diff --git a/app/pages/dashboard/jobs/[id]/index.vue b/app/pages/dashboard/jobs/[id]/index.vue
index 9248ce76..3f258ee2 100644
--- a/app/pages/dashboard/jobs/[id]/index.vue
+++ b/app/pages/dashboard/jobs/[id]/index.vue
@@ -457,9 +457,16 @@ const {
 
 // Keep the last successfully loaded application visible while the next one is
 // being fetched, so switching candidates swaps the detail in place instead of
-// flashing the skeleton (and header fields don't vanish/reappear). Only before
-// the very first load is this null.
-const resolvedCurrentApplication = computed(() => currentApplication.value ?? null)
+// flashing the skeleton (and header fields don't vanish/reappear). `useFetch`
+// resets its own data ref every time the keyed request changes, so we hold on
+// to the previous payload ourselves. Only before the very first load is this
+// null.
+const lastLoadedApplication = shallowRef<SwipeApplicationDetail | null>(currentApplication.value ?? null)
+watch(currentApplication, (app) => {
+  if (app) lastLoadedApplication.value = app
+}, { immediate: true })
+
+const resolvedCurrentApplication = computed(() => currentApplication.value ?? lastLoadedApplication.value)
 
 // The automation rule (if any) that auto-set this application's status on
 // submit, plus a lookup of which responses triggered it — drives the "Auto"
@@ -475,25 +482,28 @@ const isDetailStale = computed(() =>
   !currentApplication.value || currentApplication.value.id !== currentApplicationId.value,
 )
 
-// Fall back to the skeleton only when a fetch is genuinely slow. Fast/cached
-// navigations resolve before this fires, so the content simply swaps in place.
-const showDetailSkeleton = ref(false)
-let detailSkeletonTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null = null
+// Once a candidate has been shown we never fall back to the skeleton again —
+// the previous detail stays on screen and the new one swaps into it. For a
+// genuinely slow fetch we instead dim the (now outdated) content after a short
+// delay, so the user gets a loading cue without the layout tearing down. Fast
+// and cached switches resolve before this fires and show nothing at all.
+const showDetailLoadingVeil = ref(false)
+let detailVeilTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null = null
 watch(isDetailStale, (stale) => {
-  if (detailSkeletonTimer) {
-    clearTimeout(detailSkeletonTimer)
-    detailSkeletonTimer = null
+  if (detailVeilTimer) {
+    clearTimeout(detailVeilTimer)
+    detailVeilTimer = null
   }
   if (stale) {
-    detailSkeletonTimer = setTimeout(() => {
-      showDetailSkeleton.value = true
-    }, 180)
+    detailVeilTimer = setTimeout(() => {
+      showDetailLoadingVeil.value = true
+    }, 250)
   } else {
-    showDetailSkeleton.value = false
+    showDetailLoadingVeil.value = false
   }
 })
 onBeforeUnmount(() => {
-  if (detailSkeletonTimer) clearTimeout(detailSkeletonTimer)
+  if (detailVeilTimer) clearTimeout(detailVeilTimer)
 })
 
 const hasCoverLetter = computed(() => Boolean(resolvedCurrentApplication.value?.coverLetterText?.trim()))
@@ -1389,10 +1399,20 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => {
   document.removeEventListener('click', handleOverviewDropdownClickOutside)
 })
 
+/**
+ * Only the very first load may swap the whole pipeline for a spinner. Later
+ * fetches — search, sort, filters, changing stage — keep the previous list on
+ * screen: tearing down the layout mid-request unmounts the search input and
+ * steals focus on every keystroke.
+ */
 const isLoading = computed(() => {
-  return jobFetchStatus.value === 'pending' || appFetchStatus.value === 'pending'
+  return (jobFetchStatus.value === 'pending' && !jobData.value)
+    || (appFetchStatus.value === 'pending' && !appData.value)
 })
 
+/** Background refetch of the candidate list — shown inline, never as a full-page state. */
+const isRefreshingApps = computed(() => appFetchStatus.value === 'pending' && !!appData.value)
+
 // ─────────────────────────────────────────────
 // Document preview
 // ─────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -1445,7 +1465,7 @@ function closeDocPreview() {
 
     <!-- Error -->
     <div
-      v-else-if="jobError || appError"
+      v-else-if="(jobError && !jobData) || (appError && !appData)"
       class="m-6 rounded-xl border border-danger-200/80 bg-danger-50 p-5 text-sm text-danger-700 dark:border-danger-800/60 dark:bg-danger-950/40 dark:text-danger-300"
     >
       {{ jobError ? 'Job not found or failed to load.' : 'Failed to load applications.' }}
@@ -1680,11 +1700,17 @@ function closeDocPreview() {
 
           <!-- Count bar -->
           <div class="shrink-0 px-3.5 pb-2 flex items-center justify-between">
-            <span class="text-xs font-medium text-surface-500 dark:text-surface-400">
-              Showing {{ pageStart }}-{{ pageEnd }} of {{ focusedApplicationTotal }} candidate{{ focusedApplicationTotal === 1 ? '' : 's' }}
-              <span v-if="searchTerm.trim() || hasActiveFilters" class="text-surface-400 dark:text-surface-500">
-                {{ hasActiveFilters ? ' filtered' : ' matching' }}
+            <span class="flex min-w-0 items-center gap-1.5 text-xs font-medium text-surface-500 dark:text-surface-400">
+              <span class="truncate">
+                Showing {{ pageStart }}-{{ pageEnd }} of {{ focusedApplicationTotal }} candidate{{ focusedApplicationTotal === 1 ? '' : 's' }}
+                <span v-if="searchTerm.trim() || hasActiveFilters" class="text-surface-400 dark:text-surface-500">
+                  {{ hasActiveFilters ? ' filtered' : ' matching' }}
+                </span>
               </span>
+              <span
+                v-if="isRefreshingApps"
+                class="size-3 shrink-0 rounded-full border border-surface-300 border-t-brand-500 animate-spin dark:border-surface-600 dark:border-t-brand-400"
+              />
             </span>
             <div v-if="totalPages > 1" class="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-1">
               <button
@@ -1710,7 +1736,11 @@ function closeDocPreview() {
           </div>
 
           <!-- Scrollable list -->
-          <div ref="sidebarList" class="flex-1 overflow-y-auto scrollbar-thin border-t border-surface-100 dark:border-surface-800/60">
+          <div
+            ref="sidebarList"
+            class="flex-1 overflow-y-auto scrollbar-thin border-t border-surface-100 transition-opacity duration-150 dark:border-surface-800/60"
+            :class="isRefreshingApps ? 'opacity-60' : 'opacity-100'"
+          >
             <div v-if="filteredApplications.length === 0" class="p-8 text-center">
               <div class="flex size-12 items-center justify-center rounded-xl bg-surface-100 dark:bg-surface-800/60 mx-auto mb-3">
                 <UserRound class="size-5 text-surface-400 dark:text-surface-500" />
@@ -2117,10 +2147,14 @@ function closeDocPreview() {
 
             <!-- Detail content -->
             <div
-              class="bg-surface-50/80 px-4 dark:bg-surface-950/80 sm:px-6"
-              :class="detailTab === 'inbox' ? 'flex min-h-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-hidden py-4 sm:py-5' : 'py-5 sm:py-8'"
+              class="bg-surface-50/80 px-4 transition-opacity duration-300 ease-out dark:bg-surface-950/80 sm:px-6"
+              :class="[
+                detailTab === 'inbox' ? 'flex min-h-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-hidden py-4 sm:py-5' : 'py-5 sm:py-8',
+                showDetailLoadingVeil ? 'pointer-events-none select-none opacity-50' : 'opacity-100',
+              ]"
+              :aria-busy="isDetailStale ? 'true' : undefined"
             >
-              <div v-if="!resolvedCurrentApplication || showDetailSkeleton" class="space-y-5 mx-auto animate-pulse" :class="detailWidthClass" aria-label="Loading candidate details">
+              <div v-if="!resolvedCurrentApplication" class="space-y-5 mx-auto animate-pulse" :class="detailWidthClass" aria-label="Loading candidate details">
                 <div class="h-28 rounded-xl border border-surface-200/80 bg-white dark:border-surface-800/60 dark:bg-surface-900" />
                 <div class="h-40 rounded-xl border border-surface-200/80 bg-white dark:border-surface-800/60 dark:bg-surface-900" />
                 <div class="h-32 rounded-xl border border-surface-200/80 bg-white dark:border-surface-800/60 dark:bg-surface-900" />
diff --git a/ee/app/components/CandidateMessagingPanel.vue b/ee/app/components/CandidateMessagingPanel.vue
index 98611e50..15591ead 100644
--- a/ee/app/components/CandidateMessagingPanel.vue
+++ b/ee/app/components/CandidateMessagingPanel.vue
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import {
   CANDIDATE_MESSAGE_MAX_ATTACHMENTS,
 } from '~~/shared/candidate-messaging'
 import { candidateMessageKindLabel } from '../composables/useCandidateMessages'
-import type { CandidateConversation, CandidateMessageStatus } from '../composables/useCandidateMessages'
+import type { CandidateConversation, CandidateMessageStatus, CandidateMessageSummary } from '../composables/useCandidateMessages'
 
 const props = defineProps<{
   applicationId: string
@@ -47,9 +47,35 @@ const isSending = ref(false)
 
 const loading = computed(() => loadingList.value || loadingConversation.value)
 const hasConversation = computed(() => selected.value?.applicationId === props.applicationId)
-const messages = computed(() => hasConversation.value ? selected.value!.messages : [])
+
+// The panel is remounted per candidate, so a switch always starts from empty.
+// `hasSettled` marks the first load for *this* candidate as finished: until
+// then we don't know whether there is a thread, and rendering the "start a
+// conversation" composer on a guess makes the subject field flash in and back
+// out under the new candidate's header.
+const hasSettled = ref(false)
+
+// The inbox list already carries each conversation's messages, so we can paint
+// the thread as soon as that first request lands instead of waiting on the
+// second (full conversation) round trip. Per-message extras — attachments,
+// delivery errors — fill in a moment later.
+type ThreadMessage = CandidateMessageSummary
+  & Partial<Omit<CandidateConversation['messages'][number], keyof CandidateMessageSummary>>
+const previewMessages = ref<ThreadMessage[]>([])
+
+const messages = computed<ThreadMessage[]>(() =>
+  hasConversation.value ? selected.value!.messages : previewMessages.value,
+)
+// True once we know this candidate has a thread — from either request.
+const hasThread = computed(() => hasConversation.value || previewMessages.value.length > 0)
 const defaultSubject = computed(() => `Regarding ${props.jobTitle}`)
 
+const messageSkeletons = [
+  { id: 1, outbound: false, height: 'h-16' },
+  { id: 2, outbound: true, height: 'h-24' },
+  { id: 3, outbound: false, height: 'h-12' },
+]
+
 const inboxLink = computed(() => localePath({
   path: '/dashboard/inbox',
   query: hasConversation.value && selected.value
@@ -72,8 +98,10 @@ async function loadThread(options: { quiet?: boolean } = {}) {
     await loadInbox({ applicationId: props.applicationId })
     const conversation = conversations.value.find(item => item.applicationId === props.applicationId)
     if (conversation) {
+      previewMessages.value = conversation.messages
       await loadConversation(conversation.id)
     } else {
+      previewMessages.value = []
       selected.value = null
       subject.value ||= defaultSubject.value
     }
@@ -81,6 +109,8 @@ async function loadThread(options: { quiet?: boolean } = {}) {
     if (!options.quiet) {
       toast.error('Could not load messages', { message: err.data?.statusMessage })
     }
+  } finally {
+    hasSettled.value = true
   }
 }
 
@@ -90,7 +120,7 @@ async function refreshThread() {
 
 async function submitMessage() {
   const trimmedBody = body.value.trim()
-  const messageSubject = hasConversation.value
+  const messageSubject = hasThread.value
     ? messages.value.at(-1)?.subject ?? defaultSubject.value
     : subject.value.trim()
   if (!trimmedBody || !messageSubject) return
@@ -116,7 +146,7 @@ async function submitMessage() {
   }
 }
 
-async function retryMessage(message: CandidateConversation['messages'][number]) {
+async function retryMessage(message: ThreadMessage) {
   isSending.value = true
   try {
     if (message.interviewId) {
@@ -171,9 +201,24 @@ onUnmounted(() => clearInterval(pollTimer))
 
   <div v-else class="flex h-full min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-col gap-4 overflow-hidden">
     <div class="scrollbar-thin min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-1 overflow-y-auto overflow-x-hidden pr-1">
-      <div v-if="!billingResolved || (loading && messages.length === 0)" class="py-12 text-center text-surface-400">
-        <div class="mx-auto mb-3 size-6 animate-spin rounded-full border-2 border-brand-200 border-t-brand-600 dark:border-brand-800 dark:border-t-brand-400" />
-        <p class="text-sm">Loading messages…</p>
+      <!-- Thread-shaped placeholder: the same bubble rhythm the messages land
+           in, so the panel settles into place instead of swapping layouts. -->
+      <div
+        v-if="!billingResolved || (!hasSettled && messages.length === 0)"
+        class="flex min-w-0 animate-pulse flex-col gap-5"
+        aria-label="Loading messages"
+      >
+        <div v-for="bubble in messageSkeletons" :key="bubble.id" class="flex min-w-0 flex-col" :class="bubble.outbound ? 'items-end' : 'items-start'">
+          <div class="mb-1.5 h-3 w-16 rounded bg-surface-200/80 dark:bg-surface-800" />
+          <div
+            class="w-full max-w-[88%] rounded-xl sm:max-w-[76%]"
+            :class="[
+              bubble.height,
+              bubble.outbound ? 'bg-brand-100 dark:bg-brand-950/50' : 'border border-surface-200/80 bg-white dark:border-surface-800/60 dark:bg-surface-900',
+            ]"
+          />
+          <div class="mt-1.5 h-3 w-24 rounded bg-surface-200/60 dark:bg-surface-800/70" />
+        </div>
       </div>
 
       <div
@@ -222,7 +267,7 @@ onUnmounted(() => clearInterval(pollTimer))
               : 'border border-surface-200/80 bg-white text-surface-800 shadow-sm shadow-surface-900/[0.03] dark:border-surface-800/60 dark:bg-surface-900 dark:text-surface-200 dark:shadow-none'"
           >{{ message.bodyText }}</div>
           <CandidateMessageAttachmentList
-            :attachments="message.attachments"
+            :attachments="message.attachments ?? []"
             :outbound="message.direction === 'outbound'"
           />
           <div class="mt-1.5 flex max-w-[88%] flex-wrap items-center gap-2 px-1 text-xs text-surface-400 sm:max-w-[76%]">
@@ -231,7 +276,7 @@ onUnmounted(() => clearInterval(pollTimer))
               <component :is="statusMeta[message.status].icon" class="size-3.5" :class="statusMeta[message.status].class" />
               <span :class="statusMeta[message.status].class">{{ statusMeta[message.status].label }}</span>
               <button
-                v-if="['failed', 'bounced'].includes(message.status)"
+                v-if="hasConversation && ['failed', 'bounced'].includes(message.status)"
                 type="button"
                 class="font-medium text-brand-600 hover:underline disabled:opacity-50 dark:text-brand-400"
                 :disabled="isSending"
@@ -248,11 +293,11 @@ onUnmounted(() => clearInterval(pollTimer))
     </div>
 
     <form
-      v-if="hasConversation || allowance.canSend"
+      v-if="!hasSettled || hasThread || allowance.canSend"
       class="w-full min-w-0 shrink-0 rounded-xl border border-surface-200 bg-white p-4 shadow-sm dark:border-surface-800 dark:bg-surface-900"
       @submit.prevent="submitMessage"
     >
-      <label v-if="!hasConversation" class="mb-2 block">
+      <label v-if="hasSettled && !hasThread" class="mb-2 block">
         <span class="sr-only">Subject</span>
         <input
           v-model="subject"
@@ -286,7 +331,7 @@ onUnmounted(() => clearInterval(pollTimer))
         <textarea
           v-model="body"
           maxlength="20000"
-          :placeholder="hasConversation ? 'Write a reply…' : 'Write a message…'"
+          :placeholder="hasThread ? 'Write a reply…' : 'Write a message…'"
           class="min-w-0 flex-1 resize-none rounded-lg border border-surface-200 bg-white px-3.5 py-2.5 text-sm leading-relaxed text-surface-800 transition-[height] placeholder:text-surface-400 focus:border-brand-500 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-brand-500/20 dark:border-surface-700 dark:bg-surface-800 dark:text-surface-100 dark:placeholder:text-surface-500 dark:focus:border-brand-400 dark:focus:ring-brand-400/20"
           :class="expanded ? 'h-44' : 'h-11'"
           @input="requestId = null"
@@ -305,7 +350,7 @@ onUnmounted(() => clearInterval(pollTimer))
         <button
           type="submit"
           class="inline-flex h-11 shrink-0 cursor-pointer items-center gap-1.5 rounded-lg bg-brand-600 px-4 text-sm font-semibold text-white transition-colors hover:bg-brand-700 disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-40 dark:bg-brand-500 dark:hover:bg-brand-400"
-          :disabled="isSending || !body.trim() || (!hasConversation && !subject.trim())"
+          :disabled="isSending || !hasSettled || !body.trim() || (!hasThread && !subject.trim())"
         >
           <RefreshCw v-if="isSending" class="size-4 animate-spin" />
           <Send v-else class="size-4" />
@@ -314,7 +359,7 @@ onUnmounted(() => clearInterval(pollTimer))
       </div>
       <div class="mt-2.5 flex items-end justify-between gap-3 px-1">
         <p class="min-w-0 break-words px-0.5 text-[11px] text-surface-400 [overflow-wrap:anywhere] dark:text-surface-500">
-          <template v-if="allowance.remaining != null && !hasConversation"><span class="font-semibold text-surface-500 dark:text-surface-400">{{ allowance.remaining }} of {{ allowance.limit }} free conversations left.</span> Starting this uses one; replies stay unlimited. </template>
+          <template v-if="hasSettled && allowance.remaining != null && !hasThread"><span class="font-semibold text-surface-500 dark:text-surface-400">{{ allowance.remaining }} of {{ allowance.limit }} free conversations left.</span> Starting this uses one; replies stay unlimited. </template>
           Messages are emailed to {{ candidateEmail }}. <kbd class="rounded border border-surface-200 bg-surface-50 px-1 py-px font-mono text-[10px] font-medium text-surface-500 dark:border-surface-700 dark:bg-surface-800 dark:text-surface-400">⌘</kbd><kbd class="rounded border border-surface-200 bg-surface-50 px-1 py-px font-mono text-[10px] font-medium text-surface-500 dark:border-surface-700 dark:bg-surface-800 dark:text-surface-400">Enter</kbd> to send.
         </p>
         <div class="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-1">
diff --git a/server/scripts/seed-data/automation.ts b/server/scripts/seed-data/automation.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7af03ff5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/scripts/seed-data/automation.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,368 @@
+import type {
+  QuestionType,
+  RuleAction,
+  RuleMatchType,
+  RuleOperator,
+} from "../../../shared/application-rules";
+
+export interface DemoJobQuestion {
+  type: QuestionType;
+  label: string;
+  required: boolean;
+  options?: string[];
+}
+
+export interface DemoAutomationCondition {
+  questionLabel: string;
+  questionType: QuestionType;
+  operator: RuleOperator;
+  value?: string | string[] | number | null;
+}
+
+export interface DemoAutomationRule {
+  name: string;
+  matchType: RuleMatchType;
+  action: RuleAction;
+  enabled: boolean;
+  conditions: DemoAutomationCondition[];
+}
+
+/**
+ * Application questions and automation rules for the five jobs in the demo
+ * account. Both collections use the same job order as JOBS_DATA in seed.ts.
+ *
+ * Conditions refer to labels here and are resolved to the generated question
+ * IDs by the seed script. Keeping the expected question type on each condition
+ * makes a renamed or retyped question fail the seed instead of leaving behind
+ * a rule that can never match.
+ */
+export const DEMO_JOB_QUESTIONS: DemoJobQuestion[][] = [
+  [
+    {
+      type: "number",
+      label: "Years of TypeScript experience",
+      required: true,
+    },
+    {
+      type: "single_select",
+      label: "Preferred frontend framework",
+      options: ["Vue", "React", "Svelte", "Angular", "Solid"],
+      required: true,
+    },
+    {
+      type: "long_text",
+      label: "Describe a challenging technical problem you solved recently",
+      required: true,
+    },
+    {
+      type: "url",
+      label: "Link to your GitHub profile or portfolio",
+      required: false,
+    },
+    {
+      type: "single_select",
+      label: "When can you start?",
+      options: ["Immediately", "2 weeks", "1 month", "2-3 months"],
+      required: true,
+    },
+  ],
+  [
+    { type: "url", label: "Link to your portfolio", required: true },
+    {
+      type: "number",
+      label: "Years of product design experience",
+      required: true,
+    },
+    {
+      type: "single_select",
+      label: "Primary design tool",
+      options: ["Figma", "Sketch", "Adobe XD", "Framer"],
+      required: true,
+    },
+    {
+      type: "long_text",
+      label: "Walk us through your design process for a recent project",
+      required: true,
+    },
+    {
+      type: "checkbox",
+      label: "I have experience with design systems",
+      required: false,
+    },
+  ],
+  [
+    {
+      type: "multi_select",
+      label: "Which cloud platforms have you worked with?",
+      options: ["AWS", "GCP", "Azure", "Hetzner", "DigitalOcean", "Other"],
+      required: true,
+    },
+    {
+      type: "number",
+      label: "Years of Docker experience",
+      required: true,
+    },
+    {
+      type: "single_select",
+      label: "Preferred CI/CD platform",
+      options: ["GitHub Actions", "GitLab CI", "Jenkins", "CircleCI", "Other"],
+      required: true,
+    },
+  ],
+  [
+    {
+      type: "url",
+      label: "Link to a technical writing sample",
+      required: true,
+    },
+    {
+      type: "number",
+      label: "Years of technical writing experience",
+      required: true,
+    },
+    {
+      type: "multi_select",
+      label: "Which documentation have you owned?",
+      options: [
+        "API documentation",
+        "User guides",
+        "Deployment guides",
+        "Release notes",
+        "Tutorials",
+      ],
+      required: true,
+    },
+    {
+      type: "checkbox",
+      label: "I have worked in a docs-as-code workflow",
+      required: false,
+    },
+  ],
+  [
+    {
+      type: "single_select",
+      label: "Are you currently enrolled in a degree program?",
+      options: ["Yes", "No", "Graduating before the internship starts"],
+      required: true,
+    },
+    {
+      type: "single_select",
+      label: "Can you work on-site in Berlin for this internship?",
+      options: [
+        "Yes — on-site in Berlin",
+        "Yes — I can relocate",
+        "No — remote only",
+      ],
+      required: true,
+    },
+    {
+      type: "multi_select",
+      label: "Which frontend technologies have you used in projects?",
+      options: ["HTML/CSS", "JavaScript", "TypeScript", "Vue", "React"],
+      required: true,
+    },
+    {
+      type: "url",
+      label: "Link to a GitHub profile or frontend project",
+      required: false,
+    },
+  ],
+];
+
+export const DEMO_AUTOMATION_RULES: DemoAutomationRule[][] = [
+  [
+    {
+      name: "Minimum TypeScript experience",
+      matchType: "any",
+      action: "rejected",
+      enabled: true,
+      conditions: [
+        {
+          questionLabel: "Years of TypeScript experience",
+          questionType: "number",
+          operator: "lt",
+          value: 5,
+        },
+      ],
+    },
+    {
+      name: "Fast-track Vue full-stack candidates",
+      matchType: "all",
+      action: "screening",
+      enabled: true,
+      conditions: [
+        {
+          questionLabel: "Preferred frontend framework",
+          questionType: "single_select",
+          operator: "is_one_of",
+          value: ["Vue"],
+        },
+        {
+          questionLabel: "Link to your GitHub profile or portfolio",
+          questionType: "url",
+          operator: "is_answered",
+        },
+        {
+          questionLabel:
+            "Describe a challenging technical problem you solved recently",
+          questionType: "long_text",
+          operator: "is_answered",
+        },
+      ],
+    },
+  ],
+  [
+    {
+      name: "Minimum product design experience",
+      matchType: "all",
+      action: "rejected",
+      enabled: true,
+      conditions: [
+        {
+          questionLabel: "Years of product design experience",
+          questionType: "number",
+          operator: "lt",
+          value: 3,
+        },
+      ],
+    },
+    {
+      name: "Fast-track Figma design-system candidates",
+      matchType: "all",
+      action: "screening",
+      enabled: true,
+      conditions: [
+        {
+          questionLabel: "Primary design tool",
+          questionType: "single_select",
+          operator: "is_one_of",
+          value: ["Figma"],
+        },
+        {
+          questionLabel: "I have experience with design systems",
+          questionType: "checkbox",
+          operator: "is_true",
+        },
+      ],
+    },
+  ],
+  [
+    {
+      name: "Minimum Docker experience",
+      matchType: "any",
+      action: "rejected",
+      enabled: true,
+      conditions: [
+        {
+          questionLabel: "Years of Docker experience",
+          questionType: "number",
+          operator: "lt",
+          value: 3,
+        },
+      ],
+    },
+    {
+      name: "Fast-track cloud delivery experience",
+      matchType: "all",
+      action: "screening",
+      enabled: true,
+      conditions: [
+        {
+          questionLabel: "Which cloud platforms have you worked with?",
+          questionType: "multi_select",
+          operator: "includes_any",
+          value: ["AWS", "GCP", "Azure"],
+        },
+        {
+          questionLabel: "Preferred CI/CD platform",
+          questionType: "single_select",
+          operator: "is_one_of",
+          value: ["GitHub Actions", "GitLab CI"],
+        },
+      ],
+    },
+  ],
+  [
+    {
+      name: "Minimum technical writing experience",
+      matchType: "all",
+      action: "rejected",
+      enabled: true,
+      conditions: [
+        {
+          questionLabel: "Years of technical writing experience",
+          questionType: "number",
+          operator: "lt",
+          value: 2,
+        },
+      ],
+    },
+    {
+      name: "Fast-track docs-as-code specialists",
+      matchType: "all",
+      action: "screening",
+      enabled: true,
+      conditions: [
+        {
+          questionLabel: "Years of technical writing experience",
+          questionType: "number",
+          operator: "gte",
+          value: 3,
+        },
+        {
+          questionLabel: "Which documentation have you owned?",
+          questionType: "multi_select",
+          operator: "includes_any",
+          value: ["API documentation", "Deployment guides"],
+        },
+        {
+          questionLabel: "I have worked in a docs-as-code workflow",
+          questionType: "checkbox",
+          operator: "is_true",
+        },
+      ],
+    },
+  ],
+  [
+    {
+      name: "Internship eligibility",
+      matchType: "any",
+      action: "rejected",
+      enabled: true,
+      conditions: [
+        {
+          questionLabel: "Are you currently enrolled in a degree program?",
+          questionType: "single_select",
+          operator: "is_one_of",
+          value: ["No", "Graduating before the internship starts"],
+        },
+        {
+          questionLabel: "Can you work on-site in Berlin for this internship?",
+          questionType: "single_select",
+          operator: "is_one_of",
+          value: ["No — remote only"],
+        },
+      ],
+    },
+    {
+      name: "Fast-track Vue project experience",
+      matchType: "all",
+      action: "screening",
+      enabled: true,
+      conditions: [
+        {
+          questionLabel:
+            "Which frontend technologies have you used in projects?",
+          questionType: "multi_select",
+          operator: "includes_all",
+          value: ["JavaScript", "Vue"],
+        },
+        {
+          questionLabel: "Link to a GitHub profile or frontend project",
+          questionType: "url",
+          operator: "is_answered",
+        },
+      ],
+    },
+  ],
+];
diff --git a/server/scripts/seed-data/top-applications.ts b/server/scripts/seed-data/top-applications.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9c8be9b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/scripts/seed-data/top-applications.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+export interface ScoredApplicationFixture {
+  candidateIndex: number;
+  status: string;
+  score?: number;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Select the highest-scored fixtures in each status while retaining their
+ * original order in the returned collection.
+ */
+export function selectTopApplicationsPerStatus<
+  TApplication extends ScoredApplicationFixture,
+>(
+  applications: readonly TApplication[],
+  limit: number,
+): TApplication[] {
+  const selected = new Set<TApplication>();
+  const byStatus = new Map<string, TApplication[]>();
+
+  for (const application of applications) {
+    const statusApplications = byStatus.get(application.status) ?? [];
+    statusApplications.push(application);
+    byStatus.set(application.status, statusApplications);
+  }
+
+  for (const statusApplications of byStatus.values()) {
+    const highestScoring = [...statusApplications]
+      .sort(
+        (left, right) =>
+          (right.score ?? Number.NEGATIVE_INFINITY) -
+            (left.score ?? Number.NEGATIVE_INFINITY) ||
+          left.candidateIndex - right.candidateIndex,
+      )
+      .slice(0, limit);
+
+    for (const application of highestScoring) {
+      selected.add(application);
+    }
+  }
+
+  return applications.filter((application) => selected.has(application));
+}
diff --git a/server/scripts/seed.ts b/server/scripts/seed.ts
index 77a1c6b1..a0fe8b28 100644
--- a/server/scripts/seed.ts
+++ b/server/scripts/seed.ts
@@ -5,14 +5,14 @@
  * - 1 demo user (demo@reqcore.com / demo1234)
  * - 1 organization ("Reqcore Demo")
  * - 5 jobs with varying statuses
- * - 420 candidates
- * - 427+ applications across all pipeline stages (134 on Senior Full-Stack Engineer, 262 on Product Designer)
- * - Custom questions on select jobs
+ * - Only candidates attached to the top 3 scored applications in each job/status
+ * - At most 3 applications per pipeline stage and job, ordered by score
+ * - 35 candidate inbox messages across 28 conversations and every represented pipeline status
+ * - Custom application questions and automation rules for every job
  * - Question responses on applications
- * - 20 tracking links across 14+ source channels (LinkedIn, Indeed, etc.)
- * - 160+ application source attribution records with UTM & referrer data
- * - 35+ scheduled/completed interviews across the pipeline
- * - 800+ activity log entries covering all action types (for Timeline page)
+ * - Tracking links and source attribution with UTM & referrer data
+ * - Scheduled/completed interviews across the pipeline
+ * - Activity log entries covering all action types (for Timeline page)
  *
  * Usage: npx tsx server/scripts/seed.ts
  * Requires DATABASE_URL in .env (loaded via dotenv or shell env).
@@ -27,6 +27,11 @@ import { hashPassword } from "better-auth/crypto";
 import * as schema from "../database/schema";
 import { resolveDatabaseUrl } from "../utils/database-url";
 import { encrypt } from "../utils/encryption";
+import {
+  DEMO_AUTOMATION_RULES,
+  DEMO_JOB_QUESTIONS,
+} from "./seed-data/automation";
+import { selectTopApplicationsPerStatus } from "./seed-data/top-applications";
 
 // ─────────────────────────────────────────────
 // Config
@@ -2753,79 +2758,6 @@ const CANDIDATES_DATA = [
   },
 ];
 
-// Questions for the Senior Full-Stack Engineer job
-const FULLSTACK_QUESTIONS = [
-  {
-    type: "short_text" as const,
-    label: "Years of TypeScript experience",
-    required: true,
-  },
-  {
-    type: "single_select" as const,
-    label: "Preferred frontend framework",
-    options: ["Vue", "React", "Svelte", "Angular", "Solid"],
-    required: true,
-  },
-  {
-    type: "long_text" as const,
-    label: "Describe a challenging technical problem you solved recently",
-    required: true,
-  },
-  {
-    type: "url" as const,
-    label: "Link to your GitHub profile or portfolio",
-    required: false,
-  },
-  {
-    type: "single_select" as const,
-    label: "When can you start?",
-    options: ["Immediately", "2 weeks", "1 month", "2-3 months"],
-    required: true,
-  },
-];
-
-// Questions for Product Designer
-const DESIGNER_QUESTIONS = [
-  { type: "url" as const, label: "Link to your portfolio", required: true },
-  {
-    type: "single_select" as const,
-    label: "Primary design tool",
-    options: ["Figma", "Sketch", "Adobe XD", "Framer"],
-    required: true,
-  },
-  {
-    type: "long_text" as const,
-    label: "Walk us through your design process for a recent project",
-    required: true,
-  },
-  {
-    type: "checkbox" as const,
-    label: "I have experience with design systems",
-    required: false,
-  },
-];
-
-// Questions for DevOps Engineer
-const DEVOPS_QUESTIONS = [
-  {
-    type: "multi_select" as const,
-    label: "Which cloud platforms have you worked with?",
-    options: ["AWS", "GCP", "Azure", "Hetzner", "DigitalOcean", "Other"],
-    required: true,
-  },
-  {
-    type: "short_text" as const,
-    label: "Years of Docker experience",
-    required: true,
-  },
-  {
-    type: "single_select" as const,
-    label: "Preferred CI/CD platform",
-    options: ["GitHub Actions", "GitLab CI", "Jenkins", "CircleCI", "Other"],
-    required: true,
-  },
-];
-
 // ─────────────────────────────────────────────
 // Application distribution map
 // Ensures realistic pipeline distribution across all stages
@@ -2841,6 +2773,8 @@ interface ApplicationAssignment {
   notes?: string;
 }
 
+const DEMO_APPLICATIONS_PER_STATUS = 3;
+
 // Job 0: Senior Full-Stack Engineer — high volume, full funnel
 const JOB_0_APPS: ApplicationAssignment[] = [
   {
@@ -4096,7 +4030,7 @@ const JOB_4_APPS: ApplicationAssignment[] = [
   },
 ];
 
-const JOB_APPLICATIONS = [
+const ALL_JOB_APPLICATIONS = [
   JOB_0_APPS,
   JOB_1_APPS,
   JOB_2_APPS,
@@ -4104,6 +4038,33 @@ const JOB_APPLICATIONS = [
   JOB_4_APPS,
 ];
 
+/**
+ * The pipeline defaults to "Highest score", so seed only the records a demo
+ * visitor can meaningfully inspect at the top of every job/status combination.
+ */
+const JOB_APPLICATIONS = ALL_JOB_APPLICATIONS.map((applications) =>
+  selectTopApplicationsPerStatus(
+    applications,
+    DEMO_APPLICATIONS_PER_STATUS,
+  ),
+);
+
+const DEMO_CANDIDATE_INDICES = [
+  ...new Set(
+    JOB_APPLICATIONS.flatMap((applications) =>
+      applications.map((application) => application.candidateIndex),
+    ),
+  ),
+].sort((left, right) => left - right);
+
+const DEMO_APPLICATION_KEYS = new Set(
+  JOB_APPLICATIONS.flatMap((applications, jobIndex) =>
+    applications.map(
+      (application) => `${jobIndex}-${application.candidateIndex}`,
+    ),
+  ),
+);
+
 // ─────────────────────────────────────────────
 // AI Scoring — Criteria definitions per job
 // ─────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -7178,14 +7139,14 @@ const INTERVIEWS_DATA: InterviewSeed[] = [
 function generateResponses(
   jobIndex: number,
   candidateIndex: number,
-): Record<string, string | string[] | boolean> {
+): Record<string, string | string[] | number | boolean> {
   const candidate = CANDIDATES_DATA[candidateIndex];
   if (!candidate) {
     return {};
   }
 
   if (jobIndex === 0) {
-    const years = ["3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8+"];
+    const years = [5, 6, 7, 8, 5, 6];
     const frameworks = ["Vue", "React", "Svelte", "Vue", "React", "Vue"];
     const starts = [
       "Immediately",
@@ -7233,6 +7194,7 @@ function generateResponses(
     );
     return {
       "Link to your portfolio": `https://dribbble.com/${candidate.firstName.toLowerCase()}${candidate.lastName.toLowerCase().charAt(0)}`,
+      "Years of product design experience": 3 + (candidateIndex % 5),
       "Primary design tool": tool,
       "Walk us through your design process for a recent project": process,
       "I have experience with design systems": candidateIndex % 2 === 0,
@@ -7255,7 +7217,7 @@ function generateResponses(
       "GitHub Actions",
       "CircleCI",
     ];
-    const dockerYears = ["3", "4", "5", "6", "2", "7"];
+    const dockerYears = [3, 4, 5, 6, 3, 7];
     const i = candidateIndex % platforms.length;
     const platformList = getArrayItemOrThrow(
       platforms,
@@ -7278,6 +7240,44 @@ function generateResponses(
       "Preferred CI/CD platform": ciPlatform,
     };
   }
+  if (jobIndex === 3) {
+    const documentation = [
+      ["API documentation", "User guides", "Release notes"],
+      ["Deployment guides", "Tutorials"],
+      ["API documentation", "Deployment guides"],
+      ["User guides", "Tutorials", "Release notes"],
+    ];
+    const i = candidateIndex % documentation.length;
+    return {
+      "Link to a technical writing sample": `https://docs.example.com/${candidate.firstName.toLowerCase()}-${candidate.lastName.toLowerCase().replace(/['\s]/g, "-")}`,
+      "Years of technical writing experience": 2 + (candidateIndex % 5),
+      "Which documentation have you owned?": getArrayItemOrThrow(
+        documentation,
+        i,
+        "documentation ownership response",
+      ),
+      "I have worked in a docs-as-code workflow": candidateIndex % 3 !== 0,
+    };
+  }
+  if (jobIndex === 4) {
+    const technologies = [
+      ["HTML/CSS", "JavaScript", "TypeScript", "Vue"],
+      ["HTML/CSS", "JavaScript", "React"],
+      ["HTML/CSS", "JavaScript", "Vue"],
+      ["HTML/CSS", "JavaScript", "TypeScript"],
+    ];
+    const i = candidateIndex % technologies.length;
+    return {
+      "Are you currently enrolled in a degree program?": "Yes",
+      "Can you work on-site in Berlin for this internship?":
+        candidateIndex % 2 === 0
+          ? "Yes — on-site in Berlin"
+          : "Yes — I can relocate",
+      "Which frontend technologies have you used in projects?":
+        getArrayItemOrThrow(technologies, i, "frontend technologies response"),
+      "Link to a GitHub profile or frontend project": `https://github.com/${candidate.firstName.toLowerCase()}${candidate.lastName.toLowerCase().replace(/['\s]/g, "")}`,
+    };
+  }
   return {};
 }
 
@@ -9268,6 +9268,487 @@ const APPLICATION_SOURCES_DATA: ApplicationSourceSeed[] = [
   },
 ];
 
+// ─────────────────────────────────────────────
+// Candidate inbox conversations
+// Every pipeline status represented in a job has at least one conversation,
+// including the job's highest-scoring candidate. Only one conversation per job
+// has outbound messages so the Free demo account stays within its five-thread
+// cap; the remaining examples are candidate-originated follow-ups.
+// ─────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+interface CandidateInboxMessageSeed {
+  direction: "inbound" | "outbound";
+  subject: string;
+  bodyText: string;
+  daysAgo: number;
+  hour: number;
+  minute?: number;
+}
+
+interface CandidateInboxConversationSeed {
+  jobIndex: number;
+  candidateIndex: number;
+  unreadCount: number;
+  messages: CandidateInboxMessageSeed[];
+}
+
+function candidateFollowUp(
+  jobIndex: number,
+  candidateIndex: number,
+  subject: string,
+  bodyText: string,
+  daysAgo: number,
+  hour: number,
+  minute: number = 0,
+): CandidateInboxConversationSeed {
+  return {
+    jobIndex,
+    candidateIndex,
+    unreadCount: 1,
+    messages: [
+      {
+        direction: "inbound",
+        subject,
+        bodyText,
+        daysAgo,
+        hour,
+        minute,
+      },
+    ],
+  };
+}
+
+const CANDIDATE_INBOX_DATA: CandidateInboxConversationSeed[] = [
+  // Senior Full-Stack Engineer
+  {
+    jobIndex: 0,
+    candidateIndex: 3,
+    unreadCount: 1,
+    messages: [
+      {
+        direction: "outbound",
+        subject: "Final interview for Senior Full-Stack Engineer",
+        bodyText:
+          "Hi Noah,\n\nWe enjoyed reviewing your take-home exercise and would like to invite you to a final panel interview. Would Thursday afternoon or Friday morning work better for you?\n\nBest,\nDemo Recruiter",
+        daysAgo: 3,
+        hour: 10,
+      },
+      {
+        direction: "inbound",
+        subject: "Re: Final interview for Senior Full-Stack Engineer",
+        bodyText:
+          "Hi,\n\nGreat news, thank you! Friday at 10:00 CET works well for me. Could you let me know whether the panel will focus more on system design or team leadership?\n\nBest,\nNoah",
+        daysAgo: 2,
+        hour: 8,
+        minute: 35,
+      },
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    jobIndex: 0,
+    candidateIndex: 8,
+    unreadCount: 1,
+    messages: [
+      {
+        direction: "inbound",
+        subject: "Additional details for my Full-Stack application",
+        bodyText:
+          "Hi Reqcore team,\n\nI wanted to add a recent project that was not yet on my CV. I led a Nuxt migration for a customer portal and documented the PostgreSQL performance work in my GitHub portfolio. Happy to walk through the trade-offs if useful.\n\nRegards,\nLucas",
+        daysAgo: 1,
+        hour: 16,
+        minute: 20,
+      },
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    jobIndex: 0,
+    candidateIndex: 0,
+    unreadCount: 1,
+    messages: [
+      {
+        direction: "inbound",
+        subject: "Onboarding documents and start date",
+        bodyText:
+          "Hi,\n\nI have signed the remaining onboarding documents and confirmed my availability to start next Monday. Please let me know if there is anything else I should prepare before my first day. I am really looking forward to joining the engineering team.\n\nBest,\nEmma",
+        daysAgo: 1,
+        hour: 9,
+        minute: 15,
+      },
+    ],
+  },
+  candidateFollowUp(
+    0,
+    1,
+    "Questions about the Full-Stack Engineer offer",
+    "Hi,\n\nThank you again for the offer. Before I sign, could we clarify the relocation support and equity portion of the package? I am available for a quick call tomorrow afternoon.\n\nBest,\nLiam",
+    4,
+    16,
+    10,
+  ),
+  candidateFollowUp(
+    0,
+    6,
+    "Availability for an initial engineering call",
+    "Hi Reqcore team,\n\nI am available for a screening call on Tuesday or Thursday morning. I also wanted to confirm that I already have authorization to work in Germany and would not require sponsorship.\n\nBest,\nAmara",
+    6,
+    11,
+    20,
+  ),
+  candidateFollowUp(
+    0,
+    70,
+    "Additional architecture example",
+    "Hello Reqcore team,\n\nI added a short architecture note to my application describing how I split a growing TypeScript service into independently deployable modules. It includes the PostgreSQL migration plan and the trade-offs we considered.\n\nRegards,\nArjun",
+    2,
+    13,
+    15,
+  ),
+  candidateFollowUp(
+    0,
+    126,
+    "Re: Senior Full-Stack Engineer application update",
+    "Hi,\n\nThank you for reviewing my application. I understand that the role requires deeper backend ownership. I appreciate the feedback and would be interested in future frontend-focused engineering positions.\n\nBest,\nSonia",
+    9,
+    14,
+    5,
+  ),
+
+  // Product Designer
+  {
+    jobIndex: 1,
+    candidateIndex: 15,
+    unreadCount: 0,
+    messages: [
+      {
+        direction: "outbound",
+        subject: "Portfolio walkthrough — Product Designer",
+        bodyText:
+          "Hi Elena,\n\nYour case studies stood out to the team. We would love to schedule a 45-minute portfolio walkthrough next week, with a little extra time to discuss your research process. Are you available Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon?\n\nBest,\nDemo Recruiter",
+        daysAgo: 8,
+        hour: 11,
+        minute: 15,
+      },
+      {
+        direction: "inbound",
+        subject: "Re: Portfolio walkthrough — Product Designer",
+        bodyText:
+          "Hi,\n\nTuesday at 14:00 CET would be perfect. I will present the workflow redesign from my portfolio and can also share the accessibility testing that did not fit into the published case study.\n\nLooking forward to it,\nElena",
+        daysAgo: 7,
+        hour: 9,
+        minute: 5,
+      },
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    jobIndex: 1,
+    candidateIndex: 17,
+    unreadCount: 1,
+    messages: [
+      {
+        direction: "inbound",
+        subject: "Updated prototype for my Product Designer application",
+        bodyText:
+          "Hello,\n\nI have updated the interactive prototype from my application after another round of usability testing. The new version includes the empty states and keyboard flows we discussed in my screening call. I would be glad to send over the research notes as well.\n\nThanks,\nMaria",
+        daysAgo: 4,
+        hour: 13,
+        minute: 40,
+      },
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    jobIndex: 1,
+    candidateIndex: 150,
+    unreadCount: 1,
+    messages: [
+      {
+        direction: "inbound",
+        subject: "Additional Product Designer case study",
+        bodyText:
+          "Hello Reqcore team,\n\nI have added a new case study to my portfolio that may be especially relevant to this role. It covers how I simplified a permissions-heavy B2B workflow, evolved the design system, and measured the impact after launch. I would be happy to walk the team through the decisions behind it.\n\nBest,\nCharlotte",
+        daysAgo: 2,
+        hour: 15,
+        minute: 30,
+      },
+    ],
+  },
+  candidateFollowUp(
+    1,
+    14,
+    "Product Designer offer questions",
+    "Hi,\n\nI am delighted to receive the offer. Could you confirm the expected start date and whether the team meets in person for planning sessions? The remote setup otherwise looks ideal.\n\nBest,\nDavid",
+    6,
+    10,
+    40,
+  ),
+  candidateFollowUp(
+    1,
+    400,
+    "Portfolio walkthrough availability",
+    "Hello,\n\nI can join a portfolio walkthrough on Wednesday after 13:00 CET or Friday morning. I would like to focus on the research and validation work behind my recent enterprise workflow redesign.\n\nThanks,\nNora",
+    5,
+    15,
+    25,
+  ),
+  candidateFollowUp(
+    1,
+    388,
+    "Re: Product Designer application update",
+    "Hi,\n\nThank you for reviewing my portfolio. I understand that the role needs more experience than my current freelance background demonstrates, and I appreciate the team taking the time to consider me.\n\nBest,\nMichal",
+    10,
+    9,
+    50,
+  ),
+
+  // DevOps Engineer
+  {
+    jobIndex: 2,
+    candidateIndex: 7,
+    unreadCount: 0,
+    messages: [
+      {
+        direction: "outbound",
+        subject: "Technical interview availability — DevOps Engineer",
+        bodyText:
+          "Hi Yuki,\n\nWe would like to move you to the final technical interview. The conversation will cover deployment reliability, incident response, and a practical infrastructure design scenario. Which times work for you this week?\n\nBest,\nDemo Recruiter",
+        daysAgo: 10,
+        hour: 9,
+      },
+      {
+        direction: "inbound",
+        subject: "Re: Technical interview availability — DevOps Engineer",
+        bodyText:
+          "Hi,\n\nThank you for the update. Wednesday at 14:00 UTC works best. I can also prepare a short overview of the incident review process I introduced for my current platform team.\n\nBest regards,\nYuki",
+        daysAgo: 9,
+        hour: 7,
+        minute: 45,
+      },
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    jobIndex: 2,
+    candidateIndex: 9,
+    unreadCount: 1,
+    messages: [
+      {
+        direction: "inbound",
+        subject: "On-call experience clarification",
+        bodyText:
+          "Hi,\n\nA quick follow-up to my DevOps application: I have been part of a six-person on-call rotation for the last two years and served as incident commander for three production incidents. I noticed that responsibility was not very clear on my CV.\n\nRegards,\nPriya",
+        daysAgo: 5,
+        hour: 17,
+        minute: 10,
+      },
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    jobIndex: 2,
+    candidateIndex: 5,
+    unreadCount: 1,
+    messages: [
+      {
+        direction: "inbound",
+        subject: "Contract signed — DevOps Engineer",
+        bodyText:
+          "Hi,\n\nI have signed the contract and completed the security questionnaire. I can start the infrastructure review during my first week and will bring an outline for the deployment and observability audit we discussed.\n\nLooking forward to working together,\nJames",
+        daysAgo: 3,
+        hour: 12,
+        minute: 10,
+      },
+    ],
+  },
+  candidateFollowUp(
+    2,
+    6,
+    "DevOps Engineer contract details",
+    "Hi,\n\nThank you for sending the contract terms. The scope looks good to me. Could we confirm the proposed start date and how often the contractor joins the primary on-call rotation?\n\nBest,\nAmara",
+    6,
+    13,
+    35,
+  ),
+  candidateFollowUp(
+    2,
+    26,
+    "Additional certification for my DevOps application",
+    "Hello Reqcore team,\n\nI recently completed my Kubernetes administrator certification and added the credential to my application. I also included a short write-up about a backup restoration exercise I led last quarter.\n\nRegards,\nMarcus",
+    2,
+    17,
+    5,
+  ),
+  candidateFollowUp(
+    2,
+    29,
+    "Re: DevOps Engineer application update",
+    "Hi,\n\nThank you for the update and for considering my application. I understand that the role needs deeper platform ownership. I would be interested in future support engineering or junior SRE opportunities.\n\nBest,\nZara",
+    12,
+    8,
+    30,
+  ),
+
+  // Technical Writer (Part-Time)
+  {
+    jobIndex: 3,
+    candidateIndex: 12,
+    unreadCount: 0,
+    messages: [
+      {
+        direction: "outbound",
+        subject: "Reqcore Technical Writer offer",
+        bodyText:
+          "Hi Felix,\n\nWe are delighted to offer you the part-time Technical Writer role. I have sent the full terms separately. Could we arrange a short call to discuss your preferred weekly schedule and starting date?\n\nBest,\nDemo Recruiter",
+        daysAgo: 6,
+        hour: 14,
+      },
+      {
+        direction: "inbound",
+        subject: "Re: Reqcore Technical Writer offer",
+        bodyText:
+          "Hi,\n\nThank you — I am excited about the offer. Tuesday morning would be ideal for a call. My preference is to spread the hours across three days, and I could start on the first Monday next month.\n\nBest,\nFelix",
+        daysAgo: 5,
+        hour: 8,
+        minute: 25,
+      },
+      {
+        direction: "outbound",
+        subject: "Re: Reqcore Technical Writer offer",
+        bodyText:
+          "Hi Felix,\n\nThat schedule works well for us. I have booked a call for Tuesday at 09:30 CET and included the proposed onboarding plan. We can confirm the exact three-day split together then.\n\nBest,\nDemo Recruiter",
+        daysAgo: 4,
+        hour: 10,
+        minute: 5,
+      },
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    jobIndex: 3,
+    candidateIndex: 14,
+    unreadCount: 1,
+    messages: [
+      {
+        direction: "inbound",
+        subject: "API documentation sample",
+        bodyText:
+          "Hello,\n\nI have added an API migration guide to my writing samples. It shows how I structure breaking-change notices, before-and-after examples, and troubleshooting steps for developers. I hope it gives the team a useful view of my docs-as-code approach.\n\nKind regards,\nDavid",
+        daysAgo: 11,
+        hour: 12,
+        minute: 50,
+      },
+    ],
+  },
+  candidateFollowUp(
+    3,
+    18,
+    "Technical Writer screening availability",
+    "Hi,\n\nI am available for an introductory call on Monday or Wednesday afternoon. I can also share a longer administrator guide that shows how I organize documentation for several user roles.\n\nBest,\nRyan",
+    7,
+    16,
+    15,
+  ),
+  candidateFollowUp(
+    3,
+    22,
+    "New troubleshooting guide sample",
+    "Hello Reqcore team,\n\nI have added a troubleshooting guide to my application samples. It includes diagnostic decision trees, expected command output, and separate recovery paths for hosted and self-managed installations.\n\nRegards,\nTom",
+    3,
+    11,
+    45,
+  ),
+  candidateFollowUp(
+    3,
+    28,
+    "Re: Technical Writer application update",
+    "Hi,\n\nThank you for the candid feedback. I understand that my current portfolio is weighted toward campaign writing, and I am working on more developer-focused samples. Please keep me in mind for future content roles.\n\nBest,\nKevin",
+    14,
+    10,
+    20,
+  ),
+
+  // Frontend Engineering Intern
+  {
+    jobIndex: 4,
+    candidateIndex: 2,
+    unreadCount: 0,
+    messages: [
+      {
+        direction: "outbound",
+        subject: "Team interview — Frontend Engineering Intern",
+        bodyText:
+          "Hi Sofia,\n\nWe enjoyed your first conversation and would like you to meet two frontend engineers for a 45-minute team interview. Would Monday at 15:00 CET work for you?\n\nBest,\nDemo Recruiter",
+        daysAgo: 13,
+        hour: 10,
+        minute: 30,
+      },
+      {
+        direction: "inbound",
+        subject: "Re: Team interview — Frontend Engineering Intern",
+        bodyText:
+          "Hi,\n\nMonday at 15:00 CET works for me, thank you. Should I prepare for a live coding exercise, or will the discussion focus on the projects from my application?\n\nBest,\nSofia",
+        daysAgo: 12,
+        hour: 18,
+        minute: 5,
+      },
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    jobIndex: 4,
+    candidateIndex: 11,
+    unreadCount: 2,
+    messages: [
+      {
+        direction: "inbound",
+        subject: "Internship interview scheduling",
+        bodyText:
+          "Hi Reqcore team,\n\nThank you for moving my application forward. I am in exams until Thursday, but I am available any time on Friday or next Monday afternoon.\n\nBest,\nAisha",
+        daysAgo: 2,
+        hour: 19,
+        minute: 10,
+      },
+      {
+        direction: "inbound",
+        subject: "Re: Internship interview scheduling",
+        bodyText:
+          "One quick addition: I can come to the Berlin office for the interview if that is easier for the team.\n\nThanks,\nAisha",
+        daysAgo: 1,
+        hour: 7,
+        minute: 50,
+      },
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    jobIndex: 4,
+    candidateIndex: 0,
+    unreadCount: 1,
+    messages: [
+      {
+        direction: "inbound",
+        subject: "Frontend internship project update",
+        bodyText:
+          "Hi Reqcore team,\n\nI wanted to share a small update before the next interview: I added keyboard navigation and component tests to the Vue project from my application. I also wrote a short note explaining the accessibility choices and what I would improve with more time.\n\nBest,\nEmma",
+        daysAgo: 3,
+        hour: 18,
+        minute: 45,
+      },
+    ],
+  },
+  candidateFollowUp(
+    4,
+    15,
+    "Frontend internship application follow-up",
+    "Hi Reqcore team,\n\nI wanted to confirm that my application came through correctly. I have also added the GitHub repository for my latest Vue project, including a short README about the component architecture.\n\nBest,\nElena",
+    4,
+    12,
+    5,
+  ),
+  candidateFollowUp(
+    4,
+    23,
+    "Re: Frontend internship application update",
+    "Hello,\n\nThank you for reviewing my application. I appreciate the note about strengthening my JavaScript fundamentals and will focus on that in my next project. I hope I can apply again in the future.\n\nRegards,\nSarah",
+    8,
+    9,
+    35,
+  ),
+];
+
 // ─────────────────────────────────────────────
 // Main Seed Function
 // ─────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -9275,6 +9756,20 @@ const APPLICATION_SOURCES_DATA: ApplicationSourceSeed[] = [
 async function seed() {
   console.log("🌱 Seeding Reqcore demo data...\n");
 
+  const demoInboxData = CANDIDATE_INBOX_DATA.filter((conversation) =>
+    DEMO_APPLICATION_KEYS.has(
+      `${conversation.jobIndex}-${conversation.candidateIndex}`,
+    ),
+  );
+  const demoApplicationSources = APPLICATION_SOURCES_DATA.filter((source) =>
+    DEMO_APPLICATION_KEYS.has(`${source.jobIndex}-${source.candidateIndex}`),
+  );
+  const demoInterviews = INTERVIEWS_DATA.filter((interview) =>
+    DEMO_APPLICATION_KEYS.has(
+      `${interview.jobIndex}-${interview.candidateIndex}`,
+    ),
+  );
+
   // ─────────────────────────────────────────────
   // Clean up legacy applirank.com seed data
   // ─────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -9440,11 +9935,18 @@ async function seed() {
   console.log(`✅ Created ${JOBS_DATA.length} jobs`);
 
   // 4. Create candidates
-  const candidateIds: string[] = [];
+  const candidateIds: Array<string | undefined> = [];
+
+  for (const candidateIndex of DEMO_CANDIDATE_INDICES) {
+    const candidateData = CANDIDATES_DATA[candidateIndex];
+    if (!candidateData) {
+      throw new Error(
+        `Missing candidate fixture at selected index ${candidateIndex}`,
+      );
+    }
 
-  for (const candidateData of CANDIDATES_DATA) {
     const candidateId = id();
-    candidateIds.push(candidateId);
+    candidateIds[candidateIndex] = candidateId;
     const createdDaysAgo = 5 + Math.floor(Math.random() * 20);
 
     await db.insert(schema.candidate).values({
@@ -9459,19 +9961,27 @@ async function seed() {
     });
   }
 
-  console.log(`✅ Created ${CANDIDATES_DATA.length} candidates`);
+  console.log(`✅ Created ${DEMO_CANDIDATE_INDICES.length} candidates`);
 
-  // 5. Create custom questions for first 3 jobs
-  const questionSets = [
-    FULLSTACK_QUESTIONS,
-    DESIGNER_QUESTIONS,
-    DEVOPS_QUESTIONS,
-  ];
-  const questionIdsByJob: Map<number, { questionId: string; label: string }[]> =
-    new Map();
+  // 5. Create custom questions and automation rules for every demo job
+  if (
+    DEMO_JOB_QUESTIONS.length !== JOBS_DATA.length ||
+    DEMO_AUTOMATION_RULES.length !== JOBS_DATA.length
+  ) {
+    throw new Error("Every demo job must have questions and automation rules");
+  }
 
-  for (let jobIndex = 0; jobIndex < questionSets.length; jobIndex++) {
-    const questions = questionSets[jobIndex];
+  const questionIdsByJob: Map<
+    number,
+    {
+      questionId: string;
+      label: string;
+      type: (typeof DEMO_JOB_QUESTIONS)[number][number]["type"];
+    }[]
+  > = new Map();
+
+  for (let jobIndex = 0; jobIndex < DEMO_JOB_QUESTIONS.length; jobIndex++) {
+    const questions = DEMO_JOB_QUESTIONS[jobIndex];
     const jobId = jobIds[jobIndex];
     if (!questions || !jobId) {
       throw new Error(
@@ -9479,7 +9989,11 @@ async function seed() {
       );
     }
 
-    const questionIds: { questionId: string; label: string }[] = [];
+    const questionIds: {
+      questionId: string;
+      label: string;
+      type: (typeof DEMO_JOB_QUESTIONS)[number][number]["type"];
+    }[] = [];
 
     for (let qi = 0; qi < questions.length; qi++) {
       const q = questions[qi];
@@ -9488,7 +10002,7 @@ async function seed() {
       }
 
       const questionId = id();
-      questionIds.push({ questionId, label: q.label });
+      questionIds.push({ questionId, label: q.label, type: q.type });
 
       await db.insert(schema.jobQuestion).values({
         id: questionId,
@@ -9497,7 +10011,7 @@ async function seed() {
         type: q.type,
         label: q.label,
         required: q.required,
-        options: "options" in q ? q.options : null,
+        options: q.options ?? null,
         displayOrder: qi,
         createdAt: daysAgo(18),
         updatedAt: daysAgo(18),
@@ -9507,7 +10021,66 @@ async function seed() {
     questionIdsByJob.set(jobIndex, questionIds);
   }
 
-  console.log(`✅ Created custom questions for ${questionSets.length} jobs`);
+  console.log(`✅ Created custom questions for ${DEMO_JOB_QUESTIONS.length} jobs`);
+
+  let totalAutomationRules = 0;
+
+  for (let jobIndex = 0; jobIndex < DEMO_AUTOMATION_RULES.length; jobIndex++) {
+    const rules = DEMO_AUTOMATION_RULES[jobIndex];
+    const jobId = jobIds[jobIndex];
+    const questions = questionIdsByJob.get(jobIndex);
+    if (!rules || !jobId || !questions) {
+      throw new Error(
+        `Invalid automation seed configuration at job index ${jobIndex}`,
+      );
+    }
+
+    const questionsByLabel = new Map(questions.map((q) => [q.label, q]));
+
+    for (let displayOrder = 0; displayOrder < rules.length; displayOrder++) {
+      const rule = rules[displayOrder];
+      if (!rule) continue;
+
+      const conditions = rule.conditions.map((condition) => {
+        const question = questionsByLabel.get(condition.questionLabel);
+        if (!question) {
+          throw new Error(
+            `Automation rule "${rule.name}" references missing question "${condition.questionLabel}"`,
+          );
+        }
+        if (question.type !== condition.questionType) {
+          throw new Error(
+            `Automation rule "${rule.name}" expects "${condition.questionLabel}" to be ${condition.questionType}, got ${question.type}`,
+          );
+        }
+
+        return {
+          questionId: question.questionId,
+          operator: condition.operator,
+          ...(condition.value !== undefined ? { value: condition.value } : {}),
+        };
+      });
+
+      await db.insert(schema.applicationRule).values({
+        id: id(),
+        organizationId: orgId,
+        jobId,
+        name: rule.name,
+        matchType: rule.matchType,
+        action: rule.action,
+        enabled: rule.enabled,
+        conditions,
+        displayOrder,
+        createdAt: daysAgo(17),
+        updatedAt: daysAgo(17),
+      });
+      totalAutomationRules++;
+    }
+  }
+
+  console.log(
+    `✅ Created ${totalAutomationRules} automation rules across ${JOBS_DATA.length} jobs`,
+  );
 
   // 6. Create applications with status distribution
   let totalApps = 0;
@@ -9576,10 +10149,161 @@ async function seed() {
     `✅ Created ${totalApps} applications with pipeline distribution`,
   );
 
-  // 6b. Create tracking links and application source attribution
+  // 6b. Create candidate inbox conversations and messages
+  let totalCandidateMessages = 0;
+
+  for (let jobIndex = 0; jobIndex < JOBS_DATA.length; jobIndex++) {
+    const conversationCount = demoInboxData.filter(
+      (item) => item.jobIndex === jobIndex,
+    ).length;
+    if (conversationCount < 2) {
+      throw new Error(
+        `Demo job ${jobIndex} must have at least two candidate inbox conversations`,
+      );
+    }
+
+    const jobApplications = JOB_APPLICATIONS[jobIndex];
+    if (!jobApplications) {
+      throw new Error(`Missing demo applications for job ${jobIndex}`);
+    }
+    const applicationStatuses = new Set(
+      jobApplications.map((application) => application.status),
+    );
+    for (const status of applicationStatuses) {
+      const hasInboxConversation = jobApplications.some(
+        (application) =>
+          application.status === status &&
+          demoInboxData.some(
+            (item) =>
+              item.jobIndex === jobIndex &&
+              item.candidateIndex === application.candidateIndex,
+          ),
+      );
+      if (!hasInboxConversation) {
+        throw new Error(
+          `Demo job ${jobIndex} must have an inbox conversation for status ${status}`,
+        );
+      }
+    }
+
+    const highestScore = Math.max(
+      ...jobApplications.map((application) => application.score ?? -Infinity),
+    );
+    const highestScoringCandidates = jobApplications.filter(
+      (application) => application.score === highestScore,
+    );
+    for (const application of highestScoringCandidates) {
+      const hasInboxConversation = demoInboxData.some(
+        (item) =>
+          item.jobIndex === jobIndex &&
+          item.candidateIndex === application.candidateIndex,
+      );
+      if (!hasInboxConversation) {
+        throw new Error(
+          `Highest-scoring candidate ${application.candidateIndex} for demo job ${jobIndex} must have an inbox conversation`,
+        );
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  for (const conversationData of demoInboxData) {
+    const applicationId = applicationMap.get(
+      `${conversationData.jobIndex}-${conversationData.candidateIndex}`,
+    );
+    const candidateData = CANDIDATES_DATA[conversationData.candidateIndex];
+
+    if (!applicationId || !candidateData) {
+      throw new Error(
+        `Invalid candidate inbox seed for job ${conversationData.jobIndex}, candidate ${conversationData.candidateIndex}`,
+      );
+    }
+    if (conversationData.messages.length === 0) {
+      throw new Error(
+        `Candidate inbox seed has no messages for job ${conversationData.jobIndex}, candidate ${conversationData.candidateIndex}`,
+      );
+    }
+    const inboundMessageCount = conversationData.messages.filter(
+      (message) => message.direction === "inbound",
+    ).length;
+    if (conversationData.unreadCount > inboundMessageCount) {
+      throw new Error(
+        `Candidate inbox unread count exceeds inbound messages for job ${conversationData.jobIndex}, candidate ${conversationData.candidateIndex}`,
+      );
+    }
+
+    const conversationId = id();
+    const messageDates = conversationData.messages.map((message) =>
+      dateWithOffset(-message.daysAgo, message.hour, message.minute ?? 0),
+    );
+    const firstMessageAt = messageDates[0];
+    const lastMessageAt = messageDates.at(-1);
+
+    if (!firstMessageAt || !lastMessageAt) {
+      throw new Error("Candidate inbox message dates could not be generated");
+    }
+
+    await db.insert(schema.candidateConversation).values({
+      id: conversationId,
+      organizationId: orgId,
+      applicationId,
+      replyToken: id().replaceAll("-", ""),
+      unreadCount: conversationData.unreadCount,
+      lastMessageAt,
+      createdAt: firstMessageAt,
+      updatedAt: lastMessageAt,
+    });
+
+    for (
+      let messageIndex = 0;
+      messageIndex < conversationData.messages.length;
+      messageIndex++
+    ) {
+      const message = conversationData.messages[messageIndex];
+      const messageAt = messageDates[messageIndex];
+      if (!message || !messageAt) continue;
+
+      const outbound = message.direction === "outbound";
+      await db.insert(schema.candidateMessage).values({
+        id: id(),
+        organizationId: orgId,
+        conversationId,
+        direction: message.direction,
+        status: "delivered",
+        fromEmail: outbound ? DEMO_EMAIL : candidateData.email,
+        toEmail: outbound ? candidateData.email : DEMO_EMAIL,
+        subject: message.subject,
+        bodyText: message.bodyText,
+        sentById: outbound ? userId : null,
+        providerStatusAt: messageAt,
+        sentAt: messageAt,
+        deliveredAt: messageAt,
+        createdAt: messageAt,
+        updatedAt: messageAt,
+      });
+      totalCandidateMessages++;
+    }
+  }
+
+  console.log(
+    `✅ Created ${totalCandidateMessages} candidate inbox messages across ${demoInboxData.length} conversations`,
+  );
+
+  // 6c. Create tracking links and application source attribution
   const trackingLinkIds: string[] = [];
+  const selectedApplicationsPerTrackingLink = new Map<number, number>();
+
+  for (const source of demoApplicationSources) {
+    if (source.trackingLinkIndex === null) continue;
+    selectedApplicationsPerTrackingLink.set(
+      source.trackingLinkIndex,
+      (selectedApplicationsPerTrackingLink.get(source.trackingLinkIndex) ?? 0) +
+        1,
+    );
+  }
 
-  for (const link of TRACKING_LINKS_DATA) {
+  for (let linkIndex = 0; linkIndex < TRACKING_LINKS_DATA.length; linkIndex++) {
+    const link = TRACKING_LINKS_DATA[linkIndex];
+    if (!link) continue;
     const trackingLinkId = id();
     trackingLinkIds.push(trackingLinkId);
 
@@ -9596,7 +10320,7 @@ async function seed() {
       utmTerm: link.utmTerm ?? null,
       utmContent: link.utmContent ?? null,
       clickCount: link.clickCount,
-      applicationCount: link.applicationCount,
+      applicationCount: selectedApplicationsPerTrackingLink.get(linkIndex) ?? 0,
       isActive: link.isActive,
       createdById: userId,
       createdAt: daysAgo(link.daysAgoCreated),
@@ -9613,7 +10337,7 @@ async function seed() {
   // Create application source records for attributed applications
   let totalSources = 0;
 
-  for (const src of APPLICATION_SOURCES_DATA) {
+  for (const src of demoApplicationSources) {
     const applicationId = applicationMap.get(
       `${src.jobIndex}-${src.candidateIndex}`,
     );
@@ -9648,10 +10372,10 @@ async function seed() {
 
   // Compute source distribution for logging
   const channelCounts: Record<string, number> = {};
-  for (const src of APPLICATION_SOURCES_DATA) {
+  for (const src of demoApplicationSources) {
     channelCounts[src.channel] = (channelCounts[src.channel] || 0) + 1;
   }
-  const trackedCount = APPLICATION_SOURCES_DATA.filter(
+  const trackedCount = demoApplicationSources.filter(
     (s) => s.trackingLinkIndex !== null,
   ).length;
 
@@ -9836,7 +10560,7 @@ async function seed() {
   let totalInterviews = 0;
   const interviewIds: string[] = []; // track IDs for activity log
 
-  for (const iv of INTERVIEWS_DATA) {
+  for (const iv of demoInterviews) {
     const applicationId = applicationMap.get(
       `${iv.jobIndex}-${iv.candidateIndex}`,
     );
@@ -10000,8 +10724,8 @@ async function seed() {
   }
 
   // --- Interview creation activities ---
-  for (let i = 0; i < INTERVIEWS_DATA.length; i++) {
-    const iv = INTERVIEWS_DATA[i];
+  for (let i = 0; i < demoInterviews.length; i++) {
+    const iv = demoInterviews[i];
     const interviewId = interviewIds[i];
     if (!iv || !interviewId) continue;
 
diff --git a/tests/unit/demo-automation-seed.test.ts b/tests/unit/demo-automation-seed.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ae300630
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unit/demo-automation-seed.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import {
+  OPERATORS_BY_QUESTION_TYPE,
+  evaluateRule,
+} from "../../shared/application-rules";
+import type {
+  EvaluatedRule,
+  QuestionType,
+  ResponseValue,
+} from "../../shared/application-rules";
+import {
+  DEMO_AUTOMATION_RULES,
+  DEMO_JOB_QUESTIONS,
+} from "../../server/scripts/seed-data/automation";
+import type {
+  DemoAutomationCondition,
+} from "../../server/scripts/seed-data/automation";
+
+function matchingResponse(condition: DemoAutomationCondition): ResponseValue {
+  switch (condition.operator) {
+    case "is_missing":
+    case "is_unanswered":
+    case "is_false":
+      return undefined;
+    case "is_provided":
+    case "is_answered":
+      return "https://example.com/sample";
+    case "is_true":
+      return true;
+    case "is_one_of":
+      return (condition.value as string[])[0];
+    case "includes_any":
+    case "includes_all":
+      return condition.value as string[];
+    case "gt":
+      return Number(condition.value) + 1;
+    case "lt":
+      return Number(condition.value) - 1;
+    default:
+      return condition.value;
+  }
+}
+
+describe("demo automation seed data", () => {
+  it("configures ordered eligibility and fast-track rules for every demo job", () => {
+    expect(DEMO_JOB_QUESTIONS).toHaveLength(5);
+    expect(DEMO_AUTOMATION_RULES).toHaveLength(DEMO_JOB_QUESTIONS.length);
+
+    for (const rules of DEMO_AUTOMATION_RULES) {
+      expect(rules.length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(2);
+      expect(rules[0]?.action).toBe("rejected");
+      expect(rules.some((rule) => rule.action === "screening")).toBe(true);
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("only references existing questions with compatible operators and options", () => {
+    DEMO_AUTOMATION_RULES.forEach((rules, jobIndex) => {
+      const questions = DEMO_JOB_QUESTIONS[jobIndex];
+      expect(questions).toBeDefined();
+      const questionsByLabel = new Map(
+        questions?.map((question) => [question.label, question]),
+      );
+
+      for (const rule of rules) {
+        for (const condition of rule.conditions) {
+          const question = questionsByLabel.get(condition.questionLabel);
+          expect(
+            question,
+            `${rule.name}: ${condition.questionLabel}`,
+          ).toBeDefined();
+          expect(condition.questionType).toBe(question?.type);
+          expect(OPERATORS_BY_QUESTION_TYPE[condition.questionType]).toContain(
+            condition.operator,
+          );
+
+          if (
+            Array.isArray(condition.value) &&
+            ["single_select", "multi_select"].includes(condition.questionType)
+          ) {
+            for (const value of condition.value) {
+              expect(question?.options).toContain(value);
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("creates conditions that can actually trigger each configured rule", () => {
+    DEMO_AUTOMATION_RULES.forEach((rules, jobIndex) => {
+      const questions = DEMO_JOB_QUESTIONS[jobIndex];
+      expect(questions).toBeDefined();
+      const questionIds = new Map(
+        questions?.map((question, index) => [question.label, String(index)]),
+      );
+      const questionTypes: Record<string, QuestionType> = {};
+      questions?.forEach((question, index) => {
+        questionTypes[String(index)] = question.type;
+      });
+
+      for (const rule of rules) {
+        const responses: Record<string, ResponseValue> = {};
+        const conditions = rule.conditions.map((condition) => {
+          const questionId = questionIds.get(condition.questionLabel);
+          expect(questionId).toBeDefined();
+          responses[questionId!] = matchingResponse(condition);
+          return {
+            questionId: questionId!,
+            operator: condition.operator,
+            value: condition.value,
+          };
+        });
+        const evaluatedRule: EvaluatedRule = {
+          id: `${jobIndex}-${rule.name}`,
+          name: rule.name,
+          matchType: rule.matchType,
+          action: rule.action,
+          enabled: rule.enabled,
+          conditions,
+        };
+
+        expect(evaluateRule(evaluatedRule, responses, questionTypes)).toBe(true);
+      }
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/tests/unit/demo-top-applications-seed.test.ts b/tests/unit/demo-top-applications-seed.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9025b86e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unit/demo-top-applications-seed.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
+import { selectTopApplicationsPerStatus } from '../../server/scripts/seed-data/top-applications'
+
+describe('demo application selection', () => {
+  it('keeps only the three highest scores in every status', () => {
+    const applications = [
+      { candidateIndex: 1, status: 'new', score: 72 },
+      { candidateIndex: 2, status: 'screening', score: 84 },
+      { candidateIndex: 3, status: 'new', score: 91 },
+      { candidateIndex: 4, status: 'new', score: 88 },
+      { candidateIndex: 5, status: 'screening', score: 79 },
+      { candidateIndex: 6, status: 'new', score: 75 },
+      { candidateIndex: 7, status: 'screening', score: 90 },
+      { candidateIndex: 8, status: 'screening', score: 81 },
+    ]
+
+    expect(selectTopApplicationsPerStatus(applications, 3)).toEqual([
+      applications[1],
+      applications[2],
+      applications[3],
+      applications[5],
+      applications[6],
+      applications[7],
+    ])
+  })
+
+  it('puts unscored applications after scored applications', () => {
+    const applications = [
+      { candidateIndex: 1, status: 'new' },
+      { candidateIndex: 2, status: 'new', score: 0 },
+      { candidateIndex: 3, status: 'new', score: 50 },
+    ]
+
+    expect(selectTopApplicationsPerStatus(applications, 2)).toEqual([
+      applications[1],
+      applications[2],
+    ])
+  })
+})