Release v26.04.15.1 — Tablet landscape improvements

Shell: move Projects/News/Calendar into ShellRoute so the NavigationRail
persists across all screens. Show all 6 nav destinations on tablet
instead of 3+More overflow. Phone bottom nav unchanged.

Chat: master-detail layout on tablet — conversations list (320px) with
inline chat panel. Tapping a conversation updates state instead of
pushing a new route.

Knowledge: responsive grid (2 cols portrait, 3 cols landscape) with
card layout showing icon, title, body preview, and tags. Fix snippet
data — read json['snippet'] which the API actually sends. Bump snippet
length from 120 to 200 chars. Tasks now show description as snippet.

News: responsive grid with the same breakpoints. Larger snippet
(5 lines) in grid mode via snippetMaxLines parameter.

Briefing: centered reading column (maxWidth 700) on wide screens,
matching the web UI layout.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

.forgejo/workflows/ci.yml

@@ -1,7 +1,12 @@
 # CI runs first; build only proceeds if all checks pass.
 #
-# Push to dev or main:  flutter analyze + flutter test
-# Tag v* (release):     gates + signed APK build + attach to Forgejo Release
+# Push to dev:       flutter analyze + flutter test
+# Tag v* (release):  gates + signed APK build + attach to Forgejo Release
+#
+# main pushes are NOT gated here: a merge to main only happens after
+# dev has already passed CI, and the release tag is the sole trigger
+# for a signed APK build. Re-running analyze+test on the merge commit
+# just burns runner time without changing the outcome.
 #
 # To cut a release:
 #   Create a release via the Forgejo UI on main with a v* tag name.
@@ -20,7 +25,7 @@ name: CI & Build
 
 on:
   push:
-    branches: [dev, main]
+    branches: [dev]
     tags: ["v*"]
 
 # Cancel older runs on the same branch when a newer push lands. Tag runs
@@ -63,7 +68,7 @@ jobs:
   build:
     name: Build release APK
     needs: [analyze]
-    # Only tag pushes produce a signed release build. dev/main pushes
+    # Only tag pushes produce a signed release build. dev pushes
     # run the gates above and stop there.
     if: startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/')
     runs-on: ci-runner

lib/app.dart

@@ -159,20 +159,20 @@ final routerProvider = Provider<GoRouter>((ref) {
             path: Routes.conversations,
             builder: (_, _) => const ConversationsTabScreen(),
           ),
+          GoRoute(
+            path: Routes.projects,
+            builder: (_, _) => const ProjectsScreen(),
+          ),
+          GoRoute(
+            path: Routes.news,
+            builder: (_, _) => const NewsScreen(),
+          ),
+          GoRoute(
+            path: Routes.calendar,
+            builder: (_, _) => const CalendarScreen(),
+          ),
         ],
       ),
-      GoRoute(
-        path: Routes.projects,
-        builder: (_, _) => const ProjectsScreen(),
-      ),
-      GoRoute(
-        path: Routes.news,
-        builder: (_, _) => const NewsScreen(),
-      ),
-      GoRoute(
-        path: Routes.calendar,
-        builder: (_, _) => const CalendarScreen(),
-      ),
     ],
   );
 });
@@ -190,6 +190,9 @@ class _ShellState extends ConsumerState<_Shell> with WidgetsBindingObserver {
     Routes.briefing,
     Routes.knowledge,
     Routes.conversations,
+    Routes.projects,
+    Routes.news,
+    Routes.calendar,
   ];
 
   // Minimum gap between app-resume refreshes to avoid hammering the server.
@@ -255,6 +258,10 @@ class _ShellState extends ConsumerState<_Shell> with WidgetsBindingObserver {
         ref.read(knowledgeProvider.notifier).refresh();
       case 2:
         ref.read(conversationsProvider.notifier).refresh();
+      case 4:
+        ref.read(newsProvider.notifier).refresh();
+      case 5:
+        ref.read(calendarProvider.notifier).refresh();
     }
   }
 
@@ -271,11 +278,6 @@ class _ShellState extends ConsumerState<_Shell> with WidgetsBindingObserver {
     for (var i = 0; i < _tabs.length; i++) {
       if (location.startsWith(_tabs[i])) return i;
     }
-    if (location.startsWith(Routes.projects) ||
-        location.startsWith(Routes.news) ||
-        location.startsWith(Routes.calendar)) {
-      return 3;
-    }
     return 0;
   }
 
@@ -394,7 +396,7 @@ class _ShellState extends ConsumerState<_Shell> with WidgetsBindingObserver {
     final index = _tabIndex(location);
 
     // Refresh the incoming tab's data when switching between shell tabs.
-    if (_prevTabIndex != null && _prevTabIndex != index && index < 3) {
+    if (_prevTabIndex != null && _prevTabIndex != index) {
       WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) => _refreshTab(index));
     }
     _prevTabIndex = index;
@@ -413,13 +415,7 @@ class _ShellState extends ConsumerState<_Shell> with WidgetsBindingObserver {
                   children: [
                     NavigationRail(
                       selectedIndex: index,
-                      onDestinationSelected: (i) {
-                        if (i == 3) {
-                          _showMoreSheet(context);
-                        } else {
-                          context.go(_tabs[i]);
-                        }
-                      },
+                      onDestinationSelected: (i) => context.go(_tabs[i]),
                       labelType: NavigationRailLabelType.all,
                       destinations: const [
                         NavigationRailDestination(
@@ -438,9 +434,19 @@ class _ShellState extends ConsumerState<_Shell> with WidgetsBindingObserver {
                           label: Text('Chat'),
                         ),
                         NavigationRailDestination(
-                          icon: Icon(Icons.more_horiz_outlined),
-                          selectedIcon: Icon(Icons.more_horiz),
-                          label: Text('More'),
+                          icon: Icon(Icons.folder_outlined),
+                          selectedIcon: Icon(Icons.folder),
+                          label: Text('Projects'),
+                        ),
+                        NavigationRailDestination(
+                          icon: Icon(Icons.newspaper_outlined),
+                          selectedIcon: Icon(Icons.newspaper),
+                          label: Text('News'),
+                        ),
+                        NavigationRailDestination(
+                          icon: Icon(Icons.calendar_month_outlined),
+                          selectedIcon: Icon(Icons.calendar_month),
+                          label: Text('Calendar'),
                         ),
                       ],
                     ),
@@ -469,7 +475,7 @@ class _ShellState extends ConsumerState<_Shell> with WidgetsBindingObserver {
         ],
       ),
       bottomNavigationBar: NavigationBar(
-        selectedIndex: index,
+        selectedIndex: index >= 3 ? 3 : index,
         onDestinationSelected: (i) {
           if (i == 3) {
             _showMoreSheet(context);
@@ -653,6 +659,7 @@ class _QuickCaptureBarState extends ConsumerState<_QuickCaptureBar> {
                 VoiceMicButton(
                   mode: ref.watch(voiceProvider).mode,
                   voiceModeActive: ref.watch(voiceProvider).voiceModeActive,
+                  amplitude: ref.watch(voiceProvider).amplitude,
                   onTap: _toggleCaptureMic,
                 ),
                 IconButton(

lib/data/models/knowledge_item.dart

@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ class KnowledgeItem {
         id: json['id'] as int,
         noteType: json['note_type'] as String? ?? 'note',
         title: json['title'] as String? ?? '',
-        body: json['body'] as String? ?? '',
+        body: (json['snippet'] ?? json['body']) as String? ?? '',
         tags: (json['tags'] as List<dynamic>?)
                 ?.map((e) => e as String)
                 .toList() ??

lib/providers/briefing_provider.dart

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import 'dart:async';
+
 import 'package:flutter_riverpod/flutter_riverpod.dart';
 
 import '../data/api/chat_api.dart';
@@ -49,6 +51,40 @@ class BriefingNotifier extends AsyncNotifier<BriefingConversation> {
     await future;
   }
 
+  /// Re-fetch the current briefing conversation and unfreeze a stuck
+  /// streaming state if the server-side message is already complete.
+  ///
+  /// Same role as MessagesNotifier.refresh() in chat_provider: when an SSE
+  /// socket dies silently (mobile network handoff, app backgrounded mid-stream,
+  /// reverse proxy dropping idle sockets) the send loop never observes close
+  /// and [isBriefingStreamingProvider] stays stuck true. This is the manual
+  /// recovery path hit by pull-to-refresh, the AppBar refresh button, and the
+  /// lifecycle-resume hook.
+  Future<void> refreshMessages() async {
+    final current = state.value;
+    if (current == null) {
+      ref.invalidateSelf();
+      return;
+    }
+    try {
+      final fresh = await ref.read(briefingApiProvider).getToday();
+      state = AsyncData(fresh);
+      final messages = fresh.messages;
+      Message? lastAssistant;
+      for (var i = messages.length - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
+        if (messages[i].role == MessageRole.assistant) {
+          lastAssistant = messages[i];
+          break;
+        }
+      }
+      if (lastAssistant != null && lastAssistant.status != 'generating') {
+        ref.read(isBriefingStreamingProvider.notifier).state = false;
+      }
+    } catch (_) {
+      // Network hiccup — keep existing state; user can retry.
+    }
+  }
+
   /// Inject a news article as context and trigger generation.
   ///
   /// Mirrors sendReply() but calls the /discuss endpoint instead of
@@ -77,10 +113,71 @@ class BriefingNotifier extends AsyncNotifier<BriefingConversation> {
       rethrow;
     }
 
-    // SSE stream (best-effort)
-    bool streamedContent = false;
+    final streamedContent = await _consumeStream(chatApi.streamGeneration(convId));
+    await _pollUntilComplete(convId, streamedContent);
+  }
+
+  /// Send a reply to today's briefing conversation.
+  ///
+  /// Mirrors MessagesNotifier.sendMessage() in chat_provider with the same
+  /// stall-watchdog pattern:
+  ///   1. Optimistic UI update
+  ///   2. POST message to chat endpoint
+  ///   3. SSE stream with per-event timeout (stall watchdog)
+  ///   4. Poll until complete
+  Future<void> sendReply(String content) async {
+    final conv = state.value;
+    if (conv == null) return;
+    final convId = conv.id;
+    final chatApi = ref.read(chatApiProvider);
+
+    final previous = conv.messages;
+    final userMsg = Message(
+      conversationId: convId,
+      role: MessageRole.user,
+      content: content,
+    );
+    final placeholder = Message(
+      conversationId: convId,
+      role: MessageRole.assistant,
+      content: '',
+      status: 'generating',
+    );
+    state = AsyncData(conv.copyWith(messages: [...previous, userMsg, placeholder]));
+    ref.read(isBriefingStreamingProvider.notifier).state = true;
+
     try {
-      await for (final event in chatApi.streamGeneration(convId)) {
+      await chatApi.sendMessage(convId, content);
+    } catch (e) {
+      state = AsyncData(conv.copyWith(messages: previous));
+      ref.read(isBriefingStreamingProvider.notifier).state = false;
+      rethrow;
+    }
+
+    final streamedContent = await _consumeStream(chatApi.streamGeneration(convId));
+    await _pollUntilComplete(convId, streamedContent);
+  }
+
+  /// Consume an SSE stream into the current briefing conversation state.
+  ///
+  /// Uses a StreamIterator with a per-event timeout as a stall watchdog —
+  /// same rationale as MessagesNotifier.sendMessage() in chat_provider.dart.
+  /// Mobile networks occasionally drop SSE sockets silently: the TCP
+  /// connection is half-closed, Dio never sees the close, and `await for`
+  /// hangs forever with [isBriefingStreamingProvider] stuck true. If no event
+  /// arrives within the watchdog window we bail out and let the polling pass
+  /// below reconcile state from the server.
+  ///
+  /// Returns whether any text content was actually streamed (the polling
+  /// pass uses this to decide whether it's safe to overwrite with a possibly
+  /// empty server-side row).
+  Future<bool> _consumeStream(Stream<ChatStreamEvent> stream) async {
+    const stallTimeout = Duration(seconds: 45);
+    bool streamedContent = false;
+    final iter = StreamIterator(stream);
+    try {
+      while (await iter.moveNext().timeout(stallTimeout)) {
+        final event = iter.current;
         final current = state.value;
         if (current == null) break;
         final msgs = current.messages;
@@ -100,11 +197,22 @@ class BriefingNotifier extends AsyncNotifier<BriefingConversation> {
               messages: [...msgs.sublist(0, msgs.length - 1), updated]));
         }
       }
+    } on TimeoutException {
+      // Stall watchdog — no SSE event for stallTimeout. Fall through to
+      // polling so the UI eventually unfreezes even if the socket is dead.
     } catch (_) {
-      // Fall through to polling.
+      // SSE failed — fall through to polling.
+    } finally {
+      await iter.cancel();
     }
+    return streamedContent;
+  }
 
-    // Poll until complete (max 20 attempts, 2s apart)
+  /// Poll /api/briefing messages until the last assistant row is complete,
+  /// same reconcile pattern as MessagesNotifier.sendMessage(). Always clears
+  /// [isBriefingStreamingProvider] at the end so the input can't stay locked.
+  Future<void> _pollUntilComplete(int convId, bool streamedContent) async {
+    final briefingApi = ref.read(briefingApiProvider);
     try {
       for (var attempt = 0; attempt < 20; attempt++) {
         if (attempt > 0) await Future.delayed(const Duration(seconds: 2));
@@ -136,101 +244,4 @@ class BriefingNotifier extends AsyncNotifier<BriefingConversation> {
       ref.read(isBriefingStreamingProvider.notifier).state = false;
     }
   }
-
-  /// Send a reply to today's briefing conversation.
-  ///
-  /// Mirrors MessagesNotifier.sendMessage():
-  ///   1. Optimistic UI update
-  ///   2. POST message to chat endpoint
-  ///   3. SSE stream (best-effort)
-  ///   4. Poll until complete
-  Future<void> sendReply(String content) async {
-    final conv = state.value;
-    if (conv == null) return;
-    final convId = conv.id;
-    final chatApi = ref.read(chatApiProvider);
-
-    final previous = conv.messages;
-    final userMsg = Message(
-      conversationId: convId,
-      role: MessageRole.user,
-      content: content,
-    );
-    final placeholder = Message(
-      conversationId: convId,
-      role: MessageRole.assistant,
-      content: '',
-      status: 'generating',
-    );
-    state = AsyncData(conv.copyWith(messages: [...previous, userMsg, placeholder]));
-    ref.read(isBriefingStreamingProvider.notifier).state = true;
-
-    try {
-      await chatApi.sendMessage(convId, content);
-    } catch (e) {
-      state = AsyncData(conv.copyWith(messages: previous));
-      ref.read(isBriefingStreamingProvider.notifier).state = false;
-      rethrow;
-    }
-
-    // SSE stream (best-effort)
-    bool streamedContent = false;
-    try {
-      await for (final event in chatApi.streamGeneration(convId)) {
-        final current = state.value;
-        if (current == null) break;
-        final msgs = current.messages;
-        if (msgs.isEmpty) continue;
-        if (event is ChatTextChunk) {
-          streamedContent = true;
-          final updated =
-              msgs.last.copyWith(content: msgs.last.content + event.text);
-          state = AsyncData(current.copyWith(
-              messages: [...msgs.sublist(0, msgs.length - 1), updated]));
-        } else if (event is ChatToolCall) {
-          final last = msgs.last;
-          if (last.role != MessageRole.assistant) continue;
-          final nextCalls = [...?last.toolCalls, event.toolCall];
-          final updated = last.copyWith(toolCalls: nextCalls);
-          state = AsyncData(current.copyWith(
-              messages: [...msgs.sublist(0, msgs.length - 1), updated]));
-        }
-      }
-    } catch (_) {
-      // Fall through to polling.
-    }
-
-    // Poll until complete (max 20 attempts, 2s apart)
-    try {
-      for (var attempt = 0; attempt < 20; attempt++) {
-        if (attempt > 0) await Future.delayed(const Duration(seconds: 2));
-        final fresh = await ref.read(briefingApiProvider).getMessages(convId);
-        final done = fresh.any(
-          (m) => m.role == MessageRole.assistant && m.status != 'generating',
-        );
-        final hasContent = fresh.any(
-          (m) => m.role == MessageRole.assistant && m.content.isNotEmpty,
-        );
-        final current = state.value;
-        if (current != null && (!streamedContent || done || hasContent)) {
-          state = AsyncData(current.copyWith(messages: fresh));
-        }
-        if (done) break;
-      }
-    } catch (_) {
-      // Clear the generating placeholder so UI doesn't spin forever.
-      final current = state.value;
-      if (current != null) {
-        final msgs = current.messages;
-        if (msgs.isNotEmpty && msgs.last.status == 'generating') {
-          state = AsyncData(current.copyWith(messages: [
-            ...msgs.sublist(0, msgs.length - 1),
-            msgs.last.copyWith(status: 'complete'),
-          ]));
-        }
-      }
-    } finally {
-      ref.read(isBriefingStreamingProvider.notifier).state = false;
-    }
-  }
 }

lib/providers/chat_provider.dart

@@ -118,6 +118,120 @@ class MessagesNotifier extends AsyncNotifier<List<Message>> {
     }
   }
 
+  /// Attach to an already-running generation for this conversation.
+  ///
+  /// Used when the chat screen lands on a conversation that was started by
+  /// something other than a direct user message — e.g. the /news discuss
+  /// button, which creates a conversation on the backend and auto-kicks a
+  /// generation before navigating. Without this the stream runs to
+  /// completion invisibly and the screen only shows the final persisted
+  /// message after a manual refresh.
+  ///
+  /// Safe to call unconditionally on screen init: no-ops when there is no
+  /// generating assistant message. Mirrors the web chat store's
+  /// reconnectIfGenerating() helper.
+  Future<void> attachToGeneration() async {
+    final convId = _convId;
+    final repo = ref.read(chatRepositoryProvider);
+
+    // Make sure we're looking at fresh server state before deciding whether
+    // to attach. The provider's build() fetches once; if the conversation
+    // was seeded via a POST that happened between build() and this call the
+    // generating placeholder won't be in our in-memory list yet.
+    try {
+      final (_, fresh) = await repo.getMessages(convId);
+      state = AsyncData(fresh);
+    } catch (_) {
+      // If we can't load messages we can't attach either — bail cleanly.
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (ref.read(isStreamingProvider(convId))) return;
+    final msgs = state.value ?? const <Message>[];
+    final hasGeneratingAssistant = msgs.any(
+      (m) => m.role == MessageRole.assistant && m.status == 'generating',
+    );
+    if (!hasGeneratingAssistant) return;
+
+    ref.read(isStreamingProvider(convId).notifier).state = true;
+
+    const stallTimeout = Duration(seconds: 45);
+    bool streamedContent = false;
+    final iter = StreamIterator(repo.streamGeneration(convId));
+    try {
+      while (await iter.moveNext().timeout(stallTimeout)) {
+        final event = iter.current;
+        if (event is ChatTextChunk) {
+          streamedContent = true;
+          ref.read(streamingStatusProvider(convId).notifier).state = '';
+          final cur = state.requireValue;
+          if (cur.isEmpty) continue;
+          // Route text chunks into the generating assistant message. The
+          // last message is usually the placeholder, but tool-call fan-in
+          // means we can't rely on that universally.
+          final idx = _findGeneratingAssistantIndex(cur);
+          if (idx < 0) continue;
+          final updated = cur[idx].copyWith(content: cur[idx].content + event.text);
+          state = AsyncData([
+            ...cur.sublist(0, idx),
+            updated,
+            ...cur.sublist(idx + 1),
+          ]);
+        } else if (event is ChatStatusUpdate) {
+          ref.read(streamingStatusProvider(convId).notifier).state = event.status;
+        } else if (event is ChatToolCall) {
+          final cur = state.requireValue;
+          if (cur.isEmpty) continue;
+          final idx = _findGeneratingAssistantIndex(cur);
+          if (idx < 0) continue;
+          final nextCalls = [...?cur[idx].toolCalls, event.toolCall];
+          final updated = cur[idx].copyWith(toolCalls: nextCalls);
+          state = AsyncData([
+            ...cur.sublist(0, idx),
+            updated,
+            ...cur.sublist(idx + 1),
+          ]);
+        }
+      }
+    } on TimeoutException {
+      // Stall — fall through to polling.
+    } catch (_) {
+      // Stream failed — fall through to polling.
+    } finally {
+      await iter.cancel();
+    }
+
+    try {
+      for (var attempt = 0; attempt < 20; attempt++) {
+        if (attempt > 0) await Future.delayed(const Duration(seconds: 2));
+        final (_, fresh) = await repo.getMessages(convId);
+        final done = fresh.any(
+          (m) => m.role == MessageRole.assistant && m.status != 'generating',
+        );
+        final polledHasContent = fresh.any(
+          (m) => m.role == MessageRole.assistant && m.content.isNotEmpty,
+        );
+        if (!streamedContent || done || polledHasContent) {
+          state = AsyncData(fresh);
+        }
+        if (done) break;
+      }
+    } catch (_) {
+      // Give up silently — user can pull-to-refresh.
+    } finally {
+      ref.read(isStreamingProvider(convId).notifier).state = false;
+      ref.read(streamingStatusProvider(convId).notifier).state = '';
+    }
+  }
+
+  int _findGeneratingAssistantIndex(List<Message> msgs) {
+    for (var i = msgs.length - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
+      final m = msgs[i];
+      if (m.role == MessageRole.assistant && m.status == 'generating') return i;
+    }
+    return -1;
+  }
+
   Future<void> sendMessage(String content) async {
     final convId = _convId;
     final repo = ref.read(chatRepositoryProvider);

lib/providers/voice_provider.dart

@@ -59,22 +59,29 @@ class VoiceState {
   final VoiceMode mode;
   final bool voiceModeActive;
   final bool available;
+  /// Normalized mic amplitude 0.0–1.0 while recording. Drives the live
+  /// pulse on VoiceMicButton so the user has obvious feedback that audio
+  /// is actually being picked up.
+  final double amplitude;
 
   const VoiceState({
     this.mode = VoiceMode.idle,
     this.voiceModeActive = false,
     this.available = true,
+    this.amplitude = 0.0,
   });
 
   VoiceState copyWith({
     VoiceMode? mode,
     bool? voiceModeActive,
     bool? available,
+    double? amplitude,
   }) =>
       VoiceState(
         mode: mode ?? this.mode,
         voiceModeActive: voiceModeActive ?? this.voiceModeActive,
         available: available ?? this.available,
+        amplitude: amplitude ?? this.amplitude,
       );
 }
 
@@ -92,10 +99,23 @@ class VoiceNotifier extends Notifier<VoiceState> {
   StreamSubscription<Amplitude>? _amplitudeSubscription;
 
   // Recording / silence detection
+  //
+  // Silence threshold is dynamic: we track the session peak dBFS and treat
+  // "silent" as "current level is at least _dropFromPeakDb below peak."
+  // This auto-calibrates to whatever mic + room the user is on rather than
+  // assuming a fixed ambient level. Until the peak climbs above
+  // _dynamicArmDb we fall back to a conservative static threshold so a
+  // quiet room doesn't spin forever. A grace period at the start of the
+  // recording gives the user time to begin speaking before silence checks
+  // arm.
   int _recordingStartMs = 0;
   int _silenceMs = 0;
-  static const _silenceThresholdDb = -40.0;
-  static const _silenceDurationMs = 1500;
+  double _peakDb = -100.0;
+  static const _fallbackThresholdDb = -35.0;
+  static const _dropFromPeakDb = 15.0;
+  static const _dynamicArmDb = -20.0;
+  static const _graceMs = 1500;
+  static const _silenceDurationMs = 2000;
   static const _minRecordingMs = 300;
 
   // Voice mode callbacks
@@ -229,6 +249,7 @@ class VoiceNotifier extends Notifier<VoiceState> {
     if (!state.voiceModeActive) return;
 
     _silenceMs = 0;
+    _peakDb = -100.0;
     _recordingStartMs = DateTime.now().millisecondsSinceEpoch;
     state = state.copyWith(mode: VoiceMode.recording);
 
@@ -267,14 +288,33 @@ class VoiceNotifier extends Notifier<VoiceState> {
   void _onAmplitude(Amplitude event) {
     if (!state.voiceModeActive) return;
 
+    final db = event.current;
+    final validDb = !(db.isNaN || db.isInfinite);
+
+    // Normalize dB to 0..1 for the pulse animation. -60dB is dead-quiet,
+    // 0dB is peak; we clamp and bias so the button visibly breathes even
+    // on soft speech without exploding on loud input.
+    if (validDb) {
+      final norm = ((db + 60.0) / 60.0).clamp(0.0, 1.0);
+      if ((norm - state.amplitude).abs() > 0.02) {
+        state = state.copyWith(amplitude: norm);
+      }
+      if (db > _peakDb) _peakDb = db;
+    }
+
     final elapsed =
         DateTime.now().millisecondsSinceEpoch - _recordingStartMs;
+    // Grace period at the start — let the user begin speaking before we
+    // start silence-counting. Also suppresses any false triggers while
+    // the native recorder is still warming up.
+    if (elapsed < _graceMs) return;
     if (elapsed < _minRecordingMs) return;
 
-    final db = event.current;
-    // Guard against NaN / ±Infinity which can arrive on some Android devices
-    // when the recorder is initialising. Treat invalid readings as silence.
-    final isSilent = db.isNaN || db.isInfinite || db < _silenceThresholdDb;
+    // Dynamic threshold once we've seen real speech; static fallback
+    // before that so a dead-silent session doesn't spin forever.
+    final threshold =
+        _peakDb > _dynamicArmDb ? _peakDb - _dropFromPeakDb : _fallbackThresholdDb;
+    final isSilent = !validDb || db < threshold;
 
     if (isSilent) {
       _silenceMs += 200;

lib/screens/briefing/briefing_screen.dart

@@ -41,7 +41,14 @@ class _BriefingScreenState extends ConsumerState<BriefingScreen>
 
   @override
   void didChangeAppLifecycleState(AppLifecycleState state) {
+    final wasBackground = !_appInForeground;
     _appInForeground = state == AppLifecycleState.resumed;
+    // On resume, force a message refresh. This also unfreezes a stuck
+    // streaming state if the SSE socket died while the app was backgrounded
+    // — silentRefresh won't do that because it guards on isStreaming.
+    if (_appInForeground && wasBackground && mounted) {
+      ref.read(briefingProvider.notifier).refreshMessages();
+    }
   }
 
   void _pollSilently() {
@@ -51,6 +58,18 @@ class _BriefingScreenState extends ConsumerState<BriefingScreen>
     ref.read(briefingProvider.notifier).silentRefresh();
   }
 
+  Future<void> _pullToRefresh() async {
+    try {
+      await ref.read(briefingProvider.notifier).refreshMessages();
+    } catch (_) {
+      if (mounted) {
+        ScaffoldMessenger.of(context).showSnackBar(
+          const SnackBar(content: Text('Could not refresh.')),
+        );
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
   @override
   void dispose() {
     _pollTimer?.cancel();
@@ -247,12 +266,18 @@ class _BriefingScreenState extends ConsumerState<BriefingScreen>
           ),
         ),
         data: (conv) {
-          return Column(
+          final isWide = MediaQuery.of(context).size.width >= 600;
+          Widget body = Column(
             children: [
               Expanded(
-                child: CustomScrollView(
-                  controller: _scrollController,
-                  slivers: [
+                child: RefreshIndicator(
+                  onRefresh: _pullToRefresh,
+                  child: CustomScrollView(
+                    controller: _scrollController,
+                    // AlwaysScrollable so pull-to-refresh fires even when
+                    // the briefing is empty or shorter than the viewport.
+                    physics: const AlwaysScrollableScrollPhysics(),
+                    slivers: [
                     if (conv.messages.isEmpty)
                       SliverFillRemaining(
                         child: Center(
@@ -293,7 +318,8 @@ class _BriefingScreenState extends ConsumerState<BriefingScreen>
                           },
                         ),
                       ),
-                  ],
+                    ],
+                  ),
                 ),
               ),
 
@@ -351,6 +377,7 @@ class _BriefingScreenState extends ConsumerState<BriefingScreen>
                       VoiceMicButton(
                         mode: voiceState.mode,
                         voiceModeActive: voiceState.voiceModeActive,
+                        amplitude: voiceState.amplitude,
                         onTap: _toggleVoiceMode,
                       ),
                       const SizedBox(width: 6),
@@ -366,6 +393,15 @@ class _BriefingScreenState extends ConsumerState<BriefingScreen>
               ),
             ],
           );
+          if (isWide) {
+            body = Center(
+              child: ConstrainedBox(
+                constraints: const BoxConstraints(maxWidth: 700),
+                child: body,
+              ),
+            );
+          }
+          return body;
         },
       ),
     );

lib/screens/chat/chat_screen.dart

@@ -44,6 +44,16 @@ class _ChatScreenState extends ConsumerState<ChatScreen>
   void initState() {
     super.initState();
     WidgetsBinding.instance.addObserver(this);
+    // If we land on a conversation whose last assistant message is already
+    // mid-stream (e.g. the /news discuss button creates a conv and
+    // auto-kicks generation), attach to the running stream so the user sees
+    // live tokens instead of a frozen placeholder.
+    WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) {
+      if (!mounted) return;
+      ref
+          .read(messagesProvider(widget.conversationId).notifier)
+          .attachToGeneration();
+    });
   }
 
   @override
@@ -257,6 +267,7 @@ class _ChatScreenState extends ConsumerState<ChatScreen>
                   VoiceMicButton(
                     mode: voiceState.mode,
                     voiceModeActive: voiceState.voiceModeActive,
+                    amplitude: voiceState.amplitude,
                     onTap: _toggleVoiceMode,
                   ),
                   const SizedBox(width: 6),

lib/screens/chat/conversations_tab_screen.dart

@@ -4,30 +4,79 @@ import 'package:go_router/go_router.dart';
 
 import '../../core/constants.dart';
 import '../../providers/chat_provider.dart';
+import 'chat_screen.dart';
 
-class ConversationsTabScreen extends ConsumerWidget {
+class ConversationsTabScreen extends ConsumerStatefulWidget {
   const ConversationsTabScreen({super.key});
 
   @override
-  Widget build(BuildContext context, WidgetRef ref) {
+  ConsumerState<ConversationsTabScreen> createState() =>
+      _ConversationsTabScreenState();
+}
+
+class _ConversationsTabScreenState
+    extends ConsumerState<ConversationsTabScreen> {
+  int? _selectedConvId;
+
+  Future<void> _createConversation() async {
+    final conv =
+        await ref.read(conversationsProvider.notifier).create('');
+    if (!mounted) return;
+    final isWide = MediaQuery.of(context).size.width >= 600;
+    if (isWide) {
+      setState(() => _selectedConvId = conv.id);
+    } else {
+      context.push(Routes.chat.replaceFirst(':id', '${conv.id}'));
+    }
+  }
+
+  void _openConversation(int id) {
+    final isWide = MediaQuery.of(context).size.width >= 600;
+    if (isWide) {
+      setState(() => _selectedConvId = id);
+    } else {
+      context.push(Routes.chat.replaceFirst(':id', '$id'));
+    }
+  }
+
+  Future<void> _confirmDelete(int id, String title) async {
+    final ok = await showDialog<bool>(
+      context: context,
+      builder: (dialogContext) => AlertDialog(
+        title: const Text('Delete conversation?'),
+        content: Text('"$title" will be permanently deleted.'),
+        actions: [
+          TextButton(
+              onPressed: () => Navigator.pop(dialogContext, false),
+              child: const Text('Cancel')),
+          FilledButton(
+              onPressed: () => Navigator.pop(dialogContext, true),
+              child: const Text('Delete')),
+        ],
+      ),
+    );
+    if (ok == true) {
+      await ref.read(conversationsProvider.notifier).delete(id);
+      if (_selectedConvId == id) {
+        setState(() => _selectedConvId = null);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final isWide = MediaQuery.of(context).size.width >= 600;
     final theme = Theme.of(context);
     final convsAsync = ref.watch(conversationsProvider);
 
-    return Scaffold(
+    final listPanel = Scaffold(
       appBar: AppBar(
         title: Text('Chat', style: theme.textTheme.titleLarge),
         actions: [
           IconButton(
             icon: const Icon(Icons.add),
             tooltip: 'New conversation',
-            onPressed: () async {
-              final conv = await ref
-                  .read(conversationsProvider.notifier)
-                  .create('');
-              if (context.mounted) {
-                context.push(Routes.chat.replaceFirst(':id', '${conv.id}'));
-              }
-            },
+            onPressed: _createConversation,
           ),
         ],
       ),
@@ -49,26 +98,20 @@ class ConversationsTabScreen extends ConsumerWidget {
                   FilledButton.icon(
                     icon: const Icon(Icons.add),
                     label: const Text('Start a conversation'),
-                    onPressed: () async {
-                      final conv = await ref
-                          .read(conversationsProvider.notifier)
-                          .create('');
-                      if (context.mounted) {
-                        context.push(
-                            Routes.chat.replaceFirst(':id', '${conv.id}'));
-                      }
-                    },
+                    onPressed: _createConversation,
                   ),
                 ],
               ),
             );
           }
           return RefreshIndicator(
-            onRefresh: () => ref.read(conversationsProvider.notifier).refresh(),
+            onRefresh: () =>
+                ref.read(conversationsProvider.notifier).refresh(),
             child: ListView.builder(
               itemCount: convs.length,
               itemBuilder: (ctx, i) {
                 final c = convs[i];
+                final selected = isWide && c.id == _selectedConvId;
                 return ListTile(
                   leading: const Icon(Icons.chat_bubble_outline),
                   title: Text(
@@ -79,13 +122,12 @@ class ConversationsTabScreen extends ConsumerWidget {
                     _relativeTime(c.updatedAt),
                     style: theme.textTheme.labelSmall,
                   ),
+                  selected: selected,
                   trailing: IconButton(
                     icon: const Icon(Icons.delete_outline),
-                    onPressed: () =>
-                        _confirmDelete(context, ref, c.id, c.title),
+                    onPressed: () => _confirmDelete(c.id, c.title),
                   ),
-                  onTap: () =>
-                      ctx.push(Routes.chat.replaceFirst(':id', '${c.id}')),
+                  onTap: () => _openConversation(c.id),
                 );
               },
             ),
@@ -93,28 +135,38 @@ class ConversationsTabScreen extends ConsumerWidget {
         },
       ),
     );
-  }
 
-  Future<void> _confirmDelete(
-      BuildContext context, WidgetRef ref, int id, String title) async {
-    final ok = await showDialog<bool>(
-      context: context,
-      builder: (dialogContext) => AlertDialog(
-        title: const Text('Delete conversation?'),
-        content: Text('"$title" will be permanently deleted.'),
-        actions: [
-          TextButton(
-              onPressed: () => Navigator.pop(dialogContext, false),
-              child: const Text('Cancel')),
-          FilledButton(
-              onPressed: () => Navigator.pop(dialogContext, true),
-              child: const Text('Delete')),
-        ],
-      ),
+    if (!isWide) return listPanel;
+
+    return Row(
+      children: [
+        SizedBox(
+          width: 320,
+          child: listPanel,
+        ),
+        const VerticalDivider(width: 1),
+        Expanded(
+          child: _selectedConvId != null
+              ? ChatScreen(
+                  key: ValueKey(_selectedConvId),
+                  conversationId: _selectedConvId!,
+                )
+              : Center(
+                  child: Column(
+                    mainAxisSize: MainAxisSize.min,
+                    children: [
+                      Icon(Icons.chat_bubble_outline,
+                          size: 48,
+                          color: theme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant),
+                      const SizedBox(height: 16),
+                      Text('Select a conversation',
+                          style: theme.textTheme.titleMedium),
+                    ],
+                  ),
+                ),
+        ),
+      ],
     );
-    if (ok == true) {
-      await ref.read(conversationsProvider.notifier).delete(id);
-    }
   }
 }
 

lib/screens/knowledge/knowledge_screen.dart

@@ -186,18 +186,57 @@ class _KnowledgeScreenState extends ConsumerState<KnowledgeScreen>
     }
     return RefreshIndicator(
       onRefresh: () => ref.read(knowledgeProvider.notifier).refresh(),
-      child: ListView.separated(
-        controller: _scrollController,
-        itemCount: items.length + (state.isLoadingBatch ? 1 : 0),
-        separatorBuilder: (_, _) => const Divider(height: 1),
-        itemBuilder: (_, i) {
-          if (i >= items.length) {
-            return const Padding(
-              padding: EdgeInsets.all(16),
-              child: Center(child: CircularProgressIndicator()),
+      child: LayoutBuilder(
+        builder: (context, constraints) {
+          final cols = constraints.maxWidth >= 900
+              ? 3
+              : constraints.maxWidth >= 600
+                  ? 2
+                  : 1;
+          if (cols == 1) {
+            return ListView.separated(
+              controller: _scrollController,
+              itemCount: items.length + (state.isLoadingBatch ? 1 : 0),
+              separatorBuilder: (_, _) => const Divider(height: 1),
+              itemBuilder: (_, i) {
+                if (i >= items.length) {
+                  return const Padding(
+                    padding: EdgeInsets.all(16),
+                    child: Center(child: CircularProgressIndicator()),
+                  );
+                }
+                return KnowledgeItemCard(item: items[i]);
+              },
             );
           }
-          return KnowledgeItemCard(item: items[i]);
+          return CustomScrollView(
+            controller: _scrollController,
+            slivers: [
+              SliverPadding(
+                padding: const EdgeInsets.all(8),
+                sliver: SliverGrid(
+                  gridDelegate: SliverGridDelegateWithFixedCrossAxisCount(
+                    crossAxisCount: cols,
+                    crossAxisSpacing: 8,
+                    mainAxisSpacing: 8,
+                    childAspectRatio: 1.8,
+                  ),
+                  delegate: SliverChildBuilderDelegate(
+                    (_, i) {
+                      if (i >= items.length) {
+                        return const Center(
+                            child: CircularProgressIndicator());
+                      }
+                      return KnowledgeItemCard(item: items[i])
+                          .buildGridCard(context);
+                    },
+                    childCount:
+                        items.length + (state.isLoadingBatch ? 1 : 0),
+                  ),
+                ),
+              ),
+            ],
+          );
         },
       ),
     );

lib/screens/news/news_screen.dart

@@ -50,6 +50,34 @@ class _NewsScreenState extends ConsumerState<NewsScreen> {
     }
   }
 
+  Widget _buildNewsItem(NewsState news, int i, {int cols = 1}) {
+    if (i >= news.items.length) {
+      if (!news.hasMore) return const SizedBox.shrink();
+      return Padding(
+        padding: const EdgeInsets.symmetric(vertical: 8),
+        child: Center(
+          child: news.loadingMore
+              ? const CircularProgressIndicator()
+              : FilledButton.tonal(
+                  onPressed: _loadMore,
+                  child: const Text('Load more'),
+                ),
+        ),
+      );
+    }
+    final item = news.items[i];
+    return NewsCard(
+      item: RssItemMeta.fromNewsItem(item),
+      reaction: news.reactions[item.id],
+      snippetMaxLines: cols > 1 ? 5 : 2,
+      onReaction: (itemId, reaction) =>
+          ref.read(newsProvider.notifier).toggleReaction(itemId, reaction),
+      onDiscuss: _openingChat.contains(item.id)
+          ? null
+          : () => _handleDiscuss(item.id),
+    );
+  }
+
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
     final newsAsync = ref.watch(newsProvider);
@@ -98,38 +126,59 @@ class _NewsScreenState extends ConsumerState<NewsScreen> {
             Expanded(
               child: RefreshIndicator(
                 onRefresh: () => ref.read(newsProvider.notifier).refresh(),
-                child: ListView.builder(
-                padding:
-                    const EdgeInsets.symmetric(horizontal: 8, vertical: 8),
-                itemCount: news.items.length + 1,
-                itemBuilder: (_, i) {
-                  if (i == news.items.length) {
-                    if (!news.hasMore) return const SizedBox.shrink();
-                    return Padding(
-                      padding: const EdgeInsets.symmetric(vertical: 8),
-                      child: Center(
-                        child: news.loadingMore
-                            ? const CircularProgressIndicator()
-                            : FilledButton.tonal(
-                                onPressed: _loadMore,
-                                child: const Text('Load more'),
+                child: LayoutBuilder(
+                  builder: (context, constraints) {
+                    final cols = constraints.maxWidth >= 900
+                        ? 3
+                        : constraints.maxWidth >= 600
+                            ? 2
+                            : 1;
+                    if (cols == 1) {
+                      return ListView.builder(
+                        padding: const EdgeInsets.symmetric(
+                            horizontal: 8, vertical: 8),
+                        itemCount: news.items.length + 1,
+                        itemBuilder: (_, i) =>
+                            _buildNewsItem(news, i),
+                      );
+                    }
+                    return CustomScrollView(
+                      slivers: [
+                        SliverPadding(
+                          padding: const EdgeInsets.all(8),
+                          sliver: SliverGrid(
+                            gridDelegate:
+                                SliverGridDelegateWithFixedCrossAxisCount(
+                              crossAxisCount: cols,
+                              crossAxisSpacing: 8,
+                              mainAxisSpacing: 8,
+                              childAspectRatio: 1.6,
+                            ),
+                            delegate: SliverChildBuilderDelegate(
+                              (_, i) => _buildNewsItem(news, i, cols: cols),
+                              childCount: news.items.length,
+                            ),
+                          ),
+                        ),
+                        if (news.hasMore)
+                          SliverToBoxAdapter(
+                            child: Padding(
+                              padding:
+                                  const EdgeInsets.symmetric(vertical: 12),
+                              child: Center(
+                                child: news.loadingMore
+                                    ? const CircularProgressIndicator()
+                                    : FilledButton.tonal(
+                                        onPressed: _loadMore,
+                                        child: const Text('Load more'),
+                                      ),
                               ),
-                      ),
+                            ),
+                          ),
+                      ],
                     );
-                  }
-                  final item = news.items[i];
-                  return NewsCard(
-                    item: RssItemMeta.fromNewsItem(item),
-                    reaction: news.reactions[item.id],
-                    onReaction: (itemId, reaction) => ref
-                        .read(newsProvider.notifier)
-                        .toggleReaction(itemId, reaction),
-                    onDiscuss: _openingChat.contains(item.id)
-                        ? null
-                        : () => _handleDiscuss(item.id),
-                  );
-                },
-              ),
+                  },
+                ),
               ),
             ),
           ],

lib/widgets/knowledge_item_card.dart

@@ -27,12 +27,24 @@ class KnowledgeItemCard extends StatelessWidget {
 
   String? get _subtitle {
     if (item.noteType == 'task') {
+      if (item.body.trim().isNotEmpty) {
+        final preview = item.body.trim().replaceAll('\n', ' ');
+        return preview.length > 200 ? '${preview.substring(0, 200)}…' : preview;
+      }
       if (item.dueDate != null) return 'Due ${item.dueDate}';
       return item.status;
     }
     if (item.body.trim().isEmpty) return null;
     final preview = item.body.trim().replaceAll('\n', ' ');
-    return preview.length > 120 ? '${preview.substring(0, 120)}…' : preview;
+    return preview.length > 200 ? '${preview.substring(0, 200)}…' : preview;
+  }
+
+  void _onTap(BuildContext context) {
+    if (item.noteType == 'task') {
+      context.push('/tasks/${item.id}/edit');
+    } else {
+      context.push('/notes/${item.id}');
+    }
   }
 
   @override
@@ -53,13 +65,64 @@ class KnowledgeItemCard extends StatelessWidget {
             )
           : null,
       trailing: item.tags.isNotEmpty ? _TagChips(tags: item.tags) : null,
-      onTap: () {
-        if (item.noteType == 'task') {
-          context.push('/tasks/${item.id}/edit');
-        } else {
-          context.push('/notes/${item.id}');
-        }
-      },
+      onTap: () => _onTap(context),
+    );
+  }
+
+  Widget buildGridCard(BuildContext context) {
+    final scheme = Theme.of(context).colorScheme;
+    final textTheme = Theme.of(context).textTheme;
+    return Card(
+      elevation: 0,
+      shape: RoundedRectangleBorder(
+        borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(10),
+        side: BorderSide(color: scheme.outlineVariant),
+      ),
+      child: InkWell(
+        borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(10),
+        onTap: () => _onTap(context),
+        child: Padding(
+          padding: const EdgeInsets.all(12),
+          child: Column(
+            crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
+            children: [
+              Row(
+                children: [
+                  Icon(_icon, size: 18, color: _statusColor(context)),
+                  const SizedBox(width: 8),
+                  Expanded(
+                    child: Text(
+                      item.title.isEmpty ? '(untitled)' : item.title,
+                      maxLines: 2,
+                      overflow: TextOverflow.ellipsis,
+                      style: textTheme.titleSmall
+                          ?.copyWith(fontWeight: FontWeight.w600),
+                    ),
+                  ),
+                ],
+              ),
+              if (_subtitle != null) ...[
+                const SizedBox(height: 8),
+                Expanded(
+                  child: Text(
+                    _subtitle!,
+                    overflow: TextOverflow.ellipsis,
+                    maxLines: 4,
+                    style: textTheme.bodySmall?.copyWith(
+                      color: scheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+                      height: 1.4,
+                    ),
+                  ),
+                ),
+              ],
+              if (item.tags.isNotEmpty) ...[
+                const Spacer(),
+                _TagChips(tags: item.tags),
+              ],
+            ],
+          ),
+        ),
+      ),
     );
   }
 }

lib/widgets/news_card.dart

@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ class NewsCard extends StatelessWidget {
   final String? reaction; // 'up' | 'down' | null
   final void Function(int itemId, String reaction) onReaction;
   final VoidCallback? onDiscuss;
+  final int snippetMaxLines;
 
   const NewsCard({
     super.key,
@@ -61,6 +62,7 @@ class NewsCard extends StatelessWidget {
     required this.reaction,
     required this.onReaction,
     this.onDiscuss,
+    this.snippetMaxLines = 2,
   });
 
   Future<void> _openUrl() async {
@@ -113,16 +115,20 @@ class NewsCard extends StatelessWidget {
               ],
             ),
             const SizedBox(height: 4),
-            // Title — tappable if URL present
+            // Title — tappable if URL present. Text stays in onSurface for
+            // contrast; the primary-colored underline carries the "this is a
+            // link" signal without tanking readability.
             GestureDetector(
               onTap: item.url.isNotEmpty ? _openUrl : null,
               child: Text(
                 item.title,
-                style: textTheme.bodyMedium?.copyWith(
+                style: textTheme.titleSmall?.copyWith(
                   fontWeight: FontWeight.w600,
-                  color: item.url.isNotEmpty ? scheme.primary : scheme.onSurface,
+                  color: scheme.onSurface,
+                  height: 1.3,
                   decoration: item.url.isNotEmpty ? TextDecoration.underline : null,
-                  decorationColor: scheme.primary,
+                  decorationColor: scheme.primary.withValues(alpha: 0.7),
+                  decorationThickness: 1.5,
                 ),
               ),
             ),
@@ -131,7 +137,7 @@ class NewsCard extends StatelessWidget {
               const SizedBox(height: 4),
               Text(
                 item.snippet,
-                maxLines: 2,
+                maxLines: snippetMaxLines,
                 overflow: TextOverflow.ellipsis,
                 style: textTheme.bodySmall?.copyWith(
                   color: scheme.onSurfaceVariant,

lib/widgets/voice_mic_button.dart

@@ -5,51 +5,29 @@ import '../providers/voice_provider.dart';
 /// Animated mic button that reflects the current [VoiceMode].
 ///
 /// - idle: muted background, mic_none icon
-/// - recording: red with pulsing shadow ring
+/// - recording: red, pulses with live [amplitude] for real-time feedback
 /// - transcribing: indigo with spinner
 /// - playing: indigo with volume_up icon
-class VoiceMicButton extends StatefulWidget {
+class VoiceMicButton extends StatelessWidget {
   final VoiceMode mode;
   final bool voiceModeActive;
+  /// Live mic amplitude 0.0–1.0 while recording. Drives the button scale
+  /// and glow so the user has obvious feedback that audio is being picked
+  /// up. Ignored when not in [VoiceMode.recording].
+  final double amplitude;
   final VoidCallback? onTap;
 
   const VoiceMicButton({
     super.key,
     required this.mode,
     required this.voiceModeActive,
+    this.amplitude = 0.0,
     this.onTap,
   });
 
-  @override
-  State<VoiceMicButton> createState() => _VoiceMicButtonState();
-}
-
-class _VoiceMicButtonState extends State<VoiceMicButton>
-    with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin {
-  late AnimationController _pulseController;
-  late Animation<double> _pulseAnimation;
-
-  @override
-  void initState() {
-    super.initState();
-    _pulseController = AnimationController(
-      vsync: this,
-      duration: const Duration(milliseconds: 900),
-    )..repeat(reverse: true);
-    _pulseAnimation = Tween<double>(begin: 1.0, end: 1.25).animate(
-      CurvedAnimation(parent: _pulseController, curve: Curves.easeInOut),
-    );
-  }
-
-  @override
-  void dispose() {
-    _pulseController.dispose();
-    super.dispose();
-  }
-
   Color _bgColor(BuildContext context) {
     final cs = Theme.of(context).colorScheme;
-    return switch (widget.mode) {
+    return switch (mode) {
       VoiceMode.recording => const Color(0xFFEF4444),
       VoiceMode.transcribing || VoiceMode.playing => cs.primary,
       VoiceMode.idle => cs.surfaceContainerHighest,
@@ -58,11 +36,10 @@ class _VoiceMicButtonState extends State<VoiceMicButton>
 
   Widget _icon(BuildContext context) {
     final cs = Theme.of(context).colorScheme;
-    final iconColor = widget.mode == VoiceMode.idle
-        ? cs.onSurfaceVariant
-        : Colors.white;
+    final iconColor =
+        mode == VoiceMode.idle ? cs.onSurfaceVariant : Colors.white;
 
-    return switch (widget.mode) {
+    return switch (mode) {
       VoiceMode.transcribing => SizedBox(
           width: 18,
           height: 18,
@@ -78,14 +55,14 @@ class _VoiceMicButtonState extends State<VoiceMicButton>
 
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
-    final isRecording = widget.mode == VoiceMode.recording;
+    final isRecording = mode == VoiceMode.recording;
 
     final button = Material(
       color: _bgColor(context),
       shape: const CircleBorder(),
       child: InkWell(
         customBorder: const CircleBorder(),
-        onTap: widget.onTap,
+        onTap: onTap,
         child: SizedBox(
           width: 40,
           height: 40,
@@ -96,22 +73,30 @@ class _VoiceMicButtonState extends State<VoiceMicButton>
 
     if (!isRecording) return button;
 
-    return AnimatedBuilder(
-      animation: _pulseAnimation,
-      builder: (_, child) => Container(
-        decoration: BoxDecoration(
-          shape: BoxShape.circle,
-          boxShadow: [
-            BoxShadow(
-              color: const Color(0xFFEF4444).withValues(alpha: 0.35),
-              blurRadius: 8 * _pulseAnimation.value,
-              spreadRadius: 2 * _pulseAnimation.value,
-            ),
-          ],
-        ),
-        child: child,
+    // Base pulse so silence still breathes (0.1 floor), scale + glow climb
+    // linearly with live amplitude.
+    final amp = amplitude.clamp(0.0, 1.0);
+    final pulse = 0.1 + amp * 0.9;
+
+    return AnimatedContainer(
+      duration: const Duration(milliseconds: 120),
+      curve: Curves.easeOut,
+      decoration: BoxDecoration(
+        shape: BoxShape.circle,
+        boxShadow: [
+          BoxShadow(
+            color: const Color(0xFFEF4444).withValues(alpha: 0.2 + pulse * 0.3),
+            blurRadius: 6 + pulse * 14,
+            spreadRadius: 1 + pulse * 5,
+          ),
+        ],
+      ),
+      child: AnimatedScale(
+        scale: 1.0 + pulse * 0.18,
+        duration: const Duration(milliseconds: 120),
+        curve: Curves.easeOut,
+        child: button,
       ),
-      child: button,
     );
   }
 }