diff --git a/crates/lash-cli/src/commands/complete.rs b/crates/lash-cli/src/commands/complete.rs
index a7120b8..b019b3c 100644
--- a/crates/lash-cli/src/commands/complete.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-cli/src/commands/complete.rs
@@ -628,6 +628,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata: TaskMetadata {
                 depends_on: deps
                     .iter()
diff --git a/crates/lash-cli/src/utils/task_target.rs b/crates/lash-cli/src/utils/task_target.rs
index 5bef66a..8c72928 100644
--- a/crates/lash-cli/src/utils/task_target.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-cli/src/utils/task_target.rs
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: order,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-cli/tests/add_command_test.rs b/crates/lash-cli/tests/add_command_test.rs
index aea0d75..3cd25a7 100644
--- a/crates/lash-cli/tests/add_command_test.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-cli/tests/add_command_test.rs
@@ -654,3 +654,143 @@ fn test_add_rejects_an_agent_note_line_starting_with_an_annotation() {
     let content = fs::read_to_string(project.file_path("tasks.md")).unwrap();
     assert!(!content.contains("At note task"));
 }
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------
+// `@depends-on` written in comma form
+//
+// `count_annotation_lines` added one line per parsed dependency, which
+// holds for what the emitter writes but not for a hand-written
+// `@depends-on: a, b, c`. The parser splits that single line into three
+// references, so the count ran two lines long and the insertion point
+// escaped the task block, landing the new task outside `## Tasks`.
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+#[test]
+fn test_add_after_comma_form_depends_on_stays_inside_the_tasks_section() {
+    let project = TestProject::builder()
+        .with_index("test-project", "Test Project")
+        .with_file(
+            "tasks.md",
+            r#"# Tasks
+
+@id: tasks
+
+## Tasks
+
+- [ ] Alpha
+- [ ] Beta
+- [ ] Gamma
+- [ ] Last task
+  @depends-on: alpha, beta, gamma
+
+## Notes
+
+Prose that must stay under its heading.
+"#,
+        )
+        .build();
+    index(&project);
+
+    add_task(&project, "Second task", "tasks.md");
+
+    let content = fs::read_to_string(project.file_path("tasks.md")).unwrap();
+
+    let task = task_line_number(&content, "- [ ] Second task");
+    assert!(
+        task > task_line_number(&content, "@depends-on: alpha, beta, gamma"),
+        "task must land after the dependency line:\n{content}"
+    );
+    assert!(
+        task < task_line_number(&content, "## Notes"),
+        "task escaped the Tasks section:\n{content}"
+    );
+    assert!(
+        content.contains("## Notes\n\nProse that must stay under its heading."),
+        "the Notes heading was split from its prose:\n{content}"
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_add_after_one_dependency_per_line_still_clears_the_block() {
+    // The other half of the ambiguity: the same three references written the
+    // way the emitter writes them occupy three lines, not one.
+    let project = TestProject::builder()
+        .with_index("test-project", "Test Project")
+        .with_file(
+            "tasks.md",
+            r#"# Tasks
+
+@id: tasks
+
+## Tasks
+
+- [ ] Alpha
+- [ ] Beta
+- [ ] Gamma
+- [ ] Last task
+  @depends-on: alpha
+  @depends-on: beta
+  @depends-on: gamma
+
+## Notes
+
+Prose that must stay under its heading.
+"#,
+        )
+        .build();
+    index(&project);
+
+    add_task(&project, "Second task", "tasks.md");
+
+    let content = fs::read_to_string(project.file_path("tasks.md")).unwrap();
+
+    let task = task_line_number(&content, "- [ ] Second task");
+    assert!(
+        task > task_line_number(&content, "@depends-on: gamma"),
+        "task was spliced into the dependency block:\n{content}"
+    );
+    assert!(
+        task < task_line_number(&content, "## Notes"),
+        "task escaped the Tasks section:\n{content}"
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_add_after_a_task_whose_labels_use_the_block_form() {
+    // `@labels:` used to be uncountable for the same reason, since labels can
+    // also live inline on the checkbox line.
+    let project = TestProject::builder()
+        .with_index("test-project", "Test Project")
+        .with_file(
+            "tasks.md",
+            r#"# Tasks
+
+@id: tasks
+
+## Tasks
+
+- [ ] Last task
+  @labels: backend, infra
+
+## Notes
+
+Prose that must stay under its heading.
+"#,
+        )
+        .build();
+    index(&project);
+
+    add_task(&project, "Second task", "tasks.md");
+
+    let content = fs::read_to_string(project.file_path("tasks.md")).unwrap();
+
+    let task = task_line_number(&content, "- [ ] Second task");
+    assert!(
+        task > task_line_number(&content, "@labels: backend, infra"),
+        "task was spliced above the labels line:\n{content}"
+    );
+    assert!(
+        task < task_line_number(&content, "## Notes"),
+        "task escaped the Tasks section:\n{content}"
+    );
+}
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/src/creation/placement.rs b/crates/lash-core/src/creation/placement.rs
index 9f84637..fd82f9e 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/src/creation/placement.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/src/creation/placement.rs
@@ -279,27 +279,31 @@ impl PlacementResolver {
 
     /// Count the number of annotation lines that follow a task
     ///
-    /// Every annotation type is written on its own line after the task
-    /// checkbox line, so appending correctly requires knowing exactly how
-    /// many trailing lines belong to the task being appended after —
-    /// undercounting here inserts the new task in the middle of that
-    /// annotation block, silently detaching a trailing annotation (e.g. an
-    /// existing task's `@id:`) from its owner.
+    /// Appending after a task means stepping past its whole block: the
+    /// checkbox line plus every annotation line below it. Getting this wrong
+    /// in either direction is a bug. Undercounting splices the new task into
+    /// the middle of the annotation block, detaching a trailing annotation
+    /// from its owner or destroying the continuation lines of a multi-line
+    /// note. Overcounting pushes the insertion point past the end of the
+    /// block, which can land the new task outside the `## Tasks` section
+    /// entirely.
     ///
-    /// An annotation value may span several source lines: the parser folds
-    /// indented continuation lines into the value, joining them with `\n`
-    /// (see `parser::annotations::parse_annotation_block`). Such a value
-    /// therefore occupies `value.lines().count()` source lines, not one, and
-    /// counting it as one splices the new task into the middle of the note —
-    /// destroying the continuation lines on the next reindex.
+    /// For a task that came from a file, the count is whatever the parser
+    /// counted, recorded on [`Task::annotation_line_count`]. It is the only
+    /// place with the answer, because the same metadata can be written in more
+    /// than one shape and the parsed [`lash_types::task::TaskMetadata`] does
+    /// not record which was used:
     ///
-    /// `@labels` is deliberately not counted: labels may be written inline
-    /// on the checkbox line (`#backend`) or as a separate `@labels:` block,
-    /// and [`lash_types::task::TaskMetadata`] doesn't record which form was
-    /// used, so it can't be counted without re-reading the source line.
-    /// `lash add` itself always emits labels inline (see
-    /// `MarkdownEmitter::format_task_line`), so this only affects appending
-    /// after a hand-edited task that used the block form.
+    /// - `@depends-on: a, b, c` on one line, or one `@depends-on:` line each
+    /// - `#backend` inline on the checkbox line, or an `@labels:` block
+    /// - a value folded across several indented continuation lines
+    ///
+    /// For a task built programmatically rather than parsed (the TUI's
+    /// in-memory tasks, test fixtures), there are no source lines to have
+    /// counted, so the count is derived from the metadata on the assumption
+    /// that it will be written the way [`super::emitter::MarkdownEmitter`]
+    /// writes it: one line per annotation, one line per `@depends-on` and
+    /// `@doc` reference, labels inline.
     fn count_annotation_lines(task: &Task) -> usize {
         /// Source lines occupied by a single annotation value.
         ///
@@ -309,6 +313,10 @@ impl PlacementResolver {
             value.lines().count().max(1)
         }
 
+        if task.annotation_line_count > 0 {
+            return task.annotation_line_count;
+        }
+
         let mut count = 0;
 
         // @id: one line, only when it's an explicit annotation (not a
@@ -330,11 +338,7 @@ impl PlacementResolver {
         }
 
         // @depends-on / @doc: one line per reference, as emitted by
-        // `MarkdownEmitter::format_task_annotations`. A hand-written
-        // comma-separated `@depends-on: a, b, c` parses to several references
-        // from a single line and is over-counted here; that is the same
-        // inline-vs-block ambiguity described above for `@labels`, and
-        // over-counting appends after the block rather than inside it.
+        // `MarkdownEmitter::format_task_annotations`.
         count += task.metadata.depends_on.len();
         count += task.metadata.docs.len();
 
@@ -982,6 +986,71 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(placement.order_index, 3);
     }
 
+    /// An explicit-id dependency reference, the form `lash add --depends-on`
+    /// produces.
+    fn dep_ref(target: &str) -> lash_types::DependencyRef {
+        lash_types::DependencyRef::new(target.to_string(), lash_types::DependencyKind::ExplicitId)
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_parsed_annotation_line_count_wins_over_the_derived_estimate() {
+        // A hand-written `@depends-on: a, b, c` parses to three references off
+        // a single line. Deriving the count from the metadata says three
+        // lines, which pushes the insertion point two lines past the end of
+        // the task block; the parser's own count says one.
+        let config = ConfigBuilder::new().build().unwrap();
+        let validator = TaskValidator::new(config);
+
+        let mut task = TaskBuilder::new("Existing task")
+            .id("existing")
+            .order_index(0)
+            .line_number(6)
+            .build()
+            .unwrap();
+        task.metadata.depends_on = ["a", "b", "c"].map(dep_ref).to_vec();
+        // `@id:` on line 7, `@depends-on: a, b, c` on line 8.
+        task.annotation_line_count = 2;
+
+        let mut tasks = TaskTree::new();
+        tasks.add_task(task).unwrap();
+        let file = create_test_file(tasks);
+
+        let request = TaskCreationRequestBuilder::new("New task").build();
+        let ctx = validator.validate(&request, Some(&file)).unwrap();
+        let placement = PlacementResolver::resolve(&ctx, &request).unwrap();
+
+        assert_eq!(placement.anchor.line(), Some(9));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_unparsed_task_falls_back_to_deriving_the_count() {
+        // Tasks built in memory rather than parsed have no source lines to
+        // have counted, so the derived estimate is all there is. It assumes
+        // the emitter's shape: one line per reference.
+        let config = ConfigBuilder::new().build().unwrap();
+        let validator = TaskValidator::new(config);
+
+        let mut task = TaskBuilder::new("Existing task")
+            .id("existing")
+            .order_index(0)
+            .line_number(6)
+            .build()
+            .unwrap();
+        task.metadata.depends_on = ["a", "b"].map(dep_ref).to_vec();
+        assert_eq!(task.annotation_line_count, 0);
+
+        let mut tasks = TaskTree::new();
+        tasks.add_task(task).unwrap();
+        let file = create_test_file(tasks);
+
+        let request = TaskCreationRequestBuilder::new("New task").build();
+        let ctx = validator.validate(&request, Some(&file)).unwrap();
+        let placement = PlacementResolver::resolve(&ctx, &request).unwrap();
+
+        // Checkbox on 6, `@id:` on 7, two `@depends-on:` lines on 8 and 9.
+        assert_eq!(placement.anchor.line(), Some(10));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn test_append_after_task_with_explicit_id_skips_its_annotation_line() {
         // Regression test: appending after a task that carries an explicit
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/src/formatter/mod.rs b/crates/lash-core/src/formatter/mod.rs
index 08f8e22..ca6d4c3 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/src/formatter/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/src/formatter/mod.rs
@@ -742,6 +742,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: parent.map(std::string::ToString::to_string),
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/linter.rs b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/linter.rs
index 01df8d8..87d087a 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/linter.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/linter.rs
@@ -311,6 +311,7 @@ mod tests {
                 parent_id: None,
                 order_index: i,
                 line_number: 0,
+                annotation_line_count: 0,
                 metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
                 body: None,
                 contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/crossfile/circular_deps.rs b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/crossfile/circular_deps.rs
index f1f73da..2532edf 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/crossfile/circular_deps.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/crossfile/circular_deps.rs
@@ -270,6 +270,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata,
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/crossfile/dependency_exists.rs b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/crossfile/dependency_exists.rs
index 3e82c19..fe4cf6b 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/crossfile/dependency_exists.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/crossfile/dependency_exists.rs
@@ -200,6 +200,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata,
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
@@ -218,6 +219,7 @@ mod tests {
                 parent_id: None,
                 order_index: i,
                 line_number: 0,
+                annotation_line_count: 0,
                 metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
                 body: None,
                 contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
@@ -309,6 +311,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata,
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
@@ -348,6 +351,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata,
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
@@ -389,6 +393,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata,
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
@@ -428,6 +433,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata,
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
@@ -464,6 +470,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata,
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
@@ -499,6 +506,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata,
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
@@ -544,6 +552,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata,
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
@@ -590,6 +599,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 1,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata,
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
@@ -715,6 +725,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata,
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/crossfile/index_file_refs.rs b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/crossfile/index_file_refs.rs
index e9e5e6e..dc788a1 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/crossfile/index_file_refs.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/crossfile/index_file_refs.rs
@@ -161,6 +161,7 @@ mod tests {
                 parent_id: None,
                 order_index: i,
                 line_number: 0,
+                annotation_line_count: 0,
                 metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
                 body: None,
                 contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
@@ -379,6 +380,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
@@ -392,6 +394,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 1,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/crossfile/orphaned_files.rs b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/crossfile/orphaned_files.rs
index 1bc106c..65905f6 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/crossfile/orphaned_files.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/crossfile/orphaned_files.rs
@@ -301,6 +301,7 @@ mod tests {
                 parent_id: None,
                 order_index: i,
                 line_number: 0,
+                annotation_line_count: 0,
                 metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
                 body: None,
                 contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/crossfile/valid_path_resolution.rs b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/crossfile/valid_path_resolution.rs
index abacff2..6b20967 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/crossfile/valid_path_resolution.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/crossfile/valid_path_resolution.rs
@@ -236,6 +236,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata,
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
@@ -485,6 +486,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata,
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/auto_waive.rs b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/auto_waive.rs
index c35f87a..576d1f1 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/auto_waive.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/auto_waive.rs
@@ -188,6 +188,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: parent.map(std::string::ToString::to_string),
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/duplicate_id.rs b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/duplicate_id.rs
index 9a2fc80..d3566bb 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/duplicate_id.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/duplicate_id.rs
@@ -144,6 +144,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/empty_title.rs b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/empty_title.rs
index 1cc5dfb..b72f41c 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/empty_title.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/empty_title.rs
@@ -120,6 +120,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/status_consistency.rs b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/status_consistency.rs
index 1335d8f..4e3632a 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/status_consistency.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/status_consistency.rs
@@ -173,6 +173,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: parent.map(std::string::ToString::to_string),
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/valid_estimate.rs b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/valid_estimate.rs
index 7f326e7..4627d42 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/valid_estimate.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/valid_estimate.rs
@@ -151,6 +151,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata: TaskMetadata {
                 estimate: estimate.map(std::string::ToString::to_string),
                 ..Default::default()
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/valid_label.rs b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/valid_label.rs
index be6902e..5d3acf5 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/valid_label.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/valid_label.rs
@@ -164,6 +164,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata: TaskMetadata {
                 labels: labels.iter().map(|s| (*s).to_string()).collect(),
                 ..Default::default()
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/valid_owner.rs b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/valid_owner.rs
index adc3c78..ca9adb0 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/valid_owner.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/semantic/valid_owner.rs
@@ -170,6 +170,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata: TaskMetadata {
                 owner: owner.map(std::string::ToString::to_string),
                 ..Default::default()
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/syntax/checkbox_pattern.rs b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/syntax/checkbox_pattern.rs
index 4ed5b01..7572cd1 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/syntax/checkbox_pattern.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/syntax/checkbox_pattern.rs
@@ -154,6 +154,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/syntax/depth_limit.rs b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/syntax/depth_limit.rs
index 0a14f7d..e843f19 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/syntax/depth_limit.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/src/linter/rules/syntax/depth_limit.rs
@@ -120,6 +120,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/src/parser/builder.rs b/crates/lash-core/src/parser/builder.rs
index a393c44..4c6ce38 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/src/parser/builder.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/src/parser/builder.rs
@@ -220,6 +220,7 @@ impl TaskTreeBuilder {
             parent_id,
             order_index,
             line_number: line.line_num,
+            annotation_line_count: line.annotation_line_count,
             metadata,
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/src/parser/checkbox.rs b/crates/lash-core/src/parser/checkbox.rs
index 3bdfc47..e875dc7 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/src/parser/checkbox.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/src/parser/checkbox.rs
@@ -47,6 +47,13 @@ pub struct CheckboxLine {
 
     /// Annotation block following the task line (if any)
     pub annotations: Option<AnnotationBlock>,
+
+    /// Number of source lines the annotation block occupies
+    ///
+    /// Tracked separately from `annotations` because a single annotation may
+    /// be written across several lines, and several annotations may share one
+    /// line, so the parsed block does not imply a line count.
+    pub annotation_line_count: usize,
 }
 
 impl CheckboxLine {
@@ -80,6 +87,7 @@ impl CheckboxLine {
             line_num,
             column,
             annotations: None,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/src/parser/mod.rs b/crates/lash-core/src/parser/mod.rs
index 70cf19c..b28adfc 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/src/parser/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/src/parser/mod.rs
@@ -536,12 +536,14 @@ fn parse_task_section_internal(content: &str, ctx: &mut ParseContext) -> ParseRe
             if annotation_lines.is_empty() {
                 i += 1;
             } else {
+                let annotation_line_count = annotation_lines.len();
                 match annotations::parse_annotation_block(
                     annotation_lines.into_iter(),
                     Some(ctx.config),
                 ) {
                     Ok(block) => {
                         cb_line.annotations = Some(block);
+                        cb_line.annotation_line_count = annotation_line_count;
                         i = j; // Skip past the annotation lines we consumed
                     }
                     Err(e) => {
diff --git a/crates/lash-core/tests/linter_integration_tests.rs b/crates/lash-core/tests/linter_integration_tests.rs
index f94c2d5..68c88be 100644
--- a/crates/lash-core/tests/linter_integration_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-core/tests/linter_integration_tests.rs
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ fn make_task(id: &str, title: &str, depth: u8) -> Task {
         parent_id: None,
         order_index: 0,
         line_number: 0,
+        annotation_line_count: 0,
         metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
         body: None,
         contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-db/src/dependency_updater.rs b/crates/lash-db/src/dependency_updater.rs
index 3dbe968..095c458 100644
--- a/crates/lash-db/src/dependency_updater.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-db/src/dependency_updater.rs
@@ -400,6 +400,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: parent_id.map(String::from),
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-db/src/graph_builder.rs b/crates/lash-db/src/graph_builder.rs
index 403711f..d6671eb 100644
--- a/crates/lash-db/src/graph_builder.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-db/src/graph_builder.rs
@@ -208,6 +208,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id,
             order_index: order,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-db/src/repository/dependencies.rs b/crates/lash-db/src/repository/dependencies.rs
index aa353f8..c7006cd 100644
--- a/crates/lash-db/src/repository/dependencies.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-db/src/repository/dependencies.rs
@@ -294,6 +294,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-db/src/repository/doc_ref.rs b/crates/lash-db/src/repository/doc_ref.rs
index de2e948..6bf4c3a 100644
--- a/crates/lash-db/src/repository/doc_ref.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-db/src/repository/doc_ref.rs
@@ -353,6 +353,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-db/src/repository/labels.rs b/crates/lash-db/src/repository/labels.rs
index 2175263..973591f 100644
--- a/crates/lash-db/src/repository/labels.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-db/src/repository/labels.rs
@@ -349,6 +349,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-db/src/repository/tasks.rs b/crates/lash-db/src/repository/tasks.rs
index 3af2f9f..5a2dafb 100644
--- a/crates/lash-db/src/repository/tasks.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-db/src/repository/tasks.rs
@@ -892,6 +892,7 @@ mod tests {
             parent_id,
             order_index: order,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
             body: None,
             contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-db/tests/graph_integration_tests.rs b/crates/lash-db/tests/graph_integration_tests.rs
index b5a098c..2c9f456 100644
--- a/crates/lash-db/tests/graph_integration_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-db/tests/graph_integration_tests.rs
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ fn create_test_task(
         parent_id,
         order_index: order,
         line_number: 0,
+        annotation_line_count: 0,
         metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
         body: None,
         contextual_notes: Vec::new(),
diff --git a/crates/lash-types/src/task.rs b/crates/lash-types/src/task.rs
index 9de6b1d..c0ae2a3 100644
--- a/crates/lash-types/src/task.rs
+++ b/crates/lash-types/src/task.rs
@@ -193,6 +193,18 @@ pub struct Task {
     #[serde(default)]
     pub line_number: usize,
 
+    /// Source lines the task's annotation block occupies, directly below the
+    /// checkbox line
+    ///
+    /// Recorded by the parser, which is the only place that can know it: the
+    /// same metadata can be written in more than one shape (`@depends-on: a, b`
+    /// on one line or one `@depends-on:` line each, labels inline on the
+    /// checkbox or in an `@labels:` block), so the count cannot be recovered
+    /// from [`TaskMetadata`] afterwards. 0 for a task that was not parsed from
+    /// a file.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub annotation_line_count: usize,
+
     /// Optional metadata
     pub metadata: TaskMetadata,
 
@@ -355,6 +367,7 @@ pub struct TaskBuilder {
     parent_id: Option<String>,
     order_index: usize,
     line_number: usize,
+    annotation_line_count: usize,
     id: Option<String>,
     has_explicit_id: bool,
     metadata: TaskMetadata,
@@ -373,6 +386,7 @@ impl TaskBuilder {
             parent_id: None,
             order_index: 0,
             line_number: 0,
+            annotation_line_count: 0,
             id: None,
             has_explicit_id: false,
             metadata: TaskMetadata::default(),
@@ -506,6 +520,7 @@ impl TaskBuilder {
             parent_id: self.parent_id,
             order_index: self.order_index,
             line_number: self.line_number,
+            annotation_line_count: self.annotation_line_count,
             metadata: self.metadata,
             body: self.body,
             contextual_notes: self.contextual_notes,
diff --git a/lash.index.md b/lash.index.md
index 4b98416..463a1ac 100644
--- a/lash.index.md
+++ b/lash.index.md
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ filed in the flawd repo under `tasks/tasks.fail-fast-degradation.md`.
     point `[coverage] command` at a tool the image has; make the paths portable
     rather than machine-specific. Verify by running `flawd run` with default
     isolation and confirming per-test collection succeeds instead of falling back
-- [ ] `@depends-on` comma form over-counts lines, appending outside the tasks section #cli #bug
+- [x] `@depends-on` comma form over-counts lines, appending outside the tasks section #cli #bug
   - Follow-up to the multi-line note fix, same function
     (`PlacementResolver::count_annotation_lines`). `count += depends_on.len()`
     assumes one source line per reference, which holds for what
@@ -147,6 +147,14 @@ filed in the flawd repo under `tasks/tasks.fail-fast-degradation.md`.
     content, so it needs plumbing
   - Regression test: append after a task with comma-separated `@depends-on`
     followed by a section heading; assert the new task lands inside `## Tasks`
+  - Fixed the way the ticket called for: the parser now records how many source
+    lines a task's annotation block occupies, on `Task::annotation_line_count`,
+    and the resolver uses that instead of re-deriving a count from the parsed
+    metadata. This settles `@labels` too, which was previously uncountable for
+    the same reason, and any future annotation that can be written in more than
+    one shape. Tasks built in memory rather than parsed (the TUI, test
+    fixtures) have no source lines to have counted, so they keep the derived
+    estimate
 - [x] `lash add --agent-note` with an embedded newline writes a malformed file and loses content #cli #bug #data-loss
   - Latent counterpart to the multi-line note fix, on the write side.
     `MarkdownEmitter::format_task_annotations` builds the note with
@@ -207,6 +215,44 @@ filed in the flawd repo under `tasks/tasks.fail-fast-degradation.md`.
     reported line now comes from where the task was actually written, so the
     `:0` in the success message is gone too, as is the missing trailing
     newline noted under the ID ticket below
+- [ ] `lash format` deletes every section after `## Tasks` #cli #bug #data-loss #launch-blocker
+  - Worse than the `lash add` bugs it was found next to, because `format` is
+    documented as a normalizer and the README tells people to run it. Found
+    2026-08-09 while checking that the empty-Tasks-section fix left files
+    lint-clean
+  - Repro: a file with `## Tasks`, then `## Notes` with prose, then
+    `## References` with a link. `lash format` on it emits the header and the
+    Tasks section and nothing else. Notes, References and all their content are
+    gone. Exit code 0, no warning
+  - This repo's own `lash.index.md` has a `## Description` section that sits
+    *before* `## Tasks` and so survives, which is probably why nobody hit it
+  - Cause is in the emit half of the formatter: it reconstructs the file from
+    the parsed model, and the model keeps the header, the description and the
+    task tree but nothing about sections it does not understand. Anything the
+    parser did not model is not written back
+  - Fix: the formatter must preserve source it does not model. Either carry the
+    unmodelled tail through the parse (a raw span per unrecognized section) or
+    have the formatter rewrite in place, editing only the lines it owns rather
+    than regenerating the file
+  - Regression tests: format a file with sections before and after `## Tasks`
+    and assert byte-exact preservation of both; a file with a trailing section
+    containing a fenced code block; and a round-trip property test asserting
+    `format(format(x)) == format(x)`
+- [ ] `lash format` duplicates inline labels on every run #cli #bug
+  - Not idempotent, and the file grows without bound. `- [ ] task one #docs
+    #infra` becomes `#docs #infra #docs #infra` after one run and
+    `#docs #infra #docs #infra #docs #infra` after two
+  - The parser records inline labels in `metadata.labels` while leaving them in
+    the title text, so the emitter writes the title (labels included) and then
+    appends the labels again. Same double-counting shape as the annotation-line
+    bugs: one piece of information recorded in two places with no note of which
+    is authoritative
+  - `lash format --check` reports a file as needing formatting forever, since
+    the output never reaches a fixed point
+  - Fix: strip inline labels from the stored title, or have the emitter write
+    the title verbatim and skip the label pass. Whichever, add the
+    `format(format(x)) == format(x)` property test above; it catches this and
+    the section-deletion bug at once
 - [ ] `lash add` reports a task ID that does not match the indexed one #cli #bug #ux
   - The ID printed on creation cannot be used with `lash show` / `lash complete`
     / `@depends-on`, so any workflow that copies it fails. Observed repeatedly