feat: update DirectoryHubUrl to point to the production server

Dev merge

.env.example

@@ -6,7 +6,12 @@
 Server__Name=My EchoHub Server
 Server__Description=A self-hosted EchoHub chat server
 Server__PublicServer=false
-# Server__PublicHost=echohub.example.com
+# Hostnames advertised to the EchoHubSpace directory. Index per entry.
+# Server__PublicHosts__0=echohub.example.com
+# Server__PublicHosts__1=alias.example.com
+# Topic tags surfaced in the EchoHubSpace browser. Index per entry.
+# Server__Tags__0=community
+# Server__Tags__1=gaming
 # Server__Admins__0=adminUsername
 
 # ── JWT ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

.github/workflows/release-checklist.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+name: Release Checklist
+
+on:
+  pull_request:
+    branches: [master]
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+jobs:
+  release-checklist:
+    name: Release Checklist
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+
+      - name: Extract version
+        id: version
+        run: |
+          VERSION=$(grep -oP '(?<=<Version>)[^<]+' src/Directory.Build.props)
+          if [ -z "$VERSION" ]; then
+            echo "::error file=src/Directory.Build.props::Could not read version from Directory.Build.props"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+          echo "version=$VERSION" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          echo "Version: $VERSION"
+
+      - name: Check version was bumped from master
+        run: |
+          BRANCH_VERSION="${{ steps.version.outputs.version }}"
+          git fetch origin master --depth=1
+          MASTER_VERSION=$(git show origin/master:src/Directory.Build.props | grep -oP '(?<=<Version>)[^<]+')
+          echo "Branch: $BRANCH_VERSION | Master: $MASTER_VERSION"
+          if [ "$BRANCH_VERSION" = "$MASTER_VERSION" ]; then
+            echo "::error file=src/Directory.Build.props::Version $BRANCH_VERSION was not bumped from master. Update <Version> in src/Directory.Build.props."
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
+      - name: Check changelog file exists
+        run: |
+          VERSION="${{ steps.version.outputs.version }}"
+          FILE="docs/changelog/v${VERSION}.md"
+          if [ ! -f "$FILE" ]; then
+            echo "::error::Missing changelog file: $FILE"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+          echo "Found: $FILE"
+
+      - name: Check changelog TOC
+        run: |
+          VERSION="${{ steps.version.outputs.version }}"
+          if ! grep -q "v${VERSION}.md" docs/changelog/toc.yml; then
+            echo "::error file=docs/changelog/toc.yml::v${VERSION} not found in changelog TOC. Add it to docs/changelog/toc.yml."
+            exit 1
+          fi
+          if ! grep -q "v${VERSION}" docs/changelog/index.md; then
+            echo "::error file=docs/changelog/index.md::v${VERSION} not found in changelog index. Add it to docs/changelog/index.md."
+            exit 1
+          fi
+          echo "toc.yml and index.md: OK"

docs/articles/getting-started.md

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ curl -sSfL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/HueByte/EchoHub/master/scripts/inst
 To install a specific version or to a custom directory:
 
 ```bash
-curl -sSfL .../install.sh | sh -s -- --version 0.2.10
+curl -sSfL .../install.sh | sh -s -- --version 0.2.11
 curl -sSfL .../install.sh | sh -s -- --install-dir /opt/echohub
 ```
 

docs/changelog/index.md

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ Release history for EchoHub.
 
 ## Releases
 
+- [v0.2.11](v0.2.11.md) - EchoHubSpace Auth, Live Directory Updates & Server Browser Metadata
 - [v0.2.10](v0.2.10.md) - Command Palette, Infinite History Scroll & Auto-Updater Fixes
 - [v0.2.9](v0.2.9.md) - Install Script & Chocolatey Fixes
 - [v0.2.8](v0.2.8.md) - Docker Support, IRC Account Creation & BOM Fix

docs/changelog/toc.yml

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 - name: Overview
   href: index.md
+- name: v0.2.11
+  href: v0.2.11.md
 - name: v0.2.10
   href: v0.2.10.md
 - name: v0.2.9

docs/changelog/v0.2.11.md

@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+# v0.2.11
+
+EchoHubSpace directory protocol overhaul: authenticated server registration with persistent claim tokens, near-real-time user-count updates, and richer server metadata (tags, multi-host, version). Coordinated cutover with the EchoHubSpace directory deploy.
+
+## New Features
+
+- EchoHubSpace claim-token authentication — the directory issues a per-server claim token on first registration, persisted atomically alongside the SQLite database (chmod 0600 on Unix). Subsequent reconnects authenticate with the token instead of relying on raw hostname-squatting protection. Token survives both client and directory restarts; lost tokens require an admin-side `DELETE /api/servers/{id}` on the directory to recover
+- Server tags — public servers can advertise topic tags via the new `Server:Tags` config array, surfacing as filter facets in the EchoHubSpace browser
+- Multi-host advertisement — a single server can register multiple hostnames (e.g. apex domain, IPv6, alias domains) by listing them in `Server:PublicHosts`. All hosts route to the same directory row
+- Server version sent to directory — the EchoHubSpace browser shows what version each public server is running, pulled from the server's assembly informational version
+- Operator-facing `GET /api/server/directory` endpoint (Admin role required) — returns `ServerId`, `IsRegistered`, `LastRegisteredAt`, `LastError`, and any `ConflictingHosts` for support tickets. Never exposes the claim token itself, only a `HasClaimToken` boolean
+
+## Refactoring
+
+- Replace 30s polling with event-driven directory updates — `PresenceTracker` now raises `UserCountChanged` only when the distinct user count actually changes (multi-tab/multi-connection users no longer trigger). `ServerDirectoryService` consumes via a single-slot `Channel<int>` (latest-wins coalesces bursts) with a 1-second min-interval throttle. Directory reflects user-count changes within ~1s instead of up to 30s stale
+- Wrap directory hub responses in a `Response<T>` envelope with `IsSuccess`/`Data`/`Errors`/`Version` shape — protocol version is pinned client-side (currently `1.0`); mismatches trigger a permanent-failure stop with operator-facing log
+- Stop attempting re-registration after permanent failures (`HostAlreadyClaimed`, `InvalidToken`, `HostConflict`, `InvalidInput`) — the directory no longer terminates the connection on these errors, so the client suppresses re-register on `Reconnected` to avoid tight retry loops. Operator must restart the server after fixing config
+
+## Configuration
+
+- **Breaking**: `Server:PublicHost` (string) renamed to `Server:PublicHosts` (string array). Public servers must update `appsettings.json` — single-host deployments use a one-element array
+- New `Server:Tags` (string array) — defaults to empty
+- New optional `Server:DirectoryClaimPath` — overrides the path of the persisted claim file. Defaults to a `directory-claim.json` next to the SQLite database. Treat the file as a secret; back it up alongside the database

scripts/install.sh

@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ while [ $# -gt 0 ]; do
             sed -n '2,8p' "$0" 2>/dev/null || true
             echo ""
             echo "  curl -sSfL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/$REPO/master/scripts/install.sh | sh"
-            echo "  curl ... | sh -s -- --version 0.2.10"
+            echo "  curl ... | sh -s -- --version 0.2.11"
             echo "  curl ... | sh -s -- --install-dir /opt/echohub"
             exit 0
             ;;

src/Directory.Build.props

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 <Project>
   <PropertyGroup>
-    <Version>0.2.10</Version>
+    <Version>0.2.11</Version>
     <GenerateDocumentationFile>true</GenerateDocumentationFile>
     <NoWarn>$(NoWarn);CS1591</NoWarn>
   </PropertyGroup>

src/EchoHub.Server/Controllers/ServerController.cs

@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
+using System.Security.Claims;
 using EchoHub.Core.DTOs;
+using EchoHub.Core.Models;
 using EchoHub.Server.Data;
+using EchoHub.Server.Services;
 using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authorization;
 using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc;
 using Microsoft.AspNetCore.RateLimiting;
@@ -13,11 +16,13 @@ public class ServerController : ControllerBase
 {
     private readonly EchoHubDbContext _db;
     private readonly IConfiguration _config;
+    private readonly DirectoryClaimStore _claimStore;
 
-    public ServerController(EchoHubDbContext db, IConfiguration config)
+    public ServerController(EchoHubDbContext db, IConfiguration config, DirectoryClaimStore claimStore)
     {
         _db = db;
         _config = config;
+        _claimStore = claimStore;
     }
 
     [HttpGet("info")]
@@ -47,4 +52,46 @@ public class ServerController : ControllerBase
 
         return Ok(new EncryptionKeyResponse(key));
     }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Operator-facing view of the EchoHubSpace directory registration: ServerId for admin
+    /// support tickets, current registration state, and the last error/conflict if any.
+    /// Never exposes the claim token itself.
+    /// </summary>
+    [HttpGet("directory")]
+    [Authorize]
+    public async Task<IActionResult> GetDirectoryStatus()
+    {
+        var (_, error) = await GetCallerAsync(ServerRole.Admin);
+        if (error is not null) return error;
+
+        var status = _claimStore.Status;
+        var response = new
+        {
+            ServerId = _claimStore.ServerId,
+            HasClaimToken = _claimStore.ClaimToken is not null,
+            status.IsRegistered,
+            status.LastRegisteredAt,
+            status.LastError,
+            status.ConflictingHosts,
+        };
+
+        return Ok(response);
+    }
+
+    private async Task<(User? Caller, IActionResult? Error)> GetCallerAsync(ServerRole minimumRole)
+    {
+        var userIdClaim = User.FindFirstValue(ClaimTypes.NameIdentifier);
+        if (userIdClaim is null)
+            return (null, Unauthorized(new ErrorResponse("Authentication required.")));
+
+        var caller = await _db.Users.FindAsync(Guid.Parse(userIdClaim));
+        if (caller is null)
+            return (null, Unauthorized(new ErrorResponse("User not found.")));
+
+        if (caller.Role < minimumRole)
+            return (null, StatusCode(403, new ErrorResponse($"Requires {minimumRole} role or higher.")));
+
+        return (caller, null);
+    }
 }

src/EchoHub.Server/Program.cs

@@ -107,6 +107,7 @@ while (true)
         builder.Services.AddSingleton<ImageToAsciiService>();
         builder.Services.AddSingleton<FileStorageService>();
         builder.Services.AddSingleton<LinkEmbedService>();
+        builder.Services.AddSingleton<DirectoryClaimStore>();
         builder.Services.AddHostedService<ServerDirectoryService>();
         builder.Services.AddHostedService<FileCleanupService>();
         builder.Services.AddHostedService<MuteExpirationService>();

src/EchoHub.Server/Services/DirectoryClaimStore.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,204 @@
+using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
+using System.Text.Json;
+using System.Text.Json.Serialization;
+using Microsoft.Data.Sqlite;
+
+namespace EchoHub.Server.Services;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Persists and exposes the EchoHubSpace directory claim — the opaque token issued on first
+/// registration and the row's stable <c>ServerId</c>. Also surfaces ephemeral registration
+/// status (success/failure code, conflicting hosts) for operator-facing endpoints.
+///
+/// Persistence uses atomic write (tmp + rename). Treat the file contents as a secret.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class DirectoryClaimStore
+{
+    private static readonly JsonSerializerOptions JsonOptions = new()
+    {
+        WriteIndented = true,
+        DefaultIgnoreCondition = JsonIgnoreCondition.WhenWritingNull,
+    };
+
+    private readonly string _filePath;
+    private readonly ILogger<DirectoryClaimStore> _logger;
+    private readonly SemaphoreSlim _writeLock = new(1, 1);
+
+    private PersistedClaim _persisted = new(null, null);
+    private RegistrationStatus _status = new(false, null, null, null, null);
+
+    public DirectoryClaimStore(IConfiguration configuration, ILogger<DirectoryClaimStore> logger)
+    {
+        _logger = logger;
+        _filePath = ResolveFilePath(configuration);
+        Load();
+    }
+
+    public string FilePath => _filePath;
+
+    public string? ClaimToken => Volatile.Read(ref _persisted).ClaimToken;
+    public Guid? ServerId => Volatile.Read(ref _persisted).ServerId;
+
+    public RegistrationStatus Status => Volatile.Read(ref _status);
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Persist a freshly-issued claim token alongside the server's stable ServerId.
+    /// Called exactly once per row's lifetime — on first claim. Atomic on-disk swap.
+    /// </summary>
+    public async Task SaveClaimAsync(string claimToken, Guid serverId, CancellationToken ct = default)
+    {
+        await _writeLock.WaitAsync(ct);
+        try
+        {
+            var next = new PersistedClaim(claimToken, serverId);
+            await WriteAtomicAsync(next, ct);
+            Volatile.Write(ref _persisted, next);
+            _logger.LogInformation("Persisted directory claim token for ServerId {ServerId} at {Path}", serverId, _filePath);
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            _writeLock.Release();
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Update only the ServerId — used when re-registering with an existing token (Success path,
+    /// hub returns ServerId again but no fresh token). No-op if the value is unchanged.
+    /// </summary>
+    public async Task UpdateServerIdAsync(Guid serverId, CancellationToken ct = default)
+    {
+        var current = Volatile.Read(ref _persisted);
+        if (current.ServerId == serverId)
+            return;
+
+        await _writeLock.WaitAsync(ct);
+        try
+        {
+            var next = current with { ServerId = serverId };
+            await WriteAtomicAsync(next, ct);
+            Volatile.Write(ref _persisted, next);
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            _writeLock.Release();
+        }
+    }
+
+    public void SetSuccess(Guid serverId)
+    {
+        Volatile.Write(ref _status, new RegistrationStatus(
+            IsRegistered: true,
+            ServerId: serverId,
+            LastRegisteredAt: DateTimeOffset.UtcNow,
+            LastError: null,
+            ConflictingHosts: null));
+    }
+
+    public void SetFailure(string errorCode, string[]? conflictingHosts)
+    {
+        var current = Volatile.Read(ref _status);
+        Volatile.Write(ref _status, current with
+        {
+            IsRegistered = false,
+            LastError = errorCode,
+            ConflictingHosts = conflictingHosts,
+        });
+    }
+
+    private void Load()
+    {
+        if (!File.Exists(_filePath))
+            return;
+
+        try
+        {
+            using var stream = File.OpenRead(_filePath);
+            var loaded = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<PersistedClaim>(stream, JsonOptions);
+            if (loaded is not null)
+            {
+                _persisted = loaded;
+                _logger.LogInformation("Loaded directory claim from {Path} (ServerId {ServerId})", _filePath, loaded.ServerId);
+            }
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            // Don't crash startup over a corrupt state file — log and proceed as if no claim exists.
+            // Operator will see HostAlreadyClaimed on next register and can intervene.
+            _logger.LogError(ex, "Failed to read directory claim file at {Path} — treating as unclaimed", _filePath);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private async Task WriteAtomicAsync(PersistedClaim claim, CancellationToken ct)
+    {
+        var dir = Path.GetDirectoryName(_filePath);
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(dir))
+            Directory.CreateDirectory(dir);
+
+        var tmpPath = _filePath + ".tmp";
+
+        await using (var stream = new FileStream(
+            tmpPath,
+            FileMode.Create,
+            FileAccess.Write,
+            FileShare.None,
+            bufferSize: 4096,
+            useAsync: true))
+        {
+            await JsonSerializer.SerializeAsync(stream, claim, JsonOptions, ct);
+            await stream.FlushAsync(ct);
+        }
+
+        // 0600 on Unix — the file holds a secret. No-op on Windows.
+        if (!RuntimeInformation.IsOSPlatform(OSPlatform.Windows))
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                File.SetUnixFileMode(tmpPath, UnixFileMode.UserRead | UnixFileMode.UserWrite);
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                _logger.LogWarning(ex, "Failed to set restrictive permissions on {Path}", tmpPath);
+            }
+        }
+
+        File.Move(tmpPath, _filePath, overwrite: true);
+    }
+
+    private static string ResolveFilePath(IConfiguration configuration)
+    {
+        var configured = configuration["Server:DirectoryClaimPath"];
+        if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(configured))
+            return configured;
+
+        // Co-locate with the SQLite database so a single data-directory backup captures both.
+        var connectionString = configuration.GetConnectionString("DefaultConnection");
+        if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(connectionString))
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                var builder = new SqliteConnectionStringBuilder(connectionString);
+                if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(builder.DataSource))
+                {
+                    var dir = Path.GetDirectoryName(Path.GetFullPath(builder.DataSource));
+                    if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(dir))
+                        return Path.Combine(dir, "directory-claim.json");
+                }
+            }
+            catch
+            {
+                // Fall through to default
+            }
+        }
+
+        return Path.Combine(AppContext.BaseDirectory, "directory-claim.json");
+    }
+
+    private sealed record PersistedClaim(string? ClaimToken, Guid? ServerId);
+}
+
+public sealed record RegistrationStatus(
+    bool IsRegistered,
+    Guid? ServerId,
+    DateTimeOffset? LastRegisteredAt,
+    string? LastError,
+    string[]? ConflictingHosts);

src/EchoHub.Server/Services/PresenceTracker.cs

@@ -10,10 +10,18 @@ public class PresenceTracker
 
     private readonly object _lock = new();
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Raised when the distinct online user count changes (multi-connection users only fire once).
+    /// </summary>
+    public event Action<int>? UserCountChanged;
+
     public void UserConnected(string connectionId, Guid userId, string username)
     {
         _connections[connectionId] = (userId, username);
 
+        bool userIsNew;
+        int newCount;
+
         // Lock is required: ConcurrentDictionary only protects its own slots, not the HashSet values inside.
         // It also makes the TryGetValue → add sequence atomic to prevent race conditions.
         lock (_lock)
@@ -22,10 +30,19 @@ public class PresenceTracker
             {
                 connections = new HashSet<string>();
                 _userConnections[username] = connections;
+                userIsNew = true;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                userIsNew = false;
             }
 
             connections.Add(connectionId);
+            newCount = _userConnections.Count;
         }
+
+        if (userIsNew)
+            UserCountChanged?.Invoke(newCount);
     }
 
     public string? UserDisconnected(string connectionId)
@@ -34,6 +51,8 @@ public class PresenceTracker
             return null;
 
         var username = userInfo.username;
+        bool userRemoved = false;
+        int newCount;
 
         lock (_lock)
         {
@@ -45,10 +64,16 @@ public class PresenceTracker
                 {
                     _userConnections.TryRemove(username, out _);
                     _userChannels.TryRemove(username, out _);
+                    userRemoved = true;
                 }
             }
+
+            newCount = _userConnections.Count;
         }
 
+        if (userRemoved)
+            UserCountChanged?.Invoke(newCount);
+
         return username;
     }
 
@@ -160,20 +185,29 @@ public class PresenceTracker
     /// </summary>
     public (List<string> ConnectionIds, List<string> Channels) ForceRemoveUser(string username)
     {
+        bool userRemoved;
+        int newCount;
+        List<string> channels;
+        List<string> connectionIds;
+
         lock (_lock)
         {
-            var channels = _userChannels.TryRemove(username, out var ch)
+            channels = _userChannels.TryRemove(username, out var ch)
                 ? ch.ToList()
                 : [];
 
-            var connectionIds = _userConnections.TryRemove(username, out var conns)
+            userRemoved = _userConnections.TryRemove(username, out var conns);
-                ? conns.ToList()
+            connectionIds = userRemoved ? conns!.ToList() : [];
-                : [];
 
             foreach (var connId in connectionIds)
                 _connections.TryRemove(connId, out _);
 
+            newCount = _userConnections.Count;
+        }
+
+        if (userRemoved)
+            UserCountChanged?.Invoke(newCount);
+
         return (connectionIds, channels);
     }
-    }
 }

src/EchoHub.Server/Services/ServerDirectoryService.cs

@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+using System.Reflection;
+using System.Text.Json;
+using System.Threading.Channels;
 using Microsoft.AspNetCore.SignalR.Client;
 
 namespace EchoHub.Server.Services;
@@ -5,24 +8,36 @@ namespace EchoHub.Server.Services;
 public sealed class ServerDirectoryService : BackgroundService
 {
     private const string DirectoryHubUrl = "https://echohub.voidcube.cloud/hubs/servers";
-    private static readonly TimeSpan UpdateInterval = TimeSpan.FromSeconds(30);
     private static readonly TimeSpan ReconnectBaseDelay = TimeSpan.FromSeconds(2);
     private static readonly TimeSpan ReconnectMaxDelay = TimeSpan.FromSeconds(30);
+    private static readonly TimeSpan UserCountMinInterval = TimeSpan.FromSeconds(1);
 
     private readonly IConfiguration _configuration;
     private readonly PresenceTracker _presenceTracker;
+    private readonly DirectoryClaimStore _claimStore;
     private readonly ILogger<ServerDirectoryService> _logger;
 
+    // Single-slot, latest-wins channel coalesces bursts of presence changes into one update.
+    private readonly Channel<int> _userCountUpdates = Channel.CreateBounded<int>(
+        new BoundedChannelOptions(1) { FullMode = BoundedChannelFullMode.DropOldest });
+
     private HubConnection? _connection;
     private int _lastReportedUserCount = -1;
 
+    // Set true when a registration error code arrives (HostAlreadyClaimed/InvalidToken/HostConflict).
+    // Once set, we stop attempting register on this connection AND on any reconnects, since the
+    // hub won't kick us off and we'd otherwise tight-loop. Operator must restart after fixing config.
+    private bool _registrationPermanentlyFailed;
+
     public ServerDirectoryService(
         IConfiguration configuration,
         PresenceTracker presenceTracker,
+        DirectoryClaimStore claimStore,
         ILogger<ServerDirectoryService> logger)
     {
         _configuration = configuration;
         _presenceTracker = presenceTracker;
+        _claimStore = claimStore;
         _logger = logger;
     }
 
@@ -38,19 +53,44 @@ public sealed class ServerDirectoryService : BackgroundService
             return;
         }
 
-        var host = _configuration["Server:PublicHost"];
+        var hosts = _configuration.GetSection("Server:PublicHosts").Get<string[]>()
+            ?.Where(h => !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(h))
+            .ToArray() ?? Array.Empty<string>();
 
-        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(host))
+        if (hosts.Length == 0)
         {
-            _logger.LogWarning("PublicServer is enabled but Server:PublicHost is not set — skipping directory registration");
+            _logger.LogWarning("PublicServer is enabled but Server:PublicHosts is empty — skipping directory registration");
             return;
         }
 
         var serverName = _configuration["Server:Name"] ?? "EchoHub Server";
         var description = _configuration["Server:Description"];
+        var tags = _configuration.GetSection("Server:Tags").Get<string[]>()
+            ?.Where(t => !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(t))
+            .ToArray() ?? Array.Empty<string>();
+        var version = ResolveVersion();
 
-        _logger.LogInformation("PublicServer is enabled — connecting to EchoHubSpace directory as {Name} ({Host})", serverName, host);
+        _logger.LogInformation("PublicServer is enabled — connecting to EchoHubSpace directory as {Name} ({Hosts})", serverName, string.Join(", ", hosts));
 
+        _presenceTracker.UserCountChanged += OnUserCountChanged;
+        try
+        {
+            await RunConnectionLoopAsync(serverName, description, hosts, version, tags, stoppingToken);
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            _presenceTracker.UserCountChanged -= OnUserCountChanged;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private async Task RunConnectionLoopAsync(
+        string serverName,
+        string? description,
+        string[] hosts,
+        string version,
+        string[] tags,
+        CancellationToken stoppingToken)
+    {
         // Outer loop: rebuilds the connection if automatic reconnect permanently fails
         while (!stoppingToken.IsCancellationRequested)
         {
@@ -76,9 +116,15 @@ public sealed class ServerDirectoryService : BackgroundService
 
                 connection.Reconnected += async _ =>
                 {
+                    if (_registrationPermanentlyFailed)
+                    {
+                        _logger.LogWarning("Reconnected to directory but previous registration permanently failed — not re-registering. Restart the server after fixing configuration.");
+                        return;
+                    }
+
                     _logger.LogInformation("Reconnected to directory — re-registering server");
                     _lastReportedUserCount = -1;
-                    await RegisterAsync(serverName, description, host);
+                    await RegisterAsync(serverName, description, hosts, version, tags);
                 };
 
                 connection.Closed += ex =>
@@ -97,10 +143,10 @@ public sealed class ServerDirectoryService : BackgroundService
                     return;
 
                 _logger.LogInformation("Successfully connected to EchoHubSpace API at {Url}", DirectoryHubUrl);
-                await RegisterAsync(serverName, description, host);
+                await RegisterAsync(serverName, description, hosts, version, tags);
 
-                // Poll user count until the connection is permanently closed or cancellation
+                // Push user-count updates as PresenceTracker raises events, until the connection closes or cancellation
-                await PollUserCountAsync(connection, connectionPermanentlyClosed.Task, stoppingToken);
+                await ProcessUserCountUpdatesAsync(connection, connectionPermanentlyClosed.Task, stoppingToken);
 
                 if (stoppingToken.IsCancellationRequested)
                     return;
@@ -151,33 +197,62 @@ public sealed class ServerDirectoryService : BackgroundService
         return false;
     }
 
-    private async Task PollUserCountAsync(HubConnection connection, Task connectionClosed, CancellationToken ct)
+    private void OnUserCountChanged(int newCount)
     {
+        // Single-slot channel: latest write wins, so a burst of presence changes coalesces.
+        _userCountUpdates.Writer.TryWrite(newCount);
+    }
+
+    private async Task ProcessUserCountUpdatesAsync(HubConnection connection, Task connectionClosed, CancellationToken ct)
+    {
+        var lastSentAt = DateTimeOffset.MinValue;
+
         while (!ct.IsCancellationRequested)
         {
-            var delayTask = Task.Delay(UpdateInterval, ct);
+            var waitTask = _userCountUpdates.Reader.WaitToReadAsync(ct).AsTask();
-            var completed = await Task.WhenAny(delayTask, connectionClosed);
+            var completed = await Task.WhenAny(waitTask, connectionClosed);
 
             if (completed == connectionClosed)
                 return;
 
-            // Observe the delay task (may throw if cancelled)
+            bool hasUpdate;
-            try { await delayTask; }
+            try { hasUpdate = await waitTask; }
             catch (OperationCanceledException) { return; }
 
+            if (!hasUpdate)
+                return;
+
+            if (!_userCountUpdates.Reader.TryRead(out var count))
+                continue;
+
+            // Throttle: enforce a minimum interval between sends. While we wait, drain newer
+            // values so the eventual send carries the latest count, not a stale snapshot.
+            var elapsed = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow - lastSentAt;
+            if (elapsed < UserCountMinInterval)
+            {
+                try { await Task.Delay(UserCountMinInterval - elapsed, ct); }
+                catch (OperationCanceledException) { return; }
+
+                while (_userCountUpdates.Reader.TryRead(out var newer))
+                    count = newer;
+            }
+
+            if (count == _lastReportedUserCount)
+                continue;
+
             if (connection.State != HubConnectionState.Connected)
                 continue;
 
-            var currentCount = _presenceTracker.GetOnlineUserCount();
+            // No point pushing presence to a row we don't own (or never claimed)
-
+            if (_registrationPermanentlyFailed || !_claimStore.Status.IsRegistered)
-            if (currentCount == _lastReportedUserCount)
                 continue;
 
             try
             {
-                await connection.InvokeAsync("UpdateUserCount", currentCount, ct);
+                await connection.InvokeAsync("UpdateUserCount", count, ct);
-                _lastReportedUserCount = currentCount;
+                _lastReportedUserCount = count;
-                _logger.LogDebug("Updated directory user count to {Count}", currentCount);
+                lastSentAt = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow;
+                _logger.LogDebug("Updated directory user count to {Count}", count);
             }
             catch (Exception ex)
             {
@@ -192,18 +267,22 @@ public sealed class ServerDirectoryService : BackgroundService
         return delay > ReconnectMaxDelay ? ReconnectMaxDelay : delay;
     }
 
-    private async Task RegisterAsync(string name, string? description, string host)
+    private async Task RegisterAsync(string name, string? description, string[] hosts, string version, string[] tags)
     {
         if (_connection?.State != HubConnectionState.Connected)
             return;
 
+        if (_registrationPermanentlyFailed)
+            return;
+
         try
         {
             var userCount = _presenceTracker.GetOnlineUserCount();
-            var dto = new RegisterServerDto(name, description, host, userCount);
+            // ClaimToken is null on first-ever registration; otherwise the token persisted on first claim.
-            await _connection.InvokeAsync("RegisterServer", dto);
+            var dto = new RegisterServerDto(name, description, hosts, userCount, version, tags, _claimStore.ClaimToken);
-            _lastReportedUserCount = userCount;
+
-            _logger.LogInformation("Registered with directory as {Name} at {Host}", name, host);
+            var envelope = await _connection.InvokeAsync<Response<RegisterServerResult>>("RegisterServer", dto);
+            await HandleRegistrationResponseAsync(envelope, userCount, name, hosts);
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {
@@ -211,6 +290,153 @@ public sealed class ServerDirectoryService : BackgroundService
         }
     }
 
+    private async Task HandleRegistrationResponseAsync(Response<RegisterServerResult>? envelope, int userCount, string name, string[] hosts)
+    {
+        if (envelope is null)
+        {
+            _registrationPermanentlyFailed = true;
+            _logger.LogError("Directory returned a null envelope for RegisterServer — treating as malformed. Server will not retry until restarted.");
+            _claimStore.SetFailure(DirectoryRegistrationErrors.MalformedResponse, null);
+            return;
+        }
+
+        // Pin protocol version. Spec: fail hard on mismatch — bumps are coordinated.
+        if (!string.Equals(envelope.Version, DirectoryProtocol.Version, StringComparison.Ordinal))
+        {
+            _registrationPermanentlyFailed = true;
+            _logger.LogError(
+                "Directory protocol version mismatch: client expects {Expected}, hub returned {Actual}. " +
+                "Refusing to operate. Coordinate a deploy that aligns both sides.",
+                DirectoryProtocol.Version, envelope.Version ?? "(null)");
+            _claimStore.SetFailure(DirectoryRegistrationErrors.ProtocolVersionMismatch, null);
+            return;
+        }
+
+        if (!envelope.IsSuccess)
+        {
+            await HandleRegistrationErrorAsync(envelope.Errors);
+            return;
+        }
+
+        if (envelope.Data is null)
+        {
+            _registrationPermanentlyFailed = true;
+            _logger.LogError("Directory returned IsSuccess=true but Data was null — treating as malformed. Server will not retry until restarted.");
+            _claimStore.SetFailure(DirectoryRegistrationErrors.MalformedResponse, null);
+            return;
+        }
+
+        var data = envelope.Data;
+        var serverId = data.ServerId;
+
+        // Persist a freshly-issued claim token *before* anything else acks success — durability guarantee for first claim.
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(data.ClaimToken))
+        {
+            await _claimStore.SaveClaimAsync(data.ClaimToken, serverId);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            // No fresh token (re-register): just keep the persisted ServerId in sync defensively.
+            await _claimStore.UpdateServerIdAsync(serverId);
+        }
+
+        _claimStore.SetSuccess(serverId);
+        _lastReportedUserCount = userCount;
+        _logger.LogInformation("Registered with directory as {Name} at {Hosts} (ServerId {ServerId})", name, string.Join(", ", hosts), serverId);
+    }
+
+    private Task HandleRegistrationErrorAsync(ErrorDetail[]? errors)
+    {
+        _registrationPermanentlyFailed = true;
+
+        var firstError = errors is { Length: > 0 } ? errors[0] : null;
+        var code = firstError?.Code ?? "UnknownError";
+        var conflictingHosts = ExtractConflictingHosts(firstError);
+        var conflicts = conflictingHosts is { Length: > 0 }
+            ? string.Join(", ", conflictingHosts)
+            : "(none reported)";
+
+        switch (code)
+        {
+            case DirectoryRegistrationErrors.HostAlreadyClaimed:
+                _logger.LogError(
+                    "Directory rejected registration: host(s) already claimed by another server: {ConflictingHosts}. " +
+                    "Change Server:PublicHosts or contact the directory admin to release the claim. Server will not retry until restarted.",
+                    conflicts);
+                break;
+
+            case DirectoryRegistrationErrors.InvalidToken:
+                _logger.LogError(
+                    "Directory rejected registration: persisted claim token is invalid (likely deleted by admin or stale). " +
+                    "Delete the claim file ({ClaimFile}) to claim fresh, or contact the directory admin. Server will not retry until restarted.",
+                    _claimStore.FilePath);
+                break;
+
+            case DirectoryRegistrationErrors.HostConflict:
+                _logger.LogError(
+                    "Directory rejected registration: token is valid but newly-advertised host(s) conflict with another server's row: {ConflictingHosts}. " +
+                    "Remove the conflicting entries from Server:PublicHosts. Server will not retry until restarted.",
+                    conflicts);
+                break;
+
+            case DirectoryRegistrationErrors.InvalidInput:
+                _logger.LogError(
+                    "Directory rejected registration as InvalidInput ({Message}). Likely a client/hub contract drift — check Server config. Server will not retry until restarted.",
+                    firstError?.Message ?? "(no message)");
+                break;
+
+            default:
+                _logger.LogError(
+                    "Directory rejected registration with unknown error code: {Error} ({Message}). Server will not retry until restarted.",
+                    code, firstError?.Message ?? "(no message)");
+                break;
+        }
+
+        _claimStore.SetFailure(code, conflictingHosts);
+        return Task.CompletedTask;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Pulls <c>ConflictingHosts</c> out of an error's loosely-typed <c>Data</c> payload.
+    /// Tolerates both PascalCase and camelCase keys since SignalR's wire casing depends on
+    /// the hub's serializer config and the field is typed <c>object?</c>.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static string[]? ExtractConflictingHosts(ErrorDetail? error)
+    {
+        if (error?.Data is not JsonElement element || element.ValueKind != JsonValueKind.Object)
+            return null;
+
+        if (!element.TryGetProperty("ConflictingHosts", out var hostsProp)
+            && !element.TryGetProperty("conflictingHosts", out hostsProp))
+            return null;
+
+        if (hostsProp.ValueKind != JsonValueKind.Array)
+            return null;
+
+        List<string> hosts = [];
+        foreach (var item in hostsProp.EnumerateArray())
+        {
+            if (item.ValueKind == JsonValueKind.String && item.GetString() is { } s)
+                hosts.Add(s);
+        }
+
+        return hosts.Count == 0 ? null : hosts.ToArray();
+    }
+
+    private static string ResolveVersion()
+    {
+        var assembly = typeof(ServerDirectoryService).Assembly;
+        var informational = assembly.GetCustomAttribute<AssemblyInformationalVersionAttribute>()?.InformationalVersion;
+        if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(informational))
+        {
+            // Strip git SHA suffix that SourceLink appends (e.g. "0.2.10+abc123")
+            var plus = informational.IndexOf('+');
+            return plus >= 0 ? informational[..plus] : informational;
+        }
+
+        return assembly.GetName().Version?.ToString() ?? "0.0.0";
+    }
+
     private static async Task DisposeConnectionAsync(HubConnection connection)
     {
         try
@@ -243,4 +469,44 @@ public sealed class ServerDirectoryService : BackgroundService
     }
 }
 
-internal record RegisterServerDto(string Name, string? Description, string Host, int UserCount);
+internal record RegisterServerDto(
+    string Name,
+    string? Description,
+    string[] Hosts,
+    int UserCount,
+    string Version,
+    string[] Tags,
+    string? ClaimToken);
+
+internal record RegisterServerResult(Guid ServerId, string? ClaimToken);
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Envelope wrapping every directory hub response. Mirrors the EchoHubSpace contract.
+/// </summary>
+internal record Response<T>(bool IsSuccess, T? Data, ErrorDetail[]? Errors, string? Version);
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Error entry inside a <see cref="Response{T}"/>. <c>Data</c> is loosely-typed because the
+/// payload shape varies by error code (e.g. <c>{ ConflictingHosts: string[] }</c> for host errors).
+/// </summary>
+internal record ErrorDetail(string Code, string? Message, JsonElement? Data);
+
+internal static class DirectoryProtocol
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Pinned envelope protocol version. Bumps are coordinated across both repos.
+    /// </summary>
+    public const string Version = "1.0";
+}
+
+internal static class DirectoryRegistrationErrors
+{
+    public const string InvalidInput = "InvalidInput";
+    public const string InvalidToken = "InvalidToken";
+    public const string HostAlreadyClaimed = "HostAlreadyClaimed";
+    public const string HostConflict = "HostConflict";
+
+    // Client-side synthetic codes (never returned by hub, generated locally for status reporting)
+    public const string ProtocolVersionMismatch = "ProtocolVersionMismatch";
+    public const string MalformedResponse = "MalformedResponse";
+}

src/EchoHub.Server/appsettings.example.json

@@ -12,7 +12,8 @@
     "Name": "My EchoHub Server",
     "Description": "A self-hosted EchoHub chat server",
     "PublicServer": false,
-    "PublicHost": "",
+    "PublicHosts": [],
+    "Tags": [],
     "Admins": []
   },
   "Storage": {