Courier: deposit in parallel when the only route is a send queue (#1368)

* Deposit with couriers in parallel when the only route is a send queue

The courier path was nearly unreachable: NostrTransport claims any
favorite with a known npub as "reachable" regardless of connectivity,
and the mesh favorite exchange shares npubs, so for essentially every
courier-eligible recipient the router picked Nostr's reachable branch.
With no internet the message just sat in the relay send queue — in the
flagship scenario (internet shutdown, mutual friend standing right
there) the courier walked away carrying nothing.

Add Transport.canDeliverPromptly(to:), defaulting to reachability for
radio-backed transports; NostrTransport answers honestly by mirroring
the relay manager's connection state (fail-closed behind Tor). When the
chosen transport can't hand the message off promptly, the router now
also deposits a sealed copy with connected couriers. Double delivery is
harmless: receivers dedup by message ID, and delivered/read acks never
downgrade the carried status. When relays are up, sends are trusted and
no courier quota is spent.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

* Track DM-relay connectivity, not any-relay, for prompt delivery

Codex review: NostrRelayManager.isConnected is true when any relay is
up, including geohash/custom relays — but private messages target the
default (gift-wrap-capable) relay set and queue when none of those are
connected. A lone geohash relay would have suppressed the parallel
courier deposit while the DM sat in the queue. Publish a DM-scoped
connectivity flag and drive canDeliverPromptly from it.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

---------

Co-authored-by: jack <jackjackbits@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: Claude Fable 5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

.github/workflows/swift-tests.yml

@@ -12,7 +12,10 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: macos-latest
     # A hung test must fail fast, not hold a runner for GitHub's 360-minute
     # default (observed: intermittent app-suite hangs starving the queue).
-    timeout-minutes: 15
+    # The long steps carry tighter individual bounds (5-minute test watchdog,
+    # 6-minute benchmark step, 10-minute floor gate that may re-run the
+    # benchmarks up to twice on a noisy runner); this is the backstop.
+    timeout-minutes: 25
 
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false # Don't cancel other matrix jobs when one fails
@@ -102,9 +105,14 @@ jobs:
 
       # Order-of-magnitude performance regression gate. Floors are deliberately
       # generous (see bitchatTests/Performance/perf-floors.json) so this
-      # catches algorithmic regressions, never runner variance.
+      # catches algorithmic regressions, never runner variance. If a metric
+      # still lands below floor (a saturated runner can dip one), the script
+      # re-runs the benchmarks — appending to the same log and keeping each
+      # benchmark's best value per metric — so noise clears on retry while a
+      # real regression fails every attempt. Floors are never lowered by this.
       - name: Performance floor gate
         if: matrix.name == 'app'
+        timeout-minutes: 10
         run: ./scripts/check-perf-floors.sh perf-output.log
 
       # Informational only: surfaces per-file and total line coverage in the
@@ -145,3 +153,27 @@ jobs:
             ARCHS=arm64 \
             CODE_SIGNING_ALLOWED=NO \
             build
+
+  # Advisory only: SwiftLint reports style violations without ever failing the
+  # build. Runs in a pinned container (no Xcode plugin, no pbxproj changes) so
+  # it can never break the documented xcodebuild path or block a merge.
+  lint:
+    name: SwiftLint (advisory)
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 15
+    # This job runs a third-party container image, so give it the least
+    # privilege we can: a read-only token, and no credentials left in the
+    # checkout for the container to find.
+    permissions:
+      contents: read
+    container:
+      # Tag for readability, digest for immutability (tags can be repointed).
+      # Bump both together, deliberately — never a floating tag.
+      image: ghcr.io/realm/swiftlint:0.65.0@sha256:a482729f4b58741875af1566f23397f3f6db300372756fc31606d0a4527fab9e
+    continue-on-error: true
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+        with:
+          persist-credentials: false
+      - name: Run SwiftLint
+        run: swiftlint lint --reporter github-actions-logging

.gitignore

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 plans/
 
 ## AI
+CLAUDE.md
 AGENTS.md
 .claude/
 

.swiftlint.yml

@@ -1,51 +1,33 @@
-# SwiftLint configuration for BitChat.
+# Build artifacts and generated sources; keeps local `swiftlint` runs clean
-#
+# (CI checkouts are fresh, so this only matters in a working tree).
-# Intentionally pragmatic: rules that would flood the existing codebase are
-# disabled so the lint signal stays actionable; re-enable them individually as
-# files get cleaned up. Not wired into CI yet — run locally with `swiftlint`
-# from the repo root.
-
-included:
-  - bitchat
-  - bitchatTests
-  - localPackages/BitFoundation/Sources
-  - localPackages/BitFoundation/Tests
-  - localPackages/BitLogger/Sources
-
 excluded:
   - .build
-  - localPackages/Arti
+  - .swiftpm
-  - localPackages/BitFoundation/.build
+  - .DerivedData
-  - localPackages/BitLogger/.build
+  - DerivedData
+  - build
+  - localPackages/*/.build
 
 disabled_rules:
-  # Style/volume rules that currently produce noise across the codebase.
   - line_length
-  - identifier_name
   - type_name
-  - type_body_length
+  - identifier_name
-  - cyclomatic_complexity
-  - function_parameter_count
-  - large_tuple
-  - nesting
-  - todo
-  - trailing_comma
-  - opening_brace
   - statement_position
-  - for_where
+  - implicit_optional_initialization
-  - redundant_string_enum_value
-  - non_optional_string_data_conversion
-  # Common in tests (force casts/tries on fixtures).
-  - force_cast
   - force_try
-
+  - vertical_whitespace
-file_length:
+  - for_where
-  warning: 600
+  - control_statement
-  # BLEService.swift is currently ~3,500 lines; the error threshold sits above
+  - void_function_in_ternary
-  # today's maximum so the codebase passes as-is and only future growth of the
+  - redundant_discardable_let  # SwiftUI breaks without it
-  # largest files trips it.
+  # To be enabled as we fix the issues
-  error: 4000
+  - trailing_whitespace
-
+  - cyclomatic_complexity
-function_body_length:
+  - function_body_length
-  warning: 100
+  - function_parameter_count
-  error: 200
+  - type_body_length
+  - file_length
+  - large_tuple
+  - force_cast
+  - multiple_closures_with_trailing_closure
+  - nesting

CLAUDE.md

@@ -1,106 +0,0 @@
-# CLAUDE.md
-
-This file provides guidance to Claude Code (claude.ai/code) when working with code in this repository.
-
-## Build & Test Commands
-
-```bash
-# Build macOS (no signing)
-xcodebuild -project bitchat.xcodeproj -scheme "bitchat (macOS)" -configuration Debug CODE_SIGNING_ALLOWED=NO build
-
-# Build iOS for simulator
-xcodebuild -project bitchat.xcodeproj -scheme "bitchat (iOS)" -sdk iphonesimulator -destination 'platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 15' build
-
-# Run all tests (iOS simulator)
-xcodebuild -project bitchat.xcodeproj -scheme bitchat -sdk iphonesimulator -destination 'platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 15' test
-
-# Run tests via Swift Package Manager (used in CI)
-swift build && swift test --parallel
-
-# Clean build
-xcodebuild -project bitchat.xcodeproj -scheme "bitchat (macOS)" clean
-
-# Quick dev build and run (macOS only, requires `just`)
-just run
-```
-
-### Running Specific Tests
-
-```bash
-# Run a single test class
-xcodebuild test -project bitchat.xcodeproj -scheme bitchat -sdk iphonesimulator -destination 'platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 15' -only-testing:bitchatTests/IntegrationTests
-
-# Run a single test method
-xcodebuild test -project bitchat.xcodeproj -scheme bitchat -sdk iphonesimulator -destination 'platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 15' -only-testing:bitchatTests/NoiseProtocolTests/testHandshake
-```
-
-## Architecture Overview
-
-BitChat is a **dual-transport P2P messaging app**: Bluetooth mesh for offline local communication, Nostr protocol for internet-based global messaging.
-
-### Local Packages (`localPackages/`)
-
-- **BitFoundation**: Shared foundation types — `BinaryProtocol` (compact binary packet format for BLE), `BitchatPacket`, `BitchatMessage`, `PeerID`, hex/SHA256/compression utilities. Has its own test suite under `localPackages/BitFoundation/Tests` (run `swift test` inside the package).
-- **BitLogger**: `SecureLogger` logging.
-- **Arti**: Tor integration (exposes the `Tor` product).
-
-### Transport Layer
-
-- **BLEService** (`bitchat/Services/BLE/BLEService.swift`): Core Bluetooth LE mesh networking - peer discovery, connection management, multi-hop relay (max 7 hops), packet fragmentation. The BLE directory contains ~40 focused collaborators (handlers, policies, buffers): `BLEReceivePipeline` dispatches inbound packets to `BLEAnnounceHandler` / `BLENoisePacketHandler` / `BLEPublicMessageHandler` / `BLEFragmentHandler` etc.; outbound planning lives in the `BLEOutbound*` types; peer state in `BLEPeerRegistry`.
-- **NostrTransport** (`bitchat/Services/NostrTransport.swift`): Internet transport via Nostr relays with NIP-17 encryption
-- **Transport protocol** (`bitchat/Services/Transport.swift`): Common interface both transports implement
-
-### Encryption Layer
-
-- **NoiseProtocol** (`bitchat/Noise/`): Noise XX pattern for end-to-end encryption with forward secrecy
-  - `NoiseEncryptionService`: Main encryption/decryption API
-  - `NoiseSessionManager`: Thread-safe per-peer session management
-  - `NoiseSession`: Individual peer session state (handshake, send/receive ciphers)
-- **NostrProtocol** (`bitchat/Nostr/NostrProtocol.swift`): NIP-17 gift-wrapped encryption for Nostr messages
-
-### Protocol Layer
-
-- **BinaryProtocol** (`localPackages/BitFoundation/Sources/BitFoundation/BinaryProtocol.swift`): Compact binary packet format for BLE (lives in BitFoundation, not `bitchat/Protocols/`)
-- **BitchatProtocol** (`bitchat/Protocols/BitchatProtocol.swift`): Message types and packet structures
-- **LocationChannel/Geohash** (`bitchat/Protocols/`): Geographic channel routing
-
-### Application Layer
-
-- **AppRuntime** (`bitchat/App/AppRuntime.swift`): Composition root. Owns `ChatViewModel`, `ConversationStore`, the feature models (`PublicChatModel`, `PeerListModel`, `LocationPresenceStore`, `PeerIdentityStore`, ...), and the app event stream.
-- **ConversationStore** (`bitchat/App/ConversationStore.swift`): Single-writer, single source of truth for conversation message state and selection (see `docs/CONVERSATION-STORE-DESIGN.md`). Feature models and `ChatViewModel` observe it and mutate it through its intent API.
-- **ChatViewModel** (`bitchat/ViewModels/ChatViewModel.swift`, ~1,600 lines): Central coordinator that wires and delegates to ~25 focused coordinator/pipeline types in `bitchat/ViewModels/`, e.g.:
-  - `ChatPrivateConversationCoordinator` / `ChatPublicConversationCoordinator`: DM and public chat flows
-  - `ChatNostrCoordinator` → `GeohashSubscriptionManager`, `NostrInboundPipeline`, `GeoPresenceTracker`, `GeoChannelCoordinator`: Nostr/geohash channel logic
-  - `ChatOutgoingCoordinator`, `ChatDeliveryCoordinator`, `PublicMessagePipeline`: send paths and delivery tracking
-  - `ChatMediaTransferCoordinator`, `ChatMediaPreparation`: media transfers
-  - `ChatLifecycleCoordinator`, `ChatTransportEventCoordinator`, `ChatPeerListCoordinator`, `ChatPeerIdentityCoordinator`, `ChatVerificationCoordinator`: lifecycle, transport events, peer state
-  - `bitchat/ViewModels/Extensions/` (`ChatViewModel+Nostr/+PrivateChat/+Tor`): thin delegation shims kept for call-site stability; the real logic lives in the coordinators
-- **MessageRouter** (`bitchat/Services/MessageRouter.swift`): Intelligent transport selection (BLE → Nostr fallback)
-- **PrivateChatManager** (`bitchat/Services/PrivateChatManager.swift`): DM session management
-
-## Test Infrastructure
-
-Tests use an **in-memory networking harness** for deterministic, race-free testing:
-
-- **MockBLEService** (`bitchatTests/Mocks/MockBLEService.swift`): Simulated BLE mesh with configurable topology
-  - `MockBLEService.resetTestBus()` - Clear state in setUp()
-  - `simulateConnectedPeer(_:)` / `simulateDisconnectedPeer(_:)` - Configure topology
-  - `autoFloodEnabled` - Enable broadcast flooding for Integration tests only
-
-- **Test categories**:
-  - `bitchatTests/EndToEnd/`: Full message flow tests with explicit routing
-  - `bitchatTests/Integration/`: Multi-node topology tests with auto-flooding
-  - Unit tests: Individual component tests
-
-## Key Patterns
-
-- **Threading**: Use `@MainActor` for UI, `Task { @MainActor in ... }` for main thread dispatch
-- **Delegation**: `BitchatDelegate`, `TransportPeerEventsDelegate` for event propagation
-- **Session recovery**: On decrypt failure, clear local session and re-initiate Noise handshake (no NACK)
-
-## Device Setup
-
-To run on physical devices:
-1. Copy `Configs/Local.xcconfig.example` to `Configs/Local.xcconfig`
-2. Add your Developer Team ID to `Local.xcconfig`
-3. Replace `group.chat.bitchat` with `group.<your_bundle_id>` in entitlements

Configs/Release.xcconfig

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-MARKETING_VERSION = 1.5.3
+MARKETING_VERSION = 1.5.4
 CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 1
 
 IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 16.0

Package.swift

@@ -13,9 +13,9 @@ let package = Package(
         .executable(
             name: "bitchat",
             targets: ["bitchat"]
-        ),
+        )
     ],
-    dependencies:[
+    dependencies: [
         .package(path: "localPackages/Arti"),
         .package(path: "localPackages/BitFoundation"),
         .package(path: "localPackages/BitLogger"),

bitchat.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj

@@ -561,7 +561,7 @@
 					"$(inherited)",
 					"@executable_path/Frameworks",
 				);
-				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.5.3;
+				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.5.4;
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = "$(PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER)";
 				PRODUCT_NAME = bitchat;
 				SDKROOT = iphoneos;
@@ -620,7 +620,7 @@
 					"$(inherited)",
 					"@executable_path/Frameworks",
 				);
-				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.5.3;
+				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.5.4;
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = "$(PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER)";
 				PRODUCT_NAME = bitchat;
 				SDKROOT = iphoneos;
@@ -655,7 +655,7 @@
 					"@executable_path/../Frameworks",
 				);
 				MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = "$(MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET)";
-				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.5.3;
+				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.5.4;
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = "$(PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER)";
 				PRODUCT_NAME = bitchat;
 				REGISTER_APP_GROUPS = YES;
@@ -749,7 +749,7 @@
 					"@executable_path/../Frameworks",
 				);
 				MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = "$(MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET)";
-				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.5.3;
+				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.5.4;
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = "$(PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER)";
 				PRODUCT_NAME = bitchat;
 				REGISTER_APP_GROUPS = YES;

bitchat/App/ConversationUIModel.swift

@@ -49,6 +49,14 @@ final class ConversationUIModel: ObservableObject {
         chatViewModel.sendMessage(message)
     }
 
+    /// Resends a failed private message through the normal send path,
+    /// removing the failed original so the re-submission replaces it
+    /// instead of stacking a duplicate under the red bubble.
+    func resendFailedPrivateMessage(_ message: BitchatMessage) {
+        chatViewModel.removePrivateMessage(withID: message.id)
+        chatViewModel.sendMessage(message.content)
+    }
+
     func clearCurrentConversation() {
         chatViewModel.sendMessage("/clear")
     }
@@ -67,11 +75,23 @@ final class ConversationUIModel: ObservableObject {
         if let peerID, peerID.isGeoChat,
            let full = chatViewModel.fullNostrHex(forSenderPeerID: peerID) {
             chatViewModel.blockGeohashUser(pubkeyHexLowercased: full, displayName: displayName)
+        } else if let peerID, !peerID.isGeoDM, !peerID.isGeoChat {
+            // Mesh: block the peer's stable Noise identity resolved from the
+            // tapped peerID rather than re-resolving a display-name string.
+            chatViewModel.blockMeshPeer(peerID: peerID, displayName: displayName)
         } else {
             chatViewModel.sendMessage("/block \(displayName)")
         }
     }
 
+    /// Mesh counterpart of `block(peerID:displayName:)`. Resolves the unblock by
+    /// the tapped peer's stable identity so the exact row is unblocked — this
+    /// also works for offline peers, which the `/unblock <displayName>` command
+    /// cannot resolve.
+    func unblock(peerID: PeerID, displayName: String) {
+        chatViewModel.unblockMeshPeer(peerID: peerID, displayName: displayName)
+    }
+
     func updateAutocomplete(for text: String, cursorPosition: Int) {
         chatViewModel.updateAutocomplete(for: text, cursorPosition: cursorPosition)
     }

bitchat/App/PrivateConversationModels.swift

@@ -232,7 +232,13 @@ final class PrivateConversationModel: ObservableObject {
         let headerPeerID = chatViewModel.getShortIDForNoiseKey(conversationPeerID)
         let peer = chatViewModel.getPeer(byID: headerPeerID)
         let displayName = resolveDisplayName(for: conversationPeerID, headerPeerID: headerPeerID, peer: peer)
-        let availability = resolveAvailability(for: headerPeerID, peer: peer)
+        // Geo DMs are always routed over Nostr (NIP-17); their nostr_ keys
+        // never resolve to a reachable mesh peer, so resolveAvailability would
+        // report .offline. Report .nostrAvailable so the header shows the
+        // globe instead of a misleading "offline" tag.
+        let availability = conversationPeerID.isGeoDM
+            ? .nostrAvailable
+            : resolveAvailability(for: headerPeerID, peer: peer)
         let encryptionStatus: EncryptionStatus? = conversationPeerID.isGeoDM
             ? nil
             : chatViewModel.getEncryptionStatus(for: headerPeerID)

bitchat/BitchatApp.swift

@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ struct BitchatApp: App {
 final class AppDelegate: NSObject, UIApplicationDelegate {
     weak var runtime: AppRuntime?
 
-    func application(_ application: UIApplication, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [UIApplication.LaunchOptionsKey : Any]? = nil) -> Bool {
+    func application(_ application: UIApplication, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [UIApplication.LaunchOptionsKey: Any]? = nil) -> Bool {
         true
     }
 

bitchat/Identity/IdentityModels.swift

@@ -127,10 +127,10 @@ struct SocialIdentity: Codable {
 }
 
 enum TrustLevel: String, Codable {
-    case unknown = "unknown"
+    case unknown
-    case casual = "casual"
+    case casual
-    case trusted = "trusted"
+    case trusted
-    case verified = "verified"
+    case verified
 }
 
 // MARK: - Identity Cache

bitchat/Models/CommandInfo.swift

@@ -11,33 +11,38 @@ import Foundation
 // MARK: - CommandInfo Enum
 
 enum CommandInfo: String, Identifiable {
+    // Raw values must match the aliases CommandProcessor actually accepts —
+    // the suggestion panel is the app's only command-discovery surface, and
+    // suggesting a spelling the processor rejects teaches users dead ends.
     case block
     case clear
+    case help
     case hug
-    case message = "dm"
+    case message = "msg"
     case slap
     case unblock
     case who
-    case favorite
+    case favorite = "fav"
-    case unfavorite
+    case unfavorite = "unfav"
-    
+
     var id: String { rawValue }
-    
+
     var alias: String { "/" + rawValue }
-    
+
     var placeholder: String? {
         switch self {
         case .block, .hug, .message, .slap, .unblock, .favorite, .unfavorite:
             return "<" + String(localized: "content.input.nickname_placeholder") + ">"
-        case .clear, .who:
+        case .clear, .help, .who:
             return nil
         }
     }
-    
+
     var description: String {
         switch self {
         case .block:        String(localized: "content.commands.block")
         case .clear:        String(localized: "content.commands.clear")
+        case .help:         String(localized: "content.commands.help")
         case .hug:          String(localized: "content.commands.hug")
         case .message:      String(localized: "content.commands.message")
         case .slap:         String(localized: "content.commands.slap")
@@ -47,12 +52,14 @@ enum CommandInfo: String, Identifiable {
         case .unfavorite:   String(localized: "content.commands.unfavorite")
         }
     }
-    
+
     static func all(isGeoPublic: Bool, isGeoDM: Bool) -> [CommandInfo] {
-        let baseCommands: [CommandInfo] = [.block, .unblock, .clear, .hug, .message, .slap, .who]
+        let baseCommands: [CommandInfo] = [.block, .unblock, .clear, .help, .hug, .message, .slap, .who]
+        // The processor rejects favorites in geohash contexts, so only
+        // suggest them where they actually work: mesh.
         if isGeoPublic || isGeoDM {
-            return baseCommands + [.favorite, .unfavorite]
+            return baseCommands
         }
-        return baseCommands
+        return baseCommands + [.favorite, .unfavorite]
     }
 }

bitchat/Noise/NoiseProtocol.swift

@@ -93,6 +93,7 @@ enum NoisePattern {
     case XX  // Most versatile, mutual authentication
     case IK  // Initiator knows responder's static key
     case NK  // Anonymous initiator
+    case X   // One-way: single message to a known static key (no response)
 }
 
 enum NoiseRole {
@@ -601,7 +602,7 @@ final class NoiseHandshakeState {
         switch pattern {
         case .XX:
             break // No pre-message keys
-        case .IK, .NK:
+        case .IK, .NK, .X:
             if role == .initiator, let remoteStatic = remoteStaticPublic {
                 symmetricState.mixHash(remoteStatic.rawRepresentation)
             } else if role == .responder, let localStatic = localStaticPublic {
@@ -904,6 +905,7 @@ extension NoisePattern {
         case .XX: return "XX"
         case .IK: return "IK"
         case .NK: return "NK"
+        case .X: return "X"
         }
     }
     
@@ -925,6 +927,10 @@ extension NoisePattern {
                 [.e, .es],      // -> e, es
                 [.e, .ee]       // <- e, ee
             ]
+        case .X:
+            return [
+                [.e, .es, .s, .ss] // -> e, es, s, ss (single one-way message)
+            ]
         }
     }
 }

bitchat/Nostr/NostrProtocol.swift

@@ -328,85 +328,52 @@ struct NostrProtocol {
         return try NostrEvent(from: rumorDict)
     }
     
-    // MARK: - Encryption (NIP-44 v2/v3)
+    // MARK: - Encryption (NIP-44 v2)
-
+    
-    /// Whether outgoing DMs use the padded "v3:" envelope.
+    private static func encrypt(
-    ///
-    /// TWO-PHASE ROLLOUT — DO NOT FLIP YET. Deployed clients hard-reject any
-    /// ciphertext that does not start with "v2:" (`decrypt` below, as shipped,
-    /// throws `invalidCiphertext` on unknown version prefixes), and the "v2:"
-    /// payload is the raw UTF-8 rumor JSON, so a padded payload cannot be
-    /// smuggled inside "v2:" without breaking old receivers either. Enabling
-    /// this today would strand every client in the field.
-    ///
-    /// Phase 1 (this change): ship decrypt-side support for "v3:" everywhere.
-    /// Phase 2 (future release, once phase-1 clients are widely deployed):
-    /// set this to true so outgoing DMs stop leaking plaintext length to
-    /// relays.
-    static let sendPaddedEnvelope = false
-
-    /// Internal (rather than private) so tests can exercise both envelope
-    /// versions directly.
-    static func encrypt(
         plaintext: String,
         recipientPubkey: String,
-        senderKey: P256K.Schnorr.PrivateKey,
+        senderKey: P256K.Schnorr.PrivateKey
-        padded: Bool = NostrProtocol.sendPaddedEnvelope
     ) throws -> String {
-
+        
         guard let recipientPubkeyData = Data(hexString: recipientPubkey) else {
             throw NostrError.invalidPublicKey
         }
-
+        
-        // Encrypting message (XChaCha20-Poly1305, versioned envelope)
+        // Encrypting message (NIP-44 v2: XChaCha20-Poly1305, versioned)
-
+        
         // Derive shared secret
         let sharedSecret = try deriveSharedSecret(
             privateKey: senderKey,
             publicKey: recipientPubkeyData
         )
-        // Derive NIP-44 v2 symmetric key (HKDF-SHA256 with label in info).
+        // Derive NIP-44 v2 symmetric key (HKDF-SHA256 with label in info)
-        // The v3 envelope deliberately reuses the same key derivation; it only
-        // changes the payload framing (length prefix + padding).
         let key = try deriveNIP44V2Key(from: sharedSecret)
-
+        
         // 24-byte random nonce for XChaCha20-Poly1305
         var nonce24 = Data(count: 24)
         _ = nonce24.withUnsafeMutableBytes { ptr in
             SecRandomCopyBytes(kSecRandomDefault, 24, ptr.baseAddress!)
         }
-
+        
-        // v2 payload: raw UTF-8 plaintext (length leaks to relays)
-        // v3 payload: NIP-44 style [2-byte BE length][plaintext][zero padding]
         let pt = Data(plaintext.utf8)
-        let payload = padded ? try NIP44Padding.pad(pt) : pt
+        let sealed = try XChaCha20Poly1305Compat.seal(plaintext: pt, key: key, nonce24: nonce24)
-        let sealed = try XChaCha20Poly1305Compat.seal(plaintext: payload, key: key, nonce24: nonce24)
+        
-
+        // v2: base64url(nonce24 || ciphertext || tag)
-        // version prefix + base64url(nonce24 || ciphertext || tag)
         var combined = Data()
         combined.append(nonce24)
         combined.append(sealed.ciphertext)
         combined.append(sealed.tag)
-        return (padded ? "v3:" : "v2:") + Base64URLCoding.encode(combined)
+        return "v2:" + Base64URLCoding.encode(combined)
     }
-
+    
-    /// Internal (rather than private) so tests can exercise both envelope
+    private static func decrypt(
-    /// versions directly.
-    static func decrypt(
         ciphertext: String,
         senderPubkey: String,
         recipientKey: P256K.Schnorr.PrivateKey
     ) throws -> String {
-        // Accept both the legacy unpadded "v2:" envelope and the padded "v3:"
+        // Expect NIP-44 v2 format
-        // envelope (see `sendPaddedEnvelope` for the rollout plan).
+        guard ciphertext.hasPrefix("v2:") else { throw NostrError.invalidCiphertext }
-        let isPadded: Bool
-        if ciphertext.hasPrefix("v2:") {
-            isPadded = false
-        } else if ciphertext.hasPrefix("v3:") {
-            isPadded = true
-        } else {
-            throw NostrError.invalidCiphertext
-        }
         let encoded = String(ciphertext.dropFirst(3))
         guard let data = Base64URLCoding.decode(encoded),
               data.count > (24 + 16),
@@ -432,23 +399,18 @@ struct NostrProtocol {
         }
 
         // If 32 bytes (x-only) try both parities, otherwise single try
-        let payload: Data
         if senderPubkeyData.count == 32 {
             let even = Data([0x02]) + senderPubkeyData
             if let pt = try? attemptDecrypt(using: even) {
-                payload = pt
+                return String(data: pt, encoding: .utf8) ?? ""
-            } else {
-                let odd = Data([0x03]) + senderPubkeyData
-                payload = try attemptDecrypt(using: odd)
             }
+            let odd = Data([0x03]) + senderPubkeyData
+            let pt = try attemptDecrypt(using: odd)
+            return String(data: pt, encoding: .utf8) ?? ""
         } else {
-            payload = try attemptDecrypt(using: senderPubkeyData)
+            let pt = try attemptDecrypt(using: senderPubkeyData)
+            return String(data: pt, encoding: .utf8) ?? ""
         }
-
-        // The AEAD tag has already authenticated the payload; unpadding
-        // failures here mean a malformed sender, not a wrong key.
-        let plaintextData = isPadded ? try NIP44Padding.unpad(payload) : payload
-        return String(data: plaintextData, encoding: .utf8) ?? ""
     }
     
     private static func deriveSharedSecret(
@@ -679,60 +641,6 @@ enum NostrError: Error {
     case encryptionFailed
 }
 
-// MARK: - NIP-44 style padding (v3 envelope payload framing)
-
-/// Payload framing for the padded "v3:" envelope, modeled on NIP-44 v2:
-/// `[2-byte big-endian plaintext length][plaintext][zero padding]`, where the
-/// total is padded to `paddedLength(for:)` — power-of-two-derived buckets with
-/// a 32-byte minimum — so ciphertext length no longer reveals exact plaintext
-/// length to relays.
-enum NIP44Padding {
-    static let minPaddedLength = 32
-    static let maxPlaintextLength = 65535
-
-    /// NIP-44's calc_padded_len: pad to 32 bytes minimum, then to a chunk
-    /// granularity of max(32, nextPowerOfTwo/8).
-    static func paddedLength(for unpaddedLength: Int) -> Int {
-        guard unpaddedLength > minPaddedLength else { return minPaddedLength }
-        // Smallest power of two strictly greater than (unpaddedLength - 1).
-        let nextPower = 1 << (Int.bitWidth - (unpaddedLength - 1).leadingZeroBitCount)
-        let chunk = nextPower <= 256 ? 32 : nextPower / 8
-        return chunk * ((unpaddedLength - 1) / chunk + 1)
-    }
-
-    /// Prefix plaintext with its 2-byte big-endian length and zero-pad to the
-    /// bucketed length. Rejects empty plaintexts and plaintexts that do not
-    /// fit the 16-bit length prefix.
-    static func pad(_ plaintext: Data) throws -> Data {
-        let length = plaintext.count
-        guard length >= 1, length <= maxPlaintextLength else {
-            throw NostrError.encryptionFailed
-        }
-        let padded = paddedLength(for: length)
-        var result = Data(capacity: 2 + padded)
-        result.append(UInt8(length >> 8))
-        result.append(UInt8(length & 0xFF))
-        result.append(plaintext)
-        result.append(Data(count: padded - length))
-        return result
-    }
-
-    /// Read the 2-byte length prefix, validate the total padded size matches
-    /// it exactly, and return the plaintext. Throws on any inconsistency so a
-    /// malformed (already-authenticated) payload can never over- or
-    /// under-read.
-    static func unpad(_ padded: Data) throws -> Data {
-        guard padded.count >= 2 else { throw NostrError.invalidCiphertext }
-        let start = padded.startIndex
-        let length = Int(padded[start]) << 8 | Int(padded[start + 1])
-        guard length >= 1,
-              padded.count == 2 + paddedLength(for: length) else {
-            throw NostrError.invalidCiphertext
-        }
-        return padded.subdata(in: (start + 2)..<(start + 2 + length))
-    }
-}
-
 // MARK: - NIP-44 v2 helpers (XChaCha20-Poly1305)
 
 private extension NostrProtocol {
@@ -740,7 +648,7 @@ private extension NostrProtocol {
         let derivedKey = HKDF<CryptoKit.SHA256>.deriveKey(
             inputKeyMaterial: SymmetricKey(data: sharedSecretData),
             salt: Data(),
-            info: "nip44-v2".data(using: .utf8)!,
+            info: Data("nip44-v2".utf8),
             outputByteCount: 32
         )
         return derivedKey.withUnsafeBytes { Data($0) }

bitchat/Nostr/NostrRelayManager.swift

@@ -137,6 +137,10 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
     
     @Published private(set) var relays: [Relay] = []
     @Published private(set) var isConnected = false
+    /// Whether a relay that carries private messages is connected. DMs
+    /// target the default (gift-wrap-capable) relay set, so a connected
+    /// geohash/custom relay alone must not count — sends would still queue.
+    @Published private(set) var isDMRelayConnected = false
     
     private let dependencies: NostrRelayManagerDependencies
     private var allowDefaultRelays: Bool = false
@@ -1087,6 +1091,9 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
     
     private func updateConnectionStatus() {
         isConnected = relays.contains { $0.isConnected }
+        // Relay URLs are normalized before entries are created, so direct
+        // set membership is sound.
+        isDMRelayConnected = relays.contains { $0.isConnected && Self.defaultRelaySet.contains($0.url) }
     }
     
     /// A relay that drops before sending EOSE must not stall initial-load

bitchat/Nostr/XChaCha20Poly1305Compat.swift

@@ -132,4 +132,3 @@ private extension Data {
         replaceSubrange(offset..<(offset+4), with: bytes)
     }
 }
-

bitchat/Protocols/LocationChannel.swift

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ enum GeohashChannelLevel: CaseIterable, Codable, Equatable {
         case .city: return 5
         case .province: return 4
         case .region: return 2
-    }
+        }
     }
 
     var displayName: String {

bitchat/Services/BLE/BLEAnnounceHandler.swift

@@ -59,6 +59,15 @@ struct BLEAnnounceHandlerEnvironment {
     let scheduleAfterglow: (TimeInterval) -> Void
 }
 
+/// Outcome of an accepted announce, surfaced so the service can run
+/// follow-up work (e.g. courier handover) that keys off the announce.
+struct BLEAnnounceHandlingResult {
+    let peerID: PeerID
+    let announcement: AnnouncementPacket
+    let isDirectAnnounce: Bool
+    let isVerified: Bool
+}
+
 /// Orchestrates inbound announce packets: preflight validation, signature
 /// trust, registry/topology updates, identity persistence, UI notification,
 /// gossip tracking, and the reciprocal announce response.
@@ -69,7 +78,8 @@ final class BLEAnnounceHandler {
         self.environment = environment
     }
 
-    func handle(_ packet: BitchatPacket, from peerID: PeerID) {
+    @discardableResult
+    func handle(_ packet: BitchatPacket, from peerID: PeerID) -> BLEAnnounceHandlingResult? {
         let env = environment
         let now = env.now()
         let preflight = BLEAnnouncePreflightPolicy.evaluate(
@@ -85,15 +95,15 @@ final class BLEAnnounceHandler {
             announcement = acceptance.announcement
         case .reject(.malformed):
             SecureLogger.error("❌ Failed to decode announce packet from \(peerID.id.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
-            return
+            return nil
         case .reject(.senderMismatch(let derivedFromKey)):
             SecureLogger.warning("⚠️ Announce sender mismatch: derived \(derivedFromKey.id.prefix(8))… vs packet \(peerID.id.prefix(8))…", category: .security)
-            return
+            return nil
         case .reject(.selfAnnounce):
-            return
+            return nil
         case .reject(.stale(let ageSeconds)):
             SecureLogger.debug("⏰ Ignoring stale announce from \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… (age: \(ageSeconds)s)", category: .session)
-            return
+            return nil
         }
 
         // Suppress announce logs to reduce noise
@@ -210,5 +220,12 @@ final class BLEAnnounceHandler {
             let delay = Double.random(in: 0.3...0.6)
             env.scheduleAfterglow(delay)
         }
+
+        return BLEAnnounceHandlingResult(
+            peerID: peerID,
+            announcement: announcement,
+            isDirectAnnounce: isDirectAnnounce,
+            isVerified: verifiedAnnounce
+        )
     }
 }

bitchat/Services/BLE/BLEFanoutSelector.swift

@@ -19,13 +19,35 @@ enum BLEFanoutSelector {
         packetType: UInt8,
         messageID: String
     ) -> BLEFanoutSelection {
+        let rawAllowed = allowedLinks(
+            peripheralIDs: peripheralIDs,
+            centralIDs: centralIDs,
+            ingressLink: ingressLink,
+            excludedLinks: excludedLinks
+        )
+
+        if let directedPeerHint,
+           let directedSelection = directLinks(
+               to: directedPeerHint,
+               links: rawAllowed,
+               peripheralPeerBindings: peripheralPeerBindings,
+               centralPeerBindings: centralPeerBindings
+           ) {
+            return directedSelection
+        }
+        if let directedPeerHint,
+           hasBoundLink(
+               to: directedPeerHint,
+               peripheralIDs: peripheralIDs,
+               centralIDs: centralIDs,
+               peripheralPeerBindings: peripheralPeerBindings,
+               centralPeerBindings: centralPeerBindings
+           ) {
+            return BLEFanoutSelection(peripheralIDs: [], centralIDs: [])
+        }
+
         let allowed = collapseDuplicateLinksPerPeer(
-            allowedLinks(
+            rawAllowed,
-                peripheralIDs: peripheralIDs,
-                centralIDs: centralIDs,
-                ingressLink: ingressLink,
-                excludedLinks: excludedLinks
-            ),
             peripheralPeerBindings: peripheralPeerBindings,
             centralPeerBindings: centralPeerBindings
         )
@@ -71,6 +93,42 @@ enum BLEFanoutSelector {
         return (allowedPeripheralIDs, allowedCentralIDs)
     }
 
+    private static func directLinks(
+        to peerID: PeerID,
+        links: (peripheralIDs: [String], centralIDs: [String]),
+        peripheralPeerBindings: [String: PeerID],
+        centralPeerBindings: [String: PeerID]
+    ) -> BLEFanoutSelection? {
+        let directLinks = collapseDuplicateLinksPerPeer(
+            (
+                peripheralIDs: links.peripheralIDs.filter { peripheralPeerBindings[$0] == peerID },
+                centralIDs: links.centralIDs.filter { centralPeerBindings[$0] == peerID }
+            ),
+            peripheralPeerBindings: peripheralPeerBindings,
+            centralPeerBindings: centralPeerBindings
+        )
+
+        guard !directLinks.peripheralIDs.isEmpty || !directLinks.centralIDs.isEmpty else {
+            return nil
+        }
+
+        return BLEFanoutSelection(
+            peripheralIDs: Set(directLinks.peripheralIDs),
+            centralIDs: Set(directLinks.centralIDs)
+        )
+    }
+
+    private static func hasBoundLink(
+        to peerID: PeerID,
+        peripheralIDs: [String],
+        centralIDs: [String],
+        peripheralPeerBindings: [String: PeerID],
+        centralPeerBindings: [String: PeerID]
+    ) -> Bool {
+        peripheralIDs.contains { peripheralPeerBindings[$0] == peerID }
+            || centralIDs.contains { centralPeerBindings[$0] == peerID }
+    }
+
     // Dual-role pairs hold two live links (we-as-central writing to their
     // peripheral, and they-as-central subscribed to ours). Sending the same
     // packet down both doubles airtime for nothing — the receiver's assembler

bitchat/Services/BLE/BLEOutboundPacketPolicy.swift

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ enum BLEOutboundPacketPolicy {
         switch MessageType(rawValue: packetType) {
         case .noiseEncrypted, .noiseHandshake:
             return true
-        case .none, .announce, .message, .leave, .requestSync, .fragment, .fileTransfer:
+        case .none, .announce, .message, .leave, .requestSync, .fragment, .fileTransfer, .courierEnvelope:
             return false
         }
     }

bitchat/Services/BLE/BLEService.swift

@@ -46,6 +46,20 @@ final class BLEService: NSObject {
     
     // 4. Efficient Message Deduplication
     private let messageDeduplicator = MessageDeduplicator()
+
+    // Courier store-and-forward: envelopes this device carries for offline
+    // third parties, and the trust gate for accepting deposits. Injectable
+    // for tests; main-actor policy because favorites live on the main actor.
+    var courierStore: CourierStore = .shared
+    var courierDepositPolicy: @MainActor (Data) -> Bool = { depositorNoiseKey in
+        FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.isMutualFavorite(depositorNoiseKey)
+    }
+
+    #if DEBUG
+    // Test-only tap on the outbound pipeline so multi-node tests can ferry
+    // packets between in-process service instances.
+    var _test_onOutboundPacket: ((BitchatPacket) -> Void)?
+    #endif
     private var selfBroadcastTracker = BLESelfBroadcastTracker()
     private let meshTopology = MeshTopologyTracker()
     
@@ -888,6 +902,10 @@ final class BLEService: NSObject {
         } else {
             packetToSend = packet
         }
+
+        #if DEBUG
+        _test_onOutboundPacket?(packetToSend)
+        #endif
         
         // Encode once using a small per-type padding policy, then delegate by type
         let padForBLE = BLEOutboundPacketPolicy.padsBLEFrame(for: packetToSend.type)
@@ -1047,6 +1065,9 @@ final class BLEService: NSObject {
 
     // Directed send helper (unicast to a specific peerID) without altering packet contents
     private func sendPacketDirected(_ packet: BitchatPacket, to peerID: PeerID) {
+        #if DEBUG
+        _test_onOutboundPacket?(packet)
+        #endif
         guard let data = packet.toBinaryData(padding: false) else { return }
         sendOnAllLinks(packet: packet, data: data, pad: false, directedOnlyPeer: peerID)
     }
@@ -1305,7 +1326,7 @@ extension BLEService: GossipSyncManager.Delegate {
 
 extension BLEService: CBCentralManagerDelegate {
     #if os(iOS)
-    func centralManager(_ central: CBCentralManager, willRestoreState dict: [String : Any]) {
+    func centralManager(_ central: CBCentralManager, willRestoreState dict: [String: Any]) {
         let restoredPeripherals = (dict[CBCentralManagerRestoredStatePeripheralsKey] as? [CBPeripheral]) ?? []
         let restoredServices = (dict[CBCentralManagerRestoredStateScanServicesKey] as? [CBUUID]) ?? []
         let restoredOptions = (dict[CBCentralManagerRestoredStateScanOptionsKey] as? [String: Any]) ?? [:]
@@ -1987,7 +2008,7 @@ extension BLEService: CBPeripheralManagerDelegate {
     }
     
     #if os(iOS)
-    func peripheralManager(_ peripheral: CBPeripheralManager, willRestoreState dict: [String : Any]) {
+    func peripheralManager(_ peripheral: CBPeripheralManager, willRestoreState dict: [String: Any]) {
         let restoredServices = (dict[CBPeripheralManagerRestoredStateServicesKey] as? [CBMutableService]) ?? []
         let restoredAdvertisement = (dict[CBPeripheralManagerRestoredStateAdvertisementDataKey] as? [String: Any]) ?? [:]
 
@@ -2468,7 +2489,147 @@ extension BLEService {
             ttl: messageTTL
         )
     }
-    
+
+    // MARK: Courier Store-and-Forward
+
+    /// Seal `content` to the recipient's static key (one-way Noise X) and hand
+    /// the envelope to the given couriers for physical delivery. Returns false
+    /// when no courier is connected, the payload cannot be built, or sealing
+    /// fails; link writes are queued asynchronously after the envelope is ready.
+    func sendCourierMessage(_ content: String, messageID: String, recipientNoiseKey: Data, via couriers: [PeerID]) -> Bool {
+        let connected = couriers.filter { isPeerConnected($0) }
+        guard !connected.isEmpty,
+              let typedPayload = BLENoisePayloadFactory.privateMessage(content: content, messageID: messageID) else {
+            return false
+        }
+
+        let payload: Data
+        do {
+            let now = Date()
+            let sealed = try noiseService.sealCourierPayload(typedPayload, recipientStaticKey: recipientNoiseKey)
+            let envelope = CourierEnvelope(
+                recipientTag: CourierEnvelope.recipientTag(
+                    noiseStaticKey: recipientNoiseKey,
+                    epochDay: CourierEnvelope.epochDay(for: now)
+                ),
+                expiry: UInt64((now.timeIntervalSince1970 + CourierEnvelope.maxLifetimeSeconds) * 1000),
+                ciphertext: sealed
+            )
+            guard let encoded = envelope.encode() else { return false }
+            payload = encoded
+        } catch {
+            SecureLogger.error("Failed to seal courier envelope: \(error)", category: .encryption)
+            return false
+        }
+
+        messageQueue.async { [weak self] in
+            guard let self else { return }
+            for courier in connected {
+                SecureLogger.debug("📦 Depositing courier envelope with \(courier.id.prefix(8))… id=\(messageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+                self.sendPacketDirected(self.makeCourierPacket(payload, to: courier), to: courier)
+            }
+        }
+        return true
+    }
+
+    private func makeCourierPacket(_ payload: Data, to peerID: PeerID) -> BitchatPacket {
+        BitchatPacket(
+            type: MessageType.courierEnvelope.rawValue,
+            senderID: myPeerIDData,
+            recipientID: Data(hexString: peerID.id),
+            timestamp: UInt64(Date().timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000),
+            payload: payload,
+            signature: nil,
+            ttl: messageTTL
+        )
+    }
+
+    /// Handles both courier roles for an incoming envelope addressed to us:
+    /// recipient (the rotating tag matches our static key → open and deliver)
+    /// or courier (a trusted peer is depositing mail for someone else → store).
+    private func handleCourierEnvelope(_ packet: BitchatPacket, from peerID: PeerID) {
+        // Directed packets only; envelopes addressed elsewhere ride the
+        // generic relay path untouched.
+        guard packet.recipientID == myPeerIDData else { return }
+        guard let envelope = CourierEnvelope.decode(packet.payload), !envelope.isExpired else { return }
+
+        let myKey = noiseService.getStaticPublicKeyData()
+        if CourierEnvelope.candidateTags(noiseStaticKey: myKey, around: Date()).contains(envelope.recipientTag) {
+            openCourierEnvelope(envelope)
+        } else {
+            acceptCourierDeposit(envelope, from: peerID)
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func openCourierEnvelope(_ envelope: CourierEnvelope) {
+        do {
+            let (typedPayload, senderStaticKey) = try noiseService.openCourierPayload(envelope.ciphertext)
+            guard let typeRaw = typedPayload.first,
+                  let payloadType = NoisePayloadType(rawValue: typeRaw),
+                  payloadType == .privateMessage else {
+                SecureLogger.warning("⚠️ Courier envelope carried unsupported payload type", category: .session)
+                return
+            }
+            // Couriered mail arrives while the sender is absent, so the UI's
+            // block check can't resolve their fingerprint from a live session.
+            // Gate here, where the full static key is in hand.
+            guard !identityManager.isBlocked(fingerprint: senderStaticKey.sha256Fingerprint()) else {
+                SecureLogger.debug("🚫 Dropping courier envelope from blocked sender", category: .security)
+                return
+            }
+            // A present sender resolves to their live mesh thread via the
+            // derived short ID. An absent sender — the usual courier case —
+            // uses the full noise-key ID so the message lands on the stable
+            // favorite conversation instead of an unresolvable short-ID
+            // thread labeled "Unknown".
+            let shortID = PeerID(publicKey: senderStaticKey)
+            let isKnownOnMesh = collectionsQueue.sync { peerRegistry.info(for: shortID) != nil }
+            let senderPeerID = isKnownOnMesh ? shortID : PeerID(hexData: senderStaticKey)
+            let payload = Data(typedPayload.dropFirst())
+            SecureLogger.debug("📦 Opened courier envelope from \(senderPeerID.id.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+            notifyUI { [weak self] in
+                self?.deliverTransportEvent(.noisePayloadReceived(
+                    peerID: senderPeerID,
+                    type: payloadType,
+                    payload: payload,
+                    timestamp: Date()
+                ))
+            }
+        } catch {
+            // Tag collision or stale key: not addressed to us after all.
+            SecureLogger.debug("📦 Courier envelope failed to open: \(error)", category: .encryption)
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func acceptCourierDeposit(_ envelope: CourierEnvelope, from peerID: PeerID) {
+        guard let depositorKey = collectionsQueue.sync(execute: { peerRegistry.info(for: peerID)?.noisePublicKey }) else {
+            SecureLogger.debug("📦 Courier deposit from unknown peer \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… rejected", category: .session)
+            return
+        }
+        let store = courierStore
+        let policy = courierDepositPolicy
+        Task { @MainActor in
+            guard policy(depositorKey) else {
+                SecureLogger.debug("📦 Courier deposit from \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… rejected (not a mutual favorite)", category: .session)
+                return
+            }
+            if store.deposit(envelope, from: depositorKey) {
+                SecureLogger.debug("📦 Carrying courier envelope deposited by \(peerID.id.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Hand over any carried envelopes addressed to a peer we just heard from.
+    private func deliverCourierMail(to peerID: PeerID, noiseKey: Data) {
+        let envelopes = courierStore.takeEnvelopes(for: noiseKey)
+        guard !envelopes.isEmpty else { return }
+        SecureLogger.debug("📦 Handing over \(envelopes.count) courier envelope(s) to \(peerID.id.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+        for envelope in envelopes {
+            guard let payload = envelope.encode() else { continue }
+            sendPacketDirected(makeCourierPacket(payload, to: peerID), to: peerID)
+        }
+    }
+
     // MARK: Link capability snapshots (thread-safe via bleQueue)
 
     private func readLinkState<T>(_ body: (BLELinkStateStore) -> T) -> T {
@@ -2601,8 +2762,11 @@ extension BLEService {
     // MARK: Private Message Handling
     
     private func sendPrivateMessage(_ content: String, to recipientID: PeerID, messageID: String) {
+        // Sessions and wire recipient IDs are keyed by the short 16-hex form;
+        // callers may pass the full 64-hex noise key (mirrors sendFilePrivate).
+        let recipientID = recipientID.toShort()
         SecureLogger.debug("📨 Sending PM to \(recipientID.id.prefix(8))… id=\(messageID.prefix(8))… chars=\(content.count) bytes=\(content.utf8.count)", category: .session)
-        
+
         // Check if we have an established Noise session
         if noiseService.hasEstablishedSession(with: recipientID) {
             // Encrypt and send
@@ -2700,7 +2864,7 @@ extension BLEService {
 
                 // Notify delegate of failure
                 notifyUI { [weak self] in
-                    self?.deliverTransportEvent(.messageDeliveryStatusUpdated(messageID: message.messageID, status: .failed(reason: "Encryption failed")))
+                    self?.deliverTransportEvent(.messageDeliveryStatusUpdated(messageID: message.messageID, status: .failed(reason: String(localized: "content.delivery.reason.encryption_failed", comment: "Failure reason shown when a message could not be encrypted for the peer"))))
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -2953,13 +3117,15 @@ extension BLEService {
             
         case .fileTransfer:
             handleFileTransfer(packet, from: senderID)
-            
+
+        case .courierEnvelope:
+            handleCourierEnvelope(packet, from: peerID)
+
         case .leave:
             handleLeave(packet, from: senderID)
-            
+
         case .none:
             SecureLogger.warning("⚠️ Unknown message type: \(packet.type)", category: .session)
-            break
         }
         
         if forwardAlongRouteIfNeeded(packet) {
@@ -3016,7 +3182,18 @@ extension BLEService {
     }
     
     private func handleAnnounce(_ packet: BitchatPacket, from peerID: PeerID) {
-        announceHandler.handle(packet, from: peerID)
+        let result = announceHandler.handle(packet, from: peerID)
+
+        // Courier handover: an announce is the moment we learn a peer's Noise
+        // static key, so check whether we're carrying mail addressed to them.
+        // Direct announces only: envelopes are removed from the store
+        // optimistically, so handover must ride an established link rather
+        // than a speculative multi-hop send toward a relayed announce.
+        guard !courierStore.isEmpty,
+              let result,
+              result.isVerified,
+              result.isDirectAnnounce else { return }
+        deliverCourierMail(to: result.peerID, noiseKey: result.announcement.noisePublicKey)
     }
 
     /// Builds the announce handler environment. All queue hops stay here so

bitchat/Services/CommandProcessor.swift

@@ -51,8 +51,9 @@ protocol CommandContextProvider: AnyObject {
     func addPublicSystemMessage(_ content: String)
 
     // MARK: - Favorites
+    /// Toggles the favorite via the unified peer flow, which persists by the
+    /// real noise key and notifies the peer over mesh or Nostr.
     func toggleFavorite(peerID: PeerID)
-    func sendFavoriteNotification(to peerID: PeerID, isFavorite: Bool)
 }
 
 /// Processes chat commands in a focused, efficient way
@@ -105,11 +106,28 @@ final class CommandProcessor {
         case "/unfav":
             if inGeoPublic || inGeoDM { return .error(message: "favorites are only for mesh peers in #mesh") }
             return handleFavorite(args, add: false)
+        case "/help":
+            return .success(message: Self.helpText)
         default:
-            return .error(message: "unknown command: \(cmd)")
+            return .error(message: "unknown command: \(cmd) — type /help for commands")
         }
     }
 
+    /// Local-only command reference, printed as a system message. The
+    /// suggestion panel hides once arguments are typed, and typos used to
+    /// dead-end in a bare "unknown command" — this is the way out.
+    static let helpText = """
+    commands:
+    /msg @name [message] — start a private chat
+    /who — list who's here
+    /clear — clear this chat
+    /hug @name — send a hug
+    /slap @name — slap with a large trout
+    /block @name · /unblock @name
+    /fav @name · /unfav @name — favorites (mesh only)
+    /help — this list
+    """
+
     // MARK: - Command Handlers
     
     private func handleMessage(_ args: String) -> CommandResult {
@@ -318,34 +336,31 @@ final class CommandProcessor {
         guard !targetName.isEmpty else {
             return .error(message: "usage: /\(add ? "fav" : "unfav") <nickname>")
         }
-        
+
         let nickname = targetName.hasPrefix("@") ? String(targetName.dropFirst()) : targetName
-        
+
-        guard let peerID = contextProvider?.getPeerIDForNickname(nickname),
+        guard let peerID = contextProvider?.getPeerIDForNickname(nickname) else {
-              let noisePublicKey = Data(hexString: peerID.id) else {
             return .error(message: "can't find peer: \(nickname)")
         }
-        
+
-        if add {
+        // Resolve current state by the peer's real noise key. The resolved
-            let existingFavorite = FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(for: noisePublicKey)
+        // peerID is either the short 16-hex mesh ID or the full 64-hex
-            FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.addFavorite(
+        // noise-key ID (offline favorite row) — never the noise key itself.
-                peerNoisePublicKey: noisePublicKey,
+        let isCurrentlyFavorite: Bool
-                peerNostrPublicKey: existingFavorite?.peerNostrPublicKey,
+        if let noiseKey = peerID.noiseKey {
-                peerNickname: nickname
+            isCurrentlyFavorite = FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.isFavorite(noiseKey)
-            )
-            
-            contextProvider?.toggleFavorite(peerID: peerID)
-            contextProvider?.sendFavoriteNotification(to: peerID, isFavorite: true)
-            
-            return .success(message: "added \(nickname) to favorites")
         } else {
-            FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.removeFavorite(peerNoisePublicKey: noisePublicKey)
+            isCurrentlyFavorite = FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(forPeerID: peerID)?.isFavorite ?? false
-            
-            contextProvider?.toggleFavorite(peerID: peerID)
-            contextProvider?.sendFavoriteNotification(to: peerID, isFavorite: false)
-            
-            return .success(message: "removed \(nickname) from favorites")
         }
+
+        guard add != isCurrentlyFavorite else {
+            return .success(message: add ? "\(nickname) is already a favorite" : "\(nickname) is not a favorite")
+        }
+
+        // toggleFavorite persists by the real noise key and notifies the peer.
+        contextProvider?.toggleFavorite(peerID: peerID)
+
+        return .success(message: add ? "added \(nickname) to favorites" : "removed \(nickname) from favorites")
     }
     
 }

bitchat/Services/Courier/CourierStore.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,219 @@
+//
+// CourierStore.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import BitFoundation
+import BitLogger
+import Combine
+import Foundation
+
+/// Holds courier envelopes this device is carrying for offline third parties.
+///
+/// Envelopes are opaque ciphertext deposited by mutual favorites; this store
+/// never learns sender, recipient, or content. Strict quotas keep the device
+/// from becoming a public mailbag: bounded count, bounded per-depositor
+/// count, bounded size, and a 24-hour lifetime aligned with the outbox
+/// retention policy. Carried mail is included in the panic wipe.
+final class CourierStore {
+    struct StoredEnvelope: Codable, Equatable {
+        let recipientTag: Data
+        let expiry: UInt64
+        let ciphertext: Data
+        let depositorNoiseKey: Data
+        let storedAt: Date
+
+        var envelope: CourierEnvelope {
+            CourierEnvelope(recipientTag: recipientTag, expiry: expiry, ciphertext: ciphertext)
+        }
+    }
+
+    enum Limits {
+        static let maxEnvelopes = 20
+        static let maxPerDepositor = 5
+        /// Slack on top of the 24h lifetime for depositor clock skew.
+        static let maxExpirySlack: TimeInterval = 60 * 60
+    }
+
+    static let shared = CourierStore()
+
+    /// Number of envelopes currently carried, published on the main thread
+    /// so the UI can show a "carrying mail" indicator.
+    @Published private(set) var carriedCount: Int = 0
+
+    /// Fast path so hot code (announce handling) can skip tag computation.
+    var isEmpty: Bool {
+        queue.sync { envelopes.isEmpty }
+    }
+
+    private var envelopes: [StoredEnvelope] = []
+    private let queue = DispatchQueue(label: "chat.bitchat.courier.store")
+    private let fileURL: URL?
+    private let now: () -> Date
+
+    /// - Parameter fileURL: Overrides the on-disk location (tests). Ignored
+    ///   when `persistsToDisk` is false.
+    init(persistsToDisk: Bool = true, fileURL: URL? = nil, now: @escaping () -> Date = Date.init) {
+        self.now = now
+        self.fileURL = persistsToDisk ? (fileURL ?? Self.defaultFileURL()) : nil
+        loadFromDisk()
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Depositing (courier side)
+
+    /// Accept an envelope from a depositor. Returns false when quotas or
+    /// validity checks reject it. Trust policy (mutual favorite) is the
+    /// caller's responsibility; this store only enforces resource bounds.
+    @discardableResult
+    func deposit(_ envelope: CourierEnvelope, from depositorNoiseKey: Data) -> Bool {
+        let date = now()
+        guard envelope.recipientTag.count == CourierEnvelope.tagLength,
+              !envelope.ciphertext.isEmpty,
+              envelope.ciphertext.count <= CourierEnvelope.maxCiphertextBytes,
+              !envelope.isExpired(at: date) else {
+            return false
+        }
+        // Reject expiries beyond the policy lifetime so depositors can't pin
+        // storage longer than the outbox would retain the message itself.
+        let maxExpiry = date.addingTimeInterval(CourierEnvelope.maxLifetimeSeconds + Limits.maxExpirySlack)
+        guard envelope.expiry <= UInt64(maxExpiry.timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000) else {
+            return false
+        }
+
+        return queue.sync {
+            pruneExpiredLocked(at: date)
+
+            // Identical ciphertext is the same envelope; accept idempotently.
+            if envelopes.contains(where: { $0.ciphertext == envelope.ciphertext }) {
+                return true
+            }
+            guard envelopes.filter({ $0.depositorNoiseKey == depositorNoiseKey }).count < Limits.maxPerDepositor else {
+                SecureLogger.debug("📦 Courier deposit rejected: per-depositor quota reached", category: .session)
+                return false
+            }
+            if envelopes.count >= Limits.maxEnvelopes {
+                // Oldest-first eviction, matching outbox overflow behavior.
+                let evicted = envelopes.removeFirst()
+                SecureLogger.debug("📦 Courier store full - evicted envelope stored at \(evicted.storedAt)", category: .session)
+            }
+
+            envelopes.append(StoredEnvelope(
+                recipientTag: envelope.recipientTag,
+                expiry: envelope.expiry,
+                ciphertext: envelope.ciphertext,
+                depositorNoiseKey: depositorNoiseKey,
+                storedAt: date
+            ))
+            persistLocked()
+            return true
+        }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Handover (on encountering a peer)
+
+    /// Remove and return all envelopes addressed to the given peer, matching
+    /// the rotating recipient tag across adjacent days. Envelopes are removed
+    /// optimistically: handover happens over a live link, and the depositor's
+    /// outbox still retains the original for direct delivery.
+    func takeEnvelopes(for noiseStaticKey: Data) -> [CourierEnvelope] {
+        let date = now()
+        let candidates = CourierEnvelope.candidateTags(noiseStaticKey: noiseStaticKey, around: date)
+        return queue.sync {
+            pruneExpiredLocked(at: date)
+            let matched = envelopes.filter { candidates.contains($0.recipientTag) }
+            guard !matched.isEmpty else { return [] }
+            envelopes.removeAll { stored in matched.contains(stored) }
+            persistLocked()
+            return matched.map(\.envelope)
+        }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Maintenance
+
+    func pruneExpired() {
+        let date = now()
+        queue.sync {
+            pruneExpiredLocked(at: date)
+            persistLocked()
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Panic wipe: drop all carried mail from memory and disk.
+    func wipe() {
+        queue.sync {
+            envelopes.removeAll()
+            if let fileURL {
+                try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: fileURL)
+            }
+            publishCountLocked()
+        }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Internals (call only on `queue`)
+
+    private func pruneExpiredLocked(at date: Date) {
+        let before = envelopes.count
+        envelopes.removeAll { $0.envelope.isExpired(at: date) }
+        if envelopes.count != before {
+            SecureLogger.debug("📦 Courier store pruned \(before - envelopes.count) expired envelope(s)", category: .session)
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func publishCountLocked() {
+        let count = envelopes.count
+        DispatchQueue.main.async { [weak self] in
+            self?.carriedCount = count
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func persistLocked() {
+        publishCountLocked()
+        guard let fileURL else { return }
+        do {
+            if envelopes.isEmpty {
+                try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: fileURL)
+                return
+            }
+            try FileManager.default.createDirectory(
+                at: fileURL.deletingLastPathComponent(),
+                withIntermediateDirectories: true
+            )
+            let data = try JSONEncoder().encode(envelopes)
+            var options: Data.WritingOptions = [.atomic]
+            #if os(iOS)
+            options.insert(.completeFileProtection)
+            #endif
+            try data.write(to: fileURL, options: options)
+        } catch {
+            SecureLogger.error("Failed to persist courier store: \(error)", category: .session)
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func loadFromDisk() {
+        guard let fileURL else { return }
+        queue.sync {
+            guard let data = try? Data(contentsOf: fileURL),
+                  let stored = try? JSONDecoder().decode([StoredEnvelope].self, from: data) else {
+                return
+            }
+            envelopes = stored
+            pruneExpiredLocked(at: now())
+            publishCountLocked()
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static func defaultFileURL() -> URL? {
+        guard let base = try? FileManager.default.url(
+            for: .applicationSupportDirectory,
+            in: .userDomainMask,
+            appropriateFor: nil,
+            create: true
+        ) else { return nil }
+        return base
+            .appendingPathComponent("courier", isDirectory: true)
+            .appendingPathComponent("envelopes.json")
+    }
+}

bitchat/Services/FavoritesPersistenceService.swift

@@ -141,7 +141,13 @@ final class FavoritesPersistenceService: ObservableObject {
         peerNostrPublicKey: String? = nil
     ) {
         let existing = favorites[peerNoisePublicKey]
-        let displayName = peerNickname ?? existing?.peerNickname ?? "Unknown"
+        // Callers that can't resolve the live nickname pass the "Unknown"
+        // placeholder (e.g. a notification arriving before the announce);
+        // never let it clobber a real stored nickname.
+        let incoming = peerNickname.flatMap { name in
+            (name.isEmpty || name == "Unknown") ? nil : name
+        }
+        let displayName = incoming ?? existing?.peerNickname ?? "Unknown"
         
         SecureLogger.info("📨 Received favorite notification: \(displayName) \(favorited ? "favorited" : "unfavorited") us", category: .session)
         

bitchat/Services/MessageRouter.swift

@@ -2,11 +2,37 @@ import BitLogger
 import BitFoundation
 import Foundation
 
+/// Trust and identity lookups the router needs to pick couriers. Backed by
+/// the favorites store in production; injectable for tests.
+struct CourierDirectory {
+    /// Noise static key for a peer we can address while they're offline.
+    var noiseKey: (PeerID) -> Data?
+    /// Whether a peer (by Noise static key) may carry our mail.
+    var isTrustedCourier: (Data) -> Bool
+
+    @MainActor
+    static func favoritesBacked() -> CourierDirectory {
+        CourierDirectory(
+            noiseKey: { peerID in
+                // Offline favorites are addressed by the full 64-hex
+                // noise-key ID, which carries the key itself; the favorites
+                // lookup only resolves short 16-hex IDs.
+                peerID.noiseKey
+                    ?? FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(forPeerID: peerID)?.peerNoisePublicKey
+            },
+            isTrustedCourier: { noiseKey in
+                FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.isMutualFavorite(noiseKey)
+            }
+        )
+    }
+}
+
 /// Routes messages using available transports (Mesh, Nostr, etc.)
 @MainActor
 final class MessageRouter {
     private let transports: [Transport]
     private let now: () -> Date
+    private let courierDirectory: CourierDirectory
 
     /// Invoked whenever a retained private message is dropped without a
     /// delivery ack (attempt cap, TTL expiry, or per-peer overflow eviction)
@@ -14,6 +40,12 @@ final class MessageRouter {
     /// stale "sending/sent" state forever.
     var onMessageDropped: ((_ messageID: String, _ peerID: PeerID) -> Void)?
 
+    /// Invoked when a message with no reachable transport was handed to at
+    /// least one courier (a connected mutual favorite who will physically
+    /// carry the sealed envelope). Delivery stays best-effort: the outbox
+    /// retains the message until an ack arrives.
+    var onMessageCarried: ((_ messageID: String, _ peerID: PeerID) -> Void)?
+
     // Outbox entry with timestamp for TTL-based eviction
     private struct QueuedMessage {
         let content: String
@@ -31,10 +63,17 @@ final class MessageRouter {
     // Bound resends of messages sent on a weak reachability signal that never
     // get a delivery ack (e.g. peer on an old client that doesn't ack).
     private static let maxSendAttempts = 8
+    // Redundant couriers improve delivery odds; receivers dedup by message ID.
+    private static let maxCouriersPerMessage = 3
 
-    init(transports: [Transport], now: @escaping () -> Date = Date.init) {
+    init(
+        transports: [Transport],
+        now: @escaping () -> Date = Date.init,
+        courierDirectory: CourierDirectory? = nil
+    ) {
         self.transports = transports
         self.now = now
+        self.courierDirectory = courierDirectory ?? .favoritesBacked()
 
         // Observe favorites changes to learn Nostr mapping and flush queued messages
         NotificationCenter.default.addObserver(
@@ -51,7 +90,7 @@ final class MessageRouter {
             }
             // Handle key updates
             if let newKey = note.userInfo?["peerPublicKey"] as? Data,
-               let _ = note.userInfo?["isKeyUpdate"] as? Bool {
+               note.userInfo?["isKeyUpdate"] is Bool {
                 let peerID = PeerID(publicKey: newKey)
                 Task { @MainActor in
                     self.flushOutbox(for: peerID)
@@ -89,11 +128,47 @@ final class MessageRouter {
             SecureLogger.debug("Routing PM via \(type(of: transport)) (reachable) to \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… id=\(messageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
             transport.sendPrivateMessage(content, to: peerID, recipientNickname: recipientNickname, messageID: messageID)
             enqueue(message, for: peerID)
+            // "Reachable" without prompt delivery means the send only joined
+            // a queue (Nostr with relays down): also hand a sealed copy to
+            // any connected couriers rather than waiting for internet that
+            // may never come. Double delivery is harmless — receivers dedup
+            // by message ID, and delivered/read acks never downgrade.
+            if !transport.canDeliverPromptly(to: peerID) {
+                attemptCourierDeposit(content: content, messageID: messageID, for: peerID)
+            }
         } else {
             var unsent = message
             unsent.sendAttempts = 0
             enqueue(unsent, for: peerID)
             SecureLogger.debug("Queued PM for \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… (no reachable transport) id=\(messageID.prefix(8))… queue=\(outbox[peerID]?.count ?? 0)", category: .session)
+            attemptCourierDeposit(content: content, messageID: messageID, for: peerID)
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Last resort when no transport can deliver promptly — the peer is
+    /// unreachable, or only reachable through a send queue waiting on
+    /// internet: seal the message to their known static key and hand it to
+    /// connected mutual favorites who may physically encounter them. The
+    /// queued copy above stays retained, so direct delivery still wins if
+    /// the peer reappears first (receivers dedup by message ID).
+    private func attemptCourierDeposit(content: String, messageID: String, for peerID: PeerID) {
+        guard let recipientKey = courierDirectory.noiseKey(peerID) else { return }
+        for transport in transports {
+            let couriers = transport.currentPeerSnapshots()
+                .filter { snapshot in
+                    guard snapshot.isConnected,
+                          let key = snapshot.noisePublicKey,
+                          key != recipientKey else { return false }
+                    return courierDirectory.isTrustedCourier(key)
+                }
+                .prefix(Self.maxCouriersPerMessage)
+                .map(\.peerID)
+            guard !couriers.isEmpty else { continue }
+            if transport.sendCourierMessage(content, messageID: messageID, recipientNoiseKey: recipientKey, via: Array(couriers)) {
+                SecureLogger.debug("📦 PM \(messageID.prefix(8))… handed to \(couriers.count) courier(s) for \(peerID.id.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+                onMessageCarried?(messageID, peerID)
+                return
+            }
         }
     }
 

bitchat/Services/NoiseEncryptionService.swift

@@ -369,6 +369,49 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
     func getPeerPublicKeyData(_ peerID: PeerID) -> Data? {
         return sessionManager.getRemoteStaticKey(for: peerID)?.rawRepresentation
     }
+
+    // MARK: - Courier Envelopes (one-way Noise X)
+
+    /// Domain separation for courier envelopes so X-pattern transcripts can
+    /// never be confused with interactive XX handshakes.
+    private static let courierPrologue = Data("bitchat-courier-v1".utf8)
+
+    /// Encrypt a payload to a peer's known static key without an interactive
+    /// handshake (Noise X pattern). Used for store-and-forward envelopes
+    /// carried by couriers while the recipient is offline.
+    /// - Warning: One-way messages have no forward secrecy: a later compromise
+    ///   of the recipient's static key exposes envelopes captured in transit.
+    ///   Use established sessions whenever the peer is reachable.
+    func sealCourierPayload(_ payload: Data, recipientStaticKey: Data) throws -> Data {
+        let remoteKey = try NoiseHandshakeState.validatePublicKey(recipientStaticKey)
+        let handshake = NoiseHandshakeState(
+            role: .initiator,
+            pattern: .X,
+            keychain: keychain,
+            localStaticKey: staticIdentityKey,
+            remoteStaticKey: remoteKey,
+            prologue: Self.courierPrologue
+        )
+        return try handshake.writeMessage(payload: payload)
+    }
+
+    /// Decrypt a courier envelope addressed to our static key. Returns the
+    /// payload and the sender's authenticated static public key (the `ss`
+    /// DH in the X pattern binds the sender's identity to the ciphertext).
+    func openCourierPayload(_ envelopeCiphertext: Data) throws -> (payload: Data, senderStaticKey: Data) {
+        let handshake = NoiseHandshakeState(
+            role: .responder,
+            pattern: .X,
+            keychain: keychain,
+            localStaticKey: staticIdentityKey,
+            prologue: Self.courierPrologue
+        )
+        let payload = try handshake.readMessage(envelopeCiphertext)
+        guard let senderKey = handshake.getRemoteStaticPublicKey() else {
+            throw NoiseError.missingKeys
+        }
+        return (payload: payload, senderStaticKey: senderKey.rawRepresentation)
+    }
     
     /// Clear persistent identity (for panic mode)
     func clearPersistentIdentity() {
@@ -428,7 +471,7 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
     private func canonicalAnnounceBytes(peerID: Data, noiseKey: Data, ed25519Key: Data, nickname: String, timestampMs: UInt64) -> Data {
         var out = Data()
         // context
-        let context = "bitchat-announce-v1".data(using: .utf8) ?? Data()
+        let context = Data("bitchat-announce-v1".utf8)
         out.append(UInt8(min(context.count, 255)))
         out.append(context.prefix(255))
         // peerID (expect 8 bytes; pad/truncate to 8 for canonicalization)
@@ -444,7 +487,7 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
         out.append(ed32)
         if ed32.count < 32 { out.append(Data(repeating: 0, count: 32 - ed32.count)) }
         // nickname length + bytes
-        let nickData = nickname.data(using: .utf8) ?? Data()
+        let nickData = Data(nickname.utf8)
         out.append(UInt8(min(nickData.count, 255)))
         out.append(nickData.prefix(255))
         // timestamp

bitchat/Services/NostrTransport.swift

@@ -14,7 +14,13 @@ final class NostrTransport: Transport, @unchecked Sendable {
         let registerPendingGiftWrap: @MainActor (String) -> Void
         let sendEvent: @MainActor (NostrEvent) -> Void
         let scheduleAfter: @Sendable (TimeInterval, @escaping @Sendable () -> Void) -> Void
+        /// Emits whether a relay that carries private messages is up
+        /// (fail-closed behind Tor). A connected geohash/custom relay alone
+        /// doesn't count: DM sends target the default relay set and would
+        /// still queue.
+        let relayConnectivity: @MainActor () -> AnyPublisher<Bool, Never>
 
+        @MainActor
         static func live(idBridge: NostrIdentityBridge) -> Dependencies {
             Dependencies(
                 notificationCenter: .default,
@@ -26,7 +32,8 @@ final class NostrTransport: Transport, @unchecked Sendable {
                 sendEvent: { NostrRelayManager.shared.sendEvent($0) },
                 scheduleAfter: { delay, action in
                     DispatchQueue.main.asyncAfter(deadline: .now() + delay, execute: action)
-                }
+                },
+                relayConnectivity: { NostrRelayManager.shared.$isDMRelayConnected.eraseToAnyPublisher() }
             )
         }
     }
@@ -49,6 +56,10 @@ final class NostrTransport: Transport, @unchecked Sendable {
 
     // Reachability Cache (thread-safe)
     private var reachablePeers: Set<PeerID> = []
+    // Mirror of the relay manager's connection state, cached here because
+    // canDeliverPromptly is called synchronously off the main actor.
+    private var relaysConnected = false
+    private var relayConnectivityCancellable: AnyCancellable?
     private let queue = DispatchQueue(label: "nostr.transport.state", attributes: .concurrent)
 
     @MainActor
@@ -72,6 +83,12 @@ final class NostrTransport: Transport, @unchecked Sendable {
         queue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
             self.reachablePeers = Set(reachable)
         }
+
+        relayConnectivityCancellable = self.dependencies.relayConnectivity()
+            .sink { [weak self] connected in
+                guard let self else { return }
+                self.queue.async(flags: .barrier) { self.relaysConnected = connected }
+            }
     }
 
     deinit {
@@ -125,19 +142,25 @@ final class NostrTransport: Transport, @unchecked Sendable {
     func isPeerConnected(_ peerID: PeerID) -> Bool { false }
     
     func isPeerReachable(_ peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
-        queue.sync {
+        // Callers address peers by either the short 16-hex ID or the full
-            // Check if exact match
+        // 64-hex noise key (offline favorites), so compare in short form.
+        let short = peerID.toShort()
+        return queue.sync {
             if reachablePeers.contains(peerID) { return true }
-            // Check for short ID match
+            return reachablePeers.contains(where: { $0.toShort() == short })
-            if peerID.isShort {
-                return reachablePeers.contains(where: { $0.toShort() == peerID })
-            }
-            return false
         }
     }
+
+    func canDeliverPromptly(to peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
+        // A known npub makes a peer "reachable", but with no relay
+        // connection a send only joins the local queue. Answering honestly
+        // here lets the router hand a sealed copy to a courier in parallel
+        // instead of waiting for internet that may never come.
+        isPeerReachable(peerID) && queue.sync { relaysConnected }
+    }
     
     func peerNickname(peerID: PeerID) -> String? { nil }
-    func getPeerNicknames() -> [PeerID : String] { [:] }
+    func getPeerNicknames() -> [PeerID: String] { [:] }
 
     func getFingerprint(for peerID: PeerID) -> String? { nil }
     func getNoiseSessionState(for peerID: PeerID) -> LazyHandshakeState { .none }

bitchat/Services/NotificationService.swift

@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ final class NotificationService {
 
     func requestAuthorization() {
         guard !isRunningTests else { return }
-        authorizer.requestAuthorization(options: [.alert, .sound, .badge]) { granted, error in
+        authorizer.requestAuthorization(options: [.alert, .sound, .badge]) { granted, _ in
             if granted {
                 // Permission granted
             } else {

bitchat/Services/PrivateChatManager.swift

@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ final class PrivateChatManager: ObservableObject {
                     case .read, .delivered:
                         externalReceipts.insert(message.id)
                         sentReadReceipts.insert(message.id)
-                    case .failed, .partiallyDelivered, .sending, .sent:
+                    case .failed, .partiallyDelivered, .sending, .sent, .carried:
                         break
                     }
                 }

bitchat/Services/Transport.swift

@@ -54,6 +54,11 @@ protocol Transport: AnyObject {
     // Connectivity and peers
     func isPeerConnected(_ peerID: PeerID) -> Bool
     func isPeerReachable(_ peerID: PeerID) -> Bool
+    /// Whether a send to this peer is likely to leave the device promptly.
+    /// Distinct from reachability: Nostr claims any favorite with a known
+    /// npub as reachable even with no relay connection, where a send only
+    /// joins a queue waiting for internet that may never come.
+    func canDeliverPromptly(to peerID: PeerID) -> Bool
     func peerNickname(peerID: PeerID) -> String?
     func getPeerNicknames() -> [PeerID: String]
 
@@ -95,6 +100,12 @@ protocol Transport: AnyObject {
     func sendFilePrivate(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, to peerID: PeerID, transferId: String)
     func cancelTransfer(_ transferId: String)
 
+    // Courier store-and-forward (mesh transports only): seal a message to the
+    // recipient's static key and hand it to connected couriers for physical
+    // delivery while the recipient is offline. Returns false when the
+    // transport cannot courier (no connected courier, or unsupported).
+    func sendCourierMessage(_ content: String, messageID: String, recipientNoiseKey: Data, via couriers: [PeerID]) -> Bool
+
     // QR verification (optional for transports)
     func sendVerifyChallenge(to peerID: PeerID, noiseKeyHex: String, nonceA: Data)
     func sendVerifyResponse(to peerID: PeerID, noiseKeyHex: String, nonceA: Data)
@@ -105,6 +116,10 @@ protocol Transport: AnyObject {
 }
 
 extension Transport {
+    // Reachability implies prompt delivery for transports that hand packets
+    // straight to the radio; queue-backed transports override this.
+    func canDeliverPromptly(to peerID: PeerID) -> Bool { isPeerReachable(peerID) }
+
     // Noise identity hooks default to inert for transports that do not carry
     // Noise sessions (e.g. NostrTransport).
     func noiseSessionPublicKeyData(for peerID: PeerID) -> Data? { nil }
@@ -120,6 +135,7 @@ extension Transport {
 
     func sendVerifyChallenge(to peerID: PeerID, noiseKeyHex: String, nonceA: Data) {}
     func sendVerifyResponse(to peerID: PeerID, noiseKeyHex: String, nonceA: Data) {}
+    func sendCourierMessage(_ content: String, messageID: String, recipientNoiseKey: Data, via couriers: [PeerID]) -> Bool { false }
     func sendFileBroadcast(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, transferId: String) {}
     func sendFilePrivate(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, to peerID: PeerID, transferId: String) {}
     func cancelTransfer(_ transferId: String) {}

bitchat/Services/UnifiedPeerService.swift

@@ -86,45 +86,44 @@ final class UnifiedPeerService: ObservableObject, TransportPeerEventsDelegate {
         var enrichedPeers: [BitchatPeer] = []
         var connected: Set<PeerID> = []
         var addedPeerIDs: Set<PeerID> = []
-        
+        var meshNoiseKeys: Set<Data> = []
+
         // Phase 1: Add all mesh peers (connected and reachable)
         for peerInfo in meshPeers {
             let peerID = peerInfo.peerID
             guard peerID != meshService.myPeerID else { continue }  // Never add self
-            
+
             let peer = buildPeerFromMesh(
                 peerInfo: peerInfo,
                 favorites: favorites,
                 meshAttached: hasAnyConnected
             )
-            
+
             enrichedPeers.append(peer)
             if peer.isConnected { connected.insert(peerID) }
             addedPeerIDs.insert(peerID)
-            
+
             // Update fingerprint cache
             if let publicKey = peerInfo.noisePublicKey {
+                meshNoiseKeys.insert(publicKey)
                 fingerprintCache[peerID] = publicKey.sha256Fingerprint()
             }
         }
-        
+
-        // Phase 2: Add offline favorites that we actively favorite
+        // Phase 2: Add offline favorites that we actively favorite.
+        // Mesh rows use the short 16-hex peer ID while favorites are keyed by
+        // the full 32-byte noise key, so dedup must compare noise keys — a
+        // PeerID comparison between the two forms can never match.
         for (favoriteKey, favorite) in favorites where favorite.isFavorite {
+            if meshNoiseKeys.contains(favoriteKey) { continue }
+
             let peerID = PeerID(hexData: favoriteKey)
-            
-            // Skip if already added (connected peer)
             if addedPeerIDs.contains(peerID) { continue }
-            
+
-            // Skip if connected under different ID but same nickname
-            let isConnectedByNickname = enrichedPeers.contains { 
-                $0.nickname == favorite.peerNickname && $0.isConnected 
-            }
-            if isConnectedByNickname { continue }
-            
             let peer = buildPeerFromFavorite(favorite: favorite, peerID: peerID)
             enrichedPeers.append(peer)
             addedPeerIDs.insert(peerID)
-            
+
             // Update fingerprint cache
             fingerprintCache[peerID] = favoriteKey.sha256Fingerprint()
         }
@@ -257,7 +256,29 @@ final class UnifiedPeerService: ObservableObject, TransportPeerEventsDelegate {
         
         return false
     }
-    
+
+    /// Block or unblock a mesh peer by its stable Noise identity.
+    ///
+    /// The block is keyed by the peer's fingerprint, resolved from `peerID`
+    /// (cache / mesh session / known-peer Noise key). This works even when the
+    /// peer is offline — including offline favorites — so the exact tapped peer
+    /// is (un)blocked unambiguously instead of being re-resolved by a
+    /// display-name string that two peers could share.
+    /// - Returns: the resolved fingerprint, or `nil` if the identity is unknown.
+    @discardableResult
+    func setBlocked(_ peerID: PeerID, blocked: Bool) -> String? {
+        guard let fingerprint = getFingerprint(for: peerID) else {
+            SecureLogger.warning(
+                "⚠️ Cannot \(blocked ? "block" : "unblock") - unknown identity for peer: \(peerID)",
+                category: .session
+            )
+            return nil
+        }
+        identityManager.setBlocked(fingerprint, isBlocked: blocked)
+        updatePeers()
+        return fingerprint
+    }
+
     /// Toggle favorite status
     func toggleFavorite(_ peerID: PeerID) {
         guard let peer = getPeer(by: peerID) else {

bitchat/Sync/SyncTypeFlags.swift

@@ -20,6 +20,9 @@ struct SyncTypeFlags: OptionSet {
         case .fragment: return 5
         case .requestSync: return 6
         case .fileTransfer: return 7
+        // Courier envelopes are directed deposits between trusted peers and
+        // must never spread via gossip sync.
+        case .courierEnvelope: return nil
         }
     }
 

bitchat/Utils/PeerDisplayNameResolver.swift

@@ -27,4 +27,3 @@ struct PeerDisplayNameResolver {
         return result
     }
 }
-

bitchat/ViewModels/ChatLifecycleCoordinator.swift

@@ -355,9 +355,10 @@ private extension ChatLifecycleCoordinator {
         case .failed: return 1
         case .sending: return 2
         case .sent: return 3
-        case .partiallyDelivered: return 4
+        case .carried: return 4
-        case .delivered: return 5
+        case .partiallyDelivered: return 5
-        case .read: return 6
+        case .delivered: return 6
+        case .read: return 7
         }
     }
 }

bitchat/ViewModels/ChatMediaTransferCoordinator.swift

@@ -117,13 +117,13 @@ final class ChatMediaTransferCoordinator {
                 try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: url)
                 await MainActor.run { [weak self] in
                     guard let self else { return }
-                    self.handleMediaSendFailure(messageID: messageID, reason: "Voice note too large")
+                    self.handleMediaSendFailure(messageID: messageID, reason: String(localized: "content.delivery.reason.voice_too_large", comment: "Failure reason shown when a voice note exceeds the size limit"))
                 }
             } catch {
                 SecureLogger.error("Voice note send failed: \(error)", category: .session)
                 await MainActor.run { [weak self] in
                     guard let self else { return }
-                    self.handleMediaSendFailure(messageID: messageID, reason: "Failed to send voice note")
+                    self.handleMediaSendFailure(messageID: messageID, reason: String(localized: "content.delivery.reason.voice_send_failed", comment: "Failure reason shown when a voice note could not be sent"))
                 }
             }
         }

bitchat/ViewModels/ChatNostrCoordinator.swift

@@ -21,13 +21,9 @@ protocol ChatNostrContext: GeohashSubscriptionContext, NostrInboundPipelineConte
     func sendGeohashDeliveryAck(for messageID: String, toRecipientHex recipientHex: String, from identity: NostrIdentity)
     func sendGeohashReadReceipt(_ messageID: String, toRecipientHex recipientHex: String, from identity: NostrIdentity)
 
-    // MARK: Favorites & notifications (shared with the other contexts)
+    // MARK: Favorites (shared with the other contexts)
     /// The persisted favorite relationship for the peer's Noise static key, if any.
     func favoriteRelationship(forNoiseKey noiseKey: Data) -> FavoritesPersistenceService.FavoriteRelationship?
-    /// Adds (or updates) a favorite in the favorites store.
-    func addFavorite(noiseKey: Data, nostrPublicKey: String?, nickname: String)
-    /// Posts a generic local user notification.
-    func postLocalNotification(title: String, body: String, identifier: String)
 }
 
 extension ChatViewModel: ChatNostrContext {
@@ -71,7 +67,7 @@ final class ChatNostrCoordinator {
         key: Data?
     ) {
         guard let context else { return }
-        if let _ = key {
+        if key != nil {
             if let identity = context.currentNostrIdentity() {
                 context.sendGeohashDeliveryAck(for: message.id, toRecipientHex: senderPubkey, from: identity)
             }
@@ -84,7 +80,7 @@ final class ChatNostrCoordinator {
         }
 
         if !wasReadBefore && context.selectedPrivateChatPeer == message.senderPeerID {
-            if let _ = key {
+            if key != nil {
                 if let identity = context.currentNostrIdentity() {
                     context.sendGeohashReadReceipt(message.id, toRecipientHex: senderPubkey, from: identity)
                 }
@@ -98,57 +94,6 @@ final class ChatNostrCoordinator {
         }
     }
 
-    @MainActor
-    func handleFavoriteNotification(content: String, from nostrPubkey: String) {
-        guard let context else { return }
-        guard let senderNoiseKey = inbound.findNoiseKey(for: nostrPubkey) else { return }
-
-        let isFavorite = content.contains("FAVORITE:TRUE")
-        let senderNickname = content.components(separatedBy: "|").last ?? "Unknown"
-
-        if isFavorite {
-            context.addFavorite(
-                noiseKey: senderNoiseKey,
-                nostrPublicKey: nostrPubkey,
-                nickname: senderNickname
-            )
-        }
-
-        var extractedNostrPubkey: String?
-        if let range = content.range(of: "NPUB:") {
-            let suffix = content[range.upperBound...]
-            let parts = suffix.components(separatedBy: "|")
-            if let key = parts.first {
-                extractedNostrPubkey = String(key)
-            }
-        } else if content.contains(":") {
-            let parts = content.components(separatedBy: ":")
-            if parts.count >= 3 {
-                extractedNostrPubkey = String(parts[2])
-            }
-        }
-
-        SecureLogger.info("📝 Received favorite notification from \(senderNickname): \(isFavorite)", category: .session)
-
-        if isFavorite && extractedNostrPubkey != nil {
-            SecureLogger.info(
-                "💾 Storing Nostr key association for \(senderNickname): \(extractedNostrPubkey!.prefix(16))...",
-                category: .session
-            )
-            context.addFavorite(
-                noiseKey: senderNoiseKey,
-                nostrPublicKey: extractedNostrPubkey,
-                nickname: senderNickname
-            )
-        }
-
-        context.postLocalNotification(
-            title: isFavorite ? "New Favorite" : "Favorite Removed",
-            body: "\(senderNickname) \(isFavorite ? "favorited" : "unfavorited") you",
-            identifier: "fav-\(UUID().uuidString)"
-        )
-    }
-
     @MainActor
     func sendFavoriteNotificationViaNostr(noisePublicKey: Data, isFavorite: Bool) {
         guard let context else { return }

bitchat/ViewModels/ChatPrivateConversationCoordinator.swift

@@ -92,7 +92,6 @@ protocol ChatPrivateConversationContext: AnyObject {
     func sendGeohashPrivateMessage(_ content: String, toRecipientHex recipientHex: String, from identity: NostrIdentity, messageID: String)
     func sendGeohashDeliveryAck(for messageID: String, toRecipientHex recipientHex: String, from identity: NostrIdentity)
     func sendGeohashReadReceipt(_ messageID: String, toRecipientHex recipientHex: String, from identity: NostrIdentity)
-    func sendDeliveryAckViaNostrEmbedded(_ message: BitchatMessage, wasReadBefore: Bool, senderPubkey: String, key: Data?)
 
     // MARK: System messages
     func addSystemMessage(_ content: String)
@@ -101,6 +100,9 @@ protocol ChatPrivateConversationContext: AnyObject {
     // MARK: Favorites & notifications
     /// The persisted favorite relationship for the peer's Noise static key, if any.
     func favoriteRelationship(forNoiseKey noiseKey: Data) -> FavoritesPersistenceService.FavoriteRelationship?
+    /// The persisted favorite relationship resolved from a short 16-hex mesh
+    /// peer ID (matched against the IDs derived from stored noise keys).
+    func favoriteRelationship(forPeerID peerID: PeerID) -> FavoritesPersistenceService.FavoriteRelationship?
     /// Persists that the peer favorited/unfavorited us (favorites store write).
     func updatePeerFavoritedUs(noiseKey: Data, favorited: Bool, nickname: String, nostrPublicKey: String?)
     /// Posts the incoming-private-message local notification.
@@ -197,6 +199,10 @@ extension ChatViewModel: ChatPrivateConversationContext {
         FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(for: noiseKey)
     }
 
+    // `favoriteRelationship(forPeerID:)` is shared with
+    // `ChatPeerIdentityContext`; its witness lives in
+    // `ChatPeerIdentityCoordinator.swift`.
+
     func updatePeerFavoritedUs(noiseKey: Data, favorited: Bool, nickname: String, nostrPublicKey: String?) {
         FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.updatePeerFavoritedUs(
             peerNoisePublicKey: noiseKey,
@@ -245,10 +251,15 @@ final class ChatPrivateConversationCoordinator {
             return
         }
 
-        guard let noiseKey = Data(hexString: peerID.id) else { return }
+        // Resolve the favorite behind this conversation. It may be keyed by
+        // the full 64-hex noise-key ID (offline favorite row) or the short
+        // 16-hex mesh ID — the raw hex bytes of a short ID are a routing ID,
+        // never a noise key, so they must not be used as a favorites key.
+        let noiseKey = peerID.noiseKey ?? context.noisePublicKey(for: peerID)
         let isConnected = context.isPeerConnected(peerID)
         let isReachable = context.isPeerReachable(peerID)
-        let favoriteStatus = context.favoriteRelationship(forNoiseKey: noiseKey)
+        let favoriteStatus = noiseKey.flatMap { context.favoriteRelationship(forNoiseKey: $0) }
+            ?? context.favoriteRelationship(forPeerID: peerID)
         let isMutualFavorite = favoriteStatus?.isMutual ?? false
         let hasNostrKey = favoriteStatus?.peerNostrPublicKey != nil
 
@@ -405,9 +416,32 @@ final class ChatPrivateConversationCoordinator {
             return
         }
 
+        // Prefer the favorite's stored nickname when the sender resolved to a
+        // known noise key; the Nostr display name is a geohash-scoped
+        // fallback (e.g. "anon#678e") that would mislabel favorite-transport
+        // DMs. Geohash conversations (nostr_ keys) keep the geo name.
+        let senderName: String = {
+            if let noiseKey = convKey.noiseKey,
+               let favoriteNickname = context.favoriteRelationship(forNoiseKey: noiseKey)?.peerNickname,
+               !favoriteNickname.isEmpty {
+                return favoriteNickname
+            }
+            return context.displayNameForNostrPubkey(senderPubkey)
+        }()
+
+        // Favorite notifications ride the PM channel over Nostr too; intercept
+        // them so they update the relationship instead of rendering as text.
+        if pm.content.hasPrefix("[FAVORITED]") || pm.content.hasPrefix("[UNFAVORITED]") {
+            handleFavoriteNotification(
+                pm.content,
+                from: convKey,
+                senderNickname: senderName
+            )
+            return
+        }
+
         if context.privateChatsContainMessage(withID: messageId) { return }
 
-        let senderName = context.displayNameForNostrPubkey(senderPubkey)
         let message = BitchatMessage(
             id: messageId,
             sender: senderName,
@@ -486,93 +520,6 @@ final class ChatPrivateConversationCoordinator {
         context.sendGeohashReadReceipt(messageId, toRecipientHex: senderPubKey, from: id)
     }
 
-    func handlePrivateMessage(
-        _ payload: NoisePayload,
-        actualSenderNoiseKey: Data?,
-        senderNickname: String,
-        targetPeerID: PeerID,
-        messageTimestamp: Date,
-        senderPubkey: String
-    ) {
-        guard let pm = PrivateMessagePacket.decode(from: payload.data) else { return }
-        let messageId = pm.messageID
-        let messageContent = pm.content
-
-        if messageContent.hasPrefix("[FAVORITED]") || messageContent.hasPrefix("[UNFAVORITED]") {
-            if let key = actualSenderNoiseKey {
-                handleFavoriteNotificationFromMesh(
-                    messageContent,
-                    from: PeerID(hexData: key),
-                    senderNickname: senderNickname
-                )
-            }
-            return
-        }
-
-        if isDuplicateMessage(messageId, targetPeerID: targetPeerID) {
-            return
-        }
-
-        let wasReadBefore = context.sentReadReceipts.contains(messageId)
-
-        var isViewingThisChat = false
-        if context.selectedPrivateChatPeer == targetPeerID {
-            isViewingThisChat = true
-        } else if let selectedPeer = context.selectedPrivateChatPeer,
-                  let selectedPeerNoiseKey = context.noisePublicKey(for: selectedPeer),
-                  let key = actualSenderNoiseKey,
-                  selectedPeerNoiseKey == key {
-            isViewingThisChat = true
-        }
-
-        let isRecentMessage = Date().timeIntervalSince(messageTimestamp) < 30
-        let shouldMarkAsUnread = !wasReadBefore && !isViewingThisChat && isRecentMessage
-
-        let message = BitchatMessage(
-            id: messageId,
-            sender: senderNickname,
-            content: messageContent,
-            timestamp: messageTimestamp,
-            isRelay: false,
-            isPrivate: true,
-            recipientNickname: context.nickname,
-            senderPeerID: targetPeerID,
-            deliveryStatus: .delivered(to: context.nickname, at: Date())
-        )
-
-        addMessageToPrivateChatsIfNeeded(message, targetPeerID: targetPeerID)
-        mirrorToEphemeralIfNeeded(message, targetPeerID: targetPeerID, key: actualSenderNoiseKey)
-
-        context.sendDeliveryAckViaNostrEmbedded(
-            message,
-            wasReadBefore: wasReadBefore,
-            senderPubkey: senderPubkey,
-            key: actualSenderNoiseKey
-        )
-
-        if wasReadBefore {
-            // No-op.
-        } else if isViewingThisChat {
-            handleViewingThisChat(
-                message,
-                targetPeerID: targetPeerID,
-                key: actualSenderNoiseKey,
-                senderPubkey: senderPubkey
-            )
-        } else {
-            markAsUnreadIfNeeded(
-                shouldMarkAsUnread: shouldMarkAsUnread,
-                targetPeerID: targetPeerID,
-                key: actualSenderNoiseKey,
-                isRecentMessage: isRecentMessage,
-                senderNickname: senderNickname,
-                messageContent: messageContent
-            )
-        }
-
-        context.notifyUIChanged()
-    }
-
     func handlePrivateMessage(_ message: BitchatMessage) {
         SecureLogger.debug("📥 handlePrivateMessage called for message from \(message.sender)", category: .session)
         let senderPeerID = message.senderPeerID ?? context.getPeerIDForNickname(message.sender)
@@ -583,7 +530,7 @@ final class ChatPrivateConversationCoordinator {
         }
 
         if message.content.hasPrefix("[FAVORITED]") || message.content.hasPrefix("[UNFAVORITED]") {
-            handleFavoriteNotificationFromMesh(message.content, from: peerID, senderNickname: message.sender)
+            handleFavoriteNotification(message.content, from: peerID, senderNickname: message.sender)
             return
         }
 
@@ -706,7 +653,10 @@ final class ChatPrivateConversationCoordinator {
         }
     }
 
-    func handleFavoriteNotificationFromMesh(_ content: String, from peerID: PeerID, senderNickname: String) {
+    /// Applies an inbound `[FAVORITED]`/`[UNFAVORITED]` marker from either
+    /// transport. `peerID` must resolve to a noise key — a full 64-hex ID or
+    /// one the unified peer list knows; otherwise the notification is dropped.
+    func handleFavoriteNotification(_ content: String, from peerID: PeerID, senderNickname: String) {
         let isFavorite = content.hasPrefix("[FAVORITED]")
         let parts = content.split(separator: ":")
 

bitchat/ViewModels/ChatViewModel.swift

@@ -988,6 +988,48 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate, TransportEventDele
         )
     }
 
+    // Mesh (Noise identity) block helpers. Unlike the `/block <nickname>`
+    // command, these resolve and persist the block by the peer's stable
+    // fingerprint (derived from `peerID`), so the exact tapped peer is
+    // (un)blocked — unambiguous across nickname collisions and functional for
+    // offline peers that can no longer be resolved through the mesh service.
+    @MainActor
+    func blockMeshPeer(peerID: PeerID, displayName: String) {
+        setMeshPeerBlocked(peerID, blocked: true, displayName: displayName)
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    func unblockMeshPeer(peerID: PeerID, displayName: String) {
+        setMeshPeerBlocked(peerID, blocked: false, displayName: displayName)
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    private func setMeshPeerBlocked(_ peerID: PeerID, blocked: Bool, displayName: String) {
+        guard unifiedPeerService.setBlocked(peerID, blocked: blocked) != nil else {
+            addCommandOutput(
+                String(
+                    format: String(
+                        localized: blocked ? "system.mesh.block_failed" : "system.mesh.unblock_failed",
+                        comment: "System message shown when a mesh peer cannot be blocked or unblocked"
+                    ),
+                    locale: .current,
+                    displayName
+                )
+            )
+            return
+        }
+        addCommandOutput(
+            String(
+                format: String(
+                    localized: blocked ? "system.mesh.blocked" : "system.mesh.unblocked",
+                    comment: "System message shown when a mesh peer is blocked or unblocked"
+                ),
+                locale: .current,
+                displayName
+            )
+        )
+    }
+
     func displayNameForNostrPubkey(_ pubkeyHex: String) -> String {
         publicConversationCoordinator.displayNameForNostrPubkey(pubkeyHex)
     }
@@ -1147,6 +1189,9 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate, TransportEventDele
         // Clear persistent favorites from keychain
         FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.clearAllFavorites()
 
+        // Drop courier mail carried for third parties (memory and disk)
+        CourierStore.shared.wipe()
+
         // Identity manager has cleared persisted identity data above
 
         // Clear autocomplete state
@@ -1435,7 +1480,7 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate, TransportEventDele
 
     /// Processes IRC-style commands starting with '/'.
     /// - Parameter command: The full command string including the leading slash
-    /// - Note: Supports commands like /nick, /msg, /who, /slap, /clear, /help
+    /// - Note: Supports commands like /msg, /who, /slap, /clear, /help
     @MainActor
     func handleCommand(_ command: String) {
         let result = commandProcessor.process(command)
@@ -1443,16 +1488,29 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate, TransportEventDele
         switch result {
         case .success(let message):
             if let msg = message {
-                addSystemMessage(msg)
+                addCommandOutput(msg)
             }
         case .error(let message):
-            addSystemMessage(message)
+            addCommandOutput(message)
         case .handled:
             // Command was handled, no message needed
             break
         }
     }
 
+    /// Command output belongs in the conversation where the user typed the
+    /// command; the public timeline is invisible while a DM is open. The DM
+    /// selection is read *after* processing so commands that switch chats
+    /// (`/msg`) print into the conversation they just opened.
+    @MainActor
+    private func addCommandOutput(_ content: String) {
+        if let peerID = selectedPrivateChatPeer {
+            addLocalPrivateSystemMessage(content, to: peerID)
+        } else {
+            addSystemMessage(content)
+        }
+    }
+
     // MARK: - Message Reception
 
     @MainActor

bitchat/ViewModels/ChatViewModelBootstrapper.swift

@@ -100,11 +100,28 @@ private extension ChatViewModelBootstrapper {
                     category: .session
                 )
                 viewModel.conversations.setDeliveryStatus(
-                    .failed(reason: "Not delivered"),
+                    .failed(reason: String(localized: "content.delivery.reason.not_delivered", comment: "Failure reason shown when the router gave up delivering a message")),
                     forMessageID: messageID
                 )
             }
         }
+        // A message with no reachable transport that was handed to a courier
+        // shows a distinct "carried" state instead of sitting in "sending"
+        // forever. Never downgrade a confirmed receipt: the courier copy can
+        // race direct delivery when the peer reappears.
+        viewModel.messageRouter.onMessageCarried = { [weak viewModel] messageID, peerID in
+            guard let viewModel else { return }
+            switch viewModel.conversations.deliveryStatus(forMessageID: messageID) {
+            case .delivered, .read:
+                break
+            default:
+                SecureLogger.debug(
+                    "📦 Message \(messageID.prefix(8))… for \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… handed to courier → marked carried",
+                    category: .session
+                )
+                viewModel.conversations.setDeliveryStatus(.carried, forMessageID: messageID)
+            }
+        }
         viewModel.commandProcessor.contextProvider = viewModel
         viewModel.commandProcessor.meshService = viewModel.meshService
         viewModel.participantTracker.configure(context: viewModel)

bitchat/ViewModels/Extensions/ChatViewModel+Nostr.swift

@@ -109,11 +109,6 @@ extension ChatViewModel {
         )
     }
 
-    @MainActor
-    func handleFavoriteNotification(content: String, from nostrPubkey: String) {
-        nostrCoordinator.handleFavoriteNotification(content: content, from: nostrPubkey)
-    }
-
     @MainActor
     func sendFavoriteNotificationViaNostr(noisePublicKey: Data, isFavorite: Bool) {
         nostrCoordinator.sendFavoriteNotificationViaNostr(noisePublicKey: noisePublicKey, isFavorite: isFavorite)

bitchat/ViewModels/Extensions/ChatViewModel+PrivateChat.swift

@@ -121,25 +121,6 @@ extension ChatViewModel {
         mediaTransferCoordinator.deleteMediaMessage(messageID: messageID)
     }
 
-    @MainActor
-    func handlePrivateMessage(
-        _ payload: NoisePayload,
-        actualSenderNoiseKey: Data?,
-        senderNickname: String,
-        targetPeerID: PeerID,
-        messageTimestamp: Date,
-        senderPubkey: String
-    ) {
-        privateConversationCoordinator.handlePrivateMessage(
-            payload,
-            actualSenderNoiseKey: actualSenderNoiseKey,
-            senderNickname: senderNickname,
-            targetPeerID: targetPeerID,
-            messageTimestamp: messageTimestamp,
-            senderPubkey: senderPubkey
-        )
-    }
-
     @MainActor
     func handlePrivateMessage(_ message: BitchatMessage) {
         privateConversationCoordinator.handlePrivateMessage(message)
@@ -190,8 +171,8 @@ extension ChatViewModel {
     }
 
     @MainActor
-    func handleFavoriteNotificationFromMesh(_ content: String, from peerID: PeerID, senderNickname: String) {
+    func handleFavoriteNotification(_ content: String, from peerID: PeerID, senderNickname: String) {
-        privateConversationCoordinator.handleFavoriteNotificationFromMesh(
+        privateConversationCoordinator.handleFavoriteNotification(
             content,
             from: peerID,
             senderNickname: senderNickname

bitchat/ViewModels/NostrInboundPipeline.swift

@@ -442,8 +442,7 @@ final class NostrInboundPipeline {
     }
 
     /// Resolves the Noise static key behind a Nostr pubkey via the favorites
-    /// store. Lives here because the inbound DM path needs it per message;
+    /// store. Lives here because the inbound DM path needs it per message.
-    /// the favorites glue in `ChatNostrCoordinator` delegates to it.
     @MainActor
     func findNoiseKey(for nostrPubkey: String) -> Data? {
         guard let context else { return nil }

bitchat/Views/AppInfoView.swift

@@ -55,6 +55,26 @@ struct AppInfoView: View {
             )
         }
 
+        enum Legend {
+            static let title: LocalizedStringKey = "app_info.legend.title"
+            /// Every glyph the peer lists and headers use, in one place —
+            /// nothing else in the app defines them.
+            static let items: [(icon: String, text: LocalizedStringKey)] = [
+                ("antenna.radiowaves.left.and.right", "app_info.legend.mesh_connected"),
+                ("point.3.filled.connected.trianglepath.dotted", "app_info.legend.mesh_relayed"),
+                ("globe", "app_info.legend.nostr"),
+                ("person", "app_info.legend.offline"),
+                ("mappin.and.ellipse", "app_info.legend.location_nearby"),
+                ("face.dashed", "app_info.legend.teleported"),
+                ("lock.fill", "app_info.legend.encrypted"),
+                ("lock.slash", "app_info.legend.encryption_failed"),
+                ("checkmark.seal.fill", "app_info.legend.verified"),
+                ("star.fill", "app_info.legend.favorite"),
+                ("envelope.fill", "app_info.legend.unread"),
+                ("nosign", "app_info.legend.blocked")
+            ]
+        }
+
         enum Privacy {
             static let title: LocalizedStringKey = "app_info.privacy.title"
             static let noTracking = AppInfoFeatureInfo(
@@ -118,14 +138,8 @@ struct AppInfoView: View {
             .navigationBarTitleDisplayMode(.inline)
             .toolbar {
                 ToolbarItem(placement: .navigationBarTrailing) {
-                    Button(action: { dismiss() }) {
+                    SheetCloseButton { dismiss() }
-                        Image(systemName: "xmark")
+                        .foregroundColor(textColor)
-                            .bitchatFont(size: 13, weight: .semibold)
-                            .foregroundColor(textColor)
-                            .frame(width: 32, height: 32)
-                    }
-                    .buttonStyle(.plain)
-                    .accessibilityLabel("app_info.close")
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -202,6 +216,28 @@ struct AppInfoView: View {
                 FeatureRow(info: Strings.Features.mentions)
             }
 
+            // Symbols legend
+            VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 10) {
+                SectionHeader(Strings.Legend.title)
+
+                ForEach(Strings.Legend.items, id: \.icon) { item in
+                    HStack(alignment: .top, spacing: 12) {
+                        Image(systemName: item.icon)
+                            .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14))
+                            .foregroundColor(textColor)
+                            .frame(width: 30)
+
+                        Text(item.text)
+                            .bitchatFont(size: 13)
+                            .foregroundColor(secondaryTextColor)
+                            .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
+
+                        Spacer()
+                    }
+                    .accessibilityElement(children: .combine)
+                }
+            }
+
             // Privacy
             VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 16) {
                 SectionHeader(Strings.Privacy.title)

bitchat/Views/Components/CommandSuggestionsView.swift

@@ -14,29 +14,46 @@ struct CommandSuggestionsView: View {
 
     @Binding var messageText: String
 
+    /// The command already typed in full, once arguments have begun.
+    private var typedCommandAlias: String? {
+        guard messageText.hasPrefix("/"),
+              let spaceIndex = messageText.firstIndex(of: " ")
+        else { return nil }
+        return String(messageText[..<spaceIndex]).lowercased()
+    }
+
     private var filteredCommands: [CommandInfo] {
-        guard messageText.hasPrefix("/") && !messageText.contains(" ") else { return [] }
+        guard messageText.hasPrefix("/") else { return [] }
         let isGeoPublic = locationChannelsModel.selectedChannel.isLocation
         let isGeoDM = privateConversationModel.selectedPeerID?.isGeoDM == true
-        return CommandInfo.all(isGeoPublic: isGeoPublic, isGeoDM: isGeoDM).filter { command in
+        let commands = CommandInfo.all(isGeoPublic: isGeoPublic, isGeoDM: isGeoDM)
+        // While arguments are being typed, keep the matched command's usage
+        // row visible instead of vanishing at the first space.
+        if let typed = typedCommandAlias {
+            return commands.filter { $0.alias == typed && $0.placeholder != nil }
+        }
+        return commands.filter { command in
             command.alias.starts(with: messageText.lowercased())
         }
     }
-    
+
     var body: some View {
         // Render nothing when there are no matches: a zero-height view would
         // still receive the composer VStack's spacing and push the input row
         // off-center.
         if !filteredCommands.isEmpty {
+            let isUsageReminder = typedCommandAlias != nil
             VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 0) {
                 ForEach(filteredCommands) { command in
                     Button {
+                        // In usage-reminder mode the row is informational; an
+                        // insert here would wipe the arguments being typed.
+                        guard !isUsageReminder else { return }
                         messageText = command.alias + " "
                     } label: {
                         buttonRow(for: command)
                     }
                     .buttonStyle(.plain)
-                    .background(Color.gray.opacity(0.1))
                 }
             }
             .themedOverlayPanel()

bitchat/Views/Components/DeliveryStatusView.swift

@@ -9,6 +9,47 @@
 import SwiftUI
 import BitFoundation
 
+extension DeliveryStatus {
+    /// Localized, user-facing description of the status. Used for macOS
+    /// tooltips, the tap-to-reveal caption under a message, and VoiceOver —
+    /// the glyphs alone are unexplained 10pt icons.
+    var bitchatDescription: String {
+        switch self {
+        case .sending:
+            return String(localized: "content.delivery.sending", comment: "Delivery status description while a private message is being sent")
+        case .sent:
+            return String(localized: "content.delivery.sent", comment: "Delivery status description for a sent but not yet confirmed private message")
+        case .carried:
+            return String(localized: "content.delivery.carried", defaultValue: "Carried by a friend who may meet them", comment: "Delivery status description for messages handed to a courier for physical delivery")
+        case .delivered(let nickname, _):
+            return String(
+                format: String(localized: "content.delivery.delivered_to", comment: "Tooltip for delivered private messages"),
+                locale: .current,
+                nickname
+            )
+        case .read(let nickname, _):
+            return String(
+                format: String(localized: "content.delivery.read_by", comment: "Tooltip for read private messages"),
+                locale: .current,
+                nickname
+            )
+        case .failed(let reason):
+            return String(
+                format: String(localized: "content.delivery.failed", comment: "Tooltip for failed message delivery"),
+                locale: .current,
+                reason
+            )
+        case .partiallyDelivered(let reached, let total):
+            return String(
+                format: String(localized: "content.delivery.delivered_members", comment: "Tooltip for partially delivered messages"),
+                locale: .current,
+                reached,
+                total
+            )
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 struct DeliveryStatusView: View {
     @ThemedPalette private var palette
     let status: DeliveryStatus
@@ -19,56 +60,34 @@ struct DeliveryStatusView: View {
 
     private var secondaryTextColor: Color { palette.secondary }
 
-    private enum Strings {
-        static func delivered(to nickname: String) -> String {
-            String(
-                format: String(localized: "content.delivery.delivered_to", comment: "Tooltip for delivered private messages"),
-                locale: .current,
-                nickname
-            )
-        }
-
-        static func read(by nickname: String) -> String {
-            String(
-                format: String(localized: "content.delivery.read_by", comment: "Tooltip for read private messages"),
-                locale: .current,
-                nickname
-            )
-        }
-
-        static func failed(_ reason: String) -> String {
-            String(
-                format: String(localized: "content.delivery.failed", comment: "Tooltip for failed message delivery"),
-                locale: .current,
-                reason
-            )
-        }
-
-        static func deliveredToMembers(_ reached: Int, _ total: Int) -> String {
-            String(
-                format: String(localized: "content.delivery.delivered_members", comment: "Tooltip for partially delivered messages"),
-                locale: .current,
-                reached,
-                total
-            )
-        }
-    }
-    
     // MARK: - Body
-    
+
     var body: some View {
+        statusGlyph
+            .help(status.bitchatDescription)
+            .accessibilityElement(children: .ignore)
+            .accessibilityLabel(status.bitchatDescription)
+    }
+
+    @ViewBuilder
+    private var statusGlyph: some View {
         switch status {
         case .sending:
             Image(systemName: "circle")
                 .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10))
                 .foregroundColor(secondaryTextColor.opacity(0.6))
-            
+
         case .sent:
             Image(systemName: "checkmark")
                 .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10))
                 .foregroundColor(secondaryTextColor.opacity(0.6))
-            
+
-        case .delivered(let nickname, _):
+        case .carried:
+            Image(systemName: "figure.walk")
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10))
+                .foregroundColor(secondaryTextColor.opacity(0.8))
+
+        case .delivered:
             HStack(spacing: -2) {
                 Image(systemName: "checkmark")
                     .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10))
@@ -76,24 +95,22 @@ struct DeliveryStatusView: View {
                     .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10))
             }
             .foregroundColor(textColor.opacity(0.8))
-            .help(Strings.delivered(to: nickname))
+
-            
+        case .read:
-        case .read(let nickname, _):
+            // Filled variant so read vs delivered is legible without color.
-            HStack(spacing: -2) {
+            HStack(spacing: 0) {
-                Image(systemName: "checkmark")
+                Image(systemName: "checkmark.circle.fill")
-                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10, weight: .bold))
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 9, weight: .bold))
-                Image(systemName: "checkmark")
+                Image(systemName: "checkmark.circle.fill")
-                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10, weight: .bold))
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 9, weight: .bold))
             }
             .foregroundColor(palette.accentBlue)
-            .help(Strings.read(by: nickname))
+
-            
+        case .failed:
-        case .failed(let reason):
             Image(systemName: "exclamationmark.triangle")
                 .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10))
                 .foregroundColor(Color.red.opacity(0.8))
-                .help(Strings.failed(reason))
+
-            
         case .partiallyDelivered(let reached, let total):
             HStack(spacing: 1) {
                 Image(systemName: "checkmark")
@@ -102,7 +119,6 @@ struct DeliveryStatusView: View {
                     .bitchatFont(size: 10)
             }
             .foregroundColor(secondaryTextColor.opacity(0.6))
-            .help(Strings.deliveredToMembers(reached, total))
         }
     }
 }
@@ -111,6 +127,7 @@ struct DeliveryStatusView: View {
     let statuses: [DeliveryStatus] = [
         .sending,
         .sent,
+        .carried,
         .delivered(to: "John Doe", at: Date()),
         .read(by: "Jane Doe", at: Date()),
         .failed(reason: "Offline"),

bitchat/Views/Components/PaymentChipView.swift

@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ struct PaymentChipView: View {
     
     private var fgColor: Color { palette.primary }
     private var bgColor: Color {
-        colorScheme == .dark ? Color.gray.opacity(0.18) : Color.gray.opacity(0.12)
+        palette.secondary.opacity(colorScheme == .dark ? 0.18 : 0.12)
     }
     private var border: Color { fgColor.opacity(0.25) }
     

bitchat/Views/Components/SheetCloseButton.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+//
+// SheetCloseButton.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import SwiftUI
+
+/// The close "X" every sheet and header shares. One glyph size and weight
+/// everywhere (the sheets had drifted across 12/13/14pt), a 32pt visual box
+/// so existing header metrics don't move, and a hit target extended to 44pt
+/// per platform guidelines. Tint comes from the environment, so callers keep
+/// their own foreground color.
+struct SheetCloseButton: View {
+    let action: () -> Void
+
+    var body: some View {
+        Button(action: action) {
+            Image(systemName: "xmark")
+                .bitchatFont(size: 13, weight: .semibold)
+                .frame(width: 32, height: 32)
+                .contentShape(Rectangle().inset(by: -6))
+        }
+        .buttonStyle(.plain)
+        .accessibilityLabel(String(localized: "common.close", comment: "Accessibility label for close buttons"))
+    }
+}

bitchat/Views/Components/TextMessageView.swift

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import BitFoundation
 struct TextMessageView: View {
     @Environment(\.colorScheme) private var colorScheme: ColorScheme
     @Environment(\.appTheme) private var theme
+    @ThemedPalette private var palette
     @EnvironmentObject private var conversationUIModel: ConversationUIModel
 
     let message: BitchatMessage
@@ -24,6 +25,7 @@ struct TextMessageView: View {
     /// the enum makes the change visible to SwiftUI's structural diff.
     private let deliveryStatus: DeliveryStatus?
     @State private var expandedMessageIDs: Set<String> = []
+    @State private var showDeliveryDetail = false
 
     init(message: BitchatMessage) {
         self.message = message
@@ -35,19 +37,59 @@ struct TextMessageView: View {
             // Precompute heavy token scans once per row
             let cashuLinks = message.content.extractCashuLinks()
             let lightningLinks = message.content.extractLightningLinks()
-            HStack(alignment: .top, spacing: 0) {
+            // Baseline alignment keeps the lock and delivery glyphs on the
+            // first text line; a fixed top padding left the lock's solid body
+            // hanging below the line's visual center.
+            HStack(alignment: .firstTextBaseline, spacing: 0) {
                 let isLong = (message.content.count > TransportConfig.uiLongMessageLengthThreshold || message.content.hasVeryLongToken(threshold: TransportConfig.uiVeryLongTokenThreshold)) && cashuLinks.isEmpty
                 let isExpanded = expandedMessageIDs.contains(message.id)
+                if message.isPrivate {
+                    Image(systemName: "lock.fill")
+                        .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 8))
+                        .foregroundColor(Color.orange.opacity(0.75))
+                        .padding(.trailing, 4)
+                        .accessibilityHidden(true)
+                }
                 Text(conversationUIModel.formatMessage(message, colorScheme: colorScheme, theme: theme))
                     .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
                     .lineLimit(isLong && !isExpanded ? TransportConfig.uiLongMessageLineLimit : nil)
                     .frame(maxWidth: .infinity, alignment: .leading)
                 
-                // Delivery status indicator for private messages
+                // Delivery status indicator for private messages. Tappable:
+                // .help() tooltips only exist on macOS, so iOS users get the
+                // explanation as a caption under the row instead.
                 if message.isPrivate && conversationUIModel.isSentByCurrentUser(message),
                    let status = deliveryStatus {
-                    DeliveryStatusView(status: status)
+                    Button {
-                        .padding(.leading, 4)
+                        showDeliveryDetail.toggle()
+                    } label: {
+                        DeliveryStatusView(status: status)
+                            .padding(.leading, 4)
+                            .contentShape(Rectangle())
+                    }
+                    .buttonStyle(.plain)
+                    .accessibilityHint(
+                        String(localized: "content.accessibility.delivery_detail_hint", comment: "Accessibility hint for the delivery status glyph explaining a tap reveals details")
+                    )
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Failure reasons stay visible without a tap; other statuses
+            // reveal on demand.
+            if message.isPrivate && conversationUIModel.isSentByCurrentUser(message),
+               let status = deliveryStatus {
+                if case .failed = status {
+                    Text(verbatim: status.bitchatDescription)
+                        .bitchatFont(size: 11)
+                        .foregroundColor(Color.red.opacity(0.9))
+                        .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
+                        .padding(.top, 2)
+                } else if showDeliveryDetail {
+                    Text(verbatim: status.bitchatDescription)
+                        .bitchatFont(size: 11)
+                        .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
+                        .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
+                        .padding(.top, 2)
                 }
             }
             
@@ -60,7 +102,7 @@ struct TextMessageView: View {
                     else { expandedMessageIDs.insert(message.id) }
                 }
                 .bitchatFont(size: 11, weight: .medium)
-                .foregroundColor(Color.blue)
+                .foregroundColor(palette.accentBlue)
                 .padding(.top, 4)
             }
 
@@ -78,6 +120,12 @@ struct TextMessageView: View {
                 .padding(.leading, 2)
             }
         }
+        // Collapse the revealed caption when the status advances (e.g.
+        // sending → sent → delivered) so a detail opened for one state
+        // doesn't linger and silently morph into another.
+        .onChange(of: deliveryStatus) { _ in
+            showDeliveryDetail = false
+        }
     }
 }
 

bitchat/Views/ContentComposerView.swift

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import UIKit
 struct ContentComposerView: View {
     @EnvironmentObject private var conversationUIModel: ConversationUIModel
     @EnvironmentObject private var privateConversationModel: PrivateConversationModel
+    @EnvironmentObject private var locationChannelsModel: LocationChannelsModel
     @Environment(\.appTheme) private var theme
     @ThemedPalette private var palette
 
@@ -43,7 +44,6 @@ struct ContentComposerView: View {
                             .frame(maxWidth: .infinity, alignment: .leading)
                         }
                         .buttonStyle(.plain)
-                        .background(Color.gray.opacity(0.1))
                     }
                 }
                 .themedOverlayPanel()
@@ -60,10 +60,8 @@ struct ContentComposerView: View {
                 TextField(
                     "",
                     text: $messageText,
-                    prompt: Text(
+                    prompt: Text(placeholderText)
-                        String(localized: "content.input.message_placeholder", comment: "Placeholder shown in the chat composer")
+                        .foregroundColor(palette.secondary.opacity(0.6))
-                    )
-                    .foregroundColor(palette.secondary.opacity(0.6))
                 )
                 .textFieldStyle(.plain)
                 .bitchatFont(size: 15)
@@ -110,6 +108,33 @@ struct ContentComposerView: View {
 }
 
 private extension ContentComposerView {
+    /// States where a message will land: the DM partner's name for private
+    /// chats, the channel (and its public nature) otherwise — so a stressed
+    /// user never has to guess who can read what they're typing.
+    var placeholderText: String {
+        if let header = privateConversationModel.selectedHeaderState {
+            // A geohash-DM display name already carries its own "#geohash/@name"
+            // form, so it must not get another "@" prefix; a mesh nickname does.
+            let isGeoDM = privateConversationModel.selectedPeerID?.isGeoDM == true
+            let target = isGeoDM ? header.displayName : "@\(header.displayName)"
+            return String(
+                format: String(localized: "content.input.placeholder.private", comment: "Composer placeholder inside a private chat, naming the conversation partner"),
+                locale: .current,
+                target
+            )
+        }
+        switch locationChannelsModel.selectedChannel {
+        case .mesh:
+            return String(localized: "content.input.placeholder.mesh", comment: "Composer placeholder for the public mesh channel")
+        case .location(let channel):
+            return String(
+                format: String(localized: "content.input.placeholder.location", comment: "Composer placeholder for a public geohash channel, naming it"),
+                locale: .current,
+                channel.geohash
+            )
+        }
+    }
+
     var recordingIndicator: some View {
         HStack(spacing: 12) {
             Image(systemName: "waveform.circle.fill")
@@ -158,7 +183,19 @@ private extension ContentComposerView {
                 imagePickerSourceType = .camera
                 showImagePicker = true
             }
-            .accessibilityLabel("Tap for library, long press for camera")
+            .accessibilityLabel(
+                String(localized: "content.accessibility.attach_photo", comment: "Accessibility label for the photo attachment button")
+            )
+            .accessibilityHint(
+                String(localized: "content.accessibility.attach_photo_hint", comment: "Accessibility hint explaining the attachment button opens the photo library")
+            )
+            .accessibilityAddTraits(.isButton)
+            // The long-press → camera path is unreachable for VoiceOver users;
+            // mirror it as a named action.
+            .accessibilityAction(named: Text("content.accessibility.take_photo", comment: "Accessibility action name for taking a photo with the camera")) {
+                imagePickerSourceType = .camera
+                showImagePicker = true
+            }
         #else
         Button(action: { showMacImagePicker = true }) {
             Image(systemName: "photo.circle.fill")
@@ -167,7 +204,9 @@ private extension ContentComposerView {
                 .frame(width: 36, height: 36)
         }
         .buttonStyle(.plain)
-        .accessibilityLabel("Choose photo")
+        .accessibilityLabel(
+            String(localized: "content.accessibility.choose_photo", comment: "Accessibility label for the macOS photo picker button")
+        )
         #endif
     }
 
@@ -209,7 +248,27 @@ private extension ContentComposerView {
                             }
                     )
             )
-            .accessibilityLabel("Hold to record a voice note")
+            .accessibilityLabel(
+                String(localized: "content.accessibility.record_voice_note", comment: "Accessibility label for the voice note button")
+            )
+            .accessibilityValue(
+                voiceRecordingVM.state.isActive
+                ? String(localized: "content.accessibility.recording", comment: "Accessibility value announced while a voice note is recording")
+                : ""
+            )
+            .accessibilityHint(
+                String(localized: "content.accessibility.record_voice_hint", comment: "Accessibility hint explaining double-tap toggles voice recording")
+            )
+            .accessibilityAddTraits(.isButton)
+            // Press-and-hold drag gestures can't be activated by VoiceOver;
+            // give it a start/stop toggle as the default action.
+            .accessibilityAction {
+                if voiceRecordingVM.state.isActive {
+                    voiceRecordingVM.finish(completion: conversationUIModel.sendVoiceNote)
+                } else {
+                    voiceRecordingVM.start(shouldShow: conversationUIModel.canSendMediaInCurrentContext)
+                }
+            }
     }
 
     func sendButtonView(enabled: Bool) -> some View {

bitchat/Views/ContentHeaderView.swift

@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@ struct ContentHeaderView: View {
     let headerPeerIconSize: CGFloat
     let headerPeerCountFontSize: CGFloat
 
+    /// Courier envelopes this device is carrying for offline third parties.
+    @State private var carriedMailCount = 0
+
     var body: some View {
         HStack(spacing: 0) {
             Text(verbatim: "bitchat/")
@@ -33,6 +36,16 @@ struct ContentHeaderView: View {
                 .onTapGesture(count: 1) {
                     appChromeModel.presentAppInfo()
                 }
+                // This is the only entry point to App Info, but it reads as
+                // static text; surface the tap. (The triple-tap panic wipe
+                // stays undiscoverable on purpose — it's destructive.)
+                .accessibilityAddTraits(.isButton)
+                .accessibilityHint(
+                    String(localized: "content.accessibility.app_info_hint", comment: "Accessibility hint on the bitchat/ logo explaining a tap opens app info")
+                )
+                .accessibilityAction {
+                    appChromeModel.presentAppInfo()
+                }
 
             HStack(spacing: 0) {
                 Text(verbatim: "@")
@@ -78,6 +91,23 @@ struct ContentHeaderView: View {
             }()
 
             HStack(spacing: 2) {
+                if carriedMailCount > 0 {
+                    Image(systemName: "figure.walk")
+                        .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12))
+                        .foregroundColor(palette.secondary.opacity(0.8))
+                        .headerTapTarget()
+                        .accessibilityLabel(
+                            String(
+                                format: String(localized: "content.accessibility.carrying_mail", defaultValue: "Carrying %lld sealed messages for friends", comment: "Accessibility label for the courier mail indicator"),
+                                locale: .current,
+                                carriedMailCount
+                            )
+                        )
+                        .help(
+                            String(localized: "content.header.carrying_mail", defaultValue: "Carrying sealed messages for friends to deliver", comment: "Tooltip for the courier mail indicator")
+                        )
+                }
+
                 if appChromeModel.hasUnreadPrivateMessages {
                     Button(action: { appChromeModel.openMostRelevantPrivateChat() }) {
                         Image(systemName: "envelope.fill")
@@ -183,6 +213,13 @@ struct ContentHeaderView: View {
                         headerOtherPeersCount
                     )
                 )
+                // Connected-vs-nobody is otherwise encoded only in the icon's
+                // color; say it.
+                .accessibilityValue(
+                    headerPeersReachable
+                    ? String(localized: "content.accessibility.peers_connected", comment: "Accessibility value when peers are reachable")
+                    : String(localized: "content.accessibility.peers_none", comment: "Accessibility value when no peers are reachable")
+                )
             }
             .layoutPriority(3)
             .sheet(isPresented: $showVerifySheet) {
@@ -190,8 +227,16 @@ struct ContentHeaderView: View {
                     .environmentObject(verificationModel)
             }
         }
+        // Fixed height is load-bearing: children fill the bar with
+        // .frame(maxHeight: .infinity) tap targets, so an open-ended
+        // minHeight lets the header expand to swallow the whole screen.
+        // headerHeight is a @ScaledMetric, so it still grows with Dynamic
+        // Type.
         .frame(height: headerHeight)
         .padding(.horizontal, 12)
+        .onReceive(CourierStore.shared.$carriedCount) { count in
+            carriedMailCount = count
+        }
         .sheet(isPresented: $appChromeModel.isLocationChannelsSheetPresented) {
             LocationChannelsSheet(isPresented: $appChromeModel.isLocationChannelsSheetPresented)
                 .environmentObject(locationChannelsModel)
@@ -266,14 +311,25 @@ private extension ContentHeaderView {
         dynamicTypeSize.isAccessibilitySize ? 2 : 1
     }
 
+    /// Whether anyone is actually reachable on the current channel — the
+    /// state the count icon's color encodes visually.
+    var headerPeersReachable: Bool {
+        switch locationChannelsModel.selectedChannel {
+        case .location:
+            return peerListModel.visibleGeohashPeerCount > 0
+        case .mesh:
+            return peerListModel.connectedMeshPeerCount > 0
+        }
+    }
+
     func channelPeopleCountAndColor() -> (Int, Color) {
         switch locationChannelsModel.selectedChannel {
         case .location:
             let count = peerListModel.visibleGeohashPeerCount
-            return (count, count > 0 ? palette.locationAccent : Color.secondary)
+            return (count, count > 0 ? palette.locationAccent : palette.secondary)
         case .mesh:
             let meshBlue = Color(hue: 0.60, saturation: 0.85, brightness: 0.82)
-            let color: Color = peerListModel.connectedMeshPeerCount > 0 ? meshBlue : Color.secondary
+            let color: Color = peerListModel.connectedMeshPeerCount > 0 ? meshBlue : palette.secondary
             return (peerListModel.reachableMeshPeerCount, color)
         }
     }
@@ -293,16 +349,10 @@ private struct ContentLocationNotesUnavailableView: View {
                 Text("content.notes.title")
                     .bitchatFont(size: 16, weight: .bold)
                 Spacer()
-                Button(action: { showLocationNotes = false }) {
+                SheetCloseButton { showLocationNotes = false }
-                    Image(systemName: "xmark")
+                    .foregroundColor(palette.primary)
-                        .bitchatFont(size: 13, weight: .semibold)
-                        .foregroundColor(palette.primary)
-                        .frame(width: 32, height: 32)
-                }
-                .buttonStyle(.plain)
-                .accessibilityLabel(String(localized: "common.close", comment: "Accessibility label for close buttons"))
             }
-            .frame(height: headerHeight)
+            .frame(minHeight: headerHeight)
             .padding(.horizontal, 12)
             .themedChromePanel(edge: .top)
             Text("content.notes.location_unavailable")

bitchat/Views/ContentSheetViews.swift

@@ -134,6 +134,7 @@ private struct ContentPeopleListView: View {
     @EnvironmentObject private var appChromeModel: AppChromeModel
     @EnvironmentObject private var privateConversationModel: PrivateConversationModel
     @EnvironmentObject private var verificationModel: VerificationModel
+    @EnvironmentObject private var conversationUIModel: ConversationUIModel
     @EnvironmentObject private var locationChannelsModel: LocationChannelsModel
     @EnvironmentObject private var peerListModel: PeerListModel
     @Environment(\.dismiss) private var dismiss
@@ -159,24 +160,23 @@ private struct ContentPeopleListView: View {
                                 .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14))
                         }
                         .buttonStyle(.plain)
+                        // .help maps to the accessibility *hint* on iOS, so the
+                        // button still needs a spoken name.
+                        .accessibilityLabel(
+                            String(localized: "content.accessibility.verification", comment: "Accessibility label for the verification QR button")
+                        )
                         .help(
                             String(localized: "content.help.verification", comment: "Help text for verification button")
                         )
                     }
-                    Button(action: {
+                    SheetCloseButton {
                         withAnimation(.easeInOut(duration: TransportConfig.uiAnimationMediumSeconds)) {
                             dismiss()
                             showSidebar = false
                             showVerifySheet = false
                             privateConversationModel.endConversation()
                         }
-                    }) {
-                        Image(systemName: "xmark")
-                            .bitchatFont(size: 12, weight: .semibold)
-                            .frame(width: 32, height: 32)
                     }
-                    .buttonStyle(.plain)
-                    .accessibilityLabel("Close")
                 }
 
                 let activeText = String.localizedStringWithFormat(
@@ -198,13 +198,13 @@ private struct ContentPeopleListView: View {
                         Text(subtitle)
                             .foregroundColor(subtitleColor)
                         Text(activeText)
-                            .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                            .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
                     }
                     .bitchatFont(size: 12)
                 } else {
                     Text(activeText)
                         .bitchatFont(size: 12)
-                        .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                        .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
                 }
             }
             .padding(.horizontal, 16)
@@ -231,6 +231,13 @@ private struct ContentPeopleListView: View {
                             },
                             onShowFingerprint: { peerID in
                                 appChromeModel.showFingerprint(for: peerID)
+                            },
+                            onToggleBlock: { peer in
+                                if peer.isBlocked {
+                                    conversationUIModel.unblock(peerID: peer.peerID, displayName: peer.displayName)
+                                } else {
+                                    conversationUIModel.block(peerID: peer.peerID, displayName: peer.displayName)
+                                }
                             }
                         )
                     }
@@ -333,6 +340,9 @@ private struct ContentPrivateChatSheetView: View {
                                 Image(systemName: headerState.isFavorite ? "star.fill" : "star")
                                     .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14))
                                     .foregroundColor(headerState.isFavorite ? Color.yellow : palette.primary)
+                                    // Same visual box + 44pt hit target as SheetCloseButton.
+                                    .frame(width: 32, height: 32)
+                                    .contentShape(Rectangle().inset(by: -6))
                             }
                             .buttonStyle(.plain)
                             .accessibilityLabel(
@@ -346,24 +356,20 @@ private struct ContentPrivateChatSheetView: View {
 
                     Spacer(minLength: 0)
 
-                    Button(action: {
+                    SheetCloseButton {
                         withAnimation(.easeInOut(duration: TransportConfig.uiAnimationMediumSeconds)) {
                             privateConversationModel.endConversation()
                             showSidebar = true
                         }
-                    }) {
-                        Image(systemName: "xmark")
-                            .bitchatFont(size: 12, weight: .semibold)
-                            .frame(width: 32, height: 32)
                     }
-                    .buttonStyle(.plain)
-                    .accessibilityLabel("Close")
                 }
-                .frame(height: headerHeight)
+                // minHeight so scaled text at accessibility sizes grows the
+                // bar instead of clipping inside it.
+                .frame(minHeight: headerHeight)
                 .padding(.horizontal, 16)
                 .padding(.top, 10)
                 .padding(.bottom, 12)
-                .themedSurface()
+                .modifier(PrivateHeaderChrome())
             }
 
             MessageListView(
@@ -385,6 +391,8 @@ private struct ContentPrivateChatSheetView: View {
                 Divider()
             }
 
+            privacyCaption
+
             #if os(iOS)
             ContentComposerView(
                 messageText: $messageText,
@@ -421,6 +429,69 @@ private struct ContentPrivateChatSheetView: View {
                 }
         )
     }
+
+    /// Persistent one-line reminder that this composer feeds a private
+    /// conversation — the DM sheet otherwise renders identically to the
+    /// public timeline. Claims end-to-end encryption only once the session
+    /// is actually secured.
+    private var privacyCaption: some View {
+        HStack(spacing: 5) {
+            Image(systemName: "lock.fill")
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 9))
+                // Optical centering: lock.fill's ink is bottom-heavy, so
+                // geometric centering reads low next to the caption text.
+                .offset(y: -1)
+            Text(verbatim: privacyCaptionText)
+                .bitchatFont(size: 11, weight: .medium)
+        }
+        .foregroundColor(Color.orange)
+        .frame(maxWidth: .infinity)
+        .padding(.vertical, 4)
+        // The orange text is signature enough; a tinted band here reads as a
+        // stray strip against the untinted composer chrome below it, so the
+        // caption sits on the same surface as the rest of the bottom chrome.
+        .themedSurface()
+        .accessibilityElement(children: .combine)
+    }
+
+    private var privacyCaptionText: String {
+        // Geohash DMs are NIP-17 gift-wrapped — always end-to-end encrypted,
+        // even though they carry no Noise session status. Mesh DMs earn the
+        // "encrypted" claim only once the Noise handshake has secured.
+        let isGeoDM = privateConversationModel.selectedPeerID?.isGeoDM == true
+        let noiseSecured: Bool = {
+            switch privateConversationModel.selectedHeaderState?.encryptionStatus {
+            case .noiseSecured, .noiseVerified: return true
+            default: return false
+            }
+        }()
+        if isGeoDM || noiseSecured {
+            return String(localized: "content.private.caption_encrypted", comment: "Caption above the private chat composer once the session is end-to-end encrypted")
+        }
+        return String(localized: "content.private.caption", comment: "Caption above the private chat composer before encryption is established")
+    }
+}
+
+/// Chrome for the private-chat header. Matrix keeps its orange privacy wash
+/// over an opaque themed surface. Glass gets the same floating panel as the
+/// main header instead: an orange wash over the backdrop gradient reads as a
+/// muddy gray-beige band, and the DM signature is already carried by the
+/// orange lock, caption, and composer accents.
+private struct PrivateHeaderChrome: ViewModifier {
+    @Environment(\.appTheme) private var theme
+
+    @ViewBuilder
+    func body(content: Content) -> some View {
+        if theme.usesGlassChrome {
+            content.themedChromePanel(edge: .top)
+        } else {
+            // Orange tint before themedSurface so it layers in front of the
+            // opaque themed background rather than behind it.
+            content
+                .background(Color.orange.opacity(0.06))
+                .themedSurface()
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 private struct ContentPrivateHeaderInfoButton: View {
@@ -452,17 +523,30 @@ private struct ContentPrivateHeaderInfoButton: View {
                         .foregroundColor(.purple)
                         .accessibilityLabel(String(localized: "content.accessibility.available_nostr", comment: "Accessibility label for Nostr-available peer indicator"))
                 case .offline:
-                    EmptyView()
+                    // Absence of a glyph was the only offline signal; say it.
+                    Text("mesh_peers.state.offline")
+                        .bitchatFont(size: 11)
+                        .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
                 }
 
                 Text(headerState.displayName)
                     .bitchatFont(size: 16, weight: .medium)
                     .foregroundColor(palette.primary)
+                    // Middle truncation keeps the identity suffix visible on
+                    // long nicknames instead of wrapping into the fixed-height
+                    // header.
+                    .lineLimit(1)
+                    .truncationMode(.middle)
 
                 if let encryptionStatus = headerState.encryptionStatus,
                    let icon = encryptionStatus.icon {
                     Image(systemName: icon)
                         .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14))
+                        // Optical centering: the lock glyphs' ink is bottom-heavy
+                        // (solid body, thin shackle), so geometric centering reads
+                        // ~1pt low next to the name. The seal badge is symmetric
+                        // and needs no lift.
+                        .offset(y: icon.hasPrefix("lock") ? -1 : 0)
                         .foregroundColor(
                             encryptionStatus == .noiseVerified || encryptionStatus == .noiseSecured
                             ? palette.primary
@@ -489,6 +573,6 @@ private struct ContentPrivateHeaderInfoButton: View {
         .accessibilityHint(
             String(localized: "content.accessibility.view_fingerprint_hint", comment: "Accessibility hint for viewing encryption fingerprint")
         )
-        .frame(height: headerHeight)
+        .frame(minHeight: headerHeight)
     }
 }

bitchat/Views/FingerprintView.swift

@@ -54,11 +54,8 @@ struct FingerprintView: View {
                 
                 Spacer()
                 
-                Button(action: { dismiss() }) {
+                SheetCloseButton { dismiss() }
-                    Image(systemName: "xmark")
+                    .foregroundColor(textColor)
-                        .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, weight: .semibold))
-                }
-                .foregroundColor(textColor)
             }
             .padding()
             
@@ -83,7 +80,7 @@ struct FingerprintView: View {
                     Spacer()
                 }
                 .padding()
-                .background(Color.gray.opacity(0.1))
+                .background(palette.secondary.opacity(0.1))
                 .cornerRadius(8)
                 
                 // Their fingerprint
@@ -101,7 +98,7 @@ struct FingerprintView: View {
                             .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
                             .padding()
                             .frame(maxWidth: .infinity)
-                            .background(Color.gray.opacity(0.1))
+                            .background(palette.secondary.opacity(0.1))
                             .cornerRadius(8)
                             .contextMenu {
                                 Button(Strings.copy) {
@@ -135,7 +132,7 @@ struct FingerprintView: View {
                         .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
                         .padding()
                         .frame(maxWidth: .infinity)
-                        .background(Color.gray.opacity(0.1))
+                        .background(palette.secondary.opacity(0.1))
                         .cornerRadius(8)
                         .contextMenu {
                             Button(Strings.copy) {

bitchat/Views/GeohashPeopleList.swift

@@ -13,6 +13,13 @@ struct GeohashPeopleList: View {
         static let blockedTooltip = String(localized: "geohash_people.tooltip.blocked", comment: "Tooltip shown next to users blocked in geohash channels")
         static let unblock: LocalizedStringKey = "geohash_people.action.unblock"
         static let block: LocalizedStringKey = "geohash_people.action.block"
+        static let unblockText = String(localized: "geohash_people.action.unblock", comment: "Context menu action to unblock a person")
+        static let blockText = String(localized: "geohash_people.action.block", comment: "Context menu action to block a person")
+        static let teleported = String(localized: "geohash_people.state.teleported", comment: "State label for someone who joined the location channel from elsewhere")
+        static let nearby = String(localized: "geohash_people.state.nearby", comment: "State label for someone physically in the location channel's area")
+        static let blockedState = String(localized: "mesh_peers.state.blocked", comment: "State label for a blocked peer")
+        static let youState = String(localized: "geohash_people.state.you", comment: "State label marking your own row in the people list")
+        static let openDMHint = String(localized: "mesh_peers.accessibility.open_dm_hint", comment: "Accessibility hint on a peer row explaining activation opens a private chat")
     }
 
     var body: some View {
@@ -46,7 +53,12 @@ struct GeohashPeopleList: View {
                         let icon = person.isTeleported ? "face.dashed" : "mappin.and.ellipse"
                         let assignedColor = peerListModel.colorForGeohashPerson(id: person.id, isDark: colorScheme == .dark)
                         let rowColor: Color = person.isMe ? .orange : assignedColor
-                        Image(systemName: icon).font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12)).foregroundColor(rowColor)
+                        Image(systemName: icon)
+                            // Size 10 to match the mesh rows' leading glyphs —
+                            // both lists share the sidebar.
+                            .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10))
+                            .foregroundColor(rowColor)
+                            .help(person.isTeleported ? Strings.teleported : Strings.nearby)
 
                         let (base, suffix) = person.displayName.splitSuffix()
                         HStack(spacing: 0) {
@@ -54,6 +66,8 @@ struct GeohashPeopleList: View {
                                 .bitchatFont(size: 14)
                                 .fontWeight(person.isMe ? .bold : .regular)
                                 .foregroundColor(rowColor)
+                                .lineLimit(1)
+                                .truncationMode(.tail)
                             if !suffix.isEmpty {
                                 let suffixColor = person.isMe ? Color.orange.opacity(0.6) : rowColor.opacity(0.6)
                                 Text(suffix)
@@ -105,6 +119,27 @@ struct GeohashPeopleList: View {
                             }
                         }
                     }
+                    .accessibilityElement(children: .ignore)
+                    .accessibilityLabel(accessibilityDescription(for: person))
+                    .accessibilityAddTraits(person.isMe ? [] : .isButton)
+                    .accessibilityHint(person.isMe ? "" : Strings.openDMHint)
+                    .accessibilityActions {
+                        if !person.isMe {
+                            Button(person.isBlocked ? Strings.unblockText : Strings.blockText) {
+                                if person.isBlocked {
+                                    peerListModel.unblockGeohashUser(
+                                        pubkeyHexLowercased: person.id,
+                                        displayName: person.displayName
+                                    )
+                                } else {
+                                    peerListModel.blockGeohashUser(
+                                        pubkeyHexLowercased: person.id,
+                                        displayName: person.displayName
+                                    )
+                                }
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
                 }
             }
             // Seed and update order outside result builder
@@ -119,4 +154,13 @@ struct GeohashPeopleList: View {
             }
         }
     }
+
+    /// One spoken sentence per row: name, presence type, and block state.
+    private func accessibilityDescription(for person: GeohashPersonRow) -> String {
+        var parts: [String] = [person.displayName]
+        if person.isMe { parts.append(Strings.youState) }
+        parts.append(person.isTeleported ? Strings.teleported : Strings.nearby)
+        if person.isBlocked { parts.append(Strings.blockedState) }
+        return parts.joined(separator: ", ")
+    }
 }

bitchat/Views/LocationChannelsSheet.swift

@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@ struct LocationChannelsSheet: View {
         static let toggleOff: LocalizedStringKey = "common.toggle.off"
 
         static let invalidGeohash = String(localized: "location_channels.error.invalid_geohash", comment: "Error shown when a custom geohash is invalid")
+        static let switchChannelHint = String(localized: "location_channels.accessibility.switch_hint", comment: "Accessibility hint on a channel row explaining activation switches to it")
+        static let addBookmark = String(localized: "location_channels.accessibility.add_bookmark", comment: "Accessibility action name for bookmarking a channel")
+        static let removeBookmark = String(localized: "location_channels.accessibility.remove_bookmark", comment: "Accessibility action name for removing a channel bookmark")
 
         static func meshTitle(_ count: Int) -> String {
             let label = String(localized: "location_channels.mesh_label", comment: "Label for the mesh channel row")
@@ -103,7 +106,7 @@ struct LocationChannelsSheet: View {
                 }
                 Text(Strings.description)
                     .bitchatFont(size: 12)
-                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                    .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
 
                 Group {
                     switch locationChannelsModel.permissionState {
@@ -122,7 +125,7 @@ struct LocationChannelsSheet: View {
                         VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 8) {
                             Text(Strings.permissionDenied)
                                 .bitchatFont(size: 12)
-                                .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                                .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
                             Button(Strings.openSettings, action: SystemSettings.location.open)
                             .buttonStyle(.plain)
                         }
@@ -169,13 +172,7 @@ struct LocationChannelsSheet: View {
     }
 
     private var closeButton: some View {
-        Button(action: { isPresented = false }) {
+        SheetCloseButton { isPresented = false }
-            Image(systemName: "xmark")
-                .bitchatFont(size: 13, weight: .semibold)
-                .frame(width: 32, height: 32)
-        }
-        .buttonStyle(.plain)
-        .accessibilityLabel("Close")
     }
 
     private var channelList: some View {
@@ -210,7 +207,10 @@ struct LocationChannelsSheet: View {
                                 }
                                 .buttonStyle(.plain)
                                 .padding(.leading, 8)
-                            }
+                                .accessibilityLabel(locationChannelsModel.isBookmarked(channel.geohash) ? Strings.removeBookmark : Strings.addBookmark)
+                            },
+                            accessoryActionTitle: locationChannelsModel.isBookmarked(channel.geohash) ? Strings.removeBookmark : Strings.addBookmark,
+                            accessoryAction: { locationChannelsModel.toggleBookmark(channel.geohash) }
                         ) {
                             locationChannelsModel.markTeleported(for: channel.geohash, false)
                             locationChannelsModel.select(ChannelID.location(channel))
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ struct LocationChannelsSheet: View {
             HStack(spacing: 2) {
                 Text(verbatim: "#")
                     .bitchatFont(size: 14)
-                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                    .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
                 TextField("geohash", text: $customGeohash)
                     #if os(iOS)
                     .textInputAutocapitalization(.never)
@@ -319,7 +319,7 @@ struct LocationChannelsSheet: View {
                 .bitchatFont(size: 14)
                 .padding(.vertical, 6)
                 .padding(.horizontal, 10)
-                .background(Color.secondary.opacity(0.12))
+                .background(palette.secondary.opacity(0.12))
                 .cornerRadius(6)
                 .opacity(isValid ? 1.0 : 0.4)
                 .disabled(!isValid)
@@ -336,7 +336,7 @@ struct LocationChannelsSheet: View {
         VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 8) {
             Text(Strings.bookmarked)
                 .bitchatFont(size: 12)
-                .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
             LazyVStack(spacing: 0) {
                 ForEach(Array(entries.enumerated()), id: \.offset) { index, gh in
                     let level = levelForLength(gh.count)
@@ -357,7 +357,10 @@ struct LocationChannelsSheet: View {
                             }
                             .buttonStyle(.plain)
                             .padding(.leading, 8)
-                        }
+                            .accessibilityLabel(locationChannelsModel.isBookmarked(gh) ? Strings.removeBookmark : Strings.addBookmark)
+                        },
+                        accessoryActionTitle: locationChannelsModel.isBookmarked(gh) ? Strings.removeBookmark : Strings.addBookmark,
+                        accessoryAction: { locationChannelsModel.toggleBookmark(gh) }
                     ) {
                         let inRegional = locationChannelsModel.availableChannels.contains { $0.geohash == gh }
                         if !inRegional && !locationChannelsModel.availableChannels.isEmpty {
@@ -399,6 +402,8 @@ struct LocationChannelsSheet: View {
         titleColor: Color? = nil,
         titleBold: Bool = false,
         @ViewBuilder trailingAccessory: () -> some View = { EmptyView() },
+        accessoryActionTitle: String? = nil,
+        accessoryAction: (() -> Void)? = nil,
         action: @escaping () -> Void
     ) -> some View {
         HStack(alignment: .center, spacing: 8) {
@@ -409,17 +414,17 @@ struct LocationChannelsSheet: View {
                     Text(parts.base)
                             .bitchatFont(size: 14)
                             .fontWeight(titleBold ? .bold : .regular)
-                            .foregroundColor(titleColor ?? Color.primary)
+                            .foregroundColor(titleColor ?? palette.primary)
                         if let count = parts.countSuffix, !count.isEmpty {
                             Text(count)
                                 .bitchatFont(size: 11)
-                                .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                                .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
                         }
                     }
                 let subtitleFull = Strings.subtitle(prefix: subtitlePrefix, name: subtitleName)
                 Text(subtitleFull)
                     .bitchatFont(size: 12)
-                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                    .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
                     .lineLimit(1)
                     .truncationMode(.tail)
                 }
@@ -434,6 +439,19 @@ struct LocationChannelsSheet: View {
             .frame(maxWidth: .infinity, alignment: .leading)
         .contentShape(Rectangle())
         .onTapGesture(perform: action)
+        // The row is a plain HStack with a tap gesture, which VoiceOver reads
+        // as disconnected static text. Expose it as one activatable button;
+        // the visible bookmark accessory is mirrored as a named action.
+        .accessibilityElement(children: .ignore)
+        .accessibilityLabel(Text(verbatim: "\(title), \(Strings.subtitle(prefix: subtitlePrefix, name: subtitleName))"))
+        .accessibilityAddTraits(isSelected ? [.isButton, .isSelected] : [.isButton])
+        .accessibilityHint(Strings.switchChannelHint)
+        .accessibilityAction(.default, action)
+        .accessibilityActions {
+            if let accessoryActionTitle, let accessoryAction {
+                Button(accessoryActionTitle, action: accessoryAction)
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     // Split a title like "#mesh [3 people]" into base and suffix "[3 people]"
@@ -477,16 +495,16 @@ extension LocationChannelsSheet {
                 VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 2) {
                     Text(Strings.torTitle)
                         .bitchatFont(size: 12, weight: .semibold)
-                        .foregroundColor(.primary)
+                        .foregroundColor(palette.primary)
                     Text(Strings.torSubtitle)
                         .bitchatFont(size: 11)
-                        .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                        .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
                 }
             }
             .toggleStyle(IRCToggleStyle(accent: palette.accent, onLabel: Strings.toggleOn, offLabel: Strings.toggleOff))
         }
         .padding(12)
-        .background(Color.secondary.opacity(0.12))
+        .background(palette.secondary.opacity(0.12))
         .cornerRadius(8)
     }
 

bitchat/Views/LocationNotesView.swift

@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ struct LocationNotesView: View {
     private var maxDraftLines: Int { dynamicTypeSize.isAccessibilitySize ? 5 : 3 }
 
     private enum Strings {
-        static let closeAccessibility = String(localized: "common.close", comment: "Accessibility label for close buttons")
         static let description: LocalizedStringKey = "location_notes.description"
         static let loadingRecent: LocalizedStringKey = "location_notes.loading_recent"
         static let relaysPaused: LocalizedStringKey = "location_notes.relays_paused"
@@ -97,13 +96,7 @@ struct LocationNotesView: View {
     }
 
     private var closeButton: some View {
-        Button(action: { dismiss() }) {
+        SheetCloseButton { dismiss() }
-            Image(systemName: "xmark")
-                .bitchatFont(size: 13, weight: .semibold)
-                .frame(width: 32, height: 32)
-        }
-        .buttonStyle(.plain)
-        .accessibilityLabel(Strings.closeAccessibility)
     }
 
     private var headerSection: some View {
@@ -126,12 +119,12 @@ struct LocationNotesView: View {
             }
             Text(Strings.description)
                 .bitchatFont(size: 12)
-                .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
                 .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
             if manager.state == .noRelays {
                 Text(Strings.relaysPaused)
                     .bitchatFont(size: 11)
-                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                    .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
             }
         }
         .padding(.horizontal, 16)
@@ -180,7 +173,7 @@ struct LocationNotesView: View {
                 if !ts.isEmpty {
                     Text(ts)
                         .bitchatFont(size: 11)
-                        .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                        .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
                 }
                 Spacer()
             }
@@ -197,7 +190,7 @@ struct LocationNotesView: View {
                 .bitchatFont(size: 13, weight: .semibold)
             Text(Strings.relaysRetryHint)
                 .bitchatFont(size: 12)
-                .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
             Button(Strings.retry) { manager.refresh() }
                 .bitchatFont(size: 12)
                 .buttonStyle(.plain)
@@ -210,7 +203,7 @@ struct LocationNotesView: View {
             ProgressView()
             Text(Strings.loadingNotes)
                 .bitchatFont(size: 12)
-                .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
             Spacer()
         }
         .padding(.vertical, 8)
@@ -222,7 +215,7 @@ struct LocationNotesView: View {
                 .bitchatFont(size: 13, weight: .semibold)
             Text(Strings.emptySubtitle)
                 .bitchatFont(size: 12)
-                .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
         }
         .padding(.vertical, 6)
     }

bitchat/Views/Media/BlockRevealImageView.swift

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ private typealias PlatformImage = NSImage
 #endif
 
 struct BlockRevealImageView: View {
+    @ThemedPalette private var palette
     private let url: URL
     private let revealProgress: Double?
     private let isSending: Bool
@@ -20,6 +21,25 @@ struct BlockRevealImageView: View {
     @State private var platformImage: PlatformImage?
     @State private var aspectRatio: CGFloat = 1
     @State private var isBlurred: Bool = false
+    @State private var showDeleteConfirmation = false
+    @State private var loadFailed = false
+
+    private enum Strings {
+        static let tapToReveal = String(localized: "media.image.tap_to_reveal", comment: "Caption on a blurred incoming image inviting a tap to reveal it")
+        static let open = String(localized: "media.image.action.open", comment: "Context menu action that opens an image full screen")
+        static let reveal = String(localized: "media.image.action.reveal", comment: "Context menu action that reveals a blurred image")
+        static let hide = String(localized: "media.image.action.hide", comment: "Context menu action that re-blurs a revealed image")
+        static let delete = String(localized: "media.image.action.delete", comment: "Context menu action that deletes a received image")
+        static let deleteConfirmTitle = String(localized: "media.image.delete_confirm_title", comment: "Title of the confirmation dialog before deleting a received image")
+        static let deleteConfirmMessage = String(localized: "media.image.delete_confirm_message", comment: "Body of the confirmation dialog before deleting a received image")
+        static let hiddenImage = String(localized: "media.image.accessibility.hidden", comment: "Accessibility label for a blurred incoming image")
+        static let revealedImage = String(localized: "media.image.accessibility.revealed", comment: "Accessibility label for a revealed image")
+        static let revealHint = String(localized: "media.image.accessibility.hint.reveal", comment: "Accessibility hint for a blurred image; activating it reveals the image")
+        static let openHint = String(localized: "media.image.accessibility.hint.open", comment: "Accessibility hint for a revealed image; activating it opens the image full screen")
+        static let sendingImage = String(localized: "media.image.accessibility.sending", comment: "Accessibility label for an image that is still sending")
+        static let unavailableImage = String(localized: "media.image.accessibility.unavailable", comment: "Accessibility label for an image whose file could not be loaded")
+        static let cancelSend = String(localized: "media.accessibility.cancel_send", comment: "Accessibility label for the cancel button on an in-flight media send")
+    }
 
     init(
         url: URL,
@@ -69,20 +89,32 @@ struct BlockRevealImageView: View {
                             RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 16, style: .continuous)
                                 .fill(Color.black.opacity(0.35))
                                 .overlay(
-                                    Image(systemName: "eye.slash.fill")
+                                    VStack(spacing: 6) {
-                                        .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 24, weight: .semibold))
+                                        Image(systemName: "eye.slash.fill")
-                                        .foregroundColor(.white.opacity(0.85))
+                                            .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 24, weight: .semibold))
+                                        Text(verbatim: Strings.tapToReveal)
+                                            // Themed: monospaced under matrix,
+                                            // system under liquid glass.
+                                            .bitchatFont(size: 12, weight: .medium)
+                                    }
+                                    .foregroundColor(.white.opacity(0.85))
                                 )
                         }
                     }
             } else {
                 RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 16, style: .continuous)
-                    .fill(Color.gray.opacity(0.2))
+                    .fill(palette.secondary.opacity(0.2))
                     .frame(height: 200)
-                    .overlay(
+                    .overlay {
-                        ProgressView()
+                        if loadFailed {
-                            .progressViewStyle(.circular)
+                            Image(systemName: "photo")
-                    )
+                                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 24, weight: .semibold))
+                                .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
+                        } else {
+                            ProgressView()
+                                .progressViewStyle(.circular)
+                        }
+                    }
             }
 
             if let onCancel = onCancel, isSending {
@@ -95,6 +127,7 @@ struct BlockRevealImageView: View {
                         .padding(8)
                 }
                 .buttonStyle(.plain)
+                .accessibilityLabel(Strings.cancelSend)
             }
         }
         .onAppear {
@@ -106,30 +139,105 @@ struct BlockRevealImageView: View {
             loadImage()
         }
         .gesture(mainGesture)
-    }
+        .contextMenu {
-
+            if isSending {
-    private func loadImage() {
+                cancelSendAction
-        DispatchQueue.global(qos: .userInitiated).async {
+            } else {
-            #if os(iOS)
+                imageActions
-            guard let image = UIImage(contentsOfFile: url.path) else { return }
+            }
-            #else
+        }
-            guard let image = NSImage(contentsOf: url) else { return }
+        .confirmationDialog(
-            #endif
+            Strings.deleteConfirmTitle,
-            let ratio = image.size.height > 0 ? image.size.width / image.size.height : 1
+            isPresented: $showDeleteConfirmation,
-            DispatchQueue.main.async {
+            titleVisibility: .visible
-                self.platformImage = image
+        ) {
-                self.aspectRatio = ratio
+            Button(Strings.delete, role: .destructive) {
+                onDelete?()
+            }
+            Button("common.cancel", role: .cancel) {}
+        } message: {
+            Text(verbatim: Strings.deleteConfirmMessage)
+        }
+        .accessibilityElement(children: .ignore)
+        .accessibilityLabel(accessibilityLabelText)
+        .accessibilityHint(accessibilityHintText)
+        .accessibilityAddTraits(isSending || loadFailed ? [] : .isButton)
+        .accessibilityActions {
+            if isSending {
+                // children: .ignore collapses the visible cancel button, so
+                // expose it as an action while the send is in flight.
+                cancelSendAction
+            } else {
+                imageActions
             }
         }
     }
 
-    private var mainGesture: some Gesture {
+    @ViewBuilder
-        let doubleTap = TapGesture(count: 2).onEnded {
+    private var cancelSendAction: some View {
-            guard !isSending else { return }
+        if let onCancel {
-            onDelete?()
+            Button(Strings.cancelSend, action: onCancel)
         }
+    }
+
+    @ViewBuilder
+    private var imageActions: some View {
+        // Open/reveal/hide would act on a file that failed to load, so only
+        // offer delete (when available) to let users clean up the attachment.
+        if !loadFailed {
+            if isBlurred {
+                Button(Strings.reveal) {
+                    withAnimation(.easeOut(duration: 0.2)) { isBlurred = false }
+                }
+            } else {
+                Button(Strings.open) { onOpen?() }
+                Button(Strings.hide) {
+                    withAnimation(.easeInOut(duration: 0.2)) { isBlurred = true }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        if onDelete != nil {
+            Button(Strings.delete, role: .destructive) { showDeleteConfirmation = true }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private var accessibilityLabelText: String {
+        if isSending { return Strings.sendingImage }
+        if loadFailed { return Strings.unavailableImage }
+        return isBlurred ? Strings.hiddenImage : Strings.revealedImage
+    }
+
+    private var accessibilityHintText: String {
+        if isSending || loadFailed { return "" }
+        return isBlurred ? Strings.revealHint : Strings.openHint
+    }
+
+    private func loadImage() {
+        loadFailed = false
+        DispatchQueue.global(qos: .userInitiated).async {
+            #if os(iOS)
+            let image = UIImage(contentsOfFile: url.path)
+            #else
+            let image = NSImage(contentsOf: url)
+            #endif
+            DispatchQueue.main.async {
+                guard let image else {
+                    self.loadFailed = true
+                    return
+                }
+                self.platformImage = image
+                self.aspectRatio = image.size.height > 0 ? image.size.width / image.size.height : 1
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Double-tap used to permanently delete the image — the most ingrained
+    // photo gesture on mobile, racing the reveal tap, with no confirmation
+    // and no way to get the file back. Delete now lives in the context menu
+    // behind a confirmation; taps only reveal and open.
+    private var mainGesture: some Gesture {
         let singleTap = TapGesture().onEnded {
-            guard !isSending else { return }
+            guard !isSending, !loadFailed else { return }
             if isBlurred {
                 withAnimation(.easeOut(duration: 0.2)) {
                     isBlurred = false
@@ -139,7 +247,7 @@ struct BlockRevealImageView: View {
             }
         }
         let swipe = DragGesture(minimumDistance: 20, coordinateSpace: .local).onEnded { value in
-            guard !isSending else { return }
+            guard !isSending, !loadFailed else { return }
             let horizontal = value.translation.width
             let vertical = value.translation.height
             guard abs(horizontal) > abs(vertical), abs(horizontal) > 40 else { return }
@@ -149,7 +257,7 @@ struct BlockRevealImageView: View {
                 }
             }
         }
-        return doubleTap.exclusively(before: singleTap).simultaneously(with: swipe)
+        return singleTap.simultaneously(with: swipe)
     }
 }
 

bitchat/Views/Media/MediaMessageView.swift

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import BitFoundation
 struct MediaMessageView: View {
     @Environment(\.colorScheme) private var colorScheme
     @Environment(\.appTheme) private var theme
+    @ThemedPalette private var palette
     @EnvironmentObject private var conversationUIModel: ConversationUIModel
     let message: BitchatMessage
     let media: BitchatMessage.Media
@@ -20,6 +21,7 @@ struct MediaMessageView: View {
     /// fields by identity, so without the snapshot a status-only change
     /// (send progress, delivered → read) would not re-render this row.
     private let deliveryStatus: DeliveryStatus?
+    @State private var showDeliveryDetail = false
 
     @Binding var imagePreviewURL: URL?
 
@@ -35,46 +37,93 @@ struct MediaMessageView: View {
         let isFromMe = conversationUIModel.isMediaMessageFromCurrentUser(message)
         let cancelAction: (() -> Void)? = state.canCancel ? { conversationUIModel.cancelMediaSend(messageID: message.id) } : nil
 
-        VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 2) {
+        // Baseline alignment (via the header text inside the VStack) keeps the
-            HStack(alignment: .center, spacing: 4) {
+        // lock on the header line; a fixed top padding left its solid body
-                Text(conversationUIModel.formatMessageHeader(message, colorScheme: colorScheme, theme: theme))
+        // hanging below the line's visual center.
-                    .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
+        HStack(alignment: .firstTextBaseline, spacing: 0) {
-                    .frame(maxWidth: .infinity, alignment: .leading)
+            if message.isPrivate {
+                Image(systemName: "lock.fill")
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 8))
+                    .foregroundColor(Color.orange.opacity(0.75))
+                    .padding(.trailing, 4)
+                    .accessibilityHidden(true)
+            }
+            VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 2) {
+                HStack(alignment: .center, spacing: 4) {
+                    Text(conversationUIModel.formatMessageHeader(message, colorScheme: colorScheme, theme: theme))
+                        .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
+                        .frame(maxWidth: .infinity, alignment: .leading)
+                    // Delivery status indicator for private messages. Tappable:
+                    // .help() tooltips only exist on macOS, so iOS users get the
+                    // explanation as a caption under the row instead.
+                    if message.isPrivate && conversationUIModel.isSentByCurrentUser(message),
+                       let status = deliveryStatus {
+                        Button {
+                            showDeliveryDetail.toggle()
+                        } label: {
+                            DeliveryStatusView(status: status)
+                                .padding(.leading, 4)
+                                .contentShape(Rectangle())
+                        }
+                        .buttonStyle(.plain)
+                        .accessibilityHint(
+                            String(localized: "content.accessibility.delivery_detail_hint", comment: "Accessibility hint for the delivery status glyph explaining a tap reveals details")
+                        )
+                    }
+                }
+
+                // Failure reasons stay visible without a tap; other statuses
+                // reveal on demand.
                 if message.isPrivate && conversationUIModel.isSentByCurrentUser(message),
                    let status = deliveryStatus {
-                    DeliveryStatusView(status: status)
+                    if case .failed = status {
-                        .padding(.leading, 4)
+                        Text(verbatim: status.bitchatDescription)
+                            .bitchatFont(size: 11)
+                            .foregroundColor(Color.red.opacity(0.9))
+                            .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
+                    } else if showDeliveryDetail {
+                        Text(verbatim: status.bitchatDescription)
+                            .bitchatFont(size: 11)
+                            .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
+                            .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
+                    }
                 }
-            }
 
-            Group {
+                Group {
-                switch media {
+                    switch media {
-                case .voice(let url):
+                    case .voice(let url):
-                    VoiceNoteView(
+                        VoiceNoteView(
-                        url: url,
+                            url: url,
-                        isSending: state.isSending,
+                            isSending: state.isSending,
-                        sendProgress: state.progress,
+                            sendProgress: state.progress,
-                        onCancel: cancelAction
+                            onCancel: cancelAction
-                    )
+                        )
-                case .image(let url):
+                    case .image(let url):
-                    BlockRevealImageView(
+                        BlockRevealImageView(
-                        url: url,
+                            url: url,
-                        revealProgress: state.progress,
+                            revealProgress: state.progress,
-                        isSending: state.isSending,
+                            isSending: state.isSending,
-                        onCancel: cancelAction,
+                            onCancel: cancelAction,
-                        initiallyBlurred: !isFromMe,
+                            initiallyBlurred: !isFromMe,
-                        onOpen: {
+                            onOpen: {
-                            if !state.isSending {
+                                if !state.isSending {
-                                imagePreviewURL = url
+                                    imagePreviewURL = url
-                            }
+                                }
-                        },
+                            },
-                        onDelete: !isFromMe ? { conversationUIModel.deleteMediaMessage(messageID: message.id) } : nil
+                            onDelete: !isFromMe ? { conversationUIModel.deleteMediaMessage(messageID: message.id) } : nil
-                    )
+                        )
-                    .frame(maxWidth: 280)
+                        .frame(maxWidth: 280)
+                    }
                 }
             }
         }
         .padding(.vertical, 4)
+        // Collapse the revealed caption when the status advances (e.g.
+        // sending → sent → delivered) so a detail opened for one state
+        // doesn't linger and silently morph into another.
+        .onChange(of: deliveryStatus) { _ in
+            showDeliveryDetail = false
+        }
     }
 
     private func mediaSendState(for deliveryStatus: DeliveryStatus?) -> (isSending: Bool, progress: Double?, canCancel: Bool) {
@@ -90,7 +139,7 @@ struct MediaMessageView: View {
                     isSending = true
                     progress = Double(reached) / Double(total)
                 }
-            case .sent, .read, .delivered, .failed:
+            case .sent, .carried, .read, .delivered, .failed:
                 break
             }
         }

bitchat/Views/Media/VoiceNoteView.swift

@@ -28,7 +28,9 @@ struct VoiceNoteView: View {
     }
 
     private var backgroundColor: Color {
-        colorScheme == .dark ? Color.black.opacity(0.6) : Color.white
+        // Palette-based and slightly translucent so the card doesn't sit as
+        // an opaque white/black box over the glass gradient.
+        palette.background.opacity(colorScheme == .dark ? 0.6 : 0.7)
     }
 
     private var borderColor: Color {
@@ -50,6 +52,12 @@ struct VoiceNoteView: View {
                     .background(Circle().fill(palette.accent))
             }
             .buttonStyle(.plain)
+            .accessibilityLabel(
+                playback.isPlaying
+                ? String(localized: "media.voice.accessibility.pause", comment: "Accessibility label for pausing voice note playback")
+                : String(localized: "media.voice.accessibility.play", comment: "Accessibility label for playing a voice note")
+            )
+            .accessibilityValue(playbackLabel)
 
             WaveformView(
                 samples: samples,
@@ -63,7 +71,7 @@ struct VoiceNoteView: View {
 
             Text(playbackLabel)
                 .bitchatFont(size: 13)
-                .foregroundColor(Color.secondary)
+                .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
 
             if let onCancel = onCancel, isSending {
                 Button(action: onCancel) {
@@ -74,6 +82,9 @@ struct VoiceNoteView: View {
                         .foregroundColor(.white)
                 }
                 .buttonStyle(.plain)
+                .accessibilityLabel(
+                    String(localized: "media.accessibility.cancel_send", comment: "Accessibility label for the cancel button on an in-flight media send")
+                )
             }
         }
         .padding(12)

bitchat/Views/Media/WaveformView.swift

@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ struct WaveformView: View {
                         } else if let send = clampedSend, binPosition <= send {
                             color = palette.accentBlue
                         } else {
-                            color = Color.gray.opacity(0.35)
+                            color = palette.secondary.opacity(0.35)
                         }
                         context.fill(Path(rect), with: .color(color))
                     }

bitchat/Views/MeshPeerList.swift

@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@ struct MeshPeerList: View {
     let onTapPeer: (PeerID) -> Void
     let onToggleFavorite: (PeerID) -> Void
     let onShowFingerprint: (PeerID) -> Void
+    /// Optional so existing call sites (and previews/tests) keep compiling;
+    /// when absent the block/unblock context-menu entry is hidden.
+    var onToggleBlock: ((MeshPeerRow) -> Void)? = nil
     @Environment(\.colorScheme) var colorScheme
 
     @State private var orderedIDs: [String] = []
@@ -15,6 +18,20 @@ struct MeshPeerList: View {
         static let noneNearby: LocalizedStringKey = "geohash_people.none_nearby"
         static let blockedTooltip = String(localized: "geohash_people.tooltip.blocked", comment: "Tooltip shown next to a blocked peer indicator")
         static let newMessagesTooltip = String(localized: "mesh_peers.tooltip.new_messages", comment: "Tooltip for the unread messages indicator")
+        static let connected = String(localized: "content.accessibility.connected_mesh", comment: "Accessibility label for mesh-connected peer indicator")
+        static let reachable = String(localized: "content.accessibility.reachable_mesh", comment: "Accessibility label for mesh-reachable peer indicator")
+        static let nostr = String(localized: "content.accessibility.available_nostr", comment: "Accessibility label for Nostr-available peer indicator")
+        static let offline = String(localized: "mesh_peers.state.offline", comment: "State label for a peer that is not currently reachable")
+        static let favorite = String(localized: "mesh_peers.state.favorite", comment: "State label for a favorited peer")
+        static let unread = String(localized: "mesh_peers.state.unread", comment: "State label for a peer with unread private messages")
+        static let blocked = String(localized: "mesh_peers.state.blocked", comment: "State label for a blocked peer")
+        static let addFavorite = String(localized: "content.accessibility.add_favorite", comment: "Accessibility label to add a favorite")
+        static let removeFavorite = String(localized: "content.accessibility.remove_favorite", comment: "Accessibility label to remove a favorite")
+        static let showFingerprint = String(localized: "mesh_peers.action.fingerprint", comment: "Context menu action that shows a peer's fingerprint/verification screen")
+        static let openDMHint = String(localized: "mesh_peers.accessibility.open_dm_hint", comment: "Accessibility hint on a peer row explaining activation opens a private chat")
+        static let directMessage = String(localized: "content.actions.direct_message", comment: "Action that opens a private chat with the person")
+        static let block = String(localized: "geohash_people.action.block", comment: "Context menu action to block a person")
+        static let unblock = String(localized: "geohash_people.action.unblock", comment: "Context menu action to unblock a person")
     }
 
     var body: some View {
@@ -49,21 +66,25 @@ struct MeshPeerList: View {
                             Image(systemName: "antenna.radiowaves.left.and.right")
                                 .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10))
                                 .foregroundColor(baseColor)
+                                .help(Strings.connected)
                         } else if peer.isReachable {
                             // Mesh-reachable (relayed): point.3 icon
                             Image(systemName: "point.3.filled.connected.trianglepath.dotted")
                                 .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10))
                                 .foregroundColor(baseColor)
+                                .help(Strings.reachable)
                         } else if peer.isMutualFavorite {
                             // Mutual favorite reachable via Nostr: globe icon (purple)
                             Image(systemName: "globe")
                                 .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10))
                                 .foregroundColor(.purple)
+                                .help(Strings.nostr)
                         } else {
                             // Fallback icon for others (dimmed)
                             Image(systemName: "person")
                                 .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10))
                                 .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
+                                .help(Strings.offline)
                         }
 
                         let (base, suffix) = peer.displayName.splitSuffix()
@@ -71,6 +92,8 @@ struct MeshPeerList: View {
                             Text(base)
                                 .bitchatFont(size: 14)
                                 .foregroundColor(baseColor)
+                                .lineLimit(1)
+                                .truncationMode(.tail)
                             if !suffix.isEmpty {
                                 let suffixColor = isMe ? Color.orange.opacity(0.6) : baseColor.opacity(0.6)
                                 Text(suffix)
@@ -91,6 +114,10 @@ struct MeshPeerList: View {
                                 if let icon = peer.encryptionStatus.icon {
                                     Image(systemName: icon)
                                         .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10))
+                                        // Optical centering: lock glyph ink is
+                                        // bottom-heavy, so geometric centering
+                                        // reads low next to the name.
+                                        .offset(y: icon.hasPrefix("lock") ? -0.5 : 0)
                                         .foregroundColor(baseColor)
                                 }
                             } else {
@@ -103,6 +130,7 @@ struct MeshPeerList: View {
                                     // Fallback to whatever status says (likely lock if we had a past session)
                                     Image(systemName: icon)
                                         .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10))
+                                        .offset(y: icon.hasPrefix("lock") ? -0.5 : 0)
                                         .foregroundColor(baseColor)
                                 }
                             }
@@ -123,6 +151,11 @@ struct MeshPeerList: View {
                                 Image(systemName: peer.isFavorite ? "star.fill" : "star")
                                     .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12))
                                     .foregroundColor(peer.isFavorite ? .yellow : palette.secondary)
+                                    // Widen the tap target beyond the bare glyph;
+                                    // height stays row-bound so neighboring rows
+                                    // keep their own taps.
+                                    .frame(width: 36)
+                                    .contentShape(Rectangle())
                             }
                             .buttonStyle(.plain)
                         }
@@ -131,8 +164,53 @@ struct MeshPeerList: View {
                     .padding(.vertical, 4)
                     .padding(.top, idx == 0 ? 10 : 0)
                     .contentShape(Rectangle())
-                    .onTapGesture { if !isMe { onTapPeer(peer.peerID) } }
+                    // count:2 must attach before count:1 or the single tap
+                    // shadows it (same ordering the header logo relies on).
                     .onTapGesture(count: 2) { if !isMe { onShowFingerprint(peer.peerID) } }
+                    .onTapGesture { if !isMe { onTapPeer(peer.peerID) } }
+                    .contextMenu {
+                        if !isMe {
+                            Button(Strings.directMessage) {
+                                onTapPeer(peer.peerID)
+                            }
+                            Button(peer.isFavorite ? Strings.removeFavorite : Strings.addFavorite) {
+                                onToggleFavorite(peer.peerID)
+                            }
+                            Button(Strings.showFingerprint) {
+                                onShowFingerprint(peer.peerID)
+                            }
+                            if let onToggleBlock {
+                                if peer.isBlocked {
+                                    Button(Strings.unblock) {
+                                        onToggleBlock(peer)
+                                    }
+                                } else {
+                                    Button(Strings.block, role: .destructive) {
+                                        onToggleBlock(peer)
+                                    }
+                                }
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                    .accessibilityElement(children: .ignore)
+                    .accessibilityLabel(accessibilityDescription(for: peer))
+                    .accessibilityAddTraits(isMe ? [] : .isButton)
+                    .accessibilityHint(isMe ? "" : Strings.openDMHint)
+                    .accessibilityActions {
+                        if !isMe {
+                            Button(peer.isFavorite ? Strings.removeFavorite : Strings.addFavorite) {
+                                onToggleFavorite(peer.peerID)
+                            }
+                            Button(Strings.showFingerprint) {
+                                onShowFingerprint(peer.peerID)
+                            }
+                            if let onToggleBlock {
+                                Button(peer.isBlocked ? Strings.unblock : Strings.block) {
+                                    onToggleBlock(peer)
+                                }
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
                 }
             }
             // Seed and update order outside result builder
@@ -147,4 +225,25 @@ struct MeshPeerList: View {
             }
         }
     }
+
+    /// One spoken sentence per row: name, how they're reachable, and any
+    /// state badges — the visual row is icon soup for VoiceOver otherwise.
+    private func accessibilityDescription(for peer: MeshPeerRow) -> String {
+        var parts: [String] = [peer.displayName]
+        if !peer.isMe {
+            if peer.isConnected {
+                parts.append(Strings.connected)
+            } else if peer.isReachable {
+                parts.append(Strings.reachable)
+            } else if peer.isMutualFavorite {
+                parts.append(Strings.nostr)
+            } else {
+                parts.append(Strings.offline)
+            }
+        }
+        if peer.isFavorite { parts.append(Strings.favorite) }
+        if peer.hasUnread { parts.append(Strings.unread) }
+        if peer.isBlocked { parts.append(Strings.blocked) }
+        return parts.joined(separator: ", ")
+    }
 }

bitchat/Views/MessageListView.swift

@@ -36,8 +36,17 @@ struct MessageListView: View {
     var isTextFieldFocused: FocusState<Bool>.Binding
 
     @State private var showMessageActions = false
+    @State private var showClearConfirmation = false
     @State private var lastScrollTime: Date = .distantPast
     @State private var scrollThrottleTimer: Timer?
+    @State private var unseenCount = 0
+    @State private var lastSeenMessageCount = 0
+    /// Context key the unseen counters were baselined against. Channel
+    /// switches swap the timeline wholesale, so a count delta is only a
+    /// "new messages" signal while the context is unchanged.
+    @State private var unseenBaselineKey = ""
+
+    @ThemedPalette private var palette
 
     var body: some View {
         let currentWindowCount: Int = {
@@ -65,6 +74,9 @@ struct MessageListView: View {
 
         ScrollViewReader { proxy in
             ScrollView {
+                if messageItems.isEmpty && privatePeer == nil {
+                    publicEmptyState
+                }
                 LazyVStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 0) {
                     ForEach(messageItems) { item in
                         let message = item.message
@@ -72,6 +84,7 @@ struct MessageListView: View {
                             .onAppear {
                                 if message.id == windowedMessages.last?.id {
                                     isAtBottom = true
+                                    unseenCount = 0
                                 }
                                 if message.id == windowedMessages.first?.id,
                                    messages.count > windowedMessages.count {
@@ -89,13 +102,32 @@ struct MessageListView: View {
                                 }
                             }
                             .contentShape(Rectangle())
-                            .onTapGesture {
-                                if message.sender != "system" {
-                                    messageText = "@\(message.sender) "
-                                    isTextFieldFocused.wrappedValue = true
-                                }
-                            }
                             .contextMenu {
+                                let showsUserActions = message.sender != "system" && !conversationUIModel.isSentByCurrentUser(message)
+                                if showsUserActions {
+                                    // Mention and DM are redundant inside a 1:1 conversation:
+                                    // mentioning the only other participant is noise, and "DM"
+                                    // would just reopen the conversation that is already open.
+                                    if privatePeer == nil {
+                                        Button("content.actions.mention") {
+                                            insertMention(message.sender)
+                                        }
+                                        if let peerID = message.senderPeerID {
+                                            Button("content.actions.direct_message") {
+                                                privateConversationModel.openConversation(for: peerID)
+                                                withAnimation(.easeInOut(duration: TransportConfig.uiAnimationMediumSeconds)) {
+                                                    showSidebar = true
+                                                }
+                                            }
+                                        }
+                                    }
+                                    Button("content.actions.hug") {
+                                        conversationUIModel.sendHug(to: message.sender)
+                                    }
+                                    Button("content.actions.slap") {
+                                        conversationUIModel.sendSlap(to: message.sender)
+                                    }
+                                }
                                 Button("content.message.copy") {
                                     #if os(iOS)
                                     UIPasteboard.general.string = message.content
@@ -105,6 +137,16 @@ struct MessageListView: View {
                                     pb.setString(message.content, forType: .string)
                                     #endif
                                 }
+                                if isResendableFailedMessage(message) {
+                                    Button("content.actions.resend") {
+                                        conversationUIModel.resendFailedPrivateMessage(message)
+                                    }
+                                }
+                                if showsUserActions {
+                                    Button("content.actions.block", role: .destructive) {
+                                        conversationUIModel.block(peerID: message.senderPeerID, displayName: message.sender)
+                                    }
+                                }
                             }
                             .padding(.horizontal, 12)
                             .padding(.vertical, 1)
@@ -113,9 +155,24 @@ struct MessageListView: View {
                 .transaction { tx in if conversationUIModel.isBatchingPublic { tx.disablesAnimations = true } }
                 .padding(.vertical, 2)
             }
+            .overlay(alignment: .bottomTrailing) {
+                if !isAtBottom && !messageItems.isEmpty {
+                    jumpToLatestPill(proxy: proxy)
+                }
+            }
             .onOpenURL(perform: handleOpenURL)
             .onTapGesture(count: 3) {
-                conversationUIModel.clearCurrentConversation()
+                showClearConfirmation = true
+            }
+            .confirmationDialog(
+                "content.clear.confirm_title",
+                isPresented: $showClearConfirmation,
+                titleVisibility: .visible
+            ) {
+                Button("content.clear.confirm_action", role: .destructive) {
+                    conversationUIModel.clearCurrentConversation()
+                }
+                Button("common.cancel", role: .cancel) {}
             }
             .onAppear {
                 scrollToBottom(on: proxy)
@@ -139,9 +196,7 @@ struct MessageListView: View {
             ) {
                 Button("content.actions.mention") {
                     if let sender = selectedMessageSender {
-                        // Pre-fill the input with an @mention and focus the field
+                        insertMention(sender)
-                        messageText = "@\(sender) "
-                        isTextFieldFocused.wrappedValue = true
                     }
                 }
 
@@ -208,6 +263,142 @@ struct MessageListView: View {
 }
 
 private extension MessageListView {
+    var currentContextKey: String {
+        if let peer = privatePeer {
+            return "dm:\(peer)"
+        }
+        return locationChannelsModel.selectedChannel.contextKey
+    }
+
+    /// Terminal-styled narration for an empty public timeline: says which
+    /// channel this is, that the app is waiting for peers, and where to go
+    /// next. Rendered inside the ScrollView; disappears with the first row.
+    var publicEmptyState: some View {
+        VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 6) {
+            switch locationChannelsModel.selectedChannel {
+            case .mesh:
+                emptyStateLine(String(localized: "content.empty.mesh_intro", comment: "First line of the empty mesh timeline explaining what the mesh channel is"))
+                emptyStateLine(String(localized: "content.empty.mesh_waiting", comment: "Second line of the empty mesh timeline saying no peers are in range yet"))
+                emptyStateLine(String(localized: "content.empty.switch_hint", comment: "Empty timeline hint pointing at the channel switcher and the help screen"))
+            case .location(let channel):
+                emptyStateLine(
+                    String(
+                        format: String(localized: "content.empty.location_intro", comment: "First line of an empty geohash timeline naming the channel"),
+                        locale: .current,
+                        channel.geohash
+                    )
+                )
+                emptyStateLine(String(localized: "content.empty.switch_hint", comment: "Empty timeline hint pointing at the channel switcher and the help screen"))
+            }
+        }
+        .padding(.horizontal, 12)
+        .padding(.top, 12)
+        .frame(maxWidth: .infinity, alignment: .leading)
+    }
+
+    func emptyStateLine(_ text: String) -> some View {
+        // Non-breaking space before the closing asterisk so a tight wrap
+        // can't orphan a lone "*" onto its own line.
+        Text(verbatim: "* \(text)\u{00A0}*")
+            .bitchatFont(size: 13)
+            .foregroundColor(palette.secondary.opacity(0.9))
+            .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
+    }
+
+    /// Messages the unseen counters may book as "new": rows that render as
+    /// human messages. System lines render as narration and whitespace-only
+    /// content never renders at all, so neither belongs in the pill count.
+    func unseenEligibleCount(in messages: [BitchatMessage]) -> Int {
+        messages.filter { $0.sender != "system" && !$0.content.trimmed.isEmpty }.count
+    }
+
+    /// Updates the unseen-count baseline for the current context and returns
+    /// how many messages were appended since the last observation. A context
+    /// change (timeline swapped wholesale) re-baselines and reports zero, so
+    /// cross-channel count differences are never booked as "new" messages.
+    func rebaselinedAppendedCount(newCount: Int) -> Int {
+        let key = currentContextKey
+        if unseenBaselineKey != key {
+            unseenBaselineKey = key
+            unseenCount = 0
+            lastSeenMessageCount = newCount
+            return 0
+        }
+        let appended = max(0, newCount - lastSeenMessageCount)
+        lastSeenMessageCount = newCount
+        return appended
+    }
+
+    /// A failed private text message of our own can be resent through the
+    /// normal send path (the context menu removes the failed original and
+    /// re-submits its content).
+    func isResendableFailedMessage(_ message: BitchatMessage) -> Bool {
+        guard message.isPrivate,
+              conversationUIModel.isSentByCurrentUser(message),
+              conversationUIModel.mediaAttachment(for: message) == nil,
+              case .some(.failed) = message.deliveryStatus
+        else { return false }
+        return true
+    }
+
+    /// Appends an @mention to the composer draft (never overwrites what the
+    /// user has already typed) and focuses the input field.
+    func insertMention(_ sender: String) {
+        let mention = "@\(sender) "
+        if messageText.isEmpty {
+            messageText = mention
+        } else if messageText.hasSuffix(" ") {
+            messageText += mention
+        } else {
+            messageText += " " + mention
+        }
+        isTextFieldFocused.wrappedValue = true
+    }
+
+    /// Floating pill shown while scrolled up: re-presents the isAtBottom /
+    /// unseenCount state the view already tracks, and jumps to the newest
+    /// message via the existing scrollToBottom helper.
+    func jumpToLatestPill(proxy: ScrollViewProxy) -> some View {
+        Button {
+            scrollToBottom(on: proxy)
+        } label: {
+            HStack(spacing: 4) {
+                Image(systemName: "arrow.down")
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 11, weight: .semibold))
+                if unseenCount > 0 {
+                    Text(
+                        String(
+                            format: String(localized: "content.jump.new_count", comment: "Count of messages that arrived while scrolled up, shown in the jump-to-latest pill"),
+                            locale: .current,
+                            unseenCount
+                        )
+                    )
+                    .bitchatFont(size: 12, weight: .medium)
+                }
+            }
+            .foregroundColor(palette.primary)
+            .padding(.horizontal, 10)
+            .padding(.vertical, 6)
+            .contentShape(Rectangle())
+        }
+        .buttonStyle(.plain)
+        .themedOverlayPanel()
+        .padding(.trailing, 12)
+        .padding(.bottom, 10)
+        .accessibilityLabel(jumpToLatestAccessibilityLabel)
+    }
+
+    var jumpToLatestAccessibilityLabel: String {
+        let base = String(localized: "content.accessibility.jump_to_latest", comment: "Accessibility label for the jump to latest messages button")
+        guard unseenCount > 0 else { return base }
+        let count = String(
+            format: String(localized: "content.jump.new_count", comment: "Count of messages that arrived while scrolled up, shown in the jump-to-latest pill"),
+            locale: .current,
+            unseenCount
+        )
+        return "\(base), \(count)"
+    }
+
     @ViewBuilder
     func messageRow(for message: BitchatMessage) -> some View {
         Group {
@@ -294,6 +485,9 @@ private extension MessageListView {
 
     func scrollToBottom(on proxy: ScrollViewProxy) {
         isAtBottom = true
+        unseenCount = 0
+        lastSeenMessageCount = unseenEligibleCount(in: conversationMessages(for: privatePeer))
+        unseenBaselineKey = currentContextKey
         if let targetPeerID {
             proxy.scrollTo(targetPeerID, anchor: .bottom)
         }
@@ -316,15 +510,23 @@ private extension MessageListView {
     }
 
     func onMessagesChange(proxy: ScrollViewProxy) {
+        guard privatePeer == nil else { return }
         let messages = publicChatModel.messages
-        guard privatePeer == nil, let lastMsg = messages.last else { return }
+        let appendedCount = rebaselinedAppendedCount(newCount: unseenEligibleCount(in: messages))
+        guard let lastMsg = messages.last else {
+            // Timeline emptied (e.g. /clear): nothing below to jump to.
+            unseenCount = 0
+            return
+        }
 
         // If the newest message is from me, always scroll to bottom
         let isFromSelf = conversationUIModel.isSentByCurrentUser(lastMsg)
         if !isFromSelf && !isAtBottom { // Only autoscroll when user is at/near bottom
+            unseenCount += appendedCount
             return
         } else { // Ensure we consider ourselves at bottom for subsequent messages
             isAtBottom = true
+            unseenCount = 0
         }
 
         func scrollIfNeeded(date: Date) {
@@ -352,18 +554,23 @@ private extension MessageListView {
     }
 
     func onPrivateChatsChange(proxy: ScrollViewProxy) {
-        guard let peerID = privatePeer,
+        guard let peerID = privatePeer else { return }
-              let lastMsg = privateInboxModel.messages(for: peerID).last else {
+        let messages = privateInboxModel.messages(for: peerID)
+        let appendedCount = rebaselinedAppendedCount(newCount: unseenEligibleCount(in: messages))
+        guard let lastMsg = messages.last else {
+            // Timeline emptied (e.g. /clear): nothing below to jump to.
+            unseenCount = 0
             return
         }
-        let messages = privateInboxModel.messages(for: peerID)
 
         // If the newest private message is from me, always scroll
         let isFromSelf = conversationUIModel.isSentByCurrentUser(lastMsg)
         if !isFromSelf && !isAtBottom { // Only autoscroll when user is at/near bottom
+            unseenCount += appendedCount
             return
         } else {
             isAtBottom = true
+            unseenCount = 0
         }
 
         func scrollIfNeeded(date: Date) {
@@ -391,17 +598,27 @@ private extension MessageListView {
     func onSelectedChannelChange(_ channel: ChannelID, proxy: ScrollViewProxy) {
         // When switching to a new geohash channel, scroll to the bottom
         guard privatePeer == nil else { return }
+        // Invalidate the unseen baseline: the timeline is about to swap (or
+        // already has — the ordering of this onChange vs the count onChange
+        // is not guaranteed), so the next count observation re-baselines
+        // instead of booking the cross-channel difference as "new".
+        unseenCount = 0
+        unseenBaselineKey = ""
+        // Entering any public channel shows its latest messages: a channel
+        // switch swaps the timeline wholesale, so the prior scroll offset is
+        // meaningless. Landing at the bottom keeps isAtBottom honest (no
+        // stale jump-to-latest pill) and matches standard chat behavior.
+        isAtBottom = true
+        windowCountPublic = TransportConfig.uiWindowInitialCountPublic
+        let contextKey: String
         switch channel {
         case .mesh:
-            break
+            contextKey = "mesh"
         case .location(let ch):
-            // Reset window size
+            contextKey = "geo:\(ch.geohash)"
-            isAtBottom = true
+        }
-            windowCountPublic = TransportConfig.uiWindowInitialCountPublic
+        if let target = publicChatModel.messages.last?.id.map({ "\(contextKey)|\($0)" }) {
-            let contextKey = "geo:\(ch.geohash)"
+            proxy.scrollTo(target, anchor: .bottom)
-            if let target = publicChatModel.messages.last?.id.map({ "\(contextKey)|\($0)" }) {
-                proxy.scrollTo(target, anchor: .bottom)
-            }
         }
     }
 
@@ -426,6 +643,6 @@ private extension ChannelID {
     }
 }
 
-//#Preview {
+// #Preview {
 //    MessageListView()
-//}
+// }

bitchat/Views/VerificationViews.swift

@@ -11,7 +11,10 @@ import AppKit
 struct MyQRView: View {
     let qrString: String
     @Environment(\.colorScheme) var colorScheme
-    private var boxColor: Color { Color.gray.opacity(0.1) }
+    @ThemedPalette private var palette
+    // Palette-tinted so the box follows the theme (green under matrix)
+    // instead of a fixed gray band over the glass gradient.
+    private var boxColor: Color { palette.secondary.opacity(0.1) }
 
     private enum Strings {
         static let title: LocalizedStringKey = "verification.my_qr.title"
@@ -50,6 +53,7 @@ struct MyQRView: View {
 struct QRCodeImage: View {
     let data: String
     let size: CGFloat
+    @ThemedPalette private var palette
 
     private let context = CIContext()
     private let filter = CIFilter.qrCodeGenerator()
@@ -65,12 +69,12 @@ struct QRCodeImage: View {
                     .frame(width: size, height: size)
             } else {
                 RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 8)
-                    .stroke(Color.gray.opacity(0.5), lineWidth: 1)
+                    .stroke(palette.secondary.opacity(0.5), lineWidth: 1)
                     .frame(width: size, height: size)
                     .overlay(
                         Text(Strings.unavailable)
                             .bitchatFont(size: 12)
-                            .foregroundColor(.gray)
+                            .foregroundColor(palette.secondary)
                     )
             }
         }
@@ -108,6 +112,7 @@ struct ImageWrapper: View {
 /// Placeholder scanner UI; real camera scanning will be added later.
 struct QRScanView: View {
     @EnvironmentObject private var verificationModel: VerificationModel
+    @ThemedPalette private var palette
     var isActive: Bool = true
     var onSuccess: (() -> Void)? = nil  // Called when verification succeeds
     @State private var input = ""
@@ -153,7 +158,7 @@ struct QRScanView: View {
                 .bitchatFont(size: 14, weight: .medium)
             TextEditor(text: $input)
                 .frame(height: 100)
-                .border(Color.gray.opacity(0.4))
+                .border(palette.secondary.opacity(0.4))
             Button(Strings.validate) {
                 // Deduplicate: ignore if we just processed this exact QR
                 guard input != lastValid else {
@@ -265,7 +270,7 @@ struct CameraScannerView: UIViewRepresentable {
     }
 
     final class PreviewView: UIView {
-        override class var layerClass: AnyClass { AVCaptureVideoPreviewLayer.self }
+        override static var layerClass: AnyClass { AVCaptureVideoPreviewLayer.self }
         var videoPreviewLayer: AVCaptureVideoPreviewLayer { layer as! AVCaptureVideoPreviewLayer }
         override init(frame: CGRect) {
             super.init(frame: frame)
@@ -285,7 +290,7 @@ struct VerificationSheetView: View {
 
     private var backgroundColor: Color { palette.background }
     private var accentColor: Color { palette.accent }
-    private var boxColor: Color { Color.gray.opacity(0.1) }
+    private var boxColor: Color { palette.secondary.opacity(0.1) }
 
     var body: some View {
         VStack(spacing: 0) {
@@ -295,15 +300,11 @@ struct VerificationSheetView: View {
                     .bitchatFont(size: 14, weight: .bold)
                     .foregroundColor(accentColor)
                 Spacer()
-                Button(action: {
+                SheetCloseButton {
                     showingScanner = false
                     isPresented = false
-                }) {
-                    Image(systemName: "xmark")
-                        .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, weight: .semibold))
-                        .foregroundColor(accentColor)
                 }
-                .buttonStyle(.plain)
+                .foregroundColor(accentColor)
             }
             .padding(.horizontal, 16)
             .padding(.top, 12)

bitchatShareExtension/ShareViewController.swift

@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ final class ShareViewController: UIViewController {
                 self.loadFirstPlainText(from: providers) { text in
                     if let t = text, !t.isEmpty {
                         // Treat as URL if parseable http(s), else plain text
-                        if let u = URL(string: t), ["http","https"].contains(u.scheme?.lowercased() ?? "") {
+                        if let u = URL(string: t), ["http", "https"].contains(u.scheme?.lowercased() ?? "") {
                             self.saveAndFinish(url: u, title: item.attributedTitle?.string)
                         } else {
                             self.saveAndFinish(text: t)

bitchatTests/ChatComposerCoordinatorContextTests.swift

@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ struct ChatComposerCoordinatorContextTests {
         context.meshNicknamesByPeerID = [
             PeerID(str: "1111111111111111"): "alice",
             PeerID(str: "2222222222222222"): "bob",
-            PeerID(str: "3333333333333333"): "me",
+            PeerID(str: "3333333333333333"): "me"
         ]
 
         // Matching query: suggestions and range are published, index resets.
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ struct ChatComposerCoordinatorContextTests {
             "aaaabbbbccccdddd": "carol",
             // Own token (nickname#last-4-of-pubkey) must be removed; the dummy
             // identity's public key hex ends in "2222".
-            "ffffeeeeddddcccc2222": "me",
+            "ffffeeeeddddcccc2222": "me"
         ]
 
         coordinator.updateAutocomplete(for: "@ca", cursorPosition: 3)

bitchatTests/ChatLifecycleCoordinatorContextTests.swift

@@ -214,10 +214,10 @@ struct ChatLifecycleCoordinatorContextTests {
         // Same message under both keys: the read copy must win over sent.
         context.privateChats[peerID] = [
             makePrivateMessage(id: "m1", timestamp: t1, deliveryStatus: .sent),
-            makePrivateMessage(id: "m2", timestamp: t2),
+            makePrivateMessage(id: "m2", timestamp: t2)
         ]
         context.privateChats[stablePeerID] = [
-            makePrivateMessage(id: "m1", timestamp: t1, deliveryStatus: .read(by: "alice", at: t2)),
+            makePrivateMessage(id: "m1", timestamp: t1, deliveryStatus: .read(by: "alice", at: t2))
         ]
 
         let merged = coordinator.getPrivateChatMessages(for: peerID)
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ struct ChatLifecycleCoordinatorContextTests {
             makePrivateMessage(id: "m1", senderPeerID: convKey),
             makePrivateMessage(id: "already-acked", senderPeerID: convKey),
             makePrivateMessage(id: "relay", senderPeerID: convKey, isRelay: true),
-            makePrivateMessage(id: "mine", sender: "me", senderPeerID: context.myPeerID),
+            makePrivateMessage(id: "mine", sender: "me", senderPeerID: context.myPeerID)
         ]
 
         coordinator.markPrivateMessagesAsRead(from: convKey)
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ struct ChatLifecycleCoordinatorContextTests {
         )
         context.privateChats[peerID] = [
             makePrivateMessage(id: "in-1", senderPeerID: peerID),
-            makePrivateMessage(id: "in-relay", senderPeerID: peerID, isRelay: true),
+            makePrivateMessage(id: "in-relay", senderPeerID: peerID, isRelay: true)
         ]
 
         coordinator.markPrivateMessagesAsRead(from: peerID)

bitchatTests/ChatNostrCoordinatorContextTests.swift

@@ -608,34 +608,6 @@ struct GeoPresenceTrackerTests {
         #expect(stamped > stale)
         #expect(context.appendedGeohashMessages.count == 1)
     }
-    @Test @MainActor
-    func handleFavoriteNotification_persistsFavoriteAndPostsLocalNotification() async throws {
-        let context = MockChatNostrContext()
-        let coordinator = ChatNostrCoordinator(context: context)
-        let sender = try NostrIdentity.generate()
-        let noiseKey = Data(repeating: 0x42, count: 32)
-        // The favorites store bridges the sender's npub back to a Noise key.
-        context.favoriteRelationshipsByNoiseKey[noiseKey] = makeFavoriteRelationship(
-            noiseKey: noiseKey,
-            nostrPublicKey: sender.npub
-        )
-
-        coordinator.handleFavoriteNotification(content: "FAVORITE:TRUE|alice", from: sender.publicKeyHex)
-
-        #expect(context.addedFavorites.count == 1)
-        #expect(context.addedFavorites.first?.noiseKey == noiseKey)
-        #expect(context.addedFavorites.first?.nostrPublicKey == sender.publicKeyHex)
-        #expect(context.addedFavorites.first?.nickname == "alice")
-        #expect(context.postedLocalNotifications.count == 1)
-        #expect(context.postedLocalNotifications.first?.title == "New Favorite")
-        #expect(context.postedLocalNotifications.first?.body == "alice favorited you")
-
-        // Unfavorite: no store write, but the removal notification still posts.
-        coordinator.handleFavoriteNotification(content: "FAVORITE:FALSE|alice", from: sender.publicKeyHex)
-        #expect(context.addedFavorites.count == 1)
-        #expect(context.postedLocalNotifications.last?.title == "Favorite Removed")
-        #expect(context.postedLocalNotifications.last?.body == "alice unfavorited you")
-    }
 
     @Test @MainActor
     func geoPresence_sampledActivityNotificationRespectsPerGeohashCooldown() async throws {

bitchatTests/ChatPeerListCoordinatorContextTests.swift

@@ -154,18 +154,18 @@ struct ChatPeerListCoordinatorContextTests {
                 peerID: currentPeer,
                 noisePublicKey: Data(repeating: 0x01, count: 32),
                 nickname: "alice"
-            ),
+            )
         ]
         context.unreadPrivateMessages = [
             currentPeer,
             staleShortPeer,
             geoDMWithMessages,
             geoDMWithoutMessages,
-            noiseKeyWithMessages,
+            noiseKeyWithMessages
         ]
         context.privateChats = [
             geoDMWithMessages: [makeMessage(id: "geo-1")],
-            noiseKeyWithMessages: [makeMessage(id: "noise-1")],
+            noiseKeyWithMessages: [makeMessage(id: "noise-1")]
         ]
 
         coordinator.didUpdatePeerList([currentPeer])

bitchatTests/ChatPrivateConversationCoordinatorContextTests.swift

@@ -225,6 +225,10 @@ private final class MockChatPrivateConversationContext: ChatPrivateConversationC
         favoriteRelationshipsByNoiseKey[noiseKey]
     }
 
+    func favoriteRelationship(forPeerID peerID: PeerID) -> FavoritesPersistenceService.FavoriteRelationship? {
+        favoriteRelationshipsByNoiseKey.first(where: { PeerID(publicKey: $0.key) == peerID })?.value
+    }
+
     func updatePeerFavoritedUs(noiseKey: Data, favorited: Bool, nickname: String, nostrPublicKey: String?) {
         peerFavoritedUsUpdates.append((noiseKey, favorited, nickname, nostrPublicKey))
     }
@@ -352,7 +356,7 @@ struct ChatPrivateConversationCoordinatorContextTests {
         context.displayNamesByPubkey[senderPubkey] = "alice#1234"
         context.privateChats[convKey] = [
             makeIncomingMessage(id: "mine-1", sender: "me"),
-            makeIncomingMessage(id: "mine-2", sender: "me"),
+            makeIncomingMessage(id: "mine-2", sender: "me")
         ]
 
         coordinator.handleDelivered(
@@ -549,14 +553,14 @@ struct ChatPrivateConversationCoordinatorContextTests {
     }
 
     @Test @MainActor
-    func handleFavoriteNotificationFromMesh_persistsAndAnnouncesTransitionsOnly() async {
+    func handleFavoriteNotification_persistsAndAnnouncesTransitionsOnly() async {
         let context = MockChatPrivateConversationContext()
         let coordinator = ChatPrivateConversationCoordinator(context: context)
         let noiseKey = Data(repeating: 0xAB, count: 32)
         let peerID = PeerID(hexData: noiseKey)
 
         // First [FAVORITED] flips theyFavoritedUs: store write + announcement.
-        coordinator.handleFavoriteNotificationFromMesh("[FAVORITED]:npub1alice", from: peerID, senderNickname: "alice")
+        coordinator.handleFavoriteNotification("[FAVORITED]:npub1alice", from: peerID, senderNickname: "alice")
         #expect(context.peerFavoritedUsUpdates.count == 1)
         #expect(context.peerFavoritedUsUpdates.first?.noiseKey == noiseKey)
         #expect(context.peerFavoritedUsUpdates.first?.favorited == true)
@@ -568,16 +572,79 @@ struct ChatPrivateConversationCoordinatorContextTests {
             noiseKey: noiseKey,
             theyFavoritedUs: true
         )
-        coordinator.handleFavoriteNotificationFromMesh("[FAVORITED]:npub1alice", from: peerID, senderNickname: "alice")
+        coordinator.handleFavoriteNotification("[FAVORITED]:npub1alice", from: peerID, senderNickname: "alice")
         #expect(context.peerFavoritedUsUpdates.count == 2)
         #expect(context.meshOnlySystemMessages == ["alice favorited you"])
 
         // [UNFAVORITED] transition announces again.
-        coordinator.handleFavoriteNotificationFromMesh("[UNFAVORITED]", from: peerID, senderNickname: "alice")
+        coordinator.handleFavoriteNotification("[UNFAVORITED]", from: peerID, senderNickname: "alice")
         #expect(context.peerFavoritedUsUpdates.last?.favorited == false)
         #expect(context.meshOnlySystemMessages == ["alice favorited you", "alice unfavorited you"])
     }
 
+    /// A Nostr DM whose sender resolved to a known noise key must be labeled
+    /// with the favorite's nickname, not the geohash-scoped anon fallback.
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func nostrPrivateMessage_noiseKeyedConversationUsesFavoriteNickname() async {
+        let context = MockChatPrivateConversationContext()
+        let coordinator = ChatPrivateConversationCoordinator(context: context)
+        let noiseKey = Data(repeating: 0xDA, count: 32)
+        let convKey = PeerID(hexData: noiseKey)
+        let senderPubkey = "0badc0de00112233"
+        // No displayNamesByPubkey entry: the geo fallback would be "anon".
+        context.favoriteRelationshipsByNoiseKey[noiseKey] = makeFavoriteRelationship(
+            noiseKey: noiseKey,
+            nostrPublicKey: "npub1bob",
+            nickname: "bob",
+            isFavorite: true,
+            theyFavoritedUs: true
+        )
+
+        let payloadData = PrivateMessagePacket(messageID: "nostr-dm-1", content: "hello from afar").encode()!
+        let payload = NoisePayload(type: .privateMessage, data: payloadData)
+
+        coordinator.handlePrivateMessage(
+            payload,
+            senderPubkey: senderPubkey,
+            convKey: convKey,
+            id: MockChatPrivateConversationContext.dummyIdentity,
+            messageTimestamp: Date()
+        )
+
+        #expect(context.privateChats[convKey]?.first?.sender == "bob")
+    }
+
+    /// Over Nostr, [FAVORITED] markers arrive as embedded PMs on the convKey
+    /// path; they must update the relationship, not render as chat text.
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func nostrPrivateMessage_favoritedMarkerUpdatesRelationshipInsteadOfAppending() async {
+        let context = MockChatPrivateConversationContext()
+        let coordinator = ChatPrivateConversationCoordinator(context: context)
+        let noiseKey = Data(repeating: 0xEE, count: 32)
+        // The inbound pipeline resolves known favorites to their noise-key ID.
+        let convKey = PeerID(hexData: noiseKey)
+        let senderPubkey = "feedface99887766"
+        context.displayNamesByPubkey[senderPubkey] = "alice#1234"
+
+        let payloadData = PrivateMessagePacket(messageID: "fav-1", content: "[FAVORITED]:npub1alice").encode()!
+        let payload = NoisePayload(type: .privateMessage, data: payloadData)
+
+        coordinator.handlePrivateMessage(
+            payload,
+            senderPubkey: senderPubkey,
+            convKey: convKey,
+            id: MockChatPrivateConversationContext.dummyIdentity,
+            messageTimestamp: Date()
+        )
+
+        #expect(context.peerFavoritedUsUpdates.count == 1)
+        #expect(context.peerFavoritedUsUpdates.first?.noiseKey == noiseKey)
+        #expect(context.peerFavoritedUsUpdates.first?.favorited == true)
+        #expect(context.peerFavoritedUsUpdates.first?.nostrPublicKey == "npub1alice")
+        #expect(context.privateChats[convKey, default: []].isEmpty)
+        #expect(context.meshOnlySystemMessages == ["alice#1234 favorited you"])
+    }
+
     @Test @MainActor
     func sendPrivateMessage_routesViaMutualFavoriteNostrWhenPeerOffline() async {
         let context = MockChatPrivateConversationContext()
@@ -602,6 +669,32 @@ struct ChatPrivateConversationCoordinatorContextTests {
         #expect(context.systemMessages.isEmpty)
     }
 
+    /// Same as above, but the conversation is keyed by the SHORT mesh ID —
+    /// the DM window was opened while the peer was on mesh, then they went
+    /// out of range. The favorite must resolve via the derived short ID and
+    /// route over Nostr instead of failing "peer not reachable".
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func sendPrivateMessage_routesViaNostrWhenMeshKeyedPeerGoesOffline() async {
+        let context = MockChatPrivateConversationContext()
+        let coordinator = ChatPrivateConversationCoordinator(context: context)
+        let noiseKey = Data(repeating: 0xCE, count: 32)
+        let shortID = PeerID(publicKey: noiseKey)
+        context.favoriteRelationshipsByNoiseKey[noiseKey] = makeFavoriteRelationship(
+            noiseKey: noiseKey,
+            nostrPublicKey: "npub1bob",
+            nickname: "bob",
+            isFavorite: true,
+            theyFavoritedUs: true
+        )
+
+        coordinator.sendPrivateMessage("hello again", to: shortID)
+
+        #expect(context.routedPrivateMessages.map(\.content) == ["hello again"])
+        #expect(context.privateChats[shortID]?.first?.deliveryStatus == .sent)
+        #expect(context.privateChats[shortID]?.first?.recipientNickname == "bob")
+        #expect(context.systemMessages.isEmpty)
+    }
+
     @Test @MainActor
     func sendPrivateMessage_failsWhenOfflineWithoutMutualFavorite() async {
         let context = MockChatPrivateConversationContext()

bitchatTests/ChatTransportEventCoordinatorContextTests.swift

@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ struct ChatTransportEventCoordinatorContextTests {
         context.privateChats[peerID] = [
             makeMessage(id: "theirs-1", isPrivate: true, senderPeerID: peerID),
             makeMessage(id: "mine-1", sender: "me", isPrivate: true, senderPeerID: context.myPeerID),
-            makeMessage(id: "theirs-2", isPrivate: true, senderPeerID: peerID),
+            makeMessage(id: "theirs-2", isPrivate: true, senderPeerID: peerID)
         ]
         coordinator.didDisconnectFromPeer(peerID)
         await drainMainActorTasks()
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ struct ChatTransportEventCoordinatorContextTests {
         context.unreadPrivateMessages = [peerID]
         context.privateChats[peerID] = [
             makeMessage(id: "m1", isPrivate: true, senderPeerID: peerID),
-            makeMessage(id: "mine", sender: "me", isPrivate: true, senderPeerID: context.myPeerID),
+            makeMessage(id: "mine", sender: "me", isPrivate: true, senderPeerID: context.myPeerID)
         ]
 
         coordinator.didDisconnectFromPeer(peerID)

bitchatTests/ChatViewModelDeliveryStatusTests.swift

@@ -428,12 +428,13 @@ struct ChatViewModelDeliveryStatusTests {
     @Test @MainActor
     func statusRank_orderingIsCorrect() async {
         // This tests the implicit ordering used in refreshVisibleMessages
-        // failed < sending < sent < partiallyDelivered < delivered < read
+        // failed < sending < sent < carried < partiallyDelivered < delivered < read
 
         let statuses: [DeliveryStatus] = [
             .failed(reason: "test"),
             .sending,
             .sent,
+            .carried,
             .partiallyDelivered(reached: 1, total: 3),
             .delivered(to: "B", at: Date()),
             .read(by: "C", at: Date())
@@ -446,9 +447,10 @@ struct ChatViewModelDeliveryStatusTests {
             case .failed: #expect(index == 0)
             case .sending: #expect(index == 1)
             case .sent: #expect(index == 2)
-            case .partiallyDelivered: #expect(index == 3)
+            case .carried: #expect(index == 3)
-            case .delivered: #expect(index == 4)
+            case .partiallyDelivered: #expect(index == 4)
-            case .read: #expect(index == 5)
+            case .delivered: #expect(index == 5)
+            case .read: #expect(index == 6)
             }
         }
     }

bitchatTests/ChatViewModelExtensionsTests.swift

@@ -297,8 +297,23 @@ struct ChatViewModelNostrExtensionTests {
         
         let didAppend = await TestHelpers.waitUntil({
             viewModel.publicMessagePipeline.flushIfNeeded()
-            return viewModel.messages.contains { $0.content == "Hello Geo" }
+            if viewModel.messages.contains(where: { $0.content == "Hello Geo" }) { return true }
-        })
+            // LocationChannelManager is a process-wide singleton: a suite
+            // running in parallel (e.g. CommandProcessorTests) can flip the
+            // selected channel mid-test, which reroutes or drops the event
+            // permanently — no amount of waiting recovers it. Re-assert the
+            // channel and redeliver on each poll: every channel switch clears
+            // the processed-event set and the store dedups by message ID, so
+            // redelivery is idempotent and interference heals on the next
+            // poll while a genuine failure still times out.
+            if LocationChannelManager.shared.selectedChannel != channel {
+                LocationChannelManager.shared.select(channel)
+            }
+            if viewModel.activeChannel == channel {
+                viewModel.handleNostrEvent(signed)
+            }
+            return false
+        }, timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout)
         #expect(didAppend)
     }
 
@@ -640,8 +655,10 @@ struct ChatViewModelNostrExtensionTests {
         #expect(viewModel.findNoiseKey(for: nostrHex) == noiseKey)
     }
 
+    /// An inbound Nostr [FAVORITED] marker must flip theyFavoritedUs and stay
+    /// out of the conversation transcript.
     @Test @MainActor
-    func handleFavoriteNotification_updatesFavoriteAssociation() async throws {
+    func handlePrivateMessage_nostrFavoritedMarkerUpdatesRelationship() async throws {
         let (viewModel, _) = makeTestableViewModel()
         let identity = try NostrIdentity.generate()
         let noiseKey = Data((0..<32).map { UInt8(($0 + 144) & 0xFF) })
@@ -649,19 +666,33 @@ struct ChatViewModelNostrExtensionTests {
         FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.addFavorite(
             peerNoisePublicKey: noiseKey,
             peerNostrPublicKey: identity.npub,
-            peerNickname: "Before"
+            peerNickname: "Alice"
         )
-        defer { FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.removeFavorite(peerNoisePublicKey: noiseKey) }
+        defer {
+            FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.updatePeerFavoritedUs(peerNoisePublicKey: noiseKey, favorited: false)
+            FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.removeFavorite(peerNoisePublicKey: noiseKey)
+        }
 
-        viewModel.handleFavoriteNotification(
+        // The inbound pipeline resolves a known sender to their noise-key ID.
-            content: "FAVORITE:TRUE|NPUB:\(identity.npub)|Alice",
+        let convKey = PeerID(hexData: noiseKey)
-            from: identity.publicKeyHex
+        let payloadData = try #require(
+            PrivateMessagePacket(messageID: "fav-e2e-1", content: "[FAVORITED]:\(identity.npub)").encode()
+        )
+        let payload = NoisePayload(type: .privateMessage, data: payloadData)
+
+        viewModel.handlePrivateMessage(
+            payload,
+            senderPubkey: identity.publicKeyHex,
+            convKey: convKey,
+            id: identity,
+            messageTimestamp: Date()
         )
 
         let relationship = FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(for: noiseKey)
-        #expect(relationship?.peerNickname == "Alice")
+        #expect(relationship?.theyFavoritedUs == true)
+        #expect(relationship?.isMutual == true)
         #expect(relationship?.peerNostrPublicKey == identity.npub)
-        #expect(relationship?.isFavorite == true)
+        #expect(viewModel.privateChats[convKey, default: []].isEmpty)
     }
 
     @Test @MainActor
@@ -1000,7 +1031,11 @@ struct ChatViewModelMediaTransferTests {
         viewModel.selectedPrivateChatPeer = peerID
         viewModel.sendVoiceNote(at: url)
 
-        let didSend = await TestHelpers.waitUntil({ transport.sentPrivateFiles.count == 1 }, timeout: 5.0)
+        // Media sends hop through Task.detached; the global executor is
+        // shared with every parallel test worker, so a loaded runner can
+        // exceed the 5s default. waitUntil returns as soon as the condition
+        // holds, so passing runs never pay the longer timeout.
+        let didSend = await TestHelpers.waitUntil({ transport.sentPrivateFiles.count == 1 }, timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout)
         #expect(didSend)
         #expect(transport.sentPrivateFiles.first?.peerID == peerID)
         #expect(viewModel.privateChats[peerID]?.last?.content.contains("[voice]") == true)
@@ -1020,7 +1055,7 @@ struct ChatViewModelMediaTransferTests {
 
         let didFail = await TestHelpers.waitUntil({
             isFailed(status: viewModel.privateChats[peerID]?.last?.deliveryStatus)
-        }, timeout: 5.0)
+        }, timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout)
         #expect(didFail)
         #expect(!FileManager.default.fileExists(atPath: url.path))
         #expect(transport.sentPrivateFiles.isEmpty)
@@ -1036,7 +1071,7 @@ struct ChatViewModelMediaTransferTests {
         viewModel.selectedPrivateChatPeer = peerID
         viewModel.sendImage(from: sourceURL)
 
-        let didSend = await TestHelpers.waitUntil({ transport.sentPrivateFiles.count == 1 }, timeout: 5.0)
+        let didSend = await TestHelpers.waitUntil({ transport.sentPrivateFiles.count == 1 }, timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout)
         #expect(didSend)
         #expect(transport.sentPrivateFiles.first?.peerID == peerID)
         #expect(transport.sentPrivateFiles.first?.packet.mimeType == "image/jpeg")
@@ -1057,7 +1092,7 @@ struct ChatViewModelMediaTransferTests {
 
         let didNotify = await TestHelpers.waitUntil({
             viewModel.messages.contains(where: { $0.sender == "system" && $0.content.contains("Failed to prepare image") })
-        }, timeout: 5.0)
+        }, timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout)
         #expect(didNotify)
         #expect(transport.sentPrivateFiles.isEmpty)
         #expect(viewModel.privateChats[peerID]?.isEmpty != false)

bitchatTests/ChatViewModelTests.swift

@@ -263,6 +263,59 @@ struct ChatViewModelCommandTests {
             #expect(transport.sentPrivateMessages.isEmpty)
         }
     }
+
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func handleCommand_outputRoutesToOpenPrivateChat() async {
+        let (viewModel, transport) = makeTestableViewModel()
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: "0000000000000002")
+        transport.simulateConnect(peerID, nickname: "Alice")
+        viewModel.selectedPrivateChatPeer = peerID
+
+        viewModel.handleCommand("/help")
+
+        #expect(viewModel.privateChats[peerID]?.last?.content == CommandProcessor.helpText)
+        #expect(!viewModel.messages.contains { $0.content == CommandProcessor.helpText })
+    }
+
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func handleCommand_errorRoutesToOpenPrivateChat() async {
+        let (viewModel, transport) = makeTestableViewModel()
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: "0000000000000002")
+        transport.simulateConnect(peerID, nickname: "Alice")
+        viewModel.selectedPrivateChatPeer = peerID
+
+        viewModel.handleCommand("/bogus")
+
+        let dmContents = viewModel.privateChats[peerID]?.map(\.content) ?? []
+        #expect(dmContents.contains { $0.hasPrefix("unknown command: /bogus") })
+        #expect(!viewModel.messages.contains { $0.content.hasPrefix("unknown command: /bogus") })
+    }
+
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func handleCommand_outputRoutesToPublicTimelineWithoutOpenDM() async {
+        let (viewModel, _) = makeTestableViewModel()
+
+        viewModel.handleCommand("/bogus")
+
+        #expect(viewModel.messages.last?.content.hasPrefix("unknown command: /bogus") == true)
+    }
+
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func handleCommand_msgSuccessLandsInNewlyOpenedChat() async {
+        let (viewModel, transport) = makeTestableViewModel()
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: "0000000000000002")
+        transport.simulateConnect(peerID, nickname: "Alice")
+        let resolved = await TestHelpers.waitUntil({
+            viewModel.getPeerIDForNickname("Alice") == peerID
+        }, timeout: TestConstants.defaultTimeout)
+        #expect(resolved)
+
+        viewModel.handleCommand("/msg Alice")
+
+        #expect(viewModel.selectedPrivateChatPeer == peerID)
+        #expect(viewModel.privateChats[peerID]?.last?.content == "started private chat with Alice")
+        #expect(!viewModel.messages.contains { $0.content == "started private chat with Alice" })
+    }
 }
 
 // MARK: - Composer Tests

bitchatTests/CommandProcessorTests.swift

@@ -303,6 +303,50 @@ struct CommandProcessorTests {
         #expect(!identityManager.isNostrBlocked(pubkeyHexLowercased: String(repeating: "d", count: 64)))
     }
 
+    /// /fav must go through toggleFavorite (which persists by the real noise
+    /// key) — not write the hex peer ID into the favorites store, and not
+    /// send a second favorite notification.
+    @MainActor
+    @Test func favoriteCommandTogglesWithoutDirectStoreWrite() async {
+        let identityManager = MockIdentityManager(MockKeychain())
+        let context = MockCommandContextProvider()
+        let processor = CommandProcessor(
+            contextProvider: context,
+            meshService: MockTransport(),
+            identityManager: identityManager
+        )
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: "00aa00bb00cc00dd")
+        context.nicknameToPeerID["alice"] = peerID
+
+        let result = await withSelectedChannel(.mesh, context: context) {
+            processor.process("/fav alice")
+        }
+
+        switch result {
+        case .success(let message):
+            #expect(message == "added alice to favorites")
+        default:
+            Issue.record("Expected success result")
+        }
+        #expect(context.toggledFavorites == [peerID])
+        #expect(context.favoriteNotifications.isEmpty)
+        // The 8-byte routing ID must never be stored as a "noise key".
+        let bogusKey = Data(hexString: peerID.id)!
+        #expect(FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(for: bogusKey) == nil)
+
+        // Unfavoriting someone who is not a favorite is a no-op.
+        let unfavResult = await withSelectedChannel(.mesh, context: context) {
+            processor.process("/unfav alice")
+        }
+        switch unfavResult {
+        case .success(let message):
+            #expect(message == "alice is not a favorite")
+        default:
+            Issue.record("Expected success result")
+        }
+        #expect(context.toggledFavorites == [peerID])
+    }
+
     @MainActor
     @Test func favoriteCommandIsRejectedOutsideMesh() async {
         let identityManager = MockIdentityManager(MockKeychain())

bitchatTests/CourierStoreTests.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,176 @@
+//
+// CourierStoreTests.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import Testing
+import Foundation
+import BitFoundation
+@testable import bitchat
+
+struct CourierStoreTests {
+
+    private static let baseDate = Date(timeIntervalSince1970: 1_750_000_000)
+
+    private func makeStore(now: Date = baseDate) -> CourierStore {
+        CourierStore(persistsToDisk: false, now: { now })
+    }
+
+    /// Store whose clock can be advanced by tests.
+    private final class Clock {
+        var now: Date
+        init(_ now: Date) { self.now = now }
+    }
+
+    private func makeEnvelope(
+        recipientKey: Data = Data(repeating: 0xB0, count: 32),
+        sealedAt: Date = baseDate,
+        lifetime: TimeInterval = 60 * 60,
+        ciphertext: Data = Data((0..<96).map { _ in UInt8.random(in: 0...255) })
+    ) -> CourierEnvelope {
+        CourierEnvelope(
+            recipientTag: CourierEnvelope.recipientTag(
+                noiseStaticKey: recipientKey,
+                epochDay: CourierEnvelope.epochDay(for: sealedAt)
+            ),
+            expiry: UInt64((sealedAt.timeIntervalSince1970 + lifetime) * 1000),
+            ciphertext: ciphertext
+        )
+    }
+
+    private let depositorA = Data(repeating: 0xA1, count: 32)
+    private let depositorB = Data(repeating: 0xA2, count: 32)
+
+    // MARK: - Deposit and handover
+
+    @Test func depositThenTakeForRecipient() {
+        let store = makeStore()
+        let recipientKey = Data(repeating: 0xB0, count: 32)
+        let envelope = makeEnvelope(recipientKey: recipientKey)
+
+        #expect(store.deposit(envelope, from: depositorA))
+        let taken = store.takeEnvelopes(for: recipientKey)
+        #expect(taken == [envelope])
+        // Handover removes the envelope.
+        #expect(store.takeEnvelopes(for: recipientKey).isEmpty)
+    }
+
+    @Test func takeIgnoresOtherRecipients() {
+        let store = makeStore()
+        let envelope = makeEnvelope(recipientKey: Data(repeating: 0xB0, count: 32))
+        store.deposit(envelope, from: depositorA)
+        #expect(store.takeEnvelopes(for: Data(repeating: 0xCC, count: 32)).isEmpty)
+        #expect(store.takeEnvelopes(for: Data(repeating: 0xB0, count: 32)).count == 1)
+    }
+
+    @Test func duplicateDepositIsIdempotent() {
+        let store = makeStore()
+        let recipientKey = Data(repeating: 0xB0, count: 32)
+        let envelope = makeEnvelope(recipientKey: recipientKey)
+        #expect(store.deposit(envelope, from: depositorA))
+        #expect(store.deposit(envelope, from: depositorA))
+        #expect(store.takeEnvelopes(for: recipientKey).count == 1)
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Validity
+
+    @Test func rejectsExpiredAndOversizedAndMalformed() {
+        let store = makeStore()
+        let expired = makeEnvelope(sealedAt: Self.baseDate.addingTimeInterval(-7200), lifetime: 3600)
+        #expect(!store.deposit(expired, from: depositorA))
+
+        let oversized = makeEnvelope(ciphertext: Data(repeating: 0, count: CourierEnvelope.maxCiphertextBytes + 1))
+        #expect(!store.deposit(oversized, from: depositorA))
+
+        let badTag = CourierEnvelope(
+            recipientTag: Data(repeating: 0, count: 4),
+            expiry: UInt64((Self.baseDate.timeIntervalSince1970 + 3600) * 1000),
+            ciphertext: Data(repeating: 1, count: 16)
+        )
+        #expect(!store.deposit(badTag, from: depositorA))
+    }
+
+    @Test func rejectsExpiryBeyondPolicyLifetime() {
+        let store = makeStore()
+        let pinned = makeEnvelope(lifetime: 7 * 24 * 60 * 60)
+        #expect(!store.deposit(pinned, from: depositorA))
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Quotas
+
+    @Test func perDepositorQuota() {
+        let store = makeStore()
+        for _ in 0..<CourierStore.Limits.maxPerDepositor {
+            #expect(store.deposit(makeEnvelope(), from: depositorA))
+        }
+        #expect(!store.deposit(makeEnvelope(), from: depositorA))
+        // A different depositor still has room.
+        #expect(store.deposit(makeEnvelope(), from: depositorB))
+    }
+
+    @Test func totalQuotaEvictsOldestFirst() {
+        let store = makeStore()
+        let firstRecipient = Data(repeating: 0xD0, count: 32)
+        let first = makeEnvelope(recipientKey: firstRecipient)
+        store.deposit(first, from: depositorA)
+
+        // Fill to the cap using distinct depositors to dodge the per-depositor quota.
+        var deposited = 1
+        var depositorByte: UInt8 = 1
+        while deposited < CourierStore.Limits.maxEnvelopes + 1 {
+            let depositor = Data(repeating: depositorByte, count: 32)
+            for _ in 0..<CourierStore.Limits.maxPerDepositor where deposited < CourierStore.Limits.maxEnvelopes + 1 {
+                #expect(store.deposit(makeEnvelope(), from: depositor))
+                deposited += 1
+            }
+            depositorByte += 1
+        }
+
+        // The first envelope was evicted to make room.
+        #expect(store.takeEnvelopes(for: firstRecipient).isEmpty)
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Expiry over time
+
+    @Test func expiredEnvelopesAreNotHandedOver() {
+        let clock = Clock(Self.baseDate)
+        let store = CourierStore(persistsToDisk: false, now: { clock.now })
+        let recipientKey = Data(repeating: 0xB0, count: 32)
+        store.deposit(makeEnvelope(recipientKey: recipientKey, lifetime: 3600), from: depositorA)
+
+        clock.now = Self.baseDate.addingTimeInterval(7200)
+        #expect(store.takeEnvelopes(for: recipientKey).isEmpty)
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Panic wipe
+
+    @Test func wipeDropsEverything() {
+        let store = makeStore()
+        let recipientKey = Data(repeating: 0xB0, count: 32)
+        store.deposit(makeEnvelope(recipientKey: recipientKey), from: depositorA)
+        store.wipe()
+        #expect(store.takeEnvelopes(for: recipientKey).isEmpty)
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Persistence
+
+    @Test func persistsAndReloadsAcrossInstances() throws {
+        // Isolated on-disk location so the test never touches the real store.
+        let fileURL = FileManager.default.temporaryDirectory
+            .appendingPathComponent("courier-store-tests-\(UUID().uuidString)", isDirectory: true)
+            .appendingPathComponent("envelopes.json")
+        defer { try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: fileURL.deletingLastPathComponent()) }
+
+        let first = CourierStore(persistsToDisk: true, fileURL: fileURL, now: { Self.baseDate })
+
+        let recipientKey = Data(repeating: 0xE0, count: 32)
+        let envelope = makeEnvelope(recipientKey: recipientKey)
+        #expect(first.deposit(envelope, from: depositorA))
+
+        let second = CourierStore(persistsToDisk: true, fileURL: fileURL, now: { Self.baseDate })
+        #expect(second.takeEnvelopes(for: recipientKey) == [envelope])
+    }
+}

bitchatTests/EndToEnd/CourierEndToEndTests.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,730 @@
+//
+// CourierEndToEndTests.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import Testing
+import Foundation
+import Combine
+import CoreBluetooth
+import BitFoundation
+@testable import bitchat
+
+/// Three-node courier flow exercised through real BLEService instances with
+/// packets ferried in-process: Alice deposits a sealed envelope with Carol
+/// while Bob is unreachable; Carol hands it over when Bob announces; Bob
+/// opens it and sees Alice's message in the right DM thread.
+struct CourierEndToEndTests {
+
+    // MARK: - Helpers
+
+    private final class PacketTap {
+        private let lock = NSLock()
+        private var packets: [BitchatPacket] = []
+
+        func record(_ packet: BitchatPacket) {
+            lock.lock(); packets.append(packet); lock.unlock()
+        }
+
+        func first(ofType type: MessageType) -> BitchatPacket? {
+            lock.lock(); defer { lock.unlock() }
+            return packets.first { $0.type == type.rawValue }
+        }
+
+        func count(ofType type: MessageType) -> Int {
+            lock.lock(); defer { lock.unlock() }
+            return packets.filter { $0.type == type.rawValue }.count
+        }
+
+        func all(ofType type: MessageType) -> [BitchatPacket] {
+            lock.lock(); defer { lock.unlock() }
+            return packets.filter { $0.type == type.rawValue }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private final class NoiseCaptureDelegate: BitchatDelegate {
+        private let lock = NSLock()
+        private var payloads: [(peerID: PeerID, type: NoisePayloadType, payload: Data)] = []
+
+        func didReceiveNoisePayload(from peerID: PeerID, type: NoisePayloadType, payload: Data, timestamp: Date) {
+            lock.lock(); payloads.append((peerID, type, payload)); lock.unlock()
+        }
+
+        func snapshot() -> [(peerID: PeerID, type: NoisePayloadType, payload: Data)] {
+            lock.lock(); defer { lock.unlock() }
+            return payloads
+        }
+
+        // Unused BitchatDelegate requirements.
+        func didReceiveMessage(_ message: BitchatMessage) {}
+        func didConnectToPeer(_ peerID: PeerID) {}
+        func didDisconnectFromPeer(_ peerID: PeerID) {}
+        func didUpdatePeerList(_ peers: [PeerID]) {}
+        func didUpdateBluetoothState(_ state: CBManagerState) {}
+        func didReceivePublicMessage(from peerID: PeerID, nickname: String, content: String, timestamp: Date, messageID: String?) {}
+    }
+
+    private func makeService(identityManager: MockIdentityManager? = nil) -> BLEService {
+        let keychain = MockKeychain()
+        let identityManager = identityManager ?? MockIdentityManager(keychain)
+        let idBridge = NostrIdentityBridge(keychain: MockKeychainHelper())
+        let service = BLEService(
+            keychain: keychain,
+            idBridge: idBridge,
+            identityManager: identityManager,
+            initializeBluetoothManagers: false
+        )
+        service.courierStore = CourierStore(persistsToDisk: false)
+        return service
+    }
+
+    /// Handling any packet from a peer preseeds it as a connected,
+    /// verified entry in the receiving service's registry.
+    private func preseedConnectedPeer(_ peer: BLEService, in service: BLEService) {
+        let packet = BitchatPacket(
+            type: MessageType.message.rawValue,
+            senderID: Data(hexString: peer.myPeerID.id) ?? Data(),
+            recipientID: nil,
+            timestamp: UInt64(Date().timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000),
+            payload: Data("ping".utf8),
+            signature: nil,
+            ttl: 1
+        )
+        service._test_handlePacket(packet, fromPeerID: peer.myPeerID)
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Tests
+
+    @Test func courierCarriesMessageAcrossDisjointConnectivity() async throws {
+        let alice = makeService()
+        let carol = makeService()
+        let bob = makeService()
+        // Alice and Carol are mutual favorites; trust policy is exercised
+        // separately in depositFromUntrustedPeerIsRejected.
+        carol.courierDepositPolicy = { _ in true }
+
+        let bobDelegate = NoiseCaptureDelegate()
+        bob.delegate = bobDelegate
+
+        let aliceOut = PacketTap()
+        alice._test_onOutboundPacket = aliceOut.record
+        let carolOut = PacketTap()
+        carol._test_onOutboundPacket = carolOut.record
+        let bobOut = PacketTap()
+        bob._test_onOutboundPacket = bobOut.record
+
+        // Alice can see Carol; Bob is nowhere on the mesh.
+        preseedConnectedPeer(carol, in: alice)
+
+        // 1. Alice seals to Bob's static key and deposits with Carol.
+        #expect(alice.sendCourierMessage(
+            "the camp moved north",
+            messageID: "courier-msg-1",
+            recipientNoiseKey: bob.noiseStaticPublicKeyData(),
+            via: [carol.myPeerID]
+        ))
+        let deposited = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { aliceOut.first(ofType: .courierEnvelope) != nil },
+            timeout: TestConstants.defaultTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(deposited)
+        let depositPacket = try #require(aliceOut.first(ofType: .courierEnvelope))
+
+        // 2. Ferry the deposit to Carol; she carries it (opaque to her).
+        carol._test_handlePacket(depositPacket, fromPeerID: alice.myPeerID)
+        let carried = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { !carol.courierStore.isEmpty },
+            timeout: TestConstants.defaultTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(carried)
+
+        // 3. Later, Bob announces near Carol → handover fires.
+        bob.sendBroadcastAnnounce()
+        let announced = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { bobOut.first(ofType: .announce) != nil },
+            timeout: TestConstants.defaultTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(announced)
+        let announcePacket = try #require(bobOut.first(ofType: .announce))
+        carol._test_handlePacket(announcePacket, fromPeerID: bob.myPeerID, preseedPeer: false)
+
+        let handedOver = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { carolOut.first(ofType: .courierEnvelope) != nil },
+            timeout: TestConstants.defaultTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(handedOver)
+        #expect(carol.courierStore.isEmpty)
+        let handoverPacket = try #require(carolOut.first(ofType: .courierEnvelope))
+        #expect(PeerID(hexData: handoverPacket.recipientID) == bob.myPeerID)
+
+        // 4. Ferry the handover to Bob; he opens the envelope.
+        bob._test_handlePacket(handoverPacket, fromPeerID: carol.myPeerID)
+        let received = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { !bobDelegate.snapshot().isEmpty },
+            timeout: TestConstants.defaultTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(received)
+
+        let delivered = try #require(bobDelegate.snapshot().first)
+        #expect(delivered.type == .privateMessage)
+        // Alice is absent from Bob's mesh, so the sender resolves to her
+        // full noise-key ID — the stable favorite conversation — not the
+        // short mesh ID (which Bob couldn't resolve to a nickname) and not
+        // the courier's identity.
+        #expect(delivered.peerID == PeerID(hexData: alice.noiseStaticPublicKeyData()))
+        #expect(delivered.peerID != carol.myPeerID)
+        let message = try #require(PrivateMessagePacket.decode(from: delivered.payload))
+        #expect(message.messageID == "courier-msg-1")
+        #expect(message.content == "the camp moved north")
+    }
+
+    @Test func courieredMailFromBlockedSenderIsDropped() async throws {
+        let alice = makeService()
+        let carol = makeService()
+        let bobIdentity = MockIdentityManager(MockKeychain())
+        let bob = makeService(identityManager: bobIdentity)
+        carol.courierDepositPolicy = { _ in true }
+
+        let bobDelegate = NoiseCaptureDelegate()
+        bob.delegate = bobDelegate
+        let aliceOut = PacketTap()
+        alice._test_onOutboundPacket = aliceOut.record
+        let carolOut = PacketTap()
+        carol._test_onOutboundPacket = carolOut.record
+        let bobOut = PacketTap()
+        bob._test_onOutboundPacket = bobOut.record
+
+        preseedConnectedPeer(carol, in: alice)
+
+        // Bob blocked Alice by her stable Noise identity while she was away.
+        bobIdentity.setBlocked(alice.noiseStaticPublicKeyData().sha256Fingerprint(), isBlocked: true)
+
+        #expect(alice.sendCourierMessage(
+            "you should not see this",
+            messageID: "courier-msg-blocked-sender",
+            recipientNoiseKey: bob.noiseStaticPublicKeyData(),
+            via: [carol.myPeerID]
+        ))
+        let deposited = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { aliceOut.first(ofType: .courierEnvelope) != nil },
+            timeout: TestConstants.defaultTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(deposited)
+        let depositPacket = try #require(aliceOut.first(ofType: .courierEnvelope))
+
+        carol._test_handlePacket(depositPacket, fromPeerID: alice.myPeerID)
+        let carried = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { !carol.courierStore.isEmpty },
+            timeout: TestConstants.defaultTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(carried)
+
+        bob.sendBroadcastAnnounce()
+        let announced = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { bobOut.first(ofType: .announce) != nil },
+            timeout: TestConstants.defaultTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(announced)
+        let announcePacket = try #require(bobOut.first(ofType: .announce))
+        carol._test_handlePacket(announcePacket, fromPeerID: bob.myPeerID, preseedPeer: false)
+
+        let handedOver = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { carolOut.first(ofType: .courierEnvelope) != nil },
+            timeout: TestConstants.defaultTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(handedOver)
+        let handoverPacket = try #require(carolOut.first(ofType: .courierEnvelope))
+
+        // Bob opens the envelope — but the sealed sender is blocked, and it
+        // must never reach the UI. The live block check can't cover this: the
+        // sender is absent from Bob's registry, so no fingerprint resolves at
+        // delivery time.
+        bob._test_handlePacket(handoverPacket, fromPeerID: carol.myPeerID)
+        let delivered = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { !bobDelegate.snapshot().isEmpty },
+            timeout: TestConstants.shortTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(!delivered)
+    }
+
+    @Test func unverifiedAnnounceDoesNotTriggerCourierHandover() async throws {
+        let alice = makeService()
+        let carol = makeService()
+        let bob = makeService()
+        carol.courierDepositPolicy = { _ in true }
+
+        let aliceOut = PacketTap()
+        alice._test_onOutboundPacket = aliceOut.record
+        let carolOut = PacketTap()
+        carol._test_onOutboundPacket = carolOut.record
+        let bobOut = PacketTap()
+        bob._test_onOutboundPacket = bobOut.record
+
+        preseedConnectedPeer(carol, in: alice)
+
+        #expect(alice.sendCourierMessage(
+            "hold until verified",
+            messageID: "courier-msg-unverified-announce",
+            recipientNoiseKey: bob.noiseStaticPublicKeyData(),
+            via: [carol.myPeerID]
+        ))
+        let deposited = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { aliceOut.first(ofType: .courierEnvelope) != nil },
+            timeout: TestConstants.defaultTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(deposited)
+        let depositPacket = try #require(aliceOut.first(ofType: .courierEnvelope))
+
+        carol._test_handlePacket(depositPacket, fromPeerID: alice.myPeerID)
+        let carried = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { !carol.courierStore.isEmpty },
+            timeout: TestConstants.defaultTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(carried)
+
+        let forgedAnnounce = try makeUnsignedAnnounce(from: bob)
+        carol._test_handlePacket(forgedAnnounce, fromPeerID: bob.myPeerID, preseedPeer: false)
+
+        let leakedOnUnverifiedAnnounce = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { carolOut.count(ofType: .courierEnvelope) > 0 },
+            timeout: TestConstants.shortTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(!leakedOnUnverifiedAnnounce)
+        #expect(!carol.courierStore.isEmpty)
+
+        bob.sendBroadcastAnnounce()
+        let announced = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { bobOut.first(ofType: .announce) != nil },
+            timeout: TestConstants.defaultTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(announced)
+        let verifiedAnnounce = try #require(bobOut.first(ofType: .announce))
+        carol._test_handlePacket(verifiedAnnounce, fromPeerID: bob.myPeerID, preseedPeer: false)
+
+        let handedOver = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { carolOut.count(ofType: .courierEnvelope) == 1 },
+            timeout: TestConstants.defaultTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(handedOver)
+        #expect(carol.courierStore.isEmpty)
+    }
+
+    @Test func relayedAnnounceDoesNotTriggerCourierHandover() async throws {
+        let alice = makeService()
+        let carol = makeService()
+        let bob = makeService()
+        carol.courierDepositPolicy = { _ in true }
+
+        let aliceOut = PacketTap()
+        alice._test_onOutboundPacket = aliceOut.record
+        let carolOut = PacketTap()
+        carol._test_onOutboundPacket = carolOut.record
+        let bobOut = PacketTap()
+        bob._test_onOutboundPacket = bobOut.record
+
+        preseedConnectedPeer(carol, in: alice)
+
+        #expect(alice.sendCourierMessage(
+            "hold for a direct encounter",
+            messageID: "courier-msg-relayed-announce",
+            recipientNoiseKey: bob.noiseStaticPublicKeyData(),
+            via: [carol.myPeerID]
+        ))
+        let deposited = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { aliceOut.first(ofType: .courierEnvelope) != nil },
+            timeout: TestConstants.defaultTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(deposited)
+        let depositPacket = try #require(aliceOut.first(ofType: .courierEnvelope))
+
+        carol._test_handlePacket(depositPacket, fromPeerID: alice.myPeerID)
+        let carried = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { !carol.courierStore.isEmpty },
+            timeout: TestConstants.defaultTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(carried)
+
+        bob.sendBroadcastAnnounce()
+        let announced = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { bobOut.first(ofType: .announce) != nil },
+            timeout: TestConstants.defaultTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(announced)
+        let directAnnounce = try #require(bobOut.first(ofType: .announce))
+
+        // A relayed copy has a decremented TTL but a still-valid signature
+        // (TTL is excluded from announce signatures). Envelopes are removed
+        // from the store optimistically, so handover must wait for a direct
+        // encounter instead of chasing a multi-hop path.
+        var relayedAnnounce = directAnnounce
+        relayedAnnounce.ttl = directAnnounce.ttl - 1
+        carol._test_handlePacket(relayedAnnounce, fromPeerID: bob.myPeerID, preseedPeer: false)
+
+        let leakedOnRelayedAnnounce = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { carolOut.count(ofType: .courierEnvelope) > 0 },
+            timeout: TestConstants.shortTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(!leakedOnRelayedAnnounce)
+        #expect(!carol.courierStore.isEmpty)
+
+        // The relayed copy consumed the original announce's dedup key
+        // (sender/timestamp/payload — TTL excluded), so the direct handover
+        // needs a fresh announce. Wait out the 1s announce throttle first.
+        try await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: 1_100_000_000)
+        bob.sendBroadcastAnnounce()
+        let reannounced = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { bobOut.all(ofType: .announce).contains { $0.timestamp != directAnnounce.timestamp } },
+            timeout: TestConstants.defaultTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(reannounced)
+        let freshAnnounce = try #require(
+            bobOut.all(ofType: .announce).first { $0.timestamp != directAnnounce.timestamp }
+        )
+        carol._test_handlePacket(freshAnnounce, fromPeerID: bob.myPeerID, preseedPeer: false)
+
+        let handedOver = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { carolOut.count(ofType: .courierEnvelope) == 1 },
+            timeout: TestConstants.defaultTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(handedOver)
+        #expect(carol.courierStore.isEmpty)
+    }
+
+    @Test func sendCourierMessageRejectsInvalidRecipientKeyBeforeQueueing() async throws {
+        let alice = makeService()
+        let carol = makeService()
+        preseedConnectedPeer(carol, in: alice)
+
+        let aliceOut = PacketTap()
+        alice._test_onOutboundPacket = aliceOut.record
+
+        #expect(!alice.sendCourierMessage(
+            "this cannot be sealed",
+            messageID: "courier-msg-invalid-key",
+            recipientNoiseKey: Data(repeating: 0x01, count: 8),
+            via: [carol.myPeerID]
+        ))
+
+        let queuedPacket = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { aliceOut.first(ofType: .courierEnvelope) != nil },
+            timeout: TestConstants.shortTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(!queuedPacket)
+    }
+
+    @Test func depositFromUntrustedPeerIsRejected() async throws {
+        let carol = makeService()
+        carol.courierDepositPolicy = { _ in false } // depositor is not a mutual favorite
+
+        let alice = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+        let bobKey = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain()).getStaticPublicKeyData()
+        let typedPayload = try #require(BLENoisePayloadFactory.privateMessage(content: "x", messageID: "m1"))
+        let sealed = try alice.sealCourierPayload(typedPayload, recipientStaticKey: bobKey)
+        let now = Date()
+        let envelope = CourierEnvelope(
+            recipientTag: CourierEnvelope.recipientTag(
+                noiseStaticKey: bobKey,
+                epochDay: CourierEnvelope.epochDay(for: now)
+            ),
+            expiry: UInt64((now.timeIntervalSince1970 + 3600) * 1000),
+            ciphertext: sealed
+        )
+        let alicePeerID = PeerID(publicKey: alice.getStaticPublicKeyData())
+        let packet = BitchatPacket(
+            type: MessageType.courierEnvelope.rawValue,
+            senderID: Data(hexString: alicePeerID.id) ?? Data(),
+            recipientID: Data(hexString: carol.myPeerID.id),
+            timestamp: UInt64(now.timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000),
+            payload: try #require(envelope.encode()),
+            signature: nil,
+            ttl: 1
+        )
+
+        carol._test_handlePacket(packet, fromPeerID: alicePeerID)
+        let stored = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { !carol.courierStore.isEmpty },
+            timeout: TestConstants.shortTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(!stored)
+    }
+
+    @Test func courierDepositTrustUsesIngressPeerNotClaimedSender() async throws {
+        let alice = makeService()
+        let carol = makeService()
+        let mallory = makeService()
+        preseedConnectedPeer(alice, in: carol)
+        preseedConnectedPeer(mallory, in: carol)
+
+        let trustedAliceKey = Data(hexString: alice.myPeerID.id) ?? Data()
+        carol.courierDepositPolicy = { depositorKey in
+            depositorKey == trustedAliceKey
+        }
+
+        let aliceNoise = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+        let bobKey = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain()).getStaticPublicKeyData()
+        let typedPayload = try #require(BLENoisePayloadFactory.privateMessage(content: "spoofed", messageID: "m-spoof"))
+        let sealed = try aliceNoise.sealCourierPayload(typedPayload, recipientStaticKey: bobKey)
+        let now = Date()
+        let envelope = CourierEnvelope(
+            recipientTag: CourierEnvelope.recipientTag(
+                noiseStaticKey: bobKey,
+                epochDay: CourierEnvelope.epochDay(for: now)
+            ),
+            expiry: UInt64((now.timeIntervalSince1970 + 3600) * 1000),
+            ciphertext: sealed
+        )
+        let packet = BitchatPacket(
+            type: MessageType.courierEnvelope.rawValue,
+            senderID: Data(hexString: alice.myPeerID.id) ?? Data(),
+            recipientID: Data(hexString: carol.myPeerID.id),
+            timestamp: UInt64(now.timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000),
+            payload: try #require(envelope.encode()),
+            signature: nil,
+            ttl: 1
+        )
+
+        carol._test_handlePacket(packet, fromPeerID: mallory.myPeerID, preseedPeer: false)
+        let stored = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { !carol.courierStore.isEmpty },
+            timeout: TestConstants.shortTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(!stored)
+    }
+
+    private func makeUnsignedAnnounce(from service: BLEService) throws -> BitchatPacket {
+        let announcement = AnnouncementPacket(
+            nickname: "Unsigned",
+            noisePublicKey: service.noiseStaticPublicKeyData(),
+            signingPublicKey: service.noiseSigningPublicKeyData(),
+            directNeighbors: nil
+        )
+        let payload = try #require(announcement.encode())
+
+        return BitchatPacket(
+            type: MessageType.announce.rawValue,
+            senderID: Data(hexString: service.myPeerID.id) ?? Data(),
+            recipientID: nil,
+            timestamp: UInt64(Date().timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000),
+            payload: payload,
+            signature: nil,
+            ttl: TransportConfig.messageTTLDefault
+        )
+    }
+}
+
+// MARK: - Router courier selection
+
+/// Minimal transport stub for exercising MessageRouter's courier deposit
+/// logic without BLE plumbing.
+private final class CourierCaptureTransport: Transport {
+    weak var delegate: BitchatDelegate?
+    weak var eventDelegate: TransportEventDelegate?
+    weak var peerEventsDelegate: TransportPeerEventsDelegate?
+
+    var snapshots: [TransportPeerSnapshot] = []
+    private(set) var courierSends: [(messageID: String, recipientKey: Data, couriers: [PeerID])] = []
+    private(set) var directSends: [String] = []
+
+    var peerSnapshotPublisher: AnyPublisher<[TransportPeerSnapshot], Never> {
+        Just(snapshots).eraseToAnyPublisher()
+    }
+    func currentPeerSnapshots() -> [TransportPeerSnapshot] { snapshots }
+
+    var myPeerID = PeerID(str: "00000000000000aa")
+    var myNickname = "stub"
+    func setNickname(_ nickname: String) {}
+
+    func startServices() {}
+    func stopServices() {}
+    func emergencyDisconnectAll() {}
+
+    func isPeerConnected(_ peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
+        snapshots.contains { $0.peerID == peerID && $0.isConnected }
+    }
+    // Nostr-style reachability: claimed for peers with no live link (known
+    // npub), where prompt delivery additionally needs a relay connection.
+    var reachablePeers: Set<PeerID> = []
+    var promptDelivery = true
+    func isPeerReachable(_ peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
+        isPeerConnected(peerID) || reachablePeers.contains(peerID)
+    }
+    func canDeliverPromptly(to peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
+        isPeerReachable(peerID) && promptDelivery
+    }
+    func peerNickname(peerID: PeerID) -> String? { nil }
+    func getPeerNicknames() -> [PeerID: String] { [:] }
+
+    func getFingerprint(for peerID: PeerID) -> String? { nil }
+    func getNoiseSessionState(for peerID: PeerID) -> LazyHandshakeState { .none }
+    func triggerHandshake(with peerID: PeerID) {}
+
+    func sendMessage(_ content: String, mentions: [String]) {}
+    func sendPrivateMessage(_ content: String, to peerID: PeerID, recipientNickname: String, messageID: String) {
+        directSends.append(messageID)
+    }
+    func sendReadReceipt(_ receipt: ReadReceipt, to peerID: PeerID) {}
+    func sendFavoriteNotification(to peerID: PeerID, isFavorite: Bool) {}
+    func sendBroadcastAnnounce() {}
+    func sendDeliveryAck(for messageID: String, to peerID: PeerID) {}
+
+    func sendCourierMessage(_ content: String, messageID: String, recipientNoiseKey: Data, via couriers: [PeerID]) -> Bool {
+        courierSends.append((messageID, recipientNoiseKey, couriers))
+        return true
+    }
+}
+
+struct MessageRouterCourierTests {
+
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func unreachablePeerMessageGoesToTrustedCouriersOnly() {
+        let bobKey = Data(repeating: 0xB0, count: 32)
+        let bobID = PeerID(publicKey: bobKey)
+        let carolKey = Data(repeating: 0xC0, count: 32)
+        let carolID = PeerID(publicKey: carolKey)
+        let daveKey = Data(repeating: 0xD0, count: 32)
+        let daveID = PeerID(publicKey: daveKey)
+
+        let transport = CourierCaptureTransport()
+        transport.snapshots = [
+            // Carol: connected mutual favorite → eligible courier.
+            TransportPeerSnapshot(peerID: carolID, nickname: "carol", isConnected: true, noisePublicKey: carolKey, lastSeen: Date()),
+            // Dave: connected but not trusted → never a courier.
+            TransportPeerSnapshot(peerID: daveID, nickname: "dave", isConnected: true, noisePublicKey: daveKey, lastSeen: Date())
+        ]
+
+        let directory = CourierDirectory(
+            noiseKey: { peerID in peerID == bobID ? bobKey : nil },
+            isTrustedCourier: { $0 == carolKey }
+        )
+        let router = MessageRouter(transports: [transport], courierDirectory: directory)
+        var carried: [String] = []
+        router.onMessageCarried = { messageID, _ in carried.append(messageID) }
+
+        router.sendPrivate("hi bob", to: bobID, recipientNickname: "bob", messageID: "m1")
+
+        #expect(transport.directSends.isEmpty)
+        #expect(transport.courierSends.count == 1)
+        #expect(transport.courierSends.first?.messageID == "m1")
+        #expect(transport.courierSends.first?.recipientKey == bobKey)
+        #expect(transport.courierSends.first?.couriers == [carolID])
+        #expect(carried == ["m1"])
+    }
+
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func noCourierDepositWithoutKnownRecipientKey() {
+        let transport = CourierCaptureTransport()
+        transport.snapshots = [
+            TransportPeerSnapshot(peerID: PeerID(str: "00000000000000cc"), nickname: "carol", isConnected: true, noisePublicKey: Data(repeating: 0xC0, count: 32), lastSeen: Date())
+        ]
+        let directory = CourierDirectory(noiseKey: { _ in nil }, isTrustedCourier: { _ in true })
+        let router = MessageRouter(transports: [transport], courierDirectory: directory)
+        var carried: [String] = []
+        router.onMessageCarried = { messageID, _ in carried.append(messageID) }
+
+        router.sendPrivate("hi", to: PeerID(str: "00000000000000bb"), recipientNickname: "bob", messageID: "m2")
+
+        #expect(transport.courierSends.isEmpty)
+        #expect(carried.isEmpty)
+    }
+
+    /// The production directory must resolve both ID forms: a 64-hex
+    /// noise-key ID (offline favorite row) carries the key itself, and a
+    /// short 16-hex ID resolves through the favorites store.
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func favoritesBackedDirectoryResolvesBothIDForms() {
+        let directory = CourierDirectory.favoritesBacked()
+        let bobKey = Data(repeating: 0xB7, count: 32)
+
+        #expect(directory.noiseKey(PeerID(hexData: bobKey)) == bobKey)
+
+        FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.addFavorite(peerNoisePublicKey: bobKey, peerNickname: "bob")
+        defer { FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.removeFavorite(peerNoisePublicKey: bobKey) }
+        #expect(directory.noiseKey(PeerID(publicKey: bobKey)) == bobKey)
+    }
+
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func reachablePeerSkipsCourier() {
+        let bobKey = Data(repeating: 0xB0, count: 32)
+        let bobID = PeerID(publicKey: bobKey)
+        let transport = CourierCaptureTransport()
+        transport.snapshots = [
+            TransportPeerSnapshot(peerID: bobID, nickname: "bob", isConnected: true, noisePublicKey: bobKey, lastSeen: Date())
+        ]
+        let directory = CourierDirectory(noiseKey: { _ in bobKey }, isTrustedCourier: { _ in true })
+        let router = MessageRouter(transports: [transport], courierDirectory: directory)
+
+        router.sendPrivate("hi", to: bobID, recipientNickname: "bob", messageID: "m3")
+
+        #expect(transport.directSends == ["m3"])
+        #expect(transport.courierSends.isEmpty)
+    }
+
+    /// A peer can be "reachable" through a transport that cannot deliver
+    /// promptly (Nostr claims any favorite with a known npub, even with no
+    /// relay connection). The queued send must not shadow the courier: a
+    /// sealed copy goes to connected couriers in parallel, and receivers
+    /// dedup by message ID if both arrive.
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func queuedReachableSendAlsoDepositsWithCourier() {
+        let bobKey = Data(repeating: 0xB0, count: 32)
+        let bobID = PeerID(publicKey: bobKey)
+        let carolKey = Data(repeating: 0xC0, count: 32)
+        let carolID = PeerID(publicKey: carolKey)
+
+        let transport = CourierCaptureTransport()
+        transport.snapshots = [
+            TransportPeerSnapshot(peerID: carolID, nickname: "carol", isConnected: true, noisePublicKey: carolKey, lastSeen: Date())
+        ]
+        transport.reachablePeers = [bobID]
+        transport.promptDelivery = false
+
+        let directory = CourierDirectory(
+            noiseKey: { peerID in peerID == bobID ? bobKey : nil },
+            isTrustedCourier: { $0 == carolKey }
+        )
+        let router = MessageRouter(transports: [transport], courierDirectory: directory)
+        var carried: [String] = []
+        router.onMessageCarried = { messageID, _ in carried.append(messageID) }
+
+        router.sendPrivate("hi bob", to: bobID, recipientNickname: "bob", messageID: "m4")
+
+        #expect(transport.directSends == ["m4"])
+        #expect(transport.courierSends.count == 1)
+        #expect(transport.courierSends.first?.messageID == "m4")
+        #expect(transport.courierSends.first?.couriers == [carolID])
+        #expect(carried == ["m4"])
+    }
+
+    /// When the reachable transport can deliver promptly (relays up), the
+    /// send is trusted and no courier quota is spent.
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func promptlyDeliverableReachablePeerSkipsCourier() {
+        let bobKey = Data(repeating: 0xB0, count: 32)
+        let bobID = PeerID(publicKey: bobKey)
+        let carolKey = Data(repeating: 0xC0, count: 32)
+        let carolID = PeerID(publicKey: carolKey)
+
+        let transport = CourierCaptureTransport()
+        transport.snapshots = [
+            TransportPeerSnapshot(peerID: carolID, nickname: "carol", isConnected: true, noisePublicKey: carolKey, lastSeen: Date())
+        ]
+        transport.reachablePeers = [bobID]
+
+        let directory = CourierDirectory(
+            noiseKey: { peerID in peerID == bobID ? bobKey : nil },
+            isTrustedCourier: { $0 == carolKey }
+        )
+        let router = MessageRouter(transports: [transport], courierDirectory: directory)
+        var carried: [String] = []
+        router.onMessageCarried = { messageID, _ in carried.append(messageID) }
+
+        router.sendPrivate("hi bob", to: bobID, recipientNickname: "bob", messageID: "m5")
+
+        #expect(transport.directSends == ["m5"])
+        #expect(transport.courierSends.isEmpty)
+        #expect(carried.isEmpty)
+    }
+}

bitchatTests/Integration/IntegrationTests.swift

@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ struct IntegrationTests {
             }
             
             // Encrypted path: use NoiseSessionManager explicitly
-            let plaintext = "Encrypted message".data(using: .utf8)!
+            let plaintext = Data("Encrypted message".utf8)
             let ciphertext = try helper.noiseManagers["Alice"]!.encrypt(plaintext, for: helper.nodes["Bob"]!.peerID)
             
             helper.nodes["Bob"]!.packetDeliveryHandler = { packet in
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ struct IntegrationTests {
         
         try await confirmation("Messages delivered despite churn", expectedCount: totalMessages) { completion in
             // David tracks received messages
-            helper.nodes["David"]!.messageDeliveryHandler = { message in
+            helper.nodes["David"]!.messageDeliveryHandler = { _ in
                 completion()
             }
             
@@ -288,7 +288,7 @@ struct IntegrationTests {
             }
             
             do {
-                let plaintext = "After restart success".data(using: .utf8)!
+                let plaintext = Data("After restart success".utf8)
                 let ciphertext = try helper.noiseManagers["Bob"]!.encrypt(plaintext, for: helper.nodes["Alice"]!.peerID)
                 let packet = TestHelpers.createTestPacket(type: MessageType.noiseEncrypted.rawValue, payload: ciphertext)
                 helper.nodes["Alice"]!.packetDeliveryHandler = { pkt in

bitchatTests/Integration/TestNetworkHelper.swift

@@ -121,4 +121,3 @@ final class TestNetworkHelper {
         _ = try manager2.handleIncomingHandshake(from: peer1ID, message: msg3)
     }
 }
-

bitchatTests/MimeTypeTests.swift

@@ -52,19 +52,19 @@ struct MimeTypeTests {
     @Test(arguments: [
         // === Image types ===
         (MimeType.jpeg, [0xFF, 0xD8, 0xFF]),
-        (MimeType.png,  [0x89, 0x50, 0x4E, 0x47, 0x0D, 0x0A, 0x1A, 0x0A]),
+        (MimeType.png, [0x89, 0x50, 0x4E, 0x47, 0x0D, 0x0A, 0x1A, 0x0A]),
-        (MimeType.gif,  [0x47, 0x49, 0x46, 0x38, 0x39, 0x61]), // "GIF89a"
+        (MimeType.gif, [0x47, 0x49, 0x46, 0x38, 0x39, 0x61]), // "GIF89a"
         (MimeType.webp, [0x52, 0x49, 0x46, 0x46, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
                          0x57, 0x45, 0x42, 0x50]),             // "RIFF....WEBP"
 
         // === Audio types ===
-        (MimeType.mp3,  [0x49, 0x44, 0x33]),                   // "ID3"
+        (MimeType.mp3, [0x49, 0x44, 0x33]),                   // "ID3"
-        (MimeType.wav,  [0x52, 0x49, 0x46, 0x46, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+        (MimeType.wav, [0x52, 0x49, 0x46, 0x46, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
                          0x57, 0x41, 0x56, 0x45]),             // "RIFF....WAVE"
-        (MimeType.ogg,  [0x4F, 0x67, 0x67, 0x53]),             // "OggS"
+        (MimeType.ogg, [0x4F, 0x67, 0x67, 0x53]),             // "OggS"
 
         // === Application types ===
-        (MimeType.pdf,  [0x25, 0x50, 0x44, 0x46])              // "%PDF"
+        (MimeType.pdf, [0x25, 0x50, 0x44, 0x46])              // "%PDF"
     ])
     func validSignatures(mime: MimeType, bytes: [UInt8]) throws {
         let data = Data(bytes)

bitchatTests/Noise/NoiseCoverageTests.swift

@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ struct NoiseCoverageTests {
             Data(),
             Data(repeating: 0x00, count: 32),
             Data([0x01] + Array(repeating: 0x00, count: 31)),
-            Data(repeating: 0xFF, count: 32),
+            Data(repeating: 0xFF, count: 32)
         ]
 
         for invalidKey in invalidKeys {

bitchatTests/Noise/NoiseProtocolTests.swift

@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
     @Test func basicEncryptionDecryption() throws {
         try performHandshake(initiator: aliceSession, responder: bobSession)
         
-        let plaintext = "Hello, Bob!".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let plaintext = Data("Hello, Bob!".utf8)
         
         // Alice encrypts
         let ciphertext = try aliceSession.encrypt(plaintext)
@@ -167,13 +167,13 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
         try performHandshake(initiator: aliceSession, responder: bobSession)
         
         // Alice -> Bob
-        let aliceMessage = "Hello from Alice".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let aliceMessage = Data("Hello from Alice".utf8)
         let aliceCiphertext = try aliceSession.encrypt(aliceMessage)
         let bobReceived = try bobSession.decrypt(aliceCiphertext)
         #expect(bobReceived == aliceMessage)
         
         // Bob -> Alice
-        let bobMessage = "Hello from Bob".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let bobMessage = Data("Hello from Bob".utf8)
         let bobCiphertext = try bobSession.encrypt(bobMessage)
         let aliceReceived = try aliceSession.decrypt(bobCiphertext)
         #expect(aliceReceived == bobMessage)
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
     }
     
     @Test func encryptionBeforeHandshake() {
-        let plaintext = "test".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let plaintext = Data("test".utf8)
         
         #expect(throws: NoiseSessionError.notEstablished) {
             try aliceSession.encrypt(plaintext)
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
         try establishManagerSessions(aliceManager: aliceManager, bobManager: bobManager)
         
         // Encrypt with manager
-        let plaintext = "Test message".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let plaintext = Data("Test message".utf8)
         let ciphertext = try aliceManager.encrypt(plaintext, for: alicePeerID)
         
         // Decrypt with manager
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
     @Test func tamperedCiphertextDetection() throws {
         try performHandshake(initiator: aliceSession, responder: bobSession)
         
-        let plaintext = "Secret message".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let plaintext = Data("Secret message".utf8)
         var ciphertext = try aliceSession.encrypt(plaintext)
         
         // Tamper with ciphertext
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
     @Test func replayPrevention() throws {
         try performHandshake(initiator: aliceSession, responder: bobSession)
         
-        let plaintext = "Test message".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let plaintext = Data("Test message".utf8)
         let ciphertext = try aliceSession.encrypt(plaintext)
         
         // First decryption should succeed
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
         try performHandshake(initiator: aliceSession2, responder: bobSession2)
         
         // Encrypt with session 1
-        let plaintext = "Secret".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let plaintext = Data("Secret".utf8)
         let ciphertext1 = try aliceSession1.encrypt(plaintext)
         
         // Should not be able to decrypt with session 2
@@ -366,10 +366,10 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
         try establishManagerSessions(aliceManager: aliceManager, bobManager: bobManager)
         
         // Exchange some messages to establish nonce state
-        let message1 = try aliceManager.encrypt("Hello".data(using: .utf8)!, for: alicePeerID)
+        let message1 = try aliceManager.encrypt(Data("Hello".utf8), for: alicePeerID)
         _ = try bobManager.decrypt(message1, from: bobPeerID)
         
-        let message2 = try bobManager.encrypt("World".data(using: .utf8)!, for: bobPeerID)
+        let message2 = try bobManager.encrypt(Data("World".utf8), for: bobPeerID)
         _ = try aliceManager.decrypt(message2, from: alicePeerID)
         
         // Simulate Bob restart by creating new manager with same key
@@ -391,7 +391,7 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
         _ = try aliceManager.handleIncomingHandshake(from: alicePeerID, message: newHandshake3!)
         
         // Should be able to exchange messages with new sessions
-        let testMessage = "After restart".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let testMessage = Data("After restart".utf8)
         let encrypted = try bobManagerRestarted.encrypt(testMessage, for: bobPeerID)
         let decrypted = try aliceManager.decrypt(encrypted, from: alicePeerID)
         #expect(decrypted == testMessage)
@@ -409,17 +409,17 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
         
         // Exchange messages to advance nonces
         for i in 0..<5 {
-            let msg = try aliceSession.encrypt("Message \(i)".data(using: .utf8)!)
+            let msg = try aliceSession.encrypt(Data("Message \(i)".utf8))
             _ = try bobSession.decrypt(msg)
         }
         
         // Simulate desynchronization by encrypting but not decrypting
         for i in 0..<3 {
-            _ = try aliceSession.encrypt("Lost message \(i)".data(using: .utf8)!)
+            _ = try aliceSession.encrypt(Data("Lost message \(i)".utf8))
         }
         
         // With per-packet nonce carried, decryption should not throw here
-        let desyncMessage = try aliceSession.encrypt("This now succeeds".data(using: .utf8)!)
+        let desyncMessage = try aliceSession.encrypt(Data("This now succeeds".utf8))
         #expect(throws: Never.self) {
             try bobSession.decrypt(desyncMessage)
         }
@@ -434,12 +434,11 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
         
         let messageCount = 100
         
-        try await confirmation("All messages encrypted and decrypted", expectedCount: messageCount)
+        try await confirmation("All messages encrypted and decrypted", expectedCount: messageCount) { completion in
-        { completion in
             var encryptedMessages: [Int: Data] = [:]
             // Encrypt messages sequentially to avoid nonce races in manager
             for i in 0..<messageCount {
-                let plaintext = "Concurrent message \(i)".data(using: .utf8)!
+                let plaintext = Data("Concurrent message \(i)".utf8)
                 let encrypted = try aliceManager.encrypt(plaintext, for: alicePeerID)
                 encryptedMessages[i] = encrypted
             }
@@ -452,7 +451,7 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
                         return
                     }
                     let decrypted = try bobManager.decrypt(encrypted, from: bobPeerID)
-                    let expected = "Concurrent message \(i)".data(using: .utf8)!
+                    let expected = Data("Concurrent message \(i)".utf8)
                     #expect(decrypted == expected)
                     completion()
                 } catch {
@@ -485,7 +484,7 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
         try establishManagerSessions(aliceManager: aliceManager, bobManager: bobManager)
         
         // Create a corrupted message
-        var encrypted = try aliceManager.encrypt("Test".data(using: .utf8)!, for: alicePeerID)
+        var encrypted = try aliceManager.encrypt(Data("Test".utf8), for: alicePeerID)
         encrypted[10] ^= 0xFF  // Corrupt the data
         
         // Decryption should fail
@@ -516,7 +515,7 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
         #expect(bobManager.getSession(for: bobPeerID)?.isEstablished() == true)
         
         // Exchange messages to verify sessions work
-        let testMessage = "Session works".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let testMessage = Data("Session works".utf8)
         let encrypted = try aliceManager.encrypt(testMessage, for: alicePeerID)
         let decrypted = try bobManager.decrypt(encrypted, from: bobPeerID)
         #expect(decrypted == testMessage)
@@ -539,7 +538,7 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
         _ = try bobManager.handleIncomingHandshake(from: bobPeerID, message: newHandshake3!)
         
         // Verify new sessions work
-        let testMessage2 = "New session works".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let testMessage2 = Data("New session works".utf8)
         let encrypted2 = try aliceManager.encrypt(testMessage2, for: alicePeerID)
         let decrypted2 = try bobManager.decrypt(encrypted2, from: bobPeerID)
         #expect(decrypted2 == testMessage2)
@@ -555,18 +554,18 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
         
         // Exchange messages normally
         for i in 0..<5 {
-            let msg = try aliceManager.encrypt("Message \(i)".data(using: .utf8)!, for: alicePeerID)
+            let msg = try aliceManager.encrypt(Data("Message \(i)".utf8), for: alicePeerID)
             _ = try bobManager.decrypt(msg, from: bobPeerID)
         }
         
         // Simulate desynchronization - Alice sends messages that Bob doesn't receive
         for i in 0..<3 {
-            _ = try aliceManager.encrypt("Lost message \(i)".data(using: .utf8)!, for: alicePeerID)
+            _ = try aliceManager.encrypt(Data("Lost message \(i)".utf8), for: alicePeerID)
         }
         
         // With nonce carried in packet, decryption should not throw here
         let desyncMessage = try aliceManager.encrypt(
-            "This now succeeds".data(using: .utf8)!, for: alicePeerID)
+            Data("This now succeeds".utf8), for: alicePeerID)
         #expect(throws: Never.self) {
             try bobManager.decrypt(desyncMessage, from: bobPeerID)
         }
@@ -587,7 +586,7 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
         _ = try aliceManager.handleIncomingHandshake(from: alicePeerID, message: rehandshake3!)
         
         // Verify communication works again
-        let testResynced = "Resynced".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let testResynced = Data("Resynced".utf8)
         let encryptedResync = try aliceManager.encrypt(testResynced, for: alicePeerID)
         let decryptedResync = try bobManager.decrypt(encryptedResync, from: bobPeerID)
         #expect(decryptedResync == testResynced)
@@ -900,20 +899,20 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
         #expect(trackingKeychain.secureClearDataCallCount > 0)
 
         // Test encryption from Alice to Bob
-        let plaintext1 = "Hello from Alice after secureClear!".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let plaintext1 = Data("Hello from Alice after secureClear!".utf8)
         let ciphertext1 = try alice.encrypt(plaintext1)
         let decrypted1 = try bob.decrypt(ciphertext1)
         #expect(decrypted1 == plaintext1)
 
         // Test encryption from Bob to Alice
-        let plaintext2 = "Hello from Bob after secureClear!".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let plaintext2 = Data("Hello from Bob after secureClear!".utf8)
         let ciphertext2 = try bob.encrypt(plaintext2)
         let decrypted2 = try alice.decrypt(ciphertext2)
         #expect(decrypted2 == plaintext2)
 
         // Test multiple messages to verify cipher state is correct
         for i in 1...10 {
-            let msg = "Message \(i) from Alice".data(using: .utf8)!
+            let msg = Data("Message \(i) from Alice".utf8)
             let cipher = try alice.encrypt(msg)
             let dec = try bob.decrypt(cipher)
             #expect(dec == msg)

bitchatTests/NoiseCourierTests.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+//
+// NoiseCourierTests.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import Testing
+import Foundation
+@testable import bitchat
+
+/// One-way Noise X envelopes: encryption to a known static key without an
+/// interactive handshake, used by the courier store-and-forward path.
+struct NoiseCourierTests {
+
+    @Test func sealAndOpenRoundTrip() throws {
+        let alice = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+        let bob = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+
+        let payload = Data("meet at the north gate".utf8)
+        let sealed = try alice.sealCourierPayload(payload, recipientStaticKey: bob.getStaticPublicKeyData())
+
+        let opened = try bob.openCourierPayload(sealed)
+        #expect(opened.payload == payload)
+        // The X pattern authenticates the sender: Bob learns Alice's real static key.
+        #expect(opened.senderStaticKey == alice.getStaticPublicKeyData())
+    }
+
+    @Test func wrongRecipientCannotOpen() throws {
+        let alice = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+        let bob = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+        let carol = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+
+        let sealed = try alice.sealCourierPayload(Data("secret".utf8), recipientStaticKey: bob.getStaticPublicKeyData())
+
+        #expect(throws: (any Error).self) {
+            _ = try carol.openCourierPayload(sealed)
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Test func tamperedEnvelopeFailsToOpen() throws {
+        let alice = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+        let bob = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+
+        var sealed = try alice.sealCourierPayload(Data("secret".utf8), recipientStaticKey: bob.getStaticPublicKeyData())
+        sealed[sealed.count - 1] ^= 0x01
+
+        #expect(throws: (any Error).self) {
+            _ = try bob.openCourierPayload(sealed)
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Test func senderIdentityCannotBeForged() throws {
+        // The encrypted static key inside the envelope is bound by the ss DH;
+        // splicing one envelope's ephemeral prefix onto another must fail.
+        let alice = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+        let mallory = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+        let bob = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+
+        let bobKey = bob.getStaticPublicKeyData()
+        let fromAlice = try alice.sealCourierPayload(Data("hi".utf8), recipientStaticKey: bobKey)
+        let fromMallory = try mallory.sealCourierPayload(Data("hi".utf8), recipientStaticKey: bobKey)
+
+        // e (32 bytes) from Mallory's envelope + rest from Alice's.
+        let spliced = fromMallory.prefix(32) + fromAlice.dropFirst(32)
+        #expect(throws: (any Error).self) {
+            _ = try bob.openCourierPayload(Data(spliced))
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Test func sealRejectsInvalidRecipientKey() {
+        let alice = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+        #expect(throws: (any Error).self) {
+            _ = try alice.sealCourierPayload(Data("x".utf8), recipientStaticKey: Data(repeating: 0, count: 32))
+        }
+        #expect(throws: (any Error).self) {
+            _ = try alice.sealCourierPayload(Data("x".utf8), recipientStaticKey: Data(repeating: 1, count: 8))
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Test func emptyAndLargePayloadsRoundTrip() throws {
+        let alice = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+        let bob = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+        let bobKey = bob.getStaticPublicKeyData()
+
+        let empty = try alice.sealCourierPayload(Data(), recipientStaticKey: bobKey)
+        #expect(try bob.openCourierPayload(empty).payload.isEmpty)
+
+        let large = Data((0..<8192).map { UInt8($0 % 251) })
+        let sealed = try alice.sealCourierPayload(large, recipientStaticKey: bobKey)
+        #expect(try bob.openCourierPayload(sealed).payload == large)
+    }
+
+    @Test func envelopesAreNotLinkableAcrossSends() throws {
+        // Fresh ephemeral per seal: same payload to the same recipient must
+        // produce entirely different ciphertexts.
+        let alice = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+        let bob = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+        let payload = Data("same message".utf8)
+
+        let a = try alice.sealCourierPayload(payload, recipientStaticKey: bob.getStaticPublicKeyData())
+        let b = try alice.sealCourierPayload(payload, recipientStaticKey: bob.getStaticPublicKeyData())
+        #expect(a != b)
+        #expect(a.prefix(32) != b.prefix(32))
+    }
+}

bitchatTests/NostrProtocolTests.swift

@@ -289,159 +289,6 @@ struct NostrProtocolTests {
         #expect(object["limit"] as? Int == 42)
     }
 
-    // MARK: - Padding (v3 envelope)
-
-    @Test func paddedLengthMatchesNIP44Buckets() {
-        // Vectors from the NIP-44 reference test suite (calc_padded_len).
-        let vectors: [(Int, Int)] = [
-            (1, 32), (16, 32), (32, 32), (33, 64), (37, 64), (45, 64), (49, 64),
-            (64, 64), (65, 96), (100, 128), (111, 128), (200, 224), (250, 256),
-            (320, 320), (383, 384), (384, 384), (400, 448), (500, 512),
-            (512, 512), (515, 640), (700, 768), (800, 896), (900, 1024),
-            (1020, 1024), (65535, 65536)
-        ]
-        for (unpadded, expected) in vectors {
-            #expect(
-                NIP44Padding.paddedLength(for: unpadded) == expected,
-                "paddedLength(for: \(unpadded)) should be \(expected)"
-            )
-        }
-    }
-
-    @Test func padUnpadRoundTrip() throws {
-        for length in [1, 2, 31, 32, 33, 100, 320, 1020, 4096, 65535] {
-            let plaintext = Data((0..<length).map { _ in UInt8.random(in: .min ... .max) })
-            let padded = try NIP44Padding.pad(plaintext)
-            #expect(padded.count == 2 + NIP44Padding.paddedLength(for: length))
-            let unpadded = try NIP44Padding.unpad(padded)
-            #expect(unpadded == plaintext)
-        }
-    }
-
-    @Test func padHidesExactLengthWithinBucket() throws {
-        // Two plaintexts of different length in the same bucket must produce
-        // identically sized padded payloads (and thus ciphertexts).
-        let short = try NIP44Padding.pad(Data(repeating: 0x41, count: 65))
-        let long = try NIP44Padding.pad(Data(repeating: 0x42, count: 96))
-        #expect(short.count == long.count)
-    }
-
-    @Test func padRejectsOutOfRangePlaintexts() {
-        #expect(throws: (any Error).self) { try NIP44Padding.pad(Data()) }
-        #expect(throws: (any Error).self) { try NIP44Padding.pad(Data(count: 65536)) }
-    }
-
-    @Test func unpadRejectsTamperedLengthPrefix() throws {
-        var padded = try NIP44Padding.pad(Data(repeating: 0x41, count: 40))
-
-        // Claimed length larger than the actual payload
-        var tooLong = padded
-        tooLong[tooLong.startIndex] = 0xFF
-        tooLong[tooLong.startIndex + 1] = 0xFF
-        #expect(throws: NostrError.invalidCiphertext) { try NIP44Padding.unpad(tooLong) }
-
-        // Claimed length of zero
-        var zero = padded
-        zero[zero.startIndex] = 0x00
-        zero[zero.startIndex + 1] = 0x00
-        #expect(throws: NostrError.invalidCiphertext) { try NIP44Padding.unpad(zero) }
-
-        // Claimed length whose bucket does not match the payload size
-        // (payload is bucket 64; a claimed length of 20 expects bucket 32)
-        var wrongBucket = padded
-        wrongBucket[wrongBucket.startIndex] = 0x00
-        wrongBucket[wrongBucket.startIndex + 1] = 0x14
-        #expect(throws: NostrError.invalidCiphertext) { try NIP44Padding.unpad(wrongBucket) }
-
-        // Truncated payloads
-        #expect(throws: NostrError.invalidCiphertext) { try NIP44Padding.unpad(Data()) }
-        #expect(throws: NostrError.invalidCiphertext) { try NIP44Padding.unpad(Data([0x00])) }
-        padded.removeLast()
-        #expect(throws: NostrError.invalidCiphertext) { try NIP44Padding.unpad(padded) }
-
-        // Works on Data slices with non-zero startIndex
-        let sliced = try (Data([0xAB]) + NIP44Padding.pad(Data(repeating: 0x41, count: 40))).dropFirst()
-        #expect(try NIP44Padding.unpad(sliced) == Data(repeating: 0x41, count: 40))
-    }
-
-    @Test func paddedEnvelopeRoundTrip_v3() throws {
-        let sender = try NostrIdentity.generate()
-        let recipient = try NostrIdentity.generate()
-        let plaintext = "padded envelope test"
-
-        let ciphertext = try NostrProtocol.encrypt(
-            plaintext: plaintext,
-            recipientPubkey: recipient.publicKeyHex,
-            senderKey: sender.schnorrSigningKey(),
-            padded: true
-        )
-        #expect(ciphertext.hasPrefix("v3:"))
-
-        let decrypted = try NostrProtocol.decrypt(
-            ciphertext: ciphertext,
-            senderPubkey: sender.publicKeyHex,
-            recipientKey: recipient.schnorrSigningKey()
-        )
-        #expect(decrypted == plaintext)
-    }
-
-    @Test func legacyUnpaddedEnvelopeStillDecrypts_v2() throws {
-        let sender = try NostrIdentity.generate()
-        let recipient = try NostrIdentity.generate()
-        let plaintext = "legacy v2 envelope"
-
-        // What deployed clients send today.
-        let ciphertext = try NostrProtocol.encrypt(
-            plaintext: plaintext,
-            recipientPubkey: recipient.publicKeyHex,
-            senderKey: sender.schnorrSigningKey(),
-            padded: false
-        )
-        #expect(ciphertext.hasPrefix("v2:"))
-
-        let decrypted = try NostrProtocol.decrypt(
-            ciphertext: ciphertext,
-            senderPubkey: sender.publicKeyHex,
-            recipientKey: recipient.schnorrSigningKey()
-        )
-        #expect(decrypted == plaintext)
-    }
-
-    @Test func outgoingMessagesStillUseV2UntilRolloutFlagFlips() throws {
-        // Deployed clients reject anything that is not "v2:", so the padded
-        // envelope must stay off by default until decrypt-side support is
-        // widely shipped (see NostrProtocol.sendPaddedEnvelope).
-        #expect(NostrProtocol.sendPaddedEnvelope == false)
-
-        let sender = try NostrIdentity.generate()
-        let recipient = try NostrIdentity.generate()
-        let giftWrap = try NostrProtocol.createPrivateMessage(
-            content: "default envelope",
-            recipientPubkey: recipient.publicKeyHex,
-            senderIdentity: sender
-        )
-        #expect(giftWrap.content.hasPrefix("v2:"))
-    }
-
-    @Test func decryptRejectsUnknownEnvelopeVersion() throws {
-        let sender = try NostrIdentity.generate()
-        let recipient = try NostrIdentity.generate()
-        let ciphertext = try NostrProtocol.encrypt(
-            plaintext: "test",
-            recipientPubkey: recipient.publicKeyHex,
-            senderKey: sender.schnorrSigningKey(),
-            padded: false
-        )
-        let mutated = "v9:" + ciphertext.dropFirst(3)
-        #expect(throws: NostrError.invalidCiphertext) {
-            _ = try NostrProtocol.decrypt(
-                ciphertext: mutated,
-                senderPubkey: sender.publicKeyHex,
-                recipientKey: recipient.schnorrSigningKey()
-            )
-        }
-    }
-
     // MARK: - Helpers
     private static func base64URLDecode(_ s: String) -> Data? {
         var str = s.replacingOccurrences(of: "-", with: "+").replacingOccurrences(of: "_", with: "/")

bitchatTests/Performance/PerformanceBaselineTests.swift

@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ final class PerformanceBaselineTests: XCTestCase {
             ("@carol#a1b2 did you see this? https://example.com/threads/42", ["carol"]),
             ("checking in from the harbor #bitchat #mesh", nil),
             ("@bob#0042 ping me when you get this", ["bob#0042"]),
-            ("long form update with a link https://news.example.org/articles/2026/06/mesh-networks and a tag #geohash", nil),
+            ("long form update with a link https://news.example.org/articles/2026/06/mesh-networks and a tag #geohash", nil)
         ]
         let batches: [[BitchatMessage]] = (0..<batchCount).map { batch in
             (0..<batchSize).map { i in
@@ -547,7 +547,7 @@ final class PerformanceBaselineTests: XCTestCase {
             "anyone near the station?",
             "@bob#0042 are you on mesh too?",
             "check this out https://example.com/p/123 #bitchat",
-            "teleport check, who's local?",
+            "teleport check, who's local?"
         ]
         return try (0..<count).map { i in
             try NostrProtocol.createEphemeralGeohashEvent(

bitchatTests/ProtocolContractTests.swift

@@ -50,14 +50,19 @@ private final class DefaultTransportProbe: Transport {
 struct ProtocolContractTests {
     @Test
     func commandInfo_exposesAliasesPlaceholdersAndGeoVariants() {
-        #expect(CommandInfo.message.id == "dm")
+        // Aliases must match what CommandProcessor actually accepts —
-        #expect(CommandInfo.message.alias == "/dm")
+        // the suggestion panel is the only command-discovery surface.
+        #expect(CommandInfo.message.id == "msg")
+        #expect(CommandInfo.message.alias == "/msg")
         #expect(CommandInfo.message.placeholder != nil)
         #expect(CommandInfo.clear.placeholder == nil)
         #expect(CommandInfo.favorite.description.isEmpty == false)
-        #expect(CommandInfo.all(isGeoPublic: false, isGeoDM: false).contains(.favorite) == false)
+        #expect(CommandInfo.all(isGeoPublic: false, isGeoDM: false).contains(.help))
-        #expect(CommandInfo.all(isGeoPublic: true, isGeoDM: false).contains(.favorite))
+        // Favorites are rejected by the processor in geohash contexts, so
-        #expect(CommandInfo.all(isGeoPublic: false, isGeoDM: true).contains(.unfavorite))
+        // they are suggested only in mesh.
+        #expect(CommandInfo.all(isGeoPublic: false, isGeoDM: false).contains(.favorite))
+        #expect(CommandInfo.all(isGeoPublic: true, isGeoDM: false).contains(.favorite) == false)
+        #expect(CommandInfo.all(isGeoPublic: false, isGeoDM: true).contains(.unfavorite) == false)
     }
 
     @Test

bitchatTests/Services/BLEAnnounceHandlerTests.swift

@@ -98,8 +98,12 @@ struct BLEAnnounceHandlerTests {
         recorder.upsertResult = BLEPeerAnnounceUpdate(isNewPeer: true, wasDisconnected: false, previousNickname: nil)
         let handler = makeHandler(recorder: recorder, now: now)
 
-        handler.handle(packet, from: peerID)
+        let result = handler.handle(packet, from: peerID)
 
+        #expect(result?.peerID == peerID)
+        #expect(result?.announcement.noisePublicKey == noiseKey)
+        #expect(result?.isDirectAnnounce == true)
+        #expect(result?.isVerified == true)
         #expect(recorder.verifySignatureCalls.count == 1)
         #expect(recorder.verifySignatureCalls.first?.signingPublicKey == Data(repeating: 0x99, count: 32))
         #expect(recorder.barrierCount == 1)
@@ -161,8 +165,11 @@ struct BLEAnnounceHandlerTests {
         let recorder = Recorder()
         let handler = makeHandler(recorder: recorder, now: now)
 
-        handler.handle(packet, from: peerID)
+        let result = handler.handle(packet, from: peerID)
 
+        #expect(result?.peerID == peerID)
+        #expect(result?.announcement.noisePublicKey == noiseKey)
+        #expect(result?.isVerified == false)
         #expect(recorder.verifySignatureCalls.isEmpty)
         #expect(recorder.barrierCount == 1)
         #expect(recorder.upsertCalls.isEmpty)
@@ -197,8 +204,9 @@ struct BLEAnnounceHandlerTests {
         recorder.signatureValid = false
         let handler = makeHandler(recorder: recorder, now: now)
 
-        handler.handle(packet, from: peerID)
+        let result = handler.handle(packet, from: peerID)
 
+        #expect(result?.isVerified == false)
         #expect(recorder.verifySignatureCalls.count == 1)
         #expect(recorder.upsertCalls.isEmpty)
         #expect(recorder.uiEventDeliveries.count == 1)
@@ -222,8 +230,9 @@ struct BLEAnnounceHandlerTests {
         let recorder = Recorder()
         let handler = makeHandler(recorder: recorder, now: now)
 
-        handler.handle(packet, from: peerID)
+        let result = handler.handle(packet, from: peerID)
 
+        #expect(result == nil)
         expectNoSideEffects(recorder)
     }
 
@@ -242,8 +251,9 @@ struct BLEAnnounceHandlerTests {
         let recorder = Recorder()
         let handler = makeHandler(recorder: recorder, localPeerID: peerID, now: now)
 
-        handler.handle(packet, from: peerID)
+        let result = handler.handle(packet, from: peerID)
 
+        #expect(result == nil)
         expectNoSideEffects(recorder)
     }
 
@@ -263,8 +273,9 @@ struct BLEAnnounceHandlerTests {
         let recorder = Recorder()
         let handler = makeHandler(recorder: recorder, now: now)
 
-        handler.handle(packet, from: peerID)
+        let result = handler.handle(packet, from: peerID)
 
+        #expect(result == nil)
         expectNoSideEffects(recorder)
     }
 
@@ -311,8 +322,10 @@ struct BLEAnnounceHandlerTests {
         recorder.upsertResult = BLEPeerAnnounceUpdate(isNewPeer: true, wasDisconnected: false, previousNickname: nil)
         let handler = makeHandler(recorder: recorder, now: now)
 
-        handler.handle(packet, from: peerID)
+        let result = handler.handle(packet, from: peerID)
 
+        #expect(result?.isDirectAnnounce == false)
+        #expect(result?.isVerified == true)
         #expect(recorder.upsertCalls.count == 1)
         #expect(recorder.upsertCalls.first?.isConnected == false)
         #expect(recorder.uiEventDeliveries.count == 1)
@@ -384,8 +397,9 @@ struct BLEAnnounceHandlerTests {
         recorder.existingNoisePublicKey = Data(repeating: 0xAA, count: 32)
         let handler = makeHandler(recorder: recorder, now: now)
 
-        handler.handle(packet, from: peerID)
+        let result = handler.handle(packet, from: peerID)
 
+        #expect(result?.isVerified == false)
         #expect(recorder.upsertCalls.isEmpty)
         #expect(recorder.uiEventDeliveries.count == 1)
         #expect(recorder.uiEventDeliveries.first?.notifyPeerConnected == false)

bitchatTests/Services/BLEFanoutSelectorTests.swift

@@ -19,6 +19,79 @@ struct BLEFanoutSelectorTests {
         #expect(selection.centralIDs == Set(["c2"]))
     }
 
+    @Test
+    func directedSendUsesOnlyBoundPeripheralLinkWhenAvailable() {
+        let target = PeerID(str: "1122334455667788")
+        let bystander = PeerID(str: "8877665544332211")
+        let selection = BLEFanoutSelector.selectLinks(
+            peripheralIDs: ["target-p", "bystander-p"],
+            centralIDs: ["target-c", "bystander-c"],
+            ingressLink: nil,
+            peripheralPeerBindings: [
+                "target-p": target,
+                "bystander-p": bystander
+            ],
+            centralPeerBindings: [
+                "target-c": target,
+                "bystander-c": bystander
+            ],
+            directedPeerHint: target,
+            packetType: MessageType.courierEnvelope.rawValue,
+            messageID: "message-1"
+        )
+
+        #expect(selection.peripheralIDs == Set(["target-p"]))
+        #expect(selection.centralIDs.isEmpty)
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    func directedSendUsesBoundCentralLinkWhenNoPeripheralLinkExists() {
+        let target = PeerID(str: "1122334455667788")
+        let bystander = PeerID(str: "8877665544332211")
+        let selection = BLEFanoutSelector.selectLinks(
+            peripheralIDs: ["bystander-p"],
+            centralIDs: ["target-c", "bystander-c"],
+            ingressLink: nil,
+            peripheralPeerBindings: [
+                "bystander-p": bystander
+            ],
+            centralPeerBindings: [
+                "target-c": target,
+                "bystander-c": bystander
+            ],
+            directedPeerHint: target,
+            packetType: MessageType.courierEnvelope.rawValue,
+            messageID: "message-1"
+        )
+
+        #expect(selection.peripheralIDs.isEmpty)
+        #expect(selection.centralIDs == Set(["target-c"]))
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    func directedSendToKnownPeerDoesNotFallBackWhenOnlyDirectLinkIsExcluded() {
+        let target = PeerID(str: "1122334455667788")
+        let bystander = PeerID(str: "8877665544332211")
+        let selection = BLEFanoutSelector.selectLinks(
+            peripheralIDs: ["bystander-p"],
+            centralIDs: ["target-c", "bystander-c"],
+            ingressLink: .central("target-c"),
+            peripheralPeerBindings: [
+                "bystander-p": bystander
+            ],
+            centralPeerBindings: [
+                "target-c": target,
+                "bystander-c": bystander
+            ],
+            directedPeerHint: target,
+            packetType: MessageType.courierEnvelope.rawValue,
+            messageID: "message-1"
+        )
+
+        #expect(selection.peripheralIDs.isEmpty)
+        #expect(selection.centralIDs.isEmpty)
+    }
+
     @Test
     func directedSendExcludesAllLinksToIngressPeer() {
         let selection = BLEFanoutSelector.selectLinks(

bitchatTests/Services/FavoritesPersistenceServiceTests.swift

@@ -49,6 +49,21 @@ final class FavoritesPersistenceServiceTests: XCTestCase {
         XCTAssertFalse(service.isMutualFavorite(peerKey))
     }
 
+    func test_updatePeerFavoritedUs_keepsStoredNicknameOverUnknownPlaceholder() {
+        let service = FavoritesPersistenceService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+        let peerKey = Data((128..<160).map(UInt8.init))
+
+        service.addFavorite(peerNoisePublicKey: peerKey, peerNickname: "Erin")
+
+        // A notification arriving before the peer is known passes "Unknown".
+        service.updatePeerFavoritedUs(peerNoisePublicKey: peerKey, favorited: true, peerNickname: "Unknown")
+        XCTAssertEqual(service.getFavoriteStatus(for: peerKey)?.peerNickname, "Erin")
+
+        // A real nickname still updates the stored one.
+        service.updatePeerFavoritedUs(peerNoisePublicKey: peerKey, favorited: true, peerNickname: "Erin2")
+        XCTAssertEqual(service.getFavoriteStatus(for: peerKey)?.peerNickname, "Erin2")
+    }
+
     func test_getFavoriteStatus_forPeerID_returnsMutualFavorite() {
         let service = FavoritesPersistenceService(keychain: MockKeychain())
         let peerKey = Data((96..<128).map(UInt8.init))

bitchatTests/Services/NostrTransportTests.swift

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 // For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
 //
 
+import Combine
 import Foundation
 import Testing
 import BitFoundation
@@ -42,7 +43,9 @@ struct NostrTransportTests {
             )
         )
 
-        #expect(!transport.isPeerReachable(fullPeerID))
+        // Offline favorites are addressed by the full 64-hex noise key, so
+        // both forms must resolve to the same reachability answer.
+        #expect(transport.isPeerReachable(fullPeerID))
         #expect(transport.isPeerReachable(shortPeerID))
         #expect(!transport.isPeerReachable(PeerID(str: "feedfeedfeedfeed")))
     }
@@ -83,6 +86,51 @@ struct NostrTransportTests {
         #expect(didRefresh)
     }
 
+    @Test("Prompt delivery requires both a known npub and a relay connection")
+    @MainActor
+    func canDeliverPromptlyTracksRelayConnectivity() async throws {
+        let keychain = MockKeychain()
+        let idBridge = NostrIdentityBridge(keychain: keychain)
+        let recipient = try NostrIdentity.generate()
+        let noiseKey = Data((0..<32).map(UInt8.init))
+        let peerID = PeerID(hexData: noiseKey)
+        let relationship = makeRelationship(
+            peerNoisePublicKey: noiseKey,
+            peerNostrPublicKey: recipient.npub,
+            peerNickname: "Alice"
+        )
+        let connectivity = CurrentValueSubject<Bool, Never>(false)
+
+        let transport = NostrTransport(
+            keychain: keychain,
+            idBridge: idBridge,
+            dependencies: makeDependencies(
+                loadFavorites: { [noiseKey: relationship] },
+                relayConnectivity: { connectivity.eraseToAnyPublisher() }
+            )
+        )
+
+        // Reachable (npub known) but relays down: the peer must not be
+        // treated as promptly deliverable, or the router would skip the
+        // courier and let the message rot in the Nostr send queue.
+        #expect(transport.isPeerReachable(peerID))
+        #expect(!transport.canDeliverPromptly(to: peerID))
+
+        connectivity.send(true)
+        let deliverable = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { transport.canDeliverPromptly(to: peerID) },
+            timeout: 5.0
+        )
+        #expect(deliverable)
+
+        connectivity.send(false)
+        let undeliverable = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { !transport.canDeliverPromptly(to: peerID) },
+            timeout: 5.0
+        )
+        #expect(undeliverable)
+    }
+
     @Test("Private message resolves short peer ID and emits decryptable packet")
     @MainActor
     func sendPrivateMessageResolvesShortPeerID() async throws {
@@ -373,7 +421,8 @@ struct NostrTransportTests {
         currentIdentity: @escaping @MainActor () throws -> NostrIdentity? = { nil },
         registerPendingGiftWrap: @escaping @MainActor (String) -> Void = { _ in },
         sendEvent: @escaping @MainActor (NostrEvent) -> Void = { _ in },
-        scheduleAfter: @escaping @Sendable (TimeInterval, @escaping @Sendable () -> Void) -> Void = { _, _ in }
+        scheduleAfter: @escaping @Sendable (TimeInterval, @escaping @Sendable () -> Void) -> Void = { _, _ in },
+        relayConnectivity: @escaping @MainActor () -> AnyPublisher<Bool, Never> = { Just(false).eraseToAnyPublisher() }
     ) -> NostrTransport.Dependencies {
         NostrTransport.Dependencies(
             notificationCenter: notificationCenter,
@@ -383,7 +432,8 @@ struct NostrTransportTests {
             currentIdentity: currentIdentity,
             registerPendingGiftWrap: registerPendingGiftWrap,
             sendEvent: sendEvent,
-            scheduleAfter: scheduleAfter
+            scheduleAfter: scheduleAfter,
+            relayConnectivity: relayConnectivity
         )
     }
 

bitchatTests/Services/UnifiedPeerServiceTests.swift

@@ -41,6 +41,155 @@ struct UnifiedPeerServiceTests {
 
         #expect(service.isBlocked(peerID))
     }
+
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func setBlocked_persistsByFingerprintAndToggles() async {
+        let transport = MockTransport()
+        let identity = TestIdentityManager()
+        let idBridge = NostrIdentityBridge(keychain: MockKeychainHelper())
+        let service = UnifiedPeerService(meshService: transport, idBridge: idBridge, identityManager: identity)
+
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: "00000000000000EE")
+        let fingerprint = "fp-target"
+        transport.peerFingerprints[peerID] = fingerprint
+
+        // Blocking resolves and persists by the peer's fingerprint.
+        let resolved = service.setBlocked(peerID, blocked: true)
+        #expect(resolved == fingerprint)
+        #expect(identity.isBlocked(fingerprint: fingerprint))
+        #expect(service.isBlocked(peerID))
+
+        // Unblocking clears it against the same identity.
+        let unresolved = service.setBlocked(peerID, blocked: false)
+        #expect(unresolved == fingerprint)
+        #expect(!identity.isBlocked(fingerprint: fingerprint))
+        #expect(!service.isBlocked(peerID))
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Offline-favorite dedup (updatePeers phase 2)
+
+    /// A mutual favorite that is also on the mesh must collapse to a single
+    /// row keyed by the short mesh ID — even when the announced nickname no
+    /// longer matches the one stored with the favorite.
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func updatePeers_mutualFavoriteOnMeshYieldsSingleRow() async {
+        let favoritesService = FavoritesPersistenceService.shared
+
+        let transport = MockTransport()
+        let idBridge = NostrIdentityBridge(keychain: MockKeychainHelper())
+        let service = UnifiedPeerService(meshService: transport, idBridge: idBridge, identityManager: TestIdentityManager())
+
+        let noiseKey = Data(repeating: 0xAB, count: 32)
+        favoritesService.addFavorite(peerNoisePublicKey: noiseKey, peerNickname: "alice")
+        favoritesService.updatePeerFavoritedUs(peerNoisePublicKey: noiseKey, favorited: true)
+        defer {
+            favoritesService.updatePeerFavoritedUs(peerNoisePublicKey: noiseKey, favorited: false)
+            favoritesService.removeFavorite(peerNoisePublicKey: noiseKey)
+        }
+
+        let meshID = PeerID(publicKey: noiseKey)
+        let snapshots = [TransportPeerSnapshot(
+            peerID: meshID,
+            nickname: "alice-renamed",
+            isConnected: true,
+            noisePublicKey: noiseKey,
+            lastSeen: Date()
+        )]
+        transport.updatePeerSnapshots(snapshots)
+        service.didUpdatePeerSnapshots(snapshots)
+
+        let rows = service.peers.filter { $0.noisePublicKey == noiseKey }
+        #expect(rows.count == 1)
+        #expect(rows.first?.peerID == meshID)
+        #expect(rows.first?.isMutualFavorite == true)
+        #expect(service.favorites.filter { $0.noisePublicKey == noiseKey }.count == 1)
+    }
+
+    /// Same collapse must hold for a reachable-but-not-connected favorite
+    /// (relayed peers linger as "reachable" after their link drops).
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func updatePeers_reachableMutualFavoriteYieldsSingleRow() async {
+        let favoritesService = FavoritesPersistenceService.shared
+
+        let transport = MockTransport()
+        let idBridge = NostrIdentityBridge(keychain: MockKeychainHelper())
+        let service = UnifiedPeerService(meshService: transport, idBridge: idBridge, identityManager: TestIdentityManager())
+
+        let noiseKey = Data(repeating: 0xCD, count: 32)
+        favoritesService.addFavorite(peerNoisePublicKey: noiseKey, peerNickname: "bob")
+        favoritesService.updatePeerFavoritedUs(peerNoisePublicKey: noiseKey, favorited: true)
+        defer {
+            favoritesService.updatePeerFavoritedUs(peerNoisePublicKey: noiseKey, favorited: false)
+            favoritesService.removeFavorite(peerNoisePublicKey: noiseKey)
+        }
+
+        let otherKey = Data(repeating: 0x11, count: 32)
+        let snapshots = [
+            // A live link is required for anyone to count as reachable.
+            TransportPeerSnapshot(
+                peerID: PeerID(publicKey: otherKey),
+                nickname: "carol",
+                isConnected: true,
+                noisePublicKey: otherKey,
+                lastSeen: Date()
+            ),
+            TransportPeerSnapshot(
+                peerID: PeerID(publicKey: noiseKey),
+                nickname: "bob",
+                isConnected: false,
+                noisePublicKey: noiseKey,
+                lastSeen: Date()
+            )
+        ]
+        transport.updatePeerSnapshots(snapshots)
+        service.didUpdatePeerSnapshots(snapshots)
+
+        let bobRows = service.peers.filter { $0.noisePublicKey == noiseKey }
+        #expect(bobRows.count == 1)
+        #expect(bobRows.first?.peerID == PeerID(publicKey: noiseKey))
+        #expect(bobRows.first?.isReachable == true)
+    }
+
+    /// A mutual favorite with no mesh presence still gets its offline row,
+    /// keyed by the full noise-key PeerID.
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func updatePeers_offlineMutualFavoriteGetsOfflineRow() async {
+        let favoritesService = FavoritesPersistenceService.shared
+
+        let transport = MockTransport()
+        let idBridge = NostrIdentityBridge(keychain: MockKeychainHelper())
+        let service = UnifiedPeerService(meshService: transport, idBridge: idBridge, identityManager: TestIdentityManager())
+
+        let noiseKey = Data(repeating: 0xEF, count: 32)
+        favoritesService.addFavorite(peerNoisePublicKey: noiseKey, peerNickname: "dave")
+        favoritesService.updatePeerFavoritedUs(peerNoisePublicKey: noiseKey, favorited: true)
+        defer {
+            favoritesService.updatePeerFavoritedUs(peerNoisePublicKey: noiseKey, favorited: false)
+            favoritesService.removeFavorite(peerNoisePublicKey: noiseKey)
+        }
+
+        transport.updatePeerSnapshots([])
+        service.didUpdatePeerSnapshots([])
+
+        let rows = service.peers.filter { $0.noisePublicKey == noiseKey }
+        #expect(rows.count == 1)
+        #expect(rows.first?.peerID == PeerID(hexData: noiseKey))
+        #expect(rows.first?.isMutualFavorite == true)
+    }
+
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func setBlocked_unknownIdentityReturnsNil() async {
+        let transport = MockTransport()
+        let identity = TestIdentityManager()
+        let idBridge = NostrIdentityBridge(keychain: MockKeychainHelper())
+        let service = UnifiedPeerService(meshService: transport, idBridge: idBridge, identityManager: identity)
+
+        // No fingerprint resolvable for this peer (offline & unknown).
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: "00000000000000FF")
+
+        #expect(service.setBlocked(peerID, blocked: true) == nil)
+        #expect(!service.isBlocked(peerID))
+    }
 }
 
 private final class TestIdentityManager: SecureIdentityStateManagerProtocol {

bitchatTests/TestUtilities/TestConstants.swift

@@ -12,6 +12,11 @@ import Foundation
 struct TestConstants {
     static let defaultTimeout: TimeInterval = 5.0
     static let shortTimeout: TimeInterval = 1.0
+    /// For positive waits on work that hops through `Task.detached` or
+    /// background queues: those contend with every parallel test worker for
+    /// the global executor, so a loaded CI runner can exceed
+    /// `defaultTimeout`. `waitUntil` returns as soon as the condition holds,
+    /// so passing runs never pay the longer timeout.
     static let longTimeout: TimeInterval = 10.0
     
     static let testNickname1 = "Alice"

bitchatTests/TestUtilities/TestHelpers.swift

@@ -54,13 +54,13 @@ final class TestHelpers {
         type: UInt8 = 0x01,
         senderID: PeerID = PeerID(str: UUID().uuidString),
         recipientID: PeerID? = nil,
-        payload: Data = "test payload".data(using: .utf8)!,
+        payload: Data = Data("test payload".utf8),
         signature: Data? = nil,
         ttl: UInt8 = 3
     ) -> BitchatPacket {
         return BitchatPacket(
             type: type,
-            senderID: senderID.id.data(using: .utf8)!,
+            senderID: Data(senderID.id.utf8),
             recipientID: recipientID?.id.data(using: .utf8),
             timestamp: UInt64(Date().timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000),
             payload: payload,

bitchatTests/ViewSmokeTests.swift

@@ -556,11 +556,19 @@ struct ViewSmokeTests {
     @Test
     func voiceAndMediaViews_renderAndWarmCaches() async throws {
         let audioURL = try makeTemporaryAudioURL()
+        // Probed directly below. Deliberately a separate file from `audioURL`:
+        // `WaveformCache.shared` is process-wide and the mounted
+        // `VoiceNoteView` warms it for `audioURL` at the view's default bin
+        // width concurrently, so asserting an exact bin count for that URL
+        // races with the view's own cache write.
+        let waveformProbeURL = try makeTemporaryAudioURL()
         let imageURL = try makeTemporaryImageURL()
         defer {
             try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: audioURL)
+            try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: waveformProbeURL)
             try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: imageURL)
             WaveformCache.shared.purge(url: audioURL)
+            WaveformCache.shared.purge(url: waveformProbeURL)
         }
 
         let waveformView = WaveformView(
@@ -594,12 +602,14 @@ struct ViewSmokeTests {
         _ = mount(voiceNoteView)
 
         let bins = await withCheckedContinuation { continuation in
-            WaveformCache.shared.waveform(for: audioURL, bins: 16) { values in
+            WaveformCache.shared.waveform(for: waveformProbeURL, bins: 16) { values in
                 continuation.resume(returning: values)
             }
         }
         playback.loadDuration()
-        try? await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: 250_000_000)
+        // loadDuration hops through a background queue and back to main; poll
+        // instead of a fixed sleep so a loaded runner can't outlast the wait.
+        _ = await TestHelpers.waitUntil({ playback.duration > 0 })
         playback.seek(to: 1.25)
         playback.stop()
         VoiceNotePlaybackCoordinator.shared.activate(playback)
@@ -607,7 +617,7 @@ struct ViewSmokeTests {
         await VoiceRecorder.shared.cancelRecording()
 
         #expect(bins.count == 16)
-        #expect(WaveformCache.shared.cachedWaveform(for: audioURL)?.count == 16)
+        #expect(WaveformCache.shared.cachedWaveform(for: waveformProbeURL)?.count == 16)
         #expect(playback.duration > 0)
         #expect(playback.progress == 0)
     }

bitchatTests/XChaCha20Poly1305CompatTests.swift

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import struct Foundation.Data
 struct XChaCha20Poly1305CompatTests {
 
     @Test func sealAndOpenRoundtrip() throws {
-        let plaintext = "Hello, XChaCha20-Poly1305!".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let plaintext = Data("Hello, XChaCha20-Poly1305!".utf8)
         let key = Data(repeating: 0x42, count: 32)
         let nonce = Data(repeating: 0x24, count: 24)
 
@@ -29,10 +29,10 @@ struct XChaCha20Poly1305CompatTests {
     }
 
     @Test func sealAndOpenWithAAD() throws {
-        let plaintext = "Secret message".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let plaintext = Data("Secret message".utf8)
         let key = Data(repeating: 0xAB, count: 32)
         let nonce = Data(repeating: 0xCD, count: 24)
-        let aad = "additional authenticated data".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let aad = Data("additional authenticated data".utf8)
 
         let sealed = try XChaCha20Poly1305Compat.seal(plaintext: plaintext, key: key, nonce24: nonce, aad: aad)
         let decrypted = try XChaCha20Poly1305Compat.open(
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ struct XChaCha20Poly1305CompatTests {
     }
 
     @Test func sealProducesDifferentCiphertextWithDifferentNonces() throws {
-        let plaintext = "Same plaintext".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let plaintext = Data("Same plaintext".utf8)
         let key = Data(repeating: 0x42, count: 32)
         let nonce1 = Data(repeating: 0x01, count: 24)
         let nonce2 = Data(repeating: 0x02, count: 24)
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ struct XChaCha20Poly1305CompatTests {
     }
 
     @Test func sealThrowsOnShortKey() {
-        let plaintext = "Test".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let plaintext = Data("Test".utf8)
         let shortKey = Data(repeating: 0x42, count: 16)
         let nonce = Data(repeating: 0x24, count: 24)
 
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ struct XChaCha20Poly1305CompatTests {
     }
 
     @Test func sealThrowsOnLongKey() {
-        let plaintext = "Test".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let plaintext = Data("Test".utf8)
         let longKey = Data(repeating: 0x42, count: 64)
         let nonce = Data(repeating: 0x24, count: 24)
 
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ struct XChaCha20Poly1305CompatTests {
     }
 
     @Test func sealThrowsOnEmptyKey() {
-        let plaintext = "Test".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let plaintext = Data("Test".utf8)
         let emptyKey = Data()
         let nonce = Data(repeating: 0x24, count: 24)
 
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ struct XChaCha20Poly1305CompatTests {
     }
 
     @Test func sealThrowsOnShortNonce() {
-        let plaintext = "Test".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let plaintext = Data("Test".utf8)
         let key = Data(repeating: 0x42, count: 32)
         let shortNonce = Data(repeating: 0x24, count: 12)
 
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ struct XChaCha20Poly1305CompatTests {
     }
 
     @Test func sealThrowsOnLongNonce() {
-        let plaintext = "Test".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let plaintext = Data("Test".utf8)
         let key = Data(repeating: 0x42, count: 32)
         let longNonce = Data(repeating: 0x24, count: 32)
 
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ struct XChaCha20Poly1305CompatTests {
     }
 
     @Test func sealThrowsOnEmptyNonce() {
-        let plaintext = "Test".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let plaintext = Data("Test".utf8)
         let key = Data(repeating: 0x42, count: 32)
         let emptyNonce = Data()
 
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ struct XChaCha20Poly1305CompatTests {
     }
 
     @Test func openFailsWithWrongKey() throws {
-        let plaintext = "Secret".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let plaintext = Data("Secret".utf8)
         let correctKey = Data(repeating: 0x42, count: 32)
         let wrongKey = Data(repeating: 0x43, count: 32)
         let nonce = Data(repeating: 0x24, count: 24)
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ struct XChaCha20Poly1305CompatTests {
     }
 
     @Test func openFailsWithTamperedCiphertext() throws {
-        let plaintext = "Secret".data(using: .utf8)!
+        let plaintext = Data("Secret".utf8)
         let key = Data(repeating: 0x42, count: 32)
         let nonce = Data(repeating: 0x24, count: 24)
 

localPackages/Arti/Package.swift

@@ -5,16 +5,16 @@ let package = Package(
     name: "Tor",  // Keep name "Tor" for drop-in compatibility
     platforms: [
         .iOS(.v16),
-        .macOS(.v13),
+        .macOS(.v13)
     ],
     products: [
         .library(
             name: "Tor",
             targets: ["Tor"]
-        ),
+        )
     ],
     dependencies: [
-        .package(path: "../BitLogger"),
+        .package(path: "../BitLogger")
     ],
     targets: [
         // Main Swift target
@@ -22,19 +22,19 @@ let package = Package(
             name: "Tor",
             dependencies: [
                 "arti",
-                .product(name: "BitLogger", package: "BitLogger"),
+                .product(name: "BitLogger", package: "BitLogger")
             ],
             path: "Sources",
             exclude: ["C"],
             sources: [
                 "TorManager.swift",
                 "TorURLSession.swift",
-                "TorNotifications.swift",
+                "TorNotifications.swift"
             ],
             linkerSettings: [
                 .linkedLibrary("resolv"),
                 .linkedLibrary("z"),
-                .linkedLibrary("sqlite3"),
+                .linkedLibrary("sqlite3")
             ]
         ),
         // Binary framework containing the Rust static library.
@@ -42,6 +42,6 @@ let package = Package(
         .binaryTarget(
             name: "arti",
             path: "Frameworks/arti.xcframework"
-        ),
+        )
     ]
 )

localPackages/BitFoundation/Package.swift

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ let package = Package(
         .target(
             name: "BitFoundation",
             dependencies: [
-                .product(name: "BitLogger", package: "BitLogger"),
+                .product(name: "BitLogger", package: "BitLogger")
             ],
             path: "Sources"
         ),

localPackages/BitFoundation/Sources/BitFoundation/CourierEnvelope.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,147 @@
+//
+// CourierEnvelope.swift
+// BitFoundation
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import Foundation
+private import CryptoKit
+
+/// TLV payload for store-and-forward courier envelopes.
+///
+/// A courier envelope lets a mutual favorite physically carry an encrypted
+/// message to a peer who is currently offline. The envelope is opaque to the
+/// courier: the only routing information is a rotating recipient tag derived
+/// from the recipient's Noise static public key and the UTC day, so envelopes
+/// addressed to the same peer on different days do not correlate for
+/// observers who don't already know that peer's public key.
+public struct CourierEnvelope: Equatable {
+    /// Rotating recipient hint: HMAC-SHA256(recipient static key, context || epoch day), truncated.
+    public let recipientTag: Data
+    /// Milliseconds since epoch after which the envelope must be discarded.
+    public let expiry: UInt64
+    /// Opaque one-way Noise X ciphertext (sender identity rides inside).
+    public let ciphertext: Data
+
+    public static let tagLength = 16
+    /// Couriered messages are text-sized; media transfers are out of scope.
+    public static let maxCiphertextBytes = 16 * 1024
+    /// Matches the outbox retention policy in MessageRouter.
+    public static let maxLifetimeSeconds: TimeInterval = 24 * 60 * 60
+
+    private enum TLVType: UInt8 {
+        case recipientTag = 0x01
+        case expiry = 0x02
+        case ciphertext = 0x03
+    }
+
+    public init(recipientTag: Data, expiry: UInt64, ciphertext: Data) {
+        self.recipientTag = recipientTag
+        self.expiry = expiry
+        self.ciphertext = ciphertext
+    }
+
+    public var isExpired: Bool {
+        isExpired(at: Date())
+    }
+
+    public func isExpired(at date: Date) -> Bool {
+        UInt64(max(0, date.timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000)) >= expiry
+    }
+
+    public func encode() -> Data? {
+        guard recipientTag.count == Self.tagLength else { return nil }
+        guard !ciphertext.isEmpty, ciphertext.count <= Self.maxCiphertextBytes else { return nil }
+
+        func appendBE<T: FixedWidthInteger>(_ value: T, into data: inout Data) {
+            var big = value.bigEndian
+            withUnsafeBytes(of: &big) { data.append(contentsOf: $0) }
+        }
+
+        var encoded = Data()
+        encoded.reserveCapacity(3 * 3 + Self.tagLength + 8 + ciphertext.count)
+
+        encoded.append(TLVType.recipientTag.rawValue)
+        appendBE(UInt16(recipientTag.count), into: &encoded)
+        encoded.append(recipientTag)
+
+        encoded.append(TLVType.expiry.rawValue)
+        appendBE(UInt16(8), into: &encoded)
+        appendBE(expiry, into: &encoded)
+
+        encoded.append(TLVType.ciphertext.rawValue)
+        appendBE(UInt16(ciphertext.count), into: &encoded)
+        encoded.append(ciphertext)
+
+        return encoded
+    }
+
+    public static func decode(_ data: Data) -> CourierEnvelope? {
+        var cursor = data.startIndex
+        let end = data.endIndex
+
+        var recipientTag: Data?
+        var expiry: UInt64?
+        var ciphertext: Data?
+
+        while cursor < end {
+            let typeRaw = data[cursor]
+            cursor = data.index(after: cursor)
+
+            guard data.distance(from: cursor, to: end) >= 2 else { return nil }
+            let length = Int(data[cursor]) << 8 | Int(data[data.index(after: cursor)])
+            cursor = data.index(cursor, offsetBy: 2)
+            guard data.distance(from: cursor, to: end) >= length else { return nil }
+            let value = data[cursor..<data.index(cursor, offsetBy: length)]
+            cursor = data.index(cursor, offsetBy: length)
+
+            switch TLVType(rawValue: typeRaw) {
+            case .recipientTag:
+                guard length == tagLength else { return nil }
+                recipientTag = Data(value)
+            case .expiry:
+                guard length == 8 else { return nil }
+                expiry = value.reduce(UInt64(0)) { ($0 << 8) | UInt64($1) }
+            case .ciphertext:
+                guard length > 0, length <= maxCiphertextBytes else { return nil }
+                ciphertext = Data(value)
+            case nil:
+                // Unknown TLV: skip for forward compatibility.
+                continue
+            }
+        }
+
+        guard let recipientTag, let expiry, let ciphertext else { return nil }
+        return CourierEnvelope(recipientTag: recipientTag, expiry: expiry, ciphertext: ciphertext)
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Recipient Tags
+
+    private static let tagContext = Data("bitchat-courier-tag-v1".utf8)
+
+    /// UTC day number used to rotate recipient tags.
+    public static func epochDay(for date: Date) -> UInt32 {
+        UInt32(max(0, date.timeIntervalSince1970) / 86_400)
+    }
+
+    /// Rotating recipient hint for a given day. Computable only by parties
+    /// who already know the recipient's Noise static public key.
+    public static func recipientTag(noiseStaticKey: Data, epochDay: UInt32) -> Data {
+        var message = tagContext
+        withUnsafeBytes(of: epochDay.bigEndian) { message.append(contentsOf: $0) }
+        let mac = HMAC<SHA256>.authenticationCode(for: message, using: SymmetricKey(data: noiseStaticKey))
+        return Data(mac).prefix(tagLength)
+    }
+
+    /// Tags to test when checking whether an envelope is addressed to a peer.
+    /// Covers the adjacent days so envelopes sealed near midnight (or across
+    /// modest clock skew) still match while being carried.
+    public static func candidateTags(noiseStaticKey: Data, around date: Date) -> [Data] {
+        let day = epochDay(for: date)
+        return [day == 0 ? 0 : day - 1, day, day + 1].map {
+            recipientTag(noiseStaticKey: noiseStaticKey, epochDay: $0)
+        }
+    }
+}

localPackages/BitFoundation/Sources/BitFoundation/Data+Hex.swift

@@ -8,44 +8,12 @@
 
 import struct Foundation.Data
 
-/// Lowercase hex digits used by `hexEncodedString()`.
-private let hexDigits: [UInt8] = Array("0123456789abcdef".utf8)
-
-/// Maps an ASCII byte to its hex nibble value, or nil for non-hex characters.
-/// Accepts both lowercase and uppercase hex digits.
-@inline(__always)
-private func hexNibble(_ ascii: UInt8) -> UInt8? {
-    switch ascii {
-    case UInt8(ascii: "0")...UInt8(ascii: "9"):
-        return ascii - UInt8(ascii: "0")
-    case UInt8(ascii: "a")...UInt8(ascii: "f"):
-        return ascii - UInt8(ascii: "a") + 10
-    case UInt8(ascii: "A")...UInt8(ascii: "F"):
-        return ascii - UInt8(ascii: "A") + 10
-    default:
-        return nil
-    }
-}
-
 public extension Data {
-    /// Lowercase hex representation of the bytes.
-    ///
-    /// Lookup-table based: this sits on the hot BLE receive path (it is called
-    /// several times per received packet via `PeerID(hexData:)`), where the
-    /// previous per-byte `String(format: "%02x", _)` implementation spent most
-    /// of its time re-parsing the format string through Foundation.
     func hexEncodedString() -> String {
-        if isEmpty {
+        if self.isEmpty {
             return ""
         }
-        var output = [UInt8](repeating: 0, count: count * 2)
+        return self.map { String(format: "%02x", $0) }.joined()
-        var i = 0
-        for byte in self {
-            output[i] = hexDigits[Int(byte >> 4)]
-            output[i + 1] = hexDigits[Int(byte & 0x0F)]
-            i += 2
-        }
-        return String(decoding: output, as: UTF8.self)
     }
 
     /// Initialize Data from a hex string.
@@ -60,28 +28,28 @@ public extension Data {
             hex = String(hex.dropFirst(2))
         }
 
-        let ascii = Array(hex.utf8)
-
         // Reject odd-length strings
-        guard ascii.count % 2 == 0 else {
+        guard hex.count % 2 == 0 else {
             return nil
         }
 
-        // Accept empty strings
+        // Reject empty strings
-        guard !ascii.isEmpty else {
+        guard !hex.isEmpty else {
             self = Data()
             return
         }
 
-        var data = Data(capacity: ascii.count / 2)
+        let len = hex.count / 2
-        var index = 0
+        var data = Data(capacity: len)
-        while index < ascii.count {
+        var index = hex.startIndex
-            guard let high = hexNibble(ascii[index]),
+
-                  let low = hexNibble(ascii[index + 1]) else {
+        for _ in 0..<len {
+            let nextIndex = hex.index(index, offsetBy: 2)
+            guard let byte = UInt8(String(hex[index..<nextIndex]), radix: 16) else {
                 return nil
             }
-            data.append((high << 4) | low)
+            data.append(byte)
-            index += 2
+            index = nextIndex
         }
 
         self = data

localPackages/BitFoundation/Sources/BitFoundation/DeliveryStatus.swift

@@ -11,17 +11,20 @@ import struct Foundation.Date
 public enum DeliveryStatus: Codable, Equatable, Hashable {
     case sending
     case sent  // Left our device
+    case carried  // Sealed envelope handed to a courier; best-effort physical delivery
     case delivered(to: String, at: Date)  // Confirmed by recipient
     case read(by: String, at: Date)  // Seen by recipient
     case failed(reason: String)
     case partiallyDelivered(reached: Int, total: Int)  // For rooms
-    
+
     public var displayText: String {
         switch self {
         case .sending:
             return "Sending..."
         case .sent:
             return "Sent"
+        case .carried:
+            return "Carried by a friend"
         case .delivered(let nickname, _):
             return "Delivered to \(nickname)"
         case .read(let nickname, _):

localPackages/BitFoundation/Sources/BitFoundation/MessageType.swift

@@ -12,8 +12,9 @@
 public enum MessageType: UInt8 {
     // Public messages (unencrypted)
     case announce = 0x01        // "I'm here" with nickname
-    case message = 0x02         // Public chat message  
+    case message = 0x02         // Public chat message
     case leave = 0x03           // "I'm leaving"
+    case courierEnvelope = 0x04 // Store-and-forward envelope carried by a trusted peer
     case requestSync = 0x21     // GCS filter-based sync request (local-only)
     
     // Noise encryption
@@ -29,6 +30,7 @@ public enum MessageType: UInt8 {
         case .announce: return "announce"
         case .message: return "message"
         case .leave: return "leave"
+        case .courierEnvelope: return "courierEnvelope"
         case .requestSync: return "requestSync"
         case .noiseHandshake: return "noiseHandshake"
         case .noiseEncrypted: return "noiseEncrypted"