diff --git a/src/plyngent/prompting.py b/src/plyngent/prompting.py
index a88e5e2..aa4a346 100644
--- a/src/plyngent/prompting.py
+++ b/src/plyngent/prompting.py
@@ -509,6 +509,34 @@ def _show_choices(
         backend.echo("  (or type a custom answer)")
 
 
+def _read_with_source(
+    prompt: str,
+    source: PromptAnswerSource | None,
+    *,
+    default: str | None,
+    completions: Sequence[str] | None = None,
+) -> str:
+    """Read one answer line, also accepting one offered by *source*.
+
+    The backend's readline path is kept whenever nothing can answer remotely, so
+    line editing (and Tab completion) only go away when the human asked for a
+    notification that carries the answer.
+    """
+    backend = get_prompt_backend()
+    if source is None:
+        return backend.read_line(prompt, default=default, completions=completions).strip()
+    try:
+        answer = source.take() if not sys.stdin.isatty() else read_line_with_timeout(f"{prompt}: ", None, source=source)
+    except OSError, ValueError, AttributeError:
+        answer = source.take()
+    if answer is None:
+        if default is not None:
+            return default
+        msg = "prompt cancelled"
+        raise NonInteractiveError(msg)
+    return answer.strip()
+
+
 def ask(
     prompt: str,
     *,
@@ -523,9 +551,10 @@ def ask(
     if not backend.is_interactive() and default is None:
         msg = f"non-interactive: cannot prompt for {prompt!r}"
         raise NonInteractiveError(msg)
-    with prompt_wait("ask", prompt):
+    with prompt_wait("ask", prompt) as wait:
         backend.secho(prompt, fg="yellow")
-        return backend.read_line("Answer", default=default, completions=completions).strip()
+        source = wait if wait is not None and wait.supports_actions else None
+        return _read_with_source("Answer", source, default=default, completions=completions)
 
 
 def ask_secret(prompt: str) -> str:
diff --git a/tests/test_prompting.py b/tests/test_prompting.py
index 1ab95a5..b674f11 100644
--- a/tests/test_prompting.py
+++ b/tests/test_prompting.py
@@ -382,3 +382,35 @@ def test_reset_prompting_clears_the_wait_hook() -> None:
     assert get_prompt_wait_hook() is not None
     reset_prompting()
     assert get_prompt_wait_hook() is None
+
+
+def test_ask_takes_an_answer_from_the_notification() -> None:
+    """A reply typed into the notification is the answer (no readline involved)."""
+    from plyngent.prompting import set_prompt_wait_hook
+
+    @contextlib.contextmanager
+    def hook(wait: PromptWait) -> Generator[_AnswerSource]:
+        del wait
+        yield _AnswerSource("feature/x")
+
+    set_prompt_wait_hook(hook)
+    backend = ScriptedBackend([])  # any readline would raise
+    with temporary_backend(backend):
+        assert ask("Which branch?") == "feature/x"
+
+
+def test_ask_ignores_a_source_that_offers_no_actions() -> None:
+    """A notify-only surface leaves the terminal read alone."""
+    from plyngent.prompting import set_prompt_wait_hook
+
+    @contextlib.contextmanager
+    def hook(wait: PromptWait) -> Generator[_AnswerSource]:
+        del wait
+        source = _AnswerSource("from the notification")
+        source.supports_actions = False
+        yield source
+
+    set_prompt_wait_hook(hook)
+    backend = ScriptedBackend(["typed here"])
+    with temporary_backend(backend):
+        assert ask("Which branch?") == "typed here"