diff --git a/src/common/beam/gather/beam.gather.factories.ts b/src/common/beam/gather/beam.gather.factories.ts
index 0e4c48153..9c69ccff3 100644
--- a/src/common/beam/gather/beam.gather.factories.ts
+++ b/src/common/beam/gather/beam.gather.factories.ts
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ export const FUSION_FACTORIES: FusionFactorySpec[] = [
       {
         type: 'chat-generate',
         label: 'Generating Checklist',
-        mute: true,
+        display: 'character-count',
         method: 's-s0-h0-u0-aN-u',
         // You are an intelligent agent tasked with analyzing a set of AI-generated responses to the user message to identify key insights, solutions, or ideas. Your goal is to distill these alternatives into a concise checklist of options that can address the user's query. Consider the conversation's context, the user's last message, and the diversity of perspectives offered by the Beam alternatives. Generate a clear and actionable checklist that the user can review and select from.
         systemPrompt: `
@@ -37,12 +37,12 @@ You are an intelligent agent tasked with analyzing a set of {{N}} AI-generated r
 Your goal is to distill these into a clear, concise, and actionable checklist that the user can review and select from.
 The checklist should be brief, commensurate with the task at hand, and formatted precisely as follows:
 
-- [ ] Insight/Solution/Theme 1: [Very brief, actionable description]
-- [ ] Insight/Solution/Theme 2: [Very brief, actionable description]
+- [ ] **Insight/Solution/Theme name 1**: [Very brief, actionable description]
+- [ ] **Insight/Solution/Theme name 2**: [Very brief, actionable description]
 ...
-- [ ] Insight/Solution/Theme N: [Very brief, actionable description]
+- [ ] **Insight/Solution/Theme name N**: [Very brief, actionable description]
 
-The checklist should contain no more than 3-9 items orthogonal items, especially points of difference.
+The checklist should contain no more than 3-9 items orthogonal items, especially points of difference, in a single brief line each (no end period).
 Prioritize items based on what would be most helpful to the user when merging the {{N}} response alternatives.`.trim(),
 // Remember, the checklist should only include the most critical and relevant points, ensuring clarity and conciseness. Begin by identifying the essential insights or themes.
         userPrompt: `
@@ -53,6 +53,13 @@ Ensure the checklist is comprehensive, covering the breadth of ideas presented i
       {
         type: 'user-input-checklist',
         label: 'Criteria Selection',
+        outputPrompt: `
+The user selected:
+{{YesAnswers}}
+
+The user did NOT select:
+{{NoAnswers}} 
+`.trim(),
       },
       {
         type: 'chat-generate',
@@ -64,7 +71,7 @@ Your task is to combine the {{N}} response alternatives into a single cohesive r
 This synthesis should address the user's original query comprehensively, incorporating the {{N}} response alternatives following the user's chosen options.
 Aim for clarity and coherence in your final output.`.trim(),
         userPrompt: `
-Given the user preferences below, synthesize the {{N}} response alternatives above into a single, cohesive, comprehensive response that follows my former query and the preferences below:
+Given the user preferences below, synthesize the {{N}} response alternatives above into a single, cohesive, comprehensive response that follows the user query and the preferences below:
 
 {{PrevStepOutput}}
 
diff --git a/src/common/beam/gather/beam.gather.instructions.tsx b/src/common/beam/gather/beam.gather.instructions.tsx
index a16963338..79ef3954c 100644
--- a/src/common/beam/gather/beam.gather.instructions.tsx
+++ b/src/common/beam/gather/beam.gather.instructions.tsx
@@ -95,23 +95,24 @@ export function gatherStartFusion(
 
 
   // Execute the instructions in sequence
-  let promiseChain = Promise.resolve();
+  let promiseChain = Promise.resolve<string>('');
   for (const instruction of instructions) {
-    promiseChain = promiseChain.then(() => {
+    promiseChain = promiseChain.then((previousResult: string) => {
+      // You can use previousResult here, if needed
       inputState.updateProgressComponent(
         <Typography
           level='body-xs'
           // endDecorator={<CircularProgress color='neutral' size='sm' sx={{ '--CircularProgress-size': '16px' }} />}
           sx={{ color: 'text.secondary' }}
         >
-          {1 + instructions.indexOf(instruction)}/{instructions.length} · {instruction.label}
+          {1 + instructions.indexOf(instruction)}/{instructions.length} · {instruction.label} ...
         </Typography>,
       );
       switch (instruction.type) {
         case 'chat-generate':
-          return executeChatGenerate(instruction, inputState);
+          return executeChatGenerate(instruction, inputState, previousResult);
         case 'user-input-checklist':
-          return executeUserInputChecklist(instruction, inputState);
+          return executeUserInputChecklist(instruction, inputState, previousResult);
         default:
           return Promise.reject(new Error('Unsupported Merge instruction'));
       }
@@ -136,7 +137,7 @@ export function gatherStartFusion(
           console.log('Fusion aborted:', fusionId);
         return onUpdateBFusion({
           stage: 'stopped',
-          errorText: 'Stopped.',
+          errorText: 'Merge Canceled.',
           fusingProgressComponent: undefined,
         });
       }
diff --git a/src/common/beam/gather/instructions/ChatGenerateInstruction.tsx b/src/common/beam/gather/instructions/ChatGenerateInstruction.tsx
index 83f7f10b1..ba1237263 100644
--- a/src/common/beam/gather/instructions/ChatGenerateInstruction.tsx
+++ b/src/common/beam/gather/instructions/ChatGenerateInstruction.tsx
@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
 import * as React from 'react';
 
+import { Typography } from '@mui/joy';
+
 import { ChatMessage } from '../../../../apps/chat/components/message/ChatMessage';
 import { streamAssistantMessage } from '../../../../apps/chat/editors/chat-stream';
 
 import type { VChatMessageIn } from '~/modules/llms/llm.client';
 import { bareBonesPromptMixer } from '~/modules/persona/pmix/pmix';
 
-import type { DMessage } from '~/common/state/store-chats';
+import { DMessage } from '~/common/state/store-chats';
 import { getUXLabsHighPerformance } from '~/common/state/store-ux-labs';
 
 import type { BaseInstruction, ExecutionInputState } from '../beam.gather.instructions';
@@ -19,7 +21,7 @@ type ChatGenerateMethods =
 
 export interface ChatGenerateInstruction extends BaseInstruction {
   type: 'chat-generate';
-  mute?: boolean;
+  display?: 'mute' | 'character-count';
   method: ChatGenerateMethods;
   systemPrompt: string;
   userPrompt: string;
@@ -30,7 +32,7 @@ export interface ChatGenerateInstruction extends BaseInstruction {
 /**
  * Merge Execution: uses a chain of Promises to queue up (cancellable) seuqential instructions.
  */
-export async function executeChatGenerate(_i: ChatGenerateInstruction, inputs: ExecutionInputState): Promise<void> {
+export async function executeChatGenerate(_i: ChatGenerateInstruction, inputs: ExecutionInputState, prevStepOutput: string): Promise<string> {
 
   // build the input messages
   if (_i.method !== 's-s0-h0-u0-aN-u')
@@ -38,7 +40,7 @@ export async function executeChatGenerate(_i: ChatGenerateInstruction, inputs: E
 
   const history: VChatMessageIn[] = [
     // s
-    { role: 'system', content: _mixInstructionPrompt(_i.systemPrompt, inputs.rayMessages.length) },
+    { role: 'system', content: _mixChatGeneratePrompt(_i.systemPrompt, inputs.rayMessages.length, prevStepOutput) },
     // s0-h0-u0
     ...inputs.chatMessages
       .filter((m) => (m.role === 'user' || m.role === 'assistant'))
@@ -47,7 +49,7 @@ export async function executeChatGenerate(_i: ChatGenerateInstruction, inputs: E
     ...inputs.rayMessages
       .map((m): VChatMessageIn => ({ role: 'assistant', content: m.text })),
     // u
-    { role: 'user', content: _mixInstructionPrompt(_i.userPrompt, inputs.rayMessages.length) },
+    { role: 'user', content: _mixChatGeneratePrompt(_i.userPrompt, inputs.rayMessages.length, prevStepOutput) },
   ];
 
   // reset the intermediate message
@@ -63,17 +65,29 @@ export async function executeChatGenerate(_i: ChatGenerateInstruction, inputs: E
     if (update.text)
       inputs.intermediateDMessage.updated = Date.now();
 
-    // recreate the UI for this
-    if (!_i.mute)
-      inputs.updateInstructionComponent(
-        <ChatMessage
-          message={inputs.intermediateDMessage}
-          fitScreen={true}
-          showAvatar={false}
-          adjustContentScaling={-1}
-          sx={fusionChatMessageSx}
-        />,
-      );
+    switch (_i.display) {
+      case 'mute':
+        return;
+
+      case 'character-count':
+        inputs.updateInstructionComponent(
+          <Typography level='body-xs' sx={{ opacity: 0.5 }}>{update.text?.length || 0} characters</Typography>,
+        );
+        return;
+
+      default:
+        // recreate the UI for this
+        inputs.updateInstructionComponent(
+          <ChatMessage
+            message={inputs.intermediateDMessage}
+            fitScreen={true}
+            showAvatar={false}
+            adjustContentScaling={-1}
+            sx={fusionChatMessageSx}
+          />,
+        );
+        return;
+    }
   };
 
   // LLM Streaming generation
@@ -86,12 +100,16 @@ export async function executeChatGenerate(_i: ChatGenerateInstruction, inputs: E
       }
       if (status.outcome === 'errored')
         throw new Error(`Model execution error: ${status.errorMessage || 'Unknown error'}`);
+
+      // Proceed to the next step
+      return inputs.intermediateDMessage.text;
     });
 }
 
 
-function _mixInstructionPrompt(prompt: string, raysReady: number): string {
+function _mixChatGeneratePrompt(prompt: string, raysReady: number, prevStepOutput: string): string {
   return bareBonesPromptMixer(prompt, undefined, {
     '{{N}}': raysReady.toString(),
+    '{{PrevStepOutput}}': prevStepOutput,
   });
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/common/beam/gather/instructions/UserInputChecklistComponent.tsx b/src/common/beam/gather/instructions/UserInputChecklistComponent.tsx
index b1b96ceb0..df8081faa 100644
--- a/src/common/beam/gather/instructions/UserInputChecklistComponent.tsx
+++ b/src/common/beam/gather/instructions/UserInputChecklistComponent.tsx
@@ -28,6 +28,20 @@ export function parseTextToChecklist(text: string): UserChecklistOption[] {
 }
 
 
+function parseMarkdownBold(text: string) {
+  // Split the text by the markdown bold syntax
+  const parts = text.split(/(\*\*.*?\*\*)/g);
+
+  return parts.map((part, index) => {
+    // Check if the part is meant to be bold
+    if (part.startsWith('**') && part.endsWith('**')) {
+      return <strong key={index}>{part.slice(2, -2)}</strong>;
+    }
+    return part;
+  });
+}
+
+
 export function UserInputChecklistComponent(props: {
   options: UserChecklistOption[];
   onConfirm: (selectedOptions: UserChecklistOption[]) => void;
@@ -46,35 +60,45 @@ export function UserInputChecklistComponent(props: {
     );
   }, []);
 
+  const moreThanHalfSelected = localOptions.filter(option => option.selected).length > localOptions.length / 2;
+
   return (
-    <Box sx={{ display: 'grid', gap: 3 }}>
-      <Typography level='body-md' sx={{ mt: 1 }}>
+    <Box sx={{ display: 'grid', gap: 2 }}>
+      <Typography color='primary' sx={{ mt: 1, fontWeight: 'lg', fontSize: 'md' }}>
         Select the Merge options to apply:
       </Typography>
 
-      <Box sx={{ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', gap: 2 }}>
-        {localOptions.map((option) => (
-          <Checkbox
-            key={option.id}
-            size='sm'
-            checked={option.selected}
-            onChange={() => handleToggle(option.id)}
-            label={option.label}
-            sx={{ whiteSpace: 'break-spaces', ml: 2 }}
-          />
-        ))}
-      </Box>
+      {localOptions.map((option) => (
+        <Checkbox
+          key={option.id}
+          size='sm'
+          checked={option.selected}
+          onChange={() => handleToggle(option.id)}
+          label={parseMarkdownBold(option.label)}
+          // sx={{ ml: 2, fontSize: 'md' }}
+        />
+      ))}
 
-      <Box sx={{ display: 'flex', gap: 1 }}>
+      <Box sx={{ display: 'flex', gap: 1, mt: 1 }}>
         <Button
           onClick={() => props.onConfirm(localOptions)}
         >
           Confirm Selection
         </Button>
+
+        <Button
+          color='neutral'
+          variant='soft'
+          onClick={() => setLocalOptions(localOptions.map(option => ({ ...option, selected: !moreThanHalfSelected })))}
+        >
+          {moreThanHalfSelected ? 'Uncheck All' : 'Check All'}
+        </Button>
+
         <Button
           color='neutral'
           variant='soft'
           onClick={props.onCancel}
+          sx={{ ml: 'auto' }}
         >
           Cancel
         </Button>
diff --git a/src/common/beam/gather/instructions/UserInputChecklistInstruction.tsx b/src/common/beam/gather/instructions/UserInputChecklistInstruction.tsx
index 5b8cb289c..bdbae992e 100644
--- a/src/common/beam/gather/instructions/UserInputChecklistInstruction.tsx
+++ b/src/common/beam/gather/instructions/UserInputChecklistInstruction.tsx
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 import type { BaseInstruction, ExecutionInputState } from '../beam.gather.instructions';
 import { GATHER_DEBUG_EXECUTION_CHAIN } from '../../beam.config';
 import { parseTextToChecklist, UserInputChecklistComponent } from './UserInputChecklistComponent';
+import { bareBonesPromptMixer } from '~/modules/persona/pmix/pmix';
 
 
 export interface UserInputChecklistInstruction extends BaseInstruction {
   type: 'user-input-checklist';
+  outputPrompt: string;
 }
 
 export interface UserChecklistOption {
@@ -14,24 +16,20 @@ export interface UserChecklistOption {
 }
 
 
-export interface UserChecklistValue {
-  checklist: UserChecklistOption[];
-}
-
 export async function executeUserInputChecklist(
   _i: UserInputChecklistInstruction,
   inputs: ExecutionInputState,
-): Promise<UserChecklistValue> {
+  previousResult: string,
+): Promise<string> {
   return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
 
     // initial text to options
-    const inputText = inputs.intermediateDMessage.text;
-    const options = parseTextToChecklist(inputText);
+    const options = parseTextToChecklist(previousResult);
 
     // if no options, there's an error
     if (options.length < 2) {
       if (GATHER_DEBUG_EXECUTION_CHAIN)
-        console.log('No checklist options found:', inputText);
+        console.log('No checklist options found:', previousResult);
       reject(new Error('Oops! It looks like we had trouble understanding the Model. Could you please try again?'));
       return;
     }
@@ -47,12 +45,21 @@ export async function executeUserInputChecklist(
 
     const onConfirm = (selectedOptions: UserChecklistOption[]) => {
       clearState();
-      resolve({ checklist: selectedOptions }); // Proceed to the next step
+
+      // output prompt mixer
+      const outputPrompt = bareBonesPromptMixer(_i.outputPrompt, undefined, {
+        '{{YesAnswers}}': selectedOptions.filter(o => o.selected).map(o => `- ${o.label.trim()}`).join('\n') || 'None',
+        '{{NoAnswers}}': selectedOptions.filter(o => !o.selected).map(o => `- ${o.label.trim()}`).join('\n') || 'None',
+      });
+
+      // Proceed to the next step
+      resolve(outputPrompt);
     };
 
     const onCancel = () => {
       clearState();
-      reject(new Error('User cancelled the input.'));
+      inputs.chainAbortController.abort('User cancelled the input.');
+      reject();
     };
 
     // Remove the placeholder message