A. Today for reference
A dot on every row: red = needs you, blue = in progress, gray = waiting, green = done. Unread is bold, but it competes with the dots.
B. Slack style: only unread and Needs you show
No dot unless something needs you. Unread = bold + a small blue dot on the left (like Slack). Needs you = a small red "Needs you" tag on the right. In progress, waiting and done show nothing in the sidebar (they're on the board).
The tag takes width, so long names cut off sooner.
My pick
C. Unread count bubbles, Needs you as a red count
Like Slack DMs: unread shows the number of new messages in a gray bubble. Needs you replaces it with a red bubble ("1" = one thing waiting for you). No status dots.
Red "1" vs gray "3" is a small difference, and a thread that's both unread and needs you only shows the red one.
D. Shapes, not colors
Every row keeps a status, but as a small icon whose shape tells you what it is: ! needs you, ◔ in progress, ⏸ waiting, ✓ done. Unread is bold + a blue left dot.
More marks than B, so it's busier.
E. "Needs you" gets its own section at the top
Threads that need you are pulled into a section above the rooms (like Slack's "Unreads"). Rooms below have no status marks, just bold for unread.
A thread jumps between places as its status changes, which can feel jumpy.
The number box at the top of Home
That "Unread threads 9" box is a number from your Relationships card (9 people texted you), pinned above the whole board. That's why it looks like a separate thing.
1. Today for reference
Needs you
In progress
2. Number lives on its card my pick
No box on top. The number sits inside the card it belongs to, so it's obvious where it comes from.
Needs you
In progress
3. A thin row of pinned numbers
Keep numbers at the top, but as small labeled pills that each name their card. Tap one to open that card.