diff --git a/.audit-screenshots/fix-08-new-quote-empty-qty.png b/.audit-screenshots/fix-08-new-quote-empty-qty.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..977cde1
Binary files /dev/null and b/.audit-screenshots/fix-08-new-quote-empty-qty.png differ
diff --git a/src/components/quote-form-item-card.tsx b/src/components/quote-form-item-card.tsx
index 463d583..4043d49 100644
--- a/src/components/quote-form-item-card.tsx
+++ b/src/components/quote-form-item-card.tsx
@@ -10,7 +10,12 @@ import { Textarea } from "@/components/ui/textarea";
 export interface DraftQuoteItem {
   id: string;
   description: string;
-  quantity: number;
+  /**
+   * Line-item count the operator typed. Starts empty so the operator
+   * can type e.g. "22" without having to delete a default "1" first.
+   * Falls back to 1 on submit when left blank — see quote-form.tsx.
+   */
+  quantity: number | "";
   notes: string;
   files: File[];
   /**
@@ -62,7 +67,15 @@ export function QuoteFormItemCard({ item, onChange, onRemove }: QuoteFormItemCar
             type="number"
             min={1}
             value={item.quantity}
-            onChange={(e) => onChange({ quantity: Math.max(1, Number(e.target.value) || 1) })}
+            onChange={(e) => {
+              const raw = e.target.value;
+              // Empty input = "not entered yet". Submit falls back to 1.
+              if (raw === "") {
+                onChange({ quantity: "" });
+              } else {
+                onChange({ quantity: Math.max(1, Number(raw) || 1) });
+              }
+            }}
           />
         </div>
         <div className="space-y-2">
diff --git a/src/components/quote-form.tsx b/src/components/quote-form.tsx
index 8133a9c..be40b66 100644
--- a/src/components/quote-form.tsx
+++ b/src/components/quote-form.tsx
@@ -106,7 +106,10 @@ export function QuoteForm({ open, onOpenChange, onSaved }: QuoteFormProps) {
   const addItem = () => {
     setItems([
       ...items,
-      { id: crypto.randomUUID(), description: "", quantity: 1, notes: "", files: [], sku: "" },
+      // Start with empty quantity so the operator can type the count
+      // directly (e.g. "22") without first deleting a "1". The submit
+      // path below falls back to 1 when the field is left blank.
+      { id: crypto.randomUUID(), description: "", quantity: "", notes: "", files: [], sku: "" },
     ]);
   };