diff --git a/frontend/src/api/client.ts b/frontend/src/api/client.ts
index 5ae97d0..78e565a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/api/client.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/api/client.ts
@@ -580,3 +580,21 @@ export async function updateEvent(id: number, payload: EventUpdatePayload): Prom
 export async function deleteEvent(id: number): Promise<void> {
   return apiDelete(`/api/events/${id}`);
 }
+
+// ─── API Keys ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+export interface ApiKeyEntry {
+  id: number
+  name: string
+  scope: string
+  key_prefix: string
+  last_used_at: string | null
+}
+
+export const listApiKeys = () =>
+  apiGet<{ api_keys: ApiKeyEntry[] }>('/api/api-keys').then(r => r.api_keys)
+
+export const createApiKey = (name: string, scope: 'read' | 'write') =>
+  apiPost<{ key: string; api_key: ApiKeyEntry }>('/api/api-keys', { name, scope })
+
+export const revokeApiKey = (id: number) => apiDelete(`/api/api-keys/${id}`)
diff --git a/frontend/src/composables/useBackgroundRefresh.ts b/frontend/src/composables/useBackgroundRefresh.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9aa2912
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/composables/useBackgroundRefresh.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+import { onMounted, onUnmounted } from 'vue'
+
+/**
+ * Runs `refreshFn` on a recurring interval while the page is visible.
+ * Safe to use in any component — timer is cleared on unmount.
+ *
+ * @param refreshFn   Called each tick. Should be silent (no loading state changes).
+ * @param intervalMs  Polling interval in milliseconds.
+ * @param canRun      Optional guard — refresh is skipped when this returns false.
+ */
+export function useBackgroundRefresh(
+  refreshFn: () => void,
+  intervalMs: number,
+  canRun?: () => boolean,
+): void {
+  let timer: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null = null
+
+  onMounted(() => {
+    timer = setInterval(() => {
+      if (document.hidden) return
+      if (canRun && !canRun()) return
+      refreshFn()
+    }, intervalMs)
+  })
+
+  onUnmounted(() => {
+    if (timer !== null) clearInterval(timer)
+  })
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/utils/palette.ts b/frontend/src/utils/palette.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e04101d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/utils/palette.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+/** Cyclic color palette for milestone progress bars. */
+export const MILESTONE_PALETTE = [
+  'var(--color-primary)',
+  'var(--color-success, #22c55e)',
+  '#c98a00',
+  '#8b5cf6',
+  'var(--color-danger, #ef4444)',
+  '#06b6d4',
+]
+
+export function milestoneColor(index: number): string {
+  return MILESTONE_PALETTE[index % MILESTONE_PALETTE.length]
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/BriefingView.vue b/frontend/src/views/BriefingView.vue
index 63c236d..894a868 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/BriefingView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/BriefingView.vue
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { ref, computed, onMounted, onUnmounted, watch } from 'vue'
+import { ref, computed, onMounted, watch } from 'vue'
+import { useBackgroundRefresh } from '@/composables/useBackgroundRefresh'
 import { useChatStore } from '@/stores/chat'
 import ChatMessage from '@/components/ChatMessage.vue'
 import WeatherCard from '@/components/WeatherCard.vue'
@@ -17,6 +18,15 @@ import {
 } from '@/api/client'
 import type { Message } from '@/types/chat'
 
+interface RssItemMeta {
+  id: number
+  title: string
+  url: string
+  source: string
+  snippet: string
+  published_at: string | null
+}
+
 interface MessageMetadata {
   weather?: {
     location: string
@@ -30,6 +40,7 @@ interface MessageMetadata {
     forecast: { day: string; condition: string; high: number; low: number }[]
   } | null
   rss_item_ids?: number[]
+  rss_items?: RssItemMeta[]
 }
 
 const chatStore = useChatStore()
@@ -153,6 +164,16 @@ function msgMetadata(msg: BriefingMessage): MessageMetadata | null {
   return (msg.metadata as MessageMetadata | null | undefined) ?? null
 }
 
+function formatRelativeDate(iso: string | null): string {
+  if (!iso) return ''
+  const d = new Date(iso)
+  const now = new Date()
+  const diffH = (now.getTime() - d.getTime()) / 3_600_000
+  if (diffH < 24) return `${Math.round(diffH)}h ago`
+  if (diffH < 48) return 'Yesterday'
+  return d.toLocaleDateString(undefined, { month: 'short', day: 'numeric' })
+}
+
 // Manual trigger
 const triggering = ref(false)
 async function triggerNow() {
@@ -190,10 +211,7 @@ function toMsg(m: BriefingMessage): Message {
 }
 
 // ─── Background refresh (no-flicker) ─────────────────────────────────────────
-let _refreshTimer: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null = null
-
 async function _backgroundRefreshMessages() {
-  if (document.hidden || chatStore.streaming || !isToday.value || !todayConvId.value) return
   try {
     const today = await getBriefingToday()
     if (!today) return
@@ -206,14 +224,15 @@ async function _backgroundRefreshMessages() {
   } catch { /* silent — don't disturb the UI on network hiccup */ }
 }
 
+useBackgroundRefresh(
+  _backgroundRefreshMessages,
+  60_000,
+  () => !chatStore.streaming && isToday.value && !!todayConvId.value,
+)
+
 onMounted(async () => {
   await checkSetup()
   if (!showWizard.value) await loadAll()
-  _refreshTimer = setInterval(_backgroundRefreshMessages, 60_000)
-})
-
-onUnmounted(() => {
-  if (_refreshTimer !== null) clearInterval(_refreshTimer)
 })
 </script>
 
@@ -263,29 +282,43 @@ onUnmounted(() => {
                 :message="toMsg(msg)"
                 :is-streaming="false"
               />
-              <!-- Reaction buttons below assistant messages with rss_item_ids -->
+              <!-- News cards below assistant messages with rss_items -->
               <div
-                v-if="msg.role === 'assistant' && (msgMetadata(msg)?.rss_item_ids?.length ?? 0) > 0"
-                class="rss-reactions"
+                v-if="msg.role === 'assistant' && (msgMetadata(msg)?.rss_items?.length ?? 0) > 0"
+                class="news-cards"
               >
                 <div
-                  v-for="(itemId, index) in msgMetadata(msg)!.rss_item_ids"
-                  :key="itemId"
-                  class="rss-reaction-row"
+                  v-for="item in msgMetadata(msg)!.rss_items"
+                  :key="item.id"
+                  class="news-card"
                 >
-                  <span class="reaction-label">Story {{ index + 1 }}</span>
-                  <button
-                    class="reaction-btn"
-                    :class="{ active: reactions[itemId] === 'up' }"
-                    @click="handleReaction(itemId, 'up')"
-                    title="Interested"
-                  >👍</button>
-                  <button
-                    class="reaction-btn"
-                    :class="{ active: reactions[itemId] === 'down' }"
-                    @click="handleReaction(itemId, 'down')"
-                    title="Not interested"
-                  >👎</button>
+                  <div class="news-card-meta">
+                    <span class="news-source">{{ item.source }}</span>
+                    <span v-if="item.published_at" class="news-date">{{ formatRelativeDate(item.published_at) }}</span>
+                  </div>
+                  <a
+                    v-if="item.url"
+                    :href="item.url"
+                    target="_blank"
+                    rel="noopener noreferrer"
+                    class="news-title"
+                  >{{ item.title }}</a>
+                  <p v-else class="news-title news-title--plain">{{ item.title }}</p>
+                  <p v-if="item.snippet" class="news-snippet">{{ item.snippet }}</p>
+                  <div class="news-reactions">
+                    <button
+                      class="reaction-btn"
+                      :class="{ active: reactions[item.id] === 'up' }"
+                      @click="handleReaction(item.id, 'up')"
+                      title="Interested"
+                    >👍</button>
+                    <button
+                      class="reaction-btn"
+                      :class="{ active: reactions[item.id] === 'down' }"
+                      @click="handleReaction(item.id, 'down')"
+                      title="Not interested"
+                    >👎</button>
+                  </div>
                 </div>
               </div>
             </template>
@@ -484,33 +517,78 @@ onUnmounted(() => {
 .btn-send:disabled { opacity: 0.4; cursor: not-allowed; }
 .btn-send:hover:not(:disabled) { opacity: 0.9; }
 
-.rss-reactions {
+.news-cards {
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
-  gap: 0.35rem;
-  padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem;
+  gap: 0.5rem;
+  margin-top: 0.25rem;
   margin-bottom: 0.25rem;
 }
 
-.rss-reaction-row {
+.news-card {
+  background: var(--color-bg-card);
+  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  border-radius: 10px;
+  padding: 0.65rem 0.85rem;
   display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  gap: 0.4rem;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: 0.25rem;
 }
 
-.reaction-label {
+.news-card-meta {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 0.5rem;
+}
+
+.news-source {
+  font-size: 0.72rem;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+  letter-spacing: 0.04em;
+  color: var(--color-primary);
+}
+
+.news-date {
+  font-size: 0.72rem;
+  color: var(--color-text-muted);
+}
+
+.news-title {
+  font-size: 0.88rem;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  color: var(--color-text);
+  line-height: 1.35;
+  text-decoration: none;
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
+a.news-title:hover { text-decoration: underline; color: var(--color-primary); }
+
+.news-snippet {
   font-size: 0.78rem;
   color: var(--color-text-muted);
-  min-width: 4rem;
+  line-height: 1.45;
+  margin: 0;
+  display: -webkit-box;
+  -webkit-line-clamp: 2;
+  -webkit-box-orient: vertical;
+  overflow: hidden;
+}
+
+.news-reactions {
+  display: flex;
+  gap: 0.3rem;
+  margin-top: 0.15rem;
 }
 
 .reaction-btn {
   background: none;
   border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
   border-radius: 6px;
-  padding: 0.15rem 0.4rem;
+  padding: 0.1rem 0.35rem;
   cursor: pointer;
-  font-size: 0.85rem;
+  font-size: 0.82rem;
   line-height: 1.4;
   opacity: 0.55;
   transition: opacity 0.15s, border-color 0.15s;
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/HomeView.vue b/frontend/src/views/HomeView.vue
index 40664c3..ca79eda 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/HomeView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/HomeView.vue
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import { ref, computed, onMounted, onUnmounted } from "vue";
 import { apiGet, listEvents } from "@/api/client";
+import { useBackgroundRefresh } from "@/composables/useBackgroundRefresh";
+import { milestoneColor } from "@/utils/palette";
 import type { Note } from "@/types/note";
 import type { Task, TaskListResponse, TaskStatus } from "@/types/task";
 import type { ToolCallRecord, Message } from "@/types/chat";
@@ -69,24 +71,8 @@ const upcomingEvents = ref<EventEntry[]>([]);
 const eventSlideOverOpen = ref(false);
 const editingEvent = ref<EventEntry | null>(null);
 
-// ─── Milestone color palette ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
-function milestoneColor(index: number): string {
-  const palette = [
-    "var(--color-primary)",
-    "var(--color-success, #22c55e)",
-    "#c98a00",
-    "var(--color-danger, #e74c3c)",
-    "#8b5cf6",
-  ];
-  return palette[index % palette.length];
-}
-
 // ─── Background refresh (no-flicker) ─────────────────────────────────────────
-// Runs on a timer while the page is visible. Never touches `loading` so
-// existing content stays on screen while the fetch is in flight.
-
-let _refreshTimer: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null = null
+// Never touches `loading` so existing content stays on screen while fetching.
 
 function _dateRange() {
   const today = new Date()
@@ -173,9 +159,10 @@ onMounted(async () => {
   chatInputRef.value?.focus();
   loadProjects();
 
-  _refreshTimer = setInterval(_backgroundRefresh, 90_000)
 });
 
+useBackgroundRefresh(_backgroundRefresh, 90_000, () => !loading.value);
+
 async function loadProjects() {
   if (!heroProject.value) return;
   const hid = heroProject.value.id;
@@ -239,7 +226,6 @@ onMounted(() => {
 });
 onUnmounted(() => {
   document.removeEventListener("shortcut:focus-chat", onFocusChatShortcut);
-  if (_refreshTimer !== null) clearInterval(_refreshTimer)
 });
 
 const chatStore = useChatStore();
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/ProjectListView.vue b/frontend/src/views/ProjectListView.vue
index 639cfc0..27c1ebb 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/ProjectListView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/ProjectListView.vue
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { ref, computed, onMounted } from "vue";
 import { useRouter } from "vue-router";
 import { apiGet, apiPost } from "@/api/client";
 import { useToastStore } from "@/stores/toast";
+import { milestoneColor } from "@/utils/palette";
 
 interface MilestoneSummary {
   id: number;
@@ -73,17 +74,6 @@ async function loadProjects() {
   }
 }
 
-function milestoneColor(index: number): string {
-  const palette = [
-    "var(--color-primary)",
-    "var(--color-success)",
-    "#c98a00",
-    "#8b5cf6",
-    "#ef4444",
-    "#06b6d4",
-  ];
-  return palette[index % palette.length];
-}
 
 onMounted(loadProjects);
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/SettingsView.vue b/frontend/src/views/SettingsView.vue
index 0b011e3..8e99572 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/SettingsView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/SettingsView.vue
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { ref, watch, onMounted } from "vue";
 import { useSettingsStore } from "@/stores/settings";
 import { useAuthStore } from "@/stores/auth";
 import { useToastStore } from "@/stores/toast";
-import { apiGet, apiPost, apiPut, apiDelete, listGroups, createGroup, deleteGroup, listGroupMembers, addGroupMember, removeGroupMember, searchUsers, getBriefingConfig, saveBriefingConfig, getBriefingFeeds, createBriefingFeed, deleteBriefingFeed, refreshBriefingFeeds, geocodeAddress, getFableMcpInfo, type GroupEntry, type GroupMember, type UserSearchResult, type BriefingConfig, type BriefingFeed } from "@/api/client";
+import { apiGet, apiPost, apiPut, apiDelete, listGroups, createGroup, deleteGroup, listGroupMembers, addGroupMember, removeGroupMember, searchUsers, getBriefingConfig, saveBriefingConfig, getBriefingFeeds, createBriefingFeed, deleteBriefingFeed, refreshBriefingFeeds, geocodeAddress, getFableMcpInfo, listApiKeys, createApiKey as apiCreateApiKey, revokeApiKey as apiRevokeApiKey, type ApiKeyEntry, type GroupEntry, type GroupMember, type UserSearchResult, type BriefingConfig, type BriefingFeed } from "@/api/client";
 import { usePushStore } from "@/stores/push";
 import type { User } from "@/types/auth";
 import PaginationBar from "@/components/PaginationBar.vue";
@@ -43,17 +43,24 @@ const restoreFileInput = ref<HTMLInputElement | null>(null);
 const VALID_TABS = new Set(["general", "account", "notifications", "integrations", "data", "briefing", "apikeys", "config", "users", "logs", "groups"]);
 const _stored = localStorage.getItem("settings_tab") ?? "general";
 const activeTab = ref(VALID_TABS.has(_stored) ? (_stored === "admin" ? "config" : _stored) : "general");
+
+function _loadTabContent(tab: string) {
+  if (authStore.isAdmin) {
+    if (tab === "users") loadUsersPanel();
+    else if (tab === "logs") loadLogsPanel();
+    else if (tab === "groups") loadGroupsPanel();
+  }
+  if (tab === "briefing") loadBriefingTab();
+  if (tab === "apikeys") { fetchApiKeys(); loadMcpInfo(); }
+}
+
 watch(activeTab, (v) => {
   localStorage.setItem("settings_tab", v === "admin" ? "config" : v);
-  if (v === "users" && authStore.isAdmin) loadUsersPanel();
-  if (v === "logs" && authStore.isAdmin) loadLogsPanel();
-  if (v === "groups" && authStore.isAdmin) loadGroupsPanel();
-  if (v === "briefing") loadBriefingTab();
-  if (v === "apikeys") { fetchApiKeys(); loadMcpInfo(); }
+  _loadTabContent(v);
 });
 
 // API Keys
-const apiKeys = ref<Array<{id: number, name: string, scope: string, key_prefix: string, last_used_at: string | null}>>([]);
+const apiKeys = ref<ApiKeyEntry[]>([]);
 const newKeyName = ref('');
 const newKeyScope = ref<'read' | 'write'>('write');
 const newKeyValue = ref('');
@@ -89,36 +96,24 @@ async function loadMcpInfo() {
 }
 
 async function fetchApiKeys() {
-  const res = await fetch('/api/api-keys', { credentials: 'include' });
-  if (res.ok) {
-    const data = await res.json();
-    apiKeys.value = data.api_keys;
-  }
+  apiKeys.value = await listApiKeys();
 }
 
 async function createApiKey() {
   if (!newKeyName.value) return;
   creatingApiKey.value = true;
   try {
-    const res = await fetch('/api/api-keys', {
-      method: 'POST',
-      credentials: 'include',
-      headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
-      body: JSON.stringify({ name: newKeyName.value, scope: newKeyScope.value }),
-    });
-    if (res.ok) {
-      const data = await res.json();
-      newKeyValue.value = data.key;
-      newKeyName.value = '';
-      await fetchApiKeys();
-    }
+    const data = await apiCreateApiKey(newKeyName.value, newKeyScope.value);
+    newKeyValue.value = data.key;
+    newKeyName.value = '';
+    await fetchApiKeys();
   } finally {
     creatingApiKey.value = false;
   }
 }
 
 async function revokeApiKey(id: number) {
-  await fetch(`/api/api-keys/${id}`, { method: 'DELETE', credentials: 'include' });
+  await apiRevokeApiKey(id);
   revokeConfirmId.value = null;
   await fetchApiKeys();
 }
@@ -521,9 +516,8 @@ onMounted(async () => {
     } catch {
       // base URL not configured yet
     }
-    if (activeTab.value === "groups") loadGroupsPanel();
-    if (activeTab.value === "briefing") loadBriefingTab();
   }
+  _loadTabContent(activeTab.value);
 });
 
 async function changeEmail() {
diff --git a/src/fabledassistant/routes/chat.py b/src/fabledassistant/routes/chat.py
index e5b3328..8c69c41 100644
--- a/src/fabledassistant/routes/chat.py
+++ b/src/fabledassistant/routes/chat.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import httpx
 from quart import Blueprint, Response, jsonify, request
 
 from fabledassistant.auth import login_required, get_current_user_id
-from fabledassistant.routes.utils import not_found
+from fabledassistant.routes.utils import not_found, parse_pagination
 from fabledassistant.config import Config
 from fabledassistant.services.chat import (
     add_message,
@@ -38,8 +38,7 @@ chat_bp = Blueprint("chat", __name__, url_prefix="/api/chat")
 @login_required
 async def list_conversations_route():
     uid = get_current_user_id()
-    limit = min(request.args.get("limit", 50, type=int), 500)
-    offset = request.args.get("offset", 0, type=int)
+    limit, offset = parse_pagination()
     conv_type = request.args.get("type", "chat")
     # Apply retention policy before returning list
     retention_str = await get_setting(uid, "chat_retention_days", "90")
diff --git a/src/fabledassistant/routes/milestones.py b/src/fabledassistant/routes/milestones.py
index d8471ce..565a0e8 100644
--- a/src/fabledassistant/routes/milestones.py
+++ b/src/fabledassistant/routes/milestones.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import logging
 from quart import Blueprint, jsonify, request
 
 from fabledassistant.auth import login_required, get_current_user_id
-from fabledassistant.routes.utils import not_found
+from fabledassistant.routes.utils import not_found, parse_pagination
 from fabledassistant.services.milestones import (
     create_milestone,
     delete_milestone,
@@ -107,8 +107,7 @@ async def get_milestone_tasks_route(project_id: int, milestone_id: int):
     if milestone is None or milestone.project_id != project_id:
         return not_found("Milestone")
     status_filter = request.args.get("status")
-    limit = min(request.args.get("limit", 100, type=int), 500)
-    offset = request.args.get("offset", 0, type=int)
+    limit, offset = parse_pagination(default_limit=100)
     notes, total = await list_notes(
         uid,
         is_task=True,
diff --git a/src/fabledassistant/routes/notes.py b/src/fabledassistant/routes/notes.py
index 0c1ab39..0a237ea 100644
--- a/src/fabledassistant/routes/notes.py
+++ b/src/fabledassistant/routes/notes.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from fabledassistant.services.embeddings import upsert_note_embedding
 from quart import Blueprint, Response, jsonify, request
 
 from fabledassistant.auth import login_required, get_current_user_id
-from fabledassistant.routes.utils import not_found, parse_iso_date
+from fabledassistant.routes.utils import not_found, parse_iso_date, parse_pagination
 from fabledassistant.config import Config
 from fabledassistant.services.assist import build_assist_messages
 from fabledassistant.services.generation_buffer import (
@@ -49,8 +49,7 @@ async def list_notes_route():
     tag = request.args.getlist("tag")
     sort = request.args.get("sort", "updated_at")
     order = request.args.get("order", "desc")
-    limit = min(request.args.get("limit", 50, type=int), 500)
-    offset = request.args.get("offset", 0, type=int)
+    limit, offset = parse_pagination()
 
     # Default to non-task notes only; ?is_task=true for tasks, ?all=true for everything
     is_task: bool | None = False
diff --git a/src/fabledassistant/routes/projects.py b/src/fabledassistant/routes/projects.py
index daa4fe3..60dd547 100644
--- a/src/fabledassistant/routes/projects.py
+++ b/src/fabledassistant/routes/projects.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import logging
 from quart import Blueprint, jsonify, request
 
 from fabledassistant.auth import login_required, get_current_user_id
-from fabledassistant.routes.utils import not_found
+from fabledassistant.routes.utils import not_found, parse_pagination
 from fabledassistant.services.milestones import list_milestones
 from fabledassistant.services.notes import list_notes
 from fabledassistant.services.projects import (
@@ -100,8 +100,7 @@ async def get_project_notes_route(project_id: int):
     # type filter: "note", "task", or None (both)
     type_filter = request.args.get("type")
     status_filter = request.args.get("status")
-    limit = min(request.args.get("limit", 100, type=int), 500)
-    offset = request.args.get("offset", 0, type=int)
+    limit, offset = parse_pagination(default_limit=100)
 
     is_task: bool | None = None
     if type_filter == "task":
diff --git a/src/fabledassistant/routes/tasks.py b/src/fabledassistant/routes/tasks.py
index 03b6309..c5b7a0d 100644
--- a/src/fabledassistant/routes/tasks.py
+++ b/src/fabledassistant/routes/tasks.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from quart import Blueprint, jsonify, request
 
 from fabledassistant.auth import login_required, get_current_user_id
 from fabledassistant.models.note import TaskPriority, TaskStatus
-from fabledassistant.routes.utils import not_found, parse_iso_date
+from fabledassistant.routes.utils import not_found, parse_iso_date, parse_pagination
 from fabledassistant.services.embeddings import upsert_note_embedding
 from fabledassistant.services.notes import (
     create_note,
@@ -28,8 +28,7 @@ async def list_tasks_route():
     priority = request.args.get("priority")
     sort = request.args.get("sort", "updated_at")
     order = request.args.get("order", "desc")
-    limit = min(request.args.get("limit", 50, type=int), 500)
-    offset = request.args.get("offset", 0, type=int)
+    limit, offset = parse_pagination()
 
     project_id = request.args.get("project_id", type=int)
     no_project = request.args.get("no_project", "").lower() == "true"
@@ -118,7 +117,7 @@ async def get_task_route(task_id: int):
     return jsonify(data)
 
 
-@tasks_bp.route("/<int:task_id>", methods=["PUT"])
+@tasks_bp.route("/<int:task_id>", methods=["PUT", "PATCH"])
 @login_required
 async def update_task_route(task_id: int):
     uid = get_current_user_id()
diff --git a/src/fabledassistant/routes/utils.py b/src/fabledassistant/routes/utils.py
index f3aa475..c6efc9e 100644
--- a/src/fabledassistant/routes/utils.py
+++ b/src/fabledassistant/routes/utils.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from datetime import date
 
-from quart import jsonify
+from quart import jsonify, request
 
 
 def not_found(resource: str = "Item"):
@@ -15,3 +15,10 @@ def parse_iso_date(value: str | None, field: str = "date"):
         return date.fromisoformat(value)
     except ValueError:
         return jsonify({"error": f"Invalid {field} format. Use YYYY-MM-DD."}), 400
+
+
+def parse_pagination(default_limit: int = 50, max_limit: int = 500) -> tuple[int, int]:
+    """Extract and clamp ``limit`` / ``offset`` from the current request's query string."""
+    limit = min(request.args.get("limit", default_limit, type=int), max_limit)
+    offset = request.args.get("offset", 0, type=int)
+    return limit, offset
diff --git a/src/fabledassistant/services/briefing_pipeline.py b/src/fabledassistant/services/briefing_pipeline.py
index 0fa741a..ebc3526 100644
--- a/src/fabledassistant/services/briefing_pipeline.py
+++ b/src/fabledassistant/services/briefing_pipeline.py
@@ -416,6 +416,18 @@ async def run_compilation(
         max_items=10,
     )
     rss_item_ids = [item["id"] for item in filtered_rss if item.get("id")]
+    rss_items_meta = [
+        {
+            "id": item["id"],
+            "title": item.get("title", ""),
+            "url": item.get("url", ""),
+            "source": item.get("feed_title", ""),
+            "snippet": (item.get("content") or "")[:300],
+            "published_at": item.get("published_at"),
+        }
+        for item in filtered_rss
+        if item.get("id")
+    ]
 
     # Weather staleness gate — returns None if data is >24h old
     weather_card = parse_weather_card_data(weather_rows[0], temp_unit) if weather_rows else None
@@ -449,7 +461,7 @@ async def run_compilation(
     # ── Post-processing ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
     await upsert_task_snapshots(user_id, all_tasks)
 
-    metadata: dict = {"rss_item_ids": rss_item_ids, "weather": weather_card}
+    metadata: dict = {"rss_item_ids": rss_item_ids, "rss_items": rss_items_meta, "weather": weather_card}
 
     if not internal_text and not external_text:
         logger.warning("Briefing compilation produced no content for user %d slot %s", user_id, slot)
diff --git a/src/fabledassistant/services/sharing.py b/src/fabledassistant/services/sharing.py
index 95254d7..5d7a8bf 100644
--- a/src/fabledassistant/services/sharing.py
+++ b/src/fabledassistant/services/sharing.py
@@ -16,6 +16,33 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 VALID_PERMISSIONS = {"viewer", "editor", "admin"}
 
 
+async def _enrich_shares(session, shares) -> list[dict]:
+    """Attach username / group_name to a list of share rows (ProjectShare or NoteShare)."""
+    result = []
+    for s in shares:
+        d = s.to_dict()
+        if s.shared_with_user_id:
+            user = await session.get(User, s.shared_with_user_id)
+            d["username"] = user.username if user else None
+        if s.shared_with_group_id:
+            group = await session.get(Group, s.shared_with_group_id)
+            d["group_name"] = group.name if group else None
+        result.append(d)
+    return result
+
+
+def _deduplicate_by_permission(shares, id_attr: str) -> dict[int, str]:
+    """Return {resource_id: best_permission} keeping the highest-ranked permission per resource."""
+    from fabledassistant.services.access import PERMISSION_RANK
+    seen: dict[int, str] = {}
+    for share in shares:
+        rid = getattr(share, id_attr)
+        prev = seen.get(rid)
+        if prev is None or PERMISSION_RANK[share.permission] > PERMISSION_RANK[prev]:
+            seen[rid] = share.permission
+    return seen
+
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Project shares
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -83,17 +110,7 @@ async def list_project_shares(project_id: int) -> list[dict]:
         shares = (await session.execute(
             select(ProjectShare).where(ProjectShare.project_id == project_id)
         )).scalars().all()
-        result = []
-        for s in shares:
-            d = s.to_dict()
-            if s.shared_with_user_id:
-                user = await session.get(User, s.shared_with_user_id)
-                d["username"] = user.username if user else None
-            if s.shared_with_group_id:
-                group = await session.get(Group, s.shared_with_group_id)
-                d["group_name"] = group.name if group else None
-            result.append(d)
-        return result
+        return await _enrich_shares(session, shares)
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -166,17 +183,7 @@ async def list_note_shares(note_id: int) -> list[dict]:
         shares = (await session.execute(
             select(NoteShare).where(NoteShare.note_id == note_id)
         )).scalars().all()
-        result = []
-        for s in shares:
-            d = s.to_dict()
-            if s.shared_with_user_id:
-                user = await session.get(User, s.shared_with_user_id)
-                d["username"] = user.username if user else None
-            if s.shared_with_group_id:
-                group = await session.get(Group, s.shared_with_group_id)
-                d["group_name"] = group.name if group else None
-            result.append(d)
-        return result
+        return await _enrich_shares(session, shares)
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -203,12 +210,7 @@ async def list_shared_with_me(user_id: int) -> dict:
                 )
             )).scalars().all()
 
-        seen_projects: dict[int, str] = {}
-        for share in list(proj_direct) + list(proj_group):
-            prev = seen_projects.get(share.project_id)
-            from fabledassistant.services.access import PERMISSION_RANK
-            if prev is None or PERMISSION_RANK[share.permission] > PERMISSION_RANK[prev]:
-                seen_projects[share.project_id] = share.permission
+        seen_projects = _deduplicate_by_permission(list(proj_direct) + list(proj_group), "project_id")
 
         projects = []
         for pid, perm in seen_projects.items():
@@ -239,12 +241,7 @@ async def list_shared_with_me(user_id: int) -> dict:
                 )
             )).scalars().all()
 
-        seen_notes: dict[int, str] = {}
-        for share in list(note_direct) + list(note_group):
-            prev = seen_notes.get(share.note_id)
-            from fabledassistant.services.access import PERMISSION_RANK
-            if prev is None or PERMISSION_RANK[share.permission] > PERMISSION_RANK[prev]:
-                seen_notes[share.note_id] = share.permission
+        seen_notes = _deduplicate_by_permission(list(note_direct) + list(note_group), "note_id")
 
         notes = []
         for nid, perm in seen_notes.items():