diff --git a/client/public/version.js b/client/public/version.js
index 66c3b5b..ddcd473 100644
--- a/client/public/version.js
+++ b/client/public/version.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 // Maintainer-controlled web client version.
 // Format: YYYY.MM.DD Rn (example: 2026.02.20 R2)
-window.CHGRID_WEB_VERSION = "2026.02.27 R283";
+window.CHGRID_WEB_VERSION = "2026.02.27 R284";
 // Optional display timezone for timestamps. Falls back to America/Detroit if unset/invalid.
 window.CHGRID_TIME_ZONE = "America/Detroit";
diff --git a/docs/protocol-notes.md b/docs/protocol-notes.md
index 407b20d..979245f 100644
--- a/docs/protocol-notes.md
+++ b/docs/protocol-notes.md
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ This is a behavior guide for packet semantics beyond raw schemas.
 - `item_upsert` is full-state replacement for one item, not partial patch.
 - `item_upsert.item.display` is server-owned display text for readonly/system properties (for example: `createdBy`, `updatedBy`, `createdAt`, `updatedAt`, `capabilities`, `useSound`, `emitSound`).
 - `item_action_result` messages are intended for direct screen-reader/user status feedback.
+- Successful `item_pickup` and `item_drop` also emit system chat lines to other users in the room.
 - Piano runtime control no longer depends on parsing `item_action_result.message` text.
 - `item_piano_status` carries machine-readable piano events (`use_mode_entered`, record/playback transitions).
 - `item_use_sound` contains absolute item world coordinates (`x`, `y`) and sound path.
diff --git a/server/app/server.py b/server/app/server.py
index 4c71f3f..5b8e44e 100644
--- a/server/app/server.py
+++ b/server/app/server.py
@@ -1753,6 +1753,15 @@ class SignalingServer:
             item.updatedByName = actor_name
             await self._broadcast_item(item)
             self._request_state_save()
+            item_text = f"{item.title} ({self._item_type_label(item)})"
+            await self._broadcast(
+                BroadcastChatMessagePacket(
+                    type="chat_message",
+                    message=f"{client.nickname} picked up {item_text}.",
+                    system=True,
+                ),
+                exclude=client.websocket,
+            )
             await self._send_item_result(client, True, "pickup", f"Picked up {item.title}.", item.id)
             return
 
@@ -1776,6 +1785,15 @@ class SignalingServer:
             item.updatedByName = actor_name
             await self._broadcast_item(item)
             self._request_state_save()
+            item_text = f"{item.title} ({self._item_type_label(item)})"
+            await self._broadcast(
+                BroadcastChatMessagePacket(
+                    type="chat_message",
+                    message=f"{client.nickname} dropped {item_text} at {item.x}, {item.y}.",
+                    system=True,
+                ),
+                exclude=client.websocket,
+            )
             await self._send_item_result(client, True, "drop", f"Dropped {item.title}.", item.id)
             return