diff --git a/services/comms/atlasbot-deployment.yaml b/services/comms/atlasbot-deployment.yaml
index 5e5bc05..17e2cb2 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-74
+        checksum/atlasbot-configmap: manual-atlasbot-75
         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"
diff --git a/services/comms/scripts/atlasbot/bot.py b/services/comms/scripts/atlasbot/bot.py
index 0176293..0668521 100644
--- a/services/comms/scripts/atlasbot/bot.py
+++ b/services/comms/scripts/atlasbot/bot.py
@@ -198,6 +198,8 @@ _INSIGHT_HINT_WORDS = {
     "unique",
     "notable",
     "coolest",
+    "risk",
+    "risky",
     "favorite",
     "favourite",
     "trivia",
@@ -1641,17 +1643,6 @@ def _hottest_summary_line(metrics: dict[str, Any]) -> str:
     return "Hot spots: " + "; ".join(parts) + "."
 
 
-def _is_insight_query(query: str) -> bool:
-    q = normalize_query(query)
-    if not q:
-        return False
-    if any(word in q for word in _INSIGHT_HINT_WORDS):
-        return True
-    if "most" in q and any(word in q for word in ("unusual", "odd", "weird", "unconventional")):
-        return True
-    return False
-
-
 _FOLLOWUP_HINTS = (
     "what about",
     "how about",
@@ -1724,198 +1715,6 @@ def _doc_intent(query: str) -> bool:
     )
 
 
-def _insight_candidates(
-    inventory: list[dict[str, Any]],
-    snapshot: dict[str, Any] | None,
-) -> list[tuple[str, str, str]]:
-    metrics = _snapshot_metrics(snapshot)
-    candidates: list[tuple[str, str, str]] = []
-
-    nodes_line = _nodes_summary_line(inventory, snapshot)
-    if nodes_line and "not ready" in nodes_line.lower():
-        candidates.append(("availability", nodes_line, "high"))
-
-    hottest = metrics.get("hottest_nodes") if isinstance(metrics.get("hottest_nodes"), dict) else {}
-    if hottest:
-        def _hot_node(entry: dict[str, Any]) -> str:
-            if not isinstance(entry, dict):
-                return ""
-            return (
-                entry.get("node")
-                or entry.get("label")
-                or (entry.get("metric") or {}).get("node")
-                or ""
-            )
-
-        cpu = hottest.get("cpu") if isinstance(hottest.get("cpu"), dict) else {}
-        cpu_node = _hot_node(cpu)
-        if cpu_node and cpu.get("value") is not None:
-            value_fmt = _format_metric_value(str(cpu.get("value")), percent=True)
-            candidates.append(("cpu", f"The busiest CPU right now is {cpu_node} at about {value_fmt}.", "high"))
-        ram = hottest.get("ram") if isinstance(hottest.get("ram"), dict) else {}
-        ram_node = _hot_node(ram)
-        if ram_node and ram.get("value") is not None:
-            value_fmt = _format_metric_value(str(ram.get("value")), percent=True)
-            candidates.append(("ram", f"RAM usage peaks on {ram_node} at about {value_fmt}.", "high"))
-
-    postgres_line = _postgres_summary_line(metrics)
-    if postgres_line:
-        candidates.append(("postgres", postgres_line, "high"))
-
-    hardware_insight = _hardware_insight(inventory)
-    if hardware_insight:
-        candidates.append(("hardware", hardware_insight, "medium"))
-
-    pods_line = _pods_summary_line(metrics)
-    if pods_line:
-        candidates.append(("pods", pods_line, "high"))
-
-    return candidates
-
-
-def _hardware_insight(inventory: list[dict[str, Any]]) -> str:
-    if not inventory:
-        return ""
-    groups = _group_nodes(inventory)
-    jetsons = groups.get("jetson") or []
-    rpi5 = groups.get("rpi5") or []
-    rpi4 = groups.get("rpi4") or []
-    amd64 = groups.get("amd64") or []
-    parts: list[str] = []
-    if rpi5:
-        parts.append(f"rpi5={len(rpi5)}")
-    if rpi4:
-        parts.append(f"rpi4={len(rpi4)}")
-    if jetsons:
-        jetson_names = ", ".join(jetsons[:2])
-        parts.append(f"jetson={len(jetsons)} ({jetson_names})")
-    if amd64:
-        parts.append(f"amd64={len(amd64)}")
-    return ", ".join(parts)
-
-
-def _recent_insight_keys(history_lines: list[str]) -> set[str]:
-    used: set[str] = set()
-    for line in history_lines[-10:]:
-        lower = normalize_query(line)
-        if not lower:
-            continue
-        if "postgres" in lower or "connections" in lower:
-            used.add("postgres")
-        if "atlas mixes" in lower or "hardware" in lower or "rpi" in lower or "jetson" in lower:
-            used.add("hardware")
-        if "busiest cpu" in lower or "cpu right now" in lower or "cpu " in lower:
-            used.add("cpu")
-        if "ram usage" in lower or "memory" in lower:
-            used.add("ram")
-        if "pods" in lower:
-            used.add("pods")
-        if "not ready" in lower:
-            used.add("availability")
-    return used
-
-
-def _select_insight(
-    prompt: str,
-    candidates: list[tuple[str, str, str]],
-    *,
-    used_keys: set[str] | None = None,
-) -> tuple[str, str, str] | None:
-    if not candidates:
-        return None
-    used = used_keys or set()
-    q = normalize_query(prompt)
-    prefer_keys: list[str] = []
-    if any(word in q for word in ("unconventional", "weird", "odd", "unique", "surprising")):
-        prefer_keys.extend(["hardware", "availability"])
-    if any(word in q for word in ("coolest", "favorite", "favourite", "trivia", "fun")):
-        prefer_keys.extend(["hardware", "cpu", "ram"])
-    if "interesting" in q and "most interesting" not in q:
-        prefer_keys.extend(["hardware", "postgres", "cpu", "ram"])
-    avoid_used = any(word in q for word in ("another", "else", "different", "other")) or "most interesting" in q
-    if any(word in q for word in ("another", "else", "different", "other")) and len(candidates) > 1:
-        for candidate in candidates:
-            if candidate[0] not in used:
-                return candidate
-        return candidates[1]
-    if prefer_keys:
-        for prefer in prefer_keys:
-            for key, text, conf in candidates:
-                if key == prefer and (not avoid_used or key not in used):
-                    return key, text, conf
-        for prefer in prefer_keys:
-            for key, text, conf in candidates:
-                if key == prefer:
-                    return key, text, conf
-    if used and avoid_used:
-        for candidate in candidates:
-            if candidate[0] not in used:
-                return candidate
-    return candidates[0]
-
-
-def _format_insight_text(key: str, text: str) -> str:
-    cleaned = text.strip().rstrip(".")
-    if not cleaned:
-        return ""
-    if key == "hardware":
-        counts = (
-            cleaned.replace("Hardware mix includes ", "")
-            .replace("Atlas mixes tiny ", "")
-            .replace("Atlas mixes ", "")
-            .replace("which is unusual for a homelab cluster", "")
-            .strip()
-            .strip(".")
-        )
-        has_jetson = "jetson=" in counts
-        has_amd64 = "amd64=" in counts
-        detail = f"mixed hardware stack ({counts})"
-        if has_jetson and has_amd64:
-            flavor = "It blends low-power Pis with Jetson accelerators and a couple of AMD64 boxes."
-        elif has_jetson:
-            flavor = "It pairs low-power Pis with Jetson accelerators for edge and AI workloads."
-        elif has_amd64:
-            flavor = "It mixes low-power Pis with a couple of heavier AMD64 nodes."
-        else:
-            flavor = "It is a pretty uniform hardware stack, which is rare for a homelab."
-        return f"{detail}. {flavor}"
-    if key == "postgres":
-        detail = cleaned.replace("Postgres is at ", "")
-        return f"Postgres is at {detail}; that feels like healthy, steady load rather than strain."
-    if key == "pods":
-        detail = cleaned.replace("There are ", "")
-        return f"Pods look steady ({detail}); nothing looks stuck or unhealthy."
-    if key == "availability":
-        return cleaned + " That is the kind of stability I like to see."
-    if key in ("cpu", "ram"):
-        suffix = (
-            " If you're chasing hotspots, that's the node I'd watch first."
-            if key == "cpu"
-            else " That box is carrying the heaviest memory load right now."
-        )
-        return cleaned + "." + suffix
-    return cleaned + "."
-
-
-def _insight_prefix(prompt: str) -> str:
-    q = normalize_query(prompt)
-    if "coolest" in q:
-        return "If I had to pick the coolest detail, I'd say "
-    if "favorite" in q or "favourite" in q:
-        return "My favorite detail is "
-    if "trivia" in q:
-        return "A bit of trivia I like: "
-    if "most interesting" in q:
-        return "The most interesting detail to me is "
-    if any(word in q for word in ("another", "else", "different", "other")):
-        return "Another interesting detail: "
-    if any(word in q for word in ("unconventional", "weird", "odd", "unique", "surprising")):
-        return "What stands out to me is that "
-    if any(word in q for word in ("interesting", "notable", "fun", "cool")):
-        return "One thing I'd call out is "
-    return ""
-
-
 def cluster_overview_answer(
     prompt: str,
     *,
@@ -2784,7 +2583,7 @@ def _open_ended_system() -> str:
         "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)."
+        "End with lines: Confidence, Relevance (0-100), Satisfaction (0-100), HallucinationRisk (low|medium|high)."
     )
 
 
@@ -2809,263 +2608,284 @@ def _ollama_call_safe(
 
 
 def _candidate_note(candidate: dict[str, Any]) -> str:
-    claim = str(candidate.get("claim") or candidate.get("summary") or "")
+    claim = str(candidate.get("focus") or candidate.get("answer") 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)
+    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(line.lower().startswith("confidence") for line in lines)
+    has_risk = any(line.lower().startswith("hallucinationrisk") 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")
+    if not has_risk:
+        lines.append("HallucinationRisk: low")
     return "\n".join(lines)
 
 
+def _open_ended_plan(
+    prompt: str,
+    *,
+    fact_pack: str,
+    history_lines: list[str],
+    count: int,
+    state: ThoughtState | None,
+) -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
+    if state:
+        state.update("planning", step=1, note="mapping angles")
+    count = max(1, count)
+    prompt_text = (
+        "Analyze the question and propose up to "
+        f"{count} distinct answer angles that can be supported by the fact pack. "
+        "Keep them diverse (e.g., metrics, hardware, workload placement, recent changes). "
+        "If the question is subjective, propose at least one angle that surfaces a standout detail. "
+        "Return JSON: {\"angles\":[{\"focus\":\"...\",\"reason\":\"...\",\"priority\":1-5}]}."
+    )
+    context = _append_history_context(fact_pack, history_lines)
+    result = _ollama_json_call(prompt_text + f" Question: {prompt}", context=context)
+    angles = result.get("angles") if isinstance(result, dict) else None
+    cleaned: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
+    seen: set[str] = set()
+    if isinstance(angles, list):
+        for item in angles:
+            if not isinstance(item, dict):
+                continue
+            focus = str(item.get("focus") or "").strip()
+            if not focus or focus.lower() in seen:
+                continue
+            seen.add(focus.lower())
+            priority = item.get("priority")
+            if not isinstance(priority, (int, float)):
+                priority = 3
+            cleaned.append(
+                {
+                    "focus": focus,
+                    "reason": str(item.get("reason") or ""),
+                    "priority": int(max(1, min(5, priority))),
+                }
+            )
+    if not cleaned:
+        cleaned = [{"focus": "Direct answer", "reason": "Default fallback", "priority": 3}]
+    cleaned.sort(key=lambda item: item.get("priority", 3), reverse=True)
+    if state:
+        state.update("planning", step=1, note=_candidate_note(cleaned[0]))
+    return cleaned
+
+
+def _normalize_score(value: Any, *, default: int = 60) -> int:
+    if isinstance(value, (int, float)):
+        return int(max(0, min(100, value)))
+    return default
+
+
+def _confidence_score(value: Any) -> int:
+    text = str(value or "").strip().lower()
+    if text.startswith("high"):
+        return 85
+    if text.startswith("low"):
+        return 35
+    return 60
+
+
+def _risk_penalty(value: Any) -> int:
+    text = str(value or "").strip().lower()
+    if text.startswith("high"):
+        return 20
+    if text.startswith("medium"):
+        return 10
+    return 0
+
+
+def _open_ended_candidate(
+    prompt: str,
+    *,
+    focus: str,
+    fact_pack: str,
+    history_lines: list[str],
+    state: ThoughtState | None,
+    step: int,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    if state:
+        state.update("drafting", step=step, note=focus)
+    prompt_text = (
+        "Using ONLY the fact pack, answer the question focusing on this angle: "
+        f"{focus}. "
+        "Write 2-4 sentences in plain prose (not a list). "
+        "If you infer, label it as inference. "
+        "Return JSON: {\"answer\":\"...\",\"confidence\":\"high|medium|low\","
+        "\"relevance\":0-100,\"satisfaction\":0-100,\"risk\":\"low|medium|high\"}."
+    )
+    context = _append_history_context(fact_pack, history_lines)
+    result = _ollama_json_call(prompt_text + f" Question: {prompt}", context=context)
+    if not isinstance(result, dict):
+        result = {}
+    answer = str(result.get("answer") or "").strip()
+    if not answer:
+        answer = "I don't have enough data to answer that from the current snapshot."
+    candidate = {
+        "focus": focus,
+        "answer": answer,
+        "confidence": result.get("confidence", "medium"),
+        "relevance": _normalize_score(result.get("relevance"), default=60),
+        "satisfaction": _normalize_score(result.get("satisfaction"), default=60),
+        "risk": result.get("risk", "medium"),
+    }
+    candidate["score"] = _candidate_score(candidate)
+    return candidate
+
+
+def _candidate_score(candidate: dict[str, Any]) -> float:
+    relevance = _normalize_score(candidate.get("relevance"), default=60)
+    satisfaction = _normalize_score(candidate.get("satisfaction"), default=60)
+    confidence = _confidence_score(candidate.get("confidence"))
+    score = relevance * 0.45 + satisfaction * 0.35 + confidence * 0.2
+    return score - _risk_penalty(candidate.get("risk"))
+
+
+def _select_candidates(candidates: list[dict[str, Any]], *, count: int) -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
+    if not candidates:
+        return []
+    ranked = sorted(candidates, key=lambda item: item.get("score", 0), reverse=True)
+    picked: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
+    seen_focus: set[str] = set()
+    for item in ranked:
+        focus = str(item.get("focus") or "").strip().lower()
+        if focus and focus in seen_focus:
+            continue
+        picked.append(item)
+        if focus:
+            seen_focus.add(focus)
+        if len(picked) >= count:
+            break
+    return picked or ranked[:count]
+
+
+def _open_ended_synthesize(
+    prompt: str,
+    *,
+    fact_pack: str,
+    history_lines: list[str],
+    candidates: list[dict[str, Any]],
+    state: ThoughtState | None,
+    step: int,
+) -> str:
+    if state:
+        state.update("synthesizing", step=step, note="composing answer")
+    synth_prompt = (
+        "Compose the final answer to the question using the candidate answers below. "
+        "Select the best 1-2 candidates, blend them if helpful, and keep 2-4 sentences. "
+        "Use only the fact pack as evidence. "
+        "If you infer, label it as inference. "
+        "Avoid repeating the last response if possible. "
+        "End with lines: Confidence, Relevance (0-100), Satisfaction (0-100), "
+        "HallucinationRisk (low|medium|high).\n"
+        f"Question: {prompt}\n"
+        f"Candidates: {json.dumps(candidates, ensure_ascii=False)}"
+    )
+    context = _append_history_context(fact_pack, history_lines)
+    reply = _ollama_call_safe(
+        ("open", "synth"),
+        synth_prompt,
+        context=context,
+        fallback="I don't have enough data to answer that.",
+        system_override=_open_ended_system(),
+    )
+    return _ensure_scores(reply)
+
+
+def _open_ended_multi(
+    prompt: str,
+    *,
+    fact_pack: str,
+    history_lines: list[str],
+    mode: str,
+    state: ThoughtState | None = None,
+) -> str:
+    angle_count = 2 if mode == "fast" else 4
+    total_steps = 1 + angle_count + 2
+    if state:
+        state.total_steps = total_steps
+    angles = _open_ended_plan(
+        prompt,
+        fact_pack=fact_pack,
+        history_lines=history_lines,
+        count=angle_count,
+        state=state,
+    )
+    candidates: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
+    step = 2
+    for angle in angles[:angle_count]:
+        candidates.append(
+            _open_ended_candidate(
+                prompt,
+                focus=str(angle.get("focus") or "Direct answer"),
+                fact_pack=fact_pack,
+                history_lines=history_lines,
+                state=state,
+                step=step,
+            )
+        )
+        step += 1
+    if state:
+        state.update("evaluating", step=step, note="ranking candidates")
+    selected = _select_candidates(candidates, count=1 if mode == "fast" else 2)
+    step += 1
+    reply = _open_ended_synthesize(
+        prompt,
+        fact_pack=fact_pack,
+        history_lines=history_lines,
+        candidates=selected or candidates,
+        state=state,
+        step=step,
+    )
+    if state:
+        state.update("done", step=total_steps)
+    return reply
+
+
+def _open_ended_total_steps(mode: str) -> int:
+    angle_count = 2 if mode == "fast" else 4
+    return 1 + angle_count + 2
+
+
 def _open_ended_fast(
     prompt: str,
     *,
     fact_pack: str,
     history_lines: list[str],
-    fact_lines: list[str],
-    fact_meta: dict[str, dict[str, Any]],
-    tags_available: set[str],
-    history_tags: set[str],
     state: ThoughtState | None = None,
 ) -> str:
-    if state:
-        state.update("planning", step=1)
-    analysis = _interpret_open_question(
+    return _open_ended_multi(
         prompt,
         fact_pack=fact_pack,
         history_lines=history_lines,
-        tags_available=tags_available,
-        avoid_tags=history_tags,
+        mode="fast",
         state=state,
     )
-    candidates = _select_insights(
-        prompt,
-        fact_pack=fact_pack,
-        history_lines=history_lines,
-        state=state or ThoughtState(),
-        analysis=analysis,
-        fact_lines=fact_lines,
-        fact_meta=fact_meta,
-        avoid_tags=history_tags,
-    )
-    prefer_tags = {t for t in analysis.get("tags", []) if isinstance(t, str)}
-    selected = _select_diverse_insights(
-        candidates,
-        preference=analysis.get("preference", "balanced"),
-        prefer_tags=prefer_tags,
-        avoid_tags=history_tags,
-        history_tags=history_tags,
-        fact_meta=fact_meta,
-        count=2,
-    )
-    if state:
-        state.update("synthesizing", step=3)
-    synthesis_prompt = (
-        "Use the question, fact pack, and selected insights to answer in 2-4 sentences. "
-        "Speak naturally, not as a list. "
-        "If the question is subjective, add a light opinion grounded in facts. "
-        "Avoid repeating the exact same observation as the most recent response if possible. "
-        "End with lines: Confidence, Relevance (0-100), Satisfaction (0-100).\n"
-        f"Question: {prompt}\n"
-        f"Selected: {json.dumps(selected, ensure_ascii=False)}"
-    )
-    context = _append_history_context(fact_pack, history_lines)
-    reply = _ollama_call_safe(
-        ("fast", "open"),
-        synthesis_prompt,
-        context=context,
-        fallback="I don't have enough data to answer that.",
-        system_override=_open_ended_system(),
-    )
-    return _ensure_scores(reply)
-
-
-def _interpret_open_question(
-    prompt: str,
-    *,
-    fact_pack: str,
-    history_lines: list[str],
-    tags_available: set[str],
-    avoid_tags: set[str],
-    state: ThoughtState | None = None,
-) -> dict[str, Any]:
-    tags_list = ", ".join(sorted(tags_available)) if tags_available else "none"
-    avoid_list = ", ".join(sorted(avoid_tags)) if avoid_tags else "none"
-    prompt_text = (
-        "Analyze the question against the fact pack. "
-        "Return JSON: {\"focus\":\"...\",\"preference\":\"balanced|novelty|utilization|stability|risk\","
-        "\"tags\":[\"...\"] ,\"notes\":\"...\"}. "
-        "If the question implies interesting/unique/unconventional/cool, set preference to novelty "
-        "and prefer dynamic tags (utilization/pods/database/availability) when possible. "
-        f"Use only these tags if relevant: {tags_list}. Avoid tags: {avoid_list}. "
-        "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):
-        analysis = {"focus": "cluster snapshot", "preference": "balanced", "notes": "", "tags": []}
-    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", "")
-    tags = analysis.get("tags") if isinstance(analysis.get("tags"), list) else []
-    clean_tags = {t for t in tags if isinstance(t, str)}
-    analysis["tags"] = sorted(clean_tags & tags_available)
-    if state:
-        state.update("planning", step=1, note=str(analysis.get("focus") or ""))
-    return analysis
-
-
-def _select_insights(
-    prompt: str,
-    *,
-    fact_pack: str,
-    history_lines: list[str],
-    state: ThoughtState,
-    analysis: dict[str, Any],
-    fact_lines: list[str],
-    fact_meta: dict[str, dict[str, Any]],
-    avoid_tags: set[str],
-) -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
-    preferred_tags = analysis.get("tags") if isinstance(analysis.get("tags"), list) else []
-    prefer_list = ", ".join(sorted({t for t in preferred_tags if isinstance(t, str)}))
-    avoid_list = ", ".join(sorted(avoid_tags)) if avoid_tags else "none"
-    available_list = ", ".join(sorted({t for t in _ALLOWED_INSIGHT_TAGS}))
-    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\":\"...\",\"tags\":[\"...\"]}]}. "
-        f"Available tags: {available_list}. Prefer tags: {prefer_list or 'none'}. Avoid tags: {avoid_list}. "
-        "Use only the fact pack and provided tags."
-    )
-    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):
-        insights = []
-    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
-        tags = _insight_tags(item, fact_meta)
-        item["tags"] = sorted(tags)
-        cleaned.append(item)
-        state.update("drafting candidates", step=2, note=_candidate_note(item))
-    seeds = _seed_insights(fact_lines, fact_meta)
-    for seed in seeds:
-        cleaned.append(seed)
-    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],
-    fact_lines: list[str],
-    fact_meta: dict[str, dict[str, Any]],
-    tags_available: set[str],
-    history_tags: set[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 = 7
-    analysis = _interpret_open_question(
+    return _open_ended_multi(
         prompt,
         fact_pack=fact_pack,
         history_lines=history_lines,
-        tags_available=tags_available,
-        avoid_tags=history_tags,
+        mode="deep",
         state=state,
     )
 
-    candidates = _select_insights(
-        prompt,
-        fact_pack=fact_pack,
-        history_lines=history_lines,
-        state=state,
-        analysis=analysis,
-        fact_lines=fact_lines,
-        fact_meta=fact_meta,
-        avoid_tags=history_tags,
-    )
-    state.update("verifying", step=3, note="scoring insights")
-    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")
-    prefer_tags = {t for t in analysis.get("tags", []) if isinstance(t, str)}
-    top = _select_diverse_insights(
-        filtered,
-        preference=preference,
-        prefer_tags=prefer_tags,
-        avoid_tags=history_tags,
-        history_tags=history_tags,
-        fact_meta=fact_meta,
-        count=2,
-    )
-    state.update("synthesizing", step=4, note="composing response")
-    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"Recent tags: {', '.join(sorted(history_tags)) if history_tags else 'none'}\n"
-        f"Selected: {json.dumps(top, ensure_ascii=False)}"
-    )
-    context = _append_history_context(fact_pack, history_lines)
-    reply = _ollama_call_safe(
-        ("deep", "open"),
-        synth_prompt,
-        context=context,
-        fallback="I don't have enough data to answer that.",
-        system_override=_open_ended_system(),
-    )
-    state.update("done", step=7)
-    return _ensure_scores(reply)
-
 
 def open_ended_answer(
     prompt: str,
@@ -3081,30 +2901,17 @@ def open_ended_answer(
     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))}
-    fact_meta = _fact_pack_meta(lines)
-    tags_available = {tag for entry in fact_meta.values() for tag in entry.get("tags", [])}
-    history_tags = _history_tags(history_lines)
     if mode == "fast":
         return _open_ended_fast(
             prompt,
             fact_pack=fact_pack,
             history_lines=history_lines,
-            fact_lines=lines,
-            fact_meta=fact_meta,
-            tags_available=tags_available,
-            history_tags=history_tags,
             state=state,
         )
     return _open_ended_deep(
         prompt,
         fact_pack=fact_pack,
-        fact_ids=fact_ids,
         history_lines=history_lines,
-        fact_lines=lines,
-        fact_meta=fact_meta,
-        tags_available=tags_available,
-        history_tags=history_tags,
         state=state,
     )
 
@@ -3175,12 +2982,12 @@ class _AtlasbotHandler(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
             workloads=workloads,
         )
         followup = _is_followup_query(cleaned)
-        cluster_query = (
-            _is_cluster_query(cleaned, inventory=inventory, workloads=workloads)
-            or _knowledge_intent(cleaned)
-            or _is_subjective_query(cleaned)
-            or (history_cluster and followup)
-        )
+        cleaned_q = normalize_query(cleaned)
+        cluster_affinity = _is_cluster_query(cleaned, inventory=inventory, workloads=workloads)
+        subjective = _is_subjective_query(cleaned)
+        followup_affinity = subjective or any(word in cleaned_q for word in METRIC_HINT_WORDS)
+        contextual = history_cluster and (followup or followup_affinity)
+        cluster_query = cluster_affinity or contextual
         context = ""
         if cluster_query:
             context = build_context(
@@ -3608,7 +3415,7 @@ def open_ended_with_thinking(
 ) -> str:
     result: dict[str, str] = {"reply": ""}
     done = threading.Event()
-    total_steps = 4 if mode == "fast" else 7
+    total_steps = _open_ended_total_steps(mode)
     state = ThoughtState(total_steps=total_steps)
 
     def worker():
@@ -3722,12 +3529,12 @@ def sync_loop(token: str, room_id: str):
                     workloads=workloads,
                 )
                 followup = _is_followup_query(cleaned_body)
-                cluster_query = (
-                    _is_cluster_query(cleaned_body, inventory=inventory, workloads=workloads)
-                    or _knowledge_intent(cleaned_body)
-                    or _is_subjective_query(cleaned_body)
-                    or (history_cluster and followup)
-                )
+                cleaned_q = normalize_query(cleaned_body)
+                cluster_affinity = _is_cluster_query(cleaned_body, inventory=inventory, workloads=workloads)
+                subjective = _is_subjective_query(cleaned_body)
+                followup_affinity = subjective or any(word in cleaned_q for word in METRIC_HINT_WORDS)
+                contextual = history_cluster and (followup or followup_affinity)
+                cluster_query = cluster_affinity or contextual
                 context = ""
                 if cluster_query:
                     context = build_context(