Add guest try-mode and internship vs full-time path gate.

Let visitors start without an account, and require internship or full-time focus so advisors steer the conversation correctly.

Co-authored-by: Cursor <cursoragent@cursor.com>

launchpad_config.yaml

@@ -114,6 +114,9 @@ personas:
     - Be encouraging but honest about competitive markets; never invent job openings or fake company contacts.
     - Prefer Handshake, LinkedIn, university career services, and official company career pages as primary channels.
     - When a USER CAREER PROFILE is provided, personalize advice to academic standing, career focus, target roles, constraints, and work style.
+    - Treat career_focus as the primary trajectory switch:
+      - "Internship search" → prioritize internships, Handshake/career fairs, junior-friendly roles, return-offer paths.
+      - "Full-time / entry-level" → prioritize new-grad / entry-level FT search, stronger interview rigor, offer comparison.
     - Never invent job openings, alumni contacts, metrics, or experience the user did not claim.
   personas_dir: "personas/career_advisors"
 

multi_llm_chatbot_backend/app/api/routes/auth.py

@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ from app.core.auth import (
 )
 from app.core.database import get_database
 import logging
+import secrets
+import uuid
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -98,6 +100,8 @@ async def signup(user_data: UserCreate):
             profile_seed["knowledge_level"] = user_data.academicStage
         if user_data.researchArea:
             profile_seed["timezone"] = user_data.researchArea
+        if user_data.careerFocus:
+            profile_seed["cyber_role"] = user_data.careerFocus
         await db.user_profiles.update_one(
             {"user_id": user.id},
             {"$set": profile_seed},
@@ -173,6 +177,52 @@ async def login(user_credentials: UserLogin):
             detail="Login failed"
         )
 
+
+@router.post("/guest", response_model=Token)
+async def guest_login():
+    """Create a disposable guest session so visitors can try the advisors without signing up."""
+    try:
+        db = get_database()
+        guest_id = uuid.uuid4().hex[:12]
+        email = f"guest-{guest_id}@guest.launchpad.local"
+        user = User(
+            firstName="Guest",
+            lastName="Explorer",
+            email=email,
+            hashed_password=get_password_hash(secrets.token_urlsafe(32)),
+            created_at=datetime.utcnow(),
+            last_login=datetime.utcnow(),
+            is_active=True,
+            is_guest=True,
+        )
+        result = await db.users.insert_one(user.dict(by_alias=True))
+        user.id = result.inserted_id
+        await db.user_profiles.update_one(
+            {"user_id": user.id},
+            {
+                "$set": {
+                    "user_id": user.id,
+                    "updated_at": datetime.utcnow(),
+                }
+            },
+            upsert=True,
+        )
+        access_token = create_access_token(
+            data={"sub": str(user.id), "guest": True},
+            expires_delta=timedelta(minutes=ACCESS_TOKEN_EXPIRE_MINUTES),
+        )
+        return Token(
+            access_token=access_token,
+            token_type="bearer",
+            user=create_user_response(user),
+        )
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error during guest login: {e}")
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=status.HTTP_500_INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR,
+            detail="Could not start guest session",
+        )
+
 @router.get("/me", response_model=UserResponse)
 async def get_current_user_profile(current_user: User = Depends(get_current_active_user)):
     """

multi_llm_chatbot_backend/app/core/auth.py

@@ -115,5 +115,6 @@ def create_user_response(user: User) -> UserResponse:
         researchArea=user.researchArea,
         avatarId=user.avatarId,
         created_at=user.created_at,
-        last_login=user.last_login
+        last_login=user.last_login,
+        is_guest=bool(getattr(user, "is_guest", False)),
     )

multi_llm_chatbot_backend/app/models/user.py

@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ class UserCreate(BaseModel):
     password: str
     academicStage: Optional[str] = None
     researchArea: Optional[str] = None
+    # Maps to profile.cyber_role — "Internship search" | "Full-time / entry-level" | etc.
+    careerFocus: Optional[str] = None
 
 class UserLogin(BaseModel):
     email: EmailStr
@@ -51,6 +53,7 @@ class User(BaseModel):
     created_at: datetime = Field(default_factory=datetime.utcnow)
     last_login: Optional[datetime] = None
     is_active: bool = True
+    is_guest: bool = False
 
 class UserUpdate(BaseModel):
     avatarId: Optional[str] = None
@@ -71,6 +74,7 @@ class UserResponse(BaseModel):
     avatarId: Optional[str] = None
     created_at: datetime
     last_login: Optional[datetime] = None
+    is_guest: bool = False
 
 class ChatSession(BaseModel):
     model_config = ConfigDict(

phd-advisor-frontend/src/App.js

@@ -115,6 +115,26 @@ function App() {
     setCurrentView('chat');
   };
 
+  const handleGuestStart = async () => {
+    if (authBootstrapping) {
+      return;
+    }
+    try {
+      const response = await fetch(`${getApiBaseUrl()}/auth/guest`, {
+        method: 'POST',
+        headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+      });
+      const data = await response.json();
+      if (response.ok) {
+        handleAuthSuccess(data.user, data.access_token);
+      } else {
+        setCurrentView('auth');
+      }
+    } catch {
+      setCurrentView('auth');
+    }
+  };
+
   const handleSignOut = () => {
     clearAuthState();
   };
@@ -133,6 +153,7 @@ function App() {
               onNavigateToHome={navigateToHome}
               onNavigateToChat={sessionReady ? navigateToChat : navigateToAuth}
               onNavigateToCanvas={sessionReady ? navigateToCanvas : navigateToAuth}
+              onTryAsGuest={sessionReady ? navigateToChat : handleGuestStart}
               isAuthenticated={sessionReady}
             />
           )}

phd-advisor-frontend/src/components/Login.js

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import React, { useState } from 'react';
 import { Eye, EyeOff, Mail, Lock, ArrowRight } from 'lucide-react';
 import { useAppConfig } from '../contexts/AppConfigContext';
-import { persistAuth } from '../utils/authStorage';
+import { persistAuth, getApiBaseUrl } from '../utils/authStorage';
 import CopyrightNotice from './CopyrightNotice';
 import '../styles/Login.css';
 
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ const Login = ({ onNavigateToSignup, onNavigateToHome }) => {
     password: ''
   });
   const [isLoading, setIsLoading] = useState(false);
+  const [isGuestLoading, setIsGuestLoading] = useState(false);
   const [errors, setErrors] = useState({});
 
   const handleInputChange = (e) => {
@@ -22,7 +23,6 @@ const Login = ({ onNavigateToSignup, onNavigateToHome }) => {
       ...prev,
       [name]: value
     }));
-    // Clear error when user starts typing
     if (errors[name]) {
       setErrors(prev => ({
         ...prev,
@@ -33,32 +33,55 @@ const Login = ({ onNavigateToSignup, onNavigateToHome }) => {
 
   const validateForm = () => {
     const newErrors = {};
-    
+
     if (!formData.email) {
       newErrors.email = 'Email is required';
     } else if (!/\S+@\S+\.\S+/.test(formData.email)) {
       newErrors.email = 'Please enter a valid email address';
     }
-    
+
     if (!formData.password) {
       newErrors.password = 'Password is required';
     } else if (formData.password.length < 6) {
       newErrors.password = 'Password must be at least 6 characters';
     }
-    
+
     setErrors(newErrors);
     return Object.keys(newErrors).length === 0;
   };
 
+  const handleGuestContinue = async () => {
+    setIsGuestLoading(true);
+    setErrors({});
+    try {
+      const response = await fetch(`${getApiBaseUrl()}/auth/guest`, {
+        method: 'POST',
+        headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+      });
+      const data = await response.json();
+      if (response.ok) {
+        persistAuth(data.user, data.access_token);
+        onNavigateToHome?.(data.user, data.access_token);
+      } else {
+        setErrors({ submit: data.detail || 'Could not start a guest session.' });
+      }
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error('Guest login error:', error);
+      setErrors({ submit: 'Could not start a guest session. Please try again.' });
+    } finally {
+      setIsGuestLoading(false);
+    }
+  };
+
   const handleSubmit = async (e) => {
     e.preventDefault();
-    
+
     if (!validateForm()) return;
-    
+
     setIsLoading(true);
-    
+
     try {
-      const response = await fetch(`${process.env.REACT_APP_API_URL}/auth/login`, {
+      const response = await fetch(`${getApiBaseUrl()}/auth/login`, {
         method: 'POST',
         headers: {
           'Content-Type': 'application/json',
@@ -77,7 +100,7 @@ const Login = ({ onNavigateToSignup, onNavigateToHome }) => {
       } else {
         setErrors({ submit: data.detail || 'Login failed. Please try again.' });
       }
-      
+
     } catch (error) {
       console.error('Login error:', error);
       setErrors({ submit: 'Login failed. Please try again.' });
@@ -86,11 +109,12 @@ const Login = ({ onNavigateToSignup, onNavigateToHome }) => {
     }
   };
 
+  const busy = isLoading || isGuestLoading;
+
   return (
     <div className="login-page">
       <div className="login-content">
         <div className="login-container">
-        {/* Header */}
         <div className="login-header">
           <div className="logo-container">
             <LogoIcon className="logo-icon" />
@@ -101,11 +125,23 @@ const Login = ({ onNavigateToSignup, onNavigateToHome }) => {
           </p>
         </div>
 
-        {/* Main Login Form */}
         <div className="login-form-container">
+          <button
+            type="button"
+            className={`guest-continue-btn ${isGuestLoading ? 'loading' : ''}`}
+            onClick={handleGuestContinue}
+            disabled={busy}
+          >
+            {isGuestLoading ? 'Starting guest mode…' : 'Try without an account'}
+          </button>
+          <p className="guest-continue-hint">
+            Play with the advisors first. Create an account later if you want to save your chats.
+          </p>
+          <div className="login-divider" aria-hidden="true">
+            <span>or sign in</span>
+          </div>
+
           <form onSubmit={handleSubmit} className="login-form">
-            
-            {/* Email Field */}
             <div className="form-group">
               <label htmlFor="email" className="form-label">
                 Email Address
@@ -120,7 +156,7 @@ const Login = ({ onNavigateToSignup, onNavigateToHome }) => {
                   onChange={handleInputChange}
                   className={`form-input ${errors.email ? 'error' : ''}`}
                   placeholder="Enter your email"
-                  disabled={isLoading}
+                  disabled={busy}
                 />
               </div>
               {errors.email && (
@@ -128,7 +164,6 @@ const Login = ({ onNavigateToSignup, onNavigateToHome }) => {
               )}
             </div>
 
-            {/* Password Field */}
             <div className="form-group">
               <label htmlFor="password" className="form-label">
                 Password
@@ -143,13 +178,13 @@ const Login = ({ onNavigateToSignup, onNavigateToHome }) => {
                   onChange={handleInputChange}
                   className={`form-input ${errors.password ? 'error' : ''}`}
                   placeholder="Enter your password"
-                  disabled={isLoading}
+                  disabled={busy}
                 />
                 <button
                   type="button"
                   onClick={() => setShowPassword(!showPassword)}
                   className="password-toggle"
-                  disabled={isLoading}
+                  disabled={busy}
                 >
                   {showPassword ? <EyeOff size={16} /> : <Eye size={16} />}
                 </button>
@@ -159,25 +194,22 @@ const Login = ({ onNavigateToSignup, onNavigateToHome }) => {
               )}
             </div>
 
-            {/* Forgot Password */}
             <div className="form-actions">
               <button type="button" className="forgot-password">
                 Forgot your password?
               </button>
             </div>
 
-            {/* Submit Error */}
             {errors.submit && (
               <div className="submit-error">
                 {errors.submit}
               </div>
             )}
 
-            {/* Submit Button */}
-            <button 
-              type="submit" 
+            <button
+              type="submit"
               className={`submit-btn ${isLoading ? 'loading' : ''}`}
-              disabled={isLoading}
+              disabled={busy}
             >
               {isLoading ? (
                 <>
@@ -194,14 +226,14 @@ const Login = ({ onNavigateToSignup, onNavigateToHome }) => {
           </form>
         </div>
 
-        {/* Footer */}
         <div className="login-footer">
           <p>
             Don't have an account?{' '}
-            <button 
-              type="button" 
+            <button
+              type="button"
               className="link-btn"
               onClick={onNavigateToSignup}
+              disabled={busy}
             >
               Sign up here
             </button>

phd-advisor-frontend/src/components/SearchPathGate.css

@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+.search-path-backdrop {
+  position: fixed;
+  inset: 0;
+  z-index: 1200;
+  background: rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.55);
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  padding: 24px 16px;
+  backdrop-filter: blur(4px);
+}
+
+.search-path-card {
+  width: 100%;
+  max-width: 560px;
+  background: var(--bg-primary, #fff);
+  border: 1px solid var(--border-primary, #e2e8f0);
+  border-radius: 20px;
+  padding: 28px 24px 22px;
+  box-shadow: var(--shadow-xl, 0 20px 40px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.18));
+}
+
+.search-path-card h2 {
+  margin: 0 0 8px;
+  font-size: 1.35rem;
+  color: var(--text-primary, #0f172a);
+}
+
+.search-path-sub {
+  margin: 0 0 20px;
+  color: var(--text-secondary, #475569);
+  line-height: 1.5;
+  font-size: 0.95rem;
+}
+
+.search-path-options {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
+  gap: 12px;
+  margin-bottom: 16px;
+}
+
+@media (max-width: 560px) {
+  .search-path-options {
+    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
+  }
+}
+
+.search-path-option {
+  text-align: left;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: 6px;
+  padding: 16px;
+  border-radius: 14px;
+  border: 2px solid var(--border-primary, #e2e8f0);
+  background: var(--bg-secondary, #f8fafc);
+  cursor: pointer;
+  transition: border-color 0.15s, background 0.15s, transform 0.15s;
+}
+
+.search-path-option:hover {
+  border-color: #0f766e;
+  transform: translateY(-1px);
+}
+
+.search-path-option.active {
+  border-color: #0f766e;
+  background: #ccfbf1;
+}
+
+.search-path-option-icon {
+  color: #0f766e;
+}
+
+.search-path-option-title {
+  font-weight: 700;
+  font-size: 1.05rem;
+  color: var(--text-primary, #0f172a);
+}
+
+.search-path-option-desc {
+  font-size: 0.85rem;
+  line-height: 1.4;
+  color: var(--text-secondary, #475569);
+}
+
+.search-path-error {
+  color: #b91c1c;
+  font-size: 0.875rem;
+  margin-bottom: 10px;
+}
+
+.search-path-continue {
+  width: 100%;
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  gap: 8px;
+  border: none;
+  border-radius: 12px;
+  padding: 12px 16px;
+  background: #0f766e;
+  color: #fff;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  cursor: pointer;
+}
+
+.search-path-continue:disabled {
+  opacity: 0.55;
+  cursor: not-allowed;
+}

phd-advisor-frontend/src/components/SearchPathGate.js

@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+import React, { useState } from 'react';
+import { Briefcase, GraduationCap, ArrowRight } from 'lucide-react';
+import './SearchPathGate.css';
+
+export const SEARCH_PATH_OPTIONS = [
+  {
+    value: 'Internship search',
+    title: 'Internship',
+    description: 'I am looking for an internship (typical for juniors and earlier).',
+    icon: GraduationCap,
+  },
+  {
+    value: 'Full-time / entry-level',
+    title: 'Full-time job',
+    description: 'I am looking for a full-time / entry-level role (typical for seniors and grads).',
+    icon: Briefcase,
+  },
+];
+
+/**
+ * First-run gate: internship vs full-time changes advisor trajectory.
+ */
+const SearchPathGate = ({ authToken, onComplete }) => {
+  const [selected, setSelected] = useState(null);
+  const [saving, setSaving] = useState(false);
+  const [error, setError] = useState('');
+
+  const handleContinue = async () => {
+    if (!selected) {
+      setError('Pick internship or full-time to continue.');
+      return;
+    }
+    setSaving(true);
+    setError('');
+    try {
+      const resp = await fetch(`${process.env.REACT_APP_API_URL}/api/users/me/profile`, {
+        method: 'PUT',
+        headers: {
+          Authorization: `Bearer ${authToken}`,
+          'Content-Type': 'application/json',
+        },
+        body: JSON.stringify({ cyber_role: selected }),
+      });
+      if (!resp.ok) {
+        const data = await resp.json().catch(() => ({}));
+        throw new Error(data.detail || 'Could not save your choice');
+      }
+      const profile = await resp.json();
+      localStorage.setItem('launchpadSearchPath', selected);
+      onComplete?.(profile, selected);
+    } catch (e) {
+      setError(e.message || 'Could not save your choice');
+    } finally {
+      setSaving(false);
+    }
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <div className="search-path-backdrop" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" aria-labelledby="search-path-title">
+      <div className="search-path-card">
+        <h2 id="search-path-title">What are you aiming for right now?</h2>
+        <p className="search-path-sub">
+          This steers every advisor — search strategy, resume tone, interview prep, and weekly cadence.
+        </p>
+        <div className="search-path-options">
+          {SEARCH_PATH_OPTIONS.map((opt) => {
+            const Icon = opt.icon;
+            const active = selected === opt.value;
+            return (
+              <button
+                key={opt.value}
+                type="button"
+                className={`search-path-option ${active ? 'active' : ''}`}
+                onClick={() => { setSelected(opt.value); setError(''); }}
+                disabled={saving}
+              >
+                <Icon className="search-path-option-icon" size={22} />
+                <span className="search-path-option-title">{opt.title}</span>
+                <span className="search-path-option-desc">{opt.description}</span>
+              </button>
+            );
+          })}
+        </div>
+        {error && <div className="search-path-error">{error}</div>}
+        <button
+          type="button"
+          className="search-path-continue"
+          onClick={handleContinue}
+          disabled={saving || !selected}
+        >
+          {saving ? 'Saving…' : 'Continue to advisors'}
+          {!saving && <ArrowRight size={16} />}
+        </button>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+};
+
+export function needsSearchPath(profile) {
+  const role = profile?.cyber_role;
+  if (!role) return true;
+  const normalized = String(role).toLowerCase();
+  return !(
+    normalized.includes('internship')
+    || normalized.includes('full-time')
+    || normalized.includes('full time')
+    || normalized.includes('both')
+  );
+}
+
+export default SearchPathGate;

phd-advisor-frontend/src/components/Signup.js

@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@ const Signup = ({ onNavigateToLogin, onNavigateToHome }) => {
     password: '',
     confirmPassword: '',
     academicStage: '',
-    researchArea: ''
+    researchArea: '',
+    careerFocus: '',
   });
   const [isLoading, setIsLoading] = useState(false);
   const [errors, setErrors] = useState({});
@@ -86,6 +87,10 @@ const Signup = ({ onNavigateToLogin, onNavigateToHome }) => {
     if (!formData.academicStage) {
       newErrors.academicStage = 'Please select your academic standing';
     }
+
+    if (!formData.careerFocus) {
+      newErrors.careerFocus = 'Please choose internship or full-time';
+    }
     
     setErrors(newErrors);
     return Object.keys(newErrors).length === 0;
@@ -110,7 +115,8 @@ const Signup = ({ onNavigateToLogin, onNavigateToHome }) => {
           email: formData.email,
           password: formData.password,
           academicStage: formData.academicStage,
-          researchArea: formData.researchArea
+          researchArea: formData.researchArea,
+          careerFocus: formData.careerFocus,
         }),
       });
 
@@ -282,10 +288,10 @@ const Signup = ({ onNavigateToLogin, onNavigateToHome }) => {
               </div>
             </div>
 
-            {/* Fitness level */}
+            {/* Academic standing */}
             <div className="form-group">
               <label htmlFor="academicStage" className="form-label">
-                Fitness level
+                Academic standing
               </label>
               <div className="input-container">
                 <Shield className="input-icon" />
@@ -309,6 +315,35 @@ const Signup = ({ onNavigateToLogin, onNavigateToHome }) => {
               )}
             </div>
 
+            {/* Internship vs full-time */}
+            <div className="form-group">
+              <span className="form-label">What are you aiming for?</span>
+              <div className="career-focus-options">
+                {[
+                  { value: 'Internship search', label: 'Internship' },
+                  { value: 'Full-time / entry-level', label: 'Full-time job' },
+                ].map((opt) => (
+                  <label
+                    key={opt.value}
+                    className={`career-focus-option ${formData.careerFocus === opt.value ? 'active' : ''}`}
+                  >
+                    <input
+                      type="radio"
+                      name="careerFocus"
+                      value={opt.value}
+                      checked={formData.careerFocus === opt.value}
+                      onChange={handleInputChange}
+                      disabled={isLoading}
+                    />
+                    {opt.label}
+                  </label>
+                ))}
+              </div>
+              {errors.careerFocus && (
+                <span className="error-message">{errors.careerFocus}</span>
+              )}
+            </div>
+
             {/* Time zone (optional) */}
             <div className="form-group">
               <label htmlFor="researchArea" className="form-label">
@@ -382,6 +417,28 @@ const Signup = ({ onNavigateToLogin, onNavigateToHome }) => {
             >
               Sign in here
             </button>
+            {' · '}
+            <button
+              type="button"
+              className="link-btn"
+              onClick={async () => {
+                try {
+                  const response = await fetch(`${process.env.REACT_APP_API_URL || ''}/auth/guest`, {
+                    method: 'POST',
+                    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+                  });
+                  const data = await response.json();
+                  if (response.ok) {
+                    persistAuth(data.user, data.access_token);
+                    onNavigateToHome?.(data.user, data.access_token);
+                  }
+                } catch (e) {
+                  console.error(e);
+                }
+              }}
+            >
+              Try without an account
+            </button>
           </p>
         </div>
       </div>

phd-advisor-frontend/src/pages/ChatPage.js

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import '../styles/EnhancedChatInput.css';
 import AdvisorCarousel from '../components/AdvisorCarousel';
 import OnboardingChat from '../components/OnboardingChat';
 import ProfileWalkthrough from '../components/ProfileWalkthrough';
+import SearchPathGate, { needsSearchPath } from '../components/SearchPathGate';
 import ClearDataModal from '../components/ClearDataModal';
 import AccountModal from '../components/AccountModal';
 
@@ -65,20 +66,33 @@ const ChatPage = ({ user, authToken, onNavigateToHome, onNavigateToCanvas, onSig
   const [showClearData, setShowClearData] = useState(false);
   const [showAccount, setShowAccount] = useState(false);
   const [userProfile, setUserProfile] = useState(null);
+  const [profileLoaded, setProfileLoaded] = useState(false);
+  const [showSearchPathGate, setShowSearchPathGate] = useState(false);
 
   const loadProfile = async () => {
     try {
       const resp = await fetch(`${process.env.REACT_APP_API_URL}/api/users/me/profile`, {
         headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${authToken}` },
       });
-      if (resp.ok) setUserProfile(await resp.json());
+      if (resp.ok) {
+        const profile = await resp.json();
+        setUserProfile(profile);
+        setShowSearchPathGate(needsSearchPath(profile));
+      } else {
+        setShowSearchPathGate(true);
+      }
     } catch (e) {
-      /* ignore */
+      setShowSearchPathGate(true);
+    } finally {
+      setProfileLoaded(true);
     }
   };
 
   useEffect(() => {
-    if (authToken) loadProfile();
+    if (authToken) {
+      setProfileLoaded(false);
+      loadProfile();
+    }
   }, [authToken]);
 
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -872,6 +886,7 @@ const handleNewChat = async (sessionId = null) => {
   }, [messages]);
 
   const handleInputSubmit = async (inputMessage) => {
+  if (showSearchPathGate) return;
   if (replyingTo) {
     // This is a reply to a specific message
     await handleReplyToAdvisor(inputMessage, replyingTo);
@@ -951,6 +966,11 @@ const handleNewChat = async (sessionId = null) => {
               <HelpCircle size={18} />
             </button>
           </AppHeader>
+          {user?.is_guest && (
+            <div className="guest-mode-banner" role="status">
+              You&apos;re exploring as a guest. Sign out from the menu when you&apos;re ready to create an account and keep longer-term progress.
+            </div>
+          )}
 
           {/* Main Content */}
           <div className="chat-content">
@@ -1097,11 +1117,13 @@ const handleNewChat = async (sessionId = null) => {
               onSendMessage={handleInputSubmit}
               onFileUploaded={handleFileUploaded}
               uploadedDocuments={uploadedDocuments}
-              isLoading={isLoading}
+              isLoading={isLoading || showSearchPathGate}
               currentChatSessionId={currentSessionId}
               authToken={authToken}
               placeholder={
-                replyingTo 
+                showSearchPathGate
+                  ? 'Choose internship or full-time above to start…'
+                  : replyingTo 
                   ? `Reply to ${replyingTo.advisorName}...`
                   : chatPlaceholder
               }
@@ -1118,6 +1140,16 @@ const handleNewChat = async (sessionId = null) => {
         />
       )}
 
+      {profileLoaded && showSearchPathGate && (
+        <SearchPathGate
+          authToken={authToken}
+          onComplete={(profile) => {
+            setUserProfile(profile);
+            setShowSearchPathGate(false);
+          }}
+        />
+      )}
+
       {showAccount && (
         <AccountModal
           user={user}

phd-advisor-frontend/src/pages/HomePage.js

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import AppHeader from '../components/AppHeader';
 import CopyrightNotice from '../components/CopyrightNotice';
 import { useAppConfig } from '../contexts/AppConfigContext';
 
-const HomePage = ({ onNavigateToChat, isAuthenticated, onNavigateToHome, onNavigateToCanvas }) => {
+const HomePage = ({ onNavigateToChat, onTryAsGuest, isAuthenticated, onNavigateToHome, onNavigateToCanvas }) => {
   const { config, advisors, resolveIcon } = useAppConfig();
 
   return (
@@ -27,14 +27,25 @@ const HomePage = ({ onNavigateToChat, isAuthenticated, onNavigateToHome, onNavig
           <p className="hero-subtitle">
             {config.homepage.description}
           </p>
-          <button
-            onClick={onNavigateToChat}
-            className="cta-button"
-          >
-            <MessageCircle className="cta-icon" />
-            <span>{isAuthenticated ? 'Continue Conversation' : 'Start Conversation'}</span>
-            <ArrowRight className="cta-arrow" />
-          </button>
+          <div className="cta-group">
+            <button
+              onClick={onNavigateToChat}
+              className="cta-button"
+            >
+              <MessageCircle className="cta-icon" />
+              <span>{isAuthenticated ? 'Continue Conversation' : 'Start Conversation'}</span>
+              <ArrowRight className="cta-arrow" />
+            </button>
+            {!isAuthenticated && (
+              <button
+                type="button"
+                onClick={onTryAsGuest}
+                className="cta-button cta-button-secondary"
+              >
+                <span>Try without an account</span>
+              </button>
+            )}
+          </div>
         </div>
 
         {/* Advisors Grid */}

phd-advisor-frontend/src/styles/ChatPage.css

@@ -13,6 +13,26 @@
   transform: translateZ(0);
 }
 
+.guest-mode-banner {
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+  padding: 8px 16px;
+  background: #ccfbf1;
+  color: #115e59;
+  font-size: 0.875rem;
+  text-align: center;
+  border-bottom: 1px solid #99f6e4;
+}
+
+.guest-mode-banner button {
+  background: none;
+  border: none;
+  color: #0f766e;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  text-decoration: underline;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  padding: 0;
+}
+
 /* Floating Header */
 .floating-header {
   position: sticky;

phd-advisor-frontend/src/styles/Login.css

@@ -93,6 +93,58 @@
 }
 
 /* Form Container */
+.guest-continue-btn {
+  width: 100%;
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  gap: 8px;
+  border: 2px solid #0f766e;
+  border-radius: 12px;
+  padding: 12px 16px;
+  background: #ccfbf1;
+  color: #0f766e;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  margin-bottom: 8px;
+}
+
+.guest-continue-btn:hover:not(:disabled) {
+  background: #99f6e4;
+}
+
+.guest-continue-btn:disabled {
+  opacity: 0.6;
+  cursor: not-allowed;
+}
+
+.guest-continue-hint {
+  margin: 0 0 16px;
+  text-align: center;
+  font-size: 0.85rem;
+  color: var(--text-secondary, #64748b);
+  line-height: 1.4;
+}
+
+.login-divider {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 12px;
+  margin: 0 0 18px;
+  color: var(--text-tertiary, #94a3b8);
+  font-size: 0.8rem;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+  letter-spacing: 0.04em;
+}
+
+.login-divider::before,
+.login-divider::after {
+  content: '';
+  flex: 1;
+  height: 1px;
+  background: var(--border-primary, #e2e8f0);
+}
+
 .login-form-container {
   padding: 32px;
 }

phd-advisor-frontend/src/styles/Signup.css

@@ -100,6 +100,34 @@
   margin-bottom: 8px;
 }
 
+.career-focus-options {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
+  gap: 10px;
+}
+
+.career-focus-option {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 8px;
+  padding: 12px 14px;
+  border: 2px solid var(--border-primary, #e2e8f0);
+  border-radius: 12px;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  background: var(--bg-secondary, #f8fafc);
+}
+
+.career-focus-option.active {
+  border-color: #0f766e;
+  background: #ccfbf1;
+  color: #0f766e;
+}
+
+.career-focus-option input {
+  accent-color: #0f766e;
+}
+
 .optional {
   font-weight: 400;
   color: var(--text-tertiary);

phd-advisor-frontend/src/styles/components.css

@@ -241,6 +241,25 @@
   text-decoration: none;
 }
 
+.cta-group {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+  gap: 12px;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+}
+
+.cta-button-secondary {
+  background: transparent;
+  color: var(--text-primary, #0f172a);
+  border: 2px solid #0f766e;
+  box-shadow: none;
+}
+
+.cta-button-secondary:hover {
+  background: #ccfbf1;
+}
+
 .cta-button:hover {
   transform: scale(1.05);
 }