diff --git a/core/orchestrator.py b/core/orchestrator.py
index 5843782..9c93ab7 100644
--- a/core/orchestrator.py
+++ b/core/orchestrator.py
@@ -205,9 +205,14 @@ def llm_chat(prompt: str, model: str = "qwen3.5:4b-mlx", host: str = OLLAMA_MACB
result = r.json()
if "message" in result:
content = result["message"].get("content", "")
- # ornith puts output in 'thinking' when content is empty
+ # ornith puts output in 'thinking' when content is empty.
+ # WARNING: 'thinking' is chain-of-thought reasoning, NOT article text.
+ # Only fall back to it for JSON/short tasks, never long-form prose.
if not content:
content = result["message"].get("thinking", "")
+ if content:
+ log.warning(f"LLM {model} returned empty content — fell back to 'thinking' field ({len(content)} chars). "
+ f"Verify this is real output, not chain-of-thought.")
if content:
return content
if "error" in result:
diff --git a/sites/_engine/app.py b/sites/_engine/app.py
index b3dce3b..1eec3ed 100644
--- a/sites/_engine/app.py
+++ b/sites/_engine/app.py
@@ -10,6 +10,24 @@ from pathlib import Path
from datetime import datetime
from flask import Flask, request, jsonify, render_template_string, g, abort, Response
+try:
+ import markdown as _md
+except ImportError:
+ _md = None
+
+
+def md_to_html(text):
+ """Convert Markdown to HTML for article rendering."""
+ if not text:
+ return ""
+ if _md is not None:
+ return _md.markdown(text, extensions=["extra", "sane_lists"])
+ # Minimal fallback (markdown lib not installed)
+ import re as _re
+ out = _re.sub(r"^#{1,6}\s+(.+)$", r"