diff --git a/evalharness/cli.py b/evalharness/cli.py
index 40dfd34..1064197 100644
--- a/evalharness/cli.py
+++ b/evalharness/cli.py
@@ -720,11 +720,13 @@ def _cmd_eval_run(args) -> int:
                     for minutes with zero feedback otherwise (bar sits at
                     'generating 100%' and looks hung)."""
                     if _reporter is not None:
+                        # live terminal: the bar carries the counter -- log
+                        # lines here are pure noise (21 lines per bench)
                         _reporter.set_phase(f'scoring {done}/{total_s}')
-                    # milestone lines: FIRST completion reports immediately
-                    # (docker-slow runs otherwise look frozen for minutes),
-                    # then every ~5%
-                    step = max(1, total_s // 20) if total_s else 1
+                        return
+                    # pipes/redirects (no live bar): milestone lines instead,
+                    # first completion immediately then every ~10%
+                    step = max(1, total_s // 10) if total_s else 1
                     if _cb and (done == 1 or done % step == 0
                                 or done == total_s):
                         _cb(f'Scoring {done}/{total_s} samples')