diff --git a/packages/aris-core/src/feed-engine.test.ts b/packages/aris-core/src/feed-engine.test.ts
index db6cdac..30291df 100644
--- a/packages/aris-core/src/feed-engine.test.ts
+++ b/packages/aris-core/src/feed-engine.test.ts
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ function createWeatherSource(
 
 		async fetchContext(context) {
 			const location = contextValue(context, LocationKey)
-			if (!location) return {}
+			if (!location) return null
 
 			const weather = await fetchWeather(location)
 			return { [WeatherKey]: weather }
@@ -105,6 +105,10 @@ function createAlertSource(): FeedSource<AlertFeedItem> {
 		id: "alert",
 		dependencies: ["weather"],
 
+		async fetchContext() {
+			return null
+		},
+
 		async fetchItems(context) {
 			const weather = contextValue(context, WeatherKey)
 			if (!weather) return []
@@ -169,6 +173,9 @@ describe("FeedEngine", () => {
 			const orphan: FeedSource = {
 				id: "orphan",
 				dependencies: ["nonexistent"],
+				async fetchContext() {
+					return null
+				},
 			}
 
 			engine.register(orphan)
@@ -180,8 +187,20 @@ describe("FeedEngine", () => {
 
 		test("throws on circular dependency", () => {
 			const engine = new FeedEngine()
-			const a: FeedSource = { id: "a", dependencies: ["b"] }
-			const b: FeedSource = { id: "b", dependencies: ["a"] }
+			const a: FeedSource = {
+				id: "a",
+				dependencies: ["b"],
+				async fetchContext() {
+					return null
+				},
+			}
+			const b: FeedSource = {
+				id: "b",
+				dependencies: ["a"],
+				async fetchContext() {
+					return null
+				},
+			}
 
 			engine.register(a).register(b)
 
@@ -190,9 +209,27 @@ describe("FeedEngine", () => {
 
 		test("throws on longer cycles", () => {
 			const engine = new FeedEngine()
-			const a: FeedSource = { id: "a", dependencies: ["c"] }
-			const b: FeedSource = { id: "b", dependencies: ["a"] }
-			const c: FeedSource = { id: "c", dependencies: ["b"] }
+			const a: FeedSource = {
+				id: "a",
+				dependencies: ["c"],
+				async fetchContext() {
+					return null
+				},
+			}
+			const b: FeedSource = {
+				id: "b",
+				dependencies: ["a"],
+				async fetchContext() {
+					return null
+				},
+			}
+			const c: FeedSource = {
+				id: "c",
+				dependencies: ["b"],
+				async fetchContext() {
+					return null
+				},
+			}
 
 			engine.register(a).register(b).register(c)
 
@@ -282,7 +319,7 @@ describe("FeedEngine", () => {
 			const location: FeedSource = {
 				id: "location",
 				async fetchContext() {
-					return {} // No location available
+					return null // No location available
 				},
 			}
 
@@ -316,6 +353,9 @@ describe("FeedEngine", () => {
 		test("captures errors from fetchItems", async () => {
 			const failing: FeedSource = {
 				id: "failing",
+				async fetchContext() {
+					return null
+				},
 				async fetchItems() {
 					throw new Error("Items fetch failed")
 				},
@@ -340,6 +380,9 @@ describe("FeedEngine", () => {
 
 			const working: FeedSource = {
 				id: "working",
+				async fetchContext() {
+					return null
+				},
 				async fetchItems() {
 					return [
 						{
diff --git a/packages/aris-core/src/feed-engine.ts b/packages/aris-core/src/feed-engine.ts
index f4c95c9..18ff4b4 100644
--- a/packages/aris-core/src/feed-engine.ts
+++ b/packages/aris-core/src/feed-engine.ts
@@ -89,16 +89,16 @@ export class FeedEngine<TItems extends FeedItem = FeedItem> {
 
 		// Run fetchContext in topological order
 		for (const source of graph.sorted) {
-			if (source.fetchContext) {
-				try {
-					const update = await source.fetchContext(context)
+			try {
+				const update = await source.fetchContext(context)
+				if (update) {
 					context = { ...context, ...update }
-				} catch (err) {
-					errors.push({
-						sourceId: source.id,
-						error: err instanceof Error ? err : new Error(String(err)),
-					})
 				}
+			} catch (err) {
+				errors.push({
+					sourceId: source.id,
+					error: err instanceof Error ? err : new Error(String(err)),
+				})
 			}
 		}
 
@@ -208,10 +208,12 @@ export class FeedEngine<TItems extends FeedItem = FeedItem> {
 		// Re-run fetchContext for dependents in order
 		for (const id of toRefresh) {
 			const source = graph.sources.get(id)
-			if (source?.fetchContext) {
+			if (source) {
 				try {
 					const update = await source.fetchContext(this.context)
-					this.context = { ...this.context, ...update }
+					if (update) {
+						this.context = { ...this.context, ...update }
+					}
 				} catch {
 					// Errors during reactive updates are logged but don't stop propagation
 				}
diff --git a/packages/aris-core/src/feed-source.test.ts b/packages/aris-core/src/feed-source.test.ts
index 3f81e0f..9b9a613 100644
--- a/packages/aris-core/src/feed-source.test.ts
+++ b/packages/aris-core/src/feed-source.test.ts
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ function createWeatherSource(
 
 		async fetchContext(context) {
 			const location = contextValue(context, LocationKey)
-			if (!location) return {}
+			if (!location) return null
 
 			const weather = await fetchWeather(location)
 			return { [WeatherKey]: weather }
@@ -104,6 +104,10 @@ function createAlertSource(): FeedSource<AlertFeedItem> {
 		id: "alert",
 		dependencies: ["weather"],
 
+		async fetchContext() {
+			return null
+		},
+
 		async fetchItems(context) {
 			const weather = contextValue(context, WeatherKey)
 			if (!weather) return []
@@ -194,8 +198,8 @@ async function refreshGraph(graph: SourceGraph): Promise<{ context: Context; ite
 
 	// Run fetchContext in topological order
 	for (const source of graph.sorted) {
-		if (source.fetchContext) {
-			const update = await source.fetchContext(context)
+		const update = await source.fetchContext(context)
+		if (update) {
 			context = { ...context, ...update }
 		}
 	}
@@ -245,9 +249,15 @@ describe("FeedSource", () => {
 
 			expect(source.id).toBe("alert")
 			expect(source.dependencies).toEqual(["weather"])
-			expect(source.fetchContext).toBeUndefined()
+			expect(source.fetchContext).toBeDefined()
 			expect(source.fetchItems).toBeDefined()
 		})
+
+		test("source without context returns null from fetchContext", async () => {
+			const source = createAlertSource()
+			const result = await source.fetchContext({ time: new Date() })
+			expect(result).toBeNull()
+		})
 	})
 
 	describe("graph validation", () => {
@@ -255,6 +265,9 @@ describe("FeedSource", () => {
 			const orphan: FeedSource = {
 				id: "orphan",
 				dependencies: ["nonexistent"],
+				async fetchContext() {
+					return null
+				},
 			}
 
 			expect(() => buildGraph([orphan])).toThrow(
@@ -263,16 +276,46 @@ describe("FeedSource", () => {
 		})
 
 		test("detects circular dependencies", () => {
-			const a: FeedSource = { id: "a", dependencies: ["b"] }
-			const b: FeedSource = { id: "b", dependencies: ["a"] }
+			const a: FeedSource = {
+				id: "a",
+				dependencies: ["b"],
+				async fetchContext() {
+					return null
+				},
+			}
+			const b: FeedSource = {
+				id: "b",
+				dependencies: ["a"],
+				async fetchContext() {
+					return null
+				},
+			}
 
 			expect(() => buildGraph([a, b])).toThrow("Circular dependency detected: a → b → a")
 		})
 
 		test("detects longer cycles", () => {
-			const a: FeedSource = { id: "a", dependencies: ["c"] }
-			const b: FeedSource = { id: "b", dependencies: ["a"] }
-			const c: FeedSource = { id: "c", dependencies: ["b"] }
+			const a: FeedSource = {
+				id: "a",
+				dependencies: ["c"],
+				async fetchContext() {
+					return null
+				},
+			}
+			const b: FeedSource = {
+				id: "b",
+				dependencies: ["a"],
+				async fetchContext() {
+					return null
+				},
+			}
+			const c: FeedSource = {
+				id: "c",
+				dependencies: ["b"],
+				async fetchContext() {
+					return null
+				},
+			}
 
 			expect(() => buildGraph([a, b, c])).toThrow("Circular dependency detected")
 		})
@@ -376,12 +419,12 @@ describe("FeedSource", () => {
 		})
 
 		test("source without location context returns empty items", async () => {
-			// Location source exists but hasn't been updated (returns default 0,0)
+			// Location source exists but hasn't been updated
 			const location: FeedSource = {
 				id: "location",
 				async fetchContext() {
 					// Simulate no location available
-					return {}
+					return null
 				},
 			}
 
diff --git a/packages/aris-core/src/feed-source.ts b/packages/aris-core/src/feed-source.ts
index aa9f364..cffbf93 100644
--- a/packages/aris-core/src/feed-source.ts
+++ b/packages/aris-core/src/feed-source.ts
@@ -36,6 +36,13 @@ import type { FeedItem } from "./feed"
  *     return createWeatherFeedItems(ctx.weather)
  *   },
  * }
+ *
+ * // TFL source - no context to provide
+ * const tflSource: FeedSource<TflFeedItem> = {
+ *   id: "tfl",
+ *   fetchContext: async () => null,
+ *   fetchItems: async (ctx) => { ... },
+ * }
  * ```
  */
 export interface FeedSource<TItem extends FeedItem = FeedItem> {
@@ -58,8 +65,9 @@ export interface FeedSource<TItem extends FeedItem = FeedItem> {
 	/**
 	 * Fetch context on-demand.
 	 * Called during manual refresh or initial load.
+	 * Return null if this source cannot provide context.
 	 */
-	fetchContext?(context: Context): Promise<Partial<Context>>
+	fetchContext(context: Context): Promise<Partial<Context> | null>
 
 	/**
 	 * Subscribe to reactive feed item updates.
diff --git a/packages/aris-source-apple-calendar/src/calendar-source.ts b/packages/aris-source-apple-calendar/src/calendar-source.ts
index 5ae1425..643120a 100644
--- a/packages/aris-source-apple-calendar/src/calendar-source.ts
+++ b/packages/aris-source-apple-calendar/src/calendar-source.ts
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ export class CalendarSource implements FeedSource<CalendarFeedItem> {
 		this.injectedClient = options?.davClient ?? null
 	}
 
-	async fetchContext(context: Context): Promise<Partial<Context>> {
+	async fetchContext(context: Context): Promise<Partial<Context> | null> {
 		const events = await this.fetchEvents(context)
 		if (events.length === 0) {
 			return {
diff --git a/packages/aris-source-google-calendar/src/google-calendar-source.test.ts b/packages/aris-source-google-calendar/src/google-calendar-source.test.ts
index 968022b..6f1cb84 100644
--- a/packages/aris-source-google-calendar/src/google-calendar-source.test.ts
+++ b/packages/aris-source-google-calendar/src/google-calendar-source.test.ts
@@ -197,13 +197,13 @@ describe("GoogleCalendarSource", () => {
 	})
 
 	describe("fetchContext", () => {
-		test("returns empty when no events", async () => {
+		test("returns null when no events", async () => {
 			const source = new GoogleCalendarSource({ client: createMockClient({ primary: [] }) })
 			const result = await source.fetchContext(createContext())
-			expect(result).toEqual({})
+			expect(result).toBeNull()
 		})
 
-		test("returns empty when only all-day events", async () => {
+		test("returns null when only all-day events", async () => {
 			const allDayOnly: ApiCalendarEvent[] = [
 				{
 					id: "evt-allday",
@@ -218,14 +218,15 @@ describe("GoogleCalendarSource", () => {
 				client: createMockClient({ primary: allDayOnly }),
 			})
 			const result = await source.fetchContext(createContext())
-			expect(result).toEqual({})
+			expect(result).toBeNull()
 		})
 
 		test("returns next upcoming timed event (not ongoing)", async () => {
 			const source = new GoogleCalendarSource({ client: defaultMockClient() })
 			const result = await source.fetchContext(createContext())
 
-			const nextEvent = contextValue(result as Context, NextEventKey)
+			expect(result).not.toBeNull()
+			const nextEvent = contextValue(result! as Context, NextEventKey)
 			expect(nextEvent).toBeDefined()
 			// evt-soon starts at 10:10, which is the nearest future timed event
 			expect(nextEvent!.title).toBe("1:1 with Manager")
@@ -250,7 +251,8 @@ describe("GoogleCalendarSource", () => {
 			})
 			const result = await source.fetchContext(createContext())
 
-			const nextEvent = contextValue(result as Context, NextEventKey)
+			expect(result).not.toBeNull()
+			const nextEvent = contextValue(result! as Context, NextEventKey)
 			expect(nextEvent).toBeDefined()
 			expect(nextEvent!.location).toBe("123 Main St")
 		})
@@ -270,7 +272,7 @@ describe("GoogleCalendarSource", () => {
 				client: createMockClient({ primary: events }),
 			})
 			const result = await source.fetchContext(createContext())
-			expect(result).toEqual({})
+			expect(result).toBeNull()
 		})
 	})
 
diff --git a/packages/aris-source-google-calendar/src/google-calendar-source.ts b/packages/aris-source-google-calendar/src/google-calendar-source.ts
index 3358f2b..bba33ed 100644
--- a/packages/aris-source-google-calendar/src/google-calendar-source.ts
+++ b/packages/aris-source-google-calendar/src/google-calendar-source.ts
@@ -75,14 +75,14 @@ export class GoogleCalendarSource implements FeedSource<CalendarFeedItem> {
 		this.lookaheadHours = options.lookaheadHours ?? DEFAULT_LOOKAHEAD_HOURS
 	}
 
-	async fetchContext(context: Context): Promise<Partial<Context>> {
+	async fetchContext(context: Context): Promise<Partial<Context> | null> {
 		const events = await this.fetchAllEvents(context.time)
 
 		const now = context.time.getTime()
 		const nextTimedEvent = events.find((e) => !e.isAllDay && e.startTime.getTime() > now)
 
 		if (!nextTimedEvent) {
-			return {}
+			return null
 		}
 
 		const minutesUntilStart = (nextTimedEvent.startTime.getTime() - now) / 60_000
diff --git a/packages/aris-source-location/src/location-source.test.ts b/packages/aris-source-location/src/location-source.test.ts
index b32270e..e6a63b4 100644
--- a/packages/aris-source-location/src/location-source.test.ts
+++ b/packages/aris-source-location/src/location-source.test.ts
@@ -27,11 +27,11 @@ describe("LocationSource", () => {
 			expect(items).toEqual([])
 		})
 
-		test("fetchContext returns empty when no location", async () => {
+		test("fetchContext returns null when no location", async () => {
 			const source = new LocationSource()
 
 			const context = await source.fetchContext()
-			expect(context).toEqual({})
+			expect(context).toBeNull()
 		})
 
 		test("fetchContext returns location when available", async () => {
diff --git a/packages/aris-source-location/src/location-source.ts b/packages/aris-source-location/src/location-source.ts
index 852046b..4462a1a 100644
--- a/packages/aris-source-location/src/location-source.ts
+++ b/packages/aris-source-location/src/location-source.ts
@@ -73,11 +73,11 @@ export class LocationSource implements FeedSource {
 		}
 	}
 
-	async fetchContext(): Promise<Partial<Context>> {
+	async fetchContext(): Promise<Partial<Context> | null> {
 		if (this.lastLocation) {
 			return { [LocationKey]: this.lastLocation }
 		}
-		return {}
+		return null
 	}
 
 	async fetchItems(): Promise<[]> {
diff --git a/packages/aris-source-tfl/src/tfl-source.ts b/packages/aris-source-tfl/src/tfl-source.ts
index ad69a99..5c63d4a 100644
--- a/packages/aris-source-tfl/src/tfl-source.ts
+++ b/packages/aris-source-tfl/src/tfl-source.ts
@@ -77,6 +77,10 @@ export class TflSource implements FeedSource<TflAlertFeedItem> {
 		this.lines = options.lines ?? [...TflSource.DEFAULT_LINES_OF_INTEREST]
 	}
 
+	async fetchContext(): Promise<null> {
+		return null
+	}
+
 	/**
 	 * Update the set of monitored lines. Takes effect on the next fetchItems call.
 	 */
diff --git a/packages/aris-source-weatherkit/src/weather-source.test.ts b/packages/aris-source-weatherkit/src/weather-source.test.ts
index 6d0ac65..2ce8b0c 100644
--- a/packages/aris-source-weatherkit/src/weather-source.test.ts
+++ b/packages/aris-source-weatherkit/src/weather-source.test.ts
@@ -52,11 +52,11 @@ describe("WeatherSource", () => {
 	describe("fetchContext", () => {
 		const mockClient = createMockClient(fixture.response as WeatherKitResponse)
 
-		test("returns empty when no location", async () => {
+		test("returns null when no location", async () => {
 			const source = new WeatherSource({ client: mockClient })
 			const result = await source.fetchContext(createMockContext())
 
-			expect(result).toEqual({})
+			expect(result).toBeNull()
 		})
 
 		test("returns simplified weather context", async () => {
@@ -64,7 +64,8 @@ describe("WeatherSource", () => {
 			const context = createMockContext({ lat: 37.7749, lng: -122.4194 })
 
 			const result = await source.fetchContext(context)
-			const weather = contextValue(result, WeatherKey)
+			expect(result).not.toBeNull()
+			const weather = contextValue(result! as Context, WeatherKey)
 
 			expect(weather).toBeDefined()
 			expect(typeof weather!.temperature).toBe("number")
@@ -81,7 +82,8 @@ describe("WeatherSource", () => {
 			const context = createMockContext({ lat: 37.7749, lng: -122.4194 })
 
 			const result = await source.fetchContext(context)
-			const weather = contextValue(result, WeatherKey)
+			expect(result).not.toBeNull()
+			const weather = contextValue(result! as Context, WeatherKey)
 
 			// Fixture has temperature around 10°C, imperial should be around 50°F
 			expect(weather!.temperature).toBeGreaterThan(40)
diff --git a/packages/aris-source-weatherkit/src/weather-source.ts b/packages/aris-source-weatherkit/src/weather-source.ts
index bee6f00..d1c32f6 100644
--- a/packages/aris-source-weatherkit/src/weather-source.ts
+++ b/packages/aris-source-weatherkit/src/weather-source.ts
@@ -111,10 +111,10 @@ export class WeatherSource implements FeedSource<WeatherFeedItem> {
 		this.units = options.units ?? Units.metric
 	}
 
-	async fetchContext(context: Context): Promise<Partial<Context>> {
+	async fetchContext(context: Context): Promise<Partial<Context> | null> {
 		const location = contextValue(context, LocationKey)
 		if (!location) {
-			return {}
+			return null
 		}
 
 		const response = await this.client.fetch({
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ export class WeatherSource implements FeedSource<WeatherFeedItem> {
 		})
 
 		if (!response.currentWeather) {
-			return {}
+			return null
 		}
 
 		const weather: Weather = {