diff --git a/src/api/orbit.ts b/src/api/orbit.ts
index 45eb3079..f98612ec 100644
--- a/src/api/orbit.ts
+++ b/src/api/orbit.ts
@@ -106,14 +106,6 @@ export interface OrbitState {
    * before they reach the approval list. Symmetric — host can re-enable.
    */
   suggestionBlocked?: string[];
-  /**
-   * Authoritative count of suggestions actually waiting on host action right
-   * now (`state.queue` minus host-authored, merged, declined). The host
-   * rewrites it every tick — guests can't compute it themselves because the
-   * merged/declined sets live in the host's local store. Older clients that
-   * don't write the field fall back to a `state.queue` count in the UI.
-   */
-  pendingApprovalCount?: number;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -135,13 +127,6 @@ export interface OrbitSettings {
    * field fall back to 15 via `effectiveShuffleIntervalMs`.
    */
   shuffleIntervalMin?: OrbitShuffleIntervalMin;
-  /**
-   * Cap on simultaneously-pending guest suggestions. 0 = unlimited.
-   * When the cap is reached, the host's outbox sweep drops new suggestions
-   * until existing ones are approved or declined; the guest UI surfaces
-   * the count so users know to wait.
-   */
-  maxPending?: number;
 }
 
 export const ORBIT_DEFAULT_SETTINGS: OrbitSettings = {
@@ -149,8 +134,6 @@ export const ORBIT_DEFAULT_SETTINGS: OrbitSettings = {
   autoApprove: false,
   autoShuffle: true,
   shuffleIntervalMin: 15,
-  // 0 = unlimited; host opts in via the session-settings popover.
-  maxPending: 0,
 };
 
 /** What the guest's outbox-playlist comment holds (heartbeat only, for now). */
diff --git a/src/components/ContextMenu.tsx b/src/components/ContextMenu.tsx
index a8aae593..af6cf655 100644
--- a/src/components/ContextMenu.tsx
+++ b/src/components/ContextMenu.tsx
@@ -1452,27 +1452,18 @@ export default function ContextMenu() {
                 <ListPlus size={14} /> {t('contextMenu.addToQueue')}
               </div>
               {orbitRole === 'guest' && (() => {
-                const gate = evaluateOrbitSuggestGate();
-                const muted = gate.reason === 'muted';
-                const capReached = gate.reason === 'cap-reached';
-                const disabled = muted || capReached;
-                const tooltip = muted
-                  ? t('orbit.suggestBlockedMuted')
-                  : capReached ? t('orbit.suggestBlockedCap') : '';
+                const muted = evaluateOrbitSuggestGate().reason === 'muted';
                 return (
                   <div
-                    className={`context-menu-item${disabled ? ' is-disabled' : ''}`}
-                    {...(disabled ? { 'data-tooltip': tooltip } : {})}
+                    className={`context-menu-item${muted ? ' is-disabled' : ''}`}
+                    {...(muted ? { 'data-tooltip': t('orbit.suggestBlockedMuted') } : {})}
                     onClick={() => handleAction(() => {
-                      if (muted)      { showToast(t('orbit.suggestBlockedMuted'), 3500, 'error'); return; }
-                      if (capReached) { showToast(t('orbit.suggestBlockedCap'),   3500, 'info');  return; }
+                      if (muted) { showToast(t('orbit.suggestBlockedMuted'), 3500, 'error'); return; }
                       suggestOrbitTrack(song.id)
                         .then(() => showToast(t('orbit.ctxSuggestedToast'), 2200, 'info'))
                         .catch(err => {
                           if (err instanceof OrbitSuggestBlockedError && err.reason === 'muted') {
                             showToast(t('orbit.suggestBlockedMuted'), 3500, 'error');
-                          } else if (err instanceof OrbitSuggestBlockedError && err.reason === 'cap-reached') {
-                            showToast(t('orbit.suggestBlockedCap'), 3500, 'info');
                           } else {
                             showToast(t('orbit.ctxSuggestFailed'), 3000, 'error');
                           }
@@ -1625,27 +1616,18 @@ export default function ContextMenu() {
                 <ListPlus size={14} /> {t('contextMenu.addToQueue')}
               </div>
               {orbitRole === 'guest' && (() => {
-                const gate = evaluateOrbitSuggestGate();
-                const muted = gate.reason === 'muted';
-                const capReached = gate.reason === 'cap-reached';
-                const disabled = muted || capReached;
-                const tooltip = muted
-                  ? t('orbit.suggestBlockedMuted')
-                  : capReached ? t('orbit.suggestBlockedCap') : '';
+                const muted = evaluateOrbitSuggestGate().reason === 'muted';
                 return (
                   <div
-                    className={`context-menu-item${disabled ? ' is-disabled' : ''}`}
-                    {...(disabled ? { 'data-tooltip': tooltip } : {})}
+                    className={`context-menu-item${muted ? ' is-disabled' : ''}`}
+                    {...(muted ? { 'data-tooltip': t('orbit.suggestBlockedMuted') } : {})}
                     onClick={() => handleAction(() => {
-                      if (muted)      { showToast(t('orbit.suggestBlockedMuted'), 3500, 'error'); return; }
-                      if (capReached) { showToast(t('orbit.suggestBlockedCap'),   3500, 'info');  return; }
+                      if (muted) { showToast(t('orbit.suggestBlockedMuted'), 3500, 'error'); return; }
                       suggestOrbitTrack(song.id)
                         .then(() => showToast(t('orbit.ctxSuggestedToast'), 2200, 'info'))
                         .catch(err => {
                           if (err instanceof OrbitSuggestBlockedError && err.reason === 'muted') {
                             showToast(t('orbit.suggestBlockedMuted'), 3500, 'error');
-                          } else if (err instanceof OrbitSuggestBlockedError && err.reason === 'cap-reached') {
-                            showToast(t('orbit.suggestBlockedCap'), 3500, 'info');
                           } else {
                             showToast(t('orbit.ctxSuggestFailed'), 3000, 'error');
                           }
diff --git a/src/components/OrbitQueueHead.tsx b/src/components/OrbitQueueHead.tsx
index 2229832c..da8f6a85 100644
--- a/src/components/OrbitQueueHead.tsx
+++ b/src/components/OrbitQueueHead.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
-import { Users, Wifi, WifiOff, Inbox } from 'lucide-react';
+import { Users, Wifi, WifiOff } from 'lucide-react';
 import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
 import { useOrbitStore } from '../store/orbitStore';
 import type { OrbitState } from '../api/orbit';
@@ -36,15 +36,6 @@ export default function OrbitQueueHead({ state }: Props) {
   const names = [state.host, ...state.participants.map(p => p.user)];
   const showPresence = role === 'guest' && state.positionAt > 0;
   const hostAway = showPresence && (nowMs - state.positionAt) > HOST_AWAY_THRESHOLD_MS;
-  const cap = state.settings?.maxPending ?? 0;
-  // Authoritative count comes from the host's own tick (state.pendingApprovalCount).
-  // Older clients that predate that field fall back to the raw queue length
-  // — that one over-counts because merged/declined items stay in state.queue
-  // as history, but it's the best a non-host client can do.
-  const pendingCount = cap > 0
-    ? (state.pendingApprovalCount
-      ?? state.queue.filter(q => q.addedBy !== state.host).length)
-    : 0;
 
   return (
     <div className="orbit-queue-head">
@@ -63,15 +54,6 @@ export default function OrbitQueueHead({ state }: Props) {
       <div className="orbit-queue-head__meta">
         <Users size={11} />
         <span className="orbit-queue-head__names">{names.join(', ')}</span>
-        {cap > 0 && (
-          <span
-            className={`orbit-queue-head__pending${pendingCount >= cap ? ' is-full' : ''}`}
-            data-tooltip={t('orbit.pendingCounterTooltip')}
-          >
-            <Inbox size={11} />
-            <span>{t('orbit.pendingCounter', { count: pendingCount, max: cap })}</span>
-          </span>
-        )}
       </div>
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/src/components/OrbitSettingsPopover.tsx b/src/components/OrbitSettingsPopover.tsx
index 9f00f321..2070052f 100644
--- a/src/components/OrbitSettingsPopover.tsx
+++ b/src/components/OrbitSettingsPopover.tsx
@@ -82,27 +82,6 @@ export default function OrbitSettingsPopover({ anchorRef, onClose }: Props) {
         </span>
       </label>
 
-      <label className="orbit-settings-pop__row">
-        <div className="orbit-settings-pop__text">
-          <div className="orbit-settings-pop__label">{t('orbit.settingMaxPending')}</div>
-          <div className="orbit-settings-pop__hint">{t('orbit.settingMaxPendingHint')}</div>
-        </div>
-        <input
-          type="number"
-          min={0}
-          max={999}
-          step={1}
-          value={settings.maxPending ?? 0}
-          onChange={e => {
-            const raw = parseInt(e.target.value, 10);
-            const next = Number.isFinite(raw) && raw >= 0 ? Math.min(raw, 999) : 0;
-            void updateOrbitSettings({ maxPending: next });
-          }}
-          className="orbit-settings-pop__number"
-          aria-label={t('orbit.settingMaxPending')}
-        />
-      </label>
-
       <div className="orbit-settings-pop__row orbit-settings-pop__row--stacked">
         <div className="orbit-settings-pop__text">
           <div className="orbit-settings-pop__label">{t('orbit.settingShuffleInterval')}</div>
diff --git a/src/hooks/useOrbitHost.ts b/src/hooks/useOrbitHost.ts
index 5a97a613..4a2c0daa 100644
--- a/src/hooks/useOrbitHost.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/useOrbitHost.ts
@@ -87,12 +87,7 @@ export function useOrbitHost(): void {
       let afterSweep = base;
       try {
         const snaps = await sweepGuestOutboxes(base.sid, base.host);
-        // Hand the cap-check the host's local merged/declined sets so it can
-        // tell which `state.queue` items are still actually awaiting approval.
-        afterSweep = applyOutboxSnapshotsToState(base, snaps, Date.now(), {
-          mergedKeys: new Set(store.mergedSuggestionKeys),
-          declinedKeys: new Set(store.declinedSuggestionKeys),
-        });
+        afterSweep = applyOutboxSnapshotsToState(base, snaps);
       } catch { /* best-effort; keep old participants and queue */ }
 
       // 2) Merge newly-suggested items into the host's local play queue so
@@ -130,24 +125,11 @@ export function useOrbitHost(): void {
         trackId: t.id,
         addedBy: suggesterByTrack.get(t.id) ?? base.host,
       }));
-      // Authoritative pending count — same predicate the approval list uses
-      // (state.queue minus host-authored, minus merged, minus declined). We
-      // recompute fresh each tick from the *current* store sets so an approve
-      // / decline that happened mid-sweep is reflected on the very next push.
-      const mergedNow = new Set(useOrbitStore.getState().mergedSuggestionKeys);
-      const declinedNow = new Set(useOrbitStore.getState().declinedSuggestionKeys);
-      const pendingApprovalCount = afterShuffle.queue.filter(q =>
-        q.addedBy !== afterShuffle.host
-        && !mergedNow.has(suggestionKey(q))
-        && !declinedNow.has(suggestionKey(q))
-      ).length;
-
       const next: OrbitState = {
         ...afterShuffle,
         ...snapshotPlayerPatch(base.host),
         playQueue,
         playQueueTotal: upcoming.length,
-        pendingApprovalCount,
       };
 
       // 5) Commit locally + push remote.
diff --git a/src/hooks/useOrbitSongRowBehavior.ts b/src/hooks/useOrbitSongRowBehavior.ts
index df6cb26a..c439feb1 100644
--- a/src/hooks/useOrbitSongRowBehavior.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/useOrbitSongRowBehavior.ts
@@ -53,17 +53,11 @@ export function useOrbitSongRowBehavior() {
         showToast(t('orbit.suggestBlockedMuted'), 3500, 'error');
         return;
       }
-      if (!gate.allowed && gate.reason === 'cap-reached') {
-        showToast(t('orbit.suggestBlockedCap'), 3500, 'info');
-        return;
-      }
       suggestOrbitTrack(songId)
         .then(() => showToast(t('orbit.ctxSuggestedToast'), 2200, 'info'))
         .catch(err => {
           if (err instanceof OrbitSuggestBlockedError && err.reason === 'muted') {
             showToast(t('orbit.suggestBlockedMuted'), 3500, 'error');
-          } else if (err instanceof OrbitSuggestBlockedError && err.reason === 'cap-reached') {
-            showToast(t('orbit.suggestBlockedCap'), 3500, 'info');
           } else {
             showToast(t('orbit.ctxSuggestFailed'), 3000, 'error');
           }
diff --git a/src/locales/de.ts b/src/locales/de.ts
index 368c2e4b..075e22dc 100644
--- a/src/locales/de.ts
+++ b/src/locales/de.ts
@@ -1609,12 +1609,7 @@ export const deTranslation = {
     settingAutoShuffleHint: 'Periodischer Fisher-Yates-Shuffle der kommenden Warteschlange. Aus: Reihenfolge wird nur verändert, wenn du selbst sortierst.',
     settingShuffleInterval: 'Alle',
     settingShuffleIntervalHint: 'Wie oft die kommende Warteschlange während der Session neu gemischt wird.',
-    settingMaxPending: 'Max offene Vorschläge',
-    settingMaxPendingHint: 'Begrenzt, wie viele Gast-Vorschläge gleichzeitig auf Bestätigung warten dürfen. 0 = unbegrenzt.',
-    pendingCounter: '{{count}} / {{max}} offen',
-    pendingCounterTooltip: 'Wartende Gast-Vorschläge / Limit',
     suggestBlockedMuted: 'Der Host hat dich für diese Session gesperrt — keine Vorschläge möglich.',
-    suggestBlockedCap: 'Approval-Liste ist voll — warte bis der Host welche durchwinkt.',
     settingShuffleIntervalValue_one: '{{count}} Min.',
     settingShuffleIntervalValue_other: '{{count}} Min.',
     settingShuffleNow: 'Jetzt mischen',
diff --git a/src/locales/en.ts b/src/locales/en.ts
index 3fb4a6f5..04ea2f07 100644
--- a/src/locales/en.ts
+++ b/src/locales/en.ts
@@ -1613,12 +1613,7 @@ export const enTranslation = {
     settingAutoShuffleHint: "Periodic Fisher–Yates shuffle of the upcoming queue. Off: order only changes when you rearrange it.",
     settingShuffleInterval: 'Reshuffle every',
     settingShuffleIntervalHint: 'How often the upcoming queue gets reshuffled while the session runs.',
-    settingMaxPending: 'Max pending suggestions',
-    settingMaxPendingHint: 'Cap on how many guest suggestions can wait for approval. 0 = unlimited.',
-    pendingCounter: '{{count}} / {{max}} pending',
-    pendingCounterTooltip: 'Pending guest suggestions / cap',
     suggestBlockedMuted: 'The host muted you for this session — suggestions are off.',
-    suggestBlockedCap: 'Approval queue is full — wait for the host to clear some.',
     settingShuffleIntervalValue_one: '{{count}} min',
     settingShuffleIntervalValue_other: '{{count}} min',
     settingShuffleNow: 'Shuffle now',
diff --git a/src/locales/es.ts b/src/locales/es.ts
index 02a0dda9..9f64eb61 100644
--- a/src/locales/es.ts
+++ b/src/locales/es.ts
@@ -1596,12 +1596,7 @@ export const esTranslation = {
     settingAutoShuffleHint: 'Mezclado Fisher-Yates periódico de la cola próxima. Desactivado: el orden solo cambia cuando lo reorganizas.',
     settingShuffleInterval: 'Remezclar cada',
     settingShuffleIntervalHint: 'Con qué frecuencia se remezcla la cola próxima durante la sesión.',
-    settingMaxPending: 'Máx. sugerencias pendientes',
-    settingMaxPendingHint: 'Límite de sugerencias de invitados que pueden esperar aprobación a la vez. 0 = ilimitado.',
-    pendingCounter: '{{count}} / {{max}} pendientes',
-    pendingCounterTooltip: 'Sugerencias de invitados pendientes / límite',
     suggestBlockedMuted: 'El anfitrión te silenció en esta sesión — sugerencias desactivadas.',
-    suggestBlockedCap: 'La cola de aprobación está llena — espera a que el anfitrión despeje algunas.',
     settingShuffleIntervalValue_one: '{{count}} min',
     settingShuffleIntervalValue_other: '{{count}} min',
     settingShuffleNow: 'Mezclar ahora',
diff --git a/src/locales/fr.ts b/src/locales/fr.ts
index 931bbd0d..301c2d8c 100644
--- a/src/locales/fr.ts
+++ b/src/locales/fr.ts
@@ -1591,12 +1591,7 @@ export const frTranslation = {
     settingAutoShuffleHint: 'Mélange Fisher-Yates périodique de la file à venir. Désactivé : l\'ordre ne change que lorsque tu le réorganises.',
     settingShuffleInterval: 'Remélanger toutes les',
     settingShuffleIntervalHint: 'Fréquence de remélange de la file pendant la session.',
-    settingMaxPending: 'Max suggestions en attente',
-    settingMaxPendingHint: 'Limite le nombre de suggestions invitées qui attendent ton approbation. 0 = illimité.',
-    pendingCounter: '{{count}} / {{max}} en attente',
-    pendingCounterTooltip: 'Suggestions invitées en attente / limite',
     suggestBlockedMuted: 'L\'hôte t\'a coupé le micro pour cette session — suggestions désactivées.',
-    suggestBlockedCap: 'La file d\'approbation est pleine — attends que l\'hôte en traite.',
     settingShuffleIntervalValue_one: '{{count}} min',
     settingShuffleIntervalValue_other: '{{count}} min',
     settingShuffleNow: 'Mélanger maintenant',
diff --git a/src/locales/nb.ts b/src/locales/nb.ts
index 47911b5a..961d2316 100644
--- a/src/locales/nb.ts
+++ b/src/locales/nb.ts
@@ -1590,12 +1590,7 @@ export const nbTranslation = {
     settingAutoShuffleHint: 'Periodisk Fisher-Yates-stokking av kommende kø. Av: rekkefølgen endres bare når du omorganiserer den.',
     settingShuffleInterval: 'Stokk på nytt hver',
     settingShuffleIntervalHint: 'Hvor ofte kommende kø stokkes på nytt mens økten kjører.',
-    settingMaxPending: 'Maks ventende forslag',
-    settingMaxPendingHint: 'Hvor mange gjesteforslag som samtidig kan vente på godkjenning. 0 = ubegrenset.',
-    pendingCounter: '{{count}} / {{max}} venter',
-    pendingCounterTooltip: 'Ventende gjesteforslag / grense',
     suggestBlockedMuted: 'Verten har blokkert deg for denne økten — forslag er av.',
-    suggestBlockedCap: 'Godkjenningskøen er full — vent til verten tar unna noen.',
     settingShuffleIntervalValue_one: '{{count}} min',
     settingShuffleIntervalValue_other: '{{count}} min',
     settingShuffleNow: 'Stokk nå',
diff --git a/src/locales/nl.ts b/src/locales/nl.ts
index 76686010..ef394551 100644
--- a/src/locales/nl.ts
+++ b/src/locales/nl.ts
@@ -1590,12 +1590,7 @@ export const nlTranslation = {
     settingAutoShuffleHint: 'Periodieke Fisher-Yates-shuffle van de komende wachtrij. Uit: de volgorde verandert alleen wanneer je zelf herschikt.',
     settingShuffleInterval: 'Opnieuw shufflen elke',
     settingShuffleIntervalHint: 'Hoe vaak de komende wachtrij tijdens de sessie opnieuw wordt geshuffled.',
-    settingMaxPending: 'Max openstaande voorstellen',
-    settingMaxPendingHint: 'Hoeveel gastvoorstellen tegelijk op goedkeuring mogen wachten. 0 = onbeperkt.',
-    pendingCounter: '{{count}} / {{max}} open',
-    pendingCounterTooltip: 'Wachtende gastvoorstellen / limiet',
     suggestBlockedMuted: 'De host heeft je voor deze sessie geblokkeerd — voorstellen uitgeschakeld.',
-    suggestBlockedCap: 'De goedkeuringslijst is vol — wacht tot de host er een paar afhandelt.',
     settingShuffleIntervalValue_one: '{{count}} min',
     settingShuffleIntervalValue_other: '{{count}} min',
     settingShuffleNow: 'Nu shufflen',
diff --git a/src/locales/ru.ts b/src/locales/ru.ts
index e0ec42d7..28dbb2c6 100644
--- a/src/locales/ru.ts
+++ b/src/locales/ru.ts
@@ -1670,12 +1670,7 @@ export const ruTranslation = {
     settingAutoShuffleHint: 'Периодическое Fisher-Yates перемешивание предстоящей очереди. Выкл.: порядок меняется только при ручной перестановке.',
     settingShuffleInterval: 'Перемешивать каждые',
     settingShuffleIntervalHint: 'Как часто предстоящая очередь перемешивается во время сессии.',
-    settingMaxPending: 'Макс. ожидающих заявок',
-    settingMaxPendingHint: 'Сколько гостевых предложений могут одновременно ждать одобрения. 0 = без лимита.',
-    pendingCounter: '{{count}} / {{max}} в ожидании',
-    pendingCounterTooltip: 'Ожидающие гостевые заявки / лимит',
     suggestBlockedMuted: 'Хост отключил тебе предложение треков на этой сессии.',
-    suggestBlockedCap: 'Очередь одобрений переполнена — подожди, пока хост её разгребёт.',
     settingShuffleIntervalValue_one: '{{count}} мин',
     settingShuffleIntervalValue_few: '{{count}} мин',
     settingShuffleIntervalValue_many: '{{count}} мин',
diff --git a/src/locales/zh.ts b/src/locales/zh.ts
index 94a49e35..1b054188 100644
--- a/src/locales/zh.ts
+++ b/src/locales/zh.ts
@@ -1583,12 +1583,7 @@ export const zhTranslation = {
     settingAutoShuffleHint: '即将播放队列的定期 Fisher-Yates 洗牌。关闭：顺序仅在你手动重新排列时改变。',
     settingShuffleInterval: '洗牌间隔',
     settingShuffleIntervalHint: '会话运行时即将播放队列的重新洗牌频率。',
-    settingMaxPending: '最大待审投歌数',
-    settingMaxPendingHint: '同时等待审核的访客投歌上限。0 = 不限制。',
-    pendingCounter: '{{count}} / {{max}} 待审',
-    pendingCounterTooltip: '等待中的访客投歌 / 上限',
     suggestBlockedMuted: '主持人已禁止你在本场会话投歌。',
-    suggestBlockedCap: '审核队列已满，等主持人处理一些再继续。',
     settingShuffleIntervalValue_one: '{{count}} 分钟',
     settingShuffleIntervalValue_other: '{{count}} 分钟',
     settingShuffleNow: '立即洗牌',
diff --git a/src/styles/components.css b/src/styles/components.css
index 3c59482f..e03eedfc 100644
--- a/src/styles/components.css
+++ b/src/styles/components.css
@@ -12388,22 +12388,6 @@ html[data-psy-native-hidden="true"] *::after {
 .orbit-settings-pop__row--stacked:hover {
   background: transparent;
 }
-.orbit-settings-pop__number {
-  width: 64px;
-  padding: 4px 6px;
-  border-radius: 6px;
-  background: var(--ctp-surface0, rgba(127, 127, 127, 0.12));
-  border: 1px solid color-mix(in srgb, var(--text-secondary) 18%, transparent);
-  color: var(--text-primary);
-  font-size: 12px;
-  font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
-  text-align: right;
-  flex-shrink: 0;
-}
-.orbit-settings-pop__number:focus {
-  outline: none;
-  border-color: var(--accent);
-}
 
 .orbit-settings-pop__preset-group {
   display: flex;
@@ -12540,26 +12524,6 @@ html[data-psy-native-hidden="true"] *::after {
   white-space: nowrap;
   min-width: 0;
 }
-.orbit-queue-head__pending {
-  display: inline-flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  gap: 3px;
-  margin-left: auto;
-  padding: 1px 6px;
-  border-radius: 9px;
-  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 12%, transparent);
-  border: 1px solid color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 28%, transparent);
-  color: var(--text-secondary);
-  font-size: 10px;
-  font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
-  flex-shrink: 0;
-}
-.orbit-queue-head__pending.is-full {
-  color: var(--ctp-red, #f38ba8);
-  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--ctp-red, #f38ba8) 14%, transparent);
-  border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--ctp-red, #f38ba8) 40%, transparent);
-}
-.orbit-queue-head__pending svg { color: inherit; }
 
 .orbit-guest-queue__current {
   position: relative;
diff --git a/src/utils/orbit.ts b/src/utils/orbit.ts
index 128c3e17..29b0d060 100644
--- a/src/utils/orbit.ts
+++ b/src/utils/orbit.ts
@@ -458,37 +458,20 @@ export async function leaveOrbitSession(): Promise<void> {
  */
 /** Why a guest's suggestion would be blocked, in priority order. `null` means
  *  the suggestion can proceed. */
-export type OrbitSuggestGateReason = 'not-guest' | 'muted' | 'cap-reached' | null;
+export type OrbitSuggestGateReason = 'not-guest' | 'muted' | null;
 
 /**
  * Evaluate whether the local guest is allowed to send a new suggestion right
  * now — used by both the UI (to disable buttons / show toasts) and
  * {@link suggestOrbitTrack} as a defensive check.
- *
- * Mute check uses the host-pushed `state.suggestionBlocked` list. Cap check
- * is approximate from the guest's POV: it counts every non-host entry in
- * `state.queue` plus the local `pendingSuggestions` list that hasn't been
- * reconciled yet. We can't subtract host-side merged/declined sets — the
- * guest never sees them — so the count is conservative (over-, not under-).
  */
 export function evaluateOrbitSuggestGate(): { allowed: boolean; reason: OrbitSuggestGateReason } {
-  const { role, state, pendingSuggestions } = useOrbitStore.getState();
+  const { role, state } = useOrbitStore.getState();
   if (role !== 'guest' || !state) return { allowed: false, reason: 'not-guest' };
   const username = useAuthStore.getState().getActiveServer()?.username ?? '';
   if (state.suggestionBlocked?.includes(username)) {
     return { allowed: false, reason: 'muted' };
   }
-  const cap = state.settings?.maxPending ?? 0;
-  if (cap > 0) {
-    // Prefer the host-pushed authoritative count when present; fall back to a
-    // raw queue scan for older hosts. Add the local guest's pending list on
-    // top — those are tracks the host hasn't swept in yet.
-    const knownPending = state.pendingApprovalCount
-      ?? state.queue.filter(q => q.addedBy !== state.host).length;
-    if (knownPending + pendingSuggestions.length >= cap) {
-      return { allowed: false, reason: 'cap-reached' };
-    }
-  }
   return { allowed: true, reason: null };
 }
 
@@ -949,7 +932,6 @@ export function applyOutboxSnapshotsToState(
   state: OrbitState,
   snapshots: OutboxSnapshot[],
   nowMs: number = Date.now(),
-  opts?: { mergedKeys?: ReadonlySet<string>; declinedKeys?: ReadonlySet<string> },
 ): OrbitState {
   // ── Queue additions ──
   // Guest outboxes are append-only from the host's POV — the host reads the
@@ -965,35 +947,17 @@ export function applyOutboxSnapshotsToState(
     existingKeys.add(`${state.currentTrack.addedBy} ${state.currentTrack.trackId}`);
   }
 
-  // Compute remaining slots under the host's pending-approval cap. Items the
-  // host has merged or declined have left the approval queue and don't
-  // occupy a slot any more — without those sets we conservatively count
-  // every non-host queue entry as pending. Plus drop any new suggestion
-  // from a user the host has muted.
+  // Drop any new suggestion from a user the host has muted before the
+  // dedupe scan — they shouldn't count against the queue at all.
   const blocked = new Set(state.suggestionBlocked ?? []);
-  const cap = state.settings?.maxPending ?? 0;
-  const merged = opts?.mergedKeys ?? new Set<string>();
-  const declined = opts?.declinedKeys ?? new Set<string>();
-  const pendingCount = cap > 0
-    ? state.queue.filter(q =>
-        q.addedBy !== state.host
-        && !merged.has(suggestionKey(q))
-        && !declined.has(suggestionKey(q))
-      ).length
-    : 0;
-  let remaining = cap > 0 ? Math.max(0, cap - pendingCount) : Infinity;
-
   const newItems: OrbitQueueItem[] = [];
-  outer:
   for (const snap of snapshots) {
     if (blocked.has(snap.user)) continue;
     for (const trackId of snap.trackIds) {
-      if (remaining <= 0) break outer;
       const key = `${snap.user} ${trackId}`;
       if (existingKeys.has(key)) continue;
       existingKeys.add(key);
       newItems.push({ trackId, addedBy: snap.user, addedAt: nowMs });
-      remaining--;
     }
   }