diff --git a/studio/backend/core/inference/llama_cpp.py b/studio/backend/core/inference/llama_cpp.py
index 64abdae139..ab4a078d92 100644
--- a/studio/backend/core/inference/llama_cpp.py
+++ b/studio/backend/core/inference/llama_cpp.py
@@ -180,9 +180,11 @@ _EXPLICIT_PLAN_HEADER = re.compile(
 # poem" is not misclassified as a stall.
 _DIRECT_NUMBERED_PLAN_FRAMING = re.compile(
     r"\b(?:i['’](?:ll|m going to|m gonna)|i am (?:going to|gonna)|"
-    r"i will|i shall|let me|allow me|now i|next i)\b"
+    r"i will|i shall|let me|allow me|now i|next i|"
+    r"first|step \d+:?)\b"
     r"[^\r\n]{0,160}"
     r"\b(?:do (?:this|these|the following|it)|"
+    r"look (?:this |that |it |them )?up|"
     r"proceed|start|begin|"
     r"create|build|implement|set up|add|"
     r"calculate|compute|analy[sz]e|parse|load|run|execute|test)\b"
@@ -192,7 +194,9 @@ _DIRECT_NUMBERED_PLAN_FRAMING = re.compile(
 )
 
 
-_FENCE_LINE_RE = re.compile(r"^[ \t]*(?P<fence>`{3,}|~{3,})(?P<trailing>[^\r\n]*)$")
+_FENCE_RUN_RE = re.compile(
+    r"(?<!`)(?P<backticks>`{3,})(?!`)|(?<!~)(?P<tildes>~{3,})(?!~)"
+)
 
 
 def _has_unclosed_code_fence(text: str) -> bool:
@@ -201,16 +205,19 @@ def _has_unclosed_code_fence(text: str) -> bool:
     A complete fence answer is already caught by _HAS_ANSWER_ARTIFACT.
     This helper exists so that an OPEN fence (model still streaming
     code, or stream cut short) does not let an embedded numbered list
-    inside the fence body masquerade as a final answer.
+    inside the fence body masquerade as a final answer. The scan is
+    done per line and uses ``search`` (not ``match``) so an inline
+    opener such as ``First, let me write it. \\`\\`\\`python`` is also
+    tracked.
     """
     active_char: Optional[str] = None
     active_len = 0
     for line in text.splitlines():
-        m = _FENCE_LINE_RE.match(line)
+        m = _FENCE_RUN_RE.search(line)
         if not m:
             continue
-        fence = m.group("fence")
-        trailing = m.group("trailing").strip()
+        fence = m.group("backticks") or m.group("tildes")
+        trailing = line[m.end():].strip()
         ch = fence[0]
         if active_char is None:
             active_char = ch
diff --git a/studio/backend/tests/test_llama_cpp_reprompt_guard.py b/studio/backend/tests/test_llama_cpp_reprompt_guard.py
index e54b8de05d..94a368a7ea 100644
--- a/studio/backend/tests/test_llama_cpp_reprompt_guard.py
+++ b/studio/backend/tests/test_llama_cpp_reprompt_guard.py
@@ -869,6 +869,69 @@ def test_no_reprompt_on_let_me_explain_numbered_answer():
         assert not _would_reprompt(content), content
 
 
+def test_same_line_open_fence_with_numbered_body_still_reprompts():
+    """An OPEN code fence on the same line as preceding prose ("First,
+    let me write it. ``\\u00e0``text\\n...") still gates the numbered-list
+    fallback. The unclosed-fence helper now uses ``search`` so inline
+    openers are tracked, not just openers at column 0."""
+    content = (
+        "First, let me write it. ```text\n"
+        "1. Install dependencies\n"
+        "2. Run the app"
+    )
+    assert not _has_answer_artifact(content)
+    assert _would_reprompt(content)
+
+
+def test_reprompts_on_first_step_numbered_compute_plan():
+    """Bare ``First, [verb]`` / ``Step N: [verb]`` followed by a numbered
+    list is a plan stall when the verb implies compute / tool work
+    (analyze, parse, calculate, create, etc.). Distinct from
+    ``First, use binary search:`` (verb ``use`` not in whitelist)."""
+    samples = [
+        (
+            "First, analyze the uploaded CSV:\n"
+            "1. Load the rows.\n"
+            "2. Compute the average revenue."
+        ),
+        (
+            "First, parse the pasted JSON:\n"
+            "1. Load the object.\n"
+            "2. Calculate the total."
+        ),
+        (
+            "First, create the Python game:\n"
+            "1. Set up pygame.\n"
+            "2. Add the game loop."
+        ),
+        (
+            "Step 1: analyze the uploaded CSV:\n"
+            "1. Load rows.\n"
+            "2. Compute the total."
+        ),
+        (
+            "I'll look that up:\n"
+            "1. Search the docs.\n"
+            "2. Summarize the result."
+        ),
+    ]
+    for content in samples:
+        assert _would_reprompt(content), content
+
+
+def test_no_reprompt_on_first_use_binary_search_answer():
+    """``First, use binary search:`` is an ordinary algorithm answer.
+    ``use`` is not in the direct-numbered-plan verb whitelist so the
+    following list stays an answer."""
+    content = (
+        "First, use binary search:\n"
+        "1. Search the left half.\n"
+        "2. Search the right half."
+    )
+    assert _has_answer_artifact(content)
+    assert not _would_reprompt(content)
+
+
 def test_reprompts_when_later_fence_is_open_after_closed_fence():
     """A response with a complete code fence followed by a SECOND,
     unclosed fence is still mid-stream and must re-prompt. The