Merge pull request 'feat: voice fixes, background updates, rss_enabled gating, chat images' (#27) from dev into main

Fetch server-side settings on app launch via new serverSettingsProvider.
Hide News from bottom sheet and NavigationRail when RSS is disabled.
Skip news card rendering in briefing messages when disabled.
Refactor tab navigation to use dynamic tabs list and route-based refresh.

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(),
-      ),
     ],
   );
 });
@@ -186,12 +186,19 @@ class _Shell extends ConsumerStatefulWidget {
 }
 
 class _ShellState extends ConsumerState<_Shell> with WidgetsBindingObserver {
-  static const _tabs = [
+  static const _baseTabs = [
     Routes.briefing,
     Routes.knowledge,
     Routes.conversations,
+    Routes.projects,
   ];
 
+  List<String> _tabs(bool rssEnabled) => [
+        ..._baseTabs,
+        if (rssEnabled) Routes.news,
+        Routes.calendar,
+      ];
+
   // Minimum gap between app-resume refreshes to avoid hammering the server.
   static const _resumeCooldown = Duration(seconds: 30);
   DateTime? _lastResumeRefresh;
@@ -202,6 +209,8 @@ class _ShellState extends ConsumerState<_Shell> with WidgetsBindingObserver {
     super.initState();
     WidgetsBinding.instance.addObserver(this);
     WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) {
+      // Clean up any leftover APKs from previous update cycles.
+      ref.read(updateProvider.notifier).cleanup();
       // Silent update check — only if we haven't already checked this session.
       final repoUrl = ref.read(forgejoRepoUrlProvider);
       if (repoUrl != null && repoUrl.isNotEmpty) {
@@ -246,15 +255,18 @@ class _ShellState extends ConsumerState<_Shell> with WidgetsBindingObserver {
     ref.invalidate(briefingProvider);
   }
 
-  /// Refresh only the provider backing the given shell tab index.
-  void _refreshTab(int index) {
-    switch (index) {
-      case 0:
-        ref.invalidate(briefingProvider);
-      case 1:
-        ref.read(knowledgeProvider.notifier).refresh();
-      case 2:
-        ref.read(conversationsProvider.notifier).refresh();
+  /// Refresh only the provider backing the given shell tab route.
+  void _refreshTab(String route) {
+    if (route == Routes.briefing) {
+      ref.invalidate(briefingProvider);
+    } else if (route == Routes.knowledge) {
+      ref.read(knowledgeProvider.notifier).refresh();
+    } else if (route == Routes.conversations) {
+      ref.read(conversationsProvider.notifier).refresh();
+    } else if (route == Routes.news) {
+      ref.read(newsProvider.notifier).refresh();
+    } else if (route == Routes.calendar) {
+      ref.read(calendarProvider.notifier).refresh();
     }
   }
 
@@ -267,14 +279,9 @@ class _ShellState extends ConsumerState<_Shell> with WidgetsBindingObserver {
     }
   }
 
-  int _tabIndex(String location) {
-    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;
+  int _tabIndex(String location, List<String> tabs) {
+    for (var i = 0; i < tabs.length; i++) {
+      if (location.startsWith(tabs[i])) return i;
     }
     return 0;
   }
@@ -294,14 +301,15 @@ class _ShellState extends ConsumerState<_Shell> with WidgetsBindingObserver {
                 context.push(Routes.projects);
               },
             ),
-            ListTile(
-              leading: const Icon(Icons.newspaper_outlined),
-              title: const Text('News'),
-              onTap: () {
-                Navigator.pop(context);
-                context.push(Routes.news);
-              },
-            ),
+            if (ref.read(rssEnabledProvider))
+              ListTile(
+                leading: const Icon(Icons.newspaper_outlined),
+                title: const Text('News'),
+                onTap: () {
+                  Navigator.pop(context);
+                  context.push(Routes.news);
+                },
+              ),
             ListTile(
               leading: const Icon(Icons.calendar_month_outlined),
               title: const Text('Calendar'),
@@ -316,66 +324,15 @@ class _ShellState extends ConsumerState<_Shell> with WidgetsBindingObserver {
     );
   }
 
-  void _showUpdateDialog(UpdateState update) {
-    showDialog<void>(
-      context: context,
-      builder: (dialogContext) => Consumer(
-        builder: (context, ref, _) {
-          final state = ref.watch(updateProvider);
-          final isDownloading = state.status == UpdateStatus.downloading;
-          return AlertDialog(
-            title: const Text('Update available'),
-            content: Column(
-              mainAxisSize: MainAxisSize.min,
-              crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
-              children: [
-                Text('Version ${state.latestVersion ?? '?'} is ready to install.'),
-                if (state.currentVersion != null)
-                  Text(
-                    'Installed: v${state.currentVersion}',
-                    style: Theme.of(context).textTheme.bodySmall,
-                  ),
-                if (isDownloading) ...[
-                  const SizedBox(height: 16),
-                  LinearProgressIndicator(
-                    value: state.downloadProgress > 0
-                        ? state.downloadProgress
-                        : null,
-                  ),
-                  const SizedBox(height: 4),
-                  Text(
-                    'Downloading… '
-                    '${(state.downloadProgress * 100).toStringAsFixed(0)}%',
-                    style: Theme.of(context).textTheme.bodySmall,
-                  ),
-                ],
-                if (state.status == UpdateStatus.error &&
-                    state.errorMessage != null) ...[
-                  const SizedBox(height: 12),
-                  Text(
-                    state.errorMessage!,
-                    style: Theme.of(context).textTheme.bodySmall?.copyWith(
-                          color: Theme.of(context).colorScheme.error,
-                        ),
-                  ),
-                ],
-              ],
-            ),
-            actions: [
-              TextButton(
-                onPressed: () => Navigator.pop(dialogContext),
-                child: const Text('Later'),
-              ),
-              if (!isDownloading && state.downloadUrl != null)
-                FilledButton(
-                  onPressed: () => ref
-                      .read(updateProvider.notifier)
-                      .downloadAndInstall(),
-                  child: const Text('Download & Install'),
-                ),
-            ],
-          );
-        },
+  void _showUpdateSnackbar(UpdateState update) {
+    ScaffoldMessenger.of(context).showSnackBar(
+      SnackBar(
+        content: Text('v${update.latestVersion} ready to install'),
+        duration: const Duration(seconds: 6),
+        action: SnackBarAction(
+          label: 'Install',
+          onPressed: () => ref.read(updateProvider.notifier).install(),
+        ),
       ),
     );
   }
@@ -384,18 +341,21 @@ class _ShellState extends ConsumerState<_Shell> with WidgetsBindingObserver {
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
     // Show update dialog once when a new version is detected.
     ref.listen(updateProvider, (prev, next) {
-      if (next.status == UpdateStatus.available &&
-          prev?.status != UpdateStatus.available) {
+      if (next.status == UpdateStatus.readyToInstall &&
+          prev?.status != UpdateStatus.readyToInstall) {
         WidgetsBinding.instance
-            .addPostFrameCallback((_) => _showUpdateDialog(next));
+            .addPostFrameCallback((_) => _showUpdateSnackbar(next));
       }
     });
+    final rssEnabled = ref.watch(rssEnabledProvider);
+    final tabs = _tabs(rssEnabled);
     final location = GoRouterState.of(context).matchedLocation;
-    final index = _tabIndex(location);
+    final index = _tabIndex(location, tabs);
 
     // Refresh the incoming tab's data when switching between shell tabs.
-    if (_prevTabIndex != null && _prevTabIndex != index && index < 3) {
-      WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) => _refreshTab(index));
+    if (_prevTabIndex != null && _prevTabIndex != index) {
+      final route = index < tabs.length ? tabs[index] : tabs[0];
+      WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) => _refreshTab(route));
     }
     _prevTabIndex = index;
 
@@ -413,34 +373,39 @@ 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(
+                      destinations: [
+                        const NavigationRailDestination(
                           icon: Icon(Icons.wb_sunny_outlined),
                           selectedIcon: Icon(Icons.wb_sunny),
                           label: Text('Briefing'),
                         ),
-                        NavigationRailDestination(
+                        const NavigationRailDestination(
                           icon: Icon(Icons.menu_book_outlined),
                           selectedIcon: Icon(Icons.menu_book),
                           label: Text('Knowledge'),
                         ),
-                        NavigationRailDestination(
+                        const NavigationRailDestination(
                           icon: Icon(Icons.chat_bubble_outline),
                           selectedIcon: Icon(Icons.chat_bubble),
                           label: Text('Chat'),
                         ),
-                        NavigationRailDestination(
-                          icon: Icon(Icons.more_horiz_outlined),
-                          selectedIcon: Icon(Icons.more_horiz),
-                          label: Text('More'),
+                        const NavigationRailDestination(
+                          icon: Icon(Icons.folder_outlined),
+                          selectedIcon: Icon(Icons.folder),
+                          label: Text('Projects'),
+                        ),
+                        if (ref.watch(rssEnabledProvider))
+                          const NavigationRailDestination(
+                            icon: Icon(Icons.newspaper_outlined),
+                            selectedIcon: Icon(Icons.newspaper),
+                            label: Text('News'),
+                          ),
+                        const NavigationRailDestination(
+                          icon: Icon(Icons.calendar_month_outlined),
+                          selectedIcon: Icon(Icons.calendar_month),
+                          label: Text('Calendar'),
                         ),
                       ],
                     ),
@@ -469,12 +434,12 @@ class _ShellState extends ConsumerState<_Shell> with WidgetsBindingObserver {
         ],
       ),
       bottomNavigationBar: NavigationBar(
-        selectedIndex: index,
+        selectedIndex: index >= 3 ? 3 : index,
         onDestinationSelected: (i) {
           if (i == 3) {
             _showMoreSheet(context);
           } else {
-            context.go(_tabs[i]);
+            context.go(tabs[i]);
           }
         },
         destinations: const [
@@ -523,7 +488,6 @@ class _QuickCaptureBarState extends ConsumerState<_QuickCaptureBar> {
   @override
   void dispose() {
     _controller.dispose();
-    ref.read(voiceProvider.notifier).exitVoiceMode();
     super.dispose();
   }
 
@@ -653,6 +617,7 @@ 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/api/settings_api.dart

@@ -10,4 +10,13 @@ class SettingsApi {
       data: {'user_timezone': ianaTimezone},
     );
   }
+
+  Future<Map<String, dynamic>> getAll() async {
+    final response = await _dio.get<Map<String, dynamic>>('/api/settings');
+    return response.data ?? {};
+  }
+
+  Future<void> update(Map<String, String> updates) async {
+    await _dio.put<void>('/api/settings', data: updates);
+  }
 }

lib/data/api/voice_api.dart

@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ class VoiceApi {
     }
   }
 
-  /// POST WebM/Opus audio bytes and return the transcript string.
+  /// POST audio bytes (WAV) and return the transcript string.
   /// [context] is optional recent conversation text passed as initial_prompt
   /// to Whisper, reducing mishearings of domain-specific words.
   /// Returns empty string on empty or error response.
@@ -49,8 +49,8 @@ class VoiceApi {
       final fields = <String, dynamic>{
         'audio': MultipartFile.fromBytes(
           audioBytes,
-          filename: 'audio.m4a',
-          contentType: DioMediaType('audio', 'mp4'),
+          filename: 'audio.wav',
+          contentType: DioMediaType('audio', 'wav'),
         ),
         if (context != null && context.isNotEmpty) 'context': context,
       };

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/settings_provider.dart

@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
 import 'package:flutter_riverpod/flutter_riverpod.dart';
 import 'package:shared_preferences/shared_preferences.dart';
 
+import 'api_client_provider.dart';
+
 const _kServerUrl = 'server_url';
 const _kThemeMode = 'theme_mode';
 const _kForgejoRepoUrl = 'forgejo_repo_url';
@@ -82,3 +84,32 @@ class ServerUrlNotifier extends Notifier<String?> {
     state = null;
   }
 }
+
+final serverSettingsProvider =
+    AsyncNotifierProvider<ServerSettingsNotifier, Map<String, dynamic>>(
+        ServerSettingsNotifier.new);
+
+class ServerSettingsNotifier extends AsyncNotifier<Map<String, dynamic>> {
+  @override
+  Future<Map<String, dynamic>> build() async {
+    try {
+      return await ref.read(settingsApiProvider).getAll();
+    } catch (_) {
+      return {};
+    }
+  }
+
+  bool get rssEnabled {
+    final data = state.value ?? {};
+    return data['rss_enabled']?.toString().toLowerCase() == 'true';
+  }
+
+  Future<void> refresh() async {
+    state = AsyncData(await ref.read(settingsApiProvider).getAll());
+  }
+}
+
+final rssEnabledProvider = Provider<bool>((ref) {
+  final settings = ref.watch(serverSettingsProvider).value ?? {};
+  return settings['rss_enabled']?.toString().toLowerCase() == 'true';
+});

lib/providers/update_provider.dart

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import 'dart:io';
+
 import 'package:dio/dio.dart';
 import 'package:flutter_riverpod/flutter_riverpod.dart';
 import 'package:open_file/open_file.dart';
@@ -5,7 +7,14 @@ import 'package:package_info_plus/package_info_plus.dart';
 import 'package:path_provider/path_provider.dart';
 import 'package:permission_handler/permission_handler.dart';
 
-enum UpdateStatus { idle, checking, available, downloading, upToDate, error }
+enum UpdateStatus {
+  idle,
+  checking,
+  downloading,
+  readyToInstall,
+  upToDate,
+  error,
+}
 
 class UpdateState {
   final UpdateStatus status;
@@ -14,6 +23,7 @@ class UpdateState {
   final String? downloadUrl;
   final double downloadProgress;
   final String? errorMessage;
+  final String? apkPath;
 
   const UpdateState({
     this.status = UpdateStatus.idle,
@@ -22,6 +32,7 @@ class UpdateState {
     this.downloadUrl,
     this.downloadProgress = 0.0,
     this.errorMessage,
+    this.apkPath,
   });
 
   UpdateState copyWith({
@@ -31,6 +42,7 @@ class UpdateState {
     String? downloadUrl,
     double? downloadProgress,
     String? errorMessage,
+    String? apkPath,
   }) =>
       UpdateState(
         status: status ?? this.status,
@@ -39,6 +51,7 @@ class UpdateState {
         downloadUrl: downloadUrl ?? this.downloadUrl,
         downloadProgress: downloadProgress ?? this.downloadProgress,
         errorMessage: errorMessage ?? this.errorMessage,
+        apkPath: apkPath ?? this.apkPath,
       );
 }
 
@@ -46,20 +59,15 @@ class UpdateNotifier extends Notifier<UpdateState> {
   @override
   UpdateState build() => const UpdateState();
 
-  /// [repoUrl] is the Forgejo repo page URL, e.g.
-  /// "https://git.example.com/user/fabled_app"
   Future<void> check(String repoUrl) async {
     state = state.copyWith(status: UpdateStatus.checking);
     try {
       final packageInfo = await PackageInfo.fromPlatform();
-      // Combine versionName + buildNumber to match the YY.MM.DD.N tag format.
       final currentVersion =
           '${packageInfo.version}.${packageInfo.buildNumber}';
 
-      // Parse repo URL → Forgejo API endpoint
       final uri = Uri.parse(repoUrl);
-      final parts =
-          uri.pathSegments.where((s) => s.isNotEmpty).toList();
+      final parts = uri.pathSegments.where((s) => s.isNotEmpty).toList();
       if (parts.length < 2) throw 'Invalid repository URL (need /owner/repo)';
       final apiUrl =
           '${uri.scheme}://${uri.authority}/api/v1/repos/${parts[0]}/${parts[1]}/releases/latest';
@@ -70,20 +78,20 @@ class UpdateNotifier extends Notifier<UpdateState> {
           tagName.startsWith('v') ? tagName.substring(1) : tagName;
 
       if (_isNewer(latestVersion, currentVersion)) {
-        final assets =
-            (response.data['assets'] as List<dynamic>? ?? [])
-                .cast<Map<String, dynamic>>();
+        final assets = (response.data['assets'] as List<dynamic>? ?? [])
+            .cast<Map<String, dynamic>>();
         final apk = assets.firstWhere(
           (a) => (a['name'] as String? ?? '').endsWith('.apk'),
           orElse: () => {},
         );
         if (apk.isNotEmpty) {
+          final downloadUrl = apk['browser_download_url'] as String?;
           state = state.copyWith(
-            status: UpdateStatus.available,
             currentVersion: currentVersion,
             latestVersion: latestVersion,
-            downloadUrl: apk['browser_download_url'] as String?,
+            downloadUrl: downloadUrl,
           );
+          await _downloadInBackground();
           return;
         }
       }
@@ -101,11 +109,52 @@ class UpdateNotifier extends Notifier<UpdateState> {
     }
   }
 
-  Future<void> downloadAndInstall() async {
+  Future<void> _downloadInBackground() async {
     if (state.downloadUrl == null) return;
+    state = state.copyWith(status: UpdateStatus.downloading, downloadProgress: 0);
+
+    try {
+      final dir = await _apkDir();
+      await _cleanupApks(dir);
+
+      final path = '${dir.path}/fabled_${state.latestVersion}.apk';
+
+      await Dio().download(
+        state.downloadUrl!,
+        path,
+        onReceiveProgress: (received, total) {
+          if (total > 0) {
+            state = state.copyWith(downloadProgress: received / total);
+          }
+        },
+      );
+
+      final file = File(path);
+      if (!await file.exists() || await file.length() == 0) {
+        state = state.copyWith(
+          status: UpdateStatus.error,
+          errorMessage: 'Download failed — file is empty',
+        );
+        return;
+      }
+
+      state = state.copyWith(
+        status: UpdateStatus.readyToInstall,
+        apkPath: path,
+        downloadProgress: 1.0,
+      );
+    } catch (e) {
+      state = state.copyWith(
+        status: UpdateStatus.error,
+        errorMessage: e.toString(),
+      );
+    }
+  }
+
+  Future<void> install() async {
+    final path = state.apkPath;
+    if (path == null) return;
 
-    // Android 8+ requires explicit per-app "Install unknown apps" approval
-    // beyond the manifest declaration. Check and redirect to Settings if needed.
     final installPermission = await Permission.requestInstallPackages.status;
     if (!installPermission.isGranted) {
       final result = await Permission.requestInstallPackages.request();
@@ -119,30 +168,13 @@ class UpdateNotifier extends Notifier<UpdateState> {
       }
     }
 
-    state = state.copyWith(status: UpdateStatus.downloading, downloadProgress: 0);
-
     try {
-      final dir = await getExternalStorageDirectory() ??
-          await getTemporaryDirectory();
-      final path = '${dir.path}/fabled_update.apk';
-
-      await Dio().download(
-        state.downloadUrl!,
-        path,
-        onReceiveProgress: (received, total) {
-          if (total > 0) {
-            state = state.copyWith(downloadProgress: received / total);
-          }
-        },
-      );
-
       final result = await OpenFile.open(
         path,
         type: 'application/vnd.android.package-archive',
       );
 
       if (result.type == ResultType.done) {
-        // Installer launched — reset to idle so the dialog closes naturally.
         state = const UpdateState();
       } else {
         state = state.copyWith(
@@ -158,8 +190,30 @@ class UpdateNotifier extends Notifier<UpdateState> {
     }
   }
 
+  /// Remove any previously cached APKs.
+  Future<void> cleanup() async {
+    final dir = await _apkDir();
+    await _cleanupApks(dir);
+  }
+
   void dismiss() => state = const UpdateState();
 
+  Future<Directory> _apkDir() async {
+    return await getExternalStorageDirectory() ??
+        await getTemporaryDirectory();
+  }
+
+  Future<void> _cleanupApks(Directory dir) async {
+    try {
+      final entries = dir.listSync();
+      for (final entry in entries) {
+        if (entry is File && entry.path.endsWith('.apk')) {
+          await entry.delete();
+        }
+      }
+    } catch (_) {}
+  }
+
   bool _isNewer(String latest, String current) {
     try {
       final l = latest.split('.').map(int.parse).toList();

lib/providers/voice_provider.dart

@@ -1,13 +1,14 @@
 import 'dart:async';
 import 'dart:collection';
 import 'dart:io';
+import 'dart:math';
 import 'dart:typed_data';
 
 import 'package:flutter_riverpod/flutter_riverpod.dart';
 import 'package:just_audio/just_audio.dart';
 import 'package:path_provider/path_provider.dart';
 import 'package:permission_handler/permission_handler.dart';
-import 'package:record/record.dart';
+import 'package:vad/vad.dart';
 
 import 'api_client_provider.dart';
 
@@ -51,6 +52,53 @@ String stripMarkdownForTts(String text) {
       .trim();
 }
 
+/// Encode float PCM samples (-1..1) as a 16-bit mono WAV at 16 kHz.
+Uint8List encodeWav(List<double> samples, {int sampleRate = 16000}) {
+  final numSamples = samples.length;
+  final dataSize = numSamples * 2;
+  final fileSize = 44 + dataSize;
+  final buf = ByteData(fileSize);
+
+  // RIFF header
+  buf.setUint8(0, 0x52); // R
+  buf.setUint8(1, 0x49); // I
+  buf.setUint8(2, 0x46); // F
+  buf.setUint8(3, 0x46); // F
+  buf.setUint32(4, fileSize - 8, Endian.little);
+  buf.setUint8(8, 0x57); // W
+  buf.setUint8(9, 0x41); // A
+  buf.setUint8(10, 0x56); // V
+  buf.setUint8(11, 0x45); // E
+
+  // fmt chunk
+  buf.setUint8(12, 0x66); // f
+  buf.setUint8(13, 0x6D); // m
+  buf.setUint8(14, 0x74); // t
+  buf.setUint8(15, 0x20); // (space)
+  buf.setUint32(16, 16, Endian.little); // chunk size
+  buf.setUint16(20, 1, Endian.little); // PCM format
+  buf.setUint16(22, 1, Endian.little); // mono
+  buf.setUint32(24, sampleRate, Endian.little);
+  buf.setUint32(28, sampleRate * 2, Endian.little); // byte rate
+  buf.setUint16(32, 2, Endian.little); // block align
+  buf.setUint16(34, 16, Endian.little); // bits per sample
+
+  // data chunk
+  buf.setUint8(36, 0x64); // d
+  buf.setUint8(37, 0x61); // a
+  buf.setUint8(38, 0x74); // t
+  buf.setUint8(39, 0x61); // a
+  buf.setUint32(40, dataSize, Endian.little);
+
+  for (var i = 0; i < numSamples; i++) {
+    final clamped = samples[i].clamp(-1.0, 1.0);
+    final int16 = (clamped * 32767).round().clamp(-32768, 32767);
+    buf.setInt16(44 + i * 2, int16, Endian.little);
+  }
+
+  return buf.buffer.asUint8List();
+}
+
 // ── State ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 enum VoiceMode { idle, recording, transcribing, playing }
@@ -59,44 +107,52 @@ class VoiceState {
   final VoiceMode mode;
   final bool voiceModeActive;
   final bool available;
+  /// Normalized mic amplitude 0.0–1.0 while recording.
+  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,
       );
 }
 
 // ── Provider ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 final voiceProvider =
-    NotifierProvider<VoiceNotifier, VoiceState>(VoiceNotifier.new);
+    NotifierProvider.autoDispose<VoiceNotifier, VoiceState>(VoiceNotifier.new);
 
 // ── Notifier ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 class VoiceNotifier extends Notifier<VoiceState> {
-  // Audio I/O
-  AudioRecorder? _recorder;
+  // Audio playback
   AudioPlayer? _player;
-  StreamSubscription<Amplitude>? _amplitudeSubscription;
 
-  // Recording / silence detection
-  int _recordingStartMs = 0;
-  int _silenceMs = 0;
-  static const _silenceThresholdDb = -40.0;
-  static const _silenceDurationMs = 1500;
-  static const _minRecordingMs = 300;
+  // VAD — sole owner of the microphone
+  VadHandler? _vadHandler;
+  StreamSubscription<void>? _vadSpeechStartSub;
+  StreamSubscription<List<double>>? _vadSpeechEndSub;
+  StreamSubscription<({double isSpeech, double notSpeech, List<double> frame})>?
+      _vadFrameSub;
+  StreamSubscription<String>? _vadErrorSub;
+  bool _speechDetected = false;
+  int _speechStartMs = 0;
+  static const _vadGraceMs = 1500;
+  bool _disposed = false;
 
   // Voice mode callbacks
   Future<void> Function(String transcript)? _onTranscript;
@@ -108,11 +164,10 @@ class VoiceNotifier extends Notifier<VoiceState> {
   int _lastSeenLength = 0;
   bool _streamComplete = false;
 
-  // Last complete assistant response — passed to Whisper as initial_prompt
-  // to reduce STT mishearings of domain-specific words.
+  // Whisper context hint
   String _lastAssistantContent = '';
 
-  // Empty transcript counter — show feedback after consecutive blanks
+  // Empty transcript counter
   int _emptyTranscriptCount = 0;
 
   // TTS playback queue
@@ -123,52 +178,51 @@ class VoiceNotifier extends Notifier<VoiceState> {
 
   @override
   VoiceState build() {
+    _disposed = false;
     _player = AudioPlayer();
     ref.onDispose(() {
-      _amplitudeSubscription?.cancel();
-      _recorder?.dispose();
+      _disposed = true;
+      _cancelSubscriptions();
+      _vadHandler?.dispose();
+      _vadHandler = null;
       _player?.dispose();
+      _player = null;
     });
     return const VoiceState();
   }
 
   // ── Public API ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-  /// Enter voice mode. Checks server availability and mic permission first.
-  /// [onTranscript] is called with the transcript when a recording completes.
-  /// [enableTts] — if true, TTS plays when [feedContent] is called.
-  /// [onError] — called with a human-readable message on failure.
   Future<void> enterVoiceMode({
     required Future<void> Function(String transcript) onTranscript,
     bool enableTts = false,
     required void Function(String message) onError,
   }) async {
     if (state.voiceModeActive) {
+      if (state.mode == VoiceMode.recording && !_speechDetected) {
+        onError('No speech detected');
+      }
       exitVoiceMode();
       return;
     }
 
-    // Check server availability — STT is required, TTS is optional.
     try {
       final status = await ref.read(voiceRepositoryProvider).checkStatus();
       if (!status.enabled || !status.stt) {
         onError('Speech-to-text not available on this server');
         return;
       }
-      // Downgrade to STT-only when TTS is unavailable
       if (!status.tts) enableTts = false;
     } catch (_) {
       onError('Could not reach voice service');
       return;
     }
 
-    // Check microphone permission
     var permStatus = await Permission.microphone.request();
     if (permStatus == PermissionStatus.permanentlyDenied) {
       onError('Microphone blocked — opening settings');
       final opened = await openAppSettings();
       if (!opened) return;
-      // Re-check after user returns from settings
       permStatus = await Permission.microphone.status;
     }
     if (!permStatus.isGranted) {
@@ -186,25 +240,11 @@ class VoiceNotifier extends Notifier<VoiceState> {
     await _startListening();
   }
 
-  /// Exit voice mode, stop all recording and TTS.
   void exitVoiceMode() {
-    _amplitudeSubscription?.cancel();
-    _amplitudeSubscription = null;
-    _recorder?.stop();
-    _player?.stop();
-    _ttsQueue.clear();
-    _ttsPlaying = false;
-    _sentenceBuffer = '';
-    _lastSeenLength = 0;
-    _streamComplete = false;
-    _onTranscript = null;
-    _onError = null;
-    state = const VoiceState();
+    _cleanup();
+    if (!_disposed) state = const VoiceState();
   }
 
-  /// Feed streaming assistant content for TTS synthesis.
-  /// Call from screens with the full [fullContent] string on each update.
-  /// Set [isComplete] to true when the stream has finished.
   void feedContent(String fullContent, {required bool isComplete}) {
     if (!state.voiceModeActive || !_enableTts) return;
 
@@ -223,96 +263,131 @@ class VoiceNotifier extends Notifier<VoiceState> {
     }
   }
 
+  // ── Internal helpers ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+  void _cleanup() {
+    _cancelSubscriptions();
+    final handler = _vadHandler;
+    _vadHandler = null;
+    handler?.dispose();
+    _player?.stop();
+    _ttsQueue.clear();
+    _ttsPlaying = false;
+    _sentenceBuffer = '';
+    _lastSeenLength = 0;
+    _streamComplete = false;
+    _speechDetected = false;
+    _onTranscript = null;
+    _onError = null;
+  }
+
+  void _cancelSubscriptions() {
+    _vadSpeechStartSub?.cancel();
+    _vadSpeechStartSub = null;
+    _vadSpeechEndSub?.cancel();
+    _vadSpeechEndSub = null;
+    _vadFrameSub?.cancel();
+    _vadFrameSub = null;
+    _vadErrorSub?.cancel();
+    _vadErrorSub = null;
+  }
+
   // ── Internal recording ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
   Future<void> _startListening() async {
-    if (!state.voiceModeActive) return;
+    if (_disposed || !state.voiceModeActive) return;
 
-    _silenceMs = 0;
-    _recordingStartMs = DateTime.now().millisecondsSinceEpoch;
-    state = state.copyWith(mode: VoiceMode.recording);
-
-    final dir = _tempDir ?? await getTemporaryDirectory();
-    final path =
-        '${dir.path}/voice_rec_${DateTime.now().millisecondsSinceEpoch}.m4a';
+    _speechDetected = false;
+    _speechStartMs = 0;
 
     try {
-      // Recreate the recorder each session — the record package can leave
-      // the native AudioRecord in a bad state after stop/error cycles,
-      // and a stale instance is the most common cause of "could not start".
-      _recorder?.dispose();
-      _recorder = AudioRecorder();
+      await _stopVad();
+      _vadHandler = VadHandler.create();
 
-      if (!await _recorder!.hasPermission()) {
-        _onError?.call('Microphone permission was revoked');
-        exitVoiceMode();
-        return;
+      _vadSpeechStartSub = _vadHandler!.onSpeechStart.listen((_) {
+        if (_disposed || !state.voiceModeActive) return;
+        if (!_speechDetected) {
+          _speechDetected = true;
+          _speechStartMs = DateTime.now().millisecondsSinceEpoch;
+        }
+      });
+
+      _vadSpeechEndSub = _vadHandler!.onSpeechEnd.listen((audioSamples) {
+        if (_disposed || !state.voiceModeActive) return;
+        final now = DateTime.now().millisecondsSinceEpoch;
+        final sinceStart = _speechStartMs > 0 ? now - _speechStartMs : 0;
+        if (_speechDetected && sinceStart >= _vadGraceMs) {
+          _stopVad();
+          _handleSpeechEnd(audioSamples);
+        }
+      });
+
+      _vadFrameSub = _vadHandler!.onFrameProcessed.listen((event) {
+        if (_disposed || !state.voiceModeActive) return;
+        final frame = event.frame;
+        if (frame.isEmpty) return;
+        double sumSq = 0;
+        for (final s in frame) {
+          sumSq += s * s;
+        }
+        final rms = sqrt(sumSq / frame.length);
+        final norm = (rms * 4.0).clamp(0.0, 1.0);
+        if ((norm - state.amplitude).abs() > 0.02) {
+          state = state.copyWith(amplitude: norm);
+        }
+      });
+
+      _vadErrorSub = _vadHandler!.onError.listen((msg) {
+        if (_disposed) return;
+        _onError?.call('VAD error: $msg');
+      });
+
+      await _vadHandler!.startListening(model: 'v5');
+
+      // Only show recording UI after the mic is actually open.
+      if (!_disposed && state.voiceModeActive) {
+        state = state.copyWith(mode: VoiceMode.recording, amplitude: 0.0);
       }
-
-      await _recorder!.start(
-        const RecordConfig(encoder: AudioEncoder.aacLc, sampleRate: 16000),
-        path: path,
-      );
-
-      _amplitudeSubscription?.cancel();
-      _amplitudeSubscription = _recorder!
-          .onAmplitudeChanged(const Duration(milliseconds: 200))
-          .listen(_onAmplitude);
     } catch (e) {
       _onError?.call('Microphone error: $e');
-      exitVoiceMode();
+      _cleanup();
+      if (!_disposed) state = const VoiceState();
     }
   }
 
-  void _onAmplitude(Amplitude event) {
-    if (!state.voiceModeActive) return;
-
-    final elapsed =
-        DateTime.now().millisecondsSinceEpoch - _recordingStartMs;
-    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;
-
-    if (isSilent) {
-      _silenceMs += 200;
-      if (_silenceMs >= _silenceDurationMs) {
-        _amplitudeSubscription?.cancel();
-        _amplitudeSubscription = null;
-        _handleSilence();
-      }
-    } else {
-      _silenceMs = 0;
+  Future<void> _stopVad() async {
+    _cancelSubscriptions();
+    if (_vadHandler != null) {
+      final handler = _vadHandler!;
+      _vadHandler = null;
+      await handler.dispose();
     }
   }
 
-  Future<void> _handleSilence() async {
-    if (!state.voiceModeActive) return;
+  Future<void> _handleSpeechEnd(List<double> audioSamples) async {
+    if (_disposed || !state.voiceModeActive) return;
     state = state.copyWith(mode: VoiceMode.transcribing);
 
-    final path = await _recorder!.stop();
-    if (path == null || !state.voiceModeActive) return;
-
     try {
-      final bytes = await File(path).readAsBytes();
-      await File(path).delete().catchError((_) => File(path));
+      final wavBytes = encodeWav(audioSamples);
 
-      if (!state.voiceModeActive) return;
+      if (_disposed || !state.voiceModeActive) return;
 
       final transcript = await ref.read(voiceRepositoryProvider).transcribe(
-            bytes,
-            context: _lastAssistantContent.isNotEmpty ? _lastAssistantContent : null,
+            wavBytes,
+            context:
+                _lastAssistantContent.isNotEmpty ? _lastAssistantContent : null,
           );
 
-      if (!state.voiceModeActive) return;
+      if (_disposed || !state.voiceModeActive) return;
 
       if (transcript.isEmpty) {
         _emptyTranscriptCount++;
         if (_emptyTranscriptCount >= 3) {
           _onError?.call('No speech detected — tap the mic to try again');
-          exitVoiceMode();
+          _cleanup();
+          if (!_disposed) state = const VoiceState();
+
           return;
         }
         await _startListening();
@@ -320,24 +395,25 @@ class VoiceNotifier extends Notifier<VoiceState> {
       }
       _emptyTranscriptCount = 0;
 
-      // Reset TTS state for this new turn
       _sentenceBuffer = '';
       _lastSeenLength = 0;
       _streamComplete = false;
 
-      if (_enableTts) {
+      if (_enableTts && !_disposed) {
         state = state.copyWith(mode: VoiceMode.playing);
       }
 
       await _onTranscript?.call(transcript);
 
-      // If TTS is not enabled, loop immediately
-      if (!_enableTts && state.voiceModeActive) {
-        await _startListening();
+      // In STT-only mode (no TTS), return to idle after transcript is sent.
+      // The user taps the mic again to record another message.
+      if (!_enableTts && !_disposed && state.voiceModeActive) {
+        state = state.copyWith(mode: VoiceMode.idle);
       }
     } catch (e) {
       _onError?.call('Voice error: transcription failed');
-      exitVoiceMode();
+      _cleanup();
+      if (!_disposed) state = const VoiceState();
     }
   }
 
@@ -365,7 +441,7 @@ class VoiceNotifier extends Notifier<VoiceState> {
     try {
       final wavBytes =
           await ref.read(voiceRepositoryProvider).synthesise(text);
-      if (!state.voiceModeActive) return;
+      if (_disposed || !state.voiceModeActive) return;
       _ttsQueue.add(wavBytes);
       if (!_ttsPlaying) _drainTtsQueue();
     } catch (_) {
@@ -404,6 +480,7 @@ class VoiceNotifier extends Notifier<VoiceState> {
   }
 
   void _checkRestartListening() {
+    if (_disposed) return;
     if (_streamComplete &&
         _ttsQueue.isEmpty &&
         !_ttsPlaying &&

lib/screens/briefing/briefing_screen.dart

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import '../../widgets/chat_message_bubble.dart';
 import '../../widgets/weather_card.dart';
 import '../../widgets/news_card.dart';
 import 'briefing_history_screen.dart';
+import '../../providers/settings_provider.dart';
 import '../../providers/voice_provider.dart';
 import '../../widgets/voice_mic_button.dart';
 
@@ -41,7 +42,14 @@ 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() {
@@ -51,13 +59,24 @@ 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();
     WidgetsBinding.instance.removeObserver(this);
     _controller.dispose();
     _scrollController.dispose();
-    ref.read(voiceProvider.notifier).exitVoiceMode();
     super.dispose();
   }
 
@@ -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(
@@ -289,11 +314,13 @@ class _BriefingScreenState extends ConsumerState<BriefingScreen>
                               reactions: _reactions,
                               onReaction: _handleReaction,
                               onDiscuss: _handleDiscuss,
+                              rssEnabled: ref.watch(rssEnabledProvider),
                             );
                           },
                         ),
                       ),
-                  ],
+                    ],
+                  ),
                 ),
               ),
 
@@ -351,6 +378,7 @@ class _BriefingScreenState extends ConsumerState<BriefingScreen>
                       VoiceMicButton(
                         mode: voiceState.mode,
                         voiceModeActive: voiceState.voiceModeActive,
+                        amplitude: voiceState.amplitude,
                         onTap: _toggleVoiceMode,
                       ),
                       const SizedBox(width: 6),
@@ -366,6 +394,15 @@ class _BriefingScreenState extends ConsumerState<BriefingScreen>
               ),
             ],
           );
+          if (isWide) {
+            body = Center(
+              child: ConstrainedBox(
+                constraints: const BoxConstraints(maxWidth: 700),
+                child: body,
+              ),
+            );
+          }
+          return body;
         },
       ),
     );
@@ -393,6 +430,7 @@ class _BriefingMessageItem extends StatelessWidget {
   final Map<int, String?> reactions;
   final void Function(int itemId, String reaction) onReaction;
   final void Function(int convId, int itemId) onDiscuss;
+  final bool rssEnabled;
 
   const _BriefingMessageItem({
     required this.message,
@@ -400,6 +438,7 @@ class _BriefingMessageItem extends StatelessWidget {
     required this.reactions,
     required this.onReaction,
     required this.onDiscuss,
+    this.rssEnabled = false,
   });
 
   @override
@@ -411,11 +450,12 @@ class _BriefingMessageItem extends StatelessWidget {
     final bool hasWeatherKey = isAssistant && meta != null && meta.containsKey('weather');
     final weatherData = hasWeatherKey ? meta['weather'] as Map<String, dynamic>? : null;
 
-    // RSS news cards — cap at 3
-    final rssItemsRaw = isAssistant && meta != null
-        ? (meta['rss_items'] as List<dynamic>?)?.cast<Map<String, dynamic>>() ?? []
-        : <Map<String, dynamic>>[];
-    final rssItems = rssItemsRaw.map(RssItemMeta.fromJson).take(3).toList();
+    // RSS news cards — cap at 3 (only when RSS is enabled)
+    final rssItems = <RssItemMeta>[];
+    if (rssEnabled && isAssistant && meta != null) {
+      final raw = (meta['rss_items'] as List<dynamic>?)?.cast<Map<String, dynamic>>() ?? [];
+      rssItems.addAll(raw.map(RssItemMeta.fromJson).take(3));
+    }
 
     return Column(
       crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.stretch,

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
@@ -58,8 +68,6 @@ class _ChatScreenState extends ConsumerState<ChatScreen>
     WidgetsBinding.instance.removeObserver(this);
     _controller.dispose();
     _scrollController.dispose();
-    // Exit voice mode if the user navigates away mid-session.
-    ref.read(voiceProvider.notifier).exitVoiceMode();
     super.dispose();
   }
 
@@ -257,6 +265,7 @@ 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/screens/settings/settings_screen.dart

@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ class SettingsScreen extends ConsumerWidget {
                     child: const Text('Check'),
                   ),
           ),
-          if (update.status == UpdateStatus.available ||
+          if (update.status == UpdateStatus.readyToInstall ||
               update.status == UpdateStatus.downloading)
             _UpdateTile(update: update),
           if (update.status == UpdateStatus.error)
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ class SettingsScreen extends ConsumerWidget {
     if (update.status == UpdateStatus.upToDate) {
       return Text('v$current — up to date');
     }
-    if (update.status == UpdateStatus.available ||
+    if (update.status == UpdateStatus.readyToInstall ||
         update.status == UpdateStatus.downloading) {
       return Text('v$current installed');
     }
@@ -202,12 +202,12 @@ class _UpdateTile extends ConsumerWidget {
                     '${(update.downloadProgress * 100).toStringAsFixed(0)}%'),
               ],
             )
-          : const Text('Tap to download and install'),
+          : const Text('Ready to install'),
       trailing: isDownloading
           ? null
           : FilledButton(
               onPressed: () =>
-                  ref.read(updateProvider.notifier).downloadAndInstall(),
+                  ref.read(updateProvider.notifier).install(),
               child: const Text('Install'),
             ),
     );

lib/widgets/chat_message_bubble.dart

@@ -1,12 +1,17 @@
 import 'dart:math' show min;
+import 'dart:typed_data';
 
+import 'package:dio/dio.dart';
 import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
 import 'package:flutter_markdown_plus/flutter_markdown_plus.dart';
+import 'package:flutter_riverpod/flutter_riverpod.dart';
 
 import '../data/models/message.dart';
+import '../providers/api_client_provider.dart';
+import '../providers/settings_provider.dart';
 import 'tool_call_chip.dart';
 
-class ChatMessageBubble extends StatelessWidget {
+class ChatMessageBubble extends ConsumerWidget {
   final Message message;
   final String streamingStatus;
   const ChatMessageBubble({
@@ -16,9 +21,11 @@ class ChatMessageBubble extends StatelessWidget {
   });
 
   @override
-  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+  Widget build(BuildContext context, WidgetRef ref) {
     final isUser = message.role == MessageRole.user;
     final scheme = Theme.of(context).colorScheme;
+    final serverUrl = ref.watch(serverUrlProvider) ?? '';
+    final dio = ref.watch(dioProvider);
     final isGenerating = message.status == 'generating';
     final toolCalls = message.toolCalls ?? const [];
 
@@ -116,6 +123,14 @@ class ChatMessageBubble extends StatelessWidget {
                     if (message.content.isNotEmpty)
                       MarkdownBody(
                         data: message.content,
+                        imageBuilder: (uri, title, alt) {
+                          return _AuthImage(
+                            uri: uri,
+                            alt: alt,
+                            serverUrl: serverUrl,
+                            dio: dio,
+                          );
+                        },
                         styleSheet: MarkdownStyleSheet(
                           p: TextStyle(
                             color: isUser
@@ -161,3 +176,69 @@ class ChatMessageBubble extends StatelessWidget {
     );
   }
 }
+
+class _AuthImage extends StatefulWidget {
+  final Uri uri;
+  final String? alt;
+  final String serverUrl;
+  final Dio dio;
+
+  const _AuthImage({
+    required this.uri,
+    this.alt,
+    required this.serverUrl,
+    required this.dio,
+  });
+
+  @override
+  State<_AuthImage> createState() => _AuthImageState();
+}
+
+class _AuthImageState extends State<_AuthImage> {
+  late Future<Uint8List> _future;
+
+  @override
+  void initState() {
+    super.initState();
+    _future = _fetchImage();
+  }
+
+  Future<Uint8List> _fetchImage() async {
+    var url = widget.uri.toString();
+    if (url.startsWith('/')) {
+      url = '${widget.serverUrl}$url';
+    }
+    final response = await widget.dio.get<List<int>>(
+      url,
+      options: Options(responseType: ResponseType.bytes),
+    );
+    return Uint8List.fromList(response.data!);
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    return FutureBuilder<Uint8List>(
+      future: _future,
+      builder: (context, snapshot) {
+        if (snapshot.connectionState == ConnectionState.waiting) {
+          return const SizedBox(
+            height: 100,
+            child: Center(child: CircularProgressIndicator(strokeWidth: 2)),
+          );
+        }
+        if (snapshot.hasError || !snapshot.hasData) {
+          return Text(widget.alt ?? 'Image failed to load');
+        }
+        return ClipRRect(
+          borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(8),
+          child: Image.memory(
+            snapshot.data!,
+            fit: BoxFit.contain,
+            errorBuilder: (_, _, _) =>
+                Text(widget.alt ?? 'Image failed to load'),
+          ),
+        );
+      },
+    );
+  }
+}

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,
     );
   }
 }

linux/flutter/generated_plugins.cmake

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ list(APPEND FLUTTER_PLUGIN_LIST
 )
 
 list(APPEND FLUTTER_FFI_PLUGIN_LIST
+  vad
 )
 
 set(PLUGIN_BUNDLED_LIBRARIES)

macos/Flutter/GeneratedPluginRegistrant.swift

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import flutter_timezone
 import just_audio
 import open_file_mac
 import package_info_plus
-import record_darwin
+import record_macos
 import shared_preferences_foundation
 import url_launcher_macos
 
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ func RegisterGeneratedPlugins(registry: FlutterPluginRegistry) {
   JustAudioPlugin.register(with: registry.registrar(forPlugin: "JustAudioPlugin"))
   OpenFilePlugin.register(with: registry.registrar(forPlugin: "OpenFilePlugin"))
   FPPPackageInfoPlusPlugin.register(with: registry.registrar(forPlugin: "FPPPackageInfoPlusPlugin"))
-  RecordPlugin.register(with: registry.registrar(forPlugin: "RecordPlugin"))
+  RecordMacOsPlugin.register(with: registry.registrar(forPlugin: "RecordMacOsPlugin"))
   SharedPreferencesPlugin.register(with: registry.registrar(forPlugin: "SharedPreferencesPlugin"))
   UrlLauncherPlugin.register(with: registry.registrar(forPlugin: "UrlLauncherPlugin"))
 }

pubspec.lock

@@ -804,10 +804,10 @@ packages:
     dependency: "direct main"
     description:
       name: record
-      sha256: "2e3d56d196abcd69f1046339b75e5f3855b2406fc087e5991f6703f188aa03a6"
+      sha256: d5b6b334f3ab02460db6544e08583c942dbf23e3504bf1e14fd4cbe3d9409277
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
-    version: "5.2.1"
+    version: "6.2.0"
   record_android:
     dependency: transitive
     description:
@@ -816,22 +816,30 @@ packages:
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
     version: "1.5.1"
-  record_darwin:
+  record_ios:
     dependency: transitive
     description:
-      name: record_darwin
-      sha256: e487eccb19d82a9a39cd0126945cfc47b9986e0df211734e2788c95e3f63c82c
+      name: record_ios
+      sha256: "8df7c136131bd05efc19256af29b2ba6ccc000ccc2c80d4b6b6d7a8d21a3b5a9"
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
-    version: "1.2.2"
+    version: "1.2.0"
   record_linux:
-    dependency: "direct overridden"
+    dependency: transitive
     description:
       name: record_linux
       sha256: c31a35cc158cd666fc6395f7f56fc054f31685571684be6b97670a27649ce5c7
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
     version: "1.3.0"
+  record_macos:
+    dependency: transitive
+    description:
+      name: record_macos
+      sha256: "084902e63fc9c0c224c29203d6c75f0bdf9b6a40536c9d916393c8f4c4256488"
+      url: "https://pub.dev"
+    source: hosted
+    version: "1.2.1"
   record_platform_interface:
     dependency: transitive
     description:
@@ -1165,6 +1173,14 @@ packages:
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
     version: "4.5.3"
+  vad:
+    dependency: "direct main"
+    description:
+      name: vad
+      sha256: ef6c8b12c5af7a6a519ff5684f074b8a2ac00c434705f544af379ea77bccd258
+      url: "https://pub.dev"
+    source: hosted
+    version: "0.0.7+1"
   vector_math:
     dependency: transitive
     description:

pubspec.yaml

@@ -28,13 +28,11 @@ dependencies:
   google_fonts: ^8.0.2
   flutter_timezone: ^5.0.2
   url_launcher: ^6.3.1
-  record: ^5.0.0
+  record: ^6.2.0
+  vad: ^0.0.7
   just_audio: ^0.9.39
   table_calendar: ^3.1.2
 
-dependency_overrides:
-  record_linux: ^1.3.0
-
 dev_dependencies:
   flutter_test:
     sdk: flutter

windows/flutter/generated_plugins.cmake

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ list(APPEND FLUTTER_PLUGIN_LIST
 )
 
 list(APPEND FLUTTER_FFI_PLUGIN_LIST
+  vad
 )
 
 set(PLUGIN_BUNDLED_LIBRARIES)