Merge pull request 'feat: add News link to main navigation header' (#20) from dev into main

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

docs/superpowers/specs/2026-04-06-research-multi-note-design.md

@@ -0,0 +1,162 @@
+# Research Pipeline — Multi-Note Redesign
+
+> **For agentic workers:** REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use superpowers:subagent-driven-development (recommended) or superpowers:executing-plans to implement this plan task-by-task. Steps use checkbox (`- [ ]`) syntax for tracking.
+
+**Goal:** Replace the single monolithic research note with a set of focused, topic-driven notes plus an index note that links them — making research output browsable, TTS-friendly, and well-organized.
+
+**Architecture:** Two new LLM calls (outline generation + N parallel section syntheses) replace the single large synthesis call. Public API unchanged — callers receive the index note. Fallback to single-note behavior on any outline failure.
+
+**Tech Stack:** Python/Quart backend, existing `research.py` service, asyncio.gather for parallelism.
+
+---
+
+## Problem
+
+The current pipeline synthesizes one note with a minimum of 2500 words and 6 sections. This creates:
+- Notes too large to read or listen to comfortably
+- No way to navigate directly to a specific sub-topic
+- TTS failures on long prose (8000-char route limit, unbounded sentence buffers)
+
+---
+
+## Pipeline Flow
+
+Public signature unchanged:
+```python
+async def run_research_pipeline(
+    topic: str,
+    user_id: int,
+    model: str,
+    buf=None,
+    project_id: int | None = None,
+) -> Note:  # returns the index note
+```
+
+Execution order:
+
+```
+1. Generate sub-queries           (unchanged)
+2. Search + fetch sources         (unchanged)
+3. Generate topic outline         (NEW — one LLM call → 3–7 section dicts)
+4. Synthesize each section note   (NEW — parallelized via asyncio.gather)
+5. Create all section notes in DB (sequential, tagged ["research"], same project_id)
+6. Create index note              (NEW — links all sections)
+7. Return index note
+```
+
+Status messages via `buf.append_event("status", ...)`:
+- `"Generating outline…"`
+- `"Writing: [Section Title]…"` (one per section, emitted before synthesis starts)
+- `"Saving [N] notes…"`
+
+No note content is streamed into chat. After the tool call resolves, the LLM writes a brief conversational summary citing the index note title and section count.
+
+---
+
+## Outline Generation
+
+New function: `_generate_outline(topic, sources, model) -> list[dict]`
+
+Sends all fetched sources to the model with a prompt requesting a JSON array:
+
+```json
+[
+  {"title": "Quantum Entanglement: Mechanisms", "focus": "How entanglement works at the physical level"},
+  {"title": "Quantum Computing Hardware", "focus": "Ion traps, superconducting qubits, photonic approaches"}
+]
+```
+
+**Prompt requirements:**
+- Produce 3–7 sections covering distinct aspects of the topic
+- Titles must work as standalone note titles (no "Overview" or "Introduction" generics)
+- No overlap between sections
+- `focus` is one sentence describing what this section should specifically cover
+
+**Guardrails:**
+- Fewer than 3 sections parsed → fall back to single-note synthesis
+- JSON parse failure → fall back to single-note synthesis
+- More than 8 sections → truncate to 8
+
+**Model params:** `max_tokens=400, num_ctx=16384` (outline is short)
+
+---
+
+## Section Synthesis
+
+New function: `_synthesize_section(section_title, section_focus, sources, model) -> tuple[str, str]`
+
+Returns `(title, body_markdown)`.
+
+All sections receive all fetched sources. The `section_focus` field in the prompt directs the model to draw only what's relevant to that section's scope.
+
+**Prompt requirements:**
+- 300–600 words of substantive prose
+- Do NOT include a `# Title` heading (title is set separately)
+- End with a brief `## Sources` list of relevant URLs from the provided sources
+- Focus strictly on `section_focus` — ignore source material outside that scope
+
+**Model params:** `num_predict=2048, num_ctx=16384` (reduced from 8192 — sufficient for 600 words, prevents rambling)
+
+**Parallelism:** All section synthesis calls run via `asyncio.gather`. Wall-clock time stays close to a single synthesis call despite producing N notes.
+
+---
+
+## Note Creation and Index Note
+
+**Section notes:**
+- Tags: `["research"]`
+- `project_id`: same as passed to pipeline (or None)
+- Title: from outline `title` field
+- Created sequentially (avoids DB contention)
+
+**Index note:**
+- Tags: `["research", "research-index"]`
+- `project_id`: same as section notes
+- Title: `"Research: [topic]"`
+- Created last (after all section notes exist)
+
+**Index note body format:**
+```markdown
+Research overview for **[topic]** — [YYYY-MM-DD]
+
+Generated from [N] web sources across [M] sections.
+
+## Sections
+
+- **[Section 1 Title]** — [focus sentence]
+- **[Section 2 Title]** — [focus sentence]
+...
+
+*Search for any section title to read it.*
+```
+
+The index note is what `run_research_pipeline` returns. The existing `research_topic` tool handler uses `note.id` and `note.title` — both remain valid with the index note.
+
+---
+
+## Error Handling
+
+| Scenario | Behaviour |
+|---|---|
+| Outline generation raises | Fall back to single-note synthesis (current behaviour) |
+| Outline JSON unparseable | Fall back to single-note synthesis |
+| Outline returns < 3 sections | Fall back to single-note synthesis |
+| Outline returns > 8 sections | Truncate to 8, continue |
+| A section synthesis raises | Log warning, skip that section; continue with remaining |
+| All section syntheses fail | Fall back to single-note synthesis |
+| A section note DB save fails | Log warning, skip from index; index note still created |
+| No sources fetched | Raise `ValueError` as today — unchanged |
+
+The fallback in every case is the current single-note pipeline. Research never silently produces nothing.
+
+---
+
+## What Is NOT Changing
+
+- Public function signature of `run_research_pipeline`
+- Sub-query generation (`_generate_sub_queries`)
+- SearXNG search and URL fetching
+- `_search_searxng`, `_search_searxng_images`, `fetch_url_content`
+- The `research_topic` tool definition and handler in `tools.py`
+- The `quick_capture` research path
+- Any frontend component

frontend/src/components/AppHeader.vue

@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ router.afterEach(() => {
         <router-link to="/chat" :class="['nav-link', { 'router-link-active': isChatActive }]">Chat</router-link>
         <router-link to="/briefing" class="nav-link">Briefing</router-link>
         <router-link to="/calendar" class="nav-link">Calendar</router-link>
+        <router-link to="/news" class="nav-link">News</router-link>
         <router-link to="/tasks" class="nav-link">Tasks</router-link>
         <router-link to="/projects" class="nav-link">Projects</router-link>
       </div>

frontend/src/components/ChatPanel.vue

@@ -299,12 +299,22 @@ defineExpose({ focus, prefill, send })
       <!-- Message list -->
       <div ref="messagesEl" class="messages-container">
         <div class="messages-inner">
-          <ChatMessage
+          <template
-            v-for="msg in store.currentConversation?.messages ?? []"
+            v-for="(msg, index) in store.currentConversation?.messages ?? []"
             :key="msg.id"
-            :message="msg"
+          >
-            @save-as-note="handleSaveAsNote"
+            <!-- Briefing slot separator: shown before a 2nd+ briefing slot message -->
-          />
+            <div
+              v-if="briefingMode && index > 0 && msg.role === 'assistant' && msg.metadata?.rss_item_ids"
+              class="briefing-slot-separator"
+            >
+              <span>New Briefing Update</span>
+            </div>
+            <ChatMessage
+              :message="msg"
+              @save-as-note="handleSaveAsNote"
+            />
+          </template>
           <!-- Streaming bubble -->
           <ChatStreamingBubble v-if="store.streaming" />
           <!-- Queued messages -->
@@ -523,6 +533,28 @@ defineExpose({ focus, prefill, send })
   justify-content: flex-end;
 }
 
+/* Briefing slot separator */
+.briefing-slot-separator {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 0.75rem;
+  margin: 1.25rem 0 0.5rem;
+  color: var(--color-text-muted, #888);
+  font-size: 0.7rem;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+  opacity: 0.7;
+}
+.briefing-slot-separator::before,
+.briefing-slot-separator::after {
+  content: '';
+  flex: 1;
+  height: 1px;
+  background: var(--color-border, #333);
+  opacity: 0.5;
+}
+
 /* Context sidebar */
 .context-sidebar {
   width: 200px;

frontend/src/composables/useStreamingTts.ts

@@ -86,11 +86,21 @@ export function useStreamingTts(options: UseStreamingTtsOptions): UseStreamingTt
     try {
       blob = await synthesiseSpeech(stripped)
     } catch (e) {
-      console.warn('[StreamingTTS] Synthesis failed, retrying sentence', { sentence: stripped, error: e })
+      const errMsg = e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e)
+      console.warn('[StreamingTTS] Synthesis failed, retrying', {
+        chars: stripped.length,
+        preview: stripped.slice(0, 80),
+        error: errMsg,
+      })
       try {
         blob = await synthesiseSpeech(stripped)
       } catch (e2) {
-        console.warn('[StreamingTTS] Retry also failed, skipping sentence', { sentence: stripped, error: e2 })
+        const errMsg2 = e2 instanceof Error ? e2.message : String(e2)
+        console.warn('[StreamingTTS] Retry failed, sentence dropped', {
+          chars: stripped.length,
+          preview: stripped.slice(0, 80),
+          error: errMsg2,
+        })
       }
     } finally {
       pendingCount.value--

frontend/src/types/chat.ts

@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ export interface Message {
   context_note_id: number | null;
   context_note_title?: string | null;
   tool_calls?: ToolCallRecord[] | null;
+  metadata?: Record<string, unknown> | null;
   created_at: string;
   timing?: GenerationTiming;
   thinking?: string;

src/fabledassistant/routes/voice.py

@@ -117,7 +117,12 @@ async def synthesise_speech():
     if not text:
         return jsonify({"error": "text is required"}), 400
 
-    if len(text) > 8000:
+    char_count = len(text)
+    if char_count > 8000:
+        logger.warning(
+            "TTS request rejected: text too long (%d chars, limit 8000). Preview: %r",
+            char_count, text[:120],
+        )
         return jsonify({"error": "text too long (max 8000 characters)"}), 400
 
     voice = str(data.get("voice", "af_heart"))
@@ -154,11 +159,29 @@ async def synthesise_speech():
         except Exception:
             pass
 
+    blend_desc = f"blend({len(voice_blend)} voices)" if voice_blend else voice
+    logger.info("TTS synthesis start: %d chars, voice=%s, speed=%.2f", char_count, blend_desc, speed)
+    t0 = time.monotonic()
     try:
         wav_bytes = await synthesise(text, voice=voice, speed=speed, voice_blend=voice_blend)
     except Exception:
-        logger.exception("TTS synthesis failed")
+        logger.exception(
+            "TTS synthesis failed: %d chars, voice=%s. Preview: %r",
+            char_count, blend_desc, text[:120],
+        )
         return jsonify({"error": "Synthesis failed"}), 500
 
+    duration_ms = round((time.monotonic() - t0) * 1000)
+    if not wav_bytes:
+        logger.warning(
+            "TTS synthesis returned empty audio: %d chars, voice=%s, %dms. Preview: %r",
+            char_count, blend_desc, duration_ms, text[:120],
+        )
+    else:
+        logger.info(
+            "TTS synthesis complete: %d chars → %d bytes in %dms (voice=%s)",
+            char_count, len(wav_bytes), duration_ms, blend_desc,
+        )
+
     from quart import Response
     return Response(wav_bytes, mimetype="audio/wav")

src/fabledassistant/services/llm.py

@@ -607,6 +607,25 @@ async def build_context(
             f"\n\n--- Earlier Conversation ---\n{history_summary}\n--- End Earlier Conversation ---"
         )
 
+    # Detect briefing conversation — used for both system prompt instruction and article injection
+    _is_briefing_conv = False
+    if conv_id is not None:
+        from fabledassistant.models import async_session as _async_session
+        from fabledassistant.models.conversation import Conversation as _Conversation
+        async with _async_session() as _sess:
+            _conv = await _sess.get(_Conversation, conv_id)
+        if _conv and getattr(_conv, "conversation_type", None) == "briefing":
+            _is_briefing_conv = True
+
+    if _is_briefing_conv:
+        system_content += (
+            "\n\nYou are in a briefing conversation. "
+            "The conversation history contains today's briefing — news stories, weather, and tasks. "
+            "When the user asks about a topic, person, or event from the briefing, answer directly "
+            "from the conversation history and the article context that follows. "
+            "Do NOT search the web for information that is already present in the briefing."
+        )
+
     context_meta: dict = {
         "context_note_id": None,
         "context_note_title": None,
@@ -769,16 +788,10 @@ async def build_context(
             )
 
     # Briefing article context for follow-up Q&A
-    if conv_id is not None:
+    if _is_briefing_conv:
-        from fabledassistant.models import async_session as _async_session
+        article_context = await _build_briefing_article_context(conv_id)  # type: ignore[arg-type]
-        from fabledassistant.models.conversation import Conversation
+        if article_context:
-
+            user_context_parts.append(article_context.strip())
-        async with _async_session() as _sess:
-            _conv = await _sess.get(Conversation, conv_id)
-        if _conv and getattr(_conv, "conversation_type", None) == "briefing":
-            article_context = await _build_briefing_article_context(conv_id)
-            if article_context:
-                user_context_parts.append(article_context.strip())
 
     # Build final user message — context prefix (if any) followed by the actual message
     if user_context_parts:

src/fabledassistant/services/research.py

@@ -21,6 +21,106 @@ MAX_SYNTHESIS_SOURCES = 12  # deduplicated sources passed to synthesis LLM
 CHARS_PER_SOURCE = 2000     # content chars per source sent to synthesis
 
 
+def _build_sources_block(sources: list[dict]) -> str:
+    """Format fetched sources into a text block for LLM prompts."""
+    parts = []
+    for i, s in enumerate(sources, 1):
+        content = (s.get("content") or s.get("snippet") or "")[:CHARS_PER_SOURCE]
+        parts.append(
+            f"[Source {i}] {s['title']}\nURL: {s['url']}\nSearch query: {s['query']}\n\n{content}"
+        )
+    return "\n\n" + ("─" * 60) + "\n\n".join(parts)
+
+
+async def _generate_outline(topic: str, sources: list[dict], model: str) -> list[dict]:
+    """Generate a topic outline from fetched research sources.
+
+    Returns a list of {"title": str, "focus": str} dicts (3–8 entries).
+    Returns [] on failure — callers must fall back to single-note synthesis.
+    """
+    import json as _json
+
+    sources_block = _build_sources_block(sources) if sources else "(no sources)"
+    messages = [
+        {
+            "role": "system",
+            "content": (
+                "You are a research organizer. Given research sources on a topic, produce a JSON array "
+                "of section objects that together cover the topic comprehensively from distinct angles.\n\n"
+                "Rules:\n"
+                "- Return exactly 3–7 sections\n"
+                "- Each section must cover a unique angle — no overlap between sections\n"
+                "- Titles must work as standalone note titles (specific, not generic like 'Overview')\n"
+                "- focus: one sentence describing exactly what this section covers\n"
+                "- Respond with ONLY a JSON array, no other text\n\n"
+                'Example: [{"title": "CRISPR: Molecular Mechanisms", "focus": "How Cas9 identifies and cuts DNA at guide-RNA-specified sites"}]'
+            ),
+        },
+        {
+            "role": "user",
+            "content": f"Topic: {topic}\n\nSources:\n{sources_block}",
+        },
+    ]
+    try:
+        raw = await generate_completion(messages, model, max_tokens=400)
+        raw = raw.strip()
+        raw = re.sub(r"^```(?:json)?\s*", "", raw)
+        raw = re.sub(r"\s*```$", "", raw)
+        idx = raw.find("[")
+        if idx >= 0:
+            parsed, _ = _json.JSONDecoder().raw_decode(raw[idx:])
+            if isinstance(parsed, list):
+                sections = [
+                    s for s in parsed
+                    if isinstance(s, dict) and s.get("title") and s.get("focus")
+                ]
+                if len(sections) >= 3:
+                    return sections[:8]
+    except Exception:
+        logger.warning("Outline generation failed for topic '%s'", topic, exc_info=True)
+    return []
+
+
+async def _synthesize_section(
+    section_title: str,
+    section_focus: str,
+    sources: list[dict],
+    model: str,
+) -> tuple[str, str]:
+    """Synthesize one focused note section.
+
+    Returns (section_title, body_markdown). Does not stream.
+    """
+    sources_block = _build_sources_block(sources) if sources else "(no sources provided)"
+    messages = [
+        {
+            "role": "system",
+            "content": (
+                "You are a focused research writer. Write a single well-structured note section "
+                "on the specific topic provided.\n\n"
+                "Requirements:\n"
+                f"- Focus strictly on: {section_focus}\n"
+                "- 300–600 words of substantive prose\n"
+                "- Use ### for subsections only when they genuinely aid clarity\n"
+                "- Do NOT include a top-level # heading — the title is set separately\n"
+                "- Write in detailed prose paragraphs — not bullet points\n"
+                "- End with a '## Sources' section listing relevant source URLs as markdown hyperlinks\n"
+                "- Ignore source material that falls outside your assigned focus"
+            ),
+        },
+        {
+            "role": "user",
+            "content": (
+                f"Section title: {section_title}\n"
+                f"Focus: {section_focus}\n\n"
+                f"Sources:\n{sources_block}"
+            ),
+        },
+    ]
+    raw = await generate_completion(messages, model, max_tokens=2048, num_ctx=16384)
+    return section_title, raw.strip()
+
+
 async def run_research_pipeline(
     topic: str,
     user_id: int,
@@ -28,14 +128,17 @@ async def run_research_pipeline(
     buf=None,
     project_id: int | None = None,
 ) -> Note:
-    """Full research pipeline: search → fetch → synthesize → create note.
+    """Full research pipeline: search → fetch → outline → section notes → index note.
 
-    Emits status events via buf.append_event throughout (when buf is provided).
+    Emits status events via buf throughout (when buf is provided).
-    Returns the created Note.
+    Returns the index note (or a single fallback note on outline failure).
     """
+    def _status(msg: str) -> None:
+        if buf is not None:
+            buf.append_event("status", {"status": msg})
+
     # Step 1: Generate sub-queries
-    if buf is not None:
+    _status("Generating search queries...")
-        buf.append_event("status", {"status": "Generating search queries..."})
     queries = await _generate_sub_queries(topic, model)
     logger.info("Research: generated %d sub-queries for topic '%s'", len(queries), topic)
 
@@ -43,8 +146,7 @@ async def run_research_pipeline(
     async def _search_with_stagger(i: int, query: str) -> tuple[str, list[dict]]:
         if i > 0:
             await asyncio.sleep(0.2 * i)
-        if buf is not None:
+        _status(f"Searching: {query}...")
-            buf.append_event("status", {"status": f"Searching: {query}..."})
         results = await _search_searxng(query)
         logger.info("Research: query '%s' → %d results", query, len(results))
         return query, results
@@ -66,8 +168,7 @@ async def run_research_pipeline(
     # Fetch all unique URLs in parallel
     async def _fetch_source(url: str, result: dict, query: str) -> dict:
         title = result.get("title", url)
-        if buf is not None:
+        _status(f"Reading: {title[:60]}...")
-            buf.append_event("status", {"status": f"Reading: {title[:60]}..."})
         content = await fetch_url_content(url)
         return {
             "url": url,
@@ -84,39 +185,97 @@ async def run_research_pipeline(
     if not all_sources:
         raise ValueError(f"No results found for '{topic}'")
 
-    # Step 3: Filter failed fetches
+    good_sources = [s for s in all_sources if not s["content"].startswith("[Failed to fetch")]
-    good_sources = [
-        s for s in all_sources
-        if not s["content"].startswith("[Failed to fetch")
-    ]
 
     if not good_sources:
         raise ValueError(f"Could not read any sources for '{topic}'")
 
-    # Limit to top N sources for synthesis (already deduplicated by URL)
     synthesis_sources = good_sources[:MAX_SYNTHESIS_SOURCES]
     logger.info(
         "Research: %d/%d sources successfully fetched, using %d for synthesis",
         len(good_sources), len(all_sources), len(synthesis_sources),
     )
 
-    # Step 4: Synthesize (streams tokens into chat as the note is being written)
+    # Step 3: Generate topic outline
-    if buf is not None:
+    _status("Generating outline...")
-        buf.append_event("status", {"status": f"Synthesizing report from {len(synthesis_sources)} sources..."})
+    outline = await _generate_outline(topic, synthesis_sources, model)
-    title, body = await _synthesize_note(topic, synthesis_sources, model, buf)
 
-    # Step 5: Create note
+    # Fallback: outline failed or too short → single monolithic note
-    if buf is not None:
+    if not outline:
-        buf.append_event("status", {"status": "Saving note..."})
+        logger.warning("Research outline empty, falling back to single note for '%s'", topic)
-    note = await create_note(
+        _status("Synthesizing report...")
+        title, body = await _synthesize_note(topic, synthesis_sources, model, buf=None)
+        note = await create_note(
+            user_id=user_id, title=title, body=body, tags=["research"], project_id=project_id,
+        )
+        logger.info("Research (fallback): created note id=%d title='%s'", note.id, note.title)
+        return note
+
+    # Step 4: Synthesize each section in parallel
+    for section in outline:
+        _status(f"Writing: {section['title']}...")
+
+    raw_results = await asyncio.gather(
+        *[_synthesize_section(s["title"], s["focus"], synthesis_sources, model) for s in outline],
+        return_exceptions=True,
+    )
+
+    # Step 5: Create section notes sequentially
+    _status(f"Saving {len(outline)} notes...")
+    section_note_pairs: list[tuple[dict, Note]] = []
+    for section, result in zip(outline, raw_results):
+        if isinstance(result, Exception):
+            logger.warning("Section synthesis failed for '%s': %s", section["title"], result)
+            continue
+        sec_title, sec_body = result
+        try:
+            note = await create_note(
+                user_id=user_id,
+                title=sec_title,
+                body=sec_body,
+                tags=["research"],
+                project_id=project_id,
+            )
+            section_note_pairs.append((section, note))
+        except Exception:
+            logger.warning("Failed to save section note '%s'", sec_title, exc_info=True)
+
+    # All sections failed — fall back to single note
+    if not section_note_pairs:
+        logger.warning("All section syntheses failed, falling back to single note for '%s'", topic)
+        _status("Synthesizing report (fallback)...")
+        title, body = await _synthesize_note(topic, synthesis_sources, model, buf=None)
+        note = await create_note(
+            user_id=user_id, title=title, body=body, tags=["research"], project_id=project_id,
+        )
+        return note
+
+    # Step 6: Create index note
+    from datetime import date as _date
+    index_lines = [
+        f"Research overview for **{topic}** — {_date.today().isoformat()}",
+        "",
+        f"Generated from {len(synthesis_sources)} web sources across {len(section_note_pairs)} sections.",
+        "",
+        "## Sections",
+        "",
+    ]
+    for section, note in section_note_pairs:
+        index_lines.append(f"- **{note.title}** — {section['focus']}")
+    index_lines += ["", "*Search for any section title to read it.*"]
+
+    index_note = await create_note(
         user_id=user_id,
-        title=title,
+        title=f"Research: {topic}",
-        body=body,
+        body="\n".join(index_lines),
-        tags=["research"],
+        tags=["research", "research-index"],
         project_id=project_id,
     )
-    logger.info("Research: created note id=%d title='%s'", note.id, note.title)
+    logger.info(
-    return note
+        "Research: created %d section notes + index id=%d for topic '%s'",
+        len(section_note_pairs), index_note.id, topic,
+    )
+    return index_note
 
 
 async def _generate_sub_queries(topic: str, model: str) -> list[str]:
@@ -248,13 +407,7 @@ async def _synthesize_note(
     When buf is provided, tokens are streamed into the chat buffer in real time
     so the user can see the note being written. Uses an extended context window.
     """
-    sources_text_parts = []
+    sources_block = _build_sources_block(sources)
-    for i, s in enumerate(sources, 1):
-        content = (s.get("content") or s.get("snippet") or "")[:CHARS_PER_SOURCE]
-        sources_text_parts.append(
-            f"[Source {i}] {s['title']}\nURL: {s['url']}\nSearch query: {s['query']}\n\n{content}"
-        )
-    sources_block = "\n\n" + ("─" * 60) + "\n\n".join(sources_text_parts)
 
     messages = [
         {

src/fabledassistant/services/tools.py

@@ -258,8 +258,8 @@ _CORE_TOOLS = [
         "function": {
             "name": "get_note",
             "description": (
-                "Retrieve the full content of a specific note. Use this when the user asks to read, "
+                "Retrieve the full content of a specific note or task. Use this when the user asks to read, "
-                "view, or check what a particular note says. Returns the complete note body."
+                "view, or check what a particular note or task says. Returns the complete body."
             ),
             "parameters": {
                 "type": "object",
@@ -316,7 +316,7 @@ _CORE_TOOLS = [
             "name": "delete_note",
             "description": (
                 "Delete a note permanently. Use ONLY when the user explicitly asks to delete or remove a note. "
-                "This action requires user confirmation and cannot be undone."
+                "Always confirm with the user first — this cannot be undone."
             ),
             "parameters": {
                 "type": "object",
@@ -325,6 +325,10 @@ _CORE_TOOLS = [
                         "type": "string",
                         "description": "Title or keyword to find the note to delete",
                     },
+                    "confirmed": {
+                        "type": "boolean",
+                        "description": "Must be true — only set after the user has explicitly confirmed they want this note deleted.",
+                    },
                 },
                 "required": ["query"],
             },
@@ -336,7 +340,7 @@ _CORE_TOOLS = [
             "name": "delete_task",
             "description": (
                 "Delete a task permanently. Use ONLY when the user explicitly asks to delete or remove a task. "
-                "This action requires user confirmation and cannot be undone."
+                "Always confirm with the user first — this cannot be undone."
             ),
             "parameters": {
                 "type": "object",
@@ -345,6 +349,10 @@ _CORE_TOOLS = [
                         "type": "string",
                         "description": "Title or keyword to find the task to delete",
                     },
+                    "confirmed": {
+                        "type": "boolean",
+                        "description": "Must be true — only set after the user has explicitly confirmed they want this task deleted.",
+                    },
                 },
                 "required": ["query"],
             },
@@ -937,6 +945,28 @@ _RAG_TOOLS = [
             },
         },
     },
+    {
+        "type": "function",
+        "function": {
+            "name": "calculate",
+            "description": (
+                "Evaluate a mathematical expression and return the exact result. Use this for any "
+                "arithmetic, percentages, unit conversions, or multi-step calculations where precision "
+                "matters. Supports standard math operators (+, -, *, /, **, %) and all Python math "
+                "module functions (sqrt, log, sin, cos, floor, ceil, etc.)."
+            ),
+            "parameters": {
+                "type": "object",
+                "properties": {
+                    "expression": {
+                        "type": "string",
+                        "description": "A valid Python math expression (e.g. '(450 * 1.13) / 12', 'sqrt(144)', 'log(1000, 10)')",
+                    },
+                },
+                "required": ["expression"],
+            },
+        },
+    },
 ]
 
 _ENTITY_TOOLS = [
@@ -964,6 +994,29 @@ _ENTITY_TOOLS = [
             },
         },
     },
+    {
+        "type": "function",
+        "function": {
+            "name": "update_person",
+            "description": (
+                "Update details about a saved person. Use this when the user corrects or adds new "
+                "information about someone already in the knowledge base."
+            ),
+            "parameters": {
+                "type": "object",
+                "properties": {
+                    "query": {"type": "string", "description": "Name or keyword to find the person"},
+                    "relationship": {"type": "string", "description": "Updated relationship to the user"},
+                    "phone": {"type": "string", "description": "Updated phone number"},
+                    "email": {"type": "string", "description": "Updated email address"},
+                    "birthday": {"type": "string", "description": "Updated birthday in YYYY-MM-DD format"},
+                    "address": {"type": "string", "description": "Updated home or mailing address"},
+                    "notes": {"type": "string", "description": "Updated free-form notes about this person"},
+                },
+                "required": ["query"],
+            },
+        },
+    },
     {
         "type": "function",
         "function": {
@@ -987,6 +1040,28 @@ _ENTITY_TOOLS = [
             },
         },
     },
+    {
+        "type": "function",
+        "function": {
+            "name": "update_place",
+            "description": (
+                "Update details about a saved place. Use this when the user corrects or adds new "
+                "information about a location already in the knowledge base."
+            ),
+            "parameters": {
+                "type": "object",
+                "properties": {
+                    "query": {"type": "string", "description": "Name or keyword to find the place"},
+                    "address": {"type": "string", "description": "Updated street address"},
+                    "phone": {"type": "string", "description": "Updated phone number"},
+                    "hours": {"type": "string", "description": "Updated opening hours"},
+                    "url": {"type": "string", "description": "Updated website URL"},
+                    "notes": {"type": "string", "description": "Updated free-form notes about this place"},
+                },
+                "required": ["query"],
+            },
+        },
+    },
     {
         "type": "function",
         "function": {
@@ -1051,12 +1126,71 @@ _ENTITY_TOOLS = [
 ]
 
 
+_PROFILE_TOOLS = [
+    {
+        "type": "function",
+        "function": {
+            "name": "get_profile",
+            "description": (
+                "Retrieve the user's stored profile: name, job title, industry, expertise level, "
+                "preferred response style, tone, and interests. Use this when you need to personalise "
+                "a response and the user's profile hasn't already been injected into context."
+            ),
+            "parameters": {
+                "type": "object",
+                "properties": {},
+            },
+        },
+    },
+    {
+        "type": "function",
+        "function": {
+            "name": "update_profile",
+            "description": (
+                "Update the user's stored profile when they share personal information: their name, "
+                "job, industry, expertise, preferred response style, tone, or interests. "
+                "Only set fields the user has explicitly mentioned."
+            ),
+            "parameters": {
+                "type": "object",
+                "properties": {
+                    "display_name": {"type": "string", "description": "User's preferred display name"},
+                    "job_title": {"type": "string", "description": "Job title (e.g. 'Software Engineer')"},
+                    "industry": {"type": "string", "description": "Industry (e.g. 'Healthcare', 'Finance')"},
+                    "expertise_level": {
+                        "type": "string",
+                        "enum": ["novice", "intermediate", "expert"],
+                        "description": "User's general expertise level",
+                    },
+                    "response_style": {
+                        "type": "string",
+                        "enum": ["concise", "balanced", "detailed"],
+                        "description": "Preferred response length/depth",
+                    },
+                    "tone": {
+                        "type": "string",
+                        "enum": ["casual", "professional", "technical"],
+                        "description": "Preferred communication tone",
+                    },
+                    "interests": {
+                        "type": "array",
+                        "items": {"type": "string"},
+                        "description": "List of topics or hobbies the user is interested in",
+                    },
+                },
+            },
+        },
+    },
+]
+
+
 async def get_tools_for_user(user_id: int) -> list[dict]:
     """Build the tool list for a user based on their configured integrations."""
     tools = list(_CORE_TOOLS)
     tools.extend(_URL_TOOLS)
     tools.extend(_RAG_TOOLS)
     tools.extend(_ENTITY_TOOLS)
+    tools.extend(_PROFILE_TOOLS)
     if await is_caldav_configured(user_id):
         tools.extend(_CALDAV_TOOLS)
     if Config.searxng_enabled():
@@ -1698,6 +1832,12 @@ async def execute_tool(
                 note = notes[0]
             if note.status is not None:
                 return {"success": False, "error": f"'{note.title}' is a task. Use delete_task instead."}
+            if not arguments.get("confirmed"):
+                return {
+                    "success": False,
+                    "requires_confirmation": True,
+                    "error": f"Deleting '{note.title}' is permanent. Ask the user to confirm, then retry with confirmed=true.",
+                }
             deleted = await delete_note(user_id, note.id)
             if not deleted:
                 return {"success": False, "error": "Failed to delete note."}
@@ -1717,6 +1857,12 @@ async def execute_tool(
                 note = notes[0]
             if note.status is None:
                 return {"success": False, "error": f"'{note.title}' is a note. Use delete_note instead."}
+            if not arguments.get("confirmed"):
+                return {
+                    "success": False,
+                    "requires_confirmation": True,
+                    "error": f"Deleting '{note.title}' is permanent. Ask the user to confirm, then retry with confirmed=true.",
+                }
             deleted = await delete_note(user_id, note.id)
             if not deleted:
                 return {"success": False, "error": "Failed to delete task."}
@@ -2172,6 +2318,72 @@ async def execute_tool(
             _schedule_embedding(note.id, user_id, name, note.body)
             return {"success": True, "type": "place", "data": {"id": note.id, "name": name}}
 
+        elif tool_name == "update_person":
+            query = str(arguments.get("query", "")).strip()
+            if not query:
+                return {"success": False, "error": "query is required"}
+            existing, _ = await list_notes(user_id=user_id, q=query, is_task=False, limit=10)
+            target = next((n for n in existing if n.note_type == "person"), None)
+            if target is None:
+                return {"success": False, "error": f"No person found matching '{query}'. Use create_person to add them."}
+            meta = dict(target.entity_meta or {})
+            for field in ("relationship", "phone", "email", "birthday", "address"):
+                val = arguments.get(field)
+                if val is not None:
+                    meta[field] = str(val)
+            body_lines = []
+            if meta.get("relationship"):
+                body_lines.append(f"**Relationship:** {meta['relationship']}")
+            if meta.get("phone"):
+                body_lines.append(f"**Phone:** {meta['phone']}")
+            if meta.get("email"):
+                body_lines.append(f"**Email:** {meta['email']}")
+            if meta.get("birthday"):
+                body_lines.append(f"**Birthday:** {meta['birthday']}")
+            if meta.get("address"):
+                body_lines.append(f"**Address:** {meta['address']}")
+            extra_notes = arguments.get("notes")
+            if extra_notes is not None:
+                body_lines.append(f"\n{extra_notes}")
+            new_body = "\n".join(body_lines)
+            updated = await update_note(user_id=user_id, note_id=target.id, body=new_body, entity_meta=meta)
+            if updated is None:
+                return {"success": False, "error": "Failed to update person."}
+            _schedule_embedding(target.id, user_id, target.title, new_body)
+            return {"success": True, "type": "person_updated", "data": {"id": target.id, "name": target.title}}
+
+        elif tool_name == "update_place":
+            query = str(arguments.get("query", "")).strip()
+            if not query:
+                return {"success": False, "error": "query is required"}
+            existing, _ = await list_notes(user_id=user_id, q=query, is_task=False, limit=10)
+            target = next((n for n in existing if n.note_type == "place"), None)
+            if target is None:
+                return {"success": False, "error": f"No place found matching '{query}'. Use create_place to add it."}
+            meta = dict(target.entity_meta or {})
+            for field in ("address", "phone", "hours", "url"):
+                val = arguments.get(field)
+                if val is not None:
+                    meta[field] = str(val)
+            body_lines = []
+            if meta.get("address"):
+                body_lines.append(f"**Address:** {meta['address']}")
+            if meta.get("phone"):
+                body_lines.append(f"**Phone:** {meta['phone']}")
+            if meta.get("hours"):
+                body_lines.append(f"**Hours:** {meta['hours']}")
+            if meta.get("url"):
+                body_lines.append(f"**Website:** {meta['url']}")
+            extra_notes = arguments.get("notes")
+            if extra_notes is not None:
+                body_lines.append(f"\n{extra_notes}")
+            new_body = "\n".join(body_lines)
+            updated = await update_note(user_id=user_id, note_id=target.id, body=new_body, entity_meta=meta)
+            if updated is None:
+                return {"success": False, "error": "Failed to update place."}
+            _schedule_embedding(target.id, user_id, target.title, new_body)
+            return {"success": True, "type": "place_updated", "data": {"id": target.id, "name": target.title}}
+
         elif tool_name == "create_list":
             name = str(arguments.get("name", "")).strip()
             if not name:
@@ -2235,6 +2447,65 @@ async def execute_tool(
             _schedule_embedding(target.id, user_id, target.title, cleaned)
             return {"success": True, "type": "list_cleared", "data": {"id": target.id, "name": target.title}}
 
+        elif tool_name == "get_profile":
+            from fabledassistant.services.user_profile import get_profile as _get_profile
+            profile = await _get_profile(user_id)
+            return {
+                "success": True,
+                "type": "profile",
+                "data": {
+                    "display_name": profile.display_name or "",
+                    "job_title": profile.job_title or "",
+                    "industry": profile.industry or "",
+                    "expertise_level": profile.expertise_level or "intermediate",
+                    "response_style": profile.response_style or "balanced",
+                    "tone": profile.tone or "casual",
+                    "interests": profile.interests or [],
+                },
+            }
+
+        elif tool_name == "update_profile":
+            from fabledassistant.services.user_profile import update_profile as _update_profile, VALID_EXPERTISE, VALID_STYLES, VALID_TONES
+            data: dict = {}
+            for field in ("display_name", "job_title", "industry"):
+                val = arguments.get(field)
+                if val is not None:
+                    data[field] = str(val)
+            expertise = arguments.get("expertise_level")
+            if expertise in VALID_EXPERTISE:
+                data["expertise_level"] = expertise
+            style = arguments.get("response_style")
+            if style in VALID_STYLES:
+                data["response_style"] = style
+            tone = arguments.get("tone")
+            if tone in VALID_TONES:
+                data["tone"] = tone
+            interests = arguments.get("interests")
+            if isinstance(interests, list):
+                data["interests"] = [str(i) for i in interests if str(i).strip()]
+            if not data:
+                return {"success": False, "error": "No valid fields provided to update."}
+            profile = await _update_profile(user_id, data)
+            return {
+                "success": True,
+                "type": "profile_updated",
+                "data": {"fields_updated": list(data.keys())},
+            }
+
+        elif tool_name == "calculate":
+            import math as _math
+            expr = str(arguments.get("expression", "")).strip()
+            if not expr:
+                return {"success": False, "error": "expression is required"}
+            allowed_names = {k: v for k, v in vars(_math).items() if not k.startswith("_")}
+            allowed_names["abs"] = abs
+            allowed_names["round"] = round
+            try:
+                result = eval(expr, {"__builtins__": {}}, allowed_names)  # noqa: S307
+            except Exception as calc_err:
+                return {"success": False, "error": f"Could not evaluate expression: {calc_err}"}
+            return {"success": True, "type": "calculation", "data": {"expression": expr, "result": result}}
+
         else:
             return {"success": False, "error": f"Unknown tool: {tool_name}"}
 

src/fabledassistant/services/tts.py

@@ -239,17 +239,32 @@ async def synthesise(
         voice_param = _build_voice_param()
         t0 = time.monotonic()
         audio_chunks: list = []
-        for _, _, audio in _pipeline(text, voice=voice_param, speed=speed):  # type: ignore[misc]
+        try:
-            if audio is not None:
+            for _, _, audio in _pipeline(text, voice=voice_param, speed=speed):  # type: ignore[misc]
-                audio_chunks.append(audio)
+                if audio is not None:
+                    audio_chunks.append(audio)
+        except Exception:
+            logger.exception(
+                "Kokoro pipeline error during synthesis: %d chars, preview=%r",
+                len(text), text[:80],
+            )
+            raise
 
         if not audio_chunks:
+            logger.warning(
+                "Kokoro produced no audio chunks: %d chars, preview=%r",
+                len(text), text[:80],
+            )
             return b""
 
         combined = np.concatenate(audio_chunks)
         buf = io.BytesIO()
         sf.write(buf, combined, samplerate=24000, format="WAV", subtype="PCM_16")
-        logger.debug("TTS synthesis took %.2fs for %d chars", time.monotonic() - t0, len(text))
+        elapsed = time.monotonic() - t0
+        logger.info(
+            "Kokoro synthesis: %d chars → %d samples (%.2fs, %.0f chars/s)",
+            len(text), len(combined), elapsed, len(text) / elapsed if elapsed > 0 else 0,
+        )
         return buf.getvalue()
 
     loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()

tests/test_research_pipeline.py

@@ -0,0 +1,186 @@
+"""Tests for the multi-note research pipeline."""
+import json
+import pytest
+from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, patch
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_generate_outline_parses_valid_json():
+    """_generate_outline returns parsed sections when model returns valid JSON."""
+    from fabledassistant.services.research import _generate_outline
+
+    outline_json = json.dumps([
+        {"title": "Section One", "focus": "Focus one"},
+        {"title": "Section Two", "focus": "Focus two"},
+        {"title": "Section Three", "focus": "Focus three"},
+    ])
+    with patch("fabledassistant.services.research.generate_completion", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=outline_json):
+        result = await _generate_outline("test topic", [], "test-model")
+
+    assert len(result) == 3
+    assert result[0]["title"] == "Section One"
+    assert result[0]["focus"] == "Focus one"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_generate_outline_returns_empty_on_parse_failure():
+    """_generate_outline returns [] when model output is not parseable JSON."""
+    from fabledassistant.services.research import _generate_outline
+
+    with patch("fabledassistant.services.research.generate_completion", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value="not json at all"):
+        result = await _generate_outline("test topic", [], "test-model")
+
+    assert result == []
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_generate_outline_returns_empty_when_fewer_than_3_sections():
+    """_generate_outline returns [] when model returns fewer than 3 valid sections."""
+    from fabledassistant.services.research import _generate_outline
+
+    outline_json = json.dumps([{"title": "Only One", "focus": "Focus"}])
+    with patch("fabledassistant.services.research.generate_completion", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=outline_json):
+        result = await _generate_outline("test topic", [], "test-model")
+
+    assert result == []
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_generate_outline_truncates_to_8():
+    """_generate_outline truncates results to at most 8 sections."""
+    from fabledassistant.services.research import _generate_outline
+
+    sections = [{"title": f"Section {i}", "focus": f"Focus {i}"} for i in range(10)]
+    with patch("fabledassistant.services.research.generate_completion", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=json.dumps(sections)):
+        result = await _generate_outline("test topic", [], "test-model")
+
+    assert len(result) == 8
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_generate_outline_skips_malformed_entries():
+    """_generate_outline filters out entries missing title or focus."""
+    from fabledassistant.services.research import _generate_outline
+
+    outline_json = json.dumps([
+        {"title": "Good One", "focus": "Good focus"},
+        {"title": "Missing focus"},
+        {"focus": "Missing title"},
+        {"title": "Good Two", "focus": "Good focus two"},
+        {"title": "Good Three", "focus": "Good focus three"},
+    ])
+    with patch("fabledassistant.services.research.generate_completion", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=outline_json):
+        result = await _generate_outline("test topic", [], "test-model")
+
+    assert len(result) == 3
+    assert all(s["title"] and s["focus"] for s in result)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_synthesize_section_returns_title_and_body():
+    """_synthesize_section returns (section_title, body) from model output."""
+    from fabledassistant.services.research import _synthesize_section
+
+    with patch("fabledassistant.services.research.generate_completion", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value="The body of this section."):
+        title, body = await _synthesize_section(
+            section_title="Quantum Entanglement: Mechanisms",
+            section_focus="How entanglement works at the particle level",
+            sources=[],
+            model="test-model",
+        )
+
+    assert title == "Quantum Entanglement: Mechanisms"
+    assert body == "The body of this section."
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_synthesize_section_strips_whitespace():
+    """_synthesize_section strips leading/trailing whitespace from body."""
+    from fabledassistant.services.research import _synthesize_section
+
+    with patch("fabledassistant.services.research.generate_completion", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value="\n\n  body text  \n\n"):
+        title, body = await _synthesize_section("Title", "Focus", [], "model")
+
+    assert body == "body text"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_pipeline_creates_section_notes_and_index():
+    """run_research_pipeline creates N section notes + 1 index note, returns index."""
+    from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+
+    outline = [
+        {"title": "Section A", "focus": "Focus A"},
+        {"title": "Section B", "focus": "Focus B"},
+        {"title": "Section C", "focus": "Focus C"},
+    ]
+
+    note_id_counter = iter(range(10, 20))
+
+    def _make_note(user_id, title, body, tags, project_id=None):
+        n = MagicMock()
+        n.id = next(note_id_counter)
+        n.title = title
+        return n
+
+    with patch("fabledassistant.services.research._generate_sub_queries", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=["q1"]), \
+         patch("fabledassistant.services.research._search_searxng", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=[{"url": "http://x.com", "title": "X", "snippet": "s"}]), \
+         patch("fabledassistant.services.research.fetch_url_content", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value="content"), \
+         patch("fabledassistant.services.research._generate_outline", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=outline), \
+         patch("fabledassistant.services.research._synthesize_section", new_callable=AsyncMock, side_effect=lambda t, f, s, m: (t, f"Body for {t}")), \
+         patch("fabledassistant.services.research.create_note", new_callable=AsyncMock, side_effect=_make_note):
+
+        from fabledassistant.services.research import run_research_pipeline
+        result = await run_research_pipeline("test topic", user_id=1, model="test-model")
+
+    assert result.title == "Research: test topic"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_pipeline_falls_back_to_single_note_when_outline_empty():
+    """run_research_pipeline falls back to single-note synthesis when _generate_outline returns []."""
+    from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+
+    single_note = MagicMock()
+    single_note.id = 99
+    single_note.title = "Research: test topic"
+
+    with patch("fabledassistant.services.research._generate_sub_queries", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=["q1"]), \
+         patch("fabledassistant.services.research._search_searxng", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=[{"url": "http://x.com", "title": "X", "snippet": "s"}]), \
+         patch("fabledassistant.services.research.fetch_url_content", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value="content"), \
+         patch("fabledassistant.services.research._generate_outline", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=[]), \
+         patch("fabledassistant.services.research._synthesize_note", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=("Research: test topic", "body")), \
+         patch("fabledassistant.services.research.create_note", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=single_note):
+
+        from fabledassistant.services.research import run_research_pipeline
+        result = await run_research_pipeline("test topic", user_id=1, model="test-model")
+
+    assert result.id == 99
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_pipeline_falls_back_when_all_sections_fail():
+    """run_research_pipeline falls back to single note when all section syntheses raise."""
+    from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+
+    outline = [
+        {"title": "Section A", "focus": "Focus A"},
+        {"title": "Section B", "focus": "Focus B"},
+        {"title": "Section C", "focus": "Focus C"},
+    ]
+    fallback_note = MagicMock()
+    fallback_note.id = 77
+    fallback_note.title = "Research: test topic"
+
+    with patch("fabledassistant.services.research._generate_sub_queries", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=["q1"]), \
+         patch("fabledassistant.services.research._search_searxng", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=[{"url": "http://x.com", "title": "X", "snippet": "s"}]), \
+         patch("fabledassistant.services.research.fetch_url_content", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value="content"), \
+         patch("fabledassistant.services.research._generate_outline", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=outline), \
+         patch("fabledassistant.services.research._synthesize_section", new_callable=AsyncMock, side_effect=RuntimeError("synthesis failed")), \
+         patch("fabledassistant.services.research._synthesize_note", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=("Research: test topic", "body")), \
+         patch("fabledassistant.services.research.create_note", new_callable=AsyncMock, return_value=fallback_note):
+
+        from fabledassistant.services.research import run_research_pipeline
+        result = await run_research_pipeline("test topic", user_id=1, model="test-model")
+
+    assert result.id == 77