diff --git a/plugins/career/assets/career.css b/plugins/career/assets/career.css
index 76c2af0..0fbd46c 100644
--- a/plugins/career/assets/career.css
+++ b/plugins/career/assets/career.css
@@ -559,3 +559,44 @@
     /* The hover glint is motion theatrics too — not just the JS tilt. */
     .pp-tilt::after { display: none; }
 }
+
+/* Practice invitations — closest stamps + bring-these-up */
+.pp-closest {
+    border: 1px solid rgba(75, 85, 99, 0.45);
+    border-radius: 0.6rem;
+    background: linear-gradient(165deg, rgba(45, 55, 72, 0.4), rgba(31, 41, 55, 0.4));
+    padding: 0.6rem 0.75rem;
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    gap: 0.3rem;
+}
+.pp-closest-head {
+    font-size: 0.62rem;
+    letter-spacing: 0.22em;
+    text-transform: uppercase;
+    color: #9ca3af;
+}
+.pp-closest-row {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: baseline;
+    gap: 0.75rem;
+    text-align: left;
+    font-size: 0.8rem;
+    padding: 0.15rem 0.25rem;
+    border-radius: 0.35rem;
+}
+.pp-closest-row:hover { background: rgba(55, 65, 81, 0.5); }
+.pp-closest-genre { color: #e5e7eb; font-weight: 600; white-space: nowrap; }
+.pp-closest-ask { color: #9ca3af; font-size: 0.72rem; }
+.pp-closest-ask em { color: #cbd5e1; font-style: italic; }
+
+.pp-nearest { margin-top: 0.6rem; border-top: 1px dashed rgba(138, 122, 94, 0.4); padding-top: 0.5rem; }
+.pp-nearest-head {
+    font-size: 0.58rem;
+    letter-spacing: 0.22em;
+    text-transform: uppercase;
+    color: #8a7a5e;
+    margin-bottom: 0.25rem;
+}
+.pp-nearest-row { font-size: 0.7rem; color: #6d5d40; padding: 0.1rem 0; }
+.pp-nearest-row em { color: #3f3428; }
diff --git a/plugins/career/routes.py b/plugins/career/routes.py
index 3eed518..2a2ffc7 100644
--- a/plugins/career/routes.py
+++ b/plugins/career/routes.py
@@ -114,10 +114,9 @@ def _stars():
     detail = []
     for filename, acc, title, artist in rows:
         acc = acc or 0.0
-        stars = sum(1 for t in thresholds if acc >= t)
+        stars, next_at = _star_progress(acc, thresholds)
         if stars:
             per_song[filename] = stars
-        next_at = next((t for t in thresholds if acc < t), None)
         detail.append({
             "filename": filename,
             "title": title or filename,
@@ -249,10 +248,18 @@ def _played_by_instrument_genre():
         for stub in stubs.values():
             acc = stub["best_accuracy"]
             stub["best_accuracy"] = round(acc, 4)
-            stub["stars"] = sum(1 for t in thresholds if acc >= t)
+            stub["stars"], stub["next_star_at"] = _star_progress(acc, thresholds)
     return out, seconds
 
 
+def _star_progress(acc, thresholds):
+    """(stars, next_star_at) — the one place the ascending-thresholds
+    assumption lives; _stars() and the passport stubs both use it."""
+    stars = sum(1 for t in thresholds if acc >= t)
+    next_at = next((t for t in thresholds if acc < t), None)
+    return stars, next_at
+
+
 def _library_genres():
     """Distinct effective genres across the live library (the brochure rack)."""
     db = _state["meta_db"]
@@ -406,6 +413,17 @@ def _passports_view():
                 badge = "earned"
             else:
                 badge = "in_progress"
+            # Practice invitation: the non-qualifying songs closest to the
+            # QUALIFYING bar (the badge ask), nearest first — invitation
+            # data, the UI voices it without meters.
+            thresholds = _state["content"]["star_accuracy_thresholds"]
+            bar = (thresholds[req["min_stars"] - 1]
+                   if 0 < req["min_stars"] <= len(thresholds) else None)
+            nearest = [] if bar is None else sorted(
+                (s for s in songs if not s["qualifies"]),
+                key=lambda s: bar - s["best_accuracy"])[:3]
+            for s in nearest:
+                s["bar_at"] = bar
             passports.append({
                 "genre_key": gkey,
                 "genre": meta.get("genre") or gkey,
@@ -414,6 +432,7 @@ def _passports_view():
                 "graded": is_graded,
                 "songs": songs,
                 "qualifying_count": qualifying,
+                "nearest": nearest,
                 # Honest hours odometer (Stage 5 post-cap): a true fact that
                 # only grows — never a target, never a meter.
                 "seconds_total": round(played_seconds.get((inst, gkey), 0.0), 1),
diff --git a/plugins/career/screen.html b/plugins/career/screen.html
index 3fa5047..bb4a510 100644
--- a/plugins/career/screen.html
+++ b/plugins/career/screen.html
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
     <div id="career-tab-passports" class="hidden" role="tabpanel" aria-labelledby="career-tab-btn-passports">
         <p class="text-sm text-gray-400 mb-4">Commit to an instrument, pick a genre, and stamp your way to its badge — five ★★ songs mint a Bronze. Your passport wall is who you are as a musician.</p>
         <div id="pp-instruments" class="pp-instruments"></div>
+        <div id="pp-closest" class="mt-4"></div>
         <div id="pp-shelf-wrap" class="mt-5">
             <div id="pp-shelf" class="pp-shelf"></div>
         </div>
diff --git a/plugins/career/screen.js b/plugins/career/screen.js
index 4cadbae..9ad0bc1 100644
--- a/plugins/career/screen.js
+++ b/plugins/career/screen.js
@@ -497,6 +497,56 @@
         </button>`;
     }
 
+    // Practice invitations: which stamps are closest, and what would bring
+    // them home. Invitations only — no meters, no obligations.
+
+    // Floor, never round: 74.9% must not display as the already-met "75%".
+    function pct(frac) { return Math.floor((Number(frac) || 0) * 100); }
+
+    function ppNeed(p) {
+        return Math.max(0, ((p.requirement || {}).songs || 0) - (p.qualifying_count || 0));
+    }
+
+    // The one blocker phrase — shared by the Closest-stamps strip and the
+    // passport book's invite line so they can never contradict each other.
+    function ppAskHTML(p, withHint) {
+        const req = p.requirement || {};
+        const need = ppNeed(p);
+        const starGl = '★'.repeat(req.min_stars || 0);
+        if (need > 0) {
+            const near = withHint ? (p.nearest || [])[0] : null;
+            const hint = near
+                ? ` · nearest: <em>${esc(near.title)}</em> at ${pct(near.best_accuracy)}%`
+                : '';
+            return `${need === 1 ? `one more ${starGl} song` : `${need} more ${starGl} songs`}${hint}`;
+        }
+        const labels = ((_pp && _pp.config) || {}).drill_labels || {};
+        const drills = p.drills || {};
+        const pending = (drills.required || []).filter((n) => !(drills.cleared || []).includes(n));
+        return `clear ${pending.map((n) => esc(labels[n] || n)).join(', ') || 'the genre drill'} in Virtuoso`;
+    }
+
+    function closestLineHTML(p) {
+        return `<button class="pp-closest-row" data-pp-open="${esc(p.genre_key)}">
+            <span class="pp-closest-genre">${esc(p.genre)}</span>
+            <span class="pp-closest-ask">${ppAskHTML(p, true)}</span>
+        </button>`;
+    }
+
+    function renderClosest(inst, data) {
+        const host = $('pp-closest');
+        if (!host) return;
+        const candidates = (data.passports || [])
+            .filter((p) => p.badge === 'in_progress')
+            .sort((a, b) => ppNeed(a) - ppNeed(b))
+            .slice(0, 3);
+        if (!candidates.length) { host.innerHTML = ''; return; }
+        host.innerHTML = `<div class="pp-closest">
+            <div class="pp-closest-head">Closest stamps</div>
+            ${candidates.map(closestLineHTML).join('')}
+        </div>`;
+    }
+
     function renderShelf(inst, data) {
         const shelf = $('pp-shelf');
         if (!shelf) return;
@@ -551,6 +601,7 @@
                 ${esc(ppLabel(i))}${earned ? ` <span class="pp-inst-badges">⚡${earned}</span>` : ''}${committed ? '' : ' <span class="pp-inst-plus">+</span>'}
             </button>`;
         }).join('');
+        renderClosest(inst, data);
         renderShelf(inst, data);
         renderRack(inst, data);
     }
@@ -576,22 +627,13 @@
 
     function ppBookHTML(inst, p, pendingSlam) {
         const req = p.requirement || {};
-        const need = Math.max(0, (req.songs || 0) - p.qualifying_count);
         const starGl = '★'.repeat(req.min_stars || 0);
         const reqNodes = (p.drills || {}).required || [];
         const clearedNodes = new Set((p.drills || {}).cleared || []);
         const labels = ((_pp && _pp.config) || {}).drill_labels || {};
-        const pendingDrills = reqNodes.filter((n) => !clearedNodes.has(n));
-        // The invite names what actually blocks the stamp: songs first, then
-        // the genre drill once the song bar is met.
-        let invite;
-        if (need > 0) {
-            invite = need === 1 ? `One more ${starGl} song mints this stamp.`
-                : `${need} more ${starGl} songs mint this stamp.`;
-        } else {
-            const names = pendingDrills.map((n) => labels[n] || n).join(', ');
-            invite = `Clear ${names || 'the genre drill'} in Virtuoso to mint this stamp.`;
-        }
+        // The invite names what actually blocks the stamp — same shared
+        // phrase as the Closest-stamps strip, so they can't contradict.
+        const invite = `${ppAskHTML(p, false)} mints this stamp.`;
         let badgeArea = '';
         if (p.badge === 'shown_not_judged') {
             badgeArea = `<div class="pp-snj">Shown, not judged — your ${esc(ppLabel(inst).toLowerCase())} repertoire speaks for itself.</div>`;
@@ -608,7 +650,7 @@
                 <span class="pp-stamp-genre">${esc(p.genre.toUpperCase())}</span>
                 <span class="pp-stamp-tier">BRONZE</span>
             </div>
-            <div class="pp-invite">${esc(invite)}</div>`;
+            <div class="pp-invite">${invite.charAt(0).toUpperCase()}${invite.slice(1)}</div>`;
         }
         const hours = fmtHours(p.seconds_total);
         const odometer = hours
@@ -628,6 +670,16 @@
             : `Play ${esc(p.genre)} songs at ${starGl} to collect ticket stubs.`;
         const stubsHTML = stubs.length ? stubs.map(ppStubHTML).join('')
             : `<div class="pp-stub-empty">${emptyLine}</div>`;
+        // Bring-these-up: nearest-to-the-bar songs (graded, unearned only —
+        // an earned page is memorabilia, not homework).
+        let nearest = '';
+        if (p.badge === 'in_progress' && (p.nearest || []).length) {
+            nearest = `<div class="pp-nearest">
+                <div class="pp-nearest-head">Bring these up</div>
+                ${p.nearest.map((s) =>
+                    `<div class="pp-nearest-row"><em>${esc(s.title)}</em> — best ${pct(s.best_accuracy)}%, ${starGl} at ${pct(s.bar_at)}%</div>`).join('')}
+            </div>`;
+        }
         return `<div class="pp-book-wrap" data-pp-close-bg="1" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" aria-label="${esc(p.genre)} ${esc(ppLabel(inst))} passport">
             <div class="pp-book">
                 <div class="pp-page pp-page-left">
@@ -636,7 +688,7 @@
                 </div>
                 <div class="pp-page pp-page-right">
                     <div class="pp-page-head">Ticket stubs</div>
-                    <div class="pp-stubs">${stubsHTML}</div>
+                    <div class="pp-stubs">${stubsHTML}${nearest}</div>
                 </div>
                 <div class="pp-book-cover pp-leather-${esc(inst)}">
                     <span class="pp-cover-title">${esc(p.genre.toUpperCase())}</span>
diff --git a/tests/plugins/career/test_passports.py b/tests/plugins/career/test_passports.py
index 27decf0..13ac92f 100644
--- a/tests/plugins/career/test_passports.py
+++ b/tests/plugins/career/test_passports.py
@@ -245,3 +245,30 @@ def test_family_drills_stay_per_instrument(client, meta_db):
     p = _passport(client, "keys", "death metal")
     assert p["drills"]["required"] == []
     assert p["badge"] == "earned"
+
+
+def test_nearest_invitations_order_and_exclusions(client, meta_db):
+    # Non-qualifying songs sorted by distance to the QUALIFYING bar;
+    # qualifying songs never appear; capped at 3.
+    meta_db.add("q.feedpak", 0, 0.80, genre="Soul", arrangements=LEAD)      # qualifies
+    meta_db.add("close.feedpak", 0, 0.74, genre="Soul", arrangements=LEAD)  # 1% to 2★
+    meta_db.add("mid.feedpak", 0, 0.70, genre="Soul", arrangements=LEAD)    # 5% to 2★
+    meta_db.add("far.feedpak", 0, 0.30, genre="Soul", arrangements=LEAD)    # 30% to 1★
+    meta_db.add("far2.feedpak", 0, 0.25, genre="Soul", arrangements=LEAD)
+    _open(client, "guitar", "Soul")
+    p = _passport(client, "guitar", "soul")
+    names = [s["filename"] for s in p["nearest"]]
+    assert names == ["close.feedpak", "mid.feedpak", "far.feedpak"]
+    assert all(s["next_star_at"] is not None for s in p["nearest"])
+    assert "q.feedpak" not in names
+
+
+def test_nearest_targets_the_qualifying_bar_not_next_star(client, meta_db):
+    # A 0★ song 1% from its NEXT star is farther from the ★★ badge bar than
+    # a 1★ song 5% from it — nearest must rank by the badge bar.
+    meta_db.add("one_star.feedpak", 0, 0.70, genre="Soul", arrangements=LEAD)   # 5% to bar
+    meta_db.add("zero_star.feedpak", 0, 0.59, genre="Soul", arrangements=LEAD)  # 1% to next ★, 16% to bar
+    _open(client, "guitar", "Soul")
+    p = _passport(client, "guitar", "soul")
+    assert [s["filename"] for s in p["nearest"]] == ["one_star.feedpak", "zero_star.feedpak"]
+    assert all(s["bar_at"] == 0.75 for s in p["nearest"])