diff --git a/conftest.py b/conftest.py
index 57a240e1..45369d12 100644
--- a/conftest.py
+++ b/conftest.py
@@ -50,11 +50,14 @@ import functools
 import http.client
 import itertools
 import os
+import pathlib
+import pprint
 import random
 import re
 import socket
 import subprocess
 import sys
+import tempfile
 import time
 import uuid
 import warnings
@@ -268,14 +271,18 @@ class DbDict(dict):
         self._adpath = adpath
     def __missing__(self, module):
         self[module] = db = 'template_%s' % uuid.uuid4()
-        subprocess.run([
-            'odoo', '--no-http',
-            '--addons-path', self._adpath,
-            '-d', db, '-i', module,
-            '--max-cron-threads', '0',
-            '--stop-after-init',
-            '--log-level', 'warn'
-        ], check=True)
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as d:
+            subprocess.run([
+                'odoo', '--no-http',
+                '--addons-path', self._adpath,
+                '-d', db, '-i', module + ',auth_oauth',
+                '--max-cron-threads', '0',
+                '--stop-after-init',
+                '--log-level', 'warn'
+            ],
+                check=True,
+                env={**os.environ, 'XDG_DATA_HOME': d}
+            )
         return db
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='session')
@@ -334,21 +341,48 @@ def port():
         s.setsockopt(socket.SOL_SOCKET, socket.SO_REUSEADDR, 1)
         return s.getsockname()[1]
 
+@pytest.fixture(scope='session')
+def dummy_addons_path():
+    with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as dummy_addons_path:
+        mod = pathlib.Path(dummy_addons_path, 'saas_worker')
+        mod.mkdir(0o700)
+        (mod / '__init__.py').write_bytes(b'')
+        (mod / '__manifest__.py').write_text(pprint.pformat({
+            'name': 'dummy saas_worker',
+            'version': '1.0',
+        }), encoding='utf-8')
+        (mod / 'util.py').write_text("""\
+def from_role(_):
+    return lambda fn: fn
+""", encoding='utf-8')
+
+        yield dummy_addons_path
+
 @pytest.fixture
-def server(request, db, port, module):
+def server(request, db, port, module, dummy_addons_path, tmpdir):
     log_handlers = [
         'odoo.modules.loading:WARNING',
     ]
     if not request.config.getoption('--log-github'):
         log_handlers.append('github_requests:WARNING')
 
+    addons_path = ','.join(map(str, [
+        request.config.getoption('--addons-path'),
+        dummy_addons_path,
+    ]))
     p = subprocess.Popen([
         'odoo', '--http-port', str(port),
-        '--addons-path', request.config.getoption('--addons-path'),
+        '--addons-path', addons_path,
         '-d', db,
         '--max-cron-threads', '0', # disable cron threads (we're running crons by hand)
         *itertools.chain.from_iterable(('--log-handler', h) for h in log_handlers),
-    ])
+    ], env={
+        **os.environ,
+        # stop putting garbage in the user dirs, and potentially creating conflicts
+        # TODO: way to override this with macOS?
+        'XDG_DATA_HOME': str(tmpdir.mkdir('share')),
+        'XDG_CACHE_HOME': str(tmpdir.mkdir('cache')),
+    })
 
     try:
         wait_for_server(db, port, p, module)
@@ -558,17 +592,6 @@ class Repo:
             parents=[p['sha'] for p in gh_commit['parents']],
         )
 
-    def log(self, ref_or_sha):
-        for page in itertools.count(1):
-            r = self._session.get(
-                'https://api.github.com/repos/{}/commits'.format(self.name),
-                params={'sha': ref_or_sha, 'page': page}
-            )
-            assert 200 <= r.status_code < 300, r.json()
-            yield from map(self._commit_from_gh, r.json())
-            if not r.links.get('next'):
-                return
-
     def read_tree(self, commit):
         """ read tree object from commit
 
@@ -813,6 +836,12 @@ mutation setDraft($pid: ID!) {
     }
 }
 '''
+def state_prop(name: str) -> property:
+    @property
+    def _prop(self):
+        return self._pr[name]
+    return _prop.setter(lambda self, v: self._set_prop(name, v))
+
 class PR:
     def __init__(self, repo, number):
         self.repo = repo
@@ -837,15 +866,9 @@ class PR:
             caching['If-Modified-Since']= r.headers['Last-Modified']
         return contents
 
-    @property
-    def title(self):
-        return self._pr['title']
-    title = title.setter(lambda self, v: self._set_prop('title', v))
-
-    @property
-    def base(self):
-        return self._pr['base']
-    base = base.setter(lambda self, v: self._set_prop('base', v))
+    title = state_prop('title')
+    body = state_prop('body')
+    base = state_prop('base')
 
     @property
     def draft(self):
@@ -875,10 +898,6 @@ class PR:
     def state(self):
         return self._pr['state']
 
-    @property
-    def body(self):
-        return self._pr['body']
-
     @property
     def comments(self):
         r = self.repo._session.get('https://api.github.com/repos/{}/issues/{}/comments'.format(self.repo.name, self.number))
@@ -1105,17 +1124,8 @@ class Model:
     def create(self, values):
         return Model(self._env, self._model, [self._env(self._model, 'create', values)])
 
-    def write(self, values):
-        return self._env(self._model, 'write', self._ids, values)
-
-    def read(self, fields):
-        return self._env(self._model, 'read', self._ids, fields)
-
-    def name_get(self):
-        return self._env(self._model, 'name_get', self._ids)
-
-    def unlink(self):
-        return self._env(self._model, 'unlink', self._ids)
+    def check_object_reference(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        return self.env(self._model, 'check_object_reference', *args, **kwargs)
 
     def sorted(self, field):
         rs = sorted(self.read([field]), key=lambda r: r[field])
diff --git a/forwardport/__manifest__.py b/forwardport/__manifest__.py
index 185f8256..b86c425e 100644
--- a/forwardport/__manifest__.py
+++ b/forwardport/__manifest__.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
         'data/security.xml',
         'data/crons.xml',
         'data/views.xml',
+        'data/queues.xml',
     ],
     'license': 'LGPL-3',
 }
diff --git a/forwardport/changelog/2022-06/closed.md b/forwardport/changelog/2022-06/closed.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..51b53e60
--- /dev/null
+++ b/forwardport/changelog/2022-06/closed.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+IMP: notifications when reopening a closed forward-port (e.g. indicate that they're detached)
diff --git a/forwardport/changelog/2022-06/conflict-diff3.md b/forwardport/changelog/2022-06/conflict-diff3.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7dc4b4c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/forwardport/changelog/2022-06/conflict-diff3.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+IMP: use the `diff3` conflict style, should make forward port conflicts clearer and easier to fix
diff --git a/forwardport/changelog/2022-06/detached.md b/forwardport/changelog/2022-06/detached.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..627d232f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/forwardport/changelog/2022-06/detached.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+IMP: flag detached PRs in their dashboard
diff --git a/forwardport/data/queues.xml b/forwardport/data/queues.xml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ba011344
--- /dev/null
+++ b/forwardport/data/queues.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+<odoo>
+    <record id="action_forward_port" model="ir.actions.act_window">
+        <field name="name">Forward port batches</field>
+        <field name="res_model">forwardport.batches</field>
+        <field name="context">{'active_test': False}</field>
+    </record>
+    <record id="tree_forward_port" model="ir.ui.view">
+        <field name="name">Forward port batches</field>
+        <field name="model">forwardport.batches</field>
+        <field name="arch" type="xml">
+            <tree>
+                <field name="source"/>
+                <field name="batch_id"/>
+            </tree>
+        </field>
+    </record>
+    <record id="form_forward_port" model="ir.ui.view">
+        <field name="name">Forward port batch</field>
+        <field name="model">forwardport.batches</field>
+        <field name="arch" type="xml">
+            <form>
+                <group>
+                    <group><field name="source"/></group>
+                    <group><field name="batch_id"/></group>
+                </group>
+            </form>
+        </field>
+    </record>
+
+    <record id="action_followup_updates" model="ir.actions.act_window">
+        <field name="name">Followup Updates</field>
+        <field name="res_model">forwardport.updates</field>
+    </record>
+    <record id="tree_followup_updates" model="ir.ui.view">
+        <field name="name">Followup Updates</field>
+        <field name="model">forwardport.updates</field>
+        <field name="arch" type="xml">
+            <tree editable="bottom">
+                <field name="original_root"/>
+                <field name="new_root"/>
+            </tree>
+        </field>
+    </record>
+
+    <menuitem name="Forward Port Batches" id="menu_forward_port"
+              parent="runbot_merge.menu_queues"
+              action="action_forward_port"/>
+    <menuitem name="Followup Updates" id="menu_followup"
+              parent="runbot_merge.menu_queues"
+              action="action_followup_updates"/>
+</odoo>
diff --git a/forwardport/data/views.xml b/forwardport/data/views.xml
index ff7f66c9..78499457 100644
--- a/forwardport/data/views.xml
+++ b/forwardport/data/views.xml
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <odoo>
-    <template id="dashboard" inherit_id="runbot_merge.dashboard">
+    <template id="alerts" inherit_id="runbot_merge.alerts">
         <xpath expr="//div[@id='alerts']">
             <t t-set="fpcron" t-value="env(user=1).ref('forwardport.port_forward')"/>
             <div t-if="not fpcron.active" class="alert alert-warning col-12" role="alert">
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
                 <t t-set="outstanding" t-value="env['runbot_merge.pull_requests'].search_count([
                     ('source_id', '!=', False),
                     ('state', 'not in', ['merged', 'closed']),
+                    ('source_id.merge_date', '&lt;', datetime.datetime.now() - relativedelta(days=3)),
                 ])"/>
                 <div t-if="outstanding != 0" class="alert col-md-12 alert-warning mb-0">
                     <a href="/forwardport/outstanding">
@@ -108,6 +109,11 @@
                     <a t-att-href="pr.source_id.url">
                         <span t-field="pr.source_id.display_name"/>
                     </a>
+                    <span t-if="not pr.parent_id"
+                          class="badge badge-danger user-select-none"
+                          title="A detached PR behaves like a non-forward-port, it has to be approved via the mergebot, this is usually caused by the forward-port having been in conflict or updated.">
+                        DETACHED
+                    </span>
                 </dd>
             </t>
             <t t-if="pr.forwardport_ids">
@@ -175,6 +181,9 @@
         <field name="inherit_id" ref="runbot_merge.runbot_merge_form_prs"/>
         <field name="model">runbot_merge.pull_requests</field>
         <field name="arch" type="xml">
+            <xpath expr="//field[@name='state']" position="after">
+                <field name="merge_date" attrs="{'invisible': [('state', '!=', 'merged')]}"/>
+            </xpath>
             <xpath expr="//sheet/group[2]" position="after">
                 <separator string="Forward Port" attrs="{'invisible': [('source_id', '=', False)]}"/>
                 <group attrs="{'invisible': [('source_id', '!=', False)]}">
diff --git a/forwardport/models/forwardport.py b/forwardport/models/forwardport.py
index 9519e8ef..9bdd395b 100644
--- a/forwardport/models/forwardport.py
+++ b/forwardport/models/forwardport.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ MERGE_AGE = relativedelta.relativedelta(weeks=2)
 _logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 class Queue:
+    __slots__ = ()
     limit = 100
 
     def _process_item(self):
@@ -79,12 +80,12 @@ class ForwardPortTasks(models.Model, Queue):
         batch.active = False
 
 
-CONFLICT_TEMPLATE = "WARNING: the latest change ({previous.head}) triggered " \
+CONFLICT_TEMPLATE = "{ping}WARNING: the latest change ({previous.head}) triggered " \
                     "a conflict when updating the next forward-port " \
                     "({next.display_name}), and has been ignored.\n\n" \
                     "You will need to update this pull request differently, " \
                     "or fix the issue by hand on {next.display_name}."
-CHILD_CONFLICT = "WARNING: the update of {previous.display_name} to " \
+CHILD_CONFLICT = "{ping}WARNING: the update of {previous.display_name} to " \
                  "{previous.head} has caused a conflict in this pull request, " \
                  "data may have been lost."
 class UpdateQueue(models.Model, Queue):
@@ -118,14 +119,15 @@ class UpdateQueue(models.Model, Queue):
                     Feedback.create({
                         'repository': child.repository.id,
                         'pull_request': child.number,
-                        'message': "Ancestor PR %s has been updated but this PR"
+                        'message': "%sancestor PR %s has been updated but this PR"
                                    " is %s and can't be updated to match."
                                    "\n\n"
                                    "You may want or need to manually update any"
                                    " followup PR." % (
-                                       self.new_root.display_name,
-                                       child.state,
-                                   )
+                            child.ping(),
+                            self.new_root.display_name,
+                            child.state,
+                        )
                     })
                     return
 
@@ -137,6 +139,7 @@ class UpdateQueue(models.Model, Queue):
                         'repository': previous.repository.id,
                         'pull_request': previous.number,
                         'message': CONFLICT_TEMPLATE.format(
+                            ping=previous.ping(),
                             previous=previous,
                             next=child
                         )
@@ -144,7 +147,7 @@ class UpdateQueue(models.Model, Queue):
                     Feedback.create({
                         'repository': child.repository.id,
                         'pull_request': child.number,
-                        'message': CHILD_CONFLICT.format(previous=previous, next=child)\
+                        'message': CHILD_CONFLICT.format(ping=child.ping(), previous=previous, next=child)\
                             + (f'\n\nstdout:\n```\n{out.strip()}\n```' if out.strip() else '')
                             + (f'\n\nstderr:\n```\n{err.strip()}\n```' if err.strip() else '')
                     })
diff --git a/forwardport/models/project.py b/forwardport/models/project.py
index 49f3e202..4e921b92 100644
--- a/forwardport/models/project.py
+++ b/forwardport/models/project.py
@@ -240,6 +240,7 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
         # again 2 PRs with same head is weird so...
         newhead = vals.get('head')
         with_parents = self.filtered('parent_id')
+        closed_fp = self.filtered(lambda p: p.state == 'closed' and p.source_id)
         if newhead and not self.env.context.get('ignore_head_update') and newhead != self.head:
             vals.setdefault('parent_id', False)
             # if any children, this is an FP PR being updated, enqueue
@@ -261,10 +262,24 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
                     self.env['runbot_merge.pull_requests.feedback'].create({
                         'repository': p.repository.id,
                         'pull_request': p.number,
-                        'message': "This PR was modified / updated and has become a normal PR. "
-                                   "It should be merged the normal way (via @%s)" % p.repository.project_id.github_prefix,
+                        'message': "%sthis PR was modified / updated and has become a normal PR. "
+                                   "It should be merged the normal way (via @%s)" % (
+                            p.source_id.ping(),
+                            p.repository.project_id.github_prefix,
+                        ),
                         'token_field': 'fp_github_token',
                     })
+        for p in closed_fp.filtered(lambda p: p.state != 'closed'):
+            self.env['runbot_merge.pull_requests.feedback'].create({
+                'repository': p.repository.id,
+                'pull_request': p.number,
+                'message': "%sthis PR was closed then reopened. "
+                           "It should be merged the normal way (via @%s)" % (
+                    p.source_id.ping(),
+                    p.repository.project_id.github_prefix,
+                ),
+                'token_field': 'fp_github_token',
+            })
         if vals.get('state') == 'merged':
             for p in self:
                 self.env['forwardport.branch_remover'].create({
@@ -282,6 +297,7 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
         r = super()._try_closing(by)
         if r:
             self.with_context(forwardport_detach_warn=False).parent_id = False
+            self.search([('parent_id', '=', self.id)]).parent_id = False
         return r
 
     def _parse_commands(self, author, comment, login):
@@ -298,7 +314,6 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
             )
             return
 
-        Feedback = self.env['runbot_merge.pull_requests.feedback']
         # TODO: don't use a mutable tokens iterator
         tokens = iter(tokens)
         while True:
@@ -306,6 +321,7 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
             if token is None:
                 break
 
+            ping = False
             close = False
             msg = None
             if token in ('ci', 'skipci'):
@@ -314,7 +330,8 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
                     pr.fw_policy = token
                     msg = "Not waiting for CI to create followup forward-ports." if token == 'skipci' else "Waiting for CI to create followup forward-ports."
                 else:
-                    msg = "I don't trust you enough to do that @{}.".format(login)
+                    ping = True
+                    msg = "you can't configure ci."
 
             if token == 'ignore': # replace 'ignore' by 'up to <pr_branch>'
                 token = 'up'
@@ -322,55 +339,56 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
 
             if token in ('r+', 'review+'):
                 if not self.source_id:
-                    Feedback.create({
-                        'repository': self.repository.id,
-                        'pull_request': self.number,
-                        'message': "I'm sorry, @{}. I can only do this on forward-port PRs and this ain't one.".format(login),
-                        'token_field': 'fp_github_token',
-                    })
-                    continue
-                merge_bot = self.repository.project_id.github_prefix
-                # don't update the root ever
-                for pr in (p for p in self._iter_ancestors() if p.parent_id if p.state in RPLUS):
-                    # only the author is delegated explicitely on the
-                    pr._parse_commands(author, {**comment, 'body': merge_bot + ' r+'}, login)
+                    ping = True
+                    msg = "I can only do this on forward-port PRs and this is not one, see {}.".format(
+                        self.repository.project_id.github_prefix
+                    )
+                elif not self.parent_id:
+                    ping = True
+                    msg = "I can only do this on unmodified forward-port PRs, ask {}.".format(
+                        self.repository.project_id.github_prefix
+                    )
+                else:
+                    merge_bot = self.repository.project_id.github_prefix
+                    # don't update the root ever
+                    for pr in (p for p in self._iter_ancestors() if p.parent_id if p.state in RPLUS):
+                        # only the author is delegated explicitely on the
+                        pr._parse_commands(author, {**comment, 'body': merge_bot + ' r+'}, login)
             elif token == 'close':
-                msg = "I'm sorry, @{}. I can't close this PR for you.".format(
-                    login)
                 if self.source_id._pr_acl(author).is_reviewer:
                     close = True
-                    msg = None
+                else:
+                    ping = True
+                    msg = "you can't close PRs."
+
             elif token == 'up' and next(tokens, None) == 'to':
                 limit = next(tokens, None)
+                ping = True
                 if not self._pr_acl(author).is_author:
-                    Feedback.create({
-                        'repository': self.repository.id,
-                        'pull_request': self.number,
-                        'message': "I'm sorry, @{}. You can't set a forward-port limit.".format(login),
-                        'token_field': 'fp_github_token',
-                    })
-                    continue
-                if not limit:
-                    msg = "Please provide a branch to forward-port to."
+                    msg = "you can't set a forward-port limit.".format(login)
+                elif not limit:
+                    msg = "please provide a branch to forward-port to."
                 else:
                     limit_id = self.env['runbot_merge.branch'].with_context(active_test=False).search([
                         ('project_id', '=', self.repository.project_id.id),
                         ('name', '=', limit),
                     ])
                     if self.source_id:
-                        msg = "Sorry, forward-port limit can only be set on " \
+                        msg = "forward-port limit can only be set on " \
                               f"an origin PR ({self.source_id.display_name} " \
                               "here) before it's merged and forward-ported."
                     elif self.state in ['merged', 'closed']:
-                        msg = "Sorry, forward-port limit can only be set before the PR is merged."
+                        msg = "forward-port limit can only be set before the PR is merged."
                     elif not limit_id:
-                        msg = "There is no branch %r, it can't be used as a forward port target." % limit
+                        msg = "there is no branch %r, it can't be used as a forward port target." % limit
                     elif limit_id == self.target:
+                        ping = False
                         msg = "Forward-port disabled."
                         self.limit_id = limit_id
                     elif not limit_id.fp_enabled:
-                        msg = "Branch %r is disabled, it can't be used as a forward port target." % limit_id.name
+                        msg = "branch %r is disabled, it can't be used as a forward port target." % limit_id.name
                     else:
+                        ping = False
                         msg = "Forward-porting to %r." % limit_id.name
                         self.limit_id = limit_id
 
@@ -382,7 +400,7 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
                 self.env['runbot_merge.pull_requests.feedback'].create({
                     'repository': self.repository.id,
                     'pull_request': self.number,
-                    'message': msg,
+                    'message': f'@{author.github_login} {msg}' if msg and ping else msg,
                     'close': close,
                     'token_field': 'fp_github_token',
                 })
@@ -397,8 +415,8 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
             'repository': self.repository.id,
             'pull_request': self.number,
             'token_field': 'fp_github_token',
-            'message': '%s\n\n%s failed on this forward-port PR' % (
-                self.source_id._pingline(),
+            'message': '%s%s failed on this forward-port PR' % (
+                self.source_id.ping(),
                 ci,
             )
         })
@@ -578,10 +596,10 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
                     'repository': pr.repository.id,
                     'pull_request': pr.number,
                     'token_field': 'fp_github_token',
-                    'message': "This pull request can not be forward ported: "
+                    'message': "%sthis pull request can not be forward ported: "
                                "next branch is %r but linked pull request %s "
                                "has a next branch %r." % (
-                        t.name, linked.display_name, other.name
+                        pr.ping(), t.name, linked.display_name, other.name
                     )
                 })
             _logger.warning(
@@ -678,8 +696,8 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
                 'delegates': [(6, False, (source.delegates | pr.delegates).ids)]
             })
             if has_conflicts and pr.parent_id and pr.state not in ('merged', 'closed'):
-                message = source._pingline() + """
-The next pull request (%s) is in conflict. You can merge the chain up to here by saying
+                message = source.ping() + """\
+the next pull request (%s) is in conflict. You can merge the chain up to here by saying
 > @%s r+
 %s""" % (new_pr.display_name, pr.repository.project_id.fp_github_name, footer)
                 self.env['runbot_merge.pull_requests.feedback'].create({
@@ -710,19 +728,21 @@ The next pull request (%s) is in conflict. You can merge the chain up to here by
                         '* %s%s\n' % (sha, ' <- on this commit' if sha == h else '')
                         for sha in hh
                     )
-                message = f"""{source._pingline()} cherrypicking of pull request {source.display_name} failed.
+                message = f"""{source.ping()}cherrypicking of pull request {source.display_name} failed.
 {lines}{sout}{serr}
 Either perform the forward-port manually (and push to this branch, proceeding as usual) or close this PR (maybe?).
 
 In the former case, you may want to edit this PR message as well.
 """
             elif has_conflicts:
-                message = """%s
-While this was properly forward-ported, at least one co-dependent PR (%s) did not succeed. You will need to fix it before this can be merged.
+                message = """%s\
+while this was properly forward-ported, at least one co-dependent PR (%s) did \
+not succeed. You will need to fix it before this can be merged.
 
-Both this PR and the others will need to be approved via `@%s r+` as they are all considered "in conflict".
+Both this PR and the others will need to be approved via `@%s r+` as they are \
+all considered "in conflict".
 %s""" % (
-                    source._pingline(),
+                    source.ping(),
                     ', '.join(p.display_name for p in (new_batch - new_pr)),
                     proj.github_prefix,
                     footer
@@ -733,8 +753,8 @@ Both this PR and the others will need to be approved via `@%s r+` as they are al
                     for p in pr._iter_ancestors()
                     if p.parent_id
                 )
-                message = source._pingline() + """
-This PR targets %s and is the last of the forward-port chain%s
+                message = source.ping() + """\
+this PR targets %s and is the last of the forward-port chain%s
 %s
 To merge the full chain, say
 > @%s r+
@@ -772,14 +792,6 @@ This PR targets %s and is part of the forward-port chain. Further PRs will be cr
             b.prs[0]._schedule_fp_followup()
         return b
 
-    def _pingline(self):
-        assignees = (self.author | self.reviewed_by).mapped('github_login')
-        return "Ping %s" % ', '.join(
-            '@' + login
-            for login in assignees
-            if login
-        )
-
     def _create_fp_branch(self, target_branch, fp_branch_name, cleanup):
         """ Creates a forward-port for the current PR to ``target_branch`` under
         ``fp_branch_name``.
@@ -794,6 +806,7 @@ This PR targets %s and is part of the forward-port chain. Further PRs will be cr
         :rtype: (None | (str, str, str, list[str]), Repo)
         """
         source = self._get_local_directory()
+        root = self._get_root()
         # update all the branches & PRs
         r = source.with_params('gc.pruneExpire=1.day.ago')\
             .with_config(
@@ -802,17 +815,16 @@ This PR targets %s and is part of the forward-port chain. Further PRs will be cr
             )\
             .fetch('-p', 'origin')
         _logger.info("Updated %s:\n%s", source._directory, r.stdout.decode())
-        # FIXME: check that pr.head is pull/{number}'s head instead?
-        source.cat_file(e=self.head)
+        source.cat_file(e=root.head)
         # create working copy
-        _logger.info("Create working copy to forward-port %s:%d to %s",
-                     self.repository.name, self.number, target_branch.name)
+        _logger.info(
+            "Create working copy to forward-port %s (really %s) to %s",
+            self.display_name, root.display_name, target_branch.name)
         working_copy = source.clone(
             cleanup.enter_context(
                 tempfile.TemporaryDirectory(
-                    prefix='%s:%d-to-%s-' % (
-                        self.repository.name,
-                        self.number,
+                    prefix='%s-to-%s-' % (
+                        root.display_name,
                         target_branch.name
                     ),
                     dir=user_cache_dir('forwardport')
@@ -831,7 +843,6 @@ This PR targets %s and is part of the forward-port chain. Further PRs will be cr
         _logger.info("Create FP branch %s", fp_branch_name)
         working_copy.checkout(b=fp_branch_name)
 
-        root = self._get_root()
         try:
             root._cherry_pick(working_copy)
             return None, working_copy
@@ -876,7 +887,7 @@ This PR targets %s and is part of the forward-port chain. Further PRs will be cr
             # switch back to the PR branch
             conf.checkout(fp_branch_name)
             # cherry-pick the squashed commit to generate the conflict
-            conf.with_params('merge.renamelimit=0')\
+            conf.with_params('merge.renamelimit=0', 'merge.conflictstyle=diff3')\
                 .with_config(check=False)\
                 .cherry_pick(squashed, no_commit=True)
             status = conf.stdout().status(short=True, untracked_files='no').stdout.decode()
@@ -1015,7 +1026,7 @@ stderr:
             subprocess.run([
                 'git', 'clone', '--bare',
                 'https://{}:{}@github.com/{}'.format(
-                    self.repository.project_id.fp_github_name,
+                    self.repository.project_id.fp_github_name or '',
                     self.repository.project_id.fp_github_token,
                     self.repository.name,
                 ),
@@ -1084,8 +1095,9 @@ stderr:
             self.env['runbot_merge.pull_requests.feedback'].create({
                 'repository': source.repository.id,
                 'pull_request': source.number,
-                'message': "This pull request has forward-port PRs awaiting action (not merged or closed): %s" % ', '.join(
-                    pr.display_name for pr in sorted(prs, key=lambda p: p.number)
+                'message': "%sthis pull request has forward-port PRs awaiting action (not merged or closed):\n%s" % (
+                    source.ping(),
+                    '\n- '.join(pr.display_name for pr in sorted(prs, key=lambda p: p.number))
                 ),
                 'token_field': 'fp_github_token',
             })
@@ -1134,7 +1146,7 @@ class Repo:
         try:
             return self._opener(args, **opts)
         except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
-            _logger.error("git call error:\n%s", e.stderr.decode())
+            _logger.error("git call error:%s", ('\n' + e.stderr.decode()) if e.stderr else e    )
             raise
 
     def stdout(self, flag=True):
diff --git a/forwardport/models/project_freeze.py b/forwardport/models/project_freeze.py
index ddd9f222..c8aec42f 100644
--- a/forwardport/models/project_freeze.py
+++ b/forwardport/models/project_freeze.py
@@ -20,13 +20,3 @@ class FreezeWizard(models.Model):
         if not self.search_count([]):
             self.env.ref('forwardport.port_forward').active = True
         return r
-
-    def action_freeze(self):
-        # have to store wizard content as it's removed during freeze
-        project = self.project_id
-        branches_before = project.branch_ids
-        prs = self.mapped('release_pr_ids.pr_id')
-        r = super().action_freeze()
-        new_branch = project.branch_ids - branches_before
-        prs.write({'limit_id': new_branch.id})
-        return r
diff --git a/forwardport/tests/conftest.py b/forwardport/tests/conftest.py
index b8e530bc..408345af 100644
--- a/forwardport/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/forwardport/tests/conftest.py
@@ -1,12 +1,8 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
-import pathlib
 import re
-import requests
-from shutil import rmtree
 
 import pytest
-
-from odoo.tools.appdirs import user_cache_dir
+import requests
 
 @pytest.fixture
 def default_crons():
@@ -47,20 +43,6 @@ def _check_scopes(config):
         assert token_scopes >= required_scopes, \
             "%s should have scopes %s, found %s" % (section, token_scopes, required_scopes)
 
-@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
-def _cleanup_cache(config, users):
-    """ forwardport has a repo cache which it assumes is unique per name
-    but tests always use the same repo paths / names for different repos
-    (the repos get re-created), leading to divergent repo histories.
-
-    So clear cache after each test, two tests should not share repos.
-    """
-    yield
-    cache_root = pathlib.Path(user_cache_dir('forwardport'))
-    rmtree(cache_root / config['github']['owner'], ignore_errors=True)
-    for login in users.values():
-        rmtree(cache_root / login, ignore_errors=True)
-
 @pytest.fixture()
 def module():
     """ When a test function is (going to be) run, selects the containing
diff --git a/forwardport/tests/test_conflicts.py b/forwardport/tests/test_conflicts.py
index 739c27b9..0dd1c1c5 100644
--- a/forwardport/tests/test_conflicts.py
+++ b/forwardport/tests/test_conflicts.py
@@ -60,9 +60,10 @@ def test_conflict(env, config, make_repo, users):
         'g': 'a',
         'h': re_matches(r'''<<<\x3c<<< HEAD
 a
+|||||||| parent of [\da-f]{7,}.*
 =======
 xxx
->>>\x3e>>> [0-9a-f]{7,}.*
+>>>\x3e>>> [\da-f]{7,}.*
 '''),
     }
     prb = prod.get_pr(prb_id.number)
@@ -73,8 +74,8 @@ This PR targets b and is part of the forward-port chain. Further PRs will be cre
 
 More info at https://github.com/odoo/odoo/wiki/Mergebot#forward-port
 '''),
-        (users['user'], """Ping @%s, @%s
-The next pull request (%s) is in conflict. You can merge the chain up to here by saying
+        (users['user'], """@%s @%s the next pull request (%s) is in conflict. \
+You can merge the chain up to here by saying
 > @%s r+
 
 More info at https://github.com/odoo/odoo/wiki/Mergebot#forward-port
@@ -323,9 +324,10 @@ def test_multiple_commits_different_authorship(env, config, make_repo, users, ro
 
     assert re.match(r'''<<<\x3c<<< HEAD
 b
+|||||||| parent of [\da-f]{7,}.*
 =======
 2
->>>\x3e>>> [0-9a-f]{7,}.*
+>>>\x3e>>> [\da-f]{7,}.*
 ''', prod.read_tree(c)['g'])
 
     # I'd like to fix the conflict so everything is clean and proper *but*
@@ -343,11 +345,12 @@ b
 
     assert pr2.comments == [
         seen(env, pr2, users),
-        (users['user'], re_matches(r'Ping.*CONFLICT', re.DOTALL)),
+        (users['user'], re_matches(r'@%s @%s .*CONFLICT' % (users['user'], users['reviewer']), re.DOTALL)),
         (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
-        (users['user'], f"All commits must have author and committer email, "
+        (users['user'], f"@{users['user']} @{users['reviewer']} unable to stage: "
+                        "All commits must have author and committer email, "
                         f"missing email on {pr2_id.head} indicates the "
-                        f"authorship is most likely incorrect."),
+                        "authorship is most likely incorrect."),
     ]
     assert pr2_id.state == 'error'
     assert not pr2_id.staging_id, "staging should have been rejected"
diff --git a/forwardport/tests/test_limit.py b/forwardport/tests/test_limit.py
index 4da92537..8310619d 100644
--- a/forwardport/tests/test_limit.py
+++ b/forwardport/tests/test_limit.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 import collections
+import time
 
 import pytest
 
@@ -157,12 +158,12 @@ def test_disable(env, config, make_repo, users, enabled):
     # responses and we don't care that much
     assert set(pr.comments) == {
         (users['reviewer'], "hansen r+\n%s up to" % bot_name),
+        (users['other'], "@%s please provide a branch to forward-port to." % users['reviewer']),
         (users['reviewer'], "%s up to b" % bot_name),
+        (users['other'], "@%s branch 'b' is disabled, it can't be used as a forward port target." % users['reviewer']),
         (users['reviewer'], "%s up to foo" % bot_name),
+        (users['other'], "@%s there is no branch 'foo', it can't be used as a forward port target." % users['reviewer']),
         (users['reviewer'], "%s up to c" % bot_name),
-        (users['other'], "Please provide a branch to forward-port to."),
-        (users['other'], "Branch 'b' is disabled, it can't be used as a forward port target."),
-        (users['other'], "There is no branch 'foo', it can't be used as a forward port target."),
         (users['other'], "Forward-porting to 'c'."),
         seen(env, pr, users),
     }
@@ -201,14 +202,13 @@ def test_default_disabled(env, config, make_repo, users):
     assert pr2.comments == [
         seen(env, pr2, users),
         (users['user'], """\
-Ping @%s, @%s
-This PR targets b and is the last of the forward-port chain.
+@%(user)s @%(reviewer)s this PR targets b and is the last of the forward-port chain.
 
 To merge the full chain, say
-> @%s r+
+> @%(user)s r+
 
 More info at https://github.com/odoo/odoo/wiki/Mergebot#forward-port
-""" % (users['user'], users['reviewer'], users['user'])),
+""" % users)
     ]
 
 def test_limit_after_merge(env, config, make_repo, users):
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ def test_limit_after_merge(env, config, make_repo, users):
         (users['reviewer'], "hansen r+"),
         seen(env, pr1, users),
         (users['reviewer'], bot_name + ' up to b'),
-        (bot_name, "Sorry, forward-port limit can only be set before the PR is merged."),
+        (bot_name, "@%s forward-port limit can only be set before the PR is merged." % users['reviewer']),
     ]
     assert pr2.comments == [
         seen(env, pr2, users),
@@ -257,9 +257,11 @@ This PR targets b and is part of the forward-port chain. Further PRs will be cre
 More info at https://github.com/odoo/odoo/wiki/Mergebot#forward-port
 """),
         (users['reviewer'], bot_name + ' up to b'),
-        (bot_name, "Sorry, forward-port limit can only be set on an origin PR"
-                   " (%s here) before it's merged and forward-ported." % p1.display_name
-         ),
+        (bot_name, "@%s forward-port limit can only be set on an origin PR"
+                   " (%s here) before it's merged and forward-ported." % (
+            users['reviewer'],
+            p1.display_name,
+        )),
     ]
 
     # update pr2 to detach it from pr1
@@ -279,10 +281,13 @@ More info at https://github.com/odoo/odoo/wiki/Mergebot#forward-port
     env.run_crons()
 
     assert pr2.comments[4:] == [
-        (bot_name, "This PR was modified / updated and has become a normal PR. "
-                   "It should be merged the normal way (via @hansen)"),
+        (bot_name, "@%s @%s this PR was modified / updated and has become a normal PR. "
+                   "It should be merged the normal way (via @%s)" % (
+            users['user'], users['reviewer'],
+            p2.repository.project_id.github_prefix
+        )),
         (users['reviewer'], bot_name + ' up to b'),
-        (bot_name, "Sorry, forward-port limit can only be set on an origin PR "
+        (bot_name, f"@{users['reviewer']} forward-port limit can only be set on an origin PR "
                    f"({p1.display_name} here) before it's merged and forward-ported."
          ),
     ]
diff --git a/forwardport/tests/test_simple.py b/forwardport/tests/test_simple.py
index 871d6904..172cee51 100644
--- a/forwardport/tests/test_simple.py
+++ b/forwardport/tests/test_simple.py
@@ -125,8 +125,11 @@ def test_straightforward_flow(env, config, make_repo, users):
     assert pr.comments == [
         (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+ rebase-ff'),
         seen(env, pr, users),
-        (users['user'], 'Merge method set to rebase and fast-forward'),
-        (users['user'], 'This pull request has forward-port PRs awaiting action (not merged or closed): ' + ', '.join((pr1 | pr2).mapped('display_name'))),
+        (users['user'], 'Merge method set to rebase and fast-forward.'),
+        (users['user'], '@%s @%s this pull request has forward-port PRs awaiting action (not merged or closed):\n%s' % (
+            users['other'], users['reviewer'],
+            '\n- '.join((pr1 | pr2).mapped('display_name'))
+        )),
     ]
 
     assert pr0_ == pr0
@@ -148,8 +151,7 @@ def test_straightforward_flow(env, config, make_repo, users):
     assert pr2_remote.comments == [
         seen(env, pr2_remote, users),
         (users['user'], """\
-Ping @%s, @%s
-This PR targets c and is the last of the forward-port chain containing:
+@%s @%s this PR targets c and is the last of the forward-port chain containing:
 * %s
 
 To merge the full chain, say
@@ -314,11 +316,18 @@ def test_empty(env, config, make_repo, users):
     env.run_crons('forwardport.reminder', 'runbot_merge.feedback_cron', context={'forwardport_updated_before': FAKE_PREV_WEEK})
     env.run_crons('forwardport.reminder', 'runbot_merge.feedback_cron', context={'forwardport_updated_before': FAKE_PREV_WEEK})
 
+    awaiting = (
+        users['other'],
+        '@%s @%s this pull request has forward-port PRs awaiting action (not merged or closed):\n%s' % (
+            users['user'], users['reviewer'],
+            fail_id.display_name
+        )
+    )
     assert pr1.comments == [
         (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
         seen(env, pr1, users),
-        (users['other'], 'This pull request has forward-port PRs awaiting action (not merged or closed): ' + fail_id.display_name),
-        (users['other'], 'This pull request has forward-port PRs awaiting action (not merged or closed): ' + fail_id.display_name),
+        awaiting,
+        awaiting,
     ], "each cron run should trigger a new message on the ancestor"
     # check that this stops if we close the PR
     with prod:
@@ -327,8 +336,8 @@ def test_empty(env, config, make_repo, users):
     assert pr1.comments == [
         (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
         seen(env, pr1, users),
-        (users['other'], 'This pull request has forward-port PRs awaiting action (not merged or closed): ' + fail_id.display_name),
-        (users['other'], 'This pull request has forward-port PRs awaiting action (not merged or closed): ' + fail_id.display_name),
+        awaiting,
+        awaiting,
     ]
 
 def test_partially_empty(env, config, make_repo):
@@ -562,8 +571,7 @@ def test_delegate_fw(env, config, make_repo, users):
 
     assert pr2.comments == [
         seen(env, pr2, users),
-        (users['user'], '''Ping @{self_reviewer}, @{reviewer}
-This PR targets c and is the last of the forward-port chain.
+        (users['user'], '''@{self_reviewer} @{reviewer} this PR targets c and is the last of the forward-port chain.
 
 To merge the full chain, say
 > @{user} r+
@@ -790,11 +798,12 @@ More info at https://github.com/odoo/odoo/wiki/Mergebot#forward-port
 """)
         ]
 
-    def test_closing_after_fp(self, env, config, make_repo):
+    def test_closing_after_fp(self, env, config, make_repo, users):
         """ Closing a PR which has been forward-ported should not touch the
         followups
         """
         prod, other = make_basic(env, config, make_repo)
+        project = env['runbot_merge.project'].search([])
         with prod:
             [p_1] = prod.make_commits(
                 'a',
@@ -814,23 +823,51 @@ More info at https://github.com/odoo/odoo/wiki/Mergebot#forward-port
         # should merge the staging then create the FP PR
         env.run_crons()
 
-        pr0, pr1 = env['runbot_merge.pull_requests'].search([], order='number')
+        pr0_id, pr1_id = env['runbot_merge.pull_requests'].search([], order='number')
         with prod:
-            prod.post_status(pr1.head, 'success', 'legal/cla')
-            prod.post_status(pr1.head, 'success', 'ci/runbot')
+            prod.post_status(pr1_id.head, 'success', 'legal/cla')
+            prod.post_status(pr1_id.head, 'success', 'ci/runbot')
         # should create the second staging
         env.run_crons()
 
-        pr0_1, pr1_1, pr2_1 = env['runbot_merge.pull_requests'].search([], order='number')
-        assert pr0_1 == pr0
-        assert pr1_1 == pr1
+        pr0_id2, pr1_id2, pr2_id = env['runbot_merge.pull_requests'].search([], order='number')
+        assert pr0_id2 == pr0_id
+        assert pr1_id2 == pr1_id
+
+        pr1 = prod.get_pr(pr1_id.number)
+        with prod:
+            pr1.close()
+
+        assert pr1_id.state == 'closed'
+        assert not pr1_id.parent_id
+        assert pr2_id.state == 'opened'
+        assert not pr2_id.parent_id, \
+            "the descendant of a closed PR doesn't really make sense, maybe?"
 
         with prod:
-            prod.get_pr(pr1.number).close()
+            pr1.open()
+        assert pr1_id.state == 'validated'
+        env.run_crons()
+        assert pr1.comments[-1] == (
+            users['user'],
+            "@{} @{} this PR was closed then reopened. "
+            "It should be merged the normal way (via @{})".format(
+                users['user'],
+                users['reviewer'],
+                project.github_prefix,
+            )
+        )
 
-        assert pr1_1.state == 'closed'
-        assert not pr1_1.parent_id
-        assert pr2_1.state == 'opened'
+        with prod:
+            pr1.post_comment(f'{project.fp_github_name} r+', config['role_reviewer']['token'])
+        env.run_crons()
+        assert pr1.comments[-1] == (
+            users['user'],
+            "@{} I can only do this on unmodified forward-port PRs, ask {}.".format(
+                users['reviewer'],
+                project.github_prefix,
+            ),
+        )
 
 class TestBranchDeletion:
     def test_delete_normal(self, env, config, make_repo):
diff --git a/forwardport/tests/test_updates.py b/forwardport/tests/test_updates.py
index 9a35c96a..cc7de7c2 100644
--- a/forwardport/tests/test_updates.py
+++ b/forwardport/tests/test_updates.py
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ This PR targets b and is part of the forward-port chain. Further PRs will be cre
 
 More info at https://github.com/odoo/odoo/wiki/Mergebot#forward-port
 ''')
-    ci_warning = (users['user'], 'Ping @%(user)s, @%(reviewer)s\n\nci/runbot failed on this forward-port PR' % users)
+    ci_warning = (users['user'], '@%(user)s @%(reviewer)s ci/runbot failed on this forward-port PR' % users)
 
     # oh no CI of the first FP PR failed!
     # simulate status being sent multiple times (e.g. on multiple repos) with
@@ -103,7 +103,11 @@ More info at https://github.com/odoo/odoo/wiki/Mergebot#forward-port
     assert pr1_remote.comments == [
         seen(env, pr1_remote, users),
         fp_intermediate, ci_warning, ci_warning,
-        (users['user'], "This PR was modified / updated and has become a normal PR. It should be merged the normal way (via @%s)" % pr1_id.repository.project_id.github_prefix),
+        (users['user'], "@%s @%s this PR was modified / updated and has become a normal PR. "
+                        "It should be merged the normal way (via @%s)" % (
+            users['user'], users['reviewer'],
+            pr1_id.repository.project_id.github_prefix
+        )),
     ], "users should be warned that the PR has become non-FP"
     # NOTE: should the followup PR wait for pr1 CI or not?
     assert pr2_id.head != pr2_head
@@ -210,9 +214,13 @@ def test_update_merged(env, make_repo, config, users):
 More info at https://github.com/odoo/odoo/wiki/Mergebot#forward-port
 '''),
         (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
-        (users['user'], """Ancestor PR %s has been updated but this PR is merged and can't be updated to match.
+        (users['user'], """@%s @%s ancestor PR %s has been updated but this PR is merged and can't be updated to match.
 
-You may want or need to manually update any followup PR.""" % pr1_id.display_name)
+You may want or need to manually update any followup PR.""" % (
+            users['user'],
+            users['reviewer'],
+            pr1_id.display_name,
+        ))
     ]
 
 def test_duplicate_fw(env, make_repo, setreviewers, config, users):
@@ -366,9 +374,10 @@ def test_subsequent_conflict(env, make_repo, config, users):
         'g': 'a',
         'h': re_matches(r'''<<<\x3c<<< HEAD
 a
+|||||||| parent of [\da-f]{7,}.*
 =======
 conflict!
->>>\x3e>>> [0-9a-f]{7,}.*
+>>>\x3e>>> [\da-f]{7,}.*
 '''),
         'x': '0',
     }
@@ -377,7 +386,7 @@ conflict!
     # 2. "forward port chain" bit
     # 3. updated / modified & got detached
     assert pr2.comments[3:] == [
-        (users['user'], f"WARNING: the latest change ({pr2_id.head}) triggered "
+        (users['user'], f"@{users['user']} WARNING: the latest change ({pr2_id.head}) triggered "
                         f"a conflict when updating the next forward-port "
                         f"({pr3_id.display_name}), and has been ignored.\n\n"
                         f"You will need to update this pull request "
@@ -389,7 +398,7 @@ conflict!
     # 2. forward-port chain thing
     assert repo.get_pr(pr3_id.number).comments[2:] == [
         (users['user'], re_matches(f'''\
-WARNING: the update of {pr2_id.display_name} to {pr2_id.head} has caused a \
+@{users['user']} WARNING: the update of {pr2_id.display_name} to {pr2_id.head} has caused a \
 conflict in this pull request, data may have been lost.
 
 stdout:
diff --git a/forwardport/tests/test_weird.py b/forwardport/tests/test_weird.py
index b569f66d..aa9320c9 100644
--- a/forwardport/tests/test_weird.py
+++ b/forwardport/tests/test_weird.py
@@ -399,18 +399,20 @@ class TestNotAllBranches:
         assert pr_a.comments == [
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
             seen(env, pr_a, users),
-            (users['user'], "This pull request can not be forward ported: next "
-                            "branch is 'b' but linked pull request %s#%d has a"
-                            " next branch 'c'." % (b.name, pr_b.number)
-            )
+            (users['user'], "@%s @%s this pull request can not be forward ported:"
+                            " next branch is 'b' but linked pull request %s "
+                            "has a next branch 'c'." % (
+                users['user'], users['reviewer'], pr_b_id.display_name,
+            )),
         ]
         assert pr_b.comments == [
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
             seen(env, pr_b, users),
-            (users['user'], "This pull request can not be forward ported: next "
-                            "branch is 'c' but linked pull request %s#%d has a"
-                            " next branch 'b'." % (a.name, pr_a.number)
-            )
+            (users['user'], "@%s @%s this pull request can not be forward ported:"
+                            " next branch is 'c' but linked pull request %s "
+                            "has a next branch 'b'." % (
+                users['user'], users['reviewer'], pr_a_id.display_name,
+            )),
         ]
 
 def test_new_intermediate_branch(env, config, make_repo):
@@ -588,9 +590,11 @@ def test_author_can_close_via_fwbot(env, config, make_repo):
     pr0_id, pr1_id = env['runbot_merge.pull_requests'].search([], order='number')
     assert pr0_id.number == pr.number
     pr1 = prod.get_pr(pr1_id.number)
-    # user can't close PR directly
+    # `other` can't close fw PR directly, because that requires triage (and even
+    # write depending on account type) access to the repo, which an external
+    # contributor probably does not have
     with prod, pytest.raises(Exception):
-        pr1.close(other_token) # what the fuck?
+        pr1.close(other_token)
     # use can close via fwbot
     with prod:
         pr1.post_comment('%s close' % project.fp_github_name, other_token)
@@ -755,7 +759,7 @@ def test_approve_draft(env, config, make_repo, users):
     assert pr.comments == [
         (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
         seen(env, pr, users),
-        (users['user'], f"I'm sorry, @{users['reviewer']}. Draft PRs can not be approved."),
+        (users['user'], f"I'm sorry, @{users['reviewer']}: draft PRs can not be approved."),
     ]
 
     with prod:
@@ -799,10 +803,9 @@ def test_freeze(env, config, make_repo, users):
 
     assert not w_id.errors
     w_id.action_freeze()
-    env.run_crons() # stage freeze PRs
-    with prod:
-        prod.post_status('staging.post-b', 'success', 'ci/runbot')
-        prod.post_status('staging.post-b', 'success', 'legal/cla')
+    # run crons to process the feedback, run a second time in case of e.g.
+    # forward porting
+    env.run_crons()
     env.run_crons()
 
     assert release_id.state == 'merged'
diff --git a/mergebot_test_utils/utils.py b/mergebot_test_utils/utils.py
index e3d09349..092a1241 100644
--- a/mergebot_test_utils/utils.py
+++ b/mergebot_test_utils/utils.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ class re_matches:
         return self._r.match(text)
 
     def __repr__(self):
-        return '~' + self._r.pattern + '~'
+        return self._r.pattern + '...'
 
 def seen(env, pr, users):
     return users['user'], f'[Pull request status dashboard]({to_pr(env, pr).url}).'
@@ -126,10 +126,12 @@ def pr_page(page, pr):
     return html.fromstring(page(f'/{pr.repo.name}/pull/{pr.number}'))
 
 def to_pr(env, pr):
-    return env['runbot_merge.pull_requests'].search([
+    pr = env['runbot_merge.pull_requests'].search([
         ('repository.name', '=', pr.repo.name),
         ('number', '=', pr.number),
     ])
+    assert len(pr) == 1, f"Expected to find {pr.repo.name}#{pr.number}, got {pr}."
+    return pr
 
 def part_of(label, pr_id, *, separator='\n\n'):
     """ Adds the "part-of" pseudo-header in the footer.
diff --git a/runbot_merge/__manifest__.py b/runbot_merge/__manifest__.py
index 8375a3d8..9f44e106 100644
--- a/runbot_merge/__manifest__.py
+++ b/runbot_merge/__manifest__.py
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@
         'views/res_partner.xml',
         'views/runbot_merge_project.xml',
         'views/mergebot.xml',
+        'views/queues.xml',
+        'views/configuration.xml',
         'views/templates.xml',
         'models/project_freeze/views.xml',
     ],
diff --git a/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/alerts.md b/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/alerts.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3335a92b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/alerts.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+IMP: show current alerts (disabled crons) on the PR pages
diff --git a/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/branch.md b/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/branch.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6c7c302b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/branch.md
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+IMP: automatically close PRs when their target branch is deactivated
+
+Leave a message on the PRs to explain, such PRs should also be reopen-able if
+the users wants to retarget them.
diff --git a/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/empty-body.md b/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/empty-body.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..093962f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/empty-body.md
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+FIX: correctly handle PR empty PR descriptions
+
+Github's webhook for this case are weird, and weren't handled correctly,
+updating a PR's description to *or from* empty might be mishandled.
diff --git a/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/pinging.md b/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/pinging.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d82cc56a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/pinging.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+IMP: review pinging (`@`-notification) of users by the mergebot and forwardbot
+
+The bots should more consistently ping users when they need some sort of action to proceed.
diff --git a/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/provisioning.md b/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/provisioning.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a0a47f27
--- /dev/null
+++ b/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/provisioning.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+ADD: automated provisioning of accounts from odoo.com
diff --git a/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/ui.md b/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/ui.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fbd83d62
--- /dev/null
+++ b/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/ui.md
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+IMP: various UI items
+
+- more clearly differentiate between "pending" and "unknown" statuses on stagings
+- fix "outstanding forward ports" count
+- add date of staging last modification (= success / failure instant)
+- correctly retrieve and include fast-forward and unstaging reasons
+- show the warnings banner (e.g. staging disabled) on the PR pages, as not all
+  users routinely visit the main dashboard
diff --git a/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/unstaging.md b/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/unstaging.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..273480da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/runbot_merge/changelog/2022-06/unstaging.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+FIX: properly unstage pull requests when they're retargeted (base branch is changed)
diff --git a/runbot_merge/controllers/__init__.py b/runbot_merge/controllers/__init__.py
index 199b4801..7e134af3 100644
--- a/runbot_merge/controllers/__init__.py
+++ b/runbot_merge/controllers/__init__.py
@@ -120,41 +120,49 @@ def handle_pr(env, event):
         if not source_branch:
             return handle_pr(env, dict(event, action='opened'))
 
+        pr_obj = find(source_branch)
         updates = {}
         if source_branch != branch:
-            updates['target'] = branch.id
-            updates['squash'] = pr['commits'] == 1
-        if event['changes'].keys() & {'title', 'body'}:
-            updates['message'] = "{}\n\n{}".format(pr['title'].strip(), pr['body'].strip())
+            if branch != pr_obj.target:
+                updates['target'] = branch.id
+                updates['squash'] = pr['commits'] == 1
+
+        # turns out github doesn't bother sending a change key if the body is
+        # changing from empty (None), therefore ignore that entirely, just
+        # generate the message and check if it changed
+        message = pr['title'].strip()
+        body = (pr['body'] or '').strip()
+        if body:
+            message += f"\n\n{body}"
+        if message != pr_obj.message:
+            updates['message'] = message
+
+        _logger.info("update: %s#%d = %s (by %s)", repo.name, pr['number'], updates, event['sender']['login'])
         if updates:
-            pr_obj = find(source_branch)
             pr_obj.write(updates)
             return 'Updated {}'.format(pr_obj.id)
         return "Nothing to update ({})".format(event['changes'].keys())
 
     message = None
     if not branch:
-        message = f"This PR targets the un-managed branch {r}:{b}, it can not be merged."
+        message = f"This PR targets the un-managed branch {r}:{b}, it needs to be retargeted before it can be merged."
         _logger.info("Ignoring event %s on PR %s#%d for un-managed branch %s",
                      event['action'], r, pr['number'], b)
     elif not branch.active:
-        message = f"This PR targets the disabled branch {r}:{b}, it can not be merged."
+        message = f"This PR targets the disabled branch {r}:{b}, it needs to be retargeted before it can be merged."
     if message and event['action'] not in ('synchronize', 'closed'):
         feedback(message=message)
 
     if not branch:
         return "Not set up to care about {}:{}".format(r, b)
 
-    author_name = pr['user']['login']
-    author = env['res.partner'].search([('github_login', '=', author_name)], limit=1)
-    if not author:
-        author = env['res.partner'].create({
-            'name': author_name,
-            'github_login': author_name,
-        })
 
-    _logger.info("%s: %s#%s (%s) (%s)", event['action'], repo.name, pr['number'], pr['title'].strip(), author.github_login)
+    _logger.info("%s: %s#%s (%s) (by %s)", event['action'], repo.name, pr['number'], pr['title'].strip(), event['sender']['login'])
     if event['action'] == 'opened':
+        author_name = pr['user']['login']
+        author = env['res.partner'].search([('github_login', '=', author_name)], limit=1)
+        if not author:
+            env['res.partner'].create({'name': author_name, 'github_login': author_name})
         pr_obj = env['runbot_merge.pull_requests']._from_gh(pr)
         return "Tracking PR as {}".format(pr_obj.id)
 
@@ -171,11 +179,7 @@ def handle_pr(env, event):
             return "It's my understanding that closed/merged PRs don't get sync'd"
 
         if pr_obj.state == 'ready':
-            pr_obj.unstage(
-                "PR %s updated by %s",
-                pr_obj.display_name,
-                event['sender']['login']
-            )
+            pr_obj.unstage("updated by %s", event['sender']['login'])
 
         _logger.info(
             "PR %s updated to %s by %s, resetting to 'open' and squash=%s",
@@ -222,7 +226,7 @@ def handle_pr(env, event):
         if pr_obj.state == 'merged':
             feedback(
                 close=True,
-                message="@%s ya silly goose you can't reopen a PR that's been merged PR." % event['sender']['login']
+                message="@%s ya silly goose you can't reopen a merged PR." % event['sender']['login']
             )
 
         if pr_obj.state == 'closed':
diff --git a/runbot_merge/controllers/dashboard.py b/runbot_merge/controllers/dashboard.py
index 4686d815..e80a2f15 100644
--- a/runbot_merge/controllers/dashboard.py
+++ b/runbot_merge/controllers/dashboard.py
@@ -6,12 +6,9 @@ import pathlib
 import markdown
 import markupsafe
 import werkzeug.exceptions
-from lxml import etree
-from lxml.builder import ElementMaker
 
 from odoo.http import Controller, route, request
 
-A = ElementMaker(namespace="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom")
 LIMIT = 20
 class MergebotDashboard(Controller):
     @route('/runbot_merge', auth="public", type="http", website=True)
@@ -22,13 +19,17 @@ class MergebotDashboard(Controller):
 
     @route('/runbot_merge/<int:branch_id>', auth='public', type='http', website=True)
     def stagings(self, branch_id, until=None):
+        branch = request.env['runbot_merge.branch'].browse(branch_id).sudo().exists()
+        if not branch:
+            raise werkzeug.exceptions.NotFound()
+
         stagings = request.env['runbot_merge.stagings'].with_context(active_test=False).sudo().search([
-            ('target', '=', branch_id),
+            ('target', '=', branch.id),
             ('staged_at', '<=', until) if until else (True, '=', True),
         ], order='staged_at desc', limit=LIMIT+1)
 
         return request.render('runbot_merge.branch_stagings', {
-            'branch': request.env['runbot_merge.branch'].browse(branch_id).sudo(),
+            'branch': branch,
             'stagings': stagings[:LIMIT],
             'next': stagings[-1].staged_at if len(stagings) > LIMIT else None,
         })
diff --git a/runbot_merge/controllers/reviewer_provisioning.py b/runbot_merge/controllers/reviewer_provisioning.py
index 75abf463..1b7a9f2f 100644
--- a/runbot_merge/controllers/reviewer_provisioning.py
+++ b/runbot_merge/controllers/reviewer_provisioning.py
@@ -1,18 +1,114 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+import logging
+
+from odoo.http import Controller, request, route
 
-from odoo import http
-from odoo.http import request
 try:
     from odoo.addons.saas_worker.util import from_role
 except ImportError:
     def from_role(_):
         return lambda _: None
 
-
-class MergebotReviewerProvisioning(http.Controller):
+_logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+class MergebotReviewerProvisioning(Controller):
+    @from_role('accounts')
+    @route('/runbot_merge/users', type='json', auth='public')
+    def list_users(self):
+        env = request.env(su=True)
+        return [{
+                'github_login': u.github_login,
+                'email': u.email,
+            }
+            for u in env['res.users'].search([])
+            if u.github_login
+        ]
 
     @from_role('accounts')
-    @http.route(['/runbot_merge/get_reviewers'], type='json', auth='public')
+    @route('/runbot_merge/provision', type='json', auth='public')
+    def provision_user(self, users):
+        _logger.info('Provisioning %s users: %s.', len(users), ', '.join(map(
+            '{email} ({github_login})'.format_map,
+            users
+        )))
+        env = request.env(su=True)
+        Partners = env['res.partner']
+        Users = env['res.users']
+
+        existing_partners = Partners.search([
+            '|', ('email', 'in', [u['email'] for u in users]),
+                 ('github_login', 'in', [u['github_login'] for u in users])
+        ])
+        _logger.info("Found %d existing matching partners.", len(existing_partners))
+        partners = {}
+        for p in existing_partners:
+            if p.email:
+                # email is not unique, though we want it to be (probably)
+                current = partners.get(p.email)
+                if current:
+                    _logger.warning(
+                        "Lookup conflict: %r set on two partners %r and %r.",
+                        p.email, current.display_name, p.display_name,
+                    )
+                else:
+                    partners[p.email] = p
+
+            if p.github_login:
+                # assume there can't be an existing one because github_login is
+                # unique, and should not be able to collide with emails
+                partners[p.github_login] = p
+
+        internal = env.ref('base.group_user')
+        odoo_provider = env.ref('auth_oauth.provider_openerp')
+
+        to_create = []
+        created = updated = 0
+        for new in users:
+            if 'sub' in new:
+                new['oauth_provider_id'] = odoo_provider.id
+                new['oauth_uid'] = new.pop('sub')
+
+            # prioritise by github_login as that's the unique-est point of information
+            current = partners.get(new['github_login']) or partners.get(new['email']) or Partners
+            # entry doesn't have user -> create user
+            if not current.user_ids:
+                # skip users without an email (= login) as that
+                # fails
+                if not new['email']:
+                    continue
+
+                new['login'] = new['email']
+                new['groups_id'] = [(4, internal.id)]
+                # entry has partner -> create user linked to existing partner
+                # (and update partner implicitly)
+                if current:
+                    new['partner_id'] = current.id
+                to_create.append(new)
+                continue
+
+            # otherwise update user (if there is anything to update)
+            user = current.user_ids
+            if len(user) != 1:
+                _logger.warning("Got %d users for partner %s.", len(user), current.display_name)
+                user = user[:1]
+            update_vals = {
+                k: v
+                for k, v in new.items()
+                if v not in ('login', 'email')
+                if v != (user[k] if k != 'oauth_provider_id' else user[k].id)
+            }
+            if update_vals:
+                user.write(update_vals)
+                updated += 1
+        if to_create:
+            # only create 100 users at a time to avoid request timeout
+            Users.create(to_create[:100])
+            created = len(to_create[:100])
+
+        _logger.info("Provisioning: created %d updated %d.", created, updated)
+        return [created, updated]
+
+    @from_role('accounts')
+    @route(['/runbot_merge/get_reviewers'], type='json', auth='public')
     def fetch_reviewers(self, **kwargs):
         reviewers = request.env['res.partner.review'].sudo().search([
             '|', ('review', '=', True), ('self_review', '=', True)
@@ -20,7 +116,7 @@ class MergebotReviewerProvisioning(http.Controller):
         return reviewers
 
     @from_role('accounts')
-    @http.route(['/runbot_merge/remove_reviewers'], type='json', auth='public', methods=['POST'])
+    @route(['/runbot_merge/remove_reviewers'], type='json', auth='public', methods=['POST'])
     def update_reviewers(self, github_logins, **kwargs):
         partners = request.env['res.partner'].sudo().search([('github_login', 'in', github_logins)])
         partners.write({
@@ -32,3 +128,4 @@ class MergebotReviewerProvisioning(http.Controller):
         partners.mapped('user_ids').write({
             'groups_id': [(6, 0, [request.env.ref('base.group_portal').id])]
         })
+        return True
diff --git a/runbot_merge/github.py b/runbot_merge/github.py
index 8a368ed2..c36a2ebf 100644
--- a/runbot_merge/github.py
+++ b/runbot_merge/github.py
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ class GH(object):
             head = '<Response [%s]: %s)>' % (r.status_code, r.json() if _is_json(r) else r.text)
 
         if head == to:
-            _logger.info("Sanity check ref update of %s to %s: ok", branch, to)
+            _logger.debug("Sanity check ref update of %s to %s: ok", branch, to)
             return
 
         _logger.warning("Sanity check ref update of %s, expected %s got %s", branch, to, head)
@@ -202,10 +202,19 @@ class GH(object):
             def _wait_for_update():
                 if not self._check_updated(branch, sha):
                     return
-                raise exceptions.FastForwardError(self._repo)
-        except requests.HTTPError:
+                raise exceptions.FastForwardError(self._repo) \
+                    from Exception("timeout: never saw %s" % sha)
+        except requests.HTTPError as e:
             _logger.debug('fast_forward(%s, %s, %s) -> ERROR', self._repo, branch, sha, exc_info=True)
-            raise exceptions.FastForwardError(self._repo)
+            if e.response.status_code == 422:
+                try:
+                    r = e.response.json()
+                except Exception:
+                    pass
+                else:
+                    if isinstance(r, dict) and 'message' in r:
+                        e = Exception(r['message'].lower())
+            raise exceptions.FastForwardError(self._repo) from e
 
     def set_ref(self, branch, sha):
         # force-update ref
@@ -216,7 +225,7 @@ class GH(object):
 
         status0 = r.status_code
         _logger.debug(
-            'set_ref(update, %s, %s, %s -> %s (%s)',
+            'ref_set(%s, %s, %s -> %s (%s)',
             self._repo, branch, sha, status0,
             'OK' if status0 == 200 else r.text or r.reason
         )
@@ -231,30 +240,35 @@ class GH(object):
 
         # 422 makes no sense but that's what github returns, leaving 404 just
         # in case
-        status1 = None
         if status0 in (404, 422):
             # fallback: create ref
-            r = self('post', 'git/refs', json={
-                'ref': 'refs/heads/{}'.format(branch),
-                'sha': sha,
-            }, check=False)
-            status1 = r.status_code
-            _logger.debug(
-                'set_ref(create, %s, %s, %s) -> %s (%s)',
-                self._repo, branch, sha, status1,
-                'OK' if status1 == 201 else r.text or r.reason
-            )
+            status1 = self.create_ref(branch, sha)
             if status1 == 201:
-                @utils.backoff(exc=AssertionError)
-                def _wait_for_update():
-                    head = self._check_updated(branch, sha)
-                    assert not head, "Sanity check ref update of %s, expected %s got %s" % (
-                        branch, sha, head
-                    )
                 return
+        else:
+            status1 = None
 
         raise AssertionError("set_ref failed(%s, %s)" % (status0, status1))
 
+    def create_ref(self, branch, sha):
+        r = self('post', 'git/refs', json={
+            'ref': 'refs/heads/{}'.format(branch),
+            'sha': sha,
+        }, check=False)
+        status = r.status_code
+        _logger.debug(
+            'ref_create(%s, %s, %s) -> %s (%s)',
+            self._repo, branch, sha, status,
+            'OK' if status == 201 else r.text or r.reason
+        )
+        if status == 201:
+            @utils.backoff(exc=AssertionError)
+            def _wait_for_update():
+                head = self._check_updated(branch, sha)
+                assert not head, \
+                    f"Sanity check ref update of {branch}, expected {sha} got {head}"
+        return status
+
     def merge(self, sha, dest, message):
         r = self('post', 'merges', json={
             'base': dest,
diff --git a/runbot_merge/models/project_freeze/__init__.py b/runbot_merge/models/project_freeze/__init__.py
index 07c26d35..6e3be694 100644
--- a/runbot_merge/models/project_freeze/__init__.py
+++ b/runbot_merge/models/project_freeze/__init__.py
@@ -1,10 +1,13 @@
+import contextlib
 import enum
 import itertools
+import json
 import logging
 import time
 
 from odoo import models, fields, api
 from odoo.exceptions import UserError
+from odoo.addons.runbot_merge.exceptions import FastForwardError
 
 _logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 class FreezeWizard(models.Model):
@@ -12,36 +15,90 @@ class FreezeWizard(models.Model):
     _description = "Wizard for freezing a project('s master)"
 
     project_id = fields.Many2one('runbot_merge.project', required=True)
+    errors = fields.Text(compute='_compute_errors')
     branch_name = fields.Char(required=True, help="Name of the new branches to create")
-    release_pr_ids = fields.One2many(
-        'runbot_merge.project.freeze.prs', 'wizard_id',
-        string="Release pull requests",
-        help="Pull requests used as tips for the freeze branches, one per repository"
-    )
+
     required_pr_ids = fields.Many2many(
         'runbot_merge.pull_requests', string="Required Pull Requests",
         domain="[('state', 'not in', ('closed', 'merged'))]",
         help="Pull requests which must have been merged before the freeze is allowed",
     )
-    errors = fields.Text(compute='_compute_errors')
+
+    release_label = fields.Char()
+    release_pr_ids = fields.One2many(
+        'runbot_merge.project.freeze.prs', 'wizard_id',
+        string="Release pull requests",
+        help="Pull requests used as tips for the freeze branches, "
+             "one per repository"
+    )
+
+    bump_label = fields.Char()
+    bump_pr_ids = fields.One2many(
+        'runbot_merge.project.freeze.bumps', 'wizard_id',
+        string="Bump pull requests",
+        help="Pull requests used as tips of the frozen-off branches, "
+             "one per repository"
+    )
 
     _sql_constraints = [
         ('unique_per_project', 'unique (project_id)',
          "There should be only one ongoing freeze per project"),
     ]
 
+    @api.onchange('release_label')
+    def _onchange_release_label(self):
+        prs = self.env['runbot_merge.pull_requests'].search([
+            ('label', '=', self.release_label)
+        ])
+        for release_pr in self.release_pr_ids:
+            release_pr.pd_id = next((
+                p.id for p in prs
+                if p.repository == release_pr.repository_id
+            ), False)
+
+    @api.onchange('release_pr_ids')
+    def _onchange_release_prs(self):
+        labels = {p.pr_id.label for p in self.release_pr_ids}
+        self.release_label = len(labels) == 1 and labels.pop()
+
+    @api.onchange('bump_label')
+    def _onchange_bump_label(self):
+        prs = self.env['runbot_merge.pull_requests'].search([
+            ('label', '=', self.bump_label)
+        ])
+        for bump_pr in self.bump_pr_ids:
+            bump_pr.pd_id = next((
+                p.id for p in prs
+                if p.repository == bump_pr.repository_id
+            ), False)
+
+    @api.onchange('bump_pr_ids')
+    def _onchange_bump_prs(self):
+        labels = {p.pr_id.label for p in self.bump_pr_ids}
+        self.bump_label = len(labels) == 1 and labels.pop()
+
     @api.depends('release_pr_ids.pr_id.label', 'required_pr_ids.state')
     def _compute_errors(self):
         errors = []
         without = self.release_pr_ids.filtered(lambda p: not p.pr_id)
         if without:
             errors.append("* Every repository must have a release PR, missing release PRs for %s." % ', '.join(
-                p.repository_id.name for p in without
+                without.mapped('repository_id.name')
             ))
 
         labels = set(self.mapped('release_pr_ids.pr_id.label'))
         if len(labels) != 1:
             errors.append("* All release PRs must have the same label, found %r." % ', '.join(sorted(labels)))
+        non_squash = self.mapped('release_pr_ids.pr_id').filtered(lambda p: not p.squash)
+        if non_squash:
+            errors.append("* Release PRs should have a single commit, found more in %s." % ', '.join(p.display_name for p in non_squash))
+
+        bump_labels = set(self.mapped('bump_pr_ids.pr_id.label'))
+        if len(bump_labels) > 1:
+            errors.append("* All bump PRs must have the same label, found %r" % ', '.join(sorted(bump_labels)))
+        non_squash = self.mapped('bump_pr_ids.pr_id').filtered(lambda p: not p.squash)
+        if non_squash:
+            errors.append("* Bump PRs should have a single commit, found more in %s." % ', '.join(p.display_name for p in non_squash))
 
         unready = sum(p.state not in ('closed', 'merged') for p in self.required_pr_ids)
         if unready:
@@ -73,6 +130,14 @@ class FreezeWizard(models.Model):
         if self.errors:
             return self.action_open()
 
+        conflict_crons = self.env.ref('runbot_merge.merge_cron') | self.env.ref('runbot_merge.staging_cron')
+        # we don't want to run concurrently to the crons above, though we
+        # don't need to prevent read access to them
+        self.env.cr.execute(
+            'SELECT * FROM ir_cron WHERE id =ANY(%s) FOR SHARE NOWAIT',
+            [conflict_crons.ids]
+        )
+
         project_id = self.project_id
         # need to create the new branch, but at the same time resequence
         # everything so the new branch is the second one, just after the branch
@@ -86,47 +151,136 @@ class FreezeWizard(models.Model):
                 'sequence': next(seq),
             })
         ]
-        for s, b in zip(seq, rest):
-            commands.append((1, b.id, {'sequence': s}))
+        commands.extend((1, b.id, {'sequence': s}) for s, b in zip(seq, rest))
         project_id.branch_ids = commands
+        master_name = master.name
 
-        # update release PRs to get merged on the newly created branch
-        new_branch = project_id.branch_ids - master - rest
-        self.release_pr_ids.mapped('pr_id').write({'target': new_branch.id, 'priority': 0})
+        gh_sessions = {r: r.github() for r in self.project_id.repo_ids}
 
-        # create new branch on every repository
-        errors = []
-        repository = None
+        # prep new branch (via tmp refs) on every repo
+        rel_heads = {}
+        # store for master heads as odds are high the bump pr(s) will be on the
+        # same repo as one of the release PRs
+        prevs = {}
         for rel in self.release_pr_ids:
-            repository = rel.repository_id
-            gh = repository.github()
-            # annoyance: can't directly alias a ref to an other ref, need to
-            # resolve the "old" branch explicitely
-            prev = gh('GET', f'git/refs/heads/{master.name}')
-            if not prev.ok:
-                errors.append(f"Unable to resolve branch {master.name} of repository {repository.name} to a commit.")
-                break
-            new_branch = gh('POST', 'git/refs', json={
-                'ref': 'refs/heads/' + self.branch_name,
-                'sha': prev.json()['object']['sha'],
-            }, check=False)
-            if not new_branch.ok:
-                err = new_branch.json()['message']
-                errors.append(f"Unable to create branch {master.name} of repository {repository.name}: {err}.")
-                break
+            repo_id = rel.repository_id
+            gh = gh_sessions[repo_id]
+            try:
+                prev = prevs[repo_id] = gh.head(master_name)
+            except Exception:
+                raise UserError(f"Unable to resolve branch {master_name} of repository {repo_id.name} to a commit.")
+
+            # create the tmp branch to merge the PR into
+            tmp_branch = f'tmp.{self.branch_name}'
+            try:
+                gh.set_ref(tmp_branch, prev)
+            except Exception as err:
+                raise UserError(f"Unable to create branch {self.branch_name} of repository {repo_id.name}: {err}.")
+
+            rel_heads[repo_id], _ = gh.rebase(rel.pr_id.number, tmp_branch)
             time.sleep(1)
 
-        # if an error occurred during creation, try to clean up then raise error
-        if errors:
-            for r in self.release_pr_ids:
-                if r.repository_id == repository:
+        # prep bump
+        bump_heads = {}
+        for bump in self.bump_pr_ids:
+            repo_id = bump.repository_id
+            gh = gh_sessions[repo_id]
+
+            try:
+                prev = prevs[repo_id] = prevs.get(repo_id) or gh.head(master_name)
+            except Exception:
+                raise UserError(f"Unable to resolve branch {master_name} of repository {repo_id.name} to a commit.")
+
+            # create the tmp branch to merge the PR into
+            tmp_branch = f'tmp.{master_name}'
+            try:
+                gh.set_ref(tmp_branch, prev)
+            except Exception as err:
+                raise UserError(f"Unable to create branch {master_name} of repository {repo_id.name}: {err}.")
+
+            bump_heads[repo_id], _ = gh.rebase(bump.pr_id.number, tmp_branch)
+            time.sleep(1)
+
+        deployed = {}
+        # at this point we've got a bunch of tmp branches with merged release
+        # and bump PRs, it's time to update the corresponding targets
+        to_delete = [] # release prs go on new branches which we try to delete on failure
+        to_revert = [] # bump prs go on new branch which we try to revert on failure
+        failure = None
+        for rel in self.release_pr_ids:
+            repo_id = rel.repository_id
+            # helper API currently has no API to ensure we're just creating a
+            # new branch (as cheaply as possible) so do it by hand
+            status = None
+            with contextlib.suppress(Exception):
+                status = gh_sessions[repo_id].create_ref(self.branch_name, rel_heads[repo_id])
+                deployed[rel.pr_id.id] = rel_heads[repo_id]
+                to_delete.append(repo_id)
+
+            if status != 201:
+                failure = ('create', repo_id.name, self.branch_name)
+                break
+        else: # all release deployments succeeded
+            for bump in self.bump_pr_ids:
+                repo_id = bump.repository_id
+                try:
+                    gh_sessions[repo_id].fast_forward(master_name, bump_heads[repo_id])
+                    deployed[bump.pr_id.id] = bump_heads[repo_id]
+                    to_revert.append(repo_id)
+                except FastForwardError:
+                    failure = ('fast-forward', repo_id.name, master_name)
                     break
 
-                deletion = r.repository_id.github().delete(f'git/refs/heads/{self.branch_name}')
+        if failure:
+            addendums = []
+            # creating the branch failed, try to delete all previous branches
+            failures = []
+            for prev_id in to_revert:
+                revert = gh_sessions[prev_id]('PATCH', f'git/refs/heads/{master_name}', json={
+                    'sha': prevs[prev_id],
+                    'force': True
+                }, check=False)
+                if not revert.ok:
+                    failures.append(prev_id.name)
+            if failures:
+                addendums.append(
+                    "Subsequently unable to revert branches created in %s." % \
+                    ', '.join(failures)
+                )
+                failures.clear()
+
+            for prev_id in to_delete:
+                deletion = gh_sessions[prev_id]('DELETE', f'git/refs/heads/{self.branch_name}', check=False)
                 if not deletion.ok:
-                    errors.append(f"Consequently unable to delete branch {self.branch_name} of repository {r.name}.")
-                time.sleep(1)
-            raise UserError('\n'.join(errors))
+                    failures.append(prev_id.name)
+            if failures:
+                addendums.append(
+                    "Subsequently unable to delete branches created in %s." % \
+                    ", ".join(failures)
+                )
+                failures.clear()
+
+            if addendums:
+                addendum = '\n\n' + '\n'.join(addendums)
+            else:
+                addendum = ''
+
+            reason, repo, branch = failure
+            raise UserError(
+                f"Unable to {reason} branch {repo}:{branch}.{addendum}"
+            )
+
+        all_prs = self.release_pr_ids.pr_id | self.bump_pr_ids.pr_id
+        all_prs.state = 'merged'
+        self.env['runbot_merge.pull_requests.feedback'].create([{
+            'repository': pr.repository.id,
+            'pull_request': pr.number,
+            'close': True,
+            'message': json.dumps({
+                'sha': deployed[pr.id],
+                'base': self.branch_name if pr in self.release_pr_ids.pr_id else None
+            })
+        } for pr in all_prs])
 
         # delete wizard
         self.sudo().unlink()
@@ -155,6 +309,31 @@ class ReleasePullRequest(models.Model):
         domain='[("repository", "=", repository_id), ("state", "not in", ("closed", "merged"))]',
         string="Release Pull Request",
     )
+    label = fields.Char(related='pr_id.label')
+
+    def write(self, vals):
+        # only the pr should be writeable after initial creation
+        assert 'wizard_id' not in vals
+        assert 'repository_id' not in vals
+        # and if the PR gets set, it should match the requested repository
+        if 'pr_id' in vals:
+            assert self.env['runbot_merge.pull_requests'].browse(vals['pr_id'])\
+                       .repository == self.repository_id
+
+        return super().write(vals)
+
+class BumpPullRequest(models.Model):
+    _name = 'runbot_merge.project.freeze.bumps'
+    _description = "links to pull requests used to \"bump\" the development branches"
+
+    wizard_id = fields.Many2one('runbot_merge.project.freeze', required=True, index=True, ondelete='cascade')
+    repository_id = fields.Many2one('runbot_merge.repository', required=True)
+    pr_id = fields.Many2one(
+        'runbot_merge.pull_requests',
+        domain='[("repository", "=", repository_id), ("state", "not in", ("closed", "merged"))]',
+        string="Release Pull Request",
+    )
+    label = fields.Char(related='pr_id.label')
 
     def write(self, vals):
         # only the pr should be writeable after initial creation
diff --git a/runbot_merge/models/project_freeze/views.xml b/runbot_merge/models/project_freeze/views.xml
index 2e6ba031..de0836cb 100644
--- a/runbot_merge/models/project_freeze/views.xml
+++ b/runbot_merge/models/project_freeze/views.xml
@@ -23,12 +23,42 @@
                         </group>
                     </group>
                     <group>
-                        <group colspan="2">
+                        <group colspan="2" string="Release">
+                            <p>
+                                Release (freeze) PRs, provide the first commit
+                                of the new branches. Each PR must have a single
+                                commit.
+                            </p>
+                            <p class="alert alert-warning" role="alert">
+                                These PRs will be merged directly, not staged.
+                            </p>
+                            <field name="release_label"/>
                             <field name="release_pr_ids" nolabel="1">
                                 <tree editable="bottom" create="false">
                                     <field name="repository_id" readonly="1"/>
                                     <field name="pr_id" options="{'no_create': True}"
                                            context="{'pr_include_title': 1}"/>
+                                    <field name="label"/>
+                                </tree>
+                            </field>
+                        </group>
+                    </group>
+                    <group>
+                        <group colspan="2" string="Bump">
+                            <p>
+                                Bump PRs, provide the first commit of the source
+                                branches after the release has been cut.
+                            </p>
+                            <p class="alert alert-warning" role="alert">
+                                These PRs will be merged directly, not staged.
+                            </p>
+                            <field name="bump_label"/>
+                            <field name="bump_pr_ids" nolabel="1">
+                                <tree editable="bottom" create="false">
+                                    <field name="repository_id" readonly="1"/>
+                                    <field name="pr_id" options="{'no_create': True}"
+                                           context="{'pr_include_title': 1}"/>
+                                    <field name="label"/>
                                 </tree>
                             </field>
                         </group>
diff --git a/runbot_merge/models/pull_requests.py b/runbot_merge/models/pull_requests.py
index 429636e6..0b6168e1 100644
--- a/runbot_merge/models/pull_requests.py
+++ b/runbot_merge/models/pull_requests.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 import ast
 import base64
 import collections
+import contextlib
 import datetime
 import io
 import itertools
@@ -116,7 +117,7 @@ All substitutions are tentatively applied sequentially to the input.
             feedback({
                 'repository': self.id,
                 'pull_request': number,
-                'message': "I'm sorry. Branch `{}` is not within my remit.".format(pr['base']['ref']),
+                'message': "Branch `{}` is not within my remit, imma just ignore it.".format(pr['base']['ref']),
             })
             return
 
@@ -142,9 +143,11 @@ All substitutions are tentatively applied sequentially to the input.
         feedback({
             'repository': self.id,
             'pull_request': number,
-            'message': "Sorry, I didn't know about this PR and had to retrieve "
-                       "its information, you may have to re-approve it."
+            'message': "%sI didn't know about this PR and had to retrieve "
+                       "its information, you may have to re-approve it as "
+                       "I didn't see previous commands." % pr_id.ping()
         })
+        sender = {'login': self.project_id.github_prefix}
         # init the PR to the null commit so we can later synchronise it back
         # back to the "proper" head while resetting reviews
         controllers.handle_pr(self.env, {
@@ -154,6 +157,7 @@ All substitutions are tentatively applied sequentially to the input.
                 'head': {**pr['head'], 'sha': '0'*40},
                 'state': 'open',
             },
+            'sender': sender,
         })
         # fetch & set up actual head
         for st in gh.statuses(pr['head']['sha']):
@@ -175,20 +179,21 @@ All substitutions are tentatively applied sequentially to the input.
                     'review': item,
                     'pull_request': pr,
                     'repository': {'full_name': self.name},
+                    'sender': sender,
                 })
             else:
                 controllers.handle_comment(self.env, {
                     'action': 'created',
                     'issue': issue,
-                    'sender': item['user'],
                     'comment': item,
                     'repository': {'full_name': self.name},
+                    'sender': sender,
                 })
         # sync to real head
         controllers.handle_pr(self.env, {
             'action': 'synchronize',
             'pull_request': pr,
-            'sender': {'login': self.project_id.github_prefix}
+            'sender': sender,
         })
         if pr['state'] == 'closed':
             # don't go through controller because try_closing does weird things
@@ -244,6 +249,23 @@ class Branch(models.Model):
             self._table, ['name', 'project_id'])
         return res
 
+    @api.depends('active')
+    def _compute_display_name(self):
+        super()._compute_display_name()
+        for b in self.filtered(lambda b: not b.active):
+            b.display_name += ' (inactive)'
+
+    def write(self, vals):
+        super().write(vals)
+        if vals.get('active') is False:
+            self.env['runbot_merge.pull_requests.feedback'].create([{
+                'repository': pr.repository.id,
+                'pull_request': pr.number,
+                'close': True,
+                'message': f'{pr.ping()}the target branch {pr.target.name!r} has been disabled, closing this PR.',
+            } for pr in self.prs])
+        return True
+
     @api.depends('staging_ids.active')
     def _compute_active_staging(self):
         for b in self:
@@ -338,14 +360,20 @@ class Branch(models.Model):
                 _logger.exception("Failed to merge %s into staging branch", pr.display_name)
                 if first or isinstance(e, exceptions.Unmergeable):
                     if len(e.args) > 1 and e.args[1]:
-                        message = e.args[1]
+                        reason = e.args[1]
                     else:
-                        message = "Unable to stage PR (%s)" % e.__context__
+                        reason = e.__context__
+                    # if the reason is a json document, assume it's a github
+                    # error and try to extract the error message to give it to
+                    # the user
+                    with contextlib.suppress(Exception):
+                        reason = json.loads(str(reason))['message'].lower()
+
                     pr.state = 'error'
                     self.env['runbot_merge.pull_requests.feedback'].create({
                         'repository': pr.repository.id,
                         'pull_request': pr.number,
-                        'message': message,
+                        'message': f'{pr.ping()}unable to stage: {reason}',
                     })
             else:
                 first = False
@@ -534,6 +562,17 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
     repo_name = fields.Char(related='repository.name')
     message_title = fields.Char(compute='_compute_message_title')
 
+    def ping(self, author=True, reviewer=True):
+        P = self.env['res.partner']
+        s = ' '.join(
+            f'@{p.github_login}'
+            for p in (self.author if author else P) | (self.reviewed_by if reviewer else P)
+            if p
+        )
+        if s:
+            s += ' '
+        return s
+
     @api.depends('repository.name', 'number')
     def _compute_url(self):
         base = werkzeug.urls.url_parse(self.env['ir.config_parameter'].sudo().get_param('web.base.url', 'http://localhost:8069'))
@@ -791,30 +830,31 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
         msgs = []
         for command, param in commands:
             ok = False
-            msg = []
+            msg = None
             if command == 'retry':
                 if is_author:
                     if self.state == 'error':
                         ok = True
                         self.state = 'ready'
                     else:
-                        msg = "Retry makes no sense when the PR is not in error."
+                        msg = "retry makes no sense when the PR is not in error."
             elif command == 'check':
                 if is_author:
                     self.env['runbot_merge.fetch_job'].create({
                         'repository': self.repository.id,
                         'number': self.number,
                     })
+                    ok = True
             elif command == 'review':
                 if self.draft:
-                    msg = "Draft PRs can not be approved."
+                    msg = "draft PRs can not be approved."
                 elif param and is_reviewer:
                     oldstate = self.state
                     newstate = RPLUS.get(self.state)
                     if not author.email:
                         msg = "I must know your email before you can review PRs. Please contact an administrator."
                     elif not newstate:
-                        msg = "This PR is already reviewed, reviewing it again is useless."
+                        msg = "this PR is already reviewed, reviewing it again is useless."
                     else:
                         self.state = newstate
                         self.reviewed_by = author
@@ -831,7 +871,7 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
                         Feedback.create({
                             'repository': self.repository.id,
                             'pull_request': self.number,
-                            'message': "@{}, you may want to rebuild or fix this PR as it has failed CI.".format(author.github_login),
+                            'message': "@{} you may want to rebuild or fix this PR as it has failed CI.".format(login),
                         })
                 elif not param and is_author:
                     newstate = RMINUS.get(self.state)
@@ -845,7 +885,7 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
                                 'pull_request': self.number,
                                 'message': "PR priority reset to 1, as pull requests with priority 0 ignore review state.",
                             })
-                        self.unstage("unreview (r-) by %s", author.github_login)
+                        self.unstage("unreviewed (r-) by %s", login)
                         ok = True
                     else:
                         msg = "r- makes no sense in the current PR state."
@@ -874,7 +914,7 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
             elif command == 'method':
                 if is_reviewer:
                     if param == 'squash' and not self.squash:
-                        msg = "Squash can only be used with a single commit at this time."
+                        msg = "squash can only be used with a single commit at this time."
                     else:
                         self.merge_method = param
                         ok = True
@@ -882,7 +922,7 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
                         Feedback.create({
                             'repository': self.repository.id,
                             'pull_request': self.number,
-                            'message':"Merge method set to %s" % explanation
+                            'message':"Merge method set to %s." % explanation
                         })
             elif command == 'override':
                 overridable = author.override_rights\
@@ -904,7 +944,7 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
                         c.create({'sha': self.head, 'statuses': '{}'})
                     ok = True
                 else:
-                    msg = f"You are not allowed to override this status."
+                    msg = "you are not allowed to override this status."
             else:
                 # ignore unknown commands
                 continue
@@ -919,21 +959,23 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
                 applied.append(reformat(command, param))
             else:
                 ignored.append(reformat(command, param))
-                msgs.append(msg or "You can't {}.".format(reformat(command, param)))
+                msgs.append(msg or "you can't {}.".format(reformat(command, param)))
+
+        if msgs:
+            joiner = ' ' if len(msgs) == 1 else '\n- '
+            msgs.insert(0, "I'm sorry, @{}:".format(login))
+            Feedback.create({
+                'repository': self.repository.id,
+                'pull_request': self.number,
+                'message': joiner.join(msgs),
+            })
+
         msg = []
         if applied:
             msg.append('applied ' + ' '.join(applied))
         if ignored:
             ignoredstr = ' '.join(ignored)
             msg.append('ignored ' + ignoredstr)
-
-        if msgs:
-            msgs.insert(0, "I'm sorry, @{}.".format(login))
-            Feedback.create({
-                'repository': self.repository.id,
-                'pull_request': self.number,
-                'message': ' '.join(msgs),
-            })
         return '\n'.join(msg)
 
     def _pr_acl(self, user):
@@ -1020,7 +1062,7 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
             self.env['runbot_merge.pull_requests.feedback'].create({
                 'repository': self.repository.id,
                 'pull_request': self.number,
-                'message': "%r failed on this reviewed PR." % ci,
+                'message': "%s%r failed on this reviewed PR." % (self.ping(), ci),
             })
 
     def _auto_init(self):
@@ -1089,6 +1131,12 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
     def write(self, vals):
         if vals.get('squash'):
             vals['merge_method'] = False
+        prev = None
+        if 'target' in vals or 'message' in vals:
+            prev = {
+                pr.id: {'target': pr.target, 'message': pr.message}
+                for pr in self
+            }
 
         w = super().write(vals)
 
@@ -1096,6 +1144,18 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
         if newhead:
             c = self.env['runbot_merge.commit'].search([('sha', '=', newhead)])
             self._validate(json.loads(c.statuses or '{}'))
+
+        if prev:
+            for pr in self:
+                old_target = prev[pr.id]['target']
+                if pr.target != old_target:
+                    pr.unstage(
+                        "target (base) branch was changed from %r to %r",
+                        old_target.display_name, pr.target.display_name,
+                    )
+                old_message = prev[pr.id]['message']
+                if pr.merge_method in ('merge', 'rebase-merge') and pr.message != old_message:
+                    pr.unstage("merge message updated")
         return w
 
     def _check_linked_prs_statuses(self, commit=False):
@@ -1139,11 +1199,9 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
                 self.env['runbot_merge.pull_requests.feedback'].create({
                     'repository': r.repository.id,
                     'pull_request': r.number,
-                    'message': "Linked pull request(s) {} not ready. Linked PRs are not staged until all of them are ready.".format(
-                        ', '.join(map(
-                            '{0.display_name}'.format,
-                            unready
-                        ))
+                    'message': "{}linked pull request(s) {} not ready. Linked PRs are not staged until all of them are ready.".format(
+                        r.ping(),
+                        ', '.join(map('{0.display_name}'.format, unready))
                     )
                 })
                 r.link_warned = True
@@ -1152,6 +1210,11 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
 
         # send feedback for multi-commit PRs without a merge_method (which
         # we've not warned yet)
+        methods = ''.join(
+            '* `%s` to %s\n' % pair
+            for pair in type(self).merge_method.selection
+            if pair[0] != 'squash'
+        )
         for r in self.search([
             ('state', '=', 'ready'),
             ('squash', '=', False),
@@ -1161,10 +1224,9 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
             self.env['runbot_merge.pull_requests.feedback'].create({
                 'repository': r.repository.id,
                 'pull_request': r.number,
-                'message': "Because this PR has multiple commits, I need to know how to merge it:\n\n" + ''.join(
-                    '* `%s` to %s\n' % pair
-                    for pair in type(self).merge_method.selection
-                    if pair[0] != 'squash'
+                'message': "%sbecause this PR has multiple commits, I need to know how to merge it:\n\n%s" % (
+                    r.ping(),
+                    methods,
                 )
             })
             r.method_warned = True
@@ -1348,7 +1410,7 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
                 # else remove this batch from the split
                 b.split_id = False
 
-        self.staging_id.cancel(reason, *args)
+        self.staging_id.cancel('%s ' + reason, self.display_name, *args)
 
     def _try_closing(self, by):
         # ignore if the PR is already being updated in a separate transaction
@@ -1368,11 +1430,7 @@ class PullRequests(models.Model):
         ''', [self.id])
         self.env.cr.commit()
         self.modified(['state'])
-        self.unstage(
-            "PR %s closed by %s",
-            self.display_name,
-            by
-        )
+        self.unstage("closed by %s", by)
         return True
 
 # state changes on reviews
@@ -1501,20 +1559,24 @@ class Feedback(models.Model):
 
             try:
                 message = f.message
-                if f.close:
-                    gh.close(f.pull_request)
-                    try:
-                        data = json.loads(message or '')
-                    except json.JSONDecodeError:
-                        pass
-                    else:
+                with contextlib.suppress(json.JSONDecodeError):
+                    data = json.loads(message or '')
+                    message = data.get('message')
+
+                    if data.get('base'):
+                        gh('PATCH', f'pulls/{f.pull_request}', json={'base': data['base']})
+
+                    if f.close:
                         pr_to_notify = self.env['runbot_merge.pull_requests'].search([
                             ('repository', '=', repo.id),
                             ('number', '=', f.pull_request),
                         ])
                         if pr_to_notify:
                             pr_to_notify._notify_merged(gh, data)
-                            message = None
+
+                if f.close:
+                    gh.close(f.pull_request)
+
                 if message:
                     gh.comment(f.pull_request, message)
             except Exception:
@@ -1621,6 +1683,17 @@ class Stagings(models.Model):
 
     statuses = fields.Binary(compute='_compute_statuses')
 
+    def name_get(self):
+        return [
+            (staging.id, "%d (%s, %s%s)" % (
+                staging.id,
+                staging.target.name,
+                staging.state,
+                (', ' + staging.reason) if staging.reason else '',
+            ))
+            for staging in self
+        ]
+
     @api.depends('heads')
     def _compute_statuses(self):
         """ Fetches statuses associated with the various heads, returned as
@@ -1725,7 +1798,7 @@ class Stagings(models.Model):
             self.env['runbot_merge.pull_requests.feedback'].create({
                 'repository': pr.repository.id,
                 'pull_request': pr.number,
-                'message':"Staging failed: %s" % message
+                'message': "%sstaging failed: %s" % (pr.ping(), message),
             })
 
         self.batch_ids.write({'active': False})
@@ -1988,8 +2061,9 @@ class Batch(models.Model):
             gh = meta[pr.repository]['gh']
 
             _logger.info(
-                "Staging pr %s for target %s; squash=%s",
-                pr.display_name, pr.target.name, pr.squash
+                "Staging pr %s for target %s; method=%s",
+                pr.display_name, pr.target.name,
+                pr.merge_method or (pr.squash and 'single') or None
             )
 
             target = 'tmp.{}'.format(pr.target.name)
@@ -2027,11 +2101,11 @@ class Batch(models.Model):
                 self.env['runbot_merge.pull_requests.feedback'].create({
                     'repository': pr.repository.id,
                     'pull_request': pr.number,
-                    'message': "We apparently missed an update to this PR "
+                    'message': "%swe apparently missed an update to this PR "
                                "and tried to stage it in a state which "
                                "might not have been approved. PR has been "
                                "updated to %s, please check and approve or "
-                               "re-approve." % new_head
+                               "re-approve." % (pr.ping(), new_head)
                 })
                 return self.env['runbot_merge.batch']
 
@@ -2097,7 +2171,7 @@ def to_status(v):
         return v
     return {'state': v, 'target_url': None, 'description': None}
 
-refline = re.compile(rb'([0-9a-f]{40}) ([^\0\n]+)(\0.*)?\n$')
+refline = re.compile(rb'([\da-f]{40}) ([^\0\n]+)(\0.*)?\n?$')
 ZERO_REF = b'0'*40
 def parse_refs_smart(read):
     """ yields pkt-line data (bytes), or None for flush lines """
@@ -2108,9 +2182,8 @@ def parse_refs_smart(read):
         return read(length - 4)
 
     header = read_line()
-    assert header == b'# service=git-upload-pack\n', header
-    sep = read_line()
-    assert sep is None, sep
+    assert header.rstrip() == b'# service=git-upload-pack', header
+    assert read_line() is None, "failed to find first flush line"
     # read lines until second delimiter
     for line in iter(read_line, None):
         if line.startswith(ZERO_REF):
diff --git a/runbot_merge/models/res_partner.py b/runbot_merge/models/res_partner.py
index 3956af9c..d627b2f4 100644
--- a/runbot_merge/models/res_partner.py
+++ b/runbot_merge/models/res_partner.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ class CIText(fields.Char):
 class Partner(models.Model):
     _inherit = 'res.partner'
 
+    email = fields.Char(index=True)
     github_login = CIText()
     delegate_reviewer = fields.Many2many('runbot_merge.pull_requests')
     formatted_email = fields.Char(string="commit email", compute='_rfc5322_formatted')
diff --git a/runbot_merge/security/ir.model.access.csv b/runbot_merge/security/ir.model.access.csv
index 4bf9e0d2..0de5d476 100644
--- a/runbot_merge/security/ir.model.access.csv
+++ b/runbot_merge/security/ir.model.access.csv
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 id,name,model_id:id,group_id:id,perm_read,perm_write,perm_create,perm_unlink
 access_runbot_merge_project_admin,Admin access to project,model_runbot_merge_project,runbot_merge.group_admin,1,1,1,1
 access_runbot_merge_project_freeze,Admin access to freeze wizard,model_runbot_merge_project_freeze,runbot_merge.group_admin,1,1,0,0
-access_runbot_merge_project_freeze_prs,Admin access to freeze wizard prs,model_runbot_merge_project_freeze_prs,runbot_merge.group_admin,1,1,0,1
+access_runbot_merge_project_freeze_prs,Admin access to freeze wizard release prs,model_runbot_merge_project_freeze_prs,runbot_merge.group_admin,1,1,0,1
+access_runbot_merge_project_freeze_bumps,Admin access to freeze wizard bump prs,model_runbot_merge_project_freeze_bumps,runbot_merge.group_admin,1,1,1,1
 access_runbot_merge_repository_admin,Admin access to repo,model_runbot_merge_repository,runbot_merge.group_admin,1,1,1,1
 access_runbot_merge_repository_status_admin,Admin access to repo statuses,model_runbot_merge_repository_status,runbot_merge.group_admin,1,1,1,1
 access_runbot_merge_branch_admin,Admin access to branches,model_runbot_merge_branch,runbot_merge.group_admin,1,1,1,1
diff --git a/runbot_merge/static/scss/runbot_merge.scss b/runbot_merge/static/scss/runbot_merge.scss
index f1cb7beb..c00bf61f 100644
--- a/runbot_merge/static/scss/runbot_merge.scss
+++ b/runbot_merge/static/scss/runbot_merge.scss
@@ -40,23 +40,34 @@ h5 { font-size: 1em; }
 
 // mergebot layouting
 .stagings {
-    display: flex;
-    align-items: stretch;
-}
-.stagings > li {
-    flex: 1;
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: stretch;
 
-    padding: 0.1em;
-    padding-left: 0.5em;
-}
-.stagings > li:not(:last-child) {
-    border-right: 1px solid lightgray;
-}
-.batch:not(:last-child) {
-    border-bottom: 1px solid lightgray;
-}
-.batch a:not(:last-of-type) a:after {
+  > li {
+    flex: 1;
+    // prevent content-based autosizing otherwise that's flex' starting point
+    width: 0;
+
+    padding: 0.1em 0.1em 0.1em 0.5em;
+
+    &:not(:last-child) {
+      border-right: 1px solid lightgray;
+    }
+  }
+  .batch {
+    // cut off branch names if they can't be line-wrapped and would break the
+    // layout, works with flex to force all columns to be at the same size
+    overflow: hidden;
+    text-overflow: ellipsis;
+
+    &:not(:last-child) {
+      border-bottom: 1px solid lightgray;
+    }
+  }
+
+  .batch a:not(:last-of-type) a:after {
     content: ",";
+  }
 }
 .pr-listing > * { display: inline-block; }
 .pr-awaiting { opacity: 0.8; }
@@ -84,3 +95,7 @@ dl.runbot-merge-fields {
     @extend .col-sm-10;
   }
 }
+
+.staging-statuses {
+  cursor: wait;
+}
diff --git a/runbot_merge/tests/test_basic.py b/runbot_merge/tests/test_basic.py
index 99358859..5bf13012 100644
--- a/runbot_merge/tests/test_basic.py
+++ b/runbot_merge/tests/test_basic.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import time
 from unittest import mock
 
 import pytest
-from lxml import html
+from lxml import html, etree
 
 import odoo
 from utils import _simple_init, seen, re_matches, get_partner, Commit, pr_page, to_pr, part_of
@@ -26,21 +26,34 @@ def repo(env, project, make_repo, users, setreviewers):
 def test_trivial_flow(env, repo, page, users, config):
     # create base branch
     with repo:
-        m = repo.make_commit(None, "initial", None, tree={'a': 'some content'})
-        repo.make_ref('heads/master', m)
+        [m] = repo.make_commits(None, Commit("initial", tree={'a': 'some content'}), ref='heads/master')
 
         # create PR with 2 commits
-        c0 = repo.make_commit(m, 'replace file contents', None, tree={'a': 'some other content'})
-        c1 = repo.make_commit(c0, 'add file', None, tree={'a': 'some other content', 'b': 'a second file'})
-        pr = repo.make_pr(title="gibberish", body="blahblah", target='master', head=c1,)
+        _, c1 = repo.make_commits(
+            m,
+            Commit('replace file contents', tree={'a': 'some other content'}),
+            Commit('add file', tree={'b': 'a second file'}),
+            ref='heads/other'
+        )
+        pr = repo.make_pr(title="gibberish", body="blahblah", target='master', head='other')
 
     pr_id = to_pr(env, pr)
     assert pr_id.state == 'opened'
     env.run_crons()
     assert pr.comments == [seen(env, pr, users)]
-    s = pr_page(page, pr).cssselect('.alert-info > ul > li')
+
+    pr_dashboard = pr_page(page, pr)
+    s = pr_dashboard.cssselect('.alert-info > ul > li')
     assert [it.get('class') for it in s] == ['fail', 'fail', ''],\
         "merge method unset, review missing, no CI"
+    assert dict(zip(
+        [e.text_content() for e in pr_dashboard.cssselect('dl.runbot-merge-fields dt')],
+        [e.text_content() for e in pr_dashboard.cssselect('dl.runbot-merge-fields dd')],
+    )) == {
+        'label': f"{config['github']['owner']}:other",
+        'head': c1,
+        'target': 'master',
+    }
 
     with repo:
         repo.post_status(c1, 'success', 'legal/cla')
@@ -63,7 +76,6 @@ def test_trivial_flow(env, repo, page, users, config):
     ]
     assert statuses == [('legal/cla', 'ok'), ('ci/runbot', 'ok')]
 
-
     with repo:
         pr.post_comment('hansen r+ rebase-merge', config['role_reviewer']['token'])
     assert pr_id.state == 'ready'
@@ -443,8 +455,8 @@ def test_staging_conflict_first(env, repo, users, config, page):
     assert pr.comments == [
         (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+ rebase-merge'),
         seen(env, pr, users),
-        (users['user'], 'Merge method set to rebase and merge, using the PR as merge commit message'),
-        (users['user'], re_matches('^Unable to stage PR')),
+        (users['user'], 'Merge method set to rebase and merge, using the PR as merge commit message.'),
+        (users['user'], '@%(user)s @%(reviewer)s unable to stage: merge conflict' % users),
     ]
 
     dangerbox = pr_page(page, pr).cssselect('.alert-danger span')
@@ -566,15 +578,15 @@ def test_staging_ci_failure_single(env, repo, users, config, page):
     assert pr.comments == [
         (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+ rebase-merge'),
         seen(env, pr, users),
-        (users['user'], "Merge method set to rebase and merge, using the PR as merge commit message"),
-        (users['user'], 'Staging failed: ci/runbot')
+        (users['user'], "Merge method set to rebase and merge, using the PR as merge commit message."),
+        (users['user'], '@%(user)s @%(reviewer)s staging failed: ci/runbot' % users)
     ]
 
     dangerbox = pr_page(page, pr).cssselect('.alert-danger span')
     assert dangerbox
     assert dangerbox[0].text == 'ci/runbot'
 
-def test_ff_failure(env, repo, config):
+def test_ff_failure(env, repo, config, page):
     """ target updated while the PR is being staged => redo staging """
     with repo:
         m = repo.make_commit(None, 'initial', None, tree={'m': 'm'})
@@ -587,10 +599,11 @@ def test_ff_failure(env, repo, config):
         repo.post_status(prx.head, 'success', 'ci/runbot')
         prx.post_comment('hansen r+ rebase-merge', config['role_reviewer']['token'])
     env.run_crons()
-    assert env['runbot_merge.pull_requests'].search([
+    st = env['runbot_merge.pull_requests'].search([
         ('repository.name', '=', repo.name),
         ('number', '=', prx.number)
     ]).staging_id
+    assert st
 
     with repo:
         m2 = repo.make_commit('heads/master', 'cockblock', None, tree={'m': 'm', 'm2': 'm2'})
@@ -603,6 +616,14 @@ def test_ff_failure(env, repo, config):
         repo.post_status(staging.id, 'success', 'ci/runbot')
     env.run_crons()
 
+    assert st.reason == 'update is not a fast forward'
+    # check that it's added as title on the staging
+    doc = html.fromstring(page('/runbot_merge'))
+    _new, prev = doc.cssselect('li.staging')
+
+    assert 'bg-gray-lighter' in prev.classes, "ff failure is ~ cancelling"
+    assert prev.get('title') == re_matches('fast forward failed \(update is not a fast forward\)')
+
     assert env['runbot_merge.pull_requests'].search([
         ('repository.name', '=', repo.name),
         ('number', '=', prx.number)
@@ -684,7 +705,7 @@ def test_ff_failure_batch(env, repo, users, config):
     }
 
 class TestPREdition:
-    def test_edit(self, env, repo):
+    def test_edit(self, env, repo, config):
         """ Editing PR:
 
         * title (-> message)
@@ -705,15 +726,29 @@ class TestPREdition:
             c1 = repo.make_commit(m, 'first', None, tree={'m': 'c1'})
             c2 = repo.make_commit(c1, 'second', None, tree={'m': 'c2'})
             prx = repo.make_pr(title='title', body='body', target='master', head=c2)
+            repo.post_status(prx.head, 'success', 'legal/cla')
+            repo.post_status(prx.head, 'success', 'ci/runbot')
+            prx.post_comment('hansen rebase-ff r+', config['role_reviewer']['token'])
+        env.run_crons()
+
         pr = env['runbot_merge.pull_requests'].search([
             ('repository.name', '=', repo.name),
-            ('number', '=', prx.number)
+            ('number', '=', prx.number),
         ])
+        assert pr.state == 'ready'
+        st = pr.staging_id
+        assert st
         assert pr.message == 'title\n\nbody'
         with repo: prx.title = "title 2"
         assert pr.message == 'title 2\n\nbody'
+        with repo: prx.body = None
+        assert pr.message == "title 2"
+        assert pr.staging_id, \
+            "message edition does not affect staging of rebased PRs"
         with repo: prx.base = '1.0'
         assert pr.target == branch_1
+        assert not pr.staging_id, "updated the base of a staged PR should have unstaged it"
+        assert st.reason == f"{pr.display_name} target (base) branch was changed from 'master' to '1.0'"
 
         with repo: prx.base = '2.0'
         assert not pr.exists()
@@ -949,9 +984,9 @@ def test_ci_failure_after_review(env, repo, users, config):
     assert prx.comments == [
         (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
         seen(env, prx, users),
-        (users['user'], "'ci/runbot' failed on this reviewed PR.".format_map(users)),
-        (users['user'], "'legal/cla' failed on this reviewed PR.".format_map(users)),
-        (users['user'], "'legal/cla' failed on this reviewed PR.".format_map(users)),
+        (users['user'], "@{user} @{reviewer} 'ci/runbot' failed on this reviewed PR.".format_map(users)),
+        (users['user'], "@{user} @{reviewer} 'legal/cla' failed on this reviewed PR.".format_map(users)),
+        (users['user'], "@{user} @{reviewer} 'legal/cla' failed on this reviewed PR.".format_map(users)),
     ]
 
 def test_reopen_merged_pr(env, repo, config, users):
@@ -995,7 +1030,7 @@ def test_reopen_merged_pr(env, repo, config, users):
     assert prx.comments == [
         (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
         seen(env, prx, users),
-        (users['user'], "@%s ya silly goose you can't reopen a PR that's been merged PR." % users['other'])
+        (users['user'], "@%s ya silly goose you can't reopen a merged PR." % users['other'])
     ]
 
 class TestNoRequiredStatus:
@@ -1191,7 +1226,7 @@ class TestRetry:
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen retry'),
             seen(env, prx, users),
-            (users['user'], "I'm sorry, @{}. Retry makes no sense when the PR is not in error.".format(users['reviewer'])),
+            (users['user'], "I'm sorry, @{reviewer}: retry makes no sense when the PR is not in error.".format_map(users)),
         ]
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('disabler', ['user', 'other', 'reviewer'])
@@ -1387,12 +1422,13 @@ class TestMergeMethod:
         assert prx.comments == [
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
             seen(env, prx, users),
-            (users['user'], """Because this PR has multiple commits, I need to know how to merge it:
+            (users['user'], """@{user} @{reviewer} because this PR has multiple \
+commits, I need to know how to merge it:
 
 * `merge` to merge directly, using the PR as merge commit message
 * `rebase-merge` to rebase and merge, using the PR as merge commit message
 * `rebase-ff` to rebase and fast-forward
-"""),
+""".format_map(users)),
         ]
 
     def test_pr_method_no_review(self, repo, env, users, config):
@@ -1432,11 +1468,11 @@ class TestMergeMethod:
         assert prx.comments == [
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen rebase-merge'),
             seen(env, prx, users),
-            (users['user'], "Merge method set to rebase and merge, using the PR as merge commit message"),
+            (users['user'], "Merge method set to rebase and merge, using the PR as merge commit message."),
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen merge'),
-            (users['user'], "Merge method set to merge directly, using the PR as merge commit message"),
+            (users['user'], "Merge method set to merge directly, using the PR as merge commit message."),
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen rebase-ff'),
-            (users['user'], "Merge method set to rebase and fast-forward"),
+            (users['user'], "Merge method set to rebase and fast-forward."),
         ]
 
     def test_pr_rebase_merge(self, repo, env, users, config):
@@ -1498,6 +1534,20 @@ class TestMergeMethod:
             frozenset([nm2, nb1])
         )
         assert staging == merge_head
+        st = pr_id.staging_id
+        assert st
+
+        with repo: prx.title = 'title 2'
+        assert not pr_id.staging_id, "updating the message of a merge-staged PR should unstage rien"
+        assert st.reason == f'{pr_id.display_name} merge message updated'
+        # since we updated the description, the merge_head value is impacted,
+        # and it's checked again later on
+        merge_head = (
+            merge_head[0].replace('title', 'title 2'),
+            merge_head[1],
+        )
+        env.run_crons()
+        assert pr_id.staging_id, "PR should immediately be re-stageable"
 
         with repo:
             repo.post_status('heads/staging.master', 'success', 'legal/cla')
@@ -1990,7 +2040,7 @@ Part-of: {pr_id.display_name}"""
         assert pr1.comments == [
             seen(env, pr1, users),
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+ squash'),
-            (users['user'], 'Merge method set to squash')
+            (users['user'], 'Merge method set to squash.')
         ]
         merged_head = repo.commit('master')
         assert merged_head.message == f"""first pr
@@ -2014,13 +2064,13 @@ Signed-off-by: {get_partner(env, users["reviewer"]).formatted_email}\
         assert pr2.comments == [
             seen(env, pr2, users),
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+ squash'),
-            (users['user'], f"I'm sorry, @{users['reviewer']}. Squash can only be used with a single commit at this time."),
-            (users['user'], """Because this PR has multiple commits, I need to know how to merge it:
+            (users['user'], f"I'm sorry, @{users['reviewer']}: squash can only be used with a single commit at this time."),
+            (users['user'], """@{user} @{reviewer} because this PR has multiple commits, I need to know how to merge it:
 
 * `merge` to merge directly, using the PR as merge commit message
 * `rebase-merge` to rebase and merge, using the PR as merge commit message
 * `rebase-ff` to rebase and fast-forward
-""")
+""".format_map(users))
         ]
 
     @pytest.mark.xfail(reason="removed support for squash- command")
@@ -2683,14 +2733,16 @@ class TestBatching(object):
             repo.make_ref('heads/master', m)
 
             pr1 = self._pr(repo, 'PR1', [{'a': 'AAA'}, {'b': 'BBB'}], user=config['role_user']['token'], reviewer=config['role_reviewer']['token'])
-            p_1 = to_pr(env, pr1)
             pr2 = self._pr(repo, 'PR2', [{'a': 'some content', 'c': 'CCC'}, {'d': 'DDD'}], user=config['role_user']['token'], reviewer=config['role_reviewer']['token'])
-            p_2 = to_pr(env, pr2)
         env.run_crons()
 
+        p_1 = to_pr(env, pr1)
+        p_2 = to_pr(env, pr2)
         st = env['runbot_merge.stagings'].search([])
+
         # both prs should be part of the staging
         assert st.mapped('batch_ids.prs') == p_1 | p_2
+
         # add CI failure
         with repo:
             repo.post_status('heads/staging.master', 'failure', 'ci/runbot')
@@ -2824,7 +2876,7 @@ class TestReviewing(object):
             (users['user'], "I'm sorry, @{}. I'm afraid I can't do that.".format(users['other'])),
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
-            (users['user'], "I'm sorry, @{}. This PR is already reviewed, reviewing it again is useless.".format(
+            (users['user'], "I'm sorry, @{}: this PR is already reviewed, reviewing it again is useless.".format(
                  users['reviewer'])),
         ]
 
@@ -2853,7 +2905,7 @@ class TestReviewing(object):
         assert prx.comments == [
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
             seen(env, prx, users),
-            (users['user'], "I'm sorry, @{}. You can't review+.".format(users['reviewer'])),
+            (users['user'], "I'm sorry, @{}: you can't review+.".format(users['reviewer'])),
         ]
 
     def test_self_review_success(self, env, repo, users, config):
@@ -3009,7 +3061,7 @@ class TestReviewing(object):
             seen(env, pr, users),
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen delegate+'),
             (users['user'], 'hansen r+'),
-            (users['user'], f"I'm sorry, @{users['user']}. I must know your email before you can review PRs. Please contact an administrator."),
+            (users['user'], f"I'm sorry, @{users['user']}: I must know your email before you can review PRs. Please contact an administrator."),
         ]
         user_partner.fetch_github_email()
         assert user_partner.email
@@ -3073,9 +3125,9 @@ class TestUnknownPR:
             seen(env, prx, users),
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
-            (users['user'], "Sorry, I didn't know about this PR and had to "
+            (users['user'], "I didn't know about this PR and had to "
                             "retrieve its information, you may have to "
-                            "re-approve it."),
+                            "re-approve it as I didn't see previous commands."),
             seen(env, prx, users),
         ]
 
@@ -3126,9 +3178,9 @@ class TestUnknownPR:
         assert pr.comments == [
             seen(env, pr, users),
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
-            (users['user'], "Sorry, I didn't know about this PR and had to "
-                            "retrieve its information, you may have to "
-                            "re-approve it."),
+            (users['user'], "I didn't know about this PR and had to retrieve "
+                            "its information, you may have to re-approve it "
+                            "as I didn't see previous commands."),
             seen(env, pr, users),
         ]
 
@@ -3153,8 +3205,8 @@ class TestUnknownPR:
 
         assert prx.comments == [
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
-            (users['user'], "This PR targets the un-managed branch %s:branch, it can not be merged." % repo.name),
-            (users['user'], "I'm sorry. Branch `branch` is not within my remit."),
+            (users['user'], "This PR targets the un-managed branch %s:branch, it needs to be retargeted before it can be merged." % repo.name),
+            (users['user'], "Branch `branch` is not within my remit, imma just ignore it."),
         ]
 
     def test_rplus_review_unmanaged(self, env, repo, users, config):
@@ -3551,7 +3603,7 @@ class TestFeedback:
         assert prx.comments == [
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
             seen(env, prx, users),
-            (users['user'], "'ci/runbot' failed on this reviewed PR.")
+            (users['user'], "@%(user)s @%(reviewer)s 'ci/runbot' failed on this reviewed PR." % users)
         ]
 
     def test_review_failed(self, repo, env, users, config):
@@ -3581,9 +3633,11 @@ class TestFeedback:
         assert prx.comments == [
             seen(env, prx, users),
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
-            (users['user'], "@%s, you may want to rebuild or fix this PR as it has failed CI." % users['reviewer'])
+            (users['user'], "@%s you may want to rebuild or fix this PR as it has failed CI." % users['reviewer'])
         ]
+
 class TestInfrastructure:
+    @pytest.mark.skip(reason="Don't want to implement")
     def test_protection(self, repo):
         """ force-pushing on a protected ref should fail
         """
diff --git a/runbot_merge/tests/test_disabled_branch.py b/runbot_merge/tests/test_disabled_branch.py
index eaaca7c4..1d6be201 100644
--- a/runbot_merge/tests/test_disabled_branch.py
+++ b/runbot_merge/tests/test_disabled_branch.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-from utils import seen, Commit
+from utils import seen, Commit, pr_page
 
-def test_existing_pr_disabled_branch(env, project, make_repo, setreviewers, config, users):
+def test_existing_pr_disabled_branch(env, project, make_repo, setreviewers, config, users, page):
     """ PRs to disabled branches are ignored, but what if the PR exists *before*
     the branch is disabled?
     """
@@ -13,7 +13,8 @@ def test_existing_pr_disabled_branch(env, project, make_repo, setreviewers, conf
     repo_id = env['runbot_merge.repository'].create({
         'project_id': project.id,
         'name': repo.name,
-        'status_ids': [(0, 0, {'context': 'status'})]
+        'status_ids': [(0, 0, {'context': 'status'})],
+        'group_id': False,
     })
     setreviewers(*project.repo_ids)
 
@@ -25,42 +26,57 @@ def test_existing_pr_disabled_branch(env, project, make_repo, setreviewers, conf
         [c] = repo.make_commits(ot, Commit('wheee', tree={'b': '2'}))
         pr = repo.make_pr(title="title", body='body', target='other', head=c)
         repo.post_status(c, 'success', 'status')
+        pr.post_comment('hansen r+', config['role_reviewer']['token'])
+    env.run_crons()
 
     pr_id = env['runbot_merge.pull_requests'].search([
         ('repository', '=', repo_id.id),
         ('number', '=', pr.number),
     ])
+    branch_id = pr_id.target
+    assert pr_id.staging_id
+    staging_id = branch_id.active_staging_id
+    assert staging_id == pr_id.staging_id
 
     # disable branch "other"
-    project.branch_ids.filtered(lambda b: b.name == 'other').active = False
-
-    # r+ the PR
-    with repo:
-        pr.post_comment('hansen r+', config['role_reviewer']['token'])
+    branch_id.active = False
     env.run_crons()
 
-    # nothing should happen, the PR should be unstaged forever, maybe?
-    assert pr_id.state == 'ready'
+    assert not branch_id.active_staging_id
+    assert staging_id.state == 'cancelled', \
+        "closing the PRs should have canceled the staging"
+
+    p = pr_page(page, pr)
+    target = dict(zip(
+        (e.text for e in p.cssselect('dl.runbot-merge-fields dt')),
+        (p.cssselect('dl.runbot-merge-fields dd'))
+    ))['target']
+    assert target.text_content() == 'other (inactive)'
+    assert target.get('class') == 'text-muted bg-warning'
+
+    # the PR should have been closed implicitly
+    assert pr_id.state == 'closed'
     assert not pr_id.staging_id
 
+    with repo:
+        pr.open()
+        pr.post_comment('hansen r+', config['role_reviewer']['token'])
+    assert pr_id.state == 'ready', "pr should be reopenable"
+    env.run_crons()
+
+    assert pr.comments == [
+        (users['reviewer'], "hansen r+"),
+        seen(env, pr, users),
+        (users['user'], "@%(user)s @%(reviewer)s the target branch 'other' has been disabled, closing this PR." % users),
+        (users['reviewer'], "hansen r+"),
+        (users['user'], "This PR targets the disabled branch %s:other, it needs to be retargeted before it can be merged." % repo.name),
+    ]
+
     with repo:
         [c2] = repo.make_commits(ot, Commit('wheee', tree={'b': '3'}))
         repo.update_ref(pr.ref, c2, force=True)
     assert pr_id.head == c2, "pr should be aware of its update"
 
-    with repo:
-        pr.close()
-    assert pr_id.state == 'closed', "pr should be closeable"
-    with repo:
-        pr.open()
-    assert pr_id.state == 'opened', "pr should be reopenable (state reset due to force push"
-    env.run_crons()
-    assert pr.comments == [
-        (users['reviewer'], "hansen r+"),
-        seen(env, pr, users),
-        (users['user'], "This PR targets the disabled branch %s:other, it can not be merged." % repo.name),
-    ], "reopening a PR to an inactive branch should send feedback, but not closing it"
-
     with repo:
         pr.base = 'other2'
         repo.post_status(c2, 'success', 'status')
@@ -96,7 +112,7 @@ def test_new_pr_no_branch(env, project, make_repo, setreviewers, users):
         ('number', '=', pr.number),
     ]), "the PR should not have been created in the backend"
     assert pr.comments == [
-        (users['user'], "This PR targets the un-managed branch %s:other, it can not be merged." % repo.name),
+        (users['user'], "This PR targets the un-managed branch %s:other, it needs to be retargeted before it can be merged." % repo.name),
     ]
 
 def test_new_pr_disabled_branch(env, project, make_repo, setreviewers, users):
@@ -131,45 +147,6 @@ def test_new_pr_disabled_branch(env, project, make_repo, setreviewers, users):
     assert pr_id, "the PR should have been created in the backend"
     assert pr_id.state == 'opened'
     assert pr.comments == [
-        (users['user'], "This PR targets the disabled branch %s:other, it can not be merged." % repo.name),
+        (users['user'], "This PR targets the disabled branch %s:other, it needs to be retargeted before it can be merged." % repo.name),
         seen(env, pr, users),
     ]
-
-def test_retarget_from_disabled(env, make_repo, project, setreviewers):
-    """ Retargeting a PR from a disabled branch should not duplicate the PR
-    """
-    repo = make_repo('repo')
-    project.write({'branch_ids': [(0, 0, {'name': '1.0'}), (0, 0, {'name': '2.0'})]})
-    repo_id = env['runbot_merge.repository'].create({
-        'project_id': project.id,
-        'name': repo.name,
-        'required_statuses': 'legal/cla,ci/runbot',
-    })
-    setreviewers(repo_id)
-
-    with repo:
-        [c0] = repo.make_commits(None, Commit('0', tree={'a': '0'}), ref='heads/1.0')
-        [c1] = repo.make_commits(c0, Commit('1', tree={'a': '1'}), ref='heads/2.0')
-        repo.make_commits(c1, Commit('2', tree={'a': '2'}), ref='heads/master')
-
-        # create PR on 1.0
-        repo.make_commits(c0, Commit('c', tree={'a': '0', 'b': '0'}), ref='heads/changes')
-        prx = repo.make_pr(head='changes', target='1.0')
-    branch_1 = project.branch_ids.filtered(lambda b: b.name == '1.0')
-    # there should only be a single PR in the system at this point
-    [pr] = env['runbot_merge.pull_requests'].search([])
-    assert pr.target == branch_1
-
-    # branch 1 is EOL, disable it
-    branch_1.active = False
-
-    with repo:
-        # we forgot we had active PRs for it, and we may want to merge them
-        # still, retarget them!
-        prx.base = '2.0'
-
-    # check that we still only have one PR in the system
-    [pr_] = env['runbot_merge.pull_requests'].search([])
-    # and that it's the same as the old one, just edited with a new target
-    assert pr_ == pr
-    assert pr.target == project.branch_ids.filtered(lambda b: b.name == '2.0')
diff --git a/runbot_merge/tests/test_multirepo.py b/runbot_merge/tests/test_multirepo.py
index a51d99b7..b94a1ec9 100644
--- a/runbot_merge/tests/test_multirepo.py
+++ b/runbot_merge/tests/test_multirepo.py
@@ -7,12 +7,13 @@ are staged concurrently in all repos
 """
 import json
 import time
+import xmlrpc.client
 
 import pytest
 import requests
-from lxml.etree import XPath, tostring
+from lxml.etree import XPath
 
-from utils import seen, re_matches, get_partner, pr_page, to_pr, Commit
+from utils import seen, get_partner, pr_page, to_pr, Commit
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
@@ -429,7 +430,7 @@ def test_merge_fail(env, project, repo_a, repo_b, users, config):
     assert pr1b.comments == [
         (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
         seen(env, pr1b, users),
-        (users['user'], re_matches('^Unable to stage PR')),
+        (users['user'], '@%(user)s @%(reviewer)s unable to stage: merge conflict' % users),
     ]
     other = to_pr(env, pr1a)
     reviewer = get_partner(env, users["reviewer"]).formatted_email
@@ -527,14 +528,22 @@ class TestCompanionsNotReady:
         assert p_a.comments == [
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
             seen(env, p_a, users),
-            (users['user'], "Linked pull request(s) %s#%d not ready. Linked PRs are not staged until all of them are ready." % (repo_b.name, p_b.number)),
+            (users['user'], "@%s @%s linked pull request(s) %s not ready. Linked PRs are not staged until all of them are ready." % (
+                users['user'],
+                users['reviewer'],
+                pr_b.display_name,
+            )),
         ]
         # ensure the message is only sent once per PR
         env.run_crons('runbot_merge.check_linked_prs_status')
         assert p_a.comments == [
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
             seen(env, p_a, users),
-            (users['user'], "Linked pull request(s) %s#%d not ready. Linked PRs are not staged until all of them are ready." % (repo_b.name, p_b.number)),
+            (users['user'], "@%s @%s linked pull request(s) %s not ready. Linked PRs are not staged until all of them are ready." % (
+                users['user'],
+                users['reviewer'],
+                pr_b.display_name,
+            )),
         ]
         assert p_b.comments == [seen(env, p_b, users)]
 
@@ -570,7 +579,8 @@ class TestCompanionsNotReady:
         assert pr_b.comments == [
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
             seen(env, pr_b, users),
-            (users['user'], "Linked pull request(s) %s#%d, %s#%d not ready. Linked PRs are not staged until all of them are ready." % (
+            (users['user'], "@%s @%s linked pull request(s) %s#%d, %s#%d not ready. Linked PRs are not staged until all of them are ready." % (
+                users['user'], users['reviewer'],
                 repo_a.name, pr_a.number,
                 repo_c.name, pr_c.number
             ))
@@ -609,7 +619,8 @@ class TestCompanionsNotReady:
         assert pr_b.comments == [
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
             seen(env, pr_b, users),
-            (users['user'], "Linked pull request(s) %s#%d not ready. Linked PRs are not staged until all of them are ready." % (
+            (users['user'], "@%s @%s linked pull request(s) %s#%d not ready. Linked PRs are not staged until all of them are ready." % (
+                users['user'], users['reviewer'],
                 repo_a.name, pr_a.number
             ))
         ]
@@ -617,7 +628,8 @@ class TestCompanionsNotReady:
             (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
             seen(env, pr_c, users),
             (users['user'],
-             "Linked pull request(s) %s#%d not ready. Linked PRs are not staged until all of them are ready." % (
+             "@%s @%s linked pull request(s) %s#%d not ready. Linked PRs are not staged until all of them are ready." % (
+                 users['user'], users['reviewer'],
                  repo_a.name, pr_a.number
              ))
         ]
@@ -655,7 +667,10 @@ def test_other_failed(env, project, repo_a, repo_b, users, config):
     assert pr_a.comments == [
         (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
         seen(env, pr_a, users),
-        (users['user'], 'Staging failed: ci/runbot on %s (view more at http://example.org/b)' % sth)
+        (users['user'], '@%s @%s staging failed: ci/runbot on %s (view more at http://example.org/b)' % (
+            users['user'], users['reviewer'],
+            sth
+        ))
     ]
 
 class TestMultiBatches:
@@ -670,12 +685,16 @@ class TestMultiBatches:
             make_branch(repo_b, 'master', 'initial', {'b': 'b0'})
 
             prs = [(
-                a and to_pr(env, make_pr(repo_a, 'batch{}'.format(i), [{'a{}'.format(i): 'a{}'.format(i)}], user=config['role_user']['token'], reviewer=config['role_reviewer']['token'],)),
-                b and to_pr(env, make_pr(repo_b, 'batch{}'.format(i), [{'b{}'.format(i): 'b{}'.format(i)}], user=config['role_user']['token'], reviewer=config['role_reviewer']['token'],))
+                a and make_pr(repo_a, 'batch{}'.format(i), [{'a{}'.format(i): 'a{}'.format(i)}], user=config['role_user']['token'], reviewer=config['role_reviewer']['token']),
+                b and make_pr(repo_b, 'batch{}'.format(i), [{'b{}'.format(i): 'b{}'.format(i)}], user=config['role_user']['token'], reviewer=config['role_reviewer']['token']),
             )
                 for i, (a, b) in enumerate([(1, 1), (0, 1), (1, 1), (1, 1), (1, 0)])
             ]
         env.run_crons()
+        prs = [
+            (a and to_pr(env, a), b and to_pr(env, b))
+            for (a, b) in prs
+        ]
 
         st = env['runbot_merge.stagings'].search([])
         assert st
@@ -699,12 +718,16 @@ class TestMultiBatches:
             make_branch(repo_b, 'master', 'initial', {'b': 'b0'})
 
             prs = [(
-                a and to_pr(env, make_pr(repo_a, 'batch{}'.format(i), [{'a{}'.format(i): 'a{}'.format(i)}], user=config['role_user']['token'], reviewer=config['role_reviewer']['token'],)),
-                b and to_pr(env, make_pr(repo_b, 'batch{}'.format(i), [{'b{}'.format(i): 'b{}'.format(i)}], user=config['role_user']['token'], reviewer=config['role_reviewer']['token'],))
+                a and make_pr(repo_a, 'batch{}'.format(i), [{'a{}'.format(i): 'a{}'.format(i)}], user=config['role_user']['token'], reviewer=config['role_reviewer']['token']),
+                b and make_pr(repo_b, 'batch{}'.format(i), [{'b{}'.format(i): 'b{}'.format(i)}], user=config['role_user']['token'], reviewer=config['role_reviewer']['token']),
             )
                 for i, (a, b) in enumerate([(1, 1), (0, 1), (1, 1), (1, 1), (1, 0)])
             ]
         env.run_crons()
+        prs = [
+            (a and to_pr(env, a), b and to_pr(env, b))
+            for (a, b) in prs
+        ]
 
         st0 = env['runbot_merge.stagings'].search([])
         assert len(st0.batch_ids) == 5
@@ -916,7 +939,8 @@ class TestSubstitutions:
                             'label': original,
                             'sha': format(pr_number, 'x')*40,
                         }
-                    }
+                    },
+                    'sender': {'login': 'pytest'}
                 }
             )
             pr = env['runbot_merge.pull_requests'].search([
@@ -1081,6 +1105,7 @@ def test_freeze_complete(env, project, repo_a, repo_b, repo_c, users, config):
     * have a project with 3 repos, and two branches (1.0 and master) each
     * have 2 PRs required for the freeze
     * prep 3 freeze PRs
+    * prep 1 bump PR
     * trigger the freeze wizard
     * trigger it again (check that the same object is returned, there should
       only be one freeze per project at a time)
@@ -1099,49 +1124,13 @@ def test_freeze_complete(env, project, repo_a, repo_b, repo_c, users, config):
         (0, 0, {'name': '1.0', 'sequence': 2}),
     ]
 
-    masters = []
-    for r in [repo_a, repo_b, repo_c]:
-        with r:
-            [root, _] = r.make_commits(
-                None,
-                Commit('base', tree={'version': '', 'f': '0'}),
-                Commit('release 1.0', tree={'version': '1.0'} if r is repo_a else None),
-                ref='heads/1.0'
-            )
-            masters.extend(r.make_commits(root, Commit('other', tree={'f': '1'}), ref='heads/master'))
-
-    # have 2 PRs required for the freeze
-    with repo_a:
-        repo_a.make_commits(masters[0], Commit('super important file', tree={'g': 'x'}), ref='heads/apr')
-        pr_required_a = repo_a.make_pr(target='master', head='apr')
-    with repo_c:
-        repo_c.make_commits(masters[2], Commit('update thing', tree={'f': '2'}), ref='heads/cpr')
-        pr_required_c = repo_c.make_pr(target='master', head='cpr')
-
-    # have 3 release PRs, only the first one updates the tree (version file)
-    with repo_a:
-        repo_a.make_commits(
-            masters[0],
-            Commit('Release 1.1 (A)', tree={'version': '1.1'}),
-            ref='heads/release-1.1'
-        )
-        pr_rel_a = repo_a.make_pr(target='master', head='release-1.1')
-    with repo_b:
-        repo_b.make_commits(
-            masters[1],
-            Commit('Release 1.1 (B)', tree=None),
-            ref='heads/release-1.1'
-        )
-        pr_rel_b = repo_b.make_pr(target='master', head='release-1.1')
-    with repo_c:
-        repo_c.make_commits(masters[2], Commit("Some change", tree={'a': '1'}), ref='heads/whocares')
-        pr_other = repo_c.make_pr(target='master', head='whocares')
-        repo_c.make_commits(
-            masters[2],
-            Commit('Release 1.1 (C)', tree=None),
-            ref='heads/release-1.1'
-        )
-        pr_rel_c = repo_c.make_pr(target='master', head='release-1.1')
+    [
+        (master_head_a, master_head_b, master_head_c),
+        (pr_required_a, _, pr_required_c),
+        (pr_rel_a, pr_rel_b, pr_rel_c),
+        pr_bump_a,
+        pr_other
+    ] = setup_mess(repo_a, repo_b, repo_c)
     env.run_crons() # process the PRs
 
     release_prs = {
@@ -1149,6 +1138,7 @@ def test_freeze_complete(env, project, repo_a, repo_b, repo_c, users, config):
         repo_b.name: to_pr(env, pr_rel_b),
         repo_c.name: to_pr(env, pr_rel_c),
     }
+    pr_bump_id = to_pr(env, pr_bump_a)
     # trigger the ~~tree~~ freeze wizard
     w = project.action_prepare_freeze()
     w2 = project.action_prepare_freeze()
@@ -1166,6 +1156,11 @@ def test_freeze_complete(env, project, repo_a, repo_b, repo_c, users, config):
     for r in w_id.release_pr_ids:
         r.pr_id = release_prs[r.repository_id.name].id
     w_id.release_pr_ids[-1].pr_id = to_pr(env, pr_other).id
+    # configure bump
+    assert not w_id.bump_pr_ids, "there is no bump pr by default"
+    w_id.write({'bump_pr_ids': [
+        (0, 0, {'repository_id': pr_bump_id.repository.id, 'pr_id': pr_bump_id.id})
+    ]})
     r = w_id.action_freeze()
     assert r == w, "the freeze is not ready so the wizard should redirect to itself"
     owner = repo_c.owner
@@ -1210,15 +1205,34 @@ def test_freeze_complete(env, project, repo_a, repo_b, repo_c, users, config):
     assert r['res_model'] == 'runbot_merge.project'
     assert r['res_id'] == project.id
 
-    env.run_crons() # stage the release prs
-    for repo in [repo_a, repo_b, repo_c]:
-        with repo:
-            repo.post_status('staging.1.1', 'success', 'ci/runbot')
-            repo.post_status('staging.1.1', 'success', 'legal/cla')
-    env.run_crons() # get the release prs merged
+    # stuff that's done directly
+    for pr_id in release_prs.values():
+        assert pr_id.state == 'merged'
+    assert pr_bump_id.state == 'merged'
+
+    # stuff that's behind a cron
+    env.run_crons()
+
+    assert pr_rel_a.state == "closed"
+    assert pr_rel_a.base['ref'] == '1.1'
+    assert pr_rel_b.state == "closed"
+    assert pr_rel_b.base['ref'] == '1.1'
+    assert pr_rel_c.state == "closed"
+    assert pr_rel_c.base['ref'] == '1.1'
     for pr_id in release_prs.values():
         assert pr_id.target.name == '1.1'
-        assert pr_id.state == 'merged'
+
+    assert pr_bump_a.state == 'closed'
+    assert pr_bump_a.base['ref'] == 'master'
+    assert pr_bump_id.target.name == 'master'
+
+    m_a = repo_a.commit('master')
+    assert m_a.message.startswith('Bump A')
+    assert repo_a.read_tree(m_a) == {
+        'f': '1', # from master
+        'g': 'x', # from required PR (merged into master before forking)
+        'version': '1.2-alpha', # from bump PR
+    }
 
     c_a = repo_a.commit('1.1')
     assert c_a.message.startswith('Release 1.1 (A)')
@@ -1229,19 +1243,71 @@ def test_freeze_complete(env, project, repo_a, repo_b, repo_c, users, config):
     }
     c_a_parent = repo_a.commit(c_a.parents[0])
     assert c_a_parent.message.startswith('super important file')
-    assert c_a_parent.parents[0] == masters[0]
+    assert c_a_parent.parents[0] == master_head_a
 
     c_b = repo_b.commit('1.1')
     assert c_b.message.startswith('Release 1.1 (B)')
     assert repo_b.read_tree(c_b) == {'f': '1', 'version': ''}
-    assert c_b.parents[0] == masters[1]
+    assert c_b.parents[0] == master_head_b
 
     c_c = repo_c.commit('1.1')
     assert c_c.message.startswith('Release 1.1 (C)')
     assert repo_c.read_tree(c_c) == {'f': '2', 'version': ''}
-    assert repo_c.commit(c_c.parents[0]).parents[0] == masters[2]
+    assert repo_c.commit(c_c.parents[0]).parents[0] == master_head_c
 
 
+def setup_mess(repo_a, repo_b, repo_c):
+    master_heads = []
+    for r in [repo_a, repo_b, repo_c]:
+        with r:
+            [root, _] = r.make_commits(
+                None,
+                Commit('base', tree={'version': '', 'f': '0'}),
+                Commit('release 1.0', tree={'version': '1.0'} if r is repo_a else None),
+                ref='heads/1.0'
+            )
+            master_heads.extend(r.make_commits(root, Commit('other', tree={'f': '1'}), ref='heads/master'))
+    # have 2 PRs required for the freeze
+    with repo_a:
+        repo_a.make_commits(master_heads[0], Commit('super important file', tree={'g': 'x'}), ref='heads/apr')
+        pr_required_a = repo_a.make_pr(target='master', head='apr')
+    with repo_c:
+        repo_c.make_commits(master_heads[2], Commit('update thing', tree={'f': '2'}), ref='heads/cpr')
+        pr_required_c = repo_c.make_pr(target='master', head='cpr')
+    # have 3 release PRs, only the first one updates the tree (version file)
+    with repo_a:
+        repo_a.make_commits(
+            master_heads[0],
+            Commit('Release 1.1 (A)', tree={'version': '1.1'}),
+            ref='heads/release-1.1'
+        )
+        pr_rel_a = repo_a.make_pr(target='master', head='release-1.1')
+    with repo_b:
+        repo_b.make_commits(
+            master_heads[1],
+            Commit('Release 1.1 (B)', tree=None),
+            ref='heads/release-1.1'
+        )
+        pr_rel_b = repo_b.make_pr(target='master', head='release-1.1')
+    with repo_c:
+        repo_c.make_commits(master_heads[2], Commit("Some change", tree={'a': '1'}), ref='heads/whocares')
+        pr_other = repo_c.make_pr(target='master', head='whocares')
+        repo_c.make_commits(
+            master_heads[2],
+            Commit('Release 1.1 (C)', tree=None),
+            ref='heads/release-1.1'
+        )
+        pr_rel_c = repo_c.make_pr(target='master', head='release-1.1')
+    # have one bump PR on repo A
+    with repo_a:
+        repo_a.make_commits(
+            master_heads[0],
+            Commit("Bump A", tree={'version': '1.2-alpha'}),
+            ref='heads/bump-1.1',
+        )
+        pr_bump_a = repo_a.make_pr(target='master', head='bump-1.1')
+    return master_heads, (pr_required_a, None, pr_required_c), (pr_rel_a, pr_rel_b, pr_rel_c), pr_bump_a, pr_other
+
 def test_freeze_subset(env, project, repo_a, repo_b, repo_c, users, config):
     """It should be possible to only freeze a subset of a project when e.g. one
     of the repository is managed differently than the rest and has
@@ -1312,3 +1378,61 @@ def test_freeze_subset(env, project, repo_a, repo_b, repo_c, users, config):
     except AssertionError:
         ...
     # can't stage because we (wilfully) don't have branches 1.1 in repos B and C
+
+@pytest.mark.skip("env's session is not thread-safe sadface")
+def test_race_conditions():
+    """need the ability to dup the env in order to send concurrent requests to
+    the inner odoo
+
+    - try to run the action_freeze during a cron (merge or staging), should
+      error (recover and return nice message?)
+    - somehow get ahead of the action and update master's commit between moment
+      where it is fetched and moment where the bump pr is fast-forwarded,
+      there's actually a bit of time thanks to the rate limiting (fetch of base,
+      update of tmp to base, rebase of commits on tmp, wait 1s, for each release
+      and bump PR, then the release branches are created, and finally the bump
+      prs)
+    """
+    ...
+
+def test_freeze_conflict(env, project, repo_a, repo_b, repo_c, users, config):
+    """If one of the branches we're trying to create already exists, the wizard
+    fails.
+    """
+    project.branch_ids = [
+        (1, project.branch_ids.id, {'sequence': 1}),
+        (0, 0, {'name': '1.0', 'sequence': 2}),
+    ]
+    heads, _, (pr_rel_a, pr_rel_b, pr_rel_c), bump, other = \
+        setup_mess(repo_a, repo_b, repo_c)
+    env.run_crons()
+
+    release_prs = {
+        repo_a.name: to_pr(env, pr_rel_a),
+        repo_b.name: to_pr(env, pr_rel_b),
+        repo_c.name: to_pr(env, pr_rel_c),
+    }
+
+    w = project.action_prepare_freeze()
+    w_id = env[w['res_model']].browse([w['res_id']])
+    for repo, release_pr in release_prs.items():
+        w_id.release_pr_ids\
+            .filtered(lambda r: r.repository_id.name == repo)\
+            .pr_id = release_pr.id
+
+    # create conflicting branch
+    with repo_c:
+        repo_c.make_ref('heads/1.1', heads[2])
+
+    # actually perform the freeze
+    with pytest.raises(xmlrpc.client.Fault) as e:
+        w_id.action_freeze()
+    assert f"Unable to create branch {repo_c.name}:1.1" in e.value.faultString
+
+    # branches a and b should have been deleted
+    with pytest.raises(AssertionError) as e:
+        repo_a.get_ref('heads/1.1')
+    assert e.value.args[0].startswith("Not Found")
+    with pytest.raises(AssertionError) as e:
+        repo_b.get_ref('heads/1.1')
+    assert e.value.args[0].startswith("Not Found")
diff --git a/runbot_merge/tests/test_oddities.py b/runbot_merge/tests/test_oddities.py
index b4a1fcf2..3ad1289b 100644
--- a/runbot_merge/tests/test_oddities.py
+++ b/runbot_merge/tests/test_oddities.py
@@ -1,11 +1,10 @@
+import requests
+
 from utils import Commit, to_pr
 
 
 def test_partner_merge(env):
     p_src = env['res.partner'].create({
-        'name': 'kfhsf',
-        'github_login': 'tyu'
-    }) |  env['res.partner'].create({
         'name': "xxx",
         'github_login': 'xxx'
     })
@@ -97,3 +96,36 @@ def test_message_desync(env, project, make_repo, users, setreviewers, config):
     assert st.message.startswith('title\n\nbody'),\
         "the stored PR message should have been ignored when staging"
     assert st.parents == [m, c], "check the staging's ancestry is the right one"
+
+def test_unreviewer(env, project, port):
+    repo = env['runbot_merge.repository'].create({
+        'project_id': project.id,
+        'name': 'a_test_repo',
+        'status_ids': [(0, 0, {'context': 'status'})]
+    })
+    p = env['res.partner'].create({
+        'name': 'George Pearce',
+        'github_login': 'emubitch',
+        'review_rights': [(0, 0, {'repository_id': repo.id, 'review': True})]
+    })
+
+    r = requests.post(f'http://localhost:{port}/runbot_merge/get_reviewers', json={
+        'jsonrpc': '2.0',
+        'id': None,
+        'method': 'call',
+        'params': {},
+    })
+    r.raise_for_status()
+    assert 'error' not in r.json()
+    assert r.json()['result'] == ['emubitch']
+
+    r = requests.post(f'http://localhost:{port}/runbot_merge/remove_reviewers', json={
+        'jsonrpc': '2.0',
+        'id': None,
+        'method': 'call',
+        'params': {'github_logins': ['emubitch']},
+    })
+    r.raise_for_status()
+    assert 'error' not in r.json()
+
+    assert p.review_rights == env['res.partner.review']
diff --git a/runbot_merge/tests/test_provisioning.py b/runbot_merge/tests/test_provisioning.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6119bf17
--- /dev/null
+++ b/runbot_merge/tests/test_provisioning.py
@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+import pytest
+import requests
+
+GEORGE = {
+    'name': "George Pearce",
+    'email': 'george@example.org',
+    'github_login': 'emubitch',
+    'sub': '19321102'
+}
+def test_basic_provisioning(env, port):
+    r = provision_user(port, [GEORGE])
+    assert r == [1, 0]
+
+    g = env['res.users'].search([('login', '=', GEORGE['email'])])
+    assert g.partner_id.name == GEORGE['name']
+    assert g.partner_id.github_login == GEORGE['github_login']
+    assert g.oauth_uid == GEORGE['sub']
+    (model, g_id) = env['ir.model.data']\
+        .check_object_reference('base', 'group_user')
+    assert model == 'res.groups'
+    assert g.groups_id.id == g_id, "check that users were provisioned as internal (not portal)"
+
+    # repeated provisioning should be a no-op
+    r = provision_user(port, [GEORGE])
+    assert r == [0, 0]
+
+    # the email (real login) should be the determinant, any other field is
+    # updatable
+    r = provision_user(port, [{**GEORGE, 'name': "x"}])
+    assert r == [0, 1]
+
+    r = provision_user(port, [dict(GEORGE, name="x", github_login="y", sub="42")])
+    assert r == [0, 1]
+
+    # can't fail anymore because github_login now used to look up the existing
+    # user
+    # with pytest.raises(Exception):
+    #     provision_user(port, [{
+    #         'name': "other@example.org",
+    #         'email': "x",
+    #         'github_login': "y",
+    #         'sub': "42"
+    #     }])
+
+    r = provision_user(port, [dict(GEORGE, active=False)])
+    assert r == [0, 1]
+    assert not env['res.users'].search([('login', '=', GEORGE['email'])])
+    assert env['res.partner'].search([('email', '=', GEORGE['email'])])
+
+def test_upgrade_partner(env, port):
+    # If a partner exists for a github login (and / or email?) it can be
+    # upgraded by creating a user for it
+    p = env['res.partner'].create({
+        'name': GEORGE['name'],
+        'email': GEORGE['email'],
+    })
+    r = provision_user(port, [GEORGE])
+    assert r == [1, 0]
+    assert p.user_ids.read(['email', 'github_login', 'oauth_uid']) == [{
+        'id': p.user_ids.id,
+        'github_login': GEORGE['github_login'],
+        'oauth_uid': GEORGE['sub'],
+        'email': GEORGE['email'],
+    }]
+
+    p.user_ids.unlink()
+    p.unlink()
+
+    p = env['res.partner'].create({
+        'name': GEORGE['name'],
+        'github_login': GEORGE['github_login'],
+    })
+    r = provision_user(port, [GEORGE])
+    assert r == [1, 0]
+    assert p.user_ids.read(['email', 'github_login', 'oauth_uid']) == [{
+        'id': p.user_ids.id,
+        'github_login': GEORGE['github_login'],
+        'oauth_uid': GEORGE['sub'],
+        'email': GEORGE['email'],
+    }]
+
+    p.user_ids.unlink()
+    p.unlink()
+
+def test_no_email(env, port):
+    """ Provisioning system should ignore email-less entries
+    """
+    r = provision_user(port, [{**GEORGE, 'email': None}])
+    assert r == [0, 0]
+
+def provision_user(port, users):
+    r = requests.post(f'http://localhost:{port}/runbot_merge/provision', json={
+        'jsonrpc': '2.0',
+        'id': None,
+        'method': 'call',
+        'params': {'users': users},
+    })
+    r.raise_for_status()
+    json = r.json()
+    assert 'error' not in json
+
+    return json['result']
diff --git a/runbot_merge/tests/test_status_overrides.py b/runbot_merge/tests/test_status_overrides.py
index 0350a239..9ffe7604 100644
--- a/runbot_merge/tests/test_status_overrides.py
+++ b/runbot_merge/tests/test_status_overrides.py
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ def test_basic(env, project, make_repo, users, setreviewers, config):
         (users['reviewer'], 'hansen r+'),
         seen(env, pr, users),
         (users['reviewer'], 'hansen override=l/int'),
-        (users['user'], "I'm sorry, @{}. You are not allowed to override this status.".format(users['reviewer'])),
+        (users['user'], "I'm sorry, @{}: you are not allowed to override this status.".format(users['reviewer'])),
         (users['other'], "hansen override=l/int"),
     ]
     assert pr_id.statuses == '{}'
diff --git a/runbot_merge/views/configuration.xml b/runbot_merge/views/configuration.xml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..70e8d710
--- /dev/null
+++ b/runbot_merge/views/configuration.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+<odoo>
+    <record id="action_overrides" model="ir.actions.act_window">
+        <field name="name">CI / statuses overrides</field>
+        <field name="res_model">res.partner.override</field>
+    </record>
+    <record id="tree_overrides" model="ir.ui.view">
+        <field name="name">Overrides List</field>
+        <field name="model">res.partner.override</field>
+        <field name="arch" type="xml">
+            <tree editable="bottom">
+                <field name="context"/>
+                <field name="repository_id"/>
+                <field name="partner_ids" widget="many2many_tags"/>
+            </tree>
+        </field>
+    </record>
+
+    <record id="action_review" model="ir.actions.act_window">
+        <field name="name">Review Rights</field>
+        <field name="res_model">res.partner.review</field>
+        <field name="context">{'search_default_group_by_repository': True}</field>
+    </record>
+    <record id="tree_review" model="ir.ui.view">
+        <field name="name">Review Rights</field>
+        <field name="model">res.partner.review</field>
+        <field name="arch" type="xml">
+            <tree editable="bottom">
+                <field name="repository_id"/>
+                <field name="partner_id"/>
+                <field name="review"/>
+                <field name="self_review"/>
+            </tree>
+        </field>
+    </record>
+
+    <menuitem name="Configuration" id="menu_configuration" parent="runbot_merge_menu"/>
+        <menuitem name="CI Overrides" id="menu_configuration_overrides"
+                  parent="menu_configuration"
+                  action="action_overrides"/>
+        <menuitem name="Review Rights" id="menu_configuration_review"
+                  parent="menu_configuration"
+                  action="action_review"/>
+</odoo>
diff --git a/runbot_merge/views/mergebot.xml b/runbot_merge/views/mergebot.xml
index f8922130..9cc3168b 100644
--- a/runbot_merge/views/mergebot.xml
+++ b/runbot_merge/views/mergebot.xml
@@ -77,6 +77,8 @@
                 <field name="number"/>
                 <field name="target"/>
                 <field name="state"/>
+                <field name="author"/>
+                <field name="reviewed_by"/>
             </tree>
         </field>
     </record>
@@ -97,10 +99,10 @@
                             <field name="target"/>
                             <field name="state"/>
                             <field name="author"/>
-                            <field name="priority"/>
                         </group>
                         <group>
                             <field name="label"/>
+                            <field name="priority"/>
                             <field name="squash"/>
                         </group>
                     </group>
@@ -108,6 +110,8 @@
                         <group colspan="4">
                             <field name="head"/>
                             <field name="statuses"/>
+                        </group>
+                        <group colspan="4">
                             <field name="overrides"/>
                         </group>
                     </group>
@@ -196,7 +200,8 @@
                     <group string="Batches">
                         <field name="batch_ids" colspan="4" nolabel="1">
                             <tree>
-                                <field name="prs"/>
+                                <field name="prs" widget="many2many_tags"
+                                       options="{'no_quick_create': True}"/>
                             </tree>
                         </field>
                     </group>
@@ -205,66 +210,33 @@
         </field>
     </record>
 
-    <record id="runbot_merge_action_fetches" model="ir.actions.act_window">
-        <field name="name">PRs to fetch</field>
-        <field name="res_model">runbot_merge.fetch_job</field>
-        <field name="view_mode">tree</field>
-        <field name="context">{'default_active': True}</field>
+    <record id="runbot_merge_action_commits" model="ir.actions.act_window">
+        <field name="name">Commit Statuses</field>
+        <field name="res_model">runbot_merge.commit</field>
+        <field name="view_mode">tree,form</field>
     </record>
-    <record id="runbot_merge_search_fetches" model="ir.ui.view">
-        <field name="name">Fetches Search</field>
-        <field name="model">runbot_merge.fetch_job</field>
-        <field name="arch" type="xml">
-            <search>
-                <filter string="Active" name="active"
-                        domain="[('active', '=', True)]"/>
-                <field name="repository"/>
-                <field name="number"/>
-            </search>
-        </field>
-    </record>
-    <record id="runbot_merge_tree_fetches" model="ir.ui.view">
-        <field name="name">Fetches Tree</field>
-        <field name="model">runbot_merge.fetch_job</field>
+    <record id="runbot_merge_commits_tree" model="ir.ui.view">
+        <field name="name">commits list</field>
+        <field name="model">runbot_merge.commit</field>
         <field name="arch" type="xml">
             <tree>
-                <field name="repository"/>
-                <field name="number"/>
-            </tree>
-        </field>
-    </record>
-
-    <record id="runbot_merge_action_overrides" model="ir.actions.act_window">
-        <field name="name">CI / statuses overrides</field>
-        <field name="res_model">res.partner.override</field>
-    </record>
-    <record id="runot_merge_tree_overrides" model="ir.ui.view">
-        <field name="name">Overrides List</field>
-        <field name="model">res.partner.override</field>
-        <field name="arch" type="xml">
-            <tree editable="bottom">
-                <field name="context"/>
-                <field name="repository_id"/>
-                <field name="partner_ids" widget="many2many_tags"/>
+                <field name="sha"/>
+                <field name="statuses"/>
             </tree>
         </field>
     </record>
 
     <menuitem name="Mergebot" id="runbot_merge_menu"/>
-    <menuitem name="Projects" id="runbot_merge_menu_project"
-              parent="runbot_merge_menu"
-              action="runbot_merge_action_projects"/>
-    <menuitem name="Pull Requests" id="runbot_merge_menu_prs"
-              parent="runbot_merge_menu"
-              action="runbot_merge_action_prs"/>
-    <menuitem name="Stagings" id="runbot_merge_menu_stagings"
-              parent="runbot_merge_menu"
-              action="runbot_merge_action_stagings"/>
-    <menuitem name="Fetches" id="runbot_merge_menu_fetches"
-              parent="runbot_merge_menu"
-              action="runbot_merge_action_fetches"/>
-    <menuitem name="Configuration" id="runbot_merge_menu_configuration" parent="runbot_merge_menu"/>
-    <menuitem name="CI Overrides" id="runbot_merge_menu_configuration_overrides"
-              parent="runbot_merge_menu"
-              action="runbot_merge_action_overrides"/>
+        <menuitem name="Projects" id="runbot_merge_menu_project"
+                  parent="runbot_merge_menu"
+                  action="runbot_merge_action_projects"/>
+        <menuitem name="Pull Requests" id="runbot_merge_menu_prs"
+                  parent="runbot_merge_menu"
+                  action="runbot_merge_action_prs"/>
+        <menuitem name="Stagings" id="runbot_merge_menu_stagings"
+                  parent="runbot_merge_menu"
+                  action="runbot_merge_action_stagings"/>
+        <menuitem name="Commits" id="runbot_merge_menu_commits"
+                  parent="runbot_merge_menu"
+                  action="runbot_merge_action_commits"/>
 </odoo>
diff --git a/runbot_merge/views/queues.xml b/runbot_merge/views/queues.xml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a72571f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/runbot_merge/views/queues.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+<odoo>
+    <!--
+    Queues mergebot menu: contains various list views inspecting the cron tasks
+    (mostly)
+    -->
+    <record id="action_splits" model="ir.actions.act_window">
+        <field name="name">Splits</field>
+        <field name="res_model">runbot_merge.split</field>
+    </record>
+    <record id="tree_splits" model="ir.ui.view">
+        <field name="name">Splits</field>
+        <field name="model">runbot_merge.split</field>
+        <field name="arch" type="xml">
+            <tree>
+                <field name="id"/>
+                <field name="target"/>
+            </tree>
+        </field>
+    </record>
+
+    <record id="action_feedback" model="ir.actions.act_window">
+        <field name="name">Feedback</field>
+        <field name="res_model">runbot_merge.pull_requests.feedback</field>
+    </record>
+    <record id="tree_feedback" model="ir.ui.view">
+        <field name="name">Feedback</field>
+        <field name="model">runbot_merge.pull_requests.feedback</field>
+        <field name="arch" type="xml">
+            <tree>
+                <field name="repository"/>
+                <field name="pull_request"/>
+                <field name="message"/>
+                <field name="close"/>
+            </tree>
+        </field>
+    </record>
+
+    <record id="action_tagging" model="ir.actions.act_window">
+        <field name="name">Tagging</field>
+        <field name="res_model">runbot_merge.pull_requests.tagging</field>
+    </record>
+    <record id="tree_tagging" model="ir.ui.view">
+        <field name="name">Tagging</field>
+        <field name="model">runbot_merge.pull_requests.tagging</field>
+        <field name="arch" type="xml">
+            <tree editable="bottom">
+                <field name="repository"/>
+                <field name="pull_request"/>
+                <field name="tags_add"/>
+                <field name="tags_remove"/>
+            </tree>
+        </field>
+    </record>
+
+    <record id="action_fetches" model="ir.actions.act_window">
+        <field name="name">PRs to fetch</field>
+        <field name="res_model">runbot_merge.fetch_job</field>
+        <field name="view_mode">tree</field>
+        <field name="context">{'default_active': True}</field>
+    </record>
+    <record id="search_fetches" model="ir.ui.view">
+        <field name="name">Fetches Search</field>
+        <field name="model">runbot_merge.fetch_job</field>
+        <field name="arch" type="xml">
+            <search>
+                <filter string="Active" name="active"
+                        domain="[('active', '=', True)]"/>
+                <field name="repository"/>
+                <field name="number"/>
+            </search>
+        </field>
+    </record>
+    <record id="tree_fetches" model="ir.ui.view">
+        <field name="name">Fetches Tree</field>
+        <field name="model">runbot_merge.fetch_job</field>
+        <field name="arch" type="xml">
+            <tree>
+                <field name="repository"/>
+                <field name="number"/>
+            </tree>
+        </field>
+    </record>
+
+    <menuitem name="Queues" id="menu_queues" parent="runbot_merge_menu"/>
+        <menuitem name="Splits" id="menu_queues_splits"
+                  parent="menu_queues"
+                  action="action_splits"/>
+        <menuitem name="Feedback" id="menu_queues_feedback"
+                  parent="menu_queues"
+                  action="action_feedback"/>
+        <menuitem name="Tagging" id="menu_queues_tagging"
+                  parent="menu_queues"
+                  action="action_tagging"/>
+        <menuitem name="Fetches" id="menu_fetches"
+                  parent="menu_queues"
+                  action="action_fetches"/>
+</odoo>
diff --git a/runbot_merge/views/res_partner.xml b/runbot_merge/views/res_partner.xml
index 51756f30..fde5f7e1 100644
--- a/runbot_merge/views/res_partner.xml
+++ b/runbot_merge/views/res_partner.xml
@@ -70,7 +70,14 @@
                     </group>
                     <group>
                         <group colspan="4" string="Delegate On">
-                            <field name="delegate_reviewer" nolabel="1"/>
+                            <field name="delegate_reviewer" nolabel="1">
+                                <tree>
+                                    <field name="repository"/>
+                                    <field name="number"/>
+                                    <field name="target"/>
+                                    <field name="state"/>
+                                </tree>
+                            </field>
                         </group>
                     </group>
                 </page>
diff --git a/runbot_merge/views/templates.xml b/runbot_merge/views/templates.xml
index c3fcbac4..0e455f2e 100644
--- a/runbot_merge/views/templates.xml
+++ b/runbot_merge/views/templates.xml
@@ -10,22 +10,73 @@
         </xpath>
     </template>
 
+    <template id="link-pr" name="create a link to `pr`">
+        <t t-set="title">
+            <t t-if="pr.repository.group_id &lt;= env.user.groups_id">
+                <t t-esc="pr.message.split('\n')[0]"/>
+            </t>
+        </t>
+        <a t-attf-href="https://github.com/{{ pr.repository.name }}/pull/{{ pr.number }}"
+           t-att-title="pr.blocked or title.strip()"
+           t-att-target="target or None"
+        ><t t-esc="pr.display_name"/></a>
+    </template>
+
+    <template id="staging-statuses" name="dropdown statuses list of stagings">
+        <div class="dropdown" t-if="staging.heads">
+            <button class="btn btn-link dropdown-toggle"
+                    type="button"
+                    data-toggle="dropdown"
+                    aria-haspopup="true"
+                    aria-expanded="true"
+                    t-attf-title="Staged at {{staging.staged_at}}Z"
+            >
+                <t t-raw="0"/>
+                <span class="caret"></span>
+            </button>
+            <ul class="dropdown-menu staging-statuses">
+                <li groups="runbot_merge.group_admin">
+                    <a t-attf-href="/web#id={{staging.id}}&amp;view_type=form&amp;model=runbot_merge.stagings"
+                       target="new">
+                        Open Staging
+                    </a>
+                </li>
+                <t t-set="statuses" t-value="{(r, c): (s, t) for r, c, s, t in staging.statuses}"/>
+                <t t-foreach="repo_statuses._for_staging(staging)" t-as="req">
+                    <t t-set="st" t-value="statuses.get((req.repo_id.name, req.context)) or (None, None)"/>
+                    <li t-att-class="
+                            'bg-success' if st[0] == 'success'
+                       else 'bg-danger' if st[0] in ('error', 'failure')
+                       else 'bg-info' if st[0]
+                       else 'bg-light'"
+                    ><a t-att-href="st[1]" target="new">
+                        <t t-esc="req.repo_id.name"/>: <t t-esc="req.context"/>
+                    </a></li>
+                </t>
+            </ul>
+        </div>
+    </template>
+
+    <template id="alerts">
+        <div id="alerts" class="row text-center">
+            <div class="alert alert-light col-md-12 h6 mb-0">
+                <a href="/runbot_merge/changelog">Changelog</a>
+            </div>
+            <t t-set="stagingcron" t-value="env(user=1).ref('runbot_merge.staging_cron')"/>
+            <div t-if="not stagingcron.active" class="alert alert-warning col-12 mb-0" role="alert">
+                Staging is disabled, "ready" pull requests will not be staged.
+            </div>
+            <t t-set="mergecron" t-value="env(user=1).ref('runbot_merge.merge_cron')"/>
+            <div t-if="not mergecron.active" class="alert alert-warning col-12 mb-0" role="alert">
+                Merging is disabled, stagings will not be integrated.
+            </div>
+        </div>
+    </template>
+
     <template id="dashboard" name="mergebot dashboard">
         <t t-call="website.layout">
             <div id="wrap"><div class="container-fluid">
-                <div id="alerts" class="row text-center">
-                    <div class="alert alert-light col-md-12 h6 mb-0">
-                        <a href="/runbot_merge/changelog">Changelog</a>
-                    </div>
-                    <t t-set="stagingcron" t-value="env(user=1).ref('runbot_merge.staging_cron')"/>
-                    <div t-if="not stagingcron.active" class="alert alert-warning col-12 mb-0" role="alert">
-                        Staging is disabled, "ready" pull requests will not be staged.
-                    </div>
-                    <t t-set="mergecron" t-value="env(user=1).ref('runbot_merge.merge_cron')"/>
-                    <div t-if="not mergecron.active" class="alert alert-warning col-12 mb-0" role="alert">
-                        Merging is disabled, stagings will not be disabled.
-                    </div>
-                </div>
+                <t t-call="runbot_merge.alerts"/>
                 <section t-foreach="projects.with_context(active_test=False)" t-as="project" class="row">
                     <h1 class="col-md-12"><t t-esc="project.name"/></h1>
                     <div class="col-md-12">
@@ -63,10 +114,7 @@
                                 <li t-foreach="splits" t-as="split">
                                     <ul class="pr-listing list-inline list-unstyled mb0">
                                         <li t-foreach="split.mapped('batch_ids.prs')" t-as="pr">
-                                            <a t-attf-href="https://github.com/{{ pr.repository.name }}/pull/{{ pr.number }}"
-                                               t-att-title="pr.message.split('\n')[0]">
-                                                <t t-esc="pr.repository.name"/>#<t t-esc="pr.number"/>
-                                            </a>
+                                            <t t-call="runbot_merge.link-pr"/>
                                         </li>
                                     </ul>
                                 </li>
@@ -76,10 +124,7 @@
                             <h5>Awaiting</h5>
                             <ul class="list-inline">
                                 <li t-foreach="ready" t-as="pr">
-                                    <a t-attf-href="https://github.com/{{ pr.repository.name }}/pull/{{ pr.number }}"
-                                       t-att-title="pr.message.split('\n')[0]">
-                                        <t t-esc="pr.repository.name"/>#<t t-esc="pr.number"/>
-                                    </a>
+                                    <t t-call="runbot_merge.link-pr"/>
                                 </li>
                             </ul>
                         </div>
@@ -87,10 +132,7 @@
                             <h5>Blocked</h5>
                             <ul class="list-inline">
                                 <li t-foreach="blocked" t-as="pr">
-                                    <a t-attf-href="https://github.com/{{ pr.repository.name }}/pull/{{ pr.number }}"
-                                       t-att-title="pr.blocked">
-                                        <t t-esc="pr.repository.name"/>#<t t-esc="pr.number"/>
-                                    </a>
+                                    <t t-call="runbot_merge.link-pr"/>
                                 </li>
                             </ul>
                         </div>
@@ -105,10 +147,7 @@
                             <h5>Failed</h5>
                             <ul class="list-inline">
                                 <li t-foreach="failed" t-as="pr">
-                                    <a t-attf-href="https://github.com/{{ pr.repository.name }}/pull/{{ pr.number }}"
-                                       t-att-title="pr.message.split('\n')[0]">
-                                        <t t-esc="pr.repository.name"/>#<t t-esc="pr.number"/>
-                                    </a>
+                                    <t t-call="runbot_merge.link-pr"/>
                                 </li>
                             </ul>
                         </div>
@@ -135,49 +174,24 @@
                     <t t-if="staging_index >= 4">visible-lg-block</t>
                 </t>
                 <t t-set="title">
-                    <t t-if="staging.state == 'canceled'">Cancelled: <t t-esc="staging.reason"/></t>
-                    <t t-if="staging.state == 'ff_failed'">Fast Forward Failed</t>
-                    <t t-if="staging.state not in ('canceled', 'ff_failed')"><t t-esc="staging.reason"/></t>
+                    <t t-if="staging.state == 'ff_failed'">fast forward failed (<t t-esc="staging.reason"/>)</t>
+                    <t t-if="staging.state == 'pending'">last status</t>
                 </t>
-                <li t-attf-class="staging {{stateclass.strip()}} {{decorationclass.strip()}}" t-att-title="title.strip() or None">
+                <!-- separate concatenation to avoid having line-break in title as some browsers trigger it -->
+                <!-- write-date may have microsecond precision, strip that information -->
+                <!-- use write-date under assumption that a staging is last modified when it ends -->
+                <t t-set="title"><t t-esc="title.strip() or staging.reason"/> at <t t-esc="staging.write_date.replace(microsecond=0)"/>Z</t>
+                <li t-attf-class="staging {{stateclass.strip()}} {{decorationclass.strip()}}" t-att-title="title">
                     <ul class="list-unstyled">
                         <li t-foreach="staging.batch_ids" t-as="batch" class="batch">
                             <t t-esc="batch.prs[:1].label"/>
                             <t t-foreach="batch.prs" t-as="pr">
-                                <a t-attf-href="https://github.com/{{ pr.repository.name }}/pull/{{ pr.number }}"
-                                   t-att-title="pr.message.split('\n')[0]"><t t-esc="pr.repository.name"/>#<t t-esc="pr.number"/></a>
+                                <t t-call="runbot_merge.link-pr"/>
                             </t>
                         </li>
                     </ul>
-                    <t t-if="staging.heads">
-                        <div class="dropdown">
-                            <button class="btn btn-link dropdown-toggle" type="button" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="true"
-                                    t-attf-title="{{staging.staged_at}}Z">
-                                Staged <span t-field="staging.staged_at" t-options="{'widget': 'relative'}"/>
-                                <span class="caret"></span>
-                            </button>
-                            <ul class="dropdown-menu">
-                                <li groups="runbot_merge.group_admin">
-                                    <a t-attf-href="/web#id={{staging.id}}&amp;view_type=form&amp;model=runbot_merge.stagings" target="new">
-                                        Open Staging
-                                    </a>
-                                </li>
-
-                                <t t-set="statuses" t-value="{(r, c): (s, t) for r, c, s, t in staging.statuses}"/>
-                                <t t-foreach="repo_statuses._for_staging(staging)" t-as="req">
-                                    <t t-set="st" t-value="statuses.get((req.repo_id.name, req.context)) or ('pending', None)"/>
-                                    <li t-att-class="
-                                            'bg-success' if st[0] == 'success'
-                                       else 'bg-danger' if st[0] in ('error', 'failure')
-                                       else 'bg-info'"
-                                    >
-                                        <a t-att-href="st[1]" target="new">
-                                            <t t-esc="req.repo_id.name"/>: <t t-esc="req.context"/>
-                                        </a>
-                                    </li>
-                                </t>
-                            </ul>
-                        </div>
+                    <t t-call="runbot_merge.staging-statuses">
+                        Staged <span t-field="staging.staged_at" t-options="{'widget': 'relative'}"/>
                     </t>
                 </li>
             </t>
@@ -224,68 +238,32 @@
                                     <span t-field="staging.staged_at"
                                           t-options="{'format': 'yyyy-MM-dd\'T\'HH:mm:ssZ'}"/>
                                 </t>
-                                <div class="dropdown" t-if="staging.heads">
-                                    <button class="btn btn-link dropdown-toggle"
-                                            type="button"
-                                            data-toggle="dropdown"
-                                            aria-haspopup="true"
-                                            aria-expanded="true">
-                                        <span t-field="staging.staged_at"
-                                              t-options="{'format': 'yyyy-MM-dd\'T\'HH:mm:ssZ'}"/>
-                                        <span class="caret"></span>
-                                    </button>
-                                    <ul class="dropdown-menu">
-                                        <li groups="runbot_merge.group_admin">
-                                            <a t-attf-href="/web#id={{staging.id}}&amp;view_type=form&amp;model=runbot_merge.stagings"
-                                               target="new">
-                                                Open Staging
-                                            </a>
-                                        </li>
-                                        <t t-set="statuses" t-value="{(r, c): (s, t) for r, c, s, t in staging.statuses}"/>
-                                        <t t-foreach="repo_statuses._for_staging(staging)" t-as="req">
-                                            <t t-set="st" t-value="statuses.get((req.repo_id.name, req.context)) or ('pending', None)"/>
-                                            <li t-att-class="
-                                                    'bg-success' if st[0] == 'success'
-                                               else 'bg-danger' if st[0] in ('error', 'failure')
-                                               else 'bg-info'"
-                                            >
-                                                <a t-att-href="st[1]"
-                                                   target="new">
-                                                    <t t-esc="req.repo_id.name"/>:
-                                                    <t t-esc="req.context"/>
-                                                </a>
-                                            </li>
-                                        </t>
-                                    </ul>
-                                </div>
+                                <t t-call="runbot_merge.staging-statuses">
+                                    <span t-field="staging.staged_at"
+                                          t-options="{'format': 'yyyy-MM-dd\'T\'HH:mm:ssZ'}"/>
+                                </t>
                             </th>
                             <td>
                                 <ul class="list-inline list-unstyled mb0">
                                     <t t-foreach="staging.batch_ids"
                                        t-as="batch">
                                         <t t-set="first_pr"
-                                           t-value="batch.prs[-1]"/>
-                                        <li class="dropdown">
+                                           t-value="batch.prs[-1:]"/>
+                                        <li class="dropdown" t-if="first_pr">
                                             <button class="btn btn-link dropdown-toggle"
                                                     type="button"
                                                     data-toggle="dropdown"
                                                     aria-haspopup="true"
                                                     aria-expanded="true"
-                                                    t-att-title="first_pr.message.split('\n')[0]"
                                             >
                                                 <t t-esc="first_pr.label"/>
                                                 <span class="caret"></span>
                                             </button>
                                             <ul class="dropdown-menu">
-                                                <li t-foreach="batch.prs"
-                                                    t-as="pr">
-                                                    <a t-attf-href="https://github.com/{{ pr.repository.name }}/pull/{{ pr.number }}"
-                                                       t-att-title="pr.message.split('\n')[0]"
-                                                       target="new">
-                                                        <t t-esc="pr.repository.name"/>
-                                                        #
-                                                        <t t-esc="pr.number"/>
-                                                    </a>
+                                                <li t-foreach="batch.prs" t-as="pr">
+                                                    <t t-call="runbot_merge.link-pr">
+                                                        <t t-set="target">new</t>
+                                                    </t>
                                                 </li>
                                             </ul>
                                         </li>
@@ -411,12 +389,13 @@
     <template id="view_pull_request">
         <t t-call="website.layout">
             <div id="wrap"><div class="container-fluid">
+                <t t-call="runbot_merge.alerts"/>
                 <h1>
-                <a t-att-href="pr.github_url" t-field="pr.display_name">
-                </a>
-                <a t-attf-href="/web#view_type=form&amp;model=runbot_merge.pull_requests&amp;id={{pr.id}}"
-                    class="btn btn-sm btn-secondary align-top float-right"
-                    groups="base.group_user">View in backend</a>
+                    <a t-att-href="pr.github_url" t-field="pr.display_name">
+                    </a>
+                    <a t-attf-href="/web#view_type=form&amp;model=runbot_merge.pull_requests&amp;id={{pr.id}}"
+                        class="btn btn-sm btn-secondary align-top float-right"
+                        groups="base.group_user">View in backend</a>
                 </h1>
                 <h6>Created by <span t-field="pr.author.display_name"/></h6>
                 <t t-set="tmpl">
@@ -425,11 +404,14 @@
                     <t t-else="">open</t>
                 </t>
                 <t t-call="runbot_merge.view_pull_request_info_{{tmpl.strip()}}"/>
+                <t t-set="target_cls" t-value="None if pr.target.active else 'text-muted bg-warning'"/>
                 <dl class="runbot-merge-fields">
                     <dt>label</dt>
                     <dd><span t-field="pr.label"/></dd>
                     <dt>head</dt>
                     <dd><a t-attf-href="{{pr.github_url}}/commits/{{pr.head}}"><span t-field="pr.head"/></a></dd>
+                    <dt t-att-class="target_cls">target</dt>
+                    <dd t-att-class="target_cls"><span t-field="pr.target"/></dd>
                 </dl>
                 <p t-field="pr.message"/>
             </div></div>