diff --git a/.claude/CLAUDE.md b/.claude/CLAUDE.md
index 15361d6..95ced27 100644
--- a/.claude/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/.claude/CLAUDE.md
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ Ready to Review is an elegant modern Slack bot written in Go that integrates wit
 ### 1. Channel Thread Management
 - Start threads in Slack channels when new PRs are created
 - Update message prefix emoji based on PR state:
+  - `:new:` - newly published (appears for ~15 seconds before state changes)
   - `:test_tube:` - tests running/pending
   - `:cockroach:` - tests broken (blocked on author)
   - `:hourglass:` - waiting on review
diff --git a/internal/bot/bot.go b/internal/bot/bot.go
index d22912e..cbe8320 100644
--- a/internal/bot/bot.go
+++ b/internal/bot/bot.go
@@ -898,6 +898,8 @@ func (c *Coordinator) updateDMMessagesForPR(ctx context.Context, pr prUpdateInfo
 	prefix := notify.PrefixForState(prState)
 	var action string
 	switch prState {
+	case "newly_published":
+		action = "newly published"
 	case "merged":
 		action = "merged"
 	case "closed":
diff --git a/internal/notify/notify.go b/internal/notify/notify.go
index ae518a3..f4c3a90 100644
--- a/internal/notify/notify.go
+++ b/internal/notify/notify.go
@@ -90,6 +90,8 @@ type PRInfo struct {
 // Exported for use by bot package to ensure consistent PR state display.
 func PrefixForState(prState string) string {
 	switch prState {
+	case "newly_published":
+		return ":new:"
 	case "tests_running":
 		return ":test_tube:"
 	case "tests_broken":
@@ -249,6 +251,8 @@ func (m *Manager) NotifyUser(ctx context.Context, workspaceID, userID, channelID
 	// Format: :emoji: Title <url|repo#123> · author → action
 	var action string
 	switch pr.State {
+	case "newly_published":
+		action = "newly published"
 	case "tests_broken":
 		action = "fix tests"
 	case "awaiting_review":