diff --git a/cmd/mecatui/customization/lifecycle_test.go b/cmd/mecatui/customization/lifecycle_test.go
index dd985815b1..8d447cd595 100644
--- a/cmd/mecatui/customization/lifecycle_test.go
+++ b/cmd/mecatui/customization/lifecycle_test.go
@@ -25,18 +25,21 @@ func TestStatusLine_Scenario4_DebounceTemplateRefreshAndClock(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("command footer = %q, want latest refresh", got)
 	}
 
-	templates := NewTemplateSource(TemplateSet{Footer: SurfaceTemplates{Full: `<footer><text>{{.Clock.Now.Format "15:04:05"}}</text></footer>`}}, time.Second)
+	// Interval ticks carry the clock value; drive them by hand so the refresh
+	// never lands in the same wall-clock second as the first render.
+	ticks := make(chan time.Time)
+	templates := newTemplateSourceWithTicks(TemplateSet{Footer: SurfaceTemplates{Full: `<footer><text>{{.Clock.Now.Format "15:04:05"}}</text></footer>`}}, ticks)
 	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = templates.Close(context.Background()) })
+	templates.now = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, time.August, 28, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
 	templates.Submit(Input{Terminal: Terminal{FooterAvailCols: 80}})
 	waitStatusChange(t, templates)
-	first := statusSurfaceText(templates.Latest().Footer)
-	select {
-	case <-templates.Changed():
-	case <-time.After(1500 * time.Millisecond):
-		t.Fatal("template clock did not refresh on its interval")
+	if got := statusSurfaceText(templates.Latest().Footer); got != "12:00:00" {
+		t.Fatalf("template footer = %q, want submit-time clock", got)
 	}
-	if got := statusSurfaceText(templates.Latest().Footer); got == first {
-		t.Fatalf("template clock did not advance: %q", got)
+	ticks <- time.Date(2026, time.August, 28, 12, 0, 1, 0, time.UTC)
+	waitStatusChange(t, templates)
+	if got := statusSurfaceText(templates.Latest().Footer); got != "12:00:01" {
+		t.Fatalf("template footer = %q, want interval-tick clock", got)
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/cmd/mecatui/customization/template.go b/cmd/mecatui/customization/template.go
index f195155d8b..6d3b423b71 100644
--- a/cmd/mecatui/customization/template.go
+++ b/cmd/mecatui/customization/template.go
@@ -33,16 +33,20 @@ func newTemplateSource(templates TemplateSet, interval time.Duration) *statusLin
 		ticker = time.NewTicker(interval)
 		ticks = ticker.C
 	}
+	s := newTemplateSourceWithTicks(templates, ticks)
+	if ticker != nil {
+		s.stopTicker = ticker.Stop
+	}
+	return s
+}
+
+func newTemplateSourceWithTicks(templates TemplateSet, ticks <-chan time.Time) *statusLineSource {
 	defaults := defaultTemplateSet()
 	header := compileVariants(templates.Header, defaults.Header)
 	footer := compileVariants(templates.Footer, defaults.Footer)
-	s := newSource(ticks, func(ctx context.Context, input Input) Result {
+	return newSource(ticks, func(ctx context.Context, input Input) Result {
 		return renderTemplates(ctx, header, footer, input)
 	})
-	if ticker != nil {
-		s.stopTicker = ticker.Stop
-	}
-	return s
 }
 
 type templateVariants struct{ full, compact, minimal statusTemplate }