diff --git a/refactor-strategy.md b/refactor-strategy.md
index adec7fd..02456a3 100644
--- a/refactor-strategy.md
+++ b/refactor-strategy.md
@@ -27,11 +27,11 @@ Only outstanding, actionable steps are listed below. Completed work has been rem
 
 Acceptance: ESLint upgrade plan decided (or implemented), rules apply cleanly, lint passes.
 
-## 2) Alerts as a composable (nice-to-have)
-- Replace the simple event bus in `src/alert.js` with a `useAlert` composable (reactive queue API) and adapt `AlertToast.vue`.
-- Provide show({ heading, message, type }) and auto-dismiss with clear-on-click.
+## 2) Alerts as a composable
+- DONE: Replaced the event bus with `useAlert` composable and updated `AlertToast.vue` and callers.
+- Follow-up: consider queuing multiple alerts if needed (current behavior shows latest only).
 
-Acceptance: AlertToast driven by composable; no global mutable arrays; behavior unchanged.
+Acceptance: N/A (completed). Optional enhancement if queuing desired.
 
 ## 3) Incremental test coverage
 - Add unit tests for new utilities/composables when added (e.g., `useAlert`).
@@ -44,10 +44,3 @@ Acceptance: New logic lands with tests; existing tests stay green.
 - Add Volar as a recommended extension in the project docs (README updated).
 
 Acceptance: Clear env setup; editor help consistent.
-
-## 5) Optional: Migrate from Vue CLI to Vite
-- If desired, migrate build tooling to Vite for faster dev server and simpler config.
-- Update scripts, configure vitest (already in place), and resolve aliasing.
-
-Acceptance: Dev/build parity maintained; cold/hot start noticeably faster.
-
diff --git a/src/components/AlertToast.vue b/src/components/AlertToast.vue
index f1535a4..55cc821 100644
--- a/src/components/AlertToast.vue
+++ b/src/components/AlertToast.vue
@@ -48,8 +48,8 @@
 </style>
 
 <script setup>
-import { ref, computed, onMounted } from 'vue'
-import alert from '@/alert'
+import { computed, watch } from 'vue'
+import { useAlert } from '@/composables/useAlert'
 
 const alertIcons = {
   error: require('@/assets/notification-error.svg'),
@@ -57,28 +57,22 @@ const alertIcons = {
   info: require('@/assets/notification-info.svg'),
 }
 
-const showAlert = ref(false)
-const heading = ref('')
-const message = ref('')
-const type = ref('')
+const { current, clear, scheduleAutoDismiss } = useAlert()
 
+const showAlert = computed(() => !!current.value)
+const heading = computed(() => current.value?.heading ?? '')
+const message = computed(() => current.value?.message ?? '')
+const type = computed(() => current.value?.type ?? '')
 const icon = computed(() => (type.value && alertIcons[type.value] ? alertIcons[type.value] : null))
 
-function show({ heading: h, message: m, type: t }) {
-  heading.value = h
-  message.value = m
-  type.value = t
-  showAlert.value = true
-  setTimeout(() => {
-    showAlert.value = false
-  }, 5000)
-}
-
 function dismiss() {
-  showAlert.value = false
+  clear()
 }
 
-onMounted(() => {
-  alert.subscribe(show)
-})
+watch(
+  () => current.value?._ts,
+  (ts) => {
+    if (ts) scheduleAutoDismiss(5000)
+  }
+)
 </script>
diff --git a/src/components/meals/EditMealPage.vue b/src/components/meals/EditMealPage.vue
index fdb64e9..0ccf9f3 100644
--- a/src/components/meals/EditMealPage.vue
+++ b/src/components/meals/EditMealPage.vue
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ import { useRoute, useRouter } from 'vue-router'
 import { getMeal, saveMeal } from '@/composables/useMeals'
 import { getRecipe } from '@/api/recipes'
 import { currentUser } from '@/api/auth'
-import alert from '@/alert.js'
+import { useAlert } from '@/composables/useAlert'
 
 import { ago } from '@/dateformats.js'
 
@@ -116,6 +116,7 @@ function addPersonIfNotExists(list, person) {
 
 const route = useRoute()
 const router = useRouter()
+const { show: showAlert } = useAlert()
 
 const showIngredients = reactive({})
 const meal = reactive({
@@ -221,11 +222,11 @@ async function onSaveMeal() {
   if (saved?.id >= 0) {
     Object.assign(meal, saved)
     router.push(`/meals/${saved.id}`)
-    alert.show({ heading: 'Meal saved', message: 'Meal saved successfully', type: 'success' })
+    showAlert({ heading: 'Meal saved', message: 'Meal saved successfully', type: 'success' })
     return
   }
 
-  alert.show({
+  showAlert({
     heading: 'Error saving meal',
     message: 'An error occurred while saving the meal',
     type: 'error',
diff --git a/src/components/recipes/EditRecipePage.vue b/src/components/recipes/EditRecipePage.vue
index 68a5172..ac29183 100644
--- a/src/components/recipes/EditRecipePage.vue
+++ b/src/components/recipes/EditRecipePage.vue
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ input.recipe-name {
 <script setup>
 import { ref, computed, onMounted, watch } from 'vue'
 import { useRouter, useRoute } from 'vue-router'
-import alert from '@/alert.js'
+import { useAlert } from '@/composables/useAlert'
 import { getRecipe, parseRecipe, saveRecipe as saveRecipeApi, deleteRecipe as deleteRecipeApi } from '@/api/recipes'
 import EditableIngredientsPanel from '@/components/ingredients/EditableIngredientsPanel.vue'
 
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ const props = defineProps({
 
 const router = useRouter()
 const route = useRoute()
+const { show: showAlert } = useAlert()
 
 const link = ref(route.query.url ?? '')
 const parse_failed = ref(false)
@@ -122,11 +123,11 @@ function deleteIngredient(ingredient) {
 async function saveRecipe() {
   const saved = await saveRecipeApi(recipe.value)
   if (saved?.id >= 0) {
-    alert.show({ heading: 'Recipe saved', message: 'Your recipe has been saved', type: 'success' })
+    showAlert({ heading: 'Recipe saved', message: 'Your recipe has been saved', type: 'success' })
     router.push(`/recipes/${saved.id}`)
     return
   }
-  alert.show({ heading: 'Error saving recipe', message: 'There was an error saving your recipe', type: 'error' })
+  showAlert({ heading: 'Error saving recipe', message: 'There was an error saving your recipe', type: 'error' })
 }
 
 function createFromScratch() {
diff --git a/src/components/shopping/CurrentShoppingListPage.vue b/src/components/shopping/CurrentShoppingListPage.vue
index cdbca95..076c390 100644
--- a/src/components/shopping/CurrentShoppingListPage.vue
+++ b/src/components/shopping/CurrentShoppingListPage.vue
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ button img {
 <script setup>
 import { ref, computed, onBeforeMount } from 'vue'
 import { useRouter } from 'vue-router'
-import alert from '@/alert.js'
+import { useAlert } from '@/composables/useAlert'
 import { useShopping } from '@/composables/useShopping'
 import { getUpcomingMeals } from '@/api/meals'
 import { itemsToGroups, uniqueMeals } from './shopping.js'
@@ -150,6 +150,7 @@ import MealSelectionList from './MealSelectionList.vue'
 import ShoppingListItem from './ShoppingListItem.vue'
 
 const router = useRouter()
+const { show: showAlert } = useAlert()
 const { getCurrentShoppingList, requestMeal, unrequestMeal, purchaseFromGroups } = useShopping()
 
 const from = new Date()
@@ -202,7 +203,7 @@ async function mealUnselected(meal) {
 async function markFound() {
   const result = await purchaseFromGroups(selected.value)
   if (!result) {
-    alert.show({ type: 'error', message: 'No items selected.' })
+    showAlert({ type: 'error', message: 'No items selected.' })
     return
   }
   selected.value = []
@@ -212,7 +213,7 @@ async function markFound() {
 async function markPurchased() {
   const shopping = await purchaseFromGroups(selected.value)
   if (!shopping || !shopping.id) {
-    alert.show({ type: 'error', message: 'Failed to purchase.' })
+    showAlert({ type: 'error', message: 'Failed to purchase.' })
     return
   }
   selected.value = []
diff --git a/src/composables/useAlert.js b/src/composables/useAlert.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..04fb6b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/composables/useAlert.js
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+import { ref } from 'vue'
+
+// Singleton reactive alert state for the app
+const current = ref(null)
+let timeoutId = null
+
+function show(message) {
+  // message: { heading, message, type: 'success' | 'error' | 'info' }
+  current.value = { ...message, _ts: Date.now() }
+}
+
+function clear() {
+  current.value = null
+}
+
+function scheduleAutoDismiss(ms = 5000) {
+  if (timeoutId) clearTimeout(timeoutId)
+  if (!current.value) return
+  timeoutId = setTimeout(() => {
+    clear()
+    timeoutId = null
+  }, ms)
+}
+
+export function useAlert() {
+  return { current, show, clear, scheduleAutoDismiss }
+}