diff --git a/scripts/slots.py b/scripts/slots.py
index eac475c6..1d506258 100644
--- a/scripts/slots.py
+++ b/scripts/slots.py
@@ -889,8 +889,8 @@ def main() -> int:
     parser.add_argument(
         "--strict",
         action="store_true",
-        help="exit non-zero on any contested destination, not only on one the "
-        "pack should have settled by itself",
+        help="exit 1 on any contested destination or destination declared twice; "
+        "without it the run reports them and exits 0",
     )
     args = parser.parse_args()
 
@@ -968,15 +968,19 @@ def main() -> int:
                 fixable += decision.serves_both
                 print(f"  {format_decision(decision)}")
         total = sum(len(c) for c in found.values())
-        print(
-            f"\n{total} contested destinations. {fixable} the pack settles on "
-            f"its own, {total - fixable} rest on an upstream declaration."
-        )
         for platform, collisions in collided.items():
             print(f"{platform}: {len(collisions)} destinations declared twice")
             for collision in collisions:
                 print(f"  {format_collision(collision)}")
-        if not args.strict and total:
+        # The totals close the run, collisions counted: printed before that
+        # section, they were not the last word and left it out.
+        doubled = sum(len(c) for c in collided.values())
+        print(
+            f"\n{total} contested destinations. {fixable} the pack settles on "
+            f"its own, {total - fixable} rest on an upstream declaration. "
+            f"{doubled} destinations declared twice."
+        )
+        if not args.strict and (total or doubled):
             print(
                 "Reported, not failed: the remainder needs the upstream list "
                 "corrected, which no build can do. Use --strict to gate on them."
diff --git a/tests/test_slots.py b/tests/test_slots.py
index 0313be89..d320be21 100644
--- a/tests/test_slots.py
+++ b/tests/test_slots.py
@@ -855,5 +855,32 @@ class ARecordIsFoundByItsPathOnce(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(Counted.walks, 1)
 
 
+class TheSlotsSummaryClosesTheRun(unittest.TestCase):
+    """The totals came before the collision section and ignored it, and the
+    help said the default run fails on conflicts the pack should settle,
+    which it never does."""
+
+    def test_order_and_help(self):
+        import subprocess  # noqa: PLC0415
+
+        root = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1]
+        if not (root / "database.json").exists():
+            self.skipTest("database.json is not built")
+        proc = subprocess.run(
+            [sys.executable, "scripts/slots.py"], cwd=root, capture_output=True,
+            text=True, timeout=600, check=False,
+        )
+        lines = [line for line in proc.stdout.splitlines() if line.strip()]
+        self.assertEqual(proc.returncode, 0)
+        totals = next(i for i, line in enumerate(lines) if "contested destinations." in line)
+        self.assertIn("declared twice.", lines[totals])
+        self.assertFalse(any(line.endswith("destinations declared twice") for line in lines[totals:]))
+        helped = subprocess.run(
+            [sys.executable, "scripts/slots.py", "--help"], cwd=root, capture_output=True,
+            text=True, timeout=60, check=False,
+        ).stdout
+        self.assertIn("exits 0", " ".join(helped.split()))
+
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     unittest.main()