diff --git a/cmd/gateway.go b/cmd/gateway.go
index 2b4f6fd7..b0765269 100644
--- a/cmd/gateway.go
+++ b/cmd/gateway.go
@@ -278,6 +278,10 @@ func runGateway() {
 		browserMgr.SetCookieProvider(newStoreBrowserCookieProvider(pgStores.BrowserCookies))
 	}
 
+	if ttsTool != nil && pgStores.SystemConfigs != nil {
+		ttsTool.SetSystemConfigStore(pgStores.SystemConfigs)
+	}
+
 	// Recover from crashes: flip ghost 'summoning' rows to 'summon_failed'.
 	// Summon goroutines don't survive process restart; stale DB rows would trap the UI.
 	if pgStores.Agents != nil {
diff --git a/cmd/gateway_agents.go b/cmd/gateway_agents.go
index 13382311..60e76281 100644
--- a/cmd/gateway_agents.go
+++ b/cmd/gateway_agents.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/nextlevelbuilder/goclaw/internal/audio/elevenlabs"
 	geminiaudio "github.com/nextlevelbuilder/goclaw/internal/audio/gemini"
 	minimaxaudio "github.com/nextlevelbuilder/goclaw/internal/audio/minimax"
+	"github.com/nextlevelbuilder/goclaw/internal/audio/openaicompat"
 	"github.com/nextlevelbuilder/goclaw/internal/bus"
 	"github.com/nextlevelbuilder/goclaw/internal/config"
 	"github.com/nextlevelbuilder/goclaw/internal/memory"
@@ -275,6 +276,26 @@ func setupTTS(cfg *config.Config) *tts.Manager {
 		}))
 	}
 
+	// OpenAI-compatible self-hosted endpoint. api_base is the enable switch —
+	// unlike the vendor providers there is no API key to gate on, since these
+	// endpoints commonly have no auth.
+	if base := ttsCfg.OpenAICompat.APIBase; base != "" {
+		provider, err := openaicompat.NewTTSProvider(openaicompat.Config{
+			APIBase:   base,
+			APIKey:    ttsCfg.OpenAICompat.APIKey,
+			TTSModel:  ttsCfg.OpenAICompat.Model,
+			TTSVoice:  ttsCfg.OpenAICompat.Voice,
+			TTSFormat: ttsCfg.OpenAICompat.Format,
+			TimeoutMs: ttsCfg.TimeoutMs,
+		})
+		if err != nil {
+			slog.Warn("audio.tts: openai_compat not registered", "error", err)
+		} else {
+			mgr.RegisterProvider(provider)
+			slog.Info("audio.tts: openai_compat registered", "api_base", base)
+		}
+	}
+
 	if key := ttsCfg.ElevenLabs.APIKey; key != "" {
 		mgr.RegisterProvider(tts.NewElevenLabsProvider(tts.ElevenLabsConfig{
 			APIKey:    key,
@@ -359,6 +380,29 @@ func setupAudioExtras(cfg *config.Config, mgr *tts.Manager) {
 		}
 	}
 
+	// STT chain. Built from what actually registered, so Transcribe never walks
+	// a name it will only skip with a warning. "proxy" is always appended: it is
+	// registered later, per channel, by BridgeLegacySTT.
+	var sttChain []string
+
+	// OpenAI-compatible self-hosted endpoint, first when present: it is an
+	// explicit operator choice, and it keeps audio on the local network.
+	if base := cfg.Tts.OpenAICompat.APIBase; base != "" {
+		provider, err := openaicompat.NewSTTProvider(openaicompat.Config{
+			APIBase:   base,
+			APIKey:    cfg.Tts.OpenAICompat.APIKey,
+			STTModel:  cfg.Tts.OpenAICompat.STTModel,
+			TimeoutMs: cfg.Tts.TimeoutMs,
+		})
+		if err != nil {
+			slog.Warn("audio.stt: openai_compat not registered", "error", err)
+		} else {
+			mgr.RegisterSTT(provider)
+			sttChain = append(sttChain, provider.Name())
+			slog.Info("audio.stt: openai_compat registered", "api_base", base)
+		}
+	}
+
 	// ElevenLabs STT (Scribe v2) — reuse TTS credentials. Registered as tenant-scope
 	// default; per-request tenant override lands via builtin_tools[stt] in Phase 5
 	// channel migration. Legacy per-channel STTProxyURL is bridged separately.
@@ -367,7 +411,13 @@ func setupAudioExtras(cfg *config.Config, mgr *tts.Manager) {
 			APIKey:  ellKey,
 			BaseURL: ellBase,
 		}))
-		mgr.SetSTTChain([]string{"elevenlabs", "proxy"})
+		sttChain = append(sttChain, "elevenlabs")
 		slog.Info("audio.stt: elevenlabs registered")
 	}
+
+	if len(sttChain) > 0 {
+		sttChain = append(sttChain, "proxy")
+		mgr.SetSTTChain(sttChain)
+		slog.Info("audio.stt: chain configured", "chain", sttChain)
+	}
 }
diff --git a/internal/audio/openaicompat/config.go b/internal/audio/openaicompat/config.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4dcb3a3e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/audio/openaicompat/config.go
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+// Package openaicompat implements the OpenAI audio API (speech + transcriptions)
+// against any OpenAI-compatible endpoint — gpu-manager, Speaches, vLLM, LocalAI,
+// llama.cpp, Ollama.
+//
+// It is deliberately distinct from the openai package. Both speak the same wire
+// format, but "openai" means api.openai.com semantics: a fixed voice set
+// (alloy, echo, ...), an mp3 default, and a base URL that falls back to the
+// public API. A self-hosted engine shares none of that — its voices are its own
+// (e.g. Piper's "fr_FR-gilles-low"), its formats are whatever it built in, and
+// there is no sane default host.
+//
+// Keeping them separate matters beyond tidiness: audio.IsVoiceCompatible applies
+// OpenAI's voice allowlist to any provider named "openai" and silently
+// substitutes the default voice for anything outside it. Routing a self-hosted
+// engine through that name turns a valid local voice ID into "alloy" with no
+// error. Providers without validation rules pass through untouched, which is the
+// correct behaviour here.
+package openaicompat
+
+import "errors"
+
+// ErrAPIBaseRequired is returned by the constructors when APIBase is empty.
+// Unlike the openai package there is no public endpoint to fall back to, and
+// defaulting to api.openai.com would send self-hosted traffic to a vendor.
+var ErrAPIBaseRequired = errors.New("openai_compat: api_base is required")
+
+// providerName is the stable identifier reported to the audio Manager and used
+// in chain configuration. It must not be "openai" — see the package doc.
+const providerName = "openai_compat"
+
+// Default tuning. Formats intentionally follow the OpenAI wire defaults; an
+// endpoint that cannot encode mp3 is configured with Format: "wav".
+const (
+	defaultTTSFormat = "mp3"
+	defaultTimeoutMs = 30000
+)
+
+// Config bundles the endpoint, credentials and defaults for both the TTS and
+// STT providers. APIBase is required; everything else has a default or is
+// resolved per-request.
+type Config struct {
+	// APIBase is the OpenAI-compatible root, including any version prefix —
+	// e.g. "http://gpu-manager:8080/v1". Required.
+	APIBase string
+	// APIKey is sent as a Bearer token when non-empty. Self-hosted endpoints
+	// frequently have no auth, so an empty key omits the header entirely
+	// rather than sending "Bearer ".
+	APIKey string
+	// TTSModel is the default model for synthesis. Optional: some engines
+	// resolve the model from the requested voice instead.
+	TTSModel string
+	// TTSVoice is the default voice for synthesis. Optional.
+	TTSVoice string
+	// TTSFormat is the default response_format for synthesis. Defaults to
+	// "mp3" to match OpenAI. Set to "wav" or "pcm" for engines without an
+	// encoder.
+	TTSFormat string
+	// STTModel is the default model for transcription. Optional.
+	STTModel string
+	// TimeoutMs is the per-request timeout. Defaults to 30000.
+	TimeoutMs int
+}
+
+// withDefaults returns a copy with zero-valued optional fields filled in.
+// APIBase is not defaulted — its absence is an error, not a fallback.
+func (c Config) withDefaults() Config {
+	if c.TTSFormat == "" {
+		c.TTSFormat = defaultTTSFormat
+	}
+	if c.TimeoutMs <= 0 {
+		c.TimeoutMs = defaultTimeoutMs
+	}
+	return c
+}
diff --git a/internal/audio/openaicompat/stt.go b/internal/audio/openaicompat/stt.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7aa04854
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/audio/openaicompat/stt.go
@@ -0,0 +1,211 @@
+package openaicompat
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"mime/multipart"
+	"net/http"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nextlevelbuilder/goclaw/internal/audio"
+)
+
+const (
+	// sttMaxBytes matches the OpenAI upload limit, which compatible engines
+	// generally adopt. Enforced before the request so an oversized file fails
+	// locally instead of after a full upload.
+	sttMaxBytes = 25 << 20 // 25 MB
+	// sttDefaultTimeout is the floor for transcription, which is slower than
+	// synthesis and routinely exceeds the shared 30 s default.
+	sttDefaultTimeout = 120 * time.Second
+)
+
+// STTProvider transcribes audio via an OpenAI-compatible
+// POST /audio/transcriptions.
+type STTProvider struct {
+	cfg Config
+}
+
+// NewSTTProvider returns an STT provider for the configured endpoint.
+// Returns ErrAPIBaseRequired when cfg.APIBase is empty.
+func NewSTTProvider(cfg Config) (*STTProvider, error) {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(cfg.APIBase) == "" {
+		return nil, ErrAPIBaseRequired
+	}
+	return &STTProvider{cfg: cfg.withDefaults()}, nil
+}
+
+// Name returns the stable provider identifier.
+func (p *STTProvider) Name() string { return providerName }
+
+// Transcribe converts audio to text.
+//
+// The multipart filename is significant, not cosmetic: several compatible
+// engines type the audio by its extension rather than by Content-Type, and
+// reject an upload whose name carries no format they recognise. The filename is
+// therefore derived from STTInput.Filename, then the base of FilePath, then the
+// MIME type — never left blank.
+func (p *STTProvider) Transcribe(ctx context.Context, in audio.STTInput, opts audio.STTOptions) (*audio.TranscriptResult, error) {
+	body, contentType, err := p.buildForm(in, opts)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	url := strings.TrimRight(p.cfg.APIBase, "/") + "/audio/transcriptions"
+	req, err := http.NewRequestWithContext(ctx, http.MethodPost, url, body)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("openai_compat stt: create request: %w", err)
+	}
+	req.Header.Set("Content-Type", contentType)
+	if p.cfg.APIKey != "" {
+		req.Header.Set("Authorization", "Bearer "+p.cfg.APIKey)
+	}
+
+	timeout := sttDefaultTimeout
+	if opts.TimeoutMs > 0 {
+		timeout = time.Duration(opts.TimeoutMs) * time.Millisecond
+	}
+	hc := &http.Client{Timeout: timeout}
+	resp, err := hc.Do(req)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("openai_compat stt: http request: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer resp.Body.Close()
+
+	if resp.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		errBody, _ := io.ReadAll(io.LimitReader(resp.Body, errBodyLimit))
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("openai_compat stt: endpoint error %d: %s", resp.StatusCode, strings.TrimSpace(string(errBody)))
+	}
+
+	// verbose_json is a superset of json; language and duration are absent from
+	// a plain json response and stay zero-valued, which the Manager tolerates.
+	var result struct {
+		Text     string  `json:"text"`
+		Language string  `json:"language"`
+		Duration float64 `json:"duration"`
+	}
+	if err := json.NewDecoder(resp.Body).Decode(&result); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("openai_compat stt: parse response: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	language := result.Language
+	if language == "" {
+		language = opts.Language
+	}
+	return &audio.TranscriptResult{
+		Text:     result.Text,
+		Language: language,
+		Duration: result.Duration,
+		Provider: providerName,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+// buildForm assembles the multipart body, reading the audio from FilePath or
+// Bytes. Returns the body and its Content-Type header value.
+func (p *STTProvider) buildForm(in audio.STTInput, opts audio.STTOptions) (io.Reader, string, error) {
+	var buf bytes.Buffer
+	mw := multipart.NewWriter(&buf)
+
+	if model := firstNonEmpty(opts.ModelID, p.cfg.STTModel); model != "" {
+		if err := mw.WriteField("model", model); err != nil {
+			return nil, "", fmt.Errorf("openai_compat stt: write model field: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+	if opts.Language != "" {
+		if err := mw.WriteField("language", opts.Language); err != nil {
+			return nil, "", fmt.Errorf("openai_compat stt: write language field: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := mw.WriteField("response_format", "json"); err != nil {
+		return nil, "", fmt.Errorf("openai_compat stt: write response_format field: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	fw, err := mw.CreateFormFile("file", sttFilename(in))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", fmt.Errorf("openai_compat stt: create form file: %w", err)
+	}
+	if err := writeAudio(fw, in); err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+	if err := mw.Close(); err != nil {
+		return nil, "", fmt.Errorf("openai_compat stt: close multipart writer: %w", err)
+	}
+	return &buf, mw.FormDataContentType(), nil
+}
+
+// writeAudio copies the input audio into dst, enforcing the size cap.
+func writeAudio(dst io.Writer, in audio.STTInput) error {
+	if in.FilePath != "" {
+		info, err := os.Stat(in.FilePath)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("openai_compat stt: stat file: %w", err)
+		}
+		if info.Size() > sttMaxBytes {
+			return fmt.Errorf("openai_compat stt: file too large (%d bytes, max %d)", info.Size(), sttMaxBytes)
+		}
+		f, err := os.Open(in.FilePath)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("openai_compat stt: open file: %w", err)
+		}
+		defer f.Close()
+		if _, err := io.Copy(dst, f); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("openai_compat stt: read file: %w", err)
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if len(in.Bytes) == 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("openai_compat stt: neither FilePath nor Bytes provided")
+	}
+	if len(in.Bytes) > sttMaxBytes {
+		return fmt.Errorf("openai_compat stt: audio too large (%d bytes, max %d)", len(in.Bytes), sttMaxBytes)
+	}
+	if _, err := dst.Write(in.Bytes); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("openai_compat stt: write audio bytes: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// sttFilename derives the multipart filename. See Transcribe for why a blank
+// name is not an option.
+func sttFilename(in audio.STTInput) string {
+	if in.Filename != "" {
+		return in.Filename
+	}
+	if in.FilePath != "" {
+		return filepath.Base(in.FilePath)
+	}
+	return "audio" + extFromMime(in.MimeType)
+}
+
+// extFromMime maps a MIME type to a file extension, including the leading dot.
+func extFromMime(mime string) string {
+	// Strip codec parameters, e.g. "audio/ogg; codecs=opus".
+	if idx := strings.IndexByte(mime, ';'); idx >= 0 {
+		mime = mime[:idx]
+	}
+	switch strings.TrimSpace(mime) {
+	case "audio/ogg", "audio/opus":
+		return ".ogg"
+	case "audio/mpeg", "audio/mp3":
+		return ".mp3"
+	case "audio/wav", "audio/wave", "audio/x-wav":
+		return ".wav"
+	case "audio/pcm", "audio/l16":
+		return ".pcm"
+	case "audio/mp4", "audio/m4a", "audio/x-m4a":
+		return ".m4a"
+	case "audio/webm":
+		return ".webm"
+	case "audio/flac", "audio/x-flac":
+		return ".flac"
+	default:
+		return ".bin"
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/audio/openaicompat/stt_test.go b/internal/audio/openaicompat/stt_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7654caea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/audio/openaicompat/stt_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,267 @@
+package openaicompat_test
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"io"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	"github.com/nextlevelbuilder/goclaw/internal/audio"
+	"github.com/nextlevelbuilder/goclaw/internal/audio/openaicompat"
+)
+
+// sttForm captures what the fake endpoint received.
+type sttForm struct {
+	path     string
+	auth     string
+	filename string
+	fileData string
+	model    string
+	language string
+	format   string
+}
+
+// newSTTServer returns a fake OpenAI-compatible transcription endpoint that
+// records the multipart form and replies with body.
+func newSTTServer(t *testing.T, got *sttForm, status int, body string) *httptest.Server {
+	t.Helper()
+	srv := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		got.path = r.URL.Path
+		got.auth = r.Header.Get("Authorization")
+		require.NoError(t, r.ParseMultipartForm(32<<20))
+		got.model = r.FormValue("model")
+		got.language = r.FormValue("language")
+		got.format = r.FormValue("response_format")
+
+		file, header, err := r.FormFile("file")
+		if err == nil {
+			defer file.Close()
+			got.filename = header.Filename
+			data, err := io.ReadAll(file)
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			got.fileData = string(data)
+		}
+
+		w.WriteHeader(status)
+		_, _ = io.WriteString(w, body)
+	}))
+	t.Cleanup(func() { srv.Close() })
+	return srv
+}
+
+func TestNewSTTProviderRequiresAPIBase(t *testing.T) {
+	_, err := openaicompat.NewSTTProvider(openaicompat.Config{})
+	require.ErrorIs(t, err, openaicompat.ErrAPIBaseRequired)
+}
+
+func TestSTTProviderName(t *testing.T) {
+	provider, err := openaicompat.NewSTTProvider(openaicompat.Config{APIBase: "http://x/v1"})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, "openai_compat", provider.Name())
+}
+
+func TestSTTTranscribeFromBytes(t *testing.T) {
+	var got sttForm
+	srv := newSTTServer(t, &got, http.StatusOK, `{"text":"bonjour le monde","language":"fr","duration":1.5}`)
+
+	provider, err := openaicompat.NewSTTProvider(openaicompat.Config{
+		APIBase:  srv.URL + "/v1",
+		APIKey:   "secret",
+		STTModel: "whisper-1",
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	result, err := provider.Transcribe(context.Background(),
+		audio.STTInput{Bytes: []byte("RIFFfake"), MimeType: "audio/wav", Filename: "utterance.wav"},
+		audio.STTOptions{Language: "fr"},
+	)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	assert.Equal(t, "/v1/audio/transcriptions", got.path)
+	assert.Equal(t, "Bearer secret", got.auth)
+	assert.Equal(t, "utterance.wav", got.filename)
+	assert.Equal(t, "RIFFfake", got.fileData)
+	assert.Equal(t, "whisper-1", got.model)
+	assert.Equal(t, "fr", got.language)
+	assert.Equal(t, "json", got.format)
+
+	assert.Equal(t, "bonjour le monde", result.Text)
+	assert.Equal(t, "fr", result.Language)
+	assert.InEpsilon(t, 1.5, result.Duration, 0.0001)
+	assert.Equal(t, "openai_compat", result.Provider)
+}
+
+func TestSTTTranscribeFromFilePath(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	path := filepath.Join(dir, "voice-note.ogg")
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(path, []byte("OggS-fake"), 0o600))
+
+	var got sttForm
+	srv := newSTTServer(t, &got, http.StatusOK, `{"text":"salut"}`)
+
+	provider, err := openaicompat.NewSTTProvider(openaicompat.Config{APIBase: srv.URL})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	result, err := provider.Transcribe(context.Background(),
+		audio.STTInput{FilePath: path, MimeType: "audio/ogg"},
+		audio.STTOptions{},
+	)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	assert.Equal(t, "voice-note.ogg", got.filename, "filename falls back to the base of FilePath")
+	assert.Equal(t, "OggS-fake", got.fileData)
+	assert.Equal(t, "salut", result.Text)
+}
+
+// TestSTTFilenameIsNeverBlank guards the extension-typing requirement: some
+// compatible engines (gpu-manager among them) infer the audio format from the
+// filename and reject an upload they cannot type.
+func TestSTTFilenameIsNeverBlank(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name     string
+		in       audio.STTInput
+		wantName string
+	}{
+		{
+			name:     "explicit filename wins",
+			in:       audio.STTInput{Bytes: []byte("x"), Filename: "utterance.wav", MimeType: "audio/ogg"},
+			wantName: "utterance.wav",
+		},
+		{
+			name:     "derived from wav mime",
+			in:       audio.STTInput{Bytes: []byte("x"), MimeType: "audio/wav"},
+			wantName: "audio.wav",
+		},
+		{
+			name:     "derived from ogg mime",
+			in:       audio.STTInput{Bytes: []byte("x"), MimeType: "audio/ogg"},
+			wantName: "audio.ogg",
+		},
+		{
+			name:     "codec parameters stripped",
+			in:       audio.STTInput{Bytes: []byte("x"), MimeType: "audio/ogg; codecs=opus"},
+			wantName: "audio.ogg",
+		},
+		{
+			name:     "mpeg mime",
+			in:       audio.STTInput{Bytes: []byte("x"), MimeType: "audio/mpeg"},
+			wantName: "audio.mp3",
+		},
+		{
+			name:     "unknown mime still carries an extension",
+			in:       audio.STTInput{Bytes: []byte("x"), MimeType: "audio/weird"},
+			wantName: "audio.bin",
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			var got sttForm
+			srv := newSTTServer(t, &got, http.StatusOK, `{"text":"ok"}`)
+
+			provider, err := openaicompat.NewSTTProvider(openaicompat.Config{APIBase: srv.URL})
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+
+			_, err = provider.Transcribe(context.Background(), tc.in, audio.STTOptions{})
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			assert.Equal(t, tc.wantName, got.filename)
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSTTOmitsModelWhenUnset(t *testing.T) {
+	var got sttForm
+	srv := newSTTServer(t, &got, http.StatusOK, `{"text":"ok"}`)
+
+	provider, err := openaicompat.NewSTTProvider(openaicompat.Config{APIBase: srv.URL})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	_, err = provider.Transcribe(context.Background(),
+		audio.STTInput{Bytes: []byte("x"), MimeType: "audio/wav"}, audio.STTOptions{})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Empty(t, got.model, "an unset model must be omitted so the endpoint picks its own")
+}
+
+func TestSTTOptionsModelOverridesConfig(t *testing.T) {
+	var got sttForm
+	srv := newSTTServer(t, &got, http.StatusOK, `{"text":"ok"}`)
+
+	provider, err := openaicompat.NewSTTProvider(openaicompat.Config{APIBase: srv.URL, STTModel: "config-model"})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	_, err = provider.Transcribe(context.Background(),
+		audio.STTInput{Bytes: []byte("x"), MimeType: "audio/wav"},
+		audio.STTOptions{ModelID: "opts-model"})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, "opts-model", got.model)
+}
+
+// TestSTTLanguageFallsBackToHint covers a plain (non-verbose) json response,
+// which carries no language field.
+func TestSTTLanguageFallsBackToHint(t *testing.T) {
+	var got sttForm
+	srv := newSTTServer(t, &got, http.StatusOK, `{"text":"bonjour"}`)
+
+	provider, err := openaicompat.NewSTTProvider(openaicompat.Config{APIBase: srv.URL})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	result, err := provider.Transcribe(context.Background(),
+		audio.STTInput{Bytes: []byte("x"), MimeType: "audio/wav"},
+		audio.STTOptions{Language: "fr"})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, "fr", result.Language)
+}
+
+func TestSTTErrorStatus(t *testing.T) {
+	var got sttForm
+	srv := newSTTServer(t, &got, http.StatusUnsupportedMediaType, `{"error":"unsupported audio format"}`)
+
+	provider, err := openaicompat.NewSTTProvider(openaicompat.Config{APIBase: srv.URL})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	_, err = provider.Transcribe(context.Background(),
+		audio.STTInput{Bytes: []byte("x"), MimeType: "audio/ogg"}, audio.STTOptions{})
+	require.Error(t, err)
+	assert.Contains(t, err.Error(), "415")
+	assert.Contains(t, err.Error(), "unsupported audio format")
+}
+
+func TestSTTRejectsEmptyInput(t *testing.T) {
+	provider, err := openaicompat.NewSTTProvider(openaicompat.Config{APIBase: "http://x/v1"})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	_, err = provider.Transcribe(context.Background(), audio.STTInput{}, audio.STTOptions{})
+	require.Error(t, err)
+	assert.Contains(t, err.Error(), "neither FilePath nor Bytes")
+}
+
+func TestSTTRejectsOversizedBytes(t *testing.T) {
+	provider, err := openaicompat.NewSTTProvider(openaicompat.Config{APIBase: "http://x/v1"})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	_, err = provider.Transcribe(context.Background(),
+		audio.STTInput{Bytes: make([]byte, (25<<20)+1), MimeType: "audio/wav"},
+		audio.STTOptions{})
+	require.Error(t, err)
+	assert.Contains(t, err.Error(), "too large")
+}
+
+func TestSTTRejectsOversizedFile(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	path := filepath.Join(dir, "big.wav")
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(path, make([]byte, (25<<20)+1), 0o600))
+
+	provider, err := openaicompat.NewSTTProvider(openaicompat.Config{APIBase: "http://x/v1"})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	_, err = provider.Transcribe(context.Background(),
+		audio.STTInput{FilePath: path, MimeType: "audio/wav"}, audio.STTOptions{})
+	require.Error(t, err)
+	assert.Contains(t, err.Error(), "too large")
+}
diff --git a/internal/audio/openaicompat/tts.go b/internal/audio/openaicompat/tts.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7c583c50
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/audio/openaicompat/tts.go
@@ -0,0 +1,170 @@
+package openaicompat
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"net/http"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nextlevelbuilder/goclaw/internal/audio"
+)
+
+// errBodyLimit caps how much of an error response body is read into a message.
+const errBodyLimit = 512
+
+// TTSProvider synthesizes speech via an OpenAI-compatible POST /audio/speech.
+type TTSProvider struct {
+	cfg Config
+}
+
+// NewTTSProvider returns a TTS provider for the configured endpoint.
+// Returns ErrAPIBaseRequired when cfg.APIBase is empty.
+func NewTTSProvider(cfg Config) (*TTSProvider, error) {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(cfg.APIBase) == "" {
+		return nil, ErrAPIBaseRequired
+	}
+	return &TTSProvider{cfg: cfg.withDefaults()}, nil
+}
+
+// Name returns the stable provider identifier.
+func (p *TTSProvider) Name() string { return providerName }
+
+// Synthesize calls POST {api_base}/audio/speech and returns the audio bytes.
+//
+// Resolution order for voice, model and format is: per-request opts, then
+// opts.Params, then the provider config. Voice and model are omitted from the
+// request when they resolve empty — some engines pick the model from the voice,
+// and sending an empty string would override that choice rather than defer to it.
+func (p *TTSProvider) Synthesize(ctx context.Context, text string, opts audio.TTSOptions) (*audio.SynthResult, error) {
+	format := firstNonEmpty(opts.Format, paramString(opts.Params, "response_format"), p.cfg.TTSFormat)
+	voice := firstNonEmpty(opts.Voice, p.cfg.TTSVoice)
+	model := firstNonEmpty(opts.Model, p.cfg.TTSModel)
+
+	body := map[string]any{
+		"input":           text,
+		"response_format": format,
+	}
+	if voice != "" {
+		body["voice"] = voice
+	}
+	if model != "" {
+		body["model"] = model
+	}
+	if speed := paramFloat(opts.Params, "speed"); speed > 0 {
+		body["speed"] = speed
+	}
+
+	bodyJSON, err := json.Marshal(body)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("openai_compat tts: marshal request: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	url := strings.TrimRight(p.cfg.APIBase, "/") + "/audio/speech"
+	req, err := http.NewRequestWithContext(ctx, http.MethodPost, url, bytes.NewReader(bodyJSON))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("openai_compat tts: create request: %w", err)
+	}
+	req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+	if p.cfg.APIKey != "" {
+		req.Header.Set("Authorization", "Bearer "+p.cfg.APIKey)
+	}
+
+	hc := &http.Client{Timeout: time.Duration(p.cfg.TimeoutMs) * time.Millisecond}
+	resp, err := hc.Do(req)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("openai_compat tts: http request: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer resp.Body.Close()
+
+	if resp.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		errBody, _ := io.ReadAll(io.LimitReader(resp.Body, errBodyLimit))
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("openai_compat tts: endpoint error %d: %s", resp.StatusCode, strings.TrimSpace(string(errBody)))
+	}
+
+	audioBytes, err := io.ReadAll(resp.Body)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("openai_compat tts: read response: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	ext, mime := formatToExtMime(format)
+	return &audio.SynthResult{
+		Audio:     audioBytes,
+		Extension: ext,
+		MimeType:  mime,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+// formatToExtMime maps an OpenAI response_format to a file extension and MIME
+// type. Unknown formats are passed through as their own extension with a
+// generic MIME type rather than guessed at.
+func formatToExtMime(format string) (ext, mime string) {
+	switch format {
+	case "mp3":
+		return "mp3", "audio/mpeg"
+	case "opus":
+		return "ogg", "audio/ogg"
+	case "aac":
+		return "aac", "audio/aac"
+	case "flac":
+		return "flac", "audio/flac"
+	case "wav":
+		return "wav", "audio/wav"
+	case "pcm":
+		return "pcm", "audio/pcm"
+	default:
+		return format, "application/octet-stream"
+	}
+}
+
+// firstNonEmpty returns the first non-empty string, or "" if all are empty.
+func firstNonEmpty(values ...string) string {
+	for _, v := range values {
+		if v != "" {
+			return v
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+// paramString reads a string param, returning "" when absent or not a string.
+func paramString(params map[string]any, key string) string {
+	if params == nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	v, ok := audio.GetNested(params, key)
+	if !ok {
+		return ""
+	}
+	s, ok := v.(string)
+	if !ok {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return s
+}
+
+// paramFloat reads a numeric param, returning 0 when absent or not numeric.
+func paramFloat(params map[string]any, key string) float64 {
+	if params == nil {
+		return 0
+	}
+	v, ok := audio.GetNested(params, key)
+	if !ok {
+		return 0
+	}
+	switch n := v.(type) {
+	case float64:
+		return n
+	case float32:
+		return float64(n)
+	case int:
+		return float64(n)
+	case int64:
+		return float64(n)
+	default:
+		return 0
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/audio/openaicompat/tts_test.go b/internal/audio/openaicompat/tts_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3cc767f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/audio/openaicompat/tts_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,209 @@
+package openaicompat_test
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"io"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	"github.com/nextlevelbuilder/goclaw/internal/audio"
+	"github.com/nextlevelbuilder/goclaw/internal/audio/openaicompat"
+)
+
+// piperVoice is a real Piper voice ID. It is deliberately used throughout:
+// it is exactly the kind of self-hosted voice that the "openai" provider name
+// would silently rewrite to "alloy".
+const piperVoice = "fr_FR-gilles-low"
+
+func TestNewTTSProviderRequiresAPIBase(t *testing.T) {
+	_, err := openaicompat.NewTTSProvider(openaicompat.Config{})
+	require.ErrorIs(t, err, openaicompat.ErrAPIBaseRequired)
+
+	_, err = openaicompat.NewTTSProvider(openaicompat.Config{APIBase: "   "})
+	require.ErrorIs(t, err, openaicompat.ErrAPIBaseRequired, "whitespace-only api_base must not pass")
+}
+
+func TestTTSProviderName(t *testing.T) {
+	provider, err := openaicompat.NewTTSProvider(openaicompat.Config{APIBase: "http://x/v1"})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, "openai_compat", provider.Name())
+}
+
+// TestTTSProviderNameEscapesOpenAIVoiceValidation is the regression guard for
+// the reason this package exists. Named "openai", a self-hosted voice ID is
+// replaced by "alloy" before the request is ever sent.
+func TestTTSProviderNameEscapesOpenAIVoiceValidation(t *testing.T) {
+	provider, err := openaicompat.NewTTSProvider(openaicompat.Config{APIBase: "http://x/v1"})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	assert.True(t, audio.IsVoiceCompatible(provider.Name(), piperVoice),
+		"a self-hosted voice must survive validation under this provider name")
+
+	filtered, changed := audio.FilterVoiceForProvider(provider.Name(), piperVoice, false)
+	assert.Equal(t, piperVoice, filtered)
+	assert.False(t, changed)
+
+	// Contrast: the same voice under the "openai" name is silently replaced.
+	clobbered, changed := audio.FilterVoiceForProvider("openai", piperVoice, false)
+	assert.Equal(t, "alloy", clobbered)
+	assert.True(t, changed)
+}
+
+func TestTTSSynthesize(t *testing.T) {
+	var gotBody map[string]any
+	var gotAuth, gotPath string
+
+	srv := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		gotPath = r.URL.Path
+		gotAuth = r.Header.Get("Authorization")
+		require.NoError(t, json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&gotBody))
+		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "audio/wav")
+		_, _ = w.Write([]byte("RIFFfake"))
+	}))
+	t.Cleanup(func() { srv.Close() })
+
+	provider, err := openaicompat.NewTTSProvider(openaicompat.Config{
+		APIBase:   srv.URL + "/v1",
+		APIKey:    "secret",
+		TTSFormat: "wav",
+		TTSVoice:  piperVoice,
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	result, err := provider.Synthesize(context.Background(), "bonjour", audio.TTSOptions{})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	assert.Equal(t, "/v1/audio/speech", gotPath)
+	assert.Equal(t, "Bearer secret", gotAuth)
+	assert.Equal(t, "bonjour", gotBody["input"])
+	assert.Equal(t, piperVoice, gotBody["voice"], "configured voice must reach the endpoint verbatim")
+	assert.Equal(t, "wav", gotBody["response_format"])
+	assert.NotContains(t, gotBody, "model", "an empty model must be omitted, not sent blank")
+
+	assert.Equal(t, []byte("RIFFfake"), result.Audio)
+	assert.Equal(t, "wav", result.Extension)
+	assert.Equal(t, "audio/wav", result.MimeType)
+}
+
+func TestTTSSynthesizeResolutionOrder(t *testing.T) {
+	var gotBody map[string]any
+	srv := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		require.NoError(t, json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&gotBody))
+		_, _ = w.Write([]byte("x"))
+	}))
+	t.Cleanup(func() { srv.Close() })
+
+	provider, err := openaicompat.NewTTSProvider(openaicompat.Config{
+		APIBase:   srv.URL,
+		TTSVoice:  "config-voice",
+		TTSModel:  "config-model",
+		TTSFormat: "wav",
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	_, err = provider.Synthesize(context.Background(), "hi", audio.TTSOptions{
+		Voice:  "opts-voice",
+		Model:  "opts-model",
+		Format: "pcm",
+		Params: map[string]any{"speed": 1.5},
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	assert.Equal(t, "opts-voice", gotBody["voice"], "per-request opts win over config")
+	assert.Equal(t, "opts-model", gotBody["model"])
+	assert.Equal(t, "pcm", gotBody["response_format"])
+	assert.InEpsilon(t, 1.5, gotBody["speed"], 0.0001)
+}
+
+func TestTTSSynthesizeParamsFormatOverridesConfig(t *testing.T) {
+	var gotBody map[string]any
+	srv := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		require.NoError(t, json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&gotBody))
+		_, _ = w.Write([]byte("x"))
+	}))
+	t.Cleanup(func() { srv.Close() })
+
+	provider, err := openaicompat.NewTTSProvider(openaicompat.Config{
+		APIBase:   srv.URL,
+		TTSFormat: "wav",
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	_, err = provider.Synthesize(context.Background(), "hi", audio.TTSOptions{
+		Params: map[string]any{"response_format": "mp3"},
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, "mp3", gotBody["response_format"])
+}
+
+func TestTTSSynthesizeOmitsAuthWhenNoKey(t *testing.T) {
+	var hasAuth bool
+	srv := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		_, hasAuth = r.Header["Authorization"]
+		_, _ = w.Write([]byte("x"))
+	}))
+	t.Cleanup(func() { srv.Close() })
+
+	provider, err := openaicompat.NewTTSProvider(openaicompat.Config{APIBase: srv.URL})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	_, err = provider.Synthesize(context.Background(), "hi", audio.TTSOptions{})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.False(t, hasAuth, "self-hosted endpoints without auth must not receive an empty Bearer header")
+}
+
+func TestTTSSynthesizeErrorStatus(t *testing.T) {
+	srv := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, _ *http.Request) {
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusBadRequest)
+		_, _ = io.WriteString(w, `{"error":"response_format must be wav or pcm"}`)
+	}))
+	t.Cleanup(func() { srv.Close() })
+
+	provider, err := openaicompat.NewTTSProvider(openaicompat.Config{APIBase: srv.URL})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	_, err = provider.Synthesize(context.Background(), "hi", audio.TTSOptions{})
+	require.Error(t, err)
+	assert.Contains(t, err.Error(), "400")
+	assert.Contains(t, err.Error(), "response_format must be wav or pcm",
+		"the endpoint's own message must survive so a format mismatch is diagnosable")
+}
+
+func TestTTSFormatExtensionMapping(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		format   string
+		wantExt  string
+		wantMIME string
+	}{
+		{"mp3", "mp3", "audio/mpeg"},
+		{"opus", "ogg", "audio/ogg"},
+		{"wav", "wav", "audio/wav"},
+		{"pcm", "pcm", "audio/pcm"},
+		{"flac", "flac", "audio/flac"},
+		{"aac", "aac", "audio/aac"},
+	}
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.format, func(t *testing.T) {
+			srv := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, _ *http.Request) {
+				_, _ = w.Write([]byte("x"))
+			}))
+			t.Cleanup(func() { srv.Close() })
+
+			provider, err := openaicompat.NewTTSProvider(openaicompat.Config{
+				APIBase:   srv.URL,
+				TTSFormat: tc.format,
+			})
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+
+			result, err := provider.Synthesize(context.Background(), "hi", audio.TTSOptions{})
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			assert.Equal(t, tc.wantExt, result.Extension)
+			assert.Equal(t, tc.wantMIME, result.MimeType)
+		})
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/channels/bitrix24/channel.go b/internal/channels/bitrix24/channel.go
index 69cbd089..252fdee2 100644
--- a/internal/channels/bitrix24/channel.go
+++ b/internal/channels/bitrix24/channel.go
@@ -56,6 +56,12 @@ type Channel struct {
 	mentionMu sync.Mutex
 	mentionRe *mentionMatcher
 
+	// reactions tracks the current status-reaction emoji per user message so
+	// OnReactionEvent can replace the previous one as the agent's status
+	// progresses (thinking → tool → done). Keyed by "<chatID>:<messageID>";
+	// values are *reactionState. See reactions.go.
+	reactions sync.Map
+
 	// MCP lazy provisioner (Phase C). All fields nil / zero when
 	// provisioning is disabled — channel then works exactly as before
 	// (messages flow through without trying to mint MCP credentials).
diff --git a/internal/channels/bitrix24/handle.go b/internal/channels/bitrix24/handle.go
index 1a6d4ffd..2c8ee702 100644
--- a/internal/channels/bitrix24/handle.go
+++ b/internal/channels/bitrix24/handle.go
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/nextlevelbuilder/goclaw/internal/channels"
 	"github.com/nextlevelbuilder/goclaw/internal/channels/media"
 	"github.com/nextlevelbuilder/goclaw/internal/store"
+	"github.com/nextlevelbuilder/goclaw/internal/systemmessages"
 )
 
 // mentionMatcher is the compiled-once regex + rendered tag string used to
@@ -91,8 +92,8 @@ func (c *Channel) DispatchEvent(ctx context.Context, evt *Event) {
 //  2. Group-only: require-mention gate + strip the mention from the text.
 //  3. Skip empty payloads (no text + no media).
 //  4. Policy: DM vs Group via BaseChannel.CheckDMPolicy / CheckGroupPolicy.
-//     Pairing policies trigger a pairing-reply stub (Phase 07 will wire up
-//     the full pairing flow; Phase 03 logs and drops).
+//     Pairing policies send a pairing reply (code + approve instructions) via
+//     sendPairingReply; deny drops silently.
 //  5. Build metadata map with bitrix_* keys so the agent can echo / reply
 //     to the right dialog + message ID later.
 //  6. Forward to BaseChannel.HandleMessage → publishes bus.InboundMessage.
@@ -258,16 +259,17 @@ func (c *Channel) handleMessage(ctx context.Context, evt *Event) {
 		peerKind = "group"
 	}
 
-	// Policy gating. BaseChannel reports PolicyNeedsPairing for unpaired DMs
-	// under the default "pairing" policy. Phase 07 will answer with a real
-	// pairing reply; Phase 03 logs the intent so the flow is visible while
-	// the rest of the channel comes online.
+	// Policy gating. BaseChannel reports PolicyNeedsPairing for unpaired senders
+	// under the "pairing" policy. Answer with a real pairing reply (code + how to
+	// approve) via the v2 chat API, matching the other channels (Discord/Zalo/
+	// WhatsApp/Slack/Feishu). Group pairings are keyed by "group:<chatID>" so the
+	// generated code matches what CheckGroupPolicy.IsPaired later verifies.
 	if peerKind == "direct" {
 		switch c.CheckDMPolicy(ctx, senderID, c.cfg.DMPolicy) {
 		case channels.PolicyDeny:
 			return
 		case channels.PolicyNeedsPairing:
-			c.logPairingNeeded(senderID, chatID, peerKind)
+			c.sendPairingReply(ctx, senderID, chatID, peerKind)
 			return
 		}
 	} else {
@@ -275,7 +277,7 @@ func (c *Channel) handleMessage(ctx context.Context, evt *Event) {
 		case channels.PolicyDeny:
 			return
 		case channels.PolicyNeedsPairing:
-			c.logPairingNeeded(senderID, chatID, peerKind)
+			c.sendPairingReply(ctx, "group:"+chatID, chatID, peerKind)
 			return
 		}
 	}
@@ -301,6 +303,11 @@ func (c *Channel) handleMessage(ctx context.Context, evt *Event) {
 		// Bitrix replyId.
 		MetaKeyMessageID:  evt.Params.MessageID,
 		MetaKeyVisibility: visibility,
+		// Generic run-tracking key the gateway consumer reads to thread
+		// streaming / status-reaction events back to this message (all other
+		// channels set it). Distinct from bitrix_message_id above (same value
+		// here, but that key is Bitrix-specific reply-link routing).
+		"message_id": evt.Params.MessageID,
 	}
 	// Echo the connector sender tag back on the reply so the Open Channel
 	// connector routes the answer to the right external message:
@@ -597,16 +604,45 @@ func (c *Channel) mention() *mentionMatcher {
 	return c.mentionRe
 }
 
-// logPairingNeeded is the Phase 03 stand-in for a real pairing reply.
-// Phase 07 replaces this with a proper pairing message via imbot.message.add;
-// until then we log the intent so operators can see unpaired attempts.
-func (c *Channel) logPairingNeeded(senderID, chatID, peerKind string) {
-	if !c.CanSendPairingNotif(senderID, pairingDebounce) {
+// sendPairingReply requests a pairing code for an unpaired sender and sends it
+// back into the chat via the v2 API (imbot.v2.Chat.Message.send) so an admin can
+// approve access. Mirrors the pairing reply the other channels already send
+// (Discord/Zalo/WhatsApp/Slack/Feishu) using the shared pairing.account_required
+// system message. Debounced per-sender so a spammy sender can't flood the chat.
+//
+// pairingSenderID is the id the pairing is keyed by — the raw senderID for DMs,
+// "group:<chatID>" for groups — so the generated code matches what CheckDMPolicy
+// / CheckGroupPolicy later verify via IsPaired.
+func (c *Channel) sendPairingReply(ctx context.Context, pairingSenderID, chatID, peerKind string) {
+	ps := c.PairingService()
+	if ps == nil {
 		return
 	}
-	c.MarkPairingNotifSent(senderID)
-	slog.Info("bitrix24: pairing required (Phase 07 will send pairing reply)",
-		"sender_id", senderID, "chat_id", chatID, "peer_kind", peerKind,
+	if !c.CanSendPairingNotif(pairingSenderID, pairingDebounce) {
+		return
+	}
+
+	code, err := ps.RequestPairing(ctx, pairingSenderID, c.Name(), chatID, "default", nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		slog.Debug("bitrix24 pairing: request failed",
+			"sender_id", pairingSenderID, "chat_id", chatID, "err", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	replyText := c.SystemMessage("", systemmessages.KeyPairingAccountRequired, systemmessages.Vars{
+		"platform":  "Bitrix24",
+		"sender_id": pairingSenderID,
+		"code":      code,
+	})
+
+	if err := c.sendChunkV2Public(ctx, chatID, replyText, 0); err != nil {
+		slog.Warn("bitrix24 pairing: reply send failed",
+			"sender_id", pairingSenderID, "chat_id", chatID, "err", err)
+		return
+	}
+	c.MarkPairingNotifSent(pairingSenderID)
+	slog.Info("bitrix24 pairing: reply sent",
+		"sender_id", pairingSenderID, "chat_id", chatID, "peer_kind", peerKind,
 		"portal", c.cfg.Portal)
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/channels/bitrix24/pairing_test.go b/internal/channels/bitrix24/pairing_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d7a99fbb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/channels/bitrix24/pairing_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+package bitrix24
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"strings"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/nextlevelbuilder/goclaw/internal/store"
+	"github.com/nextlevelbuilder/goclaw/internal/systemmessages"
+)
+
+// fakeBitrixPairingStore implements store.PairingStore for pairing-reply tests.
+type fakeBitrixPairingStore struct {
+	requested    bool
+	requestedFor string
+}
+
+func (s *fakeBitrixPairingStore) RequestPairing(_ context.Context, senderID, _, _, _ string, _ map[string]string) (string, error) {
+	s.requested = true
+	s.requestedFor = senderID
+	return "code123", nil
+}
+func (s *fakeBitrixPairingStore) ApprovePairing(context.Context, string, string) (*store.PairedDeviceData, error) {
+	return nil, nil
+}
+func (s *fakeBitrixPairingStore) DenyPairing(context.Context, string) error           { return nil }
+func (s *fakeBitrixPairingStore) RevokePairing(context.Context, string, string) error { return nil }
+func (s *fakeBitrixPairingStore) IsPaired(context.Context, string, string) (bool, error) {
+	return false, nil
+}
+func (s *fakeBitrixPairingStore) ListPending(context.Context) []store.PairingRequestData { return nil }
+func (s *fakeBitrixPairingStore) ListPaired(context.Context) []store.PairedDeviceData    { return nil }
+func (s *fakeBitrixPairingStore) MigrateGroupChatID(context.Context, string, string, string) error {
+	return nil
+}
+
+// TestSendPairingReply_SendsCodeViaV2 verifies an unpaired sender gets a pairing
+// code sent back through the v2 chat API (imbot.v2.Chat.Message.send), not the
+// old v1 imbot.message.add, and not silence.
+func TestSendPairingReply_SendsCodeViaV2(t *testing.T) {
+	var calls int32
+	var gotPath, gotMessage string
+	srv := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		atomic.AddInt32(&calls, 1)
+		gotPath = r.URL.Path
+		_ = r.ParseForm()
+		gotMessage = r.Form.Get("fields[message]")
+		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+		_ = json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(map[string]any{"result": map[string]any{"id": 999}})
+	}))
+	defer srv.Close()
+
+	bc := newChannelWithBoundPortal(t, srv)
+	bc.SetSystemMessages(systemmessages.NewResolver(nil))
+	ps := &fakeBitrixPairingStore{}
+	bc.SetPairingService(ps)
+
+	bc.sendPairingReply(context.Background(), "42", "chat100", "direct")
+
+	if atomic.LoadInt32(&calls) == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("expected a REST send for the pairing reply, got none (bot stayed silent)")
+	}
+	if !strings.HasSuffix(gotPath, "/rest/imbot.v2.Chat.Message.send.json") {
+		t.Errorf("pairing reply used wrong endpoint %q; want v2 imbot.v2.Chat.Message.send", gotPath)
+	}
+	if !ps.requested {
+		t.Error("expected RequestPairing to be called to generate a code")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(gotMessage, "code123") {
+		t.Errorf("pairing message should contain the code; got %q", gotMessage)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestSendPairingReply_NoService_NoOp: without a pairing service the call is a
+// safe no-op (no send).
+func TestSendPairingReply_NoService_NoOp(t *testing.T) {
+	var calls int32
+	srv := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		atomic.AddInt32(&calls, 1)
+		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+		_ = json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(map[string]any{"result": map[string]any{"id": 1}})
+	}))
+	defer srv.Close()
+
+	bc := newChannelWithBoundPortal(t, srv) // no SetPairingService → PairingService() nil
+	bc.sendPairingReply(context.Background(), "42", "chat100", "direct")
+
+	if got := atomic.LoadInt32(&calls); got != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("expected no send without a pairing service, got %d", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestSendPairingReply_Debounced: a second call within the debounce window does
+// not fire a second send.
+func TestSendPairingReply_Debounced(t *testing.T) {
+	var calls int32
+	srv := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		atomic.AddInt32(&calls, 1)
+		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+		_ = json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(map[string]any{"result": map[string]any{"id": 1}})
+	}))
+	defer srv.Close()
+
+	bc := newChannelWithBoundPortal(t, srv)
+	bc.SetSystemMessages(systemmessages.NewResolver(nil))
+	bc.SetPairingService(&fakeBitrixPairingStore{})
+
+	bc.sendPairingReply(context.Background(), "42", "chat100", "direct")
+	bc.sendPairingReply(context.Background(), "42", "chat100", "direct") // debounced
+
+	if got := atomic.LoadInt32(&calls); got != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 1 send (second debounced), got %d", got)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/channels/bitrix24/reactions.go b/internal/channels/bitrix24/reactions.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..85865997
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/channels/bitrix24/reactions.go
@@ -0,0 +1,167 @@
+package bitrix24
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"log/slog"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/nextlevelbuilder/goclaw/internal/channels"
+)
+
+// Compile-time guarantee the Bitrix24 channel provides status reactions.
+var _ channels.ReactionChannel = (*Channel)(nil)
+
+// reactionDebounceInterval throttles intermediate status-reaction updates so a
+// fast think→tool→tool sequence doesn't hammer the REST API. Terminal states
+// (done/error) bypass the debounce so the final outcome always lands.
+const reactionDebounceInterval = 700 * time.Millisecond
+
+// statusReaction maps a GoClaw agent status to a Bitrix24 v2 reaction code.
+// Codes come from imbot.v2.Chat.Message.Reaction.add's documented set.
+var statusReaction = map[string]string{
+	"queued":    "eyes",                // 👀 waiting to process
+	"thinking":  "thinkingFace",        // 🤔 processing
+	"tool":      "fire",                // 🔥 running a tool
+	"coding":    "fire",                // 🔥 executing code
+	"web":       "fire",                // 🔥 browsing / API call
+	"done":      "whiteHeavyCheckMark", // ✅ completed
+	"error":     "crossMark",           // ❌ failed
+	"stall":     "sleepingSymbol",      // 😴 no activity
+	"stallSoft": "sleepingSymbol",      // 😴
+	"stallHard": "flushedFace",         // 😳
+}
+
+// reactionState tracks the current reaction code set on one user message so
+// OnReactionEvent can replace it as the agent's status progresses.
+type reactionState struct {
+	mu         sync.Mutex
+	current    string
+	lastUpdate time.Time
+}
+
+// OnReactionEvent sets a status-reaction on the user's message to show agent
+// progress (thinking → tool → done/error). Implements channels.ReactionChannel.
+// messageID is the Bitrix MESSAGE_ID (numeric) of the message that started the run.
+func (c *Channel) OnReactionEvent(ctx context.Context, chatID, messageID, status string) error {
+	level := c.cfg.ReactionLevel
+	if level == "" || level == "off" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	code, ok := statusReaction[status]
+	if !ok {
+		return nil
+	}
+	terminal := status == "done" || status == "error"
+	// "minimal" shows only the final outcome (done/error), not intermediate steps.
+	if level == "minimal" && !terminal {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	msgID, err := strconv.Atoi(strings.TrimSpace(messageID))
+	if err != nil || msgID <= 0 {
+		return nil // not a Bitrix message id (e.g. connector synthetic id)
+	}
+	botID := c.BotID()
+	if botID <= 0 || c.Client() == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	key := chatID + ":" + messageID
+	stVal, _ := c.reactions.LoadOrStore(key, &reactionState{})
+	st := stVal.(*reactionState)
+
+	st.mu.Lock()
+	defer st.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if !terminal && time.Since(st.lastUpdate) < reactionDebounceInterval {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if st.current == code {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// Bitrix has no "replace" — delete the previous reaction, then add the new.
+	if st.current != "" {
+		c.removeReaction(ctx, botID, msgID, st.current)
+	}
+	if err := c.addReaction(ctx, botID, msgID, code); err != nil {
+		slog.Debug("bitrix24 reaction: add failed",
+			"code", code, "message_id", msgID, "err", err)
+		return nil
+	}
+	st.current = code
+	st.lastUpdate = time.Now()
+
+	// The run is over on terminal states — stop tracking this message.
+	if terminal {
+		c.reactions.Delete(key)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// ClearReaction removes the current status-reaction from a message.
+// Implements channels.ReactionChannel.
+func (c *Channel) ClearReaction(ctx context.Context, chatID, messageID string) error {
+	key := chatID + ":" + messageID
+	stVal, ok := c.reactions.LoadAndDelete(key)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil
+	}
+	st := stVal.(*reactionState)
+	st.mu.Lock()
+	defer st.mu.Unlock()
+	if st.current == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	msgID, err := strconv.Atoi(strings.TrimSpace(messageID))
+	if err != nil || msgID <= 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if botID := c.BotID(); botID > 0 && c.Client() != nil {
+		c.removeReaction(ctx, botID, msgID, st.current)
+	}
+	st.current = ""
+	return nil
+}
+
+// addReaction adds a bot reaction via imbot.v2.Chat.Message.Reaction.add.
+// REACTION_ALREADY_SET is treated as success (the reaction is already present).
+func (c *Channel) addReaction(ctx context.Context, botID, messageID int, code string) error {
+	_, err := c.Client().Call(ctx, "imbot.v2.Chat.Message.Reaction.add", map[string]any{
+		"botId":     botID,
+		"messageId": messageID,
+		"reaction":  code,
+	})
+	if err != nil && isReactionAlreadySet(err) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return err
+}
+
+// removeReaction removes a bot reaction via imbot.v2.Chat.Message.Reaction.delete.
+// Best-effort: a failed delete is logged and swallowed (worst case a stale
+// reaction lingers, which is cosmetic).
+func (c *Channel) removeReaction(ctx context.Context, botID, messageID int, code string) {
+	if _, err := c.Client().Call(ctx, "imbot.v2.Chat.Message.Reaction.delete", map[string]any{
+		"botId":     botID,
+		"messageId": messageID,
+		"reaction":  code,
+	}); err != nil {
+		slog.Debug("bitrix24 reaction: delete failed",
+			"code", code, "message_id", messageID, "err", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// isReactionAlreadySet reports whether err is the benign REACTION_ALREADY_SET
+// application error from Bitrix (the bot already reacted with this code).
+func isReactionAlreadySet(err error) bool {
+	var apiErr *APIError
+	if errors.As(err, &apiErr) {
+		return apiErr.Code == "REACTION_ALREADY_SET"
+	}
+	return false
+}
diff --git a/internal/channels/bitrix24/reactions_test.go b/internal/channels/bitrix24/reactions_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3eef5585
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/channels/bitrix24/reactions_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,129 @@
+package bitrix24
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+type reactionCall struct {
+	op       string // "add" | "delete"
+	reaction string
+}
+
+// reactionRecorder serves the v2 reaction endpoints and records each call.
+func reactionRecorder(t *testing.T) (*httptest.Server, func() []reactionCall) {
+	t.Helper()
+	var mu sync.Mutex
+	var calls []reactionCall
+	srv := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		_ = r.ParseForm()
+		op := ""
+		switch {
+		case strings.HasSuffix(r.URL.Path, "/rest/imbot.v2.Chat.Message.Reaction.add.json"):
+			op = "add"
+		case strings.HasSuffix(r.URL.Path, "/rest/imbot.v2.Chat.Message.Reaction.delete.json"):
+			op = "delete"
+		default:
+			t.Errorf("unexpected reaction path: %q", r.URL.Path)
+		}
+		mu.Lock()
+		calls = append(calls, reactionCall{op: op, reaction: r.Form.Get("reaction")})
+		mu.Unlock()
+		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+		_ = json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(map[string]any{"result": true})
+	}))
+	return srv, func() []reactionCall {
+		mu.Lock()
+		defer mu.Unlock()
+		out := make([]reactionCall, len(calls))
+		copy(out, calls)
+		return out
+	}
+}
+
+func TestOnReactionEvent_FullFlow_AddThenReplaceViaV2(t *testing.T) {
+	srv, snapshot := reactionRecorder(t)
+	defer srv.Close()
+	bc := newChannelWithBoundPortal(t, srv)
+	bc.cfg.ReactionLevel = "full"
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	// thinking → add thinkingFace
+	_ = bc.OnReactionEvent(ctx, "chat100", "5001", "thinking")
+	// done (terminal, bypasses debounce) → delete thinkingFace + add whiteHeavyCheckMark
+	_ = bc.OnReactionEvent(ctx, "chat100", "5001", "done")
+
+	calls := snapshot()
+	if len(calls) != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 3 reaction calls (add, delete, add), got %d: %+v", len(calls), calls)
+	}
+	if calls[0].op != "add" || calls[0].reaction != "thinkingFace" {
+		t.Errorf("call[0] = %+v; want add thinkingFace", calls[0])
+	}
+	if calls[1].op != "delete" || calls[1].reaction != "thinkingFace" {
+		t.Errorf("call[1] = %+v; want delete thinkingFace", calls[1])
+	}
+	if calls[2].op != "add" || calls[2].reaction != "whiteHeavyCheckMark" {
+		t.Errorf("call[2] = %+v; want add whiteHeavyCheckMark", calls[2])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestOnReactionEvent_MinimalSkipsIntermediate(t *testing.T) {
+	srv, snapshot := reactionRecorder(t)
+	defer srv.Close()
+	bc := newChannelWithBoundPortal(t, srv)
+	bc.cfg.ReactionLevel = "minimal"
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	_ = bc.OnReactionEvent(ctx, "chat100", "5001", "thinking") // skipped in minimal
+	_ = bc.OnReactionEvent(ctx, "chat100", "5001", "error")    // terminal → shown
+
+	calls := snapshot()
+	if len(calls) != 1 || calls[0].op != "add" || calls[0].reaction != "crossMark" {
+		t.Fatalf("minimal should send only the terminal reaction; got %+v", calls)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestOnReactionEvent_OffAndInvalidAreNoOp(t *testing.T) {
+	srv, snapshot := reactionRecorder(t)
+	defer srv.Close()
+
+	// off level
+	bc := newChannelWithBoundPortal(t, srv)
+	bc.cfg.ReactionLevel = "off"
+	_ = bc.OnReactionEvent(context.Background(), "chat100", "5001", "done")
+
+	// full level but non-numeric message id (connector synthetic id)
+	bc2 := newChannelWithBoundPortal(t, srv)
+	bc2.cfg.ReactionLevel = "full"
+	_ = bc2.OnReactionEvent(context.Background(), "chat100", "not-a-number", "done")
+
+	// full level, unknown status
+	bc2.cfg.ReactionLevel = "full"
+	_ = bc2.OnReactionEvent(context.Background(), "chat100", "5001", "bogus-status")
+
+	if calls := snapshot(); len(calls) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected no reaction calls for off/invalid/unknown, got %+v", calls)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestClearReaction_RemovesCurrent(t *testing.T) {
+	srv, snapshot := reactionRecorder(t)
+	defer srv.Close()
+	bc := newChannelWithBoundPortal(t, srv)
+	bc.cfg.ReactionLevel = "full"
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	_ = bc.OnReactionEvent(ctx, "chat100", "5001", "thinking") // add thinkingFace
+	_ = bc.ClearReaction(ctx, "chat100", "5001")               // delete thinkingFace
+
+	calls := snapshot()
+	if len(calls) != 2 || calls[1].op != "delete" || calls[1].reaction != "thinkingFace" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected add then delete thinkingFace; got %+v", calls)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/channels/routing_metadata.go b/internal/channels/routing_metadata.go
index ce448596..a5bf5222 100644
--- a/internal/channels/routing_metadata.go
+++ b/internal/channels/routing_metadata.go
@@ -16,6 +16,13 @@ var routingMetaKeys = []string{
 	"pancake_mode",           // pancake inbox vs comment routing
 	"post_id",                // pancake: post id for template vars
 	"display_name",           // pancake: commenter display name for template vars
+	// bitrix24 whisper/public visibility. MUST survive into intermediate
+	// replies (quick-ack, progress, reasoning bubbles, block replies) so a
+	// whisper-mode turn doesn't leak its FIRST (intermediate) message to the
+	// external connector while only the final answer is whispered. Literal
+	// string mirrors bitrix24.MetaKeyVisibility (kept as a string here to
+	// avoid a channels→bitrix24 import cycle). Non-bitrix channels ignore it.
+	"bitrix_visibility",
 }
 
 var finalReplyMetaKeys = append([]string{
diff --git a/internal/channels/routing_metadata_test.go b/internal/channels/routing_metadata_test.go
index 1a668fa3..5c9aaab4 100644
--- a/internal/channels/routing_metadata_test.go
+++ b/internal/channels/routing_metadata_test.go
@@ -62,3 +62,20 @@ func TestCopyRoutingMeta_PreservesPancakePrivateReplyKeys(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// TestCopyRoutingMeta_PreservesBitrixVisibility guards the whisper-leak
+// regression: intermediate replies (quick-ack, progress, reasoning bubbles,
+// block replies) must carry bitrix_visibility so a whisper-mode turn does not
+// leak its FIRST (intermediate) message to the external connector while only
+// the final answer is whispered. copyRoutingMeta is the path used by every
+// intermediate publish site; CopyFinalRoutingMeta must keep it too.
+func TestCopyRoutingMeta_PreservesBitrixVisibility(t *testing.T) {
+	src := map[string]string{"bitrix_visibility": "whisper"}
+
+	if got := copyRoutingMeta(src); got["bitrix_visibility"] != "whisper" {
+		t.Fatalf("copyRoutingMeta()[%q] = %q, want %q", "bitrix_visibility", got["bitrix_visibility"], "whisper")
+	}
+	if got := CopyFinalRoutingMeta(src); got["bitrix_visibility"] != "whisper" {
+		t.Fatalf("CopyFinalRoutingMeta()[%q] = %q, want %q", "bitrix_visibility", got["bitrix_visibility"], "whisper")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/config/config_channels.go b/internal/config/config_channels.go
index b3855436..c87ee3d4 100644
--- a/internal/config/config_channels.go
+++ b/internal/config/config_channels.go
@@ -576,16 +576,33 @@ type SessionsConfig struct {
 // TtsConfig configures text-to-speech.
 // Matching TS src/config/types.tts.ts.
 type TtsConfig struct {
-	Provider   string              `json:"provider,omitempty"`   // "openai", "elevenlabs", "edge", "minimax", "gemini"
-	Auto       string              `json:"auto,omitempty"`       // "off" (default), "always", "inbound", "tagged"
-	Mode       string              `json:"mode,omitempty"`       // "final" (default), "all"
-	MaxLength  int                 `json:"max_length,omitempty"` // max text length before truncation (default 1500)
-	TimeoutMs  int                 `json:"timeout_ms,omitempty"` // API timeout in ms (default 30000)
-	OpenAI     TtsOpenAIConfig     `json:"openai"`
-	ElevenLabs TtsElevenLabsConfig `json:"elevenlabs"`
-	Edge       TtsEdgeConfig       `json:"edge"`
-	MiniMax    TtsMiniMaxConfig    `json:"minimax"`
-	Gemini     TtsGeminiConfig     `json:"gemini"`
+	Provider     string                `json:"provider,omitempty"`   // "openai", "openai_compat", "elevenlabs", "edge", "minimax", "gemini"
+	Auto         string                `json:"auto,omitempty"`       // "off" (default), "always", "inbound", "tagged"
+	Mode         string                `json:"mode,omitempty"`       // "final" (default), "all"
+	MaxLength    int                   `json:"max_length,omitempty"` // max text length before truncation (default 1500)
+	TimeoutMs    int                   `json:"timeout_ms,omitempty"` // API timeout in ms (default 30000)
+	OpenAI       TtsOpenAIConfig       `json:"openai"`
+	OpenAICompat TtsOpenAICompatConfig `json:"openai_compat"`
+	ElevenLabs   TtsElevenLabsConfig   `json:"elevenlabs"`
+	Edge         TtsEdgeConfig         `json:"edge"`
+	MiniMax      TtsMiniMaxConfig      `json:"minimax"`
+	Gemini       TtsGeminiConfig       `json:"gemini"`
+}
+
+// TtsOpenAICompatConfig configures a self-hosted OpenAI-compatible audio
+// endpoint (gpu-manager, Speaches, vLLM, LocalAI, llama.cpp, Ollama) for both
+// TTS and STT. Kept separate from TtsOpenAIConfig because the voice namespace
+// is the engine's own — see internal/audio/openaicompat for why the provider
+// name must not be "openai".
+//
+// Setting api_base is what enables the provider; there is no vendor default.
+type TtsOpenAICompatConfig struct {
+	APIBase  string `json:"api_base,omitempty"`  // required to enable, e.g. "http://gpu-manager:8080/v1"
+	APIKey   string `json:"api_key,omitempty"`   // optional; omitted entirely when empty
+	Model    string `json:"model,omitempty"`     // TTS model; optional when the engine picks it from the voice
+	Voice    string `json:"voice,omitempty"`     // engine-specific voice ID, e.g. "fr_FR-gilles-low"
+	Format   string `json:"format,omitempty"`    // response_format; default "mp3", use "wav" for engines without an encoder
+	STTModel string `json:"stt_model,omitempty"` // transcription model; optional
 }
 
 // TtsGeminiConfig configures the Google Gemini TTS provider.
diff --git a/internal/store/pg/teams_tasks_followup.go b/internal/store/pg/teams_tasks_followup.go
index 72bf8a6c..2087839e 100644
--- a/internal/store/pg/teams_tasks_followup.go
+++ b/internal/store/pg/teams_tasks_followup.go
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ func (s *PGTeamStore) ListAllFollowupDueTasks(ctx context.Context) ([]store.Team
 	rows, err := s.db.QueryContext(ctx,
 		`SELECT `+taskSelectCols+`
 		 `+taskJoinClause+`
-		 `+v2ActiveTeamJoin+`
+		 `+activeTeamJoin+`
 		 WHERE t.followup_at IS NOT NULL
 		   AND t.followup_at <= $1
 		   AND t.status = $2
diff --git a/internal/store/pg/teams_tasks_progress.go b/internal/store/pg/teams_tasks_progress.go
index fcd172e3..d6c2c9ef 100644
--- a/internal/store/pg/teams_tasks_progress.go
+++ b/internal/store/pg/teams_tasks_progress.go
@@ -71,15 +71,14 @@ func (s *PGTeamStore) RenewTaskLock(ctx context.Context, taskID, teamID uuid.UUI
 }
 
 // ============================================================
-// Stale recovery (batch — all v2 active teams in one query)
+// Stale recovery (batch — all active teams in one query)
 // ============================================================
 
-// v2ActiveTeamJoin is the JOIN clause that filters to v2 active teams.
-const v2ActiveTeamJoin = `JOIN agent_teams tm ON tm.id = t.team_id
-		 AND tm.status = 'active'
-		 AND COALESCE((tm.settings->>'version')::int, 0) >= 2`
+// activeTeamJoin is the JOIN clause that filters to active teams.
+const activeTeamJoin = `JOIN agent_teams tm ON tm.id = t.team_id
+		 AND tm.status = 'active'`
 
-// RecoverAllStaleTasks resets in_progress tasks with expired locks across all v2 active teams.
+// RecoverAllStaleTasks resets in_progress tasks with expired locks across all active teams.
 func (s *PGTeamStore) RecoverAllStaleTasks(ctx context.Context) ([]store.RecoveredTaskInfo, error) {
 	now := time.Now()
 	rows, err := s.db.QueryContext(ctx,
@@ -89,7 +88,6 @@ func (s *PGTeamStore) RecoverAllStaleTasks(ctx context.Context) ([]store.Recover
 		     followup_channel = NULL, followup_chat_id = NULL, updated_at = $2
 		 FROM agent_teams tm
 		 WHERE t.team_id = tm.id AND tm.status = 'active'
-		   AND COALESCE((tm.settings->>'version')::int, 0) >= 2
 		   AND t.status = $3
 		   AND t.lock_expires_at IS NOT NULL AND t.lock_expires_at < $2
 		 RETURNING t.id, t.team_id, t.tenant_id, t.task_number, t.subject, COALESCE(t.channel, ''), COALESCE(t.chat_id, '')`,
@@ -102,7 +100,7 @@ func (s *PGTeamStore) RecoverAllStaleTasks(ctx context.Context) ([]store.Recover
 	return scanRecoveredTaskInfoRows(rows)
 }
 
-// ForceRecoverAllTasks resets ALL in_progress tasks across v2 active teams (startup).
+// ForceRecoverAllTasks resets ALL in_progress tasks across active teams (startup).
 func (s *PGTeamStore) ForceRecoverAllTasks(ctx context.Context) ([]store.RecoveredTaskInfo, error) {
 	now := time.Now()
 	rows, err := s.db.QueryContext(ctx,
@@ -112,7 +110,6 @@ func (s *PGTeamStore) ForceRecoverAllTasks(ctx context.Context) ([]store.Recover
 		     followup_channel = NULL, followup_chat_id = NULL, updated_at = $2
 		 FROM agent_teams tm
 		 WHERE t.team_id = tm.id AND tm.status = 'active'
-		   AND COALESCE((tm.settings->>'version')::int, 0) >= 2
 		   AND t.status = $3
 		 RETURNING t.id, t.team_id, t.tenant_id, t.task_number, t.subject, COALESCE(t.channel, ''), COALESCE(t.chat_id, '')`,
 		store.TeamTaskStatusPending, now, store.TeamTaskStatusInProgress,
@@ -148,7 +145,7 @@ func (s *PGTeamStore) ListRecoverableTasks(ctx context.Context, teamID uuid.UUID
 	return scanTaskRowsJoined(rows)
 }
 
-// MarkAllStaleTasks marks pending tasks older than olderThan as stale across all v2 active teams.
+// MarkAllStaleTasks marks pending tasks older than olderThan as stale across all active teams.
 func (s *PGTeamStore) MarkAllStaleTasks(ctx context.Context, olderThan time.Time) ([]store.RecoveredTaskInfo, error) {
 	now := time.Now()
 	rows, err := s.db.QueryContext(ctx,
@@ -156,7 +153,6 @@ func (s *PGTeamStore) MarkAllStaleTasks(ctx context.Context, olderThan time.Time
 		 SET status = $1, updated_at = $2
 		 FROM agent_teams tm
 		 WHERE t.team_id = tm.id AND tm.status = 'active'
-		   AND COALESCE((tm.settings->>'version')::int, 0) >= 2
 		   AND t.status = $3 AND t.updated_at < $4
 		 RETURNING t.id, t.team_id, t.tenant_id, t.task_number, t.subject, COALESCE(t.channel, ''), COALESCE(t.chat_id, '')`,
 		store.TeamTaskStatusStale, now, store.TeamTaskStatusPending, olderThan,
@@ -168,7 +164,7 @@ func (s *PGTeamStore) MarkAllStaleTasks(ctx context.Context, olderThan time.Time
 	return scanRecoveredTaskInfoRows(rows)
 }
 
-// MarkInReviewStaleTasks marks in_review tasks older than olderThan as stale across all v2 active teams.
+// MarkInReviewStaleTasks marks in_review tasks older than olderThan as stale across all active teams.
 func (s *PGTeamStore) MarkInReviewStaleTasks(ctx context.Context, olderThan time.Time) ([]store.RecoveredTaskInfo, error) {
 	now := time.Now()
 	rows, err := s.db.QueryContext(ctx,
@@ -176,7 +172,6 @@ func (s *PGTeamStore) MarkInReviewStaleTasks(ctx context.Context, olderThan time
 		 SET status = $1, updated_at = $2
 		 FROM agent_teams tm
 		 WHERE t.team_id = tm.id AND tm.status = 'active'
-		   AND COALESCE((tm.settings->>'version')::int, 0) >= 2
 		   AND t.status = $3 AND t.updated_at < $4
 		 RETURNING t.id, t.team_id, t.tenant_id, t.task_number, t.subject, COALESCE(t.channel, ''), COALESCE(t.chat_id, '')`,
 		store.TeamTaskStatusStale, now, store.TeamTaskStatusInReview, olderThan,
@@ -197,7 +192,6 @@ func (s *PGTeamStore) FixOrphanedBlockedTasks(ctx context.Context) ([]store.Reco
 		 SET blocked_by = '{}', status = $1, updated_at = $2
 		 FROM agent_teams tm
 		 WHERE t.team_id = tm.id AND tm.status = 'active'
-		   AND COALESCE((tm.settings->>'version')::int, 0) >= 2
 		   AND t.status = 'blocked'
 		   AND array_length(t.blocked_by, 1) > 0
 		   AND NOT EXISTS (
diff --git a/internal/store/sqlitestore/teams_tasks_activity.go b/internal/store/sqlitestore/teams_tasks_activity.go
index c76f1dfa..90ecf76e 100644
--- a/internal/store/sqlitestore/teams_tasks_activity.go
+++ b/internal/store/sqlitestore/teams_tasks_activity.go
@@ -352,11 +352,10 @@ func (s *SQLiteTeamStore) RenewTaskLock(ctx context.Context, taskID, teamID uuid
 // Stale recovery
 // ============================================================
 
-// v2ActiveTeamJoin is the JOIN that filters to v2 active teams.
+// activeTeamJoin is the JOIN that filters to active teams.
 // SQLite uses json_extract instead of PG's ->> operator.
-const v2ActiveTeamJoin = `JOIN agent_teams tm ON tm.id = t.team_id
-		 AND tm.status = 'active'
-		 AND COALESCE(CAST(json_extract(tm.settings, '$.version') AS INTEGER), 0) >= 2`
+const activeTeamJoin = `JOIN agent_teams tm ON tm.id = t.team_id
+		 AND tm.status = 'active'`
 
 func (s *SQLiteTeamStore) RecoverAllStaleTasks(ctx context.Context) ([]store.RecoveredTaskInfo, error) {
 	now := time.Now()
@@ -368,7 +367,6 @@ func (s *SQLiteTeamStore) RecoverAllStaleTasks(ctx context.Context) ([]store.Rec
 		 WHERE status = ? AND lock_expires_at IS NOT NULL AND lock_expires_at < ?
 		   AND team_id IN (
 		     SELECT id FROM agent_teams WHERE status = 'active'
-		       AND COALESCE(CAST(json_extract(settings, '$.version') AS INTEGER), 0) >= 2
 		   )`,
 		store.TeamTaskStatusPending, now, store.TeamTaskStatusInProgress, now,
 	)
@@ -387,7 +385,6 @@ func (s *SQLiteTeamStore) ForceRecoverAllTasks(ctx context.Context) ([]store.Rec
 		 WHERE status = ?
 		   AND team_id IN (
 		     SELECT id FROM agent_teams WHERE status = 'active'
-		       AND COALESCE(CAST(json_extract(settings, '$.version') AS INTEGER), 0) >= 2
 		   )`,
 		store.TeamTaskStatusPending, now, store.TeamTaskStatusInProgress,
 	)
@@ -426,7 +423,6 @@ func (s *SQLiteTeamStore) MarkAllStaleTasks(ctx context.Context, olderThan time.
 		 WHERE status = ? AND updated_at < ?
 		   AND team_id IN (
 		     SELECT id FROM agent_teams WHERE status = 'active'
-		       AND COALESCE(CAST(json_extract(settings, '$.version') AS INTEGER), 0) >= 2
 		   )`,
 		store.TeamTaskStatusStale, now, store.TeamTaskStatusPending, olderThan,
 	)
@@ -443,7 +439,6 @@ func (s *SQLiteTeamStore) MarkInReviewStaleTasks(ctx context.Context, olderThan
 		 WHERE status = ? AND updated_at < ?
 		   AND team_id IN (
 		     SELECT id FROM agent_teams WHERE status = 'active'
-		       AND COALESCE(CAST(json_extract(settings, '$.version') AS INTEGER), 0) >= 2
 		   )`,
 		store.TeamTaskStatusStale, now, store.TeamTaskStatusInReview, olderThan,
 	)
@@ -462,7 +457,6 @@ func (s *SQLiteTeamStore) FixOrphanedBlockedTasks(ctx context.Context) ([]store.
 		        COALESCE(t.channel, ''), COALESCE(t.chat_id, '')
 		 FROM team_tasks t
 		 JOIN agent_teams tm ON tm.id = t.team_id AND tm.status = 'active'
-		   AND COALESCE(CAST(json_extract(tm.settings, '$.version') AS INTEGER), 0) >= 2
 		 WHERE t.status = 'blocked'
 		   AND t.blocked_by IS NOT NULL AND t.blocked_by != '[]'
 		   AND NOT EXISTS (
@@ -501,7 +495,6 @@ func (s *SQLiteTeamStore) queryRecoveredTasks(ctx context.Context, status string
 		   AND t.updated_at >= ?
 		   AND t.team_id IN (
 		     SELECT id FROM agent_teams WHERE status = 'active'
-		       AND COALESCE(CAST(json_extract(settings, '$.version') AS INTEGER), 0) >= 2
 		   )
 		 ORDER BY t.updated_at DESC
 		 LIMIT 200`,
@@ -599,7 +592,7 @@ func (s *SQLiteTeamStore) ListAllFollowupDueTasks(ctx context.Context) ([]store.
 	rows, err := s.db.QueryContext(ctx,
 		`SELECT `+taskSelectCols+`
 		 `+taskJoinClause+`
-		 `+v2ActiveTeamJoin+`
+		 `+activeTeamJoin+`
 		 WHERE t.followup_at IS NOT NULL
 		   AND t.followup_at <= ?
 		   AND t.status = ?
diff --git a/internal/tools/tts.go b/internal/tools/tts.go
index 2f101efc..d0eb097c 100644
--- a/internal/tools/tts.go
+++ b/internal/tools/tts.go
@@ -27,13 +27,20 @@ import (
 // Implements Tool + ContextualTool interfaces.
 // Per-call channel is read from ctx for thread-safety.
 type TtsTool struct {
-	mu        sync.RWMutex
-	manager   *tts.Manager
-	vaultIntc *VaultInterceptor
+	mu            sync.RWMutex
+	manager       *tts.Manager
+	vaultIntc     *VaultInterceptor
+	systemConfigs store.SystemConfigStore
 }
 
 func (t *TtsTool) SetVaultInterceptor(v *VaultInterceptor) { t.vaultIntc = v }
 
+func (t *TtsTool) SetSystemConfigStore(s store.SystemConfigStore) {
+	t.mu.Lock()
+	defer t.mu.Unlock()
+	t.systemConfigs = s
+}
+
 // NewTtsTool creates a TTS tool backed by the given manager.
 func NewTtsTool(mgr *tts.Manager) *TtsTool {
 	return &TtsTool{manager: mgr}
@@ -98,7 +105,7 @@ type agentAudioConfig struct {
 // resolveVoiceAndModel computes the effective voice + model IDs for the
 // request using the documented precedence order:
 //
-//	args > agent (store.AgentAudioFromCtx OtherConfig) > tenant (BuiltinToolSettings) > empty.
+//	args > agent (store.AgentAudioFromCtx OtherConfig) > tenant (BuiltinToolSettings) > system_configs > empty.
 //
 // Empty return values signal "use provider default" downstream — they are not
 // errors. Missing agent snapshot emits slog.Warn so operators can spot
@@ -108,7 +115,7 @@ type agentAudioConfig struct {
 // tts_voice_id override (not from tool args or tenant defaults). Callers use
 // this flag to emit a warning when the voice is later found incompatible with
 // the selected provider.
-func (t *TtsTool) resolveVoiceAndModel(ctx context.Context, argVoice, argModel string) (voice, model string, voiceFromAgent bool) {
+func (t *TtsTool) resolveVoiceAndModel(ctx context.Context, providerName, argVoice, argModel string) (voice, model string, voiceFromAgent bool) {
 	voice, model = argVoice, argModel
 
 	// Pull agent-level config from the dispatcher-injected snapshot.
@@ -153,6 +160,22 @@ func (t *TtsTool) resolveVoiceAndModel(ctx context.Context, argVoice, argModel s
 			model = tenantCfg.DefaultModel
 		}
 	}
+
+	t.mu.RLock()
+	systemConfigs := t.systemConfigs
+	t.mu.RUnlock()
+	if (voice == "" || model == "") && systemConfigs != nil && providerName != "" {
+		if voice == "" {
+			if v, err := systemConfigs.Get(ctx, "tts."+providerName+".voice"); err == nil && v != "" {
+				voice = v
+			}
+		}
+		if model == "" {
+			if m, err := systemConfigs.Get(ctx, "tts."+providerName+".model"); err == nil && m != "" {
+				model = m
+			}
+		}
+	}
 	return voice, model, voiceFromAgent
 }
 
@@ -252,9 +275,6 @@ func (t *TtsTool) Execute(ctx context.Context, args map[string]any) *Result {
 	argModel, _ := args["model"].(string)
 	providerName, _ := args["provider"].(string)
 
-	// Resolve voice/model via args > agent (ctx snapshot) > tenant > default.
-	voice, model, voiceFromAgent := t.resolveVoiceAndModel(ctx, argVoice, argModel)
-
 	// Read generic agent TTS params once; adapt PER-ATTEMPT below (Finding #1 CRITICAL).
 	// Storing generic keys here so each fallback provider gets its own adapted copy.
 	genericAgentParams := t.resolveAgentGenericTTSParams(ctx)
@@ -264,6 +284,12 @@ func (t *TtsTool) Execute(ctx context.Context, args map[string]any) *Result {
 	mgr := t.manager
 	t.mu.RUnlock()
 
+	effectiveProvider := providerName
+	if effectiveProvider == "" {
+		effectiveProvider = t.resolvePrimary(ctx, mgr)
+	}
+	voice, model, voiceFromAgent := t.resolveVoiceAndModel(ctx, effectiveProvider, argVoice, argModel)
+
 	// Determine format based on channel (read from ctx — thread-safe)
 	channel := ToolChannelFromCtx(ctx)
 	opts := tts.Options{Voice: voice, Model: model}
diff --git a/internal/tools/tts_agent_ctx_test.go b/internal/tools/tts_agent_ctx_test.go
index 53c66a84..bb943518 100644
--- a/internal/tools/tts_agent_ctx_test.go
+++ b/internal/tools/tts_agent_ctx_test.go
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ func ctxWithAgentAudio(t *testing.T, voiceID, modelID string) context.Context {
 func TestResolveVoiceAndModel_ArgsWinOverAgent(t *testing.T) {
 	tool := NewTtsTool(makeTTSManager("elevenlabs"))
 	ctx := ctxWithAgentAudio(t, "AGENT_V", "AGENT_M")
-	v, m, _ := tool.resolveVoiceAndModel(ctx, "ARG_V", "ARG_M")
+	v, m, _ := tool.resolveVoiceAndModel(ctx, "edge", "ARG_V", "ARG_M")
 	if v != "ARG_V" {
 		t.Errorf("voice: got %q, want ARG_V (args must win)", v)
 	}
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func TestResolveVoiceAndModel_AgentWinsOverTenantWhenArgsEmpty(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx = WithBuiltinToolSettings(ctx, BuiltinToolSettings{
 		"tts": rawJSON(t, map[string]string{"default_voice_id": "TENANT_V", "default_model": "TENANT_M"}),
 	})
-	v, m, _ := tool.resolveVoiceAndModel(ctx, "", "")
+	v, m, _ := tool.resolveVoiceAndModel(ctx, "edge", "", "")
 	if v != "AGENT_V" {
 		t.Errorf("voice: got %q, want AGENT_V (agent > tenant)", v)
 	}
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ func TestResolveVoiceAndModel_TenantFallbackWhenAgentSilent(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx := WithBuiltinToolSettings(context.Background(), BuiltinToolSettings{
 		"tts": rawJSON(t, map[string]string{"default_voice_id": "TENANT_V", "default_model": "TENANT_M"}),
 	})
-	v, m, _ := tool.resolveVoiceAndModel(ctx, "", "")
+	v, m, _ := tool.resolveVoiceAndModel(ctx, "edge", "", "")
 	if v != "TENANT_V" {
 		t.Errorf("voice: got %q, want TENANT_V", v)
 	}
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ func TestResolveVoiceAndModel_TenantFallbackWhenAgentSilent(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestResolveVoiceAndModel_EmptyAllMeansDefault(t *testing.T) {
 	tool := NewTtsTool(makeTTSManager("elevenlabs"))
-	v, m, _ := tool.resolveVoiceAndModel(context.Background(), "", "")
+	v, m, _ := tool.resolveVoiceAndModel(context.Background(), "edge", "", "")
 	if v != "" {
 		t.Errorf("voice: got %q, want empty (no sources → provider default)", v)
 	}
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ func TestResolveVoiceAndModel_PartialAgentConfig(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx = WithBuiltinToolSettings(ctx, BuiltinToolSettings{
 		"tts": rawJSON(t, map[string]string{"default_model": "TENANT_M"}),
 	})
-	v, m, _ := tool.resolveVoiceAndModel(ctx, "", "")
+	v, m, _ := tool.resolveVoiceAndModel(ctx, "edge", "", "")
 	if v != "AGENT_V" {
 		t.Errorf("voice: got %q, want AGENT_V", v)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/tools/tts_systemconfigs_fallback_test.go b/internal/tools/tts_systemconfigs_fallback_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3fbbf553
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/tools/tts_systemconfigs_fallback_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+package tools
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+type fakeSystemConfigStore struct {
+	data map[string]string
+}
+
+func (f *fakeSystemConfigStore) Get(_ context.Context, key string) (string, error) {
+	return f.data[key], nil
+}
+func (f *fakeSystemConfigStore) Set(_ context.Context, key, value string) error {
+	if f.data == nil {
+		f.data = map[string]string{}
+	}
+	f.data[key] = value
+	return nil
+}
+func (f *fakeSystemConfigStore) Delete(_ context.Context, key string) error {
+	delete(f.data, key)
+	return nil
+}
+func (f *fakeSystemConfigStore) List(_ context.Context) (map[string]string, error) {
+	return f.data, nil
+}
+
+func TestResolveVoiceAndModel_SystemConfigsFallback(t *testing.T) {
+	tool := NewTtsTool(nil)
+	sc := &fakeSystemConfigStore{data: map[string]string{
+		"tts.edge.voice": "vi-VN-HoaiMyNeural",
+		"tts.edge.model": "edge-tts-1",
+	}}
+	tool.SetSystemConfigStore(sc)
+
+	v, m, _ := tool.resolveVoiceAndModel(context.Background(), "edge", "", "")
+	if v != "vi-VN-HoaiMyNeural" {
+		t.Errorf("voice fallback failed: got %q, want vi-VN-HoaiMyNeural", v)
+	}
+	if m != "edge-tts-1" {
+		t.Errorf("model fallback failed: got %q, want edge-tts-1", m)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolveVoiceAndModel_ArgWinsOverSystemConfigs(t *testing.T) {
+	tool := NewTtsTool(nil)
+	tool.SetSystemConfigStore(&fakeSystemConfigStore{data: map[string]string{
+		"tts.edge.voice": "vi-VN-HoaiMyNeural",
+	}})
+
+	v, _, _ := tool.resolveVoiceAndModel(context.Background(), "edge", "en-US-AriaNeural", "")
+	if v != "en-US-AriaNeural" {
+		t.Errorf("arg voice must win over system_configs: got %q", v)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolveVoiceAndModel_NoStoreNoFallback(t *testing.T) {
+	tool := NewTtsTool(nil)
+	v, m, _ := tool.resolveVoiceAndModel(context.Background(), "edge", "", "")
+	if v != "" || m != "" {
+		t.Errorf("expected empty fallback when no system_configs wired, got voice=%q model=%q", v, m)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolveVoiceAndModel_EmptyProviderSkipsFallback(t *testing.T) {
+	tool := NewTtsTool(nil)
+	tool.SetSystemConfigStore(&fakeSystemConfigStore{data: map[string]string{
+		"tts..voice": "should-not-match",
+	}})
+	v, m, _ := tool.resolveVoiceAndModel(context.Background(), "", "", "")
+	if v != "" || m != "" {
+		t.Errorf("empty provider must skip lookup, got voice=%q model=%q", v, m)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/ui/web/src/pages/config/sections/system-messages-section.tsx b/ui/web/src/pages/config/sections/system-messages-section.tsx
index 3612034b..aa4ea8d4 100644
--- a/ui/web/src/pages/config/sections/system-messages-section.tsx
+++ b/ui/web/src/pages/config/sections/system-messages-section.tsx
@@ -30,7 +30,10 @@ export function SystemMessagesSection({ data, schema, onSave, saving }: Props) {
   const definitions = useMemo(() => systemMessageDefinitionsFromSchema(schema), [schema]);
   const [draft, setDraft] = useState<SystemMessagesDraft>(() => normalizeSystemMessagesDraft(data, definitions));
   const [selectedKey, setSelectedKey] = useState("");
-  const [selectedLocale, setSelectedLocale] = useState<(typeof SYSTEM_MESSAGE_LOCALES)[number]["code"]>("vi");
+  const initialLocale = (i18n.resolvedLanguage || i18n.language || "en").slice(0, 2) as (typeof SYSTEM_MESSAGE_LOCALES)[number]["code"];           
+  const [selectedLocale, setSelectedLocale] = useState<(typeof SYSTEM_MESSAGE_LOCALES)[number]["code"]>(                                                                                                                                
+       SYSTEM_MESSAGE_LOCALES.some((l) => l.code === initialLocale) ? initialLocale : "en",                                                                                                                                                
+     );        
   const [defaultLocale, setDefaultLocale] = useState<(typeof SYSTEM_MESSAGE_LOCALES)[number]["code"]>(
     (data?.default_locale as (typeof SYSTEM_MESSAGE_LOCALES)[number]["code"]) || "en",
   );