diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 41fe022..50d2625 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -46,6 +46,10 @@ jobs:
         working-directory: bin/kbsearch
         run: go test ./rank -count=1
 
+      - name: Go tests (chats nested module)
+        working-directory: bin/chats
+        run: go test ./... -count=1
+
       - name: facts/audit self (lexicon consistency, no network)
         run: |
           ./bin/facts/audit self 2>/dev/null || echo "audit: not yet implemented; gate skipped"
diff --git a/PLAN.md b/PLAN.md
index f00fe68..9579e1c 100644
--- a/PLAN.md
+++ b/PLAN.md
@@ -118,10 +118,11 @@ Common props on every node/edge: `root`, `confidence`, `evidence[]`, `how`,
 
 1. go vet + go test ./... (Go tools; root module)
 2. `go test ./rank` in `bin/kbsearch` (cgo-free ranking + flag parser; nested module still needs ladybug for the rest)
-3. python -m unittest discover (Py tools)
-4. bin/facts/audit self  (lexicon internal consistency)
-5. bin/kb/eval            (recall@5 ≥ 0.95, gates index regressions)
-6. md-docs build/lint if docs tooling arrives.
+3. `go test ./...` in `bin/chats` (Telegram + LinkedIn parsers; nested module)
+4. python -m unittest discover (Py tools)
+5. bin/facts/audit self  (lexicon internal consistency)
+6. bin/kb/eval            (recall@5 ≥ 0.95, gates index regressions)
+7. md-docs build/lint if docs tooling arrives.
 
 Feedback loop: every commit → PR → CI → green/gate → merge. Same discipline as
 `db/tech-poc`: contract first where there is an OpenAPI/message shape.
diff --git a/bin/chats/linkedin.go b/bin/chats/linkedin.go
index 4576ff4..78f9377 100644
--- a/bin/chats/linkedin.go
+++ b/bin/chats/linkedin.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"os/exec"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"regexp"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 )
@@ -25,21 +26,248 @@ type lnInboxItem struct {
 	Unread           bool   `json:"unread"`
 }
 
-type lnInboxEnvelope struct {
-	Results    []lnInboxItem `json:"results"`
-	HasMore    bool          `json:"hasMore"`
+// mcp-server-linkedin v4.22 returns get_inbox / get_conversation as
+// {url, sections:{inbox|conversation: textblob}, references:{...}}.
+// The conversation list lives in references (kind=conversation); messages live
+// in the sections text blob, delimited by "<From> sent the following message
+// at <time>" markers. See testdata/linkedin_*.json for the wire shape.
+
+type lnEnvelope struct {
+	URL        string          `json:"url"`
+	Sections   map[string]any  `json:"sections"`
+	References map[string]any  `json:"references"`
+}
+
+type lnReference struct {
+	Kind    string `json:"kind"`
+	URL     string `json:"url"`
+	Text    string `json:"text"`
+	Context string `json:"context"`
 }
 
 type lnMessage struct {
-	From       string `json:"from"`
-	Date       string `json:"date"`
-	Text       string `json:"text"`
+	From string `json:"from"`
+	Date string `json:"date"`
+	Text string `json:"text"`
 }
 
-type lnConvEnvelope struct {
-	Results    []lnMessage `json:"results"`
-	HasMore    bool        `json:"hasMore"`
-	TotalCount int         `json:"total_count"`
+var (
+	lnWeekdays = map[string]time.Weekday{
+		"SUNDAY": time.Sunday, "MONDAY": time.Monday, "TUESDAY": time.Tuesday,
+		"WEDNESDAY": time.Wednesday, "THURSDAY": time.Thursday,
+		"FRIDAY": time.Friday, "SATURDAY": time.Saturday,
+	}
+	lnMsgStartRe = regexp.MustCompile(`^(.+?) sent the following messages? at (.+)$`)
+	lnTimeRe     = regexp.MustCompile(`\d{1,2}:\d{2}\s*[AP]M`)
+)
+
+func isWeekdayLine(s string) bool {
+	if _, ok := lnWeekdays[s]; ok {
+		return true
+	}
+	switch s {
+	case "TODAY", "YESTERDAY", "THIS WEEK", "LAST WEEK":
+		return true
+	}
+	return lnMonthDayRe.MatchString(s)
+}
+
+var lnMonthDayRe = regexp.MustCompile(`^[A-Z]{3}\s+\d{1,2}$`)
+
+// parseLinkedInInbox extracts conversations from a get_inbox response.
+func parseLinkedInInbox(text string) []lnInboxItem {
+	var env lnEnvelope
+	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(text), &env); err != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	refs, _ := env.References["inbox"].([]any)
+	var items []lnInboxItem
+	for _, r := range refs {
+		rr, ok := r.(map[string]any)
+		if !ok {
+			continue
+		}
+		if rr["kind"] != "conversation" {
+			continue
+		}
+		u, _ := rr["url"].(string)
+		tid := threadIDFromURL(u)
+		if !validThreadID(tid) {
+			continue
+		}
+		name, _ := rr["text"].(string)
+		items = append(items, lnInboxItem{
+			ThreadID:     tid,
+			Participants: name,
+		})
+	}
+	return items
+}
+
+// parseLinkedInConversation parses the sections.conversation text blob into
+// messages. Messages are delimited by "<From> sent the following message(s) at
+// <time>" lines; each message body runs until the next marker. Day headers
+// (all-caps weekdays) provide date context; times are mapped to the most
+// recent matching weekday.
+func parseLinkedInConversation(text string) []lnMessage {
+	var env lnEnvelope
+	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(text), &env); err != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	blob, _ := env.Sections["conversation"].(string)
+	if blob == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	var msgs []lnMessage
+	var cur *lnMessage
+	var body []string
+	day := ""
+
+	flush := func() {
+		if cur == nil {
+			return
+		}
+		cur.Text = strings.TrimSpace(strings.Join(body, "\n"))
+		if ts := linkedInTimestamp(day, cur.Date); ts != "" {
+			cur.Date = ts
+		}
+		if cur.Text != "" {
+			msgs = append(msgs, *cur)
+		}
+		cur = nil
+		body = nil
+	}
+
+	for _, raw := range strings.Split(blob, "\n") {
+		line := strings.TrimSpace(raw)
+		if line == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		if isWeekdayLine(line) {
+			if line != day {
+				// A new day header terminates the previous message,
+				// which must keep the earlier date context.
+				flush()
+			}
+			day = line
+			continue
+		}
+		if m := lnMsgStartRe.FindStringSubmatch(line); m != nil {
+			flush()
+			cur = &lnMessage{From: strings.TrimSpace(m[1]), Date: strings.TrimSpace(m[2])}
+			continue
+		}
+		if cur == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		// Skip "View X's profile" and the "<From> (pronouns) <time>" header.
+		if strings.HasPrefix(line, "View ") && strings.HasSuffix(line, "'s profile") {
+			continue
+		}
+		if strings.HasPrefix(line, cur.From) && lnTimeRe.MatchString(line) {
+			continue
+		}
+		body = append(body, line)
+	}
+	flush()
+	return msgs
+}
+
+// linkedInTimestamp maps a weekday, relative, or MON DD date header + clock
+// string to a timestamp, or returns "" when the clock cannot be parsed.
+func linkedInTimestamp(day, clock string) string {
+	t, err := time.Parse("3:04 PM", clock)
+	if err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	now := time.Now()
+	var d time.Time
+	if wd, ok := lnWeekdays[day]; ok {
+		diff := (int(now.Weekday()) - int(wd) + 7) % 7
+		d = now.AddDate(0, 0, -diff)
+	} else {
+		switch day {
+		case "TODAY":
+			d = now
+		case "YESTERDAY":
+			d = now.AddDate(0, 0, -1)
+		case "THIS WEEK":
+			diff := int(now.Weekday())
+			d = now.AddDate(0, 0, -diff)
+		case "LAST WEEK":
+			diff := int(now.Weekday()) + 7
+			d = now.AddDate(0, 0, -diff)
+		default:
+			if m := lnMonthDayRe.FindStringSubmatch(day); m != nil {
+				// MON DD without a year: resolve to the most recent
+				// occurrence that is not in the future.
+				d = monthDayDate(day, now)
+				if d.IsZero() {
+					return t.Format("15:04")
+				}
+			} else {
+				// No date context; keep bare clock time.
+				return t.Format("15:04")
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	res := time.Date(d.Year(), d.Month(), d.Day(), t.Hour(), t.Minute(), 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	return res.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339)
+}
+
+var lnMonths = map[string]time.Month{
+	"JAN": time.January, "FEB": time.February, "MAR": time.March,
+	"APR": time.April, "MAY": time.May, "JUN": time.June,
+	"JUL": time.July, "AUG": time.August, "SEP": time.September,
+	"OCT": time.October, "NOV": time.November, "DEC": time.December,
+}
+
+// monthDayDate resolves "MON DD" to the most recent occurrence of that date,
+// preferring the current year and falling back to the previous year when the
+// date is in the future. Returns zero time when unresolvable.
+func monthDayDate(day string, now time.Time) time.Time {
+	parts := strings.Fields(day)
+	if len(parts) != 2 {
+		return time.Time{}
+	}
+	mo, ok := lnMonths[parts[0]]
+	if !ok {
+		return time.Time{}
+	}
+	var dd int
+	if _, err := fmt.Sscanf(parts[1], "%d", &dd); err != nil {
+		return time.Time{}
+	}
+	if dd < 1 || dd > 31 {
+		return time.Time{}
+	}
+	d := time.Date(now.Year(), mo, dd, 0, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+	if d.After(now) {
+		d = d.AddDate(-1, 0, 0)
+	}
+	if d.After(now) {
+		return time.Time{}
+	}
+	return d
+}
+
+func threadIDFromURL(u string) string {
+	u = strings.TrimSuffix(u, "/")
+	idx := strings.LastIndex(u, "/")
+	if idx < 0 {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return u[idx+1:]
+}
+
+// validThreadID rejects path segments that are not real thread ids (e.g. the
+// literal "thread" or an empty trailing segment).
+func validThreadID(id string) bool {
+	if id == "" || id == "thread" {
+		return false
+	}
+	return true
 }
 
 func NewLinkedInMCPSource(userDataDir string) *LinkedInMCPSource {
@@ -53,16 +281,39 @@ func (s *LinkedInMCPSource) Sync(ctx context.Context, outDir string, limit int)
 		s.limit = limit
 	}
 
+	// getConversation fetches one thread, recreating the MCP server when it
+	// wedges. A single 429 makes mcp-server-linkedin close its browser and
+	// refuse every later call ("still has a browser open"), so a broken server
+	// must be restarted rather than hammered.
+	getConversation := func(threadID string) ([]lnMessage, error) {
+		client, err := newLinkedInMCP(ctx, s.userDataDir)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("linkedin mcp: %w", err)
+		}
+		defer client.Close()
+		msgs, err := client.GetConversation(ctx, "", threadID, msgLimitFor(s.limit))
+		if err != nil && wedged(err) {
+			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "chats: %s: server wedged, restarting broker\n", threadID)
+			time.Sleep(5 * time.Second)
+			client2, cerr := newLinkedInMCP(ctx, s.userDataDir)
+			if cerr == nil {
+				defer client2.Close()
+				msgs, err = client2.GetConversation(ctx, "", threadID, msgLimitFor(s.limit))
+			}
+		}
+		return msgs, err
+	}
+
 	client, err := newLinkedInMCP(ctx, s.userDataDir)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("linkedin mcp: %w", err)
 	}
-	defer client.Close()
-
 	inbox, err := client.GetInbox(ctx, 50)
 	if err != nil {
+		client.Close()
 		return fmt.Errorf("get_inbox: %w", err)
 	}
+	client.Close()
 	if len(inbox) == 0 {
 		fmt.Println("chats: no LinkedIn conversations found")
 		return nil
@@ -88,18 +339,21 @@ func (s *LinkedInMCPSource) Sync(ctx context.Context, outDir string, limit int)
 			continue
 		}
 
-		msgLimit := 100
-		if s.limit > 0 {
-			msgLimit = s.limit
-		}
-
-		msgs, err := client.GetConversation(ctx, "", conv.ThreadID, msgLimit)
+		msgs, err := getConversation(conv.ThreadID)
 		if err != nil {
 			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "chats: get_conversation %s: %v\n", convID, err)
 			continue
 		}
 
 		jsonlPath := filepath.Join(chatDir, "messages.jsonl")
+
+		// A rate-limited response can parse to zero messages. Never clobber
+		// previously synced data with an empty file.
+		if len(msgs) == 0 {
+			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "chats: %s (%s): 0 messages parsed, keeping existing file\n", chatName, convID)
+			continue
+		}
+
 		f, err := os.Create(jsonlPath)
 		if err != nil {
 			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "chats: create %s: %v\n", jsonlPath, err)
@@ -137,6 +391,13 @@ func (s *LinkedInMCPSource) Sync(ctx context.Context, outDir string, limit int)
 		f.Close()
 
 		fmt.Printf("chats: synced %s (%s) — %d messages\n", chatName, convID, written)
+
+		// Pause between conversations to reduce LinkedIn rate limiting.
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return ctx.Err()
+		case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+		}
 	}
 
 	return nil
@@ -154,6 +415,7 @@ func newLinkedInMCP(ctx context.Context, userDataDir string) (*linkedInMCPClient
 		"mcp-server-linkedin@latest",
 		"--user-data-dir", userDataDir,
 		"--no-auto-import",
+		"--no-daemon",
 		"--transport", "stdio",
 		"--login-timeout", "10",
 		"--browser-wait", "1",
@@ -261,14 +523,90 @@ func (c *linkedInMCPClient) send(ctx context.Context, method string, params inte
 	return nil, fmt.Errorf("no response: %w", c.stdout.Err())
 }
 
+// msgLimitFor returns the per-conversation message cap for a sync.
+func msgLimitFor(limit int) int {
+	if limit > 0 {
+		return limit
+	}
+	return 100
+}
+
+// wedged reports whether a conversation fetch failure means the MCP server
+// closed its browser and will refuse every later call.
+func wedged(err error) bool {
+	return strings.Contains(err.Error(), "still has a browser open")
+}
+
+// callTool invokes an MCP tool, retrying transient (rate-limit) failures.
+func (c *linkedInMCPClient) callTool(ctx context.Context, name string, params map[string]interface{}) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+	var lastErr error
+	for attempt := 0; attempt < 3; attempt++ {
+		if attempt > 0 {
+			delay := time.Duration(1<<uint(attempt)) * 5 * time.Second
+			select {
+			case <-ctx.Done():
+				return nil, ctx.Err()
+			case <-time.After(delay):
+			}
+		}
+		result, err := c.send(ctx, "tools/call", map[string]interface{}{
+			"name":      name,
+			"arguments": params,
+		})
+		if err == nil {
+			// Tool-level errors surface as a successful RPC with an
+			// isError=true content entry.
+			if hint := toolErrorHint(result); hint != "" {
+				lastErr = fmt.Errorf("%s error: %s", name, hint)
+				if !isTransientLinkedInError(lastErr.Error()) {
+					return nil, lastErr
+				}
+				continue
+			}
+			return result, nil
+		}
+		lastErr = err
+		if !isTransientLinkedInError(err.Error()) {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: %w", name, lastErr)
+}
+
+// toolErrorHint returns the tool's error text when the result has isError set.
+func toolErrorHint(result json.RawMessage) string {
+	var toolRes struct {
+		Content []struct {
+			Type string `json:"type"`
+			Text string `json:"text"`
+		} `json:"content"`
+		IsError bool `json:"isError"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(result, &toolRes); err != nil || !toolRes.IsError {
+		return ""
+	}
+	if len(toolRes.Content) > 0 {
+		return toolRes.Content[0].Text
+	}
+	return "unknown tool error"
+}
+
+// isTransientLinkedInError reports whether a fetch failed due to rate limiting
+// or a transient server error, which may succeed on retry.
+func isTransientLinkedInError(msg string) bool {
+	return strings.Contains(msg, "503") || strings.Contains(msg, "429") ||
+		strings.Contains(msg, "ERR_HTTP_RESPONSE_CODE_FAILURE") ||
+		strings.Contains(msg, "ERR_ABORTED") ||
+		strings.Contains(msg, "Error calling tool") ||
+		strings.Contains(msg, "Unexpected error") ||
+		strings.Contains(msg, "still has a browser open")
+}
+
 func (c *linkedInMCPClient) GetInbox(ctx context.Context, limit int) ([]lnInboxItem, error) {
 	params := map[string]interface{}{
 		"limit": limit,
 	}
-	result, err := c.send(ctx, "tools/call", map[string]interface{}{
-		"name":      "get_inbox",
-		"arguments": params,
-	})
+	result, err := c.callTool(ctx, "get_inbox", params)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -283,23 +621,12 @@ func (c *linkedInMCPClient) GetInbox(ctx context.Context, limit int) ([]lnInboxI
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(result, &toolRes); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unmarshal tool: %w", err)
 	}
-	if toolRes.IsError {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("get_inbox error")
-	}
 	if len(toolRes.Content) == 0 {
 		return nil, nil
 	}
 
 	text := toolRes.Content[0].Text
-	var env lnInboxEnvelope
-	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(text), &env); err != nil {
-		var arr []lnInboxItem
-		if err2 := json.Unmarshal([]byte(text), &arr); err2 == nil {
-			return arr, nil
-		}
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("parse inbox: %w", err)
-	}
-	return env.Results, nil
+	return parseLinkedInInbox(text), nil
 }
 
 func (c *linkedInMCPClient) GetConversation(ctx context.Context, username, threadID string, limit int) ([]lnMessage, error) {
@@ -308,10 +635,7 @@ func (c *linkedInMCPClient) GetConversation(ctx context.Context, username, threa
 		"thread_id":         threadID,
 		"index":             limit,
 	}
-	result, err := c.send(ctx, "tools/call", map[string]interface{}{
-		"name":      "get_conversation",
-		"arguments": params,
-	})
+	result, err := c.callTool(ctx, "get_conversation", params)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -326,23 +650,12 @@ func (c *linkedInMCPClient) GetConversation(ctx context.Context, username, threa
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(result, &toolRes); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unmarshal tool: %w", err)
 	}
-	if toolRes.IsError {
-		return nil, nil
-	}
 	if len(toolRes.Content) == 0 {
 		return nil, nil
 	}
 
 	text := toolRes.Content[0].Text
-	var env lnConvEnvelope
-	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(text), &env); err != nil {
-		var arr []lnMessage
-		if err2 := json.Unmarshal([]byte(text), &arr); err2 == nil {
-			return arr, nil
-		}
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("parse conv: %w", err)
-	}
-	return env.Results, nil
+	return parseLinkedInConversation(text), nil
 }
 
 func (c *linkedInMCPClient) Close() error {
diff --git a/bin/chats/linkedin_test.go b/bin/chats/linkedin_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aeb96dd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/chats/linkedin_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,215 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+func readFixture(t *testing.T, name string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join("testdata", name))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return string(data)
+}
+
+// TestParseLinkedInInbox verifies get_inbox parsing against the v4.22 wire
+// format (testdata/linkedin_inbox.json — synthetic Alice/Bob/Charlie).
+func TestParseLinkedInInbox(t *testing.T) {
+	text := readFixture(t, "linkedin_inbox.json")
+	items := parseLinkedInInbox(text)
+	if len(items) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 2 conversations (empty thread url skipped), got %d", len(items))
+	}
+
+	first := items[0]
+	if first.ThreadID == "" {
+		t.Error("expected thread id extracted from reference url")
+	}
+	if first.Participants != "Alice Example" {
+		t.Errorf("participants=%q, want Alice Example", first.Participants)
+	}
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(first.ThreadID, "2-") {
+		t.Errorf("unexpected thread id format %q", first.ThreadID)
+	}
+	if items[1].Participants != "Charlie Example" {
+		t.Errorf("second participant=%q, want Charlie Example", items[1].Participants)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestParseLinkedInInboxBadJSON verifies a non-JSON response yields no items
+// rather than a panic or error.
+func TestParseLinkedInInboxBadJSON(t *testing.T) {
+	if got := parseLinkedInInbox("Session expired"); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected no items for non-JSON, got %d", len(got))
+	}
+}
+
+// TestParseLinkedInConversation verifies message extraction from the sections
+// blob (testdata/linkedin_conversation.json — synthetic Alice/Bob).
+func TestParseLinkedInConversation(t *testing.T) {
+	text := readFixture(t, "linkedin_conversation.json")
+	msgs := parseLinkedInConversation(text)
+	if len(msgs) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 2 messages, got %d", len(msgs))
+	}
+
+	if msgs[0].From != "Alice Example" {
+		t.Errorf("from=%q, want Alice Example", msgs[0].From)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(msgs[0].Text, "Senior Software Engineer") {
+		t.Errorf("alice text missing role, got %q", msgs[0].Text)
+	}
+	if msgs[0].Date == "" {
+		t.Error("expected message date")
+	}
+	if msgs[1].From != "Bob Example" {
+		t.Errorf("from=%q, want Bob Example", msgs[1].From)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestParseLinkedInConversationEmpty verifies empty/non-JSON blobs parse to
+// zero messages.
+func TestParseLinkedInConversationEmpty(t *testing.T) {
+	if got := parseLinkedInConversation("no data here"); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 0 messages, got %d", len(got))
+	}
+}
+
+// TestLinkedInTimestamp verifies weekday+clock resolution to a recent UTC date.
+func TestLinkedInTimestamp(t *testing.T) {
+	// The most recent Wednesday before/equal to "now".
+	ts := linkedInTimestamp("WEDNESDAY", "10:02 AM")
+	parsed, err := time.Parse(time.RFC3339, ts)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unparseable timestamp %q: %v", ts, err)
+	}
+	if parsed.Weekday() != time.Wednesday {
+		t.Errorf("expected Wednesday, got %s", parsed.Weekday())
+	}
+	if parsed.Hour() != 10 || parsed.Minute() != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 10:02, got %02d:%02d", parsed.Hour(), parsed.Minute())
+	}
+
+	now := time.Now()
+	diff := now.Sub(parsed)
+	if diff < 0 || diff > 7*24*time.Hour {
+		t.Errorf("timestamp %s is not within the last week of %s", parsed, now)
+	}
+
+	if got := linkedInTimestamp("MONDAY", "garbage"); got != "" {
+		t.Errorf("expected empty for bad clock, got %q", got)
+	}
+	if got := linkedInTimestamp("", "1:22 PM"); got != "13:22" {
+		t.Errorf("expected bare 13:22 for missing weekday, got %q", got)
+	}
+
+	// Relative day headers must resolve to full dates, not bare clocks.
+	today := linkedInTimestamp("TODAY", "9:42 AM")
+	yp, err := time.Parse(time.RFC3339, today)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("TODAY unparseable %q: %v", today, err)
+	}
+	if yp.Year() != now.Year() || yp.Month() != now.Month() || yp.Day() != now.Day() {
+		t.Errorf("TODAY expected %v, got %v", now, yp)
+	}
+	yest := linkedInTimestamp("YESTERDAY", "3:00 PM")
+	yp, err = time.Parse(time.RFC3339, yest)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("YESTERDAY unparseable %q: %v", yest, err)
+	}
+	if yp.Day() != now.AddDate(0, 0, -1).Day() {
+		t.Errorf("YESTERDAY expected day %d, got %d", now.AddDate(0, 0, -1).Day(), yp.Day())
+	}
+
+	// MON DD header (e.g. "JUN 25"): must resolve to a full date. The
+	// timestamp should fall within the current year (falling back to the
+	// prior year if the date would be in the future).
+	md := linkedInTimestamp("JUN 25", "10:48 AM")
+	mp, err := time.Parse(time.RFC3339, md)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("MON DD unparseable %q: %v", md, err)
+	}
+	if mp.Year() != now.Year() && mp.Year() != now.Year()-1 {
+		t.Errorf("JUN 25 expected year %d or %d, got %d", now.Year(), now.Year()-1, mp.Year())
+	}
+	if mp.Month() != time.June || mp.Day() != 25 {
+		t.Errorf("JUN 25 expected Jun 25, got %s %d", mp.Month(), mp.Day())
+	}
+	if mp.After(now) {
+		t.Errorf("JUN 25 resolved to the future: %s > %s", mp, now)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestTransientLinkedInError verifies rate-limit errors are retryable but
+// genuine failures are not.
+func TestTransientLinkedInError(t *testing.T) {
+	retryable := []string{
+		"get_conversation error: Error calling tool 'get_conversation'",
+		"get_conversation error: Unexpected error in get_conversation: net::ERR_HTTP_RESPONSE_CODE_FAILURE",
+		"rpc error 503: rate limited",
+		"rpc error 429: too many requests",
+		"get_conversation: get_conversation error: This server still has a browser open on the profile.",
+	}
+	for _, msg := range retryable {
+		if !isTransientLinkedInError(msg) {
+			t.Errorf("expected %q to be transient", msg)
+		}
+	}
+	permanent := []string{
+		"get_inbox error: bad credentials",
+		"rpc error -32602: Invalid request parameters",
+		"unmarshal: unexpected end of JSON input",
+	}
+	for _, msg := range permanent {
+		if isTransientLinkedInError(msg) {
+			t.Errorf("expected %q to be permanent", msg)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// TestMsgLimitFor verifies the per-conversation message cap resolution.
+func TestMsgLimitFor(t *testing.T) {
+	if got := msgLimitFor(0); got != 100 {
+		t.Errorf("expected default 100, got %d", got)
+	}
+	if got := msgLimitFor(5); got != 5 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 5, got %d", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestWedged verifies the browser-open failure is recognized as a wedge.
+func TestWedged(t *testing.T) {
+	if !wedged(errors.New("get_conversation error: This server still has a browser open on the profile")) {
+		t.Error("expected wedged error to be recognized")
+	}
+	if wedged(errors.New("get_conversation error: bad thing")) {
+		t.Error("unexpected wedge detection")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestThreadIDFromURL verifies thread id extraction.
+func TestThreadIDFromURL(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []struct {
+		url, want string
+	}{
+		{"/messaging/thread/2-abc123/", "2-abc123"},
+		{"/messaging/thread/2-abc123", "2-abc123"},
+		{"", ""},
+		{"/messaging/thread/", ""},
+	}
+	for _, c := range cases {
+		got := threadIDFromURL(c.url)
+		if c.want == "" && validThreadID(got) {
+			t.Errorf("threadIDFromURL(%q) = %q, want empty", c.url, got)
+		}
+		if c.want != "" && got != c.want {
+			t.Errorf("threadIDFromURL(%q) = %q, want %q", c.url, got, c.want)
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/bin/chats/refresh-linkedin-session b/bin/chats/refresh-linkedin-session
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..c62fec4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/chats/refresh-linkedin-session
@@ -0,0 +1,155 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""chats/refresh-linkedin-session - refresh LinkedIn MCP session from webtop CDP.
+
+  bin/chats/refresh-linkedin-session [--cdp URL] [--root DIR]
+"""
+
+Reads the current LinkedIn cookies out of the running Thorium browser in the
+work-webtop container via CDP (Network.getAllCookies), copies the live browser
+profile onto the source profile directory, and rewrites the portable
+cookies.json + source-state.json that mcp-server-linkedin requires.
+
+Usage:
+  refresh-linkedin-session [--cdp http://127.0.0.1:9222] [--root /var/tmp/liprofile]
+                           [--container work-webtop] [--profile thorium-profile]
+
+After the headless driver uses a copied profile, LinkedIn rotates the session
+in that copy, so this must run before every sync.
+"""
+
+import asyncio
+import json
+import os
+import shutil
+import subprocess
+import sys
+import tempfile
+import urllib.request
+
+import websockets
+
+
+def cdp_tab(ws_json):
+    for t in ws_json:
+        if t.get("webSocketDebuggerUrl"):
+            return t["webSocketDebuggerUrl"]
+    return None
+
+
+async def get_cookies(ws_url):
+    async with websockets.connect(ws_url, max_size=50_000_000) as ws:
+        await ws.send(json.dumps({"id": 1, "method": "Network.getAllCookies", "params": {}}))
+        resp = await ws.recv()
+        return json.loads(resp).get("result", {}).get("cookies", [])
+
+
+def write_source_state(root, profile_dir):
+    # Reuse the linkedin-mcp-server session_state module to write a valid
+    # source-state.json (same schema the daemon reads).
+    try:
+        from linkedin_mcp_server.session_state import canonical, write_source_state
+
+        write_source_state(canonical(__import__("pathlib").Path(profile_dir)))
+        return
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+    # Fallback: minimal schema-compatible state.
+    import uuid
+
+    state = {
+        "version": 1,
+        "source_runtime_id": "linux-amd64-host",
+        "login_generation": str(uuid.uuid4()),
+        "created_at": None,
+        "profile_path": profile_dir,
+        "cookies_path": os.path.join(root, "cookies.json"),
+    }
+    from datetime import datetime, timezone
+
+    state["created_at"] = datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat()
+    with open(os.path.join(root, "source-state.json"), "w") as f:
+        json.dump(state, f, indent=2)
+
+
+def main():
+    args = sys.argv[1:]
+    cdp = "http://127.0.0.1:9222"
+    root = "/var/tmp/liprofile"
+    container = "work-webtop"
+    cprofile = "thorium-profile"
+    for i in range(0, len(args), 2):
+        k = args[i]
+        v = args[i + 1] if i + 1 < len(args) else ""
+        if k == "--cdp":
+            cdp = v
+        elif k == "--root":
+            root = v
+        elif k == "--container":
+            container = v
+        elif k == "--profile":
+            cprofile = v
+
+    profile_dir = os.path.join(root, "profile")
+    os.makedirs(profile_dir, exist_ok=True)
+
+    # 1. Clear stale daemon/browser locks so the server can claim the profile.
+    for lock in ("profile-claim.lock", "profile.lock", "daemon.lock", "lease.lock"):
+        p = os.path.join(root, lock)
+        if os.path.exists(p):
+            os.remove(p)
+    for name in os.listdir(profile_dir):
+        if name.startswith("Singleton"):
+            os.remove(os.path.join(profile_dir, name))
+    for name in os.listdir(root):
+        if name.startswith("invalid-state-"):
+            shutil.rmtree(os.path.join(root, name), ignore_errors=True)
+
+    # 1. Copy the live browser profile (cookies DB + Local State) so the
+    #    session the driver launches carries the current login.
+    subprocess.run(
+        ["docker", "cp", f"{container}:/config/{cprofile}/Default", os.path.join(profile_dir, "Default")],
+        check=True, capture_output=True,
+    )
+    subprocess.run(
+        ["docker", "cp", f"{container}:/config/{cprofile}/Local State", os.path.join(profile_dir, "Local State")],
+        check=True, capture_output=True,
+    )
+    for lock in ("SingletonLock", "SingletonCookie", "SingletonSocket"):
+        p = os.path.join(profile_dir, lock)
+        if os.path.exists(p):
+            os.remove(p)
+
+    # 2. Pull the live cookies out of the running browser.
+    with urllib.request.urlopen(f"{cdp}/json", timeout=5) as r:
+        tabs = json.loads(r.read())
+    ws_url = cdp_tab(tabs)
+    if not ws_url:
+        sys.stderr.write("refresh-linkedin-session: no CDP tab\n")
+        sys.exit(1)
+    cookies = asyncio.run(get_cookies(ws_url))
+
+    li = [c for c in cookies if "linkedin" in c.get("domain", "")]
+    out = []
+    for c in li:
+        domain = c.get("domain", "")
+        if domain in (".www.linkedin.com", "www.linkedin.com"):
+            domain = ".linkedin.com"
+        out.append({
+            "name": c["name"],
+            "value": c["value"].strip('"'),
+            "domain": domain,
+            "path": c.get("path", "/"),
+            "expires": c.get("expires", -1),
+            "httpOnly": c.get("httpOnly", False),
+            "secure": c.get("secure", False),
+            "sameSite": c.get("sameSite", "None"),
+        })
+    with open(os.path.join(root, "cookies.json"), "w") as f:
+        json.dump(out, f, indent=2)
+
+    write_source_state(root, profile_dir)
+    sys.stderr.write(f"refresh-linkedin-session: {len(out)} cookies, profile refreshed\n")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()
diff --git a/bin/chats/sync_linkedin_cmd.go b/bin/chats/sync_linkedin_cmd.go
index e2be490..13a0d81 100644
--- a/bin/chats/sync_linkedin_cmd.go
+++ b/bin/chats/sync_linkedin_cmd.go
@@ -6,33 +6,39 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"os/exec"
-	"strings"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"time"
 )
 
 func checkLinkedInSession(userDataDir string) (bool, error) {
-	cmd := exec.Command("uvx", "mcp-server-linkedin@latest",
-		"--user-data-dir", userDataDir,
-		"--no-auto-import",
-		"--status",
-	)
-	out, err := cmd.CombinedOutput()
-	if err != nil {
-		return true, fmt.Errorf("status check: %w\n%s", err, string(out))
+	// Validate the source-session files without launching a browser. A full
+	// `--status` run spawns Chromium and loads /feed/, doubling the automation
+	// exposed to LinkedIn (429 rate limits) before the sync even starts.
+	root := filepath.Dir(userDataDir)
+	sessionFiles := []string{
+		filepath.Join(root, "source-state.json"),
+		filepath.Join(root, "cookies.json"),
+		filepath.Join(userDataDir, "Default", "Cookies"),
 	}
-	return !strings.Contains(string(out), "✅"), nil
+	for _, f := range sessionFiles {
+		if _, err := os.Stat(f); err != nil {
+			return true, fmt.Errorf("missing session file %s", f)
+		}
+	}
+	return false, nil
 }
 
 func runSyncLinkedIn(args []string) int {
 	fs := flag.NewFlagSet("chats sync linkedin", flag.ContinueOnError)
 	limit := fs.Int("limit", 0, "max messages per conversation (0 = all)")
+	refresh := fs.Bool("refresh", false, "refresh session from live webtop browser before sync")
 	help := fs.Bool("help", false, "")
 	fs.SetOutput(os.Stderr)
 	if err := fs.Parse(args); err != nil {
 		return 2
 	}
 	if *help {
-		fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "usage: chats sync linkedin [--limit N]")
+		fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "usage: chats sync linkedin [--limit N] [--refresh]")
 		return 0
 	}
 
@@ -42,15 +48,21 @@ func runSyncLinkedIn(args []string) int {
 		userDataDir = home + "/.linkedin-mcp/profile"
 	}
 
-	// Check session first
+	if *refresh {
+		if code := refreshLinkedInSession(userDataDir); code != 0 {
+			return code
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Check session files first (no browser launch).
 	loginNeeded, err := checkLinkedInSession(userDataDir)
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "chats: linkedin status check: %v\n", err)
 	}
 	if loginNeeded {
-		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "chats: LinkedIn session expired. Run:\n")
-		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "  uvx mcp-server-linkedin@latest --user-data-dir %s --login\n", userDataDir)
-		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Then retry 'chats sync linkedin'\n")
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "chats: LinkedIn session missing. Run:\n")
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "  chats sync linkedin --refresh\n")
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "or point LINKEDIN_USER_DATA_DIR at a valid session\n")
 		return 1
 	}
 
@@ -67,3 +79,27 @@ func runSyncLinkedIn(args []string) int {
 	fmt.Printf("chats sync linkedin: completed in %s\n", time.Since(start).Round(time.Millisecond))
 	return 0
 }
+
+// refreshLinkedInSession re-syncs the LinkedIn source session from the live
+// webtop browser via the vendored refresh-linkedin-session helper.
+func refreshLinkedInSession(userDataDir string) int {
+	exe, err := os.Executable()
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "chats: resolve executable: %v\n", err)
+		return 1
+	}
+	helper := filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(exe), "refresh-linkedin-session")
+	if _, err := os.Stat(helper); err != nil {
+		// Fall back to the source tree helper next to this command file.
+		helper = "bin/chats/refresh-linkedin-session"
+	}
+	root := filepath.Dir(userDataDir)
+	cmd := exec.Command(helper, "--root", root)
+	cmd.Stdout = os.Stderr
+	cmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
+	if err := cmd.Run(); err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "chats: linkedin session refresh: %v\n", err)
+		return 1
+	}
+	return 0
+}
diff --git a/bin/chats/testdata/linkedin_conversation.json b/bin/chats/testdata/linkedin_conversation.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ba5cbf0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/chats/testdata/linkedin_conversation.json
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+{
+  "url": "https://www.linkedin.com/messaging/thread/2-YWxpY2UtYm9iLXRocmVhZC0xMjM=/",
+  "sections": {
+    "conversation": "WEDNESDAY\nAlice Example sent the following message at 10:02 AM\nView Alice Example's profile\nAlice Example  (She/Her)  10:02 AM\nHi Bob, we have a Senior Software Engineer role that matches your Go and Python background. Happy to share more if you are open to a chat.\n\nBob Example sent the following messages at 1:22 PM\nView Bob Example's profile\nBob Example  1:22 PM\nHi Alice, thanks for reaching out — yes, I am open to exploring a Senior Software Engineer role. Happy to do a short video call.\n"
+  },
+  "references": {
+    "conversation": [
+      {"kind": "person", "url": "/in/alice-example/", "text": "Alice Example"},
+      {"kind": "person", "url": "/in/bob-example/", "text": "Bob Example"}
+    ]
+  }
+}
diff --git a/bin/chats/testdata/linkedin_inbox.json b/bin/chats/testdata/linkedin_inbox.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c1f1c89
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/chats/testdata/linkedin_inbox.json
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+{
+  "url": "https://www.linkedin.com/messaging/",
+  "sections": {
+    "inbox": "Messaging\nInbox\nConversation List\nAlice Example\nExciting opportunity for a senior software engineer\n"
+  },
+  "references": {
+    "inbox": [
+      {
+        "kind": "conversation",
+        "url": "/messaging/thread/2-YWxpY2UtYm9iLXRocmVhZC0xMjM=/",
+        "context": "inbox",
+        "text": "Alice Example"
+      },
+      {
+        "kind": "person",
+        "url": "/in/alice-example/",
+        "text": "Alice Example",
+        "context": "inbox"
+      },
+      {
+        "kind": "conversation",
+        "url": "/messaging/thread/2-Y2hhcmxpZS1ib2ItdGhyZWFkLTQ1Ng==/",
+        "context": "inbox",
+        "text": "Charlie Example"
+      },
+      {
+        "kind": "conversation",
+        "url": "/messaging/thread/",
+        "context": "inbox",
+        "text": "should-be-skipped"
+      }
+    ]
+  }
+}