Preserve specialized research routes

cmd/core-runtime/chat_orchestrator.go

@@ -72,3 +72,11 @@ func hasChatRoute(routes []chatRoute, kind chatRouteKind) bool {
 	}
 	return false
 }
+
+// specializedRouteBypassesGeneralInterpretation keeps a concrete capability
+// route stable. General cognition may still be used later to assess evidence,
+// but it must not replace an executable research or media route with a vague
+// conversational clarification before the capability is attempted.
+func specializedRouteBypassesGeneralInterpretation(routes []chatRoute) bool {
+	return hasChatRoute(routes, chatRouteMedia) || hasChatRoute(routes, chatRouteResearch)
+}

cmd/core-runtime/chat_orchestrator_test.go

@@ -39,3 +39,15 @@ func TestBuildChatRoutePlanAlwaysKeepsLocalConversationRoute(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("unexpected local route: %+v", planned)
 	}
 }
+
+func TestSpecializedRouteBypassesGeneralInterpretation(t *testing.T) {
+	if !specializedRouteBypassesGeneralInterpretation([]chatRoute{{Kind: chatRouteResearch}}) {
+		t.Fatal("research route must execute before general cognition")
+	}
+	if !specializedRouteBypassesGeneralInterpretation([]chatRoute{{Kind: chatRouteMedia}}) {
+		t.Fatal("media route must execute before general cognition")
+	}
+	if specializedRouteBypassesGeneralInterpretation([]chatRoute{{Kind: chatRouteConversation}}) {
+		t.Fatal("conversation-only route must retain general cognition")
+	}
+}

cmd/core-runtime/main.go

@@ -653,10 +653,10 @@ func main() {
 		cognitiveAvailable := true
 		semanticInterpretationRequested := shouldRequestSemanticInterpretation(semantic)
 		semanticReflexAudit := shouldAuditDeterministicReflex(semantic, string(utterance.ID), now)
-		// A selected specialized media route already has an executable semantic
-		// outcome. Do not block it on the general cognitive channel: image
-		// generation must reach its own adapter even when cognition is degraded.
-		if hasChatRoute(routePlan, chatRouteMedia) {
+		// A selected specialized route already has an executable semantic outcome.
+		// Do not block it on the general cognitive channel: research and image
+		// generation must reach their own adapters even when cognition is degraded.
+		if specializedRouteBypassesGeneralInterpretation(routePlan) {
 			semanticInterpretationRequested = false
 			semanticReflexAudit = false
 		}