Merge branch 'feat/char-secrets'

28 files changed, 1956 insertions, 607 deletions

diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index c366cf2..472ea7d 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ history/
 config.toml
 sysprompts/*
 !sysprompts/cluedo.json
+!sysprompts/alice_bob_carl.json
 history_bak/
 .aider*
 tags
diff --git a/.golangci.yml b/.golangci.yml
index 2c7e552..ce57300 100644
--- a/.golangci.yml
+++ b/.golangci.yml
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 version: "2"
 run:
-  concurrency: 2
+  timeout: 1m
+  concurrency: 4
   tests: false
 linters:
   default: none
@@ -14,7 +15,13 @@ linters:
     - prealloc
     - staticcheck
     - unused
+    - gocritic
+    - unconvert
+    - wastedassign
   settings:
+    gocritic:
+      enabled-tags:
+        - performance
     funlen:
       lines: 80
       statements: 50
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index eb9c574..dc8304f 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,8 +1,15 @@
 .PHONY: setconfig run lint setup-whisper build-whisper download-whisper-model docker-up docker-down docker-logs noextra-run noextra-server
 
+
 run: setconfig
 	go build -tags extra -o gf-lt && ./gf-lt
 
+build-debug:
+	go build -gcflags="all=-N -l" -tags extra -o gf-lt
+
+debug: build-debug
+	dlv exec --headless --accept-multiclient --listen=:2345 ./gf-lt
+
 server: setconfig
 	go build -tags extra -o gf-lt && ./gf-lt -port 3333
 
diff --git a/agent/request.go b/agent/request.go
index bb4a80d..14009dd 100644
--- a/agent/request.go
+++ b/agent/request.go
@@ -77,17 +77,18 @@ func (ag *AgentClient) buildRequest(sysprompt, msg string) ([]byte, error) {
 		}
 		prompt := strings.TrimSpace(sb.String())
 
-		if isDeepSeek {
+		switch {
+		case isDeepSeek:
 			// DeepSeek completion
 			req := models.NewDSCompletionReq(prompt, model, defaultProps["temperature"], []string{})
 			req.Stream = false // Agents don't need streaming
 			return json.Marshal(req)
-		} else if isOpenRouter {
+		case isOpenRouter:
 			// OpenRouter completion
 			req := models.NewOpenRouterCompletionReq(model, prompt, defaultProps, []string{})
 			req.Stream = false // Agents don't need streaming
 			return json.Marshal(req)
-		} else {
+		default:
 			// Assume llama.cpp completion
 			req := models.NewLCPReq(prompt, model, nil, defaultProps, []string{})
 			req.Stream = false // Agents don't need streaming
@@ -103,15 +104,16 @@ func (ag *AgentClient) buildRequest(sysprompt, msg string) ([]byte, error) {
 			Messages: messages,
 		}
 
-		if isDeepSeek {
+		switch {
+		case isDeepSeek:
 			// DeepSeek chat
 			req := models.NewDSChatReq(*chatBody)
 			return json.Marshal(req)
-		} else if isOpenRouter {
+		case isOpenRouter:
 			// OpenRouter chat
 			req := models.NewOpenRouterChatReq(*chatBody, defaultProps)
 			return json.Marshal(req)
-		} else {
+		default:
 			// Assume llama.cpp chat (OpenAI format)
 			req := models.OpenAIReq{
 				ChatBody: chatBody,
diff --git a/bot.go b/bot.go
index 4d6da58..1310c20 100644
--- a/bot.go
+++ b/bot.go
@@ -18,35 +18,35 @@ import (
 	"net/url"
 	"os"
 	"path"
+	"regexp"
+	"slices"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/neurosnap/sentences/english"
-	"github.com/rivo/tview"
 )
 
 var (
-	httpClient = &http.Client{}
-	cfg        *config.Config
-	logger     *slog.Logger
-	logLevel   = new(slog.LevelVar)
-)
-var (
-	activeChatName      string
-	chunkChan           = make(chan string, 10)
-	openAIToolChan      = make(chan string, 10)
-	streamDone          = make(chan bool, 1)
-	chatBody            *models.ChatBody
-	store               storage.FullRepo
-	defaultFirstMsg     = "Hello! What can I do for you?"
-	defaultStarter      = []models.RoleMsg{}
-	defaultStarterBytes = []byte{}
-	interruptResp       = false
-	ragger              *rag.RAG
-	chunkParser         ChunkParser
-	lastToolCall        *models.FuncCall
+	httpClient      = &http.Client{}
+	cfg             *config.Config
+	logger          *slog.Logger
+	logLevel        = new(slog.LevelVar)
+	ctx, cancel     = context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	activeChatName  string
+	chatRoundChan   = make(chan *models.ChatRoundReq, 1)
+	chunkChan       = make(chan string, 10)
+	openAIToolChan  = make(chan string, 10)
+	streamDone      = make(chan bool, 1)
+	chatBody        *models.ChatBody
+	store           storage.FullRepo
+	defaultFirstMsg = "Hello! What can I do for you?"
+	defaultStarter  = []models.RoleMsg{}
+	interruptResp   = false
+	ragger          *rag.RAG
+	chunkParser     ChunkParser
+	lastToolCall    *models.FuncCall
 	//nolint:unused // TTS_ENABLED conditionally uses this
 	orator          Orator
 	asr             STT
@@ -68,26 +68,102 @@ var (
 	LocalModels = []string{}
 )
 
-// cleanNullMessages removes messages with null or empty content to prevent API issues
-func cleanNullMessages(messages []models.RoleMsg) []models.RoleMsg {
-	// // deletes tool calls which we don't want for now
-	// cleaned := make([]models.RoleMsg, 0, len(messages))
-	// for _, msg := range messages {
-	// 	// is there a sense for this check at all?
-	// 	if msg.HasContent() || msg.ToolCallID != "" || msg.Role == cfg.AssistantRole || msg.Role == cfg.WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent {
-	// 		cleaned = append(cleaned, msg)
-	// 	} else {
-	// 		// Log filtered messages for debugging
-	// 		logger.Warn("filtering out message during cleaning", "role", msg.Role, "content", msg.Content, "tool_call_id", msg.ToolCallID, "has_content", msg.HasContent())
-	// 	}
-	// }
-	return consolidateConsecutiveAssistantMessages(messages)
+// parseKnownToTag extracts known_to list from content using configured tag.
+// Returns cleaned content and list of character names.
+func parseKnownToTag(content string) []string {
+	if cfg == nil || !cfg.CharSpecificContextEnabled {
+		return nil
+	}
+	tag := cfg.CharSpecificContextTag
+	if tag == "" {
+		tag = "@"
+	}
+	// Pattern: tag + list + "@"
+	pattern := regexp.QuoteMeta(tag) + `(.*?)@`
+	re := regexp.MustCompile(pattern)
+	matches := re.FindAllStringSubmatch(content, -1)
+	if len(matches) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	// There may be multiple tags; we combine all.
+	var knownTo []string
+	for _, match := range matches {
+		if len(match) < 2 {
+			continue
+		}
+		// Remove the entire matched tag from content
+		list := strings.TrimSpace(match[1])
+		if list == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		strings.SplitSeq(list, ",")
+		// parts := strings.Split(list, ",")
+		// for _, p := range parts {
+		for p := range strings.SplitSeq(list, ",") {
+			p = strings.TrimSpace(p)
+			if p != "" {
+				knownTo = append(knownTo, p)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	// Also remove any leftover trailing "__" that might be orphaned? Not needed.
+	return knownTo
+}
+
+// processMessageTag processes a message for known_to tag and sets KnownTo field.
+// It also ensures the sender's role is included in KnownTo.
+// If KnownTo already set (e.g., from DB), preserves it unless new tag found.
+func processMessageTag(msg *models.RoleMsg) *models.RoleMsg {
+	if cfg == nil || !cfg.CharSpecificContextEnabled {
+		return msg
+	}
+	// If KnownTo already set, assume tag already processed (content cleaned).
+	// However, we still check for new tags (maybe added later).
+	knownTo := parseKnownToTag(msg.Content)
+	// If tag found, replace KnownTo with new list (merge with existing?)
+	// For simplicity, if knownTo is not nil, replace.
+	if knownTo == nil {
+		return msg
+	}
+	msg.KnownTo = knownTo
+	if msg.Role == "" {
+		return msg
+	}
+	if !slices.Contains(msg.KnownTo, msg.Role) {
+		msg.KnownTo = append(msg.KnownTo, msg.Role)
+	}
+	return msg
+}
+
+// filterMessagesForCharacter returns messages visible to the specified character.
+// If CharSpecificContextEnabled is false, returns all messages.
+func filterMessagesForCharacter(messages []models.RoleMsg, character string) []models.RoleMsg {
+	if cfg == nil || !cfg.CharSpecificContextEnabled || character == "" {
+		return messages
+	}
+	if character == "system" { // system sees every message
+		return messages
+	}
+	filtered := make([]models.RoleMsg, 0, len(messages))
+	for _, msg := range messages {
+		// If KnownTo is nil or empty, message is visible to all
+		// system msg cannot be filtered
+		if len(msg.KnownTo) == 0 || msg.Role == "system" {
+			filtered = append(filtered, msg)
+			continue
+		}
+		if slices.Contains(msg.KnownTo, character) {
+			// Check if character is in KnownTo lis
+			filtered = append(filtered, msg)
+		}
+	}
+	return filtered
 }
 
 func cleanToolCalls(messages []models.RoleMsg) []models.RoleMsg {
 	// If AutoCleanToolCallsFromCtx is false, keep tool call messages in context
 	if cfg != nil && !cfg.AutoCleanToolCallsFromCtx {
-		return consolidateConsecutiveAssistantMessages(messages)
+		return consolidateAssistantMessages(messages)
 	}
 	cleaned := make([]models.RoleMsg, 0, len(messages))
 	for i, msg := range messages {
@@ -97,11 +173,11 @@ func cleanToolCalls(messages []models.RoleMsg) []models.RoleMsg {
 			cleaned = append(cleaned, msg)
 		}
 	}
-	return consolidateConsecutiveAssistantMessages(cleaned)
+	return consolidateAssistantMessages(cleaned)
 }
 
-// consolidateConsecutiveAssistantMessages merges consecutive assistant messages into a single message
-func consolidateConsecutiveAssistantMessages(messages []models.RoleMsg) []models.RoleMsg {
+// consolidateAssistantMessages merges consecutive assistant messages into a single message
+func consolidateAssistantMessages(messages []models.RoleMsg) []models.RoleMsg {
 	if len(messages) == 0 {
 		return messages
 	}
@@ -110,7 +186,8 @@ func consolidateConsecutiveAssistantMessages(messages []models.RoleMsg) []models
 	isBuildingAssistantMsg := false
 	for i := 0; i < len(messages); i++ {
 		msg := messages[i]
-		if msg.Role == cfg.AssistantRole || msg.Role == cfg.WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent {
+		// assistant role only
+		if msg.Role == cfg.AssistantRole {
 			// If this is an assistant message, start or continue building
 			if !isBuildingAssistantMsg {
 				// Start accumulating assistant message
@@ -223,7 +300,8 @@ func warmUpModel() {
 	go func() {
 		var data []byte
 		var err error
-		if strings.HasSuffix(cfg.CurrentAPI, "/completion") {
+		switch {
+		case strings.HasSuffix(cfg.CurrentAPI, "/completion"):
 			// Old completion endpoint
 			req := models.NewLCPReq(".", chatBody.Model, nil, map[string]float32{
 				"temperature":    0.8,
@@ -233,7 +311,7 @@ func warmUpModel() {
 			}, []string{})
 			req.Stream = false
 			data, err = json.Marshal(req)
-		} else if strings.Contains(cfg.CurrentAPI, "/v1/chat/completions") {
+		case strings.Contains(cfg.CurrentAPI, "/v1/chat/completions"):
 			// OpenAI-compatible chat endpoint
 			req := models.OpenAIReq{
 				ChatBody: &models.ChatBody{
@@ -246,7 +324,7 @@ func warmUpModel() {
 				Tools: nil,
 			}
 			data, err = json.Marshal(req)
-		} else {
+		default:
 			// Unknown local endpoint, skip
 			return
 		}
@@ -412,9 +490,62 @@ func monitorModelLoad(modelID string) {
 	}()
 }
 
+// extractDetailedErrorFromBytes extracts detailed error information from response body bytes
+func extractDetailedErrorFromBytes(body []byte, statusCode int) string {
+	// Try to parse as JSON to extract detailed error information
+	var errorResponse map[string]interface{}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(body, &errorResponse); err == nil {
+		// Check if it's an error response with detailed information
+		if errorData, ok := errorResponse["error"]; ok {
+			if errorMap, ok := errorData.(map[string]interface{}); ok {
+				var errorMsg string
+				if msg, ok := errorMap["message"]; ok {
+					errorMsg = fmt.Sprintf("%v", msg)
+				}
+
+				var details []string
+				if code, ok := errorMap["code"]; ok {
+					details = append(details, fmt.Sprintf("Code: %v", code))
+				}
+
+				if metadata, ok := errorMap["metadata"]; ok {
+					// Handle metadata which might contain raw error details
+					if metadataMap, ok := metadata.(map[string]interface{}); ok {
+						if raw, ok := metadataMap["raw"]; ok {
+							// Parse the raw error string if it's JSON
+							var rawError map[string]interface{}
+							if rawStr, ok := raw.(string); ok && json.Unmarshal([]byte(rawStr), &rawError) == nil {
+								if rawErrorData, ok := rawError["error"]; ok {
+									if rawErrorMap, ok := rawErrorData.(map[string]interface{}); ok {
+										if rawMsg, ok := rawErrorMap["message"]; ok {
+											return fmt.Sprintf("API Error: %s", rawMsg)
+										}
+									}
+								}
+							}
+						}
+					}
+					details = append(details, fmt.Sprintf("Metadata: %v", metadata))
+				}
+
+				if len(details) > 0 {
+					return fmt.Sprintf("API Error: %s (%s)", errorMsg, strings.Join(details, ", "))
+				}
+
+				return "API Error: " + errorMsg
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	// If not a structured error response, return the raw body with status
+	return fmt.Sprintf("HTTP Status: %d, Response Body: %s", statusCode, string(body))
+}
+
 // sendMsgToLLM expects streaming resp
 func sendMsgToLLM(body io.Reader) {
 	choseChunkParser()
+	// openrouter does not respect stop strings, so we have to cut the message ourselves
+	stopStrings := chatBody.MakeStopSliceExcluding("", listChatRoles())
 	req, err := http.NewRequest("POST", cfg.CurrentAPI, body)
 	if err != nil {
 		logger.Error("newreq error", "error", err)
@@ -438,6 +569,33 @@ func sendMsgToLLM(body io.Reader) {
 		streamDone <- true
 		return
 	}
+
+	// Check if the initial response is an error before starting to stream
+	if resp.StatusCode >= 400 {
+		// Read the response body to get detailed error information
+		bodyBytes, err := io.ReadAll(resp.Body)
+		if err != nil {
+			logger.Error("failed to read error response body", "error", err, "status_code", resp.StatusCode)
+			detailedError := fmt.Sprintf("HTTP Status: %d, Failed to read response body: %v", resp.StatusCode, err)
+			if err := notifyUser("API Error", detailedError); err != nil {
+				logger.Error("failed to notify", "error", err)
+			}
+			resp.Body.Close()
+			streamDone <- true
+			return
+		}
+
+		// Parse the error response for detailed information
+		detailedError := extractDetailedErrorFromBytes(bodyBytes, resp.StatusCode)
+		logger.Error("API returned error status", "status_code", resp.StatusCode, "detailed_error", detailedError)
+		if err := notifyUser("API Error", detailedError); err != nil {
+			logger.Error("failed to notify", "error", err)
+		}
+		resp.Body.Close()
+		streamDone <- true
+		return
+	}
+
 	defer resp.Body.Close()
 	reader := bufio.NewReader(resp.Body)
 	counter := uint32(0)
@@ -455,11 +613,23 @@ func sendMsgToLLM(body io.Reader) {
 		}
 		line, err := reader.ReadBytes('\n')
 		if err != nil {
-			logger.Error("error reading response body", "error", err, "line", string(line),
-				"user_role", cfg.UserRole, "parser", chunkParser, "link", cfg.CurrentAPI)
-			// if err.Error() != "EOF" {
-			if err := notifyUser("API error", err.Error()); err != nil {
-				logger.Error("failed to notify", "error", err)
+			// Check if this is an EOF error and if the response contains detailed error information
+			if err == io.EOF {
+				// For streaming responses, we may have already consumed the error body
+				// So we'll use the original status code to provide context
+				detailedError := fmt.Sprintf("Streaming connection closed unexpectedly (Status: %d). This may indicate an API error. Check your API provider and model settings.", resp.StatusCode)
+				logger.Error("error reading response body", "error", err, "detailed_error", detailedError,
+					"status_code", resp.StatusCode, "user_role", cfg.UserRole, "parser", chunkParser, "link", cfg.CurrentAPI)
+				if err := notifyUser("API Error", detailedError); err != nil {
+					logger.Error("failed to notify", "error", err)
+				}
+			} else {
+				logger.Error("error reading response body", "error", err, "line", string(line),
+					"user_role", cfg.UserRole, "parser", chunkParser, "link", cfg.CurrentAPI)
+				// if err.Error() != "EOF" {
+				if err := notifyUser("API error", err.Error()); err != nil {
+					logger.Error("failed to notify", "error", err)
+				}
 			}
 			streamDone <- true
 			break
@@ -514,6 +684,14 @@ func sendMsgToLLM(body io.Reader) {
 		}
 		// bot sends way too many \n
 		answerText = strings.ReplaceAll(chunk.Chunk, "\n\n", "\n")
+		// Accumulate text to check for stop strings that might span across chunks
+		// check if chunk is in stopstrings => stop
+		// this check is needed only for openrouter /v1/completion, since it does not respect stop slice
+		if chunkParser.GetAPIType() == models.APITypeCompletion &&
+			slices.Contains(stopStrings, answerText) {
+			logger.Debug("stop string detected on client side for completion endpoint", "stop_string", answerText)
+			streamDone <- true
+		}
 		chunkChan <- answerText
 		openAIToolChan <- chunk.ToolChunk
 		if chunk.FuncName != "" {
@@ -597,7 +775,20 @@ func roleToIcon(role string) string {
 	return "<" + role + ">: "
 }
 
-func chatRound(userMsg, role string, tv *tview.TextView, regen, resume bool) {
+func chatWatcher(ctx context.Context) {
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case chatRoundReq := <-chatRoundChan:
+			if err := chatRound(chatRoundReq); err != nil {
+				logger.Error("failed to chatRound", "err", err)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func chatRound(r *models.ChatRoundReq) error {
 	botRespMode = true
 	botPersona := cfg.AssistantRole
 	if cfg.WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent != "" {
@@ -605,32 +796,23 @@ func chatRound(userMsg, role string, tv *tview.TextView, regen, resume bool) {
 	}
 	defer func() { botRespMode = false }()
 	// check that there is a model set to use if is not local
-	if cfg.CurrentAPI == cfg.DeepSeekChatAPI || cfg.CurrentAPI == cfg.DeepSeekCompletionAPI {
-		if chatBody.Model != "deepseek-chat" && chatBody.Model != "deepseek-reasoner" {
-			if err := notifyUser("bad request", "wrong deepseek model name"); err != nil {
-				logger.Warn("failed ot notify user", "error", err)
-				return
-			}
-			return
-		}
-	}
 	choseChunkParser()
-	reader, err := chunkParser.FormMsg(userMsg, role, resume)
+	reader, err := chunkParser.FormMsg(r.UserMsg, r.Role, r.Resume)
 	if reader == nil || err != nil {
-		logger.Error("empty reader from msgs", "role", role, "error", err)
-		return
+		logger.Error("empty reader from msgs", "role", r.Role, "error", err)
+		return err
 	}
 	if cfg.SkipLLMResp {
-		return
+		return nil
 	}
 	go sendMsgToLLM(reader)
-	logger.Debug("looking at vars in chatRound", "msg", userMsg, "regen", regen, "resume", resume)
-	if !resume {
-		fmt.Fprintf(tv, "\n[-:-:b](%d) ", len(chatBody.Messages))
-		fmt.Fprint(tv, roleToIcon(botPersona))
-		fmt.Fprint(tv, "[-:-:-]\n")
+	logger.Debug("looking at vars in chatRound", "msg", r.UserMsg, "regen", r.Regen, "resume", r.Resume)
+	if !r.Resume {
+		fmt.Fprintf(textView, "\n[-:-:b](%d) ", len(chatBody.Messages))
+		fmt.Fprint(textView, roleToIcon(botPersona))
+		fmt.Fprint(textView, "[-:-:-]\n")
 		if cfg.ThinkUse && !strings.Contains(cfg.CurrentAPI, "v1") {
-			// fmt.Fprint(tv, "<think>")
+			// fmt.Fprint(textView, "<think>")
 			chunkChan <- "<think>"
 		}
 	}
@@ -640,29 +822,29 @@ out:
 	for {
 		select {
 		case chunk := <-chunkChan:
-			fmt.Fprint(tv, chunk)
+			fmt.Fprint(textView, chunk)
 			respText.WriteString(chunk)
 			if scrollToEndEnabled {
-				tv.ScrollToEnd()
+				textView.ScrollToEnd()
 			}
 			// Send chunk to audio stream handler
 			if cfg.TTS_ENABLED {
 				TTSTextChan <- chunk
 			}
 		case toolChunk := <-openAIToolChan:
-			fmt.Fprint(tv, toolChunk)
+			fmt.Fprint(textView, toolChunk)
 			toolResp.WriteString(toolChunk)
 			if scrollToEndEnabled {
-				tv.ScrollToEnd()
+				textView.ScrollToEnd()
 			}
 		case <-streamDone:
 			// drain any remaining chunks from chunkChan before exiting
 			for len(chunkChan) > 0 {
 				chunk := <-chunkChan
-				fmt.Fprint(tv, chunk)
+				fmt.Fprint(textView, chunk)
 				respText.WriteString(chunk)
 				if scrollToEndEnabled {
-					tv.ScrollToEnd()
+					textView.ScrollToEnd()
 				}
 				if cfg.TTS_ENABLED {
 					// Send chunk to audio stream handler
@@ -678,25 +860,23 @@ out:
 	}
 	botRespMode = false
 	// numbers in chatbody and displayed must be the same
-	if resume {
+	if r.Resume {
 		chatBody.Messages[len(chatBody.Messages)-1].Content += respText.String()
 		// lastM.Content = lastM.Content + respText.String()
+		// Process the updated message to check for known_to tags in resumed response
+		updatedMsg := chatBody.Messages[len(chatBody.Messages)-1]
+		processedMsg := processMessageTag(&updatedMsg)
+		chatBody.Messages[len(chatBody.Messages)-1] = *processedMsg
 	} else {
-		chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, models.RoleMsg{
+		newMsg := models.RoleMsg{
 			Role: botPersona, Content: respText.String(),
-		})
-	}
-	logger.Debug("chatRound: before cleanChatBody", "messages_before_clean", len(chatBody.Messages))
-	for i, msg := range chatBody.Messages {
-		logger.Debug("chatRound: before cleaning", "index", i, "role", msg.Role, "content_len", len(msg.Content), "has_content", msg.HasContent(), "tool_call_id", msg.ToolCallID)
+		}
+		// Process the new message to check for known_to tags in LLM response
+		newMsg = *processMessageTag(&newMsg)
+		chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, newMsg)
 	}
-	// // Clean null/empty messages to prevent API issues with endpoints like llama.cpp jinja template
 	cleanChatBody()
-	logger.Debug("chatRound: after cleanChatBody", "messages_after_clean", len(chatBody.Messages))
-	for i, msg := range chatBody.Messages {
-		logger.Debug("chatRound: after cleaning", "index", i, "role", msg.Role, "content_len", len(msg.Content), "has_content", msg.HasContent(), "tool_call_id", msg.ToolCallID)
-	}
-	colorText()
+	refreshChatDisplay()
 	updateStatusLine()
 	// bot msg is done;
 	// now check it for func call
@@ -704,7 +884,19 @@ out:
 	if err := updateStorageChat(activeChatName, chatBody.Messages); err != nil {
 		logger.Warn("failed to update storage", "error", err, "name", activeChatName)
 	}
-	findCall(respText.String(), toolResp.String(), tv)
+	if findCall(respText.String(), toolResp.String()) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	// Check if this message was sent privately to specific characters
+	// If so, trigger those characters to respond if that char is not controlled by user
+	// perhaps we should have narrator role to determine which char is next to act
+	if cfg.AutoTurn {
+		lastMsg := chatBody.Messages[len(chatBody.Messages)-1]
+		if len(lastMsg.KnownTo) > 0 {
+			triggerPrivateMessageResponses(&lastMsg)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
 }
 
 // cleanChatBody removes messages with null or empty content to prevent API issues
@@ -712,19 +904,10 @@ func cleanChatBody() {
 	if chatBody == nil || chatBody.Messages == nil {
 		return
 	}
-	originalLen := len(chatBody.Messages)
-	logger.Debug("cleanChatBody: before cleaning", "message_count", originalLen)
-	for i, msg := range chatBody.Messages {
-		logger.Debug("cleanChatBody: before clean", "index", i, "role", msg.Role, "content_len", len(msg.Content), "has_content", msg.HasContent(), "tool_call_id", msg.ToolCallID)
-	}
 	// Tool request cleaning is now configurable via AutoCleanToolCallsFromCtx (default false)
 	// /completion msg where part meant for user and other part tool call
 	chatBody.Messages = cleanToolCalls(chatBody.Messages)
-	chatBody.Messages = cleanNullMessages(chatBody.Messages)
-	logger.Debug("cleanChatBody: after cleaning", "original_len", originalLen, "new_len", len(chatBody.Messages))
-	for i, msg := range chatBody.Messages {
-		logger.Debug("cleanChatBody: after clean", "index", i, "role", msg.Role, "content_len", len(msg.Content), "has_content", msg.HasContent(), "tool_call_id", msg.ToolCallID)
-	}
+	chatBody.Messages = consolidateAssistantMessages(chatBody.Messages)
 }
 
 // convertJSONToMapStringString unmarshals JSON into map[string]interface{} and converts all values to strings.
@@ -789,8 +972,9 @@ func unmarshalFuncCall(jsonStr string) (*models.FuncCall, error) {
 	return fc, nil
 }
 
-func findCall(msg, toolCall string, tv *tview.TextView) {
-	fc := &models.FuncCall{}
+// findCall: adds chatRoundReq into the chatRoundChan and returns true if does
+func findCall(msg, toolCall string) bool {
+	var fc *models.FuncCall
 	if toolCall != "" {
 		// HTML-decode the tool call string to handle encoded characters like &lt; -> <=
 		decodedToolCall := html.UnescapeString(toolCall)
@@ -807,8 +991,13 @@ func findCall(msg, toolCall string, tv *tview.TextView) {
 			chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, toolResponseMsg)
 			// Clear the stored tool call ID after using it (no longer needed)
 			// Trigger the assistant to continue processing with the error message
-			chatRound("", cfg.AssistantRole, tv, false, false)
-			return
+			crr := &models.ChatRoundReq{
+				Role: cfg.AssistantRole,
+			}
+			// provoke next llm msg after failed tool call
+			chatRoundChan <- crr
+			// chatRound("", cfg.AssistantRole, tv, false, false)
+			return true
 		}
 		lastToolCall.Args = openAIToolMap
 		fc = lastToolCall
@@ -820,8 +1009,8 @@ func findCall(msg, toolCall string, tv *tview.TextView) {
 		}
 	} else {
 		jsStr := toolCallRE.FindString(msg)
-		if jsStr == "" {
-			return
+		if jsStr == "" { // no tool call case
+			return false
 		}
 		prefix := "__tool_call__\n"
 		suffix := "\n__tool_call__"
@@ -840,8 +1029,13 @@ func findCall(msg, toolCall string, tv *tview.TextView) {
 			chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, toolResponseMsg)
 			logger.Debug("findCall: added tool error response", "role", toolResponseMsg.Role, "content_len", len(toolResponseMsg.Content), "message_count_after_add", len(chatBody.Messages))
 			// Trigger the assistant to continue processing with the error message
-			chatRound("", cfg.AssistantRole, tv, false, false)
-			return
+			// chatRound("", cfg.AssistantRole, tv, false, false)
+			crr := &models.ChatRoundReq{
+				Role: cfg.AssistantRole,
+			}
+			// provoke next llm msg after failed tool call
+			chatRoundChan <- crr
+			return true
 		}
 		// Update lastToolCall with parsed function call
 		lastToolCall.ID = fc.ID
@@ -874,13 +1068,17 @@ func findCall(msg, toolCall string, tv *tview.TextView) {
 		lastToolCall.ID = ""
 		// Trigger the assistant to continue processing with the new tool response
 		// by calling chatRound with empty content to continue the assistant's response
-		chatRound("", cfg.AssistantRole, tv, false, false)
-		return
+		crr := &models.ChatRoundReq{
+			Role: cfg.AssistantRole,
+		}
+		// failed to find tool
+		chatRoundChan <- crr
+		return true
 	}
 	resp := callToolWithAgent(fc.Name, fc.Args)
 	toolMsg := string(resp) // Remove the "tool response: " prefix and %+v formatting
 	logger.Info("llm used tool call", "tool_resp", toolMsg, "tool_attrs", fc)
-	fmt.Fprintf(tv, "%s[-:-:b](%d) <%s>: [-:-:-]\n%s\n",
+	fmt.Fprintf(textView, "%s[-:-:b](%d) <%s>: [-:-:-]\n%s\n",
 		"\n\n", len(chatBody.Messages), cfg.ToolRole, toolMsg)
 	// Create tool response message with the proper tool_call_id
 	toolResponseMsg := models.RoleMsg{
@@ -894,12 +1092,16 @@ func findCall(msg, toolCall string, tv *tview.TextView) {
 	lastToolCall.ID = ""
 	// Trigger the assistant to continue processing with the new tool response
 	// by calling chatRound with empty content to continue the assistant's response
-	chatRound("", cfg.AssistantRole, tv, false, false)
+	crr := &models.ChatRoundReq{
+		Role: cfg.AssistantRole,
+	}
+	chatRoundChan <- crr
+	return true
 }
 
-func chatToTextSlice(showSys bool) []string {
-	resp := make([]string, len(chatBody.Messages))
-	for i, msg := range chatBody.Messages {
+func chatToTextSlice(messages []models.RoleMsg, showSys bool) []string {
+	resp := make([]string, len(messages))
+	for i, msg := range messages {
 		// INFO: skips system msg and tool msg
 		if !showSys && (msg.Role == cfg.ToolRole || msg.Role == "system") {
 			continue
@@ -909,8 +1111,8 @@ func chatToTextSlice(showSys bool) []string {
 	return resp
 }
 
-func chatToText(showSys bool) string {
-	s := chatToTextSlice(showSys)
+func chatToText(messages []models.RoleMsg, showSys bool) string {
+	s := chatToTextSlice(messages, showSys)
 	return strings.Join(s, "\n")
 }
 
@@ -951,28 +1153,27 @@ func addNewChat(chatName string) {
 	activeChatName = chat.Name
 }
 
-func applyCharCard(cc *models.CharCard) {
+func applyCharCard(cc *models.CharCard, loadHistory bool) {
 	cfg.AssistantRole = cc.Role
-	// FIXME: remove
 	history, err := loadAgentsLastChat(cfg.AssistantRole)
-	if err != nil {
+	if err != nil || !loadHistory {
 		// too much action for err != nil; loadAgentsLastChat needs to be split up
-		logger.Warn("failed to load last agent chat;", "agent", cc.Role, "err", err)
 		history = []models.RoleMsg{
 			{Role: "system", Content: cc.SysPrompt},
 			{Role: cfg.AssistantRole, Content: cc.FirstMsg},
 		}
+		logger.Warn("failed to load last agent chat;", "agent", cc.Role, "err", err, "new_history", history)
 		addNewChat("")
 	}
 	chatBody.Messages = history
 }
 
-func charToStart(agentName string) bool {
+func charToStart(agentName string, keepSysP bool) bool {
 	cc, ok := sysMap[agentName]
 	if !ok {
 		return false
 	}
-	applyCharCard(cc)
+	applyCharCard(cc, keepSysP)
 	return true
 }
 
@@ -1025,7 +1226,7 @@ func summarizeAndStartNewChat() {
 		return
 	}
 	// Start a new chat
-	startNewChat()
+	startNewChat(true)
 	// Inject summary as a tool call response
 	toolMsg := models.RoleMsg{
 		Role:       cfg.ToolRole,
@@ -1034,7 +1235,7 @@ func summarizeAndStartNewChat() {
 	}
 	chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, toolMsg)
 	// Update UI
-	textView.SetText(chatToText(cfg.ShowSys))
+	textView.SetText(chatToText(chatBody.Messages, cfg.ShowSys))
 	colorText()
 	// Update storage
 	if err := updateStorageChat(activeChatName, chatBody.Messages); err != nil {
@@ -1044,10 +1245,12 @@ func summarizeAndStartNewChat() {
 }
 
 func init() {
+	// ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	var err error
 	cfg, err = config.LoadConfig("config.toml")
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Println("failed to load config.toml")
+		cancel()
 		os.Exit(1)
 		return
 	}
@@ -1059,11 +1262,8 @@ func init() {
 		os.O_APPEND|os.O_CREATE|os.O_WRONLY, 0644)
 	if err != nil {
 		slog.Error("failed to open log file", "error", err, "filename", cfg.LogFile)
-		return
-	}
-	defaultStarterBytes, err = json.Marshal(defaultStarter)
-	if err != nil {
-		slog.Error("failed to marshal defaultStarter", "error", err)
+		cancel()
+		os.Exit(1)
 		return
 	}
 	// load cards
@@ -1074,13 +1274,17 @@ func init() {
 	logger = slog.New(slog.NewTextHandler(logfile, &slog.HandlerOptions{Level: logLevel}))
 	store = storage.NewProviderSQL(cfg.DBPATH, logger)
 	if store == nil {
+		cancel()
 		os.Exit(1)
+		return
 	}
 	ragger = rag.New(logger, store, cfg)
 	// https://github.com/coreydaley/ggerganov-llama.cpp/blob/master/examples/server/README.md
 	// load all chats in memory
 	if _, err := loadHistoryChats(); err != nil {
 		logger.Error("failed to load chat", "error", err)
+		cancel()
+		os.Exit(1)
 		return
 	}
 	lastToolCall = &models.FuncCall{}
@@ -1101,4 +1305,54 @@ func init() {
 	// Initialize scrollToEndEnabled based on config
 	scrollToEndEnabled = cfg.AutoScrollEnabled
 	go updateModelLists()
+	go chatWatcher(ctx)
+}
+
+func getValidKnowToRecipient(msg *models.RoleMsg) (string, bool) {
+	if cfg == nil || !cfg.CharSpecificContextEnabled {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	// case where all roles are in the tag => public message
+	cr := listChatRoles()
+	slices.Sort(cr)
+	slices.Sort(msg.KnownTo)
+	if slices.Equal(cr, msg.KnownTo) {
+		logger.Info("got msg with tag mentioning every role")
+		return "", false
+	}
+	// Check each character in the KnownTo list
+	for _, recipient := range msg.KnownTo {
+		if recipient == msg.Role || recipient == cfg.ToolRole {
+			// weird cases, skip
+			continue
+		}
+		// Skip if this is the user character (user handles their own turn)
+		// If user is in KnownTo, stop processing - it's the user's turn
+		if recipient == cfg.UserRole || recipient == cfg.WriteNextMsgAs {
+			return "", false
+		}
+		return recipient, true
+	}
+	return "", false
+}
+
+// triggerPrivateMessageResponses checks if a message was sent privately to specific characters
+// and triggers those non-user characters to respond
+func triggerPrivateMessageResponses(msg *models.RoleMsg) {
+	recipient, ok := getValidKnowToRecipient(msg)
+	if !ok || recipient == "" {
+		return
+	}
+	// Trigger the recipient character to respond
+	triggerMsg := recipient + ":\n"
+	// Send empty message so LLM continues naturally from the conversation
+	crr := &models.ChatRoundReq{
+		UserMsg: triggerMsg,
+		Role:    recipient,
+		Resume:  true,
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintf(textView, "\n[-:-:b](%d) ", len(chatBody.Messages))
+	fmt.Fprint(textView, roleToIcon(recipient))
+	fmt.Fprint(textView, "[-:-:-]\n")
+	chatRoundChan <- crr
 }
diff --git a/bot_test.go b/bot_test.go
index d2956a9..01c3e2c 100644
--- a/bot_test.go
+++ b/bot_test.go
@@ -117,35 +117,35 @@ func TestConsolidateConsecutiveAssistantMessages(t *testing.T) {
 
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			result := consolidateConsecutiveAssistantMessages(tt.input)
-			
+			result := consolidateAssistantMessages(tt.input)
+
 			if len(result) != len(tt.expected) {
 				t.Errorf("Expected %d messages, got %d", len(tt.expected), len(result))
 				t.Logf("Result: %+v", result)
 				t.Logf("Expected: %+v", tt.expected)
 				return
 			}
-			
+
 			for i, expectedMsg := range tt.expected {
 				if i >= len(result) {
 					t.Errorf("Result has fewer messages than expected at index %d", i)
 					continue
 				}
-				
+
 				actualMsg := result[i]
 				if actualMsg.Role != expectedMsg.Role {
 					t.Errorf("Message %d: expected role '%s', got '%s'", i, expectedMsg.Role, actualMsg.Role)
 				}
-				
+
 				if actualMsg.Content != expectedMsg.Content {
 					t.Errorf("Message %d: expected content '%s', got '%s'", i, expectedMsg.Content, actualMsg.Content)
 				}
-				
+
 				if actualMsg.ToolCallID != expectedMsg.ToolCallID {
 					t.Errorf("Message %d: expected ToolCallID '%s', got '%s'", i, expectedMsg.ToolCallID, actualMsg.ToolCallID)
 				}
 			}
-			
+
 			// Additional check: ensure no messages were lost
 			if !reflect.DeepEqual(result, tt.expected) {
 				t.Errorf("Result does not match expected:\nResult:   %+v\nExpected: %+v", result, tt.expected)
@@ -286,4 +286,387 @@ func TestConvertJSONToMapStringString(t *testing.T) {
 			}
 		})
 	}
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
+
+func TestParseKnownToTag(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name        string
+		content     string
+		enabled     bool
+		tag         string
+		wantCleaned string
+		wantKnownTo []string
+	}{
+		{
+			name:        "feature disabled returns original",
+			content:     "Hello @Alice@",
+			enabled:     false,
+			tag:         "@",
+			wantCleaned: "Hello @Alice@",
+			wantKnownTo: nil,
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "no tag returns original",
+			content:     "Hello Alice",
+			enabled:     true,
+			tag:         "@",
+			wantCleaned: "Hello Alice",
+			wantKnownTo: nil,
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "single tag with one char",
+			content:     "Hello @Alice@",
+			enabled:     true,
+			tag:         "@",
+			wantCleaned: "Hello",
+			wantKnownTo: []string{"Alice"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "single tag with two chars",
+			content:     "Secret @Alice,Bob@ message",
+			enabled:     true,
+			tag:         "@",
+			wantCleaned: "Secret  message",
+			wantKnownTo: []string{"Alice", "Bob"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "tag at beginning",
+			content:     "@Alice@ Hello",
+			enabled:     true,
+			tag:         "@",
+			wantCleaned: "Hello",
+			wantKnownTo: []string{"Alice"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "tag at end",
+			content:     "Hello @Alice@",
+			enabled:     true,
+			tag:         "@",
+			wantCleaned: "Hello",
+			wantKnownTo: []string{"Alice"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "multiple tags",
+			content:     "First @Alice@ then @Bob@",
+			enabled:     true,
+			tag:         "@",
+			wantCleaned: "First  then",
+			wantKnownTo: []string{"Alice", "Bob"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "custom tag",
+			content:     "Secret @Alice,Bob@ message",
+			enabled:     true,
+			tag:         "@",
+			wantCleaned: "Secret  message",
+			wantKnownTo: []string{"Alice", "Bob"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "empty list",
+			content:     "Secret @@@",
+			enabled:     true,
+			tag:         "@",
+			wantCleaned: "Secret",
+			wantKnownTo: nil,
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "whitespace around commas",
+			content:     "@ Alice , Bob , Carl @",
+			enabled:     true,
+			tag:         "@",
+			wantCleaned: "",
+			wantKnownTo: []string{"Alice", "Bob", "Carl"},
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			// Set up config
+			testCfg := &config.Config{
+				CharSpecificContextEnabled: tt.enabled,
+				CharSpecificContextTag:     tt.tag,
+			}
+			cfg = testCfg
+			knownTo := parseKnownToTag(tt.content)
+			if len(knownTo) != len(tt.wantKnownTo) {
+				t.Errorf("parseKnownToTag() knownTo length = %v, want %v", len(knownTo), len(tt.wantKnownTo))
+				t.Logf("got: %v", knownTo)
+				t.Logf("want: %v", tt.wantKnownTo)
+			} else {
+				for i, got := range knownTo {
+					if got != tt.wantKnownTo[i] {
+						t.Errorf("parseKnownToTag() knownTo[%d] = %q, want %q", i, got, tt.wantKnownTo[i])
+					}
+				}
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestProcessMessageTag(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name    string
+		msg     models.RoleMsg
+		enabled bool
+		tag     string
+		wantMsg models.RoleMsg
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "feature disabled returns unchanged",
+			msg: models.RoleMsg{
+				Role:    "Alice",
+				Content: "Secret @Bob@",
+			},
+			enabled: false,
+			tag:     "@",
+			wantMsg: models.RoleMsg{
+				Role:    "Alice",
+				Content: "Secret @Bob@",
+				KnownTo: nil,
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "no tag, no knownTo",
+			msg: models.RoleMsg{
+				Role:    "Alice",
+				Content: "Hello everyone",
+			},
+			enabled: true,
+			tag:     "@",
+			wantMsg: models.RoleMsg{
+				Role:    "Alice",
+				Content: "Hello everyone",
+				KnownTo: nil,
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "tag with Bob, adds Alice automatically",
+			msg: models.RoleMsg{
+				Role:    "Alice",
+				Content: "Secret @Bob@",
+			},
+			enabled: true,
+			tag:     "@",
+			wantMsg: models.RoleMsg{
+				Role:    "Alice",
+				Content: "Secret",
+				KnownTo: []string{"Bob", "Alice"},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "tag already includes sender",
+			msg: models.RoleMsg{
+				Role:    "Alice",
+				Content: "@Alice,Bob@",
+			},
+			enabled: true,
+			tag:     "@",
+			wantMsg: models.RoleMsg{
+				Role:    "Alice",
+				Content: "",
+				KnownTo: []string{"Alice", "Bob"},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "knownTo already set (from DB), tag still processed",
+			msg: models.RoleMsg{
+				Role:    "Alice",
+				Content: "Secret @Bob@",
+				KnownTo: []string{"Alice"}, // from previous processing
+			},
+			enabled: true,
+			tag:     "@",
+			wantMsg: models.RoleMsg{
+				Role:    "Alice",
+				Content: "Secret",
+				KnownTo: []string{"Bob", "Alice"},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "example from real use",
+			msg: models.RoleMsg{
+				Role:    "Alice",
+				Content: "I'll start with a simple one! The word is 'banana'. (ooc: @Bob@)",
+				KnownTo: []string{"Alice"}, // from previous processing
+			},
+			enabled: true,
+			tag:     "@",
+			wantMsg: models.RoleMsg{
+				Role:    "Alice",
+				Content: "I'll start with a simple one! The word is 'banana'. (ooc: @Bob@)",
+				KnownTo: []string{"Bob", "Alice"},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			testCfg := &config.Config{
+				CharSpecificContextEnabled: tt.enabled,
+				CharSpecificContextTag:     tt.tag,
+			}
+			cfg = testCfg
+			got := processMessageTag(&tt.msg)
+			if len(got.KnownTo) != len(tt.wantMsg.KnownTo) {
+				t.Errorf("processMessageTag() KnownTo length = %v, want %v", len(got.KnownTo), len(tt.wantMsg.KnownTo))
+				t.Logf("got: %v", got.KnownTo)
+				t.Logf("want: %v", tt.wantMsg.KnownTo)
+			} else {
+				// order may differ; check membership
+				for _, want := range tt.wantMsg.KnownTo {
+					found := false
+					for _, gotVal := range got.KnownTo {
+						if gotVal == want {
+							found = true
+							break
+						}
+					}
+					if !found {
+						t.Errorf("processMessageTag() missing KnownTo entry %q, got %v", want, got.KnownTo)
+					}
+				}
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestFilterMessagesForCharacter(t *testing.T) {
+	messages := []models.RoleMsg{
+		{Role: "system", Content: "System message", KnownTo: nil}, // visible to all
+		{Role: "Alice", Content: "Hello everyone", KnownTo: nil},  // visible to all
+		{Role: "Alice", Content: "Secret for Bob", KnownTo: []string{"Alice", "Bob"}},
+		{Role: "Bob", Content: "Reply to Alice", KnownTo: []string{"Alice", "Bob"}},
+		{Role: "Alice", Content: "Private to Carl", KnownTo: []string{"Alice", "Carl"}},
+		{Role: "Carl", Content: "Hi all", KnownTo: nil}, // visible to all
+	}
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		name        string
+		enabled     bool
+		character   string
+		wantIndices []int // indices from original messages that should be included
+	}{
+		{
+			name:        "feature disabled returns all",
+			enabled:     false,
+			character:   "Alice",
+			wantIndices: []int{0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5},
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "character empty returns all",
+			enabled:     true,
+			character:   "",
+			wantIndices: []int{0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5},
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "Alice sees all including Carl-private",
+			enabled:     true,
+			character:   "Alice",
+			wantIndices: []int{0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5},
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "Bob sees Alice-Bob secrets and all public",
+			enabled:     true,
+			character:   "Bob",
+			wantIndices: []int{0, 1, 2, 3, 5},
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "Carl sees Alice-Carl secret and public",
+			enabled:     true,
+			character:   "Carl",
+			wantIndices: []int{0, 1, 4, 5},
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "David sees only public messages",
+			enabled:     true,
+			character:   "David",
+			wantIndices: []int{0, 1, 5},
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			testCfg := &config.Config{
+				CharSpecificContextEnabled: tt.enabled,
+				CharSpecificContextTag:     "@",
+			}
+			cfg = testCfg
+
+			got := filterMessagesForCharacter(messages, tt.character)
+
+			if len(got) != len(tt.wantIndices) {
+				t.Errorf("filterMessagesForCharacter() returned %d messages, want %d", len(got), len(tt.wantIndices))
+				t.Logf("got: %v", got)
+				return
+			}
+
+			for i, idx := range tt.wantIndices {
+				if got[i].Content != messages[idx].Content {
+					t.Errorf("filterMessagesForCharacter() message %d content = %q, want %q", i, got[i].Content, messages[idx].Content)
+				}
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRoleMsgCopyPreservesKnownTo(t *testing.T) {
+	// Test that the Copy() method preserves the KnownTo field
+	originalMsg := models.RoleMsg{
+		Role:    "Alice",
+		Content: "Test message",
+		KnownTo: []string{"Bob", "Charlie"},
+	}
+
+	copiedMsg := originalMsg.Copy()
+
+	if copiedMsg.Role != originalMsg.Role {
+		t.Errorf("Copy() failed to preserve Role: got %q, want %q", copiedMsg.Role, originalMsg.Role)
+	}
+	if copiedMsg.Content != originalMsg.Content {
+		t.Errorf("Copy() failed to preserve Content: got %q, want %q", copiedMsg.Content, originalMsg.Content)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(copiedMsg.KnownTo, originalMsg.KnownTo) {
+		t.Errorf("Copy() failed to preserve KnownTo: got %v, want %v", copiedMsg.KnownTo, originalMsg.KnownTo)
+	}
+	if copiedMsg.ToolCallID != originalMsg.ToolCallID {
+		t.Errorf("Copy() failed to preserve ToolCallID: got %q, want %q", copiedMsg.ToolCallID, originalMsg.ToolCallID)
+	}
+	if copiedMsg.IsContentParts() != originalMsg.IsContentParts() {
+		t.Errorf("Copy() failed to preserve hasContentParts flag")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestKnownToFieldPreservationScenario(t *testing.T) {
+	// Test the specific scenario from the log where KnownTo field was getting lost
+	originalMsg := models.RoleMsg{
+		Role:    "Alice",
+		Content: `Alice: "Okay, Bob. The word is... **'Ephemeral'**. (ooc: @Bob@)"`,
+		KnownTo: []string{"Bob"}, // This was detected in the log
+	}
+
+	t.Logf("Original message - Role: %s, Content: %s, KnownTo: %v",
+		originalMsg.Role, originalMsg.Content, originalMsg.KnownTo)
+
+	// Simulate what happens when the message gets copied during processing
+	copiedMsg := originalMsg.Copy()
+
+	t.Logf("Copied message - Role: %s, Content: %s, KnownTo: %v",
+		copiedMsg.Role, copiedMsg.Content, copiedMsg.KnownTo)
+
+	// Check if KnownTo field survived the copy
+	if len(copiedMsg.KnownTo) == 0 {
+		t.Error("ERROR: KnownTo field was lost during copy!")
+	} else {
+		t.Log("SUCCESS: KnownTo field was preserved during copy!")
+	}
+
+	// Verify the content is the same
+	if copiedMsg.Content != originalMsg.Content {
+		t.Errorf("Content was changed during copy: got %s, want %s", copiedMsg.Content, originalMsg.Content)
+	}
+
+	// Verify the KnownTo slice is properly copied
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(copiedMsg.KnownTo, originalMsg.KnownTo) {
+		t.Errorf("KnownTo was not properly copied: got %v, want %v", copiedMsg.KnownTo, originalMsg.KnownTo)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/char-specific-context.md b/char-specific-context.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..54fa24e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/char-specific-context.md
@@ -0,0 +1,152 @@
+# Character-Specific Context
+
+**/completion only feature; won't work with /v1/chat**
+
+## Overview
+
+Character-Specific Context is a feature that enables private communication between characters in a multi-character chat. When enabled, messages can be tagged with a special marker indicating which characters should "know" about (see) that message. This allows for secret conversations, private information sharing, and roleplaying scenarios where certain characters are not privy to all communications.
+
+(This feature works by filtering the chat history for each character based on the `KnownTo` field associated with each message. Only messages that are intended for a particular character (or are public) are included in that character's view of the conversation.)
+
+## How It Works
+
+### Tagging Messages
+
+Messages can be tagged with a special string (by default `@`) followed by a comma-separated list of character names. The tag can appear anywhere in the message content. **After csv of characters tag should be closed with `@` (for regexp to know where it ends).**
+
+**Example:**
+```
+Alice: @Bob@ Can you keep a secret?
+```
+
+**To avoid breaking immersion, it is better to place the tag in (ooc:)**
+```
+Alice: (ooc: @Bob@) Can you keep a secret?
+```
+
+This message will be visible only to Alice (the sender) and Bob. The tag is parsed by `parseKnownToTag` and the resulting list of character names is stored in the `KnownTo` field of the message (`RoleMsg`). The sender is automatically added to the `KnownTo` list (if not already present) by `processMessageTag`.
+
+Multiple tags can be used in a single message; all mentioned characters are combined into the `KnownTo` list.
+
+### Filtering Chat History
+
+When it's a character's turn to respond, the function `filterMessagesForCharacter` filters the full message list, returning only those messages where:
+
+- `KnownTo` is empty (message is public), OR
+- `KnownTo` contains the character's name.
+
+System messages (`role == "system"`) are always visible to all characters.
+
+The filtered history is then used to construct the prompt sent to the LLM. This ensures each character only sees messages they are supposed to know about.
+
+### Configuration
+
+Two configuration settings control this feature:
+
+- `CharSpecificContextEnabled` – boolean; enables or disables the feature globally.
+- `CharSpecificContextTag` – string; the tag used to mark private messages. Default is `@`.
+
+These are set in `config.toml` (see `config.example.toml` for the default values).
+
+### Processing Pipeline
+
+1. **Message Creation** – When a message is added to the chat (by a user or LLM), `processMessageTag` scans its content for the known‑to tag.
+2. **Storage** – The parsed `KnownTo` list is stored with the message in the database.
+3. **Filtering** – Whenever the chat history is needed (e.g., for an LLM request), `filterMessagesForCharacter` is called with the target character (the one whose turn it is). The filtered list is used for the prompt.
+4. **Display** – The TUI also uses the same filtering when showing the conversation for a selected character (see “Writing as…”).
+
+## Usage Examples
+
+### Basic Private Message
+
+Alice wants to tell Bob something without Carl knowing:
+
+```
+Alice: @Bob@ Meet me at the library tonight.
+```
+
+Result:
+- Alice (sender) sees the message.
+- Bob sees the message.
+- Carl does **not** see the message in his chat history.
+
+### Multi‑recipient Secret
+
+Alice shares a secret with Bob and Carl, but not David:
+
+```
+Alice: (ooc: @Bob,Carl@) The treasure is hidden under the old oak.
+```
+
+### Public Message
+
+A message without any tag (or with an empty `KnownTo`) is visible to all characters.
+
+```
+Alice: Hello everyone!
+```
+
+### User‑Role Considerations
+
+The human user can assume any character’s identity via the “Writing as…” feature (`cfg.UserRole` and `cfg.WriteNextMsgAs`). When the user writes as a character, the same filtering rules apply: the user will see only the messages that character would see.
+
+## Interaction with AutoTurn and WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent
+
+### WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent
+
+This configuration variable determines which character the LLM should respond as. It is used by `filterMessagesForCurrentCharacter` to select the target character for filtering. If `WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent` is set, the LLM will reply in the voice of that character, and only messages visible to that character will be included in the prompt.
+
+### AutoTurn
+
+Normally llm and user (human) take turns writting messages. With private messages there is an issue, where llm can write a private message that will not be visible for character who user controls, so for a human it would appear that llm did not respond. It is desirable in this case, for llm to answer to itself, larping as target character for that private message.
+
+When `AutoTurn` is enabled, the system can automatically trigger responses from llm as characters who have received a private message. The logic in `triggerPrivateMessageResponses` checks the `KnownTo` list of the last message and, for each recipient that is not the user (or the sender), queues a chat round for that character. This creates a chain of private replies without user intervention.
+
+**Example flow:**
+1. Alice (llm) sends a private message to Bob (llm) (`KnownTo = ["Alice","Bob"]`).
+2. Carl (user) sees nothing.
+3. `AutoTurn` detects this and queues a response from Bob.
+4. Bob replies (potentially also privately).
+5. The conversation continues automatically until public message is made, or Carl (user) was included in `KnownTo`.
+
+
+## Cardmaking with multiple characters
+
+So far only json format supports multiple characters.
+Card example:
+```
+{
+  "sys_prompt": "This is a chat between Alice, Bob and Carl. Normally what is said by any character is seen by all others. But characters also might write messages intended to specific targets if their message contain string tag '@{CharName1,CharName2,CharName3}@'.\nFor example:\nAlice:\n\"Hey, Bob. I have a secret for you... (ooc: @Bob@)\"\nThis message would be seen only by Bob and Alice (sender always sees their own message).",
+  "role": "Alice",
+  "filepath": "sysprompts/alice_bob_carl.json",
+  "chars": ["Alice", "Bob", "Carl"],
+  "first_msg": "Hey guys! Want to play Alias like game? I'll tell Bob a word and he needs to describe that word so Carl can guess what it was?"
+}
+```
+
+## Limitations & Caveats
+
+### Endpoint Compatibility
+
+Character‑specific context relies on the `/completion` endpoint (or other completion‑style endpoints) where the LLM is presented with a raw text prompt containing the entire filtered history. It does **not** work with OpenAI‑style `/v1/chat/completions` endpoints, because those endpoints enforce a fixed role set (`user`/`assistant`/`system`) and strip custom role names and metadata.
+
+### TTS
+Although text message might be hidden from user character. If TTS is enabled it will be read.
+
+### Tag Parsing
+
+- The tag is case‑sensitive.
+- Whitespace around character names is trimmed.
+- If the tag appears multiple times, all mentioned characters are combined.
+
+### Database Storage
+
+The `KnownTo` field is stored as a JSON array in the database. Existing messages that were created before enabling the feature will have an empty `KnownTo` and thus be visible to all characters.
+
+## Relevant Configuration
+
+```toml
+CharSpecificContextEnabled = true
+CharSpecificContextTag = "@"
+AutoTurn = false
+```
diff --git a/config.example.toml b/config.example.toml
index 3a5401b..1b466eb 100644
--- a/config.example.toml
+++ b/config.example.toml
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ AssistantRole = "assistant"
 SysDir = "sysprompts"
 ChunkLimit = 100000
 AutoScrollEnabled = true
-# AutoCleanToolCallsFromCtx = false
+AutoCleanToolCallsFromCtx = false
 # rag settings
 RAGBatchSize = 1
 RAGWordLimit = 80
@@ -39,7 +39,12 @@ WhisperBinaryPath = "./batteries/whisper.cpp/build/bin/whisper-cli" # Path to wh
 WhisperModelPath = "./batteries/whisper.cpp/ggml-large-v3-turbo-q5_0.bin"  # Path to whisper model file (for WHISPER_BINARY mode)
 STT_LANG = "en"  # Language for speech recognition (for WHISPER_BINARY mode)
 STT_SR = 16000  # Sample rate for audio recording
+#
 DBPATH = "gflt.db"
 FilePickerDir = "." # Directory where file picker should start
 FilePickerExts = "png,jpg,jpeg,gif,webp" # Comma-separated list of allowed file extensions for file picker
 EnableMouse = false # Enable mouse support in the UI
+# character specific context
+CharSpecificContextEnabled = true
+CharSpecificContextTag = "@"
+AutoTurn = true
diff --git a/config/config.go b/config/config.go
index 20935a2..bed24f6 100644
--- a/config/config.go
+++ b/config/config.go
@@ -26,7 +26,11 @@ type Config struct {
 	WriteNextMsgAs                string
 	WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent string
 	SkipLLMResp                   bool
-	AutoCleanToolCallsFromCtx     bool `toml:"AutoCleanToolCallsFromCtx"`
+	AutoCleanToolCallsFromCtx     bool   `toml:"AutoCleanToolCallsFromCtx"`
+	DBPATH                        string `toml:"DBPATH"`
+	FilePickerDir                 string `toml:"FilePickerDir"`
+	FilePickerExts                string `toml:"FilePickerExts"`
+	EnableMouse                   bool   `toml:"EnableMouse"`
 	// embeddings
 	RAGEnabled bool   `toml:"RAGEnabled"`
 	EmbedURL   string `toml:"EmbedURL"`
@@ -61,10 +65,10 @@ type Config struct {
 	WhisperBinaryPath string `toml:"WhisperBinaryPath"`
 	WhisperModelPath  string `toml:"WhisperModelPath"`
 	STT_LANG          string `toml:"STT_LANG"`
-	DBPATH            string `toml:"DBPATH"`
-	FilePickerDir     string `toml:"FilePickerDir"`
-	FilePickerExts    string `toml:"FilePickerExts"`
-	EnableMouse       bool   `toml:"EnableMouse"`
+	// character spefic contetx
+	CharSpecificContextEnabled bool   `toml:"CharSpecificContextEnabled"`
+	CharSpecificContextTag     string `toml:"CharSpecificContextTag"`
+	AutoTurn                   bool   `toml:"AutoTurn"`
 }
 
 func LoadConfig(fn string) (*Config, error) {
diff --git a/docs/tutorial_rp.md b/docs/tutorial_rp.md
index d670745..d52b59c 100644
--- a/docs/tutorial_rp.md
+++ b/docs/tutorial_rp.md
@@ -67,11 +67,9 @@ In case you're running llama.cpp, here is an example of starting the llama.cpp s
 For roleplay, /completion endpoints are much better, since /chat endpoints swap any character name to either `user` or `assistant`.
 Once you have the desired API endpoint
 (for example: http://localhost:8080/completion),
-there are two ways to pick a model:
-- `Ctrl+L` allows you to iterate through the model list while in the main window.
-- `Ctrl+P` (opens the properties table). Go to the `Select a model` row and press Enter. A list of available models will appear; pick any that you want, then press `x` to exit the properties table.
+- `Ctrl+L` to show a model selection popup;
 
-#### Llama.cpp model preload
+#### Llama.cpp model (pre)load
 
 Llama.cpp supports swapping models. To load the picked ones, press `Alt+9`.
 
@@ -128,9 +126,9 @@ The screen flashes briefly as it calculates. "I am experiencing degraded functio
 ```
 
 Once the character name is in history, we can switch who the LLM will respond as by pressing `Ctrl+X`.
-For now, it should be rotating between HAL9000, `Username`, Seraphina, and system.
-Make the status line mention: `Bot will write as Seraphina (ctrl+x)`
-and press Escape to see her reaction.
+For now, it should give a choice between HAL9000, `Username`, Seraphina, and system.
+After the change the status line should say: `Bot will write as Seraphina (ctrl+x)`
+press Escape for llm to write as Seraphina.
 
 #### Image input
 
diff --git a/extra/tts.go b/extra/tts.go
index fd4a235..dcc811e 100644
--- a/extra/tts.go
+++ b/extra/tts.go
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import (
 	"regexp"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
+	"sync"
 
 	google_translate_tts "github.com/GrailFinder/google-translate-tts"
 	"github.com/GrailFinder/google-translate-tts/handlers"
@@ -77,6 +78,7 @@ type Orator interface {
 // impl https://github.com/remsky/Kokoro-FastAPI
 type KokoroOrator struct {
 	logger        *slog.Logger
+	mu            sync.Mutex
 	URL           string
 	Format        models.AudioFormat
 	Stream        bool
@@ -93,6 +95,7 @@ type KokoroOrator struct {
 // Google Translate TTS implementation
 type GoogleTranslateOrator struct {
 	logger        *slog.Logger
+	mu            sync.Mutex
 	speech        *google_translate_tts.Speech
 	currentStream *beep.Ctrl
 	currentDone   chan bool
@@ -109,6 +112,7 @@ func (o *KokoroOrator) stoproutine() {
 		for len(TTSTextChan) > 0 {
 			<-TTSTextChan
 		}
+		o.mu.Lock()
 		o.textBuffer.Reset()
 		if o.currentDone != nil {
 			select {
@@ -118,6 +122,7 @@ func (o *KokoroOrator) stoproutine() {
 			}
 		}
 		o.interrupt = true
+		o.mu.Unlock()
 	}
 }
 
@@ -128,21 +133,24 @@ func (o *KokoroOrator) readroutine() {
 	for {
 		select {
 		case chunk := <-TTSTextChan:
+			o.mu.Lock()
 			o.interrupt = false
-			// sentenceBuf.WriteString(chunk)
-			// text := sentenceBuf.String()
 			_, err := o.textBuffer.WriteString(chunk)
 			if err != nil {
 				o.logger.Warn("failed to write to stringbuilder", "error", err)
+				o.mu.Unlock()
 				continue
 			}
 			text := o.textBuffer.String()
+			o.mu.Unlock()
 			sentences := tokenizer.Tokenize(text)
 			o.logger.Debug("adding chunk", "chunk", chunk, "text", text, "sen-len", len(sentences))
 			for i, sentence := range sentences {
 				if i == len(sentences)-1 { // last sentence
+					o.mu.Lock()
 					o.textBuffer.Reset()
 					_, err := o.textBuffer.WriteString(sentence.Text)
+					o.mu.Unlock()
 					if err != nil {
 						o.logger.Warn("failed to write to stringbuilder", "error", err)
 						continue
@@ -163,7 +171,9 @@ func (o *KokoroOrator) readroutine() {
 			// lln is done get the whole message out
 			if len(TTSTextChan) > 0 { // otherwise might get stuck
 				for chunk := range TTSTextChan {
+					o.mu.Lock()
 					_, err := o.textBuffer.WriteString(chunk)
+					o.mu.Unlock()
 					if err != nil {
 						o.logger.Warn("failed to write to stringbuilder", "error", err)
 						continue
@@ -174,16 +184,21 @@ func (o *KokoroOrator) readroutine() {
 				}
 			}
 			// flush remaining text
+			o.mu.Lock()
 			remaining := o.textBuffer.String()
 			remaining = cleanText(remaining)
 			o.textBuffer.Reset()
+			o.mu.Unlock()
 			if remaining == "" {
 				continue
 			}
 			o.logger.Debug("calling Speak with remainder", "rem", remaining)
 			sentencesRem := tokenizer.Tokenize(remaining)
 			for _, rs := range sentencesRem { // to avoid dumping large volume of text
-				if o.interrupt {
+				o.mu.Lock()
+				interrupt := o.interrupt
+				o.mu.Unlock()
+				if interrupt {
 					break
 				}
 				if err := o.Speak(rs.Text); err != nil {
@@ -240,6 +255,9 @@ func (o *KokoroOrator) GetLogger() *slog.Logger {
 }
 
 func (o *KokoroOrator) requestSound(text string) (io.ReadCloser, error) {
+	if o.URL == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("TTS URL is empty")
+	}
 	payload := map[string]interface{}{
 		"input":           text,
 		"voice":           o.Voice,
@@ -291,14 +309,18 @@ func (o *KokoroOrator) Speak(text string) error {
 		o.logger.Debug("failed to init speaker", "error", err)
 	}
 	done := make(chan bool)
+	o.mu.Lock()
 	o.currentDone = done
-	// Create controllable stream and store reference
 	o.currentStream = &beep.Ctrl{Streamer: beep.Seq(streamer, beep.Callback(func() {
+		o.mu.Lock()
 		close(done)
 		o.currentStream = nil
+		o.currentDone = nil
+		o.mu.Unlock()
 	})), Paused: false}
+	o.mu.Unlock()
 	speaker.Play(o.currentStream)
-	<-o.currentDone
+	<-done
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -307,6 +329,8 @@ func (o *KokoroOrator) Stop() {
 	o.logger.Debug("attempted to stop orator", "orator", o)
 	speaker.Lock()
 	defer speaker.Unlock()
+	o.mu.Lock()
+	defer o.mu.Unlock()
 	if o.currentStream != nil {
 		// o.currentStream.Paused = true
 		o.currentStream.Streamer = nil
@@ -322,6 +346,7 @@ func (o *GoogleTranslateOrator) stoproutine() {
 		for len(TTSTextChan) > 0 {
 			<-TTSTextChan
 		}
+		o.mu.Lock()
 		o.textBuffer.Reset()
 		if o.currentDone != nil {
 			select {
@@ -331,6 +356,7 @@ func (o *GoogleTranslateOrator) stoproutine() {
 			}
 		}
 		o.interrupt = true
+		o.mu.Unlock()
 	}
 }
 
@@ -339,19 +365,24 @@ func (o *GoogleTranslateOrator) readroutine() {
 	for {
 		select {
 		case chunk := <-TTSTextChan:
+			o.mu.Lock()
 			o.interrupt = false
 			_, err := o.textBuffer.WriteString(chunk)
 			if err != nil {
 				o.logger.Warn("failed to write to stringbuilder", "error", err)
+				o.mu.Unlock()
 				continue
 			}
 			text := o.textBuffer.String()
+			o.mu.Unlock()
 			sentences := tokenizer.Tokenize(text)
 			o.logger.Debug("adding chunk", "chunk", chunk, "text", text, "sen-len", len(sentences))
 			for i, sentence := range sentences {
 				if i == len(sentences)-1 { // last sentence
+					o.mu.Lock()
 					o.textBuffer.Reset()
 					_, err := o.textBuffer.WriteString(sentence.Text)
+					o.mu.Unlock()
 					if err != nil {
 						o.logger.Warn("failed to write to stringbuilder", "error", err)
 						continue
@@ -372,7 +403,9 @@ func (o *GoogleTranslateOrator) readroutine() {
 			// lln is done get the whole message out
 			if len(TTSTextChan) > 0 { // otherwise might get stuck
 				for chunk := range TTSTextChan {
+					o.mu.Lock()
 					_, err := o.textBuffer.WriteString(chunk)
+					o.mu.Unlock()
 					if err != nil {
 						o.logger.Warn("failed to write to stringbuilder", "error", err)
 						continue
@@ -382,16 +415,21 @@ func (o *GoogleTranslateOrator) readroutine() {
 					}
 				}
 			}
+			o.mu.Lock()
 			remaining := o.textBuffer.String()
 			remaining = cleanText(remaining)
 			o.textBuffer.Reset()
+			o.mu.Unlock()
 			if remaining == "" {
 				continue
 			}
 			o.logger.Debug("calling Speak with remainder", "rem", remaining)
 			sentencesRem := tokenizer.Tokenize(remaining)
 			for _, rs := range sentencesRem { // to avoid dumping large volume of text
-				if o.interrupt {
+				o.mu.Lock()
+				interrupt := o.interrupt
+				o.mu.Unlock()
+				if interrupt {
 					break
 				}
 				if err := o.Speak(rs.Text); err != nil {
@@ -434,14 +472,18 @@ func (o *GoogleTranslateOrator) Speak(text string) error {
 		o.logger.Debug("failed to init speaker", "error", err)
 	}
 	done := make(chan bool)
+	o.mu.Lock()
 	o.currentDone = done
-	// Create controllable stream and store reference
 	o.currentStream = &beep.Ctrl{Streamer: beep.Seq(playbackStreamer, beep.Callback(func() {
+		o.mu.Lock()
 		close(done)
 		o.currentStream = nil
+		o.currentDone = nil
+		o.mu.Unlock()
 	})), Paused: false}
+	o.mu.Unlock()
 	speaker.Play(o.currentStream)
-	<-o.currentDone // wait for playback to complete
+	<-done // wait for playback to complete
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -449,6 +491,8 @@ func (o *GoogleTranslateOrator) Stop() {
 	o.logger.Debug("attempted to stop google translate orator")
 	speaker.Lock()
 	defer speaker.Unlock()
+	o.mu.Lock()
+	defer o.mu.Unlock()
 	if o.currentStream != nil {
 		o.currentStream.Streamer = nil
 	}
diff --git a/helpfuncs.go b/helpfuncs.go
index 4a3719c..538b4aa 100644
--- a/helpfuncs.go
+++ b/helpfuncs.go
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@ import (
 	"image"
 	"os"
 	"path"
+	"slices"
 	"strings"
-	"time"
 	"unicode"
 
 	"math/rand/v2"
@@ -23,6 +23,28 @@ func isASCII(s string) bool {
 	return true
 }
 
+// refreshChatDisplay updates the chat display based on current character view
+// It filters messages for the character the user is currently "writing as"
+// and updates the textView with the filtered conversation
+func refreshChatDisplay() {
+	// Determine which character's view to show
+	viewingAs := cfg.UserRole
+	if cfg.WriteNextMsgAs != "" {
+		viewingAs = cfg.WriteNextMsgAs
+	}
+	// Filter messages for this character
+	filteredMessages := filterMessagesForCharacter(chatBody.Messages, viewingAs)
+	displayText := chatToText(filteredMessages, cfg.ShowSys)
+	// Use QueueUpdate for thread-safe UI updates
+	app.QueueUpdate(func() {
+		textView.SetText(displayText)
+		colorText()
+		if scrollToEndEnabled {
+			textView.ScrollToEnd()
+		}
+	})
+}
+
 func colorText() {
 	text := textView.GetText(false)
 	quoteReplacer := strings.NewReplacer(
@@ -69,7 +91,6 @@ func colorText() {
 	for i, cb := range codeBlocks {
 		text = strings.Replace(text, fmt.Sprintf(placeholder, i), cb, 1)
 	}
-	logger.Debug("thinking debug", "blocks", thinkBlocks)
 	for i, tb := range thinkBlocks {
 		text = strings.Replace(text, fmt.Sprintf(placeholderThink, i), tb, 1)
 	}
@@ -100,23 +121,24 @@ func initSysCards() ([]string, error) {
 	return labels, nil
 }
 
-func startNewChat() {
+func startNewChat(keepSysP bool) {
 	id, err := store.ChatGetMaxID()
 	if err != nil {
 		logger.Error("failed to get chat id", "error", err)
 	}
-	if ok := charToStart(cfg.AssistantRole); !ok {
+	if ok := charToStart(cfg.AssistantRole, keepSysP); !ok {
 		logger.Warn("no such sys msg", "name", cfg.AssistantRole)
 	}
 	// set chat body
 	chatBody.Messages = chatBody.Messages[:2]
-	textView.SetText(chatToText(cfg.ShowSys))
+	textView.SetText(chatToText(chatBody.Messages, cfg.ShowSys))
 	newChat := &models.Chat{
-		ID:        id + 1,
-		Name:      fmt.Sprintf("%d_%s", id+1, cfg.AssistantRole),
-		Msgs:      string(defaultStarterBytes),
-		Agent:     cfg.AssistantRole,
-		CreatedAt: time.Now(),
+		ID:   id + 1,
+		Name: fmt.Sprintf("%d_%s", id+1, cfg.AssistantRole),
+		// chat is written to db when we get first llm response (or any)
+		// actual chat history (messages) would be parsed then
+		Msgs:  "",
+		Agent: cfg.AssistantRole,
 	}
 	activeChatName = newChat.Name
 	chatMap[newChat.Name] = newChat
@@ -166,7 +188,7 @@ func setLogLevel(sl string) {
 }
 
 func listRolesWithUser() []string {
-	roles := chatBody.ListRoles()
+	roles := listChatRoles()
 	// Remove user role if it exists in the list (to avoid duplicates and ensure it's at position 0)
 	filteredRoles := make([]string, 0, len(roles))
 	for _, role := range roles {
@@ -176,6 +198,7 @@ func listRolesWithUser() []string {
 	}
 	// Prepend user role to the beginning of the list
 	result := append([]string{cfg.UserRole}, filteredRoles...)
+	slices.Sort(result)
 	return result
 }
 
@@ -237,9 +260,10 @@ func makeStatusLine() string {
 	} else {
 		shellModeInfo = ""
 	}
-	statusLine := fmt.Sprintf(indexLineCompletion, botRespMode, activeChatName,
-		cfg.ToolUse, chatBody.Model, cfg.SkipLLMResp, cfg.CurrentAPI,
-		isRecording, persona, botPersona, injectRole)
+	statusLine := fmt.Sprintf(indexLineCompletion, boolColors[botRespMode], botRespMode, activeChatName,
+		boolColors[cfg.ToolUse], cfg.ToolUse, chatBody.Model, boolColors[cfg.SkipLLMResp],
+		cfg.SkipLLMResp, cfg.CurrentAPI, boolColors[isRecording], isRecording, persona,
+		botPersona, boolColors[injectRole], injectRole)
 	return statusLine + imageInfo + shellModeInfo
 }
 
@@ -252,3 +276,42 @@ func randString(n int) string {
 	}
 	return string(b)
 }
+
+// set of roles within card definition and mention in chat history
+func listChatRoles() []string {
+	currentChat, ok := chatMap[activeChatName]
+	cbc := chatBody.ListRoles()
+	if !ok {
+		return cbc
+	}
+	currentCard, ok := sysMap[currentChat.Agent]
+	if !ok {
+		// case which won't let to switch roles:
+		// started new chat (basic_sys or any other), at the start it yet be saved or have chatbody
+		// if it does not have a card or chars, it'll return an empty slice
+		// log error
+		logger.Warn("failed to find current card in sysMap", "agent", currentChat.Agent, "sysMap", sysMap)
+		return cbc
+	}
+	charset := []string{}
+	for _, name := range currentCard.Characters {
+		if !strInSlice(name, cbc) {
+			charset = append(charset, name)
+		}
+	}
+	charset = append(charset, cbc...)
+	return charset
+}
+
+func deepseekModelValidator() error {
+	if cfg.CurrentAPI == cfg.DeepSeekChatAPI || cfg.CurrentAPI == cfg.DeepSeekCompletionAPI {
+		if chatBody.Model != "deepseek-chat" && chatBody.Model != "deepseek-reasoner" {
+			if err := notifyUser("bad request", "wrong deepseek model name"); err != nil {
+				logger.Warn("failed ot notify user", "error", err)
+				return err
+			}
+			return nil
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/llm.go b/llm.go
index 5621ecf..734b4fd 100644
--- a/llm.go
+++ b/llm.go
@@ -13,6 +13,28 @@ var imageAttachmentPath string // Global variable to track image attachment for
 var lastImg string             // for ctrl+j
 var RAGMsg = "Retrieved context for user's query:\n"
 
+// addPersonaSuffixToLastUserMessage adds the persona suffix to the last user message
+// to indicate to the assistant who it should reply as
+func addPersonaSuffixToLastUserMessage(messages []models.RoleMsg, persona string) []models.RoleMsg {
+	if len(messages) == 0 {
+		return messages
+	}
+	// // Find the last user message to modify
+	// for i := len(messages) - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
+	// 	if messages[i].Role == cfg.UserRole || messages[i].Role == "user" {
+	// 		// Create a copy of the message to avoid modifying the original
+	// 		modifiedMsg := messages[i]
+	// 		modifiedMsg.Content = modifiedMsg.Content + "\n" + persona + ":"
+	// 		messages[i] = modifiedMsg
+	// 		break
+	// 	}
+	// }
+	modifiedMsg := messages[len(messages)-1]
+	modifiedMsg.Content = modifiedMsg.Content + "\n" + persona + ":\n"
+	messages[len(messages)-1] = modifiedMsg
+	return messages
+}
+
 // containsToolSysMsg checks if the toolSysMsg already exists in the chat body
 func containsToolSysMsg() bool {
 	for _, msg := range chatBody.Messages {
@@ -34,10 +56,31 @@ func ClearImageAttachment() {
 	imageAttachmentPath = ""
 }
 
+// filterMessagesForCurrentCharacter filters messages based on char-specific context.
+// Returns filtered messages and the bot persona role (target character).
+func filterMessagesForCurrentCharacter(messages []models.RoleMsg) ([]models.RoleMsg, string) {
+	botPersona := cfg.AssistantRole
+	if cfg.WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent != "" {
+		botPersona = cfg.WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent
+	}
+	if cfg == nil || !cfg.CharSpecificContextEnabled {
+		return messages, botPersona
+	}
+	// get last message (written by user) and checck if it has a tag
+	lm := messages[len(messages)-1]
+	recipient, ok := getValidKnowToRecipient(&lm)
+	if ok && recipient != "" {
+		botPersona = recipient
+	}
+	filtered := filterMessagesForCharacter(messages, botPersona)
+	return filtered, botPersona
+}
+
 type ChunkParser interface {
 	ParseChunk([]byte) (*models.TextChunk, error)
 	FormMsg(msg, role string, cont bool) (io.Reader, error)
 	GetToken() string
+	GetAPIType() models.APIType
 }
 
 func choseChunkParser() {
@@ -87,6 +130,10 @@ type OpenRouterChat struct {
 	Model string
 }
 
+func (lcp LCPCompletion) GetAPIType() models.APIType {
+	return models.APITypeCompletion
+}
+
 func (lcp LCPCompletion) GetToken() string {
 	return ""
 }
@@ -98,7 +145,8 @@ func (lcp LCPCompletion) FormMsg(msg, role string, resume bool) (io.Reader, erro
 	if localImageAttachmentPath != "" {
 		imageURL, err := models.CreateImageURLFromPath(localImageAttachmentPath)
 		if err != nil {
-			logger.Error("failed to create image URL from path for completion", "error", err, "path", localImageAttachmentPath)
+			logger.Error("failed to create image URL from path for completion",
+				"error", err, "path", localImageAttachmentPath)
 			return nil, err
 		}
 		// Extract base64 part from data URL (e.g., "data:image/jpeg;base64,...")
@@ -113,40 +161,37 @@ func (lcp LCPCompletion) FormMsg(msg, role string, resume bool) (io.Reader, erro
 	}
 	if msg != "" { // otherwise let the bot to continue
 		newMsg := models.RoleMsg{Role: role, Content: msg}
+		newMsg = *processMessageTag(&newMsg)
 		chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, newMsg)
 	}
-	if !resume {
-		// if rag - add as system message to avoid conflicts with tool usage
-		if cfg.RAGEnabled {
-			um := chatBody.Messages[len(chatBody.Messages)-1].Content
-			logger.Debug("RAG is enabled, preparing RAG context", "user_message", um)
-			ragResp, err := chatRagUse(um)
-			if err != nil {
-				logger.Error("failed to form a rag msg", "error", err)
-				return nil, err
-			}
-			logger.Debug("RAG response received", "response_len", len(ragResp), "response_preview", ragResp[:min(len(ragResp), 100)])
-			// Use system role for RAG context to avoid conflicts with tool usage
-			ragMsg := models.RoleMsg{Role: "system", Content: RAGMsg + ragResp}
-			chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, ragMsg)
-			logger.Debug("RAG message added to chat body", "message_count", len(chatBody.Messages))
+	// if rag - add as system message to avoid conflicts with tool usage
+	if !resume && cfg.RAGEnabled {
+		um := chatBody.Messages[len(chatBody.Messages)-1].Content
+		logger.Debug("RAG is enabled, preparing RAG context", "user_message", um)
+		ragResp, err := chatRagUse(um)
+		if err != nil {
+			logger.Error("failed to form a rag msg", "error", err)
+			return nil, err
 		}
-	}
+		logger.Debug("RAG response received", "response_len", len(ragResp),
+			"response_preview", ragResp[:min(len(ragResp), 100)])
+		// Use system role for RAG context to avoid conflicts with tool usage
+		ragMsg := models.RoleMsg{Role: "system", Content: RAGMsg + ragResp}
+		chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, ragMsg)
+		logger.Debug("RAG message added to chat body", "message_count", len(chatBody.Messages))
+	}
+	// sending description of the tools and how to use them
 	if cfg.ToolUse && !resume && role == cfg.UserRole && !containsToolSysMsg() {
-		// add to chat body
 		chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, models.RoleMsg{Role: cfg.ToolRole, Content: toolSysMsg})
 	}
-	messages := make([]string, len(chatBody.Messages))
-	for i, m := range chatBody.Messages {
+	filteredMessages, botPersona := filterMessagesForCurrentCharacter(chatBody.Messages)
+	messages := make([]string, len(filteredMessages))
+	for i, m := range filteredMessages {
 		messages[i] = m.ToPrompt()
 	}
 	prompt := strings.Join(messages, "\n")
 	// strings builder?
 	if !resume {
-		botPersona := cfg.AssistantRole
-		if cfg.WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent != "" {
-			botPersona = cfg.WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent
-		}
 		botMsgStart := "\n" + botPersona + ":\n"
 		prompt += botMsgStart
 	}
@@ -164,10 +209,10 @@ func (lcp LCPCompletion) FormMsg(msg, role string, resume bool) (io.Reader, erro
 		}
 		prompt = sb.String()
 	}
-
 	logger.Debug("checking prompt for /completion", "tool_use", cfg.ToolUse,
 		"msg", msg, "resume", resume, "prompt", prompt, "multimodal_data_count", len(multimodalData))
-	payload := models.NewLCPReq(prompt, chatBody.Model, multimodalData, defaultLCPProps, chatBody.MakeStopSlice())
+	payload := models.NewLCPReq(prompt, chatBody.Model, multimodalData,
+		defaultLCPProps, chatBody.MakeStopSliceExcluding("", listChatRoles()))
 	data, err := json.Marshal(payload)
 	if err != nil {
 		logger.Error("failed to form a msg", "error", err)
@@ -193,7 +238,11 @@ func (lcp LCPCompletion) ParseChunk(data []byte) (*models.TextChunk, error) {
 	return resp, nil
 }
 
-func (op LCPChat) GetToken() string {
+func (lcp LCPChat) GetAPIType() models.APIType {
+	return models.APITypeChat
+}
+
+func (lcp LCPChat) GetToken() string {
 	return ""
 }
 
@@ -270,33 +319,40 @@ func (op LCPChat) FormMsg(msg, role string, resume bool) (io.Reader, error) {
 			// Create a simple text message
 			newMsg = models.NewRoleMsg(role, msg)
 		}
+		newMsg = *processMessageTag(&newMsg)
 		chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, newMsg)
-		logger.Debug("LCPChat FormMsg: added message to chatBody", "role", newMsg.Role, "content_len", len(newMsg.Content), "message_count_after_add", len(chatBody.Messages))
-	}
-	if !resume {
-		// if rag - add as system message to avoid conflicts with tool usage
-		if cfg.RAGEnabled {
-			um := chatBody.Messages[len(chatBody.Messages)-1].Content
-			logger.Debug("LCPChat: RAG is enabled, preparing RAG context", "user_message", um)
-			ragResp, err := chatRagUse(um)
-			if err != nil {
-				logger.Error("LCPChat: failed to form a rag msg", "error", err)
-				return nil, err
-			}
-			logger.Debug("LCPChat: RAG response received", "response_len", len(ragResp), "response_preview", ragResp[:min(len(ragResp), 100)])
-			// Use system role for RAG context to avoid conflicts with tool usage
-			ragMsg := models.RoleMsg{Role: "system", Content: RAGMsg + ragResp}
-			chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, ragMsg)
-			logger.Debug("LCPChat: RAG message added to chat body", "role", ragMsg.Role, "rag_content_len", len(ragMsg.Content), "message_count_after_rag", len(chatBody.Messages))
+		logger.Debug("LCPChat FormMsg: added message to chatBody", "role", newMsg.Role,
+			"content_len", len(newMsg.Content), "message_count_after_add", len(chatBody.Messages))
+	}
+	// if rag - add as system message to avoid conflicts with tool usage
+	if !resume && cfg.RAGEnabled {
+		um := chatBody.Messages[len(chatBody.Messages)-1].Content
+		logger.Debug("LCPChat: RAG is enabled, preparing RAG context", "user_message", um)
+		ragResp, err := chatRagUse(um)
+		if err != nil {
+			logger.Error("LCPChat: failed to form a rag msg", "error", err)
+			return nil, err
 		}
-	}
+		logger.Debug("LCPChat: RAG response received",
+			"response_len", len(ragResp), "response_preview", ragResp[:min(len(ragResp), 100)])
+		// Use system role for RAG context to avoid conflicts with tool usage
+		ragMsg := models.RoleMsg{Role: "system", Content: RAGMsg + ragResp}
+		chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, ragMsg)
+		logger.Debug("LCPChat: RAG message added to chat body", "role", ragMsg.Role,
+			"rag_content_len", len(ragMsg.Content), "message_count_after_rag", len(chatBody.Messages))
+	}
+	filteredMessages, botPersona := filterMessagesForCurrentCharacter(chatBody.Messages)
 	// openai /v1/chat does not support custom roles; needs to be user, assistant, system
+	// Add persona suffix to the last user message to indicate who the assistant should reply as
+	if cfg.AutoTurn && !resume {
+		filteredMessages = addPersonaSuffixToLastUserMessage(filteredMessages, botPersona)
+	}
 	bodyCopy := &models.ChatBody{
-		Messages: make([]models.RoleMsg, len(chatBody.Messages)),
+		Messages: make([]models.RoleMsg, len(filteredMessages)),
 		Model:    chatBody.Model,
 		Stream:   chatBody.Stream,
 	}
-	for i, msg := range chatBody.Messages {
+	for i, msg := range filteredMessages {
 		if msg.Role == cfg.UserRole {
 			bodyCopy.Messages[i] = msg
 			bodyCopy.Messages[i].Role = "user"
@@ -305,7 +361,7 @@ func (op LCPChat) FormMsg(msg, role string, resume bool) (io.Reader, error) {
 		}
 	}
 	// Clean null/empty messages to prevent API issues
-	bodyCopy.Messages = cleanNullMessages(bodyCopy.Messages)
+	bodyCopy.Messages = consolidateAssistantMessages(bodyCopy.Messages)
 	req := models.OpenAIReq{
 		ChatBody: bodyCopy,
 		Tools:    nil,
@@ -322,6 +378,10 @@ func (op LCPChat) FormMsg(msg, role string, resume bool) (io.Reader, error) {
 }
 
 // deepseek
+func (ds DeepSeekerCompletion) GetAPIType() models.APIType {
+	return models.APITypeCompletion
+}
+
 func (ds DeepSeekerCompletion) ParseChunk(data []byte) (*models.TextChunk, error) {
 	llmchunk := models.DSCompletionResp{}
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &llmchunk); err != nil {
@@ -346,43 +406,42 @@ func (ds DeepSeekerCompletion) GetToken() string {
 
 func (ds DeepSeekerCompletion) FormMsg(msg, role string, resume bool) (io.Reader, error) {
 	logger.Debug("formmsg deepseekercompletion", "link", cfg.CurrentAPI)
+	if err := deepseekModelValidator(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 	if msg != "" { // otherwise let the bot to continue
 		newMsg := models.RoleMsg{Role: role, Content: msg}
+		newMsg = *processMessageTag(&newMsg)
 		chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, newMsg)
 	}
-	if !resume {
-		// if rag - add as system message to avoid conflicts with tool usage
-		// TODO: perhaps RAG should be a func/tool call instead?
-		if cfg.RAGEnabled {
-			um := chatBody.Messages[len(chatBody.Messages)-1].Content
-			logger.Debug("DeepSeekerCompletion: RAG is enabled, preparing RAG context", "user_message", um)
-			ragResp, err := chatRagUse(um)
-			if err != nil {
-				logger.Error("DeepSeekerCompletion: failed to form a rag msg", "error", err)
-				return nil, err
-			}
-			logger.Debug("DeepSeekerCompletion: RAG response received", "response_len", len(ragResp), "response_preview", ragResp[:min(len(ragResp), 100)])
-			// Use system role for RAG context to avoid conflicts with tool usage
-			ragMsg := models.RoleMsg{Role: "system", Content: RAGMsg + ragResp}
-			chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, ragMsg)
-			logger.Debug("DeepSeekerCompletion: RAG message added to chat body", "message_count", len(chatBody.Messages))
+	// if rag - add as system message to avoid conflicts with tool usage
+	if !resume && cfg.RAGEnabled {
+		um := chatBody.Messages[len(chatBody.Messages)-1].Content
+		logger.Debug("DeepSeekerCompletion: RAG is enabled, preparing RAG context", "user_message", um)
+		ragResp, err := chatRagUse(um)
+		if err != nil {
+			logger.Error("DeepSeekerCompletion: failed to form a rag msg", "error", err)
+			return nil, err
 		}
-	}
+		logger.Debug("DeepSeekerCompletion: RAG response received",
+			"response_len", len(ragResp), "response_preview", ragResp[:min(len(ragResp), 100)])
+		// Use system role for RAG context to avoid conflicts with tool usage
+		ragMsg := models.RoleMsg{Role: "system", Content: RAGMsg + ragResp}
+		chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, ragMsg)
+		logger.Debug("DeepSeekerCompletion: RAG message added to chat body", "message_count", len(chatBody.Messages))
+	}
+	// sending description of the tools and how to use them
 	if cfg.ToolUse && !resume && role == cfg.UserRole && !containsToolSysMsg() {
-		// add to chat body
 		chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, models.RoleMsg{Role: cfg.ToolRole, Content: toolSysMsg})
 	}
-	messages := make([]string, len(chatBody.Messages))
-	for i, m := range chatBody.Messages {
+	filteredMessages, botPersona := filterMessagesForCurrentCharacter(chatBody.Messages)
+	messages := make([]string, len(filteredMessages))
+	for i, m := range filteredMessages {
 		messages[i] = m.ToPrompt()
 	}
 	prompt := strings.Join(messages, "\n")
 	// strings builder?
 	if !resume {
-		botPersona := cfg.AssistantRole
-		if cfg.WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent != "" {
-			botPersona = cfg.WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent
-		}
 		botMsgStart := "\n" + botPersona + ":\n"
 		prompt += botMsgStart
 	}
@@ -392,7 +451,8 @@ func (ds DeepSeekerCompletion) FormMsg(msg, role string, resume bool) (io.Reader
 	logger.Debug("checking prompt for /completion", "tool_use", cfg.ToolUse,
 		"msg", msg, "resume", resume, "prompt", prompt)
 	payload := models.NewDSCompletionReq(prompt, chatBody.Model,
-		defaultLCPProps["temp"], chatBody.MakeStopSlice())
+		defaultLCPProps["temp"],
+		chatBody.MakeStopSliceExcluding("", listChatRoles()))
 	data, err := json.Marshal(payload)
 	if err != nil {
 		logger.Error("failed to form a msg", "error", err)
@@ -401,6 +461,10 @@ func (ds DeepSeekerCompletion) FormMsg(msg, role string, resume bool) (io.Reader
 	return bytes.NewReader(data), nil
 }
 
+func (ds DeepSeekerChat) GetAPIType() models.APIType {
+	return models.APITypeChat
+}
+
 func (ds DeepSeekerChat) ParseChunk(data []byte) (*models.TextChunk, error) {
 	llmchunk := models.DSChatStreamResp{}
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &llmchunk); err != nil {
@@ -430,33 +494,42 @@ func (ds DeepSeekerChat) GetToken() string {
 
 func (ds DeepSeekerChat) FormMsg(msg, role string, resume bool) (io.Reader, error) {
 	logger.Debug("formmsg deepseekerchat", "link", cfg.CurrentAPI)
+	if err := deepseekModelValidator(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 	if msg != "" { // otherwise let the bot continue
 		newMsg := models.RoleMsg{Role: role, Content: msg}
+		newMsg = *processMessageTag(&newMsg)
 		chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, newMsg)
 	}
-	if !resume {
-		// if rag - add as system message to avoid conflicts with tool usage
-		if cfg.RAGEnabled {
-			um := chatBody.Messages[len(chatBody.Messages)-1].Content
-			logger.Debug("RAG is enabled, preparing RAG context", "user_message", um)
-			ragResp, err := chatRagUse(um)
-			if err != nil {
-				logger.Error("failed to form a rag msg", "error", err)
-				return nil, err
-			}
-			logger.Debug("RAG response received", "response_len", len(ragResp), "response_preview", ragResp[:min(len(ragResp), 100)])
-			// Use system role for RAG context to avoid conflicts with tool usage
-			ragMsg := models.RoleMsg{Role: "system", Content: RAGMsg + ragResp}
-			chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, ragMsg)
-			logger.Debug("RAG message added to chat body", "message_count", len(chatBody.Messages))
+	// if rag - add as system message to avoid conflicts with tool usage
+	if !resume && cfg.RAGEnabled {
+		um := chatBody.Messages[len(chatBody.Messages)-1].Content
+		logger.Debug("RAG is enabled, preparing RAG context", "user_message", um)
+		ragResp, err := chatRagUse(um)
+		if err != nil {
+			logger.Error("failed to form a rag msg", "error", err)
+			return nil, err
 		}
+		logger.Debug("RAG response received", "response_len", len(ragResp),
+			"response_preview", ragResp[:min(len(ragResp), 100)])
+		// Use system role for RAG context to avoid conflicts with tool usage
+		ragMsg := models.RoleMsg{Role: "system", Content: RAGMsg + ragResp}
+		chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, ragMsg)
+		logger.Debug("RAG message added to chat body", "message_count", len(chatBody.Messages))
+	}
+	// Create copy of chat body with standardized user role
+	filteredMessages, botPersona := filterMessagesForCurrentCharacter(chatBody.Messages)
+	// Add persona suffix to the last user message to indicate who the assistant should reply as
+	if cfg.AutoTurn && !resume {
+		filteredMessages = addPersonaSuffixToLastUserMessage(filteredMessages, botPersona)
 	}
 	bodyCopy := &models.ChatBody{
-		Messages: make([]models.RoleMsg, len(chatBody.Messages)),
+		Messages: make([]models.RoleMsg, len(filteredMessages)),
 		Model:    chatBody.Model,
 		Stream:   chatBody.Stream,
 	}
-	for i, msg := range chatBody.Messages {
+	for i, msg := range filteredMessages {
 		if msg.Role == cfg.UserRole || i == 1 {
 			bodyCopy.Messages[i] = msg
 			bodyCopy.Messages[i].Role = "user"
@@ -465,7 +538,7 @@ func (ds DeepSeekerChat) FormMsg(msg, role string, resume bool) (io.Reader, erro
 		}
 	}
 	// Clean null/empty messages to prevent API issues
-	bodyCopy.Messages = cleanNullMessages(bodyCopy.Messages)
+	bodyCopy.Messages = consolidateAssistantMessages(bodyCopy.Messages)
 	dsBody := models.NewDSChatReq(*bodyCopy)
 	data, err := json.Marshal(dsBody)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -476,6 +549,10 @@ func (ds DeepSeekerChat) FormMsg(msg, role string, resume bool) (io.Reader, erro
 }
 
 // openrouter
+func (or OpenRouterCompletion) GetAPIType() models.APIType {
+	return models.APITypeCompletion
+}
+
 func (or OpenRouterCompletion) ParseChunk(data []byte) (*models.TextChunk, error) {
 	llmchunk := models.OpenRouterCompletionResp{}
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &llmchunk); err != nil {
@@ -502,50 +579,48 @@ func (or OpenRouterCompletion) FormMsg(msg, role string, resume bool) (io.Reader
 	logger.Debug("formmsg openroutercompletion", "link", cfg.CurrentAPI)
 	if msg != "" { // otherwise let the bot to continue
 		newMsg := models.RoleMsg{Role: role, Content: msg}
+		newMsg = *processMessageTag(&newMsg)
 		chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, newMsg)
 	}
-	if !resume {
-		// if rag - add as system message to avoid conflicts with tool usage
-		if cfg.RAGEnabled {
-			um := chatBody.Messages[len(chatBody.Messages)-1].Content
-			logger.Debug("RAG is enabled, preparing RAG context", "user_message", um)
-			ragResp, err := chatRagUse(um)
-			if err != nil {
-				logger.Error("failed to form a rag msg", "error", err)
-				return nil, err
-			}
-			logger.Debug("RAG response received", "response_len", len(ragResp), "response_preview", ragResp[:min(len(ragResp), 100)])
-			// Use system role for RAG context to avoid conflicts with tool usage
-			ragMsg := models.RoleMsg{Role: "system", Content: RAGMsg + ragResp}
-			chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, ragMsg)
-			logger.Debug("RAG message added to chat body", "message_count", len(chatBody.Messages))
+	// if rag - add as system message to avoid conflicts with tool usage
+	if !resume && cfg.RAGEnabled {
+		um := chatBody.Messages[len(chatBody.Messages)-1].Content
+		logger.Debug("RAG is enabled, preparing RAG context", "user_message", um)
+		ragResp, err := chatRagUse(um)
+		if err != nil {
+			logger.Error("failed to form a rag msg", "error", err)
+			return nil, err
 		}
-	}
+		logger.Debug("RAG response received", "response_len",
+			len(ragResp), "response_preview", ragResp[:min(len(ragResp), 100)])
+		// Use system role for RAG context to avoid conflicts with tool usage
+		ragMsg := models.RoleMsg{Role: "system", Content: RAGMsg + ragResp}
+		chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, ragMsg)
+		logger.Debug("RAG message added to chat body", "message_count", len(chatBody.Messages))
+	}
+	// sending description of the tools and how to use them
 	if cfg.ToolUse && !resume && role == cfg.UserRole && !containsToolSysMsg() {
-		// add to chat body
 		chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, models.RoleMsg{Role: cfg.ToolRole, Content: toolSysMsg})
 	}
-	messages := make([]string, len(chatBody.Messages))
-	for i, m := range chatBody.Messages {
+	filteredMessages, botPersona := filterMessagesForCurrentCharacter(chatBody.Messages)
+	messages := make([]string, len(filteredMessages))
+	for i, m := range filteredMessages {
 		messages[i] = m.ToPrompt()
 	}
 	prompt := strings.Join(messages, "\n")
 	// strings builder?
 	if !resume {
-		botPersona := cfg.AssistantRole
-		if cfg.WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent != "" {
-			botPersona = cfg.WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent
-		}
 		botMsgStart := "\n" + botPersona + ":\n"
 		prompt += botMsgStart
 	}
 	if cfg.ThinkUse && !cfg.ToolUse {
 		prompt += "<think>"
 	}
-	ss := chatBody.MakeStopSlice()
+	stopSlice := chatBody.MakeStopSliceExcluding("", listChatRoles())
 	logger.Debug("checking prompt for /completion", "tool_use", cfg.ToolUse,
-		"msg", msg, "resume", resume, "prompt", prompt, "stop_strings", ss)
-	payload := models.NewOpenRouterCompletionReq(chatBody.Model, prompt, defaultLCPProps, ss)
+		"msg", msg, "resume", resume, "prompt", prompt, "stop_strings", stopSlice)
+	payload := models.NewOpenRouterCompletionReq(chatBody.Model, prompt,
+		defaultLCPProps, stopSlice)
 	data, err := json.Marshal(payload)
 	if err != nil {
 		logger.Error("failed to form a msg", "error", err)
@@ -555,6 +630,10 @@ func (or OpenRouterCompletion) FormMsg(msg, role string, resume bool) (io.Reader
 }
 
 // chat
+func (or OpenRouterChat) GetAPIType() models.APIType {
+	return models.APITypeChat
+}
+
 func (or OpenRouterChat) ParseChunk(data []byte) (*models.TextChunk, error) {
 	llmchunk := models.OpenRouterChatResp{}
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &llmchunk); err != nil {
@@ -619,32 +698,37 @@ func (or OpenRouterChat) FormMsg(msg, role string, resume bool) (io.Reader, erro
 			// Create a simple text message
 			newMsg = models.NewRoleMsg(role, msg)
 		}
+		newMsg = *processMessageTag(&newMsg)
 		chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, newMsg)
 	}
-	if !resume {
-		// if rag - add as system message to avoid conflicts with tool usage
-		if cfg.RAGEnabled {
-			um := chatBody.Messages[len(chatBody.Messages)-1].Content
-			logger.Debug("RAG is enabled, preparing RAG context", "user_message", um)
-			ragResp, err := chatRagUse(um)
-			if err != nil {
-				logger.Error("failed to form a rag msg", "error", err)
-				return nil, err
-			}
-			logger.Debug("RAG response received", "response_len", len(ragResp), "response_preview", ragResp[:min(len(ragResp), 100)])
-			// Use system role for RAG context to avoid conflicts with tool usage
-			ragMsg := models.RoleMsg{Role: "system", Content: RAGMsg + ragResp}
-			chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, ragMsg)
-			logger.Debug("RAG message added to chat body", "message_count", len(chatBody.Messages))
+	// if rag - add as system message to avoid conflicts with tool usage
+	if !resume && cfg.RAGEnabled {
+		um := chatBody.Messages[len(chatBody.Messages)-1].Content
+		logger.Debug("RAG is enabled, preparing RAG context", "user_message", um)
+		ragResp, err := chatRagUse(um)
+		if err != nil {
+			logger.Error("failed to form a rag msg", "error", err)
+			return nil, err
 		}
+		logger.Debug("RAG response received", "response_len", len(ragResp),
+			"response_preview", ragResp[:min(len(ragResp), 100)])
+		// Use system role for RAG context to avoid conflicts with tool usage
+		ragMsg := models.RoleMsg{Role: "system", Content: RAGMsg + ragResp}
+		chatBody.Messages = append(chatBody.Messages, ragMsg)
+		logger.Debug("RAG message added to chat body", "message_count", len(chatBody.Messages))
 	}
 	// Create copy of chat body with standardized user role
+	filteredMessages, botPersona := filterMessagesForCurrentCharacter(chatBody.Messages)
+	// Add persona suffix to the last user message to indicate who the assistant should reply as
+	if cfg.AutoTurn && !resume {
+		filteredMessages = addPersonaSuffixToLastUserMessage(filteredMessages, botPersona)
+	}
 	bodyCopy := &models.ChatBody{
-		Messages: make([]models.RoleMsg, len(chatBody.Messages)),
+		Messages: make([]models.RoleMsg, len(filteredMessages)),
 		Model:    chatBody.Model,
 		Stream:   chatBody.Stream,
 	}
-	for i, msg := range chatBody.Messages {
+	for i, msg := range filteredMessages {
 		bodyCopy.Messages[i] = msg
 		// Standardize role if it's a user role
 		if bodyCopy.Messages[i].Role == cfg.UserRole {
@@ -653,7 +737,7 @@ func (or OpenRouterChat) FormMsg(msg, role string, resume bool) (io.Reader, erro
 		}
 	}
 	// Clean null/empty messages to prevent API issues
-	bodyCopy.Messages = cleanNullMessages(bodyCopy.Messages)
+	bodyCopy.Messages = consolidateAssistantMessages(bodyCopy.Messages)
 	orBody := models.NewOpenRouterChatReq(*bodyCopy, defaultLCPProps)
 	if cfg.ToolUse && !resume && role != cfg.ToolRole {
 		orBody.Tools = baseTools // set tools to use
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index c375d95..c112fac 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -8,17 +8,14 @@ import (
 )
 
 var (
-	botRespMode            = false
-	editMode               = false
-	roleEditMode           = false
-	injectRole             = true
-	selectedIndex          = int(-1)
-	currentAPIIndex        = 0 // Index to track current API in ApiLinks slice
-	currentORModelIndex    = 0 // Index to track current OpenRouter model in ORFreeModels slice
-	currentLocalModelIndex = 0 // Index to track current llama.cpp model
-	shellMode              = false
-	// indexLine           = "F12 to show keys help | bot resp mode: [orange:-:b]%v[-:-:-] (F6) | card's char: [orange:-:b]%s[-:-:-] (ctrl+s) | chat: [orange:-:b]%s[-:-:-] (F1) | toolUseAdviced: [orange:-:b]%v[-:-:-] (ctrl+k) | model: [orange:-:b]%s[-:-:-] (ctrl+l) | skip LLM resp: [orange:-:b]%v[-:-:-] (F10)\nAPI_URL: [orange:-:b]%s[-:-:-] (ctrl+v) | ThinkUse: [orange:-:b]%v[-:-:-] (ctrl+p) | Log Level: [orange:-:b]%v[-:-:-] (ctrl+p) | Recording: [orange:-:b]%v[-:-:-] (ctrl+r) | Writing as: [orange:-:b]%s[-:-:-] (ctrl+q)"
-	indexLineCompletion = "F12 to show keys help | bot resp mode: [orange:-:b]%v[-:-:-] (F6) | chat: [orange:-:b]%s[-:-:-] (F1) | toolUseAdviced: [orange:-:b]%v[-:-:-] (ctrl+k) | model: [orange:-:b]%s[-:-:-] (ctrl+l) | skip LLM resp: [orange:-:b]%v[-:-:-] (F10)\nAPI: [orange:-:b]%s[-:-:-] (ctrl+v) | Recording: [orange:-:b]%v[-:-:-] (ctrl+r) | Writing as: [orange:-:b]%s[-:-:-] (ctrl+q) | Bot will write as [orange:-:b]%s[-:-:-] (ctrl+x) | role_inject [orange:-:b]%v[-:-:-]"
+	boolColors          = map[bool]string{true: "green", false: "red"}
+	botRespMode         = false
+	editMode            = false
+	roleEditMode        = false
+	injectRole          = true
+	selectedIndex       = int(-1)
+	shellMode           = false
+	indexLineCompletion = "F12 to show keys help | llm turn: [%s:-:b]%v[-:-:-] (F6) | chat: [orange:-:b]%s[-:-:-] (F1) | toolUseAdviced: [%s:-:b]%v[-:-:-] (ctrl+k) | model: [orange:-:b]%s[-:-:-] (ctrl+l) | skip LLM resp: [%s:-:b]%v[-:-:-] (F10)\nAPI: [orange:-:b]%s[-:-:-] (ctrl+v) | recording: [%s:-:b]%v[-:-:-] (ctrl+r) | writing as: [orange:-:b]%s[-:-:-] (ctrl+q) | bot will write as [orange:-:b]%s[-:-:-] (ctrl+x) | role injection (alt+7) [%s:-:b]%v[-:-:-]"
 	focusSwitcher       = map[tview.Primitive]tview.Primitive{}
 )
 
diff --git a/main_test.go b/main_test.go
index 84d23ba..998778c 100644
--- a/main_test.go
+++ b/main_test.go
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 package main
 
 import (
-	"gf-lt/models"
 	"fmt"
 	"gf-lt/config"
+	"gf-lt/models"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 )
diff --git a/models/card.go b/models/card.go
index adfb030..9bf6665 100644
--- a/models/card.go
+++ b/models/card.go
@@ -31,18 +31,20 @@ func (c *CharCardSpec) Simplify(userName, fpath string) *CharCard {
 	fm := strings.ReplaceAll(strings.ReplaceAll(c.FirstMes, "{{char}}", c.Name), "{{user}}", userName)
 	sysPr := strings.ReplaceAll(strings.ReplaceAll(c.Description, "{{char}}", c.Name), "{{user}}", userName)
 	return &CharCard{
-		SysPrompt: sysPr,
-		FirstMsg:  fm,
-		Role:      c.Name,
-		FilePath:  fpath,
+		SysPrompt:  sysPr,
+		FirstMsg:   fm,
+		Role:       c.Name,
+		FilePath:   fpath,
+		Characters: []string{c.Name, userName},
 	}
 }
 
 type CharCard struct {
-	SysPrompt string `json:"sys_prompt"`
-	FirstMsg  string `json:"first_msg"`
-	Role      string `json:"role"`
-	FilePath  string `json:"filepath"`
+	SysPrompt  string   `json:"sys_prompt"`
+	FirstMsg   string   `json:"first_msg"`
+	Role       string   `json:"role"`
+	Characters []string `json:"chars"`
+	FilePath   string   `json:"filepath"`
 }
 
 func (cc *CharCard) ToSpec(userName string) *CharCardSpec {
diff --git a/models/db.go b/models/db.go
index 090f46d..73a0b53 100644
--- a/models/db.go
+++ b/models/db.go
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ type Chat struct {
 	UpdatedAt time.Time `db:"updated_at" json:"updated_at"`
 }
 
-func (c Chat) ToHistory() ([]RoleMsg, error) {
+func (c *Chat) ToHistory() ([]RoleMsg, error) {
 	resp := []RoleMsg{}
 	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(c.Msgs), &resp); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/models/models.go b/models/models.go
index 912f72b..d15e0d1 100644
--- a/models/models.go
+++ b/models/models.go
@@ -89,37 +89,42 @@ type ImageContentPart struct {
 
 // RoleMsg represents a message with content that can be either a simple string or structured content parts
 type RoleMsg struct {
-	Role            string        `json:"role"`
-	Content         string        `json:"-"`
-	ContentParts    []interface{} `json:"-"`
-	ToolCallID      string        `json:"tool_call_id,omitempty"` // For tool response messages
-	hasContentParts bool          // Flag to indicate which content type to marshal
+	Role            string   `json:"role"`
+	Content         string   `json:"-"`
+	ContentParts    []any    `json:"-"`
+	ToolCallID      string   `json:"tool_call_id,omitempty"` // For tool response messages
+	KnownTo         []string `json:"known_to,omitempty"`
+	hasContentParts bool     // Flag to indicate which content type to marshal
 }
 
 // MarshalJSON implements custom JSON marshaling for RoleMsg
-func (m RoleMsg) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
+func (m *RoleMsg) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
 	if m.hasContentParts {
 		// Use structured content format
 		aux := struct {
-			Role       string        `json:"role"`
-			Content    []interface{} `json:"content"`
-			ToolCallID string        `json:"tool_call_id,omitempty"`
+			Role       string   `json:"role"`
+			Content    []any    `json:"content"`
+			ToolCallID string   `json:"tool_call_id,omitempty"`
+			KnownTo    []string `json:"known_to,omitempty"`
 		}{
 			Role:       m.Role,
 			Content:    m.ContentParts,
 			ToolCallID: m.ToolCallID,
+			KnownTo:    m.KnownTo,
 		}
 		return json.Marshal(aux)
 	} else {
 		// Use simple content format
 		aux := struct {
-			Role       string `json:"role"`
-			Content    string `json:"content"`
-			ToolCallID string `json:"tool_call_id,omitempty"`
+			Role       string   `json:"role"`
+			Content    string   `json:"content"`
+			ToolCallID string   `json:"tool_call_id,omitempty"`
+			KnownTo    []string `json:"known_to,omitempty"`
 		}{
 			Role:       m.Role,
 			Content:    m.Content,
 			ToolCallID: m.ToolCallID,
+			KnownTo:    m.KnownTo,
 		}
 		return json.Marshal(aux)
 	}
@@ -129,23 +134,26 @@ func (m RoleMsg) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
 func (m *RoleMsg) UnmarshalJSON(data []byte) error {
 	// First, try to unmarshal as structured content format
 	var structured struct {
-		Role       string        `json:"role"`
-		Content    []interface{} `json:"content"`
-		ToolCallID string        `json:"tool_call_id,omitempty"`
+		Role       string   `json:"role"`
+		Content    []any    `json:"content"`
+		ToolCallID string   `json:"tool_call_id,omitempty"`
+		KnownTo    []string `json:"known_to,omitempty"`
 	}
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &structured); err == nil && len(structured.Content) > 0 {
 		m.Role = structured.Role
 		m.ContentParts = structured.Content
 		m.ToolCallID = structured.ToolCallID
+		m.KnownTo = structured.KnownTo
 		m.hasContentParts = true
 		return nil
 	}
 
 	// Otherwise, unmarshal as simple content format
 	var simple struct {
-		Role       string `json:"role"`
-		Content    string `json:"content"`
-		ToolCallID string `json:"tool_call_id,omitempty"`
+		Role       string   `json:"role"`
+		Content    string   `json:"content"`
+		ToolCallID string   `json:"tool_call_id,omitempty"`
+		KnownTo    []string `json:"known_to,omitempty"`
 	}
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &simple); err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -153,22 +161,21 @@ func (m *RoleMsg) UnmarshalJSON(data []byte) error {
 	m.Role = simple.Role
 	m.Content = simple.Content
 	m.ToolCallID = simple.ToolCallID
+	m.KnownTo = simple.KnownTo
 	m.hasContentParts = false
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (m RoleMsg) ToText(i int) string {
-	icon := fmt.Sprintf("(%d)", i)
-
+func (m *RoleMsg) ToText(i int) string {
 	// Convert content to string representation
-	contentStr := ""
+	var contentStr string
 	if !m.hasContentParts {
 		contentStr = m.Content
 	} else {
 		// For structured content, just take the text parts
 		var textParts []string
 		for _, part := range m.ContentParts {
-			if partMap, ok := part.(map[string]interface{}); ok {
+			if partMap, ok := part.(map[string]any); ok {
 				if partType, exists := partMap["type"]; exists && partType == "text" {
 					if textVal, textExists := partMap["text"]; textExists {
 						if textStr, isStr := textVal.(string); isStr {
@@ -180,24 +187,26 @@ func (m RoleMsg) ToText(i int) string {
 		}
 		contentStr = strings.Join(textParts, " ") + " "
 	}
-
 	// check if already has role annotation (/completion makes them)
-	if !strings.HasPrefix(contentStr, m.Role+":") {
-		icon = fmt.Sprintf("(%d) <%s>: ", i, m.Role)
-	}
+	// in that case remove it, and then add to icon
+	// since icon and content are separated by \n
+	contentStr, _ = strings.CutPrefix(contentStr, m.Role+":")
+	// if !strings.HasPrefix(contentStr, m.Role+":") {
+	icon := fmt.Sprintf("(%d) <%s>: ", i, m.Role)
+	// }
 	textMsg := fmt.Sprintf("[-:-:b]%s[-:-:-]\n%s\n", icon, contentStr)
 	return strings.ReplaceAll(textMsg, "\n\n", "\n")
 }
 
-func (m RoleMsg) ToPrompt() string {
-	contentStr := ""
+func (m *RoleMsg) ToPrompt() string {
+	var contentStr string
 	if !m.hasContentParts {
 		contentStr = m.Content
 	} else {
 		// For structured content, just take the text parts
 		var textParts []string
 		for _, part := range m.ContentParts {
-			if partMap, ok := part.(map[string]interface{}); ok {
+			if partMap, ok := part.(map[string]any); ok {
 				if partType, exists := partMap["type"]; exists && partType == "text" {
 					if textVal, textExists := partMap["text"]; textExists {
 						if textStr, isStr := textVal.(string); isStr {
@@ -222,7 +231,7 @@ func NewRoleMsg(role, content string) RoleMsg {
 }
 
 // NewMultimodalMsg creates a RoleMsg with structured content parts (text and images)
-func NewMultimodalMsg(role string, contentParts []interface{}) RoleMsg {
+func NewMultimodalMsg(role string, contentParts []any) RoleMsg {
 	return RoleMsg{
 		Role:            role,
 		ContentParts:    contentParts,
@@ -231,7 +240,7 @@ func NewMultimodalMsg(role string, contentParts []interface{}) RoleMsg {
 }
 
 // HasContent returns true if the message has either string content or structured content parts
-func (m RoleMsg) HasContent() bool {
+func (m *RoleMsg) HasContent() bool {
 	if m.Content != "" {
 		return true
 	}
@@ -242,22 +251,23 @@ func (m RoleMsg) HasContent() bool {
 }
 
 // IsContentParts returns true if the message uses structured content parts
-func (m RoleMsg) IsContentParts() bool {
+func (m *RoleMsg) IsContentParts() bool {
 	return m.hasContentParts
 }
 
 // GetContentParts returns the content parts of the message
-func (m RoleMsg) GetContentParts() []interface{} {
+func (m *RoleMsg) GetContentParts() []any {
 	return m.ContentParts
 }
 
 // Copy creates a copy of the RoleMsg with all fields
-func (m RoleMsg) Copy() RoleMsg {
+func (m *RoleMsg) Copy() RoleMsg {
 	return RoleMsg{
 		Role:            m.Role,
 		Content:         m.Content,
 		ContentParts:    m.ContentParts,
 		ToolCallID:      m.ToolCallID,
+		KnownTo:         m.KnownTo,
 		hasContentParts: m.hasContentParts,
 	}
 }
@@ -267,9 +277,9 @@ func (m *RoleMsg) AddTextPart(text string) {
 	if !m.hasContentParts {
 		// Convert to content parts format
 		if m.Content != "" {
-			m.ContentParts = []interface{}{TextContentPart{Type: "text", Text: m.Content}}
+			m.ContentParts = []any{TextContentPart{Type: "text", Text: m.Content}}
 		} else {
-			m.ContentParts = []interface{}{}
+			m.ContentParts = []any{}
 		}
 		m.hasContentParts = true
 	}
@@ -283,9 +293,9 @@ func (m *RoleMsg) AddImagePart(imageURL string) {
 	if !m.hasContentParts {
 		// Convert to content parts format
 		if m.Content != "" {
-			m.ContentParts = []interface{}{TextContentPart{Type: "text", Text: m.Content}}
+			m.ContentParts = []any{TextContentPart{Type: "text", Text: m.Content}}
 		} else {
-			m.ContentParts = []interface{}{}
+			m.ContentParts = []any{}
 		}
 		m.hasContentParts = true
 	}
@@ -359,13 +369,27 @@ func (cb *ChatBody) ListRoles() []string {
 }
 
 func (cb *ChatBody) MakeStopSlice() []string {
-	namesMap := make(map[string]struct{})
-	for _, m := range cb.Messages {
-		namesMap[m.Role] = struct{}{}
-	}
-	ss := []string{"<|im_end|>"}
-	for k := range namesMap {
-		ss = append(ss, k+":\n")
+	return cb.MakeStopSliceExcluding("", cb.ListRoles())
+}
+
+func (cb *ChatBody) MakeStopSliceExcluding(
+	excludeRole string, roleList []string,
+) []string {
+	ss := []string{}
+	for _, role := range roleList {
+		// Skip the excluded role (typically the current speaker)
+		if role == excludeRole {
+			continue
+		}
+		// Add multiple variations to catch different formatting
+		ss = append(ss,
+			role+":\n",   // Most common: role with newline
+			role+":",     // Role with colon but no newline
+			role+": ",    // Role with colon and single space
+			role+":  ",   // Role with colon and double space (common tokenization)
+			role+":  \n", // Role with colon and double space (common tokenization)
+			role+":   ",  // Role with colon and triple space
+		)
 	}
 	return ss
 }
@@ -443,12 +467,12 @@ type LlamaCPPReq struct {
 	Stream bool   `json:"stream"`
 	// For multimodal requests, prompt should be an object with prompt_string and multimodal_data
 	// For regular requests, prompt is a string
-	Prompt        interface{} `json:"prompt"` // Can be string or object with prompt_string and multimodal_data
-	Temperature   float32     `json:"temperature"`
-	DryMultiplier float32     `json:"dry_multiplier"`
-	Stop          []string    `json:"stop"`
-	MinP          float32     `json:"min_p"`
-	NPredict      int32       `json:"n_predict"`
+	Prompt        any      `json:"prompt"` // Can be string or object with prompt_string and multimodal_data
+	Temperature   float32  `json:"temperature"`
+	DryMultiplier float32  `json:"dry_multiplier"`
+	Stop          []string `json:"stop"`
+	MinP          float32  `json:"min_p"`
+	NPredict      int32    `json:"n_predict"`
 	// MaxTokens        int     `json:"max_tokens"`
 	// DryBase          float64 `json:"dry_base"`
 	// DryAllowedLength int     `json:"dry_allowed_length"`
@@ -476,7 +500,7 @@ type PromptObject struct {
 }
 
 func NewLCPReq(prompt, model string, multimodalData []string, props map[string]float32, stopStrings []string) LlamaCPPReq {
-	var finalPrompt interface{}
+	var finalPrompt any
 	if len(multimodalData) > 0 {
 		// When multimodal data is present, use the object format as per Python example:
 		// { "prompt": { "prompt_string": "...", "multimodal_data": [...] } }
@@ -523,9 +547,23 @@ type LCPModels struct {
 }
 
 func (lcp *LCPModels) ListModels() []string {
-	resp := []string{}
+	resp := make([]string, 0, len(lcp.Data))
 	for _, model := range lcp.Data {
 		resp = append(resp, model.ID)
 	}
 	return resp
 }
+
+type ChatRoundReq struct {
+	UserMsg string
+	Role    string
+	Regen   bool
+	Resume  bool
+}
+
+type APIType int
+
+const (
+	APITypeChat APIType = iota
+	APITypeCompletion
+)
diff --git a/models/openrouter.go b/models/openrouter.go
index 50f26b6..6196498 100644
--- a/models/openrouter.go
+++ b/models/openrouter.go
@@ -143,11 +143,14 @@ type ORModels struct {
 
 func (orm *ORModels) ListModels(free bool) []string {
 	resp := []string{}
-	for _, model := range orm.Data {
+	for i := range orm.Data {
+		model := &orm.Data[i] // Take address of element to avoid copying
 		if free {
-			if model.Pricing.Prompt == "0" && model.Pricing.Request == "0" &&
-				model.Pricing.Completion == "0" {
-				resp = append(resp, model.ID)
+			if model.Pricing.Prompt == "0" && model.Pricing.Completion == "0" {
+				// treat missing request as free
+				if model.Pricing.Request == "" || model.Pricing.Request == "0" {
+					resp = append(resp, model.ID)
+				}
 			}
 		} else {
 			resp = append(resp, model.ID)
diff --git a/models/openrouter_test.go b/models/openrouter_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dd38d23
--- /dev/null
+++ b/models/openrouter_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+package models
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestORModelsListModels(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("unit test with hardcoded data", func(t *testing.T) {
+		jsonData := `{
+			"data": [
+				{
+					"id": "model/free",
+					"pricing": {
+						"prompt": "0",
+						"completion": "0"
+					}
+				},
+				{
+					"id": "model/paid",
+					"pricing": {
+						"prompt": "0.001",
+						"completion": "0.002"
+					}
+				},
+				{
+					"id": "model/request-zero",
+					"pricing": {
+						"prompt": "0",
+						"completion": "0",
+						"request": "0"
+					}
+				},
+				{
+					"id": "model/request-nonzero",
+					"pricing": {
+						"prompt": "0",
+						"completion": "0",
+						"request": "0.5"
+					}
+				}
+			]
+		}`
+		var models ORModels
+		if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(jsonData), &models); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("failed to unmarshal test data: %v", err)
+		}
+		freeModels := models.ListModels(true)
+		if len(freeModels) != 2 {
+			t.Errorf("expected 2 free models, got %d: %v", len(freeModels), freeModels)
+		}
+		expectedFree := map[string]bool{"model/free": true, "model/request-zero": true}
+		for _, id := range freeModels {
+			if !expectedFree[id] {
+				t.Errorf("unexpected free model ID: %s", id)
+			}
+		}
+		allModels := models.ListModels(false)
+		if len(allModels) != 4 {
+			t.Errorf("expected 4 total models, got %d", len(allModels))
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("integration with or_models.json", func(t *testing.T) {
+		// Attempt to load the real data file from the project root
+		path := filepath.Join("..", "or_models.json")
+		data, err := os.ReadFile(path)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Skip("or_models.json not found, skipping integration test")
+		}
+		var models ORModels
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &models); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("failed to unmarshal %s: %v", path, err)
+		}
+		freeModels := models.ListModels(true)
+		if len(freeModels) == 0 {
+			t.Error("expected at least one free model, got none")
+		}
+		allModels := models.ListModels(false)
+		if len(allModels) == 0 {
+			t.Error("expected at least one model")
+		}
+		// Ensure free models are subset of all models
+		freeSet := make(map[string]bool)
+		for _, id := range freeModels {
+			freeSet[id] = true
+		}
+		for _, id := range freeModels {
+			if !freeSet[id] {
+				t.Errorf("free model %s not found in all models", id)
+			}
+		}
+		t.Logf("found %d free models out of %d total models", len(freeModels), len(allModels))
+	})
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/pngmeta/altwriter.go b/pngmeta/altwriter.go
index 206b563..76cb709 100644
--- a/pngmeta/altwriter.go
+++ b/pngmeta/altwriter.go
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ func createTextChunk(embed PngEmbed) ([]byte, error) {
 	if err := binary.Write(chunk, binary.BigEndian, uint32(len(data))); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error writing chunk length: %w", err)
 	}
-	if _, err := chunk.Write([]byte(textChunkType)); err != nil {
+	if _, err := chunk.WriteString(textChunkType); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error writing chunk type: %w", err)
 	}
 	if _, err := chunk.Write(data); err != nil {
diff --git a/popups.go b/popups.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9a1a278
--- /dev/null
+++ b/popups.go
@@ -0,0 +1,314 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"slices"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/gdamore/tcell/v2"
+	"github.com/rivo/tview"
+)
+
+// showModelSelectionPopup creates a modal popup to select a model
+func showModelSelectionPopup() {
+	// Helper function to get model list for a given API
+	getModelListForAPI := func(api string) []string {
+		if strings.Contains(api, "api.deepseek.com/") {
+			return []string{"deepseek-chat", "deepseek-reasoner"}
+		} else if strings.Contains(api, "openrouter.ai") {
+			return ORFreeModels
+		}
+		// Assume local llama.cpp
+		updateModelLists()
+		return LocalModels
+	}
+	// Get the current model list based on the API
+	modelList := getModelListForAPI(cfg.CurrentAPI)
+	// Check for empty options list
+	if len(modelList) == 0 {
+		logger.Warn("empty model list for", "api", cfg.CurrentAPI, "localModelsLen", len(LocalModels), "orModelsLen", len(ORFreeModels))
+		var message string
+		switch {
+		case strings.Contains(cfg.CurrentAPI, "openrouter.ai"):
+			message = "No OpenRouter models available. Check token and connection."
+		case strings.Contains(cfg.CurrentAPI, "api.deepseek.com"):
+			message = "DeepSeek models should be available. Please report bug."
+		default:
+			message = "No llama.cpp models loaded. Ensure llama.cpp server is running with models."
+		}
+		if err := notifyUser("Empty list", message); err != nil {
+			logger.Error("failed to send notification", "error", err)
+		}
+		return
+	}
+	// Create a list primitive
+	modelListWidget := tview.NewList().ShowSecondaryText(false).
+		SetSelectedBackgroundColor(tcell.ColorGray)
+	modelListWidget.SetTitle("Select Model").SetBorder(true)
+	// Find the current model index to set as selected
+	currentModelIndex := -1
+	for i, model := range modelList {
+		if model == chatBody.Model {
+			currentModelIndex = i
+		}
+		modelListWidget.AddItem(model, "", 0, nil)
+	}
+	// Set the current selection if found
+	if currentModelIndex != -1 {
+		modelListWidget.SetCurrentItem(currentModelIndex)
+	}
+	modelListWidget.SetSelectedFunc(func(index int, mainText string, secondaryText string, shortcut rune) {
+		// Update the model in both chatBody and config
+		chatBody.Model = mainText
+		cfg.CurrentModel = chatBody.Model
+		// Remove the popup page
+		pages.RemovePage("modelSelectionPopup")
+		// Update the status line to reflect the change
+		updateStatusLine()
+	})
+	modelListWidget.SetInputCapture(func(event *tcell.EventKey) *tcell.EventKey {
+		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyEscape {
+			pages.RemovePage("modelSelectionPopup")
+			return nil
+		}
+		return event
+	})
+	modal := func(p tview.Primitive, width, height int) tview.Primitive {
+		return tview.NewFlex().
+			AddItem(nil, 0, 1, false).
+			AddItem(tview.NewFlex().SetDirection(tview.FlexRow).
+				AddItem(nil, 0, 1, false).
+				AddItem(p, height, 1, true).
+				AddItem(nil, 0, 1, false), width, 1, true).
+			AddItem(nil, 0, 1, false)
+	}
+	// Add modal page and make it visible
+	pages.AddPage("modelSelectionPopup", modal(modelListWidget, 80, 20), true, true)
+	app.SetFocus(modelListWidget)
+}
+
+// showAPILinkSelectionPopup creates a modal popup to select an API link
+func showAPILinkSelectionPopup() {
+	// Prepare API links dropdown - ensure current API is in the list, avoid duplicates
+	apiLinks := make([]string, 0, len(cfg.ApiLinks)+1)
+	// Add current API first if it's not already in ApiLinks
+	foundCurrentAPI := false
+	for _, api := range cfg.ApiLinks {
+		if api == cfg.CurrentAPI {
+			foundCurrentAPI = true
+		}
+		apiLinks = append(apiLinks, api)
+	}
+	// If current API is not in the list, add it at the beginning
+	if !foundCurrentAPI {
+		apiLinks = make([]string, 0, len(cfg.ApiLinks)+1)
+		apiLinks = append(apiLinks, cfg.CurrentAPI)
+		apiLinks = append(apiLinks, cfg.ApiLinks...)
+	}
+	// Check for empty options list
+	if len(apiLinks) == 0 {
+		logger.Warn("no API links available for selection")
+		message := "No API links available. Please configure API links in your config file."
+		if err := notifyUser("Empty list", message); err != nil {
+			logger.Error("failed to send notification", "error", err)
+		}
+		return
+	}
+	// Create a list primitive
+	apiListWidget := tview.NewList().ShowSecondaryText(false).
+		SetSelectedBackgroundColor(tcell.ColorGray)
+	apiListWidget.SetTitle("Select API Link").SetBorder(true)
+	// Find the current API index to set as selected
+	currentAPIIndex := -1
+	for i, api := range apiLinks {
+		if api == cfg.CurrentAPI {
+			currentAPIIndex = i
+		}
+		apiListWidget.AddItem(api, "", 0, nil)
+	}
+	// Set the current selection if found
+	if currentAPIIndex != -1 {
+		apiListWidget.SetCurrentItem(currentAPIIndex)
+	}
+	apiListWidget.SetSelectedFunc(func(index int, mainText string, secondaryText string, shortcut rune) {
+		// Update the API in config
+		cfg.CurrentAPI = mainText
+		// Update model list based on new API
+		// Helper function to get model list for a given API (same as in props_table.go)
+		getModelListForAPI := func(api string) []string {
+			if strings.Contains(api, "api.deepseek.com/") {
+				return []string{"deepseek-chat", "deepseek-reasoner"}
+			} else if strings.Contains(api, "openrouter.ai") {
+				return ORFreeModels
+			}
+			// Assume local llama.cpp
+			refreshLocalModelsIfEmpty()
+			localModelsMu.RLock()
+			defer localModelsMu.RUnlock()
+			return LocalModels
+		}
+		newModelList := getModelListForAPI(cfg.CurrentAPI)
+		// Ensure chatBody.Model is in the new list; if not, set to first available model
+		if len(newModelList) > 0 && !slices.Contains(newModelList, chatBody.Model) {
+			chatBody.Model = newModelList[0]
+			cfg.CurrentModel = chatBody.Model
+		}
+		// Remove the popup page
+		pages.RemovePage("apiLinkSelectionPopup")
+		// Update the parser and status line to reflect the change
+		choseChunkParser()
+		updateStatusLine()
+	})
+	apiListWidget.SetInputCapture(func(event *tcell.EventKey) *tcell.EventKey {
+		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyEscape {
+			pages.RemovePage("apiLinkSelectionPopup")
+			return nil
+		}
+		return event
+	})
+	modal := func(p tview.Primitive, width, height int) tview.Primitive {
+		return tview.NewFlex().
+			AddItem(nil, 0, 1, false).
+			AddItem(tview.NewFlex().SetDirection(tview.FlexRow).
+				AddItem(nil, 0, 1, false).
+				AddItem(p, height, 1, true).
+				AddItem(nil, 0, 1, false), width, 1, true).
+			AddItem(nil, 0, 1, false)
+	}
+	// Add modal page and make it visible
+	pages.AddPage("apiLinkSelectionPopup", modal(apiListWidget, 80, 20), true, true)
+	app.SetFocus(apiListWidget)
+}
+
+// showUserRoleSelectionPopup creates a modal popup to select a user role
+func showUserRoleSelectionPopup() {
+	// Get the list of available roles
+	roles := listRolesWithUser()
+	// Check for empty options list
+	if len(roles) == 0 {
+		logger.Warn("no roles available for selection")
+		message := "No roles available for selection."
+		if err := notifyUser("Empty list", message); err != nil {
+			logger.Error("failed to send notification", "error", err)
+		}
+		return
+	}
+	// Create a list primitive
+	roleListWidget := tview.NewList().ShowSecondaryText(false).
+		SetSelectedBackgroundColor(tcell.ColorGray)
+	roleListWidget.SetTitle("Select User Role").SetBorder(true)
+	// Find the current role index to set as selected
+	currentRole := cfg.UserRole
+	if cfg.WriteNextMsgAs != "" {
+		currentRole = cfg.WriteNextMsgAs
+	}
+	currentRoleIndex := -1
+	for i, role := range roles {
+		if strings.EqualFold(role, currentRole) {
+			currentRoleIndex = i
+		}
+		roleListWidget.AddItem(role, "", 0, nil)
+	}
+	// Set the current selection if found
+	if currentRoleIndex != -1 {
+		roleListWidget.SetCurrentItem(currentRoleIndex)
+	}
+	roleListWidget.SetSelectedFunc(func(index int, mainText string, secondaryText string, shortcut rune) {
+		// Update the user role in config
+		cfg.WriteNextMsgAs = mainText
+		// role got switch, update textview with character specific context for user
+		filtered := filterMessagesForCharacter(chatBody.Messages, mainText)
+		textView.SetText(chatToText(filtered, cfg.ShowSys))
+		// Remove the popup page
+		pages.RemovePage("userRoleSelectionPopup")
+		// Update the status line to reflect the change
+		updateStatusLine()
+		colorText()
+	})
+	roleListWidget.SetInputCapture(func(event *tcell.EventKey) *tcell.EventKey {
+		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyEscape {
+			pages.RemovePage("userRoleSelectionPopup")
+			return nil
+		}
+		return event
+	})
+	modal := func(p tview.Primitive, width, height int) tview.Primitive {
+		return tview.NewFlex().
+			AddItem(nil, 0, 1, false).
+			AddItem(tview.NewFlex().SetDirection(tview.FlexRow).
+				AddItem(nil, 0, 1, false).
+				AddItem(p, height, 1, true).
+				AddItem(nil, 0, 1, false), width, 1, true).
+			AddItem(nil, 0, 1, false)
+	}
+	// Add modal page and make it visible
+	pages.AddPage("userRoleSelectionPopup", modal(roleListWidget, 80, 20), true, true)
+	app.SetFocus(roleListWidget)
+}
+
+// showBotRoleSelectionPopup creates a modal popup to select a bot role
+func showBotRoleSelectionPopup() {
+	// Get the list of available roles
+	roles := listChatRoles()
+	if len(roles) == 0 {
+		logger.Warn("empty roles in chat")
+	}
+	if !strInSlice(cfg.AssistantRole, roles) {
+		roles = append(roles, cfg.AssistantRole)
+	}
+	// Check for empty options list
+	if len(roles) == 0 {
+		logger.Warn("no roles available for selection")
+		message := "No roles available for selection."
+		if err := notifyUser("Empty list", message); err != nil {
+			logger.Error("failed to send notification", "error", err)
+		}
+		return
+	}
+	// Create a list primitive
+	roleListWidget := tview.NewList().ShowSecondaryText(false).
+		SetSelectedBackgroundColor(tcell.ColorGray)
+	roleListWidget.SetTitle("Select Bot Role").SetBorder(true)
+	// Find the current role index to set as selected
+	currentRole := cfg.AssistantRole
+	if cfg.WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent != "" {
+		currentRole = cfg.WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent
+	}
+	currentRoleIndex := -1
+	for i, role := range roles {
+		if strings.EqualFold(role, currentRole) {
+			currentRoleIndex = i
+		}
+		roleListWidget.AddItem(role, "", 0, nil)
+	}
+	// Set the current selection if found
+	if currentRoleIndex != -1 {
+		roleListWidget.SetCurrentItem(currentRoleIndex)
+	}
+	roleListWidget.SetSelectedFunc(func(index int, mainText string, secondaryText string, shortcut rune) {
+		// Update the bot role in config
+		cfg.WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent = mainText
+		// Remove the popup page
+		pages.RemovePage("botRoleSelectionPopup")
+		// Update the status line to reflect the change
+		updateStatusLine()
+	})
+	roleListWidget.SetInputCapture(func(event *tcell.EventKey) *tcell.EventKey {
+		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyEscape {
+			pages.RemovePage("botRoleSelectionPopup")
+			return nil
+		}
+		return event
+	})
+	modal := func(p tview.Primitive, width, height int) tview.Primitive {
+		return tview.NewFlex().
+			AddItem(nil, 0, 1, false).
+			AddItem(tview.NewFlex().SetDirection(tview.FlexRow).
+				AddItem(nil, 0, 1, false).
+				AddItem(p, height, 1, true).
+				AddItem(nil, 0, 1, false), width, 1, true).
+			AddItem(nil, 0, 1, false)
+	}
+	// Add modal page and make it visible
+	pages.AddPage("botRoleSelectionPopup", modal(roleListWidget, 80, 20), true, true)
+	app.SetFocus(roleListWidget)
+}
diff --git a/props_table.go b/props_table.go
index a235d7c..a7ad067 100644
--- a/props_table.go
+++ b/props_table.go
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"slices"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
@@ -53,7 +52,6 @@ func makePropsTable(props map[string]float32) *tview.Table {
 	row++
 	// Store cell data for later use in selection functions
 	cellData := make(map[string]*CellData)
-	var modelCellID string // will be set for the model selection row
 	// Helper function to add a checkbox-like row
 	addCheckboxRow := func(label string, initialValue bool, onChange func(bool)) {
 		table.SetCell(row, 0,
@@ -137,6 +135,12 @@ func makePropsTable(props map[string]float32) *tview.Table {
 		// Reconfigure the app's mouse setting
 		app.EnableMouse(cfg.EnableMouse)
 	})
+	addCheckboxRow("Auto turn (for cards with many chars)", cfg.AutoTurn, func(checked bool) {
+		cfg.AutoTurn = checked
+	})
+	addCheckboxRow("Char specific context", cfg.CharSpecificContextEnabled, func(checked bool) {
+		cfg.CharSpecificContextEnabled = checked
+	})
 	// Add dropdowns
 	logLevels := []string{"Debug", "Info", "Warn"}
 	addListPopupRow("Set log level", logLevels, GetLogLevel(), func(option string) {
@@ -155,52 +159,6 @@ func makePropsTable(props map[string]float32) *tview.Table {
 		defer localModelsMu.RUnlock()
 		return LocalModels
 	}
-	var modelRowIndex int // will be set before model row is added
-	// Prepare API links dropdown - ensure current API is first, avoid duplicates
-	apiLinks := make([]string, 0, len(cfg.ApiLinks)+1)
-	apiLinks = append(apiLinks, cfg.CurrentAPI)
-	for _, api := range cfg.ApiLinks {
-		if api != cfg.CurrentAPI {
-			apiLinks = append(apiLinks, api)
-		}
-	}
-	addListPopupRow("Select an api", apiLinks, cfg.CurrentAPI, func(option string) {
-		cfg.CurrentAPI = option
-		// Update model list based on new API
-		newModelList := getModelListForAPI(cfg.CurrentAPI)
-		if modelCellID != "" {
-			if data := cellData[modelCellID]; data != nil {
-				data.Options = newModelList
-			}
-		}
-		// Ensure chatBody.Model is in the new list; if not, set to first available model
-		if len(newModelList) > 0 && !slices.Contains(newModelList, chatBody.Model) {
-			chatBody.Model = newModelList[0]
-			cfg.CurrentModel = chatBody.Model
-			// Update the displayed cell text - need to find model row
-			// Search for model row by label
-			for r := 0; r < table.GetRowCount(); r++ {
-				if cell := table.GetCell(r, 0); cell != nil && cell.Text == "Select a model" {
-					if valueCell := table.GetCell(r, 1); valueCell != nil {
-						valueCell.SetText(chatBody.Model)
-					}
-					break
-				}
-			}
-		}
-	})
-	// Prepare model list dropdown
-	modelRowIndex = row
-	modelCellID = fmt.Sprintf("listpopup_%d", modelRowIndex)
-	modelList := getModelListForAPI(cfg.CurrentAPI)
-	addListPopupRow("Select a model", modelList, chatBody.Model, func(option string) {
-		chatBody.Model = option
-		cfg.CurrentModel = chatBody.Model
-	})
-	// Role selection dropdown
-	addListPopupRow("Write next message as", listRolesWithUser(), cfg.WriteNextMsgAs, func(option string) {
-		cfg.WriteNextMsgAs = option
-	})
 	// Add input fields
 	addInputRow("New char to write msg as", "", func(text string) {
 		if text != "" {
@@ -307,11 +265,12 @@ func makePropsTable(props map[string]float32) *tview.Table {
 					logger.Warn("empty options list for", "label", label, "api", cfg.CurrentAPI, "localModelsLen", len(LocalModels), "orModelsLen", len(ORFreeModels))
 					message := "No options available for " + label
 					if label == "Select a model" {
-						if strings.Contains(cfg.CurrentAPI, "openrouter.ai") {
+						switch {
+						case strings.Contains(cfg.CurrentAPI, "openrouter.ai"):
 							message = "No OpenRouter models available. Check token and connection."
-						} else if strings.Contains(cfg.CurrentAPI, "api.deepseek.com") {
+						case strings.Contains(cfg.CurrentAPI, "api.deepseek.com"):
 							message = "DeepSeek models should be available. Please report bug."
-						} else {
+						default:
 							message = "No llama.cpp models loaded. Ensure llama.cpp server is running with models."
 						}
 					}
diff --git a/rag/rag.go b/rag/rag.go
index b29b9eb..d8b6978 100644
--- a/rag/rag.go
+++ b/rag/rag.go
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ func (r *RAG) LoadRAG(fpath string) error {
 	}
 
 	// Adjust batch size if needed
-	if len(paragraphs) < int(r.cfg.RAGBatchSize) && len(paragraphs) > 0 {
+	if len(paragraphs) < r.cfg.RAGBatchSize && len(paragraphs) > 0 {
 		r.cfg.RAGBatchSize = len(paragraphs)
 	}
 
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ func (r *RAG) LoadRAG(fpath string) error {
 	ctn := 0
 	totalParagraphs := len(paragraphs)
 	for {
-		if int(right) > totalParagraphs {
+		if right > totalParagraphs {
 			batchCh <- map[int][]string{left: paragraphs[left:]}
 			break
 		}
diff --git a/sysprompts/alice_bob_carl.json b/sysprompts/alice_bob_carl.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..409a8dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sysprompts/alice_bob_carl.json
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+{
+  "sys_prompt": "This is a chat between Alice, Bob and Carl. Normally all message are public (seen by everyone). But characters also able to make messages intended to specific targets using '@' tag. Usually tag is provided inside of out of character clause: (ooc: @charname@), but will be parsed if put anywhere in the message.\nTO SEND A PRIVATE MESSAGE:\n- Include a recipient tag in this exact format: @CharacterName@\n- The tag can be anywhere in your message\n- Example: \"Don't tell others this secret. (ooc: @Bob@)\"\n- For immersion sake it is better if private messages are given in context of whispering, passing notes, or being alone in some space: Alice: *leans closer to Carl and whispers* \"I forgot to turn off the car, could you watch my bag for a cuple of minutes? (ooc: @Carl@)\"\n- Only the sender and tagged recipients will see that message.\nRECEIVING MESSAGES:\n- You only see messages where you are the sender OR you are tagged in the recipient tag\n- Public messages (without tags) are seen by everyone.\nEXAMPLE FORMAT:\nAlice: \"Public message everyone sees\"\nAlice: \"Private message only for Bob @Bob@\"\n(if Diana joins the conversation, and Alice wants to exclude her) Alice: *Grabs Bob and Carl, and pulls them away* \"Listen boys, let's meet this friday again!\" (ooc: @Bob,Carl@; Diana is not trustworthy)\nWHEN TO USE:\n- Most of the time public messages (no tag) are the best choice. Private messages (with tag) are mostly for the passing secrets or information that is described or infered as private.\n- Game of 20 questions. Guys are putting paper sickers on the forehead with names written on them. So in this case only person who gets the sticker put on them does not see the writting on it.\nBob: *Puts sticker with 'JACK THE RIPPER' written on it, on Alices forehead* (ooc: @Carl).\nCarl: \"Alright, we're ready.\"\nAlice: \"Good. So, am I a fictional character or a real one?\"",
+  "role": "Alice",
+  "filepath": "sysprompts/alice_bob_carl.json",
+  "chars": ["Alice", "Bob", "Carl"],
+  "first_msg": "\"Hey guys! Want to play Alias like game? I'll tell Bob a word and he needs to describe that word so Carl can guess what it was?\""
+}
diff --git a/tables.go b/tables.go
index 9cad515..eb3d315 100644
--- a/tables.go
+++ b/tables.go
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ func makeChatTable(chatMap map[string]models.Chat) *tview.Table {
 	// Add header row (row 0)
 	for c := 0; c < cols; c++ {
 		color := tcell.ColorWhite
-		headerText := ""
+		var headerText string
 		switch c {
 		case 0:
 			headerText = "Chat Name"
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ func makeChatTable(chatMap map[string]models.Chat) *tview.Table {
 				return
 			}
 			chatBody.Messages = history
-			textView.SetText(chatToText(cfg.ShowSys))
+			textView.SetText(chatToText(chatBody.Messages, cfg.ShowSys))
 			activeChatName = selectedChat
 			pages.RemovePage(historyPage)
 			return
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ func makeChatTable(chatMap map[string]models.Chat) *tview.Table {
 			}
 			// load last chat
 			chatBody.Messages = loadOldChatOrGetNew()
-			textView.SetText(chatToText(cfg.ShowSys))
+			textView.SetText(chatToText(chatBody.Messages, cfg.ShowSys))
 			pages.RemovePage(historyPage)
 			return
 		case "update card":
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ func makeChatTable(chatMap map[string]models.Chat) *tview.Table {
 		case "move sysprompt onto 1st msg":
 			chatBody.Messages[1].Content = chatBody.Messages[0].Content + chatBody.Messages[1].Content
 			chatBody.Messages[0].Content = rpDefenitionSysMsg
-			textView.SetText(chatToText(cfg.ShowSys))
+			textView.SetText(chatToText(chatBody.Messages, cfg.ShowSys))
 			activeChatName = selectedChat
 			pages.RemovePage(historyPage)
 			return
@@ -215,8 +215,8 @@ func makeChatTable(chatMap map[string]models.Chat) *tview.Table {
 			}
 			// Update sysMap with fresh card data
 			sysMap[agentName] = newCard
-			applyCharCard(newCard)
-			startNewChat()
+			// fetching sysprompt and first message anew from the card
+			startNewChat(false)
 			pages.RemovePage(historyPage)
 			return
 		default:
@@ -268,19 +268,20 @@ func makeRAGTable(fileList []string) *tview.Flex {
 	for r := 0; r < rows; r++ {
 		for c := 0; c < cols; c++ {
 			color := tcell.ColorWhite
-			if c < 1 {
+			switch {
+			case c < 1:
 				fileTable.SetCell(r+1, c, // +1 to account for the exit row at index 0
 					tview.NewTableCell(fileList[r]).
 						SetTextColor(color).
 						SetAlign(tview.AlignCenter).
 						SetSelectable(false))
-			} else if c == 1 { // Action description column - not selectable
+			case c == 1: // Action description column - not selectable
 				fileTable.SetCell(r+1, c, // +1 to account for the exit row at index 0
 					tview.NewTableCell("(Action)").
 						SetTextColor(color).
 						SetAlign(tview.AlignCenter).
 						SetSelectable(false))
-			} else { // Action button column - selectable
+			default: // Action button column - selectable
 				fileTable.SetCell(r+1, c, // +1 to account for the exit row at index 0
 					tview.NewTableCell(actions[c-1]).
 						SetTextColor(color).
@@ -415,19 +416,20 @@ func makeLoadedRAGTable(fileList []string) *tview.Flex {
 	for r := 0; r < rows; r++ {
 		for c := 0; c < cols; c++ {
 			color := tcell.ColorWhite
-			if c < 1 {
+			switch {
+			case c < 1:
 				fileTable.SetCell(r+1, c, // +1 to account for the exit row at index 0
 					tview.NewTableCell(fileList[r]).
 						SetTextColor(color).
 						SetAlign(tview.AlignCenter).
 						SetSelectable(false))
-			} else if c == 1 { // Action description column - not selectable
+			case c == 1: // Action description column - not selectable
 				fileTable.SetCell(r+1, c, // +1 to account for the exit row at index 0
 					tview.NewTableCell("(Action)").
 						SetTextColor(color).
 						SetAlign(tview.AlignCenter).
 						SetSelectable(false))
-			} else { // Action button column - selectable
+			default: // Action button column - selectable
 				fileTable.SetCell(r+1, c, // +1 to account for the exit row at index 0
 					tview.NewTableCell(actions[c-1]).
 						SetTextColor(color).
@@ -496,13 +498,14 @@ func makeAgentTable(agentList []string) *tview.Table {
 	for r := 0; r < rows; r++ {
 		for c := 0; c < cols; c++ {
 			color := tcell.ColorWhite
-			if c < 1 {
+			switch {
+			case c < 1:
 				chatActTable.SetCell(r, c,
 					tview.NewTableCell(agentList[r]).
 						SetTextColor(color).
 						SetAlign(tview.AlignCenter).
 						SetSelectable(false))
-			} else if c == 1 {
+			case c == 1:
 				if actions[c-1] == "filepath" {
 					cc, ok := sysMap[agentList[r]]
 					if !ok {
@@ -519,7 +522,7 @@ func makeAgentTable(agentList []string) *tview.Table {
 					tview.NewTableCell(actions[c-1]).
 						SetTextColor(color).
 						SetAlign(tview.AlignCenter))
-			} else {
+			default:
 				chatActTable.SetCell(r, c,
 					tview.NewTableCell(actions[c-1]).
 						SetTextColor(color).
@@ -549,13 +552,13 @@ func makeAgentTable(agentList []string) *tview.Table {
 		// notification := fmt.Sprintf("chat: %s; action: %s", selectedChat, tc.Text)
 		switch tc.Text {
 		case "load":
-			if ok := charToStart(selected); !ok {
+			if ok := charToStart(selected, true); !ok {
 				logger.Warn("no such sys msg", "name", selected)
 				pages.RemovePage(agentPage)
 				return
 			}
 			// replace textview
-			textView.SetText(chatToText(cfg.ShowSys))
+			textView.SetText(chatToText(chatBody.Messages, cfg.ShowSys))
 			colorText()
 			updateStatusLine()
 			// sysModal.ClearButtons()
@@ -609,13 +612,14 @@ func makeCodeBlockTable(codeBlocks []string) *tview.Table {
 			if len(codeBlocks[r]) < 30 {
 				previewLen = len(codeBlocks[r])
 			}
-			if c < 1 {
+			switch {
+			case c < 1:
 				table.SetCell(r, c,
 					tview.NewTableCell(codeBlocks[r][:previewLen]).
 						SetTextColor(color).
 						SetAlign(tview.AlignCenter).
 						SetSelectable(false))
-			} else {
+			default:
 				table.SetCell(r, c,
 					tview.NewTableCell(actions[c-1]).
 						SetTextColor(color).
@@ -680,13 +684,14 @@ func makeImportChatTable(filenames []string) *tview.Table {
 	for r := 0; r < rows; r++ {
 		for c := 0; c < cols; c++ {
 			color := tcell.ColorWhite
-			if c < 1 {
+			switch {
+			case c < 1:
 				chatActTable.SetCell(r, c,
 					tview.NewTableCell(filenames[r]).
 						SetTextColor(color).
 						SetAlign(tview.AlignCenter).
 						SetSelectable(false))
-			} else {
+			default:
 				chatActTable.SetCell(r, c,
 					tview.NewTableCell(actions[c-1]).
 						SetTextColor(color).
@@ -724,7 +729,7 @@ func makeImportChatTable(filenames []string) *tview.Table {
 			colorText()
 			updateStatusLine()
 			// redraw the text in text area
-			textView.SetText(chatToText(cfg.ShowSys))
+			textView.SetText(chatToText(chatBody.Messages, cfg.ShowSys))
 			pages.RemovePage(historyPage)
 			app.SetFocus(textArea)
 			return
@@ -870,25 +875,23 @@ func makeFilePicker() *tview.Flex {
 					currentStackPos = len(dirStack) - 1
 					statusView.SetText("Current: " + newDir)
 				})
-			} else {
+			} else if hasAllowedExtension(name) {
 				// Only show files that have allowed extensions (from config)
-				if hasAllowedExtension(name) {
-					// Capture the file name for the closure to avoid loop variable issues
-					fileName := name
-					fullFilePath := path.Join(dir, fileName)
-					listView.AddItem(fileName+" [gray](File)[-]", "", 0, func() {
-						selectedFile = fullFilePath
+				// Capture the file name for the closure to avoid loop variable issues
+				fileName := name
+				fullFilePath := path.Join(dir, fileName)
+				listView.AddItem(fileName+" [gray](File)[-]", "", 0, func() {
+					selectedFile = fullFilePath
+					statusView.SetText("Selected: " + selectedFile)
+					// Check if the file is an image
+					if isImageFile(fileName) {
+						// For image files, offer to attach to the next LLM message
+						statusView.SetText("Selected image: " + selectedFile)
+					} else {
+						// For non-image files, display as before
 						statusView.SetText("Selected: " + selectedFile)
-						// Check if the file is an image
-						if isImageFile(fileName) {
-							// For image files, offer to attach to the next LLM message
-							statusView.SetText("Selected image: " + selectedFile)
-						} else {
-							// For non-image files, display as before
-							statusView.SetText("Selected: " + selectedFile)
-						}
-					})
-				}
+					}
+				})
 			}
 		}
 		statusView.SetText("Current: " + dir)
diff --git a/tools.go b/tools.go
index deba7b4..dbf8310 100644
--- a/tools.go
+++ b/tools.go
@@ -946,7 +946,7 @@ func summarizeChat(args map[string]string) []byte {
 		return []byte("No chat history to summarize.")
 	}
 	// Format chat history for the agent
-	chatText := chatToText(true) // include system and tool messages
+	chatText := chatToText(chatBody.Messages, true) // include system and tool messages
 	return []byte(chatText)
 }
 
diff --git a/tui.go b/tui.go
index a7570cf..cac8faa 100644
--- a/tui.go
+++ b/tui.go
@@ -77,22 +77,23 @@ var (
 [yellow]Ctrl+n[white]: start a new chat
 [yellow]Ctrl+o[white]: open image file picker
 [yellow]Ctrl+p[white]: props edit form (min-p, dry, etc.)
-[yellow]Ctrl+v[white]: switch between /completion and /chat api (if provided in config)
+[yellow]Ctrl+v[white]: show API link selection popup to choose current API
 [yellow]Ctrl+r[white]: start/stop recording from your microphone (needs stt server or whisper binary)
 [yellow]Ctrl+t[white]: remove thinking (<think>) and tool messages from context (delete from chat)
-[yellow]Ctrl+l[white]: rotate through free OpenRouter models (if openrouter api) or update connected model name (llamacpp)
+[yellow]Ctrl+l[white]: show model selection popup to choose current model
 [yellow]Ctrl+k[white]: switch tool use (recommend tool use to llm after user msg)
 [yellow]Ctrl+a[white]: interrupt tts (needs tts server)
 [yellow]Ctrl+g[white]: open RAG file manager (load files for context retrieval)
 [yellow]Ctrl+y[white]: list loaded RAG files (view and manage loaded files)
-[yellow]Ctrl+q[white]: cycle through mentioned chars in chat, to pick persona to send next msg as
-[yellow]Ctrl+x[white]: cycle through mentioned chars in chat, to pick persona to send next msg as (for llm)
+[yellow]Ctrl+q[white]: show user role selection popup to choose who sends next msg as
+[yellow]Ctrl+x[white]: show bot role selection popup to choose which agent responds next
 [yellow]Alt+1[white]: toggle shell mode (execute commands locally)
 [yellow]Alt+2[white]: toggle auto-scrolling (for reading while LLM types)
 [yellow]Alt+3[white]: summarize chat history and start new chat with summary as tool response
 [yellow]Alt+4[white]: edit msg role
 [yellow]Alt+5[white]: toggle system and tool messages display
 [yellow]Alt+6[white]: toggle status line visibility
+[yellow]Alt+7[white]: toggle role injection (inject role in messages)
 [yellow]Alt+8[white]: show char img or last picked img
 [yellow]Alt+9[white]: warm up (load) selected llama.cpp model
 
@@ -310,7 +311,7 @@ func performSearch(term string) {
 		searchResultLengths = nil
 		originalTextForSearch = ""
 		// Re-render text without highlights
-		textView.SetText(chatToText(cfg.ShowSys))
+		textView.SetText(chatToText(chatBody.Messages, cfg.ShowSys))
 		colorText()
 		return
 	}
@@ -517,8 +518,8 @@ func init() {
 				searchResults = nil       // Clear search results
 				searchResultLengths = nil // Clear search result lengths
 				originalTextForSearch = ""
-				textView.SetText(chatToText(cfg.ShowSys)) // Reset text without search regions
-				colorText()                               // Apply normal chat coloring
+				textView.SetText(chatToText(chatBody.Messages, cfg.ShowSys)) // Reset text without search regions
+				colorText()                                                  // Apply normal chat coloring
 			} else {
 				// Original logic if no search is active
 				currentSelection := textView.GetHighlights()
@@ -532,8 +533,7 @@ func init() {
 	})
 	textView.SetInputCapture(func(event *tcell.EventKey) *tcell.EventKey {
 		// Handle vim-like navigation in TextView
-		switch event.Key() {
-		case tcell.KeyRune:
+		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyRune {
 			switch event.Rune() {
 			case 'j':
 				// For line down
@@ -594,7 +594,7 @@ func init() {
 			}
 			chatBody.Messages[selectedIndex].Content = editedMsg
 			// change textarea
-			textView.SetText(chatToText(cfg.ShowSys))
+			textView.SetText(chatToText(chatBody.Messages, cfg.ShowSys))
 			pages.RemovePage(editMsgPage)
 			editMode = false
 			return nil
@@ -627,7 +627,7 @@ func init() {
 				}
 				if selectedIndex >= 0 && selectedIndex < len(chatBody.Messages) {
 					chatBody.Messages[selectedIndex].Role = newRole
-					textView.SetText(chatToText(cfg.ShowSys))
+					textView.SetText(chatToText(chatBody.Messages, cfg.ShowSys))
 					colorText()
 					pages.RemovePage(roleEditPage)
 				}
@@ -671,17 +671,18 @@ func init() {
 				return nil
 			}
 			m := chatBody.Messages[selectedIndex]
-			if roleEditMode {
+			switch {
+			case roleEditMode:
 				hideIndexBar() // Hide overlay first
 				// Set the current role as the default text in the input field
 				roleEditWindow.SetText(m.Role)
 				pages.AddPage(roleEditPage, roleEditWindow, true, true)
 				roleEditMode = false // Reset the flag
-			} else if editMode {
+			case editMode:
 				hideIndexBar() // Hide overlay first
 				pages.AddPage(editMsgPage, editArea, true, true)
 				editArea.SetText(m.Content, true)
-			} else {
+			default:
 				if err := copyToClipboard(m.Content); err != nil {
 					logger.Error("failed to copy to clipboard", "error", err)
 				}
@@ -739,7 +740,7 @@ func init() {
 					searchResults = nil
 					searchResultLengths = nil
 					originalTextForSearch = ""
-					textView.SetText(chatToText(cfg.ShowSys))
+					textView.SetText(chatToText(chatBody.Messages, cfg.ShowSys))
 					colorText()
 					return
 				} else {
@@ -759,22 +760,19 @@ func init() {
 			pages.RemovePage(helpPage)
 		})
 	helpView.SetInputCapture(func(event *tcell.EventKey) *tcell.EventKey {
-		switch event.Key() {
-		case tcell.KeyEnter:
+		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyEnter {
 			return event
-		default:
-			if event.Key() == tcell.KeyRune && event.Rune() == 'x' {
-				pages.RemovePage(helpPage)
-				return nil
-			}
+		}
+		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyRune && event.Rune() == 'x' {
+			pages.RemovePage(helpPage)
+			return nil
 		}
 		return nil
 	})
 	//
 	imgView = tview.NewImage()
 	imgView.SetInputCapture(func(event *tcell.EventKey) *tcell.EventKey {
-		switch event.Key() {
-		case tcell.KeyEnter:
+		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyEnter {
 			pages.RemovePage(imgPage)
 			return event
 		}
@@ -787,7 +785,7 @@ func init() {
 	//
 	textArea.SetMovedFunc(updateStatusLine)
 	updateStatusLine()
-	textView.SetText(chatToText(cfg.ShowSys))
+	textView.SetText(chatToText(chatBody.Messages, cfg.ShowSys))
 	colorText()
 	if scrollToEndEnabled {
 		textView.ScrollToEnd()
@@ -801,7 +799,7 @@ func init() {
 		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyRune && event.Rune() == '5' && event.Modifiers()&tcell.ModAlt != 0 {
 			// switch cfg.ShowSys
 			cfg.ShowSys = !cfg.ShowSys
-			textView.SetText(chatToText(cfg.ShowSys))
+			textView.SetText(chatToText(chatBody.Messages, cfg.ShowSys))
 			colorText()
 		}
 		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyRune && event.Rune() == '3' && event.Modifiers()&tcell.ModAlt != 0 {
@@ -828,6 +826,11 @@ func init() {
 			}
 			updateStatusLine()
 		}
+		// Handle Alt+7 to toggle injectRole
+		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyRune && event.Rune() == '7' && event.Modifiers()&tcell.ModAlt != 0 {
+			injectRole = !injectRole
+			updateStatusLine()
+		}
 		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyF1 {
 			// chatList, err := loadHistoryChats()
 			chatList, err := store.GetChatByChar(cfg.AssistantRole)
@@ -866,8 +869,9 @@ func init() {
 			chatBody.Messages = chatBody.Messages[:len(chatBody.Messages)-1]
 			// there is no case where user msg is regenerated
 			// lastRole := chatBody.Messages[len(chatBody.Messages)-1].Role
-			textView.SetText(chatToText(cfg.ShowSys))
-			go chatRound("", cfg.UserRole, textView, true, false)
+			textView.SetText(chatToText(chatBody.Messages, cfg.ShowSys))
+			// go chatRound("", cfg.UserRole, textView, true, false)
+			chatRoundChan <- &models.ChatRoundReq{Role: cfg.UserRole, Regen: true}
 			return nil
 		}
 		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyF3 && !botRespMode {
@@ -888,7 +892,7 @@ func init() {
 				return nil
 			}
 			chatBody.Messages = chatBody.Messages[:len(chatBody.Messages)-1]
-			textView.SetText(chatToText(cfg.ShowSys))
+			textView.SetText(chatToText(chatBody.Messages, cfg.ShowSys))
 			colorText()
 			return nil
 		}
@@ -1012,7 +1016,7 @@ func init() {
 			return nil
 		}
 		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyCtrlN {
-			startNewChat()
+			startNewChat(true)
 			return nil
 		}
 		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyCtrlO {
@@ -1022,64 +1026,21 @@ func init() {
 			return nil
 		}
 		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyCtrlL {
-			// Check if the current API is an OpenRouter API
-			if strings.Contains(cfg.CurrentAPI, "openrouter.ai/api/v1/") {
-				// Rotate through OpenRouter free models
-				if len(ORFreeModels) > 0 {
-					currentORModelIndex = (currentORModelIndex + 1) % len(ORFreeModels)
-					chatBody.Model = ORFreeModels[currentORModelIndex]
-					cfg.CurrentModel = chatBody.Model
-				}
-				updateStatusLine()
-			} else {
-				localModelsMu.RLock()
-				if len(LocalModels) > 0 {
-					currentLocalModelIndex = (currentLocalModelIndex + 1) % len(LocalModels)
-					chatBody.Model = LocalModels[currentLocalModelIndex]
-					cfg.CurrentModel = chatBody.Model
-				}
-				localModelsMu.RUnlock()
-				updateStatusLine()
-				// // For non-OpenRouter APIs, use the old logic
-				// go func() {
-				// 	fetchLCPModelName() // blocks
-				// 	updateStatusLine()
-				// }()
-			}
+			// Show model selection popup instead of rotating models
+			showModelSelectionPopup()
 			return nil
 		}
 		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyCtrlT {
 			// clear context
 			// remove tools and thinking
 			removeThinking(chatBody)
-			textView.SetText(chatToText(cfg.ShowSys))
+			textView.SetText(chatToText(chatBody.Messages, cfg.ShowSys))
 			colorText()
 			return nil
 		}
 		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyCtrlV {
-			// switch between API links using index-based rotation
-			if len(cfg.ApiLinks) == 0 {
-				// No API links to rotate through
-				return nil
-			}
-			// Find current API in the list to get the current index
-			currentIndex := -1
-			for i, api := range cfg.ApiLinks {
-				if api == cfg.CurrentAPI {
-					currentIndex = i
-					break
-				}
-			}
-			// If current API is not in the list, start from beginning
-			// Otherwise, advance to next API in the list (with wrap-around)
-			if currentIndex == -1 {
-				currentAPIIndex = 0
-			} else {
-				currentAPIIndex = (currentIndex + 1) % len(cfg.ApiLinks)
-			}
-			cfg.CurrentAPI = cfg.ApiLinks[currentAPIIndex]
-			choseChunkParser()
-			updateStatusLine()
+			// Show API link selection popup instead of rotating APIs
+			showAPILinkSelectionPopup()
 			return nil
 		}
 		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyCtrlS {
@@ -1170,54 +1131,18 @@ func init() {
 			// INFO: continue bot/text message
 			// without new role
 			lastRole := chatBody.Messages[len(chatBody.Messages)-1].Role
-			go chatRound("", lastRole, textView, false, true)
+			// go chatRound("", lastRole, textView, false, true)
+			chatRoundChan <- &models.ChatRoundReq{Role: lastRole, Resume: true}
 			return nil
 		}
 		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyCtrlQ {
-			persona := cfg.UserRole
-			if cfg.WriteNextMsgAs != "" {
-				persona = cfg.WriteNextMsgAs
-			}
-			roles := listRolesWithUser()
-			logger.Info("list roles", "roles", roles)
-			for i, role := range roles {
-				if strings.EqualFold(role, persona) {
-					if i == len(roles)-1 {
-						cfg.WriteNextMsgAs = roles[0] // reached last, get first
-						break
-					}
-					cfg.WriteNextMsgAs = roles[i+1] // get next role
-					logger.Info("picked role", "roles", roles, "index", i+1)
-					break
-				}
-			}
-			updateStatusLine()
+			// Show user role selection popup instead of cycling through roles
+			showUserRoleSelectionPopup()
 			return nil
 		}
 		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyCtrlX {
-			persona := cfg.AssistantRole
-			if cfg.WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent != "" {
-				persona = cfg.WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent
-			}
-			roles := chatBody.ListRoles()
-			if len(roles) == 0 {
-				logger.Warn("empty roles in chat")
-			}
-			if !strInSlice(cfg.AssistantRole, roles) {
-				roles = append(roles, cfg.AssistantRole)
-			}
-			for i, role := range roles {
-				if strings.EqualFold(role, persona) {
-					if i == len(roles)-1 {
-						cfg.WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent = roles[0] // reached last, get first
-						break
-					}
-					cfg.WriteNextMsgAsCompletionAgent = roles[i+1] // get next role
-					logger.Info("picked role", "roles", roles, "index", i+1)
-					break
-				}
-			}
-			updateStatusLine()
+			// Show bot role selection popup instead of cycling through roles
+			showBotRoleSelectionPopup()
 			return nil
 		}
 		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyCtrlG {
@@ -1295,7 +1220,6 @@ func init() {
 		// cannot send msg in editMode or botRespMode
 		if event.Key() == tcell.KeyEscape && !editMode && !botRespMode {
 			msgText := textArea.GetText()
-			// TODO: add shellmode command -> output to the chat history, or at least have an option
 			if shellMode && msgText != "" {
 				// In shell mode, execute command instead of sending to LLM
 				executeCommandAndDisplay(msgText)
@@ -1335,7 +1259,8 @@ func init() {
 					}
 					colorText()
 				}
-				go chatRound(msgText, persona, textView, false, false)
+				// go chatRound(msgText, persona, textView, false, false)
+				chatRoundChan <- &models.ChatRoundReq{Role: persona, UserMsg: msgText}
 				// Also clear any image attachment after sending the message
 				go func() {
 					// Wait a short moment for the message to be processed, then clear the image attachment