diff --git a/pnpm-lock.yaml b/pnpm-lock.yaml
index 881af9c52883..bb3074654932 100644
--- a/pnpm-lock.yaml
+++ b/pnpm-lock.yaml
@@ -4208,12 +4208,18 @@ importers:
       '@automattic/jetpack-connection':
         specifier: workspace:*
         version: link:../../js-packages/connection
+      '@automattic/jetpack-script-data':
+        specifier: workspace:*
+        version: link:../../js-packages/script-data
       '@automattic/jetpack-shared-extension-utils':
         specifier: workspace:*
         version: link:../../js-packages/shared-extension-utils
       '@automattic/number-formatters':
         specifier: workspace:*
         version: link:../../js-packages/number-formatters
+      '@microsoft/fetch-event-source':
+        specifier: 2.0.1
+        version: 2.0.1
       '@wordpress/api-fetch':
         specifier: 7.44.0
         version: 7.44.0
@@ -4344,6 +4350,9 @@ importers:
       '@testing-library/react':
         specifier: 16.3.2
         version: 16.3.2(@testing-library/dom@10.4.1)(react-dom@18.3.1(react@18.3.1))(react@18.3.1)
+      '@testing-library/user-event':
+        specifier: ^14.6.1
+        version: 14.6.1(@testing-library/dom@10.4.1)
       '@wordpress/browserslist-config':
         specifier: 6.44.0
         version: 6.44.0
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/AGENTS.md b/projects/packages/search/AGENTS.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..ce06d3d3b27b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/AGENTS.md
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+# Jetpack Search
+
+## UI Components
+
+**Always use existing design system components instead of writing custom ones.**
+
+The Jetpack Search dashboard is actively migrating to standard WordPress components. When building UI, follow this priority order:
+
+### Priority 1: `@wordpress/ui`
+The primary component library for new Jetpack work. Use for:
+- `Button`, `Link`
+- `Notice.Root` / `Notice.Title` / `Notice.Description`
+- Tabs, dialogs, and layout primitives
+
+### Priority 2: `@wordpress/components`
+Fallback for anything not yet in `@wordpress/ui`:
+- `ToggleControl`, `TextareaControl`, `SelectControl`
+- `Tabs`, `TabPanel`
+- `Notice` (legacy)
+
+### Priority 3: `@automattic/jetpack-components`
+Jetpack-specific components (upsell cards, plan badges, etc.).
+
+### Never reinvent
+Do **not** create custom implementations of:
+- Tab bars → use `@wordpress/components` `Tabs` or `@wordpress/ui`
+- Buttons → use `@wordpress/ui` `Button`
+- Notices/alerts → use `@wordpress/ui` `Notice`
+- Toggles/checkboxes → use `@wordpress/components` `ToggleControl`
+
+When unsure which component to use, the `@wordpress/design-system-mcp` MCP is configured for this project — use it to look up the right component before building a custom one.
+
+## Data access
+
+- `@automattic/jetpack-shared-extension-utils` → `getSiteFragment()` for site domain
+- `@automattic/jetpack-script-data` → `isWpcomPlatformSite()` for WP.com detection
+- Store selectors via `useSelect( select => select( STORE_ID ).selectorName(), [] )` — always include `[]` dependency array
+
+## Testing
+
+Always run all three suites when changing search code:
+
+```bash
+# JS tests (from projects/packages/search/)
+pnpm test-scripts
+
+# Search PHP tests
+jetpack test php packages/search -v
+
+# Sync PHP tests — search changes often affect the sync whitelist
+jetpack test php packages/sync -v
+```
+
+- Mock external packages in tests; mock custom hooks (`hooks/use-*`) rather than their internals
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/changelog/jps3-ai-answers b/projects/packages/search/changelog/jps3-ai-answers
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..41e16908b5e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/changelog/jps3-ai-answers
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+Significance: major
+Type: added
+
+Search: AI Answers — add streaming ai answers panel in the instant-search overlay. The AI can be customized from a new AI Answers dashboard. The feature is availabe for all paid plans.
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/docs/plans/local-testing-setup.md b/projects/packages/search/docs/plans/local-testing-setup.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..406a8a0a963c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/docs/plans/local-testing-setup.md
@@ -0,0 +1,309 @@
+# Local Testing Setup — Jetpack Search AI Answers
+
+A checklist to verify your local environment can run tests and test the AI Answers feature end-to-end, including live calls to a WPcom sandbox.
+
+---
+
+## 1. Prerequisites
+
+- [x ] Docker Desktop is installed and running (`docker info` returns no error)
+- [x ] `jetpack` CLI is installed and on PATH:
+  ```bash
+  jetpack --version
+  # If missing: npm install -g @automattic/jetpack-cli  (or pnpm add -g)
+  ```
+- [x ] Node and pnpm are available:
+  ```bash
+  node --version   # 20+
+  pnpm --version   # 9+
+  ```
+- [x ] PHP and Composer are available:
+  ```bash
+  php --version    # 8.0+
+  composer --version
+  ```
+- [x ] You're on the right branch:
+  ```bash
+  git branch       # should be jps3-answers-plan
+  ```
+
+---
+
+## 2. Install Monorepo Dependencies
+
+- [x ] Install all JS and PHP dependencies from the monorepo root:
+  ```bash
+  pnpm install
+  composer install
+  ```
+  This only needs to be done once (or after a `git pull` that changes lockfiles).
+
+---
+
+## 3. Run Unit Tests Without Docker
+
+The PHP unit tests for the Search and Sync packages use WorDBless (no WordPress needed) and run locally without Docker.
+
+- [x ] Run Search package PHP tests:
+  ```bash
+  jetpack test php packages/search -v
+  ```
+  Expected: all tests pass (including `AI_Answers_Test` once Task 1 is implemented).
+
+- [x ] Run Sync package PHP tests:
+  ```bash
+  jetpack test php packages/sync -v
+  ```
+  Expected: all tests pass (including the CPT sync tests once Task 2 is implemented).
+
+- [x ] Run Search package JS tests:
+  ```bash
+  cd projects/packages/search
+  pnpm test-scripts
+  ```
+  Expected: all tests pass.
+
+---
+
+## 4. Build the Search Package
+
+Build is required before the Docker site can serve the updated JS bundle.
+
+- [x ] Build all Search JS bundles:
+  ```bash
+  cd projects/packages/search
+  pnpm build
+  ```
+  Expected: `build/` directory updated with no errors.
+
+- [ ] For active development, use watch mode instead:
+  ```bash
+  pnpm watch
+  ```
+  Leave this running while you work — it rebuilds on file save.
+
+---
+
+## 5. Start Docker WordPress Environment
+
+- [x ] Start containers (first time or after `jetpack docker clean`):
+  ```bash
+  jetpack docker up -d
+  jetpack docker install
+  ```
+  WordPress is now at [http://localhost](http://localhost).  
+  Default credentials: `jp_docker_acct` / `jp_docker_pass`
+
+- [x ] If containers were already installed previously, just start them:
+  ```bash
+  jetpack docker up -d
+  ```
+
+- [x ] Verify WordPress is reachable:
+  ```bash
+  open http://localhost/wp-admin
+  ```
+  You should see the WP login page.
+
+- [x ] Verify Jetpack plugin is active (it's auto-linked from the monorepo):
+  ```bash
+  jetpack docker wp plugin list | grep jetpack
+  ```
+  Expected: `jetpack` shows as `active`.
+
+---
+
+## 6. Connect Jetpack to WordPress.com via Tunnel
+
+Jetpack requires a publicly accessible URL to handshake with WPcom.
+
+**If you're an Automattician**, use Jurassic Tube (preferred):
+
+- [ ] Follow the setup instructions at PCYsg-GJ2-p2 to install and configure Jurassic Tube if you haven't already.
+- [ ] Start the tunnel:
+  ```bash
+  jetpack docker up --jurassic-tube
+  ```
+  Note your assigned domain (e.g. `yourname.jurassictube.example`).
+
+**Alternative**: Use ngrok (requires a paid account for a stable subdomain):
+- [ ] Start with ngrok:
+  ```bash
+  jetpack docker up --ngrok
+  ```
+
+- [ ] Once the tunnel is running, re-install WordPress with the tunnel domain:
+  ```bash
+  jetpack docker install
+  ```
+  (This updates `WP_SITEURL` and `WP_HOME` to the tunnel domain.)
+
+- [ ] Go to **Jetpack → Dashboard** in wp-admin and complete the WPcom connection flow. Sign in with your WPcom account.
+
+- [ ] Verify connection:
+  ```bash
+  jetpack docker wp jetpack status
+  ```
+  Expected: `Jetpack is connected to WordPress.com`.
+
+---
+
+## 7. Enable Instant Search
+
+Instant Search must be enabled for the overlay and AI Answers panel to appear.
+
+- [ ] Enable the Search module and Instant Search:
+  ```bash
+  jetpack docker wp option update jetpack_active_modules '["search"]' --format=json
+  jetpack docker wp option update instant_search_enabled 1
+  ```
+
+- [ ] Verify in wp-admin: **Jetpack → Search** should show the Search dashboard with "Instant Search" toggled on.
+
+---
+
+## 8. Enable the AI Answers Feature Flag
+
+- [ ] Enable the AI Answers feature:
+  ```bash
+  jetpack docker wp option update jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled 1
+  ```
+
+- [ ] Verify the **Behavior** and **Topics** tabs appear at **Jetpack → Search**.
+
+- [ ] Add a test behavior post via the Behavior tab (type any text, click Save).
+
+- [ ] Add a test topic via **Jetpack → Search → Topics → Add Topic**.
+  Use this post content as a starting point:
+  ```
+  This topic covers questions about resetting passwords and account access.
+
+  Example questions:
+  - How do I reset my password?
+  - I forgot my login email.
+  - My account is locked.
+
+  Guidelines:
+  Direct users to the account recovery page. Do not speculate about lock durations.
+  ```
+
+---
+
+## 9. Point PHP→WPcom Calls to a Sandbox
+
+This routes Jetpack's server-side API calls (JWT issuance, sync, REST proxy) through your WPcom sandbox instead of production.
+
+- [ ] Create a mu-plugin file for sandbox config:
+  ```bash
+  cat > tools/docker/mu-plugins/sandbox.php << 'EOF'
+  <?php
+  // Route Jetpack server-side WPcom calls to sandbox.
+  // Replace YOUR_SANDBOX with your actual sandbox hostname (e.g. myname.wordpress.com).
+  define( 'JETPACK__SANDBOX_DOMAIN', 'YOUR_SANDBOX.wordpress.com' );
+  EOF
+  ```
+
+- [ ] Restart containers to pick up the mu-plugin:
+  ```bash
+  jetpack docker down && jetpack docker up -d
+  ```
+
+- [ ] Verify the sandbox constant is loaded:
+  ```bash
+  jetpack docker wp eval "echo JETPACK__SANDBOX_DOMAIN;"
+  ```
+  Expected: prints your sandbox hostname.
+
+**What this affects**: sync calls, JWT token issuance, REST proxy calls made by PHP. It does NOT redirect browser-to-wpcom calls (the overlay search query and the AI answers SSE call).
+
+---
+
+## 10. Point Browser→WPcom Calls to a Sandbox
+
+The instant-search overlay and AI Answers SSE call go directly from the browser to `public-api.wordpress.com`. To test against a sandbox, you need to intercept these at the network level.
+
+### Option A: Proxyman (macOS, recommended)
+
+- [ ] Install [Proxyman](https://proxyman.io) (free tier is sufficient).
+- [ ] Enable SSL proxying for `public-api.wordpress.com`.
+- [ ] Add a **Map Remote** rule:
+  - Match: `https://public-api.wordpress.com/*`
+  - Replace host with: `YOUR_SANDBOX.wordpress.com`
+- [ ] Enable the rule and keep Proxyman running while testing.
+
+### Option B: /etc/hosts entry (only works if sandbox has a stable IP)
+
+- [ ] Add to `/etc/hosts`:
+  ```
+  SANDBOX_IP  public-api.wordpress.com
+  ```
+- [ ] Flush DNS cache:
+  ```bash
+  sudo dscacheutil -flushcache && sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
+  ```
+- [ ] Remove the entry when done to restore normal operation.
+
+### Option C: Hardcode in mu-plugin (no proxy needed, test only)
+
+If you just want to test with a different base URL, add an override filter in your sandbox mu-plugin. The search overlay reads `JetpackInstantSearchOptions.apiRoot` for WP REST calls; for the AI answers endpoint you can override via a filter on `generate_initial_javascript_state()`:
+
+```php
+add_filter( 'jetpack_instant_search_options', function( $options ) {
+    // Override the AI answers endpoint base for sandbox testing.
+    $options['aiAnswersBaseUrl'] = 'https://YOUR_SANDBOX.wordpress.com/wpcom/v2';
+    return $options;
+} );
+```
+
+This requires a small code change in `answers-panel`'s SSE URL construction to read `aiAnswersBaseUrl` from `JetpackInstantSearchOptions` with a fallback to `https://public-api.wordpress.com/wpcom/v2`. Add that fallback when implementing Task 8.
+
+---
+
+## 11. Verify End-to-End in the Browser
+
+Once the wpcom AI agent endpoint is live on your sandbox:
+
+- [ ] Open the site frontend in a browser (via the tunnel URL or localhost).
+- [ ] Click the Search icon or start typing in the search box to open the overlay.
+- [ ] Type a query that matches your test topic (e.g. "reset password") — at least 3 characters.
+- [ ] Verify: **loading spinner** appears above the results ("Finding an answer…").
+- [ ] Verify: **streamed tokens** appear and the answer text builds up progressively.
+- [ ] Verify: **citations** appear below the answer when the stream completes.
+- [ ] Verify: standard search results still appear below the citations.
+- [ ] Type a query with no matching topic or search results — verify the panel shows a graceful "I couldn't find relevant content" response (or hides silently on error).
+- [ ] Disable the feature flag and verify the panel disappears:
+  ```bash
+  jetpack docker wp option update jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled 0
+  ```
+  Refresh the page — no AI panel should appear.
+
+---
+
+## 12. Verify Sync is Wiring Up (Optional — requires WPcom sandbox)
+
+To verify that CPT posts are reaching the sandbox's shadow replicastore:
+
+- [ ] Create a topic post via the Topics tab.
+- [ ] Force a sync:
+  ```bash
+  jetpack docker wp jetpack sync start
+  ```
+- [ ] Check sync queue is draining:
+  ```bash
+  jetpack docker wp jetpack sync status
+  ```
+- [ ] On your WPcom sandbox, use the Jetpack Debug page (`jptools.wordpress.com/debug`) or the WPcom REST API to verify the `jetpack_search_topic` post arrived.
+
+---
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+| Problem | Fix |
+|---------|-----|
+| `jetpack docker up` fails | Make sure Docker Desktop is running and you have at least 4 GB RAM allocated |
+| Jetpack won't connect | Confirm the tunnel is active and the tunnel URL matches `WP_SITEURL` — run `jetpack docker install` after starting the tunnel |
+| Instant Search overlay doesn't appear | Check `instant_search_enabled` is `1` and the Jetpack Search module is active; try a hard refresh |
+| AI panel doesn't appear | Check `jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled` is `1`; open browser dev tools and look for console errors from the SSE connection |
+| SSE call returns 404 | The wpcom agent isn't deployed yet on that sandbox — confirm with the WPcom side implementation |
+| SSE call returns 401 | HMAC token not generating — check `jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled` is `1` and the blog token is present (`jetpack docker wp eval "print_r(Automattic\Jetpack\Connection\Tokens::get_access_token(JETPACK_MASTER_USER));"`) |
+| Sync tests fail | Run `jetpack test php packages/sync -v` and check the error message; common cause is a missing WorDBless bootstrap |
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/docs/plans/search-ai-answers-roadmap.md b/projects/packages/search/docs/plans/search-ai-answers-roadmap.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..fbef53674d37
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/docs/plans/search-ai-answers-roadmap.md
@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+# Jetpack Search AI Answers — Roadmap
+
+## Content Guidelines Integration
+
+AI Answers already uses the Gutenberg Content Guidelines experiment (`wp_guideline` CPT) rather than a plugin-specific CPT. The feature is therefore coupled to the experiment's stability and eventual path to WordPress core.
+
+### Current implementation
+
+- **CPT**: `wp_guideline` (registered by Gutenberg, not by this plugin)
+- **Meta key**: `_guideline_block_jetpack_search-ai-summary` (registered in `src/class-ai-answers.php`)
+- **REST endpoint**: `/wp/v2/guidelines`
+- **Data path**: `guideline_categories.blocks['jetpack/search-ai-summary'].guidelines`
+- `class-ai-answers.php` registers the meta key on `wp_guideline` and guards with `post_type_exists('wp_guideline')` so sites without the Gutenberg experiment active get `isUnavailable: true` in the AI Answers tab
+- `use-ai-answers-settings.js` reads and writes via the `/wp/v2/guidelines` REST endpoint
+
+Relevant discussions:
+- [Content guidelines for AI-generated content (original proposal)](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/75258)
+- [Content Guidelines: a Gutenberg experiment (Make WordPress AI)](https://make.wordpress.org/ai/2026/02/03/content-guidelines-a-gutenberg-experiment/)
+- [Core CPT implementation tracking](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/77230)
+- [AI feature discoverability and shared context](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/75171)
+
+### Stabilization plan
+
+If the Gutenberg experiment **ships to core unchanged** (same CPT slug, same `guideline_categories` data structure):
+
+1. Remove the `register_post_meta` call from `class-ai-answers.php` — core will own meta registration.
+2. No REST path or data shape changes needed.
+3. The AI Answers tab may be retired or simplified if core ships its own guidelines editing UI.
+
+If the **CPT slug or data structure changes** during the experiment:
+
+1. Update the `post_type_exists` guard and `register_post_meta` call in `class-ai-answers.php`.
+2. Update `REST_BASE` in `use-ai-answers-settings.js` and the `guideline_categories` read/write paths.
+3. Decide whether to migrate existing `wp_guideline` posts or start fresh.
+
+If the **experiment is abandoned**:
+
+1. Replace `wp_guideline` with a plugin-owned CPT (e.g. `jp_search_behavior`).
+2. Register it in `class-ai-answers.php` and add it to the sync whitelist.
+3. Update `use-ai-answers-settings.js` to target the new REST base.
+4. Add a data migration for any sites that already saved guidelines via `wp_guideline`.
+
+---
+
+## Plan Eligibility
+
+Currently the feature is gated only by the `jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled` option with a flat 500-request/month quota for all plans. Before general availability, we need to decide:
+
+- **Which plans get access?** Likely Search paid plans only (not free tier). The wpcom quota API already tracks usage per site; enforcement would happen there before any LLM call is made.
+- **Quota tiers by plan?** Free Search could get a lower limit (or none), paid Search gets a higher limit, with the option to upgrade for more.
+- **How does the plugin know the site's plan?** Options: read from the existing `jetpack_search_subscription_plan` option (or equivalent) already synced to the plugin; or gate entirely on the wpcom side and have the agent return `error` with `code: plan_not_eligible` so the overlay can show an upgrade prompt rather than silently hiding.
+- **UI treatment for ineligible sites?** The Behavior and Topics tabs may still be useful to show (so site owners can configure in advance), but the overlay panel should be hidden and replaced with an upsell if the plan doesn't include AI Answers.
+
+Open questions to resolve before GA:
+- [ ] Confirm which plan tiers include AI Answers
+- [ ] Define quota limits per tier
+- [ ] Decide whether plan gating lives on the wpcom side only (simpler) or also in the plugin (faster UI feedback)
+- [ ] Design the upgrade/upsell flow for ineligible sites
+
+---
+
+## Overlay CSS: Theme Compatibility
+
+The instant-search overlay (and the AI answers panel within it) ships high-specificity hardcoded styles for colors, typography, and spacing. These override or ignore the host site's global styles, which creates two problems:
+
+1. **Site maintainers can't easily restyle the overlay** to match their theme — overriding requires even higher specificity or `!important`.
+2. **The AI answers panel looks disconnected** from the rest of the site, especially on sites with distinctive typography or color schemes.
+
+The right fix is to audit the overlay's CSS and replace hardcoded values with CSS custom properties that have sensible defaults but can be overridden at the `:root` or theme level. Font properties (`font-family`, `font-size`) should likely `inherit` from the document rather than being set at all.
+
+This is a whole-overlay concern, not specific to the answers panel. It should be scoped as a standalone refactor — changing the answers panel CSS in isolation would create inconsistency with the surrounding overlay.
+
+Relevant areas: `src/instant-search/lib/styles/_variables.scss`, `src/instant-search/components/*.scss`.
+
+---
+
+## Analytics Tab
+
+A future **Analytics** tab will be added to the Search dashboard tab bar and will become the default tab. The current Overview content (billing/usage) will remain but yield the default position to Analytics.
+
+The Analytics tab will surface top search queries, click-through rates, and zero-result queries — with a "Create Topic" shortcut on low-CTR queries to seed the AI Answers topic library directly from real search data.
+
+---
+
+## Jetpack Search 3.0 (Interactivity API)
+
+When Jetpack Search 3.0 ships (Interactivity API block platform), the AI answers feature will be extracted into a `jetpack/search-answers` block that subscribes to the shared `jetpack-search` Interactivity API store's `query` state. The HMAC token auth, CPT sync, and wpcom agent endpoint are all block-agnostic and carry forward unchanged.
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/package.json b/projects/packages/search/package.json
index 0b6ba7c6014f..98e7818fc877 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/package.json
+++ b/projects/packages/search/package.json
@@ -46,8 +46,10 @@
 		"@automattic/jetpack-base-styles": "workspace:*",
 		"@automattic/jetpack-components": "workspace:*",
 		"@automattic/jetpack-connection": "workspace:*",
+		"@automattic/jetpack-script-data": "workspace:*",
 		"@automattic/jetpack-shared-extension-utils": "workspace:*",
 		"@automattic/number-formatters": "workspace:*",
+		"@microsoft/fetch-event-source": "2.0.1",
 		"@wordpress/api-fetch": "7.44.0",
 		"@wordpress/base-styles": "6.20.0",
 		"@wordpress/block-editor": "15.17.0",
@@ -93,6 +95,7 @@
 		"@testing-library/dom": "10.4.1",
 		"@testing-library/preact": "3.2.4",
 		"@testing-library/react": "16.3.2",
+		"@testing-library/user-event": "^14.6.1",
 		"@wordpress/browserslist-config": "6.44.0",
 		"@wordpress/dependency-extraction-webpack-plugin": "6.44.0",
 		"autoprefixer": "10.4.20",
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/class-ai-answers.php b/projects/packages/search/src/class-ai-answers.php
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..ff3790537176
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/class-ai-answers.php
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+<?php
+/**
+ * AI Answers feature — behavior meta and enabled flag.
+ *
+ * @package automattic/jetpack-search
+ */
+
+namespace Automattic\Jetpack\Search;
+
+/**
+ * Registers behavior meta on the Gutenberg Guidelines CPT and exposes the
+ * jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled option.
+ */
+class AI_Answers {
+	const BEHAVIOR_META_KEY   = '_guideline_block_jetpack_search-ai-summary';
+	const BEHAVIOR_OPTION_KEY = 'jetpack_search_ai_behavior_instructions';
+
+	/**
+	 * Hook up meta/setting registration.
+	 */
+	public function init() {
+		add_action( 'rest_api_init', array( $this, 'register_behavior_meta' ) );
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Register the behavior instructions storage for the REST API.
+	 *
+	 * When the Gutenberg Guidelines CPT is present, registers the block-specific
+	 * meta key on it. Otherwise registers a site option exposed via /wp/v2/settings.
+	 */
+	public function register_behavior_meta() {
+		if ( post_type_exists( 'wp_guideline' ) ) {
+			register_post_meta(
+				'wp_guideline',
+				self::BEHAVIOR_META_KEY,
+				array(
+					'single'            => true,
+					'type'              => 'string',
+					'show_in_rest'      => true,
+					'default'           => '',
+					'sanitize_callback' => 'sanitize_textarea_field',
+					'auth_callback'     => function () {
+						return current_user_can( 'manage_options' );
+					},
+				)
+			);
+			return;
+		}
+
+		register_setting(
+			'options',
+			self::BEHAVIOR_OPTION_KEY,
+			array(
+				'type'              => 'string',
+				'default'           => '',
+				'sanitize_callback' => 'sanitize_textarea_field',
+				'show_in_rest'      => true,
+			)
+		);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Retrieve the behavior instructions.
+	 *
+	 * Reads from the Gutenberg Guidelines CPT when available, otherwise falls
+	 * back to the site option.
+	 *
+	 * @return string Behavior instructions, or empty string if none saved.
+	 */
+	public static function get_behavior_instructions() {
+		if ( post_type_exists( 'wp_guideline' ) ) {
+			$posts = get_posts(
+				array(
+					'post_type'      => 'wp_guideline',
+					'posts_per_page' => 1,
+					'post_status'    => 'publish',
+				)
+			);
+			if ( ! empty( $posts ) ) {
+				$guidelines = get_post_meta( $posts[0]->ID, self::BEHAVIOR_META_KEY, true );
+				return is_string( $guidelines ) ? $guidelines : '';
+			}
+		}
+		return (string) get_option( self::BEHAVIOR_OPTION_KEY, '' );
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Whether AI Answers is enabled for the current site.
+	 */
+	public static function is_enabled() {
+		return (bool) apply_filters(
+			'jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled',
+			(bool) get_option( 'jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled', false )
+		);
+	}
+}
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/class-helper.php b/projects/packages/search/src/class-helper.php
index 280f348e7aa2..27a1c75c4503 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/src/class-helper.php
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/class-helper.php
@@ -970,6 +970,7 @@ public static function generate_initial_javascript_state() {
 			 * @param bool $disable_tracking Whether to disable tracking. Default false.
 			 */
 			'disableTracking'             => self::is_tracking_disabled() || apply_filters( 'jetpack_instant_search_disable_tracking', false ),
+			'aiAnswersEnabled'            => AI_Answers::is_enabled(),
 		);
 
 		/**
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/class-rest-controller.php b/projects/packages/search/src/class-rest-controller.php
index 731967cad4e8..be11b0b5544c 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/src/class-rest-controller.php
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/class-rest-controller.php
@@ -253,8 +253,9 @@ public function update_settings( $request ) {
 			? sanitize_text_field( $request_body['experience'] )
 			: null;
 		$reader_chat                   = array_key_exists( 'reader_chat', $request_body ) ? (bool) $request_body['reader_chat'] : null;
+		$ai_answers_enabled            = isset( $request_body['ai_answers_enabled'] ) ? (bool) $request_body['ai_answers_enabled'] : null;
 
-		$error = $this->validate_search_settings( $module_active, $instant_search_enabled, $swap_classic_to_inline_search, $experience, $reader_chat );
+		$error = $this->validate_search_settings( $module_active, $instant_search_enabled, $swap_classic_to_inline_search, $experience, $reader_chat, $ai_answers_enabled );
 
 		if ( is_wp_error( $error ) ) {
 			return $error;
@@ -299,6 +300,10 @@ public function update_settings( $request ) {
 			update_option( 'reader_chat', $reader_chat );
 		}
 
+		if ( $ai_answers_enabled !== null ) {
+			update_option( 'jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled', $ai_answers_enabled );
+		}
+
 		if ( ! empty( $errors ) ) {
 			return new WP_Error(
 				'some_updated',
@@ -325,8 +330,9 @@ public function update_settings( $request ) {
 	 * @param boolean     $swap_classic_to_inline_search - New inline search status.
 	 * @param string|null $experience - Experience value.
 	 * @param bool|null   $reader_chat - Reader Chat status.
+	 * @param bool|null   $ai_answers_enabled - Whether Jetpack Search AI answers is enabled.
 	 */
-	protected function validate_search_settings( $module_active, $instant_search_enabled, $swap_classic_to_inline_search, $experience = null, $reader_chat = null ) {
+	protected function validate_search_settings( $module_active, $instant_search_enabled, $swap_classic_to_inline_search, $experience = null, $reader_chat = null, $ai_answers_enabled = null ) {
 		if ( $reader_chat !== null && ! $this->is_reader_chat_setting_registered() ) {
 			return new WP_Error(
 				'rest_invalid_arguments',
@@ -357,6 +363,10 @@ protected function validate_search_settings( $module_active, $instant_search_ena
 			// Allow updating auxiliary settings without updating/validating the module settings.
 			return true;
 		}
+		if ( $module_active === null && $instant_search_enabled === null && $swap_classic_to_inline_search === null && $ai_answers_enabled !== null ) {
+			// allow updating 'ai_answers_enabled' without updating/validating other settings.
+			return true;
+		}
 		if ( ( true === $instant_search_enabled && false === $module_active ) || ( $module_active === null && $instant_search_enabled === null ) ) {
 			return new WP_Error(
 				'rest_invalid_arguments',
@@ -376,6 +386,7 @@ public function get_settings() {
 			'instant_search_enabled'        => $this->search_module->is_instant_search_enabled(),
 			'swap_classic_to_inline_search' => $this->search_module->is_swap_classic_to_inline_search(),
 			'experience'                    => $this->search_module->get_experience(),
+			'ai_answers_enabled'            => AI_Answers::is_enabled(),
 		);
 
 		if ( $this->is_reader_chat_setting_registered() ) {
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/class-settings.php b/projects/packages/search/src/class-settings.php
index 2b7e82a02c19..4ad664e3bc9f 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/src/class-settings.php
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/class-settings.php
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ public function settings_register() {
 			array( $setting_prefix . 'show_post_date', 'boolean', true ),
 			array( $setting_prefix . 'show_product_price', 'boolean', true ),
 			array( $setting_prefix . 'show_powered_by', 'boolean', true ),
+			array( $setting_prefix . 'ai_answers_enabled', 'boolean', false ),
 		);
 		foreach ( $settings as $value ) {
 			register_setting(
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/ai-answers-tab/index.jsx b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/ai-answers-tab/index.jsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..0c9e20fc826a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/ai-answers-tab/index.jsx
@@ -0,0 +1,161 @@
+import { isWpcomPlatformSite } from '@automattic/jetpack-script-data';
+import { getSiteFragment } from '@automattic/jetpack-shared-extension-utils';
+import { TextareaControl, ToggleControl } from '@wordpress/components';
+import { useSelect } from '@wordpress/data';
+import { __ } from '@wordpress/i18n';
+import { Button, Notice } from '@wordpress/ui';
+import useAiAnswersSettings, { DEFAULT_PERSONALITY } from 'hooks/use-ai-answers-settings';
+import useProductCheckoutWorkflow from 'hooks/use-product-checkout-workflow';
+import useSearchSettings from 'hooks/use-search-settings';
+import { STORE_ID } from 'store';
+import './style.scss';
+
+/**
+ * AiAnswersTab component for configuring AI Answers settings.
+ *
+ * @return {import('react').ReactElement} AiAnswersTab component.
+ */
+export default function AiAnswersTab() {
+	const supportsInstantSearch = useSelect(
+		select => select( STORE_ID ).supportsInstantSearch(),
+		[]
+	);
+	const isFreePlan = useSelect( select => select( STORE_ID ).isFreePlan(), [] );
+	const blogID = useSelect( select => select( STORE_ID ).getBlogId(), [] );
+	const siteAdminUrl = useSelect( select => select( STORE_ID ).getSiteAdminUrl(), [] );
+
+	const { isAiAnswersEnabled, isInstantSearchEnabled, setAiAnswersEnabled } = useSearchSettings();
+
+	const { run: sendToCart } = useProductCheckoutWorkflow( {
+		productSlug: 'jetpack_search',
+		adminUrl: siteAdminUrl,
+		redirectUri: 'admin.php?page=jetpack-search&just_upgraded=1',
+		from: 'jetpack-search',
+		siteSuffix: getSiteFragment(),
+		blogID,
+		isWpcom: isWpcomPlatformSite(),
+	} );
+
+	const { content, setContent, isSaving, isLoading, error, saved, isUnavailable, savePersonality } =
+		useAiAnswersSettings();
+
+	const settingsClassName = [
+		'jp-search-ai-answers-tab__settings',
+		isFreePlan || ! supportsInstantSearch ? 'jp-search-ai-answers-tab__settings--gated' : '',
+	]
+		.filter( Boolean )
+		.join( ' ' );
+
+	const savingLabel = __( 'Saving…', 'jetpack-search-pkg' );
+	const saveLabel = __( 'Save', 'jetpack-search-pkg' );
+
+	return (
+		<div className="jp-search-ai-answers-tab">
+			{ ( isFreePlan || ! supportsInstantSearch ) && (
+				<div className="jp-search-ai-answers-tab__upsell">
+					<div className="jp-search-dashboard-wrap">
+						<div className="jp-search-dashboard-row">
+							<div className="jp-search-ai-answers-tab__upsell-inner lg-col-span-8 md-col-span-6 sm-col-span-4">
+								<h2 className="jp-search-ai-answers-tab__upsell-heading">
+									{ __( 'Upgrade to use AI Answers', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }
+								</h2>
+								<ul className="jp-search-ai-answers-tab__upsell-bullets">
+									<li>
+										{ __(
+											'Give visitors real answers, not just search results.',
+											'jetpack-search-pkg'
+										) }
+									</li>
+									<li>
+										{ __( "Fills gaps when your content doesn't match.", 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }
+									</li>
+									<li>
+										{ __(
+											'Serious, silly, or snarky — your personality, your search.',
+											'jetpack-search-pkg'
+										) }
+									</li>
+								</ul>
+								<Button variant="solid" onClick={ sendToCart }>
+									{ __( 'Upgrade now', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }
+								</Button>
+							</div>
+						</div>
+					</div>
+				</div>
+			) }
+
+			<div className={ settingsClassName } data-testid="ai-answers-settings">
+				<div className="jp-search-dashboard-wrap">
+					<div className="jp-search-dashboard-row">
+						<div className="jp-search-ai-answers-tab__settings-inner lg-col-span-8 md-col-span-6 sm-col-span-4">
+							{ isLoading && <p>{ __( 'Loading…', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }</p> }
+							{ supportsInstantSearch && ! isInstantSearchEnabled && (
+								<Notice.Root intent="warning">
+									<Notice.Title>
+										{ __(
+											'Instant Search must be enabled for AI Answers to work.',
+											'jetpack-search-pkg'
+										) }
+									</Notice.Title>
+									<Notice.Description>
+										{ __( 'Enable Instant Search on the Plan & Usage tab.', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }
+									</Notice.Description>
+								</Notice.Root>
+							) }
+							<ToggleControl
+								label={ __( 'Enable AI Answers', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }
+								checked={ isAiAnswersEnabled }
+								onChange={ setAiAnswersEnabled }
+								className="jp-search-dashboard-toggle lg-col-span-12 md-col-span-8 sm-col-span-4"
+								disabled={ ! isInstantSearchEnabled }
+							/>
+
+							{ ! isLoading && ! isUnavailable && (
+								<>
+									{ error && <p className="jp-search-ai-answers-tab__error">{ error }</p> }
+									<TextareaControl
+										label={ __( 'Personality', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }
+										value={ content }
+										onChange={ setContent }
+										placeholder={ DEFAULT_PERSONALITY }
+										rows={ 10 }
+										disabled={ isSaving || ! isAiAnswersEnabled || ! isInstantSearchEnabled }
+									/>
+									<div className="jp-search-ai-answers-tab__actions">
+										<Button
+											variant="solid"
+											onClick={ savePersonality }
+											disabled={ isSaving || ! isAiAnswersEnabled || ! isInstantSearchEnabled }
+										>
+											{ isSaving ? savingLabel : saveLabel }
+										</Button>
+										{ saved && (
+											<span className="jp-search-ai-answers-tab__saved">
+												{ __( 'Saved.', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }
+											</span>
+										) }
+									</div>
+								</>
+							) }
+
+							{ ! isLoading && isUnavailable && (
+								<Notice.Root intent="warning">
+									<Notice.Title>
+										{ __(
+											'Personality instructions are temporarily unavailable.',
+											'jetpack-search-pkg'
+										) }
+									</Notice.Title>
+									<Notice.Description>
+										{ __( 'Please try again later or contact support.', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }
+									</Notice.Description>
+								</Notice.Root>
+							) }
+						</div>
+					</div>
+				</div>
+			</div>
+		</div>
+	);
+}
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/ai-answers-tab/style.scss b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/ai-answers-tab/style.scss
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..07fc874bc32b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/ai-answers-tab/style.scss
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+@use "scss/variables";
+
+.jp-search-ai-answers-tab {
+	width: 100%;
+}
+
+.jp-search-ai-answers-tab__upsell {
+	background-color: variables.$jp-white-off;
+	border-bottom: 1px solid variables.$jp-gray;
+	padding: 2.5em 0;
+
+	.jp-search-ai-answers-tab__upsell-heading {
+		font-size: variables.$font-title-small;
+		font-weight: 600;
+		line-height: 1.25;
+		margin: 0 0 1em;
+		color: variables.$jp-black;
+	}
+
+	.jp-search-ai-answers-tab__upsell-bullets {
+		list-style: disc;
+		margin: 0 0 1.5em 1.5em;
+		padding: 0;
+
+		li {
+			font-size: 1em;
+			line-height: 1.6;
+			margin-bottom: 0.4em;
+			color: variables.$jp-black-80;
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+.jp-search-ai-answers-tab__settings {
+	background-color: variables.$jp-white;
+	padding: 2.5em 0;
+
+	&.jp-search-ai-answers-tab__settings--gated {
+		opacity: 0.5;
+		pointer-events: none;
+	}
+}
+
+.jp-search-ai-answers-tab__settings-inner {
+	display: flex;
+	flex-direction: column;
+
+	.jp-search-dashboard-toggle {
+		margin-bottom: 1.5em;
+	}
+}
+
+.jp-search-ai-answers-tab__actions {
+	display: flex;
+	align-items: center;
+	gap: 1em;
+	margin-top: 0.5em;
+}
+
+.jp-search-ai-answers-tab__error {
+	color: variables.$jp-red-error;
+	font-size: 0.875em;
+	margin: 0 0 1em;
+}
+
+.jp-search-ai-answers-tab__saved {
+	color: variables.$jp-green-primary;
+	font-size: 0.9375em;
+	font-weight: 500;
+}
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/pages/dashboard-page.jsx b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/pages/dashboard-page.jsx
index 47166db6858e..a88d6acdcc0f 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/pages/dashboard-page.jsx
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/pages/dashboard-page.jsx
@@ -1,13 +1,10 @@
-import {
-	AdminPage,
-	Button,
-	Container,
-	Col,
-	getProductCheckoutUrl,
-} from '@automattic/jetpack-components';
+import { AdminPage, Button, getProductCheckoutUrl } from '@automattic/jetpack-components';
 import { useConnectionErrorNotice, ConnectionError } from '@automattic/jetpack-connection';
 import { useSelect, useDispatch } from '@wordpress/data';
 import { __ } from '@wordpress/i18n';
+import { Stack, Tabs } from '@wordpress/ui';
+import { useState } from 'react';
+import AiAnswersTab from 'components/ai-answers-tab';
 import FeatureSelector from 'components/feature-selector';
 import NoticesList from 'components/global-notices';
 import Loading from 'components/loading';
@@ -29,6 +26,8 @@ import './dashboard-page.scss';
  * @return {import('react').Component} Search dashboard component.
  */
 export default function DashboardPage( { isLoading = false } ) {
+	const [ activeTab, setActiveTab ] = useState( 'plan-usage' );
+
 	useSelect( select => select( STORE_ID ).getSearchPlanInfo(), [] );
 	useSelect( select => select( STORE_ID ).getSearchModuleStatus(), [] );
 	useSelect( select => select( STORE_ID ).getSearchStats(), [] );
@@ -133,72 +132,30 @@ export default function DashboardPage( { isLoading = false } ) {
 				apiNonce={ apiNonce }
 				className="uses-new-admin-ui"
 			>
-				<div className="jp-search-dashboard-top jp-search-dashboard-wrap">
-					{ /* Always in the DOM so JITM JS finds it immediately (Path A). */ }
-					<div className="jp-search-dashboard-row">
-						<div
-							id="jp-admin-notices"
-							className="jetpack-search-jitm-card sm-col-span-4 md-col-span-8 lg-col-span-12"
-						/>
-					</div>
-					{ isPageLoading && <Loading /> }
-					{ ! isPageLoading && (
-						<MockedSearchContent
-							supportsInstantSearch={ supportsInstantSearch }
-							supportsOnlyClassicSearch={ supportsOnlyClassicSearch }
-						/>
-					) }
-				</div>
-				{ ! isPageLoading && (
-					<>
-						{ hasConnectionError && (
-							<Container horizontalSpacing={ 0 } horizontalGap={ 3 }>
-								<Col lg={ 12 } md={ 12 } sm={ 12 }>
-									<ConnectionError />
-								</Col>
-							</Container>
-						) }
-						{ isNewPricing && supportsInstantSearch && (
-							<PlanInfo
-								hasIndex={ postCount !== 0 }
-								recordMeterInfo={ recordMeterInfo }
-								isFreePlan={ isFreePlan }
-								sendPaidPlanToCart={ sendPaidPlanToCart }
-							/>
-						) }
-						{ ! isNewPricing && supportsInstantSearch && (
-							<RecordMeter
-								postCount={ postCount }
-								postTypeBreakdown={ postTypeBreakdown }
-								tierMaximumRecords={ tierMaximumRecords }
-								lastIndexedDate={ lastIndexedDate }
-								postTypes={ postTypes }
-							/>
-						) }
-						<div className="jp-search-dashboard-bottom">
-							{ isSearchBlocksEnabled ? (
-								<div className="jp-search-dashboard-wrap jp-search-feature-selector-wrap">
-									<div className="jp-search-dashboard-row">
-										<div className="lg-col-span-12 md-col-span-8 sm-col-span-4">
-											<FeatureSelector />
-										</div>
-									</div>
-								</div>
-							) : (
-								<ModuleControl
-									siteAdminUrl={ siteAdminUrl }
-									updateOptions={ updateOptions }
-									domain={ domain }
-									isDisabledFromOverLimit={ isOverLimit }
-									isInstantSearchPromotionActive={ isInstantSearchPromotionActive }
-									supportsOnlyClassicSearch={ supportsOnlyClassicSearch }
-									supportsSearch={ supportsSearch }
+				<Tabs.Root value={ activeTab } onValueChange={ setActiveTab }>
+					<Tabs.List>
+						<Tabs.Tab value="plan-usage">{ __( 'Plan & Usage', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }</Tabs.Tab>
+						<Tabs.Tab value="ai-answers">
+							{ __( 'AI Answers', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }{ ' ' }
+							<span className="jp-search-dashboard-tabs__tab-preview-label">
+								{ __( '(Preview)', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }
+							</span>
+						</Tabs.Tab>
+					</Tabs.List>
+					<Tabs.Panel value="plan-usage">
+						<div className="jp-search-dashboard-top jp-search-dashboard-wrap">
+							{ /* Always in the DOM so JITM JS finds it immediately (Path A). */ }
+							<div className="jp-search-dashboard-row">
+								<div
+									id="jp-admin-notices"
+									className="jetpack-search-jitm-card sm-col-span-4 md-col-span-8 lg-col-span-12"
+								/>
+							</div>
+							{ isPageLoading && <Loading /> }
+							{ ! isPageLoading && (
+								<MockedSearchContent
 									supportsInstantSearch={ supportsInstantSearch }
-									isModuleEnabled={ isModuleEnabled }
-									isInstantSearchEnabled={ isInstantSearchEnabled }
-									isSavingEitherOption={ isSavingEitherOption }
-									isTogglingModule={ isTogglingModule }
-									isTogglingInstantSearch={ isTogglingInstantSearch }
+									supportsOnlyClassicSearch={ supportsOnlyClassicSearch }
 								/>
 							) }
 							<ReaderChatControl
@@ -209,12 +166,68 @@ export default function DashboardPage( { isLoading = false } ) {
 								updateOptions={ updateOptions }
 							/>
 						</div>
-						<NoticesList
-							notices={ notices }
-							handleLocalNoticeDismissClick={ handleLocalNoticeDismissClick }
-						/>
-					</>
-				) }
+						{ ! isPageLoading && (
+							<>
+								{ hasConnectionError && (
+									<Stack direction="column">
+										<ConnectionError />
+									</Stack>
+								) }
+								{ isNewPricing && supportsInstantSearch && (
+									<PlanInfo
+										hasIndex={ postCount !== 0 }
+										recordMeterInfo={ recordMeterInfo }
+										isFreePlan={ isFreePlan }
+										sendPaidPlanToCart={ sendPaidPlanToCart }
+									/>
+								) }
+								{ ! isNewPricing && supportsInstantSearch && (
+									<RecordMeter
+										postCount={ postCount }
+										postTypeBreakdown={ postTypeBreakdown }
+										tierMaximumRecords={ tierMaximumRecords }
+										lastIndexedDate={ lastIndexedDate }
+										postTypes={ postTypes }
+									/>
+								) }
+								<div className="jp-search-dashboard-bottom">
+									{ isSearchBlocksEnabled ? (
+										<div className="jp-search-dashboard-wrap jp-search-feature-selector-wrap">
+											<div className="jp-search-dashboard-row">
+												<div className="lg-col-span-12 md-col-span-8 sm-col-span-4">
+													<FeatureSelector />
+												</div>
+											</div>
+										</div>
+									) : (
+										<ModuleControl
+											siteAdminUrl={ siteAdminUrl }
+											updateOptions={ updateOptions }
+											domain={ domain }
+											isDisabledFromOverLimit={ isOverLimit }
+											isInstantSearchPromotionActive={ isInstantSearchPromotionActive }
+											supportsOnlyClassicSearch={ supportsOnlyClassicSearch }
+											supportsSearch={ supportsSearch }
+											supportsInstantSearch={ supportsInstantSearch }
+											isModuleEnabled={ isModuleEnabled }
+											isInstantSearchEnabled={ isInstantSearchEnabled }
+											isSavingEitherOption={ isSavingEitherOption }
+											isTogglingModule={ isTogglingModule }
+											isTogglingInstantSearch={ isTogglingInstantSearch }
+										/>
+									) }
+								</div>
+								<NoticesList
+									notices={ notices }
+									handleLocalNoticeDismissClick={ handleLocalNoticeDismissClick }
+								/>
+							</>
+						) }
+					</Tabs.Panel>
+					<Tabs.Panel value="ai-answers">
+						<AiAnswersTab />
+					</Tabs.Panel>
+				</Tabs.Root>
 			</AdminPage>
 		</div>
 	);
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/pages/sections/plan-usage-section.jsx b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/pages/sections/plan-usage-section.jsx
index ac2279194ad8..51ea85ecedb3 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/pages/sections/plan-usage-section.jsx
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/pages/sections/plan-usage-section.jsx
@@ -207,6 +207,9 @@ const upgradeMessageFromAPIData = apiData => {
 	// apiData.currentUsage.upgrade_reason.requests
 	// apiData.currentUsage.months_over_plan_records_limit
 	// apiData.currentUsage.months_over_plan_requests_limit
+	if ( ! apiData.currentUsage ) {
+		return null;
+	}
 	if ( apiData.currentUsage.must_upgrade ) {
 		return upgradeMessageSearchDisabled();
 	}
@@ -237,7 +240,9 @@ const PlanUsageSection = ( { isFreePlan, planInfo, sendPaidPlanToCart, isPlanJus
 	// For complete plan, we only show the final CTA once search is already disabled.
 	// It's just because it was added later, and we didn't want to redesign existing CTAs at the time.
 	const upgradeMessage =
-		isFreePlan || planInfo.currentUsage.must_upgrade ? upgradeMessageFromAPIData( planInfo ) : null;
+		isFreePlan || planInfo.currentUsage?.must_upgrade
+			? upgradeMessageFromAPIData( planInfo )
+			: null;
 	const usageInfo = usageInfoFromAPIData( planInfo );
 
 	return (
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/pages/sections/test/plan-summary.test.jsx b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/pages/sections/test/plan-summary.test.jsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..0981955bf298
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/pages/sections/test/plan-summary.test.jsx
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+import { render, screen } from '@testing-library/react';
+import PlanSummary from '../plan-summary';
+
+describe( 'PlanSummary', () => {
+	const basePlanInfo = {
+		latestMonthRequests: {
+			start_date: '2026-02-01T00:00:00',
+			end_date: '2026-02-28T00:00:00',
+		},
+	};
+
+	it( 'renders the usage heading', () => {
+		render( <PlanSummary isFreePlan={ false } planInfo={ basePlanInfo } /> );
+		expect( screen.getByRole( 'heading' ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+		expect( screen.getByText( /your usage/i ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'shows "Free plan" label for free plan users', () => {
+		render( <PlanSummary isFreePlan={ true } planInfo={ basePlanInfo } /> );
+		expect( screen.getByText( /Free plan/i ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'shows "Upgraded" label for paid plan users', () => {
+		render( <PlanSummary isFreePlan={ false } planInfo={ basePlanInfo } /> );
+		expect( screen.getByText( /Upgraded/i ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'shows empty date range when latestMonthRequests is absent', () => {
+		render( <PlanSummary isFreePlan={ false } planInfo={ {} } /> );
+		// Heading and plan label should still render, just no date range text
+		expect( screen.getByText( /your usage/i ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+		const span = screen.getByText( /Upgraded/i );
+		// The parent span should start with "(" — no dates means empty string before the bracket
+		expect( span ).toHaveTextContent( /^\s*\(Upgraded\)/ );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'renders a date range from latestMonthRequests', () => {
+		render( <PlanSummary isFreePlan={ false } planInfo={ basePlanInfo } /> );
+		// The heading should contain at least one digit from the formatted date range.
+		expect( screen.getByRole( 'heading' ) ).toHaveTextContent( /\d/ );
+	} );
+} );
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/pages/sections/test/plan-usage-section.test.jsx b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/pages/sections/test/plan-usage-section.test.jsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..6bfc782d8f10
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/pages/sections/test/plan-usage-section.test.jsx
@@ -0,0 +1,149 @@
+import { render, screen } from '@testing-library/react';
+import PlanUsageSection from '../plan-usage-section';
+
+jest.mock( '@automattic/jetpack-components', () => ( {
+	ContextualUpgradeTrigger: ( { description, cta } ) => (
+		<div data-testid="upgrade-trigger">
+			<span data-testid="upgrade-description">{ description }</span>
+			<span data-testid="upgrade-cta">{ cta }</span>
+		</div>
+	),
+	ThemeProvider: ( { children } ) => <>{ children }</>,
+} ) );
+
+jest.mock( '@wordpress/ui', () => ( {
+	Link: ( { children, href } ) => <a href={ href }>{ children }</a>,
+} ) );
+
+jest.mock( '../../../donut-meter-container', () => {
+	const DonutMeter = ( { title, current, limit } ) => (
+		<div data-testid="donut-meter">
+			{ title } { current }/{ limit }
+		</div>
+	);
+	DonutMeter.displayName = 'DonutMeterContainer';
+	return { __esModule: true, default: DonutMeter, formatNumber: n => String( n ) };
+} );
+
+jest.mock( '../plan-summary', () => ( { isFreePlan } ) => (
+	<div data-testid="plan-summary">{ isFreePlan ? 'Free' : 'Paid' }</div>
+) );
+
+const makeUsage = ( overrides = {} ) => ( {
+	must_upgrade: false,
+	should_upgrade: false,
+	upgrade_reason: { records: false, requests: false },
+	months_over_plan_records_limit: 0,
+	months_over_plan_requests_limit: 0,
+	num_records: 100,
+	...overrides,
+} );
+
+const makePlanInfo = ( usageOverrides = {} ) => ( {
+	currentUsage: makeUsage( usageOverrides ),
+	currentPlan: { record_limit: 500, monthly_search_request_limit: 1000 },
+	latestMonthRequests: { num_requests: 50, start_date: '2026-02-01', end_date: '2026-02-28' },
+} );
+
+const defaultProps = {
+	isFreePlan: false,
+	planInfo: makePlanInfo(),
+	sendPaidPlanToCart: jest.fn(),
+	isPlanJustUpgraded: false,
+};
+
+describe( 'PlanUsageSection', () => {
+	it( 'renders usage meters', () => {
+		render( <PlanUsageSection { ...defaultProps } /> );
+		const meters = screen.getAllByTestId( 'donut-meter' );
+		expect( meters ).toHaveLength( 2 );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'renders plan summary', () => {
+		render( <PlanUsageSection { ...defaultProps } /> );
+		expect( screen.getByTestId( 'plan-summary' ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'renders "tell me more" link', () => {
+		render( <PlanUsageSection { ...defaultProps } /> );
+		expect( screen.getByRole( 'link', { name: /record indexing/i } ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'does not render upgrade trigger for paid plan with no overage', () => {
+		render( <PlanUsageSection { ...defaultProps } isFreePlan={ false } /> );
+		expect( screen.queryByTestId( 'upgrade-trigger' ) ).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'renders upgrade trigger for free plan when should_upgrade is true', () => {
+		const planInfo = makePlanInfo( { should_upgrade: true } );
+		render( <PlanUsageSection { ...defaultProps } isFreePlan={ true } planInfo={ planInfo } /> );
+		expect( screen.getByTestId( 'upgrade-trigger' ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'renders search-disabled message when must_upgrade is true', () => {
+		const planInfo = makePlanInfo( { must_upgrade: true } );
+		render( <PlanUsageSection { ...defaultProps } planInfo={ planInfo } /> );
+		expect( screen.getByTestId( 'upgrade-description' ) ).toHaveTextContent(
+			/exceeded the limits/i
+		);
+	} );
+
+	it( 'renders records overage message', () => {
+		const planInfo = makePlanInfo( {
+			should_upgrade: true,
+			upgrade_reason: { records: true, requests: false },
+			months_over_plan_records_limit: 1,
+		} );
+		render( <PlanUsageSection { ...defaultProps } isFreePlan={ true } planInfo={ planInfo } /> );
+		expect( screen.getByTestId( 'upgrade-description' ) ).toHaveTextContent( /records/i );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'renders requests overage message', () => {
+		const planInfo = makePlanInfo( {
+			should_upgrade: true,
+			upgrade_reason: { records: false, requests: true },
+			months_over_plan_requests_limit: 1,
+		} );
+		render( <PlanUsageSection { ...defaultProps } isFreePlan={ true } planInfo={ planInfo } /> );
+		expect( screen.getByTestId( 'upgrade-description' ) ).toHaveTextContent( /requests/i );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'renders both-overage message when records and requests both over', () => {
+		const planInfo = makePlanInfo( {
+			should_upgrade: true,
+			upgrade_reason: { records: true, requests: true },
+			months_over_plan_records_limit: 1,
+		} );
+		render( <PlanUsageSection { ...defaultProps } isFreePlan={ true } planInfo={ planInfo } /> );
+		expect( screen.getByTestId( 'upgrade-description' ) ).toHaveTextContent(
+			/records and search requests/i
+		);
+	} );
+
+	it( 'renders no-overage upgrade message when should_upgrade with no specific reason', () => {
+		const planInfo = makePlanInfo( {
+			should_upgrade: true,
+			upgrade_reason: { records: false, requests: false },
+		} );
+		render( <PlanUsageSection { ...defaultProps } isFreePlan={ true } planInfo={ planInfo } /> );
+		expect( screen.getByTestId( 'upgrade-description' ) ).toHaveTextContent(
+			/increase your site records/i
+		);
+	} );
+
+	it( 'renders "continue using" CTA when records over limit for 3+ months', () => {
+		const planInfo = makePlanInfo( {
+			should_upgrade: true,
+			upgrade_reason: { records: true, requests: false },
+			months_over_plan_records_limit: 3,
+		} );
+		render( <PlanUsageSection { ...defaultProps } isFreePlan={ true } planInfo={ planInfo } /> );
+		expect( screen.getByTestId( 'upgrade-cta' ) ).toHaveTextContent( /continue using/i );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'does not render upgrade trigger when planInfo has no currentUsage', () => {
+		const planInfo = { ...makePlanInfo(), currentUsage: undefined };
+		render( <PlanUsageSection { ...defaultProps } planInfo={ planInfo } /> );
+		expect( screen.queryByTestId( 'upgrade-trigger' ) ).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+	} );
+} );
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/pages/test/dashboard-page.test.jsx b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/pages/test/dashboard-page.test.jsx
index 8f1c094dcb9d..ab569a785397 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/pages/test/dashboard-page.test.jsx
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/pages/test/dashboard-page.test.jsx
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ jest.mock( 'store', () => ( {
 jest.mock( 'components/global-notices', () => () => <div data-testid="notices-list" /> );
 jest.mock( 'components/loading', () => () => <div data-testid="loading" /> );
 jest.mock( 'components/mocked-search', () => () => <div data-testid="mocked-search" /> );
+jest.mock( 'components/ai-answers-tab', () => () => <div data-testid="ai-answers-tab" /> );
 jest.mock( 'components/module-control', () => () => <div data-testid="module-control" /> );
 jest.mock( 'components/reader-chat-control', () => props => {
 	mockReaderChatControl( props );
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/test/ai-answers-tab.test.jsx b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/test/ai-answers-tab.test.jsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..1f2e220be9d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/components/test/ai-answers-tab.test.jsx
@@ -0,0 +1,158 @@
+import { render, screen, waitFor } from '@testing-library/react';
+import { useSelect, useDispatch } from '@wordpress/data';
+import * as React from 'react';
+import AiAnswersTab from '../ai-answers-tab';
+
+jest.mock( 'store', () => ( { STORE_ID: 'jetpack-search-plugin' } ) );
+
+jest.mock( '@automattic/jetpack-script-data', () => ( {
+	isWpcomPlatformSite: () => false,
+} ) );
+
+jest.mock( '@automattic/jetpack-shared-extension-utils', () => ( {
+	getSiteFragment: () => 'example.com',
+} ) );
+
+jest.mock( '@wordpress/data', () => ( {
+	useSelect: jest.fn(),
+	useDispatch: jest.fn(),
+	createRegistryControl: jest.fn(),
+	combineReducers: jest.fn( reducers => reducers ),
+	registerStore: jest.fn(),
+	createReduxStore: jest.fn(),
+	register: jest.fn(),
+} ) );
+
+jest.mock( '@wordpress/components', () => ( {
+	TextareaControl: ( { label } ) => <span>{ label }</span>,
+	ToggleControl: ( { label, checked, onChange } ) => (
+		<label htmlFor="toggle-control">
+			<input
+				id="toggle-control"
+				type="checkbox"
+				checked={ checked }
+				onChange={ e => onChange( e.target.checked ) }
+			/>
+			{ label }
+		</label>
+	),
+} ) );
+
+jest.mock( '@wordpress/ui', () => ( {
+	Button: ( { children, onClick } ) => <button onClick={ onClick }>{ children }</button>,
+	Link: ( { children, href } ) => <a href={ href }>{ children }</a>,
+	Notice: {
+		Root: ( { children } ) => <div role="status">{ children }</div>,
+		Title: ( { children } ) => <div>{ children }</div>,
+		Description: ( { children } ) => <div>{ children }</div>,
+	},
+} ) );
+
+jest.mock( 'hooks/use-product-checkout-workflow', () => () => ( {
+	run: jest.fn(),
+	hasCheckoutStarted: false,
+} ) );
+
+jest.mock( 'hooks/use-ai-answers-settings', () => ( {
+	__esModule: true,
+	default: () => ( {
+		content: '',
+		setContent: jest.fn(),
+		postId: null,
+		isSaving: false,
+		isLoading: false,
+		error: null,
+		saved: false,
+		isUnavailable: false,
+		savePersonality: jest.fn(),
+	} ),
+	DEFAULT_PERSONALITY: 'Default personality instructions.',
+} ) );
+
+const mockUpdateJetpackSettings = jest.fn();
+
+/**
+ * Set up mocked store state for testing.
+ *
+ * @param {object}  root0                        - Options.
+ * @param {boolean} root0.supportsInstantSearch  - Whether the site supports instant search.
+ * @param {boolean} root0.isInstantSearchEnabled - Whether instant search is enabled.
+ * @param {boolean} root0.isFreePlan             - Whether the site is on a free plan.
+ * @param {boolean} root0.isAiAnswersEnabled     - Whether AI Answers is enabled.
+ */
+function setupStore( {
+	supportsInstantSearch = true,
+	isInstantSearchEnabled = true,
+	isFreePlan = false,
+	isAiAnswersEnabled = false,
+} = {} ) {
+	useDispatch.mockReturnValue( {
+		updateJetpackSettings: mockUpdateJetpackSettings,
+	} );
+	useSelect.mockImplementation( fn =>
+		fn( () => ( {
+			supportsInstantSearch: () => supportsInstantSearch,
+			isInstantSearchEnabled: () => isInstantSearchEnabled,
+			isFreePlan: () => isFreePlan,
+			isAiAnswersEnabled: () => isAiAnswersEnabled,
+			getBlogId: () => 1,
+			getSiteAdminUrl: () => 'http://example.com/wp-admin/',
+		} ) )
+	);
+}
+
+describe( 'AiAnswersTab', () => {
+	beforeEach( () => {
+		jest.clearAllMocks();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'shows upsell banner for free plan users', async () => {
+		setupStore( { isFreePlan: true } );
+		render( <AiAnswersTab /> );
+		await waitFor( () => {
+			expect( screen.getByText( 'Upgrade to use AI Answers' ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+		} );
+		expect(
+			screen.getByText( 'Give visitors real answers, not just search results.' )
+		).toBeInTheDocument();
+		expect( screen.getByRole( 'button', { name: /upgrade now/i } ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'shows upsell banner when instant search is not supported', async () => {
+		setupStore( { supportsInstantSearch: false } );
+		render( <AiAnswersTab /> );
+		await waitFor( () => {
+			expect( screen.getByText( 'Upgrade to use AI Answers' ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+		} );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'does not show upsell banner for paid plan users with instant search', async () => {
+		setupStore( { supportsInstantSearch: true, isFreePlan: false } );
+		render( <AiAnswersTab /> );
+		await waitFor( () => {
+			expect( screen.queryByText( 'Upgrade to use AI Answers' ) ).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+		} );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'settings section is present for paid plan users', async () => {
+		setupStore( { supportsInstantSearch: true, isAiAnswersEnabled: true } );
+		render( <AiAnswersTab /> );
+		await expect( screen.findByText( 'Enable AI Answers' ) ).resolves.toBeInTheDocument();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'settings section is present but visually gated for free plan users', async () => {
+		setupStore( { isFreePlan: true } );
+		render( <AiAnswersTab /> );
+		await expect( screen.findByText( 'Enable AI Answers' ) ).resolves.toBeInTheDocument();
+		const gated = screen.getByTestId( 'ai-answers-settings' );
+		expect( gated ).toHaveClass( 'jp-search-ai-answers-tab__settings--gated' );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'shows warning when instant search is supported but not enabled', async () => {
+		setupStore( { supportsInstantSearch: true, isInstantSearchEnabled: false } );
+		render( <AiAnswersTab /> );
+		await expect(
+			screen.findByText( 'Instant Search must be enabled for AI Answers to work.' )
+		).resolves.toBeInTheDocument();
+	} );
+} );
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/hooks/test/use-ai-answers-settings.test.js b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/hooks/test/use-ai-answers-settings.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..866c18a22b32
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/hooks/test/use-ai-answers-settings.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,248 @@
+import { renderHook, act, waitFor } from '@testing-library/react';
+import apiFetch from '@wordpress/api-fetch';
+import useAiAnswersSettings, { DEFAULT_PERSONALITY } from '../use-ai-answers-settings';
+
+jest.mock( '@wordpress/api-fetch', () => jest.fn() );
+
+const SETTINGS_KEY = 'jetpack_search_ai_behavior_instructions';
+
+const BLOCK_NAME = 'jetpack/search-ai-summary';
+
+const makePost = ( overrides = {} ) => ( {
+	id: 42,
+	guideline_categories: {
+		blocks: { [ BLOCK_NAME ]: { guidelines: 'Be concise.' } },
+	},
+	...overrides,
+} );
+
+describe( 'useAiAnswersSettings', () => {
+	afterEach( () => {
+		jest.resetAllMocks();
+	} );
+
+	describe( 'initial load — guidelines endpoint available', () => {
+		it( 'starts in loading state', () => {
+			apiFetch.mockReturnValue( new Promise( () => {} ) );
+			const { result } = renderHook( () => useAiAnswersSettings() );
+			expect( result.current.isLoading ).toBe( true );
+			expect( result.current.content ).toBe( '' );
+			expect( result.current.postId ).toBeNull();
+			expect( result.current.error ).toBeNull();
+			expect( result.current.isUnavailable ).toBe( false );
+		} );
+
+		it( 'sets content and postId from fetched post', async () => {
+			apiFetch.mockResolvedValue( [ makePost() ] );
+			const { result } = renderHook( () => useAiAnswersSettings() );
+			await waitFor( () => expect( result.current.isLoading ).toBe( false ) );
+			expect( result.current.postId ).toBe( 42 );
+			expect( result.current.content ).toBe( 'Be concise.' );
+		} );
+
+		it( 'accepts a single post object (not an array)', async () => {
+			apiFetch.mockResolvedValue( makePost( { id: 7 } ) );
+			const { result } = renderHook( () => useAiAnswersSettings() );
+			await waitFor( () => expect( result.current.isLoading ).toBe( false ) );
+			expect( result.current.postId ).toBe( 7 );
+		} );
+
+		it( 'leaves content empty when post has no guidelines', async () => {
+			apiFetch.mockResolvedValue( [ makePost( { guideline_categories: { blocks: {} } } ) ] );
+			const { result } = renderHook( () => useAiAnswersSettings() );
+			await waitFor( () => expect( result.current.isLoading ).toBe( false ) );
+			expect( result.current.content ).toBe( '' );
+		} );
+
+		it( 'leaves content empty when no guidelines post exists', async () => {
+			apiFetch.mockResolvedValue( { id: 0, guideline_categories: {} } );
+			const { result } = renderHook( () => useAiAnswersSettings() );
+			await waitFor( () => expect( result.current.isLoading ).toBe( false ) );
+			expect( result.current.content ).toBe( '' );
+			expect( result.current.postId ).toBeNull();
+		} );
+
+		it( 'sets error on generic fetch failure', async () => {
+			apiFetch.mockRejectedValue( { message: 'Network failure' } );
+			const { result } = renderHook( () => useAiAnswersSettings() );
+			await waitFor( () => expect( result.current.isLoading ).toBe( false ) );
+			expect( result.current.error ).toBe( 'Network failure' );
+			expect( result.current.isUnavailable ).toBe( false );
+		} );
+	} );
+
+	describe( 'initial load — guidelines endpoint absent, settings fallback', () => {
+		it( 'falls back to /wp/v2/settings on rest_no_route', async () => {
+			apiFetch
+				.mockRejectedValueOnce( { code: 'rest_no_route' } )
+				.mockResolvedValueOnce( { [ SETTINGS_KEY ]: 'Answer in French.' } );
+			const { result } = renderHook( () => useAiAnswersSettings() );
+			await waitFor( () => expect( result.current.isLoading ).toBe( false ) );
+			expect( result.current.content ).toBe( 'Answer in French.' );
+			expect( result.current.isUnavailable ).toBe( false );
+		} );
+
+		it( 'falls back to /wp/v2/settings on 404 status error', async () => {
+			apiFetch
+				.mockRejectedValueOnce( { data: { status: 404 } } )
+				.mockResolvedValueOnce( { [ SETTINGS_KEY ]: 'Be brief.' } );
+			const { result } = renderHook( () => useAiAnswersSettings() );
+			await waitFor( () => expect( result.current.isLoading ).toBe( false ) );
+			expect( result.current.content ).toBe( 'Be brief.' );
+			expect( result.current.isUnavailable ).toBe( false );
+		} );
+
+		it( 'leaves content empty when option is not set', async () => {
+			apiFetch.mockRejectedValueOnce( { code: 'rest_no_route' } ).mockResolvedValueOnce( {} );
+			const { result } = renderHook( () => useAiAnswersSettings() );
+			await waitFor( () => expect( result.current.isLoading ).toBe( false ) );
+			expect( result.current.content ).toBe( '' );
+		} );
+
+		it( 'sets isUnavailable when both endpoints fail', async () => {
+			apiFetch
+				.mockRejectedValueOnce( { code: 'rest_no_route' } )
+				.mockRejectedValueOnce( { message: 'Settings unavailable' } );
+			const { result } = renderHook( () => useAiAnswersSettings() );
+			await waitFor( () => expect( result.current.isLoading ).toBe( false ) );
+			expect( result.current.isUnavailable ).toBe( true );
+			expect( result.current.error ).toBeNull();
+		} );
+	} );
+
+	describe( 'savePersonality — guidelines path', () => {
+		it( 'POSTs when postId is null', async () => {
+			apiFetch.mockResolvedValueOnce( { id: 0 } ).mockResolvedValueOnce( { id: 99 } );
+			const { result } = renderHook( () => useAiAnswersSettings() );
+			await waitFor( () => expect( result.current.isLoading ).toBe( false ) );
+
+			await act( async () => result.current.savePersonality() );
+
+			const saveCall = apiFetch.mock.calls[ 1 ][ 0 ];
+			expect( saveCall.method ).toBe( 'POST' );
+			expect( saveCall.path ).toBe( '/wp/v2/content-guidelines' );
+		} );
+
+		it( 'PATCHes when postId exists', async () => {
+			apiFetch.mockResolvedValueOnce( makePost() ).mockResolvedValueOnce( { id: 42 } );
+			const { result } = renderHook( () => useAiAnswersSettings() );
+			await waitFor( () => expect( result.current.isLoading ).toBe( false ) );
+
+			await act( async () => result.current.savePersonality() );
+
+			const saveCall = apiFetch.mock.calls[ 1 ][ 0 ];
+			expect( saveCall.method ).toBe( 'PATCH' );
+			expect( saveCall.path ).toBe( '/wp/v2/content-guidelines/42' );
+		} );
+
+		it( 'sets saved and updates postId on success', async () => {
+			apiFetch.mockResolvedValueOnce( { id: 0 } ).mockResolvedValueOnce( { id: 55 } );
+			const { result } = renderHook( () => useAiAnswersSettings() );
+			await waitFor( () => expect( result.current.isLoading ).toBe( false ) );
+
+			await act( async () => result.current.savePersonality() );
+
+			expect( result.current.saved ).toBe( true );
+			expect( result.current.postId ).toBe( 55 );
+			expect( result.current.isSaving ).toBe( false );
+		} );
+
+		it( 'sets error on save failure', async () => {
+			apiFetch
+				.mockResolvedValueOnce( { id: 0 } )
+				.mockRejectedValueOnce( { message: 'Save failed' } );
+			const { result } = renderHook( () => useAiAnswersSettings() );
+			await waitFor( () => expect( result.current.isLoading ).toBe( false ) );
+
+			await act( async () => result.current.savePersonality() );
+
+			expect( result.current.error ).toBe( 'Save failed' );
+			expect( result.current.saved ).toBe( false );
+			expect( result.current.isSaving ).toBe( false );
+		} );
+
+		it( 'sends DEFAULT_PERSONALITY when content is empty', async () => {
+			apiFetch.mockResolvedValueOnce( { id: 0 } ).mockResolvedValueOnce( { id: 1 } );
+			const { result } = renderHook( () => useAiAnswersSettings() );
+			await waitFor( () => expect( result.current.isLoading ).toBe( false ) );
+
+			await act( async () => result.current.savePersonality() );
+
+			const saveCall = apiFetch.mock.calls[ 1 ][ 0 ];
+			expect( saveCall.data.guideline_categories.blocks[ BLOCK_NAME ].guidelines ).toBe(
+				DEFAULT_PERSONALITY
+			);
+		} );
+
+		it( 'sends user content when content is non-empty', async () => {
+			apiFetch.mockResolvedValueOnce( makePost() ).mockResolvedValueOnce( { id: 42 } );
+			const { result } = renderHook( () => useAiAnswersSettings() );
+			await waitFor( () => expect( result.current.isLoading ).toBe( false ) );
+
+			act( () => result.current.setContent( 'Custom instructions.' ) );
+			await act( async () => result.current.savePersonality() );
+
+			const saveCall = apiFetch.mock.calls[ 1 ][ 0 ];
+			expect( saveCall.data.guideline_categories.blocks[ BLOCK_NAME ].guidelines ).toBe(
+				'Custom instructions.'
+			);
+		} );
+	} );
+
+	describe( 'savePersonality — settings fallback path', () => {
+		const setupSettingsFallback = async () => {
+			apiFetch
+				.mockRejectedValueOnce( { code: 'rest_no_route' } )
+				.mockResolvedValueOnce( { [ SETTINGS_KEY ]: 'Be concise.' } );
+			const utils = renderHook( () => useAiAnswersSettings() );
+			await waitFor( () => expect( utils.result.current.isLoading ).toBe( false ) );
+			return utils;
+		};
+
+		it( 'POSTs to /wp/v2/settings', async () => {
+			const { result } = await setupSettingsFallback();
+			apiFetch.mockResolvedValueOnce( {} );
+
+			await act( async () => result.current.savePersonality() );
+
+			const saveCall = apiFetch.mock.calls[ 2 ][ 0 ];
+			expect( saveCall.method ).toBe( 'POST' );
+			expect( saveCall.path ).toBe( '/wp/v2/settings' );
+			expect( saveCall.data[ SETTINGS_KEY ] ).toBe( 'Be concise.' );
+		} );
+
+		it( 'sends DEFAULT_PERSONALITY when content is empty', async () => {
+			apiFetch
+				.mockRejectedValueOnce( { code: 'rest_no_route' } )
+				.mockResolvedValueOnce( {} )
+				.mockResolvedValueOnce( {} );
+			const { result } = renderHook( () => useAiAnswersSettings() );
+			await waitFor( () => expect( result.current.isLoading ).toBe( false ) );
+
+			await act( async () => result.current.savePersonality() );
+
+			const saveCall = apiFetch.mock.calls[ 2 ][ 0 ];
+			expect( saveCall.data[ SETTINGS_KEY ] ).toBe( DEFAULT_PERSONALITY );
+		} );
+
+		it( 'sets saved on success', async () => {
+			const { result } = await setupSettingsFallback();
+			apiFetch.mockResolvedValueOnce( {} );
+
+			await act( async () => result.current.savePersonality() );
+
+			expect( result.current.saved ).toBe( true );
+			expect( result.current.isSaving ).toBe( false );
+		} );
+
+		it( 'sets error on save failure', async () => {
+			const { result } = await setupSettingsFallback();
+			apiFetch.mockRejectedValueOnce( { message: 'Settings save failed' } );
+
+			await act( async () => result.current.savePersonality() );
+
+			expect( result.current.error ).toBe( 'Settings save failed' );
+			expect( result.current.saved ).toBe( false );
+		} );
+	} );
+} );
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/hooks/use-ai-answers-settings.js b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/hooks/use-ai-answers-settings.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..75b612f317b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/hooks/use-ai-answers-settings.js
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+import apiFetch from '@wordpress/api-fetch';
+import { __ } from '@wordpress/i18n';
+import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
+
+const GUIDELINES_REST = '/wp/v2/content-guidelines';
+const SETTINGS_REST = '/wp/v2/settings';
+const SETTINGS_KEY = 'jetpack_search_ai_behavior_instructions';
+const BLOCK_NAME = 'jetpack/search-ai-summary';
+
+export const DEFAULT_PERSONALITY = __(
+	'You are a search results summarizer for Jetpack Search. Your job is to summarize the best available successful search results in a succinct manner.',
+	'jetpack-search-pkg'
+);
+
+/**
+ * Manages loading and saving the AI Answers personality instructions.
+ *
+ * Reads from /wp/v2/guidelines when the Gutenberg Guidelines CPT is available,
+ * falling back to /wp/v2/settings otherwise.
+ *
+ * @return {{ content: string, setContent: Function, postId: number|null, isSaving: boolean, isLoading: boolean, error: string|null, saved: boolean, isUnavailable: boolean, savePersonality: Function }} Hook state and actions for AI answers personality settings.
+ */
+export default function useAiAnswersSettings() {
+	const [ content, setContent ] = useState( '' );
+	const [ postId, setPostId ] = useState( null );
+	const [ useSettings, setUseSettings ] = useState( false );
+	const [ isSaving, setIsSaving ] = useState( false );
+	const [ isLoading, setIsLoading ] = useState( true );
+	const [ error, setError ] = useState( null );
+	const [ saved, setSaved ] = useState( false );
+	const [ isUnavailable, setIsUnavailable ] = useState( false );
+
+	useEffect( () => {
+		apiFetch( { path: GUIDELINES_REST } )
+			.then( posts => {
+				const post = Array.isArray( posts ) ? posts[ 0 ] : posts;
+				if ( post && post.id ) {
+					setPostId( post.id );
+					setContent( post.guideline_categories?.blocks?.[ BLOCK_NAME ]?.guidelines ?? '' );
+				}
+			} )
+			.catch( err => {
+				if ( err.code === 'rest_no_route' || err.data?.status === 404 ) {
+					setUseSettings( true );
+					return apiFetch( { path: SETTINGS_REST } )
+						.then( settings => {
+							setContent( settings[ SETTINGS_KEY ] ?? '' );
+						} )
+						.catch( () => {
+							setIsUnavailable( true );
+						} );
+				}
+				setError( err.message );
+			} )
+			.finally( () => setIsLoading( false ) );
+	}, [] );
+
+	const savePersonality = () => {
+		setIsSaving( true );
+		setSaved( false );
+		setError( null );
+
+		let promise;
+		if ( useSettings ) {
+			promise = apiFetch( {
+				path: SETTINGS_REST,
+				method: 'POST',
+				data: { [ SETTINGS_KEY ]: content || DEFAULT_PERSONALITY },
+			} );
+		} else {
+			const path = postId ? `${ GUIDELINES_REST }/${ postId }` : GUIDELINES_REST;
+			const method = postId ? 'PATCH' : 'POST';
+			promise = apiFetch( {
+				path,
+				method,
+				data: {
+					status: 'publish',
+					guideline_categories: {
+						blocks: { [ BLOCK_NAME ]: { guidelines: content || DEFAULT_PERSONALITY } },
+					},
+				},
+			} ).then( post => {
+				setPostId( post.id );
+			} );
+		}
+
+		promise
+			.then( () => setSaved( true ) )
+			.catch( err => setError( err.message ) )
+			.finally( () => setIsSaving( false ) );
+	};
+
+	return {
+		content,
+		setContent,
+		postId,
+		isSaving,
+		isLoading,
+		error,
+		saved,
+		isUnavailable,
+		savePersonality,
+	};
+}
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/hooks/use-search-settings.js b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/hooks/use-search-settings.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..8966bb4578e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/hooks/use-search-settings.js
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+import { useDispatch, useSelect } from '@wordpress/data';
+import { useCallback } from 'react';
+import { STORE_ID } from 'store';
+
+/**
+ * Provides AI Answers and Instant Search settings from the store,
+ * along with a dispatcher for updating them.
+ *
+ * @return {{ isAiAnswersEnabled: boolean, isInstantSearchEnabled: boolean, setAiAnswersEnabled: Function }} Settings state and updater.
+ */
+export default function useSearchSettings() {
+	const isAiAnswersEnabled = useSelect( select => select( STORE_ID ).isAiAnswersEnabled(), [] );
+	const isInstantSearchEnabled = useSelect(
+		select => select( STORE_ID ).isInstantSearchEnabled(),
+		[]
+	);
+
+	const { updateJetpackSettings } = useDispatch( STORE_ID );
+
+	const setAiAnswersEnabled = useCallback(
+		value => updateJetpackSettings( { ai_answers_enabled: value } ),
+		[ updateJetpackSettings ]
+	);
+
+	return { isAiAnswersEnabled, isInstantSearchEnabled, setAiAnswersEnabled };
+}
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/scss/_variables.scss b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/scss/_variables.scss
index 249958b32e44..64d2e68ebbb2 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/scss/_variables.scss
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/scss/_variables.scss
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ $jp-gray-off: #e2e2df;
 
 $jp-green-primary: #069e08;
 $jp-green-secondary: #2fb41f;
+$jp-red-error: #d63638;
 
 $jp-border-radius: 4px;
 $jp-menu-border-height: 1px;
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/store/selectors/jetpack-settings.js b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/store/selectors/jetpack-settings.js
index dd98ebeefd74..78e52de7138f 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/store/selectors/jetpack-settings.js
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/store/selectors/jetpack-settings.js
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ const jetpackSettingSelectors = {
 	isReaderChatAvailable: state =>
 		Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call( state.jetpackSettings, 'reader_chat' ),
 	isReaderChatEnabled: state => state.jetpackSettings.reader_chat,
+	isAiAnswersEnabled: state => !! state.jetpackSettings.ai_answers_enabled,
 	isUpdatingJetpackSettings: state => state.jetpackSettings.is_updating,
 	isTogglingModule: state => state.jetpackSettings.is_toggling_module,
 	isTogglingInstantSearch: state => state.jetpackSettings.is_toggling_instant_search,
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/store/selectors/test/jetpack-settings.test.js b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/store/selectors/test/jetpack-settings.test.js
index 91ab31ede876..b6a9737fc44d 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/store/selectors/test/jetpack-settings.test.js
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/dashboard/store/selectors/test/jetpack-settings.test.js
@@ -26,4 +26,21 @@ describe( 'jetpackSettingSelectors', () => {
 			} )
 		).toBe( true );
 	} );
+
+	describe( 'isAiAnswersEnabled', () => {
+		it( 'returns false when ai_answers_enabled is false', () => {
+			const state = { jetpackSettings: { ai_answers_enabled: false } };
+			expect( jetpackSettingSelectors.isAiAnswersEnabled( state ) ).toBe( false );
+		} );
+
+		it( 'returns true when ai_answers_enabled is true', () => {
+			const state = { jetpackSettings: { ai_answers_enabled: true } };
+			expect( jetpackSettingSelectors.isAiAnswersEnabled( state ) ).toBe( true );
+		} );
+
+		it( 'returns false when ai_answers_enabled is undefined', () => {
+			const state = { jetpackSettings: {} };
+			expect( jetpackSettingSelectors.isAiAnswersEnabled( state ) ).toBe( false );
+		} );
+	} );
 } );
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/initializers/class-initializer.php b/projects/packages/search/src/initializers/class-initializer.php
index b185ddeffb4f..1a85e30f96f8 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/src/initializers/class-initializer.php
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/initializers/class-initializer.php
@@ -125,6 +125,8 @@ protected static function init_before_connection() {
 		if ( apply_filters( 'jetpack_search_blocks_enabled', false ) ) {
 			Search_Blocks::init();
 		}
+
+		( new AI_Answers() )->init();
 	}
 
 	/**
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/animated-ellipsis.jsx b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/animated-ellipsis.jsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..66a09f7fbed0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/animated-ellipsis.jsx
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+import * as React from 'react';
+import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
+
+// Duration of each dot appearing, in ms.
+const DOT_INTERVAL = 200;
+// Pause duration after all three dots are shown, in ms.
+const PAUSE_DURATION = 1000;
+
+const DELAYS = [ DOT_INTERVAL, DOT_INTERVAL, DOT_INTERVAL, PAUSE_DURATION ];
+const DOT_STRINGS = [ '', '.', '..', '...' ];
+
+/**
+ * Renders an animated ellipsis that types out one period at a time,
+ * pauses, then resets.
+ *
+ * @return {React.ReactElement} Animated ellipsis span.
+ */
+export default function AnimatedEllipsis() {
+	const [ step, setStep ] = useState( 0 );
+
+	useEffect( () => {
+		const timeout = setTimeout( () => {
+			setStep( s => ( s + 1 ) % 4 );
+		}, DELAYS[ step ] );
+		return () => clearTimeout( timeout );
+	}, [ step ] );
+
+	return (
+		<span aria-hidden="true" style={ { display: 'inline-block', minWidth: '1.5ch' } }>
+			{ DOT_STRINGS[ step ] }
+		</span>
+	);
+}
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/answers-panel.jsx b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/answers-panel.jsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..e1e506993f67
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/answers-panel.jsx
@@ -0,0 +1,193 @@
+import { __, sprintf } from '@wordpress/i18n';
+import * as React from 'react';
+import { useEffect, useLayoutEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
+import { markdownToHtml } from '../lib/markdown';
+import AnimatedEllipsis from './animated-ellipsis';
+import './answers-panel.scss';
+
+const ExternalLinkIcon = () => (
+	<svg
+		width="10"
+		height="10"
+		viewBox="0 0 10 10"
+		fill="none"
+		xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
+		aria-hidden="true"
+		className="jp-search-answers-panel__citation-icon"
+	>
+		<path
+			d="M1 9L9 1M9 1H5M9 1V5"
+			stroke="currentColor"
+			strokeWidth="1.5"
+			strokeLinecap="round"
+			strokeLinejoin="round"
+		/>
+	</svg>
+);
+
+/**
+ * AI Answers panel displayed above search results.
+ *
+ * @param {object}        props             - Component props.
+ * @param {string}        props.status      - 'idle' | 'loading' | 'streaming' | 'done' | 'error'
+ * @param {string}        props.text        - Accumulated answer text (markdown).
+ * @param {Array}         props.citations   - Array of { title, url, excerpt } citation objects.
+ * @param {object}        props.error       - Error info: { message, code, source } or null.
+ * @param {string|null}   props.loadingHint - Placeholder text shown while the extended answer is loading.
+ * @param {Function|null} props.onShowMore  - Function: show a "Show more" button to switch to the extended answer. null: extended mode active, render full content. undefined: standard overflow toggle.
+ * @return {React.ReactElement|null} The rendered panel or null.
+ */
+export default function AnswersPanel( {
+	status,
+	text,
+	citations = [],
+	error = null,
+	loadingHint = null,
+	onShowMore,
+} ) {
+	const [ expanded, setExpanded ] = useState( false );
+	const [ overflows, setOverflows ] = useState( false );
+	const contentRef = useRef( null );
+
+	// Reset collapse state when the displayed answer switches (e.g. brief → extended loading).
+	useEffect( () => {
+		if ( status === 'loading' || status === 'streaming' ) {
+			setExpanded( false );
+			setOverflows( false );
+		}
+	}, [ status ] );
+
+	// useLayoutEffect fires synchronously after DOM update but before paint,
+	// so overflow detection and button render happen in the same frame as the collapse.
+	useLayoutEffect( () => {
+		if ( status === 'done' && contentRef.current ) {
+			setOverflows( contentRef.current.scrollHeight > contentRef.current.clientHeight );
+		}
+	}, [ status, text ] );
+
+	if ( status === 'idle' ) {
+		return null;
+	}
+
+	if ( status === 'error' ) {
+		return (
+			<div className="jp-search-answers-panel jp-search-answers-panel--error" role="alert">
+				<h2 className="jp-search-answers-panel__heading">
+					{ __( 'AI answer', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }
+				</h2>
+				<div className="jp-search-answers-panel__error">
+					<p className="jp-search-answers-panel__error-message">
+						{ __( 'Sorry, an error occurred while generating an answer.', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }
+					</p>
+					{ error && (
+						<p
+							className="jp-search-answers-panel__error-detail"
+							data-testid="answers-panel-error-detail"
+						>
+							{ error.message }
+							{ error.code !== null && (
+								<>
+									<br />
+									{
+										/* translators: %s: numeric error code */ sprintf(
+											__( 'Error code: %s', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ),
+											error.code
+										)
+									}
+								</>
+							) }
+						</p>
+					) }
+				</div>
+			</div>
+		);
+	}
+
+	// onShowMore semantics:
+	//   function  → brief answer is done; show a "Show more" button to load the extended answer
+	//   null      → extended mode is active; render full combined content without collapse
+	//   undefined → no dual-answer flow; use standard overflow expand/collapse toggle
+	const isCollapsible = status === 'done';
+	// In extended mode (null) the panel is always fully expanded.
+	const isCollapsed = isCollapsible && onShowMore === undefined && ! expanded;
+	// Fixed height only during the loading placeholder and when collapsed after done.
+	// During streaming the panel grows naturally with the incoming content.
+	const isFixedHeight = status === 'loading' || isCollapsed;
+	const showMoreLabel = __( 'Show more', 'jetpack-search-pkg' );
+	const showLessLabel = __( 'Show less', 'jetpack-search-pkg' );
+
+	return (
+		<div
+			className={
+				'jp-search-answers-panel' +
+				( isFixedHeight ? ' jp-search-answers-panel--fixed-height' : '' )
+			}
+			aria-live="polite"
+		>
+			<h2 className="jp-search-answers-panel__heading">
+				{ __( 'AI answer', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }
+			</h2>
+			{ status === 'loading' && (
+				<div className="jp-search-answers-panel__loading">
+					{ __( 'Finding an answer', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }
+					<AnimatedEllipsis />
+				</div>
+			) }
+			{ ( status === 'streaming' || status === 'done' ) && (
+				<div
+					ref={ contentRef }
+					className={
+						'jp-search-answers-panel__content' +
+						( isCollapsed ? ' jp-search-answers-panel__content--collapsed' : '' )
+					}
+				>
+					<div
+						className="jp-search-answers-panel__text"
+						// eslint-disable-next-line react/no-danger
+						dangerouslySetInnerHTML={ { __html: markdownToHtml( text ) } }
+					/>
+					{ status === 'done' && citations.length > 0 && (
+						<ul className="jp-search-answers-panel__citations">
+							{ citations.map( ( { title, url }, i ) => (
+								<li key={ i }>
+									<a
+										href={ /^https?:\/\//i.test( url ) ? url : '#' }
+										target="_blank"
+										rel="noopener noreferrer"
+									>
+										{ title }
+										<ExternalLinkIcon />
+									</a>
+								</li>
+							) ) }
+						</ul>
+					) }
+				</div>
+			) }
+			{ onShowMore === null && loadingHint && (
+				<p className="jp-search-answers-panel__loading-hint">
+					{ loadingHint.endsWith( '…' ) ? loadingHint.slice( 0, -1 ) : loadingHint }
+					<AnimatedEllipsis />
+				</p>
+			) }
+			{ isCollapsible && typeof onShowMore === 'function' && (
+				<button className="jp-search-answers-panel__toggle" onClick={ onShowMore }>
+					{ showMoreLabel }
+					<span className="jp-search-answers-panel__toggle-icon" aria-hidden="true" />
+				</button>
+			) }
+			{ isCollapsible && onShowMore === undefined && overflows && (
+				<button
+					className={
+						'jp-search-answers-panel__toggle' +
+						( expanded ? ' jp-search-answers-panel__toggle--expanded' : '' )
+					}
+					onClick={ () => setExpanded( e => ! e ) }
+				>
+					{ expanded ? showLessLabel : showMoreLabel }
+					<span className="jp-search-answers-panel__toggle-icon" aria-hidden="true" />
+				</button>
+			) }
+		</div>
+	);
+}
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/answers-panel.scss b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/answers-panel.scss
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..2ce6655483ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/answers-panel.scss
@@ -0,0 +1,210 @@
+@use "../lib/styles/helper";
+@use "@wordpress/base-styles/mixins" as wp-mixins;
+
+.jp-search-answers-panel {
+	background: helper.$color-modal-background;
+	border: 1px solid helper.$color-border;
+	border-radius: helper.$border-radius-panel;
+	box-shadow: 0 1px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08);
+	margin: 0 helper.$results-margin-lg 16px;
+	overflow: hidden;
+
+	&--fixed-height {
+		display: flex;
+		flex-direction: column;
+		height: 160px;
+
+		.jp-search-answers-panel__content {
+			flex: 1;
+			max-height: none; // flex constrains height; max-height: 5em from --collapsed is overridden
+			min-height: 0;
+			overflow: hidden;
+		}
+
+		.jp-search-answers-panel__toggle {
+			flex-shrink: 0;
+			margin-top: auto;
+		}
+	}
+
+	@include helper.multiple-breaks-for-customberg( "<l", "<xl" ) {
+		margin-left: helper.$results-margin-md;
+		margin-right: helper.$results-margin-md;
+	}
+
+	@include wp-mixins.break-small() {
+		margin-left: helper.$results-margin-sm;
+		margin-right: helper.$results-margin-sm;
+	}
+}
+
+.jp-search-answers-panel__heading {
+	color: helper.$color-text-lighter;
+	font-size: 11px;
+	font-weight: 600;
+	letter-spacing: 0.08em;
+	margin: 0;
+	padding: 14px 18px 8px;
+	text-transform: uppercase;
+}
+
+.jp-search-answers-panel--error {
+	border-color: helper.$color-error-border;
+}
+
+.jp-search-answers-panel__error {
+	padding: 0 18px 14px;
+}
+
+.jp-search-answers-panel__error-message {
+	color: helper.$color-error;
+	font-size: 13px;
+	margin: 0 0 4px;
+}
+
+.jp-search-answers-panel__error-detail {
+	color: helper.$color-text-lighter;
+	font-size: 12px;
+	margin: 0;
+}
+
+.jp-search-answers-panel__loading {
+	align-items: center;
+	color: helper.$color-text-lighter;
+	display: flex;
+	font-size: 13px;
+	gap: 8px;
+	padding: 0 18px 14px;
+}
+
+.jp-search-answers-panel__loading-hint {
+	color: helper.$color-text-lighter;
+	font-size: 13px;
+	font-style: italic;
+	margin: 0;
+	padding: 0 18px 14px;
+}
+
+.jp-search-answers-panel__content {
+	padding: 0 18px 14px;
+
+	&--collapsed {
+		max-height: 5em;
+		overflow: hidden;
+		padding-bottom: 0;
+		position: relative;
+
+		&::after {
+			background: linear-gradient(transparent, helper.$color-modal-background);
+			bottom: 0;
+			content: "";
+			height: 2.5em;
+			left: 0;
+			pointer-events: none;
+			position: absolute;
+			right: 0;
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+.jp-search-answers-panel__text {
+	font-size: 13px;
+	line-height: 1.6;
+
+	h2,
+	h3,
+	h4 {
+		font-size: 1em;
+		font-weight: 700;
+		margin: 0.8em 0 0.3em;
+	}
+
+	p {
+		margin: 0 0 0.6em;
+	}
+
+	ul {
+		list-style: disc;
+		margin: 0 0 0.6em 1.2em;
+		padding: 0;
+	}
+
+	li {
+		margin-bottom: 0.2em;
+	}
+
+	strong {
+		font-weight: 700;
+	}
+
+	em {
+		font-style: italic;
+	}
+
+	a {
+		color: helper.$color-link;
+		text-decoration: underline;
+	}
+}
+
+.jp-search-answers-panel__toggle {
+	align-items: center;
+	background: none;
+	border: none;
+	border-top: 1px solid helper.$color-surface-alt;
+	color: helper.$color-link;
+	cursor: pointer;
+	display: flex;
+	font-size: 12px;
+	font-weight: 500;
+	gap: 6px;
+	justify-content: center;
+	padding: 9px 0;
+	width: 100%;
+
+	&:hover {
+		background: helper.$color-surface-alt;
+	}
+}
+
+.jp-search-answers-panel__toggle-icon {
+	border-bottom: 1.5px solid currentColor;
+	border-right: 1.5px solid currentColor;
+	display: inline-block;
+	height: 6px;
+	transform: rotate(45deg);
+	width: 6px;
+
+	.jp-search-answers-panel__toggle--expanded & {
+		transform: rotate(-135deg);
+		margin-top: 3px;
+	}
+}
+
+.jp-search-answers-panel__citations {
+	border-top: 1px solid helper.$color-surface-alt;
+	display: flex;
+	flex-wrap: wrap;
+	gap: 6px 12px;
+	justify-content: flex-end;
+	list-style: none;
+	margin: 6px 0 0;
+	padding: 10px 0 0;
+
+	li {
+		font-size: 12px;
+		line-height: 1.5;
+	}
+
+	a {
+		align-items: center;
+		color: helper.$color-link;
+		display: inline-flex;
+		gap: 4px;
+		text-decoration: underline;
+	}
+}
+
+.jp-search-answers-panel__citation-icon {
+	flex-shrink: 0;
+}
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/search-app.jsx b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/search-app.jsx
index 63c2fa058c77..8784cbf13a11 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/search-app.jsx
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/search-app.jsx
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
+import { fetchEventSource } from '@microsoft/fetch-event-source';
+import { __ } from '@wordpress/i18n';
 import debounce from 'debounce';
 import stringify from 'fast-json-stable-stringify';
 import * as React from 'react';
 import { Component, Fragment } from 'react';
-import { createPortal } from 'react-dom';
+import { createPortal, flushSync } from 'react-dom';
 import { connect } from 'react-redux';
 import {
 	MULTISITE_NO_GROUP_VALUE,
@@ -59,9 +61,27 @@ class SearchApp extends Component {
 			// TODO: Migrate visibility state to Redux.
 			isVisible: !! this.props.initialIsVisible, // initialIsVisible can be undefined
 			overlayOptionsCustomizerOverride: {},
+			// AI Answers state — brief (fast) answer
+			aiBriefStatus: 'idle', // 'idle' | 'loading' | 'streaming' | 'done' | 'error'
+			aiBriefText: '',
+			aiBriefCitations: [],
+			aiBriefError: null,
+			// AI Answers state — extended (verbose) answer
+			aiExtendedStatus: 'idle',
+			aiExtendedText: '',
+			aiExtendedCitations: [],
+			aiExtendedError: null,
+			aiExtendedLoadingText: '',
+			// Which answer the panel is currently showing
+			aiShowExtended: false,
+			// Session ID returned by the brief request, reused for the extended request
+			aiSessionId: null,
 		};
 
 		this.getResults = debounce( this.getResults, 200 );
+		this.aiBriefController = null;
+		this.aiExtendedController = null;
+		this.getAiAnswer = debounce( this.getAiAnswer, 500 );
 		this.props.enableAnalytics ? this.initializeAnalytics() : disableAnalytics();
 
 		if ( this.props.shouldIntegrateWithDom ) {
@@ -105,6 +125,10 @@ class SearchApp extends Component {
 			this.onChangeQueryString( this.props.isHistoryNavigation );
 		}
 
+		if ( prevProps.searchQuery !== this.props.searchQuery ) {
+			this.getAiAnswer();
+		}
+
 		// These conditions can only occur in the Gutenberg preview context.
 		if ( prevState.overlayOptions.defaultSort !== this.state.overlayOptions.defaultSort ) {
 			this.props.setSort( this.state.overlayOptions.defaultSort );
@@ -117,6 +141,16 @@ class SearchApp extends Component {
 		}
 	}
 
+	componentWillUnmount() {
+		if ( this.aiBriefController ) {
+			this.aiBriefController.abort();
+		}
+		if ( this.aiExtendedController ) {
+			this.aiExtendedController.abort();
+		}
+		this.getAiAnswer.clear();
+	}
+
 	initializeAnalytics() {
 		initializeTracks();
 		! window[ SERVER_OBJECT_NAME ].preventTrackingCookiesReset && resetTrackingCookies();
@@ -232,6 +266,256 @@ class SearchApp extends Component {
 		} );
 	};
 
+	/**
+	 * Stream a single AI answer request and write results into the given state slice.
+	 *
+	 * @param {object}          args             - Arguments.
+	 * @param {AbortController} args.controller  - AbortController for this request.
+	 * @param {string}          args.statePrefix - 'aiBrief' or 'aiExtended'.
+	 * @param {string}          args.query       - The search query.
+	 * @param {string}          args.siteId      - The site ID.
+	 * @param {object}          args.options     - The server options object.
+	 * @param {string}          args.format      - 'brief' or 'extended'.
+	 * @param {string|null}     args.sessionId   - Session ID from the brief request, for extended.
+	 * @param {Function|null}   args.onSessionId - Callback invoked with the session ID when received.
+	 */
+	streamAiAnswer = ( {
+		controller,
+		statePrefix,
+		query,
+		siteId,
+		options,
+		format,
+		sessionId = null,
+		onSessionId = null,
+	} ) => {
+		const keys = {
+			status: statePrefix + 'Status',
+			text: statePrefix + 'Text',
+			citations: statePrefix + 'Citations',
+			error: statePrefix + 'Error',
+		};
+
+		this.setState( {
+			[ keys.status ]: 'loading',
+			[ keys.text ]: '',
+			[ keys.citations ]: [],
+			[ keys.error ]: null,
+		} );
+
+		const url =
+			'https://public-api.wordpress.com/wpcom/v2/ai/agent/jetpack-workflow-search_summarizer';
+
+		const HTTP_STATUS_NAMES = {
+			400: 'Bad Request',
+			401: 'Unauthorized',
+			403: 'Forbidden',
+			404: 'Not Found',
+			429: 'Too Many Requests',
+			500: 'Internal Server Error',
+			502: 'Bad Gateway',
+			503: 'Service Unavailable',
+			504: 'Gateway Timeout',
+		};
+
+		// Captured by onopen before onerror fires, so .catch sees the real HTTP error.
+		let httpError = null;
+
+		fetchEventSource( url, {
+			method: 'POST',
+			headers: {
+				'Content-Type': 'application/json',
+			},
+			body: JSON.stringify( {
+				jsonrpc: '2.0',
+				id: `req-${ format }`,
+				method: 'message/stream',
+				constructor_arguments: {},
+				params: {
+					...( sessionId ? { sessionId } : {} ),
+					message: {
+						role: 'user',
+						parts: [
+							{ type: 'text', text: query },
+							{
+								type: 'data',
+								data: {
+									clientContext: {
+										selectedSiteId: siteId,
+										site_url: options.homeUrl || '',
+										filters: this.props.filters,
+										locale: options.locale || 'en',
+										aiAnswersFormat: format,
+									},
+								},
+								metadata: {},
+							},
+						],
+						kind: 'message',
+						messageId: `msg-${ format }`,
+					},
+				},
+				tokenStreaming: true,
+			} ),
+			signal: controller.signal,
+			onopen: async response => {
+				if ( ! response.ok ) {
+					httpError = {
+						message: HTTP_STATUS_NAMES[ response.status ] || `HTTP ${ response.status }`,
+						code: response.status,
+						source: 'http',
+					};
+					throw new Error( `HTTP ${ response.status }` );
+				}
+			},
+			onmessage: event => {
+				try {
+					const data = JSON.parse( event.data );
+					if ( data.result?.sessionId && onSessionId ) {
+						onSessionId( data.result.sessionId );
+					}
+					if ( data.method === 'message/delta' && data.params?.delta?.deltaType === 'content' ) {
+						// flushSync forces a synchronous render for each token so the
+						// text streams visibly rather than batching into one update
+						// (React 18 automatic batching would otherwise collapse rapid
+						// SSE events into a single render).
+						flushSync( () => {
+							this.setState( state => ( {
+								[ keys.status ]: 'streaming',
+								[ keys.text ]: state[ keys.text ] + ( data.params.delta.content ?? '' ),
+							} ) );
+						} );
+					} else if (
+						data.result?.type === 'TaskStatusUpdateEvent' &&
+						data.result?.status?.state === 'completed'
+					) {
+						const parts = data.result.status.message?.parts || [];
+						const dataPart = parts.find( p => p.type === 'data' );
+						const citations = dataPart?.data?.sources || dataPart?.data?.strict_sources || [];
+						this.setState( { [ keys.status ]: 'done', [ keys.citations ]: citations } );
+					} else if ( data.result?.status?.state === 'failed' || data.error ) {
+						const textPart = data.result?.status?.message?.parts?.find( p => p.type === 'text' );
+						const message = data.error?.message || textPart?.text || 'Request failed';
+						const code = data.error?.code ?? null;
+						this.setState( {
+							[ keys.status ]: 'error',
+							[ keys.error ]: { message, code, source: 'api' },
+						} );
+					}
+				} catch {
+					// Ignore unparseable events.
+				}
+			},
+			onerror: () => {
+				// Rethrow without setting state — .catch handles all error state
+				// so httpError captured in onopen isn't overwritten.
+				throw new Error( 'onerror' );
+			},
+		} ).catch( () => {
+			if ( ! controller.signal.aborted ) {
+				this.setState( {
+					[ keys.status ]: 'error',
+					[ keys.error ]: httpError ?? {
+						message: 'Network request error',
+						code: null,
+						source: 'network',
+					},
+				} );
+			}
+		} );
+	};
+
+	getAiAnswer = () => {
+		const query = this.props.searchQuery;
+		const options = window[ SERVER_OBJECT_NAME ] || {};
+		const siteId = options.siteId;
+
+		const idleState = {
+			aiBriefStatus: 'idle',
+			aiBriefText: '',
+			aiBriefCitations: [],
+			aiBriefError: null,
+			aiExtendedStatus: 'idle',
+			aiExtendedText: '',
+			aiExtendedCitations: [],
+			aiExtendedError: null,
+			aiExtendedLoadingText: '',
+			aiShowExtended: false,
+			aiSessionId: null,
+		};
+
+		if ( ! query || query.length < 3 ) {
+			this.setState( idleState );
+			return;
+		}
+
+		// Respect the admin's AI Answers toggle.
+		if ( options.aiAnswersEnabled === false ) {
+			this.setState( idleState );
+			return;
+		}
+
+		// Abort any in-flight requests from the previous query.
+		if ( this.aiBriefController ) {
+			this.aiBriefController.abort();
+		}
+		if ( this.aiExtendedController ) {
+			this.aiExtendedController.abort();
+			this.aiExtendedController = null;
+		}
+		this.aiBriefController = new AbortController();
+
+		this.setState( { aiShowExtended: false } );
+
+		this.streamAiAnswer( {
+			controller: this.aiBriefController,
+			statePrefix: 'aiBrief',
+			query,
+			siteId,
+			options,
+			format: 'brief',
+			onSessionId: id => this.setState( { aiSessionId: id } ),
+		} );
+	};
+
+	handleShowMore = () => {
+		const query = this.props.searchQuery;
+		const options = window[ SERVER_OBJECT_NAME ] || {};
+		const siteId = options.siteId;
+
+		const loadingMessages = [
+			__( 'Searching harder…', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ),
+			__( 'Looking deeper into this…', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ),
+			__( 'Finding a more complete answer…', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ),
+			__( 'Analyzing additional sources…', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ),
+			__( 'Gathering more details…', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ),
+			__( 'Pulling in more context…', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ),
+			__( 'Expanding the search…', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ),
+			__( 'Rolling up my virtual sleeves…', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ),
+			__( 'Digging through the archives…', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ),
+			__( 'Putting on my reading glasses…', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ),
+			__( 'Checking under the digital couch cushions…', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ),
+			__( 'Consulting the oracle…', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ),
+			__( 'Asking a smarter algorithm…', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ),
+			__( 'Brewing a fresh batch of insights…', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ),
+			__( 'Unleashing the full power of search…', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ),
+		];
+		const aiExtendedLoadingText =
+			loadingMessages[ Math.floor( Math.random() * loadingMessages.length ) ];
+
+		this.aiExtendedController = new AbortController();
+		this.setState( { aiShowExtended: true, aiExtendedLoadingText } );
+		this.streamAiAnswer( {
+			controller: this.aiExtendedController,
+			statePrefix: 'aiExtended',
+			query,
+			siteId,
+			options,
+			format: 'extended',
+			sessionId: this.state.aiSessionId,
+		} );
+	};
+
 	updateOverlayOptions = ( newOverlayOptions, callback ) => {
 		this.setState(
 			state => ( {
@@ -248,6 +532,58 @@ class SearchApp extends Component {
 		const noop = input => input;
 		const resultFormat = this.getResultFormat();
 
+		const {
+			aiBriefStatus,
+			aiBriefText,
+			aiBriefCitations,
+			aiBriefError,
+			aiExtendedStatus,
+			aiExtendedText,
+			aiExtendedCitations,
+			aiExtendedError,
+			aiExtendedLoadingText,
+			aiShowExtended,
+		} = this.state;
+
+		// When showing extended: brief text stays visible; extended text is appended as it arrives.
+		// Use 'streaming' instead of 'loading' so the text area renders while extended is fetching.
+		let displayStatus;
+		if ( aiShowExtended ) {
+			displayStatus = aiExtendedStatus === 'loading' ? 'streaming' : aiExtendedStatus;
+		} else {
+			displayStatus = aiBriefStatus;
+		}
+
+		let displayText;
+		if ( aiShowExtended ) {
+			displayText = aiExtendedText ? aiBriefText + '\n\n' + aiExtendedText : aiBriefText;
+		} else {
+			displayText = aiBriefText;
+		}
+
+		let displayCitations;
+		if ( aiShowExtended ) {
+			displayCitations = aiExtendedStatus === 'done' ? aiExtendedCitations : aiBriefCitations;
+		} else {
+			displayCitations = aiBriefCitations;
+		}
+
+		const displayError = aiShowExtended ? aiExtendedError : aiBriefError;
+
+		// Show loading hint below brief answer while extended request hasn't started streaming yet.
+		const aiLoadingHint =
+			aiShowExtended && aiExtendedStatus === 'loading' ? aiExtendedLoadingText : null;
+
+		// null  = extended mode active — render full content without collapse
+		// fn    = brief is done and extended not yet shown — render "Show more" button
+		// undef = no dual-answer flow — render standard overflow toggle
+		let onShowMoreAiAnswer;
+		if ( aiShowExtended ) {
+			onShowMoreAiAnswer = null;
+		} else if ( aiBriefStatus === 'done' ) {
+			onShowMoreAiAnswer = this.handleShowMore;
+		}
+
 		const portalFn = this.props.shouldCreatePortal ? createPortal : noop;
 
 		return (
@@ -275,10 +611,19 @@ class SearchApp extends Component {
 						closeColor={ this.state.overlayOptions.closeColor }
 						closeOverlay={ this.hideResults }
 						colorTheme={ this.state.overlayOptions.colorTheme }
-						hasOverlayWidgets={ this.props.hasOverlayWidgets }
+						hasOverlayWidgets={
+							this.props.hasOverlayWidgets ||
+							( aiShowExtended ? aiExtendedCitations.length > 0 : aiBriefCitations.length > 0 )
+						}
 						isVisible={ this.state.isVisible }
 					>
 						<SearchResults
+							aiStatus={ displayStatus }
+							aiText={ displayText }
+							aiCitations={ displayCitations }
+							aiError={ displayError }
+							aiLoadingHint={ aiLoadingHint }
+							onShowMoreAiAnswer={ onShowMoreAiAnswer }
 							closeOverlay={ this.hideResults }
 							enableLoadOnScroll={ this.state.overlayOptions.enableInfScroll }
 							enableFilteringOpensOverlay={ this.state.overlayOptions.enableFilteringOpensOverlay }
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/search-controls.scss b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/search-controls.scss
index fa8b5e19cfe0..2ee8e3e9ad44 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/search-controls.scss
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/search-controls.scss
@@ -3,37 +3,11 @@
 .jetpack-instant-search__search-form-controls {
 	display: flex;
 	align-items: center;
-
+	flex-shrink: 0;
 	line-height: 1.3;
-	margin-top: 16px;
 	z-index: 1;
 
-	margin-left: helper.$results-margin-lg;
-	margin-right: helper.$results-margin-lg;
-
 	@include helper.multiple-breaks-for-customberg( "<l", "<xl" ) {
-		margin-left: helper.$results-margin-md;
-		margin-right: helper.$results-margin-md;
-
-		position: relative;
-		left: 0;
-		right: 0;
-
 		flex-direction: row-reverse;
-		justify-content: space-between;
-	}
-
-	@include helper.break-medium-down() {
-		margin-left: helper.$results-margin-sm;
-		margin-right: helper.$results-margin-sm;
-	}
-
-	@include helper.multiple-breaks-for-customberg( ">l", ">xl" ) {
-		position: absolute;
-		right: helper.$sidebar-width;
-	}
-
-	.jetpack-instant-search__overlay--no-sidebar & {
-		right: 0;
 	}
 }
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/search-results.jsx b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/search-results.jsx
index 16962f9a57dd..2240f6bc5771 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/search-results.jsx
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/search-results.jsx
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import { getConstrastingColor } from '../lib/colors';
 import { MULTISITE_NO_GROUP_VALUE, OVERLAY_FOCUS_ANCHOR_ID } from '../lib/constants';
 import { getErrorMessage } from '../lib/errors';
 import { getAvailableStaticFilters } from '../lib/filters';
+import AnswersPanel from './answers-panel';
 import Gridicon from './gridicon';
 import JetpackColophon from './jetpack-colophon';
 import Notice from './notice';
@@ -152,9 +153,50 @@ class SearchResults extends Component {
 						`,
 					} }
 				/>
+				<AnswersPanel
+					status={ this.props.aiStatus }
+					text={ this.props.aiText }
+					citations={ this.props.aiCitations }
+					error={ this.props.aiError }
+					loadingHint={ this.props.aiLoadingHint }
+					onShowMore={ this.props.onShowMoreAiAnswer }
+				/>
 				<TabbedSearchFilters />
 
-				<h2 className="jetpack-instant-search__search-results-title">{ this.getSearchTitle() }</h2>
+				<div className="jetpack-instant-search__search-results-header">
+					<h2 className="jetpack-instant-search__search-results-title">
+						{ this.getSearchTitle() }
+					</h2>
+					<SearchControls
+						enableSort={ this.props.enableSort }
+						onChangeSort={ this.props.onChangeSort }
+						resultFormat={ this.props.resultFormat }
+						sort={ this.props.sort }
+					>
+						{ ( this.hasFilterOptions() || this.props.hasNonSearchWidgets ) && (
+							<div
+								role="button"
+								onClick={ this.toggleMobileSecondary }
+								onKeyDown={ this.toggleMobileSecondary }
+								tabIndex="0"
+								className="jetpack-instant-search__search-results-filter-button"
+							>
+								{ __( 'Filters', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }
+								<Gridicon
+									icon="chevron-down"
+									size={ 16 }
+									alt={ __( 'Show search filters', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }
+									aria-hidden="true"
+								/>
+								<span className="screen-reader-text assistive-text">
+									{ this.state.shouldShowMobileSecondary
+										? __( 'Hide filters', 'jetpack-search-pkg' )
+										: __( 'Show filters', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }
+								</span>
+							</div>
+						) }
+					</SearchControls>
+				</div>
 
 				{ hasResults && hasCorrectedQuery && (
 					<p className="jetpack-instant-search__search-results-unused-query">
@@ -264,36 +306,6 @@ class SearchResults extends Component {
 						</button>
 					</div>
 
-					<SearchControls
-						enableSort={ this.props.enableSort }
-						onChangeSort={ this.props.onChangeSort }
-						resultFormat={ this.props.resultFormat }
-						sort={ this.props.sort }
-					>
-						{ ( this.hasFilterOptions() || this.props.hasNonSearchWidgets ) && (
-							<div
-								role="button"
-								onClick={ this.toggleMobileSecondary }
-								onKeyDown={ this.toggleMobileSecondary }
-								tabIndex="0"
-								className="jetpack-instant-search__search-results-filter-button"
-							>
-								{ __( 'Filters', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }
-								<Gridicon
-									icon="chevron-down"
-									size={ 16 }
-									alt={ __( 'Show search filters', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }
-									aria-hidden="true"
-								/>
-								<span className="screen-reader-text assistive-text">
-									{ this.state.shouldShowMobileSecondary
-										? __( 'Hide filters', 'jetpack-search-pkg' )
-										: __( 'Show filters', 'jetpack-search-pkg' ) }
-								</span>
-							</div>
-						) }
-					</SearchControls>
-
 					<div
 						aria-live="polite"
 						className="jetpack-instant-search__search-results-content"
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/search-results.scss b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/search-results.scss
index 8ad6faf23a60..7c8b8be5ae7d 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/search-results.scss
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/search-results.scss
@@ -196,6 +196,24 @@ $colophon-height: 40px;
 	}
 }
 
+.jetpack-instant-search__search-results-header {
+	display: flex;
+	align-items: center;
+	justify-content: space-between;
+	margin: 1em helper.$results-margin-lg 1.5em;
+
+	@include helper.multiple-breaks-for-customberg( "<l", "<xl" ) {
+		margin-left: helper.$results-margin-md;
+		margin-right: helper.$results-margin-md;
+		margin-bottom: 1em;
+	}
+
+	@include helper.break( "<m" ) {
+		margin-left: helper.$results-margin-sm;
+		margin-right: helper.$results-margin-sm;
+	}
+}
+
 .jetpack-instant-search__search-results-title,
 .jetpack-instant-search__search-results-unused-query {
 	color: helper.$color-text;
@@ -203,14 +221,16 @@ $colophon-height: 40px;
 	font-weight: 700;
 	line-height: 1.3;
 	overflow-wrap: break-word;
-
-	margin: 1em helper.$results-margin-lg 1.5em;
+	margin: 0;
 	padding: 0;
+}
+
+.jetpack-instant-search__search-results-unused-query {
+	margin: 0 helper.$results-margin-lg 1em;
 
 	@include helper.multiple-breaks-for-customberg( "<l", "<xl" ) {
 		margin-left: helper.$results-margin-md;
 		margin-right: helper.$results-margin-md;
-		margin-bottom: 1em;
 	}
 
 	@include helper.break( "<m" ) {
@@ -219,14 +239,6 @@ $colophon-height: 40px;
 	}
 }
 
-.jetpack-instant-search__search-results-title {
-
-	@include helper.multiple-breaks-for-customberg( ">l", ">xl" ) {
-		// Account for .jetpack-instant-search__search-form-controls.
-		padding-right: 210px;
-	}
-}
-
 .jetpack-instant-search__search-results-list {
 	color: helper.$color-text;
 	list-style: none;
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/sidebar.jsx b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/sidebar.jsx
index 5423c3bbdfbb..cdcd9419d74b 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/sidebar.jsx
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/sidebar.jsx
@@ -8,6 +8,32 @@ import './sidebar.scss';
 const Sidebar = props => {
 	return (
 		<div className="jetpack-instant-search__sidebar">
+			{ props.citations?.length > 0 && (
+				<div className="jetpack-instant-search__sidebar-citations">
+					{ props.citations.map( ( citation, i ) => (
+						<a
+							key={ i }
+							href={ /^https?:\/\//i.test( citation.url ) ? citation.url : '#' }
+							className="jetpack-instant-search__sidebar-citation-card"
+							target="_blank"
+							rel="noopener noreferrer"
+						>
+							<span className="jetpack-instant-search__sidebar-citation-title">
+								{ citation.title }
+							</span>
+							<span className="jetpack-instant-search__sidebar-citation-url">
+								{ ( () => {
+									try {
+										return new URL( citation.url ).hostname;
+									} catch {
+										return '';
+									}
+								} )() }
+							</span>
+						</a>
+					) ) }
+				</div>
+			) }
 			{ /* If widgetOutsideOverlay doesn't contain any filters,
 			     this component will just show the title and clear filters button. */ }
 			<SearchFilters
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/sidebar.scss b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/sidebar.scss
index 7a34874ab18e..d962196c0084 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/sidebar.scss
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/sidebar.scss
@@ -28,3 +28,40 @@
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+.jetpack-instant-search__sidebar-citations {
+	display: flex;
+	flex-direction: column;
+	gap: 8px;
+	margin-bottom: 16px;
+}
+
+.jetpack-instant-search__sidebar-citation-card {
+	display: flex;
+	flex-direction: column;
+	gap: 2px;
+	padding: 10px 12px;
+	border: 1px solid helper.$color-layout-borders;
+	border-radius: 6px;
+	text-decoration: none;
+	color: inherit;
+	transition: background-color 0.1s ease;
+
+	&:hover {
+		background-color: helper.$color-mark-background-default;
+	}
+}
+
+.jetpack-instant-search__sidebar-citation-title {
+	font-size: 13px;
+	font-weight: 600;
+	color: helper.$color-text;
+	overflow: hidden;
+	text-overflow: ellipsis;
+	white-space: nowrap;
+}
+
+.jetpack-instant-search__sidebar-citation-url {
+	font-size: 11px;
+	color: helper.$color-text-lighter;
+}
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/test/answers-panel.test.jsx b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/test/answers-panel.test.jsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..ff98456aee4a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/test/answers-panel.test.jsx
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+import { render, screen } from '@testing-library/react';
+import * as React from 'react';
+import AnswersPanel from '../answers-panel';
+
+describe( 'AnswersPanel', () => {
+	it( 'renders nothing when idle', () => {
+		const { container } = render( <AnswersPanel status="idle" text="" citations={ [] } /> );
+		expect( container ).toBeEmptyDOMElement();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'shows loading message', () => {
+		render( <AnswersPanel status="loading" text="" citations={ [] } /> );
+		expect( screen.getByText( 'Finding an answer', { exact: false } ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'shows streamed text', () => {
+		render( <AnswersPanel status="streaming" text="Here is how to…" citations={ [] } /> );
+		expect( screen.getByText( 'Here is how to…' ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'shows full text and citations when done', () => {
+		const citations = [ { title: 'Reset Password', url: '/reset', excerpt: '' } ];
+		render( <AnswersPanel status="done" text="Reset here." citations={ citations } /> );
+		expect( screen.getByText( 'Reset here.' ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+		expect( screen.getByText( 'Reset Password' ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+	} );
+
+	describe( 'error state', () => {
+		it( 'shows error message when error prop is null', () => {
+			render( <AnswersPanel status="error" text="" citations={ [] } error={ null } /> );
+			expect(
+				screen.getByText( 'Sorry, an error occurred while generating an answer.' )
+			).toBeInTheDocument();
+		} );
+
+		it( 'shows no detail line when error prop is null', () => {
+			render( <AnswersPanel status="error" text="" citations={ [] } error={ null } /> );
+			expect( screen.queryByTestId( 'answers-panel-error-detail' ) ).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+		} );
+
+		it( 'shows network error message', () => {
+			const error = { message: 'Network request error', code: null, source: 'network' };
+			render( <AnswersPanel status="error" text="" citations={ [] } error={ error } /> );
+			expect( screen.getByText( 'Network request error' ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+		} );
+
+		it( 'shows API error message', () => {
+			const error = {
+				message: 'An error occurred while processing the request. Please try again later.',
+				code: -32000,
+				source: 'api',
+			};
+			render( <AnswersPanel status="error" text="" citations={ [] } error={ error } /> );
+			expect(
+				screen.getByText( /An error occurred while processing the request/ )
+			).toBeInTheDocument();
+		} );
+
+		it( 'shows "Error code: X" when code is present', () => {
+			const error = { message: 'Request failed', code: -32000, source: 'api' };
+			render( <AnswersPanel status="error" text="" citations={ [] } error={ error } /> );
+			expect( screen.getByText( /Error code: -32000/ ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+		} );
+
+		it( 'omits error code line when code is null', () => {
+			const error = { message: 'Network request error', code: null, source: 'network' };
+			render( <AnswersPanel status="error" text="" citations={ [] } error={ error } /> );
+			expect( screen.queryByText( /Error code:/ ) ).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+		} );
+
+		it( 'shows HTTP friendly name as message', () => {
+			const error = { message: 'Service Unavailable', code: 503, source: 'http' };
+			render( <AnswersPanel status="error" text="" citations={ [] } error={ error } /> );
+			expect( screen.getByText( /Service Unavailable/ ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+			expect( screen.getByText( /Error code: 503/ ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+		} );
+
+		it( 'still shows the AI answer heading in error state', () => {
+			render( <AnswersPanel status="error" text="" citations={ [] } /> );
+			expect( screen.getByText( 'AI answer' ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+		} );
+	} );
+} );
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/test/answers-sse.test.jsx b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/test/answers-sse.test.jsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..7dfdd9078ba1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/test/answers-sse.test.jsx
@@ -0,0 +1,119 @@
+/**
+ * Smoke tests for the AI Answers SSE wiring in SearchApp.
+ *
+ * These tests verify that when aiAnswersEnabled is absent/false,
+ * fetchEventSource is never called, and the component mounts without errors.
+ */
+
+// Mock fetchEventSource so no real network calls are made.
+jest.mock( '@microsoft/fetch-event-source', () => ( {
+	fetchEventSource: jest.fn(),
+} ) );
+
+// Mock heavy child components with PALETTE / other build-time globals.
+jest.mock( '../search-results', () => () => <div data-testid="search-results" /> );
+jest.mock( '../overlay', () => ( { children } ) => <div data-testid="overlay">{ children }</div> );
+jest.mock( '../customizer-event-handler', () => () => null );
+jest.mock( '../dom-event-handler', () => () => null );
+
+// Mock react-redux connect to pass through as a no-op wrapper so we can
+// test the inner SearchApp class directly without a full Redux store.
+jest.mock( 'react-redux', () => ( {
+	connect: () => Component => Component,
+} ) );
+
+// Mock store actions — they are injected via connect; with connect mocked they
+// won't be passed, so we supply them as props below.
+jest.mock( '../../store/actions', () => ( {} ) );
+jest.mock( '../../store/selectors', () => ( {} ) );
+
+import { fetchEventSource } from '@microsoft/fetch-event-source';
+import { render } from '@testing-library/react';
+import * as React from 'react';
+import SearchApp from '../search-app';
+
+const noop = () => {};
+
+const defaultProps = {
+	enableAnalytics: false,
+	shouldIntegrateWithDom: false,
+	shouldCreatePortal: false,
+	isInCustomizer: false,
+	initialIsVisible: false,
+	initialHref: '/',
+	options: {
+		siteId: 123,
+		locale: 'en',
+		postTypes: [],
+		widgets: [],
+		additionalBlogIds: [],
+		isPhotonEnabled: false,
+		isPrivateSite: false,
+		postsPerPage: 10,
+		adminQueryFilter: '',
+		highlightFields: [],
+		customResults: {},
+		hasNonSearchWidgets: false,
+	},
+	overlayOptions: {
+		colorTheme: 'light',
+		enableInfScroll: false,
+		enableFilteringOpensOverlay: false,
+		enableSort: false,
+		enablePostDate: false,
+		enableProductPrice: false,
+		overlayTrigger: 'immediate',
+		resultFormat: 'minimal',
+		showPoweredBy: false,
+		highlightColor: '#000',
+		closeColor: '#000',
+		defaultSort: 'relevance',
+		excludedPostTypes: [],
+	},
+	themeOptions: { searchInputSelector: '.search-field' },
+	aggregations: {},
+	hasOverlayWidgets: false,
+	// Redux-injected props (normally provided by connect).
+	filters: {},
+	staticFilters: {},
+	hasActiveQuery: false,
+	hasError: false,
+	isHistoryNavigation: false,
+	hasNextPage: false,
+	isLoading: false,
+	response: {},
+	searchQuery: '',
+	sort: 'relevance',
+	widgetOutsideOverlay: null,
+	// Redux-injected action creators.
+	clearQueryValues: noop,
+	disableQueryStringIntegration: noop,
+	initializeQueryValues: noop,
+	makeSearchRequest: noop,
+	setStaticFilter: noop,
+	setFilter: noop,
+	setSearchQuery: noop,
+	setSort: noop,
+};
+
+describe( 'SearchApp AI Answers SSE wiring', () => {
+	beforeEach( () => {
+		fetchEventSource.mockClear();
+		window.JetpackInstantSearchOptions = { siteId: 123 };
+	} );
+
+	afterEach( () => {
+		delete window.JetpackInstantSearchOptions;
+	} );
+
+	it( 'mounts without errors when aiAnswersEnabled is absent', () => {
+		expect( () => {
+			render( <SearchApp { ...defaultProps } /> );
+		} ).not.toThrow();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'does not call fetchEventSource when aiAnswersEnabled is absent', () => {
+		render( <SearchApp { ...defaultProps } /> );
+		expect( fetchEventSource ).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+	} );
+} );
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/test/search-app-ai-gate.test.jsx b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/test/search-app-ai-gate.test.jsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..b2905b8379fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/test/search-app-ai-gate.test.jsx
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+const makeOptions = ( overrides = {} ) => ( {
+	siteId: 1,
+	aiAnswersEnabled: true,
+	...overrides,
+} );
+
+describe( 'getAiAnswer aiAnswersEnabled gate', () => {
+	let originalOptions;
+
+	beforeEach( () => {
+		originalOptions = window.JetpackInstantSearchOptions;
+	} );
+
+	afterEach( () => {
+		window.JetpackInstantSearchOptions = originalOptions;
+	} );
+
+	it( 'does not call fetchEventSource when aiAnswersEnabled is false', () => {
+		window.JetpackInstantSearchOptions = makeOptions( { aiAnswersEnabled: false } );
+		const options = window.JetpackInstantSearchOptions;
+		const shouldSkip = options.aiAnswersEnabled === false;
+		expect( shouldSkip ).toBe( true );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'allows fetchEventSource when aiAnswersEnabled is true', () => {
+		window.JetpackInstantSearchOptions = makeOptions( { aiAnswersEnabled: true } );
+		const options = window.JetpackInstantSearchOptions;
+		const shouldSkip = options.aiAnswersEnabled === false;
+		expect( shouldSkip ).toBe( false );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'allows fetchEventSource when aiAnswersEnabled is undefined (legacy)', () => {
+		window.JetpackInstantSearchOptions = makeOptions( { aiAnswersEnabled: undefined } );
+		const options = window.JetpackInstantSearchOptions;
+		const shouldSkip = options.aiAnswersEnabled === false;
+		expect( shouldSkip ).toBe( false );
+	} );
+} );
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/test/search-app-ai-state.test.jsx b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/test/search-app-ai-state.test.jsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..67c853484c50
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/test/search-app-ai-state.test.jsx
@@ -0,0 +1,492 @@
+/**
+ * Tests for the AI Answers state management in SearchApp:
+ * - getAiAnswer guard conditions
+ * - streamAiAnswer SSE event handling
+ * - handleShowMore extended-answer flow
+ * - render() display-state derivation (brief vs. extended)
+ */
+
+jest.mock( '@microsoft/fetch-event-source', () => ( {
+	fetchEventSource: jest.fn(),
+} ) );
+
+let lastSearchResultsProps = {};
+jest.mock( '../search-results', () => props => {
+	lastSearchResultsProps = props;
+	return <div data-testid="search-results" />;
+} );
+jest.mock( '../overlay', () => ( { children } ) => <div data-testid="overlay">{ children }</div> );
+jest.mock( '../customizer-event-handler', () => () => null );
+jest.mock( '../dom-event-handler', () => () => null );
+
+jest.mock( 'react-redux', () => ( {
+	connect: () => Component => Component,
+} ) );
+
+jest.mock( '../../store/actions', () => ( {} ) );
+jest.mock( '../../store/selectors', () => ( {} ) );
+
+import { fetchEventSource } from '@microsoft/fetch-event-source';
+import { act, render } from '@testing-library/react';
+import * as React from 'react';
+import SearchApp from '../search-app';
+
+const noop = () => {};
+
+const BASE_OPTIONS = {
+	siteId: 123,
+	aiAnswersEnabled: true,
+};
+
+const defaultProps = {
+	enableAnalytics: false,
+	shouldIntegrateWithDom: false,
+	shouldCreatePortal: false,
+	isInCustomizer: false,
+	initialIsVisible: false,
+	initialHref: '/',
+	options: {
+		siteId: 123,
+		locale: 'en',
+		postTypes: [],
+		widgets: [],
+		additionalBlogIds: [],
+		isPhotonEnabled: false,
+		isPrivateSite: false,
+		postsPerPage: 10,
+		adminQueryFilter: '',
+		highlightFields: [],
+		customResults: {},
+		hasNonSearchWidgets: false,
+	},
+	overlayOptions: {
+		colorTheme: 'light',
+		enableInfScroll: false,
+		enableFilteringOpensOverlay: false,
+		enableSort: false,
+		enablePostDate: false,
+		enableProductPrice: false,
+		overlayTrigger: 'immediate',
+		resultFormat: 'minimal',
+		showPoweredBy: false,
+		highlightColor: '#000',
+		closeColor: '#000',
+		defaultSort: 'relevance',
+		excludedPostTypes: [],
+	},
+	themeOptions: { searchInputSelector: '.search-field' },
+	aggregations: {},
+	hasOverlayWidgets: false,
+	filters: {},
+	staticFilters: {},
+	hasActiveQuery: false,
+	hasError: false,
+	isHistoryNavigation: false,
+	hasNextPage: false,
+	isLoading: false,
+	response: {},
+	searchQuery: '',
+	sort: 'relevance',
+	widgetOutsideOverlay: null,
+	clearQueryValues: noop,
+	disableQueryStringIntegration: noop,
+	initializeQueryValues: noop,
+	makeSearchRequest: noop,
+	setStaticFilter: noop,
+	setFilter: noop,
+	setSearchQuery: noop,
+	setSort: noop,
+};
+
+// Renders with an initial empty query then re-renders with the given query,
+// advancing fake timers past the 500 ms getAiAnswer debounce.
+const renderAndTriggerQuery = ( query, windowOpts = BASE_OPTIONS ) => {
+	window.JetpackInstantSearchOptions = windowOpts;
+	const utils = render( <SearchApp { ...defaultProps } searchQuery="" /> );
+	utils.rerender( <SearchApp { ...defaultProps } searchQuery={ query } /> );
+	act( () => {
+		jest.advanceTimersByTime( 600 );
+	} );
+	return utils;
+};
+
+// Returns the options object passed to the most recent fetchEventSource call.
+const lastFetchOpts = () => fetchEventSource.mock.calls.at( -1 )[ 1 ];
+
+// Manually fires an SSE onmessage event via the captured fetchEventSource callback.
+const fireMessage = data =>
+	act( () => {
+		lastFetchOpts().onmessage( { data: JSON.stringify( data ) } );
+	} );
+
+describe( 'SearchApp — getAiAnswer guard conditions', () => {
+	beforeEach( () => {
+		jest.useFakeTimers();
+		fetchEventSource.mockClear();
+		fetchEventSource.mockReturnValue( new Promise( () => {} ) );
+		lastSearchResultsProps = {};
+	} );
+
+	afterEach( () => {
+		jest.useRealTimers();
+		delete window.JetpackInstantSearchOptions;
+	} );
+
+	it( 'does not call fetchEventSource when query is empty', () => {
+		window.JetpackInstantSearchOptions = BASE_OPTIONS;
+		render( <SearchApp { ...defaultProps } searchQuery="" /> );
+		act( () => jest.advanceTimersByTime( 600 ) );
+		expect( fetchEventSource ).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'does not call fetchEventSource when query is shorter than 3 characters', () => {
+		renderAndTriggerQuery( 'hi' );
+		expect( fetchEventSource ).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'does not call fetchEventSource when aiAnswersEnabled is false', () => {
+		renderAndTriggerQuery( 'reset my password', { ...BASE_OPTIONS, aiAnswersEnabled: false } );
+		expect( fetchEventSource ).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'calls fetchEventSource with the brief format for a valid query', () => {
+		renderAndTriggerQuery( 'reset my password' );
+		expect( fetchEventSource ).toHaveBeenCalledTimes( 1 );
+		const body = JSON.parse( lastFetchOpts().body );
+		expect( body.params.message.parts[ 1 ].data.clientContext.aiAnswersFormat ).toBe( 'brief' );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'posts the search query text to the AI endpoint', () => {
+		renderAndTriggerQuery( 'reset my password' );
+		const body = JSON.parse( lastFetchOpts().body );
+		expect( body.params.message.parts[ 0 ].text ).toBe( 'reset my password' );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'passes the site ID from JetpackInstantSearchOptions', () => {
+		renderAndTriggerQuery( 'reset my password', { ...BASE_OPTIONS, siteId: 999 } );
+		const body = JSON.parse( lastFetchOpts().body );
+		expect( body.params.message.parts[ 1 ].data.clientContext.selectedSiteId ).toBe( 999 );
+	} );
+} );
+
+describe( 'SearchApp — streamAiAnswer SSE event handling', () => {
+	beforeEach( () => {
+		jest.useFakeTimers();
+		fetchEventSource.mockClear();
+		fetchEventSource.mockReturnValue( new Promise( () => {} ) );
+		lastSearchResultsProps = {};
+	} );
+
+	afterEach( () => {
+		jest.useRealTimers();
+		delete window.JetpackInstantSearchOptions;
+	} );
+
+	it( 'sets aiStatus to streaming and accumulates text on token delta events', () => {
+		renderAndTriggerQuery( 'reset my password' );
+
+		fireMessage( {
+			method: 'message/delta',
+			params: { delta: { deltaType: 'content', content: 'Here is how ' } },
+		} );
+		fireMessage( {
+			method: 'message/delta',
+			params: { delta: { deltaType: 'content', content: 'to reset.' } },
+		} );
+
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiStatus ).toBe( 'streaming' );
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiText ).toBe( 'Here is how to reset.' );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'sets aiStatus to done and populates citations on TaskStatusUpdateEvent completed', () => {
+		renderAndTriggerQuery( 'reset my password' );
+
+		fireMessage( {
+			result: {
+				type: 'TaskStatusUpdateEvent',
+				status: {
+					state: 'completed',
+					message: {
+						parts: [
+							{
+								type: 'data',
+								data: {
+									sources: [ { title: 'Reset guide', url: 'https://example.com/reset' } ],
+								},
+							},
+						],
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		} );
+
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiStatus ).toBe( 'done' );
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiCitations ).toHaveLength( 1 );
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiCitations[ 0 ].title ).toBe( 'Reset guide' );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'uses strict_sources when sources is absent', () => {
+		renderAndTriggerQuery( 'reset my password' );
+
+		fireMessage( {
+			result: {
+				type: 'TaskStatusUpdateEvent',
+				status: {
+					state: 'completed',
+					message: {
+						parts: [
+							{
+								type: 'data',
+								data: {
+									strict_sources: [ { title: 'Guide', url: 'https://example.com' } ],
+								},
+							},
+						],
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		} );
+
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiCitations ).toHaveLength( 1 );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'sets error state on task failed status', () => {
+		renderAndTriggerQuery( 'reset my password' );
+
+		fireMessage( {
+			result: {
+				status: {
+					state: 'failed',
+					message: {
+						parts: [ { type: 'text', text: 'Service unavailable' } ],
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		} );
+
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiStatus ).toBe( 'error' );
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiError.message ).toBe( 'Service unavailable' );
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiError.source ).toBe( 'api' );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'sets error state when data.error is present', () => {
+		renderAndTriggerQuery( 'reset my password' );
+
+		fireMessage( { error: { message: 'Bad request', code: 400 } } );
+
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiStatus ).toBe( 'error' );
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiError.code ).toBe( 400 );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'silently ignores unparseable SSE events', () => {
+		renderAndTriggerQuery( 'reset my password' );
+
+		// Should not throw.
+		act( () => {
+			lastFetchOpts().onmessage( { data: 'not-json{{' } );
+		} );
+
+		// Status remains at loading (initial value set by streamAiAnswer).
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiStatus ).toBe( 'loading' );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'sets network error state when fetchEventSource promise rejects', async () => {
+		fetchEventSource.mockReturnValueOnce( Promise.reject( new Error( 'net' ) ) );
+		renderAndTriggerQuery( 'reset my password' );
+
+		// Let the rejected promise propagate through the microtask queue.
+		await act( async () => {
+			await Promise.resolve();
+		} );
+
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiStatus ).toBe( 'error' );
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiError.source ).toBe( 'network' );
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiError.message ).toBe( 'Network request error' );
+	} );
+} );
+
+describe( 'SearchApp — handleShowMore extended-answer flow', () => {
+	beforeEach( () => {
+		jest.useFakeTimers();
+		fetchEventSource.mockClear();
+		fetchEventSource.mockReturnValue( new Promise( () => {} ) );
+		lastSearchResultsProps = {};
+	} );
+
+	afterEach( () => {
+		jest.useRealTimers();
+		delete window.JetpackInstantSearchOptions;
+	} );
+
+	it( 'calls fetchEventSource a second time with extended format on Show More', () => {
+		renderAndTriggerQuery( 'reset my password' );
+		expect( fetchEventSource ).toHaveBeenCalledTimes( 1 );
+
+		// Simulate brief answer completing, which makes onShowMoreAiAnswer a function.
+		fireMessage( {
+			result: {
+				type: 'TaskStatusUpdateEvent',
+				status: { state: 'completed', message: { parts: [] } },
+			},
+		} );
+
+		// onShowMoreAiAnswer should be a function at this point (brief is done).
+		act( () => {
+			lastSearchResultsProps.onShowMoreAiAnswer();
+		} );
+
+		expect( fetchEventSource ).toHaveBeenCalledTimes( 2 );
+		const extendedBody = JSON.parse( fetchEventSource.mock.calls[ 1 ][ 1 ].body );
+		expect( extendedBody.params.message.parts[ 1 ].data.clientContext.aiAnswersFormat ).toBe(
+			'extended'
+		);
+	} );
+
+	it( 'passes the session ID from the brief request to the extended request', () => {
+		renderAndTriggerQuery( 'reset my password' );
+
+		// Simulate brief answer returning a session ID.
+		fireMessage( { result: { sessionId: 'sess-abc-123' } } );
+
+		// Finish brief answer.
+		fireMessage( {
+			result: {
+				type: 'TaskStatusUpdateEvent',
+				status: { state: 'completed', message: { parts: [] } },
+			},
+		} );
+
+		act( () => {
+			lastSearchResultsProps.onShowMoreAiAnswer();
+		} );
+
+		const extendedBody = JSON.parse( fetchEventSource.mock.calls[ 1 ][ 1 ].body );
+		expect( extendedBody.params.sessionId ).toBe( 'sess-abc-123' );
+	} );
+} );
+
+describe( 'SearchApp — render display-state derivation', () => {
+	beforeEach( () => {
+		jest.useFakeTimers();
+		fetchEventSource.mockClear();
+		fetchEventSource.mockReturnValue( new Promise( () => {} ) );
+		lastSearchResultsProps = {};
+	} );
+
+	afterEach( () => {
+		jest.useRealTimers();
+		delete window.JetpackInstantSearchOptions;
+	} );
+
+	it( 'passes brief status and text to SearchResults before Show More is clicked', () => {
+		renderAndTriggerQuery( 'reset my password' );
+		fireMessage( {
+			method: 'message/delta',
+			params: { delta: { deltaType: 'content', content: 'Brief answer.' } },
+		} );
+
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiStatus ).toBe( 'streaming' );
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiText ).toBe( 'Brief answer.' );
+		expect( typeof lastSearchResultsProps.onShowMoreAiAnswer ).toBe( 'undefined' );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'sets onShowMoreAiAnswer to a function when brief answer is done', () => {
+		renderAndTriggerQuery( 'reset my password' );
+		fireMessage( {
+			result: {
+				type: 'TaskStatusUpdateEvent',
+				status: { state: 'completed', message: { parts: [] } },
+			},
+		} );
+
+		expect( typeof lastSearchResultsProps.onShowMoreAiAnswer ).toBe( 'function' );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'sets onShowMoreAiAnswer to null (extended mode) after Show More is clicked', () => {
+		renderAndTriggerQuery( 'reset my password' );
+		fireMessage( {
+			result: {
+				type: 'TaskStatusUpdateEvent',
+				status: { state: 'completed', message: { parts: [] } },
+			},
+		} );
+		act( () => lastSearchResultsProps.onShowMoreAiAnswer() );
+
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.onShowMoreAiAnswer ).toBeNull();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'shows brief text while extended answer is loading', () => {
+		renderAndTriggerQuery( 'reset my password' );
+		fireMessage( {
+			method: 'message/delta',
+			params: { delta: { deltaType: 'content', content: 'Brief text.' } },
+		} );
+		fireMessage( {
+			result: {
+				type: 'TaskStatusUpdateEvent',
+				status: { state: 'completed', message: { parts: [] } },
+			},
+		} );
+		act( () => lastSearchResultsProps.onShowMoreAiAnswer() );
+
+		// Extended request just started — status should be 'streaming' (converted from 'loading')
+		// and text should still be the brief text.
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiStatus ).toBe( 'streaming' );
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiText ).toBe( 'Brief text.' );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'combines brief and extended text once extended starts streaming', () => {
+		renderAndTriggerQuery( 'reset my password' );
+		fireMessage( {
+			method: 'message/delta',
+			params: { delta: { deltaType: 'content', content: 'Brief.' } },
+		} );
+		fireMessage( {
+			result: {
+				type: 'TaskStatusUpdateEvent',
+				status: { state: 'completed', message: { parts: [] } },
+			},
+		} );
+		act( () => lastSearchResultsProps.onShowMoreAiAnswer() );
+
+		// Simulate extended token arriving.
+		fireMessage( {
+			method: 'message/delta',
+			params: { delta: { deltaType: 'content', content: ' Extended.' } },
+		} );
+
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiText ).toBe( 'Brief.\n\n Extended.' );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'uses extended citations when extended answer is done', () => {
+		renderAndTriggerQuery( 'reset my password' );
+		fireMessage( {
+			result: {
+				type: 'TaskStatusUpdateEvent',
+				status: { state: 'completed', message: { parts: [] } },
+			},
+		} );
+		act( () => lastSearchResultsProps.onShowMoreAiAnswer() );
+
+		fireMessage( {
+			result: {
+				type: 'TaskStatusUpdateEvent',
+				status: {
+					state: 'completed',
+					message: {
+						parts: [
+							{
+								type: 'data',
+								data: {
+									sources: [ { title: 'Extended source', url: 'https://example.com' } ],
+								},
+							},
+						],
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		} );
+
+		expect( lastSearchResultsProps.aiCitations[ 0 ].title ).toBe( 'Extended source' );
+	} );
+} );
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/test/sidebar.test.jsx b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/test/sidebar.test.jsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..c1949f8e55bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/components/test/sidebar.test.jsx
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+import { render, screen } from '@testing-library/react';
+import * as React from 'react';
+import Sidebar from '../sidebar';
+
+jest.mock( '../search-filters', () => props => (
+	<div data-testid="search-filters" data-widget={ props.widget?.widget_id } />
+) );
+jest.mock( '../widget-area-container', () => () => <div data-testid="widget-area-container" /> );
+jest.mock( '../sidebar.scss', () => {} );
+
+const defaultProps = {
+	citations: [],
+	filters: [],
+	staticFilters: {},
+	isLoading: false,
+	locale: 'en',
+	postTypes: [],
+	response: {},
+	widgetOutsideOverlay: null,
+	widgets: [],
+};
+
+describe( 'Sidebar', () => {
+	it( 'renders SearchFilters and WidgetAreaContainer', () => {
+		render( <Sidebar { ...defaultProps } /> );
+		expect( screen.getByTestId( 'search-filters' ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+		expect( screen.getByTestId( 'widget-area-container' ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'does not render citations section when citations is empty', () => {
+		render( <Sidebar { ...defaultProps } citations={ [] } /> );
+		expect( screen.queryAllByRole( 'link' ) ).toHaveLength( 0 );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'renders citation cards when citations are provided', () => {
+		const citations = [
+			{ title: 'How to reset your password', url: 'https://example.com/reset' },
+			{ title: 'Getting started guide', url: 'https://example.com/guide' },
+		];
+		render( <Sidebar { ...defaultProps } citations={ citations } /> );
+		expect( screen.getByText( 'How to reset your password' ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+		expect( screen.getByText( 'Getting started guide' ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'shows the hostname of each citation URL', () => {
+		const citations = [ { title: 'Docs', url: 'https://docs.example.com/page' } ];
+		render( <Sidebar { ...defaultProps } citations={ citations } /> );
+		expect( screen.getByText( 'docs.example.com' ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+	} );
+
+	it( 'citation links open in a new tab with noopener', () => {
+		const citations = [ { title: 'Article', url: 'https://example.com/article' } ];
+		render( <Sidebar { ...defaultProps } citations={ citations } /> );
+		const link = screen.getByRole( 'link', { name: /Article/ } );
+		expect( link ).toHaveAttribute( 'target', '_blank' );
+		expect( link ).toHaveAttribute( 'rel', 'noopener noreferrer' );
+		expect( link ).toHaveAttribute( 'href', 'https://example.com/article' );
+	} );
+
+	it( 'creates a portal for each widget', () => {
+		const widgetId = 'jetpack-search-widget-1';
+		const wrapper = document.createElement( 'div' );
+		wrapper.id = `${ widgetId }-wrapper`;
+		document.body.appendChild( wrapper );
+
+		const widgets = [ { widget_id: widgetId } ];
+		render( <Sidebar { ...defaultProps } widgets={ widgets } /> );
+
+		// The portaled SearchFilters mock carries the widget id as data-widget.
+		const allFilters = screen.getAllByTestId( 'search-filters' );
+		const portaled = allFilters.find( el => el.getAttribute( 'data-widget' ) === widgetId );
+		expect( portaled ).toBeInTheDocument();
+
+		document.body.removeChild( wrapper );
+	} );
+} );
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/lib/markdown.js b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/lib/markdown.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..5e0ce7c3c390
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/lib/markdown.js
@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+/**
+ * Minimal markdown-to-HTML converter for AI answer text.
+ * Handles: headings, bold, italic, inline links, bullet lists, paragraphs.
+ * All text content is HTML-escaped before insertion — safe for dangerouslySetInnerHTML.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * Escape special HTML characters in a plain-text string.
+ *
+ * @param {string} text - Plain text to escape.
+ * @return {string} HTML-safe string.
+ */
+function escapeHtml( text ) {
+	return text
+		.replace( /&/g, '&amp;' )
+		.replace( /</g, '&lt;' )
+		.replace( />/g, '&gt;' )
+		.replace( /"/g, '&quot;' );
+}
+
+/**
+ * Format inline markdown within a single line: bold, italic, links.
+ *
+ * @param {string} text - Raw text that may contain inline markdown.
+ * @return {string} HTML string with inline elements applied.
+ */
+function inlineFormat( text ) {
+	const pattern = /(\*\*(.+?)\*\*|\*(.+?)\*|\[([^\]]+)\]\(([^)]+)\)|(https?:\/\/[^\s<>"')\]]+))/g;
+	const result = [];
+	let lastIndex = 0;
+	let match;
+
+	while ( ( match = pattern.exec( text ) ) !== null ) {
+		if ( match.index > lastIndex ) {
+			result.push( escapeHtml( text.slice( lastIndex, match.index ) ) );
+		}
+		if ( match[ 2 ] !== undefined ) {
+			result.push( `<strong>${ inlineFormat( match[ 2 ] ) }</strong>` );
+		} else if ( match[ 3 ] !== undefined ) {
+			result.push( `<em>${ inlineFormat( match[ 3 ] ) }</em>` );
+		} else if ( match[ 4 ] !== undefined && match[ 5 ] !== undefined ) {
+			const url = /^https?:\/\//.test( match[ 5 ] ) ? escapeHtml( match[ 5 ] ) : '#';
+			result.push(
+				`<a href="${ url }" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">${ escapeHtml(
+					match[ 4 ]
+				) }</a>`
+			);
+		} else if ( match[ 6 ] !== undefined ) {
+			const url = escapeHtml( match[ 6 ] );
+			result.push( `<a href="${ url }" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">${ url }</a>` );
+		}
+		lastIndex = match.index + match[ 0 ].length;
+	}
+
+	if ( lastIndex < text.length ) {
+		result.push( escapeHtml( text.slice( lastIndex ) ) );
+	}
+
+	return result.join( '' );
+}
+
+/**
+ * Convert a markdown string to an HTML string.
+ *
+ * @param {string} markdown - Markdown text from the AI answer stream.
+ * @return {string} Safe HTML string.
+ */
+export function markdownToHtml( markdown ) {
+	if ( ! markdown ) {
+		return '';
+	}
+
+	let html = '';
+	const lines = markdown.split( '\n' );
+	let inList = false;
+	const pendingParagraph = [];
+
+	const flushParagraph = () => {
+		if ( pendingParagraph.length > 0 ) {
+			const content = pendingParagraph.join( ' ' ).trim();
+			if ( content ) {
+				html += `<p>${ inlineFormat( content ) }</p>`;
+			}
+			pendingParagraph.length = 0;
+		}
+	};
+
+	const closeList = () => {
+		if ( inList ) {
+			html += '</ul>';
+			inList = false;
+		}
+	};
+
+	for ( const line of lines ) {
+		const headingMatch = line.match( /^(#{1,6})\s+(.+)$/ );
+		const listMatch = line.match( /^[-*]\s+(.+)$/ );
+
+		if ( headingMatch ) {
+			flushParagraph();
+			closeList();
+			const level = Math.min( headingMatch[ 1 ].length + 1, 6 );
+			html += `<h${ level }>${ inlineFormat( headingMatch[ 2 ] ) }</h${ level }>`;
+		} else if ( listMatch ) {
+			flushParagraph();
+			if ( ! inList ) {
+				html += '<ul>';
+				inList = true;
+			}
+			html += `<li>${ inlineFormat( listMatch[ 1 ] ) }</li>`;
+		} else if ( line.trim() === '' ) {
+			flushParagraph();
+			closeList();
+		} else {
+			if ( inList ) {
+				closeList();
+			}
+			pendingParagraph.push( line );
+		}
+	}
+
+	flushParagraph();
+	closeList();
+
+	return html;
+}
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/lib/styles/_variables.scss b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/lib/styles/_variables.scss
index 051cb946a512..2305c53f758f 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/lib/styles/_variables.scss
+++ b/projects/packages/search/src/instant-search/lib/styles/_variables.scss
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ $breakpoints: (
 	xxlarge: $break-xxl,
 );
 
+// Border radii
+$border-radius-panel: 6px;
+
 // Side margins for search results container
 $results-margin-sm: 20px;
 $results-margin-md: 40px;
@@ -43,6 +46,10 @@ $color-layout-borders: studio.$studio-wordpress-blue-0;
 $color-mark-background-default: #ffc;
 $color-modal-background: studio.$studio-white;
 $color-modal-backdrop-background: rgba(studio.$studio-gray-90, 0.7);
+$color-border: studio.$studio-gray-5;
+$color-error: studio.$studio-red-50;
+$color-error-border: studio.$studio-red-5;
+$color-surface-alt: studio.$studio-gray-0;
 
 $color-dark-text: studio.$studio-wordpress-blue-0;
 $color-dark-text-light: studio.$studio-gray-20;
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/tests/jest-globals.gui.js b/projects/packages/search/tests/jest-globals.gui.js
index 8a95837f69de..a439a35c6e2e 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/tests/jest-globals.gui.js
+++ b/projects/packages/search/tests/jest-globals.gui.js
@@ -1,3 +1,9 @@
+// @wordpress packages are webpack externals in some bundled dependencies (e.g.
+// jetpack-boost-score-api). They resolve to window.wp.* at runtime, so jest
+// needs the global to exist.
+window.wp = window.wp || {};
+window.wp.i18n = require( '@wordpress/i18n' );
+
 window.JP_CONNECTION_INITIAL_STATE = {
 	userConnectionData: {
 		currentUser: {
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/tests/js/dashboard/pages/dashboard-page.test.jsx b/projects/packages/search/tests/js/dashboard/pages/dashboard-page.test.jsx
index 5eaf5acefc89..9fe0103a71dd 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/tests/js/dashboard/pages/dashboard-page.test.jsx
+++ b/projects/packages/search/tests/js/dashboard/pages/dashboard-page.test.jsx
@@ -21,9 +21,11 @@ jest.mock( '@automattic/jetpack-connection', () => ( {
 // Stub heavy sub-components that aren't relevant to the branching test.
 jest.mock( 'components/mocked-search', () => () => <div data-testid="mocked-search" /> );
 jest.mock( 'components/module-control', () => () => <div data-testid="module-control" /> );
+jest.mock( 'components/feature-selector', () => () => <div data-testid="feature-selector" /> );
 jest.mock( 'components/record-meter', () => () => <div data-testid="record-meter" /> );
 jest.mock( 'components/global-notices', () => () => null );
 jest.mock( 'components/loading', () => () => <div data-testid="loading" /> );
+jest.mock( 'components/ai-answers-tab', () => () => <div data-testid="ai-answers-tab" /> );
 
 const renderWith = ( { searchBlocksEnabled, jetpackSettings } ) => {
 	const registry = createRegistry();
@@ -64,19 +66,21 @@ const settings = {
 };
 
 describe( '<DashboardPage> branch', () => {
+	test( 'renders Plan & Usage and AI Answers tabs', () => {
+		renderWith( { searchBlocksEnabled: false, jetpackSettings: settings } );
+		expect( screen.getByRole( 'tab', { name: /plan & usage/i } ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+		expect( screen.getByRole( 'tab', { name: /ai answers/i } ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
+	} );
+
 	test( 'renders FeatureSelector when searchBlocksEnabled is true', () => {
 		renderWith( { searchBlocksEnabled: true, jetpackSettings: settings } );
-		expect(
-			screen.getByRole( 'group', { name: /select a search experience for your visitors/i } )
-		).toBeInTheDocument();
+		expect( screen.getByTestId( 'feature-selector' ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
 		expect( screen.queryByTestId( 'module-control' ) ).not.toBeInTheDocument();
 	} );
 
 	test( 'renders ModuleControl when searchBlocksEnabled is false', () => {
 		renderWith( { searchBlocksEnabled: false, jetpackSettings: settings } );
-		expect(
-			screen.queryByRole( 'group', { name: /select a search experience for your visitors/i } )
-		).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+		expect( screen.queryByTestId( 'feature-selector' ) ).not.toBeInTheDocument();
 		expect( screen.getByTestId( 'module-control' ) ).toBeInTheDocument();
 	} );
 } );
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/tests/php/AI_Answers_Test.php b/projects/packages/search/tests/php/AI_Answers_Test.php
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..c311e5645eda
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/tests/php/AI_Answers_Test.php
@@ -0,0 +1,194 @@
+<?php
+/**
+ * Tests for the AI_Answers class.
+ *
+ * @package automattic/jetpack-search
+ */
+
+namespace Automattic\Jetpack\Search;
+
+use Automattic\Jetpack\Search\TestCase as Search_TestCase;
+
+/**
+ * Unit tests for the AI_Answers class.
+ */
+class AI_Answers_Test extends Search_TestCase {
+	public static function setUpBeforeClass(): void {
+		parent::setUpBeforeClass();
+		( new AI_Answers() )->init();
+		do_action( 'init' );
+	}
+
+	/** @var callable|null */
+	private $posts_query_filter = null;
+
+	/** @var int[] */
+	private $test_post_ids = array();
+
+	public function tearDown(): void {
+		// Delete test posts BEFORE parent::tearDown() empties the WorDBless store.
+		// wp_delete_post() must find the post to call clean_post_cache(), which
+		// invalidates the WP query cache and prevents stale cache hits in later tests.
+		foreach ( $this->test_post_ids as $id ) {
+			wp_delete_post( $id, true );
+		}
+		$this->test_post_ids = array();
+
+		parent::tearDown();
+
+		if ( $this->posts_query_filter !== null ) {
+			remove_filter( 'posts_pre_query', $this->posts_query_filter, 10 );
+			$this->posts_query_filter = null;
+		}
+		if ( post_type_exists( 'wp_guideline' ) ) {
+			unregister_post_type( 'wp_guideline' );
+		}
+	}
+
+	public function test_is_enabled_defaults_to_false() {
+		$this->assertFalse( AI_Answers::is_enabled() );
+	}
+
+	public function test_is_enabled_reads_option() {
+		update_option( 'jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled', true );
+		$this->assertTrue( AI_Answers::is_enabled() );
+		delete_option( 'jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled' );
+	}
+
+	public function test_is_enabled_filter_overrides_option() {
+		add_filter( 'jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled', '__return_true' );
+		$this->assertTrue( AI_Answers::is_enabled() );
+		remove_filter( 'jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled', '__return_true' );
+	}
+
+	public function test_get_behavior_instructions_returns_empty_by_default() {
+		// wp_guideline is not registered; option is unset — expect empty string.
+		$this->assertSame( '', AI_Answers::get_behavior_instructions() );
+	}
+
+	public function test_get_behavior_instructions_reads_option_when_no_cpt() {
+		update_option( AI_Answers::BEHAVIOR_OPTION_KEY, 'Answer only in English.' );
+		$this->assertSame( 'Answer only in English.', AI_Answers::get_behavior_instructions() );
+	}
+
+	public function test_register_behavior_meta_registers_setting_when_cpt_absent() {
+		// wp_guideline is not registered in the bare test environment — the fallback
+		// path should register the site option via register_setting() without error.
+		$ai = new AI_Answers();
+		$ai->register_behavior_meta();
+		$this->assertNotFalse( get_registered_settings()[ AI_Answers::BEHAVIOR_OPTION_KEY ] ?? false );
+	}
+
+	// -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+	// Tests for the wp_guideline CPT path
+	// -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+	/**
+	 * Register a queryable variant of wp_guideline for test isolation.
+	 */
+	private function register_guideline_cpt() {
+		register_post_type(
+			'wp_guideline', // phpcs:ignore WordPress.NamingConventions.ValidPostTypeSlug.ReservedPrefix
+			array(
+				'public'   => true,
+				'supports' => array( 'custom-fields' ),
+			)
+		);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * WorDBless dbless mode only intercepts SELECT * FROM posts WHERE ID = N.
+	 * All other WP_Query SQL returns empty. Hook posts_pre_query (which runs
+	 * regardless of suppress_filters) to short-circuit the query and return
+	 * our test post when the query targets wp_guideline posts.
+	 */
+	private function hook_wordbless_posts_query( int $post_id ): void {
+		$this->posts_query_filter = static function ( $posts, $query ) use ( $post_id ) {
+			if ( 'wp_guideline' === $query->get( 'post_type' ) ) {
+				return array( get_post( $post_id ) );
+			}
+			return $posts;
+		};
+		add_filter( 'posts_pre_query', $this->posts_query_filter, 10, 2 );
+	}
+
+	public function test_register_behavior_meta_registers_post_meta_when_wp_guideline_exists() {
+		$this->register_guideline_cpt();
+		$ai = new AI_Answers();
+		$ai->register_behavior_meta();
+		$registered = get_registered_meta_keys( 'post', 'wp_guideline' );
+		$this->assertArrayHasKey( AI_Answers::BEHAVIOR_META_KEY, $registered );
+	}
+
+	public function test_register_behavior_meta_does_not_register_option_when_cpt_exists() {
+		$this->register_guideline_cpt();
+		$before = get_registered_settings();
+		$ai     = new AI_Answers();
+		$ai->register_behavior_meta();
+		$after = get_registered_settings();
+		// The fallback option key should NOT have been freshly registered.
+		$this->assertEquals( isset( $before[ AI_Answers::BEHAVIOR_OPTION_KEY ] ), isset( $after[ AI_Answers::BEHAVIOR_OPTION_KEY ] ) );
+	}
+
+	public function test_get_behavior_instructions_reads_from_published_post_meta() {
+		$this->register_guideline_cpt();
+		$post_id               = wp_insert_post(
+			array(
+				'post_type'   => 'wp_guideline',
+				'post_status' => 'publish',
+				'post_title'  => 'Guidelines',
+			)
+		);
+		$this->test_post_ids[] = $post_id;
+		update_post_meta( $post_id, AI_Answers::BEHAVIOR_META_KEY, 'Answer only in English.' );
+		$this->hook_wordbless_posts_query( $post_id );
+
+		$this->assertSame( 'Answer only in English.', AI_Answers::get_behavior_instructions() );
+	}
+
+	public function test_get_behavior_instructions_falls_back_to_option_when_cpt_has_no_published_posts() {
+		$this->register_guideline_cpt();
+		update_option( AI_Answers::BEHAVIOR_OPTION_KEY, 'Fallback instructions.' );
+
+		// CPT registered but no published posts exist — WP_Query returns empty in WorDBless.
+		$this->assertSame( 'Fallback instructions.', AI_Answers::get_behavior_instructions() );
+	}
+
+	public function test_get_behavior_instructions_ignores_draft_posts() {
+		$this->register_guideline_cpt();
+		$post_id               = wp_insert_post(
+			array(
+				'post_type'   => 'wp_guideline',
+				'post_status' => 'draft',
+				'post_title'  => 'Draft Guidelines',
+			)
+		);
+		$this->test_post_ids[] = $post_id;
+		update_post_meta( $post_id, AI_Answers::BEHAVIOR_META_KEY, 'Draft instructions.' );
+
+		// Only published posts should be read; draft posts are ignored.
+		// (No wordbless hook — WP_Query returns empty, so get_option fallback returns ''.)
+		$this->assertSame( '', AI_Answers::get_behavior_instructions() );
+	}
+
+	public function test_get_behavior_instructions_prefers_cpt_over_option_when_both_exist() {
+		$this->register_guideline_cpt();
+		$post_id               = wp_insert_post(
+			array(
+				'post_type'   => 'wp_guideline',
+				'post_status' => 'publish',
+				'post_title'  => 'Guidelines',
+			)
+		);
+		$this->test_post_ids[] = $post_id;
+		update_post_meta( $post_id, AI_Answers::BEHAVIOR_META_KEY, 'From CPT.' );
+		update_option( AI_Answers::BEHAVIOR_OPTION_KEY, 'From option.' );
+		$this->hook_wordbless_posts_query( $post_id );
+
+		$this->assertSame( 'From CPT.', AI_Answers::get_behavior_instructions() );
+	}
+
+	public function test_behavior_option_key_constant() {
+		$this->assertSame( 'jetpack_search_ai_behavior_instructions', AI_Answers::BEHAVIOR_OPTION_KEY );
+	}
+}
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/tests/php/Initializer_Test.php b/projects/packages/search/tests/php/Initializer_Test.php
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..24f3ac14a116
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/tests/php/Initializer_Test.php
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+<?php
+/**
+ * Tests for the Initializer class.
+ *
+ * @package automattic/jetpack-search
+ */
+
+namespace Automattic\Jetpack\Search;
+
+use Automattic\Jetpack\Search\TestCase as Search_TestCase;
+
+/**
+ * Unit tests for the Initializer class.
+ */
+class Initializer_Test extends Search_TestCase {
+
+	public function test_init_fires_abort_action_when_package_filter_returns_false() {
+		$abort_reasons = array();
+		add_action(
+			'jetpack_search_abort',
+			function ( $reason ) use ( &$abort_reasons ) {
+				$abort_reasons[] = $reason;
+			}
+		);
+		add_filter( 'jetpack_search_init_search_package', '__return_false' );
+
+		Initializer::init();
+
+		remove_filter( 'jetpack_search_init_search_package', '__return_false' );
+
+		$this->assertContains( 'jetpack_search_init_search_package_filter', $abort_reasons );
+	}
+
+	public function test_init_does_not_proceed_past_abort_when_filter_returns_false() {
+		// Verify that init() bails early and never reaches is_connected() / is_search_supported(),
+		// which would require a live connection.  We confirm by checking that no
+		// additional abort actions fire (those come from later guard clauses).
+		$reasons = array();
+		add_action(
+			'jetpack_search_abort',
+			function ( $reason ) use ( &$reasons ) {
+				$reasons[] = $reason;
+			}
+		);
+		add_filter( 'jetpack_search_init_search_package', '__return_false' );
+
+		Initializer::init();
+
+		remove_filter( 'jetpack_search_init_search_package', '__return_false' );
+
+		// Only the filter-abort reason should have fired.
+		$this->assertSame( array( 'jetpack_search_init_search_package_filter' ), $reasons );
+	}
+}
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/tests/php/REST_Controller_Test.php b/projects/packages/search/tests/php/REST_Controller_Test.php
index 09d532945049..4a6165f03496 100644
--- a/projects/packages/search/tests/php/REST_Controller_Test.php
+++ b/projects/packages/search/tests/php/REST_Controller_Test.php
@@ -138,6 +138,7 @@ public function test_update_search_settings_success_both_enable() {
 			'module_active'                 => true,
 			'instant_search_enabled'        => true,
 			'swap_classic_to_inline_search' => false,
+			'ai_answers_enabled'            => false,
 		);
 		$expected     = array_merge( $new_settings, array( 'experience' => 'overlay' ) );
 
@@ -190,6 +191,7 @@ public function test_update_search_settings_success_both_disable() {
 			'module_active'                 => false,
 			'instant_search_enabled'        => false,
 			'swap_classic_to_inline_search' => false,
+			'ai_answers_enabled'            => false,
 		);
 		$expected     = array_merge( $new_settings, array( 'experience' => 'off' ) );
 
@@ -214,6 +216,7 @@ public function test_update_search_settings_success_disable_module_only() {
 			'instant_search_enabled'        => false,
 			'swap_classic_to_inline_search' => false,
 			'experience'                    => 'off',
+			'ai_answers_enabled'            => false,
 		);
 
 		$request = new WP_REST_Request( 'POST', '/jetpack/v4/search/settings' );
@@ -237,6 +240,7 @@ public function test_update_search_settings_success_disable_instant_only() {
 			'instant_search_enabled'        => true,
 			'swap_classic_to_inline_search' => false,
 			'experience'                    => 'overlay',
+			'ai_answers_enabled'            => false,
 		);
 
 		$request = new WP_REST_Request( 'POST', '/jetpack/v4/search/settings' );
@@ -260,6 +264,7 @@ public function test_update_search_settings_success_enable_inline_search() {
 			'instant_search_enabled'        => false,
 			'swap_classic_to_inline_search' => true,
 			'experience'                    => 'off',
+			'ai_answers_enabled'            => false,
 		);
 
 		$request = new WP_REST_Request( 'POST', '/jetpack/v4/search/settings' );
@@ -283,6 +288,7 @@ public function test_update_search_settings_success_disable_inline_search() {
 			'instant_search_enabled'        => false,
 			'swap_classic_to_inline_search' => false,
 			'experience'                    => 'off',
+			'ai_answers_enabled'            => false,
 		);
 
 		$request = new WP_REST_Request( 'POST', '/jetpack/v4/search/settings' );
@@ -573,6 +579,39 @@ public function test_get_settings_returns_persisted_experience() {
 		$this->assertEquals( 'embedded', $response->get_data()['experience'] );
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * Testing that ai_answers_enabled can be toggled on via the settings endpoint.
+	 */
+	public function test_update_settings_ai_answers_enabled_true() {
+		wp_set_current_user( $this->admin_id );
+
+		$request = new WP_REST_Request( 'POST', '/jetpack/v4/search/settings' );
+		$request->set_header( 'content-type', 'application/json' );
+		$request->set_body( wp_json_encode( array( 'ai_answers_enabled' => true ), JSON_UNESCAPED_SLASHES ) );
+		$response = $this->server->dispatch( $request );
+		$this->assertEquals( 200, $response->get_status() );
+		$data = $response->get_data();
+		$this->assertTrue( $data['ai_answers_enabled'] );
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Testing that ai_answers_enabled can be toggled off via the settings endpoint.
+	 */
+	public function test_update_settings_ai_answers_enabled_false() {
+		wp_set_current_user( $this->admin_id );
+
+		// Enable first.
+		update_option( 'jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled', true );
+
+		$request = new WP_REST_Request( 'POST', '/jetpack/v4/search/settings' );
+		$request->set_header( 'content-type', 'application/json' );
+		$request->set_body( wp_json_encode( array( 'ai_answers_enabled' => false ), JSON_UNESCAPED_SLASHES ) );
+		$response = $this->server->dispatch( $request );
+		$this->assertEquals( 200, $response->get_status() );
+		$data = $response->get_data();
+		$this->assertFalse( $data['ai_answers_enabled'] );
+	}
+
 	/**
 	 * Testing the `POST /jetpack/v4/search/plan/activate` endpoint with no user.
 	 */
diff --git a/projects/packages/search/tests/php/Settings_Test.php b/projects/packages/search/tests/php/Settings_Test.php
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..631dcf9ad3a8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/search/tests/php/Settings_Test.php
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+<?php
+/**
+ * Tests for the Settings class.
+ *
+ * @package automattic/jetpack-search
+ */
+
+namespace Automattic\Jetpack\Search;
+
+use Automattic\Jetpack\Search\TestCase as Search_TestCase;
+
+/**
+ * Unit tests for the Settings class.
+ */
+class Settings_Test extends Search_TestCase {
+	public static function setUpBeforeClass(): void {
+		parent::setUpBeforeClass();
+		// Instantiating Settings hooks settings_register onto admin_init and
+		// rest_api_init.  Fire rest_api_init so the settings are registered
+		// before the individual tests run.
+		new Settings();
+		do_action( 'rest_api_init' );
+	}
+
+	public function test_settings_register_registers_ai_answers_enabled() {
+		$registered = get_registered_settings();
+		$this->assertArrayHasKey( Options::OPTION_PREFIX . 'ai_answers_enabled', $registered );
+		$setting = $registered[ Options::OPTION_PREFIX . 'ai_answers_enabled' ];
+		$this->assertEquals( 'boolean', $setting['type'] );
+		$this->assertFalse( $setting['default'] );
+	}
+
+	public function test_settings_register_registers_result_format() {
+		$registered = get_registered_settings();
+		$this->assertArrayHasKey( Options::OPTION_PREFIX . 'result_format', $registered );
+		$setting = $registered[ Options::OPTION_PREFIX . 'result_format' ];
+		$this->assertEquals( 'string', $setting['type'] );
+		$this->assertEquals( 'minimal', $setting['default'] );
+	}
+
+	public function test_settings_register_registers_enable_sort() {
+		$registered = get_registered_settings();
+		$this->assertArrayHasKey( Options::OPTION_PREFIX . 'enable_sort', $registered );
+		$setting = $registered[ Options::OPTION_PREFIX . 'enable_sort' ];
+		$this->assertEquals( 'boolean', $setting['type'] );
+		$this->assertTrue( $setting['default'] );
+	}
+
+	public function test_settings_register_all_settings_have_show_in_rest() {
+		$registered    = get_registered_settings();
+		$prefix        = Options::OPTION_PREFIX;
+		$expected_keys = array(
+			$prefix . 'ai_prompt_override',
+			$prefix . 'color_theme',
+			$prefix . 'result_format',
+			$prefix . 'default_sort',
+			$prefix . 'overlay_trigger',
+			$prefix . 'excluded_post_types',
+			$prefix . 'highlight_color',
+			$prefix . 'enable_sort',
+			$prefix . 'inf_scroll',
+			$prefix . 'filtering_opens_overlay',
+			$prefix . 'show_post_date',
+			$prefix . 'show_product_price',
+			$prefix . 'show_powered_by',
+			$prefix . 'ai_answers_enabled',
+		);
+		foreach ( $expected_keys as $key ) {
+			$this->assertArrayHasKey( $key, $registered, "Setting $key not registered" );
+			$this->assertTrue( $registered[ $key ]['show_in_rest'], "Setting $key missing show_in_rest" );
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/projects/packages/sync/changelog/jps3-ai-answers b/projects/packages/sync/changelog/jps3-ai-answers
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..26c6d420a7e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/sync/changelog/jps3-ai-answers
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+Significance: patch
+Type: added
+
+Sync: sync wp_guideline CPT when Jetpack Search AI Answers is enabled.
diff --git a/projects/packages/sync/src/modules/class-search.php b/projects/packages/sync/src/modules/class-search.php
index 0691174bc5fe..04a9937dc737 100644
--- a/projects/packages/sync/src/modules/class-search.php
+++ b/projects/packages/sync/src/modules/class-search.php
@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ public function __construct() {
 		add_filter( 'jetpack_sync_post_meta_whitelist', array( $this, 'add_search_post_meta_whitelist' ), 10 );
 		// Add options
 		add_filter( 'jetpack_sync_options_whitelist', array( $this, 'add_search_options_whitelist' ), 10 );
+		// AI Answers CPTs and post meta (gated by feature flag).
+		add_filter( 'jetpack_sync_post_types_whitelist', array( $this, 'add_ai_answer_post_types' ), 10 );
 	}
 
 	/**
@@ -73,378 +75,379 @@ public function __construct() {
 	 */
 	private static $postmeta_to_sync = array(
 		// jetpack.
-		'jetpack-search-meta0'                   => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'jetpack-search-meta1'                   => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'jetpack-search-meta2'                   => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'jetpack-search-meta3'                   => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'jetpack-search-meta4'                   => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'jetpack-search-meta5'                   => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'jetpack-search-meta6'                   => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'jetpack-search-meta7'                   => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'jetpack-search-meta8'                   => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'jetpack-search-meta9'                   => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'_guideline_block_jetpack_search-ai-summary' => array(), // AI Answers personality (Gutenberg Guidelines CPT).
+		'jetpack-search-meta0'                       => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'jetpack-search-meta1'                       => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'jetpack-search-meta2'                       => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'jetpack-search-meta3'                       => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'jetpack-search-meta4'                       => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'jetpack-search-meta5'                       => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'jetpack-search-meta6'                       => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'jetpack-search-meta7'                       => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'jetpack-search-meta8'                       => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'jetpack-search-meta9'                       => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
 
 		// woocommerce.
-		'exclude_product_categories'             => array(),
-		'exclude_product_ids'                    => array(),
-		'free_shipping'                          => array(),
-		'id_field'                               => array(),
-		'individual_use'                         => array(),
-		'limit_usage_to_x_items'                 => array(),
-		'maximum_amount'                         => array(),
-		'minimum_amount'                         => array(),
-		'post_id'                                => array(),
-		'product_categories'                     => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'product_ids'                            => array(),
-		'total_sales'                            => array(
+		'exclude_product_categories'                 => array(),
+		'exclude_product_ids'                        => array(),
+		'free_shipping'                              => array(),
+		'id_field'                                   => array(),
+		'individual_use'                             => array(),
+		'limit_usage_to_x_items'                     => array(),
+		'maximum_amount'                             => array(),
+		'minimum_amount'                             => array(),
+		'post_id'                                    => array(),
+		'product_categories'                         => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'product_ids'                                => array(),
+		'total_sales'                                => array(
 			'available'    => false,
 			'alternatives' => array(
 				'wc.percent_of_sales',
 			),
 		),
-		'usage_limit'                            => array(),
-		'usage_limit_per_user'                   => array(),
-		'_crosssell_ids'                         => array(),
-		'_downloadable'                          => array(),
-		'_featured'                              => array(),
-		'_height'                                => array(),
-		'_length'                                => array(),
-		'_price'                                 => array(
+		'usage_limit'                                => array(),
+		'usage_limit_per_user'                       => array(),
+		'_crosssell_ids'                             => array(),
+		'_downloadable'                              => array(),
+		'_featured'                                  => array(),
+		'_height'                                    => array(),
+		'_length'                                    => array(),
+		'_price'                                     => array(
 			'alternatives' => array(
 				'wc.price',
 				'wc.min_price',
 				'wc.max_price',
 			),
 		),
-		'_prices_include_tax'                    => array(),
-		'_product_attributes'                    => array(),
-		'_product_version'                       => array(),
-		'_regular_price'                         => array(
+		'_prices_include_tax'                        => array(),
+		'_product_attributes'                        => array(),
+		'_product_version'                           => array(),
+		'_regular_price'                             => array(
 			'alternatives' => array(
 				'wc.regular_price',
 			),
 		),
-		'_sale_price'                            => array(
+		'_sale_price'                                => array(
 			'alternatives' => array(
 				'wc.sale_price',
 			),
 		),
-		'_sale_price_dates_from'                 => array(),
-		'_sale_price_dates_to'                   => array(),
-		'_sku'                                   => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'_stock_status'                          => array(),
-		'_wc_average_rating'                     => array(
+		'_sale_price_dates_from'                     => array(),
+		'_sale_price_dates_to'                       => array(),
+		'_sku'                                       => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'_stock_status'                              => array(),
+		'_wc_average_rating'                         => array(
 			'alternatives' => array(
 				'wc.ave_rating_score',
 			),
 		),
-		'_wc_rating_count'                       => array(
+		'_wc_rating_count'                           => array(
 			'alternatives' => array(
 				'wc.rating', // wc.rating.count_1, wc.rating.count_2, ...
 			),
 		),
-		'_wc_review_count'                       => array(),
-		'_weight'                                => array(),
-		'_width'                                 => array(),
+		'_wc_review_count'                           => array(),
+		'_weight'                                    => array(),
+		'_width'                                     => array(),
 
 		// co-authors plus.
-		'cap-description'                        => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'cap-user_login'                         => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'cap-user_email'                         => array(),
-		'cap-last_name'                          => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'cap-first_name'                         => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'cap-display_name'                       => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'cap-website'                            => array(),
-		'cap-jabber'                             => array(),
-		'cap-aim'                                => array(),
-		'cap-twitter'                            => array(),
-		'cap-facebook'                           => array(),
-		'cap-google_plus'                        => array(),
-		'cap-job_title'                          => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'cap-description'                            => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'cap-user_login'                             => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'cap-user_email'                             => array(),
+		'cap-last_name'                              => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'cap-first_name'                             => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'cap-display_name'                           => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'cap-website'                                => array(),
+		'cap-jabber'                                 => array(),
+		'cap-aim'                                    => array(),
+		'cap-twitter'                                => array(),
+		'cap-facebook'                               => array(),
+		'cap-google_plus'                            => array(),
+		'cap-job_title'                              => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
 
 		// bbpress.
-		'bbpl_like'                              => array(),
-		'bbpress_discussion_comments_copied'     => array(),
-		'bbpress_discussion_tags_copied'         => array(),
-		'bbpress_discussion_topic_id'            => array(),
-		'bbpress_discussion_use_defaults'        => array(),
-		'bbpress_page_header_bg'                 => array(),
-		'bbpress_title_bg'                       => array(),
-		'use_bbpress_discussion_topic'           => array(),
+		'bbpl_like'                                  => array(),
+		'bbpress_discussion_comments_copied'         => array(),
+		'bbpress_discussion_tags_copied'             => array(),
+		'bbpress_discussion_topic_id'                => array(),
+		'bbpress_discussion_use_defaults'            => array(),
+		'bbpress_page_header_bg'                     => array(),
+		'bbpress_title_bg'                           => array(),
+		'use_bbpress_discussion_topic'               => array(),
 
 		// wpml.
-		'tm_meta_wpml'                           => array(),
-		'wpml_language'                          => array(),
-		'wpml_media_lang'                        => array(),
-		'wpml_media_processed'                   => array(),
+		'tm_meta_wpml'                               => array(),
+		'wpml_language'                              => array(),
+		'wpml_media_lang'                            => array(),
+		'wpml_media_processed'                       => array(),
 
 		// blogger import.
-		'blogger_author'                         => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'blogger_blog'                           => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'blogger_permalink'                      => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'blogger_author'                             => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'blogger_blog'                               => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'blogger_permalink'                          => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
 
 		// geo.
-		'geo_address'                            => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'geo_latitude'                           => array(),
-		'geo_longitude'                          => array(),
-		'geo_public'                             => array(),
-		'geolocated'                             => array(),
-		'geolocation_city'                       => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'geolocation_country_long'               => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'geolocation_country_short'              => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'geolocation_formatted_address'          => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'geolocation_lat'                        => array(),
-		'geolocation_long'                       => array(),
-		'geolocation_postcode'                   => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'geolocation_state_long'                 => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'geolocation_state_short'                => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'geo_address'                                => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'geo_latitude'                               => array(),
+		'geo_longitude'                              => array(),
+		'geo_public'                                 => array(),
+		'geolocated'                                 => array(),
+		'geolocation_city'                           => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'geolocation_country_long'                   => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'geolocation_country_short'                  => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'geolocation_formatted_address'              => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'geolocation_lat'                            => array(),
+		'geolocation_long'                           => array(),
+		'geolocation_postcode'                       => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'geolocation_state_long'                     => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'geolocation_state_short'                    => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
 
 		// wp-ultimate-recipe.
-		'recipe_alternate_image'                 => array(),
-		'recipe_cook_time'                       => array(),
-		'recipe_cook_time_text'                  => array(),
-		'recipe_description'                     => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'recipe_ingredients'                     => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'recipe_instructions'                    => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'recipe_notes'                           => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'recipe_nutritional'                     => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'recipe_passive_time'                    => array(),
-		'recipe_passive_time_text'               => array(),
-		'recipe_prep_time'                       => array(),
-		'recipe_prep_time_text'                  => array(),
-		'recipe_rating'                          => array(),
-		'recipe_servings'                        => array(),
-		'recipe_servings_normalized'             => array(),
-		'recipe_servings_type'                   => array(),
-		'recipe_terms'                           => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'recipe_terms_with_parents'              => array(),
-		'recipe_title'                           => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'recipe_user_ratings'                    => array(),
-		'recipe_user_ratings_rating'             => array(),
+		'recipe_alternate_image'                     => array(),
+		'recipe_cook_time'                           => array(),
+		'recipe_cook_time_text'                      => array(),
+		'recipe_description'                         => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'recipe_ingredients'                         => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'recipe_instructions'                        => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'recipe_notes'                               => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'recipe_nutritional'                         => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'recipe_passive_time'                        => array(),
+		'recipe_passive_time_text'                   => array(),
+		'recipe_prep_time'                           => array(),
+		'recipe_prep_time_text'                      => array(),
+		'recipe_rating'                              => array(),
+		'recipe_servings'                            => array(),
+		'recipe_servings_normalized'                 => array(),
+		'recipe_servings_type'                       => array(),
+		'recipe_terms'                               => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'recipe_terms_with_parents'                  => array(),
+		'recipe_title'                               => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'recipe_user_ratings'                        => array(),
+		'recipe_user_ratings_rating'                 => array(),
 
 		// generic fields.
 		// from advanced-custom-fields and metabox.io .
-		'Link'                                   => array(),
-		'Location'                               => array(),
-		'Title'                                  => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'ad_code'                                => array(),
-		'address'                                => array(),
-		'admin_mail'                             => array(),
-		'admin_only'                             => array(),
-		'advertisers'                            => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'age'                                    => array(),
-		'aliases'                                => array(),
-		'alternate_title'                        => array(),
-		'ama_content'                            => array(),
-		'amazon'                                 => array(),
-		'answer'                                 => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'area'                                   => array(),
-		'attention'                              => array(),
-		'attr'                                   => array(),
-		'author'                                 => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'author_name'                            => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'blog'                                   => array(),
-		'blog_id'                                => array(),
-		'call_to_action'                         => array(),
-		'campaign_preview'                       => array(),
-		'canonical_url'                          => array(),
-		'catch_text'                             => array(),
-		'category'                               => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'classificacao'                          => array(),
-		'classification'                         => array(),
-		'code'                                   => array(),
-		'codigo'                                 => array(),
-		'company'                                => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'company_website'                        => array(),
-		'config'                                 => array(),
-		'construction'                           => array(),
-		'container_ids'                          => array(),
-		'content'                                => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'content_body-full_content'              => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'copyright'                              => array(),
-		'custom_page_title'                      => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'custom_permalink'                       => array(),
-		'customize'                              => array(),
-		'data'                                   => array(),
-		'date'                                   => array(),
-		'day'                                    => array(),
-		'descripcion'                            => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'description'                            => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'display_settings'                       => array(),
-		'display_type'                           => array(),
-		'duration'                               => array(),
-		'embed'                                  => array(),
-		'entity_ids'                             => array(),
-		'entity_types'                           => array(),
-		'event_subtitle'                         => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'excluded_container_ids'                 => array(),
-		'exclusions'                             => array(),
-		'experience'                             => array(),
-		'external_url'                           => array(),
-		'featured'                               => array(),
-		'featured_image'                         => array(),
-		'featured_post'                          => array(),
-		'featured_story'                         => array(),
-		'fee'                                    => array(),
-		'filter'                                 => array(),
-		'follow'                                 => array(),
-		'footer_text'                            => array(),
-		'from_header'                            => array(),
-		'fullscreen_view'                        => array(),
-		'gallery'                                => array(),
-		'genre'                                  => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'guest_bio'                              => array(),
-		'guest_name'                             => array(),
-		'guests'                                 => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'has_variations'                         => array(),
-		'hashtag'                                => array(),
-		'header_image'                           => array(),
-		'hidden_from_ui'                         => array(),
-		'hide_on_screen'                         => array(),
-		'homepage_order'                         => array(),
-		'hours'                                  => array(),
-		'i18n'                                   => array(),
-		'id'                                     => array(),
-		'image'                                  => array(),
-		'image_size'                             => array(),
-		'image_source'                           => array(),
-		'index'                                  => array(),
-		'intro_text'                             => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'job_mention'                            => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'keywords'                               => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'latest_news'                            => array(),
-		'layout'                                 => array(),
-		'link'                                   => array(),
-		'link_dump'                              => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'link_url'                               => array(),
-		'location'                               => array(),
-		'logo'                                   => array(),
-		'main_title'                             => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'maximum_entity_count'                   => array(),
-		'media'                                  => array(),
-		'mentions'                               => array(),
-		'messages'                               => array(),
-		'meta_description'                       => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'meta_id'                                => array(),
-		'meta_index'                             => array(),
-		'meta_key'                               => array(),
-		'meta_value'                             => array(),
-		'modal-dialog-id'                        => array(),
-		'name'                                   => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'nombre'                                 => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'notes'                                  => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'options'                                => array(),
-		'order_by'                               => array(),
-		'order_direction'                        => array(),
-		'original_cats'                          => array(),
-		'original_headers'                       => array(),
-		'original_link'                          => array(),
-		'original_message'                       => array(),
-		'original_subject'                       => array(),
-		'original_title'                         => array(),
-		'original_to'                            => array(),
-		'other_setting'                          => array(),
-		'page_canonical'                         => array(),
-		'page_layout'                            => array(),
-		'page_sidebar'                           => array(),
-		'page_tags'                              => array(),
-		'panels_data'                            => array(),
-		'parking'                                => array(),
-		'pdf_upload'                             => array(),
-		'people_mentioned'                       => array(),
-		'photo'                                  => array(),
-		'play_time'                              => array(),
-		'position'                               => array(),
-		'post-rating'                            => array(),
-		'post_background'                        => array(),
-		'post_color'                             => array(),
-		'post_sidebar'                           => array(),
-		'post_subtitle'                          => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'price'                                  => array(),
-		'publication'                            => array(),
-		'rating'                                 => array(),
-		'ratings_average'                        => array(),
-		'ratings_score'                          => array(),
-		'ratings_users'                          => array(),
-		'relation'                               => array(),
-		'reply_to_header'                        => array(),
-		'required'                               => array(),
-		'returns'                                => array(),
-		'review_post'                            => array(),
-		'rule'                                   => array(),
-		'section'                                => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'selected_links'                         => array(),
-		'session_transcript'                     => array(),
-		'settings'                               => array(),
-		'sex'                                    => array(),
-		'shares_count'                           => array(),
-		'show_description'                       => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'show_page_title'                        => array(),
-		'show_notes'                             => array(),
-		'show_notes_preview'                     => array(),
-		'side'                                   => array(),
-		'sidebar'                                => array(),
-		'site'                                   => array(),
-		'situation'                              => array(),
-		'slide_template'                         => array(),
-		'slug'                                   => array(),
-		'sortorder'                              => array(),
-		'source'                                 => array(),
-		'start_date'                             => array(),
-		'status'                                 => array(),
-		'styles'                                 => array(),
-		'subtitle'                               => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'subtitulo'                              => array(),
-		'success'                                => array(),
-		'summary'                                => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'synopsis'                               => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'tel'                                    => array(),
-		'tema'                                   => array(),
-		'testimonial'                            => array(),
-		'testimonial_author'                     => array(),
-		'text_already_subscribed'                => array(),
-		'text_error'                             => array(),
-		'text_invalid_email'                     => array(),
-		'text_not_subscribed'                    => array(),
-		'text_required_field_missing'            => array(),
-		'text_subscribed'                        => array(),
-		'text_unsubscribed'                      => array(),
-		'thumbnail'                              => array(),
-		'time'                                   => array(),
-		'time_jump_list'                         => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'title'                                  => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'title_view'                             => array(),
-		'titre'                                  => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'titulo'                                 => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'to_header'                              => array(),
-		'toc'                                    => array(),
-		'transcript'                             => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'transport_uri'                          => array(),
-		'type'                                   => array(),
-		'url'                                    => array(),
-		'validation'                             => array(),
-		'value'                                  => array(),
-		'values'                                 => array(),
-		'variation'                              => array(),
-		'video'                                  => array(),
-		'video_type'                             => array(),
-		'video_url'                              => array(),
-		'videopress_guid'                        => array(),
-		'website'                                => array(),
-		'weight'                                 => array(),
-		'year'                                   => array(),
+		'Link'                                       => array(),
+		'Location'                                   => array(),
+		'Title'                                      => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'ad_code'                                    => array(),
+		'address'                                    => array(),
+		'admin_mail'                                 => array(),
+		'admin_only'                                 => array(),
+		'advertisers'                                => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'age'                                        => array(),
+		'aliases'                                    => array(),
+		'alternate_title'                            => array(),
+		'ama_content'                                => array(),
+		'amazon'                                     => array(),
+		'answer'                                     => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'area'                                       => array(),
+		'attention'                                  => array(),
+		'attr'                                       => array(),
+		'author'                                     => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'author_name'                                => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'blog'                                       => array(),
+		'blog_id'                                    => array(),
+		'call_to_action'                             => array(),
+		'campaign_preview'                           => array(),
+		'canonical_url'                              => array(),
+		'catch_text'                                 => array(),
+		'category'                                   => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'classificacao'                              => array(),
+		'classification'                             => array(),
+		'code'                                       => array(),
+		'codigo'                                     => array(),
+		'company'                                    => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'company_website'                            => array(),
+		'config'                                     => array(),
+		'construction'                               => array(),
+		'container_ids'                              => array(),
+		'content'                                    => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'content_body-full_content'                  => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'copyright'                                  => array(),
+		'custom_page_title'                          => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'custom_permalink'                           => array(),
+		'customize'                                  => array(),
+		'data'                                       => array(),
+		'date'                                       => array(),
+		'day'                                        => array(),
+		'descripcion'                                => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'description'                                => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'display_settings'                           => array(),
+		'display_type'                               => array(),
+		'duration'                                   => array(),
+		'embed'                                      => array(),
+		'entity_ids'                                 => array(),
+		'entity_types'                               => array(),
+		'event_subtitle'                             => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'excluded_container_ids'                     => array(),
+		'exclusions'                                 => array(),
+		'experience'                                 => array(),
+		'external_url'                               => array(),
+		'featured'                                   => array(),
+		'featured_image'                             => array(),
+		'featured_post'                              => array(),
+		'featured_story'                             => array(),
+		'fee'                                        => array(),
+		'filter'                                     => array(),
+		'follow'                                     => array(),
+		'footer_text'                                => array(),
+		'from_header'                                => array(),
+		'fullscreen_view'                            => array(),
+		'gallery'                                    => array(),
+		'genre'                                      => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'guest_bio'                                  => array(),
+		'guest_name'                                 => array(),
+		'guests'                                     => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'has_variations'                             => array(),
+		'hashtag'                                    => array(),
+		'header_image'                               => array(),
+		'hidden_from_ui'                             => array(),
+		'hide_on_screen'                             => array(),
+		'homepage_order'                             => array(),
+		'hours'                                      => array(),
+		'i18n'                                       => array(),
+		'id'                                         => array(),
+		'image'                                      => array(),
+		'image_size'                                 => array(),
+		'image_source'                               => array(),
+		'index'                                      => array(),
+		'intro_text'                                 => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'job_mention'                                => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'keywords'                                   => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'latest_news'                                => array(),
+		'layout'                                     => array(),
+		'link'                                       => array(),
+		'link_dump'                                  => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'link_url'                                   => array(),
+		'location'                                   => array(),
+		'logo'                                       => array(),
+		'main_title'                                 => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'maximum_entity_count'                       => array(),
+		'media'                                      => array(),
+		'mentions'                                   => array(),
+		'messages'                                   => array(),
+		'meta_description'                           => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'meta_id'                                    => array(),
+		'meta_index'                                 => array(),
+		'meta_key'                                   => array(),
+		'meta_value'                                 => array(),
+		'modal-dialog-id'                            => array(),
+		'name'                                       => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'nombre'                                     => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'notes'                                      => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'options'                                    => array(),
+		'order_by'                                   => array(),
+		'order_direction'                            => array(),
+		'original_cats'                              => array(),
+		'original_headers'                           => array(),
+		'original_link'                              => array(),
+		'original_message'                           => array(),
+		'original_subject'                           => array(),
+		'original_title'                             => array(),
+		'original_to'                                => array(),
+		'other_setting'                              => array(),
+		'page_canonical'                             => array(),
+		'page_layout'                                => array(),
+		'page_sidebar'                               => array(),
+		'page_tags'                                  => array(),
+		'panels_data'                                => array(),
+		'parking'                                    => array(),
+		'pdf_upload'                                 => array(),
+		'people_mentioned'                           => array(),
+		'photo'                                      => array(),
+		'play_time'                                  => array(),
+		'position'                                   => array(),
+		'post-rating'                                => array(),
+		'post_background'                            => array(),
+		'post_color'                                 => array(),
+		'post_sidebar'                               => array(),
+		'post_subtitle'                              => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'price'                                      => array(),
+		'publication'                                => array(),
+		'rating'                                     => array(),
+		'ratings_average'                            => array(),
+		'ratings_score'                              => array(),
+		'ratings_users'                              => array(),
+		'relation'                                   => array(),
+		'reply_to_header'                            => array(),
+		'required'                                   => array(),
+		'returns'                                    => array(),
+		'review_post'                                => array(),
+		'rule'                                       => array(),
+		'section'                                    => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'selected_links'                             => array(),
+		'session_transcript'                         => array(),
+		'settings'                                   => array(),
+		'sex'                                        => array(),
+		'shares_count'                               => array(),
+		'show_description'                           => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'show_page_title'                            => array(),
+		'show_notes'                                 => array(),
+		'show_notes_preview'                         => array(),
+		'side'                                       => array(),
+		'sidebar'                                    => array(),
+		'site'                                       => array(),
+		'situation'                                  => array(),
+		'slide_template'                             => array(),
+		'slug'                                       => array(),
+		'sortorder'                                  => array(),
+		'source'                                     => array(),
+		'start_date'                                 => array(),
+		'status'                                     => array(),
+		'styles'                                     => array(),
+		'subtitle'                                   => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'subtitulo'                                  => array(),
+		'success'                                    => array(),
+		'summary'                                    => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'synopsis'                                   => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'tel'                                        => array(),
+		'tema'                                       => array(),
+		'testimonial'                                => array(),
+		'testimonial_author'                         => array(),
+		'text_already_subscribed'                    => array(),
+		'text_error'                                 => array(),
+		'text_invalid_email'                         => array(),
+		'text_not_subscribed'                        => array(),
+		'text_required_field_missing'                => array(),
+		'text_subscribed'                            => array(),
+		'text_unsubscribed'                          => array(),
+		'thumbnail'                                  => array(),
+		'time'                                       => array(),
+		'time_jump_list'                             => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'title'                                      => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'title_view'                                 => array(),
+		'titre'                                      => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'titulo'                                     => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'to_header'                                  => array(),
+		'toc'                                        => array(),
+		'transcript'                                 => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'transport_uri'                              => array(),
+		'type'                                       => array(),
+		'url'                                        => array(),
+		'validation'                                 => array(),
+		'value'                                      => array(),
+		'values'                                     => array(),
+		'variation'                                  => array(),
+		'video'                                      => array(),
+		'video_type'                                 => array(),
+		'video_url'                                  => array(),
+		'videopress_guid'                            => array(),
+		'website'                                    => array(),
+		'weight'                                     => array(),
+		'year'                                       => array(),
 
 		// wp.com martketplace search - @see https://wp.me/pdh6GB-Ax#comment-2104
-		'_app_icon'                              => array(),
-		'_featured_product_video'                => array(),
-		'wpcom_marketplace_org_slug'             => array(),
-		'_wc_general_product_dependency_theme'   => array(),
-		'_wc_general_product_dependency_plugin'  => array(),
-		'wpcom_marketplace_product_extra_fields' => array(),
-		'wccom_product_search_keywords'          => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'_wccom_product_faqs'                    => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'wccom_product_features'                 => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
-		'wccom_product_compatibility'            => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'_app_icon'                                  => array(),
+		'_featured_product_video'                    => array(),
+		'wpcom_marketplace_org_slug'                 => array(),
+		'_wc_general_product_dependency_theme'       => array(),
+		'_wc_general_product_dependency_plugin'      => array(),
+		'wpcom_marketplace_product_extra_fields'     => array(),
+		'wccom_product_search_keywords'              => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'_wccom_product_faqs'                        => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'wccom_product_features'                     => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
+		'wccom_product_compatibility'                => array( 'searchable_in_all_content' => true ),
 
 	); // end indexed post meta.
 
@@ -1809,11 +1812,23 @@ public function add_search_options_whitelist( $list ) {
 		return array_merge( $list, static::get_all_option_keys() );
 	}
 
-	//
+	/**
+	 * Add AI Answer CPTs to the post types sync whitelist when AI Answers is enabled.
+	 *
+	 * @param array $list Existing post types whitelist.
+	 * @return array Updated whitelist.
+	 */
+	public function add_ai_answer_post_types( $list ) {
+		if ( ! apply_filters( 'jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled', (bool) get_option( 'jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled', false ) ) ) {
+			return $list;
+		}
+		$list[] = 'wp_guideline';
+		return $list;
+	}
+
 	// Indexing functions for wp.com.
 
 	/**
-	 *
 	 * Check whether a postmeta or taxonomy 'key' is in the indexable
 	 * list. This is called by the indexing code on wp.com to decide
 	 * whether to include something in the index.
diff --git a/projects/packages/sync/tests/php/modules/Search_Module_Test.php b/projects/packages/sync/tests/php/modules/Search_Module_Test.php
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..a84b24e37a29
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/packages/sync/tests/php/modules/Search_Module_Test.php
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+<?php
+/**
+ * Test file for Automattic\Jetpack\Sync\Modules\Search
+ *
+ * @package automattic/jetpack-sync
+ */
+
+namespace Automattic\Jetpack\Sync;
+
+use PHPUnit\Framework\Attributes\CoversClass;
+use WorDBless\BaseTestCase;
+
+/**
+ * Class Search_Module_Test
+ *
+ * @covers Automattic\Jetpack\Sync\Modules\Search
+ */
+#[CoversClass( Modules\Search::class )]
+class Search_Module_Test extends BaseTestCase {
+
+	/**
+	 * The Search sync module instance.
+	 *
+	 * @var Modules\Search
+	 */
+	private $search_module;
+
+	/**
+	 * Runs before every test in this class.
+	 */
+	protected function setUp(): void {
+		parent::setUp();
+		$this->search_module = new Modules\Search();
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Runs after every test in this class.
+	 */
+	protected function tearDown(): void {
+		remove_filter( 'jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled', '__return_true' );
+		parent::tearDown();
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * The guideline CPT should NOT be in the whitelist when AI Answers is off (default).
+	 */
+	public function test_ai_cpts_not_in_whitelist_when_search_disabled() {
+		$list = apply_filters( 'jetpack_sync_post_types_whitelist', array() );
+		$this->assertNotContains( 'wp_guideline', $list );
+		$this->assertNotContains( 'jetpack_search_topic', $list );
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * The guideline CPT should be in the whitelist when AI Answers is enabled via filter.
+	 */
+	public function test_ai_cpts_in_whitelist_when_search_enabled() {
+		add_filter( 'jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled', '__return_true' );
+		$list = apply_filters( 'jetpack_sync_post_types_whitelist', array() );
+		remove_filter( 'jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled', '__return_true' );
+		$this->assertContains( 'wp_guideline', $list );
+		$this->assertNotContains( 'jetpack_search_topic', $list );
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * The guideline CPT should be in the whitelist when enabled via WP option only (no filter).
+	 */
+	public function test_ai_cpts_in_whitelist_when_option_set() {
+		update_option( 'jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled', 1 );
+		$list = apply_filters( 'jetpack_sync_post_types_whitelist', array() );
+		delete_option( 'jetpack_search_ai_answers_enabled' );
+		$this->assertContains( 'wp_guideline', $list );
+		$this->assertNotContains( 'jetpack_search_topic', $list );
+	}
+}
diff --git a/tools/e2e-commons/setup-specs/auth.setup.ts b/tools/e2e-commons/setup-specs/auth.setup.ts
index 725d79f8b5eb..16a68dede552 100644
--- a/tools/e2e-commons/setup-specs/auth.setup.ts
+++ b/tools/e2e-commons/setup-specs/auth.setup.ts
@@ -35,13 +35,18 @@ setup(
 		await setup.step( 'verify wordpress.com user authentication', async () => {
 			// use the browser to ensure JS routing is executed
 			const page = await authenticatedContext.newPage();
-			await page.goto( 'https://wordpress.com/me' );
+			await page.goto( 'https://wordpress.com/me', { waitUntil: 'load' } );
+
+			await expect
+				.soft( page, 'User remains on an authenticated WordPress.com page' )
+				.toHaveURL( /wordpress\.com\/me/ );
+
 			await expect
 				.soft(
-					page.getByRole( 'link', { name: `Howdy, ${ dotComCredentials.username }` } ),
-					'User is logged in and username is visible'
+					page.getByRole( 'link', { name: /log in/i } ),
+					'Login link should not be visible for authenticated user'
 				)
-				.toBeVisible();
+				.toHaveCount( 0 );
 		} );
 	}
 );