Choosing a voice mode (Friend / Explorer / Commander)

Guardian adapts its voice to what you bring it. Pick a mode in the pill bar at the top of the chat:

**Friend** — Default. A buddy on the line. Short sentences, plain English, no frameworks unless you ask. Best when you just need to talk and be heard.

**Explorer** — Reflective. Guardian draws on frameworks (Stoicism, polyvagal theory, atomic habits, IFS) when they fit, but never lectures. Best when you want to grow your understanding of what you're feeling.

**Commander** — Tactical. Direct somatic commands ("feet flat, press down, report"), neuroscience-aware. One command per message. Best when you're flooded, frozen, or need someone to take the lead while you reset.

Internally Guardian also picks one of three engagement protocols on every turn:
- **Anchor** — mirror, validate, ask one open question. For grief, integration, planning quiet wins.
- **Kinetic** — direct, somatic, step-by-step. For panic, overwhelm, decision paralysis.
- **Mission** — structured. SITREP → objective → next step. For when you bring a big situation to the table.

You don't need to know these names. Guardian picks silently per turn. If you want to override, type "switch to anchor" or "go kinetic" and it will follow your lead.