From ad4fe3d783548b8f68a71aa3debae735fbe7d16c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bryan Van Deusen <bryan.vandeusen@fabledsword.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:11:08 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 01/13] feat(chat): center chat reading column and full-height
 context sidebar

Replaces the full-variant flex layout with a single CSS grid owning the
messages column, input bar, and context sidebar. Messages and input bar
share a centered ~820px reading track (--chat-reading-width token) so
the mic button can't get pushed off-screen on wide monitors, and the
context sidebar spans grid-row 1/-1 so it runs the full height from the
chat header down to the bottom edge instead of stopping above the input
bar.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 frontend/src/assets/theme.css         |  2 ++
 frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue | 45 ++++++++++++++++++---------
 2 files changed, 33 insertions(+), 14 deletions(-)

diff --git a/frontend/src/assets/theme.css b/frontend/src/assets/theme.css
index 7b19fff..b72322f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/assets/theme.css
+++ b/frontend/src/assets/theme.css
@@ -54,6 +54,8 @@
   --page-max-width: 1200px;
   --page-padding-x: 1rem;
   --sidebar-width: 260px;
+  --chat-reading-width: min(820px, 100%);
+  --chat-context-sidebar-width: 220px;
   --color-accent-warm: #b8860b;
   --color-accent-warm-light: #d4a017;
   --color-primary-solid: #7c3aed;
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue b/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue
index bb4ad18..1c8b40e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ defineExpose({ focus, prefill, send })
 <template>
   <!-- ═══════════════════════════════ FULL VARIANT ══════════════════════════════ -->
   <template v-if="variant === 'full'">
-    <div class="chat-body" :class="{ 'chat-body--has-sidebar': hasContextSidebar }">
+    <div class="chat-full" :class="{ 'chat-full--has-sidebar': hasContextSidebar }">
       <!-- Message list -->
       <div ref="messagesEl" class="messages-container">
         <div class="messages-inner">
@@ -391,10 +391,9 @@ defineExpose({ focus, prefill, send })
           </div>
         </template>
       </aside>
-    </div>
 
-    <!-- Input area (hidden when readOnly) -->
-    <div v-if="!readOnly" class="input-wrapper">
+      <!-- Input area (hidden when readOnly) -->
+      <div v-if="!readOnly" class="input-wrapper">
       <!-- Scope chip -->
       <div v-if="showScopeChip" class="scope-chip-row">
         <div class="scope-chip-wrapper">
@@ -476,6 +475,7 @@ defineExpose({ focus, prefill, send })
         @submit="onSubmit"
         @abort="store.cancelGeneration()"
       />
+      </div>
     </div>
   </template>
 
@@ -528,18 +528,34 @@ defineExpose({ focus, prefill, send })
 </template>
 
 <style scoped>
-/* ── Full variant layout ── */
-.chat-body {
+/* ── Full variant layout ──
+ * Single grid owns the reading column + context sidebar + input bar so
+ * messages and input bar share one centered reading track while the
+ * context sidebar spans the full height from header to bottom of view.
+ * The sidebar column collapses to 0 when there are no context notes.
+ */
+.chat-full {
+  --chat-sidebar-col: 0px;
   flex: 1;
-  display: flex;
   min-height: 0;
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns:
+    1fr
+    minmax(0, var(--chat-reading-width))
+    1fr
+    var(--chat-sidebar-col);
+  grid-template-rows: minmax(0, 1fr) auto;
   overflow: hidden;
 }
+.chat-full--has-sidebar {
+  --chat-sidebar-col: var(--chat-context-sidebar-width);
+}
 
 .messages-container {
-  flex: 1;
+  grid-column: 2;
+  grid-row: 1;
   overflow-y: auto;
-  padding: 1rem;
+  padding: 1rem 1rem 0;
   mask-image: linear-gradient(to bottom, transparent, black 20px, black calc(100% - 20px), transparent);
   -webkit-mask-image: linear-gradient(to bottom, transparent, black 20px, black calc(100% - 20px), transparent);
 }
@@ -558,11 +574,10 @@ defineExpose({ focus, prefill, send })
   opacity: 0.35;
 }
 
-/* Context sidebar */
+/* Context sidebar — spans full height (rows 1 and 2) of the chat grid */
 .context-sidebar {
-  width: 200px;
-  min-width: 160px;
-  max-width: 220px;
+  grid-column: 4;
+  grid-row: 1 / -1;
   border-left: 1px solid var(--color-border);
   padding: 0.75rem 0.5rem;
   overflow-y: auto;
@@ -616,8 +631,10 @@ defineExpose({ focus, prefill, send })
 .context-note-remove:hover { color: #ef4444; }
 .context-note-add:hover { color: var(--color-primary); }
 
-/* Input wrapper */
+/* Input wrapper — lives in the same reading column as messages */
 .input-wrapper {
+  grid-column: 2;
+  grid-row: 2;
   border-top: 1px solid var(--color-border);
   padding: 0.5rem 1rem 0.75rem;
   display: flex;

From f0c93ffa3b944c0a16e7099aa35aede1c9519530 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bryan Van Deusen <bryan.vandeusen@fabledsword.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:40:44 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 02/13] fix(chat): drop display:flex from .chat-panel-fill so
 grid layout wins
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

The inherited .chat-panel-fill class lands on ChatPanel's new .chat-full
root via attribute inheritance, and its display:flex was overriding the
grid layout — stacking messages, sidebar, and input bar vertically
inside the reading column instead of placing the sidebar in grid col 4.
Layout is ChatPanel's responsibility now; .chat-panel-fill only sizes.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 frontend/src/views/ChatView.vue | 6 +++---
 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-)

diff --git a/frontend/src/views/ChatView.vue b/frontend/src/views/ChatView.vue
index 026dcb6..9a4da16 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/ChatView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/ChatView.vue
@@ -522,12 +522,12 @@ onUnmounted(() => {
   overflow: hidden;
 }
 
-/* ChatPanel fills the remaining space in chat-main */
+/* ChatPanel fills the remaining space in chat-main. Layout (grid vs
+ * flex) is owned by ChatPanel's own .chat-full root — don't force a
+ * display here or it overrides the grid. */
 .chat-panel-fill {
   flex: 1;
   min-height: 0;
-  display: flex;
-  flex-direction: column;
 }
 
 .chat-header {

From 035ec0c0dcc49c44b43f4b74b03fccee25cba69f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bryan Van Deusen <bryan.vandeusen@fabledsword.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:28:48 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 03/13] =?UTF-8?q?feat(chat):=20Phase=20A=20chrome=20cleanu?=
 =?UTF-8?q?p=20=E2=80=94=20kebabs,=20search,=20full-width=20new=20chat?=
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

Header:
- Remove Research button + modal (skill fires reliably from normal chat)
- Move Summarize-as-Note into a header kebab (disabled until the
  conversation has messages)

Left sidebar:
- Full-width "+ New Chat" primary button
- Search input filters conversations by title (case-insensitive
  substring) with a "no matches" empty state
- Move Select into a sidebar kebab next to search

Shared .btn-kebab + .kebab-menu styles give future conv-level actions
a home. Document mousedown + Escape dismiss both kebabs.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 frontend/src/views/ChatView.vue | 248 +++++++++++++++-----------------
 1 file changed, 117 insertions(+), 131 deletions(-)

diff --git a/frontend/src/views/ChatView.vue b/frontend/src/views/ChatView.vue
index 9a4da16..c6aaf9a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/ChatView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/ChatView.vue
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ const store = useChatStore();
 
 const summarizing = ref(false);
 const sidebarOpen = ref(false);
+const convSearchQuery = ref("");
+const headerKebabOpen = ref(false);
+const sidebarKebabOpen = ref(false);
 
 let prevConvId: number | null = null;
 
@@ -46,7 +49,12 @@ const groupedConversations = computed((): ConvGroup[] => {
   const buckets: Record<string, typeof store.conversations> = {};
   const order: string[] = [];
 
-  for (const conv of store.conversations) {
+  const q = convSearchQuery.value.trim().toLowerCase();
+  const filtered = q
+    ? store.conversations.filter((c) => (c.title || "").toLowerCase().includes(q))
+    : store.conversations;
+
+  for (const conv of filtered) {
     const d = new Date(conv.updated_at);
     let key: string;
     if (d >= startOfToday) {
@@ -69,6 +77,7 @@ const groupedConversations = computed((): ConvGroup[] => {
 
 onMounted(async () => {
   document.addEventListener("keydown", onGlobalKeydown);
+  document.addEventListener("mousedown", onDocumentMousedown);
   await store.fetchConversations();
   if (convId.value) {
     if (store.currentConversation?.id !== convId.value) {
@@ -187,36 +196,25 @@ async function handleSummarize() {
   }
 }
 
-// ── Research modal ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-const showResearchModal = ref(false);
-const researchTopic = ref("");
 const chatPanelRef = ref<InstanceType<typeof ChatPanel> | null>(null);
 
-function toggleResearchModal() {
-  showResearchModal.value = !showResearchModal.value;
-  if (showResearchModal.value) {
-    researchTopic.value = "";
-    nextTick(() => {
-      const el = document.querySelector(".research-topic-input") as HTMLInputElement;
-      el?.focus();
-    });
+// ── Kebab dismissal ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+function onDocumentMousedown(e: MouseEvent) {
+  const target = e.target as HTMLElement | null;
+  if (headerKebabOpen.value && !target?.closest(".header-kebab-wrapper")) {
+    headerKebabOpen.value = false;
+  }
+  if (sidebarKebabOpen.value && !target?.closest(".sidebar-kebab-wrapper")) {
+    sidebarKebabOpen.value = false;
   }
-}
-
-function submitResearch() {
-  const topic = researchTopic.value.trim();
-  if (!topic) return;
-  showResearchModal.value = false;
-  researchTopic.value = "";
-  // Prefill sends via ChatPanel — user sees it in the input, then it auto-submits
-  chatPanelRef.value?.send(`Research: ${topic}`);
 }
 
 // ── Keyboard ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 function onGlobalKeydown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
   if (e.key !== "Escape") return;
-  if (showResearchModal.value) {
-    showResearchModal.value = false;
+  if (headerKebabOpen.value || sidebarKebabOpen.value) {
+    headerKebabOpen.value = false;
+    sidebarKebabOpen.value = false;
     return;
   }
   if (sidebarOpen.value) {
@@ -228,6 +226,7 @@ function onGlobalKeydown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
 
 onUnmounted(() => {
   document.removeEventListener("keydown", onGlobalKeydown);
+  document.removeEventListener("mousedown", onDocumentMousedown);
   if (prevConvId) {
     const conv = store.conversations.find((c) => c.id === prevConvId);
     if (conv && conv.message_count === 0) {
@@ -246,13 +245,35 @@ onUnmounted(() => {
     ></div>
     <aside class="chat-sidebar" :class="{ open: sidebarOpen }">
       <div class="sidebar-top-bar">
-        <button class="btn-new-conv" @click="newConversation">+ New Chat</button>
-        <button
-          class="btn-select-mode"
-          :class="{ active: selectMode }"
-          @click="toggleSelectMode"
-          title="Select conversations"
-        >Select</button>
+        <button class="btn-new-conv btn-new-conv--full" @click="newConversation">+ New Chat</button>
+        <div class="sidebar-search-row">
+          <input
+            v-model="convSearchQuery"
+            class="conv-search-input"
+            type="search"
+            placeholder="Search conversations…"
+            aria-label="Search conversations"
+          />
+          <div class="sidebar-kebab-wrapper">
+            <button
+              class="btn-kebab"
+              :class="{ active: sidebarKebabOpen }"
+              @click="sidebarKebabOpen = !sidebarKebabOpen"
+              aria-label="List actions"
+              title="List actions"
+            >
+              <svg width="18" height="18" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor">
+                <circle cx="12" cy="5" r="1.75"/><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="1.75"/><circle cx="12" cy="19" r="1.75"/>
+              </svg>
+            </button>
+            <div v-if="sidebarKebabOpen" class="kebab-menu">
+              <button
+                class="kebab-item"
+                @click="sidebarKebabOpen = false; toggleSelectMode()"
+              >{{ selectMode ? "Exit select mode" : "Select conversations" }}</button>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        </div>
       </div>
 
       <div v-if="selectMode" class="bulk-bar">
@@ -304,6 +325,10 @@ onUnmounted(() => {
         <p v-if="!store.conversations.length" class="empty-msg">
           No conversations yet
         </p>
+        <p
+          v-else-if="convSearchQuery && !groupedConversations.length"
+          class="empty-msg"
+        >No matches for “{{ convSearchQuery }}”</p>
       </div>
     </aside>
 
@@ -319,40 +344,26 @@ onUnmounted(() => {
           </button>
           <h2>{{ store.currentConversation.title || "New Chat" }}</h2>
 
-          <!-- Research modal trigger -->
-          <div class="research-wrapper">
+          <div class="header-kebab-wrapper">
             <button
-              class="btn-attach"
-              @click="toggleResearchModal"
-              :disabled="store.streaming || !store.chatReady"
-              title="Research a topic"
+              class="btn-kebab"
+              :class="{ active: headerKebabOpen }"
+              @click="headerKebabOpen = !headerKebabOpen"
+              aria-label="Conversation actions"
+              title="Conversation actions"
             >
-              <svg width="18" height="18" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round">
-                <circle cx="11" cy="11" r="8"/><line x1="21" y1="21" x2="16.65" y2="16.65"/>
+              <svg width="18" height="18" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor">
+                <circle cx="12" cy="5" r="1.75"/><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="1.75"/><circle cx="12" cy="19" r="1.75"/>
               </svg>
             </button>
-            <div v-if="showResearchModal" class="research-modal">
-              <div class="research-modal-header">Research topic</div>
-              <input
-                class="research-topic-input"
-                v-model="researchTopic"
-                placeholder="e.g. quantum computing"
-                @keydown.enter="submitResearch"
-                @keydown.escape="showResearchModal = false"
-              />
-              <div class="research-modal-actions">
-                <button class="btn-research-cancel" @click="showResearchModal = false">Cancel</button>
-                <button class="btn-research-go" @click="submitResearch" :disabled="!researchTopic.trim()">Go</button>
-              </div>
+            <div v-if="headerKebabOpen" class="kebab-menu kebab-menu--right">
+              <button
+                class="kebab-item"
+                :disabled="!store.currentConversation.messages.length || summarizing || store.streaming"
+                @click="headerKebabOpen = false; handleSummarize()"
+              >{{ summarizing ? "Summarizing…" : "Summarize as Note" }}</button>
             </div>
           </div>
-
-          <button
-            v-if="store.currentConversation.messages.length"
-            class="btn-summarize"
-            @click="handleSummarize"
-            :disabled="summarizing || store.streaming"
-          >{{ summarizing ? "Summarizing..." : "Summarize as Note" }}</button>
         </div>
 
         <ChatPanel
@@ -397,12 +408,12 @@ onUnmounted(() => {
 
 .sidebar-top-bar {
   display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
   gap: 0.5rem;
   padding: 0.75rem;
 }
 
 .btn-new-conv {
-  flex: 1;
   padding: 0.5rem;
   background: var(--color-primary);
   color: #fff;
@@ -412,23 +423,31 @@ onUnmounted(() => {
   font-size: 0.9rem;
   transition: box-shadow 0.15s, opacity 0.15s;
 }
+.btn-new-conv--full { width: 100%; }
 .btn-new-conv:hover {
   opacity: 0.9;
   box-shadow: 0 0 14px rgba(129, 140, 248, 0.35);
 }
 
-.btn-select-mode {
-  background: none;
+.sidebar-search-row {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 0.35rem;
+}
+.conv-search-input {
+  flex: 1;
+  min-width: 0;
+  padding: 0.4rem 0.6rem;
   border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
   border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
-  color: var(--color-text-muted);
-  font-size: 0.82rem;
-  padding: 0.4rem 0.6rem;
-  cursor: pointer;
-  white-space: nowrap;
+  background: var(--color-bg);
+  color: var(--color-text);
+  font-size: 0.85rem;
+  outline: none;
+  font-family: inherit;
 }
-.btn-select-mode:hover,
-.btn-select-mode.active { border-color: var(--color-primary); color: var(--color-primary); }
+.conv-search-input:focus { border-color: var(--color-primary); }
+.conv-search-input::placeholder { color: var(--color-text-muted); }
 
 .bulk-bar {
   display: flex;
@@ -548,87 +567,54 @@ onUnmounted(() => {
   min-width: 0;
 }
 
-.btn-summarize {
-  padding: 0.3rem 0.75rem;
-  background: var(--color-bg-secondary);
-  color: var(--color-text);
-  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
-  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
-  cursor: pointer;
-  font-size: 0.85rem;
-  white-space: nowrap;
-}
-.btn-summarize:hover:not(:disabled) {
-  background: var(--color-primary); color: #fff; border-color: var(--color-primary);
-}
-.btn-summarize:disabled { opacity: 0.6; cursor: default; }
-
-.btn-attach {
+/* Kebab button + dropdown menu — shared by header and sidebar */
+.btn-kebab {
   background: none;
   border: none;
   cursor: pointer;
   color: var(--color-text-muted);
-  opacity: 0.6;
-  padding: 0.2rem;
+  padding: 0.25rem;
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
+  flex-shrink: 0;
 }
-.btn-attach:hover { opacity: 1; }
-.btn-attach:disabled { opacity: 0.25; cursor: default; }
+.btn-kebab:hover { color: var(--color-text); background: var(--color-bg-secondary); }
+.btn-kebab.active { color: var(--color-primary); }
 
-.research-wrapper { position: relative; }
-.research-modal {
+.header-kebab-wrapper,
+.sidebar-kebab-wrapper {
+  position: relative;
+}
+
+.kebab-menu {
   position: absolute;
-  top: calc(100% + 8px);
-  right: 0;
+  top: calc(100% + 4px);
+  left: 0;
+  min-width: 180px;
   background: var(--color-bg-card);
   border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
   border-radius: var(--radius-md);
   box-shadow: 0 4px 20px var(--color-shadow);
-  padding: 0.75rem;
-  min-width: 280px;
+  padding: 0.25rem;
   z-index: 20;
 }
-.research-modal-header {
-  font-size: 0.8rem;
-  font-weight: 600;
-  color: var(--color-text-muted);
-  margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
-  text-transform: uppercase;
-  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
-}
-.research-topic-input {
+.kebab-menu--right { left: auto; right: 0; }
+.kebab-item {
+  display: block;
   width: 100%;
-  padding: 0.45rem 0.65rem;
-  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
-  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
-  background: var(--color-bg);
+  text-align: left;
+  background: none;
+  border: none;
   color: var(--color-text);
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  outline: none;
-  font-family: inherit;
-  box-sizing: border-box;
+  font-size: 0.85rem;
+  padding: 0.45rem 0.65rem;
+  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
+  cursor: pointer;
 }
-.research-topic-input:focus { border-color: var(--color-primary); }
-.research-modal-actions {
-  display: flex;
-  gap: 0.5rem;
-  margin-top: 0.5rem;
-  justify-content: flex-end;
-}
-.btn-research-cancel {
-  background: none; border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
-  border-radius: var(--radius-sm); padding: 0.3rem 0.65rem;
-  font-size: 0.85rem; cursor: pointer; color: var(--color-text-muted);
-}
-.btn-research-cancel:hover { border-color: var(--color-text-muted); }
-.btn-research-go {
-  background: var(--color-primary); color: #fff; border: none;
-  border-radius: var(--radius-sm); padding: 0.3rem 0.75rem;
-  font-size: 0.85rem; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 600;
-}
-.btn-research-go:disabled { opacity: 0.4; cursor: default; }
-.btn-research-go:not(:disabled):hover { opacity: 0.9; }
+.kebab-item:hover:not(:disabled) { background: var(--color-bg-secondary); color: var(--color-primary); }
+.kebab-item:disabled { opacity: 0.4; cursor: default; }
 
 .no-conversation {
   flex: 1;

From 4228e9a384e95803ebc19d47c21fe476b77094df Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bryan Van Deusen <bryan.vandeusen@fabledsword.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:44:16 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 04/13] feat(chat): move scope chip to header, consolidate
 voice controls into input bar

Phase B of chat view refinement. Bumps chat reading column to 1200px,
lifts the RAG scope chip out of the footer and into the ChatView header
(next to the title), and collapses the listen toggle / volume slider /
stop-playback buttons into a single speaker popover on the input bar.
Listen mode + TTS are now available in briefing and workspace chats too,
since the controls live on the shared ChatInputBar.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 frontend/src/assets/theme.css            |   2 +-
 frontend/src/components/ChatInputBar.vue | 160 ++++++++++++++-
 frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue    | 237 +----------------------
 frontend/src/views/ChatView.vue          | 130 ++++++++++++-
 4 files changed, 290 insertions(+), 239 deletions(-)

diff --git a/frontend/src/assets/theme.css b/frontend/src/assets/theme.css
index b72322f..dd65cb9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/assets/theme.css
+++ b/frontend/src/assets/theme.css
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@
   --page-max-width: 1200px;
   --page-padding-x: 1rem;
   --sidebar-width: 260px;
-  --chat-reading-width: min(820px, 100%);
+  --chat-reading-width: min(1200px, 100%);
   --chat-context-sidebar-width: 220px;
   --color-accent-warm: #b8860b;
   --color-accent-warm-light: #d4a017;
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/ChatInputBar.vue b/frontend/src/components/ChatInputBar.vue
index 8779219..2097eb9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/ChatInputBar.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/ChatInputBar.vue
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { ref, computed, nextTick } from 'vue'
+import { ref, computed, nextTick, onMounted, onUnmounted } from 'vue'
 import { apiGet, transcribeAudio } from '@/api/client'
 import { useVoiceRecorder } from '@/composables/useVoiceRecorder'
 import { useSilenceDetector } from '@/composables/useSilenceDetector'
+import { useStreamingTts } from '@/composables/useStreamingTts'
+import { useVoiceAudio, setVoiceVolume } from '@/composables/useVoiceAudio'
+import { useListenMode } from '@/composables/useListenMode'
 import { useChatStore } from '@/stores/chat'
 import { useSettingsStore } from '@/stores/settings'
 import { useToastStore } from '@/stores/toast'
@@ -29,6 +32,32 @@ const emit = defineEmits<{
 const store = useChatStore()
 const settingsStore = useSettingsStore()
 const voiceEnabled = computed(() => settingsStore.voiceSttReady)
+const voiceTtsEnabled = computed(() => settingsStore.voiceTtsReady)
+
+// ── Streaming TTS (listen mode) ───────────────────────────────────────────────
+const listenMode = useListenMode()
+const audio = useVoiceAudio()
+const speakerPopoverOpen = ref(false)
+
+const tts = useStreamingTts({
+  streamingContent: computed(() => store.streamingContent),
+  streaming: computed(() => store.streaming),
+  enabled: computed(() => listenMode.value && voiceTtsEnabled.value),
+})
+
+function lastAssistantContent(): string {
+  const msgs = store.currentConversation?.messages ?? []
+  return [...msgs].reverse().find((m) => m.role === 'assistant')?.content ?? ''
+}
+
+function toggleListen() {
+  listenMode.value = !listenMode.value
+  if (listenMode.value) {
+    tts.speak(lastAssistantContent())
+  } else {
+    tts.stop()
+  }
+}
 
 // ── Core input ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 const messageInput = ref('')
@@ -173,6 +202,15 @@ async function stopRecording() {
   finally { transcribingVoice.value = false }
 }
 
+// ── Click-outside to dismiss speaker popover ──────────────────────────────────
+function onDocumentMousedown(e: MouseEvent) {
+  if (!speakerPopoverOpen.value) return
+  const target = e.target as HTMLElement | null
+  if (!target?.closest('.speaker-wrapper')) speakerPopoverOpen.value = false
+}
+onMounted(() => document.addEventListener('mousedown', onDocumentMousedown))
+onUnmounted(() => document.removeEventListener('mousedown', onDocumentMousedown))
+
 // ── Exposed interface ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 function focus() {
   inputEl.value?.focus()
@@ -244,6 +282,53 @@ defineExpose({ focus, prefill })
         class="input-textarea"
       ></textarea>
 
+      <!-- Speaker / listen-mode popover -->
+      <div v-if="voiceTtsEnabled" class="speaker-wrapper">
+        <button
+          class="btn-icon btn-speaker"
+          :class="{ 'speaker-active': listenMode, 'speaker-busy': tts.speaking.value }"
+          @click="speakerPopoverOpen = !speakerPopoverOpen"
+          :title="listenMode ? 'Listen mode on' : 'Listen / volume'"
+          aria-label="Listen and volume settings"
+        >
+          <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>
+        <div v-if="speakerPopoverOpen" class="speaker-popover">
+          <button
+            class="speaker-row speaker-row--toggle"
+            :class="{ 'speaker-row--active': listenMode }"
+            @click="toggleListen"
+          >
+            <span class="speaker-row-label">{{ listenMode ? 'Listening' : 'Read aloud' }}</span>
+            <span class="speaker-switch" :class="{ on: listenMode }"></span>
+          </button>
+          <div class="speaker-row">
+            <span class="speaker-row-label">Volume</span>
+            <input
+              type="range" min="0" max="1" step="0.05"
+              :value="audio.volume.value"
+              @input="setVoiceVolume(+($event.target as HTMLInputElement).value)"
+              class="speaker-volume-range"
+              aria-label="Volume"
+            />
+            <span class="speaker-volume-pct">{{ Math.round(audio.volume.value * 100) }}%</span>
+          </div>
+          <button
+            v-if="tts.speaking.value"
+            class="speaker-row speaker-row--stop"
+            @click="tts.stop()"
+          >
+            <svg width="12" height="12" viewBox="0 0 14 14" fill="currentColor"><rect width="14" height="14" rx="2"/></svg>
+            <span>Stop playback</span>
+          </button>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
       <!-- PTT mic (with live amplitude halo behind) -->
       <div v-if="voiceEnabled" class="mic-wrapper">
         <div class="mic-glow" :style="micGlowStyle" aria-hidden="true"></div>
@@ -475,4 +560,77 @@ defineExpose({ focus, prefill })
   flex-shrink: 0;
 }
 .btn-abort-inline:hover { border-color: #ef4444; color: #ef4444; }
+
+/* Speaker / listen-mode popover */
+.speaker-wrapper { position: relative; display: inline-flex; flex-shrink: 0; }
+.btn-speaker.speaker-active { opacity: 1; color: var(--color-primary); }
+.btn-speaker.speaker-busy { opacity: 1; color: #f59e0b; }
+.speaker-popover {
+  position: absolute;
+  bottom: calc(100% + 8px);
+  right: 0;
+  min-width: 220px;
+  background: var(--color-bg-card);
+  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-md);
+  box-shadow: 0 4px 16px var(--color-shadow);
+  padding: 0.35rem;
+  z-index: 30;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: 0.2rem;
+}
+.speaker-row {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 0.6rem;
+  padding: 0.45rem 0.6rem;
+  background: none;
+  border: none;
+  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
+  color: var(--color-text);
+  font-size: 0.85rem;
+  cursor: default;
+  text-align: left;
+  width: 100%;
+}
+.speaker-row--toggle { cursor: pointer; }
+.speaker-row--toggle:hover { background: var(--color-bg-secondary); }
+.speaker-row--active { color: var(--color-primary); }
+.speaker-row--stop {
+  cursor: pointer;
+  color: var(--color-text-muted);
+  justify-content: flex-start;
+}
+.speaker-row--stop:hover { color: #ef4444; background: var(--color-bg-secondary); }
+.speaker-row-label { flex: 1; }
+.speaker-volume-range { flex: 1; min-width: 0; }
+.speaker-volume-pct {
+  font-size: 0.75rem;
+  color: var(--color-text-muted);
+  min-width: 2.5rem;
+  text-align: right;
+}
+.speaker-switch {
+  position: relative;
+  width: 28px;
+  height: 16px;
+  border-radius: 9999px;
+  background: var(--color-border);
+  transition: background 0.15s;
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+}
+.speaker-switch::after {
+  content: '';
+  position: absolute;
+  top: 2px;
+  left: 2px;
+  width: 12px;
+  height: 12px;
+  border-radius: 50%;
+  background: var(--color-bg-card);
+  transition: transform 0.15s;
+}
+.speaker-switch.on { background: var(--color-primary); }
+.speaker-switch.on::after { transform: translateX(12px); }
 </style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue b/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue
index 1c8b40e..4a60884 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue
@@ -1,11 +1,6 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import { ref, computed, watch, nextTick, onMounted } from 'vue'
 import { useChatStore } from '@/stores/chat'
-import { useSettingsStore } from '@/stores/settings'
-import { useStreamingTts } from '@/composables/useStreamingTts'
-import { useVoiceAudio, setVoiceVolume } from '@/composables/useVoiceAudio'
-import { useListenMode } from '@/composables/useListenMode'
-import { apiGet } from '@/api/client'
 import ChatMessage from '@/components/ChatMessage.vue'
 import ChatStreamingBubble from '@/components/ChatStreamingBubble.vue'
 import ChatInputBar from '@/components/ChatInputBar.vue'
@@ -34,33 +29,6 @@ const emit = defineEmits<{
 }>()
 
 const store = useChatStore()
-const settingsStore = useSettingsStore()
-
-// ── Voice / TTS ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-const voiceTtsEnabled = computed(() => settingsStore.voiceTtsReady)
-const listenMode = useListenMode()
-const audio = useVoiceAudio()
-const showVolumeSlider = ref(false)
-
-const tts = useStreamingTts({
-  streamingContent: computed(() => store.streamingContent),
-  streaming: computed(() => store.streaming),
-  enabled: computed(() => listenMode.value && voiceTtsEnabled.value),
-})
-
-function lastAssistantContent(): string {
-  const msgs = store.currentConversation?.messages ?? []
-  return [...msgs].reverse().find((m) => m.role === 'assistant')?.content ?? ''
-}
-
-function toggleListen() {
-  listenMode.value = !listenMode.value
-  if (listenMode.value) {
-    tts.speak(lastAssistantContent())
-  } else {
-    tts.stop()
-  }
-}
 
 // ── Scroll ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 const messagesEl = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
@@ -89,47 +57,6 @@ watch(() => store.streamingToolCalls, (calls) => {
 }, { deep: true })
 watch(() => store.streaming, (s) => { if (!s) _seenCalendarToolIdx.clear() })
 
-// ── RAG scope chip (full, non-briefing, non-workspace) ────────────────────────
-const projects = ref<{ id: number; title: string }[]>([])
-const scopeDropdownOpen = ref(false)
-const scopePulse = ref(false)
-
-const showScopeChip = computed(
-  () => props.variant === 'full' && !props.briefingMode && !props.projectId
-)
-
-const scopeLabel = computed(() => {
-  const id = store.ragProjectId
-  if (id === -1) return 'All notes'
-  if (id === null) return 'Orphan notes'
-  return projects.value.find((p) => p.id === id)?.title ?? `Project ${id}`
-})
-
-async function loadProjects() {
-  try {
-    const data = await apiGet<{ projects: { id: number; title: string }[] }>('/api/projects?status=active')
-    projects.value = data.projects ?? []
-  } catch {
-    projects.value = []
-  }
-}
-
-async function onScopeSelect(value: number | null) {
-  scopeDropdownOpen.value = false
-  const convId = store.currentConversation?.id
-  if (!convId) return
-  await store.updateRagScope(convId, value)
-  scopePulse.value = true
-  setTimeout(() => { scopePulse.value = false }, 600)
-}
-
-// Pulse when model-driven scope change fires
-watch(() => store.ragProjectId, () => {
-  if (!showScopeChip.value) return
-  scopePulse.value = true
-  setTimeout(() => { scopePulse.value = false }, 600)
-})
-
 // ── Note context (full variant — included / suggested / auto-injected notes) ──
 const includedNoteIds = ref<Set<number>>(new Set())
 const includedNotes = ref<{ id: number; title: string }[]>([])
@@ -271,8 +198,7 @@ async function handleSaveAsNote(messageId: number) {
 }
 
 // ── Lifecycle ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-onMounted(async () => {
-  if (showScopeChip.value) await loadProjects()
+onMounted(() => {
   if (props.autoFocus) nextTick(() => inputBarRef.value?.focus())
 })
 
@@ -394,79 +320,6 @@ defineExpose({ focus, prefill, send })
 
       <!-- Input area (hidden when readOnly) -->
       <div v-if="!readOnly" class="input-wrapper">
-      <!-- Scope chip -->
-      <div v-if="showScopeChip" class="scope-chip-row">
-        <div class="scope-chip-wrapper">
-          <button
-            class="scope-chip"
-            :class="{ pulse: scopePulse }"
-            @click="scopeDropdownOpen = !scopeDropdownOpen"
-            title="Change RAG scope"
-          >
-            <span class="scope-dot">⊙</span> {{ scopeLabel }}
-          </button>
-          <div v-if="scopeDropdownOpen" class="scope-dropdown">
-            <button class="scope-option" :class="{ active: store.ragProjectId === null }" @click="onScopeSelect(null)">Orphan notes only</button>
-            <button
-              v-for="p in projects"
-              :key="p.id"
-              class="scope-option"
-              :class="{ active: store.ragProjectId === p.id }"
-              @click="onScopeSelect(p.id)"
-            >{{ p.title }}</button>
-            <button class="scope-option" :class="{ active: store.ragProjectId === -1 }" @click="onScopeSelect(-1)">All notes</button>
-          </div>
-        </div>
-      </div>
-
-      <!-- Listen / volume controls -->
-      <div v-if="voiceTtsEnabled" class="voice-controls">
-        <div class="volume-wrapper">
-          <button
-            class="btn-voice"
-            :class="{ 'btn-voice--active': listenMode, 'btn-voice--busy': tts.speaking.value }"
-            @click="toggleListen"
-            :title="listenMode ? 'Stop auto-read' : 'Read responses 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>
-          <button
-            class="btn-voice btn-volume-icon"
-            @click="showVolumeSlider = !showVolumeSlider"
-            :title="`Volume: ${Math.round(audio.volume.value * 100)}%`"
-            aria-label="Volume"
-          >
-            <svg width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor">
-              <path d="M3 9v6h4l5 5V4L7 9H3zm13.5 3c0-1.77-1.02-3.29-2.5-4.03v8.05c1.48-.73 2.5-2.25 2.5-4.02z"/>
-            </svg>
-          </button>
-          <div v-if="showVolumeSlider" class="volume-popup">
-            <input
-              type="range" min="0" max="1" step="0.05"
-              :value="audio.volume.value"
-              @input="setVoiceVolume(+($event.target as HTMLInputElement).value)"
-              class="volume-range"
-              aria-label="Volume"
-            />
-            <span class="volume-pct">{{ Math.round(audio.volume.value * 100) }}%</span>
-          </div>
-        </div>
-        <button
-          v-if="tts.speaking.value"
-          class="btn-voice"
-          @click="tts.stop()"
-          title="Stop playback"
-        >
-          <svg width="13" height="13" viewBox="0 0 14 14" fill="currentColor"><rect width="14" height="14" rx="2"/></svg>
-        </button>
-      </div>
-
       <!-- Unified input bar -->
       <ChatInputBar
         ref="inputBarRef"
@@ -642,94 +495,6 @@ defineExpose({ focus, prefill, send })
   gap: 0.4rem;
 }
 
-/* Scope chip */
-.scope-chip-row { display: flex; }
-.scope-chip-wrapper { position: relative; }
-.scope-chip {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  gap: 0.3rem;
-  background: none;
-  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
-  border-radius: 20px;
-  padding: 0.2rem 0.65rem;
-  font-size: 0.75rem;
-  color: var(--color-text-muted);
-  cursor: pointer;
-  transition: border-color 0.15s, color 0.15s;
-}
-.scope-chip:hover { border-color: var(--color-primary); color: var(--color-primary); }
-.scope-chip.pulse { animation: pulse-chip 0.6s ease; }
-@keyframes pulse-chip {
-  0%, 100% { border-color: var(--color-border); }
-  50% { border-color: var(--color-primary); color: var(--color-primary); box-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(99,102,241,0.4); }
-}
-.scope-dot { font-size: 0.6rem; }
-.scope-dropdown {
-  position: absolute;
-  top: calc(100% + 4px);
-  left: 0;
-  min-width: 180px;
-  background: var(--color-bg-card);
-  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
-  border-radius: var(--radius-md);
-  box-shadow: 0 4px 16px var(--color-shadow);
-  z-index: 20;
-  overflow: hidden;
-}
-.scope-option {
-  display: block;
-  width: 100%;
-  padding: 0.45rem 0.75rem;
-  text-align: left;
-  background: none;
-  border: none;
-  font-size: 0.85rem;
-  color: var(--color-text);
-  cursor: pointer;
-}
-.scope-option:hover { background: var(--color-bg-secondary); }
-.scope-option.active { color: var(--color-primary); font-weight: 600; }
-
-/* Voice controls */
-.voice-controls {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  gap: 0.2rem;
-}
-.volume-wrapper { position: relative; display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.1rem; }
-.btn-voice {
-  background: none;
-  border: none;
-  cursor: pointer;
-  color: var(--color-text-muted);
-  opacity: 0.65;
-  padding: 0.2rem;
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
-  transition: opacity 0.15s, color 0.15s;
-}
-.btn-voice:hover { opacity: 1; }
-.btn-voice--active { opacity: 1; color: var(--color-primary); }
-.btn-voice--busy { opacity: 1; color: #f59e0b; }
-.volume-popup {
-  position: absolute;
-  bottom: calc(100% + 8px);
-  left: 0;
-  background: var(--color-bg-card);
-  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
-  border-radius: var(--radius-md);
-  padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem;
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  gap: 0.5rem;
-  z-index: 20;
-  box-shadow: 0 4px 16px var(--color-shadow);
-}
-.volume-range { width: 80px; }
-.volume-pct { font-size: 0.75rem; color: var(--color-text-muted); white-space: nowrap; }
-
 /* Queued messages */
 .queued-message { opacity: 0.45; }
 .queued-bubble {
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/ChatView.vue b/frontend/src/views/ChatView.vue
index c6aaf9a..e16c3aa 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/ChatView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/ChatView.vue
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 import { onMounted, onUnmounted, ref, computed, watch, nextTick } from "vue";
 import { useRoute, useRouter } from "vue-router";
 import { useChatStore } from "@/stores/chat";
+import { apiGet } from "@/api/client";
 import ChatPanel from "@/components/ChatPanel.vue";
 
 const route = useRoute();
@@ -14,6 +15,46 @@ const convSearchQuery = ref("");
 const headerKebabOpen = ref(false);
 const sidebarKebabOpen = ref(false);
 
+// ── RAG scope chip ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+const projects = ref<{ id: number; title: string }[]>([]);
+const scopeDropdownOpen = ref(false);
+const scopePulse = ref(false);
+
+const scopeLabel = computed(() => {
+  const id = store.ragProjectId;
+  if (id === -1) return "All notes";
+  if (id === null) return "Orphan notes";
+  return projects.value.find((p) => p.id === id)?.title ?? `Project ${id}`;
+});
+
+async function loadProjects() {
+  try {
+    const data = await apiGet<{ projects: { id: number; title: string }[] }>(
+      "/api/projects?status=active"
+    );
+    projects.value = data.projects ?? [];
+  } catch {
+    projects.value = [];
+  }
+}
+
+async function onScopeSelect(value: number | null) {
+  scopeDropdownOpen.value = false;
+  const id = store.currentConversation?.id;
+  if (!id) return;
+  await store.updateRagScope(id, value);
+  scopePulse.value = true;
+  setTimeout(() => { scopePulse.value = false; }, 600);
+}
+
+watch(
+  () => store.ragProjectId,
+  () => {
+    scopePulse.value = true;
+    setTimeout(() => { scopePulse.value = false; }, 600);
+  }
+);
+
 let prevConvId: number | null = null;
 
 const convId = computed(() => {
@@ -78,6 +119,7 @@ const groupedConversations = computed((): ConvGroup[] => {
 onMounted(async () => {
   document.addEventListener("keydown", onGlobalKeydown);
   document.addEventListener("mousedown", onDocumentMousedown);
+  loadProjects();
   await store.fetchConversations();
   if (convId.value) {
     if (store.currentConversation?.id !== convId.value) {
@@ -207,14 +249,18 @@ function onDocumentMousedown(e: MouseEvent) {
   if (sidebarKebabOpen.value && !target?.closest(".sidebar-kebab-wrapper")) {
     sidebarKebabOpen.value = false;
   }
+  if (scopeDropdownOpen.value && !target?.closest(".scope-chip-wrapper")) {
+    scopeDropdownOpen.value = false;
+  }
 }
 
 // ── Keyboard ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 function onGlobalKeydown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
   if (e.key !== "Escape") return;
-  if (headerKebabOpen.value || sidebarKebabOpen.value) {
+  if (headerKebabOpen.value || sidebarKebabOpen.value || scopeDropdownOpen.value) {
     headerKebabOpen.value = false;
     sidebarKebabOpen.value = false;
+    scopeDropdownOpen.value = false;
     return;
   }
   if (sidebarOpen.value) {
@@ -344,6 +390,36 @@ onUnmounted(() => {
           </button>
           <h2>{{ store.currentConversation.title || "New Chat" }}</h2>
 
+          <div class="scope-chip-wrapper">
+            <button
+              class="scope-chip"
+              :class="{ pulse: scopePulse }"
+              @click="scopeDropdownOpen = !scopeDropdownOpen"
+              title="Change RAG scope"
+            >
+              <span class="scope-dot">⊙</span> {{ scopeLabel }}
+            </button>
+            <div v-if="scopeDropdownOpen" class="scope-dropdown">
+              <button
+                class="scope-option"
+                :class="{ active: store.ragProjectId === null }"
+                @click="onScopeSelect(null)"
+              >Orphan notes only</button>
+              <button
+                v-for="p in projects"
+                :key="p.id"
+                class="scope-option"
+                :class="{ active: store.ragProjectId === p.id }"
+                @click="onScopeSelect(p.id)"
+              >{{ p.title }}</button>
+              <button
+                class="scope-option"
+                :class="{ active: store.ragProjectId === -1 }"
+                @click="onScopeSelect(-1)"
+              >All notes</button>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+
           <div class="header-kebab-wrapper">
             <button
               class="btn-kebab"
@@ -588,6 +664,58 @@ onUnmounted(() => {
   position: relative;
 }
 
+/* RAG scope chip (header) */
+.scope-chip-wrapper { position: relative; flex-shrink: 0; }
+.scope-chip {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 0.3rem;
+  background: none;
+  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  border-radius: 20px;
+  padding: 0.2rem 0.65rem;
+  font-size: 0.75rem;
+  color: var(--color-text-muted);
+  cursor: pointer;
+  transition: border-color 0.15s, color 0.15s;
+}
+.scope-chip:hover { border-color: var(--color-primary); color: var(--color-primary); }
+.scope-chip.pulse { animation: pulse-chip 0.6s ease; }
+@keyframes pulse-chip {
+  0%, 100% { border-color: var(--color-border); }
+  50% {
+    border-color: var(--color-primary);
+    color: var(--color-primary);
+    box-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(99, 102, 241, 0.4);
+  }
+}
+.scope-dot { font-size: 0.6rem; }
+.scope-dropdown {
+  position: absolute;
+  top: calc(100% + 4px);
+  right: 0;
+  min-width: 200px;
+  background: var(--color-bg-card);
+  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-md);
+  box-shadow: 0 4px 16px var(--color-shadow);
+  z-index: 20;
+  overflow: hidden;
+}
+.scope-option {
+  display: block;
+  width: 100%;
+  padding: 0.45rem 0.75rem;
+  text-align: left;
+  background: none;
+  border: none;
+  font-size: 0.85rem;
+  color: var(--color-text);
+  cursor: pointer;
+}
+.scope-option:hover { background: var(--color-bg-secondary); }
+.scope-option.active { color: var(--color-primary); font-weight: 600; }
+
 .kebab-menu {
   position: absolute;
   top: calc(100% + 4px);

From ba0cb07c91d55d0382c9da38320d9736ec32aa70 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bryan Van Deusen <bryan.vandeusen@fabledsword.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:35:30 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 05/13] fix(chat): surface silent generations instead of empty
 bubbles
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

Qwen3:14b sometimes burns output tokens on tool-calling attempts whose
emission doesn't parse into any field we read — eval_count > 0 but no
thinking/content/tool_calls ever stream to the caller. Generation
completes "successfully," the user sees an empty assistant bubble, and
no error is logged. Seen in conv 220 today.

Two safety rails:

- stream_chat_with_tools now tracks whether it yielded anything; when
  Ollama's done frame reports eval_count > 0 with zero yields, log a
  warning including the last ~5 raw frames so the next occurrence leaves
  breadcrumbs for diagnosis.

- run_generation checks the same post-condition after the tool loop
  exits and, if content is empty with no tool calls but output_tokens
  > 0, substitutes a visible fallback message and streams it as a chunk
  so the user gets something readable instead of a blank bubble.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 .../services/generation_task.py               | 23 +++++++++++++++++++
 src/fabledassistant/services/llm.py           | 21 ++++++++++++++++-
 2 files changed, 43 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py b/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py
index dadad0d..d9ab21c 100644
--- a/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py
+++ b/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py
@@ -542,6 +542,29 @@ async def run_generation(
         # Strip model artifacts from final content
         buf.content_so_far = _TOOL_CALL_MARKER.sub("", buf.content_so_far)
 
+        # Silent-generation safety net: the model burned output tokens but
+        # nothing landed in content or tool_calls (seen with qwen3:14b when
+        # its tool-call emission doesn't parse). Show a visible fallback so
+        # the user isn't staring at an empty bubble.
+        if (
+            not cancelled
+            and not buf.content_so_far.strip()
+            and not all_tool_calls
+            and (timing.get("output_tokens") or 0) > 0
+        ):
+            logger.warning(
+                "Silent generation for conv %d: output_tokens=%s but empty content "
+                "and no tool calls (model=%s)",
+                conv_id, timing.get("output_tokens"), model,
+            )
+            fallback = (
+                "I wasn't able to produce a usable response — the model generated "
+                "tokens that couldn't be parsed as content or a tool call. "
+                "Please try rephrasing, or try again."
+            )
+            buf.content_so_far = fallback
+            buf.append_event("chunk", {"chunk": fallback})
+
         # Final save
         logger.info("Generation complete for conv %d: content_length=%d, tool_calls=%d",
                      conv_id, len(buf.content_so_far), len(all_tool_calls))
diff --git a/src/fabledassistant/services/llm.py b/src/fabledassistant/services/llm.py
index ba7ab13..6786618 100644
--- a/src/fabledassistant/services/llm.py
+++ b/src/fabledassistant/services/llm.py
@@ -265,20 +265,31 @@ async def stream_chat_with_tools(
         ) as resp:
             await _raise_ollama_error(resp, model)
             accumulated_tool_calls: list[dict] = []
+            # Silent-generation diagnostic: if Ollama reports non-zero eval_count
+            # but we never yielded any thinking/content/tool_calls, something
+            # in the frames isn't landing in a field we read. Capture the last
+            # few frames so we can see what Ollama actually sent.
+            yielded_anything = False
+            recent_frames: list[str] = []
             async for line in resp.aiter_lines():
                 if not line.strip():
                     continue
+                if len(recent_frames) >= 5:
+                    recent_frames.pop(0)
+                recent_frames.append(line[:500])
                 data = json.loads(line)
                 msg = data.get("message", {})
 
                 # Thinking chunks (qwen3 chain-of-thought, only when think=True)
                 thinking = msg.get("thinking", "")
                 if thinking:
+                    yielded_anything = True
                     yield ChatChunk(type="thinking", content=thinking)
 
                 # Content chunks
                 chunk = msg.get("content", "")
                 if chunk:
+                    yielded_anything = True
                     yield ChatChunk(type="content", content=chunk)
 
                 # Collect tool calls from any message (some models
@@ -294,13 +305,21 @@ async def stream_chat_with_tools(
                             len(accumulated_tool_calls),
                             json.dumps(accumulated_tool_calls)[:500],
                         )
+                        yielded_anything = True
                         yield ChatChunk(type="tool_calls", tool_calls=accumulated_tool_calls)
                     else:
                         logger.debug("Ollama done with no tool calls")
+                    eval_count = data.get("eval_count") or 0
+                    if not yielded_anything and eval_count > 0:
+                        logger.warning(
+                            "Ollama silent generation: model=%s eval_count=%d but no "
+                            "thinking/content/tool_calls were yielded. Last frames: %s",
+                            model, eval_count, recent_frames,
+                        )
                     yield ChatChunk(
                         type="done",
                         prompt_tokens=data.get("prompt_eval_count"),
-                        output_tokens=data.get("eval_count"),
+                        output_tokens=eval_count,
                     )
                     break
 

From 058d6089b119bcbb82f724955f07ebcc0c51f799 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bryan Van Deusen <bryan.vandeusen@fabledsword.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:22:28 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 06/13] fix(chat): retry silent rounds with think=True before
 falling back

Qwen3's tool-call tokens sometimes fail to parse into either content
or tool_calls, burning output tokens and producing empty bubbles.
Detect the signature within a round (empty content, no tool calls,
eval_count > 0) and re-run the same round once with reasoning mode
enabled, which emits more reliable output. The post-loop fallback
remains as the final catch.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 .../services/generation_task.py               | 221 ++++++++++--------
 1 file changed, 126 insertions(+), 95 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py b/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py
index d9ab21c..dfe50f7 100644
--- a/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py
+++ b/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py
@@ -410,103 +410,134 @@ async def run_generation(
             buf.append_event("status", {"status": "Generating response..." if _round == 0 else "Composing response..."})
             t_stream = time.monotonic()
 
-            async for chunk in _stream_with_retry(messages, model, tools, think, num_ctx=num_ctx):
-                if buf.cancel_event.is_set():
-                    cancelled = True
+            round_content_start = len(buf.content_so_far)
+            round_tokens_start = timing.get("output_tokens") or 0
+            effective_think = think
+            retried_with_think = False
+
+            while True:
+                async for chunk in _stream_with_retry(messages, model, tools, effective_think, num_ctx=num_ctx):
+                    if buf.cancel_event.is_set():
+                        cancelled = True
+                        break
+
+                    if chunk.type == "thinking":
+                        if timing["first_token_ms"] is None:
+                            timing["first_token_ms"] = int((time.monotonic() - t_start) * 1000)
+                        buf.append_event("thinking_chunk", {"chunk": chunk.content})
+
+                    elif chunk.type == "content":
+                        if timing["ttft_ms"] is None:
+                            now_ms = int((time.monotonic() - t_start) * 1000)
+                            timing["ttft_ms"] = now_ms
+                            if timing["first_token_ms"] is None:
+                                # No thinking phase occurred — first token IS content.
+                                timing["first_token_ms"] = now_ms
+                            else:
+                                # Thinking phase duration = gap between first thinking
+                                # token and first content token.
+                                timing["thinking_ms"] = now_ms - timing["first_token_ms"]
+                        buf.content_so_far += chunk.content
+                        clean = _TOOL_CALL_MARKER.sub("", chunk.content)
+                        if clean:
+                            buf.append_event("chunk", {"chunk": clean})
+
+                        now = time.monotonic()
+                        if now - last_flush >= DB_FLUSH_INTERVAL:
+                            try:
+                                await _update_message(msg_id, buf.content_so_far, "generating")
+                            except Exception:
+                                logger.warning("Failed periodic flush for message %d", msg_id, exc_info=True)
+                            last_flush = now
+
+                    elif chunk.type == "done":
+                        if chunk.prompt_tokens is not None:
+                            timing["prompt_tokens"] = (timing["prompt_tokens"] or 0) + chunk.prompt_tokens
+                        if chunk.output_tokens is not None:
+                            timing["output_tokens"] = (timing["output_tokens"] or 0) + chunk.output_tokens
+
+                    elif chunk.type == "tool_calls" and chunk.tool_calls:
+                        logger.info("Round %d: model returned %d tool call(s)", _round, len(chunk.tool_calls))
+                        for tc in chunk.tool_calls:
+                            fn = tc.get("function", {})
+                            tool_name = fn.get("name", "")
+                            arguments = fn.get("arguments", {})
+                            logger.info("Executing tool: %s(%s)", tool_name, json.dumps(arguments)[:200])
+                            buf.append_event("status", {"status": f"{_TOOL_LABELS.get(tool_name, 'Working')}..."})
+
+                            t_tool = time.monotonic()
+                            if tool_name == "research_topic":
+                                topic = arguments.get("topic", "")
+                                try:
+                                    note = await run_research_pipeline(topic, user_id, model, buf, project_id=workspace_project_id)
+                                    result = {
+                                        "success": True,
+                                        "type": "research_note",
+                                        "data": {"id": note.id, "title": note.title},
+                                    }
+                                    done_text = (
+                                        f"\n\n---\n\nResearch complete! I've compiled a note: "
+                                        f"**[{note.title}](/notes/{note.id})**."
+                                    )
+                                    buf.append_event("chunk", {"chunk": done_text})
+                                    buf.content_so_far += done_text
+                                except Exception as e:
+                                    logger.exception("Research pipeline failed for topic: %s", topic)
+                                    err_msg = str(e) or f"{type(e).__name__}: unexpected error"
+                                    result = {"success": False, "error": err_msg}
+                                    err_text = f"\nResearch failed: {err_msg}"
+                                    buf.append_event("chunk", {"chunk": err_text})
+                                    buf.content_so_far += err_text
+                                research_completed = True
+                            else:
+                                result = await execute_tool(
+                                    user_id, tool_name, arguments,
+                                    conv_id=conv_id,
+                                    workspace_project_id=workspace_project_id,
+                                )
+
+                            # Capture RAG scope change for SSE done event
+                            if result.get("type") == "rag_scope_set" and result.get("success"):
+                                new_rag_scope = arguments.get("project_id")
+                                new_rag_scope_label = result.get("scope_label")
+
+                            timing["tools"].append({"name": tool_name, "ms": int((time.monotonic() - t_tool) * 1000)})
+                            logger.info("Tool %s result: success=%s", tool_name, result.get("success"))
+
+                            tool_record = {
+                                "function": tool_name,
+                                "arguments": arguments,
+                                "result": result,
+                                "status": "success" if result.get("success") else "error",
+                            }
+                            round_tool_calls.append(tool_record)
+                            all_tool_calls.append(tool_record)
+                            buf.append_event("tool_call", {"tool_call": tool_record})
+
+                if cancelled:
                     break
 
-                if chunk.type == "thinking":
-                    if timing["first_token_ms"] is None:
-                        timing["first_token_ms"] = int((time.monotonic() - t_start) * 1000)
-                    buf.append_event("thinking_chunk", {"chunk": chunk.content})
-
-                elif chunk.type == "content":
-                    if timing["ttft_ms"] is None:
-                        now_ms = int((time.monotonic() - t_start) * 1000)
-                        timing["ttft_ms"] = now_ms
-                        if timing["first_token_ms"] is None:
-                            # No thinking phase occurred — first token IS content.
-                            timing["first_token_ms"] = now_ms
-                        else:
-                            # Thinking phase duration = gap between first thinking
-                            # token and first content token.
-                            timing["thinking_ms"] = now_ms - timing["first_token_ms"]
-                    buf.content_so_far += chunk.content
-                    clean = _TOOL_CALL_MARKER.sub("", chunk.content)
-                    if clean:
-                        buf.append_event("chunk", {"chunk": clean})
-
-                    now = time.monotonic()
-                    if now - last_flush >= DB_FLUSH_INTERVAL:
-                        try:
-                            await _update_message(msg_id, buf.content_so_far, "generating")
-                        except Exception:
-                            logger.warning("Failed periodic flush for message %d", msg_id, exc_info=True)
-                        last_flush = now
-
-                elif chunk.type == "done":
-                    if chunk.prompt_tokens is not None:
-                        timing["prompt_tokens"] = (timing["prompt_tokens"] or 0) + chunk.prompt_tokens
-                    if chunk.output_tokens is not None:
-                        timing["output_tokens"] = (timing["output_tokens"] or 0) + chunk.output_tokens
-
-                elif chunk.type == "tool_calls" and chunk.tool_calls:
-                    logger.info("Round %d: model returned %d tool call(s)", _round, len(chunk.tool_calls))
-                    for tc in chunk.tool_calls:
-                        fn = tc.get("function", {})
-                        tool_name = fn.get("name", "")
-                        arguments = fn.get("arguments", {})
-                        logger.info("Executing tool: %s(%s)", tool_name, json.dumps(arguments)[:200])
-                        buf.append_event("status", {"status": f"{_TOOL_LABELS.get(tool_name, 'Working')}..."})
-
-                        t_tool = time.monotonic()
-                        if tool_name == "research_topic":
-                            topic = arguments.get("topic", "")
-                            try:
-                                note = await run_research_pipeline(topic, user_id, model, buf, project_id=workspace_project_id)
-                                result = {
-                                    "success": True,
-                                    "type": "research_note",
-                                    "data": {"id": note.id, "title": note.title},
-                                }
-                                done_text = (
-                                    f"\n\n---\n\nResearch complete! I've compiled a note: "
-                                    f"**[{note.title}](/notes/{note.id})**."
-                                )
-                                buf.append_event("chunk", {"chunk": done_text})
-                                buf.content_so_far += done_text
-                            except Exception as e:
-                                logger.exception("Research pipeline failed for topic: %s", topic)
-                                err_msg = str(e) or f"{type(e).__name__}: unexpected error"
-                                result = {"success": False, "error": err_msg}
-                                err_text = f"\nResearch failed: {err_msg}"
-                                buf.append_event("chunk", {"chunk": err_text})
-                                buf.content_so_far += err_text
-                            research_completed = True
-                        else:
-                            result = await execute_tool(
-                                user_id, tool_name, arguments,
-                                conv_id=conv_id,
-                                workspace_project_id=workspace_project_id,
-                            )
-
-                        # Capture RAG scope change for SSE done event
-                        if result.get("type") == "rag_scope_set" and result.get("success"):
-                            new_rag_scope = arguments.get("project_id")
-                            new_rag_scope_label = result.get("scope_label")
-
-                        timing["tools"].append({"name": tool_name, "ms": int((time.monotonic() - t_tool) * 1000)})
-                        logger.info("Tool %s result: success=%s", tool_name, result.get("success"))
-
-                        tool_record = {
-                            "function": tool_name,
-                            "arguments": arguments,
-                            "result": result,
-                            "status": "success" if result.get("success") else "error",
-                        }
-                        round_tool_calls.append(tool_record)
-                        all_tool_calls.append(tool_record)
-                        buf.append_event("tool_call", {"tool_call": tool_record})
+                round_content_added = len(buf.content_so_far) - round_content_start
+                round_tokens_added = (timing.get("output_tokens") or 0) - round_tokens_start
+                if (
+                    not round_tool_calls
+                    and round_content_added == 0
+                    and round_tokens_added > 0
+                    and not effective_think
+                    and not retried_with_think
+                ):
+                    # Silent round: qwen3's tool-call tokens sometimes aren't
+                    # parsed into content or tool_calls. Retry once with
+                    # think=True — reasoning mode produces more reliable output.
+                    logger.warning(
+                        "Silent round %d for conv %d (tokens=%d); retrying with think=True",
+                        _round, conv_id, round_tokens_added,
+                    )
+                    buf.append_event("status", {"status": "Retrying with reasoning enabled..."})
+                    effective_think = True
+                    retried_with_think = True
+                    continue
+                break
 
             timing["generation_ms"] = int((time.monotonic() - t_stream) * 1000)
 

From 90822812258266f93b733fdfa33b568a8407736c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bryan Van Deusen <bryan.vandeusen@fabledsword.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:12:11 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 07/13] =?UTF-8?q?feat(chat):=20Phase=20C=20=E2=80=94=20col?=
 =?UTF-8?q?lapsible=20context=20sidebar=20with=20header=20toggle?=
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

Context sidebar sections (Auto-included / Suggested / In Context) are
now collapsible with chevrons, and collapsed state persists per
conversation via localStorage. A new Context (N) button in the chat
header toggles the whole sidebar — open by default on wide screens
(>=1200px), closed by default below. Visual differentiation: auto-
included notes get a muted background with an AUTO pill, in-context
notes get an active-chip style with a primary-colored left border,
and each section header shows its item count.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue | 192 ++++++++++++++++++++++----
 frontend/src/views/ChatView.vue       |  50 +++++++
 2 files changed, 214 insertions(+), 28 deletions(-)

diff --git a/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue b/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue
index 4a60884..3c19ff1 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { ref, computed, watch, nextTick, onMounted } from 'vue'
+import { ref, computed, watch, nextTick, onMounted, onUnmounted } from 'vue'
 import { useChatStore } from '@/stores/chat'
 import ChatMessage from '@/components/ChatMessage.vue'
 import ChatStreamingBubble from '@/components/ChatStreamingBubble.vue'
@@ -117,11 +117,71 @@ function removeIncludedNote(noteId: number) {
   }
 }
 
-const hasContextSidebar = computed(
-  () => props.variant === 'full' && !props.briefingMode && !props.projectId &&
-    (autoInjectedNotes.value.length > 0 || includedNotes.value.length > 0 || suggestedNotes.value.length > 0)
+const contextCount = computed(
+  () => autoInjectedNotes.value.length + suggestedNotes.value.length + includedNotes.value.length
 )
 
+const hasContextData = computed(
+  () => props.variant === 'full' && !props.briefingMode && !props.projectId && contextCount.value > 0
+)
+
+// ── Narrow-viewport sidebar toggle ────────────────────────────────────────────
+const NARROW_BREAKPOINT = 1200
+const isNarrow = ref(typeof window !== 'undefined' && window.innerWidth < NARROW_BREAKPOINT)
+const sidebarOpen = ref(!isNarrow.value)
+
+function onResize() {
+  isNarrow.value = window.innerWidth < NARROW_BREAKPOINT
+}
+onMounted(() => window.addEventListener('resize', onResize))
+onUnmounted(() => window.removeEventListener('resize', onResize))
+
+function toggleContextSidebar() {
+  sidebarOpen.value = !sidebarOpen.value
+}
+
+const hasContextSidebar = computed(() => hasContextData.value && sidebarOpen.value)
+
+// ── Collapsible sections (per-conversation, localStorage) ─────────────────────
+type SectionKey = 'auto' | 'suggested' | 'included'
+const collapsedSections = ref<Set<SectionKey>>(new Set())
+
+function storageKey(): string | null {
+  const id = store.currentConversation?.id
+  return id ? `fa_chat_ctx_collapsed_${id}` : null
+}
+
+function loadCollapsed() {
+  const key = storageKey()
+  if (!key) { collapsedSections.value = new Set(); return }
+  try {
+    const raw = localStorage.getItem(key)
+    if (!raw) { collapsedSections.value = new Set(); return }
+    const arr = JSON.parse(raw) as SectionKey[]
+    collapsedSections.value = new Set(arr)
+  } catch {
+    collapsedSections.value = new Set()
+  }
+}
+
+function saveCollapsed() {
+  const key = storageKey()
+  if (!key) return
+  try {
+    localStorage.setItem(key, JSON.stringify([...collapsedSections.value]))
+  } catch { /* ignore */ }
+}
+
+function toggleSection(key: SectionKey) {
+  const next = new Set(collapsedSections.value)
+  if (next.has(key)) next.delete(key)
+  else next.add(key)
+  collapsedSections.value = next
+  saveCollapsed()
+}
+
+watch(() => store.currentConversation?.id, () => loadCollapsed(), { immediate: true })
+
 // ── Send ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 const inputBarRef = ref<InstanceType<typeof ChatInputBar> | null>(null)
 
@@ -232,7 +292,7 @@ function hasEarlierBriefingSlot(index: number): boolean {
   return false
 }
 
-defineExpose({ focus, prefill, send })
+defineExpose({ focus, prefill, send, contextCount, sidebarOpen, toggleContextSidebar, hasContextData })
 </script>
 
 <template>
@@ -286,34 +346,65 @@ defineExpose({ focus, prefill, send })
       <!-- Context sidebar (full, non-briefing, non-workspace) -->
       <aside v-if="hasContextSidebar" class="context-sidebar">
         <template v-if="autoInjectedNotes.length">
-          <div class="context-sidebar-header">Auto-included</div>
-          <div v-for="note in autoInjectedNotes" :key="note.id" class="context-note context-note-auto">
-            <router-link :to="`/notes/${note.id}`" class="context-note-name">{{ note.title }}</router-link>
-            <span
-              v-if="note.score != null"
-              class="context-note-score"
-              :class="{ 'score-high': note.score >= 0.75, 'score-medium': note.score >= 0.60 && note.score < 0.75, 'score-low': note.score < 0.60 }"
-            >{{ Math.round(note.score * 100) }}%</span>
-            <button class="context-note-remove" @click="excludeAutoNote(note.id)">&times;</button>
+          <button
+            class="context-sidebar-header"
+            :class="{ collapsed: collapsedSections.has('auto') }"
+            @click="toggleSection('auto')"
+          >
+            <svg class="chev" width="10" height="10" viewBox="0 0 10 10" fill="currentColor"><path d="M2 3l3 4 3-4z"/></svg>
+            <span>Auto-included</span>
+            <span class="section-count">{{ autoInjectedNotes.length }}</span>
+          </button>
+          <div v-show="!collapsedSections.has('auto')">
+            <div v-for="note in autoInjectedNotes" :key="note.id" class="context-note context-note-auto">
+              <span class="auto-pill" title="Auto-included by relevance">AUTO</span>
+              <router-link :to="`/notes/${note.id}`" class="context-note-name">{{ note.title }}</router-link>
+              <span
+                v-if="note.score != null"
+                class="context-note-score"
+                :class="{ 'score-high': note.score >= 0.75, 'score-medium': note.score >= 0.60 && note.score < 0.75, 'score-low': note.score < 0.60 }"
+              >{{ Math.round(note.score * 100) }}%</span>
+              <button class="context-note-remove" @click="excludeAutoNote(note.id)" title="Remove from context">&times;</button>
+            </div>
           </div>
         </template>
         <template v-if="suggestedNotes.length">
-          <div class="context-sidebar-header" :class="{ 'context-sidebar-header-gap': autoInjectedNotes.length }">Suggested</div>
-          <div v-for="note in suggestedNotes" :key="note.id" class="context-note context-note-suggested">
-            <router-link :to="`/notes/${note.id}`" class="context-note-name">{{ note.title }}</router-link>
-            <span
-              v-if="note.score != null"
-              class="context-note-score"
-              :class="{ 'score-high': note.score >= 0.75, 'score-medium': note.score >= 0.60 && note.score < 0.75, 'score-low': note.score < 0.60 }"
-            >{{ Math.round(note.score * 100) }}%</span>
-            <button class="context-note-add" @click="includeNote(note)" title="Add to context">+</button>
+          <button
+            class="context-sidebar-header"
+            :class="{ collapsed: collapsedSections.has('suggested'), 'context-sidebar-header-gap': autoInjectedNotes.length }"
+            @click="toggleSection('suggested')"
+          >
+            <svg class="chev" width="10" height="10" viewBox="0 0 10 10" fill="currentColor"><path d="M2 3l3 4 3-4z"/></svg>
+            <span>Suggested</span>
+            <span class="section-count">{{ suggestedNotes.length }}</span>
+          </button>
+          <div v-show="!collapsedSections.has('suggested')">
+            <div v-for="note in suggestedNotes" :key="note.id" class="context-note context-note-suggested">
+              <router-link :to="`/notes/${note.id}`" class="context-note-name">{{ note.title }}</router-link>
+              <span
+                v-if="note.score != null"
+                class="context-note-score"
+                :class="{ 'score-high': note.score >= 0.75, 'score-medium': note.score >= 0.60 && note.score < 0.75, 'score-low': note.score < 0.60 }"
+              >{{ Math.round(note.score * 100) }}%</span>
+              <button class="context-note-add" @click="includeNote(note)" title="Add to context">+</button>
+            </div>
           </div>
         </template>
         <template v-if="includedNotes.length">
-          <div class="context-sidebar-header" :class="{ 'context-sidebar-header-gap': autoInjectedNotes.length || suggestedNotes.length }">In Context</div>
-          <div v-for="note in includedNotes" :key="note.id" class="context-note context-note-included">
-            <router-link :to="`/notes/${note.id}`" class="context-note-name">{{ note.title }}</router-link>
-            <button class="context-note-remove" @click="removeIncludedNote(note.id)">&times;</button>
+          <button
+            class="context-sidebar-header"
+            :class="{ collapsed: collapsedSections.has('included'), 'context-sidebar-header-gap': autoInjectedNotes.length || suggestedNotes.length }"
+            @click="toggleSection('included')"
+          >
+            <svg class="chev" width="10" height="10" viewBox="0 0 10 10" fill="currentColor"><path d="M2 3l3 4 3-4z"/></svg>
+            <span>In Context</span>
+            <span class="section-count">{{ includedNotes.length }}</span>
+          </button>
+          <div v-show="!collapsedSections.has('included')">
+            <div v-for="note in includedNotes" :key="note.id" class="context-note context-note-included">
+              <router-link :to="`/notes/${note.id}`" class="context-note-name">{{ note.title }}</router-link>
+              <button class="context-note-remove" @click="removeIncludedNote(note.id)" title="Remove from context">&times;</button>
+            </div>
           </div>
         </template>
       </aside>
@@ -438,19 +529,64 @@ defineExpose({ focus, prefill, send })
   font-size: 0.78rem;
 }
 .context-sidebar-header {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 0.35rem;
+  width: 100%;
+  background: none;
+  border: none;
+  padding: 0.15rem 0.1rem;
+  font-family: inherit;
   font-size: 0.65rem;
   font-weight: 700;
   text-transform: uppercase;
   letter-spacing: 0.05em;
   color: var(--color-text-muted);
   margin-bottom: 0.35rem;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  text-align: left;
+}
+.context-sidebar-header:hover { color: var(--color-text); }
+.context-sidebar-header .chev {
+  transition: transform 0.15s ease;
+}
+.context-sidebar-header.collapsed .chev {
+  transform: rotate(-90deg);
+}
+.context-sidebar-header .section-count {
+  margin-left: auto;
+  color: var(--color-text-muted);
+  font-weight: 600;
+  background: var(--color-bg);
+  padding: 0.05rem 0.3rem;
+  border-radius: 8px;
 }
 .context-sidebar-header-gap { margin-top: 0.75rem; }
 .context-note {
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
-  gap: 0.2rem;
+  gap: 0.25rem;
   margin-bottom: 0.25rem;
+  padding: 0.2rem 0.35rem;
+  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
+}
+.context-note-auto {
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-text-muted) 8%, transparent);
+  opacity: 0.85;
+}
+.context-note-included {
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-primary) 10%, transparent);
+  border-left: 2px solid var(--color-primary);
+}
+.auto-pill {
+  font-size: 0.55rem;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
+  padding: 0.05rem 0.3rem;
+  border-radius: 4px;
+  background: var(--color-bg);
+  color: var(--color-text-muted);
+  flex-shrink: 0;
 }
 .context-note-name {
   flex: 1;
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/ChatView.vue b/frontend/src/views/ChatView.vue
index e16c3aa..0961770 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/ChatView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/ChatView.vue
@@ -240,6 +240,12 @@ async function handleSummarize() {
 
 const chatPanelRef = ref<InstanceType<typeof ChatPanel> | null>(null);
 
+const contextCount = computed(() => chatPanelRef.value?.contextCount ?? 0);
+const contextSidebarOpen = computed(() => chatPanelRef.value?.sidebarOpen ?? false);
+function toggleContextSidebar() {
+  chatPanelRef.value?.toggleContextSidebar();
+}
+
 // ── Kebab dismissal ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 function onDocumentMousedown(e: MouseEvent) {
   const target = e.target as HTMLElement | null;
@@ -420,6 +426,18 @@ onUnmounted(() => {
             </div>
           </div>
 
+          <button
+            v-if="contextCount > 0"
+            class="btn-context-toggle"
+            :class="{ active: contextSidebarOpen }"
+            @click="toggleContextSidebar"
+            :title="contextSidebarOpen ? 'Hide context panel' : 'Show context panel'"
+          >
+            <span class="context-icon">📎</span>
+            <span class="context-label">Context</span>
+            <span class="context-count-badge">{{ contextCount }}</span>
+          </button>
+
           <div class="header-kebab-wrapper">
             <button
               class="btn-kebab"
@@ -716,6 +734,38 @@ onUnmounted(() => {
 .scope-option:hover { background: var(--color-bg-secondary); }
 .scope-option.active { color: var(--color-primary); font-weight: 600; }
 
+/* Context toggle button (header) */
+.btn-context-toggle {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 0.3rem;
+  background: none;
+  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  border-radius: 20px;
+  padding: 0.2rem 0.55rem;
+  font-size: 0.75rem;
+  color: var(--color-text-muted);
+  cursor: pointer;
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+  transition: border-color 0.15s, color 0.15s, background 0.15s;
+  font-family: inherit;
+}
+.btn-context-toggle:hover { border-color: var(--color-primary); color: var(--color-primary); }
+.btn-context-toggle.active {
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-primary) 10%, transparent);
+  border-color: var(--color-primary);
+  color: var(--color-primary);
+}
+.context-icon { font-size: 0.85rem; line-height: 1; }
+.context-count-badge {
+  font-size: 0.65rem;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  background: var(--color-bg);
+  padding: 0.05rem 0.35rem;
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  color: var(--color-text);
+}
+
 .kebab-menu {
   position: absolute;
   top: calc(100% + 4px);

From 5e281c534ae5ae2ad3845cc98be2439ad61cce78 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bryan Van Deusen <bryan.vandeusen@fabledsword.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:29:14 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 08/13] fix(chat): add bottom padding to messages container to
 clear input bar
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

Streaming bubble (Generating response…) was flush against the input
wrapper top border. Give the scroll column 0.75rem of breathing room
so the assistant bubble sits visibly separate from the input.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue b/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue
index 3c19ff1..7327d85 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue
@@ -499,7 +499,7 @@ defineExpose({ focus, prefill, send, contextCount, sidebarOpen, toggleContextSid
   grid-column: 2;
   grid-row: 1;
   overflow-y: auto;
-  padding: 1rem 1rem 0;
+  padding: 1rem 1rem 0.75rem;
   mask-image: linear-gradient(to bottom, transparent, black 20px, black calc(100% - 20px), transparent);
   -webkit-mask-image: linear-gradient(to bottom, transparent, black 20px, black calc(100% - 20px), transparent);
 }

From b6165e56e53e8a5e4239e00bfb001722b11841f6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bryan Van Deusen <bryan.vandeusen@fabledsword.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:09:08 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 09/13] chore(generation): add CTX_DIAG logs for silent-round
 investigation

Log num_ctx, message count, prompt/output tokens, headroom, and a
silent flag per round so we can correlate silent generations against
context pressure on the dev instance.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 .../services/generation_task.py                | 18 ++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 18 insertions(+)

diff --git a/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py b/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py
index dfe50f7..d3e90dd 100644
--- a/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py
+++ b/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py
@@ -412,8 +412,14 @@ async def run_generation(
 
             round_content_start = len(buf.content_so_far)
             round_tokens_start = timing.get("output_tokens") or 0
+            round_prompt_tokens_start = timing.get("prompt_tokens") or 0
+            approx_msg_chars = sum(len(str(m.get("content", ""))) for m in messages)
             effective_think = think
             retried_with_think = False
+            logger.info(
+                "CTX_DIAG round_start conv=%d round=%d num_ctx=%d msgs=%d approx_chars=%d think=%s",
+                conv_id, _round, num_ctx, len(messages), approx_msg_chars, effective_think,
+            )
 
             while True:
                 async for chunk in _stream_with_retry(messages, model, tools, effective_think, num_ctx=num_ctx):
@@ -519,6 +525,18 @@ async def run_generation(
 
                 round_content_added = len(buf.content_so_far) - round_content_start
                 round_tokens_added = (timing.get("output_tokens") or 0) - round_tokens_start
+                round_prompt_tokens = (timing.get("prompt_tokens") or 0) - round_prompt_tokens_start
+                headroom = num_ctx - round_prompt_tokens if round_prompt_tokens else None
+                is_silent = (
+                    not round_tool_calls
+                    and round_content_added == 0
+                    and round_tokens_added > 0
+                )
+                logger.info(
+                    "CTX_DIAG round_end conv=%d round=%d think=%s prompt_tokens=%d output_tokens=%d headroom=%s content_added=%d tool_calls=%d silent=%s",
+                    conv_id, _round, effective_think, round_prompt_tokens, round_tokens_added,
+                    headroom, round_content_added, len(round_tool_calls), is_silent,
+                )
                 if (
                     not round_tool_calls
                     and round_content_added == 0

From 1261e93ede0a2e31c1eecbfc7612ee245636964f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bryan Van Deusen <bryan.vandeusen@fabledsword.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:39:49 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 10/13] chore(generation): track CTX_DIAG per attempt not per
 round

Retry attempts were previously conflated with the initial call,
making prompt_tokens and headroom look cumulative and useless for
diagnosing the silent-round behavior. Move start-of-attempt captures
inside the retry loop and emit attempt_start / attempt_end lines so
each attempt's numbers stand alone.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 .../services/generation_task.py               | 44 ++++++++++---------
 1 file changed, 23 insertions(+), 21 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py b/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py
index d3e90dd..6808101 100644
--- a/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py
+++ b/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py
@@ -410,18 +410,20 @@ async def run_generation(
             buf.append_event("status", {"status": "Generating response..." if _round == 0 else "Composing response..."})
             t_stream = time.monotonic()
 
-            round_content_start = len(buf.content_so_far)
-            round_tokens_start = timing.get("output_tokens") or 0
-            round_prompt_tokens_start = timing.get("prompt_tokens") or 0
             approx_msg_chars = sum(len(str(m.get("content", ""))) for m in messages)
             effective_think = think
             retried_with_think = False
-            logger.info(
-                "CTX_DIAG round_start conv=%d round=%d num_ctx=%d msgs=%d approx_chars=%d think=%s",
-                conv_id, _round, num_ctx, len(messages), approx_msg_chars, effective_think,
-            )
+            attempt = 0
 
             while True:
+                attempt_content_start = len(buf.content_so_far)
+                attempt_output_tokens_start = timing.get("output_tokens") or 0
+                attempt_prompt_tokens_start = timing.get("prompt_tokens") or 0
+                attempt_tool_calls_start = len(round_tool_calls)
+                logger.info(
+                    "CTX_DIAG attempt_start conv=%d round=%d attempt=%d num_ctx=%d msgs=%d approx_chars=%d think=%s",
+                    conv_id, _round, attempt, num_ctx, len(messages), approx_msg_chars, effective_think,
+                )
                 async for chunk in _stream_with_retry(messages, model, tools, effective_think, num_ctx=num_ctx):
                     if buf.cancel_event.is_set():
                         cancelled = True
@@ -523,24 +525,23 @@ async def run_generation(
                 if cancelled:
                     break
 
-                round_content_added = len(buf.content_so_far) - round_content_start
-                round_tokens_added = (timing.get("output_tokens") or 0) - round_tokens_start
-                round_prompt_tokens = (timing.get("prompt_tokens") or 0) - round_prompt_tokens_start
-                headroom = num_ctx - round_prompt_tokens if round_prompt_tokens else None
+                attempt_content_added = len(buf.content_so_far) - attempt_content_start
+                attempt_tokens_added = (timing.get("output_tokens") or 0) - attempt_output_tokens_start
+                attempt_prompt_tokens = (timing.get("prompt_tokens") or 0) - attempt_prompt_tokens_start
+                attempt_tool_calls_added = len(round_tool_calls) - attempt_tool_calls_start
+                headroom = num_ctx - attempt_prompt_tokens if attempt_prompt_tokens else None
                 is_silent = (
-                    not round_tool_calls
-                    and round_content_added == 0
-                    and round_tokens_added > 0
+                    attempt_tool_calls_added == 0
+                    and attempt_content_added == 0
+                    and attempt_tokens_added > 0
                 )
                 logger.info(
-                    "CTX_DIAG round_end conv=%d round=%d think=%s prompt_tokens=%d output_tokens=%d headroom=%s content_added=%d tool_calls=%d silent=%s",
-                    conv_id, _round, effective_think, round_prompt_tokens, round_tokens_added,
-                    headroom, round_content_added, len(round_tool_calls), is_silent,
+                    "CTX_DIAG attempt_end conv=%d round=%d attempt=%d think=%s prompt_tokens=%d output_tokens=%d headroom=%s content_added=%d tool_calls=%d silent=%s",
+                    conv_id, _round, attempt, effective_think, attempt_prompt_tokens, attempt_tokens_added,
+                    headroom, attempt_content_added, attempt_tool_calls_added, is_silent,
                 )
                 if (
-                    not round_tool_calls
-                    and round_content_added == 0
-                    and round_tokens_added > 0
+                    is_silent
                     and not effective_think
                     and not retried_with_think
                 ):
@@ -549,11 +550,12 @@ async def run_generation(
                     # think=True — reasoning mode produces more reliable output.
                     logger.warning(
                         "Silent round %d for conv %d (tokens=%d); retrying with think=True",
-                        _round, conv_id, round_tokens_added,
+                        _round, conv_id, attempt_tokens_added,
                     )
                     buf.append_event("status", {"status": "Retrying with reasoning enabled..."})
                     effective_think = True
                     retried_with_think = True
+                    attempt += 1
                     continue
                 break
 

From fddac2aa2fdc86012970d3dc414e1e826c59646b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bryan Van Deusen <bryan.vandeusen@fabledsword.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:09:16 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 11/13] fix(chat): always think on qwen3, drop content-based
 classifier
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

Content-based gating (_should_think) was introduced in 87fcaa6 to cut
TTFT on simple prompts, but it has no way to tell that short prompts
like "create a task titled X" are going to trigger a tool call — and
qwen3:14b's tool-call template is unreliable at think=False, producing
intermittent silent generations where output tokens burn but nothing
parses into content or tool_calls.

Reverting to always-on thinking restores the pre-87fcaa6 reliability
of tool emission at the cost of TTFT latency on short conversational
prompts. This also lets us delete the silent-round retry loop (which
can no longer fire) along with its bookkeeping.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 docs/architecture.md                          |   2 +-
 .../services/generation_task.py               | 337 +++++++-----------
 tests/test_should_think.py                    | 127 -------
 3 files changed, 123 insertions(+), 343 deletions(-)
 delete mode 100644 tests/test_should_think.py

diff --git a/docs/architecture.md b/docs/architecture.md
index 9069ee9..bb3a6e0 100644
--- a/docs/architecture.md
+++ b/docs/architecture.md
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ See [sso-oauth.md](sso-oauth.md) for provider-specific setup instructions.
 
 ### Tool Routing
 
-No separate intent router — the main model handles all tool routing directly via Ollama's structured tool-calling output. The model receives the full tool schema list and decides whether to call a tool or respond conversationally. A thinking-mode heuristic (`_should_think()`) detects complex prompts and enables extended reasoning.
+No separate intent router — the main model handles all tool routing directly via Ollama's structured tool-calling output. The model receives the full tool schema list and decides whether to call a tool or respond conversationally. Extended reasoning (`think=True`) is always on for qwen3-class models: content-based gating was tried but exposed tool-call template fragility on short tool-intent prompts.
 
 ### Tool Loop
 
diff --git a/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py b/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py
index 6808101..eccdb63 100644
--- a/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py
+++ b/src/fabledassistant/services/generation_task.py
@@ -115,72 +115,6 @@ async def _maybe_save_article_discussion_note(
             conv_id, exc_info=True,
         )
 
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Thinking decision
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-#
-# `_should_think` is the single source of truth for whether a qwen3-class
-# model should engage chain-of-thought for a given request. Frontend callers
-# should NOT hardcode think=True — leave it False and let the classifier
-# decide from message content. An explicit think_requested=True still acts
-# as an override for callers (e.g. a future UI toggle or MCP client) that
-# want to force extended reasoning regardless of content.
-#
-# Why gate it: on qwen3:14b, thinking adds 5–20s of latency before the first
-# visible content token, and most conversational messages do not benefit.
-# Gating by content keeps quick chats fast while preserving reasoning depth
-# for prompts that actually need it.
-#
-# Models that don't support extended reasoning (e.g. llama3, mistral) simply
-# ignore the `think` parameter in the Ollama chat request, so the decision
-# here is harmless on non-thinking models.
-
-
-# Keywords that strongly suggest the user wants reasoning / analysis. Matched
-# case-insensitively as whole-ish phrases.
-_THINK_KEYWORDS: tuple[str, ...] = (
-    "why", "how does", "how do i", "how would", "how should",
-    "explain", "analyze", "analyse", "compare", "contrast",
-    "design", "architect", "architecture", "plan out", "strategize",
-    "debug", "diagnose", "troubleshoot", "root cause",
-    "review", "critique", "evaluate", "trade-off", "tradeoff", "trade off",
-    "pros and cons", "step by step", "walk me through",
-    "prove", "derive", "figure out", "work through",
-    "discuss",  # covers briefing /discuss-article + /discuss-topic entry points
-)
-
-# Messages shorter than this and without any think-keyword are treated as
-# simple/conversational and skip the thinking phase.
-_SHORT_MESSAGE_CHARS = 80
-
-# Messages longer than this are treated as substantive regardless of keywords.
-_LONG_MESSAGE_CHARS = 400
-
-
-def _should_think(user_content: str, think_requested: bool) -> bool:
-    """Return whether extended thinking should be used for this request.
-
-    ``think_requested`` acts as an explicit override: if True, thinking is
-    forced on regardless of content. If False (the default), the decision is
-    made by inspecting the message: long or keyword-bearing messages get
-    thinking; short conversational messages skip it.
-    """
-    if think_requested:
-        return True
-    text = (user_content or "").strip()
-    if not text:
-        return False
-    if len(text) >= _LONG_MESSAGE_CHARS:
-        return True
-    lowered = text.lower()
-    if any(kw in lowered for kw in _THINK_KEYWORDS):
-        return True
-    if len(text) < _SHORT_MESSAGE_CHARS:
-        return False
-    # Medium-length message with no obvious reasoning cue: default off.
-    return False
-
-
 # Human-readable labels for each tool, shown in the status indicator
 _TOOL_LABELS: dict[str, str] = {
     "create_note": "Creating note/task",
@@ -368,11 +302,12 @@ async def run_generation(
     # Emit context event
     buf.append_event("context", {"context": context_meta})
 
-    # `_should_think` is authoritative — frontend callers pass think=False by
-    # default and let this classifier decide based on message content. An
-    # explicit think=True still forces on as an override.
+    # Always think on qwen3-class models: reasoning mode is the only reliable
+    # path for the tool-call template. Content-based gating was tried in 87fcaa6
+    # but exposed silent-generation failures on short tool-intent prompts, since
+    # the classifier had no way to tell that "create a task" needs a tool call.
     think_requested = think
-    think = _should_think(user_content, think_requested)
+    think = True
 
     t_start = time.monotonic()
     timing: dict = {
@@ -411,153 +346,125 @@ async def run_generation(
             t_stream = time.monotonic()
 
             approx_msg_chars = sum(len(str(m.get("content", ""))) for m in messages)
-            effective_think = think
-            retried_with_think = False
-            attempt = 0
-
-            while True:
-                attempt_content_start = len(buf.content_so_far)
-                attempt_output_tokens_start = timing.get("output_tokens") or 0
-                attempt_prompt_tokens_start = timing.get("prompt_tokens") or 0
-                attempt_tool_calls_start = len(round_tool_calls)
-                logger.info(
-                    "CTX_DIAG attempt_start conv=%d round=%d attempt=%d num_ctx=%d msgs=%d approx_chars=%d think=%s",
-                    conv_id, _round, attempt, num_ctx, len(messages), approx_msg_chars, effective_think,
-                )
-                async for chunk in _stream_with_retry(messages, model, tools, effective_think, num_ctx=num_ctx):
-                    if buf.cancel_event.is_set():
-                        cancelled = True
-                        break
-
-                    if chunk.type == "thinking":
-                        if timing["first_token_ms"] is None:
-                            timing["first_token_ms"] = int((time.monotonic() - t_start) * 1000)
-                        buf.append_event("thinking_chunk", {"chunk": chunk.content})
-
-                    elif chunk.type == "content":
-                        if timing["ttft_ms"] is None:
-                            now_ms = int((time.monotonic() - t_start) * 1000)
-                            timing["ttft_ms"] = now_ms
-                            if timing["first_token_ms"] is None:
-                                # No thinking phase occurred — first token IS content.
-                                timing["first_token_ms"] = now_ms
-                            else:
-                                # Thinking phase duration = gap between first thinking
-                                # token and first content token.
-                                timing["thinking_ms"] = now_ms - timing["first_token_ms"]
-                        buf.content_so_far += chunk.content
-                        clean = _TOOL_CALL_MARKER.sub("", chunk.content)
-                        if clean:
-                            buf.append_event("chunk", {"chunk": clean})
-
-                        now = time.monotonic()
-                        if now - last_flush >= DB_FLUSH_INTERVAL:
-                            try:
-                                await _update_message(msg_id, buf.content_so_far, "generating")
-                            except Exception:
-                                logger.warning("Failed periodic flush for message %d", msg_id, exc_info=True)
-                            last_flush = now
-
-                    elif chunk.type == "done":
-                        if chunk.prompt_tokens is not None:
-                            timing["prompt_tokens"] = (timing["prompt_tokens"] or 0) + chunk.prompt_tokens
-                        if chunk.output_tokens is not None:
-                            timing["output_tokens"] = (timing["output_tokens"] or 0) + chunk.output_tokens
-
-                    elif chunk.type == "tool_calls" and chunk.tool_calls:
-                        logger.info("Round %d: model returned %d tool call(s)", _round, len(chunk.tool_calls))
-                        for tc in chunk.tool_calls:
-                            fn = tc.get("function", {})
-                            tool_name = fn.get("name", "")
-                            arguments = fn.get("arguments", {})
-                            logger.info("Executing tool: %s(%s)", tool_name, json.dumps(arguments)[:200])
-                            buf.append_event("status", {"status": f"{_TOOL_LABELS.get(tool_name, 'Working')}..."})
-
-                            t_tool = time.monotonic()
-                            if tool_name == "research_topic":
-                                topic = arguments.get("topic", "")
-                                try:
-                                    note = await run_research_pipeline(topic, user_id, model, buf, project_id=workspace_project_id)
-                                    result = {
-                                        "success": True,
-                                        "type": "research_note",
-                                        "data": {"id": note.id, "title": note.title},
-                                    }
-                                    done_text = (
-                                        f"\n\n---\n\nResearch complete! I've compiled a note: "
-                                        f"**[{note.title}](/notes/{note.id})**."
-                                    )
-                                    buf.append_event("chunk", {"chunk": done_text})
-                                    buf.content_so_far += done_text
-                                except Exception as e:
-                                    logger.exception("Research pipeline failed for topic: %s", topic)
-                                    err_msg = str(e) or f"{type(e).__name__}: unexpected error"
-                                    result = {"success": False, "error": err_msg}
-                                    err_text = f"\nResearch failed: {err_msg}"
-                                    buf.append_event("chunk", {"chunk": err_text})
-                                    buf.content_so_far += err_text
-                                research_completed = True
-                            else:
-                                result = await execute_tool(
-                                    user_id, tool_name, arguments,
-                                    conv_id=conv_id,
-                                    workspace_project_id=workspace_project_id,
-                                )
-
-                            # Capture RAG scope change for SSE done event
-                            if result.get("type") == "rag_scope_set" and result.get("success"):
-                                new_rag_scope = arguments.get("project_id")
-                                new_rag_scope_label = result.get("scope_label")
-
-                            timing["tools"].append({"name": tool_name, "ms": int((time.monotonic() - t_tool) * 1000)})
-                            logger.info("Tool %s result: success=%s", tool_name, result.get("success"))
-
-                            tool_record = {
-                                "function": tool_name,
-                                "arguments": arguments,
-                                "result": result,
-                                "status": "success" if result.get("success") else "error",
-                            }
-                            round_tool_calls.append(tool_record)
-                            all_tool_calls.append(tool_record)
-                            buf.append_event("tool_call", {"tool_call": tool_record})
-
-                if cancelled:
+            round_content_start = len(buf.content_so_far)
+            round_output_tokens_start = timing.get("output_tokens") or 0
+            round_prompt_tokens_start = timing.get("prompt_tokens") or 0
+            logger.info(
+                "CTX_DIAG round_start conv=%d round=%d num_ctx=%d msgs=%d approx_chars=%d think=%s",
+                conv_id, _round, num_ctx, len(messages), approx_msg_chars, think,
+            )
+            async for chunk in _stream_with_retry(messages, model, tools, think, num_ctx=num_ctx):
+                if buf.cancel_event.is_set():
+                    cancelled = True
                     break
 
-                attempt_content_added = len(buf.content_so_far) - attempt_content_start
-                attempt_tokens_added = (timing.get("output_tokens") or 0) - attempt_output_tokens_start
-                attempt_prompt_tokens = (timing.get("prompt_tokens") or 0) - attempt_prompt_tokens_start
-                attempt_tool_calls_added = len(round_tool_calls) - attempt_tool_calls_start
-                headroom = num_ctx - attempt_prompt_tokens if attempt_prompt_tokens else None
-                is_silent = (
-                    attempt_tool_calls_added == 0
-                    and attempt_content_added == 0
-                    and attempt_tokens_added > 0
-                )
-                logger.info(
-                    "CTX_DIAG attempt_end conv=%d round=%d attempt=%d think=%s prompt_tokens=%d output_tokens=%d headroom=%s content_added=%d tool_calls=%d silent=%s",
-                    conv_id, _round, attempt, effective_think, attempt_prompt_tokens, attempt_tokens_added,
-                    headroom, attempt_content_added, attempt_tool_calls_added, is_silent,
-                )
-                if (
-                    is_silent
-                    and not effective_think
-                    and not retried_with_think
-                ):
-                    # Silent round: qwen3's tool-call tokens sometimes aren't
-                    # parsed into content or tool_calls. Retry once with
-                    # think=True — reasoning mode produces more reliable output.
-                    logger.warning(
-                        "Silent round %d for conv %d (tokens=%d); retrying with think=True",
-                        _round, conv_id, attempt_tokens_added,
-                    )
-                    buf.append_event("status", {"status": "Retrying with reasoning enabled..."})
-                    effective_think = True
-                    retried_with_think = True
-                    attempt += 1
-                    continue
-                break
+                if chunk.type == "thinking":
+                    if timing["first_token_ms"] is None:
+                        timing["first_token_ms"] = int((time.monotonic() - t_start) * 1000)
+                    buf.append_event("thinking_chunk", {"chunk": chunk.content})
+
+                elif chunk.type == "content":
+                    if timing["ttft_ms"] is None:
+                        now_ms = int((time.monotonic() - t_start) * 1000)
+                        timing["ttft_ms"] = now_ms
+                        if timing["first_token_ms"] is None:
+                            # No thinking phase occurred — first token IS content.
+                            timing["first_token_ms"] = now_ms
+                        else:
+                            # Thinking phase duration = gap between first thinking
+                            # token and first content token.
+                            timing["thinking_ms"] = now_ms - timing["first_token_ms"]
+                    buf.content_so_far += chunk.content
+                    clean = _TOOL_CALL_MARKER.sub("", chunk.content)
+                    if clean:
+                        buf.append_event("chunk", {"chunk": clean})
+
+                    now = time.monotonic()
+                    if now - last_flush >= DB_FLUSH_INTERVAL:
+                        try:
+                            await _update_message(msg_id, buf.content_so_far, "generating")
+                        except Exception:
+                            logger.warning("Failed periodic flush for message %d", msg_id, exc_info=True)
+                        last_flush = now
+
+                elif chunk.type == "done":
+                    if chunk.prompt_tokens is not None:
+                        timing["prompt_tokens"] = (timing["prompt_tokens"] or 0) + chunk.prompt_tokens
+                    if chunk.output_tokens is not None:
+                        timing["output_tokens"] = (timing["output_tokens"] or 0) + chunk.output_tokens
+
+                elif chunk.type == "tool_calls" and chunk.tool_calls:
+                    logger.info("Round %d: model returned %d tool call(s)", _round, len(chunk.tool_calls))
+                    for tc in chunk.tool_calls:
+                        fn = tc.get("function", {})
+                        tool_name = fn.get("name", "")
+                        arguments = fn.get("arguments", {})
+                        logger.info("Executing tool: %s(%s)", tool_name, json.dumps(arguments)[:200])
+                        buf.append_event("status", {"status": f"{_TOOL_LABELS.get(tool_name, 'Working')}..."})
+
+                        t_tool = time.monotonic()
+                        if tool_name == "research_topic":
+                            topic = arguments.get("topic", "")
+                            try:
+                                note = await run_research_pipeline(topic, user_id, model, buf, project_id=workspace_project_id)
+                                result = {
+                                    "success": True,
+                                    "type": "research_note",
+                                    "data": {"id": note.id, "title": note.title},
+                                }
+                                done_text = (
+                                    f"\n\n---\n\nResearch complete! I've compiled a note: "
+                                    f"**[{note.title}](/notes/{note.id})**."
+                                )
+                                buf.append_event("chunk", {"chunk": done_text})
+                                buf.content_so_far += done_text
+                            except Exception as e:
+                                logger.exception("Research pipeline failed for topic: %s", topic)
+                                err_msg = str(e) or f"{type(e).__name__}: unexpected error"
+                                result = {"success": False, "error": err_msg}
+                                err_text = f"\nResearch failed: {err_msg}"
+                                buf.append_event("chunk", {"chunk": err_text})
+                                buf.content_so_far += err_text
+                            research_completed = True
+                        else:
+                            result = await execute_tool(
+                                user_id, tool_name, arguments,
+                                conv_id=conv_id,
+                                workspace_project_id=workspace_project_id,
+                            )
+
+                        # Capture RAG scope change for SSE done event
+                        if result.get("type") == "rag_scope_set" and result.get("success"):
+                            new_rag_scope = arguments.get("project_id")
+                            new_rag_scope_label = result.get("scope_label")
+
+                        timing["tools"].append({"name": tool_name, "ms": int((time.monotonic() - t_tool) * 1000)})
+                        logger.info("Tool %s result: success=%s", tool_name, result.get("success"))
+
+                        tool_record = {
+                            "function": tool_name,
+                            "arguments": arguments,
+                            "result": result,
+                            "status": "success" if result.get("success") else "error",
+                        }
+                        round_tool_calls.append(tool_record)
+                        all_tool_calls.append(tool_record)
+                        buf.append_event("tool_call", {"tool_call": tool_record})
+
+            round_content_added = len(buf.content_so_far) - round_content_start
+            round_output_tokens_added = (timing.get("output_tokens") or 0) - round_output_tokens_start
+            round_prompt_tokens = (timing.get("prompt_tokens") or 0) - round_prompt_tokens_start
+            headroom = num_ctx - round_prompt_tokens if round_prompt_tokens else None
+            is_silent = (
+                not round_tool_calls
+                and round_content_added == 0
+                and round_output_tokens_added > 0
+            )
+            logger.info(
+                "CTX_DIAG round_end conv=%d round=%d think=%s prompt_tokens=%d output_tokens=%d headroom=%s content_added=%d tool_calls=%d silent=%s",
+                conv_id, _round, think, round_prompt_tokens, round_output_tokens_added,
+                headroom, round_content_added, len(round_tool_calls), is_silent,
+            )
 
             timing["generation_ms"] = int((time.monotonic() - t_stream) * 1000)
 
diff --git a/tests/test_should_think.py b/tests/test_should_think.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 8ca1385..0000000
--- a/tests/test_should_think.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,127 +0,0 @@
-"""Tests for the `_should_think` classifier.
-
-`_should_think` decides whether qwen3-class models should engage chain-of-
-thought for a given chat turn. It is the single source of truth: frontend
-callers pass `think_requested=False` by default and defer to this function,
-while explicit `think_requested=True` acts as an override for curated
-analytical entry points.
-
-These tests lock in the content-based behavior so future tweaks don't
-silently regress the short / long / keyword boundaries.
-"""
-
-import pytest
-
-from fabledassistant.services.generation_task import (
-    _LONG_MESSAGE_CHARS,
-    _SHORT_MESSAGE_CHARS,
-    _should_think,
-)
-
-
-class TestExplicitOverride:
-    def test_override_forces_on_for_empty(self):
-        assert _should_think("", think_requested=True) is True
-
-    def test_override_forces_on_for_short_greeting(self):
-        assert _should_think("hi", think_requested=True) is True
-
-    def test_override_forces_on_for_medium_no_keyword(self):
-        text = "just checking in on the status of things for the week"
-        assert _should_think(text, think_requested=True) is True
-
-
-class TestEmptyAndWhitespace:
-    def test_empty_string_off(self):
-        assert _should_think("", think_requested=False) is False
-
-    def test_none_content_off(self):
-        # _should_think defensively handles None content from upstream callers
-        assert _should_think(None, think_requested=False) is False  # type: ignore[arg-type]
-
-    def test_whitespace_only_off(self):
-        assert _should_think("   \n\t  ", think_requested=False) is False
-
-
-class TestShortMessages:
-    def test_short_greeting_off(self):
-        assert _should_think("hi", think_requested=False) is False
-
-    def test_short_thanks_off(self):
-        assert _should_think("thanks!", think_requested=False) is False
-
-    def test_short_acknowledgement_off(self):
-        assert _should_think("ok sounds good", think_requested=False) is False
-
-    def test_just_below_short_threshold_off(self):
-        text = "a" * (_SHORT_MESSAGE_CHARS - 1)
-        assert _should_think(text, think_requested=False) is False
-
-
-class TestLongMessages:
-    def test_at_long_threshold_on(self):
-        text = "a" * _LONG_MESSAGE_CHARS
-        assert _should_think(text, think_requested=False) is True
-
-    def test_well_above_long_threshold_on(self):
-        text = "x" * (_LONG_MESSAGE_CHARS * 3)
-        assert _should_think(text, think_requested=False) is True
-
-
-class TestMediumMessages:
-    def test_medium_no_keyword_off(self):
-        # Between the short and long thresholds with no reasoning cue.
-        text = "a" * ((_SHORT_MESSAGE_CHARS + _LONG_MESSAGE_CHARS) // 2)
-        assert _should_think(text, think_requested=False) is False
-
-
-class TestKeywordTriggers:
-    @pytest.mark.parametrize(
-        "text",
-        [
-            "why is this failing",
-            "how does caching work here",
-            "how do i configure this",
-            "explain the retry logic",
-            "analyze the latency breakdown",
-            "compare gemma3 vs qwen3 for tool use",
-            "please design the schema for X",
-            "debug this error",
-            "troubleshoot the connection issue",
-            "root cause the outage",
-            "review this PR",
-            "critique my approach",
-            "walk me through the flow",
-            "step by step instructions please",
-            "pros and cons of each option",
-            "help me figure out what's wrong",
-            "discuss this article",  # covers briefing /discuss entry points
-        ],
-    )
-    def test_keyword_forces_on(self, text):
-        assert _should_think(text, think_requested=False) is True
-
-    def test_keyword_case_insensitive(self):
-        assert _should_think("WHY does this break?", think_requested=False) is True
-
-    def test_keyword_in_longer_sentence(self):
-        text = "hey quick one — can you explain what caching does for qwen3"
-        assert _should_think(text, think_requested=False) is True
-
-
-class TestNonTriggers:
-    """Messages that look chatty and should NOT trigger thinking."""
-
-    @pytest.mark.parametrize(
-        "text",
-        [
-            "hey",
-            "yep",
-            "no worries",
-            "got it, thanks",
-            "good morning",
-            "remind me later",  # no reasoning keyword, short
-        ],
-    )
-    def test_chatty_messages_off(self, text):
-        assert _should_think(text, think_requested=False) is False

From 3f2813d16f822e8ba9fa42fca499d7e0d91c901e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bryan Van Deusen <bryan.vandeusen@fabledsword.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:35:39 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 12/13] feat(chat): Phase D empty-state + overlay context
 sidebar
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

Empty-state rethink: replace "Start a conversation." with a richer
landing showing recent conversations (top 5 as resume links) and a
voice-mode entry button. Gated to full variant only; widget/briefing
keep the simple message.

Context sidebar: switch from grid column (4-col layout) to absolute
overlay on the right gutter (3-col layout). The reading column is now
always symmetrically centered regardless of whether the sidebar is
visible — eliminates the leftward shift that occurred when context
notes appeared.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue | 167 ++++++++++++++++++++++++--
 1 file changed, 155 insertions(+), 12 deletions(-)

diff --git a/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue b/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue
index 7327d85..6ce9ef4 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue
@@ -182,6 +182,27 @@ function toggleSection(key: SectionKey) {
 
 watch(() => store.currentConversation?.id, () => loadCollapsed(), { immediate: true })
 
+// ── Empty-state (full variant, fresh/empty conversation) ─────────────────────
+const showEmptyState = computed(
+  () =>
+    props.variant === 'full'
+    && !props.briefingMode
+    && !props.projectId
+    && !store.streaming
+    && (store.currentConversation?.messages.length ?? 0) === 0
+)
+
+const recentConversations = computed(() => {
+  const currentId = store.currentConversation?.id
+  return store.conversations
+    .filter((c) => c.id !== currentId && c.message_count > 0)
+    .slice(0, 5)
+})
+
+function startVoiceMode() {
+  window.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent('voice:ptt-toggle'))
+}
+
 // ── Send ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 const inputBarRef = ref<InstanceType<typeof ChatInputBar> | null>(null)
 
@@ -298,7 +319,7 @@ defineExpose({ focus, prefill, send, contextCount, sidebarOpen, toggleContextSid
 <template>
   <!-- ═══════════════════════════════ FULL VARIANT ══════════════════════════════ -->
   <template v-if="variant === 'full'">
-    <div class="chat-full" :class="{ 'chat-full--has-sidebar': hasContextSidebar }">
+    <div class="chat-full">
       <!-- Message list -->
       <div ref="messagesEl" class="messages-container">
         <div class="messages-inner">
@@ -336,8 +357,27 @@ defineExpose({ focus, prefill, send, contextCount, sidebarOpen, toggleContextSid
               </button>
             </div>
           </template>
+          <div v-if="showEmptyState" class="chat-empty-state">
+            <h2 class="empty-greeting">What's on your mind?</h2>
+            <div v-if="recentConversations.length" class="empty-recent">
+              <div class="empty-section-label">Jump back in</div>
+              <router-link
+                v-for="conv in recentConversations"
+                :key="conv.id"
+                :to="`/chat/${conv.id}`"
+                class="empty-recent-item"
+              >
+                <span class="empty-recent-title">{{ conv.title || 'Untitled conversation' }}</span>
+                <span class="empty-recent-count">{{ conv.message_count }} msg</span>
+              </router-link>
+            </div>
+            <button class="empty-voice-btn" @click="startVoiceMode" title="Start in voice mode">
+              <span class="voice-icon">🎤</span>
+              <span>Start in voice mode</span>
+            </button>
+          </div>
           <p
-            v-if="!store.currentConversation?.messages.length && !store.streaming"
+            v-else-if="!store.currentConversation?.messages.length && !store.streaming"
             class="empty-msg"
           >Start a conversation.</p>
         </div>
@@ -476,24 +516,21 @@ defineExpose({ focus, prefill, send, contextCount, sidebarOpen, toggleContextSid
  * Single grid owns the reading column + context sidebar + input bar so
  * messages and input bar share one centered reading track while the
  * context sidebar spans the full height from header to bottom of view.
- * The sidebar column collapses to 0 when there are no context notes.
+ * Reading column is always centered (3-column grid: 1fr | content | 1fr).
+ * The context sidebar overlays the right gutter so it never shifts layout.
  */
 .chat-full {
-  --chat-sidebar-col: 0px;
+  position: relative;
   flex: 1;
   min-height: 0;
   display: grid;
   grid-template-columns:
     1fr
     minmax(0, var(--chat-reading-width))
-    1fr
-    var(--chat-sidebar-col);
+    1fr;
   grid-template-rows: minmax(0, 1fr) auto;
   overflow: hidden;
 }
-.chat-full--has-sidebar {
-  --chat-sidebar-col: var(--chat-context-sidebar-width);
-}
 
 .messages-container {
   grid-column: 2;
@@ -518,15 +555,19 @@ defineExpose({ focus, prefill, send, contextCount, sidebarOpen, toggleContextSid
   opacity: 0.35;
 }
 
-/* Context sidebar — spans full height (rows 1 and 2) of the chat grid */
+/* Context sidebar — overlays right gutter, never shifts reading column */
 .context-sidebar {
-  grid-column: 4;
-  grid-row: 1 / -1;
+  position: absolute;
+  top: 0;
+  right: 0;
+  bottom: 0;
+  width: var(--chat-context-sidebar-width);
   border-left: 1px solid var(--color-border);
   padding: 0.75rem 0.5rem;
   overflow-y: auto;
   background: var(--color-bg-secondary);
   font-size: 0.78rem;
+  z-index: 2;
 }
 .context-sidebar-header {
   display: flex;
@@ -672,6 +713,108 @@ defineExpose({ focus, prefill, send, contextCount, sidebarOpen, toggleContextSid
   color: var(--color-accent-warm, #d4a017);
 }
 
+.chat-empty-state {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  align-items: stretch;
+  gap: 1.5rem;
+  padding: 3rem 1rem 2rem;
+  max-width: 520px;
+  margin: 0 auto;
+}
+
+.empty-greeting {
+  font-family: 'Fraunces', Georgia, serif;
+  font-style: italic;
+  font-weight: 400;
+  font-size: 1.75rem;
+  color: var(--color-accent-warm, #d4a017);
+  text-align: center;
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
+.empty-section-label {
+  font-size: 0.7rem;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
+  color: var(--color-text-muted);
+  margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
+  padding-left: 0.25rem;
+}
+
+.empty-recent {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+}
+
+.empty-recent-item {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: space-between;
+  gap: 0.75rem;
+  padding: 0.75rem 0.9rem;
+  border-radius: var(--radius-md, 10px);
+  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  background: var(--color-bg-elevated, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.02));
+  color: var(--color-text);
+  text-decoration: none;
+  font-size: 0.9rem;
+  transition: border-color 0.15s ease, background 0.15s ease, transform 0.15s ease;
+}
+
+.empty-recent-item + .empty-recent-item {
+  margin-top: 0.4rem;
+}
+
+.empty-recent-item:hover {
+  border-color: var(--color-primary);
+  background: rgba(99, 102, 241, 0.05);
+  transform: translateX(2px);
+}
+
+.empty-recent-title {
+  overflow: hidden;
+  text-overflow: ellipsis;
+  white-space: nowrap;
+  flex: 1;
+  min-width: 0;
+}
+
+.empty-recent-count {
+  font-size: 0.7rem;
+  color: var(--color-text-muted);
+  font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+}
+
+.empty-voice-btn {
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  gap: 0.6rem;
+  padding: 0.75rem 1.2rem;
+  border-radius: 999px;
+  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  background: transparent;
+  color: var(--color-text);
+  font-size: 0.9rem;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  align-self: center;
+  transition: border-color 0.15s ease, background 0.15s ease, color 0.15s ease;
+}
+
+.empty-voice-btn:hover {
+  border-color: var(--color-primary);
+  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #6366f1, #4f46e5);
+  color: #fff;
+  box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(99, 102, 241, 0.35);
+}
+
+.empty-voice-btn .voice-icon {
+  font-size: 1.05rem;
+}
+
 /* ── Widget variant ── */
 .widget-response {
   margin-top: 0.75rem;

From 369cf0a7c966cf6c8b9110ed3ede25330e00b80e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bryan Van Deusen <bryan.vandeusen@fabledsword.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:29:14 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 13/13] fix(chat): default context sidebar to hidden

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue b/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue
index 6ce9ef4..5678756 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ const hasContextData = computed(
 // ── Narrow-viewport sidebar toggle ────────────────────────────────────────────
 const NARROW_BREAKPOINT = 1200
 const isNarrow = ref(typeof window !== 'undefined' && window.innerWidth < NARROW_BREAKPOINT)
-const sidebarOpen = ref(!isNarrow.value)
+const sidebarOpen = ref(false)
 
 function onResize() {
   isNarrow.value = window.innerWidth < NARROW_BREAKPOINT