diff --git a/server/prompts/commentary_system.txt b/server/prompts/commentary_system.txt
index b0b02415..a6a13a0f 100644
--- a/server/prompts/commentary_system.txt
+++ b/server/prompts/commentary_system.txt
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ You are the automated overseer of the rovers.
 
 Output contract:
 - Return exactly one line.
-- Output must be either SKIP or one chat message (max 140 chars).
+- Output must be either SKIP or one chat message (max 140 chars unless chat implies it wants a long message).
 - No emojis, no markdown, no extra lines, no assistant framing.
 
 Conversation format you will receive:
diff --git a/server/src/services/llmCommentaryService.js b/server/src/services/llmCommentaryService.js
index 9bcadc61..6388aeea 100644
--- a/server/src/services/llmCommentaryService.js
+++ b/server/src/services/llmCommentaryService.js
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ const JITTER_MS = 0;
 const MAX_ROVERS = 6;
 const MAX_CHAT_MESSAGES = 4;
 const MAX_BOT_MESSAGES = 1;
-const MAX_OUTPUT_CHARS = 140;
 const SKIP_TOKEN = 'SKIP';
 const ACTIVITY_WINDOW_MS = 30000;
 const ACTIVITY_BUCKET_MS = 1000;
@@ -423,11 +422,7 @@ function normalizeCommentary(rawText) {
     .find(Boolean);
   if (!firstLine) return null;
   if (firstLine.toUpperCase() === SKIP_TOKEN) return null;
-  const normalized = firstLine.replace(/\s+/g, ' ');
-  if (normalized.length <= MAX_OUTPUT_CHARS) {
-    return normalized;
-  }
-  return `${normalized.slice(0, MAX_OUTPUT_CHARS - 3)}...`;
+  return firstLine.replace(/\s+/g, ' ');
 }
 
 function parseModelOutput(rawContent) {
@@ -567,7 +562,6 @@ async function generateCommentary(systemPrompt, snapshot) {
     options: {
       temperature: 0.45,
       top_p: 0.9,
-      num_predict: 128,
     },
     messages,
   });