Fix migration to not import historical advert path

Also add pending ack tracking

.gitattributes

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+frontend/prebuilt/** -diff

.github/workflows/all-quality.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+name: All Quality
+
+on:
+  push:
+  pull_request:
+
+jobs:
+  backend-checks:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 45
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Check out repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
+
+      - name: Set up Python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v6
+        with:
+          python-version: "3.12"
+
+      - name: Set up uv
+        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v7
+        with:
+          enable-cache: true
+
+      - name: Install backend dependencies
+        run: uv sync --dev
+
+      - name: Backend lint
+        run: uv run ruff check app/ tests/
+
+      - name: Backend format check
+        run: uv run ruff format --check app/ tests/
+
+      - name: Backend typecheck
+        run: uv run pyright app/
+
+      - name: Backend tests
+        run: PYTHONPATH=. uv run pytest tests/ -v
+
+  frontend-checks:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 45
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Check out repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
+
+      - name: Set up Node.js
+        uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+        with:
+          node-version: "22"
+          cache: npm
+          cache-dependency-path: frontend/package-lock.json
+
+      - name: Install frontend dependencies
+        run: npm ci
+        working-directory: frontend
+
+      - name: Frontend lint
+        run: npm run lint
+        working-directory: frontend
+
+      - name: Frontend format check
+        run: npm run format:check
+        working-directory: frontend
+
+      - name: Frontend tests
+        run: npm run test:run
+        working-directory: frontend
+
+      - name: Frontend build
+        run: npm run build
+        working-directory: frontend

.gitignore

@@ -8,13 +8,16 @@ wheels/
 # Virtual environments
 .venv
 frontend/node_modules/
-frontend/package-lock.json
 frontend/test-results/
 
 # Frontend build output (built from source by end users)
 frontend/dist/
+frontend/prebuilt/
 frontend/.eslintcache
 
+# Release artifacts
+remoteterm-prebuilt-frontend-v*.zip
+
 # reference libraries
 references/
 

AGENTS.md

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ If instructed to "run all tests" or "get ready for a commit" or other summative,
 ./scripts/all_quality.sh
 ```
 
-This runs all linting, formatting, type checking, tests, and builds for both backend and frontend sequentially. All checks must pass green.
+This is the repo's end-to-end quality gate. It runs backend/frontend autofixers first, then type checking, tests, and the standard frontend build. All checks must pass green, and the script may leave formatting/lint edits behind.
 
 ## Overview
 
@@ -21,35 +21,37 @@ A web interface for MeshCore mesh radio networks. The backend connects to a Mesh
 - `frontend/AGENTS.md` - Frontend (React, state management, WebSocket, components)
 
 Ancillary AGENTS.md files which should generally not be reviewed unless specific work is being performed on those features include:
-- `app/fanout/AGENTS_fanout.md` - Fanout bus architecture (MQTT, bots, webhooks, Apprise)
-- `frontend/src/components/AGENTS_packet_visualizer.md` - Packet visualizer (force-directed graph, advert-path identity, layout engine)
+- `app/fanout/AGENTS_fanout.md` - Fanout bus architecture (MQTT, bots, webhooks, Apprise, SQS)
+- `frontend/src/components/visualizer/AGENTS_packet_visualizer.md` - Packet visualizer (force-directed graph, advert-path identity, layout engine)
 
 ## Architecture Overview
 
 ```
 ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
-│                         Frontend (React)                         │
+│                         Frontend (React)                        │
 │  ┌──────────┐  ┌──────────┐  ┌──────────┐  ┌──────────────────┐ │
 │  │ StatusBar│  │ Sidebar  │  │MessageList│  │  MessageInput   │ │
 │  └──────────┘  └──────────┘  └──────────┘  └──────────────────┘ │
 │  ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
 │  │      CrackerPanel (global collapsible, WebGPU cracking)    │ │
 │  └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
-│                           │                                      │
-│                    useWebSocket ←──── Real-time updates          │
-│                           │                                      │
-│                      api.ts ←──── REST API calls                 │
-└───────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────┘
+│                           │                                     │
+│                    useWebSocket ←──── Real-time updates         │
+│                           │                                     │
+│                      api.ts ←──── REST API calls                │
+└───────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────┘
                             │ HTTP + WebSocket (/api/*)
 ┌───────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────┐
 │                      Backend (FastAPI)                           │
-│  ┌──────────┐  ┌──────────────┐  ┌────────────┐  ┌───────────┐  │
-│  │ Routers  │→ │ Repositories │→ │  SQLite DB │  │ WebSocket │  │
-│  └──────────┘  └──────────────┘  └────────────┘  │  Manager  │  │
-│        ↓                                          └───────────┘  │
-│  ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐   │
-│  │              RadioManager + Event Handlers               │   │
-│  └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘   │
+│  ┌──────────┐  ┌──────────┐  ┌──────────────┐  ┌────────────┐    │
+│  │ Routers  │→ │ Services │→ │ Repositories │→ │  SQLite DB │    │
+│  └──────────┘  └──────────┘  └──────────────┘  └────────────┘    │
+│        ↓                         │                ┌───────────┐  │
+│  ┌──────────────────────────┐    └──────────────→ │ WebSocket │  │
+│  │ Radio runtime seam +     │                     │  Manager  │  │
+│  │ RadioManager lifecycle   │                     └───────────┘  │
+│  │ / event adapters         │                                    │
+│  └──────────────────────────┘                                    │
 └───────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────┘
                             │ Serial / TCP / BLE
                      ┌──────┴──────┐
@@ -75,13 +77,15 @@ Ancillary AGENTS.md files which should generally not be reviewed unless specific
 - Raw packet feed — a debug/observation tool ("radio aquarium"); interesting to watch or copy packets from, but not critical infrastructure
 - Map view — visual display of node locations from advertisements
 - Network visualizer — force-directed graph of mesh topology
-- Fanout integrations (MQTT, bots, webhooks, Apprise) — see `app/fanout/AGENTS_fanout.md`
+- Fanout integrations (MQTT, bots, webhooks, Apprise, SQS) — see `app/fanout/AGENTS_fanout.md`
 - Read state tracking / mark-all-read — convenience feature for unread badges; no need for transactional atomicity or race-condition hardening
 
 ## Error Handling Philosophy
 
 **Background tasks** (WebSocket broadcasts, periodic sync, contact auto-loading, etc.) use fire-and-forget `asyncio.create_task`. Exceptions in these tasks are logged to the backend logs, which is sufficient for debugging. There is no need to track task references or add done-callbacks purely for error visibility. If there's a convenient way to bubble an error to the frontend (e.g., via `broadcast_error` for user-actionable problems), do so, but this is minor and best-effort.
 
+Radio startup/setup is one place where that frontend bubbling is intentional: if post-connect setup hangs past its timeout, the backend both logs the failure and pushes a toast instructing the operator to reboot the radio and restart the server.
+
 ## Key Design Principles
 
 1. **Store-and-serve**: Backend stores all packets even when no client is connected
@@ -91,12 +95,21 @@ Ancillary AGENTS.md files which should generally not be reviewed unless specific
 5. **Offline-capable**: Radio operates independently; server syncs when connected
 6. **Auto-reconnect**: Background monitor detects disconnection and attempts reconnection
 
+## Code Ethos
+
+- Prefer fewer, stronger modules over many tiny wrapper files.
+- Split code only when the new module owns a real invariant, workflow, or contract.
+- Avoid "enterprise" indirection layers whose main job is forwarding, renaming, or prop bundling.
+- For this repo, "locally dense but semantically obvious" is better than context scattered across many files.
+- Use typed contracts at important boundaries such as API payloads, WebSocket events, and repository writes.
+- Refactors should be behavior-preserving slices with tests around the moved seam, not aesthetic reshuffles.
+
 ## Intentional Security Design Decisions
 
 The following are **deliberate design choices**, not bugs. They are documented in the README with appropriate warnings. Do not "fix" these or flag them as vulnerabilities.
 
 1. **No CORS restrictions**: The backend allows all origins (`allow_origins=["*"]`). This lets users access their radio from any device/origin on their network without configuration hassle.
-2. **No authentication or authorization**: There is no login, no API keys, no session management. The app is designed for trusted networks (home LAN, VPN). The README warns users not to expose it to untrusted networks.
+2. **Minimal optional access control only**: The app has no user accounts, sessions, authorization model, or per-feature permissions. Operators may optionally set `MESHCORE_BASIC_AUTH_USERNAME` and `MESHCORE_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD` for app-wide HTTP Basic auth, but this is only a coarse gate and still requires HTTPS plus a trusted network posture.
 3. **Arbitrary bot code execution**: The bot system (`app/fanout/bot_exec.py`) executes user-provided Python via `exec()` with full `__builtins__`. This is intentional — bots are a power-user feature for automation. The README explicitly warns that anyone on the network can execute arbitrary code through this. Operators can set `MESHCORE_DISABLE_BOTS=true` to completely disable the bot system at startup — this skips all bot execution, returns 403 on bot settings updates, and shows a disabled message in the frontend.
 
 ## Intentional Packet Handling Decision
@@ -107,6 +120,8 @@ Raw packet handling uses two identities by design:
 
 Frontend packet-feed consumers should treat `observation_id` as the dedup/render key, while `id` remains the storage reference.
 
+Channel metadata updates may also fan out as `channel` WebSocket events (full `Channel` payload) so clients can reflect local-only channel state such as regional flood-scope overrides without a full refetch.
+
 ## Contact Advert Path Memory
 
 To improve repeater disambiguation in the network visualizer, the backend stores recent unique advertisement paths per contact in a dedicated table (`contact_advert_paths`).
@@ -114,7 +129,7 @@ To improve repeater disambiguation in the network visualizer, the backend stores
 - This is independent of raw-packet payload deduplication.
 - Paths are keyed per contact + path + hop count, with `heard_count`, `first_seen`, and `last_seen`.
 - Only the N most recent unique paths are retained per contact (currently 10).
-- See `frontend/src/components/AGENTS_packet_visualizer.md` § "Advert-Path Identity Hints" for how the visualizer consumes this data.
+- See `frontend/src/components/visualizer/AGENTS_packet_visualizer.md` § "Advert-Path Identity Hints" for how the visualizer consumes this data.
 
 ## Path Hash Modes
 
@@ -123,7 +138,12 @@ MeshCore firmware can encode path hops as 1-byte, 2-byte, or 3-byte identifiers.
 - `path_hash_mode` values are `0` = 1-byte, `1` = 2-byte, `2` = 3-byte.
 - `GET /api/radio/config` exposes both the current `path_hash_mode` and `path_hash_mode_supported`.
 - `PATCH /api/radio/config` may update `path_hash_mode` only when the connected firmware supports it.
-- Contacts persist `out_path_hash_mode` separately from `last_path` so contact sync and DM send paths can round-trip correctly even when hop bytes are ambiguous.
+- Contact routing now uses canonical route fields: `direct_path`, `direct_path_len`, `direct_path_hash_mode`, plus optional `route_override_*`.
+- The contact/API surface also exposes backend-computed `effective_route`, `effective_route_source`, `direct_route`, and `route_override` so send logic and UI do not reimplement precedence rules independently.
+- Legacy `last_path`, `last_path_len`, and `out_path_hash_mode` are no longer part of the contact model or API contract.
+- Route precedence for direct-message sends is: explicit override, then learned direct route, then flood.
+- The learned direct route is sourced from radio contact sync (`out_path`) and PATH/path-discovery updates, matching how firmware updates `ContactInfo.out_path`.
+- Advertisement paths are informational only. They are retained in `contact_advert_paths` for the contact pane and visualizer, but they are not used as DM send routes.
 - `path_len` in API payloads is always hop count, not byte count. The actual path byte length is `hop_count * hash_size`.
 
 ## Data Flow
@@ -139,14 +159,25 @@ MeshCore firmware can encode path hops as 1-byte, 2-byte, or 3-byte identifiers.
 
 1. User types message → clicks send
 2. `api.sendChannelMessage()` → POST to backend
-3. Backend calls `radio_manager.meshcore.commands.send_chan_msg()`
+3. Backend route delegates to service-layer send orchestration, which acquires the radio lock and calls MeshCore commands
 4. Message stored in database with `outgoing=true`
 5. For direct messages: ACK tracked; for channel: repeat detection
 
+Direct-message send behavior intentionally mirrors the firmware/library `send_msg_with_retry(...)` flow:
+- We push the contact's effective route to the radio via `add_contact(...)` before sending.
+- Non-final attempts use the effective route (`override > direct > flood`).
+- Retry timing follows the radio's `suggested_timeout`.
+- The final retry is sent as flood by resetting the path on the radio first, even if an override or direct route exists.
+- Path math is always hop-count based; hop bytes are interpreted using the stored `path_hash_mode`.
+
 ### ACK and Repeat Detection
 
 **Direct messages**: Expected ACK code is tracked. When ACK event arrives, message marked as acked.
 
+Outgoing DMs send once immediately, then may retry up to 2 more times in the background if still unacked. Retry timing follows the radio's `suggested_timeout` from `PACKET_MSG_SENT`, and the final retry is sent as flood even when a routing override is configured. DM ACK state is terminal on first ACK: sibling retry ACK codes are cleared so one DM should not accumulate multiple delivery confirmations from different retry attempts.
+
+ACKs are not a contact-route source. They drive message delivery state and may appear in analytics/detail surfaces, but they do not update `direct_path*` or otherwise influence route selection for future sends.
+
 **Channel messages**: Flood messages echo back through repeaters. Repeats are identified by the database UNIQUE constraint on `(type, conversation_key, text, sender_timestamp)` — when an INSERT hits a duplicate, `_handle_duplicate_message()` in `packet_processor.py` adds the new path and, for outgoing messages only, increments the ack count. Incoming repeats add path data but do not change the ack count. There is no timestamp-windowed matching; deduplication is exact-match only.
 
 This message-layer echo/path handling is independent of raw-packet storage deduplication.
@@ -159,16 +190,17 @@ This message-layer echo/path handling is independent of raw-packet storage dedup
 │   ├── AGENTS.md           # Backend documentation
 │   ├── main.py             # App entry, lifespan
 │   ├── routers/            # API endpoints
+│   ├── services/           # Shared backend orchestration/domain services, including radio_runtime access seam
 │   ├── packet_processor.py # Raw packet pipeline, dedup, path handling
 │   ├── repository/         # Database CRUD (contacts, channels, messages, raw_packets, settings, fanout)
 │   ├── event_handlers.py   # Radio events
 │   ├── decoder.py          # Packet decryption
 │   ├── websocket.py        # Real-time broadcasts
-│   └── fanout/             # Fanout bus: MQTT, bots, webhooks, Apprise (see fanout/AGENTS_fanout.md)
+│   └── fanout/             # Fanout bus: MQTT, bots, webhooks, Apprise, SQS (see fanout/AGENTS_fanout.md)
 ├── frontend/               # React frontend
 │   ├── AGENTS.md           # Frontend documentation
 │   ├── src/
-│   │   ├── App.tsx         # Main component
+│   │   ├── App.tsx         # Frontend composition entry (hooks → AppShell)
 │   │   ├── api.ts          # REST client
 │   │   ├── useWebSocket.ts # WebSocket hook
 │   │   └── components/
@@ -176,12 +208,13 @@ This message-layer echo/path handling is independent of raw-packet storage dedup
 │   │       ├── MapView.tsx       # Leaflet map showing node locations
 │   │       └── ...
 │   └── vite.config.ts
-├── scripts/
-│   ├── all_quality.sh      # Run all lint, format, typecheck, tests, build (sequential)
+├── scripts/                # Quality / release helpers (listing below is representative, not exhaustive)
+│   ├── all_quality.sh      # Repo-standard autofix + validate gate
 │   ├── collect_licenses.sh # Gather third-party license attributions
 │   ├── e2e.sh              # End-to-end test runner
 │   └── publish.sh          # Version bump, changelog, docker build & push
-├── remoteterm.service      # Systemd unit file for production deployment
+├── README_ADVANCED.md      # Advanced setup, troubleshooting, and service guidance
+├── CONTRIBUTING.md         # Contributor workflow and testing guidance
 ├── tests/                  # Backend tests (pytest)
 ├── data/                   # SQLite database (runtime)
 └── pyproject.toml          # Python dependencies
@@ -226,7 +259,7 @@ uv run uvicorn app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000
 
 Access at `http://localhost:8000`. All API routes are prefixed with `/api`.
 
-If `frontend/dist` (or `frontend/dist/index.html`) is missing, backend startup now logs an explicit error and continues serving API routes. In that case, frontend static routes are not mounted until a frontend build is present.
+If `frontend/dist` is missing, the backend falls back to `frontend/prebuilt` when present (for example from the release zip artifact). If neither build directory is available, startup logs an explicit error and continues serving API routes without frontend static routes mounted.
 
 ## Testing
 
@@ -247,6 +280,8 @@ Key test files:
 - `tests/test_messages_search.py` - Message search, around endpoint, forward pagination
 - `tests/test_rx_log_data.py` - on_rx_log_data event handler integration
 - `tests/test_ack_tracking_wiring.py` - DM ACK tracking extraction and wiring
+- `tests/test_radio_lifecycle_service.py` - Radio reconnect/setup orchestration helpers
+- `tests/test_radio_commands_service.py` - Radio config/private-key service workflows
 - `tests/test_health_mqtt_status.py` - Health endpoint MQTT status field
 - `tests/test_community_mqtt.py` - Community MQTT publisher (JWT, packet format, hash, broadcast)
 - `tests/test_radio_sync.py` - Radio sync, periodic tasks, and contact offload back to the radio
@@ -262,7 +297,7 @@ npm run test:run
 
 ### Before Completing Changes
 
-**Always run `./scripts/all_quality.sh` before finishing any changes that have modified code or tests.** This runs all linting, formatting, type checking, tests, and builds sequentially, catching type mismatches, breaking changes, and compilation errors. This is not necessary for docs-only changes.
+**Always run `./scripts/all_quality.sh` before finishing any changes that have modified code or tests.** It is the standard repo gate: autofix first, then type checks, tests, and the standard frontend build. This is not necessary for docs-only changes.
 
 ## API Summary
 
@@ -271,41 +306,39 @@ All endpoints are prefixed with `/api` (e.g., `/api/health`).
 | Method | Endpoint | Description |
 |--------|----------|-------------|
 | GET | `/api/health` | Connection status, fanout statuses, bots_disabled flag |
-| GET | `/api/radio/config` | Radio configuration, including `path_hash_mode` and `path_hash_mode_supported` |
-| PATCH | `/api/radio/config` | Update name, location, radio params, and `path_hash_mode` when supported |
+| GET | `/api/debug` | Support snapshot: recent logs, live radio probe, contact/channel drift audit, and running version/git info |
+| GET | `/api/radio/config` | Radio configuration, including `path_hash_mode`, `path_hash_mode_supported`, and whether adverts include current node location |
+| PATCH | `/api/radio/config` | Update name, location, advert-location on/off, radio params, and `path_hash_mode` when supported |
 | PUT | `/api/radio/private-key` | Import private key to radio |
-| POST | `/api/radio/advertise` | Send advertisement |
+| POST | `/api/radio/advertise` | Send advertisement (`mode`: `flood` or `zero_hop`, default `flood`) |
+| POST | `/api/radio/discover` | Run a short mesh discovery sweep for nearby repeaters/sensors |
 | POST | `/api/radio/reboot` | Reboot radio or reconnect if disconnected |
+| POST | `/api/radio/disconnect` | Disconnect from radio and pause automatic reconnect attempts |
 | POST | `/api/radio/reconnect` | Manual radio reconnection |
 | GET | `/api/contacts` | List contacts |
+| GET | `/api/contacts/analytics` | Unified keyed-or-name contact analytics payload |
 | GET | `/api/contacts/repeaters/advert-paths` | List recent unique advert paths for all contacts |
-| GET | `/api/contacts/{public_key}` | Get contact by public key or prefix |
-| GET | `/api/contacts/{public_key}/detail` | Comprehensive contact profile (stats, name history, paths) |
-| GET | `/api/contacts/{public_key}/advert-paths` | List recent unique advert paths for a contact |
 | POST | `/api/contacts` | Create contact (optionally trigger historical DM decrypt) |
 | DELETE | `/api/contacts/{public_key}` | Delete contact |
-| POST | `/api/contacts/sync` | Pull from radio |
-| POST | `/api/contacts/{public_key}/add-to-radio` | Push contact to radio |
-| POST | `/api/contacts/{public_key}/remove-from-radio` | Remove contact from radio |
 | POST | `/api/contacts/{public_key}/mark-read` | Mark contact conversation as read |
 | POST | `/api/contacts/{public_key}/command` | Send CLI command to repeater |
-| POST | `/api/contacts/{public_key}/reset-path` | Reset contact path to flood |
+| POST | `/api/contacts/{public_key}/routing-override` | Set or clear a forced routing override |
 | POST | `/api/contacts/{public_key}/trace` | Trace route to contact |
 | POST | `/api/contacts/{public_key}/repeater/login` | Log in to a repeater |
 | POST | `/api/contacts/{public_key}/repeater/status` | Fetch repeater status telemetry |
 | POST | `/api/contacts/{public_key}/repeater/lpp-telemetry` | Fetch CayenneLPP sensor data |
 | POST | `/api/contacts/{public_key}/repeater/neighbors` | Fetch repeater neighbors |
 | POST | `/api/contacts/{public_key}/repeater/acl` | Fetch repeater ACL |
-| POST | `/api/contacts/{public_key}/repeater/radio-settings` | Fetch radio settings via CLI |
+| POST | `/api/contacts/{public_key}/repeater/node-info` | Fetch repeater name, location, and clock via CLI |
+| POST | `/api/contacts/{public_key}/repeater/radio-settings` | Fetch repeater radio config via CLI |
 | POST | `/api/contacts/{public_key}/repeater/advert-intervals` | Fetch advert intervals |
 | POST | `/api/contacts/{public_key}/repeater/owner-info` | Fetch owner info |
 
 | GET | `/api/channels` | List channels |
 | GET | `/api/channels/{key}/detail` | Comprehensive channel profile (message stats, top senders) |
-| GET | `/api/channels/{key}` | Get channel by key |
 | POST | `/api/channels` | Create channel |
 | DELETE | `/api/channels/{key}` | Delete channel |
-| POST | `/api/channels/sync` | Pull from radio |
+| POST | `/api/channels/{key}/flood-scope-override` | Set or clear a per-channel regional flood-scope override |
 | POST | `/api/channels/{key}/mark-read` | Mark channel as read |
 | GET | `/api/messages` | List with filters (`q`, `after`/`after_id` for forward pagination) |
 | GET | `/api/messages/around/{id}` | Get messages around a specific message (for jump-to-message) |
@@ -351,6 +384,7 @@ All endpoints are prefixed with `/api` (e.g., `/api/health`).
 - Stored as 32-character hex string (TEXT PRIMARY KEY)
 - Hashtag channels: `SHA256("#name")[:16]` converted to hex
 - Custom channels: User-provided or generated
+- Channels may also persist `flood_scope_override`; when set, channel sends temporarily switch the radio flood scope to that value for the duration of the send, then restore the global app setting.
 
 ### Message Types
 
@@ -372,7 +406,7 @@ Read state (`last_read_at`) is tracked **server-side** for consistency across de
 
 **Note:** These are NOT the same as `Message.conversation_key` (the database field).
 
-### Fanout Bus (MQTT, Bots, Webhooks, Apprise)
+### Fanout Bus (MQTT, Bots, Webhooks, Apprise, SQS)
 
 All external integrations are managed through the fanout bus (`app/fanout/`). Each integration is a `FanoutModule` with scope-based event filtering, stored in the `fanout_configs` table and managed via `GET/POST/PATCH/DELETE /api/fanout`.
 
@@ -421,8 +455,12 @@ mc.subscribe(EventType.ACK, handler)
 | `MESHCORE_LOG_LEVEL` | `INFO` | Logging level (`DEBUG`/`INFO`/`WARNING`/`ERROR`) |
 | `MESHCORE_DATABASE_PATH` | `data/meshcore.db` | SQLite database location |
 | `MESHCORE_DISABLE_BOTS` | `false` | Disable bot system entirely (blocks execution and config) |
+| `MESHCORE_BASIC_AUTH_USERNAME` | *(none)* | Optional app-wide HTTP Basic auth username; must be set together with `MESHCORE_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD` |
+| `MESHCORE_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD` | *(none)* | Optional app-wide HTTP Basic auth password; must be set together with `MESHCORE_BASIC_AUTH_USERNAME` |
+| `MESHCORE_ENABLE_MESSAGE_POLL_FALLBACK` | `false` | Switch the always-on radio audit task from hourly checks to aggressive 10-second polling; the audit checks both missed message drift and channel-slot cache drift |
+| `MESHCORE_FORCE_CHANNEL_SLOT_RECONFIGURE` | `false` | Disable channel-slot reuse and force `set_channel(...)` before every channel send, even on serial/BLE |
 
-**Note:** Runtime app settings are stored in the database (`app_settings` table), not environment variables. These include `max_radio_contacts`, `auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert`, `sidebar_sort_order`, `advert_interval`, `last_advert_time`, `favorites`, `last_message_times`, `flood_scope`, `blocked_keys`, and `blocked_names`. They are configured via `GET/PATCH /api/settings`. MQTT, bot, webhook, and Apprise configs are stored in the `fanout_configs` table, managed via `/api/fanout`.
+**Note:** Runtime app settings are stored in the database (`app_settings` table), not environment variables. These include `max_radio_contacts`, `auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert`, `sidebar_sort_order`, `advert_interval`, `last_advert_time`, `favorites`, `last_message_times`, `flood_scope`, `blocked_keys`, and `blocked_names`. `max_radio_contacts` is the configured radio contact capacity baseline used by background maintenance: favorites reload first, non-favorite fill targets about 80% of that value, and full offload/reload triggers around 95% occupancy. They are configured via `GET/PATCH /api/settings`. The backend still carries `sidebar_sort_order` for compatibility and migration, but the current frontend sidebar stores sort order per section (`Channels`, `Contacts`, `Repeaters`) in localStorage rather than treating it as one shared server-backed preference. MQTT, bot, webhook, Apprise, and SQS configs are stored in the `fanout_configs` table, managed via `/api/fanout`. If the radio's channel slots appear unstable or another client is mutating them underneath this app, operators can force the old always-reconfigure send path with `MESHCORE_FORCE_CHANNEL_SLOT_RECONFIGURE=true`.
 
 Byte-perfect channel retries are user-triggered via `POST /api/messages/channel/{message_id}/resend` and are allowed for 30 seconds after the original send.
 
@@ -435,3 +473,9 @@ Byte-perfect channel retries are user-triggered via `POST /api/messages/channel/
 The vendored MeshCore Python reader's `LOG_DATA` advert path assumes the decoded advert payload always contains at least 101 bytes of advert body and reads the flags byte with `pk_buf.read(1)[0]` without a length guard. If a malformed or truncated RF log frame slips through, `MessageReader.handle_rx()` can fail with `IndexError: index out of range` from `meshcore/reader.py` while parsing payload type `0x04` (advert).
 
 This does not indicate database corruption or a message-store bug. It is a parser-hardening gap in `meshcore_py`: the reader does not fully mirror firmware-side packet/path validation before attempting advert decode. The practical effect is usually a one-off asyncio task failure for that packet while later packets continue processing normally.
+
+### Channel-message dedup intentionally treats same-name/same-text/same-second channel sends as indistinguishable because they are
+
+Channel message storage deduplicates on `(type, conversation_key, text, sender_timestamp)`. Reviewers often flag this as "missing sender identity," but for channel messages the stored `text` already includes the displayed sender label (for example `Alice: hello`). That means two different users only collide when they produce the same rendered sender name, the same body text, and the same sender timestamp.
+
+In that case, RemoteTerm usually does not have enough information to distinguish "two independent same-name sends" from "one message observed again as an echo/repeat." Without a reliable sender identity at ingest, treating those packets as the same message is an accepted limitation of the observable data model, not an obvious correctness bug.

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,3 +1,104 @@
+## [3.4.1] - 2026-03-16
+
+Bugfix: Improve handling of version information on prebuilt bundles
+Bugfix: Improve frontend usability on disconnected radio
+Misc: Docs and readme updates
+Misc: Overhaul DM ingest and frontend state handling
+
+## [3.4.0] - 2026-03-16
+
+Feature: Add radio model and stats display
+Feature: Add prebuilt frontends, then deleted that and moved to prebuilt release artifacts
+Bugfix: Misc. frontend performance and correctness fixes
+Bugfix: Fix same-second same-content DM send collition
+Bugfix: Discard clearly-wrong GPS data
+Bugfix: Prevent repeater clock skew drift on page nav
+Misc: Use repeater's advertised location if we haven't loaded one from repeater admin
+Misc: Don't permit invalid fanout configs to be saved ever`
+
+## [3.3.0] - 2026-03-13
+
+Feature: Use dashed lines to show collapsed ambiguous router results
+Feature: Jump to unred
+Feature: Local channel management to prevent need to reload channel every time
+Feature: Debug endpoint
+Feature: Force-singleton channel management
+Feature: Local node discovery
+Feature: Node routing discovery
+Bugfix: Don't tell users to us npm ci
+Bugfix: Fallback polling dm message persistence
+Bugfix: All native-JS inputs are now modals
+Bugfix: Same-second send collision resolution
+Bugfix: Proper browser updates on resend
+Bugfix: Don't use last-heard when we actually want last-advert for path discovery for nodes
+Bugfix: Don't treat prefix-matching DM echoes as acks like we do for channel messages
+Misc: Visualizer data layer overhaul for future map work
+Misc: Parallelize docker tests
+
+## [3.2.0] - 2026-03-12
+
+Feature: Improve ambiguous-sender DM handling and visibility
+Feature: Allow for toggling of node GPS broadcast
+Feature: Add path width to bot and move example to full kwargs
+Feature: Improve node map color contrast
+Bugfix: More accurate tracking of contact data
+Bugfix: Misc. frontend performance and bugfixes
+Misc: Clearer warnings on user-key linkage
+Misc: Documentation improvements
+
+## [3.1.1] - 2026-03-11
+
+Feature: Add basic auth
+Feature: SQS fanout
+Feature: Enrich contact info pane
+Feature: Search operators for node and channel
+Feature: Pause radio connection attempts from Radio settings
+Feature: New themes! What a great use of time!
+Feature: Github workflows runs for validation
+Bugfix: More consistent log format with times
+Bugfix: Patch meshcore_py bluetooth eager reconnection out during pauses
+
+## [3.1.0] - 2026-03-11
+
+Feature: Add basic auth
+Feature: SQS fanout
+Feature: Enrich contact info pane
+Feature: Search operators for node and channel
+Feature: Pause radio connection attempts from Radio settings
+Feature: New themes! What a great use of time!
+Feature: Github workflows runs for validation
+Bugfix: More consistent log format with times
+Bugfix: Patch meshcore_py bluetooth eager reconnection out during pauses
+
+## [3.0.0] - 2026-03-10
+
+Feature: Custom regions per-channel
+Feature: Add custom contact pathing
+Feature: Corrupt packets are more clear that they're corrupt
+Feature: Better, faster patterns around background fetching with explicit opt-in for recurring sync if the app detects you need it
+Feature: More consistent icons
+Feature: Add per-channel local notifications
+Feature: New themes
+Feature: Massive codebase refactor and overhaul
+Bugfix: Fix packet parsing for trace packets
+Bugfix: Refetch channels on reconnect
+Bugfix: Load All on repeater pane on mobile doesn't etend into lower text
+Bugfix: Timestamps in logs
+Bugfix: Correct wrong clock sync command
+Misc: Improve bot error bubble up
+Misc: Update to non-lib-included meshcore-decoder version
+Misc: Revise refactors to be more LLM friendly
+Misc: Fix script executability
+Misc: Better logging format with timestamp
+Misc: Repeater advert buttons separate flood and one-hop
+Misc: Preserve repeater pane on navigation away
+Misc: Clearer iconography and coloring for status bar buttons
+Misc: Search bar to top bar
+
+## [2.7.9] - 2026-03-08
+
+Bugfix: Don't obscure new integration dropdown on session boundary
+
 ## [2.7.8] - 2026-03-08
 
 

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+# Contributing
+
+## Guiding Principles
+
+- In all your interactions with developers, maintainers, and users, be kind.
+- Prefer small, comprehensible changes over large sweeping ones. Individual commits should be meaningful atomic chunks of work. Pull requests with many, many commits instead of a phased approach may be declined.
+- Pull requests must be fully understood and explicitly endorsed by a human before merge. AI assistance is great, and this repo is optimized for it, but we keep quality by keeping our agents on track to write clear code, useful (not useless) tests, good architecture, and big-picture thinking.
+- No pull request should introduce new failing lint, typecheck, test, or build results.
+- Every pull request should have an associated issue or discussion thread; a brand new feature appearing first in a PR is an antipattern.
+- No truly automated radio traffic. Bot replies are already the practical edge of what this project wants to automate; any kind of traffic that would be intervalized or automated is not what this project is about.
+- No ingestion from the internet onto the mesh. This project is a radio client, not a bridge for outside traffic to enter the network. The mesh is strong because it is a radio mesh, not the internet with some weird wireless links.
+
+## Local Development
+
+### Backend
+
+```bash
+uv sync
+uv run uvicorn app.main:app --reload
+```
+
+With an explicit serial port:
+
+```bash
+MESHCORE_SERIAL_PORT=/dev/ttyUSB0 uv run uvicorn app.main:app --reload
+```
+
+On Windows (PowerShell):
+
+```powershell
+uv sync
+$env:MESHCORE_SERIAL_PORT="COM8"
+uv run uvicorn app.main:app --reload
+```
+
+### Frontend
+
+```bash
+cd frontend
+npm install
+npm run dev
+```
+
+Run both the backend and `npm run dev` for hot-reloading frontend development.
+
+## Quality Checks
+
+Run the full quality suite before proposing or handing off code changes:
+
+```bash
+./scripts/all_quality.sh
+```
+
+That runs linting, formatting, type checking, tests, and builds for both backend and frontend.
+
+If you need targeted commands while iterating:
+
+```bash
+# backend
+uv run ruff check app/ tests/ --fix
+uv run ruff format app/ tests/
+uv run pyright app/
+PYTHONPATH=. uv run pytest tests/ -v
+
+# frontend
+cd frontend
+npm run lint:fix
+npm run format
+npm run test:run
+npm run build
+```
+
+## E2E Testing
+
+E2E coverage exists, but it is intentionally not part of the normal development path.
+
+These tests are only guaranteed to run correctly in a narrow subset of environments; they require a busy mesh with messages arriving constantly, an available autodetect-able radio, and a contact in the test database (which you can provide in `tests/e2e/.tmp/e2e-test.db` after an initial run). E2E tests are generally not necessary to run for normal development work.
+
+```bash
+cd tests/e2e
+npx playwright test # headless
+npx playwright test --headed # you can probably guess
+```
+
+## Pull Request Expectations
+
+- Keep scope tight.
+- Explain why the change is needed.
+- Link the issue or discussion where the behavior was agreed on.
+- Call out any follow-up work left intentionally undone.
+- Do not treat code review as the place where the app's direction is first introduced or debated
+
+## Notes For Agent-Assisted Work
+
+Before making non-trivial changes, read:
+
+- `./AGENTS.md`
+- `./app/AGENTS.md`
+- `./frontend/AGENTS.md`
+
+Read these only when working in those areas:
+
+- `./app/fanout/AGENTS_fanout.md`
+- `./frontend/src/components/visualizer/AGENTS_packet_visualizer.md`
+
+- Agent output is welcome, but human review is mandatory.
+- Agents should start with the AGENTS files above before making architectural changes.
+- If a change touches advanced areas like fanout or the visualizer, read the area-specific AGENTS file before editing.

Dockerfile

@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ ARG COMMIT_HASH=unknown
 
 WORKDIR /build
 
-COPY frontend/package.json frontend/.npmrc ./
-RUN npm install
+COPY frontend/package.json frontend/package-lock.json frontend/.npmrc ./
+RUN npm ci
 
 COPY frontend/ ./
 RUN VITE_COMMIT_HASH=${COMMIT_HASH} npm run build
@@ -15,8 +15,12 @@ RUN VITE_COMMIT_HASH=${COMMIT_HASH} npm run build
 # Stage 2: Python runtime
 FROM python:3.12-slim
 
+ARG COMMIT_HASH=unknown
+
 WORKDIR /app
 
+ENV COMMIT_HASH=${COMMIT_HASH}
+
 # Install uv
 COPY --from=ghcr.io/astral-sh/uv:latest /uv /usr/local/bin/uv
 

LICENSES.md

@@ -91,6 +91,192 @@ OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 
 </details>
 
+### boto3 (1.42.66) — Apache-2.0
+
+<details>
+<summary>Full license text</summary>
+
+```
+Apache License
+                           Version 2.0, January 2004
+                        http://www.apache.org/licenses/
+
+   TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR USE, REPRODUCTION, AND DISTRIBUTION
+
+   1. Definitions.
+
+      "License" shall mean the terms and conditions for use, reproduction,
+      and distribution as defined by Sections 1 through 9 of this document.
+
+      "Licensor" shall mean the copyright owner or entity authorized by
+      the copyright owner that is granting the License.
+
+      "Legal Entity" shall mean the union of the acting entity and all
+      other entities that control, are controlled by, or are under common
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+      "control" means (i) the power, direct or indirect, to cause the
+      direction or management of such entity, whether by contract or
+      otherwise, or (ii) ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the
+      outstanding shares, or (iii) beneficial ownership of such entity.
+
+      "You" (or "Your") shall mean an individual or Legal Entity
+      exercising permissions granted by this License.
+
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+      including but not limited to software source code, documentation
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+
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+
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+      on behalf of whom a Contribution has been received by Licensor and
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+
+   4. Redistribution. You may reproduce and distribute copies of the
+      Work or Derivative Works thereof in any medium, with or without
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+      meet the following conditions:
+
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+          Derivative Works a copy of this License; and
+
+      (b) You must cause any modified files to carry prominent notices
+          stating that You changed the files; and
+
+      (c) You must retain, in the Source form of any Derivative Works
+          that You distribute, all copyright, patent, trademark, and
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+
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+          include a readable copy of the attribution notices contained
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+          of the following places: within a NOTICE text file distributed
+          as part of the Derivative Works; within the Source form or
+          documentation, if provided along with the Derivative Works; or,
+          within a display generated by the Derivative Works, if and
+          wherever such third-party notices normally appear. The contents
+          of the NOTICE file are for informational purposes only and
+          do not modify the License. You may add Your own attribution
+          notices within Derivative Works that You distribute, alongside
+          or as an addendum to the NOTICE text from the Work, provided
+          that such additional attribution notices cannot be construed
+          as modifying the License.
+
+      You may add Your own copyright statement to Your modifications and
+      may provide additional or different license terms and conditions
+      for use, reproduction, or distribution of Your modifications, or
+      for any such Derivative Works as a whole, provided Your use,
+      reproduction, and distribution of the Work otherwise complies with
+      the conditions stated in this License.
+
+   5. Submission of Contributions. Unless You explicitly state otherwise,
+      any Contribution intentionally submitted for inclusion in the Work
+      by You to the Licensor shall be under the terms and conditions of
+      this License, without any additional terms or conditions.
+      Notwithstanding the above, nothing herein shall supersede or modify
+      the terms of any separate license agreement you may have executed
+      with Licensor regarding such Contributions.
+
+   6. Trademarks. This License does not grant permission to use the trade
+      names, trademarks, service marks, or product names of the Licensor,
+      except as required for reasonable and customary use in describing the
+      origin of the Work and reproducing the content of the NOTICE file.
+
+   7. Disclaimer of Warranty. Unless required by applicable law or
+      agreed to in writing, Licensor provides the Work (and each
+      Contributor provides its Contributions) on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+      WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or
+      implied, including, without limitation, any warranties or conditions
+      of TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, or FITNESS FOR A
+      PARTICULAR PURPOSE. You are solely responsible for determining the
+      appropriateness of using or redistributing the Work and assume any
+      risks associated with Your exercise of permissions under this License.
+
+   8. Limitation of Liability. In no event and under no legal theory,
+      whether in tort (including negligence), contract, or otherwise,
+      unless required by applicable law (such as deliberate and grossly
+      negligent acts) or agreed to in writing, shall any Contributor be
+      liable to You for damages, including any direct, indirect, special,
+      incidental, or consequential damages of any character arising as a
+      result of this License or out of the use or inability to use the
+      Work (including but not limited to damages for loss of goodwill,
+      work stoppage, computer failure or malfunction, or any and all
+      other commercial damages or losses), even if such Contributor
+      has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
+
+   9. Accepting Warranty or Additional Liability. While redistributing
+      the Work or Derivative Works thereof, You may choose to offer,
+      and charge a fee for, acceptance of support, warranty, indemnity,
+      or other liability obligations and/or rights consistent with this
+      License. However, in accepting such obligations, You may act only
+      on Your own behalf and on Your sole responsibility, not on behalf
+      of any other Contributor, and only if You agree to indemnify,
+      defend, and hold each Contributor harmless for any liability
+      incurred by, or claims asserted against, such Contributor by reason
+      of your accepting any such warranty or additional liability.
+
+   END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
+```
+
+</details>
+
 ### fastapi (0.128.0) — MIT
 
 <details>
@@ -562,7 +748,7 @@ THE SOFTWARE.
 
 </details>
 
-### @michaelhart/meshcore-decoder (0.2.7) — MIT
+### @michaelhart/meshcore-decoder (0.3.0) — MIT
 
 <details>
 <summary>Full license text</summary>

README.md

@@ -8,11 +8,11 @@ Backend server + browser interface for MeshCore mesh radio networks. Connect you
 * Monitor unlimited contacts and channels (radio limits don't apply -- packets are decrypted server-side)
 * Access your radio remotely over your network or VPN
 * Search for hashtag room names for channels you don't have keys for yet
-* Forward packets to MQTT brokers (private: decrypted messages and/or raw packets; community aggregators like LetsMesh.net: raw packets only)
-* Use the more recent 1.14 firmwares which support multibyte pathing in all traffic and display systems within the app
+* Forward packets to MQTT, LetsMesh, MeshRank, SQS, Apprise, etc.
+* Use the more recent 1.14 firmwares which support multibyte pathing
 * Visualize the mesh as a map or node set, view repeater stats, and more!
 
-**Warning:** This app has no auth, and is for trusted environments only. _Do not put this on an untrusted network, or open it to the public._ The bots can execute arbitrary Python code which means anyone on your network can, too. To completely disable the bot system, start the server with `MESHCORE_DISABLE_BOTS=true` — this prevents all bot execution and blocks bot configuration changes via the API. If you need access control, consider using a reverse proxy like Nginx, or extending FastAPI; access control and user management are outside the scope of this app.
+**Warning:** This app is for trusted environments only. _Do not put this on an untrusted network, or open it to the public._ You can optionally set `MESHCORE_BASIC_AUTH_USERNAME` and `MESHCORE_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD` for app-wide HTTP Basic auth, but that is only a coarse gate and must be paired with HTTPS. The bots can execute arbitrary Python code which means anyone who gets access to the app can, too. To completely disable the bot system, start the server with `MESHCORE_DISABLE_BOTS=true` — this prevents all bot execution and blocks bot configuration changes via the API. If you need stronger access control, consider using a reverse proxy like Nginx, or extending FastAPI; full access control and user management are outside the scope of this app.
 
 ![Screenshot of the application's web interface](app_screenshot.png)
 
@@ -22,13 +22,27 @@ This is developed with very heavy agentic assistance -- there is no warranty of
 
 If extending, have your LLM read the three `AGENTS.md` files: `./AGENTS.md`, `./frontend/AGENTS.md`, and `./app/AGENTS.md`.
 
+## Start Here
+
+Most users should choose one of these paths:
+
+1. Clone and build from source.
+2. Download the prebuilt release zip if you are on a resource-constrained system and do not want to build the frontend locally.
+3. Use Docker if that better matches how you deploy.
+
+For advanced setup, troubleshooting, HTTPS, systemd service setup, and remediation environment variables, see [README_ADVANCED.md](README_ADVANCED.md).
+
+If you plan to contribute, read [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md).
+
 ## Requirements
 
 - Python 3.10+
-- Node.js 18+
+- Node.js LTS or current (20, 22, 24, 25) if you're not using a prebuilt release
 - [UV](https://astral.sh/uv) package manager: `curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh`
 - MeshCore radio connected via USB serial, TCP, or BLE
 
+If you are on a low-resource system and do not want to build the frontend locally, download the release zip named `remoteterm-prebuilt-frontend-vX.X.X-<short hash>.zip`. That bundle includes `frontend/prebuilt`, so you can run the app without doing a frontend build from source.
+
 <details>
 <summary>Finding your serial port</summary>
 
@@ -65,7 +79,7 @@ usbipd attach --wsl --busid 3-8
 ```
 </details>
 
-## Quick Start
+## Path 1: Clone And Build
 
 **This approach is recommended over Docker due to intermittent serial communications issues I've seen on \*nix systems.**
 
@@ -73,43 +87,33 @@ usbipd attach --wsl --busid 3-8
 git clone https://github.com/jkingsman/Remote-Terminal-for-MeshCore.git
 cd Remote-Terminal-for-MeshCore
 
-# Install backend dependencies
 uv sync
-
-# Build frontend
 cd frontend && npm install && npm run build && cd ..
 
-# Run server
 uv run uvicorn app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000
 ```
 
-The server auto-detects the serial port. To specify a transport manually:
+Access the app at http://localhost:8000.
+
+Source checkouts expect a normal frontend build in `frontend/dist`.
+
+## Path 1.5: Use The Prebuilt Release Zip
+
+Release zips can be found as an asset within the [releases listed here](https://github.com/jkingsman/Remote-Terminal-for-MeshCore/releases). This can be beneficial on resource constrained systems that cannot cope with the RAM-hungry frontend build process.
+
+If you downloaded the release zip instead of cloning the repo, unpack it and run:
+
 ```bash
-# Serial (explicit port)
-MESHCORE_SERIAL_PORT=/dev/ttyUSB0 uv run uvicorn app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000
-
-# TCP (e.g. via wifi-enabled firmware)
-MESHCORE_TCP_HOST=192.168.1.100 MESHCORE_TCP_PORT=4000 uv run uvicorn app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000
-
-# BLE (address and PIN both required)
-MESHCORE_BLE_ADDRESS=AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF MESHCORE_BLE_PIN=123456 uv run uvicorn app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000
-```
-
-On Windows (PowerShell), set environment variables as a separate statement:
-```powershell
-$env:MESHCORE_SERIAL_PORT="COM8" # or your COM port
+cd Remote-Terminal-for-MeshCore
+uv sync
 uv run uvicorn app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000
 ```
 
-Access at http://localhost:8000
+The release bundle includes `frontend/prebuilt`, so it does not require a local frontend build.
 
-> **Note:** WebGPU cracking requires HTTPS when not on localhost. See the HTTPS section under Additional Setup.
+## Path 2: Docker
 
-## Docker Compose
-
-> **Warning:** Docker has intermittent issues with serial event subscriptions. The native method above is more reliable.
-
-> **Note:** BLE-in-docker is outside the scope of this README, but the env vars should all still work.
+> **Warning:** Docker has had reports intermittent issues with serial event subscriptions. The native method above is more reliable.
 
 Edit `docker-compose.yaml` to set a serial device for passthrough, or uncomment your transport (serial or TCP). Then:
 
@@ -142,7 +146,7 @@ docker compose pull
 docker compose up -d
 ```
 
-The container runs as root by default for maximum serial passthrough compatibility across host setups. On Linux, if you switch between native and Docker runs, `./data` can end up root-owned. If you do not need that compatibility behavior, you can enable the optional `user: "${UID:-1000}:${GID:-1000}"` line in `docker-compose.yaml` to keep ownership aligned with your host user.
+The container runs as root by default for maximum serial passthrough compatibility across host setups. On Linux, if you switch between native and Docker runs, `./data` can end up root-owned. If you do not need that serial compatibility behavior, you can enable the optional `user: "${UID:-1000}:${GID:-1000}"` line in `docker-compose.yaml` to keep ownership aligned with your host user.
 
 To stop:
 
@@ -150,68 +154,9 @@ To stop:
 docker compose down
 ```
 
-## Development
+## Standard Environment Variables
 
-### Backend
-
-```bash
-uv sync
-uv run uvicorn app.main:app --reload # autodetects serial port
-
-# Or with explicit serial port
-MESHCORE_SERIAL_PORT=/dev/ttyUSB0 uv run uvicorn app.main:app --reload
-```
-
-On Windows (PowerShell):
-```powershell
-uv sync
-$env:MESHCORE_SERIAL_PORT="COM8" # or your COM port
-uv run uvicorn app.main:app --reload
-```
-
-> **Windows note:** I've seen an intermittent startup issue like `"Received empty packet: index out of range"` with failed contact sync. I can't figure out why this happens. The issue typically resolves on restart. If you can figure out why this happens, I will buy you a virtual or iRL six pack if you're in the PNW. As a former always-windows-girlie before embracing WSL2, I despise second-classing M$FT users, but I'm just stuck with this one.
-
-### Frontend
-
-```bash
-cd frontend
-npm install
-npm run dev      # Dev server at http://localhost:5173 (proxies API to :8000)
-npm run build    # Production build to dist/
-```
-
-Run both the backend and `npm run dev` for hot-reloading frontend development.
-
-### Code Quality & Tests
-
-Please test, lint, format, and quality check your code before PRing or committing. At the least, run a lint + autoformat + pyright check on the backend, and a lint + autoformat on the frontend.
-
-Run everything at once:
-
-```bash
-./scripts/all_quality.sh
-```
-
-<details>
-<summary>Or run individual checks</summary>
-
-```bash
-# python
-uv run ruff check app/ tests/ --fix  # lint + auto-fix
-uv run ruff format app/ tests/       # format (always writes)
-uv run pyright app/                  # type checking
-PYTHONPATH=. uv run pytest tests/ -v # backend tests
-
-# frontend
-cd frontend
-npm run lint:fix                     # esLint + auto-fix
-npm run test:run                     # run tests
-npm run format                       # prettier (always writes)
-npm run build                        # build the frontend
-```
-</details>
-
-## Configuration
+Only one transport may be active at a time. If multiple are set, the server will refuse to start.
 
 | Variable | Default | Description |
 |----------|---------|-------------|
@@ -221,120 +166,36 @@ npm run build                        # build the frontend
 | `MESHCORE_TCP_PORT` | 4000 | TCP port |
 | `MESHCORE_BLE_ADDRESS` | | BLE device address (mutually exclusive with serial/TCP) |
 | `MESHCORE_BLE_PIN` | | BLE PIN (required when BLE address is set) |
-| `MESHCORE_LOG_LEVEL` | INFO | DEBUG, INFO, WARNING, ERROR |
-| `MESHCORE_DATABASE_PATH` | data/meshcore.db | SQLite database path |
-| `MESHCORE_DISABLE_BOTS` | false | Disable bot system entirely (blocks execution and config) |
+| `MESHCORE_LOG_LEVEL` | INFO | `DEBUG`, `INFO`, `WARNING`, `ERROR` |
+| `MESHCORE_DATABASE_PATH` | `data/meshcore.db` | SQLite database path |
+| `MESHCORE_DISABLE_BOTS` | false | Disable bot system entirely (blocks execution and config; an intermediate security precaution, but not as good as basic auth) |
+| `MESHCORE_BASIC_AUTH_USERNAME` | | Optional app-wide HTTP Basic auth username; must be set together with `MESHCORE_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD` |
+| `MESHCORE_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD` | | Optional app-wide HTTP Basic auth password; must be set together with `MESHCORE_BASIC_AUTH_USERNAME` |
 
-Only one transport may be active at a time. If multiple are set, the server will refuse to start.
-
-## Additional Setup
-
-<details>
-<summary>HTTPS (Required for WebGPU room-finding outside localhost)</summary>
-
-WebGPU requires a secure context. When not on `localhost`, serve over HTTPS:
+Common launch patterns:
 
 ```bash
-openssl req -x509 -newkey rsa:4096 -keyout key.pem -out cert.pem -days 365 -nodes -subj '/CN=localhost'
-uv run uvicorn app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000 --ssl-keyfile=key.pem --ssl-certfile=cert.pem
+# Serial (explicit port)
+MESHCORE_SERIAL_PORT=/dev/ttyUSB0 uv run uvicorn app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000
+
+# TCP
+MESHCORE_TCP_HOST=192.168.1.100 MESHCORE_TCP_PORT=4000 uv run uvicorn app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000
+
+# BLE
+MESHCORE_BLE_ADDRESS=AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF MESHCORE_BLE_PIN=123456 uv run uvicorn app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000
 ```
 
-For Docker Compose, generate the cert and add the volume mounts and command override to `docker-compose.yaml`:
+On Windows (PowerShell), set environment variables as a separate statement:
 
-```bash
-# generate snakeoil TLS cert
-openssl req -x509 -newkey rsa:4096 -keyout key.pem -out cert.pem -days 365 -nodes -subj '/CN=localhost'
+```powershell
+$env:MESHCORE_SERIAL_PORT="COM8" # or your COM port
+uv run uvicorn app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000
 ```
 
-Then add the key and cert to the `remoteterm` service in `docker-compose.yaml`, and add an explicit launch command that uses them:
+If you enable Basic Auth, protect the app with HTTPS. HTTP Basic credentials are not safe on plain HTTP.
 
-```yaml
-    volumes:
-      - ./data:/app/data
-      - ./cert.pem:/app/cert.pem:ro
-      - ./key.pem:/app/key.pem:ro
-    command: uv run uvicorn app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000 --ssl-keyfile=/app/key.pem --ssl-certfile=/app/cert.pem
-```
+## Where To Go Next
 
-Accept the browser warning, or use [mkcert](https://github.com/FiloSottile/mkcert) for locally-trusted certs.
-</details>
-
-<details>
-<summary>Systemd Service (Linux)</summary>
-
-Assumes you're running from `/opt/remoteterm`; update commands and `remoteterm.service` if you're running elsewhere.
-
-```bash
-# Create service user
-sudo useradd -r -m -s /bin/false remoteterm
-
-# Install to /opt/remoteterm
-sudo mkdir -p /opt/remoteterm
-sudo cp -r . /opt/remoteterm/
-sudo chown -R remoteterm:remoteterm /opt/remoteterm
-
-# Install dependencies
-cd /opt/remoteterm
-sudo -u remoteterm uv venv
-sudo -u remoteterm uv sync
-
-# Build frontend (required for the backend to serve the web UI)
-cd /opt/remoteterm/frontend
-sudo -u remoteterm npm install
-sudo -u remoteterm npm run build
-
-# Install and start service
-sudo cp /opt/remoteterm/remoteterm.service /etc/systemd/system/
-sudo systemctl daemon-reload
-sudo systemctl enable --now remoteterm
-
-# Check status
-sudo systemctl status remoteterm
-sudo journalctl -u remoteterm -f
-```
-
-Edit `/etc/systemd/system/remoteterm.service` to set `MESHCORE_SERIAL_PORT` if needed.
-</details>
-
-<details>
-<summary>Testing</summary>
-
-**Backend:**
-
-```bash
-PYTHONPATH=. uv run pytest tests/ -v
-```
-
-**Frontend:**
-
-```bash
-cd frontend
-npm run test:run
-```
-
-**E2E:**
-
-Warning: these tests are only guaranteed to run correctly in a narrow subset of environments; they require a busy mesh with messages arriving constantly and an available autodetect-able radio, as well as a contact in the test database (which you can provide in `tests/e2e/.tmp/e2e-test.db` after an initial run). E2E tests are generally not necessary to run for normal development work.
-
-```bash
-cd tests/e2e
-npx playwright test # headless
-npx playwright test --headed # show the browser window
-```
-</details>
-
-## API Documentation
-
-With the backend running: http://localhost:8000/docs
-
-## Debugging & Bug Reports
-
-If you're experiencing issues or opening a bug report, please start the backend with debug logging enabled. Debug mode provides a much more detailed breakdown of radio communication, packet processing, and other internal operations, which makes it significantly easier to diagnose problems.
-
-To start the server with debug logging:
-
-```bash
-MESHCORE_LOG_LEVEL=DEBUG uv run uvicorn app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000
-```
-
-Please include the relevant debug log output when filing an issue on GitHub.
+- Advanced setup, troubleshooting, HTTPS, systemd, remediation variables, and debug logging: [README_ADVANCED.md](README_ADVANCED.md)
+- Contributing, tests, linting, E2E notes, and important AGENTS files: [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md)
+- Live API docs after the backend is running: http://localhost:8000/docs

README_ADVANCED.md

@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+# Advanced Setup And Troubleshooting
+
+## Remediation Environment Variables
+
+These are intended for diagnosing or working around radios that behave oddly.
+
+| Variable | Default | Description |
+|----------|---------|-------------|
+| `MESHCORE_ENABLE_MESSAGE_POLL_FALLBACK` | false | Run aggressive 10-second `get_msg()` fallback polling to check for messages |
+| `MESHCORE_FORCE_CHANNEL_SLOT_RECONFIGURE` | false | Disable channel-slot reuse and force `set_channel(...)` before every channel send |
+| `__CLOWNTOWN_DO_CLOCK_WRAPAROUND` | false | Highly experimental: if the radio clock is ahead of system time, try forcing the clock to `0xFFFFFFFF`, wait for uint32 wraparound, and then retry normal time sync before falling back to reboot |
+
+By default the app relies on radio events plus MeshCore auto-fetch for incoming messages, and also runs a low-frequency hourly audit poll. That audit checks both:
+
+- whether messages were left on the radio without reaching the app through event subscription
+- whether the app's channel-slot expectations still match the radio's actual channel listing
+
+If the audit finds a mismatch, you'll see an error in the application UI and your logs. If you see that warning, or if messages on the radio never show up in the app, try `MESHCORE_ENABLE_MESSAGE_POLL_FALLBACK=true` to switch that task into a more aggressive 10-second safety net. If room sends appear to be using the wrong channel slot or another client is changing slots underneath this app, try `MESHCORE_FORCE_CHANNEL_SLOT_RECONFIGURE=true` to force the radio to validate the channel slot is valid before sending (will delay sending by ~500ms).
+
+`__CLOWNTOWN_DO_CLOCK_WRAPAROUND=true` is a last-resort clock remediation for nodes whose RTC is stuck in the future and where rescue-mode time setting or GPS-based time is not available. It intentionally relies on the clock rolling past the 32-bit epoch boundary, which is board-specific behavior and may not be safe or effective on all MeshCore targets. Treat it as highly experimental.
+
+## HTTPS
+
+WebGPU room-finding requires a secure context when you are not on `localhost`.
+
+Generate a local cert and start the backend with TLS:
+
+```bash
+openssl req -x509 -newkey rsa:4096 -keyout key.pem -out cert.pem -days 365 -nodes -subj '/CN=localhost'
+uv run uvicorn app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000 --ssl-keyfile=key.pem --ssl-certfile=cert.pem
+```
+
+For Docker Compose, generate the cert, mount it into the container, and override the launch command:
+
+```yaml
+services:
+  remoteterm:
+    volumes:
+      - ./data:/app/data
+      - ./cert.pem:/app/cert.pem:ro
+      - ./key.pem:/app/key.pem:ro
+    command: uv run uvicorn app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000 --ssl-keyfile=/app/key.pem --ssl-certfile=/app/cert.pem
+```
+
+Accept the browser warning, or use [mkcert](https://github.com/FiloSottile/mkcert) for locally-trusted certs.
+
+## Systemd Service
+
+Assumes you are running from `/opt/remoteterm`; adjust paths if you deploy elsewhere.
+
+```bash
+# Create service user
+sudo useradd -r -m -s /bin/false remoteterm
+
+# Install to /opt/remoteterm
+sudo mkdir -p /opt/remoteterm
+sudo cp -r . /opt/remoteterm/
+sudo chown -R remoteterm:remoteterm /opt/remoteterm
+
+# Install dependencies
+cd /opt/remoteterm
+sudo -u remoteterm uv venv
+sudo -u remoteterm uv sync
+
+# If deploying from a source checkout, build the frontend first
+sudo -u remoteterm bash -lc 'cd /opt/remoteterm/frontend && npm install && npm run build'
+
+# If deploying from the release zip artifact, frontend/prebuilt is already present
+```
+
+Create `/etc/systemd/system/remoteterm.service` with:
+
+```ini
+[Unit]
+Description=RemoteTerm for MeshCore
+After=network.target
+
+[Service]
+Type=simple
+User=remoteterm
+Group=remoteterm
+WorkingDirectory=/opt/remoteterm
+ExecStart=/opt/remoteterm/.venv/bin/uvicorn app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000
+Restart=always
+RestartSec=5
+Environment=MESHCORE_DATABASE_PATH=/opt/remoteterm/data/meshcore.db
+# Uncomment and set if auto-detection doesn't work:
+# Environment=MESHCORE_SERIAL_PORT=/dev/ttyUSB0
+SupplementaryGroups=dialout
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=multi-user.target
+```
+
+Then install and start it:
+
+```bash
+sudo systemctl daemon-reload
+sudo systemctl enable --now remoteterm
+sudo systemctl status remoteterm
+sudo journalctl -u remoteterm -f
+```
+
+## Debug Logging And Bug Reports
+
+If you're experiencing issues or opening a bug report, please start the backend with debug logging enabled. Debug mode provides a much more detailed breakdown of radio communication, packet processing, and other internal operations, which makes it significantly easier to diagnose problems.
+
+```bash
+MESHCORE_LOG_LEVEL=DEBUG uv run uvicorn app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000
+```
+
+You can also navigate to `/api/debug` (or go to Settings -> About -> "Open debug support snapshot" at the bottom). This debug block contains information about the operating environment, expectations around keys and channels, and radio status. It also includes the most recent logs. **Non-log information reveals no keys, channel names, or other privilege information beyond the names of your bots. The logs, however, may contain channel names or keys (but never your private key).** If you do not wish to include this information, copy up to the `STOP COPYING HERE` marker in the debug body.
+
+## Development Notes
+
+For day-to-day development, see [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md).
+
+Windows note: I've seen an intermittent startup issue like `"Received empty packet: index out of range"` with failed contact sync. I can't figure out why this happens. The issue typically resolves on restart. If you can figure out why this happens, I will buy you a virtual or iRL six pack if you're in the PNW. As a former always-windows-girlie before embracing WSL2, I despise second-classing M$FT users, but I'm just stuck with this one.

app/AGENTS.md

@@ -11,6 +11,14 @@ Keep it aligned with `app/` source files and router behavior.
 - MeshCore Python library (`meshcore` from PyPI)
 - PyCryptodome
 
+## Code Ethos
+
+- Prefer strong domain modules over layers of pass-through helpers.
+- Split code when the new module owns real policy, not just a nicer name.
+- Avoid wrapper services around globals unless they materially improve testability or reduce coupling.
+- Keep workflows locally understandable; do not scatter one reasoning unit across several files without a clear contract.
+- Typed write/read contracts are preferred over loose dict-shaped repository inputs.
+
 ## Backend Map
 
 ```text
@@ -19,21 +27,34 @@ app/
 ├── config.py            # Env-driven runtime settings
 ├── database.py          # SQLite connection + base schema + migration runner
 ├── migrations.py        # Schema migrations (SQLite user_version)
-├── models.py            # Pydantic request/response models
+├── models.py            # Pydantic request/response models and typed write contracts (for example ContactUpsert)
 ├── repository/          # Data access layer (contacts, channels, messages, raw_packets, settings, fanout)
-├── radio.py             # RadioManager + auto-reconnect monitor
+├── services/            # Shared orchestration/domain services
+│   ├── messages.py              # Shared message creation, dedup, ACK application
+│   ├── message_send.py          # Direct send, channel send, resend workflows
+│   ├── dm_ingest.py             # Shared direct-message ingest / dedup seam for packet + fallback paths
+│   ├── dm_ack_tracker.py        # Pending DM ACK state
+│   ├── contact_reconciliation.py # Prefix-claim, sender-key backfill, name-history wiring
+│   ├── radio_lifecycle.py       # Post-connect setup and reconnect/setup helpers
+│   ├── radio_commands.py        # Radio config/private-key command workflows
+│   └── radio_runtime.py         # Router/dependency seam over the global RadioManager
+├── radio.py             # RadioManager transport/session state + lock management
 ├── radio_sync.py        # Polling, sync, periodic advertisement loop
 ├── decoder.py           # Packet parsing/decryption
 ├── packet_processor.py  # Raw packet pipeline, dedup, path handling
 ├── event_handlers.py    # MeshCore event subscriptions and ACK tracking
+├── events.py            # Typed WS event payload serialization
 ├── websocket.py         # WS manager + broadcast helpers
-├── fanout/              # Fanout bus: MQTT, bots, webhooks, Apprise (see fanout/AGENTS_fanout.md)
+├── security.py          # Optional app-wide HTTP Basic auth middleware for HTTP + WS
+├── fanout/              # Fanout bus: MQTT, bots, webhooks, Apprise, SQS (see fanout/AGENTS_fanout.md)
 ├── dependencies.py      # Shared FastAPI dependency providers
 ├── path_utils.py        # Path hex rendering and hop-width helpers
+├── region_scope.py      # Normalize/validate regional flood-scope values
 ├── keystore.py          # Ephemeral private/public key storage for DM decryption
 ├── frontend_static.py   # Mount/serve built frontend (production)
 └── routers/
     ├── health.py
+    ├── debug.py
     ├── radio.py
     ├── contacts.py
     ├── channels.py
@@ -53,13 +74,13 @@ app/
 
 1. Radio emits events.
 2. `on_rx_log_data` stores raw packet and tries decrypt/pipeline handling.
-3. Decrypted messages are inserted into `messages` and broadcast over WS.
-4. `CONTACT_MSG_RECV` is a fallback DM path when packet pipeline cannot decrypt.
+3. Shared message-domain services create/update `messages` and shape WS payloads.
+4. Direct-message storage is centralized in `services/dm_ingest.py`; packet-processor DMs and `CONTACT_MSG_RECV` fallback events both route through that seam.
 
 ### Outgoing messages
 
-1. Send endpoints in `routers/messages.py` call MeshCore commands.
-2. Message is persisted as outgoing.
+1. Send endpoints in `routers/messages.py` validate requests and delegate to `services/message_send.py`.
+2. Service-layer send workflows call MeshCore commands, persist outgoing messages, and wire ACK tracking.
 3. Endpoint broadcasts WS `message` event so all live clients update.
 4. ACK/repeat updates arrive later as `message_acked` events.
 5. Channel resend (`POST /messages/channel/{id}/resend`) strips the sender name prefix by exact match against the current radio name. This assumes the radio name hasn't changed between the original send and the resend. Name changes require an explicit radio config update and are rare, but the `new_timestamp=true` resend path has no time window, so a mismatch is possible if the name was changed between the original send and a later resend.
@@ -67,9 +88,11 @@ app/
 ### Connection lifecycle
 
 - `RadioManager.start_connection_monitor()` checks health every 5s.
-- Monitor reconnect path runs `post_connect_setup()` before broadcasting healthy state.
-- Manual reconnect/reboot endpoints call `reconnect()` then `post_connect_setup()`.
-- Setup includes handler registration, key export, time sync, contact/channel sync, polling/advert tasks.
+- `RadioManager.post_connect_setup()` delegates to `services/radio_lifecycle.py`.
+- Routers, startup/lifespan code, fanout helpers, and `radio_sync.py` should reach radio state through `services/radio_runtime.py`, not by importing `app.radio.radio_manager` directly.
+- Shared reconnect/setup helpers in `services/radio_lifecycle.py` are used by startup, the monitor, and manual reconnect/reboot flows before broadcasting healthy state.
+- Setup still includes handler registration, key export, time sync, contact/channel sync, and advertisement tasks. The message-poll task always starts: by default it runs as a low-frequency hourly audit, and `MESHCORE_ENABLE_MESSAGE_POLL_FALLBACK=true` switches it to aggressive 10-second polling. That audit checks both missed-radio-message drift and channel-slot cache drift; cache mismatches are logged, toasted, and the send-slot cache is reset.
+- Post-connect setup is timeout-bounded. If initial radio offload/setup hangs too long, the backend logs the failure and broadcasts an `error` toast telling the operator to reboot the radio and restart the server.
 
 ## Important Behaviors
 
@@ -77,7 +100,14 @@ app/
 
 - Packet `path_len` values are hop counts, not byte counts.
 - Hop width comes from the packet or radio `path_hash_mode`: `0` = 1-byte, `1` = 2-byte, `2` = 3-byte.
-- Contacts persist `out_path_hash_mode` in the database so contact sync and outbound DM routing reuse the exact stored mode instead of inferring from path bytes.
+- Channel slot count comes from firmware-reported `DEVICE_INFO.max_channels`; do not hardcode `40` when scanning/offloading channel slots.
+- Channel sends use a session-local LRU slot cache after startup channel offload clears the radio. Repeated sends to the same room reuse the loaded slot; new rooms fill free slots up to the discovered channel capacity, then evict the least recently used cached room.
+- TCP radios do not reuse cached slot contents. For TCP, channel sends still force `set_channel(...)` before every send because this backend does not have exclusive device access.
+- `MESHCORE_FORCE_CHANNEL_SLOT_RECONFIGURE=true` disables slot reuse on all transports and forces the old always-`set_channel(...)` behavior before every channel send.
+- Contacts persist canonical direct-route fields (`direct_path`, `direct_path_len`, `direct_path_hash_mode`) so contact sync and outbound DM routing reuse the exact stored hop width instead of inferring from path bytes.
+- Direct-route sources are limited to radio contact sync (`out_path`) and PATH/path-discovery updates. This mirrors firmware `onContactPathRecv(...)`, which replaces `ContactInfo.out_path` when a new returned path is heard.
+- `route_override_path`, `route_override_len`, and `route_override_hash_mode` take precedence over the learned direct route for radio-bound sends.
+- Advertisement paths are stored only in `contact_advert_paths` for analytics/visualization. They are not part of `Contact.to_radio_dict()` or DM route selection.
 - `contact_advert_paths` identity is `(public_key, path_hex, path_len)` because the same hex bytes can represent different routes at different hop widths.
 
 ### Read/unread state
@@ -85,10 +115,22 @@ app/
 - Server is source of truth (`contacts.last_read_at`, `channels.last_read_at`).
 - `GET /api/read-state/unreads` returns counts, mention flags, and `last_message_times`.
 
+### DM ingest + ACKs
+
+- `services/dm_ingest.py` is the one place that should decide fallback-context resolution, DM dedup/reconciliation, and packet-linked vs. content-based storage behavior.
+- `CONTACT_MSG_RECV` is a fallback path, not a parallel source of truth. If you change DM storage behavior, trace both `event_handlers.py` and `packet_processor.py`.
+- DM ACK tracking is an in-memory pending/buffered map in `services/dm_ack_tracker.py`, with periodic expiry from `radio_sync.py`.
+- Outgoing DMs send once inline, store/broadcast immediately after the first successful `MSG_SENT`, then may retry up to 2 more times in the background if still unacked.
+- DM retry timing follows the firmware-provided `suggested_timeout` from `PACKET_MSG_SENT`; do not replace it with a fixed app timeout unless you intentionally want more aggressive duplicate-prone retries.
+- Direct-message send behavior is intended to emulate `meshcore_py.commands.send_msg_with_retry(...)`: stage the effective contact route on the radio, send, wait for ACK, and on the final retry force flood via `reset_path(...)`.
+- Non-final DM attempts use the contact's effective route (`override > direct > flood`). The final retry is intentionally sent as flood even when a routing override exists.
+- DM ACK state is terminal on first ACK. Retry attempts may register multiple expected ACK codes for the same message, but sibling pending codes are cleared once one ACK wins so a DM should not accrue multiple delivery confirmations from retries.
+- ACKs are delivery state, not routing state. Bundled ACKs inside PATH packets still satisfy pending DM sends, but ACK history does not feed contact route learning.
+
 ### Echo/repeat dedup
 
 - Message uniqueness: `(type, conversation_key, text, sender_timestamp)`.
-- Duplicate insert is treated as an echo/repeat: the new path (if any) is appended, and the ACK count is incremented **only for outgoing messages**. Incoming repeats add path data but do not change the ACK count.
+- Duplicate insert is treated as an echo/repeat: the new path (if any) is appended, and the ACK count is incremented only for outgoing channel messages. Incoming direct messages with the same conversation/text/sender timestamp also collapse onto one stored row, with later observations merging path data instead of creating a second DM.
 
 ### Raw packet dedup policy
 
@@ -111,7 +153,7 @@ app/
 
 ### Fanout bus
 
-- All external integrations (MQTT, bots, webhooks, Apprise) are managed through the fanout bus (`app/fanout/`).
+- All external integrations (MQTT, bots, webhooks, Apprise, SQS) are managed through the fanout bus (`app/fanout/`).
 - Configs stored in `fanout_configs` table, managed via `GET/POST/PATCH/DELETE /api/fanout`.
 - `broadcast_event()` in `websocket.py` dispatches to the fanout manager for `message` and `raw_packet` events.
 - Each integration is a `FanoutModule` with scope-based filtering.
@@ -123,34 +165,35 @@ app/
 ### Health
 - `GET /health`
 
+### Debug
+- `GET /debug` — support snapshot with recent logs, live radio probe, slot/contact audits, and version/git info
+
 ### Radio
-- `GET /radio/config` — includes `path_hash_mode` and `path_hash_mode_supported`
+- `GET /radio/config` — includes `path_hash_mode`, `path_hash_mode_supported`, and advert-location on/off
 - `PATCH /radio/config` — may update `path_hash_mode` (`0..2`) when firmware supports it
 - `PUT /radio/private-key`
-- `POST /radio/advertise`
+- `POST /radio/advertise` — manual advert send; request body may set `mode` to `flood` or `zero_hop` (defaults to `flood`)
+- `POST /radio/discover` — short mesh discovery sweep for nearby repeaters/sensors
+- `POST /radio/disconnect`
 - `POST /radio/reboot`
 - `POST /radio/reconnect`
 
 ### Contacts
 - `GET /contacts`
+- `GET /contacts/analytics` — unified keyed-or-name analytics payload
 - `GET /contacts/repeaters/advert-paths` — recent advert paths for all contacts
-- `GET /contacts/{public_key}`
-- `GET /contacts/{public_key}/detail` — comprehensive contact profile (stats, name history, paths, nearest repeaters)
-- `GET /contacts/{public_key}/advert-paths` — recent advert paths for one contact
 - `POST /contacts`
 - `DELETE /contacts/{public_key}`
-- `POST /contacts/sync`
-- `POST /contacts/{public_key}/add-to-radio`
-- `POST /contacts/{public_key}/remove-from-radio`
 - `POST /contacts/{public_key}/mark-read`
 - `POST /contacts/{public_key}/command`
-- `POST /contacts/{public_key}/reset-path`
+- `POST /contacts/{public_key}/routing-override`
 - `POST /contacts/{public_key}/trace`
 - `POST /contacts/{public_key}/repeater/login`
 - `POST /contacts/{public_key}/repeater/status`
 - `POST /contacts/{public_key}/repeater/lpp-telemetry`
 - `POST /contacts/{public_key}/repeater/neighbors`
 - `POST /contacts/{public_key}/repeater/acl`
+- `POST /contacts/{public_key}/repeater/node-info`
 - `POST /contacts/{public_key}/repeater/radio-settings`
 - `POST /contacts/{public_key}/repeater/advert-intervals`
 - `POST /contacts/{public_key}/repeater/owner-info`
@@ -158,10 +201,9 @@ app/
 ### Channels
 - `GET /channels`
 - `GET /channels/{key}/detail`
-- `GET /channels/{key}`
 - `POST /channels`
 - `DELETE /channels/{key}`
-- `POST /channels/sync`
+- `POST /channels/{key}/flood-scope-override`
 - `POST /channels/{key}/mark-read`
 
 ### Messages
@@ -204,28 +246,42 @@ app/
 
 - `health` — radio connection status (broadcast on change, personal on connect)
 - `contact` — single contact upsert (from advertisements and radio sync)
+- `contact_resolved` — prefix contact reconciled to a full contact row (payload: `{ previous_public_key, contact }`)
 - `message` — new message (channel or DM, from packet processor or send endpoints)
 - `message_acked` — ACK/echo update for existing message (ack count + paths)
 - `raw_packet` — every incoming RF packet (for real-time packet feed UI)
 - `contact_deleted` — contact removed from database (payload: `{ public_key }`)
+- `channel` — single channel upsert/update (payload: full `Channel`)
 - `channel_deleted` — channel removed from database (payload: `{ key }`)
-- `error` — toast notification (reconnect failure, missing private key, etc.)
+- `error` — toast notification (reconnect failure, missing private key, stuck radio startup, etc.)
 - `success` — toast notification (historical decrypt complete, etc.)
 
-Initial WS connect sends `health` only. Contacts/channels are loaded by REST.
+Backend WS sends go through typed serialization in `events.py`. Initial WS connect sends `health` only. Contacts/channels are loaded by REST.
 Client sends `"ping"` text; server replies `{"type":"pong"}`.
 
 ## Data Model Notes
 
 Main tables:
-- `contacts` (includes `first_seen` for contact age tracking and `out_path_hash_mode` for route round-tripping)
+- `contacts` (includes `first_seen` for contact age tracking and `direct_path_hash_mode` / `route_override_*` for DM routing)
 - `channels`
+  Includes optional `flood_scope_override` for channel-specific regional sends.
 - `messages` (includes `sender_name`, `sender_key` for per-contact channel message attribution)
 - `raw_packets`
 - `contact_advert_paths` (recent unique advertisement paths per contact, keyed by contact + path bytes + hop count)
 - `contact_name_history` (tracks name changes over time)
 - `app_settings`
 
+Contact route state is canonicalized on the backend:
+- stored route inputs: `direct_path`, `direct_path_len`, `direct_path_hash_mode`, `direct_path_updated_at`, plus optional `route_override_*`
+- computed route surface: `effective_route`, `effective_route_source`, `direct_route`, `route_override`
+- removed legacy names: `last_path`, `last_path_len`, `out_path_hash_mode`
+
+Frontend and send paths should consume the canonical route surface rather than reconstructing precedence from raw fields.
+
+Repository writes should prefer typed models such as `ContactUpsert` over ad hoc dict payloads when adding or updating schema-coupled data.
+
+`max_radio_contacts` is the configured radio contact capacity baseline. Favorites reload first, the app refills non-favorite working-set contacts to about 80% of that capacity, and periodic offload triggers once occupancy reaches about 95%.
+
 `app_settings` fields in active model:
 - `max_radio_contacts`
 - `favorites`
@@ -238,11 +294,13 @@ Main tables:
 - `flood_scope`
 - `blocked_keys`, `blocked_names`
 
+Note: `sidebar_sort_order` remains in the backend model for compatibility and migration, but the current frontend sidebar uses per-section localStorage sort preferences instead of a single shared server-backed sort mode.
+
 Note: MQTT, community MQTT, and bot configs were migrated to the `fanout_configs` table (migrations 36-38).
 
 ## Security Posture (intentional)
 
-- No authn/authz.
+- No per-user authn/authz model; optionally, operators may enable app-wide HTTP Basic auth for both HTTP and WS entrypoints.
 - No CORS restriction (`*`).
 - Bot code executes user-provided Python via `exec()`.
 
@@ -265,16 +323,20 @@ tests/
 ├── test_api.py                 # REST endpoint integration tests
 ├── test_bot.py                 # Bot execution and sandboxing
 ├── test_channels_router.py     # Channels router endpoints
+├── test_channel_sender_backfill.py # Sender-key backfill uniqueness rules for channel messages
 ├── test_config.py              # Configuration validation
+├── test_contact_reconciliation_service.py # Prefix/contact reconciliation service helpers
 ├── test_contacts_router.py     # Contacts router endpoints
 ├── test_decoder.py             # Packet parsing/decryption
 ├── test_disable_bots.py        # MESHCORE_DISABLE_BOTS=true feature
 ├── test_echo_dedup.py          # Echo/repeat deduplication (incl. concurrent)
 ├── test_fanout.py              # Fanout bus CRUD, scope matching, manager dispatch
 ├── test_fanout_integration.py  # Fanout integration tests
+├── test_fanout_hitlist.py      # Fanout-related hitlist regression tests
 ├── test_event_handlers.py      # ACK tracking, event registration, cleanup
 ├── test_frontend_static.py     # Frontend static file serving
 ├── test_health_mqtt_status.py  # Health endpoint MQTT status field
+├── test_http_quality.py        # Cache-control / gzip / basic-auth HTTP quality checks
 ├── test_key_normalization.py   # Public key normalization
 ├── test_keystore.py            # Ephemeral keystore
 ├── test_message_pagination.py  # Cursor-based message pagination
@@ -285,6 +347,9 @@ tests/
 ├── test_packet_pipeline.py     # End-to-end packet processing
 ├── test_packets_router.py      # Packets router endpoints (decrypt, maintenance)
 ├── test_radio.py               # RadioManager, serial detection
+├── test_radio_commands_service.py # Radio config/private-key service workflows
+├── test_radio_lifecycle_service.py # Reconnect/setup orchestration helpers
+├── test_radio_runtime_service.py # radio_runtime seam behavior and helpers
 ├── test_real_crypto.py         # Real cryptographic operations
 ├── test_radio_operation.py     # radio_operation() context manager
 ├── test_radio_router.py        # Radio router endpoints
@@ -294,11 +359,10 @@ tests/
 ├── test_rx_log_data.py         # on_rx_log_data event handler integration
 ├── test_messages_search.py      # Message search, around, forward pagination
 ├── test_block_lists.py          # Blocked keys/names filtering
+├── test_security.py            # Optional Basic Auth middleware / config behavior
 ├── test_send_messages.py       # Outgoing messages, bot triggers, concurrent sends
 ├── test_settings_router.py     # Settings endpoints, advert validation
 ├── test_statistics.py          # Statistics aggregation
-├── test_channel_sender_backfill.py # Sender key backfill for channel messages
-├── test_fanout_hitlist.py      # Fanout-related hitlist regression tests
 ├── test_main_startup.py        # App startup and lifespan
 ├── test_path_utils.py          # Path hex rendering helpers
 ├── test_websocket.py           # WS manager broadcast/cleanup
@@ -311,7 +375,7 @@ tests/
 
 The MeshCore radio protocol encodes `sender_timestamp` as a 4-byte little-endian integer (Unix seconds). This is a firmware-level wire format — the radio, the Python library (`commands/messaging.py`), and the decoder (`decoder.py`) all read/write exactly 4 bytes. Millisecond Unix timestamps would overflow 4 bytes, so higher resolution is not possible without a firmware change.
 
-**Consequence:** The dedup index `(type, conversation_key, text, COALESCE(sender_timestamp, 0))` operates at 1-second granularity. Sending identical text to the same conversation twice within one second will hit the UNIQUE constraint on the second insert, returning HTTP 500 *after* the radio has already transmitted. The message is sent over the air but not stored in the database. Do not attempt to fix this by switching to millisecond timestamps — it will break echo dedup (the echo's 4-byte timestamp won't match the stored value) and overflow `to_bytes(4, "little")`.
+**Consequence:** Message dedup still operates at 1-second granularity because the radio protocol only provides second-resolution `sender_timestamp`. Do not attempt to fix this by switching to millisecond timestamps — it will break echo dedup (the echo's 4-byte timestamp won't match the stored value) and overflow `to_bytes(4, "little")`. Incoming DMs now share the same second-resolution content identity tradeoff as channel echoes: same-contact same-text same-second observations collapse onto one stored row.
 
 ### Outgoing DM echoes remain undecrypted
 

app/channel_constants.py

@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+PUBLIC_CHANNEL_KEY = "8B3387E9C5CDEA6AC9E5EDBAA115CD72"
+PUBLIC_CHANNEL_NAME = "Public"
+
+
+def is_public_channel_key(key: str) -> bool:
+    return key.upper() == PUBLIC_CHANNEL_KEY
+
+
+def is_public_channel_name(name: str) -> bool:
+    return name.casefold() == PUBLIC_CHANNEL_NAME.casefold()

app/config.py

@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
 import logging
+import logging.config
+from collections import deque
+from threading import Lock
 from typing import Literal
 
-from pydantic import model_validator
+from pydantic import Field, model_validator
 from pydantic_settings import BaseSettings, SettingsConfigDict
 
 
@@ -17,6 +20,14 @@ class Settings(BaseSettings):
     log_level: Literal["DEBUG", "INFO", "WARNING", "ERROR"] = "INFO"
     database_path: str = "data/meshcore.db"
     disable_bots: bool = False
+    enable_message_poll_fallback: bool = False
+    force_channel_slot_reconfigure: bool = False
+    clowntown_do_clock_wraparound: bool = Field(
+        default=False,
+        validation_alias="__CLOWNTOWN_DO_CLOCK_WRAPAROUND",
+    )
+    basic_auth_username: str = ""
+    basic_auth_password: str = ""
 
     @model_validator(mode="after")
     def validate_transport_exclusivity(self) -> "Settings":
@@ -34,6 +45,11 @@ class Settings(BaseSettings):
             )
         if self.ble_address and not self.ble_pin:
             raise ValueError("MESHCORE_BLE_PIN is required when MESHCORE_BLE_ADDRESS is set.")
+        if self.basic_auth_partially_configured:
+            raise ValueError(
+                "MESHCORE_BASIC_AUTH_USERNAME and MESHCORE_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD "
+                "must be set together."
+            )
         return self
 
     @property
@@ -44,10 +60,60 @@ class Settings(BaseSettings):
             return "ble"
         return "serial"
 
+    @property
+    def basic_auth_enabled(self) -> bool:
+        return bool(self.basic_auth_username and self.basic_auth_password)
+
+    @property
+    def basic_auth_partially_configured(self) -> bool:
+        any_credentials_set = bool(self.basic_auth_username or self.basic_auth_password)
+        return any_credentials_set and not self.basic_auth_enabled
+
 
 settings = Settings()
 
 
+class _RingBufferLogHandler(logging.Handler):
+    """Keep a bounded in-memory tail of formatted log lines."""
+
+    def __init__(self, max_lines: int = 1000) -> None:
+        super().__init__()
+        self._buffer: deque[str] = deque(maxlen=max_lines)
+        self._lock = Lock()
+
+    def emit(self, record: logging.LogRecord) -> None:
+        try:
+            line = self.format(record)
+        except Exception:
+            self.handleError(record)
+            return
+        with self._lock:
+            self._buffer.append(line)
+
+    def get_lines(self, limit: int = 1000) -> list[str]:
+        with self._lock:
+            if limit <= 0:
+                return []
+            return list(self._buffer)[-limit:]
+
+    def clear(self) -> None:
+        with self._lock:
+            self._buffer.clear()
+
+
+_recent_log_handler = _RingBufferLogHandler(max_lines=1000)
+
+
+def get_recent_log_lines(limit: int = 1000) -> list[str]:
+    """Return recent formatted log lines from the in-memory ring buffer."""
+    return _recent_log_handler.get_lines(limit)
+
+
+def clear_recent_log_lines() -> None:
+    """Clear the in-memory log ring buffer."""
+    _recent_log_handler.clear()
+
+
 class _RepeatSquelch(logging.Filter):
     """Suppress rapid-fire identical messages and emit a summary instead.
 
@@ -84,11 +150,68 @@ class _RepeatSquelch(logging.Filter):
 
 def setup_logging() -> None:
     """Configure logging for the application."""
-    logging.basicConfig(
-        level=settings.log_level,
-        format="%(asctime)s - %(name)s - %(levelname)s - %(message)s",
-        datefmt="%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S",
+    logging.config.dictConfig(
+        {
+            "version": 1,
+            "disable_existing_loggers": False,
+            "formatters": {
+                "default": {
+                    "format": "%(asctime)s - %(name)s - %(levelname)s - %(message)s",
+                    "datefmt": "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S",
+                },
+                "uvicorn_access": {
+                    "()": "uvicorn.logging.AccessFormatter",
+                    "fmt": '%(asctime)s - %(name)s - %(levelname)s - %(client_addr)s - "%(request_line)s" %(status_code)s',
+                    "datefmt": "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S",
+                    "use_colors": None,
+                },
+            },
+            "handlers": {
+                "default": {
+                    "class": "logging.StreamHandler",
+                    "formatter": "default",
+                },
+                "uvicorn_access": {
+                    "class": "logging.StreamHandler",
+                    "formatter": "uvicorn_access",
+                },
+            },
+            "root": {
+                "level": settings.log_level,
+                "handlers": ["default"],
+            },
+            "loggers": {
+                "uvicorn": {
+                    "level": settings.log_level,
+                    "handlers": ["default"],
+                    "propagate": False,
+                },
+                "uvicorn.error": {
+                    "level": settings.log_level,
+                    "handlers": ["default"],
+                    "propagate": False,
+                },
+                "uvicorn.access": {
+                    "level": settings.log_level,
+                    "handlers": ["uvicorn_access"],
+                    "propagate": False,
+                },
+            },
+        }
     )
+
+    _recent_log_handler.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
+    _recent_log_handler.setFormatter(
+        logging.Formatter(
+            fmt="%(asctime)s - %(name)s - %(levelname)s - %(message)s",
+            datefmt="%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S",
+        )
+    )
+    for logger_name in ("", "uvicorn", "uvicorn.error", "uvicorn.access"):
+        target = logging.getLogger(logger_name)
+        if _recent_log_handler not in target.handlers:
+            target.addHandler(_recent_log_handler)
+
     # Squelch repeated messages from the meshcore library (e.g. rapid-fire
     # "Serial Connection started" when the port is contended).
     logging.getLogger("meshcore").addFilter(_RepeatSquelch())

app/database.py

@@ -13,23 +13,30 @@ CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS contacts (
     name TEXT,
     type INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
     flags INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-    last_path TEXT,
-    last_path_len INTEGER DEFAULT -1,
-    out_path_hash_mode INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
+    direct_path TEXT,
+    direct_path_len INTEGER,
+    direct_path_hash_mode INTEGER,
+    direct_path_updated_at INTEGER,
+    route_override_path TEXT,
+    route_override_len INTEGER,
+    route_override_hash_mode INTEGER,
     last_advert INTEGER,
     lat REAL,
     lon REAL,
     last_seen INTEGER,
     on_radio INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
     last_contacted INTEGER,
-    first_seen INTEGER
+    first_seen INTEGER,
+    last_read_at INTEGER
 );
 
 CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS channels (
     key TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
     name TEXT NOT NULL,
     is_hashtag INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-    on_radio INTEGER DEFAULT 0
+    on_radio INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
+    flood_scope_override TEXT,
+    last_read_at INTEGER
 );
 
 CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS messages (
@@ -46,10 +53,9 @@ CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS messages (
     acked INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
     sender_name TEXT,
     sender_key TEXT
-    -- Deduplication: identical text + timestamp in the same conversation is treated as a
-    -- mesh echo/repeat. Second-precision timestamps mean two intentional identical messages
-    -- within the same second would collide, but this is not feasible in practice — LoRa
-    -- transmission takes several seconds per message, and the UI clears the input on send.
+    -- Deduplication: channel echoes/repeats use a content/time unique index so
+    -- duplicate observations reconcile onto a single stored row. Legacy
+    -- databases may also gain an incoming-DM content index via migration 44.
     -- Enforced via idx_messages_dedup_null_safe (unique index) rather than a table constraint
     -- to avoid the storage overhead of SQLite's autoindex duplicating every message text.
 );
@@ -87,11 +93,13 @@ CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS contact_name_history (
 
 CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_messages_received ON messages(received_at);
 CREATE UNIQUE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_messages_dedup_null_safe
-    ON messages(type, conversation_key, text, COALESCE(sender_timestamp, 0));
+    ON messages(type, conversation_key, text, COALESCE(sender_timestamp, 0))
+    WHERE type = 'CHAN';
 CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_raw_packets_message_id ON raw_packets(message_id);
 CREATE UNIQUE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_raw_packets_payload_hash ON raw_packets(payload_hash);
 CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_contacts_on_radio ON contacts(on_radio);
 -- idx_messages_sender_key is created by migration 25 (after adding the sender_key column)
+-- idx_messages_incoming_priv_dedup is created by migration 44 after legacy rows are reconciled
 CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_contact_advert_paths_recent
     ON contact_advert_paths(public_key, last_seen DESC);
 CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_contact_name_history_key

app/decoder.py

@@ -60,6 +60,19 @@ class DecryptedDirectMessage:
     src_hash: str  # First byte of sender pubkey as hex
 
 
+@dataclass
+class DecryptedPathPayload:
+    """Result of decrypting a PATH payload."""
+
+    dest_hash: str
+    src_hash: str
+    returned_path: bytes
+    returned_path_len: int
+    returned_path_hash_mode: int
+    extra_type: int
+    extra: bytes
+
+
 @dataclass
 class ParsedAdvertisement:
     """Result of parsing an advertisement packet."""
@@ -85,13 +98,8 @@ class PacketInfo:
     path_hash_size: int = 1  # Bytes per hop: 1, 2, or 3
 
 
-def calculate_channel_hash(channel_key: bytes) -> str:
-    """
-    Calculate the channel hash from a 16-byte channel key.
-    Returns the first byte of SHA256(key) as hex.
-    """
-    hash_bytes = hashlib.sha256(channel_key).digest()
-    return format(hash_bytes[0], "02x")
+def _is_valid_advert_location(lat: float, lon: float) -> bool:
+    return -90 <= lat <= 90 and -180 <= lon <= 180
 
 
 def extract_payload(raw_packet: bytes) -> bytes | None:
@@ -233,7 +241,7 @@ def try_decrypt_packet_with_channel_key(
         return None
 
     packet_channel_hash = format(packet_info.payload[0], "02x")
-    expected_hash = calculate_channel_hash(channel_key)
+    expected_hash = format(hashlib.sha256(channel_key).digest()[0], "02x")
 
     if packet_channel_hash != expected_hash:
         return None
@@ -252,7 +260,9 @@ def get_packet_payload_type(raw_packet: bytes) -> PayloadType | None:
         return None
 
 
-def parse_advertisement(payload: bytes) -> ParsedAdvertisement | None:
+def parse_advertisement(
+    payload: bytes, raw_packet: bytes | None = None
+) -> ParsedAdvertisement | None:
     """
     Parse an advertisement payload.
 
@@ -308,6 +318,16 @@ def parse_advertisement(payload: bytes) -> ParsedAdvertisement | None:
         lon_raw = int.from_bytes(payload[offset + 4 : offset + 8], byteorder="little", signed=True)
         lat = lat_raw / 1_000_000
         lon = lon_raw / 1_000_000
+        if not _is_valid_advert_location(lat, lon):
+            packet_hex = (raw_packet if raw_packet is not None else payload).hex().upper()
+            logger.warning(
+                "Dropping location data for nonsensical packet -- packet %s implies lat/lon %s/%s. Outta this world!",
+                packet_hex,
+                lat,
+                lon,
+            )
+            lat = None
+            lon = None
         offset += 8
 
     # Skip feature fields if present
@@ -556,3 +576,88 @@ def try_decrypt_dm(
         return None
 
     return decrypt_direct_message(packet_info.payload, shared_secret)
+
+
+def decrypt_path_payload(payload: bytes, shared_secret: bytes) -> DecryptedPathPayload | None:
+    """Decrypt a PATH payload using the ECDH shared secret."""
+    if len(payload) < 4:
+        return None
+
+    dest_hash = format(payload[0], "02x")
+    src_hash = format(payload[1], "02x")
+    mac = payload[2:4]
+    ciphertext = payload[4:]
+
+    if len(ciphertext) == 0 or len(ciphertext) % 16 != 0:
+        return None
+
+    calculated_mac = hmac.new(shared_secret, ciphertext, hashlib.sha256).digest()[:2]
+    if calculated_mac != mac:
+        return None
+
+    try:
+        cipher = AES.new(shared_secret[:16], AES.MODE_ECB)
+        decrypted = cipher.decrypt(ciphertext)
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.debug("AES decryption failed for PATH payload: %s", e)
+        return None
+
+    if len(decrypted) < 2:
+        return None
+
+    from app.path_utils import decode_path_byte
+
+    packed_len = decrypted[0]
+    try:
+        returned_path_len, hash_size = decode_path_byte(packed_len)
+    except ValueError:
+        return None
+
+    path_byte_len = returned_path_len * hash_size
+    if len(decrypted) < 1 + path_byte_len + 1:
+        return None
+
+    offset = 1
+    returned_path = decrypted[offset : offset + path_byte_len]
+    offset += path_byte_len
+    extra_type = decrypted[offset] & 0x0F
+    offset += 1
+    extra = decrypted[offset:]
+
+    return DecryptedPathPayload(
+        dest_hash=dest_hash,
+        src_hash=src_hash,
+        returned_path=returned_path,
+        returned_path_len=returned_path_len,
+        returned_path_hash_mode=hash_size - 1,
+        extra_type=extra_type,
+        extra=extra,
+    )
+
+
+def try_decrypt_path(
+    raw_packet: bytes,
+    our_private_key: bytes,
+    their_public_key: bytes,
+    our_public_key: bytes,
+) -> DecryptedPathPayload | None:
+    """Try to decrypt a raw packet as a PATH packet."""
+    packet_info = parse_packet(raw_packet)
+    if packet_info is None or packet_info.payload_type != PayloadType.PATH:
+        return None
+
+    if len(packet_info.payload) < 4:
+        return None
+
+    dest_hash = packet_info.payload[0]
+    src_hash = packet_info.payload[1]
+    if dest_hash != our_public_key[0] or src_hash != their_public_key[0]:
+        return None
+
+    try:
+        shared_secret = derive_shared_secret(our_private_key, their_public_key)
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.debug("Failed to derive shared secret for PATH payload: %s", e)
+        return None
+
+    return decrypt_path_payload(packet_info.payload, shared_secret)

app/dependencies.py

@@ -1,17 +1,8 @@
 """Shared dependencies for FastAPI routers."""
 
-from fastapi import HTTPException
-
-from app.radio import radio_manager
+from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime as radio_manager
 
 
 def require_connected():
-    """Dependency that ensures radio is connected and returns meshcore instance.
-
-    Raises HTTPException 503 if radio is not connected.
-    """
-    if getattr(radio_manager, "is_setup_in_progress", False) is True:
-        raise HTTPException(status_code=503, detail="Radio is initializing")
-    if not radio_manager.is_connected or radio_manager.meshcore is None:
-        raise HTTPException(status_code=503, detail="Radio not connected")
-    return radio_manager.meshcore
+    """Dependency that ensures radio is connected and returns meshcore instance."""
+    return radio_manager.require_connected()

app/event_handlers.py

@@ -4,13 +4,20 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from meshcore import EventType
 
-from app.models import CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER, Contact, Message, MessagePath
+from app.models import Contact, ContactUpsert
 from app.packet_processor import process_raw_packet
 from app.repository import (
-    AmbiguousPublicKeyPrefixError,
-    ContactNameHistoryRepository,
     ContactRepository,
-    MessageRepository,
+)
+from app.services import dm_ack_tracker
+from app.services.contact_reconciliation import (
+    promote_prefix_contacts_for_contact,
+    record_contact_name_and_reconcile,
+)
+from app.services.dm_ack_apply import apply_dm_ack_code
+from app.services.dm_ingest import (
+    ingest_fallback_direct_message,
+    resolve_fallback_direct_message_context,
 )
 from app.websocket import broadcast_event
 
@@ -22,33 +29,18 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 # Track active subscriptions so we can unsubscribe before re-registering
 # This prevents handler duplication after reconnects
 _active_subscriptions: list["Subscription"] = []
+_pending_acks = dm_ack_tracker._pending_acks
+_buffered_acks = dm_ack_tracker._buffered_acks
 
 
-# Track pending ACKs: expected_ack_code -> (message_id, timestamp, timeout_ms)
-_pending_acks: dict[str, tuple[int, float, int]] = {}
-
-
-def track_pending_ack(expected_ack: str, message_id: int, timeout_ms: int) -> None:
-    """Track a pending ACK for a direct message."""
-    _pending_acks[expected_ack] = (message_id, time.time(), timeout_ms)
-    logger.debug(
-        "Tracking pending ACK %s for message %d (timeout %dms)",
-        expected_ack,
-        message_id,
-        timeout_ms,
-    )
+def track_pending_ack(expected_ack: str, message_id: int, timeout_ms: int) -> bool:
+    """Compatibility wrapper for pending DM ACK tracking."""
+    return dm_ack_tracker.track_pending_ack(expected_ack, message_id, timeout_ms)
 
 
 def cleanup_expired_acks() -> None:
-    """Remove expired pending ACKs."""
-    now = time.time()
-    expired = []
-    for code, (_msg_id, created_at, timeout_ms) in _pending_acks.items():
-        if now - created_at > (timeout_ms / 1000) * 2:  # 2x timeout as buffer
-            expired.append(code)
-    for code in expired:
-        del _pending_acks[code]
-        logger.debug("Expired pending ACK %s", code)
+    """Compatibility wrapper for expiring stale DM ACK entries."""
+    dm_ack_tracker.cleanup_expired_acks()
 
 
 async def on_contact_message(event: "Event") -> None:
@@ -61,8 +53,8 @@ async def on_contact_message(event: "Event") -> None:
     2. The packet processor couldn't match the sender to a known contact
 
     The packet processor handles: decryption, storage, broadcast, bot trigger.
-    This handler only stores if the packet processor didn't already handle it
-    (detected via INSERT OR IGNORE returning None for duplicates).
+    This handler adapts CONTACT_MSG_RECV payloads into the shared DM ingest
+    workflow, which reconciles duplicates against the packet pipeline when possible.
     """
     payload = event.payload
 
@@ -76,90 +68,53 @@ async def on_contact_message(event: "Event") -> None:
     sender_pubkey = payload.get("public_key") or payload.get("pubkey_prefix", "")
     received_at = int(time.time())
 
-    # Look up contact from database - use prefix lookup only if needed
-    # (get_by_key_or_prefix does exact match first, then prefix fallback)
-    try:
-        contact = await ContactRepository.get_by_key_or_prefix(sender_pubkey)
-    except AmbiguousPublicKeyPrefixError:
-        logger.warning(
-            "DM sender prefix '%s' is ambiguous; storing under prefix until full key is known",
-            sender_pubkey,
+    context = await resolve_fallback_direct_message_context(
+        sender_public_key=sender_pubkey,
+        received_at=received_at,
+        broadcast_fn=broadcast_event,
+        contact_repository=ContactRepository,
+        log=logger,
+    )
+    if context.skip_storage:
+        logger.debug(
+            "Skipping message from repeater %s (not stored in chat history)",
+            context.conversation_key[:12],
         )
-        contact = None
-    if contact:
-        sender_pubkey = contact.public_key.lower()
+        return
 
-        # Promote any prefix-stored messages to this full key
-        await MessageRepository.claim_prefix_messages(sender_pubkey)
-
-        # Skip messages from repeaters - they only send CLI responses, not chat messages.
-        # CLI responses are handled by the command endpoint and txt_type filter above.
-        if contact.type == CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER:
-            logger.debug(
-                "Skipping message from repeater %s (not stored in chat history)",
-                sender_pubkey[:12],
-            )
-            return
-
-    # Try to create message - INSERT OR IGNORE handles duplicates atomically
-    # If the packet processor already stored this message, this returns None
+    # Try to create or reconcile the message via the shared DM ingest service.
     ts = payload.get("sender_timestamp")
     sender_timestamp = ts if ts is not None else received_at
-    sender_name = contact.name if contact else None
     path = payload.get("path")
     path_len = payload.get("path_len")
-    msg_id = await MessageRepository.create(
-        msg_type="PRIV",
+    message = await ingest_fallback_direct_message(
+        conversation_key=context.conversation_key,
         text=payload.get("text", ""),
-        conversation_key=sender_pubkey,
         sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
         received_at=received_at,
         path=path,
         path_len=path_len,
         txt_type=txt_type,
         signature=payload.get("signature"),
-        sender_key=sender_pubkey,
-        sender_name=sender_name,
+        sender_name=context.sender_name,
+        sender_key=context.sender_key,
+        broadcast_fn=broadcast_event,
+        update_last_contacted_key=context.contact.public_key.lower() if context.contact else None,
     )
 
-    if msg_id is None:
+    if message is None:
         # Already handled by packet processor (or exact duplicate) - nothing more to do
-        logger.debug("DM from %s already processed by packet processor", sender_pubkey[:12])
+        logger.debug(
+            "DM from %s already processed by packet processor", context.conversation_key[:12]
+        )
         return
 
     # If we get here, the packet processor didn't handle this message
     # (likely because private key export is not available)
-    logger.debug("DM from %s handled by event handler (fallback path)", sender_pubkey[:12])
-
-    # Build paths array for broadcast
-    paths = (
-        [MessagePath(path=path or "", received_at=received_at, path_len=path_len)]
-        if path is not None
-        else None
+    logger.debug(
+        "DM from %s handled by event handler (fallback path)", context.conversation_key[:12]
     )
 
-    # Broadcast the new message
-    broadcast_event(
-        "message",
-        Message(
-            id=msg_id,
-            type="PRIV",
-            conversation_key=sender_pubkey,
-            text=payload.get("text", ""),
-            sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
-            received_at=received_at,
-            paths=paths,
-            txt_type=txt_type,
-            signature=payload.get("signature"),
-            sender_key=sender_pubkey,
-            sender_name=sender_name,
-        ).model_dump(),
-    )
-
-    # Update contact last_contacted (contact was already fetched above)
-    if contact:
-        await ContactRepository.update_last_contacted(sender_pubkey, received_at)
-
 
 async def on_rx_log_data(event: "Event") -> None:
     """Store raw RF packet data and process via centralized packet processor.
@@ -242,11 +197,12 @@ async def on_path_update(event: "Event") -> None:
             )
             normalized_path_hash_mode = None
 
-    await ContactRepository.update_path(
+    await ContactRepository.update_direct_path(
         contact.public_key,
         str(path),
         normalized_path_len,
         normalized_path_hash_mode,
+        updated_at=int(time.time()),
     )
 
 
@@ -265,30 +221,42 @@ async def on_new_contact(event: "Event") -> None:
 
     logger.debug("New contact: %s", public_key[:12])
 
-    contact_data = {
-        **Contact.from_radio_dict(public_key.lower(), payload, on_radio=True),
-        "last_seen": int(time.time()),
-    }
-    await ContactRepository.upsert(contact_data)
+    contact_upsert = ContactUpsert.from_radio_dict(public_key.lower(), payload, on_radio=False)
+    contact_upsert.last_seen = int(time.time())
+    await ContactRepository.upsert(contact_upsert)
+    promoted_keys = await promote_prefix_contacts_for_contact(
+        public_key=public_key,
+        log=logger,
+    )
 
-    # Record name history if contact has a name
     adv_name = payload.get("adv_name")
-    if adv_name:
-        await ContactNameHistoryRepository.record_name(
-            public_key.lower(), adv_name, int(time.time())
-        )
-        backfilled = await MessageRepository.backfill_channel_sender_key(public_key, adv_name)
-        if backfilled > 0:
-            logger.info(
-                "Backfilled sender_key on %d channel message(s) for %s",
-                backfilled,
-                adv_name,
-            )
+    await record_contact_name_and_reconcile(
+        public_key=public_key,
+        contact_name=adv_name,
+        timestamp=int(time.time()),
+        log=logger,
+    )
 
     # Read back from DB so the broadcast includes all fields (last_contacted,
     # last_read_at, etc.) matching the REST Contact shape exactly.
     db_contact = await ContactRepository.get_by_key(public_key)
-    broadcast_event("contact", (db_contact.model_dump() if db_contact else contact_data))
+    broadcast_event(
+        "contact",
+        (
+            db_contact.model_dump()
+            if db_contact
+            else Contact(**contact_upsert.model_dump(exclude_none=True)).model_dump()
+        ),
+    )
+    if db_contact:
+        for old_key in promoted_keys:
+            broadcast_event(
+                "contact_resolved",
+                {
+                    "previous_public_key": old_key,
+                    "contact": db_contact.model_dump(),
+                },
+            )
 
 
 async def on_ack(event: "Event") -> None:
@@ -301,18 +269,9 @@ async def on_ack(event: "Event") -> None:
         return
 
     logger.debug("Received ACK with code %s", ack_code)
-
-    cleanup_expired_acks()
-
-    if ack_code in _pending_acks:
-        message_id, _, _ = _pending_acks.pop(ack_code)
-        logger.info("ACK received for message %d", message_id)
-
-        ack_count = await MessageRepository.increment_ack_count(message_id)
-        # DM ACKs don't carry path data, so paths is intentionally omitted.
-        # The frontend's mergePendingAck handles the missing field correctly,
-        # preserving any previously known paths.
-        broadcast_event("message_acked", {"message_id": message_id, "ack_count": ack_count})
+    matched = await apply_dm_ack_code(ack_code, broadcast_fn=broadcast_event)
+    if matched:
+        logger.info("ACK received for code %s", ack_code)
     else:
         logger.debug("ACK code %s does not match any pending messages", ack_code)
 

app/events.py

@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+"""Typed WebSocket event contracts and serialization helpers."""
+
+import json
+import logging
+from typing import Any, Literal
+
+from pydantic import TypeAdapter
+from typing_extensions import NotRequired, TypedDict
+
+from app.models import Channel, Contact, Message, MessagePath, RawPacketBroadcast
+from app.routers.health import HealthResponse
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+WsEventType = Literal[
+    "health",
+    "message",
+    "contact",
+    "contact_resolved",
+    "channel",
+    "contact_deleted",
+    "channel_deleted",
+    "raw_packet",
+    "message_acked",
+    "error",
+    "success",
+]
+
+
+class ContactDeletedPayload(TypedDict):
+    public_key: str
+
+
+class ContactResolvedPayload(TypedDict):
+    previous_public_key: str
+    contact: Contact
+
+
+class ChannelDeletedPayload(TypedDict):
+    key: str
+
+
+class MessageAckedPayload(TypedDict):
+    message_id: int
+    ack_count: int
+    paths: NotRequired[list[MessagePath]]
+
+
+class ToastPayload(TypedDict):
+    message: str
+    details: NotRequired[str]
+
+
+WsEventPayload = (
+    HealthResponse
+    | Message
+    | Contact
+    | ContactResolvedPayload
+    | Channel
+    | ContactDeletedPayload
+    | ChannelDeletedPayload
+    | RawPacketBroadcast
+    | MessageAckedPayload
+    | ToastPayload
+)
+
+_PAYLOAD_ADAPTERS: dict[WsEventType, TypeAdapter[Any]] = {
+    "health": TypeAdapter(HealthResponse),
+    "message": TypeAdapter(Message),
+    "contact": TypeAdapter(Contact),
+    "contact_resolved": TypeAdapter(ContactResolvedPayload),
+    "channel": TypeAdapter(Channel),
+    "contact_deleted": TypeAdapter(ContactDeletedPayload),
+    "channel_deleted": TypeAdapter(ChannelDeletedPayload),
+    "raw_packet": TypeAdapter(RawPacketBroadcast),
+    "message_acked": TypeAdapter(MessageAckedPayload),
+    "error": TypeAdapter(ToastPayload),
+    "success": TypeAdapter(ToastPayload),
+}
+
+
+def validate_ws_event_payload(event_type: str, data: Any) -> WsEventPayload | Any:
+    """Validate known WebSocket payloads; pass unknown events through unchanged."""
+    adapter = _PAYLOAD_ADAPTERS.get(event_type)  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+    if adapter is None:
+        return data
+    return adapter.validate_python(data)
+
+
+def dump_ws_event(event_type: str, data: Any) -> str:
+    """Serialize a WebSocket event envelope with validation for known event types."""
+    adapter = _PAYLOAD_ADAPTERS.get(event_type)  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+    if adapter is None:
+        return json.dumps({"type": event_type, "data": data})
+
+    try:
+        validated = adapter.validate_python(data)
+        payload = adapter.dump_python(validated, mode="json")
+        return json.dumps({"type": event_type, "data": payload})
+    except Exception:
+        logger.exception(
+            "Failed to validate WebSocket payload for event %s; falling back to raw JSON envelope",
+            event_type,
+        )
+        return json.dumps({"type": event_type, "data": data})
+
+
+def dump_ws_event_payload(event_type: str, data: Any) -> Any:
+    """Return the JSON-serializable payload for a WebSocket event."""
+    adapter = _PAYLOAD_ADAPTERS.get(event_type)  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+    if adapter is None:
+        return data
+
+    validated = adapter.validate_python(data)
+    return adapter.dump_python(validated, mode="json")

app/fanout/AGENTS_fanout.md

@@ -79,6 +79,14 @@ Push notifications via Apprise library. Config blob:
 - `preserve_identity` — suppress Discord webhook name/avatar override
 - `include_path` — include routing path in notification body
 
+### sqs (sqs.py)
+Amazon SQS delivery. Config blob:
+- `queue_url` — target queue URL
+- `region_name` (optional; inferred from standard AWS SQS queue URLs when omitted), `endpoint_url` (optional)
+- `access_key_id`, `secret_access_key`, `session_token` (all optional; blank uses the normal AWS credential chain)
+- Publishes a JSON envelope of the form `{"event_type":"message"|"raw_packet","data":...}`
+- Supports both decoded messages and raw packets via normal scope selection
+
 ## Adding a New Integration Type
 
 ### Step-by-step checklist
@@ -132,7 +140,7 @@ Three changes needed:
 
 **a)** Add to `_VALID_TYPES` set:
 ```python
-_VALID_TYPES = {"mqtt_private", "mqtt_community", "bot", "webhook", "apprise", "my_type"}
+_VALID_TYPES = {"mqtt_private", "mqtt_community", "bot", "webhook", "apprise", "sqs", "my_type"}
 ```
 
 **b)** Add a validation function:
@@ -280,6 +288,7 @@ Migrations:
 - `app/fanout/bot_exec.py` — Bot code execution, response processing, rate limiting
 - `app/fanout/webhook.py` — Webhook fanout module
 - `app/fanout/apprise_mod.py` — Apprise fanout module
+- `app/fanout/sqs.py` — Amazon SQS fanout module
 - `app/repository/fanout.py` — Database CRUD
 - `app/routers/fanout.py` — REST API
 - `app/websocket.py` — `broadcast_event()` dispatches to fanout

app/fanout/bot.py

@@ -10,6 +10,36 @@ from app.fanout.base import FanoutModule
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+def _derive_path_bytes_per_hop(paths: object, path_value: str | None) -> int | None:
+    """Derive hop width from the first serialized message path when possible."""
+    if not isinstance(path_value, str) or not path_value:
+        return None
+    if not isinstance(paths, list) or not paths:
+        return None
+
+    first_path = paths[0]
+    if not isinstance(first_path, dict):
+        return None
+
+    path_hops = first_path.get("path_len")
+    if not isinstance(path_hops, int) or path_hops <= 0:
+        return None
+
+    path_hex_chars = len(path_value)
+    if path_hex_chars % 2 != 0:
+        return None
+
+    path_bytes = path_hex_chars // 2
+    if path_bytes % path_hops != 0:
+        return None
+
+    hop_width = path_bytes // path_hops
+    if hop_width not in (1, 2, 3):
+        return None
+
+    return hop_width
+
+
 class BotModule(FanoutModule):
     """Wraps a single bot's code execution and response routing.
 
@@ -52,10 +82,17 @@ class BotModule(FanoutModule):
 
         msg_type = data.get("type", "")
         is_dm = msg_type == "PRIV"
+        conversation_key = data.get("conversation_key", "")
+        logger.debug(
+            "Bot '%s' starting for type=%s conversation=%s outgoing=%s",
+            self.name,
+            msg_type or "unknown",
+            conversation_key[:12] if conversation_key else "(none)",
+            bool(data.get("outgoing", False)),
+        )
 
         # Extract bot parameters from broadcast data
         if is_dm:
-            conversation_key = data.get("conversation_key", "")
             sender_key = data.get("sender_key") or conversation_key
             is_outgoing = data.get("outgoing", False)
             message_text = data.get("text", "")
@@ -73,7 +110,6 @@ class BotModule(FanoutModule):
                     contact = await ContactRepository.get_by_key(conversation_key)
                     sender_name = contact.name if contact else None
         else:
-            conversation_key = data.get("conversation_key", "")
             sender_key = None
             is_outgoing = bool(data.get("outgoing", False))
             sender_name = data.get("sender_name")
@@ -95,11 +131,11 @@ class BotModule(FanoutModule):
 
         sender_timestamp = data.get("sender_timestamp")
         path_value = data.get("path")
+        paths = data.get("paths")
         # Message model serializes paths as list of dicts; extract first path string
-        if path_value is None:
-            paths = data.get("paths")
-            if paths and isinstance(paths, list) and len(paths) > 0:
-                path_value = paths[0].get("path") if isinstance(paths[0], dict) else None
+        if path_value is None and paths and isinstance(paths, list) and len(paths) > 0:
+            path_value = paths[0].get("path") if isinstance(paths[0], dict) else None
+        path_bytes_per_hop = _derive_path_bytes_per_hop(paths, path_value)
 
         # Wait for message to settle (allows retransmissions to be deduped)
         await asyncio.sleep(2)
@@ -124,14 +160,15 @@ class BotModule(FanoutModule):
                         sender_timestamp,
                         path_value,
                         is_outgoing,
+                        path_bytes_per_hop,
                     ),
                     timeout=BOT_EXECUTION_TIMEOUT,
                 )
             except asyncio.TimeoutError:
                 logger.warning("Bot '%s' execution timed out", self.name)
                 return
-            except Exception as e:
-                logger.warning("Bot '%s' execution error: %s", self.name, e)
+            except Exception:
+                logger.exception("Bot '%s' execution error", self.name)
                 return
 
         if response and self._active:

app/fanout/bot_exec.py

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import inspect
 import logging
 import time
 from concurrent.futures import ThreadPoolExecutor
+from dataclasses import dataclass
 from typing import Any
 
 from fastapi import HTTPException
@@ -39,6 +40,102 @@ _bot_send_lock = asyncio.Lock()
 _last_bot_send_time: float = 0.0
 
 
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class BotCallPlan:
+    """How to call a validated bot() function."""
+
+    call_style: str
+    keyword_args: tuple[str, ...] = ()
+
+
+def _analyze_bot_signature(bot_func_or_sig) -> BotCallPlan:
+    """Validate bot() signature and return a supported call plan."""
+    try:
+        sig = (
+            bot_func_or_sig
+            if isinstance(bot_func_or_sig, inspect.Signature)
+            else inspect.signature(bot_func_or_sig)
+        )
+    except (ValueError, TypeError) as exc:
+        raise ValueError("Bot function signature could not be inspected") from exc
+
+    params = sig.parameters
+    param_values = tuple(params.values())
+    positional_params = [
+        p
+        for p in param_values
+        if p.kind in (inspect.Parameter.POSITIONAL_ONLY, inspect.Parameter.POSITIONAL_OR_KEYWORD)
+    ]
+    has_varargs = any(p.kind == inspect.Parameter.VAR_POSITIONAL for p in param_values)
+    has_kwargs = any(p.kind == inspect.Parameter.VAR_KEYWORD for p in param_values)
+    explicit_optional_names = tuple(
+        name for name in ("is_outgoing", "path_bytes_per_hop") if name in params
+    )
+    unsupported_required_kwonly = [
+        p.name
+        for p in param_values
+        if p.kind == inspect.Parameter.KEYWORD_ONLY
+        and p.default is inspect.Parameter.empty
+        and p.name not in {"is_outgoing", "path_bytes_per_hop"}
+    ]
+    if unsupported_required_kwonly:
+        raise ValueError(
+            "Bot function signature is not supported. Unsupported required keyword-only "
+            "parameters: " + ", ".join(unsupported_required_kwonly)
+        )
+
+    positional_capacity = len(positional_params)
+    base_args = [object()] * 8
+    base_keyword_args: dict[str, object] = {
+        "sender_name": object(),
+        "sender_key": object(),
+        "message_text": object(),
+        "is_dm": object(),
+        "channel_key": object(),
+        "channel_name": object(),
+        "sender_timestamp": object(),
+        "path": object(),
+    }
+    candidate_specs: list[tuple[str, list[object], dict[str, object]]] = []
+    keyword_args = dict(base_keyword_args)
+    if has_kwargs or "is_outgoing" in params:
+        keyword_args["is_outgoing"] = False
+    if has_kwargs or "path_bytes_per_hop" in params:
+        keyword_args["path_bytes_per_hop"] = 1
+    candidate_specs.append(("keyword", [], keyword_args))
+
+    if not has_kwargs and explicit_optional_names:
+        kwargs: dict[str, object] = {}
+        if has_kwargs or "is_outgoing" in params:
+            kwargs["is_outgoing"] = False
+        if has_kwargs or "path_bytes_per_hop" in params:
+            kwargs["path_bytes_per_hop"] = 1
+        candidate_specs.append(("mixed_keyword", base_args, kwargs))
+
+    if has_varargs or positional_capacity >= 10:
+        candidate_specs.append(("positional_10", base_args + [False, 1], {}))
+    if has_varargs or positional_capacity >= 9:
+        candidate_specs.append(("positional_9", base_args + [False], {}))
+    if has_varargs or positional_capacity >= 8:
+        candidate_specs.append(("legacy", base_args, {}))
+
+    for call_style, args, kwargs in candidate_specs:
+        try:
+            sig.bind(*args, **kwargs)
+        except TypeError:
+            continue
+        if call_style in {"keyword", "mixed_keyword"}:
+            return BotCallPlan(call_style="keyword", keyword_args=tuple(kwargs.keys()))
+        return BotCallPlan(call_style=call_style)
+
+    raise ValueError(
+        "Bot function signature is not supported. Use the default bot template as a reference. "
+        "Supported trailing parameters are: path; path + is_outgoing; "
+        "path + path_bytes_per_hop; path + is_outgoing + path_bytes_per_hop; "
+        "or use **kwargs for forward compatibility."
+    )
+
+
 def execute_bot_code(
     code: str,
     sender_name: str | None,
@@ -50,17 +147,19 @@ def execute_bot_code(
     sender_timestamp: int | None,
     path: str | None,
     is_outgoing: bool = False,
+    path_bytes_per_hop: int | None = None,
 ) -> str | list[str] | None:
     """
     Execute user-provided bot code with message context.
 
     The code should define a function:
-    `bot(sender_name, sender_key, message_text, is_dm, channel_key, channel_name, sender_timestamp, path, is_outgoing)`
+    `bot(sender_name, sender_key, message_text, is_dm, channel_key, channel_name, sender_timestamp, path, is_outgoing, path_bytes_per_hop)`
+    or use named parameters / `**kwargs`.
     that returns either None (no response), a string (single response message),
     or a list of strings (multiple messages sent in order).
 
-    Legacy bot functions with 8 parameters (without is_outgoing) are detected
-    via inspect and called without the new parameter for backward compatibility.
+    Legacy bot functions with older signatures are detected via inspect and
+    called without the newer parameters for backward compatibility.
 
     Args:
         code: Python code defining the bot function
@@ -73,6 +172,7 @@ def execute_bot_code(
         sender_timestamp: Sender's timestamp from the message (may be None)
         path: Hex-encoded routing path (may be None)
         is_outgoing: True if this is our own outgoing message
+        path_bytes_per_hop: Number of bytes per routing hop (1, 2, or 3), if known
 
     Returns:
         Response string, list of strings, or None.
@@ -90,8 +190,8 @@ def execute_bot_code(
     try:
         # Execute the user's code to define the bot function
         exec(code, namespace)
-    except Exception as e:
-        logger.warning("Bot code compilation failed: %s", e)
+    except Exception:
+        logger.exception("Bot code compilation failed")
         return None
 
     # Check if bot function was defined
@@ -100,30 +200,28 @@ def execute_bot_code(
         return None
 
     bot_func = namespace["bot"]
-
-    # Detect whether the bot function accepts is_outgoing (new 9-param signature)
-    # or uses the legacy 8-param signature, for backward compatibility.
-    # Three cases: explicit is_outgoing param or 9+ params (positional),
-    # **kwargs (pass as keyword), or legacy 8-param (omit).
-    call_style = "legacy"  # "positional", "keyword", or "legacy"
     try:
-        sig = inspect.signature(bot_func)
-        params = sig.parameters
-        non_variadic = [
-            p
-            for p in params.values()
-            if p.kind not in (inspect.Parameter.VAR_POSITIONAL, inspect.Parameter.VAR_KEYWORD)
-        ]
-        if "is_outgoing" in params or len(non_variadic) >= 9:
-            call_style = "positional"
-        elif any(p.kind == inspect.Parameter.VAR_KEYWORD for p in params.values()):
-            call_style = "keyword"
-    except (ValueError, TypeError):
-        pass
+        call_plan = _analyze_bot_signature(bot_func)
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        logger.error("%s", exc)
+        return None
 
     try:
         # Call the bot function with appropriate signature
-        if call_style == "positional":
+        if call_plan.call_style == "positional_10":
+            result = bot_func(
+                sender_name,
+                sender_key,
+                message_text,
+                is_dm,
+                channel_key,
+                channel_name,
+                sender_timestamp,
+                path,
+                is_outgoing,
+                path_bytes_per_hop,
+            )
+        elif call_plan.call_style == "positional_9":
             result = bot_func(
                 sender_name,
                 sender_key,
@@ -135,18 +233,29 @@ def execute_bot_code(
                 path,
                 is_outgoing,
             )
-        elif call_style == "keyword":
-            result = bot_func(
-                sender_name,
-                sender_key,
-                message_text,
-                is_dm,
-                channel_key,
-                channel_name,
-                sender_timestamp,
-                path,
-                is_outgoing=is_outgoing,
-            )
+        elif call_plan.call_style == "keyword":
+            keyword_args: dict[str, Any] = {}
+            if "sender_name" in call_plan.keyword_args:
+                keyword_args["sender_name"] = sender_name
+            if "sender_key" in call_plan.keyword_args:
+                keyword_args["sender_key"] = sender_key
+            if "message_text" in call_plan.keyword_args:
+                keyword_args["message_text"] = message_text
+            if "is_dm" in call_plan.keyword_args:
+                keyword_args["is_dm"] = is_dm
+            if "channel_key" in call_plan.keyword_args:
+                keyword_args["channel_key"] = channel_key
+            if "channel_name" in call_plan.keyword_args:
+                keyword_args["channel_name"] = channel_name
+            if "sender_timestamp" in call_plan.keyword_args:
+                keyword_args["sender_timestamp"] = sender_timestamp
+            if "path" in call_plan.keyword_args:
+                keyword_args["path"] = path
+            if "is_outgoing" in call_plan.keyword_args:
+                keyword_args["is_outgoing"] = is_outgoing
+            if "path_bytes_per_hop" in call_plan.keyword_args:
+                keyword_args["path_bytes_per_hop"] = path_bytes_per_hop
+            result = bot_func(**keyword_args)
         else:
             result = bot_func(
                 sender_name,
@@ -172,8 +281,8 @@ def execute_bot_code(
         logger.debug("Bot function returned unsupported type: %s", type(result))
         return None
 
-    except Exception as e:
-        logger.warning("Bot function execution failed: %s", e)
+    except Exception:
+        logger.exception("Bot function execution failed")
         return None
 
 
@@ -249,10 +358,10 @@ async def _send_single_bot_message(
                 logger.warning("Cannot send bot response: no destination")
                 return  # Don't update timestamp if we didn't send
         except HTTPException as e:
-            logger.error("Bot failed to send response: %s", e.detail)
+            logger.error("Bot failed to send response: %s", e.detail, exc_info=True)
             return  # Don't update timestamp on failure
-        except Exception as e:
-            logger.error("Bot failed to send response: %s", e)
+        except Exception:
+            logger.exception("Bot failed to send response")
             return  # Don't update timestamp on failure
 
         # Update last send time after successful send

app/fanout/community_mqtt.py

@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import asyncio
 import base64
 import hashlib
-import importlib.metadata
 import json
 import logging
 import ssl
@@ -25,12 +24,13 @@ import nacl.bindings
 
 from app.fanout.mqtt_base import BaseMqttPublisher
 from app.path_utils import parse_packet_envelope, split_path_hex
+from app.version_info import get_app_build_info
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 _DEFAULT_BROKER = "mqtt-us-v1.letsmesh.net"
 _DEFAULT_PORT = 443  # Community protocol uses WSS on port 443 by default
-_CLIENT_ID = "RemoteTerm (github.com/jkingsman/Remote-Terminal-for-MeshCore)"
+_CLIENT_ID = "RemoteTerm"
 
 # Proactive JWT renewal: reconnect 1 hour before the 24h token expires
 _TOKEN_LIFETIME = 86400  # 24 hours (must match _generate_jwt_token exp)
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ def _build_radio_info() -> str:
     Matches the reference format: ``"freq,bw,sf,cr"`` (comma-separated raw
     values).  Falls back to ``"0,0,0,0"`` when unavailable.
     """
-    from app.radio import radio_manager
+    from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime as radio_manager
 
     try:
         if radio_manager.meshcore and radio_manager.meshcore.self_info:
@@ -260,12 +260,8 @@ def _build_radio_info() -> str:
 
 
 def _get_client_version() -> str:
-    """Return a client version string like ``'RemoteTerm 2.4.0'``."""
-    try:
-        version = importlib.metadata.version("remoteterm-meshcore")
-        return f"RemoteTerm {version}"
-    except Exception:
-        return "RemoteTerm unknown"
+    """Return the app version string for community MQTT payloads."""
+    return get_app_build_info().version
 
 
 class CommunityMqttPublisher(BaseMqttPublisher):
@@ -329,7 +325,7 @@ class CommunityMqttPublisher(BaseMqttPublisher):
     def _build_client_kwargs(self, settings: object) -> dict[str, Any]:
         s: CommunityMqttSettings = settings  # type: ignore[assignment]
         from app.keystore import get_private_key, get_public_key
-        from app.radio import radio_manager
+        from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime as radio_manager
 
         private_key = get_private_key()
         public_key = get_public_key()
@@ -401,7 +397,8 @@ class CommunityMqttPublisher(BaseMqttPublisher):
         if self._cached_device_info is not None:
             return self._cached_device_info
 
-        from app.radio import RadioDisconnectedError, RadioOperationBusyError, radio_manager
+        from app.radio import RadioDisconnectedError, RadioOperationBusyError
+        from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime as radio_manager
 
         fallback = {"model": "unknown", "firmware_version": "unknown"}
         try:
@@ -448,7 +445,8 @@ class CommunityMqttPublisher(BaseMqttPublisher):
         ) < _STATS_MIN_CACHE_SECS and self._cached_stats is not None:
             return self._cached_stats
 
-        from app.radio import RadioDisconnectedError, RadioOperationBusyError, radio_manager
+        from app.radio import RadioDisconnectedError, RadioOperationBusyError
+        from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime as radio_manager
 
         try:
             async with radio_manager.radio_operation("community_stats_fetch", blocking=False) as mc:
@@ -489,7 +487,7 @@ class CommunityMqttPublisher(BaseMqttPublisher):
     ) -> None:
         """Build and publish the enriched retained status message."""
         from app.keystore import get_public_key
-        from app.radio import radio_manager
+        from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime as radio_manager
 
         public_key = get_public_key()
         if public_key is None:

app/fanout/manager.py

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ def _register_module_types() -> None:
     from app.fanout.bot import BotModule
     from app.fanout.mqtt_community import MqttCommunityModule
     from app.fanout.mqtt_private import MqttPrivateModule
+    from app.fanout.sqs import SqsModule
     from app.fanout.webhook import WebhookModule
 
     _MODULE_TYPES["mqtt_private"] = MqttPrivateModule
@@ -30,6 +31,7 @@ def _register_module_types() -> None:
     _MODULE_TYPES["bot"] = BotModule
     _MODULE_TYPES["webhook"] = WebhookModule
     _MODULE_TYPES["apprise"] = AppriseModule
+    _MODULE_TYPES["sqs"] = SqsModule
 
 
 def _matches_filter(filter_value: Any, key: str) -> bool:

app/fanout/mqtt_base.py

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ _BACKOFF_MIN = 5
 
 def _broadcast_health() -> None:
     """Push updated health (including MQTT status) to all WS clients."""
-    from app.radio import radio_manager
+    from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime as radio_manager
     from app.websocket import broadcast_health
 
     broadcast_health(radio_manager.is_connected, radio_manager.connection_info)
@@ -54,6 +54,17 @@ class BaseMqttPublisher(ABC):
         self._settings_version: int = 0
         self._version_event: asyncio.Event = asyncio.Event()
         self.connected: bool = False
+        self.integration_name: str = ""
+
+    def set_integration_name(self, name: str) -> None:
+        """Attach the configured fanout-module name for operator-facing logs."""
+        self.integration_name = name.strip()
+
+    def _integration_label(self) -> str:
+        """Return a concise label for logs, including the configured module name."""
+        if self.integration_name:
+            return f"{self._log_prefix} [{self.integration_name}]"
+        return self._log_prefix
 
     # ── Lifecycle ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
@@ -89,7 +100,14 @@ class BaseMqttPublisher(ABC):
         try:
             await self._client.publish(topic, json.dumps(payload), retain=retain)
         except Exception as e:
-            logger.warning("%s publish failed on %s: %s", self._log_prefix, topic, e)
+            logger.warning(
+                "%s publish failed on %s. This is usually transient network noise; "
+                "if it self-resolves and reconnects, it is generally not a concern: %s",
+                self._integration_label(),
+                topic,
+                e,
+                exc_info=True,
+            )
             self.connected = False
             # Wake the connection loop so it exits the wait and reconnects
             self._settings_version += 1
@@ -219,10 +237,13 @@ class BaseMqttPublisher(ABC):
                 broadcast_error(title, detail)
                 _broadcast_health()
                 logger.warning(
-                    "%s connection error: %s (reconnecting in %ds)",
-                    self._log_prefix,
+                    "%s connection error. This is usually transient network noise; "
+                    "if it self-resolves, it is generally not a concern: %s "
+                    "(reconnecting in %ds)",
+                    self._integration_label(),
                     e,
                     backoff,
+                    exc_info=True,
                 )
 
                 try:

app/fanout/mqtt_community.py

@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ class MqttCommunityModule(FanoutModule):
     def __init__(self, config_id: str, config: dict, *, name: str = "") -> None:
         super().__init__(config_id, config, name=name)
         self._publisher = CommunityMqttPublisher()
+        self._publisher.set_integration_name(name or config_id)
 
     async def start(self) -> None:
         settings = _config_to_settings(self.config)
@@ -109,7 +110,7 @@ async def _publish_community_packet(
     """Format and publish a raw packet to the community broker."""
     try:
         from app.keystore import get_public_key
-        from app.radio import radio_manager
+        from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime as radio_manager
 
         public_key = get_public_key()
         if public_key is None:
@@ -135,4 +136,4 @@ async def _publish_community_packet(
         await publisher.publish(topic, packet)
 
     except Exception as e:
-        logger.warning("Community MQTT broadcast error: %s", e)
+        logger.warning("Community MQTT broadcast error: %s", e, exc_info=True)

app/fanout/mqtt_private.py

@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ class MqttPrivateModule(FanoutModule):
     def __init__(self, config_id: str, config: dict, *, name: str = "") -> None:
         super().__init__(config_id, config, name=name)
         self._publisher = MqttPublisher()
+        self._publisher.set_integration_name(name or config_id)
 
     async def start(self) -> None:
         settings = _config_to_settings(self.config)

app/fanout/sqs.py

@@ -0,0 +1,164 @@
+"""Fanout module for Amazon SQS delivery."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import asyncio
+import hashlib
+import json
+import logging
+from functools import partial
+from urllib.parse import urlparse
+
+import boto3
+from botocore.exceptions import BotoCoreError, ClientError
+
+from app.fanout.base import FanoutModule
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+def _build_payload(data: dict, *, event_type: str) -> str:
+    """Serialize a fanout event into a stable JSON envelope."""
+    return json.dumps(
+        {
+            "event_type": event_type,
+            "data": data,
+        },
+        separators=(",", ":"),
+        sort_keys=True,
+    )
+
+
+def _infer_region_from_queue_url(queue_url: str) -> str | None:
+    """Infer AWS region from a standard SQS queue URL host when possible."""
+    host = urlparse(queue_url).hostname or ""
+    if not host:
+        return None
+
+    parts = host.split(".")
+    if len(parts) < 4 or parts[0] != "sqs":
+        return None
+    if parts[2] != "amazonaws":
+        return None
+    if parts[3] not in {"com", "com.cn"}:
+        return None
+
+    region = parts[1].strip()
+    return region or None
+
+
+def _is_fifo_queue(queue_url: str) -> bool:
+    """Return True when the configured queue URL points at an SQS FIFO queue."""
+    return queue_url.rstrip("/").endswith(".fifo")
+
+
+def _build_message_group_id(data: dict, *, event_type: str) -> str:
+    """Choose a stable FIFO group ID from the event identity."""
+    if event_type == "message":
+        conversation_key = str(data.get("conversation_key", "")).strip()
+        if conversation_key:
+            return f"message-{conversation_key}"
+        return "message-default"
+    return "raw-packets"
+
+
+def _build_message_deduplication_id(data: dict, *, event_type: str, body: str) -> str:
+    """Choose a deterministic deduplication ID for FIFO queues."""
+    if event_type == "message":
+        message_id = data.get("id")
+        if isinstance(message_id, int):
+            return f"message-{message_id}"
+    else:
+        observation_id = data.get("observation_id")
+        if isinstance(observation_id, str) and observation_id.strip():
+            return f"raw-{observation_id}"
+        packet_id = data.get("id")
+        if isinstance(packet_id, int):
+            return f"raw-{packet_id}"
+    return hashlib.sha256(body.encode()).hexdigest()
+
+
+class SqsModule(FanoutModule):
+    """Delivers message and raw-packet events to an Amazon SQS queue."""
+
+    def __init__(self, config_id: str, config: dict, *, name: str = "") -> None:
+        super().__init__(config_id, config, name=name)
+        self._client = None
+        self._last_error: str | None = None
+
+    async def start(self) -> None:
+        kwargs: dict[str, str] = {}
+        queue_url = str(self.config.get("queue_url", "")).strip()
+        region_name = str(self.config.get("region_name", "")).strip()
+        endpoint_url = str(self.config.get("endpoint_url", "")).strip()
+        access_key_id = str(self.config.get("access_key_id", "")).strip()
+        secret_access_key = str(self.config.get("secret_access_key", "")).strip()
+        session_token = str(self.config.get("session_token", "")).strip()
+
+        if not region_name:
+            region_name = _infer_region_from_queue_url(queue_url) or ""
+        if region_name:
+            kwargs["region_name"] = region_name
+        if endpoint_url:
+            kwargs["endpoint_url"] = endpoint_url
+        if access_key_id and secret_access_key:
+            kwargs["aws_access_key_id"] = access_key_id
+            kwargs["aws_secret_access_key"] = secret_access_key
+        if session_token:
+            kwargs["aws_session_token"] = session_token
+
+        self._client = boto3.client("sqs", **kwargs)
+        self._last_error = None
+
+    async def stop(self) -> None:
+        self._client = None
+
+    async def on_message(self, data: dict) -> None:
+        await self._send(data, event_type="message")
+
+    async def on_raw(self, data: dict) -> None:
+        await self._send(data, event_type="raw_packet")
+
+    async def _send(self, data: dict, *, event_type: str) -> None:
+        if self._client is None:
+            return
+
+        queue_url = str(self.config.get("queue_url", "")).strip()
+        if not queue_url:
+            return
+
+        body = _build_payload(data, event_type=event_type)
+        request_kwargs: dict[str, object] = {
+            "QueueUrl": queue_url,
+            "MessageBody": body,
+            "MessageAttributes": {
+                "event_type": {
+                    "DataType": "String",
+                    "StringValue": event_type,
+                }
+            },
+        }
+
+        if _is_fifo_queue(queue_url):
+            request_kwargs["MessageGroupId"] = _build_message_group_id(data, event_type=event_type)
+            request_kwargs["MessageDeduplicationId"] = _build_message_deduplication_id(
+                data, event_type=event_type, body=body
+            )
+
+        try:
+            await asyncio.to_thread(partial(self._client.send_message, **request_kwargs))
+            self._last_error = None
+        except (ClientError, BotoCoreError) as exc:
+            self._last_error = str(exc)
+            logger.warning("SQS %s send error: %s", self.config_id, exc)
+        except Exception as exc:
+            self._last_error = str(exc)
+            logger.exception("Unexpected SQS send error for %s", self.config_id)
+
+    @property
+    def status(self) -> str:
+        if not str(self.config.get("queue_url", "")).strip():
+            return "disconnected"
+        if self._last_error:
+            return "error"
+        return "connected"

app/frontend_static.py

@@ -7,6 +7,36 @@ from fastapi.staticfiles import StaticFiles
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
+INDEX_CACHE_CONTROL = "no-store"
+ASSET_CACHE_CONTROL = "public, max-age=31536000, immutable"
+STATIC_FILE_CACHE_CONTROL = "public, max-age=3600"
+FRONTEND_BUILD_INSTRUCTIONS = (
+    "Run 'cd frontend && npm install && npm run build', "
+    "or use a release zip that includes frontend/prebuilt."
+)
+
+
+class CacheControlStaticFiles(StaticFiles):
+    """StaticFiles variant that adds a fixed Cache-Control header."""
+
+    def __init__(self, *args, cache_control: str, **kwargs) -> None:
+        super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
+        self.cache_control = cache_control
+
+    def file_response(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        response = super().file_response(*args, **kwargs)
+        response.headers["Cache-Control"] = self.cache_control
+        return response
+
+
+def _file_response(path: Path, *, cache_control: str) -> FileResponse:
+    return FileResponse(path, headers={"Cache-Control": cache_control})
+
+
+def _is_index_file(path: Path, index_file: Path) -> bool:
+    """Return True when the requested file is the SPA shell index.html."""
+    return path == index_file
+
 
 def _resolve_request_origin(request: Request) -> str:
     """Resolve the external origin, honoring common reverse-proxy headers."""
@@ -22,42 +52,44 @@ def _resolve_request_origin(request: Request) -> str:
     return str(request.base_url).rstrip("/")
 
 
-def register_frontend_static_routes(app: FastAPI, frontend_dir: Path) -> bool:
-    """Register frontend static file routes if a built frontend is available.
-
-    Returns True when routes are registered, False when frontend files are
-    missing/incomplete. Missing frontend files are logged but are not fatal.
-    """
+def _validate_frontend_dir(frontend_dir: Path, *, log_failures: bool = True) -> tuple[bool, Path]:
+    """Resolve and validate a built frontend directory."""
     frontend_dir = frontend_dir.resolve()
     index_file = frontend_dir / "index.html"
+
+    if not frontend_dir.exists():
+        if log_failures:
+            logger.error("Frontend build directory not found at %s.", frontend_dir)
+        return False, frontend_dir
+
+    if not frontend_dir.is_dir():
+        if log_failures:
+            logger.error("Frontend build path is not a directory: %s.", frontend_dir)
+        return False, frontend_dir
+
+    if not index_file.exists():
+        if log_failures:
+            logger.error("Frontend index file not found at %s.", index_file)
+        return False, frontend_dir
+
+    return True, frontend_dir
+
+
+def register_frontend_static_routes(app: FastAPI, frontend_dir: Path) -> bool:
+    """Register frontend static file routes if a built frontend is available."""
+    valid, frontend_dir = _validate_frontend_dir(frontend_dir)
+    if not valid:
+        return False
+
+    index_file = frontend_dir / "index.html"
     assets_dir = frontend_dir / "assets"
 
-    if not frontend_dir.exists():
-        logger.error(
-            "Frontend build directory not found at %s. "
-            "Run 'cd frontend && npm run build'. API will continue without frontend routes.",
-            frontend_dir,
-        )
-        return False
-
-    if not frontend_dir.is_dir():
-        logger.error(
-            "Frontend build path is not a directory: %s. "
-            "API will continue without frontend routes.",
-            frontend_dir,
-        )
-        return False
-
-    if not index_file.exists():
-        logger.error(
-            "Frontend index file not found at %s. "
-            "Run 'cd frontend && npm run build'. API will continue without frontend routes.",
-            index_file,
-        )
-        return False
-
     if assets_dir.exists() and assets_dir.is_dir():
-        app.mount("/assets", StaticFiles(directory=assets_dir), name="assets")
+        app.mount(
+            "/assets",
+            CacheControlStaticFiles(directory=assets_dir, cache_control=ASSET_CACHE_CONTROL),
+            name="assets",
+        )
     else:
         logger.warning(
             "Frontend assets directory missing at %s; /assets files will not be served",
@@ -67,7 +99,7 @@ def register_frontend_static_routes(app: FastAPI, frontend_dir: Path) -> bool:
     @app.get("/")
     async def serve_index():
         """Serve the frontend index.html."""
-        return FileResponse(index_file)
+        return _file_response(index_file, cache_control=INDEX_CACHE_CONTROL)
 
     @app.get("/site.webmanifest")
     async def serve_webmanifest(request: Request):
@@ -114,14 +146,43 @@ def register_frontend_static_routes(app: FastAPI, frontend_dir: Path) -> bool:
             raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Not found") from None
 
         if file_path.exists() and file_path.is_file():
-            return FileResponse(file_path)
+            cache_control = (
+                INDEX_CACHE_CONTROL
+                if _is_index_file(file_path, index_file)
+                else STATIC_FILE_CACHE_CONTROL
+            )
+            return _file_response(file_path, cache_control=cache_control)
 
-        return FileResponse(index_file)
+        return _file_response(index_file, cache_control=INDEX_CACHE_CONTROL)
 
     logger.info("Serving frontend from %s", frontend_dir)
     return True
 
 
+def register_first_available_frontend_static_routes(
+    app: FastAPI, frontend_dirs: list[Path]
+) -> Path | None:
+    """Register frontend routes from the first valid build directory."""
+    for i, candidate in enumerate(frontend_dirs):
+        valid, resolved_candidate = _validate_frontend_dir(candidate, log_failures=False)
+        if not valid:
+            continue
+
+        if register_frontend_static_routes(app, resolved_candidate):
+            logger.info("Selected frontend build directory %s", resolved_candidate)
+            return resolved_candidate
+
+        if i < len(frontend_dirs) - 1:
+            logger.warning("Frontend build at %s was unusable; trying fallback", resolved_candidate)
+
+    logger.error(
+        "No usable frontend build found. Searched: %s. %s API will continue without frontend routes.",
+        ", ".join(str(path.resolve()) for path in frontend_dirs),
+        FRONTEND_BUILD_INSTRUCTIONS,
+    )
+    return None
+
+
 def register_frontend_missing_fallback(app: FastAPI) -> None:
     """Register a fallback route that tells the user to build the frontend."""
 
@@ -129,7 +190,5 @@ def register_frontend_missing_fallback(app: FastAPI) -> None:
     async def frontend_not_built():
         return JSONResponse(
             status_code=404,
-            content={
-                "detail": "Frontend not built. Run: cd frontend && npm install && npm run build"
-            },
+            content={"detail": f"Frontend not built. {FRONTEND_BUILD_INSTRUCTIONS}"},
         )

app/keystore.py

@@ -30,6 +30,16 @@ _private_key: bytes | None = None
 _public_key: bytes | None = None
 
 
+def clear_keys() -> None:
+    """Clear any stored private/public key material from memory."""
+    global _private_key, _public_key
+    had_key = _private_key is not None or _public_key is not None
+    _private_key = None
+    _public_key = None
+    if had_key:
+        logger.info("Cleared in-memory keystore")
+
+
 def set_private_key(key: bytes) -> None:
     """Store the private key in memory and derive the public key.
 

app/main.py

@@ -5,12 +5,17 @@ from pathlib import Path
 
 from fastapi import FastAPI, Request
 from fastapi.middleware.cors import CORSMiddleware
+from fastapi.middleware.gzip import GZipMiddleware
 from fastapi.responses import JSONResponse
 
+from app.config import settings as server_settings
 from app.config import setup_logging
 from app.database import db
-from app.frontend_static import register_frontend_missing_fallback, register_frontend_static_routes
-from app.radio import RadioDisconnectedError, radio_manager
+from app.frontend_static import (
+    register_first_available_frontend_static_routes,
+    register_frontend_missing_fallback,
+)
+from app.radio import RadioDisconnectedError
 from app.radio_sync import (
     stop_message_polling,
     stop_periodic_advert,
@@ -19,6 +24,7 @@ from app.radio_sync import (
 from app.routers import (
     channels,
     contacts,
+    debug,
     fanout,
     health,
     messages,
@@ -30,6 +36,9 @@ from app.routers import (
     statistics,
     ws,
 )
+from app.security import add_optional_basic_auth_middleware
+from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime as radio_manager
+from app.version_info import get_app_build_info
 
 setup_logging()
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -38,17 +47,13 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 async def _startup_radio_connect_and_setup() -> None:
     """Connect/setup the radio in the background so HTTP serving can start immediately."""
     try:
-        connected = await radio_manager.reconnect(broadcast_on_success=False)
+        connected = await radio_manager.reconnect_and_prepare(broadcast_on_success=True)
         if connected:
-            await radio_manager.post_connect_setup()
-            from app.websocket import broadcast_health
-
-            broadcast_health(True, radio_manager.connection_info)
             logger.info("Connected to radio")
         else:
             logger.warning("Failed to connect to radio on startup")
-    except Exception as e:
-        logger.warning("Failed to connect to radio on startup: %s", e)
+    except Exception:
+        logger.exception("Failed to connect to radio on startup")
 
 
 @asynccontextmanager
@@ -72,8 +77,8 @@ async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
 
     try:
         await fanout_manager.load_from_db()
-    except Exception as e:
-        logger.warning("Failed to start fanout modules: %s", e)
+    except Exception:
+        logger.exception("Failed to start fanout modules")
 
     startup_radio_task = asyncio.create_task(_startup_radio_connect_and_setup())
     app.state.startup_radio_task = startup_radio_task
@@ -98,25 +103,15 @@ async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
     await db.disconnect()
 
 
-def _get_version() -> str:
-    """Read version from pyproject.toml so it stays in sync automatically."""
-    try:
-        pyproject = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent / "pyproject.toml"
-        for line in pyproject.read_text().splitlines():
-            if line.startswith("version = "):
-                return line.split('"')[1]
-    except Exception:
-        pass
-    return "0.0.0"
-
-
 app = FastAPI(
     title="RemoteTerm for MeshCore API",
     description="API for interacting with MeshCore mesh radio networks",
-    version=_get_version(),
+    version=get_app_build_info().version,
     lifespan=lifespan,
 )
 
+add_optional_basic_auth_middleware(app, server_settings)
+app.add_middleware(GZipMiddleware, minimum_size=500)
 app.add_middleware(
     CORSMiddleware,
     allow_origins=["*"],
@@ -134,6 +129,7 @@ async def radio_disconnected_handler(request: Request, exc: RadioDisconnectedErr
 
 # API routes - all prefixed with /api for production compatibility
 app.include_router(health.router, prefix="/api")
+app.include_router(debug.router, prefix="/api")
 app.include_router(fanout.router, prefix="/api")
 app.include_router(radio.router, prefix="/api")
 app.include_router(contacts.router, prefix="/api")
@@ -147,6 +143,9 @@ app.include_router(statistics.router, prefix="/api")
 app.include_router(ws.router, prefix="/api")
 
 # Serve frontend static files in production
-FRONTEND_DIR = Path(__file__).parent.parent / "frontend" / "dist"
-if not register_frontend_static_routes(app, FRONTEND_DIR):
+FRONTEND_DIST_DIR = Path(__file__).parent.parent / "frontend" / "dist"
+FRONTEND_PREBUILT_DIR = Path(__file__).parent.parent / "frontend" / "prebuilt"
+if not register_first_available_frontend_static_routes(
+    app, [FRONTEND_DIST_DIR, FRONTEND_PREBUILT_DIR]
+):
     register_frontend_missing_fallback(app)

app/migrations.py

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ This approach is safe for existing users - their databases have user_version=0,
 so all migrations run in order on first startup after upgrade.
 """
 
+import json
 import logging
 from hashlib import sha256
 
@@ -317,6 +318,41 @@ async def run_migrations(conn: aiosqlite.Connection) -> int:
         await set_version(conn, 40)
         applied += 1
 
+    # Migration 41: Persist optional routing overrides separately from learned paths
+    if version < 41:
+        logger.info("Applying migration 41: add contacts routing override columns")
+        await _migrate_041_add_contact_routing_override_columns(conn)
+        await set_version(conn, 41)
+        applied += 1
+
+    # Migration 42: Persist optional per-channel flood-scope overrides
+    if version < 42:
+        logger.info("Applying migration 42: add channels flood_scope_override column")
+        await _migrate_042_add_channel_flood_scope_override(conn)
+        await set_version(conn, 42)
+        applied += 1
+
+    # Migration 43: Limit message dedup index to channel messages only
+    if version < 43:
+        logger.info("Applying migration 43: narrow message dedup index to channels")
+        await _migrate_043_split_message_dedup_by_type(conn)
+        await set_version(conn, 43)
+        applied += 1
+
+    # Migration 44: Deduplicate incoming direct messages by content/timestamp
+    if version < 44:
+        logger.info("Applying migration 44: dedupe incoming direct messages")
+        await _migrate_044_dedupe_incoming_direct_messages(conn)
+        await set_version(conn, 44)
+        applied += 1
+
+    # Migration 45: Replace legacy contact route columns with direct-route columns
+    if version < 45:
+        logger.info("Applying migration 45: rebuild contacts direct-route columns")
+        await _migrate_045_rebuild_contacts_direct_route_columns(conn)
+        await set_version(conn, 45)
+        applied += 1
+
     if applied > 0:
         logger.info(
             "Applied %d migration(s), schema now at version %d", applied, await get_version(conn)
@@ -764,7 +800,7 @@ async def _migrate_009_create_app_settings_table(conn: aiosqlite.Connection) ->
     Create app_settings table for persistent application preferences.
 
     This table stores:
-    - max_radio_contacts: Max non-repeater contacts to keep on radio for DM ACKs
+    - max_radio_contacts: Configured radio contact capacity baseline for maintenance thresholds
     - favorites: JSON array of favorite conversations [{type, id}, ...]
     - auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert: Whether to attempt historical DM decryption on new contact
     - sidebar_sort_order: 'recent' or 'alpha' for sidebar sorting
@@ -2382,3 +2418,358 @@ async def _migrate_040_rebuild_contact_advert_paths_identity(
         "ON contact_advert_paths(public_key, last_seen DESC)"
     )
     await conn.commit()
+
+
+async def _migrate_041_add_contact_routing_override_columns(conn: aiosqlite.Connection) -> None:
+    """Add nullable routing-override columns to contacts."""
+    cursor = await conn.execute(
+        "SELECT name FROM sqlite_master WHERE type='table' AND name='contacts'"
+    )
+    if await cursor.fetchone() is None:
+        await conn.commit()
+        return
+
+    for column_name, column_type in (
+        ("route_override_path", "TEXT"),
+        ("route_override_len", "INTEGER"),
+        ("route_override_hash_mode", "INTEGER"),
+    ):
+        try:
+            await conn.execute(f"ALTER TABLE contacts ADD COLUMN {column_name} {column_type}")
+            logger.debug("Added %s to contacts table", column_name)
+        except aiosqlite.OperationalError as e:
+            if "duplicate column name" in str(e).lower():
+                logger.debug("contacts.%s already exists, skipping", column_name)
+            else:
+                raise
+
+    await conn.commit()
+
+
+async def _migrate_042_add_channel_flood_scope_override(conn: aiosqlite.Connection) -> None:
+    """Add nullable per-channel flood-scope override column."""
+    cursor = await conn.execute(
+        "SELECT name FROM sqlite_master WHERE type='table' AND name='channels'"
+    )
+    if await cursor.fetchone() is None:
+        await conn.commit()
+        return
+
+    try:
+        await conn.execute("ALTER TABLE channels ADD COLUMN flood_scope_override TEXT")
+        logger.debug("Added flood_scope_override to channels table")
+    except aiosqlite.OperationalError as e:
+        if "duplicate column name" in str(e).lower():
+            logger.debug("channels.flood_scope_override already exists, skipping")
+        else:
+            raise
+
+    await conn.commit()
+
+
+async def _migrate_043_split_message_dedup_by_type(conn: aiosqlite.Connection) -> None:
+    """Restrict the message dedup index to channel messages."""
+    cursor = await conn.execute(
+        "SELECT name FROM sqlite_master WHERE type='table' AND name='messages'"
+    )
+    if await cursor.fetchone() is None:
+        await conn.commit()
+        return
+
+    cursor = await conn.execute("PRAGMA table_info(messages)")
+    columns = {row[1] for row in await cursor.fetchall()}
+    required_columns = {"type", "conversation_key", "text", "sender_timestamp"}
+    if not required_columns.issubset(columns):
+        logger.debug("messages table missing dedup-index columns, skipping migration 43")
+        await conn.commit()
+        return
+
+    await conn.execute("DROP INDEX IF EXISTS idx_messages_dedup_null_safe")
+    await conn.execute(
+        """CREATE UNIQUE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_messages_dedup_null_safe
+           ON messages(type, conversation_key, text, COALESCE(sender_timestamp, 0))
+           WHERE type = 'CHAN'"""
+    )
+    await conn.commit()
+
+
+def _merge_message_paths(paths_json_values: list[str | None]) -> str | None:
+    """Merge multiple message path arrays into one exact-observation list."""
+    merged: list[dict[str, object]] = []
+    seen: set[tuple[object | None, object | None, object | None]] = set()
+
+    for paths_json in paths_json_values:
+        if not paths_json:
+            continue
+        try:
+            parsed = json.loads(paths_json)
+        except (TypeError, json.JSONDecodeError):
+            continue
+        if not isinstance(parsed, list):
+            continue
+        for entry in parsed:
+            if not isinstance(entry, dict):
+                continue
+            key = (
+                entry.get("path"),
+                entry.get("received_at"),
+                entry.get("path_len"),
+            )
+            if key in seen:
+                continue
+            seen.add(key)
+            merged.append(entry)
+
+    return json.dumps(merged) if merged else None
+
+
+async def _migrate_044_dedupe_incoming_direct_messages(conn: aiosqlite.Connection) -> None:
+    """Collapse same-contact same-text same-second incoming DMs into one row."""
+    cursor = await conn.execute(
+        "SELECT name FROM sqlite_master WHERE type='table' AND name='messages'"
+    )
+    if await cursor.fetchone() is None:
+        await conn.commit()
+        return
+
+    cursor = await conn.execute("PRAGMA table_info(messages)")
+    columns = {row[1] for row in await cursor.fetchall()}
+    required_columns = {
+        "id",
+        "type",
+        "conversation_key",
+        "text",
+        "sender_timestamp",
+        "received_at",
+        "paths",
+        "txt_type",
+        "signature",
+        "outgoing",
+        "acked",
+        "sender_name",
+        "sender_key",
+    }
+    if not required_columns.issubset(columns):
+        logger.debug("messages table missing incoming-DM dedup columns, skipping migration 44")
+        await conn.commit()
+        return
+
+    raw_packets_cursor = await conn.execute(
+        "SELECT name FROM sqlite_master WHERE type='table' AND name='raw_packets'"
+    )
+    raw_packets_exists = await raw_packets_cursor.fetchone() is not None
+
+    duplicate_groups_cursor = await conn.execute(
+        """
+        SELECT conversation_key, text,
+               COALESCE(sender_timestamp, 0) AS normalized_sender_timestamp,
+               COUNT(*) AS duplicate_count
+        FROM messages
+        WHERE type = 'PRIV' AND outgoing = 0
+        GROUP BY conversation_key, text, COALESCE(sender_timestamp, 0)
+        HAVING COUNT(*) > 1
+        """
+    )
+    duplicate_groups = await duplicate_groups_cursor.fetchall()
+
+    for group in duplicate_groups:
+        normalized_sender_timestamp = group["normalized_sender_timestamp"]
+        rows_cursor = await conn.execute(
+            """
+            SELECT *
+            FROM messages
+            WHERE type = 'PRIV' AND outgoing = 0
+              AND conversation_key = ? AND text = ?
+              AND COALESCE(sender_timestamp, 0) = ?
+            ORDER BY id ASC
+            """,
+            (
+                group["conversation_key"],
+                group["text"],
+                normalized_sender_timestamp,
+            ),
+        )
+        rows = list(await rows_cursor.fetchall())
+        if len(rows) < 2:
+            continue
+
+        keeper = rows[0]
+        duplicate_ids = [row["id"] for row in rows[1:]]
+        merged_paths = _merge_message_paths([row["paths"] for row in rows])
+        merged_received_at = min(row["received_at"] for row in rows)
+        merged_txt_type = next((row["txt_type"] for row in rows if row["txt_type"] != 0), 0)
+        merged_signature = next((row["signature"] for row in rows if row["signature"]), None)
+        merged_sender_name = next((row["sender_name"] for row in rows if row["sender_name"]), None)
+        merged_sender_key = next((row["sender_key"] for row in rows if row["sender_key"]), None)
+        merged_acked = max(int(row["acked"] or 0) for row in rows)
+
+        await conn.execute(
+            """
+            UPDATE messages
+            SET received_at = ?, paths = ?, txt_type = ?, signature = ?,
+                acked = ?, sender_name = ?, sender_key = ?
+            WHERE id = ?
+            """,
+            (
+                merged_received_at,
+                merged_paths,
+                merged_txt_type,
+                merged_signature,
+                merged_acked,
+                merged_sender_name,
+                merged_sender_key,
+                keeper["id"],
+            ),
+        )
+
+        if raw_packets_exists:
+            for duplicate_id in duplicate_ids:
+                await conn.execute(
+                    "UPDATE raw_packets SET message_id = ? WHERE message_id = ?",
+                    (keeper["id"], duplicate_id),
+                )
+
+        placeholders = ",".join("?" for _ in duplicate_ids)
+        await conn.execute(
+            f"DELETE FROM messages WHERE id IN ({placeholders})",
+            duplicate_ids,
+        )
+
+    await conn.execute("DROP INDEX IF EXISTS idx_messages_incoming_priv_dedup")
+    await conn.execute(
+        """CREATE UNIQUE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_messages_incoming_priv_dedup
+           ON messages(type, conversation_key, text, COALESCE(sender_timestamp, 0))
+           WHERE type = 'PRIV' AND outgoing = 0"""
+    )
+    await conn.commit()
+
+
+async def _migrate_045_rebuild_contacts_direct_route_columns(conn: aiosqlite.Connection) -> None:
+    """Replace legacy contact route columns with canonical direct-route columns."""
+    cursor = await conn.execute(
+        "SELECT name FROM sqlite_master WHERE type='table' AND name='contacts'"
+    )
+    if await cursor.fetchone() is None:
+        await conn.commit()
+        return
+
+    cursor = await conn.execute("PRAGMA table_info(contacts)")
+    columns = {row[1] for row in await cursor.fetchall()}
+
+    target_columns = {
+        "public_key",
+        "name",
+        "type",
+        "flags",
+        "direct_path",
+        "direct_path_len",
+        "direct_path_hash_mode",
+        "direct_path_updated_at",
+        "route_override_path",
+        "route_override_len",
+        "route_override_hash_mode",
+        "last_advert",
+        "lat",
+        "lon",
+        "last_seen",
+        "on_radio",
+        "last_contacted",
+        "first_seen",
+        "last_read_at",
+    }
+    if (
+        target_columns.issubset(columns)
+        and "last_path" not in columns
+        and "out_path_hash_mode" not in columns
+    ):
+        await conn.commit()
+        return
+
+    await conn.execute(
+        """
+        CREATE TABLE contacts_new (
+            public_key TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
+            name TEXT,
+            type INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
+            flags INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
+            direct_path TEXT,
+            direct_path_len INTEGER,
+            direct_path_hash_mode INTEGER,
+            direct_path_updated_at INTEGER,
+            route_override_path TEXT,
+            route_override_len INTEGER,
+            route_override_hash_mode INTEGER,
+            last_advert INTEGER,
+            lat REAL,
+            lon REAL,
+            last_seen INTEGER,
+            on_radio INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
+            last_contacted INTEGER,
+            first_seen INTEGER,
+            last_read_at INTEGER
+        )
+        """
+    )
+
+    select_expr = {
+        "public_key": "public_key",
+        "name": "NULL",
+        "type": "0",
+        "flags": "0",
+        "direct_path": "NULL",
+        "direct_path_len": "NULL",
+        "direct_path_hash_mode": "NULL",
+        "direct_path_updated_at": "NULL",
+        "route_override_path": "NULL",
+        "route_override_len": "NULL",
+        "route_override_hash_mode": "NULL",
+        "last_advert": "NULL",
+        "lat": "NULL",
+        "lon": "NULL",
+        "last_seen": "NULL",
+        "on_radio": "0",
+        "last_contacted": "NULL",
+        "first_seen": "NULL",
+        "last_read_at": "NULL",
+    }
+    for name in ("name", "type", "flags"):
+        if name in columns:
+            select_expr[name] = name
+
+    if "direct_path" in columns:
+        select_expr["direct_path"] = "direct_path"
+
+    if "direct_path_len" in columns:
+        select_expr["direct_path_len"] = "direct_path_len"
+
+    if "direct_path_hash_mode" in columns:
+        select_expr["direct_path_hash_mode"] = "direct_path_hash_mode"
+
+    for name in (
+        "route_override_path",
+        "route_override_len",
+        "route_override_hash_mode",
+        "last_advert",
+        "lat",
+        "lon",
+        "last_seen",
+        "on_radio",
+        "last_contacted",
+        "first_seen",
+        "last_read_at",
+    ):
+        if name in columns:
+            select_expr[name] = name
+
+    ordered_columns = list(select_expr.keys())
+    await conn.execute(
+        f"""
+        INSERT INTO contacts_new ({", ".join(ordered_columns)})
+        SELECT {", ".join(select_expr[name] for name in ordered_columns)}
+        FROM contacts
+        """
+    )
+
+    await conn.execute("DROP TABLE contacts")
+    await conn.execute("ALTER TABLE contacts_new RENAME TO contacts")
+    await conn.commit()

app/models.py

@@ -2,15 +2,90 @@ from typing import Literal
 
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 
+from app.path_utils import normalize_contact_route, normalize_route_override
+
+
+class ContactRoute(BaseModel):
+    """A normalized contact route."""
+
+    path: str = Field(description="Hex-encoded path bytes (empty string for direct/flood)")
+    path_len: int = Field(description="Hop count (-1=flood, 0=direct, >0=explicit route)")
+    path_hash_mode: int = Field(
+        description="Path hash mode (-1=flood, 0=1-byte, 1=2-byte, 2=3-byte hop identifiers)"
+    )
+
+
+class ContactUpsert(BaseModel):
+    """Typed write contract for contacts persisted to SQLite."""
+
+    public_key: str = Field(description="Public key (64-char hex)")
+    name: str | None = None
+    type: int = 0
+    flags: int = 0
+    direct_path: str | None = None
+    direct_path_len: int | None = None
+    direct_path_hash_mode: int | None = None
+    direct_path_updated_at: int | None = None
+    route_override_path: str | None = None
+    route_override_len: int | None = None
+    route_override_hash_mode: int | None = None
+    last_advert: int | None = None
+    lat: float | None = None
+    lon: float | None = None
+    last_seen: int | None = None
+    on_radio: bool | None = None
+    last_contacted: int | None = None
+    first_seen: int | None = None
+
+    @classmethod
+    def from_contact(cls, contact: "Contact", **changes) -> "ContactUpsert":
+        return cls.model_validate(
+            {
+                **contact.model_dump(exclude={"last_read_at"}),
+                **changes,
+            }
+        )
+
+    @classmethod
+    def from_radio_dict(
+        cls, public_key: str, radio_data: dict, on_radio: bool = False
+    ) -> "ContactUpsert":
+        """Convert radio contact data to the contact-row write shape."""
+        direct_path, direct_path_len, direct_path_hash_mode = normalize_contact_route(
+            radio_data.get("out_path"),
+            radio_data.get("out_path_len", -1),
+            radio_data.get(
+                "out_path_hash_mode",
+                -1 if radio_data.get("out_path_len", -1) == -1 else 0,
+            ),
+        )
+        return cls(
+            public_key=public_key,
+            name=radio_data.get("adv_name"),
+            type=radio_data.get("type", 0),
+            flags=radio_data.get("flags", 0),
+            direct_path=direct_path,
+            direct_path_len=direct_path_len,
+            direct_path_hash_mode=direct_path_hash_mode,
+            lat=radio_data.get("adv_lat"),
+            lon=radio_data.get("adv_lon"),
+            last_advert=radio_data.get("last_advert"),
+            on_radio=on_radio,
+        )
+
 
 class Contact(BaseModel):
     public_key: str = Field(description="Public key (64-char hex)")
     name: str | None = None
     type: int = 0  # 0=unknown, 1=client, 2=repeater, 3=room, 4=sensor
     flags: int = 0
-    last_path: str | None = None
-    last_path_len: int = -1
-    out_path_hash_mode: int = 0
+    direct_path: str | None = None
+    direct_path_len: int = -1
+    direct_path_hash_mode: int = -1
+    direct_path_updated_at: int | None = None
+    route_override_path: str | None = None
+    route_override_len: int | None = None
+    route_override_hash_mode: int | None = None
     last_advert: int | None = None
     lat: float | None = None
     lon: float | None = None
@@ -19,49 +94,116 @@ class Contact(BaseModel):
     last_contacted: int | None = None  # Last time we sent/received a message
     last_read_at: int | None = None  # Server-side read state tracking
     first_seen: int | None = None
+    effective_route: ContactRoute | None = None
+    effective_route_source: Literal["override", "direct", "flood"] = "flood"
+    direct_route: ContactRoute | None = None
+    route_override: ContactRoute | None = None
+
+    def model_post_init(self, __context) -> None:
+        direct_path, direct_path_len, direct_path_hash_mode = normalize_contact_route(
+            self.direct_path,
+            self.direct_path_len,
+            self.direct_path_hash_mode,
+        )
+        self.direct_path = direct_path or None
+        self.direct_path_len = direct_path_len
+        self.direct_path_hash_mode = direct_path_hash_mode
+
+        route_override_path, route_override_len, route_override_hash_mode = (
+            normalize_route_override(
+                self.route_override_path,
+                self.route_override_len,
+                self.route_override_hash_mode,
+            )
+        )
+        self.route_override_path = route_override_path or None
+        self.route_override_len = route_override_len
+        self.route_override_hash_mode = route_override_hash_mode
+        if (
+            route_override_path is not None
+            and route_override_len is not None
+            and route_override_hash_mode is not None
+        ):
+            self.route_override = ContactRoute(
+                path=route_override_path,
+                path_len=route_override_len,
+                path_hash_mode=route_override_hash_mode,
+            )
+        else:
+            self.route_override = None
+
+        if direct_path_len >= 0:
+            self.direct_route = ContactRoute(
+                path=direct_path,
+                path_len=direct_path_len,
+                path_hash_mode=direct_path_hash_mode,
+            )
+        else:
+            self.direct_route = None
+
+        path, path_len, path_hash_mode = self.effective_route_tuple()
+        if self.has_route_override():
+            self.effective_route_source = "override"
+        elif self.direct_route is not None:
+            self.effective_route_source = "direct"
+        else:
+            self.effective_route_source = "flood"
+        self.effective_route = ContactRoute(
+            path=path,
+            path_len=path_len,
+            path_hash_mode=path_hash_mode,
+        )
+
+    def has_route_override(self) -> bool:
+        return self.route_override_len is not None
+
+    def effective_route_tuple(self) -> tuple[str, int, int]:
+        if self.has_route_override():
+            return normalize_contact_route(
+                self.route_override_path,
+                self.route_override_len,
+                self.route_override_hash_mode,
+            )
+        if self.direct_path_len >= 0:
+            return normalize_contact_route(
+                self.direct_path,
+                self.direct_path_len,
+                self.direct_path_hash_mode,
+            )
+        return "", -1, -1
 
     def to_radio_dict(self) -> dict:
         """Convert to the dict format expected by meshcore radio commands.
 
         The radio API uses different field names (adv_name, out_path, etc.)
-        than our database schema (name, last_path, etc.).
+        than our database schema (name, direct_path, etc.).
         """
+        effective_path, effective_path_len, effective_path_hash_mode = self.effective_route_tuple()
         return {
             "public_key": self.public_key,
             "adv_name": self.name or "",
             "type": self.type,
             "flags": self.flags,
-            "out_path": self.last_path or "",
-            "out_path_len": self.last_path_len,
-            "out_path_hash_mode": self.out_path_hash_mode,
+            "out_path": effective_path,
+            "out_path_len": effective_path_len,
+            "out_path_hash_mode": effective_path_hash_mode,
             "adv_lat": self.lat if self.lat is not None else 0.0,
             "adv_lon": self.lon if self.lon is not None else 0.0,
             "last_advert": self.last_advert if self.last_advert is not None else 0,
         }
 
+    def to_upsert(self, **changes) -> ContactUpsert:
+        """Convert the stored contact to the repository's write contract."""
+        return ContactUpsert.from_contact(self, **changes)
+
     @staticmethod
     def from_radio_dict(public_key: str, radio_data: dict, on_radio: bool = False) -> dict:
-        """Convert radio contact data to database format dict.
-
-        This is the inverse of to_radio_dict(), used when syncing contacts
-        from radio to database.
-        """
-        return {
-            "public_key": public_key,
-            "name": radio_data.get("adv_name"),
-            "type": radio_data.get("type", 0),
-            "flags": radio_data.get("flags", 0),
-            "last_path": radio_data.get("out_path"),
-            "last_path_len": radio_data.get("out_path_len", -1),
-            "out_path_hash_mode": radio_data.get(
-                "out_path_hash_mode",
-                -1 if radio_data.get("out_path_len", -1) == -1 else 0,
-            ),
-            "lat": radio_data.get("adv_lat"),
-            "lon": radio_data.get("adv_lon"),
-            "last_advert": radio_data.get("last_advert"),
-            "on_radio": on_radio,
-        }
+        """Backward-compatible dict wrapper over ContactUpsert.from_radio_dict()."""
+        return ContactUpsert.from_radio_dict(
+            public_key,
+            radio_data,
+            on_radio=on_radio,
+        ).model_dump()
 
 
 class CreateContactRequest(BaseModel):
@@ -75,6 +217,18 @@ class CreateContactRequest(BaseModel):
     )
 
 
+class ContactRoutingOverrideRequest(BaseModel):
+    """Request to set, force, or clear a contact routing override."""
+
+    route: str = Field(
+        description=(
+            "Blank clears the override, "
+            '"-1" forces flood, "0" forces direct, and explicit routes are '
+            "comma-separated 1/2/3-byte hop hex values"
+        )
+    )
+
+
 # Contact type constants
 CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER = 2
 
@@ -144,11 +298,61 @@ class ContactDetail(BaseModel):
     nearest_repeaters: list[NearestRepeater] = Field(default_factory=list)
 
 
+class NameOnlyContactDetail(BaseModel):
+    """Channel activity summary for a sender name that is not tied to a known key."""
+
+    name: str
+    channel_message_count: int = 0
+    most_active_rooms: list[ContactActiveRoom] = Field(default_factory=list)
+
+
+class ContactAnalyticsHourlyBucket(BaseModel):
+    """A single hourly activity bucket for contact analytics."""
+
+    bucket_start: int = Field(description="Unix timestamp for the start of the hour bucket")
+    last_24h_count: int = 0
+    last_week_average: float = 0
+    all_time_average: float = 0
+
+
+class ContactAnalyticsWeeklyBucket(BaseModel):
+    """A single weekly activity bucket for contact analytics."""
+
+    bucket_start: int = Field(description="Unix timestamp for the start of the 7-day bucket")
+    message_count: int = 0
+
+
+class ContactAnalytics(BaseModel):
+    """Unified contact analytics payload for keyed and name-only lookups."""
+
+    lookup_type: Literal["contact", "name"]
+    name: str
+    contact: Contact | None = None
+    name_first_seen_at: int | None = None
+    name_history: list[ContactNameHistory] = Field(default_factory=list)
+    dm_message_count: int = 0
+    channel_message_count: int = 0
+    includes_direct_messages: bool = False
+    most_active_rooms: list[ContactActiveRoom] = Field(default_factory=list)
+    advert_paths: list[ContactAdvertPath] = Field(default_factory=list)
+    advert_frequency: float | None = Field(
+        default=None,
+        description="Advert observations per hour (includes multi-path arrivals of same advert)",
+    )
+    nearest_repeaters: list[NearestRepeater] = Field(default_factory=list)
+    hourly_activity: list[ContactAnalyticsHourlyBucket] = Field(default_factory=list)
+    weekly_activity: list[ContactAnalyticsWeeklyBucket] = Field(default_factory=list)
+
+
 class Channel(BaseModel):
     key: str = Field(description="Channel key (32-char hex)")
     name: str
     is_hashtag: bool = False
     on_radio: bool = False
+    flood_scope_override: str | None = Field(
+        default=None,
+        description="Per-channel outbound flood scope override (null = use global app setting)",
+    )
     last_read_at: int | None = None  # Server-side read state tracking
 
 
@@ -216,6 +420,12 @@ class MessagesAroundResponse(BaseModel):
     has_newer: bool
 
 
+class ResendChannelMessageResponse(BaseModel):
+    status: str
+    message_id: int
+    message: Message | None = None
+
+
 class RawPacketDecryptedInfo(BaseModel):
     """Decryption info for a raw packet (when successfully decrypted)."""
 
@@ -273,6 +483,11 @@ class RepeaterLoginResponse(BaseModel):
     """Response from repeater login."""
 
     status: str = Field(description="Login result status")
+    authenticated: bool = Field(description="Whether repeater authentication was confirmed")
+    message: str | None = Field(
+        default=None,
+        description="Optional warning or error message when authentication was not confirmed",
+    )
 
 
 class RepeaterStatusResponse(BaseModel):
@@ -297,8 +512,17 @@ class RepeaterStatusResponse(BaseModel):
     full_events: int = Field(description="Full event queue count")
 
 
+class RepeaterNodeInfoResponse(BaseModel):
+    """Identity/location info from a repeater (small CLI batch)."""
+
+    name: str | None = Field(default=None, description="Repeater name")
+    lat: str | None = Field(default=None, description="Latitude")
+    lon: str | None = Field(default=None, description="Longitude")
+    clock_utc: str | None = Field(default=None, description="Repeater clock in UTC")
+
+
 class RepeaterRadioSettingsResponse(BaseModel):
-    """Radio settings from a repeater (batch CLI get commands)."""
+    """Radio settings from a repeater (radio/config CLI batch)."""
 
     firmware_version: str | None = Field(default=None, description="Firmware version string")
     radio: str | None = Field(default=None, description="Radio settings (freq,bw,sf,cr)")
@@ -306,10 +530,6 @@ class RepeaterRadioSettingsResponse(BaseModel):
     airtime_factor: str | None = Field(default=None, description="Airtime factor")
     repeat_enabled: str | None = Field(default=None, description="Repeat mode enabled")
     flood_max: str | None = Field(default=None, description="Max flood hops")
-    name: str | None = Field(default=None, description="Repeater name")
-    lat: str | None = Field(default=None, description="Latitude")
-    lon: str | None = Field(default=None, description="Longitude")
-    clock_utc: str | None = Field(default=None, description="Repeater clock in UTC")
 
 
 class RepeaterAdvertIntervalsResponse(BaseModel):
@@ -388,6 +608,30 @@ class TraceResponse(BaseModel):
     path_len: int = Field(description="Number of hops in the trace path")
 
 
+class PathDiscoveryRoute(BaseModel):
+    """One resolved route returned by contact path discovery."""
+
+    path: str = Field(description="Hex-encoded path bytes")
+    path_len: int = Field(description="Hop count for this route")
+    path_hash_mode: int = Field(
+        description="Path hash mode (0=1-byte, 1=2-byte, 2=3-byte hop identifiers)"
+    )
+
+
+class PathDiscoveryResponse(BaseModel):
+    """Round-trip routing data for a contact path discovery request."""
+
+    contact: Contact = Field(
+        description="Updated contact row after saving the learned forward path"
+    )
+    forward_path: PathDiscoveryRoute = Field(
+        description="Route used from the local radio to the target contact"
+    )
+    return_path: PathDiscoveryRoute = Field(
+        description="Route used from the target contact back to the local radio"
+    )
+
+
 class CommandRequest(BaseModel):
     """Request to send a CLI command to a repeater."""
 
@@ -404,6 +648,48 @@ class CommandResponse(BaseModel):
     )
 
 
+class RadioDiscoveryRequest(BaseModel):
+    """Request to discover nearby mesh nodes from the local radio."""
+
+    target: Literal["repeaters", "sensors", "all"] = Field(
+        default="all",
+        description="Which node classes to discover over the mesh",
+    )
+
+
+class RadioDiscoveryResult(BaseModel):
+    """One mesh node heard during a discovery sweep."""
+
+    public_key: str = Field(description="Discovered node public key as hex")
+    node_type: Literal["repeater", "sensor"] = Field(description="Discovered node class")
+    heard_count: int = Field(default=1, description="How many responses were heard from this node")
+    local_snr: float | None = Field(
+        default=None,
+        description="SNR at which the local radio heard the response (dB)",
+    )
+    local_rssi: int | None = Field(
+        default=None,
+        description="RSSI at which the local radio heard the response (dBm)",
+    )
+    remote_snr: float | None = Field(
+        default=None,
+        description="SNR reported by the remote node while hearing our discovery request (dB)",
+    )
+
+
+class RadioDiscoveryResponse(BaseModel):
+    """Response payload for a mesh discovery sweep."""
+
+    target: Literal["repeaters", "sensors", "all"] = Field(
+        description="Which node classes were requested"
+    )
+    duration_seconds: float = Field(description="How long the sweep listened for responses")
+    results: list[RadioDiscoveryResult] = Field(
+        default_factory=list,
+        description="Deduplicated discovery responses heard during the sweep",
+    )
+
+
 class Favorite(BaseModel):
     """A favorite conversation."""
 
@@ -423,6 +709,9 @@ class UnreadCounts(BaseModel):
     last_message_times: dict[str, int] = Field(
         default_factory=dict, description="Map of stateKey -> last message timestamp"
     )
+    last_read_ats: dict[str, int | None] = Field(
+        default_factory=dict, description="Map of stateKey -> server-side last_read_at boundary"
+    )
 
 
 class AppSettings(BaseModel):
@@ -431,8 +720,8 @@ class AppSettings(BaseModel):
     max_radio_contacts: int = Field(
         default=200,
         description=(
-            "Maximum contacts to keep on radio for DM ACKs "
-            "(favorite contacts first, then recent non-repeaters)"
+            "Configured radio contact capacity used for maintenance thresholds; "
+            "favorites reload first, then background fill targets about 80% of this value"
         ),
     )
     favorites: list[Favorite] = Field(
@@ -480,7 +769,7 @@ class FanoutConfig(BaseModel):
     """Configuration for a single fanout integration."""
 
     id: str
-    type: str  # 'mqtt_private' | 'mqtt_community' | 'bot' | 'webhook' | 'apprise'
+    type: str  # 'mqtt_private' | 'mqtt_community' | 'bot' | 'webhook' | 'apprise' | 'sqs'
     name: str
     enabled: bool
     config: dict

app/packet_processor.py

@@ -26,23 +26,32 @@ from app.decoder import (
     parse_packet,
     try_decrypt_dm,
     try_decrypt_packet_with_channel_key,
+    try_decrypt_path,
 )
 from app.keystore import get_private_key, get_public_key, has_private_key
 from app.models import (
-    CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER,
-    Message,
-    MessagePath,
+    Contact,
+    ContactUpsert,
     RawPacketBroadcast,
     RawPacketDecryptedInfo,
 )
 from app.repository import (
     ChannelRepository,
     ContactAdvertPathRepository,
-    ContactNameHistoryRepository,
     ContactRepository,
-    MessageRepository,
     RawPacketRepository,
 )
+from app.services.contact_reconciliation import (
+    promote_prefix_contacts_for_contact,
+    record_contact_name_and_reconcile,
+)
+from app.services.dm_ack_apply import apply_dm_ack_code
+from app.services.messages import (
+    create_dm_message_from_decrypted as _create_dm_message_from_decrypted,
+)
+from app.services.messages import (
+    create_message_from_decrypted as _create_message_from_decrypted,
+)
 from app.websocket import broadcast_error, broadcast_event
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -50,77 +59,6 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 _raw_observation_counter = count(1)
 
 
-async def _handle_duplicate_message(
-    packet_id: int,
-    msg_type: str,
-    conversation_key: str,
-    text: str,
-    sender_timestamp: int,
-    path: str | None,
-    received: int,
-    path_len: int | None = None,
-) -> None:
-    """Handle a duplicate message by updating paths/acks on the existing record.
-
-    Called when MessageRepository.create returns None (INSERT OR IGNORE hit a duplicate).
-    Looks up the existing message, adds the new path, increments ack count for outgoing
-    messages, and broadcasts the update to clients.
-    """
-    existing_msg = await MessageRepository.get_by_content(
-        msg_type=msg_type,
-        conversation_key=conversation_key,
-        text=text,
-        sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
-    )
-    if not existing_msg:
-        label = "message" if msg_type == "CHAN" else "DM"
-        logger.warning(
-            "Duplicate %s for %s but couldn't find existing",
-            label,
-            conversation_key[:12],
-        )
-        return
-
-    logger.debug(
-        "Duplicate %s for %s (msg_id=%d, outgoing=%s) - adding path",
-        msg_type,
-        conversation_key[:12],
-        existing_msg.id,
-        existing_msg.outgoing,
-    )
-
-    # Add path if provided
-    if path is not None:
-        paths = await MessageRepository.add_path(existing_msg.id, path, received, path_len)
-    else:
-        # Get current paths for broadcast
-        paths = existing_msg.paths or []
-
-    # Increment ack count for outgoing messages (echo confirmation)
-    if existing_msg.outgoing:
-        ack_count = await MessageRepository.increment_ack_count(existing_msg.id)
-    else:
-        ack_count = existing_msg.acked
-
-    # Only broadcast when something actually changed:
-    # - outgoing: ack count was incremented
-    # - path provided: a new path entry was appended
-    # The path=None case happens for direct-delivery DMs (0-hop, no routing bytes).
-    # A non-outgoing duplicate with no new path changes nothing in the DB, so skip.
-    if existing_msg.outgoing or path is not None:
-        broadcast_event(
-            "message_acked",
-            {
-                "message_id": existing_msg.id,
-                "ack_count": ack_count,
-                "paths": [p.model_dump() for p in paths] if paths else [],
-            },
-        )
-
-    # Mark this packet as decrypted
-    await RawPacketRepository.mark_decrypted(packet_id, existing_msg.id)
-
-
 async def create_message_from_decrypted(
     packet_id: int,
     channel_key: str,
@@ -133,95 +71,21 @@ async def create_message_from_decrypted(
     channel_name: str | None = None,
     realtime: bool = True,
 ) -> int | None:
-    """Create a message record from decrypted channel packet content.
-
-    This is the shared logic for storing decrypted channel messages,
-    used by both real-time packet processing and historical decryption.
-
-    Args:
-        packet_id: ID of the raw packet being processed
-        channel_key: Hex string channel key
-        channel_name: Channel name (e.g. "#general"), for bot context
-        sender: Sender name (will be prefixed to message) or None
-        message_text: The decrypted message content
-        timestamp: Sender timestamp from the packet
-        received_at: When the packet was received (defaults to now)
-        path: Hex-encoded routing path
-        realtime: If False, skip fanout dispatch (used for historical decryption)
-
-    Returns the message ID if created, None if duplicate.
-    """
-    received = received_at or int(time.time())
-
-    # Format the message text with sender prefix if present
-    text = f"{sender}: {message_text}" if sender else message_text
-
-    # Normalize channel key to uppercase for consistency
-    channel_key_normalized = channel_key.upper()
-
-    # Resolve sender_key: look up contact by exact name match
-    resolved_sender_key: str | None = None
-    if sender:
-        candidates = await ContactRepository.get_by_name(sender)
-        if len(candidates) == 1:
-            resolved_sender_key = candidates[0].public_key
-
-    # Try to create message - INSERT OR IGNORE handles duplicates atomically
-    msg_id = await MessageRepository.create(
-        msg_type="CHAN",
-        text=text,
-        conversation_key=channel_key_normalized,
-        sender_timestamp=timestamp,
-        received_at=received,
+    """Store a decrypted channel message via the shared message service."""
+    return await _create_message_from_decrypted(
+        packet_id=packet_id,
+        channel_key=channel_key,
+        sender=sender,
+        message_text=message_text,
+        timestamp=timestamp,
+        received_at=received_at,
         path=path,
         path_len=path_len,
-        sender_name=sender,
-        sender_key=resolved_sender_key,
-    )
-
-    if msg_id is None:
-        # Duplicate message detected - this happens when:
-        # 1. Our own outgoing message echoes back (flood routing)
-        # 2. Same message arrives via multiple paths before first is committed
-        # In either case, add the path to the existing message.
-        await _handle_duplicate_message(
-            packet_id, "CHAN", channel_key_normalized, text, timestamp, path, received, path_len
-        )
-        return None
-
-    logger.info("Stored channel message %d for channel %s", msg_id, channel_key_normalized[:8])
-
-    # Mark the raw packet as decrypted
-    await RawPacketRepository.mark_decrypted(packet_id, msg_id)
-
-    # Build paths array for broadcast
-    # Use "is not None" to include empty string (direct/0-hop messages)
-    paths = (
-        [MessagePath(path=path or "", received_at=received, path_len=path_len)]
-        if path is not None
-        else None
-    )
-
-    # Broadcast new message to connected clients (and fanout modules when realtime)
-    broadcast_event(
-        "message",
-        Message(
-            id=msg_id,
-            type="CHAN",
-            conversation_key=channel_key_normalized,
-            text=text,
-            sender_timestamp=timestamp,
-            received_at=received,
-            paths=paths,
-            sender_name=sender,
-            sender_key=resolved_sender_key,
-            channel_name=channel_name,
-        ).model_dump(),
+        channel_name=channel_name,
         realtime=realtime,
+        broadcast_fn=broadcast_event,
     )
 
-    return msg_id
-
 
 async def create_dm_message_from_decrypted(
     packet_id: int,
@@ -234,111 +98,20 @@ async def create_dm_message_from_decrypted(
     outgoing: bool = False,
     realtime: bool = True,
 ) -> int | None:
-    """Create a message record from decrypted direct message packet content.
-
-    This is the shared logic for storing decrypted direct messages,
-    used by both real-time packet processing and historical decryption.
-
-    Args:
-        packet_id: ID of the raw packet being processed
-        decrypted: DecryptedDirectMessage from decoder
-        their_public_key: The contact's full 64-char public key (conversation_key)
-        our_public_key: Our public key (to determine direction), or None
-        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)
-        realtime: If False, skip fanout dispatch (used for historical decryption)
-
-    Returns the message ID if created, None if duplicate.
-    """
-    # Check if sender is a repeater - repeaters only send CLI responses, not chat messages.
-    # CLI responses are handled by the command endpoint, not stored in chat history.
-    contact = await ContactRepository.get_by_key(their_public_key)
-    if contact and contact.type == CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER:
-        logger.debug(
-            "Skipping message from repeater %s (CLI responses not stored): %s",
-            their_public_key[:12],
-            (decrypted.message or "")[:50],
-        )
-        return None
-
-    received = received_at or int(time.time())
-
-    # conversation_key is always the other party's public key
-    conversation_key = their_public_key.lower()
-
-    # Resolve sender name for incoming messages (used for name-based blocking)
-    sender_name = contact.name if contact and not outgoing else None
-
-    # Try to create message - INSERT OR IGNORE handles duplicates atomically
-    msg_id = await MessageRepository.create(
-        msg_type="PRIV",
-        text=decrypted.message,
-        conversation_key=conversation_key,
-        sender_timestamp=decrypted.timestamp,
-        received_at=received,
+    """Store a decrypted direct message via the shared message service."""
+    return await _create_dm_message_from_decrypted(
+        packet_id=packet_id,
+        decrypted=decrypted,
+        their_public_key=their_public_key,
+        our_public_key=our_public_key,
+        received_at=received_at,
         path=path,
         path_len=path_len,
         outgoing=outgoing,
-        sender_key=conversation_key if not outgoing else None,
-        sender_name=sender_name,
-    )
-
-    if msg_id is None:
-        # Duplicate message detected
-        await _handle_duplicate_message(
-            packet_id,
-            "PRIV",
-            conversation_key,
-            decrypted.message,
-            decrypted.timestamp,
-            path,
-            received,
-            path_len,
-        )
-        return None
-
-    logger.info(
-        "Stored direct message %d for contact %s (outgoing=%s)",
-        msg_id,
-        conversation_key[:12],
-        outgoing,
-    )
-
-    # Mark the raw packet as decrypted
-    await RawPacketRepository.mark_decrypted(packet_id, msg_id)
-
-    # Build paths array for broadcast
-    paths = (
-        [MessagePath(path=path or "", received_at=received, path_len=path_len)]
-        if path is not None
-        else None
-    )
-
-    # Broadcast new message to connected clients (and fanout modules when realtime)
-    sender_name = contact.name if contact and not outgoing else None
-    broadcast_event(
-        "message",
-        Message(
-            id=msg_id,
-            type="PRIV",
-            conversation_key=conversation_key,
-            text=decrypted.message,
-            sender_timestamp=decrypted.timestamp,
-            received_at=received,
-            paths=paths,
-            outgoing=outgoing,
-            sender_name=sender_name,
-            sender_key=conversation_key if not outgoing else None,
-        ).model_dump(),
         realtime=realtime,
+        broadcast_fn=broadcast_event,
     )
 
-    # Update contact's last_contacted timestamp (for sorting)
-    await ContactRepository.update_last_contacted(conversation_key, received)
-
-    return msg_id
-
 
 async def run_historical_dm_decryption(
     private_key_bytes: bytes,
@@ -547,8 +320,7 @@ async def process_raw_packet(
 
     elif payload_type == PayloadType.ADVERT:
         # Process all advert arrivals (even payload-hash duplicates) so the
-        # path-freshness logic in _process_advertisement can pick the shortest
-        # path heard within the freshness window.
+        # advert-history table retains recent path observations.
         await _process_advertisement(raw_bytes, ts, packet_info)
 
     elif payload_type == PayloadType.TEXT_MESSAGE:
@@ -557,6 +329,9 @@ async def process_raw_packet(
         if decrypt_result:
             result.update(decrypt_result)
 
+    elif payload_type == PayloadType.PATH:
+        await _process_path_packet(raw_bytes, ts, packet_info)
+
     # Always broadcast raw packet for the packet feed UI (even duplicates)
     # This enables the frontend cracker to see all incoming packets in real-time
     broadcast_payload = RawPacketBroadcast(
@@ -646,7 +421,6 @@ async def _process_advertisement(
     Process an advertisement packet.
 
     Extracts contact info and updates the database/broadcasts to clients.
-    For non-repeater contacts, triggers sync of recent contacts to radio for DM ACK support.
     """
     # Parse packet to get path info if not already provided
     if packet_info is None:
@@ -655,60 +429,30 @@ async def _process_advertisement(
         logger.debug("Failed to parse advertisement packet")
         return
 
-    advert = parse_advertisement(packet_info.payload)
+    advert = parse_advertisement(packet_info.payload, raw_packet=raw_bytes)
     if not advert:
         logger.debug("Failed to parse advertisement payload")
         return
 
-    # Extract path info from packet
     new_path_len = packet_info.path_length
     new_path_hex = packet_info.path.hex() if packet_info.path else ""
 
     # Try to find existing contact
     existing = await ContactRepository.get_by_key(advert.public_key.lower())
 
-    # Determine which path to use: keep shorter path if heard recently (within 60s)
-    # This handles advertisement echoes through different routes
-    PATH_FRESHNESS_SECONDS = 60
-    use_existing_path = False
-
-    if existing and existing.last_seen:
-        path_age = timestamp - existing.last_seen
-        existing_path_len = existing.last_path_len if existing.last_path_len >= 0 else float("inf")
-
-        # Keep existing path if it's fresh and shorter (or equal)
-        if path_age <= PATH_FRESHNESS_SECONDS and existing_path_len <= new_path_len:
-            use_existing_path = True
-            logger.debug(
-                "Keeping existing shorter path for %s (existing=%d, new=%d, age=%ds)",
-                advert.public_key[:12],
-                existing_path_len,
-                new_path_len,
-                path_age,
-            )
-
-    if use_existing_path:
-        assert existing is not None  # Guaranteed by the conditions that set use_existing_path
-        path_len = existing.last_path_len if existing.last_path_len is not None else -1
-        path_hex = existing.last_path or ""
-        out_path_hash_mode = existing.out_path_hash_mode
-    else:
-        path_len = new_path_len
-        path_hex = new_path_hex
-        out_path_hash_mode = packet_info.path_hash_size - 1
-
     logger.debug(
-        "Parsed advertisement from %s: %s (role=%d, lat=%s, lon=%s, path_len=%d)",
+        "Parsed advertisement from %s: %s (role=%d, lat=%s, lon=%s, advert_path_len=%d)",
         advert.public_key[:12],
         advert.name,
         advert.device_role,
         advert.lat,
         advert.lon,
-        path_len,
+        new_path_len,
     )
 
-    # Use device_role from advertisement for contact type (1=Chat, 2=Repeater, 3=Room, 4=Sensor)
-    # Use advert.timestamp for last_advert (sender's timestamp), receive timestamp for last_seen
+    # Use device_role from advertisement for contact type (1=Chat, 2=Repeater, 3=Room, 4=Sensor).
+    # Persist advert freshness fields using the server receive wall clock so
+    # route selection is not affected by sender clock skew.
     contact_type = (
         advert.device_role if advert.device_role > 0 else (existing.type if existing else 0)
     )
@@ -722,54 +466,47 @@ async def _process_advertisement(
         hop_count=new_path_len,
     )
 
-    # Record name history
-    if advert.name:
-        await ContactNameHistoryRepository.record_name(
-            public_key=advert.public_key.lower(),
-            name=advert.name,
-            timestamp=timestamp,
-        )
+    contact_upsert = ContactUpsert(
+        public_key=advert.public_key.lower(),
+        name=advert.name,
+        type=contact_type,
+        lat=advert.lat,
+        lon=advert.lon,
+        last_advert=timestamp,
+        last_seen=timestamp,
+        first_seen=timestamp,  # COALESCE in upsert preserves existing value
+    )
 
-    contact_data = {
-        "public_key": advert.public_key.lower(),
-        "name": advert.name,
-        "type": contact_type,
-        "lat": advert.lat,
-        "lon": advert.lon,
-        "last_advert": advert.timestamp if advert.timestamp > 0 else timestamp,
-        "last_seen": timestamp,
-        "last_path": path_hex,
-        "last_path_len": path_len,
-        "out_path_hash_mode": out_path_hash_mode,
-        "first_seen": timestamp,  # COALESCE in upsert preserves existing value
-    }
-
-    await ContactRepository.upsert(contact_data)
-    claimed = await MessageRepository.claim_prefix_messages(advert.public_key.lower())
-    if claimed > 0:
-        logger.info(
-            "Claimed %d prefix DM message(s) for contact %s",
-            claimed,
-            advert.public_key[:12],
-        )
-    if advert.name:
-        backfilled = await MessageRepository.backfill_channel_sender_key(
-            advert.public_key, advert.name
-        )
-        if backfilled > 0:
-            logger.info(
-                "Backfilled sender_key on %d channel message(s) for %s",
-                backfilled,
-                advert.name,
-            )
+    await ContactRepository.upsert(contact_upsert)
+    promoted_keys = await promote_prefix_contacts_for_contact(
+        public_key=advert.public_key,
+        log=logger,
+    )
+    await record_contact_name_and_reconcile(
+        public_key=advert.public_key,
+        contact_name=advert.name,
+        timestamp=timestamp,
+        log=logger,
+    )
 
     # Read back from DB so the broadcast includes all fields (last_contacted,
     # last_read_at, flags, on_radio, etc.) matching the REST Contact shape exactly.
     db_contact = await ContactRepository.get_by_key(advert.public_key.lower())
     if db_contact:
         broadcast_event("contact", db_contact.model_dump())
+        for old_key in promoted_keys:
+            broadcast_event(
+                "contact_resolved",
+                {
+                    "previous_public_key": old_key,
+                    "contact": db_contact.model_dump(),
+                },
+            )
     else:
-        broadcast_event("contact", contact_data)
+        broadcast_event(
+            "contact",
+            Contact(**contact_upsert.model_dump(exclude_none=True)).model_dump(),
+        )
 
     # For new contacts, optionally attempt to decrypt any historical DMs we may have stored
     # This is controlled by the auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert setting
@@ -780,14 +517,6 @@ async def _process_advertisement(
         if settings.auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert:
             await start_historical_dm_decryption(None, advert.public_key.lower(), advert.name)
 
-    # If this is not a repeater, trigger recent contacts sync to radio
-    # This ensures we can auto-ACK DMs from recent contacts
-    if contact_type != CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER:
-        # Import here to avoid circular import
-        from app.radio_sync import sync_recent_contacts_to_radio
-
-        asyncio.create_task(sync_recent_contacts_to_radio())
-
 
 async def _process_direct_message(
     raw_bytes: bytes,
@@ -908,3 +637,90 @@ async def _process_direct_message(
     # Couldn't decrypt with any known contact
     logger.debug("Could not decrypt DM with any of %d candidate contacts", len(candidate_contacts))
     return None
+
+
+async def _process_path_packet(
+    raw_bytes: bytes,
+    timestamp: int,
+    packet_info: PacketInfo | None,
+) -> None:
+    """Process a PATH packet and update the learned direct route."""
+    if not has_private_key():
+        return
+
+    private_key = get_private_key()
+    our_public_key = get_public_key()
+    if private_key is None or our_public_key is None:
+        return
+
+    if packet_info is None:
+        packet_info = parse_packet(raw_bytes)
+    if packet_info is None or packet_info.payload is None or len(packet_info.payload) < 4:
+        return
+
+    dest_hash = format(packet_info.payload[0], "02x").lower()
+    src_hash = format(packet_info.payload[1], "02x").lower()
+    our_first_byte = format(our_public_key[0], "02x").lower()
+    if dest_hash != our_first_byte:
+        return
+
+    candidate_contacts = await ContactRepository.get_by_pubkey_first_byte(src_hash)
+    if not candidate_contacts:
+        logger.debug("No contacts found matching hash %s for PATH decryption", src_hash)
+        return
+
+    for contact in candidate_contacts:
+        if len(contact.public_key) != 64:
+            continue
+        try:
+            contact_public_key = bytes.fromhex(contact.public_key)
+        except ValueError:
+            continue
+
+        result = try_decrypt_path(
+            raw_packet=raw_bytes,
+            our_private_key=private_key,
+            their_public_key=contact_public_key,
+            our_public_key=our_public_key,
+        )
+        if result is None:
+            continue
+
+        await ContactRepository.update_direct_path(
+            contact.public_key,
+            result.returned_path.hex(),
+            result.returned_path_len,
+            result.returned_path_hash_mode,
+            updated_at=timestamp,
+        )
+
+        if result.extra_type == PayloadType.ACK and len(result.extra) >= 4:
+            ack_code = result.extra[:4].hex()
+            matched = await apply_dm_ack_code(ack_code, broadcast_fn=broadcast_event)
+            if matched:
+                logger.info(
+                    "Applied bundled PATH ACK for %s via contact %s",
+                    ack_code,
+                    contact.public_key[:12],
+                )
+            else:
+                logger.debug(
+                    "Buffered bundled PATH ACK %s via contact %s",
+                    ack_code,
+                    contact.public_key[:12],
+                )
+        elif result.extra_type == PayloadType.RESPONSE and len(result.extra) > 0:
+            logger.debug(
+                "Observed bundled PATH RESPONSE from %s (%d bytes)",
+                contact.public_key[:12],
+                len(result.extra),
+            )
+
+        refreshed_contact = await ContactRepository.get_by_key(contact.public_key)
+        if refreshed_contact is not None:
+            broadcast_event("contact", refreshed_contact.model_dump())
+        return
+
+    logger.debug(
+        "Could not decrypt PATH packet with any of %d candidate contacts", len(candidate_contacts)
+    )

app/path_utils.py

@@ -148,3 +148,99 @@ def first_hop_hex(path_hex: str, hop_count: int) -> str | None:
     """
     hops = split_path_hex(path_hex, hop_count)
     return hops[0] if hops else None
+
+
+def normalize_contact_route(
+    path_hex: str | None,
+    path_len: int | None,
+    path_hash_mode: int | None,
+) -> tuple[str, int, int]:
+    """Normalize stored contact route fields.
+
+    Handles legacy/bad rows where the packed wire path byte was stored directly
+    in the hop-count column (sometimes as a signed byte, e.g. `-125` for `0x83`).
+    Returns `(path_hex, hop_count, hash_mode)`.
+    """
+    normalized_path = path_hex or ""
+
+    try:
+        normalized_len = int(path_len) if path_len is not None else -1
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        normalized_len = -1
+
+    try:
+        normalized_mode = int(path_hash_mode) if path_hash_mode is not None else None
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        normalized_mode = None
+
+    if normalized_len < -1 or normalized_len > 63:
+        packed = normalized_len & 0xFF
+        if packed == 0xFF:
+            return "", -1, -1
+        decoded_mode = (packed >> 6) & 0x03
+        if decoded_mode != 0x03:
+            normalized_len = packed & 0x3F
+            normalized_mode = decoded_mode
+
+    if normalized_len == -1:
+        return "", -1, -1
+
+    if normalized_mode not in (0, 1, 2):
+        normalized_mode = 0
+
+    if normalized_path:
+        bytes_per_hop = normalized_mode + 1
+        actual_bytes = len(normalized_path) // 2
+        expected_bytes = normalized_len * bytes_per_hop
+        if actual_bytes > expected_bytes >= 0:
+            normalized_path = normalized_path[: expected_bytes * 2]
+        elif (
+            actual_bytes < expected_bytes
+            and bytes_per_hop > 0
+            and actual_bytes % bytes_per_hop == 0
+        ):
+            normalized_len = actual_bytes // bytes_per_hop
+
+    return normalized_path, normalized_len, normalized_mode
+
+
+def normalize_route_override(
+    path_hex: str | None,
+    path_len: int | None,
+    path_hash_mode: int | None,
+) -> tuple[str | None, int | None, int | None]:
+    """Normalize optional route-override fields while preserving the unset state."""
+    if path_len is None:
+        return None, None, None
+
+    normalized_path, normalized_len, normalized_mode = normalize_contact_route(
+        path_hex,
+        path_len,
+        path_hash_mode,
+    )
+    return normalized_path, normalized_len, normalized_mode
+
+
+def parse_explicit_hop_route(route_text: str) -> tuple[str, int, int]:
+    """Parse a comma-separated explicit hop route into stored contact fields."""
+    hops = [hop.strip().lower() for hop in route_text.split(",") if hop.strip()]
+    if not hops:
+        raise ValueError("Explicit path must include at least one hop")
+
+    hop_chars = len(hops[0])
+    if hop_chars not in (2, 4, 6):
+        raise ValueError("Each hop must be 1, 2, or 3 bytes of hex")
+
+    for hop in hops:
+        if len(hop) != hop_chars:
+            raise ValueError("All hops must use the same width")
+        try:
+            bytes.fromhex(hop)
+        except ValueError as exc:
+            raise ValueError("Each hop must be valid hex") from exc
+
+    hash_size = hop_chars // 2
+    if path_wire_len(len(hops), hash_size) > MAX_PATH_SIZE:
+        raise ValueError(f"Explicit path exceeds MAX_PATH_SIZE={MAX_PATH_SIZE} bytes")
+
+    return "".join(hops), len(hops), hash_size - 1

app/radio.py

@@ -2,14 +2,20 @@ import asyncio
 import glob
 import logging
 import platform
+import re
+from collections import OrderedDict
 from contextlib import asynccontextmanager, nullcontext
 from pathlib import Path
 
 from meshcore import MeshCore
+from serial.serialutil import SerialException
 
 from app.config import settings
+from app.keystore import clear_keys
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+MAX_FRONTEND_RECONNECT_ERROR_BROADCASTS = 3
+_SERIAL_PORT_ERROR_RE = re.compile(r"could not open port (?P<port>.+?):")
 
 
 class RadioOperationError(RuntimeError):
@@ -66,6 +72,36 @@ def detect_serial_devices() -> list[str]:
     return devices
 
 
+def _extract_serial_port_from_error(exc: Exception) -> str | None:
+    """Best-effort extraction of a serial port path from a pyserial error."""
+    message = str(exc)
+    match = _SERIAL_PORT_ERROR_RE.search(message)
+    if match:
+        return match.group("port")
+    return None
+
+
+def _format_reconnect_failure(exc: Exception) -> tuple[str, str, bool]:
+    """Return log message, frontend detail, and whether to log a traceback."""
+    if settings.connection_type == "serial":
+        if isinstance(exc, RuntimeError) and str(exc).startswith("No MeshCore radio found"):
+            message = (
+                "Could not find a MeshCore radio on any serial port. "
+                "Did the radio get disconnected or change serial ports?"
+            )
+            return (message, message, False)
+
+        if isinstance(exc, SerialException):
+            port = settings.serial_port or _extract_serial_port_from_error(exc) or "the serial port"
+            message = (
+                f"Could not connect to serial port {port}. "
+                "Did the radio get disconnected or change serial ports?"
+            )
+            return (message, message, False)
+
+    return (f"Reconnection failed: {exc}", str(exc), True)
+
+
 async def test_serial_device(port: str, baudrate: int, timeout: float = 3.0) -> bool:
     """Test if a MeshCore radio responds on the given serial port."""
     mc = None
@@ -121,6 +157,7 @@ class RadioManager:
     def __init__(self):
         self._meshcore: MeshCore | None = None
         self._connection_info: str | None = None
+        self._connection_desired: bool = True
         self._reconnect_task: asyncio.Task | None = None
         self._last_connected: bool = False
         self._reconnect_lock: asyncio.Lock | None = None
@@ -128,8 +165,18 @@ class RadioManager:
         self._setup_lock: asyncio.Lock | None = None
         self._setup_in_progress: bool = False
         self._setup_complete: bool = False
+        self._frontend_reconnect_error_broadcasts: int = 0
+        self.device_info_loaded: bool = False
+        self.max_contacts: int | None = None
+        self.device_model: str | None = None
+        self.firmware_build: str | None = None
+        self.firmware_version: str | None = None
+        self.max_channels: int = 40
         self.path_hash_mode: int = 0
         self.path_hash_mode_supported: bool = False
+        self._channel_slot_by_key: OrderedDict[str, int] = OrderedDict()
+        self._channel_key_by_slot: dict[int, str] = {}
+        self._pending_message_channel_key_by_slot: dict[int, str] = {}
 
     async def _acquire_operation_lock(
         self,
@@ -159,6 +206,20 @@ class RadioManager:
         else:
             logger.error("Attempted to release unlocked radio operation lock (%s)", name)
 
+    def _reset_connected_runtime_state(self) -> None:
+        """Clear cached runtime state after a transport teardown completes."""
+        self._setup_complete = False
+        self.device_info_loaded = False
+        self.max_contacts = None
+        self.device_model = None
+        self.firmware_build = None
+        self.firmware_version = None
+        self.max_channels = 40
+        self.path_hash_mode = 0
+        self.path_hash_mode_supported = False
+        self.reset_channel_send_cache()
+        self.clear_pending_message_channel_slots()
+
     @asynccontextmanager
     async def radio_operation(
         self,
@@ -217,145 +278,125 @@ class RadioManager:
                 self._release_operation_lock(name)
 
     async def post_connect_setup(self) -> None:
-        """Full post-connection setup: handlers, key export, sync, advertisements, polling.
+        """Run shared post-connection orchestration after transport setup succeeds."""
+        from app.services.radio_lifecycle import run_post_connect_setup
 
-        Called after every successful connection or reconnection.
-        Idempotent — safe to call repeatedly (periodic tasks have start guards).
+        await run_post_connect_setup(self)
+
+    def reset_channel_send_cache(self) -> None:
+        """Forget any session-local channel-slot reuse state."""
+        self._channel_slot_by_key.clear()
+        self._channel_key_by_slot.clear()
+
+    def remember_pending_message_channel_slot(self, channel_key: str, slot: int) -> None:
+        """Remember a channel key for later queued-message recovery."""
+        self._pending_message_channel_key_by_slot[slot] = channel_key.upper()
+
+    def get_pending_message_channel_key(self, slot: int) -> str | None:
+        """Return the last remembered channel key for a radio slot."""
+        return self._pending_message_channel_key_by_slot.get(slot)
+
+    def clear_pending_message_channel_slots(self) -> None:
+        """Drop any queued-message recovery slot metadata."""
+        self._pending_message_channel_key_by_slot.clear()
+
+    def channel_slot_reuse_enabled(self) -> bool:
+        """Return whether this transport can safely reuse cached channel slots."""
+        if settings.force_channel_slot_reconfigure:
+            return False
+        if self._connection_info:
+            return not self._connection_info.startswith("TCP:")
+        return settings.connection_type != "tcp"
+
+    def get_channel_send_cache_capacity(self) -> int:
+        """Return the app-managed channel cache capacity for the current session."""
+        try:
+            return max(1, int(self.max_channels))
+        except (TypeError, ValueError):
+            return 1
+
+    def get_cached_channel_slot(self, channel_key: str) -> int | None:
+        """Return the cached radio slot for a channel key, if present."""
+        return self._channel_slot_by_key.get(channel_key.upper())
+
+    def plan_channel_send_slot(
+        self,
+        channel_key: str,
+        *,
+        preferred_slot: int = 0,
+    ) -> tuple[int, bool, str | None]:
+        """Choose a radio slot for a channel send.
+
+        Returns `(slot, needs_configure, evicted_channel_key)`.
         """
-        from app.event_handlers import register_event_handlers
-        from app.keystore import export_and_store_private_key
-        from app.radio_sync import (
-            drain_pending_messages,
-            send_advertisement,
-            start_message_polling,
-            start_periodic_advert,
-            start_periodic_sync,
-            sync_and_offload_all,
-            sync_radio_time,
-        )
+        if not self.channel_slot_reuse_enabled():
+            return preferred_slot, True, None
 
-        if not self._meshcore:
+        normalized_key = channel_key.upper()
+        cached_slot = self._channel_slot_by_key.get(normalized_key)
+        if cached_slot is not None:
+            return cached_slot, False, None
+
+        capacity = self.get_channel_send_cache_capacity()
+        if len(self._channel_slot_by_key) < capacity:
+            slot = self._find_first_free_channel_slot(capacity, preferred_slot)
+            return slot, True, None
+
+        evicted_key, slot = next(iter(self._channel_slot_by_key.items()))
+        return slot, True, evicted_key
+
+    def note_channel_slot_loaded(self, channel_key: str, slot: int) -> None:
+        """Record that a channel is now resident in the given radio slot."""
+        if not self.channel_slot_reuse_enabled():
             return
 
-        if self._setup_lock is None:
-            self._setup_lock = asyncio.Lock()
+        normalized_key = channel_key.upper()
+        previous_slot = self._channel_slot_by_key.pop(normalized_key, None)
+        if previous_slot is not None and previous_slot != slot:
+            self._channel_key_by_slot.pop(previous_slot, None)
 
-        async with self._setup_lock:
-            if not self._meshcore:
-                return
-            self._setup_in_progress = True
-            self._setup_complete = False
-            mc = self._meshcore
-            try:
-                # Register event handlers (no radio I/O, just callback setup)
-                register_event_handlers(mc)
+        displaced_key = self._channel_key_by_slot.get(slot)
+        if displaced_key is not None and displaced_key != normalized_key:
+            self._channel_slot_by_key.pop(displaced_key, None)
 
-                # Hold the operation lock for all radio I/O during setup.
-                # This prevents user-initiated operations (send message, etc.)
-                # from interleaving commands on the serial link.
-                await self._acquire_operation_lock("post_connect_setup", blocking=True)
-                try:
-                    await export_and_store_private_key(mc)
+        self._channel_key_by_slot[slot] = normalized_key
+        self._channel_slot_by_key[normalized_key] = slot
 
-                    # Sync radio clock with system time
-                    await sync_radio_time(mc)
+    def note_channel_slot_used(self, channel_key: str) -> None:
+        """Refresh LRU order for a previously loaded channel slot."""
+        if not self.channel_slot_reuse_enabled():
+            return
 
-                    # Apply flood scope from settings (best-effort; older firmware
-                    # may not support set_flood_scope)
-                    from app.repository import AppSettingsRepository
+        normalized_key = channel_key.upper()
+        slot = self._channel_slot_by_key.get(normalized_key)
+        if slot is None:
+            return
+        self._channel_slot_by_key.move_to_end(normalized_key)
+        self._channel_key_by_slot[slot] = normalized_key
 
-                    app_settings = await AppSettingsRepository.get()
-                    scope = app_settings.flood_scope
-                    try:
-                        await mc.commands.set_flood_scope(scope if scope else "")
-                        logger.info("Applied flood_scope=%r", scope or "(disabled)")
-                    except Exception as exc:
-                        logger.warning(
-                            "set_flood_scope failed (firmware may not support it): %s", exc
-                        )
+    def invalidate_cached_channel_slot(self, channel_key: str) -> None:
+        """Drop any cached slot assignment for a channel key."""
+        normalized_key = channel_key.upper()
+        slot = self._channel_slot_by_key.pop(normalized_key, None)
+        if slot is None:
+            return
+        if self._channel_key_by_slot.get(slot) == normalized_key:
+            self._channel_key_by_slot.pop(slot, None)
 
-                    # Query path hash mode support (best-effort; older firmware won't report it).
-                    # If the library's parsed payload is missing path_hash_mode (e.g. stale
-                    # .pyc on WSL2 Windows mounts), fall back to raw-frame extraction.
-                    reader = mc._reader
-                    _original_handle_rx = reader.handle_rx
-                    _captured_frame: list[bytes] = []
+    def get_channel_send_cache_snapshot(self) -> list[tuple[str, int]]:
+        """Return the current channel send cache contents in LRU order."""
+        return list(self._channel_slot_by_key.items())
 
-                    async def _capture_handle_rx(data: bytearray) -> None:
-                        from meshcore.packets import PacketType
+    def _find_first_free_channel_slot(self, capacity: int, preferred_slot: int) -> int:
+        """Pick the first unclaimed app-managed slot, preferring the requested slot."""
+        if preferred_slot < capacity and preferred_slot not in self._channel_key_by_slot:
+            return preferred_slot
 
-                        if len(data) > 0 and data[0] == PacketType.DEVICE_INFO.value:
-                            _captured_frame.append(bytes(data))
-                        return await _original_handle_rx(data)
+        for slot in range(capacity):
+            if slot not in self._channel_key_by_slot:
+                return slot
 
-                    reader.handle_rx = _capture_handle_rx
-                    self.path_hash_mode = 0
-                    self.path_hash_mode_supported = False
-                    try:
-                        device_query = await mc.commands.send_device_query()
-                        if device_query and "path_hash_mode" in device_query.payload:
-                            self.path_hash_mode = device_query.payload["path_hash_mode"]
-                            self.path_hash_mode_supported = True
-                        elif _captured_frame:
-                            # Raw-frame fallback: byte 1 = fw_ver, byte 81 = path_hash_mode
-                            raw = _captured_frame[-1]
-                            fw_ver = raw[1] if len(raw) > 1 else 0
-                            if fw_ver >= 10 and len(raw) >= 82:
-                                self.path_hash_mode = raw[81]
-                                self.path_hash_mode_supported = True
-                                logger.warning(
-                                    "path_hash_mode=%d extracted from raw frame "
-                                    "(stale .pyc? try: rm %s)",
-                                    self.path_hash_mode,
-                                    getattr(
-                                        __import__("meshcore.reader", fromlist=["reader"]),
-                                        "__cached__",
-                                        "meshcore __pycache__/reader.*.pyc",
-                                    ),
-                                )
-                        if self.path_hash_mode_supported:
-                            logger.info("Path hash mode: %d (supported)", self.path_hash_mode)
-                        else:
-                            logger.debug("Firmware does not report path_hash_mode")
-                    except Exception as exc:
-                        logger.debug("Failed to query path_hash_mode: %s", exc)
-                    finally:
-                        reader.handle_rx = _original_handle_rx
-
-                    # Sync contacts/channels from radio to DB and clear radio
-                    logger.info("Syncing and offloading radio data...")
-                    result = await sync_and_offload_all(mc)
-                    logger.info("Sync complete: %s", result)
-
-                    # Send advertisement to announce our presence (if enabled and not throttled)
-                    if await send_advertisement(mc):
-                        logger.info("Advertisement sent")
-                    else:
-                        logger.debug("Advertisement skipped (disabled or throttled)")
-
-                    # Drain any messages that were queued before we connected.
-                    # This must happen BEFORE starting auto-fetch, otherwise both
-                    # compete on get_msg() with interleaved radio I/O.
-                    drained = await drain_pending_messages(mc)
-                    if drained > 0:
-                        logger.info("Drained %d pending message(s)", drained)
-
-                    await mc.start_auto_message_fetching()
-                    logger.info("Auto message fetching started")
-                finally:
-                    self._release_operation_lock("post_connect_setup")
-
-                # Start background tasks AFTER releasing the operation lock.
-                # These tasks acquire their own locks when they need radio access.
-                start_periodic_sync()
-                start_periodic_advert()
-                start_message_polling()
-
-                self._setup_complete = True
-            finally:
-                self._setup_in_progress = False
-
-        logger.info("Post-connect setup complete")
+        return preferred_slot
 
     @property
     def meshcore(self) -> MeshCore | None:
@@ -381,6 +422,56 @@ class RadioManager:
     def is_setup_complete(self) -> bool:
         return self._setup_complete
 
+    @property
+    def connection_desired(self) -> bool:
+        return self._connection_desired
+
+    def resume_connection(self) -> None:
+        """Allow connection monitor and manual reconnects to establish transport again."""
+        self._connection_desired = True
+
+    async def pause_connection(self) -> None:
+        """Stop automatic reconnect attempts and tear down any current transport."""
+        self._connection_desired = False
+        self._last_connected = False
+        await self.disconnect()
+
+    def _reset_reconnect_error_broadcasts(self) -> None:
+        self._frontend_reconnect_error_broadcasts = 0
+
+    def _broadcast_reconnect_error_if_needed(self, details: str) -> None:
+        from app.websocket import broadcast_error
+
+        self._frontend_reconnect_error_broadcasts += 1
+        if self._frontend_reconnect_error_broadcasts > MAX_FRONTEND_RECONNECT_ERROR_BROADCASTS:
+            return
+
+        if self._frontend_reconnect_error_broadcasts == MAX_FRONTEND_RECONNECT_ERROR_BROADCASTS:
+            details = f"{details} Further reconnect failures will be logged only until a connection succeeds."
+
+        broadcast_error("Reconnection failed", details)
+
+    async def _disable_meshcore_auto_reconnect(self, mc: MeshCore) -> None:
+        """Disable library-managed reconnects so manual teardown fully releases transport."""
+        connection_manager = getattr(mc, "connection_manager", None)
+        if connection_manager is None:
+            return
+
+        if hasattr(connection_manager, "auto_reconnect"):
+            connection_manager.auto_reconnect = False
+
+        reconnect_task = getattr(connection_manager, "_reconnect_task", None)
+        if reconnect_task is None or not isinstance(reconnect_task, asyncio.Task | asyncio.Future):
+            return
+
+        reconnect_task.cancel()
+        try:
+            await reconnect_task
+        except asyncio.CancelledError:
+            pass
+        finally:
+            connection_manager._reconnect_task = None
+
     async def connect(self) -> None:
         """Connect to the radio using the configured transport."""
         if self._meshcore is not None:
@@ -457,14 +548,30 @@ class RadioManager:
 
     async def disconnect(self) -> None:
         """Disconnect from the radio."""
-        if self._meshcore is not None:
+        clear_keys()
+        self._reset_reconnect_error_broadcasts()
+        if self._meshcore is None:
+            return
+
+        await self._acquire_operation_lock("disconnect", blocking=True)
+        try:
+            mc = self._meshcore
+            if mc is None:
+                return
+
             logger.debug("Disconnecting from radio")
-            await self._meshcore.disconnect()
-            self._meshcore = None
-            self._setup_complete = False
-            self.path_hash_mode = 0
-            self.path_hash_mode_supported = False
+            await self._disable_meshcore_auto_reconnect(mc)
+            try:
+                await mc.disconnect()
+            finally:
+                await self._disable_meshcore_auto_reconnect(mc)
+
+            if self._meshcore is mc:
+                self._meshcore = None
+            self._reset_connected_runtime_state()
             logger.debug("Radio disconnected")
+        finally:
+            self._release_operation_lock("disconnect")
 
     async def reconnect(self, *, broadcast_on_success: bool = True) -> bool:
         """Attempt to reconnect to the radio.
@@ -472,13 +579,17 @@ class RadioManager:
         Returns True if reconnection was successful, False otherwise.
         Uses a lock to prevent concurrent reconnection attempts.
         """
-        from app.websocket import broadcast_error, broadcast_health
+        from app.websocket import broadcast_health
 
         # Lazily initialize lock (can't create in __init__ before event loop exists)
         if self._reconnect_lock is None:
             self._reconnect_lock = asyncio.Lock()
 
         async with self._reconnect_lock:
+            if not self._connection_desired:
+                logger.info("Reconnect skipped because connection is paused by operator")
+                return False
+
             # If we became connected while waiting for the lock (another
             # reconnect succeeded ahead of us), skip the redundant attempt.
             if self.is_connected:
@@ -491,16 +602,21 @@ class RadioManager:
                 # Disconnect if we have a stale connection
                 if self._meshcore is not None:
                     try:
-                        await self._meshcore.disconnect()
+                        await self.disconnect()
                     except Exception:
                         pass
-                    self._meshcore = None
 
                 # Try to connect (will auto-detect if no port specified)
                 await self.connect()
 
+                if not self._connection_desired:
+                    logger.info("Reconnect completed after pause request; disconnecting transport")
+                    await self.disconnect()
+                    return False
+
                 if self.is_connected:
                     logger.info("Radio reconnected successfully at %s", self._connection_info)
+                    self._reset_reconnect_error_broadcasts()
                     if broadcast_on_success:
                         broadcast_health(True, self._connection_info)
                     return True
@@ -509,83 +625,19 @@ class RadioManager:
                     return False
 
             except Exception as e:
-                logger.warning("Reconnection failed: %s", e)
-                broadcast_error("Reconnection failed", str(e))
+                log_message, frontend_detail, include_traceback = _format_reconnect_failure(e)
+                logger.warning(log_message, exc_info=include_traceback)
+                self._broadcast_reconnect_error_if_needed(frontend_detail)
                 return False
 
     async def start_connection_monitor(self) -> None:
         """Start background task to monitor connection and auto-reconnect."""
+        from app.services.radio_lifecycle import connection_monitor_loop
+
         if self._reconnect_task is not None:
             return
 
-        async def monitor_loop():
-            from app.websocket import broadcast_health
-
-            CHECK_INTERVAL_SECONDS = 5
-            UNRESPONSIVE_THRESHOLD = 3
-            consecutive_setup_failures = 0
-
-            while True:
-                try:
-                    await asyncio.sleep(CHECK_INTERVAL_SECONDS)
-
-                    current_connected = self.is_connected
-
-                    # Detect status change
-                    if self._last_connected and not current_connected:
-                        # Connection lost
-                        logger.warning("Radio connection lost, broadcasting status change")
-                        broadcast_health(False, self._connection_info)
-                        self._last_connected = False
-                        consecutive_setup_failures = 0
-
-                    if not current_connected:
-                        # Attempt reconnection on every loop while disconnected
-                        if not self.is_reconnecting and await self.reconnect(
-                            broadcast_on_success=False
-                        ):
-                            await self.post_connect_setup()
-                            broadcast_health(True, self._connection_info)
-                            self._last_connected = True
-                            consecutive_setup_failures = 0
-
-                    elif not self._last_connected and current_connected:
-                        # Connection restored (might have reconnected automatically).
-                        # Always run setup before reporting healthy.
-                        logger.info("Radio connection restored")
-                        await self.post_connect_setup()
-                        broadcast_health(True, self._connection_info)
-                        self._last_connected = True
-                        consecutive_setup_failures = 0
-
-                    elif current_connected and not self._setup_complete:
-                        # Transport connected but setup incomplete — retry
-                        logger.info("Retrying post-connect setup...")
-                        await self.post_connect_setup()
-                        broadcast_health(True, self._connection_info)
-                        consecutive_setup_failures = 0
-
-                except asyncio.CancelledError:
-                    # Task is being cancelled, exit cleanly
-                    break
-                except Exception as e:
-                    consecutive_setup_failures += 1
-                    if consecutive_setup_failures == UNRESPONSIVE_THRESHOLD:
-                        logger.error(
-                            "Post-connect setup has failed %d times in a row. "
-                            "The radio port appears open but the radio is not "
-                            "responding to commands. Common causes: another "
-                            "process has the serial port open (check for other "
-                            "RemoteTerm instances, serial monitors, etc.), the "
-                            "firmware is in repeater mode (not client), or the "
-                            "radio needs a power cycle. Will keep retrying.",
-                            consecutive_setup_failures,
-                        )
-                    elif consecutive_setup_failures < UNRESPONSIVE_THRESHOLD:
-                        logger.exception("Error in connection monitor, continuing: %s", e)
-                    # After the threshold, silently retry (avoid log spam)
-
-        self._reconnect_task = asyncio.create_task(monitor_loop())
+        self._reconnect_task = asyncio.create_task(connection_monitor_loop(self))
         logger.info("Radio connection monitor started")
 
     async def stop_connection_monitor(self) -> None:

app/region_scope.py

@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+"""Helpers for normalizing MeshCore flood-scope / region names."""
+
+
+def normalize_region_scope(scope: str | None) -> str:
+    """Normalize a user-facing region scope into MeshCore's internal form.
+
+    Region names are now user-facing plain strings like ``Esperance``.
+    Internally, MeshCore still expects hashtag-style names like ``#Esperance``.
+
+    Backward compatibility:
+    - blank/None stays disabled (`""`)
+    - existing leading ``#`` is preserved
+    """
+
+    stripped = (scope or "").strip()
+    if not stripped:
+        return ""
+    if stripped.startswith("#"):
+        return stripped
+    return f"#{stripped}"

app/repository/channels.py

@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ class ChannelRepository:
         """Upsert a channel. Key is 32-char hex string."""
         await db.conn.execute(
             """
-            INSERT INTO channels (key, name, is_hashtag, on_radio)
-            VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?)
+            INSERT INTO channels (key, name, is_hashtag, on_radio, flood_scope_override)
+            VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, NULL)
             ON CONFLICT(key) DO UPDATE SET
                 name = excluded.name,
                 is_hashtag = excluded.is_hashtag,
@@ -25,7 +25,11 @@ class ChannelRepository:
     async def get_by_key(key: str) -> Channel | None:
         """Get a channel by its key (32-char hex string)."""
         cursor = await db.conn.execute(
-            "SELECT key, name, is_hashtag, on_radio, last_read_at FROM channels WHERE key = ?",
+            """
+            SELECT key, name, is_hashtag, on_radio, flood_scope_override, last_read_at
+            FROM channels
+            WHERE key = ?
+            """,
             (key.upper(),),
         )
         row = await cursor.fetchone()
@@ -35,6 +39,7 @@ class ChannelRepository:
                 name=row["name"],
                 is_hashtag=bool(row["is_hashtag"]),
                 on_radio=bool(row["on_radio"]),
+                flood_scope_override=row["flood_scope_override"],
                 last_read_at=row["last_read_at"],
             )
         return None
@@ -42,7 +47,11 @@ class ChannelRepository:
     @staticmethod
     async def get_all() -> list[Channel]:
         cursor = await db.conn.execute(
-            "SELECT key, name, is_hashtag, on_radio, last_read_at FROM channels ORDER BY name"
+            """
+            SELECT key, name, is_hashtag, on_radio, flood_scope_override, last_read_at
+            FROM channels
+            ORDER BY name
+            """
         )
         rows = await cursor.fetchall()
         return [
@@ -51,6 +60,31 @@ class ChannelRepository:
                 name=row["name"],
                 is_hashtag=bool(row["is_hashtag"]),
                 on_radio=bool(row["on_radio"]),
+                flood_scope_override=row["flood_scope_override"],
+                last_read_at=row["last_read_at"],
+            )
+            for row in rows
+        ]
+
+    @staticmethod
+    async def get_on_radio() -> list[Channel]:
+        """Return channels currently marked as resident on the radio in the database."""
+        cursor = await db.conn.execute(
+            """
+            SELECT key, name, is_hashtag, on_radio, flood_scope_override, last_read_at
+            FROM channels
+            WHERE on_radio = 1
+            ORDER BY name
+            """
+        )
+        rows = await cursor.fetchall()
+        return [
+            Channel(
+                key=row["key"],
+                name=row["name"],
+                is_hashtag=bool(row["is_hashtag"]),
+                on_radio=bool(row["on_radio"]),
+                flood_scope_override=row["flood_scope_override"],
                 last_read_at=row["last_read_at"],
             )
             for row in rows
@@ -79,6 +113,16 @@ class ChannelRepository:
         await db.conn.commit()
         return cursor.rowcount > 0
 
+    @staticmethod
+    async def update_flood_scope_override(key: str, flood_scope_override: str | None) -> bool:
+        """Set or clear a channel's flood-scope override."""
+        cursor = await db.conn.execute(
+            "UPDATE channels SET flood_scope_override = ? WHERE key = ?",
+            (flood_scope_override, key.upper()),
+        )
+        await db.conn.commit()
+        return cursor.rowcount > 0
+
     @staticmethod
     async def mark_all_read(timestamp: int) -> None:
         """Mark all channels as read at the given timestamp."""

app/repository/contacts.py

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import time
+from collections.abc import Mapping
 from typing import Any
 
 from app.database import db
@@ -7,8 +8,9 @@ from app.models import (
     ContactAdvertPath,
     ContactAdvertPathSummary,
     ContactNameHistory,
+    ContactUpsert,
 )
-from app.path_utils import first_hop_hex
+from app.path_utils import first_hop_hex, normalize_contact_route, normalize_route_override
 
 
 class AmbiguousPublicKeyPrefixError(ValueError):
@@ -22,25 +24,70 @@ class AmbiguousPublicKeyPrefixError(ValueError):
 
 class ContactRepository:
     @staticmethod
-    async def upsert(contact: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
-        out_path_hash_mode = contact.get("out_path_hash_mode")
-        if out_path_hash_mode is None:
-            out_path_hash_mode = -1 if contact.get("last_path_len", -1) == -1 else 0
+    def _coerce_contact_upsert(
+        contact: ContactUpsert | Contact | Mapping[str, Any],
+    ) -> ContactUpsert:
+        if isinstance(contact, ContactUpsert):
+            return contact
+        if isinstance(contact, Contact):
+            return contact.to_upsert()
+        return ContactUpsert.model_validate(contact)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    async def upsert(contact: ContactUpsert | Contact | Mapping[str, Any]) -> None:
+        contact_row = ContactRepository._coerce_contact_upsert(contact)
+        if (
+            contact_row.direct_path is None
+            and contact_row.direct_path_len is None
+            and contact_row.direct_path_hash_mode is None
+        ):
+            direct_path = None
+            direct_path_len = None
+            direct_path_hash_mode = None
+        else:
+            direct_path, direct_path_len, direct_path_hash_mode = normalize_contact_route(
+                contact_row.direct_path,
+                contact_row.direct_path_len,
+                contact_row.direct_path_hash_mode,
+            )
+        route_override_path, route_override_len, route_override_hash_mode = (
+            normalize_route_override(
+                contact_row.route_override_path,
+                contact_row.route_override_len,
+                contact_row.route_override_hash_mode,
+            )
+        )
 
         await db.conn.execute(
             """
-            INSERT INTO contacts (public_key, name, type, flags, last_path, last_path_len,
-                                  out_path_hash_mode,
+            INSERT INTO contacts (public_key, name, type, flags, direct_path, direct_path_len,
+                                  direct_path_hash_mode, direct_path_updated_at,
+                                  route_override_path, route_override_len,
+                                  route_override_hash_mode,
                                   last_advert, lat, lon, last_seen,
                                   on_radio, last_contacted, first_seen)
-            VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
+            VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
             ON CONFLICT(public_key) DO UPDATE SET
                 name = COALESCE(excluded.name, contacts.name),
                 type = CASE WHEN excluded.type = 0 THEN contacts.type ELSE excluded.type END,
                 flags = excluded.flags,
-                last_path = COALESCE(excluded.last_path, contacts.last_path),
-                last_path_len = excluded.last_path_len,
-                out_path_hash_mode = excluded.out_path_hash_mode,
+                direct_path = COALESCE(excluded.direct_path, contacts.direct_path),
+                direct_path_len = COALESCE(excluded.direct_path_len, contacts.direct_path_len),
+                direct_path_hash_mode = COALESCE(
+                    excluded.direct_path_hash_mode, contacts.direct_path_hash_mode
+                ),
+                direct_path_updated_at = COALESCE(
+                    excluded.direct_path_updated_at, contacts.direct_path_updated_at
+                ),
+                route_override_path = COALESCE(
+                    excluded.route_override_path, contacts.route_override_path
+                ),
+                route_override_len = COALESCE(
+                    excluded.route_override_len, contacts.route_override_len
+                ),
+                route_override_hash_mode = COALESCE(
+                    excluded.route_override_hash_mode, contacts.route_override_hash_mode
+                ),
                 last_advert = COALESCE(excluded.last_advert, contacts.last_advert),
                 lat = COALESCE(excluded.lat, contacts.lat),
                 lon = COALESCE(excluded.lon, contacts.lon),
@@ -50,20 +97,24 @@ class ContactRepository:
                 first_seen = COALESCE(contacts.first_seen, excluded.first_seen)
             """,
             (
-                contact.get("public_key", "").lower(),
-                contact.get("name"),
-                contact.get("type", 0),
-                contact.get("flags", 0),
-                contact.get("last_path"),
-                contact.get("last_path_len", -1),
-                out_path_hash_mode,
-                contact.get("last_advert"),
-                contact.get("lat"),
-                contact.get("lon"),
-                contact.get("last_seen", int(time.time())),
-                contact.get("on_radio"),
-                contact.get("last_contacted"),
-                contact.get("first_seen"),
+                contact_row.public_key.lower(),
+                contact_row.name,
+                contact_row.type,
+                contact_row.flags,
+                direct_path,
+                direct_path_len,
+                direct_path_hash_mode,
+                contact_row.direct_path_updated_at,
+                route_override_path,
+                route_override_len,
+                route_override_hash_mode,
+                contact_row.last_advert,
+                contact_row.lat,
+                contact_row.lon,
+                contact_row.last_seen if contact_row.last_seen is not None else int(time.time()),
+                contact_row.on_radio,
+                contact_row.last_contacted,
+                contact_row.first_seen,
             ),
         )
         await db.conn.commit()
@@ -71,14 +122,46 @@ class ContactRepository:
     @staticmethod
     def _row_to_contact(row) -> Contact:
         """Convert a database row to a Contact model."""
+        available_columns = set(row.keys())
+        direct_path, direct_path_len, direct_path_hash_mode = normalize_contact_route(
+            row["direct_path"] if "direct_path" in available_columns else None,
+            row["direct_path_len"] if "direct_path_len" in available_columns else None,
+            row["direct_path_hash_mode"] if "direct_path_hash_mode" in available_columns else None,
+        )
+        route_override_path = (
+            row["route_override_path"] if "route_override_path" in available_columns else None
+        )
+        route_override_len = (
+            row["route_override_len"] if "route_override_len" in available_columns else None
+        )
+        route_override_hash_mode = (
+            row["route_override_hash_mode"]
+            if "route_override_hash_mode" in available_columns
+            else None
+        )
+        route_override_path, route_override_len, route_override_hash_mode = (
+            normalize_route_override(
+                route_override_path,
+                route_override_len,
+                route_override_hash_mode,
+            )
+        )
         return Contact(
             public_key=row["public_key"],
             name=row["name"],
             type=row["type"],
             flags=row["flags"],
-            last_path=row["last_path"],
-            last_path_len=row["last_path_len"],
-            out_path_hash_mode=row["out_path_hash_mode"],
+            direct_path=direct_path,
+            direct_path_len=direct_path_len,
+            direct_path_hash_mode=direct_path_hash_mode,
+            direct_path_updated_at=(
+                row["direct_path_updated_at"]
+                if "direct_path_updated_at" in available_columns
+                else None
+            ),
+            route_override_path=route_override_path,
+            route_override_len=route_override_len,
+            route_override_hash_mode=route_override_hash_mode,
             last_advert=row["last_advert"],
             lat=row["lat"],
             lon=row["lon"],
@@ -105,6 +188,9 @@ class ContactRepository:
         the prefix (to avoid silently selecting the wrong contact).
         """
         normalized_prefix = prefix.lower()
+        exact = await ContactRepository.get_by_key(normalized_prefix)
+        if exact:
+            return exact
         cursor = await db.conn.execute(
             "SELECT * FROM contacts WHERE public_key LIKE ? ORDER BY public_key LIMIT 2",
             (f"{normalized_prefix}%",),
@@ -190,17 +276,13 @@ class ContactRepository:
         return [ContactRepository._row_to_contact(row) for row in rows]
 
     @staticmethod
-    async def get_recent_non_repeaters(limit: int = 200) -> list[Contact]:
-        """Get the most recently active non-repeater contacts.
-
-        Orders by most recent activity (last_contacted or last_advert),
-        excluding repeaters (type=2).
-        """
+    async def get_recently_contacted_non_repeaters(limit: int = 200) -> list[Contact]:
+        """Get recently interacted-with non-repeater contacts."""
         cursor = await db.conn.execute(
             """
             SELECT * FROM contacts
-            WHERE type != 2
-            ORDER BY COALESCE(last_contacted, 0) DESC, COALESCE(last_advert, 0) DESC
+            WHERE type != 2 AND last_contacted IS NOT NULL AND length(public_key) = 64
+            ORDER BY last_contacted DESC
             LIMIT ?
             """,
             (limit,),
@@ -209,25 +291,88 @@ class ContactRepository:
         return [ContactRepository._row_to_contact(row) for row in rows]
 
     @staticmethod
-    async def update_path(
+    async def get_recently_advertised_non_repeaters(limit: int = 200) -> list[Contact]:
+        """Get recently advert-heard non-repeater contacts."""
+        cursor = await db.conn.execute(
+            """
+            SELECT * FROM contacts
+            WHERE type != 2 AND last_advert IS NOT NULL AND length(public_key) = 64
+            ORDER BY last_advert DESC
+            LIMIT ?
+            """,
+            (limit,),
+        )
+        rows = await cursor.fetchall()
+        return [ContactRepository._row_to_contact(row) for row in rows]
+
+    @staticmethod
+    async def update_direct_path(
         public_key: str,
         path: str,
         path_len: int,
-        out_path_hash_mode: int | None = None,
+        path_hash_mode: int | None = None,
+        updated_at: int | None = None,
     ) -> None:
+        normalized_path, normalized_path_len, normalized_hash_mode = normalize_contact_route(
+            path,
+            path_len,
+            path_hash_mode,
+        )
+        ts = updated_at if updated_at is not None else int(time.time())
         await db.conn.execute(
-            """UPDATE contacts SET last_path = ?, last_path_len = ?,
-               out_path_hash_mode = COALESCE(?, out_path_hash_mode),
+            """UPDATE contacts SET direct_path = ?, direct_path_len = ?,
+               direct_path_hash_mode = COALESCE(?, direct_path_hash_mode),
+               direct_path_updated_at = ?,
                last_seen = ? WHERE public_key = ?""",
-            (path, path_len, out_path_hash_mode, int(time.time()), public_key.lower()),
+            (
+                normalized_path,
+                normalized_path_len,
+                normalized_hash_mode,
+                ts,
+                ts,
+                public_key.lower(),
+            ),
         )
         await db.conn.commit()
 
     @staticmethod
-    async def set_on_radio(public_key: str, on_radio: bool) -> None:
+    async def set_routing_override(
+        public_key: str,
+        path: str | None,
+        path_len: int | None,
+        path_hash_mode: int | None = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        normalized_path, normalized_len, normalized_hash_mode = normalize_route_override(
+            path,
+            path_len,
+            path_hash_mode,
+        )
         await db.conn.execute(
-            "UPDATE contacts SET on_radio = ? WHERE public_key = ?",
-            (on_radio, public_key.lower()),
+            """
+            UPDATE contacts
+            SET route_override_path = ?, route_override_len = ?, route_override_hash_mode = ?
+            WHERE public_key = ?
+            """,
+            (
+                normalized_path,
+                normalized_len,
+                normalized_hash_mode,
+                public_key.lower(),
+            ),
+        )
+        await db.conn.commit()
+
+    @staticmethod
+    async def clear_routing_override(public_key: str) -> None:
+        await db.conn.execute(
+            """
+            UPDATE contacts
+            SET route_override_path = NULL,
+                route_override_len = NULL,
+                route_override_hash_mode = NULL
+            WHERE public_key = ?
+            """,
+            (public_key.lower(),),
         )
         await db.conn.commit()
 
@@ -280,6 +425,103 @@ class ContactRepository:
         await db.conn.commit()
         return cursor.rowcount > 0
 
+    @staticmethod
+    async def promote_prefix_placeholders(full_key: str) -> list[str]:
+        """Promote prefix-only placeholder contacts to a resolved full key.
+
+        Returns the placeholder public keys that were merged into the full key.
+        """
+        normalized_full_key = full_key.lower()
+        cursor = await db.conn.execute(
+            """
+            SELECT public_key, last_seen, last_contacted, first_seen, last_read_at
+            FROM contacts
+            WHERE length(public_key) < 64
+              AND ? LIKE public_key || '%'
+            ORDER BY length(public_key) DESC, public_key
+            """,
+            (normalized_full_key,),
+        )
+        rows = list(await cursor.fetchall())
+        if not rows:
+            return []
+
+        promoted_keys: list[str] = []
+        full_exists = await ContactRepository.get_by_key(normalized_full_key) is not None
+
+        for row in rows:
+            old_key = row["public_key"]
+            if old_key == normalized_full_key:
+                continue
+
+            match_cursor = await db.conn.execute(
+                """
+                SELECT COUNT(*) AS match_count
+                FROM contacts
+                WHERE length(public_key) = 64
+                  AND public_key LIKE ? || '%'
+                """,
+                (old_key,),
+            )
+            match_row = await match_cursor.fetchone()
+            if (match_row["match_count"] if match_row is not None else 0) != 1:
+                continue
+
+            if full_exists:
+                await db.conn.execute(
+                    """
+                    UPDATE contacts
+                    SET last_seen = CASE
+                            WHEN contacts.last_seen IS NULL THEN ?
+                            WHEN ? IS NULL THEN contacts.last_seen
+                            WHEN ? > contacts.last_seen THEN ?
+                            ELSE contacts.last_seen
+                        END,
+                        last_contacted = CASE
+                            WHEN contacts.last_contacted IS NULL THEN ?
+                            WHEN ? IS NULL THEN contacts.last_contacted
+                            WHEN ? > contacts.last_contacted THEN ?
+                            ELSE contacts.last_contacted
+                        END,
+                        first_seen = CASE
+                            WHEN contacts.first_seen IS NULL THEN ?
+                            WHEN ? IS NULL THEN contacts.first_seen
+                            WHEN ? < contacts.first_seen THEN ?
+                            ELSE contacts.first_seen
+                        END,
+                        last_read_at = COALESCE(contacts.last_read_at, ?)
+                    WHERE public_key = ?
+                    """,
+                    (
+                        row["last_seen"],
+                        row["last_seen"],
+                        row["last_seen"],
+                        row["last_seen"],
+                        row["last_contacted"],
+                        row["last_contacted"],
+                        row["last_contacted"],
+                        row["last_contacted"],
+                        row["first_seen"],
+                        row["first_seen"],
+                        row["first_seen"],
+                        row["first_seen"],
+                        row["last_read_at"],
+                        normalized_full_key,
+                    ),
+                )
+                await db.conn.execute("DELETE FROM contacts WHERE public_key = ?", (old_key,))
+            else:
+                await db.conn.execute(
+                    "UPDATE contacts SET public_key = ? WHERE public_key = ?",
+                    (normalized_full_key, old_key),
+                )
+                full_exists = True
+
+            promoted_keys.append(old_key)
+
+        await db.conn.commit()
+        return promoted_keys
+
     @staticmethod
     async def mark_all_read(timestamp: int) -> None:
         """Mark all contacts as read at the given timestamp."""

app/repository/messages.py

@@ -1,12 +1,43 @@
 import json
+import re
 import time
+from dataclasses import dataclass
 from typing import Any
 
 from app.database import db
-from app.models import Message, MessagePath
+from app.models import (
+    ContactAnalyticsHourlyBucket,
+    ContactAnalyticsWeeklyBucket,
+    Message,
+    MessagePath,
+)
 
 
 class MessageRepository:
+    @dataclass
+    class _SearchQuery:
+        free_text: str
+        user_terms: list[str]
+        channel_terms: list[str]
+
+    _SEARCH_OPERATOR_RE = re.compile(
+        r'(?<!\S)(user|channel):(?:"((?:[^"\\]|\\.)*)"|(\S+))',
+        re.IGNORECASE,
+    )
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _contact_activity_filter(public_key: str) -> tuple[str, list[Any]]:
+        lower_key = public_key.lower()
+        return (
+            "((type = 'PRIV' AND LOWER(conversation_key) = ?)"
+            " OR (type = 'CHAN' AND LOWER(sender_key) = ?))",
+            [lower_key, lower_key],
+        )
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _name_activity_filter(sender_name: str) -> tuple[str, list[Any]]:
+        return "type = 'CHAN' AND sender_name = ?", [sender_name]
+
     @staticmethod
     def _parse_paths(paths_json: str | None) -> list[MessagePath] | None:
         """Parse paths JSON string to list of MessagePath objects."""
@@ -35,9 +66,10 @@ class MessageRepository:
     ) -> int | None:
         """Create a message, returning the ID or None if duplicate.
 
-        Uses INSERT OR IGNORE to handle the UNIQUE constraint on
-        (type, conversation_key, text, sender_timestamp). This prevents
-        duplicate messages when the same message arrives via multiple RF paths.
+        Uses INSERT OR IGNORE to handle the message dedup indexes:
+        - channel messages dedupe by content/timestamp for echo reconciliation
+        - incoming direct messages dedupe by conversation/text/timestamp so
+          raw-packet and fallback observations merge onto one row
 
         The path parameter is converted to the paths JSON array format.
         """
@@ -131,7 +163,8 @@ class MessageRepository:
                AND ? LIKE conversation_key || '%'
                AND (
                    SELECT COUNT(*) FROM contacts
-                   WHERE public_key LIKE messages.conversation_key || '%'
+                   WHERE length(public_key) = 64
+                     AND public_key LIKE messages.conversation_key || '%'
                ) = 1""",
             (lower_key, lower_key),
         )
@@ -148,8 +181,16 @@ class MessageRepository:
         """
         cursor = await db.conn.execute(
             """UPDATE messages SET sender_key = ?
-               WHERE type = 'CHAN' AND sender_name = ? AND sender_key IS NULL""",
-            (public_key.lower(), name),
+               WHERE type = 'CHAN' AND sender_name = ? AND sender_key IS NULL
+               AND (
+                   SELECT COUNT(*) FROM contacts
+                   WHERE name = ?
+               ) = 1
+               AND EXISTS (
+                   SELECT 1 FROM contacts
+                   WHERE public_key = ? AND name = ?
+               )""",
+            (public_key.lower(), name, name, public_key.lower(), name),
         )
         await db.conn.commit()
         return cursor.rowcount
@@ -167,6 +208,126 @@ class MessageRepository:
         else:
             return "AND conversation_key LIKE ?", f"{conversation_key}%"
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def _unescape_search_quoted_value(value: str) -> str:
+        return value.replace('\\"', '"').replace("\\\\", "\\")
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _parse_search_query(q: str) -> _SearchQuery:
+        user_terms: list[str] = []
+        channel_terms: list[str] = []
+        fragments: list[str] = []
+        last_end = 0
+
+        for match in MessageRepository._SEARCH_OPERATOR_RE.finditer(q):
+            fragments.append(q[last_end : match.start()])
+            raw_value = match.group(2) if match.group(2) is not None else match.group(3) or ""
+            value = MessageRepository._unescape_search_quoted_value(raw_value)
+            if match.group(1).lower() == "user":
+                user_terms.append(value)
+            else:
+                channel_terms.append(value)
+            last_end = match.end()
+
+        if not user_terms and not channel_terms:
+            return MessageRepository._SearchQuery(free_text=q, user_terms=[], channel_terms=[])
+
+        fragments.append(q[last_end:])
+        free_text = " ".join(fragment.strip() for fragment in fragments if fragment.strip())
+        return MessageRepository._SearchQuery(
+            free_text=free_text,
+            user_terms=user_terms,
+            channel_terms=channel_terms,
+        )
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _escape_like(value: str) -> str:
+        return value.replace("\\", "\\\\").replace("%", "\\%").replace("_", "\\_")
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _looks_like_hex_prefix(value: str) -> bool:
+        return bool(value) and all(ch in "0123456789abcdefABCDEF" for ch in value)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _build_channel_scope_clause(value: str) -> tuple[str, list[Any]]:
+        params: list[Any] = [value]
+        clause = "(messages.type = 'CHAN' AND (channels.name = ? COLLATE NOCASE"
+
+        if MessageRepository._looks_like_hex_prefix(value):
+            if len(value) == 32:
+                clause += " OR UPPER(messages.conversation_key) = ?"
+                params.append(value.upper())
+            else:
+                clause += " OR UPPER(messages.conversation_key) LIKE ? ESCAPE '\\'"
+                params.append(f"{MessageRepository._escape_like(value.upper())}%")
+
+        clause += "))"
+        return clause, params
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _build_user_scope_clause(value: str) -> tuple[str, list[Any]]:
+        params: list[Any] = [value, value]
+        clause = (
+            "((messages.type = 'PRIV' AND contacts.name = ? COLLATE NOCASE)"
+            " OR (messages.type = 'CHAN' AND sender_name = ? COLLATE NOCASE)"
+        )
+
+        if MessageRepository._looks_like_hex_prefix(value):
+            lower_value = value.lower()
+            priv_key_clause: str
+            chan_key_clause: str
+            if len(value) == 64:
+                priv_key_clause = "LOWER(messages.conversation_key) = ?"
+                chan_key_clause = "LOWER(sender_key) = ?"
+                params.extend([lower_value, lower_value])
+            else:
+                escaped_prefix = f"{MessageRepository._escape_like(lower_value)}%"
+                priv_key_clause = "LOWER(messages.conversation_key) LIKE ? ESCAPE '\\'"
+                chan_key_clause = "LOWER(sender_key) LIKE ? ESCAPE '\\'"
+                params.extend([escaped_prefix, escaped_prefix])
+
+            clause += (
+                f" OR (messages.type = 'PRIV' AND {priv_key_clause})"
+                f" OR (messages.type = 'CHAN' AND sender_key IS NOT NULL AND {chan_key_clause})"
+            )
+
+        clause += ")"
+        return clause, params
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _build_blocked_incoming_clause(
+        message_alias: str = "",
+        blocked_keys: list[str] | None = None,
+        blocked_names: list[str] | None = None,
+    ) -> tuple[str, list[Any]]:
+        prefix = f"{message_alias}." if message_alias else ""
+        blocked_matchers: list[str] = []
+        params: list[Any] = []
+
+        if blocked_keys:
+            placeholders = ",".join("?" for _ in blocked_keys)
+            blocked_matchers.append(
+                f"({prefix}type = 'PRIV' AND LOWER({prefix}conversation_key) IN ({placeholders}))"
+            )
+            params.extend(blocked_keys)
+            blocked_matchers.append(
+                f"({prefix}type = 'CHAN' AND {prefix}sender_key IS NOT NULL"
+                f" AND LOWER({prefix}sender_key) IN ({placeholders}))"
+            )
+            params.extend(blocked_keys)
+
+        if blocked_names:
+            placeholders = ",".join("?" for _ in blocked_names)
+            blocked_matchers.append(
+                f"({prefix}sender_name IS NOT NULL AND {prefix}sender_name IN ({placeholders}))"
+            )
+            params.extend(blocked_names)
+
+        if not blocked_matchers:
+            return "", []
+
+        return f"NOT ({prefix}outgoing = 0 AND ({' OR '.join(blocked_matchers)}))", params
+
     @staticmethod
     def _row_to_message(row: Any) -> Message:
         """Convert a database row to a Message model."""
@@ -200,53 +361,70 @@ class MessageRepository:
         blocked_keys: list[str] | None = None,
         blocked_names: list[str] | None = None,
     ) -> list[Message]:
-        query = "SELECT * FROM messages WHERE 1=1"
+        search_query = MessageRepository._parse_search_query(q) if q else None
+        query = (
+            "SELECT messages.* FROM messages "
+            "LEFT JOIN contacts ON messages.type = 'PRIV' "
+            "AND LOWER(messages.conversation_key) = LOWER(contacts.public_key) "
+            "LEFT JOIN channels ON messages.type = 'CHAN' "
+            "AND UPPER(messages.conversation_key) = UPPER(channels.key) "
+            "WHERE 1=1"
+        )
         params: list[Any] = []
 
-        if blocked_keys:
-            placeholders = ",".join("?" for _ in blocked_keys)
-            query += (
-                f" AND NOT (outgoing=0 AND ("
-                f"(type='PRIV' AND LOWER(conversation_key) IN ({placeholders}))"
-                f" OR (type='CHAN' AND sender_key IS NOT NULL AND LOWER(sender_key) IN ({placeholders}))"
-                f"))"
-            )
-            params.extend(blocked_keys)
-            params.extend(blocked_keys)
-
-        if blocked_names:
-            placeholders = ",".join("?" for _ in blocked_names)
-            query += (
-                f" AND NOT (outgoing=0 AND sender_name IS NOT NULL"
-                f" AND sender_name IN ({placeholders}))"
-            )
-            params.extend(blocked_names)
+        blocked_clause, blocked_params = MessageRepository._build_blocked_incoming_clause(
+            "messages", blocked_keys, blocked_names
+        )
+        if blocked_clause:
+            query += f" AND {blocked_clause}"
+            params.extend(blocked_params)
 
         if msg_type:
-            query += " AND type = ?"
+            query += " AND messages.type = ?"
             params.append(msg_type)
         if conversation_key:
             clause, norm_key = MessageRepository._normalize_conversation_key(conversation_key)
-            query += f" {clause}"
+            query += f" {clause.replace('conversation_key', 'messages.conversation_key')}"
             params.append(norm_key)
 
-        if q:
-            escaped_q = q.replace("\\", "\\\\").replace("%", "\\%").replace("_", "\\_")
-            query += " AND text LIKE ? ESCAPE '\\' COLLATE NOCASE"
+        if search_query and search_query.user_terms:
+            scope_clauses: list[str] = []
+            for term in search_query.user_terms:
+                clause, clause_params = MessageRepository._build_user_scope_clause(term)
+                scope_clauses.append(clause)
+                params.extend(clause_params)
+            query += f" AND ({' OR '.join(scope_clauses)})"
+
+        if search_query and search_query.channel_terms:
+            scope_clauses = []
+            for term in search_query.channel_terms:
+                clause, clause_params = MessageRepository._build_channel_scope_clause(term)
+                scope_clauses.append(clause)
+                params.extend(clause_params)
+            query += f" AND ({' OR '.join(scope_clauses)})"
+
+        if search_query and search_query.free_text:
+            escaped_q = MessageRepository._escape_like(search_query.free_text)
+            query += " AND messages.text LIKE ? ESCAPE '\\' COLLATE NOCASE"
             params.append(f"%{escaped_q}%")
 
         # Forward cursor (after/after_id) — mutually exclusive with before/before_id
         if after is not None and after_id is not None:
-            query += " AND (received_at > ? OR (received_at = ? AND id > ?))"
+            query += (
+                " AND (messages.received_at > ? OR (messages.received_at = ? AND messages.id > ?))"
+            )
             params.extend([after, after, after_id])
-            query += " ORDER BY received_at ASC, id ASC LIMIT ?"
+            query += " ORDER BY messages.received_at ASC, messages.id ASC LIMIT ?"
             params.append(limit)
         else:
             if before is not None and before_id is not None:
-                query += " AND (received_at < ? OR (received_at = ? AND id < ?))"
+                query += (
+                    " AND (messages.received_at < ?"
+                    " OR (messages.received_at = ? AND messages.id < ?))"
+                )
                 params.extend([before, before, before_id])
 
-            query += " ORDER BY received_at DESC, id DESC LIMIT ?"
+            query += " ORDER BY messages.received_at DESC, messages.id DESC LIMIT ?"
             params.append(limit)
             if before is None or before_id is None:
                 query += " OFFSET ?"
@@ -281,23 +459,12 @@ class MessageRepository:
             where_parts.append(clause.removeprefix("AND "))
             base_params.append(norm_key)
 
-        if blocked_keys:
-            placeholders = ",".join("?" for _ in blocked_keys)
-            where_parts.append(
-                f"NOT (outgoing=0 AND ("
-                f"(type='PRIV' AND LOWER(conversation_key) IN ({placeholders}))"
-                f" OR (type='CHAN' AND sender_key IS NOT NULL AND LOWER(sender_key) IN ({placeholders}))"
-                f"))"
-            )
-            base_params.extend(blocked_keys)
-            base_params.extend(blocked_keys)
-
-        if blocked_names:
-            placeholders = ",".join("?" for _ in blocked_names)
-            where_parts.append(
-                f"NOT (outgoing=0 AND sender_name IS NOT NULL AND sender_name IN ({placeholders}))"
-            )
-            base_params.extend(blocked_names)
+        blocked_clause, blocked_params = MessageRepository._build_blocked_incoming_clause(
+            blocked_keys=blocked_keys, blocked_names=blocked_names
+        )
+        if blocked_clause:
+            where_parts.append(blocked_clause)
+            base_params.extend(blocked_params)
 
         where_sql = " AND ".join(["1=1", *where_parts])
 
@@ -393,16 +560,20 @@ class MessageRepository:
         conversation_key: str,
         text: str,
         sender_timestamp: int | None,
+        outgoing: bool | None = None,
     ) -> "Message | None":
         """Look up a message by its unique content fields."""
-        cursor = await db.conn.execute(
-            """
+        query = """
             SELECT * FROM messages
             WHERE type = ? AND conversation_key = ? AND text = ?
               AND (sender_timestamp = ? OR (sender_timestamp IS NULL AND ? IS NULL))
-            """,
-            (msg_type, conversation_key, text, sender_timestamp, sender_timestamp),
-        )
+        """
+        params: list[Any] = [msg_type, conversation_key, text, sender_timestamp, sender_timestamp]
+        if outgoing is not None:
+            query += " AND outgoing = ?"
+            params.append(1 if outgoing else 0)
+        query += " ORDER BY id ASC"
+        cursor = await db.conn.execute(query, params)
         row = await cursor.fetchone()
         if not row:
             return None
@@ -423,29 +594,19 @@ class MessageRepository:
             blocked_names: Display names whose messages should be excluded from counts.
 
         Returns:
-            Dict with 'counts', 'mentions', and 'last_message_times' keys.
+            Dict with 'counts', 'mentions', 'last_message_times', and 'last_read_ats' keys.
         """
         counts: dict[str, int] = {}
         mention_flags: dict[str, bool] = {}
         last_message_times: dict[str, int] = {}
+        last_read_ats: dict[str, int | None] = {}
 
         mention_token = f"@[{name}]" if name else None
 
-        # Build optional block-list WHERE fragments for channel messages
-        chan_block_sql = ""
-        chan_block_params: list[Any] = []
-        if blocked_keys:
-            placeholders = ",".join("?" for _ in blocked_keys)
-            chan_block_sql += (
-                f" AND NOT (m.sender_key IS NOT NULL AND LOWER(m.sender_key) IN ({placeholders}))"
-            )
-            chan_block_params.extend(blocked_keys)
-        if blocked_names:
-            placeholders = ",".join("?" for _ in blocked_names)
-            chan_block_sql += (
-                f" AND NOT (m.sender_name IS NOT NULL AND m.sender_name IN ({placeholders}))"
-            )
-            chan_block_params.extend(blocked_names)
+        blocked_clause, blocked_params = MessageRepository._build_blocked_incoming_clause(
+            "m", blocked_keys, blocked_names
+        )
+        blocked_sql = f" AND {blocked_clause}" if blocked_clause else ""
 
         # Channel unreads
         cursor = await db.conn.execute(
@@ -460,10 +621,10 @@ class MessageRepository:
             JOIN channels c ON m.conversation_key = c.key
             WHERE m.type = 'CHAN' AND m.outgoing = 0
               AND m.received_at > COALESCE(c.last_read_at, 0)
-              {chan_block_sql}
+              {blocked_sql}
             GROUP BY m.conversation_key
             """,
-            (mention_token or "", mention_token or "", *chan_block_params),
+            (mention_token or "", mention_token or "", *blocked_params),
         )
         rows = await cursor.fetchall()
         for row in rows:
@@ -472,14 +633,6 @@ class MessageRepository:
             if mention_token and row["has_mention"]:
                 mention_flags[state_key] = True
 
-        # Build block-list exclusion for contact (DM) unreads
-        contact_block_sql = ""
-        contact_block_params: list[Any] = []
-        if blocked_keys:
-            placeholders = ",".join("?" for _ in blocked_keys)
-            contact_block_sql += f" AND LOWER(m.conversation_key) NOT IN ({placeholders})"
-            contact_block_params.extend(blocked_keys)
-
         # Contact unreads
         cursor = await db.conn.execute(
             f"""
@@ -493,10 +646,10 @@ class MessageRepository:
             JOIN contacts ct ON m.conversation_key = ct.public_key
             WHERE m.type = 'PRIV' AND m.outgoing = 0
               AND m.received_at > COALESCE(ct.last_read_at, 0)
-              {contact_block_sql}
+              {blocked_sql}
             GROUP BY m.conversation_key
             """,
-            (mention_token or "", mention_token or "", *contact_block_params),
+            (mention_token or "", mention_token or "", *blocked_params),
         )
         rows = await cursor.fetchall()
         for row in rows:
@@ -505,13 +658,41 @@ class MessageRepository:
             if mention_token and row["has_mention"]:
                 mention_flags[state_key] = True
 
-        # Last message times for all conversations (including read ones)
         cursor = await db.conn.execute(
             """
+            SELECT key, last_read_at
+            FROM channels
+            """
+        )
+        rows = await cursor.fetchall()
+        for row in rows:
+            last_read_ats[f"channel-{row['key']}"] = row["last_read_at"]
+
+        cursor = await db.conn.execute(
+            """
+            SELECT public_key, last_read_at
+            FROM contacts
+            """
+        )
+        rows = await cursor.fetchall()
+        for row in rows:
+            last_read_ats[f"contact-{row['public_key']}"] = row["last_read_at"]
+
+        # Last message times for all conversations (including read ones),
+        # excluding blocked incoming traffic so refresh matches live WS behavior.
+        last_time_clause, last_time_params = MessageRepository._build_blocked_incoming_clause(
+            blocked_keys=blocked_keys, blocked_names=blocked_names
+        )
+        last_time_where_sql = f"WHERE {last_time_clause}" if last_time_clause else ""
+
+        cursor = await db.conn.execute(
+            f"""
             SELECT type, conversation_key, MAX(received_at) as last_message_time
             FROM messages
+            {last_time_where_sql}
             GROUP BY type, conversation_key
-            """
+            """,
+            last_time_params,
         )
         rows = await cursor.fetchall()
         for row in rows:
@@ -523,6 +704,7 @@ class MessageRepository:
             "counts": counts,
             "mentions": mention_flags,
             "last_message_times": last_message_times,
+            "last_read_ats": last_read_ats,
         }
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -545,6 +727,26 @@ class MessageRepository:
         row = await cursor.fetchone()
         return row["cnt"] if row else 0
 
+    @staticmethod
+    async def count_channel_messages_by_sender_name(sender_name: str) -> int:
+        """Count channel messages attributed to a display name."""
+        cursor = await db.conn.execute(
+            "SELECT COUNT(*) as cnt FROM messages WHERE type = 'CHAN' AND sender_name = ?",
+            (sender_name,),
+        )
+        row = await cursor.fetchone()
+        return row["cnt"] if row else 0
+
+    @staticmethod
+    async def get_first_channel_message_by_sender_name(sender_name: str) -> int | None:
+        """Get the earliest stored channel message timestamp for a display name."""
+        cursor = await db.conn.execute(
+            "SELECT MIN(received_at) AS first_seen FROM messages WHERE type = 'CHAN' AND sender_name = ?",
+            (sender_name,),
+        )
+        row = await cursor.fetchone()
+        return row["first_seen"] if row and row["first_seen"] is not None else None
+
     @staticmethod
     async def get_channel_stats(conversation_key: str) -> dict:
         """Get channel message statistics: time-windowed counts, first message, unique senders, top senders.
@@ -611,6 +813,19 @@ class MessageRepository:
             "top_senders_24h": top_senders,
         }
 
+    @staticmethod
+    async def count_channels_with_incoming_messages() -> int:
+        """Count distinct channel conversations with at least one incoming message."""
+        cursor = await db.conn.execute(
+            """
+            SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT conversation_key) AS cnt
+            FROM messages
+            WHERE type = 'CHAN' AND outgoing = 0
+            """
+        )
+        row = await cursor.fetchone()
+        return int(row["cnt"]) if row and row["cnt"] is not None else 0
+
     @staticmethod
     async def get_most_active_rooms(sender_key: str, limit: int = 5) -> list[tuple[str, str, int]]:
         """Get channels where a contact has sent the most messages.
@@ -632,3 +847,135 @@ class MessageRepository:
         )
         rows = await cursor.fetchall()
         return [(row["conversation_key"], row["channel_name"], row["cnt"]) for row in rows]
+
+    @staticmethod
+    async def get_most_active_rooms_by_sender_name(
+        sender_name: str, limit: int = 5
+    ) -> list[tuple[str, str, int]]:
+        """Get channels where a display name has sent the most messages."""
+        cursor = await db.conn.execute(
+            """
+            SELECT m.conversation_key, COALESCE(c.name, m.conversation_key) AS channel_name,
+                   COUNT(*) AS cnt
+            FROM messages m
+            LEFT JOIN channels c ON m.conversation_key = c.key
+            WHERE m.type = 'CHAN' AND m.sender_name = ?
+            GROUP BY m.conversation_key
+            ORDER BY cnt DESC
+            LIMIT ?
+            """,
+            (sender_name, limit),
+        )
+        rows = await cursor.fetchall()
+        return [(row["conversation_key"], row["channel_name"], row["cnt"]) for row in rows]
+
+    @staticmethod
+    async def _get_activity_hour_buckets(where_sql: str, params: list[Any]) -> dict[int, int]:
+        cursor = await db.conn.execute(
+            f"""
+            SELECT received_at / 3600 AS hour_bucket, COUNT(*) AS cnt
+            FROM messages
+            WHERE {where_sql}
+            GROUP BY hour_bucket
+            """,
+            params,
+        )
+        rows = await cursor.fetchall()
+        return {int(row["hour_bucket"]): row["cnt"] for row in rows}
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _build_hourly_activity(
+        hour_counts: dict[int, int], now: int
+    ) -> list[ContactAnalyticsHourlyBucket]:
+        current_hour = now // 3600
+        if hour_counts:
+            min_hour = min(hour_counts)
+        else:
+            min_hour = current_hour
+
+        buckets: list[ContactAnalyticsHourlyBucket] = []
+        for hour_bucket in range(current_hour - 23, current_hour + 1):
+            last_24h_count = hour_counts.get(hour_bucket, 0)
+
+            week_total = 0
+            week_samples = 0
+            all_time_total = 0
+            all_time_samples = 0
+            compare_hour = hour_bucket
+            while compare_hour >= min_hour:
+                count = hour_counts.get(compare_hour, 0)
+                all_time_total += count
+                all_time_samples += 1
+                if week_samples < 7:
+                    week_total += count
+                    week_samples += 1
+                compare_hour -= 24
+
+            buckets.append(
+                ContactAnalyticsHourlyBucket(
+                    bucket_start=hour_bucket * 3600,
+                    last_24h_count=last_24h_count,
+                    last_week_average=round(week_total / week_samples, 2) if week_samples else 0,
+                    all_time_average=round(all_time_total / all_time_samples, 2)
+                    if all_time_samples
+                    else 0,
+                )
+            )
+        return buckets
+
+    @staticmethod
+    async def _get_weekly_activity(
+        where_sql: str,
+        params: list[Any],
+        now: int,
+        weeks: int = 26,
+    ) -> list[ContactAnalyticsWeeklyBucket]:
+        bucket_seconds = 7 * 24 * 3600
+        current_day_start = (now // 86400) * 86400
+        start = current_day_start - (weeks - 1) * bucket_seconds
+
+        cursor = await db.conn.execute(
+            f"""
+            SELECT (received_at - ?) / ? AS bucket_idx, COUNT(*) AS cnt
+            FROM messages
+            WHERE {where_sql} AND received_at >= ?
+            GROUP BY bucket_idx
+            """,
+            [start, bucket_seconds, *params, start],
+        )
+        rows = await cursor.fetchall()
+        counts = {int(row["bucket_idx"]): row["cnt"] for row in rows}
+
+        return [
+            ContactAnalyticsWeeklyBucket(
+                bucket_start=start + bucket_idx * bucket_seconds,
+                message_count=counts.get(bucket_idx, 0),
+            )
+            for bucket_idx in range(weeks)
+        ]
+
+    @staticmethod
+    async def get_contact_activity_series(
+        public_key: str,
+        now: int | None = None,
+    ) -> tuple[list[ContactAnalyticsHourlyBucket], list[ContactAnalyticsWeeklyBucket]]:
+        """Get combined DM + channel activity series for a keyed contact."""
+        ts = now if now is not None else int(time.time())
+        where_sql, params = MessageRepository._contact_activity_filter(public_key)
+        hour_counts = await MessageRepository._get_activity_hour_buckets(where_sql, params)
+        hourly = MessageRepository._build_hourly_activity(hour_counts, ts)
+        weekly = await MessageRepository._get_weekly_activity(where_sql, params, ts)
+        return hourly, weekly
+
+    @staticmethod
+    async def get_sender_name_activity_series(
+        sender_name: str,
+        now: int | None = None,
+    ) -> tuple[list[ContactAnalyticsHourlyBucket], list[ContactAnalyticsWeeklyBucket]]:
+        """Get channel-only activity series for a sender name."""
+        ts = now if now is not None else int(time.time())
+        where_sql, params = MessageRepository._name_activity_filter(sender_name)
+        hour_counts = await MessageRepository._get_activity_hour_buckets(where_sql, params)
+        hourly = MessageRepository._build_hourly_activity(hour_counts, ts)
+        weekly = await MessageRepository._get_weekly_activity(where_sql, params, ts)
+        return hourly, weekly

app/repository/raw_packets.py

@@ -109,6 +109,18 @@ class RawPacketRepository:
         )
         await db.conn.commit()
 
+    @staticmethod
+    async def get_linked_message_id(packet_id: int) -> int | None:
+        """Return the linked message ID for a raw packet, if any."""
+        cursor = await db.conn.execute(
+            "SELECT message_id FROM raw_packets WHERE id = ?",
+            (packet_id,),
+        )
+        row = await cursor.fetchone()
+        if not row:
+            return None
+        return row["message_id"]
+
     @staticmethod
     async def prune_old_undecrypted(max_age_days: int) -> int:
         """Delete undecrypted packets older than max_age_days. Returns count deleted."""

app/routers/channels.py

@@ -1,20 +1,28 @@
 import logging
 from hashlib import sha256
 
-from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException, Query
-from meshcore import EventType
+from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 
-from app.dependencies import require_connected
+from app.channel_constants import (
+    PUBLIC_CHANNEL_KEY,
+    PUBLIC_CHANNEL_NAME,
+    is_public_channel_key,
+    is_public_channel_name,
+)
 from app.models import Channel, ChannelDetail, ChannelMessageCounts, ChannelTopSender
-from app.radio import radio_manager
-from app.radio_sync import upsert_channel_from_radio_slot
+from app.region_scope import normalize_region_scope
 from app.repository import ChannelRepository, MessageRepository
+from app.websocket import broadcast_event
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 router = APIRouter(prefix="/channels", tags=["channels"])
 
 
+def _broadcast_channel_update(channel: Channel) -> None:
+    broadcast_event("channel", channel.model_dump())
+
+
 class CreateChannelRequest(BaseModel):
     name: str = Field(min_length=1, max_length=32)
     key: str | None = Field(
@@ -23,6 +31,12 @@ class CreateChannelRequest(BaseModel):
     )
 
 
+class ChannelFloodScopeOverrideRequest(BaseModel):
+    flood_scope_override: str = Field(
+        description="Blank clears the override; non-empty values temporarily override flood scope"
+    )
+
+
 @router.get("", response_model=list[Channel])
 async def list_channels() -> list[Channel]:
     """List all channels from the database."""
@@ -47,15 +61,6 @@ async def get_channel_detail(key: str) -> ChannelDetail:
     )
 
 
-@router.get("/{key}", response_model=Channel)
-async def get_channel(key: str) -> Channel:
-    """Get a specific channel by key (32-char hex string)."""
-    channel = await ChannelRepository.get_by_key(key)
-    if not channel:
-        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Channel not found")
-    return channel
-
-
 @router.post("", response_model=Channel)
 async def create_channel(request: CreateChannelRequest) -> Channel:
     """Create a channel in the database.
@@ -63,10 +68,31 @@ async def create_channel(request: CreateChannelRequest) -> Channel:
     Channels are NOT pushed to radio on creation. They are loaded to the radio
     automatically when sending a message (see messages.py send_channel_message).
     """
-    is_hashtag = request.name.startswith("#")
+    requested_name = request.name
+    is_hashtag = requested_name.startswith("#")
 
-    # Determine the channel secret
-    if request.key and not is_hashtag:
+    # Reserve the canonical Public room so it cannot drift to another key,
+    # and the well-known Public key cannot be renamed to something else.
+    if is_public_channel_name(requested_name):
+        if request.key:
+            try:
+                key_bytes = bytes.fromhex(request.key)
+                if len(key_bytes) != 16:
+                    raise HTTPException(
+                        status_code=400,
+                        detail="Channel key must be exactly 16 bytes (32 hex chars)",
+                    )
+            except ValueError:
+                raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Invalid hex string for key") from None
+            if key_bytes.hex().upper() != PUBLIC_CHANNEL_KEY:
+                raise HTTPException(
+                    status_code=400,
+                    detail=f'"{PUBLIC_CHANNEL_NAME}" must use the canonical Public key',
+                )
+        key_hex = PUBLIC_CHANNEL_KEY
+        channel_name = PUBLIC_CHANNEL_NAME
+        is_hashtag = False
+    elif request.key and not is_hashtag:
         try:
             key_bytes = bytes.fromhex(request.key)
             if len(key_bytes) != 16:
@@ -75,51 +101,35 @@ async def create_channel(request: CreateChannelRequest) -> Channel:
                 )
         except ValueError:
             raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Invalid hex string for key") from None
+        key_hex = key_bytes.hex().upper()
+        if is_public_channel_key(key_hex):
+            raise HTTPException(
+                status_code=400,
+                detail=f'The canonical Public key may only be used for "{PUBLIC_CHANNEL_NAME}"',
+            )
+        channel_name = requested_name
     else:
         # Derive key from name hash (same as meshcore library does)
-        key_bytes = sha256(request.name.encode("utf-8")).digest()[:16]
+        key_bytes = sha256(requested_name.encode("utf-8")).digest()[:16]
+        key_hex = key_bytes.hex().upper()
+        channel_name = requested_name
 
-    key_hex = key_bytes.hex().upper()
-    logger.info("Creating channel %s: %s (hashtag=%s)", key_hex, request.name, is_hashtag)
+    logger.info("Creating channel %s: %s (hashtag=%s)", key_hex, channel_name, is_hashtag)
 
     # Store in database only - radio sync happens at send time
     await ChannelRepository.upsert(
         key=key_hex,
-        name=request.name,
+        name=channel_name,
         is_hashtag=is_hashtag,
         on_radio=False,
     )
 
-    return Channel(
-        key=key_hex,
-        name=request.name,
-        is_hashtag=is_hashtag,
-        on_radio=False,
-    )
+    stored = await ChannelRepository.get_by_key(key_hex)
+    if stored is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="Channel was created but could not be reloaded")
 
-
-@router.post("/sync")
-async def sync_channels_from_radio(max_channels: int = Query(default=40, ge=1, le=40)) -> dict:
-    """Sync channels from the radio to the database."""
-    require_connected()
-
-    logger.info("Syncing channels from radio (checking %d slots)", max_channels)
-    count = 0
-
-    async with radio_manager.radio_operation("sync_channels_from_radio") as mc:
-        for idx in range(max_channels):
-            result = await mc.commands.get_channel(idx)
-
-            if result.type == EventType.CHANNEL_INFO:
-                key_hex = await upsert_channel_from_radio_slot(result.payload, on_radio=True)
-                if key_hex is not None:
-                    count += 1
-                    logger.debug(
-                        "Synced channel %s: %s", key_hex, result.payload.get("channel_name")
-                    )
-
-    logger.info("Synced %d channels from radio", count)
-    return {"synced": count}
+    _broadcast_channel_update(stored)
+    return stored
 
 
 @router.post("/{key}/mark-read")
@@ -136,6 +146,28 @@ async def mark_channel_read(key: str) -> dict:
     return {"status": "ok", "key": channel.key}
 
 
+@router.post("/{key}/flood-scope-override", response_model=Channel)
+async def set_channel_flood_scope_override(
+    key: str, request: ChannelFloodScopeOverrideRequest
+) -> Channel:
+    """Set or clear a per-channel flood-scope override."""
+    channel = await ChannelRepository.get_by_key(key)
+    if not channel:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Channel not found")
+
+    override = normalize_region_scope(request.flood_scope_override) or None
+    updated = await ChannelRepository.update_flood_scope_override(channel.key, override)
+    if not updated:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="Failed to update flood-scope override")
+
+    refreshed = await ChannelRepository.get_by_key(channel.key)
+    if refreshed is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="Channel disappeared after update")
+
+    broadcast_event("channel", refreshed.model_dump())
+    return refreshed
+
+
 @router.delete("/{key}")
 async def delete_channel(key: str) -> dict:
     """Delete a channel from the database by key.
@@ -143,11 +175,14 @@ async def delete_channel(key: str) -> dict:
     Note: This does not clear the channel from the radio. The radio's channel
     slots are managed separately (channels are loaded temporarily when sending).
     """
+    if is_public_channel_key(key):
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=400, detail="The canonical Public channel cannot be deleted"
+        )
+
     logger.info("Deleting channel %s from database", key)
     await ChannelRepository.delete(key)
 
-    from app.websocket import broadcast_event
-
     broadcast_event("channel_deleted", {"key": key})
 
     return {"status": "ok"}

app/routers/contacts.py

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
+import asyncio
 import logging
 import random
+from contextlib import suppress
 
 from fastapi import APIRouter, BackgroundTasks, HTTPException, Query
 from meshcore import EventType
@@ -8,15 +10,18 @@ from app.dependencies import require_connected
 from app.models import (
     Contact,
     ContactActiveRoom,
-    ContactAdvertPath,
     ContactAdvertPathSummary,
-    ContactDetail,
+    ContactAnalytics,
+    ContactRoutingOverrideRequest,
+    ContactUpsert,
     CreateContactRequest,
     NearestRepeater,
+    PathDiscoveryResponse,
+    PathDiscoveryRoute,
     TraceResponse,
 )
 from app.packet_processor import start_historical_dm_decryption
-from app.radio import radio_manager
+from app.path_utils import parse_explicit_hop_route
 from app.repository import (
     AmbiguousPublicKeyPrefixError,
     ContactAdvertPathRepository,
@@ -24,6 +29,11 @@ from app.repository import (
     ContactRepository,
     MessageRepository,
 )
+from app.services.contact_reconciliation import (
+    promote_prefix_contacts_for_contact,
+    reconcile_contact_messages,
+)
+from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime as radio_manager
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -59,6 +69,149 @@ async def _ensure_on_radio(mc, contact: Contact) -> None:
         )
 
 
+async def _best_effort_push_contact_to_radio(contact: Contact, operation_name: str) -> None:
+    """Best-effort push the current effective route to the radio when connected."""
+    if not radio_manager.is_connected:
+        return
+
+    try:
+        async with radio_manager.radio_operation(operation_name) as mc:
+            result = await mc.commands.add_contact(contact.to_radio_dict())
+        if result is not None and result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+            logger.warning(
+                "Failed to push updated routing to radio for %s: %s",
+                contact.public_key[:12],
+                result.payload,
+            )
+    except Exception:
+        logger.warning(
+            "Failed to push updated routing to radio for %s",
+            contact.public_key[:12],
+            exc_info=True,
+        )
+
+
+async def _broadcast_contact_update(contact: Contact) -> None:
+    from app.websocket import broadcast_event
+
+    broadcast_event("contact", contact.model_dump())
+
+
+async def _broadcast_contact_resolution(previous_public_keys: list[str], contact: Contact) -> None:
+    from app.websocket import broadcast_event
+
+    for old_key in previous_public_keys:
+        broadcast_event(
+            "contact_resolved",
+            {
+                "previous_public_key": old_key,
+                "contact": contact.model_dump(),
+            },
+        )
+
+
+def _path_hash_mode_from_hop_width(hop_width: object) -> int:
+    if not isinstance(hop_width, int):
+        return 0
+    return max(0, min(hop_width - 1, 2))
+
+
+async def _build_keyed_contact_analytics(contact: Contact) -> ContactAnalytics:
+    name_history = await ContactNameHistoryRepository.get_history(contact.public_key)
+    dm_count = await MessageRepository.count_dm_messages(contact.public_key)
+    chan_count = await MessageRepository.count_channel_messages_by_sender(contact.public_key)
+    active_rooms_raw = await MessageRepository.get_most_active_rooms(contact.public_key)
+    advert_paths = await ContactAdvertPathRepository.get_recent_for_contact(contact.public_key)
+    hourly_activity, weekly_activity = await MessageRepository.get_contact_activity_series(
+        contact.public_key
+    )
+
+    most_active_rooms = [
+        ContactActiveRoom(channel_key=key, channel_name=name, message_count=count)
+        for key, name, count in active_rooms_raw
+    ]
+
+    advert_frequency: float | None = None
+    if advert_paths:
+        total_observations = sum(p.heard_count for p in advert_paths)
+        earliest = min(p.first_seen for p in advert_paths)
+        latest = max(p.last_seen for p in advert_paths)
+        span_hours = (latest - earliest) / 3600.0
+        if span_hours > 0:
+            advert_frequency = round(total_observations / span_hours, 2)
+
+    first_hop_stats: dict[str, dict] = {}
+    for p in advert_paths:
+        prefix = p.next_hop
+        if prefix:
+            if prefix not in first_hop_stats:
+                first_hop_stats[prefix] = {
+                    "heard_count": 0,
+                    "path_len": p.path_len,
+                    "last_seen": p.last_seen,
+                }
+            first_hop_stats[prefix]["heard_count"] += p.heard_count
+            first_hop_stats[prefix]["last_seen"] = max(
+                first_hop_stats[prefix]["last_seen"], p.last_seen
+            )
+
+    resolved_contacts = await ContactRepository.resolve_prefixes(list(first_hop_stats.keys()))
+
+    nearest_repeaters: list[NearestRepeater] = []
+    for prefix, stats in first_hop_stats.items():
+        resolved = resolved_contacts.get(prefix)
+        nearest_repeaters.append(
+            NearestRepeater(
+                public_key=resolved.public_key if resolved else prefix,
+                name=resolved.name if resolved else None,
+                path_len=stats["path_len"],
+                last_seen=stats["last_seen"],
+                heard_count=stats["heard_count"],
+            )
+        )
+
+    nearest_repeaters.sort(key=lambda r: r.heard_count, reverse=True)
+
+    return ContactAnalytics(
+        lookup_type="contact",
+        name=contact.name or contact.public_key[:12],
+        contact=contact,
+        name_history=name_history,
+        dm_message_count=dm_count,
+        channel_message_count=chan_count,
+        includes_direct_messages=True,
+        most_active_rooms=most_active_rooms,
+        advert_paths=advert_paths,
+        advert_frequency=advert_frequency,
+        nearest_repeaters=nearest_repeaters,
+        hourly_activity=hourly_activity,
+        weekly_activity=weekly_activity,
+    )
+
+
+async def _build_name_only_contact_analytics(name: str) -> ContactAnalytics:
+    chan_count = await MessageRepository.count_channel_messages_by_sender_name(name)
+    name_first_seen_at = await MessageRepository.get_first_channel_message_by_sender_name(name)
+    active_rooms_raw = await MessageRepository.get_most_active_rooms_by_sender_name(name)
+    hourly_activity, weekly_activity = await MessageRepository.get_sender_name_activity_series(name)
+
+    most_active_rooms = [
+        ContactActiveRoom(channel_key=key, channel_name=room_name, message_count=count)
+        for key, room_name, count in active_rooms_raw
+    ]
+
+    return ContactAnalytics(
+        lookup_type="name",
+        name=name,
+        name_first_seen_at=name_first_seen_at,
+        channel_message_count=chan_count,
+        includes_direct_messages=False,
+        most_active_rooms=most_active_rooms,
+        hourly_activity=hourly_activity,
+        weekly_activity=weekly_activity,
+    )
+
+
 @router.get("", response_model=list[Contact])
 async def list_contacts(
     limit: int = Query(default=100, ge=1, le=1000),
@@ -82,6 +235,26 @@ async def list_repeater_advert_paths(
     )
 
 
+@router.get("/analytics", response_model=ContactAnalytics)
+async def get_contact_analytics(
+    public_key: str | None = Query(default=None),
+    name: str | None = Query(default=None, min_length=1, max_length=200),
+) -> ContactAnalytics:
+    """Get unified contact analytics for either a keyed contact or a sender name."""
+    if bool(public_key) == bool(name):
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Specify exactly one of public_key or name")
+
+    if public_key:
+        contact = await _resolve_contact_or_404(public_key)
+        return await _build_keyed_contact_analytics(contact)
+
+    assert name is not None
+    normalized_name = name.strip()
+    if not normalized_name:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="name is required")
+    return await _build_name_only_contact_analytics(normalized_name)
+
+
 @router.post("", response_model=Contact)
 async def create_contact(
     request: CreateContactRequest, background_tasks: BackgroundTasks
@@ -102,263 +275,60 @@ async def create_contact(
     if existing:
         # Update name if provided
         if request.name:
-            await ContactRepository.upsert(
-                {
-                    "public_key": existing.public_key,
-                    "name": request.name,
-                    "type": existing.type,
-                    "flags": existing.flags,
-                    "last_path": existing.last_path,
-                    "last_path_len": existing.last_path_len,
-                    "out_path_hash_mode": existing.out_path_hash_mode,
-                    "last_advert": existing.last_advert,
-                    "lat": existing.lat,
-                    "lon": existing.lon,
-                    "last_seen": existing.last_seen,
-                    "on_radio": existing.on_radio,
-                    "last_contacted": existing.last_contacted,
-                }
-            )
+            await ContactRepository.upsert(existing.to_upsert(name=request.name))
             refreshed = await ContactRepository.get_by_key(request.public_key)
             if refreshed is not None:
                 existing = refreshed
 
+        promoted_keys = await promote_prefix_contacts_for_contact(
+            public_key=request.public_key,
+            log=logger,
+        )
+        if promoted_keys:
+            refreshed = await ContactRepository.get_by_key(request.public_key)
+            if refreshed is not None:
+                existing = refreshed
+                await _broadcast_contact_resolution(promoted_keys, existing)
+
         # Trigger historical decryption if requested (even for existing contacts)
         if request.try_historical:
             await start_historical_dm_decryption(
                 background_tasks, request.public_key, request.name or existing.name
             )
 
+        await _broadcast_contact_update(existing)
         return existing
 
     # Create new contact
     lower_key = request.public_key.lower()
-    contact_data = {
-        "public_key": lower_key,
-        "name": request.name,
-        "type": 0,  # Unknown
-        "flags": 0,
-        "last_path": None,
-        "last_path_len": -1,
-        "out_path_hash_mode": -1,
-        "last_advert": None,
-        "lat": None,
-        "lon": None,
-        "last_seen": None,
-        "on_radio": False,
-        "last_contacted": None,
-    }
-    await ContactRepository.upsert(contact_data)
+    contact_upsert = ContactUpsert(
+        public_key=lower_key,
+        name=request.name,
+        on_radio=False,
+    )
+    await ContactRepository.upsert(contact_upsert)
     logger.info("Created contact %s", lower_key[:12])
+    promoted_keys = await promote_prefix_contacts_for_contact(
+        public_key=lower_key,
+        log=logger,
+    )
 
-    # Promote any prefix-stored messages to this full key
-    claimed = await MessageRepository.claim_prefix_messages(lower_key)
-    if claimed > 0:
-        logger.info("Claimed %d prefix messages for contact %s", claimed, lower_key[:12])
-
-    # Backfill sender_key on channel messages that match this contact's name
-    if request.name:
-        backfilled = await MessageRepository.backfill_channel_sender_key(lower_key, request.name)
-        if backfilled > 0:
-            logger.info(
-                "Backfilled sender_key on %d channel message(s) for %s", backfilled, request.name
-            )
+    await reconcile_contact_messages(
+        public_key=lower_key,
+        contact_name=request.name,
+        log=logger,
+    )
 
     # Trigger historical decryption if requested
     if request.try_historical:
         await start_historical_dm_decryption(background_tasks, lower_key, request.name)
 
-    return Contact(**contact_data)
-
-
-@router.get("/{public_key}/detail", response_model=ContactDetail)
-async def get_contact_detail(public_key: str) -> ContactDetail:
-    """Get comprehensive contact profile data.
-
-    Returns contact info, name history, message counts, most active rooms,
-    advertisement paths, advert frequency, and nearest repeaters.
-    """
-    contact = await _resolve_contact_or_404(public_key)
-
-    name_history = await ContactNameHistoryRepository.get_history(contact.public_key)
-    dm_count = await MessageRepository.count_dm_messages(contact.public_key)
-    chan_count = await MessageRepository.count_channel_messages_by_sender(contact.public_key)
-    active_rooms_raw = await MessageRepository.get_most_active_rooms(contact.public_key)
-    advert_paths = await ContactAdvertPathRepository.get_recent_for_contact(contact.public_key)
-
-    most_active_rooms = [
-        ContactActiveRoom(channel_key=key, channel_name=name, message_count=count)
-        for key, name, count in active_rooms_raw
-    ]
-
-    # Compute advert observation rate (observations/hour) from path data.
-    # Note: a single advertisement can arrive via multiple paths, so this counts
-    # RF observations, not unique advertisement broadcasts.
-    advert_frequency: float | None = None
-    if advert_paths:
-        total_observations = sum(p.heard_count for p in advert_paths)
-        earliest = min(p.first_seen for p in advert_paths)
-        latest = max(p.last_seen for p in advert_paths)
-        span_hours = (latest - earliest) / 3600.0
-        if span_hours > 0:
-            advert_frequency = round(total_observations / span_hours, 2)
-
-    # Compute nearest repeaters from first-hop prefixes in advert paths
-    first_hop_stats: dict[str, dict] = {}  # prefix -> {heard_count, path_len, last_seen}
-    for p in advert_paths:
-        prefix = p.next_hop
-        if prefix:
-            if prefix not in first_hop_stats:
-                first_hop_stats[prefix] = {
-                    "heard_count": 0,
-                    "path_len": p.path_len,
-                    "last_seen": p.last_seen,
-                }
-            first_hop_stats[prefix]["heard_count"] += p.heard_count
-            first_hop_stats[prefix]["last_seen"] = max(
-                first_hop_stats[prefix]["last_seen"], p.last_seen
-            )
-
-    # Resolve all first-hop prefixes to contacts in a single query
-    resolved_contacts = await ContactRepository.resolve_prefixes(list(first_hop_stats.keys()))
-
-    nearest_repeaters: list[NearestRepeater] = []
-    for prefix, stats in first_hop_stats.items():
-        resolved = resolved_contacts.get(prefix)
-        nearest_repeaters.append(
-            NearestRepeater(
-                public_key=resolved.public_key if resolved else prefix,
-                name=resolved.name if resolved else None,
-                path_len=stats["path_len"],
-                last_seen=stats["last_seen"],
-                heard_count=stats["heard_count"],
-            )
-        )
-
-    nearest_repeaters.sort(key=lambda r: r.heard_count, reverse=True)
-
-    return ContactDetail(
-        contact=contact,
-        name_history=name_history,
-        dm_message_count=dm_count,
-        channel_message_count=chan_count,
-        most_active_rooms=most_active_rooms,
-        advert_paths=advert_paths,
-        advert_frequency=advert_frequency,
-        nearest_repeaters=nearest_repeaters,
-    )
-
-
-@router.get("/{public_key}", response_model=Contact)
-async def get_contact(public_key: str) -> Contact:
-    """Get a specific contact by public key or prefix."""
-    return await _resolve_contact_or_404(public_key)
-
-
-@router.get("/{public_key}/advert-paths", response_model=list[ContactAdvertPath])
-async def get_contact_advert_paths(
-    public_key: str,
-    limit: int = Query(default=10, ge=1, le=50),
-) -> list[ContactAdvertPath]:
-    """List recent unique advert paths for a contact."""
-    contact = await _resolve_contact_or_404(public_key)
-    return await ContactAdvertPathRepository.get_recent_for_contact(contact.public_key, limit)
-
-
-@router.post("/sync")
-async def sync_contacts_from_radio() -> dict:
-    """Sync contacts from the radio to the database."""
-    require_connected()
-
-    logger.info("Syncing contacts from radio")
-
-    async with radio_manager.radio_operation("sync_contacts_from_radio") as mc:
-        result = await mc.commands.get_contacts()
-
-    if result.type == EventType.ERROR:
-        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=f"Failed to get contacts: {result.payload}")
-
-    contacts = result.payload
-    count = 0
-
-    synced_keys: list[str] = []
-    for public_key, contact_data in contacts.items():
-        lower_key = public_key.lower()
-        await ContactRepository.upsert(
-            Contact.from_radio_dict(lower_key, contact_data, on_radio=True)
-        )
-        synced_keys.append(lower_key)
-        claimed = await MessageRepository.claim_prefix_messages(lower_key)
-        if claimed > 0:
-            logger.info("Claimed %d prefix DM message(s) for contact %s", claimed, public_key[:12])
-        adv_name = contact_data.get("adv_name")
-        if adv_name:
-            backfilled = await MessageRepository.backfill_channel_sender_key(lower_key, adv_name)
-            if backfilled > 0:
-                logger.info(
-                    "Backfilled sender_key on %d channel message(s) for %s",
-                    backfilled,
-                    adv_name,
-                )
-        count += 1
-
-    # Clear on_radio for contacts not found on the radio
-    await ContactRepository.clear_on_radio_except(synced_keys)
-
-    logger.info("Synced %d contacts from radio", count)
-    return {"synced": count}
-
-
-@router.post("/{public_key}/remove-from-radio")
-async def remove_contact_from_radio(public_key: str) -> dict:
-    """Remove a contact from the radio (keeps it in database)."""
-    require_connected()
-
-    contact = await _resolve_contact_or_404(public_key)
-
-    async with radio_manager.radio_operation("remove_contact_from_radio") as mc:
-        # Get the contact from radio
-        radio_contact = mc.get_contact_by_key_prefix(contact.public_key[:12])
-        if not radio_contact:
-            # Already not on radio
-            await ContactRepository.set_on_radio(contact.public_key, False)
-            return {"status": "ok", "message": "Contact was not on radio"}
-
-        logger.info("Removing contact %s from radio", contact.public_key[:12])
-
-        result = await mc.commands.remove_contact(radio_contact)
-
-        if result.type == EventType.ERROR:
-            raise HTTPException(
-                status_code=500, detail=f"Failed to remove contact: {result.payload}"
-            )
-
-    await ContactRepository.set_on_radio(contact.public_key, False)
-    return {"status": "ok"}
-
-
-@router.post("/{public_key}/add-to-radio")
-async def add_contact_to_radio(public_key: str) -> dict:
-    """Add a contact from the database to the radio."""
-    require_connected()
-
-    contact = await _resolve_contact_or_404(public_key, "Contact not found in database")
-
-    async with radio_manager.radio_operation("add_contact_to_radio") as mc:
-        # Check if already on radio
-        radio_contact = mc.get_contact_by_key_prefix(contact.public_key[:12])
-        if radio_contact:
-            return {"status": "ok", "message": "Contact already on radio"}
-
-        logger.info("Adding contact %s to radio", contact.public_key[:12])
-
-        result = await mc.commands.add_contact(contact.to_radio_dict())
-
-        if result.type == EventType.ERROR:
-            raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=f"Failed to add contact: {result.payload}")
-
-    await ContactRepository.set_on_radio(contact.public_key, True)
-    return {"status": "ok"}
+    stored = await ContactRepository.get_by_key(lower_key)
+    if stored is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="Contact was created but could not be reloaded")
+    await _broadcast_contact_update(stored)
+    await _broadcast_contact_resolution(promoted_keys, stored)
+    return stored
 
 
 @router.post("/{public_key}/mark-read")
@@ -459,29 +429,132 @@ async def request_trace(public_key: str) -> TraceResponse:
     return TraceResponse(remote_snr=remote_snr, local_snr=local_snr, path_len=path_len)
 
 
-@router.post("/{public_key}/reset-path")
-async def reset_contact_path(public_key: str) -> dict:
-    """Reset a contact's routing path to flood."""
+@router.post("/{public_key}/path-discovery", response_model=PathDiscoveryResponse)
+async def request_path_discovery(public_key: str) -> PathDiscoveryResponse:
+    """Discover the current forward and return paths to a known contact."""
+    require_connected()
+
+    contact = await _resolve_contact_or_404(public_key)
+    pubkey_prefix = contact.public_key[:12]
+
+    async with radio_manager.radio_operation("request_path_discovery", pause_polling=True) as mc:
+        await _ensure_on_radio(mc, contact)
+
+        response_task = asyncio.create_task(
+            mc.wait_for_event(
+                EventType.PATH_RESPONSE,
+                attribute_filters={"pubkey_pre": pubkey_prefix},
+                timeout=15,
+            )
+        )
+        try:
+            result = await mc.commands.send_path_discovery(contact.public_key)
+            if result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+                raise HTTPException(
+                    status_code=500,
+                    detail=f"Failed to send path discovery: {result.payload}",
+                )
+
+            event = await response_task
+        finally:
+            if not response_task.done():
+                response_task.cancel()
+            with suppress(asyncio.CancelledError):
+                await response_task
+
+        if event is None:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=504, detail="No path discovery response heard")
+
+        payload = event.payload
+        forward_path = str(payload.get("out_path") or "")
+        forward_len = int(payload.get("out_path_len") or 0)
+        forward_mode = _path_hash_mode_from_hop_width(payload.get("out_path_hash_len"))
+        return_path = str(payload.get("in_path") or "")
+        return_len = int(payload.get("in_path_len") or 0)
+        return_mode = _path_hash_mode_from_hop_width(payload.get("in_path_hash_len"))
+
+        await ContactRepository.update_direct_path(
+            contact.public_key,
+            forward_path,
+            forward_len,
+            forward_mode,
+        )
+        refreshed_contact = await _resolve_contact_or_404(contact.public_key)
+
+        try:
+            sync_result = await mc.commands.add_contact(refreshed_contact.to_radio_dict())
+            if sync_result is not None and sync_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+                logger.warning(
+                    "Failed to sync discovered path back to radio for %s: %s",
+                    refreshed_contact.public_key[:12],
+                    sync_result.payload,
+                )
+        except Exception:
+            logger.warning(
+                "Failed to sync discovered path back to radio for %s",
+                refreshed_contact.public_key[:12],
+                exc_info=True,
+            )
+
+    await _broadcast_contact_update(refreshed_contact)
+
+    return PathDiscoveryResponse(
+        contact=refreshed_contact,
+        forward_path=PathDiscoveryRoute(
+            path=forward_path,
+            path_len=forward_len,
+            path_hash_mode=forward_mode,
+        ),
+        return_path=PathDiscoveryRoute(
+            path=return_path,
+            path_len=return_len,
+            path_hash_mode=return_mode,
+        ),
+    )
+
+
+@router.post("/{public_key}/routing-override")
+async def set_contact_routing_override(
+    public_key: str, request: ContactRoutingOverrideRequest
+) -> dict:
+    """Set, force, or clear an explicit routing override for a contact."""
     contact = await _resolve_contact_or_404(public_key)
 
-    await ContactRepository.update_path(contact.public_key, "", -1, -1)
-    logger.info("Reset path to flood for %s", contact.public_key[:12])
-
-    # Push the updated path to radio if connected and contact is on radio
-    if radio_manager.is_connected and contact.on_radio:
+    route_text = request.route.strip()
+    if route_text == "":
+        await ContactRepository.clear_routing_override(contact.public_key)
+        logger.info(
+            "Cleared routing override for %s",
+            contact.public_key[:12],
+        )
+    elif route_text == "-1":
+        await ContactRepository.set_routing_override(contact.public_key, "", -1, -1)
+        logger.info("Set forced flood routing override for %s", contact.public_key[:12])
+    elif route_text == "0":
+        await ContactRepository.set_routing_override(contact.public_key, "", 0, 0)
+        logger.info("Set forced direct routing override for %s", contact.public_key[:12])
+    else:
         try:
-            updated = await ContactRepository.get_by_key(contact.public_key)
-            if updated:
-                async with radio_manager.radio_operation("reset_path_on_radio") as mc:
-                    await mc.commands.add_contact(updated.to_radio_dict())
-        except Exception:
-            logger.warning("Failed to push flood path to radio for %s", contact.public_key[:12])
+            path_hex, path_len, hash_mode = parse_explicit_hop_route(route_text)
+        except ValueError as err:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail=str(err)) from err
 
-    # Broadcast updated contact so frontend refreshes
-    from app.websocket import broadcast_event
+        await ContactRepository.set_routing_override(
+            contact.public_key,
+            path_hex,
+            path_len,
+            hash_mode,
+        )
+        logger.info(
+            "Set explicit routing override for %s: %d hop(s), %d-byte IDs",
+            contact.public_key[:12],
+            path_len,
+            hash_mode + 1,
+        )
 
     updated_contact = await ContactRepository.get_by_key(contact.public_key)
     if updated_contact:
-        broadcast_event("contact", updated_contact.model_dump())
+        await _best_effort_push_contact_to_radio(updated_contact, "set_routing_override_on_radio")
+        await _broadcast_contact_update(updated_contact)
 
     return {"status": "ok", "public_key": contact.public_key}

app/routers/debug.py

@@ -0,0 +1,283 @@
+import hashlib
+import logging
+import sys
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from typing import Any
+
+from fastapi import APIRouter
+from meshcore import EventType
+from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
+
+from app.config import get_recent_log_lines, settings
+from app.radio_sync import get_contacts_selected_for_radio_sync, get_radio_channel_limit
+from app.repository import MessageRepository
+from app.routers.health import HealthResponse, build_health_data
+from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime
+from app.version_info import get_app_build_info, git_output
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+router = APIRouter(tags=["debug"])
+
+LOG_COPY_BOUNDARY_MESSAGE = "STOP COPYING HERE IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO INCLUDE LOGS BELOW"
+LOG_COPY_BOUNDARY_LINE = "-" * 64
+LOG_COPY_BOUNDARY_PREFIX = [
+    LOG_COPY_BOUNDARY_LINE,
+    LOG_COPY_BOUNDARY_LINE,
+    LOG_COPY_BOUNDARY_LINE,
+    LOG_COPY_BOUNDARY_LINE,
+    LOG_COPY_BOUNDARY_MESSAGE,
+    LOG_COPY_BOUNDARY_LINE,
+    LOG_COPY_BOUNDARY_LINE,
+    LOG_COPY_BOUNDARY_LINE,
+    LOG_COPY_BOUNDARY_LINE,
+]
+
+
+class DebugApplicationInfo(BaseModel):
+    version: str
+    version_source: str
+    commit_hash: str | None = None
+    commit_source: str | None = None
+    git_branch: str | None = None
+    git_dirty: bool | None = None
+    python_version: str
+
+
+class DebugRuntimeInfo(BaseModel):
+    connection_info: str | None = None
+    connection_desired: bool
+    setup_in_progress: bool
+    setup_complete: bool
+    channels_with_incoming_messages: int
+    max_channels: int
+    path_hash_mode: int
+    path_hash_mode_supported: bool
+    channel_slot_reuse_enabled: bool
+    channel_send_cache_capacity: int
+    remediation_flags: dict[str, bool]
+
+
+class DebugContactAudit(BaseModel):
+    expected_and_found: int
+    expected_but_not_found: list[str]
+    found_but_not_expected: list[str]
+
+
+class DebugChannelSlotMismatch(BaseModel):
+    slot_number: int
+    expected_sha256_of_room_key: str | None = None
+    actual_sha256_of_room_key: str | None = None
+
+
+class DebugChannelAudit(BaseModel):
+    matched_slots: int
+    wrong_slots: list[DebugChannelSlotMismatch]
+
+
+class DebugRadioProbe(BaseModel):
+    performed: bool
+    errors: list[str] = Field(default_factory=list)
+    self_info: dict[str, Any] | None = None
+    device_info: dict[str, Any] | None = None
+    stats_core: dict[str, Any] | None = None
+    stats_radio: dict[str, Any] | None = None
+    contacts: DebugContactAudit | None = None
+    channels: DebugChannelAudit | None = None
+
+
+class DebugSnapshotResponse(BaseModel):
+    captured_at: str
+    application: DebugApplicationInfo
+    health: HealthResponse
+    runtime: DebugRuntimeInfo
+    radio_probe: DebugRadioProbe
+    logs: list[str]
+
+
+def _build_application_info() -> DebugApplicationInfo:
+    build_info = get_app_build_info()
+    dirty_output = git_output("status", "--porcelain")
+    return DebugApplicationInfo(
+        version=build_info.version,
+        version_source=build_info.version_source,
+        commit_hash=build_info.commit_hash,
+        commit_source=build_info.commit_source,
+        git_branch=git_output("rev-parse", "--abbrev-ref", "HEAD"),
+        git_dirty=(dirty_output is not None and dirty_output != ""),
+        python_version=sys.version.split()[0],
+    )
+
+
+def _event_type_name(event: Any) -> str:
+    event_type = getattr(event, "type", None)
+    return getattr(event_type, "name", str(event_type))
+
+
+def _sha256_hex(value: str) -> str:
+    return hashlib.sha256(value.encode("utf-8")).hexdigest()
+
+
+def _normalize_channel_secret(payload: dict[str, Any]) -> bytes:
+    secret = payload.get("channel_secret", b"")
+    if isinstance(secret, bytes):
+        return secret
+    return bytes(secret)
+
+
+def _is_empty_channel_payload(payload: dict[str, Any]) -> bool:
+    name = payload.get("channel_name", "")
+    return not name or name == "\x00" * len(name)
+
+
+def _observed_channel_key(event: Any) -> str | None:
+    if getattr(event, "type", None) != EventType.CHANNEL_INFO:
+        return None
+
+    payload = event.payload or {}
+    if _is_empty_channel_payload(payload):
+        return None
+
+    return _normalize_channel_secret(payload).hex().upper()
+
+
+def _coerce_live_max_channels(device_info: dict[str, Any] | None) -> int | None:
+    if not device_info or "max_channels" not in device_info:
+        return None
+    try:
+        return int(device_info["max_channels"])
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        return None
+
+
+async def _build_contact_audit(
+    observed_contacts_payload: dict[str, dict[str, Any]],
+) -> DebugContactAudit:
+    expected_contacts = await get_contacts_selected_for_radio_sync()
+    expected_keys = {contact.public_key.lower() for contact in expected_contacts}
+    observed_keys = {public_key.lower() for public_key in observed_contacts_payload}
+
+    return DebugContactAudit(
+        expected_and_found=len(expected_keys & observed_keys),
+        expected_but_not_found=sorted(_sha256_hex(key) for key in (expected_keys - observed_keys)),
+        found_but_not_expected=sorted(_sha256_hex(key) for key in (observed_keys - expected_keys)),
+    )
+
+
+async def _build_channel_audit(mc: Any, max_channels: int | None = None) -> DebugChannelAudit:
+    cache_key_by_slot = {
+        slot: channel_key for channel_key, slot in radio_runtime.get_channel_send_cache_snapshot()
+    }
+
+    matched_slots = 0
+    wrong_slots: list[DebugChannelSlotMismatch] = []
+    for slot in range(get_radio_channel_limit(max_channels)):
+        event = await mc.commands.get_channel(slot)
+        expected_key = cache_key_by_slot.get(slot)
+        observed_key = _observed_channel_key(event)
+        if expected_key == observed_key:
+            matched_slots += 1
+            continue
+        wrong_slots.append(
+            DebugChannelSlotMismatch(
+                slot_number=slot,
+                expected_sha256_of_room_key=_sha256_hex(expected_key) if expected_key else None,
+                actual_sha256_of_room_key=_sha256_hex(observed_key) if observed_key else None,
+            )
+        )
+
+    return DebugChannelAudit(
+        matched_slots=matched_slots,
+        wrong_slots=wrong_slots,
+    )
+
+
+async def _probe_radio() -> DebugRadioProbe:
+    if not radio_runtime.is_connected:
+        return DebugRadioProbe(performed=False, errors=["Radio not connected"])
+
+    errors: list[str] = []
+    try:
+        async with radio_runtime.radio_operation(
+            "debug_support_snapshot",
+            suspend_auto_fetch=True,
+        ) as mc:
+            device_info = None
+            stats_core = None
+            stats_radio = None
+
+            device_event = await mc.commands.send_device_query()
+            if getattr(device_event, "type", None) == EventType.DEVICE_INFO:
+                device_info = device_event.payload
+            else:
+                errors.append(f"send_device_query returned {_event_type_name(device_event)}")
+
+            core_event = await mc.commands.get_stats_core()
+            if getattr(core_event, "type", None) == EventType.STATS_CORE:
+                stats_core = core_event.payload
+            else:
+                errors.append(f"get_stats_core returned {_event_type_name(core_event)}")
+
+            radio_event = await mc.commands.get_stats_radio()
+            if getattr(radio_event, "type", None) == EventType.STATS_RADIO:
+                stats_radio = radio_event.payload
+            else:
+                errors.append(f"get_stats_radio returned {_event_type_name(radio_event)}")
+
+            contacts_event = await mc.commands.get_contacts()
+            observed_contacts_payload: dict[str, dict[str, Any]] = {}
+            if getattr(contacts_event, "type", None) != EventType.ERROR:
+                observed_contacts_payload = contacts_event.payload or {}
+            else:
+                errors.append(f"get_contacts returned {_event_type_name(contacts_event)}")
+
+            return DebugRadioProbe(
+                performed=True,
+                errors=errors,
+                self_info=dict(mc.self_info or {}),
+                device_info=device_info,
+                stats_core=stats_core,
+                stats_radio=stats_radio,
+                contacts=await _build_contact_audit(observed_contacts_payload),
+                channels=await _build_channel_audit(
+                    mc,
+                    max_channels=_coerce_live_max_channels(device_info),
+                ),
+            )
+    except Exception as exc:
+        logger.warning("Debug support snapshot radio probe failed: %s", exc, exc_info=True)
+        errors.append(str(exc))
+        return DebugRadioProbe(performed=False, errors=errors)
+
+
+@router.get("/debug", response_model=DebugSnapshotResponse)
+async def debug_support_snapshot() -> DebugSnapshotResponse:
+    """Return a support/debug snapshot with recent logs and live radio state."""
+    health_data = await build_health_data(radio_runtime.is_connected, radio_runtime.connection_info)
+    radio_probe = await _probe_radio()
+    channels_with_incoming_messages = (
+        await MessageRepository.count_channels_with_incoming_messages()
+    )
+    return DebugSnapshotResponse(
+        captured_at=datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat(),
+        application=_build_application_info(),
+        health=HealthResponse(**health_data),
+        runtime=DebugRuntimeInfo(
+            connection_info=radio_runtime.connection_info,
+            connection_desired=radio_runtime.connection_desired,
+            setup_in_progress=radio_runtime.is_setup_in_progress,
+            setup_complete=radio_runtime.is_setup_complete,
+            channels_with_incoming_messages=channels_with_incoming_messages,
+            max_channels=radio_runtime.max_channels,
+            path_hash_mode=radio_runtime.path_hash_mode,
+            path_hash_mode_supported=radio_runtime.path_hash_mode_supported,
+            channel_slot_reuse_enabled=radio_runtime.channel_slot_reuse_enabled(),
+            channel_send_cache_capacity=radio_runtime.get_channel_send_cache_capacity(),
+            remediation_flags={
+                "enable_message_poll_fallback": settings.enable_message_poll_fallback,
+                "force_channel_slot_reconfigure": settings.force_channel_slot_reconfigure,
+            },
+        ),
+        radio_probe=radio_probe,
+        logs=[*LOG_COPY_BOUNDARY_PREFIX, *get_recent_log_lines(limit=1000)],
+    )

app/routers/fanout.py

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 """REST API for fanout config CRUD."""
 
+import ast
+import inspect
 import logging
 import re
 import string
@@ -8,12 +10,13 @@ from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 
 from app.config import settings as server_settings
+from app.fanout.bot_exec import _analyze_bot_signature
 from app.repository.fanout import FanoutConfigRepository
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 router = APIRouter(prefix="/fanout", tags=["fanout"])
 
-_VALID_TYPES = {"mqtt_private", "mqtt_community", "bot", "webhook", "apprise"}
+_VALID_TYPES = {"mqtt_private", "mqtt_community", "bot", "webhook", "apprise", "sqs"}
 
 _IATA_RE = re.compile(r"^[A-Z]{3}$")
 _DEFAULT_COMMUNITY_MQTT_TOPIC_TEMPLATE = "meshcore/{IATA}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/packets"
@@ -75,6 +78,26 @@ class FanoutConfigUpdate(BaseModel):
     enabled: bool | None = Field(default=None, description="Enable/disable toggle")
 
 
+def _validate_and_normalize_config(config_type: str, config: dict) -> dict:
+    """Validate a config blob and return the canonical persisted form."""
+    normalized = dict(config)
+
+    if config_type == "mqtt_private":
+        _validate_mqtt_private_config(normalized)
+    elif config_type == "mqtt_community":
+        _validate_mqtt_community_config(normalized)
+    elif config_type == "bot":
+        _validate_bot_config(normalized)
+    elif config_type == "webhook":
+        _validate_webhook_config(normalized)
+    elif config_type == "apprise":
+        _validate_apprise_config(normalized)
+    elif config_type == "sqs":
+        _validate_sqs_config(normalized)
+
+    return normalized
+
+
 def _validate_mqtt_private_config(config: dict) -> None:
     """Validate mqtt_private config blob."""
     if not config.get("broker_host"):
@@ -144,18 +167,78 @@ def _validate_mqtt_community_config(config: dict) -> None:
 
 
 def _validate_bot_config(config: dict) -> None:
-    """Validate bot config blob (syntax-check the code)."""
+    """Validate bot config blob (syntax-check the code and supported signature)."""
     code = config.get("code", "")
     if not code or not code.strip():
         raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Bot code cannot be empty")
     try:
-        compile(code, "<bot_code>", "exec")
+        tree = ast.parse(code, filename="<bot_code>", mode="exec")
     except SyntaxError as e:
         raise HTTPException(
             status_code=400,
             detail=f"Bot code has syntax error at line {e.lineno}: {e.msg}",
         ) from None
 
+    bot_def = next(
+        (
+            node
+            for node in tree.body
+            if isinstance(node, (ast.FunctionDef, ast.AsyncFunctionDef)) and node.name == "bot"
+        ),
+        None,
+    )
+    if bot_def is None:
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=400,
+            detail=(
+                "Bot code must define a callable bot() function. "
+                "Use the default bot template as a reference."
+            ),
+        )
+
+    try:
+        parameters: list[inspect.Parameter] = []
+        positional_args = [
+            *((arg, inspect.Parameter.POSITIONAL_ONLY) for arg in bot_def.args.posonlyargs),
+            *((arg, inspect.Parameter.POSITIONAL_OR_KEYWORD) for arg in bot_def.args.args),
+        ]
+        positional_defaults_start = len(positional_args) - len(bot_def.args.defaults)
+        sentinel_default = object()
+
+        for index, (arg, kind) in enumerate(positional_args):
+            has_default = index >= positional_defaults_start
+            parameters.append(
+                inspect.Parameter(
+                    arg.arg,
+                    kind=kind,
+                    default=sentinel_default if has_default else inspect.Parameter.empty,
+                )
+            )
+        if bot_def.args.vararg is not None:
+            parameters.append(
+                inspect.Parameter(bot_def.args.vararg.arg, kind=inspect.Parameter.VAR_POSITIONAL)
+            )
+        for kwonly_arg, kw_default in zip(
+            bot_def.args.kwonlyargs, bot_def.args.kw_defaults, strict=True
+        ):
+            parameters.append(
+                inspect.Parameter(
+                    kwonly_arg.arg,
+                    kind=inspect.Parameter.KEYWORD_ONLY,
+                    default=(
+                        sentinel_default if kw_default is not None else inspect.Parameter.empty
+                    ),
+                )
+            )
+        if bot_def.args.kwarg is not None:
+            parameters.append(
+                inspect.Parameter(bot_def.args.kwarg.arg, kind=inspect.Parameter.VAR_KEYWORD)
+            )
+
+        _analyze_bot_signature(inspect.Signature(parameters))
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail=str(exc)) from None
+
 
 def _validate_apprise_config(config: dict) -> None:
     """Validate apprise config blob."""
@@ -179,6 +262,39 @@ def _validate_webhook_config(config: dict) -> None:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="headers must be a JSON object")
 
 
+def _validate_sqs_config(config: dict) -> None:
+    """Validate sqs config blob."""
+    queue_url = str(config.get("queue_url", "")).strip()
+    if not queue_url:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="queue_url is required for sqs")
+    if not queue_url.startswith(("https://", "http://")):
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="queue_url must start with http:// or https://")
+
+    endpoint_url = str(config.get("endpoint_url", "")).strip()
+    if endpoint_url and not endpoint_url.startswith(("https://", "http://")):
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=400,
+            detail="endpoint_url must start with http:// or https://",
+        )
+
+    access_key_id = str(config.get("access_key_id", "")).strip()
+    secret_access_key = str(config.get("secret_access_key", "")).strip()
+    session_token = str(config.get("session_token", "")).strip()
+    has_static_keypair = bool(access_key_id) and bool(secret_access_key)
+    has_partial_keypair = bool(access_key_id) != bool(secret_access_key)
+
+    if has_partial_keypair:
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=400,
+            detail="access_key_id and secret_access_key must be set together for sqs",
+        )
+    if session_token and not has_static_keypair:
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=400,
+            detail="session_token requires access_key_id and secret_access_key for sqs",
+        )
+
+
 def _enforce_scope(config_type: str, scope: dict) -> dict:
     """Enforce type-specific scope constraints. Returns normalized scope."""
     if config_type == "mqtt_community":
@@ -193,7 +309,7 @@ def _enforce_scope(config_type: str, scope: dict) -> dict:
                 detail="scope.messages must be 'all', 'none', or a filter object",
             )
         return {"messages": messages, "raw_packets": "none"}
-    # For mqtt_private, validate scope values
+    # For mqtt_private and sqs, validate scope values
     messages = scope.get("messages", "all")
     if messages not in ("all", "none") and not isinstance(messages, dict):
         raise HTTPException(
@@ -227,26 +343,13 @@ async def create_fanout_config(body: FanoutConfigCreate) -> dict:
     if body.type == "bot" and server_settings.disable_bots:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="Bot system disabled by server configuration")
 
-    # Only validate config when creating as enabled — disabled configs
-    # are drafts the user hasn't finished configuring yet.
-    if body.enabled:
-        if body.type == "mqtt_private":
-            _validate_mqtt_private_config(body.config)
-        elif body.type == "mqtt_community":
-            _validate_mqtt_community_config(body.config)
-        elif body.type == "bot":
-            _validate_bot_config(body.config)
-        elif body.type == "webhook":
-            _validate_webhook_config(body.config)
-        elif body.type == "apprise":
-            _validate_apprise_config(body.config)
-
+    normalized_config = _validate_and_normalize_config(body.type, body.config)
     scope = _enforce_scope(body.type, body.scope)
 
     cfg = await FanoutConfigRepository.create(
         config_type=body.type,
         name=body.name,
-        config=body.config,
+        config=normalized_config,
         scope=scope,
         enabled=body.enabled,
     )
@@ -276,25 +379,11 @@ async def update_fanout_config(config_id: str, body: FanoutConfigUpdate) -> dict
         kwargs["name"] = body.name
     if body.enabled is not None:
         kwargs["enabled"] = body.enabled
-    if body.config is not None:
-        kwargs["config"] = body.config
     if body.scope is not None:
         kwargs["scope"] = _enforce_scope(existing["type"], body.scope)
 
-    # Validate config when the result will be enabled
-    will_be_enabled = body.enabled if body.enabled is not None else existing["enabled"]
-    if will_be_enabled:
-        config_to_validate = body.config if body.config is not None else existing["config"]
-        if existing["type"] == "mqtt_private":
-            _validate_mqtt_private_config(config_to_validate)
-        elif existing["type"] == "mqtt_community":
-            _validate_mqtt_community_config(config_to_validate)
-        elif existing["type"] == "bot":
-            _validate_bot_config(config_to_validate)
-        elif existing["type"] == "webhook":
-            _validate_webhook_config(config_to_validate)
-        elif existing["type"] == "apprise":
-            _validate_apprise_config(config_to_validate)
+    config_to_validate = body.config if body.config is not None else existing["config"]
+    kwargs["config"] = _validate_and_normalize_config(existing["type"], config_to_validate)
 
     updated = await FanoutConfigRepository.update(config_id, **kwargs)
     if updated is None:

app/routers/health.py

@@ -5,25 +5,50 @@ from fastapi import APIRouter
 from pydantic import BaseModel
 
 from app.config import settings
-from app.radio import radio_manager
 from app.repository import RawPacketRepository
+from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime as radio_manager
+from app.version_info import get_app_build_info
 
 router = APIRouter(tags=["health"])
 
 
+class RadioDeviceInfoResponse(BaseModel):
+    model: str | None = None
+    firmware_build: str | None = None
+    firmware_version: str | None = None
+    max_contacts: int | None = None
+    max_channels: int | None = None
+
+
+class AppInfoResponse(BaseModel):
+    version: str
+    commit_hash: str | None = None
+
+
 class HealthResponse(BaseModel):
     status: str
     radio_connected: bool
     radio_initializing: bool = False
+    radio_state: str = "disconnected"
     connection_info: str | None
+    app_info: AppInfoResponse | None = None
+    radio_device_info: RadioDeviceInfoResponse | None = None
     database_size_mb: float
     oldest_undecrypted_timestamp: int | None
     fanout_statuses: dict[str, dict[str, str]] = {}
     bots_disabled: bool = False
 
 
+def _clean_optional_str(value: object) -> str | None:
+    if not isinstance(value, str):
+        return None
+    cleaned = value.strip()
+    return cleaned or None
+
+
 async def build_health_data(radio_connected: bool, connection_info: str | None) -> dict:
     """Build the health status payload used by REST endpoint and WebSocket broadcasts."""
+    app_build_info = get_app_build_info()
     db_size_mb = 0.0
     try:
         db_size_bytes = os.path.getsize(settings.database_path)
@@ -47,20 +72,49 @@ async def build_health_data(radio_connected: bool, connection_info: str | None)
         pass
 
     setup_in_progress = getattr(radio_manager, "is_setup_in_progress", False)
-    if not isinstance(setup_in_progress, bool):
-        setup_in_progress = False
-
     setup_complete = getattr(radio_manager, "is_setup_complete", radio_connected)
-    if not isinstance(setup_complete, bool):
-        setup_complete = radio_connected
+    if not radio_connected:
+        setup_complete = False
+
+    connection_desired = getattr(radio_manager, "connection_desired", True)
+    is_reconnecting = getattr(radio_manager, "is_reconnecting", False)
 
     radio_initializing = bool(radio_connected and (setup_in_progress or not setup_complete))
+    if not connection_desired:
+        radio_state = "paused"
+    elif radio_initializing:
+        radio_state = "initializing"
+    elif radio_connected:
+        radio_state = "connected"
+    elif is_reconnecting:
+        radio_state = "connecting"
+    else:
+        radio_state = "disconnected"
+
+    radio_device_info = None
+    device_info_loaded = getattr(radio_manager, "device_info_loaded", False)
+    if radio_connected and device_info_loaded:
+        radio_device_info = {
+            "model": _clean_optional_str(getattr(radio_manager, "device_model", None)),
+            "firmware_build": _clean_optional_str(getattr(radio_manager, "firmware_build", None)),
+            "firmware_version": _clean_optional_str(
+                getattr(radio_manager, "firmware_version", None)
+            ),
+            "max_contacts": getattr(radio_manager, "max_contacts", None),
+            "max_channels": getattr(radio_manager, "max_channels", None),
+        }
 
     return {
         "status": "ok" if radio_connected and not radio_initializing else "degraded",
         "radio_connected": radio_connected,
         "radio_initializing": radio_initializing,
+        "radio_state": radio_state,
         "connection_info": connection_info,
+        "app_info": {
+            "version": app_build_info.version,
+            "commit_hash": app_build_info.commit_hash,
+        },
+        "radio_device_info": radio_device_info,
         "database_size_mb": db_size_mb,
         "oldest_undecrypted_timestamp": oldest_ts,
         "fanout_statuses": fanout_statuses,

app/routers/messages.py

@@ -2,19 +2,24 @@ import logging
 import time
 
 from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException, Query
-from meshcore import EventType
 
 from app.dependencies import require_connected
 from app.event_handlers import track_pending_ack
 from app.models import (
     Message,
     MessagesAroundResponse,
+    ResendChannelMessageResponse,
     SendChannelMessageRequest,
     SendDirectMessageRequest,
 )
-from app.radio import radio_manager
 from app.repository import AmbiguousPublicKeyPrefixError, AppSettingsRepository, MessageRepository
-from app.websocket import broadcast_event
+from app.services.message_send import (
+    resend_channel_message_record,
+    send_channel_message_to_channel,
+    send_direct_message_to_contact,
+)
+from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime as radio_manager
+from app.websocket import broadcast_error, broadcast_event
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 router = APIRouter(prefix="/messages", tags=["messages"])
@@ -104,84 +109,27 @@ async def send_direct_message(request: SendDirectMessageRequest) -> Message:
         raise HTTPException(
             status_code=404, detail=f"Contact not found in database: {request.destination}"
         )
-
-    # Always add/update the contact on radio before sending.
-    # The library cache (get_contact_by_key_prefix) can be stale after radio reboot,
-    # so we can't rely on it to know if the firmware has the contact.
-    # add_contact is idempotent - updates if exists, adds if not.
-    contact_data = db_contact.to_radio_dict()
-    async with radio_manager.radio_operation("send_direct_message") as mc:
-        logger.debug("Ensuring contact %s is on radio before sending", db_contact.public_key[:12])
-        add_result = await mc.commands.add_contact(contact_data)
-        if add_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
-            logger.warning("Failed to add contact to radio: %s", add_result.payload)
-            # Continue anyway - might still work if contact exists
-
-        # Get the contact from the library cache (may have updated info like path)
-        contact = mc.get_contact_by_key_prefix(db_contact.public_key[:12])
-        if not contact:
-            contact = contact_data
-
-        logger.info("Sending direct message to %s", db_contact.public_key[:12])
-
-        # Capture timestamp BEFORE sending so we can pass the same value to both the radio
-        # and the database. This ensures consistency for deduplication.
-        now = int(time.time())
-
-        result = await mc.commands.send_msg(
-            dst=contact,
-            msg=request.text,
-            timestamp=now,
-        )
-
-    if result.type == EventType.ERROR:
-        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=f"Failed to send message: {result.payload}")
-
-    # Store outgoing message
-    message_id = await MessageRepository.create(
-        msg_type="PRIV",
-        text=request.text,
-        conversation_key=db_contact.public_key.lower(),
-        sender_timestamp=now,
-        received_at=now,
-        outgoing=True,
-    )
-    if message_id is None:
+    if len(db_contact.public_key) < 64:
         raise HTTPException(
-            status_code=500,
-            detail="Failed to store outgoing message - unexpected duplicate",
+            status_code=409,
+            detail="Cannot send to an unresolved prefix-only contact until a full key is known",
         )
 
-    # Update last_contacted for the contact
-    await ContactRepository.update_last_contacted(db_contact.public_key.lower(), now)
-
-    # Track the expected ACK for this message
-    expected_ack = result.payload.get("expected_ack")
-    suggested_timeout: int = result.payload.get("suggested_timeout", 10000)  # default 10s
-    if expected_ack:
-        ack_code = expected_ack.hex() if isinstance(expected_ack, bytes) else expected_ack
-        track_pending_ack(ack_code, message_id, suggested_timeout)
-        logger.debug("Tracking ACK %s for message %d", ack_code, message_id)
-
-    message = Message(
-        id=message_id,
-        type="PRIV",
-        conversation_key=db_contact.public_key.lower(),
+    return await send_direct_message_to_contact(
+        contact=db_contact,
         text=request.text,
-        sender_timestamp=now,
-        received_at=now,
-        outgoing=True,
-        acked=0,
+        radio_manager=radio_manager,
+        broadcast_fn=broadcast_event,
+        track_pending_ack_fn=track_pending_ack,
+        now_fn=time.time,
+        message_repository=MessageRepository,
+        contact_repository=ContactRepository,
     )
 
-    # Broadcast so all connected clients (not just sender) see the outgoing message immediately.
-    # Fanout modules (including bots) are triggered via broadcast_event's realtime dispatch.
-    broadcast_event("message", message.model_dump())
 
-    return message
-
-
-# Temporary radio slot used for sending channel messages
+# Preferred first radio slot used for sending channel messages.
+# The send service may reuse/load other app-managed slots depending on transport
+# and session cache state.
 TEMP_RADIO_SLOT = 0
 
 
@@ -191,7 +139,6 @@ async def send_channel_message(request: SendChannelMessageRequest) -> Message:
     require_connected()
 
     # Get channel info from our database
-    from app.decoder import calculate_channel_hash
     from app.repository import ChannelRepository
 
     db_channel = await ChannelRepository.get_by_key(request.channel_key)
@@ -208,129 +155,32 @@ async def send_channel_message(request: SendChannelMessageRequest) -> Message:
             status_code=400, detail=f"Invalid channel key format: {request.channel_key}"
         ) from None
 
-    expected_hash = calculate_channel_hash(key_bytes)
-    logger.info(
-        "Sending to channel %s (%s) via radio slot %d, key hash: %s",
-        request.channel_key,
-        db_channel.name,
-        TEMP_RADIO_SLOT,
-        expected_hash,
+    return await send_channel_message_to_channel(
+        channel=db_channel,
+        channel_key_upper=request.channel_key.upper(),
+        key_bytes=key_bytes,
+        text=request.text,
+        radio_manager=radio_manager,
+        broadcast_fn=broadcast_event,
+        error_broadcast_fn=broadcast_error,
+        now_fn=time.time,
+        temp_radio_slot=TEMP_RADIO_SLOT,
+        message_repository=MessageRepository,
     )
-    channel_key_upper = request.channel_key.upper()
-    message_id: int | None = None
-    now: int | None = None
-    radio_name: str = ""
-    text_with_sender: str = request.text
-
-    our_public_key: str | None = None
-
-    async with radio_manager.radio_operation("send_channel_message") as mc:
-        radio_name = mc.self_info.get("name", "") if mc.self_info else ""
-        our_public_key = (mc.self_info.get("public_key") or None) if mc.self_info else None
-        text_with_sender = f"{radio_name}: {request.text}" if radio_name else request.text
-        # Load the channel to a temporary radio slot before sending
-        set_result = await mc.commands.set_channel(
-            channel_idx=TEMP_RADIO_SLOT,
-            channel_name=db_channel.name,
-            channel_secret=key_bytes,
-        )
-        if set_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
-            logger.warning(
-                "Failed to set channel on radio slot %d before sending: %s",
-                TEMP_RADIO_SLOT,
-                set_result.payload,
-            )
-            raise HTTPException(
-                status_code=500,
-                detail="Failed to configure channel on radio before sending message",
-            )
-
-        logger.info("Sending channel message to %s: %s", db_channel.name, request.text[:50])
-
-        # Capture timestamp BEFORE sending so we can pass the same value to both the radio
-        # and the database. This ensures the echo's timestamp matches our stored message
-        # for proper deduplication.
-        now = int(time.time())
-        timestamp_bytes = now.to_bytes(4, "little")
-
-        result = await mc.commands.send_chan_msg(
-            chan=TEMP_RADIO_SLOT,
-            msg=request.text,
-            timestamp=timestamp_bytes,
-        )
-
-        if result.type == EventType.ERROR:
-            raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=f"Failed to send message: {result.payload}")
-
-        # Store outgoing immediately after send to avoid a race where
-        # our own echo lands before persistence.
-        message_id = await MessageRepository.create(
-            msg_type="CHAN",
-            text=text_with_sender,
-            conversation_key=channel_key_upper,
-            sender_timestamp=now,
-            received_at=now,
-            outgoing=True,
-            sender_name=radio_name or None,
-            sender_key=our_public_key,
-        )
-        if message_id is None:
-            raise HTTPException(
-                status_code=500,
-                detail="Failed to store outgoing message - unexpected duplicate",
-            )
-
-        # Broadcast immediately so all connected clients see the message promptly.
-        # This ensures the message exists in frontend state when echo-driven
-        # `message_acked` events arrive.
-        broadcast_event(
-            "message",
-            Message(
-                id=message_id,
-                type="CHAN",
-                conversation_key=channel_key_upper,
-                text=text_with_sender,
-                sender_timestamp=now,
-                received_at=now,
-                outgoing=True,
-                acked=0,
-                sender_name=radio_name or None,
-                sender_key=our_public_key,
-                channel_name=db_channel.name,
-            ).model_dump(),
-        )
-
-    if message_id is None or now is None:
-        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="Failed to store outgoing message")
-
-    acked_count, paths = await MessageRepository.get_ack_and_paths(message_id)
-
-    message = Message(
-        id=message_id,
-        type="CHAN",
-        conversation_key=channel_key_upper,
-        text=text_with_sender,
-        sender_timestamp=now,
-        received_at=now,
-        outgoing=True,
-        acked=acked_count,
-        paths=paths,
-        sender_name=radio_name or None,
-        sender_key=our_public_key,
-        channel_name=db_channel.name,
-    )
-
-    return message
 
 
 RESEND_WINDOW_SECONDS = 30
 
 
-@router.post("/channel/{message_id}/resend")
+@router.post(
+    "/channel/{message_id}/resend",
+    response_model=ResendChannelMessageResponse,
+    response_model_exclude_none=True,
+)
 async def resend_channel_message(
     message_id: int,
     new_timestamp: bool = Query(default=False),
-) -> dict:
+) -> ResendChannelMessageResponse:
     """Resend a channel message.
 
     When new_timestamp=False (default): byte-perfect resend using the original timestamp.
@@ -366,97 +216,14 @@ async def resend_channel_message(
     if not db_channel:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail=f"Channel {msg.conversation_key} not found")
 
-    # Choose timestamp: original for byte-perfect, fresh for new-timestamp
-    if new_timestamp:
-        now = int(time.time())
-        timestamp_bytes = now.to_bytes(4, "little")
-    else:
-        timestamp_bytes = msg.sender_timestamp.to_bytes(4, "little")
-
-    try:
-        key_bytes = bytes.fromhex(msg.conversation_key)
-    except ValueError:
-        raise HTTPException(
-            status_code=400, detail=f"Invalid channel key format: {msg.conversation_key}"
-        ) from None
-
-    resend_public_key: str | None = None
-
-    async with radio_manager.radio_operation("resend_channel_message") as mc:
-        # Strip sender prefix: DB stores "RadioName: message" but radio needs "message"
-        radio_name = mc.self_info.get("name", "") if mc.self_info else ""
-        resend_public_key = (mc.self_info.get("public_key") or None) if mc.self_info else None
-        text_to_send = msg.text
-        if radio_name and text_to_send.startswith(f"{radio_name}: "):
-            text_to_send = text_to_send[len(f"{radio_name}: ") :]
-
-        set_result = await mc.commands.set_channel(
-            channel_idx=TEMP_RADIO_SLOT,
-            channel_name=db_channel.name,
-            channel_secret=key_bytes,
-        )
-        if set_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
-            raise HTTPException(
-                status_code=500,
-                detail="Failed to configure channel on radio before resending",
-            )
-
-        result = await mc.commands.send_chan_msg(
-            chan=TEMP_RADIO_SLOT,
-            msg=text_to_send,
-            timestamp=timestamp_bytes,
-        )
-        if result.type == EventType.ERROR:
-            raise HTTPException(
-                status_code=500, detail=f"Failed to resend message: {result.payload}"
-            )
-
-    # For new-timestamp resend, create a new message row and broadcast it
-    if new_timestamp:
-        new_msg_id = await MessageRepository.create(
-            msg_type="CHAN",
-            text=msg.text,
-            conversation_key=msg.conversation_key,
-            sender_timestamp=now,
-            received_at=now,
-            outgoing=True,
-            sender_name=radio_name or None,
-            sender_key=resend_public_key,
-        )
-        if new_msg_id is None:
-            # Timestamp-second collision (same text+channel within the same second).
-            # The radio already transmitted, so log and return the original ID rather
-            # than surfacing a 500 for a message that was successfully sent over the air.
-            logger.warning(
-                "Duplicate timestamp collision resending message %d — radio sent but DB row not created",
-                message_id,
-            )
-            return {"status": "ok", "message_id": message_id}
-
-        broadcast_event(
-            "message",
-            Message(
-                id=new_msg_id,
-                type="CHAN",
-                conversation_key=msg.conversation_key,
-                text=msg.text,
-                sender_timestamp=now,
-                received_at=now,
-                outgoing=True,
-                acked=0,
-                sender_name=radio_name or None,
-                sender_key=resend_public_key,
-                channel_name=db_channel.name,
-            ).model_dump(),
-        )
-
-        logger.info(
-            "Resent channel message %d as new message %d to %s",
-            message_id,
-            new_msg_id,
-            db_channel.name,
-        )
-        return {"status": "ok", "message_id": new_msg_id}
-
-    logger.info("Resent channel message %d to %s", message_id, db_channel.name)
-    return {"status": "ok", "message_id": message_id}
+    return await resend_channel_message_record(
+        message=msg,
+        channel=db_channel,
+        new_timestamp=new_timestamp,
+        radio_manager=radio_manager,
+        broadcast_fn=broadcast_event,
+        error_broadcast_fn=broadcast_error,
+        now_fn=time.time,
+        temp_radio_slot=TEMP_RADIO_SLOT,
+        message_repository=MessageRepository,
+    )

app/routers/packets.py

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ from hashlib import sha256
 from sqlite3 import OperationalError
 
 import aiosqlite
-from fastapi import APIRouter, BackgroundTasks
+from fastapi import APIRouter, BackgroundTasks, HTTPException, Response, status
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 
 from app.database import db
@@ -40,6 +40,10 @@ class DecryptResult(BaseModel):
     message: str
 
 
+def _bad_request(detail: str) -> HTTPException:
+    return HTTPException(status_code=status.HTTP_400_BAD_REQUEST, detail=detail)
+
+
 async def _run_historical_channel_decryption(
     channel_key_bytes: bytes, channel_key_hex: str, display_name: str | None = None
 ) -> None:
@@ -100,7 +104,7 @@ async def get_undecrypted_count() -> dict:
 
 @router.post("/decrypt/historical", response_model=DecryptResult)
 async def decrypt_historical_packets(
-    request: DecryptRequest, background_tasks: BackgroundTasks
+    request: DecryptRequest, background_tasks: BackgroundTasks, response: Response
 ) -> DecryptResult:
     """
     Attempt to decrypt historical packets with the provided key.
@@ -112,27 +116,15 @@ async def decrypt_historical_packets(
             try:
                 channel_key_bytes = bytes.fromhex(request.channel_key)
                 if len(channel_key_bytes) != 16:
-                    return DecryptResult(
-                        started=False,
-                        total_packets=0,
-                        message="Channel key must be 16 bytes (32 hex chars)",
-                    )
+                    raise _bad_request("Channel key must be 16 bytes (32 hex chars)")
                 channel_key_hex = request.channel_key.upper()
             except ValueError:
-                return DecryptResult(
-                    started=False,
-                    total_packets=0,
-                    message="Invalid hex string for channel key",
-                )
+                raise _bad_request("Invalid hex string for channel key") from None
         elif request.channel_name:
             channel_key_bytes = sha256(request.channel_name.encode("utf-8")).digest()[:16]
             channel_key_hex = channel_key_bytes.hex().upper()
         else:
-            return DecryptResult(
-                started=False,
-                total_packets=0,
-                message="Must provide channel_key or channel_name",
-            )
+            raise _bad_request("Must provide channel_key or channel_name")
 
         # Get count and lookup channel name for display
         count = await RawPacketRepository.get_undecrypted_count()
@@ -148,6 +140,7 @@ async def decrypt_historical_packets(
         background_tasks.add_task(
             _run_historical_channel_decryption, channel_key_bytes, channel_key_hex, display_name
         )
+        response.status_code = status.HTTP_202_ACCEPTED
 
         return DecryptResult(
             started=True,
@@ -158,48 +151,24 @@ async def decrypt_historical_packets(
     elif request.key_type == "contact":
         # DM decryption
         if not request.private_key:
-            return DecryptResult(
-                started=False,
-                total_packets=0,
-                message="Must provide private_key for contact decryption",
-            )
+            raise _bad_request("Must provide private_key for contact decryption")
         if not request.contact_public_key:
-            return DecryptResult(
-                started=False,
-                total_packets=0,
-                message="Must provide contact_public_key for contact decryption",
-            )
+            raise _bad_request("Must provide contact_public_key for contact decryption")
 
         try:
             private_key_bytes = bytes.fromhex(request.private_key)
             if len(private_key_bytes) != 64:
-                return DecryptResult(
-                    started=False,
-                    total_packets=0,
-                    message="Private key must be 64 bytes (128 hex chars)",
-                )
+                raise _bad_request("Private key must be 64 bytes (128 hex chars)")
         except ValueError:
-            return DecryptResult(
-                started=False,
-                total_packets=0,
-                message="Invalid hex string for private key",
-            )
+            raise _bad_request("Invalid hex string for private key") from None
 
         try:
             contact_public_key_bytes = bytes.fromhex(request.contact_public_key)
             if len(contact_public_key_bytes) != 32:
-                return DecryptResult(
-                    started=False,
-                    total_packets=0,
-                    message="Contact public key must be 32 bytes (64 hex chars)",
-                )
+                raise _bad_request("Contact public key must be 32 bytes (64 hex chars)")
             contact_public_key_hex = request.contact_public_key.lower()
         except ValueError:
-            return DecryptResult(
-                started=False,
-                total_packets=0,
-                message="Invalid hex string for contact public key",
-            )
+            raise _bad_request("Invalid hex string for contact public key") from None
 
         packets = await RawPacketRepository.get_undecrypted_text_messages()
         count = len(packets)
@@ -223,6 +192,7 @@ async def decrypt_historical_packets(
             contact_public_key_hex,
             display_name,
         )
+        response.status_code = status.HTTP_202_ACCEPTED
 
         return DecryptResult(
             started=True,
@@ -230,11 +200,7 @@ async def decrypt_historical_packets(
             message=f"Started DM decryption of {count} TEXT_MESSAGE packets in background",
         )
 
-    return DecryptResult(
-        started=False,
-        total_packets=0,
-        message="key_type must be 'channel' or 'contact'",
-    )
+    raise _bad_request("key_type must be 'channel' or 'contact'")
 
 
 class MaintenanceRequest(BaseModel):

app/routers/radio.py

@@ -1,17 +1,60 @@
+import asyncio
 import logging
+import random
+import time
+from typing import Literal, TypeAlias
 
 from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException
 from meshcore import EventType
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 
 from app.dependencies import require_connected
-from app.radio import radio_manager
+from app.models import (
+    ContactUpsert,
+    RadioDiscoveryRequest,
+    RadioDiscoveryResponse,
+    RadioDiscoveryResult,
+)
 from app.radio_sync import send_advertisement as do_send_advertisement
 from app.radio_sync import sync_radio_time
+from app.repository import ContactRepository
+from app.services.radio_commands import (
+    KeystoreRefreshError,
+    PathHashModeUnsupportedError,
+    RadioCommandRejectedError,
+    apply_radio_config_update,
+    import_private_key_and_refresh_keystore,
+)
+from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime as radio_manager
+from app.websocket import broadcast_event, broadcast_health
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 router = APIRouter(prefix="/radio", tags=["radio"])
 
+AdvertLocationSource = Literal["off", "current"]
+RadioAdvertMode = Literal["flood", "zero_hop"]
+DiscoveryNodeType: TypeAlias = Literal["repeater", "sensor"]
+DISCOVERY_WINDOW_SECONDS = 8.0
+_DISCOVERY_TARGET_BITS = {
+    "repeaters": 1 << 2,
+    "sensors": 1 << 4,
+    "all": (1 << 2) | (1 << 4),
+}
+_DISCOVERY_NODE_TYPES: dict[int, DiscoveryNodeType] = {
+    2: "repeater",
+    4: "sensor",
+}
+
+
+async def _prepare_connected(*, broadcast_on_success: bool) -> bool:
+    return await radio_manager.prepare_connected(broadcast_on_success=broadcast_on_success)
+
+
+async def _reconnect_and_prepare(*, broadcast_on_success: bool) -> bool:
+    return await radio_manager.reconnect_and_prepare(
+        broadcast_on_success=broadcast_on_success,
+    )
+
 
 class RadioSettings(BaseModel):
     freq: float = Field(description="Frequency in MHz")
@@ -34,6 +77,10 @@ class RadioConfigResponse(BaseModel):
     path_hash_mode_supported: bool = Field(
         default=False, description="Whether firmware supports path hash mode setting"
     )
+    advert_location_source: AdvertLocationSource = Field(
+        default="current",
+        description="Whether adverts include the node's current location state",
+    )
 
 
 class RadioConfigUpdate(BaseModel):
@@ -48,12 +95,105 @@ class RadioConfigUpdate(BaseModel):
         le=2,
         description="Path hash mode (0=1-byte, 1=2-byte, 2=3-byte)",
     )
+    advert_location_source: AdvertLocationSource | None = Field(
+        default=None,
+        description="Whether adverts include the node's current location state",
+    )
 
 
 class PrivateKeyUpdate(BaseModel):
     private_key: str = Field(description="Private key as hex string")
 
 
+class RadioAdvertiseRequest(BaseModel):
+    mode: RadioAdvertMode = Field(
+        default="flood",
+        description="Advertisement mode: flood through repeaters or zero-hop local only",
+    )
+
+
+def _monotonic() -> float:
+    return time.monotonic()
+
+
+def _better_signal(first: float | None, second: float | None) -> float | None:
+    if first is None:
+        return second
+    if second is None:
+        return first
+    return second if second > first else first
+
+
+def _coerce_float(value: object) -> float | None:
+    if isinstance(value, (int, float)):
+        return float(value)
+    return None
+
+
+def _coerce_int(value: object) -> int | None:
+    if isinstance(value, int):
+        return value
+    return None
+
+
+def _merge_discovery_result(
+    existing: RadioDiscoveryResult | None, event_payload: dict[str, object]
+) -> RadioDiscoveryResult | None:
+    public_key = event_payload.get("pubkey")
+    node_type_code = event_payload.get("node_type")
+    if not isinstance(public_key, str) or not public_key:
+        return existing
+    if not isinstance(node_type_code, int):
+        return existing
+
+    node_type = _DISCOVERY_NODE_TYPES.get(node_type_code)
+    if node_type is None:
+        return existing
+
+    if existing is None:
+        return RadioDiscoveryResult(
+            public_key=public_key,
+            node_type=node_type,
+            heard_count=1,
+            local_snr=_coerce_float(event_payload.get("SNR")),
+            local_rssi=_coerce_int(event_payload.get("RSSI")),
+            remote_snr=_coerce_float(event_payload.get("SNR_in")),
+        )
+
+    existing.heard_count += 1
+    existing.local_snr = _better_signal(existing.local_snr, _coerce_float(event_payload.get("SNR")))
+    current_rssi = _coerce_int(event_payload.get("RSSI"))
+    if existing.local_rssi is None or (
+        current_rssi is not None and current_rssi > existing.local_rssi
+    ):
+        existing.local_rssi = current_rssi
+    existing.remote_snr = _better_signal(
+        existing.remote_snr,
+        _coerce_float(event_payload.get("SNR_in")),
+    )
+    return existing
+
+
+async def _persist_new_discovery_contacts(results: list[RadioDiscoveryResult]) -> None:
+    now = int(time.time())
+    for result in results:
+        existing = await ContactRepository.get_by_key(result.public_key)
+        if existing is not None:
+            continue
+
+        contact = ContactUpsert(
+            public_key=result.public_key,
+            type=2 if result.node_type == "repeater" else 4,
+            last_seen=now,
+            first_seen=now,
+            on_radio=False,
+        )
+        await ContactRepository.upsert(contact)
+        created = await ContactRepository.get_by_key(result.public_key)
+        if created is not None:
+            broadcast_event("contact", created.model_dump())
+
+
 @router.get("/config", response_model=RadioConfigResponse)
 async def get_radio_config() -> RadioConfigResponse:
     """Get the current radio configuration."""
@@ -63,6 +203,9 @@ async def get_radio_config() -> RadioConfigResponse:
     if not info:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=503, detail="Radio info not available")
 
+    adv_loc_policy = info.get("adv_loc_policy", 1)
+    advert_location_source: AdvertLocationSource = "off" if adv_loc_policy == 0 else "current"
+
     return RadioConfigResponse(
         public_key=info.get("public_key", ""),
         name=info.get("name", ""),
@@ -78,6 +221,7 @@ async def get_radio_config() -> RadioConfigResponse:
         ),
         path_hash_mode=radio_manager.path_hash_mode,
         path_hash_mode_supported=radio_manager.path_hash_mode_supported,
+        advert_location_source=advert_location_source,
     )
 
 
@@ -87,57 +231,18 @@ async def update_radio_config(update: RadioConfigUpdate) -> RadioConfigResponse:
     require_connected()
 
     async with radio_manager.radio_operation("update_radio_config") as mc:
-        if update.name is not None:
-            logger.info("Setting radio name to %s", update.name)
-            await mc.commands.set_name(update.name)
-
-        if update.lat is not None or update.lon is not None:
-            current_info = mc.self_info
-            lat = update.lat if update.lat is not None else current_info.get("adv_lat", 0.0)
-            lon = update.lon if update.lon is not None else current_info.get("adv_lon", 0.0)
-            logger.info("Setting radio coordinates to %f, %f", lat, lon)
-            await mc.commands.set_coords(lat=lat, lon=lon)
-
-        if update.tx_power is not None:
-            logger.info("Setting TX power to %d dBm", update.tx_power)
-            await mc.commands.set_tx_power(val=update.tx_power)
-
-        if update.radio is not None:
-            logger.info(
-                "Setting radio params: freq=%f MHz, bw=%f kHz, sf=%d, cr=%d",
-                update.radio.freq,
-                update.radio.bw,
-                update.radio.sf,
-                update.radio.cr,
+        try:
+            await apply_radio_config_update(
+                mc,
+                update,
+                path_hash_mode_supported=radio_manager.path_hash_mode_supported,
+                set_path_hash_mode=lambda mode: setattr(radio_manager, "path_hash_mode", mode),
+                sync_radio_time_fn=sync_radio_time,
             )
-            await mc.commands.set_radio(
-                freq=update.radio.freq,
-                bw=update.radio.bw,
-                sf=update.radio.sf,
-                cr=update.radio.cr,
-            )
-
-        if update.path_hash_mode is not None:
-            if not radio_manager.path_hash_mode_supported:
-                raise HTTPException(
-                    status_code=400, detail="Firmware does not support path hash mode setting"
-                )
-            logger.info("Setting path hash mode to %d", update.path_hash_mode)
-            result = await mc.commands.set_path_hash_mode(update.path_hash_mode)
-            if result is not None and result.type == EventType.ERROR:
-                raise HTTPException(
-                    status_code=500,
-                    detail=f"Failed to set path hash mode: {result.payload}",
-                )
-            radio_manager.path_hash_mode = update.path_hash_mode
-
-        # Sync time with system clock
-        await sync_radio_time(mc)
-
-        # Re-fetch self_info so the response reflects the changes we just made.
-        # Commands like set_name() write to flash but don't update the cached
-        # self_info — send_appstart() triggers a fresh SELF_INFO from the radio.
-        await mc.commands.send_appstart()
+        except PathHashModeUnsupportedError as exc:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail=str(exc)) from exc
+        except RadioCommandRejectedError as exc:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=str(exc)) from exc
 
     return await get_radio_config()
 
@@ -154,59 +259,114 @@ async def set_private_key(update: PrivateKeyUpdate) -> dict:
 
     logger.info("Importing private key")
     async with radio_manager.radio_operation("import_private_key") as mc:
-        result = await mc.commands.import_private_key(key_bytes)
-
-        if result.type == EventType.ERROR:
-            raise HTTPException(
-                status_code=500, detail=f"Failed to import private key: {result.payload}"
-            )
-
-        # Re-export from radio so the server-side keystore uses the new key
-        # for DM decryption immediately, rather than waiting for reconnect.
         from app.keystore import export_and_store_private_key
 
-        keystore_refreshed = await export_and_store_private_key(mc)
-        if not keystore_refreshed:
-            logger.warning("Keystore refresh failed after import, retrying once")
-            keystore_refreshed = await export_and_store_private_key(mc)
-
-    if not keystore_refreshed:
-        raise HTTPException(
-            status_code=500,
-            detail=(
-                "Private key imported on radio, but server-side keystore "
-                "refresh failed. Reconnect to apply the new key for DM decryption."
-            ),
-        )
+        try:
+            await import_private_key_and_refresh_keystore(
+                mc,
+                key_bytes,
+                export_and_store_private_key_fn=export_and_store_private_key,
+            )
+        except (RadioCommandRejectedError, KeystoreRefreshError) as exc:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=str(exc)) from exc
 
     return {"status": "ok"}
 
 
 @router.post("/advertise")
-async def send_advertisement() -> dict:
-    """Send a flood advertisement to announce presence on the mesh.
+async def send_advertisement(request: RadioAdvertiseRequest | None = None) -> dict:
+    """Send an advertisement to announce presence on the mesh.
 
-    Manual advertisement requests always send immediately, updating the
-    last_advert_time which affects when the next periodic/startup advert
-    can occur.
+    Manual advertisement requests always send immediately. Flood adverts update
+    the shared flood-advert timing state used by periodic/startup advertising;
+    zero-hop adverts currently do not.
 
     Returns:
         status: "ok" if sent successfully
     """
     require_connected()
+    mode: RadioAdvertMode = request.mode if request is not None else "flood"
 
-    logger.info("Sending flood advertisement")
+    logger.info("Sending %s advertisement", mode.replace("_", "-"))
     async with radio_manager.radio_operation("manual_advertisement") as mc:
-        success = await do_send_advertisement(mc, force=True)
+        success = await do_send_advertisement(mc, force=True, mode=mode)
 
     if not success:
-        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="Failed to send advertisement")
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=f"Failed to send {mode} advertisement")
 
     return {"status": "ok"}
 
 
+@router.post("/discover", response_model=RadioDiscoveryResponse)
+async def discover_mesh(request: RadioDiscoveryRequest) -> RadioDiscoveryResponse:
+    """Run a short node-discovery sweep from the local radio."""
+    require_connected()
+
+    target_bits = _DISCOVERY_TARGET_BITS[request.target]
+    tag = random.randint(1, 0xFFFFFFFF)
+    tag_hex = tag.to_bytes(4, "little", signed=False).hex()
+    events: asyncio.Queue = asyncio.Queue()
+
+    async with radio_manager.radio_operation(
+        "discover_mesh",
+        pause_polling=True,
+        suspend_auto_fetch=True,
+    ) as mc:
+        subscription = mc.subscribe(
+            EventType.DISCOVER_RESPONSE,
+            lambda event: events.put_nowait(event),
+            {"tag": tag_hex},
+        )
+        try:
+            send_result = await mc.commands.send_node_discover_req(
+                target_bits,
+                prefix_only=False,
+                tag=tag,
+            )
+            if send_result is None or send_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+                raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="Failed to start mesh discovery")
+
+            deadline = _monotonic() + DISCOVERY_WINDOW_SECONDS
+            results_by_key: dict[str, RadioDiscoveryResult] = {}
+
+            while True:
+                remaining = deadline - _monotonic()
+                if remaining <= 0:
+                    break
+                try:
+                    event = await asyncio.wait_for(events.get(), timeout=remaining)
+                except asyncio.TimeoutError:
+                    break
+
+                merged = _merge_discovery_result(
+                    results_by_key.get(event.payload.get("pubkey")),
+                    event.payload,
+                )
+                if merged is not None:
+                    results_by_key[merged.public_key] = merged
+        finally:
+            subscription.unsubscribe()
+
+    results = sorted(
+        results_by_key.values(),
+        key=lambda item: (
+            item.node_type,
+            -(item.local_snr if item.local_snr is not None else -999.0),
+            item.public_key,
+        ),
+    )
+    await _persist_new_discovery_contacts(results)
+    return RadioDiscoveryResponse(
+        target=request.target,
+        duration_seconds=DISCOVERY_WINDOW_SECONDS,
+        results=results,
+    )
+
+
 async def _attempt_reconnect() -> dict:
     """Shared reconnection logic for reboot and reconnect endpoints."""
+    radio_manager.resume_connection()
+
     if radio_manager.is_reconnecting:
         return {
             "status": "pending",
@@ -214,14 +374,8 @@ async def _attempt_reconnect() -> dict:
             "connected": False,
         }
 
-    success = await radio_manager.reconnect()
-    if not success:
-        raise HTTPException(
-            status_code=503, detail="Failed to reconnect. Check radio connection and power."
-        )
-
     try:
-        await radio_manager.post_connect_setup()
+        success = await _reconnect_and_prepare(broadcast_on_success=True)
     except Exception as e:
         logger.exception("Post-connect setup failed after reconnect")
         raise HTTPException(
@@ -229,9 +383,28 @@ async def _attempt_reconnect() -> dict:
             detail=f"Radio connected but setup failed: {e}",
         ) from e
 
+    if not success:
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=503, detail="Failed to reconnect. Check radio connection and power."
+        )
+
     return {"status": "ok", "message": "Reconnected successfully", "connected": True}
 
 
+@router.post("/disconnect")
+async def disconnect_radio() -> dict:
+    """Disconnect from the radio and pause automatic reconnect attempts."""
+    logger.info("Manual radio disconnect requested")
+    await radio_manager.pause_connection()
+    broadcast_health(False, radio_manager.connection_info)
+    return {
+        "status": "ok",
+        "message": "Disconnected. Automatic reconnect is paused.",
+        "connected": False,
+        "paused": True,
+    }
+
+
 @router.post("/reboot")
 async def reboot_radio() -> dict:
     """Reboot the radio, or reconnect if not currently connected.
@@ -266,8 +439,11 @@ async def reconnect_radio() -> dict:
 
         logger.info("Radio connected but setup incomplete, retrying setup")
         try:
-            await radio_manager.post_connect_setup()
+            if not await _prepare_connected(broadcast_on_success=True):
+                raise HTTPException(status_code=503, detail="Radio connection is paused")
             return {"status": "ok", "message": "Setup completed", "connected": True}
+        except HTTPException:
+            raise
         except Exception as e:
             logger.exception("Post-connect setup failed")
             raise HTTPException(

app/routers/read_state.py

@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@ import time
 from fastapi import APIRouter
 
 from app.models import UnreadCounts
-from app.radio import radio_manager
 from app.repository import (
     AppSettingsRepository,
     ChannelRepository,
     ContactRepository,
     MessageRepository,
 )
+from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime as radio_manager
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 router = APIRouter(prefix="/read-state", tags=["read-state"])

app/routers/repeaters.py

@@ -21,13 +21,14 @@ from app.models import (
     RepeaterLoginResponse,
     RepeaterLppTelemetryResponse,
     RepeaterNeighborsResponse,
+    RepeaterNodeInfoResponse,
     RepeaterOwnerInfoResponse,
     RepeaterRadioSettingsResponse,
     RepeaterStatusResponse,
 )
-from app.radio import radio_manager
 from app.repository import ContactRepository
 from app.routers.contacts import _ensure_on_radio, _resolve_contact_or_404
+from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime as radio_manager
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from meshcore.events import Event
@@ -43,8 +44,21 @@ ACL_PERMISSION_NAMES = {
 }
 router = APIRouter(prefix="/contacts", tags=["repeaters"])
 
-# Delay between repeater radio operations to allow key exchange and path establishment
-REPEATER_OP_DELAY_SECONDS = 2.0
+REPEATER_LOGIN_RESPONSE_TIMEOUT_SECONDS = 5.0
+REPEATER_LOGIN_REJECTED_MESSAGE = (
+    "The repeater replied but did not confirm this login. "
+    "Existing access may still allow some repeater operations, but admin actions may fail."
+)
+REPEATER_LOGIN_SEND_FAILED_MESSAGE = (
+    "The login request could not be sent to the repeater. "
+    "The dashboard is still available, but repeater operations may fail until a login succeeds."
+)
+REPEATER_LOGIN_TIMEOUT_MESSAGE = (
+    "No login confirmation was heard from the repeater. "
+    "On current repeater firmware, that can mean the password was wrong, "
+    "blank-password login was not allowed by the ACL, or the reply was missed in transit. "
+    "The dashboard is still available; try logging in again if admin actions fail."
+)
 
 
 def _monotonic() -> float:
@@ -135,31 +149,88 @@ async def _fetch_repeater_response(
     return None
 
 
-async def prepare_repeater_connection(mc, contact: Contact, password: str) -> None:
-    """Prepare connection to a repeater by adding to radio and logging in.
+async def prepare_repeater_connection(mc, contact: Contact, password: str) -> RepeaterLoginResponse:
+    """Prepare connection to a repeater by adding to radio and attempting login.
 
     Args:
         mc: MeshCore instance
         contact: The repeater contact
         password: Password for login (empty string for no password)
-
-    Raises:
-        HTTPException: If login fails
     """
+    pubkey_prefix = contact.public_key[:12].lower()
+    loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
+    login_future = loop.create_future()
+
+    def _resolve_login(event_type: EventType, message: str | None = None) -> None:
+        if login_future.done():
+            return
+        login_future.set_result(
+            RepeaterLoginResponse(
+                status="ok" if event_type == EventType.LOGIN_SUCCESS else "error",
+                authenticated=event_type == EventType.LOGIN_SUCCESS,
+                message=message,
+            )
+        )
+
+    success_subscription = mc.subscribe(
+        EventType.LOGIN_SUCCESS,
+        lambda _event: _resolve_login(EventType.LOGIN_SUCCESS),
+        attribute_filters={"pubkey_prefix": pubkey_prefix},
+    )
+    failed_subscription = mc.subscribe(
+        EventType.LOGIN_FAILED,
+        lambda _event: _resolve_login(
+            EventType.LOGIN_FAILED,
+            REPEATER_LOGIN_REJECTED_MESSAGE,
+        ),
+        attribute_filters={"pubkey_prefix": pubkey_prefix},
+    )
+
     # Add contact to radio with path from DB (non-fatal — contact may already be loaded)
-    logger.info("Adding repeater %s to radio", contact.public_key[:12])
-    await _ensure_on_radio(mc, contact)
+    try:
+        logger.info("Adding repeater %s to radio", contact.public_key[:12])
+        await _ensure_on_radio(mc, contact)
 
-    # Send login with password
-    logger.info("Sending login to repeater %s", contact.public_key[:12])
-    login_result = await mc.commands.send_login(contact.public_key, password)
+        logger.info("Sending login to repeater %s", contact.public_key[:12])
+        login_result = await mc.commands.send_login(contact.public_key, password)
 
-    if login_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
-        raise HTTPException(status_code=401, detail=f"Login failed: {login_result.payload}")
+        if login_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+            return RepeaterLoginResponse(
+                status="error",
+                authenticated=False,
+                message=f"{REPEATER_LOGIN_SEND_FAILED_MESSAGE} ({login_result.payload})",
+            )
 
-    # Wait for key exchange to complete before sending requests
-    logger.debug("Waiting %.1fs for key exchange to complete", REPEATER_OP_DELAY_SECONDS)
-    await asyncio.sleep(REPEATER_OP_DELAY_SECONDS)
+        try:
+            return await asyncio.wait_for(
+                login_future,
+                timeout=REPEATER_LOGIN_RESPONSE_TIMEOUT_SECONDS,
+            )
+        except asyncio.TimeoutError:
+            logger.warning(
+                "No login response from repeater %s within %.1fs",
+                contact.public_key[:12],
+                REPEATER_LOGIN_RESPONSE_TIMEOUT_SECONDS,
+            )
+            return RepeaterLoginResponse(
+                status="timeout",
+                authenticated=False,
+                message=REPEATER_LOGIN_TIMEOUT_MESSAGE,
+            )
+    except HTTPException as exc:
+        logger.warning(
+            "Repeater login setup failed for %s: %s",
+            contact.public_key[:12],
+            exc.detail,
+        )
+        return RepeaterLoginResponse(
+            status="error",
+            authenticated=False,
+            message=f"{REPEATER_LOGIN_SEND_FAILED_MESSAGE} ({exc.detail})",
+        )
+    finally:
+        success_subscription.unsubscribe()
+        failed_subscription.unsubscribe()
 
 
 def _require_repeater(contact: Contact) -> None:
@@ -179,7 +250,7 @@ def _require_repeater(contact: Contact) -> None:
 
 @router.post("/{public_key}/repeater/login", response_model=RepeaterLoginResponse)
 async def repeater_login(public_key: str, request: RepeaterLoginRequest) -> RepeaterLoginResponse:
-    """Log in to a repeater. Adds contact to radio, sends login, waits for key exchange."""
+    """Attempt repeater login and report whether auth was confirmed."""
     require_connected()
     contact = await _resolve_contact_or_404(public_key)
     _require_repeater(contact)
@@ -189,9 +260,7 @@ async def repeater_login(public_key: str, request: RepeaterLoginRequest) -> Repe
         pause_polling=True,
         suspend_auto_fetch=True,
     ) as mc:
-        await prepare_repeater_connection(mc, contact, request.password)
-
-    return RepeaterLoginResponse(status="ok")
+        return await prepare_repeater_connection(mc, contact, request.password)
 
 
 @router.post("/{public_key}/repeater/status", response_model=RepeaterStatusResponse)
@@ -373,9 +442,29 @@ async def _batch_cli_fetch(
     return results
 
 
+@router.post("/{public_key}/repeater/node-info", response_model=RepeaterNodeInfoResponse)
+async def repeater_node_info(public_key: str) -> RepeaterNodeInfoResponse:
+    """Fetch repeater identity/location info via a small CLI batch."""
+    require_connected()
+    contact = await _resolve_contact_or_404(public_key)
+    _require_repeater(contact)
+
+    results = await _batch_cli_fetch(
+        contact,
+        "repeater_node_info",
+        [
+            ("get name", "name"),
+            ("get lat", "lat"),
+            ("get lon", "lon"),
+            ("clock", "clock_utc"),
+        ],
+    )
+    return RepeaterNodeInfoResponse(**results)
+
+
 @router.post("/{public_key}/repeater/radio-settings", response_model=RepeaterRadioSettingsResponse)
 async def repeater_radio_settings(public_key: str) -> RepeaterRadioSettingsResponse:
-    """Fetch radio settings from a repeater via batch CLI commands."""
+    """Fetch radio settings from a repeater via radio/config CLI commands."""
     require_connected()
     contact = await _resolve_contact_or_404(public_key)
     _require_repeater(contact)
@@ -390,10 +479,6 @@ async def repeater_radio_settings(public_key: str) -> RepeaterRadioSettingsRespo
             ("get af", "airtime_factor"),
             ("get repeat", "repeat_enabled"),
             ("get flood.max", "flood_max"),
-            ("get name", "name"),
-            ("get lat", "lat"),
-            ("get lon", "lon"),
-            ("clock", "clock_utc"),
         ],
     )
     return RepeaterRadioSettingsResponse(**results)
@@ -451,7 +536,7 @@ async def send_repeater_command(public_key: str, request: CommandRequest) -> Com
     - get radio, set radio <freq,bw,sf,cr>
     - tempradio <freq,bw,sf,cr,minutes>
     - setperm <pubkey> <permission>  (0=guest, 1=read-only, 2=read-write, 3=admin)
-    - clock, clock sync
+    - clock, clock sync, time <epoch_seconds>
     - reboot
     - ver
     """

app/routers/settings.py

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from fastapi import APIRouter
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 
 from app.models import AppSettings
+from app.region_scope import normalize_region_scope
 from app.repository import AppSettingsRepository
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -18,7 +19,8 @@ class AppSettingsUpdate(BaseModel):
         ge=1,
         le=1000,
         description=(
-            "Maximum contacts to keep on radio (favorites first, then recent non-repeaters)"
+            "Configured radio contact capacity used for maintenance thresholds and "
+            "background refill behavior"
         ),
     )
     auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert: bool | None = Field(
@@ -123,8 +125,7 @@ async def update_settings(update: AppSettingsUpdate) -> AppSettings:
     # Flood scope
     flood_scope_changed = False
     if update.flood_scope is not None:
-        stripped = update.flood_scope.strip()
-        kwargs["flood_scope"] = stripped
+        kwargs["flood_scope"] = normalize_region_scope(update.flood_scope)
         flood_scope_changed = True
 
     if kwargs:
@@ -132,7 +133,7 @@ async def update_settings(update: AppSettingsUpdate) -> AppSettings:
 
         # Apply flood scope to radio immediately if changed
         if flood_scope_changed:
-            from app.radio import radio_manager
+            from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime as radio_manager
 
             if radio_manager.is_connected:
                 try:
@@ -161,12 +162,12 @@ async def toggle_favorite(request: FavoriteRequest) -> AppSettings:
         logger.info("Adding favorite: %s %s", request.type, request.id[:12])
         result = await AppSettingsRepository.add_favorite(request.type, request.id)
 
-    # When a contact favorite changes, sync the radio so the contact is
-    # loaded/unloaded immediately rather than waiting for the next advert.
-    if request.type == "contact":
-        from app.radio_sync import sync_recent_contacts_to_radio
+    # When a contact is newly favorited, load just that contact to the radio
+    # immediately so DM ACK support does not wait for the next maintenance cycle.
+    if request.type == "contact" and not is_favorited:
+        from app.radio_sync import ensure_contact_on_radio
 
-        asyncio.create_task(sync_recent_contacts_to_radio(force=True))
+        asyncio.create_task(ensure_contact_on_radio(request.id, force=True))
 
     return result
 

app/routers/ws.py

@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@ import logging
 
 from fastapi import APIRouter, WebSocket, WebSocketDisconnect
 
-from app.radio import radio_manager
 from app.routers.health import build_health_data
+from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime as radio_manager
 from app.websocket import ws_manager
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)

app/security.py

@@ -0,0 +1,121 @@
+"""ASGI middleware for optional app-wide HTTP Basic authentication."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import base64
+import binascii
+import json
+import logging
+import secrets
+from typing import Any
+
+from starlette.datastructures import Headers
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+_AUTH_REALM = "RemoteTerm"
+_UNAUTHORIZED_BODY = json.dumps({"detail": "Unauthorized"}).encode("utf-8")
+
+
+class BasicAuthMiddleware:
+    """Protect all HTTP and WebSocket entrypoints with HTTP Basic auth."""
+
+    def __init__(self, app, *, username: str, password: str, realm: str = _AUTH_REALM) -> None:
+        self.app = app
+        self.username = username
+        self.password = password
+        self.realm = realm
+        self._challenge_value = f'Basic realm="{realm}", charset="UTF-8"'.encode("latin-1")
+
+    def _is_authorized(self, scope: dict[str, Any]) -> bool:
+        headers = Headers(scope=scope)
+        authorization = headers.get("authorization")
+        if not authorization:
+            return False
+
+        scheme, _, token = authorization.partition(" ")
+        if not token or scheme.lower() != "basic":
+            return False
+
+        token = token.strip()
+        try:
+            decoded = base64.b64decode(token, validate=True).decode("utf-8")
+        except (binascii.Error, UnicodeDecodeError):
+            logger.debug("Rejecting malformed basic auth header")
+            return False
+
+        username, sep, password = decoded.partition(":")
+        if not sep:
+            return False
+
+        return secrets.compare_digest(username, self.username) and secrets.compare_digest(
+            password, self.password
+        )
+
+    async def _send_http_unauthorized(self, send) -> None:
+        await send(
+            {
+                "type": "http.response.start",
+                "status": 401,
+                "headers": [
+                    (b"content-type", b"application/json"),
+                    (b"cache-control", b"no-store"),
+                    (b"content-length", str(len(_UNAUTHORIZED_BODY)).encode("ascii")),
+                    (b"www-authenticate", self._challenge_value),
+                ],
+            }
+        )
+        await send(
+            {
+                "type": "http.response.body",
+                "body": _UNAUTHORIZED_BODY,
+            }
+        )
+
+    async def _send_websocket_unauthorized(self, send) -> None:
+        await send(
+            {
+                "type": "websocket.http.response.start",
+                "status": 401,
+                "headers": [
+                    (b"content-type", b"application/json"),
+                    (b"cache-control", b"no-store"),
+                    (b"content-length", str(len(_UNAUTHORIZED_BODY)).encode("ascii")),
+                    (b"www-authenticate", self._challenge_value),
+                ],
+            }
+        )
+        await send(
+            {
+                "type": "websocket.http.response.body",
+                "body": _UNAUTHORIZED_BODY,
+            }
+        )
+
+    async def __call__(self, scope, receive, send) -> None:
+        scope_type = scope["type"]
+        if scope_type not in {"http", "websocket"}:
+            await self.app(scope, receive, send)
+            return
+
+        if self._is_authorized(scope):
+            await self.app(scope, receive, send)
+            return
+
+        if scope_type == "http":
+            await self._send_http_unauthorized(send)
+            return
+
+        await self._send_websocket_unauthorized(send)
+
+
+def add_optional_basic_auth_middleware(app, settings) -> None:
+    """Enable app-wide basic auth when configured via environment variables."""
+    if not settings.basic_auth_enabled:
+        return
+
+    app.add_middleware(
+        BasicAuthMiddleware,
+        username=settings.basic_auth_username,
+        password=settings.basic_auth_password,
+    )

app/services/__init__.py

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+"""Backend service-layer helpers."""

app/services/contact_reconciliation.py

@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+"""Shared contact/message reconciliation helpers."""
+
+import logging
+
+from app.repository import ContactNameHistoryRepository, ContactRepository, MessageRepository
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+async def promote_prefix_contacts_for_contact(
+    *,
+    public_key: str,
+    contact_repository=ContactRepository,
+    log: logging.Logger | None = None,
+) -> list[str]:
+    """Promote prefix-only placeholder contacts once a full key is known."""
+    normalized_key = public_key.lower()
+    promoted = await contact_repository.promote_prefix_placeholders(normalized_key)
+    if promoted:
+        (log or logger).info(
+            "Promoted %d prefix contact placeholder(s) for %s",
+            len(promoted),
+            normalized_key[:12],
+        )
+    return promoted
+
+
+async def claim_prefix_messages_for_contact(
+    *,
+    public_key: str,
+    message_repository=MessageRepository,
+    log: logging.Logger | None = None,
+) -> int:
+    """Promote prefix-key DMs to a resolved full public key."""
+    normalized_key = public_key.lower()
+    claimed = await message_repository.claim_prefix_messages(normalized_key)
+    if claimed > 0:
+        (log or logger).info(
+            "Claimed %d prefix DM message(s) for contact %s",
+            claimed,
+            normalized_key[:12],
+        )
+    return claimed
+
+
+async def backfill_channel_sender_for_contact(
+    *,
+    public_key: str,
+    contact_name: str | None,
+    message_repository=MessageRepository,
+    log: logging.Logger | None = None,
+) -> int:
+    """Backfill channel sender attribution once a contact name is known."""
+    if not contact_name:
+        return 0
+
+    normalized_key = public_key.lower()
+    backfilled = await message_repository.backfill_channel_sender_key(
+        normalized_key,
+        contact_name,
+    )
+    if backfilled > 0:
+        (log or logger).info(
+            "Backfilled sender_key on %d channel message(s) for %s",
+            backfilled,
+            contact_name,
+        )
+    return backfilled
+
+
+async def reconcile_contact_messages(
+    *,
+    public_key: str,
+    contact_name: str | None,
+    message_repository=MessageRepository,
+    log: logging.Logger | None = None,
+) -> tuple[int, int]:
+    """Apply message reconciliation once a contact's identity is resolved."""
+    claimed = await claim_prefix_messages_for_contact(
+        public_key=public_key,
+        message_repository=message_repository,
+        log=log,
+    )
+    backfilled = await backfill_channel_sender_for_contact(
+        public_key=public_key,
+        contact_name=contact_name,
+        message_repository=message_repository,
+        log=log,
+    )
+    return claimed, backfilled
+
+
+async def record_contact_name(
+    *,
+    public_key: str,
+    contact_name: str | None,
+    timestamp: int,
+    contact_name_history_repository=ContactNameHistoryRepository,
+) -> bool:
+    """Record contact name history when a non-empty name is available."""
+    if not contact_name:
+        return False
+
+    await contact_name_history_repository.record_name(
+        public_key.lower(),
+        contact_name,
+        timestamp,
+    )
+    return True
+
+
+async def record_contact_name_and_reconcile(
+    *,
+    public_key: str,
+    contact_name: str | None,
+    timestamp: int,
+    message_repository=MessageRepository,
+    contact_name_history_repository=ContactNameHistoryRepository,
+    log: logging.Logger | None = None,
+) -> tuple[int, int]:
+    """Record name history, then reconcile message identity for the contact."""
+    await record_contact_name(
+        public_key=public_key,
+        contact_name=contact_name,
+        timestamp=timestamp,
+        contact_name_history_repository=contact_name_history_repository,
+    )
+    return await reconcile_contact_messages(
+        public_key=public_key,
+        contact_name=contact_name,
+        message_repository=message_repository,
+        log=log,
+    )

app/services/dm_ack_apply.py

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+"""Shared direct-message ACK application logic."""
+
+from collections.abc import Callable
+from typing import Any
+
+from app.services import dm_ack_tracker
+from app.services.messages import increment_ack_and_broadcast
+
+BroadcastFn = Callable[..., Any]
+
+
+async def apply_dm_ack_code(ack_code: str, *, broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn) -> bool:
+    """Apply a DM ACK code using the shared pending/buffered state machine.
+
+    Returns True when the ACK matched a pending message, False when it was buffered.
+    """
+    dm_ack_tracker.cleanup_expired_acks()
+
+    message_id = dm_ack_tracker.pop_pending_ack(ack_code)
+    if message_id is None:
+        dm_ack_tracker.buffer_unmatched_ack(ack_code)
+        return False
+
+    dm_ack_tracker.clear_pending_acks_for_message(message_id)
+    await increment_ack_and_broadcast(message_id=message_id, broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn)
+    return True

app/services/dm_ack_tracker.py

@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+"""Shared pending ACK tracking for outgoing direct messages."""
+
+import logging
+import time
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+PendingAck = tuple[int, float, int]
+BUFFERED_ACK_TTL_SECONDS = 30.0
+
+_pending_acks: dict[str, PendingAck] = {}
+_buffered_acks: dict[str, float] = {}
+
+
+def track_pending_ack(expected_ack: str, message_id: int, timeout_ms: int) -> bool:
+    """Track an expected ACK code for an outgoing direct message.
+
+    Returns True when the ACK was already observed and buffered before registration.
+    """
+    buffered_at = _buffered_acks.pop(expected_ack, None)
+    if buffered_at is not None:
+        logger.debug(
+            "Matched buffered ACK %s immediately for message %d",
+            expected_ack,
+            message_id,
+        )
+        return True
+
+    _pending_acks[expected_ack] = (message_id, time.time(), timeout_ms)
+    logger.debug(
+        "Tracking pending ACK %s for message %d (timeout %dms)",
+        expected_ack,
+        message_id,
+        timeout_ms,
+    )
+    return False
+
+
+def buffer_unmatched_ack(ack_code: str) -> None:
+    """Remember an ACK that arrived before its message registration."""
+    _buffered_acks[ack_code] = time.time()
+    logger.debug("Buffered unmatched ACK %s for late registration", ack_code)
+
+
+def cleanup_expired_acks() -> None:
+    """Remove stale pending ACK entries."""
+    now = time.time()
+    expired_codes = [
+        code
+        for code, (_message_id, created_at, timeout_ms) in _pending_acks.items()
+        if now - created_at > (timeout_ms / 1000) * 2
+    ]
+    for code in expired_codes:
+        del _pending_acks[code]
+        logger.debug("Expired pending ACK %s", code)
+
+    expired_buffered_codes = [
+        code
+        for code, buffered_at in _buffered_acks.items()
+        if now - buffered_at > BUFFERED_ACK_TTL_SECONDS
+    ]
+    for code in expired_buffered_codes:
+        del _buffered_acks[code]
+        logger.debug("Expired buffered ACK %s", code)
+
+
+def pop_pending_ack(ack_code: str) -> int | None:
+    """Claim the tracked message ID for an ACK code if present."""
+    pending = _pending_acks.pop(ack_code, None)
+    if pending is None:
+        return None
+    message_id, _, _ = pending
+    return message_id
+
+
+def clear_pending_acks_for_message(message_id: int) -> None:
+    """Remove any still-pending ACK codes for a message once one ACK wins."""
+    sibling_codes = [
+        code
+        for code, (pending_message_id, _created_at, _timeout_ms) in _pending_acks.items()
+        if pending_message_id == message_id
+    ]
+    for code in sibling_codes:
+        del _pending_acks[code]
+        logger.debug("Cleared sibling pending ACK %s for message %d", code, message_id)

app/services/dm_ingest.py

@@ -0,0 +1,321 @@
+import asyncio
+import logging
+import time
+from collections.abc import Callable
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any
+
+from app.models import CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER, Contact, ContactUpsert, Message
+from app.repository import (
+    AmbiguousPublicKeyPrefixError,
+    ContactRepository,
+    MessageRepository,
+    RawPacketRepository,
+)
+from app.services.contact_reconciliation import claim_prefix_messages_for_contact
+from app.services.messages import (
+    broadcast_message,
+    build_message_model,
+    build_message_paths,
+    format_contact_log_target,
+    handle_duplicate_message,
+    reconcile_duplicate_message,
+    truncate_for_log,
+)
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from app.decoder import DecryptedDirectMessage
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+BroadcastFn = Callable[..., Any]
+_decrypted_dm_store_lock = asyncio.Lock()
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class FallbackDirectMessageContext:
+    conversation_key: str
+    contact: Contact | None
+    sender_name: str | None
+    sender_key: str | None
+    skip_storage: bool = False
+
+
+async def _prepare_resolved_contact(
+    contact: Contact,
+    *,
+    log: logging.Logger | None = None,
+) -> tuple[str, bool]:
+    conversation_key = contact.public_key.lower()
+    await claim_prefix_messages_for_contact(public_key=conversation_key, log=log or logger)
+
+    if contact.type == CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER:
+        return conversation_key, True
+
+    return conversation_key, False
+
+
+async def resolve_fallback_direct_message_context(
+    *,
+    sender_public_key: str,
+    received_at: int,
+    broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+    contact_repository=ContactRepository,
+    log: logging.Logger | None = None,
+) -> FallbackDirectMessageContext:
+    normalized_sender = sender_public_key.lower()
+
+    try:
+        contact = await contact_repository.get_by_key_or_prefix(normalized_sender)
+    except AmbiguousPublicKeyPrefixError:
+        (log or logger).warning(
+            "DM sender prefix '%s' is ambiguous; storing under prefix until full key is known",
+            sender_public_key,
+        )
+        contact = None
+
+    if contact is not None:
+        conversation_key, skip_storage = await _prepare_resolved_contact(contact, log=log)
+        return FallbackDirectMessageContext(
+            conversation_key=conversation_key,
+            contact=contact,
+            sender_name=contact.name,
+            sender_key=conversation_key,
+            skip_storage=skip_storage,
+        )
+
+    if normalized_sender:
+        placeholder_upsert = ContactUpsert(
+            public_key=normalized_sender,
+            type=0,
+            last_seen=received_at,
+            last_contacted=received_at,
+            first_seen=received_at,
+            on_radio=False,
+        )
+        await contact_repository.upsert(placeholder_upsert)
+        contact = await contact_repository.get_by_key(normalized_sender)
+        if contact is not None:
+            broadcast_fn("contact", contact.model_dump())
+
+    return FallbackDirectMessageContext(
+        conversation_key=normalized_sender,
+        contact=contact,
+        sender_name=contact.name if contact else None,
+        sender_key=normalized_sender or None,
+    )
+
+
+async def _store_direct_message(
+    *,
+    packet_id: int | None,
+    conversation_key: str,
+    text: str,
+    sender_timestamp: int,
+    received_at: int,
+    path: str | None,
+    path_len: int | None,
+    outgoing: bool,
+    txt_type: int,
+    signature: str | None,
+    sender_name: str | None,
+    sender_key: str | None,
+    realtime: bool,
+    broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+    update_last_contacted_key: str | None,
+    best_effort_content_dedup: bool,
+    linked_packet_dedup: bool,
+    message_repository=MessageRepository,
+    contact_repository=ContactRepository,
+    raw_packet_repository=RawPacketRepository,
+) -> Message | None:
+    async def store() -> Message | None:
+        if linked_packet_dedup and packet_id is not None:
+            linked_message_id = await raw_packet_repository.get_linked_message_id(packet_id)
+            if linked_message_id is not None:
+                existing_msg = await message_repository.get_by_id(linked_message_id)
+                if existing_msg is not None:
+                    await reconcile_duplicate_message(
+                        existing_msg=existing_msg,
+                        packet_id=packet_id,
+                        path=path,
+                        received_at=received_at,
+                        path_len=path_len,
+                        broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
+                    )
+                    return None
+
+        if best_effort_content_dedup:
+            existing_msg = await message_repository.get_by_content(
+                msg_type="PRIV",
+                conversation_key=conversation_key,
+                text=text,
+                sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+                outgoing=outgoing,
+            )
+            if existing_msg is not None:
+                await reconcile_duplicate_message(
+                    existing_msg=existing_msg,
+                    packet_id=packet_id,
+                    path=path,
+                    received_at=received_at,
+                    path_len=path_len,
+                    broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
+                )
+                return None
+
+        msg_id = await message_repository.create(
+            msg_type="PRIV",
+            text=text,
+            conversation_key=conversation_key,
+            sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+            received_at=received_at,
+            path=path,
+            path_len=path_len,
+            txt_type=txt_type,
+            signature=signature,
+            outgoing=outgoing,
+            sender_key=sender_key,
+            sender_name=sender_name,
+        )
+        if msg_id is None:
+            await handle_duplicate_message(
+                packet_id=packet_id,
+                msg_type="PRIV",
+                conversation_key=conversation_key,
+                text=text,
+                sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+                outgoing=outgoing,
+                path=path,
+                received_at=received_at,
+                path_len=path_len,
+                broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
+            )
+            return None
+
+        if packet_id is not None:
+            await raw_packet_repository.mark_decrypted(packet_id, msg_id)
+
+        message = build_message_model(
+            message_id=msg_id,
+            msg_type="PRIV",
+            conversation_key=conversation_key,
+            text=text,
+            sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+            received_at=received_at,
+            paths=build_message_paths(path, received_at, path_len),
+            txt_type=txt_type,
+            signature=signature,
+            sender_key=sender_key,
+            outgoing=outgoing,
+            sender_name=sender_name,
+        )
+        broadcast_message(message=message, broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn, realtime=realtime)
+
+        if update_last_contacted_key:
+            await contact_repository.update_last_contacted(update_last_contacted_key, received_at)
+
+        return message
+
+    if linked_packet_dedup:
+        async with _decrypted_dm_store_lock:
+            return await store()
+    return await store()
+
+
+async def ingest_decrypted_direct_message(
+    *,
+    packet_id: int,
+    decrypted: "DecryptedDirectMessage",
+    their_public_key: str,
+    received_at: int | None = None,
+    path: str | None = None,
+    path_len: int | None = None,
+    outgoing: bool = False,
+    realtime: bool = True,
+    broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+    contact_repository=ContactRepository,
+) -> Message | None:
+    conversation_key = their_public_key.lower()
+    contact = await contact_repository.get_by_key(conversation_key)
+    sender_name: str | None = None
+    if contact is not None:
+        conversation_key, skip_storage = await _prepare_resolved_contact(contact, log=logger)
+        if skip_storage:
+            logger.debug(
+                "Skipping message from repeater %s (CLI responses not stored): %s",
+                conversation_key[:12],
+                (decrypted.message or "")[:50],
+            )
+            return None
+        if not outgoing:
+            sender_name = contact.name
+
+    received = received_at or int(time.time())
+    message = await _store_direct_message(
+        packet_id=packet_id,
+        conversation_key=conversation_key,
+        text=decrypted.message,
+        sender_timestamp=decrypted.timestamp,
+        received_at=received,
+        path=path,
+        path_len=path_len,
+        outgoing=outgoing,
+        txt_type=0,
+        signature=None,
+        sender_name=sender_name,
+        sender_key=conversation_key if not outgoing else None,
+        realtime=realtime,
+        broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
+        update_last_contacted_key=conversation_key,
+        best_effort_content_dedup=outgoing,
+        linked_packet_dedup=True,
+    )
+    if message is None:
+        return None
+
+    logger.info(
+        'Stored direct message "%s" for %r (msg ID %d in contact ID %s, outgoing=%s)',
+        truncate_for_log(decrypted.message),
+        format_contact_log_target(contact.name if contact else None, conversation_key),
+        message.id,
+        conversation_key,
+        outgoing,
+    )
+    return message
+
+
+async def ingest_fallback_direct_message(
+    *,
+    conversation_key: str,
+    text: str,
+    sender_timestamp: int,
+    received_at: int,
+    path: str | None,
+    path_len: int | None,
+    txt_type: int,
+    signature: str | None,
+    sender_name: str | None,
+    sender_key: str | None,
+    broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+    update_last_contacted_key: str | None = None,
+) -> Message | None:
+    return await _store_direct_message(
+        packet_id=None,
+        conversation_key=conversation_key,
+        text=text,
+        sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+        received_at=received_at,
+        path=path,
+        path_len=path_len,
+        outgoing=False,
+        txt_type=txt_type,
+        signature=signature,
+        sender_name=sender_name,
+        sender_key=sender_key,
+        realtime=True,
+        broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
+        update_last_contacted_key=update_last_contacted_key,
+        best_effort_content_dedup=True,
+        linked_packet_dedup=False,
+    )

app/services/message_send.py

@@ -0,0 +1,778 @@
+"""Shared send/resend orchestration for outgoing messages."""
+
+import asyncio
+import logging
+from collections.abc import Callable
+from typing import Any
+
+from fastapi import HTTPException
+from meshcore import EventType
+
+from app.models import ResendChannelMessageResponse
+from app.region_scope import normalize_region_scope
+from app.repository import AppSettingsRepository, ContactRepository, MessageRepository
+from app.services import dm_ack_tracker
+from app.services.messages import (
+    build_message_model,
+    create_outgoing_channel_message,
+    create_outgoing_direct_message,
+    increment_ack_and_broadcast,
+)
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+NO_RADIO_RESPONSE_AFTER_SEND_DETAIL = (
+    "Send command was issued to the radio, but no response was heard back. "
+    "The message may or may not have sent successfully."
+)
+
+BroadcastFn = Callable[..., Any]
+TrackAckFn = Callable[[str, int, int], bool]
+NowFn = Callable[[], float]
+OutgoingReservationKey = tuple[str, str, str]
+RetryTaskScheduler = Callable[[Any], Any]
+
+_pending_outgoing_timestamp_reservations: dict[OutgoingReservationKey, set[int]] = {}
+_outgoing_timestamp_reservations_lock = asyncio.Lock()
+
+DM_SEND_MAX_ATTEMPTS = 3
+DEFAULT_DM_ACK_TIMEOUT_MS = 10000
+DM_RETRY_WAIT_MARGIN = 1.2
+
+
+async def allocate_outgoing_sender_timestamp(
+    *,
+    message_repository,
+    msg_type: str,
+    conversation_key: str,
+    text: str,
+    requested_timestamp: int,
+) -> int:
+    """Pick a sender timestamp that will not collide with an existing stored message."""
+    reservation_key = (msg_type, conversation_key, text)
+    candidate = requested_timestamp
+    while True:
+        async with _outgoing_timestamp_reservations_lock:
+            reserved = _pending_outgoing_timestamp_reservations.get(reservation_key, set())
+            is_reserved = candidate in reserved
+
+        if is_reserved:
+            candidate += 1
+            continue
+
+        existing = await message_repository.get_by_content(
+            msg_type=msg_type,
+            conversation_key=conversation_key,
+            text=text,
+            sender_timestamp=candidate,
+        )
+        if existing is not None:
+            candidate += 1
+            continue
+
+        async with _outgoing_timestamp_reservations_lock:
+            reserved = _pending_outgoing_timestamp_reservations.setdefault(reservation_key, set())
+            if candidate in reserved:
+                candidate += 1
+                continue
+            reserved.add(candidate)
+            break
+
+    if candidate != requested_timestamp:
+        logger.info(
+            "Bumped outgoing %s timestamp for %s from %d to %d to avoid same-content collision",
+            msg_type,
+            conversation_key[:12],
+            requested_timestamp,
+            candidate,
+        )
+
+    return candidate
+
+
+async def release_outgoing_sender_timestamp(
+    *,
+    msg_type: str,
+    conversation_key: str,
+    text: str,
+    sender_timestamp: int,
+) -> None:
+    reservation_key = (msg_type, conversation_key, text)
+    async with _outgoing_timestamp_reservations_lock:
+        reserved = _pending_outgoing_timestamp_reservations.get(reservation_key)
+        if not reserved:
+            return
+        reserved.discard(sender_timestamp)
+        if not reserved:
+            _pending_outgoing_timestamp_reservations.pop(reservation_key, None)
+
+
+async def send_channel_message_with_effective_scope(
+    *,
+    mc,
+    channel,
+    channel_key: str,
+    key_bytes: bytes,
+    text: str,
+    timestamp_bytes: bytes,
+    action_label: str,
+    radio_manager,
+    temp_radio_slot: int,
+    error_broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+    app_settings_repository=AppSettingsRepository,
+) -> Any:
+    """Send a channel message, temporarily overriding flood scope when configured."""
+    override_scope = normalize_region_scope(channel.flood_scope_override)
+    baseline_scope = ""
+
+    if override_scope:
+        settings = await app_settings_repository.get()
+        baseline_scope = normalize_region_scope(settings.flood_scope)
+
+    if override_scope and override_scope != baseline_scope:
+        logger.info(
+            "Temporarily applying channel flood_scope override for %s: %r",
+            channel.name,
+            override_scope,
+        )
+        override_result = await mc.commands.set_flood_scope(override_scope)
+        if override_result is not None and override_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+            logger.warning(
+                "Failed to apply channel flood_scope override for %s: %s",
+                channel.name,
+                override_result.payload,
+            )
+            raise HTTPException(
+                status_code=500,
+                detail=(
+                    f"Failed to apply regional override {override_scope!r} before {action_label}: "
+                    f"{override_result.payload}"
+                ),
+            )
+
+    try:
+        channel_slot, needs_configure, evicted_channel_key = radio_manager.plan_channel_send_slot(
+            channel_key,
+            preferred_slot=temp_radio_slot,
+        )
+        if needs_configure:
+            logger.debug(
+                "Loading channel %s into radio slot %d before %s%s",
+                channel.name,
+                channel_slot,
+                action_label,
+                (
+                    f" (evicting cached {evicted_channel_key[:8]})"
+                    if evicted_channel_key is not None
+                    else ""
+                ),
+            )
+            try:
+                set_result = await mc.commands.set_channel(
+                    channel_idx=channel_slot,
+                    channel_name=channel.name,
+                    channel_secret=key_bytes,
+                )
+            except Exception:
+                if evicted_channel_key is not None:
+                    radio_manager.invalidate_cached_channel_slot(evicted_channel_key)
+                raise
+            if set_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+                if evicted_channel_key is not None:
+                    radio_manager.invalidate_cached_channel_slot(evicted_channel_key)
+                logger.warning(
+                    "Failed to set channel on radio slot %d before %s: %s",
+                    channel_slot,
+                    action_label,
+                    set_result.payload,
+                )
+                raise HTTPException(
+                    status_code=500,
+                    detail=f"Failed to configure channel on radio before {action_label}",
+                )
+            radio_manager.note_channel_slot_loaded(channel_key, channel_slot)
+        else:
+            logger.debug(
+                "Reusing cached radio slot %d for channel %s before %s",
+                channel_slot,
+                channel.name,
+                action_label,
+            )
+
+        send_result = await mc.commands.send_chan_msg(
+            chan=channel_slot,
+            msg=text,
+            timestamp=timestamp_bytes,
+        )
+        if send_result is None:
+            logger.warning(
+                "No response from radio after %s for channel %s; send outcome is unknown",
+                action_label,
+                channel.name,
+            )
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=504, detail=NO_RADIO_RESPONSE_AFTER_SEND_DETAIL)
+        if send_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+            radio_manager.invalidate_cached_channel_slot(channel_key)
+        else:
+            radio_manager.note_channel_slot_used(channel_key)
+        return send_result
+    finally:
+        if override_scope and override_scope != baseline_scope:
+            try:
+                restore_result = await mc.commands.set_flood_scope(
+                    baseline_scope if baseline_scope else ""
+                )
+                if restore_result is not None and restore_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+                    logger.error(
+                        "Failed to restore baseline flood_scope after sending to %s: %s",
+                        channel.name,
+                        restore_result.payload,
+                    )
+                    error_broadcast_fn(
+                        "Regional override restore failed",
+                        (
+                            f"Sent to {channel.name}, but restoring flood scope failed. "
+                            "The radio may still be region-scoped. Consider rebooting the radio."
+                        ),
+                    )
+                else:
+                    logger.debug(
+                        "Restored baseline flood_scope after channel send: %r",
+                        baseline_scope or "(disabled)",
+                    )
+            except Exception:
+                logger.exception(
+                    "Failed to restore baseline flood_scope after sending to %s",
+                    channel.name,
+                )
+                error_broadcast_fn(
+                    "Regional override restore failed",
+                    (
+                        f"Sent to {channel.name}, but restoring flood scope failed. "
+                        "The radio may still be region-scoped. Consider rebooting the radio."
+                    ),
+                )
+
+
+def _extract_expected_ack_code(result: Any) -> str | None:
+    if result is None or result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+        return None
+    payload = result.payload or {}
+    expected_ack = payload.get("expected_ack")
+    if not expected_ack:
+        return None
+    return expected_ack.hex() if isinstance(expected_ack, bytes) else expected_ack
+
+
+def _get_ack_tracking_timeout_ms(result: Any) -> int:
+    if result is None or result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+        return DEFAULT_DM_ACK_TIMEOUT_MS
+    payload = result.payload or {}
+    suggested_timeout = payload.get("suggested_timeout")
+    if suggested_timeout is None:
+        return DEFAULT_DM_ACK_TIMEOUT_MS
+    try:
+        return max(1, int(suggested_timeout))
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        return DEFAULT_DM_ACK_TIMEOUT_MS
+
+
+def _get_direct_message_retry_timeout_ms(result: Any) -> int:
+    """Return the ACK window to wait before retrying a DM.
+
+    The MeshCore firmware already computes and returns `suggested_timeout` in
+    `PACKET_MSG_SENT`, derived from estimated packet airtime and route mode.
+    We use that firmware-supplied window directly so retries do not fire before
+    the radio's own ACK timeout expires.
+
+    Sources:
+    - https://github.com/meshcore-dev/MeshCore/blob/main/src/helpers/BaseChatMesh.cpp
+    - https://github.com/meshcore-dev/MeshCore/blob/main/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.cpp
+    - https://github.com/meshcore-dev/MeshCore/blob/main/docs/companion_protocol.md
+    """
+    return _get_ack_tracking_timeout_ms(result)
+
+
+async def _apply_direct_message_ack_tracking(
+    *,
+    result: Any,
+    message_id: int,
+    track_pending_ack_fn: TrackAckFn,
+    broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+) -> int:
+    ack_code = _extract_expected_ack_code(result)
+    if not ack_code:
+        return 0
+
+    timeout_ms = _get_ack_tracking_timeout_ms(result)
+    matched_immediately = track_pending_ack_fn(ack_code, message_id, timeout_ms) is True
+    logger.debug("Tracking ACK %s for message %d", ack_code, message_id)
+    if matched_immediately:
+        dm_ack_tracker.clear_pending_acks_for_message(message_id)
+        return await increment_ack_and_broadcast(
+            message_id=message_id,
+            broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
+        )
+    return 0
+
+
+async def _is_message_acked(*, message_id: int, message_repository) -> bool:
+    acked_count, _paths = await message_repository.get_ack_and_paths(message_id)
+    return acked_count > 0
+
+
+async def _retry_direct_message_until_acked(
+    *,
+    contact,
+    text: str,
+    message_id: int,
+    sender_timestamp: int,
+    radio_manager,
+    track_pending_ack_fn: TrackAckFn,
+    broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+    wait_timeout_ms: int,
+    sleep_fn,
+    message_repository,
+) -> None:
+    next_wait_timeout_ms = wait_timeout_ms
+    for attempt in range(1, DM_SEND_MAX_ATTEMPTS):
+        await sleep_fn((next_wait_timeout_ms / 1000) * DM_RETRY_WAIT_MARGIN)
+        if await _is_message_acked(message_id=message_id, message_repository=message_repository):
+            return
+
+        try:
+            async with radio_manager.radio_operation("retry_direct_message") as mc:
+                contact_data = contact.to_radio_dict()
+                add_result = await mc.commands.add_contact(contact_data)
+                if add_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+                    logger.warning(
+                        "Failed to reload contact %s on radio before DM retry: %s",
+                        contact.public_key[:12],
+                        add_result.payload,
+                    )
+                cached_contact = mc.get_contact_by_key_prefix(contact.public_key[:12])
+                if not cached_contact:
+                    cached_contact = contact_data
+
+                if attempt == DM_SEND_MAX_ATTEMPTS - 1:
+                    reset_result = await mc.commands.reset_path(contact.public_key)
+                    if reset_result is None:
+                        logger.warning(
+                            "No response from radio for reset_path to %s before final DM retry",
+                            contact.public_key[:12],
+                        )
+                    elif reset_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+                        logger.warning(
+                            "Failed to reset path before final DM retry to %s: %s",
+                            contact.public_key[:12],
+                            reset_result.payload,
+                        )
+                    refreshed_contact = mc.get_contact_by_key_prefix(contact.public_key[:12])
+                    if refreshed_contact:
+                        cached_contact = refreshed_contact
+
+                result = await mc.commands.send_msg(
+                    dst=cached_contact,
+                    msg=text,
+                    timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+                    attempt=attempt,
+                )
+        except Exception:
+            logger.exception(
+                "Background DM retry attempt %d/%d failed for %s",
+                attempt + 1,
+                DM_SEND_MAX_ATTEMPTS,
+                contact.public_key[:12],
+            )
+            continue
+
+        if result is None:
+            logger.warning(
+                "No response from radio after background DM retry attempt %d/%d to %s",
+                attempt + 1,
+                DM_SEND_MAX_ATTEMPTS,
+                contact.public_key[:12],
+            )
+            continue
+
+        if result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+            logger.warning(
+                "Background DM retry attempt %d/%d failed for %s: %s",
+                attempt + 1,
+                DM_SEND_MAX_ATTEMPTS,
+                contact.public_key[:12],
+                result.payload,
+            )
+            continue
+
+        if await _is_message_acked(message_id=message_id, message_repository=message_repository):
+            return
+
+        ack_code = _extract_expected_ack_code(result)
+        if not ack_code:
+            logger.warning(
+                "Background DM retry attempt %d/%d for %s returned no expected_ack; "
+                "stopping retries to avoid duplicate sends",
+                attempt + 1,
+                DM_SEND_MAX_ATTEMPTS,
+                contact.public_key[:12],
+            )
+            return
+
+        next_wait_timeout_ms = _get_direct_message_retry_timeout_ms(result)
+
+        ack_count = await _apply_direct_message_ack_tracking(
+            result=result,
+            message_id=message_id,
+            track_pending_ack_fn=track_pending_ack_fn,
+            broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
+        )
+        if ack_count > 0:
+            return
+
+
+async def send_direct_message_to_contact(
+    *,
+    contact,
+    text: str,
+    radio_manager,
+    broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+    track_pending_ack_fn: TrackAckFn,
+    now_fn: NowFn,
+    retry_task_scheduler: RetryTaskScheduler | None = None,
+    retry_sleep_fn=None,
+    message_repository=MessageRepository,
+    contact_repository=ContactRepository,
+) -> Any:
+    """Send a direct message and persist/broadcast the outgoing row."""
+    if retry_task_scheduler is None:
+        retry_task_scheduler = asyncio.create_task
+    if retry_sleep_fn is None:
+        retry_sleep_fn = asyncio.sleep
+
+    contact_data = contact.to_radio_dict()
+    sent_at: int | None = None
+    sender_timestamp: int | None = None
+    message = None
+    result = None
+    try:
+        async with radio_manager.radio_operation("send_direct_message") as mc:
+            logger.debug("Ensuring contact %s is on radio before sending", contact.public_key[:12])
+            add_result = await mc.commands.add_contact(contact_data)
+            if add_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+                logger.warning("Failed to add contact to radio: %s", add_result.payload)
+
+            cached_contact = mc.get_contact_by_key_prefix(contact.public_key[:12])
+            if not cached_contact:
+                cached_contact = contact_data
+
+            logger.info("Sending direct message to %s", contact.public_key[:12])
+            sent_at = int(now_fn())
+            sender_timestamp = await allocate_outgoing_sender_timestamp(
+                message_repository=message_repository,
+                msg_type="PRIV",
+                conversation_key=contact.public_key.lower(),
+                text=text,
+                requested_timestamp=sent_at,
+            )
+            result = await mc.commands.send_msg(
+                dst=cached_contact,
+                msg=text,
+                timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+            )
+
+        if result is None:
+            logger.warning(
+                "No response from radio after direct send to %s; send outcome is unknown",
+                contact.public_key[:12],
+            )
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=504, detail=NO_RADIO_RESPONSE_AFTER_SEND_DETAIL)
+
+        if result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=f"Failed to send message: {result.payload}")
+
+        message = await create_outgoing_direct_message(
+            conversation_key=contact.public_key.lower(),
+            text=text,
+            sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+            received_at=sent_at,
+            broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
+            message_repository=message_repository,
+        )
+        if message is None:
+            raise HTTPException(
+                status_code=500,
+                detail="Failed to store outgoing message - unexpected duplicate",
+            )
+    finally:
+        if sender_timestamp is not None:
+            await release_outgoing_sender_timestamp(
+                msg_type="PRIV",
+                conversation_key=contact.public_key.lower(),
+                text=text,
+                sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+            )
+
+    if sent_at is None or sender_timestamp is None or message is None or result is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="Failed to store outgoing message")
+
+    await contact_repository.update_last_contacted(contact.public_key.lower(), sent_at)
+
+    ack_code = _extract_expected_ack_code(result)
+    retry_timeout_ms = _get_direct_message_retry_timeout_ms(result)
+    ack_count = await _apply_direct_message_ack_tracking(
+        result=result,
+        message_id=message.id,
+        track_pending_ack_fn=track_pending_ack_fn,
+        broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
+    )
+    if ack_count > 0:
+        message.acked = ack_count
+        return message
+
+    if DM_SEND_MAX_ATTEMPTS > 1 and ack_code:
+        retry_task_scheduler(
+            _retry_direct_message_until_acked(
+                contact=contact,
+                text=text,
+                message_id=message.id,
+                sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+                radio_manager=radio_manager,
+                track_pending_ack_fn=track_pending_ack_fn,
+                broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
+                wait_timeout_ms=retry_timeout_ms,
+                sleep_fn=retry_sleep_fn,
+                message_repository=message_repository,
+            )
+        )
+
+    return message
+
+
+async def send_channel_message_to_channel(
+    *,
+    channel,
+    channel_key_upper: str,
+    key_bytes: bytes,
+    text: str,
+    radio_manager,
+    broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+    error_broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+    now_fn: NowFn,
+    temp_radio_slot: int,
+    message_repository=MessageRepository,
+) -> Any:
+    """Send a channel message and persist/broadcast the outgoing row."""
+    sent_at: int | None = None
+    sender_timestamp: int | None = None
+    radio_name = ""
+    our_public_key: str | None = None
+    text_with_sender = text
+    outgoing_message = None
+
+    try:
+        async with radio_manager.radio_operation("send_channel_message") as mc:
+            radio_name = mc.self_info.get("name", "") if mc.self_info else ""
+            our_public_key = (mc.self_info.get("public_key") or None) if mc.self_info else None
+            text_with_sender = f"{radio_name}: {text}" if radio_name else text
+            logger.info("Sending channel message to %s: %s", channel.name, text[:50])
+
+            sent_at = int(now_fn())
+            sender_timestamp = await allocate_outgoing_sender_timestamp(
+                message_repository=message_repository,
+                msg_type="CHAN",
+                conversation_key=channel_key_upper,
+                text=text_with_sender,
+                requested_timestamp=sent_at,
+            )
+            timestamp_bytes = sender_timestamp.to_bytes(4, "little")
+
+            result = await send_channel_message_with_effective_scope(
+                mc=mc,
+                channel=channel,
+                channel_key=channel_key_upper,
+                key_bytes=key_bytes,
+                text=text,
+                timestamp_bytes=timestamp_bytes,
+                action_label="sending message",
+                radio_manager=radio_manager,
+                temp_radio_slot=temp_radio_slot,
+                error_broadcast_fn=error_broadcast_fn,
+            )
+
+            if result is None:
+                logger.warning(
+                    "No response from radio after channel send to %s; send outcome is unknown",
+                    channel.name,
+                )
+                raise HTTPException(status_code=504, detail=NO_RADIO_RESPONSE_AFTER_SEND_DETAIL)
+
+            if result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+                raise HTTPException(
+                    status_code=500, detail=f"Failed to send message: {result.payload}"
+                )
+
+        outgoing_message = await create_outgoing_channel_message(
+            conversation_key=channel_key_upper,
+            text=text_with_sender,
+            sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+            received_at=sent_at,
+            sender_name=radio_name or None,
+            sender_key=our_public_key,
+            channel_name=channel.name,
+            broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
+            message_repository=message_repository,
+        )
+        if outgoing_message is None:
+            raise HTTPException(
+                status_code=500,
+                detail="Failed to store outgoing message - unexpected duplicate",
+            )
+    finally:
+        if sender_timestamp is not None:
+            await release_outgoing_sender_timestamp(
+                msg_type="CHAN",
+                conversation_key=channel_key_upper,
+                text=text_with_sender,
+                sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+            )
+
+    if sent_at is None or sender_timestamp is None or outgoing_message is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="Failed to store outgoing message")
+
+    message_id = outgoing_message.id
+    acked_count, paths = await message_repository.get_ack_and_paths(message_id)
+    return build_message_model(
+        message_id=message_id,
+        msg_type="CHAN",
+        conversation_key=channel_key_upper,
+        text=text_with_sender,
+        sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+        received_at=sent_at,
+        paths=paths,
+        outgoing=True,
+        acked=acked_count,
+        sender_name=radio_name or None,
+        sender_key=our_public_key,
+        channel_name=channel.name,
+    )
+
+
+async def resend_channel_message_record(
+    *,
+    message,
+    channel,
+    new_timestamp: bool,
+    radio_manager,
+    broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+    error_broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+    now_fn: NowFn,
+    temp_radio_slot: int,
+    message_repository=MessageRepository,
+) -> ResendChannelMessageResponse:
+    """Resend a stored outgoing channel message."""
+    try:
+        key_bytes = bytes.fromhex(message.conversation_key)
+    except ValueError:
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=400,
+            detail=f"Invalid channel key format: {message.conversation_key}",
+        ) from None
+
+    sent_at: int | None = None
+    sender_timestamp = message.sender_timestamp
+    timestamp_bytes = message.sender_timestamp.to_bytes(4, "little")
+
+    resend_public_key: str | None = None
+    radio_name = ""
+    new_message = None
+    stored_text = message.text
+
+    try:
+        async with radio_manager.radio_operation("resend_channel_message") as mc:
+            radio_name = mc.self_info.get("name", "") if mc.self_info else ""
+            resend_public_key = (mc.self_info.get("public_key") or None) if mc.self_info else None
+            text_to_send = message.text
+            if radio_name and text_to_send.startswith(f"{radio_name}: "):
+                text_to_send = text_to_send[len(f"{radio_name}: ") :]
+            if new_timestamp:
+                sent_at = int(now_fn())
+                sender_timestamp = await allocate_outgoing_sender_timestamp(
+                    message_repository=message_repository,
+                    msg_type="CHAN",
+                    conversation_key=message.conversation_key,
+                    text=stored_text,
+                    requested_timestamp=sent_at,
+                )
+                timestamp_bytes = sender_timestamp.to_bytes(4, "little")
+
+            result = await send_channel_message_with_effective_scope(
+                mc=mc,
+                channel=channel,
+                channel_key=message.conversation_key,
+                key_bytes=key_bytes,
+                text=text_to_send,
+                timestamp_bytes=timestamp_bytes,
+                action_label="resending message",
+                radio_manager=radio_manager,
+                temp_radio_slot=temp_radio_slot,
+                error_broadcast_fn=error_broadcast_fn,
+            )
+            if result is None:
+                logger.warning(
+                    "No response from radio after channel resend to %s; send outcome is unknown",
+                    channel.name,
+                )
+                raise HTTPException(status_code=504, detail=NO_RADIO_RESPONSE_AFTER_SEND_DETAIL)
+            if result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+                raise HTTPException(
+                    status_code=500,
+                    detail=f"Failed to resend message: {result.payload}",
+                )
+
+        if new_timestamp:
+            if sent_at is None:
+                raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="Failed to assign resend timestamp")
+            new_message = await create_outgoing_channel_message(
+                conversation_key=message.conversation_key,
+                text=message.text,
+                sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+                received_at=sent_at,
+                sender_name=radio_name or None,
+                sender_key=resend_public_key,
+                channel_name=channel.name,
+                broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
+                message_repository=message_repository,
+            )
+            if new_message is None:
+                raise HTTPException(
+                    status_code=500,
+                    detail="Failed to store resent message - unexpected duplicate",
+                )
+    finally:
+        if new_timestamp and sent_at is not None:
+            await release_outgoing_sender_timestamp(
+                msg_type="CHAN",
+                conversation_key=message.conversation_key,
+                text=stored_text,
+                sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+            )
+
+    if new_timestamp:
+        if sent_at is None or new_message is None:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="Failed to assign resend timestamp")
+
+        logger.info(
+            "Resent channel message %d as new message %d to %s",
+            message.id,
+            new_message.id,
+            channel.name,
+        )
+        return ResendChannelMessageResponse(
+            status="ok",
+            message_id=new_message.id,
+            message=new_message,
+        )
+
+    logger.info("Resent channel message %d to %s", message.id, channel.name)
+    return ResendChannelMessageResponse(status="ok", message_id=message.id)

app/services/messages.py

@@ -0,0 +1,461 @@
+import logging
+import time
+from collections.abc import Callable
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any
+
+from app.models import Message, MessagePath
+from app.repository import ContactRepository, MessageRepository, RawPacketRepository
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from app.decoder import DecryptedDirectMessage
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+BroadcastFn = Callable[..., Any]
+LOG_MESSAGE_PREVIEW_LEN = 32
+
+
+def truncate_for_log(text: str, max_chars: int = LOG_MESSAGE_PREVIEW_LEN) -> str:
+    """Return a compact single-line message preview for log output."""
+    normalized = " ".join(text.split())
+    if len(normalized) <= max_chars:
+        return normalized
+    return f"{normalized[:max_chars].rstrip()}..."
+
+
+def _format_channel_log_target(channel_name: str | None, channel_key: str) -> str:
+    """Return a human-friendly channel label for logs."""
+    return channel_name or channel_key
+
+
+def format_contact_log_target(contact_name: str | None, public_key: str) -> str:
+    """Return a human-friendly DM target label for logs."""
+    return contact_name or public_key[:12]
+
+
+def build_message_paths(
+    path: str | None,
+    received_at: int,
+    path_len: int | None = None,
+) -> list[MessagePath] | None:
+    """Build the single-path list used by message payloads."""
+    return (
+        [MessagePath(path=path or "", received_at=received_at, path_len=path_len)]
+        if path is not None
+        else None
+    )
+
+
+def build_message_model(
+    *,
+    message_id: int,
+    msg_type: str,
+    conversation_key: str,
+    text: str,
+    sender_timestamp: int | None,
+    received_at: int,
+    paths: list[MessagePath] | None = None,
+    txt_type: int = 0,
+    signature: str | None = None,
+    sender_key: str | None = None,
+    outgoing: bool = False,
+    acked: int = 0,
+    sender_name: str | None = None,
+    channel_name: str | None = None,
+) -> Message:
+    """Build a Message model with the canonical backend payload shape."""
+    return Message(
+        id=message_id,
+        type=msg_type,
+        conversation_key=conversation_key,
+        text=text,
+        sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+        received_at=received_at,
+        paths=paths,
+        txt_type=txt_type,
+        signature=signature,
+        sender_key=sender_key,
+        outgoing=outgoing,
+        acked=acked,
+        sender_name=sender_name,
+        channel_name=channel_name,
+    )
+
+
+def broadcast_message(
+    *,
+    message: Message,
+    broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+    realtime: bool | None = None,
+) -> None:
+    """Broadcast a message payload, preserving the caller's broadcast signature."""
+    payload = message.model_dump()
+    if realtime is None:
+        broadcast_fn("message", payload)
+    else:
+        broadcast_fn("message", payload, realtime=realtime)
+
+
+def broadcast_message_acked(
+    *,
+    message_id: int,
+    ack_count: int,
+    paths: list[MessagePath] | None,
+    broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+) -> None:
+    """Broadcast a message_acked payload."""
+    broadcast_fn(
+        "message_acked",
+        {
+            "message_id": message_id,
+            "ack_count": ack_count,
+            "paths": [path.model_dump() for path in paths] if paths else [],
+        },
+    )
+
+
+async def increment_ack_and_broadcast(
+    *,
+    message_id: int,
+    broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+) -> int:
+    """Increment a message's ACK count and broadcast the update."""
+    ack_count = await MessageRepository.increment_ack_count(message_id)
+    broadcast_fn("message_acked", {"message_id": message_id, "ack_count": ack_count})
+    return ack_count
+
+
+async def reconcile_duplicate_message(
+    *,
+    existing_msg: Message,
+    packet_id: int | None,
+    path: str | None,
+    received_at: int,
+    path_len: int | None,
+    broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+) -> None:
+    logger.debug(
+        "Duplicate %s for %s (msg_id=%d, outgoing=%s) - adding path",
+        existing_msg.type,
+        existing_msg.conversation_key[:12],
+        existing_msg.id,
+        existing_msg.outgoing,
+    )
+
+    if path is not None:
+        paths = await MessageRepository.add_path(existing_msg.id, path, received_at, path_len)
+    else:
+        paths = existing_msg.paths or []
+
+    if existing_msg.outgoing and existing_msg.type == "CHAN":
+        ack_count = await MessageRepository.increment_ack_count(existing_msg.id)
+    else:
+        ack_count = existing_msg.acked
+
+    if existing_msg.outgoing or path is not None:
+        broadcast_message_acked(
+            message_id=existing_msg.id,
+            ack_count=ack_count,
+            paths=paths,
+            broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
+        )
+
+    if packet_id is not None:
+        await RawPacketRepository.mark_decrypted(packet_id, existing_msg.id)
+
+
+async def handle_duplicate_message(
+    *,
+    packet_id: int | None,
+    msg_type: str,
+    conversation_key: str,
+    text: str,
+    sender_timestamp: int,
+    outgoing: bool | None = None,
+    path: str | None,
+    received_at: int,
+    path_len: int | None = None,
+    broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+) -> None:
+    """Handle a duplicate message by updating paths/acks on the existing record."""
+    existing_msg = await MessageRepository.get_by_content(
+        msg_type=msg_type,
+        conversation_key=conversation_key,
+        text=text,
+        sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+        outgoing=outgoing,
+    )
+    if not existing_msg:
+        label = "message" if msg_type == "CHAN" else "DM"
+        logger.warning(
+            "Duplicate %s for %s but couldn't find existing",
+            label,
+            conversation_key[:12],
+        )
+        return
+
+    await reconcile_duplicate_message(
+        existing_msg=existing_msg,
+        packet_id=packet_id,
+        path=path,
+        received_at=received_at,
+        path_len=path_len,
+        broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
+    )
+
+
+async def create_message_from_decrypted(
+    *,
+    packet_id: int,
+    channel_key: str,
+    sender: str | None,
+    message_text: str,
+    timestamp: int,
+    received_at: int | None = None,
+    path: str | None = None,
+    path_len: int | None = None,
+    channel_name: str | None = None,
+    realtime: bool = True,
+    broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+) -> int | None:
+    """Store and broadcast a decrypted channel message."""
+    received = received_at or int(time.time())
+    text = f"{sender}: {message_text}" if sender else message_text
+    channel_key_normalized = channel_key.upper()
+
+    resolved_sender_key: str | None = None
+    if sender:
+        candidates = await ContactRepository.get_by_name(sender)
+        if len(candidates) == 1:
+            resolved_sender_key = candidates[0].public_key
+
+    msg_id = await MessageRepository.create(
+        msg_type="CHAN",
+        text=text,
+        conversation_key=channel_key_normalized,
+        sender_timestamp=timestamp,
+        received_at=received,
+        path=path,
+        path_len=path_len,
+        sender_name=sender,
+        sender_key=resolved_sender_key,
+    )
+
+    if msg_id is None:
+        await handle_duplicate_message(
+            packet_id=packet_id,
+            msg_type="CHAN",
+            conversation_key=channel_key_normalized,
+            text=text,
+            sender_timestamp=timestamp,
+            outgoing=None,
+            path=path,
+            received_at=received,
+            path_len=path_len,
+            broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
+        )
+        return None
+
+    logger.info(
+        'Stored channel message "%s" for %r (msg ID %d in chan ID %s)',
+        truncate_for_log(text),
+        _format_channel_log_target(channel_name, channel_key_normalized),
+        msg_id,
+        channel_key_normalized,
+    )
+    await RawPacketRepository.mark_decrypted(packet_id, msg_id)
+
+    broadcast_message(
+        message=build_message_model(
+            message_id=msg_id,
+            msg_type="CHAN",
+            conversation_key=channel_key_normalized,
+            text=text,
+            sender_timestamp=timestamp,
+            received_at=received,
+            paths=build_message_paths(path, received, path_len),
+            sender_name=sender,
+            sender_key=resolved_sender_key,
+            channel_name=channel_name,
+        ),
+        broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
+        realtime=realtime,
+    )
+
+    return msg_id
+
+
+async def create_dm_message_from_decrypted(
+    *,
+    packet_id: int,
+    decrypted: "DecryptedDirectMessage",
+    their_public_key: str,
+    our_public_key: str | None,
+    received_at: int | None = None,
+    path: str | None = None,
+    path_len: int | None = None,
+    outgoing: bool = False,
+    realtime: bool = True,
+    broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+) -> int | None:
+    """Store and broadcast a decrypted direct message."""
+    from app.services.dm_ingest import ingest_decrypted_direct_message
+
+    message = await ingest_decrypted_direct_message(
+        packet_id=packet_id,
+        decrypted=decrypted,
+        their_public_key=their_public_key,
+        received_at=received_at,
+        path=path,
+        path_len=path_len,
+        outgoing=outgoing,
+        realtime=realtime,
+        broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
+    )
+    return message.id if message is not None else None
+
+
+async def create_fallback_channel_message(
+    *,
+    conversation_key: str,
+    message_text: str,
+    sender_timestamp: int,
+    received_at: int,
+    path: str | None,
+    path_len: int | None,
+    txt_type: int,
+    sender_name: str | None,
+    channel_name: str | None,
+    broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+    message_repository=MessageRepository,
+) -> Message | None:
+    """Store and broadcast a CHANNEL_MSG_RECV fallback channel message."""
+    conversation_key_normalized = conversation_key.upper()
+    text = f"{sender_name}: {message_text}" if sender_name else message_text
+
+    resolved_sender_key: str | None = None
+    if sender_name:
+        candidates = await ContactRepository.get_by_name(sender_name)
+        if len(candidates) == 1:
+            resolved_sender_key = candidates[0].public_key
+
+    msg_id = await message_repository.create(
+        msg_type="CHAN",
+        text=text,
+        conversation_key=conversation_key_normalized,
+        sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+        received_at=received_at,
+        path=path,
+        path_len=path_len,
+        txt_type=txt_type,
+        sender_name=sender_name,
+        sender_key=resolved_sender_key,
+    )
+    if msg_id is None:
+        await handle_duplicate_message(
+            packet_id=None,
+            msg_type="CHAN",
+            conversation_key=conversation_key_normalized,
+            text=text,
+            sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+            outgoing=None,
+            path=path,
+            received_at=received_at,
+            path_len=path_len,
+            broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
+        )
+        return None
+
+    message = build_message_model(
+        message_id=msg_id,
+        msg_type="CHAN",
+        conversation_key=conversation_key_normalized,
+        text=text,
+        sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+        received_at=received_at,
+        paths=build_message_paths(path, received_at, path_len),
+        txt_type=txt_type,
+        sender_name=sender_name,
+        sender_key=resolved_sender_key,
+        channel_name=channel_name,
+    )
+    broadcast_message(message=message, broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn)
+    return message
+
+
+async def create_outgoing_direct_message(
+    *,
+    conversation_key: str,
+    text: str,
+    sender_timestamp: int,
+    received_at: int,
+    broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+    message_repository=MessageRepository,
+) -> Message | None:
+    """Store and broadcast an outgoing direct message."""
+    msg_id = await message_repository.create(
+        msg_type="PRIV",
+        text=text,
+        conversation_key=conversation_key,
+        sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+        received_at=received_at,
+        outgoing=True,
+    )
+    if msg_id is None:
+        return None
+
+    message = build_message_model(
+        message_id=msg_id,
+        msg_type="PRIV",
+        conversation_key=conversation_key,
+        text=text,
+        sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+        received_at=received_at,
+        outgoing=True,
+        acked=0,
+    )
+    broadcast_message(message=message, broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn)
+    return message
+
+
+async def create_outgoing_channel_message(
+    *,
+    conversation_key: str,
+    text: str,
+    sender_timestamp: int,
+    received_at: int,
+    sender_name: str | None,
+    sender_key: str | None,
+    channel_name: str | None,
+    broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+    message_repository=MessageRepository,
+) -> Message | None:
+    """Store and broadcast an outgoing channel message."""
+    msg_id = await message_repository.create(
+        msg_type="CHAN",
+        text=text,
+        conversation_key=conversation_key,
+        sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+        received_at=received_at,
+        outgoing=True,
+        sender_name=sender_name,
+        sender_key=sender_key,
+    )
+    if msg_id is None:
+        return None
+
+    message = build_message_model(
+        message_id=msg_id,
+        msg_type="CHAN",
+        conversation_key=conversation_key,
+        text=text,
+        sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+        received_at=received_at,
+        outgoing=True,
+        acked=0,
+        sender_name=sender_name,
+        sender_key=sender_key,
+        channel_name=channel_name,
+    )
+    broadcast_message(message=message, broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn)
+    return message

app/services/radio_commands.py

@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+import logging
+from collections.abc import Awaitable, Callable
+from typing import Any
+
+from meshcore import EventType
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+class RadioCommandServiceError(RuntimeError):
+    """Base error for reusable radio command workflows."""
+
+
+class PathHashModeUnsupportedError(RadioCommandServiceError):
+    """Raised when firmware does not support path hash mode updates."""
+
+
+class RadioCommandRejectedError(RadioCommandServiceError):
+    """Raised when the radio reports an error for a command."""
+
+
+class KeystoreRefreshError(RadioCommandServiceError):
+    """Raised when server-side keystore refresh fails after import."""
+
+
+async def apply_radio_config_update(
+    mc,
+    update,
+    *,
+    path_hash_mode_supported: bool,
+    set_path_hash_mode: Callable[[int], None],
+    sync_radio_time_fn: Callable[[Any], Awaitable[Any]],
+) -> None:
+    """Apply a validated radio-config update to the connected radio."""
+    if update.advert_location_source is not None:
+        advert_loc_policy = 0 if update.advert_location_source == "off" else 1
+        logger.info(
+            "Setting advert location policy to %s",
+            update.advert_location_source,
+        )
+        result = await mc.commands.set_advert_loc_policy(advert_loc_policy)
+        if result is not None and result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+            raise RadioCommandRejectedError(
+                f"Failed to set advert location policy: {result.payload}"
+            )
+
+    if update.name is not None:
+        logger.info("Setting radio name to %s", update.name)
+        await mc.commands.set_name(update.name)
+
+    if update.lat is not None or update.lon is not None:
+        current_info = mc.self_info
+        lat = update.lat if update.lat is not None else current_info.get("adv_lat", 0.0)
+        lon = update.lon if update.lon is not None else current_info.get("adv_lon", 0.0)
+        logger.info("Setting radio coordinates to %f, %f", lat, lon)
+        await mc.commands.set_coords(lat=lat, lon=lon)
+
+    if update.tx_power is not None:
+        logger.info("Setting TX power to %d dBm", update.tx_power)
+        await mc.commands.set_tx_power(val=update.tx_power)
+
+    if update.radio is not None:
+        logger.info(
+            "Setting radio params: freq=%f MHz, bw=%f kHz, sf=%d, cr=%d",
+            update.radio.freq,
+            update.radio.bw,
+            update.radio.sf,
+            update.radio.cr,
+        )
+        await mc.commands.set_radio(
+            freq=update.radio.freq,
+            bw=update.radio.bw,
+            sf=update.radio.sf,
+            cr=update.radio.cr,
+        )
+
+    if update.path_hash_mode is not None:
+        if not path_hash_mode_supported:
+            raise PathHashModeUnsupportedError("Firmware does not support path hash mode setting")
+
+        logger.info("Setting path hash mode to %d", update.path_hash_mode)
+        result = await mc.commands.set_path_hash_mode(update.path_hash_mode)
+        if result is not None and result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+            raise RadioCommandRejectedError(f"Failed to set path hash mode: {result.payload}")
+        set_path_hash_mode(update.path_hash_mode)
+
+    await sync_radio_time_fn(mc)
+
+    # Commands like set_name() write to flash but don't update cached self_info.
+    # send_appstart() forces a fresh SELF_INFO so the response reflects changes.
+    await mc.commands.send_appstart()
+
+
+async def import_private_key_and_refresh_keystore(
+    mc,
+    key_bytes: bytes,
+    *,
+    export_and_store_private_key_fn: Callable[[Any], Awaitable[bool]],
+) -> None:
+    """Import a private key and refresh the in-memory keystore immediately."""
+    result = await mc.commands.import_private_key(key_bytes)
+    if result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+        raise RadioCommandRejectedError(f"Failed to import private key: {result.payload}")
+
+    keystore_refreshed = await export_and_store_private_key_fn(mc)
+    if not keystore_refreshed:
+        logger.warning("Keystore refresh failed after import, retrying once")
+        keystore_refreshed = await export_and_store_private_key_fn(mc)
+
+    if not keystore_refreshed:
+        raise KeystoreRefreshError(
+            "Private key imported on radio, but server-side keystore refresh failed. "
+            "Reconnect to apply the new key for DM decryption."
+        )

app/services/radio_lifecycle.py

@@ -0,0 +1,371 @@
+import asyncio
+import logging
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+POST_CONNECT_SETUP_TIMEOUT_SECONDS = 300
+POST_CONNECT_SETUP_MAX_ATTEMPTS = 2
+
+
+def _clean_device_string(value: object) -> str | None:
+    if not isinstance(value, str):
+        return None
+    cleaned = value.strip()
+    return cleaned or None
+
+
+def _decode_fixed_string(raw: bytes, start: int, length: int) -> str | None:
+    if len(raw) < start:
+        return None
+    return _clean_device_string(
+        raw[start : start + length].decode("utf-8", "ignore").replace("\0", "")
+    )
+
+
+async def run_post_connect_setup(radio_manager) -> None:
+    """Run shared radio initialization after a transport connection succeeds."""
+    from app.event_handlers import register_event_handlers
+    from app.keystore import export_and_store_private_key
+    from app.radio_sync import (
+        drain_pending_messages,
+        send_advertisement,
+        start_message_polling,
+        start_periodic_advert,
+        start_periodic_sync,
+        sync_and_offload_all,
+        sync_radio_time,
+    )
+
+    if not radio_manager.meshcore:
+        return
+
+    if radio_manager._setup_lock is None:
+        radio_manager._setup_lock = asyncio.Lock()
+
+    async def _setup_body() -> None:
+        if not radio_manager.meshcore:
+            return
+        radio_manager._setup_in_progress = True
+        radio_manager._setup_complete = False
+        try:
+            # Hold the operation lock for all radio I/O during setup.
+            # This prevents user-initiated operations (send message, etc.)
+            # from interleaving commands on the serial link.
+            await radio_manager._acquire_operation_lock("post_connect_setup", blocking=True)
+            try:
+                mc = radio_manager.meshcore
+                if not mc:
+                    return
+
+                # Register event handlers against the locked, current transport.
+                register_event_handlers(mc)
+
+                await export_and_store_private_key(mc)
+
+                # Sync radio clock with system time
+                await sync_radio_time(mc)
+
+                # Apply flood scope from settings (best-effort; older firmware
+                # may not support set_flood_scope)
+                from app.region_scope import normalize_region_scope
+                from app.repository import AppSettingsRepository
+
+                app_settings = await AppSettingsRepository.get()
+                scope = normalize_region_scope(app_settings.flood_scope)
+                try:
+                    await mc.commands.set_flood_scope(scope if scope else "")
+                    logger.info("Applied flood_scope=%r", scope or "(disabled)")
+                except Exception as exc:
+                    logger.warning("set_flood_scope failed (firmware may not support it): %s", exc)
+
+                # Query path hash mode support (best-effort; older firmware won't report it).
+                # If the library's parsed payload is missing path_hash_mode (e.g. stale
+                # .pyc on WSL2 Windows mounts), fall back to raw-frame extraction.
+                reader = mc._reader
+                _original_handle_rx = reader.handle_rx
+                _captured_frame: list[bytes] = []
+
+                async def _capture_handle_rx(data: bytearray) -> None:
+                    from meshcore.packets import PacketType
+
+                    if len(data) > 0 and data[0] == PacketType.DEVICE_INFO.value:
+                        _captured_frame.append(bytes(data))
+                    return await _original_handle_rx(data)
+
+                reader.handle_rx = _capture_handle_rx
+                radio_manager.device_info_loaded = False
+                radio_manager.max_contacts = None
+                radio_manager.device_model = None
+                radio_manager.firmware_build = None
+                radio_manager.firmware_version = None
+                radio_manager.max_channels = 40
+                radio_manager.path_hash_mode = 0
+                radio_manager.path_hash_mode_supported = False
+                try:
+                    device_query = await mc.commands.send_device_query()
+                    payload = (
+                        device_query.payload
+                        if device_query is not None and isinstance(device_query.payload, dict)
+                        else {}
+                    )
+
+                    payload_max_contacts = payload.get("max_contacts")
+                    if isinstance(payload_max_contacts, int):
+                        radio_manager.max_contacts = max(1, payload_max_contacts)
+
+                    payload_max_channels = payload.get("max_channels")
+                    if isinstance(payload_max_channels, int):
+                        radio_manager.max_channels = max(1, payload_max_channels)
+
+                    radio_manager.device_model = _clean_device_string(payload.get("model"))
+                    radio_manager.firmware_build = _clean_device_string(payload.get("fw_build"))
+                    radio_manager.firmware_version = _clean_device_string(payload.get("ver"))
+
+                    fw_ver = payload.get("fw ver")
+                    payload_reports_device_info = isinstance(fw_ver, int) and fw_ver >= 3
+                    if payload_reports_device_info:
+                        radio_manager.device_info_loaded = True
+
+                    if "path_hash_mode" in payload and isinstance(payload["path_hash_mode"], int):
+                        radio_manager.path_hash_mode = payload["path_hash_mode"]
+                        radio_manager.path_hash_mode_supported = True
+
+                    if _captured_frame:
+                        # Raw-frame fallback / completion:
+                        # byte 1 = fw_ver, byte 2 = max_contacts/2, byte 3 = max_channels,
+                        # bytes 8:20 = fw_build, 20:60 = model, 60:80 = ver, byte 81 = path_hash_mode
+                        raw = _captured_frame[-1]
+                        fw_ver = raw[1] if len(raw) > 1 else 0
+                        if fw_ver >= 3:
+                            radio_manager.device_info_loaded = True
+                            if radio_manager.max_contacts is None and len(raw) >= 3:
+                                radio_manager.max_contacts = max(1, raw[2] * 2)
+                            if len(raw) >= 4 and not isinstance(payload_max_channels, int):
+                                radio_manager.max_channels = max(1, raw[3])
+                            if radio_manager.firmware_build is None:
+                                radio_manager.firmware_build = _decode_fixed_string(raw, 8, 12)
+                            if radio_manager.device_model is None:
+                                radio_manager.device_model = _decode_fixed_string(raw, 20, 40)
+                            if radio_manager.firmware_version is None:
+                                radio_manager.firmware_version = _decode_fixed_string(raw, 60, 20)
+                        if (
+                            not radio_manager.path_hash_mode_supported
+                            and fw_ver >= 10
+                            and len(raw) >= 82
+                        ):
+                            radio_manager.path_hash_mode = raw[81]
+                            radio_manager.path_hash_mode_supported = True
+                            logger.warning(
+                                "path_hash_mode=%d extracted from raw frame "
+                                "(stale .pyc? try: rm %s)",
+                                radio_manager.path_hash_mode,
+                                getattr(
+                                    __import__("meshcore.reader", fromlist=["reader"]),
+                                    "__cached__",
+                                    "meshcore __pycache__/reader.*.pyc",
+                                ),
+                            )
+                    if radio_manager.path_hash_mode_supported:
+                        logger.info("Path hash mode: %d (supported)", radio_manager.path_hash_mode)
+                    else:
+                        logger.debug("Firmware does not report path_hash_mode")
+                    if radio_manager.device_info_loaded:
+                        logger.info(
+                            "Radio device info: model=%s build=%s version=%s max_contacts=%s max_channels=%d",
+                            radio_manager.device_model or "unknown",
+                            radio_manager.firmware_build or "unknown",
+                            radio_manager.firmware_version or "unknown",
+                            radio_manager.max_contacts
+                            if radio_manager.max_contacts is not None
+                            else "unknown",
+                            radio_manager.max_channels,
+                        )
+                        try:
+                            time_result = await mc.commands.get_time()
+                            radio_time = (
+                                time_result.payload.get("time")
+                                if time_result is not None and time_result.payload
+                                else None
+                            )
+                            if isinstance(radio_time, int):
+                                logger.info(
+                                    "Radio clock at connect: epoch=%d utc=%s",
+                                    radio_time,
+                                    datetime.fromtimestamp(radio_time, timezone.utc).strftime(
+                                        "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S UTC"
+                                    ),
+                                )
+                        except Exception as exc:
+                            logger.debug("Failed to query radio clock after device info: %s", exc)
+                    logger.info("Max channel slots: %d", radio_manager.max_channels)
+                except Exception as exc:
+                    logger.debug("Failed to query device info capabilities: %s", exc)
+                finally:
+                    reader.handle_rx = _original_handle_rx
+
+                # Sync contacts/channels from radio to DB and clear radio
+                logger.info("Syncing and offloading radio data...")
+                result = await sync_and_offload_all(mc)
+                logger.info("Sync complete: %s", result)
+
+                # Send advertisement to announce our presence (if enabled and not throttled)
+                if await send_advertisement(mc):
+                    logger.info("Advertisement sent")
+                else:
+                    logger.debug("Advertisement skipped (disabled or throttled)")
+
+                # Drain any messages that were queued before we connected.
+                # This must happen BEFORE starting auto-fetch, otherwise both
+                # compete on get_msg() with interleaved radio I/O.
+                drained = await drain_pending_messages(mc)
+                if drained > 0:
+                    logger.info("Drained %d pending message(s)", drained)
+                radio_manager.clear_pending_message_channel_slots()
+
+                await mc.start_auto_message_fetching()
+                logger.info("Auto message fetching started")
+            finally:
+                radio_manager._release_operation_lock("post_connect_setup")
+
+            # Start background tasks AFTER releasing the operation lock.
+            # These tasks acquire their own locks when they need radio access.
+            start_periodic_sync()
+            start_periodic_advert()
+            start_message_polling()
+
+            radio_manager._setup_complete = True
+        finally:
+            radio_manager._setup_in_progress = False
+
+    async with radio_manager._setup_lock:
+        await asyncio.wait_for(_setup_body(), timeout=POST_CONNECT_SETUP_TIMEOUT_SECONDS)
+
+    logger.info("Post-connect setup complete")
+
+
+async def prepare_connected_radio(radio_manager, *, broadcast_on_success: bool = True) -> bool:
+    """Finish setup for an already-connected radio and optionally broadcast health."""
+    from app.websocket import broadcast_error, broadcast_health
+
+    if not radio_manager.connection_desired:
+        if radio_manager.is_connected:
+            await radio_manager.disconnect()
+        return False
+
+    for attempt in range(1, POST_CONNECT_SETUP_MAX_ATTEMPTS + 1):
+        try:
+            await radio_manager.post_connect_setup()
+            break
+        except asyncio.TimeoutError as exc:
+            if attempt < POST_CONNECT_SETUP_MAX_ATTEMPTS:
+                logger.warning(
+                    "Post-connect setup timed out after %ds on attempt %d/%d; retrying once",
+                    POST_CONNECT_SETUP_TIMEOUT_SECONDS,
+                    attempt,
+                    POST_CONNECT_SETUP_MAX_ATTEMPTS,
+                )
+                continue
+
+            logger.error(
+                "Post-connect setup timed out after %ds on %d attempts. Initial radio offload "
+                "took too long; something is probably wrong.",
+                POST_CONNECT_SETUP_TIMEOUT_SECONDS,
+                POST_CONNECT_SETUP_MAX_ATTEMPTS,
+            )
+            broadcast_error(
+                "Radio startup appears stuck",
+                "Initial radio offload took too long. Reboot the radio and restart the server.",
+            )
+            raise RuntimeError("Post-connect setup timed out") from exc
+
+    if not radio_manager.connection_desired:
+        if radio_manager.is_connected:
+            await radio_manager.disconnect()
+        return False
+
+    radio_manager._last_connected = True
+    if broadcast_on_success:
+        broadcast_health(True, radio_manager.connection_info)
+    return True
+
+
+async def reconnect_and_prepare_radio(
+    radio_manager,
+    *,
+    broadcast_on_success: bool = True,
+) -> bool:
+    """Reconnect the transport, then run post-connect setup before reporting healthy."""
+    connected = await radio_manager.reconnect(broadcast_on_success=False)
+    if not connected:
+        return False
+
+    return await prepare_connected_radio(radio_manager, broadcast_on_success=broadcast_on_success)
+
+
+async def connection_monitor_loop(radio_manager) -> None:
+    """Monitor radio health and keep transport/setup state converged."""
+    from app.websocket import broadcast_health
+
+    check_interval_seconds = 5
+    unresponsive_threshold = 3
+    consecutive_setup_failures = 0
+
+    while True:
+        try:
+            await asyncio.sleep(check_interval_seconds)
+
+            current_connected = radio_manager.is_connected
+            connection_desired = radio_manager.connection_desired
+
+            if radio_manager._last_connected and not current_connected:
+                logger.warning("Radio connection lost, broadcasting status change")
+                broadcast_health(False, radio_manager.connection_info)
+                radio_manager._last_connected = False
+                consecutive_setup_failures = 0
+
+            if not connection_desired:
+                if current_connected:
+                    logger.info("Radio connection paused by operator; disconnecting transport")
+                    await radio_manager.disconnect()
+                consecutive_setup_failures = 0
+                continue
+
+            if not current_connected:
+                if not radio_manager.is_reconnecting and await reconnect_and_prepare_radio(
+                    radio_manager,
+                    broadcast_on_success=True,
+                ):
+                    consecutive_setup_failures = 0
+
+            elif not radio_manager._last_connected and current_connected:
+                logger.info("Radio connection restored")
+                await prepare_connected_radio(radio_manager, broadcast_on_success=True)
+                consecutive_setup_failures = 0
+
+            elif (
+                current_connected
+                and not radio_manager.is_setup_complete
+                and not radio_manager.is_setup_in_progress
+            ):
+                logger.info("Retrying post-connect setup...")
+                await prepare_connected_radio(radio_manager, broadcast_on_success=True)
+                consecutive_setup_failures = 0
+
+        except asyncio.CancelledError:
+            break
+        except Exception as e:
+            consecutive_setup_failures += 1
+            if consecutive_setup_failures == unresponsive_threshold:
+                logger.error(
+                    "Post-connect setup has failed %d times in a row. "
+                    "The radio port appears open but the radio is not "
+                    "responding to commands. Common causes: another "
+                    "process has the serial port open (check for other "
+                    "RemoteTerm instances, serial monitors, etc.), the "
+                    "firmware is in repeater mode (not client), or the "
+                    "radio needs a power cycle. Will keep retrying.",
+                    consecutive_setup_failures,
+                )
+            elif consecutive_setup_failures < unresponsive_threshold:
+                logger.exception("Error in connection monitor, continuing: %s", e)

app/services/radio_runtime.py

@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+"""Shared access seam over the global RadioManager instance.
+
+This module deliberately keeps behavior thin and forwarding-only. The goal is
+to reduce direct `app.radio.radio_manager` imports across routers and helpers
+without changing radio lifecycle, lock, or connection semantics.
+"""
+
+from collections.abc import Callable
+from contextlib import asynccontextmanager
+from typing import Any
+
+from fastapi import HTTPException
+
+import app.radio as radio_module
+
+
+class RadioRuntime:
+    """Thin forwarding wrapper around the process-global RadioManager."""
+
+    def __init__(self, manager_or_getter=None):
+        if manager_or_getter is None:
+            self._manager_getter: Callable[[], Any] = lambda: radio_module.radio_manager
+        elif callable(manager_or_getter):
+            self._manager_getter = manager_or_getter
+        else:
+            self._manager_getter = lambda: manager_or_getter
+
+    @property
+    def manager(self) -> Any:
+        return self._manager_getter()
+
+    def __getattr__(self, name: str) -> Any:
+        """Forward unknown attributes to the current global manager."""
+        return getattr(self.manager, name)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _is_local_runtime_attr(name: str) -> bool:
+        return name.startswith("_") or hasattr(RadioRuntime, name)
+
+    def __setattr__(self, name: str, value: Any) -> None:
+        if self._is_local_runtime_attr(name):
+            object.__setattr__(self, name, value)
+            return
+        setattr(self.manager, name, value)
+
+    def __delattr__(self, name: str) -> None:
+        if self._is_local_runtime_attr(name):
+            object.__delattr__(self, name)
+            return
+        delattr(self.manager, name)
+
+    def require_connected(self):
+        """Return MeshCore when available, mirroring existing HTTP semantics."""
+        if self.is_setup_in_progress:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=503, detail="Radio is initializing")
+        if not self.is_connected:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=503, detail="Radio not connected")
+        mc = self.meshcore
+        if mc is None:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=503, detail="Radio not connected")
+        return mc
+
+    @asynccontextmanager
+    async def radio_operation(self, name: str, **kwargs):
+        async with self.manager.radio_operation(name, **kwargs) as mc:
+            yield mc
+
+    async def start_connection_monitor(self) -> None:
+        await self.manager.start_connection_monitor()
+
+    async def stop_connection_monitor(self) -> None:
+        await self.manager.stop_connection_monitor()
+
+    async def disconnect(self) -> None:
+        await self.manager.disconnect()
+
+    async def prepare_connected(self, *, broadcast_on_success: bool = True) -> bool:
+        from app.services.radio_lifecycle import prepare_connected_radio
+
+        return await prepare_connected_radio(
+            self.manager, broadcast_on_success=broadcast_on_success
+        )
+
+    async def reconnect_and_prepare(self, *, broadcast_on_success: bool = True) -> bool:
+        from app.services.radio_lifecycle import reconnect_and_prepare_radio
+
+        return await reconnect_and_prepare_radio(
+            self.manager,
+            broadcast_on_success=broadcast_on_success,
+        )
+
+
+radio_runtime = RadioRuntime()

app/version_info.py

@@ -0,0 +1,149 @@
+"""Unified application version/build metadata resolution.
+
+Resolution order:
+- version: installed package metadata, ``APP_VERSION`` env, ``build_info.json``, ``pyproject.toml``
+- commit: local git, ``COMMIT_HASH``/``VITE_COMMIT_HASH`` env, ``build_info.json``
+
+This keeps backend surfaces, release bundles, and Docker builds aligned.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import importlib.metadata
+import json
+import os
+import subprocess
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from functools import lru_cache
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Any
+
+import tomllib
+
+RELEASE_BUILD_INFO_FILENAME = "build_info.json"
+PROJECT_NAME = "remoteterm-meshcore"
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class AppBuildInfo:
+    version: str
+    version_source: str
+    commit_hash: str | None
+    commit_source: str | None
+
+
+def repo_root() -> Path:
+    return Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1]
+
+
+def _read_build_info(root: Path) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    build_info_path = root / RELEASE_BUILD_INFO_FILENAME
+    try:
+        data = json.loads(build_info_path.read_text())
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+    return data if isinstance(data, dict) else None
+
+
+def _package_metadata_version() -> str | None:
+    try:
+        return importlib.metadata.version(PROJECT_NAME)
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+
+
+def _env_version() -> str | None:
+    value = os.getenv("APP_VERSION")
+    return value.strip() if value and value.strip() else None
+
+
+def _build_info_version(build_info: dict[str, Any] | None) -> str | None:
+    if not build_info:
+        return None
+    value = build_info.get("version")
+    return value.strip() if isinstance(value, str) and value.strip() else None
+
+
+def _pyproject_version(root: Path) -> str | None:
+    try:
+        pyproject = tomllib.loads((root / "pyproject.toml").read_text())
+        project = pyproject.get("project")
+        if isinstance(project, dict):
+            version = project.get("version")
+            if isinstance(version, str) and version.strip():
+                return version.strip()
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+    return None
+
+
+def _git_output(root: Path, *args: str) -> str | None:
+    try:
+        result = subprocess.run(
+            ["git", *args],
+            cwd=root,
+            check=True,
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+        )
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+    output = result.stdout.strip()
+    return output or None
+
+
+def _env_commit_hash() -> str | None:
+    for name in ("COMMIT_HASH", "VITE_COMMIT_HASH"):
+        value = os.getenv(name)
+        if value and value.strip():
+            return value.strip()[:8]
+    return None
+
+
+def _build_info_commit_hash(build_info: dict[str, Any] | None) -> str | None:
+    if not build_info:
+        return None
+    value = build_info.get("commit_hash")
+    return value.strip()[:8] if isinstance(value, str) and value.strip() else None
+
+
+@lru_cache(maxsize=1)
+def get_app_build_info() -> AppBuildInfo:
+    root = repo_root()
+    build_info = _read_build_info(root)
+
+    version = _package_metadata_version()
+    version_source = "package_metadata"
+    if version is None:
+        version = _env_version()
+        version_source = "env"
+    if version is None:
+        version = _build_info_version(build_info)
+        version_source = "build_info"
+    if version is None:
+        version = _pyproject_version(root)
+        version_source = "pyproject"
+    if version is None:
+        version = "0.0.0"
+        version_source = "fallback"
+
+    commit_hash = _git_output(root, "rev-parse", "--short", "HEAD")
+    commit_source: str | None = "git" if commit_hash else None
+    if commit_hash is None:
+        commit_hash = _env_commit_hash()
+        commit_source = "env" if commit_hash else None
+    if commit_hash is None:
+        commit_hash = _build_info_commit_hash(build_info)
+        commit_source = "build_info" if commit_hash else None
+
+    return AppBuildInfo(
+        version=version,
+        version_source=version_source,
+        commit_hash=commit_hash,
+        commit_source=commit_source,
+    )
+
+
+def git_output(*args: str) -> str | None:
+    """Shared git helper for debug surfaces that still need live repo state."""
+    return _git_output(repo_root(), *args)

app/websocket.py

@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 """WebSocket manager for real-time updates."""
 
 import asyncio
-import json
 import logging
 from typing import Any
 
 from fastapi import WebSocket
 
+from app.events import dump_ws_event
+
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 # Timeout for individual WebSocket send operations (seconds)
@@ -45,7 +46,7 @@ class WebSocketManager:
         if not self.active_connections:
             return
 
-        message = json.dumps({"type": event_type, "data": data})
+        message = dump_ws_event(event_type, data)
 
         # Copy connection list under lock to avoid holding lock during I/O
         async with self._lock:
@@ -81,7 +82,7 @@ class WebSocketManager:
 
     async def send_personal(self, websocket: WebSocket, event_type: str, data: Any) -> None:
         """Send an event to a specific client."""
-        message = json.dumps({"type": event_type, "data": data})
+        message = dump_ws_event(event_type, data)
         try:
             await websocket.send_text(message)
         except Exception as e:

frontend/AGENTS.md

@@ -16,16 +16,25 @@ Keep it aligned with `frontend/src` source code.
 - `meshcore-hashtag-cracker` + `nosleep.js` (channel cracker)
 - Multibyte-aware decoder build published as `meshcore-decoder-multibyte-patch`
 
+## Code Ethos
+
+- Prefer fewer, stronger modules over many thin wrappers.
+- Split code only when the new hook/component owns a real invariant or workflow.
+- Keep one reasoning unit readable in one place, even if that file is moderately large.
+- Avoid dedicated files whose main job is pass-through, prop bundling, or renaming.
+- For this repo, "locally dense but semantically obvious" is better than indirection-heavy "clean architecture".
+- When refactoring, preserve behavior first and add tests around the seam being moved.
+
 ## Frontend Map
 
 ```text
 frontend/src/
 ├── main.tsx                # React entry point (StrictMode, root render)
-├── App.tsx                 # App shell and orchestration
+├── App.tsx                 # Data/orchestration entry that wires hooks into AppShell
 ├── api.ts                  # Typed REST client
 ├── types.ts                # Shared TS contracts
 ├── useWebSocket.ts         # WS lifecycle + event dispatch
-├── messageCache.ts         # Conversation-scoped cache
+├── wsEvents.ts             # Typed WS event parsing / discriminated union
 ├── prefetch.ts             # Consumes prefetched API promises started in index.html
 ├── index.css               # Global styles/utilities
 ├── styles.css              # Additional global app styles
@@ -34,13 +43,27 @@ frontend/src/
 │   └── utils.ts            # cn() — clsx + tailwind-merge helper
 ├── hooks/
 │   ├── index.ts            # Central re-export of all hooks
-│   ├── useConversationMessages.ts  # Fetch, pagination, dedup, ACK buffering
+│   ├── useConversationActions.ts   # Send/resend/trace/block conversation actions
+│   ├── useConversationNavigation.ts # Search target, selection reset, and info-pane navigation state
+│   ├── useConversationMessages.ts  # Conversation timeline loading, cache restore, jump-target loading, pagination, dedup, pending ACK buffering
 │   ├── useUnreadCounts.ts          # Unread counters, mentions, recent-sort timestamps
+│   ├── useRealtimeAppState.ts      # WebSocket event application and reconnect recovery
+│   ├── useAppShell.ts              # App-shell view state (settings/sidebar/modals/cracker)
 │   ├── useRepeaterDashboard.ts      # Repeater dashboard state (login, panes, console, retries)
-│   ├── useRadioControl.ts          # Radio health/config state, reconnection
+│   ├── useRadioControl.ts          # Radio health/config state, reconnection, mesh discovery sweeps
 │   ├── useAppSettings.ts           # Settings, favorites, preferences migration
 │   ├── useConversationRouter.ts    # URL hash → active conversation routing
 │   └── useContactsAndChannels.ts   # Contact/channel loading, creation, deletion
+├── components/
+│   ├── AppShell.tsx            # App-shell layout: status, sidebar, search/settings panes, cracker, modals
+│   ├── ConversationPane.tsx    # Active conversation surface selection (map/raw/repeater/chat/empty)
+│   ├── visualizer/
+│   │   ├── useVisualizerData3D.ts   # Packet→graph data pipeline, repeat aggregation, simulation state
+│   │   ├── useVisualizer3DScene.ts  # Three.js scene lifecycle, buffers, hover/pin interaction
+│   │   ├── VisualizerControls.tsx   # Visualizer legends and control panel overlay
+│   │   ├── VisualizerTooltip.tsx    # Hover/pin node detail overlay
+│   │   └── shared.ts                # Graph node/link types and shared rendering helpers
+│   └── ...
 ├── utils/
 │   ├── urlHash.ts              # Hash parsing and encoding
 │   ├── conversationState.ts    # State keys, in-memory + localStorage helpers
@@ -50,6 +73,7 @@ frontend/src/
 │   ├── pubkey.ts               # getContactDisplayName (12-char prefix fallback)
 │   ├── contactAvatar.ts        # Avatar color derivation from public key
 │   ├── rawPacketIdentity.ts    # observation_id vs id dedup helpers
+│   ├── regionScope.ts          # Regional flood-scope label/normalization helpers
 │   ├── visualizerUtils.ts      # 3D visualizer node types, colors, particles
 │   ├── visualizerSettings.ts   # LocalStorage persistence for visualizer options
 │   ├── a11y.ts                 # Keyboard accessibility helper
@@ -81,10 +105,11 @@ frontend/src/
 │   ├── RepeaterDashboard.tsx   # Layout shell — delegates to repeater/ panes
 │   ├── RepeaterLogin.tsx       # Repeater login form (password + guest)
 │   ├── ChannelInfoPane.tsx     # Channel detail sheet (stats, top senders)
+│   ├── DirectTraceIcon.tsx     # Shared direct-trace glyph used in header/dashboard
 │   ├── NeighborsMiniMap.tsx    # Leaflet mini-map for repeater neighbor locations
 │   ├── settings/
 │   │   ├── settingsConstants.ts          # Settings section type, ordering, labels
-│   │   ├── SettingsRadioSection.tsx      # Name, keys, advert interval, max contacts, radio preset, freq/bw/sf/cr, txPower, lat/lon, reboot
+│   │   ├── SettingsRadioSection.tsx      # Name, keys, advert interval, max contacts, radio preset, freq/bw/sf/cr, txPower, lat/lon, reboot, mesh discovery
 │   │   ├── SettingsLocalSection.tsx      # Browser-local settings: theme, local label, reopen last conversation
 │   │   ├── SettingsFanoutSection.tsx     # Fanout integrations: MQTT, bots, config CRUD
 │   │   ├── SettingsDatabaseSection.tsx   # DB size, cleanup, auto-decrypt, local label
@@ -96,15 +121,15 @@ frontend/src/
 │   │   ├── RepeaterTelemetryPane.tsx    # Battery, airtime, packet counts
 │   │   ├── RepeaterNeighborsPane.tsx    # Neighbor table + lazy mini-map
 │   │   ├── RepeaterAclPane.tsx          # Permission table
-│   │   ├── RepeaterRadioSettingsPane.tsx # Radio settings + advert intervals
+│   │   ├── RepeaterNodeInfoPane.tsx      # Repeater name, coords, clock drift
+│   │   ├── RepeaterRadioSettingsPane.tsx # Radio config + advert intervals
 │   │   ├── RepeaterLppTelemetryPane.tsx # CayenneLPP sensor data
 │   │   ├── RepeaterOwnerInfoPane.tsx    # Owner info + guest password
 │   │   ├── RepeaterActionsPane.tsx      # Send Advert, Sync Clock, Reboot
 │   │   └── RepeaterConsolePane.tsx      # CLI console with history
 │   └── ui/                     # shadcn/ui primitives
 ├── types/
-│   ├── d3-force-3d.d.ts       # Type declarations for d3-force-3d
-│   └── globals.d.ts           # Global type declarations (__APP_VERSION__, __COMMIT_HASH__)
+│   └── d3-force-3d.d.ts       # Type declarations for d3-force-3d
 └── test/
     ├── setup.ts
     ├── fixtures/websocket_events.json
@@ -112,9 +137,13 @@ frontend/src/
     ├── appFavorites.test.tsx
     ├── appStartupHash.test.tsx
     ├── contactAvatar.test.ts
+    ├── contactInfoPane.test.tsx
     ├── integration.test.ts
+    ├── mapView.test.tsx
     ├── messageCache.test.ts
+    ├── messageList.test.tsx
     ├── messageParser.test.ts
+    ├── rawPacketList.test.tsx
     ├── pathUtils.test.ts
     ├── prefetch.test.ts
     ├── radioPresets.test.ts
@@ -128,18 +157,25 @@ frontend/src/
     ├── newMessageModal.test.tsx
     ├── settingsModal.test.tsx
     ├── sidebar.test.tsx
+    ├── statusBar.test.tsx
     ├── unreadCounts.test.ts
     ├── urlHash.test.ts
     ├── appSearchJump.test.tsx
     ├── channelInfoKeyVisibility.test.tsx
     ├── chatHeaderKeyVisibility.test.tsx
     ├── searchView.test.tsx
+    ├── useConversationActions.test.ts
     ├── useConversationMessages.test.ts
     ├── useConversationMessages.race.test.ts
+    ├── useConversationNavigation.test.ts
+    ├── useAppShell.test.ts
     ├── useRepeaterDashboard.test.ts
     ├── useContactsAndChannels.test.ts
+    ├── useRealtimeAppState.test.ts
+    ├── useUnreadCounts.test.ts
     ├── useWebSocket.dispatch.test.ts
-    └── useWebSocket.lifecycle.test.ts
+    ├── useWebSocket.lifecycle.test.ts
+    └── wsEvents.test.ts
 
 ```
 
@@ -147,19 +183,42 @@ frontend/src/
 
 ### State ownership
 
-`App.tsx` orchestrates high-level state and delegates to hooks:
+`App.tsx` is now a thin composition entrypoint over the hook layer. `AppShell.tsx` owns shell layout/composition:
+- local label banner
+- status bar
+- desktop/mobile sidebar container
+- search/settings surface switching
+- global cracker mount/focus behavior
+- new-message modal and info panes
+
+High-level state is delegated to hooks:
+- `useAppShell`: app-shell view state (settings section, sidebar, cracker, new-message modal)
 - `useRadioControl`: radio health/config state, reconnect/reboot polling
 - `useAppSettings`: settings CRUD, favorites, preferences migration
 - `useContactsAndChannels`: contact/channel lists, creation, deletion
 - `useConversationRouter`: URL hash → active conversation routing
-- `useConversationMessages`: fetch, pagination, dedup/update helpers
+- `useConversationNavigation`: search target, conversation selection reset, and info-pane state
+- `useConversationActions`: send/resend/trace/block handlers and channel override updates
+- `useConversationMessages`: conversation switch loading, embedded conversation-scoped cache, jump-target loading, pagination, dedup/update helpers, reconnect reconciliation, and pending ACK buffering
 - `useUnreadCounts`: unread counters, mention tracking, recent-sort timestamps
+- `useRealtimeAppState`: typed WS event application, reconnect recovery, cache/unread coordination
 - `useRepeaterDashboard`: repeater dashboard state (login, pane data/retries, console, actions)
 
+`App.tsx` intentionally still does the final `AppShell` prop assembly. That composition layer is considered acceptable here because it keeps the shell contract visible in one place and avoids a prop-bundling hook with little original logic.
+
+`ConversationPane.tsx` owns the main active-conversation surface branching:
+- empty state
+- map view
+- visualizer
+- raw packet feed
+- repeater dashboard
+- normal chat chrome (`ChatHeader` + `MessageList` + `MessageInput`)
+
 ### Initial load + realtime
 
 - Initial data: REST fetches (`api.ts`) for config/settings/channels/contacts/unreads.
 - WebSocket: realtime deltas/events.
+- On reconnect, the app refetches channels and contacts, refreshes unread counts, and reconciles the active conversation to recover disconnect-window drift.
 - On WS connect, backend sends `health` only; contacts/channels still come from REST.
 
 ### New Message modal
@@ -172,10 +231,13 @@ frontend/src/
 - Backend also emits WS `message` for outgoing sends so other clients stay in sync.
 - ACK/repeat updates arrive as `message_acked` events.
 - Outgoing channel messages show a 30-second resend control; resend calls `POST /api/messages/channel/{message_id}/resend`.
+- Conversation-scoped message caching now lives inside `useConversationMessages.ts` rather than a standalone `messageCache.ts` module. If you touch message timeline restore/dedup/reconnect behavior, start there.
+- `contact_resolved` is a real-time identity migration event, not just a contact-list update. Changes in that area need to consider active conversation state, cached messages, unread state keys, and reconnect reconciliation together.
 
 ### Visualizer behavior
 
 - `VisualizerView.tsx` hosts `PacketVisualizer3D.tsx` (desktop split-pane and mobile tabs).
+- `PacketVisualizer3D.tsx` is now a thin composition shell over visualizer-specific hooks/components in `components/visualizer/`.
 - `PacketVisualizer3D` uses persistent Three.js geometries for links/highlights/particles and updates typed-array buffers in-place per frame.
 - Packet repeat aggregation keys prefer decoder `messageHash` (path-insensitive), with hash fallback for malformed packets.
 - Raw-packet decoding in `RawPacketList.tsx` and `visualizerUtils.ts` relies on the multibyte-aware decoder fork; keep frontend packet parsing aligned with backend `path_utils.py`.
@@ -187,13 +249,17 @@ frontend/src/
 ### Radio settings behavior
 
 - `SettingsRadioSection.tsx` surfaces `path_hash_mode` only when `config.path_hash_mode_supported` is true.
+- Advert-location control is intentionally only `off` vs `include node location`. Companion-radio firmware does not reliably distinguish saved coordinates from live GPS in this path.
+- The advert action is mode-aware: the radio settings section exposes both flood and zero-hop manual advert buttons, both routed through the same `onAdvertise(mode)` seam.
+- Mesh discovery in the radio section is limited to node classes that currently answer discovery control-data requests in firmware: repeaters and sensors.
 - Frontend `path_len` fields are hop counts, not raw byte lengths; multibyte path rendering must use the accompanying metadata before splitting hop identifiers.
 
 ## WebSocket (`useWebSocket.ts`)
 
 - Auto reconnect (3s) with cleanup guard on unmount.
 - Heartbeat ping every 30s.
-- Event handlers: `health`, `message`, `contact`, `raw_packet`, `message_acked`, `contact_deleted`, `channel_deleted`, `error`, `success`, `pong` (ignored).
+- Incoming JSON is parsed through `wsEvents.ts`, which validates the top-level envelope and known event type strings, then casts payloads at the handler boundary. It does not schema-validate per-event payload shapes.
+- Event handlers: `health`, `message`, `contact`, `contact_resolved`, `channel`, `raw_packet`, `message_acked`, `contact_deleted`, `channel_deleted`, `error`, `success`, `pong` (ignored).
 - For `raw_packet` events, use `observation_id` as event identity; `id` is a storage reference and may repeat.
 
 ## URL Hash Navigation (`utils/urlHash.ts`)
@@ -253,6 +319,8 @@ LocalStorage migration helpers for favorites; canonical favorites are server-sid
 - `flood_scope`
 - `blocked_keys`, `blocked_names`
 
+The backend still carries `sidebar_sort_order` for compatibility and old preference migration, but the current sidebar UI stores sort order per section (`Channels`, `Contacts`, `Repeaters`) in frontend localStorage rather than treating it as one global server-backed setting.
+
 Note: MQTT, bot, and community MQTT settings were migrated to the `fanout_configs` table (managed via `/api/fanout`). They are no longer part of `AppSettings`.
 
 `HealthStatus` includes `fanout_statuses: Record<string, FanoutStatusEntry>` mapping config IDs to `{name, type, status}`. Also includes `bots_disabled: boolean`.
@@ -263,7 +331,7 @@ Note: MQTT, bot, and community MQTT settings were migrated to the `fanout_config
 
 ## Contact Info Pane
 
-Clicking a contact's avatar in `ChatHeader` or `MessageList` opens a `ContactInfoPane` sheet (right drawer) showing comprehensive contact details fetched from `GET /api/contacts/{key}/detail`:
+Clicking a contact's avatar in `ChatHeader` or `MessageList` opens a `ContactInfoPane` sheet (right drawer) showing comprehensive contact details fetched from `GET /api/contacts/analytics` using either `?public_key=...` or `?name=...`:
 
 - Header: avatar, name, public key, type badge, on-radio badge
 - Info grid: last seen, first heard, last contacted, distance, hops
@@ -272,11 +340,12 @@ Clicking a contact's avatar in `ChatHeader` or `MessageList` opens a `ContactInf
 - Name history ("Also Known As") — shown only when the contact has used multiple names
 - Message stats: DM count, channel message count
 - Most active rooms (clickable → navigate to channel)
+- Route details from the canonical backend surface (`effective_route`, `effective_route_source`, `direct_route`, `route_override`)
 - Advert observation rate
 - Nearest repeaters (resolved from first-hop path prefixes)
-- Recent advert paths
+- Recent advert paths (informational only; not part of DM route selection)
 
-State: `infoPaneContactKey` in App.tsx controls open/close. Live contact data from WebSocket updates is preferred over the initial detail snapshot.
+State: `useConversationNavigation` controls open/close via `infoPaneContactKey`. Live contact data from WebSocket updates is preferred over the initial detail snapshot.
 
 ## Channel Info Pane
 
@@ -288,15 +357,15 @@ Clicking a channel name in `ChatHeader` opens a `ChannelInfoPane` sheet (right d
 - First message date
 - Top senders in last 24h (name + count)
 
-State: `infoPaneChannelKey` in App.tsx controls open/close. Live channel data from the `channels` array is preferred over the initial detail snapshot.
+State: `useConversationNavigation` controls open/close via `infoPaneChannelKey`. Live channel data from the `channels` array is preferred over the initial detail snapshot.
 
 ## Repeater Dashboard
 
-For repeater contacts (`type=2`), App.tsx renders `RepeaterDashboard` instead of the normal chat UI (ChatHeader + MessageList + MessageInput).
+For repeater contacts (`type=2`), `ConversationPane.tsx` renders `RepeaterDashboard` instead of the normal chat UI (ChatHeader + MessageList + MessageInput).
 
 **Login**: `RepeaterLogin` component — password or guest login via `POST /api/contacts/{key}/repeater/login`.
 
-**Dashboard panes** (after login): Telemetry, Neighbors, ACL, Radio Settings, Advert Intervals, Owner Info — each fetched via granular `POST /api/contacts/{key}/repeater/{pane}` endpoints. Panes retry up to 3 times client-side. "Load All" fetches all panes serially (parallel would queue behind the radio lock).
+**Dashboard panes** (after login): Telemetry, Node Info, Neighbors, ACL, Radio Settings, Advert Intervals, Owner Info — each fetched via granular `POST /api/contacts/{key}/repeater/{pane}` endpoints. Panes retry up to 3 times client-side. `Neighbors` depends on the smaller `node-info` fetch for repeater GPS, not the heavier radio-settings batch. "Load All" fetches all panes serially (parallel would queue behind the radio lock).
 
 **Actions pane**: Send Advert, Sync Clock, Reboot — all send CLI commands via `POST /api/contacts/{key}/command`.
 
@@ -308,9 +377,10 @@ All state is managed by `useRepeaterDashboard` hook. State resets on conversatio
 
 The `SearchView` component (`components/SearchView.tsx`) provides full-text search across all DMs and channel messages. Key behaviors:
 
-- **State**: `targetMessageId` in `App.tsx` drives the jump-to-message flow. When a search result is clicked, `handleNavigateToMessage` sets `targetMessageId` and switches to the target conversation.
+- **State**: `targetMessageId` is shared between `useConversationNavigation` and `useConversationMessages`. When a search result is clicked, `handleNavigateToMessage` sets the target ID and switches to the target conversation.
+- **Same-conversation clear**: when `targetMessageId` is cleared after the target is reached, the hook preserves the around-loaded mid-history view instead of replacing it with the latest page.
 - **Persistence**: `SearchView` stays mounted after first open using the same `hidden` class pattern as `CrackerPanel`, preserving search state when navigating to results.
-- **Jump-to-message**: `useConversationMessages` accepts optional `targetMessageId`. When set, it calls `api.getMessagesAround()` instead of normal fetch, loading context around the target message. `MessageList` scrolls to the target via `data-message-id` attribute and applies a `message-highlight` CSS animation.
+- **Jump-to-message**: `useConversationMessages` handles optional `targetMessageId` by calling `api.getMessagesAround()` instead of the normal latest-page fetch, loading context around the target message. `MessageList` scrolls to the target via `data-message-id` attribute and applies a `message-highlight` CSS animation.
 - **Bidirectional pagination**: After jumping mid-history, `hasNewerMessages` enables forward pagination via `fetchNewerMessages`. The scroll-to-bottom button calls `jumpToBottom` (re-fetches latest page) instead of just scrolling.
 - **WS message suppression**: When `hasNewerMessages` is true, incoming WS messages for the active conversation are not added to the message list (the user is viewing historical context, not the latest page).
 
@@ -341,6 +411,10 @@ npm run test:run
 npm run build
 ```
 
+`npm run packaged-build` is release-only. It writes the fallback `frontend/prebuilt`
+directory used by the downloadable prebuilt release zip; normal development and
+validation should stick to `npm run build`.
+
 When touching cross-layer contracts, also run backend tests from repo root:
 
 ```bash
@@ -349,6 +423,10 @@ PYTHONPATH=. uv run pytest tests/ -v
 
 ## Errata & Known Non-Issues
 
+### Contacts rollup uses mention styling for unread DMs
+
+This is intentional. In the sidebar section headers, unread direct messages are treated as mention-equivalent, so the Contacts rollup uses the highlighted mention-style badge for any unread DM. Row-level mention detection remains separate; this note is only about the section summary styling.
+
 ### RawPacketList always scrolls to bottom
 
 `RawPacketList` unconditionally scrolls to the latest packet on every update. This is intentional — the packet feed is a live status display, not an interactive log meant for lingering or long-term analysis. Users watching it want to see the newest packet, not hold a scroll position.

frontend/package-lock.json

@@ -1,16 +1,16 @@
 {
   "name": "remoteterm-meshcore-frontend",
-  "version": "2.7.1",
+  "version": "2.7.9",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "remoteterm-meshcore-frontend",
-      "version": "2.7.1",
+      "version": "2.7.9",
       "dependencies": {
         "@codemirror/lang-python": "^6.2.1",
         "@codemirror/theme-one-dark": "^6.1.3",
-        "@michaelhart/meshcore-decoder": "npm:meshcore-decoder-multibyte-patch@0.2.7",
+        "@michaelhart/meshcore-decoder": "npm:meshcore-decoder-multibyte-patch@0.3.0",
         "@radix-ui/react-checkbox": "^1.3.3",
         "@radix-ui/react-dialog": "^1.1.15",
         "@radix-ui/react-label": "^2.1.8",
@@ -1345,9 +1345,9 @@
     },
     "node_modules/@michaelhart/meshcore-decoder": {
       "name": "meshcore-decoder-multibyte-patch",
-      "version": "0.2.7",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/meshcore-decoder-multibyte-patch/-/meshcore-decoder-multibyte-patch-0.2.7.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-sk0SIsIg3wSaQKAmdROTzZw7xebRXwaR1d5O+Z6l+Ya956hcSel+8AOmSJUBo7kVA7MmCsHWtTdb9majDmRl0w==",
+      "version": "0.3.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/meshcore-decoder-multibyte-patch/-/meshcore-decoder-multibyte-patch-0.3.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-qcGsi1/PbtCTQbZ7rf9G3iSk55eouiGaroeS1ZS+jiKWBELZPV3++xjRup2+xX0rjQtnX5Gg4SCcLvF7Y0M6Sg==",
       "license": "MIT",
       "dependencies": {
         "@noble/ed25519": "^2.3.0",
@@ -5000,6 +5000,22 @@
         "crypto-js": "^4.2.0"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/meshcore-hashtag-cracker/node_modules/@michaelhart/meshcore-decoder": {
+      "name": "meshcore-decoder-multibyte-patch",
+      "version": "0.2.7",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/meshcore-decoder-multibyte-patch/-/meshcore-decoder-multibyte-patch-0.2.7.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-sk0SIsIg3wSaQKAmdROTzZw7xebRXwaR1d5O+Z6l+Ya956hcSel+8AOmSJUBo7kVA7MmCsHWtTdb9majDmRl0w==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@noble/ed25519": "^2.3.0",
+        "chalk": "^4.1.2",
+        "commander": "^12.0.0",
+        "crypto-js": "^4.2.0"
+      },
+      "bin": {
+        "meshcore-decoder": "dist/cli.js"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/meshoptimizer": {
       "version": "0.22.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/meshoptimizer/-/meshoptimizer-0.22.0.tgz",

frontend/package.json

@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "remoteterm-meshcore-frontend",
   "private": true,
-  "version": "2.7.8",
+  "version": "3.4.1",
   "type": "module",
   "scripts": {
     "dev": "vite",
     "build": "tsc && vite build",
+    "packaged-build": "vite build --outDir prebuilt",
     "preview": "vite preview",
     "test": "vitest",
     "test:run": "vitest run",
@@ -17,7 +18,7 @@
   "dependencies": {
     "@codemirror/lang-python": "^6.2.1",
     "@codemirror/theme-one-dark": "^6.1.3",
-    "@michaelhart/meshcore-decoder": "npm:meshcore-decoder-multibyte-patch@0.2.7",
+    "@michaelhart/meshcore-decoder": "npm:meshcore-decoder-multibyte-patch@0.3.0",
     "@radix-ui/react-checkbox": "^1.3.3",
     "@radix-ui/react-dialog": "^1.1.15",
     "@radix-ui/react-label": "^2.1.8",

frontend/src/api.ts

@@ -5,9 +5,8 @@ import type {
   ChannelDetail,
   CommandResponse,
   Contact,
-  ContactAdvertPath,
+  ContactAnalytics,
   ContactAdvertPathSummary,
-  ContactDetail,
   FanoutConfig,
   Favorite,
   HealthStatus,
@@ -16,13 +15,19 @@ import type {
   MessagesAroundResponse,
   MigratePreferencesRequest,
   MigratePreferencesResponse,
+  RadioAdvertMode,
   RadioConfig,
   RadioConfigUpdate,
+  RadioDiscoveryResponse,
+  RadioDiscoveryTarget,
+  PathDiscoveryResponse,
+  ResendChannelMessageResponse,
   RepeaterAclResponse,
   RepeaterAdvertIntervalsResponse,
   RepeaterLoginResponse,
   RepeaterLppTelemetryResponse,
   RepeaterNeighborsResponse,
+  RepeaterNodeInfoResponse,
   RepeaterOwnerInfoResponse,
   RepeaterRadioSettingsResponse,
   RepeaterStatusResponse,
@@ -91,14 +96,27 @@ export const api = {
       method: 'PUT',
       body: JSON.stringify({ private_key: privateKey }),
     }),
-  sendAdvertisement: () =>
+  sendAdvertisement: (mode: RadioAdvertMode = 'flood') =>
     fetchJson<{ status: string }>('/radio/advertise', {
       method: 'POST',
+      body: JSON.stringify({ mode }),
+    }),
+  discoverMesh: (target: RadioDiscoveryTarget) =>
+    fetchJson<RadioDiscoveryResponse>('/radio/discover', {
+      method: 'POST',
+      body: JSON.stringify({ target }),
     }),
   rebootRadio: () =>
     fetchJson<{ status: string; message: string }>('/radio/reboot', {
       method: 'POST',
     }),
+  disconnectRadio: () =>
+    fetchJson<{ status: string; message: string; connected: boolean; paused: boolean }>(
+      '/radio/disconnect',
+      {
+        method: 'POST',
+      }
+    ),
   reconnectRadio: () =>
     fetchJson<{ status: string; message: string; connected: boolean }>('/radio/reconnect', {
       method: 'POST',
@@ -111,10 +129,12 @@ export const api = {
     fetchJson<ContactAdvertPathSummary[]>(
       `/contacts/repeaters/advert-paths?limit_per_repeater=${limitPerRepeater}`
     ),
-  getContactAdvertPaths: (publicKey: string, limit = 10) =>
-    fetchJson<ContactAdvertPath[]>(`/contacts/${publicKey}/advert-paths?limit=${limit}`),
-  getContactDetail: (publicKey: string) =>
-    fetchJson<ContactDetail>(`/contacts/${publicKey}/detail`),
+  getContactAnalytics: (params: { publicKey?: string; name?: string }) => {
+    const searchParams = new URLSearchParams();
+    if (params.publicKey) searchParams.set('public_key', params.publicKey);
+    if (params.name) searchParams.set('name', params.name);
+    return fetchJson<ContactAnalytics>(`/contacts/analytics?${searchParams.toString()}`);
+  },
   deleteContact: (publicKey: string) =>
     fetchJson<{ status: string }>(`/contacts/${publicKey}`, {
       method: 'DELETE',
@@ -137,10 +157,15 @@ export const api = {
     fetchJson<TraceResponse>(`/contacts/${publicKey}/trace`, {
       method: 'POST',
     }),
-  resetContactPath: (publicKey: string) =>
-    fetchJson<{ status: string; public_key: string }>(`/contacts/${publicKey}/reset-path`, {
+  requestPathDiscovery: (publicKey: string) =>
+    fetchJson<PathDiscoveryResponse>(`/contacts/${publicKey}/path-discovery`, {
       method: 'POST',
     }),
+  setContactRoutingOverride: (publicKey: string, route: string) =>
+    fetchJson<{ status: string; public_key: string }>(`/contacts/${publicKey}/routing-override`, {
+      method: 'POST',
+      body: JSON.stringify({ route }),
+    }),
 
   // Channels
   getChannels: () => fetchJson<Channel[]>('/channels'),
@@ -156,6 +181,11 @@ export const api = {
     fetchJson<{ status: string; key: string }>(`/channels/${key}/mark-read`, {
       method: 'POST',
     }),
+  setChannelFloodScopeOverride: (key: string, floodScopeOverride: string) =>
+    fetchJson<Channel>(`/channels/${key}/flood-scope-override`, {
+      method: 'POST',
+      body: JSON.stringify({ flood_scope_override: floodScopeOverride }),
+    }),
 
   // Messages
   getMessages: (
@@ -211,7 +241,7 @@ export const api = {
       body: JSON.stringify({ channel_key: channelKey, text }),
     }),
   resendChannelMessage: (messageId: number, newTimestamp?: boolean) =>
-    fetchJson<{ status: string; message_id: number }>(
+    fetchJson<ResendChannelMessageResponse>(
       `/messages/channel/${messageId}/resend${newTimestamp ? '?new_timestamp=true' : ''}`,
       { method: 'POST' }
     ),
@@ -329,6 +359,10 @@ export const api = {
     fetchJson<RepeaterNeighborsResponse>(`/contacts/${publicKey}/repeater/neighbors`, {
       method: 'POST',
     }),
+  repeaterNodeInfo: (publicKey: string) =>
+    fetchJson<RepeaterNodeInfoResponse>(`/contacts/${publicKey}/repeater/node-info`, {
+      method: 'POST',
+    }),
   repeaterAcl: (publicKey: string) =>
     fetchJson<RepeaterAclResponse>(`/contacts/${publicKey}/repeater/acl`, {
       method: 'POST',

frontend/src/components/AppShell.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,297 @@
+import { lazy, Suspense, useRef, type ComponentProps } from 'react';
+
+import { StatusBar } from './StatusBar';
+import { Sidebar } from './Sidebar';
+import { ConversationPane } from './ConversationPane';
+import { NewMessageModal } from './NewMessageModal';
+import { ContactInfoPane } from './ContactInfoPane';
+import { ChannelInfoPane } from './ChannelInfoPane';
+import { Toaster } from './ui/sonner';
+import { Sheet, SheetContent, SheetDescription, SheetHeader, SheetTitle } from './ui/sheet';
+import {
+  SETTINGS_SECTION_ICONS,
+  SETTINGS_SECTION_LABELS,
+  SETTINGS_SECTION_ORDER,
+  type SettingsSection,
+} from './settings/settingsConstants';
+import { getContrastTextColor, type LocalLabel } from '../utils/localLabel';
+import type { CrackerPanelProps } from './CrackerPanel';
+import type { SearchViewProps } from './SearchView';
+import type { SettingsModalProps } from './SettingsModal';
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
+
+const SettingsModal = lazy(() =>
+  import('./SettingsModal').then((m) => ({ default: m.SettingsModal }))
+);
+const CrackerPanel = lazy(() =>
+  import('./CrackerPanel').then((m) => ({ default: m.CrackerPanel }))
+);
+const SearchView = lazy(() => import('./SearchView').then((m) => ({ default: m.SearchView })));
+
+type SidebarProps = ComponentProps<typeof Sidebar>;
+type ConversationPaneProps = ComponentProps<typeof ConversationPane>;
+type NewMessageModalProps = Omit<ComponentProps<typeof NewMessageModal>, 'open' | 'onClose'>;
+type ContactInfoPaneProps = ComponentProps<typeof ContactInfoPane>;
+type ChannelInfoPaneProps = ComponentProps<typeof ChannelInfoPane>;
+
+interface AppShellProps {
+  localLabel: LocalLabel;
+  showNewMessage: boolean;
+  showSettings: boolean;
+  settingsSection: SettingsSection;
+  sidebarOpen: boolean;
+  showCracker: boolean;
+  disabledSettingsSections?: SettingsSection[];
+  onSettingsSectionChange: (section: SettingsSection) => void;
+  onSidebarOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
+  onCrackerRunningChange: (running: boolean) => void;
+  onToggleSettingsView: () => void;
+  onCloseSettingsView: () => void;
+  onCloseNewMessage: () => void;
+  onLocalLabelChange: (label: LocalLabel) => void;
+  statusProps: Pick<ComponentProps<typeof StatusBar>, 'health' | 'config'>;
+  sidebarProps: SidebarProps;
+  conversationPaneProps: ConversationPaneProps;
+  searchProps: SearchViewProps;
+  settingsProps: Omit<
+    SettingsModalProps,
+    'open' | 'pageMode' | 'externalSidebarNav' | 'desktopSection' | 'onClose' | 'onLocalLabelChange'
+  >;
+  crackerProps: Omit<CrackerPanelProps, 'visible' | 'onRunningChange'>;
+  newMessageModalProps: NewMessageModalProps;
+  contactInfoPaneProps: ContactInfoPaneProps;
+  channelInfoPaneProps: ChannelInfoPaneProps;
+}
+
+export function AppShell({
+  localLabel,
+  showNewMessage,
+  showSettings,
+  settingsSection,
+  sidebarOpen,
+  showCracker,
+  disabledSettingsSections = [],
+  onSettingsSectionChange,
+  onSidebarOpenChange,
+  onCrackerRunningChange,
+  onToggleSettingsView,
+  onCloseSettingsView,
+  onCloseNewMessage,
+  onLocalLabelChange,
+  statusProps,
+  sidebarProps,
+  conversationPaneProps,
+  searchProps,
+  settingsProps,
+  crackerProps,
+  newMessageModalProps,
+  contactInfoPaneProps,
+  channelInfoPaneProps,
+}: AppShellProps) {
+  const searchMounted = useRef(false);
+  if (conversationPaneProps.activeConversation?.type === 'search') {
+    searchMounted.current = true;
+  }
+
+  const crackerMounted = useRef(false);
+  if (showCracker) {
+    crackerMounted.current = true;
+  }
+
+  const settingsSidebarContent = (
+    <nav
+      className="sidebar w-60 h-full min-h-0 overflow-hidden bg-card border-r border-border flex flex-col"
+      aria-label="Settings"
+    >
+      <div className="flex justify-between items-center px-3 py-2.5 border-b border-border">
+        <h2 className="text-[10px] uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground font-medium">
+          Settings
+        </h2>
+        <button
+          type="button"
+          onClick={onCloseSettingsView}
+          className="flex items-center gap-1 px-2 py-1 rounded text-xs bg-status-connected/15 border border-status-connected/30 text-status-connected hover:bg-status-connected/25 transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+          title="Back to conversations"
+          aria-label="Back to conversations"
+        >
+          &larr; Back to Chat
+        </button>
+      </div>
+      <div className="flex-1 min-h-0 overflow-y-auto py-1 [contain:layout_paint]">
+        {SETTINGS_SECTION_ORDER.map((section) => {
+          const Icon = SETTINGS_SECTION_ICONS[section];
+          const disabled = disabledSettingsSections.includes(section);
+          return (
+            <button
+              key={section}
+              type="button"
+              disabled={disabled}
+              className={cn(
+                'w-full px-3 py-2 text-left text-[13px] border-l-2 border-transparent transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring focus-visible:ring-inset disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-50',
+                !disabled && 'hover:bg-accent',
+                settingsSection === section && !disabled && 'bg-accent border-l-primary'
+              )}
+              aria-current={settingsSection === section ? 'true' : undefined}
+              onClick={() => onSettingsSectionChange(section)}
+            >
+              <span className="flex items-center gap-2">
+                <Icon className="h-4 w-4 text-muted-foreground" aria-hidden="true" />
+                <span>{SETTINGS_SECTION_LABELS[section]}</span>
+              </span>
+            </button>
+          );
+        })}
+      </div>
+    </nav>
+  );
+
+  const activeSidebarContent = showSettings ? (
+    settingsSidebarContent
+  ) : (
+    <Sidebar {...sidebarProps} />
+  );
+
+  return (
+    <div className="flex flex-col h-full">
+      <a
+        href="#main-content"
+        className="sr-only focus:not-sr-only focus:absolute focus:z-50 focus:p-2 focus:bg-primary focus:text-primary-foreground"
+      >
+        Skip to content
+      </a>
+      {localLabel.text && (
+        <div
+          style={{
+            backgroundColor: localLabel.color,
+            color: getContrastTextColor(localLabel.color),
+          }}
+          className="px-4 py-1 text-center text-sm font-medium"
+        >
+          {localLabel.text}
+        </div>
+      )}
+
+      <StatusBar
+        health={statusProps.health}
+        config={statusProps.config}
+        settingsMode={showSettings}
+        onSettingsClick={onToggleSettingsView}
+        onMenuClick={showSettings ? undefined : () => onSidebarOpenChange(true)}
+      />
+
+      <div className="flex flex-1 overflow-hidden">
+        <div className="hidden md:block min-h-0 overflow-hidden">{activeSidebarContent}</div>
+
+        <Sheet open={sidebarOpen} onOpenChange={onSidebarOpenChange}>
+          <SheetContent
+            side="left"
+            className="w-[280px] p-0 flex flex-col"
+            hideCloseButton
+            onOpenAutoFocus={(event) => {
+              event.preventDefault();
+            }}
+          >
+            <SheetHeader className="sr-only">
+              <SheetTitle>Navigation</SheetTitle>
+              <SheetDescription>Sidebar navigation</SheetDescription>
+            </SheetHeader>
+            <div className="flex-1 overflow-hidden">{activeSidebarContent}</div>
+          </SheetContent>
+        </Sheet>
+
+        <main id="main-content" className="flex-1 flex flex-col bg-background min-w-0">
+          <div
+            className={cn(
+              'flex-1 flex flex-col min-h-0',
+              (showSettings || conversationPaneProps.activeConversation?.type === 'search') &&
+                'hidden'
+            )}
+          >
+            <ConversationPane {...conversationPaneProps} />
+          </div>
+
+          {searchMounted.current && (
+            <div
+              className={cn(
+                'flex-1 flex flex-col min-h-0',
+                (conversationPaneProps.activeConversation?.type !== 'search' || showSettings) &&
+                  'hidden'
+              )}
+            >
+              <Suspense
+                fallback={
+                  <div className="flex-1 flex items-center justify-center text-muted-foreground">
+                    Loading search...
+                  </div>
+                }
+              >
+                <SearchView {...searchProps} />
+              </Suspense>
+            </div>
+          )}
+
+          {showSettings && (
+            <div className="flex-1 flex flex-col min-h-0">
+              <div className="flex-1 min-h-0 overflow-hidden">
+                <Suspense
+                  fallback={
+                    <div className="flex-1 flex items-center justify-center p-8 text-muted-foreground">
+                      Loading settings...
+                    </div>
+                  }
+                >
+                  <SettingsModal
+                    {...settingsProps}
+                    open={showSettings}
+                    pageMode
+                    externalSidebarNav
+                    desktopSection={settingsSection}
+                    onClose={onCloseSettingsView}
+                    onLocalLabelChange={onLocalLabelChange}
+                  />
+                </Suspense>
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          )}
+        </main>
+      </div>
+
+      <div
+        className={cn(
+          'border-t border-border bg-background transition-all duration-200 overflow-hidden',
+          showCracker ? 'h-[275px]' : 'h-0'
+        )}
+      >
+        {crackerMounted.current && (
+          <Suspense
+            fallback={
+              <div className="flex items-center justify-center h-full text-muted-foreground">
+                Loading cracker...
+              </div>
+            }
+          >
+            <CrackerPanel
+              {...crackerProps}
+              visible={showCracker}
+              onRunningChange={onCrackerRunningChange}
+            />
+          </Suspense>
+        )}
+      </div>
+
+      <NewMessageModal
+        {...newMessageModalProps}
+        open={showNewMessage}
+        onClose={onCloseNewMessage}
+        onSelectConversation={(conv) => {
+          newMessageModalProps.onSelectConversation(conv);
+          onCloseNewMessage();
+        }}
+      />
+
+      <ContactInfoPane {...contactInfoPaneProps} />
+      <ChannelInfoPane {...channelInfoPaneProps} />
+      <Toaster position="top-right" />
+    </div>
+  );
+}

frontend/src/components/ChannelFloodScopeOverrideModal.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
+
+import { stripRegionScopePrefix } from '../utils/regionScope';
+import { Button } from './ui/button';
+import {
+  Dialog,
+  DialogContent,
+  DialogDescription,
+  DialogFooter,
+  DialogHeader,
+  DialogTitle,
+} from './ui/dialog';
+import { Input } from './ui/input';
+import { Label } from './ui/label';
+
+interface ChannelFloodScopeOverrideModalProps {
+  open: boolean;
+  onClose: () => void;
+  roomName: string;
+  currentOverride: string | null;
+  onSetOverride: (value: string) => void;
+}
+
+export function ChannelFloodScopeOverrideModal({
+  open,
+  onClose,
+  roomName,
+  currentOverride,
+  onSetOverride,
+}: ChannelFloodScopeOverrideModalProps) {
+  const [region, setRegion] = useState('');
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!open) {
+      return;
+    }
+    setRegion(stripRegionScopePrefix(currentOverride));
+  }, [currentOverride, open]);
+
+  const trimmedRegion = region.trim();
+
+  return (
+    <Dialog open={open} onOpenChange={(isOpen) => !isOpen && onClose()}>
+      <DialogContent className="sm:max-w-[520px]">
+        <DialogHeader>
+          <DialogTitle>Regional Override</DialogTitle>
+          <DialogDescription>
+            Room-level regional routing temporarily changes the radio flood scope before send and
+            restores it after. This can noticeably slow room sends.
+          </DialogDescription>
+        </DialogHeader>
+
+        <div className="space-y-4">
+          <div className="rounded-md border border-border bg-muted/20 p-3 text-sm">
+            <div className="font-medium">{roomName}</div>
+            <div className="mt-1 text-muted-foreground">
+              Current regional override:{' '}
+              {currentOverride ? stripRegionScopePrefix(currentOverride) : 'none'}
+            </div>
+          </div>
+
+          <div className="space-y-2">
+            <Label htmlFor="channel-region-input">Region</Label>
+            <Input
+              id="channel-region-input"
+              value={region}
+              onChange={(event) => setRegion(event.target.value)}
+              placeholder="Esperance"
+              autoFocus
+            />
+          </div>
+        </div>
+
+        <DialogFooter className="gap-2 sm:block sm:space-x-0">
+          <div className="space-y-2">
+            <Button
+              type="button"
+              className="w-full"
+              disabled={trimmedRegion.length === 0}
+              onClick={() => {
+                onSetOverride(trimmedRegion);
+                onClose();
+              }}
+            >
+              {trimmedRegion.length > 0
+                ? `Use ${trimmedRegion} region for ${roomName}`
+                : `Use region for ${roomName}`}
+            </Button>
+            <Button
+              type="button"
+              variant="outline"
+              className="w-full"
+              onClick={() => {
+                onSetOverride('');
+                onClose();
+              }}
+            >
+              Do not use region routing for {roomName}
+            </Button>
+          </div>
+        </DialogFooter>
+      </DialogContent>
+    </Dialog>
+  );
+}

frontend/src/components/ChannelInfoPane.tsx

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
+import { Star } from 'lucide-react';
 import { api } from '../api';
 import { formatTime } from '../utils/messageParser';
 import { isFavorite } from '../utils/favorites';
@@ -125,12 +126,12 @@ export function ChannelInfoPane({
               >
                 {isFavorite(favorites, 'channel', channel.key) ? (
                   <>
-                    <span className="text-favorite text-lg">&#9733;</span>
+                    <Star className="h-4.5 w-4.5 fill-current text-favorite" aria-hidden="true" />
                     <span>Remove from favorites</span>
                   </>
                 ) : (
                   <>
-                    <span className="text-muted-foreground text-lg">&#9734;</span>
+                    <Star className="h-4.5 w-4.5 text-muted-foreground" aria-hidden="true" />
                     <span>Add to favorites</span>
                   </>
                 )}

frontend/src/components/ChatHeader.tsx

@@ -1,10 +1,24 @@
 import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
+import { Bell, Globe2, Info, Route, Star, Trash2 } from 'lucide-react';
 import { toast } from './ui/sonner';
+import { DirectTraceIcon } from './DirectTraceIcon';
+import { ContactPathDiscoveryModal } from './ContactPathDiscoveryModal';
+import { ChannelFloodScopeOverrideModal } from './ChannelFloodScopeOverrideModal';
 import { isFavorite } from '../utils/favorites';
 import { handleKeyboardActivate } from '../utils/a11y';
+import { isPublicChannelKey } from '../utils/publicChannel';
+import { stripRegionScopePrefix } from '../utils/regionScope';
+import { isPrefixOnlyContact } from '../utils/pubkey';
 import { ContactAvatar } from './ContactAvatar';
 import { ContactStatusInfo } from './ContactStatusInfo';
-import type { Channel, Contact, Conversation, Favorite, RadioConfig } from '../types';
+import type {
+  Channel,
+  Contact,
+  Conversation,
+  Favorite,
+  PathDiscoveryResponse,
+  RadioConfig,
+} from '../types';
 
 interface ChatHeaderProps {
   conversation: Conversation;
@@ -12,8 +26,14 @@ interface ChatHeaderProps {
   channels: Channel[];
   config: RadioConfig | null;
   favorites: Favorite[];
+  notificationsSupported: boolean;
+  notificationsEnabled: boolean;
+  notificationsPermission: NotificationPermission | 'unsupported';
   onTrace: () => void;
+  onPathDiscovery: (publicKey: string) => Promise<PathDiscoveryResponse>;
+  onToggleNotifications: () => void;
   onToggleFavorite: (type: 'channel' | 'contact', id: string) => void;
+  onSetChannelFloodScopeOverride?: (key: string, floodScopeOverride: string) => void;
   onDeleteChannel: (key: string) => void;
   onDeleteContact: (publicKey: string) => void;
   onOpenContactInfo?: (publicKey: string) => void;
@@ -26,34 +46,82 @@ export function ChatHeader({
   channels,
   config,
   favorites,
+  notificationsSupported,
+  notificationsEnabled,
+  notificationsPermission,
   onTrace,
+  onPathDiscovery,
+  onToggleNotifications,
   onToggleFavorite,
+  onSetChannelFloodScopeOverride,
   onDeleteChannel,
   onDeleteContact,
   onOpenContactInfo,
   onOpenChannelInfo,
 }: ChatHeaderProps) {
   const [showKey, setShowKey] = useState(false);
+  const [pathDiscoveryOpen, setPathDiscoveryOpen] = useState(false);
+  const [channelOverrideOpen, setChannelOverrideOpen] = useState(false);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     setShowKey(false);
+    setPathDiscoveryOpen(false);
+    setChannelOverrideOpen(false);
   }, [conversation.id]);
 
-  const isPrivateChannel =
-    conversation.type === 'channel' && !channels.find((c) => c.key === conversation.id)?.is_hashtag;
+  const activeChannel =
+    conversation.type === 'channel'
+      ? channels.find((channel) => channel.key === conversation.id)
+      : undefined;
+  const activeFloodScopeOverride =
+    conversation.type === 'channel' ? (activeChannel?.flood_scope_override ?? null) : null;
+  const activeFloodScopeLabel = activeFloodScopeOverride
+    ? stripRegionScopePrefix(activeFloodScopeOverride)
+    : null;
+  const activeFloodScopeDisplay = activeFloodScopeOverride ? activeFloodScopeOverride : null;
+  const isPrivateChannel = conversation.type === 'channel' && !activeChannel?.is_hashtag;
+  const activeContact =
+    conversation.type === 'contact'
+      ? contacts.find((contact) => contact.public_key === conversation.id)
+      : null;
+  const activeContactIsPrefixOnly = activeContact
+    ? isPrefixOnlyContact(activeContact.public_key)
+    : false;
 
   const titleClickable =
     (conversation.type === 'contact' && onOpenContactInfo) ||
     (conversation.type === 'channel' && onOpenChannelInfo);
+  const favoriteTitle =
+    conversation.type === 'contact'
+      ? isFavorite(favorites, 'contact', conversation.id)
+        ? 'Remove from favorites. Favorite contacts stay loaded on the radio for ACK support.'
+        : 'Add to favorites. Favorite contacts stay loaded on the radio for ACK support.'
+      : isFavorite(favorites, conversation.type as 'channel' | 'contact', conversation.id)
+        ? 'Remove from favorites'
+        : 'Add to favorites';
+
+  const handleEditFloodScopeOverride = () => {
+    if (conversation.type !== 'channel' || !onSetChannelFloodScopeOverride) return;
+    setChannelOverrideOpen(true);
+  };
+
+  const handleOpenConversationInfo = () => {
+    if (conversation.type === 'contact' && onOpenContactInfo) {
+      onOpenContactInfo(conversation.id);
+      return;
+    }
+    if (conversation.type === 'channel' && onOpenChannelInfo) {
+      onOpenChannelInfo(conversation.id);
+    }
+  };
+
   return (
-    <header className="flex justify-between items-center px-4 py-2.5 border-b border-border gap-2">
-      <span className="flex flex-wrap items-baseline gap-x-2 min-w-0 flex-1">
+    <header className="conversation-header flex justify-between items-start px-4 py-2.5 border-b border-border gap-2">
+      <span className="flex min-w-0 flex-1 items-start gap-2">
         {conversation.type === 'contact' && onOpenContactInfo && (
-          <span
-            className="flex-shrink-0 cursor-pointer"
-            role="button"
-            tabIndex={0}
-            onKeyDown={handleKeyboardActivate}
+          <button
+            type="button"
+            className="avatar-action-button flex-shrink-0 cursor-pointer rounded-full border-none bg-transparent p-0 focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
             onClick={() => onOpenContactInfo(conversation.id)}
             title="View contact info"
             aria-label={`View info for ${conversation.name}`}
@@ -65,100 +133,187 @@ export function ChatHeader({
               contactType={contacts.find((c) => c.public_key === conversation.id)?.type}
               clickable
             />
-          </span>
-        )}
-        <h2
-          className={`flex-shrink-0 font-semibold text-base ${titleClickable ? 'cursor-pointer hover:text-primary transition-colors' : ''}`}
-          role={titleClickable ? 'button' : undefined}
-          tabIndex={titleClickable ? 0 : undefined}
-          aria-label={titleClickable ? `View info for ${conversation.name}` : undefined}
-          onKeyDown={titleClickable ? handleKeyboardActivate : undefined}
-          onClick={
-            titleClickable
-              ? () => {
-                  if (conversation.type === 'contact' && onOpenContactInfo) {
-                    onOpenContactInfo(conversation.id);
-                  } else if (conversation.type === 'channel' && onOpenChannelInfo) {
-                    onOpenChannelInfo(conversation.id);
-                  }
-                }
-              : undefined
-          }
-        >
-          {conversation.type === 'channel' &&
-          !conversation.name.startsWith('#') &&
-          channels.find((c) => c.key === conversation.id)?.is_hashtag
-            ? '#'
-            : ''}
-          {conversation.name}
-        </h2>
-        {isPrivateChannel && !showKey ? (
-          <button
-            className="font-normal text-[11px] text-muted-foreground font-mono hover:text-primary transition-colors"
-            onClick={(e) => {
-              e.stopPropagation();
-              setShowKey(true);
-            }}
-            title="Reveal channel key"
-          >
-            Show Key
           </button>
-        ) : (
-          <span
-            className="font-normal text-[11px] text-muted-foreground font-mono truncate cursor-pointer hover:text-primary transition-colors"
-            role="button"
-            tabIndex={0}
-            onKeyDown={handleKeyboardActivate}
-            onClick={(e) => {
-              e.stopPropagation();
-              navigator.clipboard.writeText(conversation.id);
-              toast.success(
-                conversation.type === 'channel' ? 'Room key copied!' : 'Contact key copied!'
-              );
-            }}
-            title="Click to copy"
-            aria-label={conversation.type === 'channel' ? 'Copy channel key' : 'Copy contact key'}
-          >
-            {conversation.type === 'channel' ? conversation.id.toLowerCase() : conversation.id}
-          </span>
         )}
-        {conversation.type === 'contact' &&
-          (() => {
-            const contact = contacts.find((c) => c.public_key === conversation.id);
-            if (!contact) return null;
-            return (
+        <span className="grid min-w-0 flex-1 grid-cols-1 gap-y-0.5 min-[1200px]:grid-cols-[minmax(0,1fr)_auto] min-[1200px]:items-baseline min-[1200px]:gap-x-2">
+          <span className="flex min-w-0 items-baseline gap-2 whitespace-nowrap">
+            <h2 className="min-w-0 shrink font-semibold text-base">
+              {titleClickable ? (
+                <button
+                  type="button"
+                  className="flex min-w-0 shrink items-center gap-1.5 text-left hover:text-primary transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring rounded-sm"
+                  aria-label={`View info for ${conversation.name}`}
+                  onClick={handleOpenConversationInfo}
+                >
+                  <span className="truncate">
+                    {conversation.type === 'channel' &&
+                    !conversation.name.startsWith('#') &&
+                    activeChannel?.is_hashtag
+                      ? '#'
+                      : ''}
+                    {conversation.name}
+                  </span>
+                  <Info
+                    className="h-3.5 w-3.5 flex-shrink-0 text-muted-foreground/80"
+                    aria-hidden="true"
+                  />
+                </button>
+              ) : (
+                <span className="truncate">
+                  {conversation.type === 'channel' &&
+                  !conversation.name.startsWith('#') &&
+                  activeChannel?.is_hashtag
+                    ? '#'
+                    : ''}
+                  {conversation.name}
+                </span>
+              )}
+            </h2>
+            {isPrivateChannel && !showKey ? (
+              <button
+                className="min-w-0 flex-shrink text-[11px] font-mono text-muted-foreground transition-colors hover:text-primary"
+                onClick={(e) => {
+                  e.stopPropagation();
+                  setShowKey(true);
+                }}
+                title="Reveal channel key"
+              >
+                Show Key
+              </button>
+            ) : (
+              <span
+                className="min-w-0 flex-1 truncate font-mono text-[11px] text-muted-foreground transition-colors hover:text-primary"
+                role="button"
+                tabIndex={0}
+                onKeyDown={handleKeyboardActivate}
+                onClick={(e) => {
+                  e.stopPropagation();
+                  navigator.clipboard.writeText(conversation.id);
+                  toast.success(
+                    conversation.type === 'channel' ? 'Room key copied!' : 'Contact key copied!'
+                  );
+                }}
+                title="Click to copy"
+                aria-label={
+                  conversation.type === 'channel' ? 'Copy channel key' : 'Copy contact key'
+                }
+              >
+                {conversation.type === 'channel' ? conversation.id.toLowerCase() : conversation.id}
+              </span>
+            )}
+          </span>
+          {conversation.type === 'contact' && activeContact && (
+            <span className="min-w-0 text-[11px] text-muted-foreground min-[1200px]:justify-self-end">
               <ContactStatusInfo
-                contact={contact}
+                contact={activeContact}
                 ourLat={config?.lat ?? null}
                 ourLon={config?.lon ?? null}
               />
-            );
-          })()}
+            </span>
+          )}
+          {conversation.type === 'channel' && activeFloodScopeDisplay && (
+            <button
+              className="mt-0.5 flex items-center gap-1 text-left sm:hidden"
+              onClick={handleEditFloodScopeOverride}
+              title="Set regional override"
+              aria-label="Set regional override"
+            >
+              <Globe2
+                className="h-3.5 w-3.5 flex-shrink-0 text-[hsl(var(--region-override))]"
+                aria-hidden="true"
+              />
+              <span className="min-w-0 truncate text-[11px] font-medium text-[hsl(var(--region-override))]">
+                {activeFloodScopeDisplay}
+              </span>
+            </button>
+          )}
+        </span>
       </span>
-      <div className="flex items-center gap-0.5 flex-shrink-0">
-        {/* Direct trace button (contacts only) */}
+      <div className="flex items-center justify-end gap-0.5 flex-shrink-0">
         {conversation.type === 'contact' && (
           <button
-            className="p-1.5 rounded hover:bg-accent text-lg leading-none transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
-            onClick={onTrace}
-            title="Direct Trace"
-            aria-label="Direct Trace"
+            className="p-1 rounded hover:bg-accent text-lg leading-none transition-colors disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-50 focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+            onClick={() => setPathDiscoveryOpen(true)}
+            title={
+              activeContactIsPrefixOnly
+                ? 'Path Discovery unavailable until the full contact key is known'
+                : 'Path Discovery. Send a routed probe and inspect the forward and return paths'
+            }
+            aria-label="Path Discovery"
+            disabled={activeContactIsPrefixOnly}
           >
-            <span aria-hidden="true">&#x1F6CE;</span>
+            <Route className="h-4 w-4 text-muted-foreground" aria-hidden="true" />
+          </button>
+        )}
+        {conversation.type === 'contact' && (
+          <button
+            className="p-1 rounded hover:bg-accent text-lg leading-none transition-colors disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-50 focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+            onClick={onTrace}
+            title={
+              activeContactIsPrefixOnly
+                ? 'Direct Trace unavailable until the full contact key is known'
+                : 'Direct Trace. Send a zero-hop packet to this contact and display out and back SNR'
+            }
+            aria-label="Direct Trace"
+            disabled={activeContactIsPrefixOnly}
+          >
+            <DirectTraceIcon className="h-4 w-4 text-muted-foreground" />
+          </button>
+        )}
+        {notificationsSupported && (
+          <button
+            className="flex items-center gap-1 rounded px-1 py-1 hover:bg-accent text-lg leading-none transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+            onClick={onToggleNotifications}
+            title={
+              notificationsEnabled
+                ? 'Disable desktop notifications for this conversation'
+                : notificationsPermission === 'denied'
+                  ? 'Notifications blocked by the browser'
+                  : 'Enable desktop notifications for this conversation'
+            }
+            aria-label={
+              notificationsEnabled
+                ? 'Disable notifications for this conversation'
+                : 'Enable notifications for this conversation'
+            }
+          >
+            <Bell
+              className={`h-4 w-4 ${notificationsEnabled ? 'text-status-connected' : 'text-muted-foreground'}`}
+              fill={notificationsEnabled ? 'currentColor' : 'none'}
+              aria-hidden="true"
+            />
+            {notificationsEnabled && (
+              <span className="hidden md:inline text-[11px] font-medium text-status-connected">
+                Notifications On
+              </span>
+            )}
+          </button>
+        )}
+        {conversation.type === 'channel' && onSetChannelFloodScopeOverride && (
+          <button
+            className="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-1 rounded px-1 py-1 text-lg leading-none transition-colors hover:bg-accent focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+            onClick={handleEditFloodScopeOverride}
+            title="Set regional override"
+            aria-label="Set regional override"
+          >
+            <Globe2
+              className={`h-4 w-4 ${activeFloodScopeLabel ? 'text-[hsl(var(--region-override))]' : 'text-muted-foreground'}`}
+              aria-hidden="true"
+            />
+            {activeFloodScopeDisplay && (
+              <span className="hidden text-[11px] font-medium text-[hsl(var(--region-override))] sm:inline">
+                {activeFloodScopeDisplay}
+              </span>
+            )}
           </button>
         )}
-        {/* Favorite button */}
         {(conversation.type === 'channel' || conversation.type === 'contact') && (
           <button
-            className="p-1.5 rounded hover:bg-accent text-lg leading-none transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+            className="p-1 rounded hover:bg-accent text-lg leading-none transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
             onClick={() =>
               onToggleFavorite(conversation.type as 'channel' | 'contact', conversation.id)
             }
-            title={
-              isFavorite(favorites, conversation.type as 'channel' | 'contact', conversation.id)
-                ? 'Remove from favorites'
-                : 'Add to favorites'
-            }
+            title={favoriteTitle}
             aria-label={
               isFavorite(favorites, conversation.type as 'channel' | 'contact', conversation.id)
                 ? 'Remove from favorites'
@@ -166,16 +321,15 @@ export function ChatHeader({
             }
           >
             {isFavorite(favorites, conversation.type as 'channel' | 'contact', conversation.id) ? (
-              <span className="text-favorite">&#9733;</span>
+              <Star className="h-4 w-4 fill-current text-favorite" aria-hidden="true" />
             ) : (
-              <span className="text-muted-foreground">&#9734;</span>
+              <Star className="h-4 w-4 text-muted-foreground" aria-hidden="true" />
             )}
           </button>
         )}
-        {/* Delete button */}
-        {!(conversation.type === 'channel' && conversation.name === 'Public') && (
+        {!(conversation.type === 'channel' && isPublicChannelKey(conversation.id)) && (
           <button
-            className="p-1.5 rounded hover:bg-destructive/10 text-muted-foreground hover:text-destructive text-lg leading-none transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+            className="p-1 rounded hover:bg-destructive/10 text-muted-foreground hover:text-destructive text-lg leading-none transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
             onClick={() => {
               if (conversation.type === 'channel') {
                 onDeleteChannel(conversation.id);
@@ -186,10 +340,29 @@ export function ChatHeader({
             title="Delete"
             aria-label="Delete"
           >
-            <span aria-hidden="true">&#128465;</span>
+            <Trash2 className="h-4 w-4" aria-hidden="true" />
           </button>
         )}
       </div>
+      {conversation.type === 'contact' && activeContact && (
+        <ContactPathDiscoveryModal
+          open={pathDiscoveryOpen}
+          onClose={() => setPathDiscoveryOpen(false)}
+          contact={activeContact}
+          contacts={contacts}
+          radioName={config?.name ?? null}
+          onDiscover={onPathDiscovery}
+        />
+      )}
+      {conversation.type === 'channel' && onSetChannelFloodScopeOverride && (
+        <ChannelFloodScopeOverrideModal
+          open={channelOverrideOpen}
+          onClose={() => setChannelOverrideOpen(false)}
+          roomName={conversation.name}
+          currentOverride={activeFloodScopeDisplay}
+          onSetOverride={(value) => onSetChannelFloodScopeOverride(conversation.id, value)}
+        />
+      )}
     </header>
   );
 }

frontend/src/components/ContactAvatar.tsx

@@ -6,6 +6,35 @@ interface ContactAvatarProps {
   size?: number;
   contactType?: number;
   clickable?: boolean;
+  variant?: 'default' | 'corrupt';
+}
+
+function CorruptAvatarGraphic({ size }: { size: number }) {
+  return (
+    <svg
+      data-testid="corrupt-avatar"
+      xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
+      viewBox="0 0 24 56"
+      width={Math.round(size * 0.6)}
+      height={Math.round(size * 0.94)}
+      shapeRendering="crispEdges"
+      aria-hidden="true"
+    >
+      <path fill="#F8E8F8" d="M8 0v24H0v32h24V0" />
+      <path
+        fill="#807098"
+        d="M12 0h2v1h1v1h1v1h-1v1h-2V3h-1V0zm3 0h1v1h-1V0zm2 0h2v1h-1v1h-1V0zm4 0h2v1h-2V0zm-2 1h2v1h-2V1zm4 0h1v3h-2v1h-1V3h1V2h1V1zm-6 2h1v2h-1V3zm2 0h1v2h-1V3zM9 4h4v1H9V4zm5 1h3v4h-1V6h-2V5zm4 0h1v1h-1V5zm2 0h1v1h1V5h2v1h-1v2h-1v1h-2v1h-1V9h-1V7h1V6h1V5zM8 7h1v1H8V7zm0 3h2v1h1v1H9v-1H8v-1zm13 0h1v1h1v1h-2v-2zm2 0h1v1h-1v-1zm-11 1h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h1v1h-1v-1zm3 0h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h1v1h-1v-1zM8 12h1v1H8v-1zm3 0h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h1v1h2v1h1v1h-2v-1h-3v-1h1v-1zm-5 1h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h1v1h-1v-1zm7 0h2v1h-2v-1zm3 0h2v1h-2v-1zM8 15h1v1H8v-1zm11 0h2v1h1v1h-2v-1h-1v-1zm4 0h1v1h-1v-1zm-13 1h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h4v1h-4v-1zm-2 2h1v1h-1v-1zm3 0h1v1h1v1h-3v-1h1v-1zm4 0h4v1h-2v1h-3v-1h1v-1zM9 19h1v1H9v-1zm2 0h1v1h-1v-1zm10 1h3v2h-1v-1h-2v-1zm-11 1h2v2H9v-1h1v-1zm4 0h2v3h1v-1h1v2h1v1h-2v-1h-2v-1h-1v-1h-1v-1h1v-1zm6 0h1v1h-1v-1zm-8 2h1v1h-1v-1zm7 0h2v1h-1v1h-1v-2zm4 0h1v1h-1v-1zM0 24h8v3H7v2h3v1H8v1H7v-1H1v-1h5v-4H0v-1zm9 0h3v1H9v-1zm4 0h1v1h-1v-1zm8 0h1v1h-1v-1zm-1 1h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h2v3h-1v-2h-1v-1zm-6 1h1v2h-1v-2zm3 0h1v2h-1v-2zm2 0h1v2h-1v-2zm-11 2h2v1h1v1h-2v-1h-1v-1zm7 0h2v1h-2v-1zm3 0h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h1v1h-1v-1zm-6 1h1v2h-1v-2zm3 0h1v1h1v-1h1v2h1v1h-1v2h-1v-1h-1v1h-1v-1h-2v-1h2v-1h-1v-1h1v-1zm4 0h1v1h-1v-1zm-12 2h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h1v1h-1v-1zM5 32h1v1H5v-1zm3 1h2v1H8v-1zm3 0h1v1h-1v-1zm3 0h1v1h-1v-1zm9 0h1v1h-1v-1zM6 34h2v1H7v1H6v1h1v1H1v-1H0v-1h1v-1h1v1h1v-1h1v1h1v-1h1v-1zm11 0h2v1h-1v1h1v-1h1v1h1v1h-5v1h-1v-2h2v-2zm5 0h1v1h-1v-1zM8 35h4v1h1v2h-3v-1H7v-1h1v-1zm5 0h2v1h-2v-1zm9 1h1v1h-1v-1zm-1 1h1v1h-1v-1zM2 39h1v2H2v-2zm2 0h1v2H4v-2zm2 0h1v2H6v-2zm2 0h2v2H9v-1H8v-1zm3 0h1v1h-1v-1zm4 0h1v1h-1v-1zm7 0h1v1h-1v-1zm-5 1h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h1v1h-1v-1zM1 41h1v1H1v-1zm2 0h1v1H3v-1zm2 0h1v1H5v-1zm2 0h1v1H7v-1zm3 0h2v2h-1v-1h-1v-1zm4 0h2v1h7v1h-1v1h-1v-1h-1v3h-4v-1h1v-2h-2v-1h-1v-1zm9 0h1v1h-1v-1zm-10 2h2v1h1v1h-4v1h1v1h1v-1h1v1h1v1h-4v-1h-1v-3h2v-1zm10 0h1v1h-1v-1zM0 45h10v3H8v-2H0v-1zm22 0h1v1h-1v-1zm-1 1h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h1v2h-1v-2zM4 48h4v2H7v-1H6v1H5v-1H4v-1zm6 0h2v3h-1v-1h-1v-2zm6 0h7v1h-7v-1zM0 49h4v1h1v1H0v-2zm13 0h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h1v1h2v1h-3v-2zm-9 1h1v2H6v-2zm2 0h2v1h1v1h1v1H7v-1h1v-2zm11 0h5v1h-1v1h-1v-1h-1v1h-3v-1h1v-1zm-7 1h3v1h-3v-1zM0 52h6v1h1v1H5v-1H4v1h1v1h1v1H4v-1H0v-3zm12 1h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h1v3h-2v-2h1v-1zm2 0h2v3h-1v-1h-1v-2zm6 0h2v1h-1v1h-2v-1h1v-1zM7 54h1v1H7v-1zm12 0h1v1h-1v-1zM8 55h4v1H8v-1zm15 0h1v1h-1v-1z"
+      />
+      <path
+        fill="#181010"
+        d="M8 0h1v1H8V0zm0 6h1v1H8V6zm2 0h1v1h-1V6zm2 0h1v1h-1V6zm2 0h1v1h-1V6zM8 9h1v1H8V9zm3 0h1v1h-1V9zm2 0h1v1h-1V9zm2 0h1v1h-1V9zm6 0h1v1h-1V9zm2 0h1v1h-1V9zM8 11h1v1H8v-1zm9 1h5v1h-5v-1zm6 0h1v1h-1v-1zm-13 2h4v1h-4v-1zm9 0h4v1h-4v-1zm-4 1h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h2v1h-2v-1zm-5 2h1v1h-1v-1zm4 0h2v1h-2v-1zm3 0h2v1h-2v-1zm3 0h1v1h-1v-1zM8 18h1v2H8v-2zm1 2h1v1H9v-1zm2 0h2v1h-2v-1zm4 0h1v1h-1v-1zm1 2h4v1h-4v-1zm6 0h2v1h-2v-1zM9 25h1v1H9v-1zm2 0h5v1h-1v1h-1v-1h-1v1h1v1h-2v-1h-1v-2zM0 26h1v1H0v-1zm8 0h1v1h1v1H8v-2zm7 1h1v1h-1v-1zm-8 1h1v1H7v-1zm-7 2h1v1H0v-1zm9 0h2v1H9v-1zm5 0h2v1h-2v-1zM1 31h5v1H1v-1zm6 0h1v1H7v-1zm-7 1h1v2H0v-2zm9 0h7v1H9v-1zm14 0h1v1h-1v-1zM2 33h1v1H2v-1zm2 0h1v1H4v-1zm3 0h1v1H7v-1zm1 1h2v1H8v-1zm4 0h1v1h-1v-1zM0 35h1v1H0v-1zm23 1h1v1h-1v-1zm-1 1h1v2h-1v-2zM2 38h1v1H2v-1zm2 0h1v1H4v-1zm2 0h1v1H6v-1zm2 0h4v1H8v-1zm6 0h1v1h-1v-1zm3 1h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h1v1h-1v-1zm-10 1h1v1h-1v-1zm9 0h1v1h-1v-1zM8 42h1v1H8v-1zm10 4h3v2h-2v-1h-1v-1zm-1 1h1v1h-1v-1zm-1 2h1v1h-1v-1zm7 0h1v1h-1v-1zm-5 3h3v1h-3v-1zm4 0h1v1h-1v-1z"
+      />
+      <path
+        fill="#F0B088"
+        d="M8 5h1v1H8V5zm1 1h1v1h1V6h1v1h1V6h1v1h1V6h1v2H9V6zM8 8h1v1H8V8zm1 1h2v1H9V9zm3 0h1v1h-1V9zm2 0h1v1h-1V9zm6 0h1v1h-1V9zm2 0h1v1h-1V9zm-6 3h1v1h-1v-1zm6 0h1v1h-1v-1zM9 14h1v1h4v-1h2v1h-1v1H9v-2zm14 0h1v1h-1v-1zm-7 1h1v1h-1v-1zm-8 1h1v1h3v1H8v-2zm5 1h3v1h-3v-1zm5 0h1v1h-1v-1zm3 0h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h1v1h-1v-1zM8 20h1v1H8v-1zm2 0h1v1h-1v-1zm3 0h2v1h-2v-1zm-5 2h1v1H8v-1zm12 0h2v1h-2v-1zm-10 3h1v2h1v1h-2v-1H9v-1h1v-1zm3 1h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h1v1h-1v-1zm-1 1h1v1h-1v-1zM0 29h1v1H0v-1zm11 1h3v1h-3v-1zm-5 1h1v1H6v-1zm-5 2h1v1H1v-1zm2 0h1v1H3v-1zm2 0h2v1H5v-1zm5 0h1v1h1v1h-2v-2zm3 1h3v1h-3v-1zM0 37h1v1H0v-1zm8 0h2v1H8v-1zm15 0h1v1h-1v-1zM1 38h1v1H1v-1zm2 0h1v1H3v-1zm2 0h1v1H5v-1zm2 0h1v1H7v-1zm5 0h2v1h-2v-1zm3 0h7v1h-1v1h-1v-1h-1v1h-1v-1h-1v1h-1v-1h-1v-1zM0 39h1v2H0v-2zm10 0h1v1h-1v-1zm-2 1h1v1H8v-1zm3 0h2v1h-2v-1zm3 0h2v1h-2v-1zm9 0h1v1h-1v-1zm-7 1h7v1h-7v-1zm7 1h1v1h-1v-1zm-3 3h1v1h-1v-1zm-4 1h2v1h-1v1h-1v-2zm2 1h1v1h-1v-1zm-1 2h6v1h-6v-1zm-1 3h2v1h-2v-1zm5 0h1v1h-1v-1zm2 0h1v1h-1v-1z"
+      />
+    </svg>
+  );
 }
 
 export function ContactAvatar({
@@ -14,14 +43,30 @@ export function ContactAvatar({
   size = 28,
   contactType,
   clickable,
+  variant = 'default',
 }: ContactAvatarProps) {
+  if (variant === 'corrupt') {
+    return (
+      <div
+        className={`flex items-center justify-center rounded-md flex-shrink-0 select-none bg-black/10${clickable ? ' cursor-pointer' : ''}`}
+        style={{
+          width: size,
+          height: size,
+        }}
+        aria-hidden="true"
+      >
+        <CorruptAvatarGraphic size={size} />
+      </div>
+    );
+  }
+
   const avatar = getContactAvatar(name, publicKey, contactType);
 
   return (
     <div
       className={`flex items-center justify-center rounded-full font-semibold flex-shrink-0 select-none${clickable ? ' cursor-pointer' : ''}`}
       style={{
-        backgroundColor: avatar.background,
+        background: avatar.background,
         color: avatar.textColor,
         width: size,
         height: size,

frontend/src/components/ContactInfoPane.tsx

@@ -1,19 +1,38 @@
-import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
+import { type ReactNode, useEffect, useState } from 'react';
+import { Ban, Search, Star } from 'lucide-react';
 import { api } from '../api';
 import { formatTime } from '../utils/messageParser';
+import {
+  getContactDisplayName,
+  isPrefixOnlyContact,
+  isUnknownFullKeyContact,
+} from '../utils/pubkey';
 import {
   isValidLocation,
   calculateDistance,
   formatDistance,
+  formatRouteLabel,
+  getDirectContactRoute,
+  getEffectiveContactRoute,
+  hasRoutingOverride,
   parsePathHops,
 } from '../utils/pathUtils';
+import { isPublicChannelKey } from '../utils/publicChannel';
 import { getMapFocusHash } from '../utils/urlHash';
 import { isFavorite } from '../utils/favorites';
 import { handleKeyboardActivate } from '../utils/a11y';
 import { ContactAvatar } from './ContactAvatar';
 import { Sheet, SheetContent, SheetDescription, SheetHeader, SheetTitle } from './ui/sheet';
 import { toast } from './ui/sonner';
-import type { Contact, ContactDetail, Favorite, RadioConfig } from '../types';
+import type {
+  Contact,
+  ContactActiveRoom,
+  ContactAnalytics,
+  ContactAnalyticsHourlyBucket,
+  ContactAnalyticsWeeklyBucket,
+  Favorite,
+  RadioConfig,
+} from '../types';
 
 const CONTACT_TYPE_LABELS: Record<number, string> = {
   0: 'Unknown',
@@ -39,6 +58,8 @@ interface ContactInfoPaneProps {
   favorites: Favorite[];
   onToggleFavorite: (type: 'channel' | 'contact', id: string) => void;
   onNavigateToChannel?: (channelKey: string) => void;
+  onSearchMessagesByKey?: (publicKey: string) => void;
+  onSearchMessagesByName?: (name: string) => void;
   blockedKeys?: string[];
   blockedNames?: string[];
   onToggleBlockedKey?: (key: string) => void;
@@ -54,6 +75,8 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
   favorites,
   onToggleFavorite,
   onNavigateToChannel,
+  onSearchMessagesByKey,
+  onSearchMessagesByName,
   blockedKeys = [],
   blockedNames = [],
   onToggleBlockedKey,
@@ -62,7 +85,7 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
   const isNameOnly = contactKey?.startsWith('name:') ?? false;
   const nameOnlyValue = isNameOnly && contactKey ? contactKey.slice(5) : null;
 
-  const [detail, setDetail] = useState<ContactDetail | null>(null);
+  const [analytics, setAnalytics] = useState<ContactAnalytics | null>(null);
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(false);
 
   // Get live contact data from contacts array (real-time via WS)
@@ -70,21 +93,26 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
     contactKey && !isNameOnly ? (contacts.find((c) => c.public_key === contactKey) ?? null) : null;
 
   useEffect(() => {
-    if (!contactKey || isNameOnly) {
-      setDetail(null);
+    if (!contactKey) {
+      setAnalytics(null);
       return;
     }
 
     let cancelled = false;
+    setAnalytics(null);
     setLoading(true);
-    api
-      .getContactDetail(contactKey)
+    const request =
+      isNameOnly && nameOnlyValue
+        ? api.getContactAnalytics({ name: nameOnlyValue })
+        : api.getContactAnalytics({ publicKey: contactKey });
+
+    request
       .then((data) => {
-        if (!cancelled) setDetail(data);
+        if (!cancelled) setAnalytics(data);
       })
       .catch((err) => {
         if (!cancelled) {
-          console.error('Failed to fetch contact detail:', err);
+          console.error('Failed to fetch contact analytics:', err);
           toast.error('Failed to load contact info');
         }
       })
@@ -94,10 +122,10 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
     return () => {
       cancelled = true;
     };
-  }, [contactKey, isNameOnly]);
+  }, [contactKey, isNameOnly, nameOnlyValue]);
 
-  // Use live contact data where available, fall back to detail snapshot
-  const contact = liveContact ?? detail?.contact ?? null;
+  // Use live contact data where available, fall back to analytics snapshot
+  const contact = liveContact ?? analytics?.contact ?? null;
 
   const distFromUs =
     contact &&
@@ -106,7 +134,18 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
     isValidLocation(contact.lat, contact.lon)
       ? calculateDistance(config.lat, config.lon, contact.lat, contact.lon)
       : null;
-  const pathHashModeLabel = contact ? formatPathHashMode(contact.out_path_hash_mode) : null;
+  const effectiveRoute = contact ? getEffectiveContactRoute(contact) : null;
+  const directRoute = contact ? getDirectContactRoute(contact) : null;
+  const pathHashModeLabel =
+    effectiveRoute && effectiveRoute.pathLen >= 0
+      ? formatPathHashMode(effectiveRoute.pathHashMode)
+      : null;
+  const learnedRouteLabel = directRoute ? formatRouteLabel(directRoute.path_len, true) : null;
+  const isPrefixOnlyResolvedContact = contact ? isPrefixOnlyContact(contact.public_key) : false;
+  const isUnknownFullKeyResolvedContact =
+    contact !== null &&
+    !isPrefixOnlyResolvedContact &&
+    isUnknownFullKeyContact(contact.public_key, contact.last_advert);
 
   return (
     <Sheet open={contactKey !== null} onOpenChange={(open) => !open && onClose()}>
@@ -121,9 +160,15 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
             {/* Name-only header */}
             <div className="px-5 pt-5 pb-4 border-b border-border">
               <div className="flex items-start gap-4">
-                <ContactAvatar name={nameOnlyValue} publicKey={`name:${nameOnlyValue}`} size={56} />
+                <ContactAvatar
+                  name={analytics?.name ?? nameOnlyValue}
+                  publicKey={`name:${nameOnlyValue}`}
+                  size={56}
+                />
                 <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
-                  <h2 className="text-lg font-semibold truncate">{nameOnlyValue}</h2>
+                  <h2 className="text-lg font-semibold truncate">
+                    {analytics?.name ?? nameOnlyValue}
+                  </h2>
                   <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mt-1">
                     We have not heard an advertisement associated with this name, so we cannot
                     identify their key.
@@ -132,8 +177,6 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
               </div>
             </div>
 
-            {fromChannel && <ChannelAttributionWarning />}
-
             {/* Block by name toggle */}
             {onToggleBlockedName && (
               <div className="px-5 py-3 border-b border-border">
@@ -144,20 +187,65 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
                 >
                   {blockedNames.includes(nameOnlyValue) ? (
                     <>
-                      <span className="text-destructive text-lg">&#x2718;</span>
+                      <Ban className="h-4.5 w-4.5 text-destructive" aria-hidden="true" />
                       <span>Unblock this name</span>
                     </>
                   ) : (
                     <>
-                      <span className="text-muted-foreground text-lg">&#x2718;</span>
+                      <Ban className="h-4.5 w-4.5 text-muted-foreground" aria-hidden="true" />
                       <span>Block this name</span>
                     </>
                   )}
                 </button>
               </div>
             )}
+
+            {onSearchMessagesByName && (
+              <div className="px-5 py-3 border-b border-border">
+                <button
+                  type="button"
+                  className="text-sm flex items-center gap-2 hover:text-primary transition-colors"
+                  onClick={() => onSearchMessagesByName(nameOnlyValue)}
+                >
+                  <Search className="h-4.5 w-4.5 text-muted-foreground" aria-hidden="true" />
+                  <span>Search user&apos;s messages by name</span>
+                </button>
+              </div>
+            )}
+
+            {fromChannel && (
+              <ChannelAttributionWarning
+                nameOnly
+                includeAliasNote={false}
+                className="border-b border-border mx-0 my-0 rounded-none px-5 py-3"
+              />
+            )}
+
+            <MessageStatsSection
+              dmMessageCount={0}
+              channelMessageCount={analytics?.channel_message_count ?? 0}
+              showDirectMessages={false}
+            />
+
+            {analytics?.name_first_seen_at && (
+              <div className="px-5 py-3 border-b border-border">
+                <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-x-4 gap-y-1 text-sm">
+                  <InfoItem
+                    label="Name First In Use"
+                    value={formatTime(analytics.name_first_seen_at)}
+                  />
+                </div>
+              </div>
+            )}
+
+            <ActivityChartsSection analytics={analytics} />
+
+            <MostActiveRoomsSection
+              rooms={analytics?.most_active_rooms ?? []}
+              onNavigateToChannel={onNavigateToChannel}
+            />
           </div>
-        ) : loading && !detail ? (
+        ) : loading && !analytics && !contact ? (
           <div className="flex-1 flex items-center justify-center text-muted-foreground">
             Loading...
           </div>
@@ -174,7 +262,7 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
                 />
                 <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
                   <h2 className="text-lg font-semibold truncate">
-                    {contact.name || contact.public_key.slice(0, 12)}
+                    {getContactDisplayName(contact.name, contact.public_key, contact.last_advert)}
                   </h2>
                   <span
                     className="text-xs font-mono text-muted-foreground cursor-pointer hover:text-primary transition-colors block truncate"
@@ -193,17 +281,26 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
                     <span className="text-[10px] uppercase tracking-wider px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded bg-muted text-muted-foreground font-medium">
                       {CONTACT_TYPE_LABELS[contact.type] ?? 'Unknown'}
                     </span>
-                    {contact.on_radio && (
-                      <span className="text-[10px] uppercase tracking-wider px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded bg-primary/10 text-primary font-medium">
-                        On Radio
-                      </span>
-                    )}
                   </div>
                 </div>
               </div>
             </div>
 
-            {fromChannel && <ChannelAttributionWarning />}
+            {isPrefixOnlyResolvedContact && (
+              <div className="mx-5 mt-4 rounded-md border border-destructive/30 bg-destructive/10 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-destructive">
+                We only know a key prefix for this sender, which can happen when a fallback DM
+                arrives before we hear an advertisement. This contact stays read-only until the full
+                key resolves from a later advertisement.
+              </div>
+            )}
+
+            {isUnknownFullKeyResolvedContact && (
+              <div className="mx-5 mt-4 rounded-md border border-warning/30 bg-warning/10 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-warning">
+                We know this sender&apos;s full key, but we have not yet heard an advertisement that
+                fills in their identity details. Those details will appear automatically when an
+                advertisement arrives.
+              </div>
+            )}
 
             {/* Info grid */}
             <div className="px-5 py-3 border-b border-border">
@@ -220,17 +317,24 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
                 {distFromUs !== null && (
                   <InfoItem label="Distance" value={formatDistance(distFromUs)} />
                 )}
-                {contact.last_path_len >= 0 && (
+                {effectiveRoute && (
                   <InfoItem
-                    label="Hops"
+                    label="Routing"
                     value={
-                      contact.last_path_len === 0
-                        ? 'Direct'
-                        : `${contact.last_path_len} hop${contact.last_path_len > 1 ? 's' : ''}`
+                      effectiveRoute.forced ? (
+                        <span>
+                          {formatRouteLabel(effectiveRoute.pathLen, true)}{' '}
+                          <span className="text-destructive">(forced)</span>
+                        </span>
+                      ) : (
+                        formatRouteLabel(effectiveRoute.pathLen, true)
+                      )
                     }
                   />
                 )}
-                {contact.last_path_len === -1 && <InfoItem label="Routing" value="Flood" />}
+                {hasRoutingOverride(contact) && learnedRouteLabel && (
+                  <InfoItem label="Learned Route" value={learnedRouteLabel} />
+                )}
                 {pathHashModeLabel && <InfoItem label="Hop Width" value={pathHashModeLabel} />}
               </div>
             </div>
@@ -264,15 +368,16 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
                 type="button"
                 className="text-sm flex items-center gap-2 hover:text-primary transition-colors"
                 onClick={() => onToggleFavorite('contact', contact.public_key)}
+                title="Favorite contacts stay loaded on the radio for ACK support"
               >
                 {isFavorite(favorites, 'contact', contact.public_key) ? (
                   <>
-                    <span className="text-favorite text-lg">&#9733;</span>
+                    <Star className="h-4.5 w-4.5 fill-current text-favorite" aria-hidden="true" />
                     <span>Remove from favorites</span>
                   </>
                 ) : (
                   <>
-                    <span className="text-muted-foreground text-lg">&#9734;</span>
+                    <Star className="h-4.5 w-4.5 text-muted-foreground" aria-hidden="true" />
                     <span>Add to favorites</span>
                   </>
                 )}
@@ -290,12 +395,12 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
                   >
                     {blockedKeys.includes(contact.public_key.toLowerCase()) ? (
                       <>
-                        <span className="text-destructive text-lg">&#x2718;</span>
+                        <Ban className="h-4.5 w-4.5 text-destructive" aria-hidden="true" />
                         <span>Unblock this key</span>
                       </>
                     ) : (
                       <>
-                        <span className="text-muted-foreground text-lg">&#x2718;</span>
+                        <Ban className="h-4.5 w-4.5 text-muted-foreground" aria-hidden="true" />
                         <span>Block this key</span>
                       </>
                     )}
@@ -309,12 +414,12 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
                   >
                     {blockedNames.includes(contact.name) ? (
                       <>
-                        <span className="text-destructive text-lg">&#x2718;</span>
+                        <Ban className="h-4.5 w-4.5 text-destructive" aria-hidden="true" />
                         <span>Unblock name &ldquo;{contact.name}&rdquo;</span>
                       </>
                     ) : (
                       <>
-                        <span className="text-muted-foreground text-lg">&#x2718;</span>
+                        <Ban className="h-4.5 w-4.5 text-muted-foreground" aria-hidden="true" />
                         <span>Block name &ldquo;{contact.name}&rdquo;</span>
                       </>
                     )}
@@ -323,85 +428,25 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
               </div>
             )}
 
-            {/* AKA (Name History) - only show if more than one name */}
-            {detail && detail.name_history.length > 1 && (
+            {onSearchMessagesByKey && (
               <div className="px-5 py-3 border-b border-border">
-                <SectionLabel>Also Known As</SectionLabel>
-                <div className="space-y-1">
-                  {detail.name_history.map((h) => (
-                    <div key={h.name} className="flex justify-between items-center text-sm">
-                      <span className="font-medium truncate">{h.name}</span>
-                      <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground flex-shrink-0 ml-2">
-                        {formatTime(h.first_seen)} &ndash; {formatTime(h.last_seen)}
-                      </span>
-                    </div>
-                  ))}
-                </div>
-              </div>
-            )}
-
-            {/* Message Stats */}
-            {detail && (detail.dm_message_count > 0 || detail.channel_message_count > 0) && (
-              <div className="px-5 py-3 border-b border-border">
-                <SectionLabel>Messages</SectionLabel>
-                <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-x-4 gap-y-1 text-sm">
-                  {detail.dm_message_count > 0 && (
-                    <InfoItem
-                      label="Direct Messages"
-                      value={detail.dm_message_count.toLocaleString()}
-                    />
-                  )}
-                  {detail.channel_message_count > 0 && (
-                    <InfoItem
-                      label="Channel Messages"
-                      value={detail.channel_message_count.toLocaleString()}
-                    />
-                  )}
-                </div>
-              </div>
-            )}
-
-            {/* Most Active Rooms */}
-            {detail && detail.most_active_rooms.length > 0 && (
-              <div className="px-5 py-3 border-b border-border">
-                <SectionLabel>Most Active Rooms</SectionLabel>
-                <div className="space-y-1">
-                  {detail.most_active_rooms.map((room) => (
-                    <div
-                      key={room.channel_key}
-                      className="flex justify-between items-center text-sm"
-                    >
-                      <span
-                        className={
-                          onNavigateToChannel
-                            ? 'cursor-pointer hover:text-primary transition-colors truncate'
-                            : 'truncate'
-                        }
-                        role={onNavigateToChannel ? 'button' : undefined}
-                        tabIndex={onNavigateToChannel ? 0 : undefined}
-                        onKeyDown={onNavigateToChannel ? handleKeyboardActivate : undefined}
-                        onClick={() => onNavigateToChannel?.(room.channel_key)}
-                      >
-                        {room.channel_name.startsWith('#') || room.channel_name === 'Public'
-                          ? room.channel_name
-                          : `#${room.channel_name}`}
-                      </span>
-                      <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground flex-shrink-0 ml-2">
-                        {room.message_count.toLocaleString()} msg
-                        {room.message_count !== 1 ? 's' : ''}
-                      </span>
-                    </div>
-                  ))}
-                </div>
+                <button
+                  type="button"
+                  className="text-sm flex items-center gap-2 hover:text-primary transition-colors"
+                  onClick={() => onSearchMessagesByKey(contact.public_key)}
+                >
+                  <Search className="h-4.5 w-4.5 text-muted-foreground" aria-hidden="true" />
+                  <span>Search user&apos;s messages by key</span>
+                </button>
               </div>
             )}
 
             {/* Nearest Repeaters */}
-            {detail && detail.nearest_repeaters.length > 0 && (
+            {analytics && analytics.nearest_repeaters.length > 0 && (
               <div className="px-5 py-3 border-b border-border">
                 <SectionLabel>Nearest Repeaters</SectionLabel>
                 <div className="space-y-1">
-                  {detail.nearest_repeaters.map((r) => (
+                  {analytics.nearest_repeaters.map((r) => (
                     <div key={r.public_key} className="flex justify-between items-center text-sm">
                       <span className="truncate">{r.name || r.public_key.slice(0, 12)}</span>
                       <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground flex-shrink-0 ml-2">
@@ -417,11 +462,11 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
             )}
 
             {/* Advert Paths */}
-            {detail && detail.advert_paths.length > 0 && (
-              <div className="px-5 py-3">
+            {analytics && analytics.advert_paths.length > 0 && (
+              <div className="px-5 py-3 border-b border-border">
                 <SectionLabel>Recent Advert Paths</SectionLabel>
                 <div className="space-y-1">
-                  {detail.advert_paths.map((p) => (
+                  {analytics.advert_paths.map((p) => (
                     <div
                       key={p.path + p.first_seen}
                       className="flex justify-between items-center text-sm"
@@ -437,6 +482,41 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
                 </div>
               </div>
             )}
+
+            {fromChannel && (
+              <ChannelAttributionWarning
+                includeAliasNote={Boolean(analytics && analytics.name_history.length > 1)}
+              />
+            )}
+
+            {/* AKA (Name History) - only show if more than one name */}
+            {analytics && analytics.name_history.length > 1 && (
+              <div className="px-5 py-3 border-b border-border">
+                <SectionLabel>Also Known As</SectionLabel>
+                <div className="space-y-1">
+                  {analytics.name_history.map((h) => (
+                    <div key={h.name} className="flex justify-between items-center text-sm">
+                      <span className="font-medium truncate">{h.name}</span>
+                      <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground flex-shrink-0 ml-2">
+                        {formatTime(h.first_seen)} &ndash; {formatTime(h.last_seen)}
+                      </span>
+                    </div>
+                  ))}
+                </div>
+              </div>
+            )}
+
+            <MessageStatsSection
+              dmMessageCount={analytics?.dm_message_count ?? 0}
+              channelMessageCount={analytics?.channel_message_count ?? 0}
+            />
+
+            <ActivityChartsSection analytics={analytics} />
+
+            <MostActiveRoomsSection
+              rooms={analytics?.most_active_rooms ?? []}
+              onNavigateToChannel={onNavigateToChannel}
+            />
           </div>
         ) : (
           <div className="flex-1 flex items-center justify-center text-muted-foreground">
@@ -456,19 +536,305 @@ function SectionLabel({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
   );
 }
 
-function ChannelAttributionWarning() {
+function ChannelAttributionWarning({
+  includeAliasNote = false,
+  nameOnly = false,
+  className = 'mx-5 my-3 px-3 py-2 rounded-md bg-warning/10 border border-warning/20',
+}: {
+  includeAliasNote?: boolean;
+  nameOnly?: boolean;
+  className?: string;
+}) {
   return (
-    <div className="mx-5 my-3 px-3 py-2 rounded-md bg-yellow-500/10 border border-yellow-500/20">
-      <p className="text-xs text-yellow-600 dark:text-yellow-400">
+    <div className={className}>
+      <p className="text-xs text-warning">
         Channel sender identity is based on best-effort name matching. Different nodes using the
-        same name will be attributed to the same contact. Message counts and key-based statistics
+        same name will be attributed to the same {nameOnly ? 'sender name' : 'contact'}. Stats below
         may be inaccurate.
+        {includeAliasNote &&
+          ' Historical counts below may include messages previously attributed under names shown in Also Known As.'}
       </p>
     </div>
   );
 }
 
-function InfoItem({ label, value }: { label: string; value: string }) {
+function MessageStatsSection({
+  dmMessageCount,
+  channelMessageCount,
+  showDirectMessages = true,
+}: {
+  dmMessageCount: number;
+  channelMessageCount: number;
+  showDirectMessages?: boolean;
+}) {
+  if ((showDirectMessages ? dmMessageCount : 0) <= 0 && channelMessageCount <= 0) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <div className="px-5 py-3 border-b border-border">
+      <SectionLabel>Messages</SectionLabel>
+      <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-x-4 gap-y-1 text-sm">
+        {showDirectMessages && dmMessageCount > 0 && (
+          <InfoItem label="Direct Messages" value={dmMessageCount.toLocaleString()} />
+        )}
+        {channelMessageCount > 0 && (
+          <InfoItem label="Channel Messages" value={channelMessageCount.toLocaleString()} />
+        )}
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function MostActiveRoomsSection({
+  rooms,
+  onNavigateToChannel,
+}: {
+  rooms: ContactActiveRoom[];
+  onNavigateToChannel?: (channelKey: string) => void;
+}) {
+  if (rooms.length === 0) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <div className="px-5 py-3 border-b border-border">
+      <SectionLabel>Most Active Rooms</SectionLabel>
+      <div className="space-y-1">
+        {rooms.map((room) => (
+          <div key={room.channel_key} className="flex justify-between items-center text-sm">
+            <span
+              className={
+                onNavigateToChannel
+                  ? 'cursor-pointer hover:text-primary transition-colors truncate'
+                  : 'truncate'
+              }
+              role={onNavigateToChannel ? 'button' : undefined}
+              tabIndex={onNavigateToChannel ? 0 : undefined}
+              onKeyDown={onNavigateToChannel ? handleKeyboardActivate : undefined}
+              onClick={() => onNavigateToChannel?.(room.channel_key)}
+            >
+              {room.channel_name.startsWith('#') || isPublicChannelKey(room.channel_key)
+                ? room.channel_name
+                : `#${room.channel_name}`}
+            </span>
+            <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground flex-shrink-0 ml-2">
+              {room.message_count.toLocaleString()} msg
+              {room.message_count !== 1 ? 's' : ''}
+            </span>
+          </div>
+        ))}
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function ActivityChartsSection({ analytics }: { analytics: ContactAnalytics | null }) {
+  if (!analytics) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const hasHourlyActivity = analytics.hourly_activity.some(
+    (bucket) =>
+      bucket.last_24h_count > 0 || bucket.last_week_average > 0 || bucket.all_time_average > 0
+  );
+  const hasWeeklyActivity = analytics.weekly_activity.some((bucket) => bucket.message_count > 0);
+  if (!hasHourlyActivity && !hasWeeklyActivity) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <div className="px-5 py-3 border-b border-border space-y-4">
+      {hasHourlyActivity && (
+        <div>
+          <SectionLabel>Messages Per Hour</SectionLabel>
+          <ChartLegend
+            items={[
+              { label: 'Last 24h', color: '#2563eb' },
+              { label: '7-day avg', color: '#ea580c' },
+              { label: 'All-time avg', color: '#64748b' },
+            ]}
+          />
+          <ActivityLineChart
+            ariaLabel="Messages per hour"
+            points={analytics.hourly_activity}
+            series={[
+              { key: 'last_24h_count', color: '#2563eb' },
+              { key: 'last_week_average', color: '#ea580c' },
+              { key: 'all_time_average', color: '#64748b' },
+            ]}
+            valueFormatter={(value) => value.toFixed(value % 1 === 0 ? 0 : 1)}
+            tickFormatter={(bucket) =>
+              new Date(bucket.bucket_start * 1000).toLocaleTimeString([], {
+                hour: '2-digit',
+                minute: '2-digit',
+                hour12: false,
+              })
+            }
+          />
+        </div>
+      )}
+
+      {hasWeeklyActivity && (
+        <div>
+          <SectionLabel>Messages Per Week</SectionLabel>
+          <ActivityLineChart
+            ariaLabel="Messages per week"
+            points={analytics.weekly_activity}
+            series={[{ key: 'message_count', color: '#16a34a' }]}
+            valueFormatter={(value) => value.toFixed(0)}
+            tickFormatter={(bucket) =>
+              new Date(bucket.bucket_start * 1000).toLocaleDateString([], {
+                month: 'short',
+                day: 'numeric',
+              })
+            }
+          />
+        </div>
+      )}
+
+      <p className="text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">
+        Hourly lines compare the last 24 hours against 7-day and all-time averages for the same hour
+        slots.
+        {!analytics.includes_direct_messages &&
+          ' Name-only analytics include channel messages only.'}
+      </p>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function ChartLegend({ items }: { items: Array<{ label: string; color: string }> }) {
+  return (
+    <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-x-3 gap-y-1 mb-2 text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">
+      {items.map((item) => (
+        <span key={item.label} className="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5">
+          <span
+            className="inline-block h-2 w-2 rounded-full"
+            style={{ backgroundColor: item.color }}
+            aria-hidden="true"
+          />
+          {item.label}
+        </span>
+      ))}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function ActivityLineChart<T extends ContactAnalyticsHourlyBucket | ContactAnalyticsWeeklyBucket>({
+  ariaLabel,
+  points,
+  series,
+  tickFormatter,
+  valueFormatter,
+}: {
+  ariaLabel: string;
+  points: T[];
+  series: Array<{ key: keyof T; color: string }>;
+  tickFormatter: (point: T) => string;
+  valueFormatter: (value: number) => string;
+}) {
+  const width = 320;
+  const height = 132;
+  const padding = { top: 8, right: 8, bottom: 24, left: 32 };
+  const plotWidth = width - padding.left - padding.right;
+  const plotHeight = height - padding.top - padding.bottom;
+  const allValues = points.flatMap((point) =>
+    series.map((entry) => {
+      const value = point[entry.key];
+      return typeof value === 'number' ? value : 0;
+    })
+  );
+  const maxValue = Math.max(1, ...allValues);
+  const tickIndices = Array.from(
+    new Set([
+      0,
+      Math.floor((points.length - 1) / 3),
+      Math.floor(((points.length - 1) * 2) / 3),
+      points.length - 1,
+    ])
+  );
+
+  const buildPolyline = (key: keyof T) =>
+    points
+      .map((point, index) => {
+        const rawValue = point[key];
+        const value = typeof rawValue === 'number' ? rawValue : 0;
+        const x =
+          padding.left + (points.length === 1 ? 0 : (index / (points.length - 1)) * plotWidth);
+        const y = padding.top + plotHeight - (value / maxValue) * plotHeight;
+        return `${x},${y}`;
+      })
+      .join(' ');
+
+  return (
+    <div>
+      <svg
+        viewBox={`0 0 ${width} ${height}`}
+        className="w-full h-auto"
+        role="img"
+        aria-label={ariaLabel}
+      >
+        {[0, 0.5, 1].map((ratio) => {
+          const y = padding.top + plotHeight - ratio * plotHeight;
+          const value = maxValue * ratio;
+          return (
+            <g key={ratio}>
+              <line
+                x1={padding.left}
+                x2={width - padding.right}
+                y1={y}
+                y2={y}
+                stroke="hsl(var(--border))"
+                strokeWidth="1"
+              />
+              <text
+                x={padding.left - 6}
+                y={y + 4}
+                fontSize="10"
+                textAnchor="end"
+                fill="hsl(var(--muted-foreground))"
+              >
+                {valueFormatter(value)}
+              </text>
+            </g>
+          );
+        })}
+
+        {series.map((entry) => (
+          <polyline
+            key={String(entry.key)}
+            fill="none"
+            stroke={entry.color}
+            strokeWidth="2"
+            strokeLinejoin="round"
+            strokeLinecap="round"
+            points={buildPolyline(entry.key)}
+          />
+        ))}
+
+        {tickIndices.map((index) => {
+          const point = points[index];
+          const x =
+            padding.left + (points.length === 1 ? 0 : (index / (points.length - 1)) * plotWidth);
+          return (
+            <text
+              key={`${ariaLabel}-${point.bucket_start}`}
+              x={x}
+              y={height - 6}
+              fontSize="10"
+              textAnchor={index === 0 ? 'start' : index === points.length - 1 ? 'end' : 'middle'}
+              fill="hsl(var(--muted-foreground))"
+            >
+              {tickFormatter(point)}
+            </text>
+          );
+        })}
+      </svg>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function InfoItem({ label, value }: { label: string; value: ReactNode }) {
   return (
     <div>
       <span className="text-muted-foreground text-xs">{label}</span>

frontend/src/components/ContactPathDiscoveryModal.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,215 @@
+import { useMemo, useState } from 'react';
+
+import type { Contact, PathDiscoveryResponse, PathDiscoveryRoute } from '../types';
+import {
+  findContactsByPrefix,
+  formatRouteLabel,
+  getDirectContactRoute,
+  getEffectiveContactRoute,
+  hasRoutingOverride,
+  parsePathHops,
+} from '../utils/pathUtils';
+import { Button } from './ui/button';
+import {
+  Dialog,
+  DialogContent,
+  DialogDescription,
+  DialogFooter,
+  DialogHeader,
+  DialogTitle,
+} from './ui/dialog';
+
+interface ContactPathDiscoveryModalProps {
+  open: boolean;
+  onClose: () => void;
+  contact: Contact;
+  contacts: Contact[];
+  radioName: string | null;
+  onDiscover: (publicKey: string) => Promise<PathDiscoveryResponse>;
+}
+
+function formatPathHashMode(mode: number): string {
+  if (mode === 0) return '1-byte hops';
+  if (mode === 1) return '2-byte hops';
+  if (mode === 2) return '3-byte hops';
+  return 'Unknown hop width';
+}
+
+function renderRouteNodes(
+  route: PathDiscoveryRoute,
+  startLabel: string,
+  endLabel: string,
+  contacts: Contact[]
+): string {
+  if (route.path_len <= 0 || !route.path) {
+    return `${startLabel} -> ${endLabel}`;
+  }
+
+  const hops = parsePathHops(route.path, route.path_len).map((prefix) => {
+    const matches = findContactsByPrefix(prefix, contacts, true);
+    if (matches.length === 1) {
+      return matches[0].name || `${matches[0].public_key.slice(0, prefix.length)}…`;
+    }
+    if (matches.length > 1) {
+      return `${prefix}…?`;
+    }
+    return `${prefix}…`;
+  });
+
+  return [startLabel, ...hops, endLabel].join(' -> ');
+}
+
+function RouteCard({
+  label,
+  route,
+  chain,
+}: {
+  label: string;
+  route: PathDiscoveryRoute;
+  chain: string;
+}) {
+  const rawPath = parsePathHops(route.path, route.path_len).join(' -> ') || 'direct';
+
+  return (
+    <div className="rounded-md border border-border bg-muted/20 p-3">
+      <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-3">
+        <h4 className="text-sm font-semibold">{label}</h4>
+        <span className="text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">
+          {formatRouteLabel(route.path_len, true)}
+        </span>
+      </div>
+      <p className="mt-2 text-sm">{chain}</p>
+      <div className="mt-2 flex flex-wrap gap-x-3 gap-y-1 text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">
+        <span>Raw: {rawPath}</span>
+        <span>{formatPathHashMode(route.path_hash_mode)}</span>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+export function ContactPathDiscoveryModal({
+  open,
+  onClose,
+  contact,
+  contacts,
+  radioName,
+  onDiscover,
+}: ContactPathDiscoveryModalProps) {
+  const [loading, setLoading] = useState(false);
+  const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [result, setResult] = useState<PathDiscoveryResponse | null>(null);
+
+  const effectiveRoute = useMemo(() => getEffectiveContactRoute(contact), [contact]);
+  const directRoute = useMemo(() => getDirectContactRoute(contact), [contact]);
+  const hasForcedRoute = hasRoutingOverride(contact);
+  const learnedRouteSummary = useMemo(() => {
+    if (!directRoute) {
+      return 'Flood';
+    }
+    const hops = parsePathHops(directRoute.path, directRoute.path_len);
+    return hops.length > 0
+      ? `${formatRouteLabel(directRoute.path_len, true)} (${hops.join(' -> ')})`
+      : formatRouteLabel(directRoute.path_len, true);
+  }, [directRoute]);
+  const forcedRouteSummary = useMemo(() => {
+    if (!hasForcedRoute) {
+      return null;
+    }
+    if (effectiveRoute.pathLen === -1) {
+      return 'Flood';
+    }
+    const hops = parsePathHops(effectiveRoute.path, effectiveRoute.pathLen);
+    return hops.length > 0
+      ? `${formatRouteLabel(effectiveRoute.pathLen, true)} (${hops.join(' -> ')})`
+      : formatRouteLabel(effectiveRoute.pathLen, true);
+  }, [effectiveRoute, hasForcedRoute]);
+
+  const forwardChain = result
+    ? renderRouteNodes(
+        result.forward_path,
+        radioName || 'Local radio',
+        contact.name || contact.public_key.slice(0, 12),
+        contacts
+      )
+    : null;
+  const returnChain = result
+    ? renderRouteNodes(
+        result.return_path,
+        contact.name || contact.public_key.slice(0, 12),
+        radioName || 'Local radio',
+        contacts
+      )
+    : null;
+
+  const handleDiscover = async () => {
+    setLoading(true);
+    setError(null);
+    try {
+      const discovered = await onDiscover(contact.public_key);
+      setResult(discovered);
+    } catch (err) {
+      setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Unknown error');
+    } finally {
+      setLoading(false);
+    }
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <Dialog open={open} onOpenChange={(isOpen) => !isOpen && onClose()}>
+      <DialogContent className="sm:max-w-[560px]">
+        <DialogHeader>
+          <DialogTitle>Path Discovery</DialogTitle>
+          <DialogDescription>
+            Send a routed probe to this contact and wait for the round-trip path response. The
+            learned forward route will be saved back onto the contact if a response comes back.
+          </DialogDescription>
+        </DialogHeader>
+
+        <div className="space-y-4">
+          <div className="rounded-md border border-border bg-muted/20 p-3 text-sm">
+            <div className="font-medium">{contact.name || contact.public_key.slice(0, 12)}</div>
+            <div className="mt-1 text-muted-foreground">
+              Current learned route: {learnedRouteSummary}
+            </div>
+            {forcedRouteSummary && (
+              <div className="mt-1 text-destructive">
+                Current forced route: {forcedRouteSummary}
+              </div>
+            )}
+          </div>
+
+          {hasForcedRoute && (
+            <div className="rounded-md border border-warning/30 bg-warning/10 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-warning">
+              A forced route override is currently set for this contact. Path discovery will update
+              the learned route data, but it will not replace the forced path. Clearing the forced
+              route afterward is enough to make the newly discovered learned path take effect. You
+              only need to rerun path discovery if you want a fresher route sample.
+            </div>
+          )}
+
+          {error && (
+            <div className="rounded-md border border-destructive/30 bg-destructive/10 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-destructive">
+              {error}
+            </div>
+          )}
+
+          {result && forwardChain && returnChain && (
+            <div className="space-y-3">
+              <RouteCard label="Forward Path" route={result.forward_path} chain={forwardChain} />
+              <RouteCard label="Return Path" route={result.return_path} chain={returnChain} />
+            </div>
+          )}
+        </div>
+
+        <DialogFooter className="gap-2 sm:justify-between">
+          <Button variant="secondary" onClick={onClose}>
+            Close
+          </Button>
+          <Button onClick={handleDiscover} disabled={loading}>
+            {loading ? 'Running...' : 'Run path discovery'}
+          </Button>
+        </DialogFooter>
+      </DialogContent>
+    </Dialog>
+  );
+}

frontend/src/components/ContactRoutingOverrideModal.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,180 @@
+import { useEffect, useMemo, useState } from 'react';
+
+import { api } from '../api';
+import type { Contact } from '../types';
+import {
+  formatRouteLabel,
+  formatRoutingOverrideInput,
+  getDirectContactRoute,
+  hasRoutingOverride,
+} from '../utils/pathUtils';
+import { Button } from './ui/button';
+import {
+  Dialog,
+  DialogContent,
+  DialogDescription,
+  DialogFooter,
+  DialogHeader,
+  DialogTitle,
+} from './ui/dialog';
+import { Input } from './ui/input';
+import { Label } from './ui/label';
+
+interface ContactRoutingOverrideModalProps {
+  open: boolean;
+  onClose: () => void;
+  contact: Contact;
+  onSaved: (message: string) => void;
+  onError: (message: string) => void;
+}
+
+function summarizeLearnedRoute(contact: Contact): string {
+  return formatRouteLabel(getDirectContactRoute(contact)?.path_len ?? -1, true);
+}
+
+function summarizeForcedRoute(contact: Contact): string | null {
+  if (!hasRoutingOverride(contact)) {
+    return null;
+  }
+  const routeOverrideLen = contact.route_override_len;
+  return routeOverrideLen == null ? null : formatRouteLabel(routeOverrideLen, true);
+}
+
+export function ContactRoutingOverrideModal({
+  open,
+  onClose,
+  contact,
+  onSaved,
+  onError,
+}: ContactRoutingOverrideModalProps) {
+  const [route, setRoute] = useState('');
+  const [saving, setSaving] = useState(false);
+  const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!open) {
+      return;
+    }
+    setRoute(formatRoutingOverrideInput(contact));
+    setError(null);
+  }, [contact, open]);
+
+  const forcedRouteSummary = useMemo(() => summarizeForcedRoute(contact), [contact]);
+
+  const saveRoute = async (value: string) => {
+    setSaving(true);
+    setError(null);
+    try {
+      await api.setContactRoutingOverride(contact.public_key, value);
+      onSaved(value.trim() === '' ? 'Routing override cleared' : 'Routing override updated');
+      onClose();
+    } catch (err) {
+      const message = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Failed to update routing override';
+      setError(message);
+      onError(message);
+    } finally {
+      setSaving(false);
+    }
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <Dialog open={open} onOpenChange={(isOpen) => !isOpen && onClose()}>
+      <DialogContent className="sm:max-w-[560px]">
+        <DialogHeader>
+          <DialogTitle>Routing Override</DialogTitle>
+          <DialogDescription>
+            Set a forced route for this contact. Leave the field blank to clear the override and
+            fall back to the learned route or flood until a new path is heard.
+          </DialogDescription>
+        </DialogHeader>
+
+        <form
+          className="space-y-4"
+          onSubmit={(event) => {
+            event.preventDefault();
+            void saveRoute(route);
+          }}
+        >
+          <div className="rounded-md border border-border bg-muted/20 p-3 text-sm">
+            <div className="font-medium">{contact.name || contact.public_key.slice(0, 12)}</div>
+            <div className="mt-1 text-muted-foreground">
+              Current learned route: {summarizeLearnedRoute(contact)}
+            </div>
+            {forcedRouteSummary && (
+              <div className="mt-1 text-destructive">
+                Current forced route: {forcedRouteSummary}
+              </div>
+            )}
+          </div>
+
+          <div className="space-y-2">
+            <Label htmlFor="routing-override-input">Forced route</Label>
+            <Input
+              id="routing-override-input"
+              value={route}
+              onChange={(event) => setRoute(event.target.value)}
+              placeholder='Examples: "ae,f1" or "ae92,f13e"'
+              autoFocus
+              disabled={saving}
+            />
+            <div className="space-y-1 text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+              <p>Use comma-separated 1, 2, or 3 byte hop IDs for an explicit path.</p>
+              <p>
+                Note: direct messages that do not see an ACK retry up to 3 times. The final retry is
+                sent as flood, even when forced routing is configured.
+              </p>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+
+          <div className="space-y-2">
+            <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-2">
+              <Button
+                type="button"
+                variant="outline"
+                className="w-full"
+                onClick={() => void saveRoute('-1')}
+                disabled={saving}
+              >
+                Force Flood
+              </Button>
+              <Button
+                type="button"
+                variant="outline"
+                className="w-full"
+                onClick={() => void saveRoute('0')}
+                disabled={saving}
+              >
+                Force Direct
+              </Button>
+            </div>
+            <Button type="submit" className="w-full" disabled={saving || route.trim().length === 0}>
+              {saving
+                ? 'Saving...'
+                : `Force ${route.trim() === '' ? 'custom' : route.trim()} routing`}
+            </Button>
+          </div>
+
+          {error && (
+            <div className="rounded-md border border-destructive/30 bg-destructive/10 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-destructive">
+              {error}
+            </div>
+          )}
+
+          <DialogFooter className="gap-2 sm:justify-between">
+            <Button type="button" variant="secondary" onClick={onClose} disabled={saving}>
+              Cancel
+            </Button>
+            <Button
+              type="button"
+              variant="outline"
+              onClick={() => void saveRoute('')}
+              disabled={saving}
+            >
+              Clear override
+            </Button>
+          </DialogFooter>
+        </form>
+      </DialogContent>
+    </Dialog>
+  );
+}

frontend/src/components/ContactStatusInfo.tsx

@@ -1,11 +1,17 @@
-import type { ReactNode } from 'react';
+import { useState, type ReactNode } from 'react';
 import { toast } from './ui/sonner';
-import { api } from '../api';
 import { formatTime } from '../utils/messageParser';
-import { isValidLocation, calculateDistance, formatDistance } from '../utils/pathUtils';
+import {
+  isValidLocation,
+  calculateDistance,
+  formatDistance,
+  formatRouteLabel,
+  getEffectiveContactRoute,
+} from '../utils/pathUtils';
 import { getMapFocusHash } from '../utils/urlHash';
 import { handleKeyboardActivate } from '../utils/a11y';
 import type { Contact } from '../types';
+import { ContactRoutingOverrideModal } from './ContactRoutingOverrideModal';
 
 interface ContactStatusInfoProps {
   contact: Contact;
@@ -18,59 +24,31 @@ interface ContactStatusInfoProps {
  * shared between ChatHeader and RepeaterDashboard.
  */
 export function ContactStatusInfo({ contact, ourLat, ourLon }: ContactStatusInfoProps) {
+  const [routingModalOpen, setRoutingModalOpen] = useState(false);
   const parts: ReactNode[] = [];
+  const effectiveRoute = getEffectiveContactRoute(contact);
 
   if (contact.last_seen) {
     parts.push(`Last heard: ${formatTime(contact.last_seen)}`);
   }
 
-  if (contact.last_path_len === -1) {
-    parts.push('flood');
-  } else if (contact.last_path_len === 0) {
-    parts.push(
-      <span
-        key="path"
-        className="cursor-pointer hover:text-primary hover:underline"
-        role="button"
-        tabIndex={0}
-        onKeyDown={handleKeyboardActivate}
-        onClick={(e) => {
-          e.stopPropagation();
-          if (window.confirm('Reset path to flood?')) {
-            api.resetContactPath(contact.public_key).then(
-              () => toast.success('Path reset to flood'),
-              () => toast.error('Failed to reset path')
-            );
-          }
-        }}
-        title="Click to reset path to flood"
-      >
-        direct
-      </span>
-    );
-  } else if (contact.last_path_len > 0) {
-    parts.push(
-      <span
-        key="path"
-        className="cursor-pointer hover:text-primary hover:underline"
-        role="button"
-        tabIndex={0}
-        onKeyDown={handleKeyboardActivate}
-        onClick={(e) => {
-          e.stopPropagation();
-          if (window.confirm('Reset path to flood?')) {
-            api.resetContactPath(contact.public_key).then(
-              () => toast.success('Path reset to flood'),
-              () => toast.error('Failed to reset path')
-            );
-          }
-        }}
-        title="Click to reset path to flood"
-      >
-        {contact.last_path_len} hop{contact.last_path_len > 1 ? 's' : ''}
-      </span>
-    );
-  }
+  parts.push(
+    <span
+      key="path"
+      className="cursor-pointer underline underline-offset-2 decoration-muted-foreground/50 hover:text-primary"
+      role="button"
+      tabIndex={0}
+      onKeyDown={handleKeyboardActivate}
+      onClick={(e) => {
+        e.stopPropagation();
+        setRoutingModalOpen(true);
+      }}
+      title="Click to edit routing override"
+    >
+      {formatRouteLabel(effectiveRoute.pathLen)}
+      {effectiveRoute.forced && <span className="text-destructive"> (forced)</span>}
+    </span>
+  );
 
   if (isValidLocation(contact.lat, contact.lon)) {
     const distFromUs =
@@ -104,15 +82,24 @@ export function ContactStatusInfo({ contact, ourLat, ourLon }: ContactStatusInfo
   if (parts.length === 0) return null;
 
   return (
-    <span className="font-normal text-sm text-muted-foreground flex-shrink-0">
-      (
-      {parts.map((part, i) => (
-        <span key={i}>
-          {i > 0 && ', '}
-          {part}
-        </span>
-      ))}
-      )
-    </span>
+    <>
+      <span className="font-normal text-sm text-muted-foreground flex-shrink-0">
+        (
+        {parts.map((part, i) => (
+          <span key={i}>
+            {i > 0 && ', '}
+            {part}
+          </span>
+        ))}
+        )
+      </span>
+      <ContactRoutingOverrideModal
+        open={routingModalOpen}
+        onClose={() => setRoutingModalOpen(false)}
+        contact={contact}
+        onSaved={(message) => toast.success(message)}
+        onError={(message) => toast.error(message)}
+      />
+    </>
   );
 }

frontend/src/components/ConversationPane.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,291 @@
+import { lazy, Suspense, useMemo, type Ref } from 'react';
+
+import { ChatHeader } from './ChatHeader';
+import { MessageInput, type MessageInputHandle } from './MessageInput';
+import { MessageList } from './MessageList';
+import { RawPacketList } from './RawPacketList';
+import type {
+  Channel,
+  Contact,
+  Conversation,
+  Favorite,
+  HealthStatus,
+  Message,
+  PathDiscoveryResponse,
+  RawPacket,
+  RadioConfig,
+} from '../types';
+import { CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER } from '../types';
+import { isPrefixOnlyContact, isUnknownFullKeyContact } from '../utils/pubkey';
+
+const RepeaterDashboard = lazy(() =>
+  import('./RepeaterDashboard').then((m) => ({ default: m.RepeaterDashboard }))
+);
+const MapView = lazy(() => import('./MapView').then((m) => ({ default: m.MapView })));
+const VisualizerView = lazy(() =>
+  import('./VisualizerView').then((m) => ({ default: m.VisualizerView }))
+);
+
+interface ConversationPaneProps {
+  activeConversation: Conversation | null;
+  contacts: Contact[];
+  channels: Channel[];
+  rawPackets: RawPacket[];
+  config: RadioConfig | null;
+  health: HealthStatus | null;
+  notificationsSupported: boolean;
+  notificationsEnabled: boolean;
+  notificationsPermission: NotificationPermission | 'unsupported';
+  favorites: Favorite[];
+  messages: Message[];
+  messagesLoading: boolean;
+  loadingOlder: boolean;
+  hasOlderMessages: boolean;
+  unreadMarkerLastReadAt?: number | null;
+  targetMessageId: number | null;
+  hasNewerMessages: boolean;
+  loadingNewer: boolean;
+  messageInputRef: Ref<MessageInputHandle>;
+  onTrace: () => Promise<void>;
+  onPathDiscovery: (publicKey: string) => Promise<PathDiscoveryResponse>;
+  onToggleFavorite: (type: 'channel' | 'contact', id: string) => Promise<void>;
+  onDeleteContact: (publicKey: string) => Promise<void>;
+  onDeleteChannel: (key: string) => Promise<void>;
+  onSetChannelFloodScopeOverride: (channelKey: string, floodScopeOverride: string) => Promise<void>;
+  onOpenContactInfo: (publicKey: string, fromChannel?: boolean) => void;
+  onOpenChannelInfo: (channelKey: string) => void;
+  onSenderClick: (sender: string) => void;
+  onLoadOlder: () => Promise<void>;
+  onResendChannelMessage: (messageId: number, newTimestamp?: boolean) => Promise<void>;
+  onTargetReached: () => void;
+  onLoadNewer: () => Promise<void>;
+  onJumpToBottom: () => void;
+  onDismissUnreadMarker: () => void;
+  onSendMessage: (text: string) => Promise<void>;
+  onToggleNotifications: () => void;
+}
+
+function LoadingPane({ label }: { label: string }) {
+  return (
+    <div className="flex-1 flex items-center justify-center text-muted-foreground">{label}</div>
+  );
+}
+
+function ContactResolutionBanner({ variant }: { variant: 'unknown-full-key' | 'prefix-only' }) {
+  if (variant === 'prefix-only') {
+    return (
+      <div className="mx-4 mt-3 rounded-md border border-destructive/30 bg-destructive/10 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-destructive">
+        We only know a key prefix for this sender, which can happen when a fallback DM arrives
+        before we learn their full identity. This conversation is read-only until we hear an
+        advertisement that resolves the full key.
+      </div>
+    );
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <div className="mx-4 mt-3 rounded-md border border-warning/30 bg-warning/10 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-warning">
+      A full identity profile is not yet available because we have not heard an advertisement from
+      this sender. The contact will fill in automatically when an advertisement arrives.
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+export function ConversationPane({
+  activeConversation,
+  contacts,
+  channels,
+  rawPackets,
+  config,
+  health,
+  notificationsSupported,
+  notificationsEnabled,
+  notificationsPermission,
+  favorites,
+  messages,
+  messagesLoading,
+  loadingOlder,
+  hasOlderMessages,
+  unreadMarkerLastReadAt,
+  targetMessageId,
+  hasNewerMessages,
+  loadingNewer,
+  messageInputRef,
+  onTrace,
+  onPathDiscovery,
+  onToggleFavorite,
+  onDeleteContact,
+  onDeleteChannel,
+  onSetChannelFloodScopeOverride,
+  onOpenContactInfo,
+  onOpenChannelInfo,
+  onSenderClick,
+  onLoadOlder,
+  onResendChannelMessage,
+  onTargetReached,
+  onLoadNewer,
+  onJumpToBottom,
+  onDismissUnreadMarker,
+  onSendMessage,
+  onToggleNotifications,
+}: ConversationPaneProps) {
+  const activeContactIsRepeater = useMemo(() => {
+    if (!activeConversation || activeConversation.type !== 'contact') return false;
+    const contact = contacts.find((candidate) => candidate.public_key === activeConversation.id);
+    return contact?.type === CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER;
+  }, [activeConversation, contacts]);
+  const activeContact = useMemo(() => {
+    if (!activeConversation || activeConversation.type !== 'contact') return null;
+    return contacts.find((candidate) => candidate.public_key === activeConversation.id) ?? null;
+  }, [activeConversation, contacts]);
+  const isPrefixOnlyActiveContact = activeContact
+    ? isPrefixOnlyContact(activeContact.public_key)
+    : false;
+  const isUnknownFullKeyActiveContact =
+    activeContact !== null &&
+    !isPrefixOnlyActiveContact &&
+    isUnknownFullKeyContact(activeContact.public_key, activeContact.last_advert);
+
+  if (!activeConversation) {
+    return (
+      <div className="flex-1 flex items-center justify-center text-muted-foreground">
+        Select a conversation or start a new one
+      </div>
+    );
+  }
+
+  if (activeConversation.type === 'map') {
+    return (
+      <>
+        <h2 className="flex justify-between items-center px-4 py-2.5 border-b border-border font-semibold text-base">
+          Node Map
+        </h2>
+        <div className="flex-1 overflow-hidden">
+          <Suspense fallback={<LoadingPane label="Loading map..." />}>
+            <MapView contacts={contacts} focusedKey={activeConversation.mapFocusKey} />
+          </Suspense>
+        </div>
+      </>
+    );
+  }
+
+  if (activeConversation.type === 'visualizer') {
+    return (
+      <Suspense fallback={<LoadingPane label="Loading visualizer..." />}>
+        <VisualizerView packets={rawPackets} contacts={contacts} config={config} />
+      </Suspense>
+    );
+  }
+
+  if (activeConversation.type === 'raw') {
+    return (
+      <>
+        <h2 className="flex justify-between items-center px-4 py-2.5 border-b border-border font-semibold text-base">
+          Raw Packet Feed
+        </h2>
+        <div className="flex-1 overflow-hidden">
+          <RawPacketList packets={rawPackets} />
+        </div>
+      </>
+    );
+  }
+
+  if (activeConversation.type === 'search') {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  if (activeContactIsRepeater) {
+    return (
+      <Suspense fallback={<LoadingPane label="Loading dashboard..." />}>
+        <RepeaterDashboard
+          key={activeConversation.id}
+          conversation={activeConversation}
+          contacts={contacts}
+          favorites={favorites}
+          notificationsSupported={notificationsSupported}
+          notificationsEnabled={notificationsEnabled}
+          notificationsPermission={notificationsPermission}
+          radioLat={config?.lat ?? null}
+          radioLon={config?.lon ?? null}
+          radioName={config?.name ?? null}
+          onTrace={onTrace}
+          onPathDiscovery={onPathDiscovery}
+          onToggleNotifications={onToggleNotifications}
+          onToggleFavorite={onToggleFavorite}
+          onDeleteContact={onDeleteContact}
+        />
+      </Suspense>
+    );
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      <ChatHeader
+        conversation={activeConversation}
+        contacts={contacts}
+        channels={channels}
+        config={config}
+        favorites={favorites}
+        notificationsSupported={notificationsSupported}
+        notificationsEnabled={notificationsEnabled}
+        notificationsPermission={notificationsPermission}
+        onTrace={onTrace}
+        onPathDiscovery={onPathDiscovery}
+        onToggleNotifications={onToggleNotifications}
+        onToggleFavorite={onToggleFavorite}
+        onSetChannelFloodScopeOverride={onSetChannelFloodScopeOverride}
+        onDeleteChannel={onDeleteChannel}
+        onDeleteContact={onDeleteContact}
+        onOpenContactInfo={onOpenContactInfo}
+        onOpenChannelInfo={onOpenChannelInfo}
+      />
+      {activeConversation.type === 'contact' && isPrefixOnlyActiveContact && (
+        <ContactResolutionBanner variant="prefix-only" />
+      )}
+      {activeConversation.type === 'contact' && isUnknownFullKeyActiveContact && (
+        <ContactResolutionBanner variant="unknown-full-key" />
+      )}
+      <MessageList
+        key={activeConversation.id}
+        messages={messages}
+        contacts={contacts}
+        loading={messagesLoading}
+        loadingOlder={loadingOlder}
+        hasOlderMessages={hasOlderMessages}
+        unreadMarkerLastReadAt={
+          activeConversation.type === 'channel' ? unreadMarkerLastReadAt : undefined
+        }
+        onDismissUnreadMarker={
+          activeConversation.type === 'channel' ? onDismissUnreadMarker : undefined
+        }
+        onSenderClick={activeConversation.type === 'channel' ? onSenderClick : undefined}
+        onLoadOlder={onLoadOlder}
+        onResendChannelMessage={
+          activeConversation.type === 'channel' ? onResendChannelMessage : undefined
+        }
+        radioName={config?.name}
+        config={config}
+        onOpenContactInfo={onOpenContactInfo}
+        targetMessageId={targetMessageId}
+        onTargetReached={onTargetReached}
+        hasNewerMessages={hasNewerMessages}
+        loadingNewer={loadingNewer}
+        onLoadNewer={onLoadNewer}
+        onJumpToBottom={onJumpToBottom}
+      />
+      {activeConversation.type === 'contact' && isPrefixOnlyActiveContact ? null : (
+        <MessageInput
+          ref={messageInputRef}
+          onSend={onSendMessage}
+          disabled={!health?.radio_connected}
+          conversationType={activeConversation.type}
+          senderName={config?.name}
+          placeholder={
+            !health?.radio_connected
+              ? 'Radio not connected'
+              : `Message ${activeConversation.name}...`
+          }
+        />
+      )}
+    </>
+  );
+}

frontend/src/components/CrackerPanel.tsx

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ interface QueueItem {
   status: 'pending' | 'cracking' | 'cracked' | 'failed';
 }
 
-interface CrackerPanelProps {
+export interface CrackerPanelProps {
   packets: RawPacket[];
   channels: Channel[];
   onChannelCreate: (name: string, key: string) => Promise<void>;

frontend/src/components/DirectTraceIcon.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+interface DirectTraceIconProps {
+  className?: string;
+}
+
+export function DirectTraceIcon({ className }: DirectTraceIconProps) {
+  return (
+    <svg
+      xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
+      viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+      fill="none"
+      stroke="currentColor"
+      strokeWidth="2"
+      strokeLinecap="round"
+      strokeLinejoin="round"
+      className={className}
+      aria-hidden="true"
+    >
+      <path d="M3 12h12" />
+      <circle cx="18" cy="12" r="3" />
+    </svg>
+  );
+}

frontend/src/components/MapView.tsx

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { useEffect, useState, useMemo, useRef, useCallback } from 'react';
+import { Fragment, useEffect, useState, useMemo, useRef, useCallback } from 'react';
 import { MapContainer, TileLayer, CircleMarker, Popup, useMap } from 'react-leaflet';
 import type { LatLngBoundsExpression, CircleMarker as LeafletCircleMarker } from 'leaflet';
 import 'leaflet/dist/leaflet.css';
@@ -13,17 +13,27 @@ interface MapViewProps {
   focusedKey?: string | null;
 }
 
+const MAP_RECENCY_COLORS = {
+  recent: '#06b6d4',
+  today: '#2563eb',
+  stale: '#f59e0b',
+  old: '#64748b',
+} as const;
+const MAP_MARKER_STROKE = '#0f172a';
+const MAP_REPEATER_RING = '#f8fafc';
+
 // Calculate marker color based on how recently the contact was heard
-function getMarkerColor(lastSeen: number): string {
+function getMarkerColor(lastSeen: number | null | undefined): string {
+  if (lastSeen == null) return MAP_RECENCY_COLORS.old;
   const now = Date.now() / 1000;
   const age = now - lastSeen;
   const hour = 3600;
   const day = 86400;
 
-  if (age < hour) return '#22c55e'; // Bright green - less than 1 hour
-  if (age < day) return '#4ade80'; // Light green - less than 1 day
-  if (age < 3 * day) return '#a3e635'; // Yellow-green - less than 3 days
-  return '#9ca3af'; // Gray - older (up to 7 days)
+  if (age < hour) return MAP_RECENCY_COLORS.recent;
+  if (age < day) return MAP_RECENCY_COLORS.today;
+  if (age < 3 * day) return MAP_RECENCY_COLORS.stale;
+  return MAP_RECENCY_COLORS.old;
 }
 
 // Component to handle map bounds fitting
@@ -94,16 +104,17 @@ function MapBoundsHandler({
 }
 
 export function MapView({ contacts, focusedKey }: MapViewProps) {
+  const [sevenDaysAgo] = useState(() => Date.now() / 1000 - 7 * 24 * 60 * 60);
+
   // Filter to contacts with GPS coordinates, heard within the last 7 days.
   // Always include the focused contact so "view on map" links work for older nodes.
   const mappableContacts = useMemo(() => {
-    const sevenDaysAgo = Date.now() / 1000 - 7 * 24 * 60 * 60;
     return contacts.filter(
       (c) =>
         isValidLocation(c.lat, c.lon) &&
         (c.public_key === focusedKey || (c.last_seen != null && c.last_seen > sevenDaysAgo))
     );
-  }, [contacts, focusedKey]);
+  }, [contacts, focusedKey, sevenDaysAgo]);
 
   // Find the focused contact by key
   const focusedContact = useMemo(() => {
@@ -111,6 +122,10 @@ export function MapView({ contacts, focusedKey }: MapViewProps) {
     return mappableContacts.find((c) => c.public_key === focusedKey) || null;
   }, [focusedKey, mappableContacts]);
 
+  const includesFocusedOutsideWindow =
+    focusedContact != null &&
+    (focusedContact.last_seen == null || focusedContact.last_seen <= sevenDaysAgo);
+
   // Track marker refs to open popup programmatically
   const markerRefs = useRef<Record<string, LeafletCircleMarker | null>>({});
 
@@ -137,19 +152,48 @@ export function MapView({ contacts, focusedKey }: MapViewProps) {
         <span>
           Showing {mappableContacts.length} contact{mappableContacts.length !== 1 ? 's' : ''} heard
           in the last 7 days
+          {includesFocusedOutsideWindow ? ' plus the focused contact' : ''}
         </span>
         <div className="flex items-center gap-3">
           <span className="flex items-center gap-1">
-            <span className="w-3 h-3 rounded-full bg-[#22c55e]" aria-hidden="true" /> &lt;1h
+            <span
+              className="w-3 h-3 rounded-full"
+              style={{ backgroundColor: MAP_RECENCY_COLORS.recent }}
+              aria-hidden="true"
+            />{' '}
+            &lt;1h
           </span>
           <span className="flex items-center gap-1">
-            <span className="w-3 h-3 rounded-full bg-[#4ade80]" aria-hidden="true" /> &lt;1d
+            <span
+              className="w-3 h-3 rounded-full"
+              style={{ backgroundColor: MAP_RECENCY_COLORS.today }}
+              aria-hidden="true"
+            />{' '}
+            &lt;1d
           </span>
           <span className="flex items-center gap-1">
-            <span className="w-3 h-3 rounded-full bg-[#a3e635]" aria-hidden="true" /> &lt;3d
+            <span
+              className="w-3 h-3 rounded-full"
+              style={{ backgroundColor: MAP_RECENCY_COLORS.stale }}
+              aria-hidden="true"
+            />{' '}
+            &lt;3d
           </span>
           <span className="flex items-center gap-1">
-            <span className="w-3 h-3 rounded-full bg-[#9ca3af]" aria-hidden="true" /> older
+            <span
+              className="w-3 h-3 rounded-full"
+              style={{ backgroundColor: MAP_RECENCY_COLORS.old }}
+              aria-hidden="true"
+            />{' '}
+            older
+          </span>
+          <span className="flex items-center gap-1">
+            <span
+              className="w-3 h-3 rounded-full border-2"
+              style={{ borderColor: MAP_REPEATER_RING, backgroundColor: MAP_RECENCY_COLORS.today }}
+              aria-hidden="true"
+            />{' '}
+            repeater
           </span>
         </div>
       </div>
@@ -175,41 +219,46 @@ export function MapView({ contacts, focusedKey }: MapViewProps) {
 
           {mappableContacts.map((contact) => {
             const isRepeater = contact.type === CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER;
-            const color = getMarkerColor(contact.last_seen!);
+            const color = getMarkerColor(contact.last_seen);
             const displayName = contact.name || contact.public_key.slice(0, 12);
+            const lastHeardLabel =
+              contact.last_seen != null
+                ? formatTime(contact.last_seen)
+                : 'Never heard by this server';
+            const radius = isRepeater ? 10 : 7;
 
             return (
-              <CircleMarker
-                key={contact.public_key}
-                ref={(ref) => setMarkerRef(contact.public_key, ref)}
-                center={[contact.lat!, contact.lon!]}
-                radius={isRepeater ? 10 : 7}
-                pathOptions={{
-                  color: isRepeater ? color : '#000',
-                  fillColor: color,
-                  fillOpacity: 0.8,
-                  weight: isRepeater ? 0 : 1,
-                }}
-              >
-                <Popup>
-                  <div className="text-sm">
-                    <div className="font-medium flex items-center gap-1">
-                      {isRepeater && (
-                        <span title="Repeater" aria-hidden="true">
-                          🛜
-                        </span>
-                      )}
-                      {displayName}
+              <Fragment key={contact.public_key}>
+                <CircleMarker
+                  key={contact.public_key}
+                  ref={(ref) => setMarkerRef(contact.public_key, ref)}
+                  center={[contact.lat!, contact.lon!]}
+                  radius={radius}
+                  pathOptions={{
+                    color: isRepeater ? MAP_REPEATER_RING : MAP_MARKER_STROKE,
+                    fillColor: color,
+                    fillOpacity: 0.9,
+                    weight: isRepeater ? 3 : 2,
+                  }}
+                >
+                  <Popup>
+                    <div className="text-sm">
+                      <div className="font-medium flex items-center gap-1">
+                        {isRepeater && (
+                          <span title="Repeater" aria-hidden="true">
+                            🛜
+                          </span>
+                        )}
+                        {displayName}
+                      </div>
+                      <div className="text-xs text-gray-500 mt-1">Last heard: {lastHeardLabel}</div>
+                      <div className="text-xs text-gray-400 mt-1 font-mono">
+                        {contact.lat!.toFixed(5)}, {contact.lon!.toFixed(5)}
+                      </div>
                     </div>
-                    <div className="text-xs text-gray-500 mt-1">
-                      Last heard: {formatTime(contact.last_seen!)}
-                    </div>
-                    <div className="text-xs text-gray-400 mt-1 font-mono">
-                      {contact.lat!.toFixed(5)}, {contact.lon!.toFixed(5)}
-                    </div>
-                  </div>
-                </Popup>
-              </CircleMarker>
+                  </Popup>
+                </CircleMarker>
+              </Fragment>
             );
           })}
         </MapContainer>

frontend/src/components/MessageInput.tsx

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ const CHANNEL_WARNING_THRESHOLD = 120; // Conservative for multi-hop
 const CHANNEL_DANGER_BUFFER = 8; // Red zone starts this many bytes before hard limit
 
 const textEncoder = new TextEncoder();
+const RADIO_NO_RESPONSE_SNIPPET = 'no response was heard back';
 /** Get UTF-8 byte length of a string (LoRa packets are byte-constrained, not character-constrained). */
 function byteLen(s: string): number {
   return textEncoder.encode(s).length;
@@ -118,8 +119,11 @@ export const MessageInput = forwardRef<MessageInputHandle, MessageInputProps>(fu
         setText('');
       } catch (err) {
         console.error('Failed to send message:', err);
-        toast.error('Failed to send message', {
-          description: err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Check radio connection',
+        const description = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Check radio connection';
+        const isRadioNoResponse =
+          err instanceof Error && err.message.toLowerCase().includes(RADIO_NO_RESPONSE_SNIPPET);
+        toast.error(isRadioNoResponse ? 'Radio did not confirm send' : 'Failed to send message', {
+          description,
         });
         return;
       } finally {
@@ -150,7 +154,7 @@ export const MessageInput = forwardRef<MessageInputHandle, MessageInputProps>(fu
 
   return (
     <form
-      className="px-4 py-2.5 border-t border-border flex flex-col gap-1"
+      className="message-input-shell px-4 py-2.5 border-t border-border flex flex-col gap-1"
       onSubmit={handleSubmit}
       autoComplete="off"
     >

frontend/src/components/MessageList.tsx

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import {
+  Fragment,
   useEffect,
   useLayoutEffect,
   useRef,
@@ -11,6 +12,7 @@ import type { Contact, Message, MessagePath, RadioConfig } from '../types';
 import { CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER } from '../types';
 import { formatTime, parseSenderFromText } from '../utils/messageParser';
 import { formatHopCounts, type SenderInfo } from '../utils/pathUtils';
+import { getDirectContactRoute } from '../utils/pathUtils';
 import { ContactAvatar } from './ContactAvatar';
 import { PathModal } from './PathModal';
 import { handleKeyboardActivate } from '../utils/a11y';
@@ -22,6 +24,8 @@ interface MessageListProps {
   loading: boolean;
   loadingOlder?: boolean;
   hasOlderMessages?: boolean;
+  unreadMarkerLastReadAt?: number | null;
+  onDismissUnreadMarker?: () => void;
   onSenderClick?: (sender: string) => void;
   onLoadOlder?: () => void;
   onResendChannelMessage?: (messageId: number, newTimestamp?: boolean) => void;
@@ -148,6 +152,23 @@ function HopCountBadge({ paths, onClick, variant }: HopCountBadgeProps) {
 }
 
 const RESEND_WINDOW_SECONDS = 30;
+const CORRUPT_SENDER_LABEL = '<No name -- corrupt packet?>';
+
+function hasUnexpectedControlChars(text: string): boolean {
+  for (const char of text) {
+    const code = char.charCodeAt(0);
+    if (
+      (code >= 0 && code <= 8) ||
+      code === 11 ||
+      code === 12 ||
+      (code >= 14 && code <= 31) ||
+      code === 127
+    ) {
+      return true;
+    }
+  }
+  return false;
+}
 
 export function MessageList({
   messages,
@@ -155,6 +176,8 @@ export function MessageList({
   loading,
   loadingOlder = false,
   hasOlderMessages = false,
+  unreadMarkerLastReadAt,
+  onDismissUnreadMarker,
   onSenderClick,
   onLoadOlder,
   onResendChannelMessage,
@@ -181,7 +204,10 @@ export function MessageList({
   const [resendableIds, setResendableIds] = useState<Set<number>>(new Set());
   const resendTimersRef = useRef<Map<number, ReturnType<typeof setTimeout>>>(new Map());
   const [highlightedMessageId, setHighlightedMessageId] = useState<number | null>(null);
+  const [showJumpToUnread, setShowJumpToUnread] = useState(false);
+  const [jumpToUnreadDismissed, setJumpToUnreadDismissed] = useState(false);
   const targetScrolledRef = useRef(false);
+  const unreadMarkerRef = useRef<HTMLButtonElement | HTMLDivElement | null>(null);
 
   // Capture scroll state in the scroll handler BEFORE any state updates
   const scrollStateRef = useRef({
@@ -303,6 +329,57 @@ export function MessageList({
     };
   }, [messages, onResendChannelMessage]);
 
+  // Sort messages by received_at ascending (oldest first)
+  // Note: Deduplication is handled by useConversationMessages.observeMessage()
+  // and the database UNIQUE constraint on (type, conversation_key, text, sender_timestamp)
+  const sortedMessages = useMemo(
+    () => [...messages].sort((a, b) => a.received_at - b.received_at || a.id - b.id),
+    [messages]
+  );
+  const unreadMarkerIndex = useMemo(() => {
+    if (unreadMarkerLastReadAt === undefined) {
+      return -1;
+    }
+
+    const boundary = unreadMarkerLastReadAt ?? 0;
+    return sortedMessages.findIndex((msg) => !msg.outgoing && msg.received_at > boundary);
+  }, [sortedMessages, unreadMarkerLastReadAt]);
+
+  const syncJumpToUnreadVisibility = useCallback(() => {
+    if (unreadMarkerIndex === -1 || jumpToUnreadDismissed) {
+      setShowJumpToUnread(false);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const marker = unreadMarkerRef.current;
+    const list = listRef.current;
+    if (!marker || !list) {
+      setShowJumpToUnread(true);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const markerRect = marker.getBoundingClientRect();
+    const listRect = list.getBoundingClientRect();
+
+    if (
+      markerRect.width === 0 ||
+      markerRect.height === 0 ||
+      listRect.width === 0 ||
+      listRect.height === 0
+    ) {
+      setShowJumpToUnread(true);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const markerVisible =
+      markerRect.top >= listRect.top &&
+      markerRect.bottom <= listRect.bottom &&
+      markerRect.left >= listRect.left &&
+      markerRect.right <= listRect.right;
+
+    setShowJumpToUnread(!markerVisible);
+  }, [jumpToUnreadDismissed, unreadMarkerIndex]);
+
   // Refs for scroll handler to read without causing callback recreation
   const onLoadOlderRef = useRef(onLoadOlder);
   const loadingOlderRef = useRef(loadingOlder);
@@ -317,6 +394,22 @@ export function MessageList({
   loadingNewerRef.current = loadingNewer;
   hasNewerMessagesRef.current = hasNewerMessages;
 
+  const setUnreadMarkerElement = useCallback(
+    (node: HTMLButtonElement | HTMLDivElement | null) => {
+      unreadMarkerRef.current = node;
+      syncJumpToUnreadVisibility();
+    },
+    [syncJumpToUnreadVisibility]
+  );
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    setJumpToUnreadDismissed(false);
+  }, [unreadMarkerIndex]);
+
+  useLayoutEffect(() => {
+    syncJumpToUnreadVisibility();
+  }, [messages, syncJumpToUnreadVisibility]);
+
   // Handle scroll - capture state and detect when user is near top/bottom
   // Stable callback: reads changing values from refs, never recreated.
   const handleScroll = useCallback(() => {
@@ -325,7 +418,6 @@ export function MessageList({
     const { scrollTop, scrollHeight, clientHeight } = listRef.current;
     const distanceFromBottom = scrollHeight - scrollTop - clientHeight;
 
-    // Always capture current scroll state (needed for scroll preservation)
     scrollStateRef.current = {
       scrollTop,
       scrollHeight,
@@ -334,7 +426,6 @@ export function MessageList({
       wasNearBottom: distanceFromBottom < 100,
     };
 
-    // Show scroll-to-bottom button when not near the bottom (more than 100px away)
     setShowScrollToBottom(distanceFromBottom > 100);
 
     if (!onLoadOlderRef.current || loadingOlderRef.current || !hasOlderMessagesRef.current) {
@@ -343,7 +434,6 @@ export function MessageList({
       onLoadOlderRef.current();
     }
 
-    // Trigger load newer when within 100px of bottom
     if (
       onLoadNewerRef.current &&
       !loadingNewerRef.current &&
@@ -352,7 +442,8 @@ export function MessageList({
     ) {
       onLoadNewerRef.current();
     }
-  }, []);
+    syncJumpToUnreadVisibility();
+  }, [syncJumpToUnreadVisibility]);
 
   // Scroll to bottom handler (or jump to bottom if viewing historical messages)
   const scrollToBottom = useCallback(() => {
@@ -365,14 +456,6 @@ export function MessageList({
     }
   }, [hasNewerMessages, onJumpToBottom]);
 
-  // Sort messages by received_at ascending (oldest first)
-  // Note: Deduplication is handled by useConversationMessages.addMessageIfNew()
-  // and the database UNIQUE constraint on (type, conversation_key, text, sender_timestamp)
-  const sortedMessages = useMemo(
-    () => [...messages].sort((a, b) => a.received_at - b.received_at || a.id - b.id),
-    [messages]
-  );
-
   // Sender info for outgoing messages (used by path modal on own messages)
   const selfSenderInfo = useMemo<SenderInfo>(
     () => ({
@@ -400,6 +483,17 @@ export function MessageList({
     return contacts.find((c) => c.name === name) || null;
   };
 
+  const isCorruptUnnamedChannelMessage = (msg: Message, parsedSender: string | null): boolean => {
+    return (
+      msg.type === 'CHAN' &&
+      !msg.outgoing &&
+      !msg.sender_name &&
+      !msg.sender_key &&
+      !parsedSender &&
+      hasUnexpectedControlChars(msg.text)
+    );
+  };
+
   // Build sender info for path modal
   const getSenderInfo = (
     msg: Message,
@@ -407,24 +501,53 @@ export function MessageList({
     parsedSender: string | null
   ): SenderInfo => {
     if (msg.type === 'PRIV' && contact) {
+      const directRoute = getDirectContactRoute(contact);
       return {
         name: contact.name || contact.public_key.slice(0, 12),
         publicKeyOrPrefix: contact.public_key,
         lat: contact.lat,
         lon: contact.lon,
-        pathHashMode: contact.out_path_hash_mode,
+        pathHashMode: directRoute?.path_hash_mode ?? null,
       };
     }
+    if (msg.type === 'CHAN') {
+      const senderName = msg.sender_name || parsedSender;
+      const senderContact =
+        (msg.sender_key
+          ? contacts.find((candidate) => candidate.public_key === msg.sender_key)
+          : null) || (senderName ? getContactByName(senderName) : null);
+      if (senderContact) {
+        const directRoute = getDirectContactRoute(senderContact);
+        return {
+          name: senderContact.name || senderName || senderContact.public_key.slice(0, 12),
+          publicKeyOrPrefix: senderContact.public_key,
+          lat: senderContact.lat,
+          lon: senderContact.lon,
+          pathHashMode: directRoute?.path_hash_mode ?? null,
+        };
+      }
+      if (senderName || msg.sender_key) {
+        return {
+          name: senderName || msg.sender_key || 'Unknown',
+          publicKeyOrPrefix: msg.sender_key || msg.conversation_key || '',
+          lat: null,
+          lon: null,
+          pathHashMode: null,
+        };
+      }
+    }
+
     // For channel messages, try to find contact by parsed sender name
     if (parsedSender) {
       const senderContact = getContactByName(parsedSender);
       if (senderContact) {
+        const directRoute = getDirectContactRoute(senderContact);
         return {
           name: parsedSender,
           publicKeyOrPrefix: senderContact.public_key,
           lat: senderContact.lat,
           lon: senderContact.lon,
-          pathHashMode: senderContact.out_path_hash_mode,
+          pathHashMode: directRoute?.path_hash_mode ?? null,
         };
       }
     }
@@ -455,10 +578,17 @@ export function MessageList({
   }
 
   // Helper to get a unique sender key for grouping messages
-  const getSenderKey = (msg: Message, sender: string | null): string => {
+  const getSenderKey = (
+    msg: Message,
+    senderName: string | null,
+    isCorruptChannelMessage: boolean
+  ): string => {
     if (msg.outgoing) return '__outgoing__';
     if (msg.type === 'PRIV' && msg.conversation_key) return msg.conversation_key;
-    return sender || '__unknown__';
+    if (msg.sender_key) return `key:${msg.sender_key}`;
+    if (senderName) return `name:${senderName}`;
+    if (isCorruptChannelMessage) return `corrupt:${msg.id}`;
+    return '__unknown__';
   };
 
   return (
@@ -487,17 +617,36 @@ export function MessageList({
           const { sender, content } = isRepeater
             ? { sender: null, content: msg.text }
             : parseSenderFromText(msg.text);
+          const channelSenderName = msg.type === 'CHAN' ? msg.sender_name || sender : null;
+          const channelSenderContact =
+            msg.type === 'CHAN' && channelSenderName ? getContactByName(channelSenderName) : null;
+          const isCorruptChannelMessage = isCorruptUnnamedChannelMessage(msg, sender);
           const displaySender = msg.outgoing
             ? 'You'
-            : contact?.name || sender || msg.conversation_key?.slice(0, 8) || 'Unknown';
+            : contact?.name ||
+              channelSenderName ||
+              (isCorruptChannelMessage
+                ? CORRUPT_SENDER_LABEL
+                : msg.conversation_key?.slice(0, 8) || 'Unknown');
 
-          const canClickSender = !msg.outgoing && onSenderClick && displaySender !== 'Unknown';
+          const canClickSender =
+            !msg.outgoing &&
+            onSenderClick &&
+            displaySender !== 'Unknown' &&
+            displaySender !== CORRUPT_SENDER_LABEL;
 
           // Determine if we should show avatar (first message in a chunk from same sender)
-          const currentSenderKey = getSenderKey(msg, sender);
+          const currentSenderKey = getSenderKey(msg, channelSenderName, isCorruptChannelMessage);
           const prevMsg = sortedMessages[index - 1];
+          const prevParsedSender = prevMsg ? parseSenderFromText(prevMsg.text).sender : null;
           const prevSenderKey = prevMsg
-            ? getSenderKey(prevMsg, parseSenderFromText(prevMsg.text).sender)
+            ? getSenderKey(
+                prevMsg,
+                prevMsg.type === 'CHAN'
+                  ? prevMsg.sender_name || prevParsedSender
+                  : prevParsedSender,
+                isCorruptUnnamedChannelMessage(prevMsg, prevParsedSender)
+              )
             : null;
           const isFirstInGroup = currentSenderKey !== prevSenderKey;
           const showAvatar = !msg.outgoing && isFirstInGroup;
@@ -506,108 +655,128 @@ export function MessageList({
           // Get avatar info for incoming messages
           let avatarName: string | null = null;
           let avatarKey: string = '';
+          let avatarVariant: 'default' | 'corrupt' = 'default';
           if (!msg.outgoing) {
             if (msg.type === 'PRIV' && msg.conversation_key) {
               // DM: use conversation_key (sender's public key)
               avatarName = contact?.name || null;
               avatarKey = msg.conversation_key;
-            } else if (sender) {
-              // Channel message: try to find contact by name, or use sender name as pseudo-key
-              const senderContact = getContactByName(sender);
-              avatarName = sender;
-              avatarKey = senderContact?.public_key || `name:${sender}`;
+            } else if (isCorruptChannelMessage) {
+              avatarName = CORRUPT_SENDER_LABEL;
+              avatarKey = `corrupt:${msg.id}`;
+              avatarVariant = 'corrupt';
+            } else {
+              // Channel message: use stored sender identity first, then parsed/fallback display name
+              avatarName =
+                channelSenderName || (displaySender !== 'Unknown' ? displaySender : null);
+              avatarKey =
+                msg.sender_key ||
+                channelSenderContact?.public_key ||
+                (avatarName ? `name:${avatarName}` : `message:${msg.id}`);
             }
           }
+          const avatarActionLabel =
+            avatarName && avatarName !== 'Unknown'
+              ? `View info for ${avatarName}`
+              : `View info for ${avatarKey.slice(0, 12)}`;
 
           return (
-            <div
-              key={msg.id}
-              data-message-id={msg.id}
-              className={cn(
-                'flex items-start max-w-[85%]',
-                msg.outgoing && 'flex-row-reverse self-end',
-                isFirstInGroup && !isFirstMessage && 'mt-3'
-              )}
-            >
-              {!msg.outgoing && (
-                <div className="w-10 flex-shrink-0 flex items-start pt-0.5">
-                  {showAvatar && avatarKey && (
-                    <span
-                      role={onOpenContactInfo ? 'button' : undefined}
-                      tabIndex={onOpenContactInfo ? 0 : undefined}
-                      onKeyDown={onOpenContactInfo ? handleKeyboardActivate : undefined}
-                      onClick={
-                        onOpenContactInfo
-                          ? () => onOpenContactInfo(avatarKey, msg.type === 'CHAN')
-                          : undefined
-                      }
-                    >
-                      <ContactAvatar
-                        name={avatarName}
-                        publicKey={avatarKey}
-                        size={32}
-                        clickable={!!onOpenContactInfo}
-                      />
+            <Fragment key={msg.id}>
+              {unreadMarkerIndex === index &&
+                (onDismissUnreadMarker ? (
+                  <button
+                    ref={setUnreadMarkerElement}
+                    type="button"
+                    className="my-2 flex w-full items-center gap-3 text-left text-xs font-medium text-primary transition-colors hover:text-primary/80 focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+                    onClick={onDismissUnreadMarker}
+                  >
+                    <span className="h-px flex-1 bg-border" />
+                    <span className="rounded-full border border-primary/30 bg-primary/10 px-3 py-1">
+                      Unread messages
                     </span>
-                  )}
-                </div>
-              )}
+                    <span className="h-px flex-1 bg-border" />
+                  </button>
+                ) : (
+                  <div
+                    ref={setUnreadMarkerElement}
+                    className="my-2 flex w-full items-center gap-3 text-xs font-medium text-primary"
+                  >
+                    <span className="h-px flex-1 bg-border" />
+                    <span className="rounded-full border border-primary/30 bg-primary/10 px-3 py-1">
+                      Unread messages
+                    </span>
+                    <span className="h-px flex-1 bg-border" />
+                  </div>
+                ))}
               <div
+                data-message-id={msg.id}
                 className={cn(
-                  'py-1.5 px-3 rounded-lg min-w-0',
-                  msg.outgoing ? 'bg-msg-outgoing' : 'bg-msg-incoming',
-                  highlightedMessageId === msg.id && 'message-highlight'
+                  'flex items-start max-w-[85%]',
+                  msg.outgoing && 'flex-row-reverse self-end',
+                  isFirstInGroup && !isFirstMessage && 'mt-3'
                 )}
               >
-                {showAvatar && (
-                  <div className="text-[13px] font-semibold text-foreground mb-0.5">
-                    {canClickSender ? (
-                      <span
-                        className="cursor-pointer hover:text-primary transition-colors"
-                        role="button"
-                        tabIndex={0}
-                        onKeyDown={handleKeyboardActivate}
-                        onClick={() => onSenderClick(displaySender)}
-                        title={`Mention ${displaySender}`}
-                      >
-                        {displaySender}
-                      </span>
-                    ) : (
-                      displaySender
-                    )}
-                    <span className="font-normal text-muted-foreground ml-2 text-[11px]">
-                      {formatTime(msg.sender_timestamp || msg.received_at)}
-                    </span>
-                    {!msg.outgoing && msg.paths && msg.paths.length > 0 && (
-                      <HopCountBadge
-                        paths={msg.paths}
-                        variant="header"
-                        onClick={() =>
-                          setSelectedPath({
-                            paths: msg.paths!,
-                            senderInfo: getSenderInfo(msg, contact, sender),
-                          })
-                        }
-                      />
-                    )}
+                {!msg.outgoing && (
+                  <div className="w-10 flex-shrink-0 flex items-start pt-0.5">
+                    {showAvatar &&
+                      avatarKey &&
+                      (onOpenContactInfo ? (
+                        <button
+                          type="button"
+                          className="avatar-action-button rounded-full border-none bg-transparent p-0 focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+                          aria-label={avatarActionLabel}
+                          onClick={() => onOpenContactInfo(avatarKey, msg.type === 'CHAN')}
+                        >
+                          <ContactAvatar
+                            name={avatarName}
+                            publicKey={avatarKey}
+                            size={32}
+                            clickable
+                            variant={avatarVariant}
+                          />
+                        </button>
+                      ) : (
+                        <span>
+                          <ContactAvatar
+                            name={avatarName}
+                            publicKey={avatarKey}
+                            size={32}
+                            variant={avatarVariant}
+                          />
+                        </span>
+                      ))}
                   </div>
                 )}
-                <div className="break-words whitespace-pre-wrap">
-                  {content.split('\n').map((line, i, arr) => (
-                    <span key={i}>
-                      {renderTextWithMentions(line, radioName)}
-                      {i < arr.length - 1 && <br />}
-                    </span>
-                  ))}
-                  {!showAvatar && (
-                    <>
-                      <span className="text-[10px] text-muted-foreground ml-2">
+                <div
+                  className={cn(
+                    'py-1.5 px-3 rounded-lg min-w-0',
+                    msg.outgoing ? 'bg-msg-outgoing' : 'bg-msg-incoming',
+                    highlightedMessageId === msg.id && 'message-highlight'
+                  )}
+                >
+                  {showAvatar && (
+                    <div className="text-[13px] font-semibold text-foreground mb-0.5">
+                      {canClickSender ? (
+                        <span
+                          className="cursor-pointer hover:text-primary transition-colors"
+                          role="button"
+                          tabIndex={0}
+                          onKeyDown={handleKeyboardActivate}
+                          onClick={() => onSenderClick(displaySender)}
+                          title={`Mention ${displaySender}`}
+                        >
+                          {displaySender}
+                        </span>
+                      ) : (
+                        displaySender
+                      )}
+                      <span className="font-normal text-muted-foreground ml-2 text-[11px]">
                         {formatTime(msg.sender_timestamp || msg.received_at)}
                       </span>
                       {!msg.outgoing && msg.paths && msg.paths.length > 0 && (
                         <HopCountBadge
                           paths={msg.paths}
-                          variant="inline"
+                          variant="header"
                           onClick={() =>
                             setSelectedPath({
                               paths: msg.paths!,
@@ -616,11 +785,58 @@ export function MessageList({
                           }
                         />
                       )}
-                    </>
+                    </div>
                   )}
-                  {msg.outgoing &&
-                    (msg.acked > 0 ? (
-                      msg.paths && msg.paths.length > 0 ? (
+                  <div className="break-words whitespace-pre-wrap">
+                    {content.split('\n').map((line, i, arr) => (
+                      <span key={i}>
+                        {renderTextWithMentions(line, radioName)}
+                        {i < arr.length - 1 && <br />}
+                      </span>
+                    ))}
+                    {!showAvatar && (
+                      <>
+                        <span className="text-[10px] text-muted-foreground ml-2">
+                          {formatTime(msg.sender_timestamp || msg.received_at)}
+                        </span>
+                        {!msg.outgoing && msg.paths && msg.paths.length > 0 && (
+                          <HopCountBadge
+                            paths={msg.paths}
+                            variant="inline"
+                            onClick={() =>
+                              setSelectedPath({
+                                paths: msg.paths!,
+                                senderInfo: getSenderInfo(msg, contact, sender),
+                              })
+                            }
+                          />
+                        )}
+                      </>
+                    )}
+                    {msg.outgoing &&
+                      (msg.acked > 0 ? (
+                        msg.paths && msg.paths.length > 0 ? (
+                          <span
+                            className="text-muted-foreground cursor-pointer hover:text-primary"
+                            role="button"
+                            tabIndex={0}
+                            onKeyDown={handleKeyboardActivate}
+                            onClick={(e) => {
+                              e.stopPropagation();
+                              setSelectedPath({
+                                paths: msg.paths!,
+                                senderInfo: selfSenderInfo,
+                                messageId: msg.id,
+                                isOutgoingChan: msg.type === 'CHAN' && !!onResendChannelMessage,
+                              });
+                            }}
+                            title="View echo paths"
+                            aria-label={`Acknowledged, ${msg.acked} echo${msg.acked !== 1 ? 's' : ''} — view paths`}
+                          >{` ✓${msg.acked > 1 ? msg.acked : ''}`}</span>
+                        ) : (
+                          <span className="text-muted-foreground">{` ✓${msg.acked > 1 ? msg.acked : ''}`}</span>
+                        )
+                      ) : onResendChannelMessage && msg.type === 'CHAN' ? (
                         <span
                           className="text-muted-foreground cursor-pointer hover:text-primary"
                           role="button"
@@ -629,48 +845,28 @@ export function MessageList({
                           onClick={(e) => {
                             e.stopPropagation();
                             setSelectedPath({
-                              paths: msg.paths!,
+                              paths: [],
                               senderInfo: selfSenderInfo,
                               messageId: msg.id,
-                              isOutgoingChan: msg.type === 'CHAN' && !!onResendChannelMessage,
+                              isOutgoingChan: true,
                             });
                           }}
-                          title="View echo paths"
-                          aria-label={`Acknowledged, ${msg.acked} echo${msg.acked !== 1 ? 's' : ''} — view paths`}
-                        >{` ✓${msg.acked > 1 ? msg.acked : ''}`}</span>
+                          title="Message status"
+                          aria-label="No echoes yet — view message status"
+                        >
+                          {' '}
+                          ?
+                        </span>
                       ) : (
-                        <span className="text-muted-foreground">{` ✓${msg.acked > 1 ? msg.acked : ''}`}</span>
-                      )
-                    ) : onResendChannelMessage && msg.type === 'CHAN' ? (
-                      <span
-                        className="text-muted-foreground cursor-pointer hover:text-primary"
-                        role="button"
-                        tabIndex={0}
-                        onKeyDown={handleKeyboardActivate}
-                        onClick={(e) => {
-                          e.stopPropagation();
-                          setSelectedPath({
-                            paths: [],
-                            senderInfo: selfSenderInfo,
-                            messageId: msg.id,
-                            isOutgoingChan: true,
-                          });
-                        }}
-                        title="Message status"
-                        aria-label="No echoes yet — view message status"
-                      >
-                        {' '}
-                        ?
-                      </span>
-                    ) : (
-                      <span className="text-muted-foreground" title="No repeats heard yet">
-                        {' '}
-                        ?
-                      </span>
-                    ))}
+                        <span className="text-muted-foreground" title="No repeats heard yet">
+                          {' '}
+                          ?
+                        </span>
+                      ))}
+                  </div>
                 </div>
               </div>
-            </div>
+            </Fragment>
           );
         })}
         {loadingNewer && (
@@ -686,6 +882,35 @@ export function MessageList({
       </div>
 
       {/* Scroll to bottom button */}
+      {showJumpToUnread && (
+        <div className="pointer-events-none absolute bottom-4 left-1/2 -translate-x-1/2">
+          <div className="pointer-events-auto flex h-9 items-center overflow-hidden rounded-full border border-border bg-card shadow-lg transition-all hover:scale-105">
+            <button
+              type="button"
+              onClick={() => {
+                unreadMarkerRef.current?.scrollIntoView?.({ block: 'center' });
+                setJumpToUnreadDismissed(true);
+                setShowJumpToUnread(false);
+              }}
+              className="h-full px-3 text-sm font-medium hover:bg-accent focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+            >
+              Jump to unread
+            </button>
+            <button
+              type="button"
+              onClick={() => {
+                setJumpToUnreadDismissed(true);
+                setShowJumpToUnread(false);
+              }}
+              className="flex h-full w-9 items-center justify-center border-l border-border text-muted-foreground hover:bg-accent hover:text-foreground focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+              aria-label="Dismiss jump to unread"
+              title="Dismiss jump to unread"
+            >
+              ×
+            </button>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      )}
       {showScrollToBottom && (
         <button
           onClick={scrollToBottom}

frontend/src/components/NewMessageModal.tsx

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import { useState, useRef } from 'react';
+import { Dice5 } from 'lucide-react';
 import type { Contact, Conversation } from '../types';
 import { getContactDisplayName } from '../utils/pubkey';
 import {
@@ -14,6 +15,7 @@ import { Input } from './ui/input';
 import { Label } from './ui/label';
 import { Checkbox } from './ui/checkbox';
 import { Button } from './ui/button';
+import { toast } from './ui/sonner';
 
 type Tab = 'existing' | 'new-contact' | 'new-room' | 'hashtag';
 
@@ -89,6 +91,9 @@ export function NewMessageModal({
       resetForm();
       onClose();
     } catch (err) {
+      toast.error('Failed to create conversation', {
+        description: err instanceof Error ? err.message : undefined,
+      });
       setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Failed to create');
     } finally {
       setLoading(false);
@@ -122,6 +127,9 @@ export function NewMessageModal({
       setName('');
       hashtagInputRef.current?.focus();
     } catch (err) {
+      toast.error('Failed to create conversation', {
+        description: err instanceof Error ? err.message : undefined,
+      });
       setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Failed to create');
     } finally {
       setLoading(false);
@@ -168,34 +176,40 @@ export function NewMessageModal({
 
           <TabsContent value="existing" className="mt-4">
             <div className="max-h-[300px] overflow-y-auto rounded-md border">
-              {contacts.length === 0 ? (
+              {contacts.filter((contact) => contact.public_key.length === 64).length === 0 ? (
                 <div className="p-4 text-center text-muted-foreground">No contacts available</div>
               ) : (
-                contacts.map((contact) => (
-                  <div
-                    key={contact.public_key}
-                    className="cursor-pointer px-4 py-2 hover:bg-accent focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring focus-visible:ring-inset"
-                    role="button"
-                    tabIndex={0}
-                    onKeyDown={(e) => {
-                      if (e.key === 'Enter' || e.key === ' ') {
-                        e.preventDefault();
-                        (e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).click();
-                      }
-                    }}
-                    onClick={() => {
-                      onSelectConversation({
-                        type: 'contact',
-                        id: contact.public_key,
-                        name: getContactDisplayName(contact.name, contact.public_key),
-                      });
-                      resetForm();
-                      onClose();
-                    }}
-                  >
-                    {getContactDisplayName(contact.name, contact.public_key)}
-                  </div>
-                ))
+                contacts
+                  .filter((contact) => contact.public_key.length === 64)
+                  .map((contact) => (
+                    <div
+                      key={contact.public_key}
+                      className="cursor-pointer px-4 py-2 hover:bg-accent focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring focus-visible:ring-inset"
+                      role="button"
+                      tabIndex={0}
+                      onKeyDown={(e) => {
+                        if (e.key === 'Enter' || e.key === ' ') {
+                          e.preventDefault();
+                          (e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).click();
+                        }
+                      }}
+                      onClick={() => {
+                        onSelectConversation({
+                          type: 'contact',
+                          id: contact.public_key,
+                          name: getContactDisplayName(
+                            contact.name,
+                            contact.public_key,
+                            contact.last_advert
+                          ),
+                        });
+                        resetForm();
+                        onClose();
+                      }}
+                    >
+                      {getContactDisplayName(contact.name, contact.public_key, contact.last_advert)}
+                    </div>
+                  ))
               )}
             </div>
           </TabsContent>
@@ -256,7 +270,7 @@ export function NewMessageModal({
                   title="Generate random key"
                   aria-label="Generate random key"
                 >
-                  <span aria-hidden="true">🎲</span>
+                  <Dice5 className="h-4 w-4" aria-hidden="true" />
                 </Button>
               </div>
             </div>

frontend/src/components/RawPacketList.tsx

@@ -49,9 +49,14 @@ function decodePacketSummary(
 
     const routeType = Utils.getRouteTypeName(decoded.routeType);
     const payloadTypeName = Utils.getPayloadTypeName(decoded.payloadType);
+    const tracePayload =
+      decoded.payloadType === PayloadType.Trace && decoded.payload.decoded
+        ? (decoded.payload.decoded as { pathHashes?: string[] })
+        : null;
+    const pathTokens = tracePayload?.pathHashes || decoded.path || [];
 
     // Build path string if available
-    const pathStr = decoded.path && decoded.path.length > 0 ? ` via ${decoded.path.join('-')}` : '';
+    const pathStr = pathTokens.length > 0 ? ` via ${pathTokens.join('-')}` : '';
 
     // Generate summary based on payload type
     let summary = payloadTypeName;
@@ -152,9 +157,9 @@ function getRouteTypeColor(routeType: string): string {
       return 'bg-info/20 text-info';
     case 'Direct':
       return 'bg-success/20 text-success';
-    case 'Transport Flood':
+    case 'TransportFlood':
       return 'bg-purple-500/20 text-purple-400';
-    case 'Transport Direct':
+    case 'TransportDirect':
       return 'bg-orange-500/20 text-orange-400';
     default:
       return 'bg-muted text-muted-foreground';
@@ -168,9 +173,9 @@ function getRouteTypeLabel(routeType: string): string {
       return 'F';
     case 'Direct':
       return 'D';
-    case 'Transport Flood':
+    case 'TransportFlood':
       return 'TF';
-    case 'Transport Direct':
+    case 'TransportDirect':
       return 'TD';
     default:
       return '?';

frontend/src/components/RepeaterDashboard.tsx

@@ -1,19 +1,26 @@
+import { useState } from 'react';
+
 import { toast } from './ui/sonner';
 import { Button } from './ui/button';
+import { Bell, Route, Star, Trash2 } from 'lucide-react';
+import { DirectTraceIcon } from './DirectTraceIcon';
 import { RepeaterLogin } from './RepeaterLogin';
 import { useRepeaterDashboard } from '../hooks/useRepeaterDashboard';
 import { isFavorite } from '../utils/favorites';
 import { handleKeyboardActivate } from '../utils/a11y';
+import { isValidLocation } from '../utils/pathUtils';
 import { ContactStatusInfo } from './ContactStatusInfo';
-import type { Contact, Conversation, Favorite } from '../types';
+import type { Contact, Conversation, Favorite, PathDiscoveryResponse } from '../types';
 import { TelemetryPane } from './repeater/RepeaterTelemetryPane';
 import { NeighborsPane } from './repeater/RepeaterNeighborsPane';
 import { AclPane } from './repeater/RepeaterAclPane';
+import { NodeInfoPane } from './repeater/RepeaterNodeInfoPane';
 import { RadioSettingsPane } from './repeater/RepeaterRadioSettingsPane';
 import { LppTelemetryPane } from './repeater/RepeaterLppTelemetryPane';
 import { OwnerInfoPane } from './repeater/RepeaterOwnerInfoPane';
 import { ActionsPane } from './repeater/RepeaterActionsPane';
 import { ConsolePane } from './repeater/RepeaterConsolePane';
+import { ContactPathDiscoveryModal } from './ContactPathDiscoveryModal';
 
 // Re-export for backwards compatibility (used by repeaterFormatters.test.ts)
 export { formatDuration, formatClockDrift } from './repeater/repeaterPaneShared';
@@ -24,10 +31,15 @@ interface RepeaterDashboardProps {
   conversation: Conversation;
   contacts: Contact[];
   favorites: Favorite[];
+  notificationsSupported: boolean;
+  notificationsEnabled: boolean;
+  notificationsPermission: NotificationPermission | 'unsupported';
   radioLat: number | null;
   radioLon: number | null;
   radioName: string | null;
   onTrace: () => void;
+  onPathDiscovery: (publicKey: string) => Promise<PathDiscoveryResponse>;
+  onToggleNotifications: () => void;
   onToggleFavorite: (type: 'channel' | 'contact', id: string) => void;
   onDeleteContact: (publicKey: string) => void;
 }
@@ -36,13 +48,21 @@ export function RepeaterDashboard({
   conversation,
   contacts,
   favorites,
+  notificationsSupported,
+  notificationsEnabled,
+  notificationsPermission,
   radioLat,
   radioLon,
   radioName,
   onTrace,
+  onPathDiscovery,
+  onToggleNotifications,
   onToggleFavorite,
   onDeleteContact,
 }: RepeaterDashboardProps) {
+  const [pathDiscoveryOpen, setPathDiscoveryOpen] = useState(false);
+  const contact = contacts.find((c) => c.public_key === conversation.id) ?? null;
+  const hasAdvertLocation = isValidLocation(contact?.lat ?? null, contact?.lon ?? null);
   const {
     loggedIn,
     loginLoading,
@@ -56,12 +76,12 @@ export function RepeaterDashboard({
     refreshPane,
     loadAll,
     sendConsoleCommand,
-    sendAdvert,
+    sendZeroHopAdvert,
+    sendFloodAdvert,
     rebootRepeater,
     syncClock,
-  } = useRepeaterDashboard(conversation);
+  } = useRepeaterDashboard(conversation, { hasAdvertLocation });
 
-  const contact = contacts.find((c) => c.public_key === conversation.id);
   const isFav = isFavorite(favorites, 'contact', conversation.id);
 
   // Loading all panes indicator
@@ -70,23 +90,33 @@ export function RepeaterDashboard({
   return (
     <div className="flex-1 flex flex-col min-h-0">
       {/* Header */}
-      <header className="flex justify-between items-center px-4 py-2.5 border-b border-border gap-2">
-        <span className="flex flex-wrap items-baseline gap-x-2 min-w-0 flex-1">
-          <span className="flex-shrink-0 font-semibold text-base">{conversation.name}</span>
-          <span
-            className="font-normal text-[11px] text-muted-foreground font-mono truncate cursor-pointer hover:text-primary transition-colors"
-            role="button"
-            tabIndex={0}
-            onKeyDown={handleKeyboardActivate}
-            onClick={() => {
-              navigator.clipboard.writeText(conversation.id);
-              toast.success('Contact key copied!');
-            }}
-            title="Click to copy"
-          >
-            {conversation.id}
+      <header className="flex justify-between items-start px-4 py-2.5 border-b border-border gap-2">
+        <span className="flex min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col">
+          <span className="flex min-w-0 flex-wrap items-baseline gap-x-2 gap-y-0.5">
+            <span className="flex min-w-0 flex-1 items-baseline gap-2">
+              <span className="min-w-0 flex-shrink truncate font-semibold text-base">
+                {conversation.name}
+              </span>
+              <span
+                className="min-w-0 flex-1 truncate font-mono text-[11px] text-muted-foreground transition-colors hover:text-primary"
+                role="button"
+                tabIndex={0}
+                onKeyDown={handleKeyboardActivate}
+                onClick={() => {
+                  navigator.clipboard.writeText(conversation.id);
+                  toast.success('Contact key copied!');
+                }}
+                title="Click to copy"
+              >
+                {conversation.id}
+              </span>
+            </span>
+            {contact && (
+              <span className="min-w-0 flex-none text-[11px] text-muted-foreground max-sm:basis-full">
+                <ContactStatusInfo contact={contact} ourLat={radioLat} ourLon={radioLon} />
+              </span>
+            )}
           </span>
-          {contact && <ContactStatusInfo contact={contact} ourLat={radioLat} ourLon={radioLon} />}
         </span>
         <div className="flex items-center gap-0.5 flex-shrink-0">
           {loggedIn && (
@@ -95,40 +125,93 @@ export function RepeaterDashboard({
               size="sm"
               onClick={loadAll}
               disabled={anyLoading}
-              className="text-xs border-success text-success hover:bg-success/10 hover:text-success"
+              className="h-7 px-2 text-[11px] leading-none border-success text-success hover:bg-success/10 hover:text-success sm:h-8 sm:px-3 sm:text-xs"
             >
               {anyLoading ? 'Loading...' : 'Load All'}
             </Button>
           )}
+          {contact && (
+            <button
+              className="p-1 rounded hover:bg-accent text-lg leading-none transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+              onClick={() => setPathDiscoveryOpen(true)}
+              title="Path Discovery. Send a routed probe and inspect the forward and return paths"
+              aria-label="Path Discovery"
+            >
+              <Route className="h-4 w-4 text-muted-foreground" aria-hidden="true" />
+            </button>
+          )}
           <button
-            className="p-1.5 rounded hover:bg-accent text-lg leading-none transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+            className="p-1 rounded hover:bg-accent text-lg leading-none transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
             onClick={onTrace}
             title="Direct Trace"
             aria-label="Direct Trace"
           >
-            <span aria-hidden="true">&#x1F6CE;</span>
+            <DirectTraceIcon className="h-4 w-4 text-muted-foreground" />
           </button>
+          {notificationsSupported && (
+            <button
+              className="flex items-center gap-1 rounded px-1 py-1 hover:bg-accent text-lg leading-none transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+              onClick={onToggleNotifications}
+              title={
+                notificationsEnabled
+                  ? 'Disable desktop notifications for this conversation'
+                  : notificationsPermission === 'denied'
+                    ? 'Notifications blocked by the browser'
+                    : 'Enable desktop notifications for this conversation'
+              }
+              aria-label={
+                notificationsEnabled
+                  ? 'Disable notifications for this conversation'
+                  : 'Enable notifications for this conversation'
+              }
+            >
+              <Bell
+                className={`h-4 w-4 ${notificationsEnabled ? 'text-status-connected' : 'text-muted-foreground'}`}
+                fill={notificationsEnabled ? 'currentColor' : 'none'}
+                aria-hidden="true"
+              />
+              {notificationsEnabled && (
+                <span className="hidden md:inline text-[11px] font-medium text-status-connected">
+                  Notifications On
+                </span>
+              )}
+            </button>
+          )}
           <button
-            className="p-1.5 rounded hover:bg-accent text-lg leading-none transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+            className="p-1 rounded hover:bg-accent text-lg leading-none transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
             onClick={() => onToggleFavorite('contact', conversation.id)}
-            title={isFav ? 'Remove from favorites' : 'Add to favorites'}
+            title={
+              isFav
+                ? 'Remove from favorites. Favorite contacts stay loaded on the radio for ACK support.'
+                : 'Add to favorites. Favorite contacts stay loaded on the radio for ACK support.'
+            }
             aria-label={isFav ? 'Remove from favorites' : 'Add to favorites'}
           >
             {isFav ? (
-              <span className="text-favorite">&#9733;</span>
+              <Star className="h-4 w-4 fill-current text-favorite" aria-hidden="true" />
             ) : (
-              <span className="text-muted-foreground">&#9734;</span>
+              <Star className="h-4 w-4 text-muted-foreground" aria-hidden="true" />
             )}
           </button>
           <button
-            className="p-1.5 rounded hover:bg-destructive/10 text-muted-foreground hover:text-destructive text-lg leading-none transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+            className="p-1 rounded hover:bg-destructive/10 text-muted-foreground hover:text-destructive text-lg leading-none transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
             onClick={() => onDeleteContact(conversation.id)}
             title="Delete"
             aria-label="Delete"
           >
-            <span aria-hidden="true">&#128465;</span>
+            <Trash2 className="h-4 w-4" aria-hidden="true" />
           </button>
         </div>
+        {contact && (
+          <ContactPathDiscoveryModal
+            open={pathDiscoveryOpen}
+            onClose={() => setPathDiscoveryOpen(false)}
+            contact={contact}
+            contacts={contacts}
+            radioName={radioName}
+            onDiscover={onPathDiscovery}
+          />
+        )}
       </header>
 
       {/* Body */}
@@ -143,9 +226,15 @@ export function RepeaterDashboard({
           />
         ) : (
           <div className="space-y-4">
-            {/* Top row: Telemetry + Radio Settings | Neighbors (with expanding map) */}
-            <div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 gap-4">
+            {/* Top row: Telemetry + Radio Settings | Node Info + Neighbors */}
+            <div className="grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 md:grid-cols-2 md:items-stretch">
               <div className="flex flex-col gap-4">
+                <NodeInfoPane
+                  data={paneData.nodeInfo}
+                  state={paneStates.nodeInfo}
+                  onRefresh={() => refreshPane('nodeInfo')}
+                  disabled={anyLoading}
+                />
                 <TelemetryPane
                   data={paneData.status}
                   state={paneStates.status}
@@ -168,16 +257,19 @@ export function RepeaterDashboard({
                   disabled={anyLoading}
                 />
               </div>
-              <NeighborsPane
-                data={paneData.neighbors}
-                state={paneStates.neighbors}
-                onRefresh={() => refreshPane('neighbors')}
-                disabled={anyLoading}
-                contacts={contacts}
-                radioLat={radioLat}
-                radioLon={radioLon}
-                radioName={radioName}
-              />
+              <div className="flex min-h-0 flex-col gap-4">
+                <NeighborsPane
+                  data={paneData.neighbors}
+                  state={paneStates.neighbors}
+                  onRefresh={() => refreshPane('neighbors')}
+                  disabled={anyLoading}
+                  repeaterContact={contact}
+                  contacts={contacts}
+                  nodeInfo={paneData.nodeInfo}
+                  nodeInfoState={paneStates.nodeInfo}
+                  repeaterName={conversation.name}
+                />
+              </div>
             </div>
 
             {/* Remaining panes: ACL | Owner Info + Actions */}
@@ -196,7 +288,8 @@ export function RepeaterDashboard({
                   disabled={anyLoading}
                 />
                 <ActionsPane
-                  onSendAdvert={sendAdvert}
+                  onSendZeroHopAdvert={sendZeroHopAdvert}
+                  onSendFloodAdvert={sendFloodAdvert}
                   onSyncClock={syncClock}
                   onReboot={rebootRepeater}
                   consoleLoading={consoleLoading}

frontend/src/components/SearchView.tsx

@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ interface SearchResult {
   sender_name: string | null;
 }
 
+const SEARCH_OPERATOR_RE = /(?<!\S)(user|channel):(?:"((?:[^"\\]|\\.)*)"|(\S+))/gi;
+
 export interface SearchNavigateTarget {
   id: number;
   type: 'PRIV' | 'CHAN';
@@ -26,10 +28,15 @@ export interface SearchNavigateTarget {
   conversation_name: string;
 }
 
-interface SearchViewProps {
+export interface SearchViewProps {
   contacts: Contact[];
   channels: Channel[];
+  visibilityVersion?: number;
   onNavigateToMessage: (target: SearchNavigateTarget) => void;
+  prefillRequest?: {
+    query: string;
+    nonce: number;
+  } | null;
 }
 
 function highlightMatch(text: string, query: string): React.ReactNode[] {
@@ -53,7 +60,35 @@ function highlightMatch(text: string, query: string): React.ReactNode[] {
   return parts;
 }
 
-export function SearchView({ contacts, channels, onNavigateToMessage }: SearchViewProps) {
+function getHighlightQuery(query: string): string {
+  const fragments: string[] = [];
+  let lastIndex = 0;
+  let foundOperator = false;
+
+  for (const match of query.matchAll(SEARCH_OPERATOR_RE)) {
+    foundOperator = true;
+    fragments.push(query.slice(lastIndex, match.index));
+    lastIndex = (match.index ?? 0) + match[0].length;
+  }
+
+  if (!foundOperator) {
+    return query;
+  }
+
+  fragments.push(query.slice(lastIndex));
+  return fragments
+    .map((fragment) => fragment.trim())
+    .filter(Boolean)
+    .join(' ');
+}
+
+export function SearchView({
+  contacts,
+  channels,
+  visibilityVersion = 0,
+  onNavigateToMessage,
+  prefillRequest = null,
+}: SearchViewProps) {
   const [query, setQuery] = useState('');
   const [debouncedQuery, setDebouncedQuery] = useState('');
   const [results, setResults] = useState<SearchResult[]>([]);
@@ -62,6 +97,7 @@ export function SearchView({ contacts, channels, onNavigateToMessage }: SearchVi
   const [offset, setOffset] = useState(0);
   const abortRef = useRef<AbortController | null>(null);
   const inputRef = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null);
+  const highlightQuery = getHighlightQuery(debouncedQuery);
 
   // Debounce query
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -76,7 +112,24 @@ export function SearchView({ contacts, channels, onNavigateToMessage }: SearchVi
     setResults([]);
     setOffset(0);
     setHasMore(false);
-  }, [debouncedQuery]);
+  }, [debouncedQuery, visibilityVersion]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!prefillRequest) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const nextQuery = prefillRequest.query.trim();
+    setQuery(nextQuery);
+    setDebouncedQuery(nextQuery);
+    inputRef.current?.focus();
+  }, [prefillRequest]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return () => {
+      abortRef.current?.abort();
+    };
+  }, []);
 
   // Fetch search results
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -108,7 +161,7 @@ export function SearchView({ contacts, channels, onNavigateToMessage }: SearchVi
       });
 
     return () => controller.abort();
-  }, [debouncedQuery]);
+  }, [debouncedQuery, visibilityVersion]);
 
   const loadMore = useCallback(() => {
     if (!debouncedQuery || loading) return;
@@ -193,7 +246,16 @@ export function SearchView({ contacts, channels, onNavigateToMessage }: SearchVi
       <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto">
         {!debouncedQuery && (
           <div className="p-8 text-center text-muted-foreground text-sm">
-            Type to search across all messages
+            <p>Type to search across all messages</p>
+            <p className="mt-2 text-xs">
+              Tip: use <code>user:</code> or <code>channel:</code> for keys or names, and wrap names
+              with spaces in them in quotes.
+            </p>
+            <p className="mt-2 text-xs">
+              Warning: User-key linkage for group messages is best-effort and based on correlation
+              at advertise time. It does not account for multiple users with the same name, and
+              should be considered unreliable.
+            </p>
           </div>
         )}
 
@@ -246,7 +308,7 @@ export function SearchView({ contacts, channels, onNavigateToMessage }: SearchVi
                   result.sender_name && result.text.startsWith(`${result.sender_name}: `)
                     ? result.text.slice(result.sender_name.length + 2)
                     : result.text,
-                  debouncedQuery
+                  highlightQuery
                 )}
               </div>
             </div>

frontend/src/components/SettingsModal.tsx

@@ -3,11 +3,18 @@ import type {
   AppSettings,
   AppSettingsUpdate,
   HealthStatus,
+  RadioAdvertMode,
   RadioConfig,
   RadioConfigUpdate,
+  RadioDiscoveryResponse,
+  RadioDiscoveryTarget,
 } from '../types';
 import type { LocalLabel } from '../utils/localLabel';
-import { SETTINGS_SECTION_LABELS, type SettingsSection } from './settings/settingsConstants';
+import {
+  SETTINGS_SECTION_ICONS,
+  SETTINGS_SECTION_LABELS,
+  type SettingsSection,
+} from './settings/settingsConstants';
 
 import { SettingsRadioSection } from './settings/SettingsRadioSection';
 import { SettingsLocalSection } from './settings/SettingsLocalSection';
@@ -27,7 +34,12 @@ interface SettingsModalBaseProps {
   onSaveAppSettings: (update: AppSettingsUpdate) => Promise<void>;
   onSetPrivateKey: (key: string) => Promise<void>;
   onReboot: () => Promise<void>;
-  onAdvertise: () => Promise<void>;
+  onDisconnect: () => Promise<void>;
+  onReconnect: () => Promise<void>;
+  onAdvertise: (mode: RadioAdvertMode) => Promise<void>;
+  meshDiscovery: RadioDiscoveryResponse | null;
+  meshDiscoveryLoadingTarget: RadioDiscoveryTarget | null;
+  onDiscoverMesh: (target: RadioDiscoveryTarget) => Promise<void>;
   onHealthRefresh: () => Promise<void>;
   onRefreshAppSettings: () => Promise<void>;
   onLocalLabelChange?: (label: LocalLabel) => void;
@@ -37,7 +49,7 @@ interface SettingsModalBaseProps {
   onToggleBlockedName?: (name: string) => void;
 }
 
-type SettingsModalProps = SettingsModalBaseProps &
+export type SettingsModalProps = SettingsModalBaseProps &
   (
     | { externalSidebarNav: true; desktopSection: SettingsSection }
     | { externalSidebarNav?: false; desktopSection?: never }
@@ -55,7 +67,12 @@ export function SettingsModal(props: SettingsModalProps) {
     onSaveAppSettings,
     onSetPrivateKey,
     onReboot,
+    onDisconnect,
+    onReconnect,
     onAdvertise,
+    meshDiscovery,
+    meshDiscoveryLoadingTarget,
+    onDiscoverMesh,
     onHealthRefresh,
     onRefreshAppSettings,
     onLocalLabelChange,
@@ -123,7 +140,7 @@ export function SettingsModal(props: SettingsModalProps) {
   const shouldRenderSection = (section: SettingsSection) =>
     !externalDesktopSidebarMode || desktopSection === section;
 
-  const sectionWrapperClass = 'overflow-hidden';
+  const sectionWrapperClass = '';
 
   const sectionContentClass = externalDesktopSidebarMode
     ? 'mx-auto w-full max-w-[800px] space-y-4 p-4'
@@ -138,6 +155,7 @@ export function SettingsModal(props: SettingsModalProps) {
 
   const renderSectionHeader = (section: SettingsSection): ReactNode => {
     if (!showSectionButton) return null;
+    const Icon = SETTINGS_SECTION_ICONS[section];
     return (
       <button
         type="button"
@@ -145,8 +163,9 @@ export function SettingsModal(props: SettingsModalProps) {
         aria-expanded={expandedSections[section]}
         onClick={() => toggleSection(section)}
       >
-        <span className="font-medium" role="heading" aria-level={3}>
-          {SETTINGS_SECTION_LABELS[section]}
+        <span className="inline-flex items-center gap-2 font-medium" role="heading" aria-level={3}>
+          <Icon className="h-4 w-4 text-muted-foreground" aria-hidden="true" />
+          <span>{SETTINGS_SECTION_LABELS[section]}</span>
         </span>
         <span className="text-muted-foreground md:hidden" aria-hidden="true">
           {expandedSections[section] ? '−' : '+'}
@@ -159,28 +178,38 @@ export function SettingsModal(props: SettingsModalProps) {
     return null;
   }
 
-  return !config ? (
-    <div className="py-8 text-center text-muted-foreground">Loading configuration...</div>
-  ) : (
+  return (
     <div className={settingsContainerClass}>
       {shouldRenderSection('radio') && (
         <section className={sectionWrapperClass}>
           {renderSectionHeader('radio')}
-          {isSectionVisible('radio') && appSettings && (
-            <SettingsRadioSection
-              config={config}
-              health={health}
-              appSettings={appSettings}
-              pageMode={pageMode}
-              onSave={onSave}
-              onSaveAppSettings={onSaveAppSettings}
-              onSetPrivateKey={onSetPrivateKey}
-              onReboot={onReboot}
-              onAdvertise={onAdvertise}
-              onClose={onClose}
-              className={sectionContentClass}
-            />
-          )}
+          {isSectionVisible('radio') &&
+            (config && appSettings ? (
+              <SettingsRadioSection
+                config={config}
+                health={health}
+                appSettings={appSettings}
+                pageMode={pageMode}
+                onSave={onSave}
+                onSaveAppSettings={onSaveAppSettings}
+                onSetPrivateKey={onSetPrivateKey}
+                onReboot={onReboot}
+                onDisconnect={onDisconnect}
+                onReconnect={onReconnect}
+                onAdvertise={onAdvertise}
+                meshDiscovery={meshDiscovery}
+                meshDiscoveryLoadingTarget={meshDiscoveryLoadingTarget}
+                onDiscoverMesh={onDiscoverMesh}
+                onClose={onClose}
+                className={sectionContentClass}
+              />
+            ) : (
+              <div className={sectionContentClass}>
+                <div className="flex items-center justify-center py-12 text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+                  Radio is not available.
+                </div>
+              </div>
+            ))}
         </section>
       )}
 
@@ -199,19 +228,26 @@ export function SettingsModal(props: SettingsModalProps) {
       {shouldRenderSection('database') && (
         <section className={sectionWrapperClass}>
           {renderSectionHeader('database')}
-          {isSectionVisible('database') && appSettings && (
-            <SettingsDatabaseSection
-              appSettings={appSettings}
-              health={health}
-              onSaveAppSettings={onSaveAppSettings}
-              onHealthRefresh={onHealthRefresh}
-              blockedKeys={blockedKeys}
-              blockedNames={blockedNames}
-              onToggleBlockedKey={onToggleBlockedKey}
-              onToggleBlockedName={onToggleBlockedName}
-              className={sectionContentClass}
-            />
-          )}
+          {isSectionVisible('database') &&
+            (appSettings ? (
+              <SettingsDatabaseSection
+                appSettings={appSettings}
+                health={health}
+                onSaveAppSettings={onSaveAppSettings}
+                onHealthRefresh={onHealthRefresh}
+                blockedKeys={blockedKeys}
+                blockedNames={blockedNames}
+                onToggleBlockedKey={onToggleBlockedKey}
+                onToggleBlockedName={onToggleBlockedName}
+                className={sectionContentClass}
+              />
+            ) : (
+              <div className={sectionContentClass}>
+                <div className="rounded-md border border-input bg-muted/20 px-4 py-3 text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+                  Loading app settings...
+                </div>
+              </div>
+            ))}
         </section>
       )}
 
@@ -240,7 +276,9 @@ export function SettingsModal(props: SettingsModalProps) {
       {shouldRenderSection('about') && (
         <section className={sectionWrapperClass}>
           {renderSectionHeader('about')}
-          {isSectionVisible('about') && <SettingsAboutSection className={sectionContentClass} />}
+          {isSectionVisible('about') && (
+            <SettingsAboutSection health={health} className={sectionContentClass} />
+          )}
         </section>
       )}
     </div>

frontend/src/components/Sidebar.tsx

@@ -1,4 +1,17 @@
 import { useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState } from 'react';
+import {
+  Bell,
+  CheckCheck,
+  ChevronDown,
+  ChevronRight,
+  LockOpen,
+  Logs,
+  Map,
+  Search as SearchIcon,
+  SquarePen,
+  Waypoints,
+  X,
+} from 'lucide-react';
 import {
   CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER,
   type Contact,
@@ -6,7 +19,18 @@ import {
   type Conversation,
   type Favorite,
 } from '../types';
-import { getStateKey, type ConversationTimes, type SortOrder } from '../utils/conversationState';
+import {
+  buildSidebarSectionSortOrders,
+  getStateKey,
+  loadLegacyLocalStorageSortOrder,
+  loadLocalStorageSidebarSectionSortOrders,
+  saveLocalStorageSidebarSectionSortOrders,
+  type ConversationTimes,
+  type SidebarSectionSortOrders,
+  type SidebarSortableSection,
+  type SortOrder,
+} from '../utils/conversationState';
+import { isPublicChannelKey } from '../utils/publicChannel';
 import { getContactDisplayName } from '../utils/pubkey';
 import { handleKeyboardActivate } from '../utils/a11y';
 import { ContactAvatar } from './ContactAvatar';
@@ -24,6 +48,7 @@ type ConversationRow = {
   name: string;
   unreadCount: number;
   isMention: boolean;
+  notificationsEnabled: boolean;
   contact?: Contact;
 };
 
@@ -77,10 +102,34 @@ interface SidebarProps {
   onToggleCracker: () => void;
   onMarkAllRead: () => void;
   favorites: Favorite[];
-  /** Sort order from server settings */
-  sortOrder?: SortOrder;
-  /** Callback when sort order changes */
-  onSortOrderChange?: (order: SortOrder) => void;
+  /** Legacy global sort order, used only to seed per-section local preferences. */
+  legacySortOrder?: SortOrder;
+  isConversationNotificationsEnabled?: (type: 'channel' | 'contact', id: string) => boolean;
+}
+
+type InitialSectionSortState = {
+  orders: SidebarSectionSortOrders;
+  source: 'section' | 'legacy' | 'none';
+};
+
+function loadInitialSectionSortOrders(): InitialSectionSortState {
+  const storedOrders = loadLocalStorageSidebarSectionSortOrders();
+  if (storedOrders) {
+    return { orders: storedOrders, source: 'section' };
+  }
+
+  const legacyOrder = loadLegacyLocalStorageSortOrder();
+  if (legacyOrder) {
+    return {
+      orders: buildSidebarSectionSortOrders(legacyOrder),
+      source: 'legacy',
+    };
+  }
+
+  return {
+    orders: buildSidebarSectionSortOrders(),
+    source: 'none',
+  };
 }
 
 export function Sidebar({
@@ -97,11 +146,12 @@ export function Sidebar({
   onToggleCracker,
   onMarkAllRead,
   favorites,
-  sortOrder: sortOrderProp = 'recent',
-  onSortOrderChange,
+  legacySortOrder,
+  isConversationNotificationsEnabled,
 }: SidebarProps) {
-  const sortOrder = sortOrderProp;
   const [searchQuery, setSearchQuery] = useState('');
+  const initialSectionSortState = useMemo(loadInitialSectionSortOrders, []);
+  const [sectionSortOrders, setSectionSortOrders] = useState(initialSectionSortState.orders);
   const initialCollapsedState = useMemo(loadCollapsedState, []);
   const [toolsCollapsed, setToolsCollapsed] = useState(initialCollapsedState.tools);
   const [favoritesCollapsed, setFavoritesCollapsed] = useState(initialCollapsedState.favorites);
@@ -109,10 +159,31 @@ export function Sidebar({
   const [contactsCollapsed, setContactsCollapsed] = useState(initialCollapsedState.contacts);
   const [repeatersCollapsed, setRepeatersCollapsed] = useState(initialCollapsedState.repeaters);
   const collapseSnapshotRef = useRef<CollapseState | null>(null);
+  const sectionSortSourceRef = useRef(initialSectionSortState.source);
 
-  const handleSortToggle = () => {
-    const newOrder = sortOrder === 'alpha' ? 'recent' : 'alpha';
-    onSortOrderChange?.(newOrder);
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (sectionSortSourceRef.current === 'legacy') {
+      saveLocalStorageSidebarSectionSortOrders(sectionSortOrders);
+      sectionSortSourceRef.current = 'section';
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (sectionSortSourceRef.current !== 'none' || legacySortOrder === undefined) return;
+
+    const seededOrders = buildSidebarSectionSortOrders(legacySortOrder);
+    setSectionSortOrders(seededOrders);
+    saveLocalStorageSidebarSectionSortOrders(seededOrders);
+    sectionSortSourceRef.current = 'section';
+  }, [legacySortOrder, sectionSortOrders]);
+
+  const handleSortToggle = (section: SidebarSortableSection) => {
+    setSectionSortOrders((prev) => {
+      const nextOrder = prev[section] === 'alpha' ? 'recent' : 'alpha';
+      const updated = { ...prev, [section]: nextOrder };
+      saveLocalStorageSidebarSectionSortOrders(updated);
+      sectionSortSourceRef.current = 'section';
+      return updated;
+    });
   };
 
   const handleSelectConversation = (conversation: Conversation) => {
@@ -145,6 +216,20 @@ export function Sidebar({
     [lastMessageTimes]
   );
 
+  const getContactHeardTime = useCallback((contact: Contact): number => {
+    return Math.max(contact.last_seen ?? 0, contact.last_advert ?? 0);
+  }, []);
+
+  const getContactRecentTime = useCallback(
+    (contact: Contact): number => {
+      if (contact.type === CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER) {
+        return getContactHeardTime(contact);
+      }
+      return getLastMessageTime('contact', contact.public_key) || getContactHeardTime(contact);
+    },
+    [getContactHeardTime, getLastMessageTime]
+  );
+
   // Deduplicate channels by key only.
   // Channel names are not unique; distinct keys must remain visible.
   const uniqueChannels = useMemo(
@@ -184,10 +269,10 @@ export function Sidebar({
     () =>
       [...uniqueChannels].sort((a, b) => {
         // Public channel always sorts to the top
-        if (a.name === 'Public') return -1;
-        if (b.name === 'Public') return 1;
+        if (isPublicChannelKey(a.key)) return -1;
+        if (isPublicChannelKey(b.key)) return 1;
 
-        if (sortOrder === 'recent') {
+        if (sectionSortOrders.channels === 'recent') {
           const timeA = getLastMessageTime('channel', a.key);
           const timeB = getLastMessageTime('channel', b.key);
           if (timeA && timeB) return timeB - timeA;
@@ -196,33 +281,56 @@ export function Sidebar({
         }
         return a.name.localeCompare(b.name);
       }),
-    [uniqueChannels, sortOrder, getLastMessageTime]
+    [uniqueChannels, sectionSortOrders.channels, getLastMessageTime]
   );
 
   const sortContactsByOrder = useCallback(
-    (items: Contact[]) =>
+    (items: Contact[], order: SortOrder) =>
       [...items].sort((a, b) => {
-        if (sortOrder === 'recent') {
-          const timeA = getLastMessageTime('contact', a.public_key);
-          const timeB = getLastMessageTime('contact', b.public_key);
+        if (order === 'recent') {
+          const timeA = getContactRecentTime(a);
+          const timeB = getContactRecentTime(b);
           if (timeA && timeB) return timeB - timeA;
           if (timeA && !timeB) return -1;
           if (!timeA && timeB) return 1;
         }
         return (a.name || a.public_key).localeCompare(b.name || b.public_key);
       }),
-    [sortOrder, getLastMessageTime]
+    [getContactRecentTime]
+  );
+
+  const sortRepeatersByOrder = useCallback(
+    (items: Contact[], order: SortOrder) =>
+      [...items].sort((a, b) => {
+        if (order === 'recent') {
+          const timeA = getContactHeardTime(a);
+          const timeB = getContactHeardTime(b);
+          if (timeA && timeB) return timeB - timeA;
+          if (timeA && !timeB) return -1;
+          if (!timeA && timeB) return 1;
+        }
+        return (a.name || a.public_key).localeCompare(b.name || b.public_key);
+      }),
+    [getContactHeardTime]
   );
 
   // Split non-repeater contacts and repeater contacts into separate sorted lists
   const sortedNonRepeaterContacts = useMemo(
-    () => sortContactsByOrder(uniqueContacts.filter((c) => c.type !== CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER)),
-    [uniqueContacts, sortContactsByOrder]
+    () =>
+      sortContactsByOrder(
+        uniqueContacts.filter((c) => c.type !== CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER),
+        sectionSortOrders.contacts
+      ),
+    [uniqueContacts, sectionSortOrders.contacts, sortContactsByOrder]
   );
 
   const sortedRepeaters = useMemo(
-    () => sortContactsByOrder(uniqueContacts.filter((c) => c.type === CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER)),
-    [uniqueContacts, sortContactsByOrder]
+    () =>
+      sortRepeatersByOrder(
+        uniqueContacts.filter((c) => c.type === CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER),
+        sectionSortOrders.repeaters
+      ),
+    [uniqueContacts, sectionSortOrders.repeaters, sortRepeatersByOrder]
   );
 
   // Filter by search query
@@ -357,11 +465,11 @@ export function Sidebar({
         const timeA =
           a.type === 'channel'
             ? getLastMessageTime('channel', a.channel.key)
-            : getLastMessageTime('contact', a.contact.public_key);
+            : getContactRecentTime(a.contact);
         const timeB =
           b.type === 'channel'
             ? getLastMessageTime('channel', b.channel.key)
-            : getLastMessageTime('contact', b.contact.public_key);
+            : getContactRecentTime(b.contact);
         if (timeA && timeB) return timeB - timeA;
         if (timeA && !timeB) return -1;
         if (!timeA && timeB) return 1;
@@ -383,6 +491,7 @@ export function Sidebar({
       filteredNonRepeaterContacts,
       filteredRepeaters,
       favorites,
+      getContactRecentTime,
       getLastMessageTime,
     ]);
 
@@ -393,15 +502,18 @@ export function Sidebar({
     name: channel.name,
     unreadCount: getUnreadCount('channel', channel.key),
     isMention: hasMention('channel', channel.key),
+    notificationsEnabled: isConversationNotificationsEnabled?.('channel', channel.key) ?? false,
   });
 
   const buildContactRow = (contact: Contact, keyPrefix: string): ConversationRow => ({
     key: `${keyPrefix}-${contact.public_key}`,
     type: 'contact',
     id: contact.public_key,
-    name: getContactDisplayName(contact.name, contact.public_key),
+    name: getContactDisplayName(contact.name, contact.public_key, contact.last_advert),
     unreadCount: getUnreadCount('contact', contact.public_key),
     isMention: hasMention('contact', contact.public_key),
+    notificationsEnabled:
+      isConversationNotificationsEnabled?.('contact', contact.public_key) ?? false,
     contact,
   });
 
@@ -434,19 +546,26 @@ export function Sidebar({
         />
       )}
       <span className="name flex-1 truncate text-[13px]">{row.name}</span>
-      {row.unreadCount > 0 && (
-        <span
-          className={cn(
-            'text-[10px] font-semibold px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded-full min-w-[18px] text-center',
-            row.isMention
-              ? 'bg-badge-mention text-badge-mention-foreground'
-              : 'bg-badge-unread/90 text-badge-unread-foreground'
-          )}
-          aria-label={`${row.unreadCount} unread message${row.unreadCount !== 1 ? 's' : ''}`}
-        >
-          {row.unreadCount}
-        </span>
-      )}
+      <span className="ml-auto flex items-center gap-1">
+        {row.notificationsEnabled && (
+          <span aria-label="Notifications enabled" title="Notifications enabled">
+            <Bell className="h-3.5 w-3.5 text-muted-foreground" />
+          </span>
+        )}
+        {row.unreadCount > 0 && (
+          <span
+            className={cn(
+              'text-[10px] font-semibold px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded-full min-w-[18px] text-center',
+              row.isMention
+                ? 'bg-badge-mention text-badge-mention-foreground'
+                : 'bg-badge-unread/90 text-badge-unread-foreground'
+            )}
+            aria-label={`${row.unreadCount} unread message${row.unreadCount !== 1 ? 's' : ''}`}
+          >
+            {row.unreadCount}
+          </span>
+        )}
+      </span>
     </div>
   );
 
@@ -459,7 +578,7 @@ export function Sidebar({
   }: {
     key: string;
     active?: boolean;
-    icon: string;
+    icon: React.ReactNode;
     label: React.ReactNode;
     onClick: () => void;
   }) => (
@@ -475,16 +594,18 @@ export function Sidebar({
       onKeyDown={handleKeyboardActivate}
       onClick={onClick}
     >
-      <span className="text-muted-foreground text-xs" aria-hidden="true">
+      <span className="sidebar-tool-icon text-muted-foreground" aria-hidden="true">
         {icon}
       </span>
-      <span className="flex-1 truncate text-muted-foreground">{label}</span>
+      <span className="sidebar-tool-label flex-1 truncate text-muted-foreground">{label}</span>
     </div>
   );
 
   const getSectionUnreadCount = (rows: ConversationRow[]): number =>
     rows.reduce((total, row) => total + row.unreadCount, 0);
 
+  const sectionHasMention = (rows: ConversationRow[]): boolean => rows.some((row) => row.isMention);
+
   const favoriteRows = favoriteItems.map((item) =>
     item.type === 'channel'
       ? buildChannelRow(item.channel, 'fav-chan')
@@ -498,12 +619,14 @@ export function Sidebar({
   const channelsUnreadCount = getSectionUnreadCount(channelRows);
   const contactsUnreadCount = getSectionUnreadCount(contactRows);
   const repeatersUnreadCount = getSectionUnreadCount(repeaterRows);
+  const favoritesHasMention = sectionHasMention(favoriteRows);
+  const channelsHasMention = sectionHasMention(channelRows);
   const toolRows = !query
     ? [
         renderSidebarActionRow({
           key: 'tool-raw',
           active: isActive('raw', 'raw'),
-          icon: '📡',
+          icon: <Logs className="h-4 w-4" />,
           label: 'Packet Feed',
           onClick: () =>
             handleSelectConversation({
@@ -515,7 +638,7 @@ export function Sidebar({
         renderSidebarActionRow({
           key: 'tool-map',
           active: isActive('map', 'map'),
-          icon: '🗺️',
+          icon: <Map className="h-4 w-4" />,
           label: 'Node Map',
           onClick: () =>
             handleSelectConversation({
@@ -527,7 +650,7 @@ export function Sidebar({
         renderSidebarActionRow({
           key: 'tool-visualizer',
           active: isActive('visualizer', 'visualizer'),
-          icon: '✨',
+          icon: <Waypoints className="h-4 w-4" />,
           label: 'Mesh Visualizer',
           onClick: () =>
             handleSelectConversation({
@@ -539,7 +662,7 @@ export function Sidebar({
         renderSidebarActionRow({
           key: 'tool-search',
           active: isActive('search', 'search'),
-          icon: '🔍',
+          icon: <SearchIcon className="h-4 w-4" />,
           label: 'Message Search',
           onClick: () =>
             handleSelectConversation({
@@ -551,7 +674,7 @@ export function Sidebar({
         renderSidebarActionRow({
           key: 'tool-cracker',
           active: showCracker,
-          icon: '🔓',
+          icon: <LockOpen className="h-4 w-4" />,
           label: (
             <>
               {showCracker ? 'Hide' : 'Show'} Room Finder
@@ -574,10 +697,12 @@ export function Sidebar({
     title: string,
     collapsed: boolean,
     onToggle: () => void,
-    showSortToggle = false,
-    unreadCount = 0
+    sortSection: SidebarSortableSection | null = null,
+    unreadCount = 0,
+    highlightUnread = false
   ) => {
     const effectiveCollapsed = isSearching ? false : collapsed;
+    const sectionSortOrder = sortSection ? sectionSortOrders[sortSection] : null;
 
     return (
       <div className="flex justify-between items-center px-3 py-2 pt-3.5">
@@ -592,26 +717,41 @@ export function Sidebar({
           }}
           title={effectiveCollapsed ? `Expand ${title}` : `Collapse ${title}`}
         >
-          <span className="text-[9px]" aria-hidden="true">
-            {effectiveCollapsed ? '▸' : '▾'}
-          </span>
+          {effectiveCollapsed ? (
+            <ChevronRight className="h-3.5 w-3.5" aria-hidden="true" />
+          ) : (
+            <ChevronDown className="h-3.5 w-3.5" aria-hidden="true" />
+          )}
           <span>{title}</span>
         </button>
-        {(showSortToggle || unreadCount > 0) && (
+        {(sortSection || unreadCount > 0) && (
           <div className="ml-auto flex items-center gap-1.5">
-            {showSortToggle && (
+            {sortSection && sectionSortOrder && (
               <button
                 className="bg-transparent text-muted-foreground/60 px-1 py-0.5 text-[10px] rounded hover:text-foreground transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
-                onClick={handleSortToggle}
-                aria-label={sortOrder === 'alpha' ? 'Sort by recent' : 'Sort alphabetically'}
-                title={sortOrder === 'alpha' ? 'Sort by recent' : 'Sort alphabetically'}
+                onClick={() => handleSortToggle(sortSection)}
+                aria-label={
+                  sectionSortOrder === 'alpha'
+                    ? `Sort ${title} by recent`
+                    : `Sort ${title} alphabetically`
+                }
+                title={
+                  sectionSortOrder === 'alpha'
+                    ? `Sort ${title} by recent`
+                    : `Sort ${title} alphabetically`
+                }
               >
-                {sortOrder === 'alpha' ? 'A-Z' : '⏱'}
+                {sectionSortOrder === 'alpha' ? 'A-Z' : '⏱'}
               </button>
             )}
             {unreadCount > 0 && (
               <span
-                className="text-[10px] font-medium px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded-full bg-secondary text-muted-foreground"
+                className={cn(
+                  'text-[10px] font-medium px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded-full',
+                  highlightUnread
+                    ? 'bg-badge-mention text-badge-mention-foreground'
+                    : 'bg-secondary text-muted-foreground'
+                )}
                 aria-label={`${unreadCount} unread`}
               >
                 {unreadCount}
@@ -629,44 +769,39 @@ export function Sidebar({
       aria-label="Conversations"
     >
       {/* Header */}
-      <div className="flex justify-between items-center px-3 py-2.5 border-b border-border">
-        <h2 className="text-[10px] uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground font-medium">
-          Conversations
-        </h2>
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 border-b border-border">
+        <div className="relative min-w-0 flex-1">
+          <Input
+            type="text"
+            placeholder="Search rooms/contacts..."
+            aria-label="Search conversations"
+            value={searchQuery}
+            onChange={(e) => setSearchQuery(e.target.value)}
+            className={cn('h-7 text-[13px] bg-background/50', searchQuery ? 'pr-8' : 'pr-3')}
+          />
+          {searchQuery && (
+            <button
+              className="absolute right-2 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground text-lg leading-none transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring rounded"
+              onClick={() => setSearchQuery('')}
+              title="Clear search"
+              aria-label="Clear search"
+            >
+              <X className="h-4 w-4" />
+            </button>
+          )}
+        </div>
         <Button
           variant="ghost"
           size="sm"
           onClick={onNewMessage}
           title="New Message"
           aria-label="New message"
-          className="h-6 w-6 p-0 text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground transition-colors"
+          className="h-7 w-7 shrink-0 p-0 text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground transition-colors"
         >
-          +
+          <SquarePen className="h-4 w-4" />
         </Button>
       </div>
 
-      {/* Search */}
-      <div className="relative px-3 py-2">
-        <Input
-          type="text"
-          placeholder="Search..."
-          aria-label="Search conversations"
-          value={searchQuery}
-          onChange={(e) => setSearchQuery(e.target.value)}
-          className="h-7 text-[13px] pr-8 bg-background/50"
-        />
-        {searchQuery && (
-          <button
-            className="absolute right-4 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground text-lg leading-none transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring rounded"
-            onClick={() => setSearchQuery('')}
-            title="Clear search"
-            aria-label="Clear search"
-          >
-            ×
-          </button>
-        )}
-      </div>
-
       {/* List */}
       <div className="flex-1 min-h-0 overflow-y-auto [contain:layout_paint]">
         {/* Tools */}
@@ -686,9 +821,7 @@ export function Sidebar({
             onKeyDown={handleKeyboardActivate}
             onClick={onMarkAllRead}
           >
-            <span className="text-muted-foreground text-xs" aria-hidden="true">
-              ✓
-            </span>
+            <CheckCheck className="h-4 w-4 text-muted-foreground" aria-hidden="true" />
             <span className="flex-1 truncate text-muted-foreground">Mark all as read</span>
           </div>
         )}
@@ -700,8 +833,9 @@ export function Sidebar({
               'Favorites',
               favoritesCollapsed,
               () => setFavoritesCollapsed((prev) => !prev),
-              false,
-              favoritesUnreadCount
+              null,
+              favoritesUnreadCount,
+              favoritesHasMention
             )}
             {(isSearching || !favoritesCollapsed) &&
               favoriteRows.map((row) => renderConversationRow(row))}
@@ -715,8 +849,9 @@ export function Sidebar({
               'Channels',
               channelsCollapsed,
               () => setChannelsCollapsed((prev) => !prev),
-              true,
-              channelsUnreadCount
+              'channels',
+              channelsUnreadCount,
+              channelsHasMention
             )}
             {(isSearching || !channelsCollapsed) &&
               channelRows.map((row) => renderConversationRow(row))}
@@ -730,8 +865,9 @@ export function Sidebar({
               'Contacts',
               contactsCollapsed,
               () => setContactsCollapsed((prev) => !prev),
-              true,
-              contactsUnreadCount
+              'contacts',
+              contactsUnreadCount,
+              contactsUnreadCount > 0
             )}
             {(isSearching || !contactsCollapsed) &&
               contactRows.map((row) => renderConversationRow(row))}
@@ -745,7 +881,7 @@ export function Sidebar({
               'Repeaters',
               repeatersCollapsed,
               () => setRepeatersCollapsed((prev) => !prev),
-              true,
+              'repeaters',
               repeatersUnreadCount
             )}
             {(isSearching || !repeatersCollapsed) &&

frontend/src/components/StatusBar.tsx

@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
-import { useState } from 'react';
-import { Menu } from 'lucide-react';
+import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
+import { Menu, Moon, Sun } from 'lucide-react';
 import type { HealthStatus, RadioConfig } from '../types';
 import { api } from '../api';
 import { toast } from './ui/sonner';
 import { handleKeyboardActivate } from '../utils/a11y';
+import { applyTheme, getSavedTheme, THEME_CHANGE_EVENT } from '../utils/theme';
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
 
 interface StatusBarProps {
@@ -21,14 +22,38 @@ export function StatusBar({
   onSettingsClick,
   onMenuClick,
 }: StatusBarProps) {
+  const radioState =
+    health?.radio_state ??
+    (health?.radio_initializing
+      ? 'initializing'
+      : health?.radio_connected
+        ? 'connected'
+        : 'disconnected');
   const connected = health?.radio_connected ?? false;
-  const initializing = health?.radio_initializing ?? false;
-  const statusLabel = initializing
-    ? 'Radio Initializing'
-    : connected
-      ? 'Radio OK'
-      : 'Radio Disconnected';
+  const statusLabel =
+    radioState === 'paused'
+      ? 'Radio Paused'
+      : radioState === 'connecting'
+        ? 'Radio Connecting'
+        : radioState === 'initializing'
+          ? 'Radio Initializing'
+          : connected
+            ? 'Radio OK'
+            : 'Radio Disconnected';
   const [reconnecting, setReconnecting] = useState(false);
+  const [currentTheme, setCurrentTheme] = useState(getSavedTheme);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const handleThemeChange = (event: Event) => {
+      const themeId = (event as CustomEvent<string>).detail;
+      setCurrentTheme(typeof themeId === 'string' && themeId ? themeId : getSavedTheme());
+    };
+
+    window.addEventListener(THEME_CHANGE_EVENT, handleThemeChange as EventListener);
+    return () => {
+      window.removeEventListener(THEME_CHANGE_EVENT, handleThemeChange as EventListener);
+    };
+  }, []);
 
   const handleReconnect = async () => {
     setReconnecting(true);
@@ -46,22 +71,28 @@ export function StatusBar({
     }
   };
 
+  const handleThemeToggle = () => {
+    const nextTheme = currentTheme === 'light' ? 'original' : 'light';
+    applyTheme(nextTheme);
+    setCurrentTheme(nextTheme);
+  };
+
   return (
     <header className="flex items-center gap-3 px-4 py-2.5 bg-card border-b border-border text-xs">
       {/* Mobile menu button - only visible on small screens */}
       {onMenuClick && (
         <button
           onClick={onMenuClick}
-          className="md:hidden p-1 bg-transparent border-none text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground cursor-pointer transition-colors"
+          className="md:hidden p-0.5 bg-transparent border-none text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground cursor-pointer transition-colors"
           aria-label="Open menu"
         >
-          <Menu className="h-5 w-5" />
+          <Menu className="h-4 w-4" />
         </button>
       )}
 
       <h1 className="text-base font-semibold tracking-tight mr-auto text-foreground flex items-center gap-1.5">
         <svg
-          className="h-5 w-5 shrink-0 text-white"
+          className="h-4 w-4 shrink-0 text-white"
           viewBox="0 0 512 512"
           fill="currentColor"
           aria-hidden="true"
@@ -77,7 +108,7 @@ export function StatusBar({
         <div
           className={cn(
             'w-2 h-2 rounded-full transition-colors',
-            initializing
+            radioState === 'initializing' || radioState === 'connecting'
               ? 'bg-warning'
               : connected
                 ? 'bg-status-connected shadow-[0_0_6px_hsl(var(--status-connected)/0.5)]'
@@ -108,13 +139,13 @@ export function StatusBar({
         </div>
       )}
 
-      {!connected && !initializing && (
+      {(radioState === 'disconnected' || radioState === 'paused') && (
         <button
           onClick={handleReconnect}
           disabled={reconnecting}
           className="px-3 py-1 bg-warning/10 border border-warning/20 text-warning rounded-md text-xs cursor-pointer hover:bg-warning/15 transition-colors disabled:opacity-50 disabled:cursor-not-allowed focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
         >
-          {reconnecting ? 'Reconnecting...' : 'Reconnect'}
+          {reconnecting ? 'Reconnecting...' : radioState === 'paused' ? 'Connect' : 'Reconnect'}
         </button>
       )}
       <button
@@ -128,6 +159,18 @@ export function StatusBar({
       >
         {settingsMode ? 'Back to Chat' : 'Settings'}
       </button>
+      <button
+        onClick={handleThemeToggle}
+        className="p-0.5 text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring rounded-sm"
+        title={currentTheme === 'light' ? 'Switch to classic theme' : 'Switch to light theme'}
+        aria-label={currentTheme === 'light' ? 'Switch to classic theme' : 'Switch to light theme'}
+      >
+        {currentTheme === 'light' ? (
+          <Moon className="h-4 w-4" aria-hidden="true" />
+        ) : (
+          <Sun className="h-4 w-4" aria-hidden="true" />
+        )}
+      </button>
     </header>
   );
 }