diff --git a/agent.md b/agent.md
index 74f21b8..988eb2d 100644
--- a/agent.md
+++ b/agent.md
@@ -131,10 +131,10 @@ reading sees a dozen clips, so a count in the brief only holds for each dozen.
 With a number, every clip is still read, then one more model call goes over
 all the picks and puts them in order for the brief: the best set of that many
 first (the mix the brief asks for, one clip may give most of it, never the
-same moment twice), then stand-ins. `pick=best` lists that set: kept picks
-first (they count toward the number; when more are kept than wanted, the best
-of them), then the model's order. Dropping one brings in the next with no new
-call. A new number orders them again; picks from clips read later do too, at
+same moment twice), then stand-ins. `pick=best` lists that set, best scored
+first (or by clip with `sort=clip`): kept picks count first toward the number
+(when more are kept than wanted, the best of them), then the model's choice.
+Dropping one brings in its next stand-in with no new call. A new number orders them again; picks from clips read later do too, at
 most every 15 minutes while footage is still coming in. The list says where it
 stands: `wanted`, `counts.best`, and `ranking: { status: waiting | running |
 done | failed, error, due }`.
diff --git a/src/server/index.ts b/src/server/index.ts
index 3f1dd42..377b775 100644
--- a/src/server/index.ts
+++ b/src/server/index.ts
@@ -1404,7 +1404,9 @@ app.post("/api/projects/:id/highlights/stop", async (c) => {
 // min_score=2..5, pick=best|open|keep|drop|not_dropped|all (default all),
 // folder= (a folder and everything inside it), sort=score|clip. Pages of 100,
 // at most 1000. skipped=1 adds the clips judged not worth using, and why.
-// pick=best is the project's best `wanted`, in the order the model put them.
+// pick=best is the project's best `wanted`: which they are is the model's
+// call; they are listed best scored first like the rest (the model's order
+// breaks ties; it lists a set as it read it, not by strength).
 app.get("/api/projects/:id/highlights", async (c) => {
   const id = c.req.param("id");
   const project = await get<{
@@ -1427,7 +1429,7 @@ app.get("/api/projects/:id/highlights", async (c) => {
     q("sort") === "clip"
       ? "f.folder, f.name, h.src_in"
       : pick === "best"
-        ? "COALESCE(h.rank, 1000000000), h.score DESC, f.folder, f.name, h.src_in"
+        ? "h.score DESC, COALESCE(h.rank, 1000000000), f.folder, f.name, h.src_in"
         : "h.score DESC, f.folder, f.name, h.src_in";
   const rows = await query<HighlightListRow>(
     `SELECT ${HIGHLIGHT_COLUMNS}
diff --git a/test/e2e/run.mjs b/test/e2e/run.mjs
index 024961a..1a0abc4 100644
--- a/test/e2e/run.mjs
+++ b/test/e2e/run.mjs
@@ -895,6 +895,7 @@ console.log("11g ok: a clip under a second is logged as too short, without an an
   assert.ok(kept.every((k) => best.some((h) => h.id === k)), "every kept pick is in");
   const chosen = best.filter((h) => h.pick !== "keep");
   assert.ok(chosen.every((h) => h.kind === "broll"), "the model's choice, not the score's");
+  assert.ok(best.every((h, i) => i === 0 || best[i - 1].score >= h.score), "listed best scored first");
   const ranks = db.prepare("SELECT rank FROM footage_highlights WHERE project_id = ? AND pick IS NOT 'drop' ORDER BY rank").all(pid).map((x) => x.rank);
   assert.ok(ranks.every((x, i) => x === i + 1), `every pick not dropped has a place: ${ranks}`);
   console.log(`11h ok: best ${wanted} chosen in one call, kept picks in, the model's order over the score`);