diff --git a/app/packet_processor.py b/app/packet_processor.py
index 5595ea7..753c247 100644
--- a/app/packet_processor.py
+++ b/app/packet_processor.py
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ async def create_message_from_decrypted(
     received_at: int | None = None,
     path: str | None = None,
     channel_name: str | None = None,
-    trigger_bot: bool = True,
+    realtime: bool = True,
 ) -> int | None:
     """Create a message record from decrypted channel packet content.
 
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ async def create_message_from_decrypted(
         timestamp: Sender timestamp from the packet
         received_at: When the packet was received (defaults to now)
         path: Hex-encoded routing path
-        trigger_bot: Whether to trigger bot response (False for historical decryption)
+        realtime: If False, skip fanout dispatch (used for historical decryption)
 
     Returns the message ID if created, None if duplicate.
     """
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ async def create_message_from_decrypted(
             sender_key=resolved_sender_key,
             channel_name=channel_name,
         ).model_dump(),
-        realtime=trigger_bot,
+        realtime=realtime,
     )
 
     return msg_id
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ async def create_dm_message_from_decrypted(
     received_at: int | None = None,
     path: str | None = None,
     outgoing: bool = False,
-    trigger_bot: bool = True,
+    realtime: bool = True,
 ) -> int | None:
     """Create a message record from decrypted direct message packet content.
 
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ async def create_dm_message_from_decrypted(
         received_at: When the packet was received (defaults to now)
         path: Hex-encoded routing path
         outgoing: Whether this is an outgoing message (we sent it)
-        trigger_bot: Whether to trigger bot response (False for historical decryption)
+        realtime: If False, skip fanout dispatch (used for historical decryption)
 
     Returns the message ID if created, None if duplicate.
     """
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ async def create_dm_message_from_decrypted(
             sender_name=sender_name,
             sender_key=conversation_key if not outgoing else None,
         ).model_dump(),
-        realtime=trigger_bot,
+        realtime=realtime,
     )
 
     # Update contact's last_contacted timestamp (for sorting)
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@ async def run_historical_dm_decryption(
                 received_at=packet_timestamp,
                 path=path_hex,
                 outgoing=outgoing,
-                trigger_bot=False,  # Historical decryption should not trigger bot
+                realtime=False,  # Historical decryption should not trigger fanout
             )
 
             if msg_id is not None:
diff --git a/app/routers/packets.py b/app/routers/packets.py
index 734e878..b08754b 100644
--- a/app/routers/packets.py
+++ b/app/routers/packets.py
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ async def _run_historical_channel_decryption(
                 timestamp=result.timestamp,
                 received_at=packet_timestamp,
                 path=path_hex,
-                trigger_bot=False,  # Historical decryption should not trigger bot
+                realtime=False,  # Historical decryption should not trigger fanout
             )
 
             if msg_id is not None:
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/settings/SettingsFanoutSection.tsx b/frontend/src/components/settings/SettingsFanoutSection.tsx
index 0925ede..4c2c137 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/settings/SettingsFanoutSection.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/settings/SettingsFanoutSection.tsx
@@ -481,11 +481,8 @@ function ScopeSelector({
       selectedContacts.length >= filteredContacts.length);
   const showEmptyScopeWarning = messagesEffectivelyNone && !rawEnabled;
 
-  // For "except" mode, checked means the item is in the exclusion list (will be excluded)
-  const isChannelChecked = (key: string) =>
-    mode === 'except' ? selectedChannels.includes(key) : selectedChannels.includes(key);
-  const isContactChecked = (key: string) =>
-    mode === 'except' ? selectedContacts.includes(key) : selectedContacts.includes(key);
+  const isChannelChecked = (key: string) => selectedChannels.includes(key);
+  const isContactChecked = (key: string) => selectedContacts.includes(key);
 
   const listHint =
     mode === 'only'
diff --git a/tests/test_packet_pipeline.py b/tests/test_packet_pipeline.py
index af1a375..e351e9a 100644
--- a/tests/test_packet_pipeline.py
+++ b/tests/test_packet_pipeline.py
@@ -1852,8 +1852,8 @@ class TestRunHistoricalDmDecryption:
         assert len(messages) == 0
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
-    async def test_sets_trigger_bot_false(self, test_db, captured_broadcasts):
-        """Historical decryption calls create_dm_message_from_decrypted with trigger_bot=False."""
+    async def test_sets_realtime_false(self, test_db, captured_broadcasts):
+        """Historical decryption calls create_dm_message_from_decrypted with realtime=False."""
         from app.packet_processor import run_historical_dm_decryption
 
         raw = self._make_text_message_bytes(b"\x20")
@@ -1891,7 +1891,7 @@ class TestRunHistoricalDmDecryption:
 
         mock_create.assert_awaited_once()
         call_kwargs = mock_create.call_args[1]
-        assert call_kwargs["trigger_bot"] is False
+        assert call_kwargs["realtime"] is False
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_broadcasts_success_when_decrypted(self, test_db, captured_broadcasts):