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 0.2.8
+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 +4,9 @@ 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
 - [v0.2.7](v0.2.7.md) - User List Fix & Terminal.Gui NuGet Migration
 - [v0.2.6](v0.2.6.md) - Major Refactoring & Code Organization

docs/changelog/toc.yml

@@ -1,5 +1,11 @@
 - 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
+  href: v0.2.9.md
 - name: v0.2.8
   href: v0.2.8.md
 - name: v0.2.7

docs/changelog/v0.2.10.md

@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+# v0.2.10
+
+Follow-up patch release for v0.2.9 addressing auto-updater regressions, adding a command palette, infinite-scroll message history, and input polish.
+
+## New Features
+
+- Command palette — press Ctrl+K from the message input (or anywhere in the main window) to open a searchable dialog for navigating channels and triggering app actions (connect, disconnect, logout, profile, status, create/delete channel, saved servers, toggle users panel, check for updates, quit). Fuzzy matches against both the label and the underlying key so typing `ch` surfaces channel actions alongside `#channel` entries
+- Scroll-to-load message history — scrolling to the top of a channel now fetches the next batch of older messages in the background (previously only the most recent 100 messages were available). Duplicate messages are filtered by ID, a per-channel guard prevents concurrent fetches, and the scroll position is preserved after the prepend so your reading position doesn't jump
+
+## Bug Fixes
+
+- Fix update progress dialog freezing / not repainting — progress callbacks now run on the UI thread so the download and extraction percentage actually updates while an update is in progress
+- Fix pre-update backup failing when a Serilog-held log file is locked — `UpdateBackupService` now enumerates files manually, skips the `logs/` directory and `.log` files, and logs-and-continues on `IOException`/`UnauthorizedAccessException` instead of aborting the whole backup
+- Simplify update progress dispatch — remove redundant `Application.Invoke` wrappers around progress updates that are already called from the UI thread (introduced while fixing the freeze above)
+- Fix cursor position being reset to the start of the line when auto-completing commands in the CLI app — insertion point is now moved to the end of the completed text
+- Fix notification sounds crashing or being silently dropped when several arrive in quick succession — playback is now serialized through a semaphore that's held for the duration of each sound (using `PlaybackFinished` with a 10s safety timeout) and always released in `finally`, so back-to-back notifications queue up and play in order instead of racing the underlying audio player (fixes #20)
+- Fix client crashing on startup with `No Serilog:Using configuration section is defined` under single-file publish — pass `ConfigurationReaderOptions` with the `Serilog.Sinks.File` assembly explicitly so Serilog can resolve sinks without scanning the filesystem for `.dll`s (which don't exist in a bundled exe)
+
+## Refactoring
+
+- Move search-dialog dispatch out of `MainWindow` into `AppOrchestrator` — `MainWindow` now just raises `OnSearchRequested`, keeping the view dumb and letting the orchestrator own navigation/action routing
+- `ChatHub.GetChannelHistory` and `IChatService.GetChannelHistoryAsync` gain an additional `offset` parameter for paginated history loading (defaults to `0` — existing callers are unaffected)
+- `ValidationConstants.MaxHistoryCount` raised from `100` to `200` so power users and paginated fetches can request larger batches; `DefaultHistoryCount` stays at `100`

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

docs/changelog/v0.2.9.md

@@ -3,3 +3,21 @@
 ## Bug Fixes
 
 - Fix Linux/macOS client install — enable single-file publish so the install script copies one self-contained binary instead of just the native host (which failed with "does not exist: EchoHub.Client.dll")
+- Fix Chocolatey install path on Windows — `chocolateyInstall.ps1` was joining the install directory and executable name into a single segment, producing an invalid target path
+- Fix Chocolatey package metadata — corrected GitHub repository URLs and documentation URLs in `echohub.nuspec` that pointed at the wrong location
+- Fix double-click on "Public" checkbox in the Create Channel dialog accidentally submitting the dialog — checkbox toggle commands no longer bubble up to the dialog's default button
+
+## Documentation
+
+- Add a dedicated configuration guide (`docs/articles/configuration.md`) covering server settings, client settings, and environment overrides
+- Refresh README badges and reorganize the articles table of contents for better discoverability
+- Polish Docker, getting-started, and flow docs to match the current configuration surface
+
+## Dependencies
+
+- Bump `Terminal.Gui` to `2.0.0-develop.5043` (from `5039`)
+
+## CI
+
+- Release workflow now publishes a single-file self-contained client binary for Linux and macOS so the install script works out-of-the-box
+- Chocolatey publishing step now triggers only when the package source actually changes and performs a proper version check against the feed before pushing

docs/todo.md

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
   - that means basically multiple servers linked, so users can chat cross-server in this network
 - [x] when users clicks public -> private -> public checkbox in the channel creation, it ends up creating the channel on 3rd check switch
 - [ ] add keyboard only controls | at least for most important parts and the rest might be accessible with: (down)
-- [ ] add search bar / search modal – that will allow users to instantly navigate to room / focus on app element & etc
+- [x] add search bar / search modal – that will allow users to instantly navigate to room / focus on app element & etc
 - [ ] Actually smart data management – cache messages, lazy load messages on scroll (currently hardcoded 100msgs fetched + new ones)
 - [x] Another thing would be stateful userlist – basically fetch once and listen for userlist updates
 - [x] Send to EchohubSpace only state changes, currently we send user count periodically, instead of updating it on update

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 0.2.8"
+            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>0.2.9</Version>
+    <Version>0.2.11</Version>
     <GenerateDocumentationFile>true</GenerateDocumentationFile>
     <NoWarn>$(NoWarn);CS1591</NoWarn>
   </PropertyGroup>

src/EchoHub.Client/AppOrchestrator.cs

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ public sealed class AppOrchestrator : IDisposable
     private readonly ConnectionManager _conn = new();
     private readonly Dictionary<string, List<UserPresenceDto>> _channelUsers = new(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
     private readonly Lock _channelUsersLock = new();
+    private readonly HashSet<string> _channelsLoadingMore = new(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
 
     private ClientConfig _config;
     private readonly UserSession _session = new();
@@ -91,6 +92,8 @@ public sealed class AppOrchestrator : IDisposable
         _mainWindow.OnRollbackRequested += HandleRollbackRequested;
         _mainWindow.OnUserProfileRequested += HandleViewProfile;
         _mainWindow.OnChannelJoinRequested += HandleChannelJoinFromMessage;
+        _mainWindow.OnSearchRequested += HandleSearchRequested;
+        _mainWindow.OnLoadMoreRequested += HandleLoadMoreRequested;
     }
 
     // ── Command Handler Wiring ─────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -720,6 +723,31 @@ public sealed class AppOrchestrator : IDisposable
         }, "Failed to join channel");
     }
 
+    private void HandleLoadMoreRequested()
+    {
+        if (!_conn.IsConnected) return;
+
+        var channel = _mainWindow.CurrentChannel;
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(channel)) return;
+
+        if (!_channelsLoadingMore.Add(channel)) return;
+
+        var offset = _messageManager.GetMessages(channel)?.Count ?? 0;
+
+        RunAsync(async () =>
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                var history = await _conn.GetHistoryAsync(channel, HubConstants.DefaultHistoryCount, offset);
+                InvokeUI(() => _messageManager.PrependHistory(channel, history));
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                _channelsLoadingMore.Remove(channel);
+            }
+        }, "Failed to load more messages");
+    }
+
     private void HandleChannelJoinFromMessage(string channelName)
     {
         if (!_conn.IsConnected) return;
@@ -733,6 +761,38 @@ public sealed class AppOrchestrator : IDisposable
         HandleChannelSelected(channelName);
     }
 
+
+    private void HandleSearchRequested()
+    {
+        var result = SearchDialog.Show(_app, _mainWindow.GetChannelNames());
+        if (result is null) return;
+
+        switch (result.Type)
+        {
+            case SearchResultType.Channel:
+                _mainWindow.SwitchToChannel(result.Key);
+                HandleChannelSelected(result.Key);
+                break;
+
+            case SearchResultType.Action:
+                switch (result.Key)
+                {
+                    case "connect": HandleConnect(); break;
+                    case "disconnect": HandleDisconnect(); break;
+                    case "logout": HandleLogout(); break;
+                    case "profile": HandleProfileRequested(); break;
+                    case "status": HandleStatusRequested(); break;
+                    case "create-channel": HandleCreateChannelRequested(); break;
+                    case "delete-channel": HandleDeleteChannelRequested(); break;
+                    case "servers": HandleSavedServersRequested(); break;
+                    case "toggle-users": _mainWindow.ToggleUsersPanel(); break;
+                    case "updates": HandleCheckForUpdatesRequested(); break;
+                    case "quit": _app.RequestStop(); break;
+                }
+                break;
+        }
+    }
+
     private void HandleProfileRequested()
     {
         HandleViewProfile(null);

src/EchoHub.Client/Program.cs

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ using EchoHub.Client.Services;
 using EchoHub.Client.Themes;
 using Microsoft.Extensions.Configuration;
 using Serilog;
+using Serilog.Settings.Configuration;
 using Terminal.Gui.App;
 
 // == CLI rollback: works without TUI, before anything else ================
@@ -71,8 +72,11 @@ var configuration = new ConfigurationBuilder()
     .AddJsonFile("appsettings.json", optional: true, reloadOnChange: false)
     .Build();
 
+// Explicit sink-assembly reference is required under PublishSingleFile — the default
+// AssemblyFinder scans for Serilog.Sinks.*.dll on disk, which don't exist in a bundled exe.
+var serilogOptions = new ConfigurationReaderOptions(typeof(FileLoggerConfigurationExtensions).Assembly);
 Log.Logger = new LoggerConfiguration()
-    .ReadFrom.Configuration(configuration)
+    .ReadFrom.Configuration(configuration, serilogOptions)
     .CreateLogger();
 
 Log.Information("EchoHub client starting");

src/EchoHub.Client/Services/ConnectionManager.cs

@@ -196,8 +196,8 @@ internal sealed class ConnectionManager : IAsyncDisposable
         _connection?.SendMessageAsync(channel, content)
         ?? throw new InvalidOperationException("Not connected");
 
-    public Task<List<MessageDto>> GetHistoryAsync(string channel) =>
+    public Task<List<MessageDto>> GetHistoryAsync(string channel, int count = HubConstants.DefaultHistoryCount, int offset = 0) =>
-        _connection?.GetHistoryAsync(channel)
+        _connection?.GetHistoryAsync(channel, count, offset)
         ?? throw new InvalidOperationException("Not connected");
 
     public Task<List<UserPresenceDto>> GetOnlineUsersAsync(string channel) =>

src/EchoHub.Client/Services/EchoHubConnection.cs

@@ -154,9 +154,9 @@ public sealed class EchoHubConnection : IAsyncDisposable
         await _connection.InvokeAsync("SendMessage", channelName, encrypted);
     }
 
-    public async Task<List<MessageDto>> GetHistoryAsync(string channelName, int count = HubConstants.DefaultHistoryCount)
+    public async Task<List<MessageDto>> GetHistoryAsync(string channelName, int count = HubConstants.DefaultHistoryCount, int offset = 0)
     {
-        var messages = await _connection.InvokeAsync<List<MessageDto>>("GetChannelHistory", channelName, count);
+        var messages = await _connection.InvokeAsync<List<MessageDto>>("GetChannelHistory", channelName, count, offset);
         return DecryptMessages(messages);
     }
 

src/EchoHub.Client/Services/NotificationSoundService.cs

@@ -6,7 +6,11 @@ namespace EchoHub.Client.Services;
 
 public class NotificationSoundService
 {
+    // Safety net: if PlaybackFinished never fires we don't want to block future notifications forever.
+    private static readonly TimeSpan PlaybackTimeout = TimeSpan.FromSeconds(10);
+
     private readonly Player _player = new();
+    private readonly SemaphoreSlim _lock = new(1, 1);
     private readonly NotificationConfig _config;
     private string? _resolvedSoundPath;
 
@@ -41,18 +45,31 @@ public class NotificationSoundService
 
     private async Task PlayInternal()
     {
+        await _lock.WaitAsync();
+
+        // _player.Play returns as soon as playback starts, so we wait on PlaybackFinished
+        // to hold the lock for the duration of the sound. A one-shot handler + timeout
+        // keeps the finally release robust: never-fires → timeout; fires twice → ignored
+        // (TrySetResult); handler throws → caller's catch still runs finally.
+        var completion = new TaskCompletionSource(TaskCreationOptions.RunContinuationsAsynchronously);
+        void OnFinished(object? s, EventArgs e) => completion.TrySetResult();
+        _player.PlaybackFinished += OnFinished;
+
         try
         {
-            if (_player.Playing)
-                await _player.Stop();
-
             await _player.SetVolume(_config.Volume);
             await _player.Play(_resolvedSoundPath!);
+            await Task.WhenAny(completion.Task, Task.Delay(PlaybackTimeout));
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {
             Log.Warning(ex, "Failed to play notification sound");
         }
+        finally
+        {
+            _player.PlaybackFinished -= OnFinished;
+            _lock.Release();
+        }
     }
 
     private void ResolveSoundPath()

src/EchoHub.Client/Services/UpdateBackupService.cs

@@ -40,7 +40,37 @@ public static class UpdateBackupService
 
         Log.Information("Creating pre-update backup of {AppDir} (v{Version})", appDir, version);
 
-        ZipFile.CreateFromDirectory(appDir, BackupZipPath, CompressionLevel.Fastest, includeBaseDirectory: false);
+        using (var archive = ZipFile.Open(BackupZipPath, ZipArchiveMode.Create))
+        {
+            foreach (var file in Directory.EnumerateFiles(appDir, "*", SearchOption.AllDirectories))
+            {
+                var relativePath = Path.GetRelativePath(appDir, file);
+
+                // Skip log files to prevent locking errors with Serilog while zipping
+                if (relativePath.StartsWith("logs" + Path.DirectorySeparatorChar, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) ||
+                    relativePath.StartsWith("logs" + Path.AltDirectorySeparatorChar, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) ||
+                    relativePath.EndsWith(".log", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                {
+                    continue;
+                }
+
+                // Normalize path separators for the zip archive format
+                var entryName = relativePath.Replace(Path.DirectorySeparatorChar, '/').Replace(Path.AltDirectorySeparatorChar, '/');
+
+                try
+                {
+                    archive.CreateEntryFromFile(file, entryName, CompressionLevel.Fastest);
+                }
+                catch (IOException ex)
+                {
+                    Log.Warning(ex, "Skipped locked file {FileName} during backup calculation", relativePath);
+                }
+                catch (UnauthorizedAccessException ex)
+                {
+                    Log.Warning(ex, "Skipped inaccessible file {FileName} during backup calculation", relativePath);
+                }
+            }
+        }
 
         var info = new BackupInfo(version, appDir, DateTimeOffset.UtcNow);
         var json = JsonSerializer.Serialize(info, BackupJsonContext.Default.BackupInfo);

src/EchoHub.Client/Services/UpdateChecker.cs

@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ public sealed class UpdateChecker : IDisposable
                     // Create backup before the update starts
                     try
                     {
-                        _app.Invoke(() => _progressDialog?.UpdateProgress(0f, "Creating backup..."));
+                        _progressDialog?.UpdateProgress(0f, "Creating backup...");
                         UpdateBackupService.CreateBackup();
                     }
                     catch (Exception ex)
@@ -79,27 +79,21 @@ public sealed class UpdateChecker : IDisposable
                         Log.Error(ex, "Failed to create pre-update backup");
 
                         var proceed = false;
-                        _app.Invoke(() =>
+                        proceed = MessageBox.Query(
-                        {
+                            _app,
-                            proceed = MessageBox.Query(
+                            "Backup Warning",
-                                _app,
+                            $"Could not create backup: {ex.Message}\n\nContinue update without backup?",
-                                "Backup Warning",
+                            "Continue", "Cancel") == 0;
-                                $"Could not create backup: {ex.Message}\n\nContinue update without backup?",
-                                "Continue", "Cancel") == 0;
-                        });
 
                         if (!proceed)
                         {
-                            _app.Invoke(() =>
+                            _progressDialog?.Close();
-                            {
+                            _progressDialog = null;
-                                _progressDialog?.Close();
-                                _progressDialog = null;
-                            });
                             return;
                         }
                     }
 
-                    _app.Invoke(() => _progressDialog?.UpdateProgress(0f, "Downloading update..."));
+                    _progressDialog?.UpdateProgress(0f, "Downloading update...");
                     await _updater.UpdateAsync();
                 });
 

src/EchoHub.Client/UI/Chat/ChatMessageManager.cs

@@ -186,6 +186,39 @@ public sealed class ChatMessageManager
             MessagesChanged?.Invoke(channelName);
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Prepend older messages at the front of a channel's buffer, skipping any that are already present.
+    /// Fires <see cref="HistoryPrepended"/> when new lines are actually inserted.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void PrependHistory(string channelName, List<MessageDto> olderMessages)
+    {
+        if (!_channelMessages.TryGetValue(channelName, out var existing))
+            return;
+
+        var existingIds = existing
+            .Where(l => l.MessageId.HasValue)
+            .Select(l => l.MessageId!.Value)
+            .ToHashSet();
+
+        var newLines = olderMessages
+            .Where(m => !existingIds.Contains(m.Id))
+            .SelectMany(FormatMessage)
+            .ToList();
+
+        if (newLines.Count == 0)
+            return;
+
+        existing.InsertRange(0, newLines);
+
+        if (channelName == _currentChannel)
+            HistoryPrepended?.Invoke(channelName);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Fired after older messages are prepended to a channel's buffer. Parameter is the channel name.
+    /// </summary>
+    public event Action<string>? HistoryPrepended;
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Reset all message state (used on disconnect).
     /// </summary>

src/EchoHub.Client/UI/Dialogs/SearchDialog.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,160 @@
+using EchoHub.Client.UI.ListSources;
+
+using System.Collections;
+using System.Collections.Specialized;
+using System.Diagnostics;
+
+using Terminal.Gui.App;
+using Terminal.Gui.Drawing;
+using Terminal.Gui.Input;
+using Terminal.Gui.Text;
+using Terminal.Gui.ViewBase;
+using Terminal.Gui.Views;
+
+namespace EchoHub.Client.UI.Dialogs;
+
+public enum SearchResultType
+{
+    Channel,
+    Action
+}
+
+public record SearchResult(SearchResultType Type, string Key, string Label);
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Command-palette style search dialog (Ctrl+K) for navigating channels and triggering app actions.
+/// </summary>
+public static class SearchDialog
+{
+    private static readonly IReadOnlyList<SearchResult> DefaultActions = [
+        new(SearchResultType.Action, "connect",        "Connect to Server"),
+        new(SearchResultType.Action, "disconnect",     "Disconnect"),
+        new(SearchResultType.Action, "logout",         "Logout"),
+        new(SearchResultType.Action, "profile",        "My Profile"),
+        new(SearchResultType.Action, "status",         "Set Status"),
+        new(SearchResultType.Action, "create-channel", "Create Channel"),
+        new(SearchResultType.Action, "delete-channel", "Delete Channel"),
+        new(SearchResultType.Action, "servers",        "Saved Servers"),
+        new(SearchResultType.Action, "toggle-users",   "Toggle Users Panel"),
+        new(SearchResultType.Action, "updates",        "Check for Updates"),
+        new(SearchResultType.Action, "quit",           "Quit"),
+    ];
+
+    public static SearchResult? Show(IApplication app, IReadOnlyList<string> channels)
+    {
+        SearchResult? result = null;
+        var source = new SearchListSource(BuildAllItems(channels));
+
+        var dialog = new Dialog
+        {
+            Title = "Search",
+            Width = 59,
+            Height = 22,
+        };
+
+        var hintLabel = new Label
+        {
+            Text = "Channels and actions \u2502 \u2193 to navigate \u2502 Enter to select",
+            X = 1,
+            Y = 1,
+        };
+
+        var searchField = new TextField
+        {
+            X = 1,
+            Y = 2,
+            Title = "Search",
+            Width = Dim.Fill(2),
+        };
+
+        var resultList = new ListView
+        {
+            X = 1,
+            Y = 4,
+            Width = Dim.Fill(2),
+            Height = Dim.Fill(3),
+            Source = source
+        };
+
+        var cancelButton = new Button
+        {
+            Text = "Cancel",
+            X = Pos.Center(),
+            Y = Pos.AnchorEnd(1),
+        };
+
+        if (source.Count > 0)
+            resultList.SelectedItem = 0;
+
+        searchField.KeyDown += (s, e) =>
+        {
+            if (e.KeyCode == Key.K.WithCtrl)
+            {
+                e.Handled = true;
+                app.RequestStop();
+            }
+        };
+
+        searchField.TextChanged += (s, e) =>
+        {
+            source.Filter(searchField.Text ?? string.Empty);
+            resultList.Source = source;
+            if (source.Count > 0)
+                resultList.SelectedItem = 0;
+        };
+
+        searchField.Accepting += (s, e) => TryConfirm(e);
+
+        resultList.Accepting += (s, e) => TryConfirm(e);
+
+        resultList.KeystrokeNavigator.SearchStringChanged += (s, e) =>
+        {
+            app.Invoke(() =>
+            {
+                searchField.SetFocus();
+            });
+        };
+
+        cancelButton.Accepting += (s, e) =>
+        {
+            result = null;
+            e.Handled = true;
+            app.RequestStop();
+        };
+
+        dialog.KeyDown += (s, e) =>
+        {
+            if (e.KeyCode == Key.K.WithCtrl)
+            {
+                e.Handled = true;
+                app.RequestStop();
+            }
+        };
+
+        dialog.Add(hintLabel, searchField, resultList, cancelButton);
+        searchField.SetFocus();
+        app.Run(dialog);
+
+        return result;
+
+        void TryConfirm(CommandEventArgs e)
+        {
+            var idx = resultList.SelectedItem ?? 0;
+            if (source.Count > 0 && idx >= 0 && idx < source.Count)
+            {
+                result = source.GetItem(idx);
+                e.Handled = true;
+                app.RequestStop();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static List<SearchResult> BuildAllItems(IReadOnlyList<string> channels)
+    {
+        var items = new List<SearchResult>();
+        foreach (var ch in channels)
+            items.Add(new SearchResult(SearchResultType.Channel, ch, $"#{ch}"));
+        items.AddRange(DefaultActions);
+        return items;
+    }
+}

src/EchoHub.Client/UI/ListSources/SearchListSource.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+using EchoHub.Client.UI.Chat;
+using EchoHub.Client.UI.Dialogs;
+
+using System.Collections;
+using System.Collections.Specialized;
+
+using Terminal.Gui.Drawing;
+using Terminal.Gui.Text;
+using Terminal.Gui.Views;
+
+using Attribute = Terminal.Gui.Drawing.Attribute;
+
+namespace EchoHub.Client.UI.ListSources;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// List data source for the search dialog with filtering and colored rendering.
+/// </summary>
+public class SearchListSource(List<SearchResult> items) : IListDataSource
+{
+    private readonly List<SearchResult> _allItems = items;
+    private List<SearchResult> _filtered = [.. items];
+
+    private static readonly Attribute ChannelAttribute = new(Color.BrightCyan, Color.None);
+    private static readonly Attribute ActionAttribute = new(Color.White, Color.None);
+
+    public event NotifyCollectionChangedEventHandler? CollectionChanged;
+    public int Count => _filtered.Count;
+    public int MaxItemLength => _filtered.Count > 0 ? _filtered.Max(i => i.Label.GetColumns()) : 0;
+    public bool SuspendCollectionChangedEvent { get; set; }
+
+    public void Filter(string query)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(query))
+        {
+            _filtered = [.. _allItems];
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            _filtered = [.. _allItems.Where(i =>
+                i.Label.Contains(query, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+                || i.Key.Contains(query, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))];
+        }
+
+        if (!SuspendCollectionChangedEvent)
+            CollectionChanged?.Invoke(this, new NotifyCollectionChangedEventArgs(NotifyCollectionChangedAction.Reset));
+    }
+
+    public SearchResult? GetItem(int index) => index >= 0 && index < _filtered.Count ? _filtered[index] : null;
+
+    public bool IsMarked(int item) => false;
+    public void SetMark(int item, bool value) { }
+    public IList ToList() => _filtered.Select(i => (object)i.Label).ToList();
+
+    public void Render(ListView listView, bool selected, int item, int col, int row, int width, int viewportX = 0)
+    {
+        listView.Move(Math.Max(col - viewportX, 0), row);
+
+        var entry = _filtered[item];
+        var fillAttr = listView.GetAttributeForRole(selected ? VisualRole.Focus : VisualRole.Normal);
+
+        Attribute itemAttr;
+        if (selected)
+        {
+            itemAttr = fillAttr;
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            var raw = entry.Type switch
+            {
+                SearchResultType.Channel => ChannelAttribute,
+                SearchResultType.Action => ActionAttribute,
+                _ => fillAttr
+            };
+            itemAttr = raw.Background == Color.None ? raw with { Background = fillAttr.Background } : raw;
+        }
+
+        listView.SetAttribute(itemAttr);
+
+        var drawn = RenderHelpers.WriteText(listView, entry.Label, 0, width);
+
+        listView.SetAttribute(fillAttr);
+        for (var i = drawn; i < width; i++)
+            listView.AddStr(" ");
+    }
+
+    public void Dispose() { }
+}

src/EchoHub.Client/UI/MainWindow.cs

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+using System.Diagnostics;
 using System.Text.RegularExpressions;
 using EchoHub.Client.Services;
 using EchoHub.Client.Themes;
@@ -48,6 +49,7 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
     private static readonly Key NewlineKey = Key.N.WithCtrl;
     private static readonly Key AltQKey = Key.Q.WithAlt;
     private static readonly Key TabKey = Key.Tab;
+    private static readonly Key CtrlKKey = Key.K.WithCtrl;
 
     // Available slash commands for Tab autocomplete
     private static readonly string[] SlashCommands =
@@ -116,6 +118,11 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
     /// </summary>
     public event Action? OnSavedServersRequested;
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Fired when the user scrolls to the top of the message list and older messages should be loaded.
+    /// </summary>
+    public event Action? OnLoadMoreRequested;
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Fired when the user requests to create a new channel.
     /// </summary>
@@ -151,11 +158,17 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
     /// </summary>
     public event Action<string>? OnChannelJoinRequested;
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Fired when the user requests to open the search dialog (via menu or Ctrl+K).
+    /// </summary>
+    public event Action? OnSearchRequested;
+
     public MainWindow(IApplication app, ChatMessageManager messageManager)
     {
         _app = app;
         _messageManager = messageManager;
         _messageManager.MessagesChanged += OnMessagesChanged;
+        _messageManager.HistoryPrepended += OnHistoryPrepended;
         Arrangement = ViewArrangement.Fixed;
 
         // Menu bar at the top
@@ -216,13 +229,16 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
         };
         _messageList.Source = new ChatListSource();
         _messageList.Accepting += OnMessageListAccepting;
+        _messageList.VerticalScrollBar.Scrolled += OnMessageListVerticalScrollBarScrolled;
+        _messageList.VerticalScrollBar.Visible = true;
+
         _chatFrame.Add(_messageList);
         Add(_chatFrame);
 
         // Bottom input area
         _inputFrame = new FrameView
         {
-            Title = "Message \u2502 Enter=send \u2502 Ctrl+N=newline \u2502 Tab=complete",
+            Title = "Message \u2502 Enter=send \u2502 Ctrl+N=newline \u2502 Tab=complete \u2502 Ctrl+K=search",
             X = 22,
             Y = Pos.Bottom(_chatFrame),
             Width = Dim.Fill(UsersPanelWidth),
@@ -472,6 +488,12 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
         }
     }
 
+    private void OnMessageListVerticalScrollBarScrolled(object? sender, EventArgs<int> e)
+    {
+        if (_messageList.VerticalScrollBar.Value == 0)
+            OnLoadMoreRequested?.Invoke();
+    }
+
     private void OnUsersListAccepting(object? sender, CommandEventArgs e)
     {
         var index = _usersList.SelectedItem;
@@ -513,6 +535,11 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
             _app.RequestStop();
             e.Handled = true;
         }
+        else if (e.KeyCode == CtrlKKey.KeyCode)
+        {
+            ShowSearchDialog();
+            e.Handled = true;
+        }
     }
 
     private bool _suppressEmojiReplace;
@@ -572,6 +599,9 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
             if (prefix.Length > text.Length)
                 _inputField.Text = prefix;
         }
+
+        // Move cursor to end after autocomplete
+        _inputField.InsertionPoint = new System.Drawing.Point(_inputField.Text?.Length ?? 0, 0);
     }
 
     private void OnChatViewportChanged()
@@ -597,6 +627,16 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
             ToggleUsersPanel();
             e.Handled = true;
         }
+        else if (e.KeyCode == CtrlKKey.KeyCode)
+        {
+            ShowSearchDialog();
+            e.Handled = true;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void ShowSearchDialog()
+    {
+        OnSearchRequested?.Invoke();
     }
 
     private void OnMessagesChanged(string channelName)
@@ -607,6 +647,26 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Runnable
             RefreshChannelList();
     }
 
+    private void OnHistoryPrepended(string channelName)
+    {
+        if (channelName != _messageManager.CurrentChannel)
+            return;
+
+        var messages = _messageManager.GetMessages(channelName);
+        if (messages is null)
+            return;
+
+        var oldCount = (_messageList.Source as ChatListSource)?.Count ?? 0;
+
+        RefreshMessages();
+
+        // Scroll to the item that was at the top before the prepend so the user
+        // stays at their previous reading position rather than jumping to the top.
+        var prependedCount = (_messageList.Source as ChatListSource)?.Count - oldCount;
+        if (prependedCount > 0)
+            _messageList.SelectedItem = prependedCount;
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Set the list of available channels, storing topics, and refresh the channel list view.
     /// </summary>

src/EchoHub.Core/Constants/ValidationConstants.cs

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ public static partial class ValidationConstants
     public const int MaxBioLength = 500;
     public const int MaxStatusMessageLength = 100;
     public const int MaxChannelTopicLength = 500;
-    public const int MaxHistoryCount = 100;
+    public const int MaxHistoryCount = 200;
 
     [GeneratedRegex(UsernamePattern)]
     public static partial Regex UsernameRegex();

src/EchoHub.Core/Contracts/IChatService.cs

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ public interface IChatService
 
     // Messaging
     Task<string?> SendMessageAsync(Guid userId, string username, string channelName, string content);
-    Task<List<MessageDto>> GetChannelHistoryAsync(string channelName, int count);
+    Task<List<MessageDto>> GetChannelHistoryAsync(string channelName, int count, int offset = 0);
 
     // Presence
     Task<string?> UpdateStatusAsync(Guid userId, string username, UserStatus status, string? statusMessage);

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/Hubs/ChatHub.cs

@@ -106,11 +106,11 @@ public class ChatHub : Hub<IEchoHubClient>
         }
     }
 
-    public async Task<List<MessageDto>> GetChannelHistory(string channelName, int count = HubConstants.DefaultHistoryCount)
+    public async Task<List<MessageDto>> GetChannelHistory(string channelName, int count = HubConstants.DefaultHistoryCount, int offset = 0)
     {
         try
         {
-            return await _chatService.GetChannelHistoryAsync(channelName, count);
+            return await _chatService.GetChannelHistoryAsync(channelName, count, offset);
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {

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/ChatService.cs

@@ -245,15 +245,16 @@ public class ChatService : IChatService
         return null;
     }
 
-    public async Task<List<MessageDto>> GetChannelHistoryAsync(string channelName, int count)
+    public async Task<List<MessageDto>> GetChannelHistoryAsync(string channelName, int count, int offset = 0)
     {
         channelName = channelName.ToLowerInvariant().Trim();
         count = Math.Clamp(count, 1, ValidationConstants.MaxHistoryCount);
+        offset = Math.Max(offset, 0);
 
         using var scope = _scopeFactory.CreateScope();
         var db = scope.ServiceProvider.GetRequiredService<EchoHubDbContext>();
 
-        return await GetChannelHistoryInternalAsync(db, channelName, count);
+        return await GetChannelHistoryInternalAsync(db, channelName, count, offset);
     }
 
     public async Task<string?> UpdateStatusAsync(Guid userId, string username, UserStatus status, string? statusMessage)
@@ -366,7 +367,7 @@ public class ChatService : IChatService
         return string.Join('\n', result);
     }
 
-    private async Task<List<MessageDto>> GetChannelHistoryInternalAsync(EchoHubDbContext db, string channelName, int count)
+    private async Task<List<MessageDto>> GetChannelHistoryInternalAsync(EchoHubDbContext db, string channelName, int count, int offset = 0)
     {
         var channel = await db.Channels.FirstOrDefaultAsync(c => c.Name == channelName);
         if (channel is null)
@@ -375,6 +376,7 @@ public class ChatService : IChatService
         var raw = await db.Messages
             .Where(m => m.ChannelId == channel.Id)
             .OrderByDescending(m => m.SentAt)
+            .Skip(offset)
             .Take(count)
             .Join(db.Users,
                 m => m.SenderUserId,

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 _);
 
-            return (connectionIds, channels);
+            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": {

src/EchoHub.Tests/Irc/TestHelpers.cs

@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ internal sealed class FakeChatService : IChatService
         return Task.FromResult(SendMessageError);
     }
 
-    public Task<List<MessageDto>> GetChannelHistoryAsync(string channelName, int count) =>
+    public Task<List<MessageDto>> GetChannelHistoryAsync(string channelName, int count, int offset = 0) =>
         Task.FromResult(HistoryToReturn);
 
     public Task<string?> UpdateStatusAsync(Guid userId, string username, UserStatus status, string? statusMessage)