feat(routes): allow operators to manage routes

Operators can now create, edit, and delete routes (previously admin-only).
A user may never scope a route above their own role tier: an operator
creating/editing an admin-visibility route is rejected (403 on the
visibility value, 404 on touching an existing higher-visibility route),
preventing them from creating routes they could then never see or modify.

- routes.py: RequireAdmin -> RequireOperatorOrAdmin on create/update/delete;
  add visibility-cap enforcement helpers reusing the existing
  resolve_user_role / VISIBILITY_LEVELS ladder
- web/app.py: proxy access map admits operator for routes POST/PUT/DELETE
- Routes.tsx: canManage gate (admin||operator) on Add/Edit/Delete; visibility
  <select> filters options by caller tier so operators never see 'admin'
- tests: operator-tier coverage (create/update/delete at/below/above level),
  proxy access-map assertion, vitest role-gating + filtered select
- e2e: mint operator session + routes-operator spec
- docs: routes.md + auth.md operator/visibility-cap notes

docs/auth.md

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ User roles are read from the OIDC token's `roles` claim (configurable via `OIDC_
 | Role | Config Variable | Default | Description |
 |------|----------------|---------|-------------|
 | Admin | `OIDC_ROLE_ADMIN` | `admin` | Full write access to all API endpoints through the proxy |
-| Operator | `OIDC_ROLE_OPERATOR` | `operator` | Reserved for future use — no endpoint assignments yet |
+| Operator | `OIDC_ROLE_OPERATOR` | `operator` | Manage nodes, node tags, adoptions, and routes (create/edit/delete, scoped to the operator visibility tier) |
 | Member | `OIDC_ROLE_MEMBER` | `member` | Read-only access (no endpoint assignments) |
 
 The role names are configurable to match your IdP's role naming convention. For example, if your IdP uses `superuser` instead of `admin`, set `OIDC_ROLE_ADMIN=superuser`.
@@ -36,17 +36,21 @@ The proxy uses a hardcoded per-endpoint, per-method mapping in `src/meshcore_hub
 |-------------|--------|--------|
 | `v1/nodes` | GET | Open |
 | `v1/nodes/` | GET | Open |
-| `v1/nodes/` | POST, PUT, DELETE | `admin` |
+| `v1/nodes/` | POST, PUT, DELETE | `admin`, `operator` |
 | `v1/members` | GET | Open |
 | `v1/members` | POST, PUT, DELETE | `admin` |
 | `v1/messages` | GET | Open |
 | `v1/advertisements` | GET | Open |
+| `v1/adoptions` | POST, DELETE | `admin`, `operator` |
+| `v1/routes` | POST | `admin`, `operator` |
+| `v1/routes/` | PUT, DELETE | `admin`, `operator` |
 | `v1/dashboard` | GET | Open |
 | `v1/trace-paths` | GET | Open |
 | `v1/telemetry` | GET | Open |
 
 - **Open** = no authentication required (anonymous OK, works with or without OIDC)
 - **`admin`** = requires OIDC enabled + user has the `admin` role
+- **`admin`, `operator`** = requires OIDC enabled + user has the `admin` *or* `operator` role
 - Method not listed for a matched prefix = denied
 - No prefix match = denied
 

docs/routes.md

@@ -44,11 +44,13 @@ The collector runs a background thread that re-evaluates every enabled route on
 
 Routes carry the same role-based visibility levels as channels — `community`, `member`, `operator`, `admin`. A user only sees routes whose visibility is at or below their role's maximum level. Seeded routes default to `community` (visible to everyone); set a higher level to restrict a route to operators/admins only. Visibility is enforced on both the list and detail endpoints, so a hidden route's existence is not leaked.
 
+Both operators and admins can create, edit, and delete routes. A user may never scope a route above their own role (e.g. an operator cannot create an `admin`-visibility route) — this is enforced on the write endpoints and prevents a user from creating a route they could then never see or modify. Operators can only edit/delete routes whose visibility is at or below the operator tier; attempting to modify a higher-visibility route returns `404`.
+
 ## Defining routes
 
 Routes are keyed by their `from`/`to` endpoint labels and upserted by that pair. There are two ways to create them:
 
 - **Seed YAML** — add a `routes.yaml` to your `SEED_HOME` and run the seed process. See [seeding.md → Routes](seeding.md#routes) for the format and rules (path nodes must already exist in the database; the `(from, to)` pair must be unique).
-- **API** — `POST /api/v1/routes` (admin only) creates a route, with a `/preview` endpoint that dry-runs matching against an unsaved configuration so you can tune thresholds before committing. See `SCHEMAS.md` for the request/response shapes.
+- **API** — `POST /api/v1/routes` (operator or admin) creates a route, with a `/preview` endpoint that dry-runs matching against an unsaved configuration so you can tune thresholds before committing. See `SCHEMAS.md` for the request/response shapes.
 
-The `/routes` page renders the live status card, the per-day history strip, recent matching transmissions (with observer attribution), and — for admins — inline edit/delete controls.
+The `/routes` page renders the live status card, the per-day history strip, recent matching transmissions (with observer attribution), and — for operators and admins — inline edit/delete controls.

e2e/global-setup.ts

@@ -152,6 +152,13 @@ export default async function globalSetup(): Promise<void> {
     "pw-member@example.com",
     "member",
   );
+  const operatorCookie = await mintSessionCookie(
+    "pw-operator",
+    "PW Operator",
+    "pw-operator@example.com",
+    "operator,member",
+  );
   await writeStorageState(adminCookie, path.join(AUTH_DIR, "admin.json"));
   await writeStorageState(memberCookie, path.join(AUTH_DIR, "member.json"));
+  await writeStorageState(operatorCookie, path.join(AUTH_DIR, "operator.json"));
 }

e2e/tests/routes-operator.spec.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+import { expect, test } from "@playwright/test";
+import { OPERATOR_STATE } from "../utils/helpers";
+
+test.use({ storageState: OPERATOR_STATE });
+
+const ROUTE_LABEL = "Op From \u2192 Op To";
+
+test.describe.serial("routes (operator)", () => {
+  test("operator can manage routes; admin visibility tier is hidden", async ({
+    page,
+  }) => {
+    await page.goto("/routes");
+
+    // Operators see the seeded community route and the add button.
+    await expect(
+      page.locator(
+        '[data-testid="route-card"][data-route-label="Alpha Site \u2192 Bravo Site"]',
+      ),
+    ).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(page.getByTestId("add-route")).toBeVisible();
+
+    // The visibility dropdown must NOT offer the admin tier to an operator.
+    await page.getByTestId("add-route").click();
+    const modal = page.locator('[data-testid="route-modal"]');
+    await expect(modal).toBeVisible();
+    const visibility = page.getByTestId("route-visibility");
+    await expect(visibility.locator("option[value='admin']")).toHaveCount(0);
+    await visibility.selectOption("operator");
+    await expect(visibility).toHaveValue("operator");
+
+    await page.getByTestId("route-from").fill("Op From");
+    await page.getByTestId("route-to").fill("Op To");
+
+    await page.getByTestId("route-path-search").fill("Alpha");
+    await page.getByTestId("node-search-result").first().click();
+    await page.getByTestId("route-path-search").fill("Bravo");
+    await page.getByTestId("node-search-result").first().click();
+    await expect(page.getByTestId("route-path-chip")).toHaveCount(2);
+
+    await page.getByTestId("route-save").click();
+    await expect(modal).toHaveCount(0);
+
+    const card = page.locator(
+      `[data-testid="route-card"][data-route-label="${ROUTE_LABEL}"]`,
+    );
+    await expect(card).toBeVisible();
+
+    // Operator can edit the route they created.
+    await card.getByTestId("edit-route").click();
+    await expect(modal).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(page.getByTestId("route-from")).toHaveValue("Op From");
+    await page.getByTestId("route-cancel").click();
+
+    // Operator can delete the route they created.
+    await card.getByTestId("delete-route").click();
+    const confirm = page.locator("dialog.modal-open");
+    await expect(confirm).toBeVisible();
+    await confirm.getByRole("button", { name: "Delete" }).click();
+    await expect(card).toHaveCount(0);
+  });
+});

e2e/utils/helpers.ts

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ const AUTH_DIR = path.resolve(
 );
 export const ADMIN_STATE = path.join(AUTH_DIR, "admin.json");
 export const MEMBER_STATE = path.join(AUTH_DIR, "member.json");
+export const OPERATOR_STATE = path.join(AUTH_DIR, "operator.json");
 
 export async function expectListLoaded(page: Page): Promise<void> {
   await expect(page.getByTestId("list-row").first()).toBeVisible();

src/meshcore_hub/api/routes/routes.py

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ from typing import Any
 from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException, Request
 from sqlalchemy import select
 
-from meshcore_hub.api.auth import RequireAdmin, RequireRead
+from meshcore_hub.api.auth import RequireOperatorOrAdmin, RequireRead
 from meshcore_hub.api.cache import cached, sorted_query_string
 from meshcore_hub.api.cache_invalidation import invalidate_routes
 from meshcore_hub.api.channel_visibility import (
@@ -64,6 +64,41 @@ def _routes_key_builder(request: Request) -> str:
     return f"{request.url.path}:role={role}:{sorted_query_string(request)}"
 
 
+def _caller_max_visibility_level(request: Request) -> int:
+    """Max visibility tier the current caller may set or modify.
+
+    Operators can manage routes at or below the operator tier; admins at or
+    below the admin tier. This is the same role resolution the read handlers
+    use, so read and write visibility stay consistent.
+    """
+    return get_max_visibility_level(resolve_user_role(request))
+
+
+def _assert_visibility_within_role(request: Request, visibility: str) -> None:
+    """Reject a visibility value above the caller's own role tier.
+
+    Stops a user scoping a route to a role they could then never see or
+    modify (e.g. an operator creating an admin-visibility route).
+    """
+    if VISIBILITY_LEVELS.get(visibility, 0) > _caller_max_visibility_level(request):
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=403,
+            detail="Cannot set route visibility above your own role",
+        )
+
+
+def _assert_route_modifiable(request: Request, route: Route) -> None:
+    """Reject modifying a route above the caller's visibility tier.
+
+    Returns 404 (mirroring the GET detail behaviour) so the existence of a
+    higher-visibility route is not leaked to lower-privileged callers.
+    """
+    if VISIBILITY_LEVELS.get(route.visibility, 0) > _caller_max_visibility_level(
+        request
+    ):
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Route not found")
+
+
 def _route_node_to_read(rn: RouteNode) -> RouteNodeRead:
     return RouteNodeRead(
         node_id=rn.node_id,
@@ -232,12 +267,13 @@ def list_routes(
 
 @router.post("", response_model=RouteRead, status_code=201)
 def create_route(
-    __: RequireAdmin,
+    __: RequireOperatorOrAdmin,
     session: DbSession,
     body: RouteCreate,
     request: Request,
 ) -> RouteRead:
-    """Create a new route (admin only)."""
+    """Create a new route (operator or admin)."""
+    _assert_visibility_within_role(request, body.visibility)
     existing = session.execute(
         select(Route).where(
             Route.from_label == body.from_label,
@@ -530,18 +566,19 @@ def get_route_history(
 
 @router.put("/{route_id}", response_model=RouteRead)
 def update_route(
-    __: RequireAdmin,
+    __: RequireOperatorOrAdmin,
     session: DbSession,
     route_id: str,
     body: RouteUpdate,
     request: Request,
 ) -> RouteRead:
-    """Update a route (admin only)."""
+    """Update a route (operator or admin)."""
     route = session.execute(
         select(Route).where(Route.id == route_id)
     ).scalar_one_or_none()
     if not route:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Route not found")
+    _assert_route_modifiable(request, route)
 
     if body.from_label is not None or body.to_label is not None:
         new_from = body.from_label if body.from_label is not None else route.from_label
@@ -564,6 +601,7 @@ def update_route(
     if body.description is not None:
         route.description = body.description
     if body.visibility is not None:
+        _assert_visibility_within_role(request, body.visibility)
         route.visibility = body.visibility
     if body.match_width is not None:
         route.match_width = body.match_width
@@ -603,17 +641,18 @@ def update_route(
 
 @router.delete("/{route_id}", status_code=204)
 def delete_route(
-    __: RequireAdmin,
+    __: RequireOperatorOrAdmin,
     session: DbSession,
     route_id: str,
     request: Request,
 ) -> None:
-    """Delete a route (admin only)."""
+    """Delete a route (operator or admin)."""
     route = session.execute(
         select(Route).where(Route.id == route_id)
     ).scalar_one_or_none()
     if not route:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Route not found")
+    _assert_route_modifiable(request, route)
     session.delete(route)
     session.commit()
     invalidate_routes(request)

src/meshcore_hub/web/app.py

@@ -166,12 +166,12 @@ def _build_endpoint_access(
         },
         "v1/routes": {
             "GET": _OPEN,
-            "POST": frozenset({role_admin}),
+            "POST": operator_admin,
         },
         "v1/routes/": {
             "GET": _OPEN,
-            "PUT": frozenset({role_admin}),
-            "DELETE": frozenset({role_admin}),
+            "PUT": operator_admin,
+            "DELETE": operator_admin,
             "POST": _OPEN,
         },
     }

src/meshcore_hub/web/static/js/spa-react/pages/Routes.test.tsx

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-import { screen, waitFor } from "@testing-library/react";
-import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { fireEvent, screen, waitFor } from "@testing-library/react";
+import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 
 vi.mock("@/components/charts/Charts", () => ({
   ActivityChart: () => null,
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ vi.mock("@/components/charts/Charts", () => ({
 
 import { RoutesPage as Routes } from "@/pages/Routes";
 import { renderWithProviders } from "@/test/renderWithProviders";
+import { makeConfig } from "@/test/makeConfig";
 import * as api from "@/utils/api";
 
 const ROUTES = {
@@ -76,3 +77,61 @@ describe("Routes", () => {
     });
   });
 });
+
+describe("Routes role-gated management", () => {
+  // hasRole() reads window.__APP_CONFIG__ directly (not the React context),
+  // so we must assign the global to simulate an authenticated session.
+  function setRoles(roles: string[]) {
+    window.__APP_CONFIG__ = makeConfig({
+      oidc_enabled: true,
+      roles,
+      role_names: { admin: "admin", operator: "operator", member: "member" },
+    });
+  }
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    window.__APP_CONFIG__ = makeConfig();
+  });
+
+  it("hides the add button from an unprivileged user", async () => {
+    setRoles(["member"]);
+    mockRoutesApi();
+    renderWithProviders(<Routes />);
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(screen.getAllByText("NodeA").length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(1);
+    });
+    expect(screen.queryByTestId("add-route")).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it("shows the add button to an operator", async () => {
+    setRoles(["operator"]);
+    mockRoutesApi();
+    renderWithProviders(<Routes />);
+    expect(await screen.findByTestId("add-route")).toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  it("offers all visibility tiers to an admin", async () => {
+    setRoles(["admin"]);
+    mockRoutesApi();
+    renderWithProviders(<Routes />);
+    fireEvent.click(await screen.findByTestId("add-route"));
+    const select = (await screen.findByTestId(
+      "route-visibility",
+    )) as HTMLSelectElement;
+    const values = Array.from(select.options).map((o) => o.value);
+    expect(values).toEqual(["community", "member", "operator", "admin"]);
+  });
+
+  it("hides the admin tier from an operator", async () => {
+    setRoles(["operator"]);
+    mockRoutesApi();
+    renderWithProviders(<Routes />);
+    fireEvent.click(await screen.findByTestId("add-route"));
+    const select = (await screen.findByTestId(
+      "route-visibility",
+    )) as HTMLSelectElement;
+    const values = Array.from(select.options).map((o) => o.value);
+    expect(values).toEqual(["community", "member", "operator"]);
+    expect(values).not.toContain("admin");
+  });
+});

src/meshcore_hub/web/static/js/spa-react/pages/Routes.tsx

@@ -158,6 +158,16 @@ const PATH_MAX = 5;
 const PATH_HEAD = 2;
 const PATH_TAIL = 2;
 
+/** Max route-visibility tier the current user may set or modify. Mirrors the
+ * backend caller cap so a user can never scope a route above their own role
+ * (which would make it invisible/unmodifiable to them). */
+function maxVisibilityLevel(): number {
+  if (hasRole("admin")) return 3;
+  if (hasRole("operator")) return 2;
+  if (hasRole("member")) return 1;
+  return 0;
+}
+
 function qualityDot(quality: string, enabled: boolean): string {
   if (!enabled) return "\u25CC";
   const dots: Record<string, string> = {
@@ -485,14 +495,14 @@ function DetailContent({
 
 function RouteCard({
   route,
-  isAdmin,
+  canManage,
   packetsEnabled,
   onEdit,
   onDelete,
   onNavigate,
 }: {
   route: RouteItem;
-  isAdmin: boolean;
+  canManage: boolean;
   packetsEnabled: boolean;
   onEdit: () => void;
   onDelete: () => void;
@@ -580,7 +590,7 @@ function RouteCard({
             <span className="loading loading-spinner loading-sm opacity-50"></span>
           </div>
         )}
-        {isAdmin && (
+        {canManage && (
           <div className="flex gap-2 mt-auto pt-2">
             <button
               className="btn btn-xs btn-outline"
@@ -819,10 +829,13 @@ function RouteModal({
                   value={visibility}
                   onChange={(e) => setVisibility(e.target.value)}
                 >
-                  <option value="community">community</option>
-                  <option value="member">member</option>
-                  <option value="operator">operator</option>
-                  <option value="admin">admin</option>
+                  {VISIBILITY_ORDER.map((vis) =>
+                    VISIBILITY_ORDER.indexOf(vis) <= maxVisibilityLevel() ? (
+                      <option key={vis} value={vis}>
+                        {vis}
+                      </option>
+                    ) : null,
+                  )}
                 </select>
               </div>
               <div>
@@ -1145,7 +1158,7 @@ export function RoutesPage() {
   const navigate = useNavigate();
   const config = useAppConfig();
   const packetsEnabled = config.features?.packets !== false;
-  const isAdmin = hasRole("admin");
+  const canManage = hasRole("admin") || hasRole("operator");
   usePageTitle("routes.title");
 
   const queryClient = useQueryClient();
@@ -1468,7 +1481,7 @@ export function RoutesPage() {
 
       {error && <ErrorAlert message={error} />}
 
-      {isAdmin && (
+      {canManage && (
         <div className="flex justify-end mb-4">
           <button
             className="btn btn-primary btn-sm"
@@ -1503,7 +1516,7 @@ export function RoutesPage() {
                 <RouteCard
                   key={r.id}
                   route={r}
-                  isAdmin={isAdmin}
+                  canManage={canManage}
                   packetsEnabled={packetsEnabled}
                   onEdit={() => openEditModal(r)}
                   onDelete={() => openDeleteModal(r)}

tests/test_api/test_cache.py

@@ -1552,7 +1552,7 @@ class TestMutationInvalidationIntegration:
                 "node_public_keys": [n1.public_key, n2.public_key],
                 "match_width": 2,
             },
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers={"X-User-Id": "test-admin", "X-User-Roles": "admin"},
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 201
         mock_cache.delete.assert_any_call("/api/v1/routes")
@@ -1585,7 +1585,7 @@ class TestMutationInvalidationIntegration:
         resp = client_no_auth.put(
             f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
             json={"from_label": "NewFrom", "to_label": "NewTo"},
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers={"X-User-Id": "test-admin", "X-User-Roles": "admin"},
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 200
         mock_cache.delete.assert_any_call("/api/v1/routes")
@@ -1614,7 +1614,7 @@ class TestMutationInvalidationIntegration:
         mock_cache = self._install_mock_cache(client_no_auth)
         resp = client_no_auth.delete(
             f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers={"X-User-Id": "test-admin", "X-User-Roles": "admin"},
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 204
         mock_cache.delete.assert_any_call("/api/v1/routes")
@@ -1782,7 +1782,10 @@ class TestMutationVisibilityThroughHttpCache:
         client_no_auth.app.state.redis_cache_ttl = 30
 
         # 1) Initial GET — populates cache and returns an ETag.
-        first = client_no_auth.get("/api/v1/routes", headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"})
+        first = client_no_auth.get(
+            "/api/v1/routes",
+            headers={"X-User-Id": "test-admin", "X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+        )
         assert first.status_code == 200
         assert first.headers["x-cache"] == "MISS"
         assert first.headers["cache-control"] == "private, no-cache"
@@ -1807,7 +1810,7 @@ class TestMutationVisibilityThroughHttpCache:
         mut = client_no_auth.put(
             f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
             json={"from_label": "NewOrigin", "to_label": "NewDest"},
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers={"X-User-Id": "test-admin", "X-User-Roles": "admin"},
         )
         assert mut.status_code == 200
         # Mutations are always no-store.

tests/test_api/test_routes.py

@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ from meshcore_hub.common.models import (
     RouteNode,
 )
 
+ADMIN_HEADERS = {"X-User-Id": "test-admin", "X-User-Roles": "admin"}
+OPERATOR_HEADERS = {"X-User-Id": "test-operator", "X-User-Roles": "operator"}
+MEMBER_HEADERS = {"X-User-Id": "test-member", "X-User-Roles": "member"}
+
 
 def _make_node(session, public_key: str, name: str | None = None) -> Node:
     node = Node(public_key=public_key, name=name, first_seen=datetime.now(timezone.utc))
@@ -91,7 +95,7 @@ class TestListRoutes:
         )
         api_db_session.commit()
 
-        resp = client_no_auth.get("/api/v1/routes", headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"})
+        resp = client_no_auth.get("/api/v1/routes", headers=ADMIN_HEADERS)
         assert resp.status_code == 200
         labels = [r["from_label"] for r in resp.json()["items"]]
         assert "Public" in labels
@@ -111,7 +115,7 @@ class TestCreateRoute:
                 "node_public_keys": [n.public_key for n in nodes],
                 "match_width": 1,
             },
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 201
         data = resp.json()
@@ -133,7 +137,7 @@ class TestCreateRoute:
                 "node_public_keys": [n.public_key for n in nodes],
                 "reversible": False,
             },
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 201
         assert resp.json()["reversible"] is False
@@ -150,7 +154,7 @@ class TestCreateRoute:
                 "to_label": "End",
                 "node_public_keys": [n.public_key for n in nodes],
             },
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 409
 
@@ -165,7 +169,7 @@ class TestCreateRoute:
                 "to_label": "B",
                 "node_public_keys": [node.public_key],
             },
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 422
 
@@ -180,7 +184,7 @@ class TestCreateRoute:
                 "to_label": "B",
                 "node_public_keys": [node.public_key, node.public_key],
             },
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 422
 
@@ -197,25 +201,40 @@ class TestCreateRoute:
                 "packet_count_threshold": 5,
                 "clear_threshold": 3,
             },
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 422
 
-    def test_non_admin_rejected(self, client_with_auth, api_db_session):
+    def test_member_rejected(self, client_no_auth, api_db_session):
         nodes = _sample_nodes(api_db_session)
         api_db_session.commit()
 
-        resp = client_with_auth.post(
+        resp = client_no_auth.post(
             "/api/v1/routes",
             json={
                 "from_label": "A",
                 "to_label": "B",
                 "node_public_keys": [n.public_key for n in nodes],
             },
-            headers={"Authorization": "Bearer test-read-key"},
+            headers=MEMBER_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 403
 
+    def test_no_identity_rejected(self, client_no_auth, api_db_session):
+        """A request without an X-User-Id identity cannot create routes."""
+        nodes = _sample_nodes(api_db_session)
+        api_db_session.commit()
+
+        resp = client_no_auth.post(
+            "/api/v1/routes",
+            json={
+                "from_label": "A",
+                "to_label": "B",
+                "node_public_keys": [n.public_key for n in nodes],
+            },
+        )
+        assert resp.status_code == 401
+
 
 class TestGetRouteDetail:
     def test_detail_shape(self, client_no_auth, api_db_session):
@@ -453,7 +472,7 @@ class TestRouteQualityAvg:
                 "to_label": "Route",
                 "node_public_keys": [n.public_key for n in nodes],
             },
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 201
         assert resp.json()["quality_avg"] is None
@@ -489,7 +508,7 @@ class TestRouteQualityAvg:
         resp = client_no_auth.put(
             f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
             json={"description": "now with description"},
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 200
         assert resp.json()["quality_avg"] == "failing"
@@ -515,7 +534,7 @@ class TestUpdateRoute:
         resp = client_no_auth.put(
             f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
             json={"from_label": "NewFrom", "to_label": "NewTo"},
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 200
         data = resp.json()
@@ -544,7 +563,7 @@ class TestUpdateRoute:
         resp = client_no_auth.put(
             f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
             json={"node_public_keys": [nodes[0].public_key, new_node.public_key]},
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 200
         data = resp.json()
@@ -606,7 +625,7 @@ class TestUpdateRoute:
         resp = client_no_auth.put(
             f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
             json={"packet_count_threshold": 3, "clear_threshold": 6},
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 200
         data = resp.json()
@@ -662,7 +681,7 @@ class TestUpdateRoute:
         resp = client_no_auth.put(
             f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
             json={"description": "still off"},
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 200
         assert (
@@ -678,14 +697,14 @@ class TestDeleteRoute:
 
         resp = client_no_auth.delete(
             f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 204
 
     def test_not_found(self, client_no_auth):
         resp = client_no_auth.delete(
             "/api/v1/routes/nonexistent",
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 404
 
@@ -812,7 +831,7 @@ class TestRouteHistory:
 
         resp = client_no_auth.get(
             f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}/history",
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 200
 
@@ -954,7 +973,7 @@ class TestUpdateRouteFields:
                 "enabled": False,
                 "reversible": False,
             },
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 200
         data = resp.json()
@@ -978,7 +997,7 @@ class TestUpdateRouteFields:
         resp = client_no_auth.put(
             f"/api/v1/routes/{other.id}",
             json={"from_label": "OldFrom", "to_label": "OldTo"},
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 409
 
@@ -990,7 +1009,7 @@ class TestUpdateRouteFields:
         resp = client_no_auth.put(
             f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
             json={"observer_public_keys": [obs.public_key]},
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 200
         data = resp.json()
@@ -1014,14 +1033,14 @@ class TestUpdateRouteFields:
         client_no_auth.put(
             f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
             json={"observer_public_keys": [obs.public_key]},
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
 
         # Clear with an explicit empty list.
         resp = client_no_auth.put(
             f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
             json={"observer_public_keys": []},
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 200
         assert resp.json()["route_observers"] == []
@@ -1029,7 +1048,7 @@ class TestUpdateRouteFields:
         # Confirm persistence via a fresh GET.
         detail = client_no_auth.get(
             f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         ).json()
         assert detail["route_observers"] == []
 
@@ -1042,7 +1061,7 @@ class TestUpdateRouteFields:
             json={
                 "node_public_keys": ["ff" + "0" * 62, "ee" + "0" * 62],
             },
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 400
 
@@ -1050,7 +1069,7 @@ class TestUpdateRouteFields:
         resp = client_no_auth.put(
             "/api/v1/routes/nonexistent",
             json={"description": "x"},
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 404
 
@@ -1081,7 +1100,7 @@ class TestGetRouteVisibility:
 
         resp = client_no_auth.get(
             f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 200
 
@@ -1132,7 +1151,7 @@ class TestCreateWithObservers:
                 "node_public_keys": [n.public_key for n in nodes],
                 "observer_public_keys": [obs.public_key],
             },
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 201
         data = resp.json()
@@ -1281,7 +1300,7 @@ class TestPrecomputedRecentMatches:
         resp = client_no_auth.put(
             f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
             json={"description": "trigger reeval"},
-            headers={"X-User-Roles": "admin"},
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
         )
         assert resp.status_code == 200
 
@@ -1297,3 +1316,147 @@ class TestPrecomputedRecentMatches:
         assert len(rows) == 1
         assert rows[0].first_position == 1
         assert rows[0].last_position == 2
+
+
+class TestRouteOperatorPermissions:
+    """Operators may manage routes but cannot scope above their own role."""
+
+    def test_operator_create_at_own_level(self, client_no_auth, api_db_session):
+        nodes = _sample_nodes(api_db_session)
+        api_db_session.commit()
+
+        resp = client_no_auth.post(
+            "/api/v1/routes",
+            json={
+                "from_label": "Op",
+                "to_label": "End",
+                "visibility": "operator",
+                "node_public_keys": [n.public_key for n in nodes],
+            },
+            headers=OPERATOR_HEADERS,
+        )
+        assert resp.status_code == 201
+        assert resp.json()["visibility"] == "operator"
+
+    def test_operator_create_below_level(self, client_no_auth, api_db_session):
+        nodes = _sample_nodes(api_db_session)
+        api_db_session.commit()
+
+        resp = client_no_auth.post(
+            "/api/v1/routes",
+            json={
+                "from_label": "Op",
+                "to_label": "End",
+                "visibility": "community",
+                "node_public_keys": [n.public_key for n in nodes],
+            },
+            headers=OPERATOR_HEADERS,
+        )
+        assert resp.status_code == 201
+
+    def test_operator_create_above_level_rejected(self, client_no_auth, api_db_session):
+        nodes = _sample_nodes(api_db_session)
+        api_db_session.commit()
+
+        resp = client_no_auth.post(
+            "/api/v1/routes",
+            json={
+                "from_label": "Op",
+                "to_label": "End",
+                "visibility": "admin",
+                "node_public_keys": [n.public_key for n in nodes],
+            },
+            headers=OPERATOR_HEADERS,
+        )
+        assert resp.status_code == 403
+
+    def test_admin_create_admin_visibility(self, client_no_auth, api_db_session):
+        """Admins can still set the highest visibility tier."""
+        nodes = _sample_nodes(api_db_session)
+        api_db_session.commit()
+
+        resp = client_no_auth.post(
+            "/api/v1/routes",
+            json={
+                "from_label": "Adm",
+                "to_label": "End",
+                "visibility": "admin",
+                "node_public_keys": [n.public_key for n in nodes],
+            },
+            headers=ADMIN_HEADERS,
+        )
+        assert resp.status_code == 201
+        assert resp.json()["visibility"] == "admin"
+
+    def test_operator_update_own_level(self, client_no_auth, api_db_session):
+        route = Route(from_label="Op", to_label="End", visibility="operator")
+        api_db_session.add(route)
+        api_db_session.commit()
+
+        resp = client_no_auth.put(
+            f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
+            json={"description": "edited by operator"},
+            headers=OPERATOR_HEADERS,
+        )
+        assert resp.status_code == 200
+        assert resp.json()["description"] == "edited by operator"
+
+    def test_operator_update_community_route(self, client_no_auth, api_db_session):
+        route = Route(from_label="Pub", to_label="End", visibility="community")
+        api_db_session.add(route)
+        api_db_session.commit()
+
+        resp = client_no_auth.put(
+            f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
+            json={"description": "edited"},
+            headers=OPERATOR_HEADERS,
+        )
+        assert resp.status_code == 200
+
+    def test_operator_update_admin_route_404(self, client_no_auth, api_db_session):
+        route = Route(from_label="Secret", to_label="End", visibility="admin")
+        api_db_session.add(route)
+        api_db_session.commit()
+
+        resp = client_no_auth.put(
+            f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
+            json={"description": "attempt"},
+            headers=OPERATOR_HEADERS,
+        )
+        assert resp.status_code == 404
+
+    def test_operator_escalate_visibility_rejected(
+        self, client_no_auth, api_db_session
+    ):
+        route = Route(from_label="Op", to_label="End", visibility="operator")
+        api_db_session.add(route)
+        api_db_session.commit()
+
+        resp = client_no_auth.put(
+            f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
+            json={"visibility": "admin"},
+            headers=OPERATOR_HEADERS,
+        )
+        assert resp.status_code == 403
+
+    def test_operator_delete_own_level(self, client_no_auth, api_db_session):
+        route = Route(from_label="Op", to_label="End", visibility="operator")
+        api_db_session.add(route)
+        api_db_session.commit()
+
+        resp = client_no_auth.delete(
+            f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
+            headers=OPERATOR_HEADERS,
+        )
+        assert resp.status_code == 204
+
+    def test_operator_delete_admin_route_404(self, client_no_auth, api_db_session):
+        route = Route(from_label="Secret", to_label="End", visibility="admin")
+        api_db_session.add(route)
+        api_db_session.commit()
+
+        resp = client_no_auth.delete(
+            f"/api/v1/routes/{route.id}",
+            headers=OPERATOR_HEADERS,
+        )
+        assert resp.status_code == 404

tests/test_web/test_app.py

@@ -293,6 +293,30 @@ class TestCheckApiAccess:
             "v1/packet-groups/abc123", "GET", False, frozenset(), mapping=mapping
         )
 
+    def test_built_mapping_admits_operator_for_routes(self) -> None:
+        """Operators (not just admins) may create/update/delete routes."""
+        mapping = _build_endpoint_access(role_admin="admin")
+        operator = frozenset({"operator"})
+        # Collection POST (create) + item PUT/DELETE (prefix-matched).
+        assert check_api_access(
+            "v1/routes", "POST", True, operator, user_id="op-1", mapping=mapping
+        )
+        assert check_api_access(
+            "v1/routes/abc", "PUT", True, operator, user_id="op-1", mapping=mapping
+        )
+        assert check_api_access(
+            "v1/routes/abc", "DELETE", True, operator, user_id="op-1", mapping=mapping
+        )
+        # Members are still denied route writes.
+        assert not check_api_access(
+            "v1/routes",
+            "POST",
+            True,
+            frozenset({"member"}),
+            user_id="m-1",
+            mapping=mapping,
+        )
+
 
 class TestRadioConfigSettingsFallback:
     """Tests that radio config falls back to settings when params are None."""