diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 2ceb283..6f406b2 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -55,7 +55,6 @@ fn claim_slot_succeeds_without_a_real_directory() {
         .returning(|_| Ok(()));
 
     assert!(claim_slot().is_ok());
-    session.verify();
 }
 ```
 
@@ -99,7 +98,8 @@ use shimforge::{Session, mock, replace};
 ```
 
 Every example below is a complete test. shimforge panics when a mock cannot be
-installed or an expectation is not met, so there is no `Result` to handle.
+installed or an expectation is not met, so there is no `Result` to handle. The
+session checks every expectation when it is dropped at the end of the test.
 
 ## Thread-local and global sessions
 
@@ -191,7 +191,6 @@ fn matching_calls_are_counted() {
 
     assert_eq!(load_port(Path::new("service.port")).unwrap(), 8080);
     assert_eq!(load_port(Path::new("service.port")).unwrap(), 8080);
-    session.verify();
 }
 ```
 
@@ -215,6 +214,43 @@ verification fail. The default count allows any number of calls; one-time
 responses default to exactly one. The returned handle has `calls()` and
 `verify()`, and dropping it leaves the expectation in place.
 
+## Checking expectations during a test
+
+The session checks every expectation when it is dropped. To catch a missing call
+earlier, before the next step runs, call `verify()` on the session or on a mock
+handle. `checkpoint()` also verifies, then clears the rules for the next step.
+
+```rust
+use shimforge::{Session, mock};
+
+fn fetch_config(name: &str) -> String {
+    // Reads a configuration service in production.
+    format!("live {name}")
+}
+
+fn start_worker() -> String {
+    fetch_config("worker")
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn expectations_are_checked_before_the_next_step() {
+    let mut session = Session::new();
+    let fetch = mock!(session, fetch_config, fn(&str) -> String);
+    fetch
+        .expect()
+        .with(|name| *name == "worker")
+        .once()
+        .returns("threads=4".to_owned());
+
+    assert_eq!(start_worker(), "threads=4");
+    // Fails here instead of at the end of the test if the fetch was skipped.
+    session.verify();
+
+    fetch.expect().returns("threads=8".to_owned());
+    assert_eq!(start_worker(), "threads=8");
+}
+```
+
 ## Return values and call order
 
 `returns` clones a value, `return_once` moves it, and `returning` runs a closure
@@ -255,7 +291,6 @@ fn results_follow_the_call_order() {
     assert_eq!(next_id(), 41);
     assert_eq!(next_id(), 42);
     assert!(save_id(42));
-    session.verify();
 }
 ```
 
@@ -440,7 +475,6 @@ fn async_functions_return_mocked_results() {
         name: "payroll".to_owned(),
     };
     assert_eq!(ready(ledger.balance()), 4_200);
-    session.verify();
 }
 ```
 
@@ -500,7 +534,6 @@ fn a_client_method_that_returns_a_boxed_future_is_mocked() {
         response.as_mut().poll(&mut context),
         Poll::Ready(Ok(body)) if body == "healthy"
     ));
-    session.verify();
 }
 ```
 
diff --git a/tests/readme.rs b/tests/readme.rs
index 9feae85..db1a61c 100644
--- a/tests/readme.rs
+++ b/tests/readme.rs
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ mod why_shimforge {
             .returning(|_| Ok(()));
 
         assert!(claim_slot().is_ok());
-        session.verify();
     }
 }
 
@@ -113,7 +112,37 @@ mod matching_arguments_and_counting_calls {
 
         assert_eq!(load_port(Path::new("service.port")).unwrap(), 8080);
         assert_eq!(load_port(Path::new("service.port")).unwrap(), 8080);
+    }
+}
+
+mod checking_expectations_during_a_test {
+    use shimforge::{Session, mock};
+
+    fn fetch_config(name: &str) -> String {
+        // Reads a configuration service in production.
+        format!("live {name}")
+    }
+
+    fn start_worker() -> String {
+        fetch_config("worker")
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn expectations_are_checked_before_the_next_step() {
+        let mut session = Session::new();
+        let fetch = mock!(session, fetch_config, fn(&str) -> String);
+        fetch
+            .expect()
+            .with(|name| *name == "worker")
+            .once()
+            .returns("threads=4".to_owned());
+
+        assert_eq!(start_worker(), "threads=4");
+        // Fails here instead of at the end of the test if the fetch was skipped.
         session.verify();
+
+        fetch.expect().returns("threads=8".to_owned());
+        assert_eq!(start_worker(), "threads=8");
     }
 }
 
@@ -151,7 +180,6 @@ mod return_values_and_call_order {
         assert_eq!(next_id(), 41);
         assert_eq!(next_id(), 42);
         assert!(save_id(42));
-        session.verify();
     }
 }
 
@@ -312,7 +340,6 @@ mod async_functions {
             name: "payroll".to_owned(),
         };
         assert_eq!(ready(ledger.balance()), 4_200);
-        session.verify();
     }
 }
 
@@ -362,7 +389,6 @@ mod client_libraries_that_return_boxed_futures {
             response.as_mut().poll(&mut context),
             Poll::Ready(Ok(body)) if body == "healthy"
         ));
-        session.verify();
     }
 }