Improve background BLE stability and nearby alerts (#864 )

* Harden background BLE restoration and notifications * Guard BLE restoration paths to iOS --------- Co-authored-by: jack <jackjackbits@users.noreply.github.com>
Prevent mesh self-sync duplicates (#856 )
2026-07-25 07:25:19 +00:00 · 2025-10-23 19:54:06 +02:00 · 2025-10-23 10:41:28 +02:00 · 2025-10-22 12:33:37 +02:00 · 2025-10-22 12:24:29 +02:00 · 2025-10-21 13:47:24 +02:00
2414 changed files with 53978 additions and 9495 deletions
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+# Prevent Github Languages stats skewing:
+
+# Binaries and assets
+**/*.xcframework/** linguist-vendored
+**/*.xcassets/** linguist-vendored
+
+# Generated files
+**/*.pbxproj linguist-generated
+**/*.storyboard linguist-generated
+Package.resolved linguist-generated
+
+# Downloaded CSVs
+relays/online_relays_gps.csv linguist-vendored
+
+# Docs
+**/*.md linguist-documentation
+
+# Configs
+Configs/*.xcconfig linguist-documentation
+**/*.plist linguist-documentation
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ on:

 permissions:
  contents: write
+  pull-requests: write

 jobs:
  update-relay-data:
@@ -17,24 +18,54 @@ jobs:
        uses: actions/checkout@v4
        with:
          token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
-      
+          fetch-depth: 0
+
      - name: Fetch GeoRelays
        run: |
-          wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/permissionlesstech/georelays/refs/heads/main/nostr_relays.csv
+          wget -q https://raw.githubusercontent.com/permissionlesstech/georelays/refs/heads/main/nostr_relays.csv
          mv nostr_relays.csv ./relays/online_relays_gps.csv

-      - name: Check for changes
-        id: git-check
+      - name: Configure git
        run: |
-          git diff --exit-code || echo "changes=true" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
-    
-      - name: Commit and push changes
-        if: steps.git-check.outputs.changes == 'true'
+          git config user.email "action@github.com"
+          git config user.name "GitHub Action"
+
+      - name: Create update branch if changes
+        id: create_branch
        run: |
-          git config --local user.email "action@github.com"
-          git config --local user.name "GitHub Action"
+          # exit early if no changes
+          if git diff --quiet --relays/online_relays_gps.csv; then
+            echo "changed=false" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+            exit 0
+          fi
+
+          # branch name with timestamp
+          BRANCH="update-georelays-$(date -u +%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ)"
+          git checkout -b "$BRANCH"
+
          git add relays/online_relays_gps.csv
-          git commit -m "Automated update of relay data - $(date -u)"
-          git push
-        env:
-          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          git commit -m "Automated update of relay data - $(date -u --rfc-3339=seconds)"
+          echo "changed=true" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          echo "branch=$BRANCH" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+
+      - name: Push branch
+        if: steps.create_branch.outputs.changed == 'true'
+        run: |
+          git push --set-upstream origin "${{ steps.create_branch.outputs.branch }}"
+
+      - name: Create pull request
+        if: steps.create_branch.outputs.changed == 'true'
+        uses: peter-evans/create-pull-request@v5
+        with:
+          token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          commit-message: Automated update of relay data
+          branch: ${{ steps.create_branch.outputs.branch }}
+          base: main
+          title: Automated update of relay data
+          body: |
+            This PR was created automatically by the scheduled workflow. It updates relays/online_relays_gps.csv from the GeoRelays source.
+          labels: automated, georelays
+
+      - name: No changes
+        if: steps.create_branch.outputs.changed != 'true'
+        run: echo "No changes to relays/online_relays_gps.csv"
@@ -24,4 +24,4 @@ jobs:
        run: swift build

      - name: Run Tests
-        run: swift test --parallel --disable-swift-testing  # so it only runs xctests: https://github.com/swiftlang/swift-package-manager/issues/8529#issuecomment-2815711345
+        run: swift test --parallel
@@ -9,9 +9,6 @@ plans/
 CLAUDE.md
 AGENTS.md

-## User settings
-xcuserdata/
-
 ## compatibility with Xcode 8 and earlier (ignoring not required starting Xcode 9)
 *.xcscmblueprint
 *.xccheckout
@@ -57,7 +54,8 @@ iOSInjectionProject/

 ## Xcode project
 *.xcodeproj/project.xcworkspace/
-*.xcodeproj/xcshareddata/
+## Xcode User settings
+xcuserdata/

 ## Python
 __pycache__/
@@ -68,6 +66,9 @@ __pycache__/
 *.tmp
 *.temp

+## Cache
+.cache/
+
 # Local build results
 .Result*/
 .Result*.xcresult/
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-MARKETING_VERSION = 1.4.1
+MARKETING_VERSION = 1.5.0
 CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 1

 IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 16.0
@@ -14,8 +14,11 @@ default:
 # Check prerequisites
 check:
    @echo "Checking prerequisites..."
-    @command -v xcodebuild >/dev/null 2>&1 || (echo "❌ Xcode not found. Install Xcode from App Store" && exit 1)
-    @security find-identity -v -p codesigning | grep -q "Developer ID" || (echo "⚠️  No Developer ID found - code signing may fail" && exit 0)
+    @command -v xcodebuild >/dev/null 2>&1 || (echo "❌ xcodebuild not found. Install Xcode from App Store" && exit 1)
+    @xcode-select -p | grep -q "Xcode.app" || (echo "❌ Full Xcode required, not just command line tools. Install from App Store and run:\n   sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer" && exit 1)
+    @test -d "/Applications/Xcode.app" || (echo "❌ Xcode.app not found in Applications folder. Install from App Store" && exit 1)
+    @xcodebuild -version >/dev/null 2>&1 || (echo "❌ Xcode not properly configured. Try:\n   sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer" && exit 1)
+    @security find-identity -v -p codesigning | grep -q "Apple Development\|Developer ID" || (echo "⚠️  No Developer ID found - code signing may fail" && exit 0)
    @echo "✅ All prerequisites met"

 # Backup original files
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import PackageDescription

 let package = Package(
    name: "bitchat",
+    defaultLocalization: "en",
    platforms: [
        .iOS(.v16),
        .macOS(.v13)
@@ -15,6 +16,7 @@ let package = Package(
        ),
    ],
    dependencies:[
+        .package(path: "localPackages/Tor"),
        .package(path: "localPackages/BitLogger"),
        .package(url: "https://github.com/21-DOT-DEV/swift-secp256k1", exact: "0.21.1")
    ],
@@ -24,8 +26,7 @@ let package = Package(
            dependencies: [
                .product(name: "P256K", package: "swift-secp256k1"),
                .product(name: "BitLogger", package: "BitLogger"),
-                .target(name: "TorC"),
-                .target(name: "tor-nolzma")
+                .product(name: "Tor", package: "Tor")
            ],
            path: "bitchat",
            exclude: [
@@ -33,21 +34,12 @@ let package = Package(
                "Assets.xcassets",
                "bitchat.entitlements",
                "bitchat-macOS.entitlements",
-                "LaunchScreen.storyboard",
-                "Services/Tor/C/"
+                "LaunchScreen.storyboard"
            ],
-            linkerSettings: [
-                .linkedLibrary("z")
+            resources: [
+                .process("Localizable.xcstrings")
            ]
        ),
-        .target(
-            name: "TorC",
-            path: "bitchat/Services/Tor/C"
-        ),
-        .binaryTarget(
-            name: "tor-nolzma",
-            path: "Frameworks/tor-nolzma.xcframework"
-        ),
        .testTarget(
            name: "bitchatTests",
            dependencies: ["bitchat"],
@@ -55,6 +47,9 @@ let package = Package(
            exclude: [
                "Info.plist",
                "README.md"
+            ],
+            resources: [
+                .process("Localization")
            ]
        )
    ]
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ A decentralized peer-to-peer messaging app with dual transport architecture: loc
 📲 [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bitchat-mesh/id6748219622)

 > [!WARNING]
-> Private messages have not received external security review and may contain vulnerabilities. Do not use for sensitive use cases, and do not rely on its security until it has been reviewed. Now uses the [Noise Protocol](http://www.noiseprotocol.org) for identity and encryption. Public local chat (the main feature) has no security concerns.
+> Private messages have not received external security review and may contain vulnerabilities. Do not use for sensitive use cases, and do not rely on its security until it has been reviewed. Now uses the [Noise Protocol](https://www.noiseprotocol.org) for identity and encryption. Public local chat (the main feature) has no security concerns.

 ## License

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ This project is released into the public domain. See the [LICENSE](LICENSE) file
 - **Intelligent Message Routing**: Automatically chooses best transport (Bluetooth → Nostr fallback)
 - **Decentralized Mesh Network**: Automatic peer discovery and multi-hop message relay over Bluetooth LE
 - **Privacy First**: No accounts, no phone numbers, no persistent identifiers
- **Private Message End-to-End Encryption**: [Noise Protocol](http://noiseprotocol.org) for mesh, NIP-17 for Nostr
+- **Private Message End-to-End Encryption**: [Noise Protocol](https://noiseprotocol.org) for mesh, NIP-17 for Nostr
 - **IRC-Style Commands**: Familiar `/slap`, `/msg`, `/who` style interface
 - **Universal App**: Native support for iOS and macOS
 - **Emergency Wipe**: Triple-tap to instantly clear all data
@@ -116,3 +116,10 @@ For detailed protocol documentation, see the [Technical Whitepaper](WHITEPAPER.m

 Want to try this on macos: `just run` will set it up and run from source.
 Run `just clean` afterwards to restore things to original state for mobile app building and development.
+
+## Localization
+
+- Base app resources live under `bitchat/Localization/Base.lproj/`. Add new copy to `Localizable.strings` and plural rules to `Localizable.stringsdict`.
+- Share extension strings are separate in `bitchatShareExtension/Localization/Base.lproj/Localizable.strings`.
+- Prefer keys that describe intent (`app_info.features.offline.title`) and reuse existing ones where possible.
+- Run `xcodebuild -project bitchat.xcodeproj -scheme "bitchat (macOS)" -configuration Debug CODE_SIGNING_ALLOWED=NO build` to compile-check any localization updates.
@@ -184,6 +184,28 @@ To minimize bandwidth, `BitchatPacket`s are serialized into a compact binary for

 **Padding:** All packets are padded to the next standard block size (256, 512, 1024, or 2048 bytes) using a PKCS#7-style scheme to obscure the true message length from network observers.

+```mermaid
+---
+config:
+  theme: dark
+---
+---
+title: "BitchatPacket"
+---
+packet
+8: "Version"
+8: "Type"
+8: "TTL"
+64: "Timestamp"
+8: "Flags"
+16: "Payload Length"
+64: "Sender ID"
+64: "Recipient ID (optional)"
+48: "Payload (variable)"
+64: "Signature (optional)"
+```
+_A representation of the sizes of the fields in `BitchatPacket`_
+
 ### 6.2. Application Message Format (`BitchatMessage`)

 For packets of type `message`, the payload is a binary-serialized `BitchatMessage` containing the chat content.
@@ -198,6 +220,25 @@ For packets of type `message`, the payload is a binary-serialized `BitchatMessag
 | Original Sender     | 1 + len (opt)| Nickname of the original sender if the message is a relay.               |
 | Recipient Nickname  | 1 + len (opt)| Nickname of the recipient for private messages.                          |

+```mermaid
+---
+config:
+  theme: dark
+---
+---
+title: "BitchatMessage"
+---
+packet
+8: "Flags"
+64: "Timestamp"
+24: "ID (variable)"
+32: "Sender (variable)"
+32: "Content (variable)"
+32: "Original Sender (variable) (optional)"
+32: "Recipient Nickname (variable) (optional)"
+```
+_A representation of the sizes of the fields in `BitchatMessage`_
+
 ---

 ## 7. Message Routing and Propagation
@@ -7,15 +7,14 @@
 	objects = {

 /* Begin PBXBuildFile section */
-		0481A35D2E6DA18600FC845E /* libz.tbd in Frameworks */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; fileRef = 0481A35C2E6DA18600FC845E /* libz.tbd */; };
-		0481A3A02E744D6300FC845E /* tor-nolzma.xcframework in Frameworks */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; fileRef = 0481A39F2E744D6300FC845E /* tor-nolzma.xcframework */; };
-		0481A3A12E744D6300FC845E /* tor-nolzma.xcframework in Frameworks */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; fileRef = 0481A39F2E744D6300FC845E /* tor-nolzma.xcframework */; };
-		048A88812E76FD18000FBCDD /* libz.tbd in Frameworks */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; fileRef = 0481A35C2E6DA18600FC845E /* libz.tbd */; };
 		17901751FD8010AFC8E750F2 /* bitchatShareExtension.appex in Embed Foundation Extensions */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; fileRef = 61F92EBA29C47C0FCC482F1F /* bitchatShareExtension.appex */; settings = {ATTRIBUTES = (RemoveHeadersOnCopy, ); }; };
 		3EE336D150427F736F32B56C /* P256K in Frameworks */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; productRef = B1D9136AA0083366353BFA2F /* P256K */; };
 		885BBED78092484A5B069461 /* P256K in Frameworks */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; productRef = 4EB6BA1B8464F1EA38F4E286 /* P256K */; };
 		A6E3E5702E77036A0032EA8A /* BitLogger in Frameworks */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; productRef = A6E3E56F2E77036A0032EA8A /* BitLogger */; };
 		A6E3E5722E7703760032EA8A /* BitLogger in Frameworks */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; productRef = A6E3E5712E7703760032EA8A /* BitLogger */; };
+		A6E3EA7F2E7706720032EA8A /* Tor in Frameworks */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; productRef = A6E3EA7E2E7706720032EA8A /* Tor */; };
+		A6E3EA812E7706A80032EA8A /* Tor in Frameworks */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; productRef = A6E3EA802E7706A80032EA8A /* Tor */; };
+		A6F183FD2E948783006A9046 /* tor-nolzma.xcframework in Frameworks */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; fileRef = A6F183FC2E948783006A9046 /* tor-nolzma.xcframework */; };
 		E0A1B2C3D4E5F6012345678D /* relays/online_relays_gps.csv in Resources */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; fileRef = E0A1B2C3D4E5F6012345678A /* relays/online_relays_gps.csv */; };
 		E0A1B2C3D4E5F6012345678E /* relays/online_relays_gps.csv in Resources */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; fileRef = E0A1B2C3D4E5F6012345678A /* relays/online_relays_gps.csv */; };
 /* End PBXBuildFile section */
@@ -58,11 +57,10 @@

 /* Begin PBXFileReference section */
 		03C57F452B55FD0FD8F51421 /* bitchatTests_macOS.xctest */ = {isa = PBXFileReference; explicitFileType = wrapper.cfbundle; includeInIndex = 0; path = bitchatTests_macOS.xctest; sourceTree = BUILT_PRODUCTS_DIR; };
-		0481A35C2E6DA18600FC845E /* libz.tbd */ = {isa = PBXFileReference; lastKnownFileType = "sourcecode.text-based-dylib-definition"; name = libz.tbd; path = usr/lib/libz.tbd; sourceTree = SDKROOT; };
-		0481A39F2E744D6300FC845E /* tor-nolzma.xcframework */ = {isa = PBXFileReference; lastKnownFileType = wrapper.xcframework; path = "tor-nolzma.xcframework"; sourceTree = "<group>"; };
 		61F92EBA29C47C0FCC482F1F /* bitchatShareExtension.appex */ = {isa = PBXFileReference; explicitFileType = "wrapper.app-extension"; includeInIndex = 0; path = bitchatShareExtension.appex; sourceTree = BUILT_PRODUCTS_DIR; };
 		8F3A7C058C2C8E1A06C8CF8B /* bitchat.app */ = {isa = PBXFileReference; explicitFileType = wrapper.application; includeInIndex = 0; path = bitchat.app; sourceTree = BUILT_PRODUCTS_DIR; };
 		96D0D41CA19EE5A772AA8434 /* bitchat.app */ = {isa = PBXFileReference; explicitFileType = wrapper.application; includeInIndex = 0; path = bitchat.app; sourceTree = BUILT_PRODUCTS_DIR; };
+		A6F183FC2E948783006A9046 /* tor-nolzma.xcframework */ = {isa = PBXFileReference; lastKnownFileType = wrapper.xcframework; name = "tor-nolzma.xcframework"; path = "localPackages/Tor/Frameworks/tor-nolzma.xcframework"; sourceTree = "<group>"; };
 		C0DB1DE27F0AAB5092663E8E /* bitchatTests_iOS.xctest */ = {isa = PBXFileReference; explicitFileType = wrapper.cfbundle; includeInIndex = 0; path = bitchatTests_iOS.xctest; sourceTree = BUILT_PRODUCTS_DIR; };
 		E0A1B2C3D4E5F6012345678A /* relays/online_relays_gps.csv */ = {isa = PBXFileReference; lastKnownFileType = text; path = relays/online_relays_gps.csv; sourceTree = "<group>"; };
 /* End PBXFileReference section */
@@ -87,7 +85,6 @@
 			membershipExceptions = (
 				Info.plist,
 				LaunchScreen.storyboard,
-				Services/Tor/C/include/.gitkeep,
 			);
 			target = 0576A29205865664C0937536 /* bitchat_macOS */;
 		};
@@ -136,32 +133,22 @@
 			isa = PBXFrameworksBuildPhase;
 			files = (
 				A6E3E5722E7703760032EA8A /* BitLogger in Frameworks */,
-				048A88812E76FD18000FBCDD /* libz.tbd in Frameworks */,
-				0481A3A02E744D6300FC845E /* tor-nolzma.xcframework in Frameworks */,
 				3EE336D150427F736F32B56C /* P256K in Frameworks */,
+				A6E3EA812E7706A80032EA8A /* Tor in Frameworks */,
 			);
 		};
 		B5A5CC493FFB3D8966548140 /* Frameworks */ = {
 			isa = PBXFrameworksBuildPhase;
 			files = (
+				A6F183FD2E948783006A9046 /* tor-nolzma.xcframework in Frameworks */,
 				A6E3E5702E77036A0032EA8A /* BitLogger in Frameworks */,
-				0481A35D2E6DA18600FC845E /* libz.tbd in Frameworks */,
-				0481A3A12E744D6300FC845E /* tor-nolzma.xcframework in Frameworks */,
 				885BBED78092484A5B069461 /* P256K in Frameworks */,
+				A6E3EA7F2E7706720032EA8A /* Tor in Frameworks */,
 			);
 		};
 /* End PBXFrameworksBuildPhase section */

 /* Begin PBXGroup section */
-		0481A3542E6D877600FC845E /* Frameworks */ = {
-			isa = PBXGroup;
-			children = (
-				0481A39F2E744D6300FC845E /* tor-nolzma.xcframework */,
-				0481A35C2E6DA18600FC845E /* libz.tbd */,
-			);
-			path = Frameworks;
-			sourceTree = "<group>";
-		};
 		18198ED912AAF495D8AF7763 = {
 			isa = PBXGroup;
 			children = (
@@ -170,8 +157,8 @@
 				A6E32D212E762EAB0032EA8A /* bitchatShareExtension */,
 				A6E32D412E762EAE0032EA8A /* bitchatTests */,
 				A6E367C92E76469E0032EA8A /* Configs */,
-				0481A3542E6D877600FC845E /* Frameworks */,
 				9F37F9F2C353B58AC809E93B /* Products */,
+				A6F183FB2E948783006A9046 /* Frameworks */,
 			);
 			sourceTree = "<group>";
 		};
@@ -187,6 +174,14 @@
 			name = Products;
 			sourceTree = "<group>";
 		};
+		A6F183FB2E948783006A9046 /* Frameworks */ = {
+			isa = PBXGroup;
+			children = (
+				A6F183FC2E948783006A9046 /* tor-nolzma.xcframework */,
+			);
+			name = Frameworks;
+			sourceTree = "<group>";
+		};
 /* End PBXGroup section */

 /* Begin PBXNativeTarget section */
@@ -207,6 +202,7 @@
 			packageProductDependencies = (
 				B1D9136AA0083366353BFA2F /* P256K */,
 				A6E3E5712E7703760032EA8A /* BitLogger */,
+				A6E3EA802E7706A80032EA8A /* Tor */,
 			);
 			productName = bitchat_macOS;
 			productReference = 8F3A7C058C2C8E1A06C8CF8B /* bitchat.app */;
@@ -284,6 +280,7 @@
 			packageProductDependencies = (
 				4EB6BA1B8464F1EA38F4E286 /* P256K */,
 				A6E3E56F2E77036A0032EA8A /* BitLogger */,
+				A6E3EA7E2E7706720032EA8A /* Tor */,
 			);
 			productName = bitchat_iOS;
 			productReference = 96D0D41CA19EE5A772AA8434 /* bitchat.app */;
@@ -304,12 +301,27 @@
 			knownRegions = (
 				Base,
 				en,
+				es,
+				ar,
+				de,
+				fr,
+				he,
+				id,
+				it,
+				ja,
+				ne,
+				"pt-BR",
+				ru,
+				tr,
+				uk,
+				"zh-Hans",
 			);
 			mainGroup = 18198ED912AAF495D8AF7763;
 			minimizedProjectReferenceProxies = 1;
 			packageReferences = (
 				B8C407587481BBB190741C93 /* XCRemoteSwiftPackageReference "swift-secp256k1" */,
 				A6E3E56E2E77036A0032EA8A /* XCLocalSwiftPackageReference "localPackages/BitLogger" */,
+				A6E3EA7D2E7706720032EA8A /* XCLocalSwiftPackageReference "localPackages/Tor" */,
 			);
 			preferredProjectObjectVersion = 90;
 			projectDirPath = "";
@@ -481,7 +493,7 @@
 					"@executable_path/Frameworks",
 					"@executable_path/../../Frameworks",
 				);
-				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.4.1;
+				MARKETING_VERSION = "$(MARKETING_VERSION)";
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = "$(PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER).ShareExtension";
 				SDKROOT = iphoneos;
 				SUPPORTED_PLATFORMS = "iphoneos iphonesimulator";
@@ -498,7 +510,7 @@
 			baseConfigurationReferenceAnchor = A6E367C92E76469E0032EA8A /* Configs */;
 			baseConfigurationReferenceRelativePath = Debug.xcconfig;
 			buildSettings = {
-				ASSETCATALOG_COMPILER_APPICON_NAME = AppIcon;
+				ASSETCATALOG_COMPILER_APPICON_NAME = AppIconDebug;
 				ASSETCATALOG_COMPILER_INCLUDE_ALL_APPICON_ASSETS = YES;
 				CODE_SIGNING_ALLOWED = YES;
 				CODE_SIGNING_REQUIRED = YES;
@@ -514,7 +526,7 @@
 					"$(inherited)",
 					"@executable_path/Frameworks",
 				);
-				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.4.1;
+				MARKETING_VERSION = "$(MARKETING_VERSION)";
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = "$(PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER)";
 				PRODUCT_NAME = bitchat;
 				SDKROOT = iphoneos;
@@ -574,7 +586,7 @@
 					"$(inherited)",
 					"@executable_path/Frameworks",
 				);
-				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.4.1;
+				MARKETING_VERSION = "$(MARKETING_VERSION)";
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = "$(PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER)";
 				PRODUCT_NAME = bitchat;
 				SDKROOT = iphoneos;
@@ -604,12 +616,13 @@
 				ENABLE_PREVIEWS = YES;
 				INFOPLIST_FILE = bitchat/Info.plist;
 				INFOPLIST_KEY_CFBundleDisplayName = bitchat;
+				INFOPLIST_KEY_LSApplicationCategoryType = "public.app-category.social-networking";
 				LD_RUNPATH_SEARCH_PATHS = (
 					"$(inherited)",
 					"@executable_path/../Frameworks",
 				);
 				MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = "$(MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET)";
-				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.4.1;
+				MARKETING_VERSION = "$(MARKETING_VERSION)";
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = "$(PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER)";
 				PRODUCT_NAME = bitchat;
 				REGISTER_APP_GROUPS = YES;
@@ -683,7 +696,7 @@
 			baseConfigurationReferenceAnchor = A6E367C92E76469E0032EA8A /* Configs */;
 			baseConfigurationReferenceRelativePath = Debug.xcconfig;
 			buildSettings = {
-				ASSETCATALOG_COMPILER_APPICON_NAME = AppIcon;
+				ASSETCATALOG_COMPILER_APPICON_NAME = AppIconDebug;
 				ASSETCATALOG_COMPILER_INCLUDE_ALL_APPICON_ASSETS = YES;
 				CODE_SIGNING_ALLOWED = YES;
 				CODE_SIGNING_REQUIRED = YES;
@@ -695,12 +708,13 @@
 				ENABLE_PREVIEWS = NO;
 				INFOPLIST_FILE = bitchat/Info.plist;
 				INFOPLIST_KEY_CFBundleDisplayName = bitchat;
+				INFOPLIST_KEY_LSApplicationCategoryType = "public.app-category.social-networking";
 				LD_RUNPATH_SEARCH_PATHS = (
 					"$(inherited)",
 					"@executable_path/../Frameworks",
 				);
 				MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = "$(MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET)";
-				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.4.1;
+				MARKETING_VERSION = "$(MARKETING_VERSION)";
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = "$(PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER)";
 				PRODUCT_NAME = bitchat;
 				REGISTER_APP_GROUPS = YES;
@@ -795,7 +809,7 @@
 					"@executable_path/Frameworks",
 					"@executable_path/../../Frameworks",
 				);
-				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.4.1;
+				MARKETING_VERSION = "$(MARKETING_VERSION)";
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = "$(PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER).ShareExtension";
 				SDKROOT = iphoneos;
 				SUPPORTED_PLATFORMS = "iphoneos iphonesimulator";
@@ -865,6 +879,10 @@
 			isa = XCLocalSwiftPackageReference;
 			relativePath = localPackages/BitLogger;
 		};
+		A6E3EA7D2E7706720032EA8A /* XCLocalSwiftPackageReference "localPackages/Tor" */ = {
+			isa = XCLocalSwiftPackageReference;
+			relativePath = localPackages/Tor;
+		};
 /* End XCLocalSwiftPackageReference section */

 /* Begin XCRemoteSwiftPackageReference section */
@@ -892,6 +910,14 @@
 			isa = XCSwiftPackageProductDependency;
 			productName = BitLogger;
 		};
+		A6E3EA7E2E7706720032EA8A /* Tor */ = {
+			isa = XCSwiftPackageProductDependency;
+			productName = Tor;
+		};
+		A6E3EA802E7706A80032EA8A /* Tor */ = {
+			isa = XCSwiftPackageProductDependency;
+			productName = Tor;
+		};
 		B1D9136AA0083366353BFA2F /* P256K */ = {
 			isa = XCSwiftPackageProductDependency;
 			package = B8C407587481BBB190741C93 /* XCRemoteSwiftPackageReference "swift-secp256k1" */;
@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+<Scheme
+   LastUpgradeVersion = "1640"
+   version = "1.3">
+   <BuildAction
+      parallelizeBuildables = "YES"
+      buildImplicitDependencies = "YES">
+      <BuildActionEntries>
+         <BuildActionEntry
+            buildForTesting = "YES"
+            buildForRunning = "YES"
+            buildForProfiling = "YES"
+            buildForArchiving = "YES"
+            buildForAnalyzing = "YES">
+            <BuildableReference
+               BuildableIdentifier = "primary"
+               BlueprintIdentifier = "57CA17A36A2532A6CFF367BB"
+               BuildableName = "bitchatShareExtension.appex"
+               BlueprintName = "bitchatShareExtension"
+               ReferencedContainer = "container:bitchat.xcodeproj">
+            </BuildableReference>
+         </BuildActionEntry>
+         <BuildActionEntry
+            buildForTesting = "YES"
+            buildForRunning = "YES"
+            buildForProfiling = "YES"
+            buildForArchiving = "YES"
+            buildForAnalyzing = "YES">
+            <BuildableReference
+               BuildableIdentifier = "primary"
+               BlueprintIdentifier = "AF077EA0474EDEDE2C72716C"
+               BuildableName = "bitchat.app"
+               BlueprintName = "bitchat_iOS"
+               ReferencedContainer = "container:bitchat.xcodeproj">
+            </BuildableReference>
+         </BuildActionEntry>
+      </BuildActionEntries>
+   </BuildAction>
+   <TestAction
+      buildConfiguration = "Debug"
+      selectedDebuggerIdentifier = "Xcode.DebuggerFoundation.Debugger.LLDB"
+      selectedLauncherIdentifier = "Xcode.DebuggerFoundation.Launcher.LLDB"
+      shouldUseLaunchSchemeArgsEnv = "YES"
+      codeCoverageEnabled = "YES"
+      onlyGenerateCoverageForSpecifiedTargets = "YES">
+      <MacroExpansion>
+         <BuildableReference
+            BuildableIdentifier = "primary"
+            BlueprintIdentifier = "AF077EA0474EDEDE2C72716C"
+            BuildableName = "bitchat.app"
+            BlueprintName = "bitchat_iOS"
+            ReferencedContainer = "container:bitchat.xcodeproj">
+         </BuildableReference>
+      </MacroExpansion>
+      <CodeCoverageTargets>
+         <BuildableReference
+            BuildableIdentifier = "primary"
+            BlueprintIdentifier = "AF077EA0474EDEDE2C72716C"
+            BuildableName = "bitchat.app"
+            BlueprintName = "bitchat_iOS"
+            ReferencedContainer = "container:bitchat.xcodeproj">
+         </BuildableReference>
+      </CodeCoverageTargets>
+      <Testables>
+         <TestableReference
+            skipped = "NO"
+            parallelizable = "YES"
+            testExecutionOrdering = "random">
+            <BuildableReference
+               BuildableIdentifier = "primary"
+               BlueprintIdentifier = "6CB97DF2EA57234CB3E563B8"
+               BuildableName = "bitchatTests_iOS.xctest"
+               BlueprintName = "bitchatTests_iOS"
+               ReferencedContainer = "container:bitchat.xcodeproj">
+            </BuildableReference>
+         </TestableReference>
+      </Testables>
+   </TestAction>
+   <LaunchAction
+      buildConfiguration = "Debug"
+      selectedDebuggerIdentifier = "Xcode.DebuggerFoundation.Debugger.LLDB"
+      selectedLauncherIdentifier = "Xcode.DebuggerFoundation.Launcher.LLDB"
+      launchStyle = "0"
+      useCustomWorkingDirectory = "NO"
+      ignoresPersistentStateOnLaunch = "NO"
+      debugDocumentVersioning = "YES"
+      debugServiceExtension = "internal"
+      allowLocationSimulation = "YES">
+      <BuildableProductRunnable
+         runnableDebuggingMode = "0">
+         <BuildableReference
+            BuildableIdentifier = "primary"
+            BlueprintIdentifier = "AF077EA0474EDEDE2C72716C"
+            BuildableName = "bitchat.app"
+            BlueprintName = "bitchat_iOS"
+            ReferencedContainer = "container:bitchat.xcodeproj">
+         </BuildableReference>
+      </BuildableProductRunnable>
+      <EnvironmentVariables>
+         <EnvironmentVariable
+            key = "BITCHAT_LOG_LEVEL"
+            value = "debug"
+            isEnabled = "YES">
+         </EnvironmentVariable>
+      </EnvironmentVariables>
+   </LaunchAction>
+   <ProfileAction
+      buildConfiguration = "Release"
+      shouldUseLaunchSchemeArgsEnv = "YES"
+      savedToolIdentifier = ""
+      useCustomWorkingDirectory = "NO"
+      debugDocumentVersioning = "YES">
+      <BuildableProductRunnable
+         runnableDebuggingMode = "0">
+         <BuildableReference
+            BuildableIdentifier = "primary"
+            BlueprintIdentifier = "AF077EA0474EDEDE2C72716C"
+            BuildableName = "bitchat.app"
+            BlueprintName = "bitchat_iOS"
+            ReferencedContainer = "container:bitchat.xcodeproj">
+         </BuildableReference>
+      </BuildableProductRunnable>
+   </ProfileAction>
+   <AnalyzeAction
+      buildConfiguration = "Debug">
+   </AnalyzeAction>
+   <ArchiveAction
+      buildConfiguration = "Release"
+      revealArchiveInOrganizer = "YES">
+   </ArchiveAction>
+</Scheme>
@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+<Scheme
+   LastUpgradeVersion = "1640"
+   version = "1.3">
+   <BuildAction
+      parallelizeBuildables = "YES"
+      buildImplicitDependencies = "YES">
+      <BuildActionEntries>
+         <BuildActionEntry
+            buildForTesting = "YES"
+            buildForRunning = "YES"
+            buildForProfiling = "YES"
+            buildForArchiving = "YES"
+            buildForAnalyzing = "YES">
+            <BuildableReference
+               BuildableIdentifier = "primary"
+               BlueprintIdentifier = "0576A29205865664C0937536"
+               BuildableName = "bitchat.app"
+               BlueprintName = "bitchat_macOS"
+               ReferencedContainer = "container:bitchat.xcodeproj">
+            </BuildableReference>
+         </BuildActionEntry>
+      </BuildActionEntries>
+   </BuildAction>
+   <TestAction
+      buildConfiguration = "Debug"
+      selectedDebuggerIdentifier = "Xcode.DebuggerFoundation.Debugger.LLDB"
+      selectedLauncherIdentifier = "Xcode.DebuggerFoundation.Launcher.LLDB"
+      shouldUseLaunchSchemeArgsEnv = "YES">
+      <MacroExpansion>
+         <BuildableReference
+            BuildableIdentifier = "primary"
+            BlueprintIdentifier = "0576A29205865664C0937536"
+            BuildableName = "bitchat.app"
+            BlueprintName = "bitchat_macOS"
+            ReferencedContainer = "container:bitchat.xcodeproj">
+         </BuildableReference>
+      </MacroExpansion>
+      <Testables>
+         <TestableReference
+            skipped = "NO"
+            parallelizable = "NO">
+            <BuildableReference
+               BuildableIdentifier = "primary"
+               BlueprintIdentifier = "47FF23248747DD7CB666CB91"
+               BuildableName = "bitchatTests_macOS.xctest"
+               BlueprintName = "bitchatTests_macOS"
+               ReferencedContainer = "container:bitchat.xcodeproj">
+            </BuildableReference>
+         </TestableReference>
+      </Testables>
+   </TestAction>
+   <LaunchAction
+      buildConfiguration = "Debug"
+      selectedDebuggerIdentifier = "Xcode.DebuggerFoundation.Debugger.LLDB"
+      selectedLauncherIdentifier = "Xcode.DebuggerFoundation.Launcher.LLDB"
+      launchStyle = "0"
+      useCustomWorkingDirectory = "NO"
+      ignoresPersistentStateOnLaunch = "NO"
+      debugDocumentVersioning = "YES"
+      debugServiceExtension = "internal"
+      allowLocationSimulation = "YES">
+      <BuildableProductRunnable
+         runnableDebuggingMode = "0">
+         <BuildableReference
+            BuildableIdentifier = "primary"
+            BlueprintIdentifier = "0576A29205865664C0937536"
+            BuildableName = "bitchat.app"
+            BlueprintName = "bitchat_macOS"
+            ReferencedContainer = "container:bitchat.xcodeproj">
+         </BuildableReference>
+      </BuildableProductRunnable>
+      <EnvironmentVariables>
+         <EnvironmentVariable
+            key = "BITCHAT_LOG_LEVEL"
+            value = "debug"
+            isEnabled = "YES">
+         </EnvironmentVariable>
+      </EnvironmentVariables>
+   </LaunchAction>
+   <ProfileAction
+      buildConfiguration = "Release"
+      shouldUseLaunchSchemeArgsEnv = "YES"
+      savedToolIdentifier = ""
+      useCustomWorkingDirectory = "NO"
+      debugDocumentVersioning = "YES">
+      <BuildableProductRunnable
+         runnableDebuggingMode = "0">
+         <BuildableReference
+            BuildableIdentifier = "primary"
+            BlueprintIdentifier = "0576A29205865664C0937536"
+            BuildableName = "bitchat.app"
+            BlueprintName = "bitchat_macOS"
+            ReferencedContainer = "container:bitchat.xcodeproj">
+         </BuildableReference>
+      </BuildableProductRunnable>
+   </ProfileAction>
+   <AnalyzeAction
+      buildConfiguration = "Debug">
+   </AnalyzeAction>
+   <ArchiveAction
+      buildConfiguration = "Release"
+      revealArchiveInOrganizer = "YES">
+   </ArchiveAction>
+</Scheme>
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+{
+  "images" : [
+    {
+      "filename" : "image-1024.png",
+      "idiom" : "universal",
+      "platform" : "ios",
+      "size" : "1024x1024"
+    },
+    {
+      "appearances" : [
+        {
+          "appearance" : "luminosity",
+          "value" : "dark"
+        }
+      ],
+      "idiom" : "universal",
+      "platform" : "ios",
+      "size" : "1024x1024"
+    },
+    {
+      "appearances" : [
+        {
+          "appearance" : "luminosity",
+          "value" : "tinted"
+        }
+      ],
+      "idiom" : "universal",
+      "platform" : "ios",
+      "size" : "1024x1024"
+    }
+  ],
+  "info" : {
+    "author" : "xcode",
+    "version" : 1
+  }
+}
@@ -3,4 +3,4 @@
    "author" : "xcode",
    "version" : 1
  }
-}
+}
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 // For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
 //

+import Tor
 import SwiftUI
 import UserNotifications

@@ -25,11 +26,15 @@ struct BitchatApp: App {
    @NSApplicationDelegateAdaptor(MacAppDelegate.self) var appDelegate
    #endif
    
+    private let idBridge = NostrIdentityBridge()
+    
    init() {
        let keychain = KeychainManager()
+        let idBridge = self.idBridge
        _chatViewModel = StateObject(
            wrappedValue: ChatViewModel(
                keychain: keychain,
+                idBridge: idBridge,
                identityManager: SecureIdentityStateManager(keychain)
            )
        )
@@ -49,7 +54,7 @@ struct BitchatApp: App {
                    VerificationService.shared.configure(with: chatViewModel.meshService.getNoiseService())
                    // Prewarm Nostr identity and QR to make first VERIFY sheet fast
                    DispatchQueue.global(qos: .utility).async {
-                        let npub = try? NostrIdentityBridge.getCurrentNostrIdentity()?.npub
+                        let npub = try? idBridge.getCurrentNostrIdentity()?.npub
                        _ = VerificationService.shared.buildMyQRString(nickname: chatViewModel.nickname, npub: npub)
                    }
                    #if os(iOS)
@@ -216,7 +221,7 @@ final class NotificationDelegate: NSObject, UNUserNotificationCenterDelegate {
            // Get peer ID from userInfo
            if let peerID = userInfo["peerID"] as? String {
                DispatchQueue.main.async {
-                    self.chatViewModel?.startPrivateChat(with: peerID)
+                    self.chatViewModel?.startPrivateChat(with: PeerID(str: peerID))
                }
            }
        }
@@ -241,7 +246,7 @@ 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
                }
@@ -0,0 +1,203 @@
+import Foundation
+import ImageIO
+import UniformTypeIdentifiers
+#if os(iOS)
+import UIKit
+#else
+import AppKit
+#endif
+
+enum ImageUtilsError: Error {
+    case invalidImage
+    case encodingFailed
+}
+
+enum ImageUtils {
+    private static let compressionQuality: CGFloat = 0.82
+    private static let targetImageBytes: Int = 45_000
+
+    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 {
+            throw ImageUtilsError.invalidImage
+        }
+        // Allow up to 10MB source images (will be scaled down)
+        guard fileSize <= 10 * 1024 * 1024 else {
+            throw ImageUtilsError.invalidImage
+        }
+
+        let data = try Data(contentsOf: url)
+        #if os(iOS)
+        guard let image = UIImage(data: data) else { throw ImageUtilsError.invalidImage }
+        return try processImage(image, maxDimension: maxDimension)
+        #else
+        guard let image = NSImage(data: data) else { throw ImageUtilsError.invalidImage }
+        return try processImage(image, maxDimension: maxDimension)
+        #endif
+    }
+
+    #if os(iOS)
+    static func processImage(_ image: UIImage, maxDimension: CGFloat = 448) throws -> URL {
+        return try autoreleasepool {
+            // Scale the image first
+            let scaled = scaledImage(image, maxDimension: maxDimension)
+
+            // Get CGImage from UIImage - this is the key to stripping metadata
+            guard let cgImage = scaled.cgImage else {
+                throw ImageUtilsError.encodingFailed
+            }
+
+            // Use CGImageDestination to encode without metadata (same as macOS)
+            var quality = compressionQuality
+            guard var jpegData = encodeJPEG(from: cgImage, quality: quality) else {
+                throw ImageUtilsError.encodingFailed
+            }
+
+            // Compress to target size
+            while jpegData.count > targetImageBytes && quality > 0.3 {
+                quality -= 0.1
+                autoreleasepool {
+                    if let next = encodeJPEG(from: cgImage, quality: quality) {
+                        jpegData = next
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            let outputURL = try makeOutputURL()
+            try jpegData.write(to: outputURL, options: .atomic)
+            return outputURL
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static func scaledImage(_ image: UIImage, maxDimension: CGFloat) -> UIImage {
+        let size = image.size
+        let maxSide = max(size.width, size.height)
+        guard maxSide > maxDimension else { return image }
+        let scale = maxDimension / maxSide
+        let newSize = CGSize(width: size.width * scale, height: size.height * scale)
+
+        // Draw into a new context to get a clean CGImage without metadata
+        UIGraphicsBeginImageContextWithOptions(newSize, true, 1.0)
+        image.draw(in: CGRect(origin: .zero, size: newSize))
+        let rendered = UIGraphicsGetImageFromCurrentImageContext()
+        UIGraphicsEndImageContext()
+        return rendered ?? image
+    }
+
+    // Shared EXIF-stripping JPEG encoder for both iOS and macOS
+    private static func encodeJPEG(from cgImage: CGImage, quality: CGFloat) -> Data? {
+        guard let data = CFDataCreateMutable(nil, 0) else {
+            return nil
+        }
+        guard let destination = CGImageDestinationCreateWithData(data, UTType.jpeg.identifier as CFString, 1, nil) else {
+            return nil
+        }
+        // Security: Strip ALL metadata (EXIF, GPS, TIFF, IPTC, XMP)
+        // By only specifying compression quality and no metadata keys,
+        // we ensure a clean JPEG with no privacy-leaking information
+        let options: [CFString: Any] = [
+            kCGImageDestinationLossyCompressionQuality: quality
+        ]
+        CGImageDestinationAddImage(destination, cgImage, options as CFDictionary)
+        guard CGImageDestinationFinalize(destination) else {
+            return nil
+        }
+        return data as Data
+    }
+    #else
+    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 {
+                throw ImageUtilsError.encodingFailed
+            }
+            let width = inputCG.width
+            let height = inputCG.height
+            let colorSpace = CGColorSpace(name: CGColorSpace.sRGB) ?? CGColorSpaceCreateDeviceRGB()
+            guard let context = CGContext(
+                data: nil,
+                width: width,
+                height: height,
+                bitsPerComponent: 8,
+                bytesPerRow: 0,
+                space: colorSpace,
+                bitmapInfo: CGImageAlphaInfo.premultipliedLast.rawValue
+            ) else {
+                throw ImageUtilsError.encodingFailed
+            }
+            context.draw(inputCG, in: CGRect(x: 0, y: 0, width: width, height: height))
+            guard let cgImage = context.makeImage() else {
+                throw ImageUtilsError.encodingFailed
+            }
+            var quality = compressionQuality
+            guard var jpegData = encodeJPEG(from: cgImage, quality: quality) else {
+                throw ImageUtilsError.encodingFailed
+            }
+            while jpegData.count > targetImageBytes && quality > 0.3 {
+                quality -= 0.1
+                autoreleasepool {
+                    if let next = encodeJPEG(from: cgImage, quality: quality) {
+                        jpegData = next
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            let outputURL = try makeOutputURL()
+            try jpegData.write(to: outputURL, options: .atomic)
+            return outputURL
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static func scaledImage(_ image: NSImage, maxDimension: CGFloat) -> NSImage {
+        let size = image.size
+        let maxSide = max(size.width, size.height)
+        guard maxSide > maxDimension else { return image }
+        let scale = maxDimension / maxSide
+        let newSize = NSSize(width: size.width * scale, height: size.height * scale)
+        let scaledImage = NSImage(size: newSize)
+        scaledImage.lockFocus()
+        image.draw(in: NSRect(origin: .zero, size: newSize),
+                   from: NSRect(origin: .zero, size: size),
+                   operation: .copy,
+                   fraction: 1.0)
+        scaledImage.unlockFocus()
+        return scaledImage
+    }
+
+    // Shared EXIF-stripping JPEG encoder for both iOS and macOS
+    private static func encodeJPEG(from cgImage: CGImage, quality: CGFloat) -> Data? {
+        guard let data = CFDataCreateMutable(nil, 0) else {
+            return nil
+        }
+        guard let destination = CGImageDestinationCreateWithData(data, UTType.jpeg.identifier as CFString, 1, nil) else {
+            return nil
+        }
+        // Security: Strip ALL metadata (EXIF, GPS, TIFF, IPTC, XMP)
+        // By only specifying compression quality and no metadata keys,
+        // we ensure a clean JPEG with no privacy-leaking information
+        let options: [CFString: Any] = [
+            kCGImageDestinationLossyCompressionQuality: quality
+        ]
+        CGImageDestinationAddImage(destination, cgImage, options as CFDictionary)
+        guard CGImageDestinationFinalize(destination) else {
+            return nil
+        }
+        return data as Data
+    }
+    #endif
+
+    private static func makeOutputURL() throws -> URL {
+        let formatter = DateFormatter()
+        formatter.dateFormat = "yyyyMMdd_HHmmss"
+        let fileName = "img_\(formatter.string(from: Date())).jpg"
+
+        let directory = try applicationFilesDirectory().appendingPathComponent("images/outgoing", isDirectory: true)
+        try FileManager.default.createDirectory(at: directory, withIntermediateDirectories: true, attributes: nil)
+        return directory.appendingPathComponent(fileName)
+    }
+
+    private static func applicationFilesDirectory() throws -> URL {
+        let base = try FileManager.default.url(for: .applicationSupportDirectory, in: .userDomainMask, appropriateFor: nil, create: true)
+        return base.appendingPathComponent("files", isDirectory: true)
+    }
+}
@@ -0,0 +1,193 @@
+import Foundation
+import AVFoundation
+import BitLogger
+
+/// Controls playback for a single voice note and coordinates exclusive playback across the app.
+final class VoiceNotePlaybackController: NSObject, ObservableObject, AVAudioPlayerDelegate {
+    @Published private(set) var isPlaying: Bool = false
+    @Published private(set) var currentTime: TimeInterval = 0
+    @Published private(set) var duration: TimeInterval = 0
+    @Published private(set) var progress: Double = 0
+
+    private var player: AVAudioPlayer?
+    private var timer: Timer?
+    private var url: URL
+
+    init(url: URL) {
+        self.url = url
+        super.init()
+        // Don't load anything eagerly - wait until user interaction or view is fully displayed
+    }
+
+    func loadDuration() {
+        guard duration == 0 else { return }
+
+        DispatchQueue.global(qos: .utility).async { [weak self] in
+            guard let self = self else { return }
+            do {
+                let player = try AVAudioPlayer(contentsOf: self.url)
+                let loadedDuration = player.duration
+                DispatchQueue.main.async { [weak self] in
+                    guard let self = self, self.duration == 0 else { return }
+                    self.duration = loadedDuration
+                }
+            } catch {
+                SecureLogger.error("Failed to load audio duration: \(error)", category: .session)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    deinit {
+        timer?.invalidate()
+    }
+
+    func replaceURL(_ url: URL) {
+        guard url != self.url else { return }
+        stop()
+        self.url = url
+        player = nil
+        duration = 0
+        // Duration will be loaded on demand when needed
+    }
+
+    func togglePlayback() {
+        isPlaying ? pause() : play()
+    }
+
+    func play() {
+        guard ensurePlayerReady() else { return }
+        VoiceNotePlaybackCoordinator.shared.activate(self)
+        player?.play()
+        startTimer()
+        updateProgress()
+        isPlaying = true
+    }
+
+    func pause() {
+        player?.pause()
+        stopTimer()
+        updateProgress()
+        isPlaying = false
+    }
+
+    func stop() {
+        player?.stop()
+        player?.currentTime = 0
+        stopTimer()
+        updateProgress()
+        isPlaying = false
+        VoiceNotePlaybackCoordinator.shared.deactivate(self)
+    }
+
+    func seek(to fraction: Double) {
+        guard ensurePlayerReady() else { return }
+        let clamped = max(0, min(1, fraction))
+        if let player = player {
+            player.currentTime = clamped * player.duration
+            if isPlaying {
+                player.play()
+            }
+            updateProgress()
+        }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - AVAudioPlayerDelegate
+
+    func audioPlayerDidFinishPlaying(_ player: AVAudioPlayer, successfully flag: Bool) {
+        // Delegate callback may be on background thread - ensure main thread for UI updates
+        DispatchQueue.main.async { [weak self] in
+            guard let self = self else { return }
+            self.stopTimer()
+            self.updateProgress()
+            self.isPlaying = false
+            VoiceNotePlaybackCoordinator.shared.deactivate(self)
+        }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Private Helpers
+
+    private func preparePlayer(for url: URL) {
+        // Prepare player synchronously (only called when playback is requested)
+        do {
+            let player = try AVAudioPlayer(contentsOf: url)
+            player.delegate = self
+            player.prepareToPlay()
+            self.player = player
+            duration = player.duration
+            currentTime = player.currentTime
+            progress = duration > 0 ? currentTime / duration : 0
+        } catch {
+            SecureLogger.error("Voice note playback failed for \(url.lastPathComponent): \(error)", category: .session)
+            player = nil
+            duration = 0
+            currentTime = 0
+            progress = 0
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func ensurePlayerReady() -> Bool {
+        if player == nil {
+            preparePlayer(for: url)
+        }
+        #if os(iOS)
+        let session = AVAudioSession.sharedInstance()
+        do {
+            try session.setCategory(.playback, mode: .spokenAudio, options: [.mixWithOthers])
+            try session.setActive(true, options: [])
+        } catch {
+            SecureLogger.error("Failed to activate audio session: \(error)", category: .session)
+        }
+        #endif
+        return player != nil
+    }
+
+    private func startTimer() {
+        if timer != nil { return }
+        timer = Timer.scheduledTimer(withTimeInterval: 0.05, repeats: true) { [weak self] _ in
+            self?.updateProgress()
+        }
+        if let timer = timer {
+            RunLoop.main.add(timer, forMode: .common)
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func stopTimer() {
+        timer?.invalidate()
+        timer = nil
+    }
+
+    private func updateProgress() {
+        guard let player = player else {
+            currentTime = 0
+            duration = 0
+            progress = 0
+            return
+        }
+        currentTime = player.currentTime
+        duration = player.duration
+        progress = duration > 0 ? currentTime / duration : 0
+    }
+}
+
+/// Ensures only one voice note plays at a time.
+final class VoiceNotePlaybackCoordinator {
+    static let shared = VoiceNotePlaybackCoordinator()
+
+    private weak var activeController: VoiceNotePlaybackController?
+
+    private init() {}
+
+    func activate(_ controller: VoiceNotePlaybackController) {
+        if activeController === controller {
+            return
+        }
+        activeController?.pause()
+        activeController = controller
+    }
+
+    func deactivate(_ controller: VoiceNotePlaybackController) {
+        if activeController === controller {
+            activeController = nil
+        }
+    }
+}
@@ -0,0 +1,170 @@
+import Foundation
+import AVFoundation
+
+/// Manages audio capture for mesh voice notes with predictable encoding settings.
+/// Recording runs on an internal serial queue to avoid AVAudioSession contention.
+final class VoiceRecorder: NSObject, AVAudioRecorderDelegate {
+    enum RecorderError: Error {
+        case microphoneAccessDenied
+        case recorderInitializationFailed
+        case recordingInProgress
+    }
+
+    static let shared = VoiceRecorder()
+
+    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?
+    private var stopWorkItem: DispatchWorkItem?
+
+    private override init() {
+        super.init()
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Permissions
+
+    @discardableResult
+    func requestPermission() async -> Bool {
+        #if os(iOS)
+        return await withCheckedContinuation { continuation in
+            AVAudioSession.sharedInstance().requestRecordPermission { granted in
+                continuation.resume(returning: granted)
+            }
+        }
+        #elseif os(macOS)
+        return await withCheckedContinuation { continuation in
+            AVCaptureDevice.requestAccess(for: .audio) { granted in
+                continuation.resume(returning: granted)
+            }
+        }
+        #else
+        return true
+        #endif
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Recording Lifecycle
+
+    func startRecording() throws -> URL {
+        try queue.sync {
+            if recorder?.isRecording == true {
+                throw RecorderError.recordingInProgress
+            }
+
+            #if os(iOS)
+            let session = AVAudioSession.sharedInstance()
+            guard session.recordPermission == .granted else {
+                throw RecorderError.microphoneAccessDenied
+            }
+            try session.setCategory(
+                .playAndRecord,
+                mode: .default,
+                options: [.defaultToSpeaker, .allowBluetoothA2DP, .allowBluetoothHFP]
+            )
+            try session.setActive(true, options: .notifyOthersOnDeactivation)
+            #endif
+            #if os(macOS)
+            guard AVCaptureDevice.authorizationStatus(for: .audio) == .authorized else {
+                throw RecorderError.microphoneAccessDenied
+            }
+            #endif
+
+            let outputURL = try makeOutputURL()
+            let settings: [String: Any] = [
+                AVFormatIDKey: kAudioFormatMPEG4AAC,
+                AVSampleRateKey: 16_000,
+                AVNumberOfChannelsKey: 1,
+                AVEncoderBitRateKey: 16_000
+            ]
+
+            let audioRecorder = try AVAudioRecorder(url: outputURL, settings: settings)
+            audioRecorder.delegate = self
+            audioRecorder.isMeteringEnabled = true
+            audioRecorder.prepareToRecord()
+            audioRecorder.record(forDuration: maxRecordingDuration)
+
+            recorder = audioRecorder
+            currentURL = outputURL
+            stopWorkItem?.cancel()
+            stopWorkItem = nil
+            return outputURL
+        }
+    }
+
+    func stopRecording(completion: @escaping (URL?) -> Void) {
+        queue.async { [weak self] in
+            guard let self = self, let recorder = self.recorder, recorder.isRecording else {
+                completion(self?.currentURL)
+                return
+            }
+
+            let item = DispatchWorkItem { [weak self] in
+                guard let self = self else { return }
+                recorder.stop()
+                self.cleanupSession()
+                let url = self.currentURL
+                self.recorder = nil
+                self.currentURL = url
+                completion(url)
+            }
+            self.stopWorkItem = item
+            self.queue.asyncAfter(deadline: .now() + self.paddingInterval, execute: item)
+        }
+    }
+
+    func cancelRecording() {
+        queue.async { [weak self] in
+            guard let self = self else { return }
+            self.stopWorkItem?.cancel()
+            self.stopWorkItem = nil
+            if let recorder = self.recorder, recorder.isRecording {
+                recorder.stop()
+            }
+            self.cleanupSession()
+            if let url = self.currentURL {
+                try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: url)
+            }
+            self.recorder = nil
+            self.currentURL = nil
+        }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Metering
+
+    func currentAveragePower() -> Float {
+        queue.sync {
+            recorder?.updateMeters()
+            return recorder?.averagePower(forChannel: 0) ?? -160
+        }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Helpers
+
+    private func makeOutputURL() throws -> URL {
+        let formatter = DateFormatter()
+        formatter.dateFormat = "yyyyMMdd_HHmmss"
+        let fileName = "voice_\(formatter.string(from: Date())).m4a"
+
+        let baseDirectory = try applicationFilesDirectory().appendingPathComponent("voicenotes/outgoing", isDirectory: true)
+        try FileManager.default.createDirectory(at: baseDirectory, withIntermediateDirectories: true, attributes: nil)
+        return baseDirectory.appendingPathComponent(fileName)
+    }
+
+    private func applicationFilesDirectory() throws -> URL {
+        #if os(iOS)
+        return try FileManager.default.url(for: .applicationSupportDirectory, in: .userDomainMask, appropriateFor: nil, create: true)
+            .appendingPathComponent("files", isDirectory: true)
+        #else
+        let base = try FileManager.default.url(for: .applicationSupportDirectory, in: .userDomainMask, appropriateFor: nil, create: true)
+        return base.appendingPathComponent("files", isDirectory: true)
+        #endif
+    }
+
+    private func cleanupSession() {
+        #if os(iOS)
+        try? AVAudioSession.sharedInstance().setActive(false, options: .notifyOthersOnDeactivation)
+        #endif
+    }
+}
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+import AVFoundation
+import Foundation
+import BitLogger
+
+/// Generates and caches downsampled waveforms for audio files so UI rendering is cheap.
+final class WaveformCache {
+    static let shared = WaveformCache()
+
+    private let queue = DispatchQueue(label: "com.bitchat.waveform-cache", attributes: .concurrent)
+    private var cache: [URL: (waveform: [Float], lastAccess: Date)] = [:]
+    private let maxCacheSize = 20  // Limit cache to prevent unbounded memory growth
+
+    private init() {}
+
+    func cachedWaveform(for url: URL) -> [Float]? {
+        queue.sync {
+            guard let entry = cache[url] else { return nil }
+            return entry.waveform
+        }
+    }
+
+    func waveform(for url: URL, bins: Int = 120, completion: @escaping ([Float]) -> Void) {
+        queue.async { [weak self] in
+            guard let self = self else { return }
+
+            // Check cache (read-only, no update needed on cache hit for performance)
+            if let entry = self.cache[url] {
+                DispatchQueue.main.async { completion(entry.waveform) }
+                return
+            }
+
+            guard let computed = self.computeWaveform(url: url, bins: bins) else {
+                DispatchQueue.main.async { completion([]) }
+                return
+            }
+
+            self.queue.async(flags: .barrier) { [weak self] in
+                guard let self = self else { return }
+
+                // Evict oldest entry if cache is full
+                if self.cache.count >= self.maxCacheSize {
+                    if let oldest = self.cache.min(by: { $0.value.lastAccess < $1.value.lastAccess }) {
+                        self.cache.removeValue(forKey: oldest.key)
+                    }
+                }
+
+                self.cache[url] = (computed, Date())
+            }
+            DispatchQueue.main.async { completion(computed) }
+        }
+    }
+
+    func purge(url: URL) {
+        queue.async(flags: .barrier) { [weak self] in
+            self?.cache.removeValue(forKey: url)
+        }
+    }
+
+    func purgeAll() {
+        queue.async(flags: .barrier) { [weak self] in
+            self?.cache.removeAll()
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func computeWaveform(url: URL, bins: Int) -> [Float]? {
+        guard bins > 0 else { return nil }
+        // Use autoreleasepool to manage memory from audio buffer allocations
+        return autoreleasepool {
+            do {
+                let audioFile = try AVAudioFile(forReading: url)
+                let length = Int(audioFile.length)
+                guard length > 0 else { return nil }
+
+                guard let buffer = AVAudioPCMBuffer(pcmFormat: audioFile.processingFormat, frameCapacity: AVAudioFrameCount(length)) else {
+                    return nil
+                }
+                try audioFile.read(into: buffer, frameCount: AVAudioFrameCount(length))
+                guard let channelData = buffer.floatChannelData else { return nil }
+
+                let channelCount = Int(audioFile.processingFormat.channelCount)
+                let frameLength = Int(buffer.frameLength)
+                let samplesPerBin = max(1, frameLength / bins)
+
+                var magnitudes: [Float] = Array(repeating: 0, count: bins)
+                for bin in 0..<bins {
+                    let start = bin * samplesPerBin
+                    let end = min(frameLength, start + samplesPerBin)
+                    if start >= end { break }
+
+                    var sum: Float = 0
+                    var sampleCount = 0
+                    for frame in start..<end {
+                        var sampleValue: Float = 0
+                        for channel in 0..<channelCount {
+                            sampleValue += fabsf(channelData[channel][frame])
+                        }
+                        sum += sampleValue / Float(channelCount)
+                        sampleCount += 1
+                    }
+                    magnitudes[bin] = sampleCount > 0 ? sum / Float(sampleCount) : 0
+                }
+
+                if let maxMagnitude = magnitudes.max(), maxMagnitude > 0 {
+                    magnitudes = magnitudes.map { min($0 / maxMagnitude, 1.0) }
+                }
+                return magnitudes
+            } catch {
+                SecureLogger.error("Waveform extraction failed for \(url.lastPathComponent): \(error)", category: .session)
+                return nil
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ import Foundation
 /// Represents the ephemeral layer of identity - short-lived peer IDs that provide network privacy.
 /// These IDs rotate periodically to prevent tracking while maintaining cryptographic relationships.
 struct EphemeralIdentity {
-    let peerID: String          // 8 random bytes
+    let peerID: PeerID          // 8 random bytes
    let sessionStart: Date
    var handshakeState: HandshakeState
 }
@@ -158,23 +158,6 @@ struct IdentityCache: Codable {
    var version: Int = 1
 }

-// MARK: - Identity Resolution
-
-enum IdentityHint {
-    case unknown
-    case likelyKnown(fingerprint: String)
-    case ambiguous(candidates: Set<String>)
-    case verified(fingerprint: String)
-}
-
-// MARK: - Pending Actions
-
-struct PendingActions {
-    var toggleFavorite: Bool?
-    var setTrustLevel: TrustLevel?
-    var setPetname: String?
-}
-
 //

 // MARK: - Migration Support
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ protocol SecureIdentityStateManagerProtocol {
    
    // MARK: Cryptographic Identities
    func upsertCryptographicIdentity(fingerprint: String, noisePublicKey: Data, signingPublicKey: Data?, claimedNickname: String?)
-    func getCryptoIdentitiesByPeerIDPrefix(_ peerID: String) -> [CryptographicIdentity]
+    func getCryptoIdentitiesByPeerIDPrefix(_ peerID: PeerID) -> [CryptographicIdentity]
    func updateSocialIdentity(_ identity: SocialIdentity)
    
    // MARK: Favorites Management
@@ -121,12 +121,12 @@ protocol SecureIdentityStateManagerProtocol {
    func getBlockedNostrPubkeys() -> Set<String>
    
    // MARK: Ephemeral Session Management
-    func registerEphemeralSession(peerID: String, handshakeState: HandshakeState)
-    func updateHandshakeState(peerID: String, state: HandshakeState)
+    func registerEphemeralSession(peerID: PeerID, handshakeState: HandshakeState)
+    func updateHandshakeState(peerID: PeerID, state: HandshakeState)
    
    // MARK: Cleanup
    func clearAllIdentityData()
-    func removeEphemeralSession(peerID: String)
+    func removeEphemeralSession(peerID: PeerID)
    
    // MARK: Verification
    func setVerified(fingerprint: String, verified: Bool)
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ final class SecureIdentityStateManager: SecureIdentityStateManagerProtocol {
    private let encryptionKeyName = "identityCacheEncryptionKey"
    
    // In-memory state
-    private var ephemeralSessions: [String: EphemeralIdentity] = [:]
+    private var ephemeralSessions: [PeerID: EphemeralIdentity] = [:]
    private var cryptographicIdentities: [String: CryptographicIdentity] = [:]
    private var cache: IdentityCache = IdentityCache()
    
@@ -321,11 +321,11 @@ final class SecureIdentityStateManager: SecureIdentityStateManagerProtocol {
    }

    /// Find cryptographic identities whose fingerprint prefix matches a peerID (16-hex) short ID
-    func getCryptoIdentitiesByPeerIDPrefix(_ peerID: String) -> [CryptographicIdentity] {
+    func getCryptoIdentitiesByPeerIDPrefix(_ peerID: PeerID) -> [CryptographicIdentity] {
        queue.sync {
            // Defensive: ensure hex and correct length
-            guard peerID.count == 16, peerID.allSatisfy({ $0.isHexDigit }) else { return [] }
-            return cryptographicIdentities.values.filter { $0.fingerprint.hasPrefix(peerID) }
+            guard peerID.isShort else { return [] }
+            return cryptographicIdentities.values.filter { $0.fingerprint.hasPrefix(peerID.id) }
        }
    }
    
@@ -455,7 +455,7 @@ final class SecureIdentityStateManager: SecureIdentityStateManagerProtocol {
    
    // MARK: - Ephemeral Session Management
    
-    func registerEphemeralSession(peerID: String, handshakeState: HandshakeState = .none) {
+    func registerEphemeralSession(peerID: PeerID, handshakeState: HandshakeState = .none) {
        queue.async(flags: .barrier) {
            self.ephemeralSessions[peerID] = EphemeralIdentity(
                peerID: peerID,
@@ -465,7 +465,7 @@ final class SecureIdentityStateManager: SecureIdentityStateManagerProtocol {
        }
    }
    
-    func updateHandshakeState(peerID: String, state: HandshakeState) {
+    func updateHandshakeState(peerID: PeerID, state: HandshakeState) {
        queue.async(flags: .barrier) {
            self.ephemeralSessions[peerID]?.handshakeState = state
            
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ final class SecureIdentityStateManager: SecureIdentityStateManagerProtocol {
        }
    }
    
-    func removeEphemeralSession(peerID: String) {
+    func removeEphemeralSession(peerID: PeerID) {
        queue.async(flags: .barrier) {
            self.ephemeralSessions.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
        }
@@ -37,6 +37,10 @@
 	<string>bitchat uses Bluetooth to discover and connect with other bitchat users nearby.</string>
 	<key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
 	<string>bitchat uses the camera to scan QR codes to verify peers.</string>
+	<key>NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription</key>
+	<string>bitchat lets you pick images from your photo library to share with nearby peers.</string>
+	<key>NSMicrophoneUsageDescription</key>
+	<string>bitchat uses the microphone to record voice notes that relay across the mesh.</string>
 	<key>NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription</key>
 	<string>bitchat uses your approximate location to compute local geohash channels for optional public chats. Exact GPS is never shared.</string>
 	<key>UIBackgroundModes</key>
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ final class BitchatMessage: Codable {
    let originalSender: String?
    let isPrivate: Bool
    let recipientNickname: String?
-    let senderPeerID: String?
+    let senderPeerID: PeerID?
    let mentions: [String]?  // Array of mentioned nicknames
    var deliveryStatus: DeliveryStatus? // Delivery tracking
    
@@ -42,7 +42,19 @@ final class BitchatMessage: Codable {
        case isPrivate, recipientNickname, senderPeerID, mentions, deliveryStatus
    }
    
-    init(id: String? = nil, sender: String, content: String, timestamp: Date, isRelay: Bool, originalSender: String? = nil, isPrivate: Bool = false, recipientNickname: String? = nil, senderPeerID: String? = nil, mentions: [String]? = nil, deliveryStatus: DeliveryStatus? = nil) {
+    init(
+        id: String? = nil,
+        sender: String,
+        content: String,
+        timestamp: Date,
+        isRelay: Bool,
+        originalSender: String? = nil,
+        isPrivate: Bool = false,
+        recipientNickname: String? = nil,
+        senderPeerID: PeerID? = nil,
+        mentions: [String]? = nil,
+        deliveryStatus: DeliveryStatus? = nil
+    ) {
        self.id = id ?? UUID().uuidString
        self.sender = sender
        self.content = content
@@ -151,7 +163,7 @@ extension BitchatMessage {
            data.append(recipData.prefix(255))
        }
        
-        if let senderPeerID = senderPeerID, let peerData = senderPeerID.data(using: .utf8) {
+        if let peerData = senderPeerID?.id.data(using: .utf8) {
            data.append(UInt8(min(peerData.count, 255)))
            data.append(peerData.prefix(255))
        }
@@ -264,11 +276,11 @@ extension BitchatMessage {
            }
        }
        
-        var senderPeerID: String?
+        var senderPeerID: PeerID?
        if hasSenderPeerID && offset < dataCopy.count {
            let length = Int(dataCopy[offset]); offset += 1
            if offset + length <= dataCopy.count {
-                senderPeerID = String(data: dataCopy[offset..<offset+length], encoding: .utf8)
+                senderPeerID = PeerID(data: dataCopy[offset..<offset+length])
                offset += length
            }
        }
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ struct BitchatPacket: Codable {
    var signature: Data?
    var ttl: UInt8
    
-    init(type: UInt8, senderID: Data, recipientID: Data?, timestamp: UInt64, payload: Data, signature: Data?, ttl: UInt8) {
-        self.version = 1
+    init(type: UInt8, senderID: Data, recipientID: Data?, timestamp: UInt64, payload: Data, signature: Data?, ttl: UInt8, version: UInt8 = 1) {
+        self.version = version
        self.type = type
        self.senderID = senderID
        self.recipientID = recipientID
@@ -34,12 +34,12 @@ struct BitchatPacket: Codable {
    }
    
    // Convenience initializer for new binary format
-    init(type: UInt8, ttl: UInt8, senderID: String, payload: Data) {
+    init(type: UInt8, ttl: UInt8, senderID: PeerID, payload: Data) {
        self.version = 1
        self.type = type
        // Convert hex string peer ID to binary data (8 bytes)
        var senderData = Data()
-        var tempID = senderID
+        var tempID = senderID.id
        while tempID.count >= 2 {
            let hexByte = String(tempID.prefix(2))
            if let byte = UInt8(hexByte, radix: 16) {
@@ -80,7 +80,8 @@ struct BitchatPacket: Codable {
            timestamp: timestamp,
            payload: payload,
            signature: nil, // Remove signature for signing
-            ttl: 0 // Use fixed TTL=0 for signing to ensure relay compatibility
+            ttl: 0, // Use fixed TTL=0 for signing to ensure relay compatibility
+            version: version
        )
        return BinaryProtocol.encode(unsignedPacket)
    }
@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@ import Foundation
 import CoreBluetooth

 /// Represents a peer in the BitChat network with all associated metadata
-struct BitchatPeer: Identifiable, Equatable {
-    let id: String // Hex-encoded peer ID
+struct BitchatPeer: Equatable {
+    let peerID: PeerID // Hex-encoded peer ID
    let noisePublicKey: Data
    let nickname: String
    let lastSeen: Date
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ struct BitchatPeer: Identifiable, Equatable {
    
    // Display helpers
    var displayName: String {
-        nickname.isEmpty ? String(id.prefix(8)) : nickname
+        nickname.isEmpty ? String(peerID.id.prefix(8)) : nickname
    }
    
    var statusIcon: String {
@@ -73,14 +73,14 @@ struct BitchatPeer: Identifiable, Equatable {
    
    // Initialize from mesh service data
    init(
-        id: String,
+        peerID: PeerID,
        noisePublicKey: Data,
        nickname: String,
        lastSeen: Date = Date(),
        isConnected: Bool = false,
        isReachable: Bool = false
    ) {
-        self.id = id
+        self.peerID = peerID
        self.noisePublicKey = noisePublicKey
        self.nickname = nickname
        self.lastSeen = lastSeen
@@ -93,8 +93,6 @@ struct BitchatPeer: Identifiable, Equatable {
    }
    
    static func == (lhs: BitchatPeer, rhs: BitchatPeer) -> Bool {
-        lhs.id == rhs.id
+        lhs.peerID == rhs.peerID
    }
 }
-
-//
@@ -0,0 +1,207 @@
+//
+// PeerID.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import Foundation
+
+struct PeerID: Equatable, Hashable {
+    enum Prefix: String, CaseIterable {
+        /// When no prefix is provided
+        case empty = ""
+        /// `"mesh:"`
+        case mesh = "mesh:"
+        /// `"name:"`
+        case name = "name:"
+        /// `"noise:"` (+ 64 characters hex)
+        case noise = "noise:"
+        /// `"nostr_"` (+ 16 characters hex)
+        case geoDM = "nostr_"
+        /// `"nostr:"` (+ 8 characters hex)
+        case geoChat = "nostr:"
+    }
+    
+    let prefix: Prefix
+    
+    /// Returns the actual value without any prefix
+    let bare: String
+    
+    /// Returns the full `id` value by combining `(prefix + bare)`
+    var id: String { prefix.rawValue + bare }
+    
+    // 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).lowercased()
+    }
+}
+
+// MARK: - Convenience Inits
+
+extension PeerID {
+    /// Convenience init to create GeoDM PeerID by appending `"nostr_"` to the first 16 characters of `pubKey`
+    init(nostr_ pubKey: String) {
+        self.init(prefix: .geoDM, bare: pubKey.prefix(TransportConfig.nostrConvKeyPrefixLength))
+    }
+    
+    /// Convenience init to create GeoChat PeerID by appending `"nostr:"` to the first 8 characters of `pubKey`
+    init(nostr pubKey: String) {
+        self.init(prefix: .geoChat, bare: pubKey.prefix(TransportConfig.nostrShortKeyDisplayLength))
+    }
+    
+    /// Convenience init to create PeerID from String/Substring by splitting it into prefix and bare parts
+    init(str: any StringProtocol) {
+        if let prefix = Prefix.allCases.first(where: { $0 != .empty && str.hasPrefix($0.rawValue) }) {
+            self.init(prefix: prefix, bare: String(str).dropFirst(prefix.rawValue.count))
+        } else {
+            self.init(prefix: .empty, bare: str)
+        }
+    }
+    
+    /// Convenience init to handle `Optional<String>`
+    init?(str: (any StringProtocol)?) {
+        guard let str else { return nil }
+        self.init(str: str)
+    }
+    
+    /// Convenience init to create PeerID by converting Data to String
+    init?(data: Data) {
+        self.init(str: String(data: data, encoding: .utf8))
+    }
+    
+    /// Convenience init to "hide" hex-encoding implementation detail
+    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
+
+extension PeerID {
+    /// Derive the stable 16-hex peer ID from a Noise static public key
+    init(publicKey: Data) {
+        self.init(str: publicKey.sha256Fingerprint().prefix(16))
+    }
+    
+    /// Returns a 16-hex short peer ID derived from a 64-hex Noise public key if needed
+    func toShort() -> PeerID {
+        if let noiseKey {
+            return PeerID(publicKey: noiseKey)
+        }
+        return self
+    }
+}
+
+// MARK: - Codable
+
+extension PeerID: Codable {
+    init(from decoder: any Decoder) throws {
+        self.init(str: try decoder.singleValueContainer().decode(String.self))
+    }
+    
+    func encode(to encoder: any Encoder) throws {
+        var container = encoder.singleValueContainer()
+        try container.encode(id)
+    }
+}
+
+// MARK: - Helpers
+
+extension PeerID {
+    var isEmpty: Bool {
+        id.isEmpty
+    }
+    
+    /// Returns true if `id` starts with "`nostr:`"
+    var isGeoChat: Bool {
+        prefix == .geoChat
+    }
+    
+    /// Returns true if `id` starts with "`nostr_`"
+    var isGeoDM: Bool {
+        prefix == .geoDM
+    }
+    
+    func toPercentEncoded() -> String {
+        id.addingPercentEncoding(withAllowedCharacters: .urlPathAllowed) ?? id
+    }
+}
+
+// MARK: - Validation
+
+extension PeerID {
+    private enum Constants {
+        static let maxIDLength = 64
+        static let hexIDLength = 16 // 8 bytes = 16 hex chars
+    }
+    
+    /// Validates a peer ID from any source (short 16-hex, full 64-hex, or internal alnum/-/_ up to 64)
+    var isValid: Bool {
+        if prefix != .empty {
+            return PeerID(str: bare).isValid
+        }
+        
+        // Accept short routing IDs (exact 16-hex) or Full Noise key hex (exact 64-hex)
+        if isShort || isNoiseKeyHex {
+            return true
+        }
+        
+        // If length equals short or full but isn't valid hex, reject
+        if id.count == Constants.hexIDLength || id.count == Constants.maxIDLength {
+            return false
+        }
+        
+        // Internal format: alphanumeric + dash/underscore up to 63 (not 16 or 64)
+        let validCharset = CharacterSet.alphanumerics.union(CharacterSet(charactersIn: "-_"))
+        return !id.isEmpty &&
+                id.count < Constants.maxIDLength &&
+                id.rangeOfCharacter(from: validCharset.inverted) == nil
+    }
+    
+    /// Returns true if the `bare` id is all hex
+    var isHex: Bool {
+        bare.allSatisfy { $0.isHexDigit }
+    }
+    
+    /// Short routing IDs (exact 16-hex)
+    var isShort: Bool {
+        bare.count == Constants.hexIDLength && isHex
+    }
+    
+    /// Full Noise key hex (exact 64-hex)
+    var isNoiseKeyHex: Bool {
+        noiseKey != nil
+    }
+    
+    /// Full Noise key (exact 64-hex) as Data
+    var noiseKey: Data? {
+        guard bare.count == Constants.maxIDLength else { return nil }
+        return Data(hexString: bare)
+    }
+}
+
+// MARK: - Comparable
+
+extension PeerID: Comparable {
+    static func < (lhs: PeerID, rhs: PeerID) -> Bool {
+        lhs.id < rhs.id
+    }
+}
+
+// MARK: - CustomStringConvertible
+
+extension PeerID: CustomStringConvertible {
+    /// So it returns the actual `id` like before even inside another String
+    var description: String {
+        id
+    }
+}
@@ -11,11 +11,11 @@ import Foundation
 struct ReadReceipt: Codable {
    let originalMessageID: String
    let receiptID: String
-    var readerID: String  // Who read it
+    var readerID: PeerID  // Who read it
    let readerNickname: String
    let timestamp: Date
    
-    init(originalMessageID: String, readerID: String, readerNickname: String) {
+    init(originalMessageID: String, readerID: PeerID, readerNickname: String) {
        self.originalMessageID = originalMessageID
        self.receiptID = UUID().uuidString
        self.readerID = readerID
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ struct ReadReceipt: Codable {
    }
    
    // For binary decoding
-    private init(originalMessageID: String, receiptID: String, readerID: String, readerNickname: String, timestamp: Date) {
+    private init(originalMessageID: String, receiptID: String, readerID: PeerID, readerNickname: String, timestamp: Date) {
        self.originalMessageID = originalMessageID
        self.receiptID = receiptID
        self.readerID = readerID
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ struct ReadReceipt: Codable {
        data.appendUUID(receiptID)
        // ReaderID as 8-byte hex string
        var readerData = Data()
-        var tempID = readerID
+        var tempID = readerID.id
        while tempID.count >= 2 && readerData.count < 8 {
            let hexByte = String(tempID.prefix(2))
            if let byte = UInt8(hexByte, radix: 16) {
@@ -78,8 +78,8 @@ struct ReadReceipt: Codable {
              let receiptID = dataCopy.readUUID(at: &offset) else { return nil }
        
        guard let readerIDData = dataCopy.readFixedBytes(at: &offset, count: 8) else { return nil }
-        let readerID = readerIDData.hexEncodedString()
-        guard InputValidator.validatePeerID(readerID) else { return nil }
+        let readerID = PeerID(hexData: readerIDData)
+        guard readerID.isValid else { return nil }
        
        guard let timestamp = dataCopy.readDate(at: &offset),
              InputValidator.validateTimestamp(timestamp),
@@ -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)
    }
 }
@@ -1,358 +0,0 @@
-//
-// NoiseHandshakeCoordinator.swift
-// bitchat
-//
-// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
-// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
-//
-
-import BitLogger
-import Foundation
-
-/// Coordinates Noise handshakes to prevent race conditions and ensure reliable encryption establishment
-final class NoiseHandshakeCoordinator {
-    
-    // MARK: - Handshake State
-    
-    enum HandshakeState: Equatable {
-        case idle
-        case waitingToInitiate(since: Date)
-        case initiating(attempt: Int, lastAttempt: Date)
-        case responding(since: Date)
-        case waitingForResponse(messagesSent: [Data], timeout: Date)
-        case established(since: Date)
-        case failed(reason: String, canRetry: Bool, lastAttempt: Date)
-        
-        var isActive: Bool {
-            switch self {
-            case .idle, .established, .failed:
-                return false
-            default:
-                return true
-            }
-        }
-    }
-    
-    // MARK: - Properties
-    
-    private var handshakeStates: [String: HandshakeState] = [:]
-    private var handshakeQueue = DispatchQueue(label: "chat.bitchat.noise.handshake", attributes: .concurrent)
-    
-    // Configuration
-    private let maxHandshakeAttempts = 3
-    private let handshakeTimeout: TimeInterval = 10.0
-    private let retryDelay: TimeInterval = 2.0
-    private let minTimeBetweenHandshakes: TimeInterval = 1.0 // Reduced from 5.0 for faster recovery
-    private let establishedSessionTTL: TimeInterval = 300.0 // 5 minutes - sessions older than this can be cleaned up
-    private let maxEstablishedSessions = 50 // Limit total established sessions
-    
-    // Track handshake messages to detect duplicates
-    private var processedHandshakeMessages: Set<Data> = []
-    private let messageHistoryLimit = 100
-    
-    // MARK: - Role Determination
-    
-    /// Deterministically determine who should initiate the handshake
-    /// Lower peer ID becomes the initiator to prevent simultaneous attempts
-    func determineHandshakeRole(myPeerID: String, remotePeerID: String) -> NoiseRole {
-        // Use simple string comparison for deterministic ordering
-        return myPeerID < remotePeerID ? .initiator : .responder
-    }
-    
-    /// Check if we should initiate handshake with a peer
-    func shouldInitiateHandshake(myPeerID: String, remotePeerID: String, forceIfStale: Bool = false) -> Bool {
-        return handshakeQueue.sync {
-            // Check if we're already in an active handshake
-            if let state = handshakeStates[remotePeerID], state.isActive {
-                // Check if the handshake is stale and we should force a new one
-                if forceIfStale {
-                    switch state {
-                    case .initiating(_, let lastAttempt):
-                        if Date().timeIntervalSince(lastAttempt) > handshakeTimeout {
-                            SecureLogger.warning("Forcing new handshake with \(remotePeerID) - previous stuck in initiating", category: .handshake)
-                            return true
-                        }
-                    default:
-                        break
-                    }
-                }
-                
-                SecureLogger.debug("Already in active handshake with \(remotePeerID), state: \(state)", category: .handshake)
-                return false
-            }
-            
-            // Check role
-            let role = determineHandshakeRole(myPeerID: myPeerID, remotePeerID: remotePeerID)
-            if role != .initiator {
-                return false
-            }
-            
-            // Check if we've failed recently and can't retry yet
-            if case .failed(_, let canRetry, let lastAttempt) = handshakeStates[remotePeerID] {
-                if !canRetry {
-                    return false
-                }
-                if Date().timeIntervalSince(lastAttempt) < retryDelay {
-                    return false
-                }
-            }
-            
-            return true
-        }
-    }
-    
-    /// Record that we're initiating a handshake
-    func recordHandshakeInitiation(peerID: String) {
-        handshakeQueue.async(flags: .barrier) {
-            let attempt = self.getCurrentAttempt(for: peerID) + 1
-            self.handshakeStates[peerID] = .initiating(attempt: attempt, lastAttempt: Date())
-            SecureLogger.info("Recording handshake initiation with \(peerID), attempt \(attempt)", category: .handshake)
-        }
-    }
-    
-    /// Record that we're responding to a handshake
-    func recordHandshakeResponse(peerID: String) {
-        handshakeQueue.async(flags: .barrier) {
-            self.handshakeStates[peerID] = .responding(since: Date())
-            SecureLogger.info("Recording handshake response to \(peerID)", category: .handshake)
-        }
-    }
-    
-    /// Record successful handshake completion
-    func recordHandshakeSuccess(peerID: String) {
-        handshakeQueue.async(flags: .barrier) {
-            self.handshakeStates[peerID] = .established(since: Date())
-            SecureLogger.info("Handshake successfully established with \(peerID)", category: .handshake)
-        }
-    }
-    
-    /// Record handshake failure
-    func recordHandshakeFailure(peerID: String, reason: String) {
-        handshakeQueue.async(flags: .barrier) {
-            let attempts = self.getCurrentAttempt(for: peerID)
-            let canRetry = attempts < self.maxHandshakeAttempts
-            self.handshakeStates[peerID] = .failed(reason: reason, canRetry: canRetry, lastAttempt: Date())
-            SecureLogger.warning("Handshake failed with \(peerID): \(reason), canRetry: \(canRetry)", category: .handshake)
-        }
-    }
-    
-    /// Check if we should accept an incoming handshake initiation
-    func shouldAcceptHandshakeInitiation(myPeerID: String, remotePeerID: String) -> Bool {
-        return handshakeQueue.sync {
-            // If we're already established, reject new handshakes
-            if case .established = handshakeStates[remotePeerID] {
-                SecureLogger.debug("Rejecting handshake from \(remotePeerID) - already established", category: .handshake)
-                return false
-            }
-            
-            let role = determineHandshakeRole(myPeerID: myPeerID, remotePeerID: remotePeerID)
-            
-            // If we're the initiator and already initiating, this is a race condition
-            if role == .initiator {
-                if case .initiating = handshakeStates[remotePeerID] {
-                    // They shouldn't be initiating, but accept it to recover from race condition
-                    SecureLogger.warning("Accepting handshake from \(remotePeerID) despite being initiator (race condition recovery)", category: .handshake)
-                    return true
-                }
-            }
-            
-            // If we're the responder, we should accept
-            return true
-        }
-    }
-    
-    /// Check if this is a duplicate handshake message
-    func isDuplicateHandshakeMessage(_ data: Data) -> Bool {
-        return handshakeQueue.sync {
-            if processedHandshakeMessages.contains(data) {
-                return true
-            }
-            
-            // Add to processed messages with size limit
-            if processedHandshakeMessages.count >= messageHistoryLimit {
-                processedHandshakeMessages.removeAll()
-            }
-            processedHandshakeMessages.insert(data)
-            return false
-        }
-    }
-    
-    /// Get time to wait before next handshake attempt
-    func getRetryDelay(for peerID: String) -> TimeInterval? {
-        return handshakeQueue.sync {
-            guard let state = handshakeStates[peerID] else { return nil }
-            
-            switch state {
-            case .failed(_, let canRetry, let lastAttempt):
-                if !canRetry { return nil }
-                let timeSinceFailure = Date().timeIntervalSince(lastAttempt)
-                if timeSinceFailure >= retryDelay {
-                    return 0
-                }
-                return retryDelay - timeSinceFailure
-                
-            case .initiating(_, let lastAttempt):
-                let timeSinceAttempt = Date().timeIntervalSince(lastAttempt)
-                if timeSinceAttempt >= minTimeBetweenHandshakes {
-                    return 0
-                }
-                return minTimeBetweenHandshakes - timeSinceAttempt
-                
-            default:
-                return nil
-            }
-        }
-    }
-    
-    /// Reset handshake state for a peer
-    func resetHandshakeState(for peerID: String) {
-        handshakeQueue.async(flags: .barrier) {
-            self.handshakeStates.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
-            SecureLogger.debug("Reset handshake state for \(peerID)", category: .handshake)
-        }
-    }
-    
-    /// Clean up stale handshake states and old established sessions
-    func cleanupStaleHandshakes(staleTimeout: TimeInterval = 30.0) -> [String] {
-        return handshakeQueue.sync {
-            let now = Date()
-            var stalePeerIDs: [String] = []
-            var establishedSessions: [(peerID: String, since: Date)] = []
-            
-            for (peerID, state) in handshakeStates {
-                var isStale = false
-                
-                switch state {
-                case .initiating(_, let lastAttempt):
-                    if now.timeIntervalSince(lastAttempt) > staleTimeout {
-                        isStale = true
-                    }
-                case .responding(let since):
-                    if now.timeIntervalSince(since) > staleTimeout {
-                        isStale = true
-                    }
-                case .waitingForResponse(_, let timeout):
-                    if now > timeout {
-                        isStale = true
-                    }
-                case .established(let since):
-                    // Track established sessions for potential cleanup
-                    establishedSessions.append((peerID, since))
-                    // Clean up very old established sessions
-                    if now.timeIntervalSince(since) > establishedSessionTTL {
-                        isStale = true
-                    }
-                default:
-                    break
-                }
-                
-                if isStale {
-                    stalePeerIDs.append(peerID)
-                    SecureLogger.warning("Found stale handshake state for \(peerID): \(state)", category: .handshake)
-                }
-            }
-            
-            // If we have too many established sessions, clean up the oldest ones
-            if establishedSessions.count > maxEstablishedSessions {
-                // Sort by age (oldest first)
-                let sortedSessions = establishedSessions.sorted { $0.since < $1.since }
-                let sessionsToRemove = sortedSessions.count - maxEstablishedSessions
-                
-                for i in 0..<sessionsToRemove {
-                    let peerID = sortedSessions[i].peerID
-                    stalePeerIDs.append(peerID)
-                    SecureLogger.info("Removing old established session for \(peerID) to maintain session limit", category: .handshake)
-                }
-            }
-            
-            // Clean up stale states
-            for peerID in stalePeerIDs {
-                handshakeStates.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
-            }
-            
-            if !stalePeerIDs.isEmpty {
-                SecureLogger.info("Cleaned up \(stalePeerIDs.count) stale handshake states", category: .handshake)
-            }
-            
-            return stalePeerIDs
-        }
-    }
-    
-    /// Get current handshake state
-    func getHandshakeState(for peerID: String) -> HandshakeState {
-        return handshakeQueue.sync {
-            return handshakeStates[peerID] ?? .idle
-        }
-    }
-    
-    /// Get current retry count for a peer
-    func getRetryCount(for peerID: String) -> Int {
-        return handshakeQueue.sync {
-            switch handshakeStates[peerID] {
-            case .initiating(let attempt, _):
-                return attempt - 1  // Attempts start at 1, retries start at 0
-            default:
-                return 0
-            }
-        }
-    }
-    
-    /// Increment retry count for a peer
-    func incrementRetryCount(for peerID: String) {
-        handshakeQueue.async(flags: .barrier) {
-            let currentAttempt = self.getCurrentAttempt(for: peerID)
-            self.handshakeStates[peerID] = .initiating(attempt: currentAttempt + 1, lastAttempt: Date())
-        }
-    }
-    
-    // MARK: - Private Helpers
-    
-    private func getCurrentAttempt(for peerID: String) -> Int {
-        switch handshakeStates[peerID] {
-        case .initiating(let attempt, _):
-            return attempt
-        case .failed(_, _, _):
-            // Count previous attempts
-            return 1 // Simplified for now
-        default:
-            return 0
-        }
-    }
-    
-    /// Log current handshake states for debugging
-    func logHandshakeStates() {
-        handshakeQueue.sync {
-            SecureLogger.debug("=== Handshake States ===", category: .handshake)
-            for (peerID, state) in handshakeStates {
-                let stateDesc: String
-                switch state {
-                case .idle:
-                    stateDesc = "idle"
-                case .waitingToInitiate(let since):
-                    stateDesc = "waiting to initiate (since \(since))"
-                case .initiating(let attempt, let lastAttempt):
-                    stateDesc = "initiating (attempt \(attempt), last: \(lastAttempt))"
-                case .responding(let since):
-                    stateDesc = "responding (since: \(since))"
-                case .waitingForResponse(let messages, let timeout):
-                    stateDesc = "waiting for response (\(messages.count) messages, timeout: \(timeout))"
-                case .established(let since):
-                    stateDesc = "established (since \(since))"
-                case .failed(let reason, let canRetry, let lastAttempt):
-                    stateDesc = "failed: \(reason) (canRetry: \(canRetry), last: \(lastAttempt))"
-                }
-                SecureLogger.debug("  \(peerID): \(stateDesc)", category: .handshake)
-            }
-            SecureLogger.debug("========================", category: .handshake)
-        }
-    }
-    
-    /// Clear all handshake states - used during panic mode
-    func clearAllHandshakeStates() {
-        handshakeQueue.async(flags: .barrier) {
-            SecureLogger.warning("Clearing all handshake states for panic mode", category: .handshake)
-            self.handshakeStates.removeAll()
-            self.processedHandshakeMessages.removeAll()
-        }
-    }
-}
@@ -397,7 +397,7 @@ final class NoiseSymmetricState {
        if nameData.count <= 32 {
            self.hash = nameData + Data(repeating: 0, count: 32 - nameData.count)
        } else {
-            self.hash = Data(SHA256.hash(data: nameData))
+            self.hash = nameData.sha256Hash()
        }
        self.chainingKey = self.hash
    }
@@ -410,7 +410,7 @@ final class NoiseSymmetricState {
    }
    
    func mixHash(_ data: Data) {
-        hash = Data(SHA256.hash(data: hash + data))
+        hash = (hash + data).sha256Hash()
    }
    
    func mixKeyAndHash(_ inputKeyMaterial: Data) {
@@ -767,7 +767,7 @@ final class NoiseHandshakeState {
            let shared = try localStatic.sharedSecretFromKeyAgreement(with: remoteStatic)
            symmetricState.mixKey(shared.withUnsafeBytes { Data($0) })
            
-        default:
+        case .e, .s:
            break
        }
    }
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+//
+// NoiseRateLimiter.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import BitLogger
+import Foundation
+
+final class NoiseRateLimiter {
+    private var handshakeTimestamps: [PeerID: [Date]] = [:]
+    private var messageTimestamps: [PeerID: [Date]] = [:]
+    
+    // Global rate limiting
+    private var globalHandshakeTimestamps: [Date] = []
+    private var globalMessageTimestamps: [Date] = []
+    
+    private let queue = DispatchQueue(label: "chat.bitchat.noise.ratelimit", attributes: .concurrent)
+    
+    func allowHandshake(from peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
+        return queue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
+            let now = Date()
+            let oneMinuteAgo = now.addingTimeInterval(-60)
+            
+            // Check global rate limit first
+            globalHandshakeTimestamps = globalHandshakeTimestamps.filter { $0 > oneMinuteAgo }
+            if globalHandshakeTimestamps.count >= NoiseSecurityConstants.maxGlobalHandshakesPerMinute {
+                SecureLogger.warning("Global handshake rate limit exceeded: \(globalHandshakeTimestamps.count)/\(NoiseSecurityConstants.maxGlobalHandshakesPerMinute) per minute", category: .security)
+                return false
+            }
+            
+            // Check per-peer rate limit
+            var timestamps = handshakeTimestamps[peerID] ?? []
+            timestamps = timestamps.filter { $0 > oneMinuteAgo }
+            
+            if timestamps.count >= NoiseSecurityConstants.maxHandshakesPerMinute {
+                SecureLogger.warning("Per-peer handshake rate limit exceeded for \(peerID): \(timestamps.count)/\(NoiseSecurityConstants.maxHandshakesPerMinute) per minute", category: .security)
+                return false
+            }
+            
+            // Record new handshake
+            timestamps.append(now)
+            handshakeTimestamps[peerID] = timestamps
+            globalHandshakeTimestamps.append(now)
+            return true
+        }
+    }
+    
+    func allowMessage(from peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
+        return queue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
+            let now = Date()
+            let oneSecondAgo = now.addingTimeInterval(-1)
+            
+            // Check global rate limit first
+            globalMessageTimestamps = globalMessageTimestamps.filter { $0 > oneSecondAgo }
+            if globalMessageTimestamps.count >= NoiseSecurityConstants.maxGlobalMessagesPerSecond {
+                SecureLogger.warning("Global message rate limit exceeded: \(globalMessageTimestamps.count)/\(NoiseSecurityConstants.maxGlobalMessagesPerSecond) per second", category: .security)
+                return false
+            }
+            
+            // Check per-peer rate limit
+            var timestamps = messageTimestamps[peerID] ?? []
+            timestamps = timestamps.filter { $0 > oneSecondAgo }
+            
+            if timestamps.count >= NoiseSecurityConstants.maxMessagesPerSecond {
+                SecureLogger.warning("Per-peer message rate limit exceeded for \(peerID): \(timestamps.count)/\(NoiseSecurityConstants.maxMessagesPerSecond) per second", category: .security)
+                return false
+            }
+            
+            // Record new message
+            timestamps.append(now)
+            messageTimestamps[peerID] = timestamps
+            globalMessageTimestamps.append(now)
+            return true
+        }
+    }
+    
+    func reset(for peerID: PeerID) {
+        queue.async(flags: .barrier) {
+            self.handshakeTimestamps.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
+            self.messageTimestamps.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
+        }
+    }
+
+    func resetAll() {
+        queue.async(flags: .barrier) {
+            self.handshakeTimestamps.removeAll()
+            self.messageTimestamps.removeAll()
+            self.globalHandshakeTimestamps.removeAll()
+            self.globalMessageTimestamps.removeAll()
+        }
+    }
+}
@@ -1,233 +0,0 @@
-//
-// NoiseSecurityConsiderations.swift
-// bitchat
-//
-// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
-// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
-//
-
-import BitLogger
-import Foundation
-import CryptoKit
-
-// MARK: - Security Constants
-
-enum NoiseSecurityConstants {
-    // Maximum message size to prevent memory exhaustion
-    static let maxMessageSize = 65535 // 64KB as per Noise spec
-    
-    // Maximum handshake message size
-    static let maxHandshakeMessageSize = 2048 // 2KB to accommodate XX pattern
-    
-    // Session timeout - sessions older than this should be renegotiated
-    static let sessionTimeout: TimeInterval = 86400 // 24 hours
-    
-    // Maximum number of messages before rekey (2^64 - 1 is the nonce limit)
-    static let maxMessagesPerSession: UInt64 = 1_000_000_000 // 1 billion messages
-    
-    // Handshake timeout - abandon incomplete handshakes
-    static let handshakeTimeout: TimeInterval = 60 // 1 minute
-    
-    // Maximum concurrent sessions per peer
-    static let maxSessionsPerPeer = 3
-    
-    // Rate limiting
-    static let maxHandshakesPerMinute = 10
-    static let maxMessagesPerSecond = 100
-    
-    // Global rate limiting (across all peers)
-    static let maxGlobalHandshakesPerMinute = 30
-    static let maxGlobalMessagesPerSecond = 500
-}
-
-// MARK: - Security Validations
-
-struct NoiseSecurityValidator {
-    
-    /// Validate message size
-    static func validateMessageSize(_ data: Data) -> Bool {
-        return data.count <= NoiseSecurityConstants.maxMessageSize
-    }
-    
-    /// Validate handshake message size
-    static func validateHandshakeMessageSize(_ data: Data) -> Bool {
-        return data.count <= NoiseSecurityConstants.maxHandshakeMessageSize
-    }
-    
-    /// Validate peer ID format using unified validator
-    static func validatePeerID(_ peerID: String) -> Bool {
-        return InputValidator.validatePeerID(peerID)
-    }
-}
-
-// MARK: - Enhanced Noise Session with Security
-
-final class SecureNoiseSession: NoiseSession {
-    private(set) var messageCount: UInt64 = 0
-    private let sessionStartTime = Date()
-    private(set) var lastActivityTime = Date()
-    
-    override func encrypt(_ plaintext: Data) throws -> Data {
-        // Check session age
-        if Date().timeIntervalSince(sessionStartTime) > NoiseSecurityConstants.sessionTimeout {
-            throw NoiseSecurityError.sessionExpired
-        }
-        
-        // Check message count
-        if messageCount >= NoiseSecurityConstants.maxMessagesPerSession {
-            throw NoiseSecurityError.sessionExhausted
-        }
-        
-        // Validate message size
-        guard NoiseSecurityValidator.validateMessageSize(plaintext) else {
-            throw NoiseSecurityError.messageTooLarge
-        }
-        
-        let encrypted = try super.encrypt(plaintext)
-        messageCount += 1
-        lastActivityTime = Date()
-        
-        return encrypted
-    }
-    
-    override func decrypt(_ ciphertext: Data) throws -> Data {
-        // Check session age
-        if Date().timeIntervalSince(sessionStartTime) > NoiseSecurityConstants.sessionTimeout {
-            throw NoiseSecurityError.sessionExpired
-        }
-        
-        // Validate message size
-        guard NoiseSecurityValidator.validateMessageSize(ciphertext) else {
-            throw NoiseSecurityError.messageTooLarge
-        }
-        
-        let decrypted = try super.decrypt(ciphertext)
-        lastActivityTime = Date()
-        
-        return decrypted
-    }
-    
-    func needsRenegotiation() -> Bool {
-        // Check if we've used more than 90% of message limit
-        let messageThreshold = UInt64(Double(NoiseSecurityConstants.maxMessagesPerSession) * 0.9)
-        if messageCount >= messageThreshold {
-            return true
-        }
-        
-        // Check if last activity was more than 30 minutes ago
-        if Date().timeIntervalSince(lastActivityTime) > NoiseSecurityConstants.sessionTimeout {
-            return true
-        }
-        
-        return false
-    }
-    
-    // MARK: - Testing Support
-    #if DEBUG
-    func setLastActivityTimeForTesting(_ date: Date) {
-        lastActivityTime = date
-    }
-    
-    func setMessageCountForTesting(_ count: UInt64) {
-        messageCount = count
-    }
-    #endif
-}
-
-// MARK: - Rate Limiter
-
-final class NoiseRateLimiter {
-    private var handshakeTimestamps: [String: [Date]] = [:] // peerID -> timestamps
-    private var messageTimestamps: [String: [Date]] = [:] // peerID -> timestamps
-    
-    // Global rate limiting
-    private var globalHandshakeTimestamps: [Date] = []
-    private var globalMessageTimestamps: [Date] = []
-    
-    private let queue = DispatchQueue(label: "chat.bitchat.noise.ratelimit", attributes: .concurrent)
-    
-    func allowHandshake(from peerID: String) -> Bool {
-        return queue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
-            let now = Date()
-            let oneMinuteAgo = now.addingTimeInterval(-60)
-            
-            // Check global rate limit first
-            globalHandshakeTimestamps = globalHandshakeTimestamps.filter { $0 > oneMinuteAgo }
-            if globalHandshakeTimestamps.count >= NoiseSecurityConstants.maxGlobalHandshakesPerMinute {
-                SecureLogger.warning("Global handshake rate limit exceeded: \(globalHandshakeTimestamps.count)/\(NoiseSecurityConstants.maxGlobalHandshakesPerMinute) per minute", category: .security)
-                return false
-            }
-            
-            // Check per-peer rate limit
-            var timestamps = handshakeTimestamps[peerID] ?? []
-            timestamps = timestamps.filter { $0 > oneMinuteAgo }
-            
-            if timestamps.count >= NoiseSecurityConstants.maxHandshakesPerMinute {
-                SecureLogger.warning("Per-peer handshake rate limit exceeded for \(peerID): \(timestamps.count)/\(NoiseSecurityConstants.maxHandshakesPerMinute) per minute", category: .security)
-                return false
-            }
-            
-            // Record new handshake
-            timestamps.append(now)
-            handshakeTimestamps[peerID] = timestamps
-            globalHandshakeTimestamps.append(now)
-            return true
-        }
-    }
-    
-    func allowMessage(from peerID: String) -> Bool {
-        return queue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
-            let now = Date()
-            let oneSecondAgo = now.addingTimeInterval(-1)
-            
-            // Check global rate limit first
-            globalMessageTimestamps = globalMessageTimestamps.filter { $0 > oneSecondAgo }
-            if globalMessageTimestamps.count >= NoiseSecurityConstants.maxGlobalMessagesPerSecond {
-                SecureLogger.warning("Global message rate limit exceeded: \(globalMessageTimestamps.count)/\(NoiseSecurityConstants.maxGlobalMessagesPerSecond) per second", category: .security)
-                return false
-            }
-            
-            // Check per-peer rate limit
-            var timestamps = messageTimestamps[peerID] ?? []
-            timestamps = timestamps.filter { $0 > oneSecondAgo }
-            
-            if timestamps.count >= NoiseSecurityConstants.maxMessagesPerSecond {
-                SecureLogger.warning("Per-peer message rate limit exceeded for \(peerID): \(timestamps.count)/\(NoiseSecurityConstants.maxMessagesPerSecond) per second", category: .security)
-                return false
-            }
-            
-            // Record new message
-            timestamps.append(now)
-            messageTimestamps[peerID] = timestamps
-            globalMessageTimestamps.append(now)
-            return true
-        }
-    }
-    
-    func reset(for peerID: String) {
-        queue.async(flags: .barrier) {
-            self.handshakeTimestamps.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
-            self.messageTimestamps.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
-        }
-    }
-
-    func resetAll() {
-        queue.async(flags: .barrier) {
-            self.handshakeTimestamps.removeAll()
-            self.messageTimestamps.removeAll()
-            self.globalHandshakeTimestamps.removeAll()
-            self.globalMessageTimestamps.removeAll()
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-// MARK: - Security Errors
-
-enum NoiseSecurityError: Error {
-    case sessionExpired
-    case sessionExhausted
-    case messageTooLarge
-    case invalidPeerID
-    case rateLimitExceeded
-    case handshakeTimeout
-}
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+//
+// NoiseSecurityConstants.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import Foundation
+
+enum NoiseSecurityConstants {
+    // Maximum message size to prevent memory exhaustion
+    static let maxMessageSize = 65535 // 64KB as per Noise spec
+    
+    // Maximum handshake message size
+    static let maxHandshakeMessageSize = 2048 // 2KB to accommodate XX pattern
+    
+    // Session timeout - sessions older than this should be renegotiated
+    static let sessionTimeout: TimeInterval = 86400 // 24 hours
+    
+    // Maximum number of messages before rekey (2^64 - 1 is the nonce limit)
+    static let maxMessagesPerSession: UInt64 = 1_000_000_000 // 1 billion messages
+    
+    // Handshake timeout - abandon incomplete handshakes
+    static let handshakeTimeout: TimeInterval = 60 // 1 minute
+    
+    // Maximum concurrent sessions per peer
+    static let maxSessionsPerPeer = 3
+    
+    // Rate limiting
+    static let maxHandshakesPerMinute = 10
+    static let maxMessagesPerSecond = 100
+    
+    // Global rate limiting (across all peers)
+    static let maxGlobalHandshakesPerMinute = 30
+    static let maxGlobalMessagesPerSecond = 500
+}
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+//
+// NoiseSecurityError.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import Foundation
+
+enum NoiseSecurityError: Error {
+    case sessionExpired
+    case sessionExhausted
+    case messageTooLarge
+    case invalidPeerID
+    case rateLimitExceeded
+    case handshakeTimeout
+}
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+//
+// NoiseSecurityValidator.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import Foundation
+
+struct NoiseSecurityValidator {
+    
+    /// Validate message size
+    static func validateMessageSize(_ data: Data) -> Bool {
+        return data.count <= NoiseSecurityConstants.maxMessageSize
+    }
+    
+    /// Validate handshake message size
+    static func validateHandshakeMessageSize(_ data: Data) -> Bool {
+        return data.count <= NoiseSecurityConstants.maxHandshakeMessageSize
+    }
+}
@@ -10,32 +10,8 @@ import BitLogger
 import Foundation
 import CryptoKit

-// MARK: - Noise Session State
-
-enum NoiseSessionState: Equatable {
-    case uninitialized
-    case handshaking
-    case established
-    case failed(Error)
-    
-    static func == (lhs: NoiseSessionState, rhs: NoiseSessionState) -> Bool {
-        switch (lhs, rhs) {
-        case (.uninitialized, .uninitialized),
-             (.handshaking, .handshaking),
-             (.established, .established):
-            return true
-        case (.failed, .failed):
-            return true // We don't compare the errors
-        default:
-            return false
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-// MARK: - Noise Session
-
 class NoiseSession {
-    let peerID: String
+    let peerID: PeerID
    let role: NoiseRole
    private let keychain: KeychainManagerProtocol
    private var state: NoiseSessionState = .uninitialized
@@ -55,7 +31,7 @@ class NoiseSession {
    private let sessionQueue = DispatchQueue(label: "chat.bitchat.noise.session", attributes: .concurrent)
    
    init(
-        peerID: String,
+        peerID: PeerID,
        role: NoiseRole,
        keychain: KeychainManagerProtocol,
        localStaticKey: Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PrivateKey,
@@ -141,7 +117,7 @@ class NoiseSession {
                handshakeState = nil // Clear handshake state
                
                SecureLogger.debug("NoiseSession[\(peerID)]: Handshake complete (no response needed), transitioning to established")
-                SecureLogger.info(.handshakeCompleted(peerID: peerID))
+                SecureLogger.info(.handshakeCompleted(peerID: peerID.id))
                
                return nil
            } else {
@@ -167,7 +143,7 @@ class NoiseSession {
                    handshakeState = nil // Clear handshake state
                    
                    SecureLogger.debug("NoiseSession[\(peerID)]: Handshake complete after writing response, transitioning to established")
-                    SecureLogger.info(.handshakeCompleted(peerID: peerID))
+                    SecureLogger.info(.handshakeCompleted(peerID: peerID.id))
                }
                
                return response
@@ -220,12 +196,6 @@ class NoiseSession {
        }
    }
    
-    func getHandshakeHash() -> Data? {
-        return sessionQueue.sync {
-            return handshakeHash
-        }
-    }
-    
    func reset() {
        sessionQueue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
            let wasEstablished = state == .established
@@ -252,249 +222,8 @@ class NoiseSession {
            handshakeHash = nil
            
            if wasEstablished {
-                SecureLogger.info(.sessionExpired(peerID: peerID))
+                SecureLogger.info(.sessionExpired(peerID: peerID.id))
            }
        }
    }
 }
-
-// MARK: - Session Manager
-
-final class NoiseSessionManager {
-    private var sessions: [String: NoiseSession] = [:]
-    private let localStaticKey: Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PrivateKey
-    private let keychain: KeychainManagerProtocol
-    private let managerQueue = DispatchQueue(label: "chat.bitchat.noise.manager", attributes: .concurrent)
-    
-    // Callbacks
-    var onSessionEstablished: ((String, Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PublicKey) -> Void)?
-    var onSessionFailed: ((String, Error) -> Void)?
-    
-    init(localStaticKey: Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PrivateKey, keychain: KeychainManagerProtocol) {
-        self.localStaticKey = localStaticKey
-        self.keychain = keychain
-    }
-    
-    // MARK: - Session Management
-    
-    func createSession(for peerID: String, role: NoiseRole) -> NoiseSession {
-        return managerQueue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
-            let session = SecureNoiseSession(
-                peerID: peerID,
-                role: role,
-                keychain: keychain,
-                localStaticKey: localStaticKey
-            )
-            sessions[peerID] = session
-            return session
-        }
-    }
-    
-    func getSession(for peerID: String) -> NoiseSession? {
-        return managerQueue.sync {
-            return sessions[peerID]
-        }
-    }
-    
-    func removeSession(for peerID: String) {
-        managerQueue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
-            if let session = sessions[peerID] {
-                if session.isEstablished() {
-                    SecureLogger.info(.sessionExpired(peerID: peerID))
-                }
-                // Clear sensitive data before removing
-                session.reset()
-            }
-            _ = sessions.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
-        }
-    }
-
-    func removeAllSessions() {
-        managerQueue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
-            for (_, session) in sessions {
-                session.reset()
-            }
-            sessions.removeAll()
-        }
-    }
-    
-    func getEstablishedSessions() -> [String: NoiseSession] {
-        return managerQueue.sync {
-            return sessions.filter { $0.value.isEstablished() }
-        }
-    }
-    
-    // MARK: - Handshake Helpers
-    
-    func initiateHandshake(with peerID: String) throws -> Data {
-        return try managerQueue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
-            // Check if we already have an established session
-            if let existingSession = sessions[peerID], existingSession.isEstablished() {
-                // Session already established, don't recreate
-                throw NoiseSessionError.alreadyEstablished
-            }
-            
-            // Remove any existing non-established session
-            if let existingSession = sessions[peerID], !existingSession.isEstablished() {
-                _ = sessions.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
-            }
-            
-            // Create new initiator session
-            let session = SecureNoiseSession(
-                peerID: peerID,
-                role: .initiator,
-                keychain: keychain,
-                localStaticKey: localStaticKey
-            )
-            sessions[peerID] = session
-            
-            do {
-                let handshakeData = try session.startHandshake()
-                return handshakeData
-            } catch {
-                // Clean up failed session
-                _ = sessions.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
-                SecureLogger.error(.handshakeFailed(peerID: peerID, error: error.localizedDescription))
-                throw error
-            }
-        }
-    }
-    
-    func handleIncomingHandshake(from peerID: String, message: Data) throws -> Data? {
-        // Process everything within the synchronized block to prevent race conditions
-        return try managerQueue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
-            var shouldCreateNew = false
-            var existingSession: NoiseSession? = nil
-            
-            if let existing = sessions[peerID] {
-                // If we have an established session, the peer must have cleared their session
-                // for a good reason (e.g., decryption failure, restart, etc.)
-                // We should accept the new handshake to re-establish encryption
-                if existing.isEstablished() {
-                    SecureLogger.info("Accepting handshake from \(peerID) despite existing session - peer likely cleared their session", category: .session)
-                    _ = sessions.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
-                    shouldCreateNew = true
-                } else {
-                    // If we're in the middle of a handshake and receive a new initiation,
-                    // reset and start fresh (the other side may have restarted)
-                    if existing.getState() == .handshaking && message.count == 32 {
-                        _ = sessions.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
-                        shouldCreateNew = true
-                    } else {
-                        existingSession = existing
-                    }
-                }
-            } else {
-                shouldCreateNew = true
-            }
-            
-            // Get or create session
-            let session: NoiseSession
-            if shouldCreateNew {
-                let newSession = SecureNoiseSession(
-                    peerID: peerID,
-                    role: .responder,
-                    keychain: keychain,
-                    localStaticKey: localStaticKey
-                )
-                sessions[peerID] = newSession
-                session = newSession
-            } else {
-                session = existingSession!
-            }
-            
-            // Process the handshake message within the synchronized block
-            do {
-                let response = try session.processHandshakeMessage(message)
-                
-                // Check if session is established after processing
-                if session.isEstablished() {
-                    if let remoteKey = session.getRemoteStaticPublicKey() {
-                        // Schedule callback outside the synchronized block to prevent deadlock
-                        DispatchQueue.global().async { [weak self] in
-                            self?.onSessionEstablished?(peerID, remoteKey)
-                        }
-                    }
-                }
-                
-                return response
-            } catch {
-                // Reset the session on handshake failure so next attempt can start fresh
-                _ = sessions.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
-                
-                // Schedule callback outside the synchronized block to prevent deadlock
-                DispatchQueue.global().async { [weak self] in
-                    self?.onSessionFailed?(peerID, error)
-                }
-                
-                SecureLogger.error(.handshakeFailed(peerID: peerID, error: error.localizedDescription))
-                throw error
-            }
-        }
-    }
-    
-    // MARK: - Encryption/Decryption
-    
-    func encrypt(_ plaintext: Data, for peerID: String) throws -> Data {
-        guard let session = getSession(for: peerID) else {
-            throw NoiseSessionError.sessionNotFound
-        }
-        
-        return try session.encrypt(plaintext)
-    }
-    
-    func decrypt(_ ciphertext: Data, from peerID: String) throws -> Data {
-        guard let session = getSession(for: peerID) else {
-            throw NoiseSessionError.sessionNotFound
-        }
-        
-        return try session.decrypt(ciphertext)
-    }
-    
-    // MARK: - Key Management
-    
-    func getRemoteStaticKey(for peerID: String) -> Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PublicKey? {
-        return getSession(for: peerID)?.getRemoteStaticPublicKey()
-    }
-    
-    func getHandshakeHash(for peerID: String) -> Data? {
-        return getSession(for: peerID)?.getHandshakeHash()
-    }
-    
-    // MARK: - Session Rekeying
-    
-    func getSessionsNeedingRekey() -> [(peerID: String, needsRekey: Bool)] {
-        return managerQueue.sync {
-            var needingRekey: [(peerID: String, needsRekey: Bool)] = []
-            
-            for (peerID, session) in sessions {
-                if let secureSession = session as? SecureNoiseSession,
-                   secureSession.isEstablished(),
-                   secureSession.needsRenegotiation() {
-                    needingRekey.append((peerID: peerID, needsRekey: true))
-                }
-            }
-            
-            return needingRekey
-        }
-    }
-    
-    func initiateRekey(for peerID: String) throws {
-        // Remove old session
-        removeSession(for: peerID)
-        
-        // Initiate new handshake
-        _ = try initiateHandshake(with: peerID)
-        
-    }
-}
-
-// MARK: - Errors
-
-enum NoiseSessionError: Error {
-    case invalidState
-    case notEstablished
-    case sessionNotFound
-    case handshakeFailed(Error)
-    case alreadyEstablished
-}
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+//
+// NoiseSessionError.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+enum NoiseSessionError: Error, Equatable {
+    case invalidState
+    case notEstablished
+    case sessionNotFound
+    case alreadyEstablished
+}
@@ -0,0 +1,211 @@
+//
+// NoiseSessionManager.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import BitLogger
+import CryptoKit
+import Foundation
+
+final class NoiseSessionManager {
+    private var sessions: [PeerID: NoiseSession] = [:]
+    private let localStaticKey: Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PrivateKey
+    private let keychain: KeychainManagerProtocol
+    private let managerQueue = DispatchQueue(label: "chat.bitchat.noise.manager", attributes: .concurrent)
+    
+    // Callbacks
+    var onSessionEstablished: ((PeerID, Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PublicKey) -> Void)?
+    var onSessionFailed: ((PeerID, Error) -> Void)?
+    
+    init(localStaticKey: Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PrivateKey, keychain: KeychainManagerProtocol) {
+        self.localStaticKey = localStaticKey
+        self.keychain = keychain
+    }
+    
+    // MARK: - Session Management
+    
+    func getSession(for peerID: PeerID) -> NoiseSession? {
+        return managerQueue.sync {
+            return sessions[peerID]
+        }
+    }
+    
+    func removeSession(for peerID: PeerID) {
+        managerQueue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
+            if let session = sessions.removeValue(forKey: peerID) {
+                session.reset() // Clear sensitive data before removing
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    func removeAllSessions() {
+        managerQueue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
+            for (_, session) in sessions {
+                session.reset()
+            }
+            sessions.removeAll()
+        }
+    }
+    
+    // MARK: - Handshake Helpers
+    
+    func initiateHandshake(with peerID: PeerID) throws -> Data {
+        return try managerQueue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
+            // Check if we already have an established session
+            if let existingSession = sessions[peerID], existingSession.isEstablished() {
+                // Session already established, don't recreate
+                throw NoiseSessionError.alreadyEstablished
+            }
+            
+            // Remove any existing non-established session
+            if let existingSession = sessions[peerID], !existingSession.isEstablished() {
+                _ = sessions.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
+            }
+            
+            // Create new initiator session
+            let session = SecureNoiseSession(
+                peerID: peerID,
+                role: .initiator,
+                keychain: keychain,
+                localStaticKey: localStaticKey
+            )
+            sessions[peerID] = session
+            
+            do {
+                let handshakeData = try session.startHandshake()
+                return handshakeData
+            } catch {
+                // Clean up failed session
+                _ = sessions.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
+                SecureLogger.error(.handshakeFailed(peerID: peerID.id, error: error.localizedDescription))
+                throw error
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    
+    func handleIncomingHandshake(from peerID: PeerID, message: Data) throws -> Data? {
+        // Process everything within the synchronized block to prevent race conditions
+        return try managerQueue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
+            var shouldCreateNew = false
+            var existingSession: NoiseSession? = nil
+            
+            if let existing = sessions[peerID] {
+                // If we have an established session, the peer must have cleared their session
+                // for a good reason (e.g., decryption failure, restart, etc.)
+                // We should accept the new handshake to re-establish encryption
+                if existing.isEstablished() {
+                    SecureLogger.info("Accepting handshake from \(peerID) despite existing session - peer likely cleared their session", category: .session)
+                    _ = sessions.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
+                    shouldCreateNew = true
+                } else {
+                    // If we're in the middle of a handshake and receive a new initiation,
+                    // reset and start fresh (the other side may have restarted)
+                    if existing.getState() == .handshaking && message.count == 32 {
+                        _ = sessions.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
+                        shouldCreateNew = true
+                    } else {
+                        existingSession = existing
+                    }
+                }
+            } else {
+                shouldCreateNew = true
+            }
+            
+            // Get or create session
+            let session: NoiseSession
+            if shouldCreateNew {
+                let newSession = SecureNoiseSession(
+                    peerID: peerID,
+                    role: .responder,
+                    keychain: keychain,
+                    localStaticKey: localStaticKey
+                )
+                sessions[peerID] = newSession
+                session = newSession
+            } else {
+                session = existingSession!
+            }
+            
+            // Process the handshake message within the synchronized block
+            do {
+                let response = try session.processHandshakeMessage(message)
+                
+                // Check if session is established after processing
+                if session.isEstablished() {
+                    if let remoteKey = session.getRemoteStaticPublicKey() {
+                        // Schedule callback outside the synchronized block to prevent deadlock
+                        DispatchQueue.global().async { [weak self] in
+                            self?.onSessionEstablished?(peerID, remoteKey)
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+                
+                return response
+            } catch {
+                // Reset the session on handshake failure so next attempt can start fresh
+                _ = sessions.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
+                
+                // Schedule callback outside the synchronized block to prevent deadlock
+                DispatchQueue.global().async { [weak self] in
+                    self?.onSessionFailed?(peerID, error)
+                }
+                
+                SecureLogger.error(.handshakeFailed(peerID: peerID.id, error: error.localizedDescription))
+                throw error
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    
+    // MARK: - Encryption/Decryption
+    
+    func encrypt(_ plaintext: Data, for peerID: PeerID) throws -> Data {
+        guard let session = getSession(for: peerID) else {
+            throw NoiseSessionError.sessionNotFound
+        }
+        
+        return try session.encrypt(plaintext)
+    }
+    
+    func decrypt(_ ciphertext: Data, from peerID: PeerID) throws -> Data {
+        guard let session = getSession(for: peerID) else {
+            throw NoiseSessionError.sessionNotFound
+        }
+        
+        return try session.decrypt(ciphertext)
+    }
+    
+    // MARK: - Key Management
+    
+    func getRemoteStaticKey(for peerID: PeerID) -> Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PublicKey? {
+        return getSession(for: peerID)?.getRemoteStaticPublicKey()
+    }
+    
+    // MARK: - Session Rekeying
+    
+    func getSessionsNeedingRekey() -> [(peerID: PeerID, needsRekey: Bool)] {
+        return managerQueue.sync {
+            var needingRekey: [(peerID: PeerID, needsRekey: Bool)] = []
+            
+            for (peerID, session) in sessions {
+                if let secureSession = session as? SecureNoiseSession,
+                   secureSession.isEstablished(),
+                   secureSession.needsRenegotiation() {
+                    needingRekey.append((peerID: peerID, needsRekey: true))
+                }
+            }
+            
+            return needingRekey
+        }
+    }
+    
+    func initiateRekey(for peerID: PeerID) throws {
+        // Remove old session
+        removeSession(for: peerID)
+        
+        // Initiate new handshake
+        _ = try initiateHandshake(with: peerID)
+    }
+}
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+//
+// NoiseSessionState.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+enum NoiseSessionState: Equatable {
+    case uninitialized
+    case handshaking
+    case established
+}
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+//
+// SecureNoiseSession.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import Foundation
+
+final class SecureNoiseSession: NoiseSession {
+    private(set) var messageCount: UInt64 = 0
+    private let sessionStartTime = Date()
+    private(set) var lastActivityTime = Date()
+    
+    override func encrypt(_ plaintext: Data) throws -> Data {
+        // Check session age
+        if Date().timeIntervalSince(sessionStartTime) > NoiseSecurityConstants.sessionTimeout {
+            throw NoiseSecurityError.sessionExpired
+        }
+        
+        // Check message count
+        if messageCount >= NoiseSecurityConstants.maxMessagesPerSession {
+            throw NoiseSecurityError.sessionExhausted
+        }
+        
+        // Validate message size
+        guard NoiseSecurityValidator.validateMessageSize(plaintext) else {
+            throw NoiseSecurityError.messageTooLarge
+        }
+        
+        let encrypted = try super.encrypt(plaintext)
+        messageCount += 1
+        lastActivityTime = Date()
+        
+        return encrypted
+    }
+    
+    override func decrypt(_ ciphertext: Data) throws -> Data {
+        // Check session age
+        if Date().timeIntervalSince(sessionStartTime) > NoiseSecurityConstants.sessionTimeout {
+            throw NoiseSecurityError.sessionExpired
+        }
+        
+        // Validate message size
+        guard NoiseSecurityValidator.validateMessageSize(ciphertext) else {
+            throw NoiseSecurityError.messageTooLarge
+        }
+        
+        let decrypted = try super.decrypt(ciphertext)
+        lastActivityTime = Date()
+        
+        return decrypted
+    }
+    
+    func needsRenegotiation() -> Bool {
+        // Check if we've used more than 90% of message limit
+        let messageThreshold = UInt64(Double(NoiseSecurityConstants.maxMessagesPerSession) * 0.9)
+        if messageCount >= messageThreshold {
+            return true
+        }
+        
+        // Check if last activity was more than 30 minutes ago
+        if Date().timeIntervalSince(lastActivityTime) > NoiseSecurityConstants.sessionTimeout {
+            return true
+        }
+        
+        return false
+    }
+    
+    // MARK: - Testing Support
+    #if DEBUG
+    func setLastActivityTimeForTesting(_ date: Date) {
+        lastActivityTime = date
+    }
+    
+    func setMessageCountForTesting(_ count: UInt64) {
+        messageCount = count
+    }
+    #endif
+}
@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+import Foundation
+
+/// Bech32 encoding for Nostr (minimal implementation)
+enum Bech32 {
+    private static let charset = "qpzry9x8gf2tvdw0s3jn54khce6mua7l"
+    private static let generator = [0x3b6a57b2, 0x26508e6d, 0x1ea119fa, 0x3d4233dd, 0x2a1462b3]
+    
+    static func encode(hrp: String, data: Data) throws -> String {
+        let values = convertBits(from: 8, to: 5, pad: true, data: Array(data))
+        let checksum = createChecksum(hrp: hrp, values: values)
+        let combined = values + checksum
+        
+        return hrp + "1" + combined.map { 
+            let index = charset.index(charset.startIndex, offsetBy: Int($0))
+            return String(charset[index])
+        }.joined()
+    }
+    
+    static func decode(_ bech32String: String) throws -> (hrp: String, data: Data) {
+        // Find the last occurrence of '1'
+        guard let separatorIndex = bech32String.lastIndex(of: "1") else {
+            throw Bech32Error.invalidFormat
+        }
+        
+        let hrp = String(bech32String[..<separatorIndex])
+        
+        // Validate HRP contains only ASCII characters
+        for char in hrp {
+            guard char.asciiValue != nil else {
+                throw Bech32Error.invalidCharacter
+            }
+        }
+        
+        let dataString = String(bech32String[bech32String.index(after: separatorIndex)...])
+        
+        // Convert characters to values
+        var values = [UInt8]()
+        for char in dataString {
+            guard let index = charset.firstIndex(of: char) else {
+                throw Bech32Error.invalidCharacter
+            }
+            values.append(UInt8(charset.distance(from: charset.startIndex, to: index)))
+        }
+        
+        // Verify checksum
+        guard values.count >= 6 else {
+            throw Bech32Error.invalidChecksum
+        }
+        
+        let payloadValues = Array(values.dropLast(6))
+        let checksum = Array(values.suffix(6))
+        let expectedChecksum = createChecksum(hrp: hrp, values: payloadValues)
+        
+        guard checksum == expectedChecksum else {
+            throw Bech32Error.invalidChecksum
+        }
+        
+        // Convert back to bytes
+        let bytes = convertBits(from: 5, to: 8, pad: false, data: payloadValues)
+        return (hrp: hrp, data: Data(bytes))
+    }
+    
+    enum Bech32Error: Error {
+        case invalidFormat
+        case invalidCharacter
+        case invalidChecksum
+    }
+    
+    private static func convertBits(from: Int, to: Int, pad: Bool, data: [UInt8]) -> [UInt8] {
+        var acc = 0
+        var bits = 0
+        var result = [UInt8]()
+        let maxv = (1 << to) - 1
+        
+        for value in data {
+            acc = (acc << from) | Int(value)
+            bits += from
+            
+            while bits >= to {
+                bits -= to
+                result.append(UInt8((acc >> bits) & maxv))
+            }
+        }
+        
+        if pad && bits > 0 {
+            result.append(UInt8((acc << (to - bits)) & maxv))
+        }
+        
+        return result
+    }
+    
+    private static func createChecksum(hrp: String, values: [UInt8]) -> [UInt8] {
+        let checksumValues = hrpExpand(hrp) + values + [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]
+        let polymod = polymod(checksumValues) ^ 1
+        var checksum = [UInt8]()
+        
+        for i in 0..<6 {
+            checksum.append(UInt8((polymod >> (5 * (5 - i))) & 31))
+        }
+        
+        return checksum
+    }
+    
+    private static func hrpExpand(_ hrp: String) -> [UInt8] {
+        var result = [UInt8]()
+        for c in hrp {
+            guard let asciiValue = c.asciiValue else {
+                return [] // Return empty array for invalid input
+            }
+            result.append(UInt8(asciiValue >> 5))
+        }
+        result.append(0)
+        for c in hrp {
+            guard let asciiValue = c.asciiValue else {
+                return [] // Return empty array for invalid input
+            }
+            result.append(UInt8(asciiValue & 31))
+        }
+        return result
+    }
+    
+    private static func polymod(_ values: [UInt8]) -> Int {
+        var chk = 1
+        for value in values {
+            let b = chk >> 25
+            chk = (chk & 0x1ffffff) << 5 ^ Int(value)
+            for i in 0..<5 {
+                if (b >> i) & 1 == 1 {
+                    chk ^= generator[i]
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        return chk
+    }
+}
@@ -1,5 +1,11 @@
 import BitLogger
 import Foundation
+import Tor
+#if os(iOS)
+import UIKit
+#elseif os(macOS)
+import AppKit
+#endif

 /// Directory of online Nostr relays with approximate GPS locations, used for geohash routing.
@MainActor
@@ -11,19 +17,32 @@ final class GeoRelayDirectory {
    }

    static let shared = GeoRelayDirectory()
+
    private(set) var entries: [Entry] = []
    private let cacheFileName = "georelays_cache.csv"
    private let lastFetchKey = "georelay.lastFetchAt"
    private let remoteURL = URL(string: "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/permissionlesstech/georelays/refs/heads/main/nostr_relays.csv")!
-    private let fetchInterval: TimeInterval = TransportConfig.geoRelayFetchIntervalSeconds // 24h
+    private let fetchInterval: TimeInterval = TransportConfig.geoRelayFetchIntervalSeconds
+
+    private var refreshTimer: Timer?
+    private var retryTask: Task<Void, Never>?
+    private var retryAttempt: Int = 0
+    private var isFetching: Bool = false
+    private var observers: [NSObjectProtocol] = []

    private init() {
-        // Load cached or bundled data synchronously
-        self.entries = self.loadLocalEntries()
-        // Fire-and-forget remote refresh if stale
+        entries = loadLocalEntries()
+        registerObservers()
+        startRefreshTimer()
        prefetchIfNeeded()
    }

+    deinit {
+        observers.forEach { NotificationCenter.default.removeObserver($0) }
+        refreshTimer?.invalidate()
+        retryTask?.cancel()
+    }
+
    /// Returns up to `count` relay URLs (wss://) closest to the geohash center.
    func closestRelays(toGeohash geohash: String, count: Int = 5) -> [String] {
        let center = Geohash.decodeCenter(geohash)
@@ -32,52 +51,148 @@ final class GeoRelayDirectory {

    /// Returns up to `count` relay URLs (wss://) closest to the given coordinate.
    func closestRelays(toLat lat: Double, lon: Double, count: Int = 5) -> [String] {
-        guard !entries.isEmpty else { return [] }
-        let sorted = entries
-            .sorted { a, b in
-                haversineKm(lat, lon, a.lat, a.lon) < haversineKm(lat, lon, b.lat, b.lon)
+        guard !entries.isEmpty, count > 0 else { return [] }
+
+        if entries.count <= count {
+            return entries
+                .sorted { a, b in
+                    haversineKm(lat, lon, a.lat, a.lon) < haversineKm(lat, lon, b.lat, b.lon)
+                }
+                .map { "wss://\($0.host)" }
+        }
+
+        var best: [(entry: Entry, distance: Double)] = []
+        best.reserveCapacity(count)
+
+        for entry in entries {
+            let distance = haversineKm(lat, lon, entry.lat, entry.lon)
+            if best.count < count {
+                let idx = best.firstIndex { $0.distance > distance } ?? best.count
+                best.insert((entry, distance), at: idx)
+            } else if let worstDistance = best.last?.distance, distance < worstDistance {
+                let idx = best.firstIndex { $0.distance > distance } ?? best.count
+                best.insert((entry, distance), at: idx)
+                best.removeLast()
            }
-            .prefix(count)
-        return sorted.map { "wss://\($0.host)" }
+        }
+
+        return best.map { "wss://\($0.entry.host)" }
    }

    // MARK: - Remote Fetch
-    func prefetchIfNeeded() {
+    func prefetchIfNeeded(force: Bool = false) {
+        guard !isFetching else { return }
+
        let now = Date()
        let last = UserDefaults.standard.object(forKey: lastFetchKey) as? Date ?? .distantPast
-        guard now.timeIntervalSince(last) >= fetchInterval else { return }
+
+        if !force {
+            guard now.timeIntervalSince(last) >= fetchInterval else { return }
+        } else if last != .distantPast,
+                  now.timeIntervalSince(last) < TransportConfig.geoRelayRetryInitialSeconds {
+            // Skip forced fetches if we just refreshed moments ago.
+            return
+        }
+
+        cancelRetry()
        fetchRemote()
    }

    private func fetchRemote() {
-        let req = URLRequest(url: remoteURL, cachePolicy: .reloadIgnoringLocalCacheData, timeoutInterval: 15)
-        // Ensure Tor readiness before fetching (fail-closed by default)
-        Task.detached {
+        guard !isFetching else { return }
+        isFetching = true
+
+        let request = URLRequest(
+            url: remoteURL,
+            cachePolicy: .reloadIgnoringLocalCacheData,
+            timeoutInterval: 15
+        )
+
+        Task.detached { [weak self] in
+            guard let self else { return }
+
            let ready = await TorManager.shared.awaitReady()
            if !ready {
-                SecureLogger.warning("GeoRelayDirectory: Tor not ready; skipping remote fetch (fail-closed)", category: .session)
+                await self.handleFetchFailure(.torNotReady)
                return
            }
-            let task = TorURLSession.shared.session.dataTask(with: req) { [weak self] data, _, error in
-                guard let self = self else { return }
-                if let data = data, error == nil, let text = String(data: data, encoding: .utf8) {
-                    let parsed = GeoRelayDirectory.parseCSV(text)
-                    if !parsed.isEmpty {
-                        Task { @MainActor in
-                            self.entries = parsed
-                            self.persistCache(text)
-                            UserDefaults.standard.set(Date(), forKey: self.lastFetchKey)
-                            SecureLogger.info("GeoRelayDirectory: refreshed \(parsed.count) relays from remote", category: .session)
-                        }
-                        return
-                    }
+
+            do {
+                let (data, _) = try await TorURLSession.shared.session.data(for: request)
+                guard let text = String(data: data, encoding: .utf8) else {
+                    await self.handleFetchFailure(.invalidData)
+                    return
                }
-                SecureLogger.warning("GeoRelayDirectory: remote fetch failed; keeping local entries", category: .session)
+
+                let parsed = GeoRelayDirectory.parseCSV(text)
+                guard !parsed.isEmpty else {
+                    await self.handleFetchFailure(.invalidData)
+                    return
+                }
+
+                await self.handleFetchSuccess(entries: parsed, csv: text)
+            } catch {
+                await self.handleFetchFailure(.network(error))
            }
-            task.resume()
        }
    }

+    private enum FetchFailure {
+        case torNotReady
+        case invalidData
+        case network(Error)
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    private func handleFetchSuccess(entries parsed: [Entry], csv: String) {
+        entries = parsed
+        persistCache(csv)
+        UserDefaults.standard.set(Date(), forKey: lastFetchKey)
+        SecureLogger.info("GeoRelayDirectory: refreshed \(parsed.count) relays from remote", category: .session)
+        isFetching = false
+        retryAttempt = 0
+        cancelRetry()
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    private func handleFetchFailure(_ reason: FetchFailure) {
+        switch reason {
+        case .torNotReady:
+            SecureLogger.warning("GeoRelayDirectory: Tor not ready; scheduling retry", category: .session)
+        case .invalidData:
+            SecureLogger.warning("GeoRelayDirectory: remote fetch returned invalid data; scheduling retry", category: .session)
+        case .network(let error):
+            SecureLogger.warning("GeoRelayDirectory: remote fetch failed with error: \(error.localizedDescription)", category: .session)
+        }
+        isFetching = false
+        scheduleRetry()
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    private func scheduleRetry() {
+        retryAttempt = min(retryAttempt + 1, 10)
+        let base = TransportConfig.geoRelayRetryInitialSeconds
+        let maxDelay = TransportConfig.geoRelayRetryMaxSeconds
+        let multiplier = pow(2.0, Double(max(retryAttempt - 1, 0)))
+        let calculated = base * multiplier
+        let delay = min(maxDelay, max(base, calculated))
+
+        cancelRetry()
+        retryTask = Task { [weak self] in
+            let nanoseconds = UInt64(delay * 1_000_000_000)
+            try? await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: nanoseconds)
+            await MainActor.run {
+                self?.prefetchIfNeeded(force: true)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    private func cancelRetry() {
+        retryTask?.cancel()
+        retryTask = nil
+    }
+
    private func persistCache(_ text: String) {
        guard let url = cacheURL() else { return }
        do {
@@ -90,30 +205,35 @@ final class GeoRelayDirectory {
    // MARK: - Loading
    private func loadLocalEntries() -> [Entry] {
        // Prefer cached file if present
-        if let cache = self.cacheURL(),
+        if let cache = cacheURL(),
           let data = try? Data(contentsOf: cache),
           let text = String(data: data, encoding: .utf8) {
            let arr = Self.parseCSV(text)
            if !arr.isEmpty { return arr }
        }
+
        // Try bundled resource(s)
        let bundleCandidates = [
            Bundle.main.url(forResource: "nostr_relays", withExtension: "csv"),
            Bundle.main.url(forResource: "online_relays_gps", withExtension: "csv"),
            Bundle.main.url(forResource: "online_relays_gps", withExtension: "csv", subdirectory: "relays")
        ].compactMap { $0 }
+
        for url in bundleCandidates {
-            if let data = try? Data(contentsOf: url), let text = String(data: data, encoding: .utf8) {
+            if let data = try? Data(contentsOf: url),
+               let text = String(data: data, encoding: .utf8) {
                let arr = Self.parseCSV(text)
                if !arr.isEmpty { return arr }
            }
        }
+
        // Try filesystem path (development/test)
        if let cwd = FileManager.default.currentDirectoryPath as String?,
           let data = try? Data(contentsOf: URL(fileURLWithPath: cwd).appendingPathComponent("relays/online_relays_gps.csv")),
           let text = String(data: data, encoding: .utf8) {
            return Self.parseCSV(text)
        }
+
        SecureLogger.warning("GeoRelayDirectory: no local CSV found; entries empty", category: .session)
        return []
    }
@@ -121,7 +241,6 @@ final class GeoRelayDirectory {
    nonisolated static func parseCSV(_ text: String) -> [Entry] {
        var result: Set<Entry> = []
        let lines = text.split(whereSeparator: { $0.isNewline })
-        // Skip header if present
        for (idx, raw) in lines.enumerated() {
            let line = raw.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines)
            if line.isEmpty { continue }
@@ -142,11 +261,76 @@ final class GeoRelayDirectory {

    private func cacheURL() -> URL? {
        do {
-            let base = try FileManager.default.url(for: .applicationSupportDirectory, in: .userDomainMask, appropriateFor: nil, create: true)
+            let base = try FileManager.default.url(
+                for: .applicationSupportDirectory,
+                in: .userDomainMask,
+                appropriateFor: nil,
+                create: true
+            )
            let dir = base.appendingPathComponent("bitchat", isDirectory: true)
            try? FileManager.default.createDirectory(at: dir, withIntermediateDirectories: true)
            return dir.appendingPathComponent(cacheFileName)
-        } catch { return nil }
+        } catch {
+            return nil
+        }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Observers & Timers
+    private func registerObservers() {
+        let center = NotificationCenter.default
+
+        let torReady = center.addObserver(
+            forName: .TorDidBecomeReady,
+            object: nil,
+            queue: .main
+        ) { [weak self] _ in
+            guard let self else { return }
+            Task { @MainActor in
+                self.prefetchIfNeeded(force: true)
+            }
+        }
+        observers.append(torReady)
+
+#if os(iOS)
+        let didBecomeActive = center.addObserver(
+            forName: UIApplication.didBecomeActiveNotification,
+            object: nil,
+            queue: .main
+        ) { [weak self] _ in
+            guard let self else { return }
+            Task { @MainActor in
+                self.prefetchIfNeeded()
+            }
+        }
+        observers.append(didBecomeActive)
+#elseif os(macOS)
+        let didBecomeActive = center.addObserver(
+            forName: NSApplication.didBecomeActiveNotification,
+            object: nil,
+            queue: .main
+        ) { [weak self] _ in
+            guard let self else { return }
+            Task { @MainActor in
+                self.prefetchIfNeeded()
+            }
+        }
+        observers.append(didBecomeActive)
+#endif
+    }
+
+    private func startRefreshTimer() {
+        refreshTimer?.invalidate()
+        let interval = TransportConfig.geoRelayRefreshCheckIntervalSeconds
+        guard interval > 0 else { return }
+
+        let timer = Timer.scheduledTimer(withTimeInterval: interval, repeats: true) { [weak self] _ in
+            guard let self else { return }
+            Task { @MainActor in
+                self.prefetchIfNeeded()
+            }
+        }
+        refreshTimer = timer
+        RunLoop.main.add(timer, forMode: .common)
    }
 }

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+import Foundation
+
+protocol KeychainHelperProtocol {
+    func save(key: String, data: Data, service: String, accessible: CFString?)
+    func load(key: String, service: String) -> Data?
+    func delete(key: String, service: String)
+}
+
+/// Keychain helper for secure storage
+struct KeychainHelper: KeychainHelperProtocol {
+    func save(key: String, data: Data, service: String, accessible: CFString? = nil) {
+        var query: [String: Any] = [
+            kSecClass as String: kSecClassGenericPassword,
+            kSecAttrService as String: service,
+            kSecAttrAccount as String: key,
+            kSecValueData as String: data
+        ]
+        if let accessible = accessible {
+            query[kSecAttrAccessible as String] = accessible
+        }
+        
+        SecItemDelete(query as CFDictionary)
+        SecItemAdd(query as CFDictionary, nil)
+    }
+    
+    func load(key: String, service: String) -> Data? {
+        let query: [String: Any] = [
+            kSecClass as String: kSecClassGenericPassword,
+            kSecAttrService as String: service,
+            kSecAttrAccount as String: key,
+            kSecReturnData as String: true
+        ]
+        
+        var result: AnyObject?
+        let status = SecItemCopyMatching(query as CFDictionary, &result)
+        
+        guard status == errSecSuccess else { return nil }
+        return result as? Data
+    }
+    
+    func delete(key: String, service: String) {
+        let query: [String: Any] = [
+            kSecClass as String: kSecClassGenericPassword,
+            kSecAttrService as String: service,
+            kSecAttrAccount as String: key
+        ]
+        
+        SecItemDelete(query as CFDictionary)
+    }
+}
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import Foundation

 struct NostrEmbeddedBitChat {
    /// Build a `bitchat1:` base64url-encoded BitChat packet carrying a private message for Nostr DMs.
-    static func encodePMForNostr(content: String, messageID: String, recipientPeerID: String, senderPeerID: String) -> String? {
+    static func encodePMForNostr(content: String, messageID: String, recipientPeerID: PeerID, senderPeerID: PeerID) -> String? {
        // TLV-encode the private message
        let pm = PrivateMessagePacket(messageID: messageID, content: content)
        guard let tlv = pm.encode() else { return nil }
@@ -14,12 +14,12 @@ struct NostrEmbeddedBitChat {
        payload.append(tlv)

        // Determine 8-byte recipient ID to embed
-        let recipientIDHex: String = normalizeRecipientPeerID(recipientPeerID)
+        let recipientID = normalizeRecipientPeerID(recipientPeerID)

        let packet = BitchatPacket(
            type: MessageType.noiseEncrypted.rawValue,
-            senderID: Data(hexString: senderPeerID) ?? Data(),
-            recipientID: Data(hexString: recipientIDHex),
+            senderID: Data(hexString: senderPeerID.id) ?? Data(),
+            recipientID: Data(hexString: recipientID.id),
            timestamp: UInt64(Date().timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000),
            payload: payload,
            signature: nil,
@@ -31,18 +31,18 @@ struct NostrEmbeddedBitChat {
    }

    /// Build a `bitchat1:` base64url-encoded BitChat packet carrying a delivery/read ack for Nostr DMs.
-    static func encodeAckForNostr(type: NoisePayloadType, messageID: String, recipientPeerID: String, senderPeerID: String) -> String? {
+    static func encodeAckForNostr(type: NoisePayloadType, messageID: String, recipientPeerID: PeerID, senderPeerID: PeerID) -> String? {
        guard type == .delivered || type == .readReceipt else { return nil }

        var payload = Data([type.rawValue])
        payload.append(Data(messageID.utf8))

-        let recipientIDHex: String = normalizeRecipientPeerID(recipientPeerID)
+        let recipientID = normalizeRecipientPeerID(recipientPeerID)

        let packet = BitchatPacket(
            type: MessageType.noiseEncrypted.rawValue,
-            senderID: Data(hexString: senderPeerID) ?? Data(),
-            recipientID: Data(hexString: recipientIDHex),
+            senderID: Data(hexString: senderPeerID.id) ?? Data(),
+            recipientID: Data(hexString: recipientID.id),
            timestamp: UInt64(Date().timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000),
            payload: payload,
            signature: nil,
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ struct NostrEmbeddedBitChat {
    }

    /// Build a `bitchat1:` ACK (delivered/read) without an embedded recipient peer ID (geohash DMs).
-    static func encodeAckForNostrNoRecipient(type: NoisePayloadType, messageID: String, senderPeerID: String) -> String? {
+    static func encodeAckForNostrNoRecipient(type: NoisePayloadType, messageID: String, senderPeerID: PeerID) -> String? {
        guard type == .delivered || type == .readReceipt else { return nil }

        var payload = Data([type.rawValue])
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ struct NostrEmbeddedBitChat {

        let packet = BitchatPacket(
            type: MessageType.noiseEncrypted.rawValue,
-            senderID: Data(hexString: senderPeerID) ?? Data(),
+            senderID: Data(hexString: senderPeerID.id) ?? Data(),
            recipientID: nil,
            timestamp: UInt64(Date().timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000),
            payload: payload,
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ struct NostrEmbeddedBitChat {
    }

    /// Build a `bitchat1:` payload without an embedded recipient peer ID (used for geohash DMs).
-    static func encodePMForNostrNoRecipient(content: String, messageID: String, senderPeerID: String) -> String? {
+    static func encodePMForNostrNoRecipient(content: String, messageID: String, senderPeerID: PeerID) -> String? {
        let pm = PrivateMessagePacket(messageID: messageID, content: content)
        guard let tlv = pm.encode() else { return nil }

@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ struct NostrEmbeddedBitChat {

        let packet = BitchatPacket(
            type: MessageType.noiseEncrypted.rawValue,
-            senderID: Data(hexString: senderPeerID) ?? Data(),
+            senderID: Data(hexString: senderPeerID.id) ?? Data(),
            recipientID: nil,
            timestamp: UInt64(Date().timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000),
            payload: payload,
@@ -96,11 +96,11 @@ struct NostrEmbeddedBitChat {
        return "bitchat1:" + base64URLEncode(data)
    }

-    private static func normalizeRecipientPeerID(_ recipientPeerID: String) -> String {
-        if let maybeData = Data(hexString: recipientPeerID) {
+    private static func normalizeRecipientPeerID(_ recipientPeerID: PeerID) -> PeerID {
+        if let maybeData = Data(hexString: recipientPeerID.id) {
            if maybeData.count == 32 {
                // Treat as Noise static public key; derive peerID from fingerprint
-                return PeerIDUtils.derivePeerID(fromPublicKey: maybeData)
+                return PeerID(publicKey: maybeData)
            } else if maybeData.count == 8 {
                // Already an 8-byte peer ID
                return recipientPeerID
@@ -1,50 +1,5 @@
 import Foundation
-import CryptoKit
 import P256K
-import Security
-
-// Keychain helper for secure storage
-struct KeychainHelper {
-    static func save(key: String, data: Data, service: String, accessible: CFString? = nil) {
-        var query: [String: Any] = [
-            kSecClass as String: kSecClassGenericPassword,
-            kSecAttrService as String: service,
-            kSecAttrAccount as String: key,
-            kSecValueData as String: data
-        ]
-        if let accessible = accessible {
-            query[kSecAttrAccessible as String] = accessible
-        }
-        
-        SecItemDelete(query as CFDictionary)
-        SecItemAdd(query as CFDictionary, nil)
-    }
-    
-    static func load(key: String, service: String) -> Data? {
-        let query: [String: Any] = [
-            kSecClass as String: kSecClassGenericPassword,
-            kSecAttrService as String: service,
-            kSecAttrAccount as String: key,
-            kSecReturnData as String: true
-        ]
-        
-        var result: AnyObject?
-        let status = SecItemCopyMatching(query as CFDictionary, &result)
-        
-        guard status == errSecSuccess else { return nil }
-        return result as? Data
-    }
-    
-    static func delete(key: String, service: String) {
-        let query: [String: Any] = [
-            kSecClass as String: kSecClassGenericPassword,
-            kSecAttrService as String: service,
-            kSecAttrAccount as String: key
-        ]
-        
-        SecItemDelete(query as CFDictionary)
-    }
-}

 /// Manages Nostr identity (secp256k1 keypair) for NIP-17 private messaging
 struct NostrIdentity: Codable {
@@ -103,269 +58,3 @@ struct NostrIdentity: Codable {
        return publicKey.hexEncodedString()
    }
 }
-
-/// Bridge between Noise and Nostr identities
-struct NostrIdentityBridge {
-    private static let keychainService = "chat.bitchat.nostr"
-    private static let currentIdentityKey = "nostr-current-identity"
-    private static let deviceSeedKey = "nostr-device-seed"
-    // In-memory cache to avoid transient keychain access issues
-    private static var deviceSeedCache: Data?
-    
-    /// Get or create the current Nostr identity
-    static func getCurrentNostrIdentity() throws -> NostrIdentity? {
-        // Check if we already have a Nostr identity
-        if let existingData = KeychainHelper.load(key: currentIdentityKey, service: keychainService),
-           let identity = try? JSONDecoder().decode(NostrIdentity.self, from: existingData) {
-            return identity
-        }
-        
-        // Generate new Nostr identity
-        let nostrIdentity = try NostrIdentity.generate()
-        
-        // Store it
-        let data = try JSONEncoder().encode(nostrIdentity)
-        KeychainHelper.save(key: currentIdentityKey, data: data, service: keychainService)
-        
-        return nostrIdentity
-    }
-    
-    /// Associate a Nostr identity with a Noise public key (for favorites)
-    static func associateNostrIdentity(_ nostrPubkey: String, with noisePublicKey: Data) {
-        let key = "nostr-noise-\(noisePublicKey.base64EncodedString())"
-        if let data = nostrPubkey.data(using: .utf8) {
-            KeychainHelper.save(key: key, data: data, service: keychainService)
-        }
-    }
-    
-    /// Get Nostr public key associated with a Noise public key
-    static func getNostrPublicKey(for noisePublicKey: Data) -> String? {
-        let key = "nostr-noise-\(noisePublicKey.base64EncodedString())"
-        guard let data = KeychainHelper.load(key: key, service: keychainService),
-              let pubkey = String(data: data, encoding: .utf8) else {
-            return nil
-        }
-        return pubkey
-    }
-    
-    /// Clear all Nostr identity associations and current identity
-    static func clearAllAssociations() {
-        let query: [String: Any] = [
-            kSecClass as String: kSecClassGenericPassword,
-            kSecAttrService as String: keychainService,
-            kSecMatchLimit as String: kSecMatchLimitAll,
-            kSecReturnAttributes as String: true
-        ]
-
-        var result: AnyObject?
-        let status = SecItemCopyMatching(query as CFDictionary, &result)
-        if status == errSecSuccess, let items = result as? [[String: Any]] {
-            for item in items {
-                var deleteQuery: [String: Any] = [
-                    kSecClass as String: kSecClassGenericPassword,
-                    kSecAttrService as String: keychainService
-                ]
-                if let account = item[kSecAttrAccount as String] as? String {
-                    deleteQuery[kSecAttrAccount as String] = account
-                }
-                SecItemDelete(deleteQuery as CFDictionary)
-            }
-        } else if status == errSecItemNotFound {
-            // nothing persisted; no action needed
-        }
-
-        deviceSeedCache = nil
-    }
-
-    // MARK: - Per-Geohash Identities (Location Channels)
-
-    /// Returns a stable device seed used to derive unlinkable per-geohash identities.
-    /// Stored only on device keychain.
-    private static func getOrCreateDeviceSeed() -> Data {
-        if let cached = deviceSeedCache { return cached }
-        if let existing = KeychainHelper.load(key: deviceSeedKey, service: keychainService) {
-            // Migrate to AfterFirstUnlockThisDeviceOnly for stability during lock
-            KeychainHelper.save(key: deviceSeedKey, data: existing, service: keychainService, accessible: kSecAttrAccessibleAfterFirstUnlockThisDeviceOnly)
-            deviceSeedCache = existing
-            return existing
-        }
-        var seed = Data(count: 32)
-        _ = seed.withUnsafeMutableBytes { ptr in
-            SecRandomCopyBytes(kSecRandomDefault, 32, ptr.baseAddress!)
-        }
-        // Ensure availability after first unlock to prevent unintended rotation when locked
-        KeychainHelper.save(key: deviceSeedKey, data: seed, service: keychainService, accessible: kSecAttrAccessibleAfterFirstUnlockThisDeviceOnly)
-        deviceSeedCache = seed
-        return seed
-    }
-
-    /// Derive a deterministic, unlinkable Nostr identity for a given geohash.
-    /// Uses HMAC-SHA256(deviceSeed, geohash) as private key material, with fallback rehashing
-    /// if the candidate is not a valid secp256k1 private key.
-    static func deriveIdentity(forGeohash geohash: String) throws -> NostrIdentity {
-        let seed = getOrCreateDeviceSeed()
-        guard let msg = geohash.data(using: .utf8) else {
-            throw NSError(domain: "NostrIdentity", code: -1, userInfo: [NSLocalizedDescriptionKey: "Invalid geohash string"])
-        }
-
-        func candidateKey(iteration: UInt32) -> Data {
-            var input = Data(msg)
-            var iterBE = iteration.bigEndian
-            withUnsafeBytes(of: &iterBE) { bytes in
-                input.append(contentsOf: bytes)
-            }
-            let code = CryptoKit.HMAC<CryptoKit.SHA256>.authenticationCode(for: input, using: SymmetricKey(data: seed))
-            return Data(code)
-        }
-
-        // Try a few iterations to ensure a valid key can be formed
-        for i in 0..<10 {
-            let keyData = candidateKey(iteration: UInt32(i))
-            if let identity = try? NostrIdentity(privateKeyData: keyData) {
-                return identity
-            }
-        }
-        // As a final fallback, hash the seed+msg and try again
-        var combined = Data()
-        combined.append(seed)
-        combined.append(msg)
-        let fallback = Data(CryptoKit.SHA256.hash(data: combined))
-        return try NostrIdentity(privateKeyData: fallback)
-    }
-}
-
-// Bech32 encoding for Nostr (minimal implementation)
-enum Bech32 {
-    private static let charset = "qpzry9x8gf2tvdw0s3jn54khce6mua7l"
-    private static let generator = [0x3b6a57b2, 0x26508e6d, 0x1ea119fa, 0x3d4233dd, 0x2a1462b3]
-    
-    static func encode(hrp: String, data: Data) throws -> String {
-        let values = convertBits(from: 8, to: 5, pad: true, data: Array(data))
-        let checksum = createChecksum(hrp: hrp, values: values)
-        let combined = values + checksum
-        
-        return hrp + "1" + combined.map { 
-            let index = charset.index(charset.startIndex, offsetBy: Int($0))
-            return String(charset[index])
-        }.joined()
-    }
-    
-    static func decode(_ bech32String: String) throws -> (hrp: String, data: Data) {
-        // Find the last occurrence of '1'
-        guard let separatorIndex = bech32String.lastIndex(of: "1") else {
-            throw Bech32Error.invalidFormat
-        }
-        
-        let hrp = String(bech32String[..<separatorIndex])
-        
-        // Validate HRP contains only ASCII characters
-        for char in hrp {
-            guard char.asciiValue != nil else {
-                throw Bech32Error.invalidCharacter
-            }
-        }
-        
-        let dataString = String(bech32String[bech32String.index(after: separatorIndex)...])
-        
-        // Convert characters to values
-        var values = [UInt8]()
-        for char in dataString {
-            guard let index = charset.firstIndex(of: char) else {
-                throw Bech32Error.invalidCharacter
-            }
-            values.append(UInt8(charset.distance(from: charset.startIndex, to: index)))
-        }
-        
-        // Verify checksum
-        guard values.count >= 6 else {
-            throw Bech32Error.invalidChecksum
-        }
-        
-        let payloadValues = Array(values.dropLast(6))
-        let checksum = Array(values.suffix(6))
-        let expectedChecksum = createChecksum(hrp: hrp, values: payloadValues)
-        
-        guard checksum == expectedChecksum else {
-            throw Bech32Error.invalidChecksum
-        }
-        
-        // Convert back to bytes
-        let bytes = convertBits(from: 5, to: 8, pad: false, data: payloadValues)
-        return (hrp: hrp, data: Data(bytes))
-    }
-    
-    enum Bech32Error: Error {
-        case invalidFormat
-        case invalidCharacter
-        case invalidChecksum
-    }
-    
-    private static func convertBits(from: Int, to: Int, pad: Bool, data: [UInt8]) -> [UInt8] {
-        var acc = 0
-        var bits = 0
-        var result = [UInt8]()
-        let maxv = (1 << to) - 1
-        
-        for value in data {
-            acc = (acc << from) | Int(value)
-            bits += from
-            
-            while bits >= to {
-                bits -= to
-                result.append(UInt8((acc >> bits) & maxv))
-            }
-        }
-        
-        if pad && bits > 0 {
-            result.append(UInt8((acc << (to - bits)) & maxv))
-        }
-        
-        return result
-    }
-    
-    private static func createChecksum(hrp: String, values: [UInt8]) -> [UInt8] {
-        let checksumValues = hrpExpand(hrp) + values + [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]
-        let polymod = polymod(checksumValues) ^ 1
-        var checksum = [UInt8]()
-        
-        for i in 0..<6 {
-            checksum.append(UInt8((polymod >> (5 * (5 - i))) & 31))
-        }
-        
-        return checksum
-    }
-    
-    private static func hrpExpand(_ hrp: String) -> [UInt8] {
-        var result = [UInt8]()
-        for c in hrp {
-            guard let asciiValue = c.asciiValue else {
-                return [] // Return empty array for invalid input
-            }
-            result.append(UInt8(asciiValue >> 5))
-        }
-        result.append(0)
-        for c in hrp {
-            guard let asciiValue = c.asciiValue else {
-                return [] // Return empty array for invalid input
-            }
-            result.append(UInt8(asciiValue & 31))
-        }
-        return result
-    }
-    
-    private static func polymod(_ values: [UInt8]) -> Int {
-        var chk = 1
-        for value in values {
-            let b = chk >> 25
-            chk = (chk & 0x1ffffff) << 5 ^ Int(value)
-            for i in 0..<5 {
-                if (b >> i) & 1 == 1 {
-                    chk ^= generator[i]
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        return chk
-    }
-}
-
-// Data hex encoding extension moved to BinaryEncodingUtils.swift to avoid duplication
@@ -0,0 +1,157 @@
+import Foundation
+import CryptoKit
+
+/// Bridge between Noise and Nostr identities
+final class NostrIdentityBridge {
+    private let keychainService = "chat.bitchat.nostr"
+    private let currentIdentityKey = "nostr-current-identity"
+    private let deviceSeedKey = "nostr-device-seed"
+    // In-memory cache to avoid transient keychain access issues
+    private var deviceSeedCache: Data?
+    // Cache derived identities to avoid repeated crypto during view rendering
+    private var derivedIdentityCache: [String: NostrIdentity] = [:]
+    private let cacheLock = NSLock()
+
+    private let keychain: KeychainHelperProtocol
+
+    init(keychain: KeychainHelperProtocol = KeychainHelper()) {
+        self.keychain = keychain
+    }
+    
+    /// Get or create the current Nostr identity
+    func getCurrentNostrIdentity() throws -> NostrIdentity? {
+        // Check if we already have a Nostr identity
+        if let existingData = keychain.load(key: currentIdentityKey, service: keychainService),
+           let identity = try? JSONDecoder().decode(NostrIdentity.self, from: existingData) {
+            return identity
+        }
+        
+        // Generate new Nostr identity
+        let nostrIdentity = try NostrIdentity.generate()
+        
+        // Store it
+        let data = try JSONEncoder().encode(nostrIdentity)
+        keychain.save(key: currentIdentityKey, data: data, service: keychainService, accessible: nil)
+        
+        return nostrIdentity
+    }
+    
+    /// Associate a Nostr identity with a Noise public key (for favorites)
+    func associateNostrIdentity(_ nostrPubkey: String, with noisePublicKey: Data) {
+        let key = "nostr-noise-\(noisePublicKey.base64EncodedString())"
+        if let data = nostrPubkey.data(using: .utf8) {
+            keychain.save(key: key, data: data, service: keychainService, accessible: nil)
+        }
+    }
+    
+    /// Get Nostr public key associated with a Noise public key
+    func getNostrPublicKey(for noisePublicKey: Data) -> String? {
+        let key = "nostr-noise-\(noisePublicKey.base64EncodedString())"
+        guard let data = keychain.load(key: key, service: keychainService),
+              let pubkey = String(data: data, encoding: .utf8) else {
+            return nil
+        }
+        return pubkey
+    }
+    
+    /// Clear all Nostr identity associations and current identity
+    func clearAllAssociations() {
+        let query: [String: Any] = [
+            kSecClass as String: kSecClassGenericPassword,
+            kSecAttrService as String: keychainService,
+            kSecMatchLimit as String: kSecMatchLimitAll,
+            kSecReturnAttributes as String: true
+        ]
+
+        var result: AnyObject?
+        let status = SecItemCopyMatching(query as CFDictionary, &result)
+        if status == errSecSuccess, let items = result as? [[String: Any]] {
+            for item in items {
+                var deleteQuery: [String: Any] = [
+                    kSecClass as String: kSecClassGenericPassword,
+                    kSecAttrService as String: keychainService
+                ]
+                if let account = item[kSecAttrAccount as String] as? String {
+                    deleteQuery[kSecAttrAccount as String] = account
+                }
+                SecItemDelete(deleteQuery as CFDictionary)
+            }
+        } else if status == errSecItemNotFound {
+            // nothing persisted; no action needed
+        }
+
+        deviceSeedCache = nil
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Per-Geohash Identities (Location Channels)
+
+    /// Returns a stable device seed used to derive unlinkable per-geohash identities.
+    /// Stored only on device keychain.
+    private func getOrCreateDeviceSeed() -> Data {
+        if let cached = deviceSeedCache { return cached }
+        if let existing = keychain.load(key: deviceSeedKey, service: keychainService) {
+            // Migrate to AfterFirstUnlockThisDeviceOnly for stability during lock
+            keychain.save(key: deviceSeedKey, data: existing, service: keychainService, accessible: kSecAttrAccessibleAfterFirstUnlockThisDeviceOnly)
+            deviceSeedCache = existing
+            return existing
+        }
+        var seed = Data(count: 32)
+        _ = seed.withUnsafeMutableBytes { ptr in
+            SecRandomCopyBytes(kSecRandomDefault, 32, ptr.baseAddress!)
+        }
+        // Ensure availability after first unlock to prevent unintended rotation when locked
+        keychain.save(key: deviceSeedKey, data: seed, service: keychainService, accessible: kSecAttrAccessibleAfterFirstUnlockThisDeviceOnly)
+        deviceSeedCache = seed
+        return seed
+    }
+
+    /// Derive a deterministic, unlinkable Nostr identity for a given geohash.
+    /// Uses HMAC-SHA256(deviceSeed, geohash) as private key material, with fallback rehashing
+    /// if the candidate is not a valid secp256k1 private key.
+    func deriveIdentity(forGeohash geohash: String) throws -> NostrIdentity {
+        // Check cache first to avoid repeated crypto + keychain I/O during view rendering
+        cacheLock.lock()
+        if let cached = derivedIdentityCache[geohash] {
+            cacheLock.unlock()
+            return cached
+        }
+        cacheLock.unlock()
+
+        let seed = getOrCreateDeviceSeed()
+        guard let msg = geohash.data(using: .utf8) else {
+            throw NSError(domain: "NostrIdentity", code: -1, userInfo: [NSLocalizedDescriptionKey: "Invalid geohash string"])
+        }
+
+        func candidateKey(iteration: UInt32) -> Data {
+            var input = Data(msg)
+            var iterBE = iteration.bigEndian
+            withUnsafeBytes(of: &iterBE) { bytes in
+                input.append(contentsOf: bytes)
+            }
+            let code = HMAC<SHA256>.authenticationCode(for: input, using: SymmetricKey(data: seed))
+            return Data(code)
+        }
+
+        // Try a few iterations to ensure a valid key can be formed
+        for i in 0..<10 {
+            let keyData = candidateKey(iteration: UInt32(i))
+            if let identity = try? NostrIdentity(privateKeyData: keyData) {
+                // Cache the result
+                cacheLock.lock()
+                derivedIdentityCache[geohash] = identity
+                cacheLock.unlock()
+                return identity
+            }
+        }
+        // As a final fallback, hash the seed+msg and try again
+        let fallback = (seed + msg).sha256Hash()
+        let identity = try NostrIdentity(privateKeyData: fallback)
+
+        // Cache the result
+        cacheLock.lock()
+        derivedIdentityCache[geohash] = identity
+        cacheLock.unlock()
+
+        return identity
+    }
+}
@@ -521,10 +521,7 @@ struct NostrEvent: Codable {
        ] as [Any]
        
        let data = try JSONSerialization.data(withJSONObject: serialized, options: [.withoutEscapingSlashes])
-        let hash = CryptoKit.SHA256.hash(data: data)
-        let hashData = Data(hash)
-        let hashHex = hash.compactMap { String(format: "%02x", $0) }.joined()
-        return (hashHex, hashData)
+        return (data.sha256Fingerprint(), data.sha256Hash())
    }
    
    func jsonString() throws -> String {
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import BitLogger
 import Foundation
 import Network
 import Combine
+import Tor

 /// Manages WebSocket connections to Nostr relays
@MainActor
@@ -35,10 +36,14 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
        "wss://nostr21.com"
        // For local testing, you can add: "ws://localhost:8080"
    ]
+    private static let defaultRelaySet = Set(defaultRelays)
    
    @Published private(set) var relays: [Relay] = []
    @Published private(set) var isConnected = false
    
+    private var allowDefaultRelays: Bool = false
+    private var hasMutualFavorites: Bool = false
+    private var hasLocationPermission: Bool = false
    private var connections: [String: URLSessionWebSocketTask] = [:]
    private var subscriptions: [String: Set<String>] = [:] // relay URL -> active subscription IDs
    private var pendingSubscriptions: [String: [String: String]] = [:] // relay URL -> (subscription id -> encoded REQ JSON)
@@ -65,6 +70,8 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
    private let messageQueueLock = NSLock()
    private let encoder = JSONEncoder()
    private let decoder = JSONDecoder()
+    private var networkService: NetworkActivationService { NetworkActivationService.shared }
+    private var shouldUseTor: Bool { networkService.userTorEnabled }
    
    // Exponential backoff configuration
    private let initialBackoffInterval: TimeInterval = TransportConfig.nostrRelayInitialBackoffSeconds
@@ -78,29 +85,55 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
    private var connectionGeneration: Int = 0
    
    init() {
-        // Initialize with default relays
-        self.relays = Self.defaultRelays.map { Relay(url: $0) }
+        hasMutualFavorites = !FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.mutualFavorites.isEmpty
+        hasLocationPermission = LocationChannelManager.shared.permissionState == .authorized
+        applyDefaultRelayPolicy(force: true)
        // Deterministic JSON shape for outbound requests
        self.encoder.outputFormatting = .sortedKeys
+        FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.$mutualFavorites
+            .receive(on: DispatchQueue.main)
+            .sink { [weak self] favorites in
+                guard let self = self else { return }
+                self.hasMutualFavorites = !favorites.isEmpty
+                self.applyDefaultRelayPolicy()
+            }
+            .store(in: &cancellables)
+        LocationChannelManager.shared.$permissionState
+            .receive(on: DispatchQueue.main)
+            .sink { [weak self] state in
+                guard let self = self else { return }
+                let authorized = (state == .authorized)
+                if authorized == self.hasLocationPermission { return }
+                self.hasLocationPermission = authorized
+                self.applyDefaultRelayPolicy()
+            }
+            .store(in: &cancellables)
    }
    
    /// Connect to all configured relays
    func connect() {
        // Global network policy gate
-        if !TorManager.shared.isAutoStartAllowed() { return }
-        // Ensure Tor is started early and wait for readiness off-main; then hop back to connect.
-        Task.detached {
-            let ready = await TorManager.shared.awaitReady()
-            await MainActor.run {
-                if !ready {
-                    SecureLogger.error("❌ Tor not ready; aborting relay connections (fail-closed)", category: .session)
-                    return
-                }
-                SecureLogger.debug("🌐 Connecting to \(self.relays.count) Nostr relays (via Tor)", category: .session)
-                for relay in self.relays {
-                    self.connectToRelay(relay.url)
+        guard networkService.activationAllowed else { return }
+        if shouldUseTor {
+            // Ensure Tor is started early and wait for readiness off-main; then hop back to connect.
+            Task.detached {
+                let ready = await TorManager.shared.awaitReady()
+                await MainActor.run {
+                    if !ready {
+                        SecureLogger.error("❌ Tor not ready; aborting relay connections (fail-closed)", category: .session)
+                        return
+                    }
+                    SecureLogger.debug("🌐 Connecting to \(self.relays.count) Nostr relays (via Tor)", category: .session)
+                    for relay in self.relays {
+                        self.connectToRelay(relay.url)
+                    }
                }
            }
+        } else {
+            SecureLogger.debug("🌐 Connecting to \(self.relays.count) Nostr relays (direct)", category: .session)
+            for relay in self.relays {
+                connectToRelay(relay.url)
+            }
        }
    }
    
@@ -120,8 +153,10 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
    /// Ensure connections exist to the given relay URLs (idempotent).
    func ensureConnections(to relayUrls: [String]) {
        // Global network policy gate
-        if !TorManager.shared.isAutoStartAllowed() { return }
-        if TorManager.shared.torEnforced && !TorManager.shared.isReady {
+        guard networkService.activationAllowed else { return }
+        let targets = allowedRelayList(from: relayUrls)
+        guard !targets.isEmpty else { return }
+        if shouldUseTor && TorManager.shared.torEnforced && !TorManager.shared.isReady {
            // Defer until Tor is fully ready; avoid queuing connection attempts early
            Task.detached { [weak self] in
                guard let self = self else { return }
@@ -130,22 +165,21 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
            }
            return
        }
-        let existing = Set(relays.map { $0.url })
-        for url in Set(relayUrls) {
-            if !existing.contains(url) {
-                relays.append(Relay(url: url))
-            }
-            if connections[url] == nil {
-                connectToRelay(url)
-            }
+        var existing = Set(relays.map { $0.url })
+        for url in targets where !existing.contains(url) {
+            relays.append(Relay(url: url))
+            existing.insert(url)
+        }
+        for url in targets where connections[url] == nil {
+            connectToRelay(url)
        }
    }

    /// Send an event to specified relays (or all if none specified)
    func sendEvent(_ event: NostrEvent, to relayUrls: [String]? = nil) {
        // Global network policy gate
-        if !TorManager.shared.isAutoStartAllowed() { return }
-        if TorManager.shared.torEnforced && !TorManager.shared.isReady {
+        guard networkService.activationAllowed else { return }
+        if shouldUseTor && TorManager.shared.torEnforced && !TorManager.shared.isReady {
            // Defer sends until Tor is ready to avoid premature queueing
            Task.detached { [weak self] in
                guard let self = self else { return }
@@ -154,7 +188,9 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
            }
            return
        }
-        let targetRelays = relayUrls ?? Self.defaultRelays
+        let requestedRelays = relayUrls ?? Self.defaultRelays
+        let targetRelays = allowedRelayList(from: requestedRelays)
+        guard !targetRelays.isEmpty else { return }
        ensureConnections(to: targetRelays)

        // Attempt immediate send to relays with active connections; queue the rest
@@ -220,7 +256,7 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
        onEOSE: (() -> Void)? = nil
    ) {
        // Global network policy gate
-        if !TorManager.shared.isAutoStartAllowed() { return }
+        guard networkService.activationAllowed else { return }
        // Coalesce rapid duplicate subscribe requests only if a handler already exists
        let now = Date()
        if messageHandlers[id] != nil {
@@ -229,7 +265,7 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
            }
        }
        subscribeCoalesce[id] = now
-        if TorManager.shared.torEnforced && !TorManager.shared.isReady {
+        if shouldUseTor && TorManager.shared.torEnforced && !TorManager.shared.isReady {
            // Defer subscription setup until Tor is ready; avoid queuing subs early
            Task.detached { [weak self] in
                guard let self = self else { return }
@@ -257,32 +293,37 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
            
            // Target specific relays if provided; else default. Filter permanently failed relays.
            let baseUrls = relayUrls ?? Self.defaultRelays
-            let urls = baseUrls.filter { !isPermanentlyFailed($0) }
+            let candidateUrls = baseUrls.filter { !isPermanentlyFailed($0) }
+            let urls = allowedRelayList(from: candidateUrls)
            // Always queue subscriptions; sending happens when a relay reports connected
            let existingSet = Set(relays.map { $0.url })
            for url in urls where !existingSet.contains(url) {
                relays.append(Relay(url: url))
            }
-            for url in urls {
+            for url in candidateUrls {
                var map = self.pendingSubscriptions[url] ?? [:]
                map[id] = messageString
                self.pendingSubscriptions[url] = map
            }
            // Initialize EOSE tracking if requested
            if let onEOSE = onEOSE {
-                var tracker = EOSETracker(pendingRelays: Set(urls), callback: onEOSE, timer: nil)
-                // Fallback timeout to avoid hanging if a relay never sends EOSE
-                tracker.timer = Timer.scheduledTimer(withTimeInterval: 2.0, repeats: false) { [weak self] _ in
-                    Task { @MainActor in
-                        guard let self = self else { return }
-                        if let t = self.eoseTrackers[id] {
-                            t.timer?.invalidate()
-                            self.eoseTrackers.removeValue(forKey: id)
-                            onEOSE()
+                if urls.isEmpty {
+                    onEOSE()
+                } else {
+                    var tracker = EOSETracker(pendingRelays: Set(urls), callback: onEOSE, timer: nil)
+                    // Fallback timeout to avoid hanging if a relay never sends EOSE
+                    tracker.timer = Timer.scheduledTimer(withTimeInterval: 2.0, repeats: false) { [weak self] _ in
+                        Task { @MainActor in
+                            guard let self = self else { return }
+                            if let t = self.eoseTrackers[id] {
+                                t.timer?.invalidate()
+                                self.eoseTrackers.removeValue(forKey: id)
+                                onEOSE()
+                            }
                        }
                    }
+                    eoseTrackers[id] = tracker
                }
-                eoseTrackers[id] = tracker
            }
            SecureLogger.debug("📋 Queued subscription id=\(id) for \(urls.count) relay(s)", category: .session)
            // Ensure we actually have sockets opening to these relays so queued REQs can flush
@@ -297,6 +338,55 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
            SecureLogger.error("❌ Failed to encode subscription request: \(error)", category: .session)
        }
    }
+
+    private func applyDefaultRelayPolicy(force: Bool = false) {
+        let shouldAllow = hasMutualFavorites || hasLocationPermission
+        if !force && shouldAllow == allowDefaultRelays { return }
+        allowDefaultRelays = shouldAllow
+        if shouldAllow {
+            var existing = Set(relays.map { $0.url })
+            for url in Self.defaultRelays where !existing.contains(url) {
+                relays.append(Relay(url: url))
+                existing.insert(url)
+            }
+            if networkService.activationAllowed {
+                ensureConnections(to: Self.defaultRelays)
+            }
+        } else {
+            for url in Self.defaultRelays {
+                if let connection = connections[url] {
+                    connection.cancel(with: .goingAway, reason: nil)
+                }
+                connections.removeValue(forKey: url)
+                subscriptions.removeValue(forKey: url)
+            }
+            messageQueueLock.lock()
+            for index in (0..<messageQueue.count).reversed() {
+                var item = messageQueue[index]
+                item.pendingRelays.subtract(Self.defaultRelaySet)
+                if item.pendingRelays.isEmpty {
+                    messageQueue.remove(at: index)
+                } else {
+                    messageQueue[index] = item
+                }
+            }
+            messageQueueLock.unlock()
+            relays.removeAll { Self.defaultRelaySet.contains($0.url) }
+            updateConnectionStatus()
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func allowedRelayList(from urls: [String]) -> [String] {
+        var seen = Set<String>()
+        var result: [String] = []
+        for url in urls {
+            if !allowDefaultRelays && Self.defaultRelaySet.contains(url) { continue }
+            if seen.insert(url).inserted {
+                result.append(url)
+            }
+        }
+        return result
+    }
    
    /// Unsubscribe from a subscription
    func unsubscribe(id: String) {
@@ -326,14 +416,14 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
    
    private func connectToRelay(_ urlString: String) {
        // Global network policy gate
-        if !TorManager.shared.isAutoStartAllowed() { return }
+        guard networkService.activationAllowed else { return }
        guard let url = URL(string: urlString) else { 
            SecureLogger.warning("Invalid relay URL: \(urlString)", category: .session)
            return 
        }

        // Avoid initiating connections while app is backgrounded; we'll reconnect on foreground
-        if TorManager.shared.torEnforced && !TorManager.shared.isForeground() {
+        if shouldUseTor && TorManager.shared.torEnforced && !TorManager.shared.isForeground() {
            return
        }
        
@@ -348,7 +438,7 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
        // Attempting to connect to Nostr relay via the proxied session
        
        // If Tor is enforced but not ready, delay connection until it is.
-        if TorManager.shared.torEnforced && !TorManager.shared.isReady {
+        if shouldUseTor && TorManager.shared.torEnforced && !TorManager.shared.isReady {
            Task.detached { [weak self] in
                guard let self = self else { return }
                let ready = await TorManager.shared.awaitReady()
@@ -534,7 +624,7 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
    
    private func handleDisconnection(relayUrl: String, error: Error) {
        // If networking is disallowed, do not schedule reconnection
-        if !TorManager.shared.isAutoStartAllowed() {
+        if !networkService.activationAllowed {
            connections.removeValue(forKey: relayUrl)
            subscriptions.removeValue(forKey: relayUrl)
            updateRelayStatus(relayUrl, isConnected: false, error: error)
@@ -816,6 +906,16 @@ struct NostrFilter: Encodable {
        filter.limit = limit
        return filter
    }
+
+    // For location notes with neighbors: subscribe to multiple geohashes (center + neighbors)
+    static func geohashNotes(_ geohashes: [String], since: Date? = nil, limit: Int = 200) -> NostrFilter {
+        var filter = NostrFilter()
+        filter.kinds = [1]
+        filter.since = since?.timeIntervalSince1970.toInt()
+        filter.tagFilters = ["g": geohashes]
+        filter.limit = limit
+        return filter
+    }
 }

 // Dynamic coding key for tag filters
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 //

 import Foundation
+import CryptoKit

 // MARK: - Hex Encoding/Decoding

@@ -16,6 +17,11 @@ extension Data {
        }
        return self.map { String(format: "%02x", $0) }.joined()
    }
+
+    func sha256Hex() -> String {
+        let digest = SHA256.hash(data: self)
+        return digest.map { String(format: "%02x", $0) }.joined()
+    }
    
    init?(hexString: String) {
        let len = hexString.count / 2
@@ -197,7 +203,7 @@ extension Data {
        offset += 16
        
        // Convert 16 bytes to UUID string format
-        let uuid = uuidData.map { String(format: "%02x", $0) }.joined()
+        let uuid = uuidData.hexEncodedString()
        
        // Insert hyphens at proper positions: 8-4-4-4-12
        var result = ""
@@ -22,11 +22,11 @@
 ///
 /// ## Wire Format
 /// ```
-/// Header (Fixed 13 bytes):
-/// +--------+------+-----+-----------+-------+----------------+
-/// |Version | Type | TTL | Timestamp | Flags | PayloadLength  |
-/// |1 byte  |1 byte|1byte| 8 bytes   | 1 byte| 2 bytes        |
-/// +--------+------+-----+-----------+-------+----------------+
+/// Header (Fixed 14 bytes for v1, 16 bytes for v2):
+/// +--------+------+-----+-----------+-------+------------------+
+/// |Version | Type | TTL | Timestamp | Flags | PayloadLength    |
+/// |1 byte  |1 byte|1byte| 8 bytes   | 1 byte| 2 or 4 bytes     |
+/// +--------+------+-----+-----------+-------+------------------+
 ///
 /// Variable sections:
 /// +----------+-------------+---------+------------+
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@
 /// ## Flag Bits
 /// - Bit 0: Has recipient ID (directed message)
 /// - Bit 1: Has signature (authenticated message)
-/// - Bit 2: Is compressed (LZ4 compression applied)
+/// - Bit 2: Is compressed (zlib compression applied)
 /// - Bits 3-7: Reserved for future use
 ///
 /// ## Size Constraints
@@ -89,6 +89,7 @@
 ///

 import Foundation
+import BitLogger

 extension Data {
    func trimmingNullBytes() -> Data {
@@ -105,10 +106,32 @@ extension Data {
 /// their binary wire format representation.
 /// - Note: All multi-byte values use network byte order (big-endian)
 struct BinaryProtocol {
-    static let headerSize = 13
+    static let v1HeaderSize = 14
+    static let v2HeaderSize = 16
    static let senderIDSize = 8
    static let recipientIDSize = 8
    static let signatureSize = 64
+
+    // Field offsets within packet header
+    struct Offsets {
+        static let version = 0
+        static let type = 1
+        static let ttl = 2
+        static let timestamp = 3
+        static let flags = 11  // After version(1) + type(1) + ttl(1) + timestamp(8)
+    }
+
+    static func headerSize(for version: UInt8) -> Int? {
+        switch version {
+        case 1: return v1HeaderSize
+        case 2: return v2HeaderSize
+        default: return nil
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static func lengthFieldSize(for version: UInt8) -> Int {
+        return version == 2 ? 4 : 2
+    }
    
    struct Flags {
        static let hasRecipient: UInt8 = 0x01
@@ -118,70 +141,69 @@ struct BinaryProtocol {
    
    // Encode BitchatPacket to binary format
    static func encode(_ packet: BitchatPacket, padding: Bool = true) -> Data? {
-        var data = Data()
-        
-        
-        // Try to compress payload if beneficial
+        let version = packet.version
+        guard version == 1 || version == 2 else { return nil }
+
+        // Try to compress payload when beneficial, keeping original size for later decoding
        var payload = packet.payload
-        var originalPayloadSize: UInt16? = nil
        var isCompressed = false
-        
+        var originalPayloadSize: Int?
        if CompressionUtil.shouldCompress(payload) {
-            if let compressedPayload = CompressionUtil.compress(payload) {
-                // Store original size for decompression (2 bytes after payload)
-                originalPayloadSize = UInt16(payload.count)
+            // Only compress when we can represent the original length in the outbound frame
+            let maxRepresentable = version == 2 ? Int(UInt32.max) : Int(UInt16.max)
+            if payload.count <= maxRepresentable,
+               let compressedPayload = CompressionUtil.compress(payload) {
+                originalPayloadSize = payload.count
                payload = compressedPayload
                isCompressed = true
-                
-            } else {
            }
-        } else {
        }
-        
-        // Header
-        // Reserve capacity to reduce reallocations. Estimate base size conservatively.
-        // header(13) + sender(8) + opt recipient(8) + opt originalSize(2) + payload + opt signature(64) + up to 255 pad
-        let estimatedPayload = payload.count + (isCompressed ? 2 : 0)
-        let estimated = headerSize + senderIDSize + (packet.recipientID == nil ? 0 : recipientIDSize) + estimatedPayload + (packet.signature == nil ? 0 : signatureSize) + 255
-        data.reserveCapacity(estimated)
-        data.append(packet.version)
+
+        let lengthFieldBytes = lengthFieldSize(for: version)
+        let originalSizeFieldBytes = isCompressed ? lengthFieldBytes : 0
+        let payloadDataSize = payload.count + originalSizeFieldBytes
+
+        if version == 1 && payloadDataSize > Int(UInt16.max) { return nil }
+        if version == 2 && payloadDataSize > Int(UInt32.max) { return nil }
+
+        guard let headerSize = headerSize(for: version) else { return nil }
+        let estimatedHeader = headerSize + senderIDSize + (packet.recipientID == nil ? 0 : recipientIDSize)
+        let estimatedPayload = payloadDataSize
+        let estimatedSignature = (packet.signature == nil ? 0 : signatureSize)
+        var data = Data()
+        data.reserveCapacity(estimatedHeader + estimatedPayload + estimatedSignature + 255)
+
+        data.append(version)
        data.append(packet.type)
        data.append(packet.ttl)
-        
-        // Timestamp (8 bytes, big-endian)
-        for i in (0..<8).reversed() {
-            data.append(UInt8((packet.timestamp >> (i * 8)) & 0xFF))
+
+        for shift in stride(from: 56, through: 0, by: -8) {
+            data.append(UInt8((packet.timestamp >> UInt64(shift)) & 0xFF))
        }
-        
-        // Flags
+
        var flags: UInt8 = 0
-        if packet.recipientID != nil {
-            flags |= Flags.hasRecipient
-        }
-        if packet.signature != nil {
-            flags |= Flags.hasSignature
-        }
-        if isCompressed {
-            flags |= Flags.isCompressed
-        }
+        if packet.recipientID != nil { flags |= Flags.hasRecipient }
+        if packet.signature != nil { flags |= Flags.hasSignature }
+        if isCompressed { flags |= Flags.isCompressed }
        data.append(flags)
-        
-        // Payload length (2 bytes, big-endian) - includes original size if compressed
-        let payloadDataSize = payload.count + (isCompressed ? 2 : 0)
-        let payloadLength = UInt16(payloadDataSize)
-        
-        
-        data.append(UInt8((payloadLength >> 8) & 0xFF))
-        data.append(UInt8(payloadLength & 0xFF))
-        
-        // SenderID (exactly 8 bytes)
+
+        if version == 2 {
+            let length = UInt32(payloadDataSize)
+            for shift in stride(from: 24, through: 0, by: -8) {
+                data.append(UInt8((length >> UInt32(shift)) & 0xFF))
+            }
+        } else {
+            let length = UInt16(payloadDataSize)
+            data.append(UInt8((length >> 8) & 0xFF))
+            data.append(UInt8(length & 0xFF))
+        }
+
        let senderBytes = packet.senderID.prefix(senderIDSize)
        data.append(senderBytes)
        if senderBytes.count < senderIDSize {
            data.append(Data(repeating: 0, count: senderIDSize - senderBytes.count))
        }
-        
-        // RecipientID (if present)
+
        if let recipientID = packet.recipientID {
            let recipientBytes = recipientID.prefix(recipientIDSize)
            data.append(recipientBytes)
@@ -189,30 +211,30 @@ struct BinaryProtocol {
                data.append(Data(repeating: 0, count: recipientIDSize - recipientBytes.count))
            }
        }
-        
-        // Payload (with original size prepended if compressed)
+
        if isCompressed, let originalSize = originalPayloadSize {
-            // Prepend original size (2 bytes, big-endian)
-            data.append(UInt8((originalSize >> 8) & 0xFF))
-            data.append(UInt8(originalSize & 0xFF))
+            if version == 2 {
+                let value = UInt32(originalSize)
+                for shift in stride(from: 24, through: 0, by: -8) {
+                    data.append(UInt8((value >> UInt32(shift)) & 0xFF))
+                }
+            } else {
+                let value = UInt16(originalSize)
+                data.append(UInt8((value >> 8) & 0xFF))
+                data.append(UInt8(value & 0xFF))
+            }
        }
        data.append(payload)
-        
-        // Signature (if present)
+
        if let signature = packet.signature {
            data.append(signature.prefix(signatureSize))
        }
-        
-        
-        // Apply padding to standard block sizes for traffic analysis resistance
+
        if padding {
            let optimalSize = MessagePadding.optimalBlockSize(for: data.count)
-            let paddedData = MessagePadding.pad(data, toSize: optimalSize)
-            return paddedData
-        } else {
-            // Caller explicitly requested no padding (e.g., BLE write path)
-            return data
+            return MessagePadding.pad(data, toSize: optimalSize)
        }
+        return data
    }
    
    // Decode binary data to BitchatPacket
@@ -227,87 +249,113 @@ struct BinaryProtocol {

    // Core decoding implementation used by decode(_:) with and without padding removal
    private static func decodeCore(_ raw: Data) -> BitchatPacket? {
-        // Minimum size: header + senderID
-        guard raw.count >= headerSize + senderIDSize else { return nil }
+        guard raw.count >= v1HeaderSize + senderIDSize else { return nil }

        return raw.withUnsafeBytes { (buf: UnsafeRawBufferPointer) -> BitchatPacket? in
            guard let base = buf.baseAddress else { return nil }
            var offset = 0
            func require(_ n: Int) -> Bool { offset + n <= buf.count }
-            // Read single byte
            func read8() -> UInt8? {
                guard require(1) else { return nil }
-                let v = base.advanced(by: offset).assumingMemoryBound(to: UInt8.self).pointee
+                let value = base.advanced(by: offset).assumingMemoryBound(to: UInt8.self).pointee
                offset += 1
-                return v
+                return value
            }
-            // Read big-endian 16-bit
            func read16() -> UInt16? {
                guard require(2) else { return nil }
-                let p = base.advanced(by: offset).assumingMemoryBound(to: UInt8.self)
-                let v = (UInt16(p[0]) << 8) | UInt16(p[1])
+                let ptr = base.advanced(by: offset).assumingMemoryBound(to: UInt8.self)
+                let value = (UInt16(ptr[0]) << 8) | UInt16(ptr[1])
                offset += 2
-                return v
+                return value
+            }
+            func read32() -> UInt32? {
+                guard require(4) else { return nil }
+                let ptr = base.advanced(by: offset).assumingMemoryBound(to: UInt8.self)
+                let value = (UInt32(ptr[0]) << 24) | (UInt32(ptr[1]) << 16) | (UInt32(ptr[2]) << 8) | UInt32(ptr[3])
+                offset += 4
+                return value
            }
-            // Copy N bytes into Data
            func readData(_ n: Int) -> Data? {
                guard require(n) else { return nil }
                let ptr = base.advanced(by: offset)
-                let d = Data(bytes: ptr, count: n)
+                let data = Data(bytes: ptr, count: n)
                offset += n
-                return d
+                return data
            }

-            // Version
-            guard let version = read8(), version == 1 else { return nil }
-            guard let type = read8() else { return nil }
-            guard let ttl = read8() else { return nil }
+            guard let version = read8(), version == 1 || version == 2 else { return nil }
+            let lengthFieldBytes = lengthFieldSize(for: version)
+            guard let headerSize = headerSize(for: version) else { return nil }
+            let minimumRequired = headerSize + senderIDSize
+            guard raw.count >= minimumRequired else { return nil }

-            // Timestamp 8 bytes BE
-            guard require(8) else { return nil }
-            var ts: UInt64 = 0
+            guard let type = read8(), let ttl = read8() else { return nil }
+
+            var timestamp: UInt64 = 0
            for _ in 0..<8 {
-                guard let b = read8() else { return nil }
-                ts = (ts << 8) | UInt64(b)
+                guard let byte = read8() else { return nil }
+                timestamp = (timestamp << 8) | UInt64(byte)
            }

-            // Flags
            guard let flags = read8() else { return nil }
            let hasRecipient = (flags & Flags.hasRecipient) != 0
            let hasSignature = (flags & Flags.hasSignature) != 0
            let isCompressed = (flags & Flags.isCompressed) != 0

-            // Payload length
-            guard let payloadLen = read16(), payloadLen <= 65535 else { return nil }
+            let payloadLength: Int
+            if version == 2 {
+                guard let len = read32() else { return nil }
+                payloadLength = Int(len)
+            } else {
+                guard let len = read16() else { return nil }
+                payloadLength = Int(len)
+            }
+
+            guard payloadLength >= 0 else { return nil }

-            // SenderID
            guard let senderID = readData(senderIDSize) else { return nil }

-            // Recipient
            var recipientID: Data? = nil
            if hasRecipient {
                recipientID = readData(recipientIDSize)
                if recipientID == nil { return nil }
            }

-            // Payload
            let payload: Data
            if isCompressed {
-                // Need original size (2 bytes)
-                guard let origSize16 = read16() else { return nil }
-                let originalSize = Int(origSize16)
-                guard originalSize >= 0 && originalSize <= 1_048_576 else { return nil }
-                let compSize = Int(payloadLen) - 2
-                guard compSize >= 0, let compressed = readData(compSize) else { return nil }
+                guard payloadLength >= lengthFieldBytes else { return nil }
+                let originalSize: Int
+                if version == 2 {
+                    guard let rawSize = read32() else { return nil }
+                    originalSize = Int(rawSize)
+                } else {
+                    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
+                guard originalSize >= 0 && originalSize <= FileTransferLimits.maxFramedFileBytes else { return nil }
+                let compressedSize = payloadLength - lengthFieldBytes
+                guard compressedSize >= 0, let compressed = readData(compressedSize) else { return nil }
+
+                // 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)
+                    return nil
+                }
+
                guard let decompressed = CompressionUtil.decompress(compressed, originalSize: originalSize),
                      decompressed.count == originalSize else { return nil }
                payload = decompressed
            } else {
-                guard let p = readData(Int(payloadLen)) else { return nil }
-                payload = p
+                guard let rawPayload = readData(payloadLength) else { return nil }
+                payload = rawPayload
            }

-            // Signature
            var signature: Data? = nil
            if hasSignature {
                signature = readData(signatureSize)
@@ -320,10 +368,11 @@ struct BinaryProtocol {
                type: type,
                senderID: senderID,
                recipientID: recipientID,
-                timestamp: ts,
+                timestamp: timestamp,
                payload: payload,
                signature: signature,
-                ttl: ttl
+                ttl: ttl,
+                version: version
            )
        }
    }
@@ -0,0 +1,155 @@
+//
+// BitchatFilePacket.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import Foundation
+import BitLogger
+
+/// TLV payload for Bluetooth mesh file transfers (voice notes, images, generic files).
+/// Mirrors the Android client specification to ensure cross-platform interoperability.
+struct BitchatFilePacket {
+    var fileName: String?
+    var fileSize: UInt64?
+    var mimeType: String?
+    var content: Data
+
+    /// Canonical TLV tags defined by the Android implementation.
+    private enum TLVType: UInt8 {
+        case fileName = 0x01
+        case fileSize = 0x02
+        case mimeType = 0x03
+        case content = 0x04
+    }
+
+    /// Encodes the packet using v2 canonical TLVs (4-byte FILE_SIZE, 4-byte CONTENT length).
+    /// Returns `nil` when fields exceed protocol limits (e.g., content > UInt32.max).
+    func encode() -> Data? {
+        let resolvedSize = fileSize ?? UInt64(content.count)
+        guard resolvedSize <= UInt64(UInt32.max) else { return nil }
+        guard resolvedSize <= UInt64(FileTransferLimits.maxPayloadBytes) else { return nil }
+        guard content.count <= Int(UInt32.max) else { return nil }
+        guard FileTransferLimits.isValidPayload(content.count) else { return nil }
+
+        func appendBE<T: FixedWidthInteger>(_ value: T, into data: inout Data) {
+            var big = value.bigEndian
+            withUnsafeBytes(of: &big) { data.append(contentsOf: $0) }
+        }
+
+        var encoded = Data()
+
+        if let name = fileName, let nameData = name.data(using: .utf8), nameData.count <= Int(UInt16.max) {
+            encoded.append(TLVType.fileName.rawValue)
+            appendBE(UInt16(nameData.count), into: &encoded)
+            encoded.append(nameData)
+        }
+
+        encoded.append(TLVType.fileSize.rawValue)
+        appendBE(UInt16(4), into: &encoded)
+        appendBE(UInt32(resolvedSize), into: &encoded)
+
+        if let mime = mimeType, let mimeData = mime.data(using: .utf8), mimeData.count <= Int(UInt16.max) {
+            encoded.append(TLVType.mimeType.rawValue)
+            appendBE(UInt16(mimeData.count), into: &encoded)
+            encoded.append(mimeData)
+        }
+
+        encoded.append(TLVType.content.rawValue)
+        appendBE(UInt32(content.count), into: &encoded)
+        encoded.append(content)
+
+        return encoded
+    }
+
+    /// Decodes TLV payloads, tolerating legacy encodings (FILE_SIZE len=8, CONTENT len=2) when possible.
+    static func decode(_ data: Data) -> BitchatFilePacket? {
+        var cursor = data.startIndex
+        let end = data.endIndex
+
+        var fileName: String?
+        var fileSize: UInt64?
+        var mimeType: String?
+        var content = Data()
+
+        while cursor < end {
+            let typeRaw = data[cursor]
+            cursor = data.index(after: cursor)
+
+            guard cursor <= end else { return nil }
+            let tlvType = TLVType(rawValue: typeRaw)
+
+            func readBigEndianLength(bytes: Int) -> Int? {
+                guard data.distance(from: cursor, to: end) >= bytes else { return nil }
+                // Use UInt64 to prevent integer overflow during shift operations
+                var result: UInt64 = 0
+                for _ in 0..<bytes {
+                    result = (result << 8) | UInt64(data[cursor])
+                    cursor = data.index(after: cursor)
+                }
+                // Safely convert to Int with overflow check
+                guard result <= Int.max else { return nil }
+                return Int(result)
+            }
+
+            let length: Int?
+            if tlvType == .content {
+                let snapshot = cursor
+                let canonical = readBigEndianLength(bytes: 4)
+                if let canonical = canonical,
+                   canonical <= data.distance(from: cursor, to: end) {
+                    length = canonical
+                } else {
+                    cursor = snapshot
+                    length = readBigEndianLength(bytes: 2)
+                }
+            } else {
+                length = readBigEndianLength(bytes: 2)
+            }
+
+            guard let tlvLength = length, tlvLength >= 0 else { return nil }
+            guard data.distance(from: cursor, to: end) >= tlvLength else { return nil }
+
+            let valueStart = cursor
+            cursor = data.index(cursor, offsetBy: tlvLength)
+            let value = data[valueStart..<cursor]
+
+            switch tlvType {
+            case .fileName:
+                fileName = String(data: Data(value), encoding: .utf8)
+            case .fileSize:
+                if tlvLength == 4 || tlvLength == 8 {
+                    var size: UInt64 = 0
+                    for byte in value {
+                        size = (size << 8) | UInt64(byte)
+                    }
+                    if size > UInt64(FileTransferLimits.maxPayloadBytes) {
+                        return nil
+                    }
+                    fileSize = size
+                }
+            case .mimeType:
+                mimeType = String(data: Data(value), encoding: .utf8)
+            case .content:
+                let proposedSize = content.count + value.count
+                if proposedSize > FileTransferLimits.maxPayloadBytes {
+                    return nil
+                }
+                content.append(contentsOf: value)
+            case nil:
+                continue
+            }
+        }
+
+        guard !content.isEmpty else { return nil }
+        guard FileTransferLimits.isValidPayload(content.count) else { return nil }
+        return BitchatFilePacket(
+            fileName: fileName,
+            fileSize: fileSize ?? UInt64(content.count),
+            mimeType: mimeType,
+            content: content
+        )
+    }
+}
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@
 ///

 import Foundation
+import CoreBluetooth

 // MARK: - Message Types

@@ -78,6 +79,7 @@ enum MessageType: UInt8 {
    
    // Fragmentation (simplified)
    case fragment = 0x20        // Single fragment type for large messages
+    case fileTransfer = 0x22    // Binary file/audio/image payloads
    
    var description: String {
        switch self {
@@ -88,6 +90,7 @@ enum MessageType: UInt8 {
        case .noiseHandshake: return "noiseHandshake"
        case .noiseEncrypted: return "noiseEncrypted"
        case .fragment: return "fragment"
+        case .fileTransfer: return "fileTransfer"
        }
    }
 }
@@ -131,7 +134,7 @@ enum LazyHandshakeState {
 // MARK: - Delivery Status

 // Delivery status for messages
-enum DeliveryStatus: Codable, Equatable {
+enum DeliveryStatus: Codable, Equatable, Hashable {
    case sending
    case sent  // Left our device
    case delivered(to: String, at: Date)  // Confirmed by recipient
@@ -161,18 +164,21 @@ enum DeliveryStatus: Codable, Equatable {

 protocol BitchatDelegate: AnyObject {
    func didReceiveMessage(_ message: BitchatMessage)
-    func didConnectToPeer(_ peerID: String)
-    func didDisconnectFromPeer(_ peerID: String)
-    func didUpdatePeerList(_ peers: [String])
-    
+    func didConnectToPeer(_ peerID: PeerID)
+    func didDisconnectFromPeer(_ peerID: PeerID)
+    func didUpdatePeerList(_ peers: [PeerID])
+
    // Optional method to check if a fingerprint belongs to a favorite peer
    func isFavorite(fingerprint: String) -> Bool
-    
+
    func didUpdateMessageDeliveryStatus(_ messageID: String, status: DeliveryStatus)

    // Low-level events for better separation of concerns
-    func didReceiveNoisePayload(from peerID: String, type: NoisePayloadType, payload: Data, timestamp: Date)
-    func didReceivePublicMessage(from peerID: String, nickname: String, content: String, timestamp: Date)
+    func didReceiveNoisePayload(from peerID: PeerID, type: NoisePayloadType, payload: Data, timestamp: Date)
+
+    // Bluetooth state updates for user notifications
+    func didUpdateBluetoothState(_ state: CBManagerState)
+    func didReceivePublicMessage(from peerID: PeerID, nickname: String, content: String, timestamp: Date, messageID: String?)
 }

 // Provide default implementation to make it effectively optional
@@ -185,11 +191,11 @@ extension BitchatDelegate {
        // Default empty implementation
    }

-    func didReceiveNoisePayload(from peerID: String, type: NoisePayloadType, payload: Data, timestamp: Date) {
+    func didReceiveNoisePayload(from peerID: PeerID, type: NoisePayloadType, payload: Data, timestamp: Date) {
        // Default empty implementation
    }

-    func didReceivePublicMessage(from peerID: String, nickname: String, content: String, timestamp: Date) {
+    func didReceivePublicMessage(from peerID: PeerID, nickname: String, content: String, timestamp: Date, messageID: String?) {
        // Default empty implementation
    }
 }
@@ -10,6 +10,14 @@ enum Geohash {
        return map
    }()

+    /// Validates a geohash string for building-level precision (8 characters).
+    /// - Parameter geohash: The geohash string to validate
+    /// - Returns: true if valid 8-character base32 geohash, false otherwise
+    static func isValidBuildingGeohash(_ geohash: String) -> Bool {
+        guard geohash.count == 8 else { return false }
+        return geohash.lowercased().allSatisfy { base32Map[$0] != nil }
+    }
+
    /// Encodes the provided coordinates into a geohash string.
    /// - Parameters:
    ///   - latitude: Latitude in degrees (-90...90)
@@ -111,4 +119,57 @@ enum Geohash {
        }
        return (latInterval.0, latInterval.1, lonInterval.0, lonInterval.1)
    }
+
+    /// Returns all 8 neighboring geohash cells at the same precision.
+    /// - Parameter geohash: Base32 geohash string.
+    /// - Returns: Array of 8 neighboring geohashes (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW order).
+    static func neighbors(of geohash: String) -> [String] {
+        guard !geohash.isEmpty else { return [] }
+
+        let precision = geohash.count
+        let bounds = decodeBounds(geohash)
+        let center = decodeCenter(geohash)
+
+        // Calculate cell dimensions
+        let latHeight = bounds.latMax - bounds.latMin
+        let lonWidth = bounds.lonMax - bounds.lonMin
+
+        // Helper to wrap longitude around ±180
+        func wrapLongitude(_ lon: Double) -> Double {
+            var wrapped = lon
+            while wrapped > 180.0 { wrapped -= 360.0 }
+            while wrapped < -180.0 { wrapped += 360.0 }
+            return wrapped
+        }
+
+        // Helper to clamp latitude to ±90
+        func clampLatitude(_ lat: Double) -> Double {
+            return max(-90.0, min(90.0, lat))
+        }
+
+        // Calculate 8 neighbor centers
+        let neighbors: [(lat: Double, lon: Double)] = [
+            (center.lat + latHeight, center.lon),                    // N
+            (center.lat + latHeight, center.lon + lonWidth),         // NE
+            (center.lat, center.lon + lonWidth),                     // E
+            (center.lat - latHeight, center.lon + lonWidth),         // SE
+            (center.lat - latHeight, center.lon),                    // S
+            (center.lat - latHeight, center.lon - lonWidth),         // SW
+            (center.lat, center.lon - lonWidth),                     // W
+            (center.lat + latHeight, center.lon - lonWidth)          // NW
+        ]
+
+        // Encode each neighbor, handling boundary conditions
+        return neighbors.compactMap { neighbor in
+            let lat = clampLatitude(neighbor.lat)
+            let lon = wrapLongitude(neighbor.lon)
+
+            // Skip if we've crossed a pole (latitude clamped to boundary)
+            if (neighbor.lat > 90.0 || neighbor.lat < -90.0) {
+                return nil
+            }
+
+            return encode(latitude: lat, longitude: lon, precision: precision)
+        }
+    }
 }
@@ -23,15 +23,21 @@ enum GeohashChannelLevel: CaseIterable, Codable, Equatable {

    var displayName: String {
        switch self {
-        case .building: return "Building"
-        case .block: return "Block"
-        case .neighborhood: return "Neighborhood"
-        case .city: return "City"
-        case .province: return "Province"
-        case .region: return "Region"
+        case .building:
+            return String(localized: "location_levels.building", comment: "Name for building-level location channel")
+        case .block:
+            return String(localized: "location_levels.block", comment: "Name for block-level location channel")
+        case .neighborhood:
+            return String(localized: "location_levels.neighborhood", comment: "Name for neighborhood-level location channel")
+        case .city:
+            return String(localized: "location_levels.city", comment: "Name for city-level location channel")
+        case .province:
+            return String(localized: "location_levels.province", comment: "Name for province-level location channel")
+        case .region:
+            return String(localized: "location_levels.region", comment: "Name for region-level location channel")
+        }
    }
 }
-}
 // Backward-compatible Codable for renamed cases
 extension GeohashChannelLevel {
    init(from decoder: Decoder) throws {
@@ -1,14 +0,0 @@
-import Foundation
-import CryptoKit
-
-// MARK: - Peer ID Utilities
-
-struct PeerIDUtils {
-    /// Derive the stable 16-hex peer ID from a Noise static public key
-    static func derivePeerID(fromPublicKey publicKey: Data) -> String {
-        let digest = SHA256.hash(data: publicKey)
-        let hex = digest.map { String(format: "%02x", $0) }.joined()
-        return String(hex.prefix(16))
-    }
-}
-
@@ -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
+    }
+}
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ final class CommandProcessor {
            case .location: return true
            }
        }()
-        let inGeoDM = (chatViewModel?.selectedPrivateChatPeer?.hasPrefix("nostr_") == true)
+        let inGeoDM = chatViewModel?.selectedPrivateChatPeer?.isGeoDM == true

        switch cmd {
        case "/m", "/msg":
@@ -65,14 +65,11 @@ final class CommandProcessor {
        case "/unfav":
            if inGeoPublic || inGeoDM { return .error(message: "favorites are only for mesh peers in #mesh") }
            return handleFavorite(args, add: false)
-        //
-        case "/help", "/h":
-            return .error(message: "unknown command: \(cmd)")
        default:
            return .error(message: "unknown command: \(cmd)")
        }
    }
-    
+
    // MARK: - Command Handlers
    
    private func handleMessage(_ args: String) -> CommandResult {
@@ -104,7 +101,7 @@ final class CommandProcessor {
        case .location(let ch):
            // Geohash context: show visible geohash participants (exclude self)
            guard let vm = chatViewModel else { return .success(message: "nobody around") }
-            let myHex = (try? NostrIdentityBridge.deriveIdentity(forGeohash: ch.geohash))?.publicKeyHex.lowercased()
+            let myHex = (try? chatViewModel?.idBridge.deriveIdentity(forGeohash: ch.geohash))?.publicKeyHex.lowercased()
            let people = vm.visibleGeohashPeople().filter { person in
                if let me = myHex { return person.id.lowercased() != me }
                return true
@@ -150,8 +147,8 @@ final class CommandProcessor {
            // In private chat
            if let peerNickname = meshService?.peerNickname(peerID: targetPeerID) {
                let personalMessage = "* \(emoji) \(myNickname) \(action) you\(suffix) *"
-                meshService?.sendPrivateMessage(personalMessage, to: targetPeerID, 
-                                               recipientNickname: peerNickname, 
+                meshService?.sendPrivateMessage(personalMessage, to: targetPeerID,
+                                               recipientNickname: peerNickname,
                                               messageID: UUID().uuidString)
                // Also add a local system message so the sender sees a natural-language confirmation
                let pastAction: String = {
@@ -285,7 +282,7 @@ final class CommandProcessor {
        let nickname = targetName.hasPrefix("@") ? String(targetName.dropFirst()) : targetName
        
        guard let peerID = chatViewModel?.getPeerIDForNickname(nickname),
-              let noisePublicKey = Data(hexString: peerID) else {
+              let noisePublicKey = Data(hexString: peerID.id) else {
            return .error(message: "can't find peer: \(nickname)")
        }
        
@@ -311,19 +308,4 @@ final class CommandProcessor {
        }
    }
    
-    private func handleHelp() -> CommandResult {
-        let helpText = """
-        commands:
-        /msg @name - start private chat
-        /who - list who's online
-        /clear - clear messages
-        /hug @name - send a hug
-        /slap @name - slap with a trout
-        /fav @name - add to favorites
-        /unfav @name - remove from favorites
-        /block @name - block
-        /unblock @name - unblock
-        """
-        return .success(message: helpText)
-    }
 }
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ final class FavoritesPersistenceService: ObservableObject {

    private static let storageKey = "chat.bitchat.favorites"
    private static let keychainService = "chat.bitchat.favorites"
+    private let keychain: KeychainHelperProtocol
    
    @Published private(set) var favorites: [Data: FavoriteRelationship] = [:] // Noise pubkey -> relationship
    @Published private(set) var mutualFavorites: Set<Data> = []
@@ -35,7 +36,8 @@ final class FavoritesPersistenceService: ObservableObject {
    
    static let shared = FavoritesPersistenceService()
    
-    private init() {
+    init(keychain: KeychainHelperProtocol = KeychainHelper()) {
+        self.keychain = keychain
        loadFavorites()
        
        // Update mutual favorites when favorites change
@@ -179,125 +181,15 @@ final class FavoritesPersistenceService: ObservableObject {

    /// Resolve favorite status by short peer ID (16-hex derived from Noise pubkey)
    /// Falls back to scanning favorites and matching on derived peer ID.
-    func getFavoriteStatus(forPeerID peerID: String) -> FavoriteRelationship? {
+    func getFavoriteStatus(forPeerID peerID: PeerID) -> FavoriteRelationship? {
        // Quick sanity: peerID should be 16 hex chars (8 bytes)
-        guard peerID.count == 16 else { return nil }
-        for (pubkey, rel) in favorites {
-            let derived = PeerIDUtils.derivePeerID(fromPublicKey: pubkey)
-            if derived == peerID { return rel }
+        guard peerID.isShort else { return nil }
+        for (pubkey, rel) in favorites where PeerID(publicKey: pubkey) == peerID {
+            return rel
        }
        return nil
    }
    
-    /// Update Nostr public key for a peer
-    func updateNostrPublicKey(for peerNoisePublicKey: Data, nostrPubkey: String) {
-        guard let existing = favorites[peerNoisePublicKey] else { return }
-        
-        let updated = FavoriteRelationship(
-            peerNoisePublicKey: existing.peerNoisePublicKey,
-            peerNostrPublicKey: nostrPubkey,
-            peerNickname: existing.peerNickname,
-            isFavorite: existing.isFavorite,
-            theyFavoritedUs: existing.theyFavoritedUs,
-            favoritedAt: existing.favoritedAt,
-            lastUpdated: Date()
-        )
-        
-        favorites[peerNoisePublicKey] = updated
-        saveFavorites()
-    }
-    
-    /// Update nickname for an existing favorite
-    func updateNickname(for peerNoisePublicKey: Data, newNickname: String) {
-        guard let existing = favorites[peerNoisePublicKey] else { return }
-        
-        // Skip if nickname hasn't changed
-        if existing.peerNickname == newNickname { return }
-        
-        // Updating nickname for favorite
-        
-        let updated = FavoriteRelationship(
-            peerNoisePublicKey: existing.peerNoisePublicKey,
-            peerNostrPublicKey: existing.peerNostrPublicKey,
-            peerNickname: newNickname,
-            isFavorite: existing.isFavorite,
-            theyFavoritedUs: existing.theyFavoritedUs,
-            favoritedAt: existing.favoritedAt,
-            lastUpdated: Date()
-        )
-        
-        favorites[peerNoisePublicKey] = updated
-        saveFavorites()
-        
-        // Notify observers
-        NotificationCenter.default.post(
-            name: .favoriteStatusChanged,
-            object: nil,
-            userInfo: ["peerPublicKey": peerNoisePublicKey]
-        )
-    }
-    
-    /// Update noise public key when peer reconnects with new ID
-    func updateNoisePublicKey(from oldKey: Data, to newKey: Data, peerNickname: String) {
-        guard let existing = favorites[oldKey] else { 
-            SecureLogger.warning("⚠️ Cannot update noise key - no favorite found for \(oldKey.hexEncodedString())", category: .session)
-            return 
-        }
-        
-        // Check if we already have a favorite with the new key
-        if favorites[newKey] != nil {
-            SecureLogger.warning("⚠️ Favorite already exists with new key \(newKey.hexEncodedString()), removing old entry", category: .session)
-            favorites.removeValue(forKey: oldKey)
-            saveFavorites()
-            return
-        }
-        
-        // Updating noise public key
-        
-        // Remove old entry
-        favorites.removeValue(forKey: oldKey)
-        
-        // Add with new key
-        let updated = FavoriteRelationship(
-            peerNoisePublicKey: newKey,
-            peerNostrPublicKey: existing.peerNostrPublicKey,
-            peerNickname: peerNickname,
-            isFavorite: existing.isFavorite,
-            theyFavoritedUs: existing.theyFavoritedUs,
-            favoritedAt: existing.favoritedAt,
-            lastUpdated: Date()
-        )
-        
-        favorites[newKey] = updated
-        saveFavorites()
-        
-        // Notify observers with both old and new keys
-        NotificationCenter.default.post(
-            name: .favoriteStatusChanged,
-            object: nil,
-            userInfo: [
-                "peerPublicKey": newKey,
-                "oldPeerPublicKey": oldKey,
-                "isKeyUpdate": true
-            ]
-        )
-    }
-    
-    /// Get all favorites (including non-mutual)
-    func getAllFavorites() -> [FavoriteRelationship] {
-        favorites.values.filter { $0.isFavorite }
-    }
-    
-    /// Get only mutual favorites
-    func getMutualFavorites() -> [FavoriteRelationship] {
-        favorites.values.filter { $0.isMutual }
-    }
-    
-    /// Get all favorite relationships (including where they favorited us)
-    func getAllRelationships() -> [FavoriteRelationship] {
-        Array(favorites.values)
-    }
-    
    /// Clear all favorites - used for panic mode
    func clearAllFavorites() {
        SecureLogger.warning("🧹 Clearing all favorites (panic mode)", category: .session)
@@ -306,7 +198,7 @@ final class FavoritesPersistenceService: ObservableObject {
        saveFavorites()
        
        // Delete from keychain directly
-        KeychainHelper.delete(
+        keychain.delete(
            key: Self.storageKey,
            service: Self.keychainService
        )
@@ -326,10 +218,11 @@ final class FavoritesPersistenceService: ObservableObject {
            let data = try encoder.encode(relationships)
            
            // Store in keychain for security
-            KeychainHelper.save(
+            keychain.save(
                key: Self.storageKey,
                data: data,
-                service: Self.keychainService
+                service: Self.keychainService,
+                accessible: nil
            )
            
            // Successfully saved favorites
@@ -341,7 +234,7 @@ final class FavoritesPersistenceService: ObservableObject {
    private func loadFavorites() {
        // Loading favorites from keychain
        
-        guard let data = KeychainHelper.load(
+        guard let data = keychain.load(
            key: Self.storageKey,
            service: Self.keychainService
        ) else { 
@@ -20,8 +20,11 @@ final class GeohashBookmarksStore: ObservableObject {
    private let geocoder = CLGeocoder()
    private var resolving: Set<String> = []
    #endif
+    
+    private let storage: UserDefaults

-    private init() {
+    init(storage: UserDefaults = .standard) {
+        self.storage = storage
        load()
    }

@@ -64,7 +67,7 @@ final class GeohashBookmarksStore: ObservableObject {

    // MARK: - Persistence
    private func load() {
-        guard let data = UserDefaults.standard.data(forKey: storeKey) else { return }
+        guard let data = storage.data(forKey: storeKey) else { return }
        if let arr = try? JSONDecoder().decode([String].self, from: data) {
            // Sanitize, normalize, dedupe while preserving order (first occurrence wins)
            var seen = Set<String>()
@@ -81,7 +84,7 @@ final class GeohashBookmarksStore: ObservableObject {
            membership = seen
        }
        // Load any saved names
-        if let namesData = UserDefaults.standard.data(forKey: namesStoreKey),
+        if let namesData = storage.data(forKey: namesStoreKey),
           let dict = try? JSONDecoder().decode([String: String].self, from: namesData) {
            bookmarkNames = dict
        }
@@ -89,13 +92,13 @@ final class GeohashBookmarksStore: ObservableObject {

    private func persist() {
        if let data = try? JSONEncoder().encode(bookmarks) {
-            UserDefaults.standard.set(data, forKey: storeKey)
+            storage.set(data, forKey: storeKey)
        }
    }

    private func persistNames() {
        if let data = try? JSONEncoder().encode(bookmarkNames) {
-            UserDefaults.standard.set(data, forKey: namesStoreKey)
+            storage.set(data, forKey: namesStoreKey)
        }
    }

@@ -213,15 +216,4 @@ final class GeohashBookmarksStore: ObservableObject {
        }
    }
    #endif
-
-    #if DEBUG
-    /// Testing-only reset helper
-    func _resetForTesting() {
-        bookmarks.removeAll()
-        membership.removeAll()
-        bookmarkNames.removeAll()
-        persist()
-        persistNames()
-    }
-    #endif
 }
@@ -27,34 +27,6 @@ final class KeychainManager: KeychainManagerProtocol {
    private let service = BitchatApp.bundleID
    private let appGroup = "group.\(BitchatApp.bundleID)"
    
-    private func isSandboxed() -> Bool {
-        #if os(macOS)
-        // More robust sandbox detection using multiple methods
-        
-        // Method 1: Check environment variable (can be spoofed)
-        let environment = ProcessInfo.processInfo.environment
-        let hasEnvVar = environment["APP_SANDBOX_CONTAINER_ID"] != nil
-        
-        // Method 2: Check if we can access a path outside sandbox
-        let homeDir = FileManager.default.homeDirectoryForCurrentUser
-        let testPath = homeDir.appendingPathComponent("../../../tmp/bitchat_sandbox_test_\(UUID().uuidString)")
-        let canWriteOutsideSandbox = FileManager.default.createFile(atPath: testPath.path, contents: nil, attributes: nil)
-        if canWriteOutsideSandbox {
-            try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: testPath)
-        }
-        
-        // Method 3: Check container path
-        let containerPath = FileManager.default.urls(for: .libraryDirectory, in: .userDomainMask).first?.path ?? ""
-        let hasContainerPath = containerPath.contains("/Containers/")
-        
-        // If any method indicates sandbox, we consider it sandboxed
-        return hasEnvVar || !canWriteOutsideSandbox || hasContainerPath
-        #else
-        // iOS is always sandboxed
-        return true
-        #endif
-    }
-    
    // MARK: - Identity Keys
    
    func saveIdentityKey(_ keyData: Data, forKey key: String) -> Bool {
@@ -64,7 +64,9 @@ final class LocationChannelManager: NSObject, CLLocationManagerDelegate, Observa
        switch status {
        case .authorizedAlways, .authorizedWhenInUse, .authorized:
            break // will compute from location
-        default:
+        case .notDetermined, .restricted, .denied:
+            fallthrough
+        @unknown default:
            if case .location(let ch) = selectedChannel {
                teleported = teleportedSet.contains(ch.geohash)
            }
@@ -1,53 +0,0 @@
-import Foundation
-
-/// Lightweight background counter for location notes (kind 1) at building-level geohash (8 chars).
-@MainActor
-final class LocationNotesCounter: ObservableObject {
-    static let shared = LocationNotesCounter()
-
-    @Published private(set) var geohash: String? = nil
-    @Published private(set) var count: Int? = 0
-    @Published private(set) var initialLoadComplete: Bool = false
-
-    private var subscriptionID: String? = nil
-    private var noteIDs = Set<String>()
-
-    private init() {}
-
-    func subscribe(geohash gh: String) {
-        let norm = gh.lowercased()
-        if geohash == norm, subscriptionID != nil { return }
-        // Unsubscribe previous without clearing count to avoid flicker
-        if let sub = subscriptionID { NostrRelayManager.shared.unsubscribe(id: sub) }
-        subscriptionID = nil
-        geohash = norm
-        noteIDs.removeAll()
-        initialLoadComplete = false
-
-        // Subscribe only to the building geohash (precision 8)
-        let subID = "locnotes-count-\(norm)-\(UUID().uuidString.prefix(6))"
-        subscriptionID = subID
-        let filter = NostrFilter.geohashNotes(norm, since: nil, limit: 500)
-        let relays = GeoRelayDirectory.shared.closestRelays(toGeohash: norm, count: TransportConfig.nostrGeoRelayCount)
-        let relayUrls: [String]? = relays.isEmpty ? nil : relays
-        NostrRelayManager.shared.subscribe(filter: filter, id: subID, relayUrls: relayUrls, handler: { [weak self] event in
-            guard let self = self else { return }
-            guard event.kind == NostrProtocol.EventKind.textNote.rawValue else { return }
-            guard event.tags.contains(where: { $0.count >= 2 && $0[0].lowercased() == "g" && $0[1].lowercased() == norm }) else { return }
-            if !self.noteIDs.contains(event.id) {
-                self.noteIDs.insert(event.id)
-                self.count = self.noteIDs.count
-            }
-        }, onEOSE: { [weak self] in
-            self?.initialLoadComplete = true
-        })
-    }
-
-    func cancel() {
-        if let sub = subscriptionID { NostrRelayManager.shared.unsubscribe(id: sub) }
-        subscriptionID = nil
-        geohash = nil
-        count = 0
-        noteIDs.removeAll()
-    }
-}
@@ -1,10 +1,59 @@
 import BitLogger
 import Foundation

-/// Persistent location notes (Nostr kind 1) scoped to a street-level geohash (precision 7).
+/// Dependencies for location notes, allowing tests to stub relay/identity behavior.
+struct LocationNotesDependencies {
+    typealias RelayLookup = @MainActor (_ geohash: String, _ count: Int) -> [String]
+    typealias Subscribe = @MainActor (_ filter: NostrFilter, _ id: String, _ relays: [String], _ handler: @escaping (NostrEvent) -> Void, _ onEOSE: (() -> Void)?) -> Void
+    typealias Unsubscribe = @MainActor (_ id: String) -> Void
+    typealias SendEvent = @MainActor (_ event: NostrEvent, _ relayUrls: [String]) -> Void
+
+    var relayLookup: RelayLookup
+    var subscribe: Subscribe
+    var unsubscribe: Unsubscribe
+    var sendEvent: SendEvent
+    var deriveIdentity: (_ geohash: String) throws -> NostrIdentity
+    var now: () -> Date
+    
+    private static let idBridge = NostrIdentityBridge()
+
+    static let live = LocationNotesDependencies(
+        relayLookup: { geohash, count in
+            GeoRelayDirectory.shared.closestRelays(toGeohash: geohash, count: count)
+        },
+        subscribe: { filter, id, relays, handler, onEOSE in
+            NostrRelayManager.shared.subscribe(
+                filter: filter,
+                id: id,
+                relayUrls: relays,
+                handler: handler,
+                onEOSE: onEOSE
+            )
+        },
+        unsubscribe: { id in
+            NostrRelayManager.shared.unsubscribe(id: id)
+        },
+        sendEvent: { event, relays in
+            NostrRelayManager.shared.sendEvent(event, to: relays)
+        },
+        deriveIdentity: { geohash in
+            try idBridge.deriveIdentity(forGeohash: geohash)
+        },
+        now: { Date() }
+    )
+}
+
+/// Persistent location notes (Nostr kind 1) scoped to a building-level geohash (precision 8).
 /// Subscribes to and publishes notes for a given geohash and provides a send API.
@MainActor
 final class LocationNotesManager: ObservableObject {
+    enum State: Equatable {
+        case idle
+        case loading
+        case ready
+        case noRelays
+    }
+
    struct Note: Identifiable, Equatable {
        let id: String
        let pubkey: String
@@ -24,46 +73,127 @@ final class LocationNotesManager: ObservableObject {
    @Published private(set) var notes: [Note] = [] // reverse-chron sorted
    @Published private(set) var geohash: String
    @Published private(set) var initialLoadComplete: Bool = false
+    @Published private(set) var state: State = .loading
+    @Published private(set) var errorMessage: String?
    private var subscriptionID: String?
+    private var noteIDs = Set<String>() // O(1) duplicate detection
+    private let dependencies: LocationNotesDependencies
+    private let maxNotesInMemory = 500 // Defensive cap (relay limit is 200)

-    init(geohash: String) {
-        self.geohash = geohash.lowercased()
+    private enum Strings {
+        static let noRelays = String(localized: "location_notes.error.no_relays", comment: "Shown when no geo relays are available near the selected location")
+
+        static func failedToSend(_ detail: String) -> String {
+            String(
+                format: String(localized: "location_notes.error.failed_to_send", comment: "Shown when a location note fails to send"),
+                locale: .current,
+                detail
+            )
+        }
+    }
+
+    init(geohash: String, dependencies: LocationNotesDependencies = .live) {
+        let norm = geohash.lowercased()
+        self.geohash = norm
+        self.dependencies = dependencies
+        // Validate geohash (building-level precision: 8 chars)
+        if !Geohash.isValidBuildingGeohash(norm) {
+            SecureLogger.warning("LocationNotesManager: invalid geohash '\(norm)' (expected 8 valid base32 chars)", category: .session)
+        }
        subscribe()
    }

    func setGeohash(_ newGeohash: String) {
        let norm = newGeohash.lowercased()
        guard norm != geohash else { return }
+        // Validate geohash (building-level precision: 8 chars)
+        guard Geohash.isValidBuildingGeohash(norm) else {
+            SecureLogger.warning("LocationNotesManager: rejecting invalid geohash '\(norm)' (expected 8 valid base32 chars)", category: .session)
+            return
+        }
        if let sub = subscriptionID {
-            NostrRelayManager.shared.unsubscribe(id: sub)
+            dependencies.unsubscribe(sub)
            subscriptionID = nil
        }
+        // Set loading state before clearing to prevent empty state flicker
+        state = .loading
+        initialLoadComplete = false
+        errorMessage = nil
        geohash = norm
        notes.removeAll()
+        noteIDs.removeAll()
        subscribe()
    }

-    private func subscribe() {
-        let subID = "locnotes-\(geohash)-\(UUID().uuidString.prefix(8))"
-        subscriptionID = subID
-        // For persistent notes, allow relays to return recent history without an aggressive time cutoff
-        let filter = NostrFilter.geohashNotes(geohash, since: nil, limit: 200)
-        let relays = GeoRelayDirectory.shared.closestRelays(toGeohash: geohash, count: TransportConfig.nostrGeoRelayCount)
-        let relayUrls: [String]? = relays.isEmpty ? nil : relays
+    func refresh() {
+        if let sub = subscriptionID {
+            dependencies.unsubscribe(sub)
+            subscriptionID = nil
+        }
+        // Set loading state before clearing to prevent empty state flicker
+        state = .loading
        initialLoadComplete = false
-        NostrRelayManager.shared.subscribe(filter: filter, id: subID, relayUrls: relayUrls, handler: { [weak self] event in
+        errorMessage = nil
+        notes.removeAll()
+        noteIDs.removeAll()
+        subscribe()
+    }
+
+    func clearError() {
+        errorMessage = nil
+    }
+
+    private func subscribe() {
+        state = .loading
+        errorMessage = nil
+        if let sub = subscriptionID {
+            dependencies.unsubscribe(sub)
+            subscriptionID = nil
+        }
+        let subID = "locnotes-\(geohash)-\(UUID().uuidString.prefix(8))"
+        let relays = dependencies.relayLookup(geohash, TransportConfig.nostrGeoRelayCount)
+        guard !relays.isEmpty else {
+            subscriptionID = nil
+            initialLoadComplete = true
+            state = .noRelays
+            errorMessage = Strings.noRelays
+            SecureLogger.warning("LocationNotesManager: no geo relays for geohash=\(geohash)", category: .session)
+            return
+        }
+
+        subscriptionID = subID
+        initialLoadComplete = false
+
+        // Subscribe to center + 8 neighbors (± 1 grid)
+        let neighbors = Geohash.neighbors(of: geohash)
+        let allGeohashes = [geohash] + neighbors
+        let filter = NostrFilter.geohashNotes(allGeohashes, since: nil, limit: 200)
+
+        // Build a set of valid geohashes for tag matching (includes all 9 cells)
+        let validGeohashes = Set(allGeohashes.map { $0.lowercased() })
+
+        dependencies.subscribe(filter, subID, relays, { [weak self] event in
            guard let self = self else { return }
            guard event.kind == NostrProtocol.EventKind.textNote.rawValue else { return }
-            // Ensure matching tag
-            guard event.tags.contains(where: { $0.count >= 2 && $0[0].lowercased() == "g" && $0[1].lowercased() == self.geohash }) else { return }
-            if self.notes.contains(where: { $0.id == event.id }) { return }
+            // Ensure matching tag - accept any of our 9 geohashes
+            guard event.tags.contains(where: { tag in
+                tag.count >= 2 && tag[0].lowercased() == "g" && validGeohashes.contains(tag[1].lowercased())
+            }) else { return }
+            guard !self.noteIDs.contains(event.id) else { return }
+            self.noteIDs.insert(event.id)
            let nick = event.tags.first(where: { $0.first?.lowercased() == "n" && $0.count >= 2 })?.dropFirst().first
            let ts = Date(timeIntervalSince1970: TimeInterval(event.created_at))
            let note = Note(id: event.id, pubkey: event.pubkey, content: event.content, createdAt: ts, nickname: nick)
            self.notes.append(note)
            self.notes.sort { $0.createdAt > $1.createdAt }
-        }, onEOSE: { [weak self] in
-            self?.initialLoadComplete = true
+            self.enforceMemoryCap()
+            self.state = .ready
+        }, { [weak self] in
+            guard let self = self else { return }
+            self.initialLoadComplete = true
+            if self.state != .noRelays {
+                self.state = .ready
+            }
        })
    }

@@ -71,29 +201,57 @@ final class LocationNotesManager: ObservableObject {
    func send(content: String, nickname: String) {
        let trimmed = content.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines)
        guard !trimmed.isEmpty else { return }
+        let relays = dependencies.relayLookup(geohash, TransportConfig.nostrGeoRelayCount)
+        guard !relays.isEmpty else {
+            state = .noRelays
+            errorMessage = Strings.noRelays
+            SecureLogger.warning("LocationNotesManager: send blocked, no geo relays for geohash=\(geohash)", category: .session)
+            return
+        }
        do {
-            let id = try NostrIdentityBridge.deriveIdentity(forGeohash: geohash)
+            let id = try dependencies.deriveIdentity(geohash)
            let event = try NostrProtocol.createGeohashTextNote(
                content: trimmed,
                geohash: geohash,
                senderIdentity: id,
                nickname: nickname
            )
-            let relays = GeoRelayDirectory.shared.closestRelays(toGeohash: geohash, count: TransportConfig.nostrGeoRelayCount)
-            NostrRelayManager.shared.sendEvent(event, to: relays)
+            dependencies.sendEvent(event, relays)
            // Optimistic local-echo
-            let echo = Note(id: event.id, pubkey: id.publicKeyHex, content: trimmed, createdAt: Date(), nickname: nickname)
+            let echo = Note(
+                id: event.id,
+                pubkey: id.publicKeyHex,
+                content: trimmed,
+                createdAt: Date(timeIntervalSince1970: TimeInterval(event.created_at)),
+                nickname: nickname
+            )
+            self.noteIDs.insert(event.id)
            self.notes.insert(echo, at: 0)
+            self.enforceMemoryCap()
+            self.state = .ready
+            self.errorMessage = nil
        } catch {
            SecureLogger.error("LocationNotesManager: failed to send note: \(error)", category: .session)
+            errorMessage = Strings.failedToSend(error.localizedDescription)
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Enforces defensive memory cap on notes array (keeps newest).
+    private func enforceMemoryCap() {
+        if notes.count > maxNotesInMemory {
+            let removed = notes.count - maxNotesInMemory
+            notes = Array(notes.prefix(maxNotesInMemory))
+            SecureLogger.debug("LocationNotesManager: trimmed \(removed) old notes (cap: \(maxNotesInMemory))", category: .session)
        }
    }

    /// Explicitly cancel subscription and release resources.
    func cancel() {
        if let sub = subscriptionID {
-            NostrRelayManager.shared.unsubscribe(id: sub)
+            dependencies.unsubscribe(sub)
            subscriptionID = nil
        }
+        state = .idle
+        errorMessage = nil
    }
 }
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import Foundation
 final class MessageRouter {
    private let mesh: Transport
    private let nostr: NostrTransport
-    private var outbox: [String: [(content: String, nickname: String, messageID: String)]] = [:] // peerID -> queued messages
+    private var outbox: [PeerID: [(content: String, nickname: String, messageID: String)]] = [:] // peerID -> queued messages

    init(mesh: Transport, nostr: NostrTransport) {
        self.mesh = mesh
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ final class MessageRouter {
        ) { [weak self] note in
            guard let self = self else { return }
            if let data = note.userInfo?["peerPublicKey"] as? Data {
-                let peerID = PeerIDUtils.derivePeerID(fromPublicKey: data)
+                let peerID = PeerID(publicKey: data)
                Task { @MainActor in
                    self.flushOutbox(for: peerID)
                }
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ final class MessageRouter {
            // Handle key updates
            if let newKey = note.userInfo?["peerPublicKey"] as? Data,
               let _ = note.userInfo?["isKeyUpdate"] as? Bool {
-                let peerID = PeerIDUtils.derivePeerID(fromPublicKey: newKey)
+                let peerID = PeerID(publicKey: newKey)
                Task { @MainActor in
                    self.flushOutbox(for: peerID)
                }
@@ -37,44 +37,44 @@ final class MessageRouter {
        }
    }

-    func sendPrivate(_ content: String, to peerID: String, recipientNickname: String, messageID: String) {
+    func sendPrivate(_ content: String, to peerID: PeerID, recipientNickname: String, messageID: String) {
        let reachableMesh = mesh.isPeerReachable(peerID)
        if reachableMesh {
-            SecureLogger.debug("Routing PM via mesh (reachable) to \(peerID.prefix(8))… id=\(messageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+            SecureLogger.debug("Routing PM via mesh (reachable) to \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… id=\(messageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
            // BLEService will initiate a handshake if needed and queue the message
            mesh.sendPrivateMessage(content, to: peerID, recipientNickname: recipientNickname, messageID: messageID)
        } else if canSendViaNostr(peerID: peerID) {
-            SecureLogger.debug("Routing PM via Nostr to \(peerID.prefix(8))… id=\(messageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+            SecureLogger.debug("Routing PM via Nostr to \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… id=\(messageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
            nostr.sendPrivateMessage(content, to: peerID, recipientNickname: recipientNickname, messageID: messageID)
        } else {
            // Queue for later (when mesh connects or Nostr mapping appears)
            if outbox[peerID] == nil { outbox[peerID] = [] }
            outbox[peerID]?.append((content, recipientNickname, messageID))
-            SecureLogger.debug("Queued PM for \(peerID.prefix(8))… (no mesh, no Nostr mapping) id=\(messageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+            SecureLogger.debug("Queued PM for \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… (no mesh, no Nostr mapping) id=\(messageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
        }
    }

-    func sendReadReceipt(_ receipt: ReadReceipt, to peerID: String) {
+    func sendReadReceipt(_ receipt: ReadReceipt, to peerID: PeerID) {
        // Prefer mesh for reachable peers; BLE will queue if handshake is needed
        if mesh.isPeerReachable(peerID) {
-            SecureLogger.debug("Routing READ ack via mesh (reachable) to \(peerID.prefix(8))… id=\(receipt.originalMessageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+            SecureLogger.debug("Routing READ ack via mesh (reachable) to \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… id=\(receipt.originalMessageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
            mesh.sendReadReceipt(receipt, to: peerID)
        } else {
-            SecureLogger.debug("Routing READ ack via Nostr to \(peerID.prefix(8))… id=\(receipt.originalMessageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+            SecureLogger.debug("Routing READ ack via Nostr to \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… id=\(receipt.originalMessageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
            nostr.sendReadReceipt(receipt, to: peerID)
        }
    }

-    func sendDeliveryAck(_ messageID: String, to peerID: String) {
+    func sendDeliveryAck(_ messageID: String, to peerID: PeerID) {
        if mesh.isPeerReachable(peerID) {
-            SecureLogger.debug("Routing DELIVERED ack via mesh (reachable) to \(peerID.prefix(8))… id=\(messageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+            SecureLogger.debug("Routing DELIVERED ack via mesh (reachable) to \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… id=\(messageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
            mesh.sendDeliveryAck(for: messageID, to: peerID)
        } else {
            nostr.sendDeliveryAck(for: messageID, to: peerID)
        }
    }

-    func sendFavoriteNotification(to peerID: String, isFavorite: Bool) {
+    func sendFavoriteNotification(to peerID: PeerID, isFavorite: Bool) {
        // Route via mesh when connected; else use Nostr
        if mesh.isPeerConnected(peerID) {
            mesh.sendFavoriteNotification(to: peerID, isFavorite: isFavorite)
@@ -84,16 +84,16 @@ final class MessageRouter {
    }

    // MARK: - Outbox Management
-    private func canSendViaNostr(peerID: String) -> Bool {
+    private func canSendViaNostr(peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
        // Two forms are supported:
        // - 64-hex Noise public key (32 bytes)
        // - 16-hex short peer ID (derived from Noise pubkey)
-        if peerID.count == 64, let noiseKey = Data(hexString: peerID) {
+        if let noiseKey = peerID.noiseKey {
            if let fav = FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(for: noiseKey),
               fav.peerNostrPublicKey != nil {
                return true
            }
-        } else if peerID.count == 16 {
+        } else if peerID.isShort {
            if let fav = FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(forPeerID: peerID),
               fav.peerNostrPublicKey != nil {
                return true
@@ -102,17 +102,17 @@ final class MessageRouter {
        return false
    }

-    func flushOutbox(for peerID: String) {
+    func flushOutbox(for peerID: PeerID) {
        guard let queued = outbox[peerID], !queued.isEmpty else { return }
-        SecureLogger.debug("Flushing outbox for \(peerID.prefix(8))… count=\(queued.count)", category: .session)
+        SecureLogger.debug("Flushing outbox for \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… count=\(queued.count)", category: .session)
        var remaining: [(content: String, nickname: String, messageID: String)] = []
        // Prefer mesh if connected; else try Nostr if mapping exists
        for (content, nickname, messageID) in queued {
            if mesh.isPeerReachable(peerID) {
-                SecureLogger.debug("Outbox -> mesh for \(peerID.prefix(8))… id=\(messageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+                SecureLogger.debug("Outbox -> mesh for \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… id=\(messageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
                mesh.sendPrivateMessage(content, to: peerID, recipientNickname: nickname, messageID: messageID)
            } else if canSendViaNostr(peerID: peerID) {
-                SecureLogger.debug("Outbox -> Nostr for \(peerID.prefix(8))… id=\(messageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+                SecureLogger.debug("Outbox -> Nostr for \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… id=\(messageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
                nostr.sendPrivateMessage(content, to: peerID, recipientNickname: nickname, messageID: messageID)
            } else {
                // Keep unsent items queued
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import Foundation
 import BitLogger
 import Combine
+import Tor

 /// Coordinates when the app is allowed to start Tor and connect to Nostr relays.
 /// Policy: permit start when either location permissions are authorized OR
@@ -10,9 +11,12 @@ final class NetworkActivationService: ObservableObject {
    static let shared = NetworkActivationService()

    @Published private(set) var activationAllowed: Bool = false
+    @Published private(set) var userTorEnabled: Bool = true

    private var cancellables = Set<AnyCancellable>()
    private var started = false
+    private let torPreferenceKey = "networkActivationService.userTorEnabled"
+    private var torAutoStartDesired: Bool = false

    private init() {}

@@ -20,9 +24,23 @@ final class NetworkActivationService: ObservableObject {
        guard !started else { return }
        started = true

+        if let stored = UserDefaults.standard.object(forKey: torPreferenceKey) as? Bool {
+            userTorEnabled = stored
+        } else {
+            userTorEnabled = true
+        }
+
        // Initial compute
-        activationAllowed = Self.computeAllowed()
-        TorManager.shared.setAutoStartAllowed(activationAllowed)
+        let allowed = basePolicyAllowed()
+        activationAllowed = allowed
+        torAutoStartDesired = allowed && userTorEnabled
+        TorManager.shared.setAutoStartAllowed(torAutoStartDesired)
+        applyTorState(torDesired: torAutoStartDesired)
+        if allowed {
+            NostrRelayManager.shared.connect()
+        } else {
+            NostrRelayManager.shared.disconnect()
+        }

        // React to location permission changes
        LocationChannelManager.shared.$permissionState
@@ -41,30 +59,56 @@ final class NetworkActivationService: ObservableObject {
            .store(in: &cancellables)
    }

+    func setUserTorEnabled(_ enabled: Bool) {
+        guard enabled != userTorEnabled else { return }
+        userTorEnabled = enabled
+        UserDefaults.standard.set(enabled, forKey: torPreferenceKey)
+        NotificationCenter.default.post(
+            name: .TorUserPreferenceChanged,
+            object: nil,
+            userInfo: ["enabled": enabled]
+        )
+        reevaluate()
+    }
+
    private func reevaluate() {
-        let allowed = Self.computeAllowed()
-        if allowed != activationAllowed {
+        let allowed = basePolicyAllowed()
+        let torDesired = allowed && userTorEnabled
+        let statusChanged = allowed != activationAllowed
+        let torChanged = torDesired != torAutoStartDesired
+        if statusChanged {
            SecureLogger.info("NetworkActivationService: activationAllowed -> \(allowed)", category: .session)
            activationAllowed = allowed
-            TorManager.shared.setAutoStartAllowed(allowed)
-            if allowed {
-                // Kick Tor + relays if we're now permitted
-                TorManager.shared.startIfNeeded()
-                // If app is in foreground, begin relay connections
-                if TorManager.shared.isForeground() {
-                    NostrRelayManager.shared.connect()
-                }
-            } else {
-                // Transitioned to disallowed: disconnect relays and shut down Tor
+        }
+        if statusChanged || torChanged {
+            torAutoStartDesired = torDesired
+            TorManager.shared.setAutoStartAllowed(torDesired)
+            applyTorState(torDesired: torDesired)
+        }
+
+        if allowed {
+            if torChanged {
+                // Reset relay sockets when switching transport path (Tor ↔︎ direct)
                NostrRelayManager.shared.disconnect()
-                TorManager.shared.goDormantOnBackground()
            }
+            NostrRelayManager.shared.connect()
+        } else if statusChanged {
+            NostrRelayManager.shared.disconnect()
        }
    }

-    private static func computeAllowed() -> Bool {
+    private func basePolicyAllowed() -> Bool {
        let permOK = LocationChannelManager.shared.permissionState == .authorized
        let hasMutual = !FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.mutualFavorites.isEmpty
        return permOK || hasMutual
    }
+
+    private func applyTorState(torDesired: Bool) {
+        TorURLSession.shared.setProxyMode(useTor: torDesired)
+        if torDesired {
+            TorManager.shared.startIfNeeded()
+        } else {
+            TorManager.shared.shutdownCompletely()
+        }
+    }
 }
@@ -62,7 +62,6 @@
 /// ## Integration Points
 /// - **BLEService**: Calls this service for all private messages
 /// - **ChatViewModel**: Monitors encryption status for UI indicators
-/// - **NoiseHandshakeCoordinator**: Prevents handshake race conditions
 /// - **KeychainManager**: Secure storage for identity keys
 ///
 /// ## Thread Safety
@@ -116,15 +115,30 @@ enum EncryptionStatus: Equatable {
    var description: String {
        switch self {
        case .none:
-            return "Encryption failed"
+            return String(localized: "encryption.status.failed", comment: "Status text when encryption failed")
        case .noHandshake:
-            return "Not encrypted"
+            return String(localized: "encryption.status.not_encrypted", comment: "Status text when no encryption handshake happened")
        case .noiseHandshaking:
-            return "Establishing encryption..."
+            return String(localized: "encryption.status.establishing", comment: "Status text when encryption is being established")
        case .noiseSecured:
-            return "Encrypted"
+            return String(localized: "encryption.status.secured", comment: "Status text when encryption is secured but not verified")
        case .noiseVerified:
-            return "Encrypted & Verified"
+            return String(localized: "encryption.status.verified", comment: "Status text when encryption is verified")
+        }
+    }
+
+    var accessibilityDescription: String {
+        switch self {
+        case .none:
+            return String(localized: "encryption.accessibility.failed", comment: "Accessibility text when encryption failed")
+        case .noHandshake:
+            return String(localized: "encryption.accessibility.not_encrypted", comment: "Accessibility text when encryption is not established")
+        case .noiseHandshaking:
+            return String(localized: "encryption.accessibility.establishing", comment: "Accessibility text when encryption is being established")
+        case .noiseSecured:
+            return String(localized: "encryption.accessibility.secured", comment: "Accessibility text when encryption is secured")
+        case .noiseVerified:
+            return String(localized: "encryption.accessibility.verified", comment: "Accessibility text when encryption is verified")
        }
    }
 }
@@ -148,8 +162,8 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
    private let sessionManager: NoiseSessionManager
    
    // Peer fingerprints (SHA256 hash of static public key)
-    private var peerFingerprints: [String: String] = [:] // peerID -> fingerprint
-    private var fingerprintToPeerID: [String: String] = [:] // fingerprint -> peerID
+    private var peerFingerprints: [PeerID: String] = [:]
+    private var fingerprintToPeerID: [String: PeerID] = [:]
    
    // Thread safety
    private let serviceQueue = DispatchQueue(label: "chat.bitchat.noise.service", attributes: .concurrent)
@@ -163,18 +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
-    var onHandshakeRequired: ((String) -> Void)? // peerID needs handshake
+    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 {
@@ -258,12 +272,11 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
    
    /// Get our identity fingerprint
    func getIdentityFingerprint() -> String {
-        let hash = SHA256.hash(data: staticIdentityPublicKey.rawRepresentation)
-        return hash.map { String(format: "%02x", $0) }.joined()
+        staticIdentityPublicKey.rawRepresentation.sha256Fingerprint()
    }
    
    /// Get peer's public key data
-    func getPeerPublicKeyData(_ peerID: String) -> Data? {
+    func getPeerPublicKeyData(_ peerID: PeerID) -> Data? {
        return sessionManager.getRemoteStaticKey(for: peerID)?.rawRepresentation
    }
    
@@ -391,11 +404,11 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
    // MARK: - Handshake Management
    
    /// Initiate a Noise handshake with a peer
-    func initiateHandshake(with peerID: String) throws -> Data {
+    func initiateHandshake(with peerID: PeerID) throws -> Data {
        
        // Validate peer ID
-        guard NoiseSecurityValidator.validatePeerID(peerID) else {
-            SecureLogger.warning(.authenticationFailed(peerID: peerID))
+        guard peerID.isValid else {
+            SecureLogger.warning(.authenticationFailed(peerID: peerID.id))
            throw NoiseSecurityError.invalidPeerID
        }
        
@@ -405,7 +418,7 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
            throw NoiseSecurityError.rateLimitExceeded
        }
        
-        SecureLogger.info(.handshakeStarted(peerID: peerID))
+        SecureLogger.info(.handshakeStarted(peerID: peerID.id))
        
        // Return raw handshake data without wrapper
        // The Noise protocol handles its own message format
@@ -414,17 +427,17 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
    }
    
    /// Process an incoming handshake message
-    func processHandshakeMessage(from peerID: String, message: Data) throws -> Data? {
+    func processHandshakeMessage(from peerID: PeerID, message: Data) throws -> Data? {
        
        // Validate peer ID
-        guard NoiseSecurityValidator.validatePeerID(peerID) else {
-            SecureLogger.warning(.authenticationFailed(peerID: peerID))
+        guard peerID.isValid else {
+            SecureLogger.warning(.authenticationFailed(peerID: peerID.id))
            throw NoiseSecurityError.invalidPeerID
        }
        
        // Validate message size
        guard NoiseSecurityValidator.validateHandshakeMessageSize(message) else {
-            SecureLogger.warning(.handshakeFailed(peerID: peerID, error: "Message too large"))
+            SecureLogger.warning(.handshakeFailed(peerID: peerID.id, error: "Message too large"))
            throw NoiseSecurityError.messageTooLarge
        }
        
@@ -444,19 +457,19 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
    }
    
    /// Check if we have an established session with a peer
-    func hasEstablishedSession(with peerID: String) -> Bool {
+    func hasEstablishedSession(with peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
        return sessionManager.getSession(for: peerID)?.isEstablished() ?? false
    }
    
    /// Check if we have a session (established or handshaking) with a peer
-    func hasSession(with peerID: String) -> Bool {
+    func hasSession(with peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
        return sessionManager.getSession(for: peerID) != nil
    }
    
    // MARK: - Encryption/Decryption
    
    /// Encrypt data for a specific peer
-    func encrypt(_ data: Data, for peerID: String) throws -> Data {
+    func encrypt(_ data: Data, for peerID: PeerID) throws -> Data {
        // Validate message size
        guard NoiseSecurityValidator.validateMessageSize(data) else {
            throw NoiseSecurityError.messageTooLarge
@@ -478,7 +491,7 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
    }
    
    /// Decrypt data from a specific peer
-    func decrypt(_ data: Data, from peerID: String) throws -> Data {
+    func decrypt(_ data: Data, from peerID: PeerID) throws -> Data {
        // Validate message size
        guard NoiseSecurityValidator.validateMessageSize(data) else {
            throw NoiseSecurityError.messageTooLarge
@@ -500,32 +513,11 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
    // MARK: - Peer Management
    
    /// Get fingerprint for a peer
-    func getPeerFingerprint(_ peerID: String) -> String? {
+    func getPeerFingerprint(_ peerID: PeerID) -> String? {
        return serviceQueue.sync {
            return peerFingerprints[peerID]
        }
    }
-    
-    /// Get peer ID for a fingerprint
-    func getPeerID(for fingerprint: String) -> String? {
-        return serviceQueue.sync {
-            return fingerprintToPeerID[fingerprint]
-        }
-    }
-    
-    /// Remove a peer session
-    func removePeer(_ peerID: String) {
-        sessionManager.removeSession(for: peerID)
-        
-        serviceQueue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
-            if let fingerprint = peerFingerprints[peerID] {
-                fingerprintToPeerID.removeValue(forKey: fingerprint)
-            }
-            peerFingerprints.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
-        }
-        
-        SecureLogger.info(.sessionExpired(peerID: peerID))
-    }

    func clearEphemeralStateForPanic() {
        sessionManager.removeAllSessions()
@@ -538,9 +530,9 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
    
    // MARK: - Private Helpers
    
-    private func handleSessionEstablished(peerID: String, remoteStaticKey: Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PublicKey) {
+    private func handleSessionEstablished(peerID: PeerID, remoteStaticKey: Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PublicKey) {
        // Calculate fingerprint
-        let fingerprint = calculateFingerprint(for: remoteStaticKey)
+        let fingerprint = remoteStaticKey.rawRepresentation.sha256Fingerprint()
        
        // Store fingerprint mapping
        serviceQueue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
@@ -549,7 +541,7 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
        }
        
        // Log security event
-        SecureLogger.info(.handshakeCompleted(peerID: peerID))
+        SecureLogger.info(.handshakeCompleted(peerID: peerID.id))
        
        // Notify all handlers about authentication
        serviceQueue.async { [weak self] in
@@ -558,11 +550,6 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
            }
        }
    }
-    
-    private func calculateFingerprint(for publicKey: Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PublicKey) -> String {
-        let hash = SHA256.hash(data: publicKey.rawRepresentation)
-        return hash.map { String(format: "%02x", $0) }.joined()
-    }
        
    // MARK: - Session Maintenance
    
@@ -4,46 +4,51 @@ import Combine

 // Minimal Nostr transport conforming to Transport for offline sending
 final class NostrTransport: Transport {
-    weak var delegate: BitchatDelegate?
-    weak var peerEventsDelegate: TransportPeerEventsDelegate?
-    var peerSnapshotPublisher: AnyPublisher<[TransportPeerSnapshot], Never> {
-        Just([]).eraseToAnyPublisher()
-    }
-    func currentPeerSnapshots() -> [TransportPeerSnapshot] { [] }
-
    // Provide BLE short peer ID for BitChat embedding
-    var senderPeerID: String = ""
+    var senderPeerID = PeerID(str: "")

    // Throttle READ receipts to avoid relay rate limits
    private struct QueuedRead {
        let receipt: ReadReceipt
-        let peerID: String
+        let peerID: PeerID
    }
    private var readQueue: [QueuedRead] = []
    private var isSendingReadAcks = false
    private let readAckInterval: TimeInterval = TransportConfig.nostrReadAckInterval
    private let keychain: KeychainManagerProtocol
+    private let idBridge: NostrIdentityBridge

-    var myPeerID: String { senderPeerID }
+    init(keychain: KeychainManagerProtocol, idBridge: NostrIdentityBridge) {
+        self.keychain = keychain
+        self.idBridge = idBridge
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Transport Protocol Conformance
+
+    weak var delegate: BitchatDelegate?
+    weak var peerEventsDelegate: TransportPeerEventsDelegate?
+
+    var peerSnapshotPublisher: AnyPublisher<[TransportPeerSnapshot], Never> {
+        Just([]).eraseToAnyPublisher()
+    }
+    func currentPeerSnapshots() -> [TransportPeerSnapshot] { [] }
+
+    var myPeerID: PeerID { senderPeerID }
    var myNickname: String { "" }
    func setNickname(_ nickname: String) { /* not used for Nostr */ }
-    
-    init(keychain: KeychainManagerProtocol) {
-        self.keychain = keychain
-    }

    func startServices() { /* no-op */ }
    func stopServices() { /* no-op */ }
    func emergencyDisconnectAll() { /* no-op */ }

-    func isPeerConnected(_ peerID: String) -> Bool { false }
-    func isPeerReachable(_ peerID: String) -> Bool { false }
-    func peerNickname(peerID: String) -> String? { nil }
-    func getPeerNicknames() -> [String : String] { [:] }
+    func isPeerConnected(_ peerID: PeerID) -> Bool { false }
+    func isPeerReachable(_ peerID: PeerID) -> Bool { false }
+    func peerNickname(peerID: PeerID) -> String? { nil }
+    func getPeerNicknames() -> [PeerID : String] { [:] }

-    func getFingerprint(for peerID: String) -> String? { nil }
-    func getNoiseSessionState(for peerID: String) -> LazyHandshakeState { .none }
-    func triggerHandshake(with peerID: String) { /* no-op */ }
+    func getFingerprint(for peerID: PeerID) -> String? { nil }
+    func getNoiseSessionState(for peerID: PeerID) -> LazyHandshakeState { .none }
+    func triggerHandshake(with peerID: PeerID) { /* no-op */ }
    
    // Nostr does not use Noise sessions here; return a cached placeholder to avoid reallocation
    private static var cachedNoiseService: NoiseEncryptionService?
@@ -59,11 +64,11 @@ final class NostrTransport: Transport {
    // Public broadcast not supported over Nostr here
    func sendMessage(_ content: String, mentions: [String]) { /* no-op */ }

-    func sendPrivateMessage(_ content: String, to peerID: String, recipientNickname: String, messageID: String) {
+    func sendPrivateMessage(_ content: String, to peerID: PeerID, recipientNickname: String, messageID: String) {
        Task { @MainActor in
            guard let recipientNpub = resolveRecipientNpub(for: peerID) else { return }
-            guard let senderIdentity = try? NostrIdentityBridge.getCurrentNostrIdentity() else { return }
-            SecureLogger.debug("NostrTransport: preparing PM to \(recipientNpub.prefix(16))… for peerID \(peerID.prefix(8))… id=\(messageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+            guard let senderIdentity = try? idBridge.getCurrentNostrIdentity() else { return }
+            SecureLogger.debug("NostrTransport: preparing PM to \(recipientNpub.prefix(16))… for peerID \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… id=\(messageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
            // Convert recipient npub -> hex (x-only)
            let recipientHex: String
            do {
@@ -90,12 +95,113 @@ final class NostrTransport: Transport {
        }
    }

-    func sendReadReceipt(_ receipt: ReadReceipt, to peerID: String) {
+    func sendReadReceipt(_ receipt: ReadReceipt, to peerID: PeerID) {
        // Enqueue and process with throttling to avoid relay rate limits
        readQueue.append(QueuedRead(receipt: receipt, peerID: peerID))
        processReadQueueIfNeeded()
    }

+    func sendFavoriteNotification(to peerID: PeerID, isFavorite: Bool) {
+        Task { @MainActor in
+            guard let recipientNpub = resolveRecipientNpub(for: peerID) else { return }
+            guard let senderIdentity = try? idBridge.getCurrentNostrIdentity() else { return }
+            let content = isFavorite ? "[FAVORITED]:\(senderIdentity.npub)" : "[UNFAVORITED]:\(senderIdentity.npub)"
+            SecureLogger.debug("NostrTransport: preparing FAVORITE(\(isFavorite)) to \(recipientNpub.prefix(16))…", category: .session)
+            // Convert recipient npub -> hex
+            let recipientHex: String
+            do {
+                let (hrp, data) = try Bech32.decode(recipientNpub)
+                guard hrp == "npub" else { return }
+                recipientHex = data.hexEncodedString()
+            } catch { return }
+            guard let embedded = NostrEmbeddedBitChat.encodePMForNostr(content: content, messageID: UUID().uuidString, recipientPeerID: peerID, senderPeerID: senderPeerID) else {
+                SecureLogger.error("NostrTransport: failed to embed favorite notification", category: .session)
+                return
+            }
+            guard let event = try? NostrProtocol.createPrivateMessage(content: embedded, recipientPubkey: recipientHex, senderIdentity: senderIdentity) else {
+                SecureLogger.error("NostrTransport: failed to build Nostr event for favorite notification", category: .session)
+                return
+            }
+            SecureLogger.debug("NostrTransport: sending favorite giftWrap id=\(event.id.prefix(16))…", category: .session)
+            NostrRelayManager.shared.sendEvent(event)
+        }
+    }
+
+    func sendBroadcastAnnounce() { /* no-op for Nostr */ }
+    func sendDeliveryAck(for messageID: String, to peerID: PeerID) {
+        Task { @MainActor in
+            guard let recipientNpub = resolveRecipientNpub(for: peerID) else { return }
+            guard let senderIdentity = try? idBridge.getCurrentNostrIdentity() else { return }
+            SecureLogger.debug("NostrTransport: preparing DELIVERED ack for id=\(messageID.prefix(8))… to \(recipientNpub.prefix(16))…", category: .session)
+            let recipientHex: String
+            do {
+                let (hrp, data) = try Bech32.decode(recipientNpub)
+                guard hrp == "npub" else { return }
+                recipientHex = data.hexEncodedString()
+            } catch { return }
+            guard let ack = NostrEmbeddedBitChat.encodeAckForNostr(type: .delivered, messageID: messageID, recipientPeerID: peerID, senderPeerID: senderPeerID) else {
+                SecureLogger.error("NostrTransport: failed to embed DELIVERED ack", category: .session)
+                return
+            }
+            guard let event = try? NostrProtocol.createPrivateMessage(content: ack, recipientPubkey: recipientHex, senderIdentity: senderIdentity) else {
+                SecureLogger.error("NostrTransport: failed to build Nostr event for DELIVERED ack", category: .session)
+                return
+            }
+            SecureLogger.debug("NostrTransport: sending DELIVERED ack giftWrap id=\(event.id.prefix(16))…", category: .session)
+            NostrRelayManager.shared.sendEvent(event)
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+// MARK: - Geohash Helpers
+
+extension NostrTransport {
+
+    // MARK: Geohash ACK helpers
+    func sendDeliveryAckGeohash(for messageID: String, toRecipientHex recipientHex: String, from identity: NostrIdentity) {
+        Task { @MainActor in
+            SecureLogger.debug("GeoDM: send DELIVERED -> recip=\(recipientHex.prefix(8))… mid=\(messageID.prefix(8))… from=\(identity.publicKeyHex.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+            guard let embedded = NostrEmbeddedBitChat.encodeAckForNostrNoRecipient(type: .delivered, messageID: messageID, senderPeerID: senderPeerID) else { return }
+            guard let event = try? NostrProtocol.createPrivateMessage(content: embedded, recipientPubkey: recipientHex, senderIdentity: identity) else { return }
+            NostrRelayManager.registerPendingGiftWrap(id: event.id)
+            NostrRelayManager.shared.sendEvent(event)
+        }
+    }
+
+    func sendReadReceiptGeohash(_ messageID: String, toRecipientHex recipientHex: String, from identity: NostrIdentity) {
+        Task { @MainActor in
+            SecureLogger.debug("GeoDM: send READ -> recip=\(recipientHex.prefix(8))… mid=\(messageID.prefix(8))… from=\(identity.publicKeyHex.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+            guard let embedded = NostrEmbeddedBitChat.encodeAckForNostrNoRecipient(type: .readReceipt, messageID: messageID, senderPeerID: senderPeerID) else { return }
+            guard let event = try? NostrProtocol.createPrivateMessage(content: embedded, recipientPubkey: recipientHex, senderIdentity: identity) else { return }
+            NostrRelayManager.registerPendingGiftWrap(id: event.id)
+            NostrRelayManager.shared.sendEvent(event)
+        }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: Geohash DMs (per-geohash identity)
+    func sendPrivateMessageGeohash(content: String, toRecipientHex recipientHex: String, from identity: NostrIdentity, messageID: String) {
+        Task { @MainActor in
+            guard !recipientHex.isEmpty else { return }
+            SecureLogger.debug("GeoDM: send PM -> recip=\(recipientHex.prefix(8))… mid=\(messageID.prefix(8))… from=\(identity.publicKeyHex.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+            // Build embedded BitChat packet without recipient peer ID
+            guard let embedded = NostrEmbeddedBitChat.encodePMForNostrNoRecipient(content: content, messageID: messageID, senderPeerID: senderPeerID) else {
+                SecureLogger.error("NostrTransport: failed to embed geohash PM packet", category: .session)
+                return
+            }
+            guard let event = try? NostrProtocol.createPrivateMessage(content: embedded, recipientPubkey: recipientHex, senderIdentity: identity) else {
+                SecureLogger.error("NostrTransport: failed to build Nostr event for geohash PM", category: .session)
+                return
+            }
+            SecureLogger.debug("NostrTransport: sending geohash PM giftWrap id=\(event.id.prefix(16))…", category: .session)
+            NostrRelayManager.registerPendingGiftWrap(id: event.id)
+            NostrRelayManager.shared.sendEvent(event)
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+// MARK: - Private Helpers
+
+extension NostrTransport {
    private func processReadQueueIfNeeded() {
        guard !isSendingReadAcks else { return }
        guard !readQueue.isEmpty else { return }
@@ -108,7 +214,7 @@ final class NostrTransport: Transport {
        let item = readQueue.removeFirst()
        Task { @MainActor in
            guard let recipientNpub = resolveRecipientNpub(for: item.peerID) else { scheduleNextReadAck(); return }
-            guard let senderIdentity = try? NostrIdentityBridge.getCurrentNostrIdentity() else { scheduleNextReadAck(); return }
+            guard let senderIdentity = try? idBridge.getCurrentNostrIdentity() else { scheduleNextReadAck(); return }
            SecureLogger.debug("NostrTransport: preparing READ ack for id=\(item.receipt.originalMessageID.prefix(8))… to \(recipientNpub.prefix(16))…", category: .session)
            // Convert recipient npub -> hex
            let recipientHex: String
@@ -139,111 +245,18 @@ final class NostrTransport: Transport {
        }
    }

-    func sendFavoriteNotification(to peerID: String, isFavorite: Bool) {
-        Task { @MainActor in
-            guard let recipientNpub = resolveRecipientNpub(for: peerID) else { return }
-            guard let senderIdentity = try? NostrIdentityBridge.getCurrentNostrIdentity() else { return }
-            let content = isFavorite ? "[FAVORITED]:\(senderIdentity.npub)" : "[UNFAVORITED]:\(senderIdentity.npub)"
-            SecureLogger.debug("NostrTransport: preparing FAVORITE(\(isFavorite)) to \(recipientNpub.prefix(16))…", category: .session)
-            // Convert recipient npub -> hex
-            let recipientHex: String
-            do {
-                let (hrp, data) = try Bech32.decode(recipientNpub)
-                guard hrp == "npub" else { return }
-                recipientHex = data.hexEncodedString()
-            } catch { return }
-            guard let embedded = NostrEmbeddedBitChat.encodePMForNostr(content: content, messageID: UUID().uuidString, recipientPeerID: peerID, senderPeerID: senderPeerID) else {
-                SecureLogger.error("NostrTransport: failed to embed favorite notification", category: .session)
-                return
-            }
-            guard let event = try? NostrProtocol.createPrivateMessage(content: embedded, recipientPubkey: recipientHex, senderIdentity: senderIdentity) else {
-                SecureLogger.error("NostrTransport: failed to build Nostr event for favorite notification", category: .session)
-                return
-            }
-            SecureLogger.debug("NostrTransport: sending favorite giftWrap id=\(event.id.prefix(16))…", category: .session)
-            NostrRelayManager.shared.sendEvent(event)
-        }
-    }
-
-    // MARK: - Helpers
    @MainActor
-    private func resolveRecipientNpub(for peerID: String) -> String? {
-        if let noiseKey = Data(hexString: peerID),
+    private func resolveRecipientNpub(for peerID: PeerID) -> String? {
+        if let noiseKey = Data(hexString: peerID.id),
           let fav = FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(for: noiseKey),
           let npub = fav.peerNostrPublicKey {
            return npub
        }
-        if peerID.count == 16,
+        if peerID.id.count == 16,
           let fav = FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(forPeerID: peerID),
           let npub = fav.peerNostrPublicKey {
            return npub
        }
        return nil
    }
-
-    func sendBroadcastAnnounce() { /* no-op for Nostr */ }
-    func sendDeliveryAck(for messageID: String, to peerID: String) {
-        Task { @MainActor in
-            guard let recipientNpub = resolveRecipientNpub(for: peerID) else { return }
-            guard let senderIdentity = try? NostrIdentityBridge.getCurrentNostrIdentity() else { return }
-            SecureLogger.debug("NostrTransport: preparing DELIVERED ack for id=\(messageID.prefix(8))… to \(recipientNpub.prefix(16))…", category: .session)
-            let recipientHex: String
-            do {
-                let (hrp, data) = try Bech32.decode(recipientNpub)
-                guard hrp == "npub" else { return }
-                recipientHex = data.hexEncodedString()
-            } catch { return }
-            guard let ack = NostrEmbeddedBitChat.encodeAckForNostr(type: .delivered, messageID: messageID, recipientPeerID: peerID, senderPeerID: senderPeerID) else {
-                SecureLogger.error("NostrTransport: failed to embed DELIVERED ack", category: .session)
-                return
-            }
-            guard let event = try? NostrProtocol.createPrivateMessage(content: ack, recipientPubkey: recipientHex, senderIdentity: senderIdentity) else {
-                SecureLogger.error("NostrTransport: failed to build Nostr event for DELIVERED ack", category: .session)
-                return
-            }
-            SecureLogger.debug("NostrTransport: sending DELIVERED ack giftWrap id=\(event.id.prefix(16))…", category: .session)
-            NostrRelayManager.shared.sendEvent(event)
-        }
-    }
-
-    // MARK: - Geohash ACK helpers
-    func sendDeliveryAckGeohash(for messageID: String, toRecipientHex recipientHex: String, from identity: NostrIdentity) {
-        Task { @MainActor in
-            SecureLogger.debug("GeoDM: send DELIVERED -> recip=\(recipientHex.prefix(8))… mid=\(messageID.prefix(8))… from=\(identity.publicKeyHex.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
-            guard let embedded = NostrEmbeddedBitChat.encodeAckForNostrNoRecipient(type: .delivered, messageID: messageID, senderPeerID: senderPeerID) else { return }
-            guard let event = try? NostrProtocol.createPrivateMessage(content: embedded, recipientPubkey: recipientHex, senderIdentity: identity) else { return }
-            NostrRelayManager.registerPendingGiftWrap(id: event.id)
-            NostrRelayManager.shared.sendEvent(event)
-        }
-    }
-
-    func sendReadReceiptGeohash(_ messageID: String, toRecipientHex recipientHex: String, from identity: NostrIdentity) {
-        Task { @MainActor in
-            SecureLogger.debug("GeoDM: send READ -> recip=\(recipientHex.prefix(8))… mid=\(messageID.prefix(8))… from=\(identity.publicKeyHex.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
-            guard let embedded = NostrEmbeddedBitChat.encodeAckForNostrNoRecipient(type: .readReceipt, messageID: messageID, senderPeerID: senderPeerID) else { return }
-            guard let event = try? NostrProtocol.createPrivateMessage(content: embedded, recipientPubkey: recipientHex, senderIdentity: identity) else { return }
-            NostrRelayManager.registerPendingGiftWrap(id: event.id)
-            NostrRelayManager.shared.sendEvent(event)
-        }
-    }
-
-    // MARK: - Geohash DMs (per-geohash identity)
-    func sendPrivateMessageGeohash(content: String, toRecipientHex recipientHex: String, from identity: NostrIdentity, messageID: String) {
-        Task { @MainActor in
-            guard !recipientHex.isEmpty else { return }
-            SecureLogger.debug("GeoDM: send PM -> recip=\(recipientHex.prefix(8))… mid=\(messageID.prefix(8))… from=\(identity.publicKeyHex.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
-            // Build embedded BitChat packet without recipient peer ID
-            guard let embedded = NostrEmbeddedBitChat.encodePMForNostrNoRecipient(content: content, messageID: messageID, senderPeerID: senderPeerID) else {
-                SecureLogger.error("NostrTransport: failed to embed geohash PM packet", category: .session)
-                return
-            }
-            guard let event = try? NostrProtocol.createPrivateMessage(content: embedded, recipientPubkey: recipientHex, senderIdentity: identity) else {
-                SecureLogger.error("NostrTransport: failed to build Nostr event for geohash PM", category: .session)
-                return
-            }
-            SecureLogger.debug("NostrTransport: sending geohash PM giftWrap id=\(event.id.prefix(16))…", category: .session)
-            NostrRelayManager.registerPendingGiftWrap(id: event.id)
-            NostrRelayManager.shared.sendEvent(event)
-        }
-    }
 }
@@ -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) {
@@ -61,35 +63,15 @@ 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)
    }
    
-    func sendFavoriteOnlineNotification(nickname: String) {
-        // Send directly without checking app state for favorites
-        DispatchQueue.main.async {
-            let content = UNMutableNotificationContent()
-            content.title = "⭐ \(nickname) is online!"
-            content.body = "wanna get in there?"
-            content.sound = .default
-            
-            let request = UNNotificationRequest(
-                identifier: "favorite-online-\(UUID().uuidString)",
-                content: content,
-                trigger: nil
-            )
-            
-            UNUserNotificationCenter.current().add(request) { _ in
-                // Notification added
-            }
-        }
-    }
-    
    // Geohash public chat notification with deep link to a specific geohash
    func sendGeohashActivityNotification(geohash: String, titlePrefix: String = "#", bodyPreview: String) {
        let title = "\(titlePrefix)\(geohash)"
@@ -103,25 +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
+        )
    }
 }
@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+//
+// NotificationStreamAssembler.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import BitLogger
+import Foundation
+
+struct NotificationStreamAssembler {
+    private var buffer = Data()
+    private var pendingFrameStartedAt: DispatchTime?
+    private var pendingFrameExpectedLength: Int = 0
+
+    private mutating func resetState() {
+        buffer.removeAll(keepingCapacity: false)
+        pendingFrameStartedAt = nil
+        pendingFrameExpectedLength = 0
+    }
+
+    mutating func append(_ chunk: Data) -> (frames: [Data], droppedPrefixes: [UInt8], reset: Bool) {
+        guard !chunk.isEmpty else { return ([], [], false) }
+
+        buffer.append(chunk)
+
+        var frames: [Data] = []
+        var dropped: [UInt8] = []
+        var didReset = false
+        let now = DispatchTime.now()
+        let maxFrameLength = TransportConfig.bleNotificationAssemblerHardCapBytes
+        let minimumFramePrefix = BinaryProtocol.v1HeaderSize + BinaryProtocol.senderIDSize
+
+        if buffer.count > TransportConfig.bleNotificationAssemblerHardCapBytes {
+            SecureLogger.error("❌ Notification assembler overflow (\(buffer.count) bytes); dropping partial frame", category: .session)
+            resetState()
+            return ([], [], true)
+        }
+
+        while buffer.count >= minimumFramePrefix {
+            guard let version = buffer.first else { break }
+            guard version == 1 || version == 2 else {
+                dropped.append(buffer.removeFirst())
+                pendingFrameStartedAt = nil
+                pendingFrameExpectedLength = 0
+                continue
+            }
+
+            guard let headerSize = BinaryProtocol.headerSize(for: version) else {
+                dropped.append(buffer.removeFirst())
+                pendingFrameStartedAt = nil
+                pendingFrameExpectedLength = 0
+                continue
+            }
+            let framePrefix = headerSize + BinaryProtocol.senderIDSize
+            guard buffer.count >= framePrefix else { break }
+
+            let flagsIndex = buffer.startIndex + BinaryProtocol.Offsets.flags
+            guard flagsIndex < buffer.endIndex else { break }
+            let flags = buffer[flagsIndex]
+            let hasRecipient = (flags & BinaryProtocol.Flags.hasRecipient) != 0
+            let hasSignature = (flags & BinaryProtocol.Flags.hasSignature) != 0
+            let isCompressed = (flags & BinaryProtocol.Flags.isCompressed) != 0
+
+            let lengthOffset = 12
+            let payloadLength: Int
+            if version == 2 {
+                let lengthIndex = buffer.startIndex + lengthOffset
+                payloadLength =
+                    (Int(buffer[lengthIndex]) << 24) |
+                    (Int(buffer[lengthIndex + 1]) << 16) |
+                    (Int(buffer[lengthIndex + 2]) << 8) |
+                    Int(buffer[lengthIndex + 3])
+            } else {
+                let lengthIndex = buffer.startIndex + lengthOffset
+                payloadLength = (Int(buffer[lengthIndex]) << 8) | Int(buffer[lengthIndex + 1])
+            }
+
+            var frameLength = framePrefix + payloadLength
+            if hasRecipient { frameLength += BinaryProtocol.recipientIDSize }
+            if hasSignature { frameLength += BinaryProtocol.signatureSize }
+            if isCompressed {
+                let rawLengthFieldBytes = (version == 2) ? 4 : 2
+                if payloadLength < rawLengthFieldBytes {
+                    SecureLogger.error("❌ Invalid compressed payload length (\(payloadLength))", category: .session)
+                    resetState()
+                    didReset = true
+                    break
+                }
+            }
+
+            guard frameLength > 0, frameLength <= maxFrameLength else {
+                SecureLogger.error("❌ Notification frame length \(frameLength) invalid (cap=\(maxFrameLength)); resetting stream", category: .session)
+                resetState()
+                didReset = true
+                break
+            }
+
+            if buffer.count < frameLength {
+                let remaining = frameLength - buffer.count
+                if pendingFrameStartedAt == nil || frameLength != pendingFrameExpectedLength {
+                    pendingFrameStartedAt = now
+                    pendingFrameExpectedLength = frameLength
+                } else if let started = pendingFrameStartedAt {
+                    let elapsed = now.uptimeNanoseconds - started.uptimeNanoseconds
+                    let threshold = UInt64(TransportConfig.bleAssemblerStallResetMs) * 1_000_000
+                    if elapsed >= threshold {
+                        SecureLogger.debug("📉 Resetting notification assembler after waiting \(remaining)B for \(TransportConfig.bleAssemblerStallResetMs)ms", category: .session)
+                        resetState()
+                        didReset = true
+                    } else {
+                        SecureLogger.debug("⌛ Waiting for remaining \(remaining)B to complete BLE frame", category: .session)
+                    }
+                }
+                break
+            }
+
+            pendingFrameStartedAt = nil
+            pendingFrameExpectedLength = 0
+
+            let frame = Data(buffer.prefix(frameLength))
+            frames.append(frame)
+            buffer.removeFirst(frameLength)
+        }
+
+        if !buffer.isEmpty, buffer.allSatisfy({ $0 == 0 }) {
+            resetState()
+        }
+
+        return (frames, dropped, didReset)
+    }
+}
@@ -12,9 +12,9 @@ import SwiftUI

 /// Manages all private chat functionality
 final class PrivateChatManager: ObservableObject {
-    @Published var privateChats: [String: [BitchatMessage]] = [:]
-    @Published var selectedPeer: String? = nil
-    @Published var unreadMessages: Set<String> = []
+    @Published var privateChats: [PeerID: [BitchatMessage]] = [:]
+    @Published var selectedPeer: PeerID? = nil
+    @Published var unreadMessages: Set<PeerID> = []
    
    private var selectedPeerFingerprint: String? = nil
    var sentReadReceipts: Set<String> = []  // Made accessible for ChatViewModel
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ final class PrivateChatManager: ObservableObject {
    private let privateChatCap = TransportConfig.privateChatCap
    
    /// Start a private chat with a peer
-    func startChat(with peerID: String) {
+    func startChat(with peerID: PeerID) {
        selectedPeer = peerID
        
        // Store fingerprint for persistence across reconnections
@@ -53,109 +53,33 @@ final class PrivateChatManager: ObservableObject {
        selectedPeer = nil
        selectedPeerFingerprint = nil
    }
-    
-    /// Send a private message
-    func sendMessage(_ content: String, to peerID: String) {
-        guard let meshService = meshService,
-              let peerNickname = meshService.peerNickname(peerID: peerID) else {
-            return
-        }
-        
-        let messageID = UUID().uuidString
-        
-        // Create local message
-        let message = BitchatMessage(
-            id: messageID,
-            sender: meshService.myNickname,
-            content: content,
-            timestamp: Date(),
-            isRelay: false,
-            originalSender: nil,
-            isPrivate: true,
-            recipientNickname: peerNickname,
-            senderPeerID: meshService.myPeerID,
-            mentions: nil,
-            deliveryStatus: .sending
-        )
-        
-        // Add to chat
-        if privateChats[peerID] == nil { privateChats[peerID] = [] }
-        privateChats[peerID]?.append(message)
-        // Enforce per-chat cap on local append
-        if var arr = privateChats[peerID], arr.count > privateChatCap {
-            let remove = arr.count - privateChatCap
-            arr.removeFirst(remove)
-            privateChats[peerID] = arr
-        }
-        
-        // Send via mesh service
-        meshService.sendPrivateMessage(content, to: peerID, recipientNickname: peerNickname, messageID: messageID)
-    }
-    
-    /// Handle incoming private message
-    func handleIncomingMessage(_ message: BitchatMessage) {
-        guard let senderPeerID = message.senderPeerID else { return }
-        
-        // Initialize chat if needed
-        if privateChats[senderPeerID] == nil {
-            privateChats[senderPeerID] = []
-        }
-        
-        // Deduplicate by ID: replace existing message if present, else append
-        if let idx = privateChats[senderPeerID]?.firstIndex(where: { $0.id == message.id }) {
-            privateChats[senderPeerID]?[idx] = message
-        } else {
-            privateChats[senderPeerID]?.append(message)
-        }
-
-        // Sanitize chat to avoid duplicate IDs and sort by timestamp
-        sanitizeChat(for: senderPeerID)
-        // Enforce cap after sanitize
-        if var arr = privateChats[senderPeerID], arr.count > privateChatCap {
-            let remove = arr.count - privateChatCap
-            arr.removeFirst(remove)
-            privateChats[senderPeerID] = arr
-        }
-        
-        // Mark as unread if not in this chat
-        if selectedPeer != senderPeerID {
-            unreadMessages.insert(senderPeerID)
-            
-            // Avoid notifying for messages already marked as read (dup/resubscribe cases)
-            if !sentReadReceipts.contains(message.id) {
-                NotificationService.shared.sendPrivateMessageNotification(
-                    from: message.sender,
-                    message: message.content,
-                    peerID: senderPeerID
-                )
-            }
-        } else {
-            // Send read receipt if viewing this chat
-            sendReadReceipt(for: message)
-        }
-    }

    /// Remove duplicate messages by ID and keep chronological order
-    func sanitizeChat(for peerID: String) {
+    func sanitizeChat(for peerID: PeerID) {
        guard let arr = privateChats[peerID] else { return }
-        var seen = Set<String>()
+        if arr.count <= 1 {
+            return
+        }
+
+        var indexByID: [String: Int] = [:]
+        indexByID.reserveCapacity(arr.count)
        var deduped: [BitchatMessage] = []
+        deduped.reserveCapacity(arr.count)
+
        for msg in arr.sorted(by: { $0.timestamp < $1.timestamp }) {
-            if !seen.contains(msg.id) {
-                seen.insert(msg.id)
-                deduped.append(msg)
+            if let existing = indexByID[msg.id] {
+                deduped[existing] = msg
            } else {
-                // Replace previous with the latest occurrence (which is later in sort)
-                if let index = deduped.firstIndex(where: { $0.id == msg.id }) {
-                    deduped[index] = msg
-                }
+                indexByID[msg.id] = deduped.count
+                deduped.append(msg)
            }
        }
+
        privateChats[peerID] = deduped
    }
    
    /// Mark messages from a peer as read
-    func markAsRead(from peerID: String) {
+    func markAsRead(from peerID: PeerID) {
        unreadMessages.remove(peerID)
        
        // Send read receipts for unread messages that haven't been sent yet
@@ -168,48 +92,6 @@ final class PrivateChatManager: ObservableObject {
        }
    }
    
-    /// Update the selected peer if fingerprint matches (for reconnections)
-    func updateSelectedPeer(peers: [String: String]) {
-        guard let fingerprint = selectedPeerFingerprint else { return }
-        
-        // Find peer with matching fingerprint
-        for (peerID, _) in peers {
-            if meshService?.getFingerprint(for: peerID) == fingerprint {
-                selectedPeer = peerID
-                break
-            }
-        }
-    }
-    
-    /// Get chat messages for current context
-    func getCurrentMessages() -> [BitchatMessage] {
-        guard let peer = selectedPeer else { return [] }
-        return privateChats[peer] ?? []
-    }
-    
-    /// Clear a private chat
-    func clearChat(with peerID: String) {
-        privateChats[peerID]?.removeAll()
-    }
-    
-    /// Handle delivery acknowledgment
-    func handleDeliveryAck(messageID: String, from peerID: String) {
-        guard privateChats[peerID] != nil else { return }
-        
-        if let index = privateChats[peerID]?.firstIndex(where: { $0.id == messageID }) {
-            privateChats[peerID]?[index].deliveryStatus = .delivered(to: "recipient", at: Date())
-        }
-    }
-    
-    /// Handle read receipt
-    func handleReadReceipt(messageID: String, from peerID: String) {
-        guard privateChats[peerID] != nil else { return }
-        
-        if let index = privateChats[peerID]?.firstIndex(where: { $0.id == messageID }) {
-            privateChats[peerID]?[index].deliveryStatus = .read(by: "recipient", at: Date())
-        }
-    }
-    
    // MARK: - Private Methods
    
    private func sendReadReceipt(for message: BitchatMessage) {
@@ -223,13 +105,13 @@ final class PrivateChatManager: ObservableObject {
        // Create read receipt using the simplified method
        let receipt = ReadReceipt(
            originalMessageID: message.id,
-            readerID: meshService?.myPeerID ?? "",
+            readerID: meshService?.myPeerID ?? PeerID(str: ""),
            readerNickname: meshService?.myNickname ?? ""
        )
        
        // Route via MessageRouter to avoid handshakeRequired spam when session isn't established
        if let router = messageRouter {
-            SecureLogger.debug("PrivateChatManager: sending READ ack for \(message.id.prefix(8))… to \(senderPeerID.prefix(8))… via router", category: .session)
+            SecureLogger.debug("PrivateChatManager: sending READ ack for \(message.id.prefix(8))… to \(senderPeerID.id.prefix(8))… via router", category: .session)
            Task { @MainActor in
                router.sendReadReceipt(receipt, to: senderPeerID)
            }
@@ -13,18 +13,23 @@ struct RelayController {
                       senderIsSelf: Bool,
                       isEncrypted: Bool,
                       isDirectedEncrypted: Bool,
+                       isFragment: Bool,
                       isDirectedFragment: Bool,
                       isHandshake: Bool,
                       isAnnounce: Bool,
                       degree: Int,
                       highDegreeThreshold: Int) -> RelayDecision {
+        let ttlCap = min(ttl, TransportConfig.messageTTLDefault)
+
        // Suppress obvious non-relays
-        if ttl <= 1 || senderIsSelf { return RelayDecision(shouldRelay: false, newTTL: ttl, delayMs: 0) }
+        if ttlCap <= 1 || senderIsSelf {
+            return RelayDecision(shouldRelay: false, newTTL: ttlCap, delayMs: 0)
+        }

        // For session-critical or directed traffic, be deterministic and reliable
        if isHandshake || isDirectedFragment || isDirectedEncrypted {
            // Always relay with no TTL cap for these types
-            let newTTL = (ttl &- 1)
+            let newTTL = ttlCap &- 1
            // Slight jitter to desynchronize without adding too much latency
            // Tighter for faster multi-hop handshakes and directed DMs
            let delayRange: ClosedRange<Int> = isHandshake ? 10...35 : 20...60
@@ -32,28 +37,27 @@ struct RelayController {
            return RelayDecision(shouldRelay: true, newTTL: newTTL, delayMs: delayMs)
        }

-        // Degree-aware probability to reduce floods in dense graphs (broadcast/public)
-        let baseProb: Double
-        switch degree {
-        case 0...2: baseProb = 1.0
-        case 3...4: baseProb = 0.9
-        case 5...6: baseProb = 0.7
-        case 7...9: baseProb = 0.55
-        default:    baseProb = 0.45
+        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)
        }
-        let prob = baseProb
-        let shouldRelay = Double.random(in: 0...1) <= prob

        // TTL clamping for broadcast
-        // - Dense graphs: keep very low to avoid floods
-        // - Sparse graphs: allow slightly longer reach for multi-hop discovery
-        // - Announces in sparse graphs get a bit more headroom
-        let ttlCap: UInt8 = {
-            if degree >= highDegreeThreshold { return 3 }
-            return isAnnounce ? 7 : 6
+        // - Dense graphs: keep lower but still allow multi-hop bridging
+        // - Announces get a bit more headroom
+        let ttlLimit: UInt8 = {
+            if degree >= highDegreeThreshold {
+                return max(UInt8(2), min(ttlCap, UInt8(5)))
+            }
+            let preferred = UInt8(isAnnounce ? 7 : 6)
+            return max(UInt8(2), min(ttlCap, preferred))
        }()
-        let clamped = max(1, min(ttl, ttlCap))
-        let newTTL = clamped &- 1
+        let newTTL = ttlLimit &- 1

        // Wider jitter window to allow duplicate suppression to win more often
        // For sparse graphs (<=2), relay quickly to avoid cancellation races
@@ -64,6 +68,6 @@ struct RelayController {
        case 6...9: delayMs = Int.random(in: 80...180)
        default:    delayMs = Int.random(in: 100...220)
        }
-        return RelayDecision(shouldRelay: shouldRelay, newTTL: newTTL, delayMs: delayMs)
+        return RelayDecision(shouldRelay: true, newTTL: newTTL, delayMs: delayMs)
    }
 }
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+import Foundation
+import Combine
+
+/// Centralized progress bus for Bluetooth file transfers.
+/// Emits Combine events consumed by ChatViewModel to update UI progress indicators.
+final class TransferProgressManager {
+    static let shared = TransferProgressManager()
+
+    enum Event {
+        case started(id: String, totalFragments: Int)
+        case updated(id: String, sentFragments: Int, totalFragments: Int)
+        case completed(id: String, totalFragments: Int)
+        case cancelled(id: String, sentFragments: Int, totalFragments: Int)
+    }
+
+    private let subject = PassthroughSubject<Event, Never>()
+    private let queue = DispatchQueue(label: "com.bitchat.transfer-progress", attributes: .concurrent)
+    private var states: [String: (sent: Int, total: Int)] = [:]
+
+    var publisher: AnyPublisher<Event, Never> {
+        subject.eraseToAnyPublisher()
+    }
+
+    func start(id: String, totalFragments: Int) {
+        queue.async(flags: .barrier) { [weak self] in
+            guard let self = self else { return }
+            self.states[id] = (sent: 0, total: totalFragments)
+            self.subject.send(.started(id: id, totalFragments: totalFragments))
+        }
+    }
+
+    func recordFragmentSent(id: String) {
+        queue.async(flags: .barrier) { [weak self] in
+            guard let self = self, var state = self.states[id] else { return }
+            state.sent = min(state.sent + 1, state.total)
+            self.states[id] = state
+            self.subject.send(.updated(id: id, sentFragments: state.sent, totalFragments: state.total))
+            if state.sent >= state.total {
+                self.states.removeValue(forKey: id)
+                self.subject.send(.completed(id: id, totalFragments: state.total))
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    func cancel(id: String) {
+        queue.async(flags: .barrier) { [weak self] in
+            guard let self = self, let state = self.states.removeValue(forKey: id) else { return }
+            self.subject.send(.cancelled(id: id, sentFragments: state.sent, totalFragments: state.total))
+        }
+    }
+
+    func reset(id: String) {
+        queue.async(flags: .barrier) { [weak self] in
+            self?.states.removeValue(forKey: id)
+        }
+    }
+
+    func snapshot(id: String) -> (sent: Int, total: Int)? {
+        var result: (sent: Int, total: Int)?
+        queue.sync {
+            result = states[id]
+        }
+        return result
+    }
+}
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import Combine
 /// Abstract transport interface used by ChatViewModel and services.
 /// BLEService implements this protocol; a future Nostr transport can too.
 struct TransportPeerSnapshot: Equatable, Hashable {
-    let id: String
+    let peerID: PeerID
    let nickname: String
    let isConnected: Bool
    let noisePublicKey: Data?
@@ -12,13 +12,17 @@ struct TransportPeerSnapshot: Equatable, Hashable {
 }

 protocol Transport: AnyObject {
-    // Peer events (preferred over publishers for UI)
-    var peerEventsDelegate: TransportPeerEventsDelegate? { get set }
    // Event sink
    var delegate: BitchatDelegate? { get set }
+    // Peer events (preferred over publishers for UI)
+    var peerEventsDelegate: TransportPeerEventsDelegate? { get set }
+    
+    // Peer snapshots (for non-UI services)
+    var peerSnapshotPublisher: AnyPublisher<[TransportPeerSnapshot], Never> { get }
+    func currentPeerSnapshots() -> [TransportPeerSnapshot]

    // Identity
-    var myPeerID: String { get }
+    var myPeerID: PeerID { get }
    var myNickname: String { get }
    func setNickname(_ nickname: String)

@@ -28,37 +32,44 @@ protocol Transport: AnyObject {
    func emergencyDisconnectAll()

    // Connectivity and peers
-    func isPeerConnected(_ peerID: String) -> Bool
-    func isPeerReachable(_ peerID: String) -> Bool
-    func peerNickname(peerID: String) -> String?
-    func getPeerNicknames() -> [String: String]
+    func isPeerConnected(_ peerID: PeerID) -> Bool
+    func isPeerReachable(_ peerID: PeerID) -> Bool
+    func peerNickname(peerID: PeerID) -> String?
+    func getPeerNicknames() -> [PeerID: String]

    // Protocol utilities
-    func getFingerprint(for peerID: String) -> String?
-    func getNoiseSessionState(for peerID: String) -> LazyHandshakeState
-    func triggerHandshake(with peerID: String)
+    func getFingerprint(for peerID: PeerID) -> String?
+    func getNoiseSessionState(for peerID: PeerID) -> LazyHandshakeState
+    func triggerHandshake(with peerID: PeerID)
    func getNoiseService() -> NoiseEncryptionService

    // Messaging
    func sendMessage(_ content: String, mentions: [String])
-    func sendPrivateMessage(_ content: String, to peerID: String, recipientNickname: String, messageID: String)
-    func sendReadReceipt(_ receipt: ReadReceipt, to peerID: String)
-    func sendFavoriteNotification(to peerID: String, isFavorite: Bool)
+    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)
    func sendBroadcastAnnounce()
-    func sendDeliveryAck(for messageID: String, to peerID: String)
+    func sendDeliveryAck(for messageID: String, to peerID: PeerID)
+    func sendFileBroadcast(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, transferId: String)
+    func sendFilePrivate(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, to peerID: PeerID, transferId: String)
+    func cancelTransfer(_ transferId: String)

    // QR verification (optional for transports)
-    func sendVerifyChallenge(to peerID: String, noiseKeyHex: String, nonceA: Data)
-    func sendVerifyResponse(to peerID: String, noiseKeyHex: String, nonceA: Data)
-
-    // Peer snapshots (for non-UI services)
-    var peerSnapshotPublisher: AnyPublisher<[TransportPeerSnapshot], Never> { get }
-    func currentPeerSnapshots() -> [TransportPeerSnapshot]
+    func sendVerifyChallenge(to peerID: PeerID, noiseKeyHex: String, nonceA: Data)
+    func sendVerifyResponse(to peerID: PeerID, noiseKeyHex: String, nonceA: Data)
 }

 extension Transport {
-    func sendVerifyChallenge(to peerID: String, noiseKeyHex: String, nonceA: Data) {}
-    func sendVerifyResponse(to peerID: String, noiseKeyHex: String, nonceA: Data) {}
+    func sendVerifyChallenge(to peerID: PeerID, noiseKeyHex: String, nonceA: Data) {}
+    func sendVerifyResponse(to peerID: PeerID, noiseKeyHex: String, nonceA: Data) {}
+    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 {
@@ -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
@@ -30,7 +34,11 @@ enum TransportConfig {
    static let bleDynamicRSSIThresholdDefault: Int = -90
    static let bleConnectionCandidatesMax: Int = 100
    static let blePendingWriteBufferCapBytes: Int = 1_000_000
-    static let blePendingNotificationsCapCount: Int = 20
+    static let bleNotificationAssemblerHardCapBytes: Int = 8 * 1024 * 1024
+    static let bleAssemblerStallResetMs: Int = 250
+    static let blePendingNotificationsCapCount: Int = 128
+    static let bleNotificationRetryDelayMs: Int = 25
+    static let bleNotificationRetryMaxAttempts: Int = 80

    // Nostr
    static let nostrReadAckInterval: TimeInterval = 0.35 // ~3 per second
@@ -62,6 +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
@@ -141,6 +150,9 @@ enum TransportConfig {

    // Geo relay directory
    static let geoRelayFetchIntervalSeconds: TimeInterval = 60 * 60 * 24
+    static let geoRelayRefreshCheckIntervalSeconds: TimeInterval = 60 * 60
+    static let geoRelayRetryInitialSeconds: TimeInterval = 60
+    static let geoRelayRetryMaxSeconds: TimeInterval = 60 * 60

    // BLE operational delays
    static let bleInitialAnnounceDelaySeconds: TimeInterval = 0.6
@@ -188,7 +200,7 @@ enum TransportConfig {
    static let uiWindowStepCount: Int = 200

    // Share extension
-    static let uiShareExtensionDismissDelaySeconds: TimeInterval = 0.3
+    static let uiShareExtensionDismissDelaySeconds: TimeInterval = 2.0
    static let uiShareAcceptWindowSeconds: TimeInterval = 30.0
    static let uiMigrationCutoffSeconds: TimeInterval = 24 * 60 * 60
 }
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ import BitLogger
 import Foundation
 import Combine
 import SwiftUI
-import CryptoKit

 /// Single source of truth for peer state, combining mesh connectivity and favorites
@MainActor
@@ -19,15 +18,16 @@ final class UnifiedPeerService: ObservableObject, TransportPeerEventsDelegate {
    // MARK: - Published Properties
    
    @Published private(set) var peers: [BitchatPeer] = []
-    @Published private(set) var connectedPeerIDs: Set<String> = []
+    @Published private(set) var connectedPeerIDs: Set<PeerID> = []
    @Published private(set) var favorites: [BitchatPeer] = []
    @Published private(set) var mutualFavorites: [BitchatPeer] = []
    
    // MARK: - Private Properties
    
-    private var peerIndex: [String: BitchatPeer] = [:]
-    private var fingerprintCache: [String: String] = [:]  // peerID -> fingerprint
+    private var peerIndex: [PeerID: BitchatPeer] = [:]
+    private var fingerprintCache: [PeerID: String] = [:]
    private let meshService: Transport
+    private let idBridge: NostrIdentityBridge
    private let identityManager: SecureIdentityStateManagerProtocol
    weak var messageRouter: MessageRouter?
    private let favoritesService = FavoritesPersistenceService.shared
@@ -35,8 +35,13 @@ final class UnifiedPeerService: ObservableObject, TransportPeerEventsDelegate {
    
    // MARK: - Initialization
    
-    init(meshService: Transport, identityManager: SecureIdentityStateManagerProtocol) {
+    init(
+        meshService: Transport,
+        idBridge: NostrIdentityBridge,
+        identityManager: SecureIdentityStateManagerProtocol
+    ) {
        self.meshService = meshService
+        self.idBridge = idBridge
        self.identityManager = identityManager
        
        // Subscribe to changes from both services
@@ -78,12 +83,12 @@ final class UnifiedPeerService: ObservableObject, TransportPeerEventsDelegate {
        let favorites = favoritesService.favorites
        
        var enrichedPeers: [BitchatPeer] = []
-        var connected: Set<String> = []
-        var addedPeerIDs: Set<String> = []
+        var connected: Set<PeerID> = []
+        var addedPeerIDs: Set<PeerID> = []
        
        // Phase 1: Add all mesh peers (connected and reachable)
        for peerInfo in meshPeers {
-            let peerID = peerInfo.id
+            let peerID = peerInfo.peerID
            guard peerID != meshService.myPeerID else { continue }  // Never add self
            
            let peer = buildPeerFromMesh(
@@ -104,7 +109,7 @@ final class UnifiedPeerService: ObservableObject, TransportPeerEventsDelegate {
        
        // Phase 2: Add offline favorites that we actively favorite
        for (favoriteKey, favorite) in favorites where favorite.isFavorite {
-            let peerID = favoriteKey.hexEncodedString()
+            let peerID = PeerID(hexData: favoriteKey)
            
            // Skip if already added (connected peer)
            if addedPeerIDs.contains(peerID) { continue }
@@ -138,10 +143,10 @@ final class UnifiedPeerService: ObservableObject, TransportPeerEventsDelegate {
        // Phase 4: Build subsets and indices
        var favoritesList: [BitchatPeer] = []
        var mutualsList: [BitchatPeer] = []
-        var newIndex: [String: BitchatPeer] = [:]
+        var newIndex: [PeerID: BitchatPeer] = [:]
        
        for peer in enrichedPeers {
-            newIndex[peer.id] = peer
+            newIndex[peer.peerID] = peer
            
            if peer.isFavorite {
                favoritesList.append(peer)
@@ -185,7 +190,7 @@ final class UnifiedPeerService: ObservableObject, TransportPeerEventsDelegate {
        let isReachable = peerInfo.isConnected ? true : (withinRetention && meshAttached)

        var peer = BitchatPeer(
-            id: peerInfo.id,
+            peerID: peerInfo.peerID,
            noisePublicKey: peerInfo.noisePublicKey ?? Data(),
            nickname: peerInfo.nickname,
            lastSeen: peerInfo.lastSeen,
@@ -205,10 +210,10 @@ final class UnifiedPeerService: ObservableObject, TransportPeerEventsDelegate {
    
    private func buildPeerFromFavorite(
        favorite: FavoritesPersistenceService.FavoriteRelationship,
-        peerID: String
+        peerID: PeerID
    ) -> BitchatPeer {
        var peer = BitchatPeer(
-            id: peerID,
+            peerID: peerID,
            noisePublicKey: favorite.peerNoisePublicKey,
            nickname: favorite.peerNickname,
            lastSeen: favorite.lastUpdated,
@@ -225,27 +230,22 @@ final class UnifiedPeerService: ObservableObject, TransportPeerEventsDelegate {
    // MARK: - Public Methods
    
    /// Get peer by ID
-    func getPeer(by id: String) -> BitchatPeer? {
-        return peerIndex[id]
+    func getPeer(by peerID: PeerID) -> BitchatPeer? {
+        return peerIndex[peerID]
    }
    
    /// Get peer ID for nickname
-    func getPeerID(for nickname: String) -> String? {
+    func getPeerID(for nickname: String) -> PeerID? {
        for peer in peers {
            if peer.displayName == nickname || peer.nickname == nickname {
-                return peer.id
+                return peer.peerID
            }
        }
        return nil
    }
    
-    /// Check if peer is online
-    func isOnline(_ peerID: String) -> Bool {
-        return connectedPeerIDs.contains(peerID)
-    }
-    
    /// Check if peer is blocked
-    func isBlocked(_ peerID: String) -> Bool {
+    func isBlocked(_ peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
        // Get fingerprint
        guard let fingerprint = getFingerprint(for: peerID) else { return false }
        
@@ -258,8 +258,8 @@ final class UnifiedPeerService: ObservableObject, TransportPeerEventsDelegate {
    }
    
    /// Toggle favorite status
-    func toggleFavorite(_ peerID: String) {
-        guard let peer = getPeer(by: peerID) else { 
+    func toggleFavorite(_ peerID: PeerID) {
+        guard let peer = getPeer(by: peerID) else {
            SecureLogger.warning("⚠️ Cannot toggle favorite - peer not found: \(peerID)", category: .session)
            return 
        }
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ final class UnifiedPeerService: ObservableObject, TransportPeerEventsDelegate {
            var peerNostrKey = peer.nostrPublicKey
            if peerNostrKey == nil {
                // Try to get from NostrIdentityBridge association
-                peerNostrKey = NostrIdentityBridge.getNostrPublicKey(for: peer.noisePublicKey)
+                peerNostrKey = idBridge.getNostrPublicKey(for: peer.noisePublicKey)
            }
            
            // Add favorite
@@ -322,39 +322,7 @@ final class UnifiedPeerService: ObservableObject, TransportPeerEventsDelegate {
        }
    }
    
-    /// Toggle blocked status
-    func toggleBlocked(_ peerID: String) {
-        guard let fingerprint = getFingerprint(for: peerID) else { return }
-        
-        // Get or create social identity
-        var identity = identityManager.getSocialIdentity(for: fingerprint)
-            ?? SocialIdentity(
-                fingerprint: fingerprint,
-                localPetname: nil,
-                claimedNickname: getPeer(by: peerID)?.displayName ?? "Unknown",
-                trustLevel: .unknown,
-                isFavorite: false,
-                isBlocked: false,
-                notes: nil
-            )
-        
-        // Toggle blocked status
-        identity.isBlocked = !identity.isBlocked
-        
-        // Can't be both favorite and blocked
-        if identity.isBlocked {
-            identity.isFavorite = false
-            // Also remove from favorites service
-            if let peer = getPeer(by: peerID) {
-                favoritesService.removeFavorite(peerNoisePublicKey: peer.noisePublicKey)
-            }
-        }
-        
-        identityManager.updateSocialIdentity(identity)
-    }
-    
-    /// Get fingerprint for peer ID
-    func getFingerprint(for peerID: String) -> String? {
+    func getFingerprint(for peerID: PeerID) -> String? {
        // Check cache first
        if let cached = fingerprintCache[peerID] {
            return cached
@@ -379,23 +347,13 @@ final class UnifiedPeerService: ObservableObject, TransportPeerEventsDelegate {
    // MARK: - Compatibility Methods (for easy migration)
    
    var allPeers: [BitchatPeer] { peers }
-    var connectedPeers: [String] { Array(connectedPeerIDs) }
-    var favoritePeers: Set<String> { 
-        Set(favorites.compactMap { getFingerprint(for: $0.id) })
+    var connectedPeers: Set<PeerID> { connectedPeerIDs }
+    var favoritePeers: Set<String> {
+        Set(favorites.compactMap { getFingerprint(for: $0.peerID) })
    }
    var blockedUsers: Set<String> {
        Set(peers.compactMap { peer in
-            isBlocked(peer.id) ? getFingerprint(for: peer.id) : nil
+            isBlocked(peer.peerID) ? getFingerprint(for: peer.peerID) : nil
        })
    }
 }
-
-// MARK: - Helper Extensions
-
-extension Data {
-    func sha256Fingerprint() -> String {
-        // Implementation matches existing fingerprint generation in NoiseEncryptionService
-        let hash = SHA256.hash(data: self)
-        return hash.map { String(format: "%02x", $0) }.joined()
-    }
-}
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import Foundation
-import CryptoKit

 /// QR verification scaffolding: schema, signing, and basic challenge/response helpers.
 final class VerificationService {
@@ -95,7 +94,7 @@ final class VerificationService {
                                    nickname: payload.nickname,
                                    ts: payload.ts,
                                    nonceB64: payload.nonceB64,
-                                    sigHex: sig.map { String(format: "%02x", $0) }.joined())
+                                    sigHex: sig.hexEncodedString())
        let out = signed.toURLString()
        Cache.last = (nickname, npub, Date(), out)
        return out
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import CryptoKit
 // Golomb-Coded Set (GCS) filter utilities for sync.
 // Hashing:
 //  - Packet ID is 16 bytes (see PacketIdUtil). For GCS mapping, use h64 = first 8 bytes of SHA-256 over the 16-byte ID.
-//  - Map to [0, M) via (h64 % M).
+//  - Map to [1, M) by computing (h64 % M) and remapping 0 -> 1 to avoid zero-length deltas.
 // Encoding (v1):
 //  - Sort mapped values ascending; encode deltas (first is v0, then vi - v{i-1}) as positive integers x >= 1.
 //  - Golomb-Rice with parameter P: q = (x - 1) >> P encoded as unary (q ones then a zero), then write P-bit remainder r = (x - 1) & ((1<<P)-1).
@@ -29,25 +29,40 @@ enum GCSFilter {

    static func buildFilter(ids: [Data], maxBytes: Int, targetFpr: Double) -> Params {
        let p = deriveP(targetFpr: targetFpr)
+        guard !ids.isEmpty else {
+            return Params(p: p, m: 1, data: Data())
+        }
+
        let cap = estimateMaxElements(sizeBytes: maxBytes, p: p)
-        let n = min(ids.count, cap)
-        let selected = Array(ids.prefix(n))
-        // Map to [0, M)
-        let mInit = UInt32(n << p)
-        var mapped = selected.map { id16 -> UInt64 in
-            let h = h64(id16)
-            return UInt64(h % UInt64(max(1, mInit)))
-        }.sorted()
+        let selected = Array(ids.prefix(cap))
+        let range = max(1, hashRange(count: selected.count, p: p))
+        let modulo = UInt64(range)
+
+        var mapped = selected
+            .map { h64($0) }
+            .map { mapHash($0, modulo: modulo) }
+            .sorted()
+        mapped = normalizeMappedValues(mapped, modulo: modulo)
+
+        if mapped.isEmpty {
+            return Params(p: p, m: range, data: Data())
+        }
+
        var encoded = encode(sorted: mapped, p: p)
-        var trimmedN = n
-        // Trim if over budget
-        while encoded.count > maxBytes && trimmedN > 0 {
-            trimmedN = (trimmedN * 9) / 10 // drop ~10%
-            mapped = Array(mapped.prefix(trimmedN))
+        var trimmedCount = mapped.count
+
+        while encoded.count > maxBytes && trimmedCount > 0 {
+            if trimmedCount == 1 {
+                mapped.removeAll()
+                encoded = Data()
+                break
+            }
+            trimmedCount = max(1, (trimmedCount * 9) / 10)
+            mapped = Array(mapped.prefix(trimmedCount))
            encoded = encode(sorted: mapped, p: p)
        }
-        let finalM = UInt32(max(1, trimmedN << p))
-        return Params(p: p, m: finalM, data: encoded)
+
+        return Params(p: p, m: range, data: encoded)
    }

    static func decodeToSortedSet(p: Int, m: UInt32, data: Data) -> [UInt64] {
@@ -77,6 +92,12 @@ enum GCSFilter {
        return false
    }

+    static func bucket(for id: Data, modulus m: UInt32) -> UInt64 {
+        let modulo = UInt64(max(1, m))
+        guard modulo > 1 else { return 0 }
+        return mapHash(h64(id), modulo: modulo)
+    }
+
    private static func h64(_ id16: Data) -> UInt64 {
        var hasher = SHA256()
        hasher.update(data: id16)
@@ -88,6 +109,39 @@ enum GCSFilter {
        return x & 0x7fff_ffff_ffff_ffff
    }

+    private static func hashRange(count: Int, p: Int) -> UInt32 {
+        guard count > 0 else { return 1 }
+        if p >= 64 { return UInt32.max }
+        let multiplier = UInt64(1) << UInt64(p)
+        let (product, overflow) = UInt64(count).multipliedReportingOverflow(by: multiplier)
+        if overflow { return UInt32.max }
+        if product == 0 { return 1 }
+        return product > UInt64(UInt32.max) ? UInt32.max : UInt32(product)
+    }
+
+    private static func mapHash(_ hash: UInt64, modulo: UInt64) -> UInt64 {
+        guard modulo > 1 else { return 0 }
+        let value = hash % modulo
+        if value == 0 { return 1 }
+        return value
+    }
+
+    private static func normalizeMappedValues(_ values: [UInt64], modulo: UInt64) -> [UInt64] {
+        guard modulo > 1 else { return [] }
+        guard !values.isEmpty else { return [] }
+        var result: [UInt64] = []
+        result.reserveCapacity(values.count)
+        var last: UInt64 = 0
+        for value in values {
+            let normalized = min(value, modulo - 1)
+            if normalized > last {
+                result.append(normalized)
+                last = normalized
+            }
+        }
+        return result
+    }
+
    private static func encode(sorted: [UInt64], p: Int) -> Data {
        let writer = BitWriter()
        var prev: UInt64 = 0
@@ -1,43 +1,117 @@
 import Foundation
-import CryptoKit

 // Gossip-based sync manager using on-demand GCS filters
 final class GossipSyncManager {
    protocol Delegate: AnyObject {
        func sendPacket(_ packet: BitchatPacket)
-        func sendPacket(to peerID: String, packet: BitchatPacket)
+        func sendPacket(to peerID: PeerID, packet: BitchatPacket)
        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)
        var gcsTargetFpr: Double = 0.01      // 1%
+        var maxMessageAgeSeconds: TimeInterval = 900  // 15 min - discard older messages
+        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: String
+    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: String, config: Config = Config()) {
+    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() {
        stop()
        let timer = DispatchSource.makeTimerSource(queue: queue)
-        timer.schedule(deadline: .now() + 30.0, repeating: 30.0, leeway: .seconds(1))
-        timer.setEventHandler { [weak self] in self?.sendRequestSync() }
+        let interval = max(0.1, config.maintenanceIntervalSeconds)
+        timer.schedule(deadline: .now() + interval, repeating: interval, leeway: .seconds(1))
+        timer.setEventHandler { [weak self] in
+            self?.performPeriodicMaintenance()
+        }
        timer.resume()
        periodicTimer = timer
    }
@@ -46,46 +120,93 @@ final class GossipSyncManager {
        periodicTimer?.cancel(); periodicTimer = nil
    }

-    func scheduleInitialSyncToPeer(_ peerID: String, delaySeconds: TimeInterval = 5.0) {
+    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)
+                }
+            }
        }
    }

    func onPublicPacketSeen(_ packet: BitchatPacket) {
-        let mt = MessageType(rawValue: packet.type)
+        queue.async { [weak self] in
+            self?._onPublicPacketSeen(packet)
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Helper to check if a packet is within the age threshold
+    private func isPacketFresh(_ packet: BitchatPacket) -> Bool {
+        let nowMs = UInt64(Date().timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000)
+        let ageThresholdMs = UInt64(config.maxMessageAgeSeconds * 1000)
+
+        // If current time is less than threshold, accept all (handle clock issues gracefully)
+        guard nowMs >= ageThresholdMs else { return true }
+
+        let cutoffMs = nowMs - ageThresholdMs
+        return packet.timestamp >= cutoffMs
+    }
+
+    private func isAnnouncementFresh(_ packet: BitchatPacket) -> Bool {
+        guard config.stalePeerTimeoutSeconds > 0 else { return true }
+        let nowMs = UInt64(Date().timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000)
+        let timeoutMs = UInt64(config.stalePeerTimeoutSeconds * 1000)
+        guard nowMs >= timeoutMs else { return true }
+        let cutoffMs = nowMs - timeoutMs
+        return packet.timestamp >= cutoffMs
+    }
+
+    private func _onPublicPacketSeen(_ packet: BitchatPacket) {
+        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 }

-        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)
-                }
+        switch messageType {
+        case .announce:
+            guard isPacketFresh(packet) else { return }
+            guard isAnnouncementFresh(packet) else {
+                let sender = PeerID(hexData: packet.senderID)
+                removeState(for: sender)
+                return
            }
-        } else if isAnnounce {
-            let sender = packet.senderID.hexEncodedString()
+            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) ?? Data(),
+            senderID: Data(hexString: myPeerID.id) ?? Data(),
            recipientID: nil, // broadcast
            timestamp: UInt64(Date().timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000),
            payload: payload,
@@ -96,10 +217,10 @@ final class GossipSyncManager {
        delegate?.sendPacket(signed)
    }

-    private func sendRequestSync(to peerID: String) {
-        let payload = buildGcsPayload()
+    private func sendRequestSync(to peerID: PeerID, types: SyncTypeFlags) {
+        let payload = buildGcsPayload(for: types)
        var recipient = Data()
-        var temp = peerID
+        var temp = peerID.id
        while temp.count >= 2 && recipient.count < 8 {
            let hexByte = String(temp.prefix(2))
            if let b = UInt8(hexByte, radix: 16) { recipient.append(b) }
@@ -107,7 +228,7 @@ final class GossipSyncManager {
        }
        let pkt = BitchatPacket(
            type: MessageType.requestSync.rawValue,
-            senderID: Data(hexString: myPeerID) ?? Data(),
+            senderID: Data(hexString: myPeerID.id) ?? Data(),
            recipientID: recipient,
            timestamp: UInt64(Date().timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000),
            payload: payload,
@@ -118,83 +239,197 @@ final class GossipSyncManager {
        delegate?.sendPacket(to: peerID, packet: signed)
    }

-    func handleRequestSync(fromPeerID: String, request: RequestSyncPacket) {
+    func handleRequestSync(from peerID: PeerID, request: RequestSyncPacket) {
+        queue.async { [weak self] in
+            self?._handleRequestSync(from: peerID, request: request)
+        }
+    }
+
+    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 {
-            var hasher = SHA256()
-            hasher.update(data: id) // 16-byte PacketId
-            let digest = hasher.finalize()
-            let db = Data(digest)
-            var x: UInt64 = 0
-            let take = min(8, db.count)
-            for i in 0..<take { x = (x << 8) | UInt64(db[i]) }
-            let v = (x & 0x7fff_ffff_ffff_ffff) % UInt64(request.m)
-            return GCSFilter.contains(sortedValues: sorted, candidate: v)
+            let bucket = GCSFilter.bucket(for: id, modulus: request.m)
+            return GCSFilter.contains(sortedValues: sorted, candidate: bucket)
        }

-        // 1) Announcements: send latest per peer if requester lacks them
-        for (_, pair) in latestAnnouncementByPeer {
-            let (idHex, pkt) = pair
-            let idBytes = Data(hexString: idHex) ?? Data()
-            if !mightContain(idBytes) {
-                var toSend = pkt
-                toSend.ttl = 0
-                delegate?.sendPacket(to: fromPeerID, 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
-        let toSendMsgs = messageOrder.compactMap { messages[$0] }
-        for pkt in toSendMsgs {
-            let idBytes = PacketIdUtil.computeId(pkt)
-            if !mightContain(idBytes) {
-                var toSend = pkt
-                toSend.ttl = 0
-                delegate?.sendPacket(to: fromPeerID, 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
+    private func buildGcsPayload(for types: SyncTypeFlags) -> Data {
        var candidates: [BitchatPacket] = []
-        candidates.reserveCapacity(latestAnnouncementByPeer.count + messageOrder.count)
-        for (_, pair) in latestAnnouncementByPeer { candidates.append(pair.packet) }
-        for id in messageOrder { if let p = messages[id] { candidates.append(p) } }
+        if types.contains(.announce) {
+            for (_, pair) in latestAnnouncementByPeer where isPacketFresh(pair.packet) {
+                candidates.append(pair.packet)
+            }
+        }
+        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()
    }

-    // Explicit removal hook for LEAVE/stale peer
-    func removeAnnouncementForPeer(_ peerID: String) {
-        let normalizedPeerID = peerID.lowercased()
-        _ = 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
+    // Periodic cleanup of expired messages and announcements
+    private func cleanupExpiredMessages() {
+        // Remove expired announcements
+        latestAnnouncementByPeer = latestAnnouncementByPeer.filter { _, pair in
+            isPacketFresh(pair.packet)
        }
-        
-        // Remove messages and update messageOrder
-        for id in messageIdsToRemove {
-            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)
+        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) {
+        guard now.timeIntervalSince(lastStalePeerCleanup) >= config.stalePeerCleanupIntervalSeconds else {
+            return
+        }
+        lastStalePeerCleanup = now
+        cleanupStaleAnnouncements(now: now)
+    }
+
+    private func cleanupStaleAnnouncements(now: Date) {
+        let timeoutMs = UInt64(config.stalePeerTimeoutSeconds * 1000)
+        let nowMs = UInt64(now.timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000)
+        guard nowMs >= timeoutMs else { return }
+        let cutoff = nowMs - timeoutMs
+        let stalePeerIDs = latestAnnouncementByPeer.compactMap { peerID, pair in
+            pair.packet.timestamp < cutoff ? peerID : nil
+        }
+        guard !stalePeerIDs.isEmpty else { return }
+        for peerKey in stalePeerIDs {
+            removeState(for: peerKey)
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Explicit removal hook for LEAVE/stale peer
+    func removeAnnouncementForPeer(_ peerID: PeerID) {
+        queue.async { [weak self] in
+            self?.removeState(for: peerID)
+        }
+    }
+
+    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 }
+    }
+}
+
+#if DEBUG
+extension GossipSyncManager {
+    func _performMaintenanceSynchronously(now: Date = Date()) {
+        queue.sync {
+            performPeriodicMaintenance(now: now)
+        }
+    }
+
+    func _hasAnnouncement(for peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
+        queue.sync {
+            latestAnnouncementByPeer[peerID] != nil
+        }
+    }
+
+    func _messageCount(for peerID: PeerID) -> Int {
+        queue.sync {
+            messages.allPackets { _ in true }.filter { PeerID(hexData: $0.senderID) == peerID }.count
        }
    }
 }
+#endif
@@ -14,8 +14,4 @@ enum PacketIdUtil {
        let digest = hasher.finalize()
        return Data(digest.prefix(16))
    }
-
-    static func computeIdHex(_ packet: BitchatPacket) -> String {
-        return computeId(packet).hexEncodedString()
-    }
 }
@@ -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)
+    }
+}
@@ -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
    }
 }
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+//
+//  Data+SHA256.swift
+//  bitchat
+//
+//  Created by Islam on 26/09/2025.
+//
+
+import struct Foundation.Data
+import struct CryptoKit.SHA256
+
+extension Data {
+    /// Returns the hex representation of SHA256 hash
+    func sha256Fingerprint() -> String {
+        // Implementation matches existing fingerprint generation in NoiseEncryptionService
+        sha256Hash().hexEncodedString()
+    }
+    
+    /// Returns the SHA256 hash wrapped in Data
+    func sha256Hash() -> Data {
+        Data(SHA256.hash(data: self))
+    }
+}
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+import Foundation
+
+/// Centralized thresholds for Bluetooth file transfers to keep payload sizes sane on constrained radios.
+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 = 512 * 1024 // 512 KiB
+    /// Compressed images after downscaling should comfortably fit under this budget.
+    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
+        let tlvEnvelopeOverhead = 18 + maxMetadataBytes // TLV tags + lengths + metadata bytes
+        let binaryEnvelopeOverhead = BinaryProtocol.v2HeaderSize
+            + BinaryProtocol.senderIDSize
+            + BinaryProtocol.recipientIDSize
+            + BinaryProtocol.signatureSize
+        return maxPayloadBytes + tlvEnvelopeOverhead + binaryEnvelopeOverhead
+    }()
+
+    static func isValidPayload(_ size: Int) -> Bool {
+        size <= maxPayloadBytes
+    }
+}
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+import SwiftUI
+
+/// Provides Dynamic Type aware font helpers that map existing fixed sizes onto
+/// preferred text styles so the UI scales with user accessibility settings.
+extension Font {
+    static func bitchatSystem(size: CGFloat, weight: Font.Weight = .regular, design: Font.Design = .default) -> Font {
+        let style = Font.TextStyle.bitchatPreferredStyle(for: size)
+        var font = Font.system(style, design: design)
+        if weight != .regular {
+            font = font.weight(weight)
+        }
+        return font
+    }
+}
+
+private extension Font.TextStyle {
+    static func bitchatPreferredStyle(for size: CGFloat) -> Font.TextStyle {
+        switch size {
+        case ..<11.5:
+            return .caption2
+        case ..<13.0:
+            return .caption
+        case ..<13.75:
+            return .footnote
+        case ..<15.5:
+            return .subheadline
+        case ..<17.5:
+            return .callout
+        case ..<19.5:
+            return .body
+        case ..<22.5:
+            return .title3
+        case ..<27.5:
+            return .title2
+        case ..<34.0:
+            return .title
+        default:
+            return .largeTitle
+        }
+    }
+}
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import Foundation
+import BitLogger

 /// Comprehensive input validation for BitChat protocol
 /// Prevents injection attacks, buffer overflows, and malformed data
@@ -8,89 +9,48 @@ struct InputValidator {
    
    struct Limits {
        static let maxNicknameLength = 50
-        static let maxMessageLength = 10_000
-        static let maxReasonLength = 200
-        static let maxPeerIDLength = 64
-        static let hexPeerIDLength = 16 // 8 bytes = 16 hex chars
-    }
-    
-    // MARK: - Peer ID Validation
-    
-    /// Validates a peer ID from any source (short 16-hex, full 64-hex, or internal alnum/-/_ up to 64)
-    static func validatePeerID(_ peerID: String) -> Bool {
-        // Accept short routing IDs (exact 16-hex)
-        if PeerIDResolver.isShortID(peerID) { return true }
-        // If length equals short-hex length but isn't valid hex, reject
-        if peerID.count == Limits.hexPeerIDLength { return false }
-        // Accept full Noise key hex (exact 64-hex)
-        if PeerIDResolver.isNoiseKeyHex(peerID) { return true }
-        // If length equals full key length but isn't valid hex, reject
-        if peerID.count == Limits.maxPeerIDLength { return false }
-        // Internal format: alphanumeric + dash/underscore up to 63 (not 16 or 64)
-        let validCharset = CharacterSet.alphanumerics.union(CharacterSet(charactersIn: "-_"))
-        return !peerID.isEmpty &&
-               peerID.count < Limits.maxPeerIDLength &&
-               peerID.rangeOfCharacter(from: validCharset.inverted) == nil
+        // BinaryProtocol caps payload length at UInt16.max (65_535). Leave headroom
+        // for headers/padding by limiting user content to 60_000 bytes.
+        static let maxMessageLength = 60_000
    }
    
    // MARK: - String Content Validation
    
-    /// Validates and sanitizes user-provided strings (nicknames, messages)
-    static func validateUserString(_ string: String, maxLength: Int, allowNewlines: Bool = false) -> String? {
-        // Check empty
-        guard !string.isEmpty else { return nil }
-        
-        // Trim whitespace
+    /// 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? {
        let trimmed = string.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines)
        guard !trimmed.isEmpty else { return nil }
-        
-        // Check length
        guard trimmed.count <= maxLength else { return nil }
-        
-        // Remove control characters except allowed ones
-        var allowedControlChars = CharacterSet()
-        if allowNewlines {
-            allowedControlChars.insert(charactersIn: "\n\r")
+
+        // Reject control characters outright instead of rewriting the string.
+        // This prevents injection attacks and ensures consistent UI rendering.
+        let controlChars = CharacterSet.controlCharacters
+        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
        }
-        
-        let controlChars = CharacterSet.controlCharacters.subtracting(allowedControlChars)
-        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
+
+        return trimmed
    }
    
    /// Validates nickname
    static func validateNickname(_ nickname: String) -> String? {
-        return validateUserString(nickname, maxLength: Limits.maxNicknameLength, allowNewlines: false)
-    }
-    
-    /// Validates message content
-    static func validateMessageContent(_ content: String) -> String? {
-        return validateUserString(content, maxLength: Limits.maxMessageLength, allowNewlines: true)
-    }
-    
-    /// Validates error/reason strings
-    static func validateReasonString(_ reason: String) -> String? {
-        return validateUserString(reason, maxLength: Limits.maxReasonLength, allowNewlines: false)
+        return validateUserString(nickname, maxLength: Limits.maxNicknameLength)
    }
    
    // MARK: - Protocol Field Validation
-    
+
    // Note: Message type validation is performed closer to decoding using
    // MessageType/NoisePayloadType enums; keeping validator free of stale lists.
-    
-    /// Validates hop count is reasonable
-    static func validateHopCount(_ hopCount: UInt8) -> Bool {
-        return hopCount <= 10 // Prevent excessive forwarding
-    }
-    
+
    /// Validates timestamp is reasonable (not too far in past or future)
    static func validateTimestamp(_ timestamp: Date) -> Bool {
        let now = Date()
@@ -98,38 +58,5 @@ struct InputValidator {
        let oneHourFromNow = now.addingTimeInterval(3600)
        return timestamp >= oneHourAgo && timestamp <= oneHourFromNow
    }
-    
-    /// Validates data size for different contexts
-    static func validateDataSize(_ data: Data, maxSize: Int) -> Bool {
-        return data.count > 0 && data.count <= maxSize
-    }
-    
-    // MARK: - Binary Data Validation
-    
-    /// Validates UUID format
-    static func validateUUID(_ uuid: String) -> Bool {
-        // Remove dashes and validate hex
-        let cleaned = uuid.replacingOccurrences(of: "-", with: "")
-        return cleaned.count == 32 && cleaned.allSatisfy { $0.isHexDigit }
-    }
-    
-    /// Validates public key data
-    static func validatePublicKey(_ keyData: Data) -> Bool {
-        // Curve25519 public keys are 32 bytes
-        return keyData.count == 32
-    }
-    
-    /// Validates signature data
-    static func validateSignature(_ signature: Data) -> Bool {
-        // Ed25519 signatures are 64 bytes
-        return signature.count == 64
-    }
-}

-// MARK: - Character Extensions
-
-private extension Character {
-    var isHexDigit: Bool {
-        return "0123456789abcdefABCDEF".contains(self)
-    }
 }
@@ -4,10 +4,10 @@ import Foundation
 struct PeerDisplayNameResolver {
    /// Computes display names with a `#xxxx` suffix for connected peers when nickname collisions occur.
    /// - Parameters:
-    ///   - peers: Array of tuples (id, nickname, isConnected).
+    ///   - peers: Array of tuples (peerID, nickname, isConnected).
    ///   - selfNickname: The local user's current nickname, included in collision counts to suffix remotes matching it.
    /// - Returns: Map of peerID -> displayName.
-    static func resolve(_ peers: [(id: String, nickname: String, isConnected: Bool)], selfNickname: String) -> [String: String] {
+    static func resolve(_ peers: [(peerID: PeerID, nickname: String, isConnected: Bool)], selfNickname: String) -> [PeerID: String] {
        // Count collisions among connected peers and include our own nickname
        var counts: [String: Int] = [:]
        for p in peers where p.isConnected {
@@ -15,13 +15,13 @@ struct PeerDisplayNameResolver {
        }
        counts[selfNickname, default: 0] += 1

-        var result: [String: String] = [:]
+        var result: [PeerID: String] = [:]
        for p in peers {
            var name = p.nickname
            if p.isConnected, (counts[p.nickname] ?? 0) > 1 {
-                name += "#" + String(p.id.prefix(4))
+                name += "#" + String(p.peerID.id.prefix(4))
            }
-            result[p.id] = name
+            result[p.peerID] = name
        }
        return result
    }
@@ -1,20 +0,0 @@
-import Foundation
-
-struct PeerIDResolver {
-    /// Returns a 16-hex short peer ID derived from a 64-hex Noise public key if needed
-    static func toShortID(_ id: String) -> String {
-        if id.count == 64, let data = Data(hexString: id) {
-            return PeerIDUtils.derivePeerID(fromPublicKey: data)
-        }
-        return id
-    }
-
-    static func isShortID(_ id: String) -> Bool {
-        return id.count == 16 && Data(hexString: id) != nil
-    }
-
-    static func isNoiseKeyHex(_ id: String) -> Bool {
-        return id.count == 64 && Data(hexString: id) != nil
-    }
-}
-
@@ -18,41 +18,77 @@ struct AppInfoView: View {
    
    // MARK: - Constants
    private enum Strings {
-        static let appName = "bitchat"
-        static let tagline = "sidegroupchat"
-        
+        static let appName: LocalizedStringKey = "app_info.app_name"
+        static let tagline: LocalizedStringKey = "app_info.tagline"
+
        enum Features {
-            static let title = "FEATURES"
-            static let offlineComm = ("wifi.slash", "offline communication", "works without internet using Bluetooth low energy")
-            static let encryption = ("lock.shield", "end-to-end encryption", "private messages encrypted with noise protocol")
-            static let extendedRange = ("antenna.radiowaves.left.and.right", "extended range", "messages relay through peers, going the distance")
-            static let mentions = ("at", "mentions", "use @nickname to notify specific people")
-            static let favorites = ("star.fill", "favorites", "get notified when your favorite people join")
-            static let geohash = ("number", "local channels", "geohash channels to chat with people in nearby regions over decentralized anonymous relays")
+            static let title: LocalizedStringKey = "app_info.features.title"
+            static let offlineComm = AppInfoFeatureInfo(
+                icon: "wifi.slash",
+                title: "app_info.features.offline.title",
+                description: "app_info.features.offline.description"
+            )
+            static let encryption = AppInfoFeatureInfo(
+                icon: "lock.shield",
+                title: "app_info.features.encryption.title",
+                description: "app_info.features.encryption.description"
+            )
+            static let extendedRange = AppInfoFeatureInfo(
+                icon: "antenna.radiowaves.left.and.right",
+                title: "app_info.features.extended_range.title",
+                description: "app_info.features.extended_range.description"
+            )
+            static let mentions = AppInfoFeatureInfo(
+                icon: "at",
+                title: "app_info.features.mentions.title",
+                description: "app_info.features.mentions.description"
+            )
+            static let favorites = AppInfoFeatureInfo(
+                icon: "star.fill",
+                title: "app_info.features.favorites.title",
+                description: "app_info.features.favorites.description"
+            )
+            static let geohash = AppInfoFeatureInfo(
+                icon: "number",
+                title: "app_info.features.geohash.title",
+                description: "app_info.features.geohash.description"
+            )
        }
-        
+
        enum Privacy {
-            static let title = "PRIVACY"
-            static let noTracking = ("eye.slash", "no tracking", "no servers, accounts, or data collection")
-            static let ephemeral = ("shuffle", "ephemeral identity", "new peer ID generated regularly")
-            static let panic = ("hand.raised.fill", "panic mode", "triple-tap logo to instantly clear all data")
+            static let title: LocalizedStringKey = "app_info.privacy.title"
+            static let noTracking = AppInfoFeatureInfo(
+                icon: "eye.slash",
+                title: "app_info.privacy.no_tracking.title",
+                description: "app_info.privacy.no_tracking.description"
+            )
+            static let ephemeral = AppInfoFeatureInfo(
+                icon: "shuffle",
+                title: "app_info.privacy.ephemeral.title",
+                description: "app_info.privacy.ephemeral.description"
+            )
+            static let panic = AppInfoFeatureInfo(
+                icon: "hand.raised.fill",
+                title: "app_info.privacy.panic.title",
+                description: "app_info.privacy.panic.description"
+            )
        }
-        
+
        enum HowToUse {
-            static let title = "HOW TO USE"
-            static let instructions = [
-                "• set your nickname by tapping it",
-                "• tap #mesh to change channels",
-                "• tap people icon for sidebar",
-                "• tap a peer's name to start a DM",
-                "• triple-tap chat to clear",
-                "• type / for commands"
+            static let title: LocalizedStringKey = "app_info.how_to_use.title"
+            static let instructions: [LocalizedStringKey] = [
+                "app_info.how_to_use.set_nickname",
+                "app_info.how_to_use.change_channels",
+                "app_info.how_to_use.open_sidebar",
+                "app_info.how_to_use.start_dm",
+                "app_info.how_to_use.clear_chat",
+                "app_info.how_to_use.commands"
            ]
        }
-        
+
        enum Warning {
-            static let title = "WARNING"
-            static let message = "private message security has not yet been fully audited. do not use for critical situations until this warning disappears."
+            static let title: LocalizedStringKey = "app_info.warning.title"
+            static let message: LocalizedStringKey = "app_info.warning.message"
        }
    }
    
@@ -62,7 +98,7 @@ struct AppInfoView: View {
            // Custom header for macOS
            HStack {
                Spacer()
-                Button("DONE") {
+                Button("app_info.done") {
                    dismiss()
                }
                .buttonStyle(.plain)
@@ -88,12 +124,12 @@ struct AppInfoView: View {
                ToolbarItem(placement: .navigationBarTrailing) {
                    Button(action: { dismiss() }) {
                        Image(systemName: "xmark")
-                            .font(.system(size: 13, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced))
+                            .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 13, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced))
                            .foregroundColor(textColor)
                            .frame(width: 32, height: 32)
                    }
                    .buttonStyle(.plain)
-                    .accessibilityLabel("Close")
+                    .accessibilityLabel("app_info.close")
                }
            }
        }
@@ -106,82 +142,64 @@ struct AppInfoView: View {
            // Header
            VStack(alignment: .center, spacing: 8) {
                Text(Strings.appName)
-                    .font(.system(size: 32, weight: .bold, design: .monospaced))
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 32, weight: .bold, design: .monospaced))
                    .foregroundColor(textColor)
                
                Text(Strings.tagline)
-                    .font(.system(size: 16, design: .monospaced))
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 16, design: .monospaced))
                    .foregroundColor(secondaryTextColor)
            }
            .frame(maxWidth: .infinity)
            .padding(.vertical)
            
-            // Features
-            VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 16) {
-                SectionHeader(Strings.Features.title)
-                
-                FeatureRow(icon: Strings.Features.offlineComm.0, 
-                          title: Strings.Features.offlineComm.1,
-                          description: Strings.Features.offlineComm.2)
-                
-                FeatureRow(icon: Strings.Features.encryption.0,
-                          title: Strings.Features.encryption.1,
-                          description: Strings.Features.encryption.2)
-                
-                FeatureRow(icon: Strings.Features.extendedRange.0,
-                          title: Strings.Features.extendedRange.1,
-                          description: Strings.Features.extendedRange.2)
-                
-                FeatureRow(icon: Strings.Features.favorites.0,
-                          title: Strings.Features.favorites.1,
-                          description: Strings.Features.favorites.2)
-                
-                FeatureRow(icon: Strings.Features.geohash.0,
-                          title: Strings.Features.geohash.1,
-                          description: Strings.Features.geohash.2)
-                
-                FeatureRow(icon: Strings.Features.mentions.0,
-                          title: Strings.Features.mentions.1,
-                          description: Strings.Features.mentions.2)
-            }
-            
-            // Privacy
-            VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 16) {
-                SectionHeader(Strings.Privacy.title)
-                
-                FeatureRow(icon: Strings.Privacy.noTracking.0,
-                          title: Strings.Privacy.noTracking.1,
-                          description: Strings.Privacy.noTracking.2)
-                
-                FeatureRow(icon: Strings.Privacy.ephemeral.0,
-                          title: Strings.Privacy.ephemeral.1,
-                          description: Strings.Privacy.ephemeral.2)
-                
-                FeatureRow(icon: Strings.Privacy.panic.0,
-                          title: Strings.Privacy.panic.1,
-                          description: Strings.Privacy.panic.2)
-            }
-            
            // How to Use
            VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 16) {
                SectionHeader(Strings.HowToUse.title)
-                
+
                VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 8) {
-                    ForEach(Strings.HowToUse.instructions, id: \.self) { instruction in
+                    ForEach(Array(Strings.HowToUse.instructions.enumerated()), id: \.offset) { _, instruction in
                        Text(instruction)
                    }
                }
-                .font(.system(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
                .foregroundColor(textColor)
            }
-            
+
+            // Features
+            VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 16) {
+                SectionHeader(Strings.Features.title)
+
+                FeatureRow(info: Strings.Features.offlineComm)
+
+                FeatureRow(info: Strings.Features.encryption)
+
+                FeatureRow(info: Strings.Features.extendedRange)
+
+                FeatureRow(info: Strings.Features.favorites)
+
+                FeatureRow(info: Strings.Features.geohash)
+
+                FeatureRow(info: Strings.Features.mentions)
+            }
+
+            // Privacy
+            VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 16) {
+                SectionHeader(Strings.Privacy.title)
+
+                FeatureRow(info: Strings.Privacy.noTracking)
+
+                FeatureRow(info: Strings.Privacy.ephemeral)
+
+                FeatureRow(info: Strings.Privacy.panic)
+            }
+
            // Warning
            VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 6) {
                SectionHeader(Strings.Warning.title)
                    .foregroundColor(Color.red)
                
                Text(Strings.Warning.message)
-                    .font(.system(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
                    .foregroundColor(Color.red)
                    .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
            }
@@ -197,30 +215,34 @@ struct AppInfoView: View {
    }
 }

+struct AppInfoFeatureInfo {
+    let icon: String
+    let title: LocalizedStringKey
+    let description: LocalizedStringKey
+}
+
 struct SectionHeader: View {
-    let title: String
+    let title: LocalizedStringKey
    @Environment(\.colorScheme) var colorScheme
    
    private var textColor: Color {
        colorScheme == .dark ? Color.green : Color(red: 0, green: 0.5, blue: 0)
    }
    
-    init(_ title: String) {
+    init(_ title: LocalizedStringKey) {
        self.title = title
    }
    
    var body: some View {
        Text(title)
-            .font(.system(size: 16, weight: .bold, design: .monospaced))
+            .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 16, weight: .bold, design: .monospaced))
            .foregroundColor(textColor)
            .padding(.top, 8)
    }
 }

 struct FeatureRow: View {
-    let icon: String
-    let title: String
-    let description: String
+    let info: AppInfoFeatureInfo
    @Environment(\.colorScheme) var colorScheme
    
    private var textColor: Color {
@@ -233,18 +255,18 @@ struct FeatureRow: View {
    
    var body: some View {
        HStack(alignment: .top, spacing: 12) {
-            Image(systemName: icon)
-                .font(.system(size: 20))
+            Image(systemName: info.icon)
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 20))
                .foregroundColor(textColor)
                .frame(width: 30)
            
            VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 4) {
-                Text(title)
-                    .font(.system(size: 14, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced))
+                Text(info.title)
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced))
                    .foregroundColor(textColor)
                
-                Text(description)
-                    .font(.system(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                Text(info.description)
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
                    .foregroundColor(secondaryTextColor)
                    .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
            }
@@ -254,6 +276,16 @@ struct FeatureRow: View {
    }
 }

-#Preview {
+#Preview("Default") {
    AppInfoView()
 }
+
+#Preview("Dynamic Type XXL") {
+    AppInfoView()
+        .environment(\.sizeCategory, .accessibilityExtraExtraExtraLarge)
+}
+
+#Preview("Dynamic Type XS") {
+    AppInfoView()
+        .environment(\.sizeCategory, .extraSmall)
+}
@@ -0,0 +1,144 @@
+//
+// DeliveryStatusView.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import SwiftUI
+
+struct DeliveryStatusView: View {
+    @Environment(\.colorScheme) private var colorScheme
+    let status: DeliveryStatus
+
+    // MARK: - Computed Properties
+    
+    private var textColor: Color {
+        colorScheme == .dark ? Color.green : Color(red: 0, green: 0.5, blue: 0)
+    }
+    
+    private var secondaryTextColor: Color {
+        colorScheme == .dark ? Color.green.opacity(0.8) : Color(red: 0, green: 0.5, blue: 0).opacity(0.8)
+    }
+
+    private enum Strings {
+        static func delivered(to nickname: String) -> String {
+            String(
+                format: String(localized: "content.delivery.delivered_to", comment: "Tooltip for delivered private messages"),
+                locale: .current,
+                nickname
+            )
+        }
+
+        static func read(by nickname: String) -> String {
+            String(
+                format: String(localized: "content.delivery.read_by", comment: "Tooltip for read private messages"),
+                locale: .current,
+                nickname
+            )
+        }
+
+        static func failed(_ reason: String) -> String {
+            String(
+                format: String(localized: "content.delivery.failed", comment: "Tooltip for failed message delivery"),
+                locale: .current,
+                reason
+            )
+        }
+
+        static func deliveredToMembers(_ reached: Int, _ total: Int) -> String {
+            String(
+                format: String(localized: "content.delivery.delivered_members", comment: "Tooltip for partially delivered messages"),
+                locale: .current,
+                reached,
+                total
+            )
+        }
+    }
+    
+    // MARK: - Body
+    
+    var body: some View {
+        switch status {
+        case .sending:
+            Image(systemName: "circle")
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10))
+                .foregroundColor(secondaryTextColor.opacity(0.6))
+            
+        case .sent:
+            Image(systemName: "checkmark")
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10))
+                .foregroundColor(secondaryTextColor.opacity(0.6))
+            
+        case .delivered(let nickname, _):
+            HStack(spacing: -2) {
+                Image(systemName: "checkmark")
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10))
+                Image(systemName: "checkmark")
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10))
+            }
+            .foregroundColor(textColor.opacity(0.8))
+            .help(Strings.delivered(to: nickname))
+            
+        case .read(let nickname, _):
+            HStack(spacing: -2) {
+                Image(systemName: "checkmark")
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10, weight: .bold))
+                Image(systemName: "checkmark")
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10, weight: .bold))
+            }
+            .foregroundColor(Color(red: 0.0, green: 0.478, blue: 1.0))  // Bright blue
+            .help(Strings.read(by: nickname))
+            
+        case .failed(let reason):
+            Image(systemName: "exclamationmark.triangle")
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10))
+                .foregroundColor(Color.red.opacity(0.8))
+                .help(Strings.failed(reason))
+            
+        case .partiallyDelivered(let reached, let total):
+            HStack(spacing: 1) {
+                Image(systemName: "checkmark")
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10))
+                Text(verbatim: "\(reached)/\(total)")
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10, design: .monospaced))
+            }
+            .foregroundColor(secondaryTextColor.opacity(0.6))
+            .help(Strings.deliveredToMembers(reached, total))
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#Preview {
+    let statuses: [DeliveryStatus] = [
+        .sending,
+        .sent,
+        .delivered(to: "John Doe", at: Date()),
+        .read(by: "Jane Doe", at: Date()),
+        .failed(reason: "Offline"),
+        .partiallyDelivered(reached: 2, total: 5)
+    ]
+    
+    List {
+        ForEach(statuses, id: \.self) { status in
+            HStack {
+                Text(status.displayText)
+                Spacer()
+                DeliveryStatusView(status: status)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    .environment(\.colorScheme, .light)
+
+    List {
+        ForEach(statuses, id: \.self) { status in
+            HStack {
+                Text(status.displayText)
+                Spacer()
+                DeliveryStatusView(status: status)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    .environment(\.colorScheme, .dark)
+}
@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+//
+// PaymentChipView.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import SwiftUI
+
+struct PaymentChipView: View {
+    @Environment(\.colorScheme) private var colorScheme
+    @Environment(\.openURL) private var openURL
+    
+    enum PaymentType {
+        case cashu(String)
+        case lightning(String)
+        
+        var url: URL? {
+            switch self {
+            case .cashu(let link), .lightning(let link):
+                return URL(string: link)
+            }
+        }
+        
+        var emoji: String {
+            switch self {
+            case .cashu:        "🥜"
+            case .lightning:    "⚡"
+            }
+        }
+        
+        var label: String {
+            switch self {
+            case .cashu:
+                String(localized: "content.payment.cashu", comment: "Label for Cashu payment chip")
+            case .lightning:
+                String(localized: "content.payment.lightning", comment: "Label for Lightning payment chip")
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    
+    let paymentType: PaymentType
+    
+    private var fgColor: Color {
+        colorScheme == .dark ? Color.green : Color(red: 0, green: 0.5, blue: 0)
+    }
+    private var bgColor: Color {
+        colorScheme == .dark ? Color.gray.opacity(0.18) : Color.gray.opacity(0.12)
+    }
+    private var border: Color { fgColor.opacity(0.25) }
+    
+    var body: some View {
+        Button {
+            #if os(iOS)
+            if let url = paymentType.url { openURL(url) }
+            #else
+            if let url = paymentType.url { NSWorkspace.shared.open(url) }
+            #endif
+        } label: {
+            HStack(spacing: 6) {
+                Text(paymentType.emoji)
+                Text(paymentType.label)
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced))
+            }
+            .padding(.vertical, 6)
+            .padding(.horizontal, 12)
+            .background(
+                RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 12)
+                    .fill(bgColor)
+            )
+            .overlay(
+                RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 12)
+                    .stroke(border, lineWidth: 1)
+            )
+            .foregroundColor(fgColor)
+        }
+        .buttonStyle(.plain)
+    }
+}
+
+#Preview {
+    let cashuLink = "https://example.com/cashu"
+    let lightningLink = "https://example.com/lightning"
+    
+    List {
+        HStack {
+            PaymentChipView(paymentType: .cashu(cashuLink))
+            PaymentChipView(paymentType: .lightning(lightningLink))
+        }
+        .listRowSeparator(.hidden)
+        .listRowInsets(EdgeInsets())
+        .listRowBackground(EmptyView())
+    }
+    .environment(\.colorScheme, .light)
+
+    List {
+        HStack {
+            PaymentChipView(paymentType: .cashu(cashuLink))
+            PaymentChipView(paymentType: .lightning(lightningLink))
+        }
+        .listRowSeparator(.hidden)
+        .listRowInsets(EdgeInsets())
+        .listRowBackground(EmptyView())
+    }
+    .environment(\.colorScheme, .dark)
+}
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+//
+// TextMessageView.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import SwiftUI
+
+struct TextMessageView: View {
+    @Environment(\.colorScheme) private var colorScheme: ColorScheme
+    @EnvironmentObject private var viewModel: ChatViewModel
+    
+    let message: BitchatMessage
+    @Binding var expandedMessageIDs: Set<String>
+    
+    var body: some View {
+        VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 0) {
+            // Precompute heavy token scans once per row
+            let cashuLinks = message.content.extractCashuLinks()
+            let lightningLinks = message.content.extractLightningLinks()
+            HStack(alignment: .top, spacing: 0) {
+                let isLong = (message.content.count > TransportConfig.uiLongMessageLengthThreshold || message.content.hasVeryLongToken(threshold: TransportConfig.uiVeryLongTokenThreshold)) && cashuLinks.isEmpty
+                let isExpanded = expandedMessageIDs.contains(message.id)
+                Text(viewModel.formatMessageAsText(message, colorScheme: colorScheme))
+                    .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
+                    .lineLimit(isLong && !isExpanded ? TransportConfig.uiLongMessageLineLimit : nil)
+                    .frame(maxWidth: .infinity, alignment: .leading)
+                
+                // Delivery status indicator for private messages
+                if message.isPrivate && message.sender == viewModel.nickname,
+                   let status = message.deliveryStatus {
+                    DeliveryStatusView(status: status)
+                        .padding(.leading, 4)
+                }
+            }
+            
+            // Expand/Collapse for very long messages
+            if (message.content.count > TransportConfig.uiLongMessageLengthThreshold || message.content.hasVeryLongToken(threshold: TransportConfig.uiVeryLongTokenThreshold)) && cashuLinks.isEmpty {
+                let isExpanded = expandedMessageIDs.contains(message.id)
+                let labelKey = isExpanded ? LocalizedStringKey("content.message.show_less") : LocalizedStringKey("content.message.show_more")
+                Button(labelKey) {
+                    if isExpanded { expandedMessageIDs.remove(message.id) }
+                    else { expandedMessageIDs.insert(message.id) }
+                }
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 11, weight: .medium, design: .monospaced))
+                .foregroundColor(Color.blue)
+                .padding(.top, 4)
+            }
+
+            // Render payment chips (Lightning / Cashu) with rounded background
+            if !lightningLinks.isEmpty || !cashuLinks.isEmpty {
+                HStack(spacing: 8) {
+                    ForEach(lightningLinks, id: \.self) { link in
+                        PaymentChipView(paymentType: .lightning(link))
+                    }
+                    ForEach(cashuLinks, id: \.self) { link in
+                        PaymentChipView(paymentType: .cashu(link))
+                    }
+                }
+                .padding(.top, 6)
+                .padding(.leading, 2)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+@available(macOS 14, iOS 17, *)
+#Preview {
+    @Previewable @State var ids: Set<String> = []
+    let keychain = PreviewKeychainManager()
+    
+    Group {
+        List {
+            TextMessageView(message: .preview, expandedMessageIDs: $ids)
+                .listRowSeparator(.hidden)
+                .listRowInsets(EdgeInsets())
+                .listRowBackground(EmptyView())
+        }
+        .environment(\.colorScheme, .light)
+        
+        List {
+            TextMessageView(message: .preview, expandedMessageIDs: $ids)
+                .listRowSeparator(.hidden)
+                .listRowInsets(EdgeInsets())
+                .listRowBackground(EmptyView())
+        }
+        .environment(\.colorScheme, .dark)
+    }
+    .environmentObject(
+        ChatViewModel(
+            keychain: keychain,
+            idBridge: NostrIdentityBridge(),
+            identityManager: SecureIdentityStateManager(keychain)
+        )
+    )
+}
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import SwiftUI

 struct FingerprintView: View {
    @ObservedObject var viewModel: ChatViewModel
-    let peerID: String
+    let peerID: PeerID
    @Environment(\.dismiss) var dismiss
    @Environment(\.colorScheme) var colorScheme
    
@@ -21,20 +21,43 @@ struct FingerprintView: View {
    private var backgroundColor: Color {
        colorScheme == .dark ? Color.black : Color.white
    }
+
+    private enum Strings {
+        static let title: LocalizedStringKey = "fingerprint.title"
+        static let theirFingerprint: LocalizedStringKey = "fingerprint.their_label"
+        static let handshakePending: LocalizedStringKey = "fingerprint.handshake_pending"
+        static let yourFingerprint: LocalizedStringKey = "fingerprint.your_label"
+        static let copy: LocalizedStringKey = "common.copy"
+        static let verifiedBadge: LocalizedStringKey = "fingerprint.badge.verified"
+        static let notVerifiedBadge: LocalizedStringKey = "fingerprint.badge.not_verified"
+        static let verifiedMessage: LocalizedStringKey = "fingerprint.message.verified"
+        static func verifyHint(_ nickname: String) -> String {
+            String(
+                format: String(localized: "fingerprint.message.verify_hint", comment: "Instruction to compare fingerprints with a named peer"),
+                locale: .current,
+                nickname
+            )
+        }
+        static let markVerified: LocalizedStringKey = "fingerprint.action.mark_verified"
+        static let removeVerification: LocalizedStringKey = "fingerprint.action.remove_verification"
+        static func unknownPeer() -> String {
+            String(localized: "common.unknown", comment: "Label for an unknown peer")
+        }
+    }
    
    var body: some View {
        VStack(spacing: 20) {
            // Header
            HStack {
-                Text("SECURITY VERIFICATION")
-                    .font(.system(size: 16, weight: .bold, design: .monospaced))
+                Text(Strings.title)
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 16, weight: .bold, design: .monospaced))
                    .foregroundColor(textColor)
                
                Spacer()
                
                Button(action: { dismiss() }) {
                    Image(systemName: "xmark")
-                        .font(.system(size: 14, weight: .semibold))
+                        .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, weight: .semibold))
                }
                .foregroundColor(textColor)
            }
@@ -42,15 +65,12 @@ struct FingerprintView: View {
            
            VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 16) {
                // Prefer short mesh ID for session/encryption status
-                let statusPeerID: String = {
-                    if peerID.count == 64, let short = viewModel.getShortIDForNoiseKey(peerID) { 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 }
                    if let name = viewModel.meshService.peerNickname(peerID: statusPeerID) { return name }
-                    if peerID.count == 64, let data = Data(hexString: peerID) {
+                    if let data = peerID.noiseKey {
                        if let fav = FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(for: data), !fav.peerNickname.isEmpty { return fav.peerNickname }
                        let fp = data.sha256Fingerprint()
                        if let social = viewModel.identityManager.getSocialIdentity(for: fp) {
@@ -58,7 +78,7 @@ struct FingerprintView: View {
                            if !social.claimedNickname.isEmpty { return social.claimedNickname }
                        }
                    }
-                    return "Unknown"
+                    return Strings.unknownPeer()
                }()
                // Accurate encryption state based on short ID session
                let encryptionStatus = viewModel.getEncryptionStatus(for: statusPeerID)
@@ -66,17 +86,17 @@ struct FingerprintView: View {
                HStack {
                    if let icon = encryptionStatus.icon {
                        Image(systemName: icon)
-                            .font(.system(size: 20))
+                            .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 20))
                            .foregroundColor(encryptionStatus == .noiseVerified ? Color.green : textColor)
                    }
                    
                    VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 4) {
                        Text(peerNickname)
-                            .font(.system(size: 18, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced))
+                            .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 18, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced))
                            .foregroundColor(textColor)
                        
                        Text(encryptionStatus.description)
-                            .font(.system(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                            .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
                            .foregroundColor(textColor.opacity(0.7))
                    }
                    
@@ -88,13 +108,13 @@ struct FingerprintView: View {
                
                // Their fingerprint
                VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 8) {
-                    Text("THEIR FINGERPRINT:")
-                        .font(.system(size: 12, weight: .bold, design: .monospaced))
+                    Text(Strings.theirFingerprint)
+                        .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, weight: .bold, design: .monospaced))
                        .foregroundColor(textColor.opacity(0.7))
                    
                    if let fingerprint = viewModel.getFingerprint(for: statusPeerID) {
                        Text(formatFingerprint(fingerprint))
-                            .font(.system(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
+                            .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
                            .foregroundColor(textColor)
                            .multilineTextAlignment(.leading)
                            .lineLimit(nil)
@@ -104,7 +124,7 @@ struct FingerprintView: View {
                            .background(Color.gray.opacity(0.1))
                            .cornerRadius(8)
                            .contextMenu {
-                                Button("Copy") {
+                                Button(Strings.copy) {
                                    #if os(iOS)
                                    UIPasteboard.general.string = fingerprint
                                    #else
@@ -114,22 +134,22 @@ struct FingerprintView: View {
                                }
                            }
                    } else {
-                        Text("not available - handshake in progress")
-                            .font(.system(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
+                        Text(Strings.handshakePending)
+                            .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
                            .foregroundColor(Color.orange)
                            .padding()
                    }
                }
-                
+
                // My fingerprint
                VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 8) {
-                    Text("YOUR FINGERPRINT:")
-                        .font(.system(size: 12, weight: .bold, design: .monospaced))
+                    Text(Strings.yourFingerprint)
+                        .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, weight: .bold, design: .monospaced))
                        .foregroundColor(textColor.opacity(0.7))
                    
                    let myFingerprint = viewModel.getMyFingerprint()
                    Text(formatFingerprint(myFingerprint))
-                        .font(.system(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
+                        .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
                        .foregroundColor(textColor)
                        .multilineTextAlignment(.leading)
                        .lineLimit(nil)
@@ -139,7 +159,7 @@ struct FingerprintView: View {
                        .background(Color.gray.opacity(0.1))
                        .cornerRadius(8)
                        .contextMenu {
-                            Button("Copy") {
+                            Button(Strings.copy) {
                                #if os(iOS)
                                UIPasteboard.general.string = myFingerprint
                                #else
@@ -155,15 +175,19 @@ struct FingerprintView: View {
                    let isVerified = encryptionStatus == .noiseVerified
                    
                    VStack(spacing: 12) {
-                        Text(isVerified ? "✓ VERIFIED" : "⚠️ NOT VERIFIED")
-                            .font(.system(size: 14, weight: .bold, design: .monospaced))
+                        Text(isVerified ? Strings.verifiedBadge : Strings.notVerifiedBadge)
+                            .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, weight: .bold, design: .monospaced))
                            .foregroundColor(isVerified ? Color.green : Color.orange)
                            .frame(maxWidth: .infinity)
                        
-                        Text(isVerified ? 
-                             "you have verified this person's identity." :
-                             "compare these fingerprints with \(peerNickname) using a secure channel.")
-                            .font(.system(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                        Group {
+                            if isVerified {
+                                Text(Strings.verifiedMessage)
+                            } else {
+                                Text(Strings.verifyHint(peerNickname))
+                            }
+                        }
+                            .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
                            .foregroundColor(textColor.opacity(0.7))
                            .multilineTextAlignment(.center)
                            .lineLimit(nil)
@@ -175,8 +199,8 @@ struct FingerprintView: View {
                                viewModel.verifyFingerprint(for: peerID)
                                dismiss()
                            }) {
-                                Text("MARK AS VERIFIED")
-                                    .font(.system(size: 14, weight: .bold, design: .monospaced))
+                                Text(Strings.markVerified)
+                                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, weight: .bold, design: .monospaced))
                                    .foregroundColor(.white)
                                    .padding(.horizontal, 20)
                                    .padding(.vertical, 10)
@@ -189,8 +213,8 @@ struct FingerprintView: View {
                                viewModel.unverifyFingerprint(for: peerID)
                                dismiss()
                            }) {
-                                Text("REMOVE VERIFICATION")
-                                    .font(.system(size: 14, weight: .bold, design: .monospaced))
+                                Text(Strings.removeVerification)
+                                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, weight: .bold, design: .monospaced))
                                    .foregroundColor(.white)
                                    .padding(.horizontal, 20)
                                    .padding(.vertical, 10)
@@ -212,8 +236,6 @@ struct FingerprintView: View {
        .padding()
        .frame(maxWidth: .infinity, maxHeight: .infinity)
        .background(backgroundColor)
-        .presentationDetents([.large])
-        .presentationDragIndicator(.visible)
    }
    
    private func formatFingerprint(_ fingerprint: String) -> String {
@@ -8,11 +8,19 @@ struct GeohashPeopleList: View {
    @Environment(\.colorScheme) var colorScheme
    @State private var orderedIDs: [String] = []

+    private enum Strings {
+        static let noneNearby: LocalizedStringKey = "geohash_people.none_nearby"
+        static let youSuffix: LocalizedStringKey = "geohash_people.you_suffix"
+        static let blockedTooltip = String(localized: "geohash_people.tooltip.blocked", comment: "Tooltip shown next to users blocked in geohash channels")
+        static let unblock: LocalizedStringKey = "geohash_people.action.unblock"
+        static let block: LocalizedStringKey = "geohash_people.action.block"
+    }
+
    var body: some View {
        if viewModel.visibleGeohashPeople().isEmpty {
            VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 0) {
-                Text("nobody around...")
-                    .font(.system(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
+                Text(Strings.noneNearby)
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
                    .foregroundColor(secondaryTextColor)
                    .padding(.horizontal)
                    .padding(.top, 12)
@@ -20,7 +28,7 @@ struct GeohashPeopleList: View {
        } else {
            let myHex: String? = {
                if case .location(let ch) = LocationChannelManager.shared.selectedChannel,
-                   let id = try? NostrIdentityBridge.deriveIdentity(forGeohash: ch.geohash) {
+                   let id = try? viewModel.idBridge.deriveIdentity(forGeohash: ch.geohash) {
                    return id.publicKeyHex.lowercased()
                }
                return nil
@@ -51,32 +59,32 @@ struct GeohashPeopleList: View {
                        let icon = teleported ? "face.dashed" : "mappin.and.ellipse"
                        let assignedColor = viewModel.colorForNostrPubkey(person.id, isDark: colorScheme == .dark)
                        let rowColor: Color = isMe ? .orange : assignedColor
-                        Image(systemName: icon).font(.system(size: 12)).foregroundColor(rowColor)
+                        Image(systemName: icon).font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12)).foregroundColor(rowColor)

-                        let (base, suffix) = splitSuffix(from: person.displayName)
+                        let (base, suffix) = person.displayName.splitSuffix()
                        HStack(spacing: 0) {
                            Text(base)
-                                .font(.system(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
+                                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
                                .fontWeight(isMe ? .bold : .regular)
                                .foregroundColor(rowColor)
                            if !suffix.isEmpty {
                                let suffixColor = isMe ? Color.orange.opacity(0.6) : rowColor.opacity(0.6)
                                Text(suffix)
-                                    .font(.system(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
+                                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
                                    .foregroundColor(suffixColor)
                            }
                            if isMe {
-                                Text(" (you)")
-                                    .font(.system(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
+                                Text(Strings.youSuffix)
+                                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
                                    .foregroundColor(rowColor)
                            }
                        }
                        if let me = myHex, person.id != me {
                            if viewModel.isGeohashUserBlocked(pubkeyHexLowercased: person.id) {
                                Image(systemName: "nosign")
-                                    .font(.system(size: 10))
+                                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 10))
                                    .foregroundColor(.red)
-                                    .help("Blocked in geochash")
+                                    .help(Strings.blockedTooltip)
                            }
                        }
                        Spacer()
@@ -97,9 +105,9 @@ struct GeohashPeopleList: View {
                        } else {
                            let blocked = viewModel.isGeohashUserBlocked(pubkeyHexLowercased: person.id)
                            if blocked {
-                                Button("Unblock") { viewModel.unblockGeohashUser(pubkeyHexLowercased: person.id, displayName: person.displayName) }
+                                Button(Strings.unblock) { viewModel.unblockGeohashUser(pubkeyHexLowercased: person.id, displayName: person.displayName) }
                            } else {
-                                Button("Block") { viewModel.blockGeohashUser(pubkeyHexLowercased: person.id, displayName: person.displayName) }
+                                Button(Strings.block) { viewModel.blockGeohashUser(pubkeyHexLowercased: person.id, displayName: person.displayName) }
                            }
                        }
                    }
@@ -118,16 +126,3 @@ struct GeohashPeopleList: View {
        }
    }
 }
-
-// Helper to split a trailing #abcd suffix
-private func splitSuffix(from name: String) -> (String, String) {
-    guard name.count >= 5 else { return (name, "") }
-    let suffix = String(name.suffix(5))
-    if suffix.first == "#", suffix.dropFirst().allSatisfy({ c in
-        ("0"..."9").contains(String(c)) || ("a"..."f").contains(String(c)) || ("A"..."F").contains(String(c))
-    }) {
-        let base = String(name.dropLast(5))
-        return (base, suffix)
-    }
-    return (name, "")
-}
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ struct LocationChannelsSheet: View {
    @Binding var isPresented: Bool
    @ObservedObject private var manager = LocationChannelManager.shared
    @ObservedObject private var bookmarks = GeohashBookmarksStore.shared
+    @ObservedObject private var network = NetworkActivationService.shared
    @EnvironmentObject var viewModel: ChatViewModel
    @Environment(\.colorScheme) var colorScheme
    @State private var customGeohash: String = ""
@@ -16,21 +17,81 @@ struct LocationChannelsSheet: View {

    private var backgroundColor: Color { colorScheme == .dark ? .black : .white }

+    private enum Strings {
+        static let title: LocalizedStringKey = "location_channels.title"
+        static let description: LocalizedStringKey = "location_channels.description"
+        static let requestPermissions: LocalizedStringKey = "location_channels.action.request_permissions"
+        static let permissionDenied: LocalizedStringKey = "location_channels.permission_denied"
+        static let openSettings: LocalizedStringKey = "location_channels.action.open_settings"
+        static let loadingNearby: LocalizedStringKey = "location_channels.loading_nearby"
+        static let teleport: LocalizedStringKey = "location_channels.action.teleport"
+        static let bookmarked: LocalizedStringKey = "location_channels.bookmarked_section_title"
+        static let removeAccess: LocalizedStringKey = "location_channels.action.remove_access"
+        static let torTitle: LocalizedStringKey = "location_channels.tor.title"
+        static let torSubtitle: LocalizedStringKey = "location_channels.tor.subtitle"
+        static let toggleOn: LocalizedStringKey = "common.toggle.on"
+        static let toggleOff: LocalizedStringKey = "common.toggle.off"
+
+        static let invalidGeohash = String(localized: "location_channels.error.invalid_geohash", comment: "Error shown when a custom geohash is invalid")
+
+        static func meshTitle(_ count: Int) -> String {
+            let label = String(localized: "location_channels.mesh_label", comment: "Label for the mesh channel row")
+            return rowTitle(label: label, count: count)
+        }
+
+        static func levelTitle(for level: GeohashChannelLevel, count: Int) -> String {
+            return rowTitle(label: level.displayName, count: count)
+        }
+
+        static func bookmarkTitle(geohash: String, count: Int) -> String {
+            return rowTitle(label: "#\(geohash)", count: count)
+        }
+
+        static func subtitlePrefix(geohash: String, coverage: String) -> String {
+            String(
+                format: String(localized: "location_channels.subtitle_prefix", comment: "Subtitle prefix showing geohash and coverage"),
+                locale: .current,
+                geohash, coverage
+            )
+        }
+
+        static func subtitle(prefix: String, name: String?) -> String {
+            guard let name, !name.isEmpty else { return prefix }
+            return String(
+                format: String(localized: "location_channels.subtitle_with_name", comment: "Subtitle combining prefix and resolved location name"),
+                locale: .current,
+                prefix, name
+            )
+        }
+
+        private static func rowTitle(label: String, count: Int) -> String {
+            String(
+                format: String(localized: "location_channels.row_title", comment: "List row title with participant count"),
+                locale: .current,
+                label, count
+            )
+        }
+    }
+
    var body: some View {
        NavigationView {
            VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 12) {
-                Text("#location channels")
-                    .font(.system(size: 18, design: .monospaced))
-                Text("chat with people near you using geohash channels. only a coarse geohash is shared, never exact gps. your IP address is hidden by routing all traffic over tor.")
-                    .font(.system(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                HStack(spacing: 12) {
+                    Text(Strings.title)
+                        .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 18, design: .monospaced))
+                    Spacer()
+                    closeButton
+                }
+                Text(Strings.description)
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)

                Group {
                    switch manager.permissionState {
                    case LocationChannelManager.PermissionState.notDetermined:
                        Button(action: { manager.enableLocationChannels() }) {
-                            Text("get location and my geohashes")
-                                .font(.system(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                            Text(Strings.requestPermissions)
+                                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
                                .foregroundColor(standardGreen)
                                .frame(maxWidth: .infinity)
                                .padding(.vertical, 6)
@@ -40,10 +101,10 @@ struct LocationChannelsSheet: View {
                        .buttonStyle(.plain)
                    case LocationChannelManager.PermissionState.denied, LocationChannelManager.PermissionState.restricted:
                        VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 8) {
-                            Text("location permission denied. enable in settings to use location channels.")
-                                .font(.system(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                            Text(Strings.permissionDenied)
+                                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
                                .foregroundColor(.secondary)
-                            Button("open settings") { openSystemLocationSettings() }
+                            Button(Strings.openSettings) { openSystemLocationSettings() }
                            .buttonStyle(.plain)
                        }
                    case LocationChannelManager.PermissionState.authorized:
@@ -59,34 +120,11 @@ struct LocationChannelsSheet: View {
            .background(backgroundColor)
            #if os(iOS)
            .navigationBarTitleDisplayMode(.inline)
-            .toolbar {
-                ToolbarItem(placement: .navigationBarTrailing) {
-                    Button(action: { isPresented = false }) {
-                        Image(systemName: "xmark")
-                            .font(.system(size: 13, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced))
-                            .frame(width: 32, height: 32)
-                    }
-                    .buttonStyle(.plain)
-                    .accessibilityLabel("Close")
-                }
-            }
+            .navigationBarHidden(true)
            #else
-            .toolbar {
-                ToolbarItem(placement: .automatic) {
-                    Button(action: { isPresented = false }) {
-                        Image(systemName: "xmark")
-                            .font(.system(size: 13, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced))
-                            .frame(width: 20, height: 20)
-                    }
-                    .buttonStyle(.plain)
-                    .accessibilityLabel("Close")
-                }
-            }
+            .navigationTitle("")
            #endif
        }
-        #if os(iOS)
-        .presentationDetents([.large])
-        #endif
        #if os(macOS)
        .frame(minWidth: 420, minHeight: 520)
        #endif
@@ -111,182 +149,225 @@ struct LocationChannelsSheet: View {
        .onChange(of: manager.availableChannels) { _ in }
    }

-    private var channelList: some View {
-        List {
-            // Mesh option first (no bookmark)
-            channelRow(title: meshTitleWithCount(), subtitlePrefix: "#bluetooth • \(bluetoothRangeString())", isSelected: isMeshSelected, titleColor: standardBlue, titleBold: meshCount() > 0) {
-                manager.select(ChannelID.mesh)
-                isPresented = false
-            }
+    private var closeButton: some View {
+        Button(action: { isPresented = false }) {
+            Image(systemName: "xmark")
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 13, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced))
+                .frame(width: 32, height: 32)
+        }
+        .buttonStyle(.plain)
+        .accessibilityLabel("Close")
+    }

-            // Nearby options
-            if !manager.availableChannels.isEmpty {
-                ForEach(manager.availableChannels.filter { $0.level != .building }) { channel in
-                    let coverage = coverageString(forPrecision: channel.geohash.count)
-                    let nameBase = locationName(for: channel.level)
-                    let namePart = nameBase.map { formattedNamePrefix(for: channel.level) + $0 }
-                    let subtitlePrefix = "#\(channel.geohash) • \(coverage)"
-                    let highlight = viewModel.geohashParticipantCount(for: channel.geohash) > 0
+    private var channelList: some View {
+        ScrollView {
+            LazyVStack(spacing: 0) {
+                channelRow(title: Strings.meshTitle(meshCount()), subtitlePrefix: Strings.subtitlePrefix(geohash: "bluetooth", coverage: bluetoothRangeString()), isSelected: isMeshSelected, titleColor: standardBlue, titleBold: meshCount() > 0) {
+                    manager.select(ChannelID.mesh)
+                    isPresented = false
+                }
+                .padding(.vertical, 6)
+
+                let nearby = manager.availableChannels.filter { $0.level != .building }
+                if !nearby.isEmpty {
+                    ForEach(nearby) { channel in
+                        sectionDivider
+                        let coverage = coverageString(forPrecision: channel.geohash.count)
+                        let nameBase = locationName(for: channel.level)
+                        let namePart = nameBase.map { formattedNamePrefix(for: channel.level) + $0 }
+                        let participantCount = viewModel.geohashParticipantCount(for: channel.geohash)
+                        let subtitlePrefix = Strings.subtitlePrefix(geohash: channel.geohash, coverage: coverage)
+                        let highlight = participantCount > 0
+                        channelRow(
+                            title: Strings.levelTitle(for: channel.level, count: participantCount),
+                            subtitlePrefix: subtitlePrefix,
+                            subtitleName: namePart,
+                            isSelected: isSelected(channel),
+                            titleBold: highlight,
+                            trailingAccessory: {
+                                Button(action: { bookmarks.toggle(channel.geohash) }) {
+                                    Image(systemName: bookmarks.isBookmarked(channel.geohash) ? "bookmark.fill" : "bookmark")
+                                        .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14))
+                                }
+                                .buttonStyle(.plain)
+                                .padding(.leading, 8)
+                            }
+                        ) {
+                            manager.markTeleported(for: channel.geohash, false)
+                            manager.select(ChannelID.location(channel))
+                            isPresented = false
+                        }
+                        .padding(.vertical, 6)
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    sectionDivider
+                    HStack(spacing: 8) {
+                        ProgressView()
+                        Text(Strings.loadingNearby)
+                            .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                    }
+                    .frame(maxWidth: .infinity, alignment: .leading)
+                    .padding(.vertical, 10)
+                }
+
+                sectionDivider
+                customTeleportSection
+                    .padding(.vertical, 8)
+
+                let bookmarkedList = bookmarks.bookmarks
+                if !bookmarkedList.isEmpty {
+                    sectionDivider
+                    bookmarkedSection(bookmarkedList)
+                        .padding(.vertical, 8)
+                }
+
+                if manager.permissionState == LocationChannelManager.PermissionState.authorized {
+                    sectionDivider
+                    torToggleSection
+                        .padding(.top, 12)
+                    Button(action: {
+                        openSystemLocationSettings()
+                    }) {
+                        Text(Strings.removeAccess)
+                            .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                            .foregroundColor(Color(red: 0.75, green: 0.1, blue: 0.1))
+                            .frame(maxWidth: .infinity)
+                            .padding(.vertical, 6)
+                            .background(Color.red.opacity(0.08))
+                            .cornerRadius(6)
+                    }
+                    .buttonStyle(.plain)
+                    .padding(.vertical, 8)
+                }
+            }
+            .frame(maxWidth: .infinity, alignment: .leading)
+            .padding(.vertical, 6)
+            .background(backgroundColor)
+        }
+        .background(backgroundColor)
+    }
+
+    private var sectionDivider: some View {
+        Rectangle()
+            .fill(dividerColor)
+            .frame(height: 1)
+    }
+
+    private var dividerColor: Color {
+        colorScheme == .dark ? Color.white.opacity(0.12) : Color.black.opacity(0.08)
+    }
+
+    private var customTeleportSection: some View {
+        VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 6) {
+            HStack(spacing: 2) {
+                Text(verbatim: "#")
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
+                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                TextField("geohash", text: $customGeohash)
+                    #if os(iOS)
+                    .textInputAutocapitalization(.never)
+                    .autocorrectionDisabled(true)
+                    .keyboardType(.asciiCapable)
+                    #endif
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
+                    .onChange(of: customGeohash) { newValue in
+                        let allowed = Set("0123456789bcdefghjkmnpqrstuvwxyz")
+                        let filtered = newValue
+                            .lowercased()
+                            .replacingOccurrences(of: "#", with: "")
+                            .filter { allowed.contains($0) }
+                        if filtered.count > 12 {
+                            customGeohash = String(filtered.prefix(12))
+                        } else if filtered != newValue {
+                            customGeohash = filtered
+                        }
+                    }
+                let normalized = customGeohash
+                    .trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines)
+                    .lowercased()
+                    .replacingOccurrences(of: "#", with: "")
+                let isValid = validateGeohash(normalized)
+                Button(action: {
+                    let gh = normalized
+                    guard isValid else { customError = Strings.invalidGeohash; return }
+                    let level = levelForLength(gh.count)
+                    let ch = GeohashChannel(level: level, geohash: gh)
+                    manager.markTeleported(for: ch.geohash, true)
+                    manager.select(ChannelID.location(ch))
+                    isPresented = false
+                }) {
+                    HStack(spacing: 6) {
+                        Text(Strings.teleport)
+                            .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
+                        Image(systemName: "face.dashed")
+                            .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14))
+                    }
+                }
+                .buttonStyle(.plain)
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
+                .padding(.vertical, 6)
+                .padding(.horizontal, 10)
+                .background(Color.secondary.opacity(0.12))
+                .cornerRadius(6)
+                .opacity(isValid ? 1.0 : 0.4)
+                .disabled(!isValid)
+            }
+            if let err = customError {
+                Text(err)
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                    .foregroundColor(.red)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func bookmarkedSection(_ entries: [String]) -> some View {
+        VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 8) {
+            Text(Strings.bookmarked)
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+            LazyVStack(spacing: 0) {
+                ForEach(Array(entries.enumerated()), id: \.offset) { index, gh in
+                    let level = levelForLength(gh.count)
+                    let channel = GeohashChannel(level: level, geohash: gh)
+                    let coverage = coverageString(forPrecision: gh.count)
+                    let subtitle = Strings.subtitlePrefix(geohash: gh, coverage: coverage)
+                    let name = bookmarks.bookmarkNames[gh]
+                    let participantCount = viewModel.geohashParticipantCount(for: gh)
                    channelRow(
-                        title: geohashTitleWithCount(for: channel),
-                        subtitlePrefix: subtitlePrefix,
-                        subtitleName: namePart,
+                        title: Strings.bookmarkTitle(geohash: gh, count: participantCount),
+                        subtitlePrefix: subtitle,
+                        subtitleName: name.map { formattedNamePrefix(for: level) + $0 },
                        isSelected: isSelected(channel),
-                        titleBold: highlight,
                        trailingAccessory: {
-                            Button(action: { bookmarks.toggle(channel.geohash) }) {
-                                Image(systemName: bookmarks.isBookmarked(channel.geohash) ? "bookmark.fill" : "bookmark")
-                                    .font(.system(size: 14))
+                            Button(action: { bookmarks.toggle(gh) }) {
+                                Image(systemName: bookmarks.isBookmarked(gh) ? "bookmark.fill" : "bookmark")
+                                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14))
                            }
                            .buttonStyle(.plain)
                            .padding(.leading, 8)
                        }
                    ) {
-                        // Selecting a suggested nearby channel is not a teleport. Persist this.
-                        manager.markTeleported(for: channel.geohash, false)
+                        let inRegional = manager.availableChannels.contains { $0.geohash == gh }
+                        if !inRegional && !manager.availableChannels.isEmpty {
+                            manager.markTeleported(for: gh, true)
+                        } else {
+                            manager.markTeleported(for: gh, false)
+                        }
                        manager.select(ChannelID.location(channel))
                        isPresented = false
                    }
-                }
-            } else {
-                HStack {
-                    ProgressView()
-                    Text("finding nearby channels…")
-                        .font(.system(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
-                }
-            }
-
-            // Custom geohash teleport
-            VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 6) {
-                HStack(spacing: 2) {
-                    Text("#")
-                        .font(.system(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
-                        .foregroundColor(.secondary)
-                    TextField("geohash", text: $customGeohash)
-                        #if os(iOS)
-                        .textInputAutocapitalization(.never)
-                        .autocorrectionDisabled(true)
-                        .keyboardType(.asciiCapable)
-                        #endif
-                        .font(.system(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
-                        .onChange(of: customGeohash) { newValue in
-                            // Allow only geohash base32 characters, strip '#', limit length
-                            let allowed = Set("0123456789bcdefghjkmnpqrstuvwxyz")
-                            let filtered = newValue
-                                .lowercased()
-                                .replacingOccurrences(of: "#", with: "")
-                                .filter { allowed.contains($0) }
-                            if filtered.count > 12 {
-                                customGeohash = String(filtered.prefix(12))
-                            } else if filtered != newValue {
-                                customGeohash = filtered
-                            }
-                        }
-                    let normalized = customGeohash.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines).lowercased().replacingOccurrences(of: "#", with: "")
-                    let isValid = validateGeohash(normalized)
-                    Button(action: {
-                        let gh = normalized
-                        guard isValid else { customError = "invalid geohash"; return }
-                        let level = levelForLength(gh.count)
-                        let ch = GeohashChannel(level: level, geohash: gh)
-                        // Mark this selection as a manual teleport
-                        manager.markTeleported(for: ch.geohash, true)
-                        manager.select(ChannelID.location(ch))
-                        isPresented = false
-                    }) {
-                        HStack(spacing: 6) {
-                            Text("teleport")
-                                .font(.system(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
-                            Image(systemName: "face.dashed")
-                                .font(.system(size: 14))
-                        }
-                    }
-                    .buttonStyle(.plain)
-                    .font(.system(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
-                    .padding(.horizontal, 10)
                    .padding(.vertical, 6)
-                    .background(Color.secondary.opacity(0.12))
-                    .cornerRadius(6)
-                    .opacity(isValid ? 1.0 : 0.4)
-                    .disabled(!isValid)
-                }
-                if let err = customError {
-                    Text(err)
-                        .font(.system(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
-                        .foregroundColor(.red)
-                }
-            }
+                    .onAppear { bookmarks.resolveNameIfNeeded(for: gh) }

-            // Bookmarked geohashes
-            if !bookmarks.bookmarks.isEmpty {
-                VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 8) {
-                    Text("bookmarked")
-                        .font(.system(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
-                        .foregroundColor(.secondary)
-                    VStack(spacing: 6) {
-                        ForEach(bookmarks.bookmarks, id: \.self) { gh in
-                            let level = levelForLength(gh.count)
-                            let channel = GeohashChannel(level: level, geohash: gh)
-                            let coverage = coverageString(forPrecision: gh.count)
-                            let subtitle = "#\(gh) • \(coverage)"
-                            let name = bookmarks.bookmarkNames[gh]
-                            channelRow(
-                                title: geohashHashTitleWithCount(gh),
-                                subtitlePrefix: subtitle,
-                                subtitleName: name.map { formattedNamePrefix(for: level) + $0 },
-                                isSelected: isSelected(channel),
-                                trailingAccessory: {
-                                    Button(action: { bookmarks.toggle(gh) }) {
-                                        Image(systemName: bookmarks.isBookmarked(gh) ? "bookmark.fill" : "bookmark")
-                                            .font(.system(size: 14))
-                                    }
-                                    .buttonStyle(.plain)
-                                    .padding(.leading, 8)
-                                }
-                            ) {
-                                // For bookmarked selection, mark teleported based on regional membership
-                                let inRegional = manager.availableChannels.contains { $0.geohash == gh }
-                                if !inRegional && !manager.availableChannels.isEmpty {
-                                    manager.markTeleported(for: gh, true)
-                                } else {
-                                    manager.markTeleported(for: gh, false)
-                                }
-                                manager.select(ChannelID.location(channel))
-                                isPresented = false
-                            }
-                            .onAppear { bookmarks.resolveNameIfNeeded(for: gh) }
-                        }
+                    if index < entries.count - 1 {
+                        sectionDivider
                    }
-                    .padding(12)
-                    .background(Color.secondary.opacity(0.12))
-                    .cornerRadius(8)
                }
-                .listRowSeparator(.hidden)
-            }
-
-            // Footer action inside the list
-            if manager.permissionState == LocationChannelManager.PermissionState.authorized {
-                Button(action: {
-                    openSystemLocationSettings()
-                }) {
-                    Text("remove location access")
-                        .font(.system(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
-                        .foregroundColor(Color(red: 0.75, green: 0.1, blue: 0.1))
-                        .frame(maxWidth: .infinity)
-                        .padding(.vertical, 6)
-                        .background(Color.red.opacity(0.08))
-                        .cornerRadius(6)
-                }
-                .buttonStyle(.plain)
-                .listRowSeparator(.hidden)
-                .listRowBackground(Color.clear)
            }
        }
-        .listStyle(.plain)
-        .scrollContentBackground(.hidden)
-        .background(backgroundColor)
    }

+
    private func isSelected(_ channel: GeohashChannel) -> Bool {
        if case .location(let ch) = manager.selectedChannel {
            return ch == channel
@@ -317,31 +398,26 @@ struct LocationChannelsSheet: View {
                let parts = splitTitleAndCount(title)
                HStack(spacing: 4) {
                    Text(parts.base)
-                            .font(.system(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
+                            .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
                            .fontWeight(titleBold ? .bold : .regular)
                            .foregroundColor(titleColor ?? Color.primary)
                        if let count = parts.countSuffix, !count.isEmpty {
                            Text(count)
-                                .font(.system(size: 11, design: .monospaced))
+                                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 11, design: .monospaced))
                                .foregroundColor(.secondary)
                        }
                    }
-                let subtitleFull: String = {
-                    if let name = subtitleName, !name.isEmpty {
-                        return subtitlePrefix + " • " + name
-                    }
-                    return subtitlePrefix
-                }()
+                let subtitleFull = Strings.subtitle(prefix: subtitlePrefix, name: subtitleName)
                Text(subtitleFull)
-                    .font(.system(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
                    .lineLimit(1)
                    .truncationMode(.tail)
                }
                Spacer()
                if isSelected {
-                    Text("✔︎")
-                        .font(.system(size: 16, design: .monospaced))
+                    Text(verbatim: "✔︎")
+                        .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 16, design: .monospaced))
                        .foregroundColor(standardGreen)
                }
                trailingAccessory()
@@ -360,36 +436,15 @@ struct LocationChannelsSheet: View {
    }

    // MARK: - Helpers for counts
-    private func meshTitleWithCount() -> String {
-        // Count currently connected mesh peers (excluding self)
-        let meshCount = meshCount()
-        let noun = meshCount == 1 ? "person" : "people"
-        return "mesh [\(meshCount) \(noun)]"
-    }
-
    private func meshCount() -> Int {
        // Count mesh-connected OR mesh-reachable peers (exclude self)
        let myID = viewModel.meshService.myPeerID
        return viewModel.allPeers.reduce(0) { acc, peer in
-            if peer.id != myID && (peer.isConnected || peer.isReachable) { return acc + 1 }
+            if peer.peerID != myID && (peer.isConnected || peer.isReachable) { return acc + 1 }
            return acc
        }
    }

-    private func geohashTitleWithCount(for channel: GeohashChannel) -> String {
-        // Main list: keep level labels (block/neighborhood/city/province/region)
-        let count = viewModel.geohashParticipantCount(for: channel.geohash)
-        let noun = count == 1 ? "person" : "people"
-        return "\(channel.level.displayName.lowercased()) [\(count) \(noun)]"
-    }
-
-    private func geohashHashTitleWithCount(_ geohash: String) -> String {
-        // Bookmarked list: show the #geohash as the main label
-        let count = viewModel.geohashParticipantCount(for: geohash)
-        let noun = count == 1 ? "person" : "people"
-        return "#\(geohash) [\(count) \(noun)]"
-    }
-
    private func validateGeohash(_ s: String) -> Bool {
        let allowed = Set("0123456789bcdefghjkmnpqrstuvwxyz")
        guard !s.isEmpty, s.count <= 12 else { return false }
@@ -409,8 +464,34 @@ struct LocationChannelsSheet: View {
    }
 }

-// MARK: - Standardized Colors
+// MARK: - TOR Toggle & Standardized Colors
 extension LocationChannelsSheet {
+    private var torToggleBinding: Binding<Bool> {
+        Binding(
+            get: { network.userTorEnabled },
+            set: { network.setUserTorEnabled($0) }
+        )
+    }
+
+    private var torToggleSection: some View {
+        VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 8) {
+            Toggle(isOn: torToggleBinding) {
+                VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 2) {
+                    Text(Strings.torTitle)
+                        .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced))
+                        .foregroundColor(.primary)
+                    Text(Strings.torSubtitle)
+                        .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 11, design: .monospaced))
+                        .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                }
+            }
+            .toggleStyle(IRCToggleStyle(accent: standardGreen, onLabel: Strings.toggleOn, offLabel: Strings.toggleOff))
+        }
+        .padding(12)
+        .background(Color.secondary.opacity(0.12))
+        .cornerRadius(8)
+    }
+
    private var standardGreen: Color {
        (colorScheme == .dark) ? Color.green : Color(red: 0, green: 0.5, blue: 0)
    }
@@ -419,6 +500,36 @@ extension LocationChannelsSheet {
    }
 }

+private struct IRCToggleStyle: ToggleStyle {
+    let accent: Color
+    let onLabel: LocalizedStringKey
+    let offLabel: LocalizedStringKey
+
+    func makeBody(configuration: Configuration) -> some View {
+        Button(action: { configuration.isOn.toggle() }) {
+            HStack(spacing: 12) {
+                configuration.label
+                Spacer()
+                Text(configuration.isOn ? onLabel : offLabel)
+                    .textCase(.uppercase)
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced))
+                    .foregroundColor(configuration.isOn ? accent : .secondary)
+                    .padding(.vertical, 4)
+                    .padding(.horizontal, 10)
+                    .background(
+                        RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 6)
+                            .fill(accent.opacity(configuration.isOn ? 0.18 : 0.08))
+                    )
+                    .overlay(
+                        RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 6)
+                            .stroke(accent.opacity(configuration.isOn ? 0.35 : 0.15), lineWidth: 1)
+                    )
+            }
+        }
+        .buttonStyle(.plain)
+    }
+}
+
 // MARK: - Coverage helpers
 extension LocationChannelsSheet {
    private func coverageString(forPrecision len: Int) -> String {
@@ -485,7 +596,7 @@ extension LocationChannelsSheet {
        switch level {
        case .region:
            return ""
-        default:
+        case .building, .block, .neighborhood, .city, .province:
            return "~"
        }
    }
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ struct LocationNotesView: View {
    let onNotesCountChanged: ((Int) -> Void)?

    @Environment(\.colorScheme) var colorScheme
+    @Environment(\.dynamicTypeSize) private var dynamicTypeSize
    @ObservedObject private var locationManager = LocationChannelManager.shared
    @Environment(\.dismiss) private var dismiss
    @State private var draft: String = ""
@@ -18,30 +19,39 @@ struct LocationNotesView: View {
        _manager = StateObject(wrappedValue: LocationNotesManager(geohash: gh))
    }

-    private var backgroundColor: Color {
-        colorScheme == .dark ? Color.black : Color.white
-    }
-    private var textColor: Color {
-        colorScheme == .dark ? Color.green : Color(red: 0, green: 0.5, blue: 0)
-    }
-    private var secondaryTextColor: Color {
-        colorScheme == .dark ? Color.green.opacity(0.8) : Color(red: 0, green: 0.5, blue: 0).opacity(0.8)
-    }
-    // Slightly darker green for hash suffix emphasis
-    private var darkerTextColor: Color {
-        colorScheme == .dark ? Color.green : Color(red: 0, green: 0.4, blue: 0)
+    private var backgroundColor: Color { colorScheme == .dark ? .black : .white }
+    private var accentGreen: Color { colorScheme == .dark ? .green : Color(red: 0, green: 0.5, blue: 0) }
+    private var maxDraftLines: Int { dynamicTypeSize.isAccessibilitySize ? 5 : 3 }
+
+    private enum Strings {
+        static let closeAccessibility = String(localized: "common.close", comment: "Accessibility label for close buttons")
+        static let description: LocalizedStringKey = "location_notes.description"
+        static let loadingRecent: LocalizedStringKey = "location_notes.loading_recent"
+        static let relaysPaused: LocalizedStringKey = "location_notes.relays_paused"
+        static let noRelaysNearby: LocalizedStringKey = "location_notes.no_relays_nearby"
+        static let retry: LocalizedStringKey = "location_notes.action.retry"
+        static let relaysRetryHint: LocalizedStringKey = "location_notes.relays_retry_hint"
+        static let loadingNotes: LocalizedStringKey = "location_notes.loading_notes"
+        static let emptyTitle: LocalizedStringKey = "location_notes.empty_title"
+        static let emptySubtitle: LocalizedStringKey = "location_notes.empty_subtitle"
+        static let dismissError: LocalizedStringKey = "location_notes.action.dismiss"
+        static let addPlaceholder: LocalizedStringKey = "location_notes.placeholder"
    }

    var body: some View {
+#if os(macOS)
        VStack(spacing: 0) {
-            header
-            Divider()
-            list
-            Divider()
-            input
+            ScrollView {
+                VStack(spacing: 0) {
+                    headerSection
+                    notesContent
+                }
+            }
+            .background(backgroundColor)
+            inputSection
        }
+        .frame(minWidth: 420, idealWidth: 440, minHeight: 620, idealHeight: 680)
        .background(backgroundColor)
-        .foregroundColor(textColor)
        .onDisappear { manager.cancel() }
        .onChange(of: geohash) { newValue in
            manager.setGeohash(newValue)
@@ -50,100 +60,203 @@ struct LocationNotesView: View {
        .onChange(of: manager.notes.count) { newValue in
            onNotesCountChanged?(newValue)
        }
+#else
+        NavigationView {
+            VStack(spacing: 0) {
+                headerSection
+                ScrollView {
+                    notesContent
+                }
+                .frame(maxWidth: .infinity, maxHeight: .infinity)
+                inputSection
+            }
+            .background(backgroundColor)
+            #if os(iOS)
+            .navigationBarTitleDisplayMode(.inline)
+            .navigationBarHidden(true)
+            #else
+            .navigationTitle("")
+            #endif
+        }
+        .background(backgroundColor)
+        .onDisappear { manager.cancel() }
+        .onChange(of: geohash) { newValue in
+            manager.setGeohash(newValue)
+        }
+        .onAppear { onNotesCountChanged?(manager.notes.count) }
+        .onChange(of: manager.notes.count) { newValue in
+            onNotesCountChanged?(newValue)
+        }
+#endif
    }

-    private var header: some View {
-        HStack {
-            VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 2) {
-                HStack(spacing: 4) {
-                    let c = manager.notes.count
-                    Text("\(c) \(c == 1 ? "note" : "notes") ")
-                        .font(.system(size: 16, weight: .bold, design: .monospaced))
-                    Text("@ ")
-                        .font(.system(size: 16, weight: .bold, design: .monospaced))
-                    Text("#\(geohash)")
-                        .font(.system(size: 16, weight: .bold, design: .monospaced))
-                        .foregroundColor(textColor)
-                }
-                if let buildingName = locationManager.locationNames[.building], !buildingName.isEmpty {
-                    Text(buildingName)
-                        .font(.system(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
-                        .foregroundColor(secondaryTextColor)
-                } else if let blockName = locationManager.locationNames[.block], !blockName.isEmpty {
-                    Text(blockName)
-                        .font(.system(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
-                        .foregroundColor(secondaryTextColor)
-                }
-            }
-            Spacer()
-            Button(action: { dismiss() }) {
-                Image(systemName: "xmark")
-                    .font(.system(size: 13, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced))
-                    .foregroundColor(textColor)
-                    .frame(width: 32, height: 32)
-                    .contentShape(Rectangle())
-            }
-            .buttonStyle(.plain)
-            .accessibilityLabel("Close")
+    private var closeButton: some View {
+        Button(action: { dismiss() }) {
+            Image(systemName: "xmark")
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 13, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced))
+                .frame(width: 32, height: 32)
        }
-        .frame(height: 44)
-        .padding(.horizontal, 12)
-        .background(backgroundColor.opacity(0.95))
+        .buttonStyle(.plain)
+        .accessibilityLabel(Strings.closeAccessibility)
    }

-    private var list: some View {
-        ScrollView {
-            LazyVStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 8) {
-                ForEach(manager.notes) { note in
-                    VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 2) {
-                        HStack(spacing: 6) {
-                            // Show @name without the #abcd suffix; timestamp in brackets
-                            HStack(spacing: 0) {
-                                Text("@")
-                                    .font(.system(size: 12, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced))
-                                    .foregroundColor(textColor)
-                                let parts = splitSuffix(from: note.displayName)
-                                Text(parts.0)
-                                    .font(.system(size: 12, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced))
-                                    .foregroundColor(textColor)
-                            }
-                            let ts = timestampText(for: note.createdAt)
-                            Text(ts.isEmpty ? "" : "[\(ts)]")
-                                .font(.system(size: 11, design: .monospaced))
-                                .foregroundColor(secondaryTextColor.opacity(0.8))
-                        }
-                        Text(note.content)
-                            .font(.system(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
-                            .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
-                    }
-                    .padding(.horizontal, 12)
-                }
+    private var headerSection: some View {
+        let count = manager.notes.count
+        return VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 8) {
+            HStack(spacing: 12) {
+                Text(headerTitle(for: count))
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 18, design: .monospaced))
+                Spacer()
+                closeButton
+            }
+            if let building = locationManager.locationNames[.building], !building.isEmpty {
+                Text(building)
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                    .foregroundColor(accentGreen)
+            } else if let block = locationManager.locationNames[.block], !block.isEmpty {
+                Text(block)
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                    .foregroundColor(accentGreen)
+            }
+            Text(Strings.description)
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
+            if manager.state == .noRelays {
+                Text(Strings.relaysPaused)
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 11, design: .monospaced))
+                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
            }
-            .padding(.vertical, 8)
        }
+        .padding(.horizontal, 16)
+        .padding(.top, 16)
+        .padding(.bottom, 12)
        .background(backgroundColor)
    }

-    private var input: some View {
-        HStack(alignment: .center, spacing: 8) {
-            TextField("add a note for this place", text: $draft, axis: .vertical)
-                .textFieldStyle(.plain)
-                .font(.system(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
-                .lineLimit(3, reservesSpace: true)
-                .padding(.horizontal, 12)
+    private func headerTitle(for count: Int) -> String {
+        String(
+            format: String(localized: "location_notes.header", comment: "Header displaying the geohash and localized note count"),
+            locale: .current,
+            "\(geohash) ± 1", count
+        )
+    }

+    private var notesContent: some View {
+        LazyVStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 12) {
+            if manager.state == .noRelays {
+                noRelaysRow
+            } else if manager.state == .loading && !manager.initialLoadComplete {
+                loadingRow
+            } else if manager.notes.isEmpty {
+                emptyRow
+            } else {
+                ForEach(manager.notes) { note in
+                    noteRow(note)
+                }
+            }
+
+            if let error = manager.errorMessage, manager.state != .noRelays {
+                errorRow(message: error)
+            }
+        }
+        .padding(.horizontal, 16)
+        .padding(.vertical, 8)
+    }
+
+    private func noteRow(_ note: LocationNotesManager.Note) -> some View {
+        let baseName = note.displayName.split(separator: "#", maxSplits: 1, omittingEmptySubsequences: false).first.map(String.init) ?? note.displayName
+        let ts = timestampText(for: note.createdAt)
+        return VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 2) {
+            HStack(spacing: 6) {
+                Text(verbatim: "@\(baseName)")
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced))
+                if !ts.isEmpty {
+                    Text(ts)
+                        .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 11, design: .monospaced))
+                        .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                }
+                Spacer()
+            }
+            Text(note.content)
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
+                .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
+        }
+        .padding(.vertical, 4)
+    }
+
+    private var noRelaysRow: some View {
+        VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 4) {
+            Text(Strings.noRelaysNearby)
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 13, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced))
+            Text(Strings.relaysRetryHint)
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+            Button(Strings.retry) { manager.refresh() }
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                .buttonStyle(.plain)
+        }
+        .padding(.vertical, 6)
+    }
+
+    private var loadingRow: some View {
+        HStack(spacing: 10) {
+            ProgressView()
+            Text(Strings.loadingNotes)
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+            Spacer()
+        }
+        .padding(.vertical, 8)
+    }
+
+    private var emptyRow: some View {
+        VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 4) {
+            Text(Strings.emptyTitle)
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 13, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced))
+            Text(Strings.emptySubtitle)
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+        }
+        .padding(.vertical, 6)
+    }
+
+    private func errorRow(message: String) -> some View {
+        VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 4) {
+            HStack(spacing: 6) {
+                Image(systemName: "exclamationmark.triangle.fill")
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                Text(message)
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                Spacer()
+            }
+            Button(Strings.dismissError) { manager.clearError() }
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 12, design: .monospaced))
+                .buttonStyle(.plain)
+        }
+        .padding(.vertical, 6)
+    }
+
+    private var inputSection: some View {
+        HStack(alignment: .top, spacing: 10) {
+            TextField(Strings.addPlaceholder, text: $draft, axis: .vertical)
+                .textFieldStyle(.plain)
+                .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 14, design: .monospaced))
+                .lineLimit(maxDraftLines, reservesSpace: true)
+                .padding(.vertical, 6)
            Button(action: send) {
                Image(systemName: "arrow.up.circle.fill")
-                    .font(.system(size: 20))
-                    .foregroundColor(draft.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines).isEmpty ? Color.gray : textColor)
+                    .font(.bitchatSystem(size: 20))
+                    .foregroundColor(sendButtonEnabled ? accentGreen : .secondary)
            }
+            .padding(.top, 2)
            .buttonStyle(.plain)
-            .disabled(draft.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines).isEmpty)
-            .padding(.trailing, 12)
+            .disabled(!sendButtonEnabled)
        }
-        .frame(minHeight: 44)
-        .padding(.vertical, 8)
-        .background(backgroundColor.opacity(0.95))
+        .padding(.horizontal, 16)
+        .padding(.vertical, 14)
+        .background(backgroundColor)
+        .overlay(Divider(), alignment: .top)
    }

    private func send() {
@@ -153,15 +266,17 @@ struct LocationNotesView: View {
        draft = ""
    }

+    private var sendButtonEnabled: Bool {
+        !draft.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines).isEmpty && manager.state != .noRelays
+    }
+
    // MARK: - Timestamp Formatting
    private func timestampText(for date: Date) -> String {
        let now = Date()
        if let days = Calendar.current.dateComponents([.day], from: date, to: now).day, days < 7 {
-            // Relative (minute/hour/day), no seconds
            let rel = Self.relativeFormatter.string(from: date, to: now) ?? ""
            return rel.isEmpty ? "" : "\(rel) ago"
        } else {
-            // Absolute date (MMM d or MMM d, yyyy if different year)
            let sameYear = Calendar.current.isDate(date, equalTo: now, toGranularity: .year)
            let fmt = sameYear ? Self.absDateFormatter : Self.absDateYearFormatter
            return fmt.string(from: date)
@@ -189,16 +304,3 @@ struct LocationNotesView: View {
        return f
    }()
 }
-
-// Helper to split a trailing #abcd suffix
-private func splitSuffix(from name: String) -> (String, String) {
-    guard name.count >= 5 else { return (name, "") }
-    let suffix = String(name.suffix(5))
-    if suffix.first == "#", suffix.dropFirst().allSatisfy({ c in
-        ("0"..."9").contains(String(c)) || ("a"..."f").contains(String(c)) || ("A"..."F").contains(String(c))
-    }) {
-        let base = String(name.dropLast(5))
-        return (base, suffix)
-    }
-    return (name, "")
-}
--- a/Show More
+++ b/Show More