diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index a57f9a5..5bb33d6 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -83,3 +83,10 @@ DEMO_MODE=false
 # INSTACART_AFFILIATE_ID=circuitforge
 # Walmart Impact network affiliate ID (inline, path-based redirect)
 # WALMART_AFFILIATE_ID=
+
+
+# Community PostgreSQL — shared across CF products (cloud only; leave unset for local dev)
+# Points at cf-orch's cf-community-postgres container (port 5434 on the orch host).
+# When unset, community write paths fail soft with a plain-language message.
+# COMMUNITY_DB_URL=postgresql://cf_community:changeme@cf-orch-host:5434/cf_community
+# COMMUNITY_PSEUDONYM_SALT=change-this-to-a-random-32-char-string
diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index 23f8899..611c924 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -16,6 +16,12 @@ COPY kiwi/environment.yml .
 RUN conda env create -f environment.yml
 
 COPY kiwi/ ./kiwi/
+
+# Remove gitignored config files that may exist locally — defense-in-depth.
+# The parent .dockerignore should exclude these, but an explicit rm guarantees
+# they never end up in the cloud image regardless of .dockerignore placement.
+RUN rm -f /app/kiwi/.env
+
 # Install cf-core into the kiwi env BEFORE installing kiwi (kiwi lists it as a dep)
 RUN conda run -n kiwi pip install --no-cache-dir -e /app/circuitforge-core
 WORKDIR /app/kiwi
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 52894ac..a7d06c0 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ Scan barcodes, photograph receipts, and get recipe ideas based on what you alrea
 
 **Status:** Beta · CircuitForge LLC
 
+**[Documentation](https://docs.circuitforge.tech/kiwi/)** · [circuitforge.tech](https://circuitforge.tech)
+
 ---
 
 ## What it does
@@ -21,7 +23,7 @@ Scan barcodes, photograph receipts, and get recipe ideas based on what you alrea
 - **Receipt OCR** — extract line items from receipt photos automatically (Paid tier, BYOK-unlockable)
 - **Recipe suggestions** — four levels from pantry-match to full LLM generation (Paid tier, BYOK-unlockable)
 - **Style auto-classifier** — LLM suggests style tags (comforting, hands-off, quick, etc.) for saved recipes (Paid tier, BYOK-unlockable)
-- **Leftover mode** — prioritize nearly-expired items in recipe ranking (Premium tier)
+- **Leftover mode** — prioritize nearly-expired items in recipe ranking (Free, 5/day; unlimited at Paid+)
 - **LLM backend config** — configure inference via `circuitforge-core` env-var system; BYOK unlocks Paid AI features at any tier
 - **Feedback FAB** — in-app feedback button; status probed on load, hidden if CF feedback endpoint unreachable
 
@@ -68,7 +70,7 @@ cp .env.example .env
 | LLM style auto-classifier | — | BYOK | ✓ |
 | Meal planning | — | ✓ | ✓ |
 | Multi-household | — | — | ✓ |
-| Leftover mode | — | — | ✓ |
+| Leftover mode (5/day) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
 
 BYOK = bring your own LLM backend (configure `~/.config/circuitforge/llm.yaml`)
 
diff --git a/app/api/endpoints/community.py b/app/api/endpoints/community.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..72a5592
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/api/endpoints/community.py
@@ -0,0 +1,351 @@
+# app/api/endpoints/community.py
+# MIT License
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import asyncio
+import logging
+import re
+import sqlite3
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+
+from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends, HTTPException, Request, Response
+
+from app.cloud_session import CloudUser, get_session
+from app.core.config import settings
+from app.db.store import Store
+from app.services.community.feed import posts_to_rss
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+router = APIRouter(prefix="/community", tags=["community"])
+
+_community_store = None
+
+
+def _get_community_store():
+    return _community_store
+
+
+def init_community_store(community_db_url: str | None) -> None:
+    global _community_store
+    if not community_db_url:
+        logger.info(
+            "COMMUNITY_DB_URL not set — community write features disabled. "
+            "Browse still works via cloud feed."
+        )
+        return
+    from circuitforge_core.community import CommunityDB
+    from app.services.community.community_store import KiwiCommunityStore
+    db = CommunityDB(dsn=community_db_url)
+    db.run_migrations()
+    _community_store = KiwiCommunityStore(db)
+    logger.info("Community store initialized.")
+
+
+def _visible(post, session=None) -> bool:
+    """Return False for premium-tier posts when the session is not paid/premium."""
+    tier = getattr(post, "tier", None)
+    if tier == "premium":
+        if session is None or getattr(session, "tier", None) not in ("paid", "premium"):
+            return False
+    return True
+
+
+@router.get("/posts")
+async def list_posts(
+    post_type: str | None = None,
+    dietary_tags: str | None = None,
+    allergen_exclude: str | None = None,
+    page: int = 1,
+    page_size: int = 20,
+):
+    store = _get_community_store()
+    if store is None:
+        return {"posts": [], "total": 0, "note": "Community DB not available on this instance."}
+
+    dietary = [t.strip() for t in dietary_tags.split(",")] if dietary_tags else None
+    allergen_ex = [t.strip() for t in allergen_exclude.split(",")] if allergen_exclude else None
+    offset = (page - 1) * min(page_size, 100)
+
+    posts = await asyncio.to_thread(
+        store.list_posts,
+        limit=min(page_size, 100),
+        offset=offset,
+        post_type=post_type,
+        dietary_tags=dietary,
+        allergen_exclude=allergen_ex,
+    )
+    return {"posts": [_post_to_dict(p) for p in posts if _visible(p)], "page": page, "page_size": page_size}
+
+
+@router.get("/posts/{slug}")
+async def get_post(slug: str, request: Request):
+    store = _get_community_store()
+    if store is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=503, detail="Community DB not available on this instance.")
+
+    post = await asyncio.to_thread(store.get_post_by_slug, slug)
+    if post is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Post not found.")
+
+    accept = request.headers.get("accept", "")
+    if "application/activity+json" in accept or "application/ld+json" in accept:
+        from app.services.community.ap_compat import post_to_ap_json_ld
+        base_url = str(request.base_url).rstrip("/")
+        return post_to_ap_json_ld(_post_to_dict(post), base_url=base_url)
+
+    return _post_to_dict(post)
+
+
+@router.get("/feed.rss")
+async def get_rss_feed(request: Request):
+    store = _get_community_store()
+    posts_data: list[dict] = []
+    if store is not None:
+        posts = await asyncio.to_thread(store.list_posts, limit=50)
+        posts_data = [_post_to_dict(p) for p in posts]
+
+    base_url = str(request.base_url).rstrip("/")
+    rss = posts_to_rss(posts_data, base_url=base_url)
+    return Response(content=rss, media_type="application/rss+xml; charset=utf-8")
+
+
+@router.get("/local-feed")
+async def local_feed():
+    store = _get_community_store()
+    if store is None:
+        return []
+    posts = await asyncio.to_thread(store.list_posts, limit=50)
+    return [_post_to_dict(p) for p in posts]
+
+
+@router.get("/hall-of-chaos")
+async def hall_of_chaos():
+    """Hidden easter egg endpoint -- returns the 10 most chaotic bloopers."""
+    store = _get_community_store()
+    if store is None:
+        return {"posts": [], "chaos_level": 0}
+    posts = await asyncio.to_thread(
+        store.list_posts, limit=10, post_type="recipe_blooper"
+    )
+    return {
+        "posts": [_post_to_dict(p) for p in posts],
+        "chaos_level": len(posts),
+    }
+
+
+_VALID_POST_TYPES = {"plan", "recipe_success", "recipe_blooper"}
+_MAX_TITLE_LEN = 200
+_MAX_TEXT_LEN = 2000
+
+
+def _validate_publish_body(body: dict) -> None:
+    """Raise HTTPException(422) for any invalid fields in a publish request."""
+    post_type = body.get("post_type", "plan")
+    if post_type not in _VALID_POST_TYPES:
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=422,
+            detail=f"post_type must be one of: {', '.join(sorted(_VALID_POST_TYPES))}",
+        )
+    title = body.get("title") or ""
+    if len(title) > _MAX_TITLE_LEN:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=422, detail=f"title exceeds {_MAX_TITLE_LEN} character limit.")
+    for field in ("description", "outcome_notes", "recipe_name"):
+        value = body.get(field)
+        if value and len(str(value)) > _MAX_TEXT_LEN:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=422, detail=f"{field} exceeds {_MAX_TEXT_LEN} character limit.")
+    photo_url = body.get("photo_url")
+    if photo_url and not str(photo_url).startswith("https://"):
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=422, detail="photo_url must be an https:// URL.")
+
+
+@router.post("/posts", status_code=201)
+async def publish_post(body: dict, session: CloudUser = Depends(get_session)):
+    from app.tiers import can_use
+    if not can_use("community_publish", session.tier, session.has_byok):
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=402, detail="Community publishing requires Paid tier.")
+
+    _validate_publish_body(body)
+
+    store = _get_community_store()
+    if store is None:
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=503,
+            detail="This Kiwi instance is not connected to a community database. "
+                   "Publishing is only available on cloud instances.",
+        )
+
+    from app.services.community.community_store import get_or_create_pseudonym
+    def _get_pseudonym():
+        s = Store(session.db)
+        try:
+            return get_or_create_pseudonym(
+                store=s,
+                directus_user_id=session.user_id,
+                requested_name=body.get("pseudonym_name"),
+            )
+        finally:
+            s.close()
+    try:
+        pseudonym = await asyncio.to_thread(_get_pseudonym)
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=422, detail=str(exc)) from exc
+
+    recipe_ids = [slot["recipe_id"] for slot in body.get("slots", []) if slot.get("recipe_id")]
+    from app.services.community.element_snapshot import compute_snapshot
+    def _snapshot():
+        s = Store(session.db)
+        try:
+            return compute_snapshot(recipe_ids=recipe_ids, store=s)
+        finally:
+            s.close()
+    snapshot = await asyncio.to_thread(_snapshot)
+
+    post_type = body.get("post_type", "plan")
+    slug_title = re.sub(r"[^a-z0-9]+", "-", (body.get("title") or "plan").lower()).strip("-")
+    today = datetime.now(timezone.utc).strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
+    slug = f"kiwi-{_post_type_prefix(post_type)}-{pseudonym.lower().replace(' ', '')}-{today}-{slug_title}"[:120]
+
+    from circuitforge_core.community.models import CommunityPost
+    post = CommunityPost(
+        slug=slug,
+        pseudonym=pseudonym,
+        post_type=post_type,
+        published=datetime.now(timezone.utc),
+        title=(body.get("title") or "Untitled")[:_MAX_TITLE_LEN],
+        description=body.get("description"),
+        photo_url=body.get("photo_url"),
+        slots=body.get("slots", []),
+        recipe_id=body.get("recipe_id"),
+        recipe_name=body.get("recipe_name"),
+        level=body.get("level"),
+        outcome_notes=body.get("outcome_notes"),
+        seasoning_score=snapshot.seasoning_score,
+        richness_score=snapshot.richness_score,
+        brightness_score=snapshot.brightness_score,
+        depth_score=snapshot.depth_score,
+        aroma_score=snapshot.aroma_score,
+        structure_score=snapshot.structure_score,
+        texture_profile=snapshot.texture_profile,
+        dietary_tags=list(snapshot.dietary_tags),
+        allergen_flags=list(snapshot.allergen_flags),
+        flavor_molecules=list(snapshot.flavor_molecules),
+        fat_pct=snapshot.fat_pct,
+        protein_pct=snapshot.protein_pct,
+        moisture_pct=snapshot.moisture_pct,
+    )
+
+    try:
+        inserted = await asyncio.to_thread(store.insert_post, post)
+    except sqlite3.IntegrityError as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=409,
+            detail="A post with this title already exists today. Try a different title.",
+        ) from exc
+    return _post_to_dict(inserted)
+
+
+@router.delete("/posts/{slug}", status_code=204)
+async def delete_post(slug: str, session: CloudUser = Depends(get_session)):
+    store = _get_community_store()
+    if store is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=503, detail="Community DB not available.")
+
+    def _get_pseudonym():
+        s = Store(session.db)
+        try:
+            return s.get_current_pseudonym(session.user_id)
+        finally:
+            s.close()
+    pseudonym = await asyncio.to_thread(_get_pseudonym)
+    if not pseudonym:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="No pseudonym set. Cannot delete posts.")
+
+    deleted = await asyncio.to_thread(store.delete_post, slug=slug, pseudonym=pseudonym)
+    if not deleted:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Post not found or you are not the author.")
+
+
+@router.post("/posts/{slug}/fork", status_code=201)
+async def fork_post(slug: str, session: CloudUser = Depends(get_session)):
+    store = _get_community_store()
+    if store is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=503, detail="Community DB not available.")
+
+    post = await asyncio.to_thread(store.get_post_by_slug, slug)
+    if post is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Post not found.")
+    if post.post_type != "plan":
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Only plan posts can be forked as a meal plan.")
+
+    required_slot_keys = {"day", "meal_type", "recipe_id"}
+    if any(not required_slot_keys.issubset(slot) for slot in post.slots):
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Post contains malformed slots and cannot be forked.")
+
+    from datetime import date
+    week_start = date.today().strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
+
+    def _create_plan():
+        s = Store(session.db)
+        try:
+            meal_types = list({slot["meal_type"] for slot in post.slots})
+            plan = s.create_meal_plan(week_start=week_start, meal_types=meal_types or ["dinner"])
+            for slot in post.slots:
+                s.assign_recipe_to_slot(
+                    plan_id=plan["id"],
+                    day_of_week=slot["day"],
+                    meal_type=slot["meal_type"],
+                    recipe_id=slot["recipe_id"],
+                )
+            return plan
+        finally:
+            s.close()
+
+    plan = await asyncio.to_thread(_create_plan)
+    return {"plan_id": plan["id"], "week_start": plan["week_start"], "forked_from": slug}
+
+
+@router.post("/posts/{slug}/fork-adapt", status_code=201)
+async def fork_adapt_post(slug: str, session: CloudUser = Depends(get_session)):
+    from app.tiers import can_use
+    if not can_use("community_fork_adapt", session.tier, session.has_byok):
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=402, detail="Fork with adaptation requires Paid tier or BYOK.")
+    # Stub: full LLM adaptation deferred
+    raise HTTPException(status_code=501, detail="Fork-adapt not yet implemented.")
+
+
+def _post_to_dict(post) -> dict:
+    return {
+        "slug": post.slug,
+        "pseudonym": post.pseudonym,
+        "post_type": post.post_type,
+        "published": post.published.isoformat() if hasattr(post.published, "isoformat") else str(post.published),
+        "title": post.title,
+        "description": post.description,
+        "photo_url": post.photo_url,
+        "slots": list(post.slots),
+        "recipe_id": post.recipe_id,
+        "recipe_name": post.recipe_name,
+        "level": post.level,
+        "outcome_notes": post.outcome_notes,
+        "element_profiles": {
+            "seasoning_score": post.seasoning_score,
+            "richness_score": post.richness_score,
+            "brightness_score": post.brightness_score,
+            "depth_score": post.depth_score,
+            "aroma_score": post.aroma_score,
+            "structure_score": post.structure_score,
+            "texture_profile": post.texture_profile,
+        },
+        "dietary_tags": list(post.dietary_tags),
+        "allergen_flags": list(post.allergen_flags),
+        "flavor_molecules": list(post.flavor_molecules),
+        "fat_pct": post.fat_pct,
+        "protein_pct": post.protein_pct,
+        "moisture_pct": post.moisture_pct,
+    }
+
+
+def _post_type_prefix(post_type: str) -> str:
+    return {"plan": "plan", "recipe_success": "success", "recipe_blooper": "blooper"}.get(post_type, "post")
diff --git a/app/api/endpoints/imitate.py b/app/api/endpoints/imitate.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5b08731
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/api/endpoints/imitate.py
@@ -0,0 +1,185 @@
+"""Kiwi — /api/v1/imitate/samples endpoint for Avocet Imitate tab.
+
+Returns the actual assembled prompt Kiwi sends to its LLM for recipe generation,
+including the full pantry context (expiry-first ordering), dietary constraints
+(from user_settings if present), and the Level 3 format instructions.
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends
+
+from app.cloud_session import get_session, CloudUser
+from app.db.store import Store
+
+router = APIRouter()
+
+_LEVEL3_FORMAT = [
+    "",
+    "Reply using EXACTLY this plain-text format — no markdown, no bold, no extra commentary:",
+    "Title: <name of the dish>",
+    "Ingredients: <comma-separated list>",
+    "Directions:",
+    "1. <first step>",
+    "2. <second step>",
+    "3. <continue for each step>",
+    "Notes: <optional tips>",
+]
+
+_LEVEL4_FORMAT = [
+    "",
+    "Reply using EXACTLY this plain-text format — no markdown, no bold:",
+    "Title: <name of the dish>",
+    "Ingredients: <comma-separated list>",
+    "Directions:",
+    "1. <first step>",
+    "2. <second step>",
+    "Notes: <optional tips>",
+]
+
+
+def _read_user_settings(store: Store) -> dict:
+    """Read all key/value pairs from user_settings table."""
+    try:
+        rows = store.conn.execute("SELECT key, value FROM user_settings").fetchall()
+        return {r["key"]: r["value"] for r in rows}
+    except Exception:
+        return {}
+
+
+def _build_recipe_prompt(
+    pantry_names: list[str],
+    expiring_names: list[str],
+    constraints: list[str],
+    allergies: list[str],
+    level: int = 3,
+) -> str:
+    """Assemble the recipe generation prompt matching Kiwi's Level 3/4 format."""
+    # Expiring items first, then remaining pantry items (deduped)
+    expiring_set = set(expiring_names)
+    ordered = list(expiring_names) + [n for n in pantry_names if n not in expiring_set]
+
+    if not ordered:
+        ordered = pantry_names
+
+    if level == 4:
+        lines = [
+            "Surprise me with a creative, unexpected recipe.",
+            "Only use ingredients that make culinary sense together. "
+            "Do not force flavoured/sweetened items (vanilla yoghurt, flavoured syrups, jam) into savoury dishes.",
+            f"Ingredients available: {', '.join(ordered)}",
+        ]
+        if constraints:
+            lines.append(f"Constraints: {', '.join(constraints)}")
+        if allergies:
+            lines.append(f"Must NOT contain: {', '.join(allergies)}")
+        lines.append("Treat any mystery ingredient as a wildcard — use your imagination.")
+        lines += _LEVEL4_FORMAT
+    else:
+        lines = [
+            "You are a creative chef. Generate a recipe using the ingredients below.",
+            "IMPORTANT: When you use a pantry item, list it in Ingredients using its exact name "
+            "from the pantry list. Do not add adjectives, quantities, or cooking states "
+            "(e.g. use 'butter', not 'unsalted butter' or '2 tbsp butter').",
+            "IMPORTANT: Only use pantry items that make culinary sense for the dish. "
+            "Do NOT force flavoured/sweetened items (vanilla yoghurt, fruit yoghurt, jam, "
+            "dessert sauces, flavoured syrups) into savoury dishes.",
+            "IMPORTANT: Do not default to the same ingredient repeatedly across dishes. "
+            "If a pantry item does not genuinely improve this specific dish, leave it out.",
+            "",
+            f"Pantry items: {', '.join(ordered)}",
+        ]
+        if expiring_names:
+            lines.append(
+                f"Priority — use these soon (expiring): {', '.join(expiring_names)}"
+            )
+        if constraints:
+            lines.append(f"Dietary constraints: {', '.join(constraints)}")
+        if allergies:
+            lines.append(f"IMPORTANT — must NOT contain: {', '.join(allergies)}")
+        lines += _LEVEL3_FORMAT
+
+    return "\n".join(lines)
+
+
+@router.get("/samples")
+async def imitate_samples(
+    limit: int = 5,
+    level: int = 3,
+    session: CloudUser = Depends(get_session),
+):
+    """Return assembled recipe generation prompts for Avocet's Imitate tab.
+
+    Each sample includes:
+      system_prompt  empty (Kiwi uses no system context)
+      input_text     full Level 3/4 prompt with pantry items, expiring items,
+                     dietary constraints, and format instructions
+      output_text    empty (no prior LLM output stored per-request)
+
+    level: 3 (structured with element biasing context) or 4 (wildcard creative)
+    limit: max number of distinct prompt variants to return (varies by pantry state)
+    """
+    limit = max(1, min(limit, 10))
+    store = Store(session.db)
+
+    # Full pantry for context
+    all_items = store.list_inventory()
+    pantry_names = [r["product_name"] for r in all_items if r.get("product_name")]
+
+    # Expiring items as priority ingredients
+    expiring = store.expiring_soon(days=14)
+    expiring_names = [r["product_name"] for r in expiring if r.get("product_name")]
+
+    # Dietary constraints from user_settings (keys: constraints, allergies)
+    settings = _read_user_settings(store)
+    import json as _json
+    try:
+        constraints = _json.loads(settings.get("dietary_constraints", "[]")) or []
+    except Exception:
+        constraints = []
+    try:
+        allergies = _json.loads(settings.get("dietary_allergies", "[]")) or []
+    except Exception:
+        allergies = []
+
+    if not pantry_names:
+        return {"samples": [], "total": 0, "type": f"recipe_level{level}"}
+
+    # Build prompt variants: one per expiring item as the "anchor" ingredient,
+    # plus one general pantry prompt. Cap at limit.
+    samples = []
+    seen_anchors: set[str] = set()
+
+    for item in (expiring[:limit - 1] if expiring else []):
+        anchor = item.get("product_name", "")
+        if not anchor or anchor in seen_anchors:
+            continue
+        seen_anchors.add(anchor)
+
+        # Put this item first in the list for the prompt
+        ordered_expiring = [anchor] + [n for n in expiring_names if n != anchor]
+        prompt = _build_recipe_prompt(pantry_names, ordered_expiring, constraints, allergies, level)
+
+        samples.append({
+            "id": item.get("id", 0),
+            "anchor_item": anchor,
+            "expiring_count": len(expiring_names),
+            "pantry_count": len(pantry_names),
+            "system_prompt": "",
+            "input_text": prompt,
+            "output_text": "",
+        })
+
+    # One general prompt using all expiring as priority
+    if len(samples) < limit:
+        prompt = _build_recipe_prompt(pantry_names, expiring_names, constraints, allergies, level)
+        samples.append({
+            "id": 0,
+            "anchor_item": "full pantry",
+            "expiring_count": len(expiring_names),
+            "pantry_count": len(pantry_names),
+            "system_prompt": "",
+            "input_text": prompt,
+            "output_text": "",
+        })
+
+    return {"samples": samples, "total": len(samples), "type": f"recipe_level{level}"}
diff --git a/app/api/endpoints/recipes.py b/app/api/endpoints/recipes.py
index dd190f7..557500c 100644
--- a/app/api/endpoints/recipes.py
+++ b/app/api/endpoints/recipes.py
@@ -9,7 +9,19 @@ from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends, HTTPException, Query
 
 from app.cloud_session import CloudUser, get_session
 from app.db.store import Store
-from app.models.schemas.recipe import RecipeRequest, RecipeResult
+from app.models.schemas.recipe import (
+    AssemblyTemplateOut,
+    BuildRequest,
+    RecipeRequest,
+    RecipeResult,
+    RecipeSuggestion,
+    RoleCandidatesResponse,
+)
+from app.services.recipe.assembly_recipes import (
+    build_from_selection,
+    get_role_candidates,
+    get_templates_for_api,
+)
 from app.services.recipe.browser_domains import (
     DOMAINS,
     get_category_names,
@@ -143,6 +155,96 @@ async def browse_recipes(
     return await asyncio.to_thread(_browse, session.db)
 
 
+@router.get("/templates", response_model=list[AssemblyTemplateOut])
+async def list_assembly_templates() -> list[dict]:
+    """Return all 13 assembly templates with ordered role sequences.
+
+    Cache-friendly: static data, no per-user state.
+    """
+    return get_templates_for_api()
+
+
+@router.get("/template-candidates", response_model=RoleCandidatesResponse)
+async def get_template_role_candidates(
+    template_id: str = Query(..., description="Template slug, e.g. 'burrito_taco'"),
+    role: str = Query(..., description="Role display name, e.g. 'protein'"),
+    prior_picks: str = Query(default="", description="Comma-separated prior selections"),
+    session: CloudUser = Depends(get_session),
+) -> dict:
+    """Return pantry-matched candidates for one wizard step."""
+    def _get(db_path: Path) -> dict:
+        store = Store(db_path)
+        try:
+            items = store.list_inventory(status="available")
+            pantry_set = {
+                item["product_name"]
+                for item in items
+                if item.get("product_name")
+            }
+            pantry_list = list(pantry_set)
+            prior = [p.strip() for p in prior_picks.split(",") if p.strip()]
+            profile_index = store.get_element_profiles(pantry_list + prior)
+            return get_role_candidates(
+                template_slug=template_id,
+                role_display=role,
+                pantry_set=pantry_set,
+                prior_picks=prior,
+                profile_index=profile_index,
+            )
+        finally:
+            store.close()
+
+    return await asyncio.to_thread(_get, session.db)
+
+
+@router.post("/build", response_model=RecipeSuggestion)
+async def build_recipe(
+    req: BuildRequest,
+    session: CloudUser = Depends(get_session),
+) -> RecipeSuggestion:
+    """Build a recipe from explicit role selections."""
+    def _build(db_path: Path) -> RecipeSuggestion | None:
+        store = Store(db_path)
+        try:
+            items = store.list_inventory(status="available")
+            pantry_set = {
+                item["product_name"]
+                for item in items
+                if item.get("product_name")
+            }
+            suggestion = build_from_selection(
+                template_slug=req.template_id,
+                role_overrides=req.role_overrides,
+                pantry_set=pantry_set,
+            )
+            if suggestion is None:
+                return None
+            # Persist to recipes table so the result can be saved/bookmarked.
+            # external_id encodes template + selections for stable dedup.
+            import hashlib as _hl, json as _js
+            sel_hash = _hl.md5(
+                _js.dumps(req.role_overrides, sort_keys=True).encode()
+            ).hexdigest()[:8]
+            external_id = f"assembly:{req.template_id}:{sel_hash}"
+            real_id = store.upsert_built_recipe(
+                external_id=external_id,
+                title=suggestion.title,
+                ingredients=suggestion.matched_ingredients,
+                directions=suggestion.directions,
+            )
+            return suggestion.model_copy(update={"id": real_id})
+        finally:
+            store.close()
+
+    result = await asyncio.to_thread(_build, session.db)
+    if result is None:
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=404,
+            detail="Template not found or required ingredient missing.",
+        )
+    return result
+
+
 @router.get("/{recipe_id}")
 async def get_recipe(recipe_id: int, session: CloudUser = Depends(get_session)) -> dict:
     def _get(db_path: Path, rid: int) -> dict | None:
diff --git a/app/api/routes.py b/app/api/routes.py
index e0ea172..69b5190 100644
--- a/app/api/routes.py
+++ b/app/api/routes.py
@@ -1,17 +1,20 @@
 from fastapi import APIRouter
-from app.api.endpoints import health, receipts, export, inventory, ocr, recipes, settings, staples, feedback, household, saved_recipes, meal_plans
+from app.api.endpoints import health, receipts, export, inventory, ocr, recipes, settings, staples, feedback, household, saved_recipes, imitate, meal_plans
+from app.api.endpoints.community import router as community_router
 
 api_router = APIRouter()
 
-api_router.include_router(health.router,        prefix="/health",       tags=["health"])
-api_router.include_router(receipts.router,      prefix="/receipts",     tags=["receipts"])
-api_router.include_router(ocr.router,           prefix="/receipts",     tags=["ocr"])
-api_router.include_router(export.router,                                tags=["export"])
-api_router.include_router(inventory.router,     prefix="/inventory",    tags=["inventory"])
-api_router.include_router(recipes.router,       prefix="/recipes",      tags=["recipes"])
-api_router.include_router(settings.router,      prefix="/settings",     tags=["settings"])
-api_router.include_router(staples.router,       prefix="/staples",      tags=["staples"])
-api_router.include_router(feedback.router,      prefix="/feedback",     tags=["feedback"])
-api_router.include_router(household.router,     prefix="/household",    tags=["household"])
-api_router.include_router(saved_recipes.router, prefix="/recipes/saved", tags=["saved-recipes"])
-api_router.include_router(meal_plans.router,    prefix="/meal-plans",   tags=["meal-plans"])
\ No newline at end of file
+api_router.include_router(health.router,         prefix="/health",         tags=["health"])
+api_router.include_router(receipts.router,       prefix="/receipts",       tags=["receipts"])
+api_router.include_router(ocr.router,            prefix="/receipts",       tags=["ocr"])
+api_router.include_router(export.router,                                   tags=["export"])
+api_router.include_router(inventory.router,      prefix="/inventory",      tags=["inventory"])
+api_router.include_router(saved_recipes.router,  prefix="/recipes/saved",  tags=["saved-recipes"])
+api_router.include_router(recipes.router,        prefix="/recipes",        tags=["recipes"])
+api_router.include_router(settings.router,       prefix="/settings",       tags=["settings"])
+api_router.include_router(staples.router,        prefix="/staples",        tags=["staples"])
+api_router.include_router(feedback.router,       prefix="/feedback",       tags=["feedback"])
+api_router.include_router(household.router,      prefix="/household",      tags=["household"])
+api_router.include_router(imitate.router,        prefix="/imitate",        tags=["imitate"])
+api_router.include_router(meal_plans.router,     prefix="/meal-plans",     tags=["meal-plans"])
+api_router.include_router(community_router)
diff --git a/app/cloud_session.py b/app/cloud_session.py
index ee6c583..7649408 100644
--- a/app/cloud_session.py
+++ b/app/cloud_session.py
@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ class CloudUser:
     has_byok: bool    # True if a configured LLM backend is present in llm.yaml
     household_id: str | None = None
     is_household_owner: bool = False
+    license_key: str | None = None  # key_display for lifetime/founders keys; None for subscription/free
 
 
 # ── JWT validation ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -132,16 +133,16 @@ def _ensure_provisioned(user_id: str) -> None:
         log.warning("Heimdall provision failed for user %s: %s", user_id, exc)
 
 
-def _fetch_cloud_tier(user_id: str) -> tuple[str, str | None, bool]:
-    """Returns (tier, household_id | None, is_household_owner)."""
+def _fetch_cloud_tier(user_id: str) -> tuple[str, str | None, bool, str | None]:
+    """Returns (tier, household_id | None, is_household_owner, license_key | None)."""
     now = time.monotonic()
     cached = _TIER_CACHE.get(user_id)
     if cached and (now - cached[1]) < _TIER_CACHE_TTL:
         entry = cached[0]
-        return entry["tier"], entry.get("household_id"), entry.get("is_household_owner", False)
+        return entry["tier"], entry.get("household_id"), entry.get("is_household_owner", False), entry.get("license_key")
 
     if not HEIMDALL_ADMIN_TOKEN:
-        return "free", None, False
+        return "free", None, False, None
     try:
         resp = requests.post(
             f"{HEIMDALL_URL}/admin/cloud/resolve",
@@ -153,12 +154,13 @@ def _fetch_cloud_tier(user_id: str) -> tuple[str, str | None, bool]:
         tier = data.get("tier", "free")
         household_id = data.get("household_id")
         is_owner = data.get("is_household_owner", False)
+        license_key = data.get("key_display")
     except Exception as exc:
         log.warning("Heimdall tier resolve failed for user %s: %s", user_id, exc)
-        tier, household_id, is_owner = "free", None, False
+        tier, household_id, is_owner, license_key = "free", None, False, None
 
-    _TIER_CACHE[user_id] = ({"tier": tier, "household_id": household_id, "is_household_owner": is_owner}, now)
-    return tier, household_id, is_owner
+    _TIER_CACHE[user_id] = ({"tier": tier, "household_id": household_id, "is_household_owner": is_owner, "license_key": license_key}, now)
+    return tier, household_id, is_owner, license_key
 
 
 def _user_db_path(user_id: str, household_id: str | None = None) -> Path:
@@ -170,6 +172,13 @@ def _user_db_path(user_id: str, household_id: str | None = None) -> Path:
     return path
 
 
+def _anon_db_path() -> Path:
+    """Ephemeral DB for unauthenticated guest visitors (Free tier, no persistence)."""
+    path = CLOUD_DATA_ROOT / "anonymous" / "kiwi.db"
+    path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    return path
+
+
 # ── BYOK detection ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 _LLM_CONFIG_PATH = Path.home() / ".config" / "circuitforge" / "llm.yaml"
@@ -225,15 +234,25 @@ def get_session(request: Request) -> CloudUser:
         or request.headers.get("cookie", "")
     )
     if not raw_header:
-        raise HTTPException(status_code=401, detail="Not authenticated")
+        return CloudUser(
+            user_id="anonymous",
+            tier="free",
+            db=_anon_db_path(),
+            has_byok=has_byok,
+        )
 
     token = _extract_session_token(raw_header)  # gitleaks:allow — function name, not a secret
     if not token:
-        raise HTTPException(status_code=401, detail="Not authenticated")
+        return CloudUser(
+            user_id="anonymous",
+            tier="free",
+            db=_anon_db_path(),
+            has_byok=has_byok,
+        )
 
     user_id = validate_session_jwt(token)
     _ensure_provisioned(user_id)
-    tier, household_id, is_household_owner = _fetch_cloud_tier(user_id)
+    tier, household_id, is_household_owner, license_key = _fetch_cloud_tier(user_id)
     return CloudUser(
         user_id=user_id,
         tier=tier,
@@ -241,6 +260,7 @@ def get_session(request: Request) -> CloudUser:
         has_byok=has_byok,
         household_id=household_id,
         is_household_owner=is_household_owner,
+        license_key=license_key,
     )
 
 
diff --git a/app/core/config.py b/app/core/config.py
index 091b574..fa55bc1 100644
--- a/app/core/config.py
+++ b/app/core/config.py
@@ -35,6 +35,16 @@ class Settings:
     # Database
     DB_PATH: Path = Path(os.environ.get("DB_PATH", str(DATA_DIR / "kiwi.db")))
 
+    # Community feature settings
+    COMMUNITY_DB_URL: str | None = os.environ.get("COMMUNITY_DB_URL") or None
+    COMMUNITY_PSEUDONYM_SALT: str = os.environ.get(
+        "COMMUNITY_PSEUDONYM_SALT", "kiwi-default-salt-change-in-prod"
+    )
+    COMMUNITY_CLOUD_FEED_URL: str = os.environ.get(
+        "COMMUNITY_CLOUD_FEED_URL",
+        "https://menagerie.circuitforge.tech/kiwi/api/v1/community/posts",
+    )
+
     # Processing
     MAX_CONCURRENT_JOBS: int = int(os.environ.get("MAX_CONCURRENT_JOBS", "4"))
     USE_GPU: bool = os.environ.get("USE_GPU", "true").lower() in ("1", "true", "yes")
diff --git a/app/db/migrations/022_recipe_generic_flag.sql b/app/db/migrations/022_recipe_generic_flag.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a1600fb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/db/migrations/022_recipe_generic_flag.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+-- Migration 022: Add is_generic flag to recipes
+-- Generic recipes are catch-all/dump recipes with loose ingredient lists
+-- that should not appear in Level 1 (deterministic "use what I have") results.
+-- Admins can mark recipes via the recipe editor or a bulk backfill script.
+ALTER TABLE recipes ADD COLUMN is_generic INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0;
diff --git a/app/db/migrations/028_community_pseudonyms.sql b/app/db/migrations/028_community_pseudonyms.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d5fede0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/db/migrations/028_community_pseudonyms.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+-- 028_community_pseudonyms.sql
+-- Per-user pseudonym store: maps the user's chosen community display name
+-- to their Directus user ID. This table lives in per-user kiwi.db only.
+-- It is NEVER replicated to the community PostgreSQL — pseudonym isolation is by design.
+--
+-- A user may have one active pseudonym. Old pseudonyms are retained for reference
+-- (posts published under them keep their pseudonym attribution) but only one is
+-- flagged as current (is_current = 1).
+
+CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS community_pseudonyms (
+    id              INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,
+    pseudonym       TEXT NOT NULL,
+    directus_user_id TEXT NOT NULL,
+    is_current      INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 1 CHECK (is_current IN (0, 1)),
+    created_at      TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT (datetime('now'))
+);
+
+-- Only one pseudonym can be current at a time per user
+CREATE UNIQUE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_community_pseudonyms_current
+    ON community_pseudonyms (directus_user_id)
+    WHERE is_current = 1;
diff --git a/app/db/migrations/029_inferred_tags.sql b/app/db/migrations/029_inferred_tags.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bf70d5f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/db/migrations/029_inferred_tags.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+-- Migration 029: Add inferred_tags column and update FTS index to include it.
+--
+-- inferred_tags holds a JSON array of normalized tag strings derived by
+-- scripts/pipeline/infer_recipe_tags.py (e.g. ["cuisine:Italian",
+-- "dietary:Low-Carb", "flavor:Umami", "can_be:Gluten-Free"]).
+--
+-- The FTS5 browser table is rebuilt to index inferred_tags alongside
+-- category and keywords so browse domain queries match against all signals.
+
+-- 1. Add inferred_tags column (empty array default; populated by pipeline run)
+ALTER TABLE recipes ADD COLUMN inferred_tags TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT '[]';
+
+-- 2. Drop old FTS table and triggers that only covered category + keywords
+DROP TRIGGER IF EXISTS recipes_ai;
+DROP TRIGGER IF EXISTS recipes_ad;
+DROP TRIGGER IF EXISTS recipes_au;
+DROP TABLE IF EXISTS recipe_browser_fts;
+
+-- 3. Recreate FTS5 table: now indexes category, keywords, AND inferred_tags
+CREATE VIRTUAL TABLE recipe_browser_fts USING fts5(
+    category,
+    keywords,
+    inferred_tags,
+    content=recipes,
+    content_rowid=id
+);
+
+-- 4. Triggers to keep FTS in sync with recipes table changes
+CREATE TRIGGER recipes_ai AFTER INSERT ON recipes BEGIN
+    INSERT INTO recipe_browser_fts(rowid, category, keywords, inferred_tags)
+    VALUES (new.id, new.category, new.keywords, new.inferred_tags);
+END;
+
+CREATE TRIGGER recipes_ad AFTER DELETE ON recipes BEGIN
+    INSERT INTO recipe_browser_fts(recipe_browser_fts, rowid, category, keywords, inferred_tags)
+    VALUES ('delete', old.id, old.category, old.keywords, old.inferred_tags);
+END;
+
+CREATE TRIGGER recipes_au AFTER UPDATE ON recipes BEGIN
+    INSERT INTO recipe_browser_fts(recipe_browser_fts, rowid, category, keywords, inferred_tags)
+    VALUES ('delete', old.id, old.category, old.keywords, old.inferred_tags);
+    INSERT INTO recipe_browser_fts(rowid, category, keywords, inferred_tags)
+    VALUES (new.id, new.category, new.keywords, new.inferred_tags);
+END;
+
+-- 5. Populate FTS from current table state
+-- (inferred_tags is '[]' for all rows at this point; run infer_recipe_tags.py
+--  to populate, then the FTS will be rebuilt as part of that script.)
+INSERT INTO recipe_browser_fts(recipe_browser_fts) VALUES('rebuild');
diff --git a/app/db/store.py b/app/db/store.py
index 576ac55..de838c0 100644
--- a/app/db/store.py
+++ b/app/db/store.py
@@ -573,6 +573,7 @@ class Store:
         max_carbs_g: float | None = None,
         max_sodium_mg: float | None = None,
         excluded_ids: list[int] | None = None,
+        exclude_generic: bool = False,
     ) -> list[dict]:
         """Find recipes containing any of the given ingredient names.
         Scores by match count and returns highest-scoring first.
@@ -582,6 +583,9 @@ class Store:
 
         Nutrition filters use NULL-passthrough: rows without nutrition data
         always pass (they may be estimated or absent entirely).
+
+        exclude_generic: when True, skips recipes marked is_generic=1.
+        Pass True for Level 1 ("Use What I Have") to suppress catch-all recipes.
         """
         if not ingredient_names:
             return []
@@ -607,6 +611,8 @@ class Store:
             placeholders = ",".join("?" * len(excluded_ids))
             extra_clauses.append(f"r.id NOT IN ({placeholders})")
             extra_params.extend(excluded_ids)
+        if exclude_generic:
+            extra_clauses.append("r.is_generic = 0")
         where_extra = (" AND " + " AND ".join(extra_clauses)) if extra_clauses else ""
 
         if self._fts_ready():
@@ -682,6 +688,67 @@ class Store:
     def get_recipe(self, recipe_id: int) -> dict | None:
         return self._fetch_one("SELECT * FROM recipes WHERE id = ?", (recipe_id,))
 
+    def upsert_built_recipe(
+        self,
+        external_id: str,
+        title: str,
+        ingredients: list[str],
+        directions: list[str],
+    ) -> int:
+        """Persist an assembly-built recipe and return its DB id.
+
+        Uses external_id as a stable dedup key so the same build slug doesn't
+        accumulate duplicate rows across multiple user sessions.
+        """
+        import json as _json
+        self.conn.execute(
+            """
+            INSERT OR IGNORE INTO recipes
+              (external_id, title, ingredients, ingredient_names, directions, source)
+            VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, 'assembly')
+            """,
+            (
+                external_id,
+                title,
+                _json.dumps(ingredients),
+                _json.dumps(ingredients),
+                _json.dumps(directions),
+            ),
+        )
+        # Update title in case the build was re-run with tweaked selections
+        self.conn.execute(
+            "UPDATE recipes SET title = ? WHERE external_id = ?",
+            (title, external_id),
+        )
+        self.conn.commit()
+        row = self._fetch_one(
+            "SELECT id FROM recipes WHERE external_id = ?", (external_id,)
+        )
+        return row["id"]  # type: ignore[index]
+
+    def get_element_profiles(self, names: list[str]) -> dict[str, list[str]]:
+        """Return {ingredient_name: [element_tag, ...]} for the given names.
+
+        Only names present in ingredient_profiles are returned -- missing names
+        are silently omitted so callers can distinguish "no profile" from "empty
+        elements list".
+        """
+        if not names:
+            return {}
+        placeholders = ",".join("?" * len(names))
+        rows = self._fetch_all(
+            f"SELECT name, elements FROM ingredient_profiles WHERE name IN ({placeholders})",
+            tuple(names),
+        )
+        result: dict[str, list[str]] = {}
+        for row in rows:
+            try:
+                elements = json.loads(row["elements"]) if row["elements"] else []
+            except (json.JSONDecodeError, TypeError):
+                elements = []
+            result[row["name"]] = elements
+        return result
+
     # ── rate limits ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
     def check_and_increment_rate_limit(
@@ -1128,3 +1195,31 @@ class Store:
         )
         self.conn.commit()
         return self._fetch_one("SELECT * FROM prep_tasks WHERE id = ?", (task_id,))
+
+    # ── community ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+    def get_current_pseudonym(self, directus_user_id: str) -> str | None:
+        """Return the current community pseudonym for this user, or None if not set."""
+        cur = self.conn.execute(
+            "SELECT pseudonym FROM community_pseudonyms "
+            "WHERE directus_user_id = ? AND is_current = 1 LIMIT 1",
+            (directus_user_id,),
+        )
+        row = cur.fetchone()
+        return row["pseudonym"] if row else None
+
+    def set_pseudonym(self, directus_user_id: str, pseudonym: str) -> None:
+        """Set the current community pseudonym for this user.
+
+        Marks any previous pseudonym as non-current (retains history for attribution).
+        """
+        self.conn.execute(
+            "UPDATE community_pseudonyms SET is_current = 0 WHERE directus_user_id = ?",
+            (directus_user_id,),
+        )
+        self.conn.execute(
+            "INSERT INTO community_pseudonyms (pseudonym, directus_user_id, is_current) "
+            "VALUES (?, ?, 1)",
+            (pseudonym, directus_user_id),
+        )
+        self.conn.commit()
diff --git a/app/main.py b/app/main.py
index c5ccec3..0e79e63 100644
--- a/app/main.py
+++ b/app/main.py
@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@ async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
     get_scheduler(settings.DB_PATH)
     logger.info("Task scheduler started.")
 
+    # Initialize community store (no-op if COMMUNITY_DB_URL is not set)
+    from app.api.endpoints.community import init_community_store
+    init_community_store(settings.COMMUNITY_DB_URL)
+
     yield
 
     # Graceful scheduler shutdown
diff --git a/app/models/schemas/recipe.py b/app/models/schemas/recipe.py
index 873f893..80d2129 100644
--- a/app/models/schemas/recipe.py
+++ b/app/models/schemas/recipe.py
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ class RecipeResult(BaseModel):
     grocery_links: list[GroceryLink] = Field(default_factory=list)
     rate_limited: bool = False
     rate_limit_count: int = 0
+    orch_fallback: bool = False  # True when orch budget exhausted; fell back to local LLM
 
 
 class NutritionFilters(BaseModel):
@@ -82,3 +83,48 @@ class RecipeRequest(BaseModel):
     nutrition_filters: NutritionFilters = Field(default_factory=NutritionFilters)
     excluded_ids: list[int] = Field(default_factory=list)
     shopping_mode: bool = False
+
+
+# ── Build Your Own schemas ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+class AssemblyRoleOut(BaseModel):
+    """One role slot in a template, as returned by GET /api/recipes/templates."""
+
+    display: str
+    required: bool
+    keywords: list[str]
+    hint: str = ""
+
+
+class AssemblyTemplateOut(BaseModel):
+    """One assembly template, as returned by GET /api/recipes/templates."""
+
+    id: str  # slug, e.g. "burrito_taco"
+    title: str
+    icon: str
+    descriptor: str
+    role_sequence: list[AssemblyRoleOut]
+
+
+class RoleCandidateItem(BaseModel):
+    """One candidate ingredient for a wizard picker step."""
+
+    name: str
+    in_pantry: bool
+    tags: list[str] = Field(default_factory=list)
+
+
+class RoleCandidatesResponse(BaseModel):
+    """Response from GET /api/recipes/template-candidates."""
+
+    compatible: list[RoleCandidateItem] = Field(default_factory=list)
+    other: list[RoleCandidateItem] = Field(default_factory=list)
+    available_tags: list[str] = Field(default_factory=list)
+
+
+class BuildRequest(BaseModel):
+    """Request body for POST /api/recipes/build."""
+
+    template_id: str
+    role_overrides: dict[str, str] = Field(default_factory=dict)
diff --git a/app/services/community/__init__.py b/app/services/community/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/app/services/community/ap_compat.py b/app/services/community/ap_compat.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4b5bf59
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/services/community/ap_compat.py
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+# app/services/community/ap_compat.py
+# MIT License — AP scaffold only (no actor, inbox, outbox)
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+
+
+def post_to_ap_json_ld(post: dict, base_url: str) -> dict:
+    """Serialize a community post dict to an ActivityPub-compatible JSON-LD Note.
+
+    This is a read-only scaffold. No AP actor, inbox, or outbox.
+    The slug URI is stable so a future full AP implementation can reuse posts
+    without a DB migration.
+    """
+    slug = post["slug"]
+    published = post.get("published")
+    if isinstance(published, datetime):
+        published_str = published.astimezone(timezone.utc).strftime("%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ")
+    else:
+        published_str = str(published)
+
+    dietary_tags: list[str] = post.get("dietary_tags") or []
+    tags = [{"type": "Hashtag", "name": "#kiwi"}]
+    for tag in dietary_tags:
+        tags.append({"type": "Hashtag", "name": f"#{tag.replace('-', '').replace(' ', '')}"})
+
+    return {
+        "@context": "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams",
+        "type": "Note",
+        "id": f"{base_url}/api/v1/community/posts/{slug}",
+        "attributedTo": post.get("pseudonym", "anonymous"),
+        "content": _build_content(post),
+        "published": published_str,
+        "tag": tags,
+    }
+
+
+def _build_content(post: dict) -> str:
+    title = post.get("title") or "Untitled"
+    desc = post.get("description")
+    if desc:
+        return f"{title} — {desc}"
+    return title
diff --git a/app/services/community/community_store.py b/app/services/community/community_store.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bd8eeea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/services/community/community_store.py
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+# app/services/community/community_store.py
+# MIT License
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import logging
+
+from circuitforge_core.community import CommunityPost, SharedStore
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+class KiwiCommunityStore(SharedStore):
+    """Kiwi-specific community store: adds kiwi-domain query methods on top of SharedStore."""
+
+    def list_meal_plans(
+        self,
+        limit: int = 20,
+        offset: int = 0,
+        dietary_tags: list[str] | None = None,
+        allergen_exclude: list[str] | None = None,
+    ) -> list[CommunityPost]:
+        return self.list_posts(
+            limit=limit,
+            offset=offset,
+            post_type="plan",
+            dietary_tags=dietary_tags,
+            allergen_exclude=allergen_exclude,
+            source_product="kiwi",
+        )
+
+    def list_outcomes(
+        self,
+        limit: int = 20,
+        offset: int = 0,
+        post_type: str | None = None,
+    ) -> list[CommunityPost]:
+        if post_type in ("recipe_success", "recipe_blooper"):
+            return self.list_posts(
+                limit=limit,
+                offset=offset,
+                post_type=post_type,
+                source_product="kiwi",
+            )
+        success = self.list_posts(
+            limit=limit,
+            offset=0,
+            post_type="recipe_success",
+            source_product="kiwi",
+        )
+        bloopers = self.list_posts(
+            limit=limit,
+            offset=0,
+            post_type="recipe_blooper",
+            source_product="kiwi",
+        )
+        merged = sorted(success + bloopers, key=lambda p: p.published, reverse=True)
+        return merged[:limit]
+
+
+def get_or_create_pseudonym(
+    store,
+    directus_user_id: str,
+    requested_name: str | None,
+) -> str:
+    """Return the user's current pseudonym, creating it if it doesn't exist.
+
+    If the user has an existing pseudonym, return it (ignore requested_name).
+    If not, create using requested_name (must be provided for first-time setup).
+
+    Raises ValueError if no existing pseudonym and requested_name is None or blank.
+    """
+    existing = store.get_current_pseudonym(directus_user_id)
+    if existing:
+        return existing
+
+    if not requested_name or not requested_name.strip():
+        raise ValueError(
+            "A pseudonym is required for first publish. "
+            "Pass requested_name with the user's chosen display name."
+        )
+
+    name = requested_name.strip()
+    if "@" in name:
+        raise ValueError(
+            "Pseudonym must not contain '@' — use a display name, not an email address."
+        )
+
+    store.set_pseudonym(directus_user_id, name)
+    return name
diff --git a/app/services/community/element_snapshot.py b/app/services/community/element_snapshot.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1d850ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/services/community/element_snapshot.py
@@ -0,0 +1,138 @@
+# app/services/community/element_snapshot.py
+# MIT License
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+
+# Ingredient name substrings → allergen flag
+_ALLERGEN_MAP: dict[str, str] = {
+    "milk": "dairy", "cream": "dairy", "cheese": "dairy", "butter": "dairy",
+    "yogurt": "dairy", "whey": "dairy",
+    "egg": "eggs",
+    "wheat": "gluten", "pasta": "gluten", "flour": "gluten", "bread": "gluten",
+    "barley": "gluten", "rye": "gluten",
+    "peanut": "nuts", "almond": "nuts", "cashew": "nuts", "walnut": "nuts",
+    "pecan": "nuts", "hazelnut": "nuts", "pistachio": "nuts", "macadamia": "nuts",
+    "soy": "soy", "tofu": "soy", "edamame": "soy", "miso": "soy", "tempeh": "soy",
+    "shrimp": "shellfish", "crab": "shellfish", "lobster": "shellfish",
+    "clam": "shellfish", "mussel": "shellfish", "scallop": "shellfish",
+    "fish": "fish", "salmon": "fish", "tuna": "fish", "cod": "fish",
+    "tilapia": "fish", "halibut": "fish",
+    "sesame": "sesame",
+}
+
+_MEAT_KEYWORDS = frozenset([
+    "chicken", "beef", "pork", "lamb", "turkey", "bacon", "ham", "sausage",
+    "salami", "prosciutto", "guanciale", "pancetta", "steak", "ground meat",
+    "mince", "veal", "duck", "venison", "bison", "lard",
+])
+_SEAFOOD_KEYWORDS = frozenset([
+    "fish", "shrimp", "crab", "lobster", "tuna", "salmon", "clam", "mussel",
+    "scallop", "anchovy", "sardine", "cod", "tilapia",
+])
+_ANIMAL_PRODUCT_KEYWORDS = frozenset([
+    "milk", "cream", "cheese", "butter", "egg", "honey", "yogurt", "whey",
+])
+
+
+def _detect_allergens(ingredient_names: list[str]) -> list[str]:
+    found: set[str] = set()
+    lowered = [n.lower() for n in ingredient_names]
+    for ingredient in lowered:
+        for keyword, flag in _ALLERGEN_MAP.items():
+            if keyword in ingredient:
+                found.add(flag)
+    return sorted(found)
+
+
+def _detect_dietary_tags(ingredient_names: list[str]) -> list[str]:
+    lowered = [n.lower() for n in ingredient_names]
+    all_text = " ".join(lowered)
+
+    has_meat = any(k in all_text for k in _MEAT_KEYWORDS)
+    has_seafood = any(k in all_text for k in _SEAFOOD_KEYWORDS)
+    has_animal_products = any(k in all_text for k in _ANIMAL_PRODUCT_KEYWORDS)
+
+    tags: list[str] = []
+    if not has_meat and not has_seafood:
+        tags.append("vegetarian")
+    if not has_meat and not has_seafood and not has_animal_products:
+        tags.append("vegan")
+    return tags
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class ElementSnapshot:
+    seasoning_score: float
+    richness_score: float
+    brightness_score: float
+    depth_score: float
+    aroma_score: float
+    structure_score: float
+    texture_profile: str
+    dietary_tags: tuple
+    allergen_flags: tuple
+    flavor_molecules: tuple
+    fat_pct: float | None
+    protein_pct: float | None
+    moisture_pct: float | None
+
+
+def compute_snapshot(recipe_ids: list[int], store) -> ElementSnapshot:
+    """Compute an element snapshot from a list of recipe IDs.
+
+    Pulls SFAH scores, ingredient lists, and USDA FDC macros from the corpus.
+    Averages numeric scores across all recipes. Unions allergen flags and dietary tags.
+    Call at publish time only — snapshot is stored denormalized in community_posts.
+    """
+    if not recipe_ids:
+        return ElementSnapshot(
+            seasoning_score=0.0, richness_score=0.0, brightness_score=0.0,
+            depth_score=0.0, aroma_score=0.0, structure_score=0.0,
+            texture_profile="", dietary_tags=(), allergen_flags=(),
+            flavor_molecules=(), fat_pct=None, protein_pct=None, moisture_pct=None,
+        )
+
+    rows = store.get_recipes_by_ids(recipe_ids)
+    if not rows:
+        return ElementSnapshot(
+            seasoning_score=0.0, richness_score=0.0, brightness_score=0.0,
+            depth_score=0.0, aroma_score=0.0, structure_score=0.0,
+            texture_profile="", dietary_tags=(), allergen_flags=(),
+            flavor_molecules=(), fat_pct=None, protein_pct=None, moisture_pct=None,
+        )
+
+    def _avg(field: str) -> float:
+        vals = [r.get(field) or 0.0 for r in rows]
+        return sum(vals) / len(vals)
+
+    all_ingredients: list[str] = []
+    for r in rows:
+        names = r.get("ingredient_names") or []
+        all_ingredients.extend(names if isinstance(names, list) else [])
+
+    allergens = _detect_allergens(all_ingredients)
+    dietary = _detect_dietary_tags(all_ingredients)
+
+    texture = rows[0].get("texture_profile") or ""
+
+    fat_vals = [r.get("fat") for r in rows if r.get("fat") is not None]
+    prot_vals = [r.get("protein") for r in rows if r.get("protein") is not None]
+    moist_vals = [r.get("moisture") for r in rows if r.get("moisture") is not None]
+
+    return ElementSnapshot(
+        seasoning_score=_avg("seasoning_score"),
+        richness_score=_avg("richness_score"),
+        brightness_score=_avg("brightness_score"),
+        depth_score=_avg("depth_score"),
+        aroma_score=_avg("aroma_score"),
+        structure_score=_avg("structure_score"),
+        texture_profile=texture,
+        dietary_tags=tuple(dietary),
+        allergen_flags=tuple(allergens),
+        flavor_molecules=(),
+        fat_pct=(sum(fat_vals) / len(fat_vals)) if fat_vals else None,
+        protein_pct=(sum(prot_vals) / len(prot_vals)) if prot_vals else None,
+        moisture_pct=(sum(moist_vals) / len(moist_vals)) if moist_vals else None,
+    )
diff --git a/app/services/community/feed.py b/app/services/community/feed.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..36000b9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/services/community/feed.py
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+# app/services/community/feed.py
+# MIT License
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from email.utils import format_datetime
+from xml.etree.ElementTree import Element, SubElement, tostring
+
+
+def posts_to_rss(posts: list[dict], base_url: str) -> str:
+    """Generate an RSS 2.0 feed from a list of community post dicts.
+
+    base_url: the root URL of this Kiwi instance (no trailing slash).
+    Returns UTF-8 XML string.
+    """
+    rss = Element("rss", version="2.0")
+    channel = SubElement(rss, "channel")
+
+    _sub(channel, "title", "Kiwi Community Feed")
+    _sub(channel, "link", f"{base_url}/community")
+    _sub(channel, "description", "Meal plans and recipe outcomes from the Kiwi community")
+    _sub(channel, "language", "en")
+    _sub(channel, "lastBuildDate", format_datetime(datetime.now(timezone.utc)))
+
+    for post in posts:
+        item = SubElement(channel, "item")
+        _sub(item, "title", post.get("title") or "Untitled")
+        _sub(item, "link", f"{base_url}/api/v1/community/posts/{post['slug']}")
+        _sub(item, "guid", f"{base_url}/api/v1/community/posts/{post['slug']}")
+        if post.get("description"):
+            _sub(item, "description", post["description"])
+        published = post.get("published")
+        if isinstance(published, datetime):
+            _sub(item, "pubDate", format_datetime(published))
+
+    return '<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>\n' + tostring(rss, encoding="unicode")
+
+
+def _sub(parent: Element, tag: str, text: str) -> Element:
+    el = SubElement(parent, tag)
+    el.text = text
+    return el
diff --git a/app/services/community/mdns.py b/app/services/community/mdns.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..148780a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/services/community/mdns.py
@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+# app/services/community/mdns.py
+# MIT License
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import logging
+import socket
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+# Import deferred to avoid hard failure when zeroconf is not installed
+try:
+    from zeroconf import ServiceInfo, Zeroconf
+    _ZEROCONF_AVAILABLE = True
+except ImportError:
+    _ZEROCONF_AVAILABLE = False
+
+
+class KiwiMDNS:
+    """Advertise this Kiwi instance on the LAN via mDNS (_kiwi._tcp.local).
+
+    Defaults to disabled (enabled=False). User must explicitly opt in via the
+    Settings page. This matches the CF a11y requirement: no surprise broadcasting.
+
+    Usage:
+        mdns = KiwiMDNS(enabled=settings.MDNS_ENABLED, port=settings.PORT,
+                        feed_url=f"http://{hostname}:{settings.PORT}/api/v1/community/local-feed")
+        mdns.start()   # in lifespan startup
+        mdns.stop()    # in lifespan shutdown
+    """
+
+    SERVICE_TYPE = "_kiwi._tcp.local."
+
+    def __init__(self, enabled: bool, port: int, feed_url: str) -> None:
+        self._enabled = enabled
+        self._port = port
+        self._feed_url = feed_url
+        self._zc: "Zeroconf | None" = None
+        self._info: "ServiceInfo | None" = None
+
+    def start(self) -> None:
+        if not self._enabled:
+            logger.debug("mDNS advertisement disabled (user has not opted in)")
+            return
+        if not _ZEROCONF_AVAILABLE:
+            logger.warning("zeroconf package not installed — mDNS advertisement unavailable")
+            return
+
+        hostname = socket.gethostname()
+        service_name = f"kiwi-{hostname}.{self.SERVICE_TYPE}"
+        self._info = ServiceInfo(
+            type_=self.SERVICE_TYPE,
+            name=service_name,
+            port=self._port,
+            properties={
+                b"feed_url": self._feed_url.encode(),
+                b"version": b"1",
+            },
+            addresses=[socket.inet_aton("127.0.0.1")],
+        )
+        self._zc = Zeroconf()
+        self._zc.register_service(self._info)
+        logger.info("mDNS: advertising %s on port %d", service_name, self._port)
+
+    def stop(self) -> None:
+        if self._zc is None or self._info is None:
+            return
+        self._zc.unregister_service(self._info)
+        self._zc.close()
+        self._zc = None
+        self._info = None
+        logger.info("mDNS: advertisement stopped")
diff --git a/app/services/recipe/assembly_recipes.py b/app/services/recipe/assembly_recipes.py
index 3635d2a..c68e6ca 100644
--- a/app/services/recipe/assembly_recipes.py
+++ b/app/services/recipe/assembly_recipes.py
@@ -42,11 +42,21 @@ class AssemblyRole:
 class AssemblyTemplate:
     """A template assembly dish."""
     id: int
+    slug: str           # URL-safe identifier, e.g. "burrito_taco"
+    icon: str           # emoji
+    descriptor: str     # one-line description shown in template grid
     title: str
     required: list[AssemblyRole]
     optional: list[AssemblyRole]
     directions: list[str]
     notes: str = ""
+    # Per-role hints shown in the wizard picker header
+    # keys match role.display values; missing keys fall back to ""
+    role_hints: dict[str, str] = None  # type: ignore[assignment]
+
+    def __post_init__(self) -> None:
+        if self.role_hints is None:
+            self.role_hints = {}
 
 
 def _matches_role(role: AssemblyRole, pantry_set: set[str]) -> list[str]:
@@ -138,6 +148,9 @@ def _personalized_title(tmpl: AssemblyTemplate, pantry_set: set[str], seed: int)
 ASSEMBLY_TEMPLATES: list[AssemblyTemplate] = [
     AssemblyTemplate(
         id=-1,
+        slug="burrito_taco",
+        icon="🌯",
+        descriptor="Protein, veg, and sauce in a tortilla or over rice",
         title="Burrito / Taco",
         required=[
             AssemblyRole("tortilla or wrap", [
@@ -170,9 +183,21 @@ ASSEMBLY_TEMPLATES: list[AssemblyTemplate] = [
             "Fold in the sides and roll tightly. Optionally toast seam-side down 1-2 minutes.",
         ],
         notes="Works as a burrito (rolled), taco (folded), or quesadilla (cheese only, pressed flat).",
+        role_hints={
+            "tortilla or wrap": "The foundation -- what holds everything",
+            "protein": "The main filling",
+            "rice or starch": "Optional base layer",
+            "cheese": "Optional -- melts into the filling",
+            "salsa or sauce": "Optional -- adds moisture and heat",
+            "sour cream or yogurt": "Optional -- cool contrast to heat",
+            "vegetables": "Optional -- adds texture and colour",
+        },
     ),
     AssemblyTemplate(
         id=-2,
+        slug="fried_rice",
+        icon="🍳",
+        descriptor="Rice + egg + whatever's in the fridge",
         title="Fried Rice",
         required=[
             AssemblyRole("cooked rice", [
@@ -205,9 +230,21 @@ ASSEMBLY_TEMPLATES: list[AssemblyTemplate] = [
             "Season with soy sauce and any other sauces. Toss to combine.",
         ],
         notes="Add a fried egg on top. A drizzle of sesame oil at the end adds a lot.",
+        role_hints={
+            "cooked rice": "Day-old cold rice works best",
+            "protein": "Pre-cooked or raw -- cook before adding rice",
+            "soy sauce or seasoning": "The primary flavour driver",
+            "oil": "High smoke-point oil for high heat",
+            "egg": "Scrambled in the same pan",
+            "vegetables": "Add crunch and colour",
+            "garlic or ginger": "Aromatic base -- add first",
+        },
     ),
     AssemblyTemplate(
         id=-3,
+        slug="omelette_scramble",
+        icon="🥚",
+        descriptor="Eggs with fillings, pan-cooked",
         title="Omelette / Scramble",
         required=[
             AssemblyRole("eggs", ["egg"]),
@@ -238,9 +275,19 @@ ASSEMBLY_TEMPLATES: list[AssemblyTemplate] = [
             "Season and serve immediately.",
         ],
         notes="Works for breakfast, lunch, or a quick dinner. Any leftover vegetables work well.",
+        role_hints={
+            "eggs": "The base -- beat with a splash of water",
+            "cheese": "Fold in just before serving",
+            "vegetables": "Saute first, then add eggs",
+            "protein": "Cook through before adding eggs",
+            "herbs or seasoning": "Season at the end",
+        },
     ),
     AssemblyTemplate(
         id=-4,
+        slug="stir_fry",
+        icon="🥢",
+        descriptor="High-heat protein + veg in sauce",
         title="Stir Fry",
         required=[
             AssemblyRole("vegetables", [
@@ -271,9 +318,20 @@ ASSEMBLY_TEMPLATES: list[AssemblyTemplate] = [
             "Serve over rice or noodles.",
         ],
         notes="High heat is the key. Do not crowd the pan -- cook in batches if needed.",
+        role_hints={
+            "vegetables": "Cut to similar size for even cooking",
+            "starch base": "Serve under or toss with the stir fry",
+            "protein": "Cook first, remove, add back at end",
+            "sauce": "Add last -- toss for 1-2 minutes only",
+            "garlic or ginger": "Add early for aromatic base",
+            "oil": "High smoke-point oil only",
+        },
     ),
     AssemblyTemplate(
         id=-5,
+        slug="pasta",
+        icon="🍝",
+        descriptor="Pantry pasta with flexible sauce",
         title="Pasta with Whatever You Have",
         required=[
             AssemblyRole("pasta", [
@@ -307,9 +365,20 @@ ASSEMBLY_TEMPLATES: list[AssemblyTemplate] = [
             "Toss cooked pasta with sauce. Finish with cheese if using.",
         ],
         notes="Pasta water is the secret -- the starch thickens and binds any sauce.",
+        role_hints={
+            "pasta": "The base -- cook al dente, reserve pasta water",
+            "sauce base": "Simmer 5 min; pasta water loosens it",
+            "protein": "Cook through before adding sauce",
+            "cheese": "Finish off heat to avoid graininess",
+            "vegetables": "Saute until tender before adding sauce",
+            "garlic": "Saute in oil first -- the flavour foundation",
+        },
     ),
     AssemblyTemplate(
         id=-6,
+        slug="sandwich_wrap",
+        icon="🥪",
+        descriptor="Protein + veg between bread or in a wrap",
         title="Sandwich / Wrap",
         required=[
             AssemblyRole("bread or wrap", [
@@ -341,9 +410,19 @@ ASSEMBLY_TEMPLATES: list[AssemblyTemplate] = [
             "Press together and cut diagonally.",
         ],
         notes="Leftovers, deli meat, canned fish -- nearly anything works between bread.",
+        role_hints={
+            "bread or wrap": "Toast for better texture",
+            "protein": "Layer on first after condiments",
+            "cheese": "Goes on top of protein",
+            "condiment": "Spread on both inner surfaces",
+            "vegetables": "Top layer -- keeps bread from getting soggy",
+        },
     ),
     AssemblyTemplate(
         id=-7,
+        slug="grain_bowl",
+        icon="🥗",
+        descriptor="Grain base + protein + toppings + dressing",
         title="Grain Bowl",
         required=[
             AssemblyRole("grain base", [
@@ -377,9 +456,19 @@ ASSEMBLY_TEMPLATES: list[AssemblyTemplate] = [
             "Drizzle with dressing and add toppings.",
         ],
         notes="Great for meal prep -- cook grains and proteins in bulk, assemble bowls all week.",
+        role_hints={
+            "grain base": "Season while cooking -- bland grains sink the bowl",
+            "protein": "Slice or shred; arrange on top",
+            "vegetables": "Roast or saute for best flavour",
+            "dressing or sauce": "Drizzle last -- ties everything together",
+            "toppings": "Add crunch and contrast",
+        },
     ),
     AssemblyTemplate(
         id=-8,
+        slug="soup_stew",
+        icon="🥣",
+        descriptor="Liquid-based, flexible ingredients",
         title="Soup / Stew",
         required=[
             # Narrow to dedicated soup bases — tomato sauce and coconut milk are
@@ -415,9 +504,19 @@ ASSEMBLY_TEMPLATES: list[AssemblyTemplate] = [
             "Season to taste and simmer at least 20 minutes for flavors to develop.",
         ],
         notes="Soups and stews improve overnight in the fridge. Almost any combination works.",
+        role_hints={
+            "broth or stock": "The liquid base -- determines overall flavour",
+            "protein": "Brown first for deeper flavour",
+            "vegetables": "Dense veg first; quick-cooking veg last",
+            "starch thickener": "Adds body and turns soup into stew",
+            "seasoning": "Taste and adjust after 20 min simmer",
+        },
     ),
     AssemblyTemplate(
         id=-9,
+        slug="casserole_bake",
+        icon="🫙",
+        descriptor="Oven bake with protein, veg, starch",
         title="Casserole / Bake",
         required=[
             AssemblyRole("starch or base", [
@@ -457,9 +556,20 @@ ASSEMBLY_TEMPLATES: list[AssemblyTemplate] = [
             "Bake covered 25 minutes, then uncovered 15 minutes until golden and bubbly.",
         ],
         notes="Classic pantry dump dinner. Cream of anything soup is the universal binder.",
+        role_hints={
+            "starch or base": "Cook slightly underdone -- finishes in oven",
+            "binder or sauce": "Coats everything and holds the bake together",
+            "protein": "Pre-cook before mixing in",
+            "vegetables": "Chop small for even distribution",
+            "cheese topping": "Goes on last -- browns in the final 15 min",
+            "seasoning": "Casseroles need more salt than you think",
+        },
     ),
     AssemblyTemplate(
         id=-10,
+        slug="pancakes_quickbread",
+        icon="🥞",
+        descriptor="Batter-based; sweet or savory",
         title="Pancakes / Waffles / Quick Bread",
         required=[
             AssemblyRole("flour or baking mix", [
@@ -495,9 +605,20 @@ ASSEMBLY_TEMPLATES: list[AssemblyTemplate] = [
             "For muffins or quick bread: pour into greased pan, bake at 375 F until a toothpick comes out clean.",
         ],
         notes="Overmixing develops gluten and makes pancakes tough. Stop when just combined.",
+        role_hints={
+            "flour or baking mix": "Whisk dry ingredients together first",
+            "leavening or egg": "Activates rise -- don't skip",
+            "liquid": "Add to dry ingredients; lumps are fine",
+            "fat": "Adds richness and prevents sticking",
+            "sweetener": "Mix into wet ingredients",
+            "mix-ins": "Fold in last -- gently",
+        },
     ),
     AssemblyTemplate(
         id=-11,
+        slug="porridge_oatmeal",
+        icon="🌾",
+        descriptor="Oat or grain base with toppings",
         title="Porridge / Oatmeal",
         required=[
             AssemblyRole("oats or grain porridge", [
@@ -520,9 +641,20 @@ ASSEMBLY_TEMPLATES: list[AssemblyTemplate] = [
             "Top with fruit, nuts, or seeds and serve immediately.",
         ],
         notes="Overnight oats: skip cooking — soak oats in cold milk overnight in the fridge.",
+        role_hints={
+            "oats or grain porridge": "1 part oats to 2 parts liquid",
+            "liquid": "Use milk for creamier result",
+            "sweetener": "Stir in after cooking",
+            "fruit": "Add fresh on top or simmer dried fruit in",
+            "toppings": "Add last for crunch",
+            "spice": "Stir in with sweetener",
+        },
     ),
     AssemblyTemplate(
         id=-12,
+        slug="pie_pot_pie",
+        icon="🥧",
+        descriptor="Pastry or biscuit crust with filling",
         title="Pie / Pot Pie",
         required=[
             AssemblyRole("pastry or crust", [
@@ -561,9 +693,20 @@ ASSEMBLY_TEMPLATES: list[AssemblyTemplate] = [
             "For sweet pie: fill unbaked crust with fruit filling, top with second crust or crumble, bake similarly.",
         ],
         notes="Puff pastry from the freezer is the shortcut to impressive pot pies. Thaw in the fridge overnight.",
+        role_hints={
+            "pastry or crust": "Thaw puff pastry overnight in fridge",
+            "protein filling": "Cook through before adding to filling",
+            "vegetables": "Chop small; cook until just tender",
+            "sauce or binder": "Holds the filling together in the crust",
+            "seasoning": "Fillings need generous seasoning",
+            "sweet filling": "For dessert pies -- fruit + sugar",
+        },
     ),
     AssemblyTemplate(
         id=-13,
+        slug="pudding_custard",
+        icon="🍮",
+        descriptor="Dairy-based set dessert",
         title="Pudding / Custard",
         required=[
             AssemblyRole("dairy or dairy-free milk", [
@@ -601,10 +744,58 @@ ASSEMBLY_TEMPLATES: list[AssemblyTemplate] = [
             "Pour into dishes and refrigerate at least 2 hours to set.",
         ],
         notes="UK-style pudding is broad — bread pudding, rice pudding, spotted dick, treacle sponge all count.",
+        role_hints={
+            "dairy or dairy-free milk": "Heat until steaming before adding to eggs",
+            "thickener or set": "Cornstarch for stovetop; eggs for baked custard",
+            "sweetener or flavouring": "Signals dessert intent -- required",
+            "sweetener": "Adjust to taste",
+            "flavouring": "Add off-heat to preserve aroma",
+            "starchy base": "For bread pudding or rice pudding",
+            "fruit": "Layer in or fold through before setting",
+        },
     ),
 ]
 
 
+# Slug to template lookup (built once at import time)
+_TEMPLATE_BY_SLUG: dict[str, AssemblyTemplate] = {
+    t.slug: t for t in ASSEMBLY_TEMPLATES
+}
+
+
+def get_templates_for_api() -> list[dict]:
+    """Serialise all 13 templates for GET /api/recipes/templates.
+
+    Combines required and optional roles into a single ordered role_sequence
+    with required roles first.
+    """
+    out = []
+    for tmpl in ASSEMBLY_TEMPLATES:
+        roles = []
+        for role in tmpl.required:
+            roles.append({
+                "display": role.display,
+                "required": True,
+                "keywords": role.keywords,
+                "hint": tmpl.role_hints.get(role.display, ""),
+            })
+        for role in tmpl.optional:
+            roles.append({
+                "display": role.display,
+                "required": False,
+                "keywords": role.keywords,
+                "hint": tmpl.role_hints.get(role.display, ""),
+            })
+        out.append({
+            "id": tmpl.slug,
+            "title": tmpl.title,
+            "icon": tmpl.icon,
+            "descriptor": tmpl.descriptor,
+            "role_sequence": roles,
+        })
+    return out
+
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public API
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -679,3 +870,148 @@ def match_assembly_templates(
     # Sort by optional coverage descending — best-matched templates first
     results.sort(key=lambda s: s.match_count, reverse=True)
     return results
+
+
+def get_role_candidates(
+    template_slug: str,
+    role_display: str,
+    pantry_set: set[str],
+    prior_picks: list[str],
+    profile_index: dict[str, list[str]],
+) -> dict:
+    """Return ingredient candidates for one wizard step.
+
+    Splits candidates into 'compatible' (element overlap with prior picks)
+    and 'other' (valid for role but no overlap).
+
+    profile_index: {ingredient_name: [element_tag, ...]} -- pre-loaded from
+    Store.get_element_profiles() by the caller so this function stays DB-free.
+
+    Returns {"compatible": [...], "other": [...], "available_tags": [...]}
+    where each item is {"name": str, "in_pantry": bool, "tags": [str]}.
+    """
+    tmpl = _TEMPLATE_BY_SLUG.get(template_slug)
+    if tmpl is None:
+        return {"compatible": [], "other": [], "available_tags": []}
+
+    # Find the AssemblyRole for this display name
+    target_role: AssemblyRole | None = None
+    for role in tmpl.required + tmpl.optional:
+        if role.display == role_display:
+            target_role = role
+            break
+    if target_role is None:
+        return {"compatible": [], "other": [], "available_tags": []}
+
+    # Build prior-pick element set for compatibility scoring
+    prior_elements: set[str] = set()
+    for pick in prior_picks:
+        prior_elements.update(profile_index.get(pick, []))
+
+    # Find pantry items that match this role
+    pantry_matches = _matches_role(target_role, pantry_set)
+
+    # Build keyword-based "other" candidates from role keywords not in pantry
+    pantry_lower = {p.lower() for p in pantry_set}
+    other_names: list[str] = []
+    for kw in target_role.keywords:
+        if not any(kw in item.lower() for item in pantry_lower):
+            if len(kw) >= 4:
+                other_names.append(kw.title())
+
+    def _make_item(name: str, in_pantry: bool) -> dict:
+        tags = profile_index.get(name, profile_index.get(name.lower(), []))
+        return {"name": name, "in_pantry": in_pantry, "tags": tags}
+
+    # Score: compatible if shares any element with prior picks (or no prior picks yet)
+    compatible: list[dict] = []
+    other: list[dict] = []
+    for name in pantry_matches:
+        item_elements = set(profile_index.get(name, []))
+        item = _make_item(name, in_pantry=True)
+        if not prior_elements or item_elements & prior_elements:
+            compatible.append(item)
+        else:
+            other.append(item)
+
+    for name in other_names:
+        other.append(_make_item(name, in_pantry=False))
+
+    # available_tags: union of all tags in the full candidate set
+    all_tags: set[str] = set()
+    for item in compatible + other:
+        all_tags.update(item["tags"])
+
+    return {
+        "compatible": compatible,
+        "other": other,
+        "available_tags": sorted(all_tags),
+    }
+
+
+def build_from_selection(
+    template_slug: str,
+    role_overrides: dict[str, str],
+    pantry_set: set[str],
+) -> "RecipeSuggestion | None":
+    """Build a RecipeSuggestion from explicit role selections.
+
+    role_overrides: {role.display -> chosen pantry item name}
+
+    Returns None if template not found or any required role is uncovered.
+    """
+    tmpl = _TEMPLATE_BY_SLUG.get(template_slug)
+    if tmpl is None:
+        return None
+
+    seed = _pantry_hash(pantry_set)
+
+    # Validate required roles: covered by override OR pantry match
+    matched_required: list[str] = []
+    for role in tmpl.required:
+        chosen = role_overrides.get(role.display)
+        if chosen:
+            matched_required.append(chosen)
+        else:
+            hits = _matches_role(role, pantry_set)
+            if not hits:
+                return None
+            matched_required.append(_pick_one(hits, seed + tmpl.id))
+
+    # Collect optional matches (override preferred, then pantry match)
+    matched_optional: list[str] = []
+    for role in tmpl.optional:
+        chosen = role_overrides.get(role.display)
+        if chosen:
+            matched_optional.append(chosen)
+        else:
+            hits = _matches_role(role, pantry_set)
+            if hits:
+                matched_optional.append(_pick_one(hits, seed + tmpl.id))
+
+    all_matched = matched_required + matched_optional
+
+    # Build title: prefer override items for personalisation
+    effective_pantry = pantry_set | set(role_overrides.values())
+    title = _personalized_title(tmpl, effective_pantry, seed + tmpl.id)
+
+    # Items in role_overrides that aren't in the user's pantry = shopping list
+    missing = [
+        item for item in role_overrides.values()
+        if item and item not in pantry_set
+    ]
+
+    return RecipeSuggestion(
+        id=tmpl.id,
+        title=title,
+        match_count=len(all_matched),
+        element_coverage={},
+        swap_candidates=[],
+        matched_ingredients=all_matched,
+        missing_ingredients=missing,
+        directions=tmpl.directions,
+        notes=tmpl.notes,
+        level=1,
+        is_wildcard=False,
+        nutrition=None,
+    )
diff --git a/app/services/recipe/recipe_engine.py b/app/services/recipe/recipe_engine.py
index b526538..907d2be 100644
--- a/app/services/recipe/recipe_engine.py
+++ b/app/services/recipe/recipe_engine.py
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from app.db.store import Store
 
 from app.models.schemas.recipe import GroceryLink, NutritionPanel, RecipeRequest, RecipeResult, RecipeSuggestion, SwapCandidate
-from app.services.recipe.assembly_recipes import match_assembly_templates
 from app.services.recipe.element_classifier import ElementClassifier
 from app.services.recipe.grocery_links import GroceryLinkBuilder
 from app.services.recipe.substitution_engine import SubstitutionEngine
@@ -517,13 +516,6 @@ def _build_source_url(row: dict) -> str | None:
         return None
 
 
-_ASSEMBLY_TIER_LIMITS: dict[str, int] = {
-    "free": 2,
-    "paid": 4,
-    "premium": 6,
-}
-
-
 # Method complexity classification patterns
 _EASY_METHODS = re.compile(
     r"\b(microwave|mix|stir|blend|toast|assemble|heat)\b", re.IGNORECASE
@@ -637,6 +629,11 @@ class RecipeEngine:
             return gen.generate(req, profiles, gaps)
 
         # Level 1 & 2: deterministic path
+        # L1 ("Use What I Have") applies strict quality gates:
+        #   - exclude_generic: filter catch-all recipes at the DB level
+        #   - effective_max_missing: default to 2 when user hasn't set a cap
+        #   - match ratio: require ≥60% ingredient coverage to avoid low-signal results
+        _l1 = req.level == 1 and not req.shopping_mode
         nf = req.nutrition_filters
         rows = self._store.search_recipes_by_ingredients(
             req.pantry_items,
@@ -647,7 +644,16 @@ class RecipeEngine:
             max_carbs_g=nf.max_carbs_g,
             max_sodium_mg=nf.max_sodium_mg,
             excluded_ids=req.excluded_ids or [],
+            exclude_generic=_l1,
         )
+
+        # L1 strict defaults: cap missing ingredients and require a minimum ratio.
+        _L1_MAX_MISSING_DEFAULT = 2
+        _L1_MIN_MATCH_RATIO = 0.6
+        effective_max_missing = req.max_missing
+        if _l1 and effective_max_missing is None:
+            effective_max_missing = _L1_MAX_MISSING_DEFAULT
+
         suggestions = []
         hard_day_tier_map: dict[int, int] = {}  # recipe_id → tier when hard_day_mode
 
@@ -690,9 +696,17 @@ class RecipeEngine:
                     missing.append(n)
 
             # Filter by max_missing — skipped in shopping mode (user is willing to buy)
-            if not req.shopping_mode and req.max_missing is not None and len(missing) > req.max_missing:
+            if not req.shopping_mode and effective_max_missing is not None and len(missing) > effective_max_missing:
                 continue
 
+            # L1 match ratio gate: drop results where less than 60% of the recipe's
+            # ingredients are in the pantry. Prevents low-signal results like a
+            # 10-ingredient recipe matching on only one common item.
+            if _l1 and ingredient_names:
+                match_ratio = len(matched) / len(ingredient_names)
+                if match_ratio < _L1_MIN_MATCH_RATIO:
+                    continue
+
             # Filter and tier-rank by hard_day_mode
             if req.hard_day_mode:
                 directions: list[str] = row.get("directions") or []
@@ -761,39 +775,17 @@ class RecipeEngine:
                 source_url=_build_source_url(row),
             ))
 
-        # Assembly-dish templates (burrito, fried rice, pasta, etc.)
-        # Expiry boost: when expiry_first, the pantry_items list is already sorted
-        # by expiry urgency — treat the first slice as the "expiring" set so templates
-        # that use those items bubble up in the merged ranking.
-        expiring_set: set[str] = set()
-        if req.expiry_first:
-            expiring_set = _expand_pantry_set(req.pantry_items[:10])
-
-        assembly = match_assembly_templates(
-            pantry_items=req.pantry_items,
-            pantry_set=pantry_set,
-            excluded_ids=req.excluded_ids or [],
-            expiring_set=expiring_set,
-        )
-
-        # Cap by tier — lifted in shopping mode since missing-ingredient templates
-        # are desirable there (each fires an affiliate link opportunity).
-        if not req.shopping_mode:
-            assembly_limit = _ASSEMBLY_TIER_LIMITS.get(req.tier, 3)
-            assembly = assembly[:assembly_limit]
-
-        # Interleave: sort templates and corpus recipes together.
+        # Sort corpus results — assembly templates are now served from a dedicated tab.
         # Hard day mode: primary sort by tier (0=premade, 1=simple, 2=moderate),
-        # then by match_count within each tier. Assembly templates are inherently
-        # simple so they default to tier 1 when not in the tier map.
-        # Normal mode: sort by match_count only.
+        # then by match_count within each tier.
+        # Normal mode: sort by match_count descending.
         if req.hard_day_mode and hard_day_tier_map:
             suggestions = sorted(
-                assembly + suggestions,
+                suggestions,
                 key=lambda s: (hard_day_tier_map.get(s.id, 1), -s.match_count),
             )
         else:
-            suggestions = sorted(assembly + suggestions, key=lambda s: s.match_count, reverse=True)
+            suggestions = sorted(suggestions, key=lambda s: -s.match_count)
 
         # Build grocery list — deduplicated union of all missing ingredients
         seen: set[str] = set()
diff --git a/app/services/recipe/tag_inferrer.py b/app/services/recipe/tag_inferrer.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6302ed4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/services/recipe/tag_inferrer.py
@@ -0,0 +1,300 @@
+"""
+Recipe tag inference engine.
+
+Derives normalized tags from a recipe's title, ingredient names, existing corpus
+tags (category + keywords), enriched ingredient profile data, and optional
+nutrition data.
+
+Tags are organized into five namespaces:
+  cuisine:*     -- cuisine/region classification
+  dietary:*     -- dietary restriction / nutrition profile
+  flavor:*      -- flavor profile (spicy, smoky, sweet, etc.)
+  time:*        -- effort / time signals
+  meal:*        -- meal type
+  can_be:*      -- achievable with substitutions (e.g. can_be:Gluten-Free)
+
+Output is a flat sorted list of strings, e.g.:
+  ["can_be:Gluten-Free", "cuisine:Italian", "dietary:Low-Carb",
+   "flavor:Savory", "flavor:Umami", "time:Quick"]
+
+These populate recipes.inferred_tags and are FTS5-indexed so browse domain
+queries find recipes the food.com corpus tags alone would miss.
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Text-signal tables
+# (tag, [case-insensitive substrings to search in combined title+ingredient text])
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+_CUISINE_SIGNALS: list[tuple[str, list[str]]] = [
+    ("cuisine:Japanese",       ["miso", "dashi", "ramen", "sushi", "teriyaki", "sake", "mirin",
+                                  "wasabi", "panko", "edamame", "tonkatsu", "yakitori", "ponzu"]),
+    ("cuisine:Korean",         ["gochujang", "kimchi", "doenjang", "gochugaru",
+                                  "bulgogi", "bibimbap", "japchae"]),
+    ("cuisine:Thai",           ["fish sauce", "lemongrass", "galangal", "pad thai", "thai basil",
+                                  "kaffir lime", "tom yum", "green curry", "red curry", "nam pla"]),
+    ("cuisine:Chinese",        ["hoisin", "oyster sauce", "five spice", "bok choy", "chow mein",
+                                  "dumpling", "wonton", "mapo", "char siu", "sichuan"]),
+    ("cuisine:Vietnamese",     ["pho", "banh mi", "nuoc cham", "rice paper", "vietnamese"]),
+    ("cuisine:Indian",         ["garam masala", "turmeric", "cardamom", "fenugreek", "paneer",
+                                  "tikka", "masala", "biryani", "dal", "naan", "tandoori",
+                                  "curry leaf", "tamarind", "chutney"]),
+    ("cuisine:Middle Eastern", ["tahini", "harissa", "za'atar", "sumac", "baharat", "rose water",
+                                  "pomegranate molasses", "freekeh", "fattoush", "shakshuka"]),
+    ("cuisine:Greek",          ["feta", "tzatziki", "moussaka", "spanakopita", "orzo",
+                                  "kalamata", "gyro", "souvlaki", "dolma"]),
+    ("cuisine:Mediterranean",  ["hummus", "pita", "couscous", "preserved lemon"]),
+    ("cuisine:Italian",        ["pasta", "pizza", "risotto", "lasagna", "carbonara", "gnocchi",
+                                  "parmesan", "mozzarella", "ricotta", "prosciutto", "pancetta",
+                                  "arancini", "osso buco", "tiramisu", "pesto", "bolognese",
+                                  "cannoli", "polenta", "bruschetta", "focaccia"]),
+    ("cuisine:French",         ["croissant", "quiche", "crepe", "coq au vin",
+                                  "ratatouille", "bearnaise", "hollandaise", "bouillabaisse",
+                                  "herbes de provence", "dijon", "gruyere", "brie", "cassoulet"]),
+    ("cuisine:Spanish",        ["paella", "chorizo", "gazpacho", "tapas", "patatas bravas",
+                                  "sofrito", "manchego", "albondigas"]),
+    ("cuisine:German",         ["sauerkraut", "bratwurst", "schnitzel", "pretzel", "strudel",
+                                  "spaetzle", "sauerbraten"]),
+    ("cuisine:Mexican",        ["taco", "burrito", "enchilada", "salsa", "guacamole", "chipotle",
+                                  "queso", "tamale", "mole", "jalapeno", "tortilla", "carnitas",
+                                  "chile verde", "posole", "tostada", "quesadilla"]),
+    ("cuisine:Latin American", ["plantain", "yuca", "chimichurri", "ceviche", "adobo", "empanada"]),
+    ("cuisine:American",       ["bbq sauce", "buffalo sauce", "ranch dressing", "coleslaw",
+                                  "cornbread", "mac and cheese", "brisket", "cheeseburger"]),
+    ("cuisine:Southern",       ["collard greens", "black-eyed peas", "okra", "grits", "catfish",
+                                  "hush puppies", "pecan pie"]),
+    ("cuisine:Cajun",          ["cajun", "creole", "gumbo", "jambalaya", "andouille", "etouffee"]),
+    ("cuisine:African",        ["injera", "berbere", "jollof", "suya", "egusi", "fufu", "tagine"]),
+    ("cuisine:Caribbean",      ["jerk", "scotch bonnet", "callaloo", "ackee"]),
+]
+
+_DIETARY_SIGNALS: list[tuple[str, list[str]]] = [
+    ("dietary:Vegan",        ["vegan", "plant-based", "plant based"]),
+    ("dietary:Vegetarian",   ["vegetarian", "meatless"]),
+    ("dietary:Gluten-Free",  ["gluten-free", "gluten free", "celiac"]),
+    ("dietary:Dairy-Free",   ["dairy-free", "dairy free", "lactose free", "non-dairy"]),
+    ("dietary:Low-Carb",     ["low-carb", "low carb", "keto", "ketogenic", "very low carbs"]),
+    ("dietary:High-Protein", ["high protein", "high-protein"]),
+    ("dietary:Low-Fat",      ["low-fat", "low fat", "fat-free", "reduced fat"]),
+    ("dietary:Paleo",        ["paleo", "whole30"]),
+    ("dietary:Nut-Free",     ["nut-free", "nut free", "peanut free"]),
+    ("dietary:Egg-Free",     ["egg-free", "egg free"]),
+    ("dietary:Low-Sodium",   ["low sodium", "no salt"]),
+    ("dietary:Healthy",      ["healthy", "low cholesterol", "heart healthy", "wholesome"]),
+]
+
+_FLAVOR_SIGNALS: list[tuple[str, list[str]]] = [
+    ("flavor:Spicy",   ["jalapeno", "habanero", "ghost pepper", "sriracha",
+                         "chili flake", "red pepper flake", "cayenne", "hot sauce",
+                         "gochujang", "harissa", "scotch bonnet", "szechuan pepper", "spicy"]),
+    ("flavor:Smoky",   ["smoked", "liquid smoke", "smoked paprika",
+                         "bbq sauce", "barbecue", "hickory", "mesquite"]),
+    ("flavor:Sweet",   ["honey", "maple syrup", "brown sugar", "caramel", "chocolate",
+                         "vanilla", "condensed milk", "molasses", "agave"]),
+    ("flavor:Savory",  ["soy sauce", "fish sauce", "miso", "worcestershire", "anchovy",
+                         "parmesan", "blue cheese", "bone broth"]),
+    ("flavor:Tangy",   ["lemon juice", "lime juice", "vinegar", "balsamic", "buttermilk",
+                         "sour cream", "fermented", "pickled", "tamarind", "sumac"]),
+    ("flavor:Herby",   ["fresh basil", "fresh cilantro", "fresh dill", "fresh mint",
+                         "fresh tarragon", "fresh thyme", "herbes de provence"]),
+    ("flavor:Rich",    ["heavy cream", "creme fraiche", "mascarpone", "double cream",
+                         "ghee", "coconut cream", "cream cheese"]),
+    ("flavor:Umami",   ["mushroom", "nutritional yeast", "tomato paste",
+                         "parmesan rind", "bonito", "kombu"]),
+]
+
+_TIME_SIGNALS: list[tuple[str, list[str]]] = [
+    ("time:Quick",        ["< 15 mins", "< 30 mins", "weeknight", "easy"]),
+    ("time:Under 1 Hour", ["< 60 mins"]),
+    ("time:Make-Ahead",   ["freezer", "overnight", "refrigerator", "make-ahead", "make ahead"]),
+    ("time:Slow Cook",    ["slow cooker", "crockpot", "< 4 hours", "braise"]),
+]
+
+# food.com corpus tag -> normalized tags
+_CORPUS_TAG_MAP: dict[str, list[str]] = {
+    "european":        ["cuisine:Italian", "cuisine:French", "cuisine:German",
+                         "cuisine:Spanish"],
+    "asian":           ["cuisine:Chinese", "cuisine:Japanese", "cuisine:Thai",
+                         "cuisine:Korean", "cuisine:Vietnamese"],
+    "chinese":         ["cuisine:Chinese"],
+    "japanese":        ["cuisine:Japanese"],
+    "thai":            ["cuisine:Thai"],
+    "vietnamese":      ["cuisine:Vietnamese"],
+    "indian":          ["cuisine:Indian"],
+    "greek":           ["cuisine:Greek"],
+    "mexican":         ["cuisine:Mexican"],
+    "african":         ["cuisine:African"],
+    "caribbean":       ["cuisine:Caribbean"],
+    "vegan":           ["dietary:Vegan", "dietary:Vegetarian"],
+    "vegetarian":      ["dietary:Vegetarian"],
+    "healthy":         ["dietary:Healthy"],
+    "low cholesterol": ["dietary:Healthy"],
+    "very low carbs":  ["dietary:Low-Carb"],
+    "high in...":      ["dietary:High-Protein"],
+    "lactose free":    ["dietary:Dairy-Free"],
+    "egg free":        ["dietary:Egg-Free"],
+    "< 15 mins":       ["time:Quick"],
+    "< 30 mins":       ["time:Quick"],
+    "< 60 mins":       ["time:Under 1 Hour"],
+    "< 4 hours":       ["time:Slow Cook"],
+    "weeknight":       ["time:Quick"],
+    "freezer":         ["time:Make-Ahead"],
+    "dessert":         ["meal:Dessert"],
+    "breakfast":       ["meal:Breakfast"],
+    "lunch/snacks":    ["meal:Lunch", "meal:Snack"],
+    "beverages":       ["meal:Beverage"],
+    "cookie & brownie": ["meal:Dessert"],
+    "breads":          ["meal:Bread"],
+}
+
+# ingredient_profiles.elements value -> flavor tag
+_ELEMENT_TO_FLAVOR: dict[str, str] = {
+    "Aroma":      "flavor:Herby",
+    "Richness":   "flavor:Rich",
+    "Structure":  "",   # no flavor tag
+    "Binding":    "",
+    "Crust":      "flavor:Smoky",
+    "Lift":       "",
+    "Emulsion":   "flavor:Rich",
+    "Acid":       "flavor:Tangy",
+}
+
+
+def _build_text(title: str, ingredient_names: list[str]) -> str:
+    parts = [title.lower()]
+    parts.extend(i.lower() for i in ingredient_names)
+    return " ".join(parts)
+
+
+def _match_signals(text: str, table: list[tuple[str, list[str]]]) -> list[str]:
+    return [tag for tag, pats in table if any(p in text for p in pats)]
+
+
+def infer_tags(
+    title: str,
+    ingredient_names: list[str],
+    corpus_keywords: list[str],
+    corpus_category: str = "",
+    # Enriched ingredient profile signals (from ingredient_profiles cross-ref)
+    element_coverage: dict[str, float] | None = None,
+    fermented_count: int = 0,
+    glutamate_total: float = 0.0,
+    ph_min: float | None = None,
+    available_sub_constraints: list[str] | None = None,
+    # Nutrition data for macro-based tags
+    calories: float | None = None,
+    protein_g: float | None = None,
+    fat_g: float | None = None,
+    carbs_g: float | None = None,
+    servings: float | None = None,
+) -> list[str]:
+    """
+    Derive normalized tags for a recipe.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    title, ingredient_names, corpus_keywords, corpus_category
+        : Primary recipe data.
+    element_coverage
+        : Dict from recipes.element_coverage -- element name to coverage ratio
+          (e.g. {"Aroma": 0.6, "Richness": 0.4}). Derived from ingredient_profiles.
+    fermented_count
+        : Number of fermented ingredients (from ingredient_profiles.is_fermented).
+    glutamate_total
+        : Sum of glutamate_mg across all profiled ingredients. High values signal umami.
+    ph_min
+        : Minimum ph_estimate across profiled ingredients. Low values signal acidity.
+    available_sub_constraints
+        : Substitution constraint labels achievable for this recipe
+          (e.g. ["gluten_free", "low_carb"]). From substitution_pairs cross-ref.
+          These become can_be:* tags.
+    calories, protein_g, fat_g, carbs_g, servings
+        : Nutrition data for macro-based dietary tags.
+
+    Returns
+    -------
+    Sorted list of unique normalized tag strings.
+    """
+    tags: set[str] = set()
+
+    # 1. Map corpus tags to normalized vocabulary
+    for kw in corpus_keywords:
+        for t in _CORPUS_TAG_MAP.get(kw.lower(), []):
+            tags.add(t)
+    if corpus_category:
+        for t in _CORPUS_TAG_MAP.get(corpus_category.lower(), []):
+            tags.add(t)
+
+    # 2. Text-signal matching
+    text = _build_text(title, ingredient_names)
+    tags.update(_match_signals(text, _CUISINE_SIGNALS))
+    tags.update(_match_signals(text, _DIETARY_SIGNALS))
+    tags.update(_match_signals(text, _FLAVOR_SIGNALS))
+
+    # 3. Time signals from corpus keywords + text
+    corpus_text = " ".join(kw.lower() for kw in corpus_keywords)
+    tags.update(_match_signals(corpus_text, _TIME_SIGNALS))
+    tags.update(_match_signals(text, _TIME_SIGNALS))
+
+    # 4. Enriched profile signals
+    if element_coverage:
+        for element, coverage in element_coverage.items():
+            if coverage > 0.2:  # >20% of ingredients carry this element
+                flavor_tag = _ELEMENT_TO_FLAVOR.get(element, "")
+                if flavor_tag:
+                    tags.add(flavor_tag)
+
+    if glutamate_total > 50:
+        tags.add("flavor:Umami")
+
+    if fermented_count > 0:
+        tags.add("flavor:Tangy")
+
+    if ph_min is not None and ph_min < 4.5:
+        tags.add("flavor:Tangy")
+
+    # 5. Achievable-via-substitution tags
+    if available_sub_constraints:
+        label_to_tag = {
+            "gluten_free":   "can_be:Gluten-Free",
+            "low_calorie":   "can_be:Low-Calorie",
+            "low_carb":      "can_be:Low-Carb",
+            "vegan":         "can_be:Vegan",
+            "dairy_free":    "can_be:Dairy-Free",
+            "low_sodium":    "can_be:Low-Sodium",
+        }
+        for label in available_sub_constraints:
+            tag = label_to_tag.get(label)
+            if tag:
+                tags.add(tag)
+
+    # 6. Macro-based dietary tags
+    if servings and servings > 0 and any(
+        v is not None for v in (protein_g, fat_g, carbs_g, calories)
+    ):
+        def _per(v: float | None) -> float | None:
+            return v / servings if v is not None else None
+
+        prot_s = _per(protein_g)
+        fat_s = _per(fat_g)
+        carb_s = _per(carbs_g)
+        cal_s = _per(calories)
+
+        if prot_s is not None and prot_s >= 20:
+            tags.add("dietary:High-Protein")
+        if fat_s is not None and fat_s <= 5:
+            tags.add("dietary:Low-Fat")
+        if carb_s is not None and carb_s <= 10:
+            tags.add("dietary:Low-Carb")
+        if cal_s is not None and cal_s <= 250:
+            tags.add("dietary:Light")
+    elif protein_g is not None and protein_g >= 20:
+        tags.add("dietary:High-Protein")
+
+    # 7. Vegan implies vegetarian
+    if "dietary:Vegan" in tags:
+        tags.add("dietary:Vegetarian")
+
+    return sorted(tags)
diff --git a/app/tiers.py b/app/tiers.py
index c3257ce..1ce348c 100644
--- a/app/tiers.py
+++ b/app/tiers.py
@@ -18,8 +18,19 @@ KIWI_BYOK_UNLOCKABLE: frozenset[str] = frozenset({
     "style_classifier",
     "meal_plan_llm",
     "meal_plan_llm_timing",
+    "community_fork_adapt",
 })
 
+# Sources subject to monthly cf-orch call caps. Subscription-based sources are uncapped.
+LIFETIME_SOURCES: frozenset[str] = frozenset({"lifetime", "founders"})
+
+# (source, tier) → monthly cf-orch call allowance
+LIFETIME_ORCH_CAPS: dict[tuple[str, str], int] = {
+    ("lifetime", "paid"):    60,
+    ("lifetime", "premium"): 180,
+    ("founders", "premium"): 300,
+}
+
 # Feature → minimum tier required
 KIWI_FEATURES: dict[str, str] = {
     # Free tier
@@ -43,6 +54,8 @@ KIWI_FEATURES: dict[str, str] = {
     "style_picker":          "paid",
     "recipe_collections":    "paid",
     "style_classifier":      "paid",   # LLM auto-tag for saved recipe style tags; BYOK-unlockable
+    "community_publish":     "paid",    # Publish plans/outcomes to community feed
+    "community_fork_adapt":  "paid",    # Fork with LLM pantry adaptation (BYOK-unlockable)
 
     # Premium tier
     "multi_household":       "premium",
diff --git a/compose.cloud.yml b/compose.cloud.yml
index 29ef534..ae903ab 100644
--- a/compose.cloud.yml
+++ b/compose.cloud.yml
@@ -20,6 +20,9 @@ services:
       CLOUD_AUTH_BYPASS_IPS: ${CLOUD_AUTH_BYPASS_IPS:-}
       # cf-orch: route LLM calls through the coordinator for managed GPU inference
       CF_ORCH_URL: http://host.docker.internal:7700
+      # Community PostgreSQL — shared across CF products; unset = community features unavailable (fail soft)
+      COMMUNITY_DB_URL: ${COMMUNITY_DB_URL:-}
+      COMMUNITY_PSEUDONYM_SALT: ${COMMUNITY_PSEUDONYM_SALT:-}
     extra_hosts:
       - "host.docker.internal:host-gateway"
     volumes:
diff --git a/frontend/src/App.vue b/frontend/src/App.vue
index 94a822d..cde0d78 100644
--- a/frontend/src/App.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/App.vue
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ import { householdAPI } from './services/api'
 
 type Tab = 'inventory' | 'receipts' | 'recipes' | 'settings' | 'mealplan'
 
-const currentTab = ref<Tab>('inventory')
+const currentTab = ref<Tab>('recipes')
 const sidebarCollapsed = ref(false)
 const inventoryStore = useInventoryStore()
 const { kiwiVisible, kiwiDirection } = useEasterEggs()
@@ -225,6 +225,11 @@ async function switchTab(tab: Tab) {
 }
 
 onMounted(async () => {
+  // Pre-fetch inventory so Recipes tab has data on first load
+  if (inventoryStore.items.length === 0) {
+    await inventoryStore.fetchItems()
+  }
+
   // Handle household invite links: /#/join?household_id=xxx&token=yyy
   const hash = window.location.hash
   if (hash.includes('/join')) {
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/BuildYourOwnTab.vue b/frontend/src/components/BuildYourOwnTab.vue
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0c63e02
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/BuildYourOwnTab.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,586 @@
+<template>
+  <div class="byo-tab">
+
+    <!-- ── Step 0: Template grid ─────────────────────────────────── -->
+    <div v-if="phase === 'select'" class="byo-section">
+      <h2 class="section-title text-xl mb-sm">Build Your Own Recipe</h2>
+      <p class="text-sm text-secondary mb-md">
+        Choose a style, then pick your ingredients one step at a time.
+      </p>
+
+      <div v-if="templatesLoading" class="text-secondary text-sm">Loading templates…</div>
+      <div v-else-if="templatesError" role="alert" class="status-badge status-error mb-md">
+        {{ templatesError }}
+      </div>
+      <div v-else class="template-grid" role="list">
+        <button
+          v-for="tmpl in templates"
+          :key="tmpl.id"
+          class="template-card card"
+          role="listitem"
+          :aria-label="tmpl.title + ': ' + tmpl.descriptor"
+          @click="selectTemplate(tmpl)"
+        >
+          <span class="tmpl-icon" aria-hidden="true">{{ tmpl.icon }}</span>
+          <span class="tmpl-title">{{ tmpl.title }}</span>
+          <span class="tmpl-descriptor text-sm text-secondary">{{ tmpl.descriptor }}</span>
+        </button>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <!-- ── Step 1+: Ingredient wizard ───────────────────────────── -->
+    <div v-else-if="phase === 'wizard'" class="byo-section">
+      <!-- Back + step counter -->
+      <div class="byo-nav mb-sm">
+        <button class="btn btn-sm btn-secondary" @click="goBack">← Back</button>
+        <span class="text-sm text-secondary step-counter">Step {{ wizardStep + 1 }} of {{ totalSteps }}</span>
+      </div>
+
+      <h2 class="section-title text-xl mb-xs">What's your {{ currentRole?.display }}?</h2>
+      <p v-if="currentRole?.hint" class="text-sm text-secondary mb-md">{{ currentRole.hint }}</p>
+
+      <!-- Missing ingredient mode toggle -->
+      <div class="mode-toggle mb-sm" role="radiogroup" aria-label="Missing ingredients">
+        <button
+          v-for="mode in missingModes"
+          :key="mode.value"
+          :class="['btn', 'btn-sm', recipesStore.missingIngredientMode === mode.value ? 'btn-primary' : 'btn-secondary']"
+          :aria-checked="recipesStore.missingIngredientMode === mode.value"
+          role="radio"
+          @click="recipesStore.missingIngredientMode = mode.value as any"
+        >{{ mode.label }}</button>
+      </div>
+
+      <!-- Filter row: text search or tag cloud -->
+      <div class="filter-row mb-sm">
+        <input
+          v-if="recipesStore.builderFilterMode === 'text'"
+          v-model="filterText"
+          class="form-input filter-input"
+          :placeholder="'Search ' + (currentRole?.display ?? 'ingredients') + '…'"
+          aria-label="Search ingredients"
+        />
+        <div
+          v-else
+          class="tag-cloud"
+          role="group"
+          aria-label="Filter by tag"
+        >
+          <button
+            v-for="tag in candidates?.available_tags ?? []"
+            :key="tag"
+            :class="['btn', 'btn-sm', 'tag-chip', selectedTags.has(tag) ? 'tag-active' : '']"
+            :aria-pressed="selectedTags.has(tag)"
+            @click="toggleTag(tag)"
+          >{{ tag }}</button>
+          <span v-if="(candidates?.available_tags ?? []).length === 0" class="text-secondary text-sm">
+            No tags available for this ingredient set.
+          </span>
+        </div>
+        <button
+          class="btn btn-sm btn-secondary filter-mode-btn"
+          :aria-pressed="recipesStore.builderFilterMode === 'tags'"
+          :aria-label="recipesStore.builderFilterMode === 'text' ? 'Switch to tag filter' : 'Switch to text search'"
+          @click="recipesStore.builderFilterMode = recipesStore.builderFilterMode === 'text' ? 'tags' : 'text'"
+        >{{ recipesStore.builderFilterMode === 'text' ? '🏷️' : '🔍' }}</button>
+      </div>
+
+      <!-- Candidates loading / error -->
+      <div v-if="candidatesLoading" class="text-secondary text-sm mb-sm">Loading options…</div>
+      <div v-else-if="candidatesError" role="alert" class="status-badge status-error mb-sm">
+        {{ candidatesError }}
+      </div>
+
+      <!-- Compatible candidates -->
+      <div v-if="filteredCompatible.length > 0" class="candidates-section mb-sm">
+        <p class="text-xs font-semibold text-secondary mb-xs" aria-hidden="true">Available</p>
+        <div class="ingredient-grid">
+          <button
+            v-for="item in filteredCompatible"
+            :key="item.name"
+            :class="['ingredient-card', 'btn', selectedInRole.has(item.name) ? 'ingredient-active' : '']"
+            :aria-pressed="selectedInRole.has(item.name)"
+            :aria-label="item.name + (item.in_pantry ? '' : ' — not in pantry')"
+            @click="toggleIngredient(item.name)"
+          >
+            <span class="ingredient-name">{{ item.name }}</span>
+            <span v-if="!item.in_pantry && recipesStore.missingIngredientMode === 'add-to-cart'"
+                  class="cart-icon" aria-hidden="true">🛒</span>
+          </button>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <!-- Other candidates (greyed or add-to-cart mode only) -->
+      <template v-if="recipesStore.missingIngredientMode !== 'hidden' && filteredOther.length > 0">
+        <div class="candidates-separator text-xs text-secondary mb-xs">also works</div>
+        <div class="ingredient-grid ingredient-grid-other mb-sm">
+          <button
+            v-for="item in filteredOther"
+            :key="item.name"
+            :class="['ingredient-card', 'btn',
+                     item.in_pantry ? '' : 'ingredient-missing',
+                     selectedInRole.has(item.name) ? 'ingredient-active' : '']"
+            :aria-pressed="selectedInRole.has(item.name)"
+            :aria-label="item.name + (item.in_pantry ? '' : ' — not in pantry')"
+            :disabled="!item.in_pantry && recipesStore.missingIngredientMode === 'greyed'"
+            @click="item.in_pantry || recipesStore.missingIngredientMode !== 'greyed' ? toggleIngredient(item.name) : undefined"
+          >
+            <span class="ingredient-name">{{ item.name }}</span>
+            <span v-if="!item.in_pantry && recipesStore.missingIngredientMode === 'add-to-cart'"
+                  class="cart-icon" aria-hidden="true">🛒</span>
+          </button>
+        </div>
+      </template>
+
+      <!-- No-match state: nothing compatible AND nothing visible in other section.
+           filteredOther items are hidden when mode is 'hidden', so check visibility too. -->
+      <template v-if="!candidatesLoading && !candidatesError && filteredCompatible.length === 0 && (filteredOther.length === 0 || recipesStore.missingIngredientMode === 'hidden')">
+        <!-- Custom freeform input: text filter with no matches → offer "use anyway" -->
+        <div v-if="recipesStore.builderFilterMode === 'text' && filterText.trim().length > 0" class="custom-ingredient-prompt mb-sm">
+          <p class="text-sm text-secondary mb-xs">
+            No match for "{{ filterText.trim() }}" in your pantry.
+          </p>
+          <button class="btn btn-secondary" @click="useCustomIngredient">
+            Use "{{ filterText.trim() }}" anyway
+          </button>
+        </div>
+        <!-- No pantry items at all for this role -->
+        <p v-else class="text-sm text-secondary mb-sm">
+          Nothing in your pantry fits this role yet. You can skip it or
+          <button class="btn-link" @click="recipesStore.missingIngredientMode = 'greyed'">show options to add.</button>
+        </p>
+      </template>
+
+      <!-- Skip / Next -->
+      <div class="byo-actions">
+        <button
+          v-if="!currentRole?.required"
+          class="btn btn-secondary"
+          @click="advanceStep"
+        >Skip (optional)</button>
+        <button
+          v-else-if="currentRole?.required && selectedInRole.size === 0"
+          class="btn btn-secondary"
+          @click="advanceStep"
+        >I'll add this later</button>
+        <button
+          class="btn btn-primary"
+          :disabled="buildLoading"
+          @click="wizardStep < totalSteps - 1 ? advanceStep() : buildRecipe()"
+        >
+          {{ wizardStep < totalSteps - 1 ? 'Next →' : 'Build this recipe' }}
+        </button>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <!-- ── Result ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── -->
+    <div v-else-if="phase === 'result'" class="byo-section">
+      <div v-if="buildLoading" class="text-secondary text-sm mb-md">Building your recipe…</div>
+      <div v-else-if="buildError" role="alert" class="status-badge status-error mb-md">
+        {{ buildError }}
+      </div>
+      <template v-else-if="builtRecipe">
+        <RecipeDetailPanel
+          :recipe="builtRecipe"
+          :grocery-links="[]"
+          @close="phase = 'select'"
+          @cooked="phase = 'select'"
+        />
+        <!-- Shopping list: items the user chose that aren't in their pantry -->
+        <div v-if="(builtRecipe.missing_ingredients ?? []).length > 0" class="cart-list card mb-sm">
+          <h3 class="text-sm font-semibold mb-xs">🛒 You'll need to pick up</h3>
+          <ul class="cart-items">
+            <li v-for="item in builtRecipe.missing_ingredients" :key="item" class="cart-item text-sm">{{ item }}</li>
+          </ul>
+        </div>
+        <div class="byo-actions mt-sm">
+          <button class="btn btn-secondary" @click="resetToTemplate">Try a different build</button>
+          <button class="btn btn-secondary" @click="phase = 'wizard'">Adjust ingredients</button>
+        </div>
+      </template>
+    </div>
+
+  </div>
+</template>
+
+<script setup lang="ts">
+import { ref, computed, onMounted } from 'vue'
+import { useRecipesStore } from '../stores/recipes'
+import RecipeDetailPanel from './RecipeDetailPanel.vue'
+import { recipesAPI, type AssemblyTemplateOut, type RoleCandidatesResponse, type RecipeSuggestion } from '../services/api'
+
+const recipesStore = useRecipesStore()
+
+type Phase = 'select' | 'wizard' | 'result'
+const phase = ref<Phase>('select')
+
+// Template grid state
+const templates = ref<AssemblyTemplateOut[]>([])
+const templatesLoading = ref(false)
+const templatesError = ref<string | null>(null)
+
+// Wizard state
+const selectedTemplate = ref<AssemblyTemplateOut | null>(null)
+const wizardStep = ref(0)
+const roleOverrides = ref<Record<string, string[]>>({})
+
+// Candidates for current step
+const candidates = ref<RoleCandidatesResponse | null>(null)
+const candidatesLoading = ref(false)
+const candidatesError = ref<string | null>(null)
+
+// Filter state (reset on step advance)
+const filterText = ref('')
+const selectedTags = ref<Set<string>>(new Set())
+
+// Result state
+const builtRecipe = ref<RecipeSuggestion | null>(null)
+const buildLoading = ref(false)
+const buildError = ref<string | null>(null)
+
+// Shopping list is derived from builtRecipe.missing_ingredients (computed by backend)
+
+const missingModes = [
+  { label: 'Available only', value: 'hidden' },
+  { label: 'Show missing',   value: 'greyed' },
+  { label: 'Add to cart',    value: 'add-to-cart' },
+]
+
+const totalSteps = computed(() => selectedTemplate.value?.role_sequence.length ?? 0)
+const currentRole = computed(() => selectedTemplate.value?.role_sequence[wizardStep.value] ?? null)
+
+const selectedInRole = computed<Set<string>>(() => {
+  const role = currentRole.value?.display
+  if (!role) return new Set()
+  return new Set(roleOverrides.value[role] ?? [])
+})
+
+const priorPicks = computed<string[]>(() => {
+  if (!selectedTemplate.value) return []
+  return selectedTemplate.value.role_sequence
+    .slice(0, wizardStep.value)
+    .flatMap((r) => roleOverrides.value[r.display] ?? [])
+})
+
+const filteredCompatible = computed(() => applyFilter(candidates.value?.compatible ?? []))
+const filteredOther = computed(() => applyFilter(candidates.value?.other ?? []))
+
+function applyFilter(items: RoleCandidatesResponse['compatible']) {
+  if (recipesStore.builderFilterMode === 'text') {
+    const q = filterText.value.trim().toLowerCase()
+    if (!q) return items
+    return items.filter((i) => i.name.toLowerCase().includes(q))
+  } else {
+    if (selectedTags.value.size === 0) return items
+    return items.filter((i) =>
+      [...selectedTags.value].every((tag) => i.tags.includes(tag))
+    )
+  }
+}
+
+function toggleTag(tag: string) {
+  const next = new Set(selectedTags.value)
+  next.has(tag) ? next.delete(tag) : next.add(tag)
+  selectedTags.value = next
+}
+
+function toggleIngredient(name: string) {
+  const role = currentRole.value?.display
+  if (!role) return
+  const current = new Set(roleOverrides.value[role] ?? [])
+  current.has(name) ? current.delete(name) : current.add(name)
+  roleOverrides.value = { ...roleOverrides.value, [role]: [...current] }
+
+}
+
+function useCustomIngredient() {
+  const name = filterText.value.trim()
+  if (!name) return
+  const role = currentRole.value?.display
+  if (!role) return
+
+  // Add to role overrides so it's included in the build request
+  const current = new Set(roleOverrides.value[role] ?? [])
+  current.add(name)
+  roleOverrides.value = { ...roleOverrides.value, [role]: [...current] }
+
+  // Inject into the local candidates list so it renders as a selected card.
+  // Mark in_pantry: true so it stays visible regardless of missing-ingredient mode.
+  if (candidates.value) {
+    const knownNames = new Set([
+      ...(candidates.value.compatible ?? []).map((i) => i.name.toLowerCase()),
+      ...(candidates.value.other ?? []).map((i) => i.name.toLowerCase()),
+    ])
+    if (!knownNames.has(name.toLowerCase())) {
+      candidates.value = {
+        ...candidates.value,
+        compatible: [{ name, in_pantry: true, tags: [] }, ...(candidates.value.compatible ?? [])],
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  filterText.value = ''
+}
+
+async function selectTemplate(tmpl: AssemblyTemplateOut) {
+  selectedTemplate.value = tmpl
+  wizardStep.value = 0
+  roleOverrides.value = {}
+  phase.value = 'wizard'
+  await loadCandidates()
+}
+
+async function loadCandidates() {
+  if (!selectedTemplate.value || !currentRole.value) return
+  candidatesLoading.value = true
+  candidatesError.value = null
+  filterText.value = ''
+  selectedTags.value = new Set()
+  try {
+    candidates.value = await recipesAPI.getRoleCandidates(
+      selectedTemplate.value.id,
+      currentRole.value.display,
+      priorPicks.value,
+    )
+  } catch {
+    candidatesError.value = 'Could not load ingredient options. Please try again.'
+  } finally {
+    candidatesLoading.value = false
+  }
+}
+
+async function advanceStep() {
+  if (!selectedTemplate.value) return
+  if (wizardStep.value < totalSteps.value - 1) {
+    wizardStep.value++
+    await loadCandidates()
+  }
+}
+
+function goBack() {
+  if (phase.value === 'result') {
+    phase.value = 'wizard'
+    return
+  }
+  if (wizardStep.value > 0) {
+    wizardStep.value--
+    loadCandidates()
+  } else {
+    phase.value = 'select'
+    selectedTemplate.value = null
+  }
+}
+
+async function buildRecipe() {
+  if (!selectedTemplate.value) return
+  buildLoading.value = true
+  buildError.value = null
+  phase.value = 'result'
+
+  const overrides: Record<string, string> = {}
+  for (const [role, picks] of Object.entries(roleOverrides.value)) {
+    if (picks.length > 0) overrides[role] = picks[0]!
+  }
+
+  try {
+    builtRecipe.value = await recipesAPI.buildRecipe({
+      template_id: selectedTemplate.value.id,
+      role_overrides: overrides,
+    })
+  } catch {
+    buildError.value = 'Could not build recipe. Try adjusting your ingredients.'
+  } finally {
+    buildLoading.value = false
+  }
+}
+
+function resetToTemplate() {
+  phase.value = 'select'
+  selectedTemplate.value = null
+  wizardStep.value = 0
+  roleOverrides.value = {}
+  builtRecipe.value = null
+  buildError.value = null
+}
+
+onMounted(async () => {
+  templatesLoading.value = true
+  try {
+    templates.value = await recipesAPI.getTemplates()
+  } catch {
+    templatesError.value = 'Could not load templates. Please refresh.'
+  } finally {
+    templatesLoading.value = false
+  }
+})
+</script>
+
+<style scoped>
+.byo-tab {
+  padding: var(--spacing-sm) 0;
+}
+
+.byo-section {
+  max-width: 640px;
+}
+
+.template-grid {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
+  gap: var(--spacing-sm);
+}
+
+@media (min-width: 640px) {
+  .template-grid {
+    grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
+  }
+}
+
+.template-card {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  align-items: flex-start;
+  gap: var(--spacing-xs);
+  padding: var(--spacing-md);
+  text-align: left;
+  cursor: pointer;
+}
+
+.tmpl-icon {
+  font-size: 1.5rem;
+}
+
+.tmpl-title {
+  font-weight: 600;
+  font-size: 0.95rem;
+}
+
+.tmpl-descriptor {
+  line-height: 1.35;
+}
+
+.byo-nav {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: var(--spacing-md);
+}
+
+.step-counter {
+  margin-left: auto;
+}
+
+.mode-toggle {
+  display: flex;
+  gap: var(--spacing-xs);
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+}
+
+.filter-row {
+  display: flex;
+  gap: var(--spacing-xs);
+  align-items: flex-start;
+}
+
+.filter-input {
+  flex: 1;
+}
+
+.filter-mode-btn {
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+  min-width: 36px;
+}
+
+.tag-cloud {
+  flex: 1;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+  gap: var(--spacing-xs);
+}
+
+.tag-active {
+  background: var(--color-primary);
+  color: var(--color-bg-primary);
+}
+
+.ingredient-grid {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
+  gap: var(--spacing-xs);
+}
+
+@media (min-width: 640px) {
+  .ingredient-grid {
+    grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
+  }
+}
+
+.ingredient-card {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: space-between;
+  padding: var(--spacing-sm) var(--spacing-md);
+  text-align: left;
+  min-height: 44px;
+  cursor: pointer;
+}
+
+.ingredient-active {
+  border: 2px solid var(--color-primary);
+  background: var(--color-primary-light);
+  color: var(--color-bg-primary);
+}
+
+.ingredient-missing {
+  opacity: 0.55;
+}
+
+.ingredient-name {
+  flex: 1;
+  font-size: 0.9rem;
+}
+
+.cart-icon {
+  font-size: 0.85rem;
+  margin-left: var(--spacing-xs);
+}
+
+.candidates-separator {
+  margin-top: var(--spacing-sm);
+  padding-top: var(--spacing-xs);
+  border-top: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+}
+
+.byo-actions {
+  display: flex;
+  gap: var(--spacing-sm);
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+}
+
+.btn-link {
+  background: none;
+  border: none;
+  color: var(--color-primary);
+  cursor: pointer;
+  padding: 0;
+  text-decoration: underline;
+}
+
+.cart-list {
+  padding: var(--spacing-sm) var(--spacing-md);
+}
+
+.cart-items {
+  list-style: none;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+  gap: var(--spacing-xs);
+  margin-top: var(--spacing-xs);
+}
+
+.cart-item {
+  background: var(--color-bg-secondary);
+  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
+  padding: 2px var(--spacing-sm);
+}
+</style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/CommunityFeedPanel.vue b/frontend/src/components/CommunityFeedPanel.vue
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f744cc8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/CommunityFeedPanel.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,337 @@
+<template>
+  <div class="community-feed-panel">
+
+    <!-- Filter tabs: All / Plans / Successes / Bloopers -->
+    <div role="tablist" aria-label="Community post filters" class="filter-bar flex gap-xs mb-md">
+      <button
+        v-for="f in filters"
+        :key="f.id"
+        role="tab"
+        :aria-selected="activeFilter === f.id"
+        :tabindex="activeFilter === f.id ? 0 : -1"
+        :class="['btn', 'tab-btn', activeFilter === f.id ? 'btn-primary' : 'btn-secondary']"
+        @click="setFilter(f.id)"
+        @keydown="onFilterKeydown"
+        @pointerdown="f.id === 'recipe_blooper' ? onBlooperPointerDown($event) : undefined"
+        @pointerup="f.id === 'recipe_blooper' ? onBlooperPointerCancel() : undefined"
+        @pointerleave="f.id === 'recipe_blooper' ? onBlooperPointerCancel() : undefined"
+      >{{ f.label }}</button>
+    </div>
+
+    <!-- Share a plan action row -->
+    <div class="action-row flex-between mb-sm">
+      <button
+        class="btn btn-secondary btn-sm share-plan-btn"
+        aria-haspopup="dialog"
+        @click="showPublishPlan = true"
+      >
+        Share a plan
+      </button>
+    </div>
+
+    <!-- Loading skeletons -->
+    <div
+      v-if="store.loading"
+      class="skeleton-list flex-col gap-sm"
+      aria-busy="true"
+      aria-label="Loading posts"
+    >
+      <div v-for="n in 3" :key="n" class="skeleton-card">
+        <div class="skeleton-line skeleton-line-short"></div>
+        <div class="skeleton-line skeleton-line-long mt-xs"></div>
+        <div class="skeleton-line skeleton-line-med mt-xs"></div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <!-- Error state -->
+    <div
+      v-else-if="store.error"
+      class="error-state card"
+      role="alert"
+    >
+      <p class="text-sm text-secondary mb-sm">{{ store.error }}</p>
+      <button class="btn btn-secondary btn-sm" @click="retry">
+        Try again
+      </button>
+    </div>
+
+    <!-- Empty state -->
+    <div
+      v-else-if="store.posts.length === 0"
+      class="empty-state card text-center"
+    >
+      <p class="text-secondary mb-xs">No posts yet</p>
+      <p class="text-sm text-muted">Be the first to share a meal plan or recipe story.</p>
+    </div>
+
+    <!-- Post list -->
+    <div v-else class="post-list flex-col gap-sm">
+      <CommunityPostCard
+        v-for="post in store.posts"
+        :key="post.slug"
+        :post="post"
+        @fork="handleFork"
+      />
+    </div>
+
+    <!-- Fork success toast -->
+    <Transition name="toast-fade">
+      <div
+        v-if="forkFeedback"
+        class="fork-toast status-badge status-success"
+        role="status"
+        aria-live="polite"
+      >
+        {{ forkFeedback }}
+      </div>
+    </Transition>
+
+    <!-- Fork error toast -->
+    <Transition name="toast-fade">
+      <div
+        v-if="forkError"
+        class="fork-toast status-badge status-error"
+        role="alert"
+        aria-live="assertive"
+      >
+        {{ forkError }}
+      </div>
+    </Transition>
+
+    <!-- Publish plan modal -->
+    <PublishPlanModal
+      v-if="showPublishPlan"
+      :plan="null"
+      @close="showPublishPlan = false"
+      @published="onPlanPublished"
+    />
+
+    <!-- Hall of Chaos easter egg: hold Bloopers tab for 800ms -->
+    <HallOfChaosView
+      v-if="showHallOfChaos"
+      @close="showHallOfChaos = false"
+    />
+
+  </div>
+</template>
+
+<script setup lang="ts">
+import { ref, onMounted, onUnmounted } from 'vue'
+import { useCommunityStore } from '../stores/community'
+import type { ForkResult } from '../stores/community'
+import CommunityPostCard from './CommunityPostCard.vue'
+import PublishPlanModal from './PublishPlanModal.vue'
+import HallOfChaosView from './HallOfChaosView.vue'
+
+const emit = defineEmits<{
+  'plan-forked': [payload: ForkResult]
+}>()
+
+const store = useCommunityStore()
+
+const activeFilter = ref('all')
+const showPublishPlan = ref(false)
+const showHallOfChaos = ref(false)
+let blooperHoldTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null = null
+
+function onBlooperPointerDown(_e: PointerEvent) {
+  blooperHoldTimer = setTimeout(() => {
+    showHallOfChaos.value = true
+    blooperHoldTimer = null
+  }, 800)
+}
+
+function onBlooperPointerCancel() {
+  if (blooperHoldTimer !== null) {
+    clearTimeout(blooperHoldTimer)
+    blooperHoldTimer = null
+  }
+}
+
+const filters = [
+  { id: 'all',            label: 'All' },
+  { id: 'plan',           label: 'Plans' },
+  { id: 'recipe_success', label: 'Successes' },
+  { id: 'recipe_blooper', label: 'Bloopers' },
+]
+
+const filterIds = filters.map((f) => f.id)
+
+function onFilterKeydown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
+  const current = filterIds.indexOf(activeFilter.value)
+  let next = current
+  if (e.key === 'ArrowRight') {
+    e.preventDefault()
+    next = (current + 1) % filterIds.length
+  } else if (e.key === 'ArrowLeft') {
+    e.preventDefault()
+    next = (current - 1 + filterIds.length) % filterIds.length
+  } else {
+    return
+  }
+  setFilter(filterIds[next]!)
+  // Move DOM focus to the newly active tab per ARIA tablist pattern
+  const bar = (e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).closest('[role="tablist"]')
+  const buttons = bar?.querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>('[role="tab"]')
+  buttons?.[next]?.focus()
+}
+
+async function setFilter(filterId: string) {
+  activeFilter.value = filterId
+  await store.fetchPosts(filterId === 'all' ? undefined : filterId)
+}
+
+async function retry() {
+  await store.fetchPosts(activeFilter.value === 'all' ? undefined : activeFilter.value)
+}
+
+const forkFeedback = ref<string | null>(null)
+const forkError = ref<string | null>(null)
+
+function showToast(msg: string, type: 'success' | 'error') {
+  if (type === 'success') {
+    forkFeedback.value = msg
+    setTimeout(() => { forkFeedback.value = null }, 3000)
+  } else {
+    forkError.value = msg
+    setTimeout(() => { forkError.value = null }, 4000)
+  }
+}
+
+async function handleFork(slug: string) {
+  try {
+    const result = await store.forkPost(slug)
+    showToast('Plan added to your week.', 'success')
+    emit('plan-forked', result)
+  } catch (err: unknown) {
+    showToast(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Could not fork this plan.', 'error')
+  }
+}
+
+function onPlanPublished(_payload: { slug: string }) {
+  showPublishPlan.value = false
+  store.fetchPosts(activeFilter.value === 'all' ? undefined : activeFilter.value)
+}
+
+onMounted(async () => {
+  if (store.posts.length === 0) {
+    await store.fetchPosts()
+  }
+})
+
+onUnmounted(() => {
+  if (blooperHoldTimer !== null) {
+    clearTimeout(blooperHoldTimer)
+    blooperHoldTimer = null
+  }
+})
+</script>
+
+<style scoped>
+.community-feed-panel {
+  position: relative;
+}
+
+.filter-bar {
+  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  padding-bottom: var(--spacing-sm);
+}
+
+.tab-btn {
+  border-radius: var(--radius-md) var(--radius-md) 0 0;
+  border-bottom: none;
+}
+
+.action-row {
+  padding: var(--spacing-xs) 0;
+}
+
+.share-plan-btn {
+  font-size: var(--font-size-xs);
+}
+
+/* Loading skeletons */
+.skeleton-card {
+  background: var(--color-bg-card);
+  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
+  padding: var(--spacing-md);
+  overflow: hidden;
+}
+
+.skeleton-line {
+  height: 12px;
+  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
+  background: var(--color-bg-elevated);
+  animation: shimmer 1.4s ease-in-out infinite;
+}
+
+.skeleton-line-short { width: 35%; }
+.skeleton-line-med   { width: 60%; }
+.skeleton-line-long  { width: 90%; }
+
+@keyframes shimmer {
+  0%   { opacity: 0.6; }
+  50%  { opacity: 1.0; }
+  100% { opacity: 0.6; }
+}
+
+/* Empty / error states */
+.empty-state {
+  padding: var(--spacing-xl) var(--spacing-lg);
+}
+
+.error-state {
+  padding: var(--spacing-md);
+}
+
+/* Post list */
+.post-list {
+  padding-top: var(--spacing-sm);
+}
+
+/* Toast */
+.fork-toast {
+  position: fixed;
+  bottom: calc(72px + var(--spacing-md));
+  left: 50%;
+  transform: translateX(-50%);
+  z-index: 300;
+  white-space: nowrap;
+  box-shadow: var(--shadow-lg);
+}
+
+@media (min-width: 769px) {
+  .fork-toast {
+    bottom: var(--spacing-lg);
+  }
+}
+
+.toast-fade-enter-active,
+.toast-fade-leave-active {
+  transition: opacity 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease;
+}
+
+.toast-fade-enter-from,
+.toast-fade-leave-to {
+  opacity: 0;
+  transform: translateX(-50%) translateY(8px);
+}
+
+@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
+  .skeleton-line {
+    animation: none;
+    opacity: 0.7;
+  }
+
+  .toast-fade-enter-active,
+  .toast-fade-leave-active {
+    transition: none;
+  }
+
+  .toast-fade-enter-from,
+  .toast-fade-leave-to {
+    transform: translateX(-50%);
+  }
+}
+</style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/CommunityPostCard.vue b/frontend/src/components/CommunityPostCard.vue
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..64c83b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/CommunityPostCard.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,178 @@
+<template>
+  <article class="community-post-card" :class="`post-type-${post.post_type}`">
+    <!-- Header row: type badge + date -->
+    <div class="card-header flex-between gap-sm mb-xs">
+      <span
+        class="post-type-badge status-badge"
+        :class="typeBadgeClass"
+        :aria-label="`Post type: ${typeLabel}`"
+      >{{ typeLabel }}</span>
+      <time
+        class="post-date text-xs text-muted"
+        :datetime="post.published"
+        :title="fullDate"
+      >{{ shortDate }}</time>
+    </div>
+
+    <!-- Title -->
+    <h3 class="post-title text-base font-semibold mb-xs">{{ post.title }}</h3>
+
+    <!-- Author -->
+    <p class="post-author text-xs text-muted mb-xs">
+      by {{ post.pseudonym }}
+    </p>
+
+    <!-- Description (if present) -->
+    <p v-if="post.description" class="post-description text-sm text-secondary mb-sm">
+      {{ post.description }}
+    </p>
+
+    <!-- Dietary tag pills -->
+    <div
+      v-if="post.dietary_tags.length > 0"
+      class="tag-row flex flex-wrap gap-xs mb-sm"
+      role="list"
+      aria-label="Dietary tags"
+    >
+      <span
+        v-for="tag in post.dietary_tags"
+        :key="tag"
+        class="status-badge status-success tag-pill"
+        role="listitem"
+      >{{ tag }}</span>
+    </div>
+
+    <!-- Fork button (plan posts only) -->
+    <div v-if="post.post_type === 'plan'" class="card-actions mt-sm">
+      <button
+        class="btn btn-primary btn-sm btn-fork"
+        :aria-label="`Fork ${post.title} to my meal plan`"
+        @click="$emit('fork', post.slug)"
+      >
+        Fork to my plan
+      </button>
+    </div>
+  </article>
+</template>
+
+<script setup lang="ts">
+import { computed } from 'vue'
+import type { CommunityPost } from '../stores/community'
+
+const props = defineProps<{
+  post: CommunityPost
+}>()
+
+defineEmits<{
+  fork: [slug: string]
+}>()
+
+const typeLabel = computed(() => {
+  switch (props.post.post_type) {
+    case 'plan':           return 'Meal Plan'
+    case 'recipe_success': return 'Success'
+    case 'recipe_blooper': return 'Blooper'
+    default:               return props.post.post_type
+  }
+})
+
+const typeBadgeClass = computed(() => {
+  switch (props.post.post_type) {
+    case 'plan':           return 'status-info'
+    case 'recipe_success': return 'status-success'
+    case 'recipe_blooper': return 'status-warning'
+    default:               return 'status-info'
+  }
+})
+
+const shortDate = computed(() => {
+  try {
+    return new Date(props.post.published).toLocaleDateString('en-US', {
+      month: 'short',
+      day: 'numeric',
+    })
+  } catch {
+    return ''
+  }
+})
+
+const fullDate = computed(() => {
+  try {
+    return new Date(props.post.published).toLocaleString()
+  } catch {
+    return props.post.published
+  }
+})
+</script>
+
+<style scoped>
+.community-post-card {
+  background: var(--color-bg-card);
+  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
+  padding: var(--spacing-md);
+  transition: box-shadow 0.18s ease;
+}
+
+.community-post-card:hover {
+  box-shadow: var(--shadow-md);
+}
+
+.post-type-plan           { border-left: 3px solid var(--color-info); }
+.post-type-recipe_success { border-left: 3px solid var(--color-success); }
+.post-type-recipe_blooper { border-left: 3px solid var(--color-warning); }
+
+.card-header {
+  align-items: center;
+}
+
+.post-type-badge,
+.post-date {
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+}
+
+.post-title {
+  margin: 0;
+  color: var(--color-text-primary);
+  line-height: 1.3;
+}
+
+.post-author,
+.post-description {
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
+.post-description {
+  line-height: 1.5;
+}
+
+.tag-pill {
+  text-transform: lowercase;
+}
+
+.card-actions {
+  display: flex;
+  justify-content: flex-end;
+}
+
+.btn-fork {
+  min-width: 120px;
+}
+
+@media (max-width: 480px) {
+  .community-post-card {
+    padding: var(--spacing-sm);
+    border-radius: var(--radius-md);
+  }
+
+  .btn-fork {
+    width: 100%;
+  }
+}
+
+@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
+  .community-post-card {
+    transition: none;
+  }
+}
+</style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/FeedbackButton.vue b/frontend/src/components/FeedbackButton.vue
index 9373256..800ab25 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/FeedbackButton.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/FeedbackButton.vue
@@ -140,11 +140,13 @@ import { ref, computed, onMounted } from 'vue'
 
 const props = defineProps<{ currentTab?: string }>()
 
+const apiBase = (import.meta.env.VITE_API_BASE as string) ?? ''
+
 // Probe once on mount — hidden until confirmed enabled so button never flashes
 const enabled = ref(false)
 onMounted(async () => {
   try {
-    const res = await fetch('/api/v1/feedback/status')
+    const res = await fetch(`${apiBase}/api/v1/feedback/status`)
     if (res.ok) {
       const data = await res.json()
       enabled.value = data.enabled === true
@@ -205,7 +207,7 @@ async function submit() {
   loading.value = true
   submitError.value = ''
   try {
-    const res = await fetch('/api/v1/feedback', {
+    const res = await fetch(`${apiBase}/api/v1/feedback`, {
       method: 'POST',
       headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
       body: JSON.stringify({
@@ -407,6 +409,114 @@ async function submit() {
 .mt-md { margin-top: var(--spacing-md); }
 .mt-xs { margin-top: var(--spacing-xs); }
 
+/* ── Form elements ────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+.form-group {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: var(--spacing-xs);
+}
+
+.form-label {
+  font-size: var(--font-size-sm);
+  font-weight: 600;
+  color: var(--color-text-muted);
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+  letter-spacing: 0.06em;
+}
+
+.form-input {
+  width: 100%;
+  padding: var(--spacing-xs) var(--spacing-sm);
+  background: var(--color-bg-secondary);
+  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-md);
+  color: var(--color-text-primary);
+  font-family: var(--font-body);
+  font-size: var(--font-size-sm);
+  line-height: 1.5;
+  transition: border-color 0.15s;
+  box-sizing: border-box;
+}
+.form-input:focus {
+  outline: none;
+  border-color: var(--color-border-focus);
+}
+.form-input::placeholder { color: var(--color-text-muted); opacity: 0.7; }
+
+/* ── Buttons ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+.btn {
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  gap: var(--spacing-xs);
+  padding: var(--spacing-xs) var(--spacing-md);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-md);
+  font-family: var(--font-body);
+  font-size: var(--font-size-sm);
+  font-weight: 500;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  transition: background 0.15s, color 0.15s, border-color 0.15s;
+  white-space: nowrap;
+}
+.btn:disabled { opacity: 0.5; cursor: not-allowed; }
+
+.btn-primary {
+  background: var(--color-primary);
+  color: #fff;
+  border: 1px solid var(--color-primary);
+}
+.btn-primary:hover:not(:disabled) { filter: brightness(1.1); }
+
+.btn-ghost {
+  background: transparent;
+  color: var(--color-text-secondary);
+  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+}
+.btn-ghost:hover:not(:disabled) {
+  background: var(--color-bg-secondary);
+  color: var(--color-text-primary);
+  border-color: var(--color-border-focus);
+}
+
+/* ── Filter chips ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+.filter-chip-row {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+  gap: var(--spacing-xs);
+}
+
+.btn-chip {
+  padding: 5px var(--spacing-sm);
+  background: var(--color-bg-secondary);
+  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  border-radius: 999px;
+  font-family: var(--font-body);
+  font-size: var(--font-size-sm);
+  font-weight: 500;
+  color: var(--color-text-secondary);
+  cursor: pointer;
+  transition: background 0.15s, color 0.15s, border-color 0.15s;
+}
+.btn-chip.active,
+.btn-chip:hover {
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-primary) 15%, transparent);
+  border-color: var(--color-primary);
+  color: var(--color-primary);
+}
+
+/* ── Card ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+.card {
+  background: var(--color-bg-card);
+  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-md);
+}
+
+/* ── Text utilities ───────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+.text-muted   { color: var(--color-text-muted); }
+.text-sm      { font-size: var(--font-size-sm); line-height: 1.5; }
+.text-xs      { font-size: 0.75rem; line-height: 1.5; }
+.font-semibold { font-weight: 600; }
+
 /* Transition */
 .modal-fade-enter-active, .modal-fade-leave-active { transition: opacity 0.2s ease; }
 .modal-fade-enter-from, .modal-fade-leave-to { opacity: 0; }
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/HallOfChaosView.vue b/frontend/src/components/HallOfChaosView.vue
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cce3bd5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/HallOfChaosView.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,182 @@
+<template>
+  <div class="hall-of-chaos-overlay" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" aria-label="Hall of Chaos">
+
+    <!-- Header -->
+    <div class="chaos-header">
+      <h2 class="chaos-title">HALL OF CHAOS</h2>
+      <p class="chaos-subtitle text-sm">
+        Chaos Level: <span class="chaos-level">{{ chaosLevel }}</span>
+      </p>
+      <button
+        class="btn btn-secondary chaos-exit-btn"
+        aria-label="Exit Hall of Chaos"
+        @click="$emit('close')"
+      >
+        Escape the chaos
+      </button>
+    </div>
+
+    <!-- Loading -->
+    <div v-if="loading" class="chaos-loading text-center text-secondary" aria-live="polite" aria-busy="true">
+      Assembling the chaos...
+    </div>
+
+    <!-- Error -->
+    <div v-else-if="error" class="chaos-empty text-center text-secondary" role="alert">
+      The chaos is temporarily indisposed.
+    </div>
+
+    <!-- Empty -->
+    <div v-else-if="posts.length === 0" class="chaos-empty text-center text-secondary">
+      <p>No bloopers yet. Be the first to make a glorious mistake.</p>
+    </div>
+
+    <!-- Blooper cards -->
+    <div v-else class="chaos-grid" aria-label="Blooper posts">
+      <article
+        v-for="(post, index) in posts"
+        :key="post.slug"
+        class="chaos-card"
+        :class="`chaos-card--tilt-${(index % 5) + 1}`"
+        :style="{ '--chaos-border-color': borderColors[index % borderColors.length] }"
+      >
+        <p class="chaos-card-author text-xs text-muted">{{ post.pseudonym }}</p>
+        <h3 class="chaos-card-title text-base font-semibold">{{ post.title }}</h3>
+        <p v-if="post.outcome_notes" class="chaos-card-notes text-sm text-secondary">
+          {{ post.outcome_notes }}
+        </p>
+        <p v-if="post.recipe_name" class="chaos-card-recipe text-xs text-muted mt-xs">
+          Recipe: {{ post.recipe_name }}
+        </p>
+      </article>
+    </div>
+
+  </div>
+</template>
+
+<script setup lang="ts">
+import { ref, onMounted } from 'vue'
+import api from '../services/api'
+import type { CommunityPost } from '../stores/community'
+
+defineEmits<{ close: [] }>()
+
+const posts = ref<CommunityPost[]>([])
+const chaosLevel = ref(0)
+const loading = ref(true)
+const error = ref(false)
+
+// CSS custom property strings -- no hardcoded hex
+const borderColors = [
+  'var(--color-warning)',
+  'var(--color-info)',
+  'var(--color-success)',
+  'var(--color-error)',
+  'var(--color-warning)',
+]
+
+onMounted(async () => {
+  try {
+    const response = await api.get<{ posts: CommunityPost[]; chaos_level: number }>(
+      '/community/hall-of-chaos'
+    )
+    posts.value = response.data.posts
+    chaosLevel.value = response.data.chaos_level
+  } catch {
+    error.value = true
+  } finally {
+    loading.value = false
+  }
+})
+</script>
+
+<style scoped>
+.hall-of-chaos-overlay {
+  position: absolute;
+  inset: 0;
+  z-index: 200;
+  background: var(--color-bg-primary);
+  overflow-y: auto;
+  padding: var(--spacing-md);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
+}
+
+.chaos-header {
+  text-align: center;
+  margin-bottom: var(--spacing-lg);
+}
+
+.chaos-title {
+  font-size: 2rem;
+  font-weight: 900;
+  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
+  color: var(--color-warning);
+  margin: 0 0 var(--spacing-xs);
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+}
+
+.chaos-subtitle {
+  color: var(--color-text-secondary);
+  margin: 0 0 var(--spacing-sm);
+}
+
+.chaos-level {
+  font-weight: 700;
+  color: var(--color-warning);
+}
+
+.chaos-exit-btn {
+  font-size: var(--font-size-xs);
+}
+
+.chaos-loading,
+.chaos-empty {
+  padding: var(--spacing-xl);
+}
+
+.chaos-grid {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(220px, 1fr));
+  gap: var(--spacing-md);
+  padding-bottom: var(--spacing-lg);
+}
+
+/* Static tilts applied once at render -- not animations, no reduced-motion concern */
+.chaos-card {
+  background: var(--color-bg-card);
+  border: 2px solid var(--chaos-border-color, var(--color-border));
+  border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
+  padding: var(--spacing-md);
+}
+
+.chaos-card--tilt-1 { transform: rotate(-3deg); }
+.chaos-card--tilt-2 { transform: rotate(2deg); }
+.chaos-card--tilt-3 { transform: rotate(-1.5deg); }
+.chaos-card--tilt-4 { transform: rotate(4deg); }
+.chaos-card--tilt-5 { transform: rotate(-4.5deg); }
+
+.chaos-card-title {
+  margin: var(--spacing-xs) 0;
+  color: var(--color-text-primary);
+}
+
+.chaos-card-author,
+.chaos-card-notes,
+.chaos-card-recipe {
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
+@media (max-width: 480px) {
+  .chaos-grid {
+    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
+  }
+
+  .chaos-card--tilt-1,
+  .chaos-card--tilt-2,
+  .chaos-card--tilt-3,
+  .chaos-card--tilt-4,
+  .chaos-card--tilt-5 {
+    transform: none;
+  }
+}
+</style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/PublishOutcomeModal.vue b/frontend/src/components/PublishOutcomeModal.vue
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0154581
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/PublishOutcomeModal.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,365 @@
+<template>
+  <Teleport to="body">
+    <div
+      class="modal-overlay"
+      @click.self="$emit('close')"
+    >
+      <div
+        ref="dialogRef"
+        class="modal-panel card"
+        role="dialog"
+        aria-modal="true"
+        aria-labelledby="publish-outcome-title"
+        tabindex="-1"
+      >
+        <!-- Header -->
+        <div class="flex-between mb-md">
+          <h2 id="publish-outcome-title" class="section-title">
+            Share a recipe story
+            <span v-if="recipeName" class="recipe-name-hint text-sm text-muted">
+              -- {{ recipeName }}
+            </span>
+          </h2>
+          <button
+            class="btn-close"
+            aria-label="Close"
+            @click="$emit('close')"
+          >&#x2715;</button>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Post type selector -->
+        <div class="form-group">
+          <fieldset class="type-fieldset">
+            <legend class="form-label">What kind of story is this?</legend>
+            <div class="type-toggle flex gap-sm">
+              <button
+                ref="firstFocusRef"
+                :class="['btn', 'type-btn', postType === 'recipe_success' ? 'type-btn-active' : 'btn-secondary']"
+                :aria-pressed="postType === 'recipe_success'"
+                @click="postType = 'recipe_success'"
+              >
+                Success
+              </button>
+              <button
+                :class="['btn', 'type-btn', postType === 'recipe_blooper' ? 'type-btn-active type-btn-blooper' : 'btn-secondary']"
+                :aria-pressed="postType === 'recipe_blooper'"
+                @click="postType = 'recipe_blooper'"
+              >
+                Blooper
+              </button>
+            </div>
+          </fieldset>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Title field -->
+        <div class="form-group">
+          <label class="form-label" for="outcome-title">
+            Title <span class="required-mark" aria-hidden="true">*</span>
+          </label>
+          <input
+            id="outcome-title"
+            v-model="title"
+            class="form-input"
+            type="text"
+            maxlength="200"
+            placeholder="e.g. Perfect crust on the first try"
+            autocomplete="off"
+            required
+          />
+          <span class="form-hint char-counter" aria-live="polite" aria-atomic="true">
+            {{ title.length }}/200
+          </span>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Outcome notes field -->
+        <div class="form-group">
+          <label class="form-label" for="outcome-notes">
+            What happened? <span class="optional-mark">(optional)</span>
+          </label>
+          <textarea
+            id="outcome-notes"
+            v-model="outcomeNotes"
+            class="form-input form-textarea"
+            maxlength="2000"
+            rows="4"
+            placeholder="Describe what you tried, what worked, or what went sideways."
+          />
+          <span class="form-hint char-counter" aria-live="polite" aria-atomic="true">
+            {{ outcomeNotes.length }}/2000
+          </span>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Pseudonym field -->
+        <div class="form-group">
+          <label class="form-label" for="outcome-pseudonym">
+            Community name <span class="optional-mark">(optional)</span>
+          </label>
+          <input
+            id="outcome-pseudonym"
+            v-model="pseudonymName"
+            class="form-input"
+            type="text"
+            maxlength="40"
+            placeholder="Leave blank to use your existing handle"
+            autocomplete="nickname"
+          />
+          <span class="form-hint">How you appear on posts -- not your real name or email.</span>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Submission feedback (aria-live region, always rendered) -->
+        <div
+          class="feedback-region"
+          aria-live="polite"
+          aria-atomic="true"
+        >
+          <p v-if="submitError" class="feedback-error text-sm" role="alert">{{ submitError }}</p>
+          <p v-if="submitSuccess" class="feedback-success text-sm">{{ submitSuccess }}</p>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Footer actions -->
+        <div class="modal-footer flex gap-sm">
+          <button
+            class="btn btn-primary"
+            :disabled="submitting || !title.trim()"
+            :aria-busy="submitting"
+            @click="onSubmit"
+          >
+            <span v-if="submitting" class="spinner spinner-sm" aria-hidden="true"></span>
+            {{ submitting ? 'Publishing...' : 'Publish' }}
+          </button>
+          <button class="btn btn-secondary" @click="$emit('close')">
+            Cancel
+          </button>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </Teleport>
+</template>
+
+<script setup lang="ts">
+import { ref, onMounted, onUnmounted, nextTick } from 'vue'
+import { useCommunityStore } from '../stores/community'
+import type { PublishPayload } from '../stores/community'
+
+const props = defineProps<{
+  recipeId: number | null
+  recipeName: string | null
+  visible?: boolean
+}>()
+
+const emit = defineEmits<{
+  close: []
+  published: [payload: { slug: string }]
+}>()
+
+const store = useCommunityStore()
+
+const postType = ref<'recipe_success' | 'recipe_blooper'>('recipe_success')
+const title = ref('')
+const outcomeNotes = ref('')
+const pseudonymName = ref('')
+const submitting = ref(false)
+const submitError = ref<string | null>(null)
+const submitSuccess = ref<string | null>(null)
+
+const dialogRef = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
+const firstFocusRef = ref<HTMLButtonElement | null>(null)
+let previousFocus: HTMLElement | null = null
+
+function getFocusables(): HTMLElement[] {
+  if (!dialogRef.value) return []
+  return Array.from(
+    dialogRef.value.querySelectorAll<HTMLElement>(
+      'button:not([disabled]), [href], input:not([disabled]), textarea:not([disabled]), select:not([disabled]), [tabindex]:not([tabindex="-1"])'
+    )
+  )
+}
+
+function handleKeydown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
+  if (e.key === 'Escape') {
+    emit('close')
+    return
+  }
+  if (e.key !== 'Tab') return
+  // Only intercept Tab when focus is inside this dialog
+  if (!dialogRef.value?.contains(document.activeElement)) return
+
+  const focusables = getFocusables()
+  if (focusables.length === 0) return
+  const first = focusables[0]!
+  const last = focusables[focusables.length - 1]!
+
+  if (e.shiftKey) {
+    if (document.activeElement === first) {
+      e.preventDefault()
+      last.focus()
+    }
+  } else {
+    if (document.activeElement === last) {
+      e.preventDefault()
+      first.focus()
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+onMounted(() => {
+  previousFocus = document.activeElement as HTMLElement
+  document.addEventListener('keydown', handleKeydown)
+  nextTick(() => {
+    (firstFocusRef.value ?? dialogRef.value)?.focus()
+  })
+})
+
+onUnmounted(() => {
+  document.removeEventListener('keydown', handleKeydown)
+  previousFocus?.focus()
+})
+
+async function onSubmit() {
+  submitError.value = null
+  submitSuccess.value = null
+
+  if (!title.value.trim()) return
+
+  const payload: PublishPayload = {
+    post_type: postType.value,
+    title: title.value.trim(),
+  }
+  if (outcomeNotes.value.trim()) payload.outcome_notes = outcomeNotes.value.trim()
+  if (pseudonymName.value.trim()) payload.pseudonym_name = pseudonymName.value.trim()
+  if (props.recipeId != null) payload.recipe_id = props.recipeId
+
+  submitting.value = true
+  try {
+    const result = await store.publishPost(payload)
+    submitSuccess.value = 'Your story has been posted.'
+    nextTick(() => {
+      emit('published', { slug: result.slug })
+    })
+  } catch (err: unknown) {
+    submitError.value = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Could not publish. Please try again.'
+  } finally {
+    submitting.value = false
+  }
+}
+</script>
+
+<style scoped>
+.modal-overlay {
+  position: fixed;
+  inset: 0;
+  background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  z-index: 400;
+  padding: var(--spacing-md);
+}
+
+.modal-panel {
+  width: 100%;
+  max-width: 480px;
+  max-height: 90vh;
+  overflow-y: auto;
+}
+
+.btn-close {
+  background: none;
+  border: none;
+  font-size: 1.1rem;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  color: var(--color-text-secondary);
+  padding: var(--spacing-xs);
+  line-height: 1;
+  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
+}
+
+.btn-close:hover {
+  color: var(--color-text-primary);
+}
+
+.recipe-name-hint {
+  font-style: italic;
+}
+
+.required-mark {
+  color: var(--color-error);
+  margin-left: 2px;
+}
+
+.optional-mark {
+  font-weight: 400;
+  color: var(--color-text-muted);
+  font-size: var(--font-size-xs);
+}
+
+.type-fieldset {
+  border: none;
+  padding: 0;
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
+.type-toggle {
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+}
+
+.type-btn {
+  min-width: 100px;
+}
+
+.type-btn-active {
+  background: var(--color-success);
+  color: white;
+  border-color: var(--color-success);
+  font-weight: 700;
+}
+
+.type-btn-active.type-btn-blooper {
+  background: var(--color-warning);
+  border-color: var(--color-warning);
+  color: var(--color-text-primary);
+}
+
+.char-counter {
+  text-align: right;
+  display: block;
+  margin-top: var(--spacing-xs);
+}
+
+.feedback-region {
+  min-height: 1.4rem;
+  margin-bottom: var(--spacing-xs);
+}
+
+.feedback-error {
+  color: var(--color-error);
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
+.feedback-success {
+  color: var(--color-success);
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
+.modal-footer {
+  justify-content: flex-start;
+  padding-top: var(--spacing-md);
+  border-top: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  margin-top: var(--spacing-md);
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+}
+
+@media (max-width: 480px) {
+  .modal-panel {
+    max-height: 95vh;
+  }
+
+  .modal-footer {
+    flex-direction: column-reverse;
+  }
+
+  .modal-footer .btn {
+    width: 100%;
+  }
+}
+</style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/PublishPlanModal.vue b/frontend/src/components/PublishPlanModal.vue
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f11d176
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/PublishPlanModal.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,311 @@
+<template>
+  <Teleport to="body">
+    <div
+      class="modal-overlay"
+      @click.self="$emit('close')"
+    >
+      <div
+        ref="dialogRef"
+        class="modal-panel card"
+        role="dialog"
+        aria-modal="true"
+        aria-labelledby="publish-plan-title"
+        tabindex="-1"
+      >
+        <!-- Header -->
+        <div class="flex-between mb-md">
+          <h2 id="publish-plan-title" class="section-title">Share this week's plan</h2>
+          <button
+            class="btn-close"
+            aria-label="Close"
+            @click="$emit('close')"
+          >&#x2715;</button>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Title field -->
+        <div class="form-group">
+          <label class="form-label" for="plan-pub-title">
+            Title <span class="required-mark" aria-hidden="true">*</span>
+          </label>
+          <input
+            id="plan-pub-title"
+            ref="firstFocusRef"
+            v-model="title"
+            class="form-input"
+            type="text"
+            maxlength="200"
+            placeholder="e.g. Mediterranean Week"
+            autocomplete="off"
+            required
+          />
+          <span class="form-hint char-counter" aria-live="polite" aria-atomic="true">
+            {{ title.length }}/200
+          </span>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Description field -->
+        <div class="form-group">
+          <label class="form-label" for="plan-pub-desc">
+            Description <span class="optional-mark">(optional)</span>
+          </label>
+          <textarea
+            id="plan-pub-desc"
+            v-model="description"
+            class="form-input form-textarea"
+            maxlength="2000"
+            rows="3"
+            placeholder="What makes this week worth sharing?"
+          />
+          <span class="form-hint char-counter" aria-live="polite" aria-atomic="true">
+            {{ description.length }}/2000
+          </span>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Pseudonym field -->
+        <div class="form-group">
+          <label class="form-label" for="plan-pub-pseudonym">
+            Community name <span class="optional-mark">(optional)</span>
+          </label>
+          <input
+            id="plan-pub-pseudonym"
+            v-model="pseudonymName"
+            class="form-input"
+            type="text"
+            maxlength="40"
+            placeholder="Leave blank to use your existing handle"
+            autocomplete="nickname"
+          />
+          <span class="form-hint">How you appear on posts -- not your real name or email.</span>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Submission feedback (aria-live region, always rendered) -->
+        <div
+          class="feedback-region"
+          aria-live="polite"
+          aria-atomic="true"
+        >
+          <p v-if="submitError" class="feedback-error text-sm" role="alert">{{ submitError }}</p>
+          <p v-if="submitSuccess" class="feedback-success text-sm">{{ submitSuccess }}</p>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Footer actions -->
+        <div class="modal-footer flex gap-sm">
+          <button
+            class="btn btn-primary"
+            :disabled="submitting || !title.trim()"
+            :aria-busy="submitting"
+            @click="onSubmit"
+          >
+            <span v-if="submitting" class="spinner spinner-sm" aria-hidden="true"></span>
+            {{ submitting ? 'Publishing...' : 'Publish' }}
+          </button>
+          <button class="btn btn-secondary" @click="$emit('close')">
+            Cancel
+          </button>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </Teleport>
+</template>
+
+<script setup lang="ts">
+import { ref, onMounted, onUnmounted, nextTick } from 'vue'
+import { useCommunityStore } from '../stores/community'
+import type { PublishPayload } from '../stores/community'
+
+const props = defineProps<{
+  plan?: {
+    id: number
+    week_start: string
+    slots: Array<{ day: string; meal_type: string; recipe_id: number; recipe_name: string }>
+  } | null
+  visible?: boolean
+}>()
+
+const emit = defineEmits<{
+  close: []
+  published: [payload: { slug: string }]
+}>()
+
+const store = useCommunityStore()
+
+const title = ref('')
+const description = ref('')
+const pseudonymName = ref('')
+const submitting = ref(false)
+const submitError = ref<string | null>(null)
+const submitSuccess = ref<string | null>(null)
+
+const dialogRef = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
+const firstFocusRef = ref<HTMLInputElement | null>(null)
+let previousFocus: HTMLElement | null = null
+
+function getFocusables(): HTMLElement[] {
+  if (!dialogRef.value) return []
+  return Array.from(
+    dialogRef.value.querySelectorAll<HTMLElement>(
+      'button:not([disabled]), [href], input:not([disabled]), textarea:not([disabled]), select:not([disabled]), [tabindex]:not([tabindex="-1"])'
+    )
+  )
+}
+
+function handleKeydown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
+  if (e.key === 'Escape') {
+    emit('close')
+    return
+  }
+  if (e.key !== 'Tab') return
+  // Only intercept Tab when focus is inside this dialog
+  if (!dialogRef.value?.contains(document.activeElement)) return
+
+  const focusables = getFocusables()
+  if (focusables.length === 0) return
+  const first = focusables[0]!
+  const last = focusables[focusables.length - 1]!
+
+  if (e.shiftKey) {
+    if (document.activeElement === first) {
+      e.preventDefault()
+      last.focus()
+    }
+  } else {
+    if (document.activeElement === last) {
+      e.preventDefault()
+      first.focus()
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+onMounted(() => {
+  previousFocus = document.activeElement as HTMLElement
+  document.addEventListener('keydown', handleKeydown)
+  nextTick(() => {
+    (firstFocusRef.value ?? dialogRef.value)?.focus()
+  })
+})
+
+onUnmounted(() => {
+  document.removeEventListener('keydown', handleKeydown)
+  previousFocus?.focus()
+})
+
+async function onSubmit() {
+  submitError.value = null
+  submitSuccess.value = null
+
+  if (!title.value.trim()) return
+
+  const payload: PublishPayload = {
+    post_type: 'plan',
+    title: title.value.trim(),
+  }
+  if (description.value.trim()) payload.description = description.value.trim()
+  if (pseudonymName.value.trim()) payload.pseudonym_name = pseudonymName.value.trim()
+  if (props.plan?.id != null) payload.plan_id = props.plan.id
+  if (props.plan?.slots?.length) {
+    payload.slots = props.plan.slots.map(({ day, meal_type, recipe_id }) => ({ day, meal_type, recipe_id }))
+  }
+
+  submitting.value = true
+  try {
+    const result = await store.publishPost(payload)
+    submitSuccess.value = 'Plan published to the community feed.'
+    nextTick(() => {
+      emit('published', { slug: result.slug })
+    })
+  } catch (err: unknown) {
+    submitError.value = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Could not publish. Please try again.'
+  } finally {
+    submitting.value = false
+  }
+}
+</script>
+
+<style scoped>
+.modal-overlay {
+  position: fixed;
+  inset: 0;
+  background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  z-index: 400;
+  padding: var(--spacing-md);
+}
+
+.modal-panel {
+  width: 100%;
+  max-width: 480px;
+  max-height: 90vh;
+  overflow-y: auto;
+}
+
+.btn-close {
+  background: none;
+  border: none;
+  font-size: 1.1rem;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  color: var(--color-text-secondary);
+  padding: var(--spacing-xs);
+  line-height: 1;
+  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
+}
+
+.btn-close:hover {
+  color: var(--color-text-primary);
+}
+
+.required-mark {
+  color: var(--color-error);
+  margin-left: 2px;
+}
+
+.optional-mark {
+  font-weight: 400;
+  color: var(--color-text-muted);
+  font-size: var(--font-size-xs);
+}
+
+.char-counter {
+  text-align: right;
+  display: block;
+  margin-top: var(--spacing-xs);
+}
+
+.feedback-region {
+  min-height: 1.4rem;
+  margin-bottom: var(--spacing-xs);
+}
+
+.feedback-error {
+  color: var(--color-error);
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
+.feedback-success {
+  color: var(--color-success);
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
+.modal-footer {
+  justify-content: flex-start;
+  padding-top: var(--spacing-md);
+  border-top: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  margin-top: var(--spacing-md);
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+}
+
+@media (max-width: 480px) {
+  .modal-panel {
+    max-height: 95vh;
+  }
+
+  .modal-footer {
+    flex-direction: column-reverse;
+  }
+
+  .modal-footer .btn {
+    width: 100%;
+  }
+}
+</style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/RecipeDetailPanel.vue b/frontend/src/components/RecipeDetailPanel.vue
index bd08fe2..4bd3334 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/RecipeDetailPanel.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/RecipeDetailPanel.vue
@@ -161,14 +161,21 @@
             <div class="add-pantry-col">
               <p v-if="addError" role="alert" aria-live="assertive" class="add-error text-xs">{{ addError }}</p>
               <p v-if="addedToPantry" role="status" aria-live="polite" class="add-success text-xs">✓ Added to pantry!</p>
-              <button
-                class="btn btn-accent flex-1"
-                :disabled="addingToPantry"
-                @click="addToPantry"
-              >
-                <span v-if="addingToPantry">Adding…</span>
-                <span v-else>Add {{ checkedCount }} to pantry</span>
-              </button>
+              <div class="grocery-actions">
+                <button
+                  class="btn btn-primary flex-1"
+                  @click="copyGroceryList"
+                >{{ groceryCopied ? '✓ Copied!' : `📋 Grocery list (${checkedCount})` }}</button>
+                <button
+                  class="btn btn-secondary"
+                  :disabled="addingToPantry"
+                  @click="addToPantry"
+                  :title="`Add ${checkedCount} item${checkedCount !== 1 ? 's' : ''} to your pantry`"
+                >
+                  <span v-if="addingToPantry">Adding…</span>
+                  <span v-else>+ Pantry</span>
+                </button>
+              </div>
             </div>
           </template>
           <button v-else class="btn btn-primary flex-1" @click="handleCook">
@@ -246,6 +253,7 @@ const checkedIngredients = ref<Set<string>>(new Set())
 const addingToPantry = ref(false)
 const addedToPantry = ref(false)
 const addError = ref<string | null>(null)
+const groceryCopied = ref(false)
 
 const checkedCount = computed(() => checkedIngredients.value.size)
 
@@ -300,6 +308,19 @@ async function shareList() {
   }
 }
 
+async function copyGroceryList() {
+  const items = [...checkedIngredients.value]
+  if (!items.length) return
+  const text = `Shopping list for ${props.recipe.title}:\n${items.map((i) => `• ${i}`).join('\n')}`
+  if (navigator.share) {
+    await navigator.share({ title: `Shopping list: ${props.recipe.title}`, text })
+  } else {
+    await navigator.clipboard.writeText(text)
+    groceryCopied.value = true
+    setTimeout(() => { groceryCopied.value = false }, 2000)
+  }
+}
+
 function groceryLinkFor(ingredient: string): GroceryLink | undefined {
   const needle = ingredient.toLowerCase()
   return props.groceryLinks.find((l) => l.ingredient.toLowerCase() === needle)
@@ -577,6 +598,12 @@ function handleCook() {
   gap: 2px;
 }
 
+.grocery-actions {
+  display: flex;
+  gap: var(--spacing-xs);
+  align-items: stretch;
+}
+
 .add-error {
   color: var(--color-error, #dc2626);
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/RecipesView.vue b/frontend/src/components/RecipesView.vue
index e5d7700..0c4f579 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/RecipesView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/RecipesView.vue
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
       v-if="activeTab === 'browse'"
       role="tabpanel"
       aria-labelledby="tab-browse"
+      tabindex="0"
       @open-recipe="openRecipeById"
     />
 
@@ -29,11 +30,29 @@
       v-else-if="activeTab === 'saved'"
       role="tabpanel"
       aria-labelledby="tab-saved"
+      tabindex="0"
       @open-recipe="openRecipeById"
     />
 
+    <!-- Community tab -->
+    <CommunityFeedPanel
+      v-else-if="activeTab === 'community'"
+      role="tabpanel"
+      aria-labelledby="tab-community"
+      tabindex="0"
+      @plan-forked="onPlanForked"
+    />
+
+    <!-- Build Your Own tab -->
+    <BuildYourOwnTab
+      v-else-if="activeTab === 'build'"
+      role="tabpanel"
+      aria-labelledby="tab-build"
+      tabindex="0"
+    />
+
     <!-- Find tab (existing search UI) -->
-    <div v-else role="tabpanel" aria-labelledby="tab-find">
+    <div v-else ref="findPanelRef" role="tabpanel" aria-labelledby="tab-find" tabindex="0">
     <!-- Controls Panel -->
     <div class="card mb-controls">
       <h2 class="section-title text-xl mb-md">Find Recipes</h2>
@@ -47,6 +66,7 @@
             :key="lvl.value"
             :class="['btn', 'btn-secondary', { active: recipesStore.level === lvl.value }]"
             @click="recipesStore.level = lvl.value"
+            :aria-pressed="recipesStore.level === lvl.value"
             :title="lvl.description"
           >
             {{ lvl.label }}
@@ -77,8 +97,8 @@
       </button>
 
       <!-- Dietary Preferences (collapsible) -->
-      <details class="collapsible form-group">
-        <summary class="collapsible-summary filter-summary">
+      <details class="collapsible form-group" @toggle="(e: Event) => dietaryOpen = (e.target as HTMLDetailsElement).open">
+        <summary class="collapsible-summary filter-summary" :aria-expanded="dietaryOpen">
           Dietary preferences
           <span v-if="dietaryActive" class="filter-active-dot" aria-label="filters active"></span>
         </summary>
@@ -154,8 +174,9 @@
 
           <!-- Max Missing — hidden in shopping mode -->
           <div v-if="!recipesStore.shoppingMode" class="form-group">
-            <label class="form-label">Max Missing Ingredients <span class="text-muted text-xs">(optional)</span></label>
+            <label class="form-label" for="max-missing">Max Missing Ingredients <span class="text-muted text-xs">(optional)</span></label>
             <input
+              id="max-missing"
               type="number"
               class="form-input"
               min="0"
@@ -169,8 +190,8 @@
       </details>
 
       <!-- Advanced Filters (collapsible) -->
-      <details class="collapsible form-group">
-        <summary class="collapsible-summary filter-summary">
+      <details class="collapsible form-group" @toggle="(e: Event) => advancedOpen = (e.target as HTMLDetailsElement).open">
+        <summary class="collapsible-summary filter-summary" :aria-expanded="advancedOpen">
           Advanced filters
           <span v-if="advancedActive" class="filter-active-dot" aria-label="filters active"></span>
         </summary>
@@ -181,26 +202,26 @@
             <label class="form-label">Nutrition limits <span class="text-muted text-xs">(per recipe, optional)</span></label>
             <div class="nutrition-filters-grid mt-xs">
               <div class="form-group">
-                <label class="form-label">Max Calories</label>
-                <input type="number" class="form-input" min="0" placeholder="e.g. 600"
+                <label class="form-label" for="filter-max-cal">Max Calories</label>
+                <input id="filter-max-cal" type="number" class="form-input" min="0" placeholder="e.g. 600"
                   :value="recipesStore.nutritionFilters.max_calories ?? ''"
                   @input="onNutritionInput('max_calories', $event)" />
               </div>
               <div class="form-group">
-                <label class="form-label">Max Sugar (g)</label>
-                <input type="number" class="form-input" min="0" placeholder="e.g. 10"
+                <label class="form-label" for="filter-max-sugar">Max Sugar (g)</label>
+                <input id="filter-max-sugar" type="number" class="form-input" min="0" placeholder="e.g. 10"
                   :value="recipesStore.nutritionFilters.max_sugar_g ?? ''"
                   @input="onNutritionInput('max_sugar_g', $event)" />
               </div>
               <div class="form-group">
-                <label class="form-label">Max Carbs (g)</label>
-                <input type="number" class="form-input" min="0" placeholder="e.g. 50"
+                <label class="form-label" for="filter-max-carbs">Max Carbs (g)</label>
+                <input id="filter-max-carbs" type="number" class="form-input" min="0" placeholder="e.g. 50"
                   :value="recipesStore.nutritionFilters.max_carbs_g ?? ''"
                   @input="onNutritionInput('max_carbs_g', $event)" />
               </div>
               <div class="form-group">
-                <label class="form-label">Max Sodium (mg)</label>
-                <input type="number" class="form-input" min="0" placeholder="e.g. 800"
+                <label class="form-label" for="filter-max-sodium">Max Sodium (mg)</label>
+                <input id="filter-max-sodium" type="number" class="form-input" min="0" placeholder="e.g. 800"
                   :value="recipesStore.nutritionFilters.max_sodium_mg ?? ''"
                   @input="onNutritionInput('max_sodium_mg', $event)" />
               </div>
@@ -219,14 +240,16 @@
                 :key="style.id"
                 :class="['btn', 'btn-secondary', 'btn-sm', { active: recipesStore.styleId === style.id }]"
                 @click="recipesStore.styleId = recipesStore.styleId === style.id ? null : style.id"
+                :aria-pressed="recipesStore.styleId === style.id"
               >{{ style.label }}</button>
             </div>
           </div>
 
           <!-- Category Filter (Level 1–2 only) -->
           <div v-if="recipesStore.level <= 2" class="form-group">
-            <label class="form-label">Category <span class="text-muted text-xs">(optional)</span></label>
+            <label class="form-label" for="adv-category">Category <span class="text-muted text-xs">(optional)</span></label>
             <input
+              id="adv-category"
               class="form-input"
               v-model="categoryInput"
               placeholder="e.g. Breakfast, Asian, Chicken, &lt; 30 Mins"
@@ -264,26 +287,27 @@
     </div>
 
     <!-- Error -->
-    <div v-if="recipesStore.error" class="status-badge status-error mb-md">
+    <div v-if="recipesStore.error" role="alert" class="status-badge status-error mb-md">
       {{ recipesStore.error }}
     </div>
 
-    <!-- Screen reader announcement when results load -->
+    <!-- Screen reader announcement for loading + results -->
     <div aria-live="polite" aria-atomic="true" class="sr-only">
-      <span v-if="recipesStore.result && !recipesStore.loading">
+      <span v-if="recipesStore.loading">Finding recipes…</span>
+      <span v-else-if="recipesStore.result">
         {{ filteredSuggestions.length }} recipe{{ filteredSuggestions.length !== 1 ? 's' : '' }} found
       </span>
     </div>
 
     <!-- Results -->
-    <div v-if="recipesStore.result" class="results-section fade-in">
+    <div v-if="recipesStore.result" class="results-section fade-in" :aria-busy="recipesStore.loading">
       <!-- Rate limit warning -->
       <div
         v-if="recipesStore.result.rate_limited"
         class="status-badge status-warning rate-limit-banner mb-md"
       >
-        You've used your {{ recipesStore.result.rate_limit_count }} free suggestions today. Upgrade for
-        unlimited.
+        Today's free suggestions are used up. Your limit resets tomorrow, or
+        <a href="#" class="link-inline" @click.prevent="$emit('upgrade')">upgrade for unlimited access</a>.
       </div>
 
       <!-- Element gaps -->
@@ -312,22 +336,26 @@
               v-for="lvl in availableLevels"
               :key="lvl"
               :class="['filter-chip', { active: filterLevel === lvl }]"
+              :aria-pressed="filterLevel === lvl"
               @click="filterLevel = filterLevel === lvl ? null : lvl"
-            >Lv{{ lvl }}</button>
+            >{{ levelLabels[lvl] ?? `Level ${lvl}` }}</button>
           </template>
           <button
             :class="['filter-chip', { active: filterMissing === 0 }]"
+            :aria-pressed="filterMissing === 0"
             @click="filterMissing = filterMissing === 0 ? null : 0"
           >Can make now</button>
           <button
             :class="['filter-chip', { active: filterMissing === 2 }]"
+            :aria-pressed="filterMissing === 2"
             @click="filterMissing = filterMissing === 2 ? null : 2"
           >≤2 missing</button>
           <button
             v-if="hasActiveFilters"
             class="filter-chip filter-chip-clear"
+            aria-label="Clear all recipe filters"
             @click="clearFilters"
-          >✕ Clear</button>
+          ><span aria-hidden="true">✕</span> Clear</button>
         </div>
       </div>
 
@@ -340,7 +368,7 @@
           <p>No recipes match your filters.</p>
           <button class="btn btn-ghost btn-sm mt-xs" @click="clearFilters">Clear filters</button>
         </template>
-        <p v-else>No recipes found for your current pantry and settings. Try lowering the creativity level or adding more items.</p>
+        <p v-else>We didn't find matches at this level. Try <button class="btn btn-ghost btn-sm" @click="recipesStore.level = 1; handleSuggest()">Level 1 — Use What I Have</button> or adjust your filters.</p>
       </div>
 
       <!-- Recipe Cards -->
@@ -390,28 +418,28 @@
           <!-- Nutrition chips -->
           <div v-if="recipe.nutrition" class="nutrition-chips mb-sm">
             <span v-if="recipe.nutrition.calories != null" class="nutrition-chip">
-              🔥 {{ Math.round(recipe.nutrition.calories) }} kcal
+              <span aria-hidden="true">🔥</span><span class="sr-only">Calories:</span> {{ Math.round(recipe.nutrition.calories) }} kcal
             </span>
             <span v-if="recipe.nutrition.fat_g != null" class="nutrition-chip">
-              🧈 {{ recipe.nutrition.fat_g.toFixed(1) }}g fat
+              <span aria-hidden="true">🧈</span><span class="sr-only">Fat:</span> {{ recipe.nutrition.fat_g.toFixed(1) }}g fat
             </span>
             <span v-if="recipe.nutrition.protein_g != null" class="nutrition-chip">
-              💪 {{ recipe.nutrition.protein_g.toFixed(1) }}g protein
+              <span aria-hidden="true">💪</span><span class="sr-only">Protein:</span> {{ recipe.nutrition.protein_g.toFixed(1) }}g protein
             </span>
             <span v-if="recipe.nutrition.carbs_g != null" class="nutrition-chip">
-              🌾 {{ recipe.nutrition.carbs_g.toFixed(1) }}g carbs
+              <span aria-hidden="true">🌾</span><span class="sr-only">Carbs:</span> {{ recipe.nutrition.carbs_g.toFixed(1) }}g carbs
             </span>
             <span v-if="recipe.nutrition.fiber_g != null" class="nutrition-chip">
-              🌿 {{ recipe.nutrition.fiber_g.toFixed(1) }}g fiber
+              <span aria-hidden="true">🌿</span><span class="sr-only">Fiber:</span> {{ recipe.nutrition.fiber_g.toFixed(1) }}g fiber
             </span>
             <span v-if="recipe.nutrition.sugar_g != null" class="nutrition-chip nutrition-chip-sugar">
-              🍬 {{ recipe.nutrition.sugar_g.toFixed(1) }}g sugar
+              <span aria-hidden="true">🍬</span><span class="sr-only">Sugar:</span> {{ recipe.nutrition.sugar_g.toFixed(1) }}g sugar
             </span>
             <span v-if="recipe.nutrition.sodium_mg != null" class="nutrition-chip">
-              🧂 {{ Math.round(recipe.nutrition.sodium_mg) }}mg sodium
+              <span aria-hidden="true">🧂</span><span class="sr-only">Sodium:</span> {{ Math.round(recipe.nutrition.sodium_mg) }}mg sodium
             </span>
             <span v-if="recipe.nutrition.servings != null" class="nutrition-chip nutrition-chip-servings">
-              🍽️ {{ recipe.nutrition.servings }} serving{{ recipe.nutrition.servings !== 1 ? 's' : '' }}
+              <span aria-hidden="true">🍽️</span><span class="sr-only">Servings:</span> {{ recipe.nutrition.servings }} serving{{ recipe.nutrition.servings !== 1 ? 's' : '' }}
             </span>
             <span v-if="recipe.nutrition.estimated" class="nutrition-chip nutrition-chip-estimated" title="Estimated from ingredient profiles">
               ~ estimated
@@ -420,7 +448,7 @@
 
           <!-- Missing ingredients -->
           <div v-if="recipe.missing_ingredients.length > 0" class="mb-sm">
-            <p class="text-sm font-semibold text-warning">You'd need:</p>
+            <p class="text-sm font-semibold text-secondary">You'd need:</p>
             <div class="flex flex-wrap gap-xs mt-xs">
               <span
                 v-for="ing in recipe.missing_ingredients"
@@ -448,8 +476,12 @@
           </div>
 
           <!-- Swap candidates collapsible -->
-          <details v-if="recipe.swap_candidates.length > 0" class="collapsible mb-sm">
-            <summary class="text-sm font-semibold collapsible-summary">
+          <details
+            v-if="recipe.swap_candidates.length > 0"
+            class="collapsible mb-sm"
+            @toggle="(e: Event) => toggleSwapOpen(recipe.id, (e.target as HTMLDetailsElement).open)"
+          >
+            <summary class="text-sm font-semibold collapsible-summary" :aria-expanded="openSwapIds.has(recipe.id)">
               Possible swaps ({{ recipe.swap_candidates.length }})
             </summary>
             <div class="card-secondary mt-xs">
@@ -510,6 +542,16 @@
         </button>
       </div>
 
+      <!-- Soft Build Your Own nudge when corpus results are sparse -->
+      <div
+        v-if="!recipesStore.loading && filteredSuggestions.length <= 2 && recipesStore.result"
+        class="byo-nudge text-sm text-secondary mt-md"
+      >
+        Not finding what you want?
+        <button class="btn-link" @click="activeTab = 'build'">Try Build Your Own</button>
+        to make something from scratch.
+      </div>
+
     </div>
 
     <!-- Recipe detail panel — mounts as a full-screen overlay -->
@@ -536,6 +578,11 @@
 
     </div><!-- end Find tab -->
 
+    <!-- Recipe load error — announced to screen readers via aria-live -->
+    <div v-if="browserRecipeError" role="alert" class="status-badge status-error mb-sm">
+      {{ browserRecipeError }}
+    </div>
+
     <!-- Detail panel for browser/saved recipe lookups -->
     <RecipeDetailPanel
       v-if="browserSelectedRecipe"
@@ -548,12 +595,16 @@
 </template>
 
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { ref, computed, onMounted } from 'vue'
+import { ref, computed, onMounted, nextTick, watch } from 'vue'
 import { useRecipesStore } from '../stores/recipes'
 import { useInventoryStore } from '../stores/inventory'
+import { useSavedRecipesStore } from '../stores/savedRecipes'
 import RecipeDetailPanel from './RecipeDetailPanel.vue'
 import RecipeBrowserPanel from './RecipeBrowserPanel.vue'
 import SavedRecipesPanel from './SavedRecipesPanel.vue'
+import CommunityFeedPanel from './CommunityFeedPanel.vue'
+import BuildYourOwnTab from './BuildYourOwnTab.vue'
+import type { ForkResult } from '../stores/community'
 import type { RecipeSuggestion, GroceryLink } from '../services/api'
 import { recipesAPI } from '../services/api'
 
@@ -561,37 +612,82 @@ const recipesStore = useRecipesStore()
 const inventoryStore = useInventoryStore()
 
 // Tab state
-type TabId = 'find' | 'browse' | 'saved'
+type TabId = 'find' | 'browse' | 'saved' | 'community' | 'build'
 const tabs: Array<{ id: TabId; label: string }> = [
-  { id: 'find',   label: 'Find' },
-  { id: 'browse', label: 'Browse' },
-  { id: 'saved',  label: 'Saved' },
+  { id: 'saved',     label: 'Saved' },
+  { id: 'build',     label: 'Build Your Own' },
+  { id: 'community', label: 'Community' },
+  { id: 'find',      label: 'Find' },
+  { id: 'browse',    label: 'Browse' },
 ]
-const activeTab = ref<TabId>('find')
+const activeTab = ref<TabId>('saved')
+const savedStore = useSavedRecipesStore()
+// Template ref for the Find-tab panel div (used for focus management on tab switch)
+const findPanelRef = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
 
 function onTabKeydown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
-  const tabIds: TabId[] = ['find', 'browse', 'saved']
+  const tabIds: TabId[] = ['saved', 'build', 'community', 'find', 'browse']
   const current = tabIds.indexOf(activeTab.value)
   if (e.key === 'ArrowRight') {
     e.preventDefault()
     activeTab.value = tabIds[(current + 1) % tabIds.length]!
+    nextTick(() => {
+      // Move focus to the newly active panel so keyboard users don't have to Tab
+      // through the entire tab bar again to reach the panel content
+      const panel = document.querySelector('[role="tabpanel"]') as HTMLElement | null
+      panel?.focus()
+    })
   } else if (e.key === 'ArrowLeft') {
     e.preventDefault()
     activeTab.value = tabIds[(current - 1 + tabIds.length) % tabIds.length]!
+    nextTick(() => {
+      const panel = document.querySelector('[role="tabpanel"]') as HTMLElement | null
+      panel?.focus()
+    })
   }
 }
 
+// Community tab: navigate to Find tab after a plan fork (full plan view deferred to Task 9)
+function onPlanForked(_payload: ForkResult) {
+  activeTab.value = 'find'
+}
+
 // Browser/saved tab recipe detail panel (fetches full recipe from API)
 const browserSelectedRecipe = ref<RecipeSuggestion | null>(null)
 
+const browserRecipeError = ref<string | null>(null)
+
 async function openRecipeById(recipeId: number) {
+  browserRecipeError.value = null
   try {
     browserSelectedRecipe.value = await recipesAPI.getRecipe(recipeId)
   } catch {
-    // silently ignore — recipe may not exist
+    browserRecipeError.value = 'Could not load this recipe. Please try again.'
   }
 }
 
+// Collapsible panel open state — kept in sync with DOM toggle event so
+// :aria-expanded on <summary> reflects the actual open/closed state
+const dietaryOpen = ref(false)
+const advancedOpen = ref(false)
+
+// Per-recipe swap section open tracking (Set of recipe IDs whose swap <details> are open)
+// Uses reassignment instead of .add()/.delete() so Vue's ref() detects the change
+const openSwapIds = ref<Set<number>>(new Set())
+function toggleSwapOpen(recipeId: number, isOpen: boolean) {
+  const next = new Set(openSwapIds.value)
+  isOpen ? next.add(recipeId) : next.delete(recipeId)
+  openSwapIds.value = next
+}
+
+// Human-readable level labels for filter chips (avoids "Lv1" etc. for screen readers)
+const levelLabels: Record<number, string> = {
+  1: 'Use What I Have',
+  2: 'Allow Swaps',
+  3: 'Get Creative',
+  4: 'Surprise Me',
+}
+
 // Local input state for tags
 const constraintInput = ref('')
 const allergyInput = ref('')
@@ -825,10 +921,37 @@ onMounted(async () => {
   if (inventoryStore.items.length === 0) {
     await inventoryStore.fetchItems()
   }
+  // Pre-load saved recipes so we know immediately whether to redirect
+  await savedStore.load()
 })
+
+// If Saved tab is empty after loading, bounce to Build Your Own
+watch(
+  () => ({ loading: savedStore.loading, count: savedStore.saved.length }),
+  ({ loading, count }) => {
+    if (!loading && count === 0 && activeTab.value === 'saved') {
+      activeTab.value = 'build'
+    }
+  },
+  { immediate: true },
+)
 </script>
 
 <style scoped>
+.byo-nudge {
+  padding: var(--spacing-sm) 0;
+}
+
+.btn-link {
+  background: none;
+  border: none;
+  color: var(--color-primary);
+  cursor: pointer;
+  padding: 0;
+  text-decoration: underline;
+  font-size: inherit;
+}
+
 .tab-bar {
   border-bottom: 1px solid var(--color-border);
   padding-bottom: var(--spacing-sm);
@@ -923,7 +1046,10 @@ onMounted(async () => {
   background: transparent;
   border: none;
   cursor: pointer;
-  padding: 2px 6px;
+  /* WCAG 2.2 2.5.8: minimum 24×24px touch target */
+  min-width: 24px;
+  min-height: 24px;
+  padding: 4px 6px;
   font-size: 12px;
   line-height: 1;
   color: var(--color-text-muted);
@@ -942,7 +1068,10 @@ onMounted(async () => {
   background: transparent;
   border: none;
   cursor: pointer;
-  padding: 2px 6px;
+  /* WCAG 2.2 2.5.8: minimum 24×24px touch target */
+  min-width: 24px;
+  min-height: 24px;
+  padding: 4px 6px;
   font-size: 14px;
   line-height: 1;
   color: var(--color-text-muted);
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/SaveRecipeModal.vue b/frontend/src/components/SaveRecipeModal.vue
index bd18466..942cfa3 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/SaveRecipeModal.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/SaveRecipeModal.vue
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ async function submit() {
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
   justify-content: center;
-  z-index: 200;
+  z-index: 500;
   padding: var(--spacing-md);
 }
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/services/api.ts b/frontend/src/services/api.ts
index bc1d7d6..463f917 100644
--- a/frontend/src/services/api.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/services/api.ts
@@ -503,6 +503,40 @@ export interface Staple {
   dietary_tags: string[]
 }
 
+// ── Build Your Own types ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+export interface AssemblyRoleOut {
+  display: string
+  required: boolean
+  keywords: string[]
+  hint: string
+}
+
+export interface AssemblyTemplateOut {
+  id: string
+  title: string
+  icon: string
+  descriptor: string
+  role_sequence: AssemblyRoleOut[]
+}
+
+export interface RoleCandidateItem {
+  name: string
+  in_pantry: boolean
+  tags: string[]
+}
+
+export interface RoleCandidatesResponse {
+  compatible: RoleCandidateItem[]
+  other: RoleCandidateItem[]
+  available_tags: string[]
+}
+
+export interface BuildRequest {
+  template_id: string
+  role_overrides: Record<string, string>
+}
+
 // ========== Recipes API ==========
 
 export const recipesAPI = {
@@ -518,6 +552,28 @@ export const recipesAPI = {
     const response = await api.get('/staples/', { params: dietary ? { dietary } : undefined })
     return response.data
   },
+  async getTemplates(): Promise<AssemblyTemplateOut[]> {
+    const response = await api.get('/recipes/templates')
+    return response.data
+  },
+  async getRoleCandidates(
+    templateId: string,
+    role: string,
+    priorPicks: string[] = [],
+  ): Promise<RoleCandidatesResponse> {
+    const response = await api.get('/recipes/template-candidates', {
+      params: {
+        template_id: templateId,
+        role,
+        prior_picks: priorPicks.join(','),
+      },
+    })
+    return response.data
+  },
+  async buildRecipe(req: BuildRequest): Promise<RecipeSuggestion> {
+    const response = await api.post('/recipes/build', req)
+    return response.data
+  },
 }
 
 // ========== Settings API ==========
diff --git a/frontend/src/stores/community.ts b/frontend/src/stores/community.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fd2c77d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/stores/community.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,119 @@
+/**
+ * Community Store
+ *
+ * Manages community post feed state and fork actions using Pinia.
+ * Follows the composition store pattern established in recipes.ts.
+ */
+
+import { defineStore } from 'pinia'
+import { ref } from 'vue'
+import api from '../services/api'
+
+// ========== Types ==========
+
+export interface CommunityPostSlot {
+  day: string
+  meal_type: string
+  recipe_id: number
+}
+
+export interface ElementProfiles {
+  seasoning_score: number | null
+  richness_score: number | null
+  brightness_score: number | null
+  depth_score: number | null
+  aroma_score: number | null
+  structure_score: number | null
+  texture_profile: string | null
+}
+
+export interface CommunityPost {
+  slug: string
+  pseudonym: string
+  post_type: 'plan' | 'recipe_success' | 'recipe_blooper'
+  published: string
+  title: string
+  description: string | null
+  photo_url: string | null
+  slots: CommunityPostSlot[]
+  recipe_id: number | null
+  recipe_name: string | null
+  level: number | null
+  outcome_notes: string | null
+  element_profiles: ElementProfiles
+  dietary_tags: string[]
+  allergen_flags: string[]
+  flavor_molecules: string[]
+  fat_pct: number | null
+  protein_pct: number | null
+  moisture_pct: number | null
+}
+
+export interface ForkResult {
+  plan_id: number
+  week_start: string
+  forked_from: string
+}
+
+export interface PublishPayload {
+  post_type: 'plan' | 'recipe_success' | 'recipe_blooper'
+  title: string
+  description?: string
+  pseudonym_name?: string
+  plan_id?: number
+  recipe_id?: number
+  outcome_notes?: string
+  slots?: CommunityPostSlot[]
+}
+
+export interface PublishResult {
+  slug: string
+}
+
+// ========== Store ==========
+
+export const useCommunityStore = defineStore('community', () => {
+  const posts = ref<CommunityPost[]>([])
+  const loading = ref(false)
+  const error = ref<string | null>(null)
+  const currentFilter = ref<string | null>(null)
+
+  async function fetchPosts(postType?: string) {
+    loading.value = true
+    error.value = null
+    currentFilter.value = postType ?? null
+
+    try {
+      const params: Record<string, string | number> = { page: 1, page_size: 40 }
+      if (postType) {
+        params.post_type = postType
+      }
+      const response = await api.get<{ posts: CommunityPost[] }>('/community/posts', { params })
+      posts.value = response.data.posts
+    } catch (err: unknown) {
+      error.value = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Could not load community posts.'
+    } finally {
+      loading.value = false
+    }
+  }
+
+  async function forkPost(slug: string): Promise<ForkResult> {
+    const response = await api.post<ForkResult>(`/community/posts/${slug}/fork`)
+    return response.data
+  }
+
+  async function publishPost(payload: PublishPayload): Promise<PublishResult> {
+    const response = await api.post<PublishResult>('/community/posts', payload)
+    return response.data
+  }
+
+  return {
+    posts,
+    loading,
+    error,
+    currentFilter,
+    fetchPosts,
+    forkPost,
+    publishPost,
+  }
+})
diff --git a/frontend/src/stores/recipes.ts b/frontend/src/stores/recipes.ts
index 6569058..e224f61 100644
--- a/frontend/src/stores/recipes.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/stores/recipes.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
  */
 
 import { defineStore } from 'pinia'
-import { ref, computed } from 'vue'
+import { ref, computed, watch } from 'vue'
 import { recipesAPI, type RecipeResult, type RecipeSuggestion, type RecipeRequest, type NutritionFilters } from '../services/api'
 
 const DISMISSED_KEY = 'kiwi:dismissed_recipes'
@@ -18,6 +18,12 @@ const COOK_LOG_MAX = 200
 const BOOKMARKS_KEY = 'kiwi:bookmarks'
 const BOOKMARKS_MAX = 50
 
+const MISSING_MODE_KEY = 'kiwi:builder_missing_mode'
+const FILTER_MODE_KEY = 'kiwi:builder_filter_mode'
+
+type MissingIngredientMode = 'hidden' | 'greyed' | 'add-to-cart'
+type BuilderFilterMode = 'text' | 'tags'
+
 // [id, dismissedAtMs]
 type DismissEntry = [number, number]
 
@@ -71,6 +77,16 @@ function saveBookmarks(bookmarks: RecipeSuggestion[]) {
   localStorage.setItem(BOOKMARKS_KEY, JSON.stringify(bookmarks.slice(0, BOOKMARKS_MAX)))
 }
 
+function loadMissingMode(): MissingIngredientMode {
+  const raw = localStorage.getItem(MISSING_MODE_KEY)
+  if (raw === 'hidden' || raw === 'greyed' || raw === 'add-to-cart') return raw
+  return 'greyed'
+}
+
+function loadFilterMode(): BuilderFilterMode {
+  return localStorage.getItem(FILTER_MODE_KEY) === 'tags' ? 'tags' : 'text'
+}
+
 export const useRecipesStore = defineStore('recipes', () => {
   // Suggestion result state
   const result = ref<RecipeResult | null>(null)
@@ -103,6 +119,14 @@ export const useRecipesStore = defineStore('recipes', () => {
   // Bookmarks: full RecipeSuggestion snapshots, max BOOKMARKS_MAX
   const bookmarks = ref<RecipeSuggestion[]>(loadBookmarks())
 
+  // Build Your Own wizard preferences -- persisted across sessions
+  const missingIngredientMode = ref<MissingIngredientMode>(loadMissingMode())
+  const builderFilterMode = ref<BuilderFilterMode>(loadFilterMode())
+
+  // Persist wizard prefs on change
+  watch(missingIngredientMode, (val) => localStorage.setItem(MISSING_MODE_KEY, val))
+  watch(builderFilterMode, (val) => localStorage.setItem(FILTER_MODE_KEY, val))
+
   const dismissedCount = computed(() => dismissedIds.value.size)
 
   function _buildRequest(pantryItems: string[], extraExcluded: number[] = []): RecipeRequest {
@@ -246,6 +270,8 @@ export const useRecipesStore = defineStore('recipes', () => {
     isBookmarked,
     toggleBookmark,
     clearBookmarks,
+    missingIngredientMode,
+    builderFilterMode,
     suggest,
     loadMore,
     dismiss,
diff --git a/frontend/src/style.css b/frontend/src/style.css
index 6390864..4c2419d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/style.css
+++ b/frontend/src/style.css
@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@
   /* Theme Colors - Dark Mode (Default) */
   --color-text-primary: rgba(255, 248, 235, 0.92);
   --color-text-secondary: rgba(255, 248, 235, 0.60);
-  --color-text-muted: rgba(255, 248, 235, 0.38);
+  /* Raised from 0.38 → 0.52 for WCAG 1.4.3 AA compliance (~5.5:1 against card bg) */
+  --color-text-muted: rgba(255, 248, 235, 0.52);
 
   --color-bg-primary: #1e1c1a;
   --color-bg-secondary: #161412;
@@ -40,7 +41,8 @@
   /* Status Colors */
   --color-success: #4a8c40;
   --color-success-dark: #3a7030;
-  --color-success-light: #6aac60;
+  /* Lightened from #6aac60 → #7fc073 for WCAG 1.4.3 AA compliance on dark backgrounds */
+  --color-success-light: #7fc073;
   --color-success-bg: rgba(74, 140, 64, 0.12);
   --color-success-border: rgba(74, 140, 64, 0.30);
 
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 1928abb..736139b 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ dependencies = [
     # HTTP clients
     "httpx>=0.27",
     "requests>=2.31",
+    # mDNS advertisement (optional; user must opt in)
+    "zeroconf>=0.131",
     # CircuitForge shared scaffold
     "circuitforge-core>=0.8.0",
 ]
diff --git a/scripts/backfill_keywords.py b/scripts/backfill_keywords.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ce91970
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/backfill_keywords.py
@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""
+Backfill keywords column: repair character-split R-vector data.
+
+The food.com corpus was imported with Keywords stored as a JSON array of
+individual characters (e.g. ["c","(","\"","I","t","a","l","i","a","n",...])
+instead of the intended keyword list (e.g. ["Italian","Low-Fat","Easy"]).
+
+This script detects the broken pattern (all array elements have length 1),
+rejoins them into the original R-vector string, parses quoted tokens, and
+writes the corrected JSON back.
+
+Rows that are already correct (empty array, or multi-char strings) are skipped.
+FTS5 index is rebuilt after the update so searches reflect the fix.
+
+Usage:
+    conda run -n cf python scripts/backfill_keywords.py [path/to/kiwi.db]
+    # default: data/kiwi.db
+
+Estimated time on 3.1M rows: 3-8 minutes (mostly the FTS rebuild at the end).
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import json
+import re
+import sqlite3
+import sys
+from pathlib import Path
+
+_QUOTED = re.compile(r'"([^"]*)"')
+
+
+def _parse_r_vector(s: str) -> list[str]:
+    return _QUOTED.findall(s)
+
+
+def _repair(raw_json: str) -> str | None:
+    """Return corrected JSON string, or None if the row is already clean."""
+    try:
+        val = json.loads(raw_json)
+    except (json.JSONDecodeError, TypeError):
+        return None
+
+    if not isinstance(val, list) or not val:
+        return None  # empty or non-list — leave as-is
+
+    # Already correct: contains multi-character strings
+    if any(isinstance(e, str) and len(e) > 1 for e in val):
+        return None
+
+    # Broken: all single characters — rejoin and re-parse
+    if all(isinstance(e, str) and len(e) == 1 for e in val):
+        rejoined = "".join(val)
+        keywords = _parse_r_vector(rejoined)
+        return json.dumps(keywords)
+
+    return None
+
+
+def backfill(db_path: Path, batch_size: int = 5000) -> None:
+    conn = sqlite3.connect(db_path)
+    conn.execute("PRAGMA journal_mode=WAL")
+
+    total = conn.execute("SELECT count(*) FROM recipes").fetchone()[0]
+    print(f"Total recipes: {total:,}")
+
+    fixed = 0
+    skipped = 0
+    offset = 0
+
+    while True:
+        rows = conn.execute(
+            "SELECT id, keywords FROM recipes LIMIT ? OFFSET ?",
+            (batch_size, offset),
+        ).fetchall()
+        if not rows:
+            break
+
+        updates: list[tuple[str, int]] = []
+        for row_id, raw_json in rows:
+            corrected = _repair(raw_json)
+            if corrected is not None:
+                updates.append((corrected, row_id))
+            else:
+                skipped += 1
+
+        if updates:
+            conn.executemany(
+                "UPDATE recipes SET keywords = ? WHERE id = ?", updates
+            )
+            conn.commit()
+            fixed += len(updates)
+
+        offset += batch_size
+        done = offset + len(rows) - (batch_size - len(rows))
+        pct = min(100, int((offset / total) * 100))
+        print(f"  {pct:>3}%  processed {offset:,}  fixed {fixed:,}  skipped {skipped:,}", end="\r")
+
+    print(f"\nDone. Fixed {fixed:,} rows, skipped {skipped:,} (already correct or empty).")
+
+    if fixed > 0:
+        print("Rebuilding FTS5 browser index (recipe_browser_fts)…")
+        try:
+            conn.execute("INSERT INTO recipe_browser_fts(recipe_browser_fts) VALUES('rebuild')")
+            conn.commit()
+            print("FTS rebuild complete.")
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"FTS rebuild skipped (table may not exist yet): {e}")
+
+    conn.close()
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    db_path = Path(sys.argv[1]) if len(sys.argv) > 1 else Path("data/kiwi.db")
+    if not db_path.exists():
+        print(f"DB not found: {db_path}")
+        sys.exit(1)
+    backfill(db_path)
diff --git a/scripts/pipeline/build_recipe_index.py b/scripts/pipeline/build_recipe_index.py
index 8e41ffe..ffc3c54 100644
--- a/scripts/pipeline/build_recipe_index.py
+++ b/scripts/pipeline/build_recipe_index.py
@@ -57,6 +57,34 @@ def _parse_r_vector(s: str) -> list[str]:
     return _QUOTED.findall(s)
 
 
+def _parse_keywords(val: object) -> list[str]:
+    """Parse the food.com Keywords column into a proper list of keyword strings.
+
+    The raw parquet value can arrive in three forms:
+      - None / NaN              → []
+      - str: c("Italian", ...)  → parse quoted tokens via _parse_r_vector
+      - list of single chars    → the R-vector was character-split during dataset
+                                  export; rejoin then re-parse
+      - list of strings         → already correct, use as-is
+    """
+    import math
+    if val is None:
+        return []
+    if isinstance(val, float) and math.isnan(val):
+        return []
+    if isinstance(val, str):
+        return _parse_r_vector(val)
+    if isinstance(val, list):
+        if not val:
+            return []
+        # Detect character-split R-vector: every element is a single character
+        if all(isinstance(e, str) and len(e) == 1 for e in val):
+            return _parse_r_vector("".join(val))
+        # Already a proper list of keyword strings
+        return [str(e) for e in val if e]
+    return []
+
+
 def extract_ingredient_names(raw_list: list[str]) -> list[str]:
     """Strip quantities and units from ingredient strings -> normalized names."""
     names = []
@@ -168,7 +196,7 @@ def build(db_path: Path, recipes_path: Path, batch_size: int = 10000) -> None:
                 json.dumps(ingredient_names),
                 json.dumps(directions),
                 str(row.get("RecipeCategory", "") or ""),
-                json.dumps(_safe_list(row.get("Keywords"))),
+                json.dumps(_parse_keywords(row.get("Keywords"))),
                 _float_or_none(row.get("Calories")),
                 _float_or_none(row.get("FatContent")),
                 _float_or_none(row.get("ProteinContent")),
diff --git a/scripts/pipeline/infer_recipe_tags.py b/scripts/pipeline/infer_recipe_tags.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..954d46e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/pipeline/infer_recipe_tags.py
@@ -0,0 +1,255 @@
+"""
+Infer and backfill normalized tags for all recipes.
+
+Reads recipes in batches, cross-references ingredient_profiles and
+substitution_pairs, runs tag_inferrer on each recipe, and writes the result
+to recipes.inferred_tags. Also rebuilds recipe_browser_fts after the run.
+
+This script is idempotent: pass --force to re-derive tags even if
+inferred_tags is already non-empty.
+
+Usage:
+    conda run -n cf python scripts/pipeline/infer_recipe_tags.py \\
+        [path/to/kiwi.db] [--batch-size 2000] [--force]
+
+Estimated time on 3.1M rows: 10-20 minutes (CPU-bound text matching).
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import argparse
+import json
+import sqlite3
+import sys
+from pathlib import Path
+
+# Allow importing from the app package when run from the repo root
+sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).resolve().parents[2]))
+
+from app.services.recipe.tag_inferrer import infer_tags
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Substitution constraint label mapping
+# Keys are what we store in substitution_pairs.constraint_label.
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+_INTERESTING_CONSTRAINTS = {"gluten_free", "low_calorie", "low_carb", "vegan", "dairy_free", "low_sodium"}
+
+
+def _load_profiles(conn: sqlite3.Connection) -> dict[str, dict]:
+    """
+    Load ingredient_profiles into a dict keyed by name.
+    Values hold only the fields we need for tag inference.
+    """
+    profiles: dict[str, dict] = {}
+    rows = conn.execute("""
+        SELECT name, elements, glutamate_mg, is_fermented, ph_estimate
+        FROM ingredient_profiles
+    """).fetchall()
+    for name, elements_json, glutamate_mg, is_fermented, ph_estimate in rows:
+        try:
+            elements: list[str] = json.loads(elements_json) if elements_json else []
+        except Exception:
+            elements = []
+        profiles[name] = {
+            "elements":    elements,
+            "glutamate":   float(glutamate_mg or 0),
+            "fermented":   bool(is_fermented),
+            "ph":          float(ph_estimate) if ph_estimate is not None else None,
+        }
+    return profiles
+
+
+def _load_sub_index(conn: sqlite3.Connection) -> dict[str, set[str]]:
+    """
+    Build a dict of ingredient_name -> set of available constraint labels.
+    Only loads constraints we care about.
+    """
+    index: dict[str, set[str]] = {}
+    placeholders = ",".join("?" * len(_INTERESTING_CONSTRAINTS))
+    rows = conn.execute(
+        f"SELECT original_name, constraint_label FROM substitution_pairs "
+        f"WHERE constraint_label IN ({placeholders})",
+        list(_INTERESTING_CONSTRAINTS),
+    ).fetchall()
+    for name, label in rows:
+        index.setdefault(name, set()).add(label)
+    return index
+
+
+def _enrich(
+    ingredient_names: list[str],
+    profile_index: dict[str, dict],
+    sub_index: dict[str, set[str]],
+) -> dict:
+    """
+    Cross-reference ingredient_names against our enrichment indices.
+    Returns a dict of enriched signals ready for infer_tags().
+    """
+    fermented_count = 0
+    glutamate_total = 0.0
+    ph_values: list[float] = []
+    element_totals: dict[str, float] = {}
+    profiled = 0
+    constraint_sets: list[set[str]] = []
+
+    for name in ingredient_names:
+        profile = profile_index.get(name)
+        if profile:
+            profiled += 1
+            glutamate_total += profile["glutamate"]
+            if profile["fermented"]:
+                fermented_count += 1
+            if profile["ph"] is not None:
+                ph_values.append(profile["ph"])
+            for elem in profile["elements"]:
+                element_totals[elem] = element_totals.get(elem, 0.0) + 1.0
+
+        subs = sub_index.get(name)
+        if subs:
+            constraint_sets.append(subs)
+
+    # Element coverage: fraction of profiled ingredients that carry each element
+    element_coverage: dict[str, float] = {}
+    if profiled > 0:
+        element_coverage = {e: round(c / profiled, 3) for e, c in element_totals.items()}
+
+    # Only emit a can_be:* tag if ALL relevant ingredients have the substitution available.
+    # (A recipe is gluten_free-achievable only if every gluten source can be swapped.)
+    # We use a simpler heuristic: if at least one ingredient has the constraint, flag it.
+    # Future improvement: require coverage of all gluten-bearing ingredients.
+    available_constraints: list[str] = []
+    if constraint_sets:
+        union_constraints: set[str] = set()
+        for cs in constraint_sets:
+            union_constraints.update(cs)
+        available_constraints = sorted(union_constraints & _INTERESTING_CONSTRAINTS)
+
+    return {
+        "element_coverage":         element_coverage,
+        "fermented_count":          fermented_count,
+        "glutamate_total":          glutamate_total,
+        "ph_min":                   min(ph_values) if ph_values else None,
+        "available_sub_constraints": available_constraints,
+    }
+
+
+def run(db_path: Path, batch_size: int = 2000, force: bool = False) -> None:
+    conn = sqlite3.connect(db_path)
+    conn.execute("PRAGMA journal_mode=WAL")
+
+    total = conn.execute("SELECT count(*) FROM recipes").fetchone()[0]
+    print(f"Total recipes: {total:,}")
+    print("Loading ingredient profiles...")
+    profile_index = _load_profiles(conn)
+    print(f"  {len(profile_index):,} profiles loaded")
+    print("Loading substitution index...")
+    sub_index = _load_sub_index(conn)
+    print(f"  {len(sub_index):,} substitutable ingredients indexed")
+
+    updated = 0
+    skipped = 0
+    offset = 0
+
+    where_clause = "" if force else "WHERE inferred_tags = '[]' OR inferred_tags IS NULL"
+
+    eligible = conn.execute(
+        f"SELECT count(*) FROM recipes {where_clause}"
+    ).fetchone()[0]
+    print(f"Recipes to process: {eligible:,} ({'all' if force else 'untagged only'})")
+
+    while True:
+        rows = conn.execute(
+            f"""
+            SELECT id, title, ingredient_names, category, keywords,
+                   element_coverage,
+                   calories, fat_g, protein_g, carbs_g, servings
+            FROM recipes {where_clause}
+            ORDER BY id
+            LIMIT ? OFFSET ?
+            """,
+            (batch_size, offset),
+        ).fetchall()
+        if not rows:
+            break
+
+        updates: list[tuple[str, int]] = []
+        for (row_id, title, ingr_json, category, kw_json,
+             elem_cov_json, calories, fat_g, protein_g, carbs_g, servings) in rows:
+            try:
+                ingredient_names: list[str] = json.loads(ingr_json) if ingr_json else []
+                corpus_keywords: list[str] = json.loads(kw_json) if kw_json else []
+                element_coverage: dict[str, float] = (
+                    json.loads(elem_cov_json) if elem_cov_json else {}
+                )
+            except Exception:
+                ingredient_names = []
+                corpus_keywords = []
+                element_coverage = {}
+
+            enriched = _enrich(ingredient_names, profile_index, sub_index)
+            # Prefer the pre-computed element_coverage from the recipes table
+            # (it was computed over all ingredients at import time, not just the
+            # profiled subset). Fall back to what _enrich computed.
+            effective_coverage = element_coverage or enriched["element_coverage"]
+
+            tags = infer_tags(
+                title=title or "",
+                ingredient_names=ingredient_names,
+                corpus_keywords=corpus_keywords,
+                corpus_category=category or "",
+                element_coverage=effective_coverage,
+                fermented_count=enriched["fermented_count"],
+                glutamate_total=enriched["glutamate_total"],
+                ph_min=enriched["ph_min"],
+                available_sub_constraints=enriched["available_sub_constraints"],
+                calories=calories,
+                protein_g=protein_g,
+                fat_g=fat_g,
+                carbs_g=carbs_g,
+                servings=servings,
+            )
+            updates.append((json.dumps(tags), row_id))
+
+        if updates:
+            conn.executemany(
+                "UPDATE recipes SET inferred_tags = ? WHERE id = ?", updates
+            )
+            conn.commit()
+            updated += len(updates)
+        else:
+            skipped += len(rows)
+
+        offset += len(rows)
+        pct = min(100, int((offset / eligible) * 100)) if eligible else 100
+        print(
+            f"  {pct:>3}%  offset {offset:,}  tagged {updated:,}",
+            end="\r",
+        )
+
+    print(f"\nDone. Tagged {updated:,} recipes, skipped {skipped:,}.")
+
+    if updated > 0:
+        print("Rebuilding FTS5 browser index (recipe_browser_fts)...")
+        try:
+            conn.execute(
+                "INSERT INTO recipe_browser_fts(recipe_browser_fts) VALUES('rebuild')"
+            )
+            conn.commit()
+            print("FTS rebuild complete.")
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"FTS rebuild skipped: {e}")
+
+    conn.close()
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description=__doc__)
+    parser.add_argument("db", nargs="?", default="data/kiwi.db", type=Path)
+    parser.add_argument("--batch-size", type=int, default=2000)
+    parser.add_argument("--force", action="store_true",
+                        help="Re-derive tags even if inferred_tags is already set.")
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+    if not args.db.exists():
+        print(f"DB not found: {args.db}")
+        sys.exit(1)
+    run(args.db, args.batch_size, args.force)
diff --git a/tests/api/test_community_endpoints.py b/tests/api/test_community_endpoints.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9580505
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/api/test_community_endpoints.py
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+# tests/api/test_community_endpoints.py
+import pytest
+from unittest.mock import patch, MagicMock
+from fastapi.testclient import TestClient
+from app.main import app
+
+client = TestClient(app)
+
+
+def test_get_community_posts_no_db_returns_empty():
+    """When COMMUNITY_DB_URL is not set, GET /community/posts returns empty list (no 500)."""
+    with patch("app.api.endpoints.community._community_store", None):
+        response = client.get("/api/v1/community/posts")
+    assert response.status_code == 200
+    data = response.json()
+    assert "posts" in data
+    assert isinstance(data["posts"], list)
+
+
+def test_get_community_post_not_found():
+    """GET /community/posts/{slug} returns 404 when slug doesn't exist."""
+    mock_store = MagicMock()
+    mock_store.get_post_by_slug.return_value = None
+    with patch("app.api.endpoints.community._community_store", mock_store):
+        response = client.get("/api/v1/community/posts/nonexistent-slug")
+    assert response.status_code == 404
+
+
+def test_get_community_rss():
+    """GET /community/feed.rss returns XML with content-type application/rss+xml."""
+    mock_store = MagicMock()
+    mock_store.list_posts.return_value = []
+    with patch("app.api.endpoints.community._community_store", mock_store):
+        response = client.get("/api/v1/community/feed.rss")
+    assert response.status_code == 200
+    assert "xml" in response.headers.get("content-type", "")
+
+
+def test_post_community_requires_auth():
+    """POST /community/posts requires authentication (401/403/422) or community store (503).
+
+    In local/dev mode get_session bypasses JWT auth and returns a privileged user,
+    so the next gate is the community store check (503 when COMMUNITY_DB_URL is not set).
+    In cloud mode the endpoint requires a valid session (401/403).
+    """
+    response = client.post("/api/v1/community/posts", json={"title": "Test"})
+    assert response.status_code in (401, 403, 422, 503)
+
+
+def test_delete_post_requires_auth():
+    """DELETE /community/posts/{slug} requires authentication (401/403) or community store (503).
+
+    Same local-mode caveat as test_post_community_requires_auth.
+    """
+    response = client.delete("/api/v1/community/posts/some-slug")
+    assert response.status_code in (401, 403, 422, 503)
+
+
+def test_fork_post_route_exists():
+    """POST /community/posts/{slug}/fork route exists (not 404)."""
+    response = client.post("/api/v1/community/posts/some-slug/fork")
+    assert response.status_code != 404
+
+
+def test_local_feed_returns_json():
+    """GET /community/local-feed returns JSON list for LAN peers."""
+    mock_store = MagicMock()
+    mock_store.list_posts.return_value = []
+    with patch("app.api.endpoints.community._community_store", mock_store):
+        response = client.get("/api/v1/community/local-feed")
+    assert response.status_code == 200
+    assert isinstance(response.json(), list)
+
+
+def test_hall_of_chaos_route_exists():
+    """GET /community/hall-of-chaos returns 200 and includes chaos_level key."""
+    mock_store = MagicMock()
+    mock_store.list_posts.return_value = []
+    with patch("app.api.endpoints.community._community_store", mock_store):
+        response = client.get("/api/v1/community/hall-of-chaos")
+    assert response.status_code == 200
+    data = response.json()
+    assert "chaos_level" in data
diff --git a/tests/api/test_recipe_build_endpoints.py b/tests/api/test_recipe_build_endpoints.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f40ed4c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/api/test_recipe_build_endpoints.py
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+"""Tests for GET /templates, GET /template-candidates, POST /build endpoints."""
+import pytest
+from fastapi.testclient import TestClient
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def client(tmp_path):
+    """FastAPI test client with a seeded in-memory DB."""
+    import os
+    os.environ["KIWI_DB_PATH"] = str(tmp_path / "test.db")
+    os.environ["CLOUD_MODE"] = "false"
+    from app.main import app
+    from app.db.store import Store
+    store = Store(tmp_path / "test.db")
+    store.conn.execute(
+        "INSERT INTO products (name, barcode) VALUES (?,?)", ("chicken breast", None)
+    )
+    store.conn.execute(
+        "INSERT INTO inventory_items (product_id, location, status) VALUES (1,'pantry','available')"
+    )
+    store.conn.execute(
+        "INSERT INTO products (name, barcode) VALUES (?,?)", ("flour tortilla", None)
+    )
+    store.conn.execute(
+        "INSERT INTO inventory_items (product_id, location, status) VALUES (2,'pantry','available')"
+    )
+    store.conn.commit()
+    return TestClient(app)
+
+
+def test_get_templates_returns_13(client):
+    resp = client.get("/api/v1/recipes/templates")
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    data = resp.json()
+    assert len(data) == 13
+
+
+def test_get_templates_shape(client):
+    resp = client.get("/api/v1/recipes/templates")
+    t = next(t for t in resp.json() if t["id"] == "burrito_taco")
+    assert t["icon"] == "🌯"
+    assert len(t["role_sequence"]) >= 2
+    assert t["role_sequence"][0]["required"] is True
+
+
+def test_get_template_candidates_returns_shape(client):
+    resp = client.get(
+        "/api/v1/recipes/template-candidates",
+        params={"template_id": "burrito_taco", "role": "tortilla or wrap"}
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    data = resp.json()
+    assert "compatible" in data
+    assert "other" in data
+    assert "available_tags" in data
+
+
+def test_post_build_returns_recipe(client):
+    resp = client.post("/api/v1/recipes/build", json={
+        "template_id": "burrito_taco",
+        "role_overrides": {
+            "tortilla or wrap": "flour tortilla",
+            "protein": "chicken breast",
+        }
+    })
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    data = resp.json()
+    assert data["id"] == -1
+    assert len(data["directions"]) > 0
+
+
+def test_post_build_unknown_template_returns_404(client):
+    resp = client.post("/api/v1/recipes/build", json={
+        "template_id": "does_not_exist",
+        "role_overrides": {}
+    })
+    assert resp.status_code == 404
diff --git a/tests/db/test_migrations.py b/tests/db/test_migrations.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2ae6895
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/db/test_migrations.py
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+import pytest
+from pathlib import Path
+from app.db.store import Store
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def tmp_db(tmp_path: Path) -> Path:
+    return tmp_path / "test.db"
+
+
+def test_migration_028_adds_community_pseudonyms(tmp_db):
+    """Migration 028 adds community_pseudonyms table to per-user kiwi.db."""
+    store = Store(tmp_db)
+    cur = store.conn.execute(
+        "SELECT name FROM sqlite_master WHERE type='table' AND name='community_pseudonyms'"
+    )
+    assert cur.fetchone() is not None
+    store.close()
diff --git a/tests/db/test_store_recipes.py b/tests/db/test_store_recipes.py
index 1e71446..c0cde77 100644
--- a/tests/db/test_store_recipes.py
+++ b/tests/db/test_store_recipes.py
@@ -42,3 +42,15 @@ def test_check_rate_limit_exceeded(store_with_recipes):
     allowed, count = store_with_recipes.check_and_increment_rate_limit("leftover_mode", daily_max=5)
     assert allowed is False
     assert count == 5
+
+
+def test_get_element_profiles_returns_known_items(store_with_profiles):
+    profiles = store_with_profiles.get_element_profiles(["butter", "parmesan", "unknown_item"])
+    assert profiles["butter"] == ["Richness"]
+    assert "Depth" in profiles["parmesan"]
+    assert "unknown_item" not in profiles
+
+
+def test_get_element_profiles_empty_list(store_with_profiles):
+    profiles = store_with_profiles.get_element_profiles([])
+    assert profiles == {}
diff --git a/tests/services/community/__init__.py b/tests/services/community/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/tests/services/community/test_ap_compat.py b/tests/services/community/test_ap_compat.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f91aa86
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/services/community/test_ap_compat.py
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+# tests/services/community/test_ap_compat.py
+import pytest
+import json
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from app.services.community.ap_compat import post_to_ap_json_ld
+
+
+POST = {
+    "slug": "kiwi-plan-test-pasta-week",
+    "title": "Pasta Week",
+    "description": "Seven days of carbs",
+    "published": datetime(2026, 4, 12, 12, 0, 0, tzinfo=timezone.utc),
+    "pseudonym": "PastaWitch",
+    "dietary_tags": ["vegetarian"],
+}
+
+
+def test_ap_json_ld_context():
+    doc = post_to_ap_json_ld(POST, base_url="https://menagerie.circuitforge.tech/kiwi")
+    assert doc["@context"] == "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams"
+
+
+def test_ap_json_ld_type():
+    doc = post_to_ap_json_ld(POST, base_url="https://menagerie.circuitforge.tech/kiwi")
+    assert doc["type"] == "Note"
+
+
+def test_ap_json_ld_id_is_uri():
+    doc = post_to_ap_json_ld(POST, base_url="https://menagerie.circuitforge.tech/kiwi")
+    assert doc["id"].startswith("https://")
+    assert POST["slug"] in doc["id"]
+
+
+def test_ap_json_ld_published_is_iso8601():
+    doc = post_to_ap_json_ld(POST, base_url="https://menagerie.circuitforge.tech/kiwi")
+    from datetime import datetime
+    datetime.fromisoformat(doc["published"].replace("Z", "+00:00"))
+
+
+def test_ap_json_ld_attributed_to_pseudonym():
+    doc = post_to_ap_json_ld(POST, base_url="https://menagerie.circuitforge.tech/kiwi")
+    assert doc["attributedTo"] == "PastaWitch"
+
+
+def test_ap_json_ld_tags_include_kiwi():
+    doc = post_to_ap_json_ld(POST, base_url="https://menagerie.circuitforge.tech/kiwi")
+    tag_names = [t["name"] for t in doc.get("tag", [])]
+    assert "#kiwi" in tag_names
diff --git a/tests/services/community/test_community_store.py b/tests/services/community/test_community_store.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..93fc620
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/services/community/test_community_store.py
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+# tests/services/community/test_community_store.py
+# MIT License
+
+import pytest
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
+from app.services.community.community_store import KiwiCommunityStore, get_or_create_pseudonym
+
+
+def test_get_or_create_pseudonym_new_user():
+    """First-time publish: creates a new pseudonym in per-user SQLite."""
+    mock_store = MagicMock()
+    mock_store.get_current_pseudonym.return_value = None
+    result = get_or_create_pseudonym(
+        store=mock_store,
+        directus_user_id="user-123",
+        requested_name="PastaWitch",
+    )
+    mock_store.set_pseudonym.assert_called_once_with("user-123", "PastaWitch")
+    assert result == "PastaWitch"
+
+
+def test_get_or_create_pseudonym_existing():
+    """If user already has a pseudonym, return it without creating a new one."""
+    mock_store = MagicMock()
+    mock_store.get_current_pseudonym.return_value = "PastaWitch"
+    result = get_or_create_pseudonym(
+        store=mock_store,
+        directus_user_id="user-123",
+        requested_name=None,
+    )
+    mock_store.set_pseudonym.assert_not_called()
+    assert result == "PastaWitch"
+
+
+def test_kiwi_community_store_list_meal_plans():
+    """KiwiCommunityStore.list_meal_plans filters by post_type='plan'."""
+    mock_db = MagicMock()
+    store = KiwiCommunityStore(mock_db)
+    with patch.object(store, "list_posts", return_value=[]) as mock_list:
+        result = store.list_meal_plans(limit=10)
+        mock_list.assert_called_once()
+        call_kwargs = mock_list.call_args.kwargs
+        assert call_kwargs.get("post_type") == "plan"
diff --git a/tests/services/community/test_element_snapshot.py b/tests/services/community/test_element_snapshot.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3437abf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/services/community/test_element_snapshot.py
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+# tests/services/community/test_element_snapshot.py
+import pytest
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+from app.services.community.element_snapshot import compute_snapshot, ElementSnapshot
+
+
+def make_mock_store(recipe_rows: list[dict]) -> MagicMock:
+    """Return a mock Store whose get_recipes_by_ids returns the given rows."""
+    store = MagicMock()
+    store.get_recipes_by_ids.return_value = recipe_rows
+    return store
+
+
+RECIPE_ROW = {
+    "id": 1,
+    "name": "Spaghetti Carbonara",
+    "ingredient_names": ["pasta", "eggs", "guanciale", "pecorino"],
+    "keywords": ["italian", "quick", "dinner"],
+    "category": "dinner",
+    "fat": 22.0,
+    "protein": 18.0,
+    "moisture": 45.0,
+    "seasoning_score": 0.7,
+    "richness_score": 0.8,
+    "brightness_score": 0.2,
+    "depth_score": 0.6,
+    "aroma_score": 0.5,
+    "structure_score": 0.9,
+    "texture_profile": "creamy",
+}
+
+
+def test_compute_snapshot_basic():
+    store = make_mock_store([RECIPE_ROW])
+    snap = compute_snapshot(recipe_ids=[1], store=store)
+    assert isinstance(snap, ElementSnapshot)
+    assert 0.0 <= snap.seasoning_score <= 1.0
+    assert snap.texture_profile == "creamy"
+
+
+def test_compute_snapshot_averages_multiple_recipes():
+    row2 = {**RECIPE_ROW, "id": 2, "seasoning_score": 0.3, "richness_score": 0.2}
+    store = make_mock_store([RECIPE_ROW, row2])
+    snap = compute_snapshot(recipe_ids=[1, 2], store=store)
+    # seasoning average of 0.7 and 0.3 = 0.5
+    assert abs(snap.seasoning_score - 0.5) < 0.01
+
+
+def test_compute_snapshot_allergen_flags_detected():
+    row = {**RECIPE_ROW, "ingredient_names": ["pasta", "eggs", "milk", "shrimp", "peanuts"]}
+    store = make_mock_store([row])
+    snap = compute_snapshot(recipe_ids=[1], store=store)
+    assert "gluten" in snap.allergen_flags   # pasta
+    assert "dairy" in snap.allergen_flags    # milk
+    assert "shellfish" in snap.allergen_flags # shrimp
+    assert "nuts" in snap.allergen_flags     # peanuts
+
+
+def test_compute_snapshot_dietary_tags_vegetarian():
+    row = {**RECIPE_ROW, "ingredient_names": ["pasta", "eggs", "tomato", "basil"]}
+    store = make_mock_store([row])
+    snap = compute_snapshot(recipe_ids=[1], store=store)
+    assert "vegetarian" in snap.dietary_tags
+
+
+def test_compute_snapshot_no_recipes_returns_defaults():
+    store = make_mock_store([])
+    snap = compute_snapshot(recipe_ids=[], store=store)
+    assert snap.seasoning_score == 0.0
+    assert snap.dietary_tags == ()
+    assert snap.allergen_flags == ()
+
+
+def test_element_snapshot_immutable():
+    store = make_mock_store([RECIPE_ROW])
+    snap = compute_snapshot(recipe_ids=[1], store=store)
+    with pytest.raises((AttributeError, TypeError)):
+        snap.seasoning_score = 0.0  # type: ignore
diff --git a/tests/services/community/test_feed.py b/tests/services/community/test_feed.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bc23f8c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/services/community/test_feed.py
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+# tests/services/community/test_feed.py
+import pytest
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from app.services.community.feed import posts_to_rss
+
+
+def make_post_dict(**kwargs):
+    defaults = dict(
+        slug="kiwi-plan-test-pasta-week",
+        title="Pasta Week",
+        description="Seven days of carbs",
+        published=datetime(2026, 4, 12, 12, 0, 0, tzinfo=timezone.utc),
+        post_type="plan",
+        pseudonym="PastaWitch",
+    )
+    defaults.update(kwargs)
+    return defaults
+
+
+def test_rss_is_valid_xml():
+    import xml.etree.ElementTree as ET
+    rss = posts_to_rss([make_post_dict()], base_url="https://menagerie.circuitforge.tech/kiwi")
+    root = ET.fromstring(rss)
+    assert root.tag == "rss"
+    assert root.attrib.get("version") == "2.0"
+
+
+def test_rss_contains_item():
+    import xml.etree.ElementTree as ET
+    rss = posts_to_rss([make_post_dict()], base_url="https://menagerie.circuitforge.tech/kiwi")
+    root = ET.fromstring(rss)
+    items = root.findall(".//item")
+    assert len(items) == 1
+
+
+def test_rss_item_has_required_fields():
+    import xml.etree.ElementTree as ET
+    rss = posts_to_rss([make_post_dict()], base_url="https://menagerie.circuitforge.tech/kiwi")
+    root = ET.fromstring(rss)
+    item = root.find(".//item")
+    assert item.find("title") is not None
+    assert item.find("link") is not None
+    assert item.find("pubDate") is not None
+
+
+def test_rss_empty_posts():
+    import xml.etree.ElementTree as ET
+    rss = posts_to_rss([], base_url="https://menagerie.circuitforge.tech/kiwi")
+    root = ET.fromstring(rss)
+    items = root.findall(".//item")
+    assert len(items) == 0
diff --git a/tests/services/community/test_mdns.py b/tests/services/community/test_mdns.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8cfd4d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/services/community/test_mdns.py
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+# tests/services/community/test_mdns.py
+import pytest
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
+from app.services.community.mdns import KiwiMDNS
+
+
+def test_mdns_does_not_advertise_when_disabled():
+    """When enabled=False, KiwiMDNS does not register any zeroconf service."""
+    with patch("app.services.community.mdns.Zeroconf") as mock_zc:
+        mdns = KiwiMDNS(enabled=False, port=8512, feed_url="http://localhost:8512/api/v1/community/local-feed")
+        mdns.start()
+        mock_zc.assert_not_called()
+
+
+def test_mdns_advertises_when_enabled():
+    with patch("app.services.community.mdns.Zeroconf") as mock_zc_cls:
+        with patch("app.services.community.mdns.ServiceInfo") as mock_si:
+            mock_zc = MagicMock()
+            mock_zc_cls.return_value = mock_zc
+            mdns = KiwiMDNS(enabled=True, port=8512, feed_url="http://localhost:8512/api/v1/community/local-feed")
+            mdns.start()
+            mock_zc.register_service.assert_called_once()
+
+
+def test_mdns_stop_unregisters_when_enabled():
+    with patch("app.services.community.mdns.Zeroconf") as mock_zc_cls:
+        with patch("app.services.community.mdns.ServiceInfo"):
+            mock_zc = MagicMock()
+            mock_zc_cls.return_value = mock_zc
+            mdns = KiwiMDNS(enabled=True, port=8512, feed_url="http://localhost:8512/api/v1/community/local-feed")
+            mdns.start()
+            mdns.stop()
+            mock_zc.unregister_service.assert_called_once()
+            mock_zc.close.assert_called_once()
+
+
+def test_mdns_stop_is_noop_when_not_started():
+    mdns = KiwiMDNS(enabled=False, port=8512, feed_url="http://localhost/feed")
+    mdns.stop()  # must not raise
diff --git a/tests/services/recipe/test_assembly_build.py b/tests/services/recipe/test_assembly_build.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8a1f2a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/services/recipe/test_assembly_build.py
@@ -0,0 +1,216 @@
+"""Tests for Build Your Own recipe assembly schemas."""
+import pytest
+from app.models.schemas.recipe import (
+    AssemblyRoleOut,
+    AssemblyTemplateOut,
+    RoleCandidateItem,
+    RoleCandidatesResponse,
+    BuildRequest,
+)
+
+
+def test_assembly_role_out_schema():
+    """Test AssemblyRoleOut schema creation and field access."""
+    role = AssemblyRoleOut(
+        display="protein",
+        required=True,
+        keywords=["chicken"],
+        hint="Main ingredient"
+    )
+    assert role.display == "protein"
+    assert role.required is True
+    assert role.keywords == ["chicken"]
+    assert role.hint == "Main ingredient"
+
+
+def test_assembly_template_out_schema():
+    """Test AssemblyTemplateOut schema with nested roles."""
+    tmpl = AssemblyTemplateOut(
+        id="burrito_taco",
+        title="Burrito / Taco",
+        icon="🌯",
+        descriptor="Protein, veg, and sauce in a tortilla or over rice",
+        role_sequence=[
+            AssemblyRoleOut(
+                display="base",
+                required=True,
+                keywords=["tortilla"],
+                hint="The wrap"
+            ),
+        ],
+    )
+    assert tmpl.id == "burrito_taco"
+    assert tmpl.title == "Burrito / Taco"
+    assert tmpl.icon == "🌯"
+    assert len(tmpl.role_sequence) == 1
+    assert tmpl.role_sequence[0].display == "base"
+
+
+def test_role_candidate_item_schema():
+    """Test RoleCandidateItem schema with tags."""
+    item = RoleCandidateItem(
+        name="bell pepper",
+        in_pantry=True,
+        tags=["sweet", "vegetable"]
+    )
+    assert item.name == "bell pepper"
+    assert item.in_pantry is True
+    assert "sweet" in item.tags
+
+
+def test_role_candidates_response_schema():
+    """Test RoleCandidatesResponse with compatible and other candidates."""
+    resp = RoleCandidatesResponse(
+        compatible=[
+            RoleCandidateItem(name="bell pepper", in_pantry=True, tags=["sweet"])
+        ],
+        other=[
+            RoleCandidateItem(
+                name="corn",
+                in_pantry=False,
+                tags=["sweet", "starchy"]
+            )
+        ],
+        available_tags=["sweet", "starchy"],
+    )
+    assert len(resp.compatible) == 1
+    assert resp.compatible[0].name == "bell pepper"
+    assert len(resp.other) == 1
+    assert "sweet" in resp.available_tags
+    assert "starchy" in resp.available_tags
+
+
+def test_build_request_schema():
+    """Test BuildRequest schema with template and role overrides."""
+    req = BuildRequest(
+        template_id="burrito_taco",
+        role_overrides={"protein": "chicken", "sauce": "verde"}
+    )
+    assert req.template_id == "burrito_taco"
+    assert req.role_overrides["protein"] == "chicken"
+    assert req.role_overrides["sauce"] == "verde"
+
+
+def test_role_candidates_response_defaults():
+    """Test RoleCandidatesResponse with default factory fields."""
+    resp = RoleCandidatesResponse()
+    assert resp.compatible == []
+    assert resp.other == []
+    assert resp.available_tags == []
+
+
+def test_build_request_defaults():
+    """Test BuildRequest with default role_overrides."""
+    req = BuildRequest(template_id="test_template")
+    assert req.template_id == "test_template"
+    assert req.role_overrides == {}
+
+
+def test_get_templates_for_api_returns_13():
+    from app.services.recipe.assembly_recipes import get_templates_for_api
+    templates = get_templates_for_api()
+    assert len(templates) == 13
+
+
+def test_get_templates_for_api_shape():
+    from app.services.recipe.assembly_recipes import get_templates_for_api
+    templates = get_templates_for_api()
+    t = next(t for t in templates if t["id"] == "burrito_taco")
+    assert t["title"] == "Burrito / Taco"
+    assert t["icon"] == "🌯"
+    assert isinstance(t["role_sequence"], list)
+    assert len(t["role_sequence"]) >= 1
+    role = t["role_sequence"][0]
+    assert "display" in role
+    assert "required" in role
+    assert "keywords" in role
+    assert "hint" in role
+
+
+def test_get_templates_for_api_all_have_slugs():
+    from app.services.recipe.assembly_recipes import get_templates_for_api
+    templates = get_templates_for_api()
+    slugs = {t["id"] for t in templates}
+    assert len(slugs) == 13
+    assert all(isinstance(s, str) and len(s) > 3 for s in slugs)
+
+
+def test_get_role_candidates_splits_compatible_other():
+    from app.services.recipe.assembly_recipes import get_role_candidates
+    profile_index = {
+        "rice": ["Starch", "Structure"],
+        "chicken": ["Protein"],
+        "broccoli": ["Vegetable"],
+    }
+    result = get_role_candidates(
+        template_slug="stir_fry",
+        role_display="protein",
+        pantry_set={"rice", "chicken", "broccoli"},
+        prior_picks=["rice"],
+        profile_index=profile_index,
+    )
+    assert isinstance(result["compatible"], list)
+    assert isinstance(result["other"], list)
+    assert isinstance(result["available_tags"], list)
+    all_names = [c["name"] for c in result["compatible"] + result["other"]]
+    assert "chicken" in all_names
+
+
+def test_get_role_candidates_available_tags():
+    from app.services.recipe.assembly_recipes import get_role_candidates
+    profile_index = {
+        "chicken": ["Protein", "Umami"],
+        "tofu": ["Protein"],
+    }
+    result = get_role_candidates(
+        template_slug="stir_fry",
+        role_display="protein",
+        pantry_set={"chicken", "tofu"},
+        prior_picks=[],
+        profile_index=profile_index,
+    )
+    assert "Protein" in result["available_tags"]
+
+
+def test_get_role_candidates_unknown_template_returns_empty():
+    from app.services.recipe.assembly_recipes import get_role_candidates
+    result = get_role_candidates(
+        template_slug="nonexistent_template",
+        role_display="protein",
+        pantry_set={"chicken"},
+        prior_picks=[],
+        profile_index={},
+    )
+    assert result == {"compatible": [], "other": [], "available_tags": []}
+
+
+def test_build_from_selection_returns_recipe():
+    from app.services.recipe.assembly_recipes import build_from_selection
+    result = build_from_selection(
+        template_slug="burrito_taco",
+        role_overrides={"tortilla or wrap": "flour tortilla", "protein": "chicken"},
+        pantry_set={"flour tortilla", "chicken", "salsa"},
+    )
+    assert result is not None
+    assert len(result.directions) > 0
+    assert result.id == -1
+
+
+def test_build_from_selection_missing_required_role_returns_none():
+    from app.services.recipe.assembly_recipes import build_from_selection
+    result = build_from_selection(
+        template_slug="burrito_taco",
+        role_overrides={"protein": "chicken"},
+        pantry_set={"chicken"},
+    )
+    assert result is None
+
+
+def test_build_from_selection_unknown_template_returns_none():
+    from app.services.recipe.assembly_recipes import build_from_selection
+    result = build_from_selection(
+        template_slug="does_not_exist",
+        role_overrides={},
+        pantry_set={"chicken"},
+    )
+    assert result is None
diff --git a/tests/services/recipe/test_recipe_engine.py b/tests/services/recipe/test_recipe_engine.py
index 2ca6aa3..af1051e 100644
--- a/tests/services/recipe/test_recipe_engine.py
+++ b/tests/services/recipe/test_recipe_engine.py
@@ -119,3 +119,18 @@ def test_grocery_links_free_tier(store_with_recipes):
         assert hasattr(link, "ingredient")
         assert hasattr(link, "retailer")
         assert hasattr(link, "url")
+
+
+def test_suggest_returns_no_assembly_results(store_with_recipes):
+    """Assembly templates (negative IDs) must no longer appear in suggest() output."""
+    from app.services.recipe.recipe_engine import RecipeEngine
+    from app.models.schemas.recipe import RecipeRequest
+    engine = RecipeEngine(store_with_recipes)
+    req = RecipeRequest(
+        pantry_items=["flour tortilla", "chicken", "salsa", "rice"],
+        level=1,
+        constraints=[],
+    )
+    result = engine.suggest(req)
+    assembly_ids = [s.id for s in result.suggestions if s.id < 0]
+    assert assembly_ids == [], f"Found assembly results in suggest(): {assembly_ids}"