Tweak install script

Bot safety

.gitattributes

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

.gitignore

@@ -12,8 +12,12 @@ 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
 
@@ -138,8 +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.
-- Contacts may also persist an explicit routing override (`route_override_*`). When set, radio-bound operations use the override instead of the learned `last_path*`, but learned paths still keep updating from adverts.
+- 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
@@ -159,10 +163,22 @@ MeshCore firmware can encode path hops as 1-byte, 2-byte, or 3-byte identifiers.
 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.
+- If the initial `MSG_SENT` result includes an expected ACK code, background retries are armed.
+- Non-final retry 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 only when the initial `MSG_SENT` result includes an expected ACK code and the message remains 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.
@@ -193,12 +209,13 @@ 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
@@ -243,7 +260,7 @@ 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
 
@@ -279,9 +296,9 @@ cd frontend
 npm run test:run
 ```
 
-### Before Completing Changes
+### Before Completing Major 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.
+**Run `./scripts/all_quality.sh` before finishing major 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. For minor changes (like wording, color, spacing, etc.), wait until prompted to run the quality gate.
 
 ## API Summary
 
@@ -291,10 +308,10 @@ All endpoints are prefixed with `/api` (e.g., `/api/health`).
 |--------|----------|-------------|
 | GET | `/api/health` | Connection status, fanout statuses, bots_disabled flag |
 | 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 |
+| GET | `/api/radio/config` | Radio configuration, including `path_hash_mode`, `path_hash_mode_supported`, advert-location on/off, and `multi_acks_enabled` |
+| PATCH | `/api/radio/config` | Update name, location, advert-location on/off, `multi_acks_enabled`, 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 |
@@ -308,6 +325,7 @@ All endpoints are prefixed with `/api` (e.g., `/api/health`).
 | POST | `/api/contacts/{public_key}/command` | Send CLI command to repeater |
 | 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}/path-discovery` | Discover forward/return paths and persist the learned direct route |
 | 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 |
@@ -332,7 +350,7 @@ All endpoints are prefixed with `/api` (e.g., `/api/health`).
 | GET | `/api/packets/undecrypted/count` | Count of undecrypted packets |
 | POST | `/api/packets/decrypt/historical` | Decrypt stored packets |
 | POST | `/api/packets/maintenance` | Delete old packets and vacuum |
-| GET | `/api/read-state/unreads` | Server-computed unread counts, mentions, last message times |
+| GET | `/api/read-state/unreads` | Server-computed unread counts, mentions, last message times, and `last_read_ats` boundaries |
 | POST | `/api/read-state/mark-all-read` | Mark all conversations as read |
 | GET | `/api/settings` | Get app settings |
 | PATCH | `/api/settings` | Update app settings |
@@ -382,7 +400,7 @@ Read state (`last_read_at`) is tracked **server-side** for consistency across de
 - Stored as Unix timestamp in `contacts.last_read_at` and `channels.last_read_at`
 - Updated via `POST /api/contacts/{public_key}/mark-read` and `POST /api/channels/{key}/mark-read`
 - Bulk update via `POST /api/read-state/mark-all-read`
-- Aggregated counts via `GET /api/read-state/unreads` (server-side computation)
+- Aggregated counts via `GET /api/read-state/unreads` (server-side computation of counts, mention flags, `last_message_times`, and `last_read_ats`)
 
 **State Tracking Keys (Frontend)**: Generated by `getStateKey()` for message times (sidebar sorting):
 - Channels: `channel-{channel_key}`
@@ -444,7 +462,7 @@ mc.subscribe(EventType.ACK, handler)
 | `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`. `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`. 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`.
+**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.
 

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,3 +1,54 @@
+## [3.6.0] - 2026-03-22
+
+Feature: Add incoming-packet analytics
+Feature: BYOPacket for analysis
+Feature: Add room activity to stats view
+Bugfix: Handle Heltec v3 serial noise
+Misc: Swap repeaters and room servers for better ordering
+
+## [3.5.0] - 2026-03-19
+
+Feature: Add room server alpha support
+Feature: Add option to force-reset node clock when it's too far ahead
+Feature: DMs auto-retry before resorting to flood
+Feature: Add impulse zero-hop advert
+Feature: Utilize PATH packets to correctly source a contact's route
+Feature: Metrics view on raw packet pane
+Feature: Metric, Imperial, and Smoots are now selectable for distance display
+Feature: Allow favorites to be sorted
+Feature: Add multi-ack support
+Feature: Password-remember checkbox on repeaters + room servers
+Bugfix: Serialize radio disconnect in a lock
+Bugfix: Fix contact bar layout issues
+Bugfix: Fix sidebar ordering for contacts by advert recency
+Bugfix: Fix version reporting in community MQTT
+Bugfix: Fix Apprise duplicate names
+Bugfix: Be better about identity resolution in the stats pane
+Misc: Docs, test, and performance enhancements
+Misc: Don't prompt "Are you sure" when leaving an unedited interation
+Misc: Log node time on startup
+Misc: Improve community MQTT error bubble-up
+Misc: Unread DMs always have a red unread counter
+Misc: Improve information in the debug view to show DB status
+
+## [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

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

@@ -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

@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND
 
 </details>
 
-### meshcore (2.2.29) — MIT
+### meshcore (2.3.2) — MIT
 
 <details>
 <summary>Full license text</summary>

README.md

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ Backend server + browser interface for MeshCore mesh radio networks. Connect you
 * Run multiple Python bots that can analyze messages and respond to DMs and channels
 * 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
+* Search for hashtag channel names for channels you don't have keys for yet
 * 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!
@@ -22,10 +22,22 @@ 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 LTS or current (20, 22, 24, 25)
+- 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
 
@@ -65,7 +77,7 @@ 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 +85,37 @@ 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`.
+
+On Linux, if you want this installed as a persistent `systemd` service that starts on boot and restarts automatically on failure, run `bash scripts/install_service.sh` from the repo root.
+
+## 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.
+Alternatively, if you have already cloned the repo, you can fetch just the prebuilt frontend into your working tree without downloading the full release zip via `python3 scripts/fetch_prebuilt_frontend.py`.
 
-## Docker Compose
+## Path 2: Docker
 
-> **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 +148,7 @@ 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 +156,9 @@ 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 |
 |----------|---------|-------------|
@@ -221,140 +168,36 @@ 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.
-
-If you enable Basic Auth, protect the app with HTTPS. HTTP Basic credentials are not safe on plain HTTP.
-
-### 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 instead of the default hourly sanity check |
-| `MESHCORE_FORCE_CHANNEL_SLOT_RECONFIGURE` | false | Disable channel-slot reuse and force `set_channel(...)` before every channel send |
-
-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).
-
-## 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. Also note that the app's permissive CORS policy is a deliberate trusted-network tradeoff, so cross-origin browser JavaScript is not a reliable way to use that Basic Auth gate.
 
-```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 +1,96 @@
+# 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 channel-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
+
+Two paths are available depending on your comfort level with Linux system administration.
+
+### Simple install (recommended for most users)
+
+On Linux systems, this is the recommended installation method if you want RemoteTerm set up as a persistent systemd service that starts automatically on boot and restarts automatically if it crashes. Run the installer script from the repo root. It runs as your current user, installs from wherever you cloned the repo, and prints a quick-reference cheatsheet when done — no separate service account or path juggling required.
+
+```bash
+bash scripts/install_service.sh
+```
+
+The script interactively asks which transport to use (serial auto-detect, serial with explicit port, TCP, or BLE), whether to build the frontend locally or download a prebuilt copy, whether to enable the bot system, and whether to set up HTTP Basic Auth. It handles dependency installation (`uv sync`), validates `node`/`npm` for local builds, adds your user to the `dialout` group if needed, writes the systemd unit file, and enables the service. After installation, normal operations work without any `sudo -u` gymnastics:
+
+You can also rerun the script later to change transport, bot, or auth settings. If the service is already running, the installer stops it, rewrites the unit file, reloads systemd, and starts it again with the new configuration.
+
+```bash
+# Update to latest and restart
+cd /path/to/repo
+git pull
+uv sync
+cd frontend && npm install && npm run build && cd ..
+sudo systemctl restart remoteterm
+
+# Refresh prebuilt frontend only (skips local build)
+python3 scripts/fetch_prebuilt_frontend.py
+sudo systemctl restart remoteterm
+
+# View live logs
+sudo journalctl -u remoteterm -f
+
+# Service control
+sudo systemctl start|stop|restart|status remoteterm
+```
+
+## 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

@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ app/
 ├── 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
@@ -74,7 +75,7 @@ app/
 1. Radio emits events.
 2. `on_rx_log_data` stores raw packet and tries decrypt/pipeline handling.
 3. Shared message-domain services create/update `messages` and shape WS payloads.
-4. `CONTACT_MSG_RECV` is a fallback DM path when packet pipeline cannot decrypt.
+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
 
@@ -100,22 +101,36 @@ 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.
 - 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.
+- Channel sends use a session-local LRU slot cache after startup channel offload clears the radio. Repeated sends to the same channel reuse the loaded slot; new channels fill free slots up to the discovered channel capacity, then evict the least recently used cached channel.
 - 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 `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.
-- Contacts may also persist `route_override_path`, `route_override_len`, and `route_override_hash_mode`. `Contact.to_radio_dict()` gives these override fields precedence over learned `last_path*`, while advert processing still updates the learned route for telemetry/fallback.
+- 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
 
 - 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`.
+- `GET /api/read-state/unreads` returns counts, mention flags, `last_message_times`, and `last_read_ats`.
+
+### 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 only when the initial `MSG_SENT` result includes an expected ACK code and the message remains 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(...)` when the radio provides an expected ACK code: 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 channel messages. Incoming repeats and direct-message duplicates may still add path data, but DM delivery state advances only from real ACK events.
+- 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
 
@@ -154,10 +169,10 @@ app/
 - `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`, `path_hash_mode_supported`, and advert-location on/off
-- `PATCH /radio/config` — may update `path_hash_mode` (`0..2`) when firmware supports it
+- `GET /radio/config` — includes `path_hash_mode`, `path_hash_mode_supported`, advert-location on/off, and `multi_acks_enabled`
+- `PATCH /radio/config` — may update `path_hash_mode` (`0..2`) when firmware supports it, and `multi_acks_enabled`
 - `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`
@@ -173,6 +188,7 @@ app/
 - `POST /contacts/{public_key}/command`
 - `POST /contacts/{public_key}/routing-override`
 - `POST /contacts/{public_key}/trace`
+- `POST /contacts/{public_key}/path-discovery` — discover forward/return paths, persist the learned direct route, and sync it back to the radio best-effort
 - `POST /contacts/{public_key}/repeater/login`
 - `POST /contacts/{public_key}/repeater/status`
 - `POST /contacts/{public_key}/repeater/lpp-telemetry`
@@ -204,7 +220,7 @@ app/
 - `POST /packets/maintenance`
 
 ### Read state
-- `GET /read-state/unreads`
+- `GET /read-state/unreads` — counts, mention flags, `last_message_times`, and `last_read_ats`
 - `POST /read-state/mark-all-read`
 
 ### Settings
@@ -247,7 +263,7 @@ 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)
@@ -256,6 +272,13 @@ Main tables:
 - `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%.
@@ -272,11 +295,13 @@ Repository writes should prefer typed models such as `ContactUpsert` over ad hoc
 - `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()`.
 
@@ -351,7 +376,7 @@ 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

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ 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
 
 
@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@ class Settings(BaseSettings):
     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 = ""
 

app/database.py

@@ -13,9 +13,10 @@ 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,
@@ -25,7 +26,8 @@ CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS contacts (
     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 (
@@ -33,7 +35,8 @@ CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS channels (
     name TEXT NOT NULL,
     is_hashtag INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
     on_radio INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-    flood_scope_override TEXT
+    flood_scope_override TEXT,
+    last_read_at INTEGER
 );
 
 CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS messages (
@@ -50,9 +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. Outgoing sends allocate a collision-free sender_timestamp before
-    -- transmit so legitimate repeat sends do not collide with this index.
+    -- 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.
 );
@@ -90,11 +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

@@ -58,6 +58,28 @@ class DecryptedDirectMessage:
     message: str
     dest_hash: str  # First byte of destination pubkey as hex
     src_hash: str  # First byte of sender pubkey as hex
+    signed_sender_prefix: str | None = None
+
+    @property
+    def txt_type(self) -> int:
+        return self.flags >> 2
+
+    @property
+    def attempt(self) -> int:
+        return self.flags & 0x03
+
+
+@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
@@ -85,6 +107,10 @@ class PacketInfo:
     path_hash_size: int = 1  # Bytes per hop: 1, 2, or 3
 
 
+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:
     """
     Extract just the payload from a raw packet, skipping header and path.
@@ -243,7 +269,9 @@ 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.
 
@@ -299,6 +327,16 @@ 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
@@ -469,6 +507,13 @@ def decrypt_direct_message(payload: bytes, shared_secret: bytes) -> DecryptedDir
 
     # Extract message text (UTF-8, null-padded)
     message_bytes = decrypted[5:]
+    signed_sender_prefix: str | None = None
+    txt_type = flags >> 2
+    if txt_type == 2:
+        if len(message_bytes) < 4:
+            return None
+        signed_sender_prefix = message_bytes[:4].hex()
+        message_bytes = message_bytes[4:]
     try:
         message_text = message_bytes.decode("utf-8")
         # Truncate at first null terminator (consistent with channel message handling)
@@ -484,6 +529,7 @@ def decrypt_direct_message(payload: bytes, shared_secret: bytes) -> DecryptedDir
         message=message_text,
         dest_hash=dest_hash,
         src_hash=src_hash,
+        signed_sender_prefix=signed_sender_prefix,
     )
 
 
@@ -547,3 +593,88 @@ 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/event_handlers.py

@@ -4,19 +4,22 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from meshcore import EventType
 
-from app.models import CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER, Contact, ContactUpsert
+from app.models import CONTACT_TYPE_ROOM, Contact, ContactUpsert
 from app.packet_processor import process_raw_packet
 from app.repository import (
-    AmbiguousPublicKeyPrefixError,
     ContactRepository,
 )
 from app.services import dm_ack_tracker
 from app.services.contact_reconciliation import (
-    claim_prefix_messages_for_contact,
     promote_prefix_contacts_for_contact,
     record_contact_name_and_reconcile,
 )
-from app.services.messages import create_fallback_direct_message, increment_ack_and_broadcast
+from app.services.dm_ack_apply import apply_dm_ack_code
+from app.services.dm_ingest import (
+    ingest_fallback_direct_message,
+    resolve_direct_message_sender_metadata,
+    resolve_fallback_direct_message_context,
+)
 from app.websocket import broadcast_event
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -51,8 +54,8 @@ 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
 
@@ -66,78 +69,69 @@ 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 claim_prefix_messages_for_contact(public_key=sender_pubkey, log=logger)
-
-        # 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
-    elif sender_pubkey:
-        placeholder_upsert = ContactUpsert(
-            public_key=sender_pubkey.lower(),
-            type=0,
-            last_seen=received_at,
-            last_contacted=received_at,
-            first_seen=received_at,
-            on_radio=False,
-            out_path_hash_mode=-1,
-        )
-        await ContactRepository.upsert(placeholder_upsert)
-        contact = await ContactRepository.get_by_key(sender_pubkey.lower())
-        if contact:
-            broadcast_event("contact", contact.model_dump())
-
-    # 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")
-    message = await create_fallback_direct_message(
-        conversation_key=sender_pubkey,
+    sender_name = context.sender_name
+    sender_key = context.sender_key
+    signature = payload.get("signature")
+    if (
+        context.contact is not None
+        and context.contact.type == CONTACT_TYPE_ROOM
+        and txt_type == 2
+        and isinstance(signature, str)
+        and signature
+    ):
+        sender_name, sender_key = await resolve_direct_message_sender_metadata(
+            sender_public_key=signature,
+            received_at=received_at,
+            broadcast_fn=broadcast_event,
+            contact_repository=ContactRepository,
+            log=logger,
+        )
+    message = await ingest_fallback_direct_message(
+        conversation_key=context.conversation_key,
         text=payload.get("text", ""),
         sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
         received_at=received_at,
         path=path,
         path_len=path_len,
         txt_type=txt_type,
-        signature=payload.get("signature"),
+        signature=signature,
         sender_name=sender_name,
-        sender_key=sender_pubkey,
+        sender_key=sender_key,
         broadcast_fn=broadcast_event,
+        update_last_contacted_key=context.contact.public_key.lower() if context.contact else 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])
-
-    # Update contact last_contacted (contact was already fetched above)
-    if contact:
-        await ContactRepository.update_last_contacted(sender_pubkey, received_at)
+    logger.debug(
+        "DM from %s handled by event handler (fallback path)", context.conversation_key[:12]
+    )
 
 
 async def on_rx_log_data(event: "Event") -> None:
@@ -221,11 +215,12 @@ 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()),
     )
 
 
@@ -292,18 +287,10 @@ async def on_ack(event: "Event") -> None:
         return
 
     logger.debug("Received ACK with code %s", ack_code)
-
-    cleanup_expired_acks()
-
-    message_id = dm_ack_tracker.pop_pending_ack(ack_code)
-    if message_id is not None:
-        logger.info("ACK received for message %d", 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.
-        await increment_ack_and_broadcast(message_id=message_id, broadcast_fn=broadcast_event)
+    matched = await apply_dm_ack_code(ack_code, broadcast_fn=broadcast_event)
+    if matched:
+        logger.info("ACK received for code %s", ack_code)
     else:
-        dm_ack_tracker.buffer_unmatched_ack(ack_code)
         logger.debug("ACK code %s does not match any pending messages", ack_code)
 
 

app/events.py

@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ class MessageAckedPayload(TypedDict):
     message_id: int
     ack_count: int
     paths: NotRequired[list[MessagePath]]
+    packet_id: NotRequired[int | None]
 
 
 class ToastPayload(TypedDict):

app/fanout/AGENTS_fanout.md

@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ Wraps bot code execution via `app/fanout/bot_exec.py`. Config blob:
 - `code` — Python bot function source code
 - Executes in a thread pool with timeout and semaphore concurrency control
 - Rate-limits outgoing messages for repeater compatibility
+- Channel `message_text` passed to bot code is normalized for human readability by stripping a leading `"{sender_name}: "` prefix when it matches the payload sender.
 
 ### webhook (webhook.py)
 HTTP webhook delivery. Config blob:
@@ -78,6 +79,7 @@ Push notifications via Apprise library. Config blob:
 - `urls` — newline-separated Apprise notification service URLs
 - `preserve_identity` — suppress Discord webhook name/avatar override
 - `include_path` — include routing path in notification body
+- Channel notifications normalize stored message text by stripping a leading `"{sender_name}: "` prefix when it matches the payload sender so alerts do not duplicate the name.
 
 ### sqs (sqs.py)
 Amazon SQS delivery. Config blob:

app/fanout/apprise_mod.py

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import asyncio
 import logging
 from urllib.parse import parse_qsl, urlencode, urlsplit, urlunsplit
 
-from app.fanout.base import FanoutModule
+from app.fanout.base import FanoutModule, get_fanout_message_text
 from app.path_utils import split_path_hex
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ def _normalize_discord_url(url: str) -> str:
 def _format_body(data: dict, *, include_path: bool) -> str:
     """Build a human-readable notification body from message data."""
     msg_type = data.get("type", "")
-    text = data.get("text", "")
+    text = get_fanout_message_text(data)
     sender_name = data.get("sender_name") or "Unknown"
 
     via = ""

app/fanout/base.py

@@ -33,3 +33,30 @@ class FanoutModule:
     def status(self) -> str:
         """Return 'connected', 'disconnected', or 'error'."""
         raise NotImplementedError
+
+
+def get_fanout_message_text(data: dict) -> str:
+    """Return the best human-readable message body for fanout consumers.
+
+    Channel messages are stored with the rendered sender label embedded in the
+    text (for example ``"Alice: hello"``). Human-facing integrations that also
+    carry ``sender_name`` should strip that duplicated prefix when it matches
+    the payload sender exactly.
+    """
+
+    text = data.get("text", "")
+    if not isinstance(text, str):
+        return ""
+
+    if data.get("type") != "CHAN":
+        return text
+
+    sender_name = data.get("sender_name")
+    if not isinstance(sender_name, str) or not sender_name:
+        return text
+
+    prefix, separator, remainder = text.partition(": ")
+    if separator and prefix == sender_name:
+        return remainder
+
+    return text

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)
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ def _generate_jwt_token(
         "exp": now + _TOKEN_LIFETIME,
         "aud": audience,
         "owner": pubkey_hex,
-        "client": _CLIENT_ID,
+        "client": _get_client_version(),
     }
     if email:
         payload["email"] = email
@@ -260,12 +260,10 @@ 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 canonical client/version identifier for community MQTT."""
+    build = get_app_build_info()
+    commit_hash = build.commit_hash or "unknown"
+    return f"{_CLIENT_ID}/{build.version}-{commit_hash}"
 
 
 class CommunityMqttPublisher(BaseMqttPublisher):

app/fanout/manager.py

@@ -82,6 +82,21 @@ class FanoutManager:
     def __init__(self) -> None:
         self._modules: dict[str, tuple[FanoutModule, dict]] = {}  # id -> (module, scope)
         self._restart_locks: dict[str, asyncio.Lock] = {}
+        self._bots_disabled_until_restart = False
+
+    def get_bots_disabled_source(self) -> str | None:
+        """Return why bot modules are unavailable, if at all."""
+        from app.config import settings as server_settings
+
+        if server_settings.disable_bots:
+            return "env"
+        if self._bots_disabled_until_restart:
+            return "until_restart"
+        return None
+
+    def bots_disabled_effective(self) -> bool:
+        """Return True when bot modules should be treated as unavailable."""
+        return self.get_bots_disabled_source() is not None
 
     async def load_from_db(self) -> None:
         """Read enabled fanout_configs and instantiate modules."""
@@ -99,13 +114,14 @@ class FanoutManager:
         config_blob = cfg["config"]
         scope = cfg["scope"]
 
-        # Skip bot modules when bots are disabled server-wide
-        if config_type == "bot":
-            from app.config import settings as server_settings
-
-            if server_settings.disable_bots:
-                logger.info("Skipping bot module %s (bots disabled by server config)", config_id)
-                return
+        # Skip bot modules when bots are disabled server-wide or until restart.
+        if config_type == "bot" and self.bots_disabled_effective():
+            logger.info(
+                "Skipping bot module %s (bots disabled: %s)",
+                config_id,
+                self.get_bots_disabled_source(),
+            )
+            return
 
         cls = _MODULE_TYPES.get(config_type)
         if cls is None:
@@ -240,6 +256,26 @@ class FanoutManager:
             }
         return result
 
+    async def disable_bots_until_restart(self) -> str:
+        """Stop active bot modules and prevent them from starting again until restart."""
+        source = self.get_bots_disabled_source()
+        if source == "env":
+            return source
+
+        self._bots_disabled_until_restart = True
+
+        from app.repository.fanout import _configs_cache
+
+        bot_ids = [
+            config_id
+            for config_id in list(self._modules)
+            if _configs_cache.get(config_id, {}).get("type") == "bot"
+        ]
+        for config_id in bot_ids:
+            await self.remove_config(config_id)
+
+        return "until_restart"
+
 
 # Module-level singleton
 fanout_manager = FanoutManager()

app/fanout/mqtt_base.py

@@ -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 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
@@ -90,8 +101,9 @@ class BaseMqttPublisher(ABC):
             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,
+                "%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,
@@ -225,8 +237,10 @@ 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,

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)

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/frontend_static.py

@@ -10,6 +10,10 @@ 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):
@@ -48,40 +52,38 @@ 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"
-    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 log_failures:
+            logger.error("Frontend build directory not found at %s.", frontend_dir)
+        return False, frontend_dir
 
     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 log_failures:
+            logger.error("Frontend build path is not a directory: %s.", frontend_dir)
+        return False, frontend_dir
 
     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,
-        )
+        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 assets_dir.exists() and assets_dir.is_dir():
         app.mount(
             "/assets",
@@ -137,6 +139,18 @@ def register_frontend_static_routes(app: FastAPI, frontend_dir: Path) -> bool:
     @app.get("/{path:path}")
     async def serve_frontend(path: str):
         """Serve frontend files, falling back to index.html for SPA routing."""
+        if path == "api" or path.startswith("api/"):
+            return JSONResponse(
+                status_code=404,
+                content={
+                    "detail": (
+                        "API endpoint not found. If you are seeing this in response to a "
+                        "frontend request, you may be running a newer frontend with an older "
+                        "backend or vice versa. A full update is suggested."
+                    )
+                },
+            )
+
         file_path = (frontend_dir / path).resolve()
         try:
             file_path.relative_to(frontend_dir)
@@ -157,6 +171,30 @@ def register_frontend_static_routes(app: FastAPI, frontend_dir: Path) -> bool:
     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."""
 
@@ -164,7 +202,5 @@ 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

@@ -11,7 +11,10 @@ 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.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,
@@ -29,12 +32,14 @@ from app.routers import (
     radio,
     read_state,
     repeaters,
+    rooms,
     settings,
     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__)
@@ -99,22 +104,10 @@ 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,
 )
 
@@ -142,6 +135,7 @@ app.include_router(fanout.router, prefix="/api")
 app.include_router(radio.router, prefix="/api")
 app.include_router(contacts.router, prefix="/api")
 app.include_router(repeaters.router, prefix="/api")
+app.include_router(rooms.router, prefix="/api")
 app.include_router(channels.router, prefix="/api")
 app.include_router(messages.router, prefix="/api")
 app.include_router(packets.router, prefix="/api")
@@ -151,6 +145,9 @@ 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
 
@@ -331,6 +332,34 @@ async def run_migrations(conn: aiosqlite.Connection) -> int:
         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
+
+    # Migration 46: Clean orphaned contact child rows left by old prefix promotion
+    if version < 46:
+        logger.info("Applying migration 46: clean orphaned contact child rows")
+        await _migrate_046_cleanup_orphaned_contact_child_rows(conn)
+        await set_version(conn, 46)
+        applied += 1
+
     if applied > 0:
         logger.info(
             "Applied %d migration(s), schema now at version %d", applied, await get_version(conn)
@@ -2443,3 +2472,399 @@ async def _migrate_042_add_channel_flood_scope_override(conn: aiosqlite.Connecti
             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()
+
+
+async def _migrate_046_cleanup_orphaned_contact_child_rows(conn: aiosqlite.Connection) -> None:
+    """Move uniquely resolvable orphan contact child rows onto full contacts, drop the rest."""
+    existing_tables_cursor = await conn.execute("SELECT name FROM sqlite_master WHERE type='table'")
+    existing_tables = {row[0] for row in await existing_tables_cursor.fetchall()}
+    if "contacts" not in existing_tables:
+        await conn.commit()
+        return
+
+    child_tables = [
+        table
+        for table in ("contact_name_history", "contact_advert_paths")
+        if table in existing_tables
+    ]
+    if not child_tables:
+        await conn.commit()
+        return
+
+    orphan_keys: set[str] = set()
+
+    for table in child_tables:
+        cursor = await conn.execute(
+            f"""
+            SELECT DISTINCT child.public_key
+            FROM {table} child
+            LEFT JOIN contacts c ON c.public_key = child.public_key
+            WHERE c.public_key IS NULL
+            """
+        )
+        orphan_keys.update(row[0] for row in await cursor.fetchall())
+
+    for orphan_key in sorted(orphan_keys, key=len, reverse=True):
+        match_cursor = await conn.execute(
+            """
+            SELECT public_key
+            FROM contacts
+            WHERE length(public_key) = 64
+              AND public_key LIKE ? || '%'
+            ORDER BY public_key
+            """,
+            (orphan_key.lower(),),
+        )
+        matches = [row[0] for row in await match_cursor.fetchall()]
+        resolved_key = matches[0] if len(matches) == 1 else None
+
+        if resolved_key is not None:
+            if "contact_name_history" in child_tables:
+                await conn.execute(
+                    """
+                    INSERT INTO contact_name_history (public_key, name, first_seen, last_seen)
+                    SELECT ?, name, first_seen, last_seen
+                    FROM contact_name_history
+                    WHERE public_key = ?
+                    ON CONFLICT(public_key, name) DO UPDATE SET
+                        first_seen = MIN(contact_name_history.first_seen, excluded.first_seen),
+                        last_seen = MAX(contact_name_history.last_seen, excluded.last_seen)
+                    """,
+                    (resolved_key, orphan_key),
+                )
+            if "contact_advert_paths" in child_tables:
+                await conn.execute(
+                    """
+                    INSERT INTO contact_advert_paths
+                        (public_key, path_hex, path_len, first_seen, last_seen, heard_count)
+                    SELECT ?, path_hex, path_len, first_seen, last_seen, heard_count
+                    FROM contact_advert_paths
+                    WHERE public_key = ?
+                    ON CONFLICT(public_key, path_hex, path_len) DO UPDATE SET
+                        first_seen = MIN(contact_advert_paths.first_seen, excluded.first_seen),
+                        last_seen = MAX(contact_advert_paths.last_seen, excluded.last_seen),
+                        heard_count = contact_advert_paths.heard_count + excluded.heard_count
+                    """,
+                    (resolved_key, orphan_key),
+                )
+
+        if "contact_name_history" in child_tables:
+            await conn.execute(
+                "DELETE FROM contact_name_history WHERE public_key = ?",
+                (orphan_key,),
+            )
+        if "contact_advert_paths" in child_tables:
+            await conn.execute(
+                "DELETE FROM contact_advert_paths WHERE public_key = ?",
+                (orphan_key,),
+            )
+
+    await conn.commit()

app/models.py

@@ -2,7 +2,17 @@ from typing import Literal
 
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 
-from app.path_utils import normalize_contact_route
+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):
@@ -12,9 +22,10 @@ class ContactUpsert(BaseModel):
     name: str | None = None
     type: int = 0
     flags: int = 0
-    last_path: str | None = None
-    last_path_len: int = -1
-    out_path_hash_mode: int | None = None
+    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
@@ -40,7 +51,7 @@ class ContactUpsert(BaseModel):
         cls, public_key: str, radio_data: dict, on_radio: bool = False
     ) -> "ContactUpsert":
         """Convert radio contact data to the contact-row write shape."""
-        last_path, last_path_len, out_path_hash_mode = normalize_contact_route(
+        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(
@@ -53,9 +64,9 @@ class ContactUpsert(BaseModel):
             name=radio_data.get("adv_name"),
             type=radio_data.get("type", 0),
             flags=radio_data.get("flags", 0),
-            last_path=last_path,
-            last_path_len=last_path_len,
-            out_path_hash_mode=out_path_hash_mode,
+            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"),
@@ -68,9 +79,10 @@ class Contact(BaseModel):
     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
@@ -82,38 +94,99 @@ 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(self) -> tuple[str, int, int]:
+    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,
             )
-        return normalize_contact_route(
-            self.last_path,
-            self.last_path_len,
-            self.out_path_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.).
         """
-        last_path, last_path_len, out_path_hash_mode = self.effective_route()
+        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": last_path,
-            "out_path_len": last_path_len,
-            "out_path_hash_mode": 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,
@@ -149,7 +222,7 @@ class ContactRoutingOverrideRequest(BaseModel):
 
     route: str = Field(
         description=(
-            "Blank clears the override and resets learned routing to flood, "
+            "Blank clears the override, "
             '"-1" forces flood, "0" forces direct, and explicit routes are '
             "comma-separated 1/2/3-byte hop hex values"
         )
@@ -158,6 +231,7 @@ class ContactRoutingOverrideRequest(BaseModel):
 
 # Contact type constants
 CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER = 2
+CONTACT_TYPE_ROOM = 3
 
 
 class ContactAdvertPath(BaseModel):
@@ -192,7 +266,7 @@ class ContactNameHistory(BaseModel):
 
 
 class ContactActiveRoom(BaseModel):
-    """A channel/room where a contact has been active."""
+    """A channel where a contact has been active."""
 
     channel_key: str
     channel_name: str
@@ -339,6 +413,10 @@ class Message(BaseModel):
     acked: int = 0
     sender_name: str | None = None
     channel_name: str | None = None
+    packet_id: int | None = Field(
+        default=None,
+        description="Representative raw packet row ID when archival raw bytes exist",
+    )
 
 
 class MessagesAroundResponse(BaseModel):
@@ -384,6 +462,21 @@ class RawPacketBroadcast(BaseModel):
     decrypted_info: RawPacketDecryptedInfo | None = None
 
 
+class RawPacketDetail(BaseModel):
+    """Stored raw-packet detail returned by the packet API."""
+
+    id: int
+    timestamp: int
+    data: str = Field(description="Hex-encoded packet data")
+    payload_type: str = Field(description="Packet type name (e.g. GROUP_TEXT, ADVERT)")
+    snr: float | None = Field(default=None, description="Signal-to-noise ratio in dB if available")
+    rssi: int | None = Field(
+        default=None, description="Received signal strength in dBm if available"
+    )
+    decrypted: bool = False
+    decrypted_info: RawPacketDecryptedInfo | None = None
+
+
 class SendMessageRequest(BaseModel):
     text: str = Field(min_length=1)
 
@@ -410,6 +503,11 @@ 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):
@@ -735,4 +833,5 @@ class StatisticsResponse(BaseModel):
     total_outgoing: int
     contacts_heard: ContactActivityCounts
     repeaters_heard: ContactActivityCounts
+    known_channels_active: ContactActivityCounts
     path_hash_width_24h: PathHashWidthStats

app/packet_processor.py

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ 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 (
@@ -44,6 +45,7 @@ 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,
 )
@@ -318,8 +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:
@@ -328,6 +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(
@@ -425,60 +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_advert:
-        path_age = timestamp - existing.last_advert
-        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)
     )
@@ -498,11 +472,8 @@ async def _process_advertisement(
         type=contact_type,
         lat=advert.lat,
         lon=advert.lon,
-        last_advert=advert.timestamp if advert.timestamp > 0 else timestamp,
+        last_advert=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
     )
 
@@ -666,3 +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

@@ -153,12 +153,12 @@ def first_hop_hex(path_hex: str, hop_count: int) -> str | None:
 def normalize_contact_route(
     path_hex: str | None,
     path_len: int | None,
-    out_path_hash_mode: 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 `last_path_len` (sometimes as a signed byte, e.g. `-125` for `0x83`).
+    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 ""
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ def normalize_contact_route(
         normalized_len = -1
 
     try:
-        normalized_mode = int(out_path_hash_mode) if out_path_hash_mode is not None else None
+        normalized_mode = int(path_hash_mode) if path_hash_mode is not None else None
     except (TypeError, ValueError):
         normalized_mode = None
 
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ def normalize_contact_route(
 def normalize_route_override(
     path_hex: str | None,
     path_len: int | None,
-    out_path_hash_mode: 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:
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ def normalize_route_override(
     normalized_path, normalized_len, normalized_mode = normalize_contact_route(
         path_hex,
         path_len,
-        out_path_hash_mode,
+        path_hash_mode,
     )
     return normalized_path, normalized_len, normalized_mode
 

app/radio.py

@@ -2,15 +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):
@@ -67,6 +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
@@ -130,6 +165,12 @@ 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
@@ -165,6 +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,
@@ -381,6 +436,21 @@ class RadioManager:
         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)
@@ -478,20 +548,30 @@ class RadioManager:
 
     async def disconnect(self) -> None:
         """Disconnect from the radio."""
-        if self._meshcore is not None:
-            logger.debug("Disconnecting from radio")
+        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._disable_meshcore_auto_reconnect(mc)
-            await mc.disconnect()
-            await self._disable_meshcore_auto_reconnect(mc)
-            self._meshcore = None
-            self._setup_complete = False
-            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()
+            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.
@@ -499,7 +579,7 @@ 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:
@@ -522,10 +602,9 @@ 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()
@@ -537,6 +616,7 @@ class RadioManager:
 
                 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
@@ -545,8 +625,9 @@ class RadioManager:
                     return False
 
             except Exception as e:
-                logger.warning("Reconnection failed: %s", e, exc_info=True)
-                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:

app/radio_sync.py

@@ -14,9 +14,11 @@ import logging
 import math
 import time
 from contextlib import asynccontextmanager
+from typing import Literal
 
 from meshcore import EventType, MeshCore
 
+from app.channel_constants import PUBLIC_CHANNEL_KEY, PUBLIC_CHANNEL_NAME
 from app.config import settings
 from app.event_handlers import cleanup_expired_acks
 from app.models import Contact, ContactUpsert
@@ -36,15 +38,18 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 DEFAULT_MAX_CHANNELS = 40
 
+AdvertMode = Literal["flood", "zero_hop"]
+
 
 def _contact_sync_debug_fields(contact: Contact) -> dict[str, object]:
     """Return key contact fields for sync failure diagnostics."""
     return {
         "type": contact.type,
         "flags": contact.flags,
-        "last_path": contact.last_path,
-        "last_path_len": contact.last_path_len,
-        "out_path_hash_mode": contact.out_path_hash_mode,
+        "direct_path": contact.direct_path,
+        "direct_path_len": contact.direct_path_len,
+        "direct_path_hash_mode": contact.direct_path_hash_mode,
+        "direct_path_updated_at": contact.direct_path_updated_at,
         "route_override_path": contact.route_override_path,
         "route_override_len": contact.route_override_len,
         "route_override_hash_mode": contact.route_override_hash_mode,
@@ -443,16 +448,13 @@ async def ensure_default_channels() -> None:
     This seeds the canonical Public channel row in the database if it is missing
     or misnamed. It does not make the channel undeletable through the router.
     """
-    # Public channel - no hashtag, specific well-known key
-    PUBLIC_CHANNEL_KEY_HEX = "8B3387E9C5CDEA6AC9E5EDBAA115CD72"
-
     # Check by KEY (not name) since that's what's fixed
-    existing = await ChannelRepository.get_by_key(PUBLIC_CHANNEL_KEY_HEX)
-    if not existing or existing.name != "Public":
+    existing = await ChannelRepository.get_by_key(PUBLIC_CHANNEL_KEY)
+    if not existing or existing.name != PUBLIC_CHANNEL_NAME:
         logger.info("Ensuring default Public channel exists with correct name")
         await ChannelRepository.upsert(
-            key=PUBLIC_CHANNEL_KEY_HEX,
-            name="Public",
+            key=PUBLIC_CHANNEL_KEY,
+            name=PUBLIC_CHANNEL_NAME,
             is_hashtag=False,
             on_radio=existing.on_radio if existing else False,
         )
@@ -688,7 +690,12 @@ async def stop_message_polling():
         logger.info("Stopped periodic message polling")
 
 
-async def send_advertisement(mc: MeshCore, *, force: bool = False) -> bool:
+async def send_advertisement(
+    mc: MeshCore,
+    *,
+    force: bool = False,
+    mode: AdvertMode = "flood",
+) -> bool:
     """Send an advertisement to announce presence on the mesh.
 
     Respects the configured advert_interval - won't send if not enough time
@@ -697,11 +704,15 @@ async def send_advertisement(mc: MeshCore, *, force: bool = False) -> bool:
     Args:
         mc: The MeshCore instance to use for the advertisement.
         force: If True, send immediately regardless of interval.
+        mode: Advertisement mode. Flood adverts use the persisted flood-advert
+            throttle state; zero-hop adverts currently send immediately.
 
     Returns True if successful, False otherwise (including if throttled).
     """
-    # Check if enough time has elapsed (unless forced)
-    if not force:
+    use_flood = mode == "flood"
+
+    # Only flood adverts currently participate in persisted throttle state.
+    if use_flood and not force:
         settings = await AppSettingsRepository.get()
         interval = settings.advert_interval
         last_time = settings.last_advert_time
@@ -728,18 +739,19 @@ async def send_advertisement(mc: MeshCore, *, force: bool = False) -> bool:
             return False
 
     try:
-        result = await mc.commands.send_advert(flood=True)
+        result = await mc.commands.send_advert(flood=use_flood)
         if result.type == EventType.OK:
-            # Update last_advert_time in database
-            now = int(time.time())
-            await AppSettingsRepository.update(last_advert_time=now)
-            logger.info("Advertisement sent successfully")
+            if use_flood:
+                # Track flood advert timing for periodic/startup throttling.
+                now = int(time.time())
+                await AppSettingsRepository.update(last_advert_time=now)
+            logger.info("%s advertisement sent successfully", mode.replace("_", "-"))
             return True
         else:
-            logger.warning("Failed to send advertisement: %s", result.payload)
+            logger.warning("Failed to send %s advertisement: %s", mode, result.payload)
             return False
     except Exception as e:
-        logger.warning("Error sending advertisement: %s", e, exc_info=True)
+        logger.warning("Error sending %s advertisement: %s", mode, e, exc_info=True)
         return False
 
 
@@ -798,16 +810,177 @@ async def stop_periodic_advert():
         logger.info("Stopped periodic advertisement")
 
 
+# Prevents reboot-loop: once we've rebooted to fix clock skew this session,
+# don't do it again (the hardware RTC case can't be fixed by reboot).
+_clock_reboot_attempted: bool = False
+_CLOCK_WRAP_TARGET = 0xFFFFFFFF
+_CLOCK_WRAP_POLL_INTERVAL = 0.2
+_CLOCK_WRAP_TIMEOUT = 3.0
+
+
+async def _query_radio_time(mc: MeshCore) -> int | None:
+    """Return the radio's current epoch, or None if it can't be read."""
+    try:
+        result = await mc.commands.get_time()
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+    if result.payload is None:
+        return None
+    value = result.payload.get("time")
+    if isinstance(value, int):
+        return value
+    return None
+
+
+async def _attempt_clock_wraparound(mc: MeshCore, *, now: int, observed_radio_time: int) -> bool:
+    """Try the experimental uint32 wraparound trick, then retry normal time sync."""
+    logger.warning(
+        "Experimental __CLOWNTOWN_DO_CLOCK_WRAPAROUND enabled: attempting uint32 "
+        "clock wraparound before normal time sync (radio=%d, system=%d).",
+        observed_radio_time,
+        now,
+    )
+    result = await mc.commands.set_time(_CLOCK_WRAP_TARGET)
+    if result.type != EventType.OK:
+        logger.warning(
+            "Clock wraparound pre-step failed: set_time(%d) returned %s.",
+            _CLOCK_WRAP_TARGET,
+            result.type,
+        )
+        return False
+
+    deadline = time.monotonic() + _CLOCK_WRAP_TIMEOUT
+    wrapped_time: int | None = None
+    while time.monotonic() < deadline:
+        await asyncio.sleep(_CLOCK_WRAP_POLL_INTERVAL)
+        wrapped_time = await _query_radio_time(mc)
+        if wrapped_time is not None and wrapped_time < 60:
+            break
+    else:
+        wrapped_time = None
+
+    if wrapped_time is None:
+        logger.warning(
+            "Clock wraparound experiment did not observe a wrapped epoch within %.1f "
+            "seconds; falling back to normal recovery.",
+            _CLOCK_WRAP_TIMEOUT,
+        )
+        return False
+
+    logger.warning(
+        "Clock wraparound experiment observed wrapped epoch %d; retrying normal time sync.",
+        wrapped_time,
+    )
+    retry = await mc.commands.set_time(now)
+    if retry.type == EventType.OK:
+        logger.warning("Clock sync succeeded after experimental wraparound.")
+        return True
+
+    logger.warning(
+        "Clock sync still failed after experimental wraparound: set_time(%d) returned %s.",
+        now,
+        retry.type,
+    )
+    return False
+
+
 async def sync_radio_time(mc: MeshCore) -> bool:
     """Sync the radio's clock with the system time.
 
-    Returns True if successful, False otherwise.
+    The firmware only accepts forward time adjustments (new >= current).
+    If the radio's clock is already ahead, set_time is silently rejected
+    with an ERROR response.  We detect this by checking the response and,
+    on failure, querying the radio's actual time so we can log the skew.
+
+    When significant forward skew is detected for the first time in a
+    session, the radio is rebooted so that boards with a volatile clock
+    (most companion radios) reset to their default epoch and accept the
+    correct time on the next connection setup.  The reboot is attempted
+    only once; if it doesn't help (hardware RTC persists the wrong time),
+    the skew is logged as a warning on subsequent syncs.
+
+    Returns True if the radio accepted the new time, False otherwise.
     """
+    global _clock_reboot_attempted  # noqa: PLW0603
     try:
         now = int(time.time())
-        await mc.commands.set_time(now)
-        logger.debug("Synced radio time to %d", now)
-        return True
+        preflight_radio_time: int | None = None
+        wraparound_attempted = False
+
+        if settings.clowntown_do_clock_wraparound:
+            preflight_radio_time = await _query_radio_time(mc)
+            if preflight_radio_time is not None and preflight_radio_time > now:
+                wraparound_attempted = True
+                if await _attempt_clock_wraparound(
+                    mc,
+                    now=now,
+                    observed_radio_time=preflight_radio_time,
+                ):
+                    return True
+
+        result = await mc.commands.set_time(now)
+
+        if result.type == EventType.OK:
+            logger.debug("Synced radio time to %d", now)
+            return True
+
+        # Firmware rejected the time (most likely radio clock is ahead).
+        # Query actual radio time so we can report the delta.
+        radio_time = await _query_radio_time(mc)
+
+        if radio_time is not None:
+            delta = radio_time - now
+            logger.warning(
+                "Radio rejected time sync: radio clock is %+d seconds "
+                "(%+.1f hours) from system time (radio=%d, system=%d).",
+                delta,
+                delta / 3600.0,
+                radio_time,
+                now,
+            )
+        else:
+            delta = None
+            logger.warning(
+                "Radio rejected time sync (set_time returned %s) "
+                "and get_time query failed; cannot determine clock skew.",
+                result.type,
+            )
+
+        if (
+            settings.clowntown_do_clock_wraparound
+            and not wraparound_attempted
+            and radio_time is not None
+            and radio_time > now
+            and await _attempt_clock_wraparound(
+                mc,
+                now=now,
+                observed_radio_time=radio_time,
+            )
+        ):
+            return True
+
+        # If the clock is significantly ahead and we haven't already tried
+        # a corrective reboot this session, reboot the radio.  Boards with
+        # a volatile RTC (most companion radios) will reset their clock on
+        # reboot, allowing the next post-connect sync to succeed.
+        if not _clock_reboot_attempted and (delta is None or delta > 30):
+            _clock_reboot_attempted = True
+            logger.warning(
+                "Rebooting radio to reset clock skew.  Boards with a "
+                "volatile RTC will accept the correct time after restart."
+            )
+            try:
+                await mc.commands.reboot()
+            except Exception:
+                logger.warning("Reboot command failed", exc_info=True)
+        elif _clock_reboot_attempted:
+            logger.warning(
+                "Clock skew persists after reboot — the radio likely has a "
+                "hardware RTC that preserved the wrong time.  A manual "
+                "'clkreboot' CLI command is needed to reset it."
+            )
+
+        return False
     except Exception as e:
         logger.warning("Failed to sync radio time: %s", e, exc_info=True)
         return False

app/repository/contacts.py

@@ -36,11 +36,20 @@ class ContactRepository:
     @staticmethod
     async def upsert(contact: ContactUpsert | Contact | Mapping[str, Any]) -> None:
         contact_row = ContactRepository._coerce_contact_upsert(contact)
-        last_path, last_path_len, out_path_hash_mode = normalize_contact_route(
-            contact_row.last_path,
-            contact_row.last_path_len,
-            contact_row.out_path_hash_mode,
-        )
+        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,
@@ -51,20 +60,25 @@ class ContactRepository:
 
         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
                 ),
@@ -87,9 +101,10 @@ class ContactRepository:
                 contact_row.name,
                 contact_row.type,
                 contact_row.flags,
-                last_path,
-                last_path_len,
-                out_path_hash_mode,
+                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,
@@ -107,12 +122,12 @@ class ContactRepository:
     @staticmethod
     def _row_to_contact(row) -> Contact:
         """Convert a database row to a Contact model."""
-        last_path, last_path_len, out_path_hash_mode = normalize_contact_route(
-            row["last_path"],
-            row["last_path_len"],
-            row["out_path_hash_mode"],
-        )
         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
         )
@@ -136,9 +151,14 @@ class ContactRepository:
             name=row["name"],
             type=row["type"],
             flags=row["flags"],
-            last_path=last_path,
-            last_path_len=last_path_len,
-            out_path_hash_mode=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,
@@ -286,26 +306,30 @@ class ContactRepository:
         return [ContactRepository._row_to_contact(row) for row in rows]
 
     @staticmethod
-    async def update_path(
+    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,
-            out_path_hash_mode,
+            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 = ?""",
             (
                 normalized_path,
                 normalized_path_len,
                 normalized_hash_mode,
-                int(time.time()),
+                ts,
+                ts,
                 public_key.lower(),
             ),
         )
@@ -316,12 +340,12 @@ class ContactRepository:
         public_key: str,
         path: str | None,
         path_len: int | None,
-        out_path_hash_mode: int | None = None,
+        path_hash_mode: int | None = None,
     ) -> None:
         normalized_path, normalized_len, normalized_hash_mode = normalize_route_override(
             path,
             path_len,
-            out_path_hash_mode,
+            path_hash_mode,
         )
         await db.conn.execute(
             """
@@ -407,6 +431,43 @@ class ContactRepository:
 
         Returns the placeholder public keys that were merged into the full key.
         """
+
+        async def migrate_child_rows(old_key: str, new_key: str) -> None:
+            await db.conn.execute(
+                """
+                INSERT INTO contact_name_history (public_key, name, first_seen, last_seen)
+                SELECT ?, name, first_seen, last_seen
+                FROM contact_name_history
+                WHERE public_key = ?
+                ON CONFLICT(public_key, name) DO UPDATE SET
+                    first_seen = MIN(contact_name_history.first_seen, excluded.first_seen),
+                    last_seen = MAX(contact_name_history.last_seen, excluded.last_seen)
+                """,
+                (new_key, old_key),
+            )
+            await db.conn.execute(
+                """
+                INSERT INTO contact_advert_paths
+                    (public_key, path_hex, path_len, first_seen, last_seen, heard_count)
+                SELECT ?, path_hex, path_len, first_seen, last_seen, heard_count
+                FROM contact_advert_paths
+                WHERE public_key = ?
+                ON CONFLICT(public_key, path_hex, path_len) DO UPDATE SET
+                    first_seen = MIN(contact_advert_paths.first_seen, excluded.first_seen),
+                    last_seen = MAX(contact_advert_paths.last_seen, excluded.last_seen),
+                    heard_count = contact_advert_paths.heard_count + excluded.heard_count
+                """,
+                (new_key, old_key),
+            )
+            await db.conn.execute(
+                "DELETE FROM contact_name_history WHERE public_key = ?",
+                (old_key,),
+            )
+            await db.conn.execute(
+                "DELETE FROM contact_advert_paths WHERE public_key = ?",
+                (old_key,),
+            )
+
         normalized_full_key = full_key.lower()
         cursor = await db.conn.execute(
             """
@@ -443,6 +504,8 @@ class ContactRepository:
             if (match_row["match_count"] if match_row is not None else 0) != 1:
                 continue
 
+            await migrate_child_rows(old_key, normalized_full_key)
+
             if full_exists:
                 await db.conn.execute(
                     """

app/repository/messages.py

@@ -66,9 +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.
         """
@@ -330,6 +331,12 @@ class MessageRepository:
     @staticmethod
     def _row_to_message(row: Any) -> Message:
         """Convert a database row to a Message model."""
+        packet_id = None
+        if hasattr(row, "keys"):
+            row_keys = row.keys()
+            if "packet_id" in row_keys:
+                packet_id = row["packet_id"]
+
         return Message(
             id=row["id"],
             type=row["type"],
@@ -344,6 +351,14 @@ class MessageRepository:
             outgoing=bool(row["outgoing"]),
             acked=row["acked"],
             sender_name=row["sender_name"],
+            packet_id=packet_id,
+        )
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _message_select(message_alias: str = "messages") -> str:
+        return (
+            f"{message_alias}.*, "
+            f"(SELECT MIN(id) FROM raw_packets WHERE message_id = {message_alias}.id) AS packet_id"
         )
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -362,7 +377,7 @@ class MessageRepository:
     ) -> list[Message]:
         search_query = MessageRepository._parse_search_query(q) if q else None
         query = (
-            "SELECT messages.* FROM messages "
+            f"SELECT {MessageRepository._message_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' "
@@ -469,7 +484,8 @@ class MessageRepository:
 
         # 1. Get the target message (must satisfy filters if provided)
         target_cursor = await db.conn.execute(
-            f"SELECT * FROM messages WHERE id = ? AND {where_sql}",
+            f"SELECT {MessageRepository._message_select('messages')} "
+            f"FROM messages WHERE id = ? AND {where_sql}",
             (message_id, *base_params),
         )
         target_row = await target_cursor.fetchone()
@@ -480,7 +496,7 @@ class MessageRepository:
 
         # 2. Get context_size+1 messages before target (DESC)
         before_query = f"""
-            SELECT * FROM messages WHERE {where_sql}
+            SELECT {MessageRepository._message_select("messages")} FROM messages WHERE {where_sql}
             AND (received_at < ? OR (received_at = ? AND id < ?))
             ORDER BY received_at DESC, id DESC LIMIT ?
         """
@@ -499,7 +515,7 @@ class MessageRepository:
 
         # 3. Get context_size+1 messages after target (ASC)
         after_query = f"""
-            SELECT * FROM messages WHERE {where_sql}
+            SELECT {MessageRepository._message_select("messages")} FROM messages WHERE {where_sql}
             AND (received_at > ? OR (received_at = ? AND id > ?))
             ORDER BY received_at ASC, id ASC LIMIT ?
         """
@@ -544,7 +560,7 @@ class MessageRepository:
     async def get_by_id(message_id: int) -> "Message | None":
         """Look up a message by its ID."""
         cursor = await db.conn.execute(
-            "SELECT * FROM messages WHERE id = ?",
+            f"SELECT {MessageRepository._message_select('messages')} FROM messages WHERE id = ?",
             (message_id,),
         )
         row = await cursor.fetchone()
@@ -553,22 +569,34 @@ class MessageRepository:
 
         return MessageRepository._row_to_message(row)
 
+    @staticmethod
+    async def delete_by_id(message_id: int) -> None:
+        """Delete a message row by ID."""
+        await db.conn.execute("DELETE FROM messages WHERE id = ?", (message_id,))
+        await db.conn.commit()
+
     @staticmethod
     async def get_by_content(
         msg_type: str,
         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(
-            """
-            SELECT * FROM messages
+        query = """
+            SELECT messages.*,
+                   (SELECT MIN(id) FROM raw_packets WHERE message_id = messages.id) AS packet_id
+            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

app/repository/raw_packets.py

@@ -109,6 +109,30 @@ 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 get_by_id(packet_id: int) -> tuple[int, bytes, int, int | None] | None:
+        """Return a raw packet row as (id, data, timestamp, message_id)."""
+        cursor = await db.conn.execute(
+            "SELECT id, data, timestamp, message_id FROM raw_packets WHERE id = ?",
+            (packet_id,),
+        )
+        row = await cursor.fetchone()
+        if not row:
+            return None
+        return (row["id"], bytes(row["data"]), row["timestamp"], 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/repository/settings.py

@@ -270,6 +270,30 @@ class StatisticsRepository:
             "last_week": row["last_week"] or 0,
         }
 
+    @staticmethod
+    async def _known_channels_active() -> dict[str, int]:
+        """Count distinct known channel keys with channel traffic in each time window."""
+        now = int(time.time())
+        cursor = await db.conn.execute(
+            """
+            SELECT
+                COUNT(DISTINCT CASE WHEN m.received_at >= ? THEN m.conversation_key END) AS last_hour,
+                COUNT(DISTINCT CASE WHEN m.received_at >= ? THEN m.conversation_key END) AS last_24_hours,
+                COUNT(DISTINCT CASE WHEN m.received_at >= ? THEN m.conversation_key END) AS last_week
+            FROM messages m
+            INNER JOIN channels c ON UPPER(m.conversation_key) = UPPER(c.key)
+            WHERE m.type = 'CHAN'
+            """,
+            (now - SECONDS_1H, now - SECONDS_24H, now - SECONDS_7D),
+        )
+        row = await cursor.fetchone()
+        assert row is not None
+        return {
+            "last_hour": row["last_hour"] or 0,
+            "last_24_hours": row["last_24_hours"] or 0,
+            "last_week": row["last_week"] or 0,
+        }
+
     @staticmethod
     async def _path_hash_width_24h() -> dict[str, int | float]:
         """Count parsed raw packets from the last 24h by hop hash width."""
@@ -396,6 +420,7 @@ class StatisticsRepository:
         # Activity windows
         contacts_heard = await StatisticsRepository._activity_counts(contact_type=2, exclude=True)
         repeaters_heard = await StatisticsRepository._activity_counts(contact_type=2)
+        known_channels_active = await StatisticsRepository._known_channels_active()
         path_hash_width_24h = await StatisticsRepository._path_hash_width_24h()
 
         return {
@@ -411,5 +436,6 @@ class StatisticsRepository:
             "total_outgoing": total_outgoing,
             "contacts_heard": contacts_heard,
             "repeaters_heard": repeaters_heard,
+            "known_channels_active": known_channels_active,
             "path_hash_width_24h": path_hash_width_24h,
         }

app/routers/channels.py

@@ -4,6 +4,12 @@ from hashlib import sha256
 from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 
+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.region_scope import normalize_region_scope
 from app.repository import ChannelRepository, MessageRepository
@@ -62,10 +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 channel 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:
@@ -74,17 +101,25 @@ 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,
     )
@@ -140,6 +175,11 @@ 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)
 

app/routers/contacts.py

@@ -304,7 +304,6 @@ async def create_contact(
     contact_upsert = ContactUpsert(
         public_key=lower_key,
         name=request.name,
-        out_path_hash_mode=-1,
         on_radio=False,
     )
     await ContactRepository.upsert(contact_upsert)
@@ -474,7 +473,7 @@ async def request_path_discovery(public_key: str) -> PathDiscoveryResponse:
         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_path(
+        await ContactRepository.update_direct_path(
             contact.public_key,
             forward_path,
             forward_len,
@@ -524,9 +523,8 @@ async def set_contact_routing_override(
     route_text = request.route.strip()
     if route_text == "":
         await ContactRepository.clear_routing_override(contact.public_key)
-        await ContactRepository.update_path(contact.public_key, "", -1, -1)
         logger.info(
-            "Cleared routing override and reset learned path to flood for %s",
+            "Cleared routing override for %s",
             contact.public_key[:12],
         )
     elif route_text == "-1":

app/routers/debug.py

@@ -1,10 +1,7 @@
 import hashlib
-import importlib.metadata
 import logging
-import subprocess
 import sys
 from datetime import datetime, timezone
-from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any
 
 from fastapi import APIRouter
@@ -13,18 +10,35 @@ 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.repository import MessageRepository, StatisticsRepository
 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
@@ -64,6 +78,7 @@ class DebugChannelAudit(BaseModel):
 class DebugRadioProbe(BaseModel):
     performed: bool
     errors: list[str] = Field(default_factory=list)
+    multi_acks_enabled: bool | None = None
     self_info: dict[str, Any] | None = None
     device_info: dict[str, Any] | None = None
     stats_core: dict[str, Any] | None = None
@@ -72,54 +87,31 @@ class DebugRadioProbe(BaseModel):
     channels: DebugChannelAudit | None = None
 
 
+class DebugDatabaseInfo(BaseModel):
+    total_dms: int
+    total_channel_messages: int
+    total_outgoing: int
+
+
 class DebugSnapshotResponse(BaseModel):
     captured_at: str
     application: DebugApplicationInfo
     health: HealthResponse
     runtime: DebugRuntimeInfo
+    database: DebugDatabaseInfo
     radio_probe: DebugRadioProbe
     logs: list[str]
 
 
-def _repo_root() -> Path:
-    return Path(__file__).resolve().parents[2]
-
-
-def _get_app_version() -> str:
-    try:
-        return importlib.metadata.version("remoteterm-meshcore")
-    except Exception:
-        pyproject = _repo_root() / "pyproject.toml"
-        try:
-            for line in pyproject.read_text().splitlines():
-                if line.startswith("version = "):
-                    return line.split('"')[1]
-        except Exception:
-            pass
-    return "0.0.0"
-
-
-def _git_output(*args: str) -> str | None:
-    try:
-        result = subprocess.run(
-            ["git", *args],
-            cwd=_repo_root(),
-            check=True,
-            capture_output=True,
-            text=True,
-        )
-    except Exception:
-        return None
-    output = result.stdout.strip()
-    return output or None
-
-
 def _build_application_info() -> DebugApplicationInfo:
-    dirty_output = _git_output("status", "--porcelain")
+    build_info = get_app_build_info()
+    dirty_output = git_output("status", "--porcelain")
     return DebugApplicationInfo(
-        version=_get_app_version(),
-        commit_hash=_git_output("rev-parse", "HEAD"),
-        git_branch=_git_output("rev-parse", "--abbrev-ref", "HEAD"),
+        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],
     )
@@ -250,6 +242,9 @@ async def _probe_radio() -> DebugRadioProbe:
             return DebugRadioProbe(
                 performed=True,
                 errors=errors,
+                multi_acks_enabled=bool(mc.self_info.get("multi_acks", 0))
+                if mc.self_info is not None
+                else None,
                 self_info=dict(mc.self_info or {}),
                 device_info=device_info,
                 stats_core=stats_core,
@@ -270,6 +265,7 @@ async def _probe_radio() -> DebugRadioProbe:
 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)
+    statistics = await StatisticsRepository.get_all()
     radio_probe = await _probe_radio()
     channels_with_incoming_messages = (
         await MessageRepository.count_channels_with_incoming_messages()
@@ -294,6 +290,11 @@ async def debug_support_snapshot() -> DebugSnapshotResponse:
                 "force_channel_slot_reconfigure": settings.force_channel_slot_reconfigure,
             },
         ),
+        database=DebugDatabaseInfo(
+            total_dms=statistics["total_dms"],
+            total_channel_messages=statistics["total_channel_messages"],
+            total_outgoing=statistics["total_outgoing"],
+        ),
         radio_probe=radio_probe,
-        logs=get_recent_log_lines(limit=1000),
+        logs=[*LOG_COPY_BOUNDARY_PREFIX, *get_recent_log_lines(limit=1000)],
     )

app/routers/fanout.py

@@ -9,8 +9,8 @@ import string
 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.fanout.manager import fanout_manager
 from app.repository.fanout import FanoutConfigRepository
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -78,6 +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"):
@@ -305,6 +325,15 @@ def _enforce_scope(config_type: str, scope: dict) -> dict:
     return {"messages": messages, "raw_packets": raw_packets}
 
 
+def _bot_system_disabled_detail() -> str | None:
+    source = fanout_manager.get_bots_disabled_source()
+    if source == "env":
+        return "Bot system disabled by server configuration (MESHCORE_DISABLE_BOTS)"
+    if source == "until_restart":
+        return "Bot system disabled until the server restarts"
+    return None
+
+
 @router.get("")
 async def list_fanout_configs() -> list[dict]:
     """List all fanout configs."""
@@ -320,39 +349,24 @@ async def create_fanout_config(body: FanoutConfigCreate) -> dict:
             detail=f"Invalid type '{body.type}'. Must be one of: {', '.join(sorted(_VALID_TYPES))}",
         )
 
-    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)
-        elif body.type == "sqs":
-            _validate_sqs_config(body.config)
+    if body.type == "bot":
+        disabled_detail = _bot_system_disabled_detail()
+        if disabled_detail:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail=disabled_detail)
 
+    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,
     )
 
     # Start the module if enabled
     if cfg["enabled"]:
-        from app.fanout.manager import fanout_manager
-
         await fanout_manager.reload_config(cfg["id"])
 
     logger.info("Created fanout config %s (type=%s, name=%s)", cfg["id"], body.type, body.name)
@@ -366,43 +380,27 @@ async def update_fanout_config(config_id: str, body: FanoutConfigUpdate) -> dict
     if existing is None:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Fanout config not found")
 
-    if existing["type"] == "bot" and server_settings.disable_bots:
-        raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="Bot system disabled by server configuration")
+    if existing["type"] == "bot":
+        disabled_detail = _bot_system_disabled_detail()
+        if disabled_detail:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail=disabled_detail)
 
     kwargs = {}
     if body.name is not None:
         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)
-        elif existing["type"] == "sqs":
-            _validate_sqs_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:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Fanout config not found")
 
     # Reload the module to pick up changes
-    from app.fanout.manager import fanout_manager
-
     await fanout_manager.reload_config(config_id)
 
     logger.info("Updated fanout config %s", config_id)
@@ -417,10 +415,24 @@ async def delete_fanout_config(config_id: str) -> dict:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Fanout config not found")
 
     # Stop the module first
-    from app.fanout.manager import fanout_manager
-
     await fanout_manager.remove_config(config_id)
     await FanoutConfigRepository.delete(config_id)
 
     logger.info("Deleted fanout config %s", config_id)
     return {"deleted": True}
+
+
+@router.post("/bots/disable-until-restart")
+async def disable_bots_until_restart() -> dict:
+    """Stop active bot modules and prevent them from running again until restart."""
+    source = await fanout_manager.disable_bots_until_restart()
+
+    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)
+    return {
+        "status": "ok",
+        "bots_disabled": True,
+        "bots_disabled_source": source,
+    }

app/routers/health.py

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import os
-from typing import Any
+from typing import Any, Literal
 
 from fastapi import APIRouter
 from pydantic import BaseModel
@@ -7,24 +7,55 @@ from pydantic import BaseModel
 from app.config import settings
 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
+    bots_disabled_source: Literal["env", "until_restart"] | None = None
+    basic_auth_enabled: bool = False
+
+
+def _clean_optional_str(value: object) -> str | None:
+    if not isinstance(value, str):
+        return None
+    cleaned = value.strip()
+    return cleaned or None
+
+
+def _read_optional_bool_setting(name: str) -> bool:
+    value = getattr(settings, name, False)
+    return value if isinstance(value, bool) else False
 
 
 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)
@@ -40,30 +71,24 @@ async def build_health_data(radio_connected: bool, connection_info: str | None)
 
     # Fanout module statuses
     fanout_statuses: dict[str, Any] = {}
+    bots_disabled_source = "env" if _read_optional_bool_setting("disable_bots") else None
     try:
         from app.fanout.manager import fanout_manager
 
         fanout_statuses = fanout_manager.get_statuses()
+        manager_bots_disabled_source = fanout_manager.get_bots_disabled_source()
+        if manager_bots_disabled_source is not None:
+            bots_disabled_source = manager_bots_disabled_source
     except Exception:
         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)
-    if not isinstance(connection_desired, bool):
-        connection_desired = True
-
     is_reconnecting = getattr(radio_manager, "is_reconnecting", False)
-    if not isinstance(is_reconnecting, bool):
-        is_reconnecting = False
 
     radio_initializing = bool(radio_connected and (setup_in_progress or not setup_complete))
     if not connection_desired:
@@ -77,16 +102,36 @@ async def build_health_data(radio_connected: bool, connection_info: str | None)
     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,
-        "bots_disabled": settings.disable_bots,
+        "bots_disabled": bots_disabled_source is not None,
+        "bots_disabled_source": bots_disabled_source,
+        "basic_auth_enabled": _read_optional_bool_setting("basic_auth_enabled"),
     }
 
 

app/routers/packets.py

@@ -3,13 +3,14 @@ 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
 from app.decoder import parse_packet, try_decrypt_packet_with_channel_key
+from app.models import RawPacketDecryptedInfo, RawPacketDetail
 from app.packet_processor import create_message_from_decrypted, run_historical_dm_decryption
-from app.repository import ChannelRepository, RawPacketRepository
+from app.repository import ChannelRepository, MessageRepository, RawPacketRepository
 from app.websocket import broadcast_success
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -40,6 +41,10 @@ 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:
@@ -98,9 +103,48 @@ async def get_undecrypted_count() -> dict:
     return {"count": count}
 
 
+@router.get("/{packet_id}", response_model=RawPacketDetail)
+async def get_raw_packet(packet_id: int) -> RawPacketDetail:
+    """Fetch one stored raw packet by row ID for on-demand inspection."""
+    packet_row = await RawPacketRepository.get_by_id(packet_id)
+    if packet_row is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Raw packet not found")
+
+    stored_packet_id, packet_data, packet_timestamp, message_id = packet_row
+    packet_info = parse_packet(packet_data)
+    payload_type_name = packet_info.payload_type.name if packet_info else "Unknown"
+
+    decrypted_info: RawPacketDecryptedInfo | None = None
+    if message_id is not None:
+        message = await MessageRepository.get_by_id(message_id)
+        if message is not None:
+            if message.type == "CHAN":
+                channel = await ChannelRepository.get_by_key(message.conversation_key)
+                decrypted_info = RawPacketDecryptedInfo(
+                    channel_name=channel.name if channel else None,
+                    sender=message.sender_name,
+                    channel_key=message.conversation_key,
+                    contact_key=message.sender_key,
+                )
+            else:
+                decrypted_info = RawPacketDecryptedInfo(
+                    sender=message.sender_name,
+                    contact_key=message.conversation_key,
+                )
+
+    return RawPacketDetail(
+        id=stored_packet_id,
+        timestamp=packet_timestamp,
+        data=packet_data.hex(),
+        payload_type=payload_type_name,
+        decrypted=message_id is not None,
+        decrypted_info=decrypted_info,
+    )
+
+
 @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 +156,15 @@ 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 +180,7 @@ 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 +191,24 @@ 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 +232,7 @@ async def decrypt_historical_packets(
             contact_public_key_hex,
             display_name,
         )
+        response.status_code = status.HTTP_202_ACCEPTED
 
         return DecryptResult(
             started=True,
@@ -230,11 +240,7 @@ 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

@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ 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 = {
@@ -80,6 +81,10 @@ class RadioConfigResponse(BaseModel):
         default="current",
         description="Whether adverts include the node's current location state",
     )
+    multi_acks_enabled: bool = Field(
+        default=False,
+        description="Whether the radio sends an extra direct ACK transmission",
+    )
 
 
 class RadioConfigUpdate(BaseModel):
@@ -98,12 +103,23 @@ class RadioConfigUpdate(BaseModel):
         default=None,
         description="Whether adverts include the node's current location state",
     )
+    multi_acks_enabled: bool | None = Field(
+        default=None,
+        description="Whether the radio sends an extra direct ACK transmission",
+    )
 
 
 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()
 
@@ -214,6 +230,7 @@ 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,
+        multi_acks_enabled=bool(info.get("multi_acks", 0)),
     )
 
 
@@ -266,24 +283,25 @@ async def set_private_key(update: PrivateKeyUpdate) -> dict:
 
 
 @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"}
 

app/routers/repeaters.py

@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import asyncio
 import logging
-import time
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException
@@ -28,6 +27,14 @@ from app.models import (
 )
 from app.repository import ContactRepository
 from app.routers.contacts import _ensure_on_radio, _resolve_contact_or_404
+from app.routers.server_control import (
+    _monotonic,
+    batch_cli_fetch,
+    extract_response_text,
+    prepare_authenticated_contact_connection,
+    require_server_capable_contact,
+    send_contact_cli_command,
+)
 from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime as radio_manager
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -43,26 +50,11 @@ ACL_PERMISSION_NAMES = {
     3: "Admin",
 }
 router = APIRouter(prefix="/contacts", tags=["repeaters"])
-
-# Delay between repeater radio operations to allow key exchange and path establishment
-REPEATER_OP_DELAY_SECONDS = 2.0
-
-
-def _monotonic() -> float:
-    """Wrapper around time.monotonic() for testability.
-
-    Patching time.monotonic directly breaks the asyncio event loop which also
-    uses it. This indirection allows tests to control the clock safely.
-    """
-    return time.monotonic()
+REPEATER_LOGIN_RESPONSE_TIMEOUT_SECONDS = 5.0
 
 
 def _extract_response_text(event) -> str:
-    """Extract text from a CLI response event, stripping the firmware '> ' prefix."""
-    text = event.payload.get("text", str(event.payload))
-    if text.startswith("> "):
-        text = text[2:]
-    return text
+    return extract_response_text(event)
 
 
 async def _fetch_repeater_response(
@@ -70,21 +62,6 @@ async def _fetch_repeater_response(
     target_pubkey_prefix: str,
     timeout: float = 20.0,
 ) -> "Event | None":
-    """Fetch a CLI response from a specific repeater via a validated get_msg() loop.
-
-    Calls get_msg() repeatedly until a matching CLI response (txt_type=1) from the
-    target repeater arrives or the wall-clock deadline expires. Unrelated messages
-    are safe to skip — meshcore's event dispatcher already delivers them to the
-    normal subscription handlers (on_contact_message, etc.) when get_msg() returns.
-
-    Args:
-        mc: MeshCore instance
-        target_pubkey_prefix: 12-char hex prefix of the repeater's public key
-        timeout: Wall-clock seconds before giving up
-
-    Returns:
-        The matching Event, or None if no response arrived before the deadline.
-    """
     deadline = _monotonic() + timeout
 
     while _monotonic() < deadline:
@@ -92,13 +69,12 @@ async def _fetch_repeater_response(
             result = await mc.commands.get_msg(timeout=2.0)
         except asyncio.TimeoutError:
             continue
-        except Exception as e:
-            logger.debug("get_msg() exception: %s", e)
+        except Exception as exc:
+            logger.debug("get_msg() exception: %s", exc)
             await asyncio.sleep(1.0)
             continue
 
         if result.type == EventType.NO_MORE_MSGS:
-            # No messages queued yet — wait and retry
             await asyncio.sleep(1.0)
             continue
 
@@ -112,8 +88,6 @@ async def _fetch_repeater_response(
             txt_type = result.payload.get("txt_type", 0)
             if msg_prefix == target_pubkey_prefix and txt_type == 1:
                 return result
-            # Not our target — already dispatched to subscribers by meshcore,
-            # so just continue draining the queue.
             logger.debug(
                 "Skipping non-target message (from=%s, txt_type=%d) while waiting for %s",
                 msg_prefix,
@@ -123,7 +97,6 @@ async def _fetch_repeater_response(
             continue
 
         if result.type == EventType.CHANNEL_MSG_RECV:
-            # Already dispatched to subscribers by meshcore; skip.
             logger.debug(
                 "Skipping channel message (channel_idx=%s) during repeater fetch",
                 result.payload.get("channel_idx"),
@@ -136,31 +109,14 @@ 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.
-
-    Args:
-        mc: MeshCore instance
-        contact: The repeater contact
-        password: Password for login (empty string for no password)
-
-    Raises:
-        HTTPException: If login fails
-    """
-    # 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)
-
-    # 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)
-
-    if login_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
-        raise HTTPException(status_code=401, detail=f"Login failed: {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)
+async def prepare_repeater_connection(mc, contact: Contact, password: str) -> RepeaterLoginResponse:
+    return await prepare_authenticated_contact_connection(
+        mc,
+        contact,
+        password,
+        label="repeater",
+        response_timeout=REPEATER_LOGIN_RESPONSE_TIMEOUT_SECONDS,
+    )
 
 
 def _require_repeater(contact: Contact) -> None:
@@ -180,7 +136,7 @@ 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)
@@ -190,9 +146,7 @@ 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)
@@ -335,43 +289,7 @@ async def _batch_cli_fetch(
     operation_name: str,
     commands: list[tuple[str, str]],
 ) -> dict[str, str | None]:
-    """Send a batch of CLI commands to a repeater and collect responses.
-
-    Opens a radio operation with polling paused and auto-fetch suspended (since
-    we call get_msg() directly via _fetch_repeater_response), adds the contact
-    to the radio for routing, then sends each command sequentially with a 1-second
-    gap between them.
-
-    Returns a dict mapping field names to response strings (or None on timeout).
-    """
-    results: dict[str, str | None] = {field: None for _, field in commands}
-
-    async with radio_manager.radio_operation(
-        operation_name,
-        pause_polling=True,
-        suspend_auto_fetch=True,
-    ) as mc:
-        await _ensure_on_radio(mc, contact)
-        await asyncio.sleep(1.0)
-
-        for i, (cmd, field) in enumerate(commands):
-            if i > 0:
-                await asyncio.sleep(1.0)
-
-            send_result = await mc.commands.send_cmd(contact.public_key, cmd)
-            if send_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
-                logger.debug("Command '%s' send error: %s", cmd, send_result.payload)
-                continue
-
-            response_event = await _fetch_repeater_response(
-                mc, contact.public_key[:12], timeout=10.0
-            )
-            if response_event is not None:
-                results[field] = _extract_response_text(response_event)
-            else:
-                logger.warning("No response for command '%s' (%s)", cmd, field)
-
-    return results
+    return await batch_cli_fetch(contact, operation_name, commands)
 
 
 @router.post("/{public_key}/repeater/node-info", response_model=RepeaterNodeInfoResponse)
@@ -456,72 +374,13 @@ async def repeater_owner_info(public_key: str) -> RepeaterOwnerInfoResponse:
 
 @router.post("/{public_key}/command", response_model=CommandResponse)
 async def send_repeater_command(public_key: str, request: CommandRequest) -> CommandResponse:
-    """Send a CLI command to a repeater.
-
-    The contact must be a repeater (type=2). The user must have already logged in
-    via the repeater/login endpoint. This endpoint ensures the contact is on the
-    radio before sending commands (the repeater remembers ACL permissions after login).
-
-    Common commands:
-    - get name, set name <value>
-    - get tx, set tx <dbm>
-    - 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, time <epoch_seconds>
-    - reboot
-    - ver
-    """
+    """Send a CLI command to a repeater or room server."""
     require_connected()
 
-    # Get contact from database
     contact = await _resolve_contact_or_404(public_key)
-    _require_repeater(contact)
-
-    async with radio_manager.radio_operation(
-        "send_repeater_command",
-        pause_polling=True,
-        suspend_auto_fetch=True,
-    ) as mc:
-        # 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)
-        await asyncio.sleep(1.0)
-
-        # Send the command
-        logger.info("Sending command to repeater %s: %s", contact.public_key[:12], request.command)
-
-        send_result = await mc.commands.send_cmd(contact.public_key, request.command)
-
-        if send_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
-            raise HTTPException(
-                status_code=500, detail=f"Failed to send command: {send_result.payload}"
-            )
-
-        # Wait for response using validated fetch loop
-        response_event = await _fetch_repeater_response(mc, contact.public_key[:12])
-
-        if response_event is None:
-            logger.warning(
-                "No response from repeater %s for command: %s",
-                contact.public_key[:12],
-                request.command,
-            )
-            return CommandResponse(
-                command=request.command,
-                response="(no response - command may have been processed)",
-            )
-
-        # CONTACT_MSG_RECV payloads use sender_timestamp in meshcore.
-        response_text = _extract_response_text(response_event)
-        sender_timestamp = response_event.payload.get(
-            "sender_timestamp",
-            response_event.payload.get("timestamp"),
-        )
-        logger.info("Received response from %s: %s", contact.public_key[:12], response_text)
-
-        return CommandResponse(
-            command=request.command,
-            response=response_text,
-            sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
-        )
+    require_server_capable_contact(contact)
+    return await send_contact_cli_command(
+        contact,
+        request.command,
+        operation_name="send_repeater_command",
+    )

app/routers/rooms.py

@@ -0,0 +1,145 @@
+from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException
+
+from app.dependencies import require_connected
+from app.models import (
+    CONTACT_TYPE_ROOM,
+    AclEntry,
+    LppSensor,
+    RepeaterAclResponse,
+    RepeaterLoginRequest,
+    RepeaterLoginResponse,
+    RepeaterLppTelemetryResponse,
+    RepeaterStatusResponse,
+)
+from app.routers.contacts import _ensure_on_radio, _resolve_contact_or_404
+from app.routers.server_control import (
+    prepare_authenticated_contact_connection,
+    require_server_capable_contact,
+)
+from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime as radio_manager
+
+router = APIRouter(prefix="/contacts", tags=["rooms"])
+
+
+def _require_room(contact) -> None:
+    require_server_capable_contact(contact, allowed_types=(CONTACT_TYPE_ROOM,))
+
+
+@router.post("/{public_key}/room/login", response_model=RepeaterLoginResponse)
+async def room_login(public_key: str, request: RepeaterLoginRequest) -> RepeaterLoginResponse:
+    """Attempt room-server login and report whether auth was confirmed."""
+    require_connected()
+    contact = await _resolve_contact_or_404(public_key)
+    _require_room(contact)
+
+    async with radio_manager.radio_operation(
+        "room_login",
+        pause_polling=True,
+        suspend_auto_fetch=True,
+    ) as mc:
+        return await prepare_authenticated_contact_connection(
+            mc,
+            contact,
+            request.password,
+            label="room server",
+        )
+
+
+@router.post("/{public_key}/room/status", response_model=RepeaterStatusResponse)
+async def room_status(public_key: str) -> RepeaterStatusResponse:
+    """Fetch status telemetry from a room server."""
+    require_connected()
+    contact = await _resolve_contact_or_404(public_key)
+    _require_room(contact)
+
+    async with radio_manager.radio_operation(
+        "room_status", pause_polling=True, suspend_auto_fetch=True
+    ) as mc:
+        await _ensure_on_radio(mc, contact)
+        status = await mc.commands.req_status_sync(contact.public_key, timeout=10, min_timeout=5)
+
+    if status is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=504, detail="No status response from room server")
+
+    return RepeaterStatusResponse(
+        battery_volts=status.get("bat", 0) / 1000.0,
+        tx_queue_len=status.get("tx_queue_len", 0),
+        noise_floor_dbm=status.get("noise_floor", 0),
+        last_rssi_dbm=status.get("last_rssi", 0),
+        last_snr_db=status.get("last_snr", 0.0),
+        packets_received=status.get("nb_recv", 0),
+        packets_sent=status.get("nb_sent", 0),
+        airtime_seconds=status.get("airtime", 0),
+        rx_airtime_seconds=status.get("rx_airtime", 0),
+        uptime_seconds=status.get("uptime", 0),
+        sent_flood=status.get("sent_flood", 0),
+        sent_direct=status.get("sent_direct", 0),
+        recv_flood=status.get("recv_flood", 0),
+        recv_direct=status.get("recv_direct", 0),
+        flood_dups=status.get("flood_dups", 0),
+        direct_dups=status.get("direct_dups", 0),
+        full_events=status.get("full_evts", 0),
+    )
+
+
+@router.post("/{public_key}/room/lpp-telemetry", response_model=RepeaterLppTelemetryResponse)
+async def room_lpp_telemetry(public_key: str) -> RepeaterLppTelemetryResponse:
+    """Fetch CayenneLPP telemetry from a room server."""
+    require_connected()
+    contact = await _resolve_contact_or_404(public_key)
+    _require_room(contact)
+
+    async with radio_manager.radio_operation(
+        "room_lpp_telemetry", pause_polling=True, suspend_auto_fetch=True
+    ) as mc:
+        await _ensure_on_radio(mc, contact)
+        telemetry = await mc.commands.req_telemetry_sync(
+            contact.public_key, timeout=10, min_timeout=5
+        )
+
+    if telemetry is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=504, detail="No telemetry response from room server")
+
+    sensors = [
+        LppSensor(
+            channel=entry.get("channel", 0),
+            type_name=str(entry.get("type", "unknown")),
+            value=entry.get("value", 0),
+        )
+        for entry in telemetry
+    ]
+    return RepeaterLppTelemetryResponse(sensors=sensors)
+
+
+@router.post("/{public_key}/room/acl", response_model=RepeaterAclResponse)
+async def room_acl(public_key: str) -> RepeaterAclResponse:
+    """Fetch ACL entries from a room server."""
+    require_connected()
+    contact = await _resolve_contact_or_404(public_key)
+    _require_room(contact)
+
+    async with radio_manager.radio_operation(
+        "room_acl", pause_polling=True, suspend_auto_fetch=True
+    ) as mc:
+        await _ensure_on_radio(mc, contact)
+        acl_data = await mc.commands.req_acl_sync(contact.public_key, timeout=10, min_timeout=5)
+
+    acl_entries = []
+    if acl_data and isinstance(acl_data, list):
+        from app.repository import ContactRepository
+        from app.routers.repeaters import ACL_PERMISSION_NAMES
+
+        for entry in acl_data:
+            pubkey_prefix = entry.get("key", "")
+            perm = entry.get("perm", 0)
+            resolved_contact = await ContactRepository.get_by_key_prefix(pubkey_prefix)
+            acl_entries.append(
+                AclEntry(
+                    pubkey_prefix=pubkey_prefix,
+                    name=resolved_contact.name if resolved_contact else None,
+                    permission=perm,
+                    permission_name=ACL_PERMISSION_NAMES.get(perm, f"Unknown({perm})"),
+                )
+            )
+
+    return RepeaterAclResponse(acl=acl_entries)

app/routers/server_control.py

@@ -0,0 +1,317 @@
+import asyncio
+import logging
+import time
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+
+from fastapi import HTTPException
+from meshcore import EventType
+
+from app.models import (
+    CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER,
+    CONTACT_TYPE_ROOM,
+    CommandResponse,
+    Contact,
+    RepeaterLoginResponse,
+)
+from app.routers.contacts import _ensure_on_radio
+from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime as radio_manager
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from meshcore.events import Event
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+SERVER_LOGIN_RESPONSE_TIMEOUT_SECONDS = 5.0
+
+
+def _monotonic() -> float:
+    """Wrapper around time.monotonic() for testability."""
+    return time.monotonic()
+
+
+def get_server_contact_label(contact: Contact) -> str:
+    """Return a user-facing label for server-capable contacts."""
+    if contact.type == CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER:
+        return "repeater"
+    if contact.type == CONTACT_TYPE_ROOM:
+        return "room server"
+    return "server"
+
+
+def require_server_capable_contact(
+    contact: Contact,
+    *,
+    allowed_types: tuple[int, ...] = (CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER, CONTACT_TYPE_ROOM),
+) -> None:
+    """Raise 400 if the contact does not support server control/login features."""
+    if contact.type not in allowed_types:
+        expected = ", ".join(str(value) for value in allowed_types)
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=400,
+            detail=f"Contact is not a supported server contact (type={contact.type}, expected one of {expected})",
+        )
+
+
+def _login_rejected_message(label: str) -> str:
+    return (
+        f"The {label} replied but did not confirm this login. "
+        f"Existing access may still allow some {label} operations, but privileged actions may fail."
+    )
+
+
+def _login_send_failed_message(label: str) -> str:
+    return (
+        f"The login request could not be sent to the {label}. "
+        f"The control panel is still available, but authenticated actions may fail until a login succeeds."
+    )
+
+
+def _login_timeout_message(label: str) -> str:
+    return (
+        f"No login confirmation was heard from the {label}. "
+        "That can mean the password was wrong or the reply was missed in transit. "
+        "The control panel is still available; try logging in again if authenticated actions fail."
+    )
+
+
+def extract_response_text(event) -> str:
+    """Extract text from a CLI response event, stripping the firmware '> ' prefix."""
+    text = event.payload.get("text", str(event.payload))
+    if text.startswith("> "):
+        text = text[2:]
+    return text
+
+
+async def fetch_contact_cli_response(
+    mc,
+    target_pubkey_prefix: str,
+    timeout: float = 20.0,
+) -> "Event | None":
+    """Fetch a CLI response from a specific contact via a validated get_msg() loop."""
+    deadline = _monotonic() + timeout
+
+    while _monotonic() < deadline:
+        try:
+            result = await mc.commands.get_msg(timeout=2.0)
+        except asyncio.TimeoutError:
+            continue
+        except Exception as exc:
+            logger.debug("get_msg() exception: %s", exc)
+            await asyncio.sleep(1.0)
+            continue
+
+        if result.type == EventType.NO_MORE_MSGS:
+            await asyncio.sleep(1.0)
+            continue
+
+        if result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+            logger.debug("get_msg() error: %s", result.payload)
+            await asyncio.sleep(1.0)
+            continue
+
+        if result.type == EventType.CONTACT_MSG_RECV:
+            msg_prefix = result.payload.get("pubkey_prefix", "")
+            txt_type = result.payload.get("txt_type", 0)
+            if msg_prefix == target_pubkey_prefix and txt_type == 1:
+                return result
+            logger.debug(
+                "Skipping non-target message (from=%s, txt_type=%d) while waiting for %s",
+                msg_prefix,
+                txt_type,
+                target_pubkey_prefix,
+            )
+            continue
+
+        if result.type == EventType.CHANNEL_MSG_RECV:
+            logger.debug(
+                "Skipping channel message (channel_idx=%s) during CLI fetch",
+                result.payload.get("channel_idx"),
+            )
+            continue
+
+        logger.debug("Unexpected event type %s during CLI fetch, skipping", result.type)
+
+    logger.warning("No CLI response from contact %s within %.1fs", target_pubkey_prefix, timeout)
+    return None
+
+
+async def prepare_authenticated_contact_connection(
+    mc,
+    contact: Contact,
+    password: str,
+    *,
+    label: str | None = None,
+    response_timeout: float = SERVER_LOGIN_RESPONSE_TIMEOUT_SECONDS,
+) -> RepeaterLoginResponse:
+    """Prepare connection to a server-capable contact by adding it to the radio and logging in."""
+    pubkey_prefix = contact.public_key[:12].lower()
+    contact_label = label or get_server_contact_label(contact)
+    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,
+            _login_rejected_message(contact_label),
+        ),
+        attribute_filters={"pubkey_prefix": pubkey_prefix},
+    )
+
+    try:
+        logger.info("Adding %s %s to radio", contact_label, contact.public_key[:12])
+        await _ensure_on_radio(mc, contact)
+
+        logger.info("Sending login to %s %s", contact_label, contact.public_key[:12])
+        login_result = await mc.commands.send_login(contact.public_key, password)
+
+        if login_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+            return RepeaterLoginResponse(
+                status="error",
+                authenticated=False,
+                message=f"{_login_send_failed_message(contact_label)} ({login_result.payload})",
+            )
+
+        try:
+            return await asyncio.wait_for(
+                login_future,
+                timeout=response_timeout,
+            )
+        except asyncio.TimeoutError:
+            logger.warning(
+                "No login response from %s %s within %.1fs",
+                contact_label,
+                contact.public_key[:12],
+                response_timeout,
+            )
+            return RepeaterLoginResponse(
+                status="timeout",
+                authenticated=False,
+                message=_login_timeout_message(contact_label),
+            )
+    except HTTPException as exc:
+        logger.warning(
+            "%s login setup failed for %s: %s",
+            contact_label.capitalize(),
+            contact.public_key[:12],
+            exc.detail,
+        )
+        return RepeaterLoginResponse(
+            status="error",
+            authenticated=False,
+            message=f"{_login_send_failed_message(contact_label)} ({exc.detail})",
+        )
+    finally:
+        success_subscription.unsubscribe()
+        failed_subscription.unsubscribe()
+
+
+async def batch_cli_fetch(
+    contact: Contact,
+    operation_name: str,
+    commands: list[tuple[str, str]],
+) -> dict[str, str | None]:
+    """Send a batch of CLI commands to a server-capable contact and collect responses."""
+    results: dict[str, str | None] = {field: None for _, field in commands}
+
+    async with radio_manager.radio_operation(
+        operation_name,
+        pause_polling=True,
+        suspend_auto_fetch=True,
+    ) as mc:
+        await _ensure_on_radio(mc, contact)
+        await asyncio.sleep(1.0)
+
+        for index, (cmd, field) in enumerate(commands):
+            if index > 0:
+                await asyncio.sleep(1.0)
+
+            send_result = await mc.commands.send_cmd(contact.public_key, cmd)
+            if send_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+                logger.debug("Command '%s' send error: %s", cmd, send_result.payload)
+                continue
+
+            response_event = await fetch_contact_cli_response(
+                mc, contact.public_key[:12], timeout=10.0
+            )
+            if response_event is not None:
+                results[field] = extract_response_text(response_event)
+            else:
+                logger.warning("No response for command '%s' (%s)", cmd, field)
+
+    return results
+
+
+async def send_contact_cli_command(
+    contact: Contact,
+    command: str,
+    *,
+    operation_name: str,
+) -> CommandResponse:
+    """Send a CLI command to a server-capable contact and return the text response."""
+    label = get_server_contact_label(contact)
+
+    async with radio_manager.radio_operation(
+        operation_name,
+        pause_polling=True,
+        suspend_auto_fetch=True,
+    ) as mc:
+        logger.info("Adding %s %s to radio", label, contact.public_key[:12])
+        await _ensure_on_radio(mc, contact)
+        await asyncio.sleep(1.0)
+
+        logger.info("Sending command to %s %s: %s", label, contact.public_key[:12], command)
+        send_result = await mc.commands.send_cmd(contact.public_key, command)
+
+        if send_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+            raise HTTPException(
+                status_code=500, detail=f"Failed to send command: {send_result.payload}"
+            )
+
+        response_event = await fetch_contact_cli_response(mc, contact.public_key[:12])
+
+        if response_event is None:
+            logger.warning(
+                "No response from %s %s for command: %s",
+                label,
+                contact.public_key[:12],
+                command,
+            )
+            return CommandResponse(
+                command=command,
+                response="(no response - command may have been processed)",
+            )
+
+        response_text = extract_response_text(response_event)
+        sender_timestamp = response_event.payload.get(
+            "sender_timestamp",
+            response_event.payload.get("timestamp"),
+        )
+        logger.info(
+            "Received response from %s %s: %s",
+            label,
+            contact.public_key[:12],
+            response_text,
+        )
+
+        return CommandResponse(
+            command=command,
+            response=response_text,
+            sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+        )

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

@@ -71,3 +71,15 @@ def pop_pending_ack(ack_code: str) -> int | 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 +1,372 @@
+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_TYPE_ROOM, 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 resolve_direct_message_sender_metadata(
+    *,
+    sender_public_key: str,
+    received_at: int,
+    broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+    contact_repository=ContactRepository,
+    log: logging.Logger | None = None,
+) -> tuple[str | None, str | None]:
+    """Resolve sender attribution for direct-message variants such as room-server posts."""
+    normalized_sender = sender_public_key.lower()
+
+    try:
+        contact = await contact_repository.get_by_key_or_prefix(normalized_sender)
+    except AmbiguousPublicKeyPrefixError:
+        (log or logger).warning(
+            "Sender prefix '%s' is ambiguous; preserving prefix-only attribution",
+            sender_public_key,
+        )
+        contact = None
+
+    if contact is not None:
+        await claim_prefix_messages_for_contact(
+            public_key=contact.public_key.lower(), log=log or logger
+        )
+        return contact.name, contact.public_key.lower()
+
+    return None, 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,
+            packet_id=packet_id,
+        )
+        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()
+
+    if not outgoing and decrypted.txt_type == 1:
+        logger.debug(
+            "Skipping CLI response from %s (txt_type=1): %s",
+            conversation_key[:12],
+            (decrypted.message or "")[:50],
+        )
+        return None
+
+    contact = await contact_repository.get_by_key(conversation_key)
+    sender_name: str | None = None
+    sender_key: str | None = conversation_key if not outgoing else None
+    signature: 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:
+            if contact.type == CONTACT_TYPE_ROOM and decrypted.signed_sender_prefix:
+                sender_name, sender_key = await resolve_direct_message_sender_metadata(
+                    sender_public_key=decrypted.signed_sender_prefix,
+                    received_at=received_at or int(time.time()),
+                    broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
+                    contact_repository=contact_repository,
+                    log=logger,
+                )
+                signature = decrypted.signed_sender_prefix
+            else:
+                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=decrypted.txt_type,
+        signature=signature,
+        sender_name=sender_name,
+        sender_key=sender_key,
+        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

@@ -11,8 +11,10 @@ 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,
+    broadcast_message,
+    build_stored_outgoing_channel_message,
     create_outgoing_channel_message,
     create_outgoing_direct_message,
     increment_ack_and_broadcast,
@@ -20,14 +22,24 @@ from app.services.messages import (
 
 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(
     *,
@@ -193,6 +205,13 @@ async def send_channel_message_with_effective_scope(
             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:
@@ -236,6 +255,183 @@ async def send_channel_message_with_effective_scope(
                 )
 
 
+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,
@@ -244,10 +440,17 @@ async def send_direct_message_to_contact(
     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
@@ -279,7 +482,14 @@ async def send_direct_message_to_contact(
                 timestamp=sender_timestamp,
             )
 
-        if result is None or result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+        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(
@@ -309,18 +519,33 @@ async def send_direct_message_to_contact(
 
     await contact_repository.update_last_contacted(contact.public_key.lower(), sent_at)
 
-    expected_ack = result.payload.get("expected_ack")
-    suggested_timeout: int = result.payload.get("suggested_timeout", 10000)
-    if expected_ack:
-        ack_code = expected_ack.hex() if isinstance(expected_ack, bytes) else expected_ack
-        matched_immediately = track_pending_ack_fn(ack_code, message.id, suggested_timeout) is True
-        logger.debug("Tracking ACK %s for message %d", ack_code, message.id)
-        if matched_immediately:
-            ack_count = await increment_ack_and_broadcast(
+    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,
             )
-            message.acked = ack_count
+        )
 
     return message
 
@@ -362,6 +587,23 @@ async def send_channel_message_to_channel(
                 requested_timestamp=sent_at,
             )
             timestamp_bytes = sender_timestamp.to_bytes(4, "little")
+            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,
+                broadcast=False,
+                message_repository=message_repository,
+            )
+            if outgoing_message is None:
+                raise HTTPException(
+                    status_code=500,
+                    detail="Failed to store outgoing message - unexpected duplicate",
+                )
 
             result = await send_channel_message_with_effective_scope(
                 mc=mc,
@@ -376,27 +618,22 @@ async def send_channel_message_to_channel(
                 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",
-            )
+    except Exception:
+        if outgoing_message is not None:
+            await message_repository.delete_by_id(outgoing_message.id)
+            outgoing_message = None
+        raise
     finally:
         if sender_timestamp is not None:
             await release_outgoing_sender_timestamp(
@@ -409,22 +646,19 @@ async def send_channel_message_to_channel(
     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",
+    outgoing_message = await build_stored_outgoing_channel_message(
+        message_id=outgoing_message.id,
         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,
+        message_repository=message_repository,
     )
+    broadcast_message(message=outgoing_message, broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn)
+    return outgoing_message
 
 
 async def resend_channel_message_record(
@@ -474,6 +708,23 @@ async def resend_channel_message_record(
                     requested_timestamp=sent_at,
                 )
                 timestamp_bytes = sender_timestamp.to_bytes(4, "little")
+                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,
+                    broadcast=False,
+                    message_repository=message_repository,
+                )
+                if new_message is None:
+                    raise HTTPException(
+                        status_code=500,
+                        detail="Failed to store resent message - unexpected duplicate",
+                    )
 
             result = await send_channel_message_with_effective_scope(
                 mc=mc,
@@ -487,31 +738,22 @@ async def resend_channel_message_record(
                 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",
-                )
+    except Exception:
+        if new_message is not None:
+            await message_repository.delete_by_id(new_message.id)
+            new_message = None
+        raise
     finally:
         if new_timestamp and sent_at is not None:
             await release_outgoing_sender_timestamp(
@@ -525,6 +767,19 @@ async def resend_channel_message_record(
         if sent_at is None or new_message is None:
             raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="Failed to assign resend timestamp")
 
+        new_message = await build_stored_outgoing_channel_message(
+            message_id=new_message.id,
+            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,
+            message_repository=message_repository,
+        )
+        broadcast_message(message=new_message, broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn)
+
         logger.info(
             "Resent channel message %d as new message %d to %s",
             message.id,

app/services/messages.py

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import time
 from collections.abc import Callable
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any
 
-from app.models import CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER, Message, MessagePath
+from app.models import Message, MessagePath
 from app.repository import ContactRepository, MessageRepository, RawPacketRepository
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ BroadcastFn = Callable[..., Any]
 LOG_MESSAGE_PREVIEW_LEN = 32
 
 
-def _truncate_for_log(text: str, max_chars: int = LOG_MESSAGE_PREVIEW_LEN) -> str:
+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:
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ def _format_channel_log_target(channel_name: str | None, channel_key: str) -> st
     return channel_name or channel_key
 
 
-def _format_contact_log_target(contact_name: str | None, public_key: str) -> str:
+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]
 
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ def build_message_model(
     acked: int = 0,
     sender_name: str | None = None,
     channel_name: str | None = None,
+    packet_id: int | None = None,
 ) -> Message:
     """Build a Message model with the canonical backend payload shape."""
     return Message(
@@ -79,6 +80,7 @@ def build_message_model(
         acked=acked,
         sender_name=sender_name,
         channel_name=channel_name,
+        packet_id=packet_id,
     )
 
 
@@ -96,11 +98,42 @@ def broadcast_message(
         broadcast_fn("message", payload, realtime=realtime)
 
 
+async def build_stored_outgoing_channel_message(
+    *,
+    message_id: int,
+    conversation_key: str,
+    text: str,
+    sender_timestamp: int,
+    received_at: int,
+    sender_name: str | None,
+    sender_key: str | None,
+    channel_name: str | None,
+    message_repository=MessageRepository,
+) -> Message:
+    """Build the current payload for a stored outgoing channel message."""
+    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=conversation_key,
+        text=text,
+        sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+        received_at=received_at,
+        paths=paths,
+        outgoing=True,
+        acked=acked_count,
+        sender_name=sender_name,
+        sender_key=sender_key,
+        channel_name=channel_name,
+    )
+
+
 def broadcast_message_acked(
     *,
     message_id: int,
     ack_count: int,
     paths: list[MessagePath] | None,
+    packet_id: int | None,
     broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
 ) -> None:
     """Broadcast a message_acked payload."""
@@ -110,6 +143,7 @@ def broadcast_message_acked(
             "message_id": message_id,
             "ack_count": ack_count,
             "paths": [path.model_dump() for path in paths] if paths else [],
+            "packet_id": packet_id,
         },
     )
 
@@ -125,38 +159,19 @@ async def increment_ack_and_broadcast(
     return ack_count
 
 
-async def handle_duplicate_message(
+async def reconcile_duplicate_message(
     *,
+    existing_msg: Message,
     packet_id: int | None,
-    msg_type: str,
-    conversation_key: str,
-    text: str,
-    sender_timestamp: int,
     path: str | None,
     received_at: int,
-    path_len: int | None = None,
+    path_len: int | 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,
-    )
-    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.type,
+        existing_msg.conversation_key[:12],
         existing_msg.id,
         existing_msg.outgoing,
     )
@@ -171,11 +186,16 @@ async def handle_duplicate_message(
     else:
         ack_count = existing_msg.acked
 
+    representative_packet_id = (
+        existing_msg.packet_id if existing_msg.packet_id is not None else packet_id
+    )
+
     if existing_msg.outgoing or path is not None:
         broadcast_message_acked(
             message_id=existing_msg.id,
             ack_count=ack_count,
             paths=paths,
+            packet_id=representative_packet_id,
             broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
         )
 
@@ -183,6 +203,46 @@ async def handle_duplicate_message(
         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,
@@ -227,6 +287,7 @@ async def create_message_from_decrypted(
             conversation_key=channel_key_normalized,
             text=text,
             sender_timestamp=timestamp,
+            outgoing=None,
             path=path,
             received_at=received,
             path_len=path_len,
@@ -236,7 +297,7 @@ async def create_message_from_decrypted(
 
     logger.info(
         'Stored channel message "%s" for %r (msg ID %d in chan ID %s)',
-        _truncate_for_log(text),
+        truncate_for_log(text),
         _format_channel_log_target(channel_name, channel_key_normalized),
         msg_id,
         channel_key_normalized,
@@ -255,6 +316,7 @@ async def create_message_from_decrypted(
             sender_name=sender,
             sender_key=resolved_sender_key,
             channel_name=channel_name,
+            packet_id=packet_id,
         ),
         broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
         realtime=realtime,
@@ -277,124 +339,20 @@ async def create_dm_message_from_decrypted(
     broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
 ) -> int | None:
     """Store and broadcast a decrypted direct message."""
-    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
+    from app.services.dm_ingest import ingest_decrypted_direct_message
 
-    received = received_at or int(time.time())
-    conversation_key = their_public_key.lower()
-    sender_name = contact.name if contact and not outgoing else None
-
-    msg_id = await MessageRepository.create(
-        msg_type="PRIV",
-        text=decrypted.message,
-        conversation_key=conversation_key,
-        sender_timestamp=decrypted.timestamp,
-        received_at=received,
+    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,
-        sender_key=conversation_key if not outgoing else None,
-        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=decrypted.message,
-            sender_timestamp=decrypted.timestamp,
-            path=path,
-            received_at=received,
-            path_len=path_len,
-            broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
-        )
-        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),
-        msg_id,
-        conversation_key,
-        outgoing,
-    )
-    await RawPacketRepository.mark_decrypted(packet_id, msg_id)
-
-    broadcast_message(
-        message=build_message_model(
-            message_id=msg_id,
-            msg_type="PRIV",
-            conversation_key=conversation_key,
-            text=decrypted.message,
-            sender_timestamp=decrypted.timestamp,
-            received_at=received,
-            paths=build_message_paths(path, received, path_len),
-            outgoing=outgoing,
-            sender_name=sender_name,
-            sender_key=conversation_key if not outgoing else None,
-        ),
-        broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
         realtime=realtime,
+        broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn,
     )
-
-    await ContactRepository.update_last_contacted(conversation_key, received)
-    return msg_id
-
-
-async def create_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,
-    message_repository=MessageRepository,
-) -> Message | None:
-    """Store and broadcast a CONTACT_MSG_RECV fallback 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,
-        path=path,
-        path_len=path_len,
-        txt_type=txt_type,
-        signature=signature,
-        sender_key=sender_key,
-        sender_name=sender_name,
-    )
-    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,
-        paths=build_message_paths(path, received_at, path_len),
-        txt_type=txt_type,
-        signature=signature,
-        sender_key=sender_key,
-        sender_name=sender_name,
-    )
-    broadcast_message(message=message, broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn)
-    return message
+    return message.id if message is not None else None
 
 
 async def create_fallback_channel_message(
@@ -440,6 +398,7 @@ async def create_fallback_channel_message(
             conversation_key=conversation_key_normalized,
             text=text,
             sender_timestamp=sender_timestamp,
+            outgoing=None,
             path=path,
             received_at=received_at,
             path_len=path_len,
@@ -509,6 +468,7 @@ async def create_outgoing_channel_message(
     sender_key: str | None,
     channel_name: str | None,
     broadcast_fn: BroadcastFn,
+    broadcast: bool = True,
     message_repository=MessageRepository,
 ) -> Message | None:
     """Store and broadcast an outgoing channel message."""
@@ -525,18 +485,17 @@ async def create_outgoing_channel_message(
     if msg_id is None:
         return None
 
-    message = build_message_model(
+    message = await build_stored_outgoing_channel_message(
         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,
+        message_repository=message_repository,
     )
-    broadcast_message(message=message, broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn)
+    if broadcast:
+        broadcast_message(message=message, broadcast_fn=broadcast_fn)
     return message

app/services/radio_commands.py

@@ -44,6 +44,13 @@ async def apply_radio_config_update(
                 f"Failed to set advert location policy: {result.payload}"
             )
 
+    if update.multi_acks_enabled is not None:
+        multi_acks = 1 if update.multi_acks_enabled else 0
+        logger.info("Setting multi ACKs to %d", multi_acks)
+        result = await mc.commands.set_multi_acks(multi_acks)
+        if result is not None and result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+            raise RadioCommandRejectedError(f"Failed to set multi ACKs: {result.payload}")
+
     if update.name is not None:
         logger.info("Setting radio name to %s", update.name)
         await mc.commands.set_name(update.name)

app/services/radio_lifecycle.py

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import asyncio
 import logging
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -7,6 +8,21 @@ 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
@@ -78,26 +94,66 @@ async def run_post_connect_setup(radio_manager) -> None:
                     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()
-                    if device_query and "max_channels" in device_query.payload:
-                        radio_manager.max_channels = max(
-                            1, int(device_query.payload["max_channels"])
-                        )
-                    if device_query and "path_hash_mode" in device_query.payload:
-                        radio_manager.path_hash_mode = device_query.payload["path_hash_mode"]
+                    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
-                    elif _captured_frame:
-                        # Raw-frame fallback:
-                        # byte 1 = fw_ver, byte 3 = max_channels, byte 81 = path_hash_mode
+
+                    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 and len(raw) >= 4:
-                            radio_manager.max_channels = max(1, raw[3])
-                        if fw_ver >= 10 and len(raw) >= 82:
+                        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(
@@ -114,6 +170,34 @@ async def run_post_connect_setup(radio_manager) -> None:
                         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)

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)

docker-compose.yaml

@@ -18,15 +18,18 @@ services:
     environment:
       MESHCORE_DATABASE_PATH: data/meshcore.db
       # Radio connection -- optional if you map just a single serial device above, as the app will autodetect
-
       # Serial (USB)
       # MESHCORE_SERIAL_PORT: /dev/ttyUSB0
       # MESHCORE_SERIAL_BAUDRATE: 115200
-
       # TCP
       # MESHCORE_TCP_HOST: 192.168.1.100
       # MESHCORE_TCP_PORT: 4000
 
+      # Security
+      # MESHCORE_DISABLE_BOTS: "true"
+      # MESHCORE_BASIC_AUTH_USERNAME: changeme
+      # MESHCORE_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD: changeme
+
       # Logging
       # MESHCORE_LOG_LEVEL: INFO
     restart: unless-stopped

frontend/AGENTS.md

@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ frontend/src/
 ├── types.ts                # Shared TS contracts
 ├── useWebSocket.ts         # WS lifecycle + event dispatch
 ├── wsEvents.ts             # Typed WS event parsing / discriminated union
-├── messageCache.ts         # Conversation-scoped cache
 ├── prefetch.ts             # Consumes prefetched API promises started in index.html
 ├── index.css               # Global styles/utilities
 ├── styles.css              # Additional global app styles
@@ -130,8 +129,7 @@ frontend/src/
 │   │   └── 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
@@ -200,9 +198,9 @@ High-level state is delegated to hooks:
 - `useContactsAndChannels`: contact/channel lists, creation, deletion
 - `useConversationRouter`: URL hash → active conversation routing
 - `useConversationNavigation`: search target, conversation selection reset, and info-pane state
-- `useConversationActions`: send/resend/trace/block handlers and channel override updates
-- `useConversationMessages`: conversation switch loading, cache restore, jump-target loading, pagination, dedup/update helpers, and pending ACK buffering
-- `useUnreadCounts`: unread counters, mention tracking, recent-sort timestamps
+- `useConversationActions`: send/resend/trace/path-discovery/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, and server `last_read_ats` boundaries
 - `useRealtimeAppState`: typed WS event application, reconnect recovery, cache/unread coordination
 - `useRepeaterDashboard`: repeater dashboard state (login, pane data/retries, console, actions)
 
@@ -233,6 +231,8 @@ High-level state is delegated to hooks:
 - 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
 
@@ -245,11 +245,14 @@ High-level state is delegated to hooks:
   - `id`: backend storage row identity (payload-level dedup)
   - `observation_id`: realtime per-arrival identity (session fidelity)
 - Packet feed/visualizer render keys and dedup logic should use `observation_id` (fallback to `id` only for older payloads).
+- The dedicated raw packet feed view now includes a frontend-only stats drawer. It tracks a separate lightweight per-observation session history for charts/rankings, so its windows are not limited by the visible packet list cap. Coverage messaging should stay honest when detailed in-memory stats history has been trimmed or the selected window predates the current browser session.
 
 ### Radio settings behavior
 
 - `SettingsRadioSection.tsx` surfaces `path_hash_mode` only when `config.path_hash_mode_supported` is true.
+- `SettingsRadioSection.tsx` also exposes `multi_acks_enabled` as a checkbox for the radio's extra direct-ACK transmission behavior.
 - 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.
 
@@ -318,6 +321,8 @@ 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`.
@@ -326,6 +331,8 @@ Note: MQTT, bot, and community MQTT settings were migrated to the `fanout_config
 
 `RawPacket.decrypted_info` includes `channel_key` and `contact_key` for MQTT topic routing.
 
+`UnreadCounts` includes `counts`, `mentions`, `last_message_times`, and `last_read_ats`. The unread-boundary/jump-to-unread behavior uses the server-provided `last_read_ats` map keyed by `getStateKey(...)`.
+
 ## 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/analytics` using either `?public_key=...` or `?name=...`:
@@ -337,9 +344,10 @@ 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: `useConversationNavigation` controls open/close via `infoPaneContactKey`. Live contact data from WebSocket updates is preferred over the initial detail snapshot.
 
@@ -407,6 +415,10 @@ 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
@@ -415,6 +427,10 @@ PYTHONPATH=. uv run pytest tests/ -v
 
 ## Errata & Known Non-Issues
 
+### Contacts use mention styling for unread DMs
+
+This is intentional. In the sidebar, unread direct messages for actual contact conversations are treated as mention-equivalent for badge styling. That means both the Contacts section header and contact unread badges themselves use the highlighted mention-style colors for unread DMs, including when those contacts appear in Favorites. Repeaters do not inherit this rule, and channel badges still use mention styling only for real `@[name]` mentions.
+
 ### 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/index.html

@@ -9,8 +9,8 @@
     <meta name="theme-color" content="#111419" />
     <meta name="description" content="Web interface for MeshCore mesh radio networks. Send and receive messages, manage contacts and channels, and configure your radio." />
     <title>RemoteTerm for MeshCore</title>
-    <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/favicon-96x96.png" sizes="96x96" />
     <link rel="icon" type="image/svg+xml" href="/favicon.svg" />
+    <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/favicon-96x96.png" sizes="96x96" />
     <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/favicon.ico" />
     <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/apple-touch-icon.png" />
     <link rel="manifest" href="/site.webmanifest" />

frontend/package.json

@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "remoteterm-meshcore-frontend",
   "private": true,
-  "version": "3.3.0",
+  "version": "3.6.0",
   "type": "module",
   "scripts": {
     "dev": "vite",
     "build": "tsc && vite build",
+    "packaged-build": "vite build --outDir prebuilt",
     "preview": "vite preview",
     "test": "vitest",
     "test:run": "vitest run",

frontend/src/App.tsx

@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import { useEffect, useCallback, useRef, useState } from 'react';
 import { api } from './api';
-import * as messageCache from './messageCache';
 import { takePrefetchOrFetch } from './prefetch';
 import { useWebSocket } from './useWebSocket';
 import {
@@ -15,9 +14,13 @@ import {
   useConversationNavigation,
   useRealtimeAppState,
   useBrowserNotifications,
+  useFaviconBadge,
+  useUnreadTitle,
+  useRawPacketStatsSession,
 } from './hooks';
 import { AppShell } from './components/AppShell';
 import type { MessageInputHandle } from './components/MessageInput';
+import { DistanceUnitProvider } from './contexts/DistanceUnitContext';
 import { messageContainsMention } from './utils/messageParser';
 import { getStateKey } from './utils/conversationState';
 import type { Conversation, Message, RawPacket } from './types';
@@ -82,6 +85,7 @@ export function App() {
     toggleConversationNotifications,
     notifyIncomingMessage,
   } = useBrowserNotifications();
+  const { rawPacketStatsSession, recordRawPacketObservation } = useRawPacketStatsSession();
   const {
     showNewMessage,
     showSettings,
@@ -90,10 +94,12 @@ export function App() {
     showCracker,
     crackerRunning,
     localLabel,
+    distanceUnit,
     setSettingsSection,
     setSidebarOpen,
     setCrackerRunning,
     setLocalLabel,
+    setDistanceUnit,
     handleCloseSettingsView,
     handleToggleSettingsView,
     handleOpenNewMessage,
@@ -109,6 +115,7 @@ export function App() {
   // useConversationRouter, but useConversationRouter needs channels/contacts from
   // useContactsAndChannels. We break the cycle with a ref-based indirection.
   const setActiveConversationRef = useRef<(conv: Conversation | null) => void>(() => {});
+  const removeConversationMessagesRef = useRef<(conversationId: string) => void>(() => {});
 
   // --- Extracted hooks ---
 
@@ -135,7 +142,6 @@ export function App() {
     favorites,
     fetchAppSettings,
     handleSaveAppSettings,
-    handleSortOrderChange,
     handleToggleFavorite,
     handleToggleBlockedKey,
     handleToggleBlockedName,
@@ -181,6 +187,8 @@ export function App() {
     setActiveConversation: (conv) => setActiveConversationRef.current(conv),
     pendingDeleteFallbackRef,
     hasSetDefaultConversation,
+    removeConversationMessages: (conversationId) =>
+      removeConversationMessagesRef.current(conversationId),
   });
 
   // useConversationRouter is called second — it receives channels/contacts as inputs
@@ -193,6 +201,7 @@ export function App() {
     channels,
     contacts,
     contactsLoaded,
+    suspendHashSync: showSettings,
     setSidebarOpen,
     pendingDeleteFallbackRef,
     hasSetDefaultConversation,
@@ -229,27 +238,31 @@ export function App() {
     hasOlderMessages,
     hasNewerMessages,
     loadingNewer,
-    hasNewerMessagesRef,
     fetchOlderMessages,
     fetchNewerMessages,
     jumpToBottom,
     reloadCurrentConversation,
-    addMessageIfNew,
-    updateMessageAck,
-    triggerReconcile,
+    observeMessage,
+    receiveMessageAck,
+    reconcileOnReconnect,
+    renameConversationMessages,
+    removeConversationMessages,
+    clearConversationMessages,
   } = useConversationMessages(activeConversation, targetMessageId);
+  removeConversationMessagesRef.current = removeConversationMessages;
 
   const {
     unreadCounts,
     mentions,
     lastMessageTimes,
     unreadLastReadAts,
-    incrementUnread,
+    recordMessageEvent,
     renameConversationState,
     markAllRead,
-    trackNewMessage,
     refreshUnreads,
   } = useUnreadCounts(channels, contacts, activeConversation);
+  useFaviconBadge(unreadCounts, mentions, favorites);
+  useUnreadTitle(unreadCounts, favorites);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (activeConversation?.type !== 'channel') {
@@ -309,7 +322,7 @@ export function App() {
     setHealth,
     fetchConfig,
     setRawPackets,
-    triggerReconcile,
+    reconcileOnReconnect,
     refreshUnreads,
     setChannels,
     fetchAllContacts,
@@ -317,23 +330,24 @@ export function App() {
     blockedKeysRef,
     blockedNamesRef,
     activeConversationRef,
-    hasNewerMessagesRef,
-    addMessageIfNew,
-    trackNewMessage,
-    incrementUnread,
+    observeMessage,
+    recordMessageEvent,
     renameConversationState,
     checkMention,
     pendingDeleteFallbackRef,
     setActiveConversation,
-    updateMessageAck,
+    renameConversationMessages,
+    removeConversationMessages,
+    receiveMessageAck,
     notifyIncomingMessage,
+    recordRawPacketObservation,
   });
   const handleVisibilityPolicyChanged = useCallback(() => {
-    messageCache.clear();
+    clearConversationMessages();
     reloadCurrentConversation();
     void refreshUnreads();
     setVisibilityVersion((current) => current + 1);
-  }, [refreshUnreads, reloadCurrentConversation]);
+  }, [clearConversationMessages, refreshUnreads, reloadCurrentConversation]);
 
   const handleBlockKey = useCallback(
     async (key: string) => {
@@ -362,7 +376,7 @@ export function App() {
     activeConversationRef,
     setContacts,
     setChannels,
-    addMessageIfNew,
+    observeMessage,
     messageInputRef,
   });
   const handleCreateCrackedChannel = useCallback(
@@ -401,10 +415,7 @@ export function App() {
       void markAllRead();
     },
     favorites,
-    sortOrder: appSettings?.sidebar_sort_order ?? 'recent',
-    onSortOrderChange: (sortOrder: 'recent' | 'alpha') => {
-      void handleSortOrderChange(sortOrder);
-    },
+    legacySortOrder: appSettings?.sidebar_sort_order,
     isConversationNotificationsEnabled,
   };
   const conversationPaneProps = {
@@ -412,6 +423,7 @@ export function App() {
     contacts,
     channels,
     rawPackets,
+    rawPacketStatsSession,
     config,
     health,
     favorites,
@@ -494,9 +506,7 @@ export function App() {
     onChannelCreate: handleCreateCrackedChannel,
   };
   const newMessageModalProps = {
-    contacts,
     undecryptedCount,
-    onSelectConversation: handleSelectConversationWithTargetReset,
     onCreateContact: handleCreateContact,
     onCreateChannel: handleCreateChannel,
     onCreateHashtagChannel: handleCreateHashtagChannel,
@@ -559,29 +569,31 @@ export function App() {
     setContactsLoaded,
   ]);
   return (
-    <AppShell
-      localLabel={localLabel}
-      showNewMessage={showNewMessage}
-      showSettings={showSettings}
-      settingsSection={settingsSection}
-      sidebarOpen={sidebarOpen}
-      showCracker={showCracker}
-      onSettingsSectionChange={setSettingsSection}
-      onSidebarOpenChange={setSidebarOpen}
-      onCrackerRunningChange={setCrackerRunning}
-      onToggleSettingsView={handleToggleSettingsView}
-      onCloseSettingsView={handleCloseSettingsView}
-      onCloseNewMessage={handleCloseNewMessage}
-      onLocalLabelChange={setLocalLabel}
-      statusProps={statusProps}
-      sidebarProps={sidebarProps}
-      conversationPaneProps={conversationPaneProps}
-      searchProps={searchProps}
-      settingsProps={settingsProps}
-      crackerProps={crackerProps}
-      newMessageModalProps={newMessageModalProps}
-      contactInfoPaneProps={contactInfoPaneProps}
-      channelInfoPaneProps={channelInfoPaneProps}
-    />
+    <DistanceUnitProvider distanceUnit={distanceUnit} setDistanceUnit={setDistanceUnit}>
+      <AppShell
+        localLabel={localLabel}
+        showNewMessage={showNewMessage}
+        showSettings={showSettings}
+        settingsSection={settingsSection}
+        sidebarOpen={sidebarOpen}
+        showCracker={showCracker}
+        onSettingsSectionChange={setSettingsSection}
+        onSidebarOpenChange={setSidebarOpen}
+        onCrackerRunningChange={setCrackerRunning}
+        onToggleSettingsView={handleToggleSettingsView}
+        onCloseSettingsView={handleCloseSettingsView}
+        onCloseNewMessage={handleCloseNewMessage}
+        onLocalLabelChange={setLocalLabel}
+        statusProps={statusProps}
+        sidebarProps={sidebarProps}
+        conversationPaneProps={conversationPaneProps}
+        searchProps={searchProps}
+        settingsProps={settingsProps}
+        crackerProps={crackerProps}
+        newMessageModalProps={newMessageModalProps}
+        contactInfoPaneProps={contactInfoPaneProps}
+        channelInfoPaneProps={channelInfoPaneProps}
+      />
+    </DistanceUnitProvider>
   );
 }

frontend/src/api.ts

@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ import type {
   MessagesAroundResponse,
   MigratePreferencesRequest,
   MigratePreferencesResponse,
+  RawPacket,
+  RadioAdvertMode,
   RadioConfig,
   RadioConfigUpdate,
   RadioDiscoveryResponse,
@@ -95,9 +97,10 @@ 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', {
@@ -245,6 +248,7 @@ export const api = {
     ),
 
   // Packets
+  getPacket: (packetId: number) => fetchJson<RawPacket>(`/packets/${packetId}`),
   getUndecryptedPacketCount: () => fetchJson<{ count: number }>('/packets/undecrypted/count'),
   decryptHistoricalPackets: (params: {
     key_type: 'channel' | 'contact';
@@ -339,6 +343,14 @@ export const api = {
     fetchJson<{ deleted: boolean }>(`/fanout/${id}`, {
       method: 'DELETE',
     }),
+  disableBotsUntilRestart: () =>
+    fetchJson<{
+      status: string;
+      bots_disabled: boolean;
+      bots_disabled_source: 'env' | 'until_restart';
+    }>('/fanout/bots/disable-until-restart', {
+      method: 'POST',
+    }),
 
   // Statistics
   getStatistics: () => fetchJson<StatisticsResponse>('/statistics'),
@@ -381,4 +393,21 @@ export const api = {
     fetchJson<RepeaterLppTelemetryResponse>(`/contacts/${publicKey}/repeater/lpp-telemetry`, {
       method: 'POST',
     }),
+  roomLogin: (publicKey: string, password: string) =>
+    fetchJson<RepeaterLoginResponse>(`/contacts/${publicKey}/room/login`, {
+      method: 'POST',
+      body: JSON.stringify({ password }),
+    }),
+  roomStatus: (publicKey: string) =>
+    fetchJson<RepeaterStatusResponse>(`/contacts/${publicKey}/room/status`, {
+      method: 'POST',
+    }),
+  roomAcl: (publicKey: string) =>
+    fetchJson<RepeaterAclResponse>(`/contacts/${publicKey}/room/acl`, {
+      method: 'POST',
+    }),
+  roomLppTelemetry: (publicKey: string) =>
+    fetchJson<RepeaterLppTelemetryResponse>(`/contacts/${publicKey}/room/lpp-telemetry`, {
+      method: 'POST',
+    }),
 };

frontend/src/components/AppShell.tsx

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import { ConversationPane } from './ConversationPane';
 import { NewMessageModal } from './NewMessageModal';
 import { ContactInfoPane } from './ContactInfoPane';
 import { ChannelInfoPane } from './ChannelInfoPane';
+import { SecurityWarningModal } from './SecurityWarningModal';
 import { Toaster } from './ui/sonner';
 import { Sheet, SheetContent, SheetDescription, SheetHeader, SheetTitle } from './ui/sheet';
 import {
@@ -41,6 +42,7 @@ interface AppShellProps {
   settingsSection: SettingsSection;
   sidebarOpen: boolean;
   showCracker: boolean;
+  disabledSettingsSections?: SettingsSection[];
   onSettingsSectionChange: (section: SettingsSection) => void;
   onSidebarOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
   onCrackerRunningChange: (running: boolean) => void;
@@ -69,6 +71,7 @@ export function AppShell({
   settingsSection,
   sidebarOpen,
   showCracker,
+  disabledSettingsSections = [],
   onSettingsSectionChange,
   onSidebarOpenChange,
   onCrackerRunningChange,
@@ -118,13 +121,16 @@ export function AppShell({
       <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 hover:bg-accent transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring focus-visible:ring-inset',
-                settingsSection === section && 'bg-accent border-l-primary'
+                '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)}
@@ -252,14 +258,6 @@ export function AppShell({
       </div>
 
       <div
-        ref={(el) => {
-          if (showCracker && el) {
-            const focusable = el.querySelector<HTMLElement>('input, button:not([disabled])');
-            if (focusable) {
-              setTimeout(() => focusable.focus(), 210);
-            }
-          }
-        }}
         className={cn(
           'border-t border-border bg-background transition-all duration-200 overflow-hidden',
           showCracker ? 'h-[275px]' : 'h-0'
@@ -286,12 +284,9 @@ export function AppShell({
         {...newMessageModalProps}
         open={showNewMessage}
         onClose={onCloseNewMessage}
-        onSelectConversation={(conv) => {
-          newMessageModalProps.onSelectConversation(conv);
-          onCloseNewMessage();
-        }}
       />
 
+      <SecurityWarningModal health={statusProps.health} />
       <ContactInfoPane {...contactInfoPaneProps} />
       <ChannelInfoPane {...channelInfoPaneProps} />
       <Toaster position="top-right" />

frontend/src/components/ChannelFloodScopeOverrideModal.tsx

@@ -45,8 +45,8 @@ export function ChannelFloodScopeOverrideModal({
         <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.
+            Channel-level regional routing temporarily changes the radio flood scope before send and
+            restores it after. This can noticeably slow channel sends.
           </DialogDescription>
         </DialogHeader>
 

frontend/src/components/ChatHeader.tsx

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
+import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
 import { Bell, Globe2, Info, Route, Star, Trash2 } from 'lucide-react';
 import { toast } from './ui/sonner';
 import { DirectTraceIcon } from './DirectTraceIcon';
@@ -6,8 +6,10 @@ 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 { cn } from '../lib/utils';
 import { ContactAvatar } from './ContactAvatar';
 import { ContactStatusInfo } from './ContactStatusInfo';
 import type {
@@ -18,6 +20,7 @@ import type {
   PathDiscoveryResponse,
   RadioConfig,
 } from '../types';
+import { CONTACT_TYPE_ROOM } from '../types';
 
 interface ChatHeaderProps {
   conversation: Conversation;
@@ -59,10 +62,8 @@ export function ChatHeader({
   onOpenChannelInfo,
 }: ChatHeaderProps) {
   const [showKey, setShowKey] = useState(false);
-  const [contactStatusInline, setContactStatusInline] = useState(true);
   const [pathDiscoveryOpen, setPathDiscoveryOpen] = useState(false);
   const [channelOverrideOpen, setChannelOverrideOpen] = useState(false);
-  const keyTextRef = useRef<HTMLSpanElement | null>(null);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     setShowKey(false);
@@ -85,6 +86,7 @@ export function ChatHeader({
     conversation.type === 'contact'
       ? contacts.find((contact) => contact.public_key === conversation.id)
       : null;
+  const activeContactIsRoomServer = activeContact?.type === CONTACT_TYPE_ROOM;
   const activeContactIsPrefixOnly = activeContact
     ? isPrefixOnlyContact(activeContact.public_key)
     : false;
@@ -116,46 +118,16 @@ export function ChatHeader({
     }
   };
 
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (conversation.type !== 'contact') {
-      setContactStatusInline(true);
-      return;
-    }
-
-    const measure = () => {
-      const keyElement = keyTextRef.current;
-      if (!keyElement) return;
-      const isTruncated = keyElement.scrollWidth > keyElement.clientWidth + 1;
-      setContactStatusInline(!isTruncated);
-    };
-
-    measure();
-
-    const onResize = () => {
-      window.requestAnimationFrame(measure);
-    };
-
-    window.addEventListener('resize', onResize);
-
-    let observer: ResizeObserver | null = null;
-    if (typeof ResizeObserver !== 'undefined') {
-      observer = new ResizeObserver(() => {
-        window.requestAnimationFrame(measure);
-      });
-      if (keyTextRef.current?.parentElement) {
-        observer.observe(keyTextRef.current.parentElement);
-      }
-    }
-
-    return () => {
-      window.removeEventListener('resize', onResize);
-      observer?.disconnect();
-    };
-  }, [conversation.id, conversation.type, showKey]);
-
   return (
-    <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">
+    <header
+      className={cn(
+        'conversation-header grid items-start gap-x-2 gap-y-0.5 border-b border-border px-4 py-2.5',
+        conversation.type === 'contact' && activeContact
+          ? 'grid-cols-[minmax(0,1fr)_auto] min-[1100px]:grid-cols-[minmax(0,1fr)_auto_auto]'
+          : 'grid-cols-[minmax(0,1fr)_auto]'
+      )}
+    >
+      <span className="flex min-w-0 items-start gap-2">
         {conversation.type === 'contact' && onOpenContactInfo && (
           <button
             type="button"
@@ -176,11 +148,11 @@ export function ChatHeader({
         <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 whitespace-nowrap">
-              <h2 className="min-w-0 shrink font-semibold text-base">
+              <h2 className="min-w-0 flex-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"
+                    className="flex max-w-full min-w-0 items-center gap-1.5 overflow-hidden rounded-sm text-left transition-colors hover:text-primary focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
                     aria-label={`View info for ${conversation.name}`}
                     onClick={handleOpenConversationInfo}
                   >
@@ -221,7 +193,6 @@ export function ChatHeader({
                 </button>
               ) : (
                 <span
-                  ref={keyTextRef}
                   className="min-w-0 flex-1 truncate font-mono text-[11px] text-muted-foreground transition-colors hover:text-primary"
                   role="button"
                   tabIndex={0}
@@ -230,7 +201,9 @@ export function ChatHeader({
                     e.stopPropagation();
                     navigator.clipboard.writeText(conversation.id);
                     toast.success(
-                      conversation.type === 'channel' ? 'Room key copied!' : 'Contact key copied!'
+                      conversation.type === 'channel'
+                        ? 'Channel key copied!'
+                        : 'Contact key copied!'
                     );
                   }}
                   title="Click to copy"
@@ -244,45 +217,36 @@ export function ChatHeader({
                 </span>
               )}
             </span>
-            {conversation.type === 'contact' && activeContact && contactStatusInline && (
-              <span className="min-w-0 flex-none text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">
-                <ContactStatusInfo
-                  contact={activeContact}
-                  ourLat={config?.lat ?? null}
-                  ourLon={config?.lon ?? null}
+            {conversation.type === 'channel' && activeFloodScopeDisplay && (
+              <button
+                className="mt-0.5 flex basis-full 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>
+                <span className="min-w-0 truncate text-[11px] font-medium text-[hsl(var(--region-override))]">
+                  {activeFloodScopeDisplay}
+                </span>
+              </button>
             )}
           </span>
-          {conversation.type === 'contact' && activeContact && !contactStatusInline && (
-            <span className="mt-0.5 min-w-0 text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">
-              <ContactStatusInfo
-                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 justify-end gap-0.5 flex-shrink-0">
-        {conversation.type === 'contact' && (
+      {conversation.type === 'contact' && activeContact && (
+        <div className="col-span-2 row-start-2 min-w-0 text-[11px] text-muted-foreground min-[1100px]:col-span-1 min-[1100px]:col-start-2 min-[1100px]:row-start-1">
+          <ContactStatusInfo
+            contact={activeContact}
+            ourLat={config?.lat ?? null}
+            ourLon={config?.lon ?? null}
+          />
+        </div>
+      )}
+      <div className="flex items-center justify-end gap-0.5">
+        {conversation.type === 'contact' && !activeContactIsRoomServer && (
           <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={() => setPathDiscoveryOpen(true)}
@@ -297,14 +261,14 @@ export function ChatHeader({
             <Route className="h-4 w-4 text-muted-foreground" aria-hidden="true" />
           </button>
         )}
-        {conversation.type === 'contact' && (
+        {conversation.type === 'contact' && !activeContactIsRoomServer && (
           <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 thie contact and display out and back SNR'
+                : 'Direct Trace. Send a zero-hop packet to this contact and display out and back SNR'
             }
             aria-label="Direct Trace"
             disabled={activeContactIsPrefixOnly}
@@ -312,7 +276,7 @@ export function ChatHeader({
             <DirectTraceIcon className="h-4 w-4 text-muted-foreground" />
           </button>
         )}
-        {notificationsSupported && (
+        {notificationsSupported && !activeContactIsRoomServer && (
           <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}
@@ -379,7 +343,7 @@ export function ChatHeader({
             )}
           </button>
         )}
-        {!(conversation.type === 'channel' && conversation.name === 'Public') && (
+        {!(conversation.type === 'channel' && isPublicChannelKey(conversation.id)) && (
           <button
             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={() => {

frontend/src/components/ContactInfoPane.tsx

@@ -12,16 +12,19 @@ import {
   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 { useDistanceUnit } from '../contexts/DistanceUnitContext';
 import type {
   Contact,
   ContactActiveRoom,
@@ -80,6 +83,7 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
   onToggleBlockedKey,
   onToggleBlockedName,
 }: ContactInfoPaneProps) {
+  const { distanceUnit } = useDistanceUnit();
   const isNameOnly = contactKey?.startsWith('name:') ?? false;
   const nameOnlyValue = isNameOnly && contactKey ? contactKey.slice(5) : null;
 
@@ -133,11 +137,12 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
       ? calculateDistance(config.lat, config.lon, contact.lat, contact.lon)
       : 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 = contact ? formatRouteLabel(contact.last_path_len, true) : null;
+  const learnedRouteLabel = directRoute ? formatRouteLabel(directRoute.path_len, true) : null;
   const isPrefixOnlyResolvedContact = contact ? isPrefixOnlyContact(contact.public_key) : false;
   const isUnknownFullKeyResolvedContact =
     contact !== null &&
@@ -237,8 +242,8 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
 
             <ActivityChartsSection analytics={analytics} />
 
-            <MostActiveRoomsSection
-              rooms={analytics?.most_active_rooms ?? []}
+            <MostActiveChannelsSection
+              channels={analytics?.most_active_rooms ?? []}
               onNavigateToChannel={onNavigateToChannel}
             />
           </div>
@@ -312,7 +317,7 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
                   <InfoItem label="Last Contacted" value={formatTime(contact.last_contacted)} />
                 )}
                 {distFromUs !== null && (
-                  <InfoItem label="Distance" value={formatDistance(distFromUs)} />
+                  <InfoItem label="Distance" value={formatDistance(distFromUs, distanceUnit)} />
                 )}
                 {effectiveRoute && (
                   <InfoItem
@@ -329,7 +334,7 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
                     }
                   />
                 )}
-                {contact && hasRoutingOverride(contact) && learnedRouteLabel && (
+                {hasRoutingOverride(contact) && learnedRouteLabel && (
                   <InfoItem label="Learned Route" value={learnedRouteLabel} />
                 )}
                 {pathHashModeLabel && <InfoItem label="Hop Width" value={pathHashModeLabel} />}
@@ -510,8 +515,8 @@ export function ContactInfoPane({
 
             <ActivityChartsSection analytics={analytics} />
 
-            <MostActiveRoomsSection
-              rooms={analytics?.most_active_rooms ?? []}
+            <MostActiveChannelsSection
+              channels={analytics?.most_active_rooms ?? []}
               onNavigateToChannel={onNavigateToChannel}
             />
           </div>
@@ -583,23 +588,23 @@ function MessageStatsSection({
   );
 }
 
-function MostActiveRoomsSection({
-  rooms,
+function MostActiveChannelsSection({
+  channels,
   onNavigateToChannel,
 }: {
-  rooms: ContactActiveRoom[];
+  channels: ContactActiveRoom[];
   onNavigateToChannel?: (channelKey: string) => void;
 }) {
-  if (rooms.length === 0) {
+  if (channels.length === 0) {
     return null;
   }
 
   return (
     <div className="px-5 py-3 border-b border-border">
-      <SectionLabel>Most Active Rooms</SectionLabel>
+      <SectionLabel>Most Active Channels</SectionLabel>
       <div className="space-y-1">
-        {rooms.map((room) => (
-          <div key={room.channel_key} className="flex justify-between items-center text-sm">
+        {channels.map((channel) => (
+          <div key={channel.channel_key} className="flex justify-between items-center text-sm">
             <span
               className={
                 onNavigateToChannel
@@ -609,15 +614,15 @@ function MostActiveRoomsSection({
               role={onNavigateToChannel ? 'button' : undefined}
               tabIndex={onNavigateToChannel ? 0 : undefined}
               onKeyDown={onNavigateToChannel ? handleKeyboardActivate : undefined}
-              onClick={() => onNavigateToChannel?.(room.channel_key)}
+              onClick={() => onNavigateToChannel?.(channel.channel_key)}
             >
-              {room.channel_name.startsWith('#') || room.channel_name === 'Public'
-                ? room.channel_name
-                : `#${room.channel_name}`}
+              {channel.channel_name.startsWith('#') || isPublicChannelKey(channel.channel_key)
+                ? channel.channel_name
+                : `#${channel.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' : ''}
+              {channel.message_count.toLocaleString()} msg
+              {channel.message_count !== 1 ? 's' : ''}
             </span>
           </div>
         ))}

frontend/src/components/ContactPathDiscoveryModal.tsx

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import type { Contact, PathDiscoveryResponse, PathDiscoveryRoute } from '../type
 import {
   findContactsByPrefix,
   formatRouteLabel,
+  getDirectContactRoute,
   getEffectiveContactRoute,
   hasRoutingOverride,
   parsePathHops,
@@ -99,16 +100,17 @@ export function ContactPathDiscoveryModal({
   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 (contact.last_path_len === -1) {
+    if (!directRoute) {
       return 'Flood';
     }
-    const hops = parsePathHops(contact.last_path, contact.last_path_len);
+    const hops = parsePathHops(directRoute.path, directRoute.path_len);
     return hops.length > 0
-      ? `${formatRouteLabel(contact.last_path_len, true)} (${hops.join(' -> ')})`
-      : formatRouteLabel(contact.last_path_len, true);
-  }, [contact.last_path, contact.last_path_len]);
+      ? `${formatRouteLabel(directRoute.path_len, true)} (${hops.join(' -> ')})`
+      : formatRouteLabel(directRoute.path_len, true);
+  }, [directRoute]);
   const forcedRouteSummary = useMemo(() => {
     if (!hasForcedRoute) {
       return null;

frontend/src/components/ContactRoutingOverrideModal.tsx

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import type { Contact } from '../types';
 import {
   formatRouteLabel,
   formatRoutingOverrideInput,
+  getDirectContactRoute,
   hasRoutingOverride,
 } from '../utils/pathUtils';
 import { Button } from './ui/button';
@@ -28,7 +29,7 @@ interface ContactRoutingOverrideModalProps {
 }
 
 function summarizeLearnedRoute(contact: Contact): string {
-  return formatRouteLabel(contact.last_path_len, true);
+  return formatRouteLabel(getDirectContactRoute(contact)?.path_len ?? -1, true);
 }
 
 function summarizeForcedRoute(contact: Contact): string | null {
@@ -118,6 +119,10 @@ export function ContactRoutingOverrideModal({
             />
             <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>
 

frontend/src/components/ContactStatusInfo.tsx

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import {
 import { getMapFocusHash } from '../utils/urlHash';
 import { handleKeyboardActivate } from '../utils/a11y';
 import type { Contact } from '../types';
+import { useDistanceUnit } from '../contexts/DistanceUnitContext';
 import { ContactRoutingOverrideModal } from './ContactRoutingOverrideModal';
 
 interface ContactStatusInfoProps {
@@ -24,6 +25,7 @@ interface ContactStatusInfoProps {
  * shared between ChatHeader and RepeaterDashboard.
  */
 export function ContactStatusInfo({ contact, ourLat, ourLon }: ContactStatusInfoProps) {
+  const { distanceUnit } = useDistanceUnit();
   const [routingModalOpen, setRoutingModalOpen] = useState(false);
   const parts: ReactNode[] = [];
   const effectiveRoute = getEffectiveContactRoute(contact);
@@ -74,7 +76,7 @@ export function ContactStatusInfo({ contact, ourLat, ourLon }: ContactStatusInfo
         >
           {contact.lat!.toFixed(3)}, {contact.lon!.toFixed(3)}
         </span>
-        {distFromUs !== null && ` (${formatDistance(distFromUs)})`}
+        {distFromUs !== null && ` (${formatDistance(distFromUs, distanceUnit)})`}
       </span>
     );
   }

frontend/src/components/ConversationPane.tsx

@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
-import { lazy, Suspense, useMemo, type Ref } from 'react';
+import { lazy, Suspense, useEffect, useMemo, useState, type Ref } from 'react';
 
 import { ChatHeader } from './ChatHeader';
 import { MessageInput, type MessageInputHandle } from './MessageInput';
 import { MessageList } from './MessageList';
-import { RawPacketList } from './RawPacketList';
+import { RawPacketFeedView } from './RawPacketFeedView';
+import { RoomServerPanel } from './RoomServerPanel';
 import type {
   Channel,
   Contact,
@@ -15,7 +16,8 @@ import type {
   RawPacket,
   RadioConfig,
 } from '../types';
-import { CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER } from '../types';
+import type { RawPacketStatsSessionState } from '../utils/rawPacketStats';
+import { CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER, CONTACT_TYPE_ROOM } from '../types';
 import { isPrefixOnlyContact, isUnknownFullKeyContact } from '../utils/pubkey';
 
 const RepeaterDashboard = lazy(() =>
@@ -31,6 +33,7 @@ interface ConversationPaneProps {
   contacts: Contact[];
   channels: Channel[];
   rawPackets: RawPacket[];
+  rawPacketStatsSession: RawPacketStatsSessionState;
   config: RadioConfig | null;
   health: HealthStatus | null;
   notificationsSupported: boolean;
@@ -95,6 +98,7 @@ export function ConversationPane({
   contacts,
   channels,
   rawPackets,
+  rawPacketStatsSession,
   config,
   health,
   notificationsSupported,
@@ -128,6 +132,7 @@ export function ConversationPane({
   onSendMessage,
   onToggleNotifications,
 }: ConversationPaneProps) {
+  const [roomAuthenticated, setRoomAuthenticated] = useState(false);
   const activeContactIsRepeater = useMemo(() => {
     if (!activeConversation || activeConversation.type !== 'contact') return false;
     const contact = contacts.find((candidate) => candidate.public_key === activeConversation.id);
@@ -137,6 +142,10 @@ export function ConversationPane({
     if (!activeConversation || activeConversation.type !== 'contact') return null;
     return contacts.find((candidate) => candidate.public_key === activeConversation.id) ?? null;
   }, [activeConversation, contacts]);
+  const activeContactIsRoom = activeContact?.type === CONTACT_TYPE_ROOM;
+  useEffect(() => {
+    setRoomAuthenticated(false);
+  }, [activeConversation?.id]);
   const isPrefixOnlyActiveContact = activeContact
     ? isPrefixOnlyContact(activeContact.public_key)
     : false;
@@ -178,14 +187,12 @@ export function ConversationPane({
 
   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>
-      </>
+      <RawPacketFeedView
+        packets={rawPackets}
+        rawPacketStatsSession={rawPacketStatsSession}
+        contacts={contacts}
+        channels={channels}
+      />
     );
   }
 
@@ -217,6 +224,8 @@ export function ConversationPane({
     );
   }
 
+  const showRoomChat = !activeContactIsRoom || roomAuthenticated;
+
   return (
     <>
       <ChatHeader
@@ -244,35 +253,41 @@ export function ConversationPane({
       {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 : (
+      {activeContactIsRoom && activeContact && (
+        <RoomServerPanel contact={activeContact} onAuthenticatedChange={setRoomAuthenticated} />
+      )}
+      {showRoomChat && (
+        <MessageList
+          key={activeConversation.id}
+          messages={messages}
+          contacts={contacts}
+          channels={channels}
+          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}
+        />
+      )}
+      {showRoomChat && !(activeConversation.type === 'contact' && isPrefixOnlyActiveContact) ? (
         <MessageInput
           ref={messageInputRef}
           onSend={onSendMessage}
@@ -285,7 +300,7 @@ export function ConversationPane({
               : `Message ${activeConversation.name}...`
           }
         />
-      )}
+      ) : null}
     </>
   );
 }

frontend/src/components/CrackerPanel.tsx

@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@ import { toast } from './ui/sonner';
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
 import { extractPacketPayloadHex } from '../utils/pathUtils';
 
-interface CrackedRoom {
-  roomName: string;
+interface CrackedChannel {
+  channelName: string;
   key: string;
   packetId: number;
   message: string;
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ export function CrackerPanel({
   const [twoWordMode, setTwoWordMode] = useState(false);
   const [progress, setProgress] = useState<ProgressReport | null>(null);
   const [queue, setQueue] = useState<Map<number, QueueItem>>(new Map());
-  const [crackedRooms, setCrackedRooms] = useState<CrackedRoom[]>([]);
+  const [crackedChannels, setCrackedChannels] = useState<CrackedChannel[]>([]);
   const [wordlistLoaded, setWordlistLoaded] = useState(false);
   const [gpuAvailable, setGpuAvailable] = useState<boolean | null>(null);
   const [undecryptedPacketCount, setUndecryptedPacketCount] = useState<number | null>(null);
@@ -325,14 +325,14 @@ export function CrackerPanel({
           return updated;
         });
 
-        const newRoom: CrackedRoom = {
-          roomName: result.roomName,
+        const newCracked: CrackedChannel = {
+          channelName: result.roomName,
           key: result.key,
           packetId: nextId!,
           message: result.decryptedMessage || '',
           crackedAt: Date.now(),
         };
-        setCrackedRooms((prev) => [...prev, newRoom]);
+        setCrackedChannels((prev) => [...prev, newCracked]);
 
         // Auto-add channel if not already exists
         const keyUpper = result.key.toUpperCase();
@@ -580,20 +580,20 @@ export function CrackerPanel({
         </div>
       )}
 
-      {/* Cracked rooms list */}
-      {crackedRooms.length > 0 && (
+      {/* Cracked channels list */}
+      {crackedChannels.length > 0 && (
         <div>
-          <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mb-1">Cracked Rooms:</div>
+          <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mb-1">Cracked Channels:</div>
           <div className="space-y-1">
-            {crackedRooms.map((room, i) => (
+            {crackedChannels.map((channel, i) => (
               <div
                 key={i}
                 className="text-sm bg-success/10 border border-success/20 rounded px-2 py-1"
               >
-                <span className="text-success font-medium">#{room.roomName}</span>
+                <span className="text-success font-medium">#{channel.channelName}</span>
                 <span className="text-muted-foreground ml-2 text-xs">
-                  "{room.message.slice(0, 50)}
-                  {room.message.length > 50 ? '...' : ''}"
+                  "{channel.message.slice(0, 50)}
+                  {channel.message.length > 50 ? '...' : ''}"
                 </span>
               </div>
             ))}
@@ -604,16 +604,17 @@ export function CrackerPanel({
       <hr className="border-border" />
       <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed">
         For unknown-keyed GroupText packets, this will attempt to dictionary attack, then brute
-        force payloads as they arrive, testing room names up to the specified length to discover
-        active rooms on the local mesh (GroupText packets may not be hashtag messages; we have no
+        force payloads as they arrive, testing channel names up to the specified length to discover
+        active channels on the local mesh (GroupText packets may not be hashtag messages; we have no
         way of knowing but try as if they are).
         <strong> Retry failed at n+1</strong> will let the cracker return to the failed queue and
         pick up messages it couldn't crack, attempting them at one longer length.
         <strong> Try word pairs</strong> will also try every combination of two dictionary words
         concatenated together (e.g. "hello" + "world" = "#helloworld") after the single-word
-        dictionary pass; this can substantially increase search time.
-        <strong> Decrypt historical</strong> will run an async job on any room name it finds to see
-        if any historically captured packets will decrypt with that key.
+        dictionary pass; this can substantially increase search time and also result in
+        false-positives.
+        <strong> Decrypt historical</strong> will run an async job on any channel name it finds to
+        see if any historically captured packets will decrypt with that key.
         <strong> Turbo mode</strong> will push your GPU to the max (target dispatch time of 10s) and
         may allow accelerated cracking and/or system instability.
       </p>

frontend/src/components/MapView.tsx

@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ function MapBoundsHandler({
 }
 
 export function MapView({ contacts, focusedKey }: MapViewProps) {
-  const sevenDaysAgo = Date.now() / 1000 - 7 * 24 * 60 * 60;
+  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.

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 {

frontend/src/components/MessageList.tsx

@@ -8,18 +8,23 @@ import {
   useState,
   type ReactNode,
 } from 'react';
-import type { Contact, Message, MessagePath, RadioConfig } from '../types';
-import { CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER } from '../types';
+import type { Channel, Contact, Message, MessagePath, RadioConfig, RawPacket } from '../types';
+import { CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER, CONTACT_TYPE_ROOM } from '../types';
+import { api } from '../api';
 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 { RawPacketInspectorDialog } from './RawPacketDetailModal';
+import { toast } from './ui/sonner';
 import { handleKeyboardActivate } from '../utils/a11y';
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
 
 interface MessageListProps {
   messages: Message[];
   contacts: Contact[];
+  channels?: Channel[];
   loading: boolean;
   loadingOlder?: boolean;
   hasOlderMessages?: boolean;
@@ -152,6 +157,8 @@ function HopCountBadge({ paths, onClick, variant }: HopCountBadgeProps) {
 
 const RESEND_WINDOW_SECONDS = 30;
 const CORRUPT_SENDER_LABEL = '<No name -- corrupt packet?>';
+const ANALYZE_PACKET_NOTICE =
+  'This analyzer shows one stored full packet copy only. When multiple receives have identical payloads, the backend deduplicates them to a single stored packet and appends any additional receive paths onto the message path history instead of storing multiple full packet copies.';
 
 function hasUnexpectedControlChars(text: string): boolean {
   for (const char of text) {
@@ -172,6 +179,7 @@ function hasUnexpectedControlChars(text: string): boolean {
 export function MessageList({
   messages,
   contacts,
+  channels = [],
   loading,
   loadingOlder = false,
   hasOlderMessages = false,
@@ -198,10 +206,18 @@ export function MessageList({
     paths: MessagePath[];
     senderInfo: SenderInfo;
     messageId?: number;
+    packetId?: number | null;
     isOutgoingChan?: boolean;
   } | null>(null);
   const [resendableIds, setResendableIds] = useState<Set<number>>(new Set());
   const resendTimersRef = useRef<Map<number, ReturnType<typeof setTimeout>>>(new Map());
+  const packetCacheRef = useRef<Map<number, RawPacket>>(new Map());
+  const [packetInspectorSource, setPacketInspectorSource] = useState<
+    | { kind: 'packet'; packet: RawPacket }
+    | { kind: 'loading'; message: string }
+    | { kind: 'unavailable'; message: string }
+    | null
+  >(null);
   const [highlightedMessageId, setHighlightedMessageId] = useState<number | null>(null);
   const [showJumpToUnread, setShowJumpToUnread] = useState(false);
   const [jumpToUnreadDismissed, setJumpToUnreadDismissed] = useState(false);
@@ -220,6 +236,43 @@ export function MessageList({
   // Track conversation key to detect when entire message set changes
   const prevConvKeyRef = useRef<string | null>(null);
 
+  const handleAnalyzePacket = useCallback(async (message: Message) => {
+    if (message.packet_id == null) {
+      setPacketInspectorSource({
+        kind: 'unavailable',
+        message:
+          'No archival raw packet is available for this message, so packet analysis cannot be shown.',
+      });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const cached = packetCacheRef.current.get(message.packet_id);
+    if (cached) {
+      setPacketInspectorSource({ kind: 'packet', packet: cached });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    setPacketInspectorSource({ kind: 'loading', message: 'Loading packet analysis...' });
+
+    try {
+      const packet = await api.getPacket(message.packet_id);
+      packetCacheRef.current.set(message.packet_id, packet);
+      setPacketInspectorSource({ kind: 'packet', packet });
+    } catch (error) {
+      const description = error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Unknown error';
+      const isMissing = error instanceof Error && /not found/i.test(error.message);
+      if (!isMissing) {
+        toast.error('Failed to load raw packet', { description });
+      }
+      setPacketInspectorSource({
+        kind: 'unavailable',
+        message: isMissing
+          ? 'The archival raw packet for this message is no longer available. It may have been purged from Settings > Database, so only the stored message and merged route history remain.'
+          : `Could not load the archival raw packet for this message: ${description}`,
+      });
+    }
+  }, []);
+
   // Handle scroll position AFTER render
   useLayoutEffect(() => {
     if (!listRef.current) return;
@@ -329,7 +382,7 @@ export function MessageList({
   }, [messages, onResendChannelMessage]);
 
   // Sort messages by received_at ascending (oldest first)
-  // Note: Deduplication is handled by useConversationMessages.addMessageIfNew()
+  // 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),
@@ -499,13 +552,41 @@ export function MessageList({
     contact: Contact | null,
     parsedSender: string | null
   ): SenderInfo => {
+    if (
+      msg.type === 'PRIV' &&
+      contact?.type === CONTACT_TYPE_ROOM &&
+      (msg.sender_key || msg.sender_name)
+    ) {
+      const authorContact =
+        (msg.sender_key
+          ? contacts.find((candidate) => candidate.public_key === msg.sender_key)
+          : null) || (msg.sender_name ? getContactByName(msg.sender_name) : null);
+      if (authorContact) {
+        const directRoute = getDirectContactRoute(authorContact);
+        return {
+          name: authorContact.name || msg.sender_name || authorContact.public_key.slice(0, 12),
+          publicKeyOrPrefix: authorContact.public_key,
+          lat: authorContact.lat,
+          lon: authorContact.lon,
+          pathHashMode: directRoute?.path_hash_mode ?? null,
+        };
+      }
+      return {
+        name: msg.sender_name || msg.sender_key || 'Unknown',
+        publicKeyOrPrefix: msg.sender_key || '',
+        lat: null,
+        lon: null,
+        pathHashMode: null,
+      };
+    }
     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') {
@@ -515,12 +596,13 @@ export function MessageList({
           ? 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: senderContact.out_path_hash_mode,
+          pathHashMode: directRoute?.path_hash_mode ?? null,
         };
       }
       if (senderName || msg.sender_key) {
@@ -538,12 +620,13 @@ export function MessageList({
     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,
         };
       }
     }
@@ -580,6 +663,8 @@ export function MessageList({
     isCorruptChannelMessage: boolean
   ): string => {
     if (msg.outgoing) return '__outgoing__';
+    if (msg.type === 'PRIV' && msg.sender_key) return `key:${msg.sender_key}`;
+    if (msg.type === 'PRIV' && senderName) return `name:${senderName}`;
     if (msg.type === 'PRIV' && msg.conversation_key) return msg.conversation_key;
     if (msg.sender_key) return `key:${msg.sender_key}`;
     if (senderName) return `name:${senderName}`;
@@ -608,18 +693,24 @@ export function MessageList({
           // For DMs, look up contact; for channel messages, use parsed sender
           const contact = msg.type === 'PRIV' ? getContact(msg.conversation_key) : null;
           const isRepeater = contact?.type === CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER;
+          const isRoomServer = contact?.type === CONTACT_TYPE_ROOM;
 
           // Skip sender parsing for repeater messages (CLI responses often have colons)
-          const { sender, content } = isRepeater
-            ? { sender: null, content: msg.text }
-            : parseSenderFromText(msg.text);
+          const { sender, content } =
+            isRepeater || (isRoomServer && msg.type === 'PRIV')
+              ? { sender: null, content: msg.text }
+              : parseSenderFromText(msg.text);
+          const directSenderName =
+            msg.type === 'PRIV' && isRoomServer ? msg.sender_name || null : null;
           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 ||
+            : directSenderName ||
+              (isRoomServer && msg.sender_key ? msg.sender_key.slice(0, 8) : null) ||
+              contact?.name ||
               channelSenderName ||
               (isCorruptChannelMessage
                 ? CORRUPT_SENDER_LABEL
@@ -632,15 +723,22 @@ export function MessageList({
             displaySender !== CORRUPT_SENDER_LABEL;
 
           // Determine if we should show avatar (first message in a chunk from same sender)
-          const currentSenderKey = getSenderKey(msg, channelSenderName, isCorruptChannelMessage);
+          const currentSenderKey = getSenderKey(
+            msg,
+            directSenderName || channelSenderName,
+            isCorruptChannelMessage
+          );
           const prevMsg = sortedMessages[index - 1];
           const prevParsedSender = prevMsg ? parseSenderFromText(prevMsg.text).sender : null;
           const prevSenderKey = prevMsg
             ? getSenderKey(
                 prevMsg,
-                prevMsg.type === 'CHAN'
-                  ? prevMsg.sender_name || prevParsedSender
-                  : prevParsedSender,
+                prevMsg.type === 'PRIV' &&
+                  getContact(prevMsg.conversation_key)?.type === CONTACT_TYPE_ROOM
+                  ? prevMsg.sender_name
+                  : prevMsg.type === 'CHAN'
+                    ? prevMsg.sender_name || prevParsedSender
+                    : prevParsedSender,
                 isCorruptUnnamedChannelMessage(prevMsg, prevParsedSender)
               )
             : null;
@@ -654,9 +752,14 @@ export function MessageList({
           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;
+              if (isRoomServer) {
+                avatarName = directSenderName;
+                avatarKey =
+                  msg.sender_key || (avatarName ? `name:${avatarName}` : msg.conversation_key);
+              } else {
+                avatarName = contact?.name || null;
+                avatarKey = msg.conversation_key;
+              }
             } else if (isCorruptChannelMessage) {
               avatarName = CORRUPT_SENDER_LABEL;
               avatarKey = `corrupt:${msg.id}`;
@@ -721,7 +824,12 @@ export function MessageList({
                           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')}
+                          onClick={() =>
+                            onOpenContactInfo(
+                              avatarKey,
+                              msg.type === 'CHAN' || (msg.type === 'PRIV' && isRoomServer)
+                            )
+                          }
                         >
                           <ContactAvatar
                             name={avatarName}
@@ -776,7 +884,9 @@ export function MessageList({
                           onClick={() =>
                             setSelectedPath({
                               paths: msg.paths!,
-                              senderInfo: getSenderInfo(msg, contact, sender),
+                              senderInfo: getSenderInfo(msg, contact, directSenderName || sender),
+                              messageId: msg.id,
+                              packetId: msg.packet_id,
                             })
                           }
                         />
@@ -802,7 +912,9 @@ export function MessageList({
                             onClick={() =>
                               setSelectedPath({
                                 paths: msg.paths!,
-                                senderInfo: getSenderInfo(msg, contact, sender),
+                                senderInfo: getSenderInfo(msg, contact, directSenderName || sender),
+                                messageId: msg.id,
+                                packetId: msg.packet_id,
                               })
                             }
                           />
@@ -823,6 +935,7 @@ export function MessageList({
                                 paths: msg.paths!,
                                 senderInfo: selfSenderInfo,
                                 messageId: msg.id,
+                                packetId: msg.packet_id,
                                 isOutgoingChan: msg.type === 'CHAN' && !!onResendChannelMessage,
                               });
                             }}
@@ -844,6 +957,7 @@ export function MessageList({
                               paths: [],
                               senderInfo: selfSenderInfo,
                               messageId: msg.id,
+                              packetId: msg.packet_id,
                               isOutgoingChan: true,
                             });
                           }}
@@ -941,9 +1055,31 @@ export function MessageList({
           contacts={contacts}
           config={config ?? null}
           messageId={selectedPath.messageId}
+          packetId={selectedPath.packetId}
           isOutgoingChan={selectedPath.isOutgoingChan}
           isResendable={isSelectedMessageResendable}
           onResend={onResendChannelMessage}
+          onAnalyzePacket={
+            selectedPath.packetId != null
+              ? () => {
+                  const message = messages.find((entry) => entry.id === selectedPath.messageId);
+                  if (message) {
+                    void handleAnalyzePacket(message);
+                  }
+                }
+              : undefined
+          }
+        />
+      )}
+      {packetInspectorSource && (
+        <RawPacketInspectorDialog
+          open={packetInspectorSource !== null}
+          onOpenChange={(isOpen) => !isOpen && setPacketInspectorSource(null)}
+          channels={channels}
+          source={packetInspectorSource}
+          title="Analyze Packet"
+          description="On-demand raw packet analysis for a message-backed archival packet."
+          notice={ANALYZE_PACKET_NOTICE}
         />
       )}
     </div>

frontend/src/components/NewMessageModal.tsx

@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 import { useState, useRef } from 'react';
 import { Dice5 } from 'lucide-react';
-import type { Contact, Conversation } from '../types';
-import { getContactDisplayName } from '../utils/pubkey';
 import {
   Dialog,
   DialogContent,
@@ -15,15 +13,14 @@ 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';
+type Tab = 'new-contact' | 'new-channel' | 'hashtag';
 
 interface NewMessageModalProps {
   open: boolean;
-  contacts: Contact[];
   undecryptedCount: number;
   onClose: () => void;
-  onSelectConversation: (conversation: Conversation) => void;
   onCreateContact: (name: string, publicKey: string, tryHistorical: boolean) => Promise<void>;
   onCreateChannel: (name: string, key: string, tryHistorical: boolean) => Promise<void>;
   onCreateHashtagChannel: (name: string, tryHistorical: boolean) => Promise<void>;
@@ -31,18 +28,16 @@ interface NewMessageModalProps {
 
 export function NewMessageModal({
   open,
-  contacts,
   undecryptedCount,
   onClose,
-  onSelectConversation,
   onCreateContact,
   onCreateChannel,
   onCreateHashtagChannel,
 }: NewMessageModalProps) {
-  const [tab, setTab] = useState<Tab>('existing');
+  const [tab, setTab] = useState<Tab>('new-contact');
   const [name, setName] = useState('');
   const [contactKey, setContactKey] = useState('');
-  const [roomKey, setRoomKey] = useState('');
+  const [channelKey, setChannelKey] = useState('');
   const [tryHistorical, setTryHistorical] = useState(false);
   const [permitCapitals, setPermitCapitals] = useState(false);
   const [error, setError] = useState('');
@@ -52,7 +47,7 @@ export function NewMessageModal({
   const resetForm = () => {
     setName('');
     setContactKey('');
-    setRoomKey('');
+    setChannelKey('');
     setTryHistorical(false);
     setPermitCapitals(false);
     setError('');
@@ -70,12 +65,12 @@ export function NewMessageModal({
         }
         // handleCreateContact sets activeConversation with the backend-normalized key
         await onCreateContact(name.trim(), contactKey.trim(), tryHistorical);
-      } else if (tab === 'new-room') {
-        if (!name.trim() || !roomKey.trim()) {
-          setError('Room name and key are required');
+      } else if (tab === 'new-channel') {
+        if (!name.trim() || !channelKey.trim()) {
+          setError('Channel name and key are required');
           return;
         }
-        await onCreateChannel(name.trim(), roomKey.trim(), tryHistorical);
+        await onCreateChannel(name.trim(), channelKey.trim(), tryHistorical);
       } else if (tab === 'hashtag') {
         const channelName = name.trim();
         const validationError = validateHashtagName(channelName);
@@ -90,6 +85,9 @@ 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);
@@ -123,13 +121,16 @@ 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);
     }
   };
 
-  const showHistoricalOption = tab !== 'existing' && undecryptedCount > 0;
+  const showHistoricalOption = undecryptedCount > 0;
 
   return (
     <Dialog
@@ -145,9 +146,8 @@ export function NewMessageModal({
         <DialogHeader>
           <DialogTitle>New Conversation</DialogTitle>
           <DialogDescription className="sr-only">
-            {tab === 'existing' && 'Select an existing contact to start a conversation'}
             {tab === 'new-contact' && 'Add a new contact by entering their name and public key'}
-            {tab === 'new-room' && 'Create a private room with a shared encryption key'}
+            {tab === 'new-channel' && 'Create a private channel with a shared encryption key'}
             {tab === 'hashtag' && 'Join a public hashtag channel'}
           </DialogDescription>
         </DialogHeader>
@@ -160,53 +160,12 @@ export function NewMessageModal({
           }}
           className="w-full"
         >
-          <TabsList className="grid w-full grid-cols-4">
-            <TabsTrigger value="existing">Existing</TabsTrigger>
+          <TabsList className="grid w-full grid-cols-3">
             <TabsTrigger value="new-contact">Contact</TabsTrigger>
-            <TabsTrigger value="new-room">Room</TabsTrigger>
-            <TabsTrigger value="hashtag">Hashtag</TabsTrigger>
+            <TabsTrigger value="new-channel">Private Channel</TabsTrigger>
+            <TabsTrigger value="hashtag">Hashtag Channel</TabsTrigger>
           </TabsList>
 
-          <TabsContent value="existing" className="mt-4">
-            <div className="max-h-[300px] overflow-y-auto rounded-md border">
-              {contacts.filter((contact) => contact.public_key.length === 64).length === 0 ? (
-                <div className="p-4 text-center text-muted-foreground">No contacts available</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>
-
           <TabsContent value="new-contact" className="mt-4 space-y-4">
             <div className="space-y-2">
               <Label htmlFor="contact-name">Name</Label>
@@ -228,23 +187,23 @@ export function NewMessageModal({
             </div>
           </TabsContent>
 
-          <TabsContent value="new-room" className="mt-4 space-y-4">
+          <TabsContent value="new-channel" className="mt-4 space-y-4">
             <div className="space-y-2">
-              <Label htmlFor="room-name">Room Name</Label>
+              <Label htmlFor="channel-name">Channel Name</Label>
               <Input
-                id="room-name"
+                id="channel-name"
                 value={name}
                 onChange={(e) => setName(e.target.value)}
-                placeholder="Room name"
+                placeholder="Channel name"
               />
             </div>
             <div className="space-y-2">
-              <Label htmlFor="room-key">Room Key</Label>
+              <Label htmlFor="channel-key">Channel Key</Label>
               <div className="flex gap-2">
                 <Input
-                  id="room-key"
-                  value={roomKey}
-                  onChange={(e) => setRoomKey(e.target.value)}
+                  id="channel-key"
+                  value={channelKey}
+                  onChange={(e) => setChannelKey(e.target.value)}
                   placeholder="Pre-shared key (hex)"
                   className="flex-1"
                 />
@@ -258,7 +217,7 @@ export function NewMessageModal({
                     const hex = Array.from(bytes)
                       .map((b) => b.toString(16).padStart(2, '0'))
                       .join('');
-                    setRoomKey(hex);
+                    setChannelKey(hex);
                   }}
                   title="Generate random key"
                   aria-label="Generate random key"
@@ -292,7 +251,7 @@ export function NewMessageModal({
                   onChange={(e) => setPermitCapitals(e.target.checked)}
                   className="w-4 h-4 rounded border-input accent-primary"
                 />
-                <span className="text-sm">Permit capitals in room key derivation</span>
+                <span className="text-sm">Permit capitals in channel key derivation</span>
               </label>
               <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground pl-7">
                 Not recommended; most companions normalize to lowercase
@@ -346,11 +305,9 @@ export function NewMessageModal({
               {loading ? 'Creating...' : 'Create & Add Another'}
             </Button>
           )}
-          {tab !== 'existing' && (
-            <Button onClick={handleCreate} disabled={loading}>
-              {loading ? 'Creating...' : 'Create'}
-            </Button>
-          )}
+          <Button onClick={handleCreate} disabled={loading}>
+            {loading ? 'Creating...' : 'Create'}
+          </Button>
         </DialogFooter>
       </DialogContent>
     </Dialog>

frontend/src/components/PathModal.tsx

@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ import {
 } from '../utils/pathUtils';
 import { formatTime } from '../utils/messageParser';
 import { getMapFocusHash } from '../utils/urlHash';
+import { useDistanceUnit } from '../contexts/DistanceUnitContext';
+import type { DistanceUnit } from '../utils/distanceUnits';
 
 const PathRouteMap = lazy(() =>
   import('./PathRouteMap').then((m) => ({ default: m.PathRouteMap }))
@@ -27,9 +29,11 @@ interface PathModalProps {
   contacts: Contact[];
   config: RadioConfig | null;
   messageId?: number;
+  packetId?: number | null;
   isOutgoingChan?: boolean;
   isResendable?: boolean;
   onResend?: (messageId: number, newTimestamp?: boolean) => void;
+  onAnalyzePacket?: () => void;
 }
 
 export function PathModal({
@@ -40,13 +44,17 @@ export function PathModal({
   contacts,
   config,
   messageId,
+  packetId,
   isOutgoingChan,
   isResendable,
   onResend,
+  onAnalyzePacket,
 }: PathModalProps) {
-  const [expandedMaps, setExpandedMaps] = useState<Set<number>>(new Set());
+  const { distanceUnit } = useDistanceUnit();
+  const [mapModalIndex, setMapModalIndex] = useState<number | null>(null);
   const hasResendActions = isOutgoingChan && messageId !== undefined && onResend;
   const hasPaths = paths.length > 0;
+  const showAnalyzePacket = hasPaths && packetId != null && onAnalyzePacket;
 
   // Resolve all paths
   const resolvedPaths = hasPaths
@@ -87,6 +95,12 @@ export function PathModal({
 
         {hasPaths && (
           <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto py-2 space-y-4">
+            {showAnalyzePacket ? (
+              <Button type="button" variant="outline" className="w-full" onClick={onAnalyzePacket}>
+                Analyze Packet
+              </Button>
+            ) : null}
+
             {/* Raw path summary */}
             <div className="text-sm">
               {paths.map((p, index) => {
@@ -120,61 +134,75 @@ export function PathModal({
                         resolvedPaths[0].resolved.sender.lon,
                         resolvedPaths[0].resolved.receiver.lat,
                         resolvedPaths[0].resolved.receiver.lon
-                      )!
+                      )!,
+                      distanceUnit
                     )}
                   </span>
                 </div>
               )}
 
-            {resolvedPaths.map((pathData, index) => {
-              const mapExpanded = expandedMaps.has(index);
-              const toggleMap = () =>
-                setExpandedMaps((prev) => {
-                  const next = new Set(prev);
-                  if (next.has(index)) next.delete(index);
-                  else next.add(index);
-                  return next;
-                });
-
-              return (
-                <div key={index}>
-                  <div className="flex items-center justify-between mb-2 pb-1 border-b border-border">
-                    {!hasSinglePath ? (
-                      <div className="text-sm text-foreground/70 font-semibold">
-                        Path {index + 1}{' '}
-                        <span className="font-normal text-muted-foreground">
-                          — received {formatTime(pathData.received_at)}
-                        </span>
-                      </div>
-                    ) : (
-                      <div />
-                    )}
-                    <button
-                      onClick={toggleMap}
-                      aria-expanded={mapExpanded}
-                      className="text-xs text-primary hover:underline cursor-pointer shrink-0 ml-2"
-                    >
-                      {mapExpanded ? 'Hide map' : 'Map route'}
-                    </button>
-                  </div>
-                  {mapExpanded && (
-                    <div className="mb-2">
-                      <Suspense
-                        fallback={
-                          <div
-                            className="rounded border border-border bg-muted/30 animate-pulse"
-                            style={{ height: 220 }}
-                          />
-                        }
-                      >
-                        <PathRouteMap resolved={pathData.resolved} senderInfo={senderInfo} />
-                      </Suspense>
+            {resolvedPaths.map((pathData, index) => (
+              <div key={index}>
+                <div className="flex items-center justify-between mb-2 pb-1 border-b border-border">
+                  {!hasSinglePath ? (
+                    <div className="text-sm text-foreground/70 font-semibold">
+                      Path {index + 1}{' '}
+                      <span className="font-normal text-muted-foreground">
+                        — received {formatTime(pathData.received_at)}
+                      </span>
                     </div>
+                  ) : (
+                    <div />
                   )}
-                  <PathVisualization resolved={pathData.resolved} senderInfo={senderInfo} />
+                  <button
+                    onClick={() => setMapModalIndex(index)}
+                    className="text-xs text-primary hover:underline cursor-pointer shrink-0 ml-2"
+                  >
+                    Map route
+                  </button>
                 </div>
-              );
-            })}
+                <PathVisualization
+                  resolved={pathData.resolved}
+                  senderInfo={senderInfo}
+                  distanceUnit={distanceUnit}
+                />
+              </div>
+            ))}
+
+            {/* Map modal — opens when a "Map route" button is clicked */}
+            <Dialog
+              open={mapModalIndex !== null}
+              onOpenChange={(open) => !open && setMapModalIndex(null)}
+            >
+              <DialogContent className="sm:max-w-2xl">
+                <DialogHeader>
+                  <DialogTitle>
+                    {mapModalIndex !== null && !hasSinglePath
+                      ? `Path ${mapModalIndex + 1} Route Map`
+                      : 'Route Map'}
+                  </DialogTitle>
+                  <DialogDescription>
+                    Map of known node locations along this message route.
+                  </DialogDescription>
+                </DialogHeader>
+                {mapModalIndex !== null && (
+                  <Suspense
+                    fallback={
+                      <div
+                        className="rounded border border-border bg-muted/30 animate-pulse"
+                        style={{ height: 400 }}
+                      />
+                    }
+                  >
+                    <PathRouteMap
+                      resolved={resolvedPaths[mapModalIndex].resolved}
+                      senderInfo={senderInfo}
+                      height={400}
+                    />
+                  </Suspense>
+                )}
+              </DialogContent>
+            </Dialog>
           </div>
         )}
 
@@ -227,9 +255,10 @@ export function PathModal({
 interface PathVisualizationProps {
   resolved: ResolvedPath;
   senderInfo: SenderInfo;
+  distanceUnit: DistanceUnit;
 }
 
-function PathVisualization({ resolved, senderInfo }: PathVisualizationProps) {
+function PathVisualization({ resolved, senderInfo, distanceUnit }: PathVisualizationProps) {
   // Track previous location for each hop to calculate distances
   // Returns null if previous hop was ambiguous or has invalid location
   const getPrevLocation = (hopIndex: number): { lat: number | null; lon: number | null } | null => {
@@ -264,6 +293,7 @@ function PathVisualization({ resolved, senderInfo }: PathVisualizationProps) {
         name={resolved.sender.name}
         prefix={resolved.sender.prefix}
         distance={null}
+        distanceUnit={distanceUnit}
         isFirst
         lat={resolved.sender.lat}
         lon={resolved.sender.lon}
@@ -277,6 +307,7 @@ function PathVisualization({ resolved, senderInfo }: PathVisualizationProps) {
           hop={hop}
           hopNumber={index + 1}
           prevLocation={getPrevLocation(index)}
+          distanceUnit={distanceUnit}
         />
       ))}
 
@@ -286,6 +317,7 @@ function PathVisualization({ resolved, senderInfo }: PathVisualizationProps) {
         name={resolved.receiver.name}
         prefix={resolved.receiver.prefix}
         distance={calculateReceiverDistance(resolved)}
+        distanceUnit={distanceUnit}
         isLast
         lat={resolved.receiver.lat}
         lon={resolved.receiver.lon}
@@ -300,7 +332,7 @@ function PathVisualization({ resolved, senderInfo }: PathVisualizationProps) {
           </span>
           <span className="text-sm font-medium">
             {resolved.hasGaps ? '>' : ''}
-            {formatDistance(resolved.totalDistances[0])}
+            {formatDistance(resolved.totalDistances[0], distanceUnit)}
           </span>
         </div>
       )}
@@ -313,6 +345,7 @@ interface PathNodeProps {
   name: string;
   prefix: string;
   distance: number | null;
+  distanceUnit: DistanceUnit;
   isFirst?: boolean;
   isLast?: boolean;
   /** Optional coordinates for map link */
@@ -327,6 +360,7 @@ function PathNode({
   name,
   prefix,
   distance,
+  distanceUnit,
   isFirst,
   isLast,
   lat,
@@ -353,7 +387,9 @@ function PathNode({
         <div className="font-medium truncate">
           {name}
           {distance !== null && (
-            <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground ml-1">- {formatDistance(distance)}</span>
+            <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground ml-1">
+              - {formatDistance(distance, distanceUnit)}
+            </span>
           )}
           {hasLocation && <CoordinateLink lat={lat!} lon={lon!} publicKey={publicKey!} />}
         </div>
@@ -366,9 +402,10 @@ interface HopNodeProps {
   hop: PathHop;
   hopNumber: number;
   prevLocation: { lat: number | null; lon: number | null } | null;
+  distanceUnit: DistanceUnit;
 }
 
-function HopNode({ hop, hopNumber, prevLocation }: HopNodeProps) {
+function HopNode({ hop, hopNumber, prevLocation, distanceUnit }: HopNodeProps) {
   const isAmbiguous = hop.matches.length > 1;
   const isUnknown = hop.matches.length === 0;
 
@@ -417,7 +454,7 @@ function HopNode({ hop, hopNumber, prevLocation }: HopNodeProps) {
                   {contact.name || contact.public_key.slice(0, 12)}
                   {dist !== null && (
                     <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground ml-1">
-                      - {formatDistance(dist)}
+                      - {formatDistance(dist, distanceUnit)}
                     </span>
                   )}
                   {hasLocation && (
@@ -436,7 +473,7 @@ function HopNode({ hop, hopNumber, prevLocation }: HopNodeProps) {
             {hop.matches[0].name || hop.matches[0].public_key.slice(0, 12)}
             {hop.distanceFromPrev !== null && (
               <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground ml-1">
-                - {formatDistance(hop.distanceFromPrev)}
+                - {formatDistance(hop.distanceFromPrev, distanceUnit)}
               </span>
             )}
             {isValidLocation(hop.matches[0].lat, hop.matches[0].lon) && (

frontend/src/components/PathRouteMap.tsx

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import type { ResolvedPath, SenderInfo } from '../utils/pathUtils';
 interface PathRouteMapProps {
   resolved: ResolvedPath;
   senderInfo: SenderInfo;
+  height?: number;
 }
 
 // Colors for hop markers (indexed by hop number - 1)
@@ -82,7 +83,7 @@ function RouteMapBounds({ points }: { points: [number, number][] }) {
   return null;
 }
 
-export function PathRouteMap({ resolved, senderInfo }: PathRouteMapProps) {
+export function PathRouteMap({ resolved, senderInfo, height = 220 }: PathRouteMapProps) {
   const points = collectPoints(resolved);
   const hasAnyGps = points.length > 0;
 
@@ -117,7 +118,7 @@ export function PathRouteMap({ resolved, senderInfo }: PathRouteMapProps) {
         className="rounded border border-border overflow-hidden"
         role="img"
         aria-label="Map showing message route between nodes"
-        style={{ height: 220 }}
+        style={{ height }}
       >
         <MapContainer
           center={center}
@@ -138,6 +139,8 @@ export function PathRouteMap({ resolved, senderInfo }: PathRouteMapProps) {
               icon={makeIcon('S', SENDER_COLOR)}
             >
               <Tooltip direction="top" offset={[0, -14]}>
+                <span className="font-mono">{resolved.sender.prefix}</span>
+                {' · '}
                 {senderInfo.name || 'Sender'}
               </Tooltip>
             </Marker>
@@ -154,6 +157,8 @@ export function PathRouteMap({ resolved, senderInfo }: PathRouteMapProps) {
                   icon={makeIcon(String(hopIdx + 1), getHopColor(hopIdx))}
                 >
                   <Tooltip direction="top" offset={[0, -14]}>
+                    <span className="font-mono">{hop.prefix}</span>
+                    {' · '}
                     {m.name || m.public_key.slice(0, 12)}
                   </Tooltip>
                 </Marker>
@@ -167,6 +172,8 @@ export function PathRouteMap({ resolved, senderInfo }: PathRouteMapProps) {
               icon={makeIcon('R', RECEIVER_COLOR)}
             >
               <Tooltip direction="top" offset={[0, -14]}>
+                <span className="font-mono">{resolved.receiver.prefix}</span>
+                {' · '}
                 {resolved.receiver.name || 'Receiver'}
               </Tooltip>
             </Marker>

frontend/src/components/RawPacketDetailModal.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,820 @@
+import { useEffect, useMemo, useState, type ReactNode } from 'react';
+import { ChannelCrypto, PayloadType } from '@michaelhart/meshcore-decoder';
+
+import type { Channel, RawPacket } from '../types';
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
+import {
+  createDecoderOptions,
+  inspectRawPacketWithOptions,
+  type PacketByteField,
+} from '../utils/rawPacketInspector';
+import { toast } from './ui/sonner';
+import { Button } from './ui/button';
+import { Dialog, DialogContent, DialogDescription, DialogHeader, DialogTitle } from './ui/dialog';
+
+interface RawPacketDetailModalProps {
+  packet: RawPacket | null;
+  channels: Channel[];
+  onClose: () => void;
+}
+
+type RawPacketInspectorDialogSource =
+  | {
+      kind: 'packet';
+      packet: RawPacket;
+    }
+  | {
+      kind: 'paste';
+    }
+  | {
+      kind: 'loading';
+      message: string;
+    }
+  | {
+      kind: 'unavailable';
+      message: string;
+    };
+
+interface RawPacketInspectorDialogProps {
+  open: boolean;
+  onOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
+  channels: Channel[];
+  source: RawPacketInspectorDialogSource;
+  title: string;
+  description: string;
+  notice?: ReactNode;
+}
+
+interface RawPacketInspectionPanelProps {
+  packet: RawPacket;
+  channels: Channel[];
+}
+
+interface FieldPaletteEntry {
+  box: string;
+  boxActive: string;
+  hex: string;
+  hexActive: string;
+}
+
+interface GroupTextResolutionCandidate {
+  key: string;
+  name: string;
+  hash: string;
+}
+
+const FIELD_PALETTE: FieldPaletteEntry[] = [
+  {
+    box: 'border-sky-500/30 bg-sky-500/10',
+    boxActive: 'border-sky-600 bg-sky-500/20 shadow-sm shadow-sky-500/20',
+    hex: 'bg-sky-500/20 ring-1 ring-inset ring-sky-500/35',
+    hexActive: 'bg-sky-500/40 ring-1 ring-inset ring-sky-600/70',
+  },
+  {
+    box: 'border-emerald-500/30 bg-emerald-500/10',
+    boxActive: 'border-emerald-600 bg-emerald-500/20 shadow-sm shadow-emerald-500/20',
+    hex: 'bg-emerald-500/20 ring-1 ring-inset ring-emerald-500/35',
+    hexActive: 'bg-emerald-500/40 ring-1 ring-inset ring-emerald-600/70',
+  },
+  {
+    box: 'border-amber-500/30 bg-amber-500/10',
+    boxActive: 'border-amber-600 bg-amber-500/20 shadow-sm shadow-amber-500/20',
+    hex: 'bg-amber-500/20 ring-1 ring-inset ring-amber-500/35',
+    hexActive: 'bg-amber-500/40 ring-1 ring-inset ring-amber-600/70',
+  },
+  {
+    box: 'border-rose-500/30 bg-rose-500/10',
+    boxActive: 'border-rose-600 bg-rose-500/20 shadow-sm shadow-rose-500/20',
+    hex: 'bg-rose-500/20 ring-1 ring-inset ring-rose-500/35',
+    hexActive: 'bg-rose-500/40 ring-1 ring-inset ring-rose-600/70',
+  },
+  {
+    box: 'border-violet-500/30 bg-violet-500/10',
+    boxActive: 'border-violet-600 bg-violet-500/20 shadow-sm shadow-violet-500/20',
+    hex: 'bg-violet-500/20 ring-1 ring-inset ring-violet-500/35',
+    hexActive: 'bg-violet-500/40 ring-1 ring-inset ring-violet-600/70',
+  },
+  {
+    box: 'border-cyan-500/30 bg-cyan-500/10',
+    boxActive: 'border-cyan-600 bg-cyan-500/20 shadow-sm shadow-cyan-500/20',
+    hex: 'bg-cyan-500/20 ring-1 ring-inset ring-cyan-500/35',
+    hexActive: 'bg-cyan-500/40 ring-1 ring-inset ring-cyan-600/70',
+  },
+  {
+    box: 'border-lime-500/30 bg-lime-500/10',
+    boxActive: 'border-lime-600 bg-lime-500/20 shadow-sm shadow-lime-500/20',
+    hex: 'bg-lime-500/20 ring-1 ring-inset ring-lime-500/35',
+    hexActive: 'bg-lime-500/40 ring-1 ring-inset ring-lime-600/70',
+  },
+  {
+    box: 'border-fuchsia-500/30 bg-fuchsia-500/10',
+    boxActive: 'border-fuchsia-600 bg-fuchsia-500/20 shadow-sm shadow-fuchsia-500/20',
+    hex: 'bg-fuchsia-500/20 ring-1 ring-inset ring-fuchsia-500/35',
+    hexActive: 'bg-fuchsia-500/40 ring-1 ring-inset ring-fuchsia-600/70',
+  },
+];
+
+function formatTimestamp(timestamp: number): string {
+  return new Date(timestamp * 1000).toLocaleString([], {
+    year: 'numeric',
+    month: 'short',
+    day: 'numeric',
+    hour: '2-digit',
+    minute: '2-digit',
+    second: '2-digit',
+  });
+}
+
+function formatSignal(packet: RawPacket): string {
+  const parts: string[] = [];
+  if (packet.rssi !== null) {
+    parts.push(`${packet.rssi} dBm RSSI`);
+  }
+  if (packet.snr !== null) {
+    parts.push(`${packet.snr.toFixed(1)} dB SNR`);
+  }
+  return parts.length > 0 ? parts.join(' · ') : 'No signal sample';
+}
+
+function formatByteRange(field: PacketByteField): string {
+  if (field.absoluteStartByte === field.absoluteEndByte) {
+    return `Byte ${field.absoluteStartByte}`;
+  }
+  return `Bytes ${field.absoluteStartByte}-${field.absoluteEndByte}`;
+}
+
+function formatPathMode(hashSize: number | undefined, hopCount: number): string {
+  if (hopCount === 0) {
+    return 'No path hops';
+  }
+  if (!hashSize) {
+    return `${hopCount} hop${hopCount === 1 ? '' : 's'}`;
+  }
+  return `${hopCount} hop${hopCount === 1 ? '' : 's'} · ${hashSize} byte hash${hashSize === 1 ? '' : 'es'}`;
+}
+
+function buildGroupTextResolutionCandidates(channels: Channel[]): GroupTextResolutionCandidate[] {
+  return channels.map((channel) => ({
+    key: channel.key,
+    name: channel.name,
+    hash: ChannelCrypto.calculateChannelHash(channel.key).toUpperCase(),
+  }));
+}
+
+function resolveGroupTextChannelName(
+  payload: {
+    channelHash?: string;
+    cipherMac?: string;
+    ciphertext?: string;
+    decrypted?: { message?: string };
+  },
+  candidates: GroupTextResolutionCandidate[]
+): string | null {
+  if (!payload.channelHash) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const hashMatches = candidates.filter(
+    (candidate) => candidate.hash === payload.channelHash?.toUpperCase()
+  );
+  if (hashMatches.length === 1) {
+    return hashMatches[0].name;
+  }
+  if (
+    hashMatches.length <= 1 ||
+    !payload.cipherMac ||
+    !payload.ciphertext ||
+    !payload.decrypted?.message
+  ) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const decryptMatches = hashMatches.filter(
+    (candidate) =>
+      ChannelCrypto.decryptGroupTextMessage(payload.ciphertext!, payload.cipherMac!, candidate.key)
+        .success
+  );
+  return decryptMatches.length === 1 ? decryptMatches[0].name : null;
+}
+
+function packetShowsDecryptedState(
+  packet: RawPacket,
+  inspection: ReturnType<typeof inspectRawPacketWithOptions>
+): boolean {
+  const payload = inspection.decoded?.payload.decoded as { decrypted?: unknown } | null | undefined;
+  return packet.decrypted || Boolean(packet.decrypted_info) || Boolean(payload?.decrypted);
+}
+
+function getPacketContext(
+  packet: RawPacket,
+  inspection: ReturnType<typeof inspectRawPacketWithOptions>,
+  groupTextCandidates: GroupTextResolutionCandidate[]
+) {
+  const fallbackSender = packet.decrypted_info?.sender ?? null;
+  const fallbackChannel = packet.decrypted_info?.channel_name ?? null;
+
+  if (!inspection.decoded?.payload.decoded) {
+    if (!fallbackSender && !fallbackChannel) {
+      return null;
+    }
+    return {
+      title: fallbackChannel ? 'Channel' : 'Context',
+      primary: fallbackChannel ?? 'Sender metadata available',
+      secondary: fallbackSender ? `Sender: ${fallbackSender}` : null,
+    };
+  }
+
+  if (inspection.decoded.payloadType === PayloadType.GroupText) {
+    const payload = inspection.decoded.payload.decoded as {
+      channelHash?: string;
+      cipherMac?: string;
+      ciphertext?: string;
+      decrypted?: { sender?: string; message?: string };
+    };
+    const channelName =
+      fallbackChannel ?? resolveGroupTextChannelName(payload, groupTextCandidates);
+    return {
+      title: 'Channel',
+      primary:
+        channelName ?? (payload.channelHash ? `Channel hash ${payload.channelHash}` : 'GroupText'),
+      secondary: payload.decrypted?.sender
+        ? `Sender: ${payload.decrypted.sender}`
+        : fallbackSender
+          ? `Sender: ${fallbackSender}`
+          : null,
+    };
+  }
+
+  if (fallbackSender) {
+    return {
+      title: 'Context',
+      primary: fallbackSender,
+      secondary: null,
+    };
+  }
+
+  return null;
+}
+
+function buildDisplayFields(inspection: ReturnType<typeof inspectRawPacketWithOptions>) {
+  return [
+    ...inspection.packetFields.filter((field) => field.name !== 'Payload'),
+    ...inspection.payloadFields,
+  ];
+}
+
+function buildFieldColorMap(fields: PacketByteField[]) {
+  return new Map(
+    fields.map((field, index) => [field.id, FIELD_PALETTE[index % FIELD_PALETTE.length]])
+  );
+}
+
+function buildByteOwners(totalBytes: number, fields: PacketByteField[]) {
+  const owners = new Array<string | null>(totalBytes).fill(null);
+  for (const field of fields) {
+    for (let index = field.absoluteStartByte; index <= field.absoluteEndByte; index += 1) {
+      if (index >= 0 && index < owners.length) {
+        owners[index] = field.id;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  return owners;
+}
+
+function buildByteRuns(bytes: string[], owners: Array<string | null>) {
+  const runs: Array<{ fieldId: string | null; text: string }> = [];
+
+  for (let index = 0; index < bytes.length; index += 1) {
+    const fieldId = owners[index];
+    const lastRun = runs[runs.length - 1];
+    if (lastRun && lastRun.fieldId === fieldId) {
+      lastRun.text += ` ${bytes[index]}`;
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    runs.push({
+      fieldId,
+      text: bytes[index],
+    });
+  }
+
+  return runs;
+}
+
+function CompactMetaCard({
+  label,
+  primary,
+  secondary,
+}: {
+  label: string;
+  primary: string;
+  secondary?: string | null;
+}) {
+  return (
+    <div className="rounded-lg border border-border/70 bg-card/70 p-2.5">
+      <div className="text-[10px] uppercase tracking-[0.18em] text-muted-foreground">{label}</div>
+      <div className="mt-1 text-sm font-medium leading-tight text-foreground">{primary}</div>
+      {secondary ? (
+        <div className="mt-1 text-xs leading-tight text-muted-foreground">{secondary}</div>
+      ) : null}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function FullPacketHex({
+  packetHex,
+  fields,
+  colorMap,
+  hoveredFieldId,
+  onHoverField,
+}: {
+  packetHex: string;
+  fields: PacketByteField[];
+  colorMap: Map<string, FieldPaletteEntry>;
+  hoveredFieldId: string | null;
+  onHoverField: (fieldId: string | null) => void;
+}) {
+  const normalized = packetHex.toUpperCase();
+  const bytes = useMemo(() => normalized.match(/.{1,2}/g) ?? [], [normalized]);
+  const byteOwners = useMemo(() => buildByteOwners(bytes.length, fields), [bytes.length, fields]);
+  const byteRuns = useMemo(() => buildByteRuns(bytes, byteOwners), [byteOwners, bytes]);
+
+  return (
+    <div className="font-mono text-[15px] leading-7 text-foreground">
+      {byteRuns.map((run, index) => {
+        const fieldId = run.fieldId;
+        const palette = fieldId ? colorMap.get(fieldId) : null;
+        const active = fieldId !== null && hoveredFieldId === fieldId;
+        return (
+          <span key={`${fieldId ?? 'plain'}-${index}`}>
+            <span
+              onMouseEnter={() => onHoverField(fieldId)}
+              onMouseLeave={() => onHoverField(null)}
+              className={cn(
+                'inline rounded-sm px-0.5 py-0.5 transition-colors',
+                palette ? (active ? palette.hexActive : palette.hex) : ''
+              )}
+            >
+              {run.text}
+            </span>
+            {index < byteRuns.length - 1 ? ' ' : ''}
+          </span>
+        );
+      })}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function renderFieldValue(field: PacketByteField) {
+  if (field.name !== 'Path Data') {
+    return field.value.toUpperCase();
+  }
+
+  const parts = field.value
+    .toUpperCase()
+    .split(' → ')
+    .filter((part) => part.length > 0);
+
+  if (parts.length <= 1) {
+    return field.value.toUpperCase();
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <span className="inline-flex flex-wrap justify-start gap-x-1 sm:justify-end">
+      {parts.map((part, index) => {
+        const isLast = index === parts.length - 1;
+        return (
+          <span key={`${field.id}-${part}-${index}`} className="whitespace-nowrap">
+            {isLast ? part : `${part} →`}
+          </span>
+        );
+      })}
+    </span>
+  );
+}
+
+function normalizePacketHex(input: string): string {
+  return input.replace(/\s+/g, '').toUpperCase();
+}
+
+function validatePacketHex(input: string): string | null {
+  if (!input) {
+    return 'Paste a packet hex string to analyze.';
+  }
+  if (!/^[0-9A-F]+$/.test(input)) {
+    return 'Packet hex may only contain 0-9 and A-F characters.';
+  }
+  if (input.length % 2 !== 0) {
+    return 'Packet hex must contain an even number of characters.';
+  }
+  return null;
+}
+
+function buildPastedRawPacket(packetHex: string): RawPacket {
+  return {
+    id: -1,
+    timestamp: Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000),
+    data: packetHex,
+    payload_type: 'Unknown',
+    snr: null,
+    rssi: null,
+    decrypted: false,
+    decrypted_info: null,
+  };
+}
+
+function FieldBox({
+  field,
+  palette,
+  active,
+  onHoverField,
+}: {
+  field: PacketByteField;
+  palette: FieldPaletteEntry;
+  active: boolean;
+  onHoverField: (fieldId: string | null) => void;
+}) {
+  return (
+    <div
+      onMouseEnter={() => onHoverField(field.id)}
+      onMouseLeave={() => onHoverField(null)}
+      className={cn(
+        'rounded-lg border p-2.5 transition-colors',
+        active ? palette.boxActive : palette.box
+      )}
+    >
+      <div className="flex flex-col items-start gap-2 sm:flex-row sm:justify-between">
+        <div className="min-w-0">
+          <div className="text-base font-semibold leading-tight text-foreground">{field.name}</div>
+          <div className="mt-0.5 text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">{formatByteRange(field)}</div>
+        </div>
+        <div
+          className={cn(
+            'w-full font-mono text-sm leading-5 text-foreground sm:max-w-[14rem] sm:text-right',
+            field.name === 'Path Data' ? 'break-normal' : 'break-all'
+          )}
+        >
+          {renderFieldValue(field)}
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <div className="mt-2 whitespace-pre-wrap text-sm leading-5 text-foreground">
+        {field.description}
+      </div>
+
+      {field.decryptedMessage ? (
+        <div className="mt-2 rounded border border-border/50 bg-background/40 p-2">
+          <div className="text-[10px] uppercase tracking-[0.16em] text-muted-foreground">
+            {field.name === 'Ciphertext' ? 'Plaintext' : 'Decoded value'}
+          </div>
+          <PlaintextContent text={field.decryptedMessage} />
+        </div>
+      ) : null}
+
+      {field.headerBreakdown ? (
+        <div className="mt-2 space-y-1.5">
+          <div className="font-mono text-xs tracking-[0.16em] text-muted-foreground">
+            {field.headerBreakdown.fullBinary}
+          </div>
+          {field.headerBreakdown.fields.map((part) => (
+            <div
+              key={`${field.id}-${part.bits}-${part.field}`}
+              className="rounded border border-border/50 bg-background/40 p-2"
+            >
+              <div className="flex items-start justify-between gap-2">
+                <div>
+                  <div className="text-sm font-medium leading-tight text-foreground">
+                    {part.field}
+                  </div>
+                  <div className="mt-0.5 text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">Bits {part.bits}</div>
+                </div>
+                <div className="text-right">
+                  <div className="font-mono text-sm text-foreground">{part.binary}</div>
+                  <div className="mt-0.5 text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">{part.value}</div>
+                </div>
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          ))}
+        </div>
+      ) : null}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function PlaintextContent({ text }: { text: string }) {
+  const lines = text.split('\n');
+
+  return (
+    <div className="mt-1 space-y-1 text-sm leading-5 text-foreground">
+      {lines.map((line, index) => {
+        const separatorIndex = line.indexOf(': ');
+        if (separatorIndex === -1) {
+          return (
+            <div key={`${line}-${index}`} className="font-mono">
+              {line}
+            </div>
+          );
+        }
+
+        const label = line.slice(0, separatorIndex + 1);
+        const value = line.slice(separatorIndex + 2);
+
+        return (
+          <div key={`${line}-${index}`}>
+            <span>{label} </span>
+            <span className="font-mono">{value}</span>
+          </div>
+        );
+      })}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function FieldSection({
+  title,
+  fields,
+  colorMap,
+  hoveredFieldId,
+  onHoverField,
+}: {
+  title: string;
+  fields: PacketByteField[];
+  colorMap: Map<string, FieldPaletteEntry>;
+  hoveredFieldId: string | null;
+  onHoverField: (fieldId: string | null) => void;
+}) {
+  return (
+    <section className="rounded-lg border border-border/70 bg-card/70 p-3">
+      <div className="mb-2 text-sm font-semibold text-foreground">{title}</div>
+      {fields.length === 0 ? (
+        <div className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">No decoded fields available.</div>
+      ) : (
+        <div className="grid gap-2">
+          {fields.map((field) => (
+            <FieldBox
+              key={field.id}
+              field={field}
+              palette={colorMap.get(field.id) ?? FIELD_PALETTE[0]}
+              active={hoveredFieldId === field.id}
+              onHoverField={onHoverField}
+            />
+          ))}
+        </div>
+      )}
+    </section>
+  );
+}
+
+export function RawPacketInspectionPanel({ packet, channels }: RawPacketInspectionPanelProps) {
+  const decoderOptions = useMemo(() => createDecoderOptions(channels), [channels]);
+  const groupTextCandidates = useMemo(
+    () => buildGroupTextResolutionCandidates(channels),
+    [channels]
+  );
+  const inspection = useMemo(
+    () => inspectRawPacketWithOptions(packet, decoderOptions),
+    [decoderOptions, packet]
+  );
+  const [hoveredFieldId, setHoveredFieldId] = useState<string | null>(null);
+
+  const packetDisplayFields = useMemo(
+    () => inspection.packetFields.filter((field) => field.name !== 'Payload'),
+    [inspection]
+  );
+  const fullPacketFields = useMemo(() => buildDisplayFields(inspection), [inspection]);
+  const colorMap = useMemo(() => buildFieldColorMap(fullPacketFields), [fullPacketFields]);
+  const packetContext = useMemo(
+    () => getPacketContext(packet, inspection, groupTextCandidates),
+    [groupTextCandidates, inspection, packet]
+  );
+  const packetIsDecrypted = useMemo(
+    () => packetShowsDecryptedState(packet, inspection),
+    [inspection, packet]
+  );
+
+  return (
+    <div className="min-h-0 flex-1 overflow-y-auto p-3">
+      <div className="grid gap-2 lg:grid-cols-[minmax(0,1.45fr)_minmax(0,1fr)]">
+        <section className="rounded-lg border border-border/70 bg-card/70 p-3">
+          <div className="flex flex-wrap items-start justify-between gap-2">
+            <div className="min-w-0">
+              <div className="text-[10px] uppercase tracking-[0.18em] text-muted-foreground">
+                Summary
+              </div>
+              <div className="mt-1 text-base font-semibold leading-tight text-foreground">
+                {inspection.summary.summary}
+              </div>
+            </div>
+            <div className="shrink-0 text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+              {formatTimestamp(packet.timestamp)}
+            </div>
+          </div>
+          {packetContext ? (
+            <div className="mt-2 rounded-md border border-border/60 bg-background/35 px-2.5 py-2">
+              <div className="text-[10px] uppercase tracking-[0.18em] text-muted-foreground">
+                {packetContext.title}
+              </div>
+              <div className="mt-1 text-sm font-medium leading-tight text-foreground">
+                {packetContext.primary}
+              </div>
+              {packetContext.secondary ? (
+                <div className="mt-1 text-xs leading-tight text-muted-foreground">
+                  {packetContext.secondary}
+                </div>
+              ) : null}
+            </div>
+          ) : null}
+        </section>
+
+        <section className="grid gap-2 sm:grid-cols-3 lg:grid-cols-1 xl:grid-cols-3">
+          <CompactMetaCard
+            label="Packet"
+            primary={`${packet.data.length / 2} bytes · ${packetIsDecrypted ? 'Decrypted' : 'Encrypted'}`}
+            secondary={`Storage #${packet.id}${packet.observation_id !== undefined ? ` · Observation #${packet.observation_id}` : ''}`}
+          />
+          <CompactMetaCard
+            label="Transport"
+            primary={`${inspection.routeTypeName} · ${inspection.payloadTypeName}`}
+            secondary={`${inspection.payloadVersionName} · ${formatPathMode(inspection.decoded?.pathHashSize, inspection.pathTokens.length)}`}
+          />
+          <CompactMetaCard
+            label="Signal"
+            primary={formatSignal(packet)}
+            secondary={packetContext ? null : undefined}
+          />
+        </section>
+      </div>
+
+      {inspection.validationErrors.length > 0 ? (
+        <div className="mt-3 rounded-lg border border-warning/40 bg-warning/10 p-2.5">
+          <div className="text-sm font-semibold text-foreground">Validation notes</div>
+          <div className="mt-1.5 space-y-1 text-sm text-foreground">
+            {inspection.validationErrors.map((error) => (
+              <div key={error}>{error}</div>
+            ))}
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      ) : null}
+
+      <div className="mt-3 rounded-lg border border-border/70 bg-card/70 p-3">
+        <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-3">
+          <div className="text-xl font-semibold text-foreground">Full packet hex</div>
+          <Button
+            type="button"
+            variant="outline"
+            size="sm"
+            onClick={() => {
+              navigator.clipboard.writeText(packet.data);
+              toast.success('Packet hex copied!');
+            }}
+          >
+            Copy
+          </Button>
+        </div>
+        <div className="mt-2.5">
+          <FullPacketHex
+            packetHex={packet.data}
+            fields={fullPacketFields}
+            colorMap={colorMap}
+            hoveredFieldId={hoveredFieldId}
+            onHoverField={setHoveredFieldId}
+          />
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <div className="mt-3 grid gap-3 xl:grid-cols-[minmax(0,0.85fr)_minmax(0,1.15fr)]">
+        <FieldSection
+          title="Packet fields"
+          fields={packetDisplayFields}
+          colorMap={colorMap}
+          hoveredFieldId={hoveredFieldId}
+          onHoverField={setHoveredFieldId}
+        />
+
+        <FieldSection
+          title="Payload fields"
+          fields={inspection.payloadFields}
+          colorMap={colorMap}
+          hoveredFieldId={hoveredFieldId}
+          onHoverField={setHoveredFieldId}
+        />
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+export function RawPacketInspectorDialog({
+  open,
+  onOpenChange,
+  channels,
+  source,
+  title,
+  description,
+  notice,
+}: RawPacketInspectorDialogProps) {
+  const [packetInput, setPacketInput] = useState('');
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!open || source.kind !== 'paste') {
+      setPacketInput('');
+    }
+  }, [open, source.kind]);
+
+  const normalizedPacketInput = useMemo(() => normalizePacketHex(packetInput), [packetInput]);
+  const packetInputError = useMemo(
+    () => (normalizedPacketInput.length > 0 ? validatePacketHex(normalizedPacketInput) : null),
+    [normalizedPacketInput]
+  );
+  const analyzedPacket = useMemo(
+    () =>
+      normalizedPacketInput.length > 0 && packetInputError === null
+        ? buildPastedRawPacket(normalizedPacketInput)
+        : null,
+    [normalizedPacketInput, packetInputError]
+  );
+
+  let body: ReactNode;
+  if (source.kind === 'packet') {
+    body = <RawPacketInspectionPanel packet={source.packet} channels={channels} />;
+  } else if (source.kind === 'paste') {
+    body = (
+      <>
+        <div className="border-b border-border px-4 py-3 pr-14">
+          <div className="flex flex-col gap-3">
+            <label className="text-sm font-medium text-foreground" htmlFor="raw-packet-input">
+              Packet Hex
+            </label>
+            <textarea
+              id="raw-packet-input"
+              value={packetInput}
+              onChange={(event) => setPacketInput(event.target.value)}
+              placeholder="Paste raw packet hex here..."
+              className="min-h-14 w-full rounded-md border border-input bg-background px-3 py-2 font-mono text-sm text-foreground outline-none transition-colors focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring"
+              spellCheck={false}
+            />
+            {packetInputError ? (
+              <div className="text-sm text-destructive">{packetInputError}</div>
+            ) : null}
+          </div>
+        </div>
+        {analyzedPacket ? (
+          <RawPacketInspectionPanel packet={analyzedPacket} channels={channels} />
+        ) : (
+          <div className="flex flex-1 items-center justify-center p-6 text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+            Paste a packet above to inspect it.
+          </div>
+        )}
+      </>
+    );
+  } else if (source.kind === 'loading') {
+    body = (
+      <div className="flex flex-1 items-center justify-center p-6 text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+        {source.message}
+      </div>
+    );
+  } else {
+    body = (
+      <div className="flex flex-1 items-center justify-center p-6">
+        <div className="max-w-xl rounded-lg border border-warning/40 bg-warning/10 p-4 text-sm text-foreground">
+          {source.message}
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    );
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <Dialog open={open} onOpenChange={onOpenChange}>
+      <DialogContent className="flex h-[92vh] max-w-[min(96vw,82rem)] flex-col gap-0 overflow-hidden p-0">
+        <DialogHeader className="border-b border-border px-5 py-3">
+          <DialogTitle>{title}</DialogTitle>
+          <DialogDescription className="sr-only">{description}</DialogDescription>
+        </DialogHeader>
+        {notice ? (
+          <div className="border-b border-border px-3 py-3 text-sm text-foreground">
+            <div className="rounded-md border border-destructive/40 bg-destructive/10 px-3 py-2 text-destructive">
+              {notice}
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        ) : null}
+        {body}
+      </DialogContent>
+    </Dialog>
+  );
+}
+
+export function RawPacketDetailModal({ packet, channels, onClose }: RawPacketDetailModalProps) {
+  if (!packet) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <RawPacketInspectorDialog
+      open={packet !== null}
+      onOpenChange={(isOpen) => !isOpen && onClose()}
+      channels={channels}
+      source={{ kind: 'packet', packet }}
+      title="Packet Details"
+      description="Detailed byte and field breakdown for the selected raw packet."
+    />
+  );
+}

frontend/src/components/RawPacketFeedView.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,637 @@
+import { useEffect, useMemo, useState } from 'react';
+import { ChevronLeft, ChevronRight } from 'lucide-react';
+
+import { RawPacketList } from './RawPacketList';
+import { RawPacketInspectorDialog } from './RawPacketDetailModal';
+import { Button } from './ui/button';
+import type { Channel, Contact, RawPacket } from '../types';
+import {
+  RAW_PACKET_STATS_WINDOWS,
+  buildRawPacketStatsSnapshot,
+  type NeighborStat,
+  type PacketTimelineBin,
+  type RankedPacketStat,
+  type RawPacketStatsSessionState,
+  type RawPacketStatsWindow,
+} from '../utils/rawPacketStats';
+import { getContactDisplayName } from '../utils/pubkey';
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
+
+interface RawPacketFeedViewProps {
+  packets: RawPacket[];
+  rawPacketStatsSession: RawPacketStatsSessionState;
+  contacts: Contact[];
+  channels: Channel[];
+}
+
+const WINDOW_LABELS: Record<RawPacketStatsWindow, string> = {
+  '1m': '1 min',
+  '5m': '5 min',
+  '10m': '10 min',
+  '30m': '30 min',
+  session: 'Session',
+};
+
+const TIMELINE_COLORS = [
+  'bg-sky-500/80',
+  'bg-emerald-500/80',
+  'bg-amber-500/80',
+  'bg-rose-500/80',
+  'bg-violet-500/80',
+];
+
+function formatTimestamp(timestampMs: number): string {
+  return new Date(timestampMs).toLocaleString([], {
+    month: 'short',
+    day: 'numeric',
+    hour: '2-digit',
+    minute: '2-digit',
+    second: '2-digit',
+  });
+}
+
+function formatDuration(seconds: number): string {
+  if (seconds < 60) {
+    return `${Math.max(1, Math.round(seconds))} sec`;
+  }
+  if (seconds < 3600) {
+    const minutes = Math.floor(seconds / 60);
+    const remainder = Math.round(seconds % 60);
+    return remainder > 0 ? `${minutes}m ${remainder}s` : `${minutes}m`;
+  }
+  const hours = Math.floor(seconds / 3600);
+  const minutes = Math.round((seconds % 3600) / 60);
+  return minutes > 0 ? `${hours}h ${minutes}m` : `${hours}h`;
+}
+
+function formatRate(value: number): string {
+  if (value >= 100) return value.toFixed(0);
+  if (value >= 10) return value.toFixed(1);
+  return value.toFixed(2);
+}
+
+function formatPercent(value: number): string {
+  return `${Math.round(value * 100)}%`;
+}
+
+function formatRssi(value: number | null): string {
+  return value === null ? '-' : `${Math.round(value)} dBm`;
+}
+
+function normalizeResolvableSourceKey(sourceKey: string): string {
+  return sourceKey.startsWith('hash1:') ? sourceKey.slice(6) : sourceKey;
+}
+
+function resolveContact(sourceKey: string | null, contacts: Contact[]): Contact | null {
+  if (!sourceKey || sourceKey.startsWith('name:')) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const normalizedSourceKey = normalizeResolvableSourceKey(sourceKey).toLowerCase();
+  const matches = contacts.filter((contact) =>
+    contact.public_key.toLowerCase().startsWith(normalizedSourceKey)
+  );
+  if (matches.length !== 1) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  return matches[0];
+}
+
+function resolveContactLabel(sourceKey: string | null, contacts: Contact[]): string | null {
+  const contact = resolveContact(sourceKey, contacts);
+  if (!contact) {
+    return null;
+  }
+  return getContactDisplayName(contact.name, contact.public_key, contact.last_advert);
+}
+
+function resolveNeighbor(item: NeighborStat, contacts: Contact[]): NeighborStat {
+  return {
+    ...item,
+    label: resolveContactLabel(item.key, contacts) ?? item.label,
+  };
+}
+
+function mergeResolvedNeighbors(items: NeighborStat[], contacts: Contact[]): NeighborStat[] {
+  const merged = new Map<string, NeighborStat>();
+
+  for (const item of items) {
+    const contact = resolveContact(item.key, contacts);
+    const canonicalKey = contact?.public_key ?? item.key;
+    const resolvedLabel =
+      contact != null
+        ? getContactDisplayName(contact.name, contact.public_key, contact.last_advert)
+        : item.label;
+    const existing = merged.get(canonicalKey);
+
+    if (!existing) {
+      merged.set(canonicalKey, {
+        ...item,
+        key: canonicalKey,
+        label: resolvedLabel,
+      });
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    existing.count += item.count;
+    existing.lastSeen = Math.max(existing.lastSeen, item.lastSeen);
+    existing.bestRssi =
+      existing.bestRssi === null
+        ? item.bestRssi
+        : item.bestRssi === null
+          ? existing.bestRssi
+          : Math.max(existing.bestRssi, item.bestRssi);
+    existing.label = resolvedLabel;
+  }
+
+  return Array.from(merged.values());
+}
+
+function isNeighborIdentityResolvable(item: NeighborStat, contacts: Contact[]): boolean {
+  if (item.key.startsWith('name:')) {
+    return true;
+  }
+  return resolveContact(item.key, contacts) !== null;
+}
+
+function formatStrongestPacketDetail(
+  stats: ReturnType<typeof buildRawPacketStatsSnapshot>,
+  contacts: Contact[]
+): string | undefined {
+  if (!stats.strongestPacketPayloadType) {
+    return undefined;
+  }
+
+  const resolvedLabel =
+    resolveContactLabel(stats.strongestPacketSourceKey, contacts) ??
+    stats.strongestPacketSourceLabel;
+  if (resolvedLabel) {
+    return `${resolvedLabel} · ${stats.strongestPacketPayloadType}`;
+  }
+  if (stats.strongestPacketPayloadType === 'GroupText') {
+    return '<unknown sender> · GroupText';
+  }
+  return stats.strongestPacketPayloadType;
+}
+
+function getCoverageMessage(
+  stats: ReturnType<typeof buildRawPacketStatsSnapshot>,
+  session: RawPacketStatsSessionState
+): { tone: 'default' | 'warning'; message: string } {
+  if (session.trimmedObservationCount > 0 && stats.window === 'session') {
+    return {
+      tone: 'warning',
+      message: `Detailed session history was trimmed after ${session.totalObservedPackets.toLocaleString()} observations.`,
+    };
+  }
+
+  if (!stats.windowFullyCovered) {
+    return {
+      tone: 'warning',
+      message: `This window is only covered for ${formatDuration(stats.coverageSeconds)} of frontend-collected history.`,
+    };
+  }
+
+  return {
+    tone: 'default',
+    message: `Tracking ${session.observations.length.toLocaleString()} detailed observations from this browser session.`,
+  };
+}
+
+function StatTile({ label, value, detail }: { label: string; value: string; detail?: string }) {
+  return (
+    <div className="break-inside-avoid rounded-lg border border-border/70 bg-card/80 p-3">
+      <div className="text-[11px] uppercase tracking-wide text-muted-foreground">{label}</div>
+      <div className="mt-1 text-xl font-semibold tabular-nums text-foreground">{value}</div>
+      {detail ? <div className="mt-1 text-xs text-muted-foreground">{detail}</div> : null}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+function RankedBars({
+  title,
+  items,
+  emptyLabel,
+  formatter,
+}: {
+  title: string;
+  items: RankedPacketStat[];
+  emptyLabel: string;
+  formatter?: (item: RankedPacketStat) => string;
+}) {
+  const maxCount = Math.max(...items.map((item) => item.count), 1);
+
+  return (
+    <section className="mb-4 break-inside-avoid rounded-lg border border-border/70 bg-card/70 p-3">
+      <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-foreground">{title}</h3>
+      {items.length === 0 ? (
+        <p className="mt-3 text-sm text-muted-foreground">{emptyLabel}</p>
+      ) : (
+        <div className="mt-3 space-y-2">
+          {items.map((item) => (
+            <div key={item.label}>
+              <div className="mb-1 flex items-center justify-between gap-3 text-xs">
+                <span className="truncate text-foreground">{item.label}</span>
+                <span className="shrink-0 tabular-nums text-muted-foreground">
+                  {formatter
+                    ? formatter(item)
+                    : `${item.count.toLocaleString()} · ${formatPercent(item.share)}`}
+                </span>
+              </div>
+              <div className="h-2 overflow-hidden rounded-full bg-muted">
+                <div
+                  className="h-full rounded-full bg-primary/80"
+                  style={{ width: `${(item.count / maxCount) * 100}%` }}
+                />
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          ))}
+        </div>
+      )}
+    </section>
+  );
+}
+
+function NeighborList({
+  title,
+  items,
+  emptyLabel,
+  mode,
+  contacts,
+}: {
+  title: string;
+  items: NeighborStat[];
+  emptyLabel: string;
+  mode: 'heard' | 'signal' | 'recent';
+  contacts: Contact[];
+}) {
+  const mergedItems = mergeResolvedNeighbors(items, contacts);
+  const sortedItems = [...mergedItems].sort((a, b) => {
+    if (mode === 'heard') {
+      return b.count - a.count || b.lastSeen - a.lastSeen || a.label.localeCompare(b.label);
+    }
+    if (mode === 'signal') {
+      return (
+        (b.bestRssi ?? Number.NEGATIVE_INFINITY) - (a.bestRssi ?? Number.NEGATIVE_INFINITY) ||
+        b.count - a.count ||
+        a.label.localeCompare(b.label)
+      );
+    }
+    return b.lastSeen - a.lastSeen || b.count - a.count || a.label.localeCompare(b.label);
+  });
+
+  return (
+    <section className="mb-4 break-inside-avoid rounded-lg border border-border/70 bg-card/70 p-3">
+      <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-foreground">{title}</h3>
+      {sortedItems.length === 0 ? (
+        <p className="mt-3 text-sm text-muted-foreground">{emptyLabel}</p>
+      ) : (
+        <div className="mt-3 space-y-2">
+          {sortedItems.map((item) => (
+            <div
+              key={item.key}
+              className="flex items-center justify-between gap-3 rounded-md bg-background/70 px-2 py-1.5"
+            >
+              <div className="min-w-0">
+                <div className="truncate text-sm text-foreground">{item.label}</div>
+                <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+                  {mode === 'heard'
+                    ? `${item.count.toLocaleString()} packets`
+                    : mode === 'signal'
+                      ? `${formatRssi(item.bestRssi)} best`
+                      : `Last seen ${new Date(item.lastSeen * 1000).toLocaleTimeString([], { hour: '2-digit', minute: '2-digit' })}`}
+                </div>
+                {!isNeighborIdentityResolvable(item, contacts) ? (
+                  <div className="text-[11px] text-warning">Identity not resolvable</div>
+                ) : null}
+              </div>
+              {mode !== 'signal' ? (
+                <div className="shrink-0 text-xs tabular-nums text-muted-foreground">
+                  {mode === 'recent' ? formatRssi(item.bestRssi) : formatRssi(item.bestRssi)}
+                </div>
+              ) : null}
+            </div>
+          ))}
+        </div>
+      )}
+    </section>
+  );
+}
+
+function TimelineChart({ bins }: { bins: PacketTimelineBin[] }) {
+  const maxTotal = Math.max(...bins.map((bin) => bin.total), 1);
+  const typeOrder = Array.from(new Set(bins.flatMap((bin) => Object.keys(bin.countsByType)))).slice(
+    0,
+    TIMELINE_COLORS.length
+  );
+
+  return (
+    <section className="mb-4 break-inside-avoid rounded-lg border border-border/70 bg-card/70 p-3">
+      <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-3">
+        <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-foreground">Traffic Timeline</h3>
+        <div className="flex flex-wrap justify-end gap-2 text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">
+          {typeOrder.map((type, index) => (
+            <span key={type} className="inline-flex items-center gap-1">
+              <span className={cn('h-2 w-2 rounded-full', TIMELINE_COLORS[index])} />
+              <span>{type}</span>
+            </span>
+          ))}
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <div className="mt-3 flex items-start gap-1">
+        {bins.map((bin, index) => (
+          <div
+            key={`${bin.label}-${index}`}
+            className="flex min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col items-center gap-1"
+          >
+            <div className="flex h-24 w-full items-end overflow-hidden rounded-sm bg-muted/60">
+              <div className="flex h-full w-full flex-col justify-end">
+                {typeOrder.map((type, index) => {
+                  const count = bin.countsByType[type] ?? 0;
+                  if (count === 0) return null;
+                  return (
+                    <div
+                      key={type}
+                      className={cn('w-full', TIMELINE_COLORS[index])}
+                      style={{
+                        height: `${(count / maxTotal) * 100}%`,
+                      }}
+                      title={`${bin.label}: ${type} ${count.toLocaleString()}`}
+                    />
+                  );
+                })}
+              </div>
+            </div>
+            <div className="text-[10px] text-muted-foreground">{bin.label}</div>
+          </div>
+        ))}
+      </div>
+    </section>
+  );
+}
+
+export function RawPacketFeedView({
+  packets,
+  rawPacketStatsSession,
+  contacts,
+  channels,
+}: RawPacketFeedViewProps) {
+  const [statsOpen, setStatsOpen] = useState(() =>
+    typeof window !== 'undefined' && typeof window.matchMedia === 'function'
+      ? window.matchMedia('(min-width: 768px)').matches
+      : false
+  );
+  const [selectedWindow, setSelectedWindow] = useState<RawPacketStatsWindow>('10m');
+  const [nowSec, setNowSec] = useState(() => Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000));
+  const [selectedPacket, setSelectedPacket] = useState<RawPacket | null>(null);
+  const [analyzeModalOpen, setAnalyzeModalOpen] = useState(false);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const interval = window.setInterval(() => {
+      setNowSec(Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000));
+    }, 30000);
+    return () => window.clearInterval(interval);
+  }, []);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    setNowSec(Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000));
+  }, [packets, rawPacketStatsSession]);
+
+  const stats = useMemo(
+    () => buildRawPacketStatsSnapshot(rawPacketStatsSession, selectedWindow, nowSec),
+    [nowSec, rawPacketStatsSession, selectedWindow]
+  );
+  const coverageMessage = getCoverageMessage(stats, rawPacketStatsSession);
+  const strongestPacketDetail = useMemo(
+    () => formatStrongestPacketDetail(stats, contacts),
+    [contacts, stats]
+  );
+  const strongestNeighbors = useMemo(
+    () => stats.strongestNeighbors.map((item) => resolveNeighbor(item, contacts)),
+    [contacts, stats.strongestNeighbors]
+  );
+  const mostActiveNeighbors = useMemo(
+    () => stats.mostActiveNeighbors.map((item) => resolveNeighbor(item, contacts)),
+    [contacts, stats.mostActiveNeighbors]
+  );
+  const newestNeighbors = useMemo(
+    () => stats.newestNeighbors.map((item) => resolveNeighbor(item, contacts)),
+    [contacts, stats.newestNeighbors]
+  );
+  return (
+    <>
+      <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-3 border-b border-border px-4 py-2.5">
+        <div>
+          <h2 className="font-semibold text-base text-foreground">Raw Packet Feed</h2>
+          <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+            Collecting stats since {formatTimestamp(rawPacketStatsSession.sessionStartedAt)}
+          </p>
+        </div>
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+          <Button
+            type="button"
+            variant="outline"
+            size="sm"
+            onClick={() => setAnalyzeModalOpen(true)}
+          >
+            Analyze Packet
+          </Button>
+          <Button
+            type="button"
+            variant="outline"
+            size="sm"
+            onClick={() => setStatsOpen((current) => !current)}
+            aria-expanded={statsOpen}
+          >
+            {statsOpen ? <ChevronRight className="h-4 w-4" /> : <ChevronLeft className="h-4 w-4" />}
+            {statsOpen ? 'Hide Stats' : 'Show Stats'}
+          </Button>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <div className="flex min-h-0 flex-1 flex-col md:flex-row">
+        <div className={cn('min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-1', statsOpen && 'md:border-r md:border-border')}>
+          <RawPacketList packets={packets} channels={channels} onPacketClick={setSelectedPacket} />
+        </div>
+
+        <aside
+          className={cn(
+            'shrink-0 overflow-hidden border-t border-border transition-all duration-300 md:border-l md:border-t-0',
+            statsOpen
+              ? 'max-h-[42rem] md:max-h-none md:w-1/2 md:min-w-[30rem]'
+              : 'max-h-0 md:w-0 md:min-w-0 border-transparent'
+          )}
+        >
+          {statsOpen ? (
+            <div className="h-full overflow-y-auto bg-background p-4 [contain:layout_paint]">
+              <div className="break-inside-avoid rounded-lg border border-border/70 bg-card/70 p-3">
+                <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-3">
+                  <div>
+                    <div className="text-[11px] uppercase tracking-wide text-muted-foreground">
+                      Coverage
+                    </div>
+                    <div
+                      className={cn(
+                        'mt-1 text-sm',
+                        coverageMessage.tone === 'warning'
+                          ? 'text-warning'
+                          : 'text-muted-foreground'
+                      )}
+                    >
+                      {coverageMessage.message}
+                    </div>
+                  </div>
+                  <label className="flex items-center gap-2 text-sm text-foreground">
+                    <span className="text-muted-foreground">Window</span>
+                    <select
+                      value={selectedWindow}
+                      onChange={(event) =>
+                        setSelectedWindow(event.target.value as RawPacketStatsWindow)
+                      }
+                      className="rounded-md border border-input bg-background px-2 py-1 text-sm"
+                      aria-label="Stats window"
+                    >
+                      {RAW_PACKET_STATS_WINDOWS.map((option) => (
+                        <option key={option} value={option}>
+                          {WINDOW_LABELS[option]}
+                        </option>
+                      ))}
+                    </select>
+                  </label>
+                </div>
+                <div className="mt-2 text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+                  {stats.packetCount.toLocaleString()} packets in{' '}
+                  {WINDOW_LABELS[selectedWindow].toLowerCase()} window
+                  {' · '}
+                  {rawPacketStatsSession.totalObservedPackets.toLocaleString()} observed this
+                  session
+                </div>
+              </div>
+
+              <div className="mt-4 grid grid-cols-2 gap-3 md:grid-cols-3">
+                <StatTile
+                  label="Packets / min"
+                  value={formatRate(stats.packetsPerMinute)}
+                  detail={`${stats.packetCount.toLocaleString()} total in window`}
+                />
+                <StatTile
+                  label="Unique Sources"
+                  value={stats.uniqueSources.toLocaleString()}
+                  detail="Distinct identified senders"
+                />
+                <StatTile
+                  label="Decrypt Rate"
+                  value={formatPercent(stats.decryptRate)}
+                  detail={`${stats.decryptedCount.toLocaleString()} decrypted / ${stats.undecryptedCount.toLocaleString()} locked`}
+                />
+                <StatTile
+                  label="Path Diversity"
+                  value={stats.distinctPaths.toLocaleString()}
+                  detail={`${formatPercent(stats.pathBearingRate)} path-bearing packets`}
+                />
+                <StatTile
+                  label="Best RSSI"
+                  value={formatRssi(stats.bestRssi)}
+                  detail={strongestPacketDetail ?? 'No signal sample in window'}
+                />
+                <StatTile
+                  label="Median RSSI"
+                  value={formatRssi(stats.medianRssi)}
+                  detail={
+                    stats.averageRssi === null
+                      ? 'No signal sample in window'
+                      : `Average ${formatRssi(stats.averageRssi)}`
+                  }
+                />
+              </div>
+
+              <div className="mt-4">
+                <TimelineChart bins={stats.timeline} />
+              </div>
+
+              <div className="md:columns-2 md:gap-4">
+                <RankedBars
+                  title="Packet Types"
+                  items={stats.payloadBreakdown}
+                  emptyLabel="No packets in this window yet."
+                />
+
+                <RankedBars
+                  title="Route Mix"
+                  items={stats.routeBreakdown}
+                  emptyLabel="No packets in this window yet."
+                />
+
+                <RankedBars
+                  title="Hop Profile"
+                  items={stats.hopProfile}
+                  emptyLabel="No packets in this window yet."
+                />
+
+                <RankedBars
+                  title="Hop Byte Width"
+                  items={stats.hopByteWidthProfile}
+                  emptyLabel="No packets in this window yet."
+                />
+
+                <RankedBars
+                  title="Signal Distribution"
+                  items={stats.rssiBuckets}
+                  emptyLabel="No RSSI samples in this window yet."
+                />
+
+                <NeighborList
+                  title="Most-Heard Neighbors"
+                  items={mostActiveNeighbors}
+                  emptyLabel="No sender identities resolved in this window yet."
+                  mode="heard"
+                  contacts={contacts}
+                />
+
+                <NeighborList
+                  title="Strongest Recent Neighbors"
+                  items={strongestNeighbors}
+                  emptyLabel="No RSSI-tagged neighbors in this window yet."
+                  mode="signal"
+                  contacts={contacts}
+                />
+
+                <NeighborList
+                  title="Newest Heard Neighbors"
+                  items={newestNeighbors}
+                  emptyLabel="No newly identified neighbors in this window yet."
+                  mode="recent"
+                  contacts={contacts}
+                />
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          ) : null}
+        </aside>
+      </div>
+
+      <RawPacketInspectorDialog
+        open={selectedPacket !== null}
+        onOpenChange={(isOpen) => !isOpen && setSelectedPacket(null)}
+        channels={channels}
+        source={
+          selectedPacket
+            ? { kind: 'packet', packet: selectedPacket }
+            : { kind: 'loading', message: 'Loading packet...' }
+        }
+        title="Packet Details"
+        description="Detailed byte and field breakdown for the selected raw packet."
+      />
+
+      <RawPacketInspectorDialog
+        open={analyzeModalOpen}
+        onOpenChange={setAnalyzeModalOpen}
+        channels={channels}
+        source={{ kind: 'paste' }}
+        title="Analyze Packet"
+        description="Paste and inspect a raw packet hex string."
+      />
+    </>
+  );
+}

frontend/src/components/RawPacketList.tsx

@@ -1,11 +1,13 @@
 import { useEffect, useRef, useMemo } from 'react';
-import { MeshCoreDecoder, PayloadType, Utils } from '@michaelhart/meshcore-decoder';
-import type { RawPacket } from '../types';
+import type { Channel, RawPacket } from '../types';
 import { getRawPacketObservationKey } from '../utils/rawPacketIdentity';
+import { createDecoderOptions, decodePacketSummary } from '../utils/rawPacketInspector';
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
 
 interface RawPacketListProps {
   packets: RawPacket[];
+  channels?: Channel[];
+  onPacketClick?: (packet: RawPacket) => void;
 }
 
 function formatTime(timestamp: number): string {
@@ -24,132 +26,6 @@ function formatSignalInfo(packet: RawPacket): string {
   return parts.join(' | ');
 }
 
-// Decrypted info from the packet (validated by backend)
-interface DecryptedInfo {
-  channel_name: string | null;
-  sender: string | null;
-}
-
-// Decode a packet and generate a human-readable summary
-// Uses backend's decrypted_info when available (validated), falls back to decoder
-function decodePacketSummary(
-  hexData: string,
-  decryptedInfo: DecryptedInfo | null
-): {
-  summary: string;
-  routeType: string;
-  details?: string;
-} {
-  try {
-    const decoded = MeshCoreDecoder.decode(hexData);
-
-    if (!decoded.isValid) {
-      return { summary: 'Invalid packet', routeType: 'Unknown' };
-    }
-
-    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 = pathTokens.length > 0 ? ` via ${pathTokens.join('-')}` : '';
-
-    // Generate summary based on payload type
-    let summary = payloadTypeName;
-    let details: string | undefined;
-
-    switch (decoded.payloadType) {
-      case PayloadType.TextMessage: {
-        const payload = decoded.payload.decoded as {
-          destinationHash?: string;
-          sourceHash?: string;
-        } | null;
-        if (payload?.sourceHash && payload?.destinationHash) {
-          summary = `DM from ${payload.sourceHash} to ${payload.destinationHash}${pathStr}`;
-        } else {
-          summary = `DM${pathStr}`;
-        }
-        break;
-      }
-
-      case PayloadType.GroupText: {
-        const payload = decoded.payload.decoded as {
-          channelHash?: string;
-        } | null;
-        // Use backend's validated decrypted_info when available
-        if (decryptedInfo?.channel_name) {
-          if (decryptedInfo.sender) {
-            summary = `GT from ${decryptedInfo.sender} in ${decryptedInfo.channel_name}${pathStr}`;
-          } else {
-            summary = `GT in ${decryptedInfo.channel_name}${pathStr}`;
-          }
-        } else if (payload?.channelHash) {
-          // Fallback to showing channel hash when not decrypted
-          summary = `GT ch:${payload.channelHash}${pathStr}`;
-        } else {
-          summary = `GroupText${pathStr}`;
-        }
-        break;
-      }
-
-      case PayloadType.Advert: {
-        const payload = decoded.payload.decoded as {
-          publicKey?: string;
-          appData?: { name?: string; deviceRole?: number };
-        } | null;
-        if (payload?.appData?.name) {
-          const role =
-            payload.appData.deviceRole !== undefined
-              ? Utils.getDeviceRoleName(payload.appData.deviceRole)
-              : '';
-          summary = `Advert: ${payload.appData.name}${role ? ` (${role})` : ''}${pathStr}`;
-        } else if (payload?.publicKey) {
-          summary = `Advert: ${payload.publicKey.slice(0, 8)}...${pathStr}`;
-        } else {
-          summary = `Advert${pathStr}`;
-        }
-        break;
-      }
-
-      case PayloadType.Ack: {
-        summary = `ACK${pathStr}`;
-        break;
-      }
-
-      case PayloadType.Request: {
-        summary = `Request${pathStr}`;
-        break;
-      }
-
-      case PayloadType.Response: {
-        summary = `Response${pathStr}`;
-        break;
-      }
-
-      case PayloadType.Trace: {
-        summary = `Trace${pathStr}`;
-        break;
-      }
-
-      case PayloadType.Path: {
-        summary = `Path${pathStr}`;
-        break;
-      }
-
-      default:
-        summary = `${payloadTypeName}${pathStr}`;
-    }
-
-    return { summary, routeType, details };
-  } catch {
-    return { summary: 'Decode error', routeType: 'Unknown' };
-  }
-}
-
 // Get route type badge color
 function getRouteTypeColor(routeType: string): string {
   switch (routeType) {
@@ -182,16 +58,17 @@ function getRouteTypeLabel(routeType: string): string {
   }
 }
 
-export function RawPacketList({ packets }: RawPacketListProps) {
+export function RawPacketList({ packets, channels, onPacketClick }: RawPacketListProps) {
   const listRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  const decoderOptions = useMemo(() => createDecoderOptions(channels), [channels]);
 
   // Decode all packets (memoized to avoid re-decoding on every render)
   const decodedPackets = useMemo(() => {
     return packets.map((packet) => ({
       packet,
-      decoded: decodePacketSummary(packet.data, packet.decrypted_info),
+      decoded: decodePacketSummary(packet, decoderOptions),
     }));
-  }, [packets]);
+  }, [decoderOptions, packets]);
 
   // Sort packets by timestamp ascending (oldest first)
   const sortedPackets = useMemo(
@@ -218,54 +95,78 @@ export function RawPacketList({ packets }: RawPacketListProps) {
       className="h-full overflow-y-auto p-4 flex flex-col gap-2 [contain:layout_paint]"
       ref={listRef}
     >
-      {sortedPackets.map(({ packet, decoded }) => (
-        <div
-          key={getRawPacketObservationKey(packet)}
-          className="py-2 px-3 bg-card rounded-md border border-border/50"
-        >
-          <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-            {/* Route type badge */}
-            <span
-              className={`text-[10px] font-mono px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded ${getRouteTypeColor(decoded.routeType)}`}
-              title={decoded.routeType}
-            >
-              {getRouteTypeLabel(decoded.routeType)}
-            </span>
+      {sortedPackets.map(({ packet, decoded }) => {
+        const cardContent = (
+          <>
+            <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+              {/* Route type badge */}
+              <span
+                className={`text-[10px] font-mono px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded ${getRouteTypeColor(decoded.routeType)}`}
+                title={decoded.routeType}
+              >
+                {getRouteTypeLabel(decoded.routeType)}
+              </span>
 
-            {/* Encryption status */}
-            {!packet.decrypted && (
-              <>
-                <span aria-hidden="true">🔒</span>
-                <span className="sr-only">Encrypted</span>
-              </>
+              {/* Encryption status */}
+              {!packet.decrypted && (
+                <>
+                  <span aria-hidden="true">🔒</span>
+                  <span className="sr-only">Encrypted</span>
+                </>
+              )}
+
+              {/* Summary */}
+              <span
+                className={cn('text-[13px]', packet.decrypted ? 'text-primary' : 'text-foreground')}
+              >
+                {decoded.summary}
+              </span>
+
+              {/* Time */}
+              <span className="text-muted-foreground ml-auto text-[12px] tabular-nums">
+                {formatTime(packet.timestamp)}
+              </span>
+            </div>
+
+            {/* Signal info */}
+            {(packet.snr !== null || packet.rssi !== null) && (
+              <div className="text-[11px] text-muted-foreground mt-0.5 tabular-nums">
+                {formatSignalInfo(packet)}
+              </div>
             )}
 
-            {/* Summary */}
-            <span
-              className={cn('text-[13px]', packet.decrypted ? 'text-primary' : 'text-foreground')}
-            >
-              {decoded.summary}
-            </span>
-
-            {/* Time */}
-            <span className="text-muted-foreground ml-auto text-[12px] tabular-nums">
-              {formatTime(packet.timestamp)}
-            </span>
-          </div>
-
-          {/* Signal info */}
-          {(packet.snr !== null || packet.rssi !== null) && (
-            <div className="text-[11px] text-muted-foreground mt-0.5 tabular-nums">
-              {formatSignalInfo(packet)}
+            {/* Raw hex data (always visible) */}
+            <div className="font-mono text-[10px] break-all text-muted-foreground mt-1.5 p-1.5 bg-background/60 rounded">
+              {packet.data.toUpperCase()}
             </div>
-          )}
+          </>
+        );
 
-          {/* Raw hex data (always visible) */}
-          <div className="font-mono text-[10px] break-all text-muted-foreground mt-1.5 p-1.5 bg-background/60 rounded">
-            {packet.data.toUpperCase()}
+        const className = cn(
+          'rounded-md border border-border/50 bg-card px-3 py-2 text-left',
+          onPacketClick &&
+            'cursor-pointer transition-colors hover:bg-accent/40 focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring'
+        );
+
+        if (onPacketClick) {
+          return (
+            <button
+              key={getRawPacketObservationKey(packet)}
+              type="button"
+              onClick={() => onPacketClick(packet)}
+              className={className}
+            >
+              {cardContent}
+            </button>
+          );
+        }
+
+        return (
+          <div key={getRawPacketObservationKey(packet)} className={className}>
+            {cardContent}
           </div>
-        </div>
-      ))}
+        );
+      })}
     </div>
   );
 }

frontend/src/components/RepeaterDashboard.tsx

@@ -5,11 +5,14 @@ import { Button } from './ui/button';
 import { Bell, Route, Star, Trash2 } from 'lucide-react';
 import { DirectTraceIcon } from './DirectTraceIcon';
 import { RepeaterLogin } from './RepeaterLogin';
+import { useRememberedServerPassword } from '../hooks/useRememberedServerPassword';
 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, PathDiscoveryResponse } from '../types';
+import { cn } from '../lib/utils';
 import { TelemetryPane } from './repeater/RepeaterTelemetryPane';
 import { NeighborsPane } from './repeater/RepeaterNeighborsPane';
 import { AclPane } from './repeater/RepeaterAclPane';
@@ -60,6 +63,8 @@ export function RepeaterDashboard({
   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,
@@ -77,10 +82,19 @@ export function RepeaterDashboard({
     sendFloodAdvert,
     rebootRepeater,
     syncClock,
-  } = useRepeaterDashboard(conversation);
+  } = useRepeaterDashboard(conversation, { hasAdvertLocation });
+  const { password, setPassword, rememberPassword, setRememberPassword, persistAfterLogin } =
+    useRememberedServerPassword('repeater', conversation.id);
 
-  const contact = contacts.find((c) => c.public_key === conversation.id);
   const isFav = isFavorite(favorites, 'contact', conversation.id);
+  const handleRepeaterLogin = async (nextPassword: string) => {
+    await login(nextPassword);
+    persistAfterLogin(nextPassword);
+  };
+  const handleRepeaterGuestLogin = async () => {
+    await loginAsGuest();
+    persistAfterLogin('');
+  };
 
   // Loading all panes indicator
   const anyLoading = Object.values(paneStates).some((s) => s.loading);
@@ -88,8 +102,15 @@ export function RepeaterDashboard({
   return (
     <div className="flex-1 flex flex-col min-h-0">
       {/* Header */}
-      <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">
+      <header
+        className={cn(
+          'grid items-start gap-x-2 gap-y-0.5 border-b border-border px-4 py-2.5',
+          contact
+            ? 'grid-cols-[minmax(0,1fr)_auto] min-[1100px]:grid-cols-[minmax(0,1fr)_auto_auto]'
+            : 'grid-cols-[minmax(0,1fr)_auto]'
+        )}
+      >
+        <span className="flex min-w-0 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">
@@ -109,14 +130,14 @@ export function RepeaterDashboard({
                 {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>
         </span>
-        <div className="flex items-center gap-0.5 flex-shrink-0">
+        {contact && (
+          <div className="col-span-2 row-start-2 min-w-0 text-[11px] text-muted-foreground min-[1100px]:col-span-1 min-[1100px]:col-start-2 min-[1100px]:row-start-1">
+            <ContactStatusInfo contact={contact} ourLat={radioLat} ourLon={radioLon} />
+          </div>
+        )}
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-0.5">
           {loggedIn && (
             <Button
               variant="outline"
@@ -219,13 +240,17 @@ export function RepeaterDashboard({
             repeaterName={conversation.name}
             loading={loginLoading}
             error={loginError}
-            onLogin={login}
-            onLoginAsGuest={loginAsGuest}
+            password={password}
+            onPasswordChange={setPassword}
+            rememberPassword={rememberPassword}
+            onRememberPasswordChange={setRememberPassword}
+            onLogin={handleRepeaterLogin}
+            onLoginAsGuest={handleRepeaterGuestLogin}
           />
         ) : (
           <div className="space-y-4">
             {/* Top row: Telemetry + Radio Settings | Node Info + Neighbors */}
-            <div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 gap-4">
+            <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}
@@ -255,12 +280,13 @@ export function RepeaterDashboard({
                   disabled={anyLoading}
                 />
               </div>
-              <div className="flex flex-col gap-4">
+              <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}

frontend/src/components/RepeaterLogin.tsx

@@ -1,24 +1,39 @@
-import { useState, useCallback, type FormEvent } from 'react';
+import { useCallback, type FormEvent } from 'react';
 import { Input } from './ui/input';
 import { Button } from './ui/button';
+import { Checkbox } from './ui/checkbox';
 
 interface RepeaterLoginProps {
   repeaterName: string;
   loading: boolean;
   error: string | null;
+  password: string;
+  onPasswordChange: (password: string) => void;
+  rememberPassword: boolean;
+  onRememberPasswordChange: (checked: boolean) => void;
   onLogin: (password: string) => Promise<void>;
   onLoginAsGuest: () => Promise<void>;
+  description?: string;
+  passwordPlaceholder?: string;
+  loginLabel?: string;
+  guestLabel?: string;
 }
 
 export function RepeaterLogin({
   repeaterName,
   loading,
   error,
+  password,
+  onPasswordChange,
+  rememberPassword,
+  onRememberPasswordChange,
   onLogin,
   onLoginAsGuest,
+  description = 'Log in to access repeater dashboard',
+  passwordPlaceholder = 'Repeater password...',
+  loginLabel = 'Login with Password',
+  guestLabel = 'Login as Guest / ACLs',
 }: RepeaterLoginProps) {
-  const [password, setPassword] = useState('');
-
   const handleSubmit = useCallback(
     async (e: FormEvent) => {
       e.preventDefault();
@@ -33,7 +48,7 @@ export function RepeaterLogin({
       <div className="w-full max-w-sm space-y-6">
         <div className="text-center space-y-1">
           <h2 className="text-lg font-semibold">{repeaterName}</h2>
-          <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">Log in to access repeater dashboard</p>
+          <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">{description}</p>
         </div>
 
         <form onSubmit={handleSubmit} className="space-y-4" autoComplete="off">
@@ -45,13 +60,34 @@ export function RepeaterLogin({
             data-1p-ignore="true"
             data-bwignore="true"
             value={password}
-            onChange={(e) => setPassword(e.target.value)}
-            placeholder="Repeater password..."
+            onChange={(e) => onPasswordChange(e.target.value)}
+            placeholder={passwordPlaceholder}
             aria-label="Repeater password"
             disabled={loading}
             autoFocus
           />
 
+          <label
+            htmlFor="remember-server-password"
+            className="flex items-center gap-2 text-sm text-muted-foreground"
+          >
+            <Checkbox
+              id="remember-server-password"
+              checked={rememberPassword}
+              disabled={loading}
+              onCheckedChange={(checked) => onRememberPasswordChange(checked === true)}
+            />
+            <span>Remember password</span>
+          </label>
+
+          {rememberPassword && (
+            <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+              Passwords are stored unencrypted in local browser storage for this domain. It is
+              highly recommended to login via ACLs after your first successful login; saving the
+              password is not recommended.
+            </p>
+          )}
+
           {error && (
             <p className="text-sm text-destructive text-center" role="alert">
               {error}
@@ -60,7 +96,7 @@ export function RepeaterLogin({
 
           <div className="flex flex-col gap-2">
             <Button type="submit" disabled={loading} className="w-full">
-              {loading ? 'Logging in...' : 'Login with Password'}
+              {loading ? 'Logging in...' : loginLabel}
             </Button>
             <Button
               type="button"
@@ -69,7 +105,7 @@ export function RepeaterLogin({
               className="w-full"
               onClick={onLoginAsGuest}
             >
-              Login as Guest / ACLs
+              {guestLabel}
             </Button>
           </div>
         </form>

frontend/src/components/RoomServerPanel.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,313 @@
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useState } from 'react';
+
+import { api } from '../api';
+import { toast } from './ui/sonner';
+import { Button } from './ui/button';
+import { Sheet, SheetContent, SheetDescription, SheetHeader, SheetTitle } from './ui/sheet';
+import type {
+  Contact,
+  PaneState,
+  RepeaterAclResponse,
+  RepeaterLppTelemetryResponse,
+  RepeaterStatusResponse,
+} from '../types';
+import { TelemetryPane } from './repeater/RepeaterTelemetryPane';
+import { AclPane } from './repeater/RepeaterAclPane';
+import { LppTelemetryPane } from './repeater/RepeaterLppTelemetryPane';
+import { ConsolePane } from './repeater/RepeaterConsolePane';
+import { RepeaterLogin } from './RepeaterLogin';
+import { useRememberedServerPassword } from '../hooks/useRememberedServerPassword';
+
+interface RoomServerPanelProps {
+  contact: Contact;
+  onAuthenticatedChange?: (authenticated: boolean) => void;
+}
+
+type RoomPaneKey = 'status' | 'acl' | 'lppTelemetry';
+
+type RoomPaneData = {
+  status: RepeaterStatusResponse | null;
+  acl: RepeaterAclResponse | null;
+  lppTelemetry: RepeaterLppTelemetryResponse | null;
+};
+
+type RoomPaneStates = Record<RoomPaneKey, PaneState>;
+
+type ConsoleEntry = {
+  command: string;
+  response: string;
+  timestamp: number;
+  outgoing: boolean;
+};
+
+const INITIAL_PANE_STATE: PaneState = {
+  loading: false,
+  attempt: 0,
+  error: null,
+  fetched_at: null,
+};
+
+function createInitialPaneStates(): RoomPaneStates {
+  return {
+    status: { ...INITIAL_PANE_STATE },
+    acl: { ...INITIAL_PANE_STATE },
+    lppTelemetry: { ...INITIAL_PANE_STATE },
+  };
+}
+
+export function RoomServerPanel({ contact, onAuthenticatedChange }: RoomServerPanelProps) {
+  const { password, setPassword, rememberPassword, setRememberPassword, persistAfterLogin } =
+    useRememberedServerPassword('room', contact.public_key);
+  const [loginLoading, setLoginLoading] = useState(false);
+  const [loginError, setLoginError] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [authenticated, setAuthenticated] = useState(false);
+  const [advancedOpen, setAdvancedOpen] = useState(false);
+  const [paneData, setPaneData] = useState<RoomPaneData>({
+    status: null,
+    acl: null,
+    lppTelemetry: null,
+  });
+  const [paneStates, setPaneStates] = useState<RoomPaneStates>(createInitialPaneStates);
+  const [consoleHistory, setConsoleHistory] = useState<ConsoleEntry[]>([]);
+  const [consoleLoading, setConsoleLoading] = useState(false);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    setLoginLoading(false);
+    setLoginError(null);
+    setAuthenticated(false);
+    setAdvancedOpen(false);
+    setPaneData({
+      status: null,
+      acl: null,
+      lppTelemetry: null,
+    });
+    setPaneStates(createInitialPaneStates());
+    setConsoleHistory([]);
+    setConsoleLoading(false);
+  }, [contact.public_key]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    onAuthenticatedChange?.(authenticated);
+  }, [authenticated, onAuthenticatedChange]);
+
+  const refreshPane = useCallback(
+    async <K extends RoomPaneKey>(pane: K, loader: () => Promise<RoomPaneData[K]>) => {
+      setPaneStates((prev) => ({
+        ...prev,
+        [pane]: {
+          ...prev[pane],
+          loading: true,
+          attempt: prev[pane].attempt + 1,
+          error: null,
+        },
+      }));
+
+      try {
+        const data = await loader();
+        setPaneData((prev) => ({ ...prev, [pane]: data }));
+        setPaneStates((prev) => ({
+          ...prev,
+          [pane]: {
+            loading: false,
+            attempt: prev[pane].attempt,
+            error: null,
+            fetched_at: Date.now(),
+          },
+        }));
+      } catch (err) {
+        setPaneStates((prev) => ({
+          ...prev,
+          [pane]: {
+            ...prev[pane],
+            loading: false,
+            error: err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Unknown error',
+          },
+        }));
+      }
+    },
+    []
+  );
+
+  const performLogin = useCallback(
+    async (password: string) => {
+      if (loginLoading) return;
+
+      setLoginLoading(true);
+      setLoginError(null);
+      try {
+        const result = await api.roomLogin(contact.public_key, password);
+        setAuthenticated(true);
+        if (result.authenticated) {
+          toast.success('Room login confirmed');
+        } else {
+          toast.warning('Room login not confirmed', {
+            description: result.message ?? 'Room login was not confirmed',
+          });
+        }
+      } catch (err) {
+        const message = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Unknown error';
+        setAuthenticated(true);
+        setLoginError(message);
+        toast.error('Room login failed', { description: message });
+      } finally {
+        setLoginLoading(false);
+      }
+    },
+    [contact.public_key, loginLoading]
+  );
+
+  const handleLogin = useCallback(
+    async (password: string) => {
+      await performLogin(password);
+      persistAfterLogin(password);
+    },
+    [performLogin, persistAfterLogin]
+  );
+
+  const handleLoginAsGuest = useCallback(async () => {
+    await performLogin('');
+    persistAfterLogin('');
+  }, [performLogin, persistAfterLogin]);
+
+  const handleConsoleCommand = useCallback(
+    async (command: string) => {
+      setConsoleLoading(true);
+      const timestamp = Date.now();
+      setConsoleHistory((prev) => [
+        ...prev,
+        { command, response: command, timestamp, outgoing: true },
+      ]);
+      try {
+        const response = await api.sendRepeaterCommand(contact.public_key, command);
+        setConsoleHistory((prev) => [
+          ...prev,
+          {
+            command,
+            response: response.response,
+            timestamp: Date.now(),
+            outgoing: false,
+          },
+        ]);
+      } catch (err) {
+        const message = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Unknown error';
+        setConsoleHistory((prev) => [
+          ...prev,
+          {
+            command,
+            response: `(error) ${message}`,
+            timestamp: Date.now(),
+            outgoing: false,
+          },
+        ]);
+      } finally {
+        setConsoleLoading(false);
+      }
+    },
+    [contact.public_key]
+  );
+
+  const panelTitle = useMemo(() => contact.name || contact.public_key.slice(0, 12), [contact]);
+
+  if (!authenticated) {
+    return (
+      <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto p-4">
+        <div className="mx-auto flex w-full max-w-sm flex-col gap-4">
+          <div className="rounded-md border border-warning/30 bg-warning/10 px-4 py-3 text-sm text-warning">
+            Room server access is experimental and in public alpha. Please report any issues on{' '}
+            <a
+              href="https://github.com/jkingsman/Remote-Terminal-for-MeshCore/issues"
+              target="_blank"
+              rel="noreferrer"
+              className="font-medium underline underline-offset-2 hover:text-warning/80"
+            >
+              GitHub
+            </a>
+            .
+          </div>
+          <RepeaterLogin
+            repeaterName={panelTitle}
+            loading={loginLoading}
+            error={loginError}
+            password={password}
+            onPasswordChange={setPassword}
+            rememberPassword={rememberPassword}
+            onRememberPasswordChange={setRememberPassword}
+            onLogin={handleLogin}
+            onLoginAsGuest={handleLoginAsGuest}
+            description="Log in with the room password or use ACL/guest access to enter this room server"
+            passwordPlaceholder="Room server password..."
+            guestLabel="Login with ACL / Guest"
+          />
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    );
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <section className="border-b border-border bg-muted/20 px-4 py-3">
+      <div className="flex justify-end">
+        <Button
+          type="button"
+          variant="outline"
+          size="sm"
+          onClick={() => setAdvancedOpen((prev) => !prev)}
+        >
+          {advancedOpen ? 'Hide Tools' : 'Show Tools'}
+        </Button>
+      </div>
+      <Sheet open={advancedOpen} onOpenChange={setAdvancedOpen}>
+        <SheetContent side="right" className="w-full sm:max-w-4xl p-0 flex flex-col">
+          <SheetHeader className="sr-only">
+            <SheetTitle>Room Server Tools</SheetTitle>
+            <SheetDescription>
+              Room server telemetry, ACL tools, sensor data, and CLI console
+            </SheetDescription>
+          </SheetHeader>
+          <div className="border-b border-border px-4 py-3 pr-14">
+            <div className="flex flex-col gap-3 sm:flex-row sm:items-center sm:justify-between">
+              <div className="min-w-0">
+                <h2 className="truncate text-base font-semibold">Room Server Tools</h2>
+                <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">{panelTitle}</p>
+              </div>
+              <Button
+                type="button"
+                variant="outline"
+                onClick={handleLoginAsGuest}
+                disabled={loginLoading}
+                className="self-start sm:self-auto"
+              >
+                Refresh ACL Login
+              </Button>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+          <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto p-4">
+            <div className="grid gap-3 xl:grid-cols-2">
+              <TelemetryPane
+                data={paneData.status}
+                state={paneStates.status}
+                onRefresh={() => refreshPane('status', () => api.roomStatus(contact.public_key))}
+              />
+              <AclPane
+                data={paneData.acl}
+                state={paneStates.acl}
+                onRefresh={() => refreshPane('acl', () => api.roomAcl(contact.public_key))}
+              />
+              <LppTelemetryPane
+                data={paneData.lppTelemetry}
+                state={paneStates.lppTelemetry}
+                onRefresh={() =>
+                  refreshPane('lppTelemetry', () => api.roomLppTelemetry(contact.public_key))
+                }
+              />
+              <ConsolePane
+                history={consoleHistory}
+                loading={consoleLoading}
+                onSend={handleConsoleCommand}
+              />
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        </SheetContent>
+      </Sheet>
+    </section>
+  );
+}

frontend/src/components/SecurityWarningModal.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,181 @@
+import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
+import { AlertTriangle } from 'lucide-react';
+
+import { api } from '../api';
+import type { HealthStatus } from '../types';
+import { Button } from './ui/button';
+import { Checkbox } from './ui/checkbox';
+import { Dialog, DialogContent, DialogDescription, DialogHeader, DialogTitle } from './ui/dialog';
+import { toast } from './ui/sonner';
+
+const STORAGE_KEY = 'meshcore_security_warning_acknowledged';
+
+function readAcknowledgedState(): boolean {
+  if (typeof window === 'undefined') {
+    return false;
+  }
+  try {
+    return window.localStorage.getItem(STORAGE_KEY) === 'true';
+  } catch {
+    return false;
+  }
+}
+
+function writeAcknowledgedState(): void {
+  if (typeof window === 'undefined') {
+    return;
+  }
+  try {
+    window.localStorage.setItem(STORAGE_KEY, 'true');
+  } catch {
+    // Best effort only; the warning will continue to show if localStorage is unavailable.
+  }
+}
+
+interface SecurityWarningModalProps {
+  health: HealthStatus | null;
+}
+
+export function SecurityWarningModal({ health }: SecurityWarningModalProps) {
+  const [acknowledged, setAcknowledged] = useState(readAcknowledgedState);
+  const [confirmedRisk, setConfirmedRisk] = useState(false);
+  const [disablingBots, setDisablingBots] = useState(false);
+  const [botsDisabledLocally, setBotsDisabledLocally] = useState(false);
+
+  const shouldWarn =
+    health !== null &&
+    health.bots_disabled !== true &&
+    health.basic_auth_enabled !== true &&
+    !botsDisabledLocally &&
+    !acknowledged;
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!shouldWarn) {
+      setConfirmedRisk(false);
+    }
+  }, [shouldWarn]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (health?.bots_disabled !== true) {
+      setBotsDisabledLocally(false);
+    }
+  }, [health?.bots_disabled, health?.bots_disabled_source]);
+
+  if (!shouldWarn) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <Dialog open>
+      <DialogContent
+        hideCloseButton
+        className="top-3 w-[calc(100vw-1rem)] max-w-[42rem] translate-y-0 gap-5 overflow-y-auto px-4 py-5 max-h-[calc(100vh-1.5rem)] sm:top-[50%] sm:w-full sm:max-h-[min(90vh,48rem)] sm:translate-y-[-50%] sm:px-6"
+        onEscapeKeyDown={(event) => event.preventDefault()}
+        onInteractOutside={(event) => event.preventDefault()}
+      >
+        <DialogHeader className="space-y-0 text-left">
+          <div className="flex items-center gap-3">
+            <div className="inline-flex h-11 w-11 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full border border-destructive/30 bg-destructive/10 text-destructive">
+              <AlertTriangle className="h-5 w-5" aria-hidden="true" />
+            </div>
+            <DialogTitle className="leading-tight">
+              Unprotected bot execution is enabled
+            </DialogTitle>
+          </div>
+        </DialogHeader>
+
+        <hr className="border-border" />
+
+        <div className="space-y-3 break-words text-sm leading-6 text-muted-foreground">
+          <DialogDescription>
+            Bots are not disabled, and app-wide Basic Auth is not configured.
+          </DialogDescription>
+          <p>
+            Without one of those protections, or another access-control layer in front of
+            RemoteTerm, anyone on your local network who can reach this app can run Python code on
+            the computer hosting this instance via the bot system.
+          </p>
+          <p className="font-semibold text-foreground">
+            This is only safe on protected or isolated networks with appropriate access control. If
+            your network is untrusted or later compromised, this setup may expose the host system to
+            arbitrary code execution.
+          </p>
+          <p>
+            To reduce that risk, run the server with environment variables to either disable bots
+            with{' '}
+            <code className="break-all rounded bg-muted px-1 py-0.5 text-foreground">
+              MESHCORE_DISABLE_BOTS=true
+            </code>{' '}
+            or enable the built-in login with{' '}
+            <code className="break-all rounded bg-muted px-1 py-0.5 text-foreground">
+              MESHCORE_BASIC_AUTH_USERNAME
+            </code>{' '}
+            /{' '}
+            <code className="break-all rounded bg-muted px-1 py-0.5 text-foreground">
+              MESHCORE_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD
+            </code>
+            . Another external auth or access-control system is also acceptable.
+          </p>
+          <p>
+            If you just want a temporary safety measure while you learn the system, you can use the
+            button below to disable bots until the server restarts. That is only a temporary guard;
+            permanent protection through Basic Auth or env-based bot disablement is still
+            encouraged.
+          </p>
+        </div>
+
+        <div className="space-y-2">
+          <Button
+            type="button"
+            className="h-auto w-full whitespace-normal py-3 text-center"
+            disabled={disablingBots}
+            onClick={async () => {
+              setDisablingBots(true);
+              try {
+                await api.disableBotsUntilRestart();
+                setBotsDisabledLocally(true);
+                toast.success('Bots disabled until restart');
+              } catch (err) {
+                toast.error('Failed to disable bots', {
+                  description: err instanceof Error ? err.message : undefined,
+                });
+              } finally {
+                setDisablingBots(false);
+              }
+            }}
+          >
+            {disablingBots ? 'Disabling Bots...' : 'Disable Bots Until Server Restart'}
+          </Button>
+        </div>
+
+        <div className="space-y-3 rounded-md border border-input bg-muted/20 p-4">
+          <label className="flex items-start gap-3">
+            <Checkbox
+              checked={confirmedRisk}
+              onCheckedChange={(checked) => setConfirmedRisk(checked === true)}
+              aria-label="Acknowledge bot security risk"
+              className="mt-0.5"
+            />
+            <span className="text-sm leading-6 text-foreground">
+              I understand that continuing with my existing security setup may put me at risk on
+              untrusted networks or if my home network is compromised.
+            </span>
+          </label>
+
+          <Button
+            type="button"
+            className="h-auto w-full whitespace-normal py-3 text-center"
+            variant="outline"
+            disabled={!confirmedRisk || disablingBots}
+            onClick={() => {
+              writeAcknowledgedState();
+              setAcknowledged(true);
+            }}
+          >
+            Do Not Warn Me On This Device Again
+          </Button>
+        </div>
+      </DialogContent>
+    </Dialog>
+  );
+}

frontend/src/components/SettingsModal.tsx

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import type {
   AppSettings,
   AppSettingsUpdate,
   HealthStatus,
+  RadioAdvertMode,
   RadioConfig,
   RadioConfigUpdate,
   RadioDiscoveryResponse,
@@ -35,7 +36,7 @@ interface SettingsModalBaseProps {
   onReboot: () => Promise<void>;
   onDisconnect: () => Promise<void>;
   onReconnect: () => Promise<void>;
-  onAdvertise: () => Promise<void>;
+  onAdvertise: (mode: RadioAdvertMode) => Promise<void>;
   meshDiscovery: RadioDiscoveryResponse | null;
   meshDiscoveryLoadingTarget: RadioDiscoveryTarget | null;
   onDiscoverMesh: (target: RadioDiscoveryTarget) => Promise<void>;
@@ -177,33 +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}
-              onDisconnect={onDisconnect}
-              onReconnect={onReconnect}
-              onAdvertise={onAdvertise}
-              meshDiscovery={meshDiscovery}
-              meshDiscoveryLoadingTarget={meshDiscoveryLoadingTarget}
-              onDiscoverMesh={onDiscoverMesh}
-              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>
       )}
 
@@ -222,19 +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>
       )}
 
@@ -263,7 +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

@@ -13,13 +13,25 @@ import {
   X,
 } from 'lucide-react';
 import {
+  CONTACT_TYPE_ROOM,
   CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER,
   type Contact,
   type Channel,
   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';
@@ -46,6 +58,7 @@ type CollapseState = {
   favorites: boolean;
   channels: boolean;
   contacts: boolean;
+  rooms: boolean;
   repeaters: boolean;
 };
 
@@ -56,6 +69,7 @@ const DEFAULT_COLLAPSE_STATE: CollapseState = {
   favorites: false,
   channels: false,
   contacts: false,
+  rooms: false,
   repeaters: false,
 };
 
@@ -69,6 +83,7 @@ function loadCollapsedState(): CollapseState {
       favorites: parsed.favorites ?? DEFAULT_COLLAPSE_STATE.favorites,
       channels: parsed.channels ?? DEFAULT_COLLAPSE_STATE.channels,
       contacts: parsed.contacts ?? DEFAULT_COLLAPSE_STATE.contacts,
+      rooms: parsed.rooms ?? DEFAULT_COLLAPSE_STATE.rooms,
       repeaters: parsed.repeaters ?? DEFAULT_COLLAPSE_STATE.repeaters,
     };
   } catch {
@@ -91,13 +106,36 @@ 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({
   contacts,
   channels,
@@ -112,23 +150,45 @@ 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);
   const [channelsCollapsed, setChannelsCollapsed] = useState(initialCollapsedState.channels);
   const [contactsCollapsed, setContactsCollapsed] = useState(initialCollapsedState.contacts);
+  const [roomsCollapsed, setRoomsCollapsed] = useState(initialCollapsedState.rooms);
   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) => {
@@ -161,6 +221,20 @@ 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(
@@ -200,10 +274,10 @@ 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;
@@ -212,33 +286,101 @@ 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]
+  );
+
+  const getFavoriteItemName = useCallback(
+    (item: FavoriteItem) =>
+      item.type === 'channel'
+        ? item.channel.name
+        : getContactDisplayName(
+            item.contact.name,
+            item.contact.public_key,
+            item.contact.last_advert
+          ),
+    []
+  );
+
+  const sortFavoriteItemsByOrder = useCallback(
+    (items: FavoriteItem[], order: SortOrder) =>
+      [...items].sort((a, b) => {
+        if (order === 'recent') {
+          const timeA =
+            a.type === 'channel'
+              ? getLastMessageTime('channel', a.channel.key)
+              : getContactRecentTime(a.contact);
+          const timeB =
+            b.type === 'channel'
+              ? getLastMessageTime('channel', b.channel.key)
+              : getContactRecentTime(b.contact);
+          if (timeA && timeB) return timeB - timeA;
+          if (timeA && !timeB) return -1;
+          if (!timeA && timeB) return 1;
+        }
+
+        return getFavoriteItemName(a).localeCompare(getFavoriteItemName(b));
+      }),
+    [getContactRecentTime, getFavoriteItemName, getLastMessageTime]
   );
 
   // 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 && c.type !== CONTACT_TYPE_ROOM
+        ),
+        sectionSortOrders.contacts
+      ),
+    [uniqueContacts, sectionSortOrders.contacts, sortContactsByOrder]
+  );
+
+  const sortedRooms = useMemo(
+    () =>
+      sortContactsByOrder(
+        uniqueContacts.filter((c) => c.type === CONTACT_TYPE_ROOM),
+        sectionSortOrders.rooms
+      ),
+    [uniqueContacts, sectionSortOrders.rooms, 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
@@ -266,6 +408,17 @@ export function Sidebar({
     [sortedNonRepeaterContacts, query]
   );
 
+  const filteredRooms = useMemo(
+    () =>
+      query
+        ? sortedRooms.filter(
+            (c) =>
+              c.name?.toLowerCase().includes(query) || c.public_key.toLowerCase().includes(query)
+          )
+        : sortedRooms,
+    [sortedRooms, query]
+  );
+
   const filteredRepeaters = useMemo(
     () =>
       query
@@ -286,6 +439,7 @@ export function Sidebar({
           favorites: favoritesCollapsed,
           channels: channelsCollapsed,
           contacts: contactsCollapsed,
+          rooms: roomsCollapsed,
           repeaters: repeatersCollapsed,
         };
       }
@@ -295,12 +449,14 @@ export function Sidebar({
         favoritesCollapsed ||
         channelsCollapsed ||
         contactsCollapsed ||
+        roomsCollapsed ||
         repeatersCollapsed
       ) {
         setToolsCollapsed(false);
         setFavoritesCollapsed(false);
         setChannelsCollapsed(false);
         setContactsCollapsed(false);
+        setRoomsCollapsed(false);
         setRepeatersCollapsed(false);
       }
       return;
@@ -313,6 +469,7 @@ export function Sidebar({
       setFavoritesCollapsed(prev.favorites);
       setChannelsCollapsed(prev.channels);
       setContactsCollapsed(prev.contacts);
+      setRoomsCollapsed(prev.rooms);
       setRepeatersCollapsed(prev.repeaters);
     }
   }, [
@@ -321,6 +478,7 @@ export function Sidebar({
     favoritesCollapsed,
     channelsCollapsed,
     contactsCollapsed,
+    roomsCollapsed,
     repeatersCollapsed,
   ]);
 
@@ -332,6 +490,7 @@ export function Sidebar({
       favorites: favoritesCollapsed,
       channels: channelsCollapsed,
       contacts: contactsCollapsed,
+      rooms: roomsCollapsed,
       repeaters: repeatersCollapsed,
     };
 
@@ -346,61 +505,56 @@ export function Sidebar({
     favoritesCollapsed,
     channelsCollapsed,
     contactsCollapsed,
+    roomsCollapsed,
     repeatersCollapsed,
   ]);
 
   // Separate favorites from regular items, and build combined favorites list
-  const { favoriteItems, nonFavoriteChannels, nonFavoriteContacts, nonFavoriteRepeaters } =
-    useMemo(() => {
-      const favChannels = filteredChannels.filter((c) => isFavorite(favorites, 'channel', c.key));
-      const favContacts = [...filteredNonRepeaterContacts, ...filteredRepeaters].filter((c) =>
-        isFavorite(favorites, 'contact', c.public_key)
-      );
-      const nonFavChannels = filteredChannels.filter(
-        (c) => !isFavorite(favorites, 'channel', c.key)
-      );
-      const nonFavContacts = filteredNonRepeaterContacts.filter(
-        (c) => !isFavorite(favorites, 'contact', c.public_key)
-      );
-      const nonFavRepeaters = filteredRepeaters.filter(
-        (c) => !isFavorite(favorites, 'contact', c.public_key)
-      );
+  const {
+    favoriteItems,
+    nonFavoriteChannels,
+    nonFavoriteContacts,
+    nonFavoriteRooms,
+    nonFavoriteRepeaters,
+  } = useMemo(() => {
+    const favChannels = filteredChannels.filter((c) => isFavorite(favorites, 'channel', c.key));
+    const favContacts = [
+      ...filteredNonRepeaterContacts,
+      ...filteredRooms,
+      ...filteredRepeaters,
+    ].filter((c) => isFavorite(favorites, 'contact', c.public_key));
+    const nonFavChannels = filteredChannels.filter((c) => !isFavorite(favorites, 'channel', c.key));
+    const nonFavContacts = filteredNonRepeaterContacts.filter(
+      (c) => !isFavorite(favorites, 'contact', c.public_key)
+    );
+    const nonFavRooms = filteredRooms.filter(
+      (c) => !isFavorite(favorites, 'contact', c.public_key)
+    );
+    const nonFavRepeaters = filteredRepeaters.filter(
+      (c) => !isFavorite(favorites, 'contact', c.public_key)
+    );
 
-      const items: FavoriteItem[] = [
-        ...favChannels.map((channel) => ({ type: 'channel' as const, channel })),
-        ...favContacts.map((contact) => ({ type: 'contact' as const, contact })),
-      ].sort((a, b) => {
-        const timeA =
-          a.type === 'channel'
-            ? getLastMessageTime('channel', a.channel.key)
-            : getLastMessageTime('contact', a.contact.public_key);
-        const timeB =
-          b.type === 'channel'
-            ? getLastMessageTime('channel', b.channel.key)
-            : getLastMessageTime('contact', b.contact.public_key);
-        if (timeA && timeB) return timeB - timeA;
-        if (timeA && !timeB) return -1;
-        if (!timeA && timeB) return 1;
-        const nameA =
-          a.type === 'channel' ? a.channel.name : a.contact.name || a.contact.public_key;
-        const nameB =
-          b.type === 'channel' ? b.channel.name : b.contact.name || b.contact.public_key;
-        return nameA.localeCompare(nameB);
-      });
+    const items: FavoriteItem[] = [
+      ...favChannels.map((channel) => ({ type: 'channel' as const, channel })),
+      ...favContacts.map((contact) => ({ type: 'contact' as const, contact })),
+    ];
 
-      return {
-        favoriteItems: items,
-        nonFavoriteChannels: nonFavChannels,
-        nonFavoriteContacts: nonFavContacts,
-        nonFavoriteRepeaters: nonFavRepeaters,
-      };
-    }, [
-      filteredChannels,
-      filteredNonRepeaterContacts,
-      filteredRepeaters,
-      favorites,
-      getLastMessageTime,
-    ]);
+    return {
+      favoriteItems: sortFavoriteItemsByOrder(items, sectionSortOrders.favorites),
+      nonFavoriteChannels: nonFavChannels,
+      nonFavoriteContacts: nonFavContacts,
+      nonFavoriteRooms: nonFavRooms,
+      nonFavoriteRepeaters: nonFavRepeaters,
+    };
+  }, [
+    filteredChannels,
+    filteredNonRepeaterContacts,
+    filteredRooms,
+    filteredRepeaters,
+    favorites,
+    sectionSortOrders.favorites,
+    sortFavoriteItemsByOrder,
+  ]);
 
   const buildChannelRow = (channel: Channel, keyPrefix: string): ConversationRow => ({
     key: `${keyPrefix}-${channel.key}`,
@@ -424,57 +578,65 @@ export function Sidebar({
     contact,
   });
 
-  const renderConversationRow = (row: ConversationRow) => (
-    <div
-      key={row.key}
-      className={cn(
-        'px-3 py-2 cursor-pointer flex items-center gap-2 border-l-2 border-transparent hover:bg-accent transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring',
-        isActive(row.type, row.id) && 'bg-accent border-l-primary',
-        row.unreadCount > 0 && '[&_.name]:font-semibold [&_.name]:text-foreground'
-      )}
-      role="button"
-      tabIndex={0}
-      aria-current={isActive(row.type, row.id) ? 'page' : undefined}
-      onKeyDown={handleKeyboardActivate}
-      onClick={() =>
-        handleSelectConversation({
-          type: row.type,
-          id: row.id,
-          name: row.name,
-        })
-      }
-    >
-      {row.type === 'contact' && row.contact && (
-        <ContactAvatar
-          name={row.contact.name}
-          publicKey={row.contact.public_key}
-          size={24}
-          contactType={row.contact.type}
-        />
-      )}
-      <span className="name flex-1 truncate text-[13px]">{row.name}</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>
+  const renderConversationRow = (row: ConversationRow) => {
+    const highlightUnread =
+      row.isMention ||
+      (row.type === 'contact' &&
+        row.contact?.type !== CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER &&
+        row.unreadCount > 0);
+
+    return (
+      <div
+        key={row.key}
+        className={cn(
+          'px-3 py-2 cursor-pointer flex items-center gap-2 border-l-2 border-transparent hover:bg-accent transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring',
+          isActive(row.type, row.id) && 'bg-accent border-l-primary',
+          row.unreadCount > 0 && '[&_.name]:font-semibold [&_.name]:text-foreground'
         )}
-        {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>
+        role="button"
+        tabIndex={0}
+        aria-current={isActive(row.type, row.id) ? 'page' : undefined}
+        onKeyDown={handleKeyboardActivate}
+        onClick={() =>
+          handleSelectConversation({
+            type: row.type,
+            id: row.id,
+            name: row.name,
+          })
+        }
+      >
+        {row.type === 'contact' && row.contact && (
+          <ContactAvatar
+            name={row.contact.name}
+            publicKey={row.contact.public_key}
+            size={24}
+            contactType={row.contact.type}
+          />
         )}
-      </span>
-    </div>
-  );
+        <span className="name flex-1 truncate text-[13px]">{row.name}</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',
+                highlightUnread
+                  ? '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>
+    );
+  };
 
   const renderSidebarActionRow = ({
     key,
@@ -520,11 +682,13 @@ export function Sidebar({
   );
   const channelRows = nonFavoriteChannels.map((channel) => buildChannelRow(channel, 'chan'));
   const contactRows = nonFavoriteContacts.map((contact) => buildContactRow(contact, 'contact'));
+  const roomRows = nonFavoriteRooms.map((contact) => buildContactRow(contact, 'room'));
   const repeaterRows = nonFavoriteRepeaters.map((contact) => buildContactRow(contact, 'repeater'));
 
   const favoritesUnreadCount = getSectionUnreadCount(favoriteRows);
   const channelsUnreadCount = getSectionUnreadCount(channelRows);
   const contactsUnreadCount = getSectionUnreadCount(contactRows);
+  const roomsUnreadCount = getSectionUnreadCount(roomRows);
   const repeatersUnreadCount = getSectionUnreadCount(repeaterRows);
   const favoritesHasMention = sectionHasMention(favoriteRows);
   const channelsHasMention = sectionHasMention(channelRows);
@@ -584,7 +748,7 @@ export function Sidebar({
           icon: <LockOpen className="h-4 w-4" />,
           label: (
             <>
-              {showCracker ? 'Hide' : 'Show'} Room Finder
+              {showCracker ? 'Hide' : 'Show'} Channel Finder
               <span
                 className={cn(
                   'ml-1 text-[11px]',
@@ -604,11 +768,12 @@ export function Sidebar({
     title: string,
     collapsed: boolean,
     onToggle: () => void,
-    showSortToggle = false,
+    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">
@@ -630,16 +795,24 @@ export function Sidebar({
           )}
           <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 && (
@@ -731,7 +904,7 @@ export function Sidebar({
               'Favorites',
               favoritesCollapsed,
               () => setFavoritesCollapsed((prev) => !prev),
-              false,
+              'favorites',
               favoritesUnreadCount,
               favoritesHasMention
             )}
@@ -747,7 +920,7 @@ export function Sidebar({
               'Channels',
               channelsCollapsed,
               () => setChannelsCollapsed((prev) => !prev),
-              true,
+              'channels',
               channelsUnreadCount,
               channelsHasMention
             )}
@@ -763,7 +936,7 @@ export function Sidebar({
               'Contacts',
               contactsCollapsed,
               () => setContactsCollapsed((prev) => !prev),
-              true,
+              'contacts',
               contactsUnreadCount,
               contactsUnreadCount > 0
             )}
@@ -779,7 +952,7 @@ export function Sidebar({
               'Repeaters',
               repeatersCollapsed,
               () => setRepeatersCollapsed((prev) => !prev),
-              true,
+              'repeaters',
               repeatersUnreadCount
             )}
             {(isSearching || !repeatersCollapsed) &&
@@ -787,8 +960,24 @@ export function Sidebar({
           </>
         )}
 
+        {/* Room Servers */}
+        {nonFavoriteRooms.length > 0 && (
+          <>
+            {renderSectionHeader(
+              'Room Servers',
+              roomsCollapsed,
+              () => setRoomsCollapsed((prev) => !prev),
+              'rooms',
+              roomsUnreadCount,
+              roomsUnreadCount > 0
+            )}
+            {(isSearching || !roomsCollapsed) && roomRows.map((row) => renderConversationRow(row))}
+          </>
+        )}
+
         {/* Empty state */}
         {nonFavoriteContacts.length === 0 &&
+          nonFavoriteRooms.length === 0 &&
           nonFavoriteChannels.length === 0 &&
           nonFavoriteRepeaters.length === 0 &&
           favoriteItems.length === 0 && (

frontend/src/components/repeater/RepeaterNeighborsPane.tsx

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { useMemo, lazy, Suspense } from 'react';
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
 import { RepeaterPane, NotFetched, formatDuration } from './repeaterPaneShared';
 import { isValidLocation, calculateDistance, formatDistance } from '../../utils/pathUtils';
+import { useDistanceUnit } from '../../contexts/DistanceUnitContext';
 import type {
   Contact,
   RepeaterNeighborsResponse,
@@ -19,6 +20,7 @@ export function NeighborsPane({
   state,
   onRefresh,
   disabled,
+  repeaterContact,
   contacts,
   nodeInfo,
   nodeInfoState,
@@ -28,11 +30,16 @@ export function NeighborsPane({
   state: PaneState;
   onRefresh: () => void;
   disabled?: boolean;
+  repeaterContact: Contact | null;
   contacts: Contact[];
   nodeInfo: RepeaterNodeInfoResponse | null;
   nodeInfoState: PaneState;
   repeaterName: string | null;
 }) {
+  const { distanceUnit } = useDistanceUnit();
+  const advertLat = repeaterContact?.lat ?? null;
+  const advertLon = repeaterContact?.lon ?? null;
+
   const radioLat = useMemo(() => {
     const parsed = nodeInfo?.lat != null ? parseFloat(nodeInfo.lat) : null;
     return Number.isFinite(parsed) ? parsed : null;
@@ -43,11 +50,26 @@ export function NeighborsPane({
     return Number.isFinite(parsed) ? parsed : null;
   }, [nodeInfo?.lon]);
 
-  const radioName = nodeInfo?.name || repeaterName;
-  const hasValidRepeaterGps = isValidLocation(radioLat, radioLon);
-  const showGpsUnavailableMessage =
-    !hasValidRepeaterGps &&
-    (nodeInfoState.error !== null || nodeInfoState.fetched_at != null || nodeInfo !== null);
+  const positionSource = useMemo(() => {
+    if (isValidLocation(radioLat, radioLon)) {
+      return { lat: radioLat, lon: radioLon, source: 'reported' as const };
+    }
+    if (isValidLocation(advertLat, advertLon)) {
+      return { lat: advertLat, lon: advertLon, source: 'advert' as const };
+    }
+    return { lat: null, lon: null, source: null };
+  }, [advertLat, advertLon, radioLat, radioLon]);
+
+  const radioName = nodeInfo?.name || repeaterContact?.name || repeaterName;
+  const hasValidRepeaterGps = positionSource.source !== null;
+  const headerNote =
+    positionSource.source === 'reported'
+      ? 'Using repeater-reported position'
+      : positionSource.source === 'advert'
+        ? 'Using advert position'
+        : nodeInfoState.loading
+          ? 'Waiting for repeater position'
+          : 'No repeater position available';
 
   // Resolve contact data for each neighbor in a single pass — used for
   // coords (mini-map), distances (table column), and sorted display order.
@@ -71,9 +93,9 @@ export function NeighborsPane({
 
       let dist: string | null = null;
       if (hasValidRepeaterGps && isValidLocation(nLat, nLon)) {
-        const distKm = calculateDistance(radioLat, radioLon, nLat, nLon);
+        const distKm = calculateDistance(positionSource.lat, positionSource.lon, nLat, nLon);
         if (distKm != null) {
-          dist = formatDistance(distKm);
+          dist = formatDistance(distKm, distanceUnit);
           anyDist = true;
         }
       }
@@ -91,24 +113,25 @@ export function NeighborsPane({
       sorted: enriched,
       hasDistances: anyDist,
     };
-  }, [contacts, data, hasValidRepeaterGps, radioLat, radioLon]);
+  }, [contacts, data, distanceUnit, hasValidRepeaterGps, positionSource.lat, positionSource.lon]);
 
   return (
     <RepeaterPane
       title="Neighbors"
+      headerNote={headerNote}
       state={state}
       onRefresh={onRefresh}
       disabled={disabled}
-      className="flex flex-col"
-      contentClassName="flex-1 flex flex-col"
+      className="flex min-h-0 flex-1 flex-col"
+      contentClassName="flex min-h-0 flex-1 flex-col"
     >
       {!data ? (
         <NotFetched />
       ) : sorted.length === 0 ? (
         <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">No neighbors reported</p>
       ) : (
-        <div className="flex-1 flex flex-col gap-2">
-          <div className="overflow-x-auto">
+        <div className="flex min-h-0 flex-1 flex-col gap-2">
+          <div className="shrink-0 overflow-x-auto">
             <table className="w-full text-sm">
               <thead>
                 <tr className="text-left text-muted-foreground text-xs">
@@ -145,7 +168,7 @@ export function NeighborsPane({
           {hasValidRepeaterGps && (neighborsWithCoords.length > 0 || hasValidRepeaterGps) ? (
             <Suspense
               fallback={
-                <div className="h-48 flex items-center justify-center text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+                <div className="flex min-h-48 flex-1 items-center justify-center text-xs text-muted-foreground">
                   Loading map...
                 </div>
               }
@@ -153,18 +176,17 @@ export function NeighborsPane({
               <NeighborsMiniMap
                 key={neighborsWithCoords.map((n) => n.pubkey_prefix).join(',')}
                 neighbors={neighborsWithCoords}
-                radioLat={radioLat}
-                radioLon={radioLon}
+                radioLat={positionSource.lat}
+                radioLon={positionSource.lon}
                 radioName={radioName}
               />
             </Suspense>
-          ) : showGpsUnavailableMessage ? (
+          ) : (
             <div className="rounded border border-border/70 bg-muted/20 px-3 py-2 text-xs text-muted-foreground">
-              GPS info failed to fetch; map and distance data not available. This may be due to
-              missing or zero-zero GPS data on the repeater, or due to transient fetch failure. Try
-              refreshing.
+              Map and distance data are unavailable until this repeater has a valid position from
+              either its advert or a Node Info fetch.
             </div>
-          ) : null}
+          )}
         </div>
       )}
     </RepeaterPane>

frontend/src/components/repeater/RepeaterNodeInfoPane.tsx

@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ export function NodeInfoPane({
 }) {
   const clockDrift = useMemo(() => {
     if (!data?.clock_utc) return null;
-    return formatClockDrift(data.clock_utc);
-  }, [data?.clock_utc]);
+    return formatClockDrift(data.clock_utc, state.fetched_at ?? undefined);
+  }, [data?.clock_utc, state.fetched_at]);
 
   return (
     <RepeaterPane title="Node Info" state={state} onRefresh={onRefresh} disabled={disabled}>

frontend/src/components/repeater/repeaterPaneShared.tsx

@@ -39,7 +39,10 @@ export function formatDuration(seconds: number): string {
   return `${mins}m`;
 }
 
-export function formatClockDrift(clockUtc: string): { text: string; isLarge: boolean } {
+export function formatClockDrift(
+  clockUtc: string,
+  referenceTimeMs: number = Date.now()
+): { text: string; isLarge: boolean } {
   // Firmware format: "HH:MM - D/M/YYYY UTC" or "HH:MM:SS - D/M/YYYY UTC"
   // Also handle ISO-like: "YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS"
   let parsed: Date;
@@ -56,7 +59,7 @@ export function formatClockDrift(clockUtc: string): { text: string; isLarge: boo
   }
   if (isNaN(parsed.getTime())) return { text: '(invalid)', isLarge: false };
 
-  const driftMs = Math.abs(Date.now() - parsed.getTime());
+  const driftMs = Math.abs(referenceTimeMs - parsed.getTime());
   const driftSec = Math.floor(driftMs / 1000);
 
   if (driftSec >= 86400) return { text: '>24 hours!', isLarge: true };
@@ -106,6 +109,7 @@ function formatFetchedTime(fetchedAt: number): string {
 
 export function RepeaterPane({
   title,
+  headerNote,
   state,
   onRefresh,
   disabled,
@@ -114,6 +118,7 @@ export function RepeaterPane({
   contentClassName,
 }: {
   title: string;
+  headerNote?: ReactNode;
   state: PaneState;
   onRefresh?: () => void;
   disabled?: boolean;
@@ -128,6 +133,7 @@ export function RepeaterPane({
       <div className="flex items-center justify-between px-3 py-2 bg-muted/50 border-b border-border">
         <div className="min-w-0">
           <h3 className="text-sm font-medium">{title}</h3>
+          {headerNote && <p className="text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">{headerNote}</p>}
           {fetchedAt && (
             <p
               className="text-[11px] text-muted-foreground"

frontend/src/components/settings/SettingsAboutSection.tsx

@@ -1,10 +1,17 @@
+import type { HealthStatus } from '../../types';
 import { Separator } from '../ui/separator';
 
 const GITHUB_URL = 'https://github.com/jkingsman/Remote-Terminal-for-MeshCore';
 
-export function SettingsAboutSection({ className }: { className?: string }) {
-  const version = __APP_VERSION__;
-  const commit = __COMMIT_HASH__;
+export function SettingsAboutSection({
+  health,
+  className,
+}: {
+  health?: HealthStatus | null;
+  className?: string;
+}) {
+  const version = health?.app_info?.version ?? 'unknown';
+  const commit = health?.app_info?.commit_hash;
 
   return (
     <div className={className}>
@@ -14,8 +21,14 @@ export function SettingsAboutSection({ className }: { className?: string }) {
           <h3 className="text-lg font-semibold">RemoteTerm for MeshCore</h3>
           <div className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
             v{version}
-            <span className="mx-1.5">·</span>
-            <span className="font-mono text-xs">{commit}</span>
+            {commit ? (
+              <>
+                <span className="mx-1.5">·</span>
+                <span className="font-mono text-xs" title={commit}>
+                  {commit}
+                </span>
+              </>
+            ) : null}
           </div>
         </div>
 

frontend/src/components/settings/SettingsDatabaseSection.tsx

@@ -173,7 +173,8 @@ export function SettingsDatabaseSection({
           Deletes archival copies of raw packet bytes for messages that are already decrypted and
           visible in your chat history.{' '}
           <em className="text-muted-foreground/80">
-            This will not affect any displayed messages or app functionality.
+            This will not affect any displayed messages or your ability to do historical decryption,
+            but it will remove packet-analysis availability for those historical messages.
           </em>{' '}
           The raw bytes are only useful for manual packet analysis.
         </p>

frontend/src/components/settings/SettingsLocalSection.tsx

@@ -11,6 +11,12 @@ import {
 } from '../../utils/lastViewedConversation';
 import { ThemeSelector } from './ThemeSelector';
 import { getLocalLabel, setLocalLabel, type LocalLabel } from '../../utils/localLabel';
+import {
+  DISTANCE_UNIT_LABELS,
+  DISTANCE_UNITS,
+  setSavedDistanceUnit,
+} from '../../utils/distanceUnits';
+import { useDistanceUnit } from '../../contexts/DistanceUnitContext';
 
 export function SettingsLocalSection({
   onLocalLabelChange,
@@ -19,6 +25,7 @@ export function SettingsLocalSection({
   onLocalLabelChange?: (label: LocalLabel) => void;
   className?: string;
 }) {
+  const { distanceUnit, setDistanceUnit } = useDistanceUnit();
   const [reopenLastConversation, setReopenLastConversation] = useState(
     getReopenLastConversationEnabled
   );
@@ -82,6 +89,31 @@ export function SettingsLocalSection({
 
       <Separator />
 
+      <div className="space-y-3">
+        <Label htmlFor="distance-units">Distance Units</Label>
+        <select
+          id="distance-units"
+          value={distanceUnit}
+          onChange={(event) => {
+            const nextUnit = event.target.value as (typeof DISTANCE_UNITS)[number];
+            setSavedDistanceUnit(nextUnit);
+            setDistanceUnit(nextUnit);
+          }}
+          className="w-full rounded-md border border-input bg-background px-3 py-2 text-sm"
+        >
+          {DISTANCE_UNITS.map((unit) => (
+            <option key={unit} value={unit}>
+              {DISTANCE_UNIT_LABELS[unit]}
+            </option>
+          ))}
+        </select>
+        <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+          Controls how distances are shown throughout the app.
+        </p>
+      </div>
+
+      <Separator />
+
       <label className="flex items-center gap-3 cursor-pointer">
         <input
           type="checkbox"

frontend/src/components/settings/SettingsRadioSection.tsx

@@ -5,12 +5,14 @@ import { Label } from '../ui/label';
 import { Button } from '../ui/button';
 import { Separator } from '../ui/separator';
 import { toast } from '../ui/sonner';
+import { Checkbox } from '../ui/checkbox';
 import { RADIO_PRESETS } from '../../utils/radioPresets';
 import { stripRegionScopePrefix } from '../../utils/regionScope';
 import type {
   AppSettings,
   AppSettingsUpdate,
   HealthStatus,
+  RadioAdvertMode,
   RadioConfig,
   RadioConfigUpdate,
   RadioDiscoveryResponse,
@@ -45,7 +47,7 @@ export function SettingsRadioSection({
   onReboot: () => Promise<void>;
   onDisconnect: () => Promise<void>;
   onReconnect: () => Promise<void>;
-  onAdvertise: () => Promise<void>;
+  onAdvertise: (mode: RadioAdvertMode) => Promise<void>;
   meshDiscovery: RadioDiscoveryResponse | null;
   meshDiscoveryLoadingTarget: RadioDiscoveryTarget | null;
   onDiscoverMesh: (target: RadioDiscoveryTarget) => Promise<void>;
@@ -63,6 +65,7 @@ export function SettingsRadioSection({
   const [cr, setCr] = useState('');
   const [pathHashMode, setPathHashMode] = useState('0');
   const [advertLocationSource, setAdvertLocationSource] = useState<'off' | 'current'>('current');
+  const [multiAcksEnabled, setMultiAcksEnabled] = useState(false);
   const [gettingLocation, setGettingLocation] = useState(false);
   const [busy, setBusy] = useState(false);
   const [rebooting, setRebooting] = useState(false);
@@ -82,7 +85,7 @@ export function SettingsRadioSection({
   const [floodError, setFloodError] = useState<string | null>(null);
 
   // Advertise state
-  const [advertising, setAdvertising] = useState(false);
+  const [advertisingMode, setAdvertisingMode] = useState<RadioAdvertMode | null>(null);
   const [discoverError, setDiscoverError] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [connectionBusy, setConnectionBusy] = useState(false);
 
@@ -97,6 +100,7 @@ export function SettingsRadioSection({
     setCr(String(config.radio.cr));
     setPathHashMode(String(config.path_hash_mode));
     setAdvertLocationSource(config.advert_location_source ?? 'current');
+    setMultiAcksEnabled(config.multi_acks_enabled ?? false);
   }, [config]);
 
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -189,6 +193,9 @@ export function SettingsRadioSection({
       ...(advertLocationSource !== (config.advert_location_source ?? 'current')
         ? { advert_location_source: advertLocationSource }
         : {}),
+      ...(multiAcksEnabled !== (config.multi_acks_enabled ?? false)
+        ? { multi_acks_enabled: multiAcksEnabled }
+        : {}),
       radio: {
         freq: parsedFreq,
         bw: parsedBw,
@@ -295,12 +302,12 @@ export function SettingsRadioSection({
     }
   };
 
-  const handleAdvertise = async () => {
-    setAdvertising(true);
+  const handleAdvertise = async (mode: RadioAdvertMode) => {
+    setAdvertisingMode(mode);
     try {
-      await onAdvertise();
+      await onAdvertise(mode);
     } finally {
-      setAdvertising(false);
+      setAdvertisingMode(null);
     }
   };
 
@@ -333,6 +340,35 @@ export function SettingsRadioSection({
             ? `Connection paused${health?.connection_info ? ` (${health.connection_info})` : ''}`
             : 'Not connected';
 
+  const deviceInfoLabel = useMemo(() => {
+    const info = health?.radio_device_info;
+    if (!info) {
+      return null;
+    }
+
+    const model = info.model?.trim() || null;
+    const firmwareParts = [info.firmware_build?.trim(), info.firmware_version?.trim()].filter(
+      (value): value is string => Boolean(value)
+    );
+    const capacityParts = [
+      typeof info.max_contacts === 'number' ? `${info.max_contacts} contacts` : null,
+      typeof info.max_channels === 'number' ? `${info.max_channels} channels` : null,
+    ].filter((value): value is string => value !== null);
+
+    if (!model && firmwareParts.length === 0 && capacityParts.length === 0) {
+      return null;
+    }
+
+    let label = model ?? 'Radio';
+    if (firmwareParts.length > 0) {
+      label += ` running ${firmwareParts.join('/')}`;
+    }
+    if (capacityParts.length > 0) {
+      label += ` (max: ${capacityParts.join(', ')})`;
+    }
+    return label;
+  }, [health?.radio_device_info]);
+
   const handleConnectionAction = async () => {
     setConnectionBusy(true);
     try {
@@ -377,6 +413,7 @@ export function SettingsRadioSection({
             {connectionStatusLabel}
           </span>
         </div>
+        {deviceInfoLabel && <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">{deviceInfoLabel}</p>}
         <Button
           type="button"
           variant="outline"
@@ -548,6 +585,24 @@ export function SettingsRadioSection({
             library.
           </p>
         </div>
+        <div className="space-y-2">
+          <div className="flex items-start gap-3 rounded-md border border-border/60 p-3">
+            <Checkbox
+              id="multi-acks-enabled"
+              checked={multiAcksEnabled}
+              onCheckedChange={(checked) => setMultiAcksEnabled(checked === true)}
+              className="mt-0.5"
+            />
+            <div className="space-y-1">
+              <Label htmlFor="multi-acks-enabled">Extra Direct ACK Transmission</Label>
+              <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+                When enabled, the radio sends one extra direct ACK transmission before the normal
+                ACK for received direct messages. This is a firmware-level receive behavior, not a
+                RemoteTerm retry setting.
+              </p>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        </div>
       </div>
 
       {config.path_hash_mode_supported && (
@@ -712,15 +767,25 @@ export function SettingsRadioSection({
       <div className="space-y-2">
         <Label>Send Advertisement</Label>
         <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
-          Send a flood advertisement to announce your presence on the mesh network.
+          Flood adverts propagate through repeaters. Zero-hop adverts are local-only and use less
+          airtime.
         </p>
-        <Button
-          onClick={handleAdvertise}
-          disabled={advertising || !health?.radio_connected}
-          className="w-full bg-warning hover:bg-warning/90 text-warning-foreground"
-        >
-          {advertising ? 'Sending...' : 'Send Advertisement'}
-        </Button>
+        <div className="grid grid-cols-1 gap-2 sm:grid-cols-2">
+          <Button
+            onClick={() => handleAdvertise('flood')}
+            disabled={advertisingMode !== null || !health?.radio_connected}
+            className="w-full bg-warning hover:bg-warning/90 text-warning-foreground"
+          >
+            {advertisingMode === 'flood' ? 'Sending...' : 'Send Flood Advertisement'}
+          </Button>
+          <Button
+            onClick={() => handleAdvertise('zero_hop')}
+            disabled={advertisingMode !== null || !health?.radio_connected}
+            className="w-full"
+          >
+            {advertisingMode === 'zero_hop' ? 'Sending...' : 'Send Zero-Hop Advertisement'}
+          </Button>
+        </div>
         {!health?.radio_connected && (
           <p className="text-sm text-destructive">Radio not connected</p>
         )}

frontend/src/components/settings/SettingsStatisticsSection.tsx

@@ -164,6 +164,12 @@ export function SettingsStatisticsSection({ className }: { className?: string })
                   <td className="text-right py-1">{stats.repeaters_heard.last_24_hours}</td>
                   <td className="text-right py-1">{stats.repeaters_heard.last_week}</td>
                 </tr>
+                <tr>
+                  <td className="py-1">Known-channels active</td>
+                  <td className="text-right py-1">{stats.known_channels_active.last_hour}</td>
+                  <td className="text-right py-1">{stats.known_channels_active.last_24_hours}</td>
+                  <td className="text-right py-1">{stats.known_channels_active.last_week}</td>
+                </tr>
               </tbody>
             </table>
           </div>

frontend/src/components/ui/dialog.tsx

@@ -29,10 +29,16 @@ const DialogOverlay = React.forwardRef<
 ));
 DialogOverlay.displayName = DialogPrimitive.Overlay.displayName;
 
+interface DialogContentProps extends React.ComponentPropsWithoutRef<
+  typeof DialogPrimitive.Content
+> {
+  hideCloseButton?: boolean;
+}
+
 const DialogContent = React.forwardRef<
   React.ElementRef<typeof DialogPrimitive.Content>,
-  React.ComponentPropsWithoutRef<typeof DialogPrimitive.Content>
->(({ className, children, ...props }, ref) => (
+  DialogContentProps
+>(({ className, children, hideCloseButton = false, ...props }, ref) => (
   <DialogPortal>
     <DialogOverlay />
     <DialogPrimitive.Content
@@ -44,10 +50,12 @@ const DialogContent = React.forwardRef<
       {...props}
     >
       {children}
-      <DialogPrimitive.Close className="absolute right-4 top-4 rounded-sm opacity-70 ring-offset-background transition-opacity hover:opacity-100 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-ring focus:ring-offset-2 disabled:pointer-events-none data-[state=open]:bg-accent data-[state=open]:text-muted-foreground">
-        <X className="h-4 w-4" />
-        <span className="sr-only">Close</span>
-      </DialogPrimitive.Close>
+      {!hideCloseButton && (
+        <DialogPrimitive.Close className="absolute right-4 top-4 rounded-sm opacity-70 ring-offset-background transition-opacity hover:opacity-100 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-ring focus:ring-offset-2 disabled:pointer-events-none data-[state=open]:bg-accent data-[state=open]:text-muted-foreground">
+          <X className="h-4 w-4" />
+          <span className="sr-only">Close</span>
+        </DialogPrimitive.Close>
+      )}
     </DialogPrimitive.Content>
   </DialogPortal>
 ));

frontend/src/contexts/DistanceUnitContext.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+import { createContext, useContext, type ReactNode } from 'react';
+
+import type { DistanceUnit } from '../utils/distanceUnits';
+
+interface DistanceUnitContextValue {
+  distanceUnit: DistanceUnit;
+  setDistanceUnit: (unit: DistanceUnit) => void;
+}
+
+const noop = () => {};
+
+const DistanceUnitContext = createContext<DistanceUnitContextValue>({
+  distanceUnit: 'metric',
+  setDistanceUnit: noop,
+});
+
+export function DistanceUnitProvider({
+  distanceUnit,
+  setDistanceUnit,
+  children,
+}: DistanceUnitContextValue & { children: ReactNode }) {
+  return (
+    <DistanceUnitContext.Provider value={{ distanceUnit, setDistanceUnit }}>
+      {children}
+    </DistanceUnitContext.Provider>
+  );
+}
+
+export function useDistanceUnit() {
+  return useContext(DistanceUnitContext);
+}

frontend/src/hooks/index.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 export { useUnreadCounts } from './useUnreadCounts';
-export { useConversationMessages, getMessageContentKey } from './useConversationMessages';
+export { useConversationMessages } from './useConversationMessages';
 export { useRadioControl } from './useRadioControl';
 export { useRepeaterDashboard } from './useRepeaterDashboard';
 export { useAppShell } from './useAppShell';
@@ -10,3 +10,5 @@ export { useRealtimeAppState } from './useRealtimeAppState';
 export { useConversationActions } from './useConversationActions';
 export { useConversationNavigation } from './useConversationNavigation';
 export { useBrowserNotifications } from './useBrowserNotifications';
+export { useFaviconBadge, useUnreadTitle } from './useFaviconBadge';
+export { useRawPacketStatsSession } from './useRawPacketStatsSession';

frontend/src/hooks/useAppSettings.ts

@@ -43,25 +43,6 @@ export function useAppSettings() {
     [fetchAppSettings]
   );
 
-  const handleSortOrderChange = useCallback(
-    async (order: 'recent' | 'alpha') => {
-      const previousOrder = appSettings?.sidebar_sort_order ?? 'recent';
-
-      // Optimistic update for responsive UI
-      setAppSettings((prev) => (prev ? { ...prev, sidebar_sort_order: order } : prev));
-
-      try {
-        const updatedSettings = await api.updateSettings({ sidebar_sort_order: order });
-        setAppSettings(updatedSettings);
-      } catch (err) {
-        console.error('Failed to update sort order:', err);
-        setAppSettings((prev) => (prev ? { ...prev, sidebar_sort_order: previousOrder } : prev));
-        toast.error('Failed to save sort preference');
-      }
-    },
-    [appSettings?.sidebar_sort_order]
-  );
-
   const handleToggleBlockedKey = useCallback(async (key: string) => {
     const normalizedKey = key.toLowerCase();
     setAppSettings((prev) => {
@@ -198,7 +179,6 @@ export function useAppSettings() {
     favorites,
     fetchAppSettings,
     handleSaveAppSettings,
-    handleSortOrderChange,
     handleToggleFavorite,
     handleToggleBlockedKey,
     handleToggleBlockedName,

frontend/src/hooks/useAppShell.ts

@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
-import { startTransition, useCallback, useState } from 'react';
+import { startTransition, useCallback, useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
 
 import { getLocalLabel, type LocalLabel } from '../utils/localLabel';
+import { getSavedDistanceUnit, type DistanceUnit } from '../utils/distanceUnits';
 import type { SettingsSection } from '../components/settings/settingsConstants';
+import { parseHashSettingsSection, updateSettingsHash } from '../utils/urlHash';
 
 interface UseAppShellResult {
   showNewMessage: boolean;
@@ -11,10 +13,12 @@ interface UseAppShellResult {
   showCracker: boolean;
   crackerRunning: boolean;
   localLabel: LocalLabel;
+  distanceUnit: DistanceUnit;
   setSettingsSection: (section: SettingsSection) => void;
   setSidebarOpen: (open: boolean) => void;
   setCrackerRunning: (running: boolean) => void;
   setLocalLabel: (label: LocalLabel) => void;
+  setDistanceUnit: (unit: DistanceUnit) => void;
   handleCloseSettingsView: () => void;
   handleToggleSettingsView: () => void;
   handleOpenNewMessage: () => void;
@@ -23,25 +27,48 @@ interface UseAppShellResult {
 }
 
 export function useAppShell(): UseAppShellResult {
+  const initialSettingsSection = typeof window === 'undefined' ? null : parseHashSettingsSection();
   const [showNewMessage, setShowNewMessage] = useState(false);
-  const [showSettings, setShowSettings] = useState(false);
-  const [settingsSection, setSettingsSection] = useState<SettingsSection>('radio');
+  const [showSettings, setShowSettings] = useState(() => initialSettingsSection !== null);
+  const [settingsSection, setSettingsSection] = useState<SettingsSection>(
+    () => initialSettingsSection ?? 'radio'
+  );
   const [sidebarOpen, setSidebarOpen] = useState(false);
   const [showCracker, setShowCracker] = useState(false);
   const [crackerRunning, setCrackerRunning] = useState(false);
   const [localLabel, setLocalLabel] = useState(getLocalLabel);
+  const [distanceUnit, setDistanceUnit] = useState(getSavedDistanceUnit);
+  const previousHashRef = useRef('');
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (showSettings) {
+      updateSettingsHash(settingsSection);
+    }
+  }, [settingsSection, showSettings]);
 
   const handleCloseSettingsView = useCallback(() => {
+    if (typeof window !== 'undefined' && parseHashSettingsSection() !== null) {
+      window.history.replaceState(null, '', previousHashRef.current || window.location.pathname);
+    }
     startTransition(() => setShowSettings(false));
     setSidebarOpen(false);
   }, []);
 
   const handleToggleSettingsView = useCallback(() => {
+    if (showSettings) {
+      handleCloseSettingsView();
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (typeof window !== 'undefined') {
+      previousHashRef.current =
+        parseHashSettingsSection() === null ? window.location.hash : previousHashRef.current;
+    }
     startTransition(() => {
-      setShowSettings((prev) => !prev);
+      setShowSettings(true);
     });
     setSidebarOpen(false);
-  }, []);
+  }, [handleCloseSettingsView, showSettings]);
 
   const handleOpenNewMessage = useCallback(() => {
     setShowNewMessage(true);
@@ -64,10 +91,12 @@ export function useAppShell(): UseAppShellResult {
     showCracker,
     crackerRunning,
     localLabel,
+    distanceUnit,
     setSettingsSection,
     setSidebarOpen,
     setCrackerRunning,
     setLocalLabel,
+    setDistanceUnit,
     handleCloseSettingsView,
     handleToggleSettingsView,
     handleOpenNewMessage,

frontend/src/hooks/useBrowserNotifications.ts

@@ -110,6 +110,8 @@ export function useBrowserNotifications() {
 
   const toggleConversationNotifications = useCallback(
     async (type: 'channel' | 'contact', id: string, label: string) => {
+      const blockedDescription =
+        'Allow notifications in your browser settings, then try again. Some browsers may refuse notifications on non-HTTPS or self-signed HTTPS origins. Check your browser documentation for how to trust an insecure origin and the associated risks before doing so.';
       const conversationKey = getConversationNotificationKey(type, id);
       if (enabledByConversation[conversationKey]) {
         setEnabledByConversation((prev) => {
@@ -131,7 +133,7 @@ export function useBrowserNotifications() {
 
       if (permission === 'denied') {
         toast.error('Browser notifications blocked', {
-          description: 'Allow notifications in your browser settings, then try again.',
+          description: blockedDescription,
         });
         return;
       }
@@ -159,9 +161,7 @@ export function useBrowserNotifications() {
 
       toast.error('Browser notifications not enabled', {
         description:
-          nextPermission === 'denied'
-            ? 'Permission was denied by the browser.'
-            : 'Permission request was dismissed.',
+          nextPermission === 'denied' ? blockedDescription : 'Permission request was dismissed.',
       });
     },
     [enabledByConversation, permission]