diff --git a/forgetest/forgetest/manifest.py b/forgetest/forgetest/manifest.py
index 76de921..96c5633 100644
--- a/forgetest/forgetest/manifest.py
+++ b/forgetest/forgetest/manifest.py
@@ -563,25 +563,43 @@ def workflow_filters(text):
 
 def _needs(lines, i):
     """The job names the `needs:` key at lines[i] names: a flow list
-    (`[build, lint]`), one scalar, or a block list on the lines under
-    it. None for a form the lint does not read (a line under the key
-    that is no list item): a need no job meets."""
+    (`[build, lint]`, on the key's line or continued on the lines under
+    it up to its `]`), one scalar, or a block list on the lines under it
+    (its items deeper than the key, or at the key's own indentation).
+    None for every other form, which the lint does not read: a name no
+    job has, so the need is never met. That is an empty `needs:` (`[]`,
+    or nothing under the key), a flow list a key or a shallower line
+    interrupts before its `]`, a line under the key that is no list
+    item, and list items at two indentations."""
+    key_at = _indent(lines[i])
     val = _KEY_RX.match(lines[i]).group(3).strip()
     if val.startswith("["):
-        return [_scalar(x) for x in val.strip("[]").split(",") if x.strip()]
+        for ln in lines[i + 1:]:
+            if "]" in val:
+                break
+            if not ln.strip():
+                continue
+            ind, body = _indent(ln), ln.strip()
+            if ind < key_at or (ind == key_at and not body.startswith("]")):
+                return None
+            val += " " + body
+        if "]" not in val:
+            return None
+        return [_scalar(x) for x in val[1:val.index("]")].split(",") if x.strip()] or None
     if val:
         return [_scalar(val)]
-    out = []
+    out, at = [], None
     for ln in lines[i + 1:]:
         if not ln.strip():
             continue
-        if _indent(ln) <= _indent(lines[i]):
+        ind, body = _indent(ln), ln.strip()
+        if ind < key_at or (ind == key_at and not body.startswith("- ")):
             break
-        body = ln.strip()
-        if not body.startswith("- "):
+        at = ind if at is None else at
+        if not body.startswith("- ") or ind != at:
             return None
         out.append(_scalar(body[2:]))
-    return out
+    return out or None
 
 
 def _needs_run(jobs):
diff --git a/forgetest/tests/test_manifest.py b/forgetest/tests/test_manifest.py
index 911e2df..08300f6 100644
--- a/forgetest/tests/test_manifest.py
+++ b/forgetest/tests/test_manifest.py
@@ -413,7 +413,8 @@ class CoverageReportTests(unittest.TestCase):
         # on not every run, however the needs: is written
         yml = "jobs:\n  build:\n%s    steps:\n      - run: make\n  test:\n%s    steps:\n      - run: ./build/tray_test\n"
         for needs in ("    needs: build\n", "    needs: [build]\n", "    needs: ['build']\n",
-                      "    needs:\n      - build\n"):
+                      "    needs:\n      - build\n", "    needs:\n    - build\n",
+                      "    needs: [\n      build\n    ]\n"):
             self.assertTrue(self._runs(yml % ("", needs), test), needs)
             self.assertFalse(self._runs(yml % ("    if: false\n", needs), test), needs)
             self.assertFalse(self._runs(yml % ("    if: github.event_name == 'push'\n", needs), test), needs)
@@ -430,6 +431,29 @@ class CoverageReportTests(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertFalse(self._runs(yml % ("    needs: test\n", "    needs: build\n"), test))
         self.assertFalse(self._runs(yml % ("", "    needs: test\n"), test))
         self.assertFalse(self._runs(yml % ("", "    needs:\n      build: true\n"), test))
+        # a flow list split after a comma keeps the name on its second line: a conditional job
+        # there holds the dependent job back
+        split = (chain % "").replace("    needs: [b]\n", "    needs: [a,\n      b]\n")
+        self.assertTrue(self._runs(split, test))
+        self.assertFalse(self._runs(split.replace("  b:\n    needs: a\n", "  b:\n    needs: a\n    if: false\n"), test))
+        # an empty needs: (which GitHub refuses), a flow list a key interrupts before its ], and
+        # list items at two indentations each fail closed
+        for needs in ("    needs: []\n", "    needs:\n", "    needs: [\n      build\n",
+                      "    needs:\n      - build\n    - build\n"):
+            self.assertFalse(self._runs(yml % ("", needs), test), needs)
+        # through a row: the test job needs, in a block list at the key's own indentation, a
+        # build job under if: false (the checkout in a job of its own, as the lint reads a
+        # checkout for the whole workflow)
+        man = helpers.make_manifest()
+        root = self._root({"scripts/bench/stream_test.py": "",
+                           ".github/workflows/needs.yml": "on: [push]\njobs:\n  lint:\n    steps:\n"
+                           "      - uses: actions/checkout@v4\n  build:\n    if: false\n    steps:\n"
+                           "      - run: make\n  test:\n    needs:\n    - build\n    steps:\n"
+                           "      - run: python3 scripts/bench/stream_test.py\n"})
+        row = ("grblhal-glowforge", "src/driver.c", "forgefirm:scripts/bench/stream_test.py",
+               "forgefirm:.github/workflows/needs.yml")
+        self.assertEqual(m.host_row_problems(man, [row], root=root, sources=None),
+                         [row[:3] + (row[3] + " does not run it",)])
         # a job under always() runs on every run, and the lint evaluates no condition: it counts as
         # no job for its own steps and for the jobs after it
         self.assertFalse(self._runs(yml % ("    if: false\n", "    needs: build\n    if: always()\n"), test))