Add language-only opponent personas

CLAUDE.md

@@ -75,6 +75,11 @@ export JAVA_HOME="/Applications/Android Studio.app/Contents/jbr/Contents/Home"
    and coach analysis run on different coroutines. History is non-critical: an
    unreadable/newer schema or failed commit falls back to in-memory counters and
    disables persistence for that process rather than crashing or overwriting data.
+9. **Personas can speak, never act.** `PersonaCue` contains only an opponent's
+   already-accepted public action and public table totals. It has no cards,
+   equity, decision context, legal actions, or mutation callback.
+   `PersonaNarrator` returns only nullable text; `PersonaArbiter` rate-limits,
+   times out, bounds, and sanitises that text with a deterministic offline voice.
 
 ## Testing notes
 
@@ -130,6 +135,10 @@ export JAVA_HOME="/Applications/Android Studio.app/Contents/jbr/Contents/Home"
   Live status copy may carry it into the next decision only when the event's
   `street` matches the snapshot, or the first flop actor resurrects a pre-flop
   action.
+- `TableSnapshot.actionNumber` is the authoritative identity of `lastAction`.
+  Persona output is accepted only beside the exact hand, street, and action
+  number that requested it; a late response is dropped rather than shown against
+  a newer decision.
 - Android is playable in Compose. Engine snapshots are paced through a
   rendezvous channel, human decisions are matched by engine-owned tokens, and a
   completed hand stays on screen until the player explicitly starts the next one.
@@ -147,6 +156,11 @@ export JAVA_HOME="/Applications/Android Studio.app/Contents/jbr/Contents/Home"
   ten coached decisions; smaller samples are labelled as insufficient. Schema
   reads go through an explicit migration dispatcher; add the migration branch
   before incrementing `PLAYER_HISTORY_SCHEMA_VERSION`.
+- Opponents have deterministic offline table voices behind the language-only
+  persona arbiter. A future network narrator implements the same nullable-text
+  interface and inherits its timeout, fallback, output bounds, and stale-action
+  checks without gaining access to poker decisions.
 - Gradle emits an `archives` deprecation from the Kotlin Multiplatform plugin's
   own `jvm()` target registration — upstream in Kotlin 2.2.10, not our build.
-- Not built yet: LLM persona layer.
+- Not built yet: network-backed LLM narrator. The persona boundary and offline
+  fallback are built.

app/src/main/java/com/jsjdesigns/poker/PersonaTalk.kt

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+package com.jsjdesigns.poker
+
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot.BotProfile
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot.PersonaCue
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot.PersonaCueId
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot.TableTalkLine
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.game.TableSnapshot
+
+/**
+ * Builds the language-only cue from an already-applied public action.
+ *
+ * Accepting [TableSnapshot] here is safe because the richer engine type stops at
+ * this function. [PersonaCue] is the only value that crosses into narration.
+ */
+fun personaCueFor(
+    snapshot: TableSnapshot,
+    profilesBySeat: Map<Int, BotProfile>,
+    heroSeat: Int = HERO_SEAT,
+): PersonaCue? {
+    if (snapshot.phase != TableSnapshot.Phase.BETTING) return null
+    val event = snapshot.lastAction ?: return null
+    if (event.seat == heroSeat || event.street != snapshot.street) return null
+    if (snapshot.actionNumber <= 0) return null
+    val profile = profilesBySeat[event.seat] ?: return null
+    val speaker = snapshot.seats.firstOrNull { it.index == event.seat } ?: return null
+
+    return PersonaCue(
+        id = PersonaCueId(snapshot.handNumber, snapshot.actionNumber),
+        street = snapshot.street,
+        speakerSeat = event.seat,
+        speakerName = event.name,
+        persona = profile.persona,
+        actionType = event.action.type,
+        amount = event.action.amount,
+        pot = snapshot.pot,
+        isAllIn = speaker.allIn,
+        activePlayers = snapshot.activeSeats.size,
+    )
+}
+
+fun UiState.acceptsTableTalk(line: TableTalkLine): Boolean {
+    val snap = snapshot ?: return false
+    return snap.phase == TableSnapshot.Phase.BETTING &&
+        snap.handNumber == line.cueId.handNumber &&
+        snap.actionNumber == line.cueId.actionNumber &&
+        snap.street == line.street
+}
+
+fun UiState.visibleTableTalk(): TableTalkLine? =
+    tableTalk.takeIf { it != null && acceptsTableTalk(it) }

app/src/main/java/com/jsjdesigns/poker/PokerViewModel.kt

@@ -7,8 +7,12 @@ import com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot.BotProfile
 import com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot.CoachingReview
 import com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot.DecisionCoach
 import com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot.MathBot
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot.OfflinePersonaNarrator
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot.PersonaArbiter
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot.PersonaCueId
 import com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot.PlayStyle
 import com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot.SkillLevel
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot.TableTalkLine
 import com.jsjdesigns.poker.game.Action
 import com.jsjdesigns.poker.game.ActionType
 import com.jsjdesigns.poker.game.DecisionOffer
@@ -44,6 +48,7 @@ data class UiState(
     val latestHeroDecisionToken: Long? = null,
     /** Null only while durable aggregate history is loading. */
     val playerHistory: PlayerHistory? = null,
+    val tableTalk: TableTalkLine? = null,
 ) {
     /**
      * The decision to show, or null.
@@ -101,6 +106,8 @@ data class UiState(
  */
 class PokerViewModel(
     private val historyStore: PlayerHistoryStore,
+    private val personaArbiter: PersonaArbiter =
+        PersonaArbiter(primary = OfflinePersonaNarrator()),
 ) : ViewModel() {
 
     private val human = HumanAgent()
@@ -122,6 +129,8 @@ class PokerViewModel(
     private var gameStarted = false
     private lateinit var seats: List<Seat>
     private lateinit var table: Table
+    private var profilesBySeat: Map<Int, BotProfile> = emptyMap()
+    private var lastRequestedPersonaCue: PersonaCueId? = null
 
     init {
         viewModelScope.launch { consumeFrames() }
@@ -155,6 +164,7 @@ class PokerViewModel(
             BotProfile("Enzo", SkillLevel.BEGINNER, PlayStyle.MANIAC, "Chaos, and certain he's winning."),
         )
         val deckRandom = Random(System.nanoTime())
+        profilesBySeat = roster.mapIndexed { index, profile -> index to profile }.toMap()
         seats = roster.mapIndexed { i, profile ->
             val agent = if (i == HERO_SEAT) human else MathBot(profile, Random(deckRandom.nextLong()))
             Seat(i, profile.name, config.buyIn, agent)
@@ -203,12 +213,36 @@ class PokerViewModel(
                     },
                     latestHeroDecisionToken =
                         heroDecisionToken ?: current.latestHeroDecisionToken,
+                    tableTalk = current.tableTalk?.takeIf { line ->
+                        frame.phase == TableSnapshot.Phase.BETTING &&
+                            frame.handNumber == line.cueId.handNumber &&
+                            frame.actionNumber == line.cueId.actionNumber &&
+                            frame.street == line.street
+                    },
                 )
             }
+            requestPersonaLine(frame)
             delay(pacingMillis(frame))
         }
     }
 
+    private fun requestPersonaLine(frame: TableSnapshot) {
+        val cue = personaCueFor(frame, profilesBySeat) ?: return
+        if (cue.id == lastRequestedPersonaCue) return
+        lastRequestedPersonaCue = cue.id
+
+        viewModelScope.launch {
+            val line = personaArbiter.lineFor(cue) ?: return@launch
+            _state.update { current ->
+                if (current.acceptsTableTalk(line)) {
+                    current.copy(tableTalk = line)
+                } else {
+                    current
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     /**
      * How long to hold a frame on screen. Zero when the player is on the clock —
      * never make someone wait to act — and longest for cards landing and for the

app/src/main/java/com/jsjdesigns/poker/TableScreen.kt

@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ fun TableScreen(vm: PokerViewModel) {
     val offer = state.liveOffer(rawOffer)
     val handSummary = state.visibleHandSummary()
     val coachReview = state.visibleCoachReview()
+    val tableTalk = state.visibleTableTalk()
     val status = snap?.let(::tableStatus)
 
     Column(
@@ -116,6 +117,15 @@ fun TableScreen(vm: PokerViewModel) {
                 maxLines = 1,
                 overflow = TextOverflow.Ellipsis,
             )
+            Text(
+                text = tableTalk?.let { "${it.speakerName}: “${it.text}”" }.orEmpty(),
+                color = Color.White.copy(alpha = 0.68f),
+                fontSize = 12.sp,
+                fontWeight = FontWeight.Medium,
+                modifier = Modifier.height(22.dp),
+                maxLines = 1,
+                overflow = TextOverflow.Ellipsis,
+            )
             Spacer(Modifier.height(4.dp))
             Row(horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(4.dp)) {
                 val board = snap?.board.orEmpty()

app/src/test/java/com/jsjdesigns/poker/CoachPresentationTest.kt

@@ -111,5 +111,6 @@ class CoachPresentationTest {
         toAct = null,
         toActToken = null,
         lastAction = null,
+        actionNumber = 0,
     )
 }

app/src/test/java/com/jsjdesigns/poker/HandSummaryTest.kt

@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@ class VisibleHandSummaryTest {
         toAct = null,
         toActToken = null,
         lastAction = null,
+        actionNumber = 0,
     )
 
     @Test

app/src/test/java/com/jsjdesigns/poker/LiveOfferTest.kt

@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ class LiveOfferTest {
         toAct = toAct,
         toActToken = toActToken,
         lastAction = null,
+        actionNumber = 0,
     )
 
     private fun offer(token: Long = 7L, handNumber: Int = 1, street: Street = Street.FLOP) =

app/src/test/java/com/jsjdesigns/poker/PersonaTalkTest.kt

@@ -0,0 +1,155 @@
+package com.jsjdesigns.poker
+
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot.BotProfile
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot.PersonaCueId
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot.PlayStyle
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot.SkillLevel
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot.TableTalkLine
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.game.Action
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.game.ActionType
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.game.HandEvent
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.game.SeatSnapshot
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.game.Street
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.game.TableSnapshot
+import org.junit.Assert.assertEquals
+import org.junit.Assert.assertNull
+import org.junit.Assert.assertTrue
+import org.junit.Test
+
+class PersonaTalkTest {
+
+    private val bruno = BotProfile(
+        "Bruno",
+        SkillLevel.ADVANCED,
+        PlayStyle.LOOSE_AGGRESSIVE,
+        "Relentless pressure.",
+    )
+
+    private fun snapshot(
+        handNumber: Int = 4,
+        street: Street = Street.FLOP,
+        actionNumber: Int = 3,
+        event: HandEvent = HandEvent(
+            Street.FLOP,
+            1,
+            "Bruno",
+            Action(ActionType.RAISE, 12),
+        ),
+        board: List<Int> = listOf(2, 7, 9),
+        opponentHole: List<Int>? = listOf(40, 41),
+        phase: TableSnapshot.Phase = TableSnapshot.Phase.BETTING,
+    ) = TableSnapshot(
+        handNumber = handNumber,
+        street = street,
+        phase = phase,
+        board = board,
+        pot = 25,
+        currentBet = 12,
+        minRaiseSize = 8,
+        button = 0,
+        seats = listOf(
+            seat(0, "You", hole = listOf(0, 1)),
+            seat(1, "Bruno", hole = opponentHole),
+        ),
+        toAct = null,
+        toActToken = null,
+        lastAction = event,
+        actionNumber = actionNumber,
+    )
+
+    private fun seat(index: Int, name: String, hole: List<Int>?) = SeatSnapshot(
+        index = index,
+        name = name,
+        stack = 180,
+        committedThisRound = if (index == 1) 12 else 2,
+        committedThisHand = if (index == 1) 12 else 2,
+        folded = false,
+        allIn = false,
+        hole = hole,
+        revealed = false,
+        isButton = index == 0,
+    )
+
+    @Test
+    fun `narration cue is independent of every card in the rich snapshot`() {
+        val profiles = mapOf(1 to bruno)
+        val first = personaCueFor(snapshot(), profiles)
+        val differentCards = personaCueFor(
+            snapshot(
+                board = listOf(14, 22, 38),
+                opponentHole = listOf(10, 11),
+            ),
+            profiles,
+        )
+
+        assertEquals(first, differentCards)
+        assertEquals(PersonaCueId(4, 3), first!!.id)
+        assertEquals(ActionType.RAISE, first.actionType)
+        assertEquals(12, first.amount)
+        assertEquals(25, first.pot)
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    fun `hero actions and stale street events never become persona cues`() {
+        val heroAction = HandEvent(
+            Street.FLOP,
+            HERO_SEAT,
+            "You",
+            Action(ActionType.CALL, 10),
+        )
+        val staleAction = HandEvent(
+            Street.PREFLOP,
+            1,
+            "Bruno",
+            Action(ActionType.RAISE, 6),
+        )
+
+        assertNull(personaCueFor(snapshot(event = heroAction), mapOf(1 to bruno)))
+        assertNull(personaCueFor(snapshot(event = staleAction), mapOf(1 to bruno)))
+        assertNull(
+            personaCueFor(
+                snapshot(phase = TableSnapshot.Phase.STREET_COMPLETE),
+                mapOf(1 to bruno),
+            ),
+        )
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    fun `identical actions remain distinct through authoritative action number`() {
+        val profiles = mapOf(1 to bruno)
+        val first = personaCueFor(snapshot(actionNumber = 3), profiles)!!
+        val later = personaCueFor(snapshot(actionNumber = 7), profiles)!!
+
+        assertEquals(first.copy(id = PersonaCueId(4, 7)), later)
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    fun `table talk is visible only beside the exact action frame`() {
+        val line = TableTalkLine(
+            cueId = PersonaCueId(4, 3),
+            street = Street.FLOP,
+            speakerSeat = 1,
+            speakerName = "Bruno",
+            text = "Let's turn the dial.",
+        )
+        val matching = UiState(snapshot = snapshot(), tableTalk = line)
+
+        assertEquals(line, matching.visibleTableTalk())
+        assertNull(matching.copy(snapshot = snapshot(actionNumber = 4)).visibleTableTalk())
+        assertNull(matching.copy(snapshot = snapshot(handNumber = 5)).visibleTableTalk())
+        assertNull(
+            matching.copy(
+                snapshot = snapshot(
+                    street = Street.TURN,
+                    event = HandEvent(
+                        Street.TURN,
+                        1,
+                        "Bruno",
+                        Action(ActionType.RAISE, 12),
+                    ),
+                ),
+            ).visibleTableTalk(),
+        )
+        assertTrue(matching.acceptsTableTalk(line))
+    }
+}

app/src/test/java/com/jsjdesigns/poker/TableStatusTest.kt

@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ class TableStatusTest {
         toAct = toAct,
         toActToken = toAct?.toLong(),
         lastAction = lastAction,
+        actionNumber = if (lastAction == null) 0 else 1,
     )
 
     private fun seat(index: Int, name: String) = SeatSnapshot(

engine/src/commonMain/kotlin/com/jsjdesigns/poker/bot/PersonaArbiter.kt

@@ -0,0 +1,222 @@
+package com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot
+
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.game.ActionType
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.game.Street
+import kotlinx.coroutines.CancellationException
+import kotlinx.coroutines.withTimeoutOrNull
+
+data class PersonaCueId(
+    val handNumber: Int,
+    /** One-based, monotonic within a hand. */
+    val actionNumber: Int,
+)
+
+/**
+ * The complete language-model input boundary.
+ *
+ * Every value is public and describes an action the engine has already accepted.
+ * There are deliberately no cards, equity, legal-action choices, mutable seats,
+ * or means to return a poker action.
+ */
+data class PersonaCue(
+    val id: PersonaCueId,
+    val street: Street,
+    val speakerSeat: Int,
+    val speakerName: String,
+    val persona: String,
+    val actionType: ActionType,
+    val amount: Int,
+    val pot: Int,
+    val isAllIn: Boolean,
+    val activePlayers: Int,
+) {
+    init {
+        require(id.handNumber > 0)
+        require(id.actionNumber > 0)
+        require(speakerSeat >= 0)
+        require(speakerName.isNotBlank())
+        require(amount >= 0)
+        require(pot >= 0)
+        require(activePlayers > 0)
+    }
+}
+
+data class TableTalkLine(
+    val cueId: PersonaCueId,
+    val street: Street,
+    val speakerSeat: Int,
+    val speakerName: String,
+    val text: String,
+)
+
+fun interface PersonaNarrator {
+    /** Returns language only; null means this narrator elects not to speak. */
+    suspend fun narrate(cue: PersonaCue): String?
+}
+
+/**
+ * Decides when language is appropriate, bounds latency/output, and supplies a
+ * deterministic offline fallback. It never participates in [MathBot.act].
+ */
+class PersonaArbiter(
+    private val primary: PersonaNarrator,
+    private val fallback: PersonaNarrator = OfflinePersonaNarrator(),
+    private val timeoutMillis: Long = 1_200,
+    private val maxCharacters: Int = 96,
+) {
+    init {
+        require(timeoutMillis > 0)
+        require(maxCharacters > 0)
+    }
+
+    suspend fun lineFor(cue: PersonaCue): TableTalkLine? {
+        if (!shouldRequestPersonaLine(cue)) return null
+
+        val text = when (val result = request(primary, cue)) {
+            is NarrationResult.Completed -> {
+                // Null is a deliberate choice not to speak; blank/invalid output
+                // falls back because it cannot be rendered honestly.
+                if (result.text == null) return null
+                sanitise(result.text) ?: fallbackText(cue)
+            }
+            NarrationResult.Failed -> fallbackText(cue)
+        } ?: return null
+        return TableTalkLine(
+            cueId = cue.id,
+            street = cue.street,
+            speakerSeat = cue.speakerSeat,
+            speakerName = cue.speakerName,
+            text = text,
+        )
+    }
+
+    private suspend fun fallbackText(cue: PersonaCue): String? =
+        when (val result = request(fallback, cue)) {
+            is NarrationResult.Completed -> sanitise(result.text)
+            NarrationResult.Failed -> null
+        }
+
+    private suspend fun request(
+        narrator: PersonaNarrator,
+        cue: PersonaCue,
+    ): NarrationResult {
+        return try {
+            withTimeoutOrNull(timeoutMillis) {
+                // Wrap null so an intentional choice not to speak is distinct
+                // from this timeout returning null.
+                NarrationResult.Completed(narrator.narrate(cue))
+            } ?: NarrationResult.Failed
+        } catch (cancelled: CancellationException) {
+            throw cancelled
+        } catch (_: RuntimeException) {
+            NarrationResult.Failed
+        }
+    }
+
+    private fun sanitise(raw: String?): String? {
+        val singleLine = raw
+            ?.replace(WHITESPACE, " ")
+            ?.trim()
+            ?.take(maxCharacters)
+            ?.trim()
+        return singleLine?.takeIf(String::isNotEmpty)
+    }
+
+    private companion object {
+        val WHITESPACE = Regex("\\s+")
+    }
+
+    private sealed interface NarrationResult {
+        data class Completed(val text: String?) : NarrationResult
+        data object Failed : NarrationResult
+    }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Stable rate gate: lively after aggression and all-ins, restrained otherwise.
+ * Re-reading the same frame can never change whether somebody speaks.
+ */
+internal fun shouldRequestPersonaLine(cue: PersonaCue): Boolean {
+    if (cue.isAllIn) return true
+    val chance = when (cue.actionType) {
+        ActionType.BET, ActionType.RAISE -> 55
+        ActionType.CALL -> 20
+        ActionType.FOLD -> 12
+        ActionType.CHECK -> 8
+    }
+    var hash = 17
+    hash = hash * 31 + cue.id.handNumber
+    hash = hash * 31 + cue.id.actionNumber
+    hash = hash * 31 + cue.speakerSeat
+    hash = hash * 31 + cue.actionType.ordinal
+    return (hash and Int.MAX_VALUE) % 100 < chance
+}
+
+/**
+ * Network-free voice used today and whenever a future narrator times out.
+ *
+ * Lines react only to public action shape and never claim private hand strength.
+ */
+class OfflinePersonaNarrator : PersonaNarrator {
+    override suspend fun narrate(cue: PersonaCue): String {
+        val lines = linesFor(cue)
+        var hash = cue.speakerName.hashCode()
+        hash = hash * 31 + cue.persona.hashCode()
+        hash = hash * 31 + cue.id.handNumber
+        hash = hash * 31 + cue.id.actionNumber
+        return lines[(hash and Int.MAX_VALUE) % lines.size]
+    }
+
+    private fun linesFor(cue: PersonaCue): List<String> {
+        val action = when (cue.actionType) {
+            ActionType.BET, ActionType.RAISE -> "pressure"
+            ActionType.CALL -> "call"
+            ActionType.CHECK -> "check"
+            ActionType.FOLD -> "fold"
+        }
+        return VOICES[cue.speakerName]?.get(action)
+            ?: GENERIC.getValue(action)
+    }
+
+    private companion object {
+        val GENERIC = mapOf(
+            "pressure" to listOf("Let's make this interesting.", "Your move."),
+            "call" to listOf("I'll take another look.", "Still here."),
+            "check" to listOf("Go ahead.", "Let's see what develops."),
+            "fold" to listOf("Not this one.", "You can have it."),
+        )
+
+        val VOICES = mapOf(
+            "Ada" to mapOf(
+                "pressure" to listOf("Pressure clarifies things.", "Your decision."),
+                "call" to listOf("Continue.", "Noted."),
+                "check" to listOf("Proceed.", "For now."),
+                "fold" to listOf("No value in this one.", "Next hand."),
+            ),
+            "Bruno" to mapOf(
+                "pressure" to listOf("Let's turn the dial.", "Comfortable yet?"),
+                "call" to listOf("I'm not going anywhere.", "Keep talking."),
+                "check" to listOf("Show me something.", "After you."),
+                "fold" to listOf("Enjoy the small one.", "Take it."),
+            ),
+            "Cleo" to mapOf(
+                "pressure" to listOf("A little louder this time.", "Let's add some weight."),
+                "call" to listOf("I'll stay.", "One more card."),
+                "check" to listOf("Quiet is useful.", "I'm listening."),
+                "fold" to listOf("Nothing to prove.", "I'll wait."),
+            ),
+            "Dex" to mapOf(
+                "pressure" to listOf("Maybe this gets us somewhere.", "Worth a try."),
+                "call" to listOf("Worth a look.", "I have to see it."),
+                "check" to listOf("Free card? Sure.", "Let's keep it friendly."),
+                "fold" to listOf("Okay, okay.", "Not worth the ticket."),
+            ),
+            "Enzo" to mapOf(
+                "pressure" to listOf("Now we're playing!", "More chips, more truth!"),
+                "call" to listOf("Of course I'm in.", "You can't lose me that easily."),
+                "check" to listOf("A tactical pause!", "Suspense is part of the game."),
+                "fold" to listOf("Strategic retreat!", "I was being merciful."),
+            ),
+        )
+    }
+}

engine/src/commonMain/kotlin/com/jsjdesigns/poker/game/Table.kt

@@ -189,6 +189,7 @@ class Table(
         toAct = toAct,
         toActToken = if (toAct != null) pendingToken else null,
         lastAction = events.lastOrNull(),
+        actionNumber = events.size,
     )
 
     private suspend fun emit(

engine/src/commonMain/kotlin/com/jsjdesigns/poker/game/TableSnapshot.kt

@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ data class TableSnapshot(
     /** Identity of the decision [toAct] is being asked for; null when nobody is. */
     val toActToken: Long?,
     val lastAction: HandEvent?,
+    /** Number of accepted actions in this hand; authoritative identity for [lastAction]. */
+    val actionNumber: Int,
 ) {
     enum class Phase { DEALT, BETTING, STREET_COMPLETE, SHOWDOWN, COMPLETE }
 

engine/src/commonTest/kotlin/com/jsjdesigns/poker/bot/PersonaArbiterTest.kt

@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+package com.jsjdesigns.poker.bot
+
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.game.ActionType
+import com.jsjdesigns.poker.game.Street
+import kotlinx.coroutines.CancellationException
+import kotlinx.coroutines.delay
+import kotlinx.coroutines.test.runTest
+import kotlin.test.Test
+import kotlin.test.assertEquals
+import kotlin.test.assertFailsWith
+import kotlin.test.assertNotNull
+import kotlin.test.assertTrue
+
+class PersonaArbiterTest {
+
+    private fun cue(
+        actionNumber: Int = 3,
+        actionType: ActionType = ActionType.RAISE,
+        allIn: Boolean = true,
+    ) = PersonaCue(
+        id = PersonaCueId(handNumber = 2, actionNumber = actionNumber),
+        street = Street.TURN,
+        speakerSeat = 2,
+        speakerName = "Bruno",
+        persona = "Relentless pressure.",
+        actionType = actionType,
+        amount = 24,
+        pot = 51,
+        isAllIn = allIn,
+        activePlayers = 3,
+    )
+
+    @Test
+    fun `offline voice is deterministic for the same accepted action`() = runTest {
+        val narrator = OfflinePersonaNarrator()
+        val decision = cue()
+
+        assertEquals(narrator.narrate(decision), narrator.narrate(decision))
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    fun `arbiter returns bounded single-line language with authoritative identity`() = runTest {
+        val arbiter = PersonaArbiter(
+            primary = PersonaNarrator { "  First line\nsecond\tline with extra words  " },
+            maxCharacters = 24,
+        )
+
+        val line = assertNotNull(arbiter.lineFor(cue()))
+
+        assertEquals(PersonaCueId(2, 3), line.cueId)
+        assertEquals(Street.TURN, line.street)
+        assertEquals(2, line.speakerSeat)
+        assertEquals("Bruno", line.speakerName)
+        assertEquals("First line second line w", line.text)
+        assertTrue('\n' !in line.text)
+        assertTrue(line.text.length <= 24)
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    fun `runtime failure and timeout both fall back offline`() = runTest {
+        val failure = PersonaArbiter(
+            primary = PersonaNarrator { throw IllegalStateException("network failed") },
+        )
+        val timeout = PersonaArbiter(
+            primary = PersonaNarrator {
+                delay(500)
+                "too late"
+            },
+            timeoutMillis = 10,
+        )
+
+        assertNotNull(failure.lineFor(cue(actionNumber = 4)))
+        assertNotNull(timeout.lineFor(cue(actionNumber = 5)))
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    fun `narrator choosing silence is not replaced by fallback chatter`() = runTest {
+        val arbiter = PersonaArbiter(
+            primary = PersonaNarrator { null },
+            fallback = PersonaNarrator { "fallback" },
+        )
+
+        assertEquals(null, arbiter.lineFor(cue()))
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    fun `coroutine cancellation is never converted into table talk`() = runTest {
+        val arbiter = PersonaArbiter(
+            primary = PersonaNarrator { throw CancellationException("screen left") },
+        )
+
+        assertFailsWith<CancellationException> { arbiter.lineFor(cue()) }
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    fun `rate gate is stable and all-in speech is always eligible`() {
+        val ordinary = cue(allIn = false)
+
+        assertEquals(
+            shouldRequestPersonaLine(ordinary),
+            shouldRequestPersonaLine(ordinary),
+        )
+        assertTrue(shouldRequestPersonaLine(cue(allIn = true)))
+    }
+}

engine/src/commonTest/kotlin/com/jsjdesigns/poker/game/SnapshotAndHumanAgentTest.kt

@@ -80,6 +80,21 @@ class SnapshotAndHumanAgentTest {
                 seen.last().phase == TableSnapshot.Phase.COMPLETE,
             "the hand must end on a terminal phase, was ${seen.last().phase}",
         )
+        assertTrue(
+            seen.zipWithNext().all { (before, after) ->
+                after.actionNumber >= before.actionNumber
+            },
+            "accepted-action identity must never move backwards",
+        )
+        assertEquals(
+            (0..seen.maxOf { it.actionNumber }).toSet(),
+            seen.map { it.actionNumber }.toSet(),
+            "every accepted action number must be published",
+        )
+        assertTrue(
+            seen.all { (it.actionNumber == 0) == (it.lastAction == null) },
+            "action identity and lastAction must appear together",
+        )
     }
 
     @Test