diff --git a/test/quota/README.md b/test/quota/README.md
index 601f62f..7a7372b 100644
--- a/test/quota/README.md
+++ b/test/quota/README.md
@@ -31,25 +31,28 @@ DQTSTA
 
 ## Linux handoff
 
-When DOS prints that `DQTC` is waiting, set quotas for `NOPASSUSER`.  `QUOTA` can
-usually be set to 12 directly after the prepared directory was purged:
+When DOS prints that `DQTC` is waiting, set quotas for `NOPASSUSER` with the
+Linux helper.  The helper reads the current `inuse4k` value on both volumes and
+sets each limit to `inuse4k + 12`, which is the correct boundary for this smoke
+even when old files or salvage/recycle remnants already exist.
 
 ```sh
-./nwfs_ncpfs_userquota -S MARS -U SUPERVISOR -P 'zefuqUVe' \
-  --volume QUOTA --object NOPASSUSER --type 1 --limit-4k 12
+./test/quota/dqt_linux_handoff.sh MARS SUPERVISOR 'zefuqUVe'
 ```
 
-For `SYS`, read the current usage and set the limit to `inuse4k + 12`, because
-`NOPASSUSER` may already own files on SYS:
+If the `nwfs_ncpfs_userquota` helper is not in `PATH`, point the script at the
+built MARS-NWE test helper:
 
 ```sh
-./nwfs_ncpfs_userquota -S MARS -U SUPERVISOR -P 'zefuqUVe' \
-  --volume SYS --object NOPASSUSER --type 1 --get
-
-./nwfs_ncpfs_userquota -S MARS -U SUPERVISOR -P 'zefuqUVe' \
-  --volume SYS --object NOPASSUSER --type 1 --limit-4k <inuse4k+12>
+NWFS_NCPFS_USERQUOTA=/home/mario/mars/mars-nwe-build/tests/nwfs/nwfs_ncpfs_userquota \
+  ./test/quota/dqt_linux_handoff.sh MARS SUPERVISOR 'zefuqUVe'
 ```
 
+The helper updates both backends:
+
+- `QUOTA`: Linuxquota-authoritative volume, mapped as `Q:` in DOS.
+- `SYS`: NWQUOTA metadata-authoritative volume, mapped as `F:` in DOS.
+
 Then return to DOS and press `J`, `j`, `Y`, or `y`.
 
 ## DOS part 2
diff --git a/test/quota/dqt_linux_handoff.sh b/test/quota/dqt_linux_handoff.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..f38b9f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/quota/dqt_linux_handoff.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+SERVER=${1:-${DQT_SERVER:-MARS}}
+ADMIN=${2:-${DQT_ADMIN:-SUPERVISOR}}
+PASSWORD=${3:-${DQT_PASSWORD:-}}
+QUOTA_VOL=${4:-${DQT_QUOTA_VOLUME:-QUOTA}}
+SYS_VOL=${5:-${DQT_SYS_VOLUME:-SYS}}
+OBJECT=${6:-${DQT_OBJECT:-NOPASSUSER}}
+TYPE=${7:-${DQT_TYPE:-1}}
+ALLOW4K=${8:-${DQT_ALLOW4K:-12}}
+
+if [ -z "$PASSWORD" ]; then
+  cat >&2 <<'USAGE'
+usage: dqt_linux_handoff.sh SERVER ADMIN PASSWORD [QUOTA_VOL SYS_VOL OBJECT TYPE ALLOW4K]
+
+Example while DOS DQTC waits:
+  ./test/quota/dqt_linux_handoff.sh MARS SUPERVISOR 'zefuqUVe'
+
+Environment alternatives:
+  DQT_PASSWORD=... DQT_SERVER=MARS DQT_ADMIN=SUPERVISOR ./test/quota/dqt_linux_handoff.sh
+
+Optional:
+  NWFS_NCPFS_USERQUOTA=/path/to/nwfs_ncpfs_userquota
+USAGE
+  exit 2
+fi
+
+TOOL=${NWFS_NCPFS_USERQUOTA:-}
+if [ -z "$TOOL" ]; then
+  if command -v nwfs_ncpfs_userquota >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    TOOL=$(command -v nwfs_ncpfs_userquota)
+  elif [ -x /home/mario/mars/mars-nwe-build/tests/nwfs/nwfs_ncpfs_userquota ]; then
+    TOOL=/home/mario/mars/mars-nwe-build/tests/nwfs/nwfs_ncpfs_userquota
+  else
+    echo "nwfs_ncpfs_userquota not found; set NWFS_NCPFS_USERQUOTA" >&2
+    exit 2
+  fi
+fi
+
+quota_cmd() {
+  "$TOOL" -S "$SERVER" -U "$ADMIN" -P "$PASSWORD" \
+    --volume "$1" --object "$OBJECT" --type "$TYPE" "$@"
+}
+
+get_line() {
+  local volume=$1
+  "$TOOL" -S "$SERVER" -U "$ADMIN" -P "$PASSWORD" \
+    --volume "$volume" --object "$OBJECT" --type "$TYPE" --get
+}
+
+get_inuse4k() {
+  local volume=$1 line
+  line=$(get_line "$volume")
+  printf '%s\n' "$line" >&2
+  printf '%s\n' "$line" | sed -n 's/.*inuse4k=\([0-9][0-9]*\).*/\1/p'
+}
+
+set_volume_limit() {
+  local volume=$1 inuse limit
+  inuse=$(get_inuse4k "$volume")
+  if [ -z "$inuse" ]; then
+    echo "could not parse inuse4k for volume $volume" >&2
+    exit 1
+  fi
+  limit=$((inuse + ALLOW4K))
+  echo "setting $volume quota for $OBJECT type $TYPE: inuse4k=$inuse allow4k=$ALLOW4K limit4k=$limit" >&2
+  "$TOOL" -S "$SERVER" -U "$ADMIN" -P "$PASSWORD" \
+    --volume "$volume" --object "$OBJECT" --type "$TYPE" --limit-4k "$limit"
+  get_line "$volume"
+}
+
+echo "# DOS quota handoff for $OBJECT type $TYPE" >&2
+echo "# server=$SERVER quota_volume=$QUOTA_VOL sys_volume=$SYS_VOL allow4k=$ALLOW4K" >&2
+set_volume_limit "$QUOTA_VOL"
+set_volume_limit "$SYS_VOL"
+echo "# return to DOS and press J/j/Y/y" >&2