Add bPersistentSession: keep WebSocket alive across conversation cycles

When true (default), the first StartConversation() opens the WebSocket
and EndConversation() only stops the mic/posture — the WebSocket stays
open until EndPlay. The agent remembers the full conversation context.
When false, each Start/EndConversation opens/closes the WebSocket (previous behavior).

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

Unreal/PS_AI_Agent/Plugins/PS_AI_ConvAgent/Source/PS_AI_ConvAgent/Private/PS_AI_ConvAgent_ElevenLabsComponent.cpp

@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ void UPS_AI_ConvAgent_ElevenLabsComponent::BeginPlay()
 			Sub->RegisterAgent(this);
 		}
 	}
+
 }
 
 void UPS_AI_ConvAgent_ElevenLabsComponent::EndPlay(const EEndPlayReason::Type EndPlayReason)
@@ -65,6 +66,17 @@ void UPS_AI_ConvAgent_ElevenLabsComponent::EndPlay(const EEndPlayReason::Type En
 	}
 
 	EndConversation();
+
+	// In persistent mode EndConversation() deliberately keeps the WebSocket open.
+	// EndPlay is the final teardown — force-close it now.
+	if (bPersistentSession && WebSocketProxy)
+	{
+		bWantsReconnect = false;
+		bIntentionalDisconnect = true;
+		WebSocketProxy->Disconnect();
+		WebSocketProxy = nullptr;
+	}
+
 	Super::EndPlay(EndPlayReason);
 }
 
@@ -257,8 +269,26 @@ void UPS_AI_ConvAgent_ElevenLabsComponent::StartConversation()
 			NetConversatingPlayer = PC;
 			NetConversatingPawn = PC ? PC->GetPawn() : nullptr;
 		}
+
+		// In persistent mode the WebSocket was already opened by the first StartConversation.
+		// Reuse the existing connection — only set up conversation state.
+		if (bPersistentSession && IsConnected())
+		{
+			// WebSocket already alive — just set up conversation state (posture, etc.).
+			ApplyConversationPosture();
+			OnAgentConnected.Broadcast(WebSocketProxy->GetConversationInfo());
+
+			// Auto-start listening if configured (same as HandleConnected).
+			if (bAutoStartListening && TurnMode == EPS_AI_ConvAgent_TurnMode_ElevenLabs::Server)
+			{
+				StartListening();
+			}
+		}
+		else
+		{
 			StartConversation_Internal();
 		}
+	}
 	else
 	{
 		// Client: route through InteractionComponent relay (clients can't call
@@ -319,9 +349,12 @@ void UPS_AI_ConvAgent_ElevenLabsComponent::EndConversation()
 {
 	if (GetOwnerRole() == ROLE_Authority)
 	{
-		// Cancel any pending reconnection.
+		// Cancel any pending reconnection (ephemeral mode only — persistent keeps reconnecting).
+		if (!bPersistentSession)
+		{
 			bWantsReconnect = false;
 			ReconnectAttemptCount = 0;
+		}
 
 		StopListening();
 		// ISSUE-4: StopListening() may set bWaitingForAgentResponse=true (normal turn end path).
@@ -330,12 +363,16 @@ void UPS_AI_ConvAgent_ElevenLabsComponent::EndConversation()
 		bWaitingForAgentResponse = false;
 		StopAgentAudio();
 
+		// In persistent mode, keep the WebSocket open — only manage conversation state.
+		if (!bPersistentSession)
+		{
 			if (WebSocketProxy)
 			{
 				bIntentionalDisconnect = true;
 				WebSocketProxy->Disconnect();
 				WebSocketProxy = nullptr;
 			}
+		}
 
 		// Reset replicated state so other players can talk to this NPC.
 		bNetIsConversing = false;
@@ -1633,25 +1670,53 @@ void UPS_AI_ConvAgent_ElevenLabsComponent::ServerRequestConversation_Implementat
 	// Update NPC posture on the server (OnRep never fires on Authority).
 	ApplyConversationPosture();
 
+	// In persistent mode the WebSocket is already open — skip reconnection.
+	if (bPersistentSession && IsConnected())
+	{
+		// Notify the requesting client that conversation started (normally done in HandleConnected).
+		if (NetConversatingPawn)
+		{
+			if (auto* Relay = NetConversatingPawn->FindComponentByClass<UPS_AI_ConvAgent_InteractionComponent>())
+			{
+				Relay->ClientRelayConversationStarted(GetOwner(), WebSocketProxy->GetConversationInfo());
+			}
+		}
+
+		// Auto-start listening if configured.
+		if (bAutoStartListening && TurnMode == EPS_AI_ConvAgent_TurnMode_ElevenLabs::Server)
+		{
+			StartListening();
+		}
+	}
+	else
+	{
 		StartConversation_Internal();
 	}
+}
 
 void UPS_AI_ConvAgent_ElevenLabsComponent::ServerReleaseConversation_Implementation()
 {
-	// Cancel any pending reconnection.
+	// Cancel any pending reconnection (ephemeral mode only).
+	if (!bPersistentSession)
+	{
 		bWantsReconnect = false;
 		ReconnectAttemptCount = 0;
+	}
 
 	StopListening();
 	bWaitingForAgentResponse = false;
 	StopAgentAudio();
 
+	// In persistent mode, keep the WebSocket open.
+	if (!bPersistentSession)
+	{
 		if (WebSocketProxy)
 		{
 			bIntentionalDisconnect = true;
 			WebSocketProxy->Disconnect();
 			WebSocketProxy = nullptr;
 		}
+	}
 
 	// Clear posture before nullifying the pawn pointer (ApplyConversationPosture
 	// uses NetConversatingPawn to guard against clearing someone else's target).

Unreal/PS_AI_Agent/Plugins/PS_AI_ConvAgent/Source/PS_AI_ConvAgent/Public/PS_AI_ConvAgent_ElevenLabsComponent.h

@@ -129,6 +129,16 @@ public:
 		meta = (ToolTip = "Turn-taking mode.\n- Server VAD: ElevenLabs detects end-of-speech automatically (hands-free).\n- Client Controlled: You call StartListening/StopListening manually (push-to-talk)."))
 	EPS_AI_ConvAgent_TurnMode_ElevenLabs TurnMode = EPS_AI_ConvAgent_TurnMode_ElevenLabs::Server;
 
+	/** Keep the WebSocket open across multiple StartConversation / EndConversation cycles.
+	 *  When true, the first StartConversation opens the WebSocket and EndConversation only
+	 *  stops the microphone and resets posture — the WebSocket stays alive until EndPlay.
+	 *  The agent remembers the full conversation context between interactions.
+	 *  When false (ephemeral), each StartConversation opens a fresh WebSocket session
+	 *  and EndConversation closes it. */
+	UPROPERTY(EditAnywhere, BlueprintReadWrite, Category = "PS AI ConvAgent|ElevenLabs",
+		meta = (ToolTip = "Keep the WebSocket open across conversation cycles.\n- True: agent remembers the full conversation between interactions.\n- False: each StartConversation opens a new session."))
+	bool bPersistentSession = true;
+
 	/** Automatically open the microphone as soon as the WebSocket connection is established. Only applies in Server VAD mode. In Client (push-to-talk) mode, you must call StartListening manually. */
 	UPROPERTY(EditAnywhere, BlueprintReadWrite, Category = "PS AI ConvAgent|ElevenLabs",
 		meta = (ToolTip = "Auto-open the microphone when the conversation starts.\nOnly applies in Server VAD mode. In push-to-talk mode, call StartListening() manually."))