Drop the editor's "Why it's here" line

After a rewrite of the prompt rule and a few more live issues the line still read as a second abstract, so it goes entirely: the rule and the "why" key in the editor's JSON, the parsing and 14-word cap, the Pick field, the issue_articles and candidate_runs writes, the Brief prompt's per-pick why, the explain output, the dashboard "editor" columns, and the rendering on the web index, article and public pages, the Atom feed and both EPUB pages. The "Matches: …" interests line stays (restyled in the next commit). The issue_articles.why and candidate_runs.editor_why columns remain in the schema unused; stored issue snapshots that still carry "why" deserialize because Pick ignores unknown fields. Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5.1 <noreply@anthropic.com> Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01ESJbbzQ1b8fs5AA65tKw2q
2026-09-15 00:59:13 +00:00
parent cd2bbe8840
commit 36424784af
30 changed files with 57 additions and 245 deletions
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ the articles, enriches them with HackerNews/Lobsters/Reddit social proof, has
 DeepSeek triage every eligible opening and closely assess a 120-article union,
 then utility-ranks and diversity-caps a 60-item shortlist for Claude Opus 5 — the editor —
 which assembles the issue
-(no minimum size, a hard ceiling), writes a one-line *why* under every headline,
-the summaries and *The Brief*. It assembles two EPUB editions (a standard one
+(no minimum size, a hard ceiling), then writes the summaries and *The Brief*.
+It assembles two EPUB editions (a standard one
 and one tuned for the Xteink X4 e-ink reader), converts the X4 edition to XTC, and
 publishes the lot over its own OPDS catalog — which doubles as a
 [BookOrbit](https://github.com/thallada/bookorbit) watched folder if you run one.
@@ -207,8 +207,8 @@ the database or takes the lock, so it is safe to run next to a live `generate`.
 ## Web site and dashboard

 The server is both the public newspaper index and the private operator UI. An
-anonymous visitor sees titles, authors, sources, metadata, AI summaries, why
-lines and outbound comment links; article bodies, the Brief, the World Briefing
+anonymous visitor sees titles, authors, sources, metadata, AI summaries and
+outbound comment links; article bodies, the Brief, the World Briefing
 and comments stay private. A signed-in `user`
 sees complete issues and article chapters and can download available formats
 from a single download menu. An
@@ -855,7 +855,7 @@ epubcheck "./out/The Daily EPUB - $(date +%F).epub"   # expect zero errors

 # 4. Now with the bulk and editor providers, still not publishing
 daily-epub generate --dry-run --out ./out --max-articles 6
-#    → check the lineup is sane (at most 6 picks, each with a "why" line) and the
+#    → check the lineup is sane (at most 6 picks) and the
 #      printed per-provider cost is well under $1

 # 5. Full live run
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ de generate --dry-run --out /var/lib/daily-epub/out-check
 The dry run makes real DeepSeek, Claude and Voyage calls but publishes nothing and writes no
 `issues` row. Read the printed lineup and the four report lines (`curation:`, `admission:`,
 `preference:`, `providers:`); the cost should be well under $1. Then read the EPUB it wrote
-(Calibre or KOReader): The Brief, the `Why it's here` line under each headline, and the new
+(Calibre or KOReader): The Brief and the new
 Behind-the-paper chapter before the colophon. Finally:

 ```sh
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ content filter (those are bisected, retried once on the editor provider, and the
 `provider_rejected` so they are not retried daily). The `triage:` and `assess:` log lines say how
 many were reused versus requested. The bulk-side cost of the second run is therefore small; the
 editor, summaries and the Brief are the real spend. Compare the two
-lineups, the `why` lines and the Brief side by side, and the `providers:` cost line. To switch
+lineups and the Brief side by side, and the `providers:` cost line. To switch
 for good, set `editor = "gemini"` in `[llm]` (and `summary_model` stays `editor`, so summaries
 move with it). The same trick works for the bulk role: `DAILY_EPUB_LLM__BULK=gemini`.

@@ -370,7 +370,6 @@ fn pick_for(target: &Target, content_html: String) -> Pick {
        section: target.issue.clone(),
        position: 0,
        is_lead: false,
-        why: None,
        summary: None,
        llm: None,
        top_interests: Vec::new(),
@@ -29,14 +29,13 @@ use jiff::civil::Date;
 const ADMIN_PASSWORD: &str = "adminpassword123";
 const READER_PASSWORD: &str = "readerpassword123";

-/// (section, title, feed, summary, why, words)
-const STORIES: &[(&str, &str, &str, &str, &str, i64)] = &[
+/// (section, title, feed, summary, words)
+const STORIES: &[(&str, &str, &str, &str, i64)] = &[
    (
        "Top Stories",
        "How a Forty-Year-Old Filesystem Quietly Rewrote Its Write Path",
        "Systems Weekly",
        "A long, careful account of the redesign, with the benchmarks that justified it and the two regressions that nearly sank it.",
-        "The systems story with enough operational detail to matter to you",
        3100,
    ),
    (
@@ -44,7 +43,6 @@ const STORIES: &[(&str, &str, &str, &str, &str, i64)] = &[
        "The Case Against Feature Flags",
        "Alice on Software",
        "Argues that flags outlive their purpose and proposes a retirement discipline, with examples from three codebases.",
-        "A contrarian take on tooling you use every day",
        1850,
    ),
    (
@@ -52,7 +50,6 @@ const STORIES: &[(&str, &str, &str, &str, &str, i64)] = &[
        "What the Latest Battery Chemistry Actually Changes",
        "Ars Technica",
        "Separates the press-release claims from the measurable improvements in energy density and cycle life.",
-        "You keep an eye on energy storage; this one is unusually sober",
        2200,
    ),
    (
@@ -60,7 +57,6 @@ const STORIES: &[(&str, &str, &str, &str, &str, i64)] = &[
        "A Field Guide to Distributed Consensus, Told Through One Outage",
        "The Morning Paper",
        "Walks through a real incident to explain leader election, log replication and why the fix was a config change.",
-        "Distributed systems explained with an actual outage rather than diagrams",
        4200,
    ),
    (
@@ -68,7 +64,6 @@ const STORIES: &[(&str, &str, &str, &str, &str, i64)] = &[
        "Why Every Map Is a Lie & How Cartographers Choose Which One to Tell",
        "Longreads",
        "A history of projections and the politics behind them, from Mercator to the maps in your phone.",
-        "Long-form nonfiction outside the technical orbit you asked for",
        5100,
    ),
    (
@@ -76,7 +71,6 @@ const STORIES: &[(&str, &str, &str, &str, &str, i64)] = &[
        "Notes on Writing a Rust Linter That People Actually Enable",
        "Rust Blog",
        "Design notes on false-positive budgets, fix suggestions and the social side of shipping a lint.",
-        "Rust tooling with a practical bent",
        1600,
    ),
    (
@@ -84,7 +78,6 @@ const STORIES: &[(&str, &str, &str, &str, &str, i64)] = &[
        "The Terminal Is the Best UI We Have and It Is Getting Better",
        "Julia's Notebook",
        "A tour of modern terminal features (hyperlinks, images, synchronized output) and which tools use them.",
-        "Terminal ergonomics, one of your recurring interests",
        1300,
    ),
    (
@@ -92,7 +85,6 @@ const STORIES: &[(&str, &str, &str, &str, &str, i64)] = &[
        "A Small-Town Bakery's Sourdough Starter Turns One Hundred",
        "Saveur",
        "A charming profile of a starter kept alive across four generations and the bread it still makes.",
-        "A small-scene delight outside the usual technical orbit",
        900,
    ),
    (
@@ -100,15 +92,14 @@ const STORIES: &[(&str, &str, &str, &str, &str, i64)] = &[
        "Inside the Community Keeping 1990s Synthesizers Alive",
        "Sound on Sound",
        "Repair collectives, replacement parts and the odd economics of vintage gear.",
-        "Music hardware, for the weekend",
        1700,
    ),
 ];

-fn story_article(index: usize, story: &(&str, &str, &str, &str, &str, i64)) -> Article {
+fn story_article(index: usize, story: &(&str, &str, &str, &str, i64)) -> Article {
    let id = index as i64 + 1;
    let entry_id = 1000 + id;
-    let (_, title, feed, _, _, words) = *story;
+    let (_, title, feed, _, words) = *story;
    let mut article = fixtures::article(id, entry_id, title);
    article.feed_title = feed.to_string();
    article.feed_id = 7 + index as i64;
@@ -167,7 +158,7 @@ fn dev_issue(date: Date, issue_number: i64, generated_at: Timestamp) -> Issue {
    let mut picks = Vec::new();
    let mut summaries = BTreeMap::new();
    for (index, story) in STORIES.iter().enumerate() {
-        let (section, _, _, summary, why, _) = *story;
+        let (section, _, _, summary, _) = *story;
        if !section_order.iter().any(|s| s == section) {
            section_order.push(section.to_string());
        }
@@ -237,7 +228,6 @@ fn dev_issue(date: Date, issue_number: i64, generated_at: Timestamp) -> Issue {
            section: section.to_string(),
            position,
            is_lead: index == 0,
-            why: Some(why.to_string()),
            summary: Some(summary.to_string()),
            llm,
            top_interests,
@@ -418,7 +408,6 @@ async fn seed_near_misses(db: &Db, run_id: i64) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
                rank_utility: Some(index + 10),
                cluster_id: Some(index),
                cluster_rank: Some(1),
-                editor_why: None,
            },
        )
        .await?;
@@ -19,8 +19,6 @@ pub struct SelectionItem {
    pub position: i64,
    #[serde(default)]
    pub lead_story: bool,
-    #[serde(default)]
-    pub why: Option<String>,
 }

 pub const EDITOR_INSTRUCTIONS: &str = r#"TASK: assemble today's issue of The Daily EPUB from the shortlist below.
@@ -39,16 +37,6 @@ RULES
 6. Never select two articles that tell the same story.
 7. SIZE: aim for about {soft_target}; never more than {hard_max}; there is NO minimum.
   If only nine pieces deserve the reader's morning, publish nine. Never pad.
-8. For every pick write "why": at most 14 words. It is printed under the headline
-   as "Why it's here", above the summary, with the matched interests listed right
-   beneath it. So it must NOT describe the piece (the summary does that) and must
-   NOT just list interests (already shown). Say why THIS reader gets THIS piece
-   today: the itch it scratches, the rated piece it rhymes with, the argument he
-   will want to pick, the gap in today's paper it fills, or the exploration bet it
-   is. Second person is fine.
-   Bad:  "A candid Rust query engine post-mortem showing why io_uring lost to mmap."
-   Good: "The io_uring-versus-mmap verdict you'd want before touching your own engine."
-
 EDITORIAL JUDGEMENT
 - Depth over coverage. Drop anything you would not defend to him in person.
 - Diversity is a feature: do not let one subject, one format, or one feed dominate,
@@ -62,7 +50,7 @@ EDITORIAL JUDGEMENT
 - Scores are evidence, not instructions. Overrule them when the paper reads better.

 Return JSON exactly:
-{"picks": [{"id": 123, "section": "Top Stories", "position": 1, "lead_story": true, "why": "…"}]}"#;
+{"picks": [{"id": 123, "section": "Top Stories", "position": 1, "lead_story": true}]}"#;

 pub fn build_prompt(
    shortlist: &[Candidate],
@@ -398,16 +386,6 @@ pub fn parse_selection_response(raw: &str) -> Vec<SelectionItem> {
                        })
                    })
                    .unwrap_or(false),
-                why: object
-                    .get("why")
-                    .and_then(serde_json::Value::as_str)
-                    .map(|why| {
-                        why.split_whitespace()
-                            .take(14)
-                            .collect::<Vec<_>>()
-                            .join(" ")
-                    })
-                    .filter(|why| !why.is_empty()),
            })
        })
        .collect()
@@ -483,7 +461,6 @@ pub async fn select(
                    section: "From the Blogroll".into(),
                    position: i64::MAX,
                    lead_story: false,
-                    why: Some("A standing source you always want represented".into()),
                },
                candidate.clone(),
            ));
@@ -592,7 +569,6 @@ fn assemble(
                section: item.section,
                position: *position,
                is_lead: Some(item.id) == lead_id,
-                why: item.why,
                summary: None,
                llm: candidate.assessment.deep,
                top_interests: candidate
@@ -639,7 +615,6 @@ pub fn select_without_llm(
                section: heuristic_section(&candidate, sections),
                position: chosen.len() as i64 + 1,
                lead_story: false,
-                why: None,
            },
            candidate,
        ));
@@ -742,7 +717,7 @@ mod tests {
        let picks: Vec<String> = (1..=n)
            .map(|i| {
                format!(
-                    r#"{{"id":{i},"section":"Top Stories","position":{i},"lead_story":{},"why":"pick {i} because"}}"#,
+                    r#"{{"id":{i},"section":"Top Stories","position":{i},"lead_story":{}}}"#,
                    i == 1
                )
            })
@@ -809,34 +784,10 @@ mod tests {
        assert!(items[0].lead_story);
        assert_eq!(items[0].section, "Top Stories");
        assert_eq!(items.iter().filter(|i| i.lead_story).count(), 1);
-        assert!(items[0].why.as_deref().is_some_and(|w| !w.is_empty()));
        // Junk entries in the fixture are dropped, not fatal.
        assert!(items.iter().all(|i| i.id != 0));
    }

-    #[test]
-    fn why_lines_are_optional_and_capped_at_fourteen_words() {
-        let long = (1..=30)
-            .map(|i| format!("w{i}"))
-            .collect::<Vec<_>>()
-            .join(" ");
-        let items = parse_selection_response(&format!(
-            r#"{{"picks":[{{"id":1,"section":"Top Stories","why":"{long}"}},
-                          {{"id":2,"section":"Top Stories","why":"   "}},
-                          {{"id":3,"section":"Top Stories"}}]}}"#
-        ));
-        assert_eq!(items.len(), 3);
-        assert_eq!(
-            items[0]
-                .why
-                .as_deref()
-                .map(|w| w.split_whitespace().count()),
-            Some(14)
-        );
-        assert!(items[1].why.is_none());
-        assert!(items[2].why.is_none());
-    }
-
    #[test]
    fn the_prompt_substitutes_the_size_targets_and_renders_the_shortlist() {
        let prompt = build_prompt(&candidates(3), &sections(), 6, 11);
@@ -963,29 +914,6 @@ mod tests {
        assert!(prompt.contains("aim for about 6; never more than 11"));
    }

-    #[tokio::test]
-    async fn why_lines_land_on_picks() {
-        let backend = Arc::new(MockBackend::new());
-        backend.push(picks_json(3), TokenUsage::default());
-        let lineup = select(
-            &bulk_only(backend),
-            candidates(5),
-            &sections(),
-            3,
-            5,
-            date(),
-        )
-        .await
-        .expect("selection");
-        assert_eq!(lineup.picks.len(), 3);
-        for pick in &lineup.picks {
-            assert_eq!(
-                pick.why.as_deref(),
-                Some(format!("pick {} because", pick.article.id).as_str())
-            );
-        }
-    }
-
    #[tokio::test]
    async fn hallucinated_ids_and_missing_leads_are_repaired() {
        let backend = Arc::new(MockBackend::new());
@@ -1086,7 +1014,6 @@ mod tests {
            .find(|p| p.article.id == 30)
            .expect("reinserted");
        assert_eq!(reinserted.section, "From the Blogroll");
-        assert!(reinserted.why.is_some());
    }

    #[tokio::test]
@@ -1195,7 +1122,6 @@ mod tests {
        for pick in &lineup.picks {
            assert!(sections().contains(&pick.section));
            assert!(pick.summary.is_none());
-            assert!(pick.why.is_none());
        }
        assert!(!lineup.section_order.is_empty());
    }
@@ -275,10 +275,9 @@ pub fn build_brief_prompt(lineup: &Lineup, summaries: &BTreeMap<ArticleId, Strin
                .unwrap_or_else(|| excerpt_summary(pick));
            let _ = writeln!(
                prompt,
-                "- {}\n  feed: {}\n  why: {}\n  quality: {}\n  fit: {}\n  summary: {}",
+                "- {}\n  feed: {}\n  quality: {}\n  fit: {}\n  summary: {}",
                pick.article.title.trim(),
                pick.article.feed_title.trim(),
-                pick.why.as_deref().unwrap_or("not supplied"),
                quality,
                fit,
                summary
@@ -459,7 +458,6 @@ mod tests {
            section: section.into(),
            position: 1,
            is_lead,
-            why: Some(format!("the {title} piece you'd argue with")),
            summary: None,
            llm: None,
            top_interests: Vec::new(),
@@ -635,7 +633,6 @@ mod tests {
        assert!(prompt.contains("## Top Stories"));
        assert!(prompt.contains("## Boston & Local"));
        assert!(prompt.contains("- Migrating 40TB off Postgres"));
-        assert!(prompt.contains("why: the Migrating 40TB off Postgres piece you'd argue with"));
        assert!(prompt.contains("summary: A migration story with numbers."));
        assert!(prompt.contains("quality: unassessed"));
        assert!(prompt.contains("fit: unassessed"));
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 //! the `explain` command and feature retention (plan §7.4–7.5, §15.2, §16).
 //!
 //! One row per considered article per run says where it stopped and why. Rows
-//! are upserted on every stage transition with every column set (never
+//! are upserted on every stage transition with every active field set (never
 //! `COALESCE`), so the last write for a run is the whole truth.

 use std::collections::BTreeMap;
@@ -45,16 +45,15 @@ pub struct CandidateRun<'a> {
    pub rank_utility: Option<i64>,
    pub cluster_id: Option<i64>,
    pub cluster_rank: Option<i64>,
-    pub editor_why: Option<&'a str>,
 }

-/// Upsert one row, setting every column (§7.4).
+/// Upsert one row, setting every active telemetry field (§7.4).
 pub async fn write(db: &Db, row: &CandidateRun<'_>) -> Result<(), sqlx::Error> {
    sqlx::query(
        "INSERT INTO candidate_runs
             (run_id, article_id, stage, excluded_reason, admitted_by, signals_json,
-              utility, rank_utility, cluster_id, cluster_rank, editor_why)
-         VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
+              utility, rank_utility, cluster_id, cluster_rank)
+         VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
         ON CONFLICT(run_id, article_id) DO UPDATE SET
             stage = excluded.stage,
             excluded_reason = excluded.excluded_reason,
@@ -63,8 +62,7 @@ pub async fn write(db: &Db, row: &CandidateRun<'_>) -> Result<(), sqlx::Error> {
             utility = excluded.utility,
             rank_utility = excluded.rank_utility,
             cluster_id = excluded.cluster_id,
-             cluster_rank = excluded.cluster_rank,
-             editor_why = excluded.editor_why",
+             cluster_rank = excluded.cluster_rank",
    )
    .bind(row.run_id)
    .bind(row.article_id)
@@ -76,7 +74,6 @@ pub async fn write(db: &Db, row: &CandidateRun<'_>) -> Result<(), sqlx::Error> {
    .bind(row.rank_utility)
    .bind(row.cluster_id)
    .bind(row.cluster_rank)
-    .bind(row.editor_why)
    .execute(db.pool())
    .await?;
    Ok(())
@@ -103,7 +100,6 @@ pub async fn thin_excluded(
            rank_utility: None,
            cluster_id: None,
            cluster_rank: None,
-            editor_why: None,
        },
    )
    .await
@@ -236,7 +232,6 @@ pub struct ExplainRow {
    pub rank_utility: Option<i64>,
    pub cluster_id: Option<i64>,
    pub cluster_rank: Option<i64>,
-    pub editor_why: Option<String>,
 }

 impl ExplainRow {
@@ -254,7 +249,6 @@ impl ExplainRow {
            rank_utility: row.get("rank_utility"),
            cluster_id: row.get("cluster_id"),
            cluster_rank: row.get("cluster_rank"),
-            editor_why: row.get("editor_why"),
        }
    }

@@ -306,7 +300,7 @@ pub async fn explain_row(
        "SELECT cr.run_id, cr.article_id, COALESCE(a.title, '') AS title,
                COALESCE(e.feed_title, '') AS feed_title,
                cr.stage, cr.excluded_reason, cr.admitted_by, cr.signals_json,
-                cr.utility, cr.rank_utility, cr.cluster_id, cr.cluster_rank, cr.editor_why
+                cr.utility, cr.rank_utility, cr.cluster_id, cr.cluster_rank
         FROM candidate_runs cr JOIN articles a ON a.id = cr.article_id
         LEFT JOIN entries e ON e.id = a.best_entry_id
         WHERE cr.run_id = ? AND cr.article_id = ?",
@@ -329,7 +323,7 @@ pub async fn near_misses(
        "SELECT cr.run_id, cr.article_id, COALESCE(a.title, '') AS title,
                COALESCE(e.feed_title, '') AS feed_title,
                cr.stage, cr.excluded_reason, cr.admitted_by, cr.signals_json,
-                cr.utility, cr.rank_utility, cr.cluster_id, cr.cluster_rank, cr.editor_why
+                cr.utility, cr.rank_utility, cr.cluster_id, cr.cluster_rank
         FROM candidate_runs cr JOIN articles a ON a.id = cr.article_id
         LEFT JOIN entries e ON e.id = a.best_entry_id
         WHERE cr.run_id = ? AND cr.stage != 'selected' AND cr.stage != 'excluded'",
@@ -490,9 +484,6 @@ pub async fn render_explain(db: &Db, row: &ExplainRow) -> Result<String, sqlx::E
    if let Some(admitted_by) = &row.admitted_by {
        let _ = writeln!(out, "admitted by: {admitted_by}");
    }
-    if let Some(why) = &row.editor_why {
-        let _ = writeln!(out, "editor: {why}");
-    }
    Ok(out)
 }

@@ -1255,7 +1246,6 @@ mod tests {
                rank_utility: None,
                cluster_id: None,
                cluster_rank: None,
-                editor_why: None,
            },
        )
        .await
@@ -1289,7 +1279,7 @@ mod tests {
    }

    #[tokio::test]
-    async fn rows_are_upserted_with_every_column_replaced() {
+    async fn rows_are_upserted_with_every_active_field_replaced() {
        let (_dir, db) = db_with_articles(&[1]).await;
        let run_id = db.start_run(date(), Timestamp::now()).await.unwrap();
        write(
@@ -1305,7 +1295,6 @@ mod tests {
                rank_utility: None,
                cluster_id: None,
                cluster_rank: None,
-                editor_why: None,
            },
        )
        .await
@@ -1323,7 +1312,6 @@ mod tests {
                rank_utility: None,
                cluster_id: None,
                cluster_rank: None,
-                editor_why: Some("because"),
            },
        )
        .await
@@ -1333,7 +1321,6 @@ mod tests {
        assert_eq!(row.excluded_reason, None, "no COALESCE");
        assert_eq!(row.utility, None);
        assert_eq!(row.admitted_by.as_deref(), Some("[\"prefilter\"]"));
-        assert_eq!(row.editor_why.as_deref(), Some("because"));
        let count: i64 = sqlx::query_scalar("SELECT COUNT(*) FROM candidate_runs")
            .fetch_one(db.pool())
            .await
@@ -1360,7 +1347,6 @@ mod tests {
                rank_utility: None,
                cluster_id: None,
                cluster_rank: None,
-                editor_why: None,
            },
        )
        .await
@@ -1493,7 +1479,6 @@ mod tests {
                    rank_utility: None,
                    cluster_id: None,
                    cluster_rank: None,
-                    editor_why: None,
                },
            )
            .await
@@ -1582,7 +1567,6 @@ mod tests {
                rank_utility: Some(3),
                cluster_id: None,
                cluster_rank: None,
-                editor_why: None,
            },
        )
        .await
@@ -1600,7 +1584,6 @@ mod tests {
                rank_utility: Some(1),
                cluster_id: None,
                cluster_rank: None,
-                editor_why: Some("because"),
            },
        )
        .await
@@ -1697,7 +1680,6 @@ mod tests {
                    rank_utility: None,
                    cluster_id: None,
                    cluster_rank: None,
-                    editor_why: None,
                },
            )
            .await
@@ -606,8 +606,8 @@ impl Db {
            .await?;
        for pick in picks {
            sqlx::query(
-                "INSERT INTO issue_articles (issue_date, article_id, section, position, is_lead, summary, why)
-                 VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)",
+                "INSERT INTO issue_articles (issue_date, article_id, section, position, is_lead, summary)
+                 VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)",
            )
            .bind(date.to_string())
            .bind(pick.article.id)
@@ -615,7 +615,6 @@ impl Db {
            .bind(pick.position)
            .bind(pick.is_lead)
            .bind(pick.summary.as_deref())
-            .bind(pick.why.as_deref())
            .execute(&mut *tx)
            .await?;
        }
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@ struct IndexEntry {
    source: String,
    reading_minutes: i64,
    summary: String,
-    why: Option<String>,
    understanding: Understanding,
 }

@@ -82,7 +81,6 @@ struct ArticleChapter {
    meta_line: String,
    social_line: Option<String>,
    understanding: Understanding,
-    why: Option<String>,
    summary: Option<String>,
    excerpt_only: bool,
    body_html: String,
@@ -411,7 +409,6 @@ pub fn render_in_this_issue(issue: &Issue) -> Result<Chapter, EpubError> {
                source: index_source_line(&pick.article),
                reading_minutes: pick.article.reading_minutes(),
                summary: summary_for(issue, pick).unwrap_or_default().to_string(),
-                why: pick.why.clone(),
                understanding: understanding(pick),
            })
            .collect();
@@ -426,7 +423,6 @@ pub fn render_in_this_issue(issue: &Issue) -> Result<Chapter, EpubError> {
                source: "Wikipedia Current Events".into(),
                reading_minutes: 3,
                summary: "The day's events, as recorded by the Current Events portal.".into(),
-                why: None,
                understanding: Understanding::default(),
            }],
        });
@@ -504,7 +500,6 @@ pub fn render_article(
        meta_line: meta_parts.join(" \u{00b7} "),
        social_line: social_line(&article.social),
        understanding: understanding(pick),
-        why: pick.why.clone(),
        summary: summary_for(issue, pick).map(str::to_string),
        excerpt_only: article.excerpt_only,
        body_html: prepare_body(&article.content_html, images_),
@@ -87,7 +87,6 @@ pub fn issue() -> Issue {
        section: "Top Stories".into(),
        position: 0,
        is_lead: true,
-        why: Some("The systems story with enough operational detail to matter".into()),
        summary: Some("What it argues, and why it is worth the time.".into()),
        llm: Some(Deep {
            quality: 9.0,
@@ -115,7 +114,6 @@ pub fn issue() -> Issue {
        section: "Niche Corner".into(),
        position: 0,
        is_lead: false,
-        why: Some("A small-scene delight outside the usual technical orbit".into()),
        summary: None,
        llm: None,
        top_interests: Vec::new(),
@@ -10,11 +10,8 @@
 {% if understanding.kicker.is_some() || understanding.topics.is_some() %}
        <p class="rubric">{% if let Some(kicker) = understanding.kicker %}<span class="kicker">{{ kicker }}</span>{% if let Some(topics) = understanding.topics %} &#160; {{ topics }}{% endif %}{% else %}{% if let Some(topics) = understanding.topics %}{{ topics }}{% endif %}{% endif %}</p>
 {% endif %}
-{% if why.is_some() || !understanding.interests.is_empty() %}
+{% if !understanding.interests.is_empty() %}
        <div class="why">
-{% if let Some(text) = why %}
-          <p class="why-line"><em>Why it&#39;s here: {{ text }}</em></p>
-{% endif %}
 {% if !understanding.interests.is_empty() %}
          <p class="why-matches">Matches: {{ understanding.interests_line() }}</p>
 {% endif %}
@@ -13,11 +13,8 @@
 {% if entry.understanding.kicker.is_some() || entry.understanding.topics.is_some() %}
          <p class="rubric">{% if let Some(kicker) = entry.understanding.kicker %}<span class="kicker">{{ kicker }}</span>{% if let Some(topics) = entry.understanding.topics %} &#160; {{ topics }}{% endif %}{% else %}{% if let Some(topics) = entry.understanding.topics %}{{ topics }}{% endif %}{% endif %}</p>
 {% endif %}
-{% if entry.why.is_some() || !entry.understanding.interests.is_empty() %}
+{% if !entry.understanding.interests.is_empty() %}
          <div class="index-why">
-{% if let Some(text) = entry.why %}
-            <p class="why-line"><em>Why it&#39;s here: {{ text }}</em></p>
-{% endif %}
 {% if !entry.understanding.interests.is_empty() %}
            <p class="why-matches">Matches: {{ entry.understanding.interests_line() }}</p>
 {% endif %}
@@ -101,10 +101,6 @@ img {
  font-size: 0.9em;
 }

-.why-line {
-  margin: 0;
-}
-
 .why-matches {
  margin: 0;
  font-size: 0.85em;
@@ -166,10 +166,6 @@ hr.rule {
  font-size: 0.9em;
 }

-.why-line {
-  margin: 0;
-}
-
 .why-matches {
  margin: 0.1em 0 0 0;
  font-size: 0.85em;
@@ -648,27 +648,19 @@ async fn run_stages(
        .copied()
        .filter(|id| !selected_set.contains(id))
        .collect::<Vec<_>>();
-    // The editor's one-line `why` (§13) lands in `candidate_runs.editor_why` so
-    // `explain` can quote it; heuristic picks leave it NULL.
-    let selected_with_why = lineup
-        .picks
-        .iter()
-        .map(|pick| (pick.article.id, pick.why.as_deref()))
-        .collect::<Vec<_>>();
    set_candidate_stage(
        &mut personalized,
        &not_selected,
        "shortlisted",
        Some("not_selected"),
    );
-    let why = selected_with_why.into_iter().collect::<HashMap<_, _>>();
    for candidate in &mut personalized {
        if selected_set.contains(&candidate.article.id) {
            candidate.stage = "selected".into();
            candidate.excluded_reason = None;
        }
    }
-    record_candidates_with_why(ctx, &personalized, &why)
+    record_candidates(ctx, &personalized)
        .await
        .context("recording selection telemetry")?;
    report.counts.exploration_selected = personalized
@@ -1039,14 +1031,6 @@ async fn prepare_features(
 }

 async fn record_candidates(ctx: &StageContext<'_>, candidates: &[Candidate]) -> Result<()> {
-    record_candidates_with_why(ctx, candidates, &HashMap::new()).await
-}
-
-async fn record_candidates_with_why(
-    ctx: &StageContext<'_>,
-    candidates: &[Candidate],
-    editor_why: &HashMap<ArticleId, Option<&str>>,
-) -> Result<()> {
    for candidate in candidates {
        let json = telemetry::serialize_candidate(candidate);
        let admitted_by = if candidate.admitted_by.is_empty() {
@@ -1067,7 +1051,6 @@ async fn record_candidates_with_why(
                rank_utility: candidate.rank_utility,
                cluster_id: candidate.cluster,
                cluster_rank: candidate.cluster_rank,
-                editor_why: editor_why.get(&candidate.article.id).copied().flatten(),
            },
        )
        .await
@@ -372,8 +372,6 @@ pub struct Pick {
    /// Order within the section, ascending.
    pub position: i64,
    pub is_lead: bool,
-    /// Editor-written reason, at most 14 words (§13).
-    pub why: Option<String>,
    /// Newspaper-abstract summary from stage C; `None` until editorial runs.
    pub summary: Option<String>,
    pub llm: Option<Deep>,
@@ -472,7 +472,6 @@ pub struct HistoryRow {
    pub utility: String,
    pub rank: String,
    pub cluster: String,
-    pub editor_why: Option<String>,
    pub signals: SignalsView,
 }

@@ -640,8 +639,7 @@ pub async fn assessments(
 pub async fn run_history(db: &Db, article_id: ArticleId) -> Result<Vec<HistoryRow>, sqlx::Error> {
    let rows = sqlx::query(
        "SELECT cr.run_id, r.date, r.status, cr.stage, cr.excluded_reason, cr.admitted_by,
-                cr.signals_json, cr.utility, cr.rank_utility, cr.cluster_id, cr.cluster_rank,
-                cr.editor_why
+                cr.signals_json, cr.utility, cr.rank_utility, cr.cluster_id, cr.cluster_rank
         FROM candidate_runs cr JOIN runs r ON r.id = cr.run_id
         WHERE cr.article_id = ? ORDER BY cr.run_id DESC",
    )
@@ -673,7 +671,6 @@ pub async fn run_history(db: &Db, article_id: ArticleId) -> Result<Vec<HistoryRo
                    (Some(id), None) => id.to_string(),
                    _ => "—".into(),
                },
-                editor_why: row.get("editor_why"),
                signals: SignalsView::from_json(&row.get::<String, _>("signals_json")),
            }
        })
@@ -865,17 +865,8 @@ pub(crate) mod tests {
                Some("[\"triage\",\"interest\"]"),
                88.0,
                1,
-                Some("Why one"),
-            ),
-            (
-                2,
-                "selected",
-                None,
-                Some("[\"blend\"]"),
-                80.0,
-                2,
-                Some("Why two"),
            ),
+            (2, "selected", None, Some("[\"blend\"]"), 80.0, 2),
            (
                3,
                "shortlisted",
@@ -883,7 +874,6 @@ pub(crate) mod tests {
                Some("[\"triage\"]"),
                75.0,
                3,
-                None,
            ),
            (
                4,
@@ -892,10 +882,9 @@ pub(crate) mod tests {
                Some("[\"triage\"]"),
                60.0,
                4,
-                None,
            ),
        ];
-        for (article_id, stage, reason, admitted_by, utility, rank, why) in rows {
+        for (article_id, stage, reason, admitted_by, utility, rank) in rows {
            let json = signals(utility / 10.0, article_id == 2);
            telemetry::write(
                &db,
@@ -910,7 +899,6 @@ pub(crate) mod tests {
                    rank_utility: Some(rank),
                    cluster_id: Some(1),
                    cluster_rank: Some(rank),
-                    editor_why: why,
                },
            )
            .await
@@ -931,7 +919,6 @@ pub(crate) mod tests {
                    rank_utility: None,
                    cluster_id: None,
                    cluster_rank: None,
-                    editor_why: None,
                },
            )
            .await
@@ -958,7 +945,6 @@ pub(crate) mod tests {
                rank_utility: None,
                cluster_id: None,
                cluster_rank: None,
-                editor_why: None,
            },
        )
        .await
@@ -1008,9 +994,9 @@ pub(crate) mod tests {
        .unwrap();
        sqlx::query(
            "INSERT INTO issue_articles
-             (issue_date, article_id, section, position, is_lead, summary, why)
-             VALUES (?, 1, 'Top Stories', 0, 1, 'Summary one', 'Why one'),
-                    (?, 2, 'Top Stories', 1, 0, 'Summary two', 'Why two')",
+             (issue_date, article_id, section, position, is_lead, summary)
+             VALUES (?, 1, 'Top Stories', 0, 1, 'Summary one'),
+                    (?, 2, 'Top Stories', 1, 0, 'Summary two')",
        )
        .bind(date.to_string())
        .bind(date.to_string())
@@ -506,7 +506,6 @@ pub struct CandidateView {
    pub fit: String,
    pub exploration: bool,
    pub auto_include: bool,
-    pub editor_why: Option<String>,
    pub signals: SignalsView,
 }

@@ -541,7 +540,6 @@ impl CandidateView {
            fit: fmt_opt(row.get("fit"), 1),
            exploration: signals.exploration,
            auto_include: signals.auto_include,
-            editor_why: row.get("editor_why"),
            signals,
        }
    }
@@ -575,7 +573,7 @@ pub async fn candidates(
        "SELECT cr.article_id, COALESCE(a.title, '') AS title,
                COALESCE(e.feed_title, '') AS feed_title, a.word_count,
                cr.stage, cr.excluded_reason, cr.admitted_by, cr.signals_json, cr.utility,
-                cr.rank_utility, cr.cluster_id, cr.cluster_rank, cr.editor_why,
+                cr.rank_utility, cr.cluster_id, cr.cluster_rank,
                t.score AS triage, d.score AS quality, d.fit AS fit
         {CANDIDATE_FROM}{clauses}
         ORDER BY {}
@@ -964,8 +962,6 @@ mod tests {
        assert_eq!(rows[0].article_id, 1);
        assert_eq!(rows[0].admitted_first.as_deref(), Some("triage"));
        assert_eq!(rows[0].admitted_rest, "interest");
-        assert_eq!(rows[0].editor_why.as_deref(), Some("Why one"));
-
        let by_rank = CandidateFilters::from_query(&query(None, Some("rank")));
        let (rows, _) = candidates(db, seed.run_id, &by_rank, 1).await.unwrap();
        assert_eq!(rows[0].rank, "1");
@@ -1099,7 +1095,6 @@ mod tests {
            "near miss: {detail}"
        );
        assert!(detail.contains("Gaussian Splatting"), "signals: {detail}");
-        assert!(detail.contains("Why one"), "{detail}");
        assert!(detail.contains("Alpha Blog"), "{detail}");
        assert!(detail.contains("class=\"funnel\""), "{detail}");
        assert!(
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ pub async fn load(
        (issue, true)
    } else {
        let rows = sqlx::query(
-            "SELECT article_id, section, position, is_lead, summary, why
+            "SELECT article_id, section, position, is_lead, summary
             FROM issue_articles WHERE issue_date = ? ORDER BY section, position",
        )
        .bind(date.to_string())
@@ -148,7 +148,6 @@ pub async fn load(
                section,
                position: pick_row.get("position"),
                is_lead: pick_row.get("is_lead"),
-                why: pick_row.get("why"),
                summary,
                llm: None,
                top_interests: Vec::new(),
@@ -881,7 +880,6 @@ struct FullEntry {
    reading_minutes: i64,
    is_lead: bool,
    summary: String,
-    why: Option<String>,
    understanding: chapters::Understanding,
    rating: Option<RatingWidget>,
 }
@@ -950,7 +948,6 @@ struct ArticleTemplate {
    byline: Option<String>,
    source: Source,
    meta_line: String,
-    why: Option<String>,
    social_line: Option<String>,
    understanding: chapters::Understanding,
    summary: Option<String>,
@@ -1029,7 +1026,6 @@ pub async fn render_full(
                    summary: summary_for(&view.issue, pick)
                        .unwrap_or_default()
                        .to_string(),
-                    why: pick.why.clone(),
                    understanding: chapters::understanding(pick),
                    rating: is_admin.then(|| {
                        RatingWidget::for_issue(
@@ -1132,7 +1128,6 @@ pub async fn article(
            thousands(article.word_count),
            article.reading_minutes()
        ),
-        why: pick.why.clone(),
        social_line: chapters::social_line(&article.social),
        understanding: chapters::understanding(pick),
        summary: summary_for(&view.issue, pick).map(str::to_string),
@@ -1636,7 +1631,6 @@ mod tests {
                    rank_utility: Some(3),
                    cluster_id: Some(1),
                    cluster_rank: Some(2),
-                    editor_why: None,
                },
            )
            .await
@@ -1844,7 +1838,6 @@ mod tests {
        assert!(html.contains("The Lead Story"));
        assert!(html.contains("Hacker News"));
        assert!(html.contains("What it argues, and why it is worth the time."));
-        assert!(html.contains("Why it's here"));
        assert!(!html.contains("Two stories today"));
        assert!(!html.contains("Something happened"));
        assert!(!html.contains("Body of"));
@@ -1903,7 +1896,6 @@ mod tests {
            1
        );
        assert!(feed.contains("What it argues, and why it is worth the time."));
-        assert!(feed.contains("Why it&apos;s here"));
        assert!(!feed.contains("Something happened"));
        assert!(!feed.contains("Two stories today"));
        assert!(!feed.contains("Body of"));
@@ -2000,7 +1992,6 @@ mod tests {
        assert!(issue.contains("Two stories today"));
        assert!(issue.contains("What it argues"));
        assert!(issue.contains("A short abstract for the second piece"));
-        assert!(issue.contains("Why it"));
        assert!(issue.contains("Software engineering · Analysis"));
        assert!(issue.contains("copy-on-write · ZFS"));
        assert!(issue.contains("Matches: Filesystems · Rust"));
@@ -2036,13 +2027,13 @@ mod tests {
        assert!(article.contains("loading=\"lazy\""));
        assert!(article.contains("referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer\""));
        let rubric_position = article.find("Software engineering · Analysis").unwrap();
-        let why_position = article.find("Why it's here").unwrap();
+        let matches_position = article.find("Matches: Filesystems · Rust").unwrap();
        let summary_position = article
            .find("What it argues, and why it is worth the time.")
            .unwrap();
        let social_position = article.find("342 on HN").unwrap();
-        assert!(rubric_position < why_position);
-        assert!(why_position < summary_position);
+        assert!(rubric_position < matches_position);
+        assert!(matches_position < summary_position);
        assert!(summary_position < social_position);
        assert!(article.contains("A Niche Delight"));
        assert!(article.contains("rel=\"next\""));
@@ -53,7 +53,6 @@ pub struct PublicEntry {
    pub reading_minutes: i64,
    pub word_count: i64,
    pub summary: Option<String>,
-    pub why: Option<String>,
    pub understanding: crate::epub::chapters::Understanding,
    pub comment_links: Vec<CommentLink>,
    pub is_lead: bool,
@@ -132,7 +131,6 @@ impl From<&Issue> for PublicIssue {
                                    .map(str::trim)
                                    .filter(|summary| !summary.is_empty())
                                    .map(str::to_string),
-                                why: pick.why.clone(),
                                understanding: crate::epub::chapters::understanding(pick),
                                comment_links,
                                is_lead: pick.is_lead,
@@ -423,7 +421,7 @@ mod tests {
    use super::*;

    #[test]
-    fn public_issue_shows_summaries_and_why_but_no_bodies() {
+    fn public_issue_shows_summaries_but_no_bodies() {
        let source = crate::epub::fixtures::issue();
        let public = PublicIssue::from(&source);
        assert_eq!(
@@ -442,19 +440,19 @@ mod tests {
        assert!(html.contains("Hacker News"));
        assert!(html.contains("What it argues, and why it is worth the time."));
        assert!(html.contains("A short abstract for the second piece."));
-        assert!(html.contains("The systems story with enough operational detail to matter"));
-        assert!(html.contains("A small-scene delight outside the usual technical orbit"));
+        assert!(!html.contains("The systems story with enough operational detail to matter"));
+        assert!(!html.contains("A small-scene delight outside the usual technical orbit"));
        assert!(html.contains("Software engineering · Analysis"));
        assert!(html.contains("copy-on-write · ZFS"));
        assert!(html.contains("Matches: Filesystems · Rust"));
        let rubric_position = html.find("Software engineering · Analysis").unwrap();
-        let why_position = html.find("Why it's here").unwrap();
+        let matches_position = html.find("Matches: Filesystems · Rust").unwrap();
        let summary_position = html
            .find("What it argues, and why it is worth the time.")
            .unwrap();
        let comments_position = html.find(">Hacker News:").unwrap();
-        assert!(rubric_position < why_position);
-        assert!(why_position < summary_position);
+        assert!(rubric_position < matches_position);
+        assert!(matches_position < summary_position);
        assert!(summary_position < comments_position);
        for private in [
            "Two stories today",
@@ -12,5 +12,4 @@
 <td class="num">{{ candidate.quality }}</td>
 <td class="num">{{ candidate.fit }}</td>
 <td class="cell-tight">{% if candidate.exploration %}<span class="badge">exploration</span>{% endif %}{% if candidate.auto_include %}<span class="badge">auto</span>{% endif %}</td>
-<td class="cell-wrap text-muted">{% if let Some(why) = candidate.editor_why %}{{ why }}{% endif %}</td>
 </tr>
@@ -1 +1 @@
-{% if understanding.kicker.is_some() || understanding.topics.is_some() %}<p class="mt-3 font-sans text-sm text-muted">{% if let Some(kicker) = understanding.kicker %}<span class="text-[0.72rem] uppercase tracking-[0.12em]">{{ kicker }}</span>{% if let Some(topics) = understanding.topics %}<span class="ml-3">{{ topics }}</span>{% endif %}{% else %}{% if let Some(topics) = understanding.topics %}<span>{{ topics }}</span>{% endif %}{% endif %}</p>{% endif %}{% if why.is_some() || !understanding.interests.is_empty() %}<div class="mt-4 border-l-2 border-accent pl-3">{% if let Some(why) = why %}<p class="italic text-ink-2">Why it's here: {{ why }}</p>{% endif %}{% if !understanding.interests.is_empty() %}<p class="mt-1 font-sans text-sm text-muted">Matches: {% for interest in understanding.interests %}{% if page.is_admin() %}<a href="{{ interest.href }}">{{ interest.name }}</a>{% else %}{{ interest.name }}{% endif %}{% if !loop.last %} · {% endif %}{% endfor %}</p>{% endif %}</div>{% endif %}
+{% if understanding.kicker.is_some() || understanding.topics.is_some() %}<p class="mt-3 font-sans text-sm text-muted">{% if let Some(kicker) = understanding.kicker %}<span class="text-[0.72rem] uppercase tracking-[0.12em]">{{ kicker }}</span>{% if let Some(topics) = understanding.topics %}<span class="ml-3">{{ topics }}</span>{% endif %}{% else %}{% if let Some(topics) = understanding.topics %}<span>{{ topics }}</span>{% endif %}{% endif %}</p>{% endif %}{% if !understanding.interests.is_empty() %}<div class="mt-4 border-l-2 border-accent pl-3">{% if !understanding.interests.is_empty() %}<p class="mt-1 font-sans text-sm text-muted">Matches: {% for interest in understanding.interests %}{% if page.is_admin() %}<a href="{{ interest.href }}">{{ interest.name }}</a>{% else %}{{ interest.name }}{% endif %}{% if !loop.last %} · {% endif %}{% endfor %}</p>{% endif %}</div>{% endif %}
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@

 <h2>Run history</h2>
 {% if history.is_empty() %}<p class="muted text-sm">Never considered by a run.</p>{% else %}<div class="scroll-x"><table class="history">
-<thead><tr><th>run</th><th>date</th><th>stage</th><th>reason</th><th>admitted by</th><th class="num">utility</th><th class="num">rank</th><th class="num">cluster</th><th>editor</th></tr></thead>
+<thead><tr><th>run</th><th>date</th><th>stage</th><th>reason</th><th>admitted by</th><th class="num">utility</th><th class="num">rank</th><th class="num">cluster</th></tr></thead>
 <tbody>{% for row in history %}<tr>
 <td class="cell-wrap"><details class="signals"><summary><a href="{{ row.run_href }}">run {{ row.run_id }}</a> <span class="badge {{ row.status }}">{{ row.status }}</span></summary>{% let signals = row.signals %}{% include "_signals_table.html" %}</details></td>
 <td class="cell-tight text-muted">{{ row.date }}</td>
@@ -53,7 +53,6 @@
 <td class="num">{{ row.utility }}</td>
 <td class="num">{{ row.rank }}</td>
 <td class="num">{{ row.cluster }}</td>
-<td class="cell-wrap text-muted">{% if let Some(why) = row.editor_why %}{{ why }}{% endif %}</td>
 </tr>{% endfor %}</tbody></table></div>{% endif %}

 <h2>Neighbours and interests</h2>
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@
 </form>
 {% include "dashboard/_pager.html" %}
 {% if candidates.len() > 1 %}<input type="search" class="table-filter" placeholder="Filter rows on this page" aria-label="Filter rows on this page" data-table-filter>{% endif %}<div class="scroll-x tall"><table class="candidates" data-filter>
-<thead><tr><th>title</th><th>feed</th><th class="num">words</th><th>stage</th><th>reason</th><th>admitted by</th><th class="num">utility</th><th class="num">rank</th><th class="num">cluster</th><th class="num">triage</th><th class="num">quality</th><th class="num">fit</th><th>flags</th><th>editor</th></tr></thead>
-<tbody>{% for candidate in candidates %}{% include "_candidate_row.html" %}{% endfor %}{% if candidates.is_empty() %}<tr><td colspan="14" class="text-muted">No candidates match this filter.</td></tr>{% endif %}</tbody></table></div>
+<thead><tr><th>title</th><th>feed</th><th class="num">words</th><th>stage</th><th>reason</th><th>admitted by</th><th class="num">utility</th><th class="num">rank</th><th class="num">cluster</th><th class="num">triage</th><th class="num">quality</th><th class="num">fit</th><th>flags</th></tr></thead>
+<tbody>{% for candidate in candidates %}{% include "_candidate_row.html" %}{% endfor %}{% if candidates.is_empty() %}<tr><td colspan="13" class="text-muted">No candidates match this filter.</td></tr>{% endif %}</tbody></table></div>
 {% include "dashboard/_pager.html" %}
 </section>{% endblock %}
@@ -1 +1 @@
-{% for section in issue.sections %}<h2>{{ section.name }}</h2><ul>{% for entry in section.entries %}<li><a href="{{ entry.url }}">{{ entry.title }}</a> — {% match entry.author %}{% when Some with (author) %}{{ author }} · {% when None %}{% endmatch %}{{ entry.source }}{% match entry.publication %}{% when Some with (publication) %} · {{ publication }}{% when None %}{% endmatch %}{% match entry.summary %}{% when Some with (summary) %}<p class="summary">{{ summary }}</p>{% when None %}{% endmatch %}{% match entry.why %}{% when Some with (why) %}<p class="why"><em>Why it's here: {{ why }}</em></p>{% when None %}{% endmatch %}{% if !entry.comment_links.is_empty() %} · {% for link in entry.comment_links %}<a href="{{ link.url }}">{{ link.label }}</a>{% endfor %}{% endif %}</li>{% endfor %}</ul>{% endfor %}
+{% for section in issue.sections %}<h2>{{ section.name }}</h2><ul>{% for entry in section.entries %}<li><a href="{{ entry.url }}">{{ entry.title }}</a> — {% match entry.author %}{% when Some with (author) %}{{ author }} · {% when None %}{% endmatch %}{{ entry.source }}{% match entry.publication %}{% when Some with (publication) %} · {{ publication }}{% when None %}{% endmatch %}{% match entry.summary %}{% when Some with (summary) %}<p class="summary">{{ summary }}</p>{% when None %}{% endmatch %}{% if !entry.comment_links.is_empty() %} · {% for link in entry.comment_links %}<a href="{{ link.url }}">{{ link.label }}</a>{% endfor %}{% endif %}</li>{% endfor %}</ul>{% endfor %}
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
  <section aria-labelledby="brief-heading" data-toc-entry="/issues/{{ date }}"><h1 id="brief-heading" class="reader-section-heading">The Brief</h1><div class="editorial prose-body mt-5 [&>p:first-child]:first-letter:float-left [&>p:first-child]:first-letter:mr-2 [&>p:first-child]:first-letter:mt-1 [&>p:first-child]:first-letter:font-serif [&>p:first-child]:first-letter:text-[4.6rem] [&>p:first-child]:first-letter:font-semibold [&>p:first-child]:first-letter:leading-[0.72]">{{ front_page_html|safe }}</div></section>
  {% if (page.is_admin() && read_href.is_some()) || downloads.is_some() %}<div class="my-8 flex flex-wrap gap-2 border-y border-rule py-4">{% if page.is_admin() %}{% match read_href %}{% when Some with (href) %}<a class="btn" href="{{ href }}" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read in BookOrbit</a>{% when None %}{% endmatch %}{% endif %}{% match downloads %}{% when Some with (downloads) %}{% if downloads.others.is_empty() %}<a class="btn" href="{{ downloads.primary.href }}">Download {{ downloads.primary.label }}</a>{% else %}<div class="relative inline-flex"><a class="btn rounded-r-none" href="{{ downloads.primary.href }}">Download {{ downloads.primary.label }}</a><details class="-ml-px"><summary class="btn list-none rounded-l-none px-2 [&::-webkit-details-marker]:hidden" aria-label="Choose download format"><span aria-hidden="true">▾</span></summary><div class="absolute left-0 top-full z-20 mt-1 min-w-52 border border-rule bg-paper p-1 shadow-[0_18px_32px_-26px_rgb(0_0_0_/_0.6)]"><a class="btn group w-full justify-between border-0" href="{{ downloads.primary.href }}"><span>{% if downloads.primary.label == "EPUB" %}Standard {% endif %}{{ downloads.primary.label }}</span><span class="ml-4 text-muted group-hover:text-paper">{{ downloads.primary.size }}</span></a>{% for download in downloads.others %}<a class="btn group w-full justify-between border-0" href="{{ download.href }}"><span>{{ download.label }}</span><span class="ml-4 text-muted group-hover:text-paper">{{ download.size }}</span></a>{% endfor %}</div></details></div>{% endif %}{% when None %}{% endmatch %}</div>{% endif %}
  <section class="mt-12" aria-labelledby="index-heading"><h2 id="index-heading" class="text-center text-3xl font-semibold leading-[1.1] tracking-[-0.01em]">In This Issue</h2>
-    {% for section in sections %}<section class="mt-14"><h3 class="reader-section-heading">{{ section.name }}</h3><ul class="m-0 list-none p-0">{% for entry in section.entries %}<li class="border-b border-rule py-6" data-toc-entry="{{ entry.href }}"><h4 class="font-serif font-semibold leading-[1.1] tracking-[-0.01em] {% if entry.is_lead %}text-3xl{% else %}text-2xl{% endif %}"><a class="text-ink no-underline hover:text-accent" href="{{ entry.href }}">{{ entry.title }}</a></h4><p class="mt-2 font-sans text-sm text-muted">{% match entry.author %}{% when Some with (author) %}{{ author }} · {% when None %}{% endmatch %}{% let source = entry.source %}{% include "_source.html" %} · {{ entry.reading_minutes }} min read{% if page.is_admin() %} · <a class="text-muted hover:text-accent" href="{{ entry.dashboard_href }}">dashboard</a>{% endif %}</p>{% let understanding = entry.understanding %}{% let why = entry.why %}{% include "_understanding.html" %}{% if !entry.summary.is_empty() %}<p class="index-summary mt-4">{{ entry.summary }}</p>{% endif %}{% match entry.rating %}{% when Some with (widget) %}{% include "_rating_widget.html" %}{% when None %}{% endmatch %}</li>{% endfor %}</ul></section>{% endfor %}
+    {% for section in sections %}<section class="mt-14"><h3 class="reader-section-heading">{{ section.name }}</h3><ul class="m-0 list-none p-0">{% for entry in section.entries %}<li class="border-b border-rule py-6" data-toc-entry="{{ entry.href }}"><h4 class="font-serif font-semibold leading-[1.1] tracking-[-0.01em] {% if entry.is_lead %}text-3xl{% else %}text-2xl{% endif %}"><a class="text-ink no-underline hover:text-accent" href="{{ entry.href }}">{{ entry.title }}</a></h4><p class="mt-2 font-sans text-sm text-muted">{% match entry.author %}{% when Some with (author) %}{{ author }} · {% when None %}{% endmatch %}{% let source = entry.source %}{% include "_source.html" %} · {{ entry.reading_minutes }} min read{% if page.is_admin() %} · <a class="text-muted hover:text-accent" href="{{ entry.dashboard_href }}">dashboard</a>{% endif %}</p>{% let understanding = entry.understanding %}{% include "_understanding.html" %}{% if !entry.summary.is_empty() %}<p class="index-summary mt-4">{{ entry.summary }}</p>{% endif %}{% match entry.rating %}{% when Some with (widget) %}{% include "_rating_widget.html" %}{% when None %}{% endmatch %}</li>{% endfor %}</ul></section>{% endfor %}
  </section>
  {% if has_world || has_behind %}<nav class="my-12 flex flex-wrap items-center justify-center gap-x-3 gap-y-1 border-y border-rule py-4 text-center font-sans text-sm uppercase tracking-[0.08em]" aria-label="Issue chapters">{% if has_world %}<a class="text-ink no-underline hover:text-accent" href="/issues/{{ date }}/world">World Briefing</a>{% endif %}{% if has_world && has_behind %}<span class="text-muted" aria-hidden="true">·</span>{% endif %}{% if has_behind %}<a class="text-ink no-underline hover:text-accent" href="/issues/{{ date }}/behind">Behind the paper</a>{% endif %}</nav>{% endif %}
  <footer id="colophon" class="mt-14 scroll-mt-6 font-sans text-sm leading-relaxed" data-toc-entry="/issues/{{ date }}#colophon"><h2 class="reader-section-heading">Colophon</h2><p class="my-4 text-ink-2"><em>The Daily EPUB</em> is assembled every morning from a personal feed reader.</p><dl class="kv border-y border-rule py-4 text-xs sm:text-sm"><dt>Generated</dt><dd>{{ colophon.generated_at }}</dd><dt>Bulk model</dt><dd>{{ colophon.bulk_model }}</dd><dt>Editor model</dt><dd>{{ colophon.editor_model }}</dd><dt>Summaries model</dt><dd>{{ colophon.summaries_model }}</dd><dt>Entries considered</dt><dd>{% match colophon.entries_fetched %}{% when Some with (entries) %}{{ entries }}{% match colophon.feeds_seen %}{% when Some with (feeds) %} from {{ feeds }} feeds{% when None %}{% endmatch %}{% when None %}n/a{% endmatch %}</dd><dt>Candidates scored</dt><dd>{% match colophon.candidates %}{% when Some with (candidates) %}{{ candidates }}{% when None %}n/a{% endmatch %}</dd><dt>Articles selected</dt><dd>{{ colophon.article_count }} across {{ colophon.section_count }} sections</dd><dt>Words</dt><dd>{{ colophon.total_words }} · ~{{ colophon.reading_minutes }} min read</dd>{% for cost in colophon.provider_costs %}<dt>{{ cost.provider }} cost</dt><dd>{{ cost.cost }}</dd>{% endfor %}<dt>Total token cost</dt><dd>{% match colophon.cost_usd %}{% when Some with (cost) %}{{ cost }}{% when None %}n/a{% endmatch %}</dd><dt>Generator</dt><dd>{{ colophon.generator_version }}</dd></dl></footer>
@@ -4,6 +4,6 @@
  <header class="mb-10 text-center"><p class="font-sans text-[0.72rem] uppercase tracking-[0.12em] text-muted">{{ issue.display_date }} · No. {{ issue.issue_number }}</p><p class="mt-2 font-sans text-sm text-muted">{{ issue.stats_line }}</p><p class="mx-auto mt-5 max-w-[58ch] text-lg italic leading-relaxed text-ink-2">A personal morning paper, assembled daily; the selection is the reader's, the words are the authors'.</p></header>
  <p class="notice mb-8"><a href="/login">Sign in</a> to read every article's full text and download the editions, or <a href="/request-access">request access</a>.</p>
  {% if !downloads.is_empty() %}<div class="mb-8 flex flex-wrap justify-center gap-2">{% for download in downloads %}<a class="btn" href="{{ download.href }}">{{ download.label }} <span class="ml-1 text-muted">{{ download.size }}</span></a>{% endfor %}</div>{% endif %}
-  {% for section in issue.sections %}<section class="mt-14"><h2 class="reader-section-heading">{{ section.name }}</h2><div>{% for entry in section.entries %}<article class="border-b border-rule py-6{% if entry.is_lead %} pt-5{% endif %}"><h3 class="font-semibold leading-[1.1] tracking-[-0.01em] {% if entry.is_lead %}text-3xl{% else %}text-2xl{% endif %}"><a class="text-ink no-underline hover:text-accent" href="{{ entry.url }}">{{ entry.title }}</a></h3><p class="mt-2 font-sans text-sm leading-relaxed text-muted">{% match entry.author %}{% when Some with (author) %}{{ author }} · {% when None %}{% endmatch %}{{ entry.source }}{% match entry.publication %}{% when Some with (publication) %} · {{ publication }}{% when None %}{% endmatch %} · {{ entry.reading_minutes }} min</p>{% let understanding = entry.understanding %}{% let why = entry.why %}{% include "_understanding.html" %}{% match entry.summary %}{% when Some with (summary) %}<p class="index-summary mt-4">{{ summary }}</p>{% when None %}{% endmatch %}{% if !entry.comment_links.is_empty() %}<p class="mt-3 flex flex-wrap gap-x-4 gap-y-1 font-sans text-sm text-muted">{% for link in entry.comment_links %}<a class="text-muted hover:text-accent" rel="noopener" target="_blank" href="{{ link.url }}">{{ link.label }}{% if !link.meta.is_empty() %}: {{ link.meta }}{% endif %}</a>{% endfor %}</p>{% endif %}</article>{% endfor %}</div></section>{% endfor %}
+  {% for section in issue.sections %}<section class="mt-14"><h2 class="reader-section-heading">{{ section.name }}</h2><div>{% for entry in section.entries %}<article class="border-b border-rule py-6{% if entry.is_lead %} pt-5{% endif %}"><h3 class="font-semibold leading-[1.1] tracking-[-0.01em] {% if entry.is_lead %}text-3xl{% else %}text-2xl{% endif %}"><a class="text-ink no-underline hover:text-accent" href="{{ entry.url }}">{{ entry.title }}</a></h3><p class="mt-2 font-sans text-sm leading-relaxed text-muted">{% match entry.author %}{% when Some with (author) %}{{ author }} · {% when None %}{% endmatch %}{{ entry.source }}{% match entry.publication %}{% when Some with (publication) %} · {{ publication }}{% when None %}{% endmatch %} · {{ entry.reading_minutes }} min</p>{% let understanding = entry.understanding %}{% include "_understanding.html" %}{% match entry.summary %}{% when Some with (summary) %}<p class="index-summary mt-4">{{ summary }}</p>{% when None %}{% endmatch %}{% if !entry.comment_links.is_empty() %}<p class="mt-3 flex flex-wrap gap-x-4 gap-y-1 font-sans text-sm text-muted">{% for link in entry.comment_links %}<a class="text-muted hover:text-accent" rel="noopener" target="_blank" href="{{ link.url }}">{{ link.label }}{% if !link.meta.is_empty() %}: {{ link.meta }}{% endif %}</a>{% endfor %}</p>{% endif %}</article>{% endfor %}</div></section>{% endfor %}
  <p class="mt-10 text-center font-sans text-sm"><a href="/issues">Browse the archive →</a></p>
 {% endif %}</article>{% endblock %}
@@ -619,11 +619,6 @@ async fn llm_pipeline_runs_against_a_mock_backend() {
        "the model's summaries were used, not excerpts"
    );
    assert!(editorial_doc.front_page_html.contains("storage internals"));
-    assert!(
-        lineup.picks.iter().all(|p| p.why.is_none()),
-        "the scripted editor gave no why lines"
-    );
-
    // Every scripted response was consumed, and the meter priced them (§3.6).
    assert_eq!(backend.calls(), 1 + 1 + 5 + 1);
    let total = meter.total();
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 {
  "picks": [
-    { "id": 101, "section": "Top Stories", "position": 1, "lead_story": true, "why": "The migration post-mortem with the invoices still attached" },
-    { "id": 102, "section": "Tech & Engineering", "position": 1, "lead_story": false, "why": "A failover story you'd argue with over coffee" },
-    { "id": 103, "section": "Tech & Engineering", "position": 2, "lead_story": false, "why": "Rare first-hand detail on a tool you use daily" },
-    { "id": 104, "section": "AI & Machine Learning", "position": 1, "lead_story": false, "why": "The one benchmark piece this week that shows its work" },
-    { "id": 105, "section": "Boston & Local", "position": 1, "lead_story": false, "why": "MBTA slow zones charted by a rider, not a press office" },
+    { "id": 101, "section": "Top Stories", "position": 1, "lead_story": true },
+    { "id": 102, "section": "Tech & Engineering", "position": 1, "lead_story": false },
+    { "id": 103, "section": "Tech & Engineering", "position": 2, "lead_story": false },
+    { "id": 104, "section": "AI & Machine Learning", "position": 1, "lead_story": false },
+    { "id": 105, "section": "Boston & Local", "position": 1, "lead_story": false },
    { "id": 106, "section": "Culture & Essays", "position": 1 },
    { "section": "Niche Corner", "position": 2, "lead_story": false },
    "the model sometimes trails off like this"