diff --git a/frontend/src/views/BriefingView.vue b/frontend/src/views/BriefingView.vue
index 89b50c9e..b96e986d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/BriefingView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/BriefingView.vue
@@ -1,13 +1,8 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import { ref, computed, onMounted, onUnmounted, watch, nextTick } from 'vue'
 import { useBackgroundRefresh } from '@/composables/useBackgroundRefresh'
-import { useVoiceRecorder } from '@/composables/useVoiceRecorder'
-import { useVoiceAudio } from '@/composables/useVoiceAudio'
-import { useListenMode } from '@/composables/useListenMode'
-import { useStreamingTts } from '@/composables/useStreamingTts'
 import { useChatStore } from '@/stores/chat'
-import { useSettingsStore } from '@/stores/settings'
-import ChatMessage from '@/components/ChatMessage.vue'
+import ChatPanel from '@/components/ChatPanel.vue'
 import WeatherCard from '@/components/WeatherCard.vue'
 import BriefingSetupWizard from '@/components/BriefingSetupWizard.vue'
 import {
@@ -15,16 +10,12 @@ import {
   getBriefingConfig,
   getBriefingConversations,
   getBriefingToday,
-  getBriefingConvMessages,
   triggerBriefingSlot,
   postRssReaction,
   deleteRssReaction,
   getNewsItems,
-  transcribeAudio,
   type BriefingConversation,
-  type BriefingMessage,
 } from '@/api/client'
-import type { Message } from '@/types/chat'
 import type { NewsItem } from '@/types/news'
 
 interface WeatherData {
@@ -41,7 +32,6 @@ interface WeatherData {
 }
 
 const chatStore = useChatStore()
-const settingsStore = useSettingsStore()
 
 // Setup wizard
 const showWizard = ref(false)
@@ -65,10 +55,6 @@ const todayConvId = ref<number | null>(null)
 
 const isToday = computed(() => selectedConvId.value === todayConvId.value)
 
-// Messages for selected conversation
-const messages = ref<BriefingMessage[]>([])
-const loadingMessages = ref(false)
-
 // Weather panel (left column)
 const weatherData = ref<WeatherData[]>([])
 const tempUnit = ref<string>('C')
@@ -97,17 +83,6 @@ async function loadNews() {
   } catch { /* silent */ }
 }
 
-// Scroll to bottom of messages
-const messagesEl = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
-
-function scrollToBottom() {
-  nextTick(() => {
-    if (messagesEl.value) {
-      messagesEl.value.scrollTop = messagesEl.value.scrollHeight
-    }
-  })
-}
-
 async function loadAll() {
   const [convList, today] = await Promise.all([
     getBriefingConversations(),
@@ -125,90 +100,41 @@ async function loadAll() {
       ]
     }
     selectedConvId.value = today.id
-    messages.value = today.messages
     await chatStore.fetchConversation(today.id)
   }
-  scrollToBottom()
 }
 
 watch(selectedConvId, async (id) => {
   if (!id) return
-  if (id === todayConvId.value) {
-    await chatStore.fetchConversation(id)
-    messages.value = (chatStore.currentConversation?.messages ?? []) as unknown as BriefingMessage[]
-    scrollToBottom()
-    return
-  }
-  loadingMessages.value = true
   try {
-    messages.value = await getBriefingConvMessages(id)
-    scrollToBottom()
-  } finally {
-    loadingMessages.value = false
+    await chatStore.fetchConversation(id)
+  } catch {
+    // Historical conversation unavailable — do nothing
   }
 })
 
-// Refresh messages after streaming ends — read from store directly (already updated before streaming=false)
-watch(() => chatStore.streaming, async (streaming) => {
-  if (!streaming && _mounted && selectedConvId.value === todayConvId.value) {
-    const storeMessages = chatStore.currentConversation?.messages
-    if (_mounted && storeMessages?.length) {
-      messages.value = storeMessages as unknown as BriefingMessage[]
-    }
-    await nextTick()
-    if (_mounted) scrollToBottom()
-  }
-})
-
-// Input
-const input = ref('')
-const sending = ref(false)
-
-async function send(overrideText?: string) {
-  const text = (overrideText ?? input.value).trim()
-  if (!text || !todayConvId.value || chatStore.streaming || sending.value) return
+// Keep send() as a helper for discussArticle
+async function send(text: string) {
+  if (!text || !todayConvId.value || chatStore.streaming) return
   if (chatStore.currentConversation?.id !== todayConvId.value) {
     await chatStore.fetchConversation(todayConvId.value)
   }
-  input.value = ''
-  sending.value = true
-  try {
-    await chatStore.sendMessage(text)
-  } finally {
-    sending.value = false
-  }
+  await chatStore.sendMessage(text, undefined, undefined, true)
 }
 
 async function discussArticle(item: NewsItem) {
+  if (!todayConvId.value) return
+  if (!isToday.value) selectedConvId.value = todayConvId.value
   const body = (item.content || item.snippet || '').trim()
   const bodyBlock = body ? `\n\n---\n${body}\n---` : ''
   const text = `Please summarize and share your thoughts on this article. Do not use any research or search tools — respond conversationally based only on the content below.\n\n**${item.title}**\nSource: ${item.source}${bodyBlock}`
-
-  // Add the user message optimistically so it appears immediately
-  const optimisticMsg: BriefingMessage = {
-    id: Date.now(),
-    role: 'user',
-    content: text,
-    created_at: new Date().toISOString(),
-  }
-  messages.value = [...messages.value, optimisticMsg]
-
-  // Scroll the chat panel into view
+  // Scroll to chat column
   await nextTick(() => {
     document.querySelector('.briefing-center')?.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'nearest' })
-    scrollToBottom()
   })
-
   await send(text)
 }
 
-function onKeydown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
-  if (e.key === 'Enter' && !e.shiftKey) {
-    e.preventDefault()
-    send()
-  }
-}
-
 // RSS reactions: map of rss_item_id -> 'up' | 'down' | null
 const reactions = ref<Record<number, 'up' | 'down' | null>>({})
 
@@ -259,69 +185,13 @@ function convLabel(c: BriefingConversation): string {
   return c.title || 'Briefing'
 }
 
-// ─── Voice ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-// Mic PTT needs STT; listen/speak mode also needs TTS
-const voiceEnabled = computed(() => settingsStore.voiceSttReady)
-const voiceTtsEnabled = computed(() => settingsStore.voiceTtsReady)
-const listenMode = useListenMode()
-const transcribing = ref(false)
-const tts = useStreamingTts({
-  streamingContent: computed(() => chatStore.streamingContent),
-  streaming: computed(() => chatStore.streaming),
-  enabled: computed(() => listenMode.value && voiceTtsEnabled.value),
-})
-
-const recorder = useVoiceRecorder()
-const audio = useVoiceAudio()
-
-// PTT: hold to record, release to transcribe and send
-async function startPtt() {
-  if (!voiceEnabled.value || recorder.recording.value) return
-  audio.stop()
-  await recorder.startRecording()
-}
-
-async function stopPtt() {
-  if (!recorder.recording.value) return
-  transcribing.value = true
-  try {
-    const blob = await recorder.stopRecording()
-    const { transcript } = await transcribeAudio(blob)
-    if (transcript.trim()) {
-      input.value = transcript.trim()
-      await send()
-    }
-  } catch {
-    // transcription failure — leave input empty
-  } finally {
-    transcribing.value = false
-  }
-}
-
-
-// Convert BriefingMessage to Message for ChatMessage component
-function toMsg(m: BriefingMessage): Message {
-  return {
-    id: m.id,
-    conversation_id: -1,
-    role: m.role,
-    content: m.content,
-    context_note_id: null,
-    context_note_title: null,
-    created_at: m.created_at,
-  }
-}
-
 // ─── Background refresh (no-flicker) ─────────────────────────────────────────
 async function _backgroundRefreshMessages() {
   try {
     const today = await getBriefingToday()
     if (!today) return
-    const fresh = today.messages
-    const last = fresh[fresh.length - 1]
-    const cur = messages.value[messages.value.length - 1]
-    if (fresh.length !== messages.value.length || last?.content !== cur?.content) {
-      messages.value = fresh
+    if (_mounted && isToday.value && chatStore.currentConversation?.id === todayConvId.value) {
+      await chatStore.fetchConversation(today.id)
     }
     await loadNews()
   } catch { /* silent — don't disturb the UI on network hiccup */ }
@@ -384,103 +254,13 @@ onMounted(async () => {
 
       <!-- Center column: Chat -->
       <div class="briefing-center">
-        <div class="briefing-messages-wrap" ref="messagesEl">
-          <div v-if="loadingMessages" class="briefing-loading">Loading…</div>
-          <template v-else>
-            <div v-if="!messages.length" class="briefing-empty">
-              <p>No briefing yet for today.</p>
-              <p class="briefing-empty-hint">Click "Refresh" to generate a briefing now, or wait for the scheduled slot.</p>
-            </div>
-            <div v-else class="briefing-messages">
-              <template v-for="msg in messages" :key="msg.id">
-                <ChatMessage
-                  :message="toMsg(msg)"
-                  :is-streaming="false"
-                />
-              </template>
-              <!-- Live streaming bubble for today -->
-              <ChatMessage
-                v-if="isToday && chatStore.streaming && chatStore.streamingContent"
-                :message="{
-                  id: -1,
-                  conversation_id: todayConvId ?? -1,
-                  role: 'assistant',
-                  content: chatStore.streamingContent,
-                  context_note_id: null,
-                  context_note_title: null,
-                  created_at: new Date().toISOString(),
-                }"
-                :is-streaming="true"
-              />
-            </div>
-          </template>
-        </div>
-
-        <!-- Input bar (today only) -->
-        <div v-if="isToday" class="briefing-input-bar">
-          <!-- Listen toggle -->
-          <button
-            v-if="voiceTtsEnabled"
-            class="btn-icon"
-            :class="{ 'btn-icon-active': listenMode, 'btn-icon-busy': tts.speaking.value }"
-            @click="listenMode = !listenMode; if (listenMode) tts.speak([...messages].reverse().find(m => m.role === 'assistant')?.content ?? ''); else tts.stop()"
-            :title="listenMode ? 'Stop auto-read' : 'Read replies aloud'"
-            aria-label="Toggle listen mode"
-          >
-            <svg v-if="!tts.speaking.value" width="17" height="17" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor">
-              <path d="M3 9v6h4l5 5V4L7 9H3zm13.5 3c0-1.77-1.02-3.29-2.5-4.03v8.05c1.48-.73 2.5-2.25 2.5-4.02zM14 3.23v2.06c2.89.86 5 3.54 5 6.71s-2.11 5.85-5 6.71v2.06c4.01-.91 7-4.49 7-8.77s-2.99-7.86-7-8.77z"/>
-            </svg>
-            <svg v-else width="17" height="17" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor">
-              <path d="M18 12c0-1.77-1.02-3.29-2.5-4.03v2.21l2.45 2.45c.03-.2.05-.41.05-.63zm2.5 0c0 .94-.2 1.82-.54 2.64l1.51 1.51C21.8 14.82 22 13.43 22 12c0-4.28-2.99-7.86-7-8.77v2.06c2.89.86 5 3.54 5 6.71zM4.27 3L3 4.27 7.73 9H3v6h4l5 5v-6.73l4.25 4.25c-.67.52-1.42.93-2.25 1.18v2.06c1.38-.31 2.63-.95 3.69-1.81L19.73 21 21 19.73l-9-9L4.27 3zM12 4L9.91 6.09 12 8.18V4z"/>
-            </svg>
-          </button>
-          <!-- Stop TTS playback -->
-          <button
-            v-if="voiceTtsEnabled && tts.speaking.value"
-            class="btn-icon btn-icon-danger"
-            @click="tts.stop()"
-            title="Stop playback"
-            aria-label="Stop playback"
-          >
-            <svg width="17" height="17" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor">
-              <path d="M6 6h12v12H6z"/>
-            </svg>
-          </button>
-          <textarea
-            v-model="input"
-            class="briefing-textarea"
-            :placeholder="transcribing ? 'Transcribing…' : recorder.recording.value ? 'Recording…' : 'Reply to your briefing…'"
-            rows="1"
-            @keydown="onKeydown"
-            :disabled="transcribing || recorder.recording.value"
-          ></textarea>
-          <!-- Mic PTT button -->
-          <button
-            v-if="voiceEnabled && recorder.isSupported"
-            class="btn-icon btn-mic-ptt"
-            :class="{ 'mic-recording': recorder.recording.value, 'mic-transcribing': transcribing }"
-            @mousedown.prevent="startPtt"
-            @mouseup.prevent="stopPtt"
-            @touchstart.prevent="startPtt"
-            @touchend.prevent="stopPtt"
-            :disabled="transcribing || chatStore.streaming || sending"
-            :title="recorder.recording.value ? 'Release to send' : 'Hold to speak'"
-            aria-label="Push to talk"
-          >
-            <svg v-if="!transcribing" width="17" height="17" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor">
-              <path d="M12 14c1.66 0 3-1.34 3-3V5c0-1.66-1.34-3-3-3S9 3.34 9 5v6c0 1.66 1.34 3 3 3zm-1-9c0-.55.45-1 1-1s1 .45 1 1v6c0 .55-.45 1-1 1s-1-.45-1-1V5zm6 6c0 2.76-2.24 5-5 5s-5-2.24-5-5H5c0 3.53 2.61 6.43 6 6.92V21h2v-3.08c3.39-.49 6-3.39 6-6.92h-2z"/>
-            </svg>
-            <svg v-else width="17" height="17" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor">
-              <path d="M12 4V1L8 5l4 4V6c3.31 0 6 2.69 6 6 0 1.01-.25 1.97-.7 2.8l1.46 1.46C19.54 15.03 20 13.57 20 12c0-4.42-3.58-8-8-8zm0 14c-3.31 0-6-2.69-6-6 0-1.01.25-1.97.7-2.8L5.24 7.74C4.46 8.97 4 10.43 4 12c0 4.42 3.58 8 8 8v3l4-4-4-4v3z"/>
-            </svg>
-          </button>
-          <button
-            class="btn-send"
-            @click="send()"
-            :disabled="!input.trim() || chatStore.streaming || sending"
-            aria-label="Send"
-          >&uarr;</button>
-        </div>
+        <ChatPanel
+          variant="full"
+          briefingMode
+          :readOnly="!isToday"
+          placeholder="Reply to your briefing…"
+          class="briefing-chat-panel"
+        />
       </div>
 
       <!-- Right column: News -->
@@ -644,83 +424,11 @@ onMounted(async () => {
   min-height: 0;
 }
 
-.briefing-messages-wrap {
+.briefing-chat-panel {
   flex: 1;
-  overflow-y: auto;
-  padding: 1rem;
   min-height: 0;
 }
 
-.briefing-loading,
-.briefing-empty {
-  text-align: center;
-  padding: 3rem 1rem;
-  color: var(--color-text-muted);
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-}
-
-.briefing-empty-hint {
-  font-size: 0.8rem;
-  opacity: 0.7;
-  margin-top: 0.5rem;
-}
-
-.briefing-messages {
-  display: flex;
-  flex-direction: column;
-  gap: 0.5rem;
-}
-
-.briefing-input-bar {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  gap: 0.5rem;
-  padding: 0.5rem 0.5rem 0.5rem 0.75rem;
-  margin: 0 0.75rem 1rem;
-  background: var(--color-input-bar-bg);
-  border-radius: 20px;
-  box-shadow: 0 2px 12px var(--color-shadow);
-  flex-shrink: 0;
-}
-
-.briefing-textarea {
-  flex: 1;
-  resize: none;
-  padding: 0.4rem 0.5rem;
-  border: none;
-  border-radius: 12px;
-  font-family: inherit;
-  font-size: 0.95rem;
-  background: transparent;
-  color: var(--color-input-bar-text);
-  outline: none;
-  max-height: 120px;
-  overflow-y: auto;
-  line-height: 1.4;
-}
-.briefing-textarea::placeholder { color: var(--color-input-bar-placeholder); }
-.briefing-textarea:disabled { opacity: 0.5; }
-
-.btn-send {
-  width: 34px;
-  min-width: 34px;
-  height: 34px;
-  padding: 0;
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  justify-content: center;
-  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #6366f1, #4f46e5);
-  color: #fff;
-  border: none;
-  border-radius: 50%;
-  cursor: pointer;
-  font-size: 1.1rem;
-  flex-shrink: 0;
-  transition: box-shadow 0.15s;
-}
-.btn-send:not(:disabled):hover { box-shadow: 0 0 14px rgba(129, 140, 248, 0.5); }
-.btn-send:disabled { opacity: 0.35; cursor: default; }
-
 /* ─── Right column (News) ────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
 
 .briefing-right {
@@ -842,55 +550,6 @@ a.news-title:hover { text-decoration: underline; color: var(--color-primary); }
   background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-primary) 12%, transparent);
 }
 
-/* ─── Icon buttons (input bar) ───────────────────────────────────────────── */
-
-.btn-icon {
-  background: none;
-  border: none;
-  cursor: pointer;
-  color: var(--color-input-bar-text);
-  opacity: 0.5;
-  padding: 0.25rem;
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  justify-content: center;
-  flex-shrink: 0;
-  transition: opacity 0.15s, color 0.15s;
-}
-.btn-icon:hover:not(:disabled) { opacity: 1; }
-.btn-icon:disabled { opacity: 0.25; cursor: default; }
-.btn-icon-active {
-  color: var(--color-primary) !important;
-  opacity: 1 !important;
-}
-.btn-icon-busy {
-  color: var(--color-primary) !important;
-  opacity: 0.8 !important;
-  animation: icon-pulse 1.2s ease-in-out infinite;
-}
-.btn-icon-danger {
-  color: #ef4444 !important;
-  opacity: 0.8 !important;
-}
-
-.btn-mic-ptt {
-  touch-action: none;
-  user-select: none;
-}
-.btn-mic-ptt.mic-recording {
-  color: #ef4444 !important;
-  opacity: 1 !important;
-  animation: icon-pulse 0.8s ease-in-out infinite;
-}
-.btn-mic-ptt.mic-transcribing {
-  color: var(--color-primary) !important;
-  opacity: 0.7 !important;
-}
-@keyframes icon-pulse {
-  0%, 100% { opacity: 0.6; }
-  50% { opacity: 1; }
-}
-
 /* ─── Responsive ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
 
 @media (max-width: 900px) {