diff --git a/src/timmy/thinking.py b/src/timmy/thinking.py
index e71ba50..50f983b 100644
--- a/src/timmy/thinking.py
+++ b/src/timmy/thinking.py
@@ -232,6 +232,90 @@ class ThinkingEngine:
             return False  # Disabled — never idle
         return datetime.now(UTC) - self._last_input_time > timedelta(minutes=timeout)
 
+    def _build_thinking_context(self) -> tuple[str, str, list["Thought"]]:
+        """Assemble the context needed for a thinking cycle.
+
+        Returns:
+            (memory_context, system_context, recent_thoughts)
+        """
+        memory_context = self._load_memory_context()
+        system_context = self._gather_system_snapshot()
+        recent_thoughts = self.get_recent_thoughts(limit=5)
+        return memory_context, system_context, recent_thoughts
+
+    async def _generate_novel_thought(
+        self,
+        prompt: str | None,
+        memory_context: str,
+        system_context: str,
+        recent_thoughts: list["Thought"],
+    ) -> tuple[str | None, str]:
+        """Run the dedup-retry loop to produce a novel thought.
+
+        Returns:
+            (content, seed_type) — content is None if no novel thought produced.
+        """
+        seed_type: str = "freeform"
+
+        for attempt in range(self._MAX_DEDUP_RETRIES + 1):
+            if prompt:
+                seed_type = "prompted"
+                seed_context = f"Journal prompt: {prompt}"
+            else:
+                seed_type, seed_context = self._gather_seed()
+
+            continuity = self._build_continuity_context()
+
+            full_prompt = _THINKING_PROMPT.format(
+                memory_context=memory_context,
+                system_context=system_context,
+                seed_context=seed_context,
+                continuity_context=continuity,
+            )
+
+            try:
+                raw = await self._call_agent(full_prompt)
+            except Exception as exc:
+                logger.warning("Thinking cycle failed (Ollama likely down): %s", exc)
+                return None, seed_type
+
+            if not raw or not raw.strip():
+                logger.debug("Thinking cycle produced empty response, skipping")
+                return None, seed_type
+
+            content = raw.strip()
+
+            # Dedup: reject thoughts too similar to recent ones
+            if not self._is_too_similar(content, recent_thoughts):
+                return content, seed_type  # Good — novel thought
+
+            if attempt < self._MAX_DEDUP_RETRIES:
+                logger.info(
+                    "Thought too similar to recent (attempt %d/%d), retrying with new seed",
+                    attempt + 1,
+                    self._MAX_DEDUP_RETRIES + 1,
+                )
+            else:
+                logger.warning(
+                    "Thought still repetitive after %d retries, discarding",
+                    self._MAX_DEDUP_RETRIES + 1,
+                )
+                return None, seed_type
+
+        return None, seed_type
+
+    async def _process_thinking_result(self, thought: "Thought") -> None:
+        """Run all post-hooks after a thought is stored."""
+        self._maybe_check_memory()
+        await self._maybe_distill()
+        await self._maybe_file_issues()
+        await self._check_workspace()
+        self._maybe_check_memory_status()
+        self._update_memory(thought)
+        self._log_event(thought)
+        self._write_journal(thought)
+        await self._broadcast(thought)
+
     async def think_once(self, prompt: str | None = None) -> Thought | None:
         """Execute one thinking cycle.
 
@@ -257,91 +341,21 @@ class ThinkingEngine:
             )
             return None
 
-        memory_context = self._load_memory_context()
-        system_context = self._gather_system_snapshot()
-        recent_thoughts = self.get_recent_thoughts(limit=5)
-
-        content: str | None = None
-        seed_type: str = "freeform"
-
-        for attempt in range(self._MAX_DEDUP_RETRIES + 1):
-            if prompt:
-                seed_type = "prompted"
-                seed_context = f"Journal prompt: {prompt}"
-            else:
-                seed_type, seed_context = self._gather_seed()
-
-            continuity = self._build_continuity_context()
-
-            full_prompt = _THINKING_PROMPT.format(
-                memory_context=memory_context,
-                system_context=system_context,
-                seed_context=seed_context,
-                continuity_context=continuity,
-            )
-
-            try:
-                raw = await self._call_agent(full_prompt)
-            except Exception as exc:
-                logger.warning("Thinking cycle failed (Ollama likely down): %s", exc)
-                return None
-
-            if not raw or not raw.strip():
-                logger.debug("Thinking cycle produced empty response, skipping")
-                return None
-
-            content = raw.strip()
-
-            # Dedup: reject thoughts too similar to recent ones
-            if not self._is_too_similar(content, recent_thoughts):
-                break  # Good — novel thought
-
-            if attempt < self._MAX_DEDUP_RETRIES:
-                logger.info(
-                    "Thought too similar to recent (attempt %d/%d), retrying with new seed",
-                    attempt + 1,
-                    self._MAX_DEDUP_RETRIES + 1,
-                )
-                content = None  # Will retry
-            else:
-                logger.warning(
-                    "Thought still repetitive after %d retries, discarding",
-                    self._MAX_DEDUP_RETRIES + 1,
-                )
-                return None
+        memory_context, system_context, recent_thoughts = self._build_thinking_context()
 
+        content, seed_type = await self._generate_novel_thought(
+            prompt,
+            memory_context,
+            system_context,
+            recent_thoughts,
+        )
         if not content:
             return None
 
         thought = self._store_thought(content, seed_type)
         self._last_thought_id = thought.id
 
-        # Post-hook: check memory status periodically
-        self._maybe_check_memory()
-
-        # Post-hook: distill facts from recent thoughts periodically
-        await self._maybe_distill()
-
-        # Post-hook: file Gitea issues for actionable observations
-        await self._maybe_file_issues()
-
-        # Post-hook: check workspace for new messages from Hermes
-        await self._check_workspace()
-
-        # Post-hook: proactive memory status audit
-        self._maybe_check_memory_status()
-
-        # Post-hook: update MEMORY.md with latest reflection
-        self._update_memory(thought)
-
-        # Log to swarm event system
-        self._log_event(thought)
-
-        # Append to daily journal file
-        self._write_journal(thought)
-
-        # Broadcast to WebSocket clients
-        await self._broadcast(thought)
+        await self._process_thinking_result(thought)
 
         logger.info(
             "Thought [%s] (%s): %s",