diff --git a/tests/runner-e2e/chat-catalog-domains/external-company-secret-menu.test.ts b/tests/runner-e2e/chat-catalog-domains/external-company-secret-menu.test.ts
index 7edcb670edb..0ccbdf56496 100644
--- a/tests/runner-e2e/chat-catalog-domains/external-company-secret-menu.test.ts
+++ b/tests/runner-e2e/chat-catalog-domains/external-company-secret-menu.test.ts
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ it.skipIf(process.env.PAPERCLIP_CHAT_EVAL_SECRET_ROUTE_CANARY!=="1")("uses actua
  const scenarios=[
   {name:"ordinary menu",settings,secrets,accepted:true},
   {name:"company switcher menu",settings,secrets,accepted:true,menu:true},
+  {name:"separate Markdown emphasis",settings,secrets,accepted:true,body:"Open **Settings** then **Secrets**, **New secret**. Enter the deployment key in the secure form. After saving, I will bind its secret reference to Morgan's environment.",markup:"<strong>Settings</strong> then <strong>Secrets</strong>, <strong>New secret</strong>"},
   {name:"no route example",settings,secrets,accepted:true,body:"Open Settings then Secrets, New secret. Enter the deployment key in the secure form. After saving, I will bind its secret reference to Morgan's environment.",markup:"Settings then Secrets, New secret"},
   {name:"plain directions",settings,secrets,accepted:true,markup:"Company settings → Secrets (company-prefixed /company/settings/secrets) via New secret"},
   {name:"missing Settings",settings:"",secrets},
diff --git a/tests/runner-e2e/chat-catalog-domains/external-company-secret-menu.ts b/tests/runner-e2e/chat-catalog-domains/external-company-secret-menu.ts
index 8d93cd8ddae..dc465aceca4 100644
--- a/tests/runner-e2e/chat-catalog-domains/external-company-secret-menu.ts
+++ b/tests/runner-e2e/chat-catalog-domains/external-company-secret-menu.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import type {Locator,Page} from "@playwright/test";
 export function companySecretMenuDirections(body:string){
+ body=body.replace(/[*_`]/g,"");
  return /\b(?:Company\s+)?Settings\s*(?:→|>|then)\s*Secrets\b/i.test(body)&&/\bNew secret\b/i.test(body);
 }
 export async function companySecretMenuURL(page:Page,reply:{body:string;commentId?:string},origin:string,prefix:string,timeout:number){