diff --git a/.github/BOT_FEATURES.md b/.github/BOT_FEATURES.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b97915ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/BOT_FEATURES.md
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+# Bot Features for Issues and Discussions
+
+This document describes the minimal, conservative bot features that help users with issues and discussions.
+
+## Issue Helper Bot (`.github/workflows/issue-bot.yml`)
+
+### Features
+
+#### 1. Conservative Auto-labeling
+- **Trigger**: When a new issue is opened
+- **Action**: Only adds labels for **clear, explicit** cases
+- **Labels**:
+  - `bug` - Only if title starts with "bug:" or "[bug]" OR has multiple bug indicators
+  - `enhancement` - Only if explicitly mentions "feature request" or title starts with "feature:" or "[feature]"
+  - `documentation` - Only if explicitly mentions "documentation issue" or title starts with "docs:"
+  - `security` - Only if explicitly mentions "security issue" or title starts with "security:"
+  - `needs-triage` - Only if issue body is very short (< 50 chars) and no other labels match
+- **Philosophy**: Only labels when it's very clear - avoids false positives
+
+#### 2. Help on Request Only
+- **Trigger**: When an issue contains `/help` in title or body
+- **Action**: Provides helpful resources and links
+- **Note**: Only responds when explicitly requested - no automatic responses
+
+## Discussion Helper Bot (`.github/workflows/discussion-bot.yml`)
+
+### Features
+
+#### 1. Mark as Answered (Manual)
+- **Trigger**: When a maintainer comments `/answered` on a discussion
+- **Action**: Marks the discussion as answered
+- **Note**: Only works for repository members/owners/collaborators
+- **Philosophy**: Completely manual - maintainer decides when to mark as answered
+
+## How It Works
+
+Both bots use GitHub Actions workflows that:
+- Run only on specific, conservative triggers
+- Use GitHub's API for minimal actions (labeling, marking answered)
+- Use strict pattern matching - only for very clear cases
+- **No automatic responses** - only responds when explicitly requested
+
+## Safety Features
+
+- **Minimal automation**: Only labels very clear cases, no automatic responses
+- **No external services**: All bots run using GitHub Actions only
+- **Manual control**: Most actions require explicit triggers
+- **Conservative matching**: Only acts on very clear patterns
+- **Easy to disable**: Can be disabled in repository settings
+
+## Customization
+
+To customize bot behavior:
+
+1. **Modify keywords**: Edit the regex patterns in the workflow files
+2. **Change responses**: Update the response text in the scripts
+3. **Add new features**: Extend the workflows with additional checks
+
+## Disabling Bots
+
+To temporarily disable a bot:
+1. Go to repository Settings → Actions → Workflows
+2. Find the bot workflow
+3. Click "..." → Disable workflow
+
+Or comment out the workflow file in `.github/workflows/`
+
+## Best Practices
+
+1. **Review bot comments**: Ensure they're helpful and accurate
+2. **Update responses**: Keep documentation links current
+3. **Monitor behavior**: Check that labels are applied correctly
+4. **Community feedback**: Adjust based on user feedback
+
+---
+
+**Note**: These bots are designed to be helpful assistants, not replacements for human interaction. They provide initial guidance, but community members and maintainers provide the real support!
+
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 580a9c0f..f4a6cd37 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -8,13 +8,12 @@ on:
 
 jobs:
   test:
-    name: Test Python ${{ matrix.python-version }} on ${{ matrix.os }}
-    runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
+    name: Test Python ${{ matrix.python-version }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        os: [ubuntu-latest, windows-latest, macos-latest]
-        python-version: ['3.8', '3.9', '3.10', '3.11', '3.12']
+        python-version: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12']
 
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v4
@@ -28,9 +27,9 @@ jobs:
       uses: actions/cache@v4
       with:
         path: ~/.cache/pip
-        key: ${{ runner.os }}-pip-${{ hashFiles('**/requirements*.txt', '**/pyproject.toml') }}
+        key: ubuntu-pip-${{ hashFiles('**/requirements*.txt', '**/pyproject.toml') }}
         restore-keys: |
-          ${{ runner.os }}-pip-
+          ubuntu-pip-
 
     - name: Install dependencies
       run: |
@@ -40,21 +39,12 @@ jobs:
     - name: Run tests
       run: |
         if [ -d "tests" ] && [ "$(find tests -name 'test_*.py' -o -name '*_test.py' | wc -l)" -gt 0 ]; then
-          pytest --cov=semantica --cov-report=xml --cov-report=html
+          pytest
         else
           echo "⚠️  No tests directory or test files found. Skipping test execution."
           echo "This is expected for initial setup. Add tests to the 'tests/' directory."
           exit 0
         fi
-
-    - name: Upload coverage to Codecov
-      uses: codecov/codecov-action@v4
-      if: matrix.os == 'ubuntu-latest' && matrix.python-version == '3.11' && hashFiles('coverage.xml') != ''
-      with:
-        file: ./coverage.xml
-        flags: unittests
-        name: codecov-umbrella
-        fail_ci_if_error: false
       continue-on-error: true
 
   lint:
@@ -94,26 +84,6 @@ jobs:
           flake8 tests/
         fi
 
-    - name: Run mypy
-      run: mypy semantica/
-      continue-on-error: true
-
-  type-check:
-    name: Type Check
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-
-    - name: Set up Python
-      uses: actions/setup-python@v5
-      with:
-        python-version: '3.11'
-
-    - name: Install dependencies
-      run: |
-        python -m pip install --upgrade pip
-        pip install -e ".[dev]"
-
     - name: Run mypy
       run: mypy semantica/ || echo "Type checking completed with errors (non-blocking)"
       continue-on-error: true
diff --git a/.github/workflows/dependabot.yml b/.github/workflows/dependabot.yml
deleted file mode 100644
index 0dbf83c8..00000000
--- a/.github/workflows/dependabot.yml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,39 +0,0 @@
-name: Dependabot Auto-merge
-
-on:
-  pull_request:
-    types: [opened, synchronize, reopened]
-
-jobs:
-  dependabot:
-    name: Dependabot
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    if: github.actor == 'dependabot[bot]'
-    steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-
-    - name: Set up Python
-      uses: actions/setup-python@v5
-      with:
-        python-version: '3.11'
-
-    - name: Install dependencies
-      run: |
-        python -m pip install --upgrade pip
-        pip install -e ".[dev]"
-
-    - name: Run tests
-      run: |
-        if [ -d "tests" ] && [ "$(find tests -name 'test_*.py' -o -name '*_test.py' | wc -l)" -gt 0 ]; then
-          pytest
-        else
-          echo "⚠️  No tests found. Skipping test execution."
-          exit 0
-        fi
-
-    - name: Auto-merge Dependabot PRs
-      if: success()
-      uses: fastify/github-action-merge-dependabot@v3
-      with:
-        github-token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
-
diff --git a/.github/workflows/discussion-bot.yml b/.github/workflows/discussion-bot.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ae8ea291
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/discussion-bot.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+name: Discussion Helper Bot
+
+on:
+  discussion_comment:
+    types: [created]
+
+jobs:
+
+  mark-answered:
+    name: Mark Discussions as Answered
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    if: |
+      github.event.action == 'created' && 
+      contains(github.event.comment.body, '/answered') && 
+      (github.event.comment.author_association == 'MEMBER' || github.event.comment.author_association == 'OWNER' || github.event.comment.author_association == 'COLLABORATOR')
+    steps:
+      - name: Mark as answered
+        uses: actions/github-script@v7
+        with:
+          script: |
+            const discussion = context.payload.discussion;
+            const commentId = context.payload.comment.id;
+            
+            try {
+              // Mark the comment as the answer
+              await github.rest.discussions.markAnswerComment({
+                discussion_number: discussion.number,
+                comment_number: commentId,
+                owner: context.repo.owner,
+                repo: context.repo.repo
+              });
+              
+              // Mark the discussion as answered
+              await github.rest.discussions.markAsAnswer({
+                discussion_number: discussion.number,
+                comment_number: commentId,
+                owner: context.repo.owner,
+                repo: context.repo.repo
+              });
+            } catch (error) {
+              console.log('Could not mark as answered (may require manual action):', error.message);
+            }
+
diff --git a/.github/workflows/docs.yml b/.github/workflows/docs.yml
index a228cb57..564e7e04 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/docs.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/docs.yml
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ on:
     paths:
       - 'docs/**'
       - 'mkdocs.yml'
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    # Manual trigger for deploying documentation
 
 jobs:
   build:
@@ -42,42 +44,12 @@ jobs:
         fi
       continue-on-error: true
 
-    - name: Deploy to GitHub Pages
-      if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/main' && github.event_name == 'push'
+    # Documentation deployment is manual for safety
+    # To deploy: Go to Actions tab -> Documentation workflow -> Run workflow
+    - name: Deploy to GitHub Pages (Manual)
+      if: github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch'
       uses: peaceiris/actions-gh-pages@v3
       with:
         github_token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
         publish_dir: ./site
         keep_files: false
-
-  preview:
-    name: Preview Documentation
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    if: github.event_name == 'pull_request'
-    steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-
-    - name: Set up Python
-      uses: actions/setup-python@v5
-      with:
-        python-version: '3.11'
-
-    - name: Install dependencies
-      run: |
-        python -m pip install --upgrade pip
-        pip install -r requirements-docs.txt
-        pip install mkdocs-material mkdocstrings[python]
-
-    - name: Build documentation
-      run: mkdocs build --strict
-
-    - name: Comment PR with preview link
-      uses: actions/github-script@v7
-      with:
-        script: |
-          github.rest.issues.createComment({
-            issue_number: context.issue.number,
-            owner: context.repo.owner,
-            repo: context.repo.repo,
-            body: '📚 Documentation preview will be available after merge.'
-          })
diff --git a/.github/workflows/issue-bot.yml b/.github/workflows/issue-bot.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c2c1d6f0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/issue-bot.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+name: Issue Helper Bot
+
+on:
+  issues:
+    types: [opened]
+  issue_comment:
+    types: [created]
+
+jobs:
+
+  auto-label:
+    name: Auto-label Issues (Conservative)
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    if: github.event.action == 'opened'
+    steps:
+      - name: Label based on keywords (only clear matches)
+        uses: actions/github-script@v7
+        with:
+          script: |
+            const issue = context.payload.issue;
+            const title = issue.title.toLowerCase();
+            const body = (issue.body || '').toLowerCase();
+            const text = title + ' ' + body;
+            
+            const labels = [];
+            
+            // Only label if there are clear, strong indicators
+            // Bug detection - must have multiple indicators
+            if ((text.match(/\b(bug|crash|broken|fails|doesn't work|not working)\b/) && 
+                 text.match(/\b(error|exception|traceback|problem)\b/)) ||
+                title.startsWith('bug:') || title.startsWith('[bug]')) {
+              labels.push('bug');
+            }
+            
+            // Feature request - must be explicit
+            else if (text.match(/\b(feature request|enhancement request|proposal)\b/) ||
+                     title.startsWith('feature:') || title.startsWith('[feature]') ||
+                     title.startsWith('enhancement:') || title.startsWith('[enhancement]')) {
+              labels.push('enhancement');
+            }
+            
+            // Documentation - must be explicit
+            else if (text.match(/\b(documentation issue|doc fix|docs update)\b/) ||
+                     title.startsWith('docs:') || title.startsWith('[docs]')) {
+              labels.push('documentation');
+            }
+            
+            // Security - must be explicit
+            else if (text.match(/\b(security issue|vulnerability|security bug)\b/) ||
+                     title.startsWith('security:') || title.startsWith('[security]')) {
+              labels.push('security');
+            }
+            
+            // Only add needs-triage if no labels and issue seems incomplete
+            if (labels.length === 0 && (body.length < 50 || !body.includes('\n'))) {
+              labels.push('needs-triage');
+            }
+            
+            // Add labels only if we found something
+            if (labels.length > 0) {
+              await github.rest.issues.addLabels({
+                owner: context.repo.owner,
+                repo: context.repo.repo,
+                issue_number: issue.number,
+                labels: labels
+              });
+            }
+
+  respond-to-help-request:
+    name: Respond Only to Explicit Help Requests
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    if: |
+      github.event.action == 'opened' &&
+      (contains(github.event.issue.body, '/help') || contains(github.event.issue.title, '/help'))
+    steps:
+      - name: Provide help resources
+        uses: actions/github-script@v7
+        with:
+          script: |
+            const issue = context.payload.issue;
+            
+            const response = `📚 **Help Resources**
+
+Here are some helpful resources:
+
+- [Getting Started](https://github.com/${{ github.repository }}/blob/main/docs/getting-started.md)
+- [FAQ](https://github.com/${{ github.repository }}/blob/main/docs/faq.md)
+- [Documentation](https://github.com/${{ github.repository }}/tree/main/docs)
+- [GitHub Discussions](https://github.com/${{ github.repository }}/discussions) - Ask questions here
+- [Discord](https://discord.gg/semantica) - Real-time chat
+
+💡 **Tip**: For questions, consider using [GitHub Discussions](https://github.com/${{ github.repository }}/discussions) instead of issues.`;
+            
+            await github.rest.issues.createComment({
+              issue_number: issue.number,
+              owner: context.repo.owner,
+              repo: context.repo.repo,
+              body: response
+            });
+
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 8559cd4a..8bd2a837 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -47,18 +47,9 @@ jobs:
         prerelease: false
         generate_release_notes: true
 
-    - name: Publish to PyPI
-      if: startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/v')
-      env:
-        TWINE_USERNAME: __token__
-        TWINE_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.PYPI_API_TOKEN }}
-      run: |
-        if [ -z "${TWINE_PASSWORD:-}" ]; then
-          echo "⚠️  PYPI_API_TOKEN secret not configured. Skipping PyPI upload."
-          echo "This is expected if PyPI publishing is not yet set up."
-          exit 0
-        fi
-        echo "📦 Publishing to PyPI..."
-        twine upload --skip-existing dist/*
-      continue-on-error: true
+    # PyPI publishing is intentionally disabled for manual control
+    # To publish to PyPI manually:
+    # 1. Ensure PYPI_API_TOKEN secret is configured in repository settings
+    # 2. Run: twine upload dist/*
+    # This prevents accidental publishing of wrong versions
 
diff --git a/.pre-commit-config.yaml b/.pre-commit-config.yaml
index 60fc6a1b..37d679a5 100644
--- a/.pre-commit-config.yaml
+++ b/.pre-commit-config.yaml
@@ -35,17 +35,6 @@ repos:
     hooks:
       - id: flake8
         args: ['--max-line-length=88', '--extend-ignore=E203,W503']
-        additional_dependencies:
-          - flake8-docstrings
-          - flake8-bugbear
-
-  - repo: https://github.com/pre-commit/mirrors-mypy
-    rev: v1.8.0
-    hooks:
-      - id: mypy
-        additional_dependencies:
-          - types-all
-        args: ['--ignore-missing-imports', '--no-strict-optional']
 
   - repo: https://github.com/pre-commit/pygrep-hooks
     rev: v1.10.0
@@ -55,26 +44,14 @@ repos:
       - id: python-no-eval
       - id: python-no-log-warn
 
-  - repo: https://github.com/PyCQA/bandit
-    rev: 1.7.6
-    hooks:
-      - id: bandit
-        args: ['-r', 'semantica/', '-f', 'json', '-o', 'bandit-report.json']
-        exclude: ^tests/
-
   - repo: https://github.com/adrienverge/yamllint
     rev: v1.33.0
     hooks:
       - id: yamllint
         args: ['-d', '{extends: default, rules: {line-length: {max: 120}}}']
 
-  - repo: local
-    hooks:
-      - id: pytest
-        name: pytest
-        entry: pytest
-        language: system
-        pass_filenames: false
-        always_run: true
-        args: ['-v', '--tb=short']
+  # Removed slow hooks for faster development:
+  # - mypy: Type checking (can be run manually or in CI)
+  # - bandit: Security scanning (can be run separately)
+  # - pytest: Testing (should be run manually, not on every commit)