diff --git a/server/src/config.rs b/server/src/config.rs
index dd2f6b5..43a737e 100644
--- a/server/src/config.rs
+++ b/server/src/config.rs
@@ -33,6 +33,14 @@ fn default_window_hours() -> u32 {
     72
 }
 
+/// Default number of analysis-preview lines rendered under each case on
+/// the list view when the user entry omits `preview_lines`. Two lines
+/// show the first sentence of the LLM output in most cases without
+/// dominating the list row.
+fn default_preview_lines() -> u32 {
+    2
+}
+
 /// A single user entry from users.toml.
 #[derive(Debug, Deserialize)]
 pub struct User {
@@ -51,6 +59,14 @@ pub struct User {
     /// apply no additional time filter.
     #[serde(default = "default_window_hours")]
     pub window_hours: u32,
+    /// Number of analysis-preview lines rendered under each case row on
+    /// the list view. The preview itself is always the first paragraph of
+    /// `document.md`; this value only controls how many *visual* lines
+    /// the browser will show before truncating with `…`. Applied via a
+    /// CSS `line-clamp` custom property, so a single server value adapts
+    /// to any viewport width.
+    #[serde(default = "default_preview_lines")]
+    pub preview_lines: u32,
 }
 
 /// Wrapper for deserializing the [[user]] array from TOML.
@@ -290,6 +306,7 @@ mod tests {
             whisper: WhisperUserSettings::default(),
             retention: RetentionUserSettings::default(),
             window_hours: default_window_hours(),
+            preview_lines: default_preview_lines(),
         }
     }
 
@@ -344,6 +361,33 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(r.auto_delete_days, 30);
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn parses_user_without_preview_lines_defaults_to_2() {
+        let toml_str = r#"
+            [[user]]
+            slug = "a"
+            api_key = "k1"
+            web_password = ""
+            role = "doctor"
+        "#;
+        let parsed: UsersFile = toml::from_str(toml_str).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(parsed.user[0].preview_lines, 2);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parses_user_with_explicit_preview_lines() {
+        let toml_str = r#"
+            [[user]]
+            slug = "a"
+            api_key = "k1"
+            web_password = ""
+            role = "doctor"
+            preview_lines = 5
+        "#;
+        let parsed: UsersFile = toml::from_str(toml_str).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(parsed.user[0].preview_lines, 5);
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn parses_user_with_partial_retention_block() {
         let toml_str = r#"
diff --git a/server/src/routes/user_web.rs b/server/src/routes/user_web.rs
index 2527f1f..9ef0953 100644
--- a/server/src/routes/user_web.rs
+++ b/server/src/routes/user_web.rs
@@ -90,6 +90,11 @@ struct UserCaseView {
     /// "geschlossen"). Clamped at 0 — cases eligible for purge this
     /// sweep render as "0" briefly.
     days_until_purge: Option<u32>,
+    /// First paragraph of `document.md` as plain text (markdown
+    /// formatting stripped). `None` when the case has no document yet.
+    /// The browser CSS-clamps this to the user's configured number of
+    /// lines; no server-side line counting happens.
+    analysis_preview: Option<String>,
 }
 
 /// Parse a recording filename `YYYY-MM-DDTHH-MM-SSZ.m4a[.failed]` as UTC
@@ -157,6 +162,30 @@ fn recorded_at_iso_of(filename: &str) -> String {
         .unwrap_or_default()
 }
 
+/// Extract the first paragraph of a `document.md` body as plain text.
+///
+/// A "paragraph" here is the first non-empty block separated by a blank
+/// line (`\n\n`). Markdown decoration characters (`#`, `*`, `_`, `` ` ``,
+/// `=`, `>`) are stripped — the preview is meant to appear in a cramped
+/// list row where bold/italic/heading styling would only add noise.
+/// Returns `None` for input that ends up blank after stripping.
+///
+/// The visible line count is NOT enforced here: that is browser-side via
+/// CSS `line-clamp`. Server logic stays viewport-agnostic.
+fn preview_from_markdown(md: &str) -> Option<String> {
+    let first = md.split("\n\n").map(str::trim).find(|p| !p.is_empty())?;
+    let plain: String = first
+        .chars()
+        .filter(|c| !matches!(c, '#' | '*' | '_' | '`' | '=' | '>'))
+        .collect();
+    let trimmed = plain.trim();
+    if trimmed.is_empty() {
+        None
+    } else {
+        Some(trimmed.to_string())
+    }
+}
+
 struct DateGroup {
     /// "Heute", "Gestern", or ISO date "YYYY-MM-DD".
     label: String,
@@ -179,6 +208,10 @@ struct MyCasesTemplate {
     /// to gate the bulk-purge bar so it does not appear on an
     /// all-open list rendered with `show_closed=1`.
     any_closed: bool,
+    /// Per-user cap on visible analysis-preview lines. Rendered as a
+    /// CSS `--preview-lines` custom property on `<html>`; the browser
+    /// applies it via `line-clamp`. Coming from `users.toml`.
+    preview_lines: u32,
 }
 
 /// Query params for GET /web/cases and /web/cases/{case_id}.
@@ -416,6 +449,12 @@ pub async fn handle_my_cases(
     let any_closed = cases.iter().any(|c| c.is_closed);
     let groups = group_by_utc_date(cases);
     let is_admin = user.is_admin();
+    let preview_lines = config
+        .users
+        .iter()
+        .find(|u| u.slug == user.slug)
+        .map(|u| u.preview_lines)
+        .unwrap_or(2);
     MyCasesTemplate {
         slug: user.slug,
         groups,
@@ -423,6 +462,7 @@ pub async fn handle_my_cases(
         is_admin,
         show_closed,
         any_closed,
+        preview_lines,
     }
     .render()
     .map(Html)
@@ -759,6 +799,17 @@ async fn compute_case_view(
 
     let (is_closed, days_until_purge) = closed_state(case_path, auto_delete_days, now).await;
 
+    // One extra read per case with a document. Documents are in the KB
+    // range — negligible next to the existing scan_recordings I/O — and
+    // we skip the read entirely when the stat above said no document.
+    let analysis_preview = if has_document {
+        read_document(case_path)
+            .await
+            .and_then(|md| preview_from_markdown(&md))
+    } else {
+        None
+    };
+
     let time_hms_utc = extract_hhmm_utc(&most_recent);
     let recorded_at_iso = recorded_at_iso_of(&most_recent);
     Some(UserCaseView {
@@ -774,6 +825,7 @@ async fn compute_case_view(
         can_analyze,
         is_closed,
         days_until_purge,
+        analysis_preview,
     })
 }
 
@@ -858,3 +910,64 @@ async fn compute_oneliner_display(
         }
     }
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn preview_from_markdown_takes_first_paragraph() {
+        let md = "Erster Absatz mit Text.\n\nZweiter Absatz, irrelevant.";
+        assert_eq!(
+            preview_from_markdown(md).as_deref(),
+            Some("Erster Absatz mit Text.")
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn preview_from_markdown_strips_formatting_chars() {
+        let md = "# Überschrift\n\n**Patient** klagt über _Knie_ mit ==Schmerz==.";
+        // Both the heading and the inline formatting survive only as plain text.
+        assert_eq!(preview_from_markdown(md).as_deref(), Some("Überschrift"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn preview_from_markdown_skips_leading_blank_paragraphs() {
+        let md = "\n\n\n\nErster echter Absatz.";
+        assert_eq!(
+            preview_from_markdown(md).as_deref(),
+            Some("Erster echter Absatz.")
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn preview_from_markdown_returns_none_for_blank_input() {
+        assert_eq!(preview_from_markdown(""), None);
+        assert_eq!(preview_from_markdown("   \n\n   "), None);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn preview_from_markdown_returns_none_when_only_formatting() {
+        // An all-formatting "paragraph" (no actual letters/numbers after
+        // strip) should collapse to None rather than an empty preview row.
+        assert_eq!(preview_from_markdown("=== ## **"), None);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn preview_from_markdown_strips_inline_formatting_but_keeps_words() {
+        let md = "**Fett** und _kursiv_ und `code` in einer Zeile.";
+        assert_eq!(
+            preview_from_markdown(md).as_deref(),
+            Some("Fett und kursiv und code in einer Zeile.")
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn preview_from_markdown_drops_blockquote_marker() {
+        let md = "> Patient berichtet über Schmerzen.";
+        assert_eq!(
+            preview_from_markdown(md).as_deref(),
+            Some("Patient berichtet über Schmerzen.")
+        );
+    }
+}
diff --git a/server/templates/my_cases.html b/server/templates/my_cases.html
index edf48a9..aabdaa2 100644
--- a/server/templates/my_cases.html
+++ b/server/templates/my_cases.html
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {%- import "partials/oneliner.html" as ol -%}
 <!DOCTYPE html>
-<html lang="de">
+<html lang="de" style="--preview-lines: {{ preview_lines }}">
 <head>
 <meta charset="utf-8">
 <title>Doctate — Meine Fälle</title>
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ section h2 .count { font-weight: normal; font-size: 0.85em; color: #888; }
 .case-row .line1 { font-size: 1em; margin: 0; }
 .case-row .line1 .time { font-family: monospace; font-weight: bold; color: #444; }
 .case-row .line2 { margin: 0.2em 0 0; color: #555; font-size: 0.95em; display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.5em; }
+.case-row .preview { margin: 0.3em 0 0; color: #666; font-size: 0.9em; display: -webkit-box; -webkit-line-clamp: var(--preview-lines); line-clamp: var(--preview-lines); -webkit-box-orient: vertical; overflow: hidden; }
 .case-row .uuid { color: #999; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.7em; margin-top: 0.2em; }
 .status-badge { display: inline-block; padding: 0.05em 0.5em; border-radius: 999px; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; color: white; }
 .status-badge.open { background: #4a90e2; }
@@ -98,6 +99,7 @@ try {
 <a href="/web/cases/{{ case.case_id }}{% if case.is_closed %}?show_closed=1{% endif %}">
 <div class="line1"><span class="time"><time datetime="{{ case.recorded_at_iso }}">{{ case.time_hms_utc }}</time></span> — {% call ol::render(case.oneliner) %}</div>
 <div class="line2">{{ case.recordings_count }} Aufnahmen{% if case.has_failed_recording %} — <span class="status-badge fehler">Fehler</span>{% else if case.has_document %} — <span class="status-badge done">ausgewertet</span>{% else if !case.is_closed %} — <span class="status-badge open">offen</span>{% endif %}{% if case.analyzing %} <span class="label analyzing">wird analysiert</span>{% endif %}{% if case.is_closed %}<span class="closed-badge">geschlossen{% match case.days_until_purge %}{% when Some with (d) %} — wird in {{ d }} Tagen entfernt{% when None %}{% endmatch %}</span>{% endif %}</div>
+{% match case.analysis_preview %}{% when Some with (preview) %}<p class="preview">{{ preview }}</p>{% when None %}{% endmatch %}
 {% if is_admin %}<div class="uuid admin-only">{{ case.case_id }}</div>{% endif %}
 </a>
 </div>
diff --git a/server/tests/analyze_test.rs b/server/tests/analyze_test.rs
index 67dddf9..e4cc0b7 100644
--- a/server/tests/analyze_test.rs
+++ b/server/tests/analyze_test.rs
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ fn make_user(slug: &str) -> User {
         whisper: Default::default(),
         retention: Default::default(),
         window_hours: 72,
+        preview_lines: 2,
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/server/tests/auth_test.rs b/server/tests/auth_test.rs
index 919b1ad..56bb6b8 100644
--- a/server/tests/auth_test.rs
+++ b/server/tests/auth_test.rs
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ fn test_config() -> Arc<Config> {
             whisper: Default::default(),
             retention: Default::default(),
             window_hours: 72,
+            preview_lines: 2,
         }],
         api_keys: HashMap::from([("test-key-123".into(), "dr_test".into())]),
         ..Config::test_default()
diff --git a/server/tests/case_page_test.rs b/server/tests/case_page_test.rs
index 6b8ee03..73e7205 100644
--- a/server/tests/case_page_test.rs
+++ b/server/tests/case_page_test.rs
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ fn make_user(slug: &str) -> User {
         whisper: Default::default(),
         retention: Default::default(),
         window_hours: 72,
+        preview_lines: 2,
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/server/tests/close_watermark_test.rs b/server/tests/close_watermark_test.rs
index 8d50c96..112eaf0 100644
--- a/server/tests/close_watermark_test.rs
+++ b/server/tests/close_watermark_test.rs
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ fn make_user(slug: &str, password_plain: &str) -> User {
         whisper: Default::default(),
         retention: Default::default(),
         window_hours: 72,
+        preview_lines: 2,
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/server/tests/delete_recording_test.rs b/server/tests/delete_recording_test.rs
index cbf6be9..8a5e342 100644
--- a/server/tests/delete_recording_test.rs
+++ b/server/tests/delete_recording_test.rs
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ fn make_user(slug: &str, password_plain: &str) -> User {
         whisper: Default::default(),
         retention: Default::default(),
         window_hours: 72,
+        preview_lines: 2,
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/server/tests/login_test.rs b/server/tests/login_test.rs
index 47f3eb8..a898bd1 100644
--- a/server/tests/login_test.rs
+++ b/server/tests/login_test.rs
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ fn make_user(slug: &str, password_plain: &str) -> User {
         whisper: Default::default(),
         retention: Default::default(),
         window_hours: 72,
+        preview_lines: 2,
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/server/tests/magic_link_test.rs b/server/tests/magic_link_test.rs
index 35d9606..2f7dc2c 100644
--- a/server/tests/magic_link_test.rs
+++ b/server/tests/magic_link_test.rs
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ fn make_user() -> User {
         whisper: Default::default(),
         retention: Default::default(),
         window_hours: 72,
+        preview_lines: 2,
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/server/tests/oneliners_api_test.rs b/server/tests/oneliners_api_test.rs
index 2850f11..92c4f17 100644
--- a/server/tests/oneliners_api_test.rs
+++ b/server/tests/oneliners_api_test.rs
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ fn test_config() -> (Arc<Config>, PathBuf) {
             whisper: Default::default(),
             retention: Default::default(),
             window_hours: 72,
+            preview_lines: 2,
         }],
         api_keys: HashMap::from([(TEST_KEY.into(), TEST_SLUG.into())]),
         ..Config::test_default()
diff --git a/server/tests/retention_sweep_test.rs b/server/tests/retention_sweep_test.rs
index 20a516a..60a1950 100644
--- a/server/tests/retention_sweep_test.rs
+++ b/server/tests/retention_sweep_test.rs
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ fn user_with_retention(slug: &str, auto_close_days: u32, auto_delete_days: u32)
             auto_delete_days,
         },
         window_hours: 72,
+        preview_lines: 2,
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/server/tests/sse_integration.rs b/server/tests/sse_integration.rs
index 1582c36..408f50b 100644
--- a/server/tests/sse_integration.rs
+++ b/server/tests/sse_integration.rs
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ fn make_user(slug: &str) -> User {
         whisper: Default::default(),
         retention: Default::default(),
         window_hours: 72,
+        preview_lines: 2,
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/server/tests/transcribe_test.rs b/server/tests/transcribe_test.rs
index 5a0c6bf..0965bef 100644
--- a/server/tests/transcribe_test.rs
+++ b/server/tests/transcribe_test.rs
@@ -267,6 +267,7 @@ fn test_config_with_whisper(whisper_url: String) -> Arc<Config> {
             whisper: Default::default(),
             retention: Default::default(),
             window_hours: 72,
+            preview_lines: 2,
         }],
         whisper_url,
         whisper_timeout_seconds: 5,
diff --git a/server/tests/transient_failure_retries_test.rs b/server/tests/transient_failure_retries_test.rs
index 24b9faa..2fa79ce 100644
--- a/server/tests/transient_failure_retries_test.rs
+++ b/server/tests/transient_failure_retries_test.rs
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ async fn transient_whisper_failure_is_reenqueued_and_recovers() {
         whisper: Default::default(),
         retention: Default::default(),
         window_hours: 72,
+        preview_lines: 2,
     }];
     let config = Arc::new(cfg);
 
diff --git a/server/tests/upload_test.rs b/server/tests/upload_test.rs
index fee191c..a4ba3aa 100644
--- a/server/tests/upload_test.rs
+++ b/server/tests/upload_test.rs
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ fn test_config() -> Arc<Config> {
             whisper: Default::default(),
             retention: Default::default(),
             window_hours: 72,
+            preview_lines: 2,
         }],
         api_keys: HashMap::from([("test-key-123".into(), "dr_test".into())]),
         ..Config::test_default()
diff --git a/server/tests/web_test.rs b/server/tests/web_test.rs
index ac9dca7..563c35d 100644
--- a/server/tests/web_test.rs
+++ b/server/tests/web_test.rs
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ fn test_config() -> Arc<Config> {
             whisper: Default::default(),
             retention: Default::default(),
             window_hours: 72,
+            preview_lines: 2,
         }],
         api_keys: HashMap::from([("test-key".into(), "dr_test".into())]),
         ..Config::test_default()
diff --git a/server/users.toml.example b/server/users.toml.example
index 2062f2c..b975b89 100644
--- a/server/users.toml.example
+++ b/server/users.toml.example
@@ -8,6 +8,11 @@ slug = "dr_mueller"
 api_key = "change-me-to-a-secure-key"
 web_password = "$2b$12$..."
 role = "doctor"
+  # Optional: how many visual lines of the LLM analysis preview the case
+  # list renders under each row. The preview itself is always the first
+  # paragraph of document.md; this value only caps the visible lines
+  # before truncation with "…". Defaults to 2 if omitted.
+  preview_lines = 2
   # Optional per-user retention. Both fields default to 0 (feature
   # disabled). auto_close_days = 7 + auto_delete_days = 30 means cases
   # without new recordings auto-close after 7 days and are irreversibly