feat: voice clone audio generation + podcast workspace architecture

- Voice clone integration: When user selects voice clone in Write phase,
  backend uses their uploaded voice sample + scene script text to generate
  audio via qwen3/minimax/cosyvoice voice clone APIs
- Multi-tenant workspace storage: All podcast assets (audio, video, images,
  charts) now use workspace-specific directories per user
- Chart preview improvements: Card-based B-Roll charts UI with thumbnails,
  takeaway text, and action buttons; public endpoint for image serving
- Voice clone caching: In-memory LRU cache for voice samples (avoids
  re-downloading per scene); frontend caches voice clone metadata
- Thread pool for voice clone: Audio generation uses ThreadPoolExecutor to
  avoid blocking the FastAPI event loop
- Auto-detect voice clone IDs (vc_*, MY_VOICE_CLONE) to route correctly
- DB fallback for voice sample URL: Fetches from ContentAsset if not passed
- Fixed API URL resolution for chart previews
- Fixed GlassyCard DOM warnings for motion props
- Fixed ScriptGenerationProgressView syntax error
- Fixed usePodcastWorkflow scriptData reference

backend/api/podcast/constants.py

@@ -10,22 +10,32 @@ from loguru import logger
 from services.story_writer.audio_generation_service import StoryAudioGenerationService
 
 # Directory paths
-# router.py is at: backend/api/podcast/router.py
+# Find root by looking for 'data' or 'backend' folder
-# parents[0] = backend/api/podcast/
+def _find_root() -> Path:
-# parents[1] = backend/api/
+    """Find project root by searching up for data directory."""
-# parents[2] = backend/
+    current = Path(__file__).resolve()
-# parents[3] = root/
+    for _ in range(10):  # max 10 levels up
-ROOT_DIR = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[3]  # root/
+        if (current / "data").exists() and (current / "data" / "media").exists():
-DATA_MEDIA_DIR = ROOT_DIR / "data" / "media"
+            return current
+        if (current / "backend").exists():
+            return current / "backend"
+        parent = current.parent
+        if parent == current:
+            break
+        current = parent
+    # Fallback: assume backend is root
+    return Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1]
 
-PODCAST_AUDIO_DIR = (DATA_MEDIA_DIR / "podcast_audio").resolve()
+ROOT_DIR = _find_root()
-PODCAST_IMAGES_DIR = (DATA_MEDIA_DIR / "podcast_images").resolve()
-PODCAST_VIDEOS_DIR = (DATA_MEDIA_DIR / "podcast_videos").resolve()
 
-# Video subdirectory
+# Video subdirectory (relative to workspace media dir)
 AI_VIDEO_SUBDIR = Path("AI_Videos")
 
-MediaType = Literal["audio", "image", "video"]
+# Legacy constants - DEPRECATED, use get_podcast_media_dir() instead
+# Kept for backward compatibility with some handlers
+PODCAST_AVATARS_SUBDIR = Path("avatars")
+
+MediaType = Literal["audio", "image", "video", "chart"]
 
 
 def _sanitize_user_id(user_id: str) -> str:
@@ -38,21 +48,31 @@ def get_podcast_media_dir(
     *,
     ensure_exists: bool = False,
 ) -> Path:
-    """Resolve podcast media directory (tenant workspace first, legacy global fallback)."""
+    """
+    Resolve podcast media directory (workspace-only for multi-tenant isolation).
+    
+    Always requires user_id for tenant isolation. Falls back to default workspace
+    only if no user_id provided (for backward compat in development).
+    """
     media_subdir = {
         "audio": "podcast_audio",
         "image": "podcast_images",
         "video": "podcast_videos",
+        "chart": "podcast_charts",
     }[media_type]
 
     if user_id:
         sanitized = _sanitize_user_id(user_id)
-        tenant_media_dir = ROOT_DIR / "workspace" / f"workspace_{sanitized}" / "media" / media_subdir
+        resolved_dir = (
-        resolved_dir = tenant_media_dir.resolve()
+            ROOT_DIR / "workspace" / f"workspace_{sanitized}" / "media" / media_subdir
+        ).resolve()
     else:
-        resolved_dir = (DATA_MEDIA_DIR / media_subdir).resolve()
+        # Development fallback: use a default workspace
+        resolved_dir = (
+            ROOT_DIR / "workspace" / "workspace_alwrity" / "media" / media_subdir
+        ).resolve()
 
-    logger.debug(f"[Podcast] get_podcast_media_dir: type={media_type}, user_id={user_id}, sanitized={user_id and _sanitize_user_id(user_id)}, resolved={resolved_dir}")
+    logger.warning(f"[Podcast] get_podcast_media_dir: type={media_type}, user_id={user_id}, resolved={resolved_dir}")
 
     if ensure_exists:
         resolved_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
@@ -61,14 +81,11 @@ def get_podcast_media_dir(
 
 
 def get_podcast_media_read_dirs(media_type: MediaType, user_id: str | None = None) -> list[Path]:
-    """Return ordered directories to search (tenant path first, then legacy global path)."""
+    """
-    dirs: list[Path] = []
+    Return directories to search for podcast media.
-    if user_id:
+    Now workspace-only (no legacy fallback).
-        dirs.append(get_podcast_media_dir(media_type, user_id))
+    """
-        logger.debug(f"[Podcast] get_podcast_media_read_dirs: added user dir for {user_id}")
+    return [get_podcast_media_dir(media_type, user_id)]
-    dirs.append(get_podcast_media_dir(media_type, None))
-    logger.debug(f"[Podcast] get_podcast_media_read_dirs: dirs={dirs}")
-    return dirs
 
 
 def get_podcast_audio_service(user_id: str | None = None) -> StoryAudioGenerationService:

backend/api/podcast/handlers/analysis.py

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ from services.podcast_bible_service import PodcastBibleService
 from utils.asset_tracker import save_asset_to_library
 from loguru import logger
 import os
-from ..constants import PODCAST_IMAGES_DIR
+from ..constants import get_podcast_media_dir
 from ..models import (
     PodcastAnalyzeRequest, 
     PodcastAnalyzeResponse,
@@ -247,7 +247,8 @@ async def analyze_podcast_idea(
             if image_result and image_result.image_bytes:
                 img_id = str(uuid.uuid4())[:8]
                 filename = f"presenter_podcast_{user_id}_{img_id}.png"
-                avatars_dir = PODCAST_IMAGES_DIR / "avatars"
+                images_dir = get_podcast_media_dir("image", user_id, ensure_exists=True)
+                avatars_dir = images_dir / "avatars"
                 avatars_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
                 output_path = avatars_dir / filename
                 

backend/api/podcast/handlers/audio.py

@@ -12,7 +12,15 @@ from pathlib import Path
 from urllib.parse import urlparse
 import tempfile
 import uuid
+import hashlib
+import time
 import shutil
+import requests
+import asyncio
+from concurrent.futures import ThreadPoolExecutor
+
+import asyncio
+from concurrent.futures import ThreadPoolExecutor
 
 from services.database import get_db
 from middleware.auth_middleware import get_current_user, get_current_user_with_query_token
@@ -31,6 +39,124 @@ from ..models import (
 
 router = APIRouter()
 
+# Thread pool for CPU/IO-intensive voice clone operations
+_audio_executor = ThreadPoolExecutor(max_workers=2, thread_name_prefix="podcast_audio")
+
+# In-memory LRU cache for voice samples (per user) to avoid re-downloading
+_voice_sample_cache: dict[str, tuple[float, bytes]] = {}
+_VOICE_SAMPLE_CACHE_TTL = 1800  # 30 minutes
+
+
+def _get_cached_voice_sample(cache_key: str) -> Optional[bytes]:
+    """Get voice sample bytes from in-memory cache if fresh."""
+    if cache_key in _voice_sample_cache:
+        ts, data = _voice_sample_cache[cache_key]
+        if time.time() - ts < _VOICE_SAMPLE_CACHE_TTL:
+            logger.debug(f"[Podcast] Voice sample cache hit for {cache_key[:16]}...")
+            return data
+        del _voice_sample_cache[cache_key]
+    return None
+
+
+def _cache_voice_sample(cache_key: str, data: bytes) -> None:
+    """Store voice sample bytes in in-memory cache."""
+    # Evict oldest entries if cache grows too large
+    if len(_voice_sample_cache) > 50:
+        oldest_key = min(_voice_sample_cache, key=lambda k: _voice_sample_cache[k][0])
+        del _voice_sample_cache[oldest_key]
+    _voice_sample_cache[cache_key] = (time.time(), data)
+
+
+def _get_latest_voice_sample_url(user_id: str, db) -> Optional[str]:
+    """Get the latest voice sample URL for a user from their voice clone assets."""
+    try:
+        from models.content_asset_models import ContentAsset, AssetType, AssetSource
+        from sqlalchemy import desc
+        
+        asset = db.query(ContentAsset).filter(
+            ContentAsset.user_id == user_id,
+            ContentAsset.asset_type == AssetType.AUDIO,
+            ContentAsset.source_module == AssetSource.VOICE_CLONER,
+        ).order_by(desc(ContentAsset.created_at)).first()
+        
+        if asset and asset.file_url:
+            logger.info(f"[Podcast] Found voice sample for user {user_id}: {asset.file_url}")
+            return asset.file_url
+        
+        logger.warning(f"[Podcast] No voice sample asset found for user {user_id}")
+        return None
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"[Podcast] Error fetching voice sample URL: {e}")
+        return None
+
+
+def _fetch_voice_sample(voice_sample_url: str, user_id: str) -> Optional[bytes]:
+    """Fetch voice sample audio bytes from URL, with caching."""
+    cache_key = hashlib.md5(f"{user_id}:{voice_sample_url}".encode()).hexdigest()
+    
+    # Check in-memory cache first
+    cached = _get_cached_voice_sample(cache_key)
+    if cached is not None:
+        return cached
+    
+    try:
+        from utils.media_utils import resolve_media_path
+
+        # Try resolving as a local workspace path first (fastest)
+        if "/api/assets/" in voice_sample_url:
+            # Resolve user workspace path directly
+            sanitized_uid = "".join(c for c in user_id if c.isalnum() or c in ("-", "_"))
+            from api.podcast.constants import ROOT_DIR
+            parts = voice_sample_url.split("/")
+            # Expected: /api/assets/{user_id}/voice_samples/{filename}
+            try:
+                idx = parts.index("voice_samples")
+                filename = parts[idx + 1].split("?")[0]
+                local_path = ROOT_DIR / "workspace" / f"workspace_{sanitized_uid}" / "assets" / "voice_samples" / filename
+                if local_path.exists():
+                    data = local_path.read_bytes()
+                    _cache_voice_sample(cache_key, data)
+                    logger.info(f"[Podcast] Voice sample loaded from workspace: {local_path}")
+                    return data
+            except (ValueError, IndexError):
+                pass
+
+            # Fall back to media utils resolver
+            local_path = resolve_media_path(voice_sample_url)
+            if local_path and local_path.exists():
+                data = local_path.read_bytes()
+                _cache_voice_sample(cache_key, data)
+                return data
+
+        # Try resolving as a podcast audio file
+        if "/api/podcast/audio/" in voice_sample_url:
+            filename = voice_sample_url.split("/api/podcast/audio/")[-1].split("?")[0]
+            try:
+                audio_dir = get_podcast_media_dir("audio", user_id)
+                local_path = audio_dir / filename
+                if local_path.exists():
+                    data = local_path.read_bytes()
+                    _cache_voice_sample(cache_key, data)
+                    return data
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+
+        # Try direct HTTP fetch as fallback
+        if voice_sample_url.startswith("http"):
+            logger.info(f"[Podcast] Fetching voice sample via HTTP: {voice_sample_url[:80]}...")
+            resp = requests.get(voice_sample_url, timeout=30)
+            if resp.status_code == 200:
+                data = resp.content
+                _cache_voice_sample(cache_key, data)
+                logger.info(f"[Podcast] Voice sample fetched via HTTP ({len(data)} bytes)")
+                return data
+
+        logger.warning(f"[Podcast] Could not fetch voice sample from: {voice_sample_url}")
+        return None
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"[Podcast] Error fetching voice sample: {e}")
+        return None
+
 
 @router.post("/audio/upload")
 async def upload_podcast_audio(
@@ -125,35 +251,176 @@ async def generate_podcast_audio(
         raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Text is required")
 
     try:
-        audio_service = get_podcast_audio_service(user_id)
+        # Determine if we should use voice clone path
-        logger.warning(f"[Podcast] Generating audio with service dir: {audio_service.output_dir}")
+        # Voice clone is used when: explicitly requested, OR when voice_id/custom_voice_id indicates a clone
-        result: StoryAudioResult = audio_service.generate_ai_audio(
+        # (cloned voice IDs start with "vc_" or match the placeholder "MY_VOICE_CLONE")
-            scene_number=0,
+        _vid = request.voice_id or ""
-            scene_title=request.scene_title,
+        _cvid = request.custom_voice_id or ""
-            text=request.text.strip(),
+        is_voice_clone = request.use_voice_clone or (
-            user_id=user_id,
+            _cvid.startswith("vc_") or _cvid == "MY_VOICE_CLONE"
-            voice_id=request.voice_id or "Wise_Woman",
+        ) or (
-            custom_voice_id=request.custom_voice_id,
+            _vid.startswith("vc_") or _vid == "MY_VOICE_CLONE"
-            speed=request.speed or 1.0,  # Normal speed (was 0.9, but too slow - causing duration issues)
-            volume=request.volume or 1.0,
-            pitch=request.pitch or 0.0,  # Normal pitch (0.0 = neutral)
-            emotion=request.emotion or "neutral",
-            english_normalization=request.english_normalization or False,
-            sample_rate=request.sample_rate,
-            bitrate=request.bitrate,
-            channel=request.channel,
-            format=request.format,
-            language_boost=request.language_boost,
-            enable_sync_mode=request.enable_sync_mode,
         )
         
-        # Override URL to use podcast endpoint instead of story endpoint
+        # If voice_id is a clone ID, normalize it to use Wise_Woman for TTS fallback
-        if result.get("audio_url") and "/api/story/audio/" in result.get("audio_url", ""):
+        effective_voice_id = _vid if not (_vid.startswith("vc_") or _vid == "MY_VOICE_CLONE") else "Wise_Woman"
-            audio_filename = result.get("audio_filename", "")
-            result["audio_url"] = f"/api/podcast/audio/{audio_filename}"
 
-        logger.warning(f"[Podcast] Audio generated - path: {result.get('audio_path')}, url: {result.get('audio_url')}")
+        logger.warning(f"[Podcast] Audio request: use_voice_clone={request.use_voice_clone}, voice_id={request.voice_id}, custom_voice_id={request.custom_voice_id}, is_voice_clone={is_voice_clone}, voice_sample_url={request.voice_sample_url}, voice_clone_engine={request.voice_clone_engine}")
+
+        # Voice clone path: use user's voice sample with scene text as reference
+        if is_voice_clone:
+            # If no voice_sample_url provided, try to fetch it from the user's latest voice clone
+            voice_sample_url = request.voice_sample_url
+            if not voice_sample_url:
+                try:
+                    voice_sample_url = _get_latest_voice_sample_url(user_id, db)
+                    logger.warning(f"[Podcast] DB fallback voice sample URL for user {user_id}: {voice_sample_url}")
+                except Exception as e:
+                    logger.warning(f"[Podcast] Could not fetch voice sample URL: {e}")
+
+            if voice_sample_url:
+                from services.llm_providers.main_audio_generation import qwen3_voice_clone, cosyvoice_voice_clone
+                
+                engine = (request.voice_clone_engine or "qwen3").lower()
+                logger.warning(f"[Podcast] 🔊 Voice clone path: engine={engine}, scene='{request.scene_title}', voice_sample_url={voice_sample_url[:80]}...")
+
+                # Download voice sample from URL (with caching)
+                logger.warning(f"[Podcast] Fetching voice sample from: {voice_sample_url}")
+                try:
+                    voice_sample_bytes = _fetch_voice_sample(voice_sample_url, user_id)
+                except Exception as fetch_err:
+                    logger.error(f"[Podcast] ❌ Failed to fetch voice sample: {fetch_err}", exc_info=True)
+                    raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail=f"Could not fetch voice sample: {str(fetch_err)}")
+                logger.warning(f"[Podcast] Voice sample fetch result: {len(voice_sample_bytes) if voice_sample_bytes else 0} bytes")
+                if not voice_sample_bytes:
+                    raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail=f"Could not fetch voice sample from {voice_sample_url}")
+
+                scene_text = request.text.strip()
+                if len(scene_text) > 4000:
+                    scene_text = scene_text[:4000]
+
+                # Run voice clone in thread pool to avoid blocking the event loop
+                loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
+                
+                try:
+                    if engine == "minimax":
+                        from services.llm_providers.main_audio_generation import clone_voice
+                        import random
+                        import string
+                        random_suffix = ''.join(random.choices(string.ascii_letters + string.digits, k=8))
+                        custom_vid = request.custom_voice_id or f"vc_{random_suffix}"
+                        
+                        result_obj = await loop.run_in_executor(
+                            _audio_executor,
+                            lambda cv=custom_vid: clone_voice(
+                                audio_bytes=voice_sample_bytes,
+                                custom_voice_id=cv,
+                                text=scene_text,
+                                user_id=user_id,
+                            ),
+                        )
+                        audio_bytes = result_obj.preview_audio_bytes
+                        provider = "minimax"
+                        model = "minimax/voice-clone"
+                    elif engine == "cosyvoice":
+                        result_obj = await loop.run_in_executor(
+                            _audio_executor,
+                            lambda: cosyvoice_voice_clone(
+                                audio_bytes=voice_sample_bytes,
+                                text=scene_text,
+                                user_id=user_id,
+                            ),
+                        )
+                        audio_bytes = result_obj.preview_audio_bytes
+                        provider = "wavespeed-ai"
+                        model = "wavespeed-ai/cosyvoice-tts/voice-clone"
+                    else:
+                        result_obj = await loop.run_in_executor(
+                            _audio_executor,
+                            lambda: qwen3_voice_clone(
+                                audio_bytes=voice_sample_bytes,
+                                text=scene_text,
+                                user_id=user_id,
+                            ),
+                        )
+                        audio_bytes = result_obj.preview_audio_bytes
+                        provider = "wavespeed-ai"
+                        model = "wavespeed-ai/qwen3-tts/voice-clone"
+                    
+                    logger.warning(f"[Podcast] 🔊 Voice clone result: {len(audio_bytes) if audio_bytes else 0} bytes, provider={provider}")
+                except HTTPException:
+                    raise
+                except Exception as clone_err:
+                    logger.error(f"[Podcast] ❌ Voice clone failed: {clone_err}", exc_info=True)
+                    raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=f"Voice clone generation failed: {str(clone_err)}")
+
+            # Save audio bytes to file
+            audio_service = get_podcast_audio_service(user_id)
+            audio_filename = f"scene_{request.scene_id}_{uuid.uuid4().hex[:8]}.mp3"
+            audio_path = audio_service.output_dir / audio_filename
+            
+            with open(audio_path, "wb") as f:
+                f.write(audio_bytes)
+            
+            file_size = len(audio_bytes)
+            audio_url = f"/api/podcast/audio/{audio_filename}"
+            cost = max(0.005, 0.005 * (len(scene_text) / 100.0))
+
+            result = {
+                "audio_path": str(audio_path),
+                "audio_filename": audio_filename,
+                "audio_url": audio_url,
+                "file_size": file_size,
+                "provider": provider,
+                "model": model,
+                "cost": cost,
+                "scene_number": 0,
+                "scene_title": request.scene_title,
+            }
+
+        else:
+            # Standard TTS path - but NOT if custom_voice_id is a clone ID
+            # Clone IDs (vc_*, MY_VOICE_CLONE) are not valid for minimax TTS
+            if is_voice_clone:
+                logger.warning(f"[Podcast] ⚠️ Voice clone detected but no voice sample available - falling back to standard TTS with voice_id={effective_voice_id}")
+            effective_custom_voice_id = request.custom_voice_id
+            if effective_custom_voice_id and (
+                effective_custom_voice_id.startswith("vc_") or
+                effective_custom_voice_id == "MY_VOICE_CLONE"
+            ):
+                logger.warning(f"[Podcast] Ignoring clone ID '{effective_custom_voice_id}' in standard TTS path - no voice sample URL available")
+                effective_custom_voice_id = None
+            
+            audio_service = get_podcast_audio_service(user_id)
+            logger.warning(f"[Podcast] Standard TTS path: voice_id={effective_voice_id}, custom_voice_id={effective_custom_voice_id}")
+            result: StoryAudioResult = audio_service.generate_ai_audio(
+                scene_number=0,
+                scene_title=request.scene_title,
+                text=request.text.strip(),
+                user_id=user_id,
+                voice_id=effective_voice_id,
+                custom_voice_id=effective_custom_voice_id,
+                speed=request.speed or 1.0,  # Normal speed (was 0.9, but too slow - causing duration issues)
+                volume=request.volume or 1.0,
+                pitch=request.pitch or 0.0,  # Normal pitch (0.0 = neutral)
+                emotion=request.emotion or "neutral",
+                english_normalization=request.english_normalization or False,
+                sample_rate=request.sample_rate,
+                bitrate=request.bitrate,
+                channel=request.channel,
+                format=request.format,
+                language_boost=request.language_boost,
+                enable_sync_mode=request.enable_sync_mode,
+            )
+            
+            # Override URL to use podcast endpoint instead of story endpoint
+            if result.get("audio_url") and "/api/story/audio/" in result.get("audio_url", ""):
+                audio_filename = result.get("audio_filename", "")
+                result["audio_url"] = f"/api/podcast/audio/{audio_filename}"
+            
+            logger.warning(f"[Podcast] Audio generated - path: {result.get('audio_path')}, url: {result.get('audio_url')}")
     except Exception as exc:
+        logger.error(f"[Podcast] ❌ Audio generation failed: {exc}", exc_info=True)
         raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=f"Audio generation failed: {exc}")
 
     # Save to asset library (podcast module)

backend/api/podcast/handlers/avatar.py

@@ -19,15 +19,18 @@ from services.llm_providers.main_image_generation import generate_image
 from services.llm_providers.main_image_editing import edit_image
 from utils.asset_tracker import save_asset_to_library
 from loguru import logger
-from ..constants import PODCAST_IMAGES_DIR
+from ..constants import get_podcast_media_dir, PODCAST_AVATARS_SUBDIR
 from ..presenter_personas import choose_persona_id, get_persona
 
 router = APIRouter()
 
 # Avatar subdirectory
-AVATAR_SUBDIR = "avatars"
+AVATAR_SUBDIR = PODCAST_AVATARS_SUBDIR
-PODCAST_AVATARS_DIR = PODCAST_IMAGES_DIR / AVATAR_SUBDIR
+
-PODCAST_AVATARS_DIR.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+
+def _get_podcast_avatars_dir(user_id: str) -> Path:
+    """Get podcast avatars directory for a user (workspace-aware)."""
+    return get_podcast_media_dir("image", user_id, ensure_exists=True) / AVATAR_SUBDIR
 
 
 @router.post("/avatar/upload")
@@ -57,7 +60,8 @@ async def upload_podcast_avatar(
         file_ext = Path(file.filename).suffix or '.png'
         unique_id = str(uuid.uuid4())[:8]
         avatar_filename = f"avatar_{project_id or 'temp'}_{unique_id}{file_ext}"
-        avatar_path = PODCAST_AVATARS_DIR / avatar_filename
+        avatars_dir = _get_podcast_avatars_dir(user_id)
+        avatar_path = avatars_dir / avatar_filename
         
         # Save file
         with open(avatar_path, "wb") as f:
@@ -163,7 +167,8 @@ async def make_avatar_presentable(
         # Save transformed avatar
         unique_id = str(uuid.uuid4())[:8]
         transformed_filename = f"presenter_transformed_{project_id or 'temp'}_{unique_id}.png"
-        transformed_path = PODCAST_AVATARS_DIR / transformed_filename
+        avatars_dir = _get_podcast_avatars_dir(user_id)
+        transformed_path = avatars_dir / transformed_filename
         
         with open(transformed_path, "wb") as f:
             f.write(result.image_bytes)
@@ -345,7 +350,8 @@ async def generate_podcast_presenters(
             # Save avatar
             unique_id = str(uuid.uuid4())[:8]
             avatar_filename = f"presenter_{project_id or 'temp'}_{i+1}_{unique_id}.png"
-            avatar_path = PODCAST_AVATARS_DIR / avatar_filename
+            avatars_dir = _get_podcast_avatars_dir(user_id)
+            avatar_path = avatars_dir / avatar_filename
             
             with open(avatar_path, "wb") as f:
                 f.write(result.image_bytes)

backend/api/podcast/handlers/broll.py

@@ -191,8 +191,11 @@ async def generate_chart_preview(
     """
     user_id = require_authenticated_user(current_user)
     
+    # Debug logging
+    logger.warning(f"[Broll] Chart preview request: type={request.chart_type}, title={request.title}, chart_data keys={list(request.chart_data.keys())}, user_id={user_id}")
+    
     try:
-        broll_service = get_broll_service()
+        broll_service = get_broll_service(user_id=user_id)
         chart_id = uuid.uuid4().hex[:8]
         
         preview_path = broll_service.generate_chart_preview(
@@ -203,11 +206,17 @@ async def generate_chart_preview(
             chart_id=chart_id,
         )
         
+        # If chart generation failed (empty path), return a placeholder instead of 500
         if not preview_path:
-            raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="Failed to generate chart preview")
+            # Return a fallback response so frontend doesn't crash
+            logger.warning(f"[Broll] Chart preview skipped - invalid data for type: {request.chart_type}")
+            return ChartPreviewResponse(
+                preview_url="",
+                chart_id=chart_id,
+            )
         
         preview_filename = Path(preview_path).name
-        preview_url = f"/api/podcast/broll/preview/{chart_id}/{preview_filename}"
+        preview_url = f"/api/podcast/preview/{chart_id}/{preview_filename}"
         
         return ChartPreviewResponse(
             preview_url=preview_url,
@@ -324,17 +333,29 @@ async def compose_broll_videos(
 async def serve_chart_preview(
     chart_id: str,
     filename: str,
-    current_user: Dict[str, Any] = Depends(get_current_user),
+    user_id: Optional[str] = None,
 ):
-    """Serve chart preview PNG files."""
+    """
-    user_id = require_authenticated_user(current_user)
+    Serve chart preview PNG files.
     
-    broll_service = get_broll_service()
+    - user_id passed as query param for multi-tenant workspace resolution
+    - endpoint is public (no auth) to allow direct image loading in browser
+    """
+    # Validate filename to prevent directory traversal
+    if ".." in filename or "/" in filename or "\\" in filename:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Invalid filename")
+    
+    logger.warning(f"[Broll] serve_chart_preview: chart_id={chart_id}, filename={filename}, user_id={user_id}")
+    
+    broll_service = get_broll_service(user_id=user_id)
     expected_filename = broll_service.get_chart_preview_filename(chart_id)
     if filename != expected_filename:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Chart preview not found")
 
-    file_path = broll_service.get_output_path(filename)
+    # Use expected_filename to get the correct path
+    file_path = broll_service.get_output_path(expected_filename)
+    
+    logger.warning(f"[Broll] serve_chart_preview: resolved path={file_path}, exists={file_path.exists()}")
     
     if not file_path.exists():
         raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Chart preview not found")
@@ -342,7 +363,7 @@ async def serve_chart_preview(
     return FileResponse(
         path=str(file_path),
         media_type="image/png",
-        filename=filename,
+        filename=expected_filename,
     )
 
 

backend/api/podcast/handlers/images.py

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ from api.story_writer.utils.auth import require_authenticated_user
 from services.llm_providers.main_image_generation import generate_image, generate_character_image
 from utils.asset_tracker import save_asset_to_library
 from loguru import logger
-from ..constants import PODCAST_IMAGES_DIR
+from ..constants import get_podcast_media_dir
 from ..models import PodcastImageRequest, PodcastImageResponse
 
 router = APIRouter()
@@ -377,14 +377,14 @@ async def generate_podcast_scene_image(
                 user_id=user_id
             )
 
-        # Save image to podcast images directory
+        # Save image to podcast images directory (workspace-aware)
-        PODCAST_IMAGES_DIR.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        images_dir = get_podcast_media_dir("image", user_id, ensure_exists=True)
 
         # Generate filename
         clean_title = "".join(c if c.isalnum() or c in ('-', '_') else '_' for c in request.scene_title[:30])
         unique_id = str(uuid.uuid4())[:8]
         image_filename = f"scene_{request.scene_id}_{clean_title}_{unique_id}.png"
-        image_path = PODCAST_IMAGES_DIR / image_filename
+        image_path = images_dir / image_filename
 
         # Save image
         with open(image_path, "wb") as f:
@@ -470,16 +470,17 @@ async def serve_podcast_image(
     Query parameter is useful for HTML elements like <img> that cannot send custom headers.
     Supports subdirectories like avatars/
     """
-    require_authenticated_user(current_user)
+    user_id = require_authenticated_user(current_user)
     
     # Security check: ensure path doesn't contain path traversal or absolute paths
     if ".." in path or path.startswith("/"):
         raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Invalid path")
     
-    image_path = (PODCAST_IMAGES_DIR / path).resolve()
+    images_dir = get_podcast_media_dir("image", user_id)
+    image_path = (images_dir / path).resolve()
     
-    # Security check: ensure resolved path is within PODCAST_IMAGES_DIR
+    # Security check: ensure resolved path is within images_dir
-    if not str(image_path).startswith(str(PODCAST_IMAGES_DIR)):
+    if not str(image_path).startswith(str(images_dir)):
         raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="Access denied")
     
     if not image_path.exists():

backend/api/podcast/handlers/projects.py

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ from typing import Optional, Dict, Any
 from services.database import get_db
 from middleware.auth_middleware import get_current_user
 from services.podcast_service import PodcastService
+from loguru import logger
 from ..models import (
     PodcastProjectResponse,
     CreateProjectRequest,
@@ -106,14 +107,21 @@ async def update_project(
     current_user: Dict[str, Any] = Depends(get_current_user),
 ):
     """Update a podcast project state."""
+    import time
+    start_time = time.time()
+    
     try:
         user_id = current_user.get("user_id") or current_user.get("id")
         if not user_id:
             logger.error(f"[Podcast] update_project: No user_id found in current_user: {current_user}")
             raise HTTPException(status_code=401, detail="User ID not found")
         
-        logger.warning(f"[Podcast] update_project: project_id={project_id}, user_id={user_id}")
+        # Get only field names being updated (not full data to avoid console flooding)
-        logger.warning(f"[Podcast] update_project: request data: {request.model_dump()}")
+        request_dict = request.model_dump(exclude_none=True)
+        updated_fields = list(request_dict.keys())
+        
+        logger.warning(f"[Podcast] ===== UPDATE_PROJECT_START =====")
+        logger.warning(f"[Podcast] project_id={project_id}, user_id={user_id}, fields={updated_fields}")
         
         service = PodcastService(db)
         
@@ -140,10 +148,15 @@ async def update_project(
             updates = request.model_dump(exclude_unset=True)
             project = service.update_project(user_id, project_id, **updates)
         
+        duration_ms = int((time.time() - start_time) * 1000)
+        logger.warning(f"[Podcast] ===== UPDATE_PROJECT_END (took {duration_ms}ms) =====")
+        
         return PodcastProjectResponse.model_validate(project)
     except HTTPException:
         raise
     except Exception as e:
+        duration_ms = int((time.time() - start_time) * 1000)
+        logger.error(f"[Podcast] ===== UPDATE_PROJECT_ERROR (took {duration_ms}ms): {str(e)} =====")
         raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=f"Error updating project: {str(e)}")
 
 

backend/api/podcast/handlers/research.py

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ from typing import Dict, Any, List
 from types import SimpleNamespace
 import json
 import re
+import time
 from datetime import datetime, timezone
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
 
@@ -138,10 +139,12 @@ async def podcast_research_exa(
     Run podcast research via Exa and then use LLM to extract deep insights.
     Uses Podcast Bible and Analysis context for hyper-personalization.
     """
+    start_time = time.time()
     user_id = require_authenticated_user(current_user)
-    logger.warning(f"[Podcast Research] ========== REQUEST START ==========")
+    
-    logger.warning(f"[Podcast Research] User: {user_id}, Topic: {request.topic[:80]}...")
+    # Log only essential info, not full request data
-    logger.warning(f"[Podcast Research] Queries count: {len(request.queries) if request.queries else 0}")
+    logger.warning(f"[Podcast Research] ===== RESEARCH_START =====")
+    logger.warning(f"[Podcast Research] user={user_id}, topic='{request.topic[:50]}...', queries={len(request.queries) if request.queries else 0}")
 
 
     queries = [q.strip() for q in request.queries if q and q.strip()]
@@ -424,6 +427,10 @@ QUALITY STANDARDS:
         include_avatar_phase=True,
     )
 
+    duration_ms = int((time.time() - start_time) * 1000)
+    logger.warning(f"[Podcast Research] ===== RESEARCH_END (took {duration_ms}ms) =====")
+    logger.warning(f"[Podcast Research] sources={len(sources_payload)}, insights={len(key_insights)}, summary_len={len(summary)}")
+
     return PodcastExaResearchResponse(
         sources=sources_payload,
         search_queries=result.get("search_queries", queries) if isinstance(result, dict) else queries,

backend/api/podcast/handlers/script.py

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ from typing import Dict, Any, Optional
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 import json
 import re
+import time
 
 from middleware.auth_middleware import get_current_user
 from api.story_writer.utils.auth import require_authenticated_user
@@ -60,11 +61,11 @@ async def generate_podcast_script(
     Generate a podcast script outline (scenes + lines) using podcast-oriented prompting.
     """
     user_id = require_authenticated_user(current_user)
-    logger.warning(f"[ScriptGen] ========== SCRIPT GENERATION START ==========")
+    start_time = time.time()
-    logger.warning(f"[ScriptGen] Topic: {request.idea[:60]}...")
+    logger.warning(f"[ScriptGen] ===== SCRIPT_GEN_START =====")
-    logger.warning(f"[ScriptGen] Duration: {request.duration_minutes} min, Speakers: {request.speakers}")
+    logger.warning(f"[ScriptGen] user={user_id}, topic='{request.idea[:50]}...', duration={request.duration_minutes}min, speakers={request.speakers}")
     podcast_mode = (request.podcast_mode or "video_only").strip().lower()
-    logger.warning(f"[ScriptGen] Has research: {bool(request.research)}, Has bible: {bool(request.bible)}, Has analysis: {bool(request.analysis)}, Mode: {podcast_mode}")
+    logger.warning(f"[ScriptGen] research={bool(request.research)}, bible={bool(request.bible)}, analysis={bool(request.analysis)}, mode={podcast_mode}")
     research_fact_cards = request.research.get("factCards", []) if request.research else []
 
     # Build comprehensive research context for higher-quality scripts
@@ -400,4 +401,7 @@ COST OPTIMIZATION:
     if dropped_empty_lines > 0:
         logger.warning(f"[ScriptGen] Dropped {dropped_empty_lines} empty lines")
     
+    duration_ms = int((time.time() - start_time) * 1000)
+    logger.warning(f"[ScriptGen] ===== SCRIPT_GEN_END (took {duration_ms}ms) =====")
+
     return PodcastScriptResponse(scenes=scenes)

backend/api/podcast/models.py

@@ -223,6 +223,9 @@ class PodcastAudioRequest(BaseModel):
     text: str
     voice_id: Optional[str] = "Wise_Woman"
     custom_voice_id: Optional[str] = None  # Voice clone ID for custom voice
+    use_voice_clone: Optional[bool] = False  # If True, use voice clone with voice_sample_url
+    voice_sample_url: Optional[str] = None  # URL to user's voice sample for cloning
+    voice_clone_engine: Optional[str] = None  # Engine: "qwen3", "minimax", "cosyvoice"
     speed: Optional[float] = 1.0
     volume: Optional[float] = 1.0
     pitch: Optional[float] = 0.0

backend/services/podcast/broll_service.py

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import uuid
 import os
 import tempfile
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Dict, Any, Optional, List
+from typing import Dict, Any, Optional, List, TYPE_CHECKING
 from loguru import logger
 
 # Import chart generators directly
@@ -34,21 +34,27 @@ from services.podcast.broll_composer import (
 class BrollService:
     """Orchestrates B-roll composition for podcast scenes."""
     
-    def __init__(self, output_dir: Optional[str] = None):
+    def __init__(self, output_dir: Optional[str] = None, user_id: Optional[str] = None):
         """
         Initialize B-roll service.
         
         Args:
-            output_dir: Base directory for B-roll output. Defaults to temp directory.
+            output_dir: Base directory for B-roll output. Defaults to workspace chart directory.
+            user_id: User ID for multi-tenant workspace isolation.
         """
         if output_dir:
             self.output_dir = Path(output_dir)
         else:
-            self.output_dir = Path(tempfile.gettempdir()) / "broll_output"
+            self.output_dir = self._get_chart_dir(user_id)
         
         self.output_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
         logger.info(f"[BrollService] Initialized with output directory: {self.output_dir}")
     
+    def _get_chart_dir(self, user_id: Optional[str] = None) -> Path:
+        """Get chart directory from podcast constants (workspace-aware)."""
+        from api.podcast.constants import get_podcast_media_dir
+        return get_podcast_media_dir("chart", user_id, ensure_exists=True)
+    
     def get_output_path(self, filename: str) -> Path:
         """Get output path for a file."""
         return self.output_dir / filename
@@ -84,29 +90,91 @@ class BrollService:
         resolved_chart_id = chart_id or uuid.uuid4().hex[:8]
         out_path = str(self.get_chart_preview_path(resolved_chart_id))
         
+        # Debug logging
+        logger.warning(f"[BrollService] Generating: type={chart_type}, data keys={list(chart_data.keys())}")
+        
         try:
             if chart_type == "bar_comparison":
-                make_bar_chart(chart_data, out_path, title, subtitle=subtitle)
+                # Accept both formats: {labels, before, after} OR {labels, values}
+                labels = chart_data.get("labels", [])
+                before = chart_data.get("before", [])
+                after = chart_data.get("after", [])
+                # If using new format (labels, values), treat as single bar chart
+                if not before and not after:
+                    values = chart_data.get("values", [])
+                    if values:
+                        # Use original labels, set before to zeros, values go to after
+                        before = [0] * len(labels)
+                        after = values[:len(labels)]
+                        # Create modified data dict with proper format for make_bar_chart
+                        chart_data_for_render = {
+                            "labels": labels,
+                            "before": before,
+                            "after": after
+                        }
+                    else:
+                        chart_data_for_render = chart_data
+                else:
+                    chart_data_for_render = chart_data
+                if not labels or (not before and not after):
+                    logger.warning(f"[BrollService] Missing required data for bar_comparison: labels={len(labels)}, before={len(before)}, after={len(after)}")
+                    return ""
+                if len(labels) != len(before) or len(labels) != len(after):
+                    logger.warning(f"[BrollService] Data shape mismatch: labels={len(labels)}, before={len(before)}, after={len(after)}")
+                    return ""
+                make_bar_chart(chart_data_for_render, out_path, title, subtitle=subtitle)
             elif chart_type == "bar_horizontal":
+                labels = chart_data.get("labels", [])
+                values = chart_data.get("values", [])
+                if not labels or not values:
+                    logger.warning("[BrollService] Missing required data for bar_horizontal")
+                    return ""
                 make_horizontal_bar(chart_data, out_path, title)
             elif chart_type == "line_trend":
+                labels = chart_data.get("labels", [])
+                values = chart_data.get("values", [])
+                if not labels or not values:
+                    logger.warning("[BrollService] Missing required data for line_trend")
+                    return ""
                 make_line_trend(chart_data, out_path, title)
             elif chart_type == "pie":
-                make_pie_chart(chart_data, out_path, title)
+                labels = chart_data.get("labels", [])
-            elif chart_type == "pie":
+                values = chart_data.get("values", [])
+                if not labels or not values:
+                    logger.warning("[BrollService] Missing required data for pie")
+                    return ""
                 make_pie_chart(chart_data, out_path, title)
             elif chart_type == "stacked_bar":
+                labels = chart_data.get("labels", [])
+                segments = chart_data.get("segments", [])
+                if not labels or not segments:
+                    logger.warning("[BrollService] Missing required data for stacked_bar")
+                    return ""
                 make_stacked_bar(chart_data, out_path, title)
-            elif chart_type == "bullet":
+            elif chart_type == "bullet" or chart_type == "bullet_points":
+                # Accept both: bullet_points OR labels
                 bullet_points = chart_data.get("bullet_points", [])
+                # If using new format, use labels as bullet points
+                if not bullet_points:
+                    bullet_points = chart_data.get("labels", [])
+                if not bullet_points:
+                    labels_fallback = chart_data.get("labels", [])
+                    if labels_fallback:
+                        bullet_points = labels_fallback
                 if bullet_points:
                     make_bullet_overlay(bullet_points, out_path)
                 else:
                     logger.warning("[BrollService] No bullet points provided")
                     return ""
             else:
-                logger.warning(f"[BrollService] Unknown chart type: {chart_type}")
+                logger.warning(f"[BrollService] Unknown chart type: {chart_type}, falling back to bar_comparison")
-                return ""
+                # Try bar_comparison as fallback
+                try:
+                    make_bar_chart(chart_data, out_path, title, subtitle=subtitle)
+                    return out_path
+                except Exception as fallback_err:
+                    logger.warning(f"[BrollService] Fallback also failed: {fallback_err}")
+                    return ""
             
             logger.info(f"[BrollService] Chart preview generated: {out_path}")
             return out_path
@@ -254,13 +322,21 @@ class BrollService:
                     logger.warning(f"[BrollService] Failed to remove {file}: {e}")
 
 
-# Singleton instance for reuse
+# Per-user service instances for multi-tenant isolation
-_broll_service_instance: Optional[BrollService] = None
+_broll_service_instances: Dict[str, BrollService] = {}
 
 
-def get_broll_service(output_dir: Optional[str] = None) -> BrollService:
+def get_broll_service(output_dir: Optional[str] = None, user_id: Optional[str] = None) -> BrollService:
-    """Get or create B-roll service singleton."""
+    """
-    global _broll_service_instance
+    Get or create B-roll service for the given user.
-    if _broll_service_instance is None:
+    
-        _broll_service_instance = BrollService(output_dir=output_dir)
+    For multi-tenant isolation, pass user_id to get user-specific directory.
-    return _broll_service_instance
+    """
+    if output_dir:
+        return BrollService(output_dir=output_dir)
+    
+    # Create per-user instance based on user_id
+    cache_key = user_id or "default"
+    if cache_key not in _broll_service_instances:
+        _broll_service_instances[cache_key] = BrollService(user_id=user_id)
+    return _broll_service_instances[cache_key]

backend/services/podcast_service.py

@@ -86,8 +86,8 @@ class PodcastService:
     ) -> Optional[PodcastProject]:
         """Update project fields."""
         from loguru import logger
-        logger.warning(f"[PodcastService] update_project: user_id={user_id}, project_id={project_id}")
+        updated_fields = list(updates.keys()) if isinstance(updates, dict) else []
-        logger.warning(f"[PodcastService] update_project: updates={updates}")
+        logger.warning(f"[PodcastService] update_project: user_id={user_id}, project_id={project_id}, fields={updated_fields}")
         
         project = self.get_project(user_id, project_id)
         if not project:

frontend/src/api/brandAssets.ts

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ export interface VoiceCloneResponse {
   voice_name?: string;
   preview_audio_url?: string;
   asset_id?: number;
+  engine?: string;
   message?: string;
   error?: string;
 }

frontend/src/api/client.ts

@@ -461,9 +461,11 @@ aiApiClient.interceptors.response.use(
     }
 
     if (error.response.status >= 500) {
-      openBackendCooldown(`http_${error.response.status}`);
+      // Do NOT trigger cooldown for application-level 500 errors (e.g. TTS failures).
+      // Cooldown should only block for network connectivity issues (handled above).
+      // Application 500s should be handled by individual callers.
       return Promise.reject(
-        new ConnectionError('Backend server is experiencing issues. Please try again later.')
+        new ConnectionError(`Server error ${error.response.status}: ${error.response.statusText || 'Internal Server Error'}`)
       );
     }
     

frontend/src/components/PodcastMaker/CreateModal.tsx

@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@ import { useSubscription } from "../../contexts/SubscriptionContext";
 import { podcastApi } from "../../services/podcastApi";
 import { fetchMediaBlobUrl, clearMediaCache } from "../../utils/fetchMediaBlobUrl";
 import { getLatestBrandAvatar } from "../../api/brandAssets";
-import { VoiceSelector } from "../shared/VoiceSelector";
+import { VoiceSelector, VOICE_CLONE_ID } from "../shared/VoiceSelector";
+import { getLatestVoiceClone } from "../../api/brandAssets";
+import { setCachedVoiceCloneInfo } from "../../services/podcastApi";
 
 // Imported Components
 import { TopicUrlInput, TOPIC_PLACEHOLDERS } from "./CreateStep/TopicUrlInput";
@@ -316,9 +318,43 @@ export const CreateModal: React.FC<CreateModalProps> = ({ onCreate, open, defaul
     }
     
     // Include selected voice in knobs
-    const finalKnobs = {
+    // If voice clone is selected, include voice clone metadata
+    const isVoiceClone = selectedVoiceId === VOICE_CLONE_ID || knobs.custom_voice_id === selectedVoiceId;
+    
+    let voiceSampleUrl: string | undefined;
+    let voiceCloneEngine: string | undefined;
+    let customVoiceId: string | undefined;
+    
+    if (isVoiceClone) {
+      try {
+        const voiceCloneInfo = await getLatestVoiceClone();
+        if (voiceCloneInfo?.success && voiceCloneInfo.custom_voice_id) {
+          customVoiceId = voiceCloneInfo.custom_voice_id;
+          voiceSampleUrl = voiceCloneInfo.preview_audio_url;
+          voiceCloneEngine = voiceCloneInfo.engine || "qwen3";
+          // Cache for reuse across scenes
+          setCachedVoiceCloneInfo({
+            customVoiceId,
+            voiceSampleUrl,
+            engine: voiceCloneEngine,
+            isVoiceClone: true,
+          });
+        }
+      } catch (e) {
+        console.warn("[CreateModal] Could not fetch voice clone info:", e);
+      }
+    } else {
+      // Clear cache if system voice selected
+      setCachedVoiceCloneInfo({ isVoiceClone: false });
+    }
+    
+    const finalKnobs: Knobs = {
       ...knobs,
-      voice_id: selectedVoiceId,
+      voice_id: isVoiceClone ? "Wise_Woman" : selectedVoiceId,
+      custom_voice_id: customVoiceId,
+      is_voice_clone: isVoiceClone,
+      voice_sample_url: voiceSampleUrl,
+      voice_clone_engine: voiceCloneEngine,
     };
     
     try {

frontend/src/components/PodcastMaker/CreateStep/CreateActions.tsx

@@ -384,6 +384,11 @@ export const CreateActions: React.FC<CreateActionsProps> = ({ reset, submit, can
   const [showAnalysisModal, setShowAnalysisModal] = useState(false);
   const [analysisStarted, setAnalysisStarted] = useState(false);
   const [progressIndex, setProgressIndex] = useState(0);
+  
+  // Track previous isSubmitting value at component level (not inside effect)
+  const prevIsSubmittingRef = useRef(isSubmitting);
+  const [analysisCompleteRef, setAnalysisCompleteRef] = useState(false);
+  
   const theme = useTheme();
   const isMobile = useMediaQuery(theme.breakpoints.down('sm'));
 
@@ -393,10 +398,6 @@ export const CreateActions: React.FC<CreateActionsProps> = ({ reset, submit, can
   }, []);
 
   // Close modal only AFTER analysis fully completes (wait for project/analysis to be set)
-  // Use a ref to track previous isSubmitting to detect the transition from true to false
-  const prevIsSubmittingRef = useRef(isSubmitting);
-  const [analysisCompleteRef, setAnalysisCompleteRef] = useState(false);
-  
   useEffect(() => {
     // Track if analysis transitioned from true to false (completed)
     const wasSubmitting = prevIsSubmittingRef.current;
@@ -424,7 +425,7 @@ export const CreateActions: React.FC<CreateActionsProps> = ({ reset, submit, can
     if (error && showAnalysisModal) {
       console.warn('[CreateActions] Error detected — keeping modal open:', error);
     }
-  }, [isSubmitting, showAnalysisModal, analysisStarted, onAnnouncementClear, error, analysisCompleteRef]);
+  }, [isSubmitting, showAnalysisModal, analysisStarted, onAnnouncementClear, error]);
 
   // Sequential progress - increment every few seconds
   useEffect(() => {

frontend/src/components/PodcastMaker/PodcastDashboard.tsx

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import {
   DEFAULT_KNOBS,
   getStepLabel,
 } from "./PodcastDashboard/index";
+import { ScriptGenerationProgressView } from "./PodcastDashboard/ScriptGenerationProgressView";
 
 const PodcastDashboard: React.FC = () => {
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -400,6 +401,69 @@ const PodcastDashboard: React.FC = () => {
           </Button>
         </DialogActions>
       </Dialog>
+
+      {/* Script Generation Progress Modal */}
+      <Dialog
+        open={workflow.showScriptGenModal}
+        disableEscapeKeyDown={workflow.isGeneratingScript}
+        onClose={(event, reason) => {
+          // Only allow closing if NOT generating and generation hasn't started
+          if (!workflow.isGeneratingScript && !workflow.scriptGenStarted) {
+            workflow.setShowScriptGenModal(false);
+          }
+        }}
+        maxWidth="sm"
+        fullWidth
+        PaperProps={{
+          sx: {
+            background: "linear-gradient(135deg, #1e293b 0%, #0f172a 100%)",
+            border: "1px solid rgba(52, 211, 153, 0.3)",
+            borderRadius: 3,
+          },
+        }}
+      >
+        <DialogTitle sx={{ color: "#fff", display: "flex", alignItems: "center", gap: 1, fontSize: "1.25rem" }}>
+          {workflow.isGeneratingScript ? (
+            <Box sx={{ display: "flex", alignItems: "center", gap: 1 }}>
+              <CircularProgress size={20} sx={{ color: "#34d399" }} />
+              Generating Your Script
+            </Box>
+          ) : (
+            <Box sx={{ display: "flex", alignItems: "center", gap: 1 }}>
+              Script Complete
+            </Box>
+          )}
+        </DialogTitle>
+        <DialogContent sx={{ color: "rgba(255,255,255,0.8)" }}>
+          <ScriptGenerationProgressView
+            currentMessage={workflow.announcement}
+            progressIndex={workflow.scriptGenProgressIndex}
+            idea={projectState.project?.idea}
+            analysis={projectState.analysis}
+            research={projectState.research}
+            sourceCount={projectState.research?.sourceCount}
+          />
+        </DialogContent>
+        <DialogActions sx={{ px: 3, pb: 3 }}>
+          {workflow.isGeneratingScript ? (
+            <Button 
+              onClick={() => workflow.setShowScriptGenModal(false)}
+              disabled={workflow.isGeneratingScript}
+              sx={{ color: "rgba(255,255,255,0.6)" }}
+            >
+              Cancel
+            </Button>
+          ) : (
+            <Button 
+              onClick={() => workflow.setShowScriptGenModal(false)}
+              variant="contained"
+              sx={{ bgcolor: "#34d399", "&:hover": { bgcolor: "#10b981" } }}
+            >
+              Continue to Editor
+            </Button>
+          )}
+        </DialogActions>
+      </Dialog>
     </Box>
   );
 };

frontend/src/components/PodcastMaker/PodcastDashboard/ResearchSummary.tsx

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-import React, { useMemo, useCallback } from "react";
+import React, { useCallback } from "react";
-import { Stack, Typography, Chip, Divider, Box, alpha, Paper, CircularProgress } from "@mui/material";
+import { Stack, Typography, Chip, Divider, Box, alpha, Paper, CircularProgress, Tooltip } from "@mui/material";
 import {
   Insights as InsightsIcon,
   Search as SearchIcon,
@@ -7,8 +7,9 @@ import {
   Article as ArticleIcon,
   AutoAwesome as AutoAwesomeIcon,
   ArrowForward as ArrowForwardIcon,
+  HelpOutline as HelpOutlineIcon,
 } from "@mui/icons-material";
-import { Research, ResearchInsight } from "../types";
+import { Research, ResearchInsight, Fact } from "../types";
 import { GlassyCard, glassyCardSx, PrimaryButton } from "../ui";
 import { FactCard } from "../FactCard";
 import { TextToSpeechButton } from "../../shared/TextToSpeechButton";
@@ -26,6 +27,27 @@ export const ResearchSummary: React.FC<ResearchSummaryProps> = ({
   onGenerateScript,
   isGeneratingScript = false,
 }) => {
+  const getSourceFact = (idx: number): Fact | undefined => {
+    const factCards = research.factCards || [];
+    return factCards.find(f => f.id === `source-${idx}`);
+  };
+
+  // Strip markdown for text-to-speech
+  const stripMarkdown = (text: string): string => {
+    if (!text) return '';
+    return text
+      .replace(/#{1,6}\s+/g, '') // Headers
+      .replace(/\*\*(.*?)\*\*/g, '$1') // Bold
+      .replace(/\*(.*?)\*/g, '$1') // Italic
+      .replace(/\[(.*?)\]\(.*?\)/g, '$1') // Links
+      .replace(/`{1,3}(.*?)`{1,3}/g, '$1') // Code
+      .replace(/^\s*[-*+]\s+/gm, '') // List items
+      .replace(/^\s*\d+\.\s+/gm, '') // Numbered list
+      .replace(/\n{2,}/g, '. ') // Multiple newlines to periods
+      .replace(/\n/g, ' ') // Single newlines to spaces
+      .trim();
+  };
+
   // Simple markdown-to-HTML converter
   const renderMarkdown = useCallback((text: string) => {
     if (!text) return null;
@@ -150,7 +172,7 @@ export const ResearchSummary: React.FC<ResearchSummaryProps> = ({
                 <AutoAwesomeIcon fontSize="small" sx={{ color: "#667eea", fontSize: "1rem" }} />
                 Executive Summary
                 <Box sx={{ ml: 'auto' }}>
-                  <TextToSpeechButton text={research.summary} size="small" showSettings />
+                  <TextToSpeechButton text={stripMarkdown(research.summary)} size="small" showSettings />
                 </Box>
               </Typography>
               <Box sx={{ 
@@ -187,28 +209,75 @@ export const ResearchSummary: React.FC<ResearchSummaryProps> = ({
                       borderRadius: 2,
                     }}
                   >
-                    <Stack direction="row" justifyContent="space-between" alignItems="flex-start" sx={{ mb: 1.5 }}>
+                    <Stack direction="row" justifyContent="space-between" alignItems="flex-start" sx={{ mb: 1.5, width: '100%' }}>
-                      <Typography variant="subtitle1" sx={{ color: "#0f172a", fontWeight: 700 }}>
+                      <Typography variant="subtitle1" sx={{ color: "#0f172a", fontWeight: 700, flex: 1 }}>
                         {insight.title}
                       </Typography>
+                      <TextToSpeechButton text={stripMarkdown(insight.content)} size="small" />
                       {insight.source_indices && insight.source_indices.length > 0 && (
                         <Stack direction="row" spacing={0.5}>
-                          {insight.source_indices.map(sIdx => (
+                          {insight.source_indices.map(sIdx => {
-                            <Chip 
+                            const source = research.sources?.[sIdx - 1];
-                              key={sIdx}
+                            const fact = getSourceFact(sIdx);
-                              label={`S${sIdx}`} 
+                            return (
-                              size="small" 
+                              <Tooltip 
-                              variant="outlined"
+                                key={sIdx}
-                              sx={{ 
+                                title={
-                                height: 18, 
+                                  <Box sx={{ p: 0.5 }}>
-                                fontSize: '0.65rem', 
+                                    {fact ? (
-                                fontWeight: 700,
+                                      <Box>
-                                borderColor: alpha("#667eea", 0.3),
+                                        <Typography variant="caption" display="block" fontWeight={700} sx={{ color: '#A5B4FC', mb: 0.5 }}>
-                                color: "#667eea",
+                                          Source S{sIdx}
-                                bgcolor: alpha("#667eea", 0.05)
+                                        </Typography>
-                              }} 
+                                        <Typography variant="body2" sx={{ color: '#fff', fontStyle: 'italic', mb: 1, lineHeight: 1.4 }}>
-                            />
+                                          "{fact.quote}"
-                          ))}
+                                        </Typography>
+                                        {fact.author && (
+                                          <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: '#A5B4FC' }}>
+                                            {fact.author}
+                                          </Typography>
+                                        )}
+                                      </Box>
+                                    ) : source ? (
+                                      <Box>
+                                        <Typography variant="caption" display="block" fontWeight={700} sx={{ color: '#A5B4FC', mb: 0.5 }}>
+                                          Source S{sIdx}
+                                        </Typography>
+                                        <Typography variant="body2" fontWeight={600} sx={{ color: '#fff' }}>
+                                          {source.title}
+                                        </Typography>
+                                      </Box>
+                                    ) : (
+                                      <Typography variant="body2" sx={{ color: '#A5B4FC' }}>No source details</Typography>
+                                    )}
+                                  </Box>
+                                }
+                                placement="right"
+                                arrow
+                                followCursor
+                              >
+                                <Chip 
+                                  label={`S${sIdx}`} 
+                                  size="small" 
+                                  variant="outlined"
+                                  component="a"
+                                  href={source?.url || undefined}
+                                  target={source?.url ? "_blank" : undefined}
+                                  rel={source?.url ? "noopener noreferrer" : undefined}
+                                  sx={{ 
+                                    height: 18, 
+                                    fontSize: '0.65rem', 
+                                    fontWeight: 700,
+                                    borderColor: alpha("#667eea", 0.3),
+                                    color: "#667eea",
+                                    bgcolor: alpha("#667eea", 0.05),
+                                    cursor: source?.url ? 'pointer' : 'default',
+                                    textDecoration: 'none',
+                                  }} 
+                                />
+                              </Tooltip>
+                            );
+                          })}
                         </Stack>
                       )}
                     </Stack>
@@ -259,17 +328,10 @@ export const ResearchSummary: React.FC<ResearchSummaryProps> = ({
 {/* Expert Quotes */}
           <Box sx={{ mb: 3 }}>
             <Typography variant="h6" sx={{ mb: 1.5, color: "#0f172a", fontWeight: 700, display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: 1 }}>
-              <Box sx={{ 
-                px: 1.5, py: 0.5, 
-                borderRadius: 2, 
-                background: 'linear-gradient(135deg, #8B5CF6 0%, #EC4899 100%)',
-                color: '#fff',
-                fontSize: '0.75rem',
-                fontWeight: 700
-              }}>
-                NEW
-              </Box>
               Expert Quotes
+              <Tooltip title="Expert quotes extracted from research sources - factual statements from industry experts, studies, or authoritative sources that add credibility to your podcast content." placement="right">
+                <HelpOutlineIcon sx={{ fontSize: 18, color: "#94A3B8", cursor: 'pointer' }} />
+              </Tooltip>
             </Typography>
             {research.expertQuotes && research.expertQuotes.length > 0 ? (
               <Stack spacing={1.5}>
@@ -286,38 +348,69 @@ export const ResearchSummary: React.FC<ResearchSummaryProps> = ({
                         "{quote.quote}"
                       </Typography>
                       <Box sx={{ mt: 1, display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: 0.5 }}>
-                        {sourceUrl ? (
+                        <Tooltip 
+                          title={
+                            <Box sx={{ p: 0.5 }}>
+                              {(() => {
+                                const source = research.sources?.[quote.source_index - 1];
+                                const fact = getSourceFact(quote.source_index);
+                                if (fact) {
+                                  return (
+                                    <Box>
+                                      <Typography variant="caption" display="block" fontWeight={700} sx={{ color: '#C4B5FD', mb: 0.5 }}>
+                                        Source S{quote.source_index}
+                                      </Typography>
+                                      <Typography variant="body2" sx={{ color: '#fff', fontStyle: 'italic', mb: 1, lineHeight: 1.4 }}>
+                                        "{fact.quote}"
+                                      </Typography>
+                                      {fact.author && (
+                                        <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: '#A78BFA' }}>
+                                          {fact.author}
+                                        </Typography>
+                                      )}
+                                    </Box>
+                                  );
+                                }
+                                if (source) {
+                                  return (
+                                    <Box>
+                                      <Typography variant="caption" display="block" fontWeight={700} sx={{ color: '#C4B5FD', mb: 0.5 }}>
+                                        Source S{quote.source_index}
+                                      </Typography>
+                                      <Typography variant="body2" fontWeight={600} sx={{ color: '#fff', mb: 0.5 }}>
+                                        {source.title}
+                                      </Typography>
+                                    </Box>
+                                  );
+                                }
+                                return <Typography variant="body2" sx={{ color: '#A78BFA' }}>No source details</Typography>;
+                              })()}
+                            </Box>
+                          }
+                          placement="right"
+                          arrow
+                          followCursor
+                        >
                           <Chip 
                             label={`Source S${quote.source_index}`}
                             size="small"
-                            clickable
                             component="a"
-                            href={sourceUrl}
+                            href={sourceUrl || undefined}
-                            target="_blank"
+                            target={sourceUrl ? "_blank" : undefined}
-                            rel="noopener noreferrer"
+                            rel={sourceUrl ? "noopener noreferrer" : undefined}
                             sx={{
                               background: 'linear-gradient(135deg, #8B5CF6 0%, #7C3AED 100%)',
                               color: '#fff',
                               fontWeight: 600,
                               fontSize: '0.7rem',
-                              cursor: 'pointer',
+                              cursor: sourceUrl ? 'pointer' : 'default',
+                              textDecoration: 'none',
                               '&:hover': {
                                 background: 'linear-gradient(135deg, #7C3AED 0%, #6D28D9 100%)',
                               },
                             }}
                           />
-                        ) : (
+                        </Tooltip>
-                          <Chip 
-                            label={`Source S${quote.source_index}`}
-                            size="small"
-                            sx={{
-                              background: 'linear-gradient(135deg, #8B5CF6 0%, #7C3AED 100%)',
-                              color: '#fff',
-                              fontWeight: 600,
-                              fontSize: '0.7rem',
-                            }}
-                          />
-                        )}
                       </Box>
                     </Paper>
                   );
@@ -333,17 +426,10 @@ export const ResearchSummary: React.FC<ResearchSummaryProps> = ({
           {/* Listener CTAs */}
           <Box sx={{ mb: 3 }}>
             <Typography variant="h6" sx={{ mb: 1.5, color: "#0f172a", fontWeight: 700, display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: 1 }}>
-              <Box sx={{ 
-                px: 1.5, py: 0.5, 
-                borderRadius: 2, 
-                background: 'linear-gradient(135deg, #10B981 0%, #14B8A6 100%)',
-                color: '#fff',
-                fontSize: '0.75rem',
-                fontWeight: 700
-              }}>
-                NEW
-              </Box>
               Listener CTAs
+              <Tooltip title="Call-to-action suggestions for your listeners - what action should they take after listening to your podcast (e.g., visit a website, subscribe, download resources)." placement="right">
+                <HelpOutlineIcon sx={{ fontSize: 18, color: "#94A3B8", cursor: 'pointer' }} />
+              </Tooltip>
             </Typography>
             {research.listenerCta && research.listenerCta.length > 0 ? (
               <Stack spacing={1.5}>
@@ -370,17 +456,10 @@ export const ResearchSummary: React.FC<ResearchSummaryProps> = ({
           {/* Mapped Angles */}
           <Box sx={{ mb: 3 }}>
             <Typography variant="h6" sx={{ mb: 1.5, color: "#0f172a", fontWeight: 700, display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: 1 }}>
-              <Box sx={{ 
-                px: 1.5, py: 0.5, 
-                borderRadius: 2, 
-                background: 'linear-gradient(135deg, #0EA5E9 0%, #06B6D4 100%)',
-                color: '#fff',
-                fontSize: '0.75rem',
-                fontWeight: 700
-              }}>
-                NEW
-              </Box>
               Mapped Angles
+              <Tooltip title="Content angles derived from research - specific topics or viewpoints mapped to your target audience's interests and pain points to create engaging episodes." placement="right">
+                <HelpOutlineIcon sx={{ fontSize: 18, color: "#94A3B8", cursor: 'pointer' }} />
+              </Tooltip>
             </Typography>
             {research.mappedAngles && research.mappedAngles.length > 0 ? (
               <Stack spacing={1.5}>
@@ -405,54 +484,7 @@ export const ResearchSummary: React.FC<ResearchSummaryProps> = ({
                 No mapped angles available yet.
               </Typography>
             )}
-          </Box>
+</Box>
-
-          {/* Listener CTAs */}
-          <Box sx={{ mb: 3 }}>
-            <Typography variant="h6" sx={{ mb: 1.5, color: "#0f172a", fontWeight: 700 }}>
-              Listener CTAs
-            </Typography>
-            {research.listenerCta && research.listenerCta.length > 0 ? (
-              <Stack spacing={1}>
-                {research.listenerCta.slice(0, 4).map((cta, idx) => (
-                  <Paper key={`cta-${idx}`} elevation={0} sx={{ p: 1.5, border: "1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.06)", borderRadius: 2 }}>
-                    <Typography variant="body2" sx={{ color: "#334155", lineHeight: 1.55 }}>
-                      {cta}
-                    </Typography>
-                  </Paper>
-                ))}
-              </Stack>
-            ) : (
-              <Typography variant="body2" sx={{ color: "#64748b" }}>
-                No listener CTAs suggested yet.
-              </Typography>
-            )}
-          </Box>
-
-          {/* Mapped Angles */}
-          <Box sx={{ mb: 3 }}>
-            <Typography variant="h6" sx={{ mb: 1.5, color: "#0f172a", fontWeight: 700 }}>
-              Mapped Angles
-            </Typography>
-            {research.mappedAngles && research.mappedAngles.length > 0 ? (
-              <Stack spacing={1}>
-                {research.mappedAngles.slice(0, 4).map((angle, idx) => (
-                  <Paper key={`angle-${idx}`} elevation={0} sx={{ p: 1.5, border: "1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.06)", borderRadius: 2 }}>
-                    <Typography variant="subtitle2" sx={{ color: "#0f172a", fontWeight: 700, mb: 0.5 }}>
-                      {angle.title || `Angle ${idx + 1}`}
-                    </Typography>
-                    <Typography variant="body2" sx={{ color: "#334155", lineHeight: 1.55 }}>
-                      {angle.why || "No rationale provided."}
-                    </Typography>
-                  </Paper>
-                ))}
-              </Stack>
-            ) : (
-              <Typography variant="body2" sx={{ color: "#64748b" }}>
-                No mapped angles available yet.
-              </Typography>
-            )}
-          </Box>
 
           {/* Search Queries Used */}
           {research.searchQueries && research.searchQueries.length > 0 && (

frontend/src/components/PodcastMaker/PodcastDashboard/ScriptGenerationProgressView.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,369 @@
+import React from "react";
+import {
+  Stack,
+  Typography,
+  CircularProgress,
+  LinearProgress,
+  Box,
+  Divider,
+  useMediaQuery,
+  useTheme,
+} from "@mui/material";
+import {
+  AutoAwesome as AutoAwesomeIcon,
+  CheckCircle as CheckCircleIcon,
+  Psychology as PsychologyIcon,
+  Insights as InsightsIcon,
+  Article as ArticleIcon,
+  Edit as EditIcon,
+  VolumeUp as VolumeUpIcon,
+  VideoLibrary as VideoLibraryIcon,
+  Lightbulb as LightbulbIcon,
+  Search as SearchIcon,
+  FactCheck as FactCheckIcon,
+  School as SchoolIcon,
+  Update as UpdateIcon,
+  Bolt as BoltIcon,
+  TheaterComedy as TheaterComedyIcon,
+  RecordVoiceOver as RecordVoiceOverIcon,
+  FormatListBulleted as FormatListBulletedIcon,
+  Chat as ChatIcon,
+} from "@mui/icons-material";
+
+const SCRIPT_GENERATION_MESSAGES = [
+  { title: "Analyzing Research Data", message: "Extracting key insights, facts, and statistics from your research..." },
+  { title: "Building Structure", message: "Creating podcast structure with scenes and segments..." },
+  { title: "Writing Dialogue", message: "Writing AI-powered dialogue personalized to your audience..." },
+  { title: "Finalizing Script", message: "Finalizing scenes with proper pacing for text-to-speech..." },
+];
+
+const SCRIPT_BENEFITS = [
+  {
+    title: "Research-Grounded Content",
+    description: "Your script cites real facts and sources from the research phase",
+    icon: <BoltIcon />,
+    color: "#10b981",
+  },
+  {
+    title: "Audience-Targeted",
+    description: "Dialogue written for your specific target audience",
+    icon: <PsychologyIcon />,
+    color: "#a78bfa",
+  },
+  {
+    title: "Optimized for TTS",
+    description: "Proper pacing and hints for natural text-to-speech output",
+    icon: <VolumeUpIcon />,
+    color: "#60a5fa",
+  },
+];
+
+const WHAT_IS_SCENE = {
+  title: "What is a Scene?",
+  definition: "A scene is a single section of your podcast episode. It contains dialogue from presenters and optional chart data for visuals.",
+  icon: <TheaterComedyIcon />,
+  color: "#34d399",
+};
+
+const PODCAST_CREATION_JOURNEY = [
+  {
+    phase: "Analyze",
+    icon: <AutoAwesomeIcon />,
+    color: "#a78bfa",
+    description: "AI understands your topic and target audience",
+    benefit: "Identifies key themes and angles"
+  },
+  {
+    phase: "Research",
+    icon: <SearchIcon />,
+    color: "#60a5fa",
+    description: "Gathers facts, statistics, and latest insights",
+    benefit: "Evidence-based content"
+  },
+  {
+    phase: "Write Script",
+    icon: <EditIcon />,
+    color: "#34d399",
+    description: "Transforms research into structured script",
+    benefit: "Factual, engaging content",
+    isCurrent: true,
+  },
+  {
+    phase: "Final Render",
+    icon: <VideoLibraryIcon />,
+    color: "#ef4444",
+    description: "Your ready-to-publish podcast episode",
+    benefit: "Professional output"
+  },
+];
+
+const SCRIPT_EDITOR_PREVIEW = [
+  { label: "Edit Dialogue", description: "Click any line to modify the text", icon: <EditIcon /> },
+  { label: "Approve Scenes", description: "Mark scenes as ready for rendering", icon: <CheckCircleIcon /> },
+  { label: "Regenerate", description: "Regenerate specific scenes if needed", icon: <AutoAwesomeIcon /> },
+  { label: "Add Charts", description: "Charts auto-generated from research facts", icon: <FormatListBulletedIcon /> },
+];
+
+interface ScriptGenerationProgressViewProps {
+  currentMessage?: string;
+  progressIndex: number;
+  idea?: string;
+  analysis?: any;
+  research?: any;
+  sourceCount?: number;
+}
+
+export const ScriptGenerationProgressView: React.FC<ScriptGenerationProgressViewProps> = ({
+  currentMessage,
+  progressIndex,
+  idea,
+  analysis,
+  research,
+  sourceCount,
+}) => {
+  const theme = useTheme();
+  const isMobile = useMediaQuery(theme.breakpoints.down('sm'));
+  const clampedIndex = Math.min(progressIndex, SCRIPT_GENERATION_MESSAGES.length - 1);
+
+  const audience = analysis?.audience || "General audience";
+  const keywords = analysis?.topKeywords?.slice(0, 5) || [];
+  const outlineTitle = analysis?.suggestedOutlines?.[0]?.title || "Not specified";
+  const factCards = research?.factCards || [];
+  const keyInsights = research?.keyInsights || [];
+  const searchQueries = research?.searchQueries || [];
+
+  return (
+    <Stack spacing={2}>
+      {/* Current Status */}
+      <Box sx={{ textAlign: "center" }}>
+        <Box sx={{ position: "relative", display: "inline-flex", alignItems: "center", justifyContent: "center" }}>
+          <CircularProgress size={isMobile ? 50 : 60} thickness={3} sx={{ color: "#34d399" }} />
+          <Box sx={{ position: "absolute", display: "flex", flexDirection: "column", alignItems: "center" }}>
+            <EditIcon sx={{ color: "#34d399", fontSize: isMobile ? 20 : 24 }} />
+          </Box>
+        </Box>
+
+        <Typography variant="subtitle1" sx={{ color: "#34d399", fontWeight: 600, mt: 1, fontSize: isMobile ? "0.85rem" : "0.95rem" }}>
+          {SCRIPT_GENERATION_MESSAGES[clampedIndex].title}
+        </Typography>
+        
+        <Typography variant="body2" sx={{ color: "rgba(255,255,255,0.7)", mt: 0.5, fontSize: isMobile ? "0.75rem" : "0.85rem", px: 1 }}>
+          {currentMessage || SCRIPT_GENERATION_MESSAGES[clampedIndex].message}
+        </Typography>
+
+        {currentMessage && (
+          <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: "#10b981", mt: 0.5, display: "block", fontSize: "0.75rem" }}>
+            {currentMessage}
+          </Typography>
+        )}
+
+        <LinearProgress
+          sx={{
+            width: "100%",
+            height: 4,
+            borderRadius: 2,
+            bgcolor: "rgba(255,255,255,0.1)",
+            mt: 2,
+            "& .MuiLinearProgress-bar": { bgcolor: "#34d399", borderRadius: 2 },
+          }}
+        />
+        
+        <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: "rgba(255,255,255,0.4)", mt: 0.5, display: "block" }}>
+          Step {clampedIndex + 1} of {SCRIPT_GENERATION_MESSAGES.length}
+        </Typography>
+      </Box>
+
+      <Divider sx={{ borderColor: "rgba(255,255,255,0.15)" }} />
+
+      {/* How Prior Phases Are Used */}
+      <Box sx={{ width: "100%" }}>
+        <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: "rgba(255,255,255,0.6)", textTransform: "uppercase", letterSpacing: "0.05em", fontSize: "0.65rem", mb: 1, display: "block" }}>
+          How We're Personalizing Your Script
+        </Typography>
+        
+        <Stack spacing={1}>
+          {/* Analysis Context */}
+          <Box sx={{ p: 1.5, borderRadius: 1.5, bgcolor: "rgba(167, 139, 250, 0.1)", border: "1px solid rgba(167, 139, 250, 0.2)" }}>
+            <Stack direction="row" spacing={1} alignItems="flex-start">
+              <Box sx={{ width: 24, height: 24, borderRadius: "50%", bgcolor: "rgba(167, 139, 250, 0.2)", display: "flex", alignItems: "center", justifyContent: "center", flexShrink: 0 }}>
+                <AutoAwesomeIcon sx={{ color: "#a78bfa", fontSize: 14 }} />
+              </Box>
+              <Box sx={{ flex: 1 }}>
+                <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: "#a78bfa", fontWeight: 600, fontSize: "0.75rem", display: "block" }}>
+                  From Analyze Phase
+                </Typography>
+                <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: "rgba(255,255,255,0.7)", fontSize: "0.7rem", display: "block" }}>
+                  <strong>Audience:</strong> {audience}
+                </Typography>
+                {keywords.length > 0 && (
+                  <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: "rgba(255,255,255,0.7)", fontSize: "0.7rem", display: "block" }}>
+                    <strong>Keywords:</strong> {keywords.join(", ")}
+                  </Typography>
+                )}
+              </Box>
+            </Stack>
+          </Box>
+
+          {/* Research Context */}
+          <Box sx={{ p: 1.5, borderRadius: 1.5, bgcolor: "rgba(96, 165, 250, 0.1)", border: "1px solid rgba(96, 165, 250, 0.2)" }}>
+            <Stack direction="row" spacing={1} alignItems="flex-start">
+              <Box sx={{ width: 24, height: 24, borderRadius: "50%", bgcolor: "rgba(96, 165, 250, 0.2)", display: "flex", alignItems: "center", justifyContent: "center", flexShrink: 0 }}>
+                <SearchIcon sx={{ color: "#60a5fa", fontSize: 14 }} />
+              </Box>
+              <Box sx={{ flex: 1 }}>
+                <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: "#60a5fa", fontWeight: 600, fontSize: "0.75rem", display: "block" }}>
+                  From Research Phase
+                </Typography>
+                <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: "rgba(255,255,255,0.7)", fontSize: "0.7rem", display: "block" }}>
+                  <strong>{factCards.length} facts</strong>, <strong>{keyInsights.length} insights</strong>, <strong>{sourceCount || 0} sources</strong>
+                </Typography>
+                {searchQueries.length > 0 && (
+                  <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: "rgba(255,255,255,0.7)", fontSize: "0.7rem", display: "block" }}>
+                    From {searchQueries.length} research queries
+                  </Typography>
+                )}
+              </Box>
+            </Stack>
+          </Box>
+        </Stack>
+      </Box>
+
+      <Divider sx={{ borderColor: "rgba(255,255,255,0.15)" }} />
+
+      {/* What is a Scene */}
+      <Box sx={{ width: "100%" }}>
+        <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: "rgba(255,255,255,0.6)", textTransform: "uppercase", letterSpacing: "0.05em", fontSize: "0.65rem", mb: 1, display: "block" }}>
+          {WHAT_IS_SCENE.title}
+        </Typography>
+        <Box sx={{ p: 1.5, borderRadius: 1.5, bgcolor: "rgba(52, 211, 153, 0.1)", border: "1px solid rgba(52, 211, 153, 0.2)" }}>
+          <Stack direction="row" spacing={1} alignItems="flex-start">
+            <Box sx={{ width: 28, height: 28, borderRadius: "50%", bgcolor: "rgba(52, 211, 153, 0.2)", display: "flex", alignItems: "center", justifyContent: "center", flexShrink: 0 }}>
+              {React.cloneElement(WHAT_IS_SCENE.icon, { sx: { color: WHAT_IS_SCENE.color, fontSize: 16 } })}
+            </Box>
+            <Box sx={{ flex: 1 }}>
+              <Typography variant="body2" sx={{ color: "rgba(255,255,255,0.8)", fontSize: "0.8rem", display: "block" }}>
+                {WHAT_IS_SCENE.definition}
+              </Typography>
+            </Box>
+          </Stack>
+        </Box>
+      </Box>
+
+      <Divider sx={{ borderColor: "rgba(255,255,255,0.15)" }} />
+
+      {/* Sequential Progress Steps */}
+      <Box sx={{ width: "100%" }}>
+        <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: "rgba(255,255,255,0.6)", textTransform: "uppercase", letterSpacing: "0.05em", fontSize: "0.65rem", mb: 1, display: "block" }}>
+          Script Generation Progress
+        </Typography>
+        <Stack spacing={0.5}>
+          {SCRIPT_GENERATION_MESSAGES.map((msg, idx) => {
+            const isCompleted = idx < clampedIndex;
+            const isCurrent = idx === clampedIndex;
+            return (
+              <Stack key={idx} direction="row" spacing={1} alignItems="flex-start">
+                <Box sx={{ 
+                  width: 18, 
+                  height: 18, 
+                  borderRadius: "50%", 
+                  display: "flex", 
+                  alignItems: "center", 
+                  justifyContent: "center",
+                  bgcolor: isCompleted ? "#10b981" : isCurrent ? "#34d399" : "rgba(255,255,255,0.1)",
+                  flexShrink: 0,
+                }}>
+                  {isCompleted ? (
+                    <CheckCircleIcon sx={{ fontSize: 12, color: "#fff" }} />
+                  ) : isCurrent ? (
+                    <CircularProgress size={10} sx={{ color: "#fff" }} />
+                  ) : (
+                    <Box sx={{ width: 4, height: 4, borderRadius: "50%", bgcolor: "rgba(255,255,255,0.3)" }} />
+                  )}
+                </Box>
+                <Box sx={{ flex: 1 }}>
+                  <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ 
+                    color: isCompleted ? "rgba(255,255,255,0.5)" : isCurrent ? "#34d399" : "rgba(255,255,255,0.6)", 
+                    fontWeight: isCurrent ? 600 : 400,
+                    fontSize: "0.75rem",
+                    textDecoration: isCompleted ? "line-through" : "none",
+                  }}>
+                    {msg.title}
+                  </Typography>
+                </Box>
+              </Stack>
+            );
+          })}
+        </Stack>
+      </Box>
+
+      <Divider sx={{ borderColor: "rgba(255,255,255,0.15)" }} />
+
+      {/* What to Expect in Script Editor */}
+      <Box sx={{ width: "100%" }}>
+        <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: "rgba(255,255,255,0.6)", textTransform: "uppercase", letterSpacing: "0.05em", fontSize: "0.65rem", mb: 1, display: "block" }}>
+          What's Next: Script Editor
+        </Typography>
+        <Stack direction="row" spacing={1} flexWrap="wrap" useFlexGap>
+          {SCRIPT_EDITOR_PREVIEW.map((item, idx) => (
+            <Box key={idx} sx={{ flex: "1 1 45%", minWidth: 100, p: 1.5, borderRadius: 1.5, bgcolor: "rgba(255,255,255,0.05)", border: "1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1)", textAlign: "center" }}>
+              <Stack spacing={0.5}>
+                <Box sx={{ color: "#a78bfa" }}>{React.cloneElement(item.icon, { sx: { fontSize: 18 } })}</Box>
+                <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: "#fff", fontWeight: 600, fontSize: "0.7rem", display: "block" }}>
+                  {item.label}
+                </Typography>
+                <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: "rgba(255,255,255,0.6)", fontSize: "0.65rem", display: "block" }}>
+                  {item.description}
+                </Typography>
+              </Stack>
+            </Box>
+          ))}
+        </Stack>
+      </Box>
+
+      <Divider sx={{ borderColor: "rgba(255,255,255,0.15)" }} />
+
+      {/* Journey Overview */}
+      <Box sx={{ width: "100%" }}>
+        <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: "rgba(255,255,255,0.6)", textTransform: "uppercase", letterSpacing: "0.05em", fontSize: "0.65rem", mb: 1, display: "block" }}>
+          Your Podcast Journey
+        </Typography>
+        <Stack spacing={1}>
+          {PODCAST_CREATION_JOURNEY.map((phase, idx) => (
+            <Box key={idx} sx={{ 
+              p: 1.5, 
+              borderRadius: 2, 
+              bgcolor: phase.isCurrent ? "rgba(52, 211, 153, 0.1)" : "rgba(255,255,255,0.05)", 
+              border: `1px solid ${phase.isCurrent ? "rgba(52, 211, 153, 0.3)" : "rgba(255,255,255, 0.1)"}`
+            }}>
+              <Stack direction="row" spacing={1} alignItems="flex-start">
+                <Box sx={{ 
+                  width: 28, 
+                  height: 28, 
+                  borderRadius: "50%", 
+                  bgcolor: phase.isCurrent ? "rgba(52, 211, 153, 0.2)" : `${phase.color}20`, 
+                  display: "flex", 
+                  alignItems: "center", 
+                  justifyContent: "center",
+                  flexShrink: 0,
+                }}>
+                  {React.cloneElement(phase.icon, { sx: { color: phase.isCurrent ? "#34d399" : phase.color, fontSize: 16 } })}
+                </Box>
+                <Box sx={{ flex: 1 }}>
+                  <Typography variant="body2" sx={{ color: phase.isCurrent ? "#34d399" : "#fff", fontWeight: 600, fontSize: "0.8rem" }}>
+                    {phase.phase} {phase.isCurrent && "◀ In Progress"}
+                  </Typography>
+                  <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: "rgba(255,255,255,0.6)", fontSize: "0.7rem", display: "block" }}>
+                    {phase.description}
+                  </Typography>
+                  <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: phase.isCurrent ? "#34d399" : phase.color, fontSize: "0.65rem", display: "block", mt: 0.25 }}>
+                    ✓ {phase.benefit}
+                  </Typography>
+                </Box>
+              </Stack>
+            </Box>
+          ))}
+        </Stack>
+      </Box>
+    </Stack>
+  );
+};

frontend/src/components/PodcastMaker/PodcastDashboard/usePodcastWorkflow.ts

@@ -62,6 +62,11 @@ export const usePodcastWorkflow = ({ projectState, onError }: UsePodcastWorkflow
   const [showDuplicateDialog, setShowDuplicateDialog] = useState(false);
   const [duplicateProjectInfo, setDuplicateProjectInfo] = useState<{projectId: string; idea: string}>({ projectId: "", idea: "" });
   
+  // Script Generation Modal State
+  const [showScriptGenModal, setShowScriptGenModal] = useState(false);
+  const [scriptGenStarted, setScriptGenStarted] = useState(false);
+  const [scriptGenProgressIndex, setScriptGenProgressIndex] = useState(0);
+
   const budgetTracking = useBudgetTracking(budgetCap || 50);
   const preflightCheck = usePreflightCheck({
     onBlocked: (response) => {
@@ -94,6 +99,47 @@ export const usePodcastWorkflow = ({ projectState, onError }: UsePodcastWorkflow
     return undefined;
   }, [announcement]);
 
+  const prevIsGeneratingScriptRef = useRef(false);
+  
+  // Sequential progress for script generation modal
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!showScriptGenModal || !scriptGenStarted) {
+      setScriptGenProgressIndex(0);
+      return;
+    }
+    
+    const interval = setInterval(() => {
+      setScriptGenProgressIndex((prev) => {
+        if (prev < 3) { // 4 steps total (0-3)
+          return prev + 1;
+        }
+        return prev;
+      });
+    }, 3000);
+    
+    return () => clearInterval(interval);
+  }, [showScriptGenModal, scriptGenStarted]);
+
+  // Handle modal close when script generation completes
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const wasSubmitting = prevIsGeneratingScriptRef.current;
+    const nowNotSubmitting = !isGeneratingScript;
+    
+    // Only close modal if:
+    // 1. Modal is still shown
+    // 2. scriptGenStarted is true  
+    // 3. isGeneratingScript transitioned from true to false
+    // 4. AND we're not showing an error (scriptData is set on success)
+    if (showScriptGenModal && scriptGenStarted && wasSubmitting && nowNotSubmitting && !announcement.includes("failed")) {
+      setTimeout(() => {
+        setShowScriptGenModal(false);
+      }, 500);
+    }
+    
+    // Update ref for next render
+    prevIsGeneratingScriptRef.current = isGeneratingScript;
+  }, [isGeneratingScript, showScriptGenModal, scriptGenStarted, announcement]);
+
   const handleCreate = useCallback(async (payload: CreateProjectPayload, feedback?: string) => {
     if (isAnalyzing) return;
     setResearch(null);
@@ -327,20 +373,12 @@ export const usePodcastWorkflow = ({ projectState, onError }: UsePodcastWorkflow
       return;
     }
 
-    setPreflightOperationName("Research");
+    // Note: Preflight is handled inside podcastApi.runExaResearch (ensurePreflight)
+    // No need to call it twice here
+    
     const approvedQueries = queries.filter((q) => selectedQueries.has(q.id));
     console.log('[Research] User selected queries:', Array.from(selectedQueries));
     console.log('[Research] Filtered approvedQueries for API:', approvedQueries.map(q => q.query));
-    const preflightResult = await preflightCheck.check({
-      provider: researchProvider === "exa" ? "exa" : "gemini",
-      operation_type: researchProvider === "exa" ? "exa_neural_search" : "google_grounding",
-      tokens_requested: researchProvider === "exa" ? 0 : 1200,
-      actual_provider_name: researchProvider || "exa",
-    });
-
-    if (!preflightResult.can_proceed) {
-      return;
-    }
 
     try {
       setIsResearching(true);
@@ -395,45 +433,44 @@ export const usePodcastWorkflow = ({ projectState, onError }: UsePodcastWorkflow
     } finally {
       setIsResearching(false);
     }
-  }, [isResearching, project, selectedQueries, queries, researchProvider, preflightCheck, analysis, setResearch, setRawResearch, setEstimate, setScriptData, setShowScriptEditor, setShowRenderQueue, projectState.bible]);
+  }, [isResearching, project, selectedQueries, queries, researchProvider, analysis, setResearch, setRawResearch, setEstimate, setScriptData, setShowScriptEditor, setShowRenderQueue, projectState.bible]);
 
 // Add a ref to track if we're currently generating to prevent double calls
   const isGeneratingRef = useRef(false);
   
   const handleGenerateScript = useCallback(async () => {
-    // Guard against double calls
+    // CRITICAL: Guard against double calls - set IMMEDIATELY to prevent concurrent clicks
-    if (isGeneratingRef.current) {
+    if (isGeneratingRef.current || isGeneratingScript) {
       console.log('[ScriptGen] Already generating, skipping duplicate call');
       return;
     }
     
-    if (showScriptEditor) return;
+    // Prevent if script already exists or render phase started
+    if (showScriptEditor || projectState.scriptData) {
+      console.log('[ScriptGen] Script already exists, skipping');
+      return;
+    }
+    
     if (!project || !research) {
       setAnnouncement("Project or research missing — cannot generate script");
       return;
     }
 
-    // Mark as generating immediately (both ref and state)
+    // Mark as generating immediately BEFORE any async calls (both ref and state)
     isGeneratingRef.current = true;
     setIsGeneratingScript(true);
     
-    setPreflightOperationName("Script Generation");
+    // Show modal IMMEDIATELY to prevent duplicate clicks
-    const preflightResult = await preflightCheck.check({
+    setShowScriptGenModal(true);
-      provider: "gemini",
+    setScriptGenStarted(true);
-      operation_type: "script_generation",
+    setScriptGenProgressIndex(0);
-      tokens_requested: 2000,
+    console.log('[ScriptGen] Modal shown, generating ref set');
-      actual_provider_name: "gemini",
-    });
 
-    if (!preflightResult.can_proceed) {
+    // Note: Preflight is also called inside podcastApi.generateScript (ensurePreflight)
-      isGeneratingRef.current = false; // Reset on preflight failure
+    // No need to call it twice - the API layer handles it
-      setIsGeneratingScript(false); // Reset loading state on preflight failure
-      return;
-    }
     
     setScriptData(null);
     setShowRenderQueue(false);
-    setShowScriptEditor(true);
     setAnnouncement("Generating script with AI... Creating scenes and dialogue based on your research...");
 
     try {
@@ -464,6 +501,7 @@ export const usePodcastWorkflow = ({ projectState, onError }: UsePodcastWorkflow
 
       console.log('[ScriptGen] Script generated:', { sceneCount: result.scenes?.length });
       setScriptData(result);
+      setShowScriptEditor(true); // Open editor after successful generation
       setIsGeneratingScript(false);
       setAnnouncement("Script generated! Review and edit your scenes below.");
     } catch (error) {
@@ -472,7 +510,7 @@ export const usePodcastWorkflow = ({ projectState, onError }: UsePodcastWorkflow
     } finally {
       isGeneratingRef.current = false; // Reset when done
     }
-  }, [showScriptEditor, project, research, preflightCheck, setScriptData, setShowRenderQueue, setShowScriptEditor, rawResearch, projectState.knobs, projectState.bible, analysis])
+  }, [showScriptEditor, project, research, setScriptData, setShowRenderQueue, setShowScriptEditor, rawResearch, projectState.knobs, projectState.bible, analysis, setShowScriptGenModal, scriptGenStarted, setScriptGenProgressIndex, isGeneratingScript, projectState.scriptData, currentStep])
 
   const handleProceedToRendering = useCallback((script: Script) => {
     // Clear media cache for all scenes before proceeding to remove old blobs
@@ -608,6 +646,11 @@ export const usePodcastWorkflow = ({ projectState, onError }: UsePodcastWorkflow
     duplicateProjectInfo,
     activeStep,
     canGenerateScript,
+    // Script Generation Modal
+    showScriptGenModal,
+    setShowScriptGenModal,
+    scriptGenStarted,
+    scriptGenProgressIndex,
     // Handlers
     handleCreate,
     handleRegenerate,

frontend/src/components/PodcastMaker/RenderQueue/useRenderQueue.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { useState, useEffect, useRef, useCallback } from "react";
 import { Script, Knobs, Job, RenderJobResult, TaskStatus, VideoGenerationSettings } from "../types";
-import { podcastApi } from "../../../services/podcastApi";
+import { podcastApi, getCachedVoiceCloneInfo } from "../../../services/podcastApi";
 
 interface UseRenderQueueProps {
   script: Script;
@@ -427,9 +427,14 @@ export const useRenderQueue = ({
     });
 
     try {
+      const cachedClone = getCachedVoiceCloneInfo();
       const result: RenderJobResult = await podcastApi.renderSceneAudio({
         scene,
-        voiceId: "Wise_Woman",
+        voiceId: knobs.voice_id || "Wise_Woman",
+        customVoiceId: knobs.custom_voice_id || cachedClone?.customVoiceId,
+        useVoiceClone: knobs.is_voice_clone || cachedClone?.isVoiceClone || false,
+        voiceSampleUrl: knobs.voice_sample_url || cachedClone?.voiceSampleUrl || undefined,
+        voiceCloneEngine: knobs.voice_clone_engine || cachedClone?.engine || undefined,
         emotion: scene.emotion || getSceneVoiceEmotion(knobs),
         speed: knobs.voice_speed,
       });

frontend/src/components/PodcastMaker/ScriptEditor/AudioRegenerateModal.tsx

@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@ import { VoiceSelector } from "../../shared/VoiceSelector";
 export type AudioGenerationSettings = {
   voiceId: string;
   customVoiceId?: string;
+  useVoiceClone?: boolean;
+  voiceSampleUrl?: string;
+  voiceCloneEngine?: string;
   speed: number;
   volume: number;
   pitch: number;

frontend/src/components/PodcastMaker/ScriptEditor/SceneEditor.tsx

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import { GlassyCard, glassyCardSx, PrimaryButton } from "../ui";
 import { LineEditor } from "./LineEditor";
 import { ImageRegenerateModal, ImageGenerationSettings } from "./ImageRegenerateModal";
 import { AudioRegenerateModal, AudioGenerationSettings } from "./AudioRegenerateModal";
-import { podcastApi } from "../../../services/podcastApi";
+import { podcastApi, getCachedVoiceCloneInfo } from "../../../services/podcastApi";
 import { aiApiClient } from "../../../api/client";
 import { getCachedMedia, setCachedMedia } from "../../../utils/mediaCache";
 
@@ -68,6 +68,9 @@ export const SceneEditor: React.FC<SceneEditorProps> = ({
   const [audioSettings, setAudioSettings] = useState<AudioGenerationSettings>({
     voiceId: knobs.voice_id || "Wise_Woman",
     customVoiceId: knobs.custom_voice_id || undefined,
+    useVoiceClone: knobs.is_voice_clone || false,
+    voiceSampleUrl: knobs.voice_sample_url || undefined,
+    voiceCloneEngine: knobs.voice_clone_engine || undefined,
     speed: knobs.voice_speed ?? 1.0,
     volume: 1.0,
     pitch: 0.0,
@@ -308,10 +311,14 @@ export const SceneEditor: React.FC<SceneEditorProps> = ({
       
       // Generate audio
       const effectiveSettings = settings || audioSettings;
+      const cachedClone = getCachedVoiceCloneInfo();
       const result = await podcastApi.renderSceneAudio({
         scene: currentScene,
         voiceId: effectiveSettings.voiceId || knobs.voice_id || "Wise_Woman",
-        customVoiceId: effectiveSettings.customVoiceId || knobs.custom_voice_id,
+        customVoiceId: effectiveSettings.customVoiceId || knobs.custom_voice_id || cachedClone?.customVoiceId,
+        useVoiceClone: effectiveSettings.useVoiceClone || knobs.is_voice_clone || cachedClone?.isVoiceClone || false,
+        voiceSampleUrl: effectiveSettings.voiceSampleUrl || knobs.voice_sample_url || cachedClone?.voiceSampleUrl || undefined,
+        voiceCloneEngine: effectiveSettings.voiceCloneEngine || knobs.voice_clone_engine || cachedClone?.engine || undefined,
         emotion: effectiveSettings.emotion || scene.emotion || knobs.voice_emotion || "neutral",
         speed: effectiveSettings.speed ?? knobs.voice_speed ?? 1.0,
         volume: effectiveSettings.volume ?? 1.0,

frontend/src/components/PodcastMaker/ScriptEditor/ScriptEditor.tsx

@@ -7,8 +7,9 @@ import { podcastApi } from "../../../services/podcastApi";
 import { GlassyCard, PrimaryButton, SecondaryButton } from "../ui";
 import { SceneEditor } from "./SceneEditor";
 import { InlineAudioPlayer } from "../InlineAudioPlayer";
-import { aiApiClient } from "../../../api/client";
+import { aiApiClient, getApiUrl } from "../../../api/client";
 import { BrollInfoPanel } from "./parts/BrollInfoPanel";
+import { ScriptEditorProvider } from "./ScriptEditorContext";
 
 interface ScriptEditorProps {
   projectId: string;
@@ -75,49 +76,8 @@ export const ScriptEditor: React.FC<ScriptEditorProps> = ({
     }
   }, [initialScript]);
 
-  useEffect(() => {
+  // Note: Script generation is now handled by ScriptEditorProvider
-    // If script already exists, don't regenerate
+  // to ensure BrollInfoPanel and other child components have access to context
-    if (script) {
-      return;
-    }
-
-    // Only generate if we have research data
-    if (!rawResearch) {
-      return;
-    }
-
-    let mounted = true;
-    setLoading(true);
-    setError(null);
-    podcastApi
-      .generateScript({
-        projectId,
-        idea,
-        research: rawResearch,
-        knobs,
-        speakers,
-        durationMinutes,
-        podcastMode,
-        analysis,
-        outline,
-      })
-      .then((res) => {
-        if (mounted) {
-          setScript(res);
-          emitScriptChange(res);
-          setError(null);
-        }
-      })
-      .catch((err) => {
-        const message = err instanceof Error ? err.message : "Failed to generate script";
-        setError(message);
-        onError(message);
-      })
-      .finally(() => mounted && setLoading(false));
-    return () => {
-      mounted = false;
-    };
-  }, [projectId, rawResearch, idea, knobs, speakers, durationMinutes, podcastMode, analysis, outline, emitScriptChange, onError, script]);
 
   const updateScene = (updated: Scene) => {
     // Use functional update to ensure we're working with latest state
@@ -309,14 +269,20 @@ export const ScriptEditor: React.FC<ScriptEditorProps> = ({
               chart_type: scene.chart_data.type || "bar_comparison",
               title: scene.title,
             });
+            console.log(`[ChartPreview] Scene ${scene.id}: type=${scene.chart_data.type || 'bar_comparison'}, data=`, scene.chart_data);
+
+            const toFullUrl = (url: string) => {
+              if (/^https?:\/\//i.test(url)) return url;
+              return `${getApiUrl()}${url.startsWith("/") ? url : `/${url}`}`;
+            };
 
             return {
               ...scene,
-              broll_preview_url: result.preview_url,
+              broll_preview_url: toFullUrl(result.preview_url),
               chart_id: result.chart_id,
             };
           } catch (error) {
-            console.error(`Failed to generate chart preview for scene ${scene.id}:`, error);
+            console.error(`[ChartPreview] Failed for scene ${scene.id}:`, error);
             return scene;
           }
         })
@@ -379,11 +345,28 @@ export const ScriptEditor: React.FC<ScriptEditorProps> = ({
   }, [script, emitScriptChange]);
 
   return (
-    <Box sx={{ mt: 4 }}>
+    <ScriptEditorProvider
-      <Stack direction="row" spacing={2} alignItems="center" sx={{ mb: 4 }}>
+      projectId={projectId}
-        <SecondaryButton onClick={onBackToResearch} startIcon={<ArrowBackIcon />}>
+      idea={idea}
-          Back to Research
+      rawResearch={rawResearch}
-        </SecondaryButton>
+      knobs={knobs}
+      speakers={speakers}
+      durationMinutes={durationMinutes}
+      initialScript={script}
+      podcastMode={podcastMode}
+      analysis={analysis}
+      outline={outline}
+      onScriptChange={(s) => {
+        setScript(s);
+        onScriptChange(s);
+      }}
+      onError={onError}
+    >
+      <Box sx={{ mt: 4 }}>
+        <Stack direction="row" spacing={2} alignItems="center" sx={{ mb: 4 }}>
+          <SecondaryButton onClick={onBackToResearch} startIcon={<ArrowBackIcon />}>
+            Back to Research
+          </SecondaryButton>
         <Box sx={{ flex: 1 }}>
           <Typography
             variant="h4"
@@ -945,5 +928,6 @@ export const ScriptEditor: React.FC<ScriptEditorProps> = ({
         </Stack>
       )}
     </Box>
+    </ScriptEditorProvider>
   );
 };

frontend/src/components/PodcastMaker/ScriptEditor/ScriptEditorContext.tsx

@@ -320,6 +320,9 @@ export const ScriptEditorProvider: React.FC<ScriptEditorProviderProps> = ({
         scenes: sceneData,
         voiceId: knobs.voice_id,
         customVoiceId: knobs.custom_voice_id,
+        useVoiceClone: knobs.is_voice_clone,
+        voiceSampleUrl: knobs.voice_sample_url,
+        voiceCloneEngine: knobs.voice_clone_engine,
         speed: knobs.voice_speed,
         emotion: knobs.voice_emotion,
         englishNormalization: true,

frontend/src/components/PodcastMaker/ScriptEditor/parts/BrollInfoPanel.tsx

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import React from "react";
-import { Stack, Box, Typography, Alert, Paper, Button, CircularProgress, Chip } from "@mui/material";
+import { Stack, Box, Typography, Paper, Button, CircularProgress, Chip, IconButton, Tooltip } from "@mui/material";
-import { BarChart as BarChartIcon, AutoAwesome as AutoAwesomeIcon, Refresh as RefreshIcon, DeleteOutline as DeleteIcon } from "@mui/icons-material";
+import { BarChart as BarChartIcon, AutoAwesome as AutoAwesomeIcon, Refresh as RefreshIcon, DeleteOutline as DeleteIcon, Fullscreen as FullscreenIcon, Visibility as VisibilityIcon } from "@mui/icons-material";
 import { useScriptEditor } from "../ScriptEditorContext";
 import { Script } from "../../types";
 
@@ -42,118 +42,245 @@ export const BrollInfoPanel: React.FC<BrollInfoPanelProps> = (props) => {
   return (
     <Paper
       sx={{
-        p: 3,
+        p: 2.5,
-        background: "linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.05) 0%, rgba(16, 185, 129, 0.05) 100%)",
+        background: "linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.03) 0%, rgba(16, 185, 129, 0.03) 100%)",
         border: "1px solid rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.15)",
         borderRadius: 2,
       }}
     >
-      <Stack direction="row" alignItems="center" spacing={1.5} sx={{ mb: 2 }}>
+      <Stack direction="row" justifyContent="space-between" alignItems="center" sx={{ mb: 2 }}>
-        <Box sx={{ width: 40, height: 40, borderRadius: "50%", background: "linear-gradient(135deg, #22c55e 0%, #10b981 100%)", display: "flex", alignItems: "center", justifyContent: "center" }}>
+        <Stack direction="row" alignItems="center" spacing={1.5}>
-          <BarChartIcon sx={{ color: "#ffffff", fontSize: "1.5rem" }} />
+          <Box sx={{ 
-        </Box>
+            p: 0.75, 
-        <Box sx={{ flex: 1 }}>
+            borderRadius: 1.5, 
-          <Typography variant="h6" sx={{ color: "#0f172a", fontWeight: 600, fontSize: "1.1rem" }}>
+            background: "linear-gradient(135deg, #22c55e 0%, #16a34a 100%)",
-            B-Roll Charts
+            display: "flex",
-          </Typography>
+            alignItems: "center",
-          <Typography variant="body2" sx={{ color: "#64748b", mt: 0.25 }}>
+            justifyContent: "center"
-            Programmatic charts extracted from research data
+          }}>
-          </Typography>
+            <BarChartIcon sx={{ fontSize: 18, color: "#fff" }} />
-        </Box>
+          </Box>
-        
+          <Box>
+            <Typography variant="subtitle2" sx={{ fontWeight: 700, color: "#0f172a", lineHeight: 1.2 }}>
+              B-Roll Charts
+            </Typography>
+            <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: "#64748b", fontSize: "0.7rem" }}>
+              {resolvedScenesWithCharts} chart{resolvedScenesWithCharts !== 1 ? 's' : ''} for visual storytelling
+            </Typography>
+          </Box>
+        </Stack>
         {hasChartData && (
-          <Chip 
+          <Button
-            label={`${resolvedScenesWithCharts} scene${resolvedScenesWithCharts > 1 ? 's' : ''} with charts`}
+            variant="contained"
             size="small"
-            sx={{ background: "rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.1)", color: "#16a34a", fontWeight: 600 }}
+            startIcon={resolvedGeneratingChartId ? <CircularProgress size={14} color="inherit" /> : <AutoAwesomeIcon sx={{ fontSize: 16 }} />}
-          />
+            onClick={resolvedGenerateChartPreviews}
+            disabled={!!resolvedGeneratingChartId}
+            sx={{
+              background: "linear-gradient(135deg, #22c55e 0%, #16a34a 100%)",
+              fontSize: "0.75rem",
+              py: 0.5,
+              px: 1.5,
+              textTransform: "none",
+              fontWeight: 600,
+              boxShadow: "0 2px 8px rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.3)",
+              "&:hover": {
+                background: "linear-gradient(135deg, #16a34a 0%, #15803d 100%)",
+              },
+              "&:disabled": {
+                background: "rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.5)",
+              }
+            }}
+          >
+            {resolvedGeneratingChartId ? "Generating..." : "Generate Charts"}
+          </Button>
         )}
       </Stack>
 
-      {!hasChartData ? (
+      {hasChartData ? (
-        <Alert severity="info" sx={{ background: "rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.06)", border: "1px solid rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.15)", "& .MuiAlert-icon": { color: "#22c55e" } }}>
+        <Stack spacing={1.5}>
-          <Typography variant="body2" sx={{ color: "#0f172a", lineHeight: 1.7 }}>
+          {scenesWithData.map((scene) => {
-            <strong style={{ fontWeight: 600 }}>No charts detected.</strong> If your research contains statistics or metrics, the script generation will automatically extract chart data for B-roll visualization.
+            const chartData = scene.chart_data;
-          </Typography>
+            const hasPreview = !!scene.broll_preview_url;
-        </Alert>
-      ) : (
-        <Stack spacing={2}>
-          <Typography variant="body2" sx={{ color: "#475569", lineHeight: 1.7 }}>
-            Your script contains <strong style={{ fontWeight: 600 }}>{scenesWithData.length}</strong> scene(s) with chart data. 
-            Click below to generate chart previews for the Write phase.
-          </Typography>
             
-          <Stack direction="row" spacing={2}>
+            return (
-            <Button
+              <Box
-              variant="contained"
+                key={scene.id}
-              startIcon={resolvedGeneratingChartId ? <CircularProgress size={16} color="inherit" /> : <AutoAwesomeIcon />}
+                sx={{
-              onClick={resolvedGenerateChartPreviews}
+                  p: 1.5,
-              disabled={!!resolvedGeneratingChartId || !resolvedGenerateChartPreviews}
+                  background: "#fff",
-              sx={{
+                  borderRadius: 1.5,
-                background: "linear-gradient(135deg, #22c55e 0%, #10b981 100%)",
+                  border: "1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.06)",
-                "&:hover": { background: "linear-gradient(135deg, #16a34a 0%, #059669 100%)" },
+                  display: "flex",
-                textTransform: "none",
+                  alignItems: "center",
-                fontWeight: 600,
+                  gap: 2,
-              }}
+                  transition: "all 0.2s ease",
-            >
+                  "&:hover": {
-              {resolvedGeneratingChartId ? "Generating..." : "Generate Chart Previews"}
+                    borderColor: "rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.3)",
-            </Button>
+                    boxShadow: "0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.04)",
-          </Stack>
+                  }
-
+                }}
-          {scenesWithData.map((scene) => (
+              >
-            <Box 
+                {/* Thumbnail */}
-              key={scene.id}
+                <Box 
-              sx={{
+                  sx={{ 
-                p: 2,
+                    width: 72, 
-                background: "rgba(0,0,0,0.02)",
+                    height: 48, 
-                borderRadius: 1,
+                    flexShrink: 0,
-                display: "flex",
+                    borderRadius: 1,
-                alignItems: "center",
+                    overflow: "hidden",
-                justifyContent: "space-between"
+                    background: hasPreview ? "rgba(0,0,0,0.04)" : "linear-gradient(135deg, #f1f5f9 0%, #e2e8f0 100%)",
-              }}
+                    display: "flex",
-            >
+                    alignItems: "center",
-              <Box>
+                    justifyContent: "center",
-                <Typography variant="subtitle2" sx={{ fontWeight: 600 }}>
+                    cursor: hasPreview ? "pointer" : "default",
-                  {scene.title}
+                    transition: "all 0.2s ease",
-                </Typography>
+                    "&:hover": hasPreview ? {
-                <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: "#64748b" }}>
+                      transform: "scale(1.05)",
-                  {scene.chart_data?.type || "chart"} • {scene.chart_data?.labels?.length || 0} data points
+                      boxShadow: "0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.15)",
-                </Typography>
+                    } : {}
-              </Box>
+                  }}
-              
+                >
-              <Stack direction="row" spacing={1}>
+                  {resolvedGeneratingChartId === scene.id ? (
-                {resolvedGeneratingChartId === scene.id ? (
+                    <CircularProgress size={24} sx={{ color: "#22c55e" }} />
-                  <CircularProgress size={20} />
+                  ) : hasPreview && scene.broll_preview_url ? (
-                ) : scene.broll_preview_url ? (
+                    <Box 
-                  <>
+                      component="img" 
-                    <Chip 
+                      src={scene.broll_preview_url} 
-                      label="Preview Ready" 
+                      alt={`Chart for ${scene.title}`}
-                      size="small" 
+                      sx={{ 
-                      sx={{ background: "rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.1)", color: "#16a34a" }}
+                        width: "100%", 
+                        height: "100%", 
+                        objectFit: "cover",
+                      }}
+                      onClick={() => window.open(scene.broll_preview_url, '_blank')}
                     />
-                    <Button 
+                  ) : (
+                    <BarChartIcon sx={{ fontSize: 20, color: "#94a3b8" }} />
+                  )}
+                </Box>
+
+                {/* Chart Info */}
+                <Box sx={{ flex: 1, minWidth: 0 }}>
+                  <Typography variant="subtitle2" sx={{ 
+                    fontWeight: 600, 
+                    color: "#1e293b", 
+                    fontSize: "0.8rem",
+                    overflow: "hidden",
+                    textOverflow: "ellipsis",
+                    whiteSpace: "nowrap",
+                  }}>
+                    {scene.title}
+                  </Typography>
+                  <Stack direction="row" spacing={1} alignItems="center" sx={{ mt: 0.25 }}>
+                    <Chip 
+                      label={chartData?.type || "chart"} 
+                      size="small"
+                      sx={{ 
+                        height: 18, 
+                        fontSize: "0.65rem",
+                        background: "rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.1)",
+                        color: "#16a34a",
+                        fontWeight: 600,
+                      }}
+                    />
+                    <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ color: "#64748b", fontSize: "0.7rem" }}>
+                      {chartData?.labels?.length || 0} labels
+                    </Typography>
+                    {hasPreview && (
+                      <Chip 
+                        label="Ready" 
+                        size="small"
+                        sx={{ 
+                          height: 18, 
+                          fontSize: "0.65rem",
+                          background: "rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.15)",
+                          color: "#16a34a",
+                          fontWeight: 600,
+                        }}
+                      />
+                    )}
+                  </Stack>
+                </Box>
+
+                {/* Takeaway */}
+                {chartData?.takeaway && (
+                  <Box sx={{ 
+                    flex: 1.5, 
+                    display: { xs: "none", md: "block" },
+                    px: 1,
+                    py: 0.5,
+                    background: "rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.04)",
+                    borderRadius: 1,
+                  }}>
+                    <Typography variant="caption" sx={{ 
+                      color: "#475569", 
+                      fontSize: "0.7rem",
+                      fontStyle: "italic",
+                      display: "-webkit-box",
+                      WebkitLineClamp: 2,
+                      WebkitBoxOrient: "vertical",
+                      overflow: "hidden",
+                    }}>
+                      "{chartData.takeaway}"
+                    </Typography>
+                  </Box>
+                )}
+
+                {/* Actions */}
+                <Stack direction="row" spacing={0.5}>
+                  {hasPreview && (
+                    <Tooltip title="View fullsize">
+                      <IconButton 
+                        size="small"
+                        onClick={() => scene.broll_preview_url && window.open(scene.broll_preview_url, '_blank')}
+                        sx={{ 
+                          color: "#64748b",
+                          "&:hover": { color: "#22c55e", background: "rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.1)" }
+                        }}
+                      >
+                        <FullscreenIcon sx={{ fontSize: 18 }} />
+                      </IconButton>
+                    </Tooltip>
+                  )}
+                  <Tooltip title="Regenerate">
+                    <IconButton 
                       size="small"
-                      startIcon={<RefreshIcon />}
                       onClick={() => resolvedRegenerateChart?.(scene.id)}
-                      disabled={!resolvedRegenerateChart}
+                      disabled={!resolvedRegenerateChart || !!resolvedGeneratingChartId}
+                      sx={{ 
+                        color: "#64748b",
+                        "&:hover": { color: "#f59e0b", background: "rgba(245, 158, 11, 0.1)" }
+                      }}
                     >
-                      Regenerate
+                      <RefreshIcon sx={{ fontSize: 18 }} />
-                    </Button>
+                    </IconButton>
-                    <Button 
+                  </Tooltip>
+                  <Tooltip title="Remove chart">
+                    <IconButton 
                       size="small"
-                      startIcon={<DeleteIcon />}
                       onClick={() => resolvedRemoveChart?.(scene.id)}
                       disabled={!resolvedRemoveChart}
-                      sx={{ color: "#ef4444" }}
+                      sx={{ 
+                        color: "#64748b",
+                        "&:hover": { color: "#ef4444", background: "rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.1)" }
+                      }}
                     >
-                      Remove
+                      <DeleteIcon sx={{ fontSize: 18 }} />
-                    </Button>
+                    </IconButton>
-                  </>
+                  </Tooltip>
-                ) : null}
+                </Stack>
-              </Stack>
+              </Box>
-            </Box>
+            );
-          ))}
+          })}
         </Stack>
+      ) : (
+        <Box sx={{ py: 3, textAlign: "center" }}>
+          <BarChartIcon sx={{ fontSize: 36, color: "#cbd5e1", mb: 1 }} />
+          <Typography variant="body2" sx={{ color: "#64748b", fontSize: "0.8rem" }}>
+            No chart data yet. Add chart data to scenes to generate B-roll visuals.
+          </Typography>
+        </Box>
       )}
     </Paper>
   );

frontend/src/components/PodcastMaker/types.ts

@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@ export type Knobs = {
   voice_speed: number;
   voice_id: string;
   custom_voice_id?: string;
+  is_voice_clone?: boolean;
+  voice_sample_url?: string;
+  voice_clone_engine?: string;
   resolution: string;
   scene_length_target: number;
   sample_rate: number;

frontend/src/components/PodcastMaker/ui/GlassyCard.tsx

@@ -5,12 +5,40 @@ interface GlassyCardProps {
   children?: React.ReactNode;
   sx?: SxProps<Theme>;
   onClick?: () => void;
-  [key: string]: any; // Allow other props for framer-motion
+  // Allow motion props (framer-motion) - they'll be filtered out to avoid DOM warnings
+  whileHover?: any;
+  whileTap?: any;
+  initial?: any;
+  animate?: any;
+  exit?: any;
+  transition?: any;
+  variants?: any;
+  layout?: any;
+  layoutId?: any;
+  className?: string;
+  'aria-label'?: string;
 }
 
 export const GlassyCard: React.FC<GlassyCardProps> = ({ children, sx, ...props }) => {
+  // Filter out motion props to avoid DOM warnings - these won't work with MUI Paper anyway
+  const { 
+    whileHover, 
+    whileTap, 
+    initial, 
+    animate, 
+    exit, 
+    transition, 
+    variants, 
+    layout, 
+    layoutId,
+    className,
+    'aria-label': ariaLabel,
+    ...filteredProps 
+  } = props;
   return (
     <Paper 
+      className={className}
+      aria-label={ariaLabel}
       sx={{ 
         borderRadius: 3, 
         border: "1px solid rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.06)", 
@@ -25,7 +53,7 @@ export const GlassyCard: React.FC<GlassyCardProps> = ({ children, sx, ...props }
         },
         ...sx 
       }}
-      {...props}
+      {...filteredProps}
     >
       {children}
     </Paper>

frontend/src/components/shared/AudioSettingsModal.tsx

@@ -34,6 +34,10 @@ try {
 
 export type AudioGenerationSettings = {
   voiceId: string;
+  customVoiceId?: string;
+  useVoiceClone?: boolean;
+  voiceSampleUrl?: string;
+  voiceCloneEngine?: string;
   speed: number;
   volume: number;
   pitch: number;

frontend/src/components/shared/VoiceSelector.tsx

@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ const PREDEFINED_VOICES: VoiceOption[] = [
   { id: "Exuberant_Girl", name: "Exuberant Girl", personality: "Joyful, expressive female voice - ideal for celebrations", previewUrl: VOICE_PREVIEW_MAP.Exuberant_Girl, gender: "female", category: "creative" },
 ];
 
-const VOICE_CLONE_ID = "MY_VOICE_CLONE";
+export const VOICE_CLONE_ID = "MY_VOICE_CLONE";
 
 export const VoiceSelector: React.FC<VoiceSelectorProps> = ({
   value,

frontend/src/hooks/usePodcastProjectState.ts

@@ -60,6 +60,9 @@ export interface PodcastProjectState {
 
   // Backend project creation status — prevents 404 sync calls before project exists
   backendProjectCreated?: boolean;
+  
+  // Track last synced phase to prevent duplicate syncs
+  lastSyncedPhase?: string | null;
 }
 
 const DEFAULT_KNOBS: Knobs = {
@@ -162,21 +165,28 @@ export const usePodcastProjectState = () => {
     }
   }, [state]);
 
-  // Sync to database after major steps (debounced)
+  // Sync to database ONLY on phase transitions (not on every state change)
+  // This ensures we sync at: Create → Analyze → Research → Script → Render
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!state.project || !state.project.id || !state.backendProjectCreated) return;
+    if (!state.currentStep) return;
+
+    // Skip if already synced this phase (handles duplicate calls from handleCreate/etc)
+    if (state.currentStep === state.lastSyncedPhase) {
+      return;
+    }
 
-    // Capture project ID to avoid closure issues
     const projectId = state.project.id;
 
-    // Clear existing timeout
+    // Debounce - wait for state to settle before syncing
     if (syncTimeoutRef.current) {
       clearTimeout(syncTimeoutRef.current);
     }
 
-    // Debounce database sync (wait 2 seconds after last change)
     syncTimeoutRef.current = setTimeout(async () => {
       try {
+        console.log(`[Sync] Saving project at phase: ${state.currentStep}`);
+        
         const dbState = {
           analysis: state.analysis,
           queries: state.queries,
@@ -195,39 +205,37 @@ export const usePodcastProjectState = () => {
           status: state.currentStep === 'render' && state.renderJobs.every(j => j.status === 'completed') ? 'completed' : 'in_progress',
         };
 
-        await podcastApi.saveProject(projectId, dbState);
+        const saved = await podcastApi.saveProject(projectId, dbState);
+        
+        if (saved) {
+          setState((prev) => ({ ...prev, lastSyncedPhase: prev.currentStep }));
+          console.log(`[Sync] Project saved successfully at phase: ${state.currentStep}`);
+        } else {
+          console.warn(`[Sync] Failed to save project at phase: ${state.currentStep} - will retry on next phase change`);
+        }
       } catch (error) {
-        console.error('Error syncing project to database:', error);
+        console.error('[Sync] Error saving project:', error);
-        // Don't throw - localStorage is still working
       }
-    }, 2000);
+    }, 1500);
 
     return () => {
       if (syncTimeoutRef.current) {
         clearTimeout(syncTimeoutRef.current);
       }
     };
-  }, [
+  // Only sync when phase changes - not on every state field change
-    state.project,
+  }, [state.currentStep, state.backendProjectCreated]);
-    state.analysis,
-    state.queries,
-    state.selectedQueries,
-    state.research,
-    state.rawResearch,
-    state.estimate,
-    state.scriptData,
-    state.renderJobs,
-    state.knobs,
-    state.bible,
-    state.researchProvider,
-    state.showScriptEditor,
-    state.showRenderQueue,
-    state.currentStep,
-  ]);
 
   // Setters
   const setProject = useCallback((project: PodcastProjectState['project']) => {
-    setState((prev) => ({ ...prev, project, currentStep: project ? 'analysis' : null, updatedAt: new Date().toISOString() }));
+    const newStep = project ? 'analysis' : null;
+    setState((prev) => ({ 
+      ...prev, 
+      project, 
+      currentStep: newStep, 
+      lastSyncedPhase: prev.currentStep, // Mark previous phase as synced
+      updatedAt: new Date().toISOString() 
+    }));
   }, []);
 
   const setAnalysis = useCallback((analysis: PodcastProjectState['analysis']) => {
@@ -235,6 +243,7 @@ export const usePodcastProjectState = () => {
       ...prev, 
       analysis, 
       currentStep: analysis ? 'research' : prev.currentStep,
+      lastSyncedPhase: prev.currentStep, // Mark previous phase as synced
       updatedAt: new Date().toISOString() 
     }));
   }, []);
@@ -255,6 +264,7 @@ export const usePodcastProjectState = () => {
       ...prev, 
       research, 
       currentStep: research ? 'script' : prev.currentStep,
+      lastSyncedPhase: prev.currentStep, // Mark previous phase as synced
       updatedAt: new Date().toISOString() 
     }));
   }, []);
@@ -272,6 +282,7 @@ export const usePodcastProjectState = () => {
       ...prev, 
       scriptData, 
       currentStep: scriptData ? 'render' : prev.currentStep,
+      lastSyncedPhase: prev.currentStep, // Mark previous phase as synced
       updatedAt: new Date().toISOString() 
     }));
   }, []);

frontend/src/services/billingService.ts

@@ -93,9 +93,14 @@ billingAPI.interceptors.response.use(
   async (error) => {
     const originalRequest = error.config;
     
-    // Handle network errors
+    // Handle network errors - but NOT timeouts (backend might just be slow)
     if (!error.response) {
-      noteBackendUnavailable(error?.message || 'billing_network_error');
+      const errorMsg = error?.message || '';
+      const isTimeout = errorMsg.includes('timeout') || errorMsg.includes('ETIMEDOUT');
+      
+      if (!isTimeout) {
+        noteBackendUnavailable(errorMsg || 'billing_network_error');
+      }
       console.error('Billing API Network Error:', error.message);
       return Promise.reject(error);
     }

frontend/src/services/podcastApi.ts

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import { noteBackendRecovered } from "../api/client";
 import { ResearchProvider, ResearchConfig } from "./blogWriterApi";
 import {
   storyWriterApi,
@@ -28,12 +29,42 @@ const DEFAULT_KNOBS: Knobs = {
   voice_speed: 1,
   voice_id: "Wise_Woman",
   custom_voice_id: undefined,
+  is_voice_clone: undefined,
+  voice_sample_url: undefined,
+  voice_clone_engine: undefined,
   resolution: "720p",
   scene_length_target: 45,
   sample_rate: 24000,
   bitrate: "standard",
 };
 
+// In-memory cache for voice clone info to avoid re-fetching per scene
+let _voiceCloneCache: {
+  customVoiceId?: string;
+  voiceSampleUrl?: string;
+  engine?: string;
+  isVoiceClone?: boolean;
+  timestamp: number;
+} | null = null;
+const VOICE_CLONE_CACHE_TTL = 30 * 60 * 1000; // 30 minutes
+
+export function getCachedVoiceCloneInfo() {
+  if (_voiceCloneCache && Date.now() - _voiceCloneCache.timestamp < VOICE_CLONE_CACHE_TTL) {
+    return _voiceCloneCache;
+  }
+  _voiceCloneCache = null;
+  return null;
+}
+
+export function setCachedVoiceCloneInfo(info: {
+  customVoiceId?: string;
+  voiceSampleUrl?: string;
+  engine?: string;
+  isVoiceClone?: boolean;
+}) {
+  _voiceCloneCache = { ...info, timestamp: Date.now() };
+}
+
 // const sleep = (ms: number) => new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
 
 const createId = (prefix: string) => {
@@ -244,9 +275,9 @@ const mapExaResearchResponse = (response: any): Research => {
 };
 
 const ensurePreflight = async (operation: PreflightOperation) => {
-  console.log('[podcastApi] Running preflight for:', operation);
+  console.log('[podcastApi] Running preflight for:', operation.operation_type);
   const result = await checkPreflight(operation);
-  console.log('[podcastApi] Preflight result:', result);
+  console.log('[podcastApi] Preflight result: can_proceed=', result.can_proceed);
   if (!result.can_proceed) {
     const message = result.operations[0]?.message || "Pre-flight validation failed";
     throw new Error(message);
@@ -379,7 +410,9 @@ export const podcastApi = {
         bible: params.bible,
         analysis: params.analysis,
       }, { timeout: 300000 }); // 5 minute timeout for research
-      console.log('[podcastApi] Exa research response received:', response.status, response.data);
+      const sourceCount = response.data?.sources?.length || 0;
+      const insightCount = response.data?.key_insights?.length || 0;
+      console.log(`[podcastApi] Exa research response: status=${response.status}, sources=${sourceCount}, insights=${insightCount}`);
     } catch (error: any) {
       console.error('[podcastApi] Exa research error:', error?.response?.status, error?.response?.data, error?.message);
       throw error;
@@ -497,6 +530,9 @@ export const podcastApi = {
     scene: Scene;
     voiceId?: string;
     customVoiceId?: string;
+    useVoiceClone?: boolean;
+    voiceSampleUrl?: string;
+    voiceCloneEngine?: string;
     emotion?: string; // Fallback if scene doesn't have emotion
     speed?: number;
     volume?: number;
@@ -600,7 +636,7 @@ export const podcastApi = {
       channel: params.channel || null,
       format: params.format || null,
       language_boost: params.languageBoost || null,
-    });
+    }, { timeout: 300000 }); // 5 minute timeout for voice clone / TTS
 
     return {
       audioUrl: response.data.audio_url,
@@ -623,12 +659,14 @@ export const podcastApi = {
   },
 
   // Project persistence endpoints
-  async saveProject(projectId: string, state: any): Promise<void> {
+  async saveProject(projectId: string, state: any): Promise<boolean> {
     try {
       await aiApiClient.put(`/api/podcast/projects/${projectId}`, state);
+      return true;
     } catch (error) {
       console.error("Failed to save project to database:", error);
-      // Don't throw - localStorage fallback is acceptable
+      noteBackendRecovered();
+      return false;
     }
   },
 
@@ -952,6 +990,9 @@ export const podcastApi = {
     scenes: { id: string; title: string; lines: { text: string }[] }[];
     voiceId: string;
     customVoiceId?: string;
+    useVoiceClone?: boolean;
+    voiceSampleUrl?: string;
+    voiceCloneEngine?: string;
     speed: number;
     emotion: string;
     englishNormalization?: boolean;