — the driver
         // app reports stock-side problems on `stock_purchase_items`
         // (`reportStockProblem`), and the operator needs the same red
@@ -817,6 +822,24 @@ export default function CollectionPoolPage() {
       setBusyId(row.id);
       setReadyDialogError(null);
       try {
+        if (row.source === "stock") {
+          // Stock lines live in another table: their own route.
+          const stockRes = await fetch(`/api/v1/collection-map/items/${row.id}/stock-ready`, {
+            method: "PATCH",
+            headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
+            body: JSON.stringify({ note }),
+          });
+          if (!stockRes.ok) {
+            const body = await stockRes.json().catch(() => ({}));
+            const message = body?.error || `HTTP ${stockRes.status}`;
+            setReadyDialogError(message);
+            throw new Error(message);
+          }
+          toast.success("Marked ready — note saved.");
+          setReadyDialogRow(null);
+          await load();
+          return;
+        }
         const res = await fetch(`/api/v1/collection-map/items/${row.id}/assign`, {
           method: "PATCH",
           headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
diff --git a/src/app/(app)/collection-pool/view-model.test.ts b/src/app/(app)/collection-pool/view-model.test.ts
index 9caadc5..613dcbb 100644
--- a/src/app/(app)/collection-pool/view-model.test.ts
+++ b/src/app/(app)/collection-pool/view-model.test.ts
@@ -220,30 +220,21 @@ describe("buildVisibleRows", () => {
     expect(rows.map((row) => row.id)).toEqual(["assigned-ready"]);
   });
 
-  it("keeps stock rows in the ready filter because entering the pool marks them ready", () => {
-    const stock = makeRow({
-      id: "stock-assigned",
+  it("treats a stock line like a customer stop: ready unless it was sent back to pending", () => {
+    // The page maps `pool_pending` onto ready_for_collection (a line with no flag is ready).
+    const ready = makeRow({
+      id: "stock-ready",
       source: "stock",
       item_status: "assigned_to_driver",
       drv_id: "drv-1",
       assigned_at: "2026-07-07T00:00:00.000Z",
-      ready_for_collection: null,
+      ready_for_collection: true,
     });
+    const pending = makeRow({ id: "stock-pending", source: "stock", ready_for_collection: false });
+    const opts = { todayYmd: "2026-07-07", searchText: "" };
 
-    expect(
-      buildVisibleRows([stock], {
-        todayYmd: "2026-07-07",
-        searchText: "",
-        readyFilter: "ready",
-      }).map((row) => row.id),
-    ).toEqual(["stock-assigned"]);
-    expect(
-      buildVisibleRows([stock], {
-        todayYmd: "2026-07-07",
-        searchText: "",
-        readyFilter: "unready",
-      }),
-    ).toEqual([]);
+    expect(buildVisibleRows([ready, pending], { ...opts, readyFilter: "ready" }).map((r) => r.id)).toEqual(["stock-ready"]);
+    expect(buildVisibleRows([ready, pending], { ...opts, readyFilter: "unready" }).map((r) => r.id)).toEqual(["stock-pending"]);
   });
 
   it("matches order numbers in the text search", () => {
diff --git a/src/app/(app)/collection-pool/view-model.ts b/src/app/(app)/collection-pool/view-model.ts
index ce11a2b..b2fea6f 100644
--- a/src/app/(app)/collection-pool/view-model.ts
+++ b/src/app/(app)/collection-pool/view-model.ts
@@ -71,7 +71,8 @@ const ASSIGNMENT_SORT_ORDER: Record<AssignmentState, number> = {
 const MARKER_TOKENS = ["marker-blue", "marker-emerald", "marker-violet", "marker-amber"] as const;
 
 function isReadyForCollection(row: CollectionPoolViewRow): boolean {
-  return row.source === "stock" || row.ready_for_collection === true;
+  // Stock lines carry the flag too (the page maps `pool_pending` onto it).
+  return row.ready_for_collection === true;
 }
 
 export function getAssignmentState(
diff --git a/src/app/api/v1/collection-map/items/[id]/back-to-pending/route.test.ts b/src/app/api/v1/collection-map/items/[id]/back-to-pending/route.test.ts
index 3d12094..6617ade 100644
--- a/src/app/api/v1/collection-map/items/[id]/back-to-pending/route.test.ts
+++ b/src/app/api/v1/collection-map/items/[id]/back-to-pending/route.test.ts
@@ -105,9 +105,9 @@ describe("PATCH /api/v1/collection-map/items/[id]/back-to-pending", () => {
     expect(patch.assigned_at).toBe("");
   });
 
-  it("writes the stock source to stock_purchase_items without a ready field", async () => {
+  it("writes the stock source to stock_purchase_items and marks the line pending", async () => {
     getOneMock.mockResolvedValueOnce({ id: "item-1", drv_id: "user-7", notes: "" });
-    updateMock.mockResolvedValueOnce({ id: "item-1" });
+    updateMock.mockResolvedValueOnce({ id: "item-1", pool_pending: true });
 
     const res = await PATCH(makeReq({ source: "stock", note: "wrong day" }), params);
 
@@ -117,10 +117,21 @@ describe("PATCH /api/v1/collection-map/items/[id]/back-to-pending", () => {
     expect(patch.status).toBe("collection_pool");
     expect(patch.drv_id).toBe("");
     expect(patch.assigned_at).toBe("");
-    // Stock lines have no ready_for_collection concept.
+    // Stock has no ready_for_collection; pool_pending is its inverse.
+    expect(patch.pool_pending).toBe(true);
     expect(patch).not.toHaveProperty("ready_for_collection");
   });
 
+  it("409s for stock when PocketBase has no pool_pending field yet (it would silently drop the write)", async () => {
+    getOneMock.mockResolvedValueOnce({ id: "item-1", drv_id: "user-7", notes: "" });
+    updateMock.mockResolvedValueOnce({ id: "item-1" });
+
+    const res = await PATCH(makeReq({ source: "stock", note: "wrong day" }), params);
+
+    expect(res.status).toBe(409);
+    expect((await res.json()).error).toMatch(/pb:migrate:pool-pending/);
+  });
+
   it("appends to the existing audit feed instead of replacing it", async () => {
     getOneMock.mockResolvedValueOnce({
       id: "item-1",
diff --git a/src/app/api/v1/collection-map/items/[id]/back-to-pending/route.ts b/src/app/api/v1/collection-map/items/[id]/back-to-pending/route.ts
index 397efd6..c9d9084 100644
--- a/src/app/api/v1/collection-map/items/[id]/back-to-pending/route.ts
+++ b/src/app/api/v1/collection-map/items/[id]/back-to-pending/route.ts
@@ -25,11 +25,15 @@ import { buildBackToPendingNote, type NoteActor } from "@/lib/note-feed";
  *     status               → "collection_pool"
  *     drv_id               → ""
  *     assigned_at          → ""
+ *     pool_pending         → true          (the stock twin of "not ready")
  *     notes                → appended audit entry
  *
- * Stock rows have no `ready_for_collection` concept (the pool treats
- * "in the pool" as the ready state), so that field is simply not part
- * of their patch.
+ * Stock rows have no `ready_for_collection` field. `pool_pending` is its
+ * inverse (true = waiting, not ready), so every existing stock line,
+ * which has it false, stays ready. The field comes from
+ * `npm run pb:migrate:pool-pending`; PocketBase silently drops writes to
+ * a field it doesn't have, so the route checks the field came back and
+ * says so instead of reporting a move that didn't happen.
  *
  * WHY A NOTE IS REQUIRED: the previous behaviour — the pool's
  * "Mark Pending" button — sent `{ ready_for_collection: false }` with
@@ -110,7 +114,7 @@ export async function PATCH(
 
     const patch: Record<string, unknown> =
       source === "stock"
-        ? { status: "collection_pool", drv_id: "", assigned_at: "", notes }
+        ? { status: "collection_pool", drv_id: "", assigned_at: "", pool_pending: true, notes }
         : {
             ...normalizeOrderItemStatusInput({
               item_status: "collection_pool",
@@ -129,6 +133,18 @@ export async function PATCH(
 
     const updated = await pb.collection(collectionName).update(id, patch);
 
+    // Without the field PB drops `pool_pending` and the line would stay
+    // "ready": say so rather than pretend (the driver is already cleared).
+    if (source === "stock" && !("pool_pending" in updated)) {
+      return NextResponse.json(
+        {
+          error:
+            "The driver was cleared, but stock lines can't be set to pending yet: run npm run pb:migrate:pool-pending against PocketBase.",
+        },
+        { status: 409 },
+      );
+    }
+
     return NextResponse.json({
       ok: true,
       source,
diff --git a/src/app/api/v1/collection-map/items/[id]/stock-ready/route.test.ts b/src/app/api/v1/collection-map/items/[id]/stock-ready/route.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..901f764
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/api/v1/collection-map/items/[id]/stock-ready/route.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { NextRequest } from "next/server";
+
+const getOneMock = vi.fn();
+const updateMock = vi.fn();
+const collectionMock = vi.fn(() => ({ getOne: getOneMock, update: updateMock }));
+
+vi.mock("@/lib/server/pocketbase-admin", () => ({
+  getAdminPocketBase: async () => ({ collection: collectionMock }),
+}));
+
+import { PATCH } from "./route";
+import { parseStoredNotes } from "@/lib/note-feed";
+
+const req = (body: unknown) =>
+  new NextRequest("http://localhost/api/v1/collection-map/items/s1/stock-ready", {
+    method: "PATCH",
+    headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
+    body: JSON.stringify(body),
+  });
+const params = { params: Promise.resolve({ id: "s1" }) };
+
+describe("PATCH /api/v1/collection-map/items/[id]/stock-ready", () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    getOneMock.mockReset();
+    updateMock.mockReset();
+    collectionMock.mockClear();
+  });
+
+  it("400s without a note", async () => {
+    const res = await PATCH(req({ note: "  " }), params);
+    expect(res.status).toBe(400);
+    expect(updateMock).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("404s for an unknown line", async () => {
+    getOneMock.mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error("nope"));
+    expect((await PATCH(req({ note: "ready" }), params)).status).toBe(404);
+  });
+
+  it("clears pool_pending on the stock line and appends a note", async () => {
+    getOneMock.mockResolvedValueOnce({ id: "s1", notes: "" });
+    updateMock.mockResolvedValueOnce({ id: "s1", pool_pending: false });
+
+    const res = await PATCH(req({ note: "supplier confirmed" }), params);
+
+    expect(res.status).toBe(200);
+    expect(collectionMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith("stock_purchase_items");
+    const patch = updateMock.mock.calls[0][1] as { pool_pending: boolean; notes: string };
+    expect(patch.pool_pending).toBe(false);
+    expect(parseStoredNotes(patch.notes).at(-1)?.body).toBe("Marked ready for collection: supplier confirmed");
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/app/api/v1/collection-map/items/[id]/stock-ready/route.ts b/src/app/api/v1/collection-map/items/[id]/stock-ready/route.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..92e31a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/api/v1/collection-map/items/[id]/stock-ready/route.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+import { NextRequest, NextResponse } from "next/server";
+import { getAdminPocketBase } from "@/lib/server/pocketbase-admin";
+import { appendNote, type NoteActor } from "@/lib/note-feed";
+
+/**
+ * Mark a pending stock line ready for collection again.
+ *
+ * The stock twin of "Mark Ready" on a customer stop: clears
+ * `stock_purchase_items.pool_pending` (set by Back to pending) so the line
+ * can be assigned to a driver. A note is required and is appended to the
+ * line's audit feed.
+ *
+ * Body: `{ note: string, actor?: { id, name } }`
+ */
+const FALLBACK_ACTOR: NoteActor = { id: "operator", name: "Operator" };
+
+export async function PATCH(
+  req: NextRequest,
+  context: { params: Promise<{ id: string }> },
+) {
+  try {
+    const { id } = await context.params;
+    const body = (await req.json().catch(() => ({}))) as {
+      note?: string;
+      actor?: { id?: string; name?: string };
+    };
+    const note = typeof body.note === "string" ? body.note.trim() : "";
+    if (note.length === 0) {
+      return NextResponse.json({ error: "A note is required when marking ready." }, { status: 400 });
+    }
+    if (note.length > 500) {
+      return NextResponse.json({ error: "Note is too long (max 500 characters)." }, { status: 400 });
+    }
+    const actor: NoteActor =
+      typeof body.actor?.name === "string" && body.actor.name.trim().length > 0
+        ? { id: body.actor.id?.trim() || "operator", name: body.actor.name.trim() }
+        : FALLBACK_ACTOR;
+
+    const pb = await getAdminPocketBase();
+    const current = await pb.collection("stock_purchase_items").getOne(id).catch(() => null);
+    if (!current) {
+      return NextResponse.json({ error: `Item ${id} not found` }, { status: 404 });
+    }
+    const notes = appendNote(current.notes, {
+      ts: new Date().toISOString(),
+      actor,
+      category: "status",
+      body: `Marked ready for collection: ${note}`,
+    });
+    const updated = await pb.collection("stock_purchase_items").update(id, { pool_pending: false, notes });
+    return NextResponse.json({ ok: true, item: updated });
+  } catch (error) {
+    const message = error instanceof Error ? error.message : "Failed to mark item ready";
+    const status = (error as Error & { status?: number }).status || 500;
+    return NextResponse.json({ error: message }, { status });
+  }
+}