diff --git a/lib/app.dart b/lib/app.dart
index 135d78f..2164a41 100644
--- a/lib/app.dart
+++ b/lib/app.dart
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
 import 'package:flutter_riverpod/flutter_riverpod.dart';
 import 'package:go_router/go_router.dart';
 
+import 'package:flutter_timezone/flutter_timezone.dart';
+
 import 'core/constants.dart';
 import 'core/exceptions.dart';
 import 'core/theme.dart';
@@ -159,19 +161,29 @@ class _ShellState extends ConsumerState<_Shell> {
   @override
   void initState() {
     super.initState();
-    // Silent update check — only if we haven't already checked this session.
-    // Skipping when status is not idle/error prevents the dialog from
-    // re-appearing every time the shell re-mounts (e.g. after visiting settings).
     WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) {
+      // Silent update check — only if we haven't already checked this session.
       final repoUrl = ref.read(forgejoRepoUrlProvider);
-      if (repoUrl == null || repoUrl.isEmpty) return;
-      final status = ref.read(updateProvider).status;
-      if (status == UpdateStatus.idle || status == UpdateStatus.error) {
-        ref.read(updateProvider.notifier).check(repoUrl);
+      if (repoUrl != null && repoUrl.isNotEmpty) {
+        final status = ref.read(updateProvider).status;
+        if (status == UpdateStatus.idle || status == UpdateStatus.error) {
+          ref.read(updateProvider.notifier).check(repoUrl);
+        }
       }
+      // Sync device timezone to backend so briefing and chat use local time.
+      _syncTimezone();
     });
   }
 
+  Future<void> _syncTimezone() async {
+    try {
+      final tzInfo = await FlutterTimezone.getLocalTimezone();
+      await ref.read(settingsApiProvider).syncTimezone(tzInfo.identifier);
+    } catch (_) {
+      // Best-effort — failure is non-critical.
+    }
+  }
+
   int _tabIndex(String location) {
     for (var i = 0; i < _tabs.length; i++) {
       if (location.startsWith(_tabs[i])) return i;
diff --git a/lib/data/api/briefing_api.dart b/lib/data/api/briefing_api.dart
index c39df8e..e28b600 100644
--- a/lib/data/api/briefing_api.dart
+++ b/lib/data/api/briefing_api.dart
@@ -59,4 +59,23 @@ class BriefingApi {
       throw dioToApp(e);
     }
   }
+
+  /// POST /api/briefing/rss-reactions  body: {rss_item_id, reaction: "up"|"down"}
+  Future<void> postRssReaction(int rssItemId, String reaction) async {
+    try {
+      await _dio.post('/api/briefing/rss-reactions',
+          data: {'rss_item_id': rssItemId, 'reaction': reaction});
+    } on DioException catch (e) {
+      throw dioToApp(e);
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// DELETE /api/briefing/rss-reactions/{rssItemId}
+  Future<void> deleteRssReaction(int rssItemId) async {
+    try {
+      await _dio.delete('/api/briefing/rss-reactions/$rssItemId');
+    } on DioException catch (e) {
+      throw dioToApp(e);
+    }
+  }
 }
diff --git a/lib/data/api/settings_api.dart b/lib/data/api/settings_api.dart
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8d30c5f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/data/api/settings_api.dart
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+import 'package:dio/dio.dart';
+
+class SettingsApi {
+  const SettingsApi(this._dio);
+  final Dio _dio;
+
+  Future<void> syncTimezone(String ianaTimezone) async {
+    await _dio.put<void>(
+      '/api/settings',
+      data: {'user_timezone': ianaTimezone},
+    );
+  }
+}
diff --git a/lib/data/models/message.dart b/lib/data/models/message.dart
index 3df0a21..be48d10 100644
--- a/lib/data/models/message.dart
+++ b/lib/data/models/message.dart
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ class Message {
   final String content;
   final String status; // "complete" | "generating"
   final DateTime? createdAt;
+  final Map<String, dynamic>? metadata;
 
   const Message({
     this.id,
@@ -15,6 +16,7 @@ class Message {
     required this.content,
     this.status = 'complete',
     this.createdAt,
+    this.metadata,
   });
 
   factory Message.fromJson(Map<String, dynamic> json) => Message(
@@ -26,6 +28,7 @@ class Message {
         createdAt: json['created_at'] != null
             ? DateTime.parse(json['created_at'] as String)
             : null,
+        metadata: json['metadata'] as Map<String, dynamic>?,
       );
 
   Message copyWith({String? content, String? status}) => Message(
@@ -35,5 +38,6 @@ class Message {
         content: content ?? this.content,
         status: status ?? this.status,
         createdAt: createdAt,
+        metadata: metadata,
       );
 }
diff --git a/lib/providers/api_client_provider.dart b/lib/providers/api_client_provider.dart
index de7be00..2aba0ce 100644
--- a/lib/providers/api_client_provider.dart
+++ b/lib/providers/api_client_provider.dart
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import '../data/api/milestones_api.dart';
 import '../data/api/notes_api.dart';
 import '../data/api/projects_api.dart';
 import '../data/api/quick_capture_api.dart';
+import '../data/api/settings_api.dart';
 import '../data/api/tasks_api.dart';
 import '../data/repositories/auth_repository.dart';
 import '../data/repositories/chat_repository.dart';
@@ -85,3 +86,7 @@ final milestonesRepositoryProvider = Provider<MilestonesRepository>((ref) {
 final briefingApiProvider = Provider<BriefingApi>((ref) {
   return BriefingApi(ref.watch(dioProvider));
 });
+
+final settingsApiProvider = Provider<SettingsApi>((ref) {
+  return SettingsApi(ref.watch(dioProvider));
+});
diff --git a/lib/providers/briefing_provider.dart b/lib/providers/briefing_provider.dart
index 40786f1..42d76be 100644
--- a/lib/providers/briefing_provider.dart
+++ b/lib/providers/briefing_provider.dart
@@ -23,6 +23,24 @@ class BriefingNotifier extends AsyncNotifier<BriefingConversation> {
     return ref.read(briefingApiProvider).getToday();
   }
 
+  /// Silently fetch the latest briefing and patch state without triggering
+  /// AsyncLoading — existing content stays visible while the fetch is in flight.
+  Future<void> silentRefresh() async {
+    final current = state.value;
+    if (current == null) return;
+    try {
+      final fresh = await ref.read(briefingApiProvider).getToday();
+      final curLast = current.messages.isNotEmpty ? current.messages.last : null;
+      final newLast = fresh.messages.isNotEmpty ? fresh.messages.last : null;
+      if (fresh.messages.length != current.messages.length ||
+          newLast?.content != curLast?.content) {
+        state = AsyncData(fresh);
+      }
+    } catch (_) {
+      // Network hiccup — silently ignore, keep existing content
+    }
+  }
+
   /// Trigger a briefing slot (e.g. "compilation") then reload.
   Future<void> refresh(String slot) async {
     await ref.read(briefingApiProvider).triggerSlot(slot);
diff --git a/lib/screens/briefing/briefing_screen.dart b/lib/screens/briefing/briefing_screen.dart
index 23abd5b..dd36df0 100644
--- a/lib/screens/briefing/briefing_screen.dart
+++ b/lib/screens/briefing/briefing_screen.dart
@@ -1,9 +1,14 @@
+import 'dart:async';
+
 import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
 import 'package:flutter_riverpod/flutter_riverpod.dart';
 
 import '../../core/exceptions.dart';
+import '../../data/models/message.dart';
 import '../../providers/briefing_provider.dart';
+import '../../providers/api_client_provider.dart';
 import '../../widgets/chat_message_bubble.dart';
+import '../../widgets/weather_card.dart';
 import 'briefing_history_screen.dart';
 
 class BriefingScreen extends ConsumerStatefulWidget {
@@ -13,13 +18,40 @@ class BriefingScreen extends ConsumerStatefulWidget {
   ConsumerState<BriefingScreen> createState() => _BriefingScreenState();
 }
 
-class _BriefingScreenState extends ConsumerState<BriefingScreen> {
+class _BriefingScreenState extends ConsumerState<BriefingScreen>
+    with WidgetsBindingObserver {
   final _controller = TextEditingController();
   final _scrollController = ScrollController();
   bool _refreshing = false;
+  // rss_item_id -> 'up' | 'down' | null
+  final Map<int, String?> _reactions = {};
+
+  Timer? _pollTimer;
+  bool _appInForeground = true;
+
+  @override
+  void initState() {
+    super.initState();
+    WidgetsBinding.instance.addObserver(this);
+    _pollTimer = Timer.periodic(const Duration(seconds: 60), (_) => _pollSilently());
+  }
+
+  @override
+  void didChangeAppLifecycleState(AppLifecycleState state) {
+    _appInForeground = state == AppLifecycleState.resumed;
+  }
+
+  void _pollSilently() {
+    if (!_appInForeground || !mounted) return;
+    final isStreaming = ref.read(isBriefingStreamingProvider);
+    if (isStreaming) return;
+    ref.read(briefingProvider.notifier).silentRefresh();
+  }
 
   @override
   void dispose() {
+    _pollTimer?.cancel();
+    WidgetsBinding.instance.removeObserver(this);
     _controller.dispose();
     _scrollController.dispose();
     super.dispose();
@@ -57,6 +89,22 @@ class _BriefingScreenState extends ConsumerState<BriefingScreen> {
     }
   }
 
+  Future<void> _handleReaction(int itemId, String reaction) async {
+    final current = _reactions[itemId];
+    final next = current == reaction ? null : reaction;
+    setState(() => _reactions[itemId] = next);
+    final api = ref.read(briefingApiProvider);
+    try {
+      if (next == null) {
+        await api.deleteRssReaction(itemId);
+      } else {
+        await api.postRssReaction(itemId, reaction);
+      }
+    } catch (_) {
+      setState(() => _reactions[itemId] = current);
+    }
+  }
+
   Future<void> _refresh() async {
     setState(() => _refreshing = true);
     try {
@@ -178,8 +226,14 @@ class _BriefingScreenState extends ConsumerState<BriefingScreen> {
                             horizontal: 8, vertical: 8),
                         sliver: SliverList.builder(
                           itemCount: conv.messages.length,
-                          itemBuilder: (_, i) =>
-                              ChatMessageBubble(message: conv.messages[i]),
+                          itemBuilder: (_, i) {
+                            final msg = conv.messages[i];
+                            return _BriefingMessageItem(
+                              message: msg,
+                              reactions: _reactions,
+                              onReaction: _handleReaction,
+                            );
+                          },
                         ),
                       ),
                   ],
@@ -246,6 +300,118 @@ class _BriefingScreenState extends ConsumerState<BriefingScreen> {
   }
 }
 
+/// Renders a single briefing message with optional WeatherCard above it
+/// and RSS reaction buttons below it (for assistant messages with metadata).
+class _BriefingMessageItem extends StatelessWidget {
+  final Message message;
+  final Map<int, String?> reactions;
+  final void Function(int itemId, String reaction) onReaction;
+
+  const _BriefingMessageItem({
+    required this.message,
+    required this.reactions,
+    required this.onReaction,
+  });
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final meta = message.metadata;
+    final isAssistant = message.role == MessageRole.assistant;
+
+    // Weather: show card above when metadata.weather key is present (even if null value)
+    final bool hasWeatherKey = isAssistant && meta != null && meta.containsKey('weather');
+    final weatherData = hasWeatherKey ? meta['weather'] as Map<String, dynamic>? : null;
+
+    // RSS reactions
+    final rssItemIds = isAssistant && meta != null
+        ? (meta['rss_item_ids'] as List<dynamic>?)?.cast<int>() ?? []
+        : <int>[];
+
+    final scheme = Theme.of(context).colorScheme;
+
+    return Column(
+      crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.stretch,
+      children: [
+        if (hasWeatherKey) WeatherCard(weather: weatherData),
+        ChatMessageBubble(message: message),
+        if (rssItemIds.isNotEmpty)
+          Padding(
+            padding: const EdgeInsets.only(left: 8, bottom: 4),
+            child: Column(
+              crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
+              children: rssItemIds.asMap().entries.map((entry) {
+                final index = entry.key;
+                final itemId = entry.value;
+                final current = reactions[itemId];
+                return Padding(
+                  padding: const EdgeInsets.only(top: 4),
+                  child: Row(
+                    mainAxisSize: MainAxisSize.min,
+                    children: [
+                      Text(
+                        'Story ${index + 1}',
+                        style: TextStyle(
+                          fontSize: 12,
+                          color: scheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+                        ),
+                      ),
+                      const SizedBox(width: 8),
+                      _ReactionButton(
+                        emoji: '👍',
+                        active: current == 'up',
+                        onTap: () => onReaction(itemId, 'up'),
+                      ),
+                      const SizedBox(width: 4),
+                      _ReactionButton(
+                        emoji: '👎',
+                        active: current == 'down',
+                        onTap: () => onReaction(itemId, 'down'),
+                      ),
+                    ],
+                  ),
+                );
+              }).toList(),
+            ),
+          ),
+      ],
+    );
+  }
+}
+
+class _ReactionButton extends StatelessWidget {
+  final String emoji;
+  final bool active;
+  final VoidCallback onTap;
+
+  const _ReactionButton({
+    required this.emoji,
+    required this.active,
+    required this.onTap,
+  });
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final scheme = Theme.of(context).colorScheme;
+    return GestureDetector(
+      onTap: onTap,
+      child: AnimatedContainer(
+        duration: const Duration(milliseconds: 150),
+        padding: const EdgeInsets.symmetric(horizontal: 8, vertical: 3),
+        decoration: BoxDecoration(
+          color: active
+              ? scheme.primary.withValues(alpha: 0.12)
+              : Colors.transparent,
+          border: Border.all(
+            color: active ? scheme.primary : scheme.outlineVariant,
+          ),
+          borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(6),
+        ),
+        child: Text(emoji, style: const TextStyle(fontSize: 14)),
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+}
+
 class _GradientSendButton extends StatelessWidget {
   final VoidCallback? onPressed;
   final bool isStreaming;
diff --git a/lib/widgets/weather_card.dart b/lib/widgets/weather_card.dart
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..93cf8a8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/widgets/weather_card.dart
@@ -0,0 +1,185 @@
+import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
+
+class WeatherCard extends StatelessWidget {
+  final Map<String, dynamic>? weather;
+
+  const WeatherCard({super.key, required this.weather});
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final scheme = Theme.of(context).colorScheme;
+
+    if (weather == null) {
+      return Container(
+        margin: const EdgeInsets.only(bottom: 12),
+        padding: const EdgeInsets.symmetric(horizontal: 14, vertical: 10),
+        decoration: BoxDecoration(
+          color: scheme.surfaceContainerHighest,
+          borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(12),
+          border: Border.all(color: scheme.outlineVariant),
+        ),
+        child: Text(
+          'Weather data unavailable — will retry at next slot.',
+          style: TextStyle(
+            color: scheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+            fontStyle: FontStyle.italic,
+            fontSize: 13,
+          ),
+        ),
+      );
+    }
+
+    final w = weather!;
+    final location = w['location'] as String? ?? '';
+    final currentTemp = w['current_temp'];
+    final condition = w['condition'] as String? ?? '';
+    final todayHigh = w['today_high'];
+    final todayLow = w['today_low'];
+    final yesterdayHigh = w['yesterday_high'];
+    final fetchedAt = w['fetched_at'] as String?;
+    final forecast = (w['forecast'] as List<dynamic>? ?? [])
+        .cast<Map<String, dynamic>>();
+
+    String? tempDelta;
+    if (todayHigh != null && yesterdayHigh != null) {
+      final diff = (todayHigh as num) - (yesterdayHigh as num);
+      if (diff.abs() < 1) {
+        tempDelta = 'Same as yesterday';
+      } else {
+        final dir = diff > 0 ? 'warmer' : 'cooler';
+        tempDelta = '${diff.abs().round()}° $dir than yesterday';
+      }
+    }
+
+    String? fetchedLabel;
+    if (fetchedAt != null) {
+      try {
+        final dt = DateTime.parse(fetchedAt).toLocal();
+        final h = dt.hour % 12 == 0 ? 12 : dt.hour % 12;
+        final m = dt.minute.toString().padLeft(2, '0');
+        final period = dt.hour < 12 ? 'AM' : 'PM';
+        fetchedLabel = '$h:$m $period';
+      } catch (_) {}
+    }
+
+    return Container(
+      margin: const EdgeInsets.only(bottom: 12),
+      padding: const EdgeInsets.all(14),
+      decoration: BoxDecoration(
+        color: scheme.surfaceContainerHighest,
+        borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(12),
+        border: Border.all(color: scheme.outlineVariant),
+      ),
+      child: Column(
+        crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
+        children: [
+          // Header: location + fetched time
+          Row(
+            mainAxisAlignment: MainAxisAlignment.spaceBetween,
+            children: [
+              Text(
+                location,
+                style: TextStyle(
+                  fontWeight: FontWeight.w600,
+                  fontSize: 14,
+                  color: scheme.onSurface,
+                ),
+              ),
+              if (fetchedLabel != null)
+                Text(
+                  'as of $fetchedLabel',
+                  style: TextStyle(
+                    fontSize: 12,
+                    color: scheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+                  ),
+                ),
+            ],
+          ),
+          const SizedBox(height: 8),
+          // Current temp + condition
+          Row(
+            crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.baseline,
+            textBaseline: TextBaseline.alphabetic,
+            children: [
+              Text(
+                '$currentTemp°',
+                style: TextStyle(
+                  fontSize: 36,
+                  fontWeight: FontWeight.w700,
+                  color: scheme.onSurface,
+                  height: 1,
+                ),
+              ),
+              const SizedBox(width: 10),
+              Text(
+                condition,
+                style: TextStyle(
+                  fontSize: 14,
+                  color: scheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+                ),
+              ),
+            ],
+          ),
+          // Today high/low + delta
+          if (todayHigh != null) ...[
+            const SizedBox(height: 8),
+            Text(
+              'Today: $todayHigh° / $todayLow°'
+              '${tempDelta != null ? '  ·  $tempDelta' : ''}',
+              style: TextStyle(fontSize: 13, color: scheme.onSurfaceVariant),
+            ),
+          ],
+          // Forecast strip
+          if (forecast.isNotEmpty) ...[
+            const SizedBox(height: 12),
+            const Divider(height: 1),
+            const SizedBox(height: 12),
+            SingleChildScrollView(
+              scrollDirection: Axis.horizontal,
+              child: Row(
+                spacing: 8,
+                children: forecast.map((day) {
+                  return SizedBox(
+                    width: 64,
+                    child: Column(
+                      crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.center,
+                      children: [
+                        Text(
+                          day['day'] as String? ?? '',
+                          style: TextStyle(
+                            fontSize: 12,
+                            fontWeight: FontWeight.w600,
+                            color: scheme.onSurface,
+                          ),
+                        ),
+                        const SizedBox(height: 3),
+                        Text(
+                          day['condition'] as String? ?? '',
+                          style: TextStyle(
+                            fontSize: 11,
+                            color: scheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+                          ),
+                          textAlign: TextAlign.center,
+                          maxLines: 2,
+                          overflow: TextOverflow.ellipsis,
+                        ),
+                        const SizedBox(height: 3),
+                        Text(
+                          '${day['high']}° / ${day['low']}°',
+                          style: TextStyle(
+                            fontSize: 12,
+                            color: scheme.onSurface,
+                          ),
+                        ),
+                      ],
+                    ),
+                  );
+                }).toList(),
+              ),
+            ),
+          ],
+        ],
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+}
diff --git a/pubspec.lock b/pubspec.lock
index 308afa8..bfc5ee8 100644
--- a/pubspec.lock
+++ b/pubspec.lock
@@ -169,6 +169,14 @@ packages:
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
     version: "2.1.2"
+  equatable:
+    dependency: transitive
+    description:
+      name: equatable
+      sha256: "3e0141505477fd8ad55d6eb4e7776d3fe8430be8e497ccb1521370c3f21a3e2b"
+      url: "https://pub.dev"
+    source: hosted
+    version: "2.0.8"
   fake_async:
     dependency: transitive
     description:
@@ -299,6 +307,14 @@ packages:
     description: flutter
     source: sdk
     version: "0.0.0"
+  flutter_timezone:
+    dependency: "direct main"
+    description:
+      name: flutter_timezone
+      sha256: e8d63f50f2806a3a71a08697286a0369e1d8f0902961327810459871c0bb01c2
+      url: "https://pub.dev"
+    source: hosted
+    version: "5.0.2"
   flutter_web_plugins:
     dependency: transitive
     description: flutter
@@ -640,6 +656,54 @@ packages:
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
     version: "2.3.0"
+  permission_handler:
+    dependency: "direct main"
+    description:
+      name: permission_handler
+      sha256: "59adad729136f01ea9e35a48f5d1395e25cba6cea552249ddbe9cf950f5d7849"
+      url: "https://pub.dev"
+    source: hosted
+    version: "11.4.0"
+  permission_handler_android:
+    dependency: transitive
+    description:
+      name: permission_handler_android
+      sha256: d3971dcdd76182a0c198c096b5db2f0884b0d4196723d21a866fc4cdea057ebc
+      url: "https://pub.dev"
+    source: hosted
+    version: "12.1.0"
+  permission_handler_apple:
+    dependency: transitive
+    description:
+      name: permission_handler_apple
+      sha256: f000131e755c54cf4d84a5d8bd6e4149e262cc31c5a8b1d698de1ac85fa41023
+      url: "https://pub.dev"
+    source: hosted
+    version: "9.4.7"
+  permission_handler_html:
+    dependency: transitive
+    description:
+      name: permission_handler_html
+      sha256: "38f000e83355abb3392140f6bc3030660cfaef189e1f87824facb76300b4ff24"
+      url: "https://pub.dev"
+    source: hosted
+    version: "0.1.3+5"
+  permission_handler_platform_interface:
+    dependency: transitive
+    description:
+      name: permission_handler_platform_interface
+      sha256: eb99b295153abce5d683cac8c02e22faab63e50679b937fa1bf67d58bb282878
+      url: "https://pub.dev"
+    source: hosted
+    version: "4.3.0"
+  permission_handler_windows:
+    dependency: transitive
+    description:
+      name: permission_handler_windows
+      sha256: "1a790728016f79a41216d88672dbc5df30e686e811ad4e698bfc51f76ad91f1e"
+      url: "https://pub.dev"
+    source: hosted
+    version: "0.2.1"
   petitparser:
     dependency: transitive
     description:
diff --git a/pubspec.yaml b/pubspec.yaml
index 3830495..50c50e3 100644
--- a/pubspec.yaml
+++ b/pubspec.yaml
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ dependencies:
   flutter_inappwebview: ^6.1.5
   flutter_markdown_plus: ^1.0.7
   google_fonts: ^8.0.2
+  flutter_timezone: ^5.0.2
 
 dev_dependencies:
   flutter_test: