diff --git a/bitchat/Models/BitchatMessage.swift b/bitchat/Models/BitchatMessage.swift
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1ae62040
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bitchat/Models/BitchatMessage.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,343 @@
+//
+// BitchatMessage.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import Foundation
+
+/// Represents a user-visible message in the BitChat system.
+/// Handles both broadcast messages and private encrypted messages,
+/// with support for mentions, replies, and delivery tracking.
+/// - Note: This is the primary data model for chat messages
+final class BitchatMessage: Codable {
+    let id: String
+    let sender: String
+    let content: String
+    let timestamp: Date
+    let isRelay: Bool
+    let originalSender: String?
+    let isPrivate: Bool
+    let recipientNickname: String?
+    let senderPeerID: String?
+    let mentions: [String]?  // Array of mentioned nicknames
+    var deliveryStatus: DeliveryStatus? // Delivery tracking
+    
+    // Cached formatted text (not included in Codable)
+    private var _cachedFormattedText: [String: AttributedString] = [:]
+    
+    func getCachedFormattedText(isDark: Bool, isSelf: Bool) -> AttributedString? {
+        return _cachedFormattedText["\(isDark)-\(isSelf)"]
+    }
+    
+    func setCachedFormattedText(_ text: AttributedString, isDark: Bool, isSelf: Bool) {
+        _cachedFormattedText["\(isDark)-\(isSelf)"] = text
+    }
+    
+    // Codable implementation
+    enum CodingKeys: String, CodingKey {
+        case id, sender, content, timestamp, isRelay, originalSender
+        case isPrivate, recipientNickname, senderPeerID, mentions, deliveryStatus
+    }
+    
+    init(id: String? = nil, sender: String, content: String, timestamp: Date, isRelay: Bool, originalSender: String? = nil, isPrivate: Bool = false, recipientNickname: String? = nil, senderPeerID: String? = nil, mentions: [String]? = nil, deliveryStatus: DeliveryStatus? = nil) {
+        self.id = id ?? UUID().uuidString
+        self.sender = sender
+        self.content = content
+        self.timestamp = timestamp
+        self.isRelay = isRelay
+        self.originalSender = originalSender
+        self.isPrivate = isPrivate
+        self.recipientNickname = recipientNickname
+        self.senderPeerID = senderPeerID
+        self.mentions = mentions
+        self.deliveryStatus = deliveryStatus ?? (isPrivate ? .sending : nil)
+    }
+}
+
+// MARK: - Equatable Conformance
+
+extension BitchatMessage: Equatable {
+    static func == (lhs: BitchatMessage, rhs: BitchatMessage) -> Bool {
+        return lhs.id == rhs.id &&
+               lhs.sender == rhs.sender &&
+               lhs.content == rhs.content &&
+               lhs.timestamp == rhs.timestamp &&
+               lhs.isRelay == rhs.isRelay &&
+               lhs.originalSender == rhs.originalSender &&
+               lhs.isPrivate == rhs.isPrivate &&
+               lhs.recipientNickname == rhs.recipientNickname &&
+               lhs.senderPeerID == rhs.senderPeerID &&
+               lhs.mentions == rhs.mentions &&
+               lhs.deliveryStatus == rhs.deliveryStatus
+    }
+}
+
+// MARK: - Binary encoding
+
+extension BitchatMessage {
+    func toBinaryPayload() -> Data? {
+        var data = Data()
+        
+        // Message format:
+        // - Flags: 1 byte (bit 0: isRelay, bit 1: isPrivate, bit 2: hasOriginalSender, bit 3: hasRecipientNickname, bit 4: hasSenderPeerID, bit 5: hasMentions)
+        // - Timestamp: 8 bytes (seconds since epoch)
+        // - ID length: 1 byte
+        // - ID: variable
+        // - Sender length: 1 byte
+        // - Sender: variable
+        // - Content length: 2 bytes
+        // - Content: variable
+        // Optional fields based on flags:
+        // - Original sender length + data
+        // - Recipient nickname length + data
+        // - Sender peer ID length + data
+        // - Mentions array
+        
+        var flags: UInt8 = 0
+        if isRelay { flags |= 0x01 }
+        if isPrivate { flags |= 0x02 }
+        if originalSender != nil { flags |= 0x04 }
+        if recipientNickname != nil { flags |= 0x08 }
+        if senderPeerID != nil { flags |= 0x10 }
+        if mentions != nil && !mentions!.isEmpty { flags |= 0x20 }
+        
+        data.append(flags)
+        
+        // Timestamp (in milliseconds)
+        let timestampMillis = UInt64(timestamp.timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000)
+        // Encode as 8 bytes, big-endian
+        for i in (0..<8).reversed() {
+            data.append(UInt8((timestampMillis >> (i * 8)) & 0xFF))
+        }
+        
+        // ID
+        if let idData = id.data(using: .utf8) {
+            data.append(UInt8(min(idData.count, 255)))
+            data.append(idData.prefix(255))
+        } else {
+            data.append(0)
+        }
+        
+        // Sender
+        if let senderData = sender.data(using: .utf8) {
+            data.append(UInt8(min(senderData.count, 255)))
+            data.append(senderData.prefix(255))
+        } else {
+            data.append(0)
+        }
+        
+        // Content
+        if let contentData = content.data(using: .utf8) {
+            let length = UInt16(min(contentData.count, 65535))
+            // Encode length as 2 bytes, big-endian
+            data.append(UInt8((length >> 8) & 0xFF))
+            data.append(UInt8(length & 0xFF))
+            data.append(contentData.prefix(Int(length)))
+        } else {
+            data.append(contentsOf: [0, 0])
+        }
+        
+        // Optional fields
+        if let originalSender = originalSender, let origData = originalSender.data(using: .utf8) {
+            data.append(UInt8(min(origData.count, 255)))
+            data.append(origData.prefix(255))
+        }
+        
+        if let recipientNickname = recipientNickname, let recipData = recipientNickname.data(using: .utf8) {
+            data.append(UInt8(min(recipData.count, 255)))
+            data.append(recipData.prefix(255))
+        }
+        
+        if let senderPeerID = senderPeerID, let peerData = senderPeerID.data(using: .utf8) {
+            data.append(UInt8(min(peerData.count, 255)))
+            data.append(peerData.prefix(255))
+        }
+        
+        // Mentions array
+        if let mentions = mentions {
+            data.append(UInt8(min(mentions.count, 255))) // Number of mentions
+            for mention in mentions.prefix(255) {
+                if let mentionData = mention.data(using: .utf8) {
+                    data.append(UInt8(min(mentionData.count, 255)))
+                    data.append(mentionData.prefix(255))
+                } else {
+                    data.append(0)
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        
+        
+        return data
+    }
+    
+    convenience init?(_ data: Data) {
+        // Create an immutable copy to prevent threading issues
+        let dataCopy = Data(data)
+        
+        
+        guard dataCopy.count >= 13 else {
+            return nil
+        }
+        
+        var offset = 0
+        
+        // Flags
+        guard offset < dataCopy.count else {
+            return nil
+        }
+        let flags = dataCopy[offset]; offset += 1
+        let isRelay = (flags & 0x01) != 0
+        let isPrivate = (flags & 0x02) != 0
+        let hasOriginalSender = (flags & 0x04) != 0
+        let hasRecipientNickname = (flags & 0x08) != 0
+        let hasSenderPeerID = (flags & 0x10) != 0
+        let hasMentions = (flags & 0x20) != 0
+        
+        // Timestamp
+        guard offset + 8 <= dataCopy.count else {
+            return nil
+        }
+        let timestampData = dataCopy[offset..<offset+8]
+        let timestampMillis = timestampData.reduce(0) { result, byte in
+            (result << 8) | UInt64(byte)
+        }
+        offset += 8
+        let timestamp = Date(timeIntervalSince1970: TimeInterval(timestampMillis) / 1000.0)
+        
+        // ID
+        guard offset < dataCopy.count else {
+            return nil
+        }
+        let idLength = Int(dataCopy[offset]); offset += 1
+        guard offset + idLength <= dataCopy.count else {
+            return nil
+        }
+        let id = String(data: dataCopy[offset..<offset+idLength], encoding: .utf8) ?? UUID().uuidString
+        offset += idLength
+        
+        // Sender
+        guard offset < dataCopy.count else {
+            return nil
+        }
+        let senderLength = Int(dataCopy[offset]); offset += 1
+        guard offset + senderLength <= dataCopy.count else {
+            return nil
+        }
+        let sender = String(data: dataCopy[offset..<offset+senderLength], encoding: .utf8) ?? "unknown"
+        offset += senderLength
+        
+        // Content
+        guard offset + 2 <= dataCopy.count else {
+            return nil
+        }
+        let contentLengthData = dataCopy[offset..<offset+2]
+        let contentLength = Int(contentLengthData.reduce(0) { result, byte in
+            (result << 8) | UInt16(byte)
+        })
+        offset += 2
+        guard offset + contentLength <= dataCopy.count else {
+            return nil
+        }
+        
+        let content = String(data: dataCopy[offset..<offset+contentLength], encoding: .utf8) ?? ""
+        offset += contentLength
+        
+        // Optional fields
+        var originalSender: String?
+        if hasOriginalSender && offset < dataCopy.count {
+            let length = Int(dataCopy[offset]); offset += 1
+            if offset + length <= dataCopy.count {
+                originalSender = String(data: dataCopy[offset..<offset+length], encoding: .utf8)
+                offset += length
+            }
+        }
+        
+        var recipientNickname: String?
+        if hasRecipientNickname && offset < dataCopy.count {
+            let length = Int(dataCopy[offset]); offset += 1
+            if offset + length <= dataCopy.count {
+                recipientNickname = String(data: dataCopy[offset..<offset+length], encoding: .utf8)
+                offset += length
+            }
+        }
+        
+        var senderPeerID: String?
+        if hasSenderPeerID && offset < dataCopy.count {
+            let length = Int(dataCopy[offset]); offset += 1
+            if offset + length <= dataCopy.count {
+                senderPeerID = String(data: dataCopy[offset..<offset+length], encoding: .utf8)
+                offset += length
+            }
+        }
+        
+        // Mentions array
+        var mentions: [String]?
+        if hasMentions && offset < dataCopy.count {
+            let mentionCount = Int(dataCopy[offset]); offset += 1
+            if mentionCount > 0 {
+                mentions = []
+                for _ in 0..<mentionCount {
+                    if offset < dataCopy.count {
+                        let length = Int(dataCopy[offset]); offset += 1
+                        if offset + length <= dataCopy.count {
+                            if let mention = String(data: dataCopy[offset..<offset+length], encoding: .utf8) {
+                                mentions?.append(mention)
+                            }
+                            offset += length
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        
+        self.init(
+            id: id,
+            sender: sender,
+            content: content,
+            timestamp: timestamp,
+            isRelay: isRelay,
+            originalSender: originalSender,
+            isPrivate: isPrivate,
+            recipientNickname: recipientNickname,
+            senderPeerID: senderPeerID,
+            mentions: mentions
+        )
+    }
+}
+
+// MARK: - Helpers
+
+extension BitchatMessage {
+    
+    private static let timestampFormatter: DateFormatter = {
+        let formatter = DateFormatter()
+        formatter.dateFormat = "HH:mm:ss"
+        return formatter
+    }()
+    
+    var formattedTimestamp: String {
+        Self.timestampFormatter.string(from: timestamp)
+    }
+}
+
+extension Array where Element == BitchatMessage {
+    /// Filters out empty ones and deduplicate by ID while preserving order (from oldest to newest)
+    func cleanedAndDeduped() -> [Element] {
+        let arr = filter { $0.content.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines).isEmpty == false }
+        guard arr.count > 1 else {
+            return arr
+        }
+        var seen = Set<String>()
+        var dedup: [BitchatMessage] = []
+        for m in arr.sorted(by: { $0.timestamp < $1.timestamp }) {
+            if !seen.contains(m.id) {
+                dedup.append(m)
+                seen.insert(m.id)
+            }
+        }
+        return dedup
+    }
+}
diff --git a/bitchat/Protocols/BinaryProtocol.swift b/bitchat/Protocols/BinaryProtocol.swift
index d6a0b37b..390ec6ef 100644
--- a/bitchat/Protocols/BinaryProtocol.swift
+++ b/bitchat/Protocols/BinaryProtocol.swift
@@ -328,236 +328,3 @@ struct BinaryProtocol {
         }
     }
 }
-
-// Binary encoding for BitchatMessage
-extension BitchatMessage {
-    func toBinaryPayload() -> Data? {
-        var data = Data()
-        
-        // Message format:
-        // - Flags: 1 byte (bit 0: isRelay, bit 1: isPrivate, bit 2: hasOriginalSender, bit 3: hasRecipientNickname, bit 4: hasSenderPeerID, bit 5: hasMentions)
-        // - Timestamp: 8 bytes (seconds since epoch)
-        // - ID length: 1 byte
-        // - ID: variable
-        // - Sender length: 1 byte
-        // - Sender: variable
-        // - Content length: 2 bytes
-        // - Content: variable
-        // Optional fields based on flags:
-        // - Original sender length + data
-        // - Recipient nickname length + data
-        // - Sender peer ID length + data
-        // - Mentions array
-        
-        var flags: UInt8 = 0
-        if isRelay { flags |= 0x01 }
-        if isPrivate { flags |= 0x02 }
-        if originalSender != nil { flags |= 0x04 }
-        if recipientNickname != nil { flags |= 0x08 }
-        if senderPeerID != nil { flags |= 0x10 }
-        if mentions != nil && !mentions!.isEmpty { flags |= 0x20 }
-        
-        data.append(flags)
-        
-        // Timestamp (in milliseconds)
-        let timestampMillis = UInt64(timestamp.timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000)
-        // Encode as 8 bytes, big-endian
-        for i in (0..<8).reversed() {
-            data.append(UInt8((timestampMillis >> (i * 8)) & 0xFF))
-        }
-        
-        // ID
-        if let idData = id.data(using: .utf8) {
-            data.append(UInt8(min(idData.count, 255)))
-            data.append(idData.prefix(255))
-        } else {
-            data.append(0)
-        }
-        
-        // Sender
-        if let senderData = sender.data(using: .utf8) {
-            data.append(UInt8(min(senderData.count, 255)))
-            data.append(senderData.prefix(255))
-        } else {
-            data.append(0)
-        }
-        
-        // Content
-        if let contentData = content.data(using: .utf8) {
-            let length = UInt16(min(contentData.count, 65535))
-            // Encode length as 2 bytes, big-endian
-            data.append(UInt8((length >> 8) & 0xFF))
-            data.append(UInt8(length & 0xFF))
-            data.append(contentData.prefix(Int(length)))
-        } else {
-            data.append(contentsOf: [0, 0])
-        }
-        
-        // Optional fields
-        if let originalSender = originalSender, let origData = originalSender.data(using: .utf8) {
-            data.append(UInt8(min(origData.count, 255)))
-            data.append(origData.prefix(255))
-        }
-        
-        if let recipientNickname = recipientNickname, let recipData = recipientNickname.data(using: .utf8) {
-            data.append(UInt8(min(recipData.count, 255)))
-            data.append(recipData.prefix(255))
-        }
-        
-        if let senderPeerID = senderPeerID, let peerData = senderPeerID.data(using: .utf8) {
-            data.append(UInt8(min(peerData.count, 255)))
-            data.append(peerData.prefix(255))
-        }
-        
-        // Mentions array
-        if let mentions = mentions {
-            data.append(UInt8(min(mentions.count, 255))) // Number of mentions
-            for mention in mentions.prefix(255) {
-                if let mentionData = mention.data(using: .utf8) {
-                    data.append(UInt8(min(mentionData.count, 255)))
-                    data.append(mentionData.prefix(255))
-                } else {
-                    data.append(0)
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        
-        
-        return data
-    }
-    
-    static func fromBinaryPayload(_ data: Data) -> BitchatMessage? {
-        // Create an immutable copy to prevent threading issues
-        let dataCopy = Data(data)
-        
-        
-        guard dataCopy.count >= 13 else { 
-            return nil 
-        }
-        
-        var offset = 0
-        
-        // Flags
-        guard offset < dataCopy.count else { 
-            return nil 
-        }
-        let flags = dataCopy[offset]; offset += 1
-        let isRelay = (flags & 0x01) != 0
-        let isPrivate = (flags & 0x02) != 0
-        let hasOriginalSender = (flags & 0x04) != 0
-        let hasRecipientNickname = (flags & 0x08) != 0
-        let hasSenderPeerID = (flags & 0x10) != 0
-        let hasMentions = (flags & 0x20) != 0
-        
-        // Timestamp
-        guard offset + 8 <= dataCopy.count else { 
-            return nil 
-        }
-        let timestampData = dataCopy[offset..<offset+8]
-        let timestampMillis = timestampData.reduce(0) { result, byte in
-            (result << 8) | UInt64(byte)
-        }
-        offset += 8
-        let timestamp = Date(timeIntervalSince1970: TimeInterval(timestampMillis) / 1000.0)
-        
-        // ID
-        guard offset < dataCopy.count else { 
-            return nil 
-        }
-        let idLength = Int(dataCopy[offset]); offset += 1
-        guard offset + idLength <= dataCopy.count else { 
-            return nil 
-        }
-        let id = String(data: dataCopy[offset..<offset+idLength], encoding: .utf8) ?? UUID().uuidString
-        offset += idLength
-        
-        // Sender
-        guard offset < dataCopy.count else { 
-            return nil 
-        }
-        let senderLength = Int(dataCopy[offset]); offset += 1
-        guard offset + senderLength <= dataCopy.count else { 
-            return nil 
-        }
-        let sender = String(data: dataCopy[offset..<offset+senderLength], encoding: .utf8) ?? "unknown"
-        offset += senderLength
-        
-        // Content
-        guard offset + 2 <= dataCopy.count else { 
-            return nil 
-        }
-        let contentLengthData = dataCopy[offset..<offset+2]
-        let contentLength = Int(contentLengthData.reduce(0) { result, byte in
-            (result << 8) | UInt16(byte)
-        })
-        offset += 2
-        guard offset + contentLength <= dataCopy.count else { 
-            return nil 
-        }
-        
-        let content = String(data: dataCopy[offset..<offset+contentLength], encoding: .utf8) ?? ""
-        offset += contentLength
-        
-        // Optional fields
-        var originalSender: String?
-        if hasOriginalSender && offset < dataCopy.count {
-            let length = Int(dataCopy[offset]); offset += 1
-            if offset + length <= dataCopy.count {
-                originalSender = String(data: dataCopy[offset..<offset+length], encoding: .utf8)
-                offset += length
-            }
-        }
-        
-        var recipientNickname: String?
-        if hasRecipientNickname && offset < dataCopy.count {
-            let length = Int(dataCopy[offset]); offset += 1
-            if offset + length <= dataCopy.count {
-                recipientNickname = String(data: dataCopy[offset..<offset+length], encoding: .utf8)
-                offset += length
-            }
-        }
-        
-        var senderPeerID: String?
-        if hasSenderPeerID && offset < dataCopy.count {
-            let length = Int(dataCopy[offset]); offset += 1
-            if offset + length <= dataCopy.count {
-                senderPeerID = String(data: dataCopy[offset..<offset+length], encoding: .utf8)
-                offset += length
-            }
-        }
-        
-        // Mentions array
-        var mentions: [String]?
-        if hasMentions && offset < dataCopy.count {
-            let mentionCount = Int(dataCopy[offset]); offset += 1
-            if mentionCount > 0 {
-                mentions = []
-                for _ in 0..<mentionCount {
-                    if offset < dataCopy.count {
-                        let length = Int(dataCopy[offset]); offset += 1
-                        if offset + length <= dataCopy.count {
-                            if let mention = String(data: dataCopy[offset..<offset+length], encoding: .utf8) {
-                                mentions?.append(mention)
-                            }
-                            offset += length
-                        }
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        
-        let message = BitchatMessage(
-            id: id,
-            sender: sender,
-            content: content,
-            timestamp: timestamp,
-            isRelay: isRelay,
-            originalSender: originalSender,
-            isPrivate: isPrivate,
-            recipientNickname: recipientNickname,
-            senderPeerID: senderPeerID,
-            mentions: mentions
-        )
-        return message
-    }
-}
diff --git a/bitchat/Protocols/BitchatProtocol.swift b/bitchat/Protocols/BitchatProtocol.swift
index 6045cb21..b9fff31f 100644
--- a/bitchat/Protocols/BitchatProtocol.swift
+++ b/bitchat/Protocols/BitchatProtocol.swift
@@ -393,74 +393,6 @@ enum DeliveryStatus: Codable, Equatable {
     }
 }
 
-// MARK: - Message Model
-
-/// Represents a user-visible message in the BitChat system.
-/// Handles both broadcast messages and private encrypted messages,
-/// with support for mentions, replies, and delivery tracking.
-/// - Note: This is the primary data model for chat messages
-final class BitchatMessage: Codable {
-    let id: String
-    let sender: String
-    let content: String
-    let timestamp: Date
-    let isRelay: Bool
-    let originalSender: String?
-    let isPrivate: Bool
-    let recipientNickname: String?
-    let senderPeerID: String?
-    let mentions: [String]?  // Array of mentioned nicknames
-    var deliveryStatus: DeliveryStatus? // Delivery tracking
-    
-    // Cached formatted text (not included in Codable)
-    private var _cachedFormattedText: [String: AttributedString] = [:]
-    
-    func getCachedFormattedText(isDark: Bool, isSelf: Bool) -> AttributedString? {
-        return _cachedFormattedText["\(isDark)-\(isSelf)"]
-    }
-    
-    func setCachedFormattedText(_ text: AttributedString, isDark: Bool, isSelf: Bool) {
-        _cachedFormattedText["\(isDark)-\(isSelf)"] = text
-    }
-    
-    // Codable implementation
-    enum CodingKeys: String, CodingKey {
-        case id, sender, content, timestamp, isRelay, originalSender
-        case isPrivate, recipientNickname, senderPeerID, mentions, deliveryStatus
-    }
-    
-    init(id: String? = nil, sender: String, content: String, timestamp: Date, isRelay: Bool, originalSender: String? = nil, isPrivate: Bool = false, recipientNickname: String? = nil, senderPeerID: String? = nil, mentions: [String]? = nil, deliveryStatus: DeliveryStatus? = nil) {
-        self.id = id ?? UUID().uuidString
-        self.sender = sender
-        self.content = content
-        self.timestamp = timestamp
-        self.isRelay = isRelay
-        self.originalSender = originalSender
-        self.isPrivate = isPrivate
-        self.recipientNickname = recipientNickname
-        self.senderPeerID = senderPeerID
-        self.mentions = mentions
-        self.deliveryStatus = deliveryStatus ?? (isPrivate ? .sending : nil)
-    }
-}
-
-// Equatable conformance for BitchatMessage
-extension BitchatMessage: Equatable {
-    static func == (lhs: BitchatMessage, rhs: BitchatMessage) -> Bool {
-        return lhs.id == rhs.id &&
-               lhs.sender == rhs.sender &&
-               lhs.content == rhs.content &&
-               lhs.timestamp == rhs.timestamp &&
-               lhs.isRelay == rhs.isRelay &&
-               lhs.originalSender == rhs.originalSender &&
-               lhs.isPrivate == rhs.isPrivate &&
-               lhs.recipientNickname == rhs.recipientNickname &&
-               lhs.senderPeerID == rhs.senderPeerID &&
-               lhs.mentions == rhs.mentions &&
-               lhs.deliveryStatus == rhs.deliveryStatus
-    }
-}
-
 // MARK: - Delegate Protocol
 
 protocol BitchatDelegate: AnyObject {
diff --git a/bitchat/Utils/String+Nickname.swift b/bitchat/Utils/String+Nickname.swift
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b586aa66
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bitchat/Utils/String+Nickname.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+//
+// String+Nickname.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import Foundation
+
+extension String {
+    /// Split a nickname into base and a '#abcd' suffix if present
+    func splitSuffix() -> (String, String) {
+        let name = self.replacingOccurrences(of: "@", with: "")
+        guard name.count >= 5 else { return (name, "") }
+        let suffix = String(name.suffix(5))
+        if suffix.first == "#", suffix.dropFirst().allSatisfy({ c in
+            ("0"..."9").contains(String(c)) || ("a"..."f").contains(String(c)) || ("A"..."F").contains(String(c))
+        }) {
+            let base = String(name.dropLast(5))
+            return (base, suffix)
+        }
+        return (name, "")
+    }
+}
diff --git a/bitchat/ViewModels/ChatViewModel.swift b/bitchat/ViewModels/ChatViewModel.swift
index 6063aa8d..03dda589 100644
--- a/bitchat/ViewModels/ChatViewModel.swift
+++ b/bitchat/ViewModels/ChatViewModel.swift
@@ -1522,29 +1522,10 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate {
             geohashPeople = []
             teleportedGeo.removeAll()
         case .location(let ch):
-            // Sanitize existing timeline (filter any prior empty-content entries)
-            var arr = geoTimelines[ch.geohash] ?? []
-            arr.removeAll { $0.content.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines).isEmpty }
-            // Deduplicate by ID while preserving order (from oldest to newest)
-            if arr.count > 1 {
-                var seen = Set<String>()
-                var dedup: [BitchatMessage] = []
-                for m in arr.sorted(by: { $0.timestamp < $1.timestamp }) {
-                    if !seen.contains(m.id) {
-                        dedup.append(m)
-                        seen.insert(m.id)
-                    }
-                }
-                arr = dedup
-            }
             // Persist the cleaned/sorted timeline for this geohash
-            geoTimelines[ch.geohash] = arr
-            messages = arr
-            // Debug: log if any empty messages are present post-sanitize
-            let emptyGeo = messages.filter { $0.content.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines).isEmpty }.count
-            if emptyGeo > 0 {
-                SecureLogger.debug("RenderGuard: geohash \(ch.geohash) timeline has \(emptyGeo) empty messages after sanitize", category: .session)
-            }
+            let deduped = geoTimelines[ch.geohash]?.cleanedAndDeduped() ?? []
+            geoTimelines[ch.geohash] = deduped
+            messages = deduped
         }
         // If switching to a location channel, flush any pending geohash-only system messages
         if case .location = channel, !pendingGeohashSystemMessages.isEmpty {
@@ -3088,17 +3069,6 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate {
         
     }
     
-    
-    
-    // MARK: - Formatting Helpers
-    
-    func formatTimestamp(_ date: Date) -> String {
-        let formatter = DateFormatter()
-        formatter.dateFormat = "HH:mm:ss"
-        return formatter.string(from: date)
-    }
-    
-    
     // MARK: - Autocomplete
     
     func updateAutocomplete(for text: String, cursorPosition: Int) {
@@ -3160,87 +3130,6 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate {
     
     // MARK: - Message Formatting
     
-    func getSenderColor(for message: BitchatMessage, colorScheme: ColorScheme) -> Color {
-        let isDark = colorScheme == .dark
-        let primaryColor = isDark ? Color.green : Color(red: 0, green: 0.5, blue: 0)
-        
-        return primaryColor
-    }
-    
-    
-    func formatMessageContent(_ message: BitchatMessage, colorScheme: ColorScheme) -> AttributedString {
-        let isDark = colorScheme == .dark
-        let contentText = message.content
-        var processedContent = AttributedString()
-        
-        // Regular expressions for mentions and hashtags
-        let mentionPattern = "@([\\p{L}0-9_]+)"
-        let hashtagPattern = "#([a-zA-Z0-9_]+)"
-        
-        let mentionRegex = try? NSRegularExpression(pattern: mentionPattern, options: [])
-        let hashtagRegex = try? NSRegularExpression(pattern: hashtagPattern, options: [])
-        
-        let nsContent = contentText as NSString
-        let nsLen = nsContent.length
-        let mentionMatches = mentionRegex?.matches(in: contentText, options: [], range: NSRange(location: 0, length: nsLen)) ?? []
-        let hashtagMatches = hashtagRegex?.matches(in: contentText, options: [], range: NSRange(location: 0, length: nsLen)) ?? []
-        
-        // Combine and sort all matches
-        var allMatches: [(range: NSRange, type: String)] = []
-        for match in mentionMatches {
-            allMatches.append((match.range(at: 0), "mention"))
-        }
-        for match in hashtagMatches {
-            allMatches.append((match.range(at: 0), "hashtag"))
-        }
-        allMatches.sort { $0.range.location < $1.range.location }
-        
-        var lastEndIndex = contentText.startIndex
-        
-        for (matchRange, matchType) in allMatches {
-            // Add text before the match
-            if let range = Range(matchRange, in: contentText) {
-                if lastEndIndex < range.lowerBound {
-                    let beforeText = String(contentText[lastEndIndex..<range.lowerBound])
-                    if !beforeText.isEmpty {
-                        var normalStyle = AttributeContainer()
-                        normalStyle.font = .system(size: 14, design: .monospaced)
-                        normalStyle.foregroundColor = isDark ? Color.white : Color.black
-                        processedContent.append(AttributedString(beforeText).mergingAttributes(normalStyle))
-                    }
-                }
-                
-                // Add the match with appropriate styling
-                let matchText = String(contentText[range])
-                var matchStyle = AttributeContainer()
-                matchStyle.font = .system(size: 14, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced)
-                
-                if matchType == "mention" {
-                    matchStyle.foregroundColor = Color.orange
-                } else {
-                    // Hashtag
-                    matchStyle.foregroundColor = Color.blue
-                    matchStyle.underlineStyle = .single
-                }
-                
-                processedContent.append(AttributedString(matchText).mergingAttributes(matchStyle))
-                
-                if lastEndIndex < range.upperBound { lastEndIndex = range.upperBound }
-            }
-        }
-        
-        // Add any remaining text
-        if lastEndIndex < contentText.endIndex {
-            let remainingText = String(contentText[lastEndIndex...])
-            var normalStyle = AttributeContainer()
-            normalStyle.font = .system(size: 14, design: .monospaced)
-            normalStyle.foregroundColor = isDark ? Color.white : Color.black
-            processedContent.append(AttributedString(remainingText).mergingAttributes(normalStyle))
-        }
-        
-        return processedContent
-    }
-    
     @MainActor
     func formatMessageAsText(_ message: BitchatMessage, colorScheme: ColorScheme) -> AttributedString {
         // Determine if this message was sent by self (mesh, geo, or DM)
@@ -3272,7 +3161,7 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate {
         
         if message.sender != "system" {
             // Sender (at the beginning) with light-gray suffix styling if present
-            let (baseName, suffix) = splitSuffix(from: message.sender)
+            let (baseName, suffix) = message.sender.splitSuffix()
             var senderStyle = AttributeContainer()
             // Use consistent color for all senders
             senderStyle.foregroundColor = baseColor
@@ -3423,7 +3312,7 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate {
                     let matchText = String(content[nsRange])
                     if type == "mention" {
                         // Split optional '#abcd' suffix and color suffix light grey
-                        let (mBase, mSuffix) = splitSuffix(from: matchText.replacingOccurrences(of: "@", with: ""))
+                        let (mBase, mSuffix) = matchText.splitSuffix()
                         // Determine if this mention targets me (resolves with optional suffix per active channel)
                         let mySuffix: String? = {
                             if case .location(let ch) = activeChannel, let id = try? NostrIdentityBridge.deriveIdentity(forGeohash: ch.geohash) {
@@ -3547,7 +3436,7 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate {
             }
             
             // Add timestamp at the end (smaller, light grey)
-            let timestamp = AttributedString(" [\(formatTimestamp(message.timestamp))]")
+            let timestamp = AttributedString(" [\(message.formattedTimestamp)]")
             var timestampStyle = AttributeContainer()
             timestampStyle.foregroundColor = Color.gray.opacity(0.7)
             timestampStyle.font = .system(size: 10, design: .monospaced)
@@ -3561,7 +3450,7 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate {
             result.append(content.mergingAttributes(contentStyle))
             
             // Add timestamp at the end for system messages too
-            let timestamp = AttributedString(" [\(formatTimestamp(message.timestamp))]")
+            let timestamp = AttributedString(" [\(message.formattedTimestamp)]")
             var timestampStyle = AttributeContainer()
             timestampStyle.foregroundColor = Color.gray.opacity(0.5)
             timestampStyle.font = .system(size: 10, design: .monospaced)
@@ -3573,19 +3462,6 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate {
         
         return result
     }
-
-    // Split a nickname into base and a '#abcd' suffix if present
-    private func splitSuffix(from name: String) -> (String, String) {
-        guard name.count >= 5 else { return (name, "") }
-        let suffix = String(name.suffix(5))
-        if suffix.first == "#", suffix.dropFirst().allSatisfy({ c in
-            ("0"..."9").contains(String(c)) || ("a"..."f").contains(String(c)) || ("A"..."F").contains(String(c))
-        }) {
-            let base = String(name.dropLast(5))
-            return (base, suffix)
-        }
-        return (name, "")
-    }
     
     func formatMessage(_ message: BitchatMessage, colorScheme: ColorScheme) -> AttributedString {
         var result = AttributedString()
@@ -3601,7 +3477,7 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate {
             result.append(content.mergingAttributes(contentStyle))
             
             // Add timestamp at the end for system messages
-            let timestamp = AttributedString(" [\(formatTimestamp(message.timestamp))]")
+            let timestamp = AttributedString(" [\(message.formattedTimestamp)]")
             var timestampStyle = AttributeContainer()
             timestampStyle.foregroundColor = Color.gray.opacity(0.5)
             timestampStyle.font = .system(size: 10, design: .monospaced)
@@ -3675,7 +3551,7 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate {
             }
             
             // Add timestamp at the end (smaller, light grey)
-            let timestamp = AttributedString(" [\(formatTimestamp(message.timestamp))]")
+            let timestamp = AttributedString(" [\(message.formattedTimestamp)]")
             var timestampStyle = AttributeContainer()
             timestampStyle.foregroundColor = Color.gray.opacity(0.7)
             timestampStyle.font = .system(size: 10, design: .monospaced)
diff --git a/bitchatTests/BLEServiceTests.swift b/bitchatTests/BLEServiceTests.swift
index 8148c0f0..ee2a58a8 100644
--- a/bitchatTests/BLEServiceTests.swift
+++ b/bitchatTests/BLEServiceTests.swift
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ final class BLEServiceTests: XCTestCase {
         let expectation = XCTestExpectation(description: "Delivery handler called")
         
         service.packetDeliveryHandler = { packet in
-            if let msg = BitchatMessage.fromBinaryPayload(packet.payload) {
+            if let msg = BitchatMessage(packet.payload) {
                 XCTAssertEqual(msg.content, "Test delivery")
                 expectation.fulfill()
             }
diff --git a/bitchatTests/EndToEnd/PrivateChatE2ETests.swift b/bitchatTests/EndToEnd/PrivateChatE2ETests.swift
index 0c90e5ab..a1176ac4 100644
--- a/bitchatTests/EndToEnd/PrivateChatE2ETests.swift
+++ b/bitchatTests/EndToEnd/PrivateChatE2ETests.swift
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ final class PrivateChatE2ETests: XCTestCase {
         alice.packetDeliveryHandler = { packet in
             // Encrypt outgoing private messages
             if packet.type == 0x01,
-               let message = BitchatMessage.fromBinaryPayload(packet.payload),
+               let message = BitchatMessage(packet.payload),
                message.isPrivate {
                 do {
                     let encrypted = try aliceManager.encrypt(packet.payload, for: TestConstants.testPeerID2)
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ final class PrivateChatE2ETests: XCTestCase {
             if packet.type == 0x02 {
                 do {
                     let decrypted = try bobManager.decrypt(packet.payload, from: TestConstants.testPeerID1)
-                    if let message = BitchatMessage.fromBinaryPayload(decrypted) {
+                    if let message = BitchatMessage(decrypted) {
                         XCTAssertEqual(message.content, TestConstants.testMessage1)
                         XCTAssertTrue(message.isPrivate)
                         expectation.fulfill()
diff --git a/bitchatTests/EndToEnd/PublicChatE2ETests.swift b/bitchatTests/EndToEnd/PublicChatE2ETests.swift
index 59106150..1df9ff7a 100644
--- a/bitchatTests/EndToEnd/PublicChatE2ETests.swift
+++ b/bitchatTests/EndToEnd/PublicChatE2ETests.swift
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ final class PublicChatE2ETests: XCTestCase {
         // Set up relay in Bob
         bob.packetDeliveryHandler = { packet in
             // Bob should relay to Charlie
-            if let message = BitchatMessage.fromBinaryPayload(packet.payload),
+            if let message = BitchatMessage(packet.payload),
                message.sender == TestConstants.testNickname1 {
                 
                 // Create relay message
@@ -437,7 +437,7 @@ final class PublicChatE2ETests: XCTestCase {
             // Check if should relay
             guard packet.ttl > 1 else { return }
             
-            if let message = BitchatMessage.fromBinaryPayload(packet.payload) {
+            if let message = BitchatMessage(packet.payload) {
                 // Don't relay own messages
                 guard message.senderPeerID != node.peerID else { return }
                 
diff --git a/bitchatTests/Integration/IntegrationTests.swift b/bitchatTests/Integration/IntegrationTests.swift
index 8824f657..076dd281 100644
--- a/bitchatTests/Integration/IntegrationTests.swift
+++ b/bitchatTests/Integration/IntegrationTests.swift
@@ -531,7 +531,7 @@ final class IntegrationTests: XCTestCase {
         // Setup encryption at Alice
         nodes["Alice"]!.packetDeliveryHandler = { packet in
             if packet.type == 0x01,
-               let message = BitchatMessage.fromBinaryPayload(packet.payload),
+               let message = BitchatMessage(packet.payload),
                message.isPrivate && packet.recipientID != nil {
                 // Encrypt private messages
                 if let encrypted = try? self.noiseManagers["Alice"]!.encrypt(packet.payload, for: TestConstants.testPeerID2) {
@@ -553,7 +553,7 @@ final class IntegrationTests: XCTestCase {
         nodes["Bob"]!.packetDeliveryHandler = { packet in
             if packet.type == 0x02 {
                 if let decrypted = try? self.noiseManagers["Bob"]!.decrypt(packet.payload, from: TestConstants.testPeerID1),
-                   let message = BitchatMessage.fromBinaryPayload(decrypted) {
+                   let message = BitchatMessage(decrypted) {
                     bobDecrypted = message.content == "Secret message"
                     expectation.fulfill()
                 }
@@ -626,7 +626,7 @@ final class IntegrationTests: XCTestCase {
         node.packetDeliveryHandler = { packet in
             guard packet.ttl > 1 else { return }
             
-            if let message = BitchatMessage.fromBinaryPayload(packet.payload) {
+            if let message = BitchatMessage(packet.payload) {
                 guard message.senderPeerID != node.peerID else { return }
                 
                 let relayMessage = BitchatMessage(
diff --git a/bitchatTests/Mocks/MockBLEService.swift b/bitchatTests/Mocks/MockBLEService.swift
index ca545c50..ce2730b0 100644
--- a/bitchatTests/Mocks/MockBLEService.swift
+++ b/bitchatTests/Mocks/MockBLEService.swift
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ final class MockBLEService: NSObject {
 
     func simulateIncomingPacket(_ packet: BitchatPacket) {
         // Process through the actual handling logic
-        if let message = BitchatMessage.fromBinaryPayload(packet.payload) {
+        if let message = BitchatMessage(packet.payload) {
             var shouldDeliver = false
             seenLock.lock()
             if !seenMessageIDs.contains(message.id) {
diff --git a/bitchatTests/Protocol/BinaryProtocolTests.swift b/bitchatTests/Protocol/BinaryProtocolTests.swift
index 96636ee5..3ea6d163 100644
--- a/bitchatTests/Protocol/BinaryProtocolTests.swift
+++ b/bitchatTests/Protocol/BinaryProtocolTests.swift
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ final class BinaryProtocolTests: XCTestCase {
             return
         }
         
-        guard let decodedMessage = BitchatMessage.fromBinaryPayload(payload) else {
+        guard let decodedMessage = BitchatMessage(payload) else {
             XCTFail("Failed to decode message from binary")
             return
         }
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ final class BinaryProtocolTests: XCTestCase {
         )
         
         guard let payload = message.toBinaryPayload(),
-              let decodedMessage = BitchatMessage.fromBinaryPayload(payload) else {
+              let decodedMessage = BitchatMessage(payload) else {
             XCTFail("Failed to encode/decode private message")
             return
         }
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ final class BinaryProtocolTests: XCTestCase {
         let message = TestHelpers.createTestMessage(mentions: mentions)
         
         guard let payload = message.toBinaryPayload(),
-              let decodedMessage = BitchatMessage.fromBinaryPayload(payload) else {
+              let decodedMessage = BitchatMessage(payload) else {
             XCTFail("Failed to encode/decode message with mentions")
             return
         }
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ final class BinaryProtocolTests: XCTestCase {
         )
         
         guard let payload = message.toBinaryPayload(),
-              let decodedMessage = BitchatMessage.fromBinaryPayload(payload) else {
+              let decodedMessage = BitchatMessage(payload) else {
             XCTFail("Failed to encode/decode relay message")
             return
         }
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ final class BinaryProtocolTests: XCTestCase {
         let message = TestHelpers.createTestMessage(content: largeContent)
         
         guard let payload = message.toBinaryPayload(),
-              let decodedMessage = BitchatMessage.fromBinaryPayload(payload) else {
+              let decodedMessage = BitchatMessage(payload) else {
             XCTFail("Failed to handle large message")
             return
         }
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ final class BinaryProtocolTests: XCTestCase {
         let emptyMessage = TestHelpers.createTestMessage(content: "")
         
         guard let payload = emptyMessage.toBinaryPayload(),
-              let decodedMessage = BitchatMessage.fromBinaryPayload(payload) else {
+              let decodedMessage = BitchatMessage(payload) else {
             XCTFail("Failed to handle empty message")
             return
         }