diff --git a/__tests__/bundle/meowCommandShape.test.ts b/__tests__/bundle/meowCommandShape.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..212a67cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/__tests__/bundle/meowCommandShape.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+import type { FakeGithub } from './fakeGithub'
+import path from 'node:path'
+import { afterAll, afterEach, beforeAll, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+
+import { start } from './fakeGithub'
+import { comment, helpersFor, token } from './helpers'
+import { runBundle } from './runBundle'
+
+vi.setConfig({ testTimeout: 30_000 })
+
+// without CAT_API_URL the preload makes any cat api call throw, so a meow that got past the
+// strict command check would post the unavailable note to the fake github and show up in calls()
+const preload = path.resolve(__dirname, 'catApiPreload.cjs')
+
+// handleIssueComment admits /meow with the generic matcher (case-insensitive, arguments allowed);
+// meow.ts then re-checks the line against its own stricter pattern (meow.ts:12) and returns at
+// meow.ts:28 when only the generic one matched. This body passes the first gate and fails the second.
+describe('dist/index.js issue_comment /meow strict command shape', () => {
+  let gh: FakeGithub
+  const { calls } = helpersFor(() => gh)
+
+  beforeAll(async () => {
+    gh = await start()
+  })
+  afterEach(() => {
+    gh.reset()
+  })
+  afterAll(async () => {
+    await gh.close()
+  })
+
+  function meow(body: string) {
+    return runBundle({
+      eventName: 'issue_comment',
+      payload: comment(body),
+      inputs: { ...token, 'prow-commands': '/meow' },
+      apiUrl: gh.url,
+      env: { NODE_OPTIONS: `--require "${preload}"` },
+    })
+  }
+
+  it('/meow with an argument reaches the handler but posts nothing and succeeds', async () => {
+    const result = await meow('/meow cat')
+
+    expect(result.status, result.stdout).toBe(0)
+    expect(result.errors).toEqual([])
+    expect(result.stdout).not.toMatch(/::warning::/)
+    expect(calls()).toEqual([])
+  })
+})