diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/BluetoothConnectionManager.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/BluetoothConnectionManager.kt
index e34d9b59..e9310c16 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/BluetoothConnectionManager.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/BluetoothConnectionManager.kt
@@ -43,12 +43,6 @@ class BluetoothConnectionManager(
         override fun onPacketReceived(packet: BitchatPacket, peerID: String, device: BluetoothDevice?) {
             Log.d(TAG, "onPacketReceived: Packet received from ${device?.address} ($peerID)")
             device?.let { bluetoothDevice ->
-                // if connection does not have a peerID yet, we assume that the first package
-                // we receive from that connection is from the peer
-                if (!connectionTracker.addressPeerMap.containsKey(device.address)) {
-                    Log.d(TAG, "First packet received from new device: ${bluetoothDevice.address}, assuming peerID: $peerID")
-                    connectionTracker.addressPeerMap[device.address] = peerID
-                }
                 // Get current RSSI for this device and update if available
                 val currentRSSI = connectionTracker.getBestRSSI(bluetoothDevice.address)
                 if (currentRSSI != null) {
@@ -64,6 +58,10 @@ class BluetoothConnectionManager(
         override fun onDeviceConnected(device: BluetoothDevice) {
             delegate?.onDeviceConnected(device)
         }
+
+        override fun onDeviceDisconnected(device: BluetoothDevice) {
+            delegate?.onDeviceDisconnected(device)
+        }
         
         override fun onRSSIUpdated(deviceAddress: String, rssi: Int) {
             delegate?.onRSSIUpdated(deviceAddress, rssi)
@@ -262,5 +260,6 @@ class BluetoothConnectionManager(
 interface BluetoothConnectionManagerDelegate {
     fun onPacketReceived(packet: BitchatPacket, peerID: String, device: BluetoothDevice?)
     fun onDeviceConnected(device: BluetoothDevice)
+    fun onDeviceDisconnected(device: BluetoothDevice)
     fun onRSSIUpdated(deviceAddress: String, rssi: Int)
 }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/BluetoothGattClientManager.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/BluetoothGattClientManager.kt
index f47aba15..40c5708d 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/BluetoothGattClientManager.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/BluetoothGattClientManager.kt
@@ -343,6 +343,9 @@ class BluetoothGattClientManager(
                         connectionTracker.cleanupDeviceConnection(deviceAddress)
                     }
 
+                    // Notify higher layers about device disconnection to update direct flags
+                    delegate?.onDeviceDisconnected(gatt.device)
+
                     connectionScope.launch {
                         delay(500) // CLEANUP_DELAY
                         try {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/BluetoothGattServerManager.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/BluetoothGattServerManager.kt
index 99c23f0c..96a86c4d 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/BluetoothGattServerManager.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/BluetoothGattServerManager.kt
@@ -144,6 +144,8 @@ class BluetoothGattServerManager(
                     BluetoothProfile.STATE_DISCONNECTED -> {
                         Log.i(TAG, "Server: Device disconnected ${device.address}")
                         connectionTracker.cleanupDeviceConnection(device.address)
+                        // Notify delegate about device disconnection so higher layers can update direct flags
+                        delegate?.onDeviceDisconnected(device)
                     }
                 }
             }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/BluetoothMeshService.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/BluetoothMeshService.kt
index 64e01084..01fd3472 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/BluetoothMeshService.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/BluetoothMeshService.kt
@@ -343,7 +343,34 @@ class BluetoothMeshService(private val context: Context) {
             }
             
             override fun handleAnnounce(routed: RoutedPacket) {
-                serviceScope.launch { messageHandler.handleAnnounce(routed) }
+                serviceScope.launch {
+                    // Process the announce
+                    val isFirst = messageHandler.handleAnnounce(routed)
+
+                    // Map device address -> peerID on first announce seen over this device connection
+                    val deviceAddress = routed.relayAddress
+                    val pid = routed.peerID
+                    if (deviceAddress != null && pid != null) {
+                        // Only set mapping if not already mapped
+                        if (!connectionManager.addressPeerMap.containsKey(deviceAddress)) {
+                            connectionManager.addressPeerMap[deviceAddress] = pid
+                            Log.d(TAG, "Mapped device $deviceAddress to peer $pid on ANNOUNCE")
+
+                            // Mark this peer as directly connected for UI
+                            try {
+                                peerManager.getPeerInfo(pid)?.let {
+                                    // Set direct connection flag
+                                    // (This will also trigger a peer list update)
+                                    peerManager.setDirectConnection(pid, true)
+                                    // Also push reactive directness state to UI (best-effort)
+                                    try {
+                                        // Note: UI observes via didUpdatePeerList, but we can also update ChatState on a timer
+                                    } catch (_: Exception) { }
+                                }
+                            } catch (_: Exception) { }
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
             }
             
             override fun handleMessage(routed: RoutedPacket) {
@@ -384,6 +411,21 @@ class BluetoothMeshService(private val context: Context) {
                     sendBroadcastAnnounce()
                 }
             }
+
+            override fun onDeviceDisconnected(device: android.bluetooth.BluetoothDevice) {
+                val addr = device.address
+                // Remove mapping and, if that was the last direct path for the peer, clear direct flag
+                val peer = connectionManager.addressPeerMap[addr]
+                // ConnectionTracker has already removed the address mapping; be defensive either way
+                connectionManager.addressPeerMap.remove(addr)
+                if (peer != null) {
+                    val stillMapped = connectionManager.addressPeerMap.values.any { it == peer }
+                    if (!stillMapped) {
+                        // Peer might still be reachable indirectly; mark as not-direct
+                        try { peerManager.setDirectConnection(peer, false) } catch (_: Exception) { }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
             
             override fun onRSSIUpdated(deviceAddress: String, rssi: Int) {
                 // Find the peer ID for this device address and update RSSI in PeerManager
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/PeerManager.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/PeerManager.kt
index 26a0ef87..4b8a16dc 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/PeerManager.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/PeerManager.kt
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ data class PeerInfo(
     val id: String,
     var nickname: String,
     var isConnected: Boolean,
+    var isDirectConnection: Boolean,
     var noisePublicKey: ByteArray?,
     var signingPublicKey: ByteArray?,      // NEW: Ed25519 public key for verification
     var isVerifiedNickname: Boolean,       // NEW: Verification status flag
@@ -27,6 +28,7 @@ data class PeerInfo(
         if (id != other.id) return false
         if (nickname != other.nickname) return false
         if (isConnected != other.isConnected) return false
+        if (isDirectConnection != other.isDirectConnection) return false
         if (noisePublicKey != null) {
             if (other.noisePublicKey == null) return false
             if (!noisePublicKey.contentEquals(other.noisePublicKey)) return false
@@ -45,6 +47,7 @@ data class PeerInfo(
         var result = id.hashCode()
         result = 31 * result + nickname.hashCode()
         result = 31 * result + isConnected.hashCode()
+        result = 31 * result + isDirectConnection.hashCode()
         result = 31 * result + (noisePublicKey?.contentHashCode() ?: 0)
         result = 31 * result + (signingPublicKey?.contentHashCode() ?: 0)
         result = 31 * result + isVerifiedNickname.hashCode()
@@ -74,11 +77,7 @@ class PeerManager {
     private val announcedPeers = CopyOnWriteArrayList<String>()
     private val announcedToPeers = CopyOnWriteArrayList<String>()
     
-    // Legacy support for existing code
-    @Deprecated("Use PeerInfo structure instead")
-    private val peerNicknames = ConcurrentHashMap<String, String>()
-    @Deprecated("Use PeerInfo structure instead")
-    private val activePeers = ConcurrentHashMap<String, Long>() // peerID -> lastSeen timestamp
+    // Legacy fields removed: use PeerInfo map exclusively
     
     // Centralized fingerprint management
     private val fingerprintManager = PeerFingerprintManager.getInstance()
@@ -117,6 +116,7 @@ class PeerManager {
             id = peerID,
             nickname = nickname,
             isConnected = true,
+            isDirectConnection = existingPeer?.isDirectConnection ?: false,
             noisePublicKey = noisePublicKey,
             signingPublicKey = signingPublicKey,
             isVerifiedNickname = isVerified,
@@ -125,9 +125,9 @@ class PeerManager {
         
         peers[peerID] = peerInfo
         
-        // Update legacy structures for compatibility
-        peerNicknames[peerID] = nickname
-        activePeers[peerID] = now
+        // Update derived state only
+        // No legacy maps; peers map is the single source of truth
+        // Maintain announcedPeers for first-time announce semantics
         
         if (isNewPeer && isVerified) {
             announcedPeers.add(peerID)
@@ -164,6 +164,24 @@ class PeerManager {
         return peers.filterValues { it.isVerifiedNickname }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Set whether a peer is directly connected over Bluetooth.
+     * Triggers a peer list update to refresh UI badges.
+     */
+    fun setDirectConnection(peerID: String, isDirect: Boolean) {
+        peers[peerID]?.let { existing ->
+            if (existing.isDirectConnection != isDirect) {
+                peers[peerID] = existing.copy(isDirectConnection = isDirect)
+                notifyPeerListUpdate()
+                // NEW: notify UI state (if available via delegate path) about directness change
+                try {
+                    // Best-effort: delegate path flows up to ChatViewModel via didUpdatePeerList
+                    // No direct reference to UI layer here by design.
+                } catch (_: Exception) { }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     // MARK: - Legacy Methods (maintained for compatibility)
 
     /**
@@ -171,8 +189,6 @@ class PeerManager {
      */
     fun updatePeerLastSeen(peerID: String) {
         if (peerID != "unknown") {
-            activePeers[peerID] = System.currentTimeMillis()
-            // Also update PeerInfo if it exists
             peers[peerID]?.let { info ->
                 peers[peerID] = info.copy(lastSeen = System.currentTimeMillis())
             }
@@ -181,16 +197,17 @@ class PeerManager {
     
     /**
      * Add or update peer with nickname
+     * Maintained for compatibility. Uses peers map exclusively now.
      */
     fun addOrUpdatePeer(peerID: String, nickname: String): Boolean {
         if (peerID == "unknown") return false
         
         // Clean up stale peer IDs with the same nickname (exact same logic as iOS)
+        val now = System.currentTimeMillis()
         val stalePeerIDs = mutableListOf<String>()
-        peerNicknames.forEach { (existingPeerID, existingNickname) ->
-            if (existingNickname == nickname && existingPeerID != peerID) {
-                val lastSeen = activePeers[existingPeerID] ?: 0
-                val wasRecentlySeen = (System.currentTimeMillis() - lastSeen) < 10000
+        peers.forEach { (existingPeerID, info) ->
+            if (info.nickname == nickname && existingPeerID != peerID) {
+                val wasRecentlySeen = (now - info.lastSeen) < 10000
                 if (!wasRecentlySeen) {
                     stalePeerIDs.add(existingPeerID)
                 }
@@ -206,8 +223,21 @@ class PeerManager {
         val isFirstAnnounce = !announcedPeers.contains(peerID)
         
         // Update peer data
-        peerNicknames[peerID] = nickname
-        activePeers[peerID] = System.currentTimeMillis()
+        val existing = peers[peerID]
+        if (existing != null) {
+            peers[peerID] = existing.copy(nickname = nickname, lastSeen = now, isConnected = true)
+        } else {
+            peers[peerID] = PeerInfo(
+                id = peerID,
+                nickname = nickname,
+                isConnected = true,
+                isDirectConnection = false,
+                noisePublicKey = null,
+                signingPublicKey = null,
+                isVerifiedNickname = false,
+                lastSeen = now
+            )
+        }
         
         // Handle first announcement
         if (isFirstAnnounce) {
@@ -223,8 +253,7 @@ class PeerManager {
      * Remove peer
      */
     fun removePeer(peerID: String, notifyDelegate: Boolean = true) {
-        val nickname = peerNicknames.remove(peerID)
-        activePeers.remove(peerID)
+        val removed = peers.remove(peerID)
         peerRSSI.remove(peerID)
         announcedPeers.remove(peerID)
         announcedToPeers.remove(peerID)
@@ -232,7 +261,7 @@ class PeerManager {
         // Also remove fingerprint mappings
         fingerprintManager.removePeer(peerID)
         
-        if (notifyDelegate && nickname != null) {
+        if (notifyDelegate && removed != null) {
             notifyPeerListUpdate()
         }
     }
@@ -266,21 +295,23 @@ class PeerManager {
      * Check if peer is active
      */
     fun isPeerActive(peerID: String): Boolean {
-        return activePeers.containsKey(peerID)
+        val info = peers[peerID] ?: return false
+        val now = System.currentTimeMillis()
+        return (now - info.lastSeen) <= STALE_PEER_TIMEOUT && info.isConnected
     }
     
     /**
      * Get peer nickname
      */
     fun getPeerNickname(peerID: String): String? {
-        return peerNicknames[peerID]
+        return peers[peerID]?.nickname
     }
     
     /**
      * Get all peer nicknames
      */
     fun getAllPeerNicknames(): Map<String, String> {
-        return peerNicknames.toMap()
+        return peers.mapValues { it.value.nickname }
     }
     
     /**
@@ -294,22 +325,25 @@ class PeerManager {
      * Get list of active peer IDs
      */
     fun getActivePeerIDs(): List<String> {
-        return activePeers.keys.toList().sorted()
+        val now = System.currentTimeMillis()
+        return peers.filterValues { (now - it.lastSeen) <= STALE_PEER_TIMEOUT && it.isConnected }
+            .keys
+            .toList()
+            .sorted()
     }
     
     /**
      * Get active peer count
      */
     fun getActivePeerCount(): Int {
-        return activePeers.size
+        return getActivePeerIDs().size
     }
     
     /**
      * Clear all peer data
      */
     fun clearAllPeers() {
-        peerNicknames.clear()
-        activePeers.clear()
+        peers.clear()
         peerRSSI.clear()
         announcedPeers.clear()
         announcedToPeers.clear()
@@ -324,19 +358,19 @@ class PeerManager {
      * Get debug information
      */
     fun getDebugInfo(addressPeerMap: Map<String, String>? = null): String {
+        val now = System.currentTimeMillis()
+        val activeIds = getActivePeerIDs().toSet()
         return buildString {
             appendLine("=== Peer Manager Debug Info ===")
-            appendLine("Active Peers: ${activePeers.size}")
-            activePeers.forEach { (peerID, lastSeen) ->
-                val nickname = peerNicknames[peerID] ?: "Unknown"
-                val timeSince = (System.currentTimeMillis() - lastSeen) / 1000
+            appendLine("Active Peers: ${activeIds.size}")
+            peers.forEach { (peerID, info) ->
+                val timeSince = (now - info.lastSeen) / 1000
                 val rssi = peerRSSI[peerID]?.let { "${it} dBm" } ?: "No RSSI"
-                
-                // Find device address for this peer ID
                 val deviceAddress = addressPeerMap?.entries?.find { it.value == peerID }?.key
                 val addressInfo = deviceAddress?.let { " [Device: $it]" } ?: " [Device: Unknown]"
-                
-                appendLine("  - $peerID ($nickname)$addressInfo - last seen ${timeSince}s ago, RSSI: $rssi")
+                val status = if (activeIds.contains(peerID)) "ACTIVE" else "INACTIVE"
+                val direct = if (info.isDirectConnection) "DIRECT" else "ROUTED"
+                appendLine("  - $peerID (${info.nickname})$addressInfo - $status/$direct, last seen ${timeSince}s ago, RSSI: $rssi")
             }
             appendLine("Announced Peers: ${announcedPeers.size}")
             appendLine("Announced To Peers: ${announcedToPeers.size}")
@@ -353,8 +387,8 @@ class PeerManager {
                 appendLine("No device address mappings available")
             } else {
                 addressPeerMap.forEach { (deviceAddress, peerID) ->
-                    val nickname = peerNicknames[peerID] ?: "Unknown"
-                    val isActive = activePeers.containsKey(peerID)
+                    val nickname = peers[peerID]?.nickname ?: "Unknown"
+                    val isActive = isPeerActive(peerID)
                     val status = if (isActive) "ACTIVE" else "INACTIVE"
                     appendLine("  Device: $deviceAddress -> Peer: $peerID ($nickname) [$status]")
                 }
@@ -390,9 +424,9 @@ class PeerManager {
     private fun cleanupStalePeers() {
         val now = System.currentTimeMillis()
         
-        val peersToRemove = activePeers.entries.filter { (_, lastSeen) ->
-            now - lastSeen > STALE_PEER_TIMEOUT
-        }.map { it.key }
+        val peersToRemove = peers.filterValues { (now - it.lastSeen) > STALE_PEER_TIMEOUT }
+            .keys
+            .toList()
         
         peersToRemove.forEach { peerID ->
             Log.d(TAG, "Removing stale peer: $peerID")
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/nostr/NostrGeohashService.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/nostr/NostrGeohashService.kt
index 17462712..9b34f7fa 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/nostr/NostrGeohashService.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/nostr/NostrGeohashService.kt
@@ -242,10 +242,9 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
      */
     fun sendGeohashMessage(content: String, channel: com.bitchat.android.geohash.GeohashChannel, myPeerID: String, nickname: String?) {
         coroutineScope.launch {
+            // Generate a temporary message ID for tracking animation
+            val tempMessageId = "temp_${System.currentTimeMillis()}_${Random.nextInt(1000)}"
             try {
-                // Generate a temporary message ID for tracking animation
-                val tempMessageId = "temp_${System.currentTimeMillis()}_${Random.nextInt(1000)}"
-                
                 // Add local echo message IMMEDIATELY (with temporary ID)
                 val powSettingsLocal = PoWPreferenceManager.getCurrentSettings()
                 val localMessage = BitchatMessage(
@@ -289,12 +288,6 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
                     teleported = teleported
                 )
                 
-                // Stop animation when PoW completes
-                if (powSettings.enabled && powSettings.difficulty > 0) {
-                    com.bitchat.android.ui.PoWMiningTracker.stopMiningMessage(tempMessageId)
-                    Log.d(TAG, "🎭 Stopped matrix animation for message: $tempMessageId")
-                }
-                
                 val nostrRelayManager = NostrRelayManager.getInstance(application)
                 nostrRelayManager.sendEventToGeohash(
                     event = event,
@@ -307,8 +300,8 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
                 
             } catch (e: Exception) {
                 Log.e(TAG, "Failed to send geohash message: ${e.message}")
-                // Make sure to stop animation even if there's an error
-                com.bitchat.android.ui.PoWMiningTracker.stopMiningMessage("temp_${System.currentTimeMillis()}")
+            } finally {
+                com.bitchat.android.ui.PoWMiningTracker.stopMiningMessage(tempMessageId)
             }
         }
     }
@@ -1275,6 +1268,7 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
             // val mentions = messageManager.parseMentions(content, peerNicknames, nickname)
             
             // Calculate actual PoW difficulty from the finalized event ID so we can show it for incoming messages too
+            val eventHasNonseTag = event.tags.any { it.isNotEmpty() && it[0] == "nonce" }
             val actualPow = try { NostrProofOfWork.calculateDifficulty(event.id) } catch (e: Exception) { 0 }
 
             val message = BitchatMessage(
@@ -1287,7 +1281,7 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
                 senderPeerID = "nostr:${event.pubkey.take(8)}",
                 mentions = null, // mentions need to be passed from outside
                 channel = "#$geohash",
-                powDifficulty = actualPow.takeIf { it > 0 }
+                powDifficulty = actualPow.takeIf { it > 0 && eventHasNonseTag } ?: null
             )
             
             // Store in geohash history for persistence across channel switches
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/nostr/PoWPreferenceManager.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/nostr/PoWPreferenceManager.kt
index a5300033..1bb3ff8a 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/nostr/PoWPreferenceManager.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/nostr/PoWPreferenceManager.kt
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ object PoWPreferenceManager {
     private const val KEY_POW_DIFFICULTY = "pow_difficulty"
     
     // Default values
-    private const val DEFAULT_POW_ENABLED = true
-    private const val DEFAULT_POW_DIFFICULTY = 10 // Reasonable default for geohash spam prevention
+    private const val DEFAULT_POW_ENABLED = false
+    private const val DEFAULT_POW_DIFFICULTY = 16 // Reasonable default for geohash spam prevention
     
     // State flows for reactive UI
     private val _powEnabled = MutableStateFlow(DEFAULT_POW_ENABLED)
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/AboutSheet.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/AboutSheet.kt
index 9e238d4c..50f9a5dc 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/AboutSheet.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/AboutSheet.kt
@@ -248,8 +248,8 @@ fun AboutSheet(
                                 Slider(
                                     value = powDifficulty.toFloat(),
                                     onValueChange = { PoWPreferenceManager.setPowDifficulty(it.toInt()) },
-                                    valueRange = 0f..20f,
-                                    steps = 21, // 20 discrete values (0-20)
+                                    valueRange = 0f..32f,
+                                    steps = 33, // 33 discrete values (0-32)
                                     colors = SliderDefaults.colors(
                                         thumbColor = if (isDark) Color(0xFF32D74B) else Color(0xFF248A3D),
                                         activeTrackColor = if (isDark) Color(0xFF32D74B) else Color(0xFF248A3D)
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/ChatState.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/ChatState.kt
index a0770218..352cd807 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/ChatState.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/ChatState.kt
@@ -103,6 +103,10 @@ class ChatState {
 
     private val _peerRSSI = MutableLiveData<Map<String, Int>>(emptyMap())
     val peerRSSI: LiveData<Map<String, Int>> = _peerRSSI
+
+    // Direct connection status per peer (for live UI updates)
+    private val _peerDirect = MutableLiveData<Map<String, Boolean>>(emptyMap())
+    val peerDirect: LiveData<Map<String, Boolean>> = _peerDirect
     
     // peerIDToPublicKeyFingerprint REMOVED - fingerprints now handled centrally in PeerManager
     
@@ -276,6 +280,10 @@ class ChatState {
     fun setPeerRSSI(rssi: Map<String, Int>) {
         _peerRSSI.value = rssi
     }
+
+    fun setPeerDirect(direct: Map<String, Boolean>) {
+        _peerDirect.value = direct
+    }
     
     fun setShowAppInfo(show: Boolean) {
         _showAppInfo.value = show
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/ChatUIUtils.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/ChatUIUtils.kt
index 858f8962..bc0a14f4 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/ChatUIUtils.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/ChatUIUtils.kt
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@ import androidx.compose.ui.text.font.FontStyle
 import androidx.compose.ui.text.font.FontWeight
 import androidx.compose.ui.text.style.TextDecoration
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.sp
+import androidx.compose.material.icons.Icons
+import androidx.compose.material.icons.outlined.Shield
+import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.vector.ImageVector
 import com.bitchat.android.model.BitchatMessage
 import com.bitchat.android.mesh.BluetoothMeshService
 import androidx.compose.material3.ColorScheme
@@ -124,11 +127,11 @@ fun formatMessageAsAnnotatedString(
         ))
         builder.append(" [${timeFormatter.format(message.timestamp)}]")
         // If message has valid PoW difficulty, append bits immediately after timestamp with minimal spacing
-        //message.powDifficulty?.let { bits ->
-        //    if (bits > 0) {
-        //        builder.append(" ${bits}b")
-        //    }
-        //}
+        message.powDifficulty?.let { bits ->
+            if (bits > 0) {
+                builder.append(" ⛨${bits}b")
+            }
+        }
         builder.pop()
         
     } else {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/ChatViewModel.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/ChatViewModel.kt
index 0a0ea6a7..a9a75e44 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/ChatViewModel.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/ChatViewModel.kt
@@ -106,6 +106,7 @@ class ChatViewModel(
     val peerFingerprints: LiveData<Map<String, String>> = state.peerFingerprints
     val peerNicknames: LiveData<Map<String, String>> = state.peerNicknames
     val peerRSSI: LiveData<Map<String, Int>> = state.peerRSSI
+    val peerDirect: LiveData<Map<String, Boolean>> = state.peerDirect
     val showAppInfo: LiveData<Boolean> = state.showAppInfo
     val selectedLocationChannel: LiveData<com.bitchat.android.geohash.ChannelID?> = state.selectedLocationChannel
     val isTeleported: LiveData<Boolean> = state.isTeleported
@@ -437,6 +438,14 @@ class ChatViewModel(
 
         val rssiValues = meshService.getPeerRSSI()
         state.setPeerRSSI(rssiValues)
+
+        // Update directness per peer (driven by PeerManager state)
+        try {
+            val directMap = state.getConnectedPeersValue().associateWith { pid ->
+                meshService.getPeerInfo(pid)?.isDirectConnection == true
+            }
+            state.setPeerDirect(directMap)
+        } catch (_: Exception) { }
     }
 
     // MARK: - Debug and Troubleshooting
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/PoWStatusIndicator.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/PoWStatusIndicator.kt
index 59aaed06..55a3e694 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/PoWStatusIndicator.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/PoWStatusIndicator.kt
@@ -128,67 +128,3 @@ enum class PoWIndicatorStyle {
     COMPACT,    // Small icon + difficulty number
     DETAILED    // Icon + status text + time estimate
 }
-
-/**
- * Shows mining progress with animated indicator
- */
-@Composable
-fun PoWMiningIndicator(
-    modifier: Modifier = Modifier,
-    difficulty: Int,
-    iterations: Int? = null
-) {
-    val colorScheme = MaterialTheme.colorScheme
-    
-    Surface(
-        modifier = modifier,
-        color = Color(0xFFFF9500).copy(alpha = 0.1f),
-        shape = androidx.compose.foundation.shape.RoundedCornerShape(8.dp)
-    ) {
-        Row(
-            modifier = Modifier.padding(horizontal = 12.dp, vertical = 8.dp),
-            horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(8.dp),
-            verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically
-        ) {
-            // Animated security icon
-            val rotation by rememberInfiniteTransition(label = "mining-rotation").animateFloat(
-                initialValue = 0f,
-                targetValue = 360f,
-                animationSpec = infiniteRepeatable(
-                    animation = tween(1000, easing = LinearEasing),
-                    repeatMode = RepeatMode.Restart
-                ),
-                label = "mining-icon-rotation"
-            )
-            
-            Icon(
-                imageVector = Icons.Filled.Security,
-                contentDescription = "Mining Proof of Work",
-                tint = Color(0xFFFF9500),
-                modifier = Modifier
-                    .size(16.dp)
-                    .graphicsLayer { rotationZ = rotation }
-            )
-            
-            Column(
-                verticalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(2.dp)
-            ) {
-                Text(
-                    text = "mining proof of work...",
-                    fontSize = 12.sp,
-                    fontFamily = FontFamily.Monospace,
-                    fontWeight = FontWeight.Medium,
-                    color = Color(0xFFFF9500)
-                )
-                
-                Text(
-                    text = "difficulty: ${difficulty}bit (~${NostrProofOfWork.estimateMiningTime(difficulty)})" +
-                            if (iterations != null) " • ${iterations} attempts" else "",
-                    fontSize = 10.sp,
-                    fontFamily = FontFamily.Monospace,
-                    color = colorScheme.onSurface.copy(alpha = 0.7f)
-                )
-            }
-        }
-    }
-}
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/SidebarComponents.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/SidebarComponents.kt
index 2823896c..502e63cb 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/SidebarComponents.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/SidebarComponents.kt
@@ -384,10 +384,12 @@ fun PeopleSection(
             val (bName, _) = com.bitchat.android.ui.splitSuffix(displayName)
             val showHash = (baseNameCounts[bName] ?: 0) > 1
 
+            val directMap by viewModel.peerDirect.observeAsState(emptyMap())
+            val isDirectLive = directMap[peerID] ?: try { viewModel.meshService.getPeerInfo(peerID)?.isDirectConnection == true } catch (_: Exception) { false }
             PeerItem(
                 peerID = peerID,
                 displayName = displayName,
-                signalStrength = convertRSSIToSignalStrength(peerRSSI[peerID]),
+                isDirect = isDirectLive,
                 isSelected = peerID == selectedPrivatePeer,
                 isFavorite = isFavorite,
                 hasUnreadDM = combinedHasUnread,
@@ -421,7 +423,7 @@ fun PeopleSection(
             PeerItem(
                 peerID = favPeerID,
                 displayName = dn,
-                signalStrength = 0,
+                isDirect = false,
                 isSelected = (mappedConnectedPeerID ?: favPeerID) == selectedPrivatePeer,
                 isFavorite = true,
                 hasUnreadDM = hasUnreadPrivateMessages.contains(favPeerID),
@@ -458,15 +460,15 @@ fun PeopleSection(
                 val (bName, _) = com.bitchat.android.ui.splitSuffix(dn)
                 val showHash = (baseNameCounts[bName] ?: 0) > 1
 
-                PeerItem(
-                    peerID = convKey,
-                    displayName = dn,
-                    signalStrength = 0,
-                    isSelected = convKey == selectedPrivatePeer,
-                    isFavorite = false,
-                    hasUnreadDM = hasUnreadPrivateMessages.contains(convKey),
-                    colorScheme = colorScheme,
-                    viewModel = viewModel,
+            PeerItem(
+                peerID = convKey,
+                displayName = dn,
+                isDirect = false,
+                isSelected = convKey == selectedPrivatePeer,
+                isFavorite = false,
+                hasUnreadDM = hasUnreadPrivateMessages.contains(convKey),
+                colorScheme = colorScheme,
+                viewModel = viewModel,
                     onItemClick = { onPrivateChatStart(convKey) },
                     onToggleFavorite = { viewModel.toggleFavorite(convKey) },
                     unreadCount = privateChats[convKey]?.count { msg ->
@@ -483,7 +485,7 @@ fun PeopleSection(
 private fun PeerItem(
     peerID: String,
     displayName: String,
-    signalStrength: Int,
+    isDirect: Boolean,
     isSelected: Boolean,
     isFavorite: Boolean,
     hasUnreadDM: Boolean,
@@ -527,7 +529,7 @@ private fun PeerItem(
                 tint = Color(0xFFFF9500) // iOS orange
             )
         } else {
-            // Signal strength indicators
+            // Connection indicator icons
             if (showNostrGlobe) {
                 // Purple globe to indicate Nostr availability
                 Icon(
@@ -537,9 +539,11 @@ private fun PeerItem(
                     tint = Color(0xFF9C27B0) // Purple
                 )
             } else {
-                SignalStrengthIndicator(
-                    signalStrength = signalStrength,
-                    colorScheme = colorScheme
+                Icon(
+                    imageVector = if (isDirect) Icons.Outlined.SettingsInputAntenna else Icons.Filled.Route,
+                    contentDescription = if (isDirect) "Direct Bluetooth" else "Routed",
+                    modifier = Modifier.size(16.dp),
+                    tint = colorScheme.onSurface.copy(alpha = 0.8f)
                 )
             }
         }