Add localizable strings in show commands view (#828)

* Add localizable strings in show commands view n refactor code to remove duplicate string declarations.

* Modify struct to enum in separate file to Models/CommandsInfo.

* Add corrections code in refactory and enum.

* Correct code in command enum and ContentView.

* Dedicated CommandSuggestionsView to extract code

* Simplify CommandInfo + minor optimization

* Fix preview

---------

Co-authored-by: islam <2553451+qalandarov@users.noreply.github.com>

bitchat.xcodeproj/xcshareddata/xcschemes/bitchat (iOS).xcscheme

@@ -98,8 +98,8 @@
       </BuildableProductRunnable>
       <EnvironmentVariables>
          <EnvironmentVariable
-            key = "-DBITCHAT_DEV_ALLOW_CLEARNET"
-            value = ""
+            key = "BITCHAT_LOG_LEVEL"
+            value = "debug"
             isEnabled = "YES">
          </EnvironmentVariable>
       </EnvironmentVariables>

bitchat/BitchatApp.swift

@@ -57,11 +57,9 @@ struct BitchatApp: App {
                         let npub = try? idBridge.getCurrentNostrIdentity()?.npub
                         _ = VerificationService.shared.buildMyQRString(nickname: chatViewModel.nickname, npub: npub)
                     }
-                    #if os(iOS)
+
                     appDelegate.chatViewModel = chatViewModel
-                    #elseif os(macOS)
-                    appDelegate.chatViewModel = chatViewModel
-                    #endif
+
                     // Initialize network activation policy; will start Tor/Nostr only when allowed
                     NetworkActivationService.shared.start()
                     // Check for shared content
@@ -189,6 +187,10 @@ final class AppDelegate: NSObject, UIApplicationDelegate {
     func application(_ application: UIApplication, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [UIApplication.LaunchOptionsKey : Any]? = nil) -> Bool {
         return true
     }
+    
+    func applicationWillTerminate(_ application: UIApplication) {
+        chatViewModel?.applicationWillTerminate()
+    }
 }
 #endif
 
@@ -246,7 +248,7 @@ final class NotificationDelegate: NSObject, UNUserNotificationCenterDelegate {
             // Get peer ID from userInfo
             if let peerID = userInfo["peerID"] as? String {
                 // Don't show notification if the private chat is already open
-                if chatViewModel?.selectedPrivateChatPeer == peerID {
+                if chatViewModel?.selectedPrivateChatPeer == PeerID(str: peerID) {
                     completionHandler([])
                     return
                 }

bitchat/Features/media/ImageUtils.swift

@@ -13,10 +13,10 @@ enum ImageUtilsError: Error {
 }
 
 enum ImageUtils {
-    private static let compressionQuality: CGFloat = 0.85
-    private static let targetImageBytes: Int = 60_000
+    private static let compressionQuality: CGFloat = 0.82
+    private static let targetImageBytes: Int = 45_000
 
-    static func processImage(at url: URL, maxDimension: CGFloat = 512) throws -> URL {
+    static func processImage(at url: URL, maxDimension: CGFloat = 448) throws -> URL {
         // Security H1: Check file size BEFORE reading into memory
         let attrs = try FileManager.default.attributesOfItem(atPath: url.path)
         guard let fileSize = attrs[.size] as? Int else {
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ enum ImageUtils {
     }
 
     #if os(iOS)
-    static func processImage(_ image: UIImage, maxDimension: CGFloat = 512) throws -> URL {
+    static func processImage(_ image: UIImage, maxDimension: CGFloat = 448) throws -> URL {
         return try autoreleasepool {
             // Scale the image first
             let scaled = scaledImage(image, maxDimension: maxDimension)
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ enum ImageUtils {
         return data as Data
     }
     #else
-    static func processImage(_ image: NSImage, maxDimension: CGFloat = 512) throws -> URL {
+    static func processImage(_ image: NSImage, maxDimension: CGFloat = 448) throws -> URL {
         return try autoreleasepool {
             let scaled = scaledImage(image, maxDimension: maxDimension)
             guard let inputCG = scaled.cgImage(forProposedRect: nil, context: nil, hints: nil) else {

bitchat/Features/voice/VoiceRecorder.swift

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ final class VoiceRecorder: NSObject, AVAudioRecorderDelegate {
 
     private let queue = DispatchQueue(label: "com.bitchat.voice-recorder")
     private let paddingInterval: TimeInterval = 0.5
+    private let maxRecordingDuration: TimeInterval = 120
 
     private var recorder: AVAudioRecorder?
     private var currentURL: URL?
@@ -75,14 +76,14 @@ final class VoiceRecorder: NSObject, AVAudioRecorderDelegate {
                 AVFormatIDKey: kAudioFormatMPEG4AAC,
                 AVSampleRateKey: 16_000,
                 AVNumberOfChannelsKey: 1,
-                AVEncoderBitRateKey: 20_000
+                AVEncoderBitRateKey: 16_000
             ]
 
             let audioRecorder = try AVAudioRecorder(url: outputURL, settings: settings)
             audioRecorder.delegate = self
             audioRecorder.isMeteringEnabled = true
             audioRecorder.prepareToRecord()
-            audioRecorder.record()
+            audioRecorder.record(forDuration: maxRecordingDuration)
 
             recorder = audioRecorder
             currentURL = outputURL

bitchat/Models/BitchatPacket.swift

@@ -21,8 +21,9 @@ struct BitchatPacket: Codable {
     let payload: Data
     var signature: Data?
     var ttl: UInt8
+    var route: [Data]?
     
-    init(type: UInt8, senderID: Data, recipientID: Data?, timestamp: UInt64, payload: Data, signature: Data?, ttl: UInt8, version: UInt8 = 1) {
+    init(type: UInt8, senderID: Data, recipientID: Data?, timestamp: UInt64, payload: Data, signature: Data?, ttl: UInt8, version: UInt8 = 1, route: [Data]? = nil) {
         self.version = version
         self.type = type
         self.senderID = senderID
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ struct BitchatPacket: Codable {
         self.payload = payload
         self.signature = signature
         self.ttl = ttl
+        self.route = route
     }
     
     // Convenience initializer for new binary format
@@ -53,6 +55,7 @@ struct BitchatPacket: Codable {
         self.payload = payload
         self.signature = nil
         self.ttl = ttl
+        self.route = nil
     }
     
     var data: Data? {
@@ -81,7 +84,8 @@ struct BitchatPacket: Codable {
             payload: payload,
             signature: nil, // Remove signature for signing
             ttl: 0, // Use fixed TTL=0 for signing to ensure relay compatibility
-            version: version
+            version: version,
+            route: route
         )
         return BinaryProtocol.encode(unsignedPacket)
     }

bitchat/Models/CommandInfo.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+//
+// CommandsInfo.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import Foundation
+
+// MARK: - CommandInfo Enum
+
+enum CommandInfo: String, Identifiable {
+    case block
+    case clear
+    case hug
+    case message = "dm"
+    case slap
+    case unblock
+    case who
+    case favorite
+    case unfavorite
+    
+    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:
+            return nil
+        }
+    }
+    
+    var description: String {
+        switch self {
+        case .block:        String(localized: "content.commands.block")
+        case .clear:        String(localized: "content.commands.clear")
+        case .hug:          String(localized: "content.commands.hug")
+        case .message:      String(localized: "content.commands.message")
+        case .slap:         String(localized: "content.commands.slap")
+        case .unblock:      String(localized: "content.commands.unblock")
+        case .who:          String(localized: "content.commands.who")
+        case .favorite:     String(localized: "content.commands.favorite")
+        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]
+        if isGeoPublic || isGeoDM {
+            return baseCommands + [.favorite, .unfavorite]
+        }
+        return baseCommands
+    }
+}

bitchat/Models/PeerID.swift

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ struct PeerID: Equatable, Hashable {
     // Private so the callers have to go through a convenience init
     private init(prefix: Prefix, bare: any StringProtocol) {
         self.prefix = prefix
-        self.bare = String(bare)
+        self.bare = String(bare).lowercased()
     }
 }
 
@@ -76,6 +76,12 @@ extension PeerID {
     init(hexData: Data) {
         self.init(str: hexData.hexEncodedString())
     }
+    
+    /// Convenience init to "hide" hex-encoding implementation detail
+    init?(hexData: Data?) {
+        guard let hexData else { return nil }
+        self.init(hexData: hexData)
+    }
 }
 
 // MARK: - Noise Public Key Helpers
@@ -130,6 +136,20 @@ extension PeerID {
     }
 }
 
+extension PeerID {
+    var routingData: Data? {
+        if let direct = Data(hexString: id), direct.count == 8 { return direct }
+        if let bareData = Data(hexString: bare), bareData.count == 8 { return bareData }
+        let short = toShort()
+        return Data(hexString: short.id)
+    }
+
+    init?(routingData: Data) {
+        guard routingData.count == 8 else { return nil }
+        self.init(hexData: routingData)
+    }
+}
+
 // MARK: - Validation
 
 extension PeerID {
@@ -191,9 +211,7 @@ extension PeerID: Comparable {
     }
 }
 
-// MARK: - String Interop Helpers
-
-// MARK: CustomStringConvertible
+// MARK: - CustomStringConvertible
 
 extension PeerID: CustomStringConvertible {
     /// So it returns the actual `id` like before even inside another String
@@ -201,17 +219,3 @@ extension PeerID: CustomStringConvertible {
         id
     }
 }
-
-// MARK: Custom Equatable w/ String & Optionality
-
-// PeerID <> String
-extension Optional where Wrapped == PeerID {
-    static func ==(lhs: Optional<Wrapped>, rhs: Optional<String>) -> Bool   { lhs?.id == rhs }
-    static func !=(lhs: Optional<Wrapped>, rhs: Optional<String>) -> Bool   { lhs?.id != rhs }
-}
-
-// String <> PeerID
-extension Optional where Wrapped == String {
-    static func ==(lhs: Optional<Wrapped>, rhs: Optional<PeerID>) -> Bool   { lhs == rhs?.id }
-    static func !=(lhs: Optional<Wrapped>, rhs: Optional<PeerID>) -> Bool   { lhs != rhs?.id }
-}

bitchat/Models/RequestSyncPacket.swift

@@ -8,6 +8,14 @@ struct RequestSyncPacket {
     let p: Int
     let m: UInt32
     let data: Data
+    let types: SyncTypeFlags?
+
+    init(p: Int, m: UInt32, data: Data, types: SyncTypeFlags? = nil) {
+        self.p = p
+        self.m = m
+        self.data = data
+        self.types = types
+    }
 
     func encode() -> Data {
         var out = Data()
@@ -25,6 +33,9 @@ struct RequestSyncPacket {
         putTLV(0x02, withUnsafeBytes(of: &mBE) { Data($0) })
         // data
         putTLV(0x03, data)
+        if let typesData = types?.toData() {
+            putTLV(0x04, typesData)
+        }
         return out
     }
 
@@ -33,6 +44,7 @@ struct RequestSyncPacket {
         var p: Int? = nil
         var m: UInt32? = nil
         var payload: Data? = nil
+        var types: SyncTypeFlags? = nil
 
         while off + 3 <= data.count {
             let t = Int(data[off]); off += 1
@@ -52,12 +64,16 @@ struct RequestSyncPacket {
             case 0x03:
                 if v.count > maxAcceptBytes { return nil }
                 payload = v
+            case 0x04:
+                if let decoded = SyncTypeFlags.decode(v) {
+                    types = decoded
+                }
             default:
                 break // forward compatible; ignore unknown TLVs
             }
         }
 
         guard let pp = p, let mm = m, let dd = payload, pp >= 1, mm > 0 else { return nil }
-        return RequestSyncPacket(p: pp, m: mm, data: dd)
+        return RequestSyncPacket(p: pp, m: mm, data: dd, types: types)
     }
 }

bitchat/Nostr/GeoRelayDirectory.swift

@@ -284,7 +284,10 @@ final class GeoRelayDirectory {
             object: nil,
             queue: .main
         ) { [weak self] _ in
-            self?.prefetchIfNeeded(force: true)
+            guard let self else { return }
+            Task { @MainActor in
+                self.prefetchIfNeeded(force: true)
+            }
         }
         observers.append(torReady)
 
@@ -294,7 +297,10 @@ final class GeoRelayDirectory {
             object: nil,
             queue: .main
         ) { [weak self] _ in
-            self?.prefetchIfNeeded()
+            guard let self else { return }
+            Task { @MainActor in
+                self.prefetchIfNeeded()
+            }
         }
         observers.append(didBecomeActive)
 #elseif os(macOS)
@@ -303,7 +309,10 @@ final class GeoRelayDirectory {
             object: nil,
             queue: .main
         ) { [weak self] _ in
-            self?.prefetchIfNeeded()
+            guard let self else { return }
+            Task { @MainActor in
+                self.prefetchIfNeeded()
+            }
         }
         observers.append(didBecomeActive)
 #endif

bitchat/Protocols/BinaryProtocol.swift

@@ -137,6 +137,7 @@ struct BinaryProtocol {
         static let hasRecipient: UInt8 = 0x01
         static let hasSignature: UInt8 = 0x02
         static let isCompressed: UInt8 = 0x04
+        static let hasRoute: UInt8 = 0x08
     }
     
     // Encode BitchatPacket to binary format
@@ -160,8 +161,21 @@ struct BinaryProtocol {
         }
 
         let lengthFieldBytes = lengthFieldSize(for: version)
+        let originalRoute = packet.route ?? []
+        if originalRoute.contains(where: { $0.isEmpty }) { return nil }
+        let sanitizedRoute: [Data] = originalRoute.map { hop in
+            if hop.count == senderIDSize { return hop }
+            if hop.count > senderIDSize { return Data(hop.prefix(senderIDSize)) }
+            var padded = hop
+            padded.append(Data(repeating: 0, count: senderIDSize - hop.count))
+            return padded
+        }
+        guard sanitizedRoute.count <= 255 else { return nil }
+
+        let hasRoute = !sanitizedRoute.isEmpty
+        let routeLength = hasRoute ? 1 + sanitizedRoute.count * senderIDSize : 0
         let originalSizeFieldBytes = isCompressed ? lengthFieldBytes : 0
-        let payloadDataSize = payload.count + originalSizeFieldBytes
+        let payloadDataSize = routeLength + payload.count + originalSizeFieldBytes
 
         if version == 1 && payloadDataSize > Int(UInt16.max) { return nil }
         if version == 2 && payloadDataSize > Int(UInt32.max) { return nil }
@@ -185,6 +199,7 @@ struct BinaryProtocol {
         if packet.recipientID != nil { flags |= Flags.hasRecipient }
         if packet.signature != nil { flags |= Flags.hasSignature }
         if isCompressed { flags |= Flags.isCompressed }
+        if hasRoute { flags |= Flags.hasRoute }
         data.append(flags)
 
         if version == 2 {
@@ -212,6 +227,13 @@ struct BinaryProtocol {
             }
         }
 
+        if hasRoute {
+            data.append(UInt8(sanitizedRoute.count))
+            for hop in sanitizedRoute {
+                data.append(hop)
+            }
+        }
+
         if isCompressed, let originalSize = originalPayloadSize {
             if version == 2 {
                 let value = UInt32(originalSize)
@@ -321,9 +343,27 @@ struct BinaryProtocol {
                 if recipientID == nil { return nil }
             }
 
+            var route: [Data]? = nil
+            var remainingPayloadBytes = payloadLength
+
+            if (flags & Flags.hasRoute) != 0 {
+                guard remainingPayloadBytes >= 1, let routeCount = read8() else { return nil }
+                remainingPayloadBytes -= 1
+                if routeCount > 0 {
+                    var hops: [Data] = []
+                    for _ in 0..<Int(routeCount) {
+                        guard remainingPayloadBytes >= senderIDSize,
+                              let hop = readData(senderIDSize) else { return nil }
+                        remainingPayloadBytes -= senderIDSize
+                        hops.append(hop)
+                    }
+                    route = hops
+                }
+            }
+
             let payload: Data
             if isCompressed {
-                guard payloadLength >= lengthFieldBytes else { return nil }
+                guard remainingPayloadBytes >= lengthFieldBytes else { return nil }
                 let originalSize: Int
                 if version == 2 {
                     guard let rawSize = read32() else { return nil }
@@ -332,16 +372,12 @@ struct BinaryProtocol {
                     guard let rawSize = read16() else { return nil }
                     originalSize = Int(rawSize)
                 }
-                // Guard to keep decompression bounded to sane BLE payload limits
-                // Use maxFramedFileBytes to account for TLV overhead in file transfer payloads
+                remainingPayloadBytes -= lengthFieldBytes
                 guard originalSize >= 0 && originalSize <= FileTransferLimits.maxFramedFileBytes else { return nil }
-                let compressedSize = payloadLength - lengthFieldBytes
-                guard compressedSize >= 0, let compressed = readData(compressedSize) else { return nil }
+                let compressedSize = remainingPayloadBytes
+                guard compressedSize > 0, let compressed = readData(compressedSize) else { return nil }
+                remainingPayloadBytes = 0
 
-                // Validate compression ratio to prevent zip bomb attacks
-                // Primary protection: originalSize capped at 1MB (line 336)
-                // Defense-in-depth: reject extreme ratios (prevents DoS via memory allocation)
-                guard compressedSize > 0 else { return nil }
                 let compressionRatio = Double(originalSize) / Double(compressedSize)
                 guard compressionRatio <= 50_000.0 else {
                     SecureLogger.warning("🚫 Suspicious compression ratio: \(String(format: "%.0f", compressionRatio)):1", category: .security)
@@ -352,7 +388,9 @@ struct BinaryProtocol {
                       decompressed.count == originalSize else { return nil }
                 payload = decompressed
             } else {
-                guard let rawPayload = readData(payloadLength) else { return nil }
+                guard remainingPayloadBytes >= 0,
+                      let rawPayload = readData(remainingPayloadBytes) else { return nil }
+                remainingPayloadBytes = 0
                 payload = rawPayload
             }
 
@@ -372,7 +410,8 @@ struct BinaryProtocol {
                 payload: payload,
                 signature: signature,
                 ttl: ttl,
-                version: version
+                version: version,
+                route: route
             )
         }
     }

bitchat/Protocols/BitchatProtocol.swift

@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ protocol BitchatDelegate: AnyObject {
 
     // Bluetooth state updates for user notifications
     func didUpdateBluetoothState(_ state: CBManagerState)
-    func didReceivePublicMessage(from peerID: PeerID, nickname: String, content: String, timestamp: Date)
+    func didReceivePublicMessage(from peerID: PeerID, nickname: String, content: String, timestamp: Date, messageID: String?)
 }
 
 // Provide default implementation to make it effectively optional
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ extension BitchatDelegate {
         // Default empty implementation
     }
 
-    func didReceivePublicMessage(from peerID: PeerID, nickname: String, content: String, timestamp: Date) {
+    func didReceivePublicMessage(from peerID: PeerID, nickname: String, content: String, timestamp: Date, messageID: String?) {
         // Default empty implementation
     }
 }

bitchat/Protocols/LocationChannel.swift

@@ -116,4 +116,18 @@ enum ChannelID: Equatable, Codable {
         case .location(let ch): return ch.geohash
         }
     }
+    
+    var isMesh: Bool {
+        switch self {
+        case .mesh:     true
+        case .location: false
+        }
+    }
+    
+    var isLocation: Bool {
+        switch self {
+        case .mesh:     false
+        case .location: true
+        }
+    }
 }

bitchat/Protocols/Packets.swift

@@ -6,11 +6,13 @@ struct AnnouncementPacket {
     let nickname: String
     let noisePublicKey: Data            // Noise static public key (Curve25519.KeyAgreement)
     let signingPublicKey: Data          // Ed25519 public key for signing
+    let directNeighbors: [Data]?        // 8-byte peer IDs
 
     private enum TLVType: UInt8 {
         case nickname = 0x01
         case noisePublicKey = 0x02
         case signingPublicKey = 0x03
+        case directNeighbors = 0x04
     }
 
     func encode() -> Data? {
@@ -35,6 +37,16 @@ struct AnnouncementPacket {
         data.append(TLVType.signingPublicKey.rawValue)
         data.append(UInt8(signingPublicKey.count))
         data.append(signingPublicKey)
+        
+        // TLV for direct neighbors (optional)
+        if let neighbors = directNeighbors, !neighbors.isEmpty {
+            let neighborsData = neighbors.prefix(10).reduce(Data()) { $0 + $1 }
+            if !neighborsData.isEmpty && neighborsData.count % 8 == 0 {
+                data.append(TLVType.directNeighbors.rawValue)
+                data.append(UInt8(neighborsData.count))
+                data.append(neighborsData)
+            }
+        }
 
         return data
     }
@@ -44,6 +56,7 @@ struct AnnouncementPacket {
         var nickname: String?
         var noisePublicKey: Data?
         var signingPublicKey: Data?
+        var directNeighbors: [Data]?
 
         while offset + 2 <= data.count {
             let typeRaw = data[offset]
@@ -63,6 +76,17 @@ struct AnnouncementPacket {
                     noisePublicKey = Data(value)
                 case .signingPublicKey:
                     signingPublicKey = Data(value)
+                case .directNeighbors:
+                    if length > 0 && length % 8 == 0 {
+                        var neighbors = [Data]()
+                        let count = length / 8
+                        for i in 0..<count {
+                            let start = value.startIndex + i * 8
+                            let end = start + 8
+                            neighbors.append(Data(value[start..<end]))
+                        }
+                        directNeighbors = neighbors
+                    }
                 }
             } else {
                 // Unknown TLV; skip (tolerant decoder for forward compatibility)
@@ -74,7 +98,8 @@ struct AnnouncementPacket {
         return AnnouncementPacket(
             nickname: nickname,
             noisePublicKey: noisePublicKey,
-            signingPublicKey: signingPublicKey
+            signingPublicKey: signingPublicKey,
+            directNeighbors: directNeighbors
         )
     }
 }

bitchat/Services/BLE/MimeType.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,195 @@
+//
+// MimeType.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import UniformTypeIdentifiers
+
+// MARK: - Extensions for missing UTTypes
+
+extension UTType {
+    static let webP = UTType(importedAs: "image/webp")
+    static let aac  = UTType(importedAs: "audio/aac")
+    static let m4a  = UTType(importedAs: "audio/m4a")
+    static let ogg  = UTType(importedAs: "audio/ogg")
+}
+
+// MARK: - MimeType Enum
+
+enum MimeType: CaseIterable, Hashable {
+    case jpeg
+    case jpg
+    case png
+    case gif
+    case webp
+    case mp4Audio
+    case m4a
+    case aac
+    case mpeg
+    case mp3
+    case wav
+    case xWav
+    case ogg
+    case pdf
+    case octetStream
+
+    var utType: UTType {
+        switch self {
+        case .jpeg, .jpg:   .jpeg
+        case .png:          .png
+        case .gif:          .gif
+        case .webp:         .webP
+        case .aac:          .aac
+        case .m4a:          .m4a
+        case .mp4Audio:     .mpeg4Audio
+        case .mp3, .mpeg:   .mp3
+        case .wav, .xWav:   .wav
+        case .ogg:          .ogg
+        case .pdf:          .pdf
+        case .octetStream:  .data
+        }
+    }
+    
+    var category: Category {
+        switch self {
+        case .jpeg, .jpg, .png, .gif, .webp:
+            return .image
+        case .aac, .m4a, .mp4Audio, .mpeg, .mp3, .wav, .xWav, .ogg:
+            return .audio
+        case .pdf, .octetStream:
+            return .file
+        }
+    }
+
+
+    var mimeString: String {
+        switch self {
+        case .jpeg, .jpg:   "image/jpeg"
+        case .png:          "image/png"
+        case .gif:          "image/gif"
+        case .webp:         "image/webp"
+        case .mp4Audio:     "audio/mp4"
+        case .m4a:          "audio/m4a"
+        case .aac:          "audio/aac"
+        case .mpeg:         "audio/mpeg"
+        case .mp3:          "audio/mp3"
+        case .wav:          "audio/wav"
+        case .xWav:         "audio/x-wav"
+        case .ogg:          "audio/ogg"
+        case .pdf:          "application/pdf"
+        case .octetStream:  "application/octet-stream"
+        }
+    }
+    
+    var defaultExtension: String {
+        switch self {
+        case .jpeg, .jpg:           "jpg"
+        case .png:                  "png"
+        case .webp:                 "webp"
+        case .gif:                  "gif"
+        case .mp4Audio, .m4a, .aac: "m4a"
+        case .mpeg, .mp3:           "mp3"
+        case .wav, .xWav:           "wav"
+        case .ogg:                  "ogg"
+        case .pdf:                  "pdf"
+        case .octetStream:          "bin"
+        }
+    }
+
+    static var allowed: Set<MimeType> = [
+        .jpeg, .jpg, .png, .gif, .webp,
+        .mp4Audio, .m4a, .aac, .mpeg, .mp3,
+        .wav, .xWav, .ogg,
+        .pdf, .octetStream
+    ]
+
+    var isAllowed: Bool {
+        Self.allowed.contains(self)
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Byte signature validation
+    func matches(data: Data) -> Bool {
+        guard !data.isEmpty else { return false }
+
+        // Generic type → skip validation
+        if self == .octetStream { return true }
+
+        switch self {
+        case .jpeg, .jpg:
+            return data.count >= 3 && data[0] == 0xFF && data[1] == 0xD8 && data[2] == 0xFF
+
+        case .png:
+            return data.count >= 8 &&
+                   data[0] == 0x89 && data[1] == 0x50 && data[2] == 0x4E && data[3] == 0x47 &&
+                   data[4] == 0x0D && data[5] == 0x0A && data[6] == 0x1A && data[7] == 0x0A
+
+        case .gif:
+            return data.count >= 6 && data[0] == 0x47 && data[1] == 0x49 && data[2] == 0x46 &&
+                   data[3] == 0x38 && (data[4] == 0x37 || data[4] == 0x39) && data[5] == 0x61
+
+        case .webp:
+            return data.count >= 12 &&
+                   data[0] == 0x52 && data[1] == 0x49 && data[2] == 0x46 && data[3] == 0x46 &&
+                   data[8] == 0x57 && data[9] == 0x45 && data[10] == 0x42 && data[11] == 0x50
+
+        case .m4a, .mp4Audio, .aac:
+            // AVAudioRecorder output varies by platform - be lenient
+            // Security: size already capped + sandboxed execution
+            return data.count > 100
+
+        case .mpeg, .mp3:
+            if data.count >= 3 && data[0] == 0x49 && data[1] == 0x44 && data[2] == 0x33 {
+                return true // ID3 header
+            }
+            return data.count >= 2 && data[0] == 0xFF && (data[1] & 0xE0) == 0xE0
+
+        case .wav, .xWav:
+            return data.count >= 12 &&
+                   data[0] == 0x52 && data[1] == 0x49 && data[2] == 0x46 && data[3] == 0x46 &&
+                   data[8] == 0x57 && data[9] == 0x41 && data[10] == 0x56 && data[11] == 0x45
+
+        case .ogg:
+            return data.count >= 4 &&
+                   data[0] == 0x4F && data[1] == 0x67 && data[2] == 0x67 && data[3] == 0x53
+
+        case .pdf:
+            return data.count >= 4 &&
+                   data[0] == 0x25 && data[1] == 0x50 && data[2] == 0x44 && data[3] == 0x46
+
+        default:
+            return false
+        }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Convenience Initializers
+
+    init?(_ mimeString: String?) {
+        guard let mimeString else { return nil }
+        
+        let normalized = mimeString.lowercased()
+
+        // Direct match with our canonical list
+        if let match = MimeType.allCases.first(where: { $0.mimeString == normalized }) {
+            self = match
+            return
+        }
+
+        // Let UTType normalize aliases like "image/jpg", "audio/x-wav", etc.
+        if let type = UTType(mimeType: normalized),
+           let match = MimeType.allCases.first(where: { type.conforms(to: $0.utType) }) {
+            self = match
+            return
+        }
+
+        return nil
+    }
+}
+
+extension MimeType {
+    enum Category: String {
+        case audio, image, file
+    }
+}

bitchat/Services/MeshTopologyTracker.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+import Foundation
+
+/// Tracks observed mesh topology and computes hop-by-hop routes.
+final class MeshTopologyTracker {
+    private typealias RoutingID = Data
+
+    private let queue = DispatchQueue(label: "mesh.topology", attributes: .concurrent)
+    private let hopSize = 8
+    private var adjacency: [RoutingID: Set<RoutingID>] = [:]
+
+    func reset() {
+        queue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
+            self.adjacency.removeAll()
+        }
+    }
+
+    func recordDirectLink(between a: Data?, and b: Data?) {
+        guard let left = sanitize(a), let right = sanitize(b), left != right else { return }
+        queue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
+            var setA = self.adjacency[left] ?? []
+            setA.insert(right)
+            self.adjacency[left] = setA
+
+            var setB = self.adjacency[right] ?? []
+            setB.insert(left)
+            self.adjacency[right] = setB
+        }
+    }
+
+    func removeDirectLink(between a: Data?, and b: Data?) {
+        guard let left = sanitize(a), let right = sanitize(b), left != right else { return }
+        queue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
+            if var setA = self.adjacency[left] {
+                setA.remove(right)
+                self.adjacency[left] = setA.isEmpty ? nil : setA
+            }
+            if var setB = self.adjacency[right] {
+                setB.remove(left)
+                self.adjacency[right] = setB.isEmpty ? nil : setB
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    func removePeer(_ data: Data?) {
+        guard let peer = sanitize(data) else { return }
+        queue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
+            guard let neighbors = self.adjacency.removeValue(forKey: peer) else { return }
+            for neighbor in neighbors {
+                if var set = self.adjacency[neighbor] {
+                    set.remove(peer)
+                    self.adjacency[neighbor] = set.isEmpty ? nil : set
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    func recordRoute(_ hops: [Data]) {
+        let sanitized = hops.compactMap { sanitize($0) }
+        guard sanitized.count >= 2 else { return }
+        queue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
+            for idx in 0..<(sanitized.count - 1) {
+                let left = sanitized[idx]
+                let right = sanitized[idx + 1]
+                guard left != right else { continue }
+
+                var setA = self.adjacency[left] ?? []
+                setA.insert(right)
+                self.adjacency[left] = setA
+
+                var setB = self.adjacency[right] ?? []
+                setB.insert(left)
+                self.adjacency[right] = setB
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    func computeRoute(from start: Data?, to goal: Data?, maxHops: Int = 255) -> [Data]? {
+        guard let source = sanitize(start), let target = sanitize(goal) else { return nil }
+        if source == target { return [source] }
+
+        let graph = queue.sync { adjacency }
+        guard graph[source] != nil, graph[target] != nil else { return nil }
+
+        var visited: Set<RoutingID> = [source]
+        var queuePaths: [[RoutingID]] = [[source]]
+        var index = 0
+
+        while index < queuePaths.count {
+            let path = queuePaths[index]
+            index += 1
+            guard path.count <= maxHops else { continue }
+            guard let last = path.last, let neighbors = graph[last] else { continue }
+
+            for neighbor in neighbors {
+                if visited.contains(neighbor) { continue }
+                var nextPath = path
+                nextPath.append(neighbor)
+                if neighbor == target { return nextPath }
+                if nextPath.count <= maxHops {
+                    queuePaths.append(nextPath)
+                }
+                visited.insert(neighbor)
+            }
+        }
+
+        return nil
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Helpers
+
+    private func sanitize(_ data: Data?) -> Data? {
+        guard var value = data, !value.isEmpty else { return nil }
+        if value.count > hopSize {
+            value = Data(value.prefix(hopSize))
+        } else if value.count < hopSize {
+            value.append(Data(repeating: 0, count: hopSize - value.count))
+        }
+        return value
+    }
+}

bitchat/Services/NoiseEncryptionService.swift

@@ -177,18 +177,18 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
     private let rekeyCheckInterval: TimeInterval = 60.0 // Check every minute
     
     // Callbacks
-    private var onPeerAuthenticatedHandlers: [((String, String) -> Void)] = [] // Array of handlers for peer authentication
+    private var onPeerAuthenticatedHandlers: [((PeerID, String) -> Void)] = [] // Array of handlers for peer authentication
     var onHandshakeRequired: ((PeerID) -> Void)? // peerID needs handshake
     
     // Add a handler for peer authentication
-    func addOnPeerAuthenticatedHandler(_ handler: @escaping (String, String) -> Void) {
+    func addOnPeerAuthenticatedHandler(_ handler: @escaping (PeerID, String) -> Void) {
         serviceQueue.async(flags: .barrier) { [weak self] in
             self?.onPeerAuthenticatedHandlers.append(handler)
         }
     }
     
     // Legacy support - setting this will add to the handlers array
-    var onPeerAuthenticated: ((String, String) -> Void)? {
+    var onPeerAuthenticated: ((PeerID, String) -> Void)? {
         get { nil } // Always return nil for backward compatibility
         set {
             if let handler = newValue {
@@ -546,7 +546,7 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
         // Notify all handlers about authentication
         serviceQueue.async { [weak self] in
             self?.onPeerAuthenticatedHandlers.forEach { handler in
-                handler(peerID.id, fingerprint)
+                handler(peerID, fingerprint)
             }
         }
     }

bitchat/Services/NotificationService.swift

@@ -29,28 +29,30 @@ final class NotificationService {
         }
     }
     
-    func sendLocalNotification(title: String, body: String, identifier: String, userInfo: [String: Any]? = nil) {
-        // For now, skip app state check entirely to avoid thread issues
-        // The NotificationDelegate will handle foreground presentation
-        DispatchQueue.main.async {
-            let content = UNMutableNotificationContent()
-            content.title = title
-            content.body = body
-            content.sound = .default
-            if let userInfo = userInfo {
-                content.userInfo = userInfo
-            }
-            
-            let request = UNNotificationRequest(
-                identifier: identifier,
-                content: content,
-                trigger: nil // Deliver immediately
-            )
-            
-            UNUserNotificationCenter.current().add(request) { _ in
-                // Notification added
-            }
+    func sendLocalNotification(
+        title: String,
+        body: String,
+        identifier: String,
+        userInfo: [String: Any]? = nil,
+        interruptionLevel: UNNotificationInterruptionLevel = .active
+    ) {
+        let content = UNMutableNotificationContent()
+        content.title = title
+        content.body = body
+        content.sound = .default
+        content.interruptionLevel = interruptionLevel
+
+        if let userInfo = userInfo {
+            content.userInfo = userInfo
         }
+
+        let request = UNNotificationRequest(
+            identifier: identifier,
+            content: content,
+            trigger: nil // Deliver immediately
+        )
+
+        UNUserNotificationCenter.current().add(request)
     }
     
     func sendMentionNotification(from sender: String, message: String) {
@@ -61,11 +63,11 @@ final class NotificationService {
         sendLocalNotification(title: title, body: body, identifier: identifier)
     }
     
-    func sendPrivateMessageNotification(from sender: String, message: String, peerID: String) {
+    func sendPrivateMessageNotification(from sender: String, message: String, peerID: PeerID) {
         let title = "🔒 DM from \(sender)"
         let body = message
         let identifier = "private-\(UUID().uuidString)"
-        let userInfo = ["peerID": peerID, "senderName": sender]
+        let userInfo = ["peerID": peerID.id, "senderName": sender]
         
         sendLocalNotification(title: title, body: body, identifier: identifier, userInfo: userInfo)
     }
@@ -83,25 +85,12 @@ final class NotificationService {
         let title = "👥 bitchatters nearby!"
         let body = peerCount == 1 ? "1 person around" : "\(peerCount) people around"
         let identifier = "network-available-\(Date().timeIntervalSince1970)"
-        
-        // For network notifications, we want to show them even in foreground
-        // No app state check - let the notification delegate handle presentation
-        DispatchQueue.main.async {
-            let content = UNMutableNotificationContent()
-            content.title = title
-            content.body = body
-            content.sound = .default
-            content.interruptionLevel = .timeSensitive  // Make it more prominent
-            
-            let request = UNNotificationRequest(
-                identifier: identifier,
-                content: content,
-                trigger: nil // Deliver immediately
-            )
-            
-            UNUserNotificationCenter.current().add(request) { _ in
-                // Notification added
-            }
-        }
+
+        sendLocalNotification(
+            title: title,
+            body: body,
+            identifier: identifier,
+            interruptionLevel: .timeSensitive
+        )
     }
 }

bitchat/Services/RelayController.swift

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ struct RelayController {
                        senderIsSelf: Bool,
                        isEncrypted: Bool,
                        isDirectedEncrypted: Bool,
+                       isFragment: Bool,
                        isDirectedFragment: Bool,
                        isHandshake: Bool,
                        isAnnounce: Bool,
@@ -36,6 +37,16 @@ struct RelayController {
             return RelayDecision(shouldRelay: true, newTTL: newTTL, delayMs: delayMs)
         }
 
+        if isFragment {
+            let ttlLimit = min(ttlCap, TransportConfig.bleFragmentRelayTtlCap)
+            guard ttlLimit > 1 else {
+                return RelayDecision(shouldRelay: false, newTTL: ttlLimit, delayMs: 0)
+            }
+            let newTTL = ttlLimit &- 1
+            let delayMs = Int.random(in: TransportConfig.bleFragmentRelayMinDelayMs...TransportConfig.bleFragmentRelayMaxDelayMs)
+            return RelayDecision(shouldRelay: true, newTTL: newTTL, delayMs: delayMs)
+        }
+
         // TTL clamping for broadcast
         // - Dense graphs: keep lower but still allow multi-hop bridging
         // - Announces get a bit more headroom

bitchat/Services/Transport.swift

@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ protocol Transport: AnyObject {
 
     // Messaging
     func sendMessage(_ content: String, mentions: [String])
+    func sendMessage(_ content: String, mentions: [String], messageID: String, timestamp: Date)
     func sendPrivateMessage(_ content: String, to peerID: PeerID, recipientNickname: String, messageID: String)
     func sendReadReceipt(_ receipt: ReadReceipt, to peerID: PeerID)
     func sendFavoriteNotification(to peerID: PeerID, isFavorite: Bool)
@@ -65,6 +66,10 @@ extension Transport {
     func sendFileBroadcast(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, transferId: String) {}
     func sendFilePrivate(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, to peerID: PeerID, transferId: String) {}
     func cancelTransfer(_ transferId: String) {}
+
+    func sendMessage(_ content: String, mentions: [String], messageID: String, timestamp: Date) {
+        sendMessage(content, mentions: mentions)
+    }
 }
 
 protocol TransportPeerEventsDelegate: AnyObject {

bitchat/Services/TransportConfig.swift

@@ -8,6 +8,10 @@ enum TransportConfig {
     static let messageTTLDefault: UInt8 = 7                 // Default TTL for mesh flooding
     static let bleMaxInFlightAssemblies: Int = 128          // Cap concurrent fragment assemblies
     static let bleHighDegreeThreshold: Int = 6              // For adaptive TTL/probabilistic relays
+    static let bleMaxConcurrentTransfers: Int = 2           // Limit simultaneous large media sends
+    static let bleFragmentRelayMinDelayMs: Int = 8          // Faster forwarding for media fragments
+    static let bleFragmentRelayMaxDelayMs: Int = 25         // Upper jitter bound for fragment relays
+    static let bleFragmentRelayTtlCap: UInt8 = 5            // Clamp fragment TTL to contain floods
 
     // UI / Storage Caps
     static let privateChatCap: Int = 1337
@@ -66,6 +70,7 @@ enum TransportConfig {
     static let uiAnimationMediumSeconds: TimeInterval = 0.2
     static let uiAnimationSidebarSeconds: TimeInterval = 0.25
     static let uiRecentCutoffFiveMinutesSeconds: TimeInterval = 5 * 60
+    static let uiMeshEmptyConfirmationSeconds: TimeInterval = 30.0
 
     // BLE maintenance & thresholds
     static let bleMaintenanceInterval: TimeInterval = 5.0

bitchat/Sync/GossipSyncManager.swift

@@ -8,6 +8,55 @@ final class GossipSyncManager {
         func signPacketForBroadcast(_ packet: BitchatPacket) -> BitchatPacket
     }
 
+    private struct PacketStore {
+        private(set) var packets: [String: BitchatPacket] = [:]
+        private(set) var order: [String] = []
+
+        mutating func insert(idHex: String, packet: BitchatPacket, capacity: Int) {
+            guard capacity > 0 else { return }
+            if packets[idHex] != nil {
+                packets[idHex] = packet
+                return
+            }
+            packets[idHex] = packet
+            order.append(idHex)
+            while order.count > capacity {
+                let victim = order.removeFirst()
+                packets.removeValue(forKey: victim)
+            }
+        }
+
+        func allPackets(isFresh: (BitchatPacket) -> Bool) -> [BitchatPacket] {
+            order.compactMap { key in
+                guard let packet = packets[key], isFresh(packet) else { return nil }
+                return packet
+            }
+        }
+
+        mutating func remove(where shouldRemove: (BitchatPacket) -> Bool) {
+            var nextOrder: [String] = []
+            for key in order {
+                guard let packet = packets[key] else { continue }
+                if shouldRemove(packet) {
+                    packets.removeValue(forKey: key)
+                } else {
+                    nextOrder.append(key)
+                }
+            }
+            order = nextOrder
+        }
+
+        mutating func removeExpired(isFresh: (BitchatPacket) -> Bool) {
+            remove { !isFresh($0) }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private struct SyncSchedule {
+        let types: SyncTypeFlags
+        let interval: TimeInterval
+        var lastSent: Date
+    }
+
     struct Config {
         var seenCapacity: Int = 1000          // max packets per sync (cap across types)
         var gcsMaxBytes: Int = 400           // filter size budget (128..1024)
@@ -16,25 +65,43 @@ final class GossipSyncManager {
         var maintenanceIntervalSeconds: TimeInterval = 30.0
         var stalePeerCleanupIntervalSeconds: TimeInterval = 60.0
         var stalePeerTimeoutSeconds: TimeInterval = 60.0
+        var fragmentCapacity: Int = 600
+        var fileTransferCapacity: Int = 200
+        var fragmentSyncIntervalSeconds: TimeInterval = 30.0
+        var fileTransferSyncIntervalSeconds: TimeInterval = 60.0
+        var messageSyncIntervalSeconds: TimeInterval = 15.0
     }
 
     private let myPeerID: PeerID
     private let config: Config
     weak var delegate: Delegate?
 
-    // Storage: broadcast messages (ordered by insert), and latest announce per sender
-    private var messages: [String: BitchatPacket] = [:] // idHex -> packet
-    private var messageOrder: [String] = []
-    private var latestAnnouncementByPeer: [String: (id: String, packet: BitchatPacket)] = [:]
+    // Storage: broadcast packets by type, and latest announce per sender
+    private var messages = PacketStore()
+    private var fragments = PacketStore()
+    private var fileTransfers = PacketStore()
+    private var latestAnnouncementByPeer: [PeerID: (id: String, packet: BitchatPacket)] = [:]
 
     // Timer
     private var periodicTimer: DispatchSourceTimer?
     private let queue = DispatchQueue(label: "mesh.sync", qos: .utility)
     private var lastStalePeerCleanup: Date = .distantPast
+    private var syncSchedules: [SyncSchedule] = []
 
     init(myPeerID: PeerID, config: Config = Config()) {
         self.myPeerID = myPeerID
         self.config = config
+        var schedules: [SyncSchedule] = []
+        if config.seenCapacity > 0 && config.messageSyncIntervalSeconds > 0 {
+            schedules.append(SyncSchedule(types: .publicMessages, interval: config.messageSyncIntervalSeconds, lastSent: .distantPast))
+        }
+        if config.fragmentCapacity > 0 && config.fragmentSyncIntervalSeconds > 0 {
+            schedules.append(SyncSchedule(types: .fragment, interval: config.fragmentSyncIntervalSeconds, lastSent: .distantPast))
+        }
+        if config.fileTransferCapacity > 0 && config.fileTransferSyncIntervalSeconds > 0 {
+            schedules.append(SyncSchedule(types: .fileTransfer, interval: config.fileTransferSyncIntervalSeconds, lastSent: .distantPast))
+        }
+        syncSchedules = schedules
     }
 
     func start() {
@@ -55,7 +122,18 @@ final class GossipSyncManager {
 
     func scheduleInitialSyncToPeer(_ peerID: PeerID, delaySeconds: TimeInterval = 5.0) {
         queue.asyncAfter(deadline: .now() + delaySeconds) { [weak self] in
-            self?.sendRequestSync(to: peerID)
+            guard let self = self else { return }
+            self.sendRequestSync(to: peerID, types: .publicMessages)
+            if self.config.fragmentCapacity > 0 && self.config.fragmentSyncIntervalSeconds > 0 {
+                self.queue.asyncAfter(deadline: .now() + 0.5) { [weak self] in
+                    self?.sendRequestSync(to: peerID, types: .fragment)
+                }
+            }
+            if self.config.fileTransferCapacity > 0 && self.config.fileTransferSyncIntervalSeconds > 0 {
+                self.queue.asyncAfter(deadline: .now() + 1.0) { [weak self] in
+                    self?.sendRequestSync(to: peerID, types: .fileTransfer)
+                }
+            }
         }
     }
 
@@ -87,47 +165,45 @@ final class GossipSyncManager {
     }
 
     private func _onPublicPacketSeen(_ packet: BitchatPacket) {
-        let mt = MessageType(rawValue: packet.type)
+        guard let messageType = MessageType(rawValue: packet.type) else { return }
         let isBroadcastRecipient: Bool = {
             guard let r = packet.recipientID else { return true }
             return r.count == 8 && r.allSatisfy { $0 == 0xFF }
         }()
-        let isBroadcastMessage = (mt == .message && isBroadcastRecipient)
-        let isAnnounce = (mt == .announce)
-        guard isBroadcastMessage || isAnnounce else { return }
 
-        // Reject expired packets to prevent ghost peers and old messages
-        guard isPacketFresh(packet) else { return }
-
-        if isAnnounce {
+        switch messageType {
+        case .announce:
+            guard isPacketFresh(packet) else { return }
             guard isAnnouncementFresh(packet) else {
-                let sender = packet.senderID.hexEncodedString().lowercased()
-                removeState(forNormalizedPeerID: sender)
+                let sender = PeerID(hexData: packet.senderID)
+                removeState(for: sender)
                 return
             }
-        }
-
-        let idHex = PacketIdUtil.computeId(packet).hexEncodedString()
-
-        if isBroadcastMessage {
-            if messages[idHex] == nil {
-                messages[idHex] = packet
-                messageOrder.append(idHex)
-                // Enforce capacity
-                let cap = max(1, config.seenCapacity)
-                while messageOrder.count > cap {
-                    let victim = messageOrder.removeFirst()
-                    messages.removeValue(forKey: victim)
-                }
-            }
-        } else if isAnnounce {
-            let sender = packet.senderID.hexEncodedString().lowercased()
+            let idHex = PacketIdUtil.computeId(packet).hexEncodedString()
+            let sender = PeerID(hexData: packet.senderID)
             latestAnnouncementByPeer[sender] = (id: idHex, packet: packet)
+        case .message:
+            guard isBroadcastRecipient else { return }
+            guard isPacketFresh(packet) else { return }
+            let idHex = PacketIdUtil.computeId(packet).hexEncodedString()
+            messages.insert(idHex: idHex, packet: packet, capacity: max(1, config.seenCapacity))
+        case .fragment:
+            guard isBroadcastRecipient else { return }
+            guard isPacketFresh(packet) else { return }
+            let idHex = PacketIdUtil.computeId(packet).hexEncodedString()
+            fragments.insert(idHex: idHex, packet: packet, capacity: max(1, config.fragmentCapacity))
+        case .fileTransfer:
+            guard isBroadcastRecipient else { return }
+            guard isPacketFresh(packet) else { return }
+            let idHex = PacketIdUtil.computeId(packet).hexEncodedString()
+            fileTransfers.insert(idHex: idHex, packet: packet, capacity: max(1, config.fileTransferCapacity))
+        default:
+            break
         }
     }
 
-    private func sendRequestSync() {
-        let payload = buildGcsPayload()
+    private func sendRequestSync(for types: SyncTypeFlags) {
+        let payload = buildGcsPayload(for: types)
         let pkt = BitchatPacket(
             type: MessageType.requestSync.rawValue,
             senderID: Data(hexString: myPeerID.id) ?? Data(),
@@ -141,8 +217,8 @@ final class GossipSyncManager {
         delegate?.sendPacket(signed)
     }
 
-    private func sendRequestSync(to peerID: PeerID) {
-        let payload = buildGcsPayload()
+    private func sendRequestSync(to peerID: PeerID, types: SyncTypeFlags) {
+        let payload = buildGcsPayload(for: types)
         var recipient = Data()
         var temp = peerID.id
         while temp.count >= 2 && recipient.count < 8 {
@@ -170,6 +246,7 @@ final class GossipSyncManager {
     }
 
     private func _handleRequestSync(from peerID: PeerID, request: RequestSyncPacket) {
+        let requestedTypes = (request.types ?? .publicMessages)
         // Decode GCS into sorted set and prepare membership checker
         let sorted = GCSFilter.decodeToSortedSet(p: request.p, m: request.m, data: request.data)
         func mightContain(_ id: Data) -> Bool {
@@ -177,60 +254,100 @@ final class GossipSyncManager {
             return GCSFilter.contains(sortedValues: sorted, candidate: bucket)
         }
 
-        // 1) Announcements: send latest per peer if requester lacks them (and not expired)
-        for (_, pair) in latestAnnouncementByPeer {
-            let (idHex, pkt) = pair
-            guard isPacketFresh(pkt) else { continue }
-            let idBytes = Data(hexString: idHex) ?? Data()
-            if !mightContain(idBytes) {
-                var toSend = pkt
-                toSend.ttl = 0
-                delegate?.sendPacket(to: peerID, packet: toSend)
+        if requestedTypes.contains(.announce) {
+            for (_, pair) in latestAnnouncementByPeer {
+                let (idHex, pkt) = pair
+                guard isPacketFresh(pkt) else { continue }
+                let idBytes = Data(hexString: idHex) ?? Data()
+                if !mightContain(idBytes) {
+                    var toSend = pkt
+                    toSend.ttl = 0
+                    delegate?.sendPacket(to: peerID, packet: toSend)
+                }
             }
         }
 
-        // 2) Broadcast messages: send all missing (and not expired)
-        let toSendMsgs = messageOrder.compactMap { messages[$0] }
-        for pkt in toSendMsgs {
-            guard isPacketFresh(pkt) else { continue }
-            let idBytes = PacketIdUtil.computeId(pkt)
-            if !mightContain(idBytes) {
-                var toSend = pkt
-                toSend.ttl = 0
-                delegate?.sendPacket(to: peerID, packet: toSend)
+        if requestedTypes.contains(.message) {
+            let toSendMsgs = messages.allPackets(isFresh: isPacketFresh)
+            for pkt in toSendMsgs {
+                let idBytes = PacketIdUtil.computeId(pkt)
+                if !mightContain(idBytes) {
+                    var toSend = pkt
+                    toSend.ttl = 0
+                    delegate?.sendPacket(to: peerID, packet: toSend)
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        if requestedTypes.contains(.fragment) {
+            let frags = fragments.allPackets(isFresh: isPacketFresh)
+            for pkt in frags {
+                let idBytes = PacketIdUtil.computeId(pkt)
+                if !mightContain(idBytes) {
+                    var toSend = pkt
+                    toSend.ttl = 0
+                    delegate?.sendPacket(to: peerID, packet: toSend)
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        if requestedTypes.contains(.fileTransfer) {
+            let files = fileTransfers.allPackets(isFresh: isPacketFresh)
+            for pkt in files {
+                let idBytes = PacketIdUtil.computeId(pkt)
+                if !mightContain(idBytes) {
+                    var toSend = pkt
+                    toSend.ttl = 0
+                    delegate?.sendPacket(to: peerID, packet: toSend)
+                }
             }
         }
     }
 
     // Build REQUEST_SYNC payload using current candidates and GCS params
-    private func buildGcsPayload() -> Data {
-        // Collect candidates: latest announce per peer + broadcast messages (only fresh)
+    private func buildGcsPayload(for types: SyncTypeFlags) -> Data {
         var candidates: [BitchatPacket] = []
-        candidates.reserveCapacity(latestAnnouncementByPeer.count + messageOrder.count)
-        for (_, pair) in latestAnnouncementByPeer {
-            if isPacketFresh(pair.packet) {
+        if types.contains(.announce) {
+            for (_, pair) in latestAnnouncementByPeer where isPacketFresh(pair.packet) {
                 candidates.append(pair.packet)
             }
         }
-        for id in messageOrder {
-            if let p = messages[id], isPacketFresh(p) {
-                candidates.append(p)
-            }
+        if types.contains(.message) {
+            candidates.append(contentsOf: messages.allPackets(isFresh: isPacketFresh))
         }
+        if types.contains(.fragment) {
+            candidates.append(contentsOf: fragments.allPackets(isFresh: isPacketFresh))
+        }
+        if types.contains(.fileTransfer) {
+            candidates.append(contentsOf: fileTransfers.allPackets(isFresh: isPacketFresh))
+        }
+        if candidates.isEmpty {
+            let p = GCSFilter.deriveP(targetFpr: config.gcsTargetFpr)
+            let req = RequestSyncPacket(p: p, m: 1, data: Data(), types: types)
+            return req.encode()
+        }
+
         // Sort by timestamp desc
         candidates.sort { $0.timestamp > $1.timestamp }
 
         let p = GCSFilter.deriveP(targetFpr: config.gcsTargetFpr)
         let nMax = GCSFilter.estimateMaxElements(sizeBytes: config.gcsMaxBytes, p: p)
-        let cap = max(1, config.seenCapacity)
+        let cap: Int
+        if types == .fragment {
+            cap = max(1, config.fragmentCapacity)
+        } else if types == .fileTransfer {
+            cap = max(1, config.fileTransferCapacity)
+        } else {
+            cap = max(1, config.seenCapacity)
+        }
         let takeN = min(candidates.count, min(nMax, cap))
         if takeN <= 0 {
-            let req = RequestSyncPacket(p: p, m: 1, data: Data())
+            let req = RequestSyncPacket(p: p, m: 1, data: Data(), types: types)
             return req.encode()
         }
         let ids: [Data] = candidates.prefix(takeN).map { PacketIdUtil.computeId($0) }
         let params = GCSFilter.buildFilter(ids: ids, maxBytes: config.gcsMaxBytes, targetFpr: config.gcsTargetFpr)
-        let req = RequestSyncPacket(p: params.p, m: params.m, data: params.data)
+        let req = RequestSyncPacket(p: params.p, m: params.m, data: params.data, types: types)
         return req.encode()
     }
 
@@ -241,20 +358,21 @@ final class GossipSyncManager {
             isPacketFresh(pair.packet)
         }
 
-        // Remove expired messages
-        let expiredMessageIds = messages.compactMap { id, pkt in
-            isPacketFresh(pkt) ? nil : id
-        }
-        for id in expiredMessageIds {
-            messages.removeValue(forKey: id)
-            messageOrder.removeAll { $0 == id }
-        }
+        messages.removeExpired(isFresh: isPacketFresh)
+        fragments.removeExpired(isFresh: isPacketFresh)
+        fileTransfers.removeExpired(isFresh: isPacketFresh)
     }
 
     private func performPeriodicMaintenance(now: Date = Date()) {
         cleanupExpiredMessages()
         cleanupStaleAnnouncementsIfNeeded(now: now)
-        sendRequestSync()
+        for index in syncSchedules.indices {
+            guard syncSchedules[index].interval > 0 else { continue }
+            if syncSchedules[index].lastSent == .distantPast || now.timeIntervalSince(syncSchedules[index].lastSent) >= syncSchedules[index].interval {
+                syncSchedules[index].lastSent = now
+                sendRequestSync(for: syncSchedules[index].types)
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     private func cleanupStaleAnnouncementsIfNeeded(now: Date) {
@@ -270,40 +388,27 @@ final class GossipSyncManager {
         let nowMs = UInt64(now.timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000)
         guard nowMs >= timeoutMs else { return }
         let cutoff = nowMs - timeoutMs
-        let stalePeerIDs = latestAnnouncementByPeer.compactMap { (peerHex, pair) -> String? in
-            pair.packet.timestamp < cutoff ? peerHex.lowercased() : nil
+        let stalePeerIDs = latestAnnouncementByPeer.compactMap { peerID, pair in
+            pair.packet.timestamp < cutoff ? peerID : nil
         }
         guard !stalePeerIDs.isEmpty else { return }
         for peerKey in stalePeerIDs {
-            removeState(forNormalizedPeerID: peerKey)
+            removeState(for: peerKey)
         }
     }
 
     // Explicit removal hook for LEAVE/stale peer
     func removeAnnouncementForPeer(_ peerID: PeerID) {
         queue.async { [weak self] in
-            self?._removeAnnouncementForPeer(peerID)
+            self?.removeState(for: peerID)
         }
     }
 
-    private func _removeAnnouncementForPeer(_ peerID: PeerID) {
-        let normalizedPeerID = peerID.id.lowercased()
-        removeState(forNormalizedPeerID: normalizedPeerID)
-    }
-
-    private func removeState(forNormalizedPeerID normalizedPeerID: String) {
-        _ = latestAnnouncementByPeer.removeValue(forKey: normalizedPeerID)
-        // Remove messages from this peer
-        // Collect IDs to remove first to avoid concurrent modification
-        let messageIdsToRemove = messages.compactMap { (id, message) -> String? in
-            message.senderID.hexEncodedString().lowercased() == normalizedPeerID ? id : nil
-        }
-        
-        // Remove messages and update messageOrder
-        for id in messageIdsToRemove {
-            messages.removeValue(forKey: id)
-            messageOrder.removeAll { $0 == id }
-        }
+    private func removeState(for peerID: PeerID) {
+        _ = latestAnnouncementByPeer.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
+        messages.remove { PeerID(hexData: $0.senderID) == peerID }
+        fragments.remove { PeerID(hexData: $0.senderID) == peerID }
+        fileTransfers.remove { PeerID(hexData: $0.senderID) == peerID }
     }
 }
 
@@ -317,13 +422,13 @@ extension GossipSyncManager {
 
     func _hasAnnouncement(for peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
         queue.sync {
-            latestAnnouncementByPeer[peerID.id.lowercased()] != nil
+            latestAnnouncementByPeer[peerID] != nil
         }
     }
 
     func _messageCount(for peerID: PeerID) -> Int {
         queue.sync {
-            messages.values.filter { $0.senderID.hexEncodedString().lowercased() == peerID.id.lowercased() }.count
+            messages.allPackets { _ in true }.filter { PeerID(hexData: $0.senderID) == peerID }.count
         }
     }
 }

bitchat/Sync/SyncTypeFlags.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+import Foundation
+
+/// Bitfield describing which message types are covered by a REQUEST_SYNC round.
+/// Matches the Android mapping (bit index -> message type).
+struct SyncTypeFlags: OptionSet {
+    let rawValue: UInt64
+
+    init(rawValue: UInt64) {
+        self.rawValue = rawValue & 0x00FF_FFFF_FFFF_FFFF // Trim to max 8 bytes
+    }
+
+    private static func bitIndex(for type: MessageType) -> Int? {
+        switch type {
+        case .announce: return 0
+        case .message: return 1
+        case .leave: return 2
+        case .noiseHandshake: return 3
+        case .noiseEncrypted: return 4
+        case .fragment: return 5
+        case .requestSync: return 6
+        case .fileTransfer: return 7
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static func type(forBit index: Int) -> MessageType? {
+        switch index {
+        case 0: return .announce
+        case 1: return .message
+        case 2: return .leave
+        case 3: return .noiseHandshake
+        case 4: return .noiseEncrypted
+        case 5: return .fragment
+        case 6: return .requestSync
+        case 7: return .fileTransfer
+        default:
+            return nil
+        }
+    }
+
+    static let announce = SyncTypeFlags(messageTypes: [.announce])
+    static let message = SyncTypeFlags(messageTypes: [.message])
+    static let fragment = SyncTypeFlags(messageTypes: [.fragment])
+    static let fileTransfer = SyncTypeFlags(messageTypes: [.fileTransfer])
+
+    static let publicMessages = SyncTypeFlags(messageTypes: [.announce, .message])
+
+    init(messageTypes: [MessageType]) {
+        var raw: UInt64 = 0
+        for type in messageTypes {
+            guard let bit = SyncTypeFlags.bitIndex(for: type) else { continue }
+            raw |= (1 << UInt64(bit))
+        }
+        self.init(rawValue: raw)
+    }
+
+    func contains(_ type: MessageType) -> Bool {
+        guard let bit = SyncTypeFlags.bitIndex(for: type) else { return false }
+        return contains(SyncTypeFlags(rawValue: 1 << UInt64(bit)))
+    }
+
+    func union(_ other: SyncTypeFlags) -> SyncTypeFlags {
+        SyncTypeFlags(rawValue: rawValue | other.rawValue)
+    }
+
+    func intersection(_ other: SyncTypeFlags) -> SyncTypeFlags {
+        SyncTypeFlags(rawValue: rawValue & other.rawValue)
+    }
+
+    func toMessageTypes() -> [MessageType] {
+        guard rawValue != 0 else { return [] }
+        var types: [MessageType] = []
+        for bit in 0..<64 {
+            guard (rawValue & (1 << UInt64(bit))) != 0 else { continue }
+            if let type = SyncTypeFlags.type(forBit: bit) {
+                types.append(type)
+            }
+        }
+        return types
+    }
+
+    func toData() -> Data? {
+        guard rawValue != 0 else { return nil }
+        var value = rawValue
+        var bytes: [UInt8] = []
+        while value > 0 && bytes.count < 8 {
+            bytes.append(UInt8(value & 0xFF))
+            value >>= 8
+        }
+        while let last = bytes.last, last == 0 {
+            bytes.removeLast()
+        }
+        guard !bytes.isEmpty, bytes.count <= 8 else { return nil }
+        return Data(bytes)
+    }
+
+    static func decode(_ data: Data) -> SyncTypeFlags? {
+        guard (1...8).contains(data.count) else { return nil }
+        var raw: UInt64 = 0
+        for (index, byte) in data.enumerated() {
+            raw |= UInt64(byte) << UInt64(index * 8)
+        }
+        return SyncTypeFlags(rawValue: raw)
+    }
+}

bitchat/Utils/CompressionUtil.swift

@@ -61,15 +61,13 @@ struct CompressionUtil {
         // 1. Data is too small
         // 2. Data appears to be already compressed (high entropy)
         guard data.count >= compressionThreshold else { return false }
-        
-        // Simple entropy check - count unique bytes
-        var byteFrequency = [UInt8: Int]()
-        for byte in data {
-            byteFrequency[byte, default: 0] += 1
-        }
-        
-        // If we have very high byte diversity, data is likely already compressed
-        let uniqueByteRatio = Double(byteFrequency.count) / Double(min(data.count, 256))
+
+        // Quick uniqueness check — a high diversity of bytes usually means the
+        // payload is already compressed. We only need to know how many unique
+        // values exist rather than keeping full frequency counts.
+        let uniqueByteCount = Set(data).count
+        let sampleSize = min(data.count, 256)
+        let uniqueByteRatio = Double(uniqueByteCount) / Double(sampleSize)
         return uniqueByteRatio < 0.9 // Compress if less than 90% unique bytes
     }
 }

bitchat/Utils/FileTransferLimits.swift

@@ -5,9 +5,9 @@ enum FileTransferLimits {
     /// Absolute ceiling enforced for any file payload (voice, image, other).
     static let maxPayloadBytes: Int = 1 * 1024 * 1024 // 1 MiB
     /// Voice notes stay small for low-latency relays.
-    static let maxVoiceNoteBytes: Int = 1 * 1024 * 1024 // 1 MiB
+    static let maxVoiceNoteBytes: Int = 512 * 1024 // 512 KiB
     /// Compressed images after downscaling should comfortably fit under this budget.
-    static let maxImageBytes: Int = 1 * 1024 * 1024 // 1 MiB
+    static let maxImageBytes: Int = 512 * 1024 // 512 KiB
     /// Worst-case size once TLV metadata and binary packet framing are included for the largest payloads.
     static let maxFramedFileBytes: Int = {
         let maxMetadataBytes = Int(UInt16.max) * 2 // fileName + mimeType TLVs

bitchat/Utils/InputValidator.swift

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import Foundation
+import BitLogger
 
 /// Comprehensive input validation for BitChat protocol
 /// Prevents injection attacks, buffer overflows, and malformed data
@@ -16,29 +17,28 @@ struct InputValidator {
     // MARK: - String Content Validation
     
     /// Validates and sanitizes user-provided strings used in UI
+    ///
+    /// Rejects strings containing control characters to prevent potential security issues
+    /// and UI rendering problems. This strict approach ensures data integrity at input time.
     static func validateUserString(_ string: String, maxLength: Int) -> String? {
-        // Check empty
-        guard !string.isEmpty else { return nil }
-
-        // Trim whitespace
         let trimmed = string.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines)
         guard !trimmed.isEmpty else { return nil }
-
-        // Check length
         guard trimmed.count <= maxLength else { return nil }
 
-        // Remove control characters
+        // Reject control characters outright instead of rewriting the string.
+        // This prevents injection attacks and ensures consistent UI rendering.
         let controlChars = CharacterSet.controlCharacters
-        let cleaned = trimmed.components(separatedBy: controlChars).joined()
-        
-        // Ensure valid UTF-8 (should already be, but double-check)
-        guard cleaned.data(using: .utf8) != nil else { return nil }
-        
-        // Prevent zero-width characters and other invisible unicode
-        let invisibleChars = CharacterSet(charactersIn: "\u{200B}\u{200C}\u{200D}\u{FEFF}")
-        let visible = cleaned.components(separatedBy: invisibleChars).joined()
-        
-        return visible.isEmpty ? nil : visible
+        if !trimmed.unicodeScalars.allSatisfy({ !controlChars.contains($0) }) {
+            // Log rejection for monitoring, without exposing actual content for privacy
+            let controlCharCount = trimmed.unicodeScalars.filter { controlChars.contains($0) }.count
+            SecureLogger.debug(
+                "Input validation rejected string (length: \(trimmed.count), control chars: \(controlCharCount))",
+                category: .security
+            )
+            return nil
+        }
+
+        return trimmed
     }
     
     /// Validates nickname

bitchat/ViewModels/GeoChannelCoordinator.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+//
+// GeoChannelCoordinator.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// Centralizes Combine wiring for location channel selection and sampling.
+//
+
+import Combine
+import Foundation
+import Tor
+
+@MainActor
+final class GeoChannelCoordinator {
+    private let locationManager: LocationChannelManager
+    private let bookmarksStore: GeohashBookmarksStore
+    private let torManager: TorManager
+
+    private let onChannelSwitch: (ChannelID) -> Void
+    private let beginSampling: ([String]) -> Void
+    private let endSampling: () -> Void
+
+    private var cancellables = Set<AnyCancellable>()
+    private var regionalGeohashes: [String] = []
+    private var bookmarkedGeohashes: [String] = []
+
+    init(
+        locationManager: LocationChannelManager? = nil,
+        bookmarksStore: GeohashBookmarksStore? = nil,
+        torManager: TorManager? = nil,
+        onChannelSwitch: @escaping (ChannelID) -> Void,
+        beginSampling: @escaping ([String]) -> Void,
+        endSampling: @escaping () -> Void
+    ) {
+        self.locationManager = locationManager ?? Self.defaultLocationManager()
+        self.bookmarksStore = bookmarksStore ?? GeohashBookmarksStore.shared
+        self.torManager = torManager ?? Self.defaultTorManager()
+        self.onChannelSwitch = onChannelSwitch
+        self.beginSampling = beginSampling
+        self.endSampling = endSampling
+
+        start()
+    }
+
+    func start() {
+        regionalGeohashes = locationManager.availableChannels.map { $0.geohash }
+        bookmarkedGeohashes = bookmarksStore.bookmarks
+
+        locationManager.$selectedChannel
+            .receive(on: DispatchQueue.main)
+            .sink { [weak self] channel in
+                guard let self else { return }
+                Task { @MainActor in
+                    self.onChannelSwitch(channel)
+                }
+            }
+            .store(in: &cancellables)
+
+        locationManager.$availableChannels
+            .receive(on: DispatchQueue.main)
+            .sink { [weak self] channels in
+                guard let self else { return }
+                self.regionalGeohashes = channels.map { $0.geohash }
+                self.updateSampling()
+            }
+            .store(in: &cancellables)
+
+        bookmarksStore.$bookmarks
+            .receive(on: DispatchQueue.main)
+            .sink { [weak self] bookmarks in
+                guard let self else { return }
+                self.bookmarkedGeohashes = bookmarks
+                self.updateSampling()
+            }
+            .store(in: &cancellables)
+
+        locationManager.$permissionState
+            .receive(on: DispatchQueue.main)
+            .sink { [weak self] state in
+                guard let self, state == .authorized else { return }
+                Task { @MainActor [weak self] in
+                    self?.locationManager.refreshChannels()
+                }
+            }
+            .store(in: &cancellables)
+
+        Task { @MainActor in
+            self.onChannelSwitch(self.locationManager.selectedChannel)
+        }
+        updateSampling()
+    }
+
+    private func updateSampling() {
+        let union = Array(Set(regionalGeohashes).union(bookmarkedGeohashes))
+        Task { @MainActor in
+            guard !union.isEmpty else {
+                endSampling()
+                return
+            }
+            if torManager.isForeground() {
+                beginSampling(union)
+            } else {
+                endSampling()
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    func refreshSampling() {
+        updateSampling()
+    }
+    private static func defaultLocationManager() -> LocationChannelManager {
+        LocationChannelManager.shared
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    private static func defaultTorManager() -> TorManager {
+        TorManager.shared
+    }
+}

bitchat/ViewModels/MessageRateLimiter.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+//
+// MessageRateLimiter.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// Handles per-sender and per-content token buckets for public message intake.
+//
+
+import Foundation
+
+struct MessageRateLimiter {
+    private struct TokenBucket {
+        var capacity: Double
+        var tokens: Double
+        var refillPerSec: Double
+        var lastRefill: Date
+
+        mutating func allow(cost: Double = 1.0, now: Date = Date()) -> Bool {
+            let dt = now.timeIntervalSince(lastRefill)
+            if dt > 0 {
+                tokens = min(capacity, tokens + dt * refillPerSec)
+                lastRefill = now
+            }
+            if tokens >= cost {
+                tokens -= cost
+                return true
+            }
+            return false
+        }
+    }
+
+    private var senderBuckets: [String: TokenBucket] = [:]
+    private var contentBuckets: [String: TokenBucket] = [:]
+
+    private let senderCapacity: Double
+    private let senderRefill: Double
+    private let contentCapacity: Double
+    private let contentRefill: Double
+
+    init(
+        senderCapacity: Double,
+        senderRefillPerSec: Double,
+        contentCapacity: Double,
+        contentRefillPerSec: Double
+    ) {
+        self.senderCapacity = senderCapacity
+        self.senderRefill = senderRefillPerSec
+        self.contentCapacity = contentCapacity
+        self.contentRefill = contentRefillPerSec
+    }
+
+    mutating func allow(senderKey: String, contentKey: String, now: Date = Date()) -> Bool {
+        var senderBucket = senderBuckets[senderKey] ?? TokenBucket(
+            capacity: senderCapacity,
+            tokens: senderCapacity,
+            refillPerSec: senderRefill,
+            lastRefill: now
+        )
+        let senderAllowed = senderBucket.allow(now: now)
+        senderBuckets[senderKey] = senderBucket
+
+        var contentBucket = contentBuckets[contentKey] ?? TokenBucket(
+            capacity: contentCapacity,
+            tokens: contentCapacity,
+            refillPerSec: contentRefill,
+            lastRefill: now
+        )
+        let contentAllowed = contentBucket.allow(now: now)
+        contentBuckets[contentKey] = contentBucket
+
+        return senderAllowed && contentAllowed
+    }
+
+    mutating func reset() {
+        senderBuckets.removeAll()
+        contentBuckets.removeAll()
+    }
+}

bitchat/ViewModels/MinimalDistancePalette.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,210 @@
+//
+// MinimalDistancePalette.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// Lightweight palette generator that keeps peer colors evenly spaced.
+//
+
+import Foundation
+import SwiftUI
+
+final class MinimalDistancePalette {
+    struct Config {
+        let slotCount: Int
+        let avoidCenterHue: Double
+        let avoidHueDelta: Double
+        let saturationLight: Double
+        let saturationDark: Double
+        let baseBrightnessLight: Double
+        let baseBrightnessDark: Double
+        let ringBrightnessDeltaLight: Double
+        let ringBrightnessDeltaDark: Double
+        let preferredBiasWeight: Double
+        let goldenStep: Int
+
+        init(
+            slotCount: Int,
+            avoidCenterHue: Double,
+            avoidHueDelta: Double,
+            saturationLight: Double,
+            saturationDark: Double,
+            baseBrightnessLight: Double,
+            baseBrightnessDark: Double,
+            ringBrightnessDeltaLight: Double,
+            ringBrightnessDeltaDark: Double,
+            preferredBiasWeight: Double = 0.05,
+            goldenStep: Int = 7
+        ) {
+            self.slotCount = slotCount
+            self.avoidCenterHue = avoidCenterHue
+            self.avoidHueDelta = avoidHueDelta
+            self.saturationLight = saturationLight
+            self.saturationDark = saturationDark
+            self.baseBrightnessLight = baseBrightnessLight
+            self.baseBrightnessDark = baseBrightnessDark
+            self.ringBrightnessDeltaLight = ringBrightnessDeltaLight
+            self.ringBrightnessDeltaDark = ringBrightnessDeltaDark
+            self.preferredBiasWeight = preferredBiasWeight
+            self.goldenStep = goldenStep
+        }
+    }
+
+    private struct Entry {
+        let slot: Int
+        let ring: Int
+        let hue: Double
+    }
+
+    private let config: Config
+    private var currentSeeds: [String: String] = [:]
+    private var entries: [String: Entry] = [:]
+    private var previousEntries: [String: Entry] = [:]
+
+    init(config: Config) {
+        self.config = config
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    func ensurePalette(for seeds: [String: String]) {
+        guard seeds != currentSeeds || entries.count != seeds.count else { return }
+        previousEntries = entries
+        currentSeeds = seeds
+        rebuildEntries()
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    func color(for identifier: String, isDark: Bool) -> Color? {
+        guard let entry = entries[identifier] else { return nil }
+        let saturation = isDark ? config.saturationDark : config.saturationLight
+        let baseBrightness = isDark ? config.baseBrightnessDark : config.baseBrightnessLight
+        let ringDelta = isDark ? config.ringBrightnessDeltaDark : config.ringBrightnessDeltaLight
+        let brightness = min(1.0, max(0.0, baseBrightness + ringDelta * Double(entry.ring)))
+        return Color(hue: entry.hue, saturation: saturation, brightness: brightness)
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    func reset() {
+        currentSeeds.removeAll()
+        entries.removeAll()
+        previousEntries.removeAll()
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    private func rebuildEntries() {
+        guard !currentSeeds.isEmpty else {
+            entries.removeAll()
+            return
+        }
+
+        let slotCount = max(8, config.slotCount)
+        var slots: [Double] = []
+        for idx in 0..<slotCount {
+            let hue = Double(idx) / Double(slotCount)
+            if abs(hue - config.avoidCenterHue) < config.avoidHueDelta {
+                continue
+            }
+            slots.append(hue)
+        }
+        if slots.isEmpty {
+            for idx in 0..<slotCount {
+                slots.append(Double(idx) / Double(slotCount))
+            }
+        }
+
+        func circularDistance(_ a: Double, _ b: Double) -> Double {
+            let diff = abs(a - b)
+            return diff > 0.5 ? 1.0 - diff : diff
+        }
+
+        let peerIDs = currentSeeds.keys.sorted()
+        let preferredIndex: [String: Int] = Dictionary(uniqueKeysWithValues: peerIDs.map { id in
+            let seed = currentSeeds[id] ?? id
+            let hash = seed.djb2()
+            let index = Int(hash % UInt64(slots.count))
+            return (id, index)
+        })
+
+        var mapping: [String: Entry] = [:]
+        var usedSlots = Set<Int>()
+        var usedHues: [Double] = []
+
+        let prior = entries.isEmpty ? previousEntries : entries
+        for (id, entry) in prior {
+            guard currentSeeds.keys.contains(id), entry.slot < slots.count else { continue }
+            let hue = slots[entry.slot]
+            mapping[id] = Entry(slot: entry.slot, ring: entry.ring, hue: hue)
+            usedSlots.insert(entry.slot)
+            usedHues.append(hue)
+        }
+
+        let unassigned = peerIDs.filter { mapping[$0] == nil }
+        for id in unassigned {
+            let preferred = preferredIndex[id] ?? 0
+            if !usedSlots.contains(preferred), preferred < slots.count {
+                let hue = slots[preferred]
+                mapping[id] = Entry(slot: preferred, ring: 0, hue: hue)
+                usedSlots.insert(preferred)
+                usedHues.append(hue)
+                continue
+            }
+
+            var bestSlot: Int?
+            var bestScore = -Double.infinity
+            for slot in 0..<slots.count where !usedSlots.contains(slot) {
+                let hue = slots[slot]
+                let minDistance = usedHues.isEmpty ? 1.0 : usedHues.map { circularDistance(hue, $0) }.min() ?? 1.0
+                let bias = 1.0 - (Double((abs(slot - (preferredIndex[id] ?? 0)) % slots.count)) / Double(slots.count))
+                let score = minDistance + config.preferredBiasWeight * bias
+                if score > bestScore {
+                    bestScore = score
+                    bestSlot = slot
+                }
+            }
+
+            if let slot = bestSlot {
+                let hue = slots[slot]
+                mapping[id] = Entry(slot: slot, ring: 0, hue: hue)
+                usedSlots.insert(slot)
+                usedHues.append(hue)
+            }
+        }
+
+        let remaining = peerIDs.filter { mapping[$0] == nil }
+        if !remaining.isEmpty {
+            for (index, id) in remaining.enumerated() {
+                let preferred = preferredIndex[id] ?? 0
+                let slot = (preferred + index * config.goldenStep) % slots.count
+                let hue = slots[slot]
+                mapping[id] = Entry(slot: slot, ring: 1, hue: hue)
+            }
+        }
+
+        entries = mapping
+    }
+}
+
+extension MinimalDistancePalette.Config {
+    static let mesh = MinimalDistancePalette.Config(
+        slotCount: TransportConfig.uiPeerPaletteSlots,
+        avoidCenterHue: 30.0 / 360.0,
+        avoidHueDelta: TransportConfig.uiColorHueAvoidanceDelta,
+        saturationLight: 0.70,
+        saturationDark: 0.80,
+        baseBrightnessLight: 0.45,
+        baseBrightnessDark: 0.75,
+        ringBrightnessDeltaLight: TransportConfig.uiPeerPaletteRingBrightnessDeltaLight,
+        ringBrightnessDeltaDark: TransportConfig.uiPeerPaletteRingBrightnessDeltaDark
+    )
+
+    static let nostr = MinimalDistancePalette.Config(
+        slotCount: TransportConfig.uiPeerPaletteSlots,
+        avoidCenterHue: 30.0 / 360.0,
+        avoidHueDelta: TransportConfig.uiColorHueAvoidanceDelta,
+        saturationLight: 0.70,
+        saturationDark: 0.80,
+        baseBrightnessLight: 0.45,
+        baseBrightnessDark: 0.75,
+        ringBrightnessDeltaLight: TransportConfig.uiPeerPaletteRingBrightnessDeltaLight,
+        ringBrightnessDeltaDark: TransportConfig.uiPeerPaletteRingBrightnessDeltaDark
+    )
+}

bitchat/ViewModels/PublicMessagePipeline.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,190 @@
+//
+// PublicMessagePipeline.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// Handles batching and deduplication of public chat messages before surfacing them to the UI.
+//
+
+import Foundation
+
+@MainActor
+protocol PublicMessagePipelineDelegate: AnyObject {
+    func pipelineCurrentMessages(_ pipeline: PublicMessagePipeline) -> [BitchatMessage]
+    func pipeline(_ pipeline: PublicMessagePipeline, setMessages messages: [BitchatMessage])
+    func pipeline(_ pipeline: PublicMessagePipeline, normalizeContent content: String) -> String
+    func pipeline(_ pipeline: PublicMessagePipeline, contentTimestampForKey key: String) -> Date?
+    func pipeline(_ pipeline: PublicMessagePipeline, recordContentKey key: String, timestamp: Date)
+    func pipelineTrimMessages(_ pipeline: PublicMessagePipeline)
+    func pipelinePrewarmMessage(_ pipeline: PublicMessagePipeline, message: BitchatMessage)
+    func pipelineSetBatchingState(_ pipeline: PublicMessagePipeline, isBatching: Bool)
+}
+
+@MainActor
+final class PublicMessagePipeline {
+    weak var delegate: PublicMessagePipelineDelegate?
+
+    private var buffer: [BitchatMessage] = []
+    private var timer: Timer?
+    private let baseFlushInterval: TimeInterval
+    private var dynamicFlushInterval: TimeInterval
+    private var recentBatchSizes: [Int] = []
+    private let maxRecentBatchSamples: Int
+    private let dedupWindow: TimeInterval
+    private var activeChannel: ChannelID = .mesh
+
+    init(
+        baseFlushInterval: TimeInterval = TransportConfig.basePublicFlushInterval,
+        maxRecentBatchSamples: Int = 10,
+        dedupWindow: TimeInterval = 1.0
+    ) {
+        self.baseFlushInterval = baseFlushInterval
+        self.dynamicFlushInterval = baseFlushInterval
+        self.maxRecentBatchSamples = maxRecentBatchSamples
+        self.dedupWindow = dedupWindow
+    }
+
+    deinit {
+        timer?.invalidate()
+    }
+
+    func updateActiveChannel(_ channel: ChannelID) {
+        activeChannel = channel
+    }
+
+    func enqueue(_ message: BitchatMessage) {
+        buffer.append(message)
+        scheduleFlush()
+    }
+
+    func flushIfNeeded() {
+        flushBuffer()
+    }
+
+    func reset() {
+        timer?.invalidate()
+        timer = nil
+        buffer.removeAll(keepingCapacity: false)
+    }
+
+}
+
+private extension PublicMessagePipeline {
+    func scheduleFlush() {
+        guard timer == nil else { return }
+        timer = Timer.scheduledTimer(withTimeInterval: dynamicFlushInterval, repeats: false) { [weak self] _ in
+            guard let self else { return }
+            Task { @MainActor in
+                self.flushBuffer()
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    func flushBuffer() {
+        timer?.invalidate()
+        timer = nil
+        guard !buffer.isEmpty else { return }
+        guard let delegate = delegate else {
+            buffer.removeAll(keepingCapacity: false)
+            return
+        }
+
+        delegate.pipelineSetBatchingState(self, isBatching: true)
+
+        var existingIDs = Set(delegate.pipelineCurrentMessages(self).map { $0.id })
+        var pending: [(message: BitchatMessage, contentKey: String)] = []
+        var batchContentLatest: [String: Date] = [:]
+
+        for message in buffer {
+            if existingIDs.contains(message.id) { continue }
+            let contentKey = delegate.pipeline(self, normalizeContent: message.content)
+            if let ts = delegate.pipeline(self, contentTimestampForKey: contentKey),
+               abs(ts.timeIntervalSince(message.timestamp)) < dedupWindow {
+                continue
+            }
+            if let ts = batchContentLatest[contentKey],
+               abs(ts.timeIntervalSince(message.timestamp)) < dedupWindow {
+                continue
+            }
+            existingIDs.insert(message.id)
+            pending.append((message, contentKey))
+            batchContentLatest[contentKey] = message.timestamp
+        }
+
+        buffer.removeAll(keepingCapacity: true)
+        guard !pending.isEmpty else {
+            delegate.pipelineSetBatchingState(self, isBatching: false)
+            if !buffer.isEmpty { scheduleFlush() }
+            return
+        }
+
+        pending.sort { $0.message.timestamp < $1.message.timestamp }
+
+        var messages = delegate.pipelineCurrentMessages(self)
+        let threshold = lateInsertThreshold(for: activeChannel)
+        let lastTimestamp = messages.last?.timestamp ?? .distantPast
+
+        for item in pending {
+            let message = item.message
+            if threshold == 0 || message.timestamp < lastTimestamp.addingTimeInterval(-threshold) {
+                let index = insertionIndex(for: message.timestamp, in: messages)
+                if index >= messages.count {
+                    messages.append(message)
+                } else {
+                    messages.insert(message, at: index)
+                }
+            } else {
+                messages.append(message)
+            }
+            delegate.pipeline(self, recordContentKey: item.contentKey, timestamp: message.timestamp)
+        }
+
+        delegate.pipeline(self, setMessages: messages)
+        delegate.pipelineTrimMessages(self)
+
+        updateFlushInterval(withBatchSize: pending.count)
+
+        for item in pending {
+            delegate.pipelinePrewarmMessage(self, message: item.message)
+        }
+
+        delegate.pipelineSetBatchingState(self, isBatching: false)
+
+        if !buffer.isEmpty {
+            scheduleFlush()
+        }
+    }
+
+    func updateFlushInterval(withBatchSize size: Int) {
+        recentBatchSizes.append(size)
+        if recentBatchSizes.count > maxRecentBatchSamples {
+            recentBatchSizes.removeFirst(recentBatchSizes.count - maxRecentBatchSamples)
+        }
+        let avg = recentBatchSizes.isEmpty
+            ? 0.0
+            : Double(recentBatchSizes.reduce(0, +)) / Double(recentBatchSizes.count)
+        dynamicFlushInterval = avg > 100.0 ? 0.12 : baseFlushInterval
+    }
+
+    func lateInsertThreshold(for channel: ChannelID) -> TimeInterval {
+        switch channel {
+        case .mesh:
+            return TransportConfig.uiLateInsertThreshold
+        case .location:
+            return TransportConfig.uiLateInsertThresholdGeo
+        }
+    }
+
+    func insertionIndex(for timestamp: Date, in messages: [BitchatMessage]) -> Int {
+        var low = 0
+        var high = messages.count
+        while low < high {
+            let mid = (low + high) / 2
+            if messages[mid].timestamp < timestamp {
+                low = mid + 1
+            } else {
+                high = mid
+            }
+        }
+        return low
+    }
+}

bitchat/ViewModels/PublicTimelineStore.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+//
+// PublicTimelineStore.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// Maintains mesh and geohash public timelines with simple caps and helpers.
+//
+
+import Foundation
+
+struct PublicTimelineStore {
+    private var meshTimeline: [BitchatMessage] = []
+    private var geohashTimelines: [String: [BitchatMessage]] = [:]
+    private var pendingGeohashSystemMessages: [String] = []
+
+    private let meshCap: Int
+    private let geohashCap: Int
+
+    init(meshCap: Int, geohashCap: Int) {
+        self.meshCap = meshCap
+        self.geohashCap = geohashCap
+    }
+
+    mutating func append(_ message: BitchatMessage, to channel: ChannelID) {
+        switch channel {
+        case .mesh:
+            guard !meshTimeline.contains(where: { $0.id == message.id }) else { return }
+            meshTimeline.append(message)
+            trimMeshTimelineIfNeeded()
+        case .location(let channel):
+            append(message, toGeohash: channel.geohash)
+        }
+    }
+
+    mutating func append(_ message: BitchatMessage, toGeohash geohash: String) {
+        var timeline = geohashTimelines[geohash] ?? []
+        guard !timeline.contains(where: { $0.id == message.id }) else { return }
+        timeline.append(message)
+        trimGeohashTimelineIfNeeded(&timeline)
+        geohashTimelines[geohash] = timeline
+    }
+
+    /// Append message if absent, returning true when stored.
+    mutating func appendIfAbsent(_ message: BitchatMessage, toGeohash geohash: String) -> Bool {
+        var timeline = geohashTimelines[geohash] ?? []
+        guard !timeline.contains(where: { $0.id == message.id }) else { return false }
+        timeline.append(message)
+        trimGeohashTimelineIfNeeded(&timeline)
+        geohashTimelines[geohash] = timeline
+        return true
+    }
+
+    mutating func messages(for channel: ChannelID) -> [BitchatMessage] {
+        switch channel {
+        case .mesh:
+            return meshTimeline
+        case .location(let channel):
+            let cleaned = geohashTimelines[channel.geohash]?.cleanedAndDeduped() ?? []
+            geohashTimelines[channel.geohash] = cleaned
+            return cleaned
+        }
+    }
+
+    mutating func clear(channel: ChannelID) {
+        switch channel {
+        case .mesh:
+            meshTimeline.removeAll()
+        case .location(let channel):
+            geohashTimelines[channel.geohash] = []
+        }
+    }
+
+    @discardableResult
+    mutating func removeMessage(withID id: String) -> BitchatMessage? {
+        if let index = meshTimeline.firstIndex(where: { $0.id == id }) {
+            return meshTimeline.remove(at: index)
+        }
+
+        for key in Array(geohashTimelines.keys) {
+            var timeline = geohashTimelines[key] ?? []
+            if let index = timeline.firstIndex(where: { $0.id == id }) {
+                let removed = timeline.remove(at: index)
+                geohashTimelines[key] = timeline.isEmpty ? nil : timeline
+                return removed
+            }
+        }
+
+        return nil
+    }
+
+    mutating func removeMessages(in geohash: String, where predicate: (BitchatMessage) -> Bool) {
+        var timeline = geohashTimelines[geohash] ?? []
+        timeline.removeAll(where: predicate)
+        geohashTimelines[geohash] = timeline.isEmpty ? nil : timeline
+    }
+
+    mutating func mutateGeohash(_ geohash: String, _ transform: (inout [BitchatMessage]) -> Void) {
+        var timeline = geohashTimelines[geohash] ?? []
+        transform(&timeline)
+        geohashTimelines[geohash] = timeline.isEmpty ? nil : timeline
+    }
+
+    mutating func queueGeohashSystemMessage(_ content: String) {
+        pendingGeohashSystemMessages.append(content)
+    }
+
+    mutating func drainPendingGeohashSystemMessages() -> [String] {
+        defer { pendingGeohashSystemMessages.removeAll(keepingCapacity: false) }
+        return pendingGeohashSystemMessages
+    }
+
+    func geohashKeys() -> [String] {
+        Array(geohashTimelines.keys)
+    }
+
+    private mutating func trimMeshTimelineIfNeeded() {
+        guard meshTimeline.count > meshCap else { return }
+        meshTimeline = Array(meshTimeline.suffix(meshCap))
+    }
+
+    private func trimGeohashTimelineIfNeeded(_ timeline: inout [BitchatMessage]) {
+        guard timeline.count > geohashCap else { return }
+        timeline = Array(timeline.suffix(geohashCap))
+    }
+}

bitchat/Views/Components/CommandSuggestionsView.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+//
+//  CommandSuggestionsView.swift
+//  bitchat
+//
+//  Created by Islam on 29/10/2025.
+//
+
+import SwiftUI
+
+struct CommandSuggestionsView: View {
+    @EnvironmentObject private var viewModel: ChatViewModel
+    @ObservedObject private var locationManager = LocationChannelManager.shared
+    
+    @Binding var messageText: String
+    
+    let textColor: Color
+    let backgroundColor: Color
+    let secondaryTextColor: Color
+    
+    private var filteredCommands: [CommandInfo] {
+        guard messageText.hasPrefix("/") && !messageText.contains(" ") else { return [] }
+        let isGeoPublic = locationManager.selectedChannel.isLocation
+        let isGeoDM = viewModel.selectedPrivateChatPeer?.isGeoDM == true
+        return CommandInfo.all(isGeoPublic: isGeoPublic, isGeoDM: isGeoDM).filter { command in
+            command.alias.starts(with: messageText.lowercased())
+        }
+    }
+    
+    var body: some View {
+        VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 0) {
+            ForEach(filteredCommands) { command in
+                Button {
+                    messageText = command.alias + " "
+                } label: {
+                    buttonRow(for: command)
+                }
+                .buttonStyle(.plain)
+                .background(Color.gray.opacity(0.1))
+            }
+        }
+        .background(backgroundColor)
+        .overlay(
+            RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 4)
+                .stroke(secondaryTextColor.opacity(0.3), lineWidth: 1)
+        )
+    }
+    
+    private func buttonRow(for command: CommandInfo) -> some View {
+        HStack {
+            Text(command.alias)
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 11, design: .monospaced))
+                .foregroundColor(textColor)
+                .fontWeight(.medium)
+            
+            if let placeholder = command.placeholder {
+                Text(placeholder)
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10, design: .monospaced))
+                    .foregroundColor(secondaryTextColor.opacity(0.8))
+            }
+
+            Spacer()
+            
+            Text(command.description)
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10, design: .monospaced))
+                .foregroundColor(secondaryTextColor)
+        }
+        .padding(.horizontal, 12)
+        .padding(.vertical, 3)
+        .frame(maxWidth: .infinity, alignment: .leading)
+    }
+}
+
+@available(iOS 17, macOS 14, *)
+#Preview {
+    @Previewable @State var messageText: String = "/"
+    let keychain = KeychainManager()
+    let viewModel = ChatViewModel(
+        keychain: keychain,
+        idBridge: NostrIdentityBridge(),
+        identityManager: SecureIdentityStateManager(keychain)
+    )
+    
+    CommandSuggestionsView(
+        messageText: $messageText,
+        textColor: .green,
+        backgroundColor: .primary,
+        secondaryTextColor: .secondary
+    )
+    .environmentObject(viewModel)
+}

bitchat/Views/ContentView.swift

@@ -43,11 +43,9 @@ struct ContentView: View {
     @State private var showPeerList = false
     @State private var showSidebar = false
     @State private var showAppInfo = false
-    @State private var showCommandSuggestions = false
-    @State private var commandSuggestions: [String] = []
     @State private var showMessageActions = false
     @State private var selectedMessageSender: String?
-    @State private var selectedMessageSenderID: String?
+    @State private var selectedMessageSenderID: PeerID?
     @FocusState private var isNicknameFieldFocused: Bool
     @State private var isAtBottomPublic: Bool = true
     @State private var isAtBottomPrivate: Bool = true
@@ -203,7 +201,15 @@ struct ContentView: View {
             }
         }
 #if os(iOS)
-        .sheet(isPresented: $showImagePicker) {
+        // Only present image picker from main view when NOT in a sheet
+        .fullScreenCover(isPresented: Binding(
+            get: { showImagePicker && !showSidebar && viewModel.selectedPrivateChatPeer == nil },
+            set: { newValue in
+                if !newValue {
+                    showImagePicker = false
+                }
+            }
+        )) {
             ImagePickerView(sourceType: imagePickerSourceType) { image in
                 showImagePicker = false
                 if let image = image {
@@ -223,7 +229,15 @@ struct ContentView: View {
         }
 #endif
 #if os(macOS)
-        .sheet(isPresented: $showMacImagePicker) {
+        // Only present Mac image picker from main view when NOT in a sheet
+        .sheet(isPresented: Binding(
+            get: { showMacImagePicker && !showSidebar && viewModel.selectedPrivateChatPeer == nil },
+            set: { newValue in
+                if !newValue {
+                    showMacImagePicker = false
+                }
+            }
+        )) {
             MacImagePickerView { url in
                 showMacImagePicker = false
                 if let url = url {
@@ -269,12 +283,12 @@ struct ContentView: View {
 
             Button("content.actions.direct_message") {
                 if let peerID = selectedMessageSenderID {
-                    if peerID.hasPrefix("nostr:") {
-                        if let full = viewModel.fullNostrHex(forSenderPeerID: PeerID(str: peerID)) {
+                    if peerID.isGeoChat {
+                        if let full = viewModel.fullNostrHex(forSenderPeerID: peerID) {
                             viewModel.startGeohashDM(withPubkeyHex: full)
                         }
                     } else {
-                        viewModel.startPrivateChat(with: PeerID(str: peerID))
+                        viewModel.startPrivateChat(with: peerID)
                     }
                     withAnimation(.easeInOut(duration: TransportConfig.uiAnimationMediumSeconds)) {
                         showSidebar = true
@@ -296,8 +310,8 @@ struct ContentView: View {
 
             Button("content.actions.block", role: .destructive) {
                 // Prefer direct geohash block when we have a Nostr sender ID
-                if let peerID = selectedMessageSenderID, peerID.hasPrefix("nostr:"),
-                   let full = viewModel.fullNostrHex(forSenderPeerID: PeerID(str: peerID)),
+                if let peerID = selectedMessageSenderID, peerID.isGeoChat,
+                   let full = viewModel.fullNostrHex(forSenderPeerID: peerID),
                    let sender = selectedMessageSender {
                     viewModel.blockGeohashUser(pubkeyHexLowercased: full, displayName: sender)
                 } else if let sender = selectedMessageSender {
@@ -589,77 +603,12 @@ struct ContentView: View {
                 .padding(.horizontal, 12)
             }
 
-            // Command suggestions
-            if showCommandSuggestions && !commandSuggestions.isEmpty {
-                VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 0) {
-                    // Define commands with aliases and syntax
-                    let baseInfo: [(commands: [String], syntax: String?, description: String)] = [
-                        (["/block"], "[nickname]", "block or list blocked peers"),
-                        (["/clear"], nil, "clear chat messages"),
-                        (["/hug"], "<nickname>", "send someone a warm hug"),
-                        (["/m", "/msg"], "<nickname> [message]", "send private message"),
-                        (["/slap"], "<nickname>", "slap someone with a trout"),
-                        (["/unblock"], "<nickname>", "unblock a peer"),
-                        (["/w"], nil, "see who's online")
-                    ]
-                    let isGeoPublic: Bool = { if case .location = locationManager.selectedChannel { return true }; return false }()
-                    let isGeoDM = viewModel.selectedPrivateChatPeer?.isGeoDM == true
-                    let favInfo: [(commands: [String], syntax: String?, description: String)] = [
-                        (["/fav"], "<nickname>", "add to favorites"),
-                        (["/unfav"], "<nickname>", "remove from favorites")
-                    ]
-                    let commandInfo = baseInfo + ((isGeoPublic || isGeoDM) ? [] : favInfo)
-
-                    // Build the display
-                    let allCommands = commandInfo
-
-                    // Show matching commands
-                    ForEach(commandSuggestions, id: \.self) { command in
-                        // Find the command info for this suggestion
-                        if let info = allCommands.first(where: { $0.commands.contains(command) }) {
-                            Button(action: {
-                                // Replace current text with selected command
-                                messageText = command + " "
-                                showCommandSuggestions = false
-                                commandSuggestions = []
-                            }) {
-                                HStack {
-                                    // Show all aliases together
-                                    Text(info.commands.joined(separator: ", "))
-                                        .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 11, design: .monospaced))
-                                        .foregroundColor(textColor)
-                                        .fontWeight(.medium)
-
-                                    // Show syntax if any
-                                    if let syntax = info.syntax {
-                                        Text(syntax)
-                                            .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10, design: .monospaced))
-                                            .foregroundColor(secondaryTextColor.opacity(0.8))
-                                    }
-
-                                    Spacer()
-
-                                    // Show description
-                                    Text(info.description)
-                                        .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10, design: .monospaced))
-                                        .foregroundColor(secondaryTextColor)
-                                }
-                                .padding(.horizontal, 12)
-                                .padding(.vertical, 3)
-                                .frame(maxWidth: .infinity, alignment: .leading)
-                            }
-                            .buttonStyle(.plain)
-                            .background(Color.gray.opacity(0.1))
-                        }
-                    }
-                }
-                .background(backgroundColor)
-                .overlay(
-                    RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 4)
-                        .stroke(secondaryTextColor.opacity(0.3), lineWidth: 1)
-                )
-                .padding(.horizontal, 12)
-            }
+            CommandSuggestionsView(
+                messageText: $messageText,
+                textColor: textColor,
+                backgroundColor: backgroundColor,
+                secondaryTextColor: secondaryTextColor
+            )
 
             // Recording indicator
             if isPreparingVoiceNote || isRecordingVoiceNote {
@@ -693,68 +642,11 @@ struct ContentView: View {
                 )
                 .frame(maxWidth: .infinity, alignment: .leading)
                 .onChange(of: messageText) { newValue in
-                    // Cancel previous debounce timer
                     autocompleteDebounceTimer?.invalidate()
-
-                    // Debounce autocomplete updates to reduce calls during rapid typing
                     autocompleteDebounceTimer = Timer.scheduledTimer(withTimeInterval: 0.15, repeats: false) { _ in
-                        // Get cursor position (approximate - end of text for now)
                         let cursorPosition = newValue.count
                         viewModel.updateAutocomplete(for: newValue, cursorPosition: cursorPosition)
                     }
-
-                    // Check for command autocomplete (instant, no debounce needed)
-                    if newValue.hasPrefix("/") && newValue.count >= 1 {
-                        // Build context-aware command list
-                        let isGeoPublic: Bool = {
-                            if case .location = locationManager.selectedChannel { return true }
-                            return false
-                        }()
-                        let isGeoDM = viewModel.selectedPrivateChatPeer?.isGeoDM == true
-                        var commandDescriptions = [
-                            ("/block", String(localized: "content.commands.block", comment: "Description for /block command")),
-                            ("/clear", String(localized: "content.commands.clear", comment: "Description for /clear command")),
-                            ("/hug", String(localized: "content.commands.hug", comment: "Description for /hug command")),
-                            ("/m", String(localized: "content.commands.message", comment: "Description for /m command")),
-                            ("/slap", String(localized: "content.commands.slap", comment: "Description for /slap command")),
-                            ("/unblock", String(localized: "content.commands.unblock", comment: "Description for /unblock command")),
-                            ("/w", String(localized: "content.commands.who", comment: "Description for /w command"))
-                        ]
-                        // Only show favorites commands when not in geohash context
-                        if !(isGeoPublic || isGeoDM) {
-                            commandDescriptions.append(("/fav", String(localized: "content.commands.favorite", comment: "Description for /fav command")))
-                            commandDescriptions.append(("/unfav", String(localized: "content.commands.unfavorite", comment: "Description for /unfav command")))
-                        }
-
-                        let input = newValue.lowercased()
-
-                        // Map of aliases to primary commands
-                        let aliases: [String: String] = [
-                            "/join": "/j",
-                            "/msg": "/m"
-                        ]
-
-                        // Filter commands, but convert aliases to primary
-                        commandSuggestions = commandDescriptions
-                            .filter { $0.0.starts(with: input) }
-                            .map { $0.0 }
-
-                        // Also check if input matches an alias
-                        for (alias, primary) in aliases {
-                            if alias.starts(with: input) && !commandSuggestions.contains(primary) {
-                                if commandDescriptions.contains(where: { $0.0 == primary }) {
-                                    commandSuggestions.append(primary)
-                                }
-                            }
-                        }
-
-                        // Remove duplicates and sort
-                        commandSuggestions = Array(Set(commandSuggestions)).sorted()
-                        showCommandSuggestions = !commandSuggestions.isEmpty
-                    } else {
-                        showCommandSuggestions = false
-                        commandSuggestions = []
-                    }
                 }
 
                 HStack(alignment: .center, spacing: 4) {
@@ -771,14 +663,14 @@ struct ContentView: View {
         .padding(.bottom, 8)
         .background(backgroundColor.opacity(0.95))
     }
-
+    
     private func handleOpenURL(_ url: URL) {
         guard url.scheme == "bitchat" else { return }
         switch url.host {
         case "user":
             let id = url.path.trimmingCharacters(in: CharacterSet(charactersIn: "/"))
             let peerID = PeerID(str: id.removingPercentEncoding ?? id)
-            selectedMessageSenderID = peerID.id
+            selectedMessageSenderID = peerID
 
             if peerID.isGeoDM || peerID.isGeoChat {
                 selectedMessageSender = viewModel.geohashDisplayName(for: peerID)
@@ -906,6 +798,53 @@ struct ContentView: View {
         #if os(macOS)
         .frame(minWidth: 420, minHeight: 520)
         #endif
+        // Present image picker from sheet context when IN a sheet (parent-child pattern)
+        #if os(iOS)
+        .fullScreenCover(isPresented: Binding(
+            get: { showImagePicker && (showSidebar || viewModel.selectedPrivateChatPeer != nil) },
+            set: { newValue in
+                if !newValue {
+                    showImagePicker = false
+                }
+            }
+        )) {
+            ImagePickerView(sourceType: imagePickerSourceType) { image in
+                showImagePicker = false
+                if let image = image {
+                    Task {
+                        do {
+                            let processedURL = try ImageUtils.processImage(image)
+                            await MainActor.run {
+                                viewModel.sendImage(from: processedURL)
+                            }
+                        } catch {
+                            SecureLogger.error("Image processing failed: \(error)", category: .session)
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            .ignoresSafeArea()
+        }
+        #endif
+        #if os(macOS)
+        .sheet(isPresented: $showMacImagePicker) {
+            MacImagePickerView { url in
+                showMacImagePicker = false
+                if let url = url {
+                    Task {
+                        do {
+                            let processedURL = try ImageUtils.processImage(at: url)
+                            await MainActor.run {
+                                viewModel.sendImage(from: processedURL)
+                            }
+                        } catch {
+                            SecureLogger.error("Image processing failed: \(error)", category: .session)
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        #endif
     }
     
     // MARK: - People Sheet Views
@@ -1150,12 +1089,7 @@ struct ContentView: View {
                     .foregroundColor(textColor)
 
                 if !privatePeerID.isGeoDM {
-                    let statusPeerID: PeerID = {
-                        if privatePeerID.id.count == 64, let short = viewModel.getShortIDForNoiseKey(privatePeerID.id) {
-                            return short
-                        }
-                        return context.headerPeerID
-                    }()
+                    let statusPeerID = viewModel.getShortIDForNoiseKey(privatePeerID)
                     let encryptionStatus = viewModel.getEncryptionStatus(for: statusPeerID)
                     if let icon = encryptionStatus.icon {
                         Image(systemName: icon)
@@ -1189,13 +1123,7 @@ struct ContentView: View {
     }
 
     private func makePrivateHeaderContext(for privatePeerID: PeerID) -> PrivateHeaderContext {
-        let headerPeerID: PeerID = {
-            if privatePeerID.id.count == 64, let short = viewModel.getShortIDForNoiseKey(privatePeerID.id) {
-                return short
-            }
-            return privatePeerID
-        }()
-
+        let headerPeerID = viewModel.getShortIDForNoiseKey(privatePeerID)
         let peer = viewModel.getPeer(byID: headerPeerID)
 
         let displayName: String = {

bitchat/Views/FingerprintView.swift

@@ -65,10 +65,7 @@ struct FingerprintView: View {
             
             VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 16) {
                 // Prefer short mesh ID for session/encryption status
-                let statusPeerID: PeerID = {
-                    if peerID.id.count == 64, let short = viewModel.getShortIDForNoiseKey(peerID.id) { return short }
-                    return peerID
-                }()
+                let statusPeerID = viewModel.getShortIDForNoiseKey(peerID)
                 // Resolve a friendly name
                 let peerNickname: String = {
                     if let p = viewModel.getPeer(byID: statusPeerID) { return p.displayName }

bitchatTests/BLEServiceTests.swift

@@ -298,5 +298,5 @@ private final class MockBitchatDelegate: BitchatDelegate {
     func didUpdateMessageDeliveryStatus(_ messageID: String, status: DeliveryStatus) {}
     func didReceiveNoisePayload(from peerID: PeerID, type: NoisePayloadType, payload: Data, timestamp: Date) {}
     func didUpdateBluetoothState(_ state: CBManagerState) {}
-    func didReceivePublicMessage(from peerID: String, nickname: String, content: String, timestamp: Date) {}
+    func didReceivePublicMessage(from peerID: PeerID, nickname: String, content: String, timestamp: Date, messageID: String?) {}
 }

bitchatTests/EndToEnd/PrivateChatE2ETests.swift

@@ -186,11 +186,11 @@ struct PrivateChatE2ETests {
             // Bob relays private messages for Charlie
             bob.packetDeliveryHandler = { packet in
                 if let recipientID = packet.recipientID,
-                   String(data: recipientID, encoding: .utf8) == charlie.peerID {
+                   PeerID(data: recipientID) == charlie.peerID {
                     // Relay to Charlie
                     var relayPacket = packet
                     relayPacket.ttl = packet.ttl - 1
-                    self.charlie.simulateIncomingPacket(relayPacket)
+                    charlie.simulateIncomingPacket(relayPacket)
                 }
             }
             

bitchatTests/EndToEnd/PublicChatE2ETests.swift

@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ struct PublicChatE2ETests {
 
             if let message = BitchatMessage(packet.payload) {
                 // Don't relay own messages
-                guard message.senderPeerID?.id != node.peerID else { return }
+                guard message.senderPeerID != node.peerID else { return }
                 
                 // Create relay message
                 let relayMessage = BitchatMessage(

bitchatTests/Fragmentation/FragmentationTests.swift

@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ extension FragmentationTests {
         func didUpdateMessageDeliveryStatus(_ messageID: String, status: DeliveryStatus) {}
         func didReceiveNoisePayload(from peerID: PeerID, type: NoisePayloadType, payload: Data, timestamp: Date) {}
         func didUpdateBluetoothState(_ state: CBManagerState) {}
-        func didReceivePublicMessage(from peerID: PeerID, nickname: String, content: String, timestamp: Date) {
+        func didReceivePublicMessage(from peerID: PeerID, nickname: String, content: String, timestamp: Date, messageID: String?) {
             publicMessages.append((peerID, nickname, content))
         }
         func didReceiveRegionalPublicMessage(from peerID: PeerID, nickname: String, content: String, timestamp: Date) {}

bitchatTests/GossipSyncManagerTests.swift

@@ -125,16 +125,138 @@ struct GossipSyncManagerTests {
         #expect(manager._hasAnnouncement(for: PeerID(str: peerHex)) == false)
         #expect(manager._messageCount(for: PeerID(str: peerHex)) == 0)
     }
+
+    @Test func maintenanceEmitsTypedSyncRequests() throws {
+        var config = GossipSyncManager.Config()
+        config.seenCapacity = 10
+        config.fragmentCapacity = 5
+        config.fileTransferCapacity = 4
+        config.messageSyncIntervalSeconds = 1
+        config.fragmentSyncIntervalSeconds = 1
+        config.fileTransferSyncIntervalSeconds = 1
+        config.maintenanceIntervalSeconds = 0
+
+        let manager = GossipSyncManager(myPeerID: myPeerID, config: config)
+        let delegate = RecordingDelegate()
+        manager.delegate = delegate
+
+        let sender = try #require(Data(hexString: "1122334455667788"))
+        let now = UInt64(Date().timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000)
+
+        let announcePacket = BitchatPacket(
+            type: MessageType.announce.rawValue,
+            senderID: sender,
+            recipientID: nil,
+            timestamp: now,
+            payload: Data(),
+            signature: nil,
+            ttl: 1
+        )
+        let messagePacket = BitchatPacket(
+            type: MessageType.message.rawValue,
+            senderID: sender,
+            recipientID: nil,
+            timestamp: now,
+            payload: Data([0x01]),
+            signature: nil,
+            ttl: 1
+        )
+        let fragmentPacket = BitchatPacket(
+            type: MessageType.fragment.rawValue,
+            senderID: sender,
+            recipientID: nil,
+            timestamp: now,
+            payload: Data([0xAA]),
+            signature: nil,
+            ttl: 1
+        )
+        let filePacket = BitchatPacket(
+            type: MessageType.fileTransfer.rawValue,
+            senderID: sender,
+            recipientID: nil,
+            timestamp: now,
+            payload: Data([0xBB]),
+            signature: nil,
+            ttl: 1,
+            version: 2
+        )
+
+        manager.onPublicPacketSeen(announcePacket)
+        manager.onPublicPacketSeen(messagePacket)
+        manager.onPublicPacketSeen(fragmentPacket)
+        manager.onPublicPacketSeen(filePacket)
+
+        manager._performMaintenanceSynchronously(now: Date())
+
+        let sentPackets = delegate.packets
+        #expect(sentPackets.count == 3)
+        let decoded = sentPackets.compactMap { RequestSyncPacket.decode(from: $0.payload) }
+        #expect(decoded.count == 3)
+        #expect(decoded[0].types == .publicMessages)
+        #expect(decoded[1].types == .fragment)
+        #expect(decoded[2].types == .fileTransfer)
+    }
+
+    @Test func handleRequestSyncHonorsTypeFilter() async throws {
+        var config = GossipSyncManager.Config()
+        config.seenCapacity = 5
+        config.fragmentCapacity = 5
+        config.fileTransferCapacity = 0
+        config.messageSyncIntervalSeconds = 0
+        config.fragmentSyncIntervalSeconds = 0
+        config.fileTransferSyncIntervalSeconds = 0
+
+        let manager = GossipSyncManager(myPeerID: myPeerID, config: config)
+        let delegate = RecordingDelegate()
+        manager.delegate = delegate
+
+        let sender = try #require(Data(hexString: "aabbccddeeff0011"))
+        let now = UInt64(Date().timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000)
+
+        let messagePacket = BitchatPacket(
+            type: MessageType.message.rawValue,
+            senderID: sender,
+            recipientID: nil,
+            timestamp: now,
+            payload: Data([0x10]),
+            signature: nil,
+            ttl: 1
+        )
+
+        let fragmentPacket = BitchatPacket(
+            type: MessageType.fragment.rawValue,
+            senderID: sender,
+            recipientID: nil,
+            timestamp: now,
+            payload: Data([0x20]),
+            signature: nil,
+            ttl: 1
+        )
+
+        manager.onPublicPacketSeen(messagePacket)
+        manager.onPublicPacketSeen(fragmentPacket)
+
+        let peer = PeerID(str: "FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF")
+        let request = RequestSyncPacket(p: 4, m: 1, data: Data(), types: .fragment)
+        manager.handleRequestSync(from: peer, request: request)
+
+        try await sleep(0.01)
+        let sentPackets = delegate.packets
+        #expect(sentPackets.count == 1)
+        #expect(sentPackets[0].type == MessageType.fragment.rawValue)
+    }
 }
 
 private final class RecordingDelegate: GossipSyncManager.Delegate {
     var onSend: (() -> Void)?
     private(set) var lastPacket: BitchatPacket?
+    private(set) var packets: [BitchatPacket] = []
     private let lock = NSLock()
 
     func sendPacket(_ packet: BitchatPacket) {
         lock.lock()
         lastPacket = packet
+        packets.append(packet)
         lock.unlock()
         onSend?()
     }

bitchatTests/InputValidatorTests.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,192 @@
+//
+// InputValidatorTests.swift
+// bitchatTests
+//
+// 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
+
+struct InputValidatorTests {
+
+    // MARK: - Basic Validation Tests
+
+    @Test func validStringPassesValidation() throws {
+        let result = InputValidator.validateUserString("Hello World", maxLength: 100)
+        #expect(result == "Hello World")
+    }
+
+    @Test func emptyStringReturnsNil() throws {
+        let result = InputValidator.validateUserString("", maxLength: 100)
+        #expect(result == nil)
+    }
+
+    @Test func whitespaceOnlyStringReturnsNil() throws {
+        let result = InputValidator.validateUserString("   \n\t  ", maxLength: 100)
+        #expect(result == nil)
+    }
+
+    @Test func stringExceedingMaxLengthReturnsNil() throws {
+        let longString = String(repeating: "a", count: 101)
+        let result = InputValidator.validateUserString(longString, maxLength: 100)
+        #expect(result == nil)
+    }
+
+    @Test func stringAtMaxLengthIsAccepted() throws {
+        let exactString = String(repeating: "a", count: 100)
+        let result = InputValidator.validateUserString(exactString, maxLength: 100)
+        #expect(result == exactString)
+    }
+
+    @Test func whitespaceIsTrimmed() throws {
+        let result = InputValidator.validateUserString("  Hello  ", maxLength: 100)
+        #expect(result == "Hello")
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Control Character Tests
+
+    @Test func nullCharacterIsRejected() throws {
+        let stringWithNull = "Hello\u{0000}World"
+        let result = InputValidator.validateUserString(stringWithNull, maxLength: 100)
+        #expect(result == nil)
+    }
+
+    @Test func bellCharacterIsRejected() throws {
+        let stringWithBell = "Hello\u{0007}World"
+        let result = InputValidator.validateUserString(stringWithBell, maxLength: 100)
+        #expect(result == nil)
+    }
+
+    @Test func backspaceCharacterIsRejected() throws {
+        let stringWithBackspace = "Hello\u{0008}World"
+        let result = InputValidator.validateUserString(stringWithBackspace, maxLength: 100)
+        #expect(result == nil)
+    }
+
+    @Test func escapeCharacterIsRejected() throws {
+        let stringWithEscape = "Hello\u{001B}World"
+        let result = InputValidator.validateUserString(stringWithEscape, maxLength: 100)
+        #expect(result == nil)
+    }
+
+    @Test func deleteCharacterIsRejected() throws {
+        let stringWithDelete = "Hello\u{007F}World"
+        let result = InputValidator.validateUserString(stringWithDelete, maxLength: 100)
+        #expect(result == nil)
+    }
+
+    @Test func multipleControlCharactersAreRejected() throws {
+        let stringWithMultiple = "Hello\u{0000}\u{0007}\u{001B}World"
+        let result = InputValidator.validateUserString(stringWithMultiple, maxLength: 100)
+        #expect(result == nil)
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Unicode and Special Character Tests
+
+    @Test func emojiIsAccepted() throws {
+        let result = InputValidator.validateUserString("Hello 👋 World", maxLength: 100)
+        #expect(result == "Hello 👋 World")
+    }
+
+    @Test func unicodeCharactersAreAccepted() throws {
+        let result = InputValidator.validateUserString("Hello 世界 مرحبا", maxLength: 100)
+        #expect(result == "Hello 世界 مرحبا")
+    }
+
+    @Test func specialCharactersAreAccepted() throws {
+        let result = InputValidator.validateUserString("Hello!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;':\",./<>?", maxLength: 100)
+        #expect(result == "Hello!@#$%^&*()_+-=[]{}|;':\",./<>?")
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Nickname Validation Tests
+
+    @Test func validNicknameIsAccepted() throws {
+        let result = InputValidator.validateNickname("Alice")
+        #expect(result == "Alice")
+    }
+
+    @Test func nicknameWithEmojiIsAccepted() throws {
+        let result = InputValidator.validateNickname("Alice 🚀")
+        #expect(result == "Alice 🚀")
+    }
+
+    @Test func nicknameTooLongIsRejected() throws {
+        let longNickname = String(repeating: "a", count: 51)
+        let result = InputValidator.validateNickname(longNickname)
+        #expect(result == nil)
+    }
+
+    @Test func nicknameAtMaxLengthIsAccepted() throws {
+        let exactNickname = String(repeating: "a", count: 50)
+        let result = InputValidator.validateNickname(exactNickname)
+        #expect(result == exactNickname)
+    }
+
+    @Test func nicknameWithControlCharacterIsRejected() throws {
+        let result = InputValidator.validateNickname("Alice\u{0000}")
+        #expect(result == nil)
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Timestamp Validation Tests
+
+    @Test func currentTimestampIsValid() throws {
+        let now = Date()
+        let result = InputValidator.validateTimestamp(now)
+        #expect(result == true)
+    }
+
+    @Test func timestampWithinOneHourIsValid() throws {
+        let thirtyMinutesAgo = Date().addingTimeInterval(-30 * 60)
+        let result = InputValidator.validateTimestamp(thirtyMinutesAgo)
+        #expect(result == true)
+    }
+
+    @Test func timestampTwoHoursAgoIsInvalid() throws {
+        let twoHoursAgo = Date().addingTimeInterval(-2 * 3600)
+        let result = InputValidator.validateTimestamp(twoHoursAgo)
+        #expect(result == false)
+    }
+
+    @Test func timestampTwoHoursInFutureIsInvalid() throws {
+        let twoHoursFromNow = Date().addingTimeInterval(2 * 3600)
+        let result = InputValidator.validateTimestamp(twoHoursFromNow)
+        #expect(result == false)
+    }
+
+    @Test func timestampAtOneHourBoundaryIsValid() throws {
+        // Just slightly within the one-hour window
+        let almostOneHourAgo = Date().addingTimeInterval(-3599)
+        let result = InputValidator.validateTimestamp(almostOneHourAgo)
+        #expect(result == true)
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Edge Cases
+
+    @Test func singleCharacterStringIsAccepted() throws {
+        let result = InputValidator.validateUserString("a", maxLength: 100)
+        #expect(result == "a")
+    }
+
+    @Test func stringWithOnlyNewlinesIsRejected() throws {
+        let result = InputValidator.validateUserString("\n\n\n", maxLength: 100)
+        #expect(result == nil)
+    }
+
+    @Test func stringWithMixedWhitespaceIsTrimmed() throws {
+        let result = InputValidator.validateUserString(" \t\nHello\n\t ", maxLength: 100)
+        #expect(result == "Hello")
+    }
+
+    @Test func stringWithLeadingControlCharacterIsRejected() throws {
+        let result = InputValidator.validateUserString("\u{0000}Hello", maxLength: 100)
+        #expect(result == nil)
+    }
+
+    @Test func stringWithTrailingControlCharacterIsRejected() throws {
+        let result = InputValidator.validateUserString("Hello\u{0000}", maxLength: 100)
+        #expect(result == nil)
+    }
+}

bitchatTests/MimeTypeTests.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+//
+// MimeTypeTests.swift
+// bitchatTests
+//
+// 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
+
+// MARK: - MimeType Mapping and Signature Tests
+
+struct MimeTypeTests {
+
+    // MARK: MIME → Enum Parsing + Default Extension
+    @Test(arguments: [
+        ("image/jpeg", MimeType.jpeg, "jpg"),
+        ("image/jpg", MimeType.jpeg, "jpg"),
+        ("image/png", MimeType.png, "png"),
+        ("image/gif", MimeType.gif, "gif"),
+        ("image/webp", MimeType.webp, "webp"),
+        ("audio/mp4", MimeType.mp4Audio, "m4a"),
+        ("audio/m4a", MimeType.m4a, "m4a"),
+        ("audio/aac", MimeType.aac, "m4a"),
+        ("audio/mpeg", MimeType.mpeg, "mp3"),
+        ("audio/mp3", MimeType.mp3, "mp3"),
+        ("audio/wav", MimeType.wav, "wav"),
+        ("audio/x-wav", MimeType.xWav, "wav"),
+        ("audio/ogg", MimeType.ogg, "ogg"),
+        ("application/pdf", MimeType.pdf, "pdf"),
+        ("application/octet-stream", MimeType.octetStream, "bin")
+    ])
+    func mimeTypeParsingAndExtensions(
+        mimeString: String,
+        expectedType: MimeType,
+        expectedExt: String
+    ) throws {
+        guard let mime = MimeType(mimeString) else {
+            Issue.record("Failed to parse \(mimeString)")
+            return
+        }
+
+        #expect(mime == expectedType, "Expected \(expectedType) for \(mimeString)")
+        #expect(mime.mimeString == expectedType.mimeString)
+        #expect(mime.defaultExtension == expectedExt)
+        #expect(mime.isAllowed)
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - File Signature Validation
+    @Test(arguments: [
+        // === Image types ===
+        (MimeType.jpeg, [0xFF, 0xD8, 0xFF]),
+        (MimeType.png,  [0x89, 0x50, 0x4E, 0x47, 0x0D, 0x0A, 0x1A, 0x0A]),
+        (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.wav,  [0x52, 0x49, 0x46, 0x46, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+                         0x57, 0x41, 0x56, 0x45]),             // "RIFF....WAVE"
+        (MimeType.ogg,  [0x4F, 0x67, 0x67, 0x53]),             // "OggS"
+
+        // === Application types ===
+        (MimeType.pdf,  [0x25, 0x50, 0x44, 0x46])              // "%PDF"
+    ])
+    func validSignatures(mime: MimeType, bytes: [UInt8]) throws {
+        let data = Data(bytes)
+        #expect(mime.matches(data: data),
+                "Expected \(mime.mimeString) to match its signature")
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Negative Tests
+    @Test func invalidDataDoesNotMatch() throws {
+        let badData = Data(repeating: 0x00, count: 16)
+        for mime in MimeType.allCases where mime != .octetStream {
+            #expect(!mime.matches(data: badData),
+                    "Unexpectedly matched \(mime.mimeString) with zeroed data")
+        }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Octet-stream (generic binary)
+    @Test func octetStreamAlwaysMatches() throws {
+        let randomData = Data([0x00, 0x11, 0x22, 0x33])
+        #expect(MimeType.octetStream.matches(data: randomData),
+                "application/octet-stream should always be considered valid")
+    }
+}

bitchatTests/Mocks/MockBLEService.swift

@@ -203,10 +203,7 @@ final class MockBLEService: NSObject {
                let target = bus.service(for: recipientPeerID) {
                 target.simulateIncomingPacket(packet)
             } else {
-                // Not directly connected: deliver to neighbors for relay; also deliver directly if target is known
-                if let target = bus.service(for: recipientPeerID) {
-                    target.simulateIncomingPacket(packet)
-                }
+                // Not directly connected: deliver to neighbors for relay
                 for neighbor in neighbors() where neighbor.peerID != recipientPeerID {
                     neighbor.simulateIncomingPacket(packet)
                 }

bitchatTests/Protocol/BinaryProtocolTests.swift

@@ -54,6 +54,86 @@ struct BinaryProtocolTests {
         #expect(decodedPacket.signature != nil)
         #expect(decodedPacket.signature == TestConstants.testSignature)
     }
+
+    @Test func packetWithRouteRoundTrip() throws {
+        let route: [Data] = [
+            try #require(Data(hexString: "0102030405060708")),
+            try #require(Data(hexString: "1112131415161718")),
+            try #require(Data(hexString: "2122232425262728"))
+        ]
+
+        var packet = BitchatPacket(
+            type: 0x01,
+            senderID: route[0],
+            recipientID: route.last,
+            timestamp: 1_720_000_000_000,
+            payload: Data("route-test".utf8),
+            signature: nil,
+            ttl: 6
+        )
+        packet.route = route
+
+        let encoded = try #require(BinaryProtocol.encode(packet), "Failed to encode packet with route")
+        let flagsByte = encoded[BinaryProtocol.Offsets.flags]
+        #expect((flagsByte & BinaryProtocol.Flags.hasRoute) != 0)
+
+        let decoded = try #require(BinaryProtocol.decode(encoded), "Failed to decode packet with route")
+        let decodedRoute = try #require(decoded.route)
+        #expect(decodedRoute.count == route.count)
+        for (expected, actual) in zip(route, decodedRoute) {
+            #expect(actual == expected)
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Test func packetWithRoutePadsShortHop() throws {
+        let sender = try #require(Data(hexString: "0011223344556677"))
+        let destination = try #require(Data(hexString: "8899aabbccddeeff"))
+        let shortHop = Data([0xAA, 0xBB, 0xCC])
+
+        var packet = BitchatPacket(
+            type: 0x02,
+            senderID: sender,
+            recipientID: destination,
+            timestamp: 1_730_000_000_000,
+            payload: Data("pad-test".utf8),
+            signature: nil,
+            ttl: 5
+        )
+        packet.route = [shortHop, destination]
+
+        let encoded = try #require(BinaryProtocol.encode(packet), "Failed to encode packet with short hop route")
+        let decoded = try #require(BinaryProtocol.decode(encoded), "Failed to decode packet with short hop route")
+        let decodedRoute = try #require(decoded.route)
+        let firstHop = try #require(decodedRoute.first)
+        #expect(firstHop.count == BinaryProtocol.senderIDSize)
+        #expect(firstHop.prefix(shortHop.count) == shortHop)
+        let paddingBytes = firstHop.suffix(firstHop.count - shortHop.count)
+        #expect(paddingBytes.allSatisfy { $0 == 0 })
+    }
+
+    @Test func packetWithRouteAndCompressedPayload() throws {
+        let route: [Data] = [
+            try #require(Data(hexString: "0101010101010101")),
+            try #require(Data(hexString: "0202020202020202"))
+        ]
+        let repeatedString = String(repeating: "compress-me", count: 150)
+        var packet = BitchatPacket(
+            type: 0x03,
+            senderID: route[0],
+            recipientID: route.last,
+            timestamp: 1_740_000_000_000,
+            payload: Data(repeatedString.utf8),
+            signature: nil,
+            ttl: 7
+        )
+        packet.route = route
+
+        let encoded = try #require(BinaryProtocol.encode(packet), "Failed to encode packet with route and compression")
+        let decoded = try #require(BinaryProtocol.decode(encoded), "Failed to decode packet with route and compression")
+        #expect(decoded.payload == Data(repeatedString.utf8))
+        let decodedRoute = try #require(decoded.route)
+        #expect(decodedRoute == route)
+    }
     
     // MARK: - Compression Tests
     

bitchatTests/Services/MeshTopologyTrackerTests.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+//
+// MeshTopologyTrackerTests.swift
+// bitchatTests
+//
+// 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
+
+struct MeshTopologyTrackerTests {
+    private func hex(_ value: String) throws -> Data {
+        try #require(Data(hexString: value))
+    }
+
+    @Test func directLinkProducesRoute() throws {
+        let tracker = MeshTopologyTracker()
+        let a = try hex("0102030405060708")
+        let b = try hex("1112131415161718")
+
+        tracker.recordDirectLink(between: a, and: b)
+        let route = try #require(tracker.computeRoute(from: a, to: b))
+        #expect(route == [a, b])
+    }
+
+    @Test func multiHopRouteComputation() throws {
+        let tracker = MeshTopologyTracker()
+        let a = try hex("0001020304050607")
+        let b = try hex("1011121314151617")
+        let c = try hex("2021222324252627")
+        let d = try hex("3031323334353637")
+
+        tracker.recordDirectLink(between: a, and: b)
+        tracker.recordDirectLink(between: b, and: c)
+        tracker.recordDirectLink(between: c, and: d)
+
+        let route = try #require(tracker.computeRoute(from: a, to: d))
+        #expect(route == [a, b, c, d])
+    }
+
+    @Test func recordRouteAddsEdges() throws {
+        let tracker = MeshTopologyTracker()
+        var a = Data([0xAA, 0xBB, 0xCC])
+        let b = try hex("4445464748494A4B")
+        let c = try hex("5455565758595A5B")
+
+        tracker.recordRoute([a, b, c])
+
+        a.append(Data(repeating: 0, count: BinaryProtocol.senderIDSize - a.count))
+        let route = try #require(tracker.computeRoute(from: a, to: c))
+        #expect(route.first == a)
+        #expect(route.last == c)
+    }
+
+    @Test func removingDirectLinkBreaksRoute() throws {
+        let tracker = MeshTopologyTracker()
+        let a = try hex("0101010101010101")
+        let b = try hex("0202020202020202")
+        let c = try hex("0303030303030303")
+
+        tracker.recordDirectLink(between: a, and: b)
+        tracker.recordDirectLink(between: b, and: c)
+        let initialRoute = try #require(tracker.computeRoute(from: a, to: c))
+        #expect(initialRoute == [a, b, c])
+
+        tracker.removeDirectLink(between: b, and: c)
+        #expect(tracker.computeRoute(from: a, to: c) == nil)
+    }
+
+    @Test func removingPeerClearsEdges() throws {
+        let tracker = MeshTopologyTracker()
+        let a = try hex("0F0E0D0C0B0A0908")
+        let b = try hex("0A0B0C0D0E0F0001")
+        let c = try hex("0011223344556677")
+
+        tracker.recordRoute([a, b, c])
+        let initialRoute = try #require(tracker.computeRoute(from: a, to: c))
+        #expect(initialRoute == [a, b, c])
+
+        tracker.removePeer(b)
+        #expect(tracker.computeRoute(from: a, to: c) == nil)
+    }
+
+}

bitchatTests/Utils/PeerIDTests.swift

@@ -217,7 +217,27 @@ struct PeerIDTests {
         let short = peerID.toShort()
         #expect(short == peerID)
     }
-    
+
+    @Test func routingData_fromShortID() throws {
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: hex16)
+        let routing = try #require(peerID.routingData)
+        #expect(routing.count == 8)
+        #expect(routing == Data(hexString: hex16))
+    }
+
+    @Test func routingData_fromNoiseKey() throws {
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: hex64)
+        let routing = try #require(peerID.routingData)
+        let expectedShort = peerID.toShort()
+        #expect(routing == Data(hexString: expectedShort.id))
+    }
+
+    @Test func routingPeerRoundTrip() throws {
+        let raw = try #require(Data(hexString: hex16))
+        let peerID = try #require(PeerID(routingData: raw))
+        #expect(peerID.routingData == raw)
+    }
+
     // MARK: - Codable
 
     @Test func codable_emptyPrefix() throws {
@@ -273,7 +293,7 @@ struct PeerIDTests {
     @Test func comparable_sorting_and_equality() {
         let p1 = PeerID(str: "aaa")
         let p2 = PeerID(str: "bbb")
-        let p3 = PeerID(str: "bbb")
+        let p3 = PeerID(str: "BBB")
         
         #expect(p1 < p2)
         #expect(p2 >= p1)
@@ -284,44 +304,18 @@ struct PeerIDTests {
     }
     
     @Test func equality() {
-        let string = "aaa"
-        let peerID = PeerID(str: string)
-        let badString = "bbb"
-        
-        // PeerID == String
-        #expect(peerID == string)
-        #expect(peerID == Optional(string))
-        #expect(Optional(peerID) == string)
-        #expect(Optional(peerID) == Optional(string))
-
-        // PeerID != String
-        #expect(peerID != badString)
-        #expect(peerID != Optional(badString))
-        #expect(Optional(peerID) != badString)
-        #expect(Optional(peerID) != Optional(badString))
-        
-        // String == PeerID
-        #expect(string == peerID)
-        #expect(Optional(string) == peerID)
-        #expect(string == Optional(peerID))
-        #expect(Optional(string) == Optional(peerID))
-
-        // String != PeerID
-        #expect(badString != peerID)
-        #expect(Optional(badString) != peerID)
-        #expect(badString != Optional(peerID))
-        #expect(Optional(badString) != Optional(peerID))
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: "aaa")
         
         // Regular PeerID <> PeerID
-        #expect(peerID == PeerID(str: "aaa"))
-        #expect(peerID == Optional(PeerID(str: "aaa")))
-        #expect(PeerID(str: "aaa") == peerID)
-        #expect(Optional(PeerID(str: "aaa")) == Optional(peerID))
+        #expect(peerID == PeerID(str: "AAA"))
+        #expect(peerID == Optional(PeerID(str: "AAA")))
+        #expect(PeerID(str: "AAA") == peerID)
+        #expect(Optional(PeerID(str: "AAA")) == Optional(peerID))
         
-        #expect(peerID != PeerID(str: "bbb"))
-        #expect(peerID != Optional(PeerID(str: "bbb")))
-        #expect(PeerID(str: "bbb") != peerID)
-        #expect(Optional(PeerID(str: "bbb")) != Optional(peerID))
+        #expect(peerID != PeerID(str: "BBB"))
+        #expect(peerID != Optional(PeerID(str: "BBB")))
+        #expect(PeerID(str: "BBB") != peerID)
+        #expect(Optional(PeerID(str: "BBB")) != Optional(peerID))
     }
     
     // MARK: - Computed properties