Refactor: replace surveyor knobs with attributes list

backend/api/conversation_routes.py

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from typing import Dict, Optional, Any
+from typing import Dict, Optional, Any, List
 
 from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
@@ -26,9 +26,9 @@ class StartConversationRequest(BaseModel):
         default=None,
         description="Extra instructions appended to the patient system prompt for this run",
     )
-    surveyor_knobs: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = Field(
+    surveyor_attributes: Optional[List[str]] = Field(
         default=None,
-        description="Structured surveyor configuration knobs (compiled into the surveyor system prompt)",
+        description="Plain-language surveyor attributes (bullet lines) compiled into the surveyor system prompt",
     )
     surveyor_question_bank: Optional[str] = Field(
         default=None,
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ async def start_conversation(request: StartConversationRequest) -> Dict[str, str
             model=request.model,
             surveyor_prompt_addition=request.surveyor_prompt_addition,
             patient_prompt_addition=request.patient_prompt_addition,
-            surveyor_knobs=request.surveyor_knobs,
+            surveyor_attributes=request.surveyor_attributes,
             surveyor_question_bank=request.surveyor_question_bank,
         )
         if success:

backend/api/conversation_service.py

@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ from backend.core.persona_system import PersonaSystem  # noqa: E402
 from .conversation_ws import ConnectionManager  # noqa: E402
 from .storage_service import get_run_store  # noqa: E402
 from backend.storage import RunRecord  # noqa: E402
-from backend.core.surveyor_knobs import compile_surveyor_overlay, compile_question_bank_overlay  # noqa: E402
+from backend.core.surveyor_knobs import compile_surveyor_attributes_overlay, compile_question_bank_overlay  # noqa: E402
 
 # Setup logging
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ class ConversationInfo:
     stop_requested: bool = False
     surveyor_prompt_addition: Optional[str] = None
     patient_prompt_addition: Optional[str] = None
-    surveyor_knobs: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None
+    surveyor_attributes: List[str] = field(default_factory=list)
     surveyor_question_bank: Optional[str] = None
 
 
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ class HumanChatInfo:
     stop_requested: bool = False
     surveyor_prompt_addition: Optional[str] = None
     patient_prompt_addition: Optional[str] = None
-    surveyor_knobs: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None
+    surveyor_attributes: List[str] = field(default_factory=list)
     surveyor_question_bank: Optional[str] = None
     asked_question_ids: List[str] = field(default_factory=list)
     lock: asyncio.Lock = field(default_factory=asyncio.Lock)
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ class ConversationService:
         model: Optional[str] = None,
         surveyor_prompt_addition: Optional[str] = None,
         patient_prompt_addition: Optional[str] = None,
-        surveyor_knobs: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
+        surveyor_attributes: Optional[List[str]] = None,
         surveyor_question_bank: Optional[str] = None,
     ) -> bool:
         """Start a new human-to-surveyor chat session."""
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ class ConversationService:
             llm_backend=resolved_backend,
             surveyor_prompt_addition=surveyor_prompt_addition,
             patient_prompt_addition=patient_prompt_addition,
-            surveyor_knobs=surveyor_knobs if isinstance(surveyor_knobs, dict) else None,
+            surveyor_attributes=[s.strip() for s in (surveyor_attributes or []) if isinstance(s, str) and s.strip()],
             surveyor_question_bank=surveyor_question_bank if isinstance(surveyor_question_bank, str) and surveyor_question_bank.strip() else None,
             status=ConversationStatus.STARTING,
             created_at=datetime.now(),
@@ -511,14 +511,14 @@ class ConversationService:
             user_prompt=user_prompt,
         )
 
-        overlay = compile_surveyor_overlay(chat_info.surveyor_knobs)
-        if overlay:
-            system_prompt = (system_prompt + "\n\n" + overlay).strip()
-
         qb = compile_question_bank_overlay(chat_info.surveyor_question_bank)
         if qb:
             system_prompt = (system_prompt + "\n\n" + qb).strip()
 
+        attrs = compile_surveyor_attributes_overlay(chat_info.surveyor_attributes)
+        if attrs:
+            system_prompt = (system_prompt + "\n\n" + attrs).strip()
+
         patient_persona = self.persona_system.get_persona(chat_info.patient_persona_id) or {}
         try:
             patient_context = self.persona_system.prompt_builder.build_system_prompt(patient_persona)
@@ -578,7 +578,7 @@ class ConversationService:
                                model: Optional[str] = None,
                                surveyor_prompt_addition: Optional[str] = None,
                                patient_prompt_addition: Optional[str] = None,
-                               surveyor_knobs: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
+                               surveyor_attributes: Optional[List[str]] = None,
                                surveyor_question_bank: Optional[str] = None) -> bool:
         """Start a new AI-to-AI conversation.
 
@@ -623,7 +623,7 @@ class ConversationService:
                 llm_backend=resolved_backend,
                 surveyor_prompt_addition=surveyor_prompt_addition,
                 patient_prompt_addition=patient_prompt_addition,
-                surveyor_knobs=surveyor_knobs if isinstance(surveyor_knobs, dict) else None,
+                surveyor_attributes=[s.strip() for s in (surveyor_attributes or []) if isinstance(s, str) and s.strip()],
                 surveyor_question_bank=surveyor_question_bank if isinstance(surveyor_question_bank, str) and surveyor_question_bank.strip() else None,
                 status=ConversationStatus.STARTING,
                 created_at=datetime.now()
@@ -647,7 +647,7 @@ class ConversationService:
                 llm_parameters=llm_parameters,
                 surveyor_prompt_addition=surveyor_prompt_addition,
                 patient_prompt_addition=patient_prompt_addition,
-                surveyor_knobs=surveyor_knobs if isinstance(surveyor_knobs, dict) else None,
+                surveyor_attributes=[s.strip() for s in (surveyor_attributes or []) if isinstance(s, str) and s.strip()],
                 surveyor_question_bank=surveyor_question_bank if isinstance(surveyor_question_bank, str) else None,
             )
 
@@ -914,7 +914,7 @@ class ConversationService:
                         "patient_persona_id": conv_info.patient_persona_id,
                         "surveyor_prompt_addition": getattr(conv_info, "surveyor_prompt_addition", None),
                         "patient_prompt_addition": getattr(conv_info, "patient_prompt_addition", None),
-                        "surveyor_knobs": getattr(conv_info, "surveyor_knobs", None),
+                        "surveyor_attributes": getattr(conv_info, "surveyor_attributes", None),
                         "surveyor_question_bank": getattr(conv_info, "surveyor_question_bank", None),
                         "asked_question_ids": getattr(manager, "asked_question_ids", None) if hasattr(manager, "asked_question_ids") else None,
                     },

backend/api/conversation_ws.py

@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ async def handle_start_conversation(data: dict, conversation_id: str):
         model = data.get("model")
         surveyor_prompt_addition = data.get("surveyor_prompt_addition")
         patient_prompt_addition = data.get("patient_prompt_addition")
-        surveyor_knobs = data.get("surveyor_knobs")
+        surveyor_attributes = data.get("surveyor_attributes")
         surveyor_question_bank = data.get("surveyor_question_bank")
 
         if not surveyor_persona_id or not patient_persona_id:
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ async def handle_start_conversation(data: dict, conversation_id: str):
             model=model,
             surveyor_prompt_addition=surveyor_prompt_addition,
             patient_prompt_addition=patient_prompt_addition,
-            surveyor_knobs=surveyor_knobs,
+            surveyor_attributes=surveyor_attributes,
             surveyor_question_bank=surveyor_question_bank,
         )
 
@@ -390,7 +390,7 @@ async def handle_start_human_chat(data: dict, conversation_id: str):
         model = data.get("model")
         surveyor_prompt_addition = data.get("surveyor_prompt_addition")
         patient_prompt_addition = data.get("patient_prompt_addition")
-        surveyor_knobs = data.get("surveyor_knobs")
+        surveyor_attributes = data.get("surveyor_attributes")
         surveyor_question_bank = data.get("surveyor_question_bank")
 
         if not surveyor_persona_id or not patient_persona_id:
@@ -409,7 +409,7 @@ async def handle_start_human_chat(data: dict, conversation_id: str):
             model=model,
             surveyor_prompt_addition=surveyor_prompt_addition,
             patient_prompt_addition=patient_prompt_addition,
-            surveyor_knobs=surveyor_knobs,
+            surveyor_attributes=surveyor_attributes,
             surveyor_question_bank=surveyor_question_bank,
         )
 

backend/core/conversation_manager.py

@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).parent.parent))
 
 from backend.core.llm_client import create_llm_client
 from backend.core.persona_system import PersonaSystem
-from backend.core.surveyor_knobs import compile_surveyor_overlay, compile_question_bank_overlay
+from backend.core.surveyor_knobs import compile_surveyor_attributes_overlay, compile_question_bank_overlay
 
 SURVEYOR_MAX_TOKENS = 140
 PATIENT_MAX_TOKENS = 240
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ class ConversationManager:
                  patient_persona: dict = None,
                  surveyor_prompt_addition: Optional[str] = None,
                  patient_prompt_addition: Optional[str] = None,
-                 surveyor_knobs: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
+                 surveyor_attributes: Optional[List[str]] = None,
                  surveyor_question_bank: Optional[str] = None,
                  host: str = "http://localhost:11434",
                  model: str = "llama3.2:latest",
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ class ConversationManager:
         self.turn_count = 0
         self.surveyor_prompt_addition = (surveyor_prompt_addition or "").strip()
         self.patient_prompt_addition = (patient_prompt_addition or "").strip()
-        self.surveyor_knobs = surveyor_knobs if isinstance(surveyor_knobs, dict) else None
+        self.surveyor_attributes = [s.strip() for s in (surveyor_attributes or []) if isinstance(s, str) and s.strip()]
         self.surveyor_question_bank = (surveyor_question_bank or "").strip() or None
         self.asked_question_ids: List[str] = []
         
@@ -235,12 +235,12 @@ class ConversationManager:
                 conversation_history=conversation_history,
                 user_prompt=user_prompt
             )
-            overlay = compile_surveyor_overlay(self.surveyor_knobs)
-            if overlay:
-                system_prompt = f"{system_prompt}\n\n{overlay}"
             qb = compile_question_bank_overlay(self.surveyor_question_bank)
             if qb:
                 system_prompt = f"{system_prompt}\n\n{qb}"
+            attrs = compile_surveyor_attributes_overlay(self.surveyor_attributes)
+            if attrs:
+                system_prompt = f"{system_prompt}\n\n{attrs}"
             if self.surveyor_prompt_addition:
                 system_prompt = f"{system_prompt}\n\nAdditional instructions:\n{self.surveyor_prompt_addition}"
 

backend/core/surveyor_knobs.py

@@ -1,55 +1,34 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
+from typing import Any, List, Optional
 
 
-def _as_str_list(value: Any) -> List[str]:
+def _clean_bullets(value: Any) -> List[str]:
     if not value:
         return []
+    if isinstance(value, str):
+        parts = [line.strip() for line in value.splitlines()]
+        return [p for p in parts if p and not p.startswith("#")]
     if isinstance(value, list):
         out: List[str] = []
         for item in value:
-            if isinstance(item, str) and item.strip():
-                out.append(item.strip())
+            if isinstance(item, str):
+                s = item.strip()
+                if s and not s.startswith("#"):
+                    out.append(s)
         return out
     return []
 
 
-def compile_surveyor_overlay(knobs: Optional[Dict[str, Any]]) -> str:
-    """Compile structured surveyor knobs into a deterministic prompt overlay."""
-    if not isinstance(knobs, dict) or not knobs:
+def compile_surveyor_attributes_overlay(attributes: Any) -> str:
+    """Compile surveyor attributes (plain bullet lines) into a prompt overlay."""
+    items = _clean_bullets(attributes)
+    if not items:
         return ""
-
-    stance = knobs.get("stance")
-    question_strategy = knobs.get("question_strategy")
-    empathy_style = knobs.get("empathy_style")
-    off_track_handling = knobs.get("off_track_handling")
-
-    probing_policy = _as_str_list(knobs.get("probing_policy"))
-    sensitivity_handling = _as_str_list(knobs.get("sensitivity_handling"))
-
     lines: List[str] = []
-    lines.append("Surveyor configuration (structured knobs):")
-
-    def add(label: str, value: Any):
-        if isinstance(value, str) and value.strip():
-            lines.append(f"- {label}: {value.strip()}")
-
-    add("stance", stance)
-    add("question_strategy", question_strategy)
-    add("empathy_style", empathy_style)
-    add("off_track_handling", off_track_handling)
-
-    if probing_policy:
-        lines.append("- probing_policy:")
-        for item in probing_policy:
-            lines.append(f"  - {item}")
-
-    if sensitivity_handling:
-        lines.append("- sensitivity_handling:")
-        for item in sensitivity_handling:
-            lines.append(f"  - {item}")
-
+    lines.append("Surveyor attributes (follow these):")
+    for item in items:
+        lines.append(f"- {item}")
     return "\n".join(lines).strip()
 
 

docs/README.md

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ These short guides are all you need to extend the AI Survey Simulator:
 - `overview.md` — architecture summary, major components, and repository map.
 - `development.md` — setup, runtime instructions, and implementation guidelines.
 - `persistence.md` — persistent run history + persona CRUD design (HF `/data` now, Railway later).
-- `persona-knobs.md` — persona configuration knobs (core v1 vs deferred) for Surveyor + Patient.
+- `persona-knobs.md` — persona configuration controls (v2) for Surveyor + Patient.
 - `roadmap.md` — current status and prioritized future work.
 
 Keep documentation lean: update the relevant file when behavior changes or priorities shift.

docs/development.md

@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ The UI also includes a **Configuration** view that lets you select personas and
 - No automated test suite yet. Add lightweight `pytest` modules under `tests/` as you extend functionality.
 - Manually verify through the primary web UI (`frontend/react_gradio_hybrid.py`).
 - For persistence + history: complete a run, confirm it appears in **History**, restart the container, and confirm it still appears and exports download.
-- For config knobs (surveyor v1): change surveyor settings in **Configuration**, run an AI↔AI session, and confirm behavior differs and the completed run’s `config.personas.surveyor_knobs` is present when fetched from `/api/runs/{run_id}`.
+- For surveyor configuration: change **Surveyors → Attributes** and/or **Question bank** in **Configuration**, run an AI↔AI session, and confirm the completed run’s `config.personas.surveyor_attributes` and `config.personas.surveyor_question_bank` are present when fetched from `/api/runs/{run_id}`.
 - For question bank (surveyor): set a question bank in **Configuration → Surveyors**, complete a run, and confirm the surveyor sticks to one bank question per turn and the run’s `config.personas.asked_question_ids` is populated in `/api/runs/{run_id}`.
 - If you need to debug the conversation loop, instrument `backend/core/conversation_manager.py` or launch a shell and run it directly.
 

docs/persona-knobs.md

@@ -1,136 +1,94 @@
-# Persona “Knobs” (v1 Core) — Surveyor + Patient
+# Persona Controls (v2) — Surveyor + Patient (local-first)
 
-This document defines the **core, behavior-changing configuration knobs** we will support first for personas.
+This document defines the **core, behavior-changing configuration controls** we support for personas.
 
 Goal alignment:
 
 - **A) Surveyor quality**: reliably covers target questions with empathy, good flow, and appropriate probing.
 - **B) Validation harness**: synthetic patients exist to *stress test* the surveyor under realistic situations.
-- **C) Analysis**: handled separately (resource agent knobs are out of scope here).
+- **C) Analysis**: handled separately (resource agent controls are out of scope here).
 
-The guiding principle is: **every UI field must have a guaranteed effect** on generation (no “decorative” persona metadata).
+The guiding principle is: **every UI control must have a guaranteed effect** on generation (no decorative controls).
 
 ---
 
-## Key design decision: compile structured knobs into prompts
+## Key design decision: compile attributes + question bank into prompts
 
-Today, the LLM behavior is primarily driven by the persona’s `system_prompt`. Many existing YAML fields do not materially affect generation unless they are manually duplicated into that prompt.
+Today, behavior is primarily driven by the persona’s `system_prompt`. Many YAML fields do not materially affect generation unless they are duplicated into that prompt.
 
-For v1, we will:
+For v2, we:
 
-1. Define a small structured schema of core knobs (below).
-2. **Compile** those knobs into a deterministic “persona overlay” section that is included in the model’s system prompt.
-3. Keep a **system prompt preview** in the UI showing the exact final system prompt text that will be sent.
+1. Let the user define a small set of plain-language **Attributes** (bullet lines) for the surveyor.
+2. Let the user define a **Question bank** the surveyor must work through.
+3. **Compile** both into a deterministic prompt overlay included in the surveyor system prompt, so the controls always matter.
 
-This preserves flexibility (freeform prompt editing) while ensuring the structured knobs always matter.
-
-Non-goal: making every current YAML field first-class.
+Non-goal: making every YAML field first-class in the UI.
 
 ---
 
 ## What is “baked in” (global, not persona-specific)
 
-These are global constraints / scaffolding that apply to all personas and are not edited in the persona editor:
+These are global constraints/scaffolding that apply to all personas and are not edited in the config UI:
 
-- Turn-format constraints (e.g., “ask at most one question”, “1–2 sentences”) and token/temperature defaults.
+- Turn-format constraints (e.g., 1–2 sentences, at most one question per turn).
 - Conversation scaffolding templates (greeting/follow-up framing; use of the last message).
-- Conversation-history inclusion and formatting (e.g., max history window).
-- Safety/compliance rules we want consistently enforced across personas.
+- Conversation-history inclusion and formatting.
+- Safety/compliance rules we want consistently enforced.
 
-Personas can express style *within* these constraints, but do not change the constraints themselves in v1.
+Personas can express style *within* these constraints, but do not change the constraints themselves in v2.
 
 ---
 
-## Surveyor persona knobs (Core v1)
-
-These should be exposed as first-class fields and compiled into the surveyor system prompt.
+## Surveyor controls (Core v2)
 
 ### Identity
 - `name` (required): display name.
 - `description` (optional): short one-liner shown in selectors.
 
-### Survey behavior
-- `stance` (dropdown): `empathetic_researcher | neutral_clinical | time_efficient`.
-- `question_strategy` (dropdown): `sequential | adaptive_followups | conversational_cover_all`.
-- `probing_policy` (multi-select):
-  - `clarify_timeline`
-  - `ask_examples`
-  - `quantify_frequency_severity`
-  - `reflect_emotion`
-  - `summarize_and_confirm`
-- `empathy_style` (dropdown): `validating | neutral | supportive_brief`.
-- `off_track_handling` (dropdown): `gentle_redirect | one_vent_then_redirect | hard_redirect`.
-- `sensitivity_handling` (multi-select):
-  - `acknowledge`
-  - `offer_skip`
-  - `normalize`
-  - `avoid_advice`
-
-### Freeform prompt
-- `system_prompt` (required): human-editable base prompt (still important).
-- `system_prompt_addition` (optional, per-run): already supported in the configuration UI; stays as run-level override.
+### Attributes (plain bullet lines)
+A list of short, testable rules, for example:
+- “Ask exactly one question per turn; no multi-part questions.”
+- “Reflect emotion briefly before redirecting.”
+- “Avoid medical advice; suggest clinician follow-up when needed.”
+
+### Question bank (targets to cover)
+A list of survey questions the surveyor must work through.
+
+When a question bank is present, the surveyor outputs strict JSON including the chosen question id (e.g., `q01`) so asked questions can be tracked deterministically.
+
+### Surveyor prompt addition (optional, per-run)
+Additional free-form instructions appended last (lowest priority).
 
 ---
 
-## Patient persona knobs (Core v1)
+## Patient controls (Core v1, minimal)
 
-These should be exposed as first-class fields and compiled into the patient system prompt.
+Patient structured controls are intentionally minimal for now; the synthetic patient exists as a validation harness.
 
 ### Identity
 - `name` (required): display name.
 - `description` (optional): short one-liner shown in selectors.
 
-### Scenario / health situation
-- `conditions` (list): e.g., `Type 2 diabetes`, `asthma`.
-- `medications` (list): e.g., `metformin`, `albuterol`.
-- `care_context` (short text): e.g., “primary care follow-up”, “recent ER visit”.
-- `recent_events` (short bullets): key timeline anchors used to answer questions realistically.
-
-### Barriers / constraints
-- `barriers` (multi-select):
-  - `cost`
-  - `transport`
-  - `time`
-  - `insurance`
-  - `digital_access`
-  - `language`
-  - `stigma`
-
-### Conversational behavior
-- `cooperativeness` (ordinal): `forthcoming | mixed | guarded`.
-- `emotional_stance` (dropdown): `anxious | frustrated | neutral | optimistic`.
-- `verbosity` (dropdown): `brief | normal | detailed`.
-- `health_literacy` (dropdown): `low | medium | high`.
-- `recall_certainty` (dropdown): `confident | mixed | uncertain`.
-- `digression_tendency` (dropdown): `on_track | occasional_anecdotes | tangential`.
-
-### Freeform prompt
-- `system_prompt` (required): human-editable base prompt.
-- `system_prompt_addition` (optional, per-run): already supported in the configuration UI; stays as run-level override.
+### Patient prompt addition (optional, per-run)
+Patient prompt addition is supported as a run-level override.
 
 ---
 
-## Secondary knobs (documented, not implemented in v1)
+## Secondary controls (documented, not implemented yet)
 
 These may be useful later but are intentionally deferred to avoid UI complexity without clear validation value.
 
 Surveyor:
-- terminology level (plain/mixed/clinical-with-explanations)
-- pacing (brief/normal/thorough) beyond global constraints
-- explicit consent/confidentiality micro-scripts as toggles
+- richer structured knobs (stance/probing/off-track handling) if we find a strong need
 
 Patient:
-- privacy skepticism toggle (“Why do you need this?”)
-- quirks (interrupts, under-reports symptoms, minimizes pain)
-- richer biography fields (occupation, family structure) unless used for study design
+- richer structured scenario/behavior fields once we define how to validate them
 
 ---
 
-## Implementation notes (how these knobs become real)
+## Implementation notes (how these controls become real)
 
 To prevent dead fields, the implementation should ensure:
 
-- All core knobs are included in the final system prompt text (compiled overlay).
-- The UI shows a prompt preview so users understand the effective configuration.
-- Persisted runs capture the persona snapshot and the prompt overlay used (already supported by run snapshots).
-
+- Core controls are included in the final system prompt text (compiled overlay).
+- Persisted runs capture the config snapshot used (including attributes + question bank).

frontend/pages/config_view.py

@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 def get_config_view_js() -> str:
     return r"""
-        function ConfigView() {
-            const existing = React.useMemo(() => loadConfig(), []);
-            const [personas, setPersonas] = React.useState({ surveyors: [], patients: [] });
-            const [activePane, setActivePane] = React.useState('surveyors'); // surveyors|patients|analysis|system
+	        function ConfigView() {
+	            const existing = React.useMemo(() => loadConfig(), []);
+	            const [personas, setPersonas] = React.useState({ surveyors: [], patients: [] });
+	            const [activePane, setActivePane] = React.useState('surveyors'); // surveyors|patients|analysis|system
 
             const [selectedSurveyorId, setSelectedSurveyorId] = React.useState(existing?.surveyor_persona_id || 'friendly_researcher_001');
             const [selectedPatientId, setSelectedPatientId] = React.useState(existing?.patient_persona_id || 'cooperative_senior_001');
-            const [surveyorQuestionItems, setSurveyorQuestionItems] = React.useState(() => {
+	            const [surveyorQuestionItems, setSurveyorQuestionItems] = React.useState(() => {
                 const items = Array.isArray(existing?.surveyor_question_bank_items) ? existing.surveyor_question_bank_items : null;
                 if (items && items.length) {
                     return items
@@ -18,18 +18,20 @@ def get_config_view_js() -> str:
                 const raw = typeof existing?.surveyor_question_bank === 'string' ? existing.surveyor_question_bank : '';
                 const lines = raw.split('\n').map((l) => (l || '').trim()).filter((l) => l.length > 0);
                 return lines.map((text, idx) => ({ id: `q${String(idx + 1).padStart(2, '0')}`, text }));
-            });
-            const [surveyorPromptAddition, setSurveyorPromptAddition] = React.useState(existing?.surveyor_prompt_addition || '');
-            const [patientPromptAddition, setPatientPromptAddition] = React.useState(existing?.patient_prompt_addition || '');
-            const [surveyorKnobs, setSurveyorKnobs] = React.useState(existing?.surveyor_knobs || {
-                stance: 'empathetic_researcher',
-                question_strategy: 'conversational_cover_all',
-                probing_policy: ['reflect_emotion', 'summarize_and_confirm'],
-                empathy_style: 'validating',
-                off_track_handling: 'gentle_redirect',
-                sensitivity_handling: ['acknowledge', 'normalize', 'avoid_advice']
-            });
-            const [savedAt, setSavedAt] = React.useState(existing?.saved_at || null);
+	            });
+	            const legacySurveyorKnobsPresent = !!(existing && existing.surveyor_knobs);
+	            const [surveyorAttributeItems, setSurveyorAttributeItems] = React.useState(() => {
+	                const attrs = Array.isArray(existing?.surveyor_attributes) ? existing.surveyor_attributes : null;
+	                if (attrs && attrs.length) {
+	                    return attrs
+	                        .map((x) => (typeof x === 'string' ? x.trim() : ''))
+	                        .filter((x) => x.length > 0);
+	                }
+	                return [];
+	            });
+	            const [surveyorPromptAddition, setSurveyorPromptAddition] = React.useState(existing?.surveyor_prompt_addition || '');
+	            const [patientPromptAddition, setPatientPromptAddition] = React.useState(existing?.patient_prompt_addition || '');
+	            const [savedAt, setSavedAt] = React.useState(existing?.saved_at || null);
 
             const surveyorQuestionBankText = React.useMemo(() => {
                 const lines = (surveyorQuestionItems || [])
@@ -38,7 +40,7 @@ def get_config_view_js() -> str:
                 return lines.join('\n');
             }, [surveyorQuestionItems]);
 
-            const addQuestion = () => {
+	            const addQuestion = () => {
                 const nextId = `q${String((surveyorQuestionItems || []).length + 1).padStart(2, '0')}`;
                 setSurveyorQuestionItems((prev) => ([...(prev || []), { id: nextId, text: '' }]));
             };
@@ -47,9 +49,21 @@ def get_config_view_js() -> str:
                 setSurveyorQuestionItems((prev) => (prev || []).map((q) => (q.id === id ? Object.assign({}, q, { text }) : q)));
             };
 
-            const removeQuestion = (id) => {
-                setSurveyorQuestionItems((prev) => (prev || []).filter((q) => q.id !== id));
-            };
+	            const removeQuestion = (id) => {
+	                setSurveyorQuestionItems((prev) => (prev || []).filter((q) => q.id !== id));
+	            };
+
+	            const addAttribute = () => {
+	                setSurveyorAttributeItems((prev) => ([...(prev || []), '' ]));
+	            };
+
+	            const updateAttribute = (idx, text) => {
+	                setSurveyorAttributeItems((prev) => (prev || []).map((v, i) => (i === idx ? text : v)));
+	            };
+
+	            const removeAttribute = (idx) => {
+	                setSurveyorAttributeItems((prev) => (prev || []).filter((_, i) => i !== idx));
+	            };
 
             React.useEffect(() => {
                 authedFetch('/api/personas')
@@ -63,22 +77,24 @@ def get_config_view_js() -> str:
                     .catch(() => {});
             }, []);
 
-            const onSave = () => {
-                const cfg = {
-                    surveyor_persona_id: selectedSurveyorId,
-                    patient_persona_id: selectedPatientId,
-                    surveyor_question_bank: surveyorQuestionBankText,
-                    surveyor_question_bank_items: (surveyorQuestionItems || [])
-                        .map((q) => ({ id: q.id, text: (q.text || '').trim() }))
-                        .filter((q) => q.id && q.text.length > 0),
-                    surveyor_prompt_addition: surveyorPromptAddition,
-                    patient_prompt_addition: patientPromptAddition,
-                    surveyor_knobs: surveyorKnobs,
-                    saved_at: new Date().toISOString()
-                };
-                localStorage.setItem(STORAGE_KEY, JSON.stringify(cfg));
-                setSavedAt(cfg.saved_at);
-            };
+	            const onSave = () => {
+	                const cfg = {
+	                    surveyor_persona_id: selectedSurveyorId,
+	                    patient_persona_id: selectedPatientId,
+	                    surveyor_question_bank: surveyorQuestionBankText,
+	                    surveyor_question_bank_items: (surveyorQuestionItems || [])
+	                        .map((q) => ({ id: q.id, text: (q.text || '').trim() }))
+	                        .filter((q) => q.id && q.text.length > 0),
+	                    surveyor_attributes: (surveyorAttributeItems || [])
+	                        .map((x) => (typeof x === 'string' ? x.trim() : ''))
+	                        .filter((x) => x.length > 0),
+	                    surveyor_prompt_addition: surveyorPromptAddition,
+	                    patient_prompt_addition: patientPromptAddition,
+	                    saved_at: new Date().toISOString()
+	                };
+	                localStorage.setItem(STORAGE_KEY, JSON.stringify(cfg));
+	                setSavedAt(cfg.saved_at);
+	            };
 
             const TabNav = () => {
                 const base = "px-4 py-2 rounded-lg text-sm font-semibold border transition-colors";
@@ -110,174 +126,120 @@ def get_config_view_js() -> str:
 
                     <TabNav />
 
-                    {activePane === 'surveyors' ? (
-                        <div className="mt-6 grid grid-cols-2 gap-6">
-                            <div>
-                                <label className="block text-sm font-semibold text-slate-700 mb-2">Surveyor persona</label>
-                                <select
-                                    className="w-full border border-slate-300 rounded-lg px-3 py-2 text-sm bg-white"
-                                    value={selectedSurveyorId}
-                                    onChange={(e) => setSelectedSurveyorId(e.target.value)}
-                                >
-                                    {(personas.surveyors.length ? personas.surveyors : [{id: 'friendly_researcher_001', name: 'Alex Thompson'}]).map(p => (
-                                        <option key={p.id} value={p.id}>{p.name} ({p.id})</option>
-                                    ))}
-                                </select>
-
-                                <div className="mt-4">
-                                    <label className="block text-sm font-semibold text-slate-700 mb-2">Surveyor stance</label>
-                                    <select
-                                        className="w-full border border-slate-300 rounded-lg px-3 py-2 text-sm bg-white"
-                                        value={surveyorKnobs.stance || 'empathetic_researcher'}
-                                        onChange={(e) => setSurveyorKnobs(prev => Object.assign({}, prev, { stance: e.target.value }))}
-                                    >
-                                        <option value="empathetic_researcher">Empathetic researcher</option>
-                                        <option value="neutral_clinical">Neutral clinical</option>
-                                        <option value="time_efficient">Time efficient</option>
-                                    </select>
-                                </div>
-
-                                <div className="mt-4">
-                                    <label className="block text-sm font-semibold text-slate-700 mb-2">Question strategy</label>
-                                    <select
-                                        className="w-full border border-slate-300 rounded-lg px-3 py-2 text-sm bg-white"
-                                        value={surveyorKnobs.question_strategy || 'conversational_cover_all'}
-                                        onChange={(e) => setSurveyorKnobs(prev => Object.assign({}, prev, { question_strategy: e.target.value }))}
-                                    >
-                                        <option value="sequential">Sequential</option>
-                                        <option value="adaptive_followups">Adaptive with follow-ups</option>
-                                        <option value="conversational_cover_all">Conversational but cover all</option>
-                                    </select>
-                                </div>
+	                    {activePane === 'surveyors' ? (
+	                        <div className="mt-6 grid grid-cols-2 gap-6">
+	                            <div>
+	                                {legacySurveyorKnobsPresent ? (
+	                                    <div className="mb-4 rounded-lg border border-amber-300 bg-amber-50 px-4 py-3 text-sm text-amber-900">
+	                                        Legacy surveyor knobs were removed. Please use “Attributes” instead and click “Save Configuration”.
+	                                    </div>
+	                                ) : null}
 
-                                <div className="mt-4">
-                                    <label className="block text-sm font-semibold text-slate-700 mb-2">Empathy style</label>
-                                    <select
-                                        className="w-full border border-slate-300 rounded-lg px-3 py-2 text-sm bg-white"
-                                        value={surveyorKnobs.empathy_style || 'validating'}
-                                        onChange={(e) => setSurveyorKnobs(prev => Object.assign({}, prev, { empathy_style: e.target.value }))}
-                                    >
-                                        <option value="validating">Validating</option>
-                                        <option value="neutral">Neutral</option>
-                                        <option value="supportive_brief">Supportive, brief</option>
-                                    </select>
-                                </div>
+	                                <label className="block text-sm font-semibold text-slate-700 mb-2">Surveyor persona</label>
+	                                <select
+	                                    className="w-full border border-slate-300 rounded-lg px-3 py-2 text-sm bg-white"
+	                                    value={selectedSurveyorId}
+	                                    onChange={(e) => setSelectedSurveyorId(e.target.value)}
+	                                >
+	                                    {(personas.surveyors.length ? personas.surveyors : [{id: 'friendly_researcher_001', name: 'Alex Thompson'}]).map(p => (
+	                                        <option key={p.id} value={p.id}>{p.name} ({p.id})</option>
+	                                    ))}
+	                                </select>
 
-                                <div className="mt-4">
-                                    <label className="block text-sm font-semibold text-slate-700 mb-2">Off-track handling</label>
-                                    <select
-                                        className="w-full border border-slate-300 rounded-lg px-3 py-2 text-sm bg-white"
-                                        value={surveyorKnobs.off_track_handling || 'gentle_redirect'}
-                                        onChange={(e) => setSurveyorKnobs(prev => Object.assign({}, prev, { off_track_handling: e.target.value }))}
-                                    >
-                                        <option value="gentle_redirect">Gently redirect</option>
-                                        <option value="one_vent_then_redirect">Let them vent once, then redirect</option>
-                                        <option value="hard_redirect">Hard redirect</option>
-                                    </select>
-                                </div>
+	                                <div className="mt-4">
+	                                    <label className="block text-sm font-semibold text-slate-700 mb-2">Question bank</label>
+	                                    <div className="text-xs text-slate-500 mb-2">
+	                                        Questions the surveyor should aim to cover during the session.
+	                                    </div>
+	                                    <div className="space-y-2">
+	                                        {(surveyorQuestionItems || []).length === 0 ? (
+	                                            <div className="text-sm text-slate-500">No questions yet.</div>
+	                                        ) : (
+	                                            (surveyorQuestionItems || []).map((q) => (
+	                                                <div key={q.id} className="flex items-start gap-2">
+	                                                    <div className="mt-2 text-xs font-mono text-slate-500 w-10 shrink-0">{q.id}</div>
+	                                                    <input
+	                                                        className="flex-1 border border-slate-300 rounded-lg px-3 py-2 text-sm bg-white"
+	                                                        value={q.text || ''}
+	                                                        onChange={(e) => updateQuestionText(q.id, e.target.value)}
+	                                                        placeholder="Type a question..."
+	                                                    />
+	                                                    <button
+	                                                        type="button"
+	                                                        onClick={() => removeQuestion(q.id)}
+	                                                        className="text-slate-600 hover:text-red-600 px-2 py-2 text-sm"
+	                                                        title="Remove question"
+	                                                    >
+	                                                        ✕
+	                                                    </button>
+	                                                </div>
+	                                            ))
+	                                        )}
+	                                        <button
+	                                            type="button"
+	                                            onClick={addQuestion}
+	                                            className="bg-slate-100 hover:bg-slate-200 text-slate-800 px-3 py-2 rounded-lg text-sm font-semibold transition-all border border-slate-300"
+	                                        >
+	                                            + Add question
+	                                        </button>
+	                                    </div>
+	                                </div>
+	                            </div>
 
-                                <div className="mt-4">
-                                    <label className="block text-sm font-semibold text-slate-700 mb-2">Probing policy</label>
-                                    {[
-                                        { key: 'clarify_timeline', label: 'Clarify timeline' },
-                                        { key: 'ask_examples', label: 'Ask examples' },
-                                        { key: 'quantify_frequency_severity', label: 'Quantify frequency/severity' },
-                                        { key: 'reflect_emotion', label: 'Reflect emotion' },
-                                        { key: 'summarize_and_confirm', label: 'Summarize and confirm' }
-                                    ].map((item) => (
-                                        <label key={item.key} className="flex items-center gap-2 text-sm text-slate-700 mt-1">
-                                            <input
-                                                type="checkbox"
-                                                checked={(surveyorKnobs.probing_policy || []).includes(item.key)}
-                                                onChange={(e) => {
-                                                    const next = new Set(surveyorKnobs.probing_policy || []);
-                                                    if (e.target.checked) next.add(item.key); else next.delete(item.key);
-                                                    setSurveyorKnobs(prev => Object.assign({}, prev, { probing_policy: Array.from(next) }));
-                                                }}
-                                            />
-                                            {item.label}
-                                        </label>
-                                    ))}
-                                </div>
+	                            <div>
+	                                <div className="flex flex-col gap-4">
+	                                    <div>
+	                                        <label className="block text-sm font-semibold text-slate-700 mb-2">Attributes</label>
+	                                        <div className="text-xs text-slate-500 mb-2">
+	                                            Plain-language rules the surveyor should follow during the session.
+	                                        </div>
+	                                        <div className="space-y-2">
+	                                            {(surveyorAttributeItems || []).length === 0 ? (
+	                                                <div className="text-sm text-slate-500">No attributes yet.</div>
+	                                            ) : (
+	                                                (surveyorAttributeItems || []).map((attr, idx) => (
+	                                                    <div key={idx} className="flex items-start gap-2">
+	                                                        <div className="mt-2 text-xs font-mono text-slate-500 w-10 shrink-0">{String(idx + 1).padStart(2, '0')}</div>
+	                                                        <input
+	                                                            className="flex-1 border border-slate-300 rounded-lg px-3 py-2 text-sm bg-white"
+	                                                            value={attr || ''}
+	                                                            onChange={(e) => updateAttribute(idx, e.target.value)}
+	                                                            placeholder="Type an attribute..."
+	                                                        />
+	                                                        <button
+	                                                            type="button"
+	                                                            onClick={() => removeAttribute(idx)}
+	                                                            className="text-slate-600 hover:text-red-600 px-2 py-2 text-sm"
+	                                                            title="Remove attribute"
+	                                                        >
+	                                                            ✕
+	                                                        </button>
+	                                                    </div>
+	                                                ))
+	                                            )}
+	                                            <button
+	                                                type="button"
+	                                                onClick={addAttribute}
+	                                                className="bg-slate-100 hover:bg-slate-200 text-slate-800 px-3 py-2 rounded-lg text-sm font-semibold transition-all border border-slate-300"
+	                                            >
+	                                                + Add attribute
+	                                            </button>
+	                                        </div>
+	                                    </div>
 
-                                <div className="mt-4">
-                                    <label className="block text-sm font-semibold text-slate-700 mb-2">Sensitivity handling</label>
-                                    {[
-                                        { key: 'acknowledge', label: 'Acknowledge' },
-                                        { key: 'offer_skip', label: 'Offer to skip' },
-                                        { key: 'normalize', label: 'Normalize' },
-                                        { key: 'avoid_advice', label: 'Avoid advice' }
-                                    ].map((item) => (
-                                        <label key={item.key} className="flex items-center gap-2 text-sm text-slate-700 mt-1">
-                                            <input
-                                                type="checkbox"
-                                                checked={(surveyorKnobs.sensitivity_handling || []).includes(item.key)}
-                                                onChange={(e) => {
-                                                    const next = new Set(surveyorKnobs.sensitivity_handling || []);
-                                                    if (e.target.checked) next.add(item.key); else next.delete(item.key);
-                                                    setSurveyorKnobs(prev => Object.assign({}, prev, { sensitivity_handling: Array.from(next) }));
-                                                }}
-                                            />
-                                            {item.label}
-                                        </label>
-                                    ))}
-                                </div>
-                            </div>
-
-                            <div>
-                                <div className="flex flex-col gap-4">
-                                    <div>
-                                        <label className="block text-sm font-semibold text-slate-700 mb-2">Question bank</label>
-                                        <div className="text-xs text-slate-500 mb-2">
-                                            Questions the surveyor should aim to cover during the session.
-                                        </div>
-                                        <div className="space-y-2">
-                                            {(surveyorQuestionItems || []).length === 0 ? (
-                                                <div className="text-sm text-slate-500">No questions yet.</div>
-                                            ) : (
-                                                (surveyorQuestionItems || []).map((q) => (
-                                                    <div key={q.id} className="flex items-start gap-2">
-                                                        <div className="mt-2 text-xs font-mono text-slate-500 w-10 shrink-0">{q.id}</div>
-                                                        <input
-                                                            className="flex-1 border border-slate-300 rounded-lg px-3 py-2 text-sm bg-white"
-                                                            value={q.text || ''}
-                                                            onChange={(e) => updateQuestionText(q.id, e.target.value)}
-                                                            placeholder="Type a question..."
-                                                        />
-                                                        <button
-                                                            type="button"
-                                                            onClick={() => removeQuestion(q.id)}
-                                                            className="text-slate-600 hover:text-red-600 px-2 py-2 text-sm"
-                                                            title="Remove question"
-                                                        >
-                                                            ✕
-                                                        </button>
-                                                    </div>
-                                                ))
-                                            )}
-                                            <button
-                                                type="button"
-                                                onClick={addQuestion}
-                                                className="bg-slate-100 hover:bg-slate-200 text-slate-800 px-3 py-2 rounded-lg text-sm font-semibold transition-all border border-slate-300"
-                                            >
-                                                + Add question
-                                            </button>
-                                        </div>
-                                    </div>
-
-                                    <div>
-                                        <label className="block text-sm font-semibold text-slate-700 mb-2">Surveyor prompt addition (optional)</label>
-                                        <textarea
-                                            className="w-full border border-slate-300 rounded-lg px-3 py-2 text-sm bg-white h-40"
-                                            placeholder="E.g., Ask only one short question per turn; avoid advice; acknowledge and probe..."
-                                            value={surveyorPromptAddition}
-                                            onChange={(e) => setSurveyorPromptAddition(e.target.value)}
-                                        />
-                                    </div>
-                                </div>
-                            </div>
-                        </div>
-                    ) : activePane === 'patients' ? (
+	                                    <div>
+	                                        <label className="block text-sm font-semibold text-slate-700 mb-2">Surveyor prompt addition (optional)</label>
+	                                        <textarea
+	                                            className="w-full border border-slate-300 rounded-lg px-3 py-2 text-sm bg-white h-40"
+	                                            placeholder="Extra free-form instructions appended last (lowest priority)."
+	                                            value={surveyorPromptAddition}
+	                                            onChange={(e) => setSurveyorPromptAddition(e.target.value)}
+	                                        />
+	                                    </div>
+	                                </div>
+	                            </div>
+	                        </div>
+	                    ) : activePane === 'patients' ? (
                         <div className="mt-6 grid grid-cols-2 gap-6">
                             <div>
                                 <label className="block text-sm font-semibold text-slate-700 mb-2">Patient persona</label>

frontend/pages/main_page.py

@@ -44,6 +44,13 @@ def get_main_page_html(auth_enabled: bool = False) -> str:
 	            return lines.join('\n').trim();
 	        }
 
+	        function getSurveyorAttributes(cfg) {
+	            const attrs = (cfg && Array.isArray(cfg.surveyor_attributes)) ? cfg.surveyor_attributes : [];
+	            return attrs
+	                .map((x) => (typeof x === 'string') ? x.trim() : '')
+	                .filter((x) => x.length > 0);
+	        }
+
         function loadSessionToken() {
             try {
                 const raw = localStorage.getItem(SESSION_KEY);
@@ -538,6 +545,7 @@ def get_main_page_html(auth_enabled: bool = False) -> str:
 
 	                const cfg = loadConfig() || {};
 	                const surveyorQuestionBank = getSurveyorQuestionBank(cfg);
+	                const surveyorAttributes = getSurveyorAttributes(cfg);
 	                const surveyorId = cfg.surveyor_persona_id || 'friendly_researcher_001';
 	                const patientId = cfg.patient_persona_id || 'cooperative_senior_001';
 
@@ -548,9 +556,9 @@ def get_main_page_html(auth_enabled: bool = False) -> str:
 	                            surveyor_persona_id: surveyorId,
 	                            patient_persona_id: patientId,
 	                            surveyor_question_bank: surveyorQuestionBank || undefined,
+	                            surveyor_attributes: surveyorAttributes.length ? surveyorAttributes : undefined,
 	                            surveyor_prompt_addition: cfg.surveyor_prompt_addition || undefined,
 	                            patient_prompt_addition: cfg.patient_prompt_addition || undefined,
-	                            surveyor_knobs: cfg.surveyor_knobs || undefined
 	                        }));
 	                    }
 	                }, 500);
@@ -570,6 +578,7 @@ def get_main_page_html(auth_enabled: bool = False) -> str:
 
 	                const cfg = loadConfig() || {};
 	                const surveyorQuestionBank = getSurveyorQuestionBank(cfg);
+	                const surveyorAttributes = getSurveyorAttributes(cfg);
 	                const surveyorId = cfg.surveyor_persona_id || 'friendly_researcher_001';
 	                const patientId = cfg.patient_persona_id || 'cooperative_senior_001';
 
@@ -580,9 +589,9 @@ def get_main_page_html(auth_enabled: bool = False) -> str:
 	                            surveyor_persona_id: surveyorId,
 	                            patient_persona_id: patientId,
 	                            surveyor_question_bank: surveyorQuestionBank || undefined,
+	                            surveyor_attributes: surveyorAttributes.length ? surveyorAttributes : undefined,
 	                            surveyor_prompt_addition: cfg.surveyor_prompt_addition || undefined,
 	                            patient_prompt_addition: cfg.patient_prompt_addition || undefined,
-	                            surveyor_knobs: cfg.surveyor_knobs || undefined
 	                        }));
 	                    }
 	                }, 500);

frontend/react_gradio_hybrid.py

@@ -165,9 +165,9 @@ async def frontend_websocket(websocket: WebSocket, conversation_id: str):
                         "surveyor_persona_id": data.get("surveyor_persona_id", "friendly_researcher_001"),
                         "patient_persona_id": data.get("patient_persona_id", "cooperative_senior_001"),
                         "surveyor_question_bank": data.get("surveyor_question_bank"),
+                        "surveyor_attributes": data.get("surveyor_attributes"),
                         "surveyor_prompt_addition": data.get("surveyor_prompt_addition"),
                         "patient_prompt_addition": data.get("patient_prompt_addition"),
-                        "surveyor_knobs": data.get("surveyor_knobs"),
                         "host": settings.llm.host,
                         "model": settings.llm.model,
                     })
@@ -189,9 +189,9 @@ async def frontend_websocket(websocket: WebSocket, conversation_id: str):
                         "surveyor_persona_id": data.get("surveyor_persona_id", "friendly_researcher_001"),
                         "patient_persona_id": data.get("patient_persona_id", "cooperative_senior_001"),
                         "surveyor_question_bank": data.get("surveyor_question_bank"),
+                        "surveyor_attributes": data.get("surveyor_attributes"),
                         "surveyor_prompt_addition": data.get("surveyor_prompt_addition"),
                         "patient_prompt_addition": data.get("patient_prompt_addition"),
-                        "surveyor_knobs": data.get("surveyor_knobs"),
                         "host": settings.llm.host,
                         "model": settings.llm.model,
                     })