feat(net): parallel Check + timeout counters + GUI tooltips/order

Networking (anti-freeze):
- Add check_transactions_parallel: pressing "Check" now contacts will-executors
  concurrently with a fast-fail timeout (CHECK_TIMEOUT=8, 1 retry) and a global
  deadline (CHECK_GLOBAL_DEADLINE=30), so a single dead server no longer freezes
  the "checking transaction" dialog for ~140s (old default 10s x 10 retries).
- check_transaction now accepts timeout/max_retries/retry_sleep kwargs.
- Rewrite BalWindow.check_transactions_task to use the parallel helper with live
  progress + an elapsed-time counter "Checking transactions: 2/5 (4s / 30s)".

Reliable elapsed-time counters (Xs / DEADLINEs):
- Replace the unreliable raw heartbeat thread (whose pyqtSignal emissions were
  not marshalled and never repainted) with an on_tick callback driven from the
  CALLING thread in push/ping/check parallel helpers.
- Show the maximum wait too (e.g. "3s / 30s") so the user knows when the
  operation will give up, in the wizard Broadcasting, Ping and Check dialogs.
- Expose networking constants (PUSH_*/CHECK_*/DEFAULT_TIMEOUT) as Willexecutors
  class attributes for a single source of truth in the GUI.

GUI:
- Add hover tooltips: Wizard ("Wizard - Build your will"), Delivery time (truck),
  Check Alive (siren), Calendar, Check (refresh).
- Reorder the Will toolbar to: Wizard | Delivery time | Check Alive | Calendar |
  Check; tighten layout margins so it all fits the Will window.

Tests:
- parallel_ping_test.py: add coverage for check_transactions_parallel (parallel
  timing, global deadline, on_tick from the calling thread) and static checks
  that check_transactions_task/loop_push use the parallel helpers + on_tick
  counter with the 'Xs / Ns' format.

Verified: ruff (0 new issues), 182 official tests pass, parallel/smoke/gui_fixes/
windows_overflow/external_zip tests pass.

bal/core/willexecutors.py

@@ -25,7 +25,36 @@ from electrum.network import Network
 
 from .plugin_base import BalPlugin
 
+# Per-request timeout (seconds) for interactive operations (ping / info /
+# list download).  These fail fast (no retries) so a dead server does not
+# block the UI.
 DEFAULT_TIMEOUT = 5
+
+# Broadcast (pushtxs) timeouts.  Broadcasting a will is important, so we keep a
+# couple of quick retries to survive a transient hiccup -- but far from the old
+# 10s x 10 retries + 30s sleeps (~140s) that froze the wizard on a dead server.
+# Worst case per server is now ~ PUSH_TIMEOUT * (1 + PUSH_MAX_RETRIES)
+# + PUSH_RETRY_SLEEP * PUSH_MAX_RETRIES = 8 * 3 + 1 * 2 = ~26s, and the wizard
+# also enforces a global deadline on top of this (see push_transactions_parallel).
+PUSH_TIMEOUT = 8
+PUSH_MAX_RETRIES = 2
+PUSH_RETRY_SLEEP = 1
+
+# Global wall-clock deadline (seconds) for the whole parallel broadcast.  Once
+# it elapses we stop waiting for the still-pending servers, mark them as
+# "Timeout" and let the wizard proceed instead of appearing stuck.
+PUSH_GLOBAL_DEADLINE = 30
+
+# Check (searchtx) timeouts.  Used when the user presses "Check" to verify that
+# each will-executor still holds the transaction.  Like the broadcast path, the
+# old defaults (10s x 10 retries + 30s sleeps ~= 140s per server) froze the
+# "checking transaction" dialog on a single dead server.  Fail fast with one
+# quick retry, and cap the whole batch with a global deadline.
+CHECK_TIMEOUT = 8
+CHECK_MAX_RETRIES = 1
+CHECK_RETRY_SLEEP = 1
+CHECK_GLOBAL_DEADLINE = 30
+
 _logger = get_logger(__name__)
 
 
@@ -34,6 +63,20 @@ chainname = BalPlugin.chainname
 
 class Willexecutors:
 
+    # Expose the networking constants as class attributes so the GUI layer can
+    # reference them (e.g. to show the "Xs / DEADLINEs" countdown) without
+    # importing module-level names.  Single source of truth: the module
+    # constants defined above.
+    DEFAULT_TIMEOUT = DEFAULT_TIMEOUT
+    PUSH_TIMEOUT = PUSH_TIMEOUT
+    PUSH_MAX_RETRIES = PUSH_MAX_RETRIES
+    PUSH_RETRY_SLEEP = PUSH_RETRY_SLEEP
+    PUSH_GLOBAL_DEADLINE = PUSH_GLOBAL_DEADLINE
+    CHECK_TIMEOUT = CHECK_TIMEOUT
+    CHECK_MAX_RETRIES = CHECK_MAX_RETRIES
+    CHECK_RETRY_SLEEP = CHECK_RETRY_SLEEP
+    CHECK_GLOBAL_DEADLINE = CHECK_GLOBAL_DEADLINE
+
     @staticmethod
     def save(bal_plugin, willexecutors):
         _logger.debug(f"save {willexecutors},{chainname}")
@@ -241,7 +284,15 @@ class Willexecutors:
         pass
 
     @staticmethod
-    def push_transactions_to_willexecutor(willexecutor):
+    def push_transactions_to_willexecutor(
+        willexecutor, *, timeout=PUSH_TIMEOUT, max_retries=PUSH_MAX_RETRIES,
+        retry_sleep=PUSH_RETRY_SLEEP,
+    ):
+        # ``timeout`` / ``max_retries`` / ``retry_sleep`` are forwarded to
+        # send_request so the broadcast fails fast on a dead/slow server instead
+        # of hanging for ~140s (the old default was 10s timeout x 10 retries +
+        # 30s of sleeps).  A small number of quick retries still protects
+        # against a transient hiccup without freezing the wizard.
         out = True
         try:
             _logger.debug(f"{willexecutor['url']}: {willexecutor['txs']}")
@@ -249,6 +300,9 @@ class Willexecutors:
                 "post",
                 willexecutor["url"] + "/" + chainname + "/pushtxs",
                 data=willexecutor["txs"].encode("ascii"),
+                timeout=timeout,
+                max_retries=max_retries,
+                retry_sleep=retry_sleep,
             ):
                 willexecutor["broadcast_status"] = _("Success")
                 _logger.debug(f"pushed: {w}")
@@ -304,7 +358,8 @@ class Willexecutors:
 
     @staticmethod
     def ping_servers_parallel(willexecutors, *, on_each=None, max_workers=8,
-                              timeout=DEFAULT_TIMEOUT):
+                              timeout=DEFAULT_TIMEOUT, on_tick=None,
+                              tick_interval=1.0):
         """Ping every will-executor concurrently and report results as they
         arrive.
 
@@ -324,10 +379,16 @@ class Willexecutors:
             max_workers: maximum number of concurrent pings.
             timeout: per-request timeout in seconds (fast-fail, no retries).
 
+            on_tick: optional ``callback()`` invoked periodically (every
+                ``tick_interval`` seconds) **from the calling thread** while
+                waiting for servers, so a Qt caller can refresh an elapsed-time
+                counter from the same thread that drives ``on_each``.
+
         Returns:
             The same ``willexecutors`` mapping, updated in place.
         """
-        from concurrent.futures import ThreadPoolExecutor, as_completed
+        from concurrent.futures import ThreadPoolExecutor, wait
+        from concurrent.futures import FIRST_COMPLETED
 
         items = list(willexecutors.items())
         if not items:
@@ -340,38 +401,75 @@ class Willexecutors:
             ok = we.get("status") == 200
             return url, we, ok
 
-        workers = max(1, min(max_workers, len(items)))
-        with ThreadPoolExecutor(max_workers=workers,
-                                thread_name_prefix="bal-ping") as pool:
-            futures = [pool.submit(_ping_one, url, we) for url, we in items]
-            for fut in as_completed(futures):
+        def _fire_tick():
+            if on_tick is not None:
                 try:
-                    url, we, ok = fut.result()
-                except Exception as e:  # defensive: never let one server crash all
-                    _logger.error(f"ping_servers_parallel worker error: {e}")
-                    continue
-                willexecutors[url] = we
-                if on_each is not None:
+                    on_tick()
+                except Exception as cb_err:
+                    _logger.error(f"ping on_tick callback error: {cb_err}")
+
+        workers = max(1, min(max_workers, len(items)))
+        # Manual pool (no ``with``) so we can poll futures in short slices and
+        # drive ``on_tick`` from THIS thread between waits (reliable Qt repaint).
+        pool = ThreadPoolExecutor(max_workers=workers, thread_name_prefix="bal-ping")
+        futures = {pool.submit(_ping_one, url, we) for url, we in items}
+        try:
+            pending = set(futures)
+            while pending:
+                done, pending = wait(
+                    pending, timeout=tick_interval, return_when=FIRST_COMPLETED
+                )
+                for fut in done:
                     try:
-                        on_each(url, we, ok)
-                    except Exception as cb_err:
-                        _logger.error(f"ping on_each callback error: {cb_err}")
+                        url, we, ok = fut.result()
+                    except Exception as e:  # defensive: one server never crashes all
+                        _logger.error(f"ping_servers_parallel worker error: {e}")
+                        continue
+                    willexecutors[url] = we
+                    if on_each is not None:
+                        try:
+                            on_each(url, we, ok)
+                        except Exception as cb_err:
+                            _logger.error(f"ping on_each callback error: {cb_err}")
+                # Drive the elapsed-time counter from the calling thread.
+                _fire_tick()
+        finally:
+            try:
+                pool.shutdown(wait=False, cancel_futures=True)
+            except TypeError:
+                pool.shutdown(wait=False)
         return willexecutors
 
     @staticmethod
-    def push_transactions_parallel(willexecutors, *, on_each=None, max_workers=8):
+    def push_transactions_parallel(willexecutors, *, on_each=None, max_workers=8,
+                                   deadline=PUSH_GLOBAL_DEADLINE, on_timeout=None,
+                                   on_tick=None, tick_interval=1.0):
         """Push transactions to multiple will-executors concurrently.
 
         Like :meth:`ping_servers_parallel` but for the ``pushtxs`` operation.
-        Each server keeps the historical retry behaviour of
-        :meth:`push_transactions_to_willexecutor` (which is important so a real
-        transaction is not lost to a transient hiccup), but the servers are now
-        contacted in parallel instead of one-after-another, and results are
-        reported via ``on_each(url, we_dict, ok, exc)`` as they complete.
+        Each server keeps a short retry behaviour
+        (:meth:`push_transactions_to_willexecutor`) so a real transaction is not
+        lost to a transient hiccup, but servers are contacted in parallel and
+        results are reported via ``on_each(url, we_dict, ok, exc)`` as they
+        complete.
 
-        Returns ``{url: (ok, exception_or_None)}``.
+        A global wall-clock ``deadline`` (seconds) caps the whole operation: if
+        some servers are still pending when it elapses, we stop waiting, mark
+        them via ``on_timeout(url, we_dict)`` and return, so the caller (the
+        wizard) is never stuck behind one unresponsive server.  Pass
+        ``deadline=None`` to wait indefinitely (old behaviour).
+
+        ``on_tick()`` is invoked periodically (every ``tick_interval`` seconds)
+        **from the calling thread** while waiting for workers.  This lets a Qt
+        caller refresh an elapsed-time counter from the same thread that drives
+        ``on_each`` (so its pyqtSignal repaints reliably), instead of relying on
+        a separate heartbeat thread whose signal emissions are not marshalled.
+
+        Returns ``{url: (ok, exception_or_None)}`` for the servers that
+        answered in time (timed-out servers are reported via ``on_timeout``).
         """
-        from concurrent.futures import ThreadPoolExecutor, as_completed
+        from concurrent.futures import ThreadPoolExecutor, wait
+        from concurrent.futures import FIRST_COMPLETED
 
         targets = [(url, we) for url, we in willexecutors.items() if "txs" in we]
         results = {}
@@ -387,22 +485,188 @@ class Willexecutors:
             except Exception as e:
                 return url, we, False, e
 
-        workers = max(1, min(max_workers, len(targets)))
-        with ThreadPoolExecutor(max_workers=workers,
-                                thread_name_prefix="bal-push") as pool:
-            futures = [pool.submit(_push_one, url, we) for url, we in targets]
-            for fut in as_completed(futures):
+        def _fire_tick():
+            if on_tick is not None:
                 try:
-                    url, we, ok, exc = fut.result()
-                except Exception as e:
-                    _logger.error(f"push_transactions_parallel worker error: {e}")
-                    continue
-                results[url] = (ok, exc)
-                if on_each is not None:
+                    on_tick()
+                except Exception as cb_err:
+                    _logger.error(f"push on_tick callback error: {cb_err}")
+
+        workers = max(1, min(max_workers, len(targets)))
+        # NOTE: we do not use ``with ThreadPoolExecutor(...)`` here because its
+        # __exit__ calls shutdown(wait=True), which would block on a hung worker
+        # and defeat the whole point of the global deadline.  We shut the pool
+        # down without waiting once the deadline elapses; the daemon worker(s)
+        # stuck on a dead socket will be torn down when their request finally
+        # times out (PUSH_TIMEOUT), without holding up the wizard.
+        pool = ThreadPoolExecutor(max_workers=workers, thread_name_prefix="bal-push")
+        fut_to_url = {pool.submit(_push_one, url, we): (url, we)
+                      for url, we in targets}
+        start = time.time()
+        try:
+            # Poll the futures in short slices so we can call ``on_tick`` from
+            # THIS thread between waits.  ``wait(..., timeout=tick_interval)``
+            # returns as soon as a future completes OR the slice elapses,
+            # whichever comes first, so the counter advances ~once per second
+            # while the parallel push runs.
+            pending = set(fut_to_url.keys())
+            while pending:
+                if deadline is not None and (time.time() - start) >= deadline:
+                    break
+                slice_timeout = tick_interval
+                if deadline is not None:
+                    remaining = deadline - (time.time() - start)
+                    slice_timeout = max(0.0, min(tick_interval, remaining))
+                done, pending = wait(
+                    pending, timeout=slice_timeout, return_when=FIRST_COMPLETED
+                )
+                for fut in done:
                     try:
-                        on_each(url, we, ok, exc)
-                    except Exception as cb_err:
-                        _logger.error(f"push on_each callback error: {cb_err}")
+                        url, we, ok, exc = fut.result()
+                    except Exception as e:
+                        _logger.error(
+                            f"push_transactions_parallel worker error: {e}"
+                        )
+                        continue
+                    results[url] = (ok, exc)
+                    if on_each is not None:
+                        try:
+                            on_each(url, we, ok, exc)
+                        except Exception as cb_err:
+                            _logger.error(f"push on_each callback error: {cb_err}")
+                # Drive the elapsed-time counter from the calling thread.
+                _fire_tick()
+            # Any server still pending here hit the global deadline.
+            if pending:
+                elapsed = time.time() - start
+                _logger.warning(
+                    f"push global deadline ({deadline}s) reached after "
+                    f"{elapsed:.1f}s; {len(pending)} server(s) "
+                    f"did not answer in time"
+                )
+                for fut in pending:
+                    url, we = fut_to_url[fut]
+                    if url in results:
+                        continue
+                    if on_timeout is not None:
+                        try:
+                            on_timeout(url, we)
+                        except Exception as cb_err:
+                            _logger.error(
+                                f"push on_timeout callback error: {cb_err}"
+                            )
+        finally:
+            # Do not block on still-running workers (Python 3.9+: cancel queued).
+            try:
+                pool.shutdown(wait=False, cancel_futures=True)
+            except TypeError:
+                pool.shutdown(wait=False)
+        return results
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def check_transactions_parallel(items, *, on_each=None, max_workers=8,
+                                    deadline=CHECK_GLOBAL_DEADLINE,
+                                    on_timeout=None, on_tick=None,
+                                    tick_interval=1.0):
+        """Check (searchtx) several will-executors concurrently.
+
+        Same design as :meth:`push_transactions_parallel`, but for the "Check"
+        operation: it verifies that each will-executor still holds its
+        transaction.  ``items`` is an iterable of ``(wid, url)`` pairs (one per
+        will-item that has a will-executor).
+
+        Each server is contacted in parallel with a short fail-fast retry
+        (:meth:`check_transaction`), results are reported via
+        ``on_each(wid, url, result_or_None, exc)`` as they arrive, ``on_tick()``
+        is called periodically from the calling thread to refresh a counter, and
+        a global ``deadline`` guarantees the dialog never freezes behind one
+        unresponsive server (pending servers are reported via
+        ``on_timeout(wid, url)``).
+
+        Returns ``{wid: (result_or_None, exception_or_None)}`` for the servers
+        that answered in time.
+        """
+        from concurrent.futures import ThreadPoolExecutor, wait
+        from concurrent.futures import FIRST_COMPLETED
+
+        targets = [(wid, url) for wid, url in items if url]
+        results = {}
+        if not targets:
+            return results
+
+        def _check_one(wid, url):
+            try:
+                res = Willexecutors.check_transaction(wid, url)
+                return wid, url, res, None
+            except Exception as e:
+                return wid, url, None, e
+
+        def _fire_tick():
+            if on_tick is not None:
+                try:
+                    on_tick()
+                except Exception as cb_err:
+                    _logger.error(f"check on_tick callback error: {cb_err}")
+
+        workers = max(1, min(max_workers, len(targets)))
+        # Manual pool (no ``with``): we must not block on a hung worker when the
+        # global deadline elapses (see push_transactions_parallel for details).
+        pool = ThreadPoolExecutor(max_workers=workers, thread_name_prefix="bal-check")
+        fut_to_target = {pool.submit(_check_one, wid, url): (wid, url)
+                         for wid, url in targets}
+        start = time.time()
+        try:
+            pending = set(fut_to_target.keys())
+            while pending:
+                if deadline is not None and (time.time() - start) >= deadline:
+                    break
+                slice_timeout = tick_interval
+                if deadline is not None:
+                    remaining = deadline - (time.time() - start)
+                    slice_timeout = max(0.0, min(tick_interval, remaining))
+                done, pending = wait(
+                    pending, timeout=slice_timeout, return_when=FIRST_COMPLETED
+                )
+                for fut in done:
+                    try:
+                        wid, url, res, exc = fut.result()
+                    except Exception as e:
+                        _logger.error(
+                            f"check_transactions_parallel worker error: {e}"
+                        )
+                        continue
+                    results[wid] = (res, exc)
+                    if on_each is not None:
+                        try:
+                            on_each(wid, url, res, exc)
+                        except Exception as cb_err:
+                            _logger.error(f"check on_each callback error: {cb_err}")
+                # Drive the elapsed-time counter from the calling thread.
+                _fire_tick()
+            # Any server still pending here hit the global deadline.
+            if pending:
+                elapsed = time.time() - start
+                _logger.warning(
+                    f"check global deadline ({deadline}s) reached after "
+                    f"{elapsed:.1f}s; {len(pending)} server(s) "
+                    f"did not answer in time"
+                )
+                for fut in pending:
+                    wid, url = fut_to_target[fut]
+                    if wid in results:
+                        continue
+                    if on_timeout is not None:
+                        try:
+                            on_timeout(wid, url)
+                        except Exception as cb_err:
+                            _logger.error(
+                                f"check on_timeout callback error: {cb_err}"
+                            )
+        finally:
+            try:
+                pool.shutdown(wait=False, cancel_futures=True)
+            except TypeError:
+                pool.shutdown(wait=False)
         return results
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -457,11 +721,14 @@ class Willexecutors:
             return {}
 
     @staticmethod
-    def check_transaction(txid, url):
+    def check_transaction(txid, url, *, timeout=CHECK_TIMEOUT,
+                          max_retries=CHECK_MAX_RETRIES,
+                          retry_sleep=CHECK_RETRY_SLEEP):
         _logger.debug(f"{url}:{txid}")
         try:
             w = Willexecutors.send_request(
-                "post", url + "/searchtx", data=txid.encode("ascii")
+                "post", url + "/searchtx", data=txid.encode("ascii"),
+                timeout=timeout, max_retries=max_retries, retry_sleep=retry_sleep,
             )
             return w
         except Exception as e:

bal/gui/qt/dialogs.py

@@ -725,6 +725,20 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
             # check logic untouched.
             already_present = []
             retry_flag = {"value": False}
+            total = len(selected)
+            done = {"count": 0}
+
+            deadline = Willexecutors.PUSH_GLOBAL_DEADLINE
+
+            def _status_line():
+                # e.g. "Broadcasting your will to executors: 2/3 (5s / 30s)".
+                # The "/ 30s" makes the maximum wait explicit, so the user knows
+                # the wizard will proceed by then (the global deadline) instead
+                # of wondering how long the counter will keep climbing.
+                return "{} {}/{} ({}s / {}s)".format(
+                    _("Broadcasting"), done["count"], total,
+                    min(int(time.time() - push_start), deadline), deadline,
+                )
 
             def on_each(url, willexecutor, ok, exc):
                 # Runs from a worker thread.  Do only thread-safe book-keeping
@@ -739,18 +753,50 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
                     for wid in willexecutor["txsids"]:
                         self.bal_window.willitems[wid].set_status("PUSH_FAIL", True)
                     retry_flag["value"] = True
+                done["count"] += 1
+                self.msg_edit_row("{} : {}".format(url, "Ok" if ok else "Ko"))
+                self.msg_set_pushing(_status_line())
+
+            def on_timeout(url, willexecutor):
+                # The global deadline elapsed before this server answered.  Mark
+                # its txs as failed (so the user can retry later) and show it.
+                for wid in willexecutor.get("txsids", []):
+                    self.bal_window.willitems[wid].set_status("PUSH_FAIL", True)
+                retry_flag["value"] = True
                 self.msg_edit_row(
-                    "{} : {}".format(url, "Ok" if ok else "Ko")
+                    "{} : {}".format(url, self.msg_error(_("Timeout - no answer")))
                 )
 
             if self._stopping:
                 return
             # Push to all selected will-executors in parallel: a slow/dead
             # server no longer blocks the others, so the wizard's "Broadcasting"
-            # step is no longer sequential.  Each server still keeps its own
-            # retry behaviour inside push_transactions_to_willexecutor.
-            Willexecutors.push_transactions_parallel(selected, on_each=on_each)
+            # step is no longer sequential.  Each server keeps a short retry
+            # behaviour, and a global deadline guarantees the wizard always
+            # proceeds even if a server never answers.
+            push_start = time.time()
+            self.msg_set_pushing(_status_line())
 
+            # Refresh the elapsed-seconds counter while the (blocking) parallel
+            # push runs, so the user sees time advancing instead of a frozen
+            # "Trasmissione".  The tick is driven from THIS (Task) thread by
+            # push_transactions_parallel, the same thread that drives on_each, so
+            # the pyqtSignal repaint is reliable (a separate heartbeat thread's
+            # signal emissions were not being marshalled and never repainted).
+            def on_tick():
+                if self._stopping:
+                    return
+                self.msg_set_pushing(_status_line())
+
+            Willexecutors.push_transactions_parallel(
+                selected, on_each=on_each, on_timeout=on_timeout, on_tick=on_tick
+            )
+
+            # Final summary line with the total elapsed time.
+            self.msg_set_pushing(
+                "{}/{} ({}s)".format(done["count"], total,
+                                     int(time.time() - push_start))
+            )
             retry = retry_flag["value"]
 
             # Verify the "already present" servers (sequential, original logic).

bal/gui/qt/lists.py

@@ -451,6 +451,8 @@ class PreviewList(MyTreeView, MessageBoxMixin):
                 self.bal_window.bal_plugin.read_file("icons/wizard.png")
             )
         )
+        # Tooltip so the icon is self-explanatory when hovered.
+        wizard.setToolTip(_("Wizard - Build your will"))
         wizard.clicked.connect(self.bal_window.init_wizard)
         # display = QPushButton(_("Display"))
         # display.clicked.connect(self.bal_window.preview_modal_dialog)
@@ -461,13 +463,20 @@ class PreviewList(MyTreeView, MessageBoxMixin):
                 self.bal_window.bal_plugin.read_file("icons/reload.png")
             )
         )
+        # Tooltip so the icon is self-explanatory when hovered.
+        refresh.setToolTip(_("Check"))
         refresh.clicked.connect(self.check)
 
         widget = QWidget(self)
         hlayout = QHBoxLayout(widget)
+        hlayout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
         self.will_settings_widget = WillSettingsWidget(self.bal_window, self)
-        hlayout.addWidget(self.will_settings_widget)
+        # Toolbar order (left -> right):
+        #   Wizard | Delivery time | Check Alive | Calendar | Check (refresh)
+        # The Wizard button goes first (leftmost); the settings widget already
+        # lays out delivery/check-alive/calendar in that order internally.
         hlayout.addWidget(wizard)
+        hlayout.addWidget(self.will_settings_widget)
         hlayout.addWidget(refresh)
         toolbar.insertWidget(2, widget)
 

bal/gui/qt/widgets.py

@@ -150,6 +150,7 @@ class BalTimeEditWidget(QWidget, _LockTimeEditor):
         + " - y: number of years after currrent day(ex: 1y means one year from today)\n"
     )
     label_text = None
+    tooltip_text = None
     base_field = None
 
     def __init__(self, bal_window, parent, default_locktime=None):
@@ -182,6 +183,10 @@ class BalTimeEditWidget(QWidget, _LockTimeEditor):
         #hbox.addWidget(QLabel(self.label_text))
         help_button=HelpButton(self.help_text)
         help_button.setText(self.label_text)
+        # Show a short label (e.g. "Delivery time" / "Check Alive") when the
+        # user hovers the icon, so the emoji button is self-explanatory.
+        if self.tooltip_text:
+            help_button.setToolTip(_(self.tooltip_text))
         #help_button.setStyleSheet("font-size: 155555);
         hbox.addWidget(help_button)
         self.combo.currentIndexChanged.connect(self.on_current_index_changed)
@@ -422,6 +427,7 @@ class ThresholdTimeWidget(BalTimeEditWidget):
     )
     label_text = "🚨"
     #label_text = "Check Alive"
+    tooltip_text = "Check Alive"
     base_field = "threshold"
 
     def __init__(self, bal_window, parent, init_value=None):
@@ -442,6 +448,7 @@ class LockTimeWidget(BalTimeEditWidget):
     )
     label_text = "🚛"
     #label_text = "Locktime"
+    tooltip_text = "Delivery time"
     base_field = "locktime"
 
     def __init__(self, bal_window, parent, init_value=None):
@@ -468,6 +475,8 @@ class WillSettingsWidget(QWidget):
                 self.bal_window.bal_plugin.read_file("icons/calendar.png")
             )
         )
+        # Tooltip so the icon is self-explanatory when hovered.
+        self.calendar_button.setToolTip(_("Calendar"))
         self.calendar_button.clicked.connect(self.open_or_save_calendar)
         self.widgets["locktime"] = LockTimeWidget(bal_window, self)
         self.widgets["threshold"] = ThresholdTimeWidget(bal_window, self)

bal/gui/qt/window.py

@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ The actual Bitcoin logic lives in :mod:`bal.core`; this class only coordinates
 it with the GUI.
 """
 
+import threading
+
 from .common import *
 from .common import _, _logger  # underscore names are not re-exported by "import *"
 from .widgets import LockTimeWidget, PercAmountEdit, WillSettingsWidget
@@ -898,15 +900,50 @@ class BalWindow:
 
     def check_transactions_task(self, will):
         start = time.time()
-        for wid, w in will.items():
-            if self.waiting_dialog._stopping:
-                return
-            if w.we:
-                self.waiting_dialog.update(
-                    "checking transaction: {}\n willexecutor: {}".format(wid, w.we["url"])
-                )
+        # Servers are now contacted in parallel (see
+        # Willexecutors.check_transactions_parallel) with a fast-fail timeout and
+        # a global deadline, so a single slow/dead will-executor no longer
+        # freezes the "checking transaction" dialog for minutes.  The dialog
+        # shows live progress plus an elapsed-time counter (Xs / DEADLINEs).
+        targets = [(wid, w.we["url"]) for wid, w in will.items() if w.we]
+        total = len(targets)
+        deadline = Willexecutors.CHECK_GLOBAL_DEADLINE
+        done = {"count": 0}
 
-                w.set_check_willexecutor(Willexecutors.check_transaction(wid, w.we["url"]))
+        def _status_line():
+            return "{} {}/{} ({}s / {}s)".format(
+                _("Checking transactions"), done["count"], total,
+                min(int(time.time() - start), deadline), deadline,
+            )
+
+        def on_each(wid, url, res, exc):
+            # Reuse the original per-item logic: set_check_willexecutor handles
+            # both a real response and a None/failure (-> CHECK_FAIL).
+            try:
+                will[wid].set_check_willexecutor(res)
+            except Exception as e:
+                _logger.error(f"check on_each error for {wid}: {e}")
+            done["count"] += 1
+            self.waiting_dialog.update(_status_line())
+
+        def on_timeout(wid, url):
+            # The global deadline elapsed before this server answered: mark the
+            # item as failed (None response) so the user can retry later.
+            try:
+                will[wid].set_check_willexecutor(None)
+            except Exception as e:
+                _logger.error(f"check on_timeout error for {wid}: {e}")
+
+        def on_tick():
+            if getattr(self.waiting_dialog, "_stopping", False):
+                return
+            self.waiting_dialog.update(_status_line())
+
+        if total:
+            self.waiting_dialog.update(_status_line())
+            Willexecutors.check_transactions_parallel(
+                targets, on_each=on_each, on_timeout=on_timeout, on_tick=on_tick
+            )
 
         if time.time() - start < 3:
             time.sleep(3 - (time.time() - start))
@@ -1005,8 +1042,43 @@ class BalWindow:
         if fn_on_failure is None:
             fn_on_failure = log_error
 
+        base_msg = _("Downloading will-executors list...")
+        download_start = time.time()
+        # Upper bound shown to the user.  fetch_will_executors_list tries up to
+        # two endpoints, each with timeout=10 and one retry (~21s worst case),
+        # so ~45s is a realistic maximum.  Showing "Xs / 45s" tells the user how
+        # long they may have to wait instead of an open-ended counter.
+        download_deadline = 45
+
         def task():
-            return self.fetch_will_executors_list(willexecutors)
+            # Heartbeat: show an elapsed-seconds counter (with the max wait made
+            # explicit) while the (blocking) download runs, so the user sees time
+            # advancing instead of a seemingly frozen dialog on a slow link.
+            stop_heartbeat = threading.Event()
+
+            def _heartbeat():
+                while not stop_heartbeat.wait(1.0):
+                    if getattr(self.waiting_dialog, "_stopping", False):
+                        return
+                    try:
+                        self.waiting_dialog.update(
+                            "{} ({}s / {}s)".format(
+                                base_msg,
+                                min(int(time.time() - download_start),
+                                    download_deadline),
+                                download_deadline,
+                            )
+                        )
+                    except Exception:
+                        return
+
+            hb = threading.Thread(target=_heartbeat, name="bal-dl-hb",
+                                  daemon=True)
+            hb.start()
+            try:
+                return self.fetch_will_executors_list(willexecutors)
+            finally:
+                stop_heartbeat.set()
 
         def on_success(result):
             if result:
@@ -1019,9 +1091,8 @@ class BalWindow:
             _logger.error(f"download_list failed: {exc_info}")
             self.show_warning(_(self.DOWNLOAD_FAILED_MESSAGE))
 
-        msg = _("Downloading will-executors list...")
         self.waiting_dialog = BalWaitingDialog(
-            self, msg, task, on_success, on_failure, exe=False
+            self, base_msg, task, on_success, on_failure, exe=False
         )
         self.waiting_dialog.exe()
 
@@ -1034,9 +1105,23 @@ class BalWindow:
         # every server's (possibly timing-out) request.
         pinged = set()
         failed = set()
+        total = len(wes)
+        ping_start = time.time()
+
+        ping_deadline = Willexecutors.PUSH_GLOBAL_DEADLINE
 
         def get_title():
+            # Header shows progress + an elapsed-seconds counter with the max
+            # wait made explicit (e.g. "3s / 30s"), so the user sees time
+            # advancing and knows how long it may take, instead of a seemingly
+            # frozen dialog.
+            answered = len(pinged) + len(failed)
             msg = _("Ping Will-Executors:")
+            msg += "  {}/{} ({}s / {}s)".format(
+                answered, total,
+                min(int(time.time() - ping_start), ping_deadline),
+                ping_deadline,
+            )
             msg += "\n\n"
             for url in wes:
                 urlstr = "{:<50}: ".format(url[:50])
@@ -1066,7 +1151,18 @@ class BalWindow:
         except Exception:
             pass
 
-        Willexecutors.ping_servers_parallel(wes, on_each=on_each)
+        # Refresh the elapsed-seconds counter while the (blocking) parallel ping
+        # runs.  The tick is driven from THIS thread by ping_servers_parallel,
+        # the same thread that drives on_each, so the dialog repaint is reliable.
+        def on_tick():
+            if getattr(self.waiting_dialog, "_stopping", False):
+                return
+            try:
+                self.waiting_dialog.update(get_title())
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+
+        Willexecutors.ping_servers_parallel(wes, on_each=on_each, on_tick=on_tick)
 
     def ping_willexecutors(self, wes, fn_on_success, fn_on_failure=None):
         def on_success(result):

tests/parallel_ping_test.py

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ Run with:
 """
 import importlib
 import sys
+import threading
 import time
 
 PKG = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) > 1 else "electrum.plugins.bal"
@@ -122,6 +123,167 @@ def main():
     finally:
         W.push_transactions_to_willexecutor = orig_push
 
+    # ---- 2b) global deadline: a hung server must not block past `deadline` ----
+    def hanging_push(we, **kwargs):
+        # Simulate a server that never answers within the test window.
+        time.sleep(10)
+        return True
+
+    orig_push2 = W.push_transactions_to_willexecutor
+    W.push_transactions_to_willexecutor = staticmethod(hanging_push)
+    try:
+        wes = {
+            "https://fast.example": {
+                "url": "https://fast.example", "txs": "x", "txsids": ["a"],
+            },
+            "https://hang.example": {
+                "url": "https://hang.example", "txs": "y", "txsids": ["b"],
+            },
+        }
+        # fast one answers quickly, hang one never does within the deadline
+        def fast_or_hang(we, **kwargs):
+            if "fast" in we["url"]:
+                return True
+            time.sleep(10)
+            return True
+        W.push_transactions_to_willexecutor = staticmethod(fast_or_hang)
+
+        timed_out = []
+
+        def on_timeout(url, we):
+            timed_out.append(url)
+
+        start = time.time()
+        W.push_transactions_parallel(
+            wes, max_workers=2, deadline=1.0, on_timeout=on_timeout
+        )
+        elapsed = time.time() - start
+        assert elapsed < 3.0, f"deadline not enforced: waited {elapsed:.1f}s"
+        assert "https://hang.example" in timed_out, timed_out
+        print(f"[OK] global deadline enforced: returned in {elapsed:.1f}s, "
+              f"hung server reported via on_timeout")
+    finally:
+        W.push_transactions_to_willexecutor = orig_push2
+
+    # ---- 2c) on_tick is fired periodically from the CALLING thread ----
+    # The elapsed-time counter is driven by an on_tick callback called from the
+    # thread that invokes push_transactions_parallel (the same thread that drives
+    # on_each), so its pyqtSignal repaints reliably.  Assert the callback runs
+    # roughly once per tick_interval while the push is in flight, and that it
+    # runs on the calling thread (not on a worker/heartbeat thread).
+    def slow_push2(we, **kwargs):
+        time.sleep(SLOW * 6)  # ~3s, long enough for several ticks
+        return True
+
+    orig_push3 = W.push_transactions_to_willexecutor
+    W.push_transactions_to_willexecutor = staticmethod(slow_push2)
+    try:
+        wes = {
+            "https://tick.example": {
+                "url": "https://tick.example", "txs": "x", "txsids": ["a"],
+            },
+        }
+        ticks = []
+        caller_thread = threading.current_thread()
+        tick_threads = set()
+
+        def on_tick():
+            ticks.append(time.time())
+            tick_threads.add(threading.current_thread())
+
+        W.push_transactions_parallel(
+            wes, max_workers=1, on_tick=on_tick, tick_interval=0.5
+        )
+        # ~3s push with 0.5s ticks => at least a few ticks.
+        assert len(ticks) >= 3, f"on_tick fired too few times: {len(ticks)}"
+        assert tick_threads == {caller_thread}, (
+            "on_tick must run on the calling thread, got "
+            f"{[t.name for t in tick_threads]}"
+        )
+        print(f"[OK] on_tick fired {len(ticks)} times from the calling thread")
+    finally:
+        W.push_transactions_to_willexecutor = orig_push3
+
+    # ---- 2d) check_transactions_parallel: parallel + deadline + on_tick ----
+    # Pressing "Check" verifies each will-executor still holds its tx.  This used
+    # to be a sequential loop with default (~140s) timeouts, freezing the
+    # "checking transaction" dialog on a dead server.  It must now run in
+    # parallel, enforce a global deadline, and drive an on_tick counter from the
+    # calling thread.
+    def slow_check(txid, url, **kwargs):
+        time.sleep(SLOW)
+        return {"tx": "ok"} if "good" in url else None
+
+    orig_check = W.check_transaction
+    W.check_transaction = staticmethod(slow_check)
+    try:
+        targets = []
+        for i in range(N):
+            kind = "good" if i % 2 else "bad"
+            targets.append((f"id{i}", f"https://{kind}-{i}.example"))
+
+        checked = []
+
+        def on_each_check(wid, url, res, exc):
+            checked.append((wid, res))
+
+        start = time.time()
+        results = W.check_transactions_parallel(
+            targets, on_each=on_each_check, max_workers=N
+        )
+        elapsed = time.time() - start
+        sequential = N * SLOW
+        assert elapsed < sequential * 0.6, (
+            f"check not parallel: {elapsed:.2f}s vs {sequential:.2f}s")
+        assert len(results) == N, results
+        print(f"[OK] check parallel: {elapsed:.2f}s for {N} servers "
+              f"(sequential would be ~{sequential:.2f}s)")
+    finally:
+        W.check_transaction = orig_check
+
+    # 2d-bis) global deadline + on_tick from the calling thread
+    def hanging_check(txid, url, **kwargs):
+        if "fast" in url:
+            return {"tx": "ok"}
+        time.sleep(10)
+        return {"tx": "ok"}
+
+    orig_check2 = W.check_transaction
+    W.check_transaction = staticmethod(hanging_check)
+    try:
+        targets = [
+            ("idf", "https://fast.example"),
+            ("idh", "https://hang.example"),
+        ]
+        timed_out = []
+        ticks = []
+        caller_thread = threading.current_thread()
+        tick_threads = set()
+
+        def on_timeout_check(wid, url):
+            timed_out.append(wid)
+
+        def on_tick_check():
+            ticks.append(time.time())
+            tick_threads.add(threading.current_thread())
+
+        start = time.time()
+        W.check_transactions_parallel(
+            targets, max_workers=2, deadline=2.0,
+            on_timeout=on_timeout_check, on_tick=on_tick_check,
+            tick_interval=0.5,
+        )
+        elapsed = time.time() - start
+        assert elapsed < 4.0, f"check deadline not enforced: {elapsed:.1f}s"
+        assert "idh" in timed_out, timed_out
+        assert len(ticks) >= 2, f"check on_tick fired too few times: {len(ticks)}"
+        assert tick_threads == {caller_thread}, (
+            "check on_tick must run on the calling thread")
+        print(f"[OK] check global deadline enforced ({elapsed:.1f}s), on_tick "
+              f"fired {len(ticks)}x from the calling thread")
+    finally:
+        W.check_transaction = orig_check2
+
     # ---- 3) the wizard's loop_push must use the parallel helper ----
     # The "Building Will" wizard broadcasts via BalBuildWillDialog.loop_push.
     # It previously looped over servers sequentially (one
@@ -141,6 +303,48 @@ def main():
         "wizard loop_push must not push to servers in a sequential loop")
     print("[OK] wizard loop_push uses push_transactions_parallel (not sequential)")
 
+    # The wizard counter must be driven via on_tick from the calling thread, NOT
+    # via a separate heartbeat thread (whose pyqtSignal emissions never
+    # repainted the dialog -> the counter was invisible during "Broadcasting").
+    assert "on_tick" in code, (
+        "wizard loop_push must drive the counter via on_tick (calling thread)")
+    assert "threading.Thread" not in code, (
+        "wizard loop_push must not use a heartbeat thread for the counter "
+        "(its pyqtSignal emissions are not marshalled / never repaint)")
+    print("[OK] wizard loop_push drives the counter via on_tick (no heartbeat "
+          "thread)")
+
+    # The counter must show the maximum wait too ("Xs / DEADLINEs"), so the user
+    # knows when the wizard will give up waiting, not just an open-ended number.
+    assert "PUSH_GLOBAL_DEADLINE" in code, (
+        "wizard counter must reference the global deadline so it can show "
+        "'Xs / DEADLINEs'")
+    assert "{}s / {}s" in code or "s / {}s" in code, (
+        "wizard counter must render the elapsed time AND the deadline "
+        "(e.g. '3s / 30s')")
+    print("[OK] wizard counter shows elapsed time AND the max deadline "
+          "(Xs / 30s)")
+
+    # ---- 4) the "Check" dialog must use check_transactions_parallel ----
+    # Pressing "Check" runs BalWindow.check_transactions_task.  It used to loop
+    # over will-items sequentially calling check_transaction (default ~140s
+    # timeouts), freezing the "checking transaction" dialog.  It must now use the
+    # parallel helper and show the elapsed-time counter.
+    window_mod = importlib.import_module(f"{PKG}.gui.qt.window")
+    check_src = inspect.getsource(window_mod.BalWindow.check_transactions_task)
+    check_code = "\n".join(
+        line for line in check_src.splitlines()
+        if not line.lstrip().startswith("#")
+    )
+    assert "check_transactions_parallel" in check_code, (
+        "check_transactions_task must use check_transactions_parallel")
+    assert "on_tick" in check_code, (
+        "check dialog must drive its counter via on_tick (calling thread)")
+    assert "{}s / {}s" in check_code, (
+        "check dialog counter must render elapsed time AND the deadline")
+    print("[OK] check_transactions_task uses check_transactions_parallel "
+          "with on_tick counter (Xs / 30s)")
+
     print(f"\n[OK] parallel networking test passed for package {PKG!r}")
     return 0