diff --git a/services/comms/atlasbot-deployment.yaml b/services/comms/atlasbot-deployment.yaml
index d8ce3ee..cc628dd 100644
--- a/services/comms/atlasbot-deployment.yaml
+++ b/services/comms/atlasbot-deployment.yaml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ spec:
       labels:
         app: atlasbot
       annotations:
-        checksum/atlasbot-configmap: manual-atlasbot-69
+        checksum/atlasbot-configmap: manual-atlasbot-70
         vault.hashicorp.com/agent-inject: "true"
         vault.hashicorp.com/role: "comms"
         vault.hashicorp.com/agent-inject-secret-turn-secret: "kv/data/atlas/comms/turn-shared-secret"
@@ -78,11 +78,11 @@ spec:
             - name: BOT_USER
               value: atlasbot
             - name: BOT_MENTIONS
-              value: atlasbot,aatlasbot
+              value: atlasbot,aatlasbot,atlas_quick,atlas_smart
             - name: OLLAMA_URL
               value: http://ollama.ai.svc.cluster.local:11434
             - name: OLLAMA_MODEL
-              value: qwen2.5:14b-instruct-q4_0
+              value: qwen2.5:14b-instruct
             - name: OLLAMA_TIMEOUT_SEC
               value: "600"
             - name: ATLASBOT_THINKING_INTERVAL_SEC
diff --git a/services/comms/scripts/atlasbot/bot.py b/services/comms/scripts/atlasbot/bot.py
index 141b971..aa7e614 100644
--- a/services/comms/scripts/atlasbot/bot.py
+++ b/services/comms/scripts/atlasbot/bot.py
@@ -333,6 +333,19 @@ def _strip_bot_mention(text: str) -> str:
     return cleaned or text.strip()
 
 
+def _detect_mode_from_body(body: str, *, default: str = "deep") -> str:
+    lower = normalize_query(body or "")
+    if "atlas_quick" in lower or "atlas-quick" in lower:
+        return "fast"
+    if "atlas_smart" in lower or "atlas-smart" in lower:
+        return "deep"
+    if lower.startswith("quick ") or lower.startswith("fast "):
+        return "fast"
+    if lower.startswith("smart ") or lower.startswith("deep "):
+        return "deep"
+    return default
+
+
 # Matrix HTTP helper.
 def req(method: str, path: str, token: str | None = None, body=None, timeout=60, base: str | None = None):
     url = (base or BASE) + path
@@ -2420,6 +2433,300 @@ def _append_history_context(context: str, history_lines: list[str]) -> str:
     return combined
 
 
+class ThoughtState:
+    def __init__(self, total_steps: int = 0):
+        self._lock = threading.Lock()
+        self.stage = "starting"
+        self.note = ""
+        self.step = 0
+        self.total_steps = total_steps
+
+    def update(self, stage: str, *, note: str = "", step: int | None = None) -> None:
+        with self._lock:
+            self.stage = stage
+            if note:
+                self.note = note
+            if step is not None:
+                self.step = step
+
+    def status_line(self) -> str:
+        with self._lock:
+            stage = self.stage
+            note = self.note
+            step = self.step
+            total = self.total_steps
+        step_part = f"{step}/{total}" if total else str(step) if step else ""
+        detail = f"Stage {step_part}: {stage}".strip()
+        if note:
+            return f"Still thinking ({detail}). Latest insight: {note}"
+        return f"Still thinking ({detail})."
+
+
+def _ollama_json_call(prompt: str, *, context: str, retries: int = 2) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    system = (
+        "System: You are Atlas, a reasoning assistant. "
+        "Return strict JSON only (no code fences, no trailing commentary). "
+        "If you cannot comply, return {}. "
+        "Only use facts from the provided context. "
+        "If you make an inference, label it as 'inference' in the JSON."
+    )
+    last_exc: Exception | None = None
+    for attempt in range(max(1, retries + 1)):
+        try:
+            raw = _ollama_call(
+                ("json", "internal"),
+                prompt,
+                context=context,
+                use_history=False,
+                system_override=system,
+            )
+            cleaned = _strip_code_fence(raw).strip()
+            if cleaned.startswith("{") and cleaned.endswith("}"):
+                return json.loads(cleaned)
+            last = json.loads(_strip_code_fence(cleaned))
+            if isinstance(last, dict):
+                return last
+        except Exception as exc:  # noqa: BLE001
+            last_exc = exc
+            time.sleep(min(2, 2 ** attempt))
+    if last_exc:
+        return {}
+    return {}
+
+
+def _fact_pack_lines(
+    prompt: str,
+    *,
+    inventory: list[dict[str, Any]],
+    snapshot: dict[str, Any] | None,
+    workloads: list[dict[str, Any]] | None,
+) -> list[str]:
+    raw = facts_context(prompt, inventory=inventory, snapshot=snapshot, workloads=workloads)
+    lines: list[str] = []
+    for line in raw.splitlines():
+        trimmed = line.strip()
+        if not trimmed or trimmed.lower().startswith("facts"):
+            continue
+        lines.append(trimmed)
+    return lines
+
+
+def _fact_pack_text(lines: list[str]) -> str:
+    labeled = [f"F{idx + 1}: {line}" for idx, line in enumerate(lines)]
+    return "Fact pack:\n" + "\n".join(labeled)
+
+
+def _open_ended_system() -> str:
+    return (
+        "System: You are Atlas, the Titan lab assistant for Atlas/Othrys. "
+        "Use ONLY the provided fact pack and recent chat as your evidence. "
+        "You may draw light inferences if you label them as such. "
+        "Write concise, human sentences, not a list. "
+        "If the question is subjective, share a light opinion grounded in facts. "
+        "If the question is ambiguous, pick a reasonable interpretation and state it briefly. "
+        "Avoid repeating the exact same observation as the last response if possible. "
+        "Do not invent numbers or facts. "
+        "End with lines: Confidence, Relevance (0-100), Satisfaction (0-100)."
+    )
+
+
+def _candidate_note(candidate: dict[str, Any]) -> str:
+    claim = str(candidate.get("claim") or candidate.get("summary") or "")
+    return claim[:160] + ("…" if len(claim) > 160 else "")
+
+
+def _ensure_scores(answer: str) -> str:
+    text = answer.strip()
+    lines = [line for line in text.splitlines() if line.strip()]
+    has_relevance = any(line.lower().startswith("relevance:") for line in lines)
+    has_satisfaction = any(line.lower().startswith("satisfaction:") for line in lines)
+    has_confidence = any("confidence:" in line.lower() for line in lines)
+    if not has_confidence:
+        lines.append("Confidence: medium")
+    if not has_relevance:
+        lines.append("Relevance: 70")
+    if not has_satisfaction:
+        lines.append("Satisfaction: 70")
+    return "\n".join(lines)
+
+
+def _open_ended_fast(
+    prompt: str,
+    *,
+    fact_pack: str,
+    history_lines: list[str],
+    state: ThoughtState | None = None,
+) -> str:
+    if state:
+        state.update("synthesizing", step=2)
+    synthesis_prompt = (
+        "You are given a question and a fact pack. "
+        "Answer in 2-4 sentences, using only facts from the pack. "
+        "Pick one or two facts that best fit the question and explain why they matter. "
+        "If the question is subjective, add a light opinion grounded in those facts. "
+        "Do not list raw facts; speak naturally. "
+        "End with lines: Confidence, Relevance (0-100), Satisfaction (0-100).\n"
+        f"Question: {prompt}"
+    )
+    context = _append_history_context(fact_pack, history_lines)
+    reply = _ollama_call(
+        ("fast", "open"),
+        synthesis_prompt,
+        context=context,
+        use_history=False,
+        system_override=_open_ended_system(),
+    )
+    return _ensure_scores(reply)
+
+
+def _interpret_open_question(
+    prompt: str,
+    *,
+    fact_pack: str,
+    history_lines: list[str],
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    prompt_text = (
+        "Analyze the question against the fact pack. "
+        "Return JSON: {\"focus\":\"...\",\"preference\":\"balanced|novelty|utilization|stability|risk\","
+        "\"notes\":\"...\"}. "
+        "Use only the fact pack."
+    )
+    context = _append_history_context(fact_pack, history_lines)
+    analysis = _ollama_json_call(prompt_text + f" Question: {prompt}", context=context)
+    if not isinstance(analysis, dict):
+        return {"focus": "cluster snapshot", "preference": "balanced", "notes": ""}
+    preference = analysis.get("preference") or "balanced"
+    if preference not in ("balanced", "novelty", "utilization", "stability", "risk"):
+        preference = "balanced"
+    analysis["preference"] = preference
+    analysis.setdefault("focus", "cluster snapshot")
+    analysis.setdefault("notes", "")
+    return analysis
+
+
+def _select_insights(
+    prompt: str,
+    *,
+    fact_pack: str,
+    history_lines: list[str],
+    state: ThoughtState,
+) -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
+    insight_prompt = (
+        "From the fact pack, select 3-5 candidate insights that could answer the question. "
+        "Return JSON: {\"insights\":[{\"summary\":\"...\",\"fact_ids\":[\"F1\"],"
+        "\"relevance\":0-1,\"novelty\":0-1,\"rationale\":\"...\"}]}. "
+        "Use only the fact pack."
+    )
+    state.update("drafting candidates", step=2)
+    context = _append_history_context(fact_pack, history_lines)
+    result = _ollama_json_call(insight_prompt + f" Question: {prompt}", context=context)
+    insights = result.get("insights") if isinstance(result, dict) else None
+    if not isinstance(insights, list):
+        return []
+    cleaned: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
+    for item in insights:
+        if not isinstance(item, dict):
+            continue
+        if not item.get("summary") or not item.get("fact_ids"):
+            continue
+        cleaned.append(item)
+        state.update("drafting candidates", step=2, note=_candidate_note(item))
+    return cleaned
+
+
+def _score_insight(insight: dict[str, Any], preference: str) -> float:
+    relevance = insight.get("relevance") if isinstance(insight.get("relevance"), (int, float)) else 0.0
+    novelty = insight.get("novelty") if isinstance(insight.get("novelty"), (int, float)) else 0.0
+    if preference == "novelty":
+        return 0.4 * relevance + 0.6 * novelty
+    if preference == "utilization":
+        return 0.7 * relevance + 0.3 * novelty
+    if preference == "stability":
+        return 0.7 * relevance + 0.3 * novelty
+    if preference == "risk":
+        return 0.6 * relevance + 0.4 * novelty
+    return 0.6 * relevance + 0.4 * novelty
+
+
+def _open_ended_deep(
+    prompt: str,
+    *,
+    fact_pack: str,
+    fact_ids: set[str],
+    history_lines: list[str],
+    state: ThoughtState | None = None,
+) -> str:
+    state = state or ThoughtState()
+    if not fact_ids:
+        return _ensure_scores("I don't have enough data to answer that.")
+    state.total_steps = 6
+    state.update("planning", step=1)
+    analysis = _interpret_open_question(prompt, fact_pack=fact_pack, history_lines=history_lines)
+    state.update("planning", step=1, note=str(analysis.get("focus") or ""))
+
+    candidates = _select_insights(prompt, fact_pack=fact_pack, history_lines=history_lines, state=state)
+    state.update("verifying", step=3)
+    filtered: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
+    for cand in candidates:
+        cites = cand.get("fact_ids") if isinstance(cand.get("fact_ids"), list) else []
+        if cites and not all(cite in fact_ids for cite in cites):
+            continue
+        filtered.append(cand)
+    if not filtered:
+        filtered = candidates
+
+    preference = analysis.get("preference", "balanced")
+    ranked = sorted(filtered, key=lambda item: _score_insight(item, preference), reverse=True)
+    top = ranked[:2]
+    state.update("synthesizing", step=4)
+    synth_prompt = (
+        "Use the question, fact pack, and selected insights to craft a concise answer. "
+        "Write 2-4 sentences. Explain why the selected insights stand out. "
+        "If the question is subjective, include a light opinion grounded in facts. "
+        "Avoid repeating the same observation as the last response if possible. "
+        "End with lines: Confidence, Relevance (0-100), Satisfaction (0-100).\n"
+        f"Question: {prompt}\n"
+        f"Interpretation: {json.dumps(analysis, ensure_ascii=False)}\n"
+        f"Selected: {json.dumps(top, ensure_ascii=False)}"
+    )
+    context = _append_history_context(fact_pack, history_lines)
+    reply = _ollama_call(
+        ("deep", "open"),
+        synth_prompt,
+        context=context,
+        use_history=False,
+        system_override=_open_ended_system(),
+    )
+    state.update("done", step=6)
+    return _ensure_scores(reply)
+
+
+def open_ended_answer(
+    prompt: str,
+    *,
+    inventory: list[dict[str, Any]],
+    snapshot: dict[str, Any] | None,
+    workloads: list[dict[str, Any]],
+    history_lines: list[str],
+    mode: str,
+    state: ThoughtState | None = None,
+) -> str:
+    lines = _fact_pack_lines(prompt, inventory=inventory, snapshot=snapshot, workloads=workloads)
+    if not lines:
+        return _ensure_scores("I don't have enough data to answer that.")
+    fact_pack = _fact_pack_text(lines)
+    fact_ids = {f"F{i+1}" for i in range(len(lines))}
+    if mode == "fast":
+        return _open_ended_fast(prompt, fact_pack=fact_pack, history_lines=history_lines, state=state)
+    return _open_ended_deep(prompt, fact_pack=fact_pack, fact_ids=fact_ids, history_lines=history_lines, state=state)
+
+
+def _non_cluster_reply(prompt: str) -> str:
+    return _ensure_scores(
+        "I focus on the Atlas/Othrys cluster and don't have enough data to answer that."
+    )
+
+
 # Internal HTTP endpoint for cluster answers (website uses this).
 class _AtlasbotHandler(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
     server_version = "AtlasbotHTTP/1.0"
@@ -2466,6 +2773,9 @@ class _AtlasbotHandler(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
             self._write_json(400, {"error": "missing_prompt"})
             return
         cleaned = _strip_bot_mention(prompt)
+        mode = str(payload.get("mode") or "fast").lower()
+        if mode not in ("fast", "deep"):
+            mode = "fast"
         snapshot = _snapshot_state()
         inventory = _snapshot_inventory(snapshot) or node_inventory_live()
         workloads = _snapshot_workloads(snapshot)
@@ -2491,34 +2801,30 @@ class _AtlasbotHandler(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
             )
         fallback = "I don't have enough data to answer that."
         if cluster_query:
-            facts_answer = cluster_answer(
-                cleaned,
-                inventory=inventory,
-                snapshot=snapshot,
-                workloads=workloads,
-                history_lines=history_lines,
-            )
             open_ended = _is_subjective_query(cleaned) or _knowledge_intent(cleaned)
             if open_ended:
-                llm_context = _append_history_context(context, history_lines)
-                answer = ollama_reply(
-                    ("http", "internal"),
+                answer = open_ended_answer(
                     cleaned,
-                    context=llm_context,
-                    fallback=facts_answer or fallback,
-                    use_history=False,
+                    inventory=inventory,
+                    snapshot=snapshot,
+                    workloads=workloads,
+                    history_lines=history_lines,
+                    mode=mode,
+                    state=None,
                 )
             else:
-                answer = facts_answer or fallback
+                answer = (
+                    cluster_answer(
+                        cleaned,
+                        inventory=inventory,
+                        snapshot=snapshot,
+                        workloads=workloads,
+                        history_lines=history_lines,
+                    )
+                    or fallback
+                )
         else:
-            llm_prompt = cleaned
-            answer = ollama_reply(
-                ("http", "internal"),
-                llm_prompt,
-                context=context,
-                fallback=fallback,
-                use_history=False,
-            )
+            answer = _non_cluster_reply(cleaned)
         self._write_json(200, {"answer": answer})
 
 
@@ -2760,8 +3066,15 @@ def knowledge_summary(prompt: str, inventory: list[dict[str, Any]]) -> str:
     summary = "\n".join(parts).strip()
     return _format_confidence(summary, "medium") if summary else ""
 
-def _ollama_call(hist_key, prompt: str, *, context: str, use_history: bool = True) -> str:
-    system = (
+def _ollama_call(
+    hist_key,
+    prompt: str,
+    *,
+    context: str,
+    use_history: bool = True,
+    system_override: str | None = None,
+) -> str:
+    system = system_override or (
         "System: You are Atlas, the Titan lab assistant for Atlas/Othrys. "
         "Be helpful, direct, and concise. "
         "Use the provided context and facts as your source of truth. "
@@ -2877,6 +3190,47 @@ def ollama_reply_with_thinking(
     thread.join(timeout=1)
     return result["reply"] or fallback or "Model backend is busy. Try again in a moment."
 
+
+def open_ended_with_thinking(
+    token: str,
+    room: str,
+    prompt: str,
+    *,
+    inventory: list[dict[str, Any]],
+    snapshot: dict[str, Any] | None,
+    workloads: list[dict[str, Any]],
+    history_lines: list[str],
+    mode: str,
+) -> str:
+    result: dict[str, str] = {"reply": ""}
+    done = threading.Event()
+    total_steps = 2 if mode == "fast" else 6
+    state = ThoughtState(total_steps=total_steps)
+
+    def worker():
+        result["reply"] = open_ended_answer(
+            prompt,
+            inventory=inventory,
+            snapshot=snapshot,
+            workloads=workloads,
+            history_lines=history_lines,
+            mode=mode,
+            state=state,
+        )
+        done.set()
+
+    thread = threading.Thread(target=worker, daemon=True)
+    thread.start()
+    if not done.wait(2.0):
+        send_msg(token, room, "Thinking…")
+        heartbeat = max(10, THINKING_INTERVAL_SEC)
+        next_heartbeat = time.monotonic() + heartbeat
+        while not done.wait(max(0, next_heartbeat - time.monotonic())):
+            send_msg(token, room, state.status_line())
+            next_heartbeat += heartbeat
+    thread.join(timeout=1)
+    return result["reply"] or "Model backend is busy. Try again in a moment."
+
 def sync_loop(token: str, room_id: str):
     since = None
     try:
@@ -2931,6 +3285,7 @@ def sync_loop(token: str, room_id: str):
 
                 cleaned_body = _strip_bot_mention(body)
                 lower_body = cleaned_body.lower()
+                mode = _detect_mode_from_body(body, default="deep" if is_dm else "deep")
 
                 # Only do live cluster introspection in DMs.
                 allow_tools = is_dm
@@ -2984,39 +3339,34 @@ def sync_loop(token: str, room_id: str):
                 fallback = "I don't have enough data to answer that."
 
                 if cluster_query:
-                    facts_answer = cluster_answer(
-                        cleaned_body,
-                        inventory=inventory,
-                        snapshot=snapshot,
-                        workloads=workloads,
-                        history_lines=history[hist_key],
-                    )
                     open_ended = _is_subjective_query(cleaned_body) or _knowledge_intent(cleaned_body)
                     if open_ended:
-                        llm_context = _append_history_context(context, history[hist_key])
-                        reply = ollama_reply_with_thinking(
+                        reply = open_ended_with_thinking(
                             token,
                             rid,
-                            hist_key,
                             cleaned_body,
-                            context=llm_context,
-                            fallback=facts_answer or fallback,
-                            use_history=False,
+                            inventory=inventory,
+                            snapshot=snapshot,
+                            workloads=workloads,
+                            history_lines=history[hist_key],
+                            mode=mode if mode in ("fast", "deep") else "deep",
                         )
                     else:
-                        reply = facts_answer or fallback
+                        reply = (
+                            cluster_answer(
+                                cleaned_body,
+                                inventory=inventory,
+                                snapshot=snapshot,
+                                workloads=workloads,
+                                history_lines=history[hist_key],
+                            )
+                            or fallback
+                        )
                 else:
-                    llm_prompt = cleaned_body
-                    reply = ollama_reply_with_thinking(
-                        token,
-                        rid,
-                        hist_key,
-                        llm_prompt,
-                        context=context,
-                        fallback=fallback,
-                        use_history=False,
-                    )
+                    reply = _non_cluster_reply(cleaned_body)
                 send_msg(token, rid, reply)
+                history[hist_key].append(f"Atlas: {reply}")
+                history[hist_key] = history[hist_key][-80:]
 
 def login_with_retry():
     last_err = None