diff --git a/apps/web/src/components/ui/Badge.tsx b/apps/web/src/components/ui/Badge.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..55fdab5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/web/src/components/ui/Badge.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+import { clsx } from "clsx";
+
+interface BadgeProps {
+  children: React.ReactNode;
+  variant?: "default" | "success" | "warning" | "danger" | "info";
+  className?: string;
+}
+
+const variantClasses = {
+  default: "bg-gray-100 text-gray-700",
+  success: "bg-green-100 text-green-700",
+  warning: "bg-yellow-100 text-yellow-700",
+  danger: "bg-red-100 text-red-700",
+  info: "bg-blue-100 text-blue-700",
+};
+
+export function Badge({ children, variant = "default", className }: BadgeProps) {
+  return (
+    <span
+      className={clsx(
+        "inline-flex items-center px-2 py-0.5 rounded-full text-xs font-medium",
+        variantClasses[variant],
+        className,
+      )}
+    >
+      {children}
+    </span>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/web/src/components/ui/Button.tsx b/apps/web/src/components/ui/Button.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8ad7305
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/web/src/components/ui/Button.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+import { clsx } from "clsx";
+import type { ButtonHTMLAttributes } from "react";
+
+interface ButtonProps extends ButtonHTMLAttributes<HTMLButtonElement> {
+  variant?: "primary" | "secondary" | "ghost" | "danger";
+  size?: "sm" | "md" | "lg";
+}
+
+const variantClasses = {
+  primary: "bg-brand-600 hover:bg-brand-700 text-white",
+  secondary: "bg-white hover:bg-gray-50 text-gray-700 border border-gray-300",
+  ghost: "text-gray-600 hover:bg-gray-100",
+  danger: "bg-red-600 hover:bg-red-700 text-white",
+};
+
+const sizeClasses = {
+  sm: "px-3 py-1.5 text-xs",
+  md: "px-4 py-2 text-sm",
+  lg: "px-6 py-3 text-base",
+};
+
+export function Button({
+  variant = "primary",
+  size = "md",
+  className,
+  children,
+  disabled,
+  ...props
+}: ButtonProps) {
+  return (
+    <button
+      className={clsx(
+        "inline-flex items-center justify-center font-medium rounded-lg transition-all duration-75",
+        "focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-brand-500 focus:ring-offset-2",
+        "active:scale-[0.97]",
+        "disabled:opacity-50 disabled:cursor-not-allowed",
+        variantClasses[variant],
+        sizeClasses[size],
+        className,
+      )}
+      disabled={disabled}
+      {...props}
+    >
+      {children}
+    </button>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/web/src/hooks/useLocalStorage.ts b/apps/web/src/hooks/useLocalStorage.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5dc6886
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/web/src/hooks/useLocalStorage.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+"use client";
+
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useState } from "react";
+
+/**
+ * Persist a value in localStorage with SSR safety and JSON serialization.
+ *
+ * When `T` is a plain object, stored values are merged with `defaultValue`
+ * so fields added to the schema later get their defaults filled in.
+ * For primitive types (string, number, boolean) the stored value is used as-is.
+ *
+ * The optional `changeEventName` parameter causes every write to dispatch a
+ * CustomEvent so other instances of the hook in the same tab stay in sync.
+ */
+export function useLocalStorage<T>(
+  key: string,
+  defaultValue: T,
+  changeEventName?: string,
+): [T, (updater: T | ((prev: T) => T)) => void] {
+  const [value, setValue] = useState<T>(() => read(key, defaultValue));
+
+  // Re-read after hydration (SSR → client) and subscribe to cross-instance events.
+  useEffect(() => {
+    setValue(read(key, defaultValue));
+
+    if (!changeEventName) return;
+    function handleChange(e: Event) {
+      setValue((e as CustomEvent<T>).detail);
+    }
+    window.addEventListener(changeEventName, handleChange);
+    return () => window.removeEventListener(changeEventName, handleChange);
+  // eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
+  }, [key, changeEventName]);
+
+  const set = useCallback(
+    (updater: T | ((prev: T) => T)) => {
+      setValue((prev) => {
+        const next = typeof updater === "function" ? (updater as (p: T) => T)(prev) : updater;
+        if (typeof window !== "undefined") {
+          localStorage.setItem(key, JSON.stringify(next));
+          if (changeEventName) {
+            window.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent<T>(changeEventName, { detail: next }));
+          }
+        }
+        return next;
+      });
+    },
+    [key, changeEventName],
+  );
+
+  return [value, set];
+}
+
+function read<T>(key: string, defaultValue: T): T {
+  if (typeof window === "undefined") return defaultValue;
+  try {
+    const raw = localStorage.getItem(key);
+    if (!raw) return defaultValue;
+    const parsed = JSON.parse(raw) as T;
+    // For plain objects, merge with defaults to handle schema evolution.
+    if (isPlainObject(defaultValue) && isPlainObject(parsed)) {
+      return { ...defaultValue, ...parsed } as T;
+    }
+    return parsed;
+  } catch {
+    return defaultValue;
+  }
+}
+
+function isPlainObject(v: unknown): v is Record<string, unknown> {
+  return typeof v === "object" && v !== null && !Array.isArray(v);
+}
diff --git a/packages/api/src/__tests__/assistant-tools-workflow-scenarios.test.ts b/packages/api/src/__tests__/assistant-tools-workflow-scenarios.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ff31830
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/api/src/__tests__/assistant-tools-workflow-scenarios.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,551 @@
+import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { listAssignmentBookings } from "@capakraken/application";
+import { PermissionKey, SystemRole } from "@capakraken/shared";
+
+vi.mock("@capakraken/application", async (importOriginal) => {
+  const actual = await importOriginal<typeof import("@capakraken/application")>();
+  return {
+    ...actual,
+    approveEstimateVersion: vi.fn(),
+    cloneEstimate: vi.fn(),
+    commitDispoImportBatch: vi.fn(),
+    countPlanningEntries: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ countsByRoleId: new Map() }),
+    createEstimateExport: vi.fn(),
+    createEstimatePlanningHandoff: vi.fn(),
+    createEstimateRevision: vi.fn(),
+    assessDispoImportReadiness: vi.fn(),
+    loadResourceDailyAvailabilityContexts: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(new Map()),
+    getDashboardDemand: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]),
+    getDashboardBudgetForecast: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]),
+    getDashboardOverview: vi.fn(),
+    getDashboardSkillGapSummary: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+      roleGaps: [],
+      totalOpenPositions: 0,
+      skillSupplyTop10: [],
+      resourcesByRole: [],
+    }),
+    getDashboardProjectHealth: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]),
+    getDashboardPeakTimes: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]),
+    getDashboardTopValueResources: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]),
+    getEstimateById: vi.fn(),
+    listAssignmentBookings: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]),
+    stageDispoImportBatch: vi.fn(),
+    submitEstimateVersion: vi.fn(),
+    updateEstimateDraft: vi.fn(),
+  };
+});
+
+import { executeTool } from "../router/assistant-tools.js";
+import { createToolContext } from "./assistant-tools-insights-scenarios-test-helpers.js";
+
+describe("assistant tools workflow scenarios", () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.clearAllMocks();
+    vi.mocked(listAssignmentBookings).mockResolvedValue([]);
+  });
+
+  it("capacity search then resource check: finds capacity and then checks a specific resource from the result", async () => {
+    vi.mocked(listAssignmentBookings).mockResolvedValue([]);
+
+    const resourceRecord = {
+      id: "res_1",
+      displayName: "Bruce Banner",
+      eid: "EMP-001",
+      fte: 1,
+      availability: { monday: 8, tuesday: 8, wednesday: 8, thursday: 8, friday: 8, saturday: 0, sunday: 0 },
+      countryId: "country_de",
+      federalState: null,
+      metroCityId: null,
+      country: { code: "DE", dailyWorkingHours: 8 },
+      metroCity: null,
+      areaRole: { name: "Pipeline TD" },
+      chapter: "Delivery",
+    };
+
+    const db = {
+      resource: {
+        findMany: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([resourceRecord]),
+        findUnique: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(resourceRecord),
+        findFirst: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(null),
+      },
+      assignment: {
+        findMany: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]),
+      },
+      vacation: {
+        findMany: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]),
+      },
+      systemSettings: {
+        findUnique: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(null),
+      },
+    };
+
+    const ctx = createToolContext(db, {
+      userRole: SystemRole.CONTROLLER,
+      permissions: [PermissionKey.VIEW_PLANNING],
+    });
+
+    // Step 1: find capacity for the period
+    const capacityResult = await executeTool(
+      "find_capacity",
+      JSON.stringify({
+        startDate: "2026-05-01",
+        endDate: "2026-05-30",
+        minHoursPerDay: 4,
+        chapter: "Delivery",
+      }),
+      ctx,
+    );
+
+    const capacityParsed = JSON.parse(capacityResult.content) as {
+      results: Array<{ id: string; name: string; eid: string }>;
+      totalFound: number;
+    };
+
+    expect(db.resource.findMany).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(capacityParsed.results).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(capacityParsed.results[0].name).toBe("Bruce Banner");
+
+    // Step 2: use resource ID from result to check availability in a specific date window
+    const foundResourceId = capacityParsed.results[0].id;
+    expect(foundResourceId).toBe("res_1");
+
+    const availabilityResult = await executeTool(
+      "check_resource_availability",
+      JSON.stringify({
+        resourceId: foundResourceId,
+        startDate: "2026-05-05",
+        endDate: "2026-05-09",
+      }),
+      ctx,
+    );
+
+    const availabilityParsed = JSON.parse(availabilityResult.content) as {
+      workingDays: number;
+      periodAvailableHours: number;
+      periodBookedHours: number;
+      periodRemainingHours: number;
+      isFullyAvailable: boolean;
+    };
+
+    // 2026-05-05 (Tue) to 2026-05-09 (Sat) = 4 working days (Tue-Fri)
+    expect(availabilityParsed.workingDays).toBe(4);
+    expect(availabilityParsed.periodAvailableHours).toBe(32);
+    expect(availabilityParsed.periodBookedHours).toBe(0);
+    expect(availabilityParsed.periodRemainingHours).toBe(32);
+    expect(availabilityParsed.isFullyAvailable).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it("vacation balance then upcoming vacations: retrieves balance and then lists upcoming vacations for the same resource", async () => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers();
+    vi.setSystemTime(new Date("2026-05-01T00:00:00.000Z"));
+
+    try {
+      const db = {
+        resource: {
+          findUnique: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+            id: "res_2",
+            eid: "EMP-002",
+            displayName: "Tony Stark",
+            userId: "user_2",
+            chapter: "Engineering",
+            federalState: null,
+            countryId: "country_de",
+            metroCityId: null,
+            country: { code: "DE", name: "Germany" },
+            metroCity: null,
+          }),
+        },
+        holidayCalendar: {
+          findMany: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]),
+        },
+        systemSettings: {
+          findUnique: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ vacationDefaultDays: 28 }),
+        },
+        vacationEntitlement: {
+          findUnique: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(null),
+          create: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+            id: "ent_2026_res2",
+            resourceId: "res_2",
+            year: 2026,
+            entitledDays: 28,
+            carryoverDays: 0,
+            usedDays: 0,
+            pendingDays: 0,
+          }),
+          update: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+            id: "ent_2026_res2",
+            resourceId: "res_2",
+            year: 2026,
+            entitledDays: 28,
+            carryoverDays: 0,
+            usedDays: 0,
+            pendingDays: 0,
+          }),
+        },
+        vacation: {
+          findMany: vi.fn().mockImplementation(async (args: { where?: { type?: unknown; status?: unknown; startDate?: unknown } } = {}) => {
+            if (args?.where?.status === "APPROVED" && args?.where?.startDate) {
+              // list_vacations_upcoming query
+              return [
+                {
+                  id: "vac_1",
+                  resourceId: "res_2",
+                  status: "APPROVED",
+                  type: "ANNUAL",
+                  startDate: new Date("2026-05-10T00:00:00.000Z"),
+                  endDate: new Date("2026-05-14T00:00:00.000Z"),
+                  isHalfDay: false,
+                  halfDayPart: null,
+                  resource: {
+                    id: "res_2",
+                    displayName: "Tony Stark",
+                    eid: "EMP-002",
+                    lcrCents: 9_000,
+                    chapter: "Engineering",
+                  },
+                  requestedBy: null,
+                  approvedBy: null,
+                },
+              ];
+            }
+            // vacation balance queries (by type)
+            return [];
+          }),
+        },
+      };
+
+      const ctx = createToolContext(db, { userRole: SystemRole.ADMIN });
+
+      // Step 1: get vacation balance for the resource
+      const balanceResult = await executeTool(
+        "get_vacation_balance",
+        JSON.stringify({ resourceId: "res_2", year: 2026 }),
+        ctx,
+      );
+
+      const balanceParsed = JSON.parse(balanceResult.content) as {
+        resource: string;
+        eid: string;
+        year: number;
+        entitlement: number;
+        remaining: number;
+      };
+
+      expect(balanceParsed.resource).toBe("Tony Stark");
+      expect(balanceParsed.eid).toBe("EMP-002");
+      expect(balanceParsed.year).toBe(2026);
+      expect(balanceParsed.entitlement).toBe(28);
+      expect(balanceParsed.remaining).toBe(28);
+
+      // Step 2: list upcoming vacations for the same resource (filter by name)
+      const upcomingResult = await executeTool(
+        "list_vacations_upcoming",
+        JSON.stringify({ resourceName: "Tony", daysAhead: 30, limit: 10 }),
+        ctx,
+      );
+
+      const upcomingParsed = JSON.parse(upcomingResult.content) as Array<{
+        resource: string;
+        eid: string;
+        start: string;
+        end: string;
+      }>;
+
+      expect(upcomingParsed).toHaveLength(1);
+      expect(upcomingParsed[0].resource).toBe("Tony Stark");
+      expect(upcomingParsed[0].eid).toBe("EMP-002");
+      expect(upcomingParsed[0].start).toBe("2026-05-10");
+      expect(upcomingParsed[0].end).toBe("2026-05-14");
+    } finally {
+      vi.useRealTimers();
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("demand listing then staffing suggestions: lists open demands and then retrieves suggestions for the project", async () => {
+    vi.mocked(listAssignmentBookings).mockResolvedValue([]);
+
+    const projectRecord = {
+      id: "project_1",
+      shortCode: "GDM",
+      name: "Gelddruckmaschine",
+      status: "ACTIVE",
+      responsiblePerson: null,
+      startDate: new Date("2026-06-01T00:00:00.000Z"),
+      endDate: new Date("2026-06-30T00:00:00.000Z"),
+    };
+
+    const db = {
+      demandRequirement: {
+        findMany: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([
+          {
+            id: "demand_1",
+            projectId: "project_1",
+            startDate: new Date("2026-06-01T00:00:00.000Z"),
+            endDate: new Date("2026-06-30T00:00:00.000Z"),
+            hoursPerDay: 8,
+            percentage: 100,
+            role: "Pipeline TD",
+            roleId: null,
+            headcount: 2,
+            status: "OPEN",
+            metadata: null,
+            createdAt: new Date("2026-05-01T00:00:00.000Z"),
+            updatedAt: new Date("2026-05-01T00:00:00.000Z"),
+            project: {
+              id: "project_1",
+              name: "Gelddruckmaschine",
+              shortCode: "GDM",
+              status: "ACTIVE",
+              endDate: new Date("2026-06-30T00:00:00.000Z"),
+            },
+            roleEntity: null,
+            assignments: [],
+          },
+        ]),
+      },
+      project: {
+        findUnique: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(projectRecord),
+        findFirst: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(null),
+      },
+      resource: {
+        findMany: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([
+          {
+            id: "res_3",
+            displayName: "Natasha Romanoff",
+            eid: "EMP-003",
+            fte: 1,
+            chapter: "VFX",
+            skills: [{ skill: "Houdini", category: "FX", proficiency: 4, isMainSkill: true }],
+            lcrCents: 7_500,
+            chargeabilityTarget: 80,
+            availability: { monday: 8, tuesday: 8, wednesday: 8, thursday: 8, friday: 8, saturday: 0, sunday: 0 },
+            valueScore: 85,
+            countryId: null,
+            federalState: null,
+            metroCityId: null,
+            country: null,
+            metroCity: null,
+            areaRole: { name: "Pipeline TD" },
+          },
+        ]),
+      },
+      systemSettings: {
+        findUnique: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(null),
+      },
+    };
+
+    const ctx = createToolContext(db, {
+      userRole: SystemRole.CONTROLLER,
+      permissions: [PermissionKey.VIEW_PLANNING, PermissionKey.VIEW_COSTS],
+    });
+
+    // Step 1: list demands (no status filter — AllocationStatus enum doesn't include OPEN)
+    const demandsResult = await executeTool(
+      "list_demands",
+      JSON.stringify({}),
+      ctx,
+    );
+
+    const demandsParsed = JSON.parse(demandsResult.content) as Array<{
+      id: string;
+      project: string;
+      role: string;
+      status: string;
+      headcount: number;
+      remaining: number;
+    }>;
+
+    expect(demandsParsed).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(demandsParsed[0].id).toBe("demand_1");
+    expect(demandsParsed[0].project).toBe("Gelddruckmaschine");
+    expect(demandsParsed[0].status).toBe("OPEN");
+    expect(demandsParsed[0].headcount).toBe(2);
+    expect(demandsParsed[0].remaining).toBe(2);
+
+    // Step 2: get staffing suggestions for the project from the demand
+    const projectId = demandsParsed[0].id.startsWith("demand_") ? "project_1" : demandsParsed[0].id;
+
+    const suggestionsResult = await executeTool(
+      "get_staffing_suggestions",
+      JSON.stringify({
+        projectId,
+        startDate: "2026-06-01",
+        endDate: "2026-06-30",
+        limit: 5,
+      }),
+      ctx,
+    );
+
+    const suggestionsParsed = JSON.parse(suggestionsResult.content) as {
+      project: string;
+      suggestions: Array<{ id: string; name: string }>;
+    };
+
+    expect(suggestionsParsed.project).toBe("Gelddruckmaschine (GDM)");
+    expect(Array.isArray(suggestionsParsed.suggestions)).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it("budget status check: retrieves budget utilization for a project", async () => {
+    vi.mocked(listAssignmentBookings).mockResolvedValue([
+      {
+        projectId: "project_2",
+        status: "CONFIRMED",
+        dailyCostCents: 12_000,
+        hoursPerDay: 8,
+        startDate: new Date("2026-07-01T00:00:00.000Z"),
+        endDate: new Date("2026-07-02T00:00:00.000Z"),
+        project: {
+          id: "project_2",
+          status: "ACTIVE",
+        },
+      },
+      {
+        projectId: "project_2",
+        status: "CONFIRMED",
+        dailyCostCents: 8_000,
+        hoursPerDay: 8,
+        startDate: new Date("2026-07-03T00:00:00.000Z"),
+        endDate: new Date("2026-07-03T00:00:00.000Z"),
+        project: {
+          id: "project_2",
+          status: "ACTIVE",
+        },
+      },
+    ] as Awaited<ReturnType<typeof listAssignmentBookings>>);
+
+    const db = {
+      project: {
+        findUnique: vi
+          .fn()
+          .mockResolvedValueOnce({
+            id: "project_2",
+            name: "Raketenbauprojekt",
+            shortCode: "RBP",
+            status: "ACTIVE",
+            responsiblePerson: "Elon",
+          })
+          .mockResolvedValueOnce({
+            id: "project_2",
+            name: "Raketenbauprojekt",
+            shortCode: "RBP",
+            budgetCents: 500_000,
+            winProbability: 100,
+            startDate: new Date("2026-07-01T00:00:00.000Z"),
+            endDate: new Date("2026-07-31T00:00:00.000Z"),
+          }),
+        findFirst: vi.fn(),
+      },
+      assignment: {
+        findMany: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]),
+      },
+    };
+
+    const ctx = createToolContext(db, {
+      userRole: SystemRole.CONTROLLER,
+      permissions: [PermissionKey.VIEW_COSTS],
+    });
+
+    const result = await executeTool(
+      "get_budget_status",
+      JSON.stringify({ projectId: "project_2" }),
+      ctx,
+    );
+
+    const parsed = JSON.parse(result.content) as {
+      project: string;
+      code: string;
+      budget: string;
+      confirmed: string;
+      proposed: string;
+      allocated: string;
+      remaining: string;
+      utilization: string;
+    };
+
+    expect(vi.mocked(listAssignmentBookings)).toHaveBeenCalledWith(db, {
+      projectIds: ["project_2"],
+    });
+    expect(parsed.project).toBe("Raketenbauprojekt");
+    expect(parsed.code).toBe("RBP");
+    expect(parsed.budget).toBe("5.000,00 EUR");
+    // Booking 1: July 1-2 (2 days) × 12000 cents = 24000 cents = 240 EUR
+    // Booking 2: July 3 (1 day) × 8000 cents = 8000 cents = 80 EUR
+    // Total confirmed: 320 EUR
+    expect(parsed.confirmed).toBe("320,00 EUR");
+    expect(parsed.proposed).toBe("0,00 EUR");
+    expect(parsed.allocated).toBe("320,00 EUR");
+    expect(parsed.remaining).toBe("4.680,00 EUR");
+    expect(parsed.utilization).toBe("6.4%");
+  });
+
+  it("search resources with availability filter: finds resources in a chapter", async () => {
+    const db = {
+      resource: {
+        findMany: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([
+          {
+            id: "res_4",
+            eid: "EMP-004",
+            displayName: "Wanda Maximoff",
+            chapter: "FX",
+            fte: 1,
+            lcrCents: 8_000,
+            chargeabilityTarget: 80,
+            isActive: true,
+            areaRole: { name: "FX Artist" },
+            country: { code: "DE", name: "Germany" },
+            metroCity: null,
+            orgUnit: null,
+          },
+          {
+            id: "res_5",
+            eid: "EMP-005",
+            displayName: "Pietro Maximoff",
+            chapter: "FX",
+            fte: 0.8,
+            lcrCents: 7_200,
+            chargeabilityTarget: 75,
+            isActive: true,
+            areaRole: { name: "Motion Designer" },
+            country: { code: "DE", name: "Germany" },
+            metroCity: null,
+            orgUnit: null,
+          },
+        ]),
+      },
+    };
+
+    const ctx = createToolContext(db, {
+      userRole: SystemRole.CONTROLLER,
+      permissions: [PermissionKey.VIEW_ALL_RESOURCES],
+    });
+
+    const result = await executeTool(
+      "search_resources",
+      JSON.stringify({ orgUnit: undefined, country: "DE", limit: 10 }),
+      ctx,
+    );
+
+    const parsed = JSON.parse(result.content) as Array<{
+      id: string;
+      name: string;
+      eid: string;
+      chapter: string;
+      role: string;
+    }>;
+
+    expect(db.resource.findMany).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(parsed).toHaveLength(2);
+
+    const wanda = parsed.find((r) => r.id === "res_4");
+    expect(wanda).toBeDefined();
+    expect(wanda?.name).toBe("Wanda Maximoff");
+    expect(wanda?.eid).toBe("EMP-004");
+    expect(wanda?.chapter).toBe("FX");
+    expect(wanda?.role).toBe("FX Artist");
+
+    const pietro = parsed.find((r) => r.id === "res_5");
+    expect(pietro).toBeDefined();
+    expect(pietro?.name).toBe("Pietro Maximoff");
+    expect(pietro?.eid).toBe("EMP-005");
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/api/src/lib/audit-helpers.ts b/packages/api/src/lib/audit-helpers.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..258c278
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/api/src/lib/audit-helpers.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+import type { PrismaClient } from "@capakraken/db";
+import { createAuditEntry } from "./audit.js";
+
+type AuditAction = "CREATE" | "UPDATE" | "DELETE" | "SHIFT" | "IMPORT";
+type AuditSource = "ui" | "api" | "ai" | "import" | "cron";
+
+interface BoundAuditParams {
+  entityType: string;
+  entityId: string;
+  entityName?: string;
+  action: AuditAction;
+  before?: Record<string, unknown>;
+  after?: Record<string, unknown>;
+  summary?: string;
+  metadata?: Record<string, unknown>;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Creates a fire-and-forget audit logger with db, userId, and source pre-bound.
+ * Use at the top of a procedure after resolving the current user.
+ *
+ * @example
+ * const audit = makeAuditLogger(ctx.db, userRecord?.id);
+ * audit({ entityType: "Vacation", entityId: v.id, action: "UPDATE", after: v });
+ */
+export function makeAuditLogger(
+  db: PrismaClient,
+  userId: string | undefined,
+  source: AuditSource = "ui",
+): (params: BoundAuditParams) => void {
+  return (params) => {
+    void createAuditEntry({ db, ...(userId !== undefined ? { userId } : {}), source, ...params });
+  };
+}
diff --git a/packages/api/src/router/assistant-tool-registry.ts b/packages/api/src/router/assistant-tool-registry.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9ac9215
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/api/src/router/assistant-tool-registry.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,134 @@
+import type { ToolManifest } from "@capakraken/shared";
+
+/**
+ * Rich metadata registry for AI assistant tools.
+ * Complements the OpenAI function schema (ToolDef) with category, mutation flag,
+ * and intent descriptions that improve model tool selection and documentation.
+ *
+ * Start: 10 high-traffic tools. Add entries as needed — the registry is additive
+ * and does not affect tool execution.
+ */
+export const TOOL_REGISTRY: ToolManifest[] = [
+  // ─── Planning ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  {
+    name: "create_allocation",
+    category: "planning",
+    isMutation: true,
+    intent: "Assign a resource to a project for a specific date range at a utilization percentage",
+    examples: [
+      "Book Alice on Project X from April to June at 80%",
+      "Assign the lead developer to the backend project starting next Monday at full capacity",
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    name: "cancel_allocation",
+    category: "planning",
+    isMutation: true,
+    intent: "Remove a resource booking from a project",
+    examples: [
+      "Cancel Bob's allocation on Project Y",
+      "Remove the allocation for resource 123 on the frontend project",
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    name: "list_allocations",
+    category: "planning",
+    isMutation: false,
+    intent: "List all allocations for a project or resource within a date range",
+    examples: [
+      "Show me all bookings for the Alpha project this quarter",
+      "What projects is Alice allocated to in May?",
+    ],
+  },
+  // ─── Resource ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  {
+    name: "search_resources",
+    category: "resource",
+    isMutation: false,
+    intent: "Search for resources by name, skill, chapter, or seniority",
+    examples: [
+      "Find all senior developers in the Berlin chapter",
+      "Who has React skills and is available next month?",
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    name: "check_resource_availability",
+    category: "resource",
+    isMutation: false,
+    intent: "Check how many hours a resource has free in a date range",
+    examples: [
+      "Is Alice available for a new project in Q3?",
+      "How much capacity does the frontend chapter have next month?",
+    ],
+  },
+  // ─── Staffing ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  {
+    name: "get_staffing_suggestions",
+    category: "staffing",
+    isMutation: false,
+    requiresAdvanced: true,
+    intent: "Get ranked resource suggestions for an open demand, scored by skill match, availability, and cost",
+    examples: [
+      "Who should I assign to fill the senior designer role on Project Z?",
+      "Find the best available backend engineers for a 3-month engagement starting in June",
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    name: "fill_demand",
+    category: "staffing",
+    isMutation: true,
+    intent: "Create an allocation to fill an open staffing demand",
+    examples: [
+      "Fill the open designer demand with Alice",
+      "Assign Bob to satisfy the pending backend demand",
+    ],
+  },
+  // ─── Vacation ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  {
+    name: "create_vacation",
+    category: "vacation",
+    isMutation: true,
+    intent: "Submit a vacation or leave request for a resource",
+    examples: [
+      "Request 2 weeks of annual leave for Alice starting August 1st",
+      "Book sick leave for Bob for today",
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    name: "approve_vacation",
+    category: "vacation",
+    isMutation: true,
+    intent: "Approve a pending vacation request",
+    examples: [
+      "Approve Alice's vacation request",
+      "Accept the leave request with ID abc123",
+    ],
+  },
+  // ─── Reporting ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  {
+    name: "get_chargeability_report",
+    category: "reporting",
+    isMutation: false,
+    requiresAdvanced: true,
+    intent: "Generate a chargeability report showing billable vs. non-billable utilization across resources or chapters",
+    examples: [
+      "Show me chargeability for the engineering chapter in Q1",
+      "What is the billable rate for the team last month?",
+    ],
+  },
+];
+
+/** Lookup map for O(1) manifest access by tool name. */
+export const TOOL_REGISTRY_MAP: ReadonlyMap<string, ToolManifest> = new Map(
+  TOOL_REGISTRY.map((m) => [m.name, m]),
+);
+
+/** Get the manifest for a given tool name, or undefined if not registered. */
+export function getToolManifest(name: string): ToolManifest | undefined {
+  return TOOL_REGISTRY_MAP.get(name);
+}
+
+/** Filter the registry by category. */
+export function getToolsByCategory(category: ToolManifest["category"]): ToolManifest[] {
+  return TOOL_REGISTRY.filter((m) => m.category === category);
+}
diff --git a/packages/db/prisma/migrations/20260407_assignment_composite_indexes.sql b/packages/db/prisma/migrations/20260407_assignment_composite_indexes.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2d01262
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/db/prisma/migrations/20260407_assignment_composite_indexes.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+-- Add composite indexes on Assignment for status+date-range queries
+-- These speed up cross-project status scans and project-scoped status+date filters.
+
+CREATE INDEX CONCURRENTLY IF NOT EXISTS "assignments_status_startDate_endDate_idx"
+  ON "assignments" ("status", "startDate", "endDate");
+
+CREATE INDEX CONCURRENTLY IF NOT EXISTS "assignments_projectId_status_startDate_endDate_idx"
+  ON "assignments" ("projectId", "status", "startDate", "endDate");
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/types/tool-manifest.ts b/packages/shared/src/types/tool-manifest.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0b4559c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/shared/src/types/tool-manifest.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+/**
+ * Tool manifest types for the AI assistant.
+ * Provides rich metadata beyond the OpenAI function schema (ToolDef).
+ */
+
+export type ToolCategory =
+  | "planning"
+  | "resource"
+  | "project"
+  | "vacation"
+  | "staffing"
+  | "reporting"
+  | "admin"
+  | "system";
+
+export interface ToolManifest {
+  /** Tool name as registered in OpenAI function schema. */
+  name: string;
+  /** Functional category for grouping and filtering. */
+  category: ToolCategory;
+  /** True if the tool performs a write operation (used for audit and confirmation). */
+  isMutation: boolean;
+  /** True if the tool requires advanced assistant permission. */
+  requiresAdvanced?: boolean;
+  /** One-line description of what this tool does (for system prompts and docs). */
+  intent: string;
+  /** Optional natural-language examples to guide model tool selection. */
+  examples?: string[];
+}