diff --git a/app/globals.css b/app/globals.css
index 0c39c86..404e93b 100644
--- a/app/globals.css
+++ b/app/globals.css
@@ -1349,6 +1349,52 @@ select:disabled {
   background: var(--surface-soft);
 }
 
+
+.order-flow-steps {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+  gap: var(--space-2);
+  padding: 0.8rem;
+  border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent-soft) 46%, var(--surface));
+  border: 1px solid color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 22%, var(--border));
+}
+
+.order-flow-steps span {
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  min-height: 2rem;
+  padding: 0.3rem 0.65rem;
+  border-radius: var(--radius-pill);
+  background: var(--surface);
+  color: var(--ink-soft);
+  font-size: 0.84rem;
+  font-weight: 800;
+}
+
+.order-primary-section {
+  border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 28%, var(--border));
+}
+
+.optional-order-section {
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--surface-soft) 78%, var(--surface));
+}
+
+.line-entry-card-empty {
+  padding: 0.85rem;
+  border-style: dashed;
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--surface) 82%, var(--surface-soft));
+  box-shadow: none;
+}
+
+.line-entry-card-empty .line-entry-top {
+  padding-bottom: 0;
+}
+
+.line-entry-card-empty .line-grid {
+  gap: var(--space-3);
+}
+
 .line-editor-stack {
   gap: var(--space-5);
 }
diff --git a/app/orders/new/page.tsx b/app/orders/new/page.tsx
index 146df36..16da987 100644
--- a/app/orders/new/page.tsx
+++ b/app/orders/new/page.tsx
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export default async function NewOrderPage({
 
       {params?.error ? <p className="inline-warning">{params.error}</p> : null}
 
-      <section className="page-context-card">
+      <section className="page-context-card support-section">
         <OrdersIcon className="callout-icon" />
         <div>
           <strong>{t('orders.newPage.calloutTitle')}</strong>
diff --git a/components/orders/line-items-editor.tsx b/components/orders/line-items-editor.tsx
index f68dd20..c5ac238 100644
--- a/components/orders/line-items-editor.tsx
+++ b/components/orders/line-items-editor.tsx
@@ -110,6 +110,7 @@ function LineRow({
   template?: boolean;
 }) {
   const { t } = useI18n();
+  const isEmptyDraft = !line.productLabel.trim() && !String(line.quantity).trim() && !line.note.trim();
   const labels = {
     line: t('orders.lineEditor.line'),
     remove: t('orders.lineEditor.remove'),
@@ -118,14 +119,14 @@ function LineRow({
 
   return (
     <div
-      className="line-entry-card line-entry-card-structured"
+      className={`line-entry-card line-entry-card-structured ${isEmptyDraft && !template ? 'line-entry-card-empty' : ''}`}
       data-line-row
       data-template={template ? 'true' : 'false'}
     >
       <div className="line-entry-top">
         <div>
           <strong data-line-number>{`${labels.line} ${index + 1}`}</strong>
-          <p className="helper-text no-margin">{t('orders.lineEditor.rowHelp')}</p>
+          <p className="helper-text no-margin">{isEmptyDraft && !template ? 'Type the item and quantity. Add more lines only if needed.' : t('orders.lineEditor.rowHelp')}</p>
         </div>
         <div className="action-cluster wrap-cluster compact-actions">
           {status ? <span className={`badge badge-${status.tone}`}>{status.label}</span> : null}
diff --git a/components/orders/order-form.tsx b/components/orders/order-form.tsx
index 40a9762..20b4b63 100644
--- a/components/orders/order-form.tsx
+++ b/components/orders/order-form.tsx
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ export function OrderForm({
 }: OrderFormProps) {
   const { t, locale } = useI18n();
   const [selectedCustomerId, setSelectedCustomerId] = useState(order?.customerId ?? initialCustomerId ?? '');
-  const lineDrafts = getDefaultLineDrafts(order?.lines);
+  const lineDrafts = getDefaultLineDrafts(order?.lines, order ? Math.max(order.lines.length, 1) : 1);
   const visibleCustomers = customers.filter((customer) => customer.active || customer.id === order?.customerId);
   const selectedCustomer = useMemo(
     () => visibleCustomers.find((customer) => customer.id === selectedCustomerId) ?? null,
@@ -142,8 +142,14 @@ export function OrderForm({
           </div>
         ) : null}
 
+        <div className="order-flow-steps" aria-label="Fast order flow">
+          <span>1. Customer and date</span>
+          <span>2. Item and quantity</span>
+          <span>3. Save order</span>
+        </div>
+
         <div className="field-section-grid">
-          <section className="field-section">
+          <section className="field-section order-primary-section line-span-2">
             <div className="field-section-header">
               <div>
                 <h3>{t('orders.orderForm.sections.whoAndWhen')}</h3>
@@ -295,7 +301,7 @@ export function OrderForm({
             ) : null}
           </section>
 
-          <section className="field-section">
+          <section className="field-section optional-order-section support-section">
             <div className="field-section-header">
               <div>
                 <h3>{t('orders.orderForm.sections.dispatch')}</h3>
@@ -338,7 +344,7 @@ export function OrderForm({
             <p className="helper-text no-margin">{t('orders.orderForm.dispatchHint.delivery')}</p>
           </section>
 
-          <section className="field-section">
+          <section className="field-section optional-order-section support-section">
             <div className="field-section-header">
               <div>
                 <h3>{t('orders.orderForm.sections.visibility')}</h3>
@@ -385,7 +391,7 @@ export function OrderForm({
           <div className="field-section-header">
             <div>
               <h3>{t('orders.orderForm.sections.lines')}</h3>
-              <p className="helper-text">{t('orders.orderForm.sections.linesHelp')}</p>
+              <p className="helper-text">Start with one item. Add another line only when this order needs it.</p>
             </div>
           </div>
           <p className="helper-text no-margin">Confirmed products appear as suggestions, but you can still type a draft item when setup is incomplete. <Link href="/admin/setup?section=products#products" className="inline-link">Confirm products</Link>.</p>
@@ -395,7 +401,7 @@ export function OrderForm({
             productSuggestions={productSuggestions}
             lineTypeOptions={lineTypeOptions}
             existingStatuses={existingStatuses}
-            sectionLabel={t('orders.orderForm.sections.linesHelp')}
+            sectionLabel="Freeform item names are allowed; product suggestions are optional."
           />
         </section>
       </section>
diff --git a/docs/mwp-readiness-audit.md b/docs/mwp-readiness-audit.md
index c7d8123..786eca3 100644
--- a/docs/mwp-readiness-audit.md
+++ b/docs/mwp-readiness-audit.md
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ Do not include these in the first deploy readiness scope:
 
 - Added a narrow product confirmation path in `/admin/setup` for MWP product name, default unit, optional category, and active state.
 - Kept draft product order lines available so catalog setup does not block real work.
+- Simplified new order capture so first use starts with one visible line, a clearer customer/date -> item -> save flow, and secondary dispatch details.
 - Added operator-home runtime/demo visibility and a first-deploy workflow card.
 - Added empty-state guidance to `/orders` for missing recurring templates and missing first orders.
 - Added production entry links and clearer empty guidance for production boards with no visible orders.